Today is Leap Day . . .

Don't be afraid to follow the rainbow!

As such, it has inspired me to do some research to learn more about this 29^th day of February, and maybe find a decent quote to share about the topic.

I have found something that precisely expresses my thoughts about this day. I will simply provide a link and hope that you find as much inspiration from the quote as I have.

It comes from Vera Nazarian’s book, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration.

Happy Reading!

Work Those Opportunities!

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.

            -Thomas Edison

This is an amazing time for freelance writers. Opportunities abound! That’s the good news. The bad news (if you are a glass-half-empty kind of person) is that when an opportunity is seized one must do work before the rewards of the opportunity can be obtained.

Say for instance an opportunity has presented itself in the form of creating a newsletter for a local company. That is wonderful but there is much work involved before the final product is complete. Research, meetings, interviews, writing, formatting . . . the work list goes on. Don’t be afraid of the overalls (the work involved). Simply adjust the straps, lace up the boots and get dirty.

Don’t miss the opportunity because it looks like work. Instead, work the opportunity until it looks like an achievement.

Photo provided by Jodi Hughey. Copyright 2011.

From small beginnings come great things . . .

From small beginnings come great things.
-American Proverb

One of my passions is reading and sharing quotes that inspire, motivate, encourage and bring a smile to any face. Another passion of mine is taking pictures that stir up warm fuzzy feelings and remind me of a time when stress was just a word in a dictionary.

I decided to begin a new series for this blog that relates writing with both of these passions. It’s a small step that will get me in the habit of writing more freely and posting more often.

From small beginnings come great things instills a sense of action; a need to begin. It is like a goal that has been planted in the mind but requires nurturing, or action, until it blossoms into something beautiful. One should never feel the burden of accomplishing a goal in one sitting no more than expecting a seed to grow to full maturity overnight. Instead the actions for meeting the goal should be completed in small doses and nurtured until it grows and becomes something great. Big things will come from these small beginnings!

Photo provided by Jodi Hughey. Copyright 2011.

Quote provided by Thinkexist.com

A Strategy for Succeeding as a Freelance Writer

"If you wait for perfect conditions,
you will never get anything done."
-Ecclesiastes 11: 4-5

So, I am catching up on my favorite blogs and an article from Make a Living Writing catches my eye. Actually, it punched me in the face. There were some harsh realizations I had to face after reading this article by Carol Tice. The title says it all and I have to shamefully admit that I am guilty of almost half the excuses in 10 Lame Excuses That Keep Freelance Writers Poor.

The same day I read Carol’s article I stumbled on a quote from Ecclesiastes 11: 4-5, “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” I am also guilty of “waiting for perfect conditions” (the weather to turn cooler, a better publishing program, creating an official website, etc.) and in the meantime I am getting nowhere with writing or marketing myself as a writer.

After reading Carol’s article and Ecclesiastes 11: 4-5 I felt as if I was given the one - two punch. And I liked it! It took this knock on the head to get me thinking about how I am handling myself as a freelance writer. I will bluntly admit that I am not proud of where I am. Do I blame those who won’t hire me? How can they if they don’t know who I am and what I have to offer? Sure, I can smile when I review the clips I have collected over the past year; I then frown when I see there is only a handful. I know I can produce much more but I feel as if there is something holding me back. Do I wait for opportunity to knock at my door or do I knock down opportunity’s door?

I need to shake off the shackles that keep me from earning a living with writing. I should tape a quote from 10 Lame Excuses That Keep Freelance Writers Poor, “The real problem is inside your head.” Couldn’t have said it better, Carol! If I want to know what’s holding me back I need only to look in the mirror.

With that said, I need to take a moment and revaluate my plan to become a successful freelance writer . . . formulate a strategy. I like to think that this strategy may work for others. It’s a straight forward approach to overcoming excuses and the obsession for obtaining perfect conditions.

1.                  Start writing. It doesn’t have to be a 500 page novel. Begin with a journal of thoughts and interests and then let the creative juices flow.

2.                  Do some marketing. Start with social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Update profile to reflect freelance writing. Create a profile on freelance writing job sites.

3.                  Continue writing. The interests that were marked down in a journal can now blossom into a series of articles for a niche website.

4.                  Do some more marketing. Take to the streets and do some in-person networking.

5.                  Keep this in mind at all times – always push for more . . . more writing . . . more marketing . . . more. Earl Nightingale, a motivational author and speaker once said, "One hour per day of study will put you at the top of your field within three years. Within five years you'll be a national authority. In seven years, you can be one of the best people in the world at what you do." Imagine what can be done if one studied two hours a day!

Remember . . . “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.”

Go to it, and do it!

Photo provided by Jodi Hughey. Copyright 2011.

Three Helpful Online Resources for Writers

Grammar and Punctuation Assistance

One important function as a writer is to be able to write clearly and informatively.  Another important function, probably THE most important, is to produce writing free of grammar and punctuation errors.

There are moments when I am working on an article, or any form of writing for that matter, and things are going well. The words seem to just flow from my head to my fingers, and then WHAM! I find myself stumped with a grammar issue. My weakness is numbers – should you spell numbers one though nine and write numbers from 10 on up?  

It is during these moments that I turn to the almighty power of the Internet to search for help. I found a wonderful website that not only explains how to write numbers, but covers a whole plethora of information relating to grammar and punctuation; another element that stumps me – don’t get me started on commas! Commas are my gremlins – they always pop up when I don’t need them, and they hide when I do. Anyway, I digress. I introduce you to Grammarbook.com, by Jane Straus. It is well worth taking a look if you are like me and get stumped on a few English rules.

What I was most impressed with at Grammarbook.com is the option to subscribe to a free eNewsletter that is loaded with tips and links. The site also offers quizzes for brushing up on grammar and punctuation, or refreshing the brain on the rules of English.  

The site is a must have resource!

The Public Library

What is always there when you need it, but often overlooked? The public library! Libraries have come a long way since the days of card catalogs.  Services are now offered through the Internet allowing cardholders the ability to search and reserve books, all in the comfort of home.

Don’t feel like making a trip to the library to see if they have the book you want? Not a problem! Simply visit your public library’s website and follow the directions for obtaining a pin. A library card number will be needed. Once logged in the ability to scan available titles and reserve books is as easy as clicking a few buttons. This is a great resource for any writer.

Refresher Typing Course

Typing was something I couldn’t quite master in school. To this day I still have difficulty locating keys. I know! A writer who has trouble typing?! I was so frustrated with myself that I decided to do some research to see if there were any helpful resources on the Internet. I found an AMAZING site; typeonline.co.uk.

After a few moments on this easy to navigate site I quickly learned I was making typing way more difficult than it had to be. Typeonline.co.uk offers simple explanations such as finger placement on keys . . . I never realized the ‘F’ and ‘J’ keys have bumps on them. This sure does make it easier when locating the right keys! After I figured where to put my fingers I am a lot more comfortable typing. I can finally manage to hit the right keys – and do it quickly!

Another aspect about this site that I like is the exercises after each lesson. It’s almost like playing a game. I was constantly trying to beat my best! Before I knew it I was typing with ease and grace. Typeonline.co.uk is a super site to have as a resource. 

Photo provided by Jodi Hughey. Copyright 2011.

What is a Content Mill?

According to About.com, content mill or writer’s mill is defined as:

“. . . a slang term used by freelance writers and given to a company, website or organization designed to provide cheap website content, usually at a significant profit to themselves, and usually by paying very low rates to writers.”

I find this definition to be harsh. My first paid writing assignment came from a content mill. I worked hard on that assignment! To read “provide cheap website content” is an insult.

I found another definition in a post at SEOBook.com which claims that:

“A content mill is a site that publishes cheap content. The content is either user-contributed, paid, or a mix of the two. The term content mill is obviously pejorative; the implication being that the content is only published to pump content into search engines, and is typically of low value in terms of quality.”

There is that “cheap content” phrase again. To me, the meaning of content mill is much more than writing content for sites that pay a pittance to writers and who want to rank high on search engine results. I know I try my best to write quality content. It is my goal to educate, stimulate and be as accurate as I can in my writing. But I digress . . .

To define what a content mill is requires a look outside the box. Content mills provide a learning advantage. When I decided to write for the Internet I wasn’t sure how to do it. I had no idea what SEO was or how to do adequate research on the Internet. I learned the value of SEO writing and researching with keywords by writing for a content mill.

Writing for a content mill has expanded my knowledge. Assignments provided through a content mill cover a wide range of subjects. I have done research in areas I never new existed. I have written articles about hair, gardening, business and more. Each article I write I learn something new and I can use this knowledge for future writing.

I would also have to define a content mill as fuel for writing experience. A content mill is like gas for my brain that motivates me to write. Not only have I become more involved with writing but I have become more experienced with different formats and guidelines for articles. In essence, the more I write for a content mill the more writing experience I gain.

Would I recommend a living by solely writing for a content mill? No. But I would recommend giving them a chance. There is a lot to gain: learning advantage, expanding knowledge, writing experience.

Check out this list to see if any of these content mills can benefit you.

Demand Studios

Textbroker.com

eCopywriters.com

Break  Studios

Bright Hub

Writer Access

wiseGEEK

How do you define what a content mill is?  Have you had experience working with a content mill that you would like to share? 


Photo provided by Jodi Hughey. Copyright 2011.

Job Opportunities for Freelance Writers

I started following Freelance Writer Road since June 2010. I have found this site to be extremely effective in providing me with inspiration and helpful information. I stumbled on the site while researching sample resumes. I not only found a fabulous sample, but I also found a list encompassing over 125 job opportunities for freelance writers!

The site is full of articles that discuss the journey of freelance writer, Janis Bennett. From being hired to being fired, Janis shares her experiences with honesty and humor. In addition to sharing her expertise she has provided a List of Companies that Hire Freelance Writers. This page alone is priceless! Janis did the leg work of locating sites that pay and listing them on a page with a link to each site. All I had to do was click and read! If I was interested in the company I would apply, if not, I moved on to the next one.   

Happy Research (now made easy)!