The other day I watched a speaker talk about how important it is to have goals. But even more important, he said, is having a plan to achieve that goal.

That really hit home for me.

I’ve been talking about being a successful freelance business writer for years now, and there are times when I give it my all. But truthfully, I realize I haven’t done my best yet. I haven’t made a good plan, I haven’t taken the necessary steps, to get to the 6 figures I know I can make with writing.

But better late than never, right?

This month I’m renewing my efforts with a passion. Having worked for myself makes me hungry to really make a living on my own.

So what makes a good plan? For me it’s quantifiable steps that I complete each day or each week. I know there will be times, like this week when my daughter had to stay home, when the plan doesn’t go…well…as planned. The point is to work like heck to put my foot on each step, knowing that there’s no way to reach the destination if I don’t. I can’t magically teleport to the goal.

So here goes! I’ll post my goal and my plan a little later.

In the meantime, tell us about your goals and your plans of action. Are you an aspiring writer or a part-time entrepreneur also?

“What’s your passion?”

That’s a question I hate hearing, because I can never answer it. I’m interested in a variety of things, but I can say that writing is something I always go back to.

Lately I’ve been thinking about the different kinds of professional writing, and I realized I was only focused on one type. Most of my writing clients have been businesses who needed press releases, web content, and other commercial copywriting.

Magazine writing is another field that sounds promising, and it fits my writing style a little more closely.

Recently I read a “how-to” article about magazine writing at Suite 101, and the author recommended writing every day, even if it’s a personal journal. She also said that writers love to write.

Personally, I can’t say that I love writing, and I don’t write every day, but I do feel a strong connection with writing. It comes easily, maybe because I love to talk. And I’m good at it. But if I follow conventional wisdom, I’d give it up because it’s not my passion.

What about you? Do you think it’s a requirement to be passionate about a career before you try it? If you’re a writer too, why do you write?

Lately I’ve been perusing a lot of legal websites, and I’m really enjoying learning so much about defense law. Though my bias is usually on the prosecution side, reading these sites has opened my eyes.

I’m also beginning to contact lawyers as a freelance writer, letting them know that I can write or edit website copy. So far I’ve gotten a good response.

This week’s website focuses on the practice of an LA DUI lawyer, with information about how to handle being arrested for DUI. Though I know you would never drink and drive, you undoubtedly know someone who’s had a couple of drinks before driving home. That person has rights, whether or not they’ve committed a crime, so it’s a good idea to learn what they are in case you’re ever with someone in that situation. This site has some solid information.

I’m sure the owners of the monthly sites I write about would appreciate constructive criticism, so check out the website and let us know what you think.

Writing a weekly website review didn’t work out for me, so I’m changing it to monthly. That’s the beauty of running your own blog.

First, as freelance writers and bloggers, the legal field is rich with writing opportunities. I’ve written copy for a law firm’s website, a legal monthly newsletter, and an online legal publication. I’m sure there are more, and not all lawyers want people to write in legalese. Also, not all lawyers are good writers, often because they try too hard to write “like lawyers.”

So get out there and contact law firms. Read through their websites and offer to improve them. Many don’t even have a website yet, and others need print material too.

One of my interests, especially having worked as a teacher, is the juvenile law system. All too often we hear on the news that a young person has been accused of committing a crime. Some face being tried as an adult, while others are sentenced to juvenile programs.

What these young people need is a juvenile lawyer…someone who is trained to handle juvenile cases, and someone who knows what they’re doing. Adult defense attorneys may not fully understand the system as it relates to youth.

I found a great legal website, based out of California, that has a ton of information about the juvenile system. Toward the bottom of the page are links to different facets of juvenile law, and it’s valuable information for parents, teachers, and anyone who cares about kids.

The laws may be different in your own state, but this is a good start. It makes you think, it’s very educational, and it might make you more empathetic the next time you hear that a child has been sentenced to time in an adult prison.

Check it out and let us know what you think.

Marketing your business can sometimes feel like a chore, especially when you don’t get immediate results. But don’t give up!

Building a business takes time, kind of like gardening. You have to plant lots of seeds and then you wait. Of course, you can do other things while you’re waiting, like planting more seeds, watering the ones you already planted, or starting another garden.

But the main point is that it takes time. Even if you land a great client right away, sometimes a flood or drought can wipe out a great crop. Don’t forget to keep planting those seeds.

I recently heard from a prospective client who I’d cold emailed months ago. We worked out a deal, and now I have new business.

Have you reaped benefits from past marketing efforts?

For those of us over 25, remember those high school days?

Hopefully your memories are full of happy thoughts, but even if they aren’t, high school may come in handy for your freelance business.

With the internet, reconnecting with your old buddies (and enemies) is easier than ever. Some high schools have their own webpage or Ning network. I’m part of my high school’s Ning network, and it’s really fun.

If you’re trying to reconnect a little more specifically, you might find (or create) a site for your graduating class. A friend of mine went to John H. Francis Polytechnic High School, and they have a site just for the class of 1982.

As you start talking with former classmates, find a way to naturally integrate your business into the conversation. Most likely people will ask what you do, so it’s easy to say, “I have my own business. I’m a business copywriter.”

Be sure to ask what kind of work they do, and feel free to offer your services or ask for referrals. Other entrepreneurs will be doing the same thing, so don’t think it’s out of line. Turn those memories into money.

Recently I had a writing project for a new client, and for some reason I couldn’t churn it out as quickly as I should have. I finally realized my problem. I wanted it to be perfect, and in worrying about that, I was stuck doing nothing.

Does that sound familiar? Are you so critical of yourself and your writing that it holds you back sometimes?

A freelance writing friend of mine told me a similar story. She agonized and agonized over what to write for her client. She went back and forth with him to make sure she was on the right track. The client told her he wanted the piece to be exciting.

Finally she submitted the project, and much to her dismay, the client sent back a correction. He added an exclamation point to one or two lines! That’s it! That’s what he considered editing, and that’s what he considered exciting. There was nothing wrong with her writing, except that she sat on it too long, all because of perfectionism.

The moral? Write it. Just do it. Get past the fear that it won’t be perfect, because, in all likelihood, what you write is fine for your average client. They just want it done.

Are you a perfectionist when it comes to your writing? How do you overcome it (or do you)?

Freelance writing is definitely still part of my life, and I’ve recently decided to add another business to my life.

I strongly want to have a flexible schedule so I can spend time with my daughter. So a home-based network marketing business is a great fit for me right now.

I might have to start another blog now, but the next few months are sure to be an adventure.

Without going into much detail about the business (I’ll save that for another post or another blog), I would like to direct my loyal readers to the Donation button in the left-most side panel. Starting a new business takes a little capital, and I don’t think I’ve ever directly asked for folks to take notice of it.

So if you’re so inclined, click on it and donate away! Any amount will be a great help so I can hit the ground running. If not, no worries.

Just keep reading Crayon Writer, comment when you feel the urge, and enjoy!

Have you ever worked in a network marketing/direct sales business?

In my quest to make freelance writing work for my family, I joined a freelance writers’ group on Yahoo. It’s a great resource for anyone wanting support and advice for their commercial writing business.

One of the members, Danny Thompson, started a Yahoo Group to help freelance writers survive. It’s completely free, it has tons of resources in the Files section, and it sends you daily reminders for your business. He acknowledges that it may not fit your particular situation perfectly, but there are definitely gems for any business owner.

Check out Danny’s free group, Freelance Survival Training. You won’t be disappointed. Remember to check out the Files section too.

Is it ever a good idea to work for free, or close to it?

I just took on a project the past week that really took a lot of time, but there might be some benefit for all of my hard work.

1. One thing I got out of it is a stronger desire to charge what my time is worth.
2. I also dabbled a bit in a new program, In Design, so I learned something new.
3. I worked on a souvenir booklet for a non-profit, service-oriented group, so maybe I did some good in the world too.
4. Just in case, I also made sure the ad I bought for my business was placed in a prominent spot, so maybe I’ll get new business that way.

Time will tell. So, is working for pennies ever worth it? Maybe. Just be sure you have the time, and settle your feelings before taking on the project.