1. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success Melissa Shultz

2. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success

3. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success # 1 Establish A Plan. All good plans are inspired by a goal. What is yours? Plant a seed. Generate a concept

4. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success # 1 Establish A Plan. Determine the types of writing you will focus on and the minimum income you can survive on. Save money before you begin.

5. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success # 1 Establish A Plan. Set up an office. Open a business checking account. Get a business credit card.

6. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success # 1 Establish A Plan. Print business cards. Get insurance. Dance around the new office.

7. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success # 1 Establish A Plan.

8. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #2 Get Help. Employ the help of groups that represent writers National Writer’s Union www.nwu.org American Society of Journalists and Authors http://www.asja.org http://www.asja.org www.authorlink.com www.writersgarret.org

9. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #2 Get Help. Trade Associations www.asaecenter.org www.consumeraction.gov/trade.shtml

10. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #2 Get Help. Careerbuilder.com JOBcentral.com Monster.com FederalGovernmentJobs.us Jobs.com Flipdog.com Indeed.com

11. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #3 Be Prepared. Offer different rate options. 22 Hours Total Creative Director - 8 hours @ $100 / hour Copywriter - 14 hours @ $ 50 / hour _____________________________ $1,500 30 Hours Total $1,500 / month for 3 months

12. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #3 Be Prepared. Offer different rate options. Determine payment stages. Review types of rights. Include a cancellation clause. Keep track of your hours.

13. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #3 Be Prepared. Be prepared to make quarterly payments to Uncle Sam. Get an accountant for at least one round of taxes. Stay on top of what the IRS permits and doesn’t.

14. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #3 Be Prepared. Set up an accounting system. Save for a rainy day. Get health and disability insurance.

15. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #3 Be Prepared. Hire your own freelancers. Send out written agreements. Send out 1099’s.

16. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. Check out other writer’s websites. Create your own website?

17. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. Experiment with queries. Create a business card.

18. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. Consider your appearance

19. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. Create a bio Get a photo of yourself

20. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. Network

21. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. Create a list of editors and executives and their contact info. Check out mastheads and websites.

22. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. Don’t flaunt your degrees

23. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. List your services. www.MediaBistro.com www.FreelanceWriting.com www.ASJA.org

24. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #5 Be an Armadillo.

25. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #6 Be Curious.

26. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #7 Read. Focus on your area of expertise.

27. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #8 Be Flexible. Be willing to take jobs that help pay the bills or get you published. Check out local publishing houses that hire ghostwriters. www.brownbooks.com www.benbellabooks.com Use your client’s voice.

28. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #9 Create a “Projects-In-The-Making” File. Write your ideas as they occur to you. Have more than one project going. Always have at least one pitch ready to go out.

29. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #10 Get Published. Show only relevant material. Start small and work your way up.

30. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #1 Establish A Plan. #2 Get Help. #3 Be Prepared. #5 Be an Armadillo. #6 Be Curious. #7 Read. #8 Be Flexible. #9 Create a “Projects-In-The-Making” File. #4 Learn How to Market Yourself.

31. Navigating a Career In Freelance Writing: Ten Keys to Success #10 Get Published. #1 Establish A Plan. #2 Get Help. #3 Be Prepared. #4 Learn How to Market Yourself. #5 Be an Armadillo. #6 Be Curious. #7 Read. #8 Be Flexible. #9 Create a “Projects-In-The-Making” File.