Check out this great idea - I'm totally stealing it!

When I'm out there shopping for back-to-school supplies (and school starts on 8/18 here!), I'm picking up a white board with sticky things on the back.

It's going on my office door, and on it, I'll write:

Triumph Communications is...

and then fill in the blank with "open" or "closed" depending on the time of day.

It'll help everyone in my household live a little longer, I think. These precious people have no idea whether the faraway look in my eyes is me trying to grasp an elusive headline for a client's copy, or me wondering whether I remembered to thaw out something for dinner. No wonder they interrupt! This way, if they see that my office is open, they'll understand someone better be bleeding (and I'm not talking a drop or two... it better be a gusher) if they come in. : )

PLUS, when the sign says "closed" it'll be my reminder to go get a life!! : )


The Coffee-Stained Writer: Watching the Clock: When to Ignore Your Writing Schedule

The Buddy System for freelance writers: Part 2

Here's the other pro you should know...

Web designers - and I've mentioned this before - make for excellent project partners. They tend to need writers even more than graphics people do! Might be that their brains are wired differently - they get all the technical specs, programming stuff, and can make sense of codes that essentially read like: 00100111001 (my apologies if I've just typed some sort of obscenity in code!)

So when they meet with a client about designing a website, and it comes down to putting words on the virtual page, the LAST thing they want to hear is, "Oh, just write something. It'll be fine."

That's when they're most likely to suggest that the client hire you to do the writing... if they know about you!

In talking with web people about working together, you'll want to discuss your SEO skills and knowledge and your understanding of writing for the web. Basically, you've got about 3 seconds to grab your readers' attention. Web readers tend to skim, scan, and scroll through pages - your job as a writer is to draw them in so they'll read more, and read enough to find themselves compelled to take action (clicking, calling, whatever).

Again, usually, you'll work with the web designer directly rather than with the client (although it could go either way).

How do you find web people to work with? See yesterday's post!

I'm STEAMED! But also up for another freelance writing challenge

Making the rounds today, and popped in to see what was shaking on Guru, and found out....

The sky is falling!!!! The sky is falling!!!

OK, so not really, but sort of.

They've got a little announcement up there that felt like a punch in the gut (for a few minutes, at least).

The Guru ranking system is getting a major makeover that's effective January 2009. There's a LOT of text to wade through to understand the ins and outs of the new system, the reasons for the change, and what you need to do in light of the change.

But all I could see was this:

Your current rank: 1
Your new rank: 89

Weeping, wailing, gnashing of teeth.... I've worked so hard; it's not fair; waah waah waah (how do you spell that?) --- hey, I went victim, I had my 7 minutes of whining, and now I'm done.

I've sent a little note to Guru's powers that be asking for some clarification on improving the "new" rank, and will let you know what I hear.

As ever, I still think it's the best site out there for finding writing gigs - a wonderful way to get your writing business started. Before, the formula for getting a high ranking was (in a nutshell): bid consistently, do a great job, repeat.

Now I'm up for the challenge of moving my new rank up in ranks, too. Er... once I figure out the new system!

Out of curiosity... what's your current and new rank? (I'm guessing that for some, the new system may be a good thing...)

The Buddy System for freelance writers - Part 1

Peter Bowerman does it. So do a bunch of other successful freelance writers. That alone makes this Buddy System worth a look.

Maybe I've got summer camp on the brain - remember, you'd all hike down to the lake, pair up, and jump in. Anytime the lifeguard blew the whistle, you had to find your buddy, hold hands and show that everyone was accounted for. Then usually after swimming, everyone had to line up and get some sort of drops in their ears because who knows what was in that lake??

OK, this Buddy System really bears no resemblance to that one after all.

What I'm talking about today is working with other pros who serve the same client base you do. Today, we're looking at working with graphics people.

They create all the pretty pictures to help a client with branding. Letterhead, business cards, brochures, and direct mail pieces for offline use - and website headers and email templates for online use. Just like when you see the Coke logo, or the Nike swoosh, you know exactly what you're getting; consistent branding is a huge part of a company's marketing strategy.

Lots of huge companies have in-house designers and copywriters. But you'd be surprised how many outsource these jobs. And you'd be really surprised by some of the big names out there that use freelancers! I've signed NDAs, so you won't hear any names from me - but let's just say, you've heard of them.

Here's what happens: A client goes to a designer with a project. They talk look, layout, logo... all that. And then often, the client says something like, "Oh, just write something." The designer thinks, "OH NOOOOO!!!!" and then, if you've done a good job networking, the designer calls YOU! They're relieved because, frankly, if they wanted to write for clients, they'd be freelance writers. The client's happy because they get gorgeous graphics AND great copy. You're happy because you get a steady stream of work, and the fun of working with a partner on a project.

So, how do you find designers? A few different ways:

1. Networking events. Have a conversation, ask if you can help. Ask for a card - because you'll probably run into writing clients who also need graphics help and you can pass the info along.
2. Make some calls. Not my favorite (sorry Peter!) but it definitely gets easier the more calls you make. Just introduce yourself and ask if you could send your info along.
3. Do a direct mail piece and send it to some designers. You could get really creative with this. I'm picturing a horrible postcard (crooked, cropped badly, etc.) with text that reads something like: "Writers should never design graphics!" on the front and "You probably feel that way about writing - we should work together!"

Typically, the designers I work with ask for an estimate for my part. They add it to their estimate and present it to their client. I don't usually have contact with the client - although sometimes I do. And the designer pays me as we reach different project milestones. You could do the whole process the other way around if you provided graphics for your clients.

Ever work with a designer? How'd you find the gig? How did it work out for you?

Here's a brilliant way you could promote your freelance writing business

We've talked before about writing for free.

To sum up the discussion:

Writing for free by accident... very bad.
Writing for free on purpose... could be brilliant.

Here's an example of a very cool way you could promote your freelance writing business. Everyone likes to win a contest, after all. And you could do just like this firm and create some press releases about the whole process.

What do YOU think? Would you ever try this?


The WordSlingers to Offer One Free Month of Business Writing Services

So, How’s YOUR Book Coming Along?

“Huh? I’m not writing a book,” you say, “at least not my own, anyway.”

Well, why on earth not? What, are you afraid of a little writing? Think you can’t go the distance?

OK, that’s probably enough taunting to get your feathers ruffled a little. But seriously, it’s been said that everyone’s got a book in them just waiting to be written. And as a freelance writer, who better to draw your book out than you?

Let’s be really clear here: we’re not talking about reverting to the old misconception that keeps many potential freelancers out of the game – that the only way to get paid to write is to write a best-selling novel. We’re assuming you’ve pushed past that limiting belief, and that you realize the earnings potential available as a pen for hire.

Instead, let’s talk about five great reasons for working on your own book:

1. You can share your expertise – and everyone’s an expert in some area. Think your expertise lies only in an area nobody would even care about? Guess again! Whether it’s cleaning (check out Fly Lady’s success), knitting (check out Jill Eaton and a hundred others), or even cooking on the grill (Bobby Flay) – there are hugely successful gurus out there writing and selling books.
2. You can grow your client base. What’s your writing specialty? Write a mean SEO article? Why not write a little book about your method? You could give it away to clients or prospects.
3. You can build an info marketing empire. Create an assortment of info products at various price points – from a free report up to a full book or course. It takes time, and some work, of course. But as I’ve said a thousand times before, info marketing is a freelance writer’s retirement plan.
4. You can leave a legacy. Even if you never market your book, there are people who’ll consider it priceless. Write your memoir. Write a cookbook. Write a devotional. Write a family history. Both of my grandfathers wrote memoirs, and I value these books immensely. One is still alive (at 91 and counting!), but the other is gone. Having their words is precious to me. Do the same, and someone’s going to feel the same about your work someday.
5. You can pursue your dream. Alright, so I lied – there’s still that thing about writing a best-seller! But you know what? Books aren’t usually written overnight, and if you want to do this someday, you might as well start now and do a bit every day. Just don’t neglect your paying gigs.

The best way to get your book done is the same as the best way to eat an elephant – one bite at a time. Schedule some time every day to chip away at this mammoth task. Set the timer and work without interruption. You’ll be amazed by how quickly your book takes shape.

"Mythbusters" for the freelance writer

Quiz:

True or False... web copywriting and SEO copywriting are the same thing.


Check out this article for an excellent guide to the terms we (and our clients) throw around!


Web copywriting: setting the record straight