I have a little announcement…
I’m moving.
Websites that is.
(I move around a lot so it wouldn’t exactly be news if I were physically moving.)
So what does this have to do with you, I hear you cry?
Well, if you’re a freelance writer you’ll perhaps be pleased to learn that I am now the founder and proud owner of a website dedicated to making you a better freelance writer.
The current site that you’re feasting your weary eyes on right now will remain intact as a place for future writing clients to get in touch with me. But for all you freelance writers I’ve got something a bit special.
I feel like as a community we’re growing out of this blog so while I’ve transferred all the existing blog posts over to the new site, it will also offer so much more.
I’ll be covering how to market yourself better, how to become a better writer, plus how to keep on top of everything that the freelancing life throws at you.
I’ll also be revealing all the tools and resources I use to make my life as a freelance writer easier, more productive and therefore more lucrative. I’m not saying I’m the oracle on this but I do have a few tricks up my sleeve!
If you’re looking for work (and if you’re smart you’ll always be looking for work – even when you have lots), then I’ll even be scouring the web for freelance writing jobs online and listing them for you.
My aim is to save you time so you can focus on becoming a better freelance writer.
So it’s a busy time for me, what with my travel blogging eBook launching soon, but I’m working day and night to get the website up and running as soon as possible.
Of course I’d love it if you came with me. If you haven’t already, please sign up to get weekly emails from me – the aim is that these are going to get more useful, more practical and really help you to become a better freelance writer.
If you’re wondering where the link to the new site is…well, it’s www.freelancewritersonline.com
While it’s tough to start again with a blank canvas I’m really looking forward to the challenge and to making it the best site it can be. I’m focused on the future, on improving as a freelance writer and on helping others to do the same.
This is my mission. It’s always been there in the back of my mind but I feel like I’ve found a focus for it now.
Sometimes the hardest thing is taking the first step of turning your thoughts and ideas into actions and outcomes.
So I’ll be busy with the new site this week (not too busy to fit in a few days in the south of France – I love being a freelancer!), so I’ll simply leave you with this thought:
Here’s to my new beginning. What about you? Have you ever started all over again from scratch? Any advice?
PS Click here to sign up for the free weekly writing tips and inspiration email. If you’re already signed up to my email list you’ll get these automatically anyway.
The Only Advice You Need about Writing a Blog People Want to ReadNew blog post
How to Make Money Writing for Travel BlogsDifferent
Is Writing Online for a Living Really for You?New new new
Increasing Streams of Income as a Writer (Book or Information Product?)REdirect
Where to Find Freelance Writing Gigs OnlineFreelance Writers Online
How to Use Pinterest to Promote Your Freelance Writing BusinessFreelance Writer
10 Tips on Marketing Yourself as a Freelance Writer OnlineFreelance Writer
Why Choose Hootsuite Pro Over Hootsuite Free?Freelance Writer
How to Write When You’ve Run out of Blog Post IdeasFreelance Writer
The Bloggers Behind the Blog Posts (Plus a Liebster Blog Award)www.freelancewritersonline.com/the-bloggers-behind-the-blog-posts/
How to Fail at Becoming a Freelance Writerwww.freelancewritersonline.com/how-to-fail-at-becoming-a-freelance-writer/
One of the Best Ways to Make Money Online (Without Being Seedy)www.freelancewritersonline.com/one-of-the-best-ways-to-make-money-online/
Why Every Writer Should Start a Lifestyle Businesswww.freelancewritersonline.com/why-every-writer-should-start-a-lifestyle-business/
So You Want to Be a Freelance Writer? You Better Be Legitwww.freelancewritersonline.com/so-you-want-to-be-a-freelance-writer/
How to Find Your Purpose as a WriterRealising it was time for a change last week also made me realise that I don’t want to just be a good writer. And I don’t want that for you either. This week I want to go deeper and explore how to find your purpose in your work and in life, and relate this in turn to your writing. (Because you know as well as I do that these are inextricably linked to one another.)
The opportunities for writers are endless these days. The Internet has opened up a whole host of doors for bloggers, content marketers, article writers and even novelists looking to market their work and publish it online. While this might sound like great news for you and your life’s calling, it also means that the marketplace has become confused, congested and, well frankly, bland.
I’d be doing you a disservice if I wasn’t honest with you here so brace yourself:
You’re not helping the situation by doing what everybody else is doing. What’s more, by following the crowd and casting your net too widely you’re speaking to everyone so that no one can actually hear you.
Let’s get offline for just a second and think about it this way; if you were to stand in a large hall the size of a football stadium, packed full of people chatting – some shouting out to others, some just nattering away amongst themselves – do you really think that they’d listen if you started talking about what you do and how great a writer you are?
No.
No, they wouldn’t.
No wonder people aren’t biting your hand off when you pitch to them. No wonder nobody’s approaching you to write for them, despite having set yourself up with a website and making it clear on social media that you’re a good writer that’s available for hire.
So what do you do?
You get focused. You hone in on a particular mission, angle, market, topic, approach or style (if not all of the above). You find your sweet spot, your niche; your true and specific calling.
Knowing your purpose will not only firm up in your own mind what you want out of your life and career and propel you towards your ultimate goals – it will also let potential clients and readers know what you are about and that you mean business.
In other words, they’ll know you’re the real deal.
If you know your purpose you can position yourself firmly, and it will be reflected in everything that you do and in every word that you write – whether that be on the ‘About Me’ page of your website, in a pitch to a client or in a quick Tweet to the people who follow you.
Those who are completely unsure about their purpose might want to grab a pen – this might take a while. For those who have a small inkling about their purpose – you can probably just do this in your head.
Don’t think about this too much, but do answer me this:
Next, look to see if the same answer came up more than once.
I don’t wish to alarm you here but I think you may have just found your purpose.
Want more? Check out these ridiculously useful resources for freelance writers and online entrepreneurs.
If you want to keep up to date with the online freelance writing world sign up to receive free writing and marketing tips by email here.
It’s Time for a Changewww.freelancewritersonline.com/its-time-for-a-change/
How to Travel the World and Get Paid for Writing About Itwww.freelancewritersonline.com/how-to-travel-the-world-and-get-paid-for-writing-about-it/
3 Different Ways to Make Money as a Writer (While Staying In Control)www.freelancewritersonline.com/3-different-ways-to-make-money-as-a-writer/
Do You Need A To Do List?www.freelancewritersonline.com/do-you-need-a-to-do-list/
How to Make Your Writing Search Engine Friendlywww.freelancewritersonline.com/how-to-make-your-writing-search-engine-friendly/
The Best Websites for Writers, Entrepreneurs and Kick-Arse Visionaries
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Why You Should be Turning Down Freelance Writing Workwww.freelancewritersonline.com/why-you-should-be-turning-down-freelance-writing-work/
Why You Need to Make Freelance Writing Your Business (Not Your Hobby)www.freelancewritersonline.com/why-you-need-to-make-freelance-writing-your-business/
How to Become a Travel Writer: Tips from the Expertswww.freelancewritersonline.com/how-to-become-a-travel-writer/
30 Reasons You’re Failing at Becoming a Freelance Writerwww.freelancewritersonline.com/30-reasons-youre-failing-at-becoming-a-freelance-writer/
How to Get Your Blog Noticed to Attract Clientswww.freelancewritersonline.com/how-to-get-your-blog-noticed-to-attract-clients/
How to Build a Writing Portfolio and Get Clientswww.freelancewritersonline.com/how-to-build-a-writing-portfolio-and-get-clients-when-youve-done-nothing-and-know-nobody/
Why You Should Quit Your Job and Become a Freelance Writer Insteadwww.freelancewritersonline.com/become-a-freelance-writer/
Top 10 Writing Tipswww.freelancewritersonline.com/top-10-writing-tips/
Odd but Useful Writing Tipswww.freelancewritersonline.com/odd-but-useful-writing-tips/
How Being a Freelance Writer is Like Learning to Drivewww.freelancewritersonline.com/being-a-freelance-writer/
Why Freelance Writers are Leading the Country out of Recessionwww.freelancewritersonline.com/freelance-writers-leading-uk-out-of-recession/
How to be the Best Damn Press Release Writer in the Businesswww.freelancewritersonline.com/how-to-be-the-best-damn-press-release-writer-in-the-business/
The Glamorous World of Travel Writingwww.freelancewritersonline.com/the-glamorous-world-of-travel-writing/
3 Blog Posts That Will Help You Get More Done (Mainly By Doing Less)www.freelancewritersonline.com/get-more-done/
Can You Afford to go Freelancing Full Time?www.freelancewritersonline.com/can-you-afford-to-go-freelancing-full-time/
The Only Copywriting Tip You’ll Ever Needwww.freelancewritersonline.com/the-only-copywriting-tips-youll-ever-need/