One of the hardest jobs freelance writers face is setting rates. Judging your own abilities, especially when you're new, is hard. Plus, the competition is tough. So tough, in fact, that you might be tempted to write for free (or next to it) just to gain some clips and testimonials. I know several beginning writers who choose to advertise on Fiverr for example, and justify it by saying that once they gain a few clients they'll raise their rates. Unfortunately, that rarely works out. Those clients who are looking for $5 articles are not the type to recognize quality and stick with you through … [Read more...]

Chances are you learned to write somewhere around age seven. From those first short sentences, through the rambling essays of a pre-teen, to the dessert-dry research papers of college, you've undoubtedly had a lot of practice. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't take steps to improve. Next time you write a blog post or an article, keep these tips in mind, and see if it makes a difference in your writing. Make Every Word Count Ernest Hemingway never wrote a Tweet or sent a text message, but if he had, I bet he wouldn't have run up against the character limits. Whether he really did write … [Read more...]

You're tired. You stayed up too late last night, got up too early this morning, and spent way too many hours working/chasing the kids/cleaning the house/baking cupcakes/whatever. Someone scoured the inside of your eyelids with coarse-grit sandpaper, and your muse has wandered off in search of more hospitable surroundings. You have writer's block. But if you're a professional, or want to be, you'll find a way to write anyway. Need a jumpstart? Try one of these: Free write. Get a pen and a real piece of paper, set a timer for five minutes and just write. Don't stop to think about the best … [Read more...]