I'm a big believer in learning from the best, so I was intrigued by Debra Gordon's new class, The Business of Freelancing: Getting to Six Figures. I've known Debra for years and she's a smart, very successful freelancer who's now branching out into offering classes. I asked her to tell me more about the class:
Q: As you know, I’ve written a book on
the topic of this class, Six-Figure Freelancing, and I think the title captures
readers’ attention. Why did you decide to name your class what you did?
A: I've
served on two panels with this name in the past 14 years and participated in
numerous discussions on listserves. I think the phrase just resonates with
small business people (as you know, since you used it for your book!). I also
think that the idea of earning more than 100,000 a year on your own represents
one of those goals that many of us have.
Q: I completely agree with that. So, why did you decide to offer the
class?
A: I've been
speaking about the business aspects of freelancing at the American Medical
Writer's Association (www.amwa.org) and American
Society of Journalists and Authors (www.asja.org)
for years now. Every time people come up to me and tell me how much they
learned -- even those who have been in business for years--and often come up to
me years after my talks to tell me how it helped them improve their
business.
I finally
decided I had enough knowledge and content to pull it all together and reach a
broader audience.
Q: Tell me a little bit about your
freelance background.
A: I have been freelancing for 14
years now, with 100 percent of my clients in the healthcare and medical fields.
I write for a variety of audiences, including consumers/patients, physicians
and other clinicians, and business-to-business. I have an English degree from
the University of Virginia and a master's degree in biomedical writing from the
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. My specialties include most
therapeutic areas, as well as writing, speaking, and training on healthcare
reform and the healthcare system.
Q: Debra, what common misconceptions do you
think freelancers have about being able to make a good living, including six
figures (and more)?
A: Relying on one or two clients; not
treating the business like a business (ie, not saving money from every check
for taxes and retirement); not taking marketing seriously; not being creative
enough with their marketing; not planning ahead; getting caught in a rut and
not continuing to grow themselves (and their businesses).
Seriously, though, I think of
this course as providing them with a good solid foundation upon which they can
build their business -- as high as they want.
Q: So, what type of writer is the class aimed
at?
A: It's aimed at anyone who has their
own small business, not just writers. I think graphic artists, web page
designers, IT professionals, even Realtors could benefit from this course. Of
course, I expect the majority will be writers. So . .any kind of writer,
regardless of your experience and specialty. One caveat: I'm not going to talk
about writing—but about how to build and run a writing business (if that's your
business).
Q: Anything else writers should
consider before signing up for the class?
A: I will assign "homework,"
such as writing a business plan . .. but there's no grade! Also, I'll be
setting up a private Linked In group for participants so we can continue the
discussion . . .They can also get a discount off one-on-one coaching with me.
The webinars will be recorded and available on demand as well as live.
**If you're serous about your freelance career, I highly suggest you consider this class as a worthwhile investment. It's one more way to help you take your career from so-so to stellar.
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