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Kajli Prince, The Tax Expert

February 21, 2020 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know Kajli Prince (NAIWE’s Tax Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here is what he shared with us.

What do you feel is one of the most beneficial pieces of tax advice you have given? Why?

Have multiple streams of income. Often, having one stream of income is not sufficient to meet both current and future financial needs. Future needs include retirement, i.e., how much you think you may need to retire and how you plan on getting to that number.

Are marketing expenses deductible?

Yes. Generally speaking, the government allows freelancers to deduct marketing expenses that help bring in new customers and keep existing clientele.

Is there a checklist to help freelancers avoid overlooking tax credits?

Yes, there are checklists. However, I find that the best guide to use is a Schedule C (Form 1040). Part II of the Schedule C lists the expenses that a self-employed individual (freelancer, etc.) typically claims.

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It’s tax time! Are you ready? Learn about relevant credits and deductions that apply to independent writers and freelance editors, with a focus on the new deduction: Qualified Business Income Deduction. It is a new provision from the most recent changes in the tax law (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) that allows small business owners to deduct up to 20% of their qualified business expenses.

You can join in this conversation on February 27, at 7 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on identifying and managing difficult freelance clients. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Member Benefit: Discount on The Chicago Manual of Style

February 14, 2020 Post a comment

The Chicago Manual of Style Online is the undisputed authority for style, usage, and grammar in an accessible online format. Completely searchable and easy to use, CMS Online is available to individuals and small user groups, as well as academic, private, and public libraries, through annual, IP-based subscriptions. Subscribers receive full access to the 17th and 16th editions of CMS, as well as access to the online CMS Users Forum.

Log in and visit the Member Area of the NAIWE website to get the discount code for 20% off the book or online subscription!

Visit the NAIWE website to see all of the member benefits.

Jake Poinier, The Freelance Expert

February 7, 2020 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know Jake Poinier (NAIWE’s Freelance Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here is what he shared with us.

Can you share some ways to market to potential clients of the caliber that you would like to work with?

My biggest and best resource is referrals, which is obviously a long-term play rather than a quick fix. Even so, you can definitely plant the seeds in clients’ heads that you welcome introductions to their peers who might benefit from your services. Research shows that most people have to be asked; it’s not automatic. Second, and related to referrals, is networking with local businesses. I’m part of a group of business owners that meets once a month and it’s been a great source for projects over the years, since I’m the only writer/editor. Third, cold-calling gets a bad rap, but I’m a fan of simply contacting local businesses that I know could use my services, such as graphic designers/web designers.

How important is it to have a website?

Incredibly important! The most marketing/advertising money I’ve spent over the years has been on my websites. For my biz, it’s not as much about attracting out-of-the-blue clients from web searches as it is presenting a professional image for people who’ve been referred. It’s also a convenient way to display a portfolio of work, rather than sending a bunch of links or files to someone. Big picture: I believe writers often make the mistake of thinking that our words alone will be enough to persuade people, but I have always spent the money on graphic designers to make my sites visually appealing and functional–and it’s been worth every penny.

Does it help to be a member of an association?

I definitely think being the member of a few associations lends credibility with prospective clients. More important, though, is what you do with that membership. Are you speaking at conferences, presenting webinars, writing blogs, volunteering, etc.? When you can mention those types of activities in casual conversation, it will make you stand out far more as an expert in your field.

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You don’t have to be a freelancer for long before you learn that not every client is what they first seem, and not every project goes according to plan. In this webinar, Jake Poinier outlines a real-world approach to screening prospects as well as bringing challenging clients back into line. Topics include

Red flags to watch for
Questions to distinguish tire-kickers from serious prospects
Why contracts, deposits, and budgets aren’t just about the money
How to decide when it’s time to part ways and professional ways to do it.

You can join in this conversation on February 18, at 7 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on identifying and managing difficult freelance clients. The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. Register today!

Days to Celebrate in February

January 17, 2020 Post a comment

February: National Self-Check Month. Take charge of your health, and increase your odds of avoiding chronic diseases or other preventable diseases.

February: Free and Open Source Software Month. Recognize the cooperative approach to computer programming, open licensing, and free distribution of software.

February: National Library Lover’s Month. Enjoy your library, but also consider volunteering your time this month in a library.

February 10-16: National Freelance Writers Appreciation Week. Celebrate these hardworking writers by showing some gratitude, highlighting a fun behind-the-scenes moment.

February 1: National Get Up Day. This is a day to persevere, to pick ourselves up when we’ve fallen. We never know when our efforts to seek a goal or overcome an obstacle will encourage another person.

February 4: National Thank a Mail Carrier Day. As a small business, you likely work your mail carrier a little harder. Let’s take time out of our day to thank the mail person who is responsible for getting your mail in your mailbox six days a week.

February 7: National Send a Card to a Friend Day. Send a note to a colleague or client to let them know you are thinking about them.

February 10: National Clean out Your Computer Day. Over time, files and programs that are unused clog the memory of your computer. This is a day to take some time to do the needed care on your computers. Organize your files and folders. Delete junk files. Delete duplicate files. Delete old files and programs that are not being used.

February 11: National Don’t Cry over Spilled Milk Day. Think positive. Don’t worry and don’t stress over the little things. Life is too short.

February 11: National Make a Friend Day. Get to know one of your clients a little better. Meeting new people can help sharpen our social skills and keep us from becoming lonely.

February 13: National Giving Hearts Day. Let your business give to a charity that you love.

February 17: National Random Acts of Kindness Day. Write a note or do something nice for one of your clients today.

February 26: National Tell a Fairy Tale Day. Share a favorite fairy tale with friends or family.

Member Benefit: Webinars

January 10, 2020 Post a comment

Each month, we feature a member of the NAIWE Board of Experts on a topic that is designed to help you grow in your field. Our experts are successful full-time writers and editors, and they impart a lot of wisdom in an hour (or sometimes more).

Members attend at a discounted rate of $10 for each webinar. Nonmembers may register for individual webinars at $30 each. Just attending the classes without joining the association would add up to $348 for a year, so this is a benefit of great value.

Visit the NAIWE website to see all of the member benefits.

Greg Smith, The Agile Writing Expert

January 3, 2020 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know Greg Smith (NAIWE’s Agile Writing Expert) better, so last month we sat down with him. Here is what he shared with us.

Do you offer any marketing ploys unique to a story line with a villain?

Creating a unique villain, one that is compelling, will make your novel more interesting–perhaps even more-so than creating an interesting hero. You see, your hero can only be as strong as your villain. If you have a weak villain, he is easy to defeat–and so your hero doesn’t have much to fight against. But create a strong villain–one that is even stronger than your hero–then the villain’s defeat is even more powerful.

Can you suggest some advertising websites that cater to a villain in the story line?

One great website–not just for villains–but for anything having to do with stories is TV Tropes. You’ll find a vast encyclopedia dedicated to all the tropes, symbols, devices, and stereotypes used in fiction. Also, check out BookBub to create an instant media presence for your book. It’s advertised as a site for readers, but they will advertise your book to thousands of readers on their list as well.

Belonging to an association is key for all freelancers. What associations do you recommend and why?

Of course, NAIWE is a great start. The Independent Book Publishers Association is a super organization for self-published authors. And if you haven’t already, check out Publisher’s Weekly. Get on their mailing list to keep abreast of everything going on in the publishing industry. I was one of the first in my circle to know of a Barnes & Nobles sale and alerted all my followers to the demise of the Romance Writers of America, thanks to Publisher’s Weekly.

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You’ve probably heard of Joseph Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey.” This is the time-worn pattern of stories that dates to antiquity. But as every story must have a hero (or protagonist), there must also be a villain (or antagonist). In this hour-long webinar, Greg Smith will review the Hero’s Journey, then lay out the Villain’s Journey—its similarities and differences. Greg will describe why you need an oppositional character (who is not always villainous) and how a villain becomes a villain. Greg will also describe the pitfalls of creating the “pure evil” villain and how to avoid a weak villain. Tune in and learn how to craft “The Villain’s Journey.”

You can join in this conversation on January 23, at 8 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on the importance of a strong villain.

The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. To register for this webinar, send an email with your name and telephone number and an invoice will be sent to you for the amount owed.

Days to Celebrate in January

December 20, 2019 Post a comment

January 2: National Science Fiction Day. American author and Boston University professor of biochemistry Isaac Asimov was born on January 2, 1920. He was best known for his works of science fiction and his popular science books.

January 5: National Screenwriters Day. Inside the industry, these screenwriters are well known for their ability to crack the story, create great roles for actors, and write memorable dialogue.

January 6: National Technology Day. From the wheel to smartphones, technology has been changing the world. Recognize those achievements and look to the future for more advancements in technology.

January 13: National Clean off Your Desk Day. This day is an opportunity to begin your new year with a clean and organized work space. Whether your desk is in a private or shared office, cubicle, home, or a make-shift desk on the counter, having your work space uncluttered, organized, refreshed, and clean will help you work more efficiently and give you a sense of serenity.

January 16: Get to Know Your Customers Day. When businesses get to know your customers, you also get to know more about what you need to grow.

January 18: National Thesaurus Day. Whether you are looking for a new word or trying to complete a sentence, the thesaurus can be your best friend. Expanding your vocabulary improves both written and spoken communication skills and creative writing abilities and can be helpful in advancing your career.

January 23: National Handwriting Day. Reintroduce yourself to a pen or pencil and a piece of paper. According to the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association, it is a chance for all to re-explore the purity and power of handwriting.

January 24: National Compliment Day. What a wonderful way to brighten someone’s day or to give credit for a job well done!

January 28: National Fun at Work Day. Many people spend a good portion of their lives at work, so why should they not try to enjoy it?

Member Benefit: Affiliate Bonuses

December 13, 2019 Post a comment

AFFILIATE BONUSES

Because your professional affiliations are part of your résumé, a “Member of NAIWE” badge image is provided so that you can add it to your social media profiles or other websites you own. Then when someone clicks on the link from your page and joins NAIWE, you earn 10% of their initial dues payment. It’s NAIWE’s way of saying, “Thank you for posting your NAIWE affiliation.”

Visit the NAIWE website to see all of the member benefits.

MJ Courchesne, NAIWE’s Copyright & Permissions Expert

December 6, 2019 Post a comment

We wanted to get to know MJ Courchesne (NAIWE’s Copyright & Permissions Expert) better, so last month we sat down with her. Here are some thoughts she shared with us.

What aspects of publishing can be turned into avenues for marketing?

Whenever you execute a license of your material to a third party by way of an excerpt, new edition (think audio), permission, or other adaptation, you can think of that as a sort of “ad” for your book and your publishing brand (you as an author or you as a publisher). Essentially, any new venue that you can reach beyond traditional sales is a good opportunity to call back to the original publication and generate more sales or at the least awareness of your product. Of course, you need to ensure that the license includes an appropriate credit line, thumbnail of your cover, or other callback to your original work so that people can read more!

Can protecting your intellectual property with a copyright be an advantage when it comes to advertising it?

Copyright vests with the creator from the moment of creation, but registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office is a useful (and recommended) way to protect your intellectual property from possible infringement that may occur online or in other venues. Although I’d still say it’s rare for someone to be infringed from an advertisement of their work, it’s good to have that protection in place. Registration is certainly not a requirement, but I usually recommend my clients take that extra step for the peace of mind it offers, especially once that title is out there in the world.

You belong to several associations. Do you find that being a member of associations leads to more advertising opportunities?

Membership in professional organizations and associations certainly helps me to network and find those people who might need my services, so I always look forward to joining associations where I might be of use to their members. Education is a big part of my business, and so webinars, talks, and simple networking are useful in educating authors and publishers about issues surrounding copyright and permissions. It’s all about finding people when they need you.

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As a writer, you know the value in your work, and have a keen interest in protecting it. You also may know that your work is copyrighted to you as soon as you put thoughts into a fixed medium, so why should you bother registering your copyright with the US Copyright Office? Using case studies and scenarios, this webinar will review the basics of copyright law in the US, why you should register your work, how to go about registration, and some common misconceptions of copyright, permissions, and fair use.

You can join in this conversation on December 16, at 3 pm eastern, when NAIWE will host a discussion on copyright and your works.

The cost for NAIWE members is only $10! Non-members can join for $30. To register, send an email with your name and telephone number.

Days to Celebrate in December

November 15, 2019 Post a comment

December: National Write a Business Plan Month. As a freelancer, you are a business owner, so consider writing a business plan this month!

December 3: National Day of Giving. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving charities, families, businesses, community centers, and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.

December 26: National Thank-you Note Day. It is a day to get some note cards, paper, pen, envelopes and stamps to write special thank yous.

December 31: No Interruptions Day. This is a day set aside for getting organized for the new year by cleaning up your work space without interruptions.

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Kajli Prince, The Tax Expert

Member Benefit: Discount on The Chicago Manual of Style

Jake Poinier, The Freelance Expert

Days to Celebrate in February

Member Benefit: Webinars

Greg Smith, The Agile Writing Expert

Days to Celebrate in January

Member Benefit: Affiliate Bonuses

MJ Courchesne, NAIWE’s Copyright & Permissions Expert

Days to Celebrate in December

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