Notes from Minnesota

~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~

Hey Freelancer!

Thanks for all the kind comments concerning the audio version of Writing Etc. I love that you enjoy it! If you’re short on time and would rather listen to this shortish email, just click the link, scroll down, and hit “play.” Heck, you can even download the MP3 to enjoy later. It’s up to you.

(Just scroll down to the end of this post.) 🙂

Now… with all these upcoming holidays in full swing, I’ll keep ‘er short except to note that Mini-Me, our newest office mascot (a short legged, wonky-eyed Jack Russell rescue) appears to be losing some of her hair. And by some I mean pretty much all of it on her chest and belly area. Now her ear hair is thinning, too.

The vet says she’s probably still suffering the after affects of extreme stress. Also, if you recall, when she arrived, the bottom half of her body was stained deep blond with urine. Turns out that acidic substance may have affected her hair follicles. PLUS the nine pound dog we adopted now weighs in at 13.4. Apparently, on top of everything else, she’d been starved.

Sigh.

But, we adore that little stinker. I’ve never met a dog with such a playful, loving personality. She’s regaining her weight. What hair she has left is dazzling white. It may grow back. If it doesn’t, I’ve got an entire puppy wardrobe ready to roll…

Enjoy December!

Beth 🙂

P.S. Check out Filbert Publishing’s bestsellers!

1. The Mocha Club Monthly Subscription (Where savvy Creative Entrepreneurs hang out.)

2. Stuck: Transforming Everything You Think You Know About Creative Blocks

3. Bob Bly’s Guide to Freelance Writing Success

4. Pocket Power: Become the Person You Were Born to Be

5. Jumpstart Your Writing Career and Snag Paying Assignments

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Combine two Filbert Publishing’s best sellers and you’ve got powerful information that’ll get you on the road to earning a living as a writer. Fast.

Discover down and dirty techniques, no fluff here, on how to:

* Land Long Term Clients

* Write Stellar Queries that Help Sell Your Writing

* Create an Effective Website that Works Hard For You 24 Hours a Day

* Tackle Nonfiction Markets Scrambling for Competent Writers

* Sell Your Writing to Various Outlets to Create Multiple Streams of Income

* And So Much More

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels, if you feel like you’re missing the one thing that’ll help launch your writing biz, if you want solid information (at a deep discount) that’ll help you generate a steady stream of assignments… nab your copy of this double feature today in your preferred format (.pdf, mobi, epub).

Click here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sprinter vs Marathoner… Which are You?

Beth Ann Erickson

Today I’m going to reveal a writing hack that’ll transform your writing session into a power guzzling, wordcrunching, mind zapping, something or another… some crazy brouhaha… er… eh, just forget it.

What’s up with all the hacks?

Get this “hack/product” and you can forget writing, just talk into your computer and words will magically appear, presumably with perfect punctuation, incredible flow,

(Pssst… No time to read? Want to nab the MP3? Scroll to the bottom. We’re talking six minutes this time.)

~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~

Hey Freelancer,

Well. After over five years of uncertainty, this past week I finally sashayed into the local cancer center, received my clean CAT scan and FINALLY rang that elusive bell.

I got my walking papers. I won’t go back. They’re done with me.

It’s surreal, thrilling, terrifying… so many emotions.

From here on in, I’ll have a yearly blood test to measure my CEA level and that’s it. I hardly know what to do with myself.

But, I wanted to share the good news, heaven knows you’ve heard lots of sadness in this space. And I appreciate every single kind word I received throughout that difficult time.

I’ve always said that Creative Entrepreneurs are some of the kindest people on the planet. And I still hold that opinion.

A tremendous “THANKS” for hanging out with me during this rough time. You totally rock. 😛

‘Til next time,

Beth 🙂

P.S. Check out Filbert Publishing’s bestsellers!

1. The Mocha Club Monthly Subscription (Where savvy Creative Entrepreneurs hang out.)

2. Stuck: Transforming Everything You Think You Know About Creative Blocks

3. Bob Bly’s Guide to Freelance Writing Success

4. Pocket Power: Become the Person You Were Born to Be

5. Jumpstart Your Writing Career and Snag Paying Assignments

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let’s talk shop!

This month in the Creative Entrepreneur Newsletter:

* Activism versus Persuasion (A real but misunderstood difference.)

* When you sell your writing, what… exactly… are you really peddling? (It’s probably not what you think.)

* Want an effortless way to keep in touch with your prospective readers? Yup. We talk about it.

Heck, it’s only 4.99 a month, the price of a mocha.

Freelancing is ever evolving… unrecognizable from when I began during the Internet stone age.

So… let’s untangle these crazy, all important topics. We’ll gossip (just a little). Share the latest and greatest info. Perhaps we’ll have a little fun, too.

Let’s hang out at the Mocha Club.

Get more info here (and download a complementary issue of The Creative Entrepreneur Newsletter. Just click here

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Writing One to One

Beth Ann Erickson

When it comes to persuasion, many newbie writers tend to make a few basic mistakes.

Before we get to that, let’s talk about persuasion. I’m going to propose the notion that most of what you’ll write has at least a modicum of persuasion attached to it. If you think even an informative piece doesn’t contain elements of persuasion, you’d likely be incorrect.

Word choice can affect your reader’s perception. Sources cited can skew perspective. Font, color, medium… all these factors will affect your message.

With all these factors influencing your reader’s opinion… how do you harness your writing skills to best reflect your thoughts?

Ha. Glad you asked. 😛

1. Know your reader. Seriously. Really know them as best you can. What do they like? What do they believe? What kind of language do they use?

2. Set the tone early. Let your reader know what they’re getting into. If they don’t like your style, they’ll exit early… and that’s a good thing. You want to build a readership,

~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~

Hey Freelancer,

Every now and again, I have the incredible opportunity to work on what I call a “passion project.” This project generally falls outside our established publishing niches, but it’s something near and dear to my heart, something I cannot put down.

Now, before you read on, I should note I’m about to discuss something deeply personal. If you get uncomfortable when it comes to discussing matters of faith, you may want to scroll to our awesome feature article. It’s by the magnificent Bob Bly! Consider yourself warned…

Lately, I’ve been chagrined to observe how the faith of my youth has transformed into something I don’t exactly recognize. Deep truths have been transformed into trite sound bites peppering the walls of big box retail stores. Complex Biblical passages are cited without context. Many folks appear to be somewhat unaware of what the Holy Bible actually says.

So, I figured I’d do my little bit to change that.

I, and my fabulous Filbert Publishing team, created what we call a “Consecrated Journal.” It’s a small Bible, no commentary with super wide margins, a perfect place to journal, doodle, study without feeling like you’re studying.

The first in this series is done and number two is ready for release very soon.

If you’re a person of faith, I hope you’ll check out this poignant series. (Plus, I made a fast one minute video to show how it works!)

I probably won’t mention this project much here, but considering how pleased I am with how this is unfolding, I figured it merited a mention. Peruse this beautiful volume here (plus, check out my one minute vid!) Ignore my messy desk, classy paper weight, and the strange black square blocking a credit card laying next to the book. Good grief! I need to work on my video-making game!

http://ConsecratedJournal.com

‘Til next time,

Beth 🙂

P.S. Check out our personal bestsellers!

1. Stuck: Transforming Everything You Think You Know About Creative Blocks

2. Bob Bly’s Guide to Freelance Writing Success

3. *New Title!* Pocket Power: Become the Person You Were Born to Be

4. Advice to Freelancers: Make a Living Loving Your Job

5. Jumpstart Your Writing Career and Snag Paying Assignments

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let’s talk shop!

This month in the Creative Entrepreneur Newsletter? We’re discussing advertising, audience selection, and some hard truths when it comes to persuasion. Oh… and if you want to make a living writing, make sure you do one thing first. (How’s that for a teaser?)

Heck, it’s only 4.99 a month, the price of a mocha.

Freelancing is ever evolving… unrecognizable from when I began during the Internet stone ages.

So… let’s untangle these crazy, all important topics. We’ll gossip (just a little). Share the latest and greatest info. Perhaps we’ll have a little fun, too.

Let’s hang out at the Mocha Club.

Get more info here (and download a complementary issue of The Creative Entrepreneur Newsletter.

Just click here: https://filbertpublishing.com/multi/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

25 Secrets of Online Marketing Success

~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~

Hey Freelancer,

Greetings and salutations from the Great White North. (Actually, it’s pretty brown around here.)

I’m in a pickle.

Recently invited to take part in what could be an interesting writing event, I’m having second thoughts. Thing is, time is precious. This shin-dig would represent 24 hours of travel, a week away from the office, and uncertain benefits.

Plus, I’m a hermit. Also, I’ve been on a creativity jag that I’m loathe to lose. Oh… and I’m slated for what could possibly be my final cancer check-up shortly thereafter… assuming my lymph nodes have shrunk, every bumple cooperates, and the vitals check out. Traveling doesn’t do much for my blood pressure and strange foods muck up the blood numbers.

But it’s quite an honor… one I don’t feel enthusiastic about.

So… I figured, why not see what you think? How do you make decisions like this? Send me your thoughts. You can hit up the comment section or just hit “reply.”

OHHHHH… and be sure to check out the MP3 version of this emag. If you like it, I’ll continue this fun experiment in upcoming issues. You can find it here:

‘Til next time,

Beth 🙂

P.S. Check out our personal bestsellers!

1. Stuck: Transforming Everything You Think You Know About Creative Blocks

2. Bob Bly’s Guide to Freelance Writing Success

3. *New Title!* Pocket Power: Become the Person You Were Born to Be

4. Advice to Freelancers: Make a Living Loving Your Job

5. Jumpstart Your Writing Career and Snag Paying Assignments

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let’s talk shop!

This month in the Creative Entrepreneur Newsletter? We’re discussing advertising your writing, audience selection, and some hard truths when it comes to persuasion. Oh… and if you want to make a living writing, make sure you do one thing first. (How’s that for a teaser?)

Heck, it’s only 4.99 a month, the price of a mocha.

Freelancing is ever evolving… unrecognizable from when I began during the Internet stone ages.

So… let’s untangle these crazy, all important topics. We’ll gossip (just a little). Share the latest and greatest info. Perhaps we’ll have a little fun, too.

Let’s hang out at the Mocha Club.

Get more info here (and download a complementary issue of The Creative Entrepreneur Newsletter.

Just click here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Freelancing Like A Farmer

Beth Ann Erickson

I began my illustrious freelance career with visions of tweed coats, elbow patches, cigars, and pensive photos. My mind’s eye saw a cluttered office, checks strewn across my desk, and waking to one illuminating thought after another. I believed I’d tap at the keyboard, mail queries, read my articles on glossy paper, and assignments would flow like water.

Small problem with that scenario. Tweed coats don’t look good on me. I don’t smoke, never have. And I usually wind up looking goofy in photos, no matter how hard I try to strike a pensive pose.

Ah, but my desk is cluttered. I do occasionally find a stray check in amongst the mounds of papers. But illuminating thoughts? Bah.

Life’s fabulous! Have a thick skin! Never let ‘em see you sweat! Think happy thoughts!

How do you handle social media glory with the realities of freelancing in a world that doesn’t always cooperate? Today Beth and Victoria tackle reality, thoughts on mindset, potential earnings, and much more. Better yet? They also discuss:

* A six figure tweak some unscrupulous marketers use to make their income seem higher

* Where positive thinking can go awry

* What to do when you hit a brick wall

* Why if you hear a writer claiming to make “five figures” a month, you better do a little more math…

* Beware turning disappointment inward. Victoria has a strategy for avoiding that behavior

* Bonus: Victoria reveals her Hollywood roots! (Thanks for the Memories!)

* Double Bonus: Watch Victoria’s face when Beth brings up the KU strategy of releasing a book every 30 days

Tune in for an irreverent, fun discussion. 🙂

Links mentioned: Victoria’s website: http://RosendahlMethod.com

The Cocky Podcast: https://filbertpublishing.com/the-great-cocky-scandal/

How does trademark work? What are the implications of trademarking certain words?

Today Beth and Victoria (who just happens to be a retired attorney) discuss the current #CockyGate situation, ripples, reactions, publicity, infamy, obscurity… my goodness. Hopefully this level-headed discussion will add to this ever evolving, sometimes volatile story.

Victoria’s website: http://TheRosendahlMethod.com

An interview with the ever fabulous Victoria Rosendahl! Video below, audio at the end of this post.

Today I speak with dear friend, wonderful writer, and savvy marketer Victoria Rosendahl of TheRosendahlMethod.com. A consummate storyteller, Victoria details how she built a solid freelance career by focusing on her strengths as a novelist.

Discussion includes solid freelancing techniques, how to avoid expensive pitfalls, we’ll check out some new hacks, and review long term strategies that actually work.

Websites Mentioned:

http://TheRosendahlMethod.com

http://FilbertPublishing.com

Mark Redmond is the creator of the Arty Anderson Series. With lively characters, Redmond tackles thorny philosophical issues with a deft hand, all framed by a solid Christian faith. However, mystery, intrigue, and a really great story is always first priority.

In today’s podcast, Beth and Mark discuss:

* How writing fits into his busy schedule

* Working with collaborators

* Advice to writers breaking into the genre

* His favorite promotion techniques

Pull up a chair and enjoy the ride! It’s a fun interview…

Websites mentioned:

http://MarkLRedmond.com

http://FilbertPublishing.com

Hey Freelancer,

I’ve got another snarly, head scratching scenario on tap today.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not some sort of saint. However, you probably won’t convince me that cutting corners, borderline cheating, gaming the system is worth it in the long run.

Case in point: in today’s article, I talk about an acquaintance who just last night hit a bestseller list. But, as I outline in my commentary, I’m not sure it was worth it…

Ack. When did this whole publishing/freelancing gig get so complicated, and so filled with impatient folks who disregard common sense?

Oh well. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this! Feel free to head to http://FilbertPublishing.com and toss a comment on this.

‘Til next time,

Beth 🙂

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everything You Need to Jumpstart Your Writing Career

Combine two Filbert Publishing’s best sellers, Jumpstart Your Writing Career (and Snag Paying Assignments) and101 No Cost (and Low Cost) Techniques to Turbo Charge Your Writing Career, and you’ve got powerful information that’ll get you on the road to earning a living as a writer. Fast.

These are down and dirty techniques, no fluff here, on how to:

* Land Long Term Clients

* Write Stellar Queries that Help Sell Your Writing

* Create an Effective Website that Works Hard For You 24 Hours a Day

* Tackle Nonfiction Markets Scrambling for Competent Writers

* Sell Your Writing to Various Outlets to Create Multiple Streams of Income

* And So Much More

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels, if you feel like you’re missing the one thing that’ll help launch your writing biz, if you want solid information that’ll help you generate a steady stream of assignments… nab your copy of this double feature today. Click here.

NOTE: Introductory pricing ends very soon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Is this gaming the system? If so, is it worth it?

Beth Ann Erickson

http://FilbertPublishing.com

Last night an acquaintance of mine hit a bestseller chart. That’s generally good news. Except this time, I was left scratching my head. Allow me to explain:

When I launched Filbert Publishing back in ‘01, I generally followed basic publishing rules, one of which was this: Always place your book in the appropriate category so potential readers can find it.

Not complicated, eh? It apparently is now.

Seems there’s a publishing strategy that maintains that customer discoverability is less important than bestseller status.

In this case, the author just released a thriller. Fiction. She apparently placed her book in the “Health, fitness, and Dieting” category. Uhhh… that’s nonfiction.

Turns out, the author found a category that wouldn’t be difficult to rise through the ranks. She placed her book in that category, sold a few copies, and boom… Amazon bestseller, in that particular category.

But… what about the reader? If you were perusing Health, Fitness, and Dieting to find a new book and you ran into a thriller… would that matter?

If you wrote a legit book in that category, would you appreciate your area being inundated with fiction, something not remotely related to your topic?

If you were a legit thriller author and were selling more books than this author, would you appreciate her bestselling status?

I don’t have any answers for this. In fact, I was pretty surprised to find fiction creeping into hard core nonfiction areas.

So here’s my question: Does this matter?

~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~

Hey Freelancer,

Lina, the Flamepoint Siamese kitten, is on her first diet. Vet said she’s beginning to resemble a wood tick.

Sigh.

I’m on a diet, too. Heck, I’ve been on a diet pretty much my entire adult life. Colon cancer put me on a really weird range of acceptable foods. But to put a kitten on a stricter food plan? I feel her pain.

She’s definitely a Siamese. This means she talks. A lot. Constantly. I get the definite impression that she’s not real pleased with this development.

And her diet? It’s really not that bad. At this point, we just have to curb the treats. No “milkbones” when Jake (the Mini Pinscher) goes outside. (They like to celebrate his accomplishment together.) No more tuna treats. Salmon bites? Gone. We were told to quit doling out Friskies Party Mix like popcorn, too.

Please don’t judge me. I miss Ru, my dearly departed Doxie cross. In response to my grief, I’ve apparently decided to slowly ruin my lovely Lina’s health by systematically overfeeding her. :/

But no more.

Now, she eats kitten food. Only kitten food. That’s it. Nothing more.

The result? Everything about this new lifestyle displeases Lina. My office has become a cacophony of feline complaints.

And I love every minute. Jeepers, that girl is cute!

Onward and upward,

Beth 🙂

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The first month of 2018 is in the can. Have you turbocharged your writing career yet?

How’s this:

Combine two Filbert Publishing’s best sellers, Jumpstart Your Writing Career (and Snag Paying Assignments) and101 No Cost (and Low Cost) Techniques to Turbo Charge Your Writing Career, and you’ve got powerful information that’ll get you on the road to earning a living as a writer. Fast.

These are down and dirty techniques, no fluff here, on how to:

* Land Long Term Clients

* Write Stellar Queries that Help Sell Your Writing

* Create an Effective Website that Works Hard For You 24 Hours a Day

* Tackle Nonfiction Markets Scrambling for Competent Writers

* Sell Your Writing to Various Outlets to Create Multiple Streams of Income

* And So Much More

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels, if you feel like you’re missing the one thing that’ll help launch your writing biz, if you want solid information that’ll help you generate a steady stream of assignments… nab your copy of this double feature today.

Click Here. 🙂

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Four Vital Marketing Steps

By Beth Erickson

Last time I discussed how annoyed I got when a stranger hit me up on Facebook asking if I’d buy her book. Another time, a self proclaimed “guru” got all friendly on that same message format, introduced himself, then broadsided the conversation, asking me to purchase his service.

While figuring out how to sell your writing online can sometimes feel frustrating, it’s important to remember a few basic principles before you start.

Hanging out your shingle online is similar to setting up shop in a small town. While people tend to be naturally friendly, never assume they’ll just pull out their wallets and start handing out cash because you’re so gosh darned talented, competent, wonderful… whatever.

Nope. That’s not how it works.

First, your potential customers have to be aware of your existence. They need to “know” you. Ever hear of the marketing mantra “location, location, location?” That’s fairly true online as well.