Angela Booth's Writing Blog

Around the Blogs This Week: Writers' Platform, Success, Publishers

Here’s what we discussed on the blogs this week…

Today’s Writing Tip: Don’t Think Before You Write

If you’ve ever suffered from writer’s block you know that it can be very uncomfortable.

Usually the block is there because you’re THINKING, and you’re not putting the words in your head onto the page. The easiest way to get over a block is just to write whatever words are in your head.

Building a Powerful Writer’s Platform: Basics

As we said in this article on building your platform, “at its very simplest, your platform is who knows you and what you stand for. Your platform is your readers, your contacts, and your visibility.”

Let’s see how building your platform is done.

You’ll Know When You’re On the Path to Success Because You’ll FAIL

Want to succeed at your writing? Me too…

Here’s a tip which will make achieving success much easier: please realize that you’ll only know when you’re on the path which leads to success… when you fail. Repeatedly.

Giggle of the Day: Why Should Authors Care About Publishers?

I love publishers. No, really, I do… But.

Here’s why they annoy me: occasionally they get a made rush of blood to the head, and think authors OWE them.

The Week from Hell: a Perfect Storm, When Backups Aren’t Enough

I don’t usually talk about myself much on this blog. You’re here because you’re interested in freelance writing, not in the minutiae of my daily life.

This time, I’ll make an exception, because I learned a big lesson in the past week, related to Murphy’s Law — anything that CAN go wrong, will.

What If You Were Making $1,000 A DAY From Your Writing?

What would that mean to YOU? Perhaps it means paying off all your debts... taking two or more vacations every year... feeling more secure...

Take a moment, right now.

Think about making $365,000 this coming year, and the benefits that would bring, not only to you, but also to everyone around you.

How would your life change?

You can make the journey to $1,000 a day, as long as you get out of the trap...

Discover how, with my new program -- The Writers' Ultimate Cash Formula: Make $1,000 a Day.

Around the Blogs This Week: Publishers, Journaling, Writing Success

Here’s what we discussed on the blogs this week…

Are Book Publishers Doomed?

There’s a fascinating article in Business Week on Amazon’s venture into publishing. And the stark terror that’s gripping publishers as an result.

Journaling Helps You to Become a Successful Writer

Some writers journal, others don’t. If you’re in the “don’t” group, you may want to start journaling. Journaling helps you to write more, and to get things done.

Why You’re Not Successful (ezine)

In tomorrow’s ezine, we’ll be looking at the ladder of opportunity.

6 Reasons You’re Afraid to Be a Successful Writer

In this week’s issue of Fab Freelance Writing Ezine we talked about why you’re not successful, and the ladder of success.

Here’s something else to consider: maybe you’re just afraid.

Coliloquy: A New Way to “Write” Your Novel

Startup company Coliloquy reminds me of the old saying: “a camel is a horse designed by a committee”. It had to happen I suppose. Since authors are making million-dollar incomes on the Kindle, other companies have to get into the act.

Today’s Writing Tip: Write for an Audience Without Losing Your Mind

Do you struggle with writing for an audience? I know that many of my writing students do.

Copywriting: Be Honest and Be Real, Or Go Away

I adore copywriting. I’ve been writing copy for 30-some years, and it never gets old.

Here’s why:

I believe in the products I promote.

Yes. If I don’t believe in something, I can’t and won’t promote it.

iBooks Author: Glad That Got Cleared Up

I’m an unapologetic Apple fan-girl. My very first computer was an Apple IIe, way back in the 1980s. Then, after years of fighting with Windows hardware, I finally came back to Apple in 2005. I credit Apple with making my writing life easier…

Around the Blogs This Week: Writing, Kindle Publishing, Make Money

Here’s what we discussed on the blogs this week…

Writing Made Easy: Access the Deep Power of Your Mind

You’re much smarter than you think you are. To access all that buried wisdom, you need to do one simple thing: get into the habit of asking questions.

Easy Author: Writing a Book Is Easy when You Have the Right Attitude

Here’s what I’ve learned over a lifetime: attitude is everything in life. If you feel you CAN do something, you’re 95 per cent of the way there. This is especially true when you’re writing a book.

Post a Sample of Your Book, Get an Agent

Many authors are wary of posting their material online. You shouldn’t be.

Kindle Self-Publishing: Write What Sells

The Amazon Kindle’s generating the biggest stir in publishing since Gutenberg. These days, not only do you not need a publisher, signing a book contract with a publisher may mean that you lose money…

Make Money Writing: 7 Easy Ways to Make Money from Your Website In 2012

As old Sam Johnson would have it: “No man but a blockhead ever wrote, except for money.” Keep this in mind when you create a website — if you want to make money with it, you need to know HOW you’ll make that money, ideally before you create the site.

Intuition and Freelance Writing: Pay Attention to Yourself

Do you pay attention to yourself?

Sadly, if you’re a new freelance writer, chances are that you don’t. Once you’ve been writing for money for a few years however, you’ll come to understand that your intuition is a gift, and you’ll pay close attention to it.

Write and Make Money: Mind-blowing Numbers in Amazon Kindle Publishing

Want to make money — real money? Author Joe Konrath’s made $100,000 in just three weeks on Amazon.

Get Rich Quick via Kindle Publishing? Probably Not

Kindle publishing isn’t a way to get rich quick if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Remember, you’re writing a book. You need to learn how to do that, and chances are that you can’t learn in just one book.

11 Things I’d Do if I Were Starting a Writing Career Today

Working with writing students is huge fun for me. I absolutely love it. However, it’s also depressing, because I often wish I were 30 years younger.

I wish I’d known then, what I know now.

Around the Blogs This Week: Ebooks, Kindle, Writing Opportunities

Here’s what we discussed on the blogs this week…

Top Opportunities for Writers in 2012: Create a Money-Making Blog

Hundreds of thousands of bloggers are making money blogging, so this opportunity should be an easy opportunity for you to make money in 2012. So it is, but you need to get off on the right foot. Make a mistake, and your blog will never make money. Sad, but true.

Ebooks: Make Money With Kindle Publishing Resources

Kindle publishing is huge for writers now, and it will become even bigger in 2012.

12 Writing Challenges YOU CAN Eliminate In 2012

Got writing challenges? Relax. Every writer has challenges. Here’s the good news: if you can recognize them, you can eliminate them.

12 Easy Ways to Improve Your Writing Skills In 2012

Want to improve your writing skills in 2012? Here are 12 easy ways.

Top Opportunities for Writers in 2012: Create Websites for Companies

Creating websites for companies which aren’t online already, and/ or boosting the content for companies which have a minimal online presence is a top opportunity for you in 2012.

Writing For Money: “How Much Can I Make?”

Here’s the question writers ask me most often (surprisingly, the question’s equally popular with experienced writers, as it is with new writers): “How much can I make?”

Here’s the answer: I don’t know, and no one else knows, either.

Kill Your Resistance to Writing in 2012

2011 is almost behind us… Here’s a resolution for you: “In 2012, I kill my resistance. I live up to my potential as a writer.”

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, dear writer...

I wish you everything you wish for yourself in 2012. :-)

 

Around the Blogs This Week: Christmas, Make Money Writing

Here’s what we discussed on the blogs this week…

A Christmas Carol: Get Into The Spirit Of The Season

It’s that time of year again… Time to get into the spirit of the season (pun intended), by reading Dickens’ immortal A Christmas Carol.

Writing Articles for Love and Cash: 4 Easy Tips You Can Use Today

Want to make money writing? If you love to write, one of the easiest ways to generate cash is by writing articles. Unfortunately, the competition’s huge. This means that payment’s very low. You need to make your articles stand out, if you want to thrive.

A Writer’s Christmas: How To Ensure It’s A Merry One

The holidays are almost upon us. Getting excited yet? I am. At this time of year, your writing can be crowded out with holiday preparations. Don’t let that happen. Otherwise you can wake up sometime in January to find that you’re missing deadlines, your client list is shrinking, and you need money now to pay those pesky credit card bills.

Top Opportunities for Writers in 2012: Offer Curation Services

In our first post in our new series,Top Opportunities for Writers in 2012, we discussed the importance of fresh content for websites in the wake of Google’s new update. This means that you can make money by offering “updating” services to your clients. Our next opportunity for writers in 2012 is offering curation services.

Ebook Writing and Selling: Questions Answered

I’ve had several questions about writing and selling ebooks this week, so let’s answer them here.

Write a Book: Use Charles Dickens’ Method to Plan Your Book

You’ve created a blurb for your book. You’ve even created an outline. Now comes the writing. Unfortunately, few things go according to plan. When you’re writing a book, nothing goes according to plan.

Make Money: Five Resolutions for Your Article Writing Business

If you’re looking for a work from home opportunity, writing articles for businesses may be for you, especially if you enjoy writing. You can live anywhere you choose, and the startup costs are minimal.

By Bye 2011: My Favorite Fab Freelance Writing Blog Posts

Here are my favorite Fab Freelance Writing Blog posts for the year.

Top Opportunities for Writers in 2012: Writing Kindle Ebooks

I’m sure you’re wondering whether you can actually make a living by self-publishing ebooks. But is this opportunity for you?

Easy WordPress for Writers: Tips for WordPress newbies

You’re a writer. You’re using WordPress. Excellent — WordPress is amazing, but it can be intimidating, too. Here are four tips which will help you to get comfortable.

An iPad Christmas: Was Santa Kind to You?

Depending on where you are in the world, Santa may have already arrived. If you received an iPad, happy days! Your iPad will change your life.

Around the Blogs This Week: Kindle Novels, Finding Sources, Writers' Traits

Here’s what we discussed on the blogs this week…

Only Readers Matter: Focus On Readers and Conquer Rejection

Readers are right. Everyone else is WRONG. Darcie Chan’s rejected novel sold 400,000 digital copies in seven months. She’s attracting attention from movie studios and others.

Website Flipping: How to Price a Website and Make it Sell

Have you checked out the Merry Christmas Treasure Bundle yet? I chose the products for the bundle especially for you, so that you can start 2012 with a BANG, and make it your most profitable year ever. Write to Flip is part of the bundle.

Write a Kindle Novel: Write Within a Genre

Kindle novels outsell fiction 6 to one. I’ve had several questions about writing novels for the Kindle (and other ereaders) over the past few days, so I might as well answer them here.

Crazy Writer: 12 Novels in 2012

What are you doing in 2012? Bless Matt Forbeck, because he’s got an insane plan for 2012 — he’s writing 12 novels.

2011 Wrapping Up: “Best of 2011″ Ezine Issues

As part of wrapping things up for the year, I’ve been reviewing responses to the weekly Fab Freelance Writing Ezine issues. As you know, the ezine’s not archived, so I get lots of messages from readers who beg me for issues they missed.

Help! Finding Sources For Writing Pitches

If you’re looking for sources for writing pitches for magazines, or websites, the Internet can seem vast and intimidating. Here are some fast and easy ways to find the sources you need.

Two Writers’ Traits Clients Hate

If you’re a writer, chances are you have a couple of traits your clients hate. These two traits are common among writers. The good news: they’re easy to overcome, as long as make an effort to do so.

Top Tools For Writers in 2011: These are mine, share yours

What are your top writing tools in 2011 — the tools you actually use every day? I’ve listed some of mine, please share yours in the comments.

Top Opportunities for Writers in 2012: Freshness Means Writing Jobs

We’re in the final weeks of 2011, so let’s look at some of the fantastic opportunities for savvy writers in 2012. The first opportunity comes to you courtesy of Google.

Writing Fiction: Ebooks For Fiction Writers

Fiction’s the hot new thing in ebook writing. Novels and short stories out-sell nonfiction 6 to 1 on the Kindle store.

Writers are taking to fiction writing with gusto, and I’ve had many questions about which of my writing guides will help you to create fiction.

Around the Blogs This Week: Ebooks, Christmas Treasures, Writing Tips

Here’s what we discussed on the blogs this week…

Ebook Writing Process: Promote As You Write

Writing and selling ebooks is the easiest way to make money from your writing, long after you’ve written it. In Words into Cash: Write and Sell Your Ebook in Just 8 Hours, I give you a super-simple way to write your ebooks, without floundering, so you just get it DONE.

Christmas Treasures For Writers

The holiday season is almost upon us. This year, as always, we have a Christmas Bundle of products for you.

Sell Your Heart Out — No, Really, I’m Not Kidding

Writers hate marketing. Selling anything, much less ourselves, makes us nervous. Here’s the solution, and it’s a simple one: just do it. Get used to marketing yourself, OR confine yourself to an itty bitty writing career. (And don’t complain if you choose to do that — it’s YOUR choice.)

WordPress for Writers 1: Which WordPress?

Every writer now knows that he/ she needs a blog. That blog of course, should be WordPress.

Therefore, our new series will focus on the ins and outs of WordPress. I have dozens of WordPress blogs, which means that I know the strengths, and the weaknesses, of WordPress for writers.

Piggyback Your Way to Success

Over the years, I’ve coached many writers. All successful writers discover that they’re not alone. They make professional contacts, and then piggyback their way to success.

Writing Secret: The Power Of Introductions

You’re a writer. You need profession contacts, but how do you make them? Never underestimate the power of introductions.

Pick Yourself: Words of Wisdom From Seth Godin

Seth Godin is a marketing genius. He advises that you don’t wait for a publisher to pick you; pick yourself.

Writing Tip for 2012: Get Proactive

I’ll be giving you lots of tips to make 2012 your best writing year ever over the next few weeks. So, here’s the first one: get PROACTIVE.

Want An Agent? Don’t Shoot Yourself In the Foot

Want an agent? If you do, try not to shoot yourself in the foot.

Around the Blogs This Week: Writing for The Web, Writing Novels, Blogging

Here’s what we discussed on the blogs this week…

Sourcing Images For Your Writing Clients

Occasionally a client will ask you to source images for him. Here’s the thing: clients can have weird ideas about copyright. “Just find something online,” your client might say.

Writing For The Web: Get Paid to Keep It Fresh

A webpage, and a website, are like housework: they’re never, ever done. You can offer a content updating service to your Web writing clients.

Best Description Of Writing a Novel I’ve Ever Read

You’re writing a novel. You’ve got a 101 things to consider: plot, character, action, timeline, theme, and on and on.

Would You Work For a Book Packager?

There’s an interesting article about a book packager hiring writers in Business Week.

Yes, Blogging’s An Excellent Strategy For Novelists

If you’ve considered blogging for buzz, then decided that it’s not for novelists, think again. You can and should be blogging to build a platform while you’re writing.

Writing for Money: Back to Pen and Paper (LiveScribe journal)

You’re writing for money, successfully. By definition, this means that you’re highly organized. If you’re not organized, you can’t be successful. You’ll be behind on deadlines (horror), poverty-stricken because you’re behind on sending out invoices, and stressed. The stress develops because you’re never sure at any one moment of the precise best use of your precious time.

Around the Blogs This Week: More Income From Your Writing

Here's what we discussed on the blogs this week...

Writing: How to Be Scared and Write Anyway

Scared? That’s OK. It means you’re a writer. You should be pleased about that.

Writing: More Income Streams, More Income

I’ve had several questions about the necessity of creating multiple income streams from your writing over the past week. Let’s look at why you should think about creating multiple income streams.

Short Story Contest: Win a Nook AND $500

There’s no need to forget your writing, even if you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, and relaxing over the weekend. Take a couple of hours and write a short story. You might just win a Barnes & Noble Nook, AND $500.

It’s Who You Know

Your most important task as a freelance writer is to develop your network of relationships — people you know, and who know you.

Many Of Your Hours Aren’t Billable

This week, several writers have contacted me about “how to charge for freelance writing”. There are many ways to work out a rates sheet for your freelance writing business. However, you can’t always stick to it.

Writing for Residual Income Tomorrow: What Are You Writing Right Now?

As you know, I’m a huge believer in writing for residual income, that is, writing ebooks and other material which will keep making money for you long after you’ve written it.

Kindle Ebooks: Making A Living

Writing and selling Kindle ebooks has been the hot new thing for writers for a while. But I understand — you want numbers, numbers…

Around the Blogs This Week: Info Products, Self-Publishing, Freelance Writing

Here’s what we discussed on the blogs this week…

Info Product Goldmine: 4 Steps to Multiple Income Streams

Every info product creator aspires to the holy grail: multiple passive income streams. Here’s what you need to know: it’s possible for you, if you have a strategy.

SYWON: Your Free ContentBee Blurb

If you’re a Sell Your Writing Online NOW (SYWON) member, please don’t forget to send us your blurb for ContentBee. It’s a free link, and will kick start traffic to your site. The info is in Lesson # 3, so please do it, if you haven’t done so.

Ebook Price: 99 Cents May Be Much To Low If You’re Building Your Platform

You’re writing ebooks, but you have an agenda. You don’t just want to sell copies, you also want to build your platform. Your hope is that a major publisher will see your sales, and will take you on board.

NEW: Penguin Offers Self-Publishing Packages

Nervous about self-publishing? Penguin has you covered, with new offerings of publishing packages.

Make Money Freelance Writing over the Holiday Season

Want to make money freelance writing over the holiday season? You can. However, remember that some opportunities are closed to you. It’s too late to write articles for magazines, for example, and for print newsletters.

You Can Write a Book If You Stop Trying

We’ve been discussing digital publishing via the Kindle et al over the past few weeks, and you’ve had questions. Lots of questions. Most questions concerned how to start writing your book, and then, how to finish it.

Around the Blogs This Week: Kindle Publishing, Write a Book

Here’s what we discussed on the blogs this week…

Freelance Writer Security: Ensure Your Income

Want to ensure your income as a freelance writer? You can, and there are multiple ways in which you can do it.

NEW: Fast and Easy Kindle Publisher — Write a book without writing

Want to write and sell a book WITHOUT writing? You can, believe it or not.

Here’s a secret: millions of books have been published over the years which are now in the public domain.

Info Products Publisher: Make Money From Your Kitchen Table

If you want to make money online, info product creation offers huge opportunities. You can start your new business at your kitchen table. Create, promote, and sell — there’s little more to it.

Here Come The Ereaders: Are You Ready?

As you may know, in 2012 and beyond, I’m transitioning my info products to the ereader market. I’m also developing ebooks specifically for the ereader platform. You can join me on my adventures by subscribing to my new free program, Info Products Publisher.

What I Said About The Kindle

Every so often, I surprise myself. After writing this post, “Here Come The Ereaders: Are You Ready?”, I checked my Kindle/ ereader-related posts.

Write a Book: Traditional, or Self-Publishing?

You’re writing a book. Perhaps you’re shopping around for a literary agent. If you are, stop doing that.

Names In Your Novel: Are They Really Fictitious?

Working on a novel? If you are, take great care when naming your characters. You also need to take care with phone numbers, email addresses, business names…

Write a Book: Three Easy Ways to Fictionalize Your Life

Want to write a book? You can. Someone once said that if you’ve survived your own childhood, you have more than enough material to write all the books you want.

Publish Your Own Book: Without Writing, If You Wish

Want to publish a book — and get paid to write? Years ago, that was a futile dream. Right throughout my teenage years, I regularly argued with my Dad about my dream of writing books.

Write a Book Starting Today: It’s Easier Than You Think

Many people want to write a book. Indeed, a survey found that ten per cent of the population want to do it. Few people accomplish it, but you can.

Legacy Publishing or Self-Publishing?

Will you go the self-publishing route, or opt for traditional publishing? Make your choice, remembering always that most traditionally published books don’t sell.

Around the Blogs This Week: Articles, Fast Info Product Creation, Kindle

Here’s what we discussed on the blogs this week…

Info Product Creation: Develop Built-In Sales For Your Product

Are you creating an info product? Here’s a tip: you need to build sales into your product.

Fast Info Product Creation

Want to create an info product FAST? A couple of readers asked me how to do this over the weekend. My response: chances are you’ve got lots of stuff you could repurpose, so use that.

2012: Year Of The Kindle (Ereader) Ebook?

It’s November, dear writer, so it’s time to think about your business plans for 2012. Kindle publishing will be a major focus for me in 2012. For the first time in years, I’m back to my roots, writing novels, specifically for the Kindle/ ereader market.

Make Money Writing: Articles — Could It Get Any Simpler?

Over the past week, I’ve had a flood of messages about writing articles and making money. Yes, you CAN make $500 a day writing articles.

Around the Blogs This Week: Writing Web Content, Word Count, Make Money

Here’s what we discussed on the blogs this week…

Writing Challenge: Taking Back Control of Your Writing

Do you want to succeed in your freelance writing career? If you do, you need to take back control of your writing, and act, rather than react.

You’ll need to avoid what I call the “Sleeping Beauty” trap. Writers who are Sleeping Beauties spend a lot of time waiting.

Writing Web Content: Image and Voice

When you’re asked to create the content for a website, the site’s image is vital. The image helps you to determine the voice. Discover the secrets of mood boards.

Writers’ Trends To Watch: Tablet Computers Are Hot

Tablet computers are hot. According to researchers, Apple sold a million iPad 2 devices on the first weekend of sales. Amazon seems to have a hit on its hands with the Kindle Fire too.

Writers Write: How Many Words Did You Write and SELL Today?

If you’re not making as much money as you want, focus on how many words you’re writing each day.

Make Money Writing: The Only Secret You Need To Know

Want to make money writing? Anyone can. And they can make a lot more than they ever thought possible. I’ve always said that if you can write an email message that gets a response, you can make money from your writing.

Writing and Selling PLR Traps: Unintended Consequences

If you want to make money writing, selling Private Label Rights content is a great opportunity, especially if you love to write.

There’s something you should be aware of, however — pay attention to the rights you sell with your PLR.

Around the Blogs This Week: Squidoo, Steve Jobs, and Writing Platform

Here’s what we discussed on the blogs this week…

Squidoo Magazines: Opportunity To Build Your Platform

Squidoo has just launched a series of online magazines. Could this be an opportunity for you to build your platform?

Writing Goals: Gaining Courage and Confronting Obstacles

This is the third article in our writing goals series. We’ve discussed making your writing goals real, and the benefits to achieving your goals. In this article, we discuss obstacles, and courage.

iPad: Can You Manage Your Writing Life On An iPad?

I do some writing on my iPad, primarily with Writing Kit for full documents, and using Evernote for making notes. I’ve been wondering whether it’s possible to do a full day’s work just on an iPad.

Steve Jobs: “Have The Courage To Follow Your Heart And Intuition”

It’s a sad day. Steve Jobs is dead.

Build Your Writer’s Platform

At its very simplest, your platform is who knows you and what you stand for. Your platform is your readers, your contacts, and your visibility… It’s your fame.

h3>Content Is King Online: Develop a Six-Figure Income from Your Content

Creating better content faster is your secret to online riches. There's a huge demand for content online. You can develop a six-figure income not only by getting writing jobs, but also by creating content for websites, blogs and ebooks.

60-Second Content Power: Create Better Content Faster shows you how to create content FAST.

One writer said: "Working from home was just a dream for me. I thought writers starved. Angela shared the 60-second process in her coaching class a year ago. Last week, I signed a contract to create eight Kindle ebooks for a client in the next six months. It's a BIG contract. Made my partner smile, and kids create shopping lists. I'll always be an Angela Booth fan."

Today, writers are in a powerful position. Content is king online. Take advantage of the unlimited opportunities, with 60-Second Content Power.