Comments for Make A Living Writing

Comment on The Critical Networking Step Many Writers Miss by Nancy

Nancy — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:08:56 +0000

Excellent advice in this post.

When I first started going to networking events, my objective was to GIVE OUT my cards. It took me a while to figure out that I was getting more returns from the cards I COLLECTED and followed up on.

In response to John White’s comment: that’s true that a business card does not automatically equal a lead. But networking events allow you to talk to people and figure out who is a potential customer. Then you take cards from those qualified leads… and follow up afterward.

Comment on The Critical Networking Step Many Writers Miss by John White

John White — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:27:40 +0000

Don’t get your (husband’s) trousers in a twist, Carol. A great deal of business card exchanging is only pseudo-networking.

I believe in networking, and I applaud your husband’s efforts to network. But a business card does not a lead make. In fact, it doesn’t even a newsletter recipient make, as we all find out when we send unsolicited e-mail to people who have given us their business card.

A lead is a relationship. A business card alone isn’t.

That’s been my experience, anyway. Still, you have the talent, skill, personality and luck to make these pan out for you, and that’s why I’m reading your blog…

Comment on The Critical Networking Step Many Writers Miss by Tweets that mention Make A Living Writing » Blog Archive » The Critical Networking Step Many Writers Miss - Frank advice about the business of writing. -- Topsy.com

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:51:59 +0000

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Comment on Demand Studios’ IPO Reveals More Reasons Writers Should be Wary by Lemonade Diet Supplement

Lemonade Diet Supplement — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:15:15 +0000

Thanks for the informative article. Will check out more of your blog posts!

Comment on Good-Paying Jobs for Writers in Social Media by Kip Seldon

Kip Seldon — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:40:56 +0000

Really great, practicly explained and Helpful Guidelines.

Comment on 8 Reasons Why Writers Need Twitter by Mac Marvier

Mac Marvier — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:41:04 +0000

It’s good to see a great post about Twitter plus social networking every once in a while. Nice one, ta for an excellent read!

Comment on How to Earn Well as a Freelance Writer–When English is Your Second Language by Carol Tice

Carol Tice — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:51:55 +0000

Nita –

Thinking of you this morning — look at this job listing I just saw on LinkedIn — someone looking for a Hindi/English copywriter looking to get into radio. Great example of the sort of thing we are talking about above! http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&discussionID=28530692&gid=75711&trk=EML_anet_qa_ttle-0Ut79xs2RVr6JBpnsJt7dBpSBA

Comment on How to Earn Well as a Freelance Writer–When English is Your Second Language by Tweets that mention How to Earn Well as a Freelance Writer–When English is Your Second Language -- Topsy.com

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:09:04 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by AlineB, Carol Tice – Writer. Carol Tice – Writer said: RT @TiceWrites How to Earn Well as a Freelance Writer–When English is Your Second Language http://bit.ly/bXrB9Q [...]

Comment on How to Earn Well as a Freelance Writer–When English is Your Second Language by Aline

Aline — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:49:28 +0000

Thank you so much. I appreciate the advice i got from you Carol and Randy Hecht. I had never thought about taking advantage of the fact I speak fluently Portuguese, and I am very aware of problems and culture about Brazil. I will def turns my eyes in business writing or business journalism.

Thank you Thank you

Comment on How to Earn Well as a Freelance Writer–When English is Your Second Language by English Lesson Plans – How it can help your classroom | Online Degrees and Online Degree Programs

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:21:17 +0000

[...] Make A Living Writing » Blog Archive » How to Earn Well as a Freelance Writer–When… [...]

Comment on How to Earn Well as a Freelance Writer–When English is Your Second Language by Facts On Teaching Abroad | Uncategorized | Information about Careers

Facts On Teaching Abroad | Uncategorized | Information about Careers — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:59:38 +0000

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Comment on 3 Simple Steps to Create Consistently Awesome Web Content by Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:53:47 +0000

Really great advice. I particularly like the suggestions on how to research the client’s company and the strategies for writing in the client’s voice.

Comment on Lessons From A Blogger’s Vacation by Langhantelstange

Langhantelstange — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 18:52:36 +0000

Hi all, im from turkey so my english is not that awesome. Please dont blame me. I read blogs to make my english better and i just want to say that your blog was perfect readable for me, because the english is really great and all the article are perfect readable. I will come back, to improve my english even more. Thanks a lot

Comment on How I Became A Freelance Writer Again: 7 Steps to Earning Big by Carol Tice

Carol Tice — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:27:57 +0000

Based on the Bangalore job-ad you’ve linked to here and the English grammar problems in the comment above, I’d say work on your English skills as a start if you want to freelance for English-language publications.

But also, stayed tuned on this blog for next week, when I’ll be answering a question about freelance writing opportunities when you are not a native English speaker!

Comment on 7 Steps to Finding Good-Paying Web Content Clients by Carol Tice

Carol Tice — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 17:25:54 +0000

Hi Ashley!

Most good businesspeople are already aware of what their competitors are doing online, so I doubt I’m showing them something new. My job is just to analyze why competing sites are better, and show them how they could up their game by comparison — look, your competitor’s site looks sharper, but they don’t have case studies, or white papers, or whatever. I show them how they could leapfrog ahead of those sites.

Also, you look so pro when you can show them you’ve analyzed not just their site, but their competitors, too. Conveys that you’re a sophisticated marketer who brings some real expertise.

Comment on How I Became A Freelance Writer Again: 7 Steps to Earning Big by copy editing jobs

copy editing jobs — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 03:45:59 +0000

I want to quit my regular job and want to do freelance. Actually i am good writer. I have written few articles in magazines also. So i thought i can try freelance market to get more exposure and earn more money. Is this correct decision? Your advice really appreciated.

Comment on 7 Steps to Finding Good-Paying Web Content Clients by Ashley

Ashley — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 03:50:32 +0000

Hi Carol,

I never thought of bringing a competitor’s site to the attention of a prospect, but that’s a great idea. Thanks for an excellent and helpful post.

Comment on 3 Simple Steps to Create Consistently Awesome Web Content by diane

diane — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:36:09 +0000

Great advice. I write a lot of web content and have learned many of these things by trial and error. But I will also say, remain true to yourself. I had a client ask me to tie in the current vampire craze and Xmas decorating and I was honest with her and just told her I didnt think I could put blood and Christmas together for her. She agreed and we moved on. Another client asked me to address the act of “pooping” while discussing bathroom decor. I, again, told her I didnt think I could do that justice so we left it out (thank goodness) While they are the client in the end it is your name attached to it either publically or as a ghost writer. And remember, Joe Public is pretty strange!

Comment on 3 Simple Steps to Create Consistently Awesome Web Content by Nancy Passow

Nancy Passow — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:47:40 +0000

Carol — excellent advice! I have been using about 3 to 4 of the questions on your list, but the additional ones will really help me with my clients. I particularly like the advice on finding the right voice for the site and using the company’s language. It is important, though, to make sure the company realizes that their customers and potential customers may not understand the jargon. In addition to my writing, I’m an adjunct instructor, teaching Technical Communications to engineering & technology students. An important topic is knowing who your audience is and making sure your writing is understandable to them.

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experience!

Comment on 3 Simple Steps to Create Consistently Awesome Web Content by Carol Tice

Carol Tice — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:03:31 +0000

You raise a great point, Jason — sometimes companies speak in wretched jargon. In which case, you do want to translate that into English to attract customers!

Comment on 3 Simple Steps to Create Consistently Awesome Web Content by Jason Wietholter

Jason Wietholter — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:58:14 +0000

Great advice, especially the “Ask a lot of questions” topic. I think this is extremely important when it comes to any type of consulting work. It shows you’re actually paying attention to what your client wants and needs.

Be sure to read between the lines of their answers too. Sometimes they might use a buzzword or language that doesn’t relate to their customers, or at least their novice customers. This kind of ties into your “Use their language” point, which is also a great tip.

Comment on 3 Simple Steps to Create Consistently Awesome Web Content by Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:40:13 +0000

Twitter Trackbacks…

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Comment on Guest Post: Email Time Management Domination by Jessie Haynes by sok noni

sok noni — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:04:14 +0000

I’ve been visiting your blog for a while now and I always find a gem in your new posts. Thanks for sharing.

Comment on 7 Steps to Finding Good-Paying Web Content Clients by Make A Living Writing » Blog Archive » 3 Simple Steps to Create Consistently Awesome Web Content - Frank advice about the business of writing.

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:19:25 +0000

[...] Simple Steps to Create Consistently Awesome Web Content Earlier this week, I described how to find lucrative Web content clients. Now, we’ll assume you’ve gotten a client. The next step is to write Web content the [...]

Comment on 7 Steps to Finding Good-Paying Web Content Clients by Nisha Stephy

Nisha Stephy — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:15:28 +0000

Subscribed – Looking forward to the next post [Dedicated for NON-Natives!]

Thanks

Comment on Staff Writing Job vs Freelance Writing — Which is Best? by Lucy Smith

Lucy Smith — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 22:12:24 +0000

Hehe, true, Leeds isn’t quite London. I decided to live there for a bit because I have family there and there are so many New Zealanders and Australians in London that it seemed hardly worth leaving the southern hemisphere

I’m also keen to hear how you go, best of luck and have fun!

Comment on 7 Steps to Finding Good-Paying Web Content Clients by Carol Tice

Carol Tice — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:22:00 +0000

Thrilled to hear you’re finding it valuable, Nancy. That’s why I’m here!

Comment on 7 Steps to Finding Good-Paying Web Content Clients by Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:09:35 +0000

This is really an incredibly valuable post, and I’m excited to read the rest of your blog.

I love the idea of identifying potential clients based on their crappy websites. And I find it particularly helpful that you provide examples here of actual rates.

Thank you!

Comment on Demand Studios’ IPO Reveals More Reasons Writers Should be Wary by Kathleen

Kathleen — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:57:03 +0000

James – sorry if I sounded patronizing or negative about your work with Demand Studios. You’re right, writing is a profitable but insecure business and you need to have regular work coming in. Congrats on being able to make Demand Studios work for you, hopefully I’ll find something that works for me. Take care!

Comment on Staff Writing Job vs Freelance Writing — Which is Best? by Carol Tice

Carol Tice — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:12:20 +0000

That’s because, as they say in Sweeney Todd, “There’s no place like London…”

I love your confidence that you’re ready to move up and compete in one of the great cities of the world. I can’t wait to hear how you end up making it work! I say start marketing the heck out of yourself to London companies, and the minute you even suspect you have enough reliable income lined up to make London work, pack up and go. Best of luck with it.