Tag Archives: writers

advice, blogging, editorial, social networking

Top Twitter Tips For Writers

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Twitter for writingby Catherine L. Tully

OK–tell me true–have you embraced Twitter yet? Writers tend to fall into one of two camps–the “tekkies” and the “old-fashioned”. (Yes–I know I’m generalizing.) Today I’m going to share some Twitter tips for each.

Old Fashioned

If you haven’t set up a Twitter profile yet, there’s no time like the present. You can get yourself up and running in just a few minutes. It really is pretty simple.

Typing a tweet (or “update” as they are also called) is not difficult either. Once your account is set up, try it and see how it goes.

Be sure you know the rules and best practices before you get going full steam.

Learn how to follow people and how to promote your profile.

Once you do these things, you’ll start to get a feel for Twitter, and hopefully, begin to like using it!

Tekkies

I don’t need to convince you that Twitter is cool–but I can give you some really terrific tips for using it better that you may not know about already. For example, did you know that it is a good idea to keep your tweets under the 140 character limit (this post says 125) so that people can re-tweet you more easily?

Need to find an old tweet for some reason? Friendfeed enables you to do that.

Want to share media on Twitter in real time? Use TwitPic.

Try running a poll on Twitter for something different. PollDaddy is a good resource for that.

So there you go writers…Twitter tips for everyone. If you have something you can share that will make Tweeting more fun (or cool) please do!

advice, editorial

Write About What You Love

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4dancersby Catherine L. Tully

I don’t know how many of you know this, but in my previous life I was a dancer. Actually, a dancer and a choreographer. This photo is me. (A long time ago.)

Why am a sharing this with you?

Besides the fact that I hope Freelance-Zone readers would like to get to know me a bit better, I have another, very practical reason for sharing this information. When you write about what you love, chances are good that you will get somewhere with it.

I broke into writing with a few lucky pitches and a series of magazine articles for Dance Teacher magazine. I also wrote for publications such as Highland Dancer and Dance Spirit. Not only was it easy for me to write about a subject I know a lot about, but it was fun.

I still have a passion for writing about dance, which is evidenced by the fact that I write another blog over at 4dancers.org.

If you are a new writer, why not start out writing about something you enjoy? Do you have any hobbies? See if there is a trade magazine devoted to it. Pitch an article. What do you like to do in your state? Why not share the experience with others by querying a travel piece about the activities you do for fun?

This works for seasoned writers as well. It can be easy to get trapped in a slog of decent-paying, boring work to pay the bills. Don’t let yourself drown in the doldrums–make sure you are writing some things that you love as well. Start a blog. Pitch the fun stuff. Gather material for a book down the line…

Have you scored big writing something you love? If so, do tell…you just might inspire another writer to give it a shot!

reading, resources

Eat Your Serial

Today we have a Q&A with Shawn Abraham – one of the people behind the site Eat Your Serial. We thought this might be of interest to our readers….check it out!                  – Catherine

EYS Logo High ResQ: What kind of website is Eat Your Serial?

Eat Your Serial is a new online platform designed to connect up and coming creative talent with a hungry audience. Stories are released as serials, with a new chapter every week. At the moment, we have five concurrently running serials in a variety of genres and styles.

Q: Who are the people involved, and what are their backgrounds?

The team at Eat Your Serial is comprised of a group of dedicated and diverse individuals. The founder and President worked for Random House, the largest trade-book publisher in the world. The rest of our staff has experience in: online marketing, talent management, education, sales, and service. For more information on our team, you can visit http://eatyourserial.com/the-team/our-staff. Eat Your Serial also boasts a talented editorial staff who work closely with our authors to ensure the strongest possible end product.

Q: Can you tell readers how the idea for this site came about?

There seems to be a misnomer floating around about how nobody reads anymore. The original idea for the site stemmed from thoughts and conversations about how off the mark that is. People are reading more than ever. It’s just the mediums that are changing. People spend a remarkable amount of time reading and absorbing content on blogs, social networking sites and more. So we felt like there was a niche waiting to be explored with easily digestible portions of creative content. Serials are a tried and true method of content delivery, and we feel like audiences will respond well to our model.

Q: What types of work do you publish?

We publish work in all genres. From sci-fi and fantasy to romance and introspective semi-autobiographies. Some are funny, some are sad. We want to make sure there’s something for everybody, and we have many pieces waiting in the wings that will further diversify our list.

Q: How can writers or readers who are interested learn more about how this works?

The best way is to visit www.eatyourserial.com, and click around. Read some of the serials, leave comments, and enjoy! We’re always on the lookout for new talent, and our submission guidelines are up on the site.

Q: What are your upcoming plans for the site?

We don’t want to tip our hat too early, but we have a lot of exciting plans in the works. Looking ahead to some of the books we’re going to be publishing, we’re really proud of what our authors have been creating. But beyond that, all I can say is that I’m pretty sure there’s more to serials than just text and prose. Some of the most popular TV shows of all time were serials…

advice, editorial, Marketing yourself

Writers: Always Networking?

neuronby Catherine L. Tully

Let’s face it–as a writer–you are never “off”.

What I mean by that statement is this: if you are talking to someone, there is potential for work. I know this to be true because I have found jobs in the most unlikely places.

While a great deal of my work is from repeat clients or referrals, a sizable chunk comes from a weird sort of networking. For example, I have been to parties and other functions where I met someone who needed writing done for a project. I have gotten editing work from a “friend of a friend of a friend”. I have even seen had a nibble or two from people who were standing next to me in line somewhere who overheard me talking about what I do.

So what am I getting at exactly? It’s really quite simple. As a writer, you are always networking. It’s exhausting, to be sure, but it can also be a good thing. Stumbling into a good account when you are least expecting it isn’t exactly something to complain about.

To that end, I have a few tidbits to share that can be helpful in terms of getting the most out of your contact with others. Here they are:

  • Always mention what you do for a living when you are talking to someone. Be sure to give examples too, as some people will assume you write books if you don’t tell them otherwise. (Unless, of course, you do write books.)
  • Carry a few business cards with you at all times. Give them out liberally. You never know when someone might pass one along to a potential client.
  • Have a website. This is provides a very easy way for people to find you and see what your services are. That way you don’t have to hammer it home when you first meet them. (Be sure your website addy is on your business card.)
  • Don’t be afraid to use your network. Tell those you are close to that you’d appreciate it if they would spread the word you are a writer. If you can return the favor, do! (For example, if you know a carpenter, dentist, etc…)

These are just some of the ways you can tap into the social scene and drum up some clients. Do you have any to add? Feel free to share!

advice, editorial

What’s Your Writing Advice?

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Catherine L. Tullyby Catherine L. Tully

What is the best writing advice you ever received?

I’m sure the answer is different for each of us. For me, the following pieces of advice were very helpful in the beginning of my career:

+ Try not to use exclaimation points.

+ Show don’t tell.

+ Use adjectives sparingly and choose them carefully.

Later in my career, the advice that helped was geared more toward finding work. For example:

+ Cultivate clients. Go back to them again and again–and overdeliver. Having a few select clients is better than having to find new ones all the time.

+ Keep an eye on your web presence.

+ Think about what you are putting out there on the web–it reflects on you as a professional.

These pieces of advice helped me greatly. I didn’t really know much about this career field when I started–so everything was news to me. Some people come in with experience–some don’t. Either way, I am of the opinion that we should pass along what we know to one another. Help each other out. After all, it’s tough out there.

So here goes…

I’m putting out the call to you. Can you share a piece of advice that might help a newbie writer get a foothold? Or a nugget of wisdom that will turn the lightbulb on over the head of an intermediate writer? Share one here today.

And may good karma come back to you tenfold.

Business, editorial

Freelance Resource: Sage Spark

Today we have some information to share about a tool for freelance writers—Sage Spark. Peter Liao, the Director of Product Management for the company has answered some questions for Freelance-Zone.com readers about this resource here for you:

1. What is Sage Spark? 

Sage Spark is a centralized community resource for users to meet, learn and communicate best business practices. It contains content on running various aspects of your business with content driven from the Wall Street Journal, Business.com and expert bloggers. It contains free business templates on managing cash flow, projections, sales activities, and more.

2. Why is Sage Spark a good resource for freelancers and small business owners?

It’s a free resource that provides users with content specific to running their business.

sagespark-200x200

3. What are some of the central features of Sage Spark that might appeal to freelancers?

Financial templates to help manage their day-to-day business, paid services to help manage their business and focus on what they do best, as well as free, valuable content to help them grow and succeed.

4. How much does this cost?

Content and access to Sage Spark is free. Subscription services are available at a cost.

5. Where can readers find more information on Sage Spark?

Users can visit www.sagespark.com.

Sage Spark is a new Freelance-Zone.com sponsor. We welcome them to these pages and invite you to check out their services. Freelance-Zone.com is selective about our clients and sponsors, learn more about our transparency policy and how we evaluate potential clients and advertisers.