We are all imperfect at times. Likely, more often than not. For all of you trying to be parents and professionals or entrepreneurs, I would like to direct you to a funny article I wrote located here.
It is very difficult juggling parenting, a budding business, your desire to become an entrepreneur or successful writer and the wild things life throws at you.
My studies at AJU are going well so far. People tell me I am crazy to try to take on more. I know however that getting my MBA concentrating in Entrepreneurship will only serve me and my family much better in the long-term.
One reason I like the program I selected is it allows students the opportunity to pursue online education. When you are busy juggling your career, parenting or your vision as an entrepreneur or freelance writer, a quality online education affords you something that can only be described as priceless.
Keep in mind on your journey toward success that no one is perfect. You will make mistakes along the way. Do not berate yourself, but take comfort in knowing that we all learn as we travel life's journey.
Take time to learn things the step-by-step way when you can, and laugh at the small mishaps that sometimes happen in life.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Friday, September 08, 2006
Website Snafu!
To all loyal fans, our site temporarily disappeared into cyberspace, our blog will be up and running again shortly!
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Venture Capital
Most people who start their own business rely on friends and family for capital. The good new is if you are starting your own freelance writing business you don’t need much in the way of capital. Here are some basic start up expenses to consider:
Your computer
A printer/fax/copy machine
Paper supplies
Advertising dollars
Of these, the latter will cost the most… unless you take advantage of the multiple sources of free advertising currently available on the Web today.
Too many small business owners get caught up in the trap of believing they have to have an SBA loan or other source of formal venture capital to get their business off the ground. The reality is most entrepreneurs start new companies with funds from personal accounts, including checking accounts, credit cards and money from friends and family.
Most lenders are hesitant to give a new business money until it has proven its worthiness (meaning its ability to make money). You are much more likely to get money once you have set up a business that is producing some income, and you want to expand it, than you are to get money when first starting out.
In the early stages of your business, funds from friends and family may be vital to your success. Family and friends can help pool their resources and help you get your business off the ground.
What you’ll want to do though, is treat your friends and family like formal investors. Let them know exactly what they’ll get from the deal and when. You should consider paying any funds you receive from friends or family back with interest.
But, you should also be realistic about your goals and expectations. Give yourself enough time to get your business off the ground. Most businesses don’t make money in the first few months of operations.
Freelance writing is the perfect home business for someone with little venture capital to start a home business. At most you may pay:
- $500-1200 for a new computer
- $100 for a printer/copier
- $200-600 for memberships to writers groups or paid work sites
- $400 for paper supplies
You can easily start a writing business for less than $3k. To advertise cheaply and inexpensively, invest in some cheap business cards (or make your own) and have your friends and family pass them around. You are likely to land your first clients through networking and relationship building. Do a good job, and they’ll refer you to more friends.
After you establish your business, you can commit more funds to advertising and promotions. (Though you may find you don’t have to!)
Your computer
A printer/fax/copy machine
Paper supplies
Advertising dollars
Of these, the latter will cost the most… unless you take advantage of the multiple sources of free advertising currently available on the Web today.
Too many small business owners get caught up in the trap of believing they have to have an SBA loan or other source of formal venture capital to get their business off the ground. The reality is most entrepreneurs start new companies with funds from personal accounts, including checking accounts, credit cards and money from friends and family.
Most lenders are hesitant to give a new business money until it has proven its worthiness (meaning its ability to make money). You are much more likely to get money once you have set up a business that is producing some income, and you want to expand it, than you are to get money when first starting out.
In the early stages of your business, funds from friends and family may be vital to your success. Family and friends can help pool their resources and help you get your business off the ground.
What you’ll want to do though, is treat your friends and family like formal investors. Let them know exactly what they’ll get from the deal and when. You should consider paying any funds you receive from friends or family back with interest.
But, you should also be realistic about your goals and expectations. Give yourself enough time to get your business off the ground. Most businesses don’t make money in the first few months of operations.
Freelance writing is the perfect home business for someone with little venture capital to start a home business. At most you may pay:
- $500-1200 for a new computer
- $100 for a printer/copier
- $200-600 for memberships to writers groups or paid work sites
- $400 for paper supplies
You can easily start a writing business for less than $3k. To advertise cheaply and inexpensively, invest in some cheap business cards (or make your own) and have your friends and family pass them around. You are likely to land your first clients through networking and relationship building. Do a good job, and they’ll refer you to more friends.
After you establish your business, you can commit more funds to advertising and promotions. (Though you may find you don’t have to!)
Persistence Is Key
Persistence pays off. There is no doubt about it. No matter your profession, whether a traditional corporate employee or an innovative entrepreneur, you won’t realize true success unless you are persistent in all you do, in all you aim for.
Freelance writing is among the most demanding and competitive industries. To establish your reputation, to create a “presence” if you will, you have to remain persistent. You have to tolerate the ups and downs that come with rejection, writing, submissions and bidding on writing projects.
Nothing in life is easy as a writer. In fact, if you want to realize your full income potential, you’ll have to work hard, very hard. Of course, as I teach in ConsummateCash™ anyone with a strong will and need to learn can succeed. IF of course, they remain unrelenting in their desire to learn, grow and develop as a writer.
ConsummateCash™ makes entering and succeeding in the freelance business much easier than it would be if you approached writing without any formal guidelines. However, you still have to work hard to prosper. CC isn’t a “get rich quick scheme” you see. It is a manual… a life tool for those interested in creating real income opportunities for their family and loved ones.
Don’t think mastering the 12 dirty little secrets is all it will take. You have to not only recognize the 12 dirty little secrets of the industry, but also figure out ways to manipulate them successfully. Doing so will eventually help you succeed in everything you do as a writer and a freelance master.
The last blog talked a bit about goal setting. Goal setting is one tool you can use to persevere when times get tough. Another tool you can pull from your belt is constancy of purpose. You should decide what your purpose is as a writer early in your career, and then remain true to it during your career.
CC teaches that if you persevere, you’ll gain small rewards that add up to larger financial and career successes. Small steps initially result in large opportunities later in life and in your business endeavors.
Remember. Good things come to those that persevere.
Freelance writing is among the most demanding and competitive industries. To establish your reputation, to create a “presence” if you will, you have to remain persistent. You have to tolerate the ups and downs that come with rejection, writing, submissions and bidding on writing projects.
Nothing in life is easy as a writer. In fact, if you want to realize your full income potential, you’ll have to work hard, very hard. Of course, as I teach in ConsummateCash™ anyone with a strong will and need to learn can succeed. IF of course, they remain unrelenting in their desire to learn, grow and develop as a writer.
ConsummateCash™ makes entering and succeeding in the freelance business much easier than it would be if you approached writing without any formal guidelines. However, you still have to work hard to prosper. CC isn’t a “get rich quick scheme” you see. It is a manual… a life tool for those interested in creating real income opportunities for their family and loved ones.
Don’t think mastering the 12 dirty little secrets is all it will take. You have to not only recognize the 12 dirty little secrets of the industry, but also figure out ways to manipulate them successfully. Doing so will eventually help you succeed in everything you do as a writer and a freelance master.
The last blog talked a bit about goal setting. Goal setting is one tool you can use to persevere when times get tough. Another tool you can pull from your belt is constancy of purpose. You should decide what your purpose is as a writer early in your career, and then remain true to it during your career.
CC teaches that if you persevere, you’ll gain small rewards that add up to larger financial and career successes. Small steps initially result in large opportunities later in life and in your business endeavors.
Remember. Good things come to those that persevere.
Does Your Degree Matter?
Do you have to have a degree to succeed? No. It helps a lot however. You don't need a degree to get started. However, if you want to become a successful entrepreneur and grow your business and career, there is a lot you can gain by having a degree.
Having a degree like one offered by AJU's Tracy College can make a difference if you plan to advance your career or start a successful business. Many people have the expectation that a prestigious degree will result in a top salary career. The key is using your degree properly to enhance and expand your career. A degree concentrating in business, entrepreneurship or other majors can really help advance your status, whether your business is as a self-employed writer or other professional.
You do however, need to find a University offering practical education. One that provides you with life-skills training (like those offered at AJU). There are far too many people out there with college degree’s working at Pizza Hut or the local convenience store (no offense, it’s hard to get a job anywhere).
There are many successful people, including Bill Gates that make millions of dollars each year, yet never finished college. Why? They had talent. They had ambition. They were smart. So yes, you can succeed without a degree. But it certainly helps to have one. And, these days, Universities including AJU offer online courses for time crunched professionals.
What that means is you can focus on work, raising your family and other important venues while still advancing your education.
Some programs even credit you for experience gained by working in the corporate world. This is important to me as an entrepreneur and one reason I selected AJU.
Don’t let the lack of a degree or the right “credentials” hold you back. Anyone can succeed. If your passion is writing, and you want to become a successful freelance writer, you can do it, with or without a degree. But when you have time, consider getting a degree. Select an online program that meets your needs, expectations and provides you the flexibility of online education if needed.
One of the things I encourage in ConsummateCash™ is following your dreams. You have to identify you skills, talents and abilities. Then combine them with your desires. You can learn how to write. You can get a degree. Remain constant, persistent and dedicated. Then search for solutions that work for you.
Having a degree like one offered by AJU's Tracy College can make a difference if you plan to advance your career or start a successful business. Many people have the expectation that a prestigious degree will result in a top salary career. The key is using your degree properly to enhance and expand your career. A degree concentrating in business, entrepreneurship or other majors can really help advance your status, whether your business is as a self-employed writer or other professional.
You do however, need to find a University offering practical education. One that provides you with life-skills training (like those offered at AJU). There are far too many people out there with college degree’s working at Pizza Hut or the local convenience store (no offense, it’s hard to get a job anywhere).
There are many successful people, including Bill Gates that make millions of dollars each year, yet never finished college. Why? They had talent. They had ambition. They were smart. So yes, you can succeed without a degree. But it certainly helps to have one. And, these days, Universities including AJU offer online courses for time crunched professionals.
What that means is you can focus on work, raising your family and other important venues while still advancing your education.
Some programs even credit you for experience gained by working in the corporate world. This is important to me as an entrepreneur and one reason I selected AJU.
Don’t let the lack of a degree or the right “credentials” hold you back. Anyone can succeed. If your passion is writing, and you want to become a successful freelance writer, you can do it, with or without a degree. But when you have time, consider getting a degree. Select an online program that meets your needs, expectations and provides you the flexibility of online education if needed.
One of the things I encourage in ConsummateCash™ is following your dreams. You have to identify you skills, talents and abilities. Then combine them with your desires. You can learn how to write. You can get a degree. Remain constant, persistent and dedicated. Then search for solutions that work for you.
Write, Rewrite, Then Write Again?
There are limits you should set when it comes to revising work you create for your customers. Customer service is obviously the number one concern of anyone working any home business. You want to make sure your customers are happy; after all, they are your bread-and-butter.
But how far should you go when offering your customers unlimited services? One of the biggest mistakes newbies make is offering customers unlimited rewrites. While this may seem the ideal form of customer service, it can backfire on you terribly.
Take for example the customer that pays you a deposit for a project you start together. A common example may be a sales letter. You are confident you will receive full payment. After all, you have your deposit, right?But after delivering the final product, the customer asks for a rewrite. Then another one. Then asks you to make a few more changes. Then has you wait several more weeks while he or she works on uploading your letter to their site to make sure it looks right.
You may end up getting your final payment months after you started the project, or worse, never.
My advice? If you do plan to offer any revisions or rewrites, limit them. Offer your customer one or at most, two rewrites based on an early draft of the project. Set a defined time frame for completing rewrites, and tell the customer exactly when payment is due. This may be 30 days after the start of the project together, or when you deliver your final product.
Be sure you make these terms clear and get them in writing. Otherwise you will have a long hard road ahead of you when it comes time to receive payment.
Start A New Career As A Writer
I read an excerpt in Self Magazine the other day that said the best is yet to come. It’s true. Too many people who want to start their own business, regardless of the kind of business they want to start, think it is too late. Time has run out. That simply isn’t true.
You don’t have to publish your first novel by 30. You can start a new career, even if you don’t have one now, regardless of your age, your experience and your skills. It’s true. All you need is motivation… and maybe a little inspiration.
According to the article I read, citing David Galenson Ph.D who is author of Old Masters and Young Geniuses, many creative people don’t peak until later in life, after 30s, well into their 40s and beyond. Why? They have more life experiences to share with the world.
Many creative people he points out, as does Self, that people learn through experience and trial and error. So it may take some time to fine tune your craft. And that is ok. Whatever your pursuit.
Have you ever seen the movie Rudy? You know, about the college kid who wanted to play football. Everyone told him he couldn’t do it. But he persisted. An important tagline from that flick you should consider is this… “Sometimes a winner is a dreamer who just won’t quit…”
So don’t quit. If you want to start your own successful business from home you can do it. All you need is persistence, passion and dedication. And a few, carefully planned out strategies.
How do you start? Why not write down your goals. List your top three goals for your freelance writing business. That’s the first place to begin.
You don’t have to publish your first novel by 30. You can start a new career, even if you don’t have one now, regardless of your age, your experience and your skills. It’s true. All you need is motivation… and maybe a little inspiration.
According to the article I read, citing David Galenson Ph.D who is author of Old Masters and Young Geniuses, many creative people don’t peak until later in life, after 30s, well into their 40s and beyond. Why? They have more life experiences to share with the world.
Many creative people he points out, as does Self, that people learn through experience and trial and error. So it may take some time to fine tune your craft. And that is ok. Whatever your pursuit.
Have you ever seen the movie Rudy? You know, about the college kid who wanted to play football. Everyone told him he couldn’t do it. But he persisted. An important tagline from that flick you should consider is this… “Sometimes a winner is a dreamer who just won’t quit…”
So don’t quit. If you want to start your own successful business from home you can do it. All you need is persistence, passion and dedication. And a few, carefully planned out strategies.
How do you start? Why not write down your goals. List your top three goals for your freelance writing business. That’s the first place to begin.
Coping With Rejection
No one appreciates rejection. It doesn't matter if you apply for a new job or you send your manuscript to a favorite publisher. You don't want your bids rejected if you are a commercial or BizTech writer, and you don't want an editor to reject your carefully crafted query.
Whether you are a new or experienced writer, you’ll have to cope with rejection at some point or another.
Everyone has an opinion about your work. You’ll find everything you write you love. Or hate. Or alternate between the two.
Once you establish a “career” as a part-time freelancer however, and start raking in the big bucks, you’ll expect everyone to think your work is terrific. But that isn’t always the case.
Even today, after being published by many well known names in the industry and after receiving international acclaim and praise for my work, I occasionally get a rejection.
Every now and again I bid on a project and the buyer doesn’t select me as their writer. Do I let that worry me? Heck no.
I may not be on Oprah yet, but I will. But seriously folks, listen up. If you want to make money and a living as a freelance writer, you have to cope with a little rejection. Don’t take it personally.
Most of the time it’s because the subject material you’re writing on didn’t find its way to the right publisher, agent or other representative… yet. Now, if you do get to the point where you are ready to submit your masterpieces to print publishers or agents, and you aren’t receiving at the very least personalized rejection letters, you may be doing something wrong.
There is a system, a way to attract positive attention. You have to know how to market your material correctly. That’s one of the things I teach in ConsummateCash™.
And by all means, thank anyone that looks at your work or considers your proposal profusely for his or her time. No use going off on a tangent or getting angry. That is simply ridiculous, and will get you banned from the writing community in general. Your work may not be right for everyone, but it is right for someone.
And when you are cashing in your big checks from people that do agree to work with you, you can laugh all the way to the bank…
So don’t worry about rejection. It’s bound to happen. But you can get around it. And as long as you remain determined and have a product or skill you know is worthwhile and people are interested in… you’ll get where you need to go.
Whether you are a new or experienced writer, you’ll have to cope with rejection at some point or another.
Everyone has an opinion about your work. You’ll find everything you write you love. Or hate. Or alternate between the two.
Once you establish a “career” as a part-time freelancer however, and start raking in the big bucks, you’ll expect everyone to think your work is terrific. But that isn’t always the case.
Even today, after being published by many well known names in the industry and after receiving international acclaim and praise for my work, I occasionally get a rejection.
Every now and again I bid on a project and the buyer doesn’t select me as their writer. Do I let that worry me? Heck no.
I may not be on Oprah yet, but I will. But seriously folks, listen up. If you want to make money and a living as a freelance writer, you have to cope with a little rejection. Don’t take it personally.
Most of the time it’s because the subject material you’re writing on didn’t find its way to the right publisher, agent or other representative… yet. Now, if you do get to the point where you are ready to submit your masterpieces to print publishers or agents, and you aren’t receiving at the very least personalized rejection letters, you may be doing something wrong.
There is a system, a way to attract positive attention. You have to know how to market your material correctly. That’s one of the things I teach in ConsummateCash™.
And by all means, thank anyone that looks at your work or considers your proposal profusely for his or her time. No use going off on a tangent or getting angry. That is simply ridiculous, and will get you banned from the writing community in general. Your work may not be right for everyone, but it is right for someone.
And when you are cashing in your big checks from people that do agree to work with you, you can laugh all the way to the bank…
So don’t worry about rejection. It’s bound to happen. But you can get around it. And as long as you remain determined and have a product or skill you know is worthwhile and people are interested in… you’ll get where you need to go.
Writing Is Hard Work
I’m not going to lie. Writing is a lot of hard work. ConsummateCash™ is a system you can use to succeed at freelance writing. But you aren’t going to get anywhere unless you put in a little hard work.
Too many people get off these days believing they can make money without lifting a finger. Sure there are a lot of get rich quick schemes out there. Sure you can spend a few dollars and make a few dollars on some of them.
But if you really want to succeed, if you really have a passion for your work and a desire to achieve something great, you have to invest a little time and effort.
Will it pay off? I hope so. It certainly did for me, and for thousands of others. There are lots of ways to make money while working part time as a writer. There are many keys.
There are secrets of the industry.
Even knowing these however, is not enough to propel you to instant success. You have to take some time to get to know your industry, to master your craft…
So commit yourself to a certain level of work. Agree to work each and every day at your business, and ultimately you will achieve success, personally and financially.
ConsummateCash™ is a sequential learning system, one that will help its audience gain knowledge of the freelance writing industry specifically, but also self-employment in general, and realize small successes along the way. Why do other books fail? They fail because they do not produce tangible results for their readers. CC provides tangible results, every step of the way.
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