Welcome to THE WELL-FED E-PUB!
Serving upfood for thought and tasty tips for the prospering FLCW*. Come on in, sitanywhere and bring your appetite!
*FLCW,peppered throughout the ezine, stands for "Freelance CommercialWriter" – the designation for anyone who freelances for businesses(as opposed to writing magazine articles, short stories, poetry, etc.), andtypically earns $50-125+ an hour.
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VOLUME 9,ISSUE 1 – JANUARY 2010 – HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Publishingthe first Tuesday of every month since May 2002
Read itOnline at: http://www.wellfedwriter.com/ezine/jan2010.html
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"THEWELL-FED WRITER," 2009 EDITION – NOW AVAILABLE!
FR.EEe-Bonus & U.S. Shipping.
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GROUPCOACHING FEBRUARY PROGRAM NOW FILLING!
Next sessionstarts February 8, 2010 (and filling fast, so donÕt wait!) Details:
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I NEED YOURGREAT STORIES FOR THE EPUB! I'm seriously low on ALL courses and would love toget your success stories, strategies, tips and features. See"Coffee."
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ONE SALESLETTER, 77 RECIPIENTS, $80K IN NEW COPYWRITING BUSINESS??
All thedetails: http://savagemarketing.com/64000/cmd.php?af=761186
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Check outThe WELL-FED WRITER BLOG! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog
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THISMONTH'S MENU:
APPETIZER:ÒFREELANCE WRITINGÓ DOES NOT = ÒCOMMERCIAL WRITINGÓ
Email FromReader Underscores the BIG Difference Between the Two Fields
II."FIELD" GREENS: THE $15,000 BLOG POST!
VA FLCWWrites Article on Her Blog, Prospect Finds it, Hires Her for $15K Job!
III.MAIN ÒMEATÓ COURSE: REFLECTIONS ON COLD CALLING!
SubjectSampler About this Oft-Misunderstood, Yet Reliably Effective Strategy
IV. DESSERT:Sweet Success Stories and Tips
Part-TimeCO FLCW Starts Cold-Calling Campaign, Lands Project After 15 Calls!
TIP: THEIdeal Music to Be Productive By – Get Into the ÒGrooveraÓ
V. COFFEE,MINTS AND TOOTHPICKS
- THEWELL-FED E-PUB NEEDS ALL COURSES!
- GROUPCOACHING! Now Filling Slots for Its January Program: 4 Left!
- TheWELL-FED WRITER BLOG is Rockin'! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog
- MISSED MYTELECLASS? Full 38-PAGE e-Transcript – Just $12!
- AWAICopywriting (& Other) Courses: Register Here, Get 2 Bonuses (no charge!)
- How CanMy Mentoring Service Serve You?
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APPETIZER:ÒFREELANCE WRITINGÓ DOES NOT = ÒCOMMERCIAL WRITINGÓ
Email fromReader Underscores BIG Difference Between the Two Fields
Ever sincereleasing the original ÒWell-Fed WriterÓ in 2000, IÕve fought an ongoing battleto differentiate between general Òfreelance writingÓ (especially as the term isapplied to writing Òonline contentÓ) and Òfreelance commercial writingÓ (whatwe do). People read my book (or worse, just read about my book) and assume whatweÕre doing is just another arena of Òfreelance writing.Ó In a strict technicalsense, I suppose, theyÕre correct, but the similarity ends there.
TheyÕllshare some horror story from the online-content ÒcellarÓ of the freelancewriting world, like articles for $30, $20, $10 or even $5, and ask me about itas if itÕs some aspect of our field – as if they have anything to do witheach other. They donÕt – beyond the fact that writing is involved inboth. Got such a sad tale recently:
ÒIÕm tryingto determine whether the following gig is worth it. HereÕs the description:ÔYou would write 8-12 articles a month for $30 per article, each consisting ofone accident description (300 word) and one safety lesson (150 words). Weexpect you to enhance every accident description with at least one image and anexternal link which leads the reader to additional information about thetopic.Õ
Ò$30 seemspretty paltry, but the word count is so low, I think I could pound these outquickly. Is this a waste? Would they count as clips?Ó My reply?
As anongoing gig, itÕs beyond paltry, itÕs pathetic. And I suspect it would takemore time than you think. But as a way to start building a portfolio, it couldbe worse (like no pay), and if it serves that purpose, fine. Though, inour field, you need to show more skill that just writing some articles that anynumber of thousands of others could have written.
But hereÕsthe key: that kind of work isnÕt part of our field. ItÕs a whole other world.One where zillions of writers with interchangeable skills and little respectfor those skills fight over the scraps. You wonÕt make much money in thisbusiness until you forget the online sites and online-content mills and followthe strategy outlined in TWFW.
But thereÕssomething else: No one has trouble understanding why someone flipping burgersearns $7 an hour while a skilled chef might make five to 100 times that much.Plenty of people can flip a burger. But becoming a true craftsman at ANYin-demand skill pays more because fewer people have that skill. But, the commondenominator of ÒwritingÓ in our arena and the above fools people into thinkingtheyÕre the same.
If thatsounds elitist, T.S. ItÕs the truth. WhatÕs the point of all this? That thisfield pays well because itÕs not easy (like anything else that pays well). Itdemands far more skill, creative range, persistence, smarts, and resiliencythan the other. So, if youÕre succeeding at it (or getting close), my hatÕs offto you. You should be proud of yourself. And, if the economy has rocked youback on your heels, remember how hard you worked to get here in the firstplace. You did it once; you can do it again.
If youÕrespinning your wheels in the sad, sorry-paying world of our friend above, knowthat thereÕs something more. But donÕt expect it to be as easy. How could it bewhen it pays so much more? LetÕs eat!
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II."FIELD" GREENS: THE $15,000 BLOG POST!
VA FLCWPosts Article on Her Blog, Prospect Finds it, Hires Her for $15K Job!
Got thefollowing great story from Ashburn, VA FLCW Kim Cornwall Malseed
(
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Peter: Anentrepreneur starting a new company in my niche (B2B technology) just hired meas a part-time marketing consultant, working 25/hours week for 8 weeks, for atotal of $15,000. The cost of acquiring this client? One blog post.
Two daysafter publishing an in-depth article on my company blog (integrated into mysite), my client found the post when searching Google. He loved it and mywriting style, and submitted an inquiry via the site. After speaking to him,sending a detailed proposal and having him speak with two client references, hesigned my statement-of-work agreement and I had a check for the first two weeksof work on its way within four days.
Call itinbound marketing, content marketing, social media marketing, itÕs all the sameto me: MONEY IN THE BANK.
I highlyrecommend that FLCWÕs publish their knowledge and useful information for their targetaudience via a blog, online article distribution, or similar platform. Not onlydoes it make it easy for prospective clients to find you online, but you beginto gain their trust and build credibility before they even contact you, whichmakes it a lot easier to convince them to hire you. Best of all, as writersitÕs actually fun for us to do!
IÕm a hugefan of The Well-Fed Writer book series, your e-newsletter and blog. So muchhelpful information and inspiration when I started my biz three years ago andit continues to be a favorite read. Thanks for all of the practical, usefulinformation!
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III.MAIN ÒMEATÓ COURSE: REFLECTIONS ON COLD CALLING!
SubjectSampler About this Oft-Misunderstood, Yet Reliably Effective Strategy
Thesubject of cold-calling has been popping up on my radar quite a bit lately, andas we start a new year, I wanted to give this feared and loathed strategy a bitof air time. Hate it all you like, but the fact is, it works. With a tightereconomy thatÕs making us all work harder, thereÕs something appealing about atactic, which, if done in enough volume, will deliver results every time. Assuch, itÕd be wise to shake your fear of it.
Lastmonth, I ran a cool piece from Stacy Ranta about an interesting way to overcomeyour fear of cold-calling (
Peter:Loved the story by the lady terrified of cold calling. I've always had the sameproblem, even after being tutored by Wendy Weiss, author of Cold Calling forWomen.
The fearwouldn't go away, especially in this economy with so many clients cutting back.One day, I was discussing this with a friend of mine – someone I greatlyrespect, and who was a big success in a number of businesses – and hesaid something that broke through the fear, and it's even easier than themethod Stacy offers:
I simplyposted this sentence in front of me: "All they can do is sayno".
Obvious,right? But how many of us get our stomachs knotted up over a ÒfailedÓcall? Yet, what's the worst that can happen? Get a voicemail and you've brokeneven. Get a ÒSure, send something," and you're ahead. Get a"No"? YouÕve lost nothing and you're actually ahead: now there's oneless company to worry about talking to!
ItÕs workedfor me (and by the way, it recently landed me an assignment from Sears!)
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Also, for acool, invigorating and exhilarating blast of optimism and positivity, check outmy latest blog post, ÒDon We Now Our Mental Armor for 2010.Ó You gotta read thecomments from some pretty amazing folks about why theyÕre so bullish about thefuture. AND, in the post, I sing the praises of cold calling and severalcomments pick up the thread. Check it out at
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Finally,check out this interesting (and recent) article about the subject at:
(P.S. IfyouÕre wondering why I donÕt use a URL-shortener service like
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IV.DESSERT: Sweet Success Stories and Tips
Part-TimeCO FLCW Starts Cold-Calling Campaign, Lands Project After 15 Calls!
TIP: THEIdeal Music to Be Productive By – Get Into the ÒGrooveraÓ
Got thisgreat note from a part-time CO FLCW (who prefers to remain anonymous). As thiswriter reminds as well, we may hate the CCÕing process, but it works! Yes,another serious blow to your efforts to rationalize not doing it, but hey,sorry (not really). Enjoy.
Hi Peter:The intense desire to resign from my part-time university job recently motivatedme to start a strong cold-calling campaign. And yes, even though we all know itworks, most of us dread it and procrastinate about it. But today gave merenewed belief. I made about 15 calls in an hour or so – got mostlyvoicemails, plus one potentially interested prospect. Then, I happened to comeacross the name of a newly launched company in my region whose product is inline with my science focus. Got their voicemail, then sent a follow-up emailimmediately. TEN minutes later, the guy calls me back and says he was justtrying to figure out who could revamp the copy for their web site. So, my lastcall today resulted not in a hot prospect, not in a request for info, but in aPROJECT!
Moral tothe story: cold calling – no one loves it, few look forward to it, but itworks!
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Okay, thistip may strike many of you as being pretty fluffy, but I say itÕs moreimportant than it may appear. OneÕs working environment is pretty important,suffice to say. When IÕm in writing mode and trying to be maximally productive,music is important to me. For me, that means instrumental jazz for the mostpart. But recently, I came across a very cool music source, and itÕs right onmy computer.
HaveiTunes? Click on Radio, and youÕll be connected to a world of no-commercialmusic (I swear IÕm not getting any commission; how could I when itÕsno-charge?). My personal favorite? Click on ÒAmbientÓ and then ÒGrooveraPresents Jet City.Ó I say the steady, rhythmic beat gets me into a near-Zen-likework state. I get SO much done when IÕm listening. See if you donÕt agree.(Accessible through www.groovera.com aswell).
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V. COFFEE,MINTS AND TOOTHPICKS
- THEWELL-FED E-PUB NEEDS ALL COURSES!
- GROUPCOACHING! Now Filling Slots for February Program!
- TheWELL-FED WRITER BLOG is Rockin'! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog
- MISSED MYTELECLASS? Full 38-PAGE e-Transcript – Just $12!
- AWAICopywriting (& Other) Courses: Register Here, Get 2 Bonuses (no charge!)
- How CanMy Mentoring Service Serve You?
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I'MSERIOUSLY LOW ON ALL WELL-FED E-PUB COURSES!
Got a greatstrategy, approach or specific expertise you're willing to share? Turn it intoa Feature (MAIN COURSE) for the EPUB (400-500 words; query first). ALSO, sendyour "GREENS" (200-300 words), TIPS (150-200) and SUCCESS STORIES(200-300) to peter@wellfedwriter.com.Archived issues at http://www.wellfedwriter.com/ezine.shtml.
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GROUPCOACHING! NOW FILLING SLOTS FOR FEBRUARY PROGRAM!
In thestart-up stage of your commercial freelancing business? Looking for someguidance, confidence and camaraderie? Check out Group Coaching! Series #3begins on 02/08/10 and IÕve filled 8 of 12 slots already, so donÕt wait. Forfull details and to register, visit:
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The WELL-FEDWRITER BLOG is Rockin'! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog
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MISSED MYTELECLASS? "Thriving as a Freelance Commercial Writer"
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AWAICOPYWRITING (& OTHER) COURSES: Register Here, Get 2 Extra Bonuses!
Six-FigureCopywriting, Graphic Design, Internet Writing, Fundraising, Health Market andmore! TWO Bonus CDS: http://www.wellfedwriter.com/awai.shtml.
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HOW CAN MYMENTORING SERVICE SERVE YOU?
For detailsand testimonials, visit
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