Rainwater's Freelancing

New PLR Site Is Up! :)

2010-11-18T17:25:00.001-08:00

Yeah. I fell away from posting regularly on here about the 100 day challenge. I thought there was going to be more direction day by day at first, and other than the goals I couldn't think up anything to say.

While I'm not where I was hoping I would be, I can be very excited and say that I got my new PLR site up and open for business! Huzzah!

Help me out and visit http://phantomplr.com/

I know people want this kind of product, but now I just need to build a mailing list and get some traffic coming to my site. But still, I'm stoked!

Unfortunately I'm in a bad way for money right now, so alongside my PLR site, I'm also taking Angela Booth's advice on using Elance and other bidding sites to make a quick income. It isn't going as quickly as I need it to, but it is something. It will help pay the rent and bills next month, and that's all I care about right now.

But soon I'm going to buy ANOTHER one of her products about building my brand as a writer.

Honestly, nothing I've gotten from her has been a poor product. I've been pleased with the information I've gotten from her products.

So if you need specific guidance on anything in your writing life, be sure to visit http://writinggenii.com/ (no, I don't get anything if you click on that link or buy her products. I just really like her products!)

Anyway, back to it . . . : )

100 Day – My Assets

2010-09-29T20:58:00.001-07:00

Sounds a little funny, doesn't it?

Anyway, day 9, and I'm supposed to think up 5 assets I have in my writing.

- One of the biggest ones I can think of is just the fact that I have written about so many different things, and I can use that knowledge to craft new content. For example, I was asked to write a bunch of articles on wedding dresses last year, and so I learned more about wedding dresses than I really cared to know. : ) Well, now I'm planning on writing some more articles on wedding dresses, and I can look back on the research I did last year for ideas.

- Another asset that might seem obscure is simply that all this writing has really educated me on what I REALLY want to do with my writing life. You can't know if you hate writing resumes until you've tried it. (I tried it. I hated it.)

- I've also learned a lot about dealing with customers. I've learned that generally they are more intimidated by me than I am by them. Because I can craft content of all kinds, apparently I rank with the demi-gods in their mind. (Angela made a comment about this seeming like witchcraft, and it made me laugh since I discovered this only recently.) The confidence that instilled leached into the rest of my life, and I'm better for it.

- Because of all the writing I've done and all I've learned, I know I'll never go hungry. I can't say I'm building much of a portfolio right now since most of my work has been ghostwriting, but I am familiar with enough kinds of writing that I know I'll always be able to find work.

- My writing takes up a lot of time, but it will give me the asset of more time soon. More time to write fiction. I'm not ready to change my 100 Day goal to incorporate my fiction, but in the last 9 days I've seen changes in how I perceive ALL my writing, including fiction. So I guess I'm talking about not only more time, but a new perspective on what I do and why I love doing it.

I may have totally missed the point of that exercise, but there's my talking-to-myself-for-the-benefit-of-others post for the day. ; )

100 Day – Making Milestones and Master Lists

2010-09-26T11:03:00.001-07:00

So it is day 6 of the 100 Day challenge, and things are going well. : )

Basically yesterday and today were devoted to making lists of tasks. Yesterday I was planning backward. If my goal is to be making $200 a day from my writing by Jan. 1^st, 2011, what do I need to accomplish between now and then, and when do I need to accomplish it by?

Obviously this is somewhat fluid, since things don't always go according to plan and I might be changing these milestones. But here are a few I tossed out there:

Sept. 30^th: Finish package of 15 self-hypnosis PLR articles and put them up for sale.

Oct. 5^th: Finish E-bay PLR articles and put them up for sale.

Oct. 10^th: Finish Online Dating PLR E-book, do the obvious with it. : )

By the middle of October, have a HostGator plan and at least a basic website up for selling PLR off of.

By the end of October have some Craigslist Ads up for my PLR, and post a few articles on Ezine regarding the benefits of PLR products.

Like I said, these are just basic ideas. I'm sure each day as I get things done I will gain a better idea of how long these things take me, what is realistic, and what will actually get me to my goal in time. So these milestones will change, shift, and probably be replaced entirely sometimes.

So then we come to the Master Task List. Since I write full-time and have so many things to write, instead of writing down the name of each article on the task list, I have made tasks that are slightly more generalized. For example:

Write one PLR article.

Write 400 words in a e-book.

Obviously I have more than this, but those are the important ones. In order to stay focused enough to actually make progress, I choose one package of articles to spend my time on, or one e-book. But this way my tasks are very simple, can be applied at any time, yet are focused enough that I will actually make a lot of progress.

In the coming days I know I will add lots more milestones and tasks to my lists, because these things never all come to mind in one sitting. (But I don't want to spend a ton of time in a couple days making lists and not writing!) : )

100 Day – My Obstacles

2010-09-24T21:05:00.001-07:00

So now that I've listed some strengths, I'm supposed to list some obstacles as today's assignment.

Obstacle: I think one of my biggest obstacles is the fear that people won't buy enough of my PLR. I know PLR is a huge thing, but I'm worried that clients will go to the people who sell their articles for .50 each instead of $2.

Solutions: Well, for one, I KNOW I provide a better quality of product than most other writers who are producing PLR. On a whole, most PLR is written either by people who barely know English as a language, or have terrible grammar and don't proofread anything. I also have a plan in place for getting a really nice website going and marketing my PLR products. So when buyers get tired of spending money on articles that have to be completely rewritten, they'll know where to find me.

Obstacle: Not knowing the good niches to attack.

Solution: Honestly, I don't foresee this as being a problem. It could be a BIG problem if I didn't know how to watch for trends in the writing and affiliate marketing world. (Not to mention Angela sent me an awesome report on picking hot topics with her PLR Magic program.)

Obstacle: The constant battle I have with just sitting my butt down and focusing on what needs to be written.

Solution: Suck it up and just do it? : / This is actually something I've really been trying to fix in increments, and I'm seeing good progress. This is something that shouldn't be ANY problem by the end of the 100 Day challenge, especially once I'm seeing good money from my PLR.

That's all I can think of right this minute. I know I was supposed to think of five, but I have plenty of time, I know I'm capable . . . I just don't know what else might stand in my way. I'll edit this if I think of any others.

But I really think the bottom line is that any of my "reasons" for missing my goal on Jan. 1^st would be supremely lame. : D

100 Day – My Strengths

2010-09-24T11:03:00.001-07:00

Yesterday's task was to list 5 strengths that will help me achieve my goal by Jan. 1^st.

1. Stubbornness

At the risk of sounding like I'm copying Angela, I am stubborn. Once I set my mind on something I want, I make it happen. I have my eye on a rental that we really can't afford right now, and I'm determined to make it easy for us to move into it. I wanted a certain type of man, and when I met Corey I made sure I got him (yes, he came willingly. I'm not THAT bad!) I wanted a certain wedding . . . you get the idea. I've never, ever settled for second best once I decide I REALLY wanted something. I REALLY want $200 a day by next year, and I won't allow myself to fail.

2. Viciousness

Yes. I'm a vicious person. I can be a great friend, but anyone who has ever gotten in between me and something I want has quickly learned I won't bat an eye when it comes to removing obstacles. I want to make it so everyone ends up happy if compromises and understandings can be come to, but I don't fool around with people or circumstances that try to tear down my dreams. They're dealt with swiftly and severely. End of story.

3. Creativity

Imagining and creating are my life. I really live for writing fiction, but that is something that takes time, so it doesn't pay the bills right now. But if I come to a problem or holdup, my creativity allows me to get past it somehow. Sometimes I will walk away from a situation for a day or two and just let my creativity stew on the issue. When I come back to it, "duh!" there's my solution. Corey calls it "Lindsey Logic" sometimes because occasionally I'll come up with a solution that makes absolutely no sense to him or anyone else, but in the end it works out perfectly.

4. Open Mindedness

While I can be stubborn at times when it comes to doing things my way, I'm always open to at least hearing some new input on the subject. I know I certainly don't know everything, and while I take all advice with a grain of salt, I do like getting it. The reason I take everything with a grain of salt is because nobody but me really understands where I'm at and what I'm trying to do, so only I can make qualified decisions on my writing. But sometimes getting input from other writers can give you a nudge in the right direction. Occasionally I even get amazing advice from people I know who are very smart, but know little to nothing about writing. Sometimes their perspectives can be enlightening just because they aren't biased on the subject of being a writer and making a living with it.

5. Flexibility?

I'm not really sure how else to put it. When something happens that changes my plans but it isn't necessarily BAD, I can learn to just go with it. I have very strong instincts, and get hunches a lot. Most of the time my hunches are dead on, and I thank the Lord every day for that. When I see a change in my path, I'll take a long look at it and ask myself if it is something that needs to be fought and removed (the aforementioned viciousness) or whether it is something I can just incorporate into my plans and use to reach my ultimate goal. I don't get so stuck on one path that I freak out if it doesn't happen the way I imagine it. Honestly, no matter how stubborn we are, how often do things actually happen the way we expect them to? It is far less stressful if you can just accept some changes and allow them to work for you instead of against you.

-- Lindsey Rainwater

100 Day – The Card

2010-09-24T10:50:00.001-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me!!! (Yesterday. That's why I didn't post.) ; )

Ok, it is now day 4 of the challenge, so I've got some things to write about. I'm actually going to break today's posting into a few different sections according to what I'm writing about since there's so much to cover. That was it's a little less confusing.

So the assignment of the second day was very simple. It was to write down an affirmation regarding my main goal on an index card and prop it up next to my computer. Here is what I wrote:

"On January 1^st, 2011, I have achieved making $200 a day residually from PLR and E-Books. I love writing. Every day it is fun and exhilarating to sit at my desk and be creative. My writing is my passion and my sanctuary. I look forward to a productive year."

Yes, I wrote it on a big card, taking up two lines at a time, and propped it on my desk lamp. As soon as I can find a bright purple card and a black marker I'll rewrite it so it's really hard to miss! ; )

But even as-is, it is impossible to miss. Every time I reach for my lamp, touch my mouse, or go for for the glass of tea that is normally sitting by the lamp, I have to look at that card. Whether or not I take a couple seconds and actually read the whole thing, I know that affirmation is becoming embedded in my mind. It is directing my subconscious in that direction, which will make it much easier for me to achieve that goal.

Funny that my big project right now is writing a package of self-hypnosis PLR articles and talk about that a lot in them. : D

-- Lindsey Rainwater

The 100 Day Challenge – We Begin

2010-09-21T19:11:00.001-07:00

So I have been getting Angela Booth's writing Ezine for a little while now, and have bought some of her products. I am 24 weeks into her SYWON program, have bought "Ace the Outsourcing Sites," "PLR Magic," and her "Write a Book Collection." While I haven't put each and every bit of information to use, I have learned something from her every week that I can apply to my life. Many things have been brought into focus for me, including what I really want to do with my writing life, and what some of my biggest problems are as a writer.

Since she has never led me astray since I was introduced to her site, when she mentioned a 100 Day Challenge that was FREE for her writers, I leaped at the opportunity to join!

So here I am. And to keep myself accountable as well as maybe share some insights with anyone who cares to read my ramblings, I'm blogging about it all. No idea how often I'll add a new post, but I'll be sure to make it at least once a week. Probably more.

Anyway, the first order of business is to set goals. We're supposed to write down 5 goals that we would like to achieve in the next 100 days. I did that in my writing journal, but a couple of them are rather private. So here is my main one:

GOAL: To Make $200 a Day From My Writing by January 1^st, 2011

This goal is very important to me for many, many reasons. It would change my entire life. My husband and I would no longer have to stress over our bills. We could move wherever we wanted to (Idaho is nice, but I'm itching to get back to Utah.) Everything would be ok if my husband lost his job, which in this economy is a very real hazard. He could come home and work on his home based business. And I would never again have to write anything I didn't want to!

There it is. Like I said, I have the others written down, but this is the one that needs the most focus, and this is going to be the most difficult to achieve, so I want all the attention on this goal. That way I can't make excuses about missing it because of the others. : )

Just so it's clear, I plan to make this money primarily with PLR content. I'm really tired of writing what other people want me to, just because my schedule is so strange. I want to write what I want, when I want, and make a whole lot of residual income.

Let’s Get a Few Things Straight

2010-09-21T01:00:00.001-07:00

Ok, I'm going to have a little rant and educate time now. I have seen so many pathetic attempts at writing lately that it makes me want to scream. On top of that, I am getting far too many people who seem to think I'm joking when I say I'm a freelance writer. Or they seem to think I'm trying to get out of having a 'real' job. So, I'm going to cover a few points on what it does and does not mean to be a writer, and a few things everyone who wants to be a writer should keep in mind. Ready?

Firstly, if you want to be a writer, brace yourself. I'm not going to tell you that you have to brace yourself for anything in particular, just brace yourself. I am working through my own issues being a freelance writer, and I know that no two people are going to go through the same transition stage.

I don't care what people say. Writers do not lead stress-free lives. You might be surprised how many people I have talked to that find out I am a writer and say, "Oh, I wish I had a stress-free job like that."

WHAT???!!!

No, no, NO! Do not even get that idea in your head. Look, writing is great! I wouldn't do it if I didn't think so. But you WILL get stressed out. Me, I'm ADD. I have to battle that on a daily basis. Granted, I do better at home than I did at a regular job, because I'm not having to keep a lid on my temper, but I still get distracted easily! If I take on an assignment that isn't fascinating, and most of them aren't, I have serious trouble keeping my mind upon the task at hand.

So this brings me to my first point: If you do not have the ability or desire to make yourself sit down and work, don't get into this business. If you have to have the shadow of a supervisor looming over you to keep working, you aren't cut out for this. You also don't have a guaranteed paycheck in your hand. If you slack off, so does your money. If all the writing jobs are taken this week, you just might be S.O.L. It's something you need to think very hard about, especially before you quit your job.

The other side of that is that if you have something like ADD or ADHD, or anything else that may hinder your work habits or relationships with people, you CAN work at home if that is your dream. I'm proof of it. My biggest issue is that I'm still 'getting into the groove,' which takes time.

Also, if you think this gig is going to bring you instant glamour because you are a writer, think again. Yes, being a writer can be glamorous, in both fiction, and non-fiction. But it isn't going to happen overnight. Keep in mind that if you are successful at being a writer, it may actually lose you a few 'friends.' Seriously, some people cannot stand the idea of someone else being more successful and happy. It's vicious, but there is a good chance you will have to look at the face of someone you thought was a friend and see that they now despise you because they are jealous. It's even worse when it is family. Trust me, I know.

Don't let anything stand in the way of your dreams. Just be prepared for the responsibility and issues those dreams may bring with them. : )

Now, if you want to be a writer, there are a few things you need. You do have to have some skill at writing to be a writer. It is a very simple concept that many, many people seem to miss completely. Make sure you can write at least decent English before you attempt to break into the writing scene. If you can't, you are going to waste everyone's time.

That said, don't be worried that you can't write because you only got a C in English. If you can write legible sentences that people can follow, you have a shot at this. Also keep in mind that you will get better the more you write. Writing on a daily basis hones your skills, so each day you write, you become a more valuable asset! If you are having trouble finding writing work, just do a little writing each day to keep yourself sharp. A journal or blog may be all you need.

Above all, keep writing. Focus on your goals and dreams, and go for them. I did, and here I am, getting paid to stay home and write! I'm not making as much money as I would like, but that will come in time and with experience. I have a great friend in Australia who is mentoring me through the process, and she has been invaluable to me and my pursuit!

Writing is a great career. I just don't want to see people jump in, only to get burned because they didn't really know what they were jumping into. Leave me a post, and I'll be happy to answer any questions that I can.

I'll be back soon, and I'll think up some more pointers for all you potential writers out there! : D

–Lindsey Rainwater

A Post From My Other Blog

2010-09-20T22:18:00.001-07:00

Yes, I decided to move this post from my other blog. I have no idea what I was doing with two blogs. *rolls eyes*

Posted a long time ago:

I recently wrote a Hub on Hubpages.com about being positive in order to improve your life. I have a friend who is just driving me crazy because every time I talk to her it's "poor me."

I hate that!!! Hate, hate, hate!!!

She talks about how hard life is, and how she has it so bad, and nobody thinks about her feelings . . . etc. It gets really boring after awhile. In fact, she's starting to drive me away with all of it. I don't want to not be friends with her, because we all need friends, but I don't have time for that much stress in my life. I have writing to do, and my own stress tries to get in the way sometimes!

This just made me start thinking about writers and writing. So many writers talk about how hard writing is. You know what, they're right! I'll be the first person to say that writing isn't easy! It's when they start complaining that it's hard that I usually flip.

Due to the rough economic times that we are in, I had to go get a job. My freelancing wasn't going as well as I would have liked (which was mostly my fault) and my husband suddenly found himself in a bad spot because he works in the construction industry at the moment. So I went out and found myself a full-time job writing website content for a company. It's a good job, a little boring (ok, a lot boring) but relatively easy and it pays ok.

But it isn't what I want to do the rest of my life. So what do I do? I write, and then I work on my writing on lunch. Sandwich in one hand, other hand writing. After work, I go home and write some more. I'm posting articles for sale, I'm trying to find clients to work for. In short, I am holding down a full-time job, taking care of my house and husband, and still building my freelancing business.

Here's the part that really kills some people . . .

I also still work on my fiction.

Needless to say, I don't get enough sleep. : )

But I'm writing! It's what I was born to do! It is what I am destined to do!

So when someone looks at me and tells me how hard it is to write, I laugh in their face. I tell them to look at the negativity they are spawning in themselves. Good job, you're force-feeding yourself failure. How does it taste?

By being more positive in all areas of your life, you will make life easier. You will let stress fall away, you won't freak over the little things, and you will be happier. Guess what? This leaves more room in your brain for better writing. The best writers I've heard of don't let worries plague them.

Especially when you sit down to write, clear your head and then think positively. Look at ever writing session like it is going to be your best. Wonderful things will start to happen.

By saying, "writing is hard" you make it hard. By saying "I don't have time" you're wasting time. By saying "my family doesn't support me" you are allowing your family to kill your dream.

No more excuses. No more pity-parties. Just be glad you can write! Not everybody enjoys that ability!

If you want to write, write. Stop talking and do it. If you aren't going to write, stop talking and let the rest of us get back to our writing and other dreams.

Sorry, had to get that off my chest.

–Lindsey Rainwater

Being Positive

2009-09-02T14:27:00.000-07:00

I just published a hub on Hubpages about being more positive in life.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Changing-Your-Life-by-Being-Positive

It got me thinking about freelancing and writing, and how being positive can affect all the areas of our lives.

I posted on it on my other blog, and I really think you would like it. Click on the link to my other blog to see it.

When you do, don't just think about writing. Think about anything you're passionate about. Replace the word "writing" with that, and just think on it.

--Lindsey Rainwater

Success - A Start

2009-05-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to get on here more, but life and writing have been preventing it. Not to mention the new Harley we bought. On a beautiful day, that is just far too tempting to leave in the garage. : )

Anyway, today I want to talk about success a bit. A new friend contacted me today through my other blog and said something about my success. I sat back and thought about that for a few minutes. I do consider myself successful even though in all reality I haven’t been in the freelancing business for very long. So what has brought me from newbie freelance writer to making good money every month? What has driven me to where I am now?

Now, perhaps this wouldn’t be all that unusual of a question for some people. But I am still quite young, and through my life I have not had the best reputation for being driven. Writing was the only thing I was passionate about for a long time, and even that was writing fiction, not freelancing to pay the bills. So what changed?

Honestly, I got sick of who I had been. I was smart, brilliant even, but I was unmotivated. One day I watched my husband head off to a job he doesn’t care for, and something just snapped in my mind. I had been struggling with depression and self-hatred for a couple weeks at this point, and for the life of me I could not figure out why. Watching him walk out the door with a smile on his face even though he doesn’t look forward to his work made it all fall into place.

I had the talent to make a lot of money. And I wasn’t using it.

Brilliance is meaningless if you’re not going to use it.

That was the day I got motivated. One of the first steps in success is to get motivated. Get the motivation to get up and take a bird’s eye look at yourself and your life. (We’ll talk about motivation more later.) Then get some courage. You have to be pretty brave to take a spotlight to yourself and find your greatest strengths and worst weaknesses. Often you will find that you have more weaknesses than strengths. Don’t let this tear you down. I let it destroy my drive for years and it got me NOWHERE!

This time I looked at my strengths and said, “Those are pretty darn good.” Then I looked at my weaknesses. I asked myself which could be done away with easiest, and started focusing on those. Don’t try to take on all your weaknesses at once. That could just overwhelm you. Instead, figure out one that is either easy to deal with once you focus on it, or the one that is REALLY standing in your way. Mine? Procrastination.

Procrastinators unite! Tomorrow.

Not anymore.

I still struggle with it, but when I find myself drifting away from my work, I clench my fists and say “No.” I get my butt back in my computer chair, and I work. If I’m really, really bored, or need a drink or anything that will cause me to walk away from my work, I look at the clock and make myself work for five more minutes. Each time I manage to stay at my work a little longer.

Another thing about your weaknesses: See which ones you can turn into strengths. I’m stubborn. I like getting my way, and sometimes I can be a real terror about getting it. Just ask my husband. So what did I do? I turned that ‘weakness’ that could have kept me from writing because I want to do other things, into a strength. I painted a mental picture of the life I want, but that I don’t have, and said, “I want that. And nothing is going to stop me from getting it. What is the best way for me to get there? Freelancing! Writing!” So now I have made my stubbornness work for me. Now it drives me to work more, because I want my dream life.

So take a good look at yourself. Write down your strengths and weaknesses, and post them somewhere you will see them. Every day try to diminish the weaknesses and turn them into strengths. Acknowledging them and working on them is one of the first steps to being successful, and everyone knows the first step is often the hardest.

There’s your obnoxiously long post! I’ll work on the next part and try to get it up soon!

--Lindsey Rainwater

We Begin at the Beginning . . .

2009-04-16T13:06:00.001-07:00

Ok, before we get into tips and tricks of freelancing, writing or otherwise, we should clear a few things up.

First, I need to lay it down and hammer out: What is a Freelancer?

A Freelancer is someone who is self-employed, at least part time, providing a specific service to others. I know this sounds vague, but that is the basis of it. Freelancing is not restricted to writing by any means; writing has just become one of the commonly heard-of types of freelancing. This is quickly falling to the wayside as more and more companies are outsourcing for not only writers, but freelance web-designers, graphic artists, and many others. If you have one or more creative talents, there is a good chance you can be a freelancer.

Being a freelance writer does not mean that you occasionally contribute to a blog. I don't care if you get paid a few pennies to do it. You're not a freelancer.

When you have a passion for something, and you make an income with it that you use to support yourself, then you are a freelancer. There are many ways to be a freelancer. You can have just a couple things you do part-time to supplement you other income, or you could be busy full-time with many clients. This is the beauty of being self-employed. You choose the guidelines. : )

If you are happy just making part-time money, good for you. As long as you are satisfied. But if you are looking to build an honest-to-goodness freelance business, it is going to take work and time. You will need to constantly be on the lookout for new jobs, and constantly marketing yourself.

For more info on freelancing, please go look at my friend Bianca's blog!

Soon we will go over more of what it means to be a freelancer, and what you need to be expecting when you opt for this lifestyle.