What a month! I hope you found the templates I shared (and my comments on same) helpful, and that they'll inspire you to create your own. As a freelancer, cutting the minutes you spend on necessary-but-time-consuming tasks like pitching, following up, bidding, billing, and getting paid leaves more time for, you know, writing--and getting paid for it.
Here's a quick list of the templates from this month:
The essential query
A "blind" LOI, or letter of introduction
A trade query
The follow-up
The cover letter
The simple invoice
The project bid
The project bid, take two
The "pay-or-die" letter
A letter of agreement
A coauthoring agreement
A nonfiction book pitch
A novel pitch
***
Holy cow! This is a lot of great info; I suggest you bookmark this page for future reference--and feel free to share it with other freelancers. Coming in February, more practical advice on making more money in less time--that's how I've approached my freelance business for years.
Finally, if you've found these templates helpful, I recommend my books on freelancing as well:
*If you want to know more about coauthoring/ghostwriting, Goodbye Deadline, Hello Big Bucks: The Writer's Guide to Making Money Ghostwriting and Coauthoring Books (Kindle version), has all of the templates you need to get started, plus plenty of practical advice about breaking into the field from successful ghosts (including me!).
*If you're a freelancer who wants to take your business to the next level, check out Six-Figure Freelancing: The Writer's Guide to Making More Money or its Kindle version. It's helped both new and experienced writers work more efficiently and increase their income, even in this economy.
*And if you're just getting started freelancing, I recommend Ready, Aim, Specialize! Create your own Writing Specialty and Make More Money (Kindle version). It's aimed at newer writers, includes 20 queries that sold along with hundreds of helpful resources as well as a chapter that walks you through the process of pitching, selling, researching, and writing an article.
Writing Is Hard Work
5 years ago
These templates have been a great help. And it's very helpful to see all the different types of forms and paperwork that we should have on hand to really grown and develop a freelance writing business. Thanks! - Laura
ReplyDeleteKelly, thanks for running this series, it has been incredibly helpful! I don't think I've ever had such a thorough look at another writer's systems.
ReplyDeleteThank you both! Glad to hear it's been so helpful. :)
ReplyDeleteKelly, I've been freelancing for years, but I've still found these useful, especially your annotations. They've given me some ideas for tweaking my own templates. Thanks for the series.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sharon! Hope you find the rest of the blog helpful as well. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm here via Sharon's blog. Thanks for so generously sharing these templates. I look forward to reading more of your blog.
ReplyDeleteSooo, I'm a teensy bit late to the party, but WOW. These letters have been awesome, Kelly! I can hardly express how grateful I am for your willingness to share your knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI actually stopped by here (finally)to tell you that I loved, LOVED, LOVED your article, "10 ways to work more efficiently," from the June 2011 issue of The Writer. I started highlighting it, as I often do when reading that magazine, and when I'd finished your piece, I realized I'd highlighted practically the ENTIRE article. I'm posting it on my bulletin board to help me stay on track every day. :O)
Thanks, Holly! Glad you're finding the article and the templates so helpful. :)
ReplyDelete