Welcome to THE WELL-FED E-PUB!
Serving up food for thought and tasty tips for the prospering FLCW* writer. Come
on in, sit anywhere and bring your appetite!
*FLCW, peppered throughout the ezine, stands for “Freelance Commercial Writer” – the designation for anyone who freelances for businesses (as opposed to writing magazine articles, short stories, poetry, etc.), and typically earns $50-125+ an hour.
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VOLUME 8, ISSUE 2 – FEBRUARY 2009
Publishing the first Tuesday of every month since May 2002
Read it Online at: http://www.wellfedwriter.com/ezine/feb2009.html.
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ONE SALES LETTER, 77 RECIPIENTS, $80K IN NEW COPYWRITING BUSINESS??
All the details: http://savagemarketing.com/64000/cmd.php?af=761186.
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HAVE YOU VISITED THE BLOG LATELY? http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog
Weigh in on “Who’s Got the Right to Say What a Creative Practitioner Charges?” (24 comments), “Should We Be “Fee-Flexible” in These Times?” (25 comments) and others!
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“The BODACIOUS Banquet” – Issues 1-52 of The EPUB! Just $10.95!
Details: Below and http://wellfedwriter.com/thebodabanq.shtml.
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MISSED MY TELECLASS? “Thriving as a Freelance Commercial Writer”
38-PAGE instant download just $12! www.wellfedwriter.com/jan07tstranscript.shtml.
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THIS MONTH’S MENU:
I. APPETIZER: CNN.com: “MORE BUSINESSES USING FREELANCERS”
Mainstream News Outlet Confirms What Most FLCW’s Know, But Still Love to Hear!
II. CRISP “FIELD” GREENS: TRUE “ON-THE-JOB TRAINING”
OH FLCW Builds Portfolio with Writing Gigs Landed at Her Full-Time Job
III. MAIN COURSE: BRINGING “SCHOOL WORK” HOME (Part 2 of 2)
CT FLCW Serves Up How-To Detail for Working with Colleges and Universities
IV. DESSERT: Sweet Success Stories and Tips
Funniest 2008 Commercial: Semi-X-rated, but Hilariously Funny
TIP: Building Your Book with “Mock Pieces” (Clarification of 1/09 Greens Piece)
V. COFFEE, MINTS AND TOOTHPICKS
- The WELL-FED WRITER BLOG is Rockin’! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog
- NEW! The BODACIOUS Banquet – Issues 1-52 of the EPUB; Just $10.95
- MISSED MY TELECLASS? Full 38-PAGE e-Transcript – Just $12!
- AWAI Copywriting (& Other) Courses: Register Here, Get 2 Bonuses (no charge!)
- Well-Fed E-Pub Needs All Courses!
- How Can My Mentoring Service Serve You?
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I. APPETIZER: CNN.com: “MORE BUSINESSES USING FREELANCERS”
Mainstream News Outlet Confirms What Most FLCW’s Know, But Still Love to Hear!
We established FLCW’s have long known the serious bottom-line advantages to a company of hiring freelancers: no salaries, benefits and vacation; they pay for only what they need, when they need it; fresh “outsider” perspectives; and access to a wide range of talent. If you’ve ever heard me speak live about our field, that rap takes center stage. It’s crucial to establish the self-interest as a way of explaining why it’s no fad.
An alert reader sent me a link to a CNN.com article that underscores this reality – good news in these uncertain times.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/01/14/freelance.nation/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
According to one quoted expert, “More companies are using freelancers because their businesses are becoming more project-based.” Economic uncertainty has companies shortening their vision from long-term initiatives (which would argue for full-time employees) to the next business cycle, which would drive short-term project work. Makes sense. And given that economic uncertainty, the piece points out, it’s easier to get sign-off for shorter, less ambitious projects than to hire a new employee.
One thing I noticed years back when we went through a similar contraction was this: while many companies gravitated by necessity to the freelancer model, they came to appreciate the advantages of it so much that even when things did turn around, they continued to hiring freelancers. It was an efficient model for ANY economy.
Sure, says the article, it can work the other way as well: the very flexibility of the freelancer model allows for quick, no-cost scaling-back (i.e., you stop hiring as many freelancers). Not to mention that laid-off employees can turn freelance (a great strategy for any newly pink-slipped – or soon-to-be – readers looking to build a FLCW business), which doesn’t help the existing freelancers.
On balance, we freelancers stand to benefit handsomely in a down economy. But the key to capitalizing is professionalism and teaming. Be buttoned-up in every aspect of your business, and be prepared to team with other creative pros (especially graphic designers), when the opportunities arise, to deliver the same end-to-end solutions they’ve grown accustomed to getting from higher-priced agencies or employees charged with managing projects from start to finish. You CAN eat well in these times. Many are.
P.S. I forgot to save the name of the person who sent me the link. My apologies. If you’re reading this, let me know so I can thank you again!
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II. CRISP “FIELD” GREENS: TRUE “ON-THE-JOB TRAINING”
OH FLCW Builds Portfolio with Writing Gigs Landed at Her Full-Time Job
Got this great strategy (for those transitioning to writing from a FT job) from Columbus, OH FLCW Laura Rees (rees@romacreative.net, www.romacreative.net). Laura echoes Jesse Reeves’ (http://www.wellfedwriter.com/ezine/jan2009.html) admonition to beef up your “book” before going solo, but adds a good how-to twist for FT cubicle-dwellers.
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Hi Peter: Thanks for writing the Well-Fed Writer series (www.wellfedwriter.com). They really work. I’d been looking for a way to write for a living when I read TWFW in 3/06. As primary breadwinner for our family of four, I couldn’t just quit my job and start freelancing, so I set a quit date of 7/08 and started to slowly implement the steps you suggested. I did as much as I could while working full time and finally made the leap in 06/08. I’ve matched my old salary and think I can do even better this year.
One tip I’d give people working full time: take advantage of any opportunities at your full-time job to get clips. I was working as an HR Manager. I started by trying to volunteer for non-profits as you suggested, but nothing panned out. Then I got the bright idea to try some things at work. I pitched a column on behalf of our company president to our local business paper and it was accepted. I ghostwrote the article for him and it ran in 08/06. My first clip! After that I kept volunteering for more writing projects at work and by the time I left, I was in charge of not only HR, but also all marketing communications efforts for the company. It gave me a great portfolio to start out my full time freelancing efforts (I also freelanced part time, using those clips, while I was still working).
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III. MAIN COURSE: BRINGING “SCHOOL WORK” HOME (Part 2 of 2)
CT FLCW Serves Up How-To Detail for Working with Colleges and Universities
Got a solid two-part piece from Middletown, CT FLCW (and Kettle-Bell instructor; look it up) Adam Farrah (adam.farrah@comcast.net) about landing writing work in Academia. Universities can be a mixed bag, but if you go in with the right expectations and preparation, they can be worth it. And especially for those who live in smaller markets, where there may be far fewer large corporate entities. In Part One (http://wellfedwriter.com/ezine/jan2009.html), Adam shared possible project types and where a FLCW could make a difference. In this installment, he offers up the pitfalls and precautions of working in this arena. Enjoy.
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Here are some of the difficulties and challenges you’ll need to be prepared for and ready to navigate in the academic arena:
PROPOSAL-APPROVAL DELAYS: Remember what I said about bureaucracy? My experience with universities and colleges in general is that there is usually little sense of urgency until things really get to the “11th hour.” And even then there might not be. You’ll probably need to wait a while before your proposal is approved and it will most likely pass through many, many hands (and potentially need a few revisions) before it gets signed off on and you can get to work.
MULTIPLE POINTS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: This is the land of the committee. As discussed, there are usually many hands for things to pass through and little sense of urgency. This can be quite a change of pace for us entrepreneurial types – particularly those of us who come from a corporate background. It took me a while to figure out that it wasn’t personal and I wasn’t being ignored. It’s just how things are done.
LONG “BREAKING-IN” TIME: Penetrating these organizations can be tough initially. The status quo is usually well guarded. It took me about 4 months to fully “get inside” my main client, but once I did, the work was virtually non-stop. The best advice I can offer is to get to know professors and higher level administrators in general – before you go after work. Taking classes, attending open houses, networking, etc. can be key to finding out what the needs of the organization are and whether or not they have a current writing and design staff or contractor.
RAMPANT DISORGANIZATION: At one university I worked for, disorganization ruled. Many emails went unanswered. Several times, I sent copy in for review and never heard back – until I got a frantic email asking me where the copy was. There were many false starts and stops and changes in direction. If you get a client like this you may very well have to decide if the business is worth the trouble.
Here are my suggestions for managing a university client successfully:
MAKE SURE EVERYTHING’S IN WRITING: Several times I made the mistake of jumping on something that was an “emergency” only to have the direction change and get left with work I really couldn’t bill for. No matter how immediate a need seems, get a signed proposal before you spend time on anything.
TRACK TIME CAREFULLY: Given the way colleges and universities work, you may find yourself billing for time when a project gets cancelled or they change direction. One client I had drove maybe 10% of the work I submitted to full completion. Rather than having a stack of great copy and new marketing materials, all they had to show for my effort was a spreadsheet tracking the incredible amount of time I spent dealing with their direction changes and demands. But, that recordkeeping was essential to getting paid.
GET PAYMENT TERMS IN WRITING: Universities can be slow to pay. Invoices get lost on desks or held up in bureaucracy and it can take a while to get your check. I found myself chasing one client every single time I submitted an invoice before I got paid.
Bottom line, universities can be great clients and the staff is usually happy to have someone on board who can get work done fast and outside the bureaucratic structure. Just be sure to track your time and get everything in writing before you jump in!
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IV. DESSERT: Sweet Success Stories and Tips
Funniest 2008 Commercial: Semi-X-rated, but Hilariously Funny
TIP: Building Your Book with “Mock Pieces” (Clarification of 1/09 Greens Piece)
OK, I’m skipping the usual FLCW success story this month and instead going with a creative success story about a hilarious TV spot for Durex condoms that has become one of the most passed-around videos on the Internet (and was actually created by a friend of a friend here in Atlanta). Good thing, since it’s a bit too racy for network TV. While the ad world is often filled with award-fixated prima donnas, they also routinely create brilliant stuff. Exhibit A. And for those of us who love creating tag lines (as I do), check out the one at the end of the spot. Just perfect.
WARNING: IF YOU’RE EASILY OFFENDED, DON’T WATCH. IF YOU DISREGARD MY WARNING, WATCH IT, AND ARE OFFENDED, RE-READ ABOVE WARNING. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkONr-afWjY
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In last month’s Greens Course, Jesse Reeves used the term “mock pieces” to describe the kind of samples he created to build his portfolio. I assumed he meant “made-up” samples, and I commented that while real ones were ideal, this was the next best thing. Turns out “mock pieces” didn’t mean that. Here’s Jesse’s clarification (and I edited the archived issue at http://www.wellfedwriter.com/ezine/jan2009.html):
“‘Mock pieces’ are those created for people who don’t really need or want them, but, say, family friends who own businesses and are willing to give an up-and-comer a break. But for no money. For instance, one of my best friend’s dad owned a print shop, and I asked if I could do a brochure to put on my online portfolio, but I wouldn’t be paid.”
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V. COFFEE, MINTS AND TOOTHPICKS
- The WELL-FED WRITER BLOG is Rockin’! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog
- The BODACIOUS Banquet – Issues 1-52 of the EPUB; Just $10.95
- MISSED MY TELECLASS? Full 38-PAGE e-Transcript – Just $12!
- AWAI Copywriting (& Other) Courses: Register Here, Get 2 Bonuses (no charge!)
- Well-Fed E-Pub Needs All Courses!
- How Can My Mentoring Service Serve You?
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The WELL-FED WRITER BLOG is Rockin’! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog
We’re getting anywhere from 15+ to 50+ comments on each subject! Come join the fun!
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The BODACIOUS Banquet – ISSUES 1-52 of the EPUB; Just $10.95!!
Every strategy, technique, tip, and success story from 5/02 to 8/06 in one KILLER easy-to-use 280-page ebook resource! http://wellfedwriter.com/thebodabanq.shtml.
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MISSED MY TELECLASS? “Thriving as a Freelance Commercial Writer”
38-PAGE e-Transcript! $12: www.wellfedwriter.com/jan07tstranscript.shtml.
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AWAI COPYWRITING (& OTHER) COURSES: Register Here, Get 2 Extra Bonuses!
Six-Figure Copywriting, Graphic Design, Internet Writing, Fundraising, Health Market and more! TWO Bonus CDS: http://www.wellfedwriter.com/awai.shtml.
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WELL-FED E-PUB Needs ALL COURSES!
“GREENS” (200-300 words), MAIN COURSES (400-500; query first), TIPS (150-200) and SUCCESS STORIES (200-300) to peter@wellfedwriter.com.
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HOW CAN MY MENTORING SERVICE SERVE YOU?
For details and testimonials, visit www.wellfedwriter.com/Mentoring.shtml.
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