Hello Stranger
I've been quite absent from WA this year. Not inactive, however, just quiet on the WA platform ;-)
It's great to see that a website where I am hardly active is growing in views. That is the website I have to keep on working on, and I am doing that now. I also started my author website, because I am an author and the one product I want to promote above all, above WA referrals, above affiliate links, are my books.
It is not easy to get books noticed (since literally thousands are spewed out in the self-publishing industry every single day), but with what I've learned at WA I can push my books up to the top, and hopefully still fulfill my dream of living of my books.
I left my job in school in April, and I've been working as a freelancer ever since. The summer was tough, few jobs and little money... but it started picking up again in late August. I love being a freelancer, I love the freedom it gives me. There is no security, though. Sometimes you have a job and sometimes you don't. Then, there are other minor obstacles that prevent you from work (like certain work apps being unavailable in my country of residence - Mexico) and you have to keep on applying for jobs, all the time. However, I will NOT go back to my regular job from before. I may have had more financial security there, but I also had much stress, spent lots of money of gasoline (for the commute), including hours of my time spent on commuting, rushing to get there on time, and dealing with many bosses who never seemed to be on the same page... I am not going back to that. And financial security, OK... but it is also financial limitation since you can only get the same amount of money each month... and not grow.
And once you got a taste of freedom you can hardly go back to the confines of a regular 9 to 5 job with hours spent in your car to get there and then back home, you can't go back to waking up to the shrill sound of your alarm clock in the pitch dark when you should be sleeping . NO way!
With freelancing, as tough as it is in the beginning stage (where I am right now) it gives you the chance to make as much money as you want. I just need to get to that stage, but at least I know that the possibility is there :-)
I haven't made the big bucks with my websites, but I I guess it takes more time for others (ahem, me...). My websites may not bring me money now but I consider them an investment for the future. And so, I keep going.
Wishing everyone a great week!
Recent Comments
27
Great to hear from you Christine and glad that all is going well. Freedom is the best thing ever, well done on gaining yours.
Great message, I agree that once you have seen the possibilities and potential of the Internet and all it brings, you can't settle for a job or career that is so so limited by the hours in a day. Keep on keepin on. Brill !
A great message, indeed, Christine! I am wishing you all of the best success in your books!
Jeff
What subject do you teach Christine. If English there are currently a lot of on line jobs available. Although hours might not be compatible unless you like teaching at 2 in the morning. lol.
But working for yourself is so much better.
Stephen
I teach German online. I could also teach English, I have an excellent level but I do not have the TOEFL or ESL diploma, I have an English proficiency diploma with honors from the University of Michigan, but I always see that they want TOEFL or ESL.
You could do an ESL online. I have a friend who has several schools in Vietnam teaching ESL training if interested. You can easily get an online job. PM if interested.
Stephen
OK, I'll think about it. At the moment I can't afford to pay for any course or training, but it is worth considering when my finances are more stable.
That's a great mindset to have.
You can also follow Elan Cain's blog & YouTube channel.
She's a freelancer and writes a lot about getting clients.
Best wishes.
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Hi Christine, Your post is interesting. I am too an a author I have written two books and trying to get the third one done. I had the first two published by self-publishing and I will not do that again.
I have spent more money by self-publishing then I have received in royalties. And there were many other reasons too. I am glad that you are back I hope to see more of your posts on the platform. Best wishes on your journey on your endeavors much success in your business.
Mary
Hi Mary,
I have used vanity pubishers for two books which cost me a lot of money too.
I now self-publish, it is a lot more work but I prefer it to running after publishers to see if maybe they want to have a look at my work.
It's hard to get noticed as an author nowadays, isn't it?
How will you get your third book published? Are you going to find an agent?
Wishing you the best of success with your business too! :-)
Hi Christine, I have had many offers about my books. I have done self published but it cost more money than I have. And they both lied and burn me so I am trying something different and that is going with a literary agent.
I already had one offer but they want $5000 first and then they will go to the traditional publisher. But of course I don't have it right now. But something will break for both of us soon.
And as far as the third book goes, I got my passion back for writing and I will have to make time to finish it. I only have maybe two or three chapters left to write.
I don't know exactly how long the series goes but I also am planning a spin off series from Stormie's Adventures, and I have another idea for another book for a different subject. So between WA, CAP, and writing my books I will be seriously busy.
That is okay because it helps keeping my brain busy and not drifting off to another world. When it is time for me to publish the third book the door will be open for me to get that done.
Just like for you when it is the right time it will happen trust me and have faith because it will happen. No worries.
Right now I am trying to focus on my websites and my training. That is the most important to me.
Mary
Wow, you got lots of projects planned, kind of like me ;-)
Wishing you all the best with your writing projects and everything else! :-)
Hi Christine, Yes now I just got to figure out a schedule so that I work on everything. Because I have so many ideas flowing in my head, I just can't keep them straight.
I will get it straight and get things rolling.
:)) Mary