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CREATIVE SMALL BIZ

Turn your talent into a flourishing business.

For freelance writers and other creative professionals.

Published monthly, on the 15th of each month.

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Issue 106: June 15, 2005

Read this issue online at:

http://www.digital-e.biz/newsletter.html


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************* BLOG **************

WRITING NEWS, VIEWS AND TIPS:

Angela Booth's Writing Blog:

http://copywriter.typepad.com/copywriter/


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(For instructions to join or leave the ezine's mailing list,
scroll to the end.)
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=> In this issue:


* Editorial: The prices you charge, and the global economy

* Article: Embarrassed To Discuss Your Prices? Seven Common
Reasons We Can't Talk About Them; By Karyn Greenstreet

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=> Editorial: The prices you charge, and the global economy

Are you comfortable setting fees for your services? Many
creatives are not, even those who are highly experienced. In this
week's article, Karyn Greenstreet shows you how to feel
comfortable setting your fees.

It's worth remembering that in 2005 you're dealing with a global
economy. This means that even if you live in a small town in a
rural area, you can and should feel comfortable taking on clients
from all over the world.

This means of course, that you need a Web site, or failing a
site, a blog. Jason Miller's written an excellent article "You
Had Me At Hello; Using Your Blog As Your Job Agent" – (copy and
paste the URL into your browser)

http://www.webpronews.com/insiderreports/marketinginsider/wpn-50-
20050607YouHadMeAtHelloUsingYourBlogAsYourJobAgent.html

He's a advocate for blogs (I am too), and he says that a blog is
"Better than a web portfolio: A web portfolio is, essentially, an
online résumé, professionally laid out with accomplishments and
work history. But what makes blogs more powerful is that they are
more likely to pop up on SERP's. That is because of detailed and
regularly updated content. A web portfolio seldom changes and is
limited to a stagnant list of brownie points. Blogging takes its
edge from the content available that can always link back to you
portfolio. Blogging also sets you up as an expert in your field
much better than a CV (curriculum vitae)."

Read the complete article.

And of course, follow through by creating a blog. We've got an
entire workshop on Pro Write (http://www.prowrite.biz/ ) devoted
to blogging your writing.

Have a great month. Don't forget that you can contact us at any
time via feedback forms on our sites, or just leave a comment on
one of the blogs.

Have fun, and stay well and happy, until next month.

All best wishes

Angela


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=> Don't forget to buy your favorite writing manual – special
ends TODAY

The special price on our Digital ebook writing manuals FINISHES
on June 15. So if you've been putting off your purchase, the time
to act is now.

http://www.digital-e.biz/ebooks.html


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*** Copywriting eight-week email course ***

Sick of your day job? Make great money writing for business!

Interactive Eight Week Freelance Copywriting Email Course:

"Writing Words that Sell: Freelance Copywriting"

With Angela Booth

(A professional writer for 25 years, published by mainstream
publishers.)

Dear Fellow Writer

If you love to write, you may be overlooking a fantastic way to
make your writing pay --- by copywriting (writing for business).


Starting pay? $60 an hour, with UNLIMITED POTENTIAL EARNINGS!

Not only is freelance copywriting creative, fun, and easy (if you
can write an interesting email message you can write copy), it's
also well paid. Novice copywriters start out earning $60 an hour,
and once you're experienced, the sky's the limit on what you can
earn.

You may be interested to know that established copywriters with a
stable of clients estimate that they'll earn at least $100,000 a
year. And that's without working particularly hard. In fact,
copywriters who specialize in company reports may only work a few
weeks in the year, and still make a comfortable six-figure
income.


Write from home, and write when it suits you

Most freelance copywriters write from home, either moonlighting
from their regular job, or as full-timers. As you can imagine, if
it's your full-time job, it's a great life. You can write an ad
or three pages of a manual in the morning, and then take the rest
of the day off. Why not?

There's no age barrier on freelance copywriting. No one cares if
you're just out of college, or if you're retired from an active
working life. If you can write, you can write copy.

There's also no education barrier. You can have an MA or a PhD or
you can be totally self-taught.

More information at:

http://www.digital-e.biz/ecourses2.html

(Earn as you learn --- weekly payment option available.)

Want a sample? Sign up for a free 3-day course
based on the course:

http://www.digital-e.biz/freecourses.html

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=> Article: Embarrassed To Discuss Your Prices? Seven Common
Reasons We Can't Talk About Them

By Karyn Greenstreet

It can be uncomfortable to take risks, to name your price and
tell a prospective customer that you want to work with them. How
do you overcome the fear of discussing fees? Last week, a
wonderfully-skilled electrician installed a new light fixture for
us. He was competent, courteous and efficient. He answered all
our questions simply, with skill and eloquence. I was amazed, as
you might imagine, when I asked him, “How much do we owe you?”
and his embarrassed reply was, “Gee, is $50 okay?” With the
quality of work he’d done and the amount of time he put into it,
I would have expected to pay double that amount. His resistance
to naming his price reminded me of my small business clients who
have the same problem. All entrepreneurs feel fear at some point,
including attorneys, consultants, coaches, and writers. It’s a
natural part of starting or growing your business. It can be
uncomfortable to take risks, to name your price and tell a
prospective customer that you want to work with them.

Roberto Goizueta, the late chairman of Coca-Cola, said, "If you
take risks, you may still fail; but if you do not take risks, you
will surely fail. The greatest risk of all is to do nothing." Put
this mantra into your head: Risk equals reward. So, what’s the
problem?

I’ve discovered seven common reasons why we’re afraid to discuss
our fees:

1. Do you feel your fees are too high?

2. Do you think you’re not qualified or experienced enough to
charge that rate?

3. Are you afraid of rejection? (Or, possibly, afraid of
acceptance, which will mean you’ll have to perform?)

4. Are you afraid the prospect will raise an objection to the
fee, and you won’t know how to reply?

5. Are you shy and uncomfortable talking with strangers?

6. Are you afraid to take risks?

7. Are you generally uncomfortable talking about money?

Where does this come from? Is it part of your personality or is
this a behavior you learned from your past experience or culture?
In many families and cultures, it’s taboo to talk about money or
to ask to be paid. While it might be personally beneficial to
look inside yourself for the reasons why you act this way, it’s
also important to get unstuck by using techniques which help you
move forward, such as:

* Have a good pricing strategy. Research the average fees for
your type of business so that you know your prices are in line
with expectation. If you can’t get competitor pricing
information, try Brenner Books (http://www.brennerbooks.com). If
your experience warrants it, increase your pricing to reflect
your higher skills, knowledge and experience. If you’re not sure
how to create a pricing strategy, research it online or talk with
a small business consultant or mentor.

* Establish that the prospective customer needs your services
before discussing price. You’ll feel more comfortable discussing
your fees if you know the prospective customer really want to
hire you. Ask a lot of questions to see if their problem and your
solution are a good match.

* Put your fees on your website and brochure. In this way,
prospects will know your fees before the sales conversation
begins.

* Be honest. Tell the prospect what the options are for your
services or products, any quantity discounts you offer, and how
payment is delivered. Practice saying this over and over again
until the words and phrases slip comfortably from your mouth.

* Act confidently when delivering your fees. Don’t downplay your
fees. State your fees, then shut up. Don’t make excuses for your
fees, or ramble on about them. Look directly at the prospect
while delivering your fees.

* Don’t automatically offer discounts. This tells the prospect
that your fees are soft and that they’re negotiable. Instead,
state your fees and options and ask them to tell you which
package is right for them.

* Act “as if.” How would an experienced person in your industry
act, when discussing her fees? Act as if you are that person and
you’ll find your confidence increasing with each conversation.
Practice, practice, practice.

* Get training. If you’re uncomfortable with the whole sales
process, get sales training. By attending a class, you’ll learn
different ways of saying the same thing, and you’re bound to find
a way that’s right for you.

* Refer out. If the prospect really can’t afford your fees and
you can’t afford to offer a discount, refer that prospect to
someplace where they can find an alternative. Say, “If you can’t
afford my fees, you can try these online referral services where
you might find someone in your price range.”

Talking about your prices can be uncomfortable. But with practice
and persistence, and a willingness to overcome your fears, you
can begin to have comfortable conversations with your prospective
customers.

Karyn Greenstreet is a self-employment expert and small business
coach. She shares tips, techniques and strategies with self-
employed people to maintain motivation, stay focused, prioritize
tasks, and increase revenue and profits.

Visit her website at http://www.PassionForBusiness.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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=> Email Workshop For Writers <=

Writing To Sell In The Internet Age
by Angela Booth

(A professional writer for 25 years, published by mainstream
publishers.)

Explode your writing profits!

The Internet gives you an unbelievable opportunity to rocket your
writing career into orbit. If you're feeling that you're not
getting your share of the exploding opportunities, our new email
workshop, Writing To Sell In the Internet Age, is for you.

More info, with the course outline at ---

http://www.digital-e.biz/ecourses1.html

Want a sample? Sign up for a free 3-day course
based on the workshop:

http://www.digital-e.biz/freecourses.html


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=> New coaching program: Write for the Web

With the long-awaited worldwide economic recovery underway, and
companies increasing their Web presence, Web copywriters will be
in huge demand. Get started writing for the Web today.

You can do it. Work from home, work for yourself, and make a
great income. This program offers personalized, fun one-on-one
coaching.

http://www.digital-e.biz/coaching.html


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Creative Small Biz: Copyright © 2005 by Angela Booth. All rights
reserved.

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