5 Smart Things to Do Before 2014

Are you ready for 2014? Let me tell you, I've had somewhat of a "craptastic" year and I am more than pleased to welcome in 2014! But while you're celebrating the New Year, I'd suggest you do the following before January 1 arrives, or shortly thereafter: 

1. Get a jump on your taxes. I never wait until April to do my taxes. I like to figure out my gross income and calculate a rough estimate of my net income before the end of the year. Then I send that number to my accountant for an estimate of what I'll owe. Sometimes the number is scary, but I'd rather know that going into the new year than wait and be surprised sometime in 2014. And besides, I use that tax figure to help determine how much I put in my SEP, or self-employment plan, at year's end. 

2. Invest in your career. You can write off legitimate business expenses before the end of 2013, so this is the time to upgrade your computer, purchase software, buy writing-related books (like, gosh, I don't know, Six-Figure Freelancing, Second Edition or Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks, Second Edition! ), and other work-related products. I just stocked up on printer cartridges and paid for my annual membership to ASJA. Every work-related expense reduces your tax liability come 2014. (And see below for the half-price offer in Improvise Press' first two titles.)   

3. Review your year. Every year, I clarify where my money came from. I usually send a holiday card and/or gift to my "whales," or most important clients. I also look for "lessons." Did I take on any projects that turned out to pay a lower hourly rate than I expected? Are clients asking for me to do work I need to gain more experience with? Did I have a steady stream of work, or was I facing a "feast-or-famine" scenario much of the year--like this one? What was the most worthwhile work I did? Which work paid the best? Which seems to have the most potential? Is there any kind of work I want to cut from my roster? 

4. Set goals for the coming year. If, like many serious freelancers, you set an annual income goal, don't forget to calculate your daily nut. My goal in 2014 is to make $60,000, which means an average of $250/day. Average that figure throughout the year of 2014 and you'll meet your new income goal. Think about the other objectives you have as well. Do you want to branch into content marketing this year? (That's one of my goals.) Do you want to become an e-book author? Is this the year you get serious about writing fiction? Should you spend more time on social media--or at least use it more effectively? Decide what your goals are, and put them in writing. 

5. Take time off. Every year, I take the week between Christmas and New Year's as vacation. Before I had kids, I used this week to sleep in, spend time with my husband, watch movies, and set goals for the coming year. I even read for pleasure! Gasp! Now with the kids much of my week is spent entertaining small children, but I do take some off during this week--and just as important, I'm planning when I'll take time off in 2014. 

Too often as freelancers we wind up working all the time--nights, weekends, first thing in the morning--and that's a recipe for burnout. I know I'm more productive when I get away from my computer, so I give myself at least one day (usually Saturday or Sunday) where I do no work at all except for checking my email first thing in the morning. Unplug yourself on a regular basis. I promise it's worth it.  

Readers, I hope 2013 has been a successful, productive year for you. If not, focus on 2014, and tune in next year for more practical, proven advice about how to make more money in less time as a freelance writer. And comment below to tell me what topics you'd like to see me cover here in coming posts!  

Finally, there's less than 48 hours left on my half-price offer on print editions of Improvise Press' first two titles: Dollars and Deadlines: Make Money Writing Articles for Print and Online Markets or Six-Figure Freelancing: The Writer's Guide to Making More Money, Second Edition. Until midnight on December 31, 2013,  you'll get half off both titles when you order directly through ImprovisePress.com and use the discount code CHICKENS. 

What Does "Full-time" Freelancing Really Mean?

I've been a full-time freelancer for nearly 17 years now (hard to believe!) but this doesn't mean I work full-time hours. In fact, for me one of the biggest advantages of freelancing is that I can make a full-time living working far fewer than 40 hours/week. During the last couple of years, I've worked between 10 and 20 hours/week and plan to continue to do so until my daughter is in school full-time; then I'll ramp up, hours-wise.

I often say it's not dollars/word that matters when it comes to freelancing; it's dollars/hour. In the same vein, it's not the number of hours I work that is important--it's how productive I am with that time. I aim for an hourly rate of $100, although sometimes I make less than that,a and sometimes significantly more. And that rate helps me make what I want during my working hours. It also means that I can be spend more time with my kids, as well as give me time to pursue other professional interests.  

I'm juggling multiple careers at the moment. In addition to freelancing and ghostwriting, I own and operate Improvise Press, which publishes books to help creative people make money from their passions. (Don't forget--through year's end you'll get 50 percent off of print editions if you use the discount code CHICKENS.) And in January, I started working at my local Y as a personal trainer and I love it. 

This summer I got certified to teach Les Mills Body Pump classes, which I'm now doing at two Ys, and somehow I wound up teaching a circuit class once a week, too. I typically have about five clients I'm training at any given time, and I teach two-five/week depending on the week and sub schedules. The money is nowhere near what I make freelancing and ghostwriting but I love the interaction with clients and being part of something bigger than myself. I've trained clients ranging from high school athletes to seniors post-spinal-surgery and it's rewarding emotionally if not financially. 

However, I'm looking for ways to combine both better. This year I'll be focusing on finding more content marketing gigs in the fitness arena (for obvious reasons) and I've been working for one publishing client as their fitness expert. It's great because I no longer have to interview an "expert" to write the workouts or the Q and As; I am the expert. And that means I can make a great hourly rate--for example, I'm writing a workout now that will take less than an hour for $300. No, I can't make that kind of money training people but it definitely informs my writing work and makes me want to do more of the same! 

So, while I call myself a full-time freelancer, I'm anything but. My plan for the coming year is to continue to do pursue multiple careers, spending about 10-15 hours freelancing/ghostwriting and running Improvise Press, and 5-10 hours training/teaching. It's challenging to "do it all" and be an involved mom, too, but I've found that these different careers use different parts of my brain/personality/etc, and make me happier overall. To me, that's one more huge advantage of freelancing--the freedom to spend my time the way I want to. 

Readers, what about you? Are you really a "full-time" freelancer? If not, how else do you spend your "work" hours? 

The Power of the Template

I've been writing this blog for more than four years now, and its stats tell me what topics and which posts garner the most hits. Out of the top 10 posts of all time, four out of ten are templates, or samples. One is a critiqued pitch for a memoir; one is a letter of introduction, or LOI; another is a query; and the last is a query which I critiqued for a reader. 

Why are these posts so popular? Because they give readers a guide to follow. It's much easier (and faster) to follow someone else's model than to create your own query or letter of introduction from scratch. It's more effective, too. Successful freelancers have developed their own templates that they then customize, depending on the market or type of work they're pitching. 

I have several that I use: 

• One for ghostwriting projects; 
• One for speaking gigs;
• One for content marketing and custom publishing work; and 
• One for reprint markets. 

The more types of work you do, the more templates you should have on your own hard drive. Remember, though, that the template is only the starting point. It's how you customize it for the market you're pursuing that is likely to help you get the gig. 

**I know how important templates and examples are, which is why I include everything from queries to invoices to contracts to "pay-or-die" letters in my books for freelancers like Six-Figure Freelancing, Second Edition. 

And my latest book, Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks: Make Money Ghostwriting Books, Articles, Blogs, and More, Second Edition (Kindle), includes templates of LOIs that content marketing writers and ghostwriters use, along with sample contracts, nondisclosure agreements, and bids. Don't have a Kindle? Download it here.
 

Time to Disappear? 8 Great Ghostwriting Posts

Do you ghostwrite? You should. Sure, you write without a byline or recognition. But I've found that I can make more money ghostwriting books for clients (including Pros with Platforms) than I can writing my own books. 

The reason is simple. When I ghostwrite, that's all I do. I don't have to market and promote the book (the most time-consuming part of authorship). That's my client's job. I get paid to write the book and then I move on to the next project. And remember, too, I don't run the risk of wasting my time writing a book proposal that may not sell the way I would with my own books. My client pays me upfront to write the proposal. 

But writers don't just ghostwrite books. They ghostwrite articles, blog posts, and content marketing pieces. Rates for this kind of work vary, but in general, you're looking at rates of $0.50/word to $1-2/word. 

Want to know more about ghostwriting? Check out these posts: 

• Why add ghostwriting to your freelance repertoire? (And fees for some recent projects.)
• Five more reasons to ghostwrite--including bigger advances.
• Sure, we think of celebs and "big names" as hiring ghosts, but your clients are more likely to be average folks who want to write books or professionals who want to become book authors; here's how to work with the latter.
• What attributes do you need to successfully ghost?
• Not all potential clients are worth your while. Here are ten red flags to run away, fast.
• Here are five simple ways to find ghosting clients.
• Book packagers often hire ghosts; here's what you should know about them.

What's that? You want to know even more about ghostwriting and how to succeed in this lucrative niche? Then you'll want to read the updated, expanded edition of Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks: The Writer's Guide to Making Money Ghostwriting and Coauthoring Books (Kindle version). From sample contracts to marketing advice to tips on setting fees and working with clients, you'll find everything you need to know to get started and make ghostwriting a lucrative part of your freelance career.

5 Reasons your LOI Flopped--and a Cyber-Monday Special Offer

Hey, it's Cyber Monday! And in honor of that, I'm bringing back the half-price offer on the print editions of Improvise Press' first two titles: Dollars and Deadlines: Make Money Writing Articles for Print and Online Markets or Six-Figure Freelancing: The Writer's Guide to Making More Money, Second Edition. For a limited time, you'll get half off both titles when you order directly through ImprovisePress.com and use the discount code CHICKENS. More Cyber-Monday bargains at the bottom of this post! 

Now, onto today's topic: the LOI, or letter of introduction, is one of my favorite marketing weapons. Yet too many writers have no success with theirs, and they don't understand why. Let's take a look at five common LOI mistakes--and how to make yours stand out from the crowd:

1. It's too general. Yes, I have a standard template that I used for LOIs, but that's only the starting point. Every LOI is targeted to that specific potential client. If I'm responding to a job post, I list the skills I have that match what the company is looking for. If I'm pitching a custom publication, I mention a recent article so the editor knows I actually looked at her magazine--you'd be amazed at how many writers don't even take that simple step.

2. You haven't proven yourself. Your LOI should demonstrate that you can deliver what the market or company needs. I make sure that each LOI highlights my specific experience that is likely most important to that client. For a ghostwriting client, that may be my ability to capture someone's voice; for a regular blogging gig, it might be my ability to produce a lot of content with tight deadlines. So for example, I recently went after project involving writing for law firms, so I highlighted my legal background. Sure, I specialize in health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness, but that's not relevant to this particular client so I omitted that. 

3. Your LOI is sloppy. Misspellings and grammatical mistakes are a big turnoff when you're trying to impress a potential client. Proofread your LOI out loud (you'll catch more mistakes) before you send it out to make the best first impression. 

4. You didn't use an "in." Instead of pitching a potential client "cold," look for a way to make a connection with that person. Can you connect with him or her through LinkedIn? Follow her for a few weeks on Twitter and mention a funny or helpful Tweet she posted? A "warm" pitch is more likely to be read, and responded to, than a completely cold one. 

5. You failed to follow up. You can't just send an LOI and then hope that something happens. Occasionally, I hear back from a potential client after the first contact, but it usually takes me following up at least once. So plan to follow up a week or two after sending an LOI, either by sending an email or by calling. If you choose the latter, make sure to keep your call brief and professional. (You say you're afraid to call? Tell me why in a comment below--and I'll give phoning tips in an upcoming post!) 


***The Cyber-Monday deals continue. My three most popular short ebooks for writers are priced at just $0.99 for a limited time: 

Dollars and Deadlines' 10 Most Popular, Proven Ways to Make Money as a Freelance Writer

Dollars and Deadlines' Guide to Selling Your First Article

Dollars and Deadlines' 10 Essential Freelance Templates 

And finally, don't forget about my latest book, Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks: Make Money Ghostwriting Books, Articles, Blogs, and More, Second Edition (Kindle), which includes templates of LOIs that content marketing writers and ghostwriters use, along with sample contracts, nondisclosure agreements, and bids. Don't have a Kindle? Download it here.

Market Constantly: The Key to Freelance Success

Occasionally I return to popular, evergreen posts. Marketing is on my mind as I'm going to start a big marketing push in a week or so, as I close in on the deadline for my current ghostwriting project. 

            

Here's the thing. This project is a full-time endeavor right now, but I know if I don't reach out to new markets soon, sending LOIs, and touch base with former clients, I will be looking at a big gap in work early in 2014. I don't want that. I like to start the year off busy, with plenty of work "on my desk," or new assignments. Talking to freelancers a few weeks ago at ASJA Con Con, I was reminded that even the busiest market constantly. 

            

The way you market will depend on the type of work you do, which means that the strategies that work for a freelancer who writes for magazines won’t work for a copywriter whose biggest clients are corporations. You should create your own marketing plan, selecting different techniques that will vary depending on the type of work you do. In addition to those dreaded cold calls, here are ten effective techniques to use:

• Query letters. If you write for magazines, whether print or online, a powerful query is your first line of attack. Every query should open with a compelling lead, make the case for the story, show the editor how you plan to approach the topic, and describe why you’re uniquely qualified to write it. 
• LOIs. Second only to query letters in the freelancer’s arsenal is the LOI, or letter of introduction. You should have a template on hand that you can customize for potential clients, whether you’re contacting a custom publisher, a business, or a potential ghostwriting client. A template you can tweak lets you strike fast if you see a freelancing post or find out about a possible gig. The client will usually hire one of the first qualified responders, so you want to be as close to the head of the line as you can.
• Your website. You need one. Period. Your website should be designed to attract your primary target clients. If you’re writing for businesses, play up that aspect. If you freelance for magazines, include clips on your site and a list of publications you’ve worked for. At the least, your website should include: a description of the kind of work you do; a brief biography; and contact information. You may also want to list of prior projects or publications or client testimonials as well.
• Your email signature. One of the easiest yet overlooked ways to market yourself is to create an email signature that describes the work you do. Change it occasionally to highlight different aspects of your business.
• Satisfied clients. Clients who are happy with your work are one of the best ways to market yourself. Once you’ve proven yourself, ask your editor if she knows of other editors looking for freelancers. If you feel that’s too pushy, at least ask her to pass your name along to colleagues who might hire you in the future. 
• Article and book sources. I’ve interviewed hundreds of sources over the years, most of who are professionals in the health and fitness fields. I let them know that I ghostwrite and coauthor books, and have had work come through recommendations because of the way I treated a source. 
• Online job posts. Believe it or not, I’ve found good-paying work through online jobsites like craigslist. Check outhttp://craigslist.org, www.elance.com, www.online-writing-jobs.com, and www.guru.com for freelance job postings. Yes, most of the work is low-paying but there are legitimate gigs to be found if you don’t mind trawling through the dreck.
• Networking. Hate the word? Put a different spin on it. Don’t call it networking. Don’t call it anything. Just make an effort to create relationships with other humans, help them when you can, and connect. The person you connect with may not be a potential client, but he may know someone who is. The more people who know what you do, the better.
• One-on-one meetings. ASJA Con Con offered “Personal Pitch” sessions to meet potential content marketing clients this year. If you do a lot of work for businesses, it’s worth it to join your local chamber of commerce or attend other local networking events to introduce yourself to business owners.
• Social media. Unlike a website, a blog isn’t essential, but it can help you market yourself and your business. Same goes for your Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn accounts. Each should contain a brief blurb about the kind of work you do, again targeting potential clients. 

Bottom line is to avoid a common marketing mistake, and one I’ve made in the past. You get busy with work and you don’t market for a while. Then after you crawl out from under your deadlines, you discover that you have to scramble to line up assignments.

That’s why you should set aside time, even if it’s just a few hours a week, to market. That may mean sending out a query or two, touching base with your regular clients, connecting with someone on LinkedIn, or checking online sites for possible gigs. Consistent marketing will make for more consistent work, and consistent money. 

Want more advice? My latest book, Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks: Make Money Ghostwriting Books, Articles, Blogs, and More, Second Edition (Kindle), includes templates of LOIs that content marketing writers and ghostwriters use, along with sample contracts, nondisclosure agreements, and bids. Don't have a Kindle? Download it here.

***The $0.99 ebook promotion returns! My three most popular short ebooks for writers will be priced at $0.99 for a limited time, including:

Dollars and Deadlines' 10 Most Popular, Proven Ways to Make Money as a Freelance Writer

Dollars and Deadlines' Guide to Selling Your First Article

Dollars and Deadlines' 10 Essential Freelance Templates 

If you're new to freelancing, this will be the best dollar you've ever spent! 

Pump up your Content Marketing Pitches

My last few posts, I've been sharing some of the great tips I heard at ASJA Con Con. Today's focuses on the critical subject of how to make your pitch to a contenting marketing client stand out--and boost your chances of getting work from it.

1. Reach the right person. You may not be able to tell, at first glance, who the proper person to pitch at a company is. Check the company's website, and LinkedIn, looking for job titles like "marketing director" or "content strategist" to determine who that contact person is, says Jennifer Goforth Gregory.

2. Emphasize your relevant experience. Instead of describing yourself as a writer who covers business, highlight specific topics you've covered already. Companies want and need writers who already have a background in the subjects they want you to write about. Omitting those specialities may mean your letter is ignored.

3. Show that you "get" content marketing. Include a sentence that demonstrates that you understand the company's mission and brand. This sets you apart from writers who forget (or don't even realize)  that content marketing is all about building customer loyalty.

4. Always follow up. Be a "friendly stalker," says Gregory. Follow up in two to three weeks, and touch base every few months after that to stay on their radar. Too many writers send one LOI to a potential client and then drop the ball.

5. Consider internal communications. Freelancer and content marketing writer Wendy Helfenbaum says that big companies have internal communications departments that need writers to research and write profiles, human interest stories, and other pieces targeted at employees. "It's about the companies engaging their employees," she says. "You may be writing for employee newsletters, and they want stories that have nothing to do with work." The people that hire writers are sometimes hard to identify--they're like ghosts, says Helfenbaum. Look for job titles like "communications manager" or "director of communications" to locate these opportunities.

6. Use a template. My latest book, Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks: Make Money Ghostwriting Books, Articles, Blogs, and More, Second Edition (Kindle), includes templates of LOIs that Gregory and other content marketing writers and ghostwriters use, along with sample contracts, nondisclosure agreements, and bids. Don't have a Kindle? Download it here.

***The $0.99 ebook promotion returns! My three most popular short ebooks for writers will be priced at $0.99 for a limited time, including:

Dollars and Deadlines' 10 Most Popular, Proven Ways to Make Money as a Freelance Writer

Dollars and Deadlines' Guide to Selling Your First Article

Dollars and Deadlines' 10 Essential Freelance Templates 

If you're new to freelancing, this will be the best dollar you've ever spent! 

5 Smart Social Media Tips for Freelancers

I came away from last week's ASJA Con Con with pages full of notes, and great new ideas about how I can enhance my freelance business, particularly in in the content marketing arena. On one panel, social media expert and freelancer Yael Grauer offered a slew of advice for both newbie and experienced freelancers, including: 

1. When on social media, focus on sharing advice that benefits your target clients. So, if you want to do content marketing for corporations or agencies, don't post about "how to make more money working for content marketing clients" (although that would be helpful for freelancers!). Instead, post about "how to use content marketing to create loyal customers."

Get it? Think about what your potential clients want to read. So, for example, if I want to attract potential ghostwriting clients, I should post about how to hire a ghostwriter for cheap--which would be of interest for those looking for ghostwriters--and not how to make money as a ghostwriter, which would interest people like me.   

2. Create private lists on Twitter to keep up with current and potential clients. (Go to your home page on Twitter and click on Lists, four buttons below Tweets.) 

3. Take the "LinkedIn for Journalists" training on LinkedIn. It's free, and completing it gives you a free upgrade for a year, which means you can in-mail anyone on LinkedIn for free. 

4. Remember that anyone--editors, potential clients, your competitors--may be reading your social media feed. Don't post anything that doesn't positively reflect on you and your brand. 

5. Use bit.ly or goo.gl to track response to your social media posts, and use that data when creating new social media content. This is one tip I'm going to immediately put into practice, and I'll report on the results in a month or two.

**Thanks again to Yael (follow her at @yaelwrites), and stay tuned for more great tips, strategies, and ideas from ASJA ConCon. Want to know how to add content marketing and other ghostwriting to your freelance repertoire? Check out my new book, Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks! Make Money Writing Books, Articles, Blogs, and More, Second Edition, which covers both short- and long-form ghostwriting. Download the book at Smashwords.) 

Review Goodbye, Byline and Get a Free Query or LOI Critique

Hey, readers! Thanks to all of you who have already purchased my latest book  which covers both short- and long-form ghostwriting (think content marketing, articles, blog posts, books, white papers, and more!). I'll be announcing other special offers in conjunction with my new book, Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks! Make Money Writing Books, Articles, Blogs, and More, Second Edition, but here's the first one: review the book on Amazon or BN.com and I'll be delighted to give you an in-depth critique of your query or letter of introduction. Normally I charge $100/hour for this kind of consulting, so this is a great deal! 

Just post the review and then send me an email at kelly at becomebodywise dot com with the pitch you'd like feedback on, and give me a few days to get back to you! Thanks for your support! (Don't have a Kindle? Download the book at Smashwords.)  

Five Steps to Creating your Content Marketing Niche

Last week, I presented, moderated, and learned an incredible amount at ASJA's Content Connections conference in Chicago. My next series of posts (and Tweets) will share some of the valuable information I learned there. Make sure you tune in! 

Content marketing is, quite simply, where the money is. Corporations spent more than 40 billion dollars last year on content marketing and that number is likely to climb. Companies need writers who can create the content--whether in print pubs, online, in employee publications, white papers, you name it--that the companies than use to establish relationships with their customers. And if you freelance already, you probably already have the skills to get into the field--if you know what your niche should be. 

In a panel on selling yourself to potential clients, content marketing writer Jennifer Goforth Gregory gave this five-step method to determining your content marketing niche: 

1. Look at all of your recent clips. Make a list of the subjects you've covered. 

2. Review the list of subjects and create a new list of the topics you've covered at least three-five times. These topics are possible niches. 

3. Consider your background and experience. What other topics do you know about already? What expertise do you have? Add those subjects to your list of niches.

4. Now, the big question: who needs this information? Jennifer gave the example of writing about a zero-waste hotel. What kinds of readers might be interested in this kind of topic? Well, hotel owners, certainly. Restaurant owners, too, because the hotel that had become zero-waste had made many of those changes in its restaurant. Companies and businesses interested in going green, or using green technology to help them create less waste, cut costs, and attract environmentally-minded customers. Create a list of potential audiences who are interested in your topic(s). 

5. Now research the brands and companies that market to those audiences. Those companies are your potential content marketing clients. 

Is it really that easy? Sure thing, says Jennifer. The next step? Creating an LOI to introduce yourself to a potential content marketing client. That's coming next. 

**Want to know more about content marketing? Check out Jennifer's fantastic blog, which I highly recommend. And read more about it--and the other forms of ghostwriting work available today--in my latest book, Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks: Make Money Ghostwriting Books, Articles, Blogs, and More, Second Edition.  [Don't have a Kindle? Download from Smashwords. You'll find advice on creating your own niche, marketing your ghostwriting services (with LOIs and other templates), contract tips, and how to work efficiently (and make more money) as a ghostwriter of both long- and short-form writing.]

Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks, Second Edition is HERE!

Finally! After working on it for the last six months, I'm happy to announce Improvise Press' new book, Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks: Make Money Ghostwriting Books, Articles, Blogs, and More, Second Edition. The original version, published four years ago, focused on books; this expanded edition includes shorter-form ghostwriting including articles, content marketing, ghost-blogging, and more. You'll find:  

• updated rate information 
• new templates including LOIs and sample contracts
• tips on getting started in content marketing
• tips on using social media to nab ghostwriting clients 
• tips on finding ghostwriting work online
• advice on ghost-blogging
• advice on what to charge
• what to ask before you accept a ghostwriting assignment 
• common ghostwriting problems--and how to avoid them
• advice about adding ghostwriting to your freelance business

Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks: Make Money Ghostwriting Books, Articles, Blogs, and More, Second Edition is now available on Kindle for $9.99. Don't have a Kindle? Buy it from Smashwords in every other format available (including PDF) for $9.99. Get yours today! 

This is the first Improvise Press book to be offered exclusively as an e-book. If you're looking for print books, check out Improvise Press' first two releases: Six-Figure Freelancing: The Writer's Guide to Making More Money, Second Edition or Dollars and Deadlines: Make Money Writing Articles for Print and Online Markets. 

Break Down the Barriers: Program at Downers Grove Library on Tuesday, November 5

Just a quick announcement for my local readers--I'll be presenting my popular program, "Break Down the Barriers: Becoming a Writer," at the Downers Grove Public Library on Tuesday night, November 5th,  at 7:00 p.m. While the program is aimed at would-be novelists (November is NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, after all), I'll have great advice for writers of all stripes. If you struggle with procrastination, self-doubt, lack of drive, or all of the above, please come to this free program and give your writing career a tune-up!

Later next week, I'll be speaking at Content Connections in downtown Chicago on November 7th and 8th. If you're a freelancer who wants to get into "content marketing," one of the most lucrative (and fastest-growing) writing niches, I highly recommend this program! Be sure to come up and say hello if you're there! 

And finally, if you're thinking about publishing a book, mark your calendars for my next program at the  Downers Grove Public Library. "So You Want to be an Author: Your Book Publishing Options Today"  will introduce you to the variety of publishing options and their pros and cons, and help you decide which option is right for you. 

** Can't make it to any of these events? Then don't forget about my books which are invaluable to both newbie and experienced freelancers: Dollars and Deadlines: Make Money Writing Articles for Print and Online Markets and Six-Figure Freelancing: The Writer's Guide to Making More Money, Second Edition. Prefer a print copy? Use the coupon code IMPROVISEPRESS (all caps,no spaces) for 20 percent off when you order directly through ImprovisePress.com. 

Brief Blogging Hiatus...And Will You Be At ConCon Next Month?

Hi, readers! I'll be taking a brief blogging hiatus, for a good reason--I just signed a great ghosting gig, but it comes with an extremely tight deadline--the client's book is due in 10 weeks. (Yikes!) I will be back to talk about ghostwriting--and my new book--by November. So stay tuned! 

In the meantime, will you be attending Content Connections here in Chicago? It's a conference for content producers of all stripes, and will be well worth the money. Content marketing is the fastest growing area of ghostwriting today, and companies spent more than 40 billion dollars on it last year. Come find out how you can jump into this lucrative, in-demand niche--and make sure to say hi, as I'll be there, speaking during the Breaking In track, and moderating other sessions.  

And as usual, I remind you about my books which are invaluable to both newbie and experienced freelancers: Dollars and Deadlines: Make Money Writing Articles for Print and Online Markets and Six-Figure Freelancing: The Writer's Guide to Making More Money, Second Edition. Prefer a print copy? Use the coupon code IMPROVISEPRESS (all caps,no spaces) for 20 percent offwhen you order directly through ImprovisePress.com. 

Coming Soon....Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks, second edition!

One of my projects in recent months has been updating my book on ghostwriting, Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks, to include the different types of ghosting available today--everything from doing content marketing to articles to blog posts. The book will be available soon as an ebook, so stay tuned!

Query Critique #2: And ConCon is Only a Month Away!

Welcome back, readers! We return to the query critique today with this submission; my comments appear in brackets in blue. 

Dear Barbara,

As a desk jockey sitting in front of the computer or in meetings all day, are you concerned about the impact of all that sitting? Are you aware of the recent studies linking sitting to an increased risk for diabetes and heart disease?  I am too. When I transitioned from being an active classroom teacher to work-from-home writer, I experienced a weight gain immediately. Because of my time flexibility, I joined a gym. However, even that may not mitigate the hours spent sitting at a desk. What about busy working mothers who find it next to impossible to squeeze time in for exercise before or after work? However, experts in workplace fitness have found ways to incorporate exercise into the typical office work day. Interested in knowing more? [I like this lead but it's a little long--I'd tighten it a bit; maybe focus on the first person anecdote and then talk about busy working mothers (the readers of this publication) in the next paragraph.] 

Two recent studies illustrate the staggering effects of a mostly sedentary lifestyle. An Australian study concluded that “an adult who spends an average of six hours a day watching TV over the course of a lifetime can expect to live 4.8 years fewer than a person who does not watch TV.” A 2012 report found that the average adult spend 50-70 percent of their lives sitting. This puts them at much increased risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, even if they exercise. [Explain the link between the last two sentences--it's not clear. And what is the increased risk? How much? Quantify, please. This info could also be worked into the lead instead, although I would focus on the second study, which specifically addresses the link between sitting and heart disease.] 

As fast as the scientific community reported the problems, researchers, businesses, and health practitioners responded. [I would continue with what the solutions are, and then talk about word length and working title in a bit.] My 1,500-word feature, “Taking a Stand for Workplace Fitness,” will examine the ingenious solutions to being tied to your chair during your workday. I will interview Dr. Cindy Wolff, Executive Director of the Center for Nutrition and Activity Promotion at Chico State University in California, about how she and her staff have incorporated under-desk exercise bicycles, stand-up phone calls, and walking meetings into her office’s routines [And? What's been the result? Increased productivity? Weight loss? Happier staff? What? Include.] I’ll talk to Marchfield Clinic, Wisconsin, executive assistant Pam Gotto about her experiences with an adjustable desk. She can sit or stand while she works, depending on the task and her energy level. [Again, tell us a little bit more about her experience.] I’ll also give first person reports of my attempts to incorporate these some of these techniques into my work day. I wrote this standing up. [I like this first-person anecdote here and would like to know more about how you're working while standing; again, I would include a line or two about how long you've been doing it, benefits, etc.] Dr. Wolff has agreed to offer photos from her office. A sidebar will illustrate various options for desk workouts, including desk/treadmill combinations. [I would rephrase this to say something like, "If you like, I can provide photos to accompany this story; a possible sidebar will illustrate..." I think the writer should also talk about how much these desk treadmills/bikes cost. How expensive are they? Can you build one yourself, etc?] 

As the author of six YA nonfiction books, I have ample experience explaining scientific and technical concepts to a non-technical audience. My editors at Rosen Publishing have complimented me on my professionalism and responsiveness. Clips from my books Top 10 Tips for Enjoying Success in School and Get Smart with Your Money: Internship Smarts are attached (yes, I can provide articles on those topics as well!) [Nice. The writer doesn't have typical clips, but she's made up for it and "dance with who brung her," so to speak to pump up her ISG.] I have been a working mom for over 25 years, always looking for ways to balance career, parenting, and health. All of us who sit for a living can benefit from knowledge of the detrimental effects of this lifestyle and practical ways to counteract the effects. [Good, though I would still like to see that magic language, "based on my personal experience, I believe I can bring a unique perspective to this subject" or something like that. Also tell me what section of the mag it belongs in to demonstrate familiarity with your target market. Finally, I think 1,500 words is a little long for this subject; I'd pitch it as a shorter piece, maybe 800-1000 words or so.] I look forward to your response to this timely and important topic.

[Readers, what do you think? Agree with my critique? I welcome your comments below.]  

Readers, do you do content marketing? Would you like to? Check out ASJA's ConCon conference here in Chicago November 7-8, 2013 at Columbia College. It's for writers who are new to this niche--and those who already do content marketing and want to make even more money doing so. I hope to see you there! 

And as usual, I remind you about my books which are invaluable to both newbie and experienced freelancers: Dollars and Deadlines: Make Money Writing Articles for Print and Online Markets and Six-Figure Freelancing: The Writer's Guide to Making More Money, Second Edition. Prefer a print copy? Use the coupon code IMPROVISEPRESS (all caps,no spaces) for 20 percent off when you order directly through ImprovisePress.com. 

Query Critique #1: Feast on Truffles

Hi, gang! Thanks to those readers who submitted queries for the query critique; the first one is an travel-related pitch. It appears below, with my comments in blue: 

Dear Domini,

Thin verging on scrawny, with irregular cow-like black spots adorning his frail frame, the dog didn’t look much like a creature capable of bringing in thousands of dollars of merchandise per day. “I actually left my best dog at home,” our nature guide and truffle hunter explained. “You can’t do a staged hunt with her. She smells that I’ve already touched the truffles before burying them, and she’s not interested.” [Love this lead. Strong description and definitely catches my attention. I would like to know the name of the nature guide, though.]

In the foothills of the Apennine Mountains that connect Tuscany, Umbria, and Le Marche, truffles are big business. At the truffle exchange – like the diamond or stock exchange for these mysterious mycetes – fist-sized white truffles fetch $6,000 before being broken down and sold to restaurants at triple mark-up. [Nice details here; I'd like to know a little more about why the truffles are so in demand and expensive, for someone who's not that familiar with them.]

In a truffle-centric travel piece, I’ll follow these famous fungi from the first fruitful forage of the season to the wholesale marketplace to the aficionado’s plate. The hills of Le Marche are one of the few places in the world besides Alba in Piedmont where the precious white truffle grows. [Great detail to know.] Besides restaurants happy to shave another ounce or two of truffles on your risotto free of charge, [this clause reads a little awkward to me] [Mercatello sul Metauro, the nearest town, mixes the Renaissance and modern hospitality in a way you can no longer find in touristy Tuscany. [Good selling point for a magazine that covers travel--something new and different.] Noble families open up their families’ Renaissance palaces and network of social connections to visitors, the abbey produces an herb-based indigo dye for a local brand of jeans, and artisans hand-throw and -paint pottery using local 16th century techniques to create custom designs for modern homes. [Shows that the writer has done plenty of research but I feel like the story idea is losing a little focus. Is the story more about the truffles or the community?] 

I’m a freelance travel journalist with a degree in Italian culture who has worked for Italy Magazine and covered Italian travel topics for publications on three continents, including USA TODAY, Ambassador, International Living, and Destination I Do. [Nice ISG.] I have photos available to accompany the piece [Great but I'd say, "I can provide photos to accompany the piece," which implies she'll shoot them for the market, not just rely on what she has] and can include an "if you go" sidebar highlighting how to best reach this out-of-the-way destination, accommodations, restaurants, and local attractions. [nice.]

Would you be interested in “Feast on Truffles, Travel Back in Time in Le Marche” for The Globe and Mail? [Suggested word count? Mention of a recent story to show that she's familiar with the market?]

Best regards,

**Readers, I like this query very much. I think I would focus on the truffles aspect a bit more and possibly provide a few more details about the truffle hunting process, etc and how the truffle economy affects the local community, not just talk about the community itself--more of a truffle tie-in if you will. However, overall I think it's a very strong query with a good chance of selling. Readers, what do you think? 

Want to see queries that sold--and why? Check out one of my popular e-books, Dollars and Deadlines: Make Money Writing Articles for Print and Online Markets or Six-Figure Freelancing: The Writer's Guide to Making More Money, Second Edition. Prefer a print copy? Use the coupon code IMPROVISEPRESS (all caps,no spaces) for 20 percent off when you order directly through ImprovisePress.com.