Do you have to establish a niche as a freelance writer? No, but you should.
I write about a lot of different subjects. My google page alone hasn't even been updated in months and has a very long list of subjects I've been paid to write about. I joke that I've become a Cliff Claven with many useless and little known facts. I surprise people sometimes when I begin spewing knowledge about an obscure subject. I think it's been great for my brain power in the last few years.
Despite my ability to write and research just about any topic, my defined niches are health writing, writing about writing, self-improvement, working at home and internet marketing writing and blogging. I've chosen these niches for several reasons. First, they interest me. Second, I enjoy researching them and third, they help me with my own success.
Reasons Behind Choosing A Writing Niche
By learning about health, I can be healthier. By writing about writing, I hone my skills and continue to learn how to be a better writer. With self-improvement...duh? (LOL)and being an internet marketing writer lets me learn skills that will help me improve my income levels and my goal of internet domination.
(I do aspire to build a monopoly and be known as an online tycoon. Don't think I can do it? Just watch me!
)
The point of today's post is to tell beginner writers that while it's great to have a wide breadth of subjects you can write about so you can get enough experience and enough earnings in the bank, it's a very good idea to build your niche as soon as possible.
Your niche will help you earn more and help you write quickly because you become a fountain of knowledge. Whether you're earning more because you're writing quickly, earning more because you've attained expert status and can command higher rates or a bit of both, it becomes very rewarding.
I once wrote twenty six articles about synthetic rubber in 3 days. It wasn't fun. It served a purpose because it got me a gig with a new company that brought me experience and money. I do still occasionally write about subjects I'm less than passionate about but after over 2 years of doing this, I'm doing that less because I'm making more money writing about subjects that excite me enough to get up and write before the coffee pot is finished brewing.
Every writing mentor and expert I come across tells people to carve out a niche for themselves. What are your niche(s) and why?
Showing posts with label career growth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label career growth. Show all posts
Friday, June 13, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Self -Editing and Thinking vs. Reacting
The editing process exists for a reason. We don't always get it right the first time. While I am someone who believes instinct is very strong and powerful, my gut reaction has left me with regrets in the past so I'm trying very hard to be more of a thoughtful thinker instead of a passionate reactor.
This weekend I started off reacting and thankfully, I managed to put on the brakes, which is a good thing because I almost quit a new gig. Had I quit, I'm sure it would've left me feeling like a failure because I prefer to finish what I start. 'Tis not over yet as I have another week to wrap my brain around it and there's no guarantees about how it'll go but at least I have slowed down to give my brain a chance to edit and revise.
This week I took on a new client who has a different set of rules for SEO tactics and at first my reaction was excitement. I love the process of learning something new and I got really into it and was ready to prove how flexible I am. But it got confusing and after I got a long e-mail about what was wrong with my first draft I started jumping the gun and as a result e-mails were flying around with my gut reactions instead of well-thought out questions. When I'm not careful during the learning process I start to appear scattered. Instead of stopping and making a list of questions, I was sending out multiple e-mails and probably confusing the client.
I got frustrated and hit a brick wall with my own creative process and while in theory the new client's way of doing things does look easier, should produce better SEO results and better writing quality, I couldn't figure it out. Some of what (most of what) I do today is written more for the search engines than the readers and this new client's ways are supposed to do better in both worlds. So why can't I grasp it? The writing will look better, the process will be more creative and I'm burnt out on search engine fodder anyway and crave creativity. So, what's the problem? Can I write without thinking SEO (a.k.a. stuff as many keywords and be as sales pitchy as possible) as I write?
It's hard to re-learn how to ride a bicycle when everyone tells you that you're already a fantastic cyclist who has won many races. I went through a mini melt down on Friday night trying to break through writer's block and a learning curve that felt like a big brick wall. It wasn't pretty and I wasn't sure if I wanted to cry or throw the monitor. In the end, I walked away and opened a bottle of wine and then spent two hours with my husband watching The Last Lecture with Randy Pausch for the first time. Randy, talked a lot about brick walls and how they are put in front of you for a reason. It was very fitting for the kind of day I was having.
Before watching the lecture, I had drafted a goodbye note to the new client that was sitting in my in box. Thankfully I had decided to sleep on it though and in the morning had a really long and very helpful e-mail from someone at the client's office. Luckily, I put the brakes on and edited myself.
My point is that sometimes in this world of instant gratification, we move too quickly. Sometimes it is better to sleep on it. I am often praised on my fast turnaround. My staff and my clients love that they often hear from me less than five minutes after they ask me a question but the problem with these instant reactions of mine is that I can't edit myself once I've had a chance to let something sink in. So, as a result I sometimes agree to things I shouldn't, let people away with things they shouldn't even try and I've often taken jobs for money that's too low out of feeling a sense of urgency in terms of getting answers to those that are waiting. Because I am someone who hate to be kept waiting I feel like I need to give answers out the minute I'm asked.
Anyhow, I guess one of my weaker traits is reacting too quickly although many would list my attentiveness and speed as one of my strengths. It appears that it's a fine balance. Next time you feel passionate and are ready to hit the send button, remind yourself about the process of editing and decide if it's better to save that as a draft and look at it with fresh eyes later on. Because it's impossible to un-ring a bell, it might be that speedy response time is a little less vital than giving a response you won't regret.
This weekend I started off reacting and thankfully, I managed to put on the brakes, which is a good thing because I almost quit a new gig. Had I quit, I'm sure it would've left me feeling like a failure because I prefer to finish what I start. 'Tis not over yet as I have another week to wrap my brain around it and there's no guarantees about how it'll go but at least I have slowed down to give my brain a chance to edit and revise.
This week I took on a new client who has a different set of rules for SEO tactics and at first my reaction was excitement. I love the process of learning something new and I got really into it and was ready to prove how flexible I am. But it got confusing and after I got a long e-mail about what was wrong with my first draft I started jumping the gun and as a result e-mails were flying around with my gut reactions instead of well-thought out questions. When I'm not careful during the learning process I start to appear scattered. Instead of stopping and making a list of questions, I was sending out multiple e-mails and probably confusing the client.
I got frustrated and hit a brick wall with my own creative process and while in theory the new client's way of doing things does look easier, should produce better SEO results and better writing quality, I couldn't figure it out. Some of what (most of what) I do today is written more for the search engines than the readers and this new client's ways are supposed to do better in both worlds. So why can't I grasp it? The writing will look better, the process will be more creative and I'm burnt out on search engine fodder anyway and crave creativity. So, what's the problem? Can I write without thinking SEO (a.k.a. stuff as many keywords and be as sales pitchy as possible) as I write?
It's hard to re-learn how to ride a bicycle when everyone tells you that you're already a fantastic cyclist who has won many races. I went through a mini melt down on Friday night trying to break through writer's block and a learning curve that felt like a big brick wall. It wasn't pretty and I wasn't sure if I wanted to cry or throw the monitor. In the end, I walked away and opened a bottle of wine and then spent two hours with my husband watching The Last Lecture with Randy Pausch for the first time. Randy, talked a lot about brick walls and how they are put in front of you for a reason. It was very fitting for the kind of day I was having.
Before watching the lecture, I had drafted a goodbye note to the new client that was sitting in my in box. Thankfully I had decided to sleep on it though and in the morning had a really long and very helpful e-mail from someone at the client's office. Luckily, I put the brakes on and edited myself.
My point is that sometimes in this world of instant gratification, we move too quickly. Sometimes it is better to sleep on it. I am often praised on my fast turnaround. My staff and my clients love that they often hear from me less than five minutes after they ask me a question but the problem with these instant reactions of mine is that I can't edit myself once I've had a chance to let something sink in. So, as a result I sometimes agree to things I shouldn't, let people away with things they shouldn't even try and I've often taken jobs for money that's too low out of feeling a sense of urgency in terms of getting answers to those that are waiting. Because I am someone who hate to be kept waiting I feel like I need to give answers out the minute I'm asked.
Anyhow, I guess one of my weaker traits is reacting too quickly although many would list my attentiveness and speed as one of my strengths. It appears that it's a fine balance. Next time you feel passionate and are ready to hit the send button, remind yourself about the process of editing and decide if it's better to save that as a draft and look at it with fresh eyes later on. Because it's impossible to un-ring a bell, it might be that speedy response time is a little less vital than giving a response you won't regret.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Four Dollars a Word?
Do you have dreams of getting paid dollars instead of pennies for your writing words?
Last night I watched a rerun of Sex in the City and the main character Carrie Bradshaw was thinking about taking on freelance work with Vogue for $4 a word. I almost fell outta bed dreaming of those rates.
Last week I was copied on an email from a client that included another writer that they obviously use. I Googled that writer and found out they are selling a ten article pack for $790.00 which translated to about .15 a word. Even that sounds wonderful to me! I almost fell off my stability ball (seriously. I almost ended up on my head. I try to work on my stability ball at the computer a few hours a day and the idea of fifteen cents per written word threw me off balance). I am SO ready to make that kind of dosh and getting there will ultimately lead to the elusive dollar per word.
I'm not going to get there unless I make it happen so that's the plan. There's no boss doing a performance and salary review annually to help me get a raise since I'm self-employed so it's up to me to raise my rates and buy Darling husband that new boat he's been wanting...
Yesterday I was reading some blog posts from some very established writers and definitely saw some areas I can improve on both in my work as well as in how I project myself to clients so I'm working on a plan to get the kind of clients willing to pay for value added writing services.
I had one client haggling with me recently over a few pennies per word and I've now decided after working with some clients paying the same rates to me as two years ago that wherever possible I'm going to quote pricing with a six month period listed so I have the opportunity to move up financially. I'm also planning on targeting new niche areas that seem to pay really well so am developing my skills in key areas.
I know my work has improved in many areas in the two years I've been freelance writing so it's time to make sure my rates improve as well. I've quadrupled my original rates for the most part in two years. How have you fared over time in getting raises on your freelance work rates? How did you do it?
Last night I watched a rerun of Sex in the City and the main character Carrie Bradshaw was thinking about taking on freelance work with Vogue for $4 a word. I almost fell outta bed dreaming of those rates.
Last week I was copied on an email from a client that included another writer that they obviously use. I Googled that writer and found out they are selling a ten article pack for $790.00 which translated to about .15 a word. Even that sounds wonderful to me! I almost fell off my stability ball (seriously. I almost ended up on my head. I try to work on my stability ball at the computer a few hours a day and the idea of fifteen cents per written word threw me off balance). I am SO ready to make that kind of dosh and getting there will ultimately lead to the elusive dollar per word.
I'm not going to get there unless I make it happen so that's the plan. There's no boss doing a performance and salary review annually to help me get a raise since I'm self-employed so it's up to me to raise my rates and buy Darling husband that new boat he's been wanting...
Yesterday I was reading some blog posts from some very established writers and definitely saw some areas I can improve on both in my work as well as in how I project myself to clients so I'm working on a plan to get the kind of clients willing to pay for value added writing services.
I had one client haggling with me recently over a few pennies per word and I've now decided after working with some clients paying the same rates to me as two years ago that wherever possible I'm going to quote pricing with a six month period listed so I have the opportunity to move up financially. I'm also planning on targeting new niche areas that seem to pay really well so am developing my skills in key areas.
I know my work has improved in many areas in the two years I've been freelance writing so it's time to make sure my rates improve as well. I've quadrupled my original rates for the most part in two years. How have you fared over time in getting raises on your freelance work rates? How did you do it?
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Web Writing - Learning From Clients and Peers
Today I have a new client who has joined the Dana Prince Writing Services family. I'm looking forward to it as they're a company in SEO but one that does things a little differently. I look at this as an opportunity to learn some new angles on search engine optimization.
One thing I truly love about my business is how much information I get to assimilate on a day-to-day basis. Not only do I get paid to do something I love but I learn new things on a regular basis as well and learning provides me with a huge pay-off.
Learning from Clients
Many web writing clients do things a similar way but some of them do things uniquely and as an extended member of their team, I get to learn their secrets. I guard them closely but they help me in my career as well. I'm now working for three very different SEO companies, a successful internet marketer as well as a global writing agency with many different clients plus I have other clients as well.
Most of them approach things such as search engines and articles and keyword usage a bit differently from one another. Through so many approaches I've learned many secrets and tricks of the trade by seeing what works well and by seeing what approaches actually kick butt as well.
As a writer trying to create multiple streams of profitable income, I get to use these skills to help my clients and the bonus is that I help myself too. One client taught me a lot about how to get my page rank up. Another client taught me all about The Long Tail. Yet another has helped me learn to write kick butt autoresponders. One client bought me a copy of a valuable e-book to help me learn his desired formula for writing his copy. That book taught me some great tips that I still use when I write even though that client is finished their project and hasn't needed me in a while.
Another client shares internet marketing insider information with me that he has paid a small fortune for that's allowing me to write effectively for him and is also teaching me marketing skills that will help my business as well.
Learning from Peers
I also learn from others in the industry. Some of them are a little out of my league in terms of experience but through their sharing, I'm building my skills. Each day I try to do something to increase my knowledge level. Today, for example, I spent time practicing some tag line creation after reading a post on CopyBlogger by James Chartrand.
And then, I picked up some valuable info from an older post on a different blog about the word Freelance and how it can be a dangerous word in business by reading: Are You Using The F Word Around Your Clients? which prompted me to do some tweaking of my own website copy.
Fun Learning Stuff
And on the fun side of things, yesterday, I learned about 50 Uses for Plastic Easter Eggs. Ok, that info won't necessarily make me a better writer but can help me be a more organized person and after my publicly flipping off the innocent and very helpful FlyLady (sorry about that!) the other day out of frustration for the clutter in my house, I need all the help I can get!
In all seriousness, learning not only exercises my brain but helps me be a better writer and a happier person. So instead of looking at that assignment on my desk with that flared-nostril-rotten-egg smelling disdain-filled face, next time, I'll attempt to think about it in a new way. I'll consider trying out some new copywriting techniques and will treat it like a learning assignment as well as a paying one.
Gotta love the information highway!
One thing I truly love about my business is how much information I get to assimilate on a day-to-day basis. Not only do I get paid to do something I love but I learn new things on a regular basis as well and learning provides me with a huge pay-off.
Learning from Clients
Many web writing clients do things a similar way but some of them do things uniquely and as an extended member of their team, I get to learn their secrets. I guard them closely but they help me in my career as well. I'm now working for three very different SEO companies, a successful internet marketer as well as a global writing agency with many different clients plus I have other clients as well.
Most of them approach things such as search engines and articles and keyword usage a bit differently from one another. Through so many approaches I've learned many secrets and tricks of the trade by seeing what works well and by seeing what approaches actually kick butt as well.
As a writer trying to create multiple streams of profitable income, I get to use these skills to help my clients and the bonus is that I help myself too. One client taught me a lot about how to get my page rank up. Another client taught me all about The Long Tail. Yet another has helped me learn to write kick butt autoresponders. One client bought me a copy of a valuable e-book to help me learn his desired formula for writing his copy. That book taught me some great tips that I still use when I write even though that client is finished their project and hasn't needed me in a while.
Another client shares internet marketing insider information with me that he has paid a small fortune for that's allowing me to write effectively for him and is also teaching me marketing skills that will help my business as well.
Learning from Peers
I also learn from others in the industry. Some of them are a little out of my league in terms of experience but through their sharing, I'm building my skills. Each day I try to do something to increase my knowledge level. Today, for example, I spent time practicing some tag line creation after reading a post on CopyBlogger by James Chartrand.
And then, I picked up some valuable info from an older post on a different blog about the word Freelance and how it can be a dangerous word in business by reading: Are You Using The F Word Around Your Clients? which prompted me to do some tweaking of my own website copy.
Fun Learning Stuff
And on the fun side of things, yesterday, I learned about 50 Uses for Plastic Easter Eggs. Ok, that info won't necessarily make me a better writer but can help me be a more organized person and after my publicly flipping off the innocent and very helpful FlyLady (sorry about that!) the other day out of frustration for the clutter in my house, I need all the help I can get!
In all seriousness, learning not only exercises my brain but helps me be a better writer and a happier person. So instead of looking at that assignment on my desk with that flared-nostril-rotten-egg smelling disdain-filled face, next time, I'll attempt to think about it in a new way. I'll consider trying out some new copywriting techniques and will treat it like a learning assignment as well as a paying one.
Gotta love the information highway!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Investing In Your Writing Career
Some say you have to spend money to make money. I don't agree with that statement entirely because I started my writing career on dialup with a free hosted WritingUp.com blog on an old pc and didn't spend a dime.
In no time I was published in a magazine and making a modest full time living. I did spend a lot of energy though and my hard work got me somewhere fast. Fast forward two years later though and my business is busting at the seams without the ability to grow because I didn't invest in it. I was working 70 hours a week but not getting much further ahead. In fact I felt frustrated and ready to examine my plans.
Instead of continuing on at that level it was time to make a few small investments. I have recently learned that I may need to invest to take my career to the next level.
My next step was to get myself a website.
While a free blog and free Freewebs, Wordpress or Google page will get you results and help you make do, nothing will say professional like your own website. It only cost me $35 to get my first website off the ground. That registered my domain name for a year and included 3 months of hosting. I've had new clients and networking opportunities come out of this site that wouldn't have previously been there. I credit my website to adding further credibility to my career as well and even had successful freelance writers making twice what I earn come to me for jobs because my website must have impressed them. My SEO knowledge and lots of self promotion efforts are making my website a great investment for me.
The next step was my Internet connection.
Newsflash! After almost two years of writing for a living from home I upgraded my internet connection. It cost me $224 to get a line of sight wireless Xplornet dish put on my house just last Friday and it was money well spent!
I am already astounded at how much I'm seeing my productivity and my free time increase. It used to take me 45 minutes to pay a handful of PayPal invoices. On Friday a task that would've taken me 20-30 minutes took me five. I do weekly article directory submissions for a client and that time has just been chopped in half!
Sending e-mails is faster with large attachments and I can finally watch YouTube videos (Not that it's very work related but still!)! I didn't invest sooner because I thought I had to spend $1000 due to the old technology available as satellite only and figured that as soon as I did spend that money, cheap DSL would magically become available. A new service offering that was cheaper arrived and I decided it was well worth the investment into my business. Not only will I become more productive and earn more but I'll get more time with my family and balance is extremely important in the writing life!
Next investment: a laptop.
A faster computer and getting unplugged from this little corner of my house will give me the ability to work from anywhere which in the summertime will make me a happier writer and a better mother as I can spend time outside with my kids working while they play and be accessible to my clients and team when I am away at a friend's cottage or visiting someone for the day.
Other considerations I'm looking at: advertising and paid networking or bidding sites. I'm still looking at my options here.
While you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a writing career off the ground, there comes a time where you might decide that investing in your writing business can help you earn more money and have more job satisfaction. I'm looking forward to hopefully both in the short term!
In no time I was published in a magazine and making a modest full time living. I did spend a lot of energy though and my hard work got me somewhere fast. Fast forward two years later though and my business is busting at the seams without the ability to grow because I didn't invest in it. I was working 70 hours a week but not getting much further ahead. In fact I felt frustrated and ready to examine my plans.
Instead of continuing on at that level it was time to make a few small investments. I have recently learned that I may need to invest to take my career to the next level.
My next step was to get myself a website.
While a free blog and free Freewebs, Wordpress or Google page will get you results and help you make do, nothing will say professional like your own website. It only cost me $35 to get my first website off the ground. That registered my domain name for a year and included 3 months of hosting. I've had new clients and networking opportunities come out of this site that wouldn't have previously been there. I credit my website to adding further credibility to my career as well and even had successful freelance writers making twice what I earn come to me for jobs because my website must have impressed them. My SEO knowledge and lots of self promotion efforts are making my website a great investment for me.
The next step was my Internet connection.
Newsflash! After almost two years of writing for a living from home I upgraded my internet connection. It cost me $224 to get a line of sight wireless Xplornet dish put on my house just last Friday and it was money well spent!
I am already astounded at how much I'm seeing my productivity and my free time increase. It used to take me 45 minutes to pay a handful of PayPal invoices. On Friday a task that would've taken me 20-30 minutes took me five. I do weekly article directory submissions for a client and that time has just been chopped in half!
Sending e-mails is faster with large attachments and I can finally watch YouTube videos (Not that it's very work related but still!)! I didn't invest sooner because I thought I had to spend $1000 due to the old technology available as satellite only and figured that as soon as I did spend that money, cheap DSL would magically become available. A new service offering that was cheaper arrived and I decided it was well worth the investment into my business. Not only will I become more productive and earn more but I'll get more time with my family and balance is extremely important in the writing life!
Next investment: a laptop.
A faster computer and getting unplugged from this little corner of my house will give me the ability to work from anywhere which in the summertime will make me a happier writer and a better mother as I can spend time outside with my kids working while they play and be accessible to my clients and team when I am away at a friend's cottage or visiting someone for the day.
Other considerations I'm looking at: advertising and paid networking or bidding sites. I'm still looking at my options here.
While you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a writing career off the ground, there comes a time where you might decide that investing in your writing business can help you earn more money and have more job satisfaction. I'm looking forward to hopefully both in the short term!
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