Writing Success

There is just so many fields and areas to write in. From anything under the sun to beyond. But when you’re looking for that freelance writer, you must already have an idea on what you want written. Since you’re spending money, obviously you would want the best. But in an industry where the final product is almost  impossible to measure, "the best" is relatively subjective. But only specialists know exactly what is needed for a particular job - and they don’t come by cheap. What can you expect from me?

FOUR FIELDS

    As a second year Law student, it is only natural that I attempt to specialize in Law. While I read contract law, law of torts, criminal law and some other subjects in our study plan, my passion have always been land law and public law - especially in Constitutional and Administrative Law. Knowing your civil rights is just not enough. There are other liberties - fundamental or otherwise - which everyone are entitled to. And for land law, think Torrens System.

    Study and living skills needed by undergraduates to survive college is a relevant field. While higher education statistics are impressive, translating it for parents and prospective students is important. I am also saddened by the fact that some students fail because the information is not publicized. Higher education comes next in my list.

    Ever since Rich Dad Poor Dad was introduced to me in 2001, personal finance have been a particular interest of mine. Financial freedom, rat race, cash flow and concepts conceived by Robert T. Kiyosaki have been swimming in the fresh pink material of my brain. Being personal, the knowledge comes in handy - now more than ever.

    Finally, the cherry on the cream is entrepreneurship. What are the difficulties faced by entrepreneurs and how did they solve them. The tips and tricks of the trade to help reduce the number of failed businesses. After all, I am also an entrepreneur and running my own business.

FOUR LITERATURES

    I run my freelance business under the moonlight - after assignments and classes. At the moment, I can only afford projects which can be completed within a week with minimal meetings. And what sort of project are these:

    Business plans. A major stumbling block for most start-ups and entrepreneur is the business plan. There are many software in the market; why spend your money on something you will use only once? With the ever changing perception and expectations of investors and banks, you and that software have no time to keep up with them. Specializing in this form of literature benefits the entrepreneurs - local and international - alike. Compared to the hundred thousands of dollars you can raise, the MYR 1,500 to MYR 10,000 price tag is nothing.

    Feature articles. Attract and impress prospects with your achievements and leadership. Convince the market why your product or service is the best. Translate your products’ features into customer benefits. Explain to the world how you saw a problem and came up with an environmentally friendly solution which goes easy on the user’s wallets and purses. From as low as MYR 1/word, get your article printed in journals and papers!

    For those on a job hunt, let me write that resume / curriculum vitae for you. Concentrate on preparing for that interview and let me take the "writer’s block" of you - after all, I am a writer. Depending on the position, the MYR 200 to MYR 2,000 would disappear as you climb the corporate ladder.

    I can also draw up that sales letter to convince your customers in their own home why they choose your product. Don’t throw away your money for literatures which gives minimal impact. You go where most door-to-door salesperson can only dream of!

The four fields and literatures are where I specialize in. As I gain more experience, I will venture in other fields. However, to ensure customer satisfaction and quality literature, I commit my efforts to these areas. I recommend you enquire directly for current information.

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The idea of starting my own freelance writing business have been playing in my head for quite a while. I even have been posting about it in my personal blog. As my "opening day" draws near, several problems are looking at me in the face. The pressing two are:

• Pricing - How much should I charge?
• Web site - What should the format be?

SETTING THE RATES

    In Getting Started As A Freelance Writer and Secrets Of A Freelance Writer, Robert Bly advised that careful consideration must be given, especially by novice writers. A trend, he says, is that those starting out tend to undercharge - which can result in prospects taking them for granted. For example, in Malaysia, pirated software are common and each CD are priced RM5.00 to RM8.00 and DVDs are RM10-RM20. Compared to the original price of, say, Windows XP Home Edition ($99.00), a $1.50 CD with the same feature and complete upgrades is nothing. The sense of appreciation is absent. And psychologically, the writer’s clients would treat him or her as under qualified and influencing their attitude and behavior towards the writer. Bly recommended somewhere between $50 to $75 per hour as the base rate.

    "What if my price is too high? Who will hire me?" Most freelancers tell Bly. Here, I would like to fuse the ideas of Kiyosaki and Bly: it’s all in your logic. If you see yourself as an employee, the "I can’t afford it" logic will influence you. As a freelancer, you are your own boss. You don’t see a Mom and Pop’s shop reduce the price of their goods to satisfy their customers. You are running your own business and you need to live. Just remember that there are too little copy writers to satisfy the tremendous demands of the market. It’s just a matter of looking.

    So where do I put myself? I am a novice freelancer, competing with others from all over the English-speaking world. Who do I see as my prospects? Corporations and businesses - who spend in total billions on advertising. Being based in Malaysia and in light of the US Dollar depreciating, the most logical currency to use is the Malaysian Ringgit. At US$ 1 = RM 3.3770, the exchange rate works in my favor. Initially, RM50 per hour floated in my head. After taking into account the rates of local writers, I do not think RM75 per hour is too expensive. Guess what? For the international market, it’s just US$ 22.21 per hour. Underpriced? I hardly think so. After all, I am moonlighting and have no immediate

BUILDING THE ATTRACTIVE WEB SITE

To not have a web site in an age where the Internet and Information rules is becoming rare. But for freelance writers, they should be sent to the Inquisition! Depending on the function of the web site, it generally compiles all the information that prospects need to decide. That’s where your price schedule, portfolio, biography and the like are. The web site itself stands as a litmus test on the writer’s talents and abilities. Having these in mind, making that "perfect" web site became somewhat of an obsession. Obsession, until I realize this: I can just have one long page a la a landing page or microsite.

    Until the portfolio is compiled, most of my literature would be here, in this blog, or mailed out as part of my own E-Zine. Prospects would certainly be asking for the free information kit.

    Among my future service would include landing pages. The website can serve as a testimony and sample.

THE VERDICT?

Two down and a little more to go.