Review: As a Freelance Writer in My 8th Year, I Deem This Title An Excellent Addition to the Freelance Writers' Library
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 10, 2013
The Positives:Incredibly thorough content. Each paragraph is actually fairly long for an ebook, but just illustrates how every inch of this ebook is dripping with good information. The content is informative, actionable, and at times even inspiring - like the mentions of Neil Gaiman's "Make Good Art" commencement speech.It was entirely clear while I was reading this book that it was written by a real freelance writing professional that is experienced and looking to help other freelance writers.This ebook has tons of great software recommendations, and accurate descriptions of these tools and websites of interest to freelance writers.Truly helpful details that genuinely taught myself, who has been freelancing for going on eight years, new things.Additionally, some of the most realistic and detailed handling of new media and the full scope of all writing jobs. I don't know that almost anyone else except for Jenn Mattern, Carol Tice, and Yuwanda Black tell it this like it is, and this advice is not exactly like theirs but stands on its own.This ebook talks about health insurance, and chambers of commerce, two things we are not seeing enough of in freelance writing books, so I cannot thank the author enough for including this information!The book ends with a huge list of places that hire writers: something a freelance writer always likes to see.The Negatives:These are kind of nitpicky: I really loved this book.That being said, I would say the structure seemed a little odd. I definitely would have kept all of the nuts and bolts out of all of the business discussion, but I believe this seemed to stem from the fact that this author had such an all-encompassing knowledge of both the business and nuts and bolts of freelance writing.This ebook does push the controversial idea that you can get started in content mills. A lot of big writers I agree with on almost everything else just don't agree. But I know that there are plenty of freelance writers who do find themselves in the time and place for lower paying gigs, and they needn't be shamed out of the work when they need the money. So there could have been just a little more discussion into the controversy and risks inherent in such work, though it is covered. See what I mean: I'm nitpicky :)Another nitpick is that I feel the talk of Copyscape was strange. Unnecessary. This reveals a side of coming from an internet marketing background that can be negative. Freelance writing existed before internet marketing and they don't make the rules, not even of internet writing. But alas I am picking on the author again...The discussion of rates/fees/what to charge was lacking some vital resources like the hourly rate calculator at Freelance Switch, and the compensation survey by Chris Malow, and the rate information published by Writers Market or the Editorial Freelancers Association, to name a few, so I felt that it didn't quite accurately cover this expansive topic.The ebook talks about revenue share, which I feel needed to be completely dismissed except as maybe a marketing tactic, but wasn't entirely damned (though to be fair it wasn't entirely endorsed either).Overall verdict:If you are new to freelance writing, you really can't afford to miss this ebook. It may be a little odd in structure, but it is incredibly detailed. And if you aren't new to freelance writing, but like me, read every book about freelancing, this will be a breath of fresh air because it doesn't simply rehash everything we've already read. There is new material, particular for the writer less than expert level on all things internet marketing. In fact, the best internet marketing content for freelance writers available is in this very book.So, I give this book 5 stars and recommend it to all freelance writers: I doubt you'll feel like you wasted your money. I think it could literally be ten times the price it is and still be worth it.