About.com Freelance Writing

2010 Then? Accidental Freelancing and the 1099

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:44:15 +0000

I was happy to see two blogs pick up my post "Is 2009 the Year of the 1099." I was proud of this post mostly because I thought the title was so darned clever (kidding), but I didn't get many comments, links or even feedback when I used the same concept to shop around some speaking engagements/radio spots.

So, perhaps it was 2009 that was the year of the Independent Contractor? Maybe it's this year.� Judging by the money I've spent this year hiring others, I am certainly doing my fair share!

What about you? Are you just biding your time until the economy picks up, or are you a die-hard contractor like me?

2010 Then? Accidental Freelancing and the 1099 originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 13:44:15.

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What a $1500 Day Looks Like

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:35:22 +0000

Today I stand to finish projects totaling a $1500 payout. In all fairness, I've been working on these since last week, but I thought the headline might grab your attention. Here is my freelance writing schedule for today (9a-3p).

Finish a sidebar for a trade magazine ($100)
Finish a large set of proofreading for an academic company ($700)
Conduct an interview for a different trade magazine ($200, although I won't write this until tomorrow)
Finish a rewrite of web articles ($360)
Proofread some documents for a private company ($50)
Proofread a newspaper from 12-3 via Skype ($90)

If your next question is "Where did you find those jobs?"

Both magazines are ongoing clients that I found through freelance writing job boards.
The academic proofreading is an ongoing client that I found through the Editorial Freelancers Association.
The newspaper is an ongoing client that I found through freelance writing job boards.
The web articles and company documents are recent job board findings, first time clients.

What a $1500 Day Looks Like originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 09:35:22.

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Is it POSSIBLE to Freelance 60 Hours Per Week?

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:33:43 +0000

This is an honest question. I've put in some massive work weeks lately due to some issues, and I am seeing my writing suffer- typos, deadlines pushed, etc. Yet, I know some people do this regularly.

Freelance writers: does anyone out there work this much regularly?

If not, about what's your average work week (and let me know if this is your only career or your moonlight career).

Is it POSSIBLE to Freelance 60 Hours Per Week? originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 17:33:43.

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Lacking Balance Today

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:02:53 +0000

Readers, I'm overwhelmed. My January resolution to earn "more, more, more" got the best of me, and I worked hard in that month to make sure my numbers were up. Now I'm in the thick of it and feeling a bit burned out. Where's the balance?

I've got a personal project going on which requires a good amount of expendable income, so I can't scale back. However, once that's over (end of Spring) I'm going to look at realigning some of my goals, and move away from the dollar signs a bit. Because, I tell you what-- right now I just want a day off!

Lacking Balance Today originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 15:02:53.

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Forum Updated! Freelance Writing Jobs Posted in There!

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:04:52 +0000

Hi writers. Just wanted to let you know that I updated and cleared out some junk and did some maintenance in our freelance writing forum. While I was there, I noticed a couple freelance writing jobs were posted.

Remember, if you find the forum overwhelming, you can click on the drop down menu at the top, which allows you to choose which messages you see. I would recommend "Last 7 days" or similar.

Forum Updated! Freelance Writing Jobs Posted in There! originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 11:04:52.

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Freelance Writer Obsessed by Numbers!

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:22:54 +0000

Well, that's it. I've officially gone of the deep end. I can't stay away from my Excel spreadsheet that tracks hours, income, expenses, etc. I'm constantly playing with the net:

"If so-and-so pays me by the end of the month, then I will net X in January."

I also like to play with my tracked hours:

"Wow, that article went fast. That means I made X per hour."

I'm obsessed. Do other writers do this? If you'd like to, you can always find the skeleton of the Excel spreadsheet in my freelance writing forum. But I'm not sure I recommend it. :) It's cutting into my hours!

Freelance Writer Obsessed by Numbers! originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 10:22:54.

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What's That in Your Mailbox, Freelance Writers?

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:22:30 +0000

New freelance writers might be getting a little surprise in their mailbox that they weren't expecting- 1099s. What the heck is this? You mean I have to pay taxes on that little project? Yup! Click here to find out what a 1099 is. And, go to this page for more info on freelance writers taxes.

What's That in Your Mailbox, Freelance Writers? originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 10:22:30.

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Heads Up- Yet Another Publication Looking for Free Content

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:32:40 +0000

It's exciting to find a Craigslist ad that might actually pan out with a true "livable wage" for a start up magazine that looks halfway viable. So, imagine my disappointment when I found out that an opportunity from [name redacted for now] instead chose to ask for free content from potential freelancers.

They referenced their massive number of replies, and chose to leverage those by asking for freebie content. No mention was made of copyright, or use of such articles. Only that said article would not be paid.

But, the funniest part is that when I called them on it, they said that they have hundreds of writers who would fit their "uplifting" pages better than someone who would have the audacity to point out their folly. You know, because choosing not to pay the very same women they serve is so "uplifting"!

My advice- skip these "offers." You'll make more money from DS, AC and the like. At least they pay pennies.

Heads Up- Yet Another Publication Looking for Free Content originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 at 19:32:40.

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How Far Do You Want to Go as a Freelance Writer?

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:05:13 +0000

Two things have made me think seriously about expansion.

First, I recently lectured on social media and social networking at an entrepreneur's conference . I sat in on some workshops, and was able to speak with many local entrepreneurs. However, I kept hearing about "80 hour work weeks" or "putting in time and a half."

In addition, I've been hearing a lot of stories about 100K and 200K freelance writers and editors lately. No, I don't believe all of them, but there are certainly freelance writers and editors regularly averaging three figures.

When I first set up my freelance writing and editing firm, I did put in quite a few 60 hour work weeks. That first year, I worked the equivalent of time and a half. This was necessary for establishing the business.

But in the past year, I feel that I've hit my stride, and that I've hit my income goal. I rarely work more than 30 hours per week, but I earn a full time income- making more than I made as a career 9-5 editor.

How far do I want to go? The entrepreneurs and anonymous emails did make me think. Do I want more money? Sure. Who doesn't? But you know what I might not want? More hours.

Part of getting into this business was so that I could be more available to family and volunteer work, and specifically so that I could continue to travel in the summers.

But I already feel my business expanding. I regularly manage proofreaders, transcriptionists, translators and virtual assistants. If I'm not careful, things will unroll out of my hands.

Like any other business, I am realizing that a freelance business needs careful, controlled planning.

How Far Do You Want to Go as a Freelance Writer? originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 22:05:13.

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One Organization Tool That Worked for Me!

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:44:18 +0000

One of the key pieces, for me, of staying organized as a writer is the Bylines Writer's Desk Calendar. I learned about it a couple years ago, likely from some other writer's blog, and eagerly ordered it. I liked it mainly because it laid flat on my desk, something which I am really weird about. I can't stand books and piles and etc. in my writing space. This was one piece that got to stay, and never distracted me.

Well, imagine my interest when I found out that, as a writer, I could submit a small vignette myself. I placed the Writer's Desk Calendar on my "potential markets" list, and forgot about it.

Until, that is, Sylvia Forbes, the publisher, put out a call for more submissions early last year. I had just experienced a "learning moment" and wrote that up and sent it in.

Well...I got in! I am now in and part of the 2010 edition, as are some of my favorite freelancers like Thursday Bram and C. Hope Clark. For me, the calendar went from the tool of a hopeful writer, to a published, paid clip.

Ordering guidelines are here. I don't benefit from your order--this is not an affiliate link or anything--I just wanted to relate my story!-

One Organization Tool That Worked for Me! originally appeared on About.com Freelance Writing on Monday, January 18th, 2010 at 11:44:18.

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