Hey, Is Anybody Out There????

[UpAndAtEm]

Wow. I guess nobody is doing any freelance writing these days. Where are all the posts? Are all the writers so busy writing other things that they don't have time to post here anymore? I hope that's the case!

If you're considering writing for a living I've got a great idea for you. Write a booklet. Magazine writing generally doesn't pay much, unless you can get in with the top paying publications and the competition for that is fierce. Writing for hire pays a little better, but you'll still be living paycheck to paycheck. Why not make some real money with your writing?

I planned to write a book, but that project became too long and tedious. So, I scrapped that project and wrote a booklet instead. Then, I wrote a second booklet to cross sell the first one. It worked! I've never sold a single copy of either booklet, but always the two together. I make more money from my booklet sales than most authors do from their full length books.

But wait, it gets better, because there is a huge market for booklets of nearly every subject, and you don't have to sell individual copies to individual readers. You can sell copies by the hundreds, thousands, or hundreds of thousands to those whose market are your audience. Writing and marketing this way makes for much better profits!

This is what I do. I currently have two booklets on the market and I'm about to publish my third one. I can hardly wait to publish that third booklet, because it's topic is that same as that of the book I had planned to write so long ago. I've already got a wide open market for it, and I'm anxious to get it done and out there into the hands of those who need it.

How about you? What are you doing? Post!!!

[judilynn]

Hey there girl! You and I must be on the same theme today!

I attended a teleconference last night and this was her theme. She was all about using a physical book could promote you and your business. Even better than a blog!

She gave me so many great ideas. I really need to sit down and get with it!

Writing is such a pleasure. And making money off it? well that is a girls dream!

So get busy and write. Think you can't write? Hire a ghost writer. Or better yet, a good editor. I love my editor!

And yes girl I have been busy writing (typing) my little fingers off catching up with deadlines.

[UpAndAtEm]

Hey Judi!

Nice to hear from you! I'm so glad you've been busy writing. What are you working on? Your booklet? Articles?

Glad to hear your doing well! I'm currently listening to a teleconference on information marketing, which not only applies to booklets but to all kinds of writing. Tons of great ideas here, so watch my blog because I'll be blogging about them over the next several days!

Gotta run! Time to take more notes!

[judilynn]

I actually contracted to write 40 articles a month. I am loving it! I am learning so much. Just got done writing a series on skiing/snowboarding and one on microsoft certification :) Keeping me busy and grocery money in my pocket.

I seriously have to work on my website though. I have that on slate for next week when things around here calm down.

Take good notes, and you know I will be over to your blog soon!

[UpAndAtEm]

Oh, yeah! Very good notes. Lots of good stuff here!

What are your articles about? Any particular topic you have to stick to or do you write whatever inspires you at the moment?

You know, you can take some of those articles and turn them into a booklet. Just another way to leverage what you're writing and make more money!

[judilynn]

You know that was the topic of one of the discussions of one of the contractors for this project. Doing the research once and getting multiple articles out of it.

Writers online should seriously consider this.

Take for example I am writing an article on coffee. I research it and write an article for my client. I can take that research and write another article for Associated Content and get paid for that. I can then turn around use that research for another article geared toward my website readers.

One time researching, 3 different articles. Kind of like tripling your research time :)

Make it go even further by doing series! Think about it. Take that research you are doing and break it down into several similar articles.

Back to that coffee topic. I could write a series of articles say - making a great pot of coffee - the difference in coffee beans - what is the difference in coffee drinks etc. I submit theses to my client, but I still have all this research. As long as I don't plagiarize myself I can take that research and write more articles for others and my website :)

OK now that I have burned my brain out for the evening. I need to work on my websites. I am thinking of having a debut party when marketwhatyoumake.com is reading for public viewing!

Judi

[UpAndAtEm]

Judi,

You've got the right idea. Now, take each of those article topics on coffee and turn them into mini chapters for a 16 - 24 page booklet. Then, you can mass market that booklet and sell hundreds of thousands of copies! With articles, you sell them one at a time. A client hires you or accepts something you've written, and you make a sale. With booklets, you can sell single copies, but you can also sell hundreds or thousands of copies at a time. Think about it.

I'm anxious to see your mwym website! I know it's going to be good. I hope you'll invite me to the party! :-D

[judilynn]

you know I really could do a whole theme on coffee. I mean after all my blood is 75% made of the stuff :)

I need to work on some buzz before I even set up a launch party. I am hoping to aim for mid October. October is always lucky for me :)

So how do writers create buzz on certain topics? You know where my mind goes right? Pump out some articles, press releases, and yes I know some booklets. Going to get a todo list done by the end of next week!!!

I am sooo excited! And I won some advertising last night too. Yipee!!!!

[UpAndAtEm]

Wow, Judi. I'm impressed. You've come a long way since I first me you here, and that was only a short time ago! Look at you now!

Keep up the great work! As for creating a buzz, another great way to do that is to get on the forums and blogs where there are people who could benefit from what you have to offer. But, you need to get started on that now because it takes a little time to get it going.

Keep me posted!

[Twixal]

I'm a writer, just found this forum yesterday though :) I do small odd jobs like forum posting, blog posting, silly stuff to keep myself occupied while I'm not working on articles or website writes/rewrites for webmasters :)

I'm VERY interested in the booklet thing though! I'm definitely going to be checking your site out tomorrow. I have a lot I could write smaller booklets about... who has the time to write a whole book?! I mean seriously?! a hubby, two kids, a dog, lots of articles (not complaining lol) ... just busy!

[UpAndAtEm]

Hey, there, Twixal!

Nice to meet you! Yeah, a booklet is really the way to go! I just got an email from a publisher in Jakarta who learned about one of my booklets. He's asking me for a foreign rights deal. I can hardly believe it! Of all the place my booklet would sell, I must admit I never thought about Indonesia!

There is so much you can do with a booklet. It's truly astounding. It can take you places a book never could!

Please let me know what you think of the website. I'm always interested to know what other authors think about it.

Get in touch with me if you decide to pursue a booklet. I really think you'll be glad you did!

Oh, and I understand completely about the kids and the husband. I stopped before getting the dog, though! :-)

[Words Girl]

Hi ladies,

I'm looking to hire new writers for our custom writing service (we do articles for a number of clients) ...do you mind me asking what you charge per piece?

Hope that's not too nosey, but I was to hire people at a fair price :-)

[Twixal]

My prices are all on my portfolio. Clicky the siggy :)

I always research the information for my articles, because it's MY name getting out there, ya know ;)

[sarathy]

Wow. I guess nobody is doing any freelance writing these days. Where are all the posts? Are all the writers so busy writing other things that they don't have time to post here anymore? I hope that's the case!

If you're considering writing for a living I've got a great idea for you. Write a booklet. Magazine writing generally doesn't pay much, unless you can get in with the top paying publications and the competition for that is fierce. Writing for hire pays a little better, but you'll still be living paycheck to paycheck. Why not make some real money with your writing?

I planned to write a book, but that project became too long and tedious. So, I scrapped that project and wrote a booklet instead. Then, I wrote a second booklet to cross sell the first one. It worked! I've never sold a single copy of either booklet, but always the two together. I make more money from my booklet sales than most authors do from their full length books.

But wait, it gets better, because there is a huge market for booklets of nearly every subject, and you don't have to sell individual copies to individual readers. You can sell copies by the hundreds, thousands, or hundreds of thousands to those whose market are your audience. Writing and marketing this way makes for much better profits!

This is what I do. I currently have two booklets on the market and I'm about to publish my third one. I can hardly wait to publish that third booklet, because it's topic is that same as that of the book I had planned to write so long ago. I've already got a wide open market for it, and I'm anxious to get it done and out there into the hands of those who need it.

How about you? What are you doing? Post!!!


All that you say sounds fine. But how do you price booklets? Isn't that a little tough? Well i feel that way, please enlighten me.

[UpAndAtEm]

Pricing booklets, like anything else, depends on production costs and what the market is willing to pay for them, but, if you're selling single copies of a 16 - 24 page booklet the average price each is between $4.00 and $7.00. If your booklet contains specialized information that is hard to find, it may sell for more. It may also sell for more if your booklet is sold to a special market such as the medical industry.

If you are selling booklets in quantity, the price will depend on how many are being sold. The more booklets being purchased, the higher the discount will be.

[cmoore]

I'm thinking about starting some freelance work. Any advice on how to get started, where to find work etc?

Colleen

[Twixal]

The answer to that question depends almost entirely on what you'd like to do :)

So are you a writer, graphics designer, web designer...?

Michele

[cmoore]

Writer, mostly research and academic papers. But I have a creative side.

Colleen

[Twixal]

I can toss out a few ideas.

Associated Content - you can write articles and submit them, if they're approved you get paid when they're viewed.

Helium.com - pretty much the same, but they don't review/approve the content. You're rated against others who've submitted something similar.

GetAFreelancer.com - bid site, you have to keep your prices pretty rock bottom for most bid sites.

ScriptLance - another bid site.

There are other sites out there, but I got started using GetAFreelancer and ScriptLance primarily. I built my portfolio and got my name out there, that's what it takes. I've only been freelancing since July and I'm at a steady $250 a month. I stay pretty busy most days and have found some great people with repeat work.

I definitely recommend starting a portfolio though! There are a few blog sites out there that would make nice portfolios (even myspace could be used as a portfolio) if you don't have your own hosting service. Which isn't very expensive btw, so if you'd like more information I can help with that too :)

My portfolio is hosted at Twixal.com (a site I co-own) and is Joomla with a nice template. Or at least I think so, and I'm sure my opinion is quite biased! :)

Michele

[UpAndAtEm]

Colleen,

Michelle has presented some good ideas, but it's very difficult to make a living from writing articles for AC or selling your services on a bid site. The articles sites pay very little and those who do make a living at it are writing something like 20 or more articles per day. From my understanding (and please, someone correct me if I'm wrong), the top pay from AC is only $15.00. I read about one of their authors who received $50.00 for one article, but that is rare.

Writing articles takes alot of time and research and you have to do it over and over again. It's very difficult to make a living at it, unless you can write for top dollar with one of the high circulation magazines or you've got alot of credit built up with one of the bid sites. Then, you can get more money, although the people those sites tend to attract don't have much money to start with. That's why they are posting their jobs there instead of hiring someone outright.

If you really want to do the freelance thing in the traditional sense, give it a go. But, if you want to make some serious money, I've got a better idea for you.

I think you would do well to take all that research you know how to do and write a booklet. Instead of writing article after article and trying to make a few dollars, you could write your booklet one time, get it produced into a pdf file and sell copies by the thousands to large businesses and consumers.

Booklets are fast to write, cheaper to produce than full size books, and you can morph a single booklet into several different formats, thereby creating new products to reach new markets. All of this means more money for you.

Give it some thought.

[Twixal]

although the people those sites tend to attract don't have much money to start with. That's why they are posting their jobs there instead of hiring someone outright.

Exactly! There are several who are looking for massive amounts of articles for about $3 per article (sometimes half that). You really have to be selective. Post your real bid, the price you are worth. If the job provider is someone who's looking for great quality work, they'll be willing to pay your price - as long as they can see some examples of your work.

I've been told more than a few times now that my prices are too low. But as I said before, I just started freelancing in July. I feel I still need a lot of exposure and I'm more than willing to continue to trade time for money until I achieve that. I have 5 steady clients already.

[smbwallace]

Hey there writers! Glad to hear everyone is busy with lots of good ideas! I'm busy myself with a five-month-old plus my newspaper writing and producing newsletters for a couple of nonprofit clients!

[UpAndAtEm]

Good for you, Michele! Keep up the good work!

[judilynn]

Colleen,

Michelle has presented some good ideas, but it's very difficult to make a living from writing articles for AC or selling your services on a bid site. The articles sites pay very little and those who do make a living at it are writing something like 20 or more articles per day. From my understanding (and please, someone correct me if I'm wrong), the top pay from AC is only $15.00. I read about one of their authors who received $50.00 for one article, but that is rare.

Wow this thread has gone a long way since last I visited! I know I have been a bit MIA lately. But I am

here now.

I have a different perspective from Kim. But Kim knows I love her ;)

I write for AC. I don't make a lot of money from it, but it can be quick pocket change when you need it.

Don't really consider it much more. They used to be a lot easier and pay more, but they have gotten

selective and page views can put a crimp in a new comers income.

I was very lucky to get on with a company that I love. I get paid a flat $10 per article. Now while that

isn't much some of you are thinking. It is great for me. Why? Because I work with an editor.

This has helped me tremendously. When writing freelance you often just run your articles through spell

check and grammar check and if it looks fine you send it off to your client and hope for the best.

My editor has the ability to read it over and help me tighten up my articles. I have even seen my offers

for AC improve since I started working with him. Coincident? I don't think so.

My suggestion is this. Find someone that will help you with your writing. Even if it is just a friend.

Those little "tweaks" can mean all the difference to your offers. Writing for the web is a whole

different world that writing for traditional print.

Just my two cents :)

[UpAndAtEm]

Hey, Judi! It's nice to see you here! It has been a while.

I'm glad to hear you're still doing well with your articles. You know I wish you all the success in the world with your writing.

The $10.00 per article you're getting is excellent pay compared to much of what is offered to writers both online and off. The fact that an editor is helping you definitely makes it worth while. It's almost like getting paid to learn.

I always love to hear what others are doing. As for me, I've been digging up some new niches for my booklets, working on new products, and of course my clients keep me busy as ever! It's all good. Hectic, but good.:D

[judilynn]

Good Morning Kim!

I know of people who get a lot more than $10. But I get a steady 10 per article so there isn't that wild fluctuation. That I can deal with. I know how many articles I am committed to every month, so I know how much I will be making. Good deal all around.

Good to hear your booklets are doing good. And finding new niches. From a bit of research I have done writing sure is a hot topic/niche. People are looking for PLR and ghostwriters for quality content for their websites.

Thank goodness it is Friday! But who am I kidding will be writing all weekend anyways!

[UpAndAtEm]

Hi Judi.

You're getting $10.00 per article? That's better than most. If it's working for you, go for it!

What is PLR?

Currently, I'm knee deep in product development. It's frustrating because I'm doing ALL the work - which means it's going slow. I've thought about hiring someone to help me, but they'd have to know what I know and by the time I tell them and train them I could probably have done it myself. I guess I need to be more like you - lock myself away until it's all done. I just want to get it all done NOW! I'm sure you know the feeling! :D

[judilynn]

Hi Judi.
What is PLR?
I've thought about hiring someone to help me, but they'd have to know what I know and by the time I tell them and train them I could probably have done it myself.

Good Morning Kim!

PLR is private label rights. (I think that is the right acronym). You can "purchase" articles and content for your website. It is content that is already written. Usually on a certain topic. You can change it and tweak it. The only thing you don't need to do is link back to the author.
I even use PLR on my own website. Just to give a bit of variety and stuff I don't want to research myself.

Outsource Kim! Yes I know it's hard. I just outsourced some graphics and my blog design. And I have to tell you it was hard. I have always done it myself, so I could have it just so. It was so hard giving up that bit of control.

But now that it is done, I couldn't be happier! A burden was lifted off my shoulders. It was done to my satisfaction. and I was left free to write while she handled some of the little details that I didn't have the time to do.

First off find someone you feel compatible with and trust. Next off tell them exactly what you want. Ask them if they can do it for a price you can afford. and lastly outsource to another WAHM. In other words, share the love :) this is a great way to grow your business and support other WAHMs. Think about it, you may be giving another WAHM the skill she needs to make a success of her own online business. Is there a better reason?

Well I am going to spend the weekend writing. I am looking forward to it. My marketwhatyoumake.com should be up and running by Tuesday and I have to tell you I am soooo excited!!!!! Will let you know!

Judi

[UpAndAtEm]

Hi Judi.

Thanks. I am aware of being able to purchase articles and other content for my website. I had just never heard that acronym before.

Some of my projects I really can't outsource. Some I might be able to if I do some editing to them afterward. Maybe a few I can outsource completely. I need to make a list so I have it all in front of me, and then I can see exactly what can be outsourced and what can't.

I'm no stranger to outsourcing. My company's logo, website and blog were all designed by someone else. Whenever I need to change something technical at my website or blog, that is outsourced as well. I keep up the content and take care of those changes, but anything else is taken care of for me by the most wonderful coder on the planet!

I'm anxious to get my current round of projects finished, including a new booklet I've been writing. My goal is to have it ready for production by the end of next week. I'm also working on a major sale of one of my titles to Washington. If all goes well there are 49 other states that I know will be interested too. :D

By the way, remember the e-course I was working on? Well, I haven't completed it yet (it's one of my current projects), but I've been thinking about various formats and ways to deliver it. I was going to use an auto responder to deliver the course, but now I'm toying with the idea of doing it as a combination of e-book and either video or audio. My other option is to do it on DVD and mail hard copies. It would be some sort of package that would include printed material along with the DVD. What do you think?

I'm glad to hear you've made progress on your mwym site. I can't wait to visit! I think it's a wonderful idea.

Happy writing!

[judilynn]

I'm anxious to get my current round of projects finished, including a new booklet I've been writing. My goal is to have it ready for production by the end of next week. I'm also working on a major sale of one of my titles to Washington. If all goes well there are 49 other states that I know will be interested too. :D

Just curious as to what you are doing? A different project for every state? That sounds intriguing!


By the way, remember the e-course I was working on? Well, I haven't completed it yet (it's one of my current projects), but I've been thinking about various formats and ways to deliver it. I was going to use an auto responder to deliver the course, but now I'm toying with the idea of doing it as a combination of e-book and either video or audio. My other option is to do it on DVD and mail hard copies. It would be some sort of package that would include printed material along with the DVD. What do you think?


Maybe you should think about offering it in different formats. Not one format is going to fit everyone. Offering it in different mediums for different prices may bring you in more customers. Just my 2 cents ;)

I have Market What You Make Up. I am adding content and hope to Official launch it on Thursday. Anyone who wants to give me feedback is welcome :) I am having fun with it. I have several articles to add today as a matter of fact. Focused business and the importance of list building!

[UpAndAtEm]

Hi Judi.

Let me know when your site is officially launched and I'll be one of your first visitors! It's so exciting to see what you dreamed become a reality!

As for what I'm doing with the state, they're interested in my "119 Ideas To Save You Money Now" booklet. I'm proposing a licensing deal with them, and if they buy then I'll be going to all 49 other states with the same proposal, but maybe different terms depending on each state and their needs. The project will remain the same, but each deal will probably be different. Some states may reject the idea altogether, but my hope is that if Washington buys the others will too. I won't know for a while though. Deals like these take long enough to go through at the corporate level, and I'm dealing with government here. So, there's no telling how long this one will take. But, you can bet I'm doing everything in my power to make it go as smoothly and quickly as possible!

Offering the e-course in different formats is a good idea. I was thinking of bundling different formats together as one package, but I could sell components separately too.

Meanwhile, I'm trying hard to get my current booklet project finished. This one's going corporate. I've got quite a list of companies to contact in hopes of striking a licensing deal. I don't see how any of them can say no since they are all named in the booklet! :D And I've got plenty of other avenues up my sleeve to send this booklet to as well! I'm also looking into doing some direct advertising with the booklets. I believe the potential here is just huge. It's just a matter of matching the booklet to the right medium and market.

Ok. I have to stop writing now. I'm getting freaked out again about everything I need to do! :eek: Keep me posted on your website project.

[judilynn]

I have to stop writing now. I'm getting freaked out again about everything I need to do! :eek: Keep me posted on your website project.

Seems the more progress we make in our business the longer that list gets huh? So glad to see you are doing good!!!

[UpAndAtEm]

Yep! So true!

My current booklet manuscript is nearly done and it's only Tuesday. Yea! :hi: I had given myself until Friday to get it done, but it looks like it will be finished tonight! I'm anxious to move this one into the production phase because I know it's going to do extremely well in the market place.

My list keeps growing! Yesterday I saw a piece of advertising that gave me a great idea. But now, I have to act on that great idea and bring it into reality. The business that placed the ad is a corporate giant worth billions, so I've created a way to scale it down so it fits into my budget. Now it's just finding the time.

I've also been working on making some changes to Up & At 'Em. I needed a firm direction to take the company in and I have that now. So, I'll be revamping the website accordingly over the next few weeks.

I never get everything done, because when I come close to reaching that goal new things always crop up. But, it's all good. I'm really looking forward to 2008. I know it's going to be a very profitable year for me and my business. I hope it will be for you too!

[Twixal]

I know of people who get a lot more than $10. But I get a steady 10 per article so there isn't that wild fluctuation. That I can deal with. I know how many articles I am committed to every month, so I know how much I will be making. Good deal all around.

Judi, I totally agree! I get $8 per article for a company I write for. It's VERY steady work, sometimes I do as many as 12 articles a week and the owner just landed a large contract. Things will soon be much more fast paced.

On top of that, I write for anywhere from $10 - $25 per article/press release. I also know people who charge more per article, but I get more business :)

Having a steady flow of work is more important than charging large amounts per piece imo.

Michele