Crayon Writer

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?

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As you know, I just started a temporary full-time job a couple of weeks ago. Stay tuned for more on that. The temp job is over this week, so I’ll post a bit about the promotions I’ve done and how they work (generally).

Wow. I found out that when you’re used to being able to blog anytime, any place, it’s a huge adjustment to have full-time work that takes you away from your computer.

So here’s a quick question for you.

If you have a full-time job and you also have a frequently updated blog, how do you do it? Do you write all your posts for the week on the weekends? Do you carve out time during the week when you get home?

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Daycare is work, let me tell you!

After just three part-time days a couple of weeks ago, my daughter got a knock-out cold. Not wanting to stress her out (being in a new place while sick), and not wanting to expose her to more germs while her immune system was compromised, and not wanting to get others sick, I kept her home.

Week one came and went. The doctor said she had a sinus infection. So I’m stuck home another week with not only a busy, play-with-me-all-the-time toddler, but a sick one too. On top of that, I got the lovely cold the second week. It knocked me out for the count too. Lovely.

On the bright side, I did land a temporary gig that will allow me to focus on getting a permanent “day job” without worrying about money for a minute. If you’re a freelancer looking for a part-time or temporary thing, try promotions work. The gigs are usually pretty easy, and if you go through the main company (rather than where they outsource), they can pay pretty well. I’m working on a promotion with AMP Agency.

So things are looking up. And I have enough energy to blog again, now that my cold is on its way out.

Oh, and I finally upgraded to WordPress 2.5. Not bad. I got my visual editor back, and I get to play with a new toy. I love new programs. They keep me on my toes.

Do you blog well when you’ve got a cold? Have you upgraded to 2.5 yet?

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As we all know, having health insurance is a lifesaver.

As business owners, it’s very important not to neglect your own health by omitting health insurance. Being without insurance is a major gamble. Do something to get it, even if it means going back to a ‘day job’ so you can save money toward an individual plan (while getting the company’s group plan).

Even though I am insured, lately I’ve been overlooking my own health because I’ve been “too busy.” But I found this website, Inside Cardiac Arrest, that reminded me I really need to get checked out.

Years ago I started having heart palpitations, but my doctor told me it was nothing. So I’ve left it alone for almost 10 years. All that’s happened is I’ve gotten older, and my Irregular Heartbeat issues are even scarier now. If I wind up having a heart attack while my daughter is home, she won’t be able to help, and worse, I won’t be able to help her.

So it’s time for me to get a second opinion. Past time.

Is your heart healthy? Are you at risk for cardiac arrest? Insured or not, your health is important to someone.

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Even though I want to own my own business, I realize I may have to take a detour on that path.

In the next couple of years I have my sights set on buying a house. To get there, I have to be on a path that includes saving money for a substantial down payment. Mortgage rates fluctuate all the time, and it’s important that I have as small a mortgage as possible.

With people losing their houses left and right, unable to pay their Mortgages, my plan has to be well-thought-out.

Right now that includes getting a full-time job so I can use my freelance writing to add to my savings. It also includes taking a first-time home buyer course so I can be well-informed about mortgages, closing costs, and more.

My dream house? Right now it’s one with a clear view of the mountains and lots of room to grow. I need an office, a playroom, and maybe room for another child.

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November was my month for marketing my freelance writing business. 

I did a bit of cold emailing (as time permitted, considering I have a very busy toddler), and I have a few warm leads as a result.

I also started a new blog, Marana Unwrapped, both because it’s an interesting topic and it’s a more specific niche. (I consider Crayon Writer to be a more personal blog that also has some universal appeal.) Hopefully the exposure in my community will help me gain more clients, and the niche should attract advertisers also.

So December is my month of looking for freelance gigs, while I also continue looking for another day job.

What’s a freelance gig? Projects I find not by marketing myself, but by perusing freelance sites. Right now I only use Craigslist. With access to cities across the country (and the world, if I choose), I should be able to find some nice side work.

If you’re a single parent or sole breadwinner, how did you get started with your freelance business, and how do you keep on keepin’ on?

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I’m back to writing and blogging with a vengeance.

My day job as a call center representative didn’t last very long. Who knew that talking too much could be bad for your health? My throat is still recovering, even after having taken a two-month leave.

So that’s over, and I’m relieved. I’m back to being a work-at-home-mom. Kind of scary (I was enjoying a paycheck every couple of weeks), but great too (I missed being with my daughter).

I obviously think staying at home with my daughter is the best thing for her.

So I was pleased to accidentally find an inspiring, heartwarming post about WAHMs at Making Sales Making Money, a site about home based business opportunities. I found it on MyBlogLog (join my community)!

The author is also sponsoring a cool sweepstakes. So he recognizes the importance of WAHMs, and he’s trying to put money in folks’ pockets. What a find!

Part of marketing is letting people know you’re in business. So, listen up. I’m back in business! If you need a writer, I’m your gal. I have samples here on my blog, and also on my main website.

Spread the word!

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I’m renewing my efforts to get my writing business off the ground. It will still be slower than I like, since I will continue working a ‘day job,’ but I’m not taking my eyes off the prize.

So what’s been going on in my writing world?

I’ve taken on two cool projects, both with the same company. I’m a substitute court reporter, standing in whenever the main person is unable to make it (very rarely, actually). I go to the local courthouse and gather civil cases that subscribers are interested in. Then I write short summaries about them.

And the company, Courthouse News Service, is starting an environmental law digest, and I’ve been asked to write for it. I’m assigned several court cases to read, and I have to write long summaries/articles about them.

Having some law school under my belt is coming in handy!

I’m also applying for writing jobs, possibly to replace my current job as a call center representative. I’m not sure what I’ll decide, though. I like the relative flexibility my job offers, but I’d like to do work that uses my many skills.

Finally, I’m beginning to get calls from contacts I made months ago, so my business isn’t dead. I’ll just keep putting hooks out there and see what bites.

My advice for other people venturing into the world of writing: keep trying, even when things aren’t going your way. Don’t give up!

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Whew! I never realized it would take me so long to adjust to working outside of the home. Then again, the last time I worked full-time was in May 2005, right before my daughter was born. Thanks for hanging in there with me, re-reading my old posts, and checking out the comments.

This week is also a special week for me. It’s my birthday this week! I won’t say my exact age, but suffice it to say that the picture of me you’ve been staring at is about 7-10 years old.

I’m going to be getting back into the writing business. My day job doesn’t allow any time for writing at work, but I’m beginning to carve out time at home. My daughter is as busy as ever, but she’s also getting into playing by herself.

For you other freelance writers who have regular day jobs too, any words of wisdom for making it all work?

One thing about my day job that is great: the steady income makes me feel more secure, so I’ll be able to work on my business soon without all the worries and pressure I had before. My advice for starting freelancers is to keep or get a day job while you grow your business.

Does anyone know how to make Wordpress recognize multiple paragraph markings? I don’t feel I have enough spacing between paragraphs, and it’s driving me batty.

Until next time…

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Thanks for all the wonderful comments about keeping the blogging romance alive.

I’m going to continue Crayon Writer for both fun and potential profit, but I won’t obsess over it anymore.

Crayon Writer is my first blogging baby, so I’ll make sure to keep writing however I see fit, without worrying about page rank, Technorati rank, or anything else. I won’t forget those things exist, but trying to monetize this blog became a full-time job…and I certainly don’t want to have three full-time jobs!

What else is on the horizon for me?

I’m accepting at least one blogging job. I’ll be writing for a company that hosts several blogs, and I’ll actually be paid for my posts (and I’ll receive part of the advertising revenue). I’ve seen several companies that offer income to authors solely from advertising money. So I appreciate having found one that pays per article.

When it goes live, I’ll definitely announce it and post links to my articles there. I’ll be writing about the care of certain pets, and possibly the city where I live.

Have any of you taken on blogging jobs? How is it working for you?

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