Ed Gandia - Make a Living Writing

Build Success with the Lego Productivity Method for Writers

How do you build success as a freelance writer and make the most of your time?

When you’ve got writing deadlines closing in, freelance marketing work to do, and a long list of emails to read through, and they all seem important, it’s hard to get stuff done.

Have you ever sat in front of your computer for a day, buzzed from one thing to the next, and felt like you didn’t get anything done?

That’s not exactly how you build success as a freelance writer. You have to figure out how to fit all the pieces together, brick by brick, to make it all work.

But freelancing doesn’t exactly come with a perfectly-scripted instruction manual like a Lego set does. Every writer builds success a little bit differently.

So how do you figure out how to meet your writing deadlines, find great clients, get more work done, enjoy the freedom of being of being a freelancer, and ultimately make more money?

Ed Gandia’s solution is the Lego productivity method for writers. Check out the step-by-step instructions to build success in this Q&A:

10 Life-Changing Books for Writers (Hint: They’re Not About Craft)

What happens when freelance writers want to build their careers? Well, since we’re ‘word’ people, we tend to ask our friends, “What good books for writers should I read?”

Lengthy chats erupt on Facebook in response, about the most inspiring and useful books on writing craft. Books such as Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, and Stephen King’s On Writing are enthusiastically discussed and endorsed.

I’ve read and loved these books, too. But I don’t think they’re the ideal books for writers, especially if your focus is making a reliable living at your craft.

My experience is writers read these books, think, “Aaah, wonderful! Terrific insights.” Then, they go straight back to starving.

Also, most writers I know don’t need to improve their craft. They write just fine.

The books for writers that will make a bigger impact are the ones about how to make a business from writing. How to freelance successfully. How to finally find the confidence to put your writing out there.

Those are the books for writers that can really change your life. The books that show you how to feed your family, on a regular basis, with your craft.

If that’s the sort of help you need, here’s a list of practical books on the business of being a writer that I frequently recommend.

The Truth About How Much Freelance Writers Make

Data on how much freelance writers make can be tough to pin down. But it’s something every writer wants to know. I tackled this topic three years ago when I published this post. And it’s a topic that never gets old. Check out the updated resources. And be sure to ask yourself the two questions at the end to determine your earning potential. -Carol

It’s one of the most-asked questions I get: “Can you tell me how much freelance writers make?”

Let’s face it — we’ve all got mouths to feed. So it’s important to get a sense of whether freelance writing can yield you a real, bill-paying level of income. It’s a good question to ask.

There are two steps to figuring out the answer to this question.

The first is to find survey data on what freelancers make. That gives you a sense of what’s possible, and what’s typical.

The second step is a bit harder, so let’s start with data.

A Simple and Fun Hack to Boost Your Productivity

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5 Secrets No One Tells You About How to Write for the Fortune 500

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Aren't you sick of the negativity out there in the freelance writing community? I know I am. You know the spiel. Comments like: The economy is still so awful, bla bla bla. All articles are now $5 or less. I can't believe this Craigslist ad asks for three free samples....

6 Things You’re Flubbing in Your Marketing Emails

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