What kind of horror story do you want to write? Your options are as wide open as the type of ‘monster’ you wish to create. Here are tips on writing within the horror genre
Make money writing
Copywriting – How Copywriters Use Weasel Words to Bend the Truth
Copywriters use weasel words to plant an idea in readers’ minds that is bigger than the actual claim being made. Here is how they do it.
How Do Ghostwriters Earn Money?
This article describes how you can make money being a ghostwriter and tips on what you need to know to make it a sustainable career option.
How I Became a Syndicated Columnist, And You Can Too!
When people ask me how I became a syndicated columnist, I usually say, it just snowballed. And basically that’s what happened. Here’s how you can do it too.
How Much Does a Copywriter Make?
How much money you make as a freelance writer depends on your skills and experience. Here’s a rough guide to follow as to how much you can charge clients.
Can You Make a Living Doing Freelance Article Writing For Magazines?
Freelance article writing for magazines has been the staple of independent writers for decades, and it’s still going strong. If you are willing to become a real professional freelance writer and establish a business around your writing, then you can build up a clientele that will pay you again and again for doing something that comes natural to you.
Freelance Copywriting – How To Get Writing Jobs
Establish the focus or purpose of the article. Determine the message that you want to get across to the reader. Be aware of the audience and write in a style that will interest your readers.
Breaking Into Freelance Medical Writing
I’m delighted to give up-and-coming freelance medical writers a little personal advice. And my first tip always is to join the American Medical Writers Association
Freelance Writers – How to Package Services So Clients Will Be Clamoring to Buy Them From You
Many freelance writers don’t realize it, but the skills they possess are literally worth thousands of dollars. They are uniquely positioned to take the marketing knowledge they possess and turn it into a cash-generating machine. Following is how and why.
Freelance Writing – A Medium to Generate Income
There are many freelance writers writing for various newspapers, magazines and other editorials. One can really make a sound income
Top 10 Things You Should Do to Win a Freelance Writing Bid
While many freelancers have already taken or are seriously thinking to take on freelance writing as their profession, many professional writers too, are joining them seeing the enormous money-making potential of the market. Read on for the
Freelancing to a Healthy Second Income – Is Freelancing Right For You?
So, you’re sick of the rat race and have decided to at least supplement your income by working at home as a freelancer? Read these tips and decide if it’s right for you.
Social Media: How to Use Geographic Targeting to Attract Clients
From location-based tweets, to Facebook geotagging, Google Places and Four Square: read about how to use Social Media geo targets to attract clients.
Five Golden Rules for Writers
Regardless of what sort of writer you are and how much you love to write, there are probably days when you’d rather clean ditches than face another blank page.
Practical Advice on Writing the Biographical Novel
Many nonfiction writers aspire to write a biographical novel about a person who fascinates them. The research and writing process are always challenging. In fact, many biographies, no matter how well-planned, never see daylight.
5 Steps to Increase Your Writing Income this Year: Learn to find and retain long-term writing partnerships
How many times have you landed a writing gig but the project turns out to be a one-time deal? You deliver well-written content on deadline, and cross your fingers hoping this gig will lead to more work. While your client is grateful and pays timely
How to Get Clients in Less than an Hour for Your Writing Business
Are you looking forward to taking your freelance writing business to the next level by landing big time corporate clients? One of the most disturbing truths that block such aspiration is that prospects do not realize they need people who do not just write�but those who write effectively.
A Freelance Writer’s Guide to Using Public Speaking as a Marketing Tool
Public speaking is easily one of the most anxiety and fear-inducing activities a person can do. Just the thought of speaking in front of a group can be the cause of sweaty palms, the knocking of knees and a gut-wrenching case of nausea.
Thinking About Quitting Freelance Writing? Here are 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t
Writing can be a horrible profession for those depending on it for a living. Unless you are one of the few who have risen, through merit or birth, above the masses you might have better odds aspiring to be an astronaut or an actor.
The Option Clause in a Book Contract: A Trap for the Unwary Author
Reputable publishers almost always will drop or modify the option clause. Vanity presses are notorious for tying up your next book. And many smaller or start-up publishers that don’t want to pay for legal services
Titles that Talk: How to Create a Title for Your Article or Manuscript
The first words of a manuscript that catch the editorial eye are those of the title. Anytime you submit a manuscript or article, you should make your title strong and attractive. A compelling title is more likely to prompt an editor to start reading the opening paragraph.
Part 4: The Craft of Marketing Your Self-Published Book
In marketing my own self-published books, I’ve found a number of helpful (and some not so helpful) channels to get the word out which I’ll share in this article. My first suggestion for effectively marketing your book is to start with your closest connections.
How to Throw Your Own Successful Book Signing
Of course everyone wants to have a book signing at a big bookstore, but sometimes that’s difficult to negotiate, especially if your book is self-published. However, the good news is that if you can get a smaller bookstore on board, it’s easier to approach the better-known stores
The Realities of Selling Your Article to a Magazine or Website
Suppose you submit your article or query letter directly by e-mail or by postal mail. What happens to it? Who actually reads it first, if not the editor? The size of the magazine and editorial staff may dictate who reads your query letter or submission first. If not the editor, then the managing editor or an editorial staff member.
Resume Writing as a Freelance Service
If you are looking to venture into new freelance writing territory, you should consider developing your skills in resume writing. Writers charge between $50 and $500 per resume depending on their credentials and expertise.
Publication Rights for Freelance Article Writers
Besides negotiating rates with editors to maximize what they pay for your articles, you might also need to negotiate the rights to your articles. In calculating a rate to pay for articles�such as feature articles or sidebars�editors also consider if the article is exclusive, an original first-print, a reprint, etc.
7 Portfolio Mistakes that Could Cost You the Gig
Your writing portfolio is arguably the single most important marketing tool for generating new clients. It can also be a fast track to lost clients if done incorrectly. Because you only get a few seconds of your prospective client’s time to make that first impression, your presentation must be flawless
How to Find Paid Writing Opportunities in Unexpected Places
Magazines pay freelance writers by the word, by the page, by the article, or not at all. Often they pay more for accompanying photos and graphics. Purchasing a point-and-shoot camera could pay for itself with one published article
Top 10 Negotiation Strategies for Freelance Writers
Working as a freelance writer often means you need to set your own price for at least some of the work you do. Of course, you want to make money, and the client wants to save money. How can you employ negotiation strategies that get you what you want within reason?
Five ways attending non-writing conferences can change your freelance writing career!
Freelance writers are always encouraged to hone their skills by joining creative writing workshops and conventions that gather wordsmiths from different parts of the country. You shouldn�t miss opportunities like that, but attending non-writing conferences can also give your career new twists
Money Management Tips for Freelance Writers
When there’s more month than money, anxiety rears its ugly head, and you can’t do your best work when you’re constantly worried about money.
How I Generate More Writing Opportunities with an Online Presence
I find it extraordinarily helpful having my own writing blog. When I am submitting articles to an editor who is unfamiliar with my work, I can easily refer them to my blog where they can get a perspective on the scope of my writing, diverse topics of the many published magazine articles that have been written by me
Repurposing Your Memoir For Profit
Anyone who’s written a memoir knows just how painstaking that writing can be. You constantly get stuck in your head and you often feel alone. Yet many people want to read memoir and so based on that fact alone, why not repurpose your memoir for profit?
Be Your Own Magazine Writing Agent: 7 Effective Ways to Market your Articles
One of the best ways to job security as a freelance writer is to become your own marketing agent. Who can better promote your writing than you? Always view your writing as a business, because it is! You are a retailer, the Neiman-Marcus or topnotch magazine writing. Your articles are your merchandise, your inventory
How to Make Guest Blogging Worth Your Time
I have often heard writers ask if guest blog posting is worth it. Some people will say no, that it’s a waste of time. But I say it’s not – if you use your time wisely. Choose only blogs in your niche that can be profitable for you.
How to Manage Media Relations for Your Clients
Managing the media relations for clients can be challenging, however with these handy tips you will be on your way to producing a high-quality campaign.
How to Kill a Writing Career
Learning to be a successful writer is kind of like being a gold miner back then. Most writers won’t make a ton of money with their writing. The people who do make the money are the ones who sell the endless ebooks and online courses that tell people how to – wait for it – make money with their writing.
How to Get Higher Rates if You’re a Freelance Writer from a Third-World Country
Apparently, many clients are under the impression that writers from Third-World or developing countries are article-spewing robots who run on gasoline, rather than living, breathing human beings who need to shell out money every day to survive.
How Not to Fall Prey to Writing Job Scams on CraigsList
Many freelance writers have a love-hate relationship with CraigsList: they love using the free service to find legitimate work, and they hate using it when they inadvertently run into scams. I’ve been using CraigsList to find freelance gigs
How to Approach Book Publishers with Your Copywriting Services
You’ve established yourself with a few authors writing back cover copy, and you’re ready to approach publishers with your writing portfolio. Maybe you’d like to get your foot in the door with a few of the smaller presses so you can work your way up to the big leagues.
5 Home Office Productivity Tips for Freelance Writers
Working out of the home sounds like a dream come true to many people – and to be honest, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Read these tips on how best to work from home.
How I Broke into Freelance Writing Based on One Idea
Everyone has a story about how they began their freelance writing career. Learn how to do the same from the experiences of one successful writer.
How to Get Your Work Published in Reputable Magazines
Breaking into reputable magazines doesn’t require a secret power or any sort of special list. What it does require is planning, executing and being aware of what your targeted magazine needs are, outside of their printed guidelines. Learn how to break into magazine writing with this article.
Getting the Most Mileage Out of Your Articles
As freelance writers we all know that the more mileage we can get out of an article or story, the better off we will be. It takes time to write an article or story and you want to be able to get the most for the time you’ve spent.
The Golden Opportunity of Advertising Yourself for Free You’re Missing
Did you know each time you pitch, you have a golden opportunity to advertise yourself for free? It’s your bio- your verbal selfie, a few sentences about yourself that accompany your article and give editors and readers a glimpse of the person behind the product.
Grow Your Writing Business and Increase Your Income with Subcontractors
If your freelancing workload is too heavy, it may be time to hire some subcontractors to help you out. Learn about effectively hiring subcontractors here.
How Freelance Writers Can Generate More Assignments from Past Editors
Connecting with editors from your past leaves the door open for future assignments and referrals to other publications. Learn these top tips on how to reconnect with past editors.
Full-time Freelance Writing for Full-time Moms
Yes, there are only 24 hours in a day, and some days it seems like there are only four hours. But as a mother who is raising two young boys, ages 4 and 2, and managing a full-time freelance writing and PR business, I’m here to tell you that it IS possible to have the best of both worlds – and live to tell about it.
Disgusted and Rejected: A Freelance Writer’s Point of View on Unfair Publishing and Payment Practices
Not all editors acknowledge the receipt of a manuscript or query letter. If the writer, after waiting beyond the response time, inquires about his submission, then he risks incurring editorial wrath and his submission is returned, unread. This is an opinion piece on the unfair publishing and payment practices freelance writers often encounter in their efforts to get their work published.
Freelancing Full-Time for the First Time: Is a Writing Career in Your Future?
Is a writing career in your future? In my first month as a full-time freelance writer, I’ve learned to strike a balance between writing articles that editors have asked me to write, pitching my work to new publications, and working on my own fiction manuscripts.
Freelance Writing for Agriculture Trade Publications and Websites
Learn how to write for agriculture and farming trade publications and websites from a freelance writer who has been doing it for more than 12 years.
8 Tips to Maximize Your Freelance Writing Earnings
Want to earn more as a freelancer? Learn about eight proven ways to maximize your freelance writing earnings without sacrificing more time or quality.
How Introverted Freelance Writers Can Ask For Referrals
It’s common knowledge that referrals are an effective way for freelancers to get new business. After all, it’s easier to sell your services to a potential client if they know someone who is already satisfied with your work. Clients who come to us via referrals tend to be easier to close than those we approach through cold emails and job applications.
A Writer’s Viewpoint about Freelance Writing at Elance.com (and where to make more money elsewhere)
In a nutshell, Elance connects freelance writers with employers from all around the world. As a writer, you can bid on different projects. After you’ve submitted your work, your payment is released through a secure payment system called Escrow. Sounds good enough? It’s not.
Freelance Writing Clients: The Good vs. the Bad
I think most freelancers have some conception of what a bad client looks like – those of you who aren’t yet freelancers, imagine one. It probably exists. But what about the good ones?
Freelance Travel Writing: Finding a Niche Within a Niche
While being a general travel writer can be fun as you get to write, and learn, about a lot of exciting places, the fact is your best work will come from writing about places or areas of the travel industry you know well.
Is Freelance Ghost Blogging A Bad Idea?
In an age where the words authenticity and community are used when talking about blogging, where content marketing has elevated writing to almost mythical status, the very idea of a post written by some outsider and then sold to be used on a blog without attribution seems all wrong.
Editorial Positions and Annual Salaries at Small and Large Newspapers
The editors-in-chief of newspapers in large cities draw salaries from $50,000 to $90,000 a year, and a few are paid twice as much. The average salary of the large city editor-in-chief is not far from $110,000.
Published on Page 1 or 100? Editors & Publishers Discuss the Importance of Article Placement in a Magazine
Recently the editor of a popular magazine accepted one of my stories for publication. She was full of kind words about it and how much she liked it. “In fact, we like your story so much,” she said, “that we want to put it in a more prominent position in our magazine.” After the first… Read more →
How to Conduct a Creative Writing Class for Children
It seemed fitting that I would teach a Creative Writing Class for Children, a summer program that I designed for motivated children ages eight to thirteen, here in a Big Ten university town. Amazingly, the class is quite effective with the huge age range. And much to my surprise, the oldest kids are not necessarily the best writers
Freelance Crowdfunding Success Stories: A new way to develop and launch your writing project
By now, we’ve all heard about Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, and the countless niche Crowdfunding sites that allow regular people with unique ideas, whether they be technologic, social, or artistic, to reach new audiences, raise money, and develop their projects.
How to Create Your Own Freelance Project Contract
The first thing to consider when formulating a contract for a new freelance client is to make sure that the contract can be defended in a court of law. There are six criteria that the contract must meet according to the United States legal system.
A Writing Opportunity: Creating Custom Templates for Clients
For freelance technical writers or writers who have experience with business contracts, creating custom templates for clients could provide a lucrative source of income. Although many websites offer free templates of all kinds, they are generalized, mostly used for common tasks. More sophisticated uses need more specialized templates.
Co-Authoring a Book for Fun and Profit
Stephen King did it. So did Anne McCaffrey, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Julia Child did it with two people. They’ve all written books with others. Collaborating with another person can be a great way to help ease a heavy workload
Copy Editors: Use These 4 Tips to Communicate with Clients
While client education isn’t technically part of a copy editor’s job, working with clients who have a firm grasp of the scope of work, and the value of that work, tends to translate into projects that don’t raise my blood pressure and that do blossom into repeat assignments
Blogging for Business: How to Use a Blog to Get New Clients
No one can undermine the effectiveness of word of mouth marketing and referrals, but nothing equals the effectiveness of blogging as a way to get new business. A blog can attract the attention of prospective clients, impress upon them that you are an expert in your field
Give Your Freelance Career a Boost by Breaking into the Financial Writing Niche
Do you want to know to land high-paying freelance gigs that average $0.10 to $0.20 a word? Consider writing about finance. You can leverage personal trading experience into topical expertise by just knowing how to customize your query
Achieving Success in Journalistic News Writing
What is the difference between journalistic writing and other forms of writing? Journalistic writing is not a special literary gymnastic that requires a special talent and a expansive vocabulary. Some writers speak of it as a special genre of writing, like screenwriting, short story writing, or copywriting. In reality, news writing is the plainest, most reserved form of English composition
4 Ways Self-Publishing on Amazon is a Great Content Marketing and Lead Generation Opportunity
Self-publishing on Amazon is like putting an infinite number of your books in the center of the world’s largest bookstore. Amazon is like a miniature search engine. Except it’s less competitive than Google. It’s become cheaper and easier than ever to start a blog, making it harder to get the attention
The Best Times to Apply for Freelance Writing Jobs
When you first start freelancing, it can be hard to get your foot in the door. All the jobs seem to be taken as soon as you hit, apply and you still have to scour the Internet trying to find other opportunities. By learning when sites refresh or when new jobs are posted, you have a better chance of being one of the first applicants, and a better chance of landing the job.
Fill’er Up – Earn More Writing Food Fillers
Fillers can be quizzes, humorous tidbits, sweet remembrances, or announcements of new products, recipes or restaurants
Elance Vs ODesk Review – A Freelancer’s Perspective
As a freelancer, there are numerous sites to choose from on which you can bid on projects. Two popular sites today are Elance and oDesk. From the homepage, you might think that these two sites are pretty similar. After all, they both state that there’s guaranteed work with guaranteed payment.
Estimating a Writing Project – How Long Will it Take?
Assume you have to distill a 5- to 10-page report or article into a succinct piece with a couple of links. You are fairly familiar with the content. (Note: Sometimes being too familiar with it is a killer because you have a harder time figuring out what to leave out!) It might take about 2 hours to figure out your main points
Attention Women Authors! Get Your Articles Noticed by Magazine Editors
Women writers will find there are many opportunities for magazine writers. There are magazines on most any topic you can think of.
7 Tips to Become a Better Business Writer
Every sentence you put down on paper (or on a computer screen) identifies who you are and/or what your business offers. Here are 7 tips to improve your writing.
Become a Freelance Writer and Get Paid for Every Article You Write!
You can make several thousand dollars each month by becoming a freelance writer. Of course, you won’t make that in your first month alone, but with practice, you can work up to that point.
6 Steps To Becoming A Powerful & Persuasive Writer
Do you have a favourite writer – someone whose books you love to read? And when you buy their books do you sit spell-bound while you mentally absorb page after page of their writing
Blogging and Freelance Writing – Viable Work at Home Income Sources
There is more of a demand for writers on the Internet today than there ever was. Many home workers are making a nice income for themselves just from writing, whether it be blogging or freelance writing in general.
Freelance Writing – Top 10 Tips to Boost Your Income Today
Want to boost your freelance writing income? As the saying goes, if you do what you always do, you’ll get what you always get.
Writing For Profit – Breaking Into the Magazine World Can Break Out Some Serious Cash
Never send a magazine a complete unsolicited article; most editors simply do not have enough time to wade through them and there is also the possibility they may publish it thinking it is from a prepaid source.
Budgeting With Freelance Pay
Freelancers have to be amazing money people. There is never any way to guarantee that the money they are suppose to earn each month will be in the bank during that month.
Freelance Writing – The Importance of Building a Professional Writing Portfolio
As a freelance writer, part of your job is to sell your services. After all, if you really want to be a full-time freelance writer you need be paid. No money means no job. Starving artists are not freelancers. There is a difference.
Can You Earn a Living As a Freelance Writer?
If you could have any career you wanted, what would it be? Think for a moment and don’t worry how you would achieve it. Just Imagine a magic wand being waved and immediately, you have that new occupation
5 Design Techniques to Create Marketing Masterpieces
In today’s market, your customers and clients are influenced more than ever by the visual presentation of your marketing pieces. Learn design techniques here.
How to Partner with your Competition to Increase Freelancing Revenue
Freelance writing is an unstable occupation sometimes. We already have to struggle with dividing our time between marketing our skills
3 Reasons Freelance Writers are Underpaid, and What to Do About It
If you’re a freelance writer, then you are probably dismayed by the rates offered nowadays – especially for web content. Here’s how to fix that.
The Freelance Writer’s A-Z Glossary for Success
Here’s a list of 26 ways, from A-Z, you can improve your freelance writing game, earn more money, and achieve success. Read more inside.
5 Steps to Take if your Clients Don’t Pay
Didn’t get paid? Since you probably don’t have an attorney on retainer, you must seek alternative methods for collecting payment. Here are 5 to use.
Writing for Teen Magazines: What You Need to Know
If you want to get published in the teenage market, you have to be familiar with the slang that kids these days use. This, among other helpful tips.
Travel Magazines: 10 Tips for Getting Published
Writing articles for travel magazines is a great way to get your articles published, earn some extra cash and become known as a travel writer.
A Quick Guide to Manuscript Format
Writing a manuscript? If conflicting advice on format has left you confused, the following tips should help clarify the issues.
The Anatomy of a Proposal – Presenting the Solution
When writing a business proposal Executive Summary we suggest the following flow to the structure of this part of your sales document.
Are You Good Enough to Be a Freelance Writer?
If you’ve ever wondered if you’re good enough to be a freelance writer, here are two ways to tell.
10 Free or Cheap Ways to Market Your Writing Business
These 10 strategies cost nothing, or close to it. They’ll save you money, and put money in your bank account, too!
How to Co-Write a Memoir in 5 Steps, and Why
Chances are, the subjects of many intense stories don’t realize the potency of their tales. So what to do? You co-write their memoirs.
How to Recognize and Monetize Your Expertise and Passion
Thousands of people have harnessed the unbelievable power of their writing talents to not only enrich others, but literally enrich themselves financially.
How to Become a Cookery Writer
Cookery writing is a unique skill and one that requires the writer to adopt a slightly different approach to ensure the reader clearly understands their directions. English language students are often set the task of writing recipes as it teaches them to use the imperative mood.
5 Industries That Will Hire Freelance Writers
You may not believe that tourism is increasing but it is thanks to baby boomers. This group won’t give up travel. They have the funds to travel wherever and whenever and like to get a good deal. If you’re interested in travel writing, now is the time to get started
5 Tips to Excel in Ghostwriting
If you’re an established and excellent writer, but fail to meet your clients’ needs or expectations, it will negatively impact your business. Your passion may keep your business going as a ghostwriter
5 Tips to Help Launch Your Writing Career
Launching a career in writing is not an easy feat. However, today’s technology certainly makes it much easier to access the tools required to get started.