The Practical Freelance Writer's Guide to Author Websites Review

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(More customer reviews)Angela Atkinson delivers important and practical information with great regard for the reader. She conducts a thorough tour of the process of setting up an author website, from hosting and optimizing to promoting and maintaining it, with pros and cons to consider along the way. Each recommended Web page element is covered in detail, with examples and reminders for the beginner and experienced writer alike.
I appreciated Atkinson's straightforward delivery of this wealth of information and the encouraging tone throughout. The book showcases her own writing abilities as well as her experience with the subject matter. It was a help to me as I developed my website and I highly recommend it.

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The Practical Freelance Writer's Guide to Author Websites is a complete guide to building, managing and promoting author websites, specifically geared toward offering freelance writers real, workable solutions for the unique challenges they face in this venue. Learn why freelance writers need author sites to succeed in today's market, and find out what types of pages and content can help to catch the attention of their potential clients. You'll find tried and true tips on webhosting options, SEO for author websites and writing author bios. Plus, learn new ways to market and promote author websites, including advice on social networking and social media marketing and much more-all from a freelance writer and website designer who knows what works.

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Outsourcing Through RentACoder Review

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(More customer reviews)This book definitely deserves five stars. It was very informative, easy to read, and it really guided me through the outsourcing process. Highly Recommended!

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There probably couldn't be a more appropriate time to disseminate this book s economic solutions. Outsourcing Through RentACoder, called "required reading" by RentACoder CEO Ian Ippolito, is about outsourcing through the site and saving the economy all in one. RentACoder isn t just a freelance job site. It s a venue where American employers can hire out work right here in the U.S. This book explains the why and how with chapters on bringing RentACoder into the workplace, checklists, worksheets, an extensive outsourcing roadmap, and more.

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The Principles of Successful Freelancing Review

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(More customer reviews)Being a freelancer is the new black. It's just a crazy fun loving world where nothing can go wrong. Well as a crusty old freelancer I can tell you that's far from the truth.
Well Miles Burke in his new book The Principles of Successful Freelancing discusses just that. Miles is no stranger to making the leap into world of freelancing having done it three times.
When I first picked up this book, I'll be honest, I was a little skeptical. But I found this is a good book. It's well written with an entertaining layback style all it's own. I can just imagine Miles sitting back in a cafe or coffee shop chatting about freelancing. You could easily read this book on 4-5 hour plane flight.
This book is squarely aimed at the person who is considering getting into freelancing or has just started. It covers off all aspects of the freelancers life cycle, such as:
* From starting out and a hard look at oneself, are you cut out to be a freelancer.
* Preparing for the transition from regular work to freelancing, and all the things you really need to think about (but don't).
* Finances, making sure you really do stay in business and keep a positive cash flow.
* Productivity, time tracking, getting into that productivity zone and not being distracted.
* Selling, winning work and understanding how to sell. Something all freelances fear at some stage.
* Customer service, or keeping the client, project management made simple, and dealing with difficult clients.
* Lifestyle, work habits, life balance are discussed, this is huge area that I know freelancers cut corners on.
* Expansion, life beyond freelancing, the final stepping stone on the way for a freelancer, be that back into employment, or expansion using outsourcing or your own staff.
You know what's really good and annoying too (well for me) with this book; it is just full of all those tips and tricks that I just wish some freelancing mentor had told me all those years ago in the previous century when I started freelancing.
I enjoyed this book to the point that I found myself nodding and smiling as Miles waxed on with another aspect of freelancing, pointing out the pitfalls along the way. And sometimes I was wincing as I realised that after 14 years in the game I've still got a few things even I can improve on.
The one thing I didn't like, and this was just me, is it was it had a few too many lists in places. It made me think I was checking off my freelancing skills all the time. But really that was a very minor point.
Overall, highly recommended, if you are a new freelancer, or old one, or maybe just considering freelancing, get this book, read it. Act on it, it's a great reference source, then later on, reread it.
But you know with this book, it's now a little bit easier.

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Thinking about becoming your own boss and embarking on the wonderful and rewarding journey of freelancing? The Principles of Successful Freelancing is for you. In this easy-to follow guide you'll learn what's important in transforming your skills into a booming freelance business. This book leads you through the entire process, from getting started, through to winning and keeping loyal clients. Running a successful freelance business is easy, and with the information in this book, you'll confidently turn your freelancing dream into a profitable reality.

Learn how to make a smooth transition into freelancing
Understand how to effectively manage your money
Ensure you spend your time on the right activities
Discover why a work/life balance is important
Learn how your network can support you and your business
Overcome your fear of selling
And much more ...
The 12 Principles Of Successful Freelancing
Get Organized Keep your workspace tidy and plan ahead (short- and long-term).
Control Stress Remain calm and work through issues to avoid early burnout..
Research Spend quality time researching your proposed business-it's more than a five minute web surf.
Be PassionateLove your work! You should enjoy what you do for a living.
Budget Save for a rainy day rather than spend every cent as it comes in.
Value your Health Bad health stops you from working. Take time to exercise and maintain a nutritious diet.
Embrace Selling Enjoy the sales challenge-it's easier than you think!
Satisfy Customers Don't do average work-exceed their expectations and make them need you.
Grow Your Network Value family and friends' support, and meet new people all the time.
Maintain Cashflow It's what is in the bank that counts, not what you are billing-understand the difference.
Continually Learn Keep acquiring new skills and knowledge, every week. Let it slip and you could be left behind.
Achieve a Work/Life Balance Your life should be more than work-maintain a good balance for health and success.

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The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing: A Professional Guide to the Business, for Nonfiction Writers of All Experience Levels Review

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(More customer reviews)One glance at a bookstore will confirm there's a plethora of how-to books relating to every aspect of writing, but there's only a handful of authoritative books which address the critical issues of writing as a business.
The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing: A Professional Guide to the Business, for Nonfiction Writers of All Experience Levels is one of them. Produced by the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the book features 26 chapters from 26 ASJA members ~ all seasoned, working writers and experts in their fields.
 
The guide presents a great variety of opinions on a wide range of topics of value to freelance writers, including establishing a freelance business, self promotion, research tools, writing for the Web, contracts, taxes and deductions, and working with editors and agents.
Each chapter contains the latest information, relevant anecdotes from the contributor's life and straight-forward advice on how to succeed in business as a writer. The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing comprises the following chapters:
* Freelance Writing Today ~ and Tomorrow by Jim Morrison
* Planning a Writing Business by Erik Sherman
* The Writer's Office and Tools by Samuel Greengard
* The Mystery of Ideas by Jack El-Hai
* Seven Secrets of a Successful Magazine Query by Lisa Collier Cool
* How to Sell a Book by Sherry Suib Cohen
* Writing for the Web by Lisa Iannucci
* Why Literary Agents Need You More Than Ever ~ And How to Get the Agent You Need by Michael Larsen, AAR
* Research: Finding the Right Stuff by Minda Zetlin and Steve Weinberg
* How to Find Experts by Estelle Sobell
* Writer-Editor Relations by Megan McMorris
* Collaborations: The Pleasures and Perils of Shared Bylines by Sarah Wernick
* The Serendipity of Specialization by Claire Walter
* Self Publishing: Alternatives for Getting Books into Print by Marilyn and Tom Ross
* Networking by Sandra E. Lamb
* This Pen for Hire: Leveraging Your Skills by Anita Bartholomew
* Op-Eds and Essays: Leveraging Your Knowledge by Larry Atkins
* Reprints, Re-Slants, and Other Ways to Resell Your Work by Kelly James-Enger
* Making Pictures by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett
* Employing a Writing Assistant by Lester A. Picker
* Contracts: Protecting Your Writers' Rights by Richard A. Marini
* Creating Brand You : Promoting Yourself and Your Work by Jennifer Pirtle
* Writers and the Law by Sallie Randolph and Timothy Perrin
* Taxes and Deductions by Julian Block
* Forays and Fiction by Kathryn Lance
* Moving to Full-Time Freelancing: It's Not a Leap by Robert Bittner
* Appendix: Tips from the Pros
 
As you can see, this anthology turned reference book covers a lot of territory and addresses all of the major business issues facing professional writers today. Most notable are chapters, 'Research: Finding the Right Stuff' and 'How to Find Experts' which offer helpful hints and online links for researching and tracking down experts. I also particularly enjoyed the chapters on contracts, working with agents and self-promotion as a 'brand'.
That's the wonderful thing about The ASJA Guide to Freelance Writing ~ it addresses such a wide range of specialist areas that there's something in it for every writer working in any genre. And one of the surprise sections is the Appendix which features a variety of quick but insightful comments from other professional writers. They share their trade secrets, everything from techniques for improving their craft to increasing productivity and profitability.
While the bulk of the material is aimed at journalists and non-fiction writers (since these writers make up the bulk of ASJA's membership), much of the information and advice can be applied by all writers to improve their skills and their business. If you're serious about writing, read this book and have a pen handy.
 
-- Michael Meanwell, author of the critically-acclaimed 'The Enterprising Writer' and 'Writers on Writing'. For more book reviews and prescriptive articles for writers, visit www.enterprisingwriter.com

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The Work-at-Home Success Bible: A Complete Guide for Women: Start Your Own Business; Balance Work and Home Life; Develop Telecommuting Strategies Review

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(More customer reviews)I wish I'd had this book when I first started working at home. I particularly appreciated the Home Sweet Home Office chapter and the tips on establishing a work routine. Good practical advice that has helped me figure out how to make better use of my time.

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More and more women want to work from home, earning money while spending more time with their children and taking control of their lives. But they need help finding the best work-at-home jobs. And once they have the job they want, they need to know how to make it pay. This comprehensive bible shows women: how to find the job that best fits their needs; set up a home office; get organized and schedule your daily business tasks; avoid distractions such as kids, food, and television; and more. As work-from-home situations become an option for more women, they?ll reach for this handy guide to find the road to success.

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Web Development with the Mac (Developer Reference) Review

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(More customer reviews)I work in the field of IT and have worked in web development but it has never been a focused effort to concentrate on it because my day jobs have always had me moving around from one function to another. I was always a Windows person and had never touched a Mac until last year.
The title of this book intrigued me right away because I am a web developer and I have a Mac. If that describes you or if you are thinking about jumping into the field, then this book is for you.
Having come from a Windows background, jumping into the Mac was definitely challenging - but I got over the bumps and learned to love the Mac. I thought I had a pretty good handle on what it could do, until I read this book. I honestly had no idea of the features that were built in to the platform, features that you have to install as add-ons in Windows. I mean, who would think that a complete web development platform was already present and waiting to be enabled. I'm speaking of the fact that Apache, PHP and even Ruby are all right there for you. Aaron clearly loves the Mac and he wants you to love it as well. He has gone out of his way to reveal all the secrets to working with the Mac. You can basically envision how he works on a daily basis, through the information and comments that he provides.
This book goes through pretty much anything you would need to know to set yourself up as a web developer and have a good chance at being successful. Of course, you have to provide the talent and the book does not teach you how to be a "designer" but it teaches you all the fundamentals of how to be a developer. The book goes from how to edit content on your Mac to how to test it locally, including enabling all the services the Mac has to offer. Then, you are provided guidance on how to work with a Unix server. Why? Because most web hosts are Unix based and it is a system you need to know if you are going to do the job. You'll learn how to push files to the Mac and how to back them up. You'll learn how to automate the login process through the creation and storage of authentication keys. You'll even get a tutorial of how to work with the Unix firewall tools so that you can harden the system and prevent someone from breaking into the server.
Once you get a good overview of the mechanical aspects, the book moves you into the development world by going through HTML, Javascript, CSS, etc. You get the full tour. This is not just one small chapter that tells you that these technologies exist. The detail is sufficient to give you a very good start on working with all of it.
Next up, the book moves on to the topic of designing web sites and again, the book does a great job at giving you instructions on how to do this. No, it does not really teach you about how to build a great design. That's a subjective topic and one that probably can't even be taught. However, if you want to know the basics about how to use Photoshop or a similar design tool, this will open your eyes. Ever heard of wireframes? Do you know how to use them? You're covered here. You'll even learn the secrets to the twelve-column web layout that may sites use and you don't even realize it.
Finally, the book moves into server-side technology and covers MySQL, PHP as well as Ruby and the Rails Framework. I come from a Java background, mostly backend, so I only skimmed the chapter on Ruby and Rails. However, I will go back and look at it when I get a chance. It looks like a great option for developers.
Be sure to go through the Appendix sections of the book as well. They are full of useful tips and links that you'll be glad to have gone through.
The writing style of the book is casual and feels like you grabbed a very large mug of your favorite beverage and sat down with Aaron so that he could teach you everything you need to know. The colorful wording and injection of reality gives you the sense that you are learning secrets from a good friend who really wants you to do well.
My overall thought is that this book belongs on the bookshelf of anyone who is, or wants to be, a freelance web developer. It will also be a great book to have if you are a relatively new Mac user and work with these technologies. Is this book useful if you are a "Windows" user? Honestly? Yes. If you leave out the Mac-specific references, this book is still a solid read for anyone wanting a good overview of how to be a developer and you'll learn a lot from it.

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Everything you need to know to create Web sites using your Mac
Create and deploy striking Web sites and apps on a Mac for your own business or for clients using the essential techniques in this focused guide. While most Web site how-tos are geared toward either designers or programmers, this detailed book covers both aspects, helping you develop the complete skill sets that you'll need professionally. Tap all of the out-of-the-box perks that Apple has to offer for Web development with these techniques and insights from a seasoned Mac Web developer.
Takes you through everything that Macs have to offer for Web development, such as a Web server, PHP, and Ruby on Rails; Macs come with these right out of the box, making setting up a Web development environment pushbutton-easy
Reveals the science and the artistry behind creating beautiful and intuitive Web pages using Apple technology
Covers the technical elements of Web page construction with HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, and Rails; then goes beyond to show you how to add creative flair using Photoshop

Turn your design and development skills into marketable assets with this essential guide for Apple users.
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

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The Wealthy Freelancer: 12 Secrets to a Great Income and an Enviable Lifestyle Review

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(More customer reviews)I had downloaded "The Wealthy Freelancer" to my Kindle for a plane trip to and from Austin, TX. I thought just to pass the time. Boy, did I ever pass the time quickly. These guys have written an amazingly compelling page turner that will resonate with new freelancers just having made the leap as well as old hands who think they have seen and heard it all. I am always skeptical about books like this, thinking it's just so much cheer leading. This is anything but that. From the opening chapter it is crystal clear that these guys have the street cred to talk the talk. I was disturbing my seat mate on the flight by periodically saying aloud, "I've done that" or "I've thought that" or "Damn Right!" This is a book that I will keep as a reference manual and a booster shot for those times when I need reminding why I escaped from my office cubicle. In summation I would say you can read "The Wealthy Freelancer" now or waste several years of your life, read it later and say, "Why didn't I think of that."

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Being your own boss can lead to incredible profits-here's how... Whether you call yourself a freelancer, consultant, independent contractor or solo professional of any kind, The Wealthy Freelancer: 12 Secrets to a Great Income and an Enviable Lifestyle shows you how to get the clients, income, and lifestyle you deserve. So you can put more money in the bank, enjoy more time with your family and make a great living doing what you truly love to do, free from the burden of employment...forever! Filled with proven ideas and real-world examples from dozens of successful freelancers, The Wealthy Freelancer is essential reading for any solo professional who wants to enjoy a lifestyle that's "wealthy" in every sense of the word. Here's a glimpse of what's waiting for you inside this book: *Why the typical one-size-fits-all marketing advice rarely works, and a fool-proof system for determining the optimal mix of marketing activities for your specific circumstances and goals *How to get more prospects to say "Yes!" to the fees that you propose *Why striving to be the "best" in your field almost never works, and what to do instead *How to charge more - and earn more - by creating new income streams closely related to your core business *How to have more time for the life you want and still have a great income *How to "test the waters" and land freelance work now, even if you're already employed *Why freelancing has moved beyond creative fields and into mainstream careers such as engineering, software development, bookkeeping and more than 160 other professions *Stories of real-life freelancers who destroy the myth that freelancers barely scrape by And dozens more proven tips and strategies to build a more profitable and fulfilling solo business.

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Work at Home Now: The No-nonsense Guide to Finding Your Perfect Home-based Job, Avoiding Scams, and Making a Great Living Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been a long-time fan of the authors' website, the RatRaceRebellion, and when I had an opportunity to read their newest book, I jumped on it. I've read lots of "work at home" books, and they all said basically the same things. Durst's and Haaren's new book doesn't dwell on the same old things that are in the other books; instead, it jumps right to the heart of what all new home-based workers want to know - where to find work. Not only do the authors list a multitude of websites offering work-at-home opportunities, they've checked out every one of the websites, plus they've organized the listing into job types (they've included categories such as "merchandiser" and "notary" that are more "work FROM home). They've even included a category of websites for work in the "adult" industry (if you're so inclined)!
The authors have also done a great job showing readers how to do effective Google and Craigslist searches for work, and they tell what to look for in order to avoid scams.
All in all, this is a very well-written and extremely well-organized book about how to find a good home-based job and avoid all the scams out there. I highly recommend it!

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Praise for Christine Durst and Michael Haaren: "Work At Home Now is the ultimate guide for teleworkers. Its smart, practical advice and trove of great resources and tips will be valuable to anyone hoping for the freedom and challenge of working at home."--Daniel H. Pink, author of Free Agent Nation and A Whole New Mind"America's ultimate expert on work at home"--Woman's World Magazine, on Christine Durst"A must-read for anyone considering a home-based job."--Fortune Magazine, on The 2-Second Commute"Chris and Mike know the home-based career arena better than anyone I've met."--Jeannie Lopez, Core Compliance Expert, Spouse Employment and Volunteer Program, United States Air Force Academy"Chris and Michael know from personal experience about working virtually."--BusinessWeekMany legitimate home-based jobs and projects can be found online, but trustworthy guidance is scarce. Worse, with a 56-to-1 scam ratio in work-at-home ads, the terrain is a minefield of fraud.Nevertheless, customer service agents, researchers, test scorers, tutors, writers, and concierges are just a few of the many people regularly hired to work from home.A growing number of Fortune 500 companies, including UnitedHealth Group, American Express, and Northrop Grumman, also hire home-based personnel. In Work at Home Now, you'll learn: * The top insider tips on good and bad Google search terms. * How to find the "needles in the haystack" on Craigslist, Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder, and other big sites. * Where the real jobs for mystery shoppers, transcriptionists, and similar part-time specialties can be found. * Scam-spotting tips that even law enforcement doesn't know.Including interviews with hiring managers and successful home-based workers, Work at Home Now is the ultimate guide to finding the work-at-home job or project you want most.

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ILLUSTRATION 101 - Streetwise Tactics for Surviving As A Freelance Illustrator Review

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(More customer reviews)In short words, its awesome! Its fun, quirky, and tells you like it is. I couldn't help to tell my friends and family about it, especially about the anecdotes. If you're planning to be a freelance illustrator and have no idea what to expect, then get this book! ( this is my bro's account, but I was the one who read it ;D )

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Do you yearn to illustrate?Do you dream of being the star of the commercial art world?Then this is the book for you!In this fun-to-read manual you will quickly learn how to land Dream Commissions and wow Art Directors; get past the Scariest Secretaries; get loads of FREE Publicity; speed up Slow Payers; create killer newsletters and do a hundred other cool things to put your freelance illustration career straight into the fast-lane.

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Connect: A Guide to a New Way of Working from GigaOM's Web Worker Daily Review

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(More customer reviews)I just finished Connect! A Guide to a New Way of Working by Anne Zelenka. Connect is all about web workers, those people who spend all or part of their time working remotely over the web either as telecommuters, freelancers, or some other online working arrangement. I spent about 6 months working remotely, and I could have used a book like this. Based on what I learned from my experience, this book was right on target and offers great advice to people interested in working over the web with good coverage of both the good and the bad aspects. While the flexibility was great for me, you can go a little stir crazy, and Anne has a lot of ideas to help minimize the issues inherent in working from home.
In addition to the basic information about web working, some of the related ideas in the book really helped define some of what I have been noticing over the past couple years that seem to he changing the way people work. Anne makes a great distinction between knowledge work and web work. With knowledge work, the focus has been on the corporation, proprietary technologies, desktop tools, and knowledge, but in contrast, web work is focused on individuals, open technologies, web tools, and relationships. When I was at Intel, the focus was more on knowledge work, but I am noticing that at my current employer, the focus is on web work as Anne defines it with collaboration, openness, and relationships being of utmost importance. As an community person, I am definitely more suited to the web work model.
Busy vs. bursty is also a common theme throughout the book. Busy work is based on work hours, email, company relationships, inflexible long-term planning, and web surfing as a time waster, while bursty work is about getting the job done regardless of hours worked, collaboration tools instead of email, relationships that are broader than just your company, agile planning, and web surfing as fuel for ideas. This isn't to say that you can replace all of the busy work with bursty work; you still need some amount of busy work to get through the tedious, but necessary tasks. However, bursty work also has a place, and again it is more suited to my personal style of working.
I will admit to skipping over a couple of sections, like technology recommendations for home work systems, since I have an in depth knowledge of some of these topics based on my recent experiences as a web worker. Even if you aren't a telecommuter or freelancer working mostly over the web, I still recommend the book and Web Worker Daily, the companion web site. It has a lot of interesting ideas for how work is changing as we move more and more of our lives online.


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If you use the web to reach out beyond the confines of your office, cubicle, or home to connect and collaborate with others doing the same thing, you're a web worker. In this book you'll learn how to use new web tools, discover sites and services you might want to try, and meet the social web where people are as important as corporations. You'll learn how people are working in new ways because of the web, and how you can too.

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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Book Proposals & Query Letters Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been in publishing more than 20 years in many different roles (author, magazine editor, co-author, acquisitions editor, literary agent and publisher). If I'm going to read a how-to book about the creation of book proposals and query letters, I want to make sure I'm learning from someone who has the authority and experience on this topic.
Marilyn Allen and Coleen O'Shea are publishing experts and this book is written with honesty and authority. It resonates with the undercurrent, "we know what we're talking about here." The pages of this book are packed with wisdom and sound counsel--whether you have just decided to write a book or whether you are writing your 31st book. Every author can learn something from reading -and re-reading this book. It deserves your careful study--then most importantly--taking action on their advice and applying it to your submissions.
Here's the problem: some publishing experts estimate there are six million proposals and manuscripts in circulation at agents and publishers. You only have seconds to make a good first impression. The authors emphasize this important need in their fourth chapter about The E-Mail Query Letter: "Some publishing professionals estimate that only 1 percent of all queries ever result in representation. Put another way: for every 100 queries an agent reads, only one author has a shot at becoming a client. Yes, that means the odds are against you--but they aren't impossible. As the adage goes, `You gotta be in it to win it.' Increase your chances of getting into that coveted 1 percent by following a few simple ground rules before you even keystroke the word `Dear.'" (Page 43-44)
The authors begin with queries but make a clear preference to writing your proposal before you write your query letter. As they explain in a section called "Agents' Advice": "This might sound like a no-brainer, but don't send out a query letter before you have written your book proposal. The query letter might go to the agent or editor first, but you need to have the proposal ready to be sent out as soon as possible when requested. Keep in mind, too, that the query letter might look easy because it's a short document, but in fact it can be the hardest piece to write." (Page 40)
Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, you can improve your queries and book proposals if you take action on the advice in these pages. I read it carefully with a yellow highlighter and found myself nodding and highlighting many sections of this book. THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO BOOK PROPOSALS & QUERY LETTERS packs a power punch. I highly recommend it.

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Inside information from publishing professionals. The Complete Idiot's Guide(r) to Book Proposals & Query Letters will help writers catch the attention of literary agents with step-by- step instructions on crafting effective queries and proposals for both fiction and non-fiction books that will put them on the road to publication. • The only book on book proposals that also targets a fiction audience • The most comprehensive information on query letters found in any book on writing

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Getting Started as a Freelance Writer (Culture Tools) Review

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(More customer reviews)Many people want to know how to begin the journey of a freelance writer. To learn a new skill like freelancing, you are wise to follow someone who has "been there." Bob Bly writes with authority and wisdom about the details of a freelance writing career.
Whether you are just starting out or have been in the writing business for a long time, you can gain vast insight from this book. The book covers the details of so many issues which concern writers like how to get properly compensated, how to concentrate on the main thing you want to do (write), how to run your writing career as a business (and all of the details), what are the range of possibilities for your writing and how do you grow your business.
In the introduction, Bob points out a key distinction of this book: "One thing that makes this book different from other "how to become a freelance writer" books on the market is the experience and financial success of the author." (page 2)
The information in Chapter 13: Maximizing Your Personal Productivity" is worth the cost of this entire book. Bob gives six keys (and the explanation in the book): Don't do everything yourself, don't shy away from the Internet, don't become addicted to Internet chat, don't get up, don't go out, and don't undervalue your time." (page 170-171)
GETTING STARTED AS A FREELANCE WRITER is packed with useful information for every writer--beginning or professional. I highly recommend you get this title and study every chapter.

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This expanded edition goes beyond advice on making a living as a business writer to include the more creative forms of writing. There are new chapters on writing and selling poems, short stories, novels, and essays, plus a new section on cartooning. Existing chapters have been brought up to date. You learn to start, run, and build a freelance writing business doing whatever type of writing you prefer.

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The Recession-Busting Guide To Making Money Online From Home Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this book because I was laid off recently and thought it would offer several simple ways to earn extra income. The book and all of the reviews made it seem like it would be a comprehensive guide to earning money online, so I bought the book. I should have really looked at who was reviewing the book. Several of the reviewers were featured "success stories" in his book, so really they did not give an unbiased opinion or review. The first couple of chapters into the book, it is really not much more than a wordy list. It did not leave me feeling any more informed that I was before buying the book. Many of the things described in the book I knew or could have found out from a free book from the library. Beyond that, most of the ways that he suggested to earn money online involved further extensive education and have volumes of books regarding each subject on how to do thme. One example would be, there is a chapter dedicated to writing SEO for webmasters. It made it sound so simple, but when I researched this further, you need to have a pretty heavy background on writing HTML and a fairly extensive knowledge of creating websites. There are many lengthy books and college courses regarding writing SEO. Many of the ideas require an extensive further education. It is apparent that the author has found a niche and is capitalizing on people's desparation in a recession.

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Imagine walking into a coffee shop and meeting 19 people at one large table, each of whom works from home for a living and each of whom does something different. Some sell mortgages, others write resumes, and some sell crafts, all from the comfort of their home. Now think for a minute if you could get each person, all 19 of them, to write a plan for building the online business that they perform from home complete with the rates they charge, the places they advertise, and the information they use to run their business. Enter The Recession-Busting Guide to Making Money Online From Home, an absolute must have for those serious about starting a home-based business online.In the recession our country faces today, this book helps lift people up with inspirational stories of people making money from home in the most peculiar of ways, all true, all written by the people who actually make the money each day from home?not journalists or spectators, but the players themselves.

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Working for Yourself: Law & Taxes for Independent Contractors, Freelancers & Consultants Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a software contractor looking at incorporating. I had looked at LLC options, but some clients require incorporating, so that was ruled out. My best route seemed to be S-Corp. This book answered most of my questions. The "Incorporating Your Business, for Dummies" was pretty good, but not as good as this book. This book has a lot of details and laid some of my worries to rest. It will also save money with your professional team (attorney, accountant) by answering simple, but essential, questions. Definitely worth the money.

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Be your own boss -- easily, efficiently and successfully -- with this bestseller!Whether you're an independent contractor, freelancer, or consultant, it all adds up to the same thing: You need to be more aware of laws and taxes than the average person.Fortunately, Working for Yourself provides all the information you need to stay on top of it all. An independent contractor himself, Stephen Fishman shows you everything you need to know to:
meet business start-up requirements
pick a business structure
set up home or outside offices
obtain permits and licenses
price your services or products
comply with strict IRS rules
establish sound business relationships
avoid unfair contracts
draft good agreements
keep good records
get paid in full and on time
and much, much more The 8th edition is completely revised to provide the up-to-date information you need, including the most current tax rates and legal rules for contractors. Whether you already work for yourself or are thinking about making the move, Working for Yourself will help make sure you do it right.

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Clients From Hell: A collection of anonymously-contributed client horror stories from designers Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this after seeing it in the Kindle blog. Funny, funny stories and quotes! Being a freelancer myself, I've heard it all before and seeing other people dealing with the same nonsense I've seen throughout my career made me feel like I wasn't crazy after all!
As for the formatting of the Kindle book... it was not so good. Missing headings, bad spacing in spots, a weird TOC at the end...just strange. If not for that, I'd have given the book 5 stars.

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A cult phenomenon among those who work in graphic, print and web design - and those lucky enough to have discovered the namesake blog - Clients From Hell has been bringing readers to tears with its unbelievable and always hilarious anecdotes from the twenty and thirty-somethings on the frontlines of design.In print for the first time, this collection brings together the same type of original stories that make the blog a hit and exposes the designer's trade for what it really is: new, misunderstood and often unappreciated. Read the quotes, bizarre requests and elaborate communication failures that are all part of the daily life of working with clients.With anonymous submissions from over a thousand creative freelancers, Clients From Hell sheds an insider's perspective on difficult - and all-too-often irrational and insane - interactions with clients.Anyone who has ever worked with clients may find these tales frighteningly familiar. New designers may think twice about their chosen profession - or at least find relief in the fact that they're not alone in absurd client interactions. And non-designers? Well, they'll just feel grateful - while they laugh and discover the new and uncharted territory of miscommunication.

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