"Writing for Dollars" started out as "writing for free!"

As just mentioned, I started writing for our local weekly newspaper on the premise of providing a series of articles related to public speaking. I received no offer of pay for this; the editor was basically counting it as free advertising space for our Toastmasters club.

I found out a few years later that he didn't think I would write more than a couple of articles, then I would lose interest or run out of material.

Guess what? I didn't miss a week for over three years! No way was I going to pass up that opportunity. Of course, after about 20-30 weeks or so I was getting tired of coming up with public speaking themes, so I started branching out into general interest topics. What a great experience and great training for an aspiring writer!

However, I was still writing for free. I didn't know how I was going to change that, but I realized that my dream of becoming a writer needed to be adjusted — I needed to add a monetary element to the dream!

My chance came when I was out of a job due to the closing of the business where I worked. A few weeks later, the newspaper said they were looking for a new reporter and would I be interested. The pay wasn't anything impressive ... but ... they were willing to PAY me to WRITE! Yippee!!

Of course, I said yes.

Later, I realized that I needed to adjust the dream once again, but initially it was like getting paid to go to journalism school.

Unfortunately, there was one casualty involved in the decision to actually work for the paper: I was so busy researching and writing news, I no longer had time to write my weekly column article!

Oh, well. You can't have everything ...

... Or can you?

GT 183 days ago

Writing for dollars is great ... but you need to analyze how much you're getting paid for the time you're actually putting into it.

I am "fussy" or "particular" with what I write for public view. Blogs are a little more relaxed, but when writing for dollars, I want to make sure the final copy is first class.

Sooo ... while working for the newspaper, I ended up going in at 9 a.m., taking "breaks" at my desk, going home for an hour at supper time, then going back to work until 10, 11, 12 p.m. ... and sometimes later, depending on what day of the week it was.

I did that seven days a week for almost two years.

My duties included phone interviews, personal interviews, attending numerous civic, public and community meetings, research by phone and — finally — the actual writing. Also, I was in training to become the editor as well as the lead reporter, so it eventually became like two jobs for one pay.

But once again, I did not complain because THEY paid ME to train me — absolutely awesome to get experience like that AND get paid for it!

However, after two years, I was starting to burn out and I felt it was time for a change. We parted on friendly terms and I have even gone back for brief projects a couple of times. (Now I'm too busy with freelance writing, so I have had to decline their requests lately.)

So, quitting the newspaper, how was I going to strike out on my own? Watch this space ...

GT 178 days ago

After I quit working for the newspaper, my plan was to research writing markets on the Internet and start submitting articles to mainstream electronic publications. I didn't get very far with that.

Then two unexpected things happened.

First, after learning that I was no longer at the newspaper, a local corporate entity hired me as a freelance writer to write newsletter content for them.

Second, a day job came up that caught my interest, again (as always) for the experience it would allow. However, this one wasn't directly writing-related, so after a year I realized I had been diverted from my writing dream, so I quit that job. It was a good experience — just not what I truly wanted to do.

Once I left that day job, I began researching online writing markets again. And again, I didn't make it very far! Once I started spending time online, the Internet Marketing bug bit me!

In another blog, I have mentioned an interest in marketing, promotion, selling, that sort of thing. I knew there was tremendous potential on the Internet, but up until that point, had not looked into it.

Well, my research into writing markets led me to a few online writing groups, and one or two of these groups started sending me information that blended writing and marketing, and then some of the marketing stuff lead to Internet Marketing (of the Affiliate Marketing variety) and that's what got my attention.

I was attracted to the idea of getting a pre-built, ecommerce-ready website so I signed up as an affiliate with one of the programs and began my online marketing training.

The offshoot was that quite a bit of the recommended promotional and Search Engine Optimization methods involved writing! So that is how I justified the divergence from my writing dream.

Well, I was in my glory as far as marketing and promotion went, but the downside was that the writing I was doing for my online business, though gratifying in its own sense, wasn't the traditional "writing for dollars" kind that I had originally been seeking. And I soon realized that writing for dollars for the "Internet Marketing community" wasn't something I was willing to do: too many writers were selling their services for $3, $5 and $10 an article and I wasn't willing to write for those amounts since I was earning substantially more than that per article for the content I was writing for local corporate clients.

I continued to build my online marketing business while strengthening my presence in the local community as a freelance writer.

Next blog entry: word of mouth exposure is great!  

GT 175 days ago

Why Advertise?

My local freelance writing business developed by chance, without my own intentional effort.

One local client approached me for an ongoing project (which has since expanded, as previously reported here: the projects are now larger, more frequent and pay more than in the beginning).

Another local client (with connections to the first client) hired me to do a similar ongoing project (which has expanded and now pays more).

Other local clients have hired me for single or brief writing projects.

I have a major writing project coming up for another local client, starting in April for a couple of months.

All of this has happened, and I have not once advertised or publicized my writing services. Each client has learned of me via word of mouth. I consider myself fortunate because I know this is not always the case for struggling writers.

Here is the message I get from this experience: There is a need for dependable writers, and people who value quality are willing to pay for a good writer.

There are a number of qualified writers in our community. I don't really know why I have been given these opportunities, other than my willingness to fit the client's needs into my schedule, and my demonstrated ability to write well and to adapt my style to the needs of the particular client.

I would suggest that if you are a writer, there could be opportunities in your community that you are not yet aware of.

I have not had to advertise. Your situation may be different and you may have to do some footwork to either:

1) Let potential clients know you are available;

2) "Inspire" potential clients with some ideas of ways your writing skills and experience mught help their businesses or organizations.

GT

GT 171 days ago

Writing ... and MORE ... for Dollars

An interesting thing happened soon after I started doing regular writing projects for my first main client. Before long, it became apparent that they needed more than just the writing; they needed someone to coordinate the material for production after it was written.

I had experience with coordination and production, so it was a natural addition to my writing services, but it wasn't something that was intended in the original writing contract. So, that meant I could boost my writing rates! My value as a "consultant" or "contractor" had increased.

It looks like something similar may happen with another of my main clients.

My point in mentioning this is to point out that if you are a writer willing to expand your level of service to your clients, you may be able to increase your value and your rates.

Also, there may be areas that your clients could improve or expand their reach into their targeted markets that they have not yet thought about. If you can do some "visioning" for them along these lines and suggest some ways you might be able to coordinate such expansion for them - for an added fee - then you might be onto something new here!

Give it some thought. If you have a question about this, feel welcome to ask it here. I'll offer more insight or do my best to answer the question.

GT 168 days ago

Different Strokes

I have two primary (local) writing clients: one municipal and one institutional. Basically, I write newsletter content for each of them based on subjects they suggest or request.

With the main client, I do some research online and via email communication, but much of it I do with telephone interviews and the occasional one-on-one interview. And I attend meetings!

With the secondary client, it has developed that I do the interviews almost exclusively by email. I very much prefer doing it this way because I can then spell out (literally) my interview questions, and the subject can then review the questions and write down responses at their leisure.

That way, they can say EXACTLY what they mean, and when it comes to names, titles and other such references, they are usually pretty good at making sure they spell things correctly.

At my end, I do a good job of taking their details and crafting it all into an informative, entertaining article that profiles the person in a positive way.

The publishing schedule for these two clients is totally opposite as well. With the first, I have set specific publishing dates. With the second, their publishing dates are subject to the availability of the department that inputs and uploads the material to their website. It is sometimes months from the time I finish writing until the product of my effort is actually posted. But the good news is, I get to bill for my services once the writing is done. I don't have to wait for it to be published before I get paid.

I have a new client project starting in April that is substantially different from the above two projects. It's a once-a-year project that lasts until mid-June, so it may become an annual project for me. We'll see how it goes this first time!

GT 163 days ago

Writing for Dollars pays well ... but ...

I've spent several years getting to the point I'm now at with my local writing clients where I get paid fair commercial market value for my writing services. I can choose the customers I want, work from home, do the work when I choose, and I don't have to knock myself out to get it done.

Okay. Let me qualify that. If I was more diligent in planning ahead and starting each project early, I wouldn't have to knock myself out to get the work done. But I sometimes drag my feet (because I am my own boss and I work from home and I do the work when I choose to do it). And I sometimes find myself scrambling and quite stressed as deadlines approach! LOL

But that's my fault and it can be easily avoided. Next time, I'll do better. (Yeah, right. LOL)

So, now that I'm at that point where I enjoy all the benefits just mentioned, am I happy? Unfortunately, no. I have other aspirations now and I'm not so sure this form of freelance writing fits in with them.

I suppose one way to look at the problem is that I feel that I am always on the road to somewhere and although I reach certain points on my life map, I never get the feeling as though I have "arrived" yet. As soon as I achieve one thing I've already got my eye on something new or different or better.

I see people with regular careers who put in their days with no new challenges and all they're doing is marking the days until their retirement. I can't imagine doing that. In my opinion, there is ALWAYS something bigger and better, no matter what your job or profession or career is.

So, having achieved a certain level of freelance writing "success" I am starting to question how much longer I will keep doing it the way I am presently doing it. I'm sure I won't cut it out entirely, but I may start thinking about trimming back some of my local clients to allow more time and flexibility for other projects.

I'm not a quick decision-maker. It could be 2011 before I finally decide to make changes. Well see.

GT 160 days ago

Benefit of Writing for Dollars

Most of the writing I do for local clients is in the form of articles, features and profiles of people, projects, and locally relative news and events. This means that (like a news reporter) I get to talk to people and go behind the scenes to see things that the average person doesn't get to see.

Yesterday, I went out to do a few interviews and for one of them, I received the "royal tour" of a major new facility being built in the community. I was taken through the plant and got to see all the machinery and equipment and was given the lowdown on what everything does and how it all goes together.

On another interview I was given all the details on some new recycling programs and initiatives being introduced into our community. We actually have an awesome recycling facility that is recognized throughout our province as a great example of such facilities - it has been for several years now.

I also get to talk to community leaders and get insight into issues that, again, the average person may not always have access to. Of course, I have to be sensitive and know when NOT to tell the whole story, or when NOT to repeat everything my sources say. Some things are better left unsaid.

Additionally, I get invited to special events that are generally quite enjoyable.

So, writing for dollars does have its benefits and rewards.

GT 156 days ago

Blood, Sweat and Writing For Dollars

When my wife came home from her day job today I told her that I had experienced the term "blood, sweat, toil and tears" in my writing today - LOL. But I quickly qualified the comment by adding that it wasn't really all THAT bad!

What I meant was, I came up against another one of those articles where you start with a blank page and little else and you wonder how on earth you are going to make something out of nothing. However, that was the third article in this edition of the project where I felt that way, so I'm learning how to deal with it.

To be truthful, once I get through the initial "sweating blood" phase of a tough article, I am usually pretty good at pulling it together and crafting a good piece. The way I overcome the problem is I get out a piece of paper (I think best on paper, not on screen), and I start by drafting an outline of the elements needed to make the article work: for example, a rough idea of the opening paragraph; what type of info would logically follow in the next paragraph; what would logically follow in the next; and so on for a few more paragraphs.

Then I start looking for sources for the info to slot into those paragraphs: maybe a quote from an interview subject, or info from a meeting or from a print or online document (as provided by the story subject source), or something based on something one of the article subjects might have mentioned. The point is, once I have the outline and have an idea of the TYPE of info I need for that spot in the article, then it makes it easier to track the required info down.

Actually, by the time I get through making the outline, the ideas are already starting to flow and the article most often takes on a life of it's own. It's just that I am one of those writer's who truly does have to "sweat out an article" sometimes. It's not always easy. But the great thing is, once the article is finished, I am usually quite happy with it and my clients seem to be, too.

And then comes the best part of all: submitting my invoice and receiving the payment for writing services rendered. I still pinch myself sometimes when I receive my writing pay. It's hard to believe I get PAID for doing it!

GT 144 days ago

Writing for Dollars is FUN ... from a certain perspective!

As I may have mentioned, I have a couple of local writing clients for whom I write newsletter content. I have just finished an edition for one client and I'm a little behind on an edition for another client. Also, I have a new writing project that will soon kick into gear and will absorb a lot of attention until mid-June ... when I'll have to be finishing another newsletter edition for the FIRST client again!

I experience a lot of anxiety at the beginning of a project. It's the old "how on earth do I start this" problem. It's partly procrastination and partly uncertainty. Fortunately, once I get into it and start mapping out the stories, the interviews and so on, it gets exciting and begins to flow.

But I sometimes go through a state where I tell myself I don't need this anxiety and I'm going to quit doing these projects. When I look back at it, I think that mindset is all part of the defense mechanism that pushes me forward to get the project started, then finished. You know what I mean. You tell yourself you'll just finish this one project, then you're done. For good.

However ... once I get through the first half, and especially once I get to the end, I start saying things like, "Hey. That wasn't so bad, was it?" and "Maybe I'll do just one more and see how it goes." LOL, I'm such a sucker for self-punishment.

So, I just finished one project and today I am taking a breather before starting to focus on the next one and I'm thinking that the one I just finished was fun after all. It wasn't so bad. Maybe I'll hang on for one more and see how it goes.

GT 137 days ago