You Can Sell Anything Online

Have you ever wanted to be a drug dealer? Who does? Surprisingly enough, people who otherwise would need special license (or couldn’t do it legally-even if they tried) are finding new ways to make money on the sale of drugs- legal, illegal, and alternative – through the Internet. Now, this post isn’t an endorsement or advertisement for any of these programs, it is actually a commentary on an internet practice that online writers frequently are exposed to.

Think you know where I am going with my post? Before you think I’m talking about the sites that sell marijuana seeds, herbal supplements or even Viagra pills, think again. I am talking about affiliate marketing- that special third party way of making money off of industries normal people would be hesitant to directly involve themselves with. It’s so easy, right? Simply post a link, or show a banner, and you can make a commission every time you passively refer a customer to these companies.

Imagine what that would be like if the real world worked that way? Oh wait, it does. Except the internet makes it a lot easier, and expands access into markets people aren’t willing to talk about face to face.

And it’s not limited to drugs. You can sell adult entertainment, adult novelties, gambling (depending on what country you’re in) and probably even more questionable things that I haven’t thought of.

What does this have to do with writing?

Someone has to write all of those billboards- I mean websites– so that Google thinks they are worth the space they are taking up. Someone has to create the landing pages that convince passer-bys to make that much needed final step- the email address, the credit card- that gives the website owner the money they were seeking to make.

Is that person me?

I won’t lie; I’ve done my share of copywriting for affiliate websites, but I generally try to stick with projects that I do not morally object with. For example, you will never see me writing anything for a site that is linked to anything promoting Duke University. A girl has got to draw the line somewhere.

Yeah, I do that, too….

I sent my resume out a few times this past week. It was kind of a strange thing for me, because since I started writing online, I haven’t needed to send out a resume very often. Most of the time I send potential clients my samples, they watch my profile interview, or they read reviews from past and current clients. But there always is the rare occasion when I have to attach the one page resume, which is becoming increasingly more difficult to keep short.

What I noticed as I updated my resume, is that I have done a lot of things. It’s not necessarily because I have a problem with commitment, it’s more because I have a lot of interests. So when this article showed up in my inbox it definitely felt close to home.

For this Sunday’s Re-Blog, I am sharing:

The Rise of the ‘Hyphenates’: How Freelancers Are Adapting to Become Multi-Skilled Wonders,

an article by Gary M Stern in The Freelancer, by Contently

It’s a very short, yet informative read that gives so much insight into why I have trouble defining what it is exactly that I do.

The Rise of the ‘Hyphenates’: How Freelancers Are Adapting to Become Multi-Skilled Wonders

I’ll write your brochure, report on your grand opening and still have time to watch Game of Thrones

It’s October- Yay! Although fall began a little while ago, I can’t help but feel like I am entering a new season in my career. It feels like a season of change-the preparation for the long winter before the eventual bounty of the spring. I can say; I welcome this change, because I know it leads to something good.

What changes have begun for me? Well, first of all I began working as a part time ESL conversation teacher. There aren’t many better ways to gain an appreciation of your language, than to try and teach it to foreign speaker. I admire my students. They are dedicated to learn English and try very hard to pronounce the words I frequently take for granted. I mean, seriously, why don’t we pronounce it “Die-Ah-Bee-Tez”?

I’ve also had the opportunity to go back to my writing roots this week, as I took some journalism assignments. In case you didn’t read my bio I started as a news reporter. Actually, it was a freak occurrence that writing professionally even crossed my mind. A daughter of a business consultant, I had been writing pamphlets, brochures, flyers and newsletters since I was 12. My father did not know how to operate the DOS computer sitting in our spare room and my mother was too busy teaching school. So I became the go-to person for my dad’s freelance business career-reluctantly typing up promotional materials my dad had scribbled and drew on a scratch sheet of paper.

After a few years of being an unpaid typist, I began to understand the logic behind his writing. But I also began to detest it. In my 14 year old brain, I swore I’d never write anything for a business again.

Take a moment to reflect on the obvious irony.

Well, just like I eventually gravitated back to what I knew with copywriting, journalism reared its head. With its attractive package it dragged behind it, long hours, OCD moments of scribbling on notepads in the middle of the night and the overwhelming urge to ask a lot of questions. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a reporter. But for the seven pieces I am working on this week, I have already spent 15+ hours researching and interviewing. I haven’t even started writing yet! It’s hard, time consuming and many times, without profit. It’s a love-hate relationship that I wouldn’t trade for the world- $1,000,000,000 maybe – but not the world.

The Importance of Giving Back

So I know I’ve only been doing this full time entrepreneur thing for a month, but it has come time to take a break. Am I giving up? Absolutely not! I’m loving this whole writing thing! However, instead of quickly jumping into the deep water and losing sight of where I’ve come from, I am going to take a moment to give back.

So for the month of September, I am putting all new clients on hold to lend my talents to some causes that need them. What this means for you, dear readers, is that for a short while, I will be scaling back on my postings so that I can focus on these other projects short term.

It also means that I will not be taking on any new clients the month of September.

My two causes will be on Gifted Education and Dystonia.

I will be tweeting on these topics as well as posting on them at:

Blog on Gifted Education in America

Blog on Dystonia

I will also be donating my services this month (guest blog posting) for a donation to my son’s GoFundMe Campaign.

Thank you and I appreciate you taking the time to read!