Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success Melissa Shultz

1. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success Melissa Shultz

2. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success

3. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success # 1 Establish A Plan. • All good plans are inspired by a goal. What is yours? • Plant a seed. • Generate a concept

4. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success # 1 Establish A Plan. • Determine the types of writing you will focus on and the minimum income you can survive on. • Save money before you begin.

5. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success # 1 Establish A Plan. • Set up an office. • Open a business checking account. • Get a business credit card.

6. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success # 1 Establish A Plan. • Print business cards. • Get insurance. • Dance around the new office.

7. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success # 1 Establish A Plan.

8. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #2 Get Help. • Employ the help of groups that represent writers • National Writer’s Union www.nwu.org • American Society of Journalists and Authorshttp://www.asja.org • www.authorlink.com • www.writersgarret.org

9. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #2 Get Help. • Trade Associations • www.asaecenter.org • www.consumeraction.gov/trade.shtml

10. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #2 Get Help. • Careerbuilder.com • JOBcentral.com • Monster.com • FederalGovernmentJobs.us • Jobs.com • Flipdog.com • Indeed.com

11. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #3 Be Prepared. • Offer different rate options. 30 Hours Total 22 Hours Total Creative Director - 8 hours @ $100 / hour Copywriter - 14 hours @ $ 50 / hour _____________________________ $1,500 $1,500 / month for 3 months

12. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #3 Be Prepared. • Offer different rate options. • Keep track of your hours. • Determine payment stages. • Review types of rights. • Include a cancellation clause.

13. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #3 Be Prepared. • Be prepared to make quarterly payments to Uncle Sam. • Get an accountant for at least one round of taxes. • Stay on top of what the IRS permits and doesn’t.

14. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #3 Be Prepared. • Set up an accounting system. • Save for a rainy day. • Get health and disability insurance.

15. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #3 Be Prepared. • Hire your own freelancers. • Send out written agreements. • Send out 1099’s.

16. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. • Check out other writer’s websites. • Create your own website?

17. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. • Experiment with queries. • Create a business card.

18. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. • Consider your appearance

19. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. • Create a bio • Get a photo of yourself

20. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. Network

21. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. • Create a list of editors and executives and their contact info. • Check out mastheads and websites.

22. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. • Don’t flaunt your degrees

23. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. • List your services. • www.MediaBistro.com • www.FreelanceWriting.com • www.ASJA.org

24. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #5 Be an Armadillo.

25. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #6 Be Curious.

26. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #7 Read. • Focus on your area of expertise.

27. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #8 Be Flexible. • Be willing to take jobs that help pay the bills or get you published. • Check out local publishing houses that hire ghostwriters. • www.brownbooks.com • www.benbellabooks.com • Use your client’s voice.

28. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #9 Create a “Projects-In-The-Making” File. • Write your ideas as they occur to you. • Have more than one project going. • Always have at least one pitch ready to go out.

29. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #10 Get Published. • Start small and work your way up. • Show only relevant material.

30. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #1 Establish A Plan. #2 Get Help. #3 Be Prepared. #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. #5 Be an Armadillo. #6 Be Curious. #7 Read. #8 Be Flexible. #9 Create a “Projects-In-The-Making” File.

31. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #1 Establish A Plan. #2 Get Help. #3 Be Prepared. #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. #10 Get Published. #5 Be an Armadillo. #6 Be Curious. #7 Read. #8 Be Flexible. #9 Create a “Projects-In-The-Making” File.