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Freelancer

Ely, Nevada, UNITED STATES


Joined June 14th 2009

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About Me
I'm a 21-year-old mother living in Nevada making a living from freelance writing from home.

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Recent Posts

The Importance of a Web Site Portfolio

June 15th 2009 15:46
Creating an online web site portfolio is a great way to showcase your work, accomplishments and skills. Still, very few freelance writers take the time to complete this important step in their career. All freelancers can benefit from an online portfolio, so here's some advice to help you get started.

Remember that your portfolio is an advertisement of you and your abilities. Include examples of your best work, but don't go overboard. Give the reader an idea of your writing style and scope with plenty of writing samples. If a client you've worked for owns the rights to your work, ask for permission to display the content in your portfolio. In addition to writing samples, your portfolio should also include all your credentials like work history, skills, expertise and education, as well as awards and news items.

As for the design, keep it simple! Make sure your contact information is clearly displayed and not elaborate. Don't make the design of your website flashy, over the top or too colorful. It should also load fast and be free of JavaScript and Flash, as well as advertisements. Remember that you want your portfolio to look professional and it's the writing you're showcasing, not the design.

After you have your online portfolio up and running, check for any broken links or obvious problems. Make sure the website is streamlined and your work samples and contact information are easy to find.

Now that you have a good idea of what your web site portfolio should have, get to work. Spend a good amount of time on a high-quality portfolio and you'll soon be overwhelmed with work offers. Just remember the advice to keep it simple; don't make readers work to find out about you. Now you're all set. Good luck!
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Tax Help for Freelance Writers

June 14th 2009 22:36
There are a number of special rules that apply to freelance writers so you'll want to make sure you're ready when tax time comes around. Self-employed and contracted writers enjoy many tax benefits, allowing you to claim many deductions and avoid high taxes if you know what you're doing.

The main thing you need to do when you're a freelance writer is stay organized and save all payment records and information related to your business. Make sure you report all your income, whether you receive a Form 1099 from a client or not. One of the best ways to keep track of payments and expenses is to use a program like Quicken. Keep track of expenses and put them into categories. Examples include office expenses, subscriptions related to work, professional services, and advertising costs.

There are many things that freelance writers use often that can be tax-deductible, including Internet and a computer, a home office, magazine subscriptions, software, books, and more. That's why it's important to keep track of all expenses related to your work.

Lastly, keep in mind the self-employment tax, which can hit many freelance writers without notice. The best thing to do is set aside a certain amount of money each month or quarter for this tax so you're prepared. The current self-employment tax is 1%.3% so set aside about that much each quarter for taxes.

Here are some great resources to learn more about Taxes, Freelance Writing and
Tax Deductions.

Taxes & Freelancing

45 Tax Deductions for Freelance Writers
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Tips for New Freelancers

June 14th 2009 22:23
Starting out as a freelance writer can be overwhelming, especially if you're diving into it with little experience. Keep in mind the benefits you can reap from online freelance work, however. You get to set your own hours and your own pay, accepting only jobs you want. You get variety and the chance to work from home. Here's some advice to start you out, no matter where you do most of your freelance writing.

1. Don't accept all the work you find!
This is one of the most important things you should take away from this post. If you won't be paid enough to compensate your work or the writing will be long and tedious, don't do it! That's one of the best things about freelance writing: you call the shots. Always think twice before you accept a job that make suck up all your time for too little pay.

2. Make the most of your time.
Try sticking to something you know and accepting multiple jobs for the same topic. This allows you to research many jobs at once and maximizes your time and earnings. This isn't always possible but definitely worth the effort if you can manage it.

3. Use research for many ideas.
This took me a while to figure out when I first started doing freelance writing. Say you've been researching, for example, the effects the new credit card law will have, and have gathered ample amounts of information. Use the information for more than one project! There are tons of sources on the Internet that allow you to distribute and sell your articles and writing including DailyArticle.com and even your own blog. This is another way to make the most of your time.

4. Don't price your work too low.
This is a mistake many freelance writers make when they first start out. Don't sell your time and work for too little money! Instead, set a base hourly rate you'll accept and do projects and writing assignments accordingly. Don't sell your time for $2 an article; you're worth more than that!

5. Track your time carefully.
This is the last tip. Always keep track of the time you spend on assignments to make sure you're always charging a proper fee. This works even when you're only getting paid a flat amount because you're ensuring that you're not spending too long on the assignment. Use a spreadsheet to effectively track and manage your time to make sure you're charging a fair price.
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Welcome to Freelancer!

June 14th 2009 22:08
Freelancer aims to give the most up-to-date and relevant information for potential writers looking to make a career or even just extra money with freelance writing. You'll find plenty of advice and resources here to help you on your way, including links to the best paying sites and help landing a steady freelance job.
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