Take a Writing Break

Any freelance writer who has been in the business for a while knows how the ups and downs of the workload works. There are days and weeks when you feel as if you will never work again. Clients that have come to you regularly seem to have disappeared and the search for new ones is slow to prosper. This can and does happen quite often but it's important to remember that it doesn't last for long. All too soon you will be so flooded with work that you may have to turn down offers for work.

These ups and downs can get annoying but it's a good idea to take advantage of those lulls in between jobs. It can be over before you know it. If you work on other things like music, fiction or anything at all, use your free time to focus on that. It can be hard to make time for yourself so when you have some, unwilling or not, make good use of it.

Whatever you do, don't assume that a week without work means that you will never have freelance writing work again. It also doesn't mean that you shouldn't hit up job postings and apply for new projects. Devote an hour or two a day to job hunting and things like maintaining your website and myspace page. Promotion can be done regardless of workload. In fact, a low workload makes it easier to take care of those types of things that otherwise go overlooked.


~Trina M. Lee
www.TMLWritingServices.com

Writing Is All About Your Determination

It's astoundingly common for freelance writers to hit a snag or two or many along their writing career journey. All too often new writers come blazing onto the scene filled with excitement and ready to work. But then they discover that jobs don't find you simply because you tout yourself as a freelance writer. Writing jobs are something that you must pursue. This can be frustrating and rewarding. But it requires some commitment.

It can take some time to land that first freelance writing job, especially when you don't have a current portfolio of writing samples. You may be required to start with a low paying job and work your way up rather than aiming for the highest ones from the start. Experience certainly helps. Once you have one paying job it opens the door for more to follow. Hanging in there for that first writing job is essential.

Many would be writers throw in the towel within the first week or so of little success. Job hunting in the freelance writing world takes some real dedication. If you're searching among online listings then consider how many writers are also applying for those jobs. It can take a while to land that first worthy writing gig.

What really matters is your determination as a freelance writer. It can take years to reach the level of success that some writers claim to have reached. Do you have it in you to last that long?


~Trina M. Lee
www.TMLWritingServices.com

Free Writing Samples - Do or Don't?

An issue that many freelance writers are constantly faced with is the "free writing sample" issue. Many clients will request one and at the worst, expect one. When is it a good idea? And when should you say a polite "heck no"?

1. You need to build a portfolio. This is a time you may want to consider doing a few free articles or editing jobs. Nothing outrageous of course, just enough to show your skill. You are giving work away for free though so let the potential client know that you plan to show it in your portfolio as a sample to others as well.

2. You already have an established freelance portfolio. This may be one of those times to say no. If you have plenty of creditable experience to show this person and they demand free work, it's better to walk away. This is a livelihood for most freelance writers. Doctors and lawyers don't work for free when they have families to feed, why should we?

3. It's a well paying job that would do wonders for your freelance writing career. Consider a free sample. If you know the potential client is legit then it may be worth your time. Decide what the position is worth to you.

4. The job is coming through a freelance job site or bid site. These are often the lower paying of the freelance writing jobs out there. Rates tend to be lower than the work is worth. If the articles only pay $5 or less less there is no reason you should have to submit a free sample. The price alone is highway robbery after paying the site commission fees. If you choose to use these sites for work that's fine. But don't sell yourself so short as to give work away for free.

Consider this: every writer that bids on that job may be asked for a free sample. In the end the buyer has so many he doesn't need to choose or pay any one of them. Just a thought.

Freelance writing is a rewarding profession. However, it's also a challenging one that requires plenty of persistence and thick skin. Do what you have to do in order to secure the freelance writing job that guarantees you success rather than a loss of wage and time.


~Trina M. Lee
www.TMLWritingServices.com

When To Say No

As a new freelance writer it can be tempting to grab every scrap that comes your way. Because of this there are many writers working for much lower than they should. This is turn creates a domino effect causing many buyers to refuse to pay higher. Rather than refusing to work for little, writers are compromising their integrity and professionalism.

Freelance bid sites are notorious for low paying jobs. True, many decent projects can be found there though just as many insulting $2/article jobs can as well. Do yourself a favour and don't even read those ads. It's a waste of your time and intelligence. There comes a time when freelance writers have to take a stand and demand more. These buyers come to writers for a reason. Because we have skills they do not. Why should they not pay for time and talent?

Turn your attention to higher paying markets like magazines or newspapers. The income is not as regular but it's higher and the experience speaks volumes for your resume in ways a $2 article cannot.

The fact remains that we all have to start somewhere. It's realistic that many of us will accept some of the lower paying positions over time. However, the point is to refuse to allow those jobs to hinder your growth. There is more to freelance writing than cheap labour. Set your standards and stick to them. Sometimes it's better to walk away from a job than to do what you know simply is not worth it.



~Trina M. Lee
www.TMLWritingServices.com

Always Write

Being a freelance writer certainly isn't all it's cracked up to be. Not for most of us anyway. It involves a lot of work, possible rejection and perseverance. Those unpredictable dry spells can really be a drag as well. It often seems like work comes in giant loads, more than you can handle before tapering off to virtually nothing before the next giant wave hits. It's not an easy way to live but many of us do it because it's what we love. Or it should be. If you don't love what you do for a living, you're doing the wrong thing.

You may be a full time freelance writer or perhaps writing is a part time thing for you. Whichever it is, be sure to write regularly regardless of jobs. Down time is perfect for honing your skills and brushing up on your marketing techniques. Write up a few queries and send them to magazines that interest you. Work on fiction if it's another avenue of writing you enjoy or simply hit the job boards a little harder than usual. The point is: having no job doesn't mean that you cannot be working.

Freelance writing and making the most of your freelance services is key in your career. There is so much more to your writing than the job itself. Look into all aspects to promote yourself and get the attention of those who need freelance writing services. Promote your website through classifieds ads or directories as well as search engines. There should never be a time when a writer has nothing to do.


~Trina M. Lee
www.TMLWritingServices.com

Home Office - Is It For You?

One of the most obvious perks of being a freelance writer is working for yourself. Being your own boss means making your own hours and having the freedom to work right out of your home. Eliminating a long commute to the office is nice but is it realistic for you to run your writing business out of a home office? Not everyone can do it.

First of all, do you already have a home office set up or will you need to acquire one? Most of us have what we already need to get started. Internet connection, phone line and a reliable computer is about it. Some people may find that they need a printer and fax machine regularly as well. A nice thing about home offices is that it allows you to write off a percent of power, internet and other stationary expenses.

Distraction is the main thing that hinders most work at home writers. If young children are home or you have animals, it can get annoying and difficult to work. Trust me on the animal thing. When you have cats knocking things down, climbing curtains and doing all of the fun things they do when you're out during the day, chasing after them involves getting up from the computer. Do this enough times and you may just pack up your laptop and head to a coffee shop instead. Try creating an office space in your home that is off limits to all but yourself.

If you have the financial ability to do so, you may wish to consider renting an office outside the home. By having a place to be at everyday, it alleviates the temptation to lay around in your PJs all day. As glorious as that sounds, it puts a real cramp in your productivity. Even if you don't have a separate office, avoid the pajama thing. If you feel like a professional writer, you work like one. Pajamas don't do much to endorse that feeling.

Create a schedule for your home office time much like you would any other work day. By staying too flexible you risk only sitting down to write when you feel like it. And as much as we all love our freelance writing career choice, like any job there are "I don't wanna" days. Keeping a firm schedule makes productivity a priority.

Keep your office space free of anything that isn't work related. Eliminating the distraction level is essential.



~Trina M. Lee
www.tmlwritingservices.info

Build Your Portfolio

The first step to any writing career is just that, writing. In order to build a viable portfolio that will help secure you some clients, you need to have something to put in it. This is where writing for free comes in. If you have no current work experience then you may have to do some low pay or non-paying jobs just to get those samples. Of course if you have articles on http://www.associatedcontent.com/ or http://www.helium.com/ those may serve as work samples as well, depending what the project is that you are going for.

Find a place that you can host your portfolio online. If you have your own website that's great. Just add a link that you can refer clients to. http://www.freelancewriting.com/ also has a section where you can put your portfolio online for potential clients seeking a writer.

Keeping a blog is also a great way of showing off your personal writing style as well as keeping a continuously updated source of writing. Provide clients with a list of links to various types of writing rather than just one to show that you can excel in more than one area. If you focus only on one type of writing that's fine too. But make sure that you are well informed and on your way to being an expert. Flexibility is best when freelancing.

Marketing your work is just as important as the work itself. Start by preparing the best portfolio you can. You want to market the best representative material possible. Dedicate time to your portfolio and it will help do some of your marketing for you.



~Trina M. Lee
www.tmlwritingservices.info

Choosing to Take the Writing Plunge

Making the decision to pursue writing as a full time career can be nerve wracking hell. Getting up each day to head to the job you hate makes you feel like time is being wasted, because it is. Not all of us can decide to ditch our job and "be a writer". It's isn't so cut and dried...unfortunately.

If you're like most of us then you don't have the funds to quit everything and take a risk. Some things have to start small. Ease into it. If you really have the desire and the skill to write then start small doing part time work during the evenings and weekends. Even if it doesn't turn into a lucrative writing career, a decent amount of writing jobs could add a nice extra chunk of change to your monthly income.

New writers may have a hard time figuring out where to start. Weeding out the scams from the real jobs is usually the first challenge, especially if you're looking for online writing jobs. A tip is to limit your use of the term "work at home". It turns up more sites trying to take your money than pay you any. Avoid them completely.
A writing site like www.freelancewriting.com is a good place to find jobs adequate for most breaking into the writing industry. Keep an eye out for low ball jobs though. There is such thing as a low paying job and then there is such thing as highway robbery. Don't settle for any $1 an article jobs if you want to make money.

Market your services everywhere you can as well as your website. If you don't have a personal site up and running then it's time to get one. Html illiterate types can get free hosting and website layout help at www.bravenet.com.

When it comes to choosing to go full time, take your time and really think about it before making a rash decision. If you're making significant money and have a steady stream of clients then by all means consider it. However, patience is key. Don't expect it to happen over night.



~Trina M. Lee
www.tmlwritingservices.info

Professional Writing Services

If you are offering professional writing services then it's wise to ensure that you're doing all that you can to present that image. This includes everything from the layout of your website to the business cards you use. And yes when it comes to writing services, you need a good business card. It doesn't have to be a $500 order from a large name printer, even a home printed card can look good provided that you purchase cards without perforations. Be sure that they're sturdy too or else they won't last long.

Professional writing services should be all about quality. All work should be the absolute best. If you create a writing team then be sure all writers have provided samples and resumes. You don't want to waste time cleaning up someone else's work.

If you are looking for professional writing services then perhaps you are overwhelmed with the abundance of writers out there to choose from. Be wary of those willing to work too cheap. Though it may sound like savings to you, remember that saying "you get what you paid for".

An experienced writer should have no problem running pro writing services at their own luxury and convenience. Maintain your schedule effectively so that you never run short on time. Completing a project before the deadline looks good and feels great.

For all professional writing services such as articles, letters and more see: www.tmlwritingservices.info

Do You Have A Writing Schedule?

Being self employed as a writer can be an incredibly rewarding career. However, when you're the boss the schedule is flexible and virtually non-existent and for some people that lack of structure leads to a low production work day. If you're the type that needs a strict schedule to stick to the task at hand then consider typing one up and printing it off to hang in your work space.

Be realistic about it though. Allow reasonable amounts of time for each task and include time for breaks. Working yourself too hard without a break will just reduce the quality of your work. If you're sitting at a desk all day make sure to get up once an hour and walk around for 5 minutes. It'll keep the blood flowing in your legs and give your eyes a break from the screen.

Print out a copy and stick it to the top of your desk or stuff it in your laptop case. Of course it will only help if you can stick to it. Falling off the schedule can harm your deadlines and set you back. This is another reason why it's recommended to never take on more work than you can handle. Commitment to your schedule will help you as a writer to keep a steady pace and work under daily deadlines as well as increase your daily earning potential.





Trina M. Lee
www.TMLWritingServices.info

Bottom Feeders: An Unfortunate Truth

Being a writer is not at all the glorious job that some people dream that it is. True there can be perks, for instance the fact that you can call yourself a writer. But aside from that, it's all about hard work and plenty of crap jobs. Don't get me wrong here, every job is a job that furthers your career and assists greatly in getting you the next job. But like in any career, you have to start from the bottom.

Starting out as a writer often means working hard for little pay. Clients have a tendency to assume that it's easy to be a writer and that it takes no real effort on our part. How sadly untrue that is. A bottom feeder is someone who offers you extremely little while asking for a fair amount of work. Sometimes there is no avoiding these projects. However, you need to know where to draw the line. Once you've successfully gained credibility and legitimate experience as a writer you have the freedom to choose your work and be a little picky doing it.

Persistance Pays Off In Writing

It takes a brave person to head boldly into the writing world without giving up. Many people when faced with the adversity and dedication it takes to get that first job just quit when it doesn't pan out the way they had pictured it. My first job was compiling information on various antique wares for a website that specialized in the sale of those items. Not only did it pay little, it was also pretty boring. However, it was my first paying job and true credit on my writing resume. And we all have to start somewhere.

Scour the writing job boards and then scour them again. Eventually the right job will grab your attention. Place ads in appropriate places advertising your services as well. Marketing yourself is essential as a writer. Hit up all of the job listing sites and bid sites that you can. Once you get that first client it really gets the ball rolling to the next one.

During those slow periods when you're in between regular clientele, try your hand at writing for www.AssociatedContent.com or www.Helium.com. They are pay per click sites but a good writer can make some extra cash there while improving their skills. Persistance is essential in landing that first, second and third job. It's all uphill from there.

Associated Content VS Helium

There are a few great sites that are just perfect for the new and developing writer. These sites are designed so that anyone can publish an article easily and earn viewers. After enough views on your article, you start to get paid. Some users of these sites will tell you that they make hundreds of dollars this way monthly, however I wouldn't hold your breath on that.

www.Helium.com and www.AssociatedContent.com are at the top of my list for pay per click type sites. Helium can be fun because it has a contest section as well as a marketplace for the potential of selling your work to magazines with specific article needs. I recently sold a piece there abour accessorizing your car for $30. I have yet to see payment though so don't be too quick to put all of your eggs in this basket.
My personal preference is for Associated Content. Even though they only offer larger payments to American citizens, others are still capable of working for the pay per click wage. Every one thousand views will earn you $1.50 which doesn't sound like much but if you can get fifty articles on the site over time and each of them earn this amount regularly, it can get you some extra cash in your pocket.

The main point to these sites though is your exposure as a writer and your ability to publish your work online. Don't invest all of your time in these sites but if you have a spare how to article or some fun facts, try posting it and see what happens.

Don't Take On More Than You Can Handle

Every morning you start your day with a look at the latest job boards and listings on www.freelancewriting.com. If you apply to enough of them each day then you will certainly have a paying gig in no time. But be careful. It's easy to end up with too much work and then you will be forced to turn clients down.

Too much work may sound like a good thing but truth be told, it isn't. If enough clients reply to you and all have work they need done, you won't be able to meet the demands. Each job should be given special attention as if it's the most important job. This way no client will receive your work and feel that you did less than your best.

Knowing when to turn down work is vital. As much as you'd like to say yes to every offer, it's just not possible. And no matter what you should never let down a regular client. People that you work for often and regularly should always come first. After all, they're the ones keeping you employed. Don't make them regret it.

Virtual Assistants

Many people would like to work from home if they had the opportunity but seem to feel that they are limited in what they could be doing. There seems to be a mistaken assumption that only writers work at home. But that really isn't the case at all. Another great and fulfilling at home career is that of a virtual assistant.

All you need is a home office and the willingness to work. Employers all over the world are outsourcing administrative and clerical duties to employees stationed at home. By being an independent virtual assistant you will be responsible for many tasks including handling customer service phone calls and data entry. The beauty of a VA job is being your own boss and setting your own rates and hours.

There are many sites devoted to working as a VA from home. Check out places like:
www.virtualassistantjobs.com
www.mommysplace.net
www.2minutecommute.com

These links are a great place to get started and will link you through to more job postings and information. But remember, always stay on scam alert. Search for terms relevant to what you're seeking and try to stay away from keywords associated with work at home scams. And good luck!