Write Now, Publish Later

My schedule is a hectic one. I do not have the opportunity to write every day, but I want to start keeping somewhat of a schedule for my blogs and Examiner.com channels.

Doing so will allow me to stay on track, and give my readers for each venue something to look forward to.

Each of my blogs has this feature.

English: Examiner.com official logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Each of my channels has this feature.

By using these feature, I am able to get as far ahead as I want with my writing, and have everything scheduled to post on specific dates and at specific time. I will be utilizing this feature much more this year than in previous years. Indeed, this is a new feature for Examiner.com.

During the on season at the inn (a period of time that lasts all but a few months out of the year) I do not have enough time to write regularly. In November (NaNoWriMo month!), I do not have time to blog much at all, and certainly no time to write articles.

By using this type of feature, I can keep everyone reading by doing all my work during the off season and scheduling it for later.

This means that, for the next two or three months, I am working triple time: At the inn, writing current posts and articles as well as doing marketing tasks, and writing for the on season.

Let’s see how it all works out for me.

How do you handle busy times?

Shannon L. Buck

What is Your Theme Word? Mine is Prepare.

Freelancer Office – Panoramic (Photo credit: lastonein)

Recently, I was reading a post from Christine Gallagher over on she’sgotclients! The post, Refine: My Theme Word for 2013, got me thinking about what my own theme word should be.

I have decided that my theme word will be Prepare.

Why Prepare?

2012 was a difficult year for me:

1. I was still getting used to working at the inn while trying to build my freelance business, and I did not have internet access at home.
2. Also, winter starts out slow at the inn, and I was not ready for the busy season there as far as the writing business went. I accomplished almost nothing for my business during this period.
3. For 2012, I earned significantly less than what I was used to earning with the freelance work.

Very disappointing, indeed.

My 2013 theme word is Prepare because:

1. I need to be prepared for the busy season at the inn.
2. I need to begin preparing by making my freelancing plans for 2013 now.
3. I need to continue preparing by writing blog posts ahead of time (during the slow season at the inn) and scheduling them to post later (during the busy season).
4. I will also write articles ahead of time for my channels (Bangor Easy Meals, Bangor Single Moms and Bangor Frugal Living) and schedule them to post later.
5. I will even continue to learn more about marketing, and to put many of the new marketing tips that I  learned in 2012 into practice during 2013.
6. This blog, as my freelance base, will also be updated.

There are other things I can do to help me to Prepare as well, I am sure, and I will be writing about all of this here on my blog, as well as continuing to offer my  regular posts.

What is your 2013 theme word? Think about it. Act on it.

Shannon L. Buck

Keep a Journal for Writing Ideas

I was going through some files yesterday, looking for story ideas. My file system was completely messed up during one (or both?) of my moves last year, and I cannot seem to find exactly what I am looking for.

 

English: Storex 3-Ring Binders (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

I have, however, decided that I am going to purchase a notebook or binder for each blog and writing venue, as well as one for story ideas. In these, I will combine all these loose notes into one general place for each topic. This way, I will more likely be able to find the notes that I am looking for when I need it.

 

One of my notebooks/binders will be titled Writing Ideas Journal. This is where all my story ideas and notes will go.

 

Shannon L. Buck

 

Keep Track of Your Writing Ideas

 

Index cards (Photo credit: redspotted)

 

It is always a good idea to keep track of your writing ideas, whether you will use them now or not. By doing so, you will have a stock of topics to choose from the next time you need new ideas. These may prove fruitful later on.

 

There are a number of ways one might keep track of these ideas.

 

1. In a journal or notebook.

2. In a box, on index cards.

3. In a document on a computer.

4. On a recorder.

5. On a list, hung on the wall next to your desk.

 

Title the idea, and leave a little note about what the article, blog post or story is about.

 

Shannon L. Buck

 

Purging Files

Files (Photo credit: Velo Steve)

With a new year for the freelance career comes the need to purge files, both on the computer and in the file drawers. Yes, this is a time consuming task. And yes, this does have to be done. Why? Because doing sow will help to keep our business organized. We will be able to find what we need quickly, and we will free up space for the files we will create this year.

I will be working on this task over the next week or two.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Discard anything that is not necessary. Use a paper shredder if there is anything personal/financial on a sheet of paper.

2. Keep anything having to do with your finances. If you still have stuff from the last tax period, bundle it in a large envelope and put it in a safe place. I keep tax records for seven years, others keep them longer. Talk to an accountant to see how long she suggests.

3. Combine files if you can, but do not over crowd a folder.

4. Cull client files. Combine only basic information on previous clients in one folder so as to save space. This information may become useful again. Have separate folders for existing clients.

5. Sit back and decide how you will organize your files. You may decide on a variety of ways. For instance, by client, by project, etc., etc.

What file system do you currently use? Does it need to be revamped?

Shannon L. Buck

Necessary Writing Tools

English: Two A7 (2.9″ X 4.1″) form factor spiral-bound notebooks on top of an A5 (5.8″ X 8.3″) form factor spiral-bound notebook. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

What tools you use will depend highly on your personality, budget and writing style. They may include index cards, pens or pencils, highlighters, a laptop and a dozen notebooks, or simply a desk top computer, along with a pen and some paper for note taking and idea generation.

I have gone through phases, using different tools in each. Right now, I find these items necessary to help me keep track of everything and do my writing:

• laptop, with a sticky notes program

• pens

• notepads

• a series of notebooks

• file folders and a file holder

• poster board/ old posters or large calendars

• tape

• clipboards

• yellow legal pads

Each of the tools has a purpose for me. For example:

• The poster board hung on the wall gives me a visual (and daily reminder) of certain tasks that need to be done throughout the month. I write categorized lists on each months board, and check off tasks as they are completed.

• The sticky note program allows me to easy take notes from the internet until I can get them into the appropriate notebook.

• The clip boards help me to make lists of tasks that need to be done on my blogs, as well as for the challenges that I create. These are then hung on my wall as another visual.

What tools do you find essential to your freelance business?

Shannon L. Buck