The Life of a Freelance Writer

Going to Get Back Into Suite101

2011-01-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

Well, after about half a year away from Suite101, I am deciding to slowly and gradually begin contributing to their website. Why? Well, even though I love writing for all the freelancing websites I am writing for, there are still a number of articles I would like to write and research on my own. I can't help it. When I am curious about something, I have to research it and write about it. That's just how I am.

I have also been visiting a lot of forums and many Suitees have convinced me to get back into it. Even though I know I may not earn a lot of money right away, I know the key to being successful at revenue based websites is to submit new content on a regular basis.

I can't help to also hope that one day I can write enough articles, to where I can establish a certain amount of income every month. Guess, it looks like I am going to have to study SEO again. =)

Stoked- Things are Looking up For me! Thank Goodness!

2010-11-30T15:09:00.000-08:00

Well, I must say I have had a wonderful week. I think sometimes I get too excited about the smallest of things, but to me it's important, so I figured I would blog about it. First, I was accepted at Demand Studios. Second, I landed a really good paying assignment this week. So you can say I have been in a really positive mood lately.

It really makes a difference when you find more places to write. Now I am am to contribute to a variety of websites, so I should be able to find assignments somewhere even if my freelancing work seems to run out.

What I like about Demand Studios is their strict editorial guidelines. I know that what I write has to be up to par because if it isn't it will be sent back for a revision. I think having the guidance and assistance of a professional editor is nice, so I look forward to being a contributing writer for them for a long time.

Why You Should Always Bid What You're Worth

2010-11-19T05:30:00.000-08:00

Let's face it, most of us have been in a situation where we find a job or job listing on a variety of freelancing websites that sound very interesting, but then we take a look at the pay, and think, "man, why is the budget so low?" So, then we keep looking and looking until we find a few jobs that pay better.

Then we take a look at the bids and noticed that there are people significantly underbidding on the project. My question is, "Have you ever allowed someone else to influence your bid?" Now, this posting isn't about ranting or raving about the pay rate, it is about revisiting the concept of pay rate and earning how much you you are worth.

If we allow others to influence our bid, we are not being true to ourselves and how much time, work and effort goes into each project we allocate. Maybe one writer is happy with making a certain amount of money per article, while another freelancer commands a different pay rate.

This brings me to the conclusion that, you should always bid the rate you are comfortable with and never allow someone else to dictate how much you should bid. While there is a lot of competition in the freelance industry, there really is no reason to allow someone else to influence your bid. Each person has a certain amount of money they are willing to work for. Some freelancers view time as money, while others charge a flat rate per article.

Why it is Important to Get Up and Get Moving

2010-11-18T14:02:00.000-08:00

Today I had a doctor's appointment. The nurse had asked me if I needed to have a flu shot. At first I was a little reluctant to get it, but I decided to go ahead. She then asked me if I had updated my tetanus shot. I told her I couldn't remember the last time I had one of those, so I told her go ahead and give me one of those as well.

By the time I left the office I had two shots, one given on each arm and one sore arm. The arm where I had the tetanus shot administered is the only one that is a little sore. I remember the nurse saying that if there was any form of discomfort, that I should exercise my arm and move it around to get the blood flowing.

This incident kind of reminded me of working from home. Just about anything we do to our bodies can be toxic. When you work from home, you can sit on the computer for hours at a time, which is bad for blood circulation.

By getting up and moving around you can increase the blood flow throughout your body, which leads to better productivity. When you are more productive, you spend less time at the computer because you complete work more efficiently.

This is because your thoughts are clear, you have more energy and you feel better physically and mentally. I have noticed when I take time out everyday and get my blood pumping by going for a walk, it helps me stay organized and on top of my game.

I think every freelance writer should try to do some form of exercise because not only does it help to lift spirits, but it can make a big difference in a person's personal and professional life.

Strange, But Happy Realization

2010-11-09T15:58:00.000-08:00

I was browsing around the Internet the other day. After a few months of low page views and not contributing to Suite101 I was pleasantly surprised to notice an increase in page views this last week. Usually, I would say a good day for me would be around 200 page views; however, I had close to 300 yesterday and hope to see that number increase as the weather becomes colder.

This got me thinking, about how people are beginning to utilize the Internet more than ever to find answers to the questions they have. They are interested in finding out information about the holidays. These topics include baking, cooking, gift ideas and a whole bunch of holiday decorating ideas.

Hopefully, I can make time to write a few articles about gift ideas on a budget and different types of baking and delicious drink ideas. I absolutely love the holidays because it reminds me of togetherness and family. I also love to bake and present all the goodies in a very formal manner. It's a lot of fun for me and I know everyone loves eating all of these treats.

Well, until next time. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.

100 Pitches = A Memory from the Past

2010-10-07T15:51:00.000-07:00

I was the second, and last child born in my family, which is the reason why I ended up being my father's surrogate son. He had always wanted to have a son, so therefore, my dad turned me into a tomboy. My dad was always an avid athlete and I remember how he would always tell me and my sister stories about how he was the fastest runner in school. He said his nickname at high school was "Jackrabbit John." lol. However, I think it was his love for softball and baseball that rubbed off on me.

When I was around 5 years old I remember going to my older sister's softball games. I would see how everyone would cheer and how exciting the whole environment was. Pretty soon I noticed I also wanted to participate in softball. I remember picking up a softball and trying to throw it, even though it was almost as big as my head and it would barely fit in my little hand.

I can't remember really how much I practiced, but I know I wasn't old enough to play Bobby Sox until I was around 8 or 9 years old. I remember the position I always wanted to play was the pitcher. I think my dad was also really excited about me deciding to be a pitcher because he would always make me practice even when I didn't feel like it.

I remember he would always say, "One hundred pitches and they need to all be strikes." I was like, what, 100 strikes? I don't know what he's been smoking, but it sure ain't cigarettes. Even though I knew my dad was only joking, I remember getting frustrated with him and throwing the ball over his head and breaking boards in the fence. lol.

I think the reason why I ended up being such a good softball player was because I had the support of my dad. He was just as dedicated as I was to practicing. I think our love for softball was what bonded me and my dad throughout my childhood and most of my teenage years.

I often wonder how I would have turned out if I hadn't had the support of my parents or my love for softball. Anyways, my point is, just about anything we enjoy doing whether it be a favorite sport or hobby can be compared to writing.

The more you practice at writing, the more skilled you become. The more skills you learn, the more effective you are at obtaining freelancing jobs. Just like softball, the more pitches you can throw, the better your chances are of striking out opponents.

It is not necessarily the person who writes the fastest, but the person who writes good quality content. Just as in softball, the most effective runner may not necessarily be the fastest runner, but they use the most effective strategies to steal bases.

These are just some of the comparisons that can be seen between writing and softball.

Justifications for Low Priced Online Content

2010-10-05T07:52:00.000-07:00

Let's face it most of us who write for a living, do it to make money, but what happens when the extrinsic motivational factors outweigh the intrinsic motivational factors. Do you write because you love what you do? Or do you write because you it is your primary source of income? Maybe its a combination of the two; however, when you do something you enjoy, most of the time, money isn't the primary reason why do it.

However, for many of the online jobs many people use this as a justification for paying such low rates. Since you love what you do so much, work for this ridiculously low amount of money I am willing to pay you.

For most writers there is a long process involved in the creation of content. You not only have to write well, but you should also "want" to provide readers with material that they won't be able to find anywhere else. However, part of your job as a writer is to create unique content that appeals to readers who search for the terms you write about.

For some reason, people who post some of the jobs on these websites are under the impression that it is alright to offer "professional writers" $1-$2 per article. I have no idea how this philosophy came to be, but it quite disheartening to actual writers who have the skill and motivation to create content that professionally is written and well-researched are said to charge too much for their services. Huh?

One of my all time favorite reasons people justify for paying such low rates for online content is that "they would do it themselves, but they simply do not have the time." So my argument is, "do they use this same justification when they go out to eat at a restaurant? When they get stuck with the bill, do they say, "You know I didn't have time to cook myself a well-balanced meal, so I am only going to pay you $1-$2 for what I ate."

Another pet peeve that I have is when there are job postings that state, "this is an easy job for the right person." Really? According to whose specifications? Then why not save everyone time and money and do it yourself than if it is so darn easy, rather than pay someone $1 per article. You can't even buy a pack of gum for that price.

Somewhere along the line people believe that writing is easy and anyone can do it. However, good writing, that builds a regular readership, creates a fan base, and entertains readers is copy that sells not just a bunch of keywords thrown on the paper.

Why it is Important to Know the Guidelines of Different Freelancing Sites

2010-10-04T15:33:00.000-07:00

Today I was little turned off by this one buyer who invited me to an interview for a job that was listed at a pretty good freelancing rate; however, now I believe they posted it to find free work. The reason I believe this is because the buyer told me that as part of the hiring process they needed me to rewrite the sample that was attached in the email. Really? Even though I have been on this website for over a year and have a total feedback score of 4.98 out of 5 stars.

This is why it is very important for freelancers to read and understand the guidelines of the freelancing site where they find jobs. When you run into fake buyers like this, you can let them know that you are no longer interested in the job and find another buyer who is willing to pay you for your work.

It is important to remember never to fall for this tactic. Many buyers resort to this type of unethical behavior because they think there are people who are desperate to find work, need money and are willing to give others free work. It is actually quite sad when you think about it.

I do admit that I like to go to Sam's Club on Sunday's when they have those demonstrators who give you free samples of food they are promoting, however, the demonstrator has a job and from where I come from they make about 11$-12$ per hour. I wouldn't expect any type of contractor to do any type of work for free, so why is it it that they have the gall to think others will.

As a freelancer, these are just some of the stunts you will see pulled by many buyers who are unethical and do not appreciate the hard work writers do on a daily basis.

Essential Tools for Freelance Writers

2010-09-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

When you work from home, as a writer of online content there are a variety of tools you can use to better your writing skills, feel better physically and help with your production on a daily basis. Learn how to become a more efficient writer by investing in a variety of essential tools for the freelance writer.

Windows Word Processing Programs

One of the most essential tools for freelance writers is the right word processing software. You may be the best writer in the world, but in order to make sure your work is up to par, invest in software like Windows 7 or any type of Windows processing software. These software programs come with specialized features to make the writing process much easier. Many of the Windows programs come with spell check, grammar check, as well as keyword density features that can help you in your writing assignments.

Ergonomic Chair with Lumbar Support

Another important tool for freelance writers is good posture and back support. Since you will most likely spend a number of hours in front of your computer, having a specialized ergonomic office chair can help you with a variety of health problems you may be prone to developing when you work for long periods behind the computer.

Many of these ergonomic chairs not only help support your back effortlessly, but they also help to keep your posture in check. By having good posture, your work productivity will flourish because your energy level will increase. Energy level can often be affected by poor blood circulation and bad posture; therefore, when you invest in an ergonomic office chair you will feel good physically and be able to stay on top of your work.

Notebook Helps to Organize Thought and Ideas

This is kind of "old school," but having a notebook to plan and organize article ideas can often be an essential tool for freelance writers. You can brainstorm ideas and organize your thoughts and write them down on paper. Sometimes when you are on the computer, you can get sidetracked with other things. When you write down important concepts you would like to incorporate into your content, you can always come back to it at a later time.

A notebook is also great for jotting down ideas you may have, but are unable to pursue at the current time. Maybe you have a killer idea for an article, but do not have the time to devote to it. When you write down your ideas, you can use them when you have enough time to compose the article.

A Paperback Thesaurus

Building your vocabulary is a must in the online industry. The broader your vocabulary is the more brilliant your writing will be. The trick is knowing how to say common words or phrases in a number of different ways and have them mean the same thing. The easier you can do this, the easier the writing process will be.

Learning new words and their meanings helps to add a quality of uniqueness to your content. That way if you write on two very similar articles, their will be similarities between the two, but they will also be distinct from one another.

A Good Source of Light

Whether its artificial or natural, a good light source is essential when you work from a home office. Good lighting means that you strain your eyes less. Eye strain can lead to a number of physical ailments, such as headaches, fatigue and it can even affect your productivity. When you have plenty of light, you will feel more energized and be more productive in the long-run.

Utilize these essential tools for freelance writers and you will see and feel the difference not only in yourself, but the type of content you compose. Have more energy and feel good about the work you churn out on a daily basis, when you invest in the right tools of the trade.

What are the Key Components of Good Article Writing

2010-09-29T16:44:00.000-07:00

When you write online, one way capture a reader's attention is to come up with a catchy title. Think about it. When you go online and look for articles to read, which article are you more apt to click on? Is it a redundant article title that has about a million other articles just like it, or is it one that stands out from the others? When you have a catchy article title it not only gets the reader's attention, but it will also drive more traffic to your website.

Good article writing, makes good use of short concise sentences. Whether you are a natural writer, or have a way with words, writing using shorter sentences gets your point across with minimal effort. It is also easier for readers to digest and understand.

Another factor that also appeals to reader's on the web is good sentence structure and grammar. Without proper grammar and sentence structure, you can leave many people scratching their heads. They may try to make sense of your article, but more than likely they will tire of having to decode information in your article and find another article that is more clearly written.

Article writing on the web is uniquely designed. Good web articles know that readers scan articles as oppose to reading every single word as they would when reading a book. Shorter paragraphs make it easier on the eyes. It also allows the reader to scan through information faster and find their way throughout the article with ease.

Good article writing also utilizes words and phrases that are easy for everyone to understand. Using big words and hard to understand concepts will leave many readers not fully comprehending the true meaning of your article.

A good article writer also mixes up sentences. The writer adds a variety of short, medium and long form sentences. Changing up the length of sentences, is not only aesthetically pleasing to the eye, but also adds a nice format to your online content.

Another essential factor in superbly written online content, is the use of SEO. No matter how well you write, SEO is needed in order to drive traffic to your article. And this isn't just a few hits here and there, it is continuous traffic to generate a regular readership.

High quality content is another element of good articles. They supply the reader with unique content that is well-researched and teaches the reader valuable information.

Lastly a good article is one that is thoroughly researched and supplies a number of links to authoritative sources. Not only does having good sources help to support the information found within your article, but it is also beneficial for SEO purposes.

Include all of these components and you will be on the right track to writing high quality content that is ranked high in the search engines and among readers.

Grandma's Say and Do the Darndest Things

2010-09-24T06:54:00.000-07:00

The other day I was reminiscing about when I was little girl and how my sister and I along with my cousins would visit my grandma and grandpa at their house. My grandma was always so much fun to be around. Not only was she a smart lady, but she was also so creative. I remember one day in particular it was a hot sunny day in California, my grandma had bought one of those little plastic pools, and all of us wanted to go swimming. The only problem was no one had swimsuits. My grandma then decided to make each of us our own swimsuit with her nifty little sewing machine. I think she made a total of 5 swimsuits within an hour!

Both my mom and my grandma are fascinating ladies and I think there are a lot of characteristics I have inherited from my grandma in particular, such as my creativity and my love for carbs. It's strange how biology works. Some of these traits I noticed my mom also possesses, but they are displayed differently.

Another memory I have of my grandma is when she used to get frustrated with something, she used to say "Ay carramba!" lol. However, being only 4 years old I thought she was saying, "Ay Columbus!" lol. I always wondered why she would get mad at Columbus and had no idea why she would use his name is vain. It wasn't until I was older that I realized she was saying "carramba," instead of "Columbus." lol.

Isn't it strange how sometimes we don't see the importance of an event, but later in life we cherish these particular moments in time. Some of the best memories I have are of my grandma and I can't wait to see her and my grandpa again for the holidays. =)

Benefits and Downsides to Buying Clothing Online and Helpful Pointers for Sellers

2010-09-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

The Benefits of Shopping Online for Clothes

There are so many benefits when you shop online. For one, you can be in your pj's and buy whatever you need. Often many of the items you buy online are offered at better prices then when you shop offline and in stores. Another advantage to shopping online is that you can locate items targeted for your size and your particular style. You can also take advantage of many of the online discounts offered exclusively when you shop online.

Downsides to Shopping for Clothes Online

Some of the downsides to shopping online is finding the right fit. Sometimes just because you wear a particular size in clothing, doesn't mean that the designer has made the right cut or style that you need to fit your exact size. Often sizes in clothing are more generalized, meaning they can run on the larger side or on the smaller side. This often makes it difficult to find clothing that fits exactly the way it needs to fit.

Helpful Pointers for Sellers

This is why it is essential for online store owners who sell clothes to list the measurements along with the size of clothing they sell. Think about it. When you know the measurements of a garment, you are more likely to buy it because you know it will fit properly.

Another aspect that online sellers should also take into consideration is to provide plenty of pictures of the items they are selling. I don't know how many times I have seen an item that catches my interest, but the clarity of the picture that is provided doesn't give me many of the details I would like to see.

This is also where sellers should also think about writing very descriptive product details about the items they sell. The more information that is included, the more likely it is that people will buy their items.

It is Unprofessional to Refer to Buyer by Their Real Name? Really?

2010-09-22T07:27:00.000-07:00

I don't quite understand the philosophy behind "not being able to call buyers by their real name." I mean whenever I work with someone, I don't call them "buyer," so why would I refer to them as "the buyer," when I leave feedback for them?

The reason why I brought up this topic is that I have recently discovered that some of the places where freelancers find freelancing projects, actually discourages providers from referring to buyers by their real name when they leave feedback. In my opinion, this not only sounds unprofessional, but it also interferes with the working relationship and dynamics created between the provider and the buyer.

How are we as writers supposed to build any type of rapport with buyers if we are told not to refer to them by their real name? I thought this was kind of strange and wanted to discuss this topic.

Already, many of the freelancing sites place the buyer in a separate category from the providers. Sometimes it seems like they cater to the buyers at all cost. What about the providers? Don't we work hard to provide quality work to keep clients coming back for more?

This is one of the reasons why I think there are so many problems in the online writing industry. Once we learn to treat buyers and providers the same by giving them equal ground to stand on, the fewer problems there will be in regards to ethics and fair treatment among providers.

Do You Get Butterflies when You Work on High Paying Gigs?

2010-09-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

My husband and I were having a talk yesterday, since we are both are freelancers, we often come across some of the same situations, although he tends to make more money as a freelance photographer. lol. Anyhoo, we were discussing the topic of pay rates and I was telling him that I get butterflies in my stomach whenever I have a higher paying gig.

I thought I was all alone in experiencing this feeling, but he says that he gets that way too. I was like, "really?" Now, keep in mind he has been a professional photographer for a number of years, so I thought this was kind of cute. lol. I guess the reason we both get butterflies, is because we always want to make sure we do our best on the project. =)

The Law of Attraction in Online Writing

2010-09-20T07:25:00.000-07:00

Do you always attract deadbeat clients? If you answered yes to this question, you may want to rethink your strategy. Why? Well, it is sad, but very true that there are a lot of online predators ready to take advantage of the right people. This is why it is important to prepare yourself for such deadbeats. When you know what to look out for you can prevent yourself from attracting the wrong clients and attract better ones.

I say this because, I will admit it, in the beginning of my freelance career I had a few deadbeat clients and while I can sit here and say it is wrong for them to do what they did, I can also say that I was very naive and uneducated about dealing with deadbeat clients. I think the buyers new this and they used it against me.

This is why you need to educate yourself about deadbeats like this and learn what you can do when you end up in this particular situation. For instance, what will you do when a buyer ignores your request for payment. What do you do?

Of course your first reaction to not being paid is to become angry or upset and fly off the handle, right? however, this is when you need to collect your thoughts and your emotions and deal with this unfortunate situation in a more professional manner.

When you educate yourself about what qualities to look for in a buyer, you can better your chances of finding better clients. Below is a list of things to look out for when applying for writing jobs online:

-Buyers with bad feedback
-Buyers with numerous jobs awarded, yet they have numerous disputes or have failed to pay providers
-Buyers who leave negative feedback for a variety of providers, and it just seems to be part of their track record.
-Buyers who need a rush job
-Buyers who never communicate
-Buyers who change guidelines after the project has been awarded
-Buyers who make rude or snide remarks because they think they can
-Buyers who ignore your emails

These are just a few of the characteristics of buyers who will most likely give you problems; however, remember, this is why freelancing is a choice and your decision to work with buyers like this is completely dependent on you.

Part of freelancing is having the power and the choice not to work with such buyers. Remember that freelancing can be a very enlightening and fulfilling experience and you can decide who you want to work with. Take proper precautions and your freelancing experience will attract positive clients with great track records.

Had To Chuckle a Little Bit

2010-09-18T10:09:00.000-07:00

I was going through the job postings on one of the freelancing sites I frequent and one of the jobs was titled, "Would You Invest $5 if you knew it could change your life?" lol. I think this is funny because no one has bid on this project. Maybe they are asking the wrong people. $5! that is like a day's worth of work for some people. Do you know how many articles I would have to write? So yes, I would say that a $5 investment is too much to ask. =)

A Label is Just a Label. Or is it? Why Professional Custom Labels are Important

2010-09-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

You know you've come across them at some time or another--those instructional labels on your household appliances, such as a hand mixer, microwave and clothes dryer. Your first thought might be to dismiss reading the label. You might think you already know what is printed on these little labels, when in fact, these labels have some very valuable information printed on them.

A custom label provides information that helps consumers, like you, learn the proper way to use an electrical appliance. I don't know about you, but with all the high tech gear being created having a label helps to simplify things. This is especially true if you are somewhat new to using a new product or feature on an electronic device.

What about the instructions on your medication bottle? Do you ever wonder who makes those tidy little directions about the correct dosage and the warning messages on the side of the bottle? Well, custom labels also provides this service to pharmaceutical companies. Just think of how your life would be if you didn't have these nifty little labels.

Professional custom labels from label making companies such as the products by Custom Labels, help many businesses, both big and small provide well-crafted, easy to read instructions that help novice users learn how to use a variety of products.

However, the labels offered at custom labels can be designed to fit the specific needs of your company. They have a variety of designs and features that will display your companies instructions in a professional manner and offer you very competitive prices for their label making services.

75 cents per article- Is this the new pay rate?

2010-09-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

Its funny when you first start writing, there are a lot of things you may not take into consideration until you have been in the online writing industry for a while. The number one thing that tends to irk me along with many other freelance writers is the pay. I don't understand why freelancing websites don't put a minimum wage on the price for writing articles.

There is one freelancing website that has about 60-70% of buyers asking for articles for 75 cents each. And here I thought a dollar was way to low. What is going on with these people? I can't believe people are that dead pressed for money and they can't afford more than this.

What kind of gets me is that they have a high budget of $500, yet they are only able to pay 75 cents per article? That is just wrong.

On the other hand, I have been landing a few higher paying gigs; however, it takes a few bids here and there in order to get a bite. I hope to start another ongoing working relationship with good buyer, so I will keep my fingers crossed and continue writing on Bright Hub as I continue with my job search.

"So Close Yet So Far Away"

2010-09-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

This is the song that reminds me of a freelance gig I almost won. This particular situation is a very common occurrence in the freelance writing industry. You've written a killer proposal and the buyer has eliminated most of the potential candidates. There are only two candidates left for him to choose from, yet he decides to go with the other provider. Bummer, huh. Well, at least I lost to someone who has been in the game for five years. I was a little disappointed, but oh well, I guess it wasn't meant to be. =)

Funny Situation Happened When Browsing Through Jobs at Freelancing Site

2010-09-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

I just thought I would share this little experience, since it is still fresh in my mind. I was browsing through the jobs on one of the freelancing websites that I frequent now and then and I thought this was funny. One of the jobs that I was reading the qualifications for had the job title with a ? after the description.

Now I don't know about you, but if the buyer has no idea what the job is about, then how can they expect the provider to know what they can provide. I just thought that this was funny. It also brings up an important issue about some of the jobs listed on some of these websites. If you do not have an accurate description of what the job entails, than you are probably better off not even bidding on it.

I can just imagine the poor provider who will end up with this job. They will ask questions, and instead of giving the provider direct answers the buyer will probably answer with ? lol.

Why Criticism is Expected

2010-09-07T11:38:00.000-07:00

When you become a freelance writer, your work will be read by many people throughout the world. You will have fans and you will have people who think that your work sucks. This is why it is important to have self-confidence. When you are confident in your writing abilities, it really doesn't matter if you have someone who thinks otherwise.

You as a writer have a job to do and whether it is writing sales copy or writing an informative article, you do it. You do it because you love it, and sometimes you have to take those smart remarks with a grain of salt. Remember, you will always have a few unhappy campers here and there. The important thing is to toughen up and learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Half the time, people will complain just to complain. Sometimes there really is no reason for it; however, this is why it is important to learn that not every experience in the writing industry will be a pleasant one.

How to Be Accepted at Suite101

2010-08-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

So you've made the decision to plunge into the freelance writing industry; however, you're still wondering what you can do to better your skills as a writer. Although there are many websites that offer anyone the ability to post articles, one place to gain solid writing experience and post your portfolio online, is at Suite101.

However, as it has been stated time and time again, only 20% of writers who apply to Suite are accepted. With this little tidbit of information, you wonder, "how can I better my chances of being accepted as a contributing writer at Suite?"

Well, having plenty of "dedication" and perseverance to become a better, well-rounded writer, are traits that will help you immensely. I say this because anyone can write, but can they write articles that are grammatically correct, free of spelling errors, and capture the targeted audience?

Although writing might be easy for some people, they have to understand there is a big difference between doing something that is easy for them and providing good quality content. This is why, it is important to brush up on writing skills, test yourself on a variety of skills you will use in your writing, and see what areas you can spend more time improving.

Even the best writers challenge themselves once in a while. By challenging themselves on a regular basis, writers continue to stay passionate about writing. They also help them stay up to date with their skills and keep them from being bored.

Another quality that can help people interested in being accepted as a writer at Suite101, is having a solid background in a particular hobby. Or having a certain level of expertise in your career which you have dedicated many years to learning.

All of these factors help applicants who are interested in being accepted as a contributing writer at Suite101.

How to Break Into Freelance Writing

2010-08-11T17:17:00.000-07:00

You've thought about it for the longest time; however, financial responsibilities have kept you from pursuing your dream of becoming a freelance writer; "what do you do?" Well, there are many different avenues you can take, when you are attempting to break into the freelance writing scene.

The first step you want to take when getting your freelance writing career, is to get a portfolio going. Whether it's by applying to various online content sites, such as Suite101, BrightHub, or Hub pages, you can make this decision on your own. However, it is important to remember that online publishing sites like Suite101, puts you in contact with professional editors.

These editors can be a valuable resource for you and your writing career. They offer advice and tips that can help you when crafting professionally written content. Many of these editors have a background in writing. Therefore, if you are relatively new to the freelance writing industry, you can learn some valuable pointers from these seasoned veterans.

Find a niche. Yes, I know, this is probably something you have already heard a number of times; however, the more you know about a particular subject, the more likely it is you will attract buyers who want your expertise and knowledge about this particular niche. Now, this doesn't mean you pick up a book and begin learning the art of scrap booking and then call yourself an expert in the field.

This means, you have been involved in a particular niche, almost all your life. Usually it is your job, or what you are most passionate about. Whether it's a love for animals, knowing how to do home repairs around the house, the important point here is having hands on experience doing these activities.

Breaking in to freelance writing is easy when the right steps are followed. Tune in tomorrow for some more helpful tips and quips you can use to get your freelance writing career started.

How to Bid on Projects with Limited Information

2010-08-03T11:51:00.000-07:00

It seems like the more I search the Internet for article writing jobs, the more I am beginning to read between the lines of many different job listings. There have been a few times where a writing job seems to be interesting, yet the employer leaves out important details.

One of the most important details is word count. Word count is important because without an accurate word count people will not know how much to bid. Many freelancers either charge by the word or per article; therefore, when the buyer fails to supply this information the freelancer has to guesstimate how much they will charge for a particular assignment.

In turn, many freelancers may skip this job posting because they aren't for sure how much work the buyer expects to have completed. So what can you do when you find yourself in this situation?

You can make your own proposal and let the buyer know how much you charge per word or per article. This way you have a chance of winning the proposal. I have done this a few times and it has worked for me.

By doing this, you show the buyer you are taking initiative. The buyer might just be pleasantly surprised and enjoy the time you spent writing your proposal, that they just might award you the job.

Finding Authoritative Sources

2010-08-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it is just me, but it seems like it is getting harder and harder to find authoritative sources for some of my projects. Sometimes it seems like it takes longer to find the sources then it does to write the articles.

I am the type of person who loves to write, but I also like to back up what I say with sources from reputable magazines and studies. What I mean by this is, although I may know something to be true, I like to have evidence that supports what I am saying, and not just saying it to put words on the paper.

I mean, I don't know how many great articles I have read out there, but then when I go to look at the references, they are non-existent. That makes me wonder, "Am I being fooled, or what?" Does this person just know how to write really well and they know how to BS there way through the article?

I don't know. I guess I just have to keep searching and maybe use different techniques to find sources.

Writing for SEED, but no articles accepted

2010-07-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

One thing about writing for SEED.com is although you may put a lot of time into writing articles, there's a good chance your articles won't even get approved. Therefore, it is kind of like gambling, and even though the odds are against you, there's still hope that an article will be accepted.

I don't think of it as being a waste of time because whatever isn't accepted there, I tweak it and post it on Suite. However, I am aware that there are many writers who are kind of upset with the way SEED accepts and rejects articles.

Another thing about SEED, is that even though you are able to claim articles, there are usually hundreds of writers who are also claiming them. Therefore, it is kind of like a writing contest, and whoever the editors feel composed the best article, is the person whose article will be published.

I have only heard of a few writers who have had good luck at getting their articles accepted. One of mine is still sitting in the dashboard, and it has not be rejected yet, but I figure if they wanted it badly enough, they would have accepted it when it was due.

I would like to take it and post it on Suite, so I can meet my 3 month quota. I still have 5 I need to complete within the next month.

Even though SEED is not very dependable, they do pay quick and they offer a decent rate per article accepted. Usually a 400-500 word article is $25 and you get a byline, which is nice.

Many of their article titles are quite interesting as well. They don't require any type of writing experience, however, they do expect perfect grammar, spelling and the ability to produce content that engages the audience and is AP friendly.

Well, it's worth a shot.

A Little Down On Myself

2010-07-26T04:59:00.000-07:00

Man I tell ya, I am a little down on myself today. This past week I had a very busy week. I wrote close to 50 articles, but failed to meet 2 of my deadlines. I am so upset with myself. Do you ever think you can accomplish something, and then you realize you might have taken on too much? Well, this was the situation I found myself in this past week.

I do not like missing deadlines, and I know that the client doesn't like it either. I think from now on what I need to do is when I bid, allow myself a little more time to make sure that I give myself some breathing room.

Instead of 7 days, I am going to bid 9 days to complete the work. This way if I have more than one project, I can give myself a little more time to actually have a life.

First Task for Blogervertise Approved

2010-07-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

I was recently approved to write log posts for blogvertise and I must say I found my favorite place to find extra work. Although there are limited jobs for job postings, they do pay a decent rate for a blog post of as little as 300 words or less.

Whether you blog about freelance writing, beauty, or clothing, you will find just about every topic under the sun at blogvertise. Plus, if you sign up and refer a advertiser, you will receive 20% of the sales they make.

For instance, let's say you refer an advertisement agency and they make $500, then that means you will make an extra $100 bucks. All it takes is having a little time and dedication to write in your blog.

Remember the longer your blog has been active, the more money you can make per posting. Blogvertise usually wants blogs that are at least 90 days old, therefore, once you have spent a good amount of time writing and receiving more traffic to your blog, the more likely it is you will receive assignments.

Click Here to Advertise on My Blog

Phew! Glad that Large Project is Done

2010-07-21T17:08:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you have a great feeling of accomplishment when you tackle a large project and complete it on time. I am so glad I was able to complete one of the larger projects I had. I had to write quite a bit yesterday, but I have no one to blame, but myself.

I kind of left quite a bit to be done yesterday, so I worked straight through with a few breaks here and there. I am just glad I was able to finish on time. It's a big relief.

Now I have start writing on my other projects, all of which are due by Friday and Saturday. So I guess this is goodbye for the time being.

Sometimes you have to write about another subject to stay motivated on larger projects

2010-07-19T06:20:00.000-07:00

I have an ongoing assignment right now and it is all on one main topic. Most of the topics are interesting, however, I have noticed because there are so many articles that need to be done within a two week period, it is hard for me to stay motivated to write on this same topic.

In order to make sure I don't get too far behind I have to find ways to motivate myself to get them done. So what do I do? Well, sometimes I browse the Internet and read articles or blog posts to find something to inspire me.

Sometimes, I may even begin working on another freelancing assignment which can help pull me out of my slump and make use of another venue of creativity. I have found that this helps me overcome my slump and gets me to think in a more creative and efficient manner.

Sometimes a little motivation is all you need to overcome lack of motivation. Oh, and I forgot to mention a big pot of coffee can sometimes help too! =)

Inspired by a friend of mine

2010-07-18T06:02:00.000-07:00

Isn't it funny how we become inspired sometimes. Today I was going to make a quick blog post and continue on with my freelancing assignments, but I visited one of the blogs I follow and she inspired me to write this posting.

She had stated in her blog post how she was feeling particularly negative one day and wasn't sure whether she should write in a negative tone in her blog post. She was worried about how it would affect her followers.

Which leads me to my next question, "Do we ever really think about the positive and negative language we use in writing?" Think about it. How many times have we been quick to be negative about something, only to look back at it later on and think, "why did I write in such a negative manner," or "what was I thinking, when I wrote that."

The fact is, when we write, we have a choice, we can write in a positive manner or we can write in a negative manner. The choice is up to the writer; however, it is important to remember that people will be reading it, and to think it through.

Article Accepted at Color Brief! =)

2010-07-16T13:10:00.000-07:00

Whoo hoo! I woke up in a less then pleasurable mood today, but my mood was instantly lifted when I saw that one of my articles for color brief has been published! The article assignment was to apply the concept of color with any popular beauty or fashion trends. Of course, being the loyal 80's fan that I am chose an 80's theme.

You can check it out here, Color Brief.

Editing Services Offered by Freelance Writers

2010-07-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when times are slow freelance writers find other jobs such as offering editing services. Editing services can come in handy when a client has articles that are either poorly written, or just need to be cleaned up a bit.

Editing services are helpful for just about any company that owns a website. After all, your business should be portrayed in the most positive light possible, and what better way is there to accomplish this then by hiring a copy editor who provides editing services?

Editing services offered by writers and editors help to make the content that goes up on the Internet read well and have correct punctuation, grammar and spelling. This helps readers because the content is easier to follow, reads and flows well.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly about Odesk

2010-07-13T13:25:00.000-07:00

One of the places where I tend to find freelancing assignments is Odesk. Actually, I believe this is one of the first places I started out when I began my freelance writing career. Odesk, can be a good place to look for assignments, but just like Elance it does have both positives and negatives. Continue reading to find out what I mean.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Odesk

The Bad:

-There are many legit buyers on this website, the only thing is trying to find higher paying buyers that want to pay you a decent amount. I don't know how many days I have searched to see that there are buyers wanting $10 for 10 articles. That's $1 per article.

-Odesk does not offer any type of assistance for dealing with non-paying buyers. This is especially true when the assignments are on a fixed price basis. Remember when you do bid, ask for money upfront or at least a partial upfront payment.

-Odesk uses a device called work view, which has many freelancers wondering why they installed this feature in the fist place. This means that the buyer can see what you are doing when you are doing it. I am not too fond of this feature, I mean that is what is great about freelancing, being able to work in the privacy of your own home. I think as long as the work gets completed, there really is no reason for this feature, but hey, I guess to each his own, right?

-The email messaging system can be confusing sometime. Often only part of the email message shows up and you have to scroll down in order to see the whole message. You have to double click and extend the email message open in order to see the full message. For newbies, this can be a little confusing.

-When sending work in, you have to send each article separately, which can be kind of a hassle, especially if you have more than a few articles to submit to the buyer.

The Good:

-I have been able to find a few good clients on this little web site and I always use Odesk to look for assignments once in a while.

-You can set the search filters to meet certain criteria, that way you can target certain jobs that meet a specific budget and qualifications.

-You can transfer money straight from your odesk account into your checking account with the click of a few buttons. This means you don't have to worry about paypal fees. It is also very quick. Believe me when you work online sometimes after you have completed work, it can take up to two weeks to receive your money. When you do it this way you have access to your mula within a few short days.

-Odesk only takes fees when you win and provide services, meaning there is no charge to use their web site. No upfront fee for bidding on projects.

-Odesk gives each user 20 bids to work with each week, which is nice.

-Odesk has a variety of tests available for freelancers to test their skills, which is a helpful feature and can help you stand out among many thousands of candidates in the same category.

-Odesk customer service responds quickly to emails, so you have answers to your questions in a reasonable amount of time.

-They also have online chat available, so if you have a bad experience and want someone to answer some of the questions you may have, someone will be online most of the time to answer your questions.

Copywriter Jobs and Security of Personal Information for New Freelance Writers

2010-07-12T18:48:00.000-07:00

Finding copywriter jobs on the world wide web can prove to be an obstacle for new freelancers entering the field. There are many questions new freelancers may have in regards to finding lucrative copywriter jobs on the Internet.

There are so many sites to choose from and while many of them are legit, the real question is whether you should invest in any of them? When I say investment, I mean both time and money.

So how do freelancers find other copywriter jobs and freelance writing assignments? Well, they stroll craigslist and other forums where people post jobs.

If you are a new freelance writing just entering the field, here are some easy tips to remember when searching for copywriter jobs.

Tips to Remember when Searching for Copywriter Jobs

* Make sure the copywriter jobs and freelancing assignments you are applying for are legit. Often people will post fake jobs in hopes of obtaining your personal information. Make sure you have two separate email accounts, one for business and one for personal use. If the job posting does not list their company name, there is a good chance that the job posting is fake.

* Copywriter jobs that state the starting pay for little or no experience is around $20-$30, is most likely fake. I have been doing this for a little under a year and any job stating they will pay this much for someone with little or no experience is trying to bust your chops, "don't fall for it."

* I have heard this from many other freelancers that people with gmail accounts are almost always spammers. Don't know if this is true, but just be careful with job posts where the user has a gmail account.

* Any person or company that approaches you about a job, but wants to do so privately without taking it to a freelancing site is most likely trying to get free work and has no intentions on paying you. This is especially true if you have no idea who this person or company is.

*Don't be afraid to ask for upfront payment once you have established yourself as a responsible and dependable writer.

Follow these tips when looking for copywriter jobs and you will be able to find legitimate jobs without compromising the security of your personal information.

Money Saving Tips for Freelancers

2010-07-11T07:41:00.000-07:00

One great thing about freelancing online is being able to work as much or as little as you like. One of the shortcomings of freelancing online is being paid through paypal. Now don't get me wrong, paypal can be a great tool, but for the freelancer who received payment through paypal, it can be somewhat of an enemy.

The reason why I say this is because whenever you get paid through paypal, they take a percentage of the money transferred into your paypal account. Now I can understand this for purchasing items through the Internet, but for freelancers, this can add up to quite a bit of money, just given to paypal.

Think about it. Let's say you have a project that was around $500. If you request to be paid by paypal, they will take close to $30, so in the end you will end up with $470.

Now if you ask to be paid by check, you get to keep that $30. All it takes is a little patience to receive your check. This is what I do with my projects through Elance. Heck, $30 may not seem like much, but when you begin adding that up on a continuous basis it adds up to quite a bit of money.

For instance, let's say you have this particular $500 gig on a monthly basis. That is $30 a month. $30 x 12 months = $360 a year. That is free money you are giving to paypal! Just something to think about the next time you use paypal to receive your money. =)

Benefits and Downfalls of Freelancing Website's such as Elance

2010-07-10T18:04:00.000-07:00

One of the venues that is good for keep your freelancing business busy is to sign up with a few of the freelance bidding sites, one of which is Elance. Although Elance has many benefits there are some downfalls as well.

Negatives about Elance

For instance, Elance is a good place to find freelance writing assignments, but I have noticed a lot of the low paying buyers have been making their way over there. What I mean by low pay, is less than $10 per article. Many buyers want 500 word articles for $1-3 a piece.

Another thing about Elance that is confusing is the buyer rating system. For some reason about 2 months ago Elance decided to make some changes to their rating system, which has a lot of freelancers upset.

I can understand this because many of them who have been working for years may be at a certain level. Then someone who just started out comes in. They have been awarded a couple of projects and have received high feedback from those buyers and bam, they are at the same level as those who are seasoned freelancers.

Another thing about Elance that isn't too great is that they get to keep close to 10% of the money you bid from your project. So you have to be sure to include this extra fee in your bid.

Membership is free although you only get 3 connects. In order to have any sort of staying power you will have to upgrade to a paid membership for 25 connects. This membership costs around $10 per month.

The last thing that is not too great about Elance, (and this is the most important in my opinion) is that once you have used all your connects, you are out money. So let's say you bid on 5 projects and each one of those projects cost you 5 connects. If these buyers do not choose any providers, then the providers who bid on those projects are out connects, which also counts as money.

Positives about Elance

Most of the buyers on this site pay higher then some of the freelancing sites on the Internet. By this I mean at least $10 per article, which to some veterans may seem like peanuts, but for people who are within their first year of writing, $10 per article is considered a decent rate per 500 word article.

Another positive thing about Elance is that they do offer dispute assistance. Unlike other freelancing sites who are hesitant to become involved, Elance does offer assistance with non-paying buyers.

Elance also offers tests on their website, which can be helpful for buyers wanting to limit their choices. Sometimes having a good score on a number of these tests helps buyers find certain providers for their projects.

Elance also answers any questions you may have within 24 hour time frame, which is nice. If you ever have a question you can be sure you will receive an answer within a reasonable amount of time.

So as you can see, Elance is a good place to find freelancing assignments, but just as most things in life, it does have it's shortcomings. Either way, Elance is a good place to find work when you are trying to find extra assignments or ongoing assignments.

How to Know when a Client will be Difficult

2010-07-09T08:45:00.000-07:00

At one time or another many freelancers will have the pleasure of working with the hard to please client. Sometimes it doesn't matter how hard you try, this client will still be impossible to please.

There are some steps freelancers can take to lessen their chances of being stuck with a client that is virtually impossible to please.

Check their feedback. This is especially true when you use bidding sites like Elance, Odesk and Getacoder.com. If you have noticed that the buyer has not awarded any projects, yet they have opened more than a few projects, then you know they are going to be pretty picky and have very high expectations.

Another way you can tell, is to look at how many people have left feedback for them. If you have worked in the freelance industry, you can check to see if the people they have worked with have reciprocated the feedback. If the buyer leaves feedback for the freelancers, yet no one has left feedback for them, then guess what? Yup, there may be a reason for this.

Another way you can tell whether a client will be difficult to work with is to pay attention to the job posting. Look at the language they use. If they use language where they talk down to freelancers, "guess what?" Yup, you guessed it. They will most likely talk down to you.

Remember, most of the time freelancing can be fun. There are only a few times you may end up with a difficult client. Just remember, it's never worth being talked down to or to continue working with someone who does not appreciate the work you put into their project.

Writing for an Audience while Incorporating SEO

2010-07-08T16:19:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest factors in regards to writing online content is how much traffic you can generate to your articles. However, writers also have to keep in mind who will be reading their content. Therefore, incorporating both SEO and strong quality content are essential in keeping the audience entertained and coming back for more.

SEO is important when you want to reach an audience, however, it shouldn't be the only thing that makes its way into the content you are writing. This is why it important to come up with creative ways to make your content stand out from the rest of the articles in the search results.

Whether it's trying to sell a product to potential customers or letting them know about important information related to their health, the writers job is to pull the reader in. But that is not all, the writer also has to engage the reader. The writer has to make the reader want to read their article.

Whether its providing the hardcore facts, or supplying the reader with helpful tips they can use in their everyday life, it is always important to consider your audience, first and foremost.

My New and Improved Business Plan

2010-07-07T06:47:00.000-07:00

I recently have been approved to write for BrightHub, and I really enjoy it there. They have a variety of channels writers can apply to write for and you get to choose topics that interest you. I am approved to write in 4 channels as of right now.

Another great thing about writing for Brighthub is that they offer a flat rate per article, in addition to revenue. So writers not only make money upfront, but in the long-term as well, which is great!

As for my current business plan, I would like to continue writing for Suite101, however, the revenue there has really been declining over the past couple of months. I am going to continue contributing there, but only the base minimum.

I think I am going to use all of my energy towards Brighthub and my other freelancing assignments. That is my business plan for right now, plus I will be writing for another freelancing website, which is great!

Renegotiating a Contract

2010-07-06T11:33:00.000-07:00

I wanted to spend time today about a situation I am in. I have been writing for a client for about a month. When I bid, I did so, not really knowing what the assignment was about. Therefore, I did not make the best bid.

When I received the titles, that was then I started noticing how much work was involved in writing these articles. I enjoy working with this particular client and so I find myself in a bind. Do I suck it up and continue to work really hard for not a lot of pay, or do I ask for a higher rate per article?

Keep in mind, I am considering the time it takes to research the article topic (which I am not too familiar with) and compose an article, while incorporating keywords into the content.

After some careful contemplation, I figured I would try to renegotiate the contract and see if the buyer is open to a higher rate per article. We will see how it pans out? But I think this is a very important part of being a freelancer.

The way I see it, if a client is happy with the work you have done, and you are happy with the working relationship, they will ask for more work, and you will be happy to accept it. If they are an even better client they will agree to pay you what you want.

Maybe I am shooting for the stars, but the way I see it, if I get the amount per article that I am now asking for, that means the less time I have to look for other work through other clients. This means I can devote most of my time to this particular project and take some of the stress off my shoulders. So it's a win, win situation for me. I just hope the client sees it that way as well.

Man, I sure do hope they are open to discussing this. That would be really great if the deal does go through. As for now, I don't know? I will just have to see how it goes.

The way I see it is, I have nothing to lose, just something to gain from this experience. As for the lesson I have learned? I have learned to always bid a bit higher than what you want that way you always have room to renegotiate terms =)

Have a Large Project- Read this for Helpful Advice and a Good Laugh

2010-06-30T13:22:00.000-07:00

Well, it looks like it is going to be one of those wonderful nights. Sometimes, it doesn't matter how well prepared you are, something is bound to happen that can interfere with making a tight deadline.

Well, I have learned that sometimes you have to toughen up and not back down from a challenge. Of course the easy thing would be to give up and just ask for an extension, but that is not how I work. If something is doable, then I am going to do it no matter what it takes. It might just be my stubbornness that gets the best of me, but I know what I am capable of doing and if I have to drink two pots of coffee to make up time, then that is what I am going to have to do.

I wish I could write more in my blog, but as of right now I have to finish a project that is due by midnight tomorrow. Wish me luck. In the meantime I feel like making jokes so enjoy these funny jokes while I'm working on this project:

What do you do when you are behind on a project?

-Pray
-Blame all of your shortcomings on other people
-Don't take responsibility for your own actions
-Procrastinate
-Go shopping instead of writing
-Visit Youtube to get a good laugh and relieve stress

Hopefully at least one of my suggestions brought a smile to your face. If they didn't then I guess I am not as funny as I thought I was. lol. Anyway, have a nice day. =)

Is Being able to Write Fast Always more Efficient than Writing at a Slower Pace?

2010-06-29T16:17:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, all of us who are freelancers, have our own way of doing things. What may work for one person, may not work for another. However, this doesn't mean that you cannot gain insight by listening to advice offered by other freelancers.

When it comes to being able to write fast, there are both positives and negatives about having this ability. Although more work can be done in a shorter time span, people who have a tendency to write extremely fast risk the chance of experiencing burn out.

This is why? It takes many different parts of the brain to write. The brain has to first process information. It then has to take the information that has been processed, and convey this message in a clear and concise manner.

The creative part of the brain is also hard at work, when writing is involved. Writers have to think of ways to catch the reader's attention and supply information in a fun and captivating way.

The writer also has to create their own ideas, which helps to make the content they write interesting and engaging to readers. Writers also have to make sure that the content they write has a nice flow to it.

The writer then has to proofread the copy they have written, and check for spelling errors, grammar and punctuation. In my opinion, this is the most important part of the writing process.

Although smoke may be coming from your computer when you write fast, it doesn't mean that what you are writing is making sense. This is why it is imperative to not only run spell check and grammar check on your articles, but to take the time to read them over. Make sure to read them out loud. Often it can be easy to make an error if you read articles only by glancing over them with your eyes.

Sometimes many people view writing as an easy process, when in actuality it is not. It takes a lot of brain power. So the next time you wonder how much you should charge, remember all the work that goes into composing each article.

How to Know if You are Cut Out to Be a Freelancer

2010-06-26T11:33:00.000-07:00

Many people take a nosedive within their first year of freelancing. It may be because they are frustrated with applying for jobs and not hearing back, or they need to have a steady income and cannot continue to go days or even weeks without having a gig. It can even be a combination of other factors, but what skills or personality traits are essential to have then you are a freelancer?

Well, for one, "patience." It takes time to build feedback, get the jobs, and compete against many seasoned freelancers, who have been in the game for several years. And although you must learn how to deal with rejection, it should not be the only thing you should be experiencing.

Most of the time freelancers in the beginning of their online writing career will not get all the jobs they apply for, but this is where the freelancer has to think of a strategy to get their foot in the door.

Often freelancers who are just starting out will charge a low rate, just to receive and build feedback. The problem is, many of them have a hard time raising their rates. This is why it is imperative to start at a low rate, but not so low that you will have a hard time making what you want to make later on.

This is one step that I know has been somewhat difficult for me to change. However, do I regret it? No, I do not because it was a lesson learned, and now I know what I can do to help out others.

One way you can start out is to offer your work at a discounted rate. Let's say that $10 an article is what you are shooting for. You can sign up for revenue based websites and post your work on these sites. This can help you create a name for yourself, and have a steady stream of revenue coming in while you are searching for upfront pay freelancing gigs..

Once you begin honing your skills you can begin raising your rates. If you started out writing articles at $5, slowly begin to increase your rate by a dollar per month, until you reach your desired rate per article.

This will give you a chance to practice your writing skills and make decent money. Always remember that the rate you are working for doesn't have to be set in stone. You should also focus on what your long-term goals are and not where you are at the moment. Sometimes this motivation is what helps you make it through the tough times.

Comparing and Contrasting Print Publication Writing and Online Writing Sites

2010-06-25T13:19:00.000-07:00

As I continue to develop my online writing career, there is so much I have learned about the online writing industry. Even though it is so much more different than the writing often seen in print publications, I believe all of us are writers nonetheless.

Writing for print publications is different because the writer already has an inclination of their target audience. They may even have a specialized degree in the topic they write about or the magazine they write for. They also most likely have a Bachelor's degree in journalism.

The writer who writes online content has to use search engine optimization techniques in order to reach their target audience. No degree is needed, however, proper spelling, grammar and sentence structure are essential tools of the trade.

Therefore, not only does the online writer have to provide content that is well written, but they also have to perform keyword research.

Not only that, but the keywords they choose also have to make sense when they are used within the article. And lastly, they have to find good keywords. Good keywords are what drive online traffic to articles.

Another difference between online content writing and print publications is that the pay rate is very different. A writer for print magazine can make a good living writing for one magazine.

On the other hand, online content writers have to pursue multiple writing venues to make a decent living. This means having to juggle a number of different projects all at one time.

Therefore, I believe being a successful freelance writer online takes much more work. You have to work your way to the top and you have to work hard. Once you begin building an ongoing stream of clients, that is when you know that you are good at what you do, and can learn to take a breather.

Browsing the Internet and Found a Discussion on Niner Niner

2010-06-24T06:11:00.000-07:00

Hmm, I don't know what to make of this, but last night I was browsing the Internet looking for more writing opportunities and came across this discussion on "no Job for Mom." Some of the writers are stating that they haven't been paid on time.

On top of that, they only pay a measly 50 cents per post of at least 150 words. I also came across this review on the Freelance Home Writer which gave me more insight into this company. Many bloggers state they haven't received payment for their work, even after numerous emails to the company.

Hmm, I don't know. Maybe a better name for them is Nee-Ner-Nee-Ner, instead of Niner Niner. lol.

Woo Hoo! Another Beauty Project!

2010-06-22T09:15:00.000-07:00

I am so happy, because I was awarded another project on Elance. It is a beauty project and focuses on anti-aging. I have done so much research on this topic, I know that these articles will be by far the best I have written. So I am very excited, and I can't wait to get started on them.

In order to help me with the work process I hired a researcher to help me with another project of mine. I figure I need to incorporate some type of help. Instead of paying someone to write articles for me I figure if I have the information right in front of me, it will make the writing process a lot easier.

As for the beauty articles, I am going to be doing everything on my own. I don't know why I enjoy writing about beauty so much? I guess maybe because I have always been fascinated with makeup and physical appearance. Even when I was little girl I always remember always wanting to put on makeup and dress up like one of those little handcrafted dolls.

I guess you can say I am a beauty fanatic, and when you have tried as many products as I have, you pretty much know your stuff.

Shopping Online and Ralph Lauren Clothing

2010-06-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

The other day I was killing some time and taking a break from my usual daily writing routine, when I came across this one website that had some wonderful deals. Not only do they offer brand name clothing at phenomenal prices, but they also carry a wide selection of products by Ralph Lauren.

From shoes, to swim suits, to men's and women's clothing apparel, you will find just about everything from Ralph Lauren in this wonderful little e-commerce store. Another thing I like about this e-commerce store is that each of their items has multiple pictures, which is great to give help customers a better idea of what they are purchasing.

I don't know how many times, I have tried to shop online and I see something I am interested in purchasing, but the item I am interested in purchasing either doesn't have clear picture, or not enough pictures to get me interested in buying it. I think when a Ralph Lauren e-commerce store like this one, has clear pictures, it helps customers feel more at ease with their purchases because they know exactly what they are buying.

Another thing I really enjoyed about this store was the wonderful collection of shoes they had. They had some wonderful classy Ralph Lauren stilleto heels. They also had a large selection of men's shoes as well. Anyone who shops here will appreciate the convenience of being able to buy for the whole family in one place. What a great way to save time and money.

Stumbleupon Discussion

2010-06-21T13:20:00.000-07:00

Well, the other day I was checking my Suite101 account and I noticed again that my article pv's for the day were abnormally high. When I looked at one article, I noticed it had 796 pv's. I was like, huh? Then I looked and it had been stumbled by multiple people at stumble upon. I thought that was great, but when I checked the next day, the article ended up having 1,296 pv's for one day. That is close to how many pv's I get in one week. I was like, "Wow!"

It continues to be stumbled and viewed because the next day it also had a large number of pv's. As of 2 days later, it has a total of 2,663 pv's. So I am quite flattered that people tend to like it that much. =)

Something that Chaps my hide! Yes, I said "Chaps my hide." lol

2010-06-17T14:06:00.001-07:00

The other day I received an email on Elance from one of the buyers whose jobs I had bid on like 3 weeks ago. He contacted me to see if I was interested in writing an article. I naturally said yes, "but let me tell yeah, this guy had something up his sleeve."

He never mentioned about granting me a position through Elance. Instead he gave me his email. I knew then that he was up to no good. He expected me to fall for it. Instead of telling him off, which was my initial reaction, I told him, unfortunately, I cannot complete this project unless you open a new project through Elance.

The next day he emailed be back and said he had found someone else. I was like, "yeah right." I tell yeah, you really can't trust anyone online. There are always people who try to pull the wool over your eyes. Talk about "cheapskates."

I have been a busy litle bee, lately

2010-06-16T09:47:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can't believe it. Finally, I feel like my hard work is really beginning to pay off. I have two ongoing gigs with two separate clients every month. Plus, I have been winning a lot of the jobs on Odesk, which is great!

I absolutely love it when I am busy. And although I know I have said it before, I really feel like everything will start to work itself out. I just have to learn how to juggle these projects effectively.

I think in order to become a really good freelancer, you also have to possess excellent time management skills. A good freelancer knows how much time they should dedicate on each individual project.

I remember when I had first started out, my expectations of how long it would take me to finish a project, were not as accurate as they are now. Sometimes I would take on a number of projects and fail to communicate with the buyers, and it has shown on my feedback score on Elance.

Now that I have been doing this for close to a year I am beginning to learn a lot more than I ever thought possible. Sometimes the most important things learned are things you never imagined learning.

I Have a Stumbledupon Fairy...lol

2010-06-01T04:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I noticed my page views weren't that great on Suite, when I checked around 6p. Then when I logged in later on in the day, closer to 9p, I noticed my page views had doubled, which was kind of strange. So I begin checking to see the page views per article.

I noticed one article had over 70 page views. I noticed, someone had used stumbledupon on one of my articles. Then another person stumbled it as well.

I guess I have a "stumbleupon fairy" out there somewhere looking out for me, or really digging my articles, which is nice. =)

SEO Keyword and Building Links to Your Articles and Websites

2010-05-28T12:16:00.000-07:00

I have noticed a great increase in page views with my Suite101 account. Part of this I believe is due to not only adding new content to my article lists, but I have also noticed the articles I wrote back a few months ago that were poor performers, have now had more weekly page views. I believe the main reason for the increase in traffic is from using an SEO keyword strategy I have used, as well as building quality backlinks to my articles.

Using an SEO keyword strategy, means writing an article or blog posting on your web site about a particular keyword, and then adding hyperlinks to your article. A hyperlink is where you highlight a keyword and then link the keyword to another article of yours.

For example: Let's say I am writing about telecommute jobs. Then I would hyperlink this word "telecommute jobs" to an article I have previously written about this word.

Then when someone clicks on the hyperlink, it takes them directly to the article. This is one effective SEO keyword strategy. It allows a reader to find other articles or content that is related to the keyword. It also increases the likelihood that the reader will stay on your web page and read more articles.

Another trick that incorporates SEO techniques is changing the hyperlink to open in a new window. The reason this is important is because when a reader clicks on the hyperlink, it will take them somewhere else, maybe to a completely different web site. When this happens, a better way to guarantee they will stay on your web site is by having the hyperlink open in a new window.

This also makes it easier for the reader to navigate between windows. By using this SEO keyword strategy you will start to see page views increase, and possibly poor performing articles that weren't receiving any traffic, may just start to show more page views then they were before using this strategy.

Telecommute Jobs and Working From Home

2010-05-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

Telecommute jobs make it easy for just about anyone to work from home. Those who are successful, even have their own businesses they operate from their own home office. There are many job choices when working from home, in a wide array of fields.

Telecommute jobs allow people the freedom to work from home. Telecommuting has become a popular trend in employment, over the past ten years, among not only stay at home moms, but for just about anyone who has skills that allow them to work from home. People no longer have to work the traditional 9-5 job. They can set their own hours and work as little, or as much as they like.

Being a freelance writer is one profession that a lot of people show a great interest in, but there are also numerous other jobs and careers people can obtain when pursuing telecommute jobs.

The Following is a list of other Telecommute Jobs

Customer Service Rep- is another type of job people can do all in the comfort of their own home.

Tutor- Many companies are opening business where tutors can help students with their homework online and through different forms of online communication, such as skype.

Data Entry- People with strong typing skills can enjoy a data entry job and work at their own pace.

Personal Assistant- This job is an excellent source of income for those who enjoy being able to do a number of tasks. One day you might be performing various office duties and the next day you might be writing articles.

These are just a few of the telecommute jobs that are available for people wanting to work from their own home.

Sales Proposals in Freelance Copywriting

2010-05-25T06:29:00.000-07:00

A particular type of copywriting that is seen among the web are sales proposals. When you look on articles, there are usually ads that prompt you to buy a new product, and sometimes they are related to the content within the article.

Being a good persuasive copywriter takes skill. You have to know a lot about the product to perfect your sales proposals. Whether it's through an online review, or talking about the specific features of a product--knowing how to highlight the importance of the product and what it can do for consumers, is what makes the product sell.

Often, this is when excellent research skills come in handy, this is because often you may have to sell products you absolutely have no clue what they are, or how they are useful for consumers. When you research a topic, you should look at not only the positives, but the negatives as well.

Of course, in a perfect world the products we are selling would be flawless, Right? The truth is, it is better to be honest about both the good and the the less then perfect features of a product. This way the consumer knows exactly what they are purchasing.

A good sales proposal states the benefits of the particular product, provides information about it's ingredients/parts and showcases how it can make a difference in the life of the consumer. It also helps to have scientific evidence that supports it's claims as well.

When all of these concepts are included in a sales proposal, consumers will be more likely to purchase the product.

Writing a Proposal for Employment

2010-05-24T06:59:00.000-07:00

When you work from home, one of the tasks you will become very good at is writing a proposal, or pitching stories to various online publications. One of the most important steps in perfecting your writing proposal is highlighting your qualifications.

Let's say that there is an article you are interested in pitching for a magazine on mental health. You have extensive experience, in the mental health field, as well as the education to back up your expertise.

In addition, you have also written numerous articles on the topic. Although this may seem like all you need to have a writing proposal accepted, there is indeed much more that you will need to make sure your idea is accepted.

You have to show your passion for the subject. You also should have a very strong portfolio to back up your claims.

In addition, you will also have to pitch a writing proposal that has a different angle then other article or content on the web. The publication you are pitching your story or article idea to, wants to see something new and novel, not a topic that has been written over and over again, that has now has become redundant.

This is where the writer becomes good at using their imagination and creativity.

A good example of this technique would be, taking an idea that is known among many people as being common knowledge and shedding light on other viewpoints that have not been observed or discussed.

I am Going to Keep at it! =)

2010-05-21T15:09:00.000-07:00

The other day, I was really down in the dumps. I felt as though I was trying so hard, and nothing was coming from the hard work I have been putting towards my freelancing career. I have been freelancing now for about 10 months. I really feel that I have what it takes to be a really good writer, and even though there are downsides to the whole freelancing industry, there are a lot of upsides to it as well.

I was feeling down because it has been about a week that I have not found another gig, but what I have to realize is that is what the freelance industry is all about. There will be times when things are not going to go the way you want. You have two choices. You can choose to give up, or you can buckle down, find that inner strength and keep plugging away.

I am not going to let others dictate whether I succeed at freelance writing. I became involved in writing because I believe I have found my true passion in life. I don't want to give it up, just because things are tough. I have worked incredibly hard to build my online presence and worked my (little) hiney off trying to make a name for myself.

Although I know I am far from where I would like to be, I know I am learning a lot through my tenacious demeanor and perseverance. =)

Setting Goals- Too Big or Too Small? Which Method is Productive?

2010-05-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

My husband and I were discussing goals, last night and we had a disagreement on how a person should set and attain goals. He stated that it is a good idea to set goals at an extremely high level, that way you push yourself really hard towards achieving them.

I on the other hand stated that I think it is better to set smaller, easier attainable goals. The reason I stated this was more desirable is due to the fact that when people set their goals too high, they may get frustrated and give up and won't see the progress they are making because they are enthralled with achieving the ultimate goal. In a sense, they are setting themselves up for disappointment if they don't ever achieve this particular goal.

My husband on the other hand stated that in order to be motivated a person has to look at the big picture. It is the main goal that keeps them working harder and fuels their productivity.

He also stated that in a way if a person sets their goals too low, this will hinder their ability to achieve the main goal.

At first, I was in total disagreement with him. Then the more I thought about it, the more his viewpoint made sense. I am not saying that I was wrong, but I was able to see his viewpoint. lol.

So my question is, "Should we set small goals or bigger goals for ourselves?" "And which method do you think is more effective in regards to achieving your own goals in life?"

Found one of my articles stolen and put on an e-commerce website

2010-05-18T05:21:00.000-07:00

I was a little bummed out last night when I noticed one of the articles I worked really hard on was blatantly stolen and placed on an e-commerce website. It upsets me because some people are so cheap, they steal content. They could ask me to write one for them, but they decided to cut and paste it on their website without even asking me.

My article has the plagiarism banner at the bottom that states that the article is copyrighted material, so they basically ignored this and did it anyway. I sent them an email and asked them to take it down because it affects my revenue. It is still up on their website.

I am going to give it another day or two and if it is still up I am going to contact them one more time. Then I will contact Google and let them know what is going on.

124 PV's on one Suite article yesterday

2010-05-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I logged into my Suite101 account and discovered an abnormally large amount of page views for the day. It was only 5pm, and the page views I saw were more in agreement with pv's I would see for the entire day.

As I scrolled down and examined the articles, I noticed that one article had 124 pv's for the day. At first I thought there was some sort of glitch or something. Then I noticed someone had used stumbledupon to refer my article. Not only that, but then 3 other people stumbled it as well!

I was really happy to see that there are people who enjoyed my article and recommended it to others. So that pretty much made my day! =)

Another Day and no Gig! What do you do? Find other ways to Supplement Income

2010-05-14T12:10:00.000-07:00

One of the downsides to freelance writing is that there are periods where you will have a lot of work for maybe a few weeks or even months, then you have no work at all. I can try to write some articles for "Break," but I have noticed the easier topics seem to have disappeared.

I really don't want to have to take a lower paying gig, but there is a legitimate reason why writers do this. I have seen some of the really strong writers with many years of experience who end up taking the lower $5 or $6 article gigs once in a while, and at first I didn't I understand why they did this?

In order to have a steady stream of income you will need to take a few of the lower paying gigs once in a while. This is how freelancers supplement their income. They may have a few really good clients who give them a steady stream of work, but then there is always a period where you are waiting for the next assignment.

This is when I think many freelancers take on some of the lower paying gigs. This way they still have work and hopefully a loyal client who may even raise their rates. You never know.

Another option is having another little part time job, like selling on eBay, which I think I am going to get back into. I have a few items that I need to list, and now that I know how to use keywords, I might just also throw in some of those as well, and see how it works.

I also need to work on product descriptions. That was one of the reasons I loved selling on eBay. I loved being able to showcase my creative writing abilities.

Yeah, it is a lot of work, but it's fun and it's even more fun when your items sell and you have money in your pocket.

Repechage Hydra Refine Products- Phenomenal Skin Care

2010-05-13T14:35:00.000-07:00

Man I tell yah, sometimes being is woman is tough. We have to worry about makeup, cosmetics and skin care. I don't know how many different products I have used, but when I came across Repechage skin care products, I new I had found something special.

Although they are a bit pricey, let me tell you, they are worth every penny. My favorite product is the hydra refine cleansing mousse. This particular product is phenomenal. I have never used a skin product that cleanses your face, yet doesn't make it feel like it wiped away all of the essential oils on your skin.

Repechage hydra refine products are made from minerals and ingredients from the sea. Many of which are known for their antiaging properties. So not only are you getting nice, refreshed, clean skin, but you are fighting the signs of aging as well.

I mean, who doesn't need to use some sort of antiaging treatment? That is unless you are Dick Clark. =)

Normal to Oily Skin Travel Kit - Hydra Refine - by Repechage for problem - oily skin

You Know You are a Dedicated SEO Writer When.....

2010-05-12T12:11:00.000-07:00

You speak to others about SEO techniques and they look at you like you are talking in a foreign language.
You spend hours trying to find the perfect keywords
You have nightmares of choosing the wrong keywords
You start talking to others using keywords
You are tired of looking at Google's keyword tool

Learning About SEO practices

2010-05-11T11:21:00.000-07:00

I remember when I first started writing for the web. I was totally oblivious to what "SEO" was. I was like, "SEO?" huh? I had no clue as to what the words stood for or why it was important. However, the more I researched it and taught myself more about it, the better I became at understanding why it is important in the online writing world.

It is just like anything else that we are taught. At first, we really have no idea what it is, or why it is important. However, the more we study it and understand what it is used for, the more we are convinced that in order to have our voice heard or our article read, we better learn it quick.

When I first started writing, I just wanted to write. I have always loved writing. I especially love creative writing. But SEO is in a league all its own. I say this because, it is tough to learn.

I remember when I first started learning about it, I was like, there is no way I am going to get the hang of this. Then the more I experimented with it and wasn't afraid to try new things, the more it started making sense.

I know it may sound strange, but I think everything in life is kind of like this. Many of us are are afraid to try something new. Then we realize if something isn't working, something has to change.

It is just like Einstein's famous words, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results."

Now if only we could learn to apply these famous words to every aspect in our lives, then world would be a better place. Right? =)

Why SEO is Important

2010-05-07T11:06:00.000-07:00

SEO is important for a variety of reasons, but its primary reason is to generate a good amount of "steady" web traffic to web sites and articles. I put "steady" in quotations because I have seen a lot of people use SEO techniques, but they go about using SEO in the wrong way.

Sure there techniques are good enough to generate a lot of web traffic for a few weeks, but what happens after that? If your web content doesn't continue to generate traffic you will lose viewers/customers and sales will plummet. That is why SEO is important. It has to be a continuous investment.

Updating web pages is one way to go about achieving this, but there is so much more than just this. SEO takes hard work and it kind of irks me when people want good SEO for next to nothing.

Just like any "SKILL" (and I say skill because it is) it takes a while to learn and know how it works. Sure anyone can add a few keywords here and there, but that isn't what it is about. If it was, there would be thousands of web pages fighting for the top spots in the search engines.

SEO takes skill, patience and innovative thinking to start with, and the willingness to want to learn more. It takes time and hard work and people who are experts should be able to make a decent livable wage from knowing it.

286 Page Views in Suite-Yay!

2010-05-05T14:54:00.000-07:00

I have noticed my page views have been increasing on Suite within the last few weeks. I think it has to do with a combination of different factors. One, I have contributed at least 4 articles within this time frame. Two, I know more about SEO techniques. And last, bust not least, the topics I noticed people are looking at are the exercising, fat burning and how to eat low fat at fast food restaurants.

From my speculations, I believe it's because now since the weather is getting warmer, people are wanting to learn more abut losing weight and how to keep it off. Once I get done with my freelancing assignments I am going to try to write more on these topics.

I have also noticed a good increase in my revenue as well. I think the higher CPC keywords are starting to pay off, but I need to keep at it in order to capitalize.

Looks like I'm going to be Busy this week!

2010-04-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

Well, I landed another gig on Elance. This has been a good week for me. I knew if I worked hard enough things would work themselves out. I just had to keep the momentum going.

I have learned that in order to land gigs, you have to keep at it. You can't give up. This is why it is important to have more than one client. You can't depend on just one client alone.

I say this because it is more than likely the work they supply you with may run out. Then what do you do? That is why I like writing for Break Studios. I love the topics there and can write quite a few articles within a days time.

When I don't have anything else going on I always go there to find assignments. The assignments are easy, and only have to be a minimum of 250 words. Shute, 250 words, I can write that pretty quick, especially if I am pretty knowledgeable about the topic.

Well, I better get going. I have a lot of work to do. =)

Whoo hoo, another gig about Cosmetics

2010-04-29T12:30:00.000-07:00

Man, I tell ya, I really feel like my hard work is beginning to pay off. I am starting to get a steady flow of work going. I was just awarded another gig on Elance, and I am glad I won this particular project because well, I love makeup!

I remember when I was younger, I was always so mesmerized by makeup. Even before I was even allowed to wear makeup I used to sneak into my mom's room and get into her cosmetics.

I would experiment with the different colors. I can only imagine what I looked like back then, but I know that my curiosity paid off. I really believe because of my fascination with cosmetics and makeup I learned how to apply it correctly.

I remember I would always get tons of compliments on my makeup during high school. People would even ask me to do their makeup for them.

It made me realize that many of the interests we have today, were developed during adolescents. Too bad, I wasn't interested in magic back then. Who knows maybe I would have developed a skill to make money appear out of thin air. jk. =)

Foud a Mini Gig

2010-04-28T05:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I was lucky to have found another writing gig. Hopefully, if I do a good job and impress them there will be more work. You never know, right?

Well, what I have learned about the freelance writing business is that it is so sporadic. I tell you, one week I won't have any work, and then all of a sudden I will have 5 assignments at once.

It sounds like an interesting subject though, and it could teach me a few things that I should already be practicing.

Anywhoo, I will be back later.

"The Art of Happiness," By Howard C. Cutler and The Dalai Lama

2010-04-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love the book "The Art of Happiness," which includes candid interviews between a psychiatrist named Howard C. Cutler and the Dalai Lama. Even though it's a few years old, it is one of the first books I run to whenever I feel like I need some advice about life.

Not only does the Dalai Lama provide some helpful pointers about life, but he makes you realize how important it is that we as "people," and humans beings live life with compassion and forgiveness.

Often we as people tend to get so caught up with living the daily grind and working towards obtaining material possessions, that we fail to look at what is really important in our lives.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read, and enjoys living a well-balanced life.

It's Been a While

2010-04-23T07:39:00.000-07:00

Even though I have been away for a long time I decided to come back to where it all started. I need to make a commitment to myself to write in my blog. I was doing good for the first couple of months, but then, well, things happened. I need to set aside a few minutes at least 3-4 times a week to write in my blog.

Not only does writing help me to clear my mind, but it also helps with my creativity and focus. In writing, these aspects are very important. The reason a clear mind is important is because it helps your writing flow nicely.

When you don't have a clear mind, your writing is not concise. Good writing such make specific points and should be easy to read.

Creativity is important because without it, there are just words on paper. To me, creativity is passion and knowing how to get the attention of the reader. It is always to write with your audience in mind. When you do, the audience will continue coming back for more.

Focus is important because when you focus your articles flow nicely and do not have clutter or disorganized information within them.

Well, I need to complete another one of my assignments, so I better clear my mind, practice my creativity, and be concise somewhere else. lol.

Link to Accepted Article

2010-01-02T15:36:00.001-08:00

Here is the link to my article that was published on studentsover30

When It Rains, It Pours, Literally

2009-12-08T16:58:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it. I have been so busy this last week, it seems like I have been getting one assignment after another. I am indeed grateful for this, because I know how tough it is being a freelancer and trying to find assignments.

I thank God for these excellent opportunities I have been getting. I tell you when you have been out of work for a while and have no money, even the smallest amount of money makes a big difference.

I have learned so much over the past couple of months and I am so glad that I jumped back into writing. When I worked my other jobs, although they were pretty satisfying, I always felt like something was missing. I never quite understood what it was. Now I know, it was my love for writing.

When I stop to think about it. I have always been involved in writing. Whether it was through school, or extracurricular activities or just keeping a journal. I always found myself writing something.

To love something so much, and then all of a sudden give it up I guess was detrimental to my well being. I know it sounds funny, but when you are so passionate about something and it is no longer a part of your life, you also begin losing passion for other things.

I am so glad that I am having success right now. Now all I have to work on is trying to keep it going. =)

Woo Hoo! Story Pitch Accepted

2009-11-28T16:49:00.000-08:00

I am so happy! I came across this web site because of another web site freelance writing gigs and I pitched a story and the editor accepted it. Now all I have to do is find the research supporting the facts, which should be pretty easy.

I am so proud of myself, because I often hear of people pitching ideas, but no one ever says whether their pitches were accepted. Well, I don't know what got into me, but I felt pretty gutsy yesterday and decided to give it a try. I figured, "Hey I have nothing to lose and I am a pretty sharp thinker, so why not pitch this idea?"

I knew the lady was interested when she wanted me to explain more about the article. Well, she liked it and now I am so happy! It makes you wonder how many other people have great ideas, but never pitch their stories?

Here is the website for those who are interested in pitching.

http://www.studentsover30.com/writers-guidelines/

I say give it a try, you never know what may happen!

Cut the Fat from Articles

2009-11-24T06:22:00.000-08:00

The more I write the more I am beginning to notice that sometimes I use too many words within a sentence. It is kind of funny though, I never noticed this before until I started really getting into my writing.

The more I read articles the more it makes sense to me. I have noticed that a lot of articles use very short sentences that are direct and to the point. I am working at accomplishing this, but I think after years of academic writing it has been somewhat challenging for me.

The more practice I have, the better my writing is becoming. Another aspect of writing that I am learning more about is trying to stick explicitly to the topic.

Sometimes I find so much information and I want to include it within the article because I think it is useful information that the reader can benefit from. I guess the more I continue to write the better I be able to identify what needs to be included and what can be excluded.

Many people also suggest if it goes beyond 500 words, to write another article from the remaining information. But, just like any other type of craft, it takes time to identify this and the more practice you have the better writer you become. =)

Lessons Learned from My Mom

2009-11-23T13:11:00.001-08:00

One thing I have always admired about my mom is her strength. She was never afraid to state her opinion and she always said what was on her mind. To me, that is what makes someone a strong person. You can say what you think and no matter what anyone else thinks you say it anyways. Now, I am not condoning blabbing away and not caring about other people's feelings, but I think it takes guts to say what is on your mind and believe in what you are saying.

My mom also taught me respect. To respect myself and to respect others. I think that it was this philosophy that has helped me immensely throughout life. If you don't have respect for yourself, you most certainly cannot have respect for anyone else. So it is important to start with yourself first and foremost.

Slacking off a bit.

2009-11-23T06:00:00.001-08:00

I know that I am supposed to write in my blog everyday, but for some reason this weekend I wanted to take a break from it. There wasn't all too much going on and I was also working on another project. I am almost done.

I don't mind working on the weekends once in a while, as long as I have at least one day off once in a while is fine with me. I don't mind working hard, because I have done this most of my life. And if it involves writing I really don't consider it work.

I wrote another article on Suite, but I really didn't do the keyword search the way I am supposed to. I like the way it turned out, and I am kind of hesitant about adding keywords to it because I like the way it reads just the way it is.

I wrote it as an informational type of article because the segment I watched last night on Nightline was interesting and I wanted to include it in my portfolio.

Oh well, I can go back later on and add some keywords when I have more time.

Last Night on "Private Practice"

2009-11-20T10:43:00.000-08:00

I found my favorite show. I absolutely love Private Practice. I don't know why I do? I am not really into television all that much except for a few shows, but that show always seems to get me coming back for more.

Maybe it's because all the women and all the men are beautiful and smart. I really don't know, but I am drawn to it. Part of what I like about it, is that the acting is good.

There is always something dramatic going on whether it be the patients problems or the individual problems that each doctor faces in their lives.

Last night the episode centered around "Cooper," I like this character's personality the best. He is passionate, loves helping others and goes out of his way for those he loves and cares for.

So much so, that last night he was willing to go to jail for a kid who had stated that his step father abused him.

It turned out that the kid lied about it, so he could be closer to his real father.

My question is, what is the moral thing to do. There is a right choice and a wrong choice, and although he made the incorrect choice, it was the moral thing to do.

With that said, just because something is considered to be the right thing to do, doesn't mean it is the moral thing to do.

No pay web sites?

2009-11-20T07:06:00.000-08:00

I often come across these job postings for blogger positions that state that there is no pay but exposure to the Internet world. Hmmm, let me think. Ummm, no. Why on earth would anyone want to write for free, especially in these tough economic times. I really doubt they will get anyone to do this job, and if they do, I feel sorry for the person who falls for it.

Let me ask this, I wonder if the person who posted the job would work for free? I don't think so. So why is he/she expecting someone else to work for free. That's pretty low, in my opinion.

Writing is a job, just like any other job. Writers put their blood sweat and tears into their work and then for someone to say that they can't pay them is just wrong.

Thank you

2009-11-19T13:17:00.000-08:00

I am not too sure, who, but I am pretty much aware that someone posted my article somewhere either into a forum or another place because I have been seeing a great improvement in my article views on Suite101.

Thanks so much! =)

Reminiscing about Philsophy 7 Class in College

2009-11-17T16:42:00.000-08:00

I think the first time that I really believed in myself and my abilities was when I was in community college. When I had first started attending, I remember not really taking it too seriously. I knew I had to go to college, but I wasn't for sure exactly what I wanted to do with my life.

I remember bouncing back and forth between writing, and psychology, I even pursued business for a short while, but that was when I decided that I would finish all my requirements first before I made the decision as to what field I wanted to pursue.

When I first took philosophy class, I think I was around 19 years old. At that time I went in with a nonchalant attitude and really didn't take the class seriously.

I remember the teacher I had Dr. Rhea was teaching the lesson for the day and I was totally lost. I had no idea what he was talking about or what he meant by "Some apples are fruits, but not all fruits are apples." I was like, huh? Of course their not silly. lol.

But when it comes to philosophy, there are certain formulas you have to work to solve the problem or come to the correct conclusion.

Although it is obvious that not all fruits are apples, that class taught me so much that I never thought it would.

I actually had to take it twice. The first time I dropped the class because I was failing the course. I think the reason why I failed was due to a number of factors.

One was that I wasn't taking it seriously, two I didn't study as hard as I needed to study and three, I really don't think I had the ability to think in the logical nature I had to in order to do well in the class.

I think it was two years later I decided to take it again and I was pondering whether I should take it with another instructor or one that was easier. lol.

But I decided to take it again and although I was a little intimidated by it I knew in order to graduate I had to complete this class.

The next time I took it I made friends with this one girl in the class. She was an honor student and very smart. That was when I said, "hey I might be able to learn something from this girl." So I hung around with her and we actually became really good friends.

I remember she would make me study with her. At first I was like, "there is no way that I am going to learn this, you are way smarter then me." And she would say, "that is why we are studying together." I remember after studying for so many hours a day I started catching on, and it was like a light switch came on in my brain.

It was actually quite weird. I remember that was when I started really to love learning.

I worked so hard that I was one of the few students who was able to get A's on his tests. Of course my friend did better then me, but I remember feeling as though I had accomplished something really important and had worked really hard to get those A's.

The teacher also noticed that I too had improved and had asked my friend and I to be tutors for Philosophy 7 on campus.

I remember feeling so smart. I really couldn't believe that I actually was asked by my Philosophy 7 teacher to be a tutor.

It was because of that hard work and dedication that I learned it may not be the smartest person in the class to be successful, but the one that works the hardest.

2009-11-17T04:31:00.000-08:00

The difference between writing for the web and academic writing

2009-11-16T14:27:00.000-08:00

The more I continue writing for the web the more I realize the differences between academic writing and writing online. In fact, there are an array of differences between academic writing and online writing.

For one, academic writing is more research based to prove a point or reasons that back up what you are claiming. The more research that is provided within the paper that supports your statements the better the paper is.

In regards to writing for the web usually citing sources is not the main goal. Anyone can say whatever they want to say. They can make claims and alot of it is for entertainment purposes.

I like combining the two appraoches in my writing because I have always been a strong believer in backing up any claims I am making with research. I also think it helps the composition reach more people because you have scholarly people that will benefit from reading your article, plus you have other people who want something interesting to read.

By combining these two approaches I believe that an article will do better revenue wise and be able to generate traffic effectively because you will reach a broad range of people.

Why it is important to laugh it off

2009-11-15T09:03:00.000-08:00

Laughing has always been a big part of my life. I guess it has to do with the way I was raised. My family always had a good sense of humor. Even when times were tough, we all managed to get through many of life's obstacles because of having a sense of humor.

I think my dad was a key player in this aspect in both the lives of my sister and I. I have learned that although life is tough you have to learn to take time out and laugh because if you don't you will become overly critical and have a negative demeanor.

By learning to laugh we not only provide a healthy dose of medicine for the mind and soul, but make others feel good as well, which is important in my life.

So the next time things do not go according to plan, joke about it, laugh and remember there is always something learned in the process. =)

The Importance of Working Smarter, not Harder

2009-11-14T03:22:00.000-08:00

I remember when I worked my last job, there was a co-worker whom I shared a partial office with and she was always so full of wisdom. She had a completely different way of thinking, which was so fascinating to me. I would say that I learned quite a bit of wisdom from her.

One of the phrases she used to say was,"Victoria, work smarter, not harder." At the time I never knew exactly what she meant, but as time passed I began seeing how she worked and what she meant by that statement.

I say this because as a writer you can take on assignments left and right, so it is essential to have good time management skills, a strong sense of organization, motivation and the ability to remember information off the top of your head. This will help you with your article writing because it will make the process go a lot smoother.

I have been fortunate to work with many people who I feel have inspired me throughout my life because of their wisdom. This is something that I know will be helpful to me throughout my entire life, not only as a writer, but as an individual as well.

Marriage and Cross country Road Trip Triggered Meaningful Events

2009-11-13T05:57:00.001-08:00

It's kind of funny when I look back on the many journeys my husband and I have made throughout this past year. We have had a lot of firsts together. This was my first time living away from my native state of California. It was the first marriage for both of us, and hopefully the only one, lol.

It was also our first cross country road trip together as man and wife as well as individuals. We drove all the way from Bakersfield California to Rochester New York within four and a half days. All my belongings were tucked away in the car. It was one of the most exciting things I had ever done in my life!

I remember thinking wow, this is really happening! I am moving away from everything I know to start a new life with my husband. It was scary, yet I found serenity knowing that I had found a person that truly loved me for me and I also shared the same mutual feelings for him as well.

I remember seeing the beautiful red rock formations of Arizona and the breathtaking Colorado Rockies that glistened with snow. I remember my husband and I were so excited about all the sights we were seeing that we jumped out of the car to take pictures of what we were experiencing.

We spent 4.5 days in my little opal green honda accord and I wouldn't trade that trip and the experience for anything in the world. It's amazing what a trip can do for the soul.

The reason why I wrote abut this topic today is because I realized that it was this trip that motivated me to begin writing once again. After our trip was over I remember coming up with an idea to write a story about this journey.

It was then that I remembered how much fun I had writing and how much I missed it. It goes to show you that sometimes one decision in our lives can have a profound effect on other aspects in our lives. =)

This guy is funny! =)

2009-11-12T14:21:00.000-08:00

Yet another High Paying Gig! =D

2009-11-12T06:24:00.000-08:00

I am so stoked, I was chosen as one of the providers for a sample project on health articles. I am floating on cloud nine right now. I am so glad I was given the chance to prove myself to this company. I can't wait to get started and make some mula. The people seem really nice too!

I guess there is truth to the saying that time and patience are golden! I knew that if I was patient enough something would come up, it was just knowing when and where! =)

Past Jobs: Never Time Wasted

2009-11-11T12:59:00.000-08:00

I was doing some deep thinking today and after I woke up and had my early morning coffee. I realized how lucky I am to have found what I love doing! Although many of my passed jobs really did not emphasize writing for the web I learned a lot of valuable skills that I believe have helped me throughout my life.

I have learned how to be patient, how to be compassionate, empathetic and to not judge people. It's strange when you take the time to look back on some of your jobs and remember some of the valuable skills you have acquired working in a particular field.

Ever since I was a little girl I always had this urge to help others. It was a feeling that I have always noticed within myself. I love being able to write on a topic and know that someone out there is able to learn something valuable from my article.

I also believe that every job we have regardless of what skills we learn and use, always prepares us for the next job, even if it is in a completely different field. I really don't think I would have had the skills or the knowledge that I have today if it wasn't for those jobs.

I wake up every single day excited about what it is I will write about and love being inspired by everything around me. It is just so fulfilling! =)

Getting a lot of traffic to Suite

2009-11-11T05:41:00.000-08:00

It's kind of funny, yesterday although I was feeling horrible half of the day later on I decided to get on the computer and check my suite articles.

I had over 170 views yesterday! =) For me that is really good! I think the highest I had prior to this was 110!

Just by those my revenue went up quite a bit.

I absolutely love suite and now I am beginning to see why it has been a favorite among users.

At first I was a little disappointed about the pay, but as time goes on I realize that I have learned so much from everyone there.

I have learned a lot about keywords, and the editors and everyone there are really nice and supportive.

I would suggest for people who are wanting to get exposure, get pointers from people of all backgrounds and professions, this is the place to go if you want to have a good support system. =)

Freelance writing jobs you receive are Useful in More ways then one

2009-11-11T05:32:00.000-08:00

The philosophy about the freelance writing gigs that I have been completing goes something like this. Although some of them might be paying a small amount, my writing does not stop their. I have obtained a lot of useful information from all of these writing assignment. These assignments have helped me acquire knowledge I normally would not have learned had I not taken them.

In a way they motivate me to learn more things. I get paid, plus after a certain amount of time I can use this information to write an ebook or another blog, write other articles where I can showcase my writing abilities and knowledge about the subjects.

Everyone has to start somewhere and although I am pretty far from where I want to be in regards to pay, and status, I know that I am a lot farther where I was just a few months back.

I can only imagine how much better my writing will be in another year or so. I know that if I dedicate myself to this profession I will get the satisfaction I have been wanting in a fulfilling career.

All it takes is patience, motivation and the belief that you can do it. =)

Accepted for Bright Hub

2009-11-08T10:10:00.000-08:00

I am so happy, I heard back from one of my applications that I put in two weeks ago. I have been accepted to be a writer for green living and fitness and exercise channel. I logged in, but at the time there are no current open assignments. That's okay though, it looks like a really interesting place to write and a lot of their articles center around science and how science contributes to the modern world. I can't wait to start writing for them. They also pay $10 per article as well, which is nice! Plus you take credit for your work! =)

Update, well I guess there are no openings for the fitness channel right now, but they said they would keep my application and notify me when there are more openings. Well, at least I got through the application process.

I am hoping that there are openings for the green living channel.

This is soooo funny! =)

2009-11-06T04:49:00.001-08:00

Lashisse from Molly Sims

Why it is Important to Cite Sources Within an Article

2009-11-06T04:20:00.000-08:00

In the beginning, whenever I would write an article for Suite101 I was always slightly tempted to not cite my sources. Of course it's a lot easier and effective in regards to time management, but as I started browsing through the articles on the web I started noticing that a lot of people do this. This is fine if you are stating something that is a known fact or is even an idea you created on your own.

The more I write the more I am motivated to cite sources. I don't know if it's because of my experience of writing college term papers and how they were very adamant about plagiarism, but the fact is, the Internet is full of articles that don't have fact based evidence.

There are many beauty products that claim to be the best and say that there have been numerous studies performed which prove it to be an effective skin treatment. But my questions is, where are these studies?

By adding legitimate sources and backing up what you are saying in your article helps to increase credibility.

Therefore, the more sources you have to back up what you are claiming, the better off your article will be and will increase your credibility as a writer.

I have also been guilty of this, but the more I learn about writing and which techniques are more effective the more I want to use these techniques to become a better writer. =)

Examiner.com

2009-11-04T10:25:00.000-08:00

Well, I was in between joining examiner.com because I have heard both good and bad things about it. But I decided to go ahead and make the decision on my own. I am sure glad that I did because I already earned 4 cents and it has only been up for one day.

I can imagine some of you are like, what, 4 cents? But, the way I see it, that is pretty quick to begin earning revenue. I can only imagine how much more I can begin making more money by writing at least the four articles they require per week.

I am really excited and glad that I joined and can't wait to begin researching different health issues and helping people improve their overall health and happiness.

If you or anyone you know would like to sign up, just let me know, because if we refer someone and they are accepted we get $50 referral. I can split the referral in half so $25 will go to you and $25 for me.

In today's times, everyone needs a little extra money!

Anger and it's Causes

2009-11-04T09:48:00.000-08:00

I was doing a keyword search the other day and I came across the term anger. I noticed that there are a lot of people searching this term. After seeing how many people are interested in finding out more about anger it kind of inspired me to do some thorough research on this topic and write an article. I think it will be quite interesting.

Landed Another Writing Gig

2009-10-30T07:03:00.000-07:00

Whooo hooo, I am so happy I landed a better paying gig and it is actually something I am very knowledgeable about, so this is great! Finally, I was beginning to lose a little bit of hope there for a minute. But just as many seasoned freelance writers say, you just have to keep trying and eventually something will come up. =)

Well either I'm not Wise nor a Geek

2009-10-29T08:11:00.000-07:00

Well, I heard back from wisegeek and although they did approve 2 of my articles the one that I had a problem with was the deciding factor. I think in a way I already knew because when the editor handed it back to me and said he/she was confused on a certain part of the article, I was like, yeah you're not the only one. lol.

After reading it and trying to change it I still didn't feel as certain as I wanted to feel because the topic didn't have too much information on the web, so it was hard for me to fully grasp the concept I was writing about if I didn't even know the full definition.

I know I tried my best and to me that is what is important. Sometimes you can give it your all, and sometimes your all is still not good enough.

Freelance writing and Dating

2009-10-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

Freelance writing is kind of like dating. The reason why I say this is because there are many situations we find ourselves in everyday where there are always a ton of uncertainties and we don't know when our next higher paying gig will come into play.

You can bid, bid and bid, but unless the buyer sees you as a perfect fit you find yourself continuing to bid aimlessly until you find a project that will pay you enough to where you don't have to keep looking.

The same philosophy applies to dating. When you are dating, you are always in hopes of finding that perfect person to develop a long lasting relationship. You keep searching and searching aimlessly until you find the perfect match.

It isn't until either you are in a long term relationship or marriage where you don't have to keep looking. =)

Wisegeek application process

2009-10-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally heard back from wisegeek and they sent me back one of my articles so far. Although this might be a bit discouraging for some people I find it a challenge. A challenge to better my writing skills.

Some of the comments made were reasonable. The topic I wrote about was pretty complex and difficult to grasp. In turn, this made it hard for me to compose a well written article where I would be able to showcase my abilities.

I tried my best though, I revised it and sent it back in. I just hope I was able to convey the message they were looking for.

Either way, it was a good experience and I learned something valuable from it. =)