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Writing Etc. – March 1, 2006

ISSN: 1545-5580

Tips, Techniques, and Resources to Transform You From An Average

Freelancer to A Highly Paid Professional.

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To subscr*ibe to Writing Etc. and receive the fr*e e-book, “Power Queries,” surf here:

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Hey, did you know you can get your hands on 150+ webpages of fre* writing info? Just head to http://FilbertPublishing.com and dig around. Be sure to sign up for one of our fre* writing courses. Here’s to some great high profit writing.

Forward Writing Etc. to all your writing friends. They’ll be glad you did.

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Notes from Minnesota

Your Article Questions Answered by Beth Ann Erickson

Paying Markets

An Announcement

Highly Recommended

~~~~~Highly Recommended~~~~~~~~~~

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Whether you thrive on cold calling or are a die-hard introvert who

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techniques will utterly turbo-charge your freelance income.

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Notes from Minnesota

Last time, copywriter extraordinaire Leah Carson and I asked for your most snarly article writing questions.

You came through.

We received over 60 submissions covering everything from getting paid, pricing, where to find ideas, markets… you name it. We’ve got tons of great information lined up for you.

So, how do you get your hands on it?

Easy.

Leah and I are hosting a free teleseminar tonight.

Yup. Absolutely free. No strings attached.

Surf here to get the call details:

http://HighProfitWriters.com

Talk later,

Beth

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Pick up your copy today so you can jump ahead of the pack and start snagging great paying assignments, read more here:

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~~~~~~~~~~~~ Feature Article ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here’s a question we’ll answer in more detail on our call tonight. Here’s the link again: http://HighProfitWriters.com

Lynn asks:

How do we get publishers to pay us more for articles? Last year I said goodbye to a client to whom I'd delivered quality articles for over two years when the publisher refused to increase the 12 cents per word he was paying AND asked me to sign a "writer's agreement" that would have, in essence, turned over control of my business to him. It amounted to an employment agreement with no offer of compensation and implied that writers don't have any professional ethics. The whole matter indicated a lack of respect for the people who deliver the content of his publication that keeps readers interested in it; all he seems to value are the salespeople who generate the ads (they make up to $150k a year from the same company). I understand that those ads pay the bills, but the editorial content is what generates circulation that enables those sales reps to sell ads. Is there a solution, or should I just consider that client an idiot as I move altogether away from writing articles because of the low pay?

Beth says:

Hey Lynn… welcome to the world of freelancing.

Reality check: publishers and editors can pay you pretty much anything they want to. It’s a fact. They post a random rate and boom… that’s how much you’re paid.

It’s like the rungs of a ladder, you’ll find low paying markets, hike up to medium rates, then eventually find yourself commanding higher pay.

But to ask a low paying market to boost you up to a higher rate can be very difficult.

You can produce top rate work, beg and plead for higher pay, but you most likely won’t change the fact that there are a ton of writers willing to work for little or no money.

And to gun after an assignment expecting decent pay when there are a thousand newbies screaming for the opportunity to write for free is simply a waste of time.

If you’ve written for any period of time and still consider these folks your competition, you’re doomed when comes to aspiring to earn a decent wage as a writer.

On the other hand, there are plenty of publications willing to pay top dollar for quality work. These are the markets that newbies (or writers with a newbie mindset) wouldn’t dare approach.

This includes the higher end consumer magazines, some trade mags, and business writing.

It’s when you hit these markets that your income will rise.

And so, you’ve been writing for a publication that won’t raise their pay rates? That’s fabulous news. Congratulations. I applaud your ambition.

And you got fired? That’s even better. Because now you’ve got a little extra time to pursue higher paying markets.

Grab a few books and study a few copywriting techniques. I personally know a writer (don’t tell anyone, but it was Leah… the person I mentioned in the Notes from Minnesota section) who just got paid 15 grand for writing one web page. And her wages are not a fluke… they’re the norm.

Arguing over a per word rate isn’t worth your time. Go for the big guns.

Count your lucky stars, move on and start enjoying your job. After all, your task is to write, not haggle over a few cents here, a few cents there.

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Discover the secrets of killer queries, powerful titles, bylines, markets, payments… you name it. Everything you need to know before you write your next article.

And all the information’s free. Just click here:

http://HighProfitWriters.com

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Paying Markets:

Back next time after I dig myself out of a ton of lucrative writing assignments.

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Announcement:

Last Call:

We’re trimming FilbertPublishing.com again.

Because the site’s growing by leaps and bounds, every now and then we cut out a few pages to make the site’s size manageable.

This means our 2004 archive is headed for the chopping block. If you want to re-read those issues before they’re gone for good, just head to the FilbertPublishing.com vault and start clicking. We’ve already cut out the 2001 – 2003 issues to make way for new and exciting information. I’d hate to see you lose another year without a chance to re-read these classic back issues.

Here’s the link:

http://filbertpublishing.com/Top_Secret_Vault.html

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We 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

Information Marketers! Discover the copywriter who knows the unique demands of your industry and can help you sell a ton of product. http://BethAnnErickson.com

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Writing Etc.

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