Photo by Timothy K. Hamilton

I recently attended the Speed Money Seminar and had the opportunity to listen to great speakers such as Alex Mandossian, Armand Morin, Michel and Sylvie Fortin, Matt Bacak, Eric Graham, Ray Edwards, Kirt Christensen, and Stu McLaren.

Throughout the weekend I had hundreds of business ideas and blog posts running through my head. The article that I’ve been most excited to share with you, however, is based on Alex Mandossian’s presentation “How to Get MORE Done…Faster, Better and with Less Human Effort.”

If you’re interested in propelling your freelance writing career to the next level, regardless of what level that might be, read on. If not, you should probably spend your time doing something else. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 39% [?]

Photo by MarkyBon

As a freelance copywriter, you’ll come across a lot of people interested in your writing – but only a small percentage of them will actually use your services. While this can seem frustrating at times, it shouldn’t be. You’re not in this business to make quick business with many – you’re in it to forge strong relationships with a few.

If you’re wondering why so many people show interest in your work but so few buy, consider all the variables that have a role in “buying”. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 35% [?]

Photo by Jamelah

It’s that time of year again – college and university graduates are tossing their caps in their air and celebrating. But over the next few weeks, when the dust settles, many will be asking themselves “what next?”

I graduated last April and started out in a door-to-door sales job, then quit that job and relocated, then worked for a couple months as an Account Manager at a printer cartridge remanufacturing company, and eventually quit and decided it was time to take a chance. I couldn’t continue working in a job I didn’t like. I wanted to write, I wanted to chase my dreams, and I wanted to break free from the 9-5.

If you’re considering freelancing then you probably know what I mean. I hated asking for time off, I hated not being able to set my own schedule, and I hated knowing that I wasn’t following my passion – only a few months after graduation.

I had enough money in the bank to survive for three months…so I figured it was now or never. I would see if I could make money as a writer. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 36% [?]

How many times have you been sold by somebody’s pitch?

Personally, I’ve never had that kind of experience. When I ask somebody the big question – “what do you do?” – I don’t really care, I’m just trying to be polite. In fact, even if their career fits one of my specific needs, I’m not going to buy from them.

Why? Because elevator speeches are useless! They don’t tell me whether or not somebody is actually good at what they do, they don’t show me whether or not I can trust them, and they aren’t a proper foundation for a healthy relationship.

Bob Burg, the author of Endless Referrals, famously said: “All things being equal, people will do business with, and refer business to, those people they know, like and trust.”

If you want to be successful then you need to ditch the pitch and get real – hang out for the sake of hanging out and get to know others for the sake of getting to know others. Leave your prospecting glasses at home! Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 45% [?]

New York Times recently published an article about blogging entitled “In Web World of 24/7 Stress, Writers Blog Till They Drop.”

“They work long hours, often to exhaustion. Many are paid by the piece — not garments, but blog posts. This is the digital-era sweatshop. You may know it by a different name: home.”

Does this hit home for you? Perhaps you’re not a blogger, but you’re a freelance writer and an independent business owner. You’ve given up on the 9-5 for a career that is much more exhausting…

…but it doesn’t have to be this way. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 38% [?]