Here’s a scenario that most, if not all, freelance writers who have been working for a while are familiar with: you start communicating with a prospective client and discussing a project. It sounds like something you would be interested in taking on, and you can fit it into your schedule without too much difficulty. So far, so good. Everything seems is lining up really well. Then either you or the client brings up the subject of the budget for the project and how you will be paid. You are asked to give a quote, now that you know the scope of the project – are you better off telling the client that you will be billing by the hour or by project?
Archives for August 2014
Financial Pitfalls for Freelance Writers – and How to Avoid Them
Freelance writers have all the financial freedom in the world, don’t we?
I wish!!! The truth is that while we do have the potential to earn more than if we held a 9-to-5 job, the degree of financial uncertainty is always there. It’s not far from the truth to say that freelance writers may face more uncertainty when it comes to financial issues.
While we do have those periods when we get a whole lot of money, there are financial pitfalls that we should not ignore. If we tend to “live easy, love free”, before we know it, we might need the assistance of an expert bankruptcy lawyer to get out of the mess we’ve – perhaps unwittingly – created.
If you’re financially responsible, good for you. You can pass up on this post. If you’re not so sure, then I hope you continue reading so that you can avoid these financial pitfalls that may not be easily recognizable.
Taking clients for granted
Just like some employees may take their day jobs and bosses for granted, it may be that some freelance writers take their regular clients for granted. The thinking may be, “We’ve been working together for so long. It’s going to last forever.”
How is this a financial pitfall?
If you take your clients for granted, you may not be sensitive to their needs. You may not deliver the best work you possibly can. The result is that you may lose their business.
The solution: Take preemptive measures. Treat each client – old or new – as if they were your only source of income. Give them your best, and don’t take them for granted, even though they may be the easiest person to work with.
Taking job hunting for granted
In the same way you may fall into the trap of taking clients for granted, you might take job hunting for granted. You have a lot of clients. You have more than enough on your plate. Why look for freelance writing job opportunities regularly?
Here’s why: You never know when you might lose a big client. It is thus important that you have a rolling roster of clients that can make up for an unexpected loss.
The solution: While you don’t have to always bite off more than you can chew, do apply for jobs now and then. Even small jobs can lead to long-term, more profitable ventures.
Also read: Why It Is Important to Get New Clients Even if You Have Enough Regular Work
Not paying close attention to taxes
I don’t have to emphasize just how important it is to pay your taxes. The IRS has its ways, and it will find out if you’re not paying your dues at some point. The thing is, sometimes, you may not be aware of all your responsibilities as a freelance writer taxpayer. The excuse that “you don’t know” won’t work. If you don’t declare and pay your taxes correctly, you might face enormous fines, which could deplete your savings – or worse.
The solution: Learn about your obligations as a taxpayer. If you can’t do it yourself, hire an accountant.
Any career has its financial pitfalls, but for freelance writers, the stakes may be a little higher simply because of the lack of traditional job security. With a little bit of care and foresight, we can avoid those financial pitfalls.
What other potential financial pitfalls do you see or have experienced? Share them with us in the comments!
Freelance Writing Jobs for August 29, 2014
It’s the last official work day of the month. So how was August for you? I hope you’re all looking forward to a new month and that all your deadlines have been met (or are going to be met).
Here are the last of the freelance writing jobs for the month. Have a great weekend!
Freelance Writing Jobs
Content Writing Jobs
- Real Estate Content Contributor (Offsite)
- Freelance Business Writer (Chicago)
- Writer for About Us Page
- Hookah Publication Needs Writers
- B2B Writer (Telecommute)
Blogging Jobs
- Freelance US Bloggers
- Wine & Spirits Blogger (NYC/Online)
- Professional Bloggers (Telecommute)
- Dog Website Blogger (South Florida)
- Blogger – Non-Financial Issues Affecting Affluent People (Telecommute)
6 Resume Tips for Freelancers
Copywriting Jobs
- Web Copywriter (Telecommute)
- SEO Copywriters (Telecommute)
- Copywriter for Environmental Services Company (Vancouver/Telecommute)
Proofreading/Editing Jobs
- Native English Speaking Editor (Online)
- Quality Editors and Proofreaders (Remote)
- Editor for Legal Writing Project (Remote)
- Part-time Editors for Indie Music Site (Telecommute)
- Long-term Editor (Telecommute)
Journalism Jobs
- Financial Journalist (Telecommute)
Plan/Proposal/Grant Writing Jobs
- Grant Writer (San Diego)
Technical Writing Jobs
- Part-time Technical Writer (Telecommute)
Why Your Freelance Writing Pitches Fail
Resume Writing Jobs
- Resume and Cover Letter Writer (Vancouver)
General/Misc. Freelance Writing Jobs
- Share Your Child Abuse Story With The World-Child Abuse Book Job (Online)
- Web-savvy Content Editor (Remote)
- Health eBook Rewriter (Toronto)
- Thai and Spanish Writers (Greater Toronto Area)
- Writer for Trendy TV Show (Montreal)
- TV Series Writers (Palo Alto)
- Writer for eBook on Habit Formation (Remote)
- Writer/Editor for Business Email Campaign (Remote)
- Writer for Prayers
- Professional Writer (Anywhere)
- Technical Manual Translators
Photo Credit: Patch
Freelance Writing Jobs for August 28, 2014
Here are your freelance writing jobs for today.
Freelance Writing Jobs
Content Writing Jobs
- Freelance Financial Writer (NY)
- Article Writer (LA Area)
- Professional Writer for Men’s Website (LA)
- Luxury Technology Writer
- Luxury Real Estate Writer
- Writer for Health & Humor Website (NY)
Blogging Jobs
- Bloggers Needed (Anywhere)
- Freelance Bloggers (Telecommute)
- Corporate Blogger (Anywhere)
- Weekend General News Blogger
- Bloggers for LosAngeles.com (Online)
- Journalistic Writer for Blogs
- Part-time Bloggers – Men’s Self-help
10 Celebrities with Blogs Worth Reading
Copywriting Jobs
- Freelance Copywriter – Technical Writing (Remote)
- Law Firm/School Profile Writer (Telecommute)
- Web Copywriters (Seattle/Remote)
Proofreading/Editing Jobs
- Freelance Editor (San Diego)
- Editor for Sci-Fi Novel (NYC/Possible Remote)
Journalism Jobs
- Freelance Business Journalist (Telecommute)
- Freelance Reporters (Seattle)
- Freelance News Writers and Editors (Telecommute)
- Local Culinary Reporter (Telecommute)
Plan/Proposal/Grant Writing Jobs
Technical Writing Jobs
- Technical Writer – Web Hosting (Anywhere)
Resume Writing Jobs
7 Effective Time Management Tips
General/Misc. Freelance Writing Jobs
- Press Release Writer (Telecommute)
- Freelance Writer for Weekly Email Newsletter (Remote)
- Feature Film Animated Writer (Anywhere)
- Ghostwriter (LA)
- Book Reviewers (Anywhere)
- PowerPoint Writer
- English to Spanish Translator (LA)
- Writer for Online Game Shows (Virtual)
- Screenwriting Mentor (NYC)
Magazine Writing Gigs
Photo Credit: ePublicist
Famous Books and Their Word Counts
Word count. That often dreaded, while at the same time appreciated, element of freelance writing.
For some content writers or bloggers, hitting their word count is a pain. For others, making sure that they don’t go over the word count can be a chore (especially if their editor is strict about not going over that number).
Still, for some, word count doesn’t really matter. To be honest, while I always take into consideration every client’s requirement for the number of words, I am not too bothered. I have that word count in mind as a general rule, but I just write and for some reason, I’m lucky to end up in the range of the required number. I think that’s experience doing the magic there.
How about you? How do you fare when it comes to word count?
On another note, have you ever thought about just how many words there are in your favorite books? I found an infographic showing the word count of famous books, and it’s interesting to see the comparison. Showcased authors include George R.R. Martin and J.K. Rowling. We know how long their books are…
The infographic also includes epic novels such as Ulysses, Bleak House, War and Peace, Les Miserables, and Gone With the Wind.
For shorter reads, take a look at the works of George Orwell, Charles Dickens, Ray Bradbury, and Ernest Hemingway.
Even if you don’t give a darn about the word count of these famous books, this infographic can add new titles to your reading list.
Which of these works have you read? Which do you want to read after looking at the infographic?
Also read: 7 Free Word Count Tools
Freelance Writing Jobs for August 27, 2014
I hope everyone’s having a good week.
Here’s your daily serving of freelance writing jobs. Good luck!
Freelance Writing Jobs
Content Writing Jobs
- Writing Specialist (Remote)
- Freelance Writer for The Motley Fool Canada
- Tech Writer
- “About Us” Writer for Startup Apparel
- SEO Content Writer (LA)
Blogging Jobs
- Internet Payments Trend Blogger (Amsterdam)
- Manliness Bloggers
- Freelance Bloggers (SF)
- Latino Lifestyle Blogger (Remote)
- Bloggers for Multiple Websites
Cut! How to Shorten Your Web Articles
Copywriting Jobs
- Contract Copywriter (Remote)
Proofreading/Editing Jobs
- Social Media Post Editor (Virtual)
- Poetry Editor
- Editor for Self-help Book (LA)
Journalism Jobs
- Content Editor – Contractor (Minneapolis)
- News Writers for TOOVIA (Remote)
- Freelance Tech Journalist
- Freelance News Writers and Editors
- Editors for Online and Print Health Publication
Resume Writing Jobs
General/Misc. Freelance Writing Jobs
- Content and Social Media Marketing Specialist (Telecommute)
- Video Game Reviewer
- Social Media Coordinator for Documentary
- Writer for Cartoonist
Photo Credit: anoldent
Freelance Writing Jobs for August 26, 2014
Here are your freelance writing jobs for today. Have a good one!
Freelance Writing Jobs
Content Writing Jobs
- Web Wiki Writer/Editor/Consultant (Houston/Some Remote)
- Part-time Emerging Technology/Startup Writer (Mostly Boston)
- Tool Hobbyist Writer
- Article Writer (Remote)
- Content Managers (Remote)
- Online Content Reviewers (Remote)
- Internet Content Writer
Why It Is Important to Get New Clients Even if You Have Enough Regular Work
Blogging Jobs
- Corporate Blogger (Anywhere)
- Part-time Blogger (Tampa)
- Music Bloggers (Remote)
- Lifestyle Apparel Brand Blogger (Remote)
- Talented Writers for Startup Blog (Anywhere)
- Foodie Blogger – Healthy Workplace Meals (Remote)
Copywriting Jobs
- Copywriter for Products and Events (LA)
- Experienced Freelance Technical/Copywriter (Remote)
- Copywriter (Telecommute)
- Part-time Social Media Writer (Atlanta)
- Experienced Tech/Business Writer
Proofreading/Editing Jobs
- Part-time Web Editor (Atlanta)
- Editor for Online Book Launch (NYC)
Journalism Jobs
- Movie News Writer (Telecommute)
Technical Writing Jobs
- Software API Technical Writer (Telecommute)
- Technical Writer – Hedge Fund/Trading Systems (Part-time/Remote)
- Interventional Cardiology CME Writer (Telecommute)
Travel Writing Jobs
What is Your Freelance Writing Target Market?
Resume Writing Jobs
- Resume Writer (Remote)
General/Misc. Freelance Writing Jobs
- Book Writer (LA)
- Writer to Condense 300-page Book on Kids ADHD (LA)
- Analyst/Writer for Healthcare Non-profit (Telecommute)
- Web/Infographics/Blog/Sales Tools Designer and Content Writer (Kirkland, WA)
- Ghostwriter for CEO – Microsoft Dynamics
- Writers for Greeting Card Poetry
- High School Geometry Author (Remote)
- High School Biology Author (Remote)
- High School Language Arts Author (Remote)
- Business Writer for Recurring Work (Telecommute)
Photo Credit: Patch
Freelance Writing Jobs for August 25, 2014
It’s the last week of August. I know we say it all the time, but the last month really has flown by, hasn’t it?
Let’s start this last week with some freelance writing jobs. Good luck!
Freelance Writing Jobs
Content Writing Jobs
- Freelance Writers – Haute Media Group (NY/Telecommute)
- Writers/Editors (Telecommute)
Blogging Jobs
- Financial Blogger
- Blogger – Arts/Fashion/Restaurants (LA/Remote)
Should you Post Freelance Writer Rates on your Website?
Copywriting Jobs
- Freelance Copywriter
- Copywriter (Seattle/Remote)
- Senior Freelance Copywriter (Remote)
- Freelance Copywriter
- Copywriter for Intro Text (SOMA)
- Dating Profile Writers (Anywhere)
Proofreading/Editing Jobs
- Copy Editor/Proofreader (Remote)
- Freelance Editor (Remote)
- Freelance Academic Copy Editor (Remote)
- Non-fiction Book Editor (Online)
- Creative Writer/Editor
- Technical Editor
- Wikipedia Page Editor (Hollywood)
Journalism Jobs
- Freelance Contributing Editor (Telecommute)
- Restaurant Criticism/Food Reporting (USA)
- Assistant Editor for B2B Edtech Site (Remote)
Plan/Proposal/Grant Writing Jobs
Technical Writing Jobs
- Technical Writer – Software API (Virtual)
- Writer for SOP Manual (NYC)
How to Break into the Greeting Card Market
Travel Writing Jobs
General/Misc. Freelance Writing Jobs
- Ghostwriter (N. Arlington)
- Screenwriter
- Screenplay/Scriptwriter
- Scriptwriter for 2-minute Animate Video – TODAY! (NYC)
- Artist Bio Writer (NYC)
- Social Media Writer (Remote)
- Danish Translator
- Creative Writers for Multimedia Project
Magazine Writing Gigs
- Freelance Business Writers for Magazine (Las Vegas)
Photo Credit: ePublicist
Should you Post Freelance Writer Rates on your Website?
Any time the question of freelance writer rates comes up, a heated discussion rapidly ensues. No doubt there are many different opinions about whether it is appropriate to post rates on your website for potential clients (and your competition) to see, or if you are better off inviting your clients to contact you for a quote instead. We’re going to examine different options so that you can decide which will work best for your business.
[Read more…]
Freelance Writing Jobs for August 22, 2014
Here’s to a great weekend ahead, but let’s look at some freelance writing jobs first, shall we?
Freelance Writing Jobs
Content Writing Jobs
- Freelance Writers for Fashion Times (Offsite)
- Content Manager – Weekend
- Web Content Writer (Miami Beach)
- Content Writers for Forum (Remote)
- Writer for Marijuana Project (Vancouver)
Two Simple (and sort of mean) Words Every Blogger Should Know
Blogging Jobs
- Data Center Technology Blogger (USA)
- Part-time Blogger (Remote)
- Toronto Fashion and Lifestyle Bloggers
- Music Bloggers/Reviewers
Copywriting Jobs
- Freelance Copywriter (Manhattan or Remote)
- Quick Copywriting Gig (SF)
Proofreading/Editing Jobs
- Creative Writer/Proofreader
- Skilled Copy Editor (Anywhere)
- Editor for Book-length Manuscript (SF)
- Spanish Editor (Anywhere)
- Proofreaders (Telecommute)
Journalism Jobs
Rocking the Productivity and Making Good Use of My Freelance Writing Time
Resume Writing Jobs
- Resume Writer (Telecommute)
General/Misc. Freelance Writing Jobs
- Writer with Classy Southern Voice Wanted
- Comedic Writers (LA)
- Trade – Import/Export Expert (LA)
- English to French Translation – Plastic Surgery Site (LA)
- Publicist for Social Media
- Italian/English Translator (Global)
- Celebrity Ghostwriter (Telecommute)
- Healthcare Researcher/Writer (Online)
- Math Content Developers (Telecommute)
- Freelance Press Release Writer (Toronto)
Photo Credit: anoldent
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- Next Page »