The Business Side of Freelance Writing by Allena Tapia
START DATE: Closed.
DURATION: 6 weeks
COURSE DESCRIPTION: For those who have already delved into the wide world of freelance writing for pay, this class will take your writing career one step further. Beginning and intermediate writers who have some freelancing experience will learn how to professionalize their writing career through targeted marketing, establishing themselves as a business entity, keeping immaculate records, paying taxes, and learning principles of budgeting and project management.
This course includes:
- Weekly lesson material via e-mail and YouTube video and brief homework assignments with personalized, targeted feedback.
- Open virtual communication with the instructor for the span of the course.
- Two optional Q & A session via Google Hangout (web video that allows face-to-face interaction in real time). Q & A sessions will be recorded for those who do not wish to participate.
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I hired [Allena] to do a workshop for my writer’s group and found her knowledge and wit compared to no other workshop. She set the bar very high for future speakers. ~ Candy Little, Author, via LinkedIn
[Allena] can write about complex matters in a way that makes them so clear, educating readers in a way that is truly necessary today. ~ Thursday Bram, Writer, via LinkedIn
I signed up for this class after I saw Allena speak at [a conference], and I was not disappointed. She has a very relatable personality and seems genuinely interested in just sharing her experience and information. ~ Community Education student, Lansing Community College, Lansing MI
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WEEKS AT A GLANCE:
Week One: Introduction & Catch up
- Establish where students are within their freelance writing endeavors and what methods they’ve used until now.
- This lesson will take place via directed Q & A with the instructor via Google Hangout (optional) or via written Q & A.
- Students and the instructor will learn from one another’s current practices, and the instructor will be able to personalize future lessons based on this week.
- Assignment: provide instructor with your history/background, format is at your discretion.
Week Two: Principles of Recordkeeping and Project Management for Freelance Writers
- Methods of project management
- Financial recordkeeping
- Organizational hints and tips
- All of the above will focus on the concept of “greatest return”—maximize the few hours you have now in order to grow your career later
- Assignment: Research and report back on bookkeeping/accounting method of choice
Week Three: Rates, Contracts, Payments and Invoices
- A look into industry rates, fair rates, sources for REAL rate information
- Learn the different types of payment arrangements, and which is best for your freelance work
- Asking for more money: Can it be done? Should it be done?
- Contract caveats
- Assignment: Sample project rate breakdown worksheet
Week Four: Let’s Talk Business
- LLCs, LLPs, Sole Proprietorships, Oh MY! Do I really need to know this? (Yes, and here’s why)
- Includes information personalized to students’ state of residence (sorry, not available to international students)
- Assignment: Your business plan (written)
Week Five: Transitioning to Full Time Freelancing (Or Not)
- How to transition out of the rat race and into full time freelancing (or not!)
- Tips on sticky points like insurance and retirement
- Information will be applicable to those not interested in full time writing, too
- Assignment: Convince me (written reflection)
Week Six: Professional Skills and Targeted Marketing
- Expand your reach into the professional writing world through organizations, unions and other groups
- Undertake a targeted marketing campaign
- Optional wrap-up Q&A through Google Hangout
Materials needed: Internet access, email, word processing software, and a web cam (optional). YouTube videos will be overlapping information with written lessons, so those who prefer not to view videos will still be able to take part in all aspects of this course. Please note: this class is for those who understand the basics of freelance writing and have already begun pursuing paid writing work.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Allena Tapia is a full time freelance writer and editor with over 7 years of publishing experience. In addition to writing, editing and translation, she teaches part time through a local community college community education program. Her students there have described her teaching style as engaging, informal, approachable and friendly.
Allena has written for Huffington Post, Latino Leaders, Hispanic Business, Green Building and Design, and MediaBistro. She’s held contracts with The New York Times, Gale Cengage and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
COST: $175, which includes written lessons, video lessons, personal attention via e-mail, homework, feedback, two Google Hangout Q&A sessions, and business information personalized to the student’s state of residence.
BUY NOW: The Business Side of Freelance Writing, by Allena Tapia (6 weeks, starting 5/20/2013) Limit: 10 students. Early registration is recommended.
This class is now closed. Please check here for our current schedule.
Notes: Upon successful completion of payment, your name, email address, and contact info will be submitted to your instructor. She will contact you via email and deliver your self-study program on Friday.
Questions? Email Marcia & Angela at:
classroom[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com
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