Reviews Sell Books--and How to Get a Free Copy of Goodbye Byline!

I've posted already about the ASJA Writers' Conference, which I attended last month in NYC.  (You'll find a quick roundup of tips from the conference here.) I went to the conference with several goals in mind: 

• to introduce myself to book editors as a potential ghostwriter/book doctor for their authors who need collaborative help;  
• to meet more content marketing clients, especially those that need writers who cover health, fitness, and nutrition; and 
• to learn more about ways to sell my books through Improvise Press. 

Last week, I worked on the first two goals and sent six follow-up emails and pitches to editors I met at ASJA; I'll let you know how they fare. (Two book editors were particularly interested in my background, which is promising, and I came up with several solid pitches for print and online pubs as well, so I'm expecting an assignment or two as a result of the conference. Next week I'll send formal follow-ups on my pitches.)

But I haven't yet done a lot with my third goal. One of the tips I heard on the self-publishing panel, and that is that reviews sell books. Well, yes, I knew that. But what I hadn't heard yet was that according to Miral Sattar of Bibliocrunch, you should have at least 10 reviews on Amazon before you start promoting a book. (How do you get those reviews? By sending out PDFs and electronic copies of your book long before it launches.) 

So I'm on a mission to garner reviews, not only for Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks: Make Money Ghostwriting Books, Articles, Blogs and More, Second Edition (which will be available in print this fall). It will be Improvise Press' third title, joining:  

• Six-Figure Freelancing: The Writer's Guide to Making More Money, Second Edition; and
• Dollars and Deadlines: Make Money Writing Articles for Print and Online Markets. 

As I write this, Goodbye Byline has only two reviews. (Sad face.) My goal is to have 10 reviews by end of the month, and that's where you come in. Post a comment here with a freelancing question, and you'll be entered to win a PDF of Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks. All I ask is that you review Goodbye Byline by month's end.  

If you've wanted to learn more about ghostwriting (including content marketing), here's your chance. You'll learn how to get started, how to find clients, how to work efficiently as a ghostwriter, and how to avoid common ghostwriting pitfalls--and find templates of everything from LOIs to contracts to permission forms. So post your comment below, and stay tuned to see if you're a winner! 

 

Bidding to Get the Gig

When you freelance for print and online publications, you're offered a rate (almost always per-word) for your work. You either take the assignment or turn it down. Easy enough. But what happens when you have to bid on a job? Then you've got to determine what you'll charge, and this is tricky even for seasoned freelancers.

With that in mind, I offer these tips on bidding. First, try to get a sense of the client’s budget if at all possible. Let's say I'm asked by a regional publication how much I charge for reprints. I'll counter with, "What does your market usually pay for reprints?" The response will  affect how much I ask for. Here's the thing--I've had reprint markets pay as little as $40 and as much as $500 for rights to a story. I want to get as much as I can, but for a reprint (which requires very little work on my end), I'm more than happy to work with a publication's budget. 

Second, give reasons to support your bid. If I'm asked to quote my fee for a speech, for example, I point out that I've been a professional speaker for more than 10 years, and have keynoted corporate and nonprofit events. If I'm asked to quote a fee for ghostwriting, I'll highlight the fact that I've been ghostwriting books for nine years, and have experience working with traditional and POD publishers. Never give a bid without demonstrating what you're worth it. 

Third, if at all possible, provide your bid in writing. A written bid lets you demonstrate that you are clear on the the scope of the project and your client's goals. Taking the time to provide a written bid also prevents you from blurting out a number that's too low--and then regretting it later.  

Finally, make sure that you demonstrate how your background and experience sets you apart. Chances are that your potential client is looking at other writers, too, so your proposal needs to make it easy for the client to choose you over them, especially if your bid comes in higher than others. I'm upfront about the fact that I charge more money than (some) other ghostwriters. So I want to convince the client she wants me enough to choose me over someone who may be cheaper. That's why I always explain how I will approach the project (without giving too much away) before I bring up money. In other words, sell the client on you first, and then state your price. 

**Readers, do you agree with my tips on bidding? Would you like to see an example of a bid to a potential client? Let me know by commenting below. 

**Want to know more about ghostwriting, including content marketing? Check out Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks: Make Money Ghostwriting Books, Articles, Blogs and More, Second Edition on Kindle. Prefer print? Stay tuned--Improvise Press will be releasing the print version in September, 2014! 

How Diet Mountain Dew Helped me Sell a Story: Another Query That Worked

Hate writing queries and pitches? You're not alone. I get more questions from freelancers about queries (and contracts) than about any other topic. I've found that queries from new writers fail for two primary reasons--they're either too short and lack detail, or they're too long and lack focus. Finding the right balance and giving enough detail so that the editor can say "yes" without going overboard takes time and practice. Having a template always helps! 

I'll be speaking at the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic's Spring Assembly on Friday, April 4, 2013. I've been asked to show dietitians how they can write about diet and nutrition--and get paid for it--and as part of that, I'll be emphasizing the importance of a strong query. Here's a query that worked for me that I'll be sharing with my audience, with my comments in blue:   

Dear Ross:

Your eyes don't even open until after your second cup of coffee? No sweat, right? Think again. If you're hooked on Red Bull, Redline, or just the ever-popular joe, your caffeine addiction may be hurting your health. Research presented last fall at the American College of Emergency Physicians' annual meeting found that over three years, more than 250 people reported symptoms of caffeine abuse to a Chicago poison control center. Thirty-one were hospitalized from medical complications due to caffeine intake. Other studies have found that caffeine intake increases the level of cortisol and other stress hormones. [I like this lead. It's timely, mentioning the recent research, and shows that I've done some background reporting to write this query.]  

Yet athletes have long realized that caffeine has performance-boosting effects, and a slew of studies support it. In the last year alone, published research found that caffeine boosts speed during short-term, high-intensity exercise and the amount of weight (for a 1-rep max) you can lift during a bench press trial. And a survey of 140 elite athletes competing in the Ironman Triathalon World Championships found that 9 in 10 planned to use caffeine-containing substances before or during the competition. [Where did this research come from? I'd just finished a piece on using caffeine for athletic performance for a fitness magazine. I include it here to show the editor that I'm already informed about this topic.]

If you're competing in a 5K or want a lift before a demanding workout, how much caffeine should you take for optimal performance? And how do you determine your "safe" upper limit for caffeine consumption? In other words, how much caffeine is just right? [Here's the question that my article will answer, and I believe that readers of this publication--in the case, The Chicago Tribune--will want to know that answer! My editor agreed, and assigned the piece.] 

“The Caffeine Conundrum: Performance Boost or Health Risk?” will address this issue, describing the growing problem of caffeine abuse and its related health dangers. It will also describe caffeine's fitness-related benefits, and help readers determine how much caffeine is right for them, depending on their fitness goals, lifestyles, and other factors. I plan to interview experts such as Danielle McCarthy, MD, at Northwestern University (lead presenter of the ACEP caffeine abuse study) for this story; a possible sidebar will include a sidebar of caffeine-containing foods and beverages, with the amount of caffeine each contains. While I estimate 1,000 words for this piece, that's flexible depending on your needs. [I've provided a working title, and suggested possible experts and a sidebar. I've also described what my article will include.]

Ross, I hope you'll find this important topic a good fit for your "Health" section of Q. I think the popularity of caffeinated drinks and the fitness aspect of this subject make it a great fit for your readers, and hope you'll agree that it's a topic worth exploring. I've been a fulltime freelancer for the last decade; my work has also appeared in magazines including Redbook, Self, Health, Continental, Fitness, Woman's Day, and Shape. (And as a Diet Mountain Dew addict, I think I can bring a unique perspective to this story!) [This is what I call the ISG, or I'm-so-great. Play up your background, experience, even your caffeine addiction if it will help you sell a story!] 

Let me know if you have any questions about this pitch, and I'll be in touch soon with another story idea as well. 

All my best,

Kelly


I think it's clear why this pitch sold. Yes, the query is a little long--usually my queries are just four paragraphs--but I wanted to show the depth of my knowledge of this subject. Do the same with your pitches, and you'll boost your chances of getting a sale. 

**Want to see more queries that sold, and why? Check out my two latest books from Improvise Press: 

• Six-Figure Freelancing: The Writer's Guide to Making More Money, Second Edition
• Dollars and Deadlines: Make Money Writing Articles for Print and Online Markets

 

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? 

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. 

When That Big Project Falls Through...Six Ways to Get Back on Track

I heard from another writer last week who just had a big project fall through. She asked me to keep her in mind for any work I might be unable to take on. In the meantime, she's stressed and scrambling to make up the work she'd planned on.  

This scenario is one of the drawbacks of "big gigs," or work that takes more than a few days to complete. When I started freelancing, all of my work was short pieces, primarily articles for newspapers and magazines. I also did some work for small local companies. I had a lot of deadlines to juggle--typically at least eight to twelve articles, along with corporate assignments, at a time--but each assignment took only a few days to report and write. 

But when I segued into writing books, I had to commit to longer-term work. Writing a book proposal, for example, takes me several weeks. To ghostwrite or write a book, I will set aside anywhere from three to six months, and during that time I don't take on other major projects. (I have written two books simultaneously in the past, but that made me a little crazy. And with a part-time work schedule, I can't commit to that these days.) Setting aside that time means I'm committed--and if my client backs out or the deal falls through (it happens), then I'm the one scrambling for new work. 

So what can do you when this happens to you?

1. Avoid the all-the-eggs scenario. I always have multiple assignments on my desk at any given time. Even if I'm working on a book, I like having the "quick hits" of shorter pieces. They're much faster to write and complete, and they help smooth out my cash flow. Sure, I'd rather get a check for several thousand dollars from a ghostwriting client, but those $450 and $800 checks add up, too. So make sure you have a selection of work eggs--even though some may be much more valuable--in your basket. 

2. Reach out to your current and former clients. This is the time to hit them up for work, but don't come right out and say, "I have no work! I'm desperate!" Instead, I'd write something like: 

Hi, Susan!

I hope you're having a great summer, first off. I'm wrapping up a couple of big projects and wanted to touch base to see if you're looking for any story ideas or have any assignments that might be right for me. Let me know if there are any areas you'd like to receive pitches on, and I will be in touch! 

Thanks and have a great day!
Kelly 

I always want to present the impression of being busy and in demand--even when I'm neither. It's all about perceptions. :) 

3. Consider old pitches. When I need to get the work pipeline moving, I'll go back to old queries and see which ones I could re-pitch with minimal work. I'll also look at recent stories I've done to look for new angles for other markets--what I call reslanting. These pitches take less time to write than a completely new pitch, and make my marketing time more efficient. 

4. Reach out to other writers. I will also email a handful of writers I know who work in the same subject areas as me with the same kind of email I might send to a former or current client to let them know I'm available if they're overwhelmed.  

5. Revisit personal priorities. Yes, my initial response to a no-work crisis is to get my butt in gear to line up more work. But I also use some of the time to address my own projects. For example, when I'm slow work-wise right now, I use the time to market Improvise Press and look for speaking gigs. This kind of work may not pay off in the very short-term, but it does have long-term benefits. 

6. Embrace the downtime. As a freelancer, you have more control over your career than the average wage slave. But nothing is entirely in your control. So roll with it. As I write this, my current ghostwriting client is behind, which means I have a lot less to to today than expected (at least until she gets the latest chapter back to me for editing/rewriting.) 

I've already adjusted my schedule to address this change. Instead of spending all day ghostwriting, today I'll finish an article (about a month ahead of deadline!) and get that off my desk. I'll get my usual Monday blog post up. I'll write some queries, reach out to some of my regular clients, and follow up on some reprint markets. I'll also contact some libraries about speaking there this fall. And then? I'll knock off work early, and take kids to the pool. This kind of "found time" doesn't happen often, so I'll enjoy it,--and get back to work tomorrow! 

***My latest special offer for readers continues. I sell more books on Kindle than on any other e-platform, so I'm offering this $0.99 special offer comes in. For a limited time, three of my most popular ebooks on Kindle are priced at only $0.99! 

• 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 if you're ready for the whole kit and kaboodle, check out my full-length books, 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. If you prefer print (like I do), order directly from ImprovisePress.com. Use the discount code, IMPROVISEPRESS (all caps/no breaks) for 20 percent off of your order!

How Excited are You About your Freelance Career?

I've had a lot of jobs over the years. I've been a lifeguard, sold concessions at a movie theater, bussed tables, and served drinks at a country and western bar. I've worked at Trader Joe's, at my dad's dental office, and at a doughnut shop. And I've worked (and still do--more about that in another post!) at my local Y as a personal trainer and fitness consultant. And oh yeah, I was a lawyer for more than five years. (How did I forgot that?) 

But freelancing is by far my favorite gig. I love the freedom and the flexibility of being self-employed. I love the fact that I can set my own hours in most cases, and that I'm (usually) rewarded for doing a good job. I love building relationships with clients, and when they come back to me with new assignments (there's no bigger compliment) and I love the satisfaction of taking a complicated subject and turning it into an article, book chapter, or even book. It's gratifying work. 

So you may be surprised to learn that I don't always feel this way. There are days, weeks even, when I don't really feel like freelancing any more. My enthusiasm for it is gone...until it eventually returns. 

I used to freak out when this happened, thinking I wasn't cut out for the freelance lifestyle. With 16 years in, though, I know that's not the case. My drive, motivation, and excitement for my career fade...but they always come back.  

Over the last few months, I've suffered a bout of what I call career malaise. I knew the reasons, but that didn't change how I felt. I'd had several promising book deals fall through, one after another. I wound up taking on a project that should have taken just a couple of weeks--but it stretched into a nightmare that lasted nearly two months. I was putting most of time (and mental energy) into launching Improvise Press. I didn't have much left over for my freelance career. Maybe, I thought, I was done freelancing--I'd just put all my energy into my new publishing company and working at the Y. 

Then several things happened. I got an email from my agent on Memorial Day about a lucrative ghosting gig--which did go through. Then I got a rush assignment from a regular client, a company that I license reprint rights to. It had me scrambling for the next 24 hours, but it netted me a quick $550. And then a new client contacted to me to say that not only was she pleased with the article I wrote (along with the photos), that they were going to hire me for a longer, more complicated project. All of a sudden the thrill of freelancing was back. Once again, I feel like I'm running toward something promising, lucrative, and fun. 

That's how you should feel about your freelance career, too. If not, give these tips a try:

1. Focus on what you can control. You can't make an editor say yes, or give you an assignment. You can send a certain number of queries or LOIs this week, though. Focus on what I call production goals and you'll feel like you're getting somewhere. 

2. Cut back on the nonessentials. When I started this blog more than three years ago, I posted several times a week. That's great for my readers, but time-consuming for me. Now I post once a week (almost always on Mondays), which gives me more time for work--and play.  

3. Do something different. One of the best things about starting Improvise Press is that all of my career eggs are no longer in the freelance writing/editing/ghostwriting/authoring basket. Now I have another business--albeit a related one--to put some of my creative energies into and for me, that's energizing. 

4. Reach out. Freelancers may work alone but it's wonderful to have a community and even better to have freelancing friends who "get it." For example, I've been a member of FreelanceSuccess.com for more than a decade, which is a great resource for established and new-but-serious-about-it freelancers. You get market guides, access to back issues of the newsletter, and the chance to network with 500 other freelancers. I also have friends who freelance both online and IRL, and I know that they all experience the same periods of burnout, self-doubt, and loss of enthusiasm too. 

5. Make a list. Why do you freelance? I assume if you read this blog, it's to make money from your work. That's a given. But why else? Do you love the creative process of writing? Do you still get a thrill to see your name in print? Do you get to write about subjects you care about? What does freelancing give you that another career would not? Write down your reasons, and reflect on how lucky you are to do something--write for money--that too many people only dream of. 

I bet that will breathe some life back into your freelance career--and make you feel like you're running toward something wonderful.   

**Need a freelance boost? Time to read Six-Figure Freelancing: The Writer's Guide to Making More Money, Second Edition.I promise you'll garner tips and techniques to help you make more money from your writing! 

And if you're a new freelancer, or want to launch a career where you can get paid for your writing, Dollars and Deadlines: Make Money Writing Articles for Print and Online Markets, will take you from unpublished to published and paid. 

Both books are available through any online or brick-and-mortar bookstore. But if you order directly from Improvise Press, use the discount code, IMPROVISEPRESS (all caps/no breaks) for 20% off of your order, which makes it cheaper than buying from Amazon. 

I Need More Stevens...and Only Six More Days for the Giveaway!

Last week I received an email from a reader named Steven, which read in part:  

"Are you going to have any of your other writing books on your site?  I recently bought Dollars and Deadlines, Six Figure Freelancing, and Ready, Aim, Specialize before I knew about you selling your books on your site. I will probably buy Writer for Hire and Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks on next unless you are bringing them out on your site any time soon. What I have read of the 3 books I mentioned previously, I have found very helpful. [my emphasis] They were actually a birthday present--my wife asked me wanted and she ordered them for me. I enjoy reading your artcles also because you make things easy to understand. Thank you."

I got back in touch with Steven to let him know I did have a few copies of Writer for Hire and Goodbye Byline in my office. (We authors tend to have extras!) I promptly thanked him, and sold them to him, signing them per his request. And I told him to get in touch with future freelance questions. 

Steven now has all FIVE of my books on freelancing. And I realized, I need more Stevens. 

No, you don't have to buy all five books (though personally I think Six-Figure Freelancing is the best book I've ever written on successful freelancing), but if you follow this blog, or turn to it when you're looking for proven, practical freelance advice, I hope you'll consider getting an entire book's worth of advice. You don't have to be Steven, but you can be a more successful freelancer if you follow the advice in my books.  

If you want the print edition of 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, don't wait. (Prefer an electronic edition. Here's the Dollars Kindle edition and Six-Figure Freelancing Kindle edition; if you don't have a Kindle, you'll find Smashwords editions of Dollars and Six-Figure here. 

Buy either (or both!) book by Monday, May 20 directly from my new company, Improvise Press, and you'll have a chance to win a FREE copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul Inspiration for Writers. It's chockfull of 101 motivational stories by both budding and bestselling writers that will help keep you in the game.

And remember to use the discount code, IMPROVISEPRESS (all caps/no breaks) for 20% off of your order, which makes it cheaper than buying from Amazon. The discount is only available for a limited time when you buy directly from ImprovisePress.

Talking Freelance Money: Per-Hour Versus Per-Word

Hi, readers! Today's post is a flashback of sorts--an updated version of one of my first, and also one of my most popular. It encompasses one of my freelancing philosophies--that it's more important to pay attention to what you're making per-word than per-hour. 

Per-word rates are the norm in the freelance world. You may be paid $2/word for a national print magazine, $0.25/word for an online publication, or, say, $200 for a blog post of about 600 words. The per-word figure, multiplied by word count, tells you how much you’ll make for writing a particular article. story. But it may not tell you whether it’s really worth it to take it on. To know the answer to that, you must also consider how much time the piece will take to pitch, research, and write--and possibly rewrite. Divide your assignment fee by the number of hours you put into an assignment, and you'll have its hourly rate. 

Knowing how much time an article (or any other project, for that matter) will take gives you a concrete idea of the return on your time. Because those $1/word and up assignments can be mighty misleading. Sure, it’s a bigger check than writing for a market that pays a lower per-word rate. But does a higher per-word rate mean you're making more money if you were to write for a market that pays less? 

For example, let’s say I do a 1,000-word story for a national magazine that pays $1.50/word. Fair enough—I’m getting paid $1,500 for my work. But what happens if between researching and writing the query, writing an outline (per my editor), researching the article, finding sources, doing interviews, transcribing interviews, writing the piece, turning in the piece, revising the piece (per my editor’s request), finding new sources (per my editor), interviewing those sources, turning in the final revision, submitting my backup material, answering additional questions from the editor (say, nine months later…it happens), I’ve put 25 hours into my story? That means I’ve made $60/hour on that story.

Not bad, but here’s the thing—compare that to a 1,000-word piece on the same topic for a smaller magazine that pays only $0.35/word. Yet I know the editor and my query is just a short paragraph. The story requires some background research and several interviews, and takes me a total of five hours to write. (No revisions requested! Yay!) That a total of $350, for five hours’ worth of work—or $70/hour.

At first glance, the $1,500 piece appears to be a more lucrative assignment—and it is a bigger check. But my experience has been that national markets (and I’ve written for more than 60 of them during the last 16 years) expect a lot more work from you to earn that higher rate. In many cases, I’ve found that regional magazines, trade publications, custom magazines, and websites pay more per-hour than their national counterparts. And that makes them worthwhile markets, at least for me. 

Another example? I sell reprints to a variety of markets. No, the rates aren't high--and may be as low as $40/story, but last week I got a request for an article of mine. It took me less than 15 minutes to locate the story on my hard drive and email it to her along with an invoice--an hourly rate of $160. That number puts a new perspective on selling reprints, huh? 

To know your hourly rate, you have to know how much time each assignment takes, and thats's why I recommend using a time sheet, especially if you're a new writer. As you gain experience, you'll find you can more easily estimate how long a piece will take and have a better feel for what its hourly rate--its true value--will be. 

**Looking for more advice on writing for money? Check out my latest two books, 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. 

You'll save money by buying them direct through www.improvisepress.com, my newly-launched publishing company. Use the discount code, IMPROVISEPRESS (all caps, no breaks) for 20 percent off of your order--and let me know if you'd like a signed copy for yourself or a friend! 

Introducing Improvise Press--and the Return of Six-Figure Freelancing

I've been a self-employed writer for 16+ years, so I'm excited to announce that I've added a new business to my freelancing umbrella. I am now the owner of Improvise Press, a company that publishes books for creative people who want to profit from their passions. While our first books focus on making money as freelance writers, we plan to add more books aimed at hobbyists in other fields in the next two years. 

Improvise is entering the publishing field with its first two titles, 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. I'm especially excited about Six-Figure Freelancing, a book that has been out of print for years, and has been revised and updated for its second edition. 

Six-Figure Freelancing will show you how to:

• Take a business-like approach to your freelance career;
• Negotiate more writer-friendly contracts with editors and clients;
• Identify lucrative freelance markets;
• Pursue book projects;
• Create your own writing templates;
• Work more efficiently;
• Create and maintain relationships with clients and colleagues;
• Set short- and long-term goals for your writing career;
• Branch into lucrative new freelance areas; and
• Sustain a successful long-term career.

Now, in 2013, even while the publishing world has undergone dramatic change, there are plenty of promising opportunities for freelancers. This updated, expanded version of Six-Figure Freelancing includes an entirely new section on markets; advice about using social media and blogging to build your career: more than two dozen templates including query letters, letters of introduction, and contracts; and the latest advice from successful six-figure freelancers you can use to sustain a long-term freelance career. 

Use the discount code, IMPROVISEPRESS (all caps) for 20 percent off of your order at ImprovisePress.com. And please let your friends who would like to make money writing know about Improvise Press and our new line of books.