Q: This will be one of the primary ways that clients can find and learn about your skills. You don't have to spend a lot of money or be a tech expert to have a great website. You can use a website builder like Squarespace or WordPress. Be prepared to put in some time. You're not going to build a great website in a day. Your website should introduce yourself, highlight your skills, and include samples of your work. Try to also include testimonials from previous clients. Spend some time looking at other freelancers' websites to get a sense for how great sites are structured. Potential clients will likely want to see samples of your work. Collect some of your best pieces and include them in a portfolio. Make a hard copy of your portfolio for in-person pitches. Build a digital version that you can email to prospective clients. If you've already worked as a writer, include some of your pieces that received great feedback. If you're new to writing, you can write some sample pieces to place in your portfolio. Write about topics that fit the niche you have chosen. An elevator pitch is a brief (30-second) speech you can use to sell yourself. Come up with a few sentences that you can use to describe your work anytime you are networking. You want to keep it short and to the point to make sure your potential client gets the picture. Your pitch might be, "I've recently moved to freelance writing. My specialty is writing about traveling on a budget. I look for lodging and dining options that are excellent, but affordable and off the beaten path. I also love to point readers towards free attractions. Past clients have really loved my thorough research and unique point of view." Look online to see if there are networking groups in your area. Typically, these groups will meet for a happy hour or breakfast meeting about once a month. Attend meetings to get to know other professionals in your area. You can join a group specific to writers to learn how other people find clients. You can also join a group of professionals from all fields and develop contacts that work for potential clients. There are numerous sites that help writers find contract work. Do a quick search for freelance writing jobs, and you'll be off and running. Before you commit to taking a job, read some reviews from other writers that have contracted for that site. You might be asked to provide a resume and writing samples before you're given a project. Some sites allow you to choose between lengthier assignments that take a few weeks and shorter projects that you can complete in a few hours. Make sure to ask whether you will be paid by the hour or by the assignment. Some popular sites include Upwork, FlexJobs, and Writers Market. You might prefer to work for established publications. If that's the case, you can reach out directly to editors at magazines and websites that pay for articles. For example, if you are a travel writer, you could reach out to a website like Jetsetter. Start by emailing the editor at your chosen publication. Use your written pitch and tell them why you're a great fit for their publication. You can pitch a specific article idea or indicate that you are available for contract work on any assignment. A lot of employers use LinkedIn to look for potential hires. This makes it a great place to make contacts online. Create a profile that highlights your experience and skill set. Make sure to indicate your career goals and the type of projects you would like to work on.
A: Build a website to establish your online presence. Create a portfolio to showcase your work. Develop an "elevator pitch" to sell yourself in person. Join a networking group to make new contacts. Look for freelance work on a variety of websites to get immediate work. Send pitches to magazines and websites that fit your niche. Set up a LinkedIn profile to network online.

Q: Darker wash jeans tend to be more flattering and versatile for plus size women. Look for pairs with a dark blue or black color that have some lighter portions on the upper thigh for contrast. Be aware that dark wash jeans can sometimes transfer dyes onto your skin and other pieces of clothing. Ask the store associate or check the washing instructions to see how to care for your jeans to avoid dye transfer! Skinny jeans with holes, tears, or bleach stains are very popular for a rocker-style look. They tend to be more expensive due to their styling, but are sure to make your outfit stand out from the crowd. Look for destroyed jeans that are well-constructed. Any holes or tears should look purposeful and still be able to hold up to normal wear and tear. If the holes or rips in your jeans tear further after you wear them a few times, contact the store to let them know the situation and ask for a refund. Light wash jeans are popular for warmer months because they pair well with brighter colors. Look for more relaxed fits in light jeans because they tend to be less forgiving of bumps and curves than darker washes. Boyfriend-style light wash skinny jeans tend to be looser and can be cuffed at the ankles for a more relaxed and effortless style. You don't have to confine yourself to just denim when looking for skinny jeans. There are plenty of other fabric options like leather, suede, or a mix of different fabrics. Try on any style that interests you! Be aware that different fabrics will have a different fit. Leather and suede tend to have less stretch than traditional denim, so you might need to adjust your sizing to get the perfect fit! Skinny jeans should mold to your body and provide support where you need it, like the backside and tummy areas. Look for pairs that are 1-4% lycra or spandex, as they will have some stretch but still maintain their shape after washing. Jeans with higher percentages of elastic will lose their shape quickly after a few runs through the washer and dryer. They can also wear out in areas that rub together often, like the thighs, causing embarrassing rips and tears. A main concern for plus size women is the smoothing and controlling effect of the jeans. Skinny jeans with a higher waist will elongate your legs and slim the tummy area for a better fit. They can also feel more comfortable without a belt. High-rise jeans will normally fall above the belly button and provide the most support and tummy control. Mid-rise jeans, also known as normal rise, hit right at or just below the belly button and provide less control, but can be more flattering for women with shorter torsos. Many stores carry both skinny jeans and jeggings styles for plus size women. Skinny jeans have less stretch and provide more structure, while jeggings tend to be thinner material and much stretchier. Try on both and decide which you prefer for your personal look. Some women prefer to wear longer tops over jeggings because they are normally tighter than traditional skinny jeans.
A:
Select a darker wash for a slimming and sophisticated look. Go for a more edgy look by purchasing "destroyed" jeans. Purchase a pair of light wash jeans for a relaxed look. Look for unique dyes, fabrics, and embellishments. Opt for a pair with some stretch to the fabric. Search for styles with mid- to high-rise waist lines for tummy control. Try jeggings for more stretch.