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Writing Etc. – September 15, 2006

ISSN: 1545-5580

Tips, Techniques, and Resources to Transform You From An Average Freelancer to A Highly Paid Professional.

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To subscr*ibe to Writing Etc. and receive the fr*e e-book, “Power Queries,” surf here:

http://filbertpublishing.com

Hey, did you know you can get your hands on 150+ webpages of fre* writing info? Just head to http://FilbertPublishing.com and dig around. You can also visit our High Profit Writing Vault by clicking the link below. Enjoy!

Forward Writing Etc. to all your writing friends! They’ll be glad you did.

For easier reading and red hot links, surf to http://filbertpublishing.com/current.html

Your Key to the High Profit Writing vault is here:   http://filbertpublishing.com/Top_Secret_Vault.html

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Notes from Minnesota

A Simple E-mail Technique Will Land More Paying Assignments by Beth Ann Erickson

Paying Markets

You Speak Out: Q&A

~~~~~Highly Recommended~~~~~~~~~~

Four years in the making. Information like none other.

Over 101 battle-tested techniques to utterly turbo-charge your freelance income.

Get all the juicy details here: http://filbertpublishing.com/101.html

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Greetings from Minnesota!

I’m thrilled to report that comments coming in for my latest book, “101 No Cost (and Low Cost) Techniques to Turbo Charge Your Freelance Income” are universally positive.

That’s very gratifying and I appreciate every time someone takes the time to send in an encouraging word.

I spent far too much time on that project, but in the end I’m glad I took my time and am pleased with how it turned out.

I hope you enjoy this abbreviated version of Writing Etc. I’m swamped today… I know. Happy problem.

We’ll talk more next week.

To your success,

Beth

P.S. Be nab your own copy of “101” At this link: http://filbertpublishing.com/101.html

P.P.S. Freelancers are gushing over our first fre* e-course. Plus we have more in the works! Check ‘em out at FilbertPublishing.com 

~~~~~~~~~~~Advertisement~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

While many freelance writers struggle to earn a decent wage, Bob Bly has proven again and again, year after year, that it’s not only possible to earn far more, it’s possible to to transform words into a $100,000 per year freelancing business.

And he shares all his secrets within these pages. Secrets like:

• The hidden market most freelancers overlook that can boost your income to unbelievable levels
• The “quiet” magazine market that’s easy to break into and often pays very well
• How to ask for (and get) the fees you deserve
• How to use Bob’s “positioning” techniques to set you apart from your competition
• How to write a “bullet proof” book proposal
• 22 rules for successful self promotion
• Insider secrets to effectively use the Internet to reach your income goals
• How to do more... in less time

Bly goes on to list resources... books, websites, organizations and magazines... that are designed to help you succeed as a freelance writer.

Bob Bly’s Guide to Freelance Writing Success is an indispensable resource for the serious freelancer. Bly’s track record is impeccable. And now he’s spilling his secrets.

Get your own copy today: http://filbertpublishing.com/bob.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~ Feature Article ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Simple E-mail Technique Will Land More Paying Assignments

By Beth Ann Erickson

Never send an e-mail message without including a short message advertising your business. You can easily set up your e-mail program to insert an e-mail signature at the end of every message you send. Just dig through the “help” section of your e-mail program and you’ll very likely find step-by-step instructions to insert your benefit-oriented signature into every e-mail.

So… how do you go about writing a signature?

Here are a few basic rules to follow:

1. Generally speaking, keep it short. No more than seven lines is the industry standard. Make your signature longer, and you’ll likely raise the ire of those e-mail recipients who are forced to slog through an over-long sales pitch.
2. Make your signature benefit oriented. Don’t talk about yourself, write about what you can do for your reader.
3. Keep it simple. Don’t try to advertise more than one item. I opt to promote my e-zine, Writing Etc. That way, if I gain a new subscriber, I can pitch our other products to them on a regular basis.

I once knew someone who considered themselves to be an effective marketer. They’d constructed a high-powered signature that hard sold everything from copywriting services to CDs to vitamins. Not surprisingly, that “power sig” didn’t sell much of anything.

Don’t make this mistake. Keep your signature simple. Ask for one and only one action on the part of your reader. If you have multiple books, send your prospective customer to your home page. Get ‘em to sign up for a zine. But only ask ONE thing of your reader. Ask for more and they’ll instantly ignore any direction from you.

That’s basically it! Just for your reference, here’s my standard e-mail signature that we’ve used for years:

Make Your Writing Sparkle.  Write Killer Queries.  Get Published. Subscribe to Writing Etc., the FREE e-mag for writers.  Receive the e-booklet "Power Queries" when you subscribe.  http://FilbertPublishing.com

Notice how the signature focuses on the reader, not on the zine. Also note the short sentences and the freebie thrown in for good measure. Also, see how it’s easy to read, it’s focused on one item, and best of all… it’s short.

Now… this signature’s been used for a long time. You may be wondering about ad fatigue.

Nope. After much testing, we haven’t found a signature that beats this one yet.

Model your signature after this one and your sales will spike. Guaranteed.

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Beth Ann Erickson is the “Queen Bee” of Filbert Publishing. She’s also the author of numerous titles including “101 No Cost and Low Cost Secrets To Turbo Charge Your Freelance Income.” Pick up your copy today at http://filbertpublishing.com/101.html She’s also a busy copywriter, speaker, and publisher of Writing Etc., the free e-mag for writers. 

P.S. You can use this article free of charge on your own website or zine. Just don’t make any changes and be sure to include the entire byline. Enjoy!

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Paying Markets – check ‘em out!

Book Publishers:

Daw

http://www.dawbooks.com/static/html/submissions.html

Dorchester

http://www.dorchesterpub.com/Dorch/SubmissionGuidlines.cfm

Free Spirit

http://www.freespirit.com/company/submissions.cfm

Lark Books

http://www.larkbooks.com/submissions/AuthorsGuidelines.asp

Neal Schuman Publishers

http://www.neal-schuman.com/submission.html

Peach Tree

http://www.peachtree-online.com/Adults/info.htm#submissions

Santa Monica Press

http://www.santamonicapress.com/AuthorIndex.html

Avon

http://www.harpercollins.com/footer/avonGuidelines.aspx

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You Speak Out: Q&A

Question:

How do I avoid getting sued for libel?

Answer:

I’m not a lawyer so I can’t dispense legal advice. However I found a few handy links that can jumpstart your own research. Here they are:

A Quick Guide to Libel: http://www.northernstar.info/nina/highschool/quick.html

Avoiding Libel: http://www.pa-newspaper.org/web/2006/01/quick_response_libel_avoiding_libel.aspx

Verifying Sources: http://www.dba-oracle.com/internet_linking_libel_lawsuit.htm

Question: I want to write for seniorpreneurs. What resources can you find for me?

Answer: Seniorpreneurs are a FAST growing segment of our population. Educated, smart, and (sometimes) voracious readers, savvy writers will not ignore this fabulous audience.

Here are a few links:

A White Paper: http://www.cecc.com.au/programs/resource_manager/accounts/seaanz_papers/60WeberSchaper.pdf

Article from 50+.com:

http://en.50plus.com/display.cfm?DocumentID=9972&cabinetID=329&libraryID=104

Another interesting article:

http://www.preparedontdespair.com/pddnetwork/home.nsf/Article/03D46B5CA53CE3A788256F0F000102D2?OpenDocument

MoneyCentral:

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/RetirementandWills/PlayingCatchUp/NewRetirementScaleBackButWorkOn.aspx

Got questions? Send ‘em here:  http://www.filbertpublishing.com/tinc?key=TTjJjZfx&formname=question

We answer each and every freelance question in the order they come in. You get your answer in an upcoming issue of Writing Etc.

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We Recommend:

Writing For Dollars! The FREE ezine for writers featuring tips, tricks and ideas for selling what you write. Receive the FREE ebook, 83 WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WRITING when you subscribe. Email to subscribe@writingfordollars.com -*- http://www.WritingForDollars.com

WRITERS FIND MARKETS EASILY - Worldwide Freelance has a NEW fully-searchable Markets Database. Discover writing markets from North America, Europe, Australia and other places. It's free, so come and try it out here: http://www.worldwidefreelance.com

Information Marketers! Discover the copywriter who knows the unique demands of your industry and can help you sell a ton of product. http://BethAnnErickson.com

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Writing Etc.

Box 326

Kandiyohi, MN 56251

Maurice and Beth Erickson, Publishers

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© 2006 Filbert Publishing