The Well-Fed E-PUB: September 2014 Issue

This September issue is being sent out Wednesday this month
(vs. Tuesday) to avoid the post-holiday email crush. Normal
"first-Tuesday-of-the-month" schedule will resume next month.

Welcome to THE WELL-FED E-PUB!

The companion monthly ezine to the quadruple-award-winning
how-to guide, “The Well-Fed Writer.” Serving up food for thought
and tasty tips for the prospering FLCW*. Come on in, sit
anywhere and bring your appetite!

*FLCW, peppered throughout the ezine, stands for “Freelance
Commercial Writer”—anyone who freelances for businesses
(vs. writing magazine articles, short stories, poetry, etc.), typically
earns $50-125+ an hour, and is the sole focus of this e-newsletter.

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VOLUME 13, ISSUE 9 – SEPTEMBER 2014
Publishing the first Tuesday of every month since May 2002
Read it online at HERE.

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2014 EDITION OF “THE WELL-FED SELF-PUBLISHER” NOW AVAILABLE!
And it’s a TRIPLE award-winner! Check out various book AND ebook
(multiple formats!) products/bundles HERE!

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PARTNER WITH DESIGNERS EBOOK – 25% OFF EXTENDED UNTIL Sat. 9/6
at Midnight EST! Want a low-effort flow of writing jobs? Details HERE!

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NEW 1-ON-1 COACHING PROGRAMS: SAMPLE/SITE REVIEW & “SIDECAR”!
Low-cost peace of mind and guidance. Details HERE.

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WANT TO BUY “THE WELL-FED WRITER” IN BULK (AND SAVE BIG)?
Buy for writer’s group, class or workshop! Details HERE.

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THE WELL-FED WRITER BLOG! Weigh in on “What’s Your ‘Discomfort Threshold’
for Growing Your Writing Business?”; “Has ‘Busyness” Become an Excuse for a
Lack of Professional Courtesy?”; Put These in Place, and You’ll Grow Your
Copywriting Business Faster, and with Less Stress”; & More!

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THIS MONTH’S MENU:

I. APPETIZER: GET UP, START WALKING AND GET TO WORK!
Yours Truly Stands Up for His Right to Walk at Work…

II. “FIELD” GREENS: NOT ENOUGH (OR THE RIGHT KIND OF) SAMPLES?
WI FLCW Discovers That Having Few Samples Doesn’t Keep Him from the Gig!

III. MAIN “MEAT” COURSE: WELL-FED WRITER’S GUIDE TO INFOGRAPHICS
Bay Area FLCW Serves up the “Where” and “How-To” of a Growing Specialty

IV. DESSERT: Sweet Success Stories and Tips
Boston FLCW’s Mom Helps Her Land “A Big Fat Greek Client”
TIP: How This NC FLCW Uses Her Kindle Fire to Enhance Productivity

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I. APPETIZER: GET UP, START WALKING AND GET TO WORK!
Yours Truly Stands Up for His Right to Walk at Work…

Well, I finally did it. I’ve been complaining for years about how all the
sitting involved in our line of work was killing me. And if you’ve read all
the articles and studies on the cumulative damage long-term sitting
wreaks on the body, you realize “killing” is no exaggeration.
It will take time off your life.

So, I found a guy selling one of these treadmill desks on eBay (and who
was here in Atlanta), and I’ve got it—barely used—for about 40%
of its original retail. Sweet.

I’ve only had it a few weeks, so no definitive conclusions as yet, but
so far, it’s been great. Its speed range is .4 – 4.4 mph, and I’ve settled
in on 1.5 mph as my ideal, which means I can easily walk 3-4 miles
a day while working. I had a 90-minute client conference call the other
day, during which I walked two-plus miles. A beautiful thing. And no,
the movement doesn’t impede my keyboard work.

Mine comes with both treadmill (engineered specifically for longer
periods at lower speeds) and desk. If you already have a treadmill,
consider this desk-only option—designed to fit over any existing treadmill.

Or, if you’re handy (or know someone who is), perhaps you
just build your own. OR, just a standing desk. Anything but sitting
all day. On this happy, healthy note, let’s eat!

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II. “FIELD” GREENS: NOT ENOUGH (OR THE RIGHT KIND OF) SAMPLES?
WI FLCW Discovers That Having Few Samples Doesn’t Keep Him from the Gig!

Great reminder piece from Green Bay, WI FLCW Andy Duchow about
not letting the lack of a huge portfolio keep you from reaching out to
clients. Yes, when starting out, more (samples) is better, but I’ve also
heard plenty of stories of initial meetings where clients didn’t even
ask to see samples!

Andy’s story also supports my contention that clients don’t want to
hunt too long for a writer; if one’s in front of them, they want to believe
they can do the job. Thanks, Andy!

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Peter: I had an experience recently, which should inspire other writers
from getting hung up on "not having the right/good enough samples."

I’m niched as a freelance direct mail fundraising writer. I got there
early in my career before I had a strong collection of samples. An
agency recently reached out to me (their offices are above the coffee
shop where I work) about doing some collateral—which included
different project types than my usual—for a client.

I said sure! They asked for samples, but I realized I had nothing to
show them. I've done brochures and website copy, but they're all from
before I got into direct mail—not up to my current standards.

Reminding myself that I was, in fact, a highly effective writer (regardless
of my lack of samples), I printed off a couple direct mail letters to show
instead, and headed to the meeting. The agency head read my letter
very carefully, set them aside and proceeded to share the project details
and timeline with me. Hired!

Why it's important: A lot of writers get hung up on not having the
right samples or "good-enough” ones. It can keep them from
approaching clients and sabotage them in prospect meetings.
Remember: Familiarity and confidence can take you a long way!
Right place, right time also goes far...

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III. MAIN “MEAT” COURSE: WELL-FED WRITER’S GUIDE TO INFOGRAPHICS
Bay Area FLCW Serves up the “Where” and “How-To” of a Growing Specialty

Got this kick-butt primer on the ins and outs of landing/creating
“infographics” work, from San Francisco FLCW Mat Thomas. This is
cool, fun and growing area of writing that Mat’s added to his work mix,
and clearly has learned a lot about. Thanks, Mat!

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As a marketing professional, you probably know that infographics are
a form of visual communication that blends words with numbers and
pictures to convey complex information, data and concepts concisely.
They’ve been around at least since the ancient Egyptians started
recording their seasonal grain harvests with pictographic hieroglyphs
over three millennia ago.

Now, in the early 21st century, infographics are ubiquitous on the Internet.
After all, information overload from the digital screen has shortened
readers’ attention spans, creating fertile ground for the growth of a
visual medium that explains complicated concepts quickly and succinctly.

What you might not know is that most infographics are written before
they're designed. That is, Stage 1 in the infographic-creation process
is typically a structured textual script consisting of short sentences,
bullet points and notes describing iconic elements.

Graphic artists then render this blueprint-outline into an actual infographic
using vector-based computer programs like Illustrator and image-editing
software such as Photoshop. So you don’t need specialized design skill
or technological knowledge to create infographics—and as an enterprising
FLCW, you can add this innovative communication power-tool to you
marketing utility belt.

Show & Sell: Copywriting vs. “Visual Language”
While a traditional prose approach will often serve your client’s marketing
needs well, infographics can sometimes provide more value than words alone.

Infographics can be stand-alone pieces or embedded as components in
website pages, brochures, white papers, newsletter articles, fundraising
letters, direct mail pieces and pretty much any other content you write.
When to use infographics depends on the information and message
you want to communicate. Some ideas?

1) Data visualization – Infographics are great at starkly illustrating
statistics. For example, you can visually chart or graph an industry’s evolution
over time with a striking numerical change, or use a table to compare and
contrast your client's features and benefits side-by-side with their competitors’
less impressive offerings.

2) Sequential art – Some infographics dramatically engage audiences using
the distinctive narrative storytelling techniques of comic strips. For instance,
a visual case study demonstrating how your client uniquely relieved a
sympathetic cartoon character’s pain points can entertain as it persuades.

3) Step-by-step – Infographics are well suited for instructional content
because they can literally show people how to do things instead of just
telling them. Providing users with pictures of the objects they are physical
working with enables them to both learn faster and more easily refer back
to specific steps they find particularly challenging.

4) Static & dynamic – Static infographics are designed to be read, while
dynamic infographics are animated and made to be watched like videos.
In the Internet Age, when YouTube is the world’s third most popular website
(right behind Google and Facebook), dynamic infographics can make your
client’s campaign go viral.

Getting Started

1) Partner with designers – From personal experience (and with absolutely
no promotional prompting), Peter’s e-book Profitable – By Design provides
invaluable advice on initiating and nurturing collaborative relationships with
complementary business affiliates. Google “infographic designers” to find
designers and agencies specializing in infographics, then pitch your
services as a potential professional partner.

2) Design your own infographics – Drag-and-drop template-based programs
are available online that you can use to make your own infographics:
some of them for free. For example, I used Piktochart to create
my own infographic resume.

3) Sell infographic services to your clients – In today’s exponentially
expanding multimedia universe, writing competes with flashier, more
modern forms of communication that constantly clamor for audiences’
attention. Tell your clients how infographics can separate their signal
from the noise.

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PB: Thanks Mat, for the plug for my “Profitable – By Design!” ebook,
which was on sale through August for 25% OFF. AND which I’ve extended,
thanks to Mat’s mention, through midnight of the 6th (this Saturday) at
midnight EST. Pick up your copy HERE.

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IV. DESSERT: Sweet Success Stories and Tips
Boston FLCW’s Mom Helps Her Land “A Big Fat Greek Client”
TIP: How This NC FLCW Uses Her Kindle Fire to Enhance Productivity

Cool success story from Boston FLCW Katherine (Tsoukalas) Huether
about an alert Mom keeping her eyes/ears open, and helping her
daughter score a pretty juicy gig.

And while I got the smart tip that follows it from Greensboro, NC FLCW
Kimberly Schimmel last year, given the ongoing evolution of tablets,
it’s even more valid now. Anything that gives us more freedom from
a physical office is a good thing. Thanks, Kimberly!

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I’ve been a freelance writer since 2002 but it wasn't until recently that I
decided to focus almost entirely on the commercial end of things (with
the occasional stint into self-publishing). Here’s how I landed my latest client.

I’d noticed that a popular, local website focusing on the Boston Greek
community erroneously listed my church as having a Greek Festival this
year. No one in my church felt like contacting the webmaster to get the
listing taken off so my mother did it.

She noticed that a local SEO firm where the CEO is of Greek descent
was in control of the website so she mentioned my services. She passed
along my website and information, the potential client and I had a phone
conversation, and I now have a steady gig of providing weekly articles
to this site indefinitely.

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My Kindle Fire is more than just a device for consuming media. I use
mine to do background research for my writing and keep up with
customer requests while out of my home office. It allows me to carry
PDF documents conveniently in my purse.

I can pull out the device and read a scholarly article while waiting in a
school parking lot or sitting in a dentist’s office. I also have access to my
substantial reference library of e-books. All my research for a project—
books, articles, and webpages—can be accessed anywhere there is
a Wi-Fi network.

Since my e-reader also gives me access to email, I won’t miss any urgent
client request because I was away from my desk. I can even do some
minor revisions on the Kindle Fire, although my eyesight wouldn’t stand
typing an entire article on the device (I’m thinking of upgrading to a Kindle
Fire HD to see if I can manage to do some editing of documents on a
larger tablet).

Yes, many of the things I do on it could be done on a smart phone, but I
prefer the e-reader because I won’t be interrupted by a phone call. I also
avoid the distraction of Facebook and other such sites because I find them
difficult to use on the Kindle.

My device keeps me focused on reading text, which is what I need to do
during working hours when I’m not writing text. The portable e-reader is
perfect for research and enables me to work where a laptop computer
would be too bulky. I return home ready to type my next batch of articles.

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V. COFFEE, MINTS AND TOOTHPICKS
- MORE WORK WITH LESS EFFORT? Ebook Serves Up “How-To” - at 25% OFF!!
- GOT ANY SUCCESS STORIES YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE? Email ME.
- THE WELL-FED E-PUB NEEDS ALL COURSES!
- The WELL-FED WRITER BLOG is Rockin’!
- AWAI Copywriting (& Other) Courses: Register Here, Get Bonus CD!
- How Can My Mentoring Service Serve You?

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MORE WORK WITH LESS EFFORT? Ebook Serves Up “How-To”
(AND @ 25% OFF!) That’s not hype. It’s how my business has worked
for the better part of 18 years, thanks to some juicy partnerships with graphic
designers. The result? 1-2 jobs virtually every month with little or
no effort on my part. And I put all the how-to details down on paper.
And it’s 25% OFF until midnight EST this Saturday, 9/6/14. Check it out HERE.

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GOT ANY SUCCESS STORIES YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?
While my call for submissions netted some things a few months back, I’m
still a bit lean on success stories. Whether starting out or experienced, if
you recently had a noteworthy success (i.e., landed a new client—perhaps
in an unusual way—a new gig, new work from an old client, or anything
else that has a good lesson for your fellow FLCW’s), send it on to ME.
100-300 words is great.

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I’M (STILL) SERIOUSLY LOW ON ALL WELL-FED E-PUB COURSES!
Got a great strategy, approach or specific expertise you’re willing to share?
Turn it into a Feature (MAIN COURSE) for the EPUB (500-600 words;
query first). ALSO, send your “GREENS” (200-400 words), TIPS (100-200)
and SUCCESS STORIES (150-300) to ME. Archived issues HERE.

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The WELL-FED WRITER BLOG is Rockin’!

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AWAI COPYWRITING (& OTHER) COURSES: Register Here, Get Your
Choice of Bonus CD Program! Six-Figure Copywriting, Graphic Design,
Internet Writing, Fundraising, Health Market and more!

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HOW CAN MY MULTIPLE MENTORING PROGRAMS SERVE YOU?
For details and testimonials, visit HERE.

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