Eric Brister

Freelancers—Do you have questions for your clients but think you'll look stupid if you ask? Aren't you supposed to be the one with the answers? If you're worried about asking questions, don't be. The right questions show you're involved in the project and want to do a great job. But, yes, there are wrong questions too. Here's a clue: if you could find the answer by doing a search, it's not a good question. On the other hand, if you're asking about client preferences or clarification in a briefing point, you're on the right track.

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Freelance writers...are you only aiming to "be the best?" That might work for a while...but you should focus on "aiming to keep getting better. Freelance writers should always be willing to try something new. Write press releases, LinkedIn bios, greeting cards, specialty newsletters and other creative ways to make $$ with your gift of creative communication. Check out my short, humorous and very informative book for writers at Amazon: "The Flying Nun, A Light Bulb Moment and Me: 40 Years Making Money As a Freelance Writer (Hey, You Can Do It, Too!)" Here are just a few of the 5-star reviews: "This short book is super easy to read and contains page after page of possibilities and how-tos. Any aspiring or practicing freelance writer will be sure to find at least a half dozen new ideas on where to look for work, and that’s if they only take a small percentage of the suggestions. John is personable, informative, and engaging, and encourages us every step of the way. Buy this book, you won’t be disappointed." "I've studied many writing books, but The Flying Nun, a light Bulb Moment and Me, has to be the best one I've come across in a very long time, perhaps ever! No muddling through hundreds of pages to find what you need - it is remarkably concise, yet packed with useful information, such as how to and who to approach, exactly where to find all sorts of freelance work, what wages you may expect, and a lot more. The book is also written in an easy, natural style with plenty of humor, which made it quite an enjoyable read as well. This fabulous resource should definitely be in every serious freelancer's library. I'm so glad I bought it and will certainly refer to it again and again! Thank you, Mr. Riddle, for sharing such valuable information with other writers!" "A wonderful book with all the advice a writer needs to make a living out of writing. In less than 80 pages, John has shared his 40 years of experience. Any writer whether he is starting out or a pro will learn a lot from the book." Keep writing, and NEVER give up!

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Freelance writers...are you only aiming to "be the best?" That might work for a while...but you should focus on "aiming to keep getting better. Freelance writers should always be willing to try something new. Write press releases, LinkedIn bios, greeting cards, specialty newsletters and other creative ways to make $$ with your gift of creative communication. Check out my short, humorous and very informative book for writers at Amazon: "The Flying Nun, A Light Bulb Moment and Me: 40 Years Making Money As a Freelance Writer (Hey, You Can Do It, Too!)" Here are just a few of the 5-star reviews: "This short book is super easy to read and contains page after page of possibilities and how-tos. Any aspiring or practicing freelance writer will be sure to find at least a half dozen new ideas on where to look for work, and that’s if they only take a small percentage of the suggestions. John is personable, informative, and engaging, and encourages us every step of the way. Buy this book, you won’t be disappointed." "I've studied many writing books, but The Flying Nun, a light Bulb Moment and Me, has to be the best one I've come across in a very long time, perhaps ever! No muddling through hundreds of pages to find what you need - it is remarkably concise, yet packed with useful information, such as how to and who to approach, exactly where to find all sorts of freelance work, what wages you may expect, and a lot more. The book is also written in an easy, natural style with plenty of humor, which made it quite an enjoyable read as well. This fabulous resource should definitely be in every serious freelancer's library. I'm so glad I bought it and will certainly refer to it again and again! Thank you, Mr. Riddle, for sharing such valuable information with other writers!" "A wonderful book with all the advice a writer needs to make a living out of writing. In less than 80 pages, John has shared his 40 years of experience. Any writer whether he is starting out or a pro will learn a lot from the book." Keep writing, and NEVER give up!

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Want to know the foundation of good SEO? Here's a hint—it's not: → Your backlink strategy → Social media shares → Viral videos Give up? It's quality content. (Want to level up the quality of your content? Let me know.) That means good writing is critical to any business. Click the link to learn three reasons why. https://lnkd.in/gYeSNmha #seo #quality #businesswriting #smallbusiness

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Let’s talk about what it’s really like to be a freelance content writer (spoiler alert: it’s not just sipping coffee and letting the words flow).  Here are some quick truths about this wild ride and my top 3 tips if you’re considering this path:  1. Clients are like snowflakes, and not in a romantic way. No two are the same. One wants punchy and bold, one wants polished and smooth, and the next will ask you to be their "brand storytelling wizard". Your voice DOES NOT MATTER, theirs does. It’s all about adaptability and your style-switching skills. And just like snowflakes, some clients will disappear as fast as they appear (more on this another day). 2. Know your worth - then add tax. I've heard this one before but never quite understood it until I started freelancing. If I made a buck every time someone tried to negotiate, I’d be sitting on a gold mine by now. Seriously though, it may be hard especially when you're new to the industry, but try to not undersell yourself. The right clients will respect fair rates, especially when you’re adding value.  3. Keep learning, even if it's from YouTube at 2 am. Trends change faster than I can say SEO, so keeping that curiosity alive is a must. Invest time in learning new formats, content types, or whatever buzzword is trending this week. Read up about what's working and what isn't. Take courses. Stay awake. If you've already started your journey, pat yourself, I know it's hard sometimes. You’re the writer, the editor, the accountant, the planner, the tech support, the moral support when you need your own pep-talk. What works for me? Time management skills. Non-negotiable. Headphones and a good playlist. Also non-negotiable.  Freelance content writing might not be everyone’s jam, but if you love words and thrive on variety, it’s worth every deadline and draft and late-night edit.  What’s been the biggest learning in your freelance journey? I'd love to know! #freelancelife #contentwriting #freelancetips #copywriting

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Hey freelance writers: What do you do when you have to write about the same topic over and over again? Any tips for finding a fresh perspective or approach?

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Freelance writers who say that cold outreach doesn't work, but rely on Upwork and other job boards. Are you certain that your prospecting strategy works... Have you ever crunched the numbers on the success rate of your applications on Upwork and the like? Writers on LinkedIn constantly complain about how cold outreach doesn't work or how many emails they need to send to get one client. It's easy to notice that cold outreach takes some effort because you can quickly see the numbers in your outreach software. With a glance, you can figure out the number of emails you sent, open rates, response rates, and conversions. But I am guessing very few of you track the number of bids you make on Upwork or the number of comments you make on LinkedIn updates advertising a job. If you did this, you'd probably notice that a much smaller percentage of bids, comments, and applications turn into gigs. I recently posted a LinkedIn update about my quest for a couple of editors, and within a few days, I got around 80 comments and 90 messages from interested writers and editors. I never post writing jobs on LinkedIn because I've noticed the number of writers that apply. However, I felt that far fewer people would apply for something like this because I was looking for editors who specifically edited white papers and case studies. I was wrong. So many people applied, even those who don't qualify. I need to review 170 applications and select 2 people. That means that 1.17% of applicants will get the job. I only mentioned the job on LinkedIn, but many companies will advertise the position on multiple platforms. When you apply for gigs this way, you're competing with far more people. I'm sure if you crunch the numbers and keep track of every listing you applied for, your conversion rate will be far lower than cold outreach. Are you already keeping track of this? Which is more effective for you - cold outreach or applying to job listings? P.S. the lesson I learned from this is to never post job updates on LinkedIn. I made a promise that I will reply to every applicant and I will. But I don't really want to deal with this in the future. Some people were literally begging for the job. One person even said that he was desperate for a job. I don't want to be put in that position to turn down someone who is already struggling. #contentwriter #freelancewriter #freelancecontentwriter

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How to Land High-Paying Freelance Contracts Writing for Textbook Publishers    When freelance writers think about writing for publishers, they generally focus on book projects they create and submit, or finding work for hire book projects that are available. And while both of those options are always available, and if done correctly, can pay very well, there is another option if you are interested in making money writing for publishers.   I discovered the wonderful world of writing for textbook publishers nearly two decades ago. The Internet as we know it today was still in the early stages of being developed and, back then, it wasn’t uncommon for big textbook publishers to place ads for freelance writers to help on just about every topic from A to Z. I was hired by Macmillan to write a few chapters of a history book and a few months later, they contacted me to see if I was interested in more work.    Fast forward to now, and although very few of the big textbook publishers now find the need to place ads, they still use a large group of freelance writers, editors, subject matter experts and proofreaders. (Check out their websites. Most will have a list of current projects and needs posted.) Textbook publishers will pay big bucks for professors, subject matter experts, etc. to create chapters, and sometimes even the entire book. However, in around 50% of those cases, most of the material is “too raw” to use and they end up hiring qualified freelance writers to rewrite and edit the pages into the final product.   There are several associations you should check out, including:   1. Textbook and Academic Authors Association Look at the listing for the “author guidelines,” and send an e-mail to one of the editors and ask about freelance opportunities that are available.   2. Association of University Presses There, you will find a directory of 140 University publishing companies. Search through the ones that are of interest to your subject matter and find an e-mail address for the appropriate editor.   3. Publishing Professionals Network At this nonprofit association, you will find lists of both publishers and other outside book-related associations. Check each link very carefully to see if there is something of interest to you. Then, find an e-mail address for that firm’s editor.   As a professional freelance writer, you should always be open to new and creative opportunities, and writing for textbook publishers should be high on your list! For more tips on how to make $$ as a freelance writer, head over to Amazon and look for "The Flying Nun, A Light Bulb Moment and Me: 40 Years Making Money As a Freelance Writer (Hey, You Can Do It, Too!)" Keep writing and NEVER give up!  

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How to Land High-Paying Freelance Contracts Writing for Textbook Publishers When freelance writers think about writing for publishers, they generally focus on book projects they create and submit, or finding work for hire book projects that are available. And while both of those options are always available, and if done correctly, can pay very well, there is another option if you are interested in making money writing for publishers. I discovered the wonderful world of writing for textbook publishers nearly two decades ago. The Internet as we know it today was still in the early stages of being developed and, back then, it wasn’t uncommon for big textbook publishers to place ads for freelance writers to help on just about every topic from A to Z. I was hired by Macmillan to write a few chapters of a history book and a few months later, they contacted me to see if I was interested in more work. Fast forward to now, and although very few of the big textbook publishers now find the need to place ads, they still use a large group of freelance writers, editors, subject matter experts and proofreaders. (Check out their websites. Most will have a list of current projects and needs posted.) Textbook publishers will pay big bucks for professors, subject matter experts, etc. to create chapters, and sometimes even the entire book. However, in around 50% of those cases, most of the material is “too raw” to use and they end up hiring qualified freelance writers to rewrite and edit the pages into the final product. There are several associations you should check out, including: 1. Textbook and Academic Authors Association Look at the listing for the “author guidelines,” and send an e-mail to one of the editors and ask about freelance opportunities that are available. 2. Association of University Presses There, you will find a directory of 140 University publishing companies. Search through the ones that are of interest to your subject matter and find an e-mail address for the appropriate editor. 3. Publishing Professionals Network At this nonprofit association, you will find lists of both publishers and other outside book-related associations. Check each link very carefully to see if there is something of interest to you. Then, find an e-mail address for that firm’s editor. As a professional freelance writer, you should always be open to new and creative opportunities, and writing for textbook publishers should be high on your list! For more tips on how to make $$ as a freelance writer, head over to Amazon and look for "The Flying Nun, A Light Bulb Moment and Me: 40 Years Making Money As a Freelance Writer (Hey, You Can Do It, Too!)" Keep writing and NEVER give up!

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Just about every freelance writer ever. 👇 Want someone with nearly two decades of freelance writing experience to answer your specific questions? Maybe you want to know about: ✅ Pricing ✅ Landing clients ✅ How to set up a portfolio ✅ Contracts Wherever you’re stumped, I have a solution for you. ➡️ “Pay what you can” group coaching sessions. Just jump on the call (with me and a maximum of 10 other freelance writers), and you can ask your specific questions…plus hear the questions of your fellow freelancers. We’ll take 1 hour and knock out as many questions as we can. ✅ When: May 7, at 8:00 a.m. (Central European Time)* *Please convert to your time zone ✅ Price: Whatever you want to pay (honestly!) ✅ Space remaining: 8 slots ✅ The catch? I’m building out the group coaching arm of my business, so I’m looking to test in real time. Work out kinks. Smooth processes. Get feedback. After the session, I’ll ask you to fill out a brief review form letting me know your honest opinion about the coaching. ➡️ Want in? Just comment, DM, or email that you’re interested, and I’ll follow up with you! --- PS: Can't make this specific session...but you're interested? Still let me know! I have a few other slots that might work for you. 🙌

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How to Land High-Paying Freelance Contracts Writing for Textbook Publishers!    When freelance writers think about writing for publishers, they generally focus on book projects they create and submit, or finding work for hire book projects that are available. And while both of those options are always available, and if done correctly, can pay very well, there is another option if you are interested in making money writing for publishers.   I discovered the wonderful world of writing for textbook publishers nearly two decades ago. The Internet as we know it today was still in the early stages of being developed and, back then, it wasn’t uncommon for big textbook publishers to place ads for freelance writers to help on just about every topic from A to Z. I was hired by Macmillan to write a few chapters of a history book and a few months later, they contacted me to see if I was interested in more work.    Fast forward to now, and although very few of the big textbook publishers now find the need to place ads, they still use a large group of freelance writers, editors, subject matter experts and proofreaders. (Check out their websites. Most will have a list of current projects and needs posted.) Here is an example of a regional educational publisher who placed an ad for freelance help. I found the ad by going to Google and searching for “education writers wanted” –   Company: Green Comma   Job Title: U.S. History Writers   Description:   We are looking for EXPERIENCED ONLY US history school market writers. 3-4 writers to write student workbook pages for a Grade 8 U.S History workbook (Colonies to Reconstruction) for TN. Total pages are 160. New pages approx. 60% (100pp) but will be able to pick up and modify some pages from already existing GA or VA workbooks, 40% (60pp)…   The ad went on from there with additional information applicants would need. And, they offered $80 per page.   Textbook publishers will pay big bucks for professors, subject matter experts, etc. to create chapters, and sometimes even the entire book. However, in around 50% of those cases, most of the material is “too raw” to use and they end up hiring qualified freelance writers to rewrite and edit the pages into the final product. As a professional freelance writer, you should always be open to new and creative opportunities, and writing for textbook publishers should be high on your list! From "The Flying Nun, A Light Bulb Moment And Me: 40 Years Making Money As A Freelance Writer (Hey, You Can Do It, Too!)" available on Amazon.  

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How to Land High-Paying Freelance Contracts Writing for Textbook Publishers!    When freelance writers think about writing for publishers, they generally focus on book projects they create and submit, or finding work for hire book projects that are available. And while both of those options are always available, and if done correctly, can pay very well, there is another option if you are interested in making money writing for publishers.   I discovered the wonderful world of writing for textbook publishers nearly two decades ago. The Internet as we know it today was still in the early stages of being developed and, back then, it wasn’t uncommon for big textbook publishers to place ads for freelance writers to help on just about every topic from A to Z. I was hired by Macmillan to write a few chapters of a history book and a few months later, they contacted me to see if I was interested in more work.    Fast forward to now, and although very few of the big textbook publishers now find the need to place ads, they still use a large group of freelance writers, editors, subject matter experts and proofreaders. (Check out their websites. Most will have a list of current projects and needs posted.) Textbook publishers will pay big bucks for professors, subject matter experts, etc. to create chapters, and sometimes even the entire book. However, in around 50% of those cases, most of the material is “too raw” to use and they end up hiring qualified freelance writers to rewrite and edit the pages into the final product.   There are several associations you should check out, including:   1. Textbook and Academic Authors Association Look at the listing for the “author guidelines,” and send an e-mail to one of the editors and ask about freelance opportunities that are available.   2. Association of University Presses There, you will find a directory of 140 University publishing companies. Search through the ones that are of interest to your subject matter and find an e-mail address for the appropriate editor.   3. Publishing Professionals Network At this nonprofit association, you will find lists of both publishers and other outside book-related associations. Check each link very carefully to see if there is something of interest to you. Then, find an e-mail address for that firm’s editor.   As a professional freelance writer, you should always be open to new and creative opportunities, and writing for textbook publishers should be high on your list! For more tips on how to make $$ as a freelance writer, head over to Amazon and look for "The Flying Nun, A Light Bulb Moment and Me: 40 Years Making Money As a Freelance Writer (Hey, You Can Do It, Too!)" Keep writing and NEVER give up!  

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How to Land High-Paying Freelance Contracts Writing for Textbook Publishers!    When freelance writers think about writing for publishers, they generally focus on book projects they create and submit, or finding work for hire book projects that are available. And while both of those options are always available, and if done correctly, can pay very well, there is another option if you are interested in making money writing for publishers.   I discovered the wonderful world of writing for textbook publishers nearly two decades ago. The Internet as we know it today was still in the early stages of being developed and, back then, it wasn’t uncommon for big textbook publishers to place ads for freelance writers to help on just about every topic from A to Z. I was hired by Macmillan to write a few chapters of a history book and a few months later, they contacted me to see if I was interested in more work.    Fast forward to now, and although very few of the big textbook publishers now find the need to place ads, they still use a large group of freelance writers, editors, subject matter experts and proofreaders. (Check out their websites. Most will have a list of current projects and needs posted.) Textbook publishers will pay big bucks for professors, subject matter experts, etc. to create chapters, and sometimes even the entire book. However, in around 50% of those cases, most of the material is “too raw” to use and they end up hiring qualified freelance writers to rewrite and edit the pages into the final product.   There are several associations you should check out, including:   1. Textbook and Academic Authors Association Look at the listing for the “author guidelines,” and send an e-mail to one of the editors and ask about freelance opportunities that are available.   2. Association of University Presses There, you will find a directory of 140 University publishing companies. Search through the ones that are of interest to your subject matter and find an e-mail address for the appropriate editor.   3. Publishing Professionals Network At this nonprofit association, you will find lists of both publishers and other outside book-related associations. Check each link very carefully to see if there is something of interest to you. Then, find an e-mail address for that firm’s editor.   As a professional freelance writer, you should always be open to new and creative opportunities, and writing for textbook publishers should be high on your list! For more tips on how to make $$ as a freelance writer, head over to Amazon and look for "The Flying Nun, A Light Bulb Moment and Me: 40 Years Making Money As a Freelance Writer (Hey, You Can Do It, Too!)" Keep writing and NEVER give up!

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How to Land High-Paying Freelance Contracts Writing for Textbook Publishers!    When freelance writers think about writing for publishers, they generally focus on book projects they create and submit, or finding work for hire book projects that are available. And while both of those options are always available, and if done correctly, can pay very well, there is another option if you are interested in making money writing for publishers.   I discovered the wonderful world of writing for textbook publishers nearly two decades ago. The Internet as we know it today was still in the early stages of being developed and, back then, it wasn’t uncommon for big textbook publishers to place ads for freelance writers to help on just about every topic from A to Z. I was hired by Macmillan to write a few chapters of a history book and a few months later, they contacted me to see if I was interested in more work.    Fast forward to now, and although very few of the big textbook publishers now find the need to place ads, they still use a large group of freelance writers, editors, subject matter experts and proofreaders. (Check out their websites. Most will have a list of current projects and needs posted.) Textbook publishers will pay big bucks for professors, subject matter experts, etc. to create chapters, and sometimes even the entire book. However, in around 50% of those cases, most of the material is “too raw” to use and they end up hiring qualified freelance writers to rewrite and edit the pages into the final product.   There are several associations you should check out, including:   1. Textbook and Academic Authors Association Look at the listing for the “author guidelines,” and send an e-mail to one of the editors and ask about freelance opportunities that are available.   2. Association of University Presses There, you will find a directory of 140 University publishing companies. Search through the ones that are of interest to your subject matter and find an e-mail address for the appropriate editor.   3. Publishing Professionals Network At this nonprofit association, you will find lists of both publishers and other outside book-related associations. Check each link very carefully to see if there is something of interest to you. Then, find an e-mail address for that firm’s editor.   As a professional freelance writer, you should always be open to new and creative opportunities, and writing for textbook publishers should be high on your list! For more tips on how to make $$ as a freelance writer, head over to Amazon and look for "The Flying Nun, A Light Bulb Moment and Me: 40 Years Making Money As a Freelance Writer (Hey, You Can Do It, Too!)" Keep writing and NEVER give up!

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It's a question that companies who need a Technical Writer have to ask themselves... ❓ 👨‍💼 "Should we use a contractor or employ a new staff member?" 👩‍💼 Here are some of the advantages to hiring a contactor (like us) for your technical writing needs: 📈 You can use contactors as and when needed, according to how busy or where in the development or marketing cycle you are 📈 Different contactors have different specialisms, depending on what exactly your project and product requires at the time 📈 Using a contractor keeps you project focused and results orientated instead of getting caught up in everyday tasks 📈 Contactors are more likely to take initiative and add fresh perspectives from outside company constraints 📈 It may be more expensive to hire a contractor in the short term but they bring greater value over all Here are a few other reasons why you should use a contract Technical Writer rather than employing one: 👉 https://buff.ly/3VPZLd1 Let's chat about how we can help you with your technical writing needs today! #TechnicalWriting #ContentCreation #FreelanceWriting #Copywriting #contractor #contractjobs #careers #hiring #TechnicalWriter #projectmanagement

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There are several compelling reasons why U.S. based companies should hire U.S. based freelance writers: 1. Simpler streamlined tax filings, particularly in regards to foreign income. 2. Fewer chances for messy international legal issues to pop up in case of copyright, court appearances, business law, etc. 3. Stronger economic support that stays in your native country. 4. Smoother communication and expectations in terms of a more streamlined cultural synchronization. 5. Stronger command of the English language, resulting in a better product that brings in more clients and naturally attracts search engines for your target audience. So my question is this: Why not hire a freelance writer who is based in the U.S.?

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🔍✨ Every great piece of content needs a final polish! when a proofreader spots that sneaky mistake, it’s all part of making sure your message shines. because perfection is in the details. 📝💎 🌐 Explore our site: [workingofwords.com] 📞 Reach out by phone: [830-692-4665] 📧 Drop us an email: [[email protected]] #proofreading #contentquality #writingtips #editingmagic #grammarnerd #contentcreation #attentiontodetail #writingcommunity #contentmarketing #editingprocess #proofreaderlife #contentstrategy #wordsmith #creativeediting #writerlife #publishingtips #contentmatters #editingtips #contentisking #grammarcheck

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How can you determine if you're ready to become a freelance writer? You aren't ready to be a freelance writer if you don't already have a source of income from freelance writing. Full stop. If you do, it should be from multiple sources, so that your entire livelihood doesn't collapse with the loss of one client. Or, there should be the imminent promise of a new client taking you on. You should also enjoy this work to some extent, or it should be a noticeably better alternative to your current employment. I say this because freelance work is volatile and some people quickly find out that leaving the workforce is much easier than re-entering it. Be safe. Think these decisions through.

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