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Tag: freelance writing tips

6-Step Guide to Writing a Killer Project Proposal

Project proposals are an essential tool for any freelancer.

Being able to put together a document explaining just what you can offer your client and how much it will cost can help you secure business.

Keep in mind there isn’t one ideal proposal format for every project. Every proposal will be unique based on your client’s needs and your offerings, but they will all contain the same basic elements: A proposal of what you can do for your client, a description of how you’ll do it and an estimate of how much this will cost.

Read on to learn how to put together a project proposal.

The basics

Be sure to include basic information in your project proposal like your name, contact information, website, the date, the company you’re preparing the proposal for and your contact’s name.

You’ll likely want to submit it to your client as a PDF to ensure you don’t have any issues with formatting. You may wish to include graphics or visuals or keep it simple with just plain text.

However you submit it, make sure you’ve spell-checked and edited it thoroughly. Making a good impression is very important.

Project components

When putting the proposal together, you’ll want to outline the various components of the project.

If you’re creating a proposal for website copy, don’t just write “website copy.” That could mean vastly different things to different people. You might envision that as 2,000 words, while your client might see that as an open-ended proposal to write 100,000 words or more.

Instead, detail the components you are able to provide. Specify that you can provide 300 words of copy for the company’s “about page,” 200-word bios for five staffers, and three 500-word pages of text detailing the company’s services.

Of course, you’ll want to have some flexibility and to be able to change things to meet your client’s needs.

The proposal is just a starting point. You’ll want to have all the details completely hammered out by the time you sign a contract.

Scope of work

Be sure to outline the scope of work you can provide to avoid any misunderstandings later. Some clients may not understand the services you offer, so be clear.

If they need a website designed and you only provide writing services, be sure to specify what you can offer. Will you subcontract a designer? Will you source images for them? Will you edit HTML? Will you upload the copy into their CMS? Or will you just provide copy?

Be sure to be as specific as possible so they know what is and is not included in your estimate.

Also be sure to clarify the number of edits you will provide. It often works best to say you will work with one point of contact on a specified number of rounds of edits. If you don’t specify one point of contact, you may be dealing with a dozen different staff members with different ideas about what they would like. By having the company designate one person to compile the company’s thoughts, that should help streamline the process.

You will also want to specify whether you are talking about “light copy edits” or “developmental edits” so you are on the same page. You may need to explain what these terms mean to your clients.

Finally, be sure to define how you will submit the final materials. You don’t want to run into a situation where you think you’re emailing a Word document and the client expects you to input material directly into its CMS complete with links and formatting. Be sure to clarify exactly how you will submit materials and be sure to consider that in your pricing.

Timeline

In your proposal, provide an estimate for a timeline. You may prefer to say something like “two weeks from contract signing” or list specific dates. Be sure to keep in mind that it may take a while to get from the proposal stage to the point where it’s time to begin the project.

Look at your calendar when providing this estimate and realistically see when you have other big projects due, any upcoming vacations, or other plans that may require a reduced workload for a time.

Be sure to also provide deadlines for the company to provide information, interviews, edits, and other necessary information and feedback.

Remember these dates will likely change as you move forward toward a contract, but it’s good to have an estimate of how long each step will take as a starting point.

Pricing your proposal

Typically, when pricing your project many writers prefer to develop a project fee rather than provide an hourly rate.

To set your project fee, estimate how long a project will take you and multiply that by your hourly rate. You may wish to add a bit of a cushion if you think it may take a bit longer. The Editorial Freelancers Association has a good list of rates for different types of projects.

A flat fee for a clearly defined scope of work minimizes the chances of financial surprises for you and your client. If you complete the project a bit more efficiently than you expected, you earn more per hour. If it takes you longer, your client won’t have to pay extra. Of course, if you do quote a flat fee, it’s important to have a really good idea how long the project will take you so you don’t end up scrambling or feeling short-changed.

Following up

After you submit your proposal, be sure to follow up promptly. Depending on the urgency of the project and your relationship with the potential clients, you might want to follow up as soon as the next day (or even the day of submission if it’s urgent) to see if they have any questions or you can provide additional information.

Give them a little time to mull it over and reach out again to see if they’re interested in moving forward or if they have any additional questions.

Many freelancers prefer to have a signed contract before moving forward, and many require at least a partial payment up front. Find out what works best for you and go from there.

However you put your proposal together, just remember that it’s only a starting point. Collaborate with your potential client to make sure the details work well for both of you. Don’t be intimidated by putting together your first project proposal. The more you write, the easier they will become.

March 29, 2018
6 Questions to Consider Before Accepting a Freelance Writing Gig

As a freelance writer, it can be tempting to take every gig that comes your way.

Turning down a freelance gig can sometimes feel like you’re tempting fate to take away all future opportunities because you said no to one. When you think about how hard you work marketing yourself and making connections and inquiries, something about turning down a viable gig feels wrong. Just know that you’re not alone. I did the same thing when I first started out, and I still get tempted to do it now. But along the way, I’ve learned that it’s OK to say no sometimes. In fact, you should. Not every gig is worth your time or effort. The trick is to differentiate between one that has value and one that’s more trouble than it’s worth.

Here are six questions to ask yourself before you say yes to a freelance gig.

1. Is it worth the money?

Think about the time required to complete a project. Is it worth the money they’re offering?

Money isn’t everything, especially when freelancing, but it can go a long way to helping you decide if the gig is right for you.

Remember that your time has value, and the time you put into something that doesn’t pay well can mean less time for those opportunities that do.

2. Will it give you solid exposure?

Sometimes the gigs that give you the best exposure are the ones that don’t pay as well.

Like I said, money isn’t everything. If you can get your name out there by doing a project or writing an article for free or next to nothing, it might be worth it.

Then, you can move onto higher paying gigs once you’re more established in your niche market.

I once had a column where I wrote five articles a week for over a year because it was great exposure. It didn’t pay well, but it helped to get my name out there and increase my credibility as a freelance writer. That was invaluable.

In fact, because of this column, some of my work was featured on the New York Times blog.

3. Will it be the perfect addition to your portfolio?

The plain and simple truth is that to get high quality freelance gigs, a strong portfolio is an asset.

So, maybe the gig you’re considering doesn’t pay well, and it doesn’t give you a ton of exposure, but the piece will be a strong addition to your writing portfolio.

If so, it just might be yes-worthy.

4. Are you comfortable being associated with the company/website?

Perhaps the gig pays well and it will give you some exposure, but you’re uncomfortable with the site or the company itself.

Remember that your reputation is more important than money you can make.

I recently turned down a gig as a regular contributor for a relatively well-known site. I was tempted to take it, and I tried over and over to convince myself that it would be fine, that I would make it work, but I had to be honest with myself.

Their website’s new focus was all about shock and fear. They wanted clicks instead of interesting or helpful content. I decided that I didn’t want my name associated with that sort of site.

As soon as I turned it down, I felt relief. I had made the right choice.

5. Will the client be too difficult to work with?

If the freelance job pays well and it would be great exposure, it still might not be worth it if the client is difficult to work with.

The problem with this one is that it’s difficult to spot in the beginning. It comes down to looking for red flags. If you see some red flags, consider if it’s worth the time, the money and the stress.

If not, move on and leave your schedule open for an even better opportunity. But if it’s the best opportunity you’ve had, the difficult client may well be worth the money and the exposure.

When I wrote that column for a year (for the exposure), I was approached by one of the readers. He wanted me to write content for him, too. I was on board and ecstatic. Then I started noticing some red flags. For example, I hadn’t even signed the contract yet, and he wouldn’t stop calling me and emailing me. I soon learned that he needed a lot of personal attention, and that’s not something I was interested in. I just wanted to do my job in peace, so I ended up turning that opportunity down, and I’ve never regretted it.

6. Do you have the time?

Freelance writers are notorious for overloading our schedules.

Before accepting a freelance job, ask yourself if you have the appropriate amount of time to dedicate.

Again, your reputation is important, and you don’t want to sully it because you don’t have the time to devote to doing your best work.

Saying no to a freelance gig can be hard, but it’s the only way to create the presence and reputation you want. Remember that you need something out of the arrangement, too, whether that’s adequate payment, a boost in exposure or something strong to add to your portfolio. Don’t overburden yourself with opportunities that won’t meet your overall career goals.

Leave time in your schedule for the best jobs, the ones that will help you pivot and lead you to a higher plane.

You’re worth it.

What do you look for before saying yes to a freelance gig?

March 13, 2018
The Writer’s Guide to Avoiding Side-Hustle Burnout

Side hustles can be awesome.

When I was starting out as a freelance writer, side hustling allowed me to test the waters and build my business while still having the safety net of a day job. Now that I’ve been forced to return to the 9-to-5 (freelancing doesn’t always pay the bills), side hustling allows me to continue to pursue my writing in the hours around my job.

But side hustles can also be challenging.

It takes a certain blend of ambitious insanity to take on a second job that requires so much of your brain power. Exhaustion, frustration and occasional panic are very real side effects of the side hustle.

To combat these symptoms, we recommend these five tips.

1. Manage your energy

All work and no break makes your writing a dull thing.

The secret to producing consistent, quality work isn’t cramming your hours so full they could burst; it’s about working with your body’s natural rhythms to use your hours as wisely as possible.

Concentration, clarity and creativity ebb and flow.

There are times your reserves are dry, and trying to push yourself through that will only result in burnout (and some pretty crappy writing). Figure out your peaks and dips, and you can use that knowledge to make sure you’re working smarter.

If you’re a morning person, use those quiet early hours to focus on your writing before the day gets away from you. If you hit a patch of low energy, use your writing time to do a task that requires less creativity, like proofreading or researching new publications to pitch.

Of course there are times you have no choice but to push through a low patch, but whenever possible, try to plan your work to match the times you’re at your best. See your side hustle as a series of sprints, not a marathon, and you’re much more likely to cross the finish line.

2. Be picky about what you say “yes” to

When freelancing is a side hustle, you only have a limited amount of time to spend on it. Which means you must be deliberate about which projects you accept.

Ideally, you’d be able to only take on the gigs that speak to you creatively — but if you don’t have that luxury, you should at least ensure you only accept gigs that will prove worthwhile.

What “worthwhile” means is up to you. You may choose to focus on a specific topic area you find interesting. Or on the jobs that give you the highest ROI money-wise. Or on the ones that give you the most exposure, even if they don’t pay quite as much. Know what matters to you, and refuse to waste your time and energy on anything else.

Oh, and watch out for red flags when considering a new client. An awful client can significantly decrease how much a project winds up being worth.

3. Don’t blur the lines between your day job and your freelancing

This tip has an ethical component as well as a practical one.

Ethically, you owe it to your day job boss to work only on the work he hired you for when you’re on his clock. Sneaking in some writing time when no one’s looking could get you in trouble — and, morally, it’s kind of shady.

Practically, keeping a solid boundary between day job work and freelance work will help keep you sane.

Your day job becomes a reprieve from deadline stress and client drama; your freelancing becomes a creative outlet. Try to multitask both jobs at once, and you’ll end up stressed, distracted and prone to mistakes.

4. Insist on work/life balance

Finding time for friends, family, hobbies and all the other stuff that makes up a “life” can seem nearly impossible when you’re working two jobs. So make a point of scheduling these thing in just like you would a client meeting or other event you can’t miss.

It’s all too easy to fill your days with work when you don’t have anything specific on the calendar. Make a point of peppering your weeks with things that bring you joy and relaxation, and you’ll find yourself planning to work around them like you would any other appointment.

Also, do not (I repeat, do NOT) allow yourself to feel guilty for taking this time for yourself. You’re a much better writer when you have a life outside of work. And, you know, you also deserve it.

Freelancing in addition to a day job is a serious undertaking. And like any ambitious goal, pursuing this path forces you to prioritize.

Your house will most likely be messier than you’d like. PJs could become your go-to outfit when you’re home. You might make friends with your local food delivery people. Being a successful modern adult doesn’t mean having a perfect, Pinterest-worthy life; it means going after the things you love and rocking the living daylights out of them. If you’re holding down a day job and a side hustle, you are already killing it. Learn to let go of the rest and you’ll be much happier.

February 1, 2018
Q4 Check-In: End of the Year Business Tips for Freelance Writers

The end of the year may have come and gone, but I know a lot of us are still processing what we learned in 2017, planning what we want to achieve in 2018 and getting ready to pay our fourth quarter estimated taxes. (Due January 15!)

With that in mind, let’s do our final quarterly check-in and answer the five questions.

1. How much money did I earn this quarter?

I’m writing this post before the end of the year, so I can’t say for sure how much money I’ll have earned between October 1 and December 31. (I still have one more pitch I’m hoping will get picked up — gotta keep that hustle going!)

However, I can say that so far I’ve earned $15,143 in freelance earnings and $717 in book royalties this quarter — of which I’ve received $14,942.80.

I also recently launched a new podcast called Writing & Money, which is designed to help people earn more money from their writing. Since it’s a subscription-based podcast, I’m earning money as well; subscribers have given me $50.84 this quarter. (It’s a very new podcast.)

My total freelance income for 2017, including book royalties, looks like it’ll hit $68,000.

2. What was the best thing I did for my freelance career this quarter?

The best thing I did for my freelance career this quarter was anticipate that a client would pull back on assignments. As soon as I got the hint that one of my clients might be cutting back, I went ahead and secured more work with a different client.

There are a couple different ways you can anticipate a client loss. Sometimes an editor will let you know in advance. Other times your regular editor will become slow to respond to your emails, or won’t offer a new assignment as soon as you turn one in. You might see your client put out an ad for staff writers; that’s a good sign that they might be cutting back on freelancers.

I actually had multiple clients pull back on assignments this quarter — and Pronoun, the indie publishing service that distributed my novel, shut down. It was a tumultuous few months, to say the least, but being able to anticipate at least some of these shifts and start reaching out to other clients helped me maintain steady work and grow my income.

3. What was my biggest mistake (or, what am I going to do differently next quarter)?

My biggest mistake was not buying a pop filter until after I had published the first few episodes of my podcast. My audio got so much better afterwards.

Next quarter is going to be very different for me because I moved from Seattle, Washington to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This means I’m going to need to get a new CPA, potentially set up a new business and figure out what I’m going to need to set aside for 2018 taxes. (Unlike Washington, Iowa has state income tax.)

My freelance career is likely to stay the same, but the way I approach my finances is going to change. My Affordable Care Act health insurance plan is a HSA plan, so I’m going to start setting aside pretax money for my HSA. I want to talk to my CPA about the benefits of opening a traditional IRA along with my Roth IRA, so I can contribute pretax money to the traditional IRA as well.

If the new tax plan passes, I’ll also ask whether I should consider becoming a LLC.

4. What do I want to achieve as a freelancer next quarter?

I want to keep growing! I’ve got this new podcast, I’m doing more work for some of my clients, I’ve got a big project that might launch next quarter, and I’ve got my novel and its forthcoming sequel.

In previous quarterly check-ins, I’ve written that I want to maintain my career — and I did. Now I’m ready to push myself to the next level.

5. What steps am I taking to get there?

I launched a podcast, I am about to turn my novel in to another distributor, I booked additional client work… I just kept hustling, and I plan to continue that hustle in 2018.

What about you? What are you planning to do in the new year? Answer these check-in questions or share your thoughts in the comments.

January 11, 2018
7 Signs You Should Keep Writing as a Side Hustle

I’ve been writing as a freelancer for about 18 months now – my freelance career is a toddler.

I’ve gotten to the point where, at times, I’m bringing in a few hundred dollars a month, especially with a couple of clients who ask for consistent weekly or monthly articles.

Some of the time, the months trend upward, making me begin to daydream about quitting my day job because there is enough interesting work to go “full-time.” I read all over the internet about this dream, and while I’ve never seriously considered it in the near-term, it looms as a new level of achievement in my field.

However, consistent work sometimes dissipates, the people I’m pitching don’t respond and even full drafts are rejected outright. Who can blame editors for making those decisions ruthlessly? They are probably having as hard a time as we are!

What I’ve realized from the downturn months, though, is that I love a lot about freelancing part-time, and though there’s a world where freelancing full-time might make sense, I’m way happier than I thought I’d be with a long-term writing side hustle.

Here are some signs freelancing as a side hustle might be your sweet spot too.

1. You actually love the work you do full-time

Nothing makes you rethink what you want in a job like finding a surprisingly happy work environment where you didn’t expect it. I love my job in higher education administration, and it doesn’t have me writing very often.

When you love your day job, there might still be good financial and fulfillment reasons to write on the side, but diving into something else, like a full-time freelance career, when things are working really well at your day job, isn’t for everyone.

2. You aren’t sure where you want to end up as a writer

This sign isn’t just for new freelance writers, though it is true for them too.

When I first began freelance writing, I didn’t know what I wanted to write, exactly. I blogged to start trying out different niches, which led to me trying different publications that might fit my various passions. However, almost a year and a half later, I don’t have a single place I call my home within writing.

Keeping your writing part-time allows you to reach into new places and spend your writing time on articles for places that you’ve never written before; more certain contracts and nailing down a niche tend to be important steps if you want to pay your whole rent off the freelance checks.

3. You never want writing to be the source of stress in your life

It is occasionally stressful to think about potentially losing my day job and having to find another.

For freelancers, that feeling is magnified because they get their work from many sources, all of whom could let them go at a moment’s notice.

When I get into a busy time in my freelancing, I find myself relishing the low-stakes nature of writing as a side hustle: I want to be consistent with my clients, but if they choose to go with someone else after I work my best, that is okay.

It keeps the looming stress and dread out of the experience of writing, which is something I value.

4. You value the many definitions of “part-time”

Once you call yourself a full-time freelancer, there is a certain threshold — all discretionary, housing and living expenses need to come from freelance writing.

With part-time, though, you get to define it however you want – five hours a week or 25 hours a week or anything else. It’s nice to have so much leeway!

5. You actually write more when you have a structured job

I have part of my summer off because of my day job, and during that time, I always expect to get a lot of freelancing done.

To some extent, I do accomplish some writing, but when I’ve crunched the numbers, my most productive months are actually during my full-time job.

Some of us thrive on this kind of structure, and I certainly fall in that category.

6. You are sick of pitching and have lovely clients already

Some people reach their writing sweet spot with a few select clients and it suddenly seems odd to have to pitch more.

In these circumstances, it’s easier to continue as a part-timer than to keep those same clients, at a living wage, long term. Obviously, it is also great to have long-term, high-paying clients, but the freedom to take longer breaks from pitching is a definite upside of part-time freelancing.

7. You love being able to drop everything for the right opportunity

There have been times when it would have been really inconvenient to have to keep writing at a full time level.

For example, a family trip to Iceland this summer took us away from home for 10 days, during which I neither submitted stories nor pitched anyone. This would be much harder to recover from in a freelance full-time situation, since full time freelancers don’t get “automatic” vacation days and have to prepare to take those days through budgeting and working more at other times.

With writing as a side hustle, taking those 10 days off from my day job (and side hustle) was a welcome break.

In all of the above “signs,” there will be exceptions: people choose part-time and full-time writing for so many more specific reasons! What I’d say is that if the first eight reasons didn’t fit you and you are still part-time, realize that this is where you are, and it is still a success in a big, complicated industry.

Whether you stay part-time or move full-time sometime in the future, it is absolutely fine that writing is a side hustle for you right now.

December 5, 2017
How to Build a Personal Brand While Staying Authentic to Your Craft

You’re a writer, a change-maker, someone who influences culture — not a boring old corporate brand. You roll your eyes when it comes time to talk about working on your personal brand.

I get it; It goes against your anarchist, artist nature.

A few years ago after nearly two decades as an entrepreneur, I came back to my love: Writing.

About a year into my time at the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, a classmate and I attended an all-day marketing for writers seminar. Somewhere around the second or third presenter, I was totally overwhelmed. I thought the hardest work I’d do as a writer would be the writing. I had no idea just how much the publishing industry had tightened its belt, and how much promotion was now in writer’s hands.

I wanted to create art, not be a one-woman marketing show.

The van Gogh effect

Writers are often overwhelmed or even repulsed by the idea of self-promotion and having a personal brand. Heck, a lot of us don’t even know what that really means. We’ve been conditioned to think it means buying into a commercial system rigged to churn out saleable wears, but not true art.

Vincent van Gogh is often brought up as the poster child of this ideology. He’s the ultimate artist martyr. He eschewed commercial pursuits and is widely accepted as a true artist.

I wonder though, isn’t it possible to have both?

In her bestselling book, You’re a Badass at Making Money, Jen Sincero says, “Your gifts, talents and desires were given to you because you are meant to thrive and share your youness with the world as only you can.”

The ability to create true art and have a successful career do not have to be mutually exclusive ideals.

Celebritizing artists

One of the ways we’ve painted ourselves into a corner is evident in our cultural obsession with celebrity. Wildly successful writers are held up high while we admire and think, I’m not outgoing like that, or I don’t have that talent, or I don’t have those connections. In each of those comparisons we doom ourselves to mediocrity or even obscurity. Success seems impossible or random.

We forget that there is so much room in the chasm between starving artist and mega-bestseller.

Meanwhile our society is starved for authentic connection, which is key to a successful personal brand.

Think about the last time a book, article, podcast or TV show moved you. Chances are there was something genuine about it that grabbed ahold of you.

I believe the most artistically contrarian thing you can do nowadays is to be totally rooted in exactly who you are.

Stop waiting to be chosen

There’s virtue in writing for writing’s sake. Don’t get me wrong, but most of us still need to make a living.

The writing world is one of the few industries built on a precedent where people are expected to work for years on a project in the hopes that someone will buy and promote it.

As our industry changes now there’s a massive opportunity, if we shift our mindsets.

Imagine if we started treating ourselves like the valuable brands we actually are, looking at our work not as just art, but as valuable assets. We might just create better ways to make a living while preserving the quality of our art.

Instead of waiting for someone to choose us, it’s time to buy in to our own value and build our own audience.

It may take some mental reprogramming to effectively switch from the legacy we’ve been taught. Like me, you may have been told to shut up, sit down, or fall in line or that you’d never make it as an artist.

It’s time to let that all go. If we as writers don’t understand what value or beauty we bring to the world, no one else will.

More than ever, we need truth tellers and artistic leaders who can give us the insights into humanity and culture that just isn’t present in mass-produced pop culture.

Crafting your personal brand is not selling out. It is about getting clear and buying in to who you truly are. Amid the increasing cacophony of messages, we must not only have a strong voice, but one that comes from being deeply rooted in who we are.

Start being your own advocate

Six months after van Gogh’s death, his brother’s widow, Jo van Gogh-Bonger inherited his huge collection of paintings, drawings and letters. Understanding the intrinsic value of his work, she made it her mission to promote it by telling his life’s story through the art and letters he’d left behind.

Imagine if she had thrown his paintings out, or sold them just to earn some quick money for her and her son. Instead, she gifted the world with an irreplaceable artist’s work.

I wonder how many times the world has missed out on important art because it followed the artist to the grave, simply because they didn’t have an advocate like Jo.

The world needs your voice and it’s time to become your own advocate.

Begin here

Take a few minutes and grab a notebook or open a blank Word doc.

Think about what you really want. Give yourself permission to imagine a life and a career unbound by old ideologies.

What makes you feel most alive? Do some stream of consciousness writing; let whatever comes to mind flow without judgment.

Next, write down five characteristics that make your creative work unique and valuable. If you need help, ask some friends to tell you why they love your work.

If you ground yourself in what’s possible rather than shackling yourself to a set of outmoded beliefs, you may begin to see opportunities you were once blind to.

Our personal brand exists whether you are consciously creating it or not.

Go ahead and be an anarchist, but understand why your version of anarchy is so valuable. And position yourself in a way that those who will appreciate it can find you.

September 22, 2017
7 Social Media Tips For Writers Who Want to Get Noticed
Social media is woven into our lives.

We don’t even think before reaching for our phones to check Facebook and Instagram. We catch ourselves scrolling through our feed or drafting the next clever tweet in our head.

In a world so entrenched with social media, are we as writers living up to our full social potential? Or do we believe that we somehow can rise above social media and be successful without it?

Freelance writers often miss key ways they can use social media to their benefit.

Social media is a gold mine of unlocked potential to build a following, showcase your writing ability and gain exposure. If you are a writer looking to get noticed or inspired, here are seven creative ways you can use social media to do so!

1. LinkedIn Pulse

Pulse is LinkedIn’s native article publishing platform.

This platform gives writers the chance to get original content noticed on LinkedIn by professionals.

If you publish blog posts or articles, think along the same lines for Pulse. Articles can range from 500-word targeted posts to epic, 2,000+ word pieces.

The good news? Republishing content from your blog in Pulse is not considered duplicate content by Google. However, I’d still recommend changing a few lines to speak directly to your LinkedIn audience.

2. Instagram quotes

Instagram is an untapped gold mine for writers.

Do you have a book? An ebook? Even a blog? If you’re a writer, you likely have at least one.

Try using Instagram to showcase quotes from your written work. You can snag quotes and create simple, but beautiful, images. One of my favorite tools to create graphics is Canva. There are hundreds of beautiful templates and layouts you can use to make your quotes stand out!

Be sure to think hard about your captions! Although Instagram is a visually-dominated social media platform, writers can make great use of the captions.

Reel those casual scrollers in with a beautiful image, and keep them there with your caption.

3. Your Instagram bio

As obvious as it sounds, every author, blogger, and writer needs a snappy Instagram bio to attract potential opportunities.

This is the #1 area of failure I see on Instagram.

Who are you? What are you interested in? What do you do? What do you like to do? You want to make your first impression for readers landing on your profile a positive one.

A stellar bio includes your real name, a brief rundown of your skills, and your website link. Make sure you use your creative flair to set yourself apart. (This is why I love emojis!)

4. Twitter chats

Twitter, contrary to popular belief, is one of the most literary social media platforms today.

You have 140 characters to make your point. What could be more literary than that?

Twitter Chats are a great way to network, influence and contribute. Many writing chats feature guest influencers and experts, giving you access to some big names to network with.

Topics range from book discussions (check out the popular #LitChat) to fiction writing support (I recommend #ScribeChat on Thursdays) to the benefits journaling (#JournalChat, also on Thursdays).

Twitter chats are a creative way writers can use social media to connect with other writers, expand their sphere of influence, and share their knowledge.

5. Facebook writing groups

Facebook groups are yet another creative way writers can use social media to get noticed and inspired.

Joining a Facebook group aimed at writers is a fantastic way to meet and collaborate with other writers. You might even find your next writing gig!

Facebook writing groups range from small and intimate, to enormous and robust. Topics and focus vary, but the main benefit remains the same: comradery with other writers.

The Write Life even has its own Facebook group, filled with inspiring writers.

6. Facebook Instant Articles

Although Instant Articles isn’t quite what publishers hoped it would be, the platform still holds promise for writers.

Facebook Instant Articles receive 20 percent more clicks and 30 percent more shares than other articles, according to a statistic from 2016..

Like Pulse, you can republish content on Facebook’s native platform without it being flagged as duplicate content.

Yet, unlike Pulse, Facebook has created several integrations that make publishing easy for writers. These integrations with content and blogging systems means there’s no need to recreate articles within Facebook.

7. Facebook “mini blog”

We all know that writers can use their Facebook pages or profiles to share blog posts.

But, what about “blogging” right on your Facebook newsfeed? Authors such as Elizabeth Gilbert do exactly this.

You can use Facebook not only to share content from other places, but to express your opinions about those pieces. Share your creative edge, your wit, your life. Your sphere of influence will expand simply from being transparent and generous with your writing!

With these seven creative ways to use social media, let’s stop fighting social media and instead, embrace it. Let’s find more opportunities to get noticed and gain exposure for our work!

For more helpful articles on how to use social media well, check out these articles:
This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.
September 8, 2017
5 Ways to Bounce Back When You Lose a Freelance-Writing Client
You’ve just lost a freelance writing client. It sucks.

You’re worried about how to make ends meet without the consistent monthly retainer you had, until now, taken for granted.

Panic is starting to set in, and you can’t seem to get it together to finish the rest of the day’s to-do items.

Instead of letting this bad news cause a bad work ethic, here’s how to bounce back after losing a client.

1. Take a mental break

Losing clients is hard, and before you bounce back, you should take some time for yourself to process the loss.

Pick one or many of the following activities to help yourself get back into the right state of mind.
- Meditate or do yoga.
- Let it out at the gym.
- Organize your workspace and clean the house. Clean house, clear mind!
- If you’re really overwhelmed, take the day off (but make sure this doesn’t jeopardize any of your existing jobs and deadlines!)
2. Set a pitch goal

Once you’ve given yourself time to process the loss and have cleared your head, it’s time to get back to business.

Don’t spend too much time sulking, as the longer you get away from work, the harder it will be to get back into it.

But don’t dive in without a goal. Creating daily pitch goals can provide a solid strategy for getting back in the game.
- For growth purposes, set a pitch goal of 5-10 queries per day. Salespeople find success by knowing their numbers, so adopt this strategy to grow your own freelance business.
- While you’re at it, ask someone to review your pitch to find any opportunities for improvement. You may be blind to an obvious hole in your own professional materials.
- Create a list of places to pitch. Try one of these 92 publications that pay $50 or more per article.
- Avoid wasting your time on jobs you know won’t pay the bill, like content mills.
- Monitor your pitching efforts on a spreadsheet or CRM.
- Set calendar reminders or to-do list tasks to follow up with anyone you haven’t heard back from in a week.
- Create email templates for each niche you write for.
3. Tap into your existing network

Your next job may already be within reach.

The perfect client may already be a part of your network, or a referral away. e careful not to come across as desperate — for any connection you request, or pitch you send out, present a clear case for how you can provide value.
- Follow up with a past client you haven’t worked with in awhile. They may have a new project you’d be perfect for.
- Follow up with a past prospect who never ended up working for you. It may have been the wrong time, but perhaps now is better.
- Reach out to friends and other connections in complementary industries (like web design) to see if there’s an opportunity to collaborate on upcoming projects. Be sure to also think of them if you have a related referral that you can’t handle yourself. When asking for something, try to do your best to help that person, too.
- Post on your social channels (especially LinkedIn) that you have openings for new clients. Share qualifications or recent wins to drum up interest.
4. Implement consistent marketing efforts

If you’ve just lost a client, you probably have some extra time on your hands. Why not use it to work on your own personal brand?? The key here is to continue whatever you start for long-term client and business gains.
- Install a compelling email signup form on your website if you haven’t already. Create a lead magnet that attracts your ideal target audience. The key here is connecting with a relevant audience, and not just trying to get everyone who lands on your website to become a subscriber.
- Start sending weekly email updates. If you don’t know what to include, consider sharing some recent client work, and creating an industry-appropriate content roundup.
- Create a social media strategy. Post across each of your networks, editing content according to the ideal formatting on each network (hashtags on Twitter, no emojis on LinkedIn, etc.).
- Write a blog post for your website, or LinkedIn Pulse (or both!). Do some keyword research, and write it to solve a common issue for your target audience. Share it like crazy once published.
- Guest post for a high authority website with an audience similar to yours. Include a compelling reason for readers to get in touch.
5. Freshen up your professional materials

Whatever got you by when you first started freelancing may be a bit outdated now. Refresh your professional materials to make sure that they’re not sabotaging your efforts to bring in higher quality clients.
- Order new business cards, taking care to update any outdated information.
- Although most jobs ask for samples, some will ask for a resume. Make sure your resume specifically speaks to your freelance writing experience (as opposed to the corporate roles you previously held).
- Audit your portfolio or website for any major errors: mobile responsiveness issues, SEO issues, necessary portfolio updates, conversion issues, etc. If the fix is beyond your skills, hire someone to help. If your client loss has you short on cash, consider a barter deal with a fellow freelancer.
- Update your bio across each social network. Make sure it provides a compelling reason to visit your website or get in touch.
- Refresh your LinkedIn profile. Change your cover image, make sure you have a professional headshot, optimize each section for job-related keywords, and ask trusted colleagues and clients for recommendations.
Instead of letting a client loss become a point of contention in your freelance career, use your newly freed up time to attract new clients. Take some time to let yourself feel the loss, then come back with renewed motivation.

What are your best tips for bouncing back after losing a client? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

nolinks
September 5, 2017
Want to Fire a Client? Ask These 5 Questions First

You’re an artist. A consummate wordsmith who crafts powerful prose compelling readers to take a specific action.

To have some corporate suit and tie type question your word slinging prowess is almost insulting.

They don’t understand how your copy will help their business, and they’re wrong to question your expertise.

Or are they?

The above is a knee jerk reaction I see many freelance writers (including myself) make when receiving criticism of their work.

I’ve seen it lead writers to wrongfully “fire” clients whose only intent was to improve the deliverable with constructive criticism.

To keep myself from making hasty, rage fueled decisions, I now ask myself a series of questions whenever a client does something I disagree with. These questions haven’t just helped retain a stable client base, they’ve helped me improve as a writer by filtering genuine constructive criticism from ignorant comments.

I recommend you ask yourself the same questions the next time you’re thinking of dropping a client.

1. Is this constructive criticism, a poorly informed request or a personal attack?

Knowing the difference between the three is key.

If your client is offering constructive criticism, suck it up.

Sure, it hurts to be told your article, blog post or email isn’t perfect, but if the client’s offering advice that will help you improve, listen. Take a day to consider their feedback before responding and you’ll see they might just be right.

However, don’t blindly follow their lead. You’re the expert. They might request amendments to tone or structure which, from experience, you know will lower reader engagement.

Educate your client and explain why your proposed tone or structure is the better way to go. If you don’t and end up doing everything they tell you, you’ll end up hating the client and producing low quality work.

Sometimes clients are unnecessarily abrasive. They launch personal attacks because they’re not happy. These clients are poison to your career and have to go. This is a professional relationship.

Work related criticism is fine, personal attacks are not.

2. Are the client’s requests crazy or are you missing the big picture?

How involved are you with the client’s wider marketing strategy?

If you’ve been hired for a single deliverable like a individual blog post or company bio, chances are that’s all you’ll know about.

“Ridiculous” client requests could be the result of a clash with the bigger picture.

If you’re not sure why the client needs something, ask.

Ask why they need certain changes. Tell them it’ll help you understand the overall plan and turn in a bio, blog post, case study that better aligns with their strategy.

3. Is this a recurring problem?

We’ve all been paid late, had a client send a curt email or waited too long for a simple response.

Clients are people too, and just as prone to crappy days as we are.

If the client oversteps once, give them the benefit of the doubt. They could be dealing with something their end and need a little slack. We’ve all been there, it’s not appropriate or professional, but it happens.

But if it continues, move on.

4. How well can you do this job?

There’s a direct correlation between your ability and your enjoyment of a task.

If you can’t do a job well, it’s often difficult to find it enjoyable.

With writing (and other creative arts) that bond is strengthened because there’s so much of you in your writing.

If a client makes you feel like you can’t do the job, you’ll hate the task and the client for making you feel that way.

You shouldn’t take on jobs you can’t handle. I understand there’s an exception as you need to grow, but grow carefully. If you can’t perform a certain task well, it will become something you dislike.

5. Are you the first freelance writer the client has worked with?

Clients who’ve never worked with freelancers often struggle to manage outside help. They don’t have established processes for effective communications and payment.

It’s not a sole reason for dropping a client. If you are the first outside writer a business has worked with, give them some wiggle room and educate them on what they’re doing wrong. Most clients are pretty decent about this. If your work is good, they’ll want to keep you around.

Consider putting together a “how to work with freelance writers” guide. You are a writer after all and putting your own guide together will not only help the client understand how to work with you, but will greatly help future freelancers they work with.

If you have clients that are draining you of motivation, making you feel like you’re a terrible writer or having a general negative impact on your life, they need to go.

There are times when dropping a client is completely necessary, but before making a hasty decision, be sure to consider these five questions.

Have you ever fired a freelance writing client? Share your stories in the comments below.

August 25, 2017