From Diapers to Deadlines

If you’re getting started as a freelance writer, chances are that everyone and his brother is telling you that you need a website. A real, live website with a domain and hosting and all that other techie stuff.

If you don’t know how to do these things,  you’re probably afraid it’s gonna cost you a small fortune - and if you go with the wrong person, it just might.

Luckily, there’s some really cool stuff going on over at Ittybiz. Naomi and her crew are trying to help tons of people quit their crappy day jobs this year, and she’s running a case study with one Johnny B. Truant.

Why does this matter to you?

Because the dude is practically giving his services away. No lie - he’s selling Wordpress installations for $39 if you purchase hosting through him (and that won’t cost you a fortune, either).

Folks, I charge $250 for a Wordpress installation and theme installation, and I get it pretty regularly. This is an incredible deal, and if you need a website, you should totally check it out.

So, head on over and get your cheap website, before he realizes he’s lost his mind.

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As a writer, I’m interested in working to build passive income. I haven’t really considered revenue share sites like eHow, to be honest, because I’d rather build something of my own. If I’m going to do the work, I want to be the one earning all the income, not just part of it. So I’ve been looking for some passive revenue streams that would allow me to build an income on the side while working for my freelance clients.

The Niche Blogger, Amy Bass’s blogging membership, seemed like a great option. The fee was minimal, so I figured I’d give it a try. After all, I could always cancel after the first month or so if I wasn’t pleased.

Turns out, Amy delivers far more value than I ever dreamed.  Each month, members gain access to a blog that teaches step by step how to set up Wordpress blogs, install hosting, and more. I already knew a lot of the technical aspects of affiliate marketing, but hadn’t been able to put all the steps together as coherantly as Amy does. She includes step by step instructions, links to resources, and video tutorials for the tricky parts. It’s like getting a complete internet marketing education in one easy to use membership.

I’ve been a member for several months, and am gradually seeing my income rise each month. Best of all, I know I’m building steady income streams that I own, and I can repeat the system over and over until I’ve reached the income goals that I’ve set for my business.

If you’re a writer who wants to break into affiliate marketing, but have been overwhelmed by all the technical knowledge required, relax! The Niche Blogger makes learning affiliate marketing fun again!

Tags: Niche Blogger, Niche Blogger Review, product reviews

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Ever have one of those days where you just want to rip someone a new one?

Me too. Regularly.

Yesterday I was happily browsing along, applying to gigs. I sent an email to a potential client, (showcasing my rockstar writing skills) and moved on to the next job application.

Later in the day, I checked my email, to be greeted with a nasty reply about sending unsolicited email, the consequences thereof, and potential legal action.

HUH?

I fired off a quick but hateful response, pointing out that I paid for access to a list of jobs, had applied to one of them, and this was not my fault in any way. I believe the word asshole was used.

Ok, the word asshole WAS used - several times.

Then I thought better of myself, saved the email as a draft, and went to make a pot of herbal tea.

Later, feeling a bit calmer, I returned to the email.

I redrafted a polite reply <the word asshole was NOT included> explaining that I was feeling pretty upset by the situation myself. After all, I pay a yearly fee for access to writing jobs, and I had assumed that those jobs were all…um….people looking for writers.

My mistake.

List owner’s fault - not mine.

So, that was the gist of the email.

I recieved a response at the speed of lighting from the client who’s email had been on the list, apologizing for his  grumpiness. Apparently nasty news in the mail and a flooded email inbox had made him a bit snarky.  Again, the word asshole was used. As in, “Sorry, I was an…”

Crisis Averted.

Today, I got an email from the same gentleman, offering me work.

The moral of the story?

Don’t call people assholes. Even if they’re behaving that way - could just be a bad day.

The real moral?

Be professional in all your business communications, or it’ll bite you in the….

Tags: freelance writing, freelance writing tips, work as a freelance writer

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