THE WELL-FED E-PUB

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 7, ISSUE 1 – JANUARY 2008 – HAPPY WELL-FED NEW YEAR!

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THE “WELL-FED” HOLIDAY GIFT BUFFET EXTENDED TILL 1/10/08!

Great value-priced “ONE-FOR-THEM-ONE-FOR-ME” combo gift packs for YOU & the aspiring well-fed writers and self-publishers on your holiday shopping list! Includes Priority Mail shipping (NO charge!) and autographed books on ALL book orders placed by January 10. 2008. Details at: http://www.wellfedwriter.com/holidaybuffet.shtml.

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NEW! “The BODACIOUS Banquet” – Issues 1-52 of The EPUB! Just $10.95!

Limited Time! Details: Dessert and http://wellfedwriter.com/thebodabanq.shtml.

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9/21/07 WHITE PAPER SEMINAR NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD!

Details in Dessert & at http://www.whitepapersource.com/cmd.php?Clk=2024594

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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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I. APPETIZER: WORTH YOUR RATE? THEN CLAIM IT & DON'T BACK DOWN!

Musician Friend Reminds: Being Clear on Our Worth Makes Others Clear As Well!

II. CRISP “FIELD” GREENS: KEEPING THE RADAR UP DELIVERS THE GOODS!

MI FLCW Capitalizes on Second-Tier Opportunities Right in Front Of His Nose

III. MAIN COURSE: “FROM-THE-TRENCHES” SUCCESS PRINCIPLES (Part 1 of 2)

Atlanta FLCW (Ex-TV Ad Sales Guy) Steadily Grows Biz, Shares What’s Worked

IV. DESSERT: Sweet Success Stories and Tips

Top Ten Blogs for Writers Announced by WhitePaperSource.com!

TIP: Call Recording & Storage Service Ensures You Miss Nothing on Client Calls!

V. COFFEE, MINTS AND TOOTHPICKS

- “THE “WELL-FED” HOLIDAY GIFT BUFFET EXTENDED!

- 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: WORTH YOUR RATE? THEN CLAIM IT & DON'T BACK DOWN!

Musician Friend Reminds Us Being Clear on Our Worth Makes Others Clear As Well!

Happy "Well-Fed" New Year to you all. Haven't made the jump to self-employment as a FLCW yet? May this be your year! If you have, here's to taking your business to the next level. And that starts with the conversation you're having with yourself about what you're worth. Yes, we've talked about this before, but it's worth repeating.

I have a musician friend here in Atlanta, who, last month, mentioned that her December had been slower than normal. I asked if she reduced her rates when times got slower. No way. She summarized her philosophy for me. Great advice for us as well.

"I'm clear about my rates and I know I'm worth it. Sure, sometimes I worry too much about the other person. What will they think/say/feel/expect to hear? But, the clearer I am about myself, my rates, and the quality of my service, the clearer everyone else will be. So what if they say no? A lot of others will say yes if I'm confident and sure of myself.

"I think of my alterations lady. When I ask her how much it will be to lengthen the sleeves of a jacket, she says in the most timid voice ever, "Well, maybe fifteen dollars, or, (pause)." I hear that and I know I'm in charge and she is not. I learned from her that a lot of asking for what you want is in the delivery. Firm and strong, no question about it.

Knowing the market, especially at the holiday season, I would rather quote my rate, lose the gig and sit home on a major Friday or Saturday in December than take a gig that's below the market value and my price and worth. It's not about being a martyr; it's about being crystal clear in what I'm asking for and believing I'm worth it AND will get it."

Gotta love the conviction in that. Of course, in order to have such an attitude, you have to be able to deliver the goods. A lousy pianist who demands a high rate will go hungry. Ditto a mediocre writer asking for $100+ an hour who refuses to budge. But, if you DO have the chops and KNOW it, no matter your line of work, you'll always eat well.

By the way, Beth Michaels (my pianist friend) has a handful of nice, relaxing CDs out, for those writers who like that sort of thing while working. www.bethmichaelsmusic.com

(I bought her fab instrumental "Take 5" CD). Enjoy. Now, let's eat!

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II. CRISP “FIELD” GREENS: KEEPING THE RADAR UP DELIVERS THE GOODS!

MI FLCW Capitalizes on Second-Tier Opportunities Right in Front Of His Nose

Got this great marketing strategy from Birminham, MI FLCW Alan Stamm (astamm@comcast.net) involving softly prospecting for work with folks he's interviewed for another client's project. This is working smart. Check it out.

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Peter: You always mention the importance of keeping our radar up, which recently paid off with a variation of a tip from LA FLCW David Tandet I saw way back in the

October 2006 EPUB (http://www.wellfedwriter.com/ezine/oct2006.html).

Preparing a trade association's weekly newsletter involves interviewing land developers, builders and contractors. As part of my preparation for those interviews, I visit a lot of the web sites belonging to these folks. While there, I regularly see opportunities to suggest content polishing, expansion or large-scale overhauls. More than a few have "coming soon" pages, which register clearly on my radar.

When I spot a needy site, I follow up on our interview a week later by emailing the newsletter, expressing thanks for the source material and – just one more thing, as Lt. Columbo would say – mentioning that I also help companies upgrade web content with sophisticated presentations. "Can I send a proposal for strengthening your site?" It’s another example of what you'd describe as a "warm call," Peter, and it has lassoed a handful of mini-projects. They may be just one-shot deals, but their flexible deadlines are ideal for filling work gaps. And most of these folks need brochure copy from time to time. The radar brings rewards.

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III. MAIN COURSE: “FROM-THE-TRENCHES” SUCCESS PRINCIPLES (Part 1 of 2)

Atlanta FLCW (Ex-TV Ad Sales Guy) Steadily Grows Biz, Shares What’s Worked

Some time back, I got a great email filled with six tips worth of wisdom from budding Atlanta FLCW Boyd Baker (boyd@boydslife.com, www.SumoWriter.com). I started editing it, but liked everything he said (and HOW he said it), so I decided to keep it all, and just break it into two parts. Here are tips 1-3, and look for 4-6 coming in February. Really good stuff (and entertainingly written), regardless of your experience level, so easy to do, and from my own experience, it’ll absolutely land you business.

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Peter: I was walking through a bookstore one day and ran across TWFW by accident – or should I say fate? – and was transfixed. After arguing at length with the Doubting Devil on my shoulder, I officially quit my corporate gig in network TV ad sales and launched my business in September 2006 (biz prep and part-time efforts began in April). Each month gets better. Here are six things that have been key for me:

TELL FOLKS WHAT YOU DO: Just hanging out a shingle that says "Writer" doesn't put lobster on the table. I tell all my friends and ask for any networking contacts they might know. They do their best but it's up to me to follow up. One major client took me six months to land, beginning with a neighbor giving me the name of a friend. Several rounds of phone/e-tag ensured. She kept apologizing for being so busy but I stayed upbeat and positive. A month, I dropped her an email reminding her that I was available. She forwarded my note to some colleagues (copying me in) saying "please contact him with any writing projects." A week later, I was in the door. All from recommendation from my neighbor to her friend. They like my style and want to work together more.

KEEP IN TOUCH: My favorite design firm became a client because of a missed meeting AND chance meeting. At a networking event at a local watering hole, I didn't know anyone, so I thought I'd wait for a bit at the bar. A little later, a woman asked the bartender about the same meeting. We’d apparently missed it, but I introduced myself. She was from a design firm. I gave her my card and told her I was a writer. She gave me hers and said she'd keep me in mind. Over a few months, I dropped the occasional "hello, I'm available" email and one day they called. They said the principal did most of the writing but was having a baby, and they could use some last-minute help. I did the job and kept in touch. Three months later another job came my way and it looks like there's more in store. All because I tell folks I'm a writer and I keep in touch.

CODDLE CLIENTS YOU LOVE: They say getting customers costs businesses a lot. Keeping them doesn't. I know that it's a lot easier to get referrals and business from clients I already have than to try and drum up work with cold calls (not that cold calling should be avoided!). I make sure I send extra-special “thank-you’s” to clients I enjoy (and who pay on time!) and keep in touch regularly. They are wowed by my follow-up and see me as a business partner, not someone who just wants their money. The better I treat them, the better they'll treat me. A little Golden Rule goes a long way today.

Tune in next month for tips 4-6:

BE THERE FOR CLIENTS

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

RATE IS AN ISSUE IF YOU MAKE IT ONE

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IV. DESSERT: Sweet Success Stories and Tips

Top Ten Blogs for Writers Announced by WhitePaperSource.com!

TIP: Call Recording & Storage Service Ensures You Miss Nothing on Client Calls!

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My good friend, Michael Stelzer, international white paper authority, founder of www.whitepapersource.com, and author of THE book on the subject, “Writing White Papers” (http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/book/index.html), has just announced the results of his second annual contest to name the top 10 blogs for writers. Nominations came in from writers everywhere and were culled down to the best of the best. The list: http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/12/11/top-10-blogs-for-writers-2/.

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Got this cool tip from Denver, CO FLCW Joseph Coplans (joseph@inkstaininc.com, www.inkstaininc.com) about a web-based call recording and storage service. What'll they think of next? I'll let Joseph give you the scoop.

Peter: I have this fabulous new vendor I use. Couldn’t be more perfect for copywriters too. It’s www.recordmycalls.com. I record every client interview via the phone. I just dial an 800 number, enter a pin, then call my client(s). I then access the web site for the recording and download the .wav file on to my hard drive. The files play on any media.

How many times have we dusted off our notes – a week later after a client meeting – and found that certain key details we neglected to write down? Uh-oh. Or how about the client that talks so fast you’d think you were at a Southern hog auction?

I recently wrote an incredibly complex case study for a client about a major software company, and had to include their channel partners, all the deputy players, layers of approval, department names and other details. I was very glad I recorded that call.

It’s affordable too – as low as five bucks/month subscription (plus a small per minute fee). There’s even an ‘open-mic’ feature which allows you to call in and record a face-to-face meeting with a regular phone using the ‘speaker’ feature. Worth checking out!

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V. COFFEE, MINTS AND TOOTHPICKS

- “THE “WELL-FED” HOLIDAY GIFT BUFFET EXTENDED!

- 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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THE “WELL-FED” HOLIDAY GIFT BUFFET STILL OPEN!

I’ve extended the Holiday Buffet until 1/10/08! Great value-priced “ONE-FOR-THEM-ONE-FOR-ME” combo gift packs for YOU & the aspiring well-fed writers and self-publishers on your shopping list! Specials on ALL books! Includes Priority Mail shipping (NO charge!) and autographed books on ALL book orders placed by 1/10/08. Details at: http://www.wellfedwriter.com/holidaybuffet.shtml.

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NEW! 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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NEW Subscribe/Unsubscribe feature. To Subscribe (YAY!), Unsubscribe (boo!) and/or update your address for the E-PUB, visit: http://www.wellfedwriter.com/ezine.shtml.

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