Frugal Freelancing for Tough Times! Ideas for Success

"Tough times don't last. Tough people do."

In many ways, I am truly my mother's daughter- both cut from the same cloth.
She values and instilled in me a love for learning, an appreciation for education, and a curiosity for life.
We both believe in speaking our minds--we call a spade a spade.
And like her, I really dig spending time in the kitchen cooking for friends and guests. Feeding their appetites, hearts and their spirits.

But here's where we are polar opposites and often at odds...
My mom is what the young folks call a "baller."
I kid you not: if she and I are out shopping and she sees a TV she likes for a thousand bucks, she'll buy it right on the spot.

As for me? No way, Jose!
This diva cuts coupons, comparison shops, checks online reviews, and will do whatever I need to, to stretch and bend my dollars like a skilled contortionist.
In these challenging times, a girl's gotta' do what a girl's gotta' do.

Factoring into the financial equation is the fact that freelancers often must contend with feast or famine cycles. True? One month I may be rolling in dough and the next month, searching for loose change under the couch cushions to make ends meet.

You know the script!

With the increased cost of living, everybody’s feeling the pinch. So what does this mean for today’s freelancer? It makes it even more important to be good stewards of our sporadic income, and to save for that “rainy day” now. It means being more strategic and governing our time and money more wisely.

Accordingly, here are seven fool-proof ways to hold on to your writing dollars and your freelancing freedom.

Take care of your health.

This may sound simplistic, but it’s crucial in its implications. Poor health can often lead to the need for frequent, costly doctor’s visits, prescribed medications, less productivity and/or a modified lifestyle. Ralph Waldo Emerson stated it best “Health is the greatest wealth.”

Reinvest in your career.

Take a few bucks from paid articles or writing assignments to put money back in your business. For less than a week’s worth of Starbucks, you can: purchase ebooks with markets for your work, pay membership dues to a writers’ organization, buy supplies, or get a subscription to a literary magazine. You reap what you sow.

Create multiple streams of income.

If you write articles, try your hand at greeting cards. Edit other writers' works. Sell products in addition to providing services.

Work smarter, not harder.

Retain as many of your writer’s rights as possible for resale purposes. Slant. Send simultaneous submissions. Opt to submit your work via email rather than snail mail. Keep in mind that time is money.

Keep a financial journal.

Record expenses, sale dates, spending habits, expected income, and other information to help you to make prudent decisions regarding your money. And most importantly, stop trying to keep up with the Joneses.

Shop at local Dollar Tree outlets.

My mom often states: "You get what you pay for." Not true. Not always.
Over the years, I have saved thousands of dollars by scoring quality merchandise at Dollar Tree Stores and select thrift store outlets. And you can too. The key is to become an educated consumer.
Do your homework. Experiment.
Here are a few of my suggested favorites from the Dollar Tree chain stores:

•     Hardcover Books
•     Movies
•     Kitchen Items
•     Cleaning Supplies
•     Party Decorations
•     Mugs & Glasses

Additionally, the Pennyhoarder.com has tips on best buys from dollar stores as well.
https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/smart-money/what-to-buy-at-the-dollar-store/

Cut the cord on cable.

When people learn that I have NEVER had cable, they sometimes treat me like an alien life form. But the truth is, I have just never found it necessary. I have a variety of interests and hobbies that cost less and yield more value.  For example, instead of paying a monthly cable bill, I can rent up to 10 movies at my local library each visit for free! I also use my library to "sample" music before I go out and buy CDs  or add new books to my collection. Not a bad idea for you either. :-)
Cutting cable can translate into hundreds or thousands of dollars saved each year. Trust me here.

 

IN CLOSING...

Contrary to popular opinion, there's a difference between being "cheap" and being "frugal."
You can cut corners without "short-changing" your quality of life. Follow these timely tips for optimal results. And remember, the more cash you can stash, the more money you'll have to buy  chocolate.

Thoughts? Any penny pinchers out there?


Image credits:
Pixabay.com

Tips to Advance Your SEO Game in 2018

Image Via Pixabay.com

There’s so much information on the internet nowadays about SEO that it’s hard to know what’s right and what isn’t. If you want your website to be successful in 2018, you simply can’t afford to ignore SEO. You don’t need to be a computer genius to understand the basics of SEO and how it can help your website. Even simple changes can have a major impact on your website performance! Here are tips to advance your SEO game!

Custom Page URLsOne of the easiest changes you can make to your website SEO is page URLs. If you’re using a content management system like WordPress, your website will automatically be set up to include page URLs with the date or another jumble of numbers. This jumble of numbers doesn’t mean much to search engines, and it’s better to include that actual title of the page or the keyword.

Luckily, this is an easy thing to change. Click here for a guide to customizing this format so you don’t have to think about it the next time you create a blog post! If you’ve already created several pages or posts with the previous format, be cautious about changing your URL. This might affect your links on social media or other websites.

Link Building
Link building is an essential part of website SEO. Every time your link appears on another website, it sends a message to Google and other search engines that you have quality content. The more, the better, particularly if your link is on high-profile websites. You can create an outreach plan for link building with the right anchor texts or use a tool like Linkio. Link building is something that takes time, but a proactive approach has a big payoff.

Image via Pixabay.com

Readability
Nobody wants to waste time trying to figure out their way around your website. If your website isn’t easily readable, people won’t stick around long. This is important because the lower your bounce rate, the better your page ranking. If your homepage is nothing but a block of giant text with no subheadings or clear navigation, your SEO is going to suffer the consequences.

Make readability a top priority in your SEO strategy. Use heading tags and subheading tags whenever possible to break up large blocks of text, and include things like images and videos which have shown to keep users on web pages longer. Limit your navigation to a few key links, and don’t encourage users to click off your website.

Quality Content
You can edit your page name and build your link strategy all you want, but without quality content, you still won’t see an improvement. Having high-quality content is by far the best SEO strategy. Creating quality content is about more than writing blog posts of a certain length. It’s about creating things users actually want. This could be written guides or even videos, as long as they answer user questions and fill a need. Great content gets more links and builds stronger relationships with users. This is how you actually get people coming back to your website again and again!

The Importance of SEO
SEO is more than things you check off a list for your website. It’s about creating a website worth visiting and encouraging users to link to your engaging content. Great SEO goes beyond keywords and page tags to actually help users navigate a site clearly. Ignoring SEO is no longer an option in 2018, but that doesn’t mean it has to be complicated! If you follow the tips above, your SEO game will improve in no time!

Author Bio:

Wendy's marketing journey started seven years ago as a marketing student in Chicago, IL where she currently lives.

Her first Marketing position was doing website copy for the local restaurant.

Currently, she works as a super-connector who helps businesses find their audience online through outreach, partnerships, and networking.

She frequently writes about the latest advancements in digital marketing and focuses efforts on developing customized blogger outreach plans depending on the industry and competition.

 

 

Thoughts? Questions, readers?

Pen & Prosper Honors National Poetry Month

"How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways..."

There are many reasons to love poetry. From the depths and heights that we experience from reading the works of Elizabeth Barrett-Browning, to the powerful thoughts penned by Maya Angelou.
Poetry feeds the mind, soul and spirit.
As a wise man once wrote: "

---

"I believe the world is beautiful, and poetry, like bread, is for everyone."

-Roque Dalton

But for me, there's even more. Poetry was my "first love."

Long before I became a blogger, decades before I began my career as a relationship columnist for both online and print publications, I wrote poems.

 

As a teenager, poetry helped me to cope during an awkward and confusing period; it allowed me to have a "voice."  An added bonus here, is that I have also met and made many lovely friends as a result of our mutual interest in this ancient art form.

In the evolving years, I've even published several poetry books and won various writing awards along the way. 

 

Today, in honor of National Poetry Month, (read more here): 

https://www.poets.org/national-poetry-month/home

 

I'd like to share a few personal pieces that I have written.

I hope that you enjoy them. Feel free to share your thoughts by way of the comments section.

Have a great week ahead! Thanks for reading.

 

 

 

RESIDENCY

Despite the crime,

Despite the grit and grime,

Despite the rhetoric

Challenging his citizenship,

Let the records show

For all the nation to know

For future generations,

And history’s preservation,

That the 1^st Black President lived here,

The home of Home Run Inn Pizza,

Buildings tall enough to kiss God,

Frigid winters,

And hot Jazz spots,

Notorious politicians,

 

The backdrop of fabulously famous writers,

Oprah’s former stomping ground,

Chicago,

More than a “toddlin’ town”

It’s called home for millions,

Where greatness hangs its hat,

A mecca for movers and shakers,

A great source of pride…

RELATIONSHIP WISDOM

 

Don’t think twice,

Love yourself

First,

Confidence breeds

Respect,

Never settle for less,

You deserve the best.

Life is long,

Marry smart,

Pray strong,

Life is short,

Cherish the moments…
 

DEEP PURPLE

(4 the Singer formerly known as Prince Rogers Nelson)

He left the party early,

Dressed

In purple wings and glitter,

Causing time to stand still,

Like 1999...

Then the music stopped

For all of us,

Leaving hearts

Of purple tears,

　

Forming

Purple Rain

Purple Rain…

(C) Jennifer Brown Banks

Thoughts? Comments?



Image Credits: Pixabay.com
 

 

Spring into Success! The 3Rs Series Continues

Spring has sprung. And with it comes the realization that the 1st quarter of the year is nearly gone, while many of your New Year's resolutions still remain. True?
Never fear.
To help you meet your goals and move forward, today's post provides reads and leads to enhance your efforts (and hopefully your bottom line).

RECOMMENDED READS AROUND THE WEB...

6 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE TAKING A FREELANCE JOB
https://thewritelife.com/freelance-questions/

HOW TO CONSIDER YOUR AUDIENCE
http://elizabethspanncraig.com/6760/considering-our-audience/

THE NECESSITY OF DIGITAL MINDFULNESS
https://blog.sivanaspirit.com/mf-gn-necessity-digital-mindfulness/

WHICH IS THE BEST HOSTING SOLUTION?
https://problogger.com/best-blog-hosting/

WRITING WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS IS NOT ALWAYS KID'S PLAY
https://thewritelife.com/time-for-writing-with-kids/

7 WAYS TO USE SLOW TIMES TO EARN MORE
https://inkwelleditorial.com/freelance-writing-tips-on-how-to-use-slow-times-to-earn-more

RESOURCES

 

WRITING CONTESTS

http://www.fanstory.com/contestsall.jsp

 

CALL FOR SUCCESS STORIES

http://writersweekly.com/writersweekly-com-writers-guidelines

 

19 PLACES TO PUBLISH PERSONAL ESSAYS

https://thewritelife.com/19-websites-magazines-want-publish-personal-essays/

 

FREE RESOURCES FOR SCRIBES

https://writetodone.com/the-10-free-resources-every-writer-needs/

 

 USEFUL PRODUCTS FOR WRITERS

http://lasting-legacies.net/10-american-products-writers/

 

 

 

REVIEW

The Accidental Husband

 

With an intriguing title, I couldn't wait to take this flick home and explore it.

It did not disappoint. It was definitely a different take on your typical "girl meets boy" story.

Here's the scoop in a nutshell...

 

A sexy firefighter finds his life turned inside out when his fiancee ends the relationship upon the recommendation of a radio love show "Dr."

His plot to take revenge on the love show host backfires when he ends up falling for her. 

The movie stars: Uma Thurman, Colin Firth and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

It's funny, warm, romantic and engaging. 

It's no "accident" that I really enjoyed this movie. You will too.

I give it **** 4 stars out of 5.

 

 

Thoughts?

Seen any good movies lately? Do tell.

 

NOTE: Pen & Prosper will be on Spring Break until April 10th.

Have a beautiful Easter.  See you soon.

 

Image credits: Pixabay.com

 

 

 



 







A Tisket, A Tasket a Doctor and a Basket!

Last December, after much consideration, I decided to do something nice for my doctor.
I know, I know...it sounds kind of strange; especially when many are already overpaid and sometimes have questionable practices. But hear me out here.

While most folks dread going to the doctor due to all the prodding, probing, pain and impersonal treatment, my experience over the last few years has been different.

Besides being "easy on the eyes" my physician is funny, warm, patient and compassionate.
Dr. "P" has a great bedside manner and a very calming effect.
In many ways, he is his own form of medicine.

Because of this, I wanted to convey my respect and regard for him.
But, allow me to digress a bit here.
Last year, when my brother died it hit me like a ton of bricks.  His unexpected and untimely death left an emptiness I can't explain.
It also taught me to give folks their flowers while they are living.

I never really got the opportunity to tell my brother how much of an impact he had on me in my development as a woman and now I never will.
But I CAN do better in sharing warm, wonderful thoughts and gestures with others (in the spirit of what his death taught me).

Fast forward...

90 days after my initial doctor's visit, I needed to come in again for a routine screening.
Busy, as usual, he was training two of his assistants and sharing some procedural info.
Then all of a sudden he pulled out his cell phone. Which was strange for him.
With a wide grin he said to them: "Guess what someone did for me for Christmas?"

Dr. "P" then went on to show images of the Xmas basket I had given him with his colleagues.
He told me that he was so excited he took pictures and shared it with just about everybody!
He let me know that in 10 years of being there, no one had ever given him a gift before.
He was clearly touched.
Go figure.
Here's a man who earns a six-figure salary who was moved by my small gesture of kindness.

The moral of the story here?
Small acts, kind words matter.
In a day and age where we have so many horrific things happening (many of which we have no control) we can CHOOSE kindness.

Truth is, we just never know what issues, insecurities or burdens somebody is dealing with, that  perhaps could be ameliorated simply by something positive we say or do.
And it takes so little to mean so much.

As writers there's even more.
We have the opportunity and platforms to promote good; inspire change; combat stereotypes; champion worthy causes; to widen the "lens" by which others see the world.
We can and we must use our "powers" for good.

In fact, there's an organization and a movement dedicated to random acts of Kindness.
Read more here:

https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

If you're on board, here are some

SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS YOU MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER:

• Give a compliment.

• Volunteer.

• Donate to a charity.

• Make a blog comment.

• Forgive a grudge.

• Refrain from gossip.

• Share the gospel to give hope.

• Start a "GO FUND ME" page for someone in need.

• Run errands for someone elderly.

• Be a mentor.

• Give benefit of the doubt.

• Be a beacon.

• Attend a book signing for a local author.

• Listen attentively.

• Spend more time with friends and family.

• Let someone else have the spotlight.

• Make someone a meal.

• Be less critical of others.

• Share laughter.

Get the idea here?

Here's my small part, a starting point.

Won't you join me?

Thoughts? Agree or disagree?

NOTE: I'm releasing this post early so I can "pencil" in a possible vacation soon.:-)

5 Reasons to Attend a Writers Conference this Year

As a writer, one of the things that I love the most is the sense of community and shared experiences of those who are similarly wired. I dig that though we're all different, hail from different geographic regions, have different ideologies, are of varying races, religions and backgrounds, there is a commonality in our goals, struggles and even the way in which we "process" the world.

Online or off,  no matter where you are in your creative journey, or the obstacles you encounter, a fellow writer "gets it" like no one else. Which is why attending a writers' conference is a great way to stay motivated, receive support and achieve some of those new year's resolutions made in January.
Remember? :-)

This weekend, Chicago Writers Association sponsored its first conference, for writers of all levels and genres. This exciting and informative forum was held at the beautiful Whitehall Hotel and featured some literary heavy-weights which included: David Fisher, Joe Meno, Fred Mitchell, Kathryn Craft and Ann Garvin (to name a few). Read more here:
http://www.chicagowrites.org/conference

"What do you write?" was the ice breaker that served as the opening line for many "getting to know you" conversations throughout the weekend.

 The great conversations added warmth to this chilly winter season, and represented just one benefit of attending this conference for me.

HERE ARE FIVE ADDITIONAL PERKS TO 

ATTENDING A WRITERS CONFERENCE:   

MARCIE HILL

1. Information and Inspiration

Writers conferences offer an array of resources, tips and strategies to help you to "work smarter, not harder."  Remember that knowledge is power.

2. Networking Opportunities

Sometimes these gatherings can present the right people and circumstances to fill in information gaps; introduce you to others for future collaborative projects; or provide leads to your "dream job."

3. Access to Industry Experts

DAVID FISHER

One of my favorite sessions of the conference was the "Pick the brain" forum where writers were allowed to ask specific questions of the professional panel to address individual pain points and challenges. Things like marketing recommendations, how to craft a query letter, platform building, dialogue dos and don'ts, and how to successfully navigate relationships with editors.

4. Goodies and Freebies!

Who doesn't love "swag bags" filled with decorative pens, journals, bookmarks and other useful items? Winner winner chicken dinner!

5. Feedback and Guidance for your W.I. P. (Works in Progress)

Depending upon what type of conference you attend and the format, you may be able to receive  a critique session from an editor, have peers evaluate your ideas and approach, or simply benefit from Q & A sessions that broaden your knowledge base and help to move the needle on your career.
Trust me; you can't "Google" the quality of information received via these types of forums, folks.

This year's conference was a great success! A special thanks to all of those who made it possible.

Though I hope to have Pen & Prosper readers join us for our next conference here in the "windy city," I'm also providing a listing of other conferences across the globe, that may be of potential interest.

https://www.awpwriter.org/wcc/directory_conferences_centers

"There is strength is numbers."

Your turn.
Thoughts? Have you ever attended a writer's conference? How was it?
What did you learn?

Typewriter image: Pixabay.com



Get Hired, Be Inspired-the 3Rs Series Continues!

Greetings Readers,
In my ongoing efforts to advance and enhance your writing career, you'll find an array of diverse reads, leads and resources in today's post.
I hope you enjoy.
Feel free to let me know what resonated the most with you here, or to offer suggestions for future inclusion.
Here's to your success!

RECOMMENDED READS AROUND THE WEB

5 Non-writing Ways Writers Can Make Money
http://writersweekly.com/this-weeks-article/5-ways-supplement-writing-income

What you Really Get When Hiring Writers for Projects
http://www.marciewrites.com/what-you-get-when-hiring-writers

Say "no" to these Freelance Writing Jobs
https://thewritelife.com/say-no-to-these-freelance-writing-jobs/

7 Ways Meditation can Transform Your Life
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/ed-and-deb-shapiro/meditation-benefits_b_2893608.html

Google's Push for a More Secure Internet
https://www.bloggingpro.com/archives/2018/02/28/googles-push-secure-internet-will-impact-blog/

11 Habits of Successful Freelance Writers
https://inkwelleditorial.com/successful-freelance-writer-habits

3 Signs that Your Book Cover Misses the Mark
https://thewritelife.com/book-cover-design/

RESOURCES

2018 Writing Contests
http://www.fanstory.com/contests.jsp

Jobs for Bloggers
https://problogger.com/jobs/

Free Writing E-Books to Hone Your Craft
http://www.eadeverell.com/free-writing-ebooks/

Contest
What Would Life be Like Without the Arts?
https://dcspecialevents.net/essay-contest

 

REVIEW

On a Stick! Cookbook 80 Party-Perfect Recipes

By: Matt Armendariz

 

https://www.amazon.com/Stick-80-Party-Perfect-Recipes/dp/1594744890

 

As many of you are aware, I am a big foodie!

I'm always trying out new recipes to entertain and "wow" family and friends.

Which is why I was so excited to score this clever and creative guide (from my local Dollar Tree Store) with appetizers and desserts essentially presented on a stick. It's a fun read filled with beautiful images and an innovative approach to both new and old recipes.

I'll be trying these treasures out soon. I'll keep you posted...

 

On a scale of 1-5, I give it 4****  stars.

 

 

 

 



Image Credits: Pixabay.com