But that’s not to say that there aren’t some worthwhile business books out there, and as freelance writers, we’re not doing anything if we’re not running a business.

So my #1 tricky way to keep up with business books? Check out the weekly business book club over at DearReader.com.  (It’s toward the bottom. I can’t link directly to it because to join – and support your local library! – you need to to enter your zip code information.)  Every day from Monday-Friday Suzanne Beecher, the founder of Dear Reader, will send you few pages of a business book. By the end of the week you’ll have read 20-30 pages or so. That’s at least enough to figure out if the book is worth finding through other avenues.

Okay, so you’ve found a cool book. Let’s say its Instant Appeal: The 8 Primal Factors That Create Blockbuster Success. And yes, I chose this book because I personally found it very cool after reading the first 20 or so pages on Dear Reader. Kunkel writes about the anthropological and evolutionary factors that figure into our decision making. For example, I found out that the reason that people will bypass others in a crowd to ask me for directions is because I have a trustworthy, round face. You oval faces, watch out if you ever need to borrow $20. For some reason we’re ingrained to think that you won’t pay us back. Though it sometimes simplifies our human reactions to an almost uncomfortable level, this book is a must-read for copywriters looking to appeal to those primal urges.

But I digress. This book came out a couple of years ago. How did I get a hardback copy for about $3? (No, smartass, not the bargain bin.) I put it on my wishlist on PaperbackSwap.com.  This site allows you to list all of your old and unwanted books (hardbacks are fine, too) and then mail them out using an easy semi-automated system whenever anyone requests them. You earn credits which you can then spend on book from other PBS users. Because Kunkel’s book was new, I waited three or four months for it, but many books are available right now or after only a short wait.  And the only thing credits cost you is the $2-$3 book rate to ship your old books to waiting readers.

Or, if you find a must-have business book from DearReader.com and absolutely can’t wait, have you tried your local library’s website? Do it. Library websites are awesome now! While we all graduated from college and stopped having to do research papers, libraries quietly packed away the card catalog and entered the digital age. At the website for your local library system, you can now place holds on books and have them transferred to a library location nearer to you so you can pick them up on your whim.  You can also request interlibrary loans on books from anywhere.  The library is your friend.

Or you could just go to the bookstore. But where’s the creativity in that?

The second newsletter that is always guaranteed to make me stop in mid-sentence or even mid-IM conversation with a client is the newsletter from SomeECards.com. If you’re not familiar with SomeECards, it’s not your mama’s eCard site. You won’t find any irritating flashing lights or dancing chinchillas. What you will find is Graduation Cards emblazoned with “Congratulations on getting through the easiest part of life” or a Wedding Invitation that truthfully announces “You’re cordially invited to witness a large chunk of our parents’ savings disappear in a five-hour time span.”

But as freelancers, we’re not usually inviting people to weddings or graduation parties. What we’re doing is working our asses off. And, as it turns out, SomeECards saw us coming, too. Here are thirteen eCards tailor made for freelancers:

1. For Those Days When You Just Can’t Get Motivated
2. For Lowballing Clients (If law enforcement asks, I don’t recommend emulating this card.)
3. For Public Relations Contacts
4. For the Nit Picky Client
5. For Beloved Contractors (Kidding!)
6. For Social Media Consultants (to send to themselves when this one just won’t cut it)
7. For Freelancers with Phone-Phobia
8. For those Distant Freelancing Colleagues
9. For the Workaholic Freelancer
10. For the Freelance Developer
11. For the Freelancer Pursuing Passive Income
12. For the Part-Time Freelancer
13. For the Client Who Won’t Listen

(My sincerest apologies for all the clicky. I’m not sure what their reposting policy is and don’t feel like getting sued today.)

Didn’t find the eCard that encapsulates your freelance experience? Then SomeECards will also let you create one. Have at it!

Somebody has been talking me up. Lately, I’ve had shiny-eyed prospective new freelance writers popping up out of the woodwork to ask me how to get started.  So hi there, new writers! This post is for you.

What are my two top pieces of advice to potential freelance writers?

1.) Specialize

2.) Successful freelancer writers don’t just write for money, they run freelance writing businesses. And running a business is a lot like work. If you’re ready to make a fortune in your first year and you’re allergic to 60 hour weeks, then this profession might not be for you.

If that didn’t scare you off, here’s some of my best advice to new freelancers on how to actually get started:

The Quick and Dirty Guide to Landing Freelance Writing Jobs, Part 1

The Quick and Dirty Guide to Landing Freelance Writing Jobs, Part 2

The Quick and Dirty Guide to Landing Freelance Writing Jobs, Part 3

Here are some books and ebooks you should purchase and devour (I don’t read a ton of ebooks so this list may grow at a later date):

The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman

Web Writer’s Guide to Launching a Successful Freelance Web Writing Career by Jenn Mattern

And here are some blogs you should read religiously.

If you don’t use an RSS feed reader, start doing that today. Believe me, you’re going to need it in your career.

All Freelance Writing

Freelance Writing Jobs

Angela Booth’s Writing Blog

Freelance Switch

Freelance Folder

This blog, The Life and Times of a Freelance Writer

I also recommend following my Facebook group, “Jennifer Escalona – Writing Job Leads (Now with Wisdom!)” Maybe you’ll find a job and learn a little something in the process.

Finally, do you know why I really wrote this blog post? So that the next time somebody asks “Hey, have any freelance writing tips for me?” I have a place to send them. As a freelance writer, you’re going to be busy hustling to make a living. Every little shortcut you can make for yourself is another billable hour you can charge somewhere down the line.

Now get to work, newbie. Freelance writing careers don’t start themselves. And before I forget…

Welcome to our world!

Writing and Editing Jobs

Community Management/Social Media Jobs

Blogging Jobs

As always, if you apply for one of these jobs and it isn’t what it appears, let me know so I can blacklist the company with extreme prejudice. Freelance writing/blogging/community managing/surviving is tough enough without scammers getting in the way.

Writing and Editing Jobs

Community Management/Social Media Jobs

Blogging Jobs

AllFreelanceWriting.com – Where Jenn Mattern and Crew post handpicked writing jobs

FreelanceWritingJobs.com – Where Deb Ng and Crew post handpicked writing jobs.

About Freelance Writing – Anne Wayman’s newsletter is the first freelance writing jobs email I ever subscribed to, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. She’s very comprehensive, too!

ProBlogger.net Job Board – I love this site and found one of my favorite clients here, but watch out for the low paying and content mill writing gigs that have been showing up lately.

Mashable’s Weekly List of Social Media Jobs – I don’t know how Cashmore does it, but Mashable always has the scoop on the best social media jobs. Dig in. (The link leads to this week’s post.)

Now on to the very few jobs I have for you today:

Freelance Writing and Editing Jobs

Blogging Jobs

If you’re in Atlanta, join hosts Face Forward Events (and me!)  for the Blog Live Atlanta event tonight from 7pm to 9pm. Get all the details and pre-register for Blog Live Atlanta at Face-Forward.com. Intern Heather, Journalist Miguel and I all hope to see you there!

Staff Writing, Freelance Writing and Editing Jobs

*This job isn’t posted on the internet! Recruiter Effie Pearman from Insight Global, Inc. in Brentwood, TN is looking for a web copywriter for a 3-6 month contract. Contact her at Effie dot Pearman at insightglobal dot net for more information.  

Community Management and Social Media Jobs

Blogging Jobs

Find dead links or scammy jobs? Drop me a line in the comments and I’ll excise them with extreme prejudice.

In a nutshell: Internships are for YOUR professional development, not a sneaky way for employers’ to save money.

Writing and Editing Jobs

Community Management and Social Media Jobs

Blogging Jobs

I try my best to weed out low paying jobs and scams, but if one of these jobs isn’t what it seems, please let me know so I can blacklist the site or company with righteous fury.

Community Management and Social Media Jobs

Blogging Jobs

re: novel writer wanted for an idiot