11Dec 2013 by Philippa Willitts

Podcast Episode 64: Measuring the effectiveness of your content

Podcast
As content creators, we freelance writers have a responsibility to not just carefully craft words into content, but also to pay attention to what we write that works, and what falls flat. Whether it is content for a client or for our own websites, if we forget about what we have created, we have no idea how effective our content is, which means we risk wasting our time and our clients' money by writing articles, ebooks or presentations that don't make an impact. If, instead, we measure how effective our content is, we can quickly learn what works and what doesn't, what readers can relate to and what they ignore, and when we pay attention to what we find out, and apply it to future work, we learn to tailor our…
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27Nov 2013 by Philippa Willitts

Podcast Episode 63: 60 minutes to a more successful freelance writing business

Podcast
You can boost your freelance business in under an hour? Really? Doing business development work can seem like yet another onerous task that gets in the way of the things you're supposed to be doing. Like, well, writing. However if you want to run a sustainable and successful freelance business, it is essential. In this podcast episode, I have condensed your business development tasks into a simple 60-minute plan, to help you to get a load of bizdev under your belt without the need to sacrifice hours and hours of writing - or fun - time! Show Notes Episode 37: Freelance Writers and Social Proof - What it is, why you need it and how to get it Relationship Marketing Basics for Freelance Professionals There are several ways to make sure that…
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13Nov 2013 by Philippa Willitts

Podcast Episode 62: How to meet – and exceed – your clients’ needs

Podcast
[tweetherder]Retaining existing freelance clients is generally much easier than constantly finding new ones[/tweetherder], so it's important to ensure that you are always seeking to meet, and exceed, their expectations. If someone hires you, make sure you are impressive! In this podcast episode, Lorrie and I recommend various ways to make sure that you correctly identify the needs of your clients, and how to go about meeting them. Show Notes Episode 18: How to network like a ninja Episode 13: How to be responsive and flexible without losing the plot Lousy Book Covers Lorrie's favourite lousy book cover I couldn't decide whether this one or this one was the best / worst. Free Download: 50 customizable call-to-action templates There are several ways to make sure that you don't miss out on A Little Bird Told…
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05Nov 2013 by Philippa Willitts

Podcast Episode 61: How To Start Freelancing In 2014

Podcast
Sometimes the hardest thing is to just get started, so if you are really committed to making freelance writing your full-time business, in this solo episode Lorrie outlines her freelance business planning blueprint. Follow her suggestions to be up and running as a freelance writer in just six weeks. Show Notes ALBTM 17 - How To Create An Editorial Calendar ALBTM 18 - How To Network Like A Ninja ALBTM 20 - Goalplanning: your freelance writing aims for 2013 ALBTM 23 - How to decide what to charge for your freelance writing services ALBTM 24 - The art of getting paid ALBTM 25 - why and How to Charge More For Your Freelance Writing Monthly budget template http://www.copyblogger.com/create-content-infographic/ Akismet Limit login attempts There are several ways to make sure that…
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02Nov 2013 by Philippa Willitts

NaNoWriMo, NaBloPoMo, NaWhat?

news
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="300"] English: Beibin Park, Bad weather. ‪中文(繁體)‬: 天候不佳的北濱公園。 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)[/caption] In a bid to get some work done on my own sites, I have decided to undertake the NaBloPoMo challenge this November, which involves publishing a blog post a day for the entire month. I spend so much of my time doing paid writing for other people's websites that my own can get sadly neglected at times, so I am using this challenge as a way to start populating my own web properties, too. Other writers are embarking on NaNoWriMo, a challenge that captures the imagination of thousands of people across the world as they try to write a 50,000 word novel in a month, and although I don't have the time or energy to do…
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29Oct 2013 by Philippa Willitts

Podcast Episode 60: Dealing with Sexual Harassment and Sexism from Freelance Clients

Podcast
Many freelancers, especially those who are women or belong to minority groups, will have had an experience of being patronised, not taken seriously, or harassed. Unfortunately, these kinds of oppressive behaviours can really have a negative effect on a person's health and wellbeing, as well as their business. In my own experience, and that of Lorrie's, this can be a particular risk in sectors which have traditionally been male-dominated, but it can happen anywhere, so in this podcast we talk about how freelancers can recognise when they are being treated inappropriately, and what they can do when it happens. Show Notes How to Handle Sexual Harassment from a Client A Woman In Your Own Right: Assertiveness and You (Anne Dickson) - USA / UK Online in 60 Seconds ShareGrab There are several ways to…
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22Oct 2013 by Philippa Willitts

Podcast Episode 59: Make Your Hobbies Pay – How Freelance Writers Can Earn Cash with Topics They Love in Niches They Already Understand

Podcast
Are you looking to boost your freelancing income? There might be some areas close to your heart that you haven't considered tapping before... check out this week's podcast to find out more and get some potentially lucrative ideas! In my work I can be called upon to write on a wide variety of topics, but sometimes when I'm searching my brain for a suitable subject to write about I overlook some of the most obvious ideas: those things I love and am passionate about. Most people have a number of hobbies and interests outside of writing, and our knowledge and expertise in these areas can be tapped to produce ideas to write about, and to inform our writing. So in this podcast episode, I talk about a number of ways to…
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15Oct 2013 by Philippa Willitts

Podcast Episode 58: Getting through #NANOWRIMO without tearing your hair out

Podcast
As November rapidly approaches, thousands of people across the world are getting ready to spend the month undertaking the ridiculous but awesome task of writing an entire novel in 30 days. In this episode of the freelance writing podcast, we take listeners through tonnes of tips and advice for making it through unscathed, and winning the challenge with 50,000 words written by the end of the month. With guidance for every week of the challenge, #NANOWRIMO participants can find ways to keep their creativity flowing, keep their motivation high and, if absolutely necessary, introduce an alien invasion into their period drama. Show Notes NANOWRIMO Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg UK / Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within (USA) Relentless by Simon Kernick (UK) / Relentless (USA)…
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08Oct 2013 by Philippa Willitts

Podcast Episode 57: The lowdown on proofreading and editing

Podcast
Like many freelance writers, I also offer proofreading services. It's a part of my job that I love, and in this podcast episode, Lorrie and I go down and dirty into the world of proofreading and editing, looking at the difference between the two roles, how to explain to clients what you offer, and how to choose your own proofreader or editor if you need one in the course of your writing work. Show Notes Simple Errors in Social Marketing Alienate UK Users Episode 19: How to Proofread Your Own Work Episode 23: How to Decide What to Charge for your Freelance Writing Services Episode 4: Hot Topic: Writing and Editing for free - is it ever OK? 120 Marketing Tactics For Your Blog (Infographic) The art of the interview There are several…
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01Oct 2013 by Philippa Willitts

Podcast Episode 56: Seven reasons to fire a freelance writer

Podcast
What, as a freelance writer, should you never, ever do? What reasons would a client be justified in firing you? In this solo episode, Lorrie gets tough and outlines the seven top reasons she will fire a freelancer. Show Notes Episode 19: How to Proofread Your Own Work Episode 55: How to Deal with Rejection The 45 Inbound Marketing Terms You Should Know (HubSpot) There are several ways to make sure that you don't miss out on A Little Bird Told Me. Subscribe via RSS Subscribe via iTunes Find us on Stitcher Smart Radio And finally, please 'like' us on Facebook to be the first to hear our news and to talk with us about what you hear on the podcast! Transcript Hello and welcome to episode 56 of A Little Bird Told Me:…
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