I Don’t Know If I Can Write, Or Want To Write For Money. How Do I Find Out?
Find Out If Writing For Money Is Your Thing
I realize this is late, but I blame the carpet shampooer, and my obsession with organization…maybe a little New Year’s cheer.
As an online writing coach and consultant, I hear this question often. Most of the time, it’s from a haggard single moms who don’t have time, money, or energy for fooling around. They want to be sure copywriting is what they want, and don’t want to end up trapped. In many instances, they also want a good spot to vent. In this instance, I have one bit of writing advice -
Start A Free Blog
Sign up at Wordpress.com and start a blog. I realize that every professional blogger and Internet marketer on the planet is cringing, and possible throwing virtual daggers at me. BUT, there is a method to my madness.
Wordpress.com allows you to set up a blog quickly and easily without needing any technological expertise. You can change themes, add widgets, change settings, and just get familiar with how things work. If you screw it up, many of the experts in the forums are there to help. Wordpress has also compiled a fantastic Q&A section full of information. You can set it to private or password protected if you so wish. In addition to this, you can use it as a sampler for future jobs until you can get a professional portfolio set up. (Note to self…you really need an online portfolio here.)
With a free blog from Wordpress, budding copywriting newbies are free to quit at any time, change subjects, or have as many blogs as you feel like at no cost. No commitment, no minimum requirements, nada.
What You Need To Know
Like anything else, these guys do have some big no-no’s associated with their free blogs. Advertising, affiliate links, or money making of any kind is on the top of the list. If you would like to monetize your blog, you can get a domain, webhosting, and join Wordpress.org free as well. In many instances, webhosting companies have it set up that it is almost as easy as the free sites anyway.
I found it still required a bit of knowledge, but it is my understanding that the new 2.7 upgrade has eliminated a lot of this. Again, if you need added help, Wordpress.org has support forums as well. Once you have your own site, you can do whatever you wish so long as it isn’t illegal.
I Have A Free Blog, Now What?
I hope that you have a subject to blog about by this point since your design and blog name should match it. From there, try writing different kinds of posts. Use different formats, different voices, and look at your topic from different angles.
Don’t just stick to the basics either. Think outside the box, and push the limits to see what you are capable of achieving personally, and as a writer. When you have gotten comfortable with that, you can move on to paid writing sites and others. If it feels like a chore, or you find that you can’t stand writing for it, try something else.
If you would like to write ad copy and are on a free site, grab products around home and start writing copy for them (with no links of course). Maybe a ‘cleaning tips blog’ full of cleaning products. If you are on a self-hosted site, go to places like E-Junkie, Commission Junction, or Pepperjam Network and find products that allow you to do reviews and add in your affiliate links.
If press releases are more interesting for you, do a blog dedicated to local news and reviews. If things take off, you could work out a deal with local businesses to sell ad space. You could also offer special features.
If you would like to switch from a free site to a self-hosted one later on, you can transfer sites, or start fresh.
I found my biggest dragon was the fear of failure. Once I had that out of the way, it all fell into place like it was destiny.
(image by svilen001)
January 4, 2009 at 4:57 am | For the Writer | 10 comments
Thanks! I am at Blogger and want off. You have just convinced me. I was a little nervous, wondering about the learning curve, but I’ll get over it. I have decided that 2009 is the year I’ll be courageous and take action in my life. And now you have shown me a way. I didn’t know that the free blogs were transferrable! Thanks for that bit of information.
Krissy knox
http://www.twitter.com/iamkrissy
krissy knox’s last blog post..Merry Christmas from John and Krissy
Hi Angie;
I’m a newbie to your domain , but it was… love at first site. Keep up the great work.
I need your guidance; some direction.
I have a blog with many hits and a large number of followers. My title: “Professional Support Network for Writers” allows me to assist writers with strategies on self promoting, marketing, blogging, branding, social networking. My information is free and presented on my blog. I have sent out, requested strategies that are more specific. Now, the BIG question…how do I make income with all of this?
Anyone who has suggestions, please respond. Your help is much appreciated.
Jo-Anne Vandermeulen
“Conquer All Obstacles”
Prolific Writer of Romantic Fiction
http://www.gr5mom2.wordpress.com
Hi Krissy! I’m glad I could help! My advice is to take it one step at a time. It’s a little scary at first, but you’ll get there! With economy in the rut that it is, there will be lots, so now is a great time to try it. You might even try blogging professionally for a bit till you get used to it
So long as you are at Wordpress.com, making money with your blog is against their rules. You will have to move it to a self-hosted site in order to monetize it. I know…That’s nasty, but the good news is that it isn’t as scary as it sounds.
If you decide to move it, find yourself a hosting company (some of these include GoDaddy.com…I use InMotionHosting.com). Your site runs you a few dollars a month. I have a huge package that costs me $9. The domain name was free. Then, you can buy or purchase a free Wordpress Theme. When it comes time to move things over, Michael Martine assures me there is a way to move it over and still maintain your following and page ranking
I have one to move over as well, so I’ll let you know how it goes.
Does that help?
@angie – Yes, that helps to the next step. I guess, I’m trying to see a full picture. So I purchase this new site and transfer wordpress over, now what? Is this when I should be selling my advice? Sorry about this blank mind of mine, but I’m having difficulty seeing outside the box.
Thanks for your help.
Jo
Jo-Anne Vandermeulen’s last blog post..BLESSINGS AND RESOLUTIONS
@Jo-Anne Vandermeulen – Ahh..I haven’t had my coffee yet either haha.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to monetize a blog is through affiliate marketing. You find products you like (If you look at my side bar, you’ll see some of mine. Not all of them are affiliate links, but some of them are. The one thing they all have in common? I use them myself, or have friends who tell me they are fantastic.)
Have you considered starting as a consultant or coach? Something you may want to consider since you are doing it anyway
You could start by offering a few coaching sessions in exchange for testimonials. You could even have it as a contest through your blog to get started.
Google Adsense and other programs like it work to monetize it as well. You set in a bit of code into your site, and you’re good to go. It isn’t a huge money maker for me, but it should pay for the cost of the site I hope
If you have friends that are launching products, consider helping them launch through your blog in exchange for a % of the profits. Some blogs will even have sponsored posts.
In my opinion, as long as you are genuine, honest, and the products are things your visitors would find helpful or interesting, you’ll find it works well.
Angie
Hi Angie;
An idea to ponder. I have generated quite a fan base already. Over the past few days, I’ve been asked to do a teleseminar (which you already know), to be a host for a discussion blog through yahoo (with 250 attending authors) and to be featured in goodreads as a promotional adviser. I had one author ask me to forward whatever I could and he’d be interested in purchasing my book (there’s no book). So the followers are there and coming strong. Now, I have to take the next step and set up a domain/paid website so I can advertise something substantial for my followers to purchase.
I’m scared.
-Not sure how to purchase a domain or create a new website plus carry over my fans from blog to website?.
-How to set up paypals?
-How to put all my content into PDF so others can safely download? If I was to sell my pointers (ie: 65 pages of “tips” for 2 dollars a download)
Okay, I think I need a confidence pill or something. I really like your idea, but…I need your help.
Jo
Jo-Anne Vandermeulen’s last blog post..ATTRACTIVE BLOG/WEBSITE GENERATES TRAFFIC
Hi Jo-Anne!
That’s fantastic news! This will be so beneficial for you!
So, step number one: Grab yourself a glass of wine, and celebrate a job well done! Most of all, relax! They wouldn’t have asked you to be there if you didn’t ear and deserve it
Besides, it’s normal to be nervous. That’s a sign that it matters to you, and it’s something new! New things are exciting, and the best way to lay the foundation for future feats!
So, for the website, you’ll first want to decide what you would like to have for a domain name. If you want to use it regularly, I suggest using keywords so that customers can find it easily through Google. You might also want to choose the name of your book if that’s the only thing you will use it for.
To purchase one, I recommend going straight to a webhosting company (http://www.securepaynet.net/default.aspx?ci=1767&prog_id=292106) I know the owner of this site. She’s a reseller for GoDaddy, and a fantastic person. Of course, you can use whichever company you prefer, but these guys are the cheapest I’ve found, and you can pay monthly. Purchase your domain and your hosting package. Then, you’ll have to wait for all of the registrations, etc to go through. Usually a couple of hours.
From there, you can log on. You’ll need to decide if you want to use a regular website, or a blog format. You can use either. (I like wordpress because it’s familiar to me. I have no idea how to maintain a real website. Sad, I know, but that’s on the to-do list lol)
You’ll need a web designer if you choose a website (I know a few of these too if you need someone), but if you decide to use wordpress:
Look for the free program installations on the main control panel (Mine is called Fantistico. Not sure what that one is called.) Find wordpress, and install it. It will automatically take you step by step. Then, upgrade to 2.7 if you need to.
If you go to wordpress.org, they have a whole slew of free themes. You can choose one and use it as is, have a designer tweak it for you, or have someone custom design a brand new theme. (Mine was free. I just had Selene customize it for me). Upload it into wordpress, and you’ll know what to do from there
Paypal buttons are a breeze. If you already have pay pal, it’s just a matter of setting up the particulars, and cutting/pasting the code. Done deal. If you don’t have an account, you should. Takes two minutes and you’re done. They do walk you through it, but if you need help, I’ll see what I can do.
The best way to transfer from .doc to .pdf depends on the program you are using. I have Microsoft Office with PDF Complete, so that’s just a few clicks. If you don’t have it, you can use http://www.youconvertit.com/ConvertFiles.aspx I haven’t used it, but have had several people tell me it works well. Just be sure the cover and all the good stuff is in it.
In my opinion, a writer writes best and should show it off at every opportunity. You don’t have to do anything prolific, but whatever you choose will demonstrate your stuff to others. Since you never know who will be there, and what connections they may have, it may very well lead you to the next open window. This is where your main focus should be. If need be, it may be worth your while to pay someone to set the site up for you. I don’t know, but something to think about.
I think it should also have something to do with the topic of your teleseminar I think. (Makes no sense to talk an hour about cars and try to sell them a bike after
) It could be a general guide or tips as you suggested. I like to offer something specific. I think it’s what sets me apart from the rest, and makes me sound more like an expert to joe blow who has never met me before. (I once had it explained to me this way: if I needed brain surgery, would I go to a general practitioner or a brain specialist?
The price is the other thing I would consider. I find the #1 mistake writers make is underestimating their product and under pricing. If you were to look for books about gardening from an expert. Would the one for $5 sound like a better resource than a $50 one? Select a price that represents the time and effort put into it, but that also falls in line with your competitors. If you go too far one direction or the other, it isn’t going to benefit you any.
REMEMBER: They asked you because you are their chosen expert! They didn’t just come up with that idea. You demonstrated that to them!
Angie
(On a side note, I think I wrote my blog post for the day lol. Sorry!)
You are too cute. I’m going for that glass of wine then I’ll get back to you. THANK YOU.
Jo
Jo-Anne Vandermeulen’s last blog post..ATTRACTIVE BLOG/WEBSITE GENERATES TRAFFIC
Hey! If you don’t make sure you celebrate the great things that happen, who will? Or, at least that’s my excuse!