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Try These 7 Smart Rewrite Tricks To Build Epic Writing Skills
It’s been said that great writing isn’t about the writing — the magic is in the rewriting. None of us write a perfect first draft, so the buffing-and-polishing stage is where your piece goes from ‘yawn’ to fascinating. Over my 12 years as a staff writer, I learned some basic editing steps to take with my writing that reliably improve my work. Applying these to my articles over and over is really how I built my writing skills.
When you correct a writing error over and over in the rewrite phase, you get tired of having to make that effort, right? So you start incorporating the fix into your first draft. Soon, your work needs less rewriting. You get faster at knocking out your draft — and your hourly rate goes up.
Recently, one of my mastermind graduates asked to use her coaching time for a writing critique. Going over her draft with her reminded me of how many simple rewrite tricks I’ve picked up over the years.
It’s actually easy to spot and fix common writing errors in your own work, once you know how.
So, here’s a guide to seven ways to improve your writing with second-draft fixes:
Start Writing with This Simple 15-Minute Hack for Busy Freelancers
Short on time? It can be easy to think you’ve got too many thigs on your to-do list to start writing.
Whether you’re a stay-at-home freelancer or working a day job and writing on the side, carving out time to start writing or marketing your services can be a challenge.
There’s a long list of reasons (aka excuses): Meetings, kids, email, laundry, phone calls, grocery shopping, writer website updates, etc.
You’re thinking you need an hour or more of time to start writing, finish an assignment or spend time marketing to land more client work. But that hour never seems to materialize.
Plans change. Someone pukes on the ride to school. Your toddler won’t go down for a nap. Or your designated writing time gets annihilated by some other priority.
If I waited around for a day when I got all the time I planned for writing, I would never get anything done. I had to figure out a better way. Here’s my simple strategy to hack 15-minute blocks of time to start writing:
How to Love the Often-Dreaded Chore of Freelance Marketing
Freelance marketing might feel like a chore. But it’s kind of important. If you don’t do it, you don’t eat. The good news, you can learn to love freelance marketing like I did. Enjoy!-Carol
When I first got back into freelancing after years of being a staff writer, I didn’t have to do much freelance marketing.
I called many sources at companies I’d covered at writing for a local business journal, let them know I was freelancing, and it kind of rolled from there.
I called a couple local magazines, pitched them, and got assignments. I answered an ad and found myself writing Web content for a $1 billion corporation.
Looking back, it was a golden time. My career ran easy, like water flowing downhill.
But if you’ve ever sat back and done little to no freelance marketing, you know it’s not a sustainable way to stay fully booked.
It’s a lesson I had to learn the hard way. And I don’t want you to end up in the same situation. Here’s how I learned to love freelance marketing to move up and earn more:
10 Time-Saving Apps to Boost Productivity for Freelance Writers
Are you one of those freelance writers who is always short on time, scrambles to get stuff done, and lives in a constant state of procrastination?
It happens. Shiny Object Syndrome is a real thing when you’re sitting in front of a computer all day.
There’s email, social channels, your favorite blogs and websites, the latest gaming craze called Fortnite, and much more to distract you from getting work done.
Sound familiar?
In the perfect world, you spend all your working hours writing for clients, marketing your services, and making lots of money.
But it doesn’t always work like that. Right?
Fortunately, the Internet’s abyss of never-ending distractions is also a great place to find apps to help you work smarter, get organized, and be more productive.
As a freelance technology writer, I’ve tested and used a long list of Chrome apps to boost my own productivity, and ultimately make more money. And so can you.
Check out these 10 time-saving apps to help you move up and earn more:
Pitch This Exceptional Breed to Get the Best Freelance Clients
Are you tired of working teeny, one-off writing jobs for small publications and one-horse businesses? To get the best freelance clients, you’ll have to stop wasting time on the small fry and target a whole different category of prospect.
These terrific clients aren’t in one particular industry, but spread through every type of business and organization. These are clients where the amount you earn from them tends to grow effortlessly over time. Unlike most of the solopreneur types, who tend to sputter out and go bust. Right?
The best freelance clients all have a single trait in common. Target only organizations that have this trait, and it will help you find ongoing work at great rates.
Let me introduce you to one of the best client types out there, no matter what type of freelance writing you do.
Tired, Broke, and Desperate? Steps to Triple Your Freelance Income
How’s your freelance income?
If you’re working for low-paying clients barely getting by, it’s a pretty frustrating place to be.
But if you want to change your situation and increase your freelance income, you can’t keep doing the same things, working for the same clients, and expect anything different.
If you really want to grow your freelance income, sometimes you have to take a step back, and take a closer look at what you’re doing right, and what you need to change.
Improve your marketing efforts. Find better clients. Get a better handle on how you’re using your time. Raise your rates.
It might seem like big to-do list, but you don’t have to change everything all at once. You just need to be strategic about it to move up and earn more.
When freelance writer Sylvie Tremblay’s found herself tired, broke, and desperate for work, she made a mindset shift, changed her approach to running a business, and managed to triple her freelance income. Here’s how it’s done:
VIDEO: The $20K Quarter (Secrets of Successful Freelance Writers)
Ever wish you could be a fly on the wall at the home of some successful freelance writers, and figure out what they do to earn more?
Well, now you can.
You see, I am that fly – I spend a lot of time talking on Zoom to high-earning freelance writers in my Freelance Writers Den 2X Income Accelerator. That’s my 6-month mastermind program for doubling your income.
With the permission of a few of my coaching grads, I’ve put together a 20-minute video where you can eavesdrop on writers who earn $80,000 a year – and writers who’re scheming on how to get there.
The raw reality of high-earning writers
Warning: This is raw, unvarnished reality video here. We’re all in our living rooms wearing whatever, with kids and dogs and what-all going on behind us! Also, the video jumps around a bit, as I’m blocking out writers who aren’t interviewed in this video, to respect their privacy.
Listen in as I give the writers some on-the-fly coaching on how to earn even more. They also brainstorm with their group on how to up their game, too.
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to get mastermind and coaching support, this video shows you what a powerful shortcut to success a mastermind can be. Enjoy!
The Go-Getter Writer’s Guide to Ramp Up Your Freelance Business
Build a thriving freelance business as a writer. That’s the goal, right?
But just about every writer discovers that the path to get there includes twists and turns, dead-ends, roadblocks, and delays while trying to build a freelance business.
And sometimes, you might even get lost along the way. Been there, done that?
But if you’re the go-getter type who’s willing to hustle, develop discipline, and learn the business and craft of freelance writing, you can do this.
If you’re just starting out, or you’re ready to move up and earn more, there’s a few critical skills you need for long-term success.
And they don’t have anything to do with the craft of writing, but everything to do with the business of writing, planning, finances, and marketing.
Ready to ramp up your freelance business? Check out these five go-getter strategies to help you earn more, get a steady stream of clients, and create a long-term game plan for freelance business success.
How to Make the Terrifying Leap to Charge Higher Freelance Rates
Terrified of charging higher freelance rates, even though you know you’re worth it?
If quoting big is outside your comfort zone, I get it. It seemed too risky.
What if you lose the gig?
In my family, income from my freelancing is pretty important. We depend on it being there every month, so I’m not in a position to take huge unnecessary risks. A lost gig equals lost income (and lost income doesn’t pay the mortgage).
But at some point, you’re bound to reach a tipping point. You might be terrified of the outcome, but you’re finally willing to take the risk to find out if you can command higher freelance rates.
I reached a tipping point like that earlier this year, and something pretty crazy happened.
Want to learn how to punch fear in the face, and take the leap to raise your freelance rates? Here’s how it’s done:
Overcoming Procrastination: 7 Useless Activities Writers Can Skip
Want to know the solution to overcoming procrastination?
If you’re feeling unproductive, as a freelance writer, you’re not alone. Writers all seem to suspect other writers are super-productive, while they struggle to write a single paragraph.
We’re all, ‘Stop wasting time, lady! Write more!’
Overcoming procrastination is easily the most popular podcast topic in the 7-year history of Freelance Writers Den.
While I don’t think it’s healthy to constantly compare yourself to other writers…it’s true that many writers have an elaborate set of time-wasting activities that suck up their day.
These are things you do instead of writing or marketing. These could all be cut back or eliminated altogether, in favor of more writing and marketing time.
What should writers stop wasting time doing? Here’s my list:
Get More Leads With This Unconventional Marketing Method for Freelance Writers
You want to get more leads to grow your freelance writing business.
So you set a goal to churn out more queries and letters of introduction. That’s how you market yourself as a freelance writer, isn’t it?
Those are two traditional marketing methods freelance writers use to get more leads and clients. And you should be sending out plenty of both if you want to get fully booked.
But who says you have to play by old-school rules?
There’s a million different ways to market your services, connect with people in your niche, and land more freelance writing assignments.
And there’s at least one unconventional marketing method you should consider. Barrier to entry is low. Tech tools make it easy.
One writer has even used this approach to get more leads, land multiple ghostwriting gigs, build authority, and ultimately make more money. And so can you.
Ready to give this unconventional marketing method a try?
The Lucrative Business of Dumpster Diving for Discarded Freelance Ideas
Have you ever come up with a bunch of good freelance ideas and then tossed them in the virtual trash?
You brainstorm some freelance ideas for a query or letter of introduction to land an assignment. You even write up a partial pitch.
And then for whatever reason (fear, procrastination, shiny-object syndrome, or too many open windows on your computer), those freelance ideas never make it to the Great Beyond.
Been there, done that?
If your hard drive looks like the inside of a hoarder’s house stacked with unfinished freelance ideas in every corner, it’s time to put on some rubber gloves, and start digging through the trash.
Why? Some of your discarded freelance ideas are worth money, an assignment, your next best client.
Having a little hoarder freakout about now? Here’s what you need to do:
Looking for writing courses & community support?
Our online community, Freelance Writers Den, was founded in 2011. Since then, we’ve helped 14,000+ writers connect with peers, improve their skills, and grow their freelance writing income.
Our lively community is stuffed with useful tools and career-building resources. Use our 24/7 forums to get your questions answered by pros. Tap our 300+ hours of self-study trainings to learn new skills.
The Den has live events and multi-week bootcamps where you can tap experts’ knowledge, an exclusive job board, accountability buddies, live chats, and more. Also, if you want feedback on your writer website, LinkedIn profile, or article draft, we’ve got you.
Visit the Freelance Writers Den site to see if we’re open for new members right now. Sign up on the waiting list if we’re not, and you’ll be first to join when we reopen (plus, you’ll get useful free resources in the meanwhile).
