tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83057818761252513502024-10-02T04:46:47.049-06:00Beginning WriteA blog dedicated to the world of freelance writing - written by a professional freelance writer.Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-75518870075033456822009-01-19T00:02:00.000-07:002009-01-19T00:02:00.932-07:00Martin Luther King and Defamation on the Web: You Can't Defame the DeadImage via WikipediaI learned something interesting and heart-breaking about defamation. I learned that under the law, you cannot defame the dead. In other words, once someone is dead you can legally say anything you want about them, even print falsehoods, and be protected from legal ramifications.The reason this is relevant is because today is the day that many across the USA honor the memory of Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-7117228700547630212009-01-17T19:53:00.004-07:002009-01-18T13:17:12.062-07:00Paid Content Sites T - ZPhoto © Chance Agrella Last Updated: January 17, 2008As you can see from this list, MANY places will pay you for your writing. I think you deserve that much. Please also bear in mind that with short word counts, when you write what you know you can write quickly. By doing this, it is easy to make $30 - $50 per hour with some of these sites.Please note that companies change their policies Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-88663832318438347762009-01-17T18:58:00.004-07:002009-01-18T13:17:20.987-07:00Paid Content Sites M - SPhoto © Chance Agrella Last Updated: January 17, 2008As you can see from this list, MANY places will pay you for your writing. I think you deserve that much. Please also bear in mind that with short word counts, when you write what you know you can write quickly. By doing this, it is easy to make $30 - $50 per hour with some of these sites.Please note that companies change their policies Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-15911955145139416732009-01-17T18:53:00.004-07:002009-01-18T13:17:28.778-07:00Paid Content Sites H - LPhoto © Chance Agrella Last Updated: January 17, 2008As you can see from this list, MANY places will pay you for your writing. I think you deserve that much. Please also bear in mind that with short word counts, when you write what you know you can write quickly. By doing this, it is easy to make $30 - $50 per hour with some of these sites.Please note that companies change their policies Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-6425161686779168122009-01-17T18:42:00.004-07:002009-01-18T13:17:37.878-07:00Paid Content Sites C - GPhoto © Chance Agrella Last Updated: January 17, 2008As you can see from this list, MANY places will pay you for your writing. I think you deserve that much. Please also bear in mind that with short word counts, when you write what you know you can write quickly. By doing this, it is easy to make $30 - $50 per hour with some of these sites.Please note that companies change their policies Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-10285809265635986582009-01-17T18:33:00.004-07:002009-01-18T13:17:46.397-07:00Paid Content Sites A - BPhoto © Chance Agrella Last Updated: January 18, 2008As you can see from this list, MANY places will pay you for your writing. I think you deserve that much. Please also bear in mind that with short word counts, when you write what you know you can write quickly. By doing this, it is easy to make $30 - $50 per hour with some of these sites.Please note that companies change their policies Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-91861361428610829202009-01-14T00:01:00.002-07:002009-01-14T00:01:00.376-07:00The Ultimate Blogging Job! Check Out This Paid Blogging Job Ad (Its Real!)Image via WikipediaA member of a writing forum pointed out this little gem, and I had to pass it along. So great has the power of the blog become, that the tourism department of Australia is willing to pay top dollar for a great blogger.The blogging job comes with multiple perks, and applications are being accepted until February 22, 2009. However, at the time of writing this post, the Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-16493023999045714642009-01-13T00:01:00.001-07:002009-01-13T11:00:30.606-07:00What is Your Time Worth? Calculating RatesImage via WikipediaIn setting prices for work and in deciding if a gig is ‘worth it’, there are numerous factors to consider. While picking a number out of the air that sounds good is possible, it is not practical.One basic way to calculate rates is determining how much money you want or need to make per hour. Once you are experienced with your particular brand of writing projects, it is easy to Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-56665402875413214592009-01-12T00:01:00.002-07:002009-01-12T00:01:00.887-07:00Website and Blog Tools: Backlink CheckersImage via WikipediaBacklinks are simply links around the web that direct people back to your blog, website, or article. Others can create links to your work by bookmarking them in Digg, delicious, Technorati and other social bookmarking sites, or by putting links to your stuff in their own blog, website, or article.Often when you leave comments online, you are allowed to input a ‘URL’. This is Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-90617605865975643932009-01-09T00:01:00.000-07:002009-01-09T00:01:01.734-07:00Freelance Writing Contracts: Pay Half UpfrontImage via WikipediaOne thing I have learned to do in writing up my freelance contracts and beginning business with new clients is to ask for half the payment upfront. I use PayPal so the buyer (client) feels they have some protection in the deal, too.I do this because too many scammers are out there who will ask for work, not pay, and then make use of your work. Some will claim it was not up to Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-34072094367231773332009-01-08T00:01:00.000-07:002009-01-08T00:01:00.785-07:00The Myths About Working from HomeOver on Freelance Writing Jobs, Deb Ng shed light on some common myths, and the community chimed in. Read the myth-busting blogpost:Freelance Writing Jobs: Working at Home: Myths vs. RealityAs a freelance writer, what myths have you run across and what myths have you busted?The two I have run across the most is that freelance writing is 'so easy anyone can do it' and 'working from home is easy/Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-87012442480902342672009-01-07T00:01:00.001-07:002009-01-07T00:01:02.602-07:00Free Stuff for Freelance WritersImage via WikipediaHere are a few links to help you organize your time and projects as well as promote and ‘professionalize’ your business:Custom Planner TemplatesBusiness Fax CoversBusiness Card TemplatesStationery and EnvelopesFree Post-itsTrack Your Spending and Manage Your FinancesCalendars, Lists, Reminders (mobile phone access, too!)If you know of more freebies that help freelance writers, Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-65863198319599696992009-01-06T00:01:00.010-07:002009-01-18T13:17:57.078-07:00Paid Content Sites RevampedPhoto © Chance Agrella Last Updated: January 17, 2008I am listing all paid content sites I can locate. I am primarily interested in those sites that offer upfront payments, though I will note those that only offer revenue for ads or page views. I do this so writers may know, at a glance, which sites will pay them and which ones will tease them with ‘revenue’. (Very few make decent money with Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-58018446666271837752009-01-05T00:01:00.001-07:002009-01-05T19:33:41.706-07:00Website and Blog Tools: Value CalculatorsImage via WikipediaThere are many fun and helpful tools for freelance writers with blogs and websites. One is a blog or website value calculator. This tool uses various methods to calculate what your website or blog would be worth in financial terms. This is helpful if you wish to sell or flip your site/blog. It can also give you a rough idea of how well you are doing with your blog or Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-30193219312657200672009-01-02T06:00:00.000-07:002009-01-02T06:00:02.778-07:00Writing Samples to Land a Gig – Six Things to KnowImage via CrunchBaseSometimes when applying for a new client or freelance writing gig, you will be asked to provide a ‘sample’ of your work. Usually, you can simply provide appropriate links to previously published work in the same topic. However, sometimes new prospects will insist upon custom ‘samples’. What should you do?There are several schools of thought on this, and it seems to be more a Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-57356000472469561522009-01-01T06:00:00.001-07:002009-01-01T06:00:03.379-07:00Freelance Writing and TaxesImage via WikipediaThis post will become another ongoing resource for information with a link in the sidebar.As of the date of this posting, the New Year (2009) is here and it is time to carry on the act of giving to others . . . by way of taxes to the government!Yes, as a freelance writer you are considered ‘employed’ and responsible to pay not only income taxes (in the U.S.), but other items Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-58257183272849650072008-12-31T06:00:00.000-07:002008-12-31T06:00:02.300-07:00Playing the Client Shuffle – Happy New Year!Image via WikipediaWhile many view New Year’s as a time to make resolutions and make changes, in the life of a freelance writer, every month can be a time of making changes. Projects end, clients come and go, pay rates abruptly change, and work opportunities are like hot dates – they come in cycles of feast and famine. It can be difficult to formulate a concrete work plan when so much can be up Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-15287246319225564002008-12-29T12:21:00.002-07:002008-12-29T16:59:40.840-07:00Oprah and Others Deceived by Author: What Does this Mean for You?Image via WikipediaIn the news is a story about an author who included very intentionally falsified facts in his upcoming book, which was to be published in February, and even touted by Oprah. Now that the secret is out, more than a few are upset with him.What does this mean for writers? I hope that it will mean more careful checks across the board in the publishing world, though I doubt that Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-81464002515438415472008-12-22T13:15:00.004-07:002008-12-22T13:30:37.510-07:00The Freelance National Anthem - Everybody Sing AlongI'd like to give special thanks to Deb Ng at Freelance Writing Jobs for posting this great video. The song is played twice, with the second time accompanied by lyrics so all may sing along.Please join me in singing The Freelance National Anthem:Today's Question:What do YOU love best about Freelancing?Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-34949645684806901332008-11-06T15:37:00.004-07:002008-11-06T16:07:44.810-07:00What Happens to Your Writing Work When You Die?Image via WikipediaA writer I adore posed the question in a forum, and the answer is important to know.When it comes to copyrights, if you own the rights to your work, you own them for the duration of your life plus 70 years if it was created after January 1, 1978. You may will those rights to your heirs.According to the U.S. Copyright Office, "For works made for hire, and for anonymous and Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-61897518941883037112008-11-06T10:53:00.002-07:002008-11-06T11:54:37.682-07:00U.K. English vs. American EnglishSometimes in research and in editing, you may come across spellings you are not familiar with of relatively common words. Before you use ‘Spellcheck’ to correct them, you need to consider if they are correct in U.K. or American English, and if it is more appropriate to leave the spelling as is rather than to alter it.A few examples of such words are as follows:U.K. English*****American Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-83613664677421726082008-11-03T21:50:00.006-07:002009-01-20T01:57:41.351-07:00Best Sources for Finding Writing Work – Perpetual ListLast Update: January 5, 2009Whether it is for magazines, newspapers, or other enterprises, there are some places where good job offerings for writers are compiled and listed on a daily or otherwise frequent basis.This list will be updated as I collect more great sources of job listings. A permanent link to this list is in the sidebar for your convenience.1-Freelance Writing Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-18097133596394344382008-11-03T21:40:00.003-07:002008-11-03T21:48:42.995-07:00Two Quotes for WritersYesterday, I got a message from a fellow writer who is participating in NaNoWriMo. It really struck a chord with me in general, but especially as a writer.“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” ~Mark Twain. (Thank you, Michy!)The other is part of a song I love. I think anyone who Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-1128406357632830432008-10-31T13:18:00.006-06:002008-10-31T13:35:33.610-06:005 Ways to Monetize Your Blog or WebsitePhoto © Chance Agrella There are various ways to earn a little extra money from your writing. One such method is to monetize your blog or website. You can do this in a number of ways.1. Google AdsenseOne of the most commonly used and popular methods, Google Adsense allows you to place advertising on your blog or website. You get paid every time someone clicks on the ads. Please note they take ‘Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8305781876125251350.post-41119173898550718342008-10-31T12:14:00.003-06:002008-10-31T12:24:02.498-06:00Perpetual Firefox and Helpful Firefox Add-ons for Writers ListThe following is a listing of Firefox and Firefox add-ons that can be very helpful to writers. This list will be updated from time to time. A link to this list is available in the sidebar for easy access and future reference. * Free Firefox Browser * Dictionary and Language Packs (Addons) * Feeds, News, and Blogging (Addons) * Photos, Music, and Videos * Search Tools (Addons) * Daniella Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00211120198468869607noreply@blogger.com0