I also want to give a huge “thank you” to everyone who shared freelancing advice. If you’re ever in doubt about your decisions or actions, refer back to these words of wisdom.

I’ve got quite a bit of reading here for you, too, so let’s get started. Have a great weekend!

• The Denver Egoist Long Live Long Copy #4 I just loved the copy-driven ad highlighted on this local advertising blog. As a writer, it was refreshing to see words take the whole stage for a change.

• Kinkennon Communications The tricky balancing act between what’s smart and what’s right. This Denver-based free-agent communications guy wrote a very personal post about how he didn’t share some ideas with client for fear of losing the client—and then suffered the consequences.

• Lapham’s Quarterly Day Jobs The day jobs, including annual salary’s adjusted for today’s rate, of famous writers like Franz Kafka. Hat tip to Debbie Ridpath Ohi (a.k.a @inkyelbows).

• Lisa Romeo Writes Writer Making Nice. Not Always. This piece speaks for itself. Oh, and it might speak for you, too. Admit it.

• Marketing Collaborative  Stupid People on Twitter…A Top 10 List With direct, no-dancing-around-it language, Ginger tells readers exactly how not to use Twitter.  Take notes.

• Nathan Bransford The Secret Strength of Killer Queries: Specificity In an effort to share what agents want, instead of the more common what they don’t want, this post by literary agent Nathan Bransford gives some outstanding query tips.

• Talent Zoo Copywriters Need Feedback, Not Prescriptions This post offers a few approaches for those rare, but does happen, occasions when your client rewrites your copy instead of providing you with feedback to make the appropriate changes. I’ve found this more with people who are managing writers, but it can happen with a business owner who feels pressed for time and thinks it’s easier to do the rewrites. As this post points out, that hurts the content and company.

Your turn. Any must-reads from this week? Any articles or blog posts that you’d like to recommend to your fellow readers here? Please share in the comments.

Now I’m not picking on publications. Silence in place of a “no” or “no, thank you” is becoming more common each day. Of course, I understand that people are doing the work of three co-workers who were laid off, or are struggling with budget cuts and limited resources. I never assume that someone is using silence to be deliberately rude.

But how hard is it to send even a form email that confirms a company isn’t going to hire you or a magazine isn’t going to publish your writing?

Several months ago, a writer wrote a lengthy blog piece with a title like “reject me, please!” His rant was that he misses the days when writers received rejection letters and emails. Today, he receives silence. The reason I’m not linking to the piece is because, once I read the comments, I realized that he never followed up with any editors. Never. He felt it was beneath him.

That is not my point. Whenever I submit an essay, I always make a note on my calendar to follow up. Why?

• Because my original email could have landed in spam jail. On more than one occasion, an editor has thanked me for following up, adding that my second email prompted her to check her spam folder—and there I was.
• Because it shows I’m a professional. It’s usually on my follow-up (either the first or second message after my original submission) that I will hear back. In most of my essay classes, my instructors have insisted that editors look for writers to check in and that it sets you apart from hobbyists.
• Because it gives me a chance to reiterate I believe an essay is right for that publication, be it online or print.

I also follow up with prospective clients and clients. One of my favorite clients requires an unusually long time to provide feedback. We both know this and work around it. Still, I email one or both contact there every seven to 10 days just to make sure they know I haven’t forgotten them. Some copywriters would say that’s too much to expect of a freelancer. I say it’s worth it in this case. It’s helped develop a strong, lasting relationship.

What about you? Do you follow up on queries or essays? Do you think it’s a writer’s duty to check back with an editor or do you think it’s a drain on the editor? What about clients? Do you follow up on a regular basis or just wait for a response? Please share in the comments below.

(Extra Credit: For you seriously word nerd types, I tend to us AP Style. So let me know if you use it the same way. Follow-up for noun or adjective and follow up for verb.)

Long before I took a last gasp and made the life altering, “I’m going out on my own” announcement, I’d been reading everything I could about life without cubicle walls. Ideally, I wanted to have a few clients on a part-time basis first, but that’s not how life worked out. With my move to Denver, I had to leap or get a new full-time job and hold off on the dreams of being my own boss at least another year.

With all the ups and downs, especially that cold first month, I’m so glad I did it. In fact, I’m so thrilled to be on my own, I’ve been helping other freelancers (or almost-freelancers) navigate their way. It’s inspired me to ponder about my own journey and the best advice I received. It was this:

Tell everyone you know about your freelancing business. Since I was leaving a job, this part was easy. In simply sharing my news, I received amazing support and (most valuable of all) referrals. I was floored at the number of people who provided email addresses and said, “Tell ’em I sent you.” It opened doors and boosted my confidence.

Now it’s your turn! Like my other 50/50 posts, this is where you share your experience. What’s the best freelancing advice you’ve ever received? Was it from a fellow freelancer? Or did a mentor share her wisdom? Or maybe it was a favorite book that’s since become your favorite go-to resource? And, if you didn’t receive advice for taking the leap, what’s the one thing you’d share with a budding freelancer today?  Please share in the comments.

Photo attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/g-hat/ / CC BY 2.0

On with the reading!

• Copyblogger 10 Proven Steps to Snag a 
Guest Post on an A-List Blog Most of you have probably seen this one, but I’m repeating it here. This post by Jordan Cooper also offers some great basics on guest blogging, which can be a great education if you’re new to it.

• Speaking of guest blogging, I still a few a few more lined up for you in the next several weeks. You’re in for a delight! If you have ideas for a guest post for my blog or would like to have me pen a post for your site, email me at jesakalong(at)gmail.com. Please put “guest post” in the subject line.

• Copywriter maps resume. I heard about this clever idea as the link made its way through Twitter. You should definitely check this out. A copywriter maps all the locations listed on his resume, along with some fun commentary. Now that’s a new way to approach your resume.

• FreelanceSwitch 5 Ways to Regain Your Creative Joy One thing I really like about Seth Simonds’s post is that he offers specific tips for copywriters, consultants and designers. No matter what you do in your business, this blog piece has ideas to help you get your mojo back.

• Solo PR Pro How a Cog Breaks Free – an Interview with PRCog Kellye Crane, who runs the #solopr chat on Twitter, interviews @PRCog, an anonymous public relations pro who says (or tweets) what many communicators can’t—at least, not if they want to keep their jobs.

Your turn. Any must-reads from this week? Any articles or blog posts that you’d like to share with your fellow readers here? Please share in the comments.

But what if you’re freelancing or starting up a business on the side? A friend recently asked me how she could leverage LinkedIn for freelancing even though she’s still working a full-time job.

It’s a good question and one that should be carefully considered. When I worked for a large company, a co-worker’s LinkedIn profile could be grounds for gossip: a heavily updated profile could be signs that someone was looking for a new job; connections with new companies were viewed with suspicion. I’m not saying it was right; it was just fact in my competitive department.

However, you can still use LinkedIn effectively—and without raising eyebrows—even if you’re freelancing on the side. While not every tip may work for your specific situation, this should help you get started.

• First, make sure your freelancing doesn’t conflict with your day job. My friend is the perfect example: she’s published several essays and that freelancing work doesn’t have anything to do with her full-time job or the company where she works. Many companies have non-compete agreements—are more are enforcing them—so it pays to stay within the rules.

• With that said, share your extracurricular achievements with your boss. As long as your manager knows you’re doing your best for him or her, you have nothing to worry about. And keeping your boss informed will keep her happy if someone sees your new LinkedIn profile addition and mentions it.

• When adding your freelance work, be specific with your title. You’ll essentially be adding a position (to use LinkedIn language), so being specific will (1) avoid confusion at work and (2) help you be found in key word searches. For example, don’t just list yourself as a “freelance writer.” As in my friend’s case, she could list herself as a “freelance essay writer” or as a “freelance writer, creative non-fiction.”

• Show off your accomplishments. While you should be careful with the title you use, don’t be shy about listing your credits in the “description” section. Of course, if you’ve freelanced for a competitor, by all means keep that to yourself. If you have been published, include links to your work.

• Network with your freelance posse. Don’t be shy about joining groups on LinkedIn. It’s a perfect way to network with others in your situation and it’s good place to connect with potential editors or clients. For writers, you may want to consider joining LinkEds & Writers or Authors, Writers, Publishers, Editors, and Writing Professionals.

• Be smart about your groups. If you are a full-time designer at an advertising agency, joining a LinkedIn group called “Freelance Advertising Creatives” will immediately send up red flags. Even if you hide the logo on your profile, LinkedIn could still publish it in their weekly Network Updates. And if your boss is a member of your network, that news will go straight to his inbox.

• As your new LinkedIn addition ages, you can grow bolder. Over time, you can begin moving your freelance work closer to center stage, especially if it’s your plan to be a full-time freelancer or open your own business. You can highlight your side projects in the “specialty” section of your profile as well as in areas like position descriptions. Always keep in mind that LinkedIn is not shy about announcing changes you make to your profile.

Before I took the leap to full-fledged freelancer, I had added elements of freelancing to my profile. Since I was open with my boss and direct teammates about taking writing classes, it didn’t raise any eyebrows. Only after I announced my cubicle-abandoning plans, did I completely overhaul my LinkedIn profile, putting my a.k.a writer business front and center.

Your turn. Do you have LinkedIn tips you can share with readers who are balancing full-time jobs with freelancing? Do you think it’s risky to add freelancing or a start-up business if you’re also gainfully employed? Is there a LinkedIn group that you’ve found to be helpful for freelancers? Please share in the comments below.

Surrounded by boxes of pizza and eager interns, I felt a shock of recognition listening the communications manager who had agreed to speak to my charges. She said that finding and forging her career path was “simple.”

“I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I was in high school and editor of the school paper. I studied journalism in college and got a job.” She had worked in corporate communications for an international travel outfit, a well-known natural beauty brand and a global coffee company, which is where we met. She added that she’d always been focused on writing and editing, even in high school.

I was, too, in high school. Like my guest speaker, I’d written for the school paper, plus I’d edited the yearbook and competed in journalism contests. So, why was she the head of a communications division and I was wrangling interns?

Read the rest of Guest Post: Writing Lessons I Learned Twice.

If you have ideas for a guest post for my blog or would like to have me pen a post for your site, email me at jesakalong(at)gmail.com. Please put “guest post” in the subject line. Thanks!

There’s one item below from the New York Times that I insist you read. For anyone who’s ever applied for a job (full-time or freelance), it’s extremely cathartic. Have a great weekend!

• BusinessWeek Special Report: A Guide to Self-Employment Writers and entrepreneurs, this is for you. This special report is bursting with helpful resources and information—whether you’re a new to self-employment or a seasoned business owner.

• Copyblogger How Smart Freelance Writers 
Handle Their #1 Hassle It’s possible you’ve already seen this one, but it really came in handy for someone this week. This article is perfect to keep on file as a reminder for how to deal with difficult client situations.

• Freelance Folder Uh-oh! Seven Steps to Deal with an Unhappy Client Also along the lines of dealing with rough client waters, this is another article to keep for a quick reference. Taking the time to read a tip-filled post like this can help you calm down when you receive disappointing (or worse!) feedback on a draft.

• Motherlogue Guest Post: Christina Katz On Habits That Pay Off If you’ve found yourself justifying work for “exposure” or overbook yourself and still finding your bank account too low, this is the post for you. Christina Katz offers great tips for being a prosperous writer.

• New York Times: Complaint Box The E-Snub; If They Won’t E-Mail You Back, Pretend They Did Just promise me you’ll read this one. It’s worth it! Hat tip to @Ed2010News.

Your turn. Any must-reads from this week? Any articles or blog posts that you’d like to share with your fellow readers here? Please share in the comments.

I’ve always been uber shy. When I was a child, my mom bought me books where the protagonists are always shrinking violets. In elementary school, I took a failing grade because the thought of speaking up in public was more mortifying than seeing an F on my report card. It’s one of the reasons why I took so well to writing. I could create words on paper and express myself while keeping any verbal discourse to myself.

Yet, somewhere along the line I realized that writing wasn’t just about sitting quietly and typing. I could write all I wanted, but if I didn’t speak up and sell my writing, I might as well stick to a day job and keep writing as a hobby.

The transformation from shrinking violet to bold lily wasn’t an easy one, however. There were a ton of things I learned in the process. Things like taking on a fearless persona or asking for what I need. While challenging, it was all part of the journey.

If you’re hiding behind your own fear and insecurity, read on to learn a few tips that’ll help you get out from under the covers and into the spotlight. As spiritual teacher Marianne Williamson said, “Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.”  To add to that, it won’t serve your freelance business either.

Let your inner diva shine! Everyone has one. Even Beyoncé admitted to it and named her Sasha Fierce. As for me, I was nervous Nelly right before my meeting with a prospective client. I was trying hard to portray confidence the way my husband rehearsed with me the night before. Then, it suddenly hit me. I didn’t have to fake confidence. I already had it in me. It’s there when I ask for what I need with loved ones and when I’m participating in an activity I love. I didn’t need to fake it. I just needed to embrace it. The result?  I got the job I wanted.

Stay true to yourself. You know how much you’re worth. Don’t settle for less. The times when I’ve taken the risk and asked for what I needed, I’ve gotten it. It’s actually the times when I took jobs that compromised my time and money that ended up being the most problematic. It also made me resentful in the end.

Be willing to say no to be able to say yes to better opportunities. Recently, I had a chance to work with a nonprofit organization. I was thrilled because as someone who’s either volunteered or worked for a nonprofit during most of my life, it truly felt like my career was coming full circle. There was one snag, however. The organization was unable to compensate me even at the very low-end of my pay scale.  I was torn. On one hand, I really wanted to work for this organization. On the other, I knew it would take considerable amount of my time. This meant that I would be unable to fit other higher paying writing jobs. In the end, I decided to walk. Imagine my surprise then, when the organization came back and met me in the middle. I think this goes back to staying true to your values. When you’re clear about your needs, the decision becomes easier.

The takeaway?

Be clear about what your worth and have faith that you will find other people who will respect your needs. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. If you project inner confidence, are honest about your needs and decisive about your expectations, you will find that people will respect you more as well.

And as for that shrinking violet. She’s still there, but I only let her come out on Halloween.

Brandi-Ann Uyemura is a full-time freelance writer inspiring others with creative prose and fresh copy for all. She juggles between three blogs, not2shabby.wordpress.com, 2inspired.wordpress.com and her professional website www.Brandi-AnnUyemura.com.  You can follow her journey on Twitter (@2inspired) and on Facebook.

Photo attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kitkaphotogirl/ / CC BY 2.0

That rejection email turned out to be the highlight of February. It was a month filled with injuries, doctor appointments, cancelled appointments and missed networking events. It was also a month with lots of silence: unreturned emails from prospective—and even current—clients and unresponsive editors.

I’ve always known that the life of a writer can be rough, filled with rejections and struggles to get published. The life of a freelancer can also be rough, full of challenges to land new projects and the relentless need to continually market your skills. Usually, I can handle the negatives and buffer them with determination and the support of people in my life.

But not this last month. Despite family and friends encouraging me to rest and not worry, I’ve been preoccupied with fears of failure. I couldn’t seem to wrap my brain around the fact that things would change, even though I did need to give my body a break.

So welcome March and a new attitude. This is how I’m kicking doubt to the curb:

• Multiple submissions. I’ve already identified two possible publications that would be a fit for my recently rejected essay. With a little editing, I’ll be submitting that piece of creative non-fiction in no time.
• Putting myself out there. Even though I still have to stay off my feet for four more weeks (easier said than done), I’m going get myself in front of prospective clients. I’ll be punching up my letters of introduction and finding creative ways to introduce myself through social media.
• Breathing. And by breathing, I mean putting words to paper. When I make a point to schedule writing time, it refuels me and reminds me why I love it. This goes for both creative non-fiction and the work I do for clients.
• Asking for help. This is probably the hardest thing I’m doing to squelch doubt. I’ve always been independent (and proud of it). My ankle injuries have been a strong reminder that it’s okay to ask for assistance. The key is to remember that professionally, too. Writers and freelancers make for a very supportive community, ready with understanding and (if needed) advice.
• Guest blogging. I have some terrific writers lined up for guest posts here. Their experiences and advice are a nice shot in the arm to this blog as well as my attitude. The first one premieres Wednesday (March 3) so be sure you don’t miss it! I’m also penning pieces for other blogs, which is a perfect way to get outside my comfort zone. Stay tuned.

What about you? How do you handle moments of doubt? What about longer periods, when it seems like nothing is going to change? Has someone give you a great tip to kick doubt to the curb? Please share in the comments.

Image adapted per permissions. Original image attribution: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ianaberle/ / CC BY 2.0

• Entrepreneur.com Get Back in the Black Michelle Goodman offers strategies to help struggling entrepreneurs dig out of debt.

• Freelancedom Contest: Career Coaching for Word Nerds. Freelancer-slash-Career Coach Steph Auteri is offering a month of gratis coaching for two lucky people. For your chance to win, visit this link and follow the (easy) directions before Friday, March 12.

• Ground Floor Media Is There Such as Thing as Work/Life Balance for Entrepreneurs? This Denver-based public relations firm usually has really interesting blog topics and, of course, I couldn’t resist this one. This fascinating post is by the woman who created Ground Floor Media in her basement in 2001.

• Lisa Romeo Writes Slow Down, Seed Memoir, with Memory Triggers Lisa offers incredibly useful tips for capturing those unexpected flashes of memory and following through on the inspiration to write. In a second post, she also shares a lengthy list of possible memory triggers.

• Also, be sure to check out The Urban Muse. She’s featuring a guest post from Peter Bowerman, author of The Well-Fed Writer.  He’s blogging about corporate writing.

Your turn. Assuming you’re not consumed with all Olympics, all the time, what did you read this week that stuck with you? Please share in the comments below.