Tag Archives: freelance-zone.com

advice, editorial

Writers…Dream Your Dream

writers-digest-101-best-sites-for-writersby Catherine L. Tully

I was thinking about my writing journey the other day and realized that I have come a long way from when I first started. And I’d like to tell you about the moment that it really hit me…

A year ago around this time I was in Minnesota, getting ready to speak to a group of writers who had invited me to come and talk with them about digital photography and how it can help move you forward as a writing professional. I was sitting in the back of the room as the head of the group picked up a copy of Writer’s Digest and began talking about the 101 Best Websites for Writers that the magazine does each year. As she spoke, she highlighted three resources from the list–and Freelance-Zone.com was one of them!

The beauty of it was that this lady did not know at the time that I was one of the founders of Freelance-Zone. And I got to get up and begin my talk by thanking her for mentioning our blog…

This was a moment that has stayed with me. You see, Joe and I began just as any other writer has…struggling to understand the business, trying to get something (anything!) published and trying to figure out how to make a living doing something that we love. It was a dream we had, and it seemed fairly out of reach at the time.

But I’m here to tell you…it can be done. Persevere. Set goals. Work hard. Dream your dream and you can and will achieve it. Then one day you will share your story with other writers, just like I’m doing now…

My sincere thanks goes out to you for being a part of the journey.

Catherine

advice, blogging, editorial, resources

Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites For Writers, 2010

2 Comments

writers-digest-101-best-sites-for-writersWe have a very happy announcement to make…

Freelance-Zone.com was chosen by Writer’s Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers and we are featured in the May/June issue! We’d like to take a minute to thank all of the loyal readers who voted for us–we really appreciate it!

And thanks to Writer’s Digest for including us.

Be sure to check out the issue of WD for many great resources for writers, including FZ faves such as Grammar Girl, Absolute Write, MediaBistro, The Renegade Writer and Funds for Writers, among others.

(Every year I go through the list and take a peek at everything…it’s a great way to connect with all the great stuff out there on the web! – Catherine)

advice, editorial, social networking

Join Us On Facebook!

getthumbnailDid you know that Freelance-Zone.com is the #1 “Freelance” blog (in English) on Facebook? We are also in the top ten blogs for “Advice”. Don’t be left behind…join us and be a part of our online community!

Why join our Facebook page? One word…networking. We are growing fast and you can meet people on our FB page that you may not find here on our blog. Join us today–we’d love to have you! (And while you’re at it–hook up with us on Twitter too…these days you can’t afford to ignore social media!)

editorial, lifestyle

Quarterly Tax Tips From Outright.com

tax

From time to time someone offers Freelance-Zone some valuable content that we feel will be helpful to our readers. Kevin Reeth is the CEO at Outright.com, a free online bookkeeping system that helps small businesses keep track of tax info and related material. (Read what PC Magazine has to say about this company here, or just check the company out at their website where there is plenty of information about things such as the security of data and how to get started.)

Since quarterly tax time is approaching, we thought you could use the information Reeth sent over and are printing it for you here. Thank you to Outright.com and Mr. Reeth for the timely information!

(Please note that the facts, thoughts and ideas expressed below are that of Outright.com and not of Freelance-Zone. We are not tax professionals–we’re freelance writers!)

5 Opportunities to Turn Tax Time to Your Favor 

1. Get away with nothing.  If self-employed, you are free from estimated tax payments if what you owe, after subtracting exemptions, deductions, and credits is less than $1,000.

2. A safe harbor during the economic storm. If you choose to pay the same amount as your total tax bill last year, simply pay the same amount on June 15, 2009 as you did June 15, 2008 OR 90% of what you will owe this year.  You can feel confident in what you pay and send your check without further calculation and time spent concerning yourself with the details.

3. Pay it or stay it?  We have had a rocky few months with the stock market.  What are your thoughts on where it will go next?  The IRS doesn’t pay interest on the money you give them now for taxes due later.  Extend those tax expenses and put the money to work for you instead.  Remember! You still owe the money so don’t take risks with it; just consider the tradeoff between what you could earn on it in a safe investment.

4. Credit have you tied up?  The government penalty on underpaid estimated tax payments is down to 4%, the lowest rate we’ve seen in the last 10 years.  Paying down those credit cards, with rates as climbing into the twenties, will likely save you more than the penalty due from underpaid estimated tax payment.

5.  Organize for 2010.  Work with outright.com to keep track of your estimated tax payments; saving the details for next year’s taxes and freeing your time for your business.