Smart Questions to Ask Every Potential Ghostwriting Client
I get a lot of questions about ghostwriting from writers who are new to the field. How much should you charge? How do you negotiate a contract? How do work efficiently with a client? But one question...
View ArticleFreelance Limbo: Do You Know How You'll Go?
A couple of weeks ago I posted about an offer of several assignments from a (potential) client new to me. Want to know the rest of the story? My potential client assigned me four blog posts, with...
View ArticleGetting to Six Figures: A Class for Both New and Experienced Writers
Earlier this year, I posted about Debra Gordon's new class, The Business of Freelancing: Getting to Six Figures. I've known Debra for years and she's a smart, very successful freelancer who's now...
View ArticleFor New Writers Only: My Best Advice
Today's post was spurred by a question from a brand-new freelancer. He asked what one piece of advice I would offer to new freelancers. My advice? Pitch a market you know. When you're a new freelancer,...
View Article5 Things to Know Before You Freelance Full-time
Last week's post was aimed at brand-new freelancers. Today's is at those considering transitioning from part-time to full-time. Here are five things that every freelancer who wants to go full-time...
View ArticleHow to Hire a Ghostwriter: 8 Smart Questions to Ask
I've written many times about why I started ghostwriting more than a decade ago. One of the primary reasons is simple--the demand for ghostwriters. The market is strong, and continuing to grow, and...
View ArticleThe Essential Element Every LOI Needs
I've posted before about the importance of an effective letter of introduction, or LOI. It's an essential weapon in your freelance arsenal, and can be just as effective, if not more so, than a query...
View ArticleComing This Wednesday--Great Deal on Freelancing Books!
I'm participating in a one-day only special promotion with several other successful freelancing authors...it will launch and run on Wednesday, November 19, ONLY...stay tuned for details!
View ArticleIt's HERE! The One-Day-Only $0.99 Sale!
The one-day-only $0.99 sale is here. For 24 hours (and 24 hours only), you'll be able to buy 12 different freelance books (including one of mine) that will help you make MORE MONEY as a freelance...
View ArticleTips from ASJA ConCon 2014
First off, thanks to my readers who participated in the one-day only $0.99 sale last Wednesday, November 19! I sold 177 copes of Dollars and Deadlines: Make Money Writing Articles for Print and Online...
View ArticleFree Teleseminar Thursday, December 4
Want to make more money as a freelance writer? That's what this blog is all about. This Thursday I'll be participating in one with Nina Amir. It starts at 2:00 pm central time and it's free; sign up...
View ArticleDrumming up More Work, Step 1
Don't forget about my free teleseminar with Nita Amir this Thursday about making more money from your freelance career. (And have a question you want me to answer? Comment below and I'll be sure to...
View ArticleDrumming Up More Work, Step 2
Last week I posted about my ongoing marketing blitz--just in time for the holidays. Step 1 is reaching out to current and past clients; step 2 is one that many freelancers overlook. It's following up...
View ArticlePower Up Your Queries with Query Boot Camp
Some of my most popular posts on this blog have been on querying, including the query critiques I've offered. That's not surprising considering how important strong query skills are to successful...
View ArticleSearch the Blog for Freelance Answers
It's time. More than 4 years and 500+ posts (and more than 200,000 page views) later, Dollars and Deadlines is going to be on indefinite hiatus. But I'm glad you stopped by! I suggest you search the...
View ArticleDollars and Deadlines is Back! And is Ghostwriting for You?
Hello, readers, and welcome back...after more than a year on hiatus, I've decided to reboot the blog for several reasons. First and foremost, while the majority of my work these days is ghostwriting...
View ArticleSecrets of Six-Figure Freelancers: 5 Essential Attributes
Today we're going to talk about one of my favorite subjects: money. My first year of fulltime freelancing more than 19 years ago!), I made just over $17,000 and netted less than $12,000. My goal—my...
View Article10 Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Ghostwriter
Do you dream of writing a book--but lack the time, ability, or both to do so? Like many would-be authors, you may be considering hiring a ghostwriter. The question is--how? Do you post on...
View ArticleHow to Say "No" to a Client You Don't Want to Work For
I've found that as a ghostwriter, I get a lot of leads that don't lead to actual work. Last week, I spoke with a potential ghostwriting client by phone. He had been referred to me by another...
View ArticleSix-Figure Freelancing: Upcoming Events (Chicago and New York)
Is making more money--even six figures--your goal as a freelancer? If you're in the Chicago area, come see me present on Six-Figure Freelancing at Off-Campus Writers' Workshop in Winnetka on Thursday,...
View ArticleWe're ALL Vegetarians...Until the Burgers Arrive
At a panel on developing a lucrative side hustle at ASJA (moderated by the awesome Damon Brown), I talked about the importance of using your experience to set yourself apart from other writers. Book...
View ArticleThe Easiest Way to Crack Women's Magazines (and 8 Ways to Do It Well)
I started my freelance career two decades ago writing for women's magazines. My first sale was to Cosmopolitan; after that, I wrote for publications including Woman's Day, Family Circle, Self, Shape,...
View ArticleKnow Your Worth...and Stand Your Ground
What's your ideal freelance work mix? For me, it's to be working on a book for a ghostwriting client with a mix of shorter content (mostly health and fitness) for corporations and content agencies...
View ArticleWriter's Anxiety: The Curse of the Freelancing Mindset
I had lunch with the awesome Cindy Kuzma, an extremely talented and successful freelancer, yesterday and we were talking about the anxiety-producing nature of freelancing. When you're busy with...
View Article10 Questions You Must Ask Before You Hire a Ghostwriter
So, you're thinking of writing a book--but lack the time, ability, or both to do so? Like many would-be authors, you may be considering hiring a ghostwriter. The question is--how? Do you post on...
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