Writing Etc. Make Your Writing Sparkle. Write Killer Queries. Get Published.  www.FilbertPublishing.com

 

Notes from Minnesota

Hey Freelancer! 

I've been keeping an eye on the economy with rapt attention. Its affect on the freelance community has been pretty darn interesting.

I've heard stories of massive book returns to small publishers and layoffs right and left.

Despite this nasty news, now's a great time to super charge your freelance career. With lesser writers dropping out of the profession, with companies still screaming for writers who are proficient in effective, low cost marketing methods, with businesses still devouring massive amounts of information, now's the time to take your career seriously, educate yourself, and start soliciting for writing assignments ASAP.

When the economy's hot, freelance assignments are a dime a dozen. As it contracts, effective communicators will be in more demand than ever before.

I hope you're growing your writing biz. If you're not sure what to do next, surf here. The Creative Mindset Community's gearing up to make 2009 the most profitable yet by tackling subjects such as Internet Marketing, Brick and Mortar writing assignments, Profitable Autoresponders... just to name a few. You receive a print newsletter, private community, and monthly telseminar. The monthly subscription goes up this month so I hope you'll join us. :)

Here's the link.

Onward and upward!

Beth

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

Mindset Moment

Hey Freelancer,

As you go through your day always remember who you are.

You are the scribe of our generation. You hold unique stories within you. Your intuitive nature is sure to delight, anger, frustrate, and bring great joy to this world.

You hold beauty. You create bliss. You are the color pink in a gray world.

You possess the nature of a creative person.

Always remember this.

Your Faithful Muse

P.S. Wanna make fun a permanent fixture of your life? It's easy. Just frame every single day with the proper mind set. Read all about it here: http://filbertpublishing.com/mindset.html

Beth's Hot Pick of the Week

 
Listening to the latest financial news, hearing about the most recent bankruptcies, with layoffs making headlines, it's become abundantly apparent that the only person responsible for your financial security is you. That's why freelance writing just may be one heck of a good way to stop the gap between your current wages and expenses, it can also provide a fabulous freelance income. 

Believe it or not, freelancers become higher in demand as companies tighten their belts and search for ways to reduce expenses.

So... how do you land these lucrative assignments?

Well, I just made it easier for you. I nabbed two of Filbert Publishing's best sellers, bundled them, and made it easier than ever before for you to grab a virtual power-house of hard core freelance information you can immediately use to jumpstart your writing career.

I've got a limited number of these books left in my office. It's first come, first serve. Once they're gone, that's it.

Details are here.

 
 
Polish Your Resume Part Trois 

Beth Ann Erickson

NOTE: Click here to read part one of this series and click here for part deux.

These last few weeks, you’ve been making lists. Tons of lists. 

You’ve listed your education, your employment history, you’ve written down every activity you’ve participated in. You’ve finished your Kudos list and have a long list of publishing credits.

Your skills are listed and you’re keeping your Master List in a convenient place so you can add to it whenever you think of something new.

Now you need to create an individualized resume for each type of assignment you’re hoping to land. For example, I have different resumes for potential copywriting assignments, freelance newspaper jobs, and magazine writing. Each resume is totally focused for that particular industry.

Each resume will consist of around six categories depending on your life experiences, job history, and education. You may or may not use some of these “categories.” Sometimes you’ll use them in a different order than I have them listed here.

The point is that you need to organize your information and make every word laser sharp so you can increase your chances of landing the job of your dreams.

Begin by writing clear contact information at the top. If the potential employer or client can’t find you, they can’t hire you. Write your name, address, phone number, e-mail address, and web site URL at the top of your resume. Use bold print. Don’t use fancy fonts, though. Keep is clear, simple, and precise.

Now... on to organizing your resume. Here are six categories you can use....

Objective: Why did you create this particular resume? Do you want to want to write fiction? Do you want copywriting assignments? Do you want to write web copy?

But here’s the big secret: Don’t write something like, “I want to work as a copywriter.” Write with your potential client in mind. Something like, “I’d like to work as part of a team promoting your product.” Tailor it for each company you contact so if they’re a service-oriented business you can hone your objective to suit their needs.

  • Job History: Plug in the relevant job listings from your master list that will help you land this particular assignment. Your history is usually listed beginning with the most recent.

  • Education: List all the relevant information here.

  • Certificates or Licenses Earned: If you have a particular license or certificate that is relevant to your job search, add it here.

  • Skills: Any skills you’ve developed are listed here.

  • Activities: Activities that are relevant to your job search are listed here.

Make sure EVERY word in every sentence you write is valuable. This means you edit, edit, and edit some more until you get your resume down to one page - two pages maximum. If it’s longer, shorten it. Don’t include anything that isn’t relevant to the job you’re seeking today.

Once you get all your experiences into your resume, you probably think your work is almost done, right?

Wrong.

The most important part of your resume has yet to be created. But you’re a writer so it’ll be a snap....

~~~

Beth Ann Erickson is the “Queen Bee” of Filbert Publishing. She’s also the author of numerous titles including “101 No Cost and Low Cost Secrets To Turbo Charge Your Freelance Income.” Pick up your copy today at http://filbertpublishing.com/101.html   She’s also a busy copywriter, speaker, and publisher of Writing Etc., the free e-mag for writers.

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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 

WRITERS FIND MARKETS EASILY - Worldwide Freelance has a NEW fully-searchable Markets Database. Discover writing markets from North America, Europe, Australia and other places. It's free, so come and try it out

here: http://www.worldwidefreelance.com

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