Notes from Minnesota   

Hey Freelancer! 

It's been a fabulous couple weeks! I'm LOVING my new schedule.

So, I'm living my happy life in tiny Kandiyohi, and I open my e-mail set to enjoy one of my favorite zines.

Boy, was I in for a surprise.

I won't name names, after all, publishing is (or was) known as a “gentleman's profession.”

But wowzers. I'm not sure when this happened, but our little freelance world has become quite the negative hot bed.

This saddens me. A lot.

I love writing. I enjoy publishing. I truly believe we writers possess the power to influence our world in a myriad of positive ways. After all, we're lucky enough to take part in the best profession in the world.

Is it a perfect profession? Nope. We've got a few scalawags in our midst, every profession does, but these folks most certainly don't define who we are.

To focus on the tiny minority is a real bummer. But what bothers me is how this situation has turned into a pecking party with readers, fellow freelancers, jumping into the fray and joining in the flogging.

Double bummer.

Me, I've said my piece and I refuse to focus on this tiny minority when the vast majority of freelancers are utterly awesome. I write this to urge you to do the same. After all, this is not only your career, it's your life. Would you rather spend your time outraged, angry, and frustrated, or would you rather focus on happiness, joy, and fulfillment?

The choice is yours.

Enjoy today's issue of Writing Etc.! Have a fabulous (and profitable) week!

Beth :)

P.S. Be sure to check out our best sellers. Here's the link

P.P.S. Share Writing Etc. with your freelance friends by  clicking here.

Beth's Hot Pick of the Week   

As much as I hate to admit it, if you don't know how to sell, you'll never become a successful freelance writer. That's the bad news.

Good news? You don't need to turn yourself into a pretzel to learn effective marketing techniques. In fact, just master a few rudimentary concepts, and you're well on your way to creating a writing career on your own terms.

I lay out a clear marketing plan on this easy-to-listen-to CD called “Marketing 101 for Writers.”

It's ten smackers and write “Writing Etc.” in the comments area and I'll throw in my two powerful audio CDs: “Preparing for Creativity” and “Dissolving Blocks.”

Just click here. :)

Make Your Writing Sparkle  

Most people, and I mean virtually every single person you encounter, live in what is called a “white zone.” This white zone means that they live in a fog, on auto pilot, nearly unaware of what's going on around them.

Think about it. You get up in the morning, you get dressed, you eat breakfast, you head to work... it's all automatic, you're able to do this without a second thought.

This week, (and yes, this has everything to do with your writing career), mix up your schedule big time. Take a different route to work. Get dressed in a different order (socks first, for example). You'll be amazed at how doing every automatic activity differently, totally mixing up your routine, even your mini-routines, will rock your world.

As you do this, write about your experience. And have FUN!~!

'Til next time. :)

Prompts for the Week  

If you need to jumpstart your journaling, these prompts will give you a fresh perspective and (hopefully) help your mental journey to new territory. Here are the rules:

First, read the prompt and ponder it a minute.

Second, get writing. Don't stop. Even if you can't think of anything, keep the fingers moving.

Third, write a minimum of one page per prompt.

Let's get started:

1. This summer I want to...

2. If I were a book, my title would be...

3. I am the wind. This is what I'm thinking...

4. I am lightening. I want to...

5. If I could control the weather, I would...

6. My name is Earth. Here is my wish for you...

7. I am the color green. Tell me about myself...

Have fun!

Feature Article  

Building Your Freelance Library

Beth Ann Erickson 

Let’s pretend I’m just beginning my writing career and think this “learning how to write a letter/ad” sounds interesting. What do you suppose I’d do to begin my own copywriting biz?

First, build I’d build my copywriting and/or marketing library.

I highly suggest you do the same.

You can also take some courses, get a mentor, or contact a working copywriter who will give you some small assignments to cut your teeth on. You won’t make money hand over fist, but you’ll certainly receive a million dollar education.

DON’T accept spec assignments. Your time’s worth money. Either learn on the job or experiment with selling your own products.

Most important? Educate yourself in BOTH copywriting and marketing.

Many copywriters aren’t skilled marketers. Many marketers can’t write themselves out of a hole.

Master both skills and you’re dang near unstoppable.

Let’s start with my “Recommended Reading’ book list every aspiring freelancer really ought to have in their library:

Anything by John Carlton, if you can get your hands on it. He doesn’t sell his stuff often, and when he does, it’s absolutely worth plunking down a few hundred for it.

I own both his “Kick As* Secrets of a Marketing Rebel” and his famous “Freelance” course. The first gives you a first class education on... well... marketing. The other teaches you how to get good fast and make a living as a copywriter.

Dan Kennedy information is top notch. However, I opt for his books available on Amazon, not for his pricey videos and audios.

Bob Bly’s “Copywriting Handbook” covers the basics of copywriting fabulously. This text alone rivals the AWAI course, in my opinion. Plus you’ll save a few hundred bucks by getting this book instead of that course.

Bob Bly’s “Secrets of a Freelance Writer” covers exactly how to set up your biz and start getting clients. One thing I like about Bly is that he prices his products very competitively. I’ve spoken to him about this and his mantra is he’s rather sell a higher volume and get his information out rather than create an artificial scarcity situation.

Very, very cool.

What’s next on the list, including a text you should read every single year?

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Beth Ann Erickson is the “Queen Bee” of Filbert Publishing. She’s also the author of numerous titles as well as the Creative Mindset Newsletter. Pick up the first seven copies today here. She’s also a busy copywriter, speaker, and publisher of Writing Etc., the free e-mag for writers. 

P.S. You can use this article free of charge on your own website or zine. Just don’t make any changes and be sure to include the entire byline. Enjoy!

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I Recommend:

Writing For Dollars! The FREE ezine for writers featuring tips, tricks and ideas for selling what you write. Receive the FREE ebook, 83 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WRITING when you subscribe. Email to subscribe@writingfordollars.com -*-

http://www.WritingForDollars.com

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