An Outline For Writing A Short But Informative Freelance Article

Since I started writing professionally, I've encountered a number of clients who have requested different guidelines for writing articles and other content for web purposes.  Sometimes these guidelines have been simple and straightforwards.  Other times, they have involved very complex instructions in order to get the job done according to their specs.  It is one of those things that is a mainstay of the freelance writing business.  It requires a lot of adaptability on the part of the writer.

I wanted to introduce you to simple article writing outline that I was given by a fellow writer to help build my articles around a sound structure.  For many would-be writers or even newbies, the challenge is to funnel those ideas in to an article that reads well and logically.  If you read a lot on the web, you may already know that there are plenty of bad writers producing content out there on a regular basis.  Why not better your chances of getting more work by presenting your clients with competently-written pieces?  With that said, let's look at that outline.

When A Blog Becomes A Business: Four Dynamic Blogs To Help You Build Yours

I wanted to switch gears a bit.  I've been learning more about blogging recently, both by doing it myself and by checking out some great informative blogs that discuss blogging as a business option.

The first thing to note is that there is no shortage of blogs out there that cater to the "work from home" crowd.  Once one hears that it is possible to make an income by posting on a blog, it is amazing how many jump in to test the waters.  With just a brief search you can find many aborted attempts left adrift in cyberspace.  Most of these would-be blogs have simply been abandoned by their creators.  The posts are months old; there's nothing new to report.  Sometimes, the topic dries up and sometimes the blogger caves to disappointment when their financial hopes aren't met with the blog.  There are many reasons for this.

In fact, there the reasons probably vary with the individual, but I think there are some common reasons.

1. Flawed expectations - This is pretty common really.  When you start a blog you may have been led to believe that blogging can be a guaranteed work-at-home opportunity.  You might equate it with some sort of get-rich-quick plan.  It could be simple misinformation.  Take your pick.  When what you expect to happen doesn't happen when you believe it should, you get disappointed; you may even quit.
2. Wrong Topic - It may be just a bad choice of topic on your part.  It's okay.  We all make mistakes.  The challenge is to keep searching.  You might turn around and find a subject that both interests you and has better chances of generating traffic. 
3. No Strategy - This one is a pretty significant reason - and it is one that probably the most common.  Many people have a tendency to "look before they leap" or  "bite off more than they can chew."  In other words, you may have left a blog behind simply because you had no definite strategy to take it to the next level.  That idea brings me to the main subject of this post.

Four Blogs About Blogging

Here are four great blogs I'm following on a regular basis.  They're listed in no particular order.

1. Entrepreneurs-Journey.com with Yaro Starak - I found this site because of another internet entrepreneur I've been following for several months was interviewed by Yaro about the launch of his successful business. It was an interesting interview.  More importantly, it introduced me to someone making money as professional blogger.  In fact, Yaro has made money online through a series of blogging and business ventures.  Entrepreneurs-Journey.com was created to share information with fellow bloggers about what he did to get results.

2. DavidRisley.com: Confessions of a Six-Figure Professional Blogger - David Risley's blog is the one I'm following closely right now since I was introduced to him recently.  I like his style.  I've downloaded his reports on blogging for my own purposes and get updates directly in Facebook.  He, like Yaro, offers his services to help get a blog up and running - and generating an income via his Blog Master's Club.

3. Problogger.Net with Darren Rowse - Rowse has been offering information on his site for a long time now.  He has a reputation that precedes him.  I've only started following him lately.  Perhaps, that puts me behind the blogging knowledge curve.  Still, I know enough to realize that he's a gold mine for resources and useful wisdom about the blogging business.

4. RobbSutton.com - This guy is my most recent addition.  I'm still in the process of evaluating his site and persona online.  Sutton writes decent posts too.  He also sells his consultancy services for those who wish to create a winning blog.  (I think this is something that all of these bloggers have in common; they wish to share their knowledge about blogging so you and I can have the opportunity to join them as successful online business owners.)

The Breakdown

For me, the idea of blogging is just another part of being a writer.  I hope to share what I know or maybe a different take on what many of you reading this may already know to an extent.  I am a voice among many.  Still, it's my voice.  Blogging is tool in the hands of the freelance writer.  It is one I hope to use for the benefit of those who read mine and to help myself grow as a writer.  (Money is nice too, but obviously secondary to providing something worth reading. Otherwise, why bother?)

Take a look at these four sites.  Get a chance to see what sort of value they are offering their visitors.  That's a key that you might use in your own blogging endeavors.  Good luck.

What Is Ghostwriting?

Short answer: It's what I do.

Of course, that's not enough to warrant a new post. Some of you reading this may not know much about the topic. When someone says ghostwriter, you frown. I'm catering this post to the newbie but I do welcome more insights from the pros out there who might read this. Ghostwriting can be a great way to earn money. Okay, so what is it?

Define Ghostwriter

First, I'll give you a simple definition. "A ghostwriter is a professional writer who is paid to write books, articles, stories, reports, or other texts that are officially credited to another person." (Wikipedia) That is what you're doing folks. You write something for a paycheck and someone else gets the credit. Does that sound appealing to you? It isn't for everyone. You may prefer to go it your own way and find work you can attach your name to. (Who doesn't want credit for the hard work they put in to write great content?)

On the other hand, if all you are worried about is a paycheck so you keep the bills paid, then you might consider ghostwriting. Also, if you like to write about variety of topics, you may be a great candidate for freelance ghostwriting.

Drawing A Distinction Between Web Ghostwriting And Other Kinds

Now, I want to make things clear. There are two dimensions to ghostwriting. You can choose to use the internet to find the work you need or you can pursue ghostwriting outside of this medium. In other words, you could write hardcopy books and articles that get published in print media. Primarily, I am addressing those who've chosen to be a writer online and who have taken advantage of the many opportunities that are out there. (Specifically, as I said, I am talking to those of you who may be thinking about starting their own freelance writing businesses.)

Possible Rewards of Being A Ghost

There are definitely two key benefits to being a ghostwriter.

You get to write about all kinds of subjects. This can be a great way to expand your knowledge base. The phrase "Knowledge is power" still resonates in the world of content creation. This is especially true when you work primarily online.

You can make a good living. This is definitely true when you've been at it for a while. If you take the time to build up your freelance ghostwriting business, you can easily make enough money each month to pay your expenses. In fact, the more that you spend searching for the right customers and expanding your writing base, the more opportunities may come your way.

Make no mistake though, it can be hard work. It will take time to get a steady stream of clients. You may encounter dry periods where the business slows. It's like that out there. You need to have a dynamic strategy in place to cope with these changes.

A Ghostwriter's Strategy
What do you need to increase the odds that you will maintain your workload when other writers may be suffering from a lack of steady projects?

Don't forget to diversify your income streams. This is one of the biggest mistakes that newbies make. You find one outlet for work and you stick with it. No matter what, you bid on projects or join a single freelance writing team. Things are going good for a while. You're finding good projects on a consistent basis. The money is flowing in regularly. It's all going great. Then, the ball drops and the work stops - or at least slows down.

Solution: Spread yourself out. There are plenty of outlets that you can choose from for freelance writing projects. Better yet, approach people directly if you think they might be receptive. There are plenty of web businesses that need quality content or, perhaps, a face lift on their websites. If you're a good ghostwriter, then you might secure some other gigs while you continue to bid elsewhere. Again, the key is diversification.

Network on social media sites. Get the word out. Join Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and all of those other sites. You might also log on to freelance writing forums. They offer you a place to contact other writers, prospective employers, and also provide a place to showcase your work.

Have an online presence. This is another way of saying that you should have a website or a blog. This gives you a place to direct prospects. You can include portfolio samples and whatever else you like. Don't leave out profiles you may have on other freelancing job sites like Elance or Guru.

Keep At It

The main point is that it's important to keep moving when you want to be a successful ghostwriter. There are no shortcuts in this process. Be a professional. Be someone clients like working with. With that said I wish you good luck on your own writing endeavors.

Four Steps To Starting A Freelance Writing Business

This post marks the beginning of a new series of posts I'll be writing on the basics of freelance writing business as I have experienced it.  As an introductory message this will be old news to some of you, but I am sure there many would-be writers out there who have the skills needed to make a run as a freelancer, but lack understanding about what you need to do this.  Maybe you just want a little extra money or you want to build a viable alternative income from the ground up so you can escape your current job.  It doesn't matter what your reasons are.  The only think you might lack is some direction.

Sometimes the best direction comes from someone who has been where you are already and has discovered the steps needed to found a viable business.  There are some essential steps that I think are really important ingredients to any plan for establishing a business as an online freelance writer.  Let's look at four steps to starting a freelance writing business.

Step #1: Seizing The Opportunity

You may have already considered what it would take to be a freelance writer, but you haven't felt like there was real chance of anything happening. Right now, I am giving you that chance.  I think you should seriously consider what the potential benefits of this kind of business could be to you.  In other words, you must seize the opportunity.  It really isn't as hard as you think.  Your willingness to move forward and get serious about freelance writing is crucial.  All other steps depend on this first one.

Step #2: Sign Up To Get Work

Okay, now you're committed to the idea.  Now, you have to find the work.  As you've likely discovered, the internet is the place to go for this opportunity.  Your entire business can done from home while online.  There are so many options for freelance writers to establish themselves and get paying work.  One of the top ones is Elance.  (It's one that I've used exclusively in the past.)  Others include ODesk, Guru, iFreelance.  The list could go on.

Each network is different.  I will use Elance as the example, since I am familiar with the general structure.  First, you must sign up to get an account.  There are various account options.  You might start with a free account before moving up to one of their paid accounts.  With each account, you are given a certain number of credits or "connects" that can be used to bid on different types of projects in a variety of categories. Each project is assigned a certain number of connects based on its budget price.

You will bid on these projects alongside other writers (and writing teams).  This might be the most challenging part since you are in competition with these providers to secure a project.  It takes time to gauge the best approach to bidding.  You will have to be patient to see results.  Patience is crucial.

All business may be conducted on Elance's secured server.  All file uploading, payment processing, and discussions with the buyers can be done in one place.  You are able to establish a profile that outlines all of your working skills for potential client to browse when looking for providers to contract. Many writers like this structure and stick with Elance and others like them.  It's a good way to get started.

Step #3: Record Keeping And Lists

Once you've established yourself enough that you're getting work, you will want to keep track of all of those financial records.  You have self-employment income that must be accounted for come tax time.  How you do this may vary.  Some use professional programs to track their incomes, while others simple create spreadsheet or other document to record and add up their project totals.  You may want to experiment with different systems so you can maintain accurate and updated records.

Keeping records also involves making a list of the projects you've had as well as the names of the clients.  This allows you to contact them again at a later date for repeat project opportunities.  It may also serve you later in case you need sources for references.

Step #4: Expand Your Portfolio; Build Your Business

Now that you have a business (at least a part-time income, if not more), you probably don't want to stop there.  Maybe your goal is to change this side gig into a full-time job.  If' that's so you need to build up your client lists, engage in more focused project searches, and add relevant projects to your portfolio.

Now, in some instances, what sort of portfolio you have may be limited because of agreements you made concerning content, especially when contracted as a ghostwriter.  The best thing you can do is request the use of some material in a portfolio collection if possible.

The other aspect of this step is growing the business beyond your one income stream.  The more varied sources of possible writing jobs you have, the better your chances are of building up your business.  It also helps that you will gain access to better paying work the more time and attention you pay to finding clients and establishing relationship with other online businesses, including marketers.  You may know someone who knows someone who needs a job done, some web content or some blogs that need written.

You have to have the right mindset and you must be on the look out for these sorts of opportunities.

Get Started Already

Okay, there you have it.  I've given you the basics.  Now, take them a get moving.  You could be writing before you know it, and making a little cash too.  Take advantage of the opportunities that are at your fingertips. Thanks for reading...