About a year and a half ago, I was where you probably are today.

Underpaid, overworked, and wondering how the hell I was going to find clients who’d pay hundreds of dollars for a blog post.

I get it – when you’re starting out, booking yourself with tons of high-paying freelance blogging clients seems about as achievable as chugging an entire 30-pack of beer without barfing your guts up the next day.

But I’m here to tell you that it is possible to boost your freelance blogging pay fast.

When I started freelancing full-time, I charged about 10 cents per word. Now, I typically charge a flat rate that is twice that (or more!).

You may be thinking:

That sounds too good to be true. I don’t have a degree or any connections to help me make it happen.

I didn’t have those things either. But what I did have was a crazy work ethic and marketing/sales knowledge – that’s what helped me scale my business so fast.

So today, I want to share that knowledge with you. Keep reading, and you’ll learn 4 strategies you can use to double your freelance blogging rates. [Read more…]

Working for yourself is a dream come true for many, but when tax time comes I understand all too well how all the forms, schedules and receipts can become a confusing mass of nonsensical paperwork.

The truth is, when you know what kinds of invoices and financial interactions to keep track of throughout your working year, the process can not only be smooth and simple, but satisfying as well.

In this post, I am going to share three important things with you:

1. Tax deductions that freelancers can use
2. Tips on how to prepare for tax season and get through it in one piece
3. Specific lists of the forms you will need to use in the US, the UK or Canada.

If you’re a freelance blogger in any country, these fundamental tips will help you to complete your tax return correctly.  [Read more…]

How many blogs do you read every day?

You’re reading a blog right now, so that’s one. Did you check Buzzfeed this morning? That’s two, and the link you followed on Facebook is three, and the New York Times Well section is four, and you can probably get up to 10 without having to think too hard.

All of these blogs need writers, and if you’re interested in becoming a freelance blogger, there are plenty of ways to get your foot in the door and start making money.

Start with these seven ideas, courtesy of The Write Life’s 71 Ways to Make Money as a Freelance Writer (which, full disclosure, I helped write — so I know it’s good). Then pitch your first blog post this afternoon!  [Read more…]

Writers love to freelance for a number of reasons — you can choose your hours, pick your favourite topics, and wear boxers and t-shirts at least 80% of the time.

For me, this career has mostly been motivated by my two great loves: literature and travel. But it turns out the two don’t go hand-in-hand as easily as you’d hope.

Earning US dollars and UK pounds while spending Mexican pesos sounds pretty ideal, but getting that money into your hands can be an absolute nightmare.

I’m a Canadian freelance writer, currently based in Mexico. Because most of my work is done for US, UK and Canadian clients, I’ve had to juggle all kinds of payment methods to make this business work for me.

Sometimes it’s like trying to extract money from an old shoe; other times I have to barter. For example:

“Okay, I’ll agree to rework the English side of your web site, but only if you build a big carpeted cat house for me as payment!”

“Okay, deal. What colour?”

When all the moons align, getting paid on the go is the best thing in the world. If you’re in search of a solution to the international payment issue, read on for an explanation of the most commonly used payment methods.  [Read more…]