Author: PJ AitkenThe idea of crowdfunding is something that appeals to many writers and creative types. You have an idea, you tell the world your idea, and they give you the money needed to make it a reality. It’s perfect, or at least it’s perfect on the surface. The problem with crowdfunding is that those on the […]
I got into freelance writing after spending a few years as a self-published—and then traditionally published—author. I got into the habit of working around the clock—writing, editing, promoting at all hours of the day. And when I swapped the world of self-publishing for traditional publishing, I had a lot of free time on my hands […]
I dropped out of school at a young age and never developed a formal education. I was fortunate enough to be a very curious kid and a bit of a loner, so I spent my days reading, creating, and learning—albeit not under the guidance of a tutor—and that ensured I didn’t have the mental capacity […]
Whether you’re moving from contracted work to freelancing or this is your first job, take a look at these top financial tips to help you get stated. 1. Don’t Forget Healthcare and Insurance When you’re a freelancer you can’t rely on employers to sort out your life insurance and health insurance. This is something you […]
Artists seem to be suing each other every week in the music business, claiming that songs sound similar and even that entire melodies have been ripped off. There are only a specific amount of notes and ways that they be put together, and it creates a minefield for artists. Music, like story ideas, are something […]
If you have worked a standard, contracted job for many years and then make the switch to freelancing, one of the hardest changes to deal with is self-employment tax and the ways in which it differs from the income tax you pay as an employee. This is true both for the UK and the US—although […]
There is no security in freelancing. It doesn’t matter how well you are doing, you can’t guarantee that you will still be doing that well tomorrow or next week. The good news is that many experienced and hardworking freelancers can still earn a sizable income over the course of the year, because those good times […]
I spent several years on the oDesk and Elance platforms and I was pretty vocal about my preference for Elance at the time. When the two merged and became Upwork, I was trepidatious as I didn’t want Elance to basically turn into oDesk and to lose all of what made it unique in the process. […]
A cat or dog can be both a best friend and a muse to a writer. We work at home all day and spend countless hours alone in the tedium of our own company, so it helps to have a little loving ball of fur to cuddle into and, occasionally, crawl along the keyboard […]
I have never been good at public speaking. I am not an extroverted or confident person and I should be the worst when it comes to interviews. It would certainly make sense. But I actually enjoy the process and I have yet to have an interview for a job I didn’t get. It’s a paradox, […]