Recently, the NY Times reported that Job Losses Rise in June as Unemployment Reaches 9.5% so transitioning from working a 9 to 5 (Corporate job) to Working at home (WAH) is slowly becoming a norm. According to this article,

The American economy shed 467,000 jobs last month, and the unemployment rate rose to 9.5 percent from 9.4 percent, its highest level in 26 years, the Labor Department reported on Thursday. Job losses were widespread among the construction, manufacturing and business and professional services sectors.

Image: SXC.hu

In being affected by this, the common worker must make a decision in what will be their next steps to ensure that they have a steady income. Some of the things that they can decided to do are:

• Search for another Corporate America job while they are receiving unemployment in hopes that a job is found before unemployment runs out.
• Try to start their own business and work from home by using the skills that were used on a daily basis in their Corporate America job.
• Or they could also become a sub-contractor for someone else who has already started their own work at home business

Regardless of what decision is made, it is always helpful to know and understand the facts about what it will take to make either of the decisions above successful. Personally, I made the decision many years ago to start my own business after having my consulting project canceled without prior notice. It’s can be hard bouncing back from a layoff/downsize life event but it is possible.

To help you understand how others are dealing with this crisis, I thought the video below from MSNBC.com would be helpful. It’s one way that an unemployed man has decided to create a steady income using eBay. This is an option along with starting your own business. For instance, if you were an Administrative person in Corporate America, you might want to think about starting your own Virtual Assistant (VA) business.

Without a doubt, one of the worst things about freelancing is that other people don’t “get it.” I love my family and friends, but few of them actually understand that I work just as hard - if not harder - than someone with a 9-to-5. I’m a small business owner.

Image: sxc.hu

And it’s degrading when someone thinks that my time isn’t as valuable as their own. Yes, I have flexibility in my schedule, but that doesn’t mean I can dog-sit, watch you kids, or otherwise take time out of my day to do things for you. My time is spent working.

That said, I think that some freelance writers are getting a bit up in arms about the issue. I understand as well as anyone how annoying it can be for people to think that you can just drop what you’re doing to run errands for people…but at the same time, there are many instances where you CAN drop what you’re doing to help someone out.

It can be a slippery slope. You don’t want others to walk all over you. Compassion is important, though. When someone in your life needs help, be realistic about whether or not you can help. It’s a form of networking. For example, I dog-sat for my aunt for a week while she was on vacation. Later, when she was getting rid of some of her beautiful pieces of jewelry, I was the first person on her mind to get one of her necklaces.

We do this job, in part, because we get to be flexible with our days. It isn’t fair to later complain that we have a strict schedule and can’t change things around a bit to help someone out. Again, you don’t want people to start taking advantage of you, but unless you have a major deadline, consider being a friend. Karma, baby.

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Let’s take a break from talking about business today and instead talk about something fun - snacks! I don’t know about you guys, but this week’s been super busy, and I could sure use the break.

Working at home isn’t good for the waistline, if you’re anything like me. I guess the same is true with any office job where you’re sitting most of the day, but when you’re at home and your kitchen is RIGHT THERE…

To help battle the bulge, I’d started stocking my cupboards with healthier snacks. That way, when I do chow down, at least I’m making better choices. Here are my top five favorite healthy snacks. And remember, healthy is relative - at least I’m not eating candy and drinking soda anymore!

1. Popcorn: My favorite popcorn snack is the mini bags you can get from multiple companies. Then, I get Kernel Season’s Popcorn Seasoning in a bunch of flavors so that I can have a variety of kinds. My favorite so far is Parmesan and Garlic. Yum. (Picture via kernelseasons.com)

2. Rachel’s Yogurt: Our grocery store JUST started carrying this company’s products and I LOVE them. The yogurt is creamy, without chunks of fruit (I HATE fruit chunks in my yogurt), and the flavors are really unusual. They all have a purpose - calming, vitality, reviving, etc. I’m not a fan of the Plum Honey Lavender, but I like all the other ones. My favorite so far is pomegranate açai. (Picture via rachelsdairy.com)

3. Celery with Peanut Butter: Yum. I buy peanut butter that is organic, natural, and low-fat, so it’s a little punch of protein during the day without TONS of fat. (Picture via www.smuckers.com)

4. Pirate’s Booty: Several months ago, Pirate Booty got a bad rap because their Veggie Booty was recalled. The problem’s cleared up, but my grocery store still doesn’t carry it. All of the Pirate Booty products are good, though - and good for you, as long as you don’t eat half the bag in one sitting. (Picture via robscape.com)

I’m not saying I know anything about that…

5. 100 Calorie Packs: I was slow to jump on this train - they just didn’t look good. I’ve tried a few kinds of Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs now, though, and I have to say, some of them are pretty good. I love the oreo kind and the chocolate covered pretzels. 100 calories isn’t so bad! (Picture via nabiscoworld.com)

None of these companies are paying me or anything - they’re legitimately my favorite afternoon snacks. Leave a comment - what are your favorites?

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We’ve got 49 Freelance Writing, Editing, Blogging, Translation and etc. jobs to day.

The link is to my old site which is becoming my new blog. Yes, today is my last day with The Golden Pencil, but it’s easy enough to find me at www.aboutfreelancewriting.com

Some of you will recognize that address as my old writing site - I’m converting it to a blog, and the transition has already gotten messy. But all the articles you’re relied on, everything, is backed up and over the next few weeks I’ll be getting it together there. I look forward to seeing you at the new site.

Just posted 54 Freelance Writing, Editing, Blogging & Translation Jobs for you today.

That’s a good start for a week.

If you’re new to applying for freelance writing jobs or need a refresher, How To Apply For A Freelance Writing Job may help.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image licensed by http://www.sxc.hu

Not exactly my kind of stuff, but I suspect some of fiction writers will love this. Enjoy!

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Dear Anne,
How can a person without professional writing experience or degree but with a serious love of writing break into freelancing?

Thank you,
jk

Dear JK,
As you already recognize a freelance writing career isn’t like some. If you want to be a banker, you usually start by working as a teller in a bank.

The secret to a freelance writing career is first of all to write, write, write and write some more.

You’ve also got to submit your writing. With persistence and some luck, you’ll gradually get better and start selling what you write.

Another approach would be to get a writing job. Community newspapers don’t pay well, so there’s usually a lot of turnover and the qualifications can be pretty minimal. The work is hard, but it’s a way to get your feet wet while earning minimum wage or slightly better. You may also be able to land a job with other publishers, but be careful you don’t end up just making copies for the writers. You want experience writing.

Good luck.

Do you have a question about freelance writing? Ask Anne, The Writing Pro - that’s me ;) Ask in the comments or send an email and put Q&A in the subject line so I can sort it out from spam and I’ll do my best. Meanwhile, you’ll find some Q&A’s here:

Ask Anne, The Pro Writer

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image licensed by http://www.sxc.hu

I just posted 62 Freelance Writing, Editing, Translating, Blogging, Etc. Jobs.

As usual, I haven’t a clue. When I started this list this morning it seemed like I might be lucky to surface half this number. Go figure.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image licensed by http://www.sxc.hu

So I’m on the mend. I don’t ache any more and any fever is long gone. My nose is stuffy and I have a nasty cough that seems to be loosening up. I still, however, feel fuzzy this morning. Which means I don’t really have a good idea for “da d**n blog.”

So I’ll take the easy way out and present some oldie but goodies from way back when:

1. Getting Started in Freelance Writing with Community Newspapers
2. Reading Is So Much A Part Of Writing
3. After Rejection
4. When In Doubt, Just Start
5. Writing Clients Come and Go

Hmmmm, that’s five which is probably more than enough for a single morning. Nothing magic in any of them. You still have to put your behind in the chair and your hands on the keyboard and words on the screen, then paper if you want to be a writer.

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image licensed by http://www.sxc.hu

I just posted some 63 freelance writing, editing and translation jobs. There are more, but one of the sites I count on was down. I’m sure it will be back up soon, but I’m going back to bed.

Apparently two or three hours at a time is all the last gasp of this flu will allow.

If you’re new to applying for freelance writing jobs or need a refresher, How To Apply For A Freelance Writing Job may help.

http://aboutfreelancewriting.com/store/books.htm

Write well and often,

Two newsletters:
Abundant Freelance Writing - a resource for freelance writers including 3x a week job postings.
Writing With Vision - for those who want to get a book written.

Image licensed by http://www.sxc.hu