You'll need more than a lightbulb moment to make creativity count.

There’s more to being creative than creativity. When I was told that this month’s Word Carnival topic was going to be creativity I rejoiced. After all, who would know better than a writer or other creative professional about this stuff that fuels our lives and businesses?

I think there are lots of aspects to creativity but there are two that I want to focus on in particular.

Idea Generation for Writers

The first is the creative muse – coming up with ideas. This is one area that I personally have no problem with. (Watch out, tenuous link with favorite movie Love Actually coming up.) Like Christmas, ideas are all around. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Just in case you have trouble coming up with ideas, here’s my list of the places and ways in which they occur to me.

• I get ideas were sitting at my desk writing about something for a client. It’s amazing how when you’re writing about one topic ideas on another will spring into mind trying to distract you.
• I get ideas when I talk to other people, just in conversation about random things.
• I get ideas from social media when I see what people share and discuss on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
• I get ideas from my daughter who has just turned nine, is also a writer (not yet published but watch this space) and like many children has a unique perspective on the issues that adults worry about.
• I get ideas from everything I read. And I don’t just mean reading about writing, but crime fiction, biographies and more.
• On the rare occasions when I don’t have an idea a change of scene will often produce one.

Capturing Inspiration and Creativity

OK, so if ideas aren’t the problem, sometimes the issue is capturing them. As writers we probably walk around with a notebook or recording device (heck, your phone probably has one), so there’s no excuse for losing track of an idea. Then you need to write them down (though, as you will see, that doesn’t always lead to anything measurable). Some people use tools like Evernote or Springpad to do this online. It doesn’t matter how you do it, just that you do it.

Obstacles to Creativity

However as I said before there is another component to creativity – and that’s actually getting off your backside and doing something with the ideas you have – making a product. What good is it to be creative unless you actually create?

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you will know that I have no problem being creative on behalf of my clients. That’s what they pay me for. Often their work comes first. No matter how many times I try to achieve a balance at some point I end up letting my stuff take a backseat to client priorities. What does that mean in practical terms? It means that all the creativity that is bubbling in my brain (I mean seriously, I have at least three ideas files and a couple of online notebooks full of stuff that I know will be great if I could ever get around to doing it) is wasted.

From Writing Ideas to Action

So how do you get from creative ideas to creative action? That’s something that I’ve been working on over the last year or so. And so far my answer is: one step at a time.

Having too many ideas that you want to accomplish can be just as paralysing as none at all. The trick is to pick the idea that resonates most with you, plan it out and do it. Then pick the next best one and do that – one step at a time.

Your idea could be something small, like creating a video (check), something larger like writing an e-book (check) or something even larger like creating a course (still working on that one). I’ve found that if you want to get something done and move that creativity out of your brain and turn it into something useful, you have to plan it.

You don’t have to get fancy with the planning. Some people like whiteboards and paper. Others like mindmapping. I like an online list tool called Workflowy which is great for outlining, storing information snippets and general planning. It has drag and drop too, which is useful for when things change.

When you plan, you have a list of steps you can check off, but some people need even more. They need accountability. This is where it’s time to phone a friend, set some milestones and check in periodically. This will help you to actually accomplish something. Or you can crack your own whip and set reminders in your calendar to email you with a list of what you have to accomplish for your project that day. Or you can join a mastermind group and commit to achieving certain goals every time you meet.

Creativity – A Summary

To be creative and make something of your creativity, you need to:

• have ideas
• capture them
• avoid the obstacles
• pick a project
• plan it
• carry out your plan, one step at a time
• rinse and repeat

How do you harness creativity? What gets in the way for you?

(Image: olga.belobaba)

Where I come from, we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. We have the turkey, feasting and holiday trimmings a bit later in the year. Yet, it never hurts to be thankful. I believe in having an attitude of gratitude. As well as being thankful for relatively good health and the ability to make a living doing what I love, I am grateful for a whole bunch of people who have inspired or supported me (sometimes both) since I started blogging.

George Angus is part of the Get Paid to Write Online community. I swear he shares practically everything that’s written on this blog and stops by my Facebook page to like it too. Thanks, George.

Fellow writers who have inspired me with their professionalism, skill and willingness to give good, no-nonsense advice include Deb Ng, Anne Wayman, Lori Widmer, Cathy Miller, James Chartrand, Laura Spencer, Jenn Mattern  … I could go on forever. My list of writers on Twitter has about 250 members and my Google+ circle has about the same.

Dana Prince is my writing BFF. We’ve blogged together, worked together, commiserated and laughed together about the writing life. If I listed all the ways that Dana’s been wonderful, we’d be here all day!

Dan Smith writes great articles here on Get Paid to Write Online that get people talking. Dan and I met when I asked him to review this blog on one of his old projects, and we’ve been in contact ever since. I’m grateful for his good humour and expertise.

Ileane, Vernessa and Gail are newer friends, but I’ve had a great time interacting with them, more so in the past year. That also goes for Tea, Nicole, Michelle, Clare and Annie. Thanks for some great conversations and sharing, ladies. Oh, and there’s one gent, too – DiTesco, who has been helping me troubleshoot Google+ authorship issues. And I mustn’t forget Lea and Andy who inspire with their lifestyle and their products. And of course Harleena, whom I met on Google+ and have been talking to ever since.

Last, but definitely not least, Mitchell Allen and Rebecca Leaman, blogging buddies from way back when and all-around good people. So glad to know you!

Now, this type of list being what it is, there’s bound to be someone I’ve forgotten – Murphy’s Law always rules at times like this. So let me say that if you have:

• contributed a post to my blog or commented on my blog
• sent me an email saying you liked something I wrote
• given me a great testimonial
• talked to me on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Google+
• shared my stuff with your networks
• provided a helping hand or a cheerful word when I needed it
• chatted to me on one of the forums I belong to – and there aren’t many of those

then I appreciate you too! Happy Thanksgiving!

(Image: Neilwill)

Writers – How To Overcome Anxiety, Boost Your Energy And Improve Your Concentration Skills

As a writer or creative artist, your most important asset is your health.

Have you ever had days when no matter how hard you try, the words don’t flow and everything you write seems wooden and false?

In today’s post I would like to offer you three simple healthy habits you can use to overcome writer’s block and improve your concentration skills, especially on days when your energy is low and you struggle to concentrate and complete your assignments.

Given the hectic pace of life, it can be difficult to always be creative and inspired. When you write you want your words to be remembered, honored and hopefully inspire your reader.

So what can you do to ensure your words always achieve the results you require? Is there a secret formula you can tap into that allows you to always be creative and inspired?

I don’t believe there is a golden formula but I do believe it is possible to adopt certain habits which help you to become a healthier, more focused writer.

1. Healthy Writer’s Habit #1- Hydrate Your Body – Drink More Water

No one can run on empty. Just like a car requires a regular service and petrol to run, so does your body. Constantly burning the candle at both ends to meet deadlines leaves you feeling empty, demoralized and tired.

Water has the ability to hydrate and nourish your brain. Your brain consists of 85% water therefore drinking water helps to naturally lift your energy. Aim to drink at least 5 glasses of water a day. A good tip is to have a bottle of water on your desk and take regular sips throughout the day; this simple habit instantly improves your concentration skills and boosts your energy levels so you feel more alert and focused.

Healthy Writer’s Habit#2 – Breathe

If your mind is full of clutter and you find it difficult to focus and write, a few rounds of yogic breathing exercises instantly leaves your mind feeling calm and clear. On a basic level, breathing allows you to draw in oxygen into your body and eliminates toxins and bacteria which prevent your body functioning correctly. The slower and deeper you breathe, the more you allow oxygen to enter and flow through your body. This expands your lung capacity and makes you feel brighter and more alert.

Here is a simple breathing practice you can try when you feel your energy levels slipping.

1. Sit comfortably, gently cradle your belly with your hands and allow your fingertips to lightly touch each other.

2. Close your eyes and spend a few moments to tune into your everyday breath. Don’t try to control your breath just be aware of how you are breathing.

3. Slowly take a full steady breath in though your nose for a count of four and breathe out for a count of four. Continue to breathe in and out through your nose and as you do so notice your belly and hands rise and fall with each breath.

4. Repeat this pattern of breathing 5-10 rounds. As you do so, notice your thoughts slow down as your body lets go of tension.

5. Slowly open your eyes and be aware of how much calmer and quieter you feel.

2. Healthy Writer’s Habit#3 – Relax Your Eyes

This is my favorite tip to reduce anxiety and calm your mind. As a writer, you spend a lot of time staring at a computer screen; this can lead to eye strain and in some cases headaches. To reduce eye strain and improve concentrations try this simple eye exercise.

Palming Exercise

1. Flap and loosely shake your hands for 30 seconds. Keep your shoulders lowered and jaw soft.

2. Next rub your palms vigorously together until your palms generate heat as they warm up.

3. Rest your elbows on the table. Close your eyes and cover your hands over your eyes with your fingertips pointing up towards your hairline and heels of your palm touching your cheeks.

4. Hold your hands in this position for about 30 seconds. Remember to breathe deeply as you rest in this position.

5. Slowly release your hands from face and rest your hands on your lap. Sit still for a few more moments and be aware of your calm and clear you now feel.

On days when you feel overwhelmed and anxious make sure you keep your body and brain hydrated, practice a few rounds of breathing exercises and rest your eyes by practicing the palming exercise.

Together these simple yogic practices help to revitalize and reenergize your system so you can continue to focus on your work with minimal effort and stress.

If you want to learn more simple yoga practices to calm stressful situations and feel relaxed check out my other posts at The Next Goal.

If you enjoyed this article feel free to share the love and link back to it from your own blog. Take care and thank you.

Mother, blogger, yoga teacher and author Ntathu Allen strives to encourage others to weave moments of calm and rest into their busy life so you have the energy to have more fun time with your family and be positive and productive at work. (Image: Bindaas Madhavi)

For some time now, I’ve been meaning to do a follow-up to How to Write with a British Accent. Well, I finally did it, sort of, with two posts on the travel blog I write for. They are:

• Do You Speak Brit?
• 20 British Expressions You Will Never Hear in the US

Hope you enjoy them.

Here’s a little bit of mental exercise for you if you are getting jaded with your copywriting career; make up an unexpectedly strange article as you go along.

What I mean by that is that you start typing an unusual article about a fairly limited subject without having any clue about what you plan to say or why you chose the title. Maybe most people already do this, but I certainly find that it is something which gives me an extra boost when I am getting a bit low on energy.

It is a trick which I tend to use once every couple of days and usually when I am in the middle of a big batch of frankly uninspiring keywords. If I didn’t use this method occasionally I think I would end up getting run down by researching things which don’t really interest me all that much.

Anyway, here’s how it works.

Make Up a Bizarre Title

Ok, so you need to write about something simple like moisturiser cream. What you need to do is turn your article into something more exciting by giving it an unexpected title which takes even you by surprise. How about ’5 Deadly Secrets about Moisturiser Cream’, or ‘The Day a Moisturiser Cream Shook the World’? The more outrageous the better as far as I am concerned. Not only will it grab people’s attention but it will also help you with the next step.

Work Out What on Earth to Write About

This is the bit I love. I have boxed myself into a corner and now I need to come up with 5 deadly secrets about moisturisers when I don’t even know of one. This is the kind of writer’s challenge which will get you really thinking and scraping around for ideas. Try not to give up too easily, as I reckon that you can turn just about any weird title into a decent article as long as you work at it enough. A few years ago I used to enjoy writing detective stories in which even I didn’t know who did it until I got to the end and I think I got my idea for making it up as I go along from that.

See What the Person Paying You Thinks

There are always a few nervous moments when you do an article like this for someone for the first time. If you were commissioned to work on keyword phrases such as “felt hats” no one will be expecting articles like “Felt Hats, Dead Rats and Mystery Cats”. If it isn’t clear from the order which you were given whether they expect dry, serious articles or more light hearted ones then you might want to check this out before you try this system.

Feel Free

One of the reasons you probably started writing online in the first place was to feel free. After being stuck in the cold shackles of a lifeless office for years I appreciate being able to express myself and be creative. As far as I am concerned one of the very best ways of doing it is by following this style of writing, although I would be interested to hear what other writers think.

Image: nixxphotography / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

by Natalie Hunter

Writing, without question, is not always the easiest task in the world. Freelancers often find themselves in dire straits when they are assigned a topic they know little about, or are finding themselves strapped for cash so they need to write as many words as possible in a short period of time. For many people, the solution in this situation is to pad their article with fluff, just to make the grade (as in an online school). However, writers must learn to recognize and avoid fluffy writing if they want to get consistent returns for their effort.

What is Fluffy Writing?

When an article is so general it can hardly be said to have any actual content for its length, it is said to be padded with fluff. Fluff is the stuff that writers will insert into writing to appear thoughtful without actually knowing how to talk about a subject or to make word count. Examples of fluff include excessive adjective use, words obviously pulled from a thesaurus, repeated sentences, unnecessarily long grammatical structures, no contractions, or even sentences without any meaning whatsoever, such as “it was interesting that this happened” without any further clarification. Writers can get away with fluffy writing in many cases where content is not the goal of the client, but if you want to be well respected as a writer and perhaps get more money for your efforts, avoiding fluff wherever possible is the way to go.

Planning Out Your Article

One of the primary reasons fluffy writing occurs is because a given prompt is esoteric enough that the writer cannot easily start talking about it without doing some research. In the interest of doing as little work for as much money as possible, fluffy writers will use whatever cursory understanding they have and extrapolate from that. To be fair, being able to write a lot about a little is a very good skill to have if you’re doing freelance work, but it’s also important to do the research. Thankfully, search engines can give you almost any information you want and good sources to back it up in the blink of an eye, so it doesn’t take very much effort to learn about even the most obscure topics.

Once you think you have a sufficient grasp of your topic, it’s also important to create an outline. It may seem a lot easier to just leap into your article and start writing, but many people find themselves making up fluff because they are not sure how to get from point A to point B in their article. When you create an outline, the information is organized and it is much easier to transition fluidly between talking points.

How Writer’s Block Can Affect a Writer

Sometimes, even sufficient research and outlining, a writer may still end up with a generic, rambling article because they were hit with writer’s block and weren’t sure how to proceed well within their timeframe. If writer’s block hits, it’s important to really take a break and stop thinking about the article entirely. This allows the mind to process your writing subconsciously, so often when you return to it you’ll feel refreshed and come up with new ideas for it.

When a break from writing does not help, the writer should go back to the research and planning phase. Review all references collected for the article and re-assess the outline. If one portion of the outline does not work the way it was intended or doesn’t fit properly, it may become necessary to discard that section and incorporate a different point. Use your judgment.

When a Word Count Requirement is Set

Many writing assignments are given with a set word or page count. In these instances it can be extremely tempting to write the basis of the article and then go back and pad it with fluff. This does not make for a well written piece, and it will often appear cobbled together. See if you can’t write a bit more than what is required, then go back and trim it down. It is easier to remove a few words or an entire paragraph than it is to add them in once the piece is nearly complete.

In some instances, it may be advisable to plan on writing one more paragraph than what seems to be necessary. This way there is an entire block of information that can be discarded during the editing and revision process. Plus, it can be easier to make six short body paragraphs as opposed to four or five longer ones.

Editing

After the assignment has been completed, it’s good to look over the article one last time to make sure it reads well. Here are some good tips to cut down on fluff during your editing process.

• Determine if many of the sentences are rather long. Long sentences geared at getting down as many words as possible make for bland writing: alternate shorter and longer sentences for a good rhythm.
• Check for superfluous adjectives. If one descriptive word gets the point across, remove any others.
• Look for sentences right next to each other with essentially the same meaning. Remove anything that does not seem to fit or feels unnecessary. If a relevant point needs to be hammered in, that’s alright, but endless repetition is a common trap for the freelancer.

Finally, when in doubt, seek a second opinion. One of the best ways to determine whether or not an article is fluffy is to have someone else read it and give feedback. When it’s your own work, it is easy to overlook errors even after rereading the piece several times because you can be so familiar with it. Asking someone else to read it before it is submitted can help avoid mistakes that were missed.

Even the best writers are guilty of fluffy writing every now and then. It can be highly tempting in certain situations. However, if these suggestions are kept in mind, fluffy writing can be easily avoided and writers can work to improve their composition techniques.

Natalie Hunter grew up wanting to be a teacher, and is addicted to learning and research. As a result she is grateful for the invention of the internet because it allows her to spend some time outside, rather than just poring through books in a library. She is fascinated by the different methodologies for education at large today, and particularly by the advent of online education. She also loves to travel and learn via interaction with other people and cultures. (Image: Dino De Luca / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

by Jocelyn Anne

With the wealth of content on the web these days (beyond human comprehension or imagination, I think), it becomes imperative to know the secrets and tricks to capturing a reader and making them your newest, biggest fan for life. If your title is boring, your paragraphs long and wordy, your sentence structure awkward, and your tone dry and dull, it doesn’t matter how ground-breaking, helpful or informative the content is. People aren’t going to bother reading it, or if they manage to start, they are highly unlikely to push through and take the effort to finish. If you’ve got something to say, you might as well take the extra time and make it written well! Follow these 4 easy steps to take your content from just “good” to “captivating.”

Content Gives You the Right to Write

You can no longer be “good” in terms of content, you have to be the highest superlative of that. Better than good, better than great. But what does that mean? You’ve gotta be unique. You’ve got to pull things from angles that people haven’t considered. New information. New ideas. You’ve got to help your reader. Whether that help is equivalent to entertaining or teaching, it doesn’t matter, but it does have to be useful. And if you don’t’ have good content, you don’t have the right to write. Bottom line, you can put all you want out there, but no one is going to read it. Why would they, when they can find better, newer, more helpful somewhere else with a click of the mouse?

The Title Buys You a Reader

If you want to share a recipe for a salad you just created, the title, “Try this New Green Salad” isn’t going to get you the number of readers you want. In fact, it may not give you any readers. You wanna know why? There are about 3 million (just checked that number, it’s true) other sites on Google alone that will take a reader to another boring content page about green salad. And really, you think I want to spend my precious time reading about another “green salad”? Not likely. I don’t care if it is green or new to you, it sounds boring and it sounds generic. If, on the other hand, you posted something titled “Wacky Green Veggie Salad with Candied Dates to Blow Your Mind,” I would probably click that just because it sounds entertaining, even if I wasn’t looking for a new salad recipe.

Your Conciseness Gets Your Reader to the End

If you want to get your reader to read your article from start to finish, you have to be concise and you have to be succinct. This is the age of instant gratification. We are willing to expend very little effort, and less willing to spend extra time to get something. You may have a lot to say, but break it up. Cut two entries into one. Shorten your paragraphs. Shorten your sentences. And, unless you’re writing a story, cut the flowery, descriptive language and just get the info out clearly.

Your Voice Brings the Reader Back

If you’ve got the content down, a winning title and solid, concise copy, then all you’ve left to master is your voice. Even in informational realms of content, people still appreciate a good voice. It doesn’t always have to be witty or sassy, a good voice can also mean authoritative and strong. A voice, though, is what will keep someone coming back for more. One good piece of content that proved useful but without a voice to create that intangible “pull” is just that: one good read that your reader will probably forget sooner or later. Lure ‘em back, hook and sinker. You just might find yourself a loyal reader for life.

Freelance writer Jocelyn Anne writes whenever and wherever she can. She primarily focuses on green and eco-friendly content and is currently working alongside Air-n-Water writing about eco-friendly uses for a portable air conditioner. (Image Credit: State Library and Archives of Florida)

It’s not often that we get negative comments on Get Paid to Write Online, but that’s just what our recent guest post on proofreading provoked. I thought that Randall Davidson’s post would start some discussion – and it certainly did.  Randall’s view is that hiring a proofreading business gives clients advantages in terms of experience, efficiency, reputation, accuracy and flexibility. He’s entitled to his opinion but I, like many others, disagree that it’s an either-or situation. Looking at each point Randall made, my own experience suggests otherwise:

1. Experience – no, I didn’t attend a proofreading course, but decades of experience of proofreading newspaper and magazine content after on the job training makes me as qualified as the next person to claim skills in this area.

2. Efficiency -  any experienced freelancer will be able to judge how long a project will take and will budget the right amount of time for complex projects. When you’re new, it’s not so easy, but it’s something you soon learn after a couple of times burning the midnight oil.

3. Reputation – freelancers look after their reputations as much as any other professionals, and possibly even more than larger companies, because this has a direct effect on the amount of work they get. All good freelancers will do their best not to leave clients in the lurch and will have  a backup plan in case of illness.

4. Accuracy – see point 1. If you are an experienced proofreader, you will be accurate, freelancer or not.

5. Flexibility – perhaps companies have an advantage in being able to schedule multiple simultaneous projects, but freelancers can do this too. In my experience, all you have to do is have a network of trusted freelancers in the same business and then you will be able to outsource.

So that’s my take on it, and I think the views of many readers were summed up in this edited comment from Helen Stevens (the full comment is worth a read):

I’m sure there are some very efficient proofreading companies out there – but equally, freelance proofreaders have a great deal to offer. Yes, you need to make sure you choose a freelance who has the appropriate skills, knowledge and capacity to meet your individual requirements, but that’s also the case if you decide to choose a company.  … As well as generalisations, there are statements in the article that are simply wrong. Perhaps the most obvious is the assertion that ‘Freelance proofreading … typically is performed by only one person who may be less concerned with his or her reputation in the marketplace’. Freelance proofreaders survive on their individual professional reputations, so it is perhaps more important that they provide an excellent service to each and every client.

Many clients value the one-to-one relationship that can be forged with an individual freelance proofreader, someone who knows your work and knows how you like things done. Such a relationship gives you, the client, confidence that the work will be done to a consistently high standard.

What do you think?

(Photo: jjpacres)

by Randall Davidson

Misspellings and grammatical mistakes create a negative impression of an author that can persist long after someone has finished reading the author’s work. Reliable, accurate proofreading services can help those who create written work for public consumption — and I focus on small business owners specifically in this article — avoid these problems. Finding the right proofreading solution for a company’s specific needs is essential in order to protect a company’s reputation and image. While freelance proofreading may be appealing due to its lower initial cost, the reliability and faster turnaround times of larger proofreading companies is generally well worth the small additional cost. Here are five reasons to choose a proofreading company over an individual offering freelance proofreading services:

1. Experience. Individuals who advertise their freelance proofreading services typically do not undergo formal ongoing training. While this lack of knowledge and experience may not be obvious during the interview process, it becomes evident in their results. Professional companies typically employ qualified proofreaders with years of experience and a well-developed vocabulary and proofreading strategy. This allows proofreading companies to assign work to those who are most qualified to perform it, producing the best possible results for their clients.
2. Efficiency. Because professional firms hire staff members with complementary skill sets, they can usually handle a wider range of subjects and formatting preferences than individuals who offer freelance proofreading services. A client’s tight schedule might lead a freelance proofreader to take on a complex project without allowing the time for necessary background research.  Because professional proofreading companies generally employ many people, they can assign a complex project to someone who has the right experience to handle it, which means that time is not unnecessarily spent on training a proofreader for a specific complex project.
3. Reputation. Professional proofreading companies depend on their reputations for accuracy in order to bring in new clients. Freelance proofreading, by contrast, typically is performed by only one person who may be less concerned with his or her reputation in the marketplace. Additionally, illness or other emergencies can also delay projects unexpectedly when working with freelance proofreaders.  This can cause serious scheduling problems for small business owners.
4. Accuracy. Accuracy, the most important element of proofreading, depends on the skills of the proofreader.  Professional companies can choose among the best available proofreading professionals when hiring.  As a result, the quality of the work produced by professional companies is usually significantly better than the work produced by a freelance proofreader chosen at random.
5. Flexibility. The ability to produce results quickly can be very beneficial to clients of professional proofreading firms. Freelance proofreaders cannot offer the same flexibility in scheduling because, as individuals, they are limited by their own speed of processing these projects. Companies with multiple proofreaders on staff enjoy a significant advantage in the speed and flexibility they can offer their clients when rushing a project for a client is necessary.

Randall Davidson is a co-founder of ProofreadingServices.Us, a professional proofreading service based out of San Francisco, CA.  Randall understands that the reputations of businesses and individuals alike can be seriously harmed by writing that is laden with errors and he works to provide others with the tools they need to ensure that their writing is flawless through the business proofreading services that his company provides. (photo: fensterbme)

Editor’s note: What do you think, freelancers? Is a professional proofreading company really a better choice for clients? As a freelance proofreader, I’m certain that my skills are up to par and my client testimonials reflect that. Please add your thoughts in the comments or, even better, submit a guest post giving your views on freelance proofreading.

Update: read my rebuttal in Freelance Proofreaders Rock, OK?

It’s time for another writing and blogging linkfest, just over four months after the last one (see, I’m getting better). Here are some of the posts I’ve saved and shared in the last few months.

Writing Business

• Are Your Friends Sabotaging Your Business? – Men with Pens
• Why I’ve Never Missed a Deadline–and How You Can do the Same – Dollars and Deadlines
• 8 things you should know when starting your freelance business – Guerilla Freelancing
• 15 Questions to Ask Before Collaborating – Freelance Folder
• How to Avoid Bullet-Hard Emails – Men with Pens
• RSI Injuries: What They Are and How to Avoid Them – Freelance Folder
• Ghostwriting vs. Byline: Pros and Cons – Beyond the Rhetoric
• 5 Common Ways Freelance Writers Get Scammed – Freelance Writing Jobs
• Am I Too Young To Get Published? – About Freelance Writing

Getting Paid

• Why Free Ultimately Pays Off – Freelance Folder
• How To Tell When Your Rates Are Too Low- Freelance Switch
• Writing for Peanuts Can Lead to Writing for Macadamia Nuts – The Freelance Writer’s Blog

Client Relations

• You Probably Already Do Know Your Very Next Client – Freelance Switch
• What to Do When Your Client Doesn’t Believe Michael Jackson is Dead – All Freelance Writing
• 7 Essential Red Flags to Watch Out for in New Clients – Web Designer Depot
• 5 Things You Never Want to Hear Your Client Say – FreelanceSwitch

Blogging

• 4 Ways to Find Good Writers for Your Blog – Tumblemoose
• Teach, or Your Blog Will Die – Problogger
• 5 Things Keeping Blog Readers Away – Kommein
• Everything You’ve Been Force-fed About Blogging Is Wrong – Ridiculously Extraordinary
• Why Bloggers Should Get Paid – Writing Thoughts

Social Media

• 7 Tips for Using Your LinkedIn Profile to Land Great Projects – Freelance Folder
• 7 LinkedIn Rules You May Not Know – Simply Stated Business

Promotion

• 6 Great Ways to Use Email Marketing to Find More Work – Freelance Folder
• Article Marketing for Authors: Gaining Exposure Without Losing Value – All Indie Publishing
• 7 Ways to Use Amazon to Create Online Visibility – Denise Wakeman
• There Are No Rules – Everyone Wants to “Help” Writers. But Whose Help Do You Really Need? – Writer’s Digest