Crayon Writer

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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Is your blog a business? Would you like it to be?

If you answered “Yes” to either question, then you’ve probably heard about Yaro Starak’s Blog Mastermind program.

I haven’t joined it yet, but I did read his free Blog Profits Blueprint (chock full of lots of useful, practical information–a must read).

What is Blog Mastermind, and how does it work?

See for yourself. The Blog Mastermind program is focused on marketing. What I like most about Yaro’s style is that he’s not just writing to fill up space. He isn’t just saying, “Marketing is great. It’s important. You’ve really got to do it. Yep. Marketing. I love marketing.”

Yaro’s program actually gives an action plan, and includes specific steps to take (homework), gives real life examples, and even tells you what he doesn’t have much experience with.

I’ve bought an ebook or two that filled up pages with useless, obvious information that was clearly hypothetical. The free Blog Profits Blueprint is more than just theory and ideas.

If you’re serious about making good money from your blog, read the Blog Profits Blueprint. If it resonates with you, then the Blog Mastermind program may be just what you’re looking for too.

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If this isn’t your first time visiting Crayon Writer, I would like to extend an invitation for you to subscribe.

Most of you are bloggers, so you’re familiar with subscribing to blogs.

But in case you aren’t, take a look at the pretty orange square thingee under my picture to the right. Either click on it to subscribe in a “reader,” or put your email address in the box below it. It’s completely free.

(To learn more about readers, check out Yaro Starak’s post about rss feeds.)

Either way, you’ll get updates from my site on a regular basis, saving you the trouble of traipsing over here to see if I’ve written anything new.

I didn’t know I had it in me (or I forgot), but I recently increased my MyBlogLog community by over 100 in just a few days (in response to a contest).

So now I’m going to challenge myself to increase my blog’s subscribership by at least 50 before Christmas.

I’ll start with repeat visitors, like you. Subscribe for a month, and if you don’t find my blog useful, feel free to unsubscribe (hopefully you’ll let me know what went wrong).

For those of you who are already subscribers, thank you so much! Please let me know how I’m doing, and wish me luck on my challenge.

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I mentioned recently that I’ve been meeting lots of new people on MyBlogLog. While I haven’t noticed an increase in subscribers, I have noticed some new networking opportunities.

One member, Vince, just launched a site called Bloggers Showroom, where blogs can be reviewed by readers. I think it’s a great chance to get exposure for your site, and also get much-needed feedback.

Submitting your blog is free, so why not take advantage of it? While you’re there, review my blog so I can find out how I’m doing.

Vince’s site also has a journal, so you can follow his progress through his own words. Though I haven’t been blogging for long, I have a feeling this site will do very well.

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Is it just me, or is marketing and sales terrifying? I know I talk about it a lot, and I’m not so bad at it when I put my mind to it. But there’s something scary about actually getting out there.

The Golden Pencil, once again, wrote a very interesting post about the fear of success and/or money. I’m pretty sure this is my problem with marketing.

One way I’m working to overcome this is by using online networking. MyBlogLog, which is having a contest, is a great way to meet new people.

I’m also starting a new blog, both to serve a need in my town, and to market my business.

Are you afraid of success or money? What steps are you taking to push past the fear?

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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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This month my focus is on marketing in all forms.

Networking is a tool that definitely works. It’s also hard work, but it doesn’t have to be.

I don’t know about you, but I hate “networking.” So, for me, it’s a chore, but a necessary one.

Today I went to a local networking event and met a few people. It was okay. We mixed and mingled, passed out cards, and heard (and threw) our best sales pitches.

What I don’t like is the somewhat forced feeling. We all know we’re there to meet each other, so we grit our teeth and attempt to fight past our fear of talking to complete strangers.

It’s like going to a party and forcing yourself to ask someone to dance.

And I’m a very social person, actually (yes, even though I dwell in the cyber world, I’m quite good at speaking in public and the like). I can only imagine how it must feel to others.

My advice for low-stress networking:

Hold a few of your business cards (in your hand, at the ready), memorize your elevator speech, and approach people who have a display table. You won’t feel like you’re wandering around a party looking for a suitable dance partner. It’s more like going to the punch bowl. Someone at the table will strike up a conversation. Just don’t forget to give them your card.

When you get home, write down the name of the event and the date on the back of the cards you receive. If you have time at the event itself, scribble on the card a little about the person you just met. 

Call or email everyone you met within a couple of days. Even just a quick, “It was nice meeting you yesterday. I look forward to seeing you at the next event.” Be sure to put your company and web address in the signature line. 

Have you gone to networking events? How did it work for you?

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I’ve been thinking a lot about marketing my business, and I want to have a little fun with the idea of marketing.

To grow my freelance writing business, I may have to think like a Basset Hound dog.

Successful marketing means being a good hunter. You have to put your nose to the ground, find those opportunities, and then go after them with everything you’ve got.

Basset Hounds keep their cool. They’re calm dogs, which is something a good marketer needs to embody. Go after an opportunity in a dedicated, but unrushed manner. Rushing can lead to mistakes.

Hunting dogs stay on the trail. Once you find a good opportunity, remember to follow-up. Don’t give up too easily.

Bassets are known to be stubborn. If you’re in business for yourself, especially if you don’t have a lot of friends/family who are entrepreneurs, you will have to be a bit stubborn to make it through when others tell you to ‘get a job.’

What kind of animal do you think can be related to your business style?

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If you’re a freelancer, you’re a sales person. And the toughest kind of sales around–commission only.

So if you aren’t working your business like a sales operation, you may be missing out on lots of opportunities. I say I’m a writer, but writing is a small part of the job. When I don’t sell, I don’t have anyone to write for.

What reminded me about the major sales side of my business was a post I found on Selling to Big Companies. That’s something I try to do all the time (and I’ve had a few successes). Check out the article about sales from the potential customer’s perspective.

Thanks to that post, I’ll be rewriting my cold email pitches. What about you?

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As a freelance writer, it’s important that I advertise my services so companies know I’m available for work. One of my methods includes writing this blog.

It also makes sense to publicize the fact that I have a blog.

The problem with blogging, for money or for publicity, is that it seems only other bloggers ever come across your site.

So what’s a serious blogger to do?

Here are some ideas for promoting your blog in real life:

Make business cards with your blog’s URL on them, and give them to people whenever the chance arises. If your blog is a business, or even if it’s designed to promote one, treat it like a business with physical manifestations of it.

When you talk to people in everyday life, mention you have a blog. Tell them where to find it.

Okay, this one may seem strange. But it’s worth a shot. Get a t-shirt made with your URL and some colorful logo. Then walk around a busy place (like a mall). People will be sure to notice.

Real life includes email too. Put your blog URL in your signature line of almost every email you send (but be careful to only include it if you want your party to know about it).

Finally, consider printing some of your favorite posts and passing them out as a real-life mini-magazine.

Have you tried any of these ideas? Have they worked? I’ve tried only a few so far, so keep us informed!

(This post is part of the Internet Marketers United Group Writing Project.)

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