Use in opt-in publications, or on Web sites, but please include resource box.

Please send me a copy, if possible. Many thanks.

**

Summary: If you want to be a successful freelancer, you need to learn art of bio.

Category: Writing, Small Business

Words: 1100

Maximizing The Effect Of Your Freelancer's Bio

Copyright (c) 2003 by Angela Booth

Your freelancer's bio is a vital job-hunting tool.

While traditional job hunters have CVs and resumes, independent writers and other independent professionals have biographies, because as an independent, you're working *with* your clients as a consultant, rather than working *for* them as an employee.

Yes, bios, plural. You need at least four bios of various lengths: 200 words, 100, 50 and 25. Over time, you'll create dozens of bios, as you emphasize your various strengths to suit a situation.

Many writers find it excruciating to write about themselves. If you feel this way, don't despair. You will get over this shyness in time. Until you do, force yourself to write at least three bios. I promise, after you've created your fourth and fifth, writing a bio will be a breeze.

=>It's not about you, it's about them

Self-interest rules. So before you write a word, ask yourself about client and client's needs. You must approach your bio from your client's perspective.

If you're answering a job ad, this is easy. You know what client wants, because she's told you. Make sure that you slant your bio towards requirements expressed in ad.

Usually you'll introduce yourself to businesses without a job ad to guide you. The most effective way to do this is with a mini- proposal. You send a mini-proposal, because you should never, ever send out a naked bio; you must have a reason, other than self-interest, for contacting a business. (More on naked bios below.)

A mini-proposal is a single page, with:

* a description of a problem (or need) you perceive business has;

* an outline of solution;

* why you're person to solve this problem --- what skills you have (your bio).

Mini-proposals are easy to write, and once you've written a few, you should be able to write two an hour.

And because your mini-proposal is focused on your prospect, it will be kept by business you send it to. I often receive calls from companies I sent a mini-proposal to three or more years ago.

Did you notice how mini-proposal focused on client and client's needs? After saying who you are, you talk about client, not about you.

That said, you should start your letter or email message with a very quick statement of who you are. Like this:

Dear Mr Jones

I'm Cindy Cooper, of Cooper Copywriting. I write for business. I found your Web site, and ... (here's where you describe problem or need you think Mr Jones has that you could solve).

After this super-fast introduction, bulk of letter/ email message will be taken up with your outlines of need business has, and your proposed solution. KEEP THE FOCUS ON THE CLIENT.

Finally, after presenting this information, comes your bio, and your bio should be no longer than a quarter of length of entire letter. So let's say that your need/ solution outline takes 200 words; in this case your bio will be no longer than 50 words.

Use in opt-in publications, or on Web sites, but please include resource box.

Please send me a copy, if possible. Many thanks.

**

Summary: Writers are prime targets for scammers. Here's how to avoid most common scams.

Category: Writing

Words: 1200

Writer's Rip-Offs

Copyright (c) 2003 by Angela Booth

People who want to write form a huge market. According to Writer's Digest magazine, ten per cent of US population want to be writers, and I assume that numbers are similar in other countries.

And where there's a market, there are scams. All over world, you can see vultures' eyeballs light up with dollar signs, can't you?

If you're an aspiring writer, you can avoid becoming fodder for vultures very easily. All you need to remember is: *writers get paid to write*.

Let's look at some of most common scams.

=> The "We're Looking For New Writers" Scam

Professional hard-working agents and editors don't need to look for new writers. Ever. They don't have time, because as soon as they hang out their shingle, writers find them. This applies to book and screenplay agents, and magazine, book, and Web site editors. Once writers find them, there aren't enough hours in day to read, advise, and make deals for writers on their lists.

So when you read "we're looking for new writers" a big warning light should go for you. This is your signal to run as fast as you can in opposite direction.

If person displaying "we're looking for new writers" purports to be agent, it means that there's a rip-off involved. Usually so-called agent will ask you for money. Perhaps to edit your book, or to send your manuscript to editors, or some other silly reason. Remember Writers Get Paid To Write.

A legitimate agent may ask you to cover out of pocket expenses, like photocopying and messenger fees before she signs a deal for you. I don't approve, to be honest. Fees like this are just cost of doing business, and if agent wants to represent you, she should cover them. (Ask yourself whether you really want an agent who can't cover her own office fees.) However, some legit agents do ask new clients who aren't earning to cover these charges. I'd recommend that if you're asked, you tell agent to take them out of first deal she makes for you. Up to $100 in expenses is reasonable.

If a magazine or a Web site displays "we're looking for new writers", come on. This is publication's way of getting free content. If you're an established, published writer, and you're using this venue to promote yourself, then you may want to use venue in a quid quo pro fashion. I send out free articles almost daily to Web sites so that I get a higher profile on Web, and to promote Digital-e.

But if you're a new writer what "we're looking for new writers" means at a magazine or Web site is: "we don't pay money". Of course you need clips, but write for venues which pay. Your clips will mean more. If you're a new writer, you can't afford to write for free --- you won't learn anything. And you can't afford to write for promotion, because you have nothing to promote.

=> The "Contest Entry Free" Scam

Stay away from contests run by people and organizations you've never heard of.

Not all contests are scams. Some writer's organizations run contest for their members, and charge a small entry fee, and these are legitimate. If you're a member of a large writer's organization, or buy a writer's magazine, and they're running a contest, relax, enter, have fun with it, and good luck.