www.inkthinkerblog.com — How’s that for an article title? It caught my eye when I was perusing the recent posts over at Startup Spark, and I just had to bring it to your attention.

Check out the list of 10 fail-safe failure inducers, and leave a comment with the ones you’re guilty of committing. Here are my business sins for all the world to see:

#4 – Uh, testing my ad copy? Why would I do that? Oh, wait, because it makes sense, I see.

#5 – Giving people the urgency to purchase my services now? Why would I do that? Oh, wait, to make money, I see.

#6 – Attracting my target audience? No I get crazy cheapskates. Now, I’m not talking about my regulars — I’m talking about the illiterate people who found me SOMEHOW and leave me barely intelligible voicemails at 7 a.m. on a Saturday promising that their book is the next big thing and we’ll both be MILLIONAIRES if I only edit it for free. Riiiiight.

Your turn! Confess.

Tags: freelance writing, business advice, business mistakes

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King

www.inkthinkerblog.com — I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, but I do think the end of the year is the perfect time to reevaluate your goals and set new ones. And sometimes, just thinking about what might help to accomplish your ultimate goal is enough to get you going on some smaller goals along the way.

Here are 5 things I can (and should) do in the next year to improve my business:

1. Work regular hours. Sure, I say on my website that my office hours are Mon-Fri 10a-4p, but do I really work those hours? Nooooo, of course not! Because I’m free, you see. I’m not working for the MAN, I’m my own boss! And my boss is a softie who’s easily manipulated into 3-hour lunches.
2. Charge more. Just because they seem nice doesn’t mean they get a discount. I need to set consistent project rates and use them as baseline when calculating quotes. And I also need to estimate my hours better so I’m not perpetually underpaying myself.
3. Work ahead. This last-minute-scrambling thing is getting really old. Breaking tasks into smaller chunks, putting those chunks in my calendar, and getting my butt in the seat (see No. 1) will be really hepful here.
4. Seek additional clients/market more. I used to be much more consistent about marketing myself, and lately I have really slacked off. I preach constant marketing, but what I practice these days is more like, “Marketing? Yeah, I really should be doing that! Good call. I’ll put it on the list.” And then I don’t.
5. Pursue opportunities to earn more. And I don’t just mean more gigs. I’m talking about educating myself to do different and better work for more money. Case in point, which I haven’t touched since it arrived aside from moving it around as I tell myself that tomorrow I will start working on it.

What are some things you could be doing to improve your business? Leave a comment.

Tags: freelance writing, goal setting, business advice, improve your business

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King

www.inkthinkerblog.com — This week’s Apprentice-style challenge in the b5media Business Channel got me thinking about inspiration and how it’s played a role in my business. And when I started mulling over what inspires me, I realized that I owe all of you a big, big thank-you for everything you do to keep me going.

Your comments on the blog, your personal e-mails, and your delightful success stories warm me to the core. Thank you for your readership, your participation, and your encouragement. I would definitely not be where I am today if it weren’t for my blog readers.

What inspires YOU? Leave a comment.

Tags: freelance writing, inspiration, business advice

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King

www.inkthinkerblog.com — Check out these awesome writerly gifts for you or for one of your writer pals! Click on the image or link for product info and use your back button to return to Inkthinker.

Plus…

25% off 1-10 year Private Domain Registration

Tags: gifts for writers, holidays, shopping, freelance writer

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King