Angela Booth's Writing Blog

You are not your writing

While coaching a couple of writing students this morning, I found myself repeating: "YOU are not your writing". This is an important point, and it's worth discussing.

If you can't stop yourself identifying closely with your writing, you'll get bent out of shape easily. 

For example:

* If someone tells you "Not for us at this time", you'll tend to read stuff into the statement, rather than taking it at face value, and moving on.

* If a buyer, or agent or editor ignores your email message, you'll tend to think they're ignoring you, rather than realizing that they're either too busy to respond right now, or they didn't receive your message.

* If a prospective client rejects your proposal, you'll wonder what's wrong with you, instead of thinking there's something wrong with them, and moving on. :-)

* When someone critiques your writing, you'll get defensive, instead of considering their comments objectively.

* When a client or editor asks you to revise, you'll get annoyed, instead of simply shuffling the project onto your To Do list and revising it when you have time.

Big Tip: When you're a new writer, it may be impossible for you to develop a professional's equanimity until you have more experience, so be patient.

As you become more experienced, you'll gain perspective and will identify much less with your writing.

You'll realize that:

* Any piece of writing can be improved, and you'll value others' comments and input;

* Editors are just people, and they're wrong at least as often as they're right;

* You know much more than you think you do;

* You wrote yesterday, you'll write today, and you'll write tomorrow, because writing is what you do. 

Posted via email from Angela Booth's Life Stream

New survey: what's your level of freelance writing experience?

Want to take part in a survey? Completing the survey will help me to create the content you want and need on my writing blogs, and for Fab Freelance Writing Ezine.

I know that many readers are completely new to freelance writing, while others are much more experienced.

I'd appreciate a moment of your time to complete the survey -- it's short, just two questions.

Click here to complete the survey. (The survey doesn't for your name or any other personal details.)

Many thanks. :-)

Build Your Writing Services, Build Your Income

In next week's Fab Freelance Writing Ezine, we discuss your customers and building your relationship with them in order to increase your income.

Here's an excerpt from the Editorial:

Thinking about, and reviewing your services regularly, will enable you to increase your income substantially, because your customers will buy more of your services.

For example, let's say that you're writing Web articles. That's one service, and it's a much-needed one. But chances are that you get a client, write the articles he wants, and that's that – the relationship ENDS.

This is sad, both from your point of view, and from the point of view of your buyer, because you've invested significant time and energy in getting this sale, and your buyer has equally spent time and energy in choosing you to write for him.

Start thinking about the long term value of your customers: someone who's bought your services ONCE, will buy from you AGAIN. It's easier for him to work with someone he knows, than to start all over again looking for a writer when he has a new project.

Read more in Tuesday's issue of your favorite "make money writing" ezine: subscribe now.

Subscribe to Angela Booth's fabulous free weekly ezine for freelance writers: get a free report just for subscribing. Even if you're a new writer, you can freelance your way to a fantastic writing career.

Join the thousands of freelance writers who are making great money freelance writing, using Fab Freelance Writing Ezine as their guide.

Happy Easter, Dear Writer

Wishing you fun and chocolate this Easter... :-)

Your Writing: Bold, Brave and Profitable

In next week's issue of Fab Freelance Writing Ezine I encourage you to be BOLD, BRAVE… and above all, PROFITABLE. Here's an excerpt from the Editorial:

As a freelance writer, you have the keys to the profit kingdom.

The online world gives you the facilities to be an instant publisher. You can get an idea, get it online, and make it profitable, often within 24 hours… IF you're brave and bold.

Why brave and bold? Simply because you often have no idea whether or not something will be profitable, and there's no way to find out, except to DO it.

By nature, I'm a perfectionist. It's taken me a long time to get over this, and it's cost me a lot of money, because I used to over-think everything, and second-guess myself constantly.

Let me tell you when I first realized that over-thinking was death to writing for profit.

The issue will be out on Tuesday next: enjoy. :-)

Write your way to a million-dollar income

Write And Sell Your Writing: The Power-Write Report -- 2009

The Web has made it possible for ANY writer, no matter how new or inexperienced, to turn writing into a fabulous career. If you're stuck in a soul-destroying, or just boring job, writing is your way out.

Fab Freelance Ezine helps you to understand the fast-changing world of the freelance writer, and sets you well on the way to making the income that you want to make, and that many writers are already making.

Subscribe today, and receive "Write And Sell Your Writing: The Power-Write Report -- 2009" just for subscribing.

Jobs for Writers: Create Your Own Writing Jobs

Looking for writing jobs? Don't bother -- you'll make more money creating your own jobs, rather then than scouring the online job boards. You'll enjoy your writing more too.

There are two primary ways in which you can create your own writing jobs: create proposals, and/ or create your own products.

1. Create Writing Proposals and Create Your Own Contract Job

If you've been writing for a while you know how to write proposals. Perhaps you've written proposals (also known as queries) for magazine articles. Or perhaps you've created a proposal for a book, and sent it to an agent or to a publishing house.

A proposal is essentially an offer. While many writers know that they can make proposals to magazines and book publishing companies, most writers are unaware that you can make a proposal to any company at all. Occasionally you'll make a proposal after having phone conversation with a buyer of your writing. The buyer is intrigued with your ideas, and asks you to write them up in a proposal.

Most proposals however you'll create completely on your own initiative, simply because you have an idea of what a company needs. For many years I created  mini proposals for prospective copywriting clients. They were less than one page in length, and took me around half an hour to create. I sent these unsolicited proposals to companies with which I wanted to work. This worked brilliantly, for two reasons. The first reason is that I could decide exactly what I wanted to write and when; the second reason is that I could decide  exactly how much I wanted to charge.

If you're spending hours every week scouring the job boards, start writing proposals. You be amazed at the difference it makes when you create your own writing jobs.

2. Create Your Own Writing Products

The second way to create your own writing jobs is to create your own products. These products could be Web sites, blogs, ebooks, or other information products. The benefit and creating these kinds of jobs for yourself is that the work that you do will continue to pay you for years to come.

Let's say you spend a month of your spare time writing an ebook. If you've chosen an evergreen topic for your ebook, that ebook will continue to sell for the next few years. This brings you a complete hands-free source of income.

If you're a brand new writer you won't have the experience to use the strategies in this article. However if you've been writing for a couple of years, you do. Get creative and innovative, and start creating your own writing jobs now.

Make Money Writing and Build a Great Career

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Want to make money with your writing? Fab Freelance Writing Ezine is your free weekly resource.

Build your skills, get motivated - it's never been easier to build a great writing career.

Whether you're a brand new writer, or are an established pro, Fab Freelance Writing Ezine is packed with writing tips you can use.

Here's what a new writer said: "I've always wanted to sell my writing - you showed me how. I made three sales on one day, just from my blog."

You and Fab Freelance Writing Ezine are a powerful combination. Subscribe today... it's free.

Professional Writing: 5 Attitudes Which Will Kill Your Career

The fastest way to build your professional writing career is to develop professional attitudes, preferably right from the start. Let's look at five attitudes which will kill your career.

1. "I Just Want to Write"

There's more to a professional writing career than writing. You need to build your career with networking and marketing. If you've ever said: "It's who you know", you're half right. It's who you know, and who knows you.

Does this seem unfair?

Think about it. Anyone can claim to be a writer, and many people do. This puts people who buy your writing into a quandary. To accept writers at face value isn't just naive, doing so is the road to ruin.

So, they need evidence that you can write, which you must provide in the form of clips, or writing samples initially, but ultimately in your reputation as a professional. Every writing job you accept builds your reputation, and it's very easy to lose your reputation. At every level of writing, it's a small world. People will Google you to learn about you.

Providing clips and samples isn't enough if you want your books, articles, and copywriting to be accepted and published at the highest levels. Your professionalism must shine through: you must understand marketing, and constantly market yourself.

2. "I Already Know How to Write"

The world of writing is changing every day. So, since writing is constantly changing, you need to keep learning.

3. "I Don't Need to Practice"

Professional writers WRITE. They spend many hours a day writing, both to meet their commitments, and also to practice new skills. Practicing is essential for writers.

4. "I Don't Need to Study"

Professional writers are always studying something. A mystery novelist studies the latest in forensic techniques. A copywriter studies sales pages and psychology. A Web writer studies search engine optimization.

Studying is part and parcel of professional writing.

5. "It Should Be Free"

Professional writers expect to be well paid for their writing. They also expect to pay for software, for courses they take, and for anything else which can help them to build their writing career. The things you get for free are generally worth what you paid for them.

Recession-proof your freelance writing career

"Write More And Make More Money From Your Writing: Develop A Fast, Fun Productive Writing Process" gives you all the tools you need for a thriving writing career, no matter what the economic climate.

Three weeks after completing the class one student wrote:

"Thanks Angela, for all your help and advice in class. I'm quitting my job next week. I printed out my letter of resignation tonight after landing a contract writing job that will pay me more for three months part-time work than I earned in from my day job in the whole of 2007! You were right – the great gigs are out there, and now I've got the skills to land them. Your class opened my eyes. Bless you…"

"Write More And Make More Money From Your Writing: Develop A Fast, Fun Productive Writing Process" shows you how to thrive as a freelance writer. Would you like to write five times more than you're writing now, and sell to higher-paying markets? Take the class.

Alltop: what an honor, we're featured in Pens

This blog has recently been added to the Pens topic in Alltop, the online magazine rack.

It's a real honor, and I'm pleased.

Not familiar with Alltop? Browse the many and varied topics, the site is packed with great information.

POLL: Do you want a network for Fab Freelance Writing Ezine?

As you may know, Fab Freelance Writing Ezine is now almost two years old, so I've created a new site for it.

I've been thinking about how I can make the ezine, and its site, more useful to you.

I'm in two minds about whether I should create a Web-writing-style network for Fab Freelance Writing Ezine.

Here's the Web Writing Network to show you what I mean by "network".

The benefits of a network for the ezine are that you'd have your own Web page on the network, and would be able to chat to other readers, and use the forum for discussions.

Please vote in the poll, and let me know what you want.

Many thanks.

Get the Writing Jobs in Your Own Backyard

Writers are seduced by the Internet, and if you're a new writer, this is not a good thing. You're forgetting that there are writing jobs you can get locally, in your own backyard.

Local writing jobs are easy to get. They build your writing experience, develop your contacts, and are a stepping stone to the wider world of writing for global markets.

So assuming that you're a new writer, how would you go about getting local writing jobs?

Start by realizing that there are writing jobs are everywhere, and that 99 per cent of them are never advertised.

1. Start With Your Local Newspaper

When they think about their local paper, most writers consider writing features. Forget that. Most newspapers have at least one writer, and several stringers, so writing articles for your local paper, while possible, is unlikely.

Instead, send your local newspaper a news release proclaiming the opening of your new writing services business. Include a photo. (If you're not sure how to write a news release, search for press release templates online.)

Many newspapers will run the release as-is. The paper may even send a reporter to interview you. This is excellent - this news story will not only appear in your paper, but will be available online, at the paper's site. Instant fame!

You could also write a couple of letters to the editor, mentioning in passing that you're a writer, and are available to write for local businesses.

2. Approach Local Businesses

Businesses need writers. They put out newsletters and they advertise. Some businesses even have a Web site. (If you find a business which doesn't, offer to write it for them.)

All you need to do is print up 200 flyers on your printer describing your writing services and adding your contact number. Stroll around, and drop off your flyers.

You'll get writing jobs, some while you're on the spot, as you're dropping off your flyers.

3. Your Local Clubs, Societies and Associations All Need Writers

Every town, no matter how small, has clubs, societies and associations. Your local library should have a list of the local associations, so ask.

Write a letter to the president, or secretary, of each one, describing your writing services. A week after you've sent out your letters, pick up the phone and call.

Again, you'll get writing jobs - many of which will be on-going. These clients will stay with you for years.

4. The Agency Route - Advertising and Graphics Design Agencies

Your local agencies may be small or they may be large, but they all have a need for a freelancer occasionally. When they win several contracts they'll get busy, and will farm out some of the work to local writers and designers.

When you get on the books with an agency, you'll get writing jobs right throughout the year.

So there you have four ways to get the local writing jobs - remember, these jobs are easy to get. There's no competition. :-)

Develop a great income writing for the Web - start by writing simple articles

I've developed "Sell Your Writing Online Now" (SYWON) to help you to start making money writing online in 24 hours or less.

Each week, for one full year, you'll receive a lesson, with an assignment which will build your Web writing income – you EARN as you learn.

SYWON is totally unique, and if you want to write for the Web, it's your ticket to success.

Write Local - Get the Writing Jobs in Your Own Backyard

In Fab Freelance Writing Ezine this week, our theme is "write local". Here's an excerpt from our lead article, "Write Local - Get the Writing Jobs in Your Own Backyard":

Writers are seduced by the Internet, and if you're a new writer, this is not a good thing. You're forgetting that there are writing jobs you can get locally, in your own backyard. Local writing jobs are easy to get. They build your writing experience, develop your contacts, and are a stepping stone to the wider world of writing for global markets. So assuming that you're a new writer, how would you go about getting local writing jobs? Start by realizing that there are writing jobs are everywhere, and that 99 per cent of them are never advertised.

This issue is out on Tuesday. It's free to subscribers; don't miss it.

How do you find writing jobs? If you’re scouring the online writing boards, you’re not selling your writing services effectively. Discover the secrets of selling your writing services today, with Angela Booth's new video series.

Subscribe to Angela Booth's fabulous free weekly ezine for freelance writers: get a free report just for subscribing. Even if you're a new writer, you can freelance your way to a fantastic writing career.

Join the thousands of freelance writers who are making great money freelance writing, using Fab Freelance Writing Ezine as their guide.

Get started selling your writing services

How do you find writing jobs? If you're scouring the online writing boards, you're not selling your writing services effectively.

There are endless opportunities to make money from your writing skills online, where you get cash paid to you, up front, BEFORE you start writing.

I've been coaching writers how to do this for years, so when I came across a new video series which SHOWS you, in detail, how to get started and make a great income from your writing just about immediately, I was excited. I knew I had to share the information with you.

The video series "Sell Your Writing Services Online, Make Instant Cash TODAY" is available now, and for a short time, I'm giving my marketing ebook with the series as a bonus.

Enjoy. :-)

Get writing jobs - here's how

Writing jobs are everywhere. Every business needs a writer occasionally; some even businesses pay writers a retainer, so they can get their marketing collateral written as soon as they need it.

My favorite tip for my writing students - and for you - is to be proactive when you’re looking for writing jobs.

Read the rest of this article.

Nothing matters... as long as you write

I get lots of questions every week, and 95 per cent of those questions can be answered with: "It really, really REALLY doesn't matter."

Your obsessions stem from a lack of confidence

Writers have many obsessions and all of them stem from a lack of confidence.

For example, it doesn't matter:

* How you format a magazine query; or

* What blogging platform you use - use WordPress, Blogger, TypePad; or

* What you charge - what you charge is up to you. Set a fee, and people will either pay it, or not. You can always change it later. Or -

* What your current credentials are. If your have no writing credits, that's perfectly fine. Everyone starts somewhere. Write some samples... Make it clear you're a new writer. Be honest. It also doesn't matter:

* Whether you've finished your book or not. Send off a query letter to a selection of agents. They'll respond, or not. If they respond, they'll offer suggestions. Accept the suggestions. Or not...

Nothing matters! Make a decision on how you want to do something, and keep writing.

Write more - the key to your writing success

Yes, you can write more - even if you're a world-class procrastinator.

Did you know that when you write more, your writing improves? Many of my writing students experience this. They find that when they write more, writing is easier for them - they're not dominated by their inner editor.

My new writing class, "Write More And Make More Money From Your Writing: Develop A Fast, Fun Productive Writing Process" is based on lessons I developed for my private coaching students to help them to write more, improve their writing, and make more money writing.

If you're struggling with your writing, the class will help. The techniques you'll learn in class with help you write fiction, nonfiction, and copy for business.

Discover how you can write more, improve your writing, and sell more of your writing to higher-paying markets.

Just write, send your material out, and keep writing. If you will only write, nothing else matters.

Please believe this, because it's true.

Get visible online with your own writer's home page - free

This Blogger site/ page took me ten minutes to create, nine minutes of which was spent writing a tutorial on how to do it.

If I had a penny for every writer I've begged, pleaded with and cajoled into creating their own Web site I'd be able to buy a complete designer wardrobe and hire my own personal shopper.

Let's get the WHY out of the why.

WHY do you want a home page on the Web?

In brief, to get known - if no one knows who you are, no one will want what you write.

Click, click - just follow the free  tutorial for an instant home page

I've created a VERY simple tutorial for Sell Your Writing Online NOW (SYWON) subscribers.

Tutorial - create your own home page

Subscribe to Angela Booth's fabulous free weekly ezine for freelance writers: get a free report just for subscribing. Even if you're a new writer, you can freelance your way to a fantastic writing career.

Join the thousands of freelance writers who are making great money freelance writing, using Fab Freelance Writing Ezine as their guide.

Technorati Tags: Writing Tip

What are YOUR writing challenges?

This blog exists to help you to write easily and well.

So, please tell me about your writing challenges. (Leave a comment.)

Your challenges can be in any area:

* Motivation to write

* Lack of information about __________

* Freelance writing

* Copywriting

* Fiction

* Finding time to write

* ??

I'll address your challenges in upcoming blog posts.

Technorati Tags: writing

Get the confidence to write more

In this Wednesday's issue of Fab Freelance Writing Ezine we tackle the knotty challenge of finding the confidence to write more in our article "Just Write: Find the Confidence to Write More".

Here's an excerpt:

Want to write more? Writing more helps you to achieve your writing goals, whatever they may be.

Perhaps you want to:

* Write something every day;

* Write more often;

* Write a book; or

* Turn writing into a full-time career.

Find the confidence to write

My writing students cite many reasons for not writing more, most of which boil down to a lack of confidence, which comes from... yes, you guessed it... not writing enough.

This begs the question: how do you write more when you don't have the confidence to do it?

Read the complete article in Wednesday's issue of the freelance writing ezine which helps you to turn your writing into a profitable career.

Technorati Tags: Motivation

Last-minute Christmas gifts for writers

Shock, horror - five days left till the big day.

If you're buying for writers on your list, here muse-attracting fun books for writers:

Books:

* Writing Open the Mind

* Writing the Wave

* With Pen in Hand

* My own Holiday Gift Pack for Writers

My favorite writing kit item, sure to be loved by any writer:

* Circa PDA - index cards with the Circa system, add, remove, rearrange to your heart's content.

Technorati Tags: writing, writing ebook

Writers' Holiday Gift Pack: Make 2008 Your Best Writing Year Ever

Here comes Santa, and his sleigh is packed with gifts for all good writers. This holiday season until January 1, 2008, all FIVE of my current Special Reports For Writers are available in one pack at a very special price – it's my season's gift to you, dear writer.

Wishing you all good cheer this magical season - enjoy. :-)

Technorati Tags: writing

Around my writing blogs - stuff you may have missed

Here's some stuff you may have missed on my writing blogs:

* Just Write A Book Blog - writing books is the perfect home business, and characters' defining moments;

*  Fab Web Writer - Get Web writing cred - write a book and boost your credibility;

*  Fab Freelance Writing - Get writing gigs online and three vital tips

Technorati Tags: writing

Make money blogging theme in this week's issue of the ezine

This week's issue of Fab Freelance Writing Ezine ... Write your way to six-figure income success has a blogging theme.

I get lots of questions about blogging and blogging gigs for writers every week, so I'm reprinting an article I ran in the ezine in 2006 "Blogs And Blogging – The High-Paying New Market For Freelance Writers", updated with links for 2007.

If you're wondering about blogging, read this week's issue. It's out in PDF on Wednesday; the link is sent to subscribers. Enjoy.

If you want to get up to speed on blogging for income, read my ebook Blogging For Dollars: How to become a career blogger -- in your PJs, if you want.

Giggle of the Day: wonderfully purple prose

I'm a huge fan of the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, and the site's Sticks & Stones page.

If you're having a bad writing day, there's nothing like a little schadenfreude to make you feel better.

Some gems on Sticks & Stones:

"She wore a dress the same color as her eyes her father brought her from San Francisco."

"He spun round in the doorway with a violence that was tangible, surveying her bitterly with hard, blazing eyes before banging the door so savagely that the whole room shuddered and whimpered before sinking into an unearthly silence."

"With a desperate effort I wrenched my eyes from the hypnotic glare of the snake. I rolled them toward the door. I dared move no further."

Technorati Tags: fun

Writing classes: kick start your writing career

I'm developing a new range of writing classes.

The world of freelance writing is changing so quickly, I've developed a poll. What skills do YOU want to develop and add to your writers' skill set?

All classes will be individual: one on one with me. Unless you want to share your writing with others, you don't have to. That said, once you've completed a class, you can optionally join the class's group on Facebook, so you can network with other writers and share your experiences.

Around the writing blogs: interesting stuff this week

Here's a roundup of interesting posts on my writing blogs this week:

* Writing ebooks for others: pricing your services - how much do you charge to write an ebook?

* The freelance writing life - working with editors - your editor is your friend. Yes, she is. :-)

* Day-dreaming your writing - are you a daydreamer?

* You need a blog, and I can write it - blogging proposals.

* Marketing your copywriting online - easy... try it.

* Web writing and experimentation

Enjoy. :-)

Technorati Tags: blog how-to, get started freelance writing, make money writing, marketing your writing, Web writing

Please vote in the poll

Here's a new poll. Please vote; it will help me in planning topics for the blog. Thanks in advance. :-)