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Writing Etc./Filbert Publishing News – May 1, 2012
ISSN: 1545-5580
Make Your Writing Sparkle. Write Killer Queries, Get Published.
Join the brightest, most ambitious, and talented group of writers on the ‘net.
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To subscr*ibe to Writing Etc. and receive the fr*e e-book, “Power Queries,” surf here:
http://filbertpublishing.com

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

You can easily manage your subscription to Writing Etc. by clicking the links at the end of this e-mail.

If you want to read this online, surf here: http://filbertpublishing.com/current.html. Otherwise, just keep reading, it's all in this e-mail. Enjoy!

~~~~~ In this Issue ~~~~~

* From the Office
* Notes from Minnesota
* Feature Article
* Your Questions Answered
* News and Markets

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From the Office:

It's getting warm. The outdoors is calling my name. I'm keeping 'er short today.

We've got more about queries on tap, markets, some news... enjoy!

Beth

 
Filbert Publishing Best Sellers:

1. The Almach (Novel) Kindle e-book
http://www.amazon.com/The-Almach-ebook/dp/B003V8BST0/

2. How to Achieve Your Goals, Manage Time and Truly Live 24 Hours A Day: A Filbert's Fast Guide, Kindle e-book
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SHM4K2

3. Advice to Freelance Writers Volumes 1 – 3 trade paperback plus CD set
http://filbertpublishing.com/Creative.html

4. Advice to Freelance Writers Volumes 1 – 3 .pdf e-book
http://filbertpublishing.com/Advice13.html

5. 101 No Cost (and Low Cost) Techniques to Turbo Charge Your Freelance Income e-book
http://filbertbooks.com/101.html

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Check out the blogs:
http://BethAnnErickson.com
http://PlantBasedChefs.com

Follow me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beth-Ann-Erickson/143474998699

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/bethannerickson

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Notes from Minnesota

Hey Freelancer!

People are funny. I got a weird e-mail this week. It went something like this:

“Ha. I haven't seen any new pictures of you on Facebook. Bet you've gained all your weight back. I knew plant based eating didn't work.”

Sigh.

It's true, I haven't posted any new pics on Facebook lately. It's no conspiracy, it's simply because nobody's taken any new pics of me lately. Busy, I guess.

However, I can report that my weight has changed a bit since last we spoke, I've actually lost some more weight and I should break the 90 pounds down mark in no time at all.

I'll get new pics up when I get a picture, some time, and an Internet connection on my camera.

People are funny...

Talk later and write on,

Beth :)

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Advice to Freelancers... how to avoid (surprisingly common) errors the vast majority of freelance writers make.

How do you land clients? How do you get published? How do you snag a readership? What makes for an effective query? How do I market online?

What do I need to know to write effective sales pieces (queries) that sell what I write?

How do I make a living freelancing?

This resource represents the perfect blend of hard-core, down-to earth, use it today marketing information mixed with all-important mindset mojo to keep ideas humming and creativity flowing.

In my latest book set, “Advice to Freelance Writers: Insider Secrets to Effective Shoestring Marketing, Managing a Winning Mindset, and Thriving in Any Economy,” I cover all this and more. Plus, you can now grab it as a .pdf e-book at a special discount.

Click here: http://filbertpublishing.com/Advice13.html 

P.S. Remember, you can now download all this great information – over 400 pages worth – for only 14.95.

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Are your queries getting read (part deux)? Lessons from a copywriter.
Beth Ann Erickson

Last time I promised to talk about queries, specifically how to get them read. So, let's get hopping.

First challenge: get the envelope opened. We've already talked about that. Now you need to get the query read.

Your first sentence is incredibly important. In fact, feel free to spread this sentiment to your entire first paragraph. Copywriters call this first section (paragraph) of your letter as the “lead.”

In this paragraph, you’re leading your reader into the idea of what you’re wanting them to feel, or think. Oh, and you want to make it their idea to come to the only logical conclusion... they want what you’re selling.

We’re building up to the actual sales presentation here.

The lead will build on your fantastic headline and direct your reader down a logical (yet exciting) path to actually purchasing whatever it is you’re selling.

You’re showing the reader what you’ve got will enhance their life, relieve a problem.

Again, you focus on the reader, not the product. The product really ought to become invisible... everything’s about what the product will do for your reader, not about the product itself.

For example, if you’re subscribing to a magazine, you’re not signing up to get a bundle of paper delivered to your mailbox each month. Nope. You’re subscribing to achieve a new way of life, discover secrets that’ll meet an inner need.

So, if you’re paging through a local publication and find a company that manufactures widgets, if their advertising says things like, “Our widgets do this... our widgets do that,” you know you can write a better ad simply because you know to focus on the reader rather than the product.

Contact ‘em. Do it now. Offer to turn their advertising from an expense to a profit center.

Businesses (especially local ones) routinely forget the WIIFM mantra. (In case you forgot, WIIFM means “What’s in it for me.”)

When you write the ad, ask yourself, “What is the biggest problem concerning the person attracted to this ad?” After you figure this out, then position your product as the solution to that problem. Pretty simple, eh?

Another example: Back in the ‘80s many perfume companies ran ads that made no sense whatsoever. You’d see misty images, vague music, characters filled with angst. Round about the last few seconds you might see the perfume logo, sometimes you didn’t. If you didn’t see this little blip of a logo at the end, you generally had NO idea what was being advertised.

“Image advertising,” is what that type of advertising is called. Madison Avenue specializes in this but it’s close to useless. Throwing money down a hole, in fact.

If you advise any of your clients to do this, you should be sued for malpractice.

Nope. Savvy marketers measure everything. They KNOW which ads are working and which aren’t. Then they adjust their marketing efforts with each new result that comes in.

Whenever you advertise, be sure your intentions are clear, the images are related to your product, you include a call to action, AND you find a way to measure results.

Use a department number in the ad. Offer a free sample, using a tracking code on the coupon. Send them to a specific page on your website and track traffic from there. Include an “extension” with the telephone number.

When I run ads, I include a phone number and an extension. When people call and ask for “extension 4,” I’ll know when that ad ran, where it ran, and can track results. Do the same.

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This was an excerpt from, “Advice to Freelance Writers: Insider Secrets to Effective Shoestring Marketing, Managing a Winning Mindset, and Thriving in Any Economy,” I cover all this and more. Plus, you can now grab it as a 400+ page .pdf e-book here: http://filbertpublishing.com/Advice13.html

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No time to write?

Do you need time to finish a special project, work on your dream, read a favorite book, but just aren't sure how to carve some time out of your already packed schedule? Well, I'm about to rock your world.

Slating time to truly live within a 24 hour period shouldn't be treated as a luxury, it's a necessity. I believe the happiest people are those who take the time to pursue their dream.

But, what's the biggest problem when it comes to managing your time? If you really want to take charge of your life, don't do what most people do – wait for life to slow down. It'll never happen. Don't let your dreams languish. Take charge of your life.

Time management is not only simple but, if you take the (short) contents of this manual to heart, you'll soon find your dreams take flight.

Yes, time management can be effortless and (most importantly) enjoyable. Let me show you how.

“How to Achieve Your Goals, Manage Time and Truly Live 24 Hours A Day: A Filbert's Fast Guide” by Arnold Bennett, edited by Beth Ann Erickson. It's currently available as an e-book (at an introductory price) here. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SHM4K2 

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Your Questions Answered

Question: Do I need any type of business permit to go into writing as a freelancer even if I have a website, or can I just claim self employed?

Beth's answer: The answer to your question depends on where you live. The only way you can get a definitive answer is to speak to your accountant. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

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News and Markets

News:

Buildings made from books! http://flavorwire.com/283928/10-gorgeous-buildings-made-out-of-books

Best colleges for aspiring writers: http://www.collegedegree.com/library/college-choice/The-10-Best-Colleges-for-Writers

Microsoft (300 million) + Nook = ??: http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2012/04/microsoft-nook-interesting/

Another take on the Microsoft/Nook pairing: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57425378-1/microsoft-take-my-nook-please/

Markets:

Smithsonian: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/contact-us/submission-guidelines.html

Harlequin: http://www.harlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=538&chapter=0

Travelers' Tales: http://www.travelerstales.com/guidelines/

Yes! http://www.yesmagazine.org/about/writers-guidelines

Texas Monthly: http://www.texasmonthly.com/writeguide

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You can use any of these articles free of charge on your own website or zine. Just don’t make any changes and be sure to include this byline:

This article is courtesy of Filbert Publishing. Make your writing sparkle, write killer queries, get published. Subscribe to Writing Etc., the free e-mag for freelancers and receive the e-book “Power Queries.” http://filbertpublishing.com

Enjoy!
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I 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
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