Freelance Writer

I’m doing freelance editing and i need to know how to put a logo on the bottom of a screen for a video im editing. How do i do it. I have the jpg and the video.

You can:

a) Import it as a jpeg, take it from your viewer and drag it into the timeline as is (resize/reposition if needed). The problem with this is that it will be imported as is, meaning the logo will likely have a square frame around it with whatever color background it is over.

b) If you want the logo without any jpeg border, open the jpeg in photoshop and create a new transparent layer. bring your logo to the top as the top layer and begin cropping/erasing all the areas around your logo. The end product will be your logo (top layer) and a transparent background (bottom layer). Save as a PSD file, and import it into Final Cut pro, choosing the layer with your Logo. This technique will allow you to show JUST the logo without the squarish jpeg border.

hope this helps

I do a lot of freelance editing projects and most clients prefer that I use the Track Changes feature in Microsoft Word so that they can see what changes I’ve made to their manuscripts. However, sometimes I’ll be several pages into a document before I remember to turn on Track Changes. How can I make Track Changes my default setting for all Microsoft Word documents created or changed on my computer?
Real Helper, that’s a spam ad site. Nice try.

Not a problem. We’ll fix it by changing your global template. NOTE: THIS METHOD WILL NOT AFFECT ANY OTHER CHANGES YOU’VE MADE TO THE TEMPLATE. Here’s how:

In Word versions prior to Word 2007 (Vista):

1.Close all open copies of Word.
2.Open Word.
3.Click on the File->Save As menu item.
4.In the "File of Type" list box, scroll down to Document Templates and select it. The directory should change and there should be a Normal.dot file in it. DON’T SAVE THE FILE. Click Cancel instead.
5.Press CTRL/O.
6.Select Normal.dot. Normal.dot should become your open document.
7.Turn on Track Changes.
8.Save the file with CTRL/S. You may get a warning message about the Global template having been changed. This is OK. Click Yes.
9.Close Word.

In Word 2007:

1.Close all open copies of Word.
2.Open Word.
3.Click on the round Office button in the upper-left corner of the window.
4.Click Open.
5.Select Templates in the Favorite Links pane.
6.Select Normal.dotm. Normal.dotm should become your open document.
7.Turn on Track Changes.
8.Save the file with CTRL/S. You may get a warning message about the Global template having been changed. This is OK. Click Yes.
9.Close Word.

Word sometimes leaves the last directory used incorrectly set, so the next time you open or save (especially!) a file, be careful that Word’s pointed at the right place.

Hope that helps.

Working from home, I want to start a freelance editing/proofreading and technical writing buisiness. But I do not want to get lost in the black hole of websites. Also, what is the best approach when it comes to bidding on a job?

TIPS ON BIDDING ON A JOB

1. Research the client and see the types of jobs they posted previously. Are they the type to choose those who price their services too low? If so, you may consider whether you really want this gig and price yourself lower than you normally do before bidding.

2. If you’re on elance.com for example, feedbacks are given to provide guidance on the quality of the work done. Verify how the customer provides feedback by checking on their previous contractors. If the client is someone who typically gives poor feedback (yet the contractor generally has great feedback), you may want to consider the impact on your future gigs if you work with this client and they also give you poor feedback.

3. Read, read and read the project description. Your proposal should cover all the points that the client want. Learn more about the client. If they have a website, check it out so you can submit a more informed proposal

4. Remember that this is only a job – sound sharp, professional and confident and never act as if your life depends on this job (even if it does!)

GETTING VISITORS TO YOUR SITE

Here are some shoestring marketing ideas that can help you get the visitors you need at the least cost possible:

1. Create the best content you can with the best products you can possibly offer. Your content is your best advertisement – if visitors love your content, then they will go back and spread the word to others.

2. Make it easy for users to recommend your site. Viral marketing is very important — and easy to tap on the Web. But give your users the tools. Get a Recommend this Site script from websites such as cgiscripts.com and similar directories of scripts. Some even go as far as giving incentives to those who recommend the site to their friends. If only 10 people go to your site, but these 10 people invite 10 more – that’s additional traffic that you get for FREE!

Recommend Site Scripts (various) http://php.resourceindex.com/Complete_Scripts/Website_Promotion/Recommend_Site/
Big Nose Bird Recommend this Site http://bignosebird.com/carchive/birdcast.shtml
CGI Resource Index http://cgi.resourceindex.com/Programs_and_Scripts/Perl/Website_Promotion/Recommend_Site/
Hostscripts http://www.hotscripts.com/PHP/Scripts_and_Programs/Site_Recommendation/index.html

3. Rank well in the search engines (organic search results, not the pay per click). SEs can be a big source of traffic. The key is to create the best content in your niche. If you have good content, other websites will gladly link to you and offer your site as a resource to their audience. Check the on-page factors and be sure to get linked from authority sites in your topic area.

If you are going to read only one piece on search engine optimization, I suggest you read Brett Tabke of WebmasterWorld.com’s "Successful Site in 12 Months with Google Alone: 26 steps to 15k a day." http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum3/2010.htm

SEO for Google http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/google.htm
SEO for Yahoo! http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/yahoo.htm
SEO for MSN http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/msn.htm
Tying It Together: SEO For The Big Three http://www.powerhomebiz.com/052006/seo.htm

4. Send out press releases. While outfits charge as much as $650 per release, there are free press release submission places on the Web. Press releases allow you to (a) attract media attention; (b) get more back links to your website without sending each website an email request; and (c) get more visibility especially if your press release gets in Google News or Yahoo News.

http://www.prleap.com/sign_up.html
http://i-newswire.com/
http://www.24-7pressrelease.com/
http://www.pressbox.co.uk/cgi-bin/links/add.cgi
http://www.pr.com/press-releases
http://www.prfree.com/
http://www.clickpress.com/releases/index.shtml
http://www.theopenpress.com/
http://www.przoom.com/
http://www.prweb.com
http://www.newswiretoday.com/
http://www.free-press-release.com/

5. Submit articles. Write articles and submit them to websites accepting author submissions. You get exposure for your business; establishes you as an authority in your field, and allows you to get backlinks for your website. If 50 websites publish your article and it contains a link back to your website, then you easily get 50 links from a single article. The more links you have, the greater your chances for increasing your search engine rankings.

Here is a comprehensive list of where to submit your articles http://answers.yahoo.com/question/;_ylt=AhzreGmnCUicOoyedqypscUjzKIX?qid=1006022407481

6. Improve your conversion. Getting visitors is one thing; getting them to buy your products is a whole different story. Read the article "10 Ways to Convert Visitors to Buyers" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/072005/conversion.htm for tips on how to improve your conversion rates.

7. Post a link to your site for free where it is allowed (always read the Terms of Use). Examples are:

Craigslist http://www.craigslist.com
Google Base http://base.google.com
Classifieds for Free http://www.classifiedsforfree.com/…
Text Link Exchange http://www.txtswap.com/
Recycler.com http://www.recycler.com/
Yahoo Classifieds http://classifieds.yahoo.com/
US Free Ads http://www.usfreeads.com/

If someone has a BA in in Film Production that was obtained in 2006 and only has been able to obtain some sporadic freelance work, would classes in editing help marketability? Other classes that might be recommended?

Keeping up to date with your training always looks good on your résumé. Its also a good place to network. You’ll never know who you’ll meet or which secret tips you’ll learn.

How about checking out your local college. Perhaps they have a position that could accommodate your freelancing schedule whilst bringing in an additional income.

How do people get into Freelance writing, editing, proofreading, etc.
Anyone here freelance?

freelance:
adjective
working for different companies at different times rather than being permanently employed by one company

You start one job at a time and build a resume that will "sell" you and your work to other buyers. You submit work to people who accept unsolicited submissions, and you submit work to "calls" for specific work. It will take time . . . and in the mean time a steady job is handy.

I have been offered an editing job by an acquaintance for editing a book written by him. This is my first freelancing job.
Thanks Sam, Marti and Brian.
Sam, I am in India.
Marti, the work involves more of proofreading than editng/rewriting.
Brian, I am a trained editor and have been working as one for many years. It is just that I haven’t done freelance editing; so I don’t know what to charge.

If you’re going to seriously edit it, it usually runs 3-5 dollars a page, though some people go by word count.

I live in Tasmania, Australia. I am thinking of doing a course in editing and proofreading, simply because I’m the biggest grammar nazi I know and I think I’d be good at this. How useful are the courses in breaking into the industry? Are these services required regularly? Is the work mostly freelance?

google it…..

I am going to graduate high school this year. I’d like to try and make my living (or most of it) off of freelance writing and editing. I am already doing the writing bit and I am wondering how to get started with editing.

Anyone here do it? I am open to further schooling if it is necessary. What kind of qualifications do people look for in editors? How does one get started?

Thanks.

I have done and occasionally still do freelance editing, though not for free.
I’m usually retired.

I took English Literature at UCLA and post-grad writing courses in everything from journalism to creative writing to writing plays and more.

I also held a writers’ group (from 8 to 10 people) for two years, meeting twice a month to help each other with constructive critiques on works in progress and on how to get published. Nearly everyone in that group had a piece published then, or shortly after.

And I took writers’ seminars, not inexpensive but extremely helpful.

Studying "The Writer’s Market" – especially "How To Publish" – is a must as well.
Hope you are introduced to "Strunk and White: The Elements of Style" too.

This is what I advise: Take English, Eng. Lit., or Amer. Lit., and also at least a minor in Reading at a good school.

Then try to find a job at any kind of newspaper or news magazine or show or online: as an editor. After that, go freelance.

But this is only likely to happen if you actually have been published (by the time I became an editor, I had many things published, from short fiction to bad poetry to a successful play to journalism), then it is a fairly short hop (with your school credentials as well) to become an editor, freelance or not.

Best of luck.
You can do it with enough willingness to work at it.

I am considering doing some freelance editing and proofreading in my local community. I come across a lot of brochures and leaflets with spelling, grammatical and punctuation errors in my own letter box. Is it appropriate to send the leaflet, with errors highlighted, and a cover letter back to the originator advertising my services? Would this be considered rude?

I find myself wanting to do the same thing sometimes. Resist the temptation. I would send a letter explaining your services and ask them if they would like a sample of your work on one of their marketing pieces. Then, when you get their okay, send it to them, or better yet, bring it to them in person. I feel that you would be "slapping them in the face" if you were to send them unsolicited corrections.

I have a professional camera and would like to know how i can start out as a freelance photographer? where can i go to spread the word, who should i start photographing, etc. Also, what kind of inexpensive editing software would i need and what other tools or equipment should i purchase? I have paint shop pro 9.0, is this good or should i go with something else?

First you need to develop an "eye" for pictures.

Most any editing software is good these days once you learn to use it. I still use paintshop 5.0 to restore antiques photos and it works very well.

Plan on shooting about 25 rejects for every keeper.