Category: Freelancing

A Few Kinds of Word Processors

Posted by The Team –

by Misty S Bledsoe

There are three major types of word processing applications although there are dozens  available for use. Each word processing package is different in terms of the exact functions the processing application provides and yet they are inherently similar in that they all will perform, opening, closing, saving, and deleting functions. Microsoft Works Word Processor comes standard as a part of the Microsoft Works package on computers with a Microsoft Windows operating system. Microsoft Word comes inside the Microsoft Office software suite and OpenOffice Writer is included in the OpenOffice software package.

Microsoft Works Word Processor

This application populates a blank page ready to accept writings from a user when it’s launched. Standard menu choices of “File,” “Edit,” “View,” “Insert,” “Format,” “Tools,” and “Help” are available. Clicking on “Table” item allows the user to insert a table, rows, columns or import another spreadsheet into the document. The next line down shows the standard icon tool bar that includes all the normal functions of opening, saving, formatting, print preview and printing. The font bar allows a user to choose between most standard available fonts. Microsoft Works Word Processor offers document templates to help a user get started such as journals, faxes, flyers, cards, resumes, stationary and address labels.

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is the word processor that comes part of the Microsoft Office suite. Microsoft Word offers the same functionality as Microsoft Works Word Processor and is similar in layout. The key differences between the two products are the layout options. Microsoft Word allows the user to view the document in full pane view, print layout with rulers up the sides, outline format, draft format and a web layout. Clicking on each of these options changes how the text and overall document is displayed. This word processor allows the use of macros to make repetitive work easier for the user. For those working on various types of research papers, this word processor has a reference section built in that allows the user to simply plug in various pieces of a source and the word processor produces the correct format for citing sources.

OpenOffice Writer

The OpenOffice software suite is offered to the public as an open source software with no cost and no licensing requirements. Registration of the product is voluntary whereas the Microsoft products require registration of their products. The OpenOffice software suite is available for download from the internet at openoffice.org. The menu bars in OpenOffice Text Document are similar to that of the Microsoft products. The key difference is that more of the menu choices are listed as picture icons. The pictures illustrate what each function is. This word processor allows the attachment of databases and bibliographies. To make the documents compatible with other software packages OpenOffice allows the document to be saved in a PDF format.

Christmas Sheet Music Available Year Round

Posted by The Team –

For some, Christmas never goes out of season. //Photo courtesy of ppdigital/Morguefile.com

When I was in the 8th grade, all my friends were in band. I never joined because I couldn’t pick what instrument I was to play and my family was strapped for extra cash at the time. No one in my immediate family readily reads sheet music, and from time to time we’ve all held a desire or an inkling to learn a musical instrument. Sheet music has always been beautiful to me, much like the written word. It’s full of symbols and shapes that when read properly make beautiful sounds.

Recently, I came across Virtualsheetmusic.com. It offers a full array of music to choose from for download in a variety of forms and for print. What was of special interest to me was the Christmas Sheet Music. Christmas Sheet Music is available for guitars, flutes, harps, clarinets, trumpets and more. They also offer sheet music for music ensembles.

There are three different collections of Christmas Sheet Music. To download or print any of their sheet music, you’ll need to pay a onetime fee of $37.95,  for membership. According to their website, membership can make a great gift, especially for the music lover. I would recommend this site to others because of their wide selection, user-friendly interface and onetime fee, rather than a monthly membership.

Practical Hands on Programming Experience

Posted by The Team –

By Misty S Bledsoe

Working on open source projects is meaningful and worthwile. //Photo courtesy of ppdigital/Morguefile.com

Working on open source projects is meaningful and worthwile. //Photo courtesy of ppdigital/Morguefile.com

Many companies today need you to have some sort of hands on programming skills in a language of their choice in addition to your educational background. Surf many job listings you’ll see phrases like “strong,” “experienced,” “provable” and more when it comes to the type of programmer a company is aggressively seeking. So how do you jump in and gain the hands on experience beyond school that you need?

Open Source Projects

Open source projects are projects that you register to work on. You volunteer or get assigned a piece to work with based on your experience levels. Open source technology allows anyone with coding experience (from the person who does it at home as a hobby to the PhDs that use smaller simpler programs to relax), to tweak and modify the code as they see fit within the bounds of proper code of ethics. Although it’s physically possible to turn open source code into something malicious, that violates every single last code of conduct that exists for proper and respected programmers and other IT professionals. Do a quick search for “beginning open source” or “(language choice) open source.” There’s tons of stuff out there to get you started. Don’t be afraid and dive right in.

Bug Fixes & Plug-ins

Several sites out there programmers the ability to fix bugs in current code and make plug-ins for existing applications. These can be less intimidating to start out with and take less time. Using these can be helpful if you’re strapped with your current job or other obligations.

Either way, your skills can stay sharpened and useful to the rest of the world while you seek the all-perfect programming job. It can help you build a portfolio of work in addition to what you did in school and your name will appear in credits for open source project and bug fixes on the internet, helping to support your claims at being a legitimate programmer.

Could I Write a “Simple Letter” and Get Paid for it?

Posted by The Team –

by Misty S Bledsoe

Getting paid well for your writing allows you to have a much more mobile lifestyle. Photo courtesy of manuere/Morguefile.com

Getting paid well for your writing allows you to have a much more mobile lifestyle. Photo courtesy of manuere/Morguefile.com

Copywriting is a type of writing that specializes in content that is designed to turn a reader into a customer for a product or service. Writing this type of content requires special training in the tools and tricks of the trade to know what is truly effective. American Writer’s and Artist’s Institute Online is one of the strongest places I’ve ever experienced or worked with. What convinced me is that, well, let me back up a second.

For those of you who know me, I’ve been writing since my 4th grade teacher gave me a C for my first paragraph story problem! I’ve read and written several different genres and have sold hundreds of articles, but I was still seeking a way I could get paid well for my writing.

That’s when I got a pamphlet in the mail detailing “The Writer’s Life” so to speak where I could learn to write a simple letter that would literally sell for thousands. I don’t impulsively spend my money on much of anything. I waited about two years before I actually purchased their course. I spent the time investigating the company and their resources. I subscribed to their free newsletter, took their course and since then my writing has had the proper “injection” of juice that it really needs.

And yes, I have been able to write “Simple Letters” that literally have paid me back more than expected because I’ve used their techniques in my content. If you feel you need that extra “injection” to get you past where you are are, then be sure to visit the site and see how their courses could help you as well.

Stretching your Advertising Budget: Getting the Word Out

Posted by The Team –

by Misty S Bledsoe

Get your business name out there so your customers can easily find you. Photo courtesy of mconners/Morguefile.com

Get your business name out there so your customers can easily find you. Photo courtesy of mconners/Morguefile.com

Running any kind of a business requires consistent and effective marketing. This applies to the one person who is a freelance writer all the way up to publically held companies keeping their logos in front of the eyes of the customer. Marketing can take on many facets but budget will ultimately decide what options are chosen.

To get your business name and contact information into every major online directory, consider enrolling the services of Universal Business Listings. Their services are affordable at only $30 a year as of this writing. In a world where time is money, Universal Business Listings, considerably saves the business owner time in terms of having to submit their contact information to every major directory, make sure each one is properly updated when needed, and keeping track of their effectiveness. Using Universal Business Listings basically takes that task over and because it’s relatively inexpensive, it makes an attractive “give it a try” for any business owner seeking to add online directories to their marketing arsenals. Interestingly enough, Universal Business Listings allows users to sign up for an affiliate program, meaning the business owner can enroll, refer their colleagues and potentially earn the money back they spent in their initial investment.

Affiliate marketing, free article reprints and otherwise participating in relative discussions in form and discussion boards can all help get the word out for many businesses who wish to attack it from an online perspective.

Making Cash with my Photos: a Self Experiment

Posted by The Team –

by Misty S Bledsoe

I used the techniques to take this perfect picture while I was on vacation.

I used the techniques to take this perfect picture while I was on vacation.

I’m not a professional photographer and I don’t consider myself skilled with digital cameras. I knew that when I ordered “Turn Your Pictures into Cash” by AWAIonline.com they could show someone like me how to take a point-n-shoot camera and in simple terms teach me how take and produce saleable photographs for fun and for profit.

The material was easy to read and understand and after only a couple of chapters, I understood what a “good” picture is and how to take them myself. “This is easier than I thought,” I said to myself. About a week later, I found myself needing to sell both my kitchen table and my queen size bed for some extra cash. It was a perfect opportunity to put what I learned to practice. Maybe it would work, maybe it wouldn’t.  But I was curious nonetheless.

I strategically took the photos using the techniques in the course as I had learned in the first few chapters, and posted the bed online. It sold in less than 24 hours. I received my full asking price (I had it fairly priced) and when the buyer came to retrieve it, I specifically asked them what made them interested in my particular listing. “The photo was good,” she said. Really? Hmmm. Not bad.

So, I did the same thing with my table. That took longer to sell because I had it marked up to much. But when it did sell, same thing, “The pictures really showed it,” the buyers said. Between selling those two items, I essentially made up what I had paid for course. Plus, now that I know what I’m doing, I can dabble in stock photography (which can be simple and lucrative), and add better photos to my articles. Like everything I tend to recommend, you really have nothing to lose by taking a look at it: Turn Your Pictures into Cash. 

 

When Using a Pseudonym Makes Sense

Posted by The Team –

by Misty S Bledsoe

Probably the biggest reason to use one is just because you don’t want what you’ve written associated with your name.

One of the places I write for recently performed some policy changes. One of them, is that writers can no longer put their personal website or blog into their bio’s. Plus, the organization still keeps all rights. Yep, all rights. Editors, however decided sometimes to change some of the content or reword things, or even dumb down things normal adults should have no problem reading. In doing this, it is the writer’s name and reputation at stake.

As writers, we know if a prospective client is looking over our work, if they see any flaws in terms of grammar or punctuation, you are automatically written off the list. If you can’t get your articles right, how do they expect you to perform for them? In addition, in the bios, we are supposed to put down our education. This is fine and dandy until an editor changes something so that it factually incorrect. Also, makes us look bad. Thus, a pseudonym is born.

Personally, I feel freer knowing if they make changes or mistakes that it really has no bearing on me anymore and I am free to protect my reputation as a writer. It’s not a complaint, it’s just the way it is.

How then do you offer clips when a client wants to see your work? Use past clips or your blog to display your work or if you feel comfortable revealing your pseudonym, then do so. If I have to, I’m only selecting articles that were correct and sound professional to display.

Working at Home: Simpler than you think.

Posted by The Team –

by Misty S Bledsoe

flutterby/Morguefile.com

flutterby/Morguefile.com

Working from home is a wonderful thing and I learned that contrary to what is out there on the internet there are several ways I can make money from home without really having to pay much of anything if anything at all, depending on how you look at and or structure your finances. Some of the best places I’ve found several types of work at home jobs that allow me to stay at home are:

http://www.virtualvocations.com

http://magicalgiftdollhouses.com/

http://www.ratracerebellion.com

http://www.associatedcontent.com

Feel free to explore these. I pay to access Virtual Vocations full database and I’ve paid the deposit for the New England Crafter’s Company. As for NEC, I’ve passed on one of their projects and now enjoy making their crafts from home in addition to writing freelance articles. Working from home can be simpler than you imagine. Timothy Ferris, author of The 4 Hour Work Week, says you can always make more money but you can never get your time back.

Once you’ve decided to work out of your home, does that mean you won’t work for another regular corporation ever again? Certainly not. None of us know what the future really holds in terms of what twists and turns life will bring us. As a safety net, always be willing to work outside the home if you ever have to and never do anything to alienate prospective employers. Rather, come along side them and work with them as partners. As a business owner, self-employed person, you know what it takes to be successful and when you can join a corporation as an employee even temporarily; you are each helping one another meet mutual goals. To top this, working outside the home can help keep some of your employable skills fresh depending on what choose to do from the home for work.

Before Using an Article Submitter Application, Read This…

Posted by The Team –

anendel/Morguefile.com

anendel/Morguefile.com

by: Misty S Bledsoe

There are several ways to maximize your exposure to the articles you write. I purchased an older version of Blogging to the Bank a couple of years ago, read it and kept it for when I ready to use it. Blogging to the Bank  has several great ideas on how to grow a network and increase exposure to your articles, generating content, and more. Well, in my original version, it came with a free software application that allowed me to submit my articles to over 300 websites made up of mostly article directories. Now there is a few hoops to go through to make it work and does involve a little time to get things set up on the back end, but once you do that, it’s worth it and will save you almost immeasurable amounts of work.

Here’s the thing.

I went to use it after all this time and it wouldn’t work. Therefore, I emailed the author and the staff sent back another free version of a similar but different type of application. It only allows you to submit to 85 places free and will cost to submit to more. Still not too bad considering the goal is to maximize your article exposure. I still haven’t used it because I read somewhere that you have to be careful what content sites you submit your articles to.

So I decided, as any careful author should, take the time to read the terms and conditions of some of these article sites. Some I found that by simply submitting your articles to these sites you agree to the following:

  • You grant the content site all non-exclusive rights to use your stuff anyway they please without any compensation to you the writer.
  • You grant the site exclusive first year rights to your article(s) only and so it can’t actually appear on any other sites for the first year
  • Or, by submitting to the content site you actually agree that it’s for free reprinting to their members without compensation to you as long as the byline and bios are included in their use of the article.

I probably don’t have to tell you there is absolutely no guarantee the members who agree to those terms will actually always do so, thus effectively violating every copyright law in the book (I’m not an attorney, so you should check with a qualified one on that one however). The worst thing is if I were to actually use this submitter thing and checked all sites to submit to without checking the sites terms and conditions first, I would be violating the content sites own terms and services and jeopardizing my ability to generate cash flow from any resale of those articles.

The bottom line is to check the terms and conditions of any place you choose to submit to. If you use any applications such as the ones I described to distribute your articles, then take the time to read the individual terms and conditions (CYA!) and leave unselected the ones that will self violate themselves or keep all rights with no compensation to you. If you are only generating content to sell something and your sole goal is populate the net with the article then only submit it to sites where you will not violate the terms and conditions of the sites.

Other than that, Blogging to the Bank  is full of great ideas and it’s good overall comprehensive program even a beginner can use.

10 WAYS TO MAKE DEADBEATS PAY UP…FAST!

Posted by The Team –

The following article is free reprint article from an authority on freelance writing that respect. I encourage you to use her site http://www.writersweekly.com as a resource in your freelancing library. Enjoy! It was a direct cut and paste from her site as permission is given to reprint the article as long as the entire article is reprinted complete with bio.

May 15, 2002

10 WAYS TO MAKE DEADBEATS PAY UP…FAST! By Angela Hoy, WritersWeekly.com
printable version | Share on Facebook

 

These days, publishers and editors can be pretty creative when coming up with reasons to not pay writers. We’ve heard it all at WritersWeekly.com Warnings!

“That article was horrible. Sure, I ran it, but my readers hated it. So, I’m not paying!”

“Yeah, I published it, but the article was two days late. That’s a violation of contract, so I’m not paying for it.”

“I don’t have any money so I don’t have to pay you.”

“This is a non-profit organization. We’ve decided to stop paying writers.”

“The editor is in the hospital and the payment is being sorted out.”

“I was in the hospital.”

“My dog was in the hospital.”

“My aunt is on her death bed and I can’t do anything until she passes.”

“We never sent you a contract, so we don’t have to pay.”

“I filed for bankruptcy. Now I don’t have to pay you!”

“Sure, I sent a contact, but I never signed it!”

“I’m broke. Can’t I just send you a free book or something?”

“I’ll pay you half your invoice. Take it or leave it.”

“Yeah, I owe you money, but if you say anything about me online, I’ll sue you.”

Some publishers even include a clause in their contract that states the writer has to sue them in the publisher’s state for any grievance. Some say the writer has to attend mediation in the publisher’s state before they can sue. This usually means the writer has to travel in order to collect or sue, which pretty much eliminates your chances of ever getting paid.

Think it’s impossible to get revenge and your money? Think again!

Print this article and hang it by your desk. The next time an editor hassles you about payment, do these things:

STEP 1:
Let’s face it. Email goes awry. People get sick. Building burn down. Things do happen. Before you take drastic collection efforts, send a certified letter to the editor. Five days later, email that letter to as many email addresses at the company as you can find. To get a firm’s mailing address and even an alternative email address, look at their website or search for their domain at: http://dns411.com/

Include a note telling the editor that if you don’t hear from them about this matter within 10 business days, you’re going to do the following:

STEP 2:
Report them to the Attorney General’s office in their state. It is best to name the attorney general in the letter. You can find a listing of all the attorney generals at: http://www.co.eaton.mi.us/ecpa/proslist.htm

STEP 3:
Report them to the Better Business Bureau. Reports can be filed online. You can find a list of BBB sites at: http://www.bbb.org/complaints/aboutResolution.asp

STEP 4:
Report them to the FBI’s Internet Fraud Complaint Center (only if they owe you $5K or more). See: http://www1.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp

STEP 5:
Report them to the National Writer’s Union (you must be a member). See: http://www.nwu.org/alerts/alrthome.htm

STEP 6:
Report them to the Absolute Write Bewares Board at: http://pub43.ezboard.com/fabsolutewritefrm11

STEP 7:
CONTACT THE PUBLICATION’S ADVERTISERS: A publication’s advertisers are their main source of financial survival. When a media giant (television show, magazine, etc.) does something to harm their reputation, advertisers start pulling the plug to distance themselves from the offender. This works with small publication, too! If a publisher owes you money, their advertisers deserve to know what type of publication they’re attaching their product’s name to.

STEP 8:
USING EMAIL BOMBS AS COLLECTION TOOLS: Awhile back (several months ago), we ran a letter here about email bombs that was quite a hit. What’s an email bomb? If a publication owes you money and refuses to pay, have everyone you know on every writing list send that editor an email that says,

“Please pay [insert your name here].”

And, have them sign their name with “Freelance Writer” after it. This way, the editor knows that word about their unethical, non-payment practices has gotten around online to thousands of freelance writers. And, they will usually pay you quickly in an attempt to save their already quite tarnished reputation. This drastic yet very effective method usually works.

STEP 9:
Join some of the largest freelance writing discussion lists and post messages about the firm to warn other writers about that firm!

One of the largest usenet groups is:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&q=misc.writing&meta=

An excellent group is MomWriters at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/momwriters/

More lists can be found at:
http://www.yahoogroups.com
http://www.topica.com

STEP 10:
Report them to WritersWeekly Warnings. See:
http://www.writersweekly.com/warnings/warnings.html

SAMPLE LETTER:

For illustrative purposes, I’m going to pretend the publication is in New York City.

Date
Publisher name
Address
New York, NY 99999

(You can usually find this info. on their website, in their publication, or at: http://dns411.com/)

 

This letter serves as written notice that your firm owes me $________ and is ignoring my emails. If I do not hear from you within 10 business days concerning this matter, I will be forced to notify the following:

1. Eloit Spitzer, New York State Attorney General
Department of Law – The Capitol / 2nd Floor
Albany, NY 12224
P 518-474-7330
F 518-473-9909

2. BBB of Metropolitan New York
http://www.newyork.bbb.org
bbb@bway.net
P 212-533-6200
F 212-477-4912
257 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010 -7384

3. FBI’s Internet Fraud Complaint Center
http://www1.ifccfbi.gov/index.asp

4. WritersWeekly.com Warnings
WritersWeekly is the largest freelance writing ezine in the world serving 67,000 freelancers every Wednesday. Their warnings page has successfully put deadbeat publishers out of business. http://www.writersweekly.com/warnings/warnings.html

 

5. National Writer’s Union
http://www.nwu.org/

6. Absolute Write Bewares Board
http://pub43.ezboard.com/fabsolutewritefrm11

7. Your advertisers
[Insert a brief list of the biggest advertisers/partners you find on their website or in their print publication.]

8. My peers
There are hundreds of thousands of writers online that can easily be accessed within one hour by the click of my mouse.
[your signature]

Your name
Address
City/State/Zip
Phone
Fax
Email

Remember…when an editor owes you money and ignores your letters and emails, they are WRONG. They are unprofessional deadbeats and the freelance community deserves to know about their actions!

Angela Hoy is the co-owner of WritersWeekly.com, a FREE emag for writers featuring freelance jobs and new paying markets, and Booklocker.com, an epublisher that helps self-published authors turn their books into a business.

Write a Novel in 30 Days or Less

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imelechon/Morguefile.com

imelechon/Morguefile.com

by Misty S Bledsoe

November begins the National Novel Writing Month contest. This is where people who have always wanted to write a novel are challenged to write a novel with 50,000, words during the month of November.

The famed contest began in 1999 when the authors of “No Plot, No Problem,” set out to write a novel in 30 days or less and detailed their adventure in their book. It’s side-splitting humor the entire way through filled with challenge, reality, laughing, and sense of “Is this really going to happen?” Since then, thousands have taken them up on the challenge with some of the titles the writers did, actually being in print with major publishers.

People set out to write novels for many reasons, but the authors simply tell it how it is and challenge others to actually get out and do it, then go about outlining how to make that possible. You can learn more and register for the contest at http://www.nanowrimo.org/ Up for the challenge?

7 Strategies to Insure you Never Run Out of Article Ideas Again

Posted by The Team –

by Misty S. Bledsoe

doctor_bob/Morguefile.com

doctor_bob/Morguefile.com

One of the best ways to ensure steady income as a writer is to ensure that you never run out of material to write about. For the beginning and seasoned writer alike, the following seven strategies, will help insure you never run out of material again.

1) Always keep an on going journal. The goal of your journal(s) is to be able to have a place to record your journal entries, while leaving you easy access for your ideas that will later make you money. I use the college ruled bound composition books from the grocery store. The page on the right side is used to record journal entries. The page on the left side is available for any article, column, poetry, or other snippets that might come to mind.

2) History is your friend.  In one of my old journals, I reread about an argument I had with my mother in the seventh grade over whether or not I could shave my legs. On the left page of my journal, I jotted down, “Having Better Communication with your Teenager,” “Treasures from Teenagers,” and “Things you Should Know Before Buying a Razor.” These different ideas came from me asking, “How could the situation happen differently? What would my mom have taught me if we went to pick out razors together?” With the variety of things that have happened over your lifetime there are many more article ideas and slants that can be formed on each one.

3) Do some research before writing the article. I would need to research more information on razors in general. I would also need to purchase different types of razors and examine them before writing the article. While doing this research, I will also come up with even more article ideas. You can use this method with just about anything. How many uses can you think of for fallen leaves this year? What kind of things should drivers do to be prepared for roadside emergencies? The ideas are endless. Jot them down and write an article about it.

4) Literature of all kinds. When reading anything let your mind be open to different slants and other directions your mind may take you. Can you relate to the author’s experience? How would you have made the situation different? What do you really think about those fashions in the magazines? Make a list of ideas while you’re reading published articles.

5) New Experiences. Go out and try different things. Do you remember your first time doing _______? Fill in the blank. What tips and pointers would you give other beginners? Write down even the most insignificant idea. For example, how to give a cat medicine may be elementary stuff to most cat owners, but to the cat with a beginner owner, it is very important!

6) Brainstorming. Try sitting down and writing the first thoughts that come to you at random for five minutes. No editing allowed. Then take those random thoughts and see how many slants and angles can be made by tailoring the ideas to different types of audiences.

7) The never ending “How To____” article. Look around your house for starters. “How to Make Housecleaning more Efficient.” “How to Communicate with your _______.” “How to change your ______.”  Take a look at your hobbies or the hobbies of people you know. “How to choose _________.” You get the idea.

Remember, getting and keeping a steady supply of material doesn’t have to take money or a tremendous amount of time. And, it’s fun! You are not limited to just these methods and you can constantly repeat them whenever you need to. Now get writing!

Benefits of Self-Publishing

Posted by The Team –

by Misty S Bledsoe

As long as you are in the bounds of the law:

1. Nobody can tell you no.

2. You are in control of your content, voice, style, etc…

3. You reap all the profits if you are selling anything

4. You decide what stays and what goes during the editing focus

5. It may be your only shot at being published

6. It may help your self-esteem or feelings of worth

There are many online companies that can help you self-publish your material. Most folks start out with a blog such as this to help organize their content and use it for samples to show editors as well.

About

Posted by The Team –

Misty Bledsoe lives in the Puget Sound and holds a Bachelors degree in Information Technology with a concentration in Computer Programming from American Intercontinental University. She has been writing for more than 15 years for both offline and online publications both under her own name and psuedonyms.  Her primary blog is found on this site and chocked full of useful information on a variety of topics.

(c)2008-2010 Misty S. Bledsoe. All Rights Reserved including code manipulation. No part of this blog may be reproduced without the author’s expressed written permission.