I’m freelancing again!
I took a break around the time I worked on The Bright Side Project simply because I didn’t have the time to commit to my clients. I tried, but the few times I promised friends (friends!) that I would write something for them I couldn’t give the project the attention it deserved. Now that Lindsey has taken my place at The BSP (and made it better than ever) I am able to once again work with the indie businesses I love. And, well, we need the money and would sell my organs before I went back to practicing law.
Writing a press release seems less painful.
No, the blog doesn’t cost that much to run per year. Just a couple of hundred dollars in hosting fees and a few other incidental costs. If you really want to know, the real reason I am monetizing my blog is that I want to see my grandma.
She lives in Argentina and I live in California. She’s turning 90. I haven’t seen her in 15 years and she has never met The Mister or our children. That really bothers me. I feel the clock is ticking, loudly, and if I have to stay up until 2am every morning writing VCR instructions I will do it because we will be visiting her this Christmas.
We will. I hope. I really, really hope.
I almost didn’t do this, you know? I like writing about my life and my family without pressure. Writing for money? Pressure. There’s a risk in putting yourself out there and I am, yellow 1950s bedroom slippers notwithstanding, usually averse to risk. I wrote out my info page weeks ago and let it languish, waiting for the decision to make itself.
Two days before we left for Florida my car died while I was driving. Yay, I was driving down my street and no one was hurt. Boo, it cost over $400 to fix. This morning I was brushing my teeth and noticed that I was standing in a puddle of water thanks to an aggressively leaking pipe. The Mister’s severance is almost gone and our Argentina fund is zero so, yeah, the decision made itself.
Besides, with risk comes reward.
And! Guess what? I already have a client lined up for event wording. She has a modest budget (don’t we all) and needs a moving announcement. I’ll be writing the copy, but will need someone to design and print or design and .pdf format for printing at home. If you are interested, please shoot me an email or leave a comment below with a shop link or portfolio for her to check out.
Oh, and it goes without saying, stop on by my word shop and let me know if you need anything.
GASP! Congrats Jules! I took the plunge to Freelance too … so if you ever need to commiserate …
But I have a sneaking suspicion it’s going to be simply FABULOUS!
I’m delighted the Word shop is open!
Aw, thanks! It’s still a work in progress and there are things I need to fix, but I decided that I had to put it up today or I never would.
I set out the word through fb. Should I change the link on my website to the Word Shop page rather than your general blog link?
Thank you! Yes, maybe change the link? I don’t know. I have to figure out a way to make it obvious on the homepage. Maybe I will update my bio today.
Maybe if I somehow miraculously become a freelance photographer within the next year, I will borrow you ;) Better yet- right a book! I would buy it hardcover style because that’s how excited I would be. I understand the when one thing goes wrong it all goes wrong and costs lots of money to fix things. My car died while I was living 1500 miles from home and had to be able to drive it home a couple months later. I dropped $600 into and got $650 for it back home. Win?
Oh, I’m going to write a book, too. Maybe. I don’t know. I just know that I am supposed to write. :)
That said, I’m not a blogger looking for a book deal. They can be kind of annoying, especially when they don’t write anything marketable. When I have something good I will know. (I hope.)
As for pictures, I say start. I know a few people who have done the same and at least make play money shooting children and family sessions.
How fun! I wish I had some more graphics up on my portfolio, but at this point it’s just photography. Sadness!
Congratulations and best of luck!!
I hear ya on the selling organs part. My husband would second that – he’d probably donate blood until dry to avoid going back to corporate law. But we shall see!
I will be employing your word shop…will send email with deets.
Yay! I hope this round of freelancing turns out to be as fun as blogging for you.
Congratulations! It is tough when things nudge you into a decision but you have a gift–so go for it!
I’ve almost deleted this post twelve times and taken down the shop, so thank you. :)
Congratulations! It sounds like you are making the right decision for your family — and I bet you’ll have fun, too.
Congratulations Jules!
This is such fantastic news. I wish you the best of luck and I hope you can save enough to go see your grandma. Hubby and I are starting to save as well so we can go to Brazil in January and see my family, don’t really know how much longer I can take this distance, so I know how you feel! hehe
Much luck and love,
Joy xxx
Congratulations! Good luck with the Argentina travel fund. October and May are months to travel there for much cheaper and the weather is good.
On a related note, no wonder I was immediately drawn to your blog. My family is from Argentina (and my sister goes by Jules). Oh, and it’s a great read!
Great name toots! So proud of you:)
Good Luck. I love your writing style…seriously. I don’t comment much, but I read alot. I wish we were freinds…that kind of wierd “stalking” that only blog readers know, and admit to.
Mind if I post your wares on my blog? (I only have a few readers, but what the heck) You never know who may pop on by.
I may have to hire you to help me compose some prose for my work website. (snicker…snort..just kidding.NOT)
Licia–I am originally from Argentina. :) My immediate family is the only family I have in the US.
Thanks, Miss B. :)
Jackee–post away! I can use all the referrals and business I can get.
Good luck with this endeavor! I’ll definitely keep it in mind for the future. I hope you’ll be able to make your trip. It sounds like something your boys will remember forever.
http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2010/05/05/what-are-you-reading/
Congrats Jules! You are so talented so I know you’ll rock at this :)!! How exciting for you!
Congrats Jules! I’m so glad you can now do what you love.