Welcome to THE WELL-FED E-PUB!

 

The companion monthly ezine to the quadruple-award-winning how-to guide, ÒThe Well-Fed WriterÓ (http://www.wellfedwriter.com). Serving up food for thought and tasty tips for the prospering FLCW*. Come on in, sit anywhere and bring your appetite!

 

*FLCW, peppered throughout the ezine, stands for ÒFreelance Commercial WriterÓ—anyone who freelances for businesses (vs. writing magazine articles, short stories, poetry, etc.), typically earns $50-125+ an hour, and is the sole focus of this e-newsletter. 

 

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VOLUME 11, ISSUE 10 – OCTOBER 2012

Publishing the first Tuesday of every month since May 2002 

Read it Online at: http://www.wellfedwriter.com/ezine/oct2012.html

 

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WELL-FED GROUP COACHING SERIES #10 STARTS 10/16/12!

Just 2 slots (of 12) left, and I wonÕt be doing another till spring at least, so donÕt wait! All details/testimonials: http://wellfedwriter.com/groupcoaching.shtml            

 

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ÒTHE WELL-FED SELF-PUBLISHER BLOGÓ IS NOW LIVE!!

Long overdue, but finally up and running. To weigh on the welcome post and subscribe, visit http://www.wellfedsp.com/blog

 

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PARTNER WITH DESIGNERS FOR A LOW-EFFORT FLOW OF WRITING JOBS!

Details here: http://www.wellfedwriter.com/partnerwithdesignersebook.shtml.

 

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NEW 1-ON-1 COACHING PROGRAMS: SAMPLE/SITE REVIEW & ÒSIDECARÓ!

Low-cost peace of mind and guidance: http://wellfedwriter.com/mentoring.shtml.

 

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Check out The WELL-FED WRITER BLOG! Weigh in on ÒWhy ArenÕt You Still Working with that Client from 2008 (or Earlier)?Ó; ÒHow I Get Copywriting Clients Through SEO: The Good, the Bad and the UglyÓ; and more! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog.

 

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I NEED YOUR SHORT (100-200 words) SUCCESS STORIES for the E-PUB!

Landed a great client? Had a successful marketing campaign? Done something else that boosted your FLCW income? Send them to peter@wellfedwriter.com. 

 

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THIS MONTHÕS MENU:

 

I. APPETIZER: GOT OPTIMISM? HEREÕS WHY YOU SHOULDÉ

Steady Success Stories Undermine the Relevance of ÒThe State of the EconomyÓ

 

II. ÒFIELDÓ GREENS: A PRIMER ON EMAIL SUBJECT LINES!

Marketing Pro Offers Tips to Ensure Emails Get Opened, Read, and Acted On!

 

III. MAIN ÒMEATÓ COURSE: MORE EARLY COLD-CALLING SUCCESS!

New Aussie FLCWÕs First 60 Calls Yields Steady $1200-1500 Weekly Income!

 

IV. DESSERT: Sweet Success Stories and Tips

New FLCW Spends $20 of Last Paycheck, Buys TWFW, Comes Backs from Edge!

TIP: Dump Multitasking for ÒSingle-Tasking,Ó and Do More and Better Work!

 

V. COFFEE, MINTS AND TOOTHPICKS

- MORE WORK WITH LESS EFFORT? New Ebook Serves Up the ÒHow-ToÓ!  

- THE WELL-FED E-PUB NEEDS ALL COURSES!

- The WELL-FED WRITER BLOG is RockinÕ! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog

- AWAI Copywriting (& Other) Courses: Register Here, Get Bonus CD!

- How Can My Mentoring Service Serve You?

 

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I. APPETIZER: GOT OPTIMISM? HEREÕS WHY YOU SHOULDÉ

Steady Success Stories Undermine the Relevance of ÒThe State of the EconomyÓ

 

I put out a call for success stories a few months back and a bunch of folks sent theirs on. And they continue to come in. IÕve gotten them not only from experienced folks but newbies as well (in case anyoneÕs thinking that itÕs just the experienced FLCWÕs who are successfully weathering the downturn; not so). Seems clients at all levels are hiring souls like us, and paying good rates (I'm hearing $50-60 on up to $150+ an hour)  

 

Now, I could reasonably conclude that things are picking up in general out there (always a comforting idea to Òlive intoÓ), but then realized something interesting: IÕve never stopped getting good success stories all through the Òdown economy.Ó It seemed there was always a segment of folks out there doing well—some going as far as to tell me they were having one of their best years yet.

 

Yes, IÕve often heard of generalized price resistance—even from clients whoÕd never balked before. But no wholesale collapse in the demand for writers. Not even close.

 

And as long as I steadily kept hearing good news from writers everywhere, it bolstered my long-time assertion: that the Òstate of the economyÓ actually has little bearing on any given FLCWÕs quest for financial sufficiency. If the economy really had some universal impact on ALL FLCWÕs, then goodbye success stories. But, still they come.

 

As IÕve said ad nauseum, one FLCW needs an absolutely infinitesimal slice of the overall commercial freelancing pie out there to make a really good living. If you keep this fact (and it IS a fact) front and center in your mind, youÕll start giving less weight to the utterings of the prophets of doom out there, and more to the voices of logic and reason.

 

IÕm NOT trying to say, ÒItÕs all in your head.Ó The downturn was/is real, and itÕs had its impact on our world. I just want to give you another, perhaps more empowering idea (and, in truth, a more accurate one) to chew on. And speaking of that, letÕs eat!

 

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II. ÒFIELDÓ GREENS: A PRIMER ON EMAIL SUBJECT LINES!

Marketing Pro Offers Tips to Ensure Emails Get Opened, Read, and Acted On!

 

Yet another exceptionally useful edition of marketing maven Marcia YudkinÕs ÒMarketing MinuteÓ (to subscribe, http://www.yudkin.com/markmin.htm). This one offers some valuable tips and strategies to up the odds that the subject lines on your marketing emails—whether for your own business or your clientsÕ—get read!

 

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Want more of your email messages opened, read and acted upon? Many email inbox programs show only the first 25 characters or so of your subject line. Therefore, either

keep your subject line that short or load the important trigger words in front.

 

Suppose, for example, your industry is buzzing about a new compliance requirement.

 

BAD SUBJECT LINE:

Read This If You're Not Confident About D36 Compliance

 

Truncating this at 25 characters yields: Read This If You're Not C

 

BETTER VERSIONS:

 

Unsure On D36 Compliance?

D36 Compliance Tips

D36: Best 5 Ways to Comply

 

Other guidelines for email-subject-line success:

 

1) Highlight what's timely, urgent, surprising or valuable inside the email.

 

2) Avoid repeating what recipients already see. If the ÒfromÓ box says ÒNewman IT,Ó you donÕt need to repeat the company name in a subject line like ÒNewman IT Offers

Network Tuneup Special.Ó

 

3) Spam filtering now usually allows the word ÒFreeÓ in subject lines, so you donÕt need to mangle its spelling.

 

4) Aim for temptation, but not complete mystery.

 

BAD SUBJECT LINE:

How well will you score?

 

BETTER:

Take Our D36 Readiness Test

 

MASTER BREVITY:  Learn many tricks and techniques for conciseness that come in handy not only for email subject lines but also for crisper, clearer communication in

general. My report ÒShorterÓ includes exercises where you try condensing writing passages, then compare with my versions that are up to 55 percent briefer.

 

http://www.yudkin.com/shorter.htm

 

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III. MAIN ÒMEATÓ COURSE: MORE EARLY COLD-CALLING SUCCESS!

New Aussie FLCWÕs First 60 Calls Yields Steady $1200-1500 Weekly Income!

 

Got yet ANOTHER wonderful early-days success story, this one from Melbourne, Australia FLCW Andrea Drew (www.andrea-drew.com). To parrot my caveat from last monthÕs similar tale (archived at http://wellfedwriter.com/ezine/sept2012.html), while such early success is obviously possible, donÕt be surprised if it takes longer than it did for Andrea in Oz, or Lou Anne in Canada, but inspiring stories, nonetheless. Enjoy!

 

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IÕd been a resume writer from 1998 to 2011, so I could earn a regular income writing from home and be there for my children. In July 2011, I sold the business, got into copywriting, but wasnÕt able to get much money in the door.

 

I took a full-time job, but after about six months, was so frazzled, I resigned. IÕd read your original edition of TWFW, so I bought and read the updated one, and decided to go cold turkey on building a copywriting practice, but with no safety net. I just HAD to make it work. Nothing like being hungry as motivation!

 

I decided the most economical way to get some clients fast was to apply the chapter in TWFW about cold calling. I hated the idea, but thought to myself: ÒHmmm, starve and not be afraid and stay in my comfort zone. OR pick the phone, face my fears, get some copywriting clients, and earn the money I need and want.Ó Easy choice.

 

Note: the idea you share in the book about focusing on making calls, NOT the results of the calls, helped me to no end!

 

My first day of cold calling was Thursday July 12, 2012. I focused on web designers in Melbourne, Australia (where IÕm based), as my portfolio consisted primarily of web copywriting work. I got my list from the online Yellow Pages, then practiced the script from the book so much I realized I was just stalling and delaying the inevitable. 

 

I prepared to make my first call. My heart beat fast, my palms got sweaty and truly, I started to shake. That first call was the most scary and intimidating of all of them.

 

But you know what? While I only spoke to ten people that day, every single one was polite and kind, and three actually apologized for not having any work for me! The next day was Friday the 13th, and while you say in the book that Fridays arenÕt an ideal day for calling, I went ahead anyway, this time making 50 calls my target.

 

I made 48 calls that day, and not one of the 58 prospects I called over two days was rude in any way, shape or form. They were supportive, and sounded surprised and pleased I had called them (I figured they didnÕt get many calls such as mine!).

 

But guess what? Five of those 48 calls I made that day are hot prospects and two of them, IÕm writing for right now. They loved what I did for them (they wanted website articles and a safety sign rewritten). I quoted them both $110 per article, knowing each article would take me less than 2 hours @ $55 per hour. 

 

However, they actually only ended up taking around 45 minutes each with research so IÕm making actually closer to $120 per hour for my first copywriting projects!! After I finish a project, they ask me to quote their next project. Love it!

 

I presently have enough work to keep me going for the next couple of weeks, and after that, IÕll be following up with several of the other hot prospects whoÕve hinted at upcoming larger projects. All from less than 60 calls over two days. Forget elance.com, and working for $20 per hour. More like $100+ per hour as a newbie!

 

And, if and when the work slows down, IÕll get on the phone and make more calls in a heartbeat. Not only do I enjoy these calls (yes, I mean that; I DO enjoy it now!) but I know what these calls mean for me and my family. A new lifestyle where there are no worries about where the money is coming from (it just keeps on rolling in!) and I love what IÕm doing. I currently work about 15 hours weekly and am making around $1200-$1500+ per week.

 

Where else can you do that for such low marketing cost? Those calls cost me just pennies and my time (which I had plenty of before I got so busy!). Peter, I canÕt tell you what your book, your recommendations and assistance has meant to me and my family. The future is so bright, IÕve gotta wear shades.

 

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IV. DESSERT: Sweet Success Stories and Tips

New FLCW Spends $20 of Last Paycheck, Buys TWFW, Comes Backs from Edge!

TIP: Dump Multitasking for ÒSingle-TaskingÓ and Do More and Better Work!

 

Getting notes like the one below absolutely make my day. Nothing beats feeling youÕve made a difference for someone, AND receiving yet more confirmation that this opportunity is viable. This one comes from a budding FLCW who prefers to remain anonymous. As IÕm quick to remind folks who send me notes like this: ÒI may have given you the idea, but YOU did it.Ó AND, it still feels pretty darn good. After that, a tip from yours truly about an exceptionally simple way to boost your productivity!    

 

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Your book literally saved my life! My husband had been unemployed or underemployed for about two years, and I'd put my dream of being a writer on hold to work as a receptionist just to make ends meet. When my job was unexpectedly downsized, I spent $20 out of my last paycheck to buy ÒThe Well-Fed Writer,Ó because I had literally nothing else to look forward to after my unemployment check.

 

IÕm not at full-time income yet, but IÕm making money doing what I love, with a hope of a future and more money to come. More importantly, IÕm not afraid of losing the house anymore. Thank you so much!

 

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IÕve been experimenting lately with an intriguing concept: SINGLE-TASKING. I know, sounds downright dowdy, right? This in the wake of an interesting chat with a consultant friend who helps people be more efficient and productive.

 

Quick to point out that Òmultitasking is a mythÓ (actually, experts will say, what youÕre really doing is ÒswitchtaskingÓ), he points to research showing that focusing intensely for up to 60-90 minutes on ONE task will not only allow you to go deeper and produce higher-quality work on the task at hand, but to get more done, period.  

 

IÕve tried it (and yes, that means turning off your email and not answering your phone for those periods), and I can tell you it works. Google the phrase ÒThe myth of multitasking,Ó and youÕll be amazed at how much comes up (including the title of a book by the same name, along with countless articles, blog posts, etc.).

 

Turns out (and, deep down, didnÕt we all suspect as much?), that multitasking, a baseline skill set for any self-respecting New Millennia Business Warrior, is kind of a crock. How many days of switching madly back and forth between endless tasks have ended in genuine mystification at how LITTLE weÕve actually accomplished? IÕm sure IÕm the only one. Give it a try. All you have to lose is your UN-productivity.      

 

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V. COFFEE, MINTS AND TOOTHPICKS

- MORE WORK WITH LESS EFFORT? New Ebook Serves Up the ÒHow-ToÓ!  

- THE WELL-FED E-PUB NEEDS ALL COURSES!

- The WELL-FED WRITER BLOG is RockinÕ! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog

- AWAI Copywriting (& Other) Courses: Register Here, Get Bonus CD!

- How Can My Mentoring Service Serve You?

 

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MORE WORK WITH LESS EFFORT? New Ebook Serves Up the ÒHow-ToÓ!

ThatÕs not hype. ItÕs how my business has worked for the better part of 18 years, thanks to some juicy partnerships with graphic designers. The result? 1-2 jobs virtually every month with little or no effort on my part. And I put all the how-to details down on paper. Check it out at http://www.wellfedwriter.com/partnerwithdesignersebook.shtml.

 

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IÕM SERIOUSLY LOW ON ALL WELL-FED E-PUB COURSES!

Got a great strategy, approach or specific expertise youÕre willing to share? Turn it into a Feature (MAIN COURSE) for the EPUB (500-600 words; query first). ALSO, send your ÒGREENSÓ (200-300 words), TIPS (150-200) and SUCCESS STORIES (100-300) to peter@wellfedwriter.com. Archived issues at http://www.wellfedwriter.com/ezine.shtml. 

 

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The WELL-FED WRITER BLOG is RockinÕ! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog

 

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AWAI COPYWRITING (& OTHER) COURSES: Register Here, Get Your Choice of Bonus CD Program! Six-Figure Copywriting, Graphic Design, Internet Writing, Fundraising, Health Market and more! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/awai.shtml.

 

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HOW CAN MY MULTIPLE MENTORING PROGRAMS SERVE YOU?

For details and testimonials, visit http://www.wellfedwriter.com/mentoring.shtml.

 

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