Articles in the Business Tips and Tech Category

I have a confession to make. I have written for peanuts. Even though I believe freelance writers should earn a fair rate for their writing, I have – in the past – written for rates that were low, low, low. I had my reasons and at the time it seemed like the right thing to do. Besides, taking low paid writing jobs can have some advantages, especially for writers who are just getting started.

The way I see it, there are three major advantages of taking low paying writing gigs. The first – and perhaps the most important – is that you never run out of work. There are hundreds of opportunities posted every day for all kinds of writing so if you want to, keep as busy as you want to.

Gain experience/build skills

That’s also a driver of the second advantage of low paying writing gigs. Getting experience in all kinds of writing and building skills. Never mind about your feelings of working for nothing; it’s a great way to try out different types of writing and become proficient enough to charge more. In this case, writing for peanuts is a stepping stone to greater things because you will also …

Beef up your resume

… improve your writing resume, which means you can charge more for your services. The greater your offering to your clients, the more impressed they will be and the more likely to hire you. They will also be less likely to quibble at your new improved rates. You’ll be moving into a different client pool, where the overriding factor is quality rather than simply price.

Many disadvantages

Of course, there are many disadvantages to this kind of work, many of which have been discussed ad nauseam by both myself and my fellow writers. For one, if you are working longer hours for less money, what’s the point of having escaped the cubicle? Working on low paid writing jobs without having a good reason such as those listed above is senseless. That’s because you will need to work even harder than most to earn a decent income and will be sliding down the slippery slope to writer burnout.

Sharon Hurley Hall is a professional content writer and blogger. See more of her posts on writing at Get Paid To Write Online.

Is It Worth It?

Does that mean writing for peanuts must be avoided at all costs? Not at all. The trick is to have an exit strategy and work towards it from the moment you take your first gig. Once you feel confident in your niche, have built up some knowledge and can match client requirements without too much difficulty, it’s time to start trading up. You have nothing to lose by raising your rates a notch and – if the world doesn’t end when you do – raising them again when the time seems right. For new writers, taking low paid gigs can be their first step on the path to a lucrative writing career – it certainly worked that way for me.

What other pros and cons do you consider when asked to write for low or no pay?

Photo Credit: renwest

“Goals are dreams with deadlines.” ~ Diana Scharf Hunt

Being a freelancer often means burning the midnight oil – at both ends – and sadly, by the time assignments are completed, invoices are sent in, files are up-to-date, the laundry and dishes have been tamed, we’re simply too exhausted to turn our attention to our own projects.

You know what I’m talking about, right? The novel that’s burning a hole in your soul. The eBook you want to share with the world. Stacks of poetry that’s crying to be assembled.

Don’t let the dreams and goals you put on the back burner because life – and work – comes first become so removed that the flame goes out.

There’s nothing worse than realizing one day that something you intended on completing years ago, is still left unfinished.

Don’t let your dreams collect dust in a drawer or on your hardrive.

Life is short. Our dreams are valid. And there’s always a few minutes to spare if we find them.

Here’s a few tips to help you move your passions from the flickering back burner, to the front:

1. Wake up before the house does. Whether you live with roommates, a husband or wife, have children – or even pets – consider sneaking up while they’re all sleeping so you can steal a few moments (or an hour or so!) for your personal projects.
2. Not an early bird? Okay then, stay up after everyone’s gone to bed. If you have to, sneak back up once they drift off to dream land. Enjoy the peace and quiet. Savor every moment!
3. Leave the house. If you have a laptop, steal away to your local coffee shop or library. And if the weather’s nice, try the park.
4. Evaluate your dreams and set realistic, short-term goals to help you achieve them. It can be done. You can find a few minutes here and there to work on your own projects.
5. Create a vacation for yourself. You took vacations off work before you started freelancing, right? Why not enjoy a little downtime now? Allow yourself a couple days a week or even take off a week. Save up for it. Plan for it. Make it happen!

You absolutely do not have to give up on the very dreams and goals that made you write to begin with. Nothing says you have to write for everyone else for the rest of your life. Stand up, rare your shoulders back, but a confident smile on your face, and step in to your writing destiny. You can do it!

And as my good friend, George Angus, recently shared: It’s Never Too Late!

Credits:

Photo: djcodrin

Resource: Tumblemoose.com

Job sites believe that concise resumes will offer an interview as the attention span of a person hiring is typically short. They hold to the adage that featuring key points is best. I’ve seen and experienced differently.

The standard resume consists of an introduction, work history with featured experience proficiencies, educational experience and with or without references. Expanding a resume to include awards, school transcripts and letters or recommendation can – and does – set you apart.

Following the two-page rule can cut you out from any position. While it is important to highlight key points quickly in a cover letter, also include additional information that is included above and beyond the standard resume. A potential employer is looking for the best person to fill a position. It is up to you to ensure your expertise and quality of workmanship is adequately represented.

While attending college, say you won an award for the most original Web site design. Take the time to scan or photo copy the award to include after your standard information. Showing proof of various achievements will only secure your value to the hiring firm.

Letters of recommendation should always be included with a resume. While stating, “References Available Upon Request” is typical, including recommendations from former and current colleagues and bosses establishes further rapport and drive to achieve.

I had mentioned that in a former relationship, my ex had an enormous resume. When I compiled all the information together, I learned a great deal. While he is now overseas making more money than most could fathom in a year, his resume was key to that – along with a solid work ethic and history.

His standard resume included:

• Cover letter of one full page, ten-point Times font. The letter was signed either by pen or digitally with a copy of his signature scanned into the PC.
• Resume consisting of four pages. All job responsibilities and additional educational awards were listed.
• Seven letters of recommendation from various projects he worked on as a Civil Engineer.
• Two letters of recommendation from current colleagues.
• Photocopies of all awards and certifications he had received, along with a copy of his college transcript and diploma.

While the bulky stack of information seemed quite daunting, it served a purpose. My ex was able to showcase all of his abilities and proficiencies in his field before ever speaking with a potential employer. His interviews delved past the initial questions and moved quickly into what he could do for that company and what that company could offer in return.

The same process can be applied with freelancing. Showcase everything that you can, without digging out articles or out-dated Web site designs. If most of your work is done digitally, consider investing in USB flash drives to include with your resume. You can hold a great deal of information in a small space. Be smart in your resume decisions. What you share of yourself can make – or break – the deal.

“Home is where you hang your @.” ~ Author Unknown

Freelancing from home opens a whole new world. If you’ve never had time to play on the Internet, you might find it difficult to limit that play time.

Of course, I am guilty of losing myself in cyber land as well. I think it’s something a lot of us struggle with.

You may want to check the price of something you’ve been wanting to buy, email your friends, chat on IM (Instant Messenger), catch up on social media sites, or even play games on Facebook. But none of these things are going to help grow your business.

Yes, social media will help you build your brand, but you can only devote so much time to it. Don’t lose sight of your business goals in the process, okay?

I’ve decided to share a few tips to help you focus your energy – and time! – toward achieving the success you dreamed of when you first decided to reach for the sky.

5 Tips for Avoiding Internet Distractions

1. Disconnect. That’s right. My number one tip is to unplug yourself from the Web and focus on your work. If you’re unplugged, you’ll be less inclined to Google something or chat with a friend.
2. Unsubscribe from everything you don’t – or will never – read. It’s pointless (and very stressful!) to have a gazillion emails you need to continuously delete. Select a few subscriptions (like ours!) you value most and let the rest go.
3. Keep your priorities straight. Surfing the Web is not a priority. If it’s research, that’s one thing, but getting lost in cyber space does not reflect work. Right?
4. Limit blog reading until you’ve finished a certain amount of work. Use your favorite blogs as a reward to ensure you won’t get lost in the blogosphere.
5. Don’t use social media as a procrastination tool. Yes, social media can be business-related, but if you’re just talking about what you had for lunch or what you’ll be doing over the weekend, get back to work!

Sometimes distractions can’t be avoided—especially if they’re life-related, but don’t let the Internet become a crutch for you to check out of reality or avoid your work. Surfing the Web won’t pay the bills.

The Internet is an awesome thing. It’s a valuable resource on so many levels, but it can also very easily become an escape mechanism and cause you to lose sight of your priorities. Don’t let that happen.

And remember, less is more. Enjoy the zen!

What do you find most distracting online and how do you avoid internet distractions?

Photo Credit: Salvatore Vuono

Many established writers give new writers this advice: Never, ever write “on spec.”

Is this good advice? First, let’s define the term. “On spec,” short for “on speculation,” means:

1. You don’t have a contract
2. The editor never promised to use the piece or pay you for your work
3. There’s no guarantee your work will be published.

Essentially, you’re “speculating” in the financial sense. A speculator is one who takes large financial risks in the hopes of even larger returns. Except, in writing, the returns usually aren’t significantly above average. (You’re probably not going to make six figures on one article). Then again, neither is the risk. You’re taking a chance that the editor will like you’re work enough to publish it and pay you for it. The risk is the time you invest in the article with no guarantee of pay. The rewards are:

• Getting paid for the article
• Getting your foot in the door at a quality publication, even if you may not have relevant clips to convince the editor to give you the assignment with a contract
• Creating a relationship with that editor, which could lead to more work

If you build a career as a freelance writer doing business this way, you could lose a lot of time. And time = money. But sometimes writers submit “on spec” and don’t even realize it.

If you write for a content publisher like Demand Studios, you’re writing on spec. You’re work might be rejected or sent back for a rewrite. By the same token, if you write for a magazine that doesn’t give you a contract (and you don’t submit one yourself), you’re writing on spec. If you write for a magazine that offers a contract but doesn’t offer a kill fee if your work isn’t published — that’s the same as writing on spec, because the editor can reject your work and you won’t get paid.

Different Levels of “On Spec” Writing

There are different levels of writing “on spec,” some with a greater risk than others. If you query an editor and he says he’d like to see the article, but offers no promise of publication and no kill fee, that’s “on spec.” However, the risk is relatively low, since the editor has expressed interest. On the other hand, if you submit an article without a query, this is called an “unsolicited submission.” Some publications don’t accept unsolicited submissions at all. Others will consider them, but there’s less of a chance of acceptance, because the editor hasn’t asked for the piece. I often write articles after an editor has accepted my query, but it’s very rare I’ll ever submit an unsolicited submission. What if the editor has something similar in the works for the next issue? He won’t use my piece and I’ve wasted my time, when a short query would have clarified the matter and I could have come up with a different angle or submitted my idea to a different publication.

When to Write “On Spec”

I’d like to tell new writers, “Never write on spec. Always demand a contract with a kill fee equal to at least 50% of the price of the article.” But that’s not always practical. As a magazine editor, my publishers wrote contracts that were non-negotiable. I didn’t have the budget to pay for articles I couldn’t print. If the writer didn’t follow the assignment or the quality of the work didn’t reflect the quality of the query, I had the right to reject the piece. As the editor/client/customer, I have a right to satisfactory work.

It’s always worth asking about kills fees, especially with startup magazines or magazines that seem to be on shaky financial footing, but, like any financial speculator, you need to weigh the risks against the opportunity and rewards. If the editors of Cosmopolitan or Oprah or Parenting magazines say they want to see an article based on my query, I’m not going to quibble about a kill fee. I’m going to write the best article I can and expect them to publish it.

If I were a beginning writer with no clips to my name, I’d write on spec if:

• the publication seems to have staying power and a solid reputation
• I can use the work elsewhere if they turn it down
• the article is likely to lead to other assignments and opportunities, with that publication or others

Today, it’s easy to find a home for work, even if you just submit it to an article directory to promote yourself as a writer. No writing is ever wasted. That makes it easier to say yes to writing on spec, but I wouldn’t want to build a career out of that philosophy. When there’s a good opportunity to create a relationship with an editor and getting steady work, writing on spec is a pretty good gamble.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about ethics, and how it applies to the writing life. Everyone has ethical standards they live by, although many have not thought about them or articulated them clearly. Where we, as a society, agree about ethical conduct laws are formed. Where we differ, and a clear cut answer is elusive, often falls into the realm of ethics.

Writers come across different ethical questions at various points in our writing career. Not all of us will face the same issues, depending on where our writing takes us. It is important, however, to think about our personal ethical standards, so we know how we will act when questionable writing activities present themselves.

Writing Ethical Content

Personally, I do not write adult material. It is something I am not good at, and do not believe in writing. Most people make this choice one way or the other, and that is a choice they must live with. After all, the adult market is lucrative and not lacking in opportunities. Yet I would not be comfortable doing so, and some writers would agree with me. Some would not. Dawn recently asked, “Is Ghostwriting Ethical?”

Other areas where writers may refuse to write due to ethical standards include politics and religion. If a client approaches them with a topic that is in direct opposition to their religious or political beliefs, a writer can confidently refuse to accept that assignment. If you haven’t thought about it previously, you may not feel as comfortable saying no. It would be wise to make a list of your “off-limits” topics, so when the situation arises, you can visually confirm where your ethical line is drawn.

Another area in which I refuse to write is “questionable” health practices, which for me includes anything that would make its way into my spam folder. The (fictional) “Lose 100 Pounds by Skipping in Circles and Eating Woodshavings” diet book would never be written by me! Anything that could cause serious damage to a person’s health is on my “off-limits” list.

Blogging Ethics

Blog writing presents a world of other ethical questions that a writer must answer. There is the ongoing debate about writing product reviews that are compensated in some fashion. The Federal Trade Commission has required that bloggers explicitly state the conditions of their reviews. Yet it is up to the individual blogger to determine how to comply with this requirement, and to tell the truth, of course.

Another issue that steps into the ethical forefront in blogging is copyright. There are “scrapers” who undermine a writer’s credibility by swiping some or all of their RSS feed and posting to their own website. While I’m sure that it is pretty clear how undesirable that behavior is, we have to keep an eye out for such activity, to protect our own copyright.

On the flip side of the coin is image copyright. While we would protect the copyright on our writing endlessly, we often take a much more casual attitude to image copyright. After all, it’s just a picture, and everyone does it, right? Not true. I have learned to seek out creative commons usage for all the images I post, and credit the creator of the image at the end of each post. A great tool for finding safe to use images is the Creative Commons Search, which combs multiple sites finding images that are free to use.

Obviously, there are countless ethical issues that writers must consider. If we don’t take the time to figure out what is right for us, then we may make ethical mistakes that hurt others and ourselves in the long term.

What ethical issues have you faced? Did you make the right decision for you, or come to regret it later on?

Photo Credit: Picture Perfect Pose

Have you considered the linguistics of crafting a ‘great’ query as opposed to a ‘good enough’ effort when it comes to finding gigs? To be honest, I trusted my simple, basic wording factor: The straight to the point and in your face statistics of a few published clips, contact information, and ending my spill with the tried and true, “Thank You.” But, my lack-luster efforts to connect with editors and publishers on a more personable level usually lead to the proverbial ”sorry, but, at this time…” sort of deal.

My disappointment often led me to toss the piece entirely and move on to penning other less invasive work, for example, writing on my transitional blog or penning short-stories for my viewing pleasure only. In 2006, I began to write an online column geared toward women issues. My purpose for doing so were two-fold. I would use my life experiences to help encourage, inspire and motivate other women of a certain age to recognize and become impassioned about their passions that might be misplaced, or denied. The second reason was purely selfish, I admit.

I wanted to hone my skills and improve my chances for publication in this favored genre. I felt ready to tackle the great divide of growing my freelance writing business by scouring for paying clients while taking a sabbatical from my free column “Women In Transition” at Alumbo.com, which I still visit as a focal point and bridge to my purpose to inspire other women. I began to study the markets and apply myself more seriously to improving my chance at getting the gig in this and other areas. I also took a Marketing class.

The query to the editor of a nurse magazine several months ago, which resulted in landing my first official column, began differently than those first, flurried queries. I’ve learned some essential points for writing query letters if you’re serious about sealing the deal and signing on the dotted line.

Take a refresher class

Hone the basics of the query, your preferred genre or subject, or your field of interest. There are plenty reputable, seasoned writers who are willing to work with you. Jennifer Brown Banks of Pen And Prosper, Sonya Carmichael Jones of Marketing Buddha, Daniel Scocco of Daily Blog Tips, and Susan Johnston of The Urban Muse, are a few examples of accomplished folks in the business of writing who offer blogging and editing  tips, marketing know-how, and a slew of valuable online writing classes that serve to enhance your skills and help you land that elusive dream job.

Query to the right publication.

Do not send a query to an editor for sporting goods about making bread from scratch. Do your research, consider reading a few copies of the publication. Learn their style, theme, and focus. Be clear about the market before you pitch your query.

Be personable

There’s a difference between being personable and personal. Leave your personal issues at home, but, be friendly and approachable. The editor or publisher is obviously reading between the lines of your query and will either like you or not, depending largely upon how you represent yourself.

Answer the question: What’s in it for me?

You have to sell your wares. The only way to do this is to tell your buyer what benefit you offer them. What can you give them that is uniquely yours to give? Show them how your product topples the competition.

Master the art of the P.S.

I truly loved this concept from the online Marketing Buddha Class. I used the PS as an after thought in my query to the editor of the nurse magazine, inviting more info, clips, etc… Although P.S. seems like an afterthought, it’s actually an opportunity to put one final pitch in your query letter, a final resounding thought that will linger and be memorable.

I can’t say exactly what part of my query landed me the gig as a magazine columnist. I can only say these new techniques get me those blessed editor followups.

What have you learned about writing effective query letters?
I’d love to know your tips, too!

by Anna Miller

It’s a job that everyone wants to do, because they think it’s easy as pie and the perks are great – you can work from the comfort of your home, at schedules that suit your convenience, and all you need as investment are a computer, word processing software, a good Internet connection, and some creativity with words. But being a freelance writer, especially one who is successful, is not exactly a bed of roses. Yes, the job is great if you want to choose writing as a profession, but before you take to freelancing, here are a few things you must know:

1. Procrastination never pays

When you’re a freelancer and able to set your own schedules and work at your own pace, you tend to put work off when you’re caught up in other activities. You convince yourself that you have all the time in the world, and then when your deadline looms closer, you find yourself rushing to complete the work in the little time that you have. When you do this once too often, you could end up compromising the quality of your work and losing valuable clients in the bargain. So avoid procrastination, and if you feel yourself delaying work for some reason or the other, nip the habit in the bud.

2. You must avoid distractions

When you work from home, there are numerous distractions to contend with – the television, your chores at home, children, visitors and family members taking up your time, and other diversions tend to take up your time if you’re not dedicated to work. And worst of all, the Internet is a very tempting and hard-to-avoid distraction if you work in an unsupervised environment and keep your own hours. Unless you make a concentrated effort to avoid distractions, you’re going to waste away the better part of the day.

3. Keeping commitments is important

A freelancer’s success is based on their regular clients perceive them – if they come across as writers who are always on schedule and continue to produce quality work time and again, it’s not going to be hard to find regular work. Unlike a regular job, a freelancer must work at getting each assignment, and the best way to establish themselves in the industry and gain regular gigs is to earn credibility as a responsible and skilled worker who honours commitments and also writes well.

4. Schedules help

Although you have the freedom to choose and set your own schedules when you work from home, it’s best to establish a regular schedule for work, just like those that are enforced in offices. This not only helps you avoid distractions but also reinforces to other people the fact that you’re working and should not be disturbed.

5. Maintaining connections is necessary

And finally, it’s important to stay connected to other people in the business and your clients so that you continue to get assignments on a regular basis. The best way to do this is to join forums for freelancers and also set up profiles on social networks through which you can connect to fellow professionals and potential clients. When you prove that you’re committed to your work, it’s easy to establish yourself as a successful freelance writer.

This guest post is contributed by Anna Miller, who writes on the topic of online degrees. She welcomes your comments at her email id: anna.miller009@gmail.com.

What are the most important things you think aspiring freelance writers should know?

Anyone who’s worked in retail knows the adage, “The customer is always right.” That credo often makes retail workers cringe. I’ve worked in several bookstores and most people wouldn’t believe the customers we had to accept as being “right.”

I can cite hundreds of examples of abused return policies, mis-read signage where the customer received a discount anyway, and complaints where the customer was clearly wrong, but the manager made right. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.

The policy is not an excuse to act as a doormat, but it provides a good guideline for knowing when to cut your losses. In other words, is the bad PR worth the money we’ll save by not making the customer happy?

The words “bad PR” make me think of the recent Southwest / Kevin Smith debacle. Director Kevin Smith was kicked off a plane for being “too heavy”, and escorted out of a seat he clearly fit in. He was right; Southwest was wrong. But even if it was a close call — even if he had to struggle to get that armrest down — Southwest would have been smart to let it pass. Smith had been a passenger on the airlines countless times previously, flying with no danger to himself, the other passengers, or the plane as a whole. Southwest, known as the friendly airlines, has spent years and millions of marketing dollars building a good reputation for itself. Was it really worth it not to let Kevin Smith — a customer with a powerful voice and a lot of social networking cache — just be right?

For Freelancers, Clients = Customers

When you are a freelance writer, your clients are your customers. What are some instances in which the client is “right”, even if it may not seem like it?

• When the editor changes your work in a way you may not approve of, but it is still factually and grammatically correct. Every editor has his own style, and publications typically fit the editor’s style. If the editor changes something, and it’s not how you would have written it, leave it alone. If you want to know the rationale, ask politely. But don’t argue.
• When the client changes his mind about what he wants, and expects you to do more work as a result. Unless it’s specifically written into your contract (and you should have one for this reason) that you charge for re-writes, you should do the work. The client will appreciate that you went the extra mile, and you’ll get return work. If the client makes a habit of changing his mind after the fact, you may want to consider ending the relationship.
• When you write to the client’s specifications, but the client just isn’t happy. I know a lot of writers disagree with me on this point, but I like to use this analogy: If I go to a hairdresser and I leave looking like Ronald McDonald, the hairdresser better fix it — for free. If I take my car to a mechanic and it’s not running well when I leave, I want him to make it right — at no charge. Doctors are probably the only professionals who can get away with not doing their job correctly the first time and then charge for repeat visits… but writers don’t have to live in fear of malpractice lawsuits, either.

Contracts Make it Clear
Again, the policy that the customer is always right isn’t designed to force professionals to act like doormats. Having a contract that clearly outlines what you will and won’t do for the given fee prevents misunderstandings, endless re-writes and wasted time. A contract helps ensure the client receives exactly what he paid for.

I don’t charge for rewrites and, in rare cases when a client is not happy, I will re-visit my work until it meets their specifications. I have many repeat clients, including editors I’ve worked with for more than 15 years.

If endless rewrites or complaints become a problem, I simply stop working for the client or publication. .. and I can count on one hand the number of times that has happened. In some cases, because clients know I will rewrite with a smile, whatever the circumstances, they offer to pay me for the additional work. Again, everyone is happy.

As writers, we are service professionals. The number one goal of a service professional is to provide good customer service. That’s at the heart of the “client is always right” philosophy.

What are some instances in which you’ve accepted a client being “right” because it wasn’t going to hurt you, even if you didn’t agree? When have you had to put your foot down?

by Laura Cross

Book industry insiders estimate that ghostwriters author 60% to 80% of books published each year. And with book ghostwriting fees range from $10,000 to $100,000 per project — $10,000 being the very low end and $100,000 usually paid to more established writers (“celebrity” ghostwriters earn $250,000+ per book) – more and more freelance writers are discovering that authoring books as a “hidden writer” or collaborator can be a viable and lucrative career.

Here are three secrets to help you create a successful career as a book ghostwriter:

1. Learn How To Capture The Client’s Voice

The ability to capture and convey the client’s voice is an essential component for a successful career as a ghostwriter. Being able to effectively structure content and manage a project are also necessary skills for ghosting, but the ability to mimic the client’s speaking style and make it come alive on paper is the skill that will land you recurring, high-paying projects. Carefully listen to the client during your interviews and conversations (and review any available audio – videos, podcasts, etc. – as well previously published material written by the client) to learn how he or she structures sentences. Listen for specific phrases, word patterns, vocabulary choices, and tone, texture, and energy – and then practice recreating it until your words and the client’s words blend seamlessly.

2. Position Yourself As One Of The Experts In Your Niche

Are you the go-to writer for women’s fitness and health? Do you mostly write narrative essays or opinion pieces? Are you the how-to article guy or the relationship advice guru? Are you a freelance writer with a background in accounting or experience in social media? Ghostwriters who specialize in specific genres (such as memoir, finance and investing, or women’s issues) tend to be more successful than those who generalize. Capitalize on your experience and expertise by focusing your ghostwriting in one to three areas of specialization. Use your portfolio and online presence (website, blog, social media profiles and interactions) to establish and build your platform. Consistently deliver quality content and exceptional customer service to solidify and maintain your status.

3. Connect With Literary Agents

Literary agents are one of the best referral sources for quality ghostwriting projects. Many experts, business leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians, actors, television celebrities, sports figures, chefs, doctors, professors, gurus, and media-darlings-of-the-moment, lack the necessary skills to write a compelling book. Literary agents need to match their clients with professional ghostwriters or collaborators. Connecting with literary agents, and growing and nurturing those relationships over time, is an invaluable element to a successful ghostwriting career. (You can download a free chapter on “Finding and Selecting an Agent” from my book The Complete Guide To Hiring A Literary Agent at GetALiteraryAgent.com)

Laura Cross is an author, screenwriter, ghostwriter, freelance book editor, and writing coach specializing in nonfiction books and script adaptation (book-to-film projects). She writes two popular blogs, NonfictionInk.com and AboutAScreenplay.com, and teaches online writing workshops.

Laura’s latest book is The Complete Guide To Hiring A Literary Agent: Everything You Need To Know To Become Successfully Published. You can download a free chapter, view the book trailer, read the full table of contents, and purchase the Book in electronic format at GetALiteraryAgent.com.

Have you every considered ghost writing? Are you in the process of finding a literary agent? Laura joins us today on her blog tour. You’re invited to ask questions in the comments. What would you like to know?