Welcome to THE WELL-FED E-PUB!
The companion monthly ezine to the quadruple-award-winning how-to
guide, “The Well-Fed Writer.” Serving up food for thought and tasty tips for
the prospering FLCW*. Come on in, sit anywhere and bring your appetite!
*FLCW, peppered throughout the ezine, stands for “Freelance Commercial
Writer”—anyone who freelances for businesses (vs. writing magazine
articles, short stories, poetry, etc.), typically earns $50-125+ an
hour, and is the sole focus of this e-newsletter.
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VOLUME 17, ISSUE 11 – NOVEMBER 2018
Publishing the first Tuesday of every month since May 2002
Read it online HERE.
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READY TO PULL AWAY FROM THE ARTICLE/BLOG-POST-WRITING CROWD?
“Well-Fed Craft” offers step-by-step guidance on writing the most requested and
high-paying marketing-copywriting projects. Give your copywriting skills a serious
upgrade. Details, testimonials and FREE SAMPLE HERE.
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GOT A BOOK IN YOU? CHECK OUT “THE WELL-FED SELF-PUBLISHER”!
This TRIPLE award-winner comes in various book AND ebook (multiple
formats!) products/bundles HERE!
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Get the real-world scoop on a low-effort flow of writing jobs HERE! Use code
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NEW 1-ON-1 COACHING PROGRAMS: SAMPLE/SITE REVIEW & “SIDECAR”!
Low-cost peace of mind and guidance. Details HERE.
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THE WELL-FED WRITER BLOG! Weigh in on, “Good Clients Will Pay
Handsomely for This (Often-Elusive) Outcome”; “Four Client-Repelling
Mistakes, & What I Learned to Do Instead" (Guest Post); "Successful
Copywriters (Or ANY Craftspeople) Don’t Focus on Success; They Focus
on This”; and more!
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THIS MONTH’S MENU:
I. APPETIZER: SUCCESS IS SIMULTANEOUSY SO SIMPLE & SO DIFFICULT
Tele-Class Unwittingly Reveals that Secret Formulas Are the Easy Part of Success
II. “FIELD” GREENS: WHY FLCWS GET PAID BETTER…
Yours Truly “Shepherds” Scattered Client, Earns Trust & a Healthy Fee
III. MAIN “MEAT” COURSE: WILLING TO DO THIS TO SUCCEED?
Aspiring IL FLCW Gets (Non-Writing) Foot in Door, Builds Lucrative Writing Niche!
IV. DESSERT: COMBO SUCCESS STORY & TIP!
KC FLCW Exhibits Annually at Local Business Expos, Regularly Lands Work!
V. COFFEE, MINTS AND TOOTHPICKS
- MORE WORK WITH LESS EFFORT? Ebook Serves Up “How-To”!
- I NEED ALL COURSES FOR THE WELL-FED-E-PUB! PLEASE SHARE!
- The WELL-FED WRITER BLOG is Rockin’!
- AWAI Copywriting (& Other) Courses: Register HERE, Get Bonus CD!
- How Can My Mentoring Service Serve You?
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I. APPETIZER: SUCCESS IS SIMULTANEOUSY SO SIMPLE & SO DIFFICULT
Tele-Class Unwittingly Reveals that Secret Formulas Are the Easy Part of Success
So, a few weeks back, I got an email about a free LinkedIn teleclass
by these rock-star marketers who made the usual promises of more and
better clients who pay you big sums of money. Not having done much
with LI, I figured it’d be a good boot in the butt.
It was a freebie "teaser" for a bigger, pricey, follow-up program. Nothing
wrong with that, IF the freebie serves up some decent value. Sadly, it was
the typical deal: Keep talking about what you’re going to talk about,
but take forever to actually get around to that "golden” information.
The host, this young, hyper-excited type, kept asking for affirmative
feedback from attendees to probing questions along the lines of, “So,
who wants to make a lot more money?!” Guess all those “Ys” that kept
streaming back in response kept him stoked.
He must have said, “Okay, let’s dive in!” about eight times, though,
after the first seven, he still hadn’t, in fact, dove in, but kept dancing
around things. And while the ultimate message was underwhelming,
it was good news precisely because it was underwhelming.
The initial formula they shared was: Connect, Message, Monetize.
Connect with those who you’ve determined fit your ideal client profile—
say, marketing directors for manufacturing firms. Given one’s ability
to search LI by job title, geographic area, industry, and more, you can
easily build a list of ideal prospects.
Then, message them with a simple note:
Hi _________________.
It’s an honor connecting with you.
Have you time this week for a quick word?
Cheers, ________
That’s it. And then, a really good piece of advice: Once they connect,
get off LinkedIn ASAP, and go to email or phone (clicking “Contact
Info” on any LI connection’s profile will yield that info).
The “Monetize” thing, of course, is the tricky part. If they’re to be
believed, they’ve had serious success with this formula. I didn’t
focus on duplicating their success, given that these guys came with a
big reputation and a lot to offer to those they reach out to.
So, don’t expect identical results, but their methodology is sound.
Point being, the nitty-gritty of marketing just isn’t rocket science.
It’s often pretty darn simple.
The far tougher part is starting the process and doing it consistently.
That’s where it breaks down for most people. But, start and keep at it,
and you WILL get results. On that "keep-it-simple" note, let’s eat!
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II. “FIELD” GREENS: WHY FLCWS GET PAID BETTER…
Yours Truly “Shepherds” Scattered Client, Earns Trust & a Healthy Fee
Earlier this year, I was referred to an interesting project with a non-profit
client—a client I quickly realized was scattered and flailing.
As such, I got micro with my questions, drilled down to exactly what
they wanted, how they wanted me to use the source material they
provided, how they envisioned the final product, any other tasks they
wanted me to handle along the way, and more.
Many clients who are scattered yearn—and no, I don't believe that's
too strong a word—for someone to give them some guidance (especially
true in the non-profit realm, largely peopled by non-business types).
And it’s the ability to take ownership of a project that entitles us
to earn higher fees than simple “yes-writers” would.
So, over the course of two phone calls to understand the parameters of
the project, and through the clarifying and quantifying questions I
asked, they clearly understood they were dealing with a professional
who knew what he was doing. They knew they were in good hands.
And what does all that lead to?
When, at the end of the second call, the client asked for a ballpark figure
on my fee, I gave him a number. I’d already given it a lot of thought, and
call #2 allowed me to fine-tune the price, so I felt comfortable (and yes,
I included a bit extra in my quote, given their disorganized state).
Given all the groundwork I'd laid on the calls, my healthy quote was not
met with shock and dismay. Certainly, he’d have preferred a lower
number, but he was perfectly okay with it.
They’d clearly shifted their thinking from “inexpensive freelance writer
who'll do as we ask (assuming we can figure out what that is)" to “well-
compensated consultant who, given minimum input and maximum
listening, can guide us to exactly the outcome we need.”
In the end, the project went smoothly (i.e., they understood what I was
delivering to them, and I delivered it). After receiving my first draft, their
requested edits were few and minor. Not an unlikely outcome, given my
upfront “buttoning-up.”
While getting clear and specific is imperative with disheveled clients,
it’s not a bad idea with ANY client. Clarity when starting any project
is a beautiful thing.
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III. MAIN “MEAT” COURSE: WILLING TO DO THIS TO SUCCEED?
Aspiring IL FLCW Gets (Non-Writing) Foot in Door, Builds Lucrative Writing Niche!
I just love this wonderfully inspirational success story from
Chatsworth, IL FLCW Lisa Aberle. While I wouldn’t necessarily
counsel aspiring copywriters to start out doing something that has
nothing to do with writing, Lisa clearly was "keeping her eyes on the
prize," and just look where it’s taken her!
Great stuff, Lisa! And with some solid lessons:
• Don’t be afraid to start small with a company. Prove yourself, and
small can lead to bigger. Also…
• Be a “can-do” writer: If someone asks if you can do something, say
yes. If they call in a bind, say yes (unless it’s SO foreign to you that
you’re likely to embarrass yourself and upset them).
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I had been desperately looking for freelance commercial writing jobs.
I joined job boards, applied for anything I saw online, and even
though I had experience writing blog content for a fairly well-known
blog, all I heard was crickets.
Where could I find work? Who’d give me a chance?
One morning, I saw an opportunity with a company I’d admired for a
long time. Only, the job wasn’t writing. It was for customer service,
an area in which I had no experience. I decided to apply anyway, got
an interview, but didn’t get the job.
A few weeks later, however, I got a desperate call from the CEO of the
company: a series of emergencies had left the company without their
entire customer service team—and just before the biggest product
launch of the year. Could I fill in for a few days?
Sure, I said. I did the job, but I wasn’t ready to let the opportunity go.
I emailed the CEO again and offered myself up for a five-hour/week
summer internship position. I’d do whatever they needed me to do.
They gave me research and administrative tasks. Not my favorite thing,
but I did my best. At the end of the summer, the CEO offered me a job.
With a small company, he didn’t have a well-defined role for me, so I
did customer service first.
Then I moved into writing the weekly newsletters, and now I help write
some of the sales pages and email copy. This opportunity has led to
more opportunities. With my new experience, I’m confident I can find
more clients.
All because I said yes to customer service!
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Update from Lisa: I am totally LOVING my newfound niche of writing
marketing emails—from strategizing the campaign and writing them, to
sending them and then analyzing email stats.
I’m doing a LOT more of them in my current job, AND picking up even
more work through connections I’ve made with online entrepreneurs.
I’m delighted to finally be making a full-time income from writing!
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IV. DESSERT: COMBO SUCCESS STORY & TIP!
KC FLCW Exhibits Annually at Local Business Expos, Regularly Lands Work!
A great combo tip/success story from Kansas City FLCW Jim Meadows,
about his continuing success at several annual KC business events.
Jim was one of my early readers, starting in 2001, and his great story
of building the business part-time made it into both editions of TWFW.
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Thought you'd enjoy seeing one of your “grasshoppers” growing
in his domain...
Every year I participate as an exhibitor in the annual showcase event
with The Freelance Exchange of Kansas City. I also pay for a
sponsorship to obtain further visibility and name recognition
throughout the community, both locally and online. I have been a
member of this organization since it began over 15 years ago.
This year I was asked to serve as one of the panelists on the
hour-long segment that is geared to the attending companies and
professionals (all prospective clients to the freelancers).
The moderator engages the panel and the audience in the how-to’s of
working with freelance talent, after which we close with a pretty
meaty Q&A. It’s always extremely interesting, fun, and very helpful to
the attending companies and professionals.
As an exhibitor, you definitely tend to pick up business, and I pick up
many leads each year as well. Sometimes the actual client business
is immediate, but most of the time it is a relationship-building sort of
thing, and over time a prospect becomes a client.
Related to this… A few years ago, I become aware of and joined the
Kansas City Chapter of the Asian-American Chamber of Commerce.
That organization has an annual showcase, too. I have been exhibiting
there each year as well, and I’ve picked up a lot of business and made
a lot of great new relationships.
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V. COFFEE, MINTS AND TOOTHPICKS
- MORE WORK WITH LESS EFFORT? Ebook Serves Up “How-To”!
- I NEED ALL COURSES FOR THE WELL-FED-E-PUB! PLEASE SHARE!
- The WELL-FED WRITER BLOG is Rockin’!
- AWAI Copywriting (& Other) Courses: Register HERE, Get Bonus CD!
- How Can My Mentoring Service Serve You?
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MORE WORK WITH LESS EFFORT? Ebook Serves Up “How-To”!
That’s not hype. It’s how my business has worked for the better part
of 18 years, thanks to some juicy partnerships with graphic designers.
The result? 1-2 jobs virtually every month with little or no effort on
my part. I put all the how-to details in my "Profitable - By Design!"
ebook. Details HERE. Use code 25OFFPBD at checkout to get 25% Off
(discounts limited to first five buyers!)
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I’M STILL SERIOUSLY LOW ON ALL WELL-FED E-PUB COURSES!
Got a great strategy, approach or specific expertise you’re willing to
share? Turn it into a Feature (MAIN COURSE; 500-600 words; query first).
ALSO, send your “GREENS” (300-400 words), TIPS (100-300) and
SUCCESS STORIES (200-400) to ME. Archived issues HERE.
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AWAI COPYWRITING (& OTHER) COURSES: Register HERE, Get Your
Choice of Bonus CD Program! Six-Figure Copywriting, Graphic Design,
Internet Writing, Fundraising, Health Market and more!
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HOW CAN MY MULTIPLE MENTORING PROGRAMS SERVE YOU?
For details and testimonials, visit HERE.
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