Freelance Writer and Social Worker

10 Creative and Cheap Ways to Market Your Freelance Writing Business

You've heard the old marketing slogan, "You've got to spend money to make money." There's even some truth to that. At the bare minimum, you should have a website and a stack of business cards, and yeah, you'll have to pay for those.

When it comes to calling people's attention to your wonderful freelance writing business, however, you don't have to have a marketing budget like a Fortune 500 company. All you need is a little creativity and a lot of nerve.

Here are some ideas that have helped me.

1. Leave Business Cards Everywhere

Since business cards are pretty cheap, I've gotten into the habit of leaving a few wherever I go. I even stick one into the envelope when I pay a bill.

My best business card strategy, however, was diabolically simple. I went to the business section of the library and slipped one of my cards into every book. I especially focused on topics like "how to write a resume" or "how to write a business letter." Believe it or not, I've netted some business this way.

2. Take Advantage of Social Media

No, I'm not your mom. I'm not going to lecture you on why you should cozy up with Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, etc. My only two comments are that 1) They're free; and 2) Thousands of people use them. 'Nuff said.

My Morning Routine: I Can't Sit Down to Write Unless...

When I'm on the road, I can write almost anywhere. Curled up in an airport watching the snow and ice cover my plane. Squeezed into a sold-out theater waiting for the show to start. Even in the middle of a Las Vegas bar with a pen in one hand, a legal pad in the other, and a yard-long margarita sitting on the table.

At home, though, I have a series of little rituals that never fail to get me into the writing mood.

Take Meds

I've mentioned in other posts that I'm living with bipolar disorder. Some people are able to accomplish this feat without pharmaceutical assistance. I'm not one of them. Taking my prescribed medications allows me to function better as both a writer and as a human being.

Shower/Dress

During my first three months or so as a full-time freelancer, I reveled in the luxury of being able to work in a night shirt and a robe. Then the grunge look lost its novelty. I found that the more professional I looked, the more professional I sounded. Besides, when I look halfway presentable, I don't have to worry about scaring the nice UPS guy when he brings my Amazon orders to my door.

Attend to Cats

This involves giving them food and water, cleaning out their litter boxes (ick), and showering them with all the love and attention they're willing to tolerate. I've learned that the more I love on them first thing in the morning, the less likely they are to jump up on my desk and demand attention when I'm trying to get a piece in under deadline.

Breakfast

Breakfast is a protein bar and a cup of milk. I usually eat while I'm sorting email, which helps take my mind off the fact that protein bars taste disgusting.

Scent

I pick a candle or a stick of incense that matches my mood. Then I settle in for a productive day of work.

You'll notice I don't say anything in this blog about scheduling my day. That's because I've completed that task the night before. When I sit down at my desk, I know exactly what needs to be done and which project I'm going to reach for first. And so, my work day begins.

What rituals help you get your day off to a good start?

My Favorite Freelance Writing Posts

Isn't it a shame that when you write a blog some of your best posts slip away into obscurity. (Then, of course, there are the posts that truly should slip away into obscurity, but that's a different story.)

Anyway, this week I was feeling a little nostalgic, and maybe a little lazy as well, and decided to rerun some of my favorite posts from the last year or so. If you missed the originals, I hope you'll find something amusing or something informative in these selections.

1. 25 Strategies for Smashing Through Writer's Block. No, I'm not going to take the time to argue about whether there is any such thing as writer's block. Whatever we want to call it, most of us have had times when we're simply stuck, and these tips can help.

2. Freelance Writers: 7 Tips for Caring for Your Hands, Wrists, and Arms. We may not be professional athletes, but we still rely on our bodies to make a living. If you aren't already, start treating those hands with kid gloves.

3. Dear Debra - A Letter to My Sixteen Year Old Self. My personal favorite blog posts. I just wish someone really had been around when I was 16 to give me that advice!

Where to Find Debra Stang, Freelance Writer, Online

Sometimes when you're online a lot, you can become so well camouflaged that the people who want to find you can't do so. In case any of you have been looking for me and would like to connect on other sites, here are some of the places where I enjoy hanging out.

1. Twitter

(@DebraLStang) - I don't always get to Tweet as frequently as I want to, but Twitter is a great place to browse to see trending topics. Whether or not you choose to follow me, I highly recommend it.

2. Facebook

Personal Page - This one gets updated occasionally, as I remember it.

Business Page - My business page is updated almost daily. Lots of links and recommendations from me and my readers--give it a try.

3. LinkedIn

Profile - I'm here on and off, but I'm always glad to connect with new people and networks!

4. My Professional Website

Debra L. Stang, Kansas City Freelance Writer - This is the best place to reach me if you have a question for me or if you'd like me to take on a writing or editing job for you.

5. My Amazon Associates Bookstore

Debra Stang, Writer and Editor - I sell some of my own books here, but most of the titles listed are books that have helped me grow as a businesswoman and a writer. I've also added some of my favorite novels and movies, just for fun.

6. Alliance of Hope for Suicide Survivors

Blog - Alliance of Hope is a wonderful organization for people who have lost a loved one to suicide. I've been the editor of their blog for more than a year and a half.  

7. Web Answers

Answered questions - This is a quirky site, mostly just for fun.

Coming Soon...I'm going to revamp and relaunch my Amazon Author Page. Stay tuned for details.  

What Do People Say When You Come Out as a Writer?

Parties just aren't my thing. If you looked up the word "introvert" in a dictionary, you'd probably find it illustrated with my picture. I've discovered that going to parties and networking events is even harder when you're a writer.

When I was a social worker, I could get through the "So, what do you do?" exchange with a minimum of fuss. Most people aren't that interested in social workers.

Now, however, I have to tell people I'm a writer, and that elicits all kinds of comments--some of them rude, some funny, and some so far off base I have to bite my tongue to keep from laughing. Here are a few of my favorite examples.

1. HAVE YOU WRITTEN ANYTHING I'VE READ?

What I'd like to say: If you have to ask, probably not.

What I say instead: I do quite a bit of producing blogs and other web copy, and I ghostwrite a lot. You've probably come across my work somewhere without even realizing it.

2. HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU MAKE?

What I'd like to say: None of your damn business.

What I say instead: Oh it varies so much from month to month I couldn't even give you a ballpark figure.

3. YOU'RE SO LUCKY. I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A WRITER.

What I'd like to say: Then sit your butt down in a chair and start writing.

What I say instead: Actually, luck doesn't have a whole lot to do with it. I've worked and practiced really hard to get where I am.

No Health Insurance - Walking a Tightrope without a Safety Net

(Note: I'm not a doctor and nothing in this post should be considered medical advice!)

On February 1, 2012, I became one of the 46 million Americans in this country without health insurance.

When I left my social work job to work fulltime as a freelance writer last August, I planned to keep coverage from my former employer through COBRA.

After a few months of that, I realized that monthly premiums cost almost as much as my rent. Also, the plan had a $2000 deductible, so it wasn't doing me much good anyway.

But actually taking the plunge was terrifying. I have a history of bipolar disorder, diabetes (resolved after weight loss surgery), and high cholesterol. My family medical history includes heart disease and breast cancer. In other words, unless I can slide into a high risk pool, I'm pretty much uninsurable.

But it was either give up the insurance or start living on a cat food diet, and my cats are not big on the concept of sharing.

If you, too, are considering ditching your health plan, the following information may be helpful.

1. Make sure you're in good health before you go.

Before I canceled my plan, I saw all of my doctors and advised them that I would be switching from insurance to private pay. My primary care physician gave me a physical, did blood work, and sent me for a mammogram--all clear.

3 Reasons Why Writers Miss Deadlines...And How to Stop Doing It

When I first started freelancing, a friend of mine who had been in the business for years explained due dates to me: "They're called deadlines, because dead is what your career will be if you miss too many of them."

Now, I'm certainly not saying I've never, ever missed a deadline, but keeping my friend's advice in mind has ensured that I don't miss them very often. I've also acquired a few clients who told me that they had ended working relationships with other freelancers because they were chronically late when it came to turning in their projects.

If you have a problem with missing deadlines, it's likely that one of three things is going on. See if you recognize any of these reasons:

1. You're procrastinating. Procrastinating means deliberately putting off tasks that you know must be done. People procrastinate for a variety of reasons including dislike for the project at hand, fear of not doing the work right, hope that someone will step in and do the project for you, and addiction to the adrenaline rush that often accompanies postponing a job until the last possible moment.

If you're a procrastinator, you need to make your calendar and your "to do" lists your very best friends in the whole world. As soon as you receive a new assignment, look it over and break it up into small, manageable chunks that are not at all intimidating. Then, schedule time to complete each chunk. Plan to finish your project a couple of days before the actual deadline, just in case you run into unexpected complications.

This method may feel unnatural the first several times you try it, but after a few successes, you'll wonder how you ever muddled along without it.

Don't Waste Time When Work Is Slow

Have you ever noticed that the freelance life is either feast or famine? Sometimes, you're trying frantically to balance 20 clients at once as that vaguely-remembered state of consciousness called sleep becomes a distant memory. Other days, you can't pay someone to give you a gig.

When the slow times come--and they will--don't declare a vacation and party until the work starts trickling in again. Instead, use the time to strengthen and build your business to minimize the financial impact of dry spells in the future.

Here are five ideas to get you started.

1. Market, market, market.

Try cold-calling, warm-calling, email campaigns, direct mail campaigns, and tapping into social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Take out a paid ad through Google or Facebook. Go back to your client list and touch base with the people you haven't heard from in a while--nothing high-pressured, just a short email that asks how they're doing and lets them know that you're still available to take on projects. I've even been reduced to going around town and leaving my business cards and brochures at any business with a community bulletin board.

2. Catch up on the business end of things.

If you've been letting the business end of your freelance career slip, now is a great time to get caught up. Send all those invoices you've been putting off, and follow up with non-paying clients. Now is also a good time to get a simple accounting program and enter your business's expenses and income. Granted, it doesn't really make for a good time, but think how pleased your accountant will be with you.

7 Benefits of Setting Goals

A popular quote among the self-improvement crowd, typically attributed to Zig Ziglar states that if you aim for nothing, you'll hit it every time.

Most people can see the wisdom in this, but many still put off setting goals and memorializing them in writing. "I know what I want," the say, "so why bother with all that goal-setting crap?"

I know what they say, because I used to be one of the people saying it. But since I've become a fulltime freelance writer and editor, I've found myself being won over by the whole idea of setting specific, measurable, action-oriented, reachable, and time-limited (SMART) goals.

Goal-setting has several advantages.

1. It separates your intentions from your wishes and dreams.

T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, one said, "All men dream, but not equally." We all have things that we'd kind of like to do, but not badly enough to work to make them happen. Then, there are those dreams we would do anything to make come true. You can make these dreams your goals--your intentions--and figure out the steps you need to take to make them come true.

2. Goal-setting gives you an end point.

If you've ever been on a road trip with a small child, you know that the four most annoying words in the English language are, "Are we there yet?" When we don't set specific goals, we put ourselves in the same position as a bored, travel-weary child. We don't know when we're getting close to our destination, and we don't know when we've reached it. Suppose, for instance, your goal is to reduce your weight. Would you be "there" if you lost half a pound? Probably not. "I will weigh 135 pounds by March 31, 2012," lets you know exactly where you're going and how close you are to getting there.

Freelance Writers Need Vacations, Too!

This December, I reached another milestone in my writing career. I took a vacation. Granted, it wasn't a very long vacation, but from December 22 through December 26, I didn't write a single word...unless you count shopping lists.

The time away was exactly what I needed to recharge my batteries. I spent the time with my parents and we laughed, talked, exchanged stocking gifts, watched holiday movies on TV, and even sang Christmas carols (not my dad). Did I mention that I didn't write a word?

I have to admit, though that the whole vacation concept was just a little scary for me. What if a rush job came in and I missed it? What if all my clients jumped ship and found other writers or editors?

To alleviate these fears, I took a few proactive steps to carve out the time I needed for myself; since I didn't lose a single client while I was gone, I guess my techniques worked.