It's Me, I'm My Own Culprit Lol. But I'm Working On It. :)

“Stop doubting yourself. Work hard and make it happen.”

— Unknown

Just keep swimming. Just keep writing. Goodnight, everyone! :)

Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.

— Louis L'Amour

“A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit.”

— Richard Bach

What I’ve Learned As A Freelance Writer

Hello, hello, helloooo. I hope you’re all doing well. :) I’ve been freelance writing for over 10 years, and I thought I’d share what I’ve learned as a freelance writer.

Don’t Put All Your Eggs In One Basket I’ve seen websites go under, and I’ve had clients disappear on me. It used to send me into panic mode, but I’ve learned not to put all my eggs in one basket. Now, I always make sure I’m on enough writing teams and keeping in touch with my regular clients. I also bookmark other freelance/content writing websites to research as needed. Always Do Your Research Sometimes, a writing website sounds too good to be true because it IS too good to be true. Whether it’s for blogging or content writing, you should always research a website and/or ask for opinions before diving right in. At least that’s what I do. Don’t Be Afraid To Try Something New Even though I had an account for years, it took me until 2018/2019 to even post a gig on Fiverr. It was different from the websites I’m used to, so I wasn’t ready until then. I’m glad I made that leap because that’s where I land some of my writing clients. The same can also be said for joining new writing teams and websites, or taking on a new client. If it’s possible and legit, do not be afraid to take the leap because it could lead to something great. However, Learn When To Say No When my Fiverr gigs started picking up traction, I would try to do anything. If I didn’t feel qualified? I’d turn it down. If I was already swamped with work? I would do it and cut it close to my deadlines, or I’d pull an all-nighter to get things done. I’ve learned when to say “no” and/or put up my away message. It’s good to be productive, but you don’t want to overextend yourself and risk burnout. It’s Okay To Make Mistakes - But Make Sure You Learn From Them When I first joined Textbroker, I made a lot of comma mistakes because I wasn’t knowledgeable in the AP Style. I went from avoiding commas (unless I was sure I was right) to taking the time to learn how to properly use the commas. If I’m unsure of anything in general, I hit up Google to double-check it. I also read out loud when proofreading, and I proofread my longer writing orders twice. You’re a human being. You’re going to make mistakes, and that’s okay, but you want to make sure you learn from them. Write Outside Your Freelance Work It’s good to write for fun and as a hobby. I run this blog, as well as a grief-related blog (because I lost my parents) and a fan blog for my favorite band. I’m a member of MyLot, and I have multiple online/offline journals for sharing my thoughts. Write outside of your work. Express yourself. Keep the creative juices flowing. And mostly, don’t lose your passion for writing.

Those are just a few things I’ve learned as a freelance writer, and I hope they help you to grow into the writer you wish to be. :) What have you learned as a freelance or creative writer?

First Post in Months!

Hey, hey, hey! It's been quite a while, and I've been meaning to sign back in and post, but I just haven't gotten around to it… until now.

I'll start off by sharing the reason I had stopped posting altogether. I was dealing with anxiety (which led to depression) for some of February and a good chunk of March. I've been dealing with it for years, but it became unmanageable and disrupted my diet and sleep habits. Since finding a psychiatriast (in addition to my therapist), I've gotten my medication changed and adopted healthy outlets (i.e., Animal Crossing and getting outside), and my anxiety is back at a mangeable level.

Next, work had picked up across several platforms, so I've been busy with my writing orders. I'm not complaining though; I'm grateful for the work, even when I was swamped. I would rather be stressed because I have too much than worried because I don't have enough.

Finally, I've been working on my work-life balance, so once I'm finished with my work, I'll usually shut down the laptop for the night. I decided this evening that I should really get in here and post something.

So, that's basically where I've been. I'll try to do better at sharing updates on my writing journey. If anyone reads this, or even if you don't, I hope you're all doing well! :)

My First Experience On A Writing Website

Aside from online journals and diaries, my first experience on a writing website was Associated Content (later known as Yahoo! Contributor Network). I submitted a few articles here and there in 2009, and in 2010, I decided to start writing and submitting articles to AC/YCN weekly. I’m not going to lie and say that I made a ton of money off those articles. I received upfront payments for a lot of them, as well as monthly payments for article views. What I really received from my time on AC/YCN was (freelance) writing experience. My articles were mainly things such as “Top 5 Toys For Infants” and “5 Craft Ideas For Valentine’s Day” because those were familiar topics for me. My late Father introduced me to “Top X” articles, and I knew of craft projects because I used to work with children. Other topics were local and seasonal, from museums in my area to autumn-themed activities. Even when I moved on from submitting articles for upfront payments to working on other websites, I would still receive a little each month for views, so I thought that was cool. I did try out other websites, such as Triond and Bukisa, but I still preferred Associated Content. Associated Content/Yahoo! Contributor Network has been gone for several years now, but I’m grateful for my time on that website. I feel it helped me to learn and grow as a writer, and I got my feet wet in freelance writing.

Where did you first get your start in freelance writing? If you’re just getting started, keep at it. I know you can gain experience, grow as a writer and reach your goals. :)

Lol, welp.

I'm Offering A Writing Gig of 1,000+ Words On Fiverr

I offer multiple writing packages on my Fiverr gigs, which are 300, 500, and 700 words. Of course, I also offer custom orders for those who need more than 700 words. I've had clients need to place an order for 1,000+ words. After several years of custom orders, I decided it was time to create a separate gig.

My writing gigs are for specific topics, of course, but they also vary in topic. My main topics include apartment/home living, children and family, and holidays. My sub topics are an expansion of the main topics, i.e., “How To Make A Small Space Feel Larger,” “Tips For Taking A Road Trip With Your Family,” and “Host A Halloween Party With These Ideas.”

I've taken other topics, within reason, of course. 

My latest gig features three packages, which are 1,000, 1,500, and 2,000 words, as well as custom offers for even longer content. It's pricier than my other gigs because there is more time that goes into a longer order. I'm spending more time researching, writing, proofreading, and editing to ensure it fits my client's needs. In addition, I always proofread my orders twice. Sometimes three times if necessary.

My goal is to deliver quality content by the deadline, and this is not something I take lightly. 

Well, here comes the "Call To Action" portion of my post. I can add a CTA to your content as well. ;)

If you need content of 1,000+ words, written by an author who only wants to deliver the best content possible, please check out my latest gig. I'm available Monday through Friday, but I can discuss your project over weekends. Thank you so much!

Fiverr.com

Tammy85: I will write over 1,000 words on a variety of topics for $50 on fiverr.com

For only $50, Tammy85 will write over 1,000 words on a variety of topics. | Please do not place an order without contacting me first, as I n

I'm a freelance (content) writer, and procrastination and I like to battle it out weekly. This week, I'm determined to win the battle. Sooo, let me get off of Tumblr and other social media platforms and get back to work. :)