Category Archives: Freelancing

Happy New Year

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Hello 2011. Welcome. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for me and mine over the next 365 days. Life is always an adventure, isn’t it?

I’ve been mulling over New Year’s resolutions in my mind. I had a long list going, but then I read one of my friend’s Facebook posts that said, “Instead of trying to change myself in 2011, I am going to be myself.” I took it to heart and abandoned my burgeoning list with a renewed promise to accentuate the positive and do the best I can in all things—personal and professional.

One area, however, that I do plan to work on this year with renewed interest is this blog of mine. I’m in the midst of sprucing up my home office, and my little corner of the Internet could use some structure, too.  To help me stay on task, I’ve come up with some weekly posts I plan to do. In life find that sticking to a regular schedule keeps me on track, and I think that will hold true to the blog. So here is my plan:

Monday: Share a favorite children’s book pulled straight from my little ones’ bookshelves. This means they will be the books we read over and over (per Evan’s request) at bedtime and during the day. The tried and true books friends and relatives have turned us onto tend to be our favorites, so maybe you’ll like them, too.

Wednesday: Share a favorite book pulled from my bookshelves. Whether it is a cookbook from my kitchen cupboard, a writing book from my office bookcase or the latest novel I managed to read, I’ll let you know a little more about some of the books I love. 

Friday: Friday will also be known as Freelance Friday, and I will share some freelancing tips, info on the business side of being a sole proprietor and offer updates on my latest projects. I may also sneak in a few suggestions on how to keep little ones occupied at home when you have a deadline looming (or a sudden urge to hop on Facebook) and need to spend some time at the laptop.

That leaves Tuesdays and Thursdays up for grabs. I’d love your input. What kinds of things would you like to read about on the blog? Favorite quotes, life stories and kitchen creations are all things I’ve written about in the past. What should I continue and what should I cut? Writers always need editors and I’d love your direction as I create an editorial calendar for my blog. 

Hitting the Books

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"I don’t think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday." — Abraham Lincoln

I am heading back to the virtual classroom for the next three months via an online writing workshop through Writer’s Digest. The first class meets this week and the readings have already reminded me why I love workshops and seminars—-no matter where you are in your field, there is always more to learn.

I know it can be hard to find the time (or money) to invest in educational opportunities, but it is worth it. Believe me, with a freelance writing business and two small kids, I have to make learning a priority in order to make it happen. I make time for it because I always walk away energized and excited about my career. I also end up with page after page of ideas on how I can better serve my clients, streamline my business or improve my writing. I love that.

While online learning often works best for me right now (there is a lot to be said for cutting down on commutes), I’ve also enjoyed in-person workshops through American Independent Writers here in the D.C. area. Their speakers are always a wealth of information and I love meeting fellow writers and freelancers in person. Conversation over lunch is so much more fun than via the Internet. I can’t wait for their annual conference in June. 

All of that being said, registration fees can add up. I have volunteered at some events in order to get in free or at least at a reduced cost. If you really want to attend an event but can’t afford it, shoot an e-mail to one of the organizers and see if there is anything you can do in exchange for entrance. 

No matter what field you’re in, do a quick Google search and find the associations and workshops best suited for you. Take a chance and attend an event or take a class. Tell yourself that you’ll walk away with just one tip that can help you either professionally or personally. I am certain you’ll find far more. 

Becoming Official

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I’ve been a full-time freelancer for two years now. It is hard to believe how quickly time passes. My accountant, who is also my hubby, and I decided it is time to form an LLC. This is primarily for tax purposes, but it is also something that makes me feel a bit more official. Now I need to decide on a formal name for this little business of mine. My blog is titled Mindy Writes, so that is one option, but I would love to hear your input for a business name. You can leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail. There will be a prize in it for you if I choose your name…I just have to decide on what that prize will be. 

Clearing the Clutter

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Want to know a little secret? Actually, if you know me, you won’t be surprised, but I’ll tell you anyway. I’m a pack rat. I save magazines (I might want to pitch the editors one day, I reason), books (you never know when you will want to re-read that amazing novel), and a few select cooking sections from the Washington Post (I will eventually try the recipes).

I’m re-vamping the office, which means I have to sort through those stacks of papers and rows of books to bring some simplicity to my surroundings. I am making progress. Today I tossed my 2006 Writer’s Market and a year of back copies of Working Mother. Of course, I had to thumb through each copy and got caught up reading an article or two. That explains why I’m treating my re-vamp as a marathon and not a sprint. 

In clearing my clutter I’ve come across some of the things I love but that I’ve never taken time to display. I’m hoping to finally frame a Jodi Picoult autographed novel and an autographed John McCain non-fiction book. I’ve always thought I would hang htem in an office “someday.” For some reason I always thought that someday would be when I had a new house with a big office, but I’ve decided there is no reason to wait. We should embrace the life we have instead of waiting for the one we might have, right?

As I sort I know there are things I can’t part with—such as my back copies of Writer’s Digest, copies of my own articles and business receipts. I’m trying to find a creative and concise way to store and organize them. I’m paying attention to where the piles accumulate and trying to figure out why. Maybe getting to the bottom of it will help me minimize those piles moving forward.

Albert Einstein said, “Out of clutter, find simplicity.” That is my motto as I finish clearing off my bookshelves and sorting through my desk drawers. It might even extend out to the rest of the house, but I’m taking it one step at a time. 

Freelancing: National Punctuation Day

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Everyone who loves grammar will want to take time to celebrate National Punctuation Day tomorrow. Some cookies shaped like commas or cupcakes decorated with exclamation points would be wonderful treats in honor of the day. I’m not quite sure how I’ll celebrate yet, but I hope to come up with something creative. Here is an article about the day from the St. Petersburg Times in Florida. 

Freelancing: National Punctuation Day

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Everyone who loves grammar will want to take time to celebrate National Punctuation Day tomorrow. Some cookies shaped like commas or cupcakes decorated with exclamation points would be wonderful treats in honor of the day. I’m not quite sure how I’ll celebrate yet, but I hope to come up with something creative. Here is an article about the day from the St. Petersburg Times in Florida. 

The Byline

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I once had a woman tell me that only journalists notice bylines. She may have been right. But, no matter how many times I’ve seen mine, I still get a kick out of it. The first time I saw my byline in something other than my college or high school paper was when I was interning for a weekly newspaper in Salt Lake. I walked into a bagel shop to grab a sandwich and saw a stack of the issue my story was slated to run in. After weeks of managing the calendar that ran in each issue, I’d finally been trusted with a real story. I grabbed a paper, flipped through the pages and saw my name. I wanted to point it out to everyone in line with me, but I didn’t. Instead I grabbed a stack on my way and hand delivered them to all of my relatives within a 120-mile radius.

I don’t get that excited anymore, but now it almost means more. It reminds me that I am earning my living as a writer—something that had been my plan since I was a teenager. It also reminds me that the leap of faith I took when I decided to hang my own shingle has paid off. I’ve been a full-time freelancer for two years this month and I’ve worked harder for myself than I ever did for anyone else. Of course I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Having my byline arrive in my mailbox also reminds me that, with the particular publication that arrived this week and is pictured above, it also arrived in the mailboxes of just over 25,000 other people. I like knowing something I researched and wrote has been sent out into the world. I just always hope that people like what they read.

The best part of my job is when people read an article takes the time to visit my website and leave a comment saying they liked what they saw. I can’t tell you how big of a smile that puts on my face.

So for all of you non-byline-reading folks, give them a gander once in a while. And, if you like what you read, let someone know! I bet it will make his or her day.

Freelancing: My Three Go-To Sources for Work

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To be a successful freelancer you need two things—the ability to provide quality work and clients that are willing to pay for that work. When I decided to become a full-time freelancer, I was certain I could provide writing that would make my editors happy. The right preparations also gave me the confidence that I would have a solid client base to get me started. Here are my three main sources for freelance assignments:  

Former editors and co-workers: I get the bulk of my work from editors I worked for as a full-time staff reporter. I try to never burn a bridge and have always left my past jobs on good terms. Remember, it is a small world!  About a month before I hung my own shingle, I e-mailed all of my former employers and co-workers and let them know I was going freelance. Several wrote back right away and told me they’d add me to their stable of writers. 
 
Alumni contacts: When I first got involved in my alumni networks, securing work was the last thing on my mind. When I moved to the D.C. area, I suddenly realized I didn’t know anyone here, so alumni events were a great way to meet new friends. Without intending to, I’ve actually found several assignments and steady clients. My advice is to sign up for alumni listervs and make time to attend events. I’m not able to attend as many events as I’d like right now, but I do keep track of when and where alumni are getting together and plan to make it when I can.  I’m also a member of Northwestern’s Alumni Admissions Council and devote a weekend to interviewing applicants and additional time throughout the year reaching out to potential students. It is a fun way to meet alumni from different schools within the university and stay connected to the school. 
 
Referrals: Happy customers will typically pass on your name and number when asked. Don’t be shy about asking them to pass on your information if they know of someone looking for a writer.