CatalystBlogger

Who Are Your Markets?

2009-11-10T15:04:00.001-05:00

I know a lot has been said about niche marketing. For some people, it's really easy to specialize. For others, specialization is a difficult beast. Personally, I'm a generalist at heart--but I really like to think of myself as more of a Renaissance woman. Many people believe the old adage "jack of all trades, master of none." I don't. I believe that having a diverse skill set is a good thing--because certain skills inform other skills. As a writer, my online sales writing is better since I...

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Advice Can Take You Only So Far.

2009-11-06T13:00:00.002-05:00

I've been reading a lot lately about what works and what doesn't in sales and marketing. And I've been getting a lot of contradictory advice. One book says joining your local Chamber of Commerce is critical. Another says Chambers of Commerce are often packed full of mom-and-pop business owners who don't know what a copywriter does. One says cold-calling is critical; another says the best way to get business is with a complicated, multi-step direct mail campaign. So who should you listen...

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Now Leaving the Comfort Zone

2009-11-04T12:23:00.002-05:00

I started a cold calling campaign today. This is completely out of character for me. I'm strictly a sales-by-the-written-word kind of gal. I can cold-email til the sun goes down, til my fingertips are bloody stumps. But actually talking to a real, live human being who's never met me before, and trying to convince them to hire me? That's my idea of hell. But I've been thinking lately about getting out of my comfort zone--and how good that would be for my business. I hold myself back from...

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Kidnapped by Wolves

2009-11-03T08:06:00.003-05:00

Howling, hunting, eating with my teeth--it's what I've been up to these past two weeks. Actually, I've just been really busy with client work, but things are slowing down. I should be able to get back to a regular posting schedule this week. Thanks for your patience!

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My Thoughts on Content Mills--and Getting Paid What You're Worth

2009-10-19T09:03:00.001-04:00

I've been seeing a lot of posts on blogs I read regularly regarding content mills. Over at Writer's Weekly, there's a big expose on Demand Studios, a content mill that owns and supplies content to eHow and some other content sites. Web Writing Info and Words on the Page have both added to the discussion as well. If this is a new term for you, content mills are websites that pay writers very low sums of money for articles, which are then either resold or used to boost search engine rankings for...

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On Knowing When to Say No

2009-10-16T18:09:00.003-04:00

I had an inquiry recently from an SEO company. I work with several SEO companies already and know the drill, and I felt very confident with this one. The client seemed excited about me and thrilled to get me to handle the full volume of the writing work they needed--until I sent them my rates. Then the excitement evaporated. The client was hoping to pay about a quarter of the amount I quoted. His business was a "volume game," he said--and it was his aim to get as much client work done as...

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On Timing

2009-10-14T15:14:00.005-04:00

I noticed a comment in my last post about defending your prices that got me thinking. My colleague Mike Chen recounted this story: I had one guy who asked for a quote on a Sunday, I reviewed his stuff on Monday and asked for more info, he replied on Tuesday, and I gave him a quote on Wednesday. He said my quote was too high and I screwed up his schedule. I've definitely been in this situation before--when the client needs it yesterday and doesn't factor in that arranging a copywriting project...

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Defending Your Prices

2009-10-09T14:49:00.000-04:00

Recently I had a client request a quote for a small project--a landing page for a new website. I quoted a price based on my pricing parameters, and the response I got was this: "this seems awfully high for such a short project. Would you consider charging less?" Once upon a time, I would have considered doing it. I would have had an insecurity attack, thinking my price was really too high, and would have offered a lower quote. Here's a hint: never do this. Every time I've done it, it hasn't...

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Constructive vs. Destructive Criticism

2009-10-07T14:33:00.002-04:00

As a professional writer, I get a lot of requests for criticism of other people's work. Sometimes it's from potential clients asking for a critique as part of the buying process. Sometimes it's from friends who want to know what I think of their new website or blog. Giving criticism is always tricky, because many people have their egos tied up in what they write--even if they don't realize it. Even that potential business client may have written that web copy himself and be proud of it. And...

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Continuing Education: How to Make Yourself More Valuable

2009-10-01T13:12:00.002-04:00

As a copywriter, you have to market yourself, land clients, work on projects, and make yourself more valuable to your clients--all the time. This justifies your yearly rate increases (you do increase your rates yearly, right?). Here are a few ways I'm looking at to make my work more valuable--and my business more profitable. Take online classes. I know, the promotional copy is a bit over-hyped. But AWAI has some really effective courses, if you're willing to put in the time and effort. They're...

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How to Handle the Post-Vacation Rush

2009-09-25T12:39:00.002-04:00

Is it just me, or does all the work seem to come in at once? Last month was pretty quiet, but the minute I got back from my vacation I had three proposal requests, several emails from previous clients looking for quotes on fairly large projects, and three projects from my regulars to get cracking on--all by the end of the month. I've been busy. So busy I've been neglecting my blog, and after I finally prepared for my vacation with some excellent guest posts. (Thanks to all my guest posters by...

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Getting Serious About Your Business

2009-09-21T13:36:00.003-04:00

For several years after I started my freelance writing business, I was more or less skating by. I was good at what I did. But I wasn't actively pursuing growth; I was taking what came. I had several lucrative regulars and a few semi-regulars who dropped in from time to time, and occasionally I'd pick up a new one through a referral. I barely ever marketed. I barely ever networked. I didn't have business cards. I started my business fairly young, and I wasn't putting a lot of effort into...

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GUEST POST: Want to Work With Me? Here Are My Rules!

2009-09-11T14:07:00.003-04:00

Brilliant aspiring novelist Ginny Stone is a long-time writing collaborator and partner of mine. We've both just finished novels, and are blogging about the editing process (and that whole getting-published thing) over at our new blog, Not So Solitary, along with fellow collaborista Angela Dawn. By day, Ginny is a marketing genius for a well-known publishing house, managing book-release and promotion campaigns for fantasy/sci-fi/paranormal titles-- and she's often in charge of hiring...

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GUEST POST: 4 Tips for Recognizing Clients That Pay Well

2009-09-09T07:59:00.002-04:00

Kimberly Ben blogs at Avid Writer, where she gives tips on the business side of freelancing drawn from her 15 years of experience. I like her even-handed, thoughtful approach to topics such as content mills, freelancing ethics and SEO writing. Her site is definitely one to bookmark. 4 Tips for Recognizing Clients that Pay Well By Kimberly Ben One of the biggest problems many freelance writers encounter while establishing their business is how to find clients that pay well. When first starting...

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GUEST POST: What Do You Do When A Prospective Client Requests a Free Sample?

2009-09-07T08:30:00.002-04:00

I've just discovered Laura Cross's blog True Story Ink. It focuses on ghostwriting and writing nonfiction books, but Laura's got some great advice that's applicable to magazine writers and copywriters, drawing on over sixteen years of experience as a pro--including how to find and approach subject matter experts for a piece you're writing. It's a new blog, but definitely one to watch. What Do You Do When A Prospective Client Requests a Free Sample? By Laura Cross I’ve noticed an increase in...

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GUEST POST: Building Financial Momentum as a Freelancer

2009-09-02T08:53:00.004-04:00

One of the most prolific writers I know, Devon Ellington blogs at Ink in My Coffee, where she shares her experiences as a professional writer--when she's not copywriting or writing short stories, romantic comedies, essays, YA fiction, or blogging on magic and meditation. In both her blog and her comments on this site and others, Devon provides a no-nonsense, no-excuses approach to freelancing that's a breath of fresh air. Building Financial Momentum as a Freelancer by Devon Ellington This...

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GUEST POST: That Whole Work-Life Balance Thing...

2009-08-31T09:02:00.003-04:00

Mike Chen is not only a talented commercial writer and blogger, but he also writes a mean novel. He documents the process over at his novel blog, and when he's not doing that he's blogging about hockey. He's definitely one to watch for--both online and in bookstores. That Whole Work-Life Balance Thing... By Mike Chen If you're reading this, then you know that Jenny's going on vacation. A real no-technology, no-communication, no-work vacation. How many of us are envious? Ok, that looks like...

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GUEST POST: Advice from a Freelance PR Writer to Press Release Seekers

2009-08-28T08:59:00.004-04:00

Over at her blog, The Irreverent Freelancer, Kathy Kehrli keeps deadbeats, low-ballers and scammers in line with her sharp-as-nails commentary on crummy job listings and unrealistic client expectations. Even the ballsiest lowball employers don't dare utter the phrase "easy job if you know what you're doing" in her earshot--and her flat-out refusal to be taken advantage of serves as an inspiration to freelancers everywhere. Advice from a Freelance PR Writer to Press Release Seekers By Kathy...

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GUEST POST: So, What Commercial Writing Projects Are You Working On These Days?

2009-08-26T08:53:00.002-04:00

A few years after I graduated college, a family friend gave me a copy of Peter Bowerman's book The Well-Fed Writer. I am not exaggerating when I say it changed my life. If you don't own it already, stop what you're doing, go over to Peter's site, and buy it. Seriously. You'll thank me. OK, all set? Good. Now on to the post: So, What Commercial Writing Projects Are You Working On These Days? By Peter Bowerman Peter Bowerman here, "The Well-Fed Writer," taking Jennifer up on her invite to do a...

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GUEST POST: How Not to Pitch an Editor

2009-08-24T11:35:00.004-04:00

I'm thrilled to have Deb Ng of Freelance Writing Jobs contributing a guest post to CatalystBlogger. If you're not familiar with this site, this is one you'll want to bookmark--Deb delivers dozens of freelance writing job leads several times a week, as well as tips on professional blogging, social media marketing, commercial writing and running a business. How Not to Pitch an Editor By Deb Ng I’m buried under a pile of email. The amount of people wanting to submit a blog post for consideration...

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GUEST POST: Freelance Writers: 3 Areas to Assess to Land More Gigs During the Busy Fall Season

2009-08-21T08:39:00.003-04:00

Today's guest blogger, Yuwanda Black, is an SEO writer extraordinaire--and her blog, Inkwell Editorial, is one of the first resources I turned to when I was just launching my first site. She taught me a lot about article marketing and SEO writing--skills that ultimately got my business going online. These days she's also blogging at SEOWritingJobs.com. Freelance Writers: 3 Areas to Assess to Land More Gigs During the Busy Fall Season By Yuwanda Black Did you know that freelance writing is a...

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GUEST POST: 5 Signs That This isn't the Gig for You

2009-08-19T08:24:00.003-04:00

Today's guest post comes to you from our very own Urban Muse, Susan Johnston. Her blog combines practicality and professionalism to deliver stand-out business and writing tips for freelancers. Susan's focus is mainly on magazine writing, but the info she provides is often widely applicable to other freelance specialties--including copywriting. 3 Signs That This Isn't the Gig For You By Susan Johnston Since freelance writers are usually paid by the word or the project instead of by the hour,...

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GUEST POST: Why Your Clients Don't Call You Back

2009-08-17T08:22:00.003-04:00

I'm starting off the week with a guest post from one of my favorite bloggers, Lori Widmer from Words on the Page. She's one of the bloggers I visit every day sometime between my morning email check and my morning coffee. Lori's eminently readable blog covers a diverse range of topics from dealing with difficult clients (and I'm pretty sure she's dealt with every difficult client out there) to getting the most from your marketing. Why Your Clients Don't Call You Back By Lori Widmer You’ve...

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The Next Few Weeks

2009-08-14T08:23:00.005-04:00

This is my last post before leaving on my epic trip to Ecuador. I couldn't be more excited to explore a new country and culture--and be away from email and the Internet for a while. This is my first real vacation in a long time. I'll be back on September 11, and in the meantime you'll be in good hands with fantastic posts from some of my favorite freelance writers and bloggers. Here are a few highlights to look for: Ever wonder why some of your regulars drop out of touch--even when you try to...

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Is It Ever a Good Time to Make a Change?

2009-08-11T16:59:00.004-04:00

I've been thinking a lot about timing lately. I'm considering making some expensive changes in my life involving where I live and the quality of my health insurance. These are changes I always thought I'd make someday, when I felt like I was earning enough to be comfortable. Everyone I talked to about it said to wait until I felt like the time was right--I didn't want to strain my budget, especially as I'm a freelancer. So I waited. I built my business. But the perfect time never came--no...

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