A Necessary Evil - Money 101 for Freelance Writers
Most writers consider
themselves right brain people. They utilize their creativity to spin fantastic
tales, but ask them what their writing expenses were last month and they're at
a loss. Unfortunately, to have a successful freelance writing career, there are
certain aspects you must handle that you feel are unsavory or are outside of
your comfort zone such as tracking income and expenses for both tax purposes
and to ensure you're earning enough to survive in your chosen career.
Track Writing Income
Separate your business income from your personal income. If you simply put all
the money you make through writing into your bank account with any other money
you and other household members earn, you will have a harder time tracking the
writing income you should report to the IRS. You will also have a difficult
time knowing if your freelance writing career is profitable. This isn't to say
you can't pay bills with this money; just make sure you track what you make and
how it's spent.
The best way to
accomplish this task is to open a separate checking account. You can tag this
account "Writing Account" or look even more professional by giving
yourself a business name to use on your checks. Put any monies earned strictly
from writing into this account.
You can also use your
bank account for checks and balances when comparing what you were paid compared
to the invoices you need to create for each project. Some publications require
you to send an invoice, but even if they don't, create one and keep it for your
records so you can refer to the agreed-upon terms for each assignment. Billing
software will help greatly in this area by making this task easier for you.
Keep Expense Records
Whether you keep receipts in a shoebox or a fancy filing cabinet, you must hold
on to any receipts related to your writing business. These writing expenses
will come in very handy when the taxman has his hand out at the end of the year
and you need something to offset your earnings.
You should mark at the
top of each receipt what kind of writing expense it is, such as office
supplies, entertainment expenses, professional subscriptions or standard
utilities. If you want to save time separating these later, keep a separate
file (or shoebox) for each type of writing expense. You can also create a
spreadsheet to keep a running total of each of these expenses and print out the
totals for quarterly or end-of-year taxes.
Write Down Mileage
Mileage is one of the biggest deductions you have at tax time. Anytime you go
to a writers' conference, go on a writing assignment, have lunch with your
editor across town or just pop over to the local office supply store for some
more paper or ink, keep a log of the miles you travel on each trip. To make
this job simpler, keep a small spiral notebook or logbook in your car so you
won't forget to write your beginning and ending mileage or use a tripometer for
added ease.
Tracking your finances doesn't
have to overtake the time you'd rather spend doing what you truly love -
writing. By spending a little time each day on financial tasks, you'll save
yourself a ton of work, many headaches, and a great deal of wasted time.
Overcoming Writer's Block
By Amanda Eaton ©2008
Stuck. Totally,
completely and absolutely stuck. Writer's block can feel as if you are
literally stuck in a cement block. The clock is ticking, a writing assignment
is due, and your creative juices are not flowing. Instead of beating your head
against a wall, try freewriting.
Take a blank sheet of
paper. Sit quietly, and just write whatever comes to mind. No censoring. No
analyzing. Simply let the thoughts roll out onto the paper. You can edit later.
Freewriting by hand on unlined paper with a pen or pencil works for many
writers. Scribble as fast as the thoughts flow. Soon, writer's block gives way.
Your subconscious mind takes over, and you find your writing is on track.
Losing track of ideas
that seem quite feasible, but float around in your head, never making it onto
paper, is an occupational hazard of writing. Getting coherent thoughts onto the
paper or computer screen is the hard part of being a writer. After all, who can
read what's floating around in your head?
In Finding Forrester, a
movie about a young man who discovers a reclusive writer and begs him to teach
the secrets of the craft, he soon learns about overcoming writer's block.
Forrester and the young man sit at typewriters, facing one another. Forrester
wants the young man to begin writing. Serving as an example, Forrester begins
typing furiously. The young man sits and stares at his own typewriter, hands
poised, with a look of deep concentration on his face.
"What are you
doing?" demands Forrester.
"Thinking,"
says the young man.
"Thinking about
what?" asks Forrester.
"Thinking about what
I'm going to write," says the young man.
"NO!" Forrester
yells. "Don't think! Just write. You can think later."
In her book, Pencil
Dancing: New Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit, author Mari Messer looks at
creativity as a "dance" between the conscious and the unconscious
mind. She says there are two kinds of thinking: rigid thinking and creative
thinking.
Thinking rigidly, you
tell yourself to stay in control. You mustn't "dance" through life
(or writing) without always following the proper procedures. Rigid thinking
promotes writer's block. Writing is a creative process. When you think too
rigidly, you stifle the process, limit your capacity for creative thinking and
refuse to think outside the box. Messer says, "Many writers and other
creative people get bogged down because they cling so tightly to control that
they can't dance in rhythm with the creative process."
Creative thinking says
that you must give up some control. Creative thinking is not thinking, at least
not consciously. Let your unconscious mind take over while letting inspiration
flow like a stream. Messer says, "Giving up control and allowing the process
to have its own way removes a lot of stress. You can always edit later."
Trust yourself as you
write. That's the hardest part of the whole process. Fear of failure plagues
authors in writing, as in many areas of life. Fight fear if you hope to break
free from writer's block. TV psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw, says, "Walk
through your fear and behave your way to what you want." The behavior of a
writer is to write. Fear paralyzes. Fear stifles creativity. Fear keeps you
from going where you want to go and doing what you want to do in life.
Push past the fear of
failure and have faith in your writing.
Objective Writing
Objective writing offers
the reader multiple points of view on a subject and uses a non-judgmental
approach to language to appeal to the masses. The following guidelines will
help with objective writing and encourage a neutral point of view.
Focus on the target
audience. Objective writing will appeal to all readers because it includes
multiple points of view. Research the other points of view to add balance to
the article and use quotes from reputable sources for added credibility.
Choose words carefully.
Objective writing can be produced successfully using third-person, active
voice. Omit word choices that provoke an emotional response, and instead focus
on maintaining neutrality. Keep sentences concise.
Present only verifiable
facts with objective writing. Although you may have an opinion on a topic,
journalistic writing, with the exception of editorials, is not the place to
display your stance. Concentrate on providing factual statements to avoid
interjecting your opinions in the article.
Know your role as the
article writer. Your responsibility as the topic moderator is to present
differing points of view both factually and equally. Your job is not to sway
the reader, but to give a well-rounded and thoughtful presentation of the facts
in a way that allows the reader to form his own opinion.
If the audience is unable
to guess your political affiliation, religious background or your stance on
hot-button topics, you have mastered objective writing.
Internet Marketing for Freelance Writers
By Amanda Eaton ©2008
Technology for freelance
writers has progressed since the days of typewriters and correction tape. Like
others in the professional world, they now have the modern conveniences of
laptops and high-speed Internet connections readily available. Likewise,
freelance writers no longer need to rely on word-of-mouth advertising to get
their businesses up and running. The Internet is the perfect place for a
freelancer to market herself and to brand herself.
Start a blog. One of the
most simple and cost-effective means of Internet marketing is the blog.
Freelance writers can advertise their talents and services, usually for little
or no cost, making themselves available instantly to those in need of a writer.
A blog serves as an open portfolio that gives a prospective client immediate
access to freelance writers and their writing samples.
Publish a monthly
newsletter. Freelance writers should view every blog reader as a prospective
and probable business partner and use their success as a blog author to market
themselves further using a secondary source such as a newsletter. It can offer
a brief synopsis of published works, writing tips, terms of services and more.
Join a social networking
site. Other Internet marketing tools that freelance writers should utilize are
free sites, such as LinkedIn and Facebook, which work to promote a symbiotic
relationship between writers and clients. A social networking site enables
freelance writers to connect not only with other writers to offer support, but
also with professionals in their related industry who are looking for
particular services.
Include an email
signature. Freelance writers should think of email as a means for mass Internet
marketing and always attach their Website address and contact information after
their name. Freelance writers often find work in the unlikeliest of places, and
they should take advantage of every opportunity to promote their business.
Be unconventional.
Freelance writers should step out of the box and advertise their services on
Web sites, such as Craig's List and eBay.
The acquisition of even just one
client is a positive step toward success.
Writing ad copy that sells
By Amanda Eaton ©2008
The world of online advertising is very
competitive, and writing ad copy that sells can be quite challenging. Generic
ads are seldom effective and to successfully sell your product your ad needs to
stand out from the crowd of ads for your competitors. It may seem like you need
a professional copy writer to create ad copy for you, but by following these
simple steps, virtually anyone can create successful ad copy.
1. Use
Other Ads for Inspiration
If you are new to writing ad copy a great way
to get inspiration and find ideas is to look at other ads. Read through as many
ads as you can find for both similar and unrelated products. Some of the ads
will immediately catch your attention, these will leave you wanting to know
more or make you interested in the product or service.
Write down all of the similar traits in the
ads that you find compelling as well as the traits of the ads that did not
inspire you or make a good impression. You will then have a list of strategies
and ideas you can use to make your ads more compelling and some ideas of what
you should avoid.
2. Determine
Your Goal
Before you start writing your ad, decide what
you want your ad to accomplish. Not all ads are designed to sell a product and
some ads are very vague and never clearly state their purpose. After you decide
the purpose of your ad you will be able write an ad that compels readers to
take your desired course of action.
3. Reveal
the Benefits of Your Product or Service
Effective ads usually contain specific
reasons why a product is beneficial or how it will help to solve a problem.
Make a list of all of the benefits that your product offers and all the
positive features before you write your ad. These aspects should be the focus
of your ad because most readers will want to know how purchasing your product
will benefit them. Be as specific as possible with this information, including
descriptions, statistics, and concrete evidence if it is available.
4. Make
Your Product or Service Stand Out Among Competitors
If your product or business has a lot of
competition or highly successful competition, your ad may also benefit from
highlighting the positive differences between your product and the competition.
Mentioning your competition outright is not always a good idea, but comparing
your product's superior features to other features common amongst your
competition will give readers a reason to make a purchase.
5. Appeal
to Your Target Audience
The last and perhaps most important aspect of
writing ad copy is to identify and appeal to your target audience. Before you
write your ad, decide exactly what types of people are likely to buy your
product or be interested in your web site. You can then write an ad that
appeals to the emotions and impulses of this demographic, which will more
successful than an ad written for a generic audience. You should also include
any perks or incentives that your customer will receive after taking action such
as free services or information, support, or consulting. If you are selling a
product, stating your return policy and other information that will instill
confidence in your buyers is also beneficial.
Writing Your
Best Ads
Ads are a critical way to attract potential
buyers to your business. Regardless of what you're selling, when you use these
strategies to write ads for your products and services, you can stand out among
the sea of competitors.
Writing
Motivational Copy
Who of us hasn't written advertising copy that we thought was great only to
find out it flopped big time? Why? When you wrote it, it seemed very
persuasive. You included lots of benefits and even gave a money back guarantee.
It got YOU up and moving so why did your customers turn their heads?
The reason is
usually quite simple. They are not you. While one thing might motivate you and
excite you enough to open your wallet and buy, there are other personality
types who respond to different motivational factors. If you know the factors,
you hold the key to copywriting success!
There are
several names for the different personality or behavioral types. Myers-Briggs
labels them with letters (E = extrovert, I = introvert, etc.). Some
psychologists label them with types ("A-type" personality,
"B-type" personality, etc.). The DISC model (which I find the easiest
to follow) labels the different personalities with descriptors (Dominance,
Influence, Steadiness, etc.) Regardless of what they're called, I encourage you
to get to know them. Once you decipher the inner workings of your customers,
you can write copy that will motivate each and every time.
Let's look at a
few of the descriptors used within the DISC model and I'm sure you'll see what
I mean.
Dominance
The Dominance
behavioral style is usually described with the following attributes:
- high egos
- problem-solver
- likes challenges
- drives hard for results
- positive
- loves power and authority
- motivated by direct answers
Influence
The Influence
behavioral style can be described like this:
- socially and verbally aggressive
- optimistic
- can see the big picture
- people-oriented
- fast movers
- motivated by praise and strokes
Steadiness
Those who fall
into the Steadiness behavioral style usually are described as:
- loyal to those they identify
with good listener
- patient
- loves security
- wants to see benefits
- oriented towards family
activities
- motivated towards traditional
procedures
Compliance
The last of the
four styles is Compliance. These people usually have the following attributes:
- critical thinkers
- high standards
- well disciplined
- accurate
- motivated by the right way to
proceed
As you can see,
these simple hints already open new doors for copywriting effectiveness. From
what's written above, you are probably getting some good ideas about how to
adjust your copy to fit your target audience.
For example,
when writing to people with a Dominant behavioral style you'll want to be
direct and to the point, focus on the business at hand, show them how this will
help them get results and offer a win/win situation.
Influential
people will want to allow time for socialization (so include some "chit
chat" when possible), to have fun, offer new and innovative ideas, give a
way for them to respond quickly and offer praise and strokes for them making a
good decision. Steadiness types make up the majority of the population. Over
40% of Americans fall into the Steadiness category. These people need to see a logical
approach to your product or service, they need time for thinking before buying,
they want to see how your solution will benefit them and they need a sense of
security about buying.
This explains
why most copywriters will tell you to write long copy that is full of benefits
and offers a money back guarantee. However, while this does work for 40% of the
population, the other 60% has an issue with it. This is why I continually
preach that you should know your target audience! If you are marketing to a
group of CEOs (which most definitely fall into the dominance category) you
can't provide long copy... they simply won't read it. They are looking for the
bottom line and may ask for more details later if they feel they are necessary.
If you have lots of information to provide, you'll have to break it up into
sections to suit a "dominance" type.
It all boils
down to giving the customer what they want. Even in your copywriting
techniques. If you don't, you'll lose the sale - plain and simple. As an
example, I'll tell you about a real estate agent I once worked with. I was
looking for a house and had specific criteria for the exterior and interior.
Rather than scheduling an appointment with the realtor every other day to view
houses, I wanted to be given the addresses and view the outside at my own pace.
If the outside didn't have specific features, there was no need for me to see
the inside.
One Realtor
emphatically told me, "Mrs. Thackston, that's just not the way I
sell." To which I responded, "That's a shame... that's the way I
buy!" He wouldn't give me what I wanted and therefore lost the sale.
I encourage you
to learn as much as you can about your target audience. Their likes, dislikes,
personality traits and behavioral traits. When you do, you'll be able to write
motivational copy that creates a desire to buy
