Outsourcing, subcontracting, hiring a Virtual Assistant…these were all things I’d heard people talk about, but always felt like they were out of reach for me. But then I thought: “Wait. What if this thinking is holding me back? What if I just started with baby steps and tried it out?” Here's what I learned.
Read moreHow are Freelance Writers Faring During COVID?
I’ve had some questions on how my freelance business is doing during COVID, so I’m here today to shed some light on my personal experience and to spotlight the freelancing industry as a whole during 2020 and beyond.
Read moreAre Freelance Writers Who Sell Things "The Enemy"?
No writing lesson today guys. This one’s a bit more general.
Recently on the Creative Class Podcast (the one for freelancers I co-host with Paul Jarvis), we tackled a topic that’s been bouncing around in my brain: Are people who work for themselves and sell things *really* the enemy?
Paul and I both sell digital products online, and even though it’s new to me, I find myself feeling caught in the crosshairs of this conversation.
How to Make Your Writing Less Boring
Do you ever feel like your writing voice is a little...droning?
As you read back something you've written, maybe you hear something reminiscent of Ben Stein’s nasally voice saying, “Bueller?...Bueller?”
Sometimes when we forget to vary our sentence structure, the end result feels a little stiff and boring. The flow just isn’t there.
Self Care for Freelance Writers
One of the questions I got in response to the survey I sent out last week was: How do you take care of yourself as a freelancer and avoid overworking?
Read moreMy First Freelance Writing Intern: Lessons Learned & Future Plans
My first ever college intern and I just finished up last week. 😱 Can you believe it?! Time flies, man.
Katelyn, a junior at one of the local universities (English major) signed on in August to work with me over the course of the semester. She’s getting into finals in the next few weeks, so we wrapped things up right around Thanksgiving. Here’s what I learned from the experience.
A Case for Being More Explicit In Your Writing
When you hear the world explicit, your mind might go straight to that parental advisory sticker you see on CDs sometimes.
Today, I’m not talking about being explicit in that context. I’m talking about being explicit in the sense of communicating clearly, as in: “She was explicitly clear about her directions.”
Why? Because so often a major failure of communication (written or otherwise) happens when we aren’t explicit.
How to Get Hired
Getting hired feels really hard sometimes, doesn’t it? Whether it’s for an amazing in-house gig at a company you admire, or a remote job that would eliminate your life-sucking commute each day, or even a freelance opportunity with a dream client—it’s not an easy process.
Not only do you have to stand out from the pile of applicants, but if you do, perchance, get noticed, then you have to dazzle during the interviewing process. So, erm...how do you do that?
I somehow figured out how to do that not once, but *TWICE* not too long after I graduated college.
Where to Work When You’re Tired of Working from Home
So, I’ve been working from a home office for about four years now.
I love our little house, but sometimes…I don’t.
Working in the same place day in and day out where I also spend my non-working hours can get a bit monotonous.
How to Improve Boring Writing
Ever feel like what you’re writing is just kind of...bland?
Writing ruts happen to the best of us.
- Maybe it’s because you’ve been writing about the same topic for so long.
- Maybe you’ve become immersed in your niche, and you’ve lost external perspective.
- Maybe you’re just real tired and need a lil’ nappy.
8 Must-Read Books That Will Improve Your Writing Skills
This week, I wanna talk about books on writing.
The business world needs better writers, as indicated by studies that show writing training is a billion-dollar industry and research that shows writing is a skill desired by 73% of hiring managers.
2016: A Year of Freelance Writing In Review
Greetings from year three of freelancing! Man, time flies.
I loved writing this year in review post last year, so I’m excited to do it again. It’s such a nice way to step out of the day-to-day operations and celebrate all that you’ve accomplished over the past 12 months.
So what was this year like?
A Freelance Writing Reality: Loneliness
For the most part, I love the fact that I get to work from home.
I get to walk my dog, wear sweatpants, and don’t have the office interruptions that are productivity’s worst nightmare. I can really knock out some writing assignments with long, uninterrupted stretches of silence.
Things I Wish I’d Known When I Started Freelance Writing
I started freelance writing about two and a half years ago. I was doing it on the side, and eventually, I realized that with the referrals I was getting, it was feasible to make it my full-time gig.
Read moreWhere to Find Freelance Writing Gigs
OMG, I need more freelance writing work.
Whether you’re just starting your freelance writing career, or if business is a little slow, you might feel the above sentiment.
Read more