Review of The Freelance Writer's Battle by Ian ChandlerIan Chandler is a freelance writer and editor. He writes for SitePoint, Freedom with Writing, and Haircut Inspiration and is an editor for Nukeblogger. His other ebooks include: Narrative Marketing: Using Content Marketing To Turn People Into Heroes and The No B.S. Guide to Freelance Writing. The Freelance Writer's Battle is aimed at debunking some of the popular myths about writing and freelance writing. Each chapter begins by explaining the myth and end by discussing why it is false. Chandler debunks myths like writer's block and that content mills and freelancing platforms are the only way you can make any money freelance writing. Anyone who writes knows that quality is far better than quantity and how easy it is to get trapped in the world of low rates for your work. Chandler's detailed discussion about rates and how much a novice to experienced freelance writer should and can charge for their work was extremely helpful. According to Chandler, the rates vary depending on experience, client, niche and type of content you are writing. He did, however, offer and detailed explanation of the range of rates that are being charged and paid and links to more information about what a freelance writer should propose for rates to clients. As with any occupation, the more experience you have the more you can charge and expect to earn for your efforts. He suggests for those just entering the field to charge on the low end and perhaps even slightly lower than the going rate range to get their foot in the door. His recommendation is to aim for around $25 an hour or 10 cents a word if you are just starting out was very helpful. I have placed numerous bids on freelancing platforms but struggled with what to charge for my work. I have found myself unable to answer the question of what my time and writing is worth. The chapter on rates was extremely illuminating. He also explained the hourly versus per word question in terms that were easy to understand. According to Chandler, if you are a writer who works on a rigid schedule and likes the 9-5 style work environment then hourly is the best way to bill out your work. If you are a more flex-time writer who works intermittently and in spurts, like myself, than per word is the best way to charge clients. Though I have heard it time and time again and know it well, Chandler's chapter on writer's block and the muse was a welcome reminder that experience and daily practice were the only way to make writing a career. Writer's write whether they feel inspired or not and in that process something of quality eventually develops. Research and reading content from the niches and genres you are working in or want to freelance in are also vital to the writing process. It is how to learn what good writer's in the fields you are interested in do so that you can emulate them and also gain knowledge so that you have something to say. Chandler's chapter discussing the dangers and pitfalls of content mills like Fiverr and freelance platforms like Elance confirmed what I already had learned and why I just have not been able to commit to working within those realms: they value quantity not quality. I do not want to be writing all hours to pump out crappy content for a pittance. I want to hone my skills and improve constantly and be proud of what I produce while being rewarded well for it. Unfortunately, no one has revealed how they do that though.. until now. Chandler gives tangible references of solid sources to get work writing content that is valued and enumerated in kind. His top suggestions include:
Overall, The Freelance Writer's Battle is well worth the read but its true value lies in the links Chandler provides for rates of pay, what makes a good professional portfolio, and where and how to find quality work as a freelance writer. To get your copy of Ian Chandler's The Freelance Writer's Battle: How to Shatter the Nine Myths that Stop Freelance Writing Success go to http://www.freedomwithwriting.com/freelancebattle/ and enter your email address. Although it will lead to you receiving emails from Freedom with Writing, those emails contain valuable resources and lists of other excellent places to submit your writing and get paid well for it. |
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