Learn to make REAL money blogging for hire
Does the thought of a potential client checking out your freelance blogging portfolio make you so nervous, you get the hiccups?
When you’re freelancing, your portfolio is one of your biggest assets. It can get you hired on the spot, or dumped on the pile of instantly forgotten applicants who failed to impress.
So let’s ask the obvious question: what does your portfolio say about you? [Read more…]
You have a brilliant idea for a blog post.
You know how to pitch.
You’ve read the blog’s masthead, contact page, and About page.
You’ve worked out which editor to pitch to. Your fingers are twitching to type out your pitch and send it right away.
But you don’t see their email address listed on the site, and you have no clue how the fudge you’re supposed to find it out.
Sound familiar?
Don’t fret, and don’t give up hope of getting your pitch into your dream editor’s hands.
I’ve been through this challenge myself, and I found some simple online tools that helped me get the email addresses I wanted.
Here’s a quick walk through the 6 tools I find the most helpful, and how I use them.
[Read more…]
Are you one of the thousands of journalists holding your breath and watching as the industry declines?
28,000 people in the United States lost their newsroom jobs between 2008 and 2018, according to the Pew Research Center. (That’s a quarter of all the news jobs in the US.)
If you work for a print publication, you’re probably taking the brunt of the downturn. But digital media isn’t off the hook. Nowadays, layoffs of digital media employees happen with frightening frequency, too.
Being laid off is nerve-wracking in any industry.
Most of us knew the downturn meant taking positions that offered lower pay. But with 25% of the jobs vanishing, that motivation is gone, and you may be wondering how to keep a roof over your head.
It’s time to channel that fear and anxiety and shape it into entrepreneurship: you’re going to make the switch from journalism to freelance blogging.
[Read more…]
Do you dream of making a living as a freelance blogger in Thailand?
Let’s get this straight off the bat: Thailand is not only the Land of Smiles, but also the Land of Silk and Money. Getting the relevant visa AND a work permit (and making it as hassle-free as possible) will cost you a tidy sum.
This is a pain, particularly for writers who are just starting out.
I’m guilty of not playing safe. Holding a valid business visa but not a work permit, I took my first freelance actions in a grey area.
As time was marching on and the expiry date of my visa coming dangerously close, the prospect of ending up in the notorious Bangkok Hilton felt throat-tightening. It was about time I arranged for a new visa, and this time a work permit as well.
If you’re moving to Thailand or are blogging here already, why take the risk of the grey area becoming black-and-white?
I know an ironclad way to cut through Thailand’s red tape. Hang on, I’ll pass you the scissors in a moment.
[Read more…]
We’ve all been there — the dreaded writer’s block.
One minute you’ve got ideas flowing out of your fingertips and the next minute… nothing, nada, zilch. Your words have dried up and you’re staring at a blank page.
It’s a freelance blogger’s worst nightmare.
So… what do you do next?
If your first inclination is to ignore the problem, you’re not alone. But procrastination — whether it’s with a Netflix show or a social media account — will not fix the issue at hand.
Being a freelance blogger means working for clients on a deadline. When you’re unable to write, your career and income are at stake.
The good news is there are plenty of solutions to help you beat writer’s block, especially if you’re willing to put in the work.
Some of these solutions are writing tools, some are science-based, and others are just plain common sense. But they’re all dedicated to making self-care a priority in your personal and professional life. So if you’re feeling stuck or just can’t write, try these tips to banish writer’s block for good!
[Read more…]