Earlier this week, I sent out the very first edition of Word Nerd News (note: I’ve finally added a sign-up form to the Freelancedom sidebar —–>). It was a lot of fun to put together, and I was way excited to send it out, but what was even more exciting was what was inside.
Because — aside from the career advice, the great resources, and the must-click links (seriously, you should sign up) — I had a pretty exciting announcement to make.
This is for those of you who read Freelancedom regularly, but are hungry for more. It’s for those of you who feel you should be pitching more, but don’t know where to start. It’s also for those of you who agonize over your query letters to the point where you’re afraid to send them out. Befuddled by writing contracts? Click through. Want to make your content more palatable for the web? Yeah. You should totally click through. Finally, this is for those of you who don’t feel ready to commit to a coaching relationship, or who don’t need heavy, in-depth coaching, but would benefit from some solid, freelance writing advice. Really. I got your back here.
This coming fall, I’m offering my very first e-course: 5 Weeks To Freelance Awesome. Because — honestly? — work has been good lately, and I’d love to get you to a place where you, too, are bringing in the bucks without lifting a finger.
Over the course of these five weeks, I’ll teach you about idea generation, market research, query writing, contract negotiations, web writing, marketing, diversification, and more. My e-course platform will also allow you to receive direct feedback not only from me, but from your classmates. Together, you’ll be able to brainstorm, bounce ideas off each other, and build up your professional network, all while learning to bring in the bucks!
Oh, and I should mention: through August 17, I’m offering enrollment at $100 off the regular price! (You can use the money you save to buy several pairs of really cute shoes. As a reward for being so thrifty.)
It’s a damn good deal but, because I love you guys so much, I wanted to give one of you the opportunity to take this course for free. Yes. Free.
All you have to do? Leave a comment below on what your greatest freelance challenge has been. Chances are, after being through this e-course, it will no longer be a challenge.
The rest of you? Head on over here.
First of all – after getting your Word Nerd News email yesterday, I was so excited about this e-course. What a wonderful idea, and something that I SERIOUSLY need, as I have no real clue about how to begin freelancing. My biggest challenge is what the heck to charge for the things that I write. (That and valuing myself enough to feel comfortable charging anything, but that truly is a horse of a different color entirely.) Congratulations!
Hi. I’ve been trying to transition from restaurant work to being a freelancer, and it has been tough. A very good friend sent me your site (she follows you on Twitter) because she thought it would help, and I’m glad she did. I could use help on getting my first article picked up. It seems that every magazine and most websites I’ve looked up in my “Writer’s Market” ask for published clips as part of their criteria for working for them, and since I’m just starting, I don’t have any! I hope that isn’t too basic a problem for your course. Thanks, and I can’t wait to take it!
Shiza! Free?! (I too was mad pumped about the newsletter but this takes the cake!) My biggest challenge has been breaking into bigger markets. Can’t seem to make the leap from the lovely smaller markets where I tend to work to the big ones I dream about. Bring it, Steph. Help me make it happen!
I’m not exactly a newbie, but I SUCK at generating ideas and figuring out angles for existing ones. Using the same research for multiple approaches. Meanwhile, signing up for Word Nerd News right now…
Much like you, my first few published articles post-grad have been unpaid blog articles. As much as I’m enjoying the experience, I want to break out into paid and, even better, print articles. My biggest obstacles are coming up/tweaking ideas and then trying to pitch them.
“those of you who agonize over your query letters to the point where you’re afraid to send them out” –> yeah, you’re talking to me. Help! (And yes, I signed up for Word Nerd News, thanks for sharing your awesomeness!)
I guess my biggest problem is keeping up the steady flow of work. Sure, there are peaks and valleys, but one of the biggest things that’s kept me from taking the leap into full-time is the fact that it can be so sporadic. I have a little too much of the practical “9 to 5”-er mindset in me yet–help me kick the crap out of her, would you please?!?!
My biggest problem has been child care. The old can’t make more until I have some peace and quiet to work/can’t pay somebody to make that happen until I can do more work conundrum.
My greatest freelance challenge is balancing the need to be efficient with the need to produce a quality product. I could spend hours finding the perfect word, racking my brain for the cleverest title, and researching until I know the topic inside and out, but then my hourly rate is pitiful. Of course, you don’t want to turn in shoddy work either, so there’s a need to strike the right balance.
My biggest problem? Myself. I just cannot seem find an idea and run with it all of the way through to completion. When I have an assignment, it’s all good. But I need to take the leap from regional publications to national publications and I need help. Or maybe just a swift kick in the booty!
Thanks for such a great offer and opportunity.
My biggest challenge? Querying! Takes so long and paypack seems sparse. 🙁
My challenge is making the leap from regional publications to nationals and wanting to leave the “day job” to “only” freelance but worrying about it being a viable source of income. Thanks for your great resource — signed up for the newsletter, too!
My biggest challenge? Finding the time to query. Perfectionism comes in a close second. Of course the reason I can’t find time to query is because of the perfectionism.
Balancing timing between querying, researching, writing and then adding in the whole social media side of being a freelancer. But I’m glad to see some of the others who’ve already commented hit some of my other concerns.
Is (D.) All of the above, an appropriate answer? If I had to choose one issue, it would be getting into the groove faster. It usually takes me about 20-30 minutes of doodling around before I can actually start writing consistently. In this create-on-demand industry, the “on-demand” part seems to be the most frustrating. I guess this could come from idea generation, but by the time I start getting in the groove, I get pulled away by one of the three kiddos, the dog that needs to go out or my breath-takingly beautiful wife (who could say no to that?).
Anyway, I have wanted to do the coach-student thing for a while, but can’t seem to commit to the costs involved, not knowing what I will end up with at the finish. Free, now that seems like something I can grasp hold of 🙂
Hooray! This is great! I’d love to be a part of your e-course. As for my biggest challenge, it’s how to market myself so I can get more paid quality work. Thanks Steph!
I’d say my biggest challenge is trying not to get overwhelmed on a day-to-day basis. Many days, I feel like I’m all over the place, and I want to do everything at once. I usually create a to-do list for the day, but I still feel like I can’t get organized enough or can’t focus enough to complete projects and be very productive.
BTW, thanks so much for this offer, and I’m also about to sign up for your newsletter! 🙂