Make Money As A Freelance Writer
Published February 24, 2012
So you want to make money as a freelance writer. Great! Where should you start?
I just got off the phone with a woman, who wanted to make money as a freelance writer. She wants to break into ghostwriting and asked me for advice. I offered her a free 20 minute consultation and gave her my two cents on the subject. I really do enjoy helping writers to write, and if I can help them earn money doing it, that’s even better.
When I asked her what she enjoyed writing she talked about short stories. I let her know that on a practical level there is zero money in this area. People just don’t hire writers to write shorts very often, and if they do, they rarely pay much of anything. If you think about it, there’s little value in a short story for the client. They can’t sell it for much. Sure, write shorts in your spare time. Get them published or turn them into little ebooks, but don’t try to build a business from this. It’s too tough.
The woman I consulted this morning also mentioned that she would like to write screenplays, but had no experience. That’s a tough one. People will normally only hire very experienced screenplay writers to write their scripts, because they want to turn around and sell it for top dollar. She would need to have written several screenplays to be of any interest to a client.
I explained that really she should focus on writing books. Had she written a book yet? No. So the first step (probably the hardest) is to find a client who will hire her to write her first book.
So, how does she find her first client, someone who would hire her without experience? I asked her how many people she had in her contact manager. She admitted that she didn’t have her contacts organized, so I let her know that this was a very important step. It is a potential goldmine for a writer (or any entrepreneur).
Most people I speak to don’t have an organized address book or contact manager. When you’re looking for a client you must contact the people you know and tell them that you’re a writer. Explain that you’re looking for writing work and ask them if they need your help (or if they know of anyone who does). If you call two hundred people from your contact database, there’s a good chance that a few will be looking for a ghostwriter.
Many people want to write their memoirs, their autobiography. They know their story will make a good book, but have no experience or know-how to put it down on paper. Or perhaps they are able to write a book, but just don’t have the time. CEOs and busy business people rarely have the hundreds of hours it takes to craft a book.
It might not be easy to pick up the phone and “dial and smile,” as a good friend of mine would say, but it is a necessity in this business. Sure you can email too, but please don’t waste time on a bulk email that will just get discarded. People don’t like these and consider them “spam.”
So, if you want to make money as a freelance writer, you must focus your attention on what will make you money. Focus on long term projects like books. And if you don’t have experience in this area and want a free 20 minute consultation, please feel free to email me any time!
Interview with Lori Suthar
Published February 13, 2012Lori Suthar, my writing partner for Joshua’s Missing Peace, was in the news last week! She has been interviewed in relation to the strange outbreak in NY and St Louis. People are looking to our book, Joshua’s Missing Peace, for answers regarding the tics and odd behaviors of the children in these areas. Please watch her interview:
Fighting Writer’s Block
Published February 11, 2012
Do you have “writer’s block”, an inability to continue with your writing? People sometimes stare at a blank page or screen and can’t seem to get the words out. Has this happened to you?
There are a number of solutions!
Outline your ideas
If you cannot make forward progress on your book, it could be that you’re not ready to write the next section. Personally I cannot write any substantial piece without outlining first. Make sure you know where you’re heading. It could be that the “block” is simply your common sense saying that you’ve headed in the wrong direction. If the words don’t fly off the keyboard, go back and make sure you’re on board with the flow of the story.
If you started your book without an outline and cannot continue, go back a step and put together an outline now. It will help! You may discover that the last few chapter weren’t meant to be. That is OK. Scrap them and start afresh from the point where you feel the story worked. Then follow the path of your outline and things should straighten out.
Often writer’s block is your own common sense trying to tell you that you went astray! If interested check out my article, “To Outline Or Not To Outline?”
Force yourself to write something, anything
If you’ve outlined and know where you’re going, but just don’t “feel like writing” then you may need to prime the pump. Just like with a dry pump (which needs to be “primed” with water to get started), you may benefit from simply flowing words onto paper.
Here are some ideas:
- Write emails to your friends
- Make a to do list for the next day
- Write in a journal (or create one if you haven’t already)
- Start a blog
It really doesn’t matter what you write, so long as you write!
Work on a completely different project
If you are anything like me you have multiple writing projects going at the same time. As a hobby I write haiku. I also like writing science fiction short stories. I usually work with a few clients, who have very different needs, books of different genres. It keeps me on my toes!
If you’re stuck in the middle of a novel, try writing a nonfiction piece. If you’re a pro writer, seek out clients from a new genre or simply volunteer your time for a nonprofit. Get your creative juices flowing in a new direction.
If you are working on a technical report and are experiencing writer’s block, take a break and write dialogue between two co-workers. Create a scene, which might turn into a short story.
When you feel you’re doing well again, switch back to the project with the deadline looming!
Surround yourself with supportive people
Writer’s block can be a symptom of invalidation from peers. If you have “helpful” friends who jokingly tell you “not to quit your day job,” this can be damaging to you as a writer. The only purpose of such comments is to get you to stop writing. Don’t consult these people. Surround yourself good people who have your best interests at heart, who want to see you succeed.
This isn’t to say that constructive criticism isn’t very helpful to a new (or experienced) writer. We can always improve and grow. I personally LOVE it when some kind soul writes in to tell me I have a typo in a blog article. It is very helpful to me.
Look at the intention behind the comment and how it makes you feel. That will help guide you where to file the suggestion. Do they compliment your work, while gently pointing out errors? Or do they slam you at every turn?
Please check out my article “Feedback Versus Criticism” for more information.
If you need advice or help in the area of writer’s block, please don’t hesitate to email me!
Could PANDAS Be the Cause of the Mysterious Twitches in the Children of New York and St Louis?
Published February 9, 2012
There have been several reports this week of a mysterious illness which has affected children. Two dozen high school students suddenly reported that they are suffering from uncontrollable body movements and odd speech patterns in New York. On top of that another dozen families in St. Louis say their children have similar symptoms.
Could this be the same thing that Joshua Suthar went through?
Lori Suthar hired me to write Joshua’s Missing Peace – A Mother’s True Story last year, after her son went through his ordeal. He had odd behavioral patterns, so she sought advice from her pediatrician, who recommended a neurologist, who recommended a psychiatrist. Lori followed the advice given, giving her son strong anti-psychotic drugs and almost lost Joshua. His personality changed, his aptitude for schoolwork took a nose dive and he became violent toward his siblings. Fortunately Lori never gave up and continued to research and talk to other parents who experienced similar things.
She discovered that her son had a very treatable illness called PANDAS. It is related to Strep Throat, if you can believe. And yes, antibiotics are the cure. Sometimes an additional treatment is needed, but the good news is that there is a solution for children with this illness.
Joshua’s Missing Peace – A Mother’s True Story is now available and has attracted national attention. Why? People are looking for reasons why these children in New York and St Louis have had sudden outbreaks of tics. If it wasn’t for the research being done on PANDAS, the parents of these children might not realize that they could be dealing with a bacteria, something that is treatable. They won’t know until they do a simple strep test (which is very inexpensive and easy to do). I would hate to see any of those children go through the horrors that little Joshua did with all the drugs he was given.
I am extremely proud to be a part of this project. As Lori’s ghostwriter I was able to help her tell her story and get the message out there. I truly believe this book will help many families!
Please pick up a copy of this book today! With this knowledge you might just save a child’s life!
Three Ways to Avoid Being Scammed by a Publisher
Published February 8, 2012Today I asked Donna Erickson to share her thoughts on self-publishing. Donna is the author of No-Hassle Publishing: An Author’s Guide to Today’s Changing Industry and the owner of aflairforwriting.com, a writing/editing/and publishing service. She has 25 years of experience in the industry, and her company offers a full array of quality services for authors who are self-publishing.
By Donna J. Erickson
Many new authors are opting to self-publish their print books and e-books because it’s much quicker and easier than trying to break into traditional publishing. Self-publishing also allows the author to have more control–especially in the areas of cover design and publication title. When new authors begin exploring their options, they often conduct an online search for companies offering self-publishing services, which leads us to this critical question: Are the most popular listings for self-publishing companies on the Internet necessarily the best?
The answer to that question is “no.” The companies on the top of the list have simply paid the most to appear there. These companies pay top-dollar to pay-per-click search engines to get to the top of the list. Does that make them better than the others? Absolutely not! They are just paying more money per click to have you visit their site.
In fact, some of these big-name companies (also known as vanity presses) have been sued and found liable for not delivering what was promised. And many authors have brought their nightmare stories to Internet discussions. So how can you avoid becoming the next casualty? Here are some red-flag suggestions on what to watch out for:
- Beware of Offshore Affiliates
Many of the big names outsource their customer service to the Philippines, India, and other remote locations. Authors have complained that these individuals are often not knowledgeable, inaccessible, and hard to understand. This could be a sign you’re headed for trouble. A credible company should have in-house services with a qualified and helpful staff to assist you. Some companies may have in-house customer service that disappears once they have your money. Try to get feedback from other authors who have done business with them before you give them your money.
- Beware of Poor Quality Editing
All editors are not alike. A less-than-reputable company will hire inexperienced editors who will work for low pay. I’ve heard of an instance where an author ended up with more mistakes after the editing process! Find out about your editor’s background, location, and level of experience. Ask to see a before-and-after sample edit. If they refuse, walk away.
- Beware of Inflated Pricing
Like any major purchase, you need to shop around. If Company A can provide the same services as Company B, why are they priced twice as high? Company A may not care about you or your book. They may just want your money. Some of these outfits are really not about publishing books; they are only about making money. If a company accepts any manuscript–rather than being selective in their process–that sounds like a scam.
Before you give any money to a publisher, make sure you research their background and policies–especially on contracts and refunds. For more detailed information, you can read my book, “No-Hassle Publishing: An Author’s Guide to Today’s Changing Industry.” I’ve uncovered some facts that could save you a lot of grief. Read actual testimonials from other authors. Check discussion boards and join social media groups (such as LinkedIn and Facebook) for comments and feedback. You don’t want to become the next victim with a “horror story” to share about vanity presses.
So You Want to Write a Book!
Published February 7, 2012Would you like to write a book? Good! You should!
Do you need to hire someone to help you? It depends.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you have the time to write a book?
- Do you know how to structure a book?
- Can you motivate yourself to complete it on your own?
- In the end can you write a book others will want to read?
If you have answered YES to each of these questions, there is no reason to hire a ghostwriter. You should at least try to write your book yourself. When you’re done, it would be good to hire an editor to review your manuscript. They will catch any errors and advise you on flow issues.
If you answered yes to some of these questions and no to others, you might consider hiring a ghostwriter to help you. Work with your writer to complete your book. Hire them to work on the areas where you need help. For instance if you have trouble structuring your book (deciding how it should flow), you might hire a writer to help you create the outline.
Or if you know exactly what you plan to write, but know that you won’t finish it this year, hire a writer to write the book with you. Writers are deadline oriented. We will push ourselves to complete the project.
If you really don’t know how to write a book, don’t know where to start, you can hire a ghostwriter, give him or her a basic idea of the story or book concept, provide them with basic research material and turn the project over to them completely. This is perfect acceptable. The book is still yours and you will be the author.
There is no reason why you cannot write a book! Either write it yourself or hire someone to help you. Wouldn’t it be great to walk into your local bookstore and see your book, with your name on the cover!
Tips for Writing a Book
Published February 2, 2012So, you want to write a book? GREAT! Go for it!
What do you do to start?
I recommend that you start with a brief summary of your book. It can be a few lines, but write down the basic concept.
Next work out the message, the purpose of the book. What is it that you want your reader to get from reading your work?
Now I highly recommend that you create an outline. Don’t get too much into the details, but lay out the basic scenes or incidents of the book. These will help keep you on track, guiding you as you write. I consider them mile markers of sorts.
Make sure each scene has a purpose in the story. If it doesn’t, get rid of it or change it. This is very important, as it will save you time! Each incident from your outline should forward the motion of your story.
Once you complete that, review your overall message and make sure the outlined story matches.
Now you can start writing. Please don’t edit as you write! Just write and write and write. Work to complete your first draft.
NOW you can edit. Read over your story and make changes.
When you think it is just about right, read it out loud to yourself or someone else. This will help you spot problem areas, especially in dialogue. If it doesn’t sound right to your ear, change it until it does.
If you are self-publishing, you’ll want to hire an editor/proofreader next! I know a few great ones, so please email me if you need an editor. Their fee is typically 4-10 cents a word, depending on the amount of work needed.
When you have the full edited version in your hands, it is time to look for test readers. Find friends and friends of friends who are willing to commit to read your book and give you honest feedback. Make sure they know that you want to hear the bad with the good.
MS Word has a wonderful feature called Track Changes, that is ideal for collecting comments and corrections. It highlights all the changes and allows people to comment on passages.
Once you have your feedback and feel that your book is ready, it is time to head to the printer!
If you have recently published a book, please share your tips for writing a book here. What steps did you take?
Of course if you’d like a free 20 minute consultation about how to write YOUR book, please don’t hesitate to write me. I’m happy to help!
What Is a C.V.?
Published January 30, 2012
What is a C.V. and what does it mean?
C.V. stands for Curriculum Vitae, which is Latin for “the course of my life.” It is the modern day resume, which is more comprehensive, providing a potential employer with an overview of a person’s professional background.
Personally I still use the word “resume.” I think today they are pretty well interchangeable. However, with a resume you must make sure it is one or two pages. A C.V. can be longer.
Please check out my resume if you’d like to see an example. It has worked well for me!
What should my C.V. or resume have?
Consider what you would want to know about someone if you were hiring them! That will help you put together your C.V.
Here are some elements that you want to include:
- Your name and contact information
- Your educational background
- Your work experience
- Your achievements
These are the basic elements, but you can get creative with it. Don’t be too mechanical. For instance, when I graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Civil Engineering, I had no experience. However I received a high paying job right out of the gate? Why?
On my resume I made sure to include that I was one of the top 50 women chess players in the country. It came up in almost every interview as a point of interest with the employer. I’d watch them read my resume with a sort of glazed bland expression and waited for them to come to that line, when their eyes would inevitably pop.
What should go first on my C.V. or resume?
This is a very important point. This goes back to the original question: What is a C.V.? What is the purpose of this document?
You want to promote yourself so that your potential new boss sees you in the right light and hires you, right? Lead with your best feature!
If you have a PHD in your field, by all means, lead with education.
If you have just written a best-selling book, that should be top on the list!
If you have no work experience, but are an Olympic gold medal winner, that should be the focus, front and center.
People often start with work experience, because that is most relevant, but you need to decide what is right for you. What will get you noticed? And again, what would you want to see at the top of the resume?
Please feel free to share your resume or C.V. here. Provide a link, so that we can learn more about your experience and see how you put your resume together! What advice do you have for people creating their very first resume?
How to Publish a Book
Published January 28, 2012When people write me to ask for help with their book, they often ask about how to publish a book. It’s a good question, one you should consider before starting your project.
There are two main ways to get your book published. One is to self-publish and the other is to find an agent and pursue a traditional publisher.
Self-publishing
There are many choices for self-publishers. I highly recommend Dan Poynter’s book: http://www.amazon.com/Dan-Poynters-Self-Publishing-Manual-Write/dp/1568601425. He advocates becoming a publisher and taking all the steps needed to get your book in print. This is the best way to make sure your book has the quality you need and want for your budget.
There are other outfits who will handle a lot of the legwork for you. LuLu, iuniverse and CreateSpace seem to be the top three. I’ve heard good things about CreateSpace and quite a few negatives about the other two. All three seem to try to upsell you to purchase various marketing packages, which may or may not be effective.
Full publishing
If you want to find a publisher to take on your project, you should probably find an agent. It isn’t always necessary, but usually it is.
The first step in this process is to create a proposal for your book. If you’ve never done this, you’ll want to hire a ghostwriter to help you. It’s a key document that will help you sell your idea to a publisher.
For a nonfiction book, the publisher will want to see a few chapters, read over your synopsis and know what your marketing plans are. Who else has written books on this subject? How have they done? What makes your book different?
Pros and Cons
When you self-publish you keep all the profits, but must pay all the upfront costs. If you have a modest run to start, you’re probably looking at $3000 – $5000 to see your book in print. If you hire a publicist the costs jump substantially.
If you go the full publishing route you have no expenses, but only receive a small percentage of the net sales. The publisher should help you market your book, but if you’re a first time author, they cannot put too much money and energy into you. They will be watching to see how your sales are in the first six months.
Either way you must market your book
If you’re trying to decide how to publish your book, whether to self-publish or find a publisher, you must understand that you will need to market and sell your own book. Many first time authors think their book will sell themselves, but they rarely do.
Be prepared to sell your book through online campaigns, newsletters, social media and good old fashion book signings.
Please feel free to share your publishing stories with us here! Which route did you choose?
Working with a Ghostwriter – What steps should you take?
Published January 24, 2012
People often ask me for the steps involved with working with a ghostwriter. I always say that each job is different, each writing relationship is unique, but there are common aspects that I can share.
You need to settle on a ghostwriter, sign a contract and pay them about 25% of the total fee to start.
Interview ghostwriters until you find the perfect match, someone with whom you can really communicate well, someone who is excited about the project. Look for someone with experience in your genre.
Now you don’t need a gardener to write a gardening book, but you do want someone with experience in nonfiction writing.
Never pay a ghostwriter the entire fee upfront. It’s a recipe for disaster. The writer will have no motivation to complete the book.
However your ghostwriter will need to be paid ahead of the writing. The first segment is always the most time consuming because it includes the outlining and research phase, which is why it often requires the largest payment.
You need to get all the research information to the ghostwriter.
When you realize that you will be working with a ghostwriter, you should begin gathering all your research information and notes together. Think about what your writer will need in order to tell your story or prepare your nonfiction manual.
“But why should I do this work? Aren’t I hiring the ghostwriter to do this for me?”
Sure, you can pay the writer to do all the research, but remember you are the best source for information on your book! Also, the cost for your ghostwriter will increase substantially if the writer needs to research from scratch. In the long run it will save you money and time if you can do the bulk of the research for your writer.
You need to review all the material your ghostwriter sends you in a timely manner.
Your ghostwriter will email you segments of the book on a regular basis. Make sure to read the pieces and provide the writer with detailed feedback. If it is good, tell your ghostwriter why it works. If it isn’t, tell him or her why.
I always allow one revision per segment. You don’t want to get into a ton of back and forth at this phase, but you do want to guide the project. Remember the outline has been hammered out by this time, so now you’re just settling on the details and voice of the book.
It is a bad idea to wait until the entire rough draft is written to tell your writer what you think of the book. By then it may be difficult to change things.
By the time you get through this process, chances are you’ll have a very nearly completed manuscript. Personally, I will work and rework the first draft, making minor changes (mostly for flow and consistency) and then request one more set of revisions once I’m satisfied. Often I get a thumbs up.
Again, no two writing relationships are the same. Each client has different needs and each story is unique, but there are commonalities that you can expect when working with a ghostwriter!
