Welcome to THE WELL-FED E-PUB!

Serving up food for thought and tasty tips for the prospering writer. Come

on in, sit anywhere and bring your appetite!

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VOLUME 6, ISSUE 3 – MARCH 2007

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MISSED JANUARY’S TELECLASS? “Thriving as a Freelance Commercial Writer”

Score the full 38-PAGE e-transcript of EVERY word! Just $12 as an instant download! Details at www.wellfedwriter.com/jan07tstranscript.shtml.

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WANT TO BE FEATURED IN THE 2008 EDITION OF THE WELL-FED WRITER?

Details in Dessert and at http://www.wellfedwriter.com/helpwanted.shtml.

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“THE WELL-FED SELF-PUBLISHER”: NOW AVAILABLE!

Hard copy and ebook versions PLUS killer companion ebook: www.wellfedsp.com

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COMING SOON – “THE WELL-FED WRITER BLOG”! Stay Tuned.

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TELESEMINAR: BOB BLY & White Paper Guru MICHAEL STELZNER, March 15!

Struggling with Writing Compelling White Papers for Technical Readers? Check out

“Writing to the Techie (Tips on Persuading Technical Readers With White Papers).”  Details: http://www.whitepapersource.com/cmd.php?Clk=1834723

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I. APPETIZER: MONEY MATTERS! MORE ON WRITING RATES

Raising Rates, Not Working for Peanuts, and Believing You Deserve to Be Paid Well!  

II. CRISP “FIELD” GREENS: NFP STILL MEANS GOOD (WRITING) PROFIT!

MA FLCW Leverages Non-Profit Background into Well-Paying Work (+ Juicy Referrals!)

III. MAIN COURSE: FROM SUNNY TO MONEY, CLERK TO COPYWRITER

Caribbean-Based FLCW Builds Copywriting Biz Where We’d Vacation! 

IV. DESSERT: Sweet Success Stories and Tips

New PA FLCW Lands Ghostwriting Deal, Meets Income Goal First Month In Business! 

TIP: No-Cost Shareware Contact Manager Gets High Marks!  

V. COFFEE, MINTS AND TOOTHPICKS

- MISSED JANUARY’S TELECLASS? Full 38-PAGE e-Transcript – Just $12!

- Want to Be Featured in the 2008 Edition of “The Well-Fed Writer”? 

- BIGGER Banquet, EPUB Issues 1-39; Just $11.95!

- 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: MONEY MATTERS! MORE ON WRITING RATES

Raising Rates, Not Working for Peanuts, and Believing You Deserve to Be Paid Well!  

Got a lot of nice feedback on last month’s Appetizer on copywriting rates being higher than what we’ve heard (http://www.wellfedwriter.com/ezine/feb2007.html). And a few emails have come in that underscore the importance of standing firm on your rates. Jena Taylor in Granby, Colorado, (jena@thewordtailor.com, www.thewordtailor.com) was sharing her thoughts on the January teleseminar I did with Michael Stelzner (http://www.wellfedwriter.com/jan07tstranscript.shtml).

She wrote: Interestingly enough, you answered a question of mine in the teleclass. Today was the day I stood firm on a price increase I’d made to a problem client of mine. As you said, sometimes you have to get rid of lower-paying clients to make room for the more lucrative ones. And I’d decided they could walk away and I’d be okay with that. Because I’m tied up with their projects, I’m not able to get out there and land more work at better rates. I’m still awaiting their response. They said they wouldn’t go with a different writer because of our long-term relationship, but we’ll see. I don’t think they were prepared for me to walk.” I wrote back, “If they really like your work and you bring them value, the return your work delivers should always be far more than even a new healthier rate.” A few days later, Jena sent me this happy update, “They didn’t walk. They accepted the fees.” There you go.

In a related subject, another wrote me with a real jaw-dropper: “I’m a new freelancer and I already have a client who wants me to write 40 articles, 800-1000 words, $7.00 an hour. What’s the best way to negotiate higher rates with this client without losing the deal? She’d found the guy on guru.com (BIG surprise). I replied: “Walk away. $7 is a joke. Unless you want to do a few, at a virtual pro bono rate, to build up a portfolio. But obviously, a client only willing to pay that little isn't going to be receptive to raising much more than that. There will always be plenty of writing jobs available out there for peanuts. The challenge is finding those clients willing to value your services to the point where they pay you a decent wage.”

Speaking of a decent wage, check out this month’s Main Course, where you’ll meet an intrepid business-builder in the Caribbean, who not only believed he could start a writing business after doing something completely different for the previous 19 years, but also believed he deserved to be WELL-FED. And his clients apparently agree. You’ll be rooting for Roger.  So, let’s eat!

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II. CRISP “FIELD” GREENS: NFP STILL MEANS GOOD (WRITING) PROFIT!

MA FLCW Leverages Non-Profit Background into Well-Paying Work (+ Juicy Referrals!)

This piece from Alan Kravitz of Somerville, MA (inkwellinfo@aol.com) was both a good reminder that targeting the right kind of NFPs can yield a very healthy and

UN-NFP-like wage and a confirmation of my experiences with NFPs. Check it out.

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I've been meaning to share with you the successes I've had by targeting non-profits. I worked in PR and marketing for a NFP for about 10 years before going out on my own, so obviously this was a natural market for me. Still, I worried about the possibility of a huge drop in income.

I'm not worrying anymore. By targeting medium to large-size non-profits, I've found that most of these organizations will work with me at fees only minimally lower than what I would charge for-profits. On top of that, the work is extremely steady; I've had my contracts extended with just about every one of my non-profit clients. Better still, non-profit reps are often in communication with each other, and I've gotten several primo referrals because clients have mentioned me favorably to their contemporaries. Yes, I still want to increase my for-profit list, but I've found that it's quite possible to focus on the non-profit field AND make a nice living at the same time!

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III. MAIN COURSE: FROM SUNNY TO MONEY, CLERK TO COPYWRITER

Caribbean-Based FLCW Builds Copywriting Biz Where We’d Vacation! 

Got this most cool success story from Trinidad-based FLCW Roger Ali Bocus (rogercares@hotmail.com), about going from clerk to copywriter after deciding he was going to do what he loved. I’m impressed with his firm convictions, power of visualization, and persistence (and check out the fees he’s getting!).  

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Prior to copywriting, I was a clerical worker for an oil company for 19 years. But in June of last year, tired of the rat race, I decided I wanted out, and fast. So I began to search the Internet for home-based businesses. I came across wellfedwriter.com, which spoke about enjoying a flourishing career as a copywriter. This was something I felt I could do.

After looking at ads I saw in newspapers and on television, it was plain that there was a definite need for clear and persuasive writing. The market was ripe for copywriters in my homeland, Trinidad, but there were very few to service that need. I purchased TWFW, as well as material from AWAI (http://www.wellfedwriter.com/awai.shtml). In August 2006, I left my job to become a full-time copywriter, launching an all-out, do-and-never-fail plan to win copywriting jobs. Your book gave me the practical knowledge to do so.

However, before I began prospecting, there were five things I did first:

1) I declared, every day, that “I am the best copywriter in the Caribbean.”

2) I started with the end in mind, mentally imagining companies giving me writing jobs.

3) I decided to write articles and brochures to promote the products of specific companies, before landing a paid job, in the hope of having them buy my work (and in one case, so far, it worked! See #2 below).  

4) I directed my first prospecting to major companies, thinking that doing jobs for large firms would give my work credibility.

5) I applied persistence.

6) I then campaigned for copywriting jobs using direct mail, email, and telephone calls.

After about three months, November 2006 to be exact, I received jobs from:

1) A paint manufacturer to do five slogans (I charged $575.00 per slogan).

2) A multi-billion dollar insurance company, which liked the article and brochure I had done for them to promote one of their policies. I made $3,654.00 from this assignment. My fee was: $1.00 / word.

3) A reputable brokerage firm that paid me $2,355.00 for writing an article.

4) Two advertising agencies to do advertorial copy.

Your book and together with my beliefs have created a thriving career. Thanks so much.

P.S. Persistence is one ingredient that’s vital for any dream to come true. If you’re the kind who gives up easily in any venture, you’ll never accomplish your dream. If you are now farming for copywriting jobs and it seems like the heavens are shut, don’t give up! Remember, persistence always, always, rewards those who don’t ‘throw in the towel’.

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PB Note: I asked Roger about #3 above (first list), since I don’t recommend doing “spec” work, though it did work for him. I’m still not 100% convinced by his words below, but his story and success make it an intriguing approach, and you can’t deny his commitment. Moreover, there’s no one right way to do this business. Here’s what he said:

Yes, I did do some "speculative" projects, but I studied the products and services of the companies, so my marketing material would zero in on meeting their specific needs. It’s a chance I take. Those companies don’t have to purchase any of the work I’ve done. It’s a labor of faith based on research. And so far I’ve been fortunate to land jobs from this. Also, doing this can be beneficial to the new copywriter in three (3) ways:

1. It’s one way of building your portfolio.

2. It gives you an opportunity to practice what you’ve learned about copywriting and hone your skills. What better way to do it than with existing companies?

3. If you do your homework well, it’s quite possible companies will purchase your sample projects. It has happened for me. And even if one doesn’t, there are several other like companies out there who might.

I’m determined to accomplish my dreams by doing whatever (legally) it takes.

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IV. DESSERT: Sweet Success Stories and Tips

New PA FLCW Lands Ghostwriting Deal, Meets Income Goal First Month In Business! 

TIP: No-Cost Shareware Contact Manager Gets High Marks!  

Got this right-out-of-the-gate success story from new Lancaster, PA FLCW (and mentoring client) Bonnie Snyder (www.bonnieksnyder.com). She’s pretty psyched, and with some contacts with complementary creative folks, she’s nicely positioning herself to land turnkey work (always a potent strategy).

And then a nice review of a no-cost contact manager program just tailor-made for one-person shops like us. This is BIG. A good CM program can dramatically enhance your productivity and efficiency and here’s a way to have all that for nothing. 

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Peter: I spent an hour on the phone with you not long ago, discussing getting

my business off to a big start in the New Year. I just wanted to let you know that I've already met my initial income target, thanks to one big deal ghostwriting a series of books with a very savvy businessman. So, I'm extremely psyched! I may even get to share writing credits. I'm so excited I can't concentrate to get any work done, which is a problem. I'm sure it will wear off. Oh, and I also found a web designer to partner with. Wheeee! All through Chamber contacts. We have an excellent chamber here.

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A contact management (CM) program is a computerized system for staying on top of clients: all pertinent info, time/date/content of all contacts, plus simple calendars for planned and periodic events. You can generate mailings, schedule regular follow-up calls, and make a well-organized marketing campaign a natural, somewhat effortless by-product of the system. The challenge for us little guys is that the main CM players out there charge roughly $200 for their programs, which typically include FAR more functionality than a one-person writing shop needs. Enter Kurlo, a shareware (i.e., NO cost) program recommended by budding FLCW Linda Dessau (linda@lindadessau.com, www.lindadessau.com). Here are details and a brief review from Linda:   

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Peter: Kurlo was rated 5/5 cows on the Tucows website (http://www.tucows.com/preview/408564) and is a no-cost download from either Tucows or the Kurlo site (http://www.kurlo.com). Since I am at the beginning of my prospecting career, I have used it as a blank slate to create sub-groups of contacts as I add them. I used The Well-Fed Writer as a guide for creating new entries. For instance, I have these groups set-up:

Creative Recruitment Agencies

Graphic Designers

Marketing & Ad Agencies

Prospective Business Clients

Writers Associations

There are customizable fields I can create in each group, and so I've created a field for the date I last contacted the prospect, as well as the date I'd next like to follow-up. When I open Kurlo, it alerts me of any important dates, such as dates I have set to follow-up with prospects, or client birthdays, if I've entered them.

Kurlo has an emailing function that allows you to easily create a bulk email that you can send to multiple recipients in a group or sub-group. Then you can either send the email right from Kurlo or transfer it over (once addressed) to your default email application.

I've been using the "notes/comments" section to jot down the gist of my conversations with prospects and any important details. So, with one click I can see all the key details about any prospect. I don't always have a great memory so this is a big help. I'm finding Kurlo very easy to use and I appreciate that my copywriting contacts are all in one place. What's better, I've made lots of prospecting calls!

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V. COFFEE, MINTS AND TOOTHPICKS

- MISSED JANUARY’S TELECLASS? Full 38-PAGE e-Transcript – Just $12!

- Want to Be Featured in the 2008 Edition of “The Well-Fed Writer”? 

- BIGGER Banquet, EPUB Issues 1-39; Just $11.95!

- 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?

*****************************************

MISSED JANUARY’S TELECLASS? “Thriving as a Freelance Commercial Writer”

Score the full 38-PAGE e-transcript of EVERY word! Just $12 as an instant download! Details at www.wellfedwriter.com/jan07tstranscript.shtml.

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WANT TO BE FEATURED IN THE 2008 EDITION OF “THE WELL-FED WRITER”? 

Well, it’s past time to update TWFW and I’m looking for submissions in a bunch of categories. If I select your story, it could appear in the upcoming edition of this industry “standard”! Check out the details at http://www.wellfedwriter.com/helpwanted.shtml.  

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BIGGER Banquet eBook, EPUB Issues 1-39; Just $11.95!

New to the EPUB? Don’t miss ONE issue. Regular subscriber, but fallen behind? Catch up fast! 228 pages of proven strategies, success stories, and tips from commercial writers around the world! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/thebiggerbanquet.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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BIG THANKS!

THANKS again to Susan Cochran in Atlanta for her great editing/proofing prowess on the E-Pub. Need a good editor/proofreader? susan_cochran@mindspring.com, www.cochrancompany.com.