Hi. My name’s Miranda. I’m a freelance writer and professional blogger. I make a decent living with my freelance business. While I work on a number of writing projects from ghostwriting books to writing press releases, 80% of my income comes from blogging (mostly about financial topics). That’s not bad for someone who often doesn’t get out of her pajamas until lunchtime.
Over the past several years, I’ve received scores of questions about professional blogging. I decided to put my answers to those questions -- and any other questions I could think of -- into a book. I want this book to be useful, and I want to be a professionally-done self-published book.
That takes money.
Q: If it’s self-published, why does it cost anything at all?
A: I plan to have it professionally designed so that it is compatible with more than one format (various ebook formats) and so that it is compatible with paperback printing. I’m having the cover professionally designed and produced. I’m also hiring an editor to go through the manuscript. I want to do a good job. And that costs money.
“But Miranda,” you say, “don’t you offer editing services? Can’t you just edit it yourself?”
Sure I could. But most writers realize they are too close to their writing for truly effective editing. A “real” editor (someone who does it for a living, but isn’t me) would be extremely helpful and, I think, add to the quality of the book.
Also, I’ve built in a buffer for incidentals, a small-scale marketing attempt, Indiegogo’s cut and the fact that the IRS will almost certainly want its share of whatever is raised.
Q: What’s going to be in this book?
A: I asked some of my readers for what they wanted to know about freelancing and professional blogging. I answer all of their questions in the book, and then some.
Here’s my chapter list for the book:
Introduction: What I do, how I started, background.
Chapter 1: Sometimes I don’t write what I know – They say write what you know, but you have to write for demand.
Chapter 2: You write a lot of crap when money is the object – You might want to write high-minded pieces, but that doesn’t pay the bills (at least not at first)
Chapter 3: Bidding on jobs sucks – Finding gigs can be challenging, but you have to take the time to look.
Chapter 4: Sometimes it’s easier to work for someone else
Chapter 5: You need to get to know people – This can lead to gigs
Chapter 6: You don’t have to do everything
Chapter 7: Everyone writes the same stuff – No matter the niche, you’re going to have overlap (choice examples from the world of PF, and other examples from different niches) due to affiliate deals, news items, and seasonal topics
Chapter 8: Cash flow management gets dicey
Chapter 9: Your writing can always improve
Chapter 10: Sometimes it’s hard to manage your life – You can do it from anywhere, and what happens when people realize you’re writing about them
Conclusion: It’s totally worth it (for me)
Q: Are there types of business/sponsors you won’t profile?
A: I won’t profile those involved in illegal activities, erotica/adult-themed products or services, or those who want to focus on gambling.
Risks and Challenges
The biggest challenge will be getting this book in publish-ready condition relatively quickly. With the help of professionals, though, I’m hoping that I can move at a good pace. Since I don’t have to wait on traditional publishing, I’m hoping to have the deliverables ready by October 17, 2013. However, delays in working with others (and delays if my life gets a little crazy) could push that back. But probably not by much.
Also, realize that for some of the backer perks, it will take time to arrange interviews and whatnot. But I hope to be able to complete it all (depending on how many backers there are) by the early months of 2014 at the latest.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can't contribute, that's cool. I'd love it if you could get the word out, via Facebook, Twitter, or any other way that you're comfortable with.