Barefoot Writer 053

barefootWriter
Issue 53 January 2016
The Empowering Writing

Opportunity that Opens
ALL Cash-Generating Doors
How Standing Improves Your
Health and Writing Career
Clever Ways to Hold
Yourself Accountable
to Your 2016 Goals
Barefoot Writer Deliah Lawrence takes a break
from writing her next romantic-suspense novel to
enjoy the Potomac Jazz Festival at St. Clement's
Island Museum in Coltons Point, Maryland
PLUS: Cut Your Hours and Enhance the Lives of the

Most Important People in Your Life Surprising Things
You Never Knew About Robinson Crusoe The Secret
to Achieving Any Resolution 3 Ways to Win $100!
in this issue
January 2016
FEATURES
9
17
19
Living the Writers Life

Jewel Pickert and Jon Stoltzfus
on how they stay competitive and
dynamic in the world of writing
Interview with a Barefoot Writer
Sandy Franks on the value in
recognizing and jumping on
opportunities
Featured Essay
How one mans story revolutionized
an industry
Barefoot Writing Opportunity
The most empowering writing
opportunity that opens all cashgenerating doors
Barefoot Writer Les Worley at a small helados

(ice cream) shop on the outskirts of Quito,
Ecuador, during a recent motivational vacation
DEPARTMENTS
3 What Youll Learn In This Issue

The secret to achieving any goal or
resolution
34 Productivity Secrets

How standing improves your health and

writing career
25 Did You Know?

The author who wrote fiction as real as fact
37 Mobile Freelancer

Untethered: How to be a mobile
freelancer
27

Thinking Like A Writer

How to use the writers life to cut your
hours, cut your taxes, and enhance the
lives of the most important people in
your life
29 The Barefoot Writing Challenge

What deeper benefit do you hope to

achieve in 2016 through writing?
30 Reader Poll

How will you hold yourself accountable

to your goals in 2016?
31 Become a Better Writer

What happens when you set a goal to

write 50,000 words in just 30 days?
39 Monthly Motivator

On potatoes, carrots, and setting

achievable writing goals
41

Ask AWAI
How to make money right away and
reaching clients when you have no
writing experience Katie and Rebecca
answer your questions
43

The Glicken
How an AWAI idea helped me get millions
of dollars of free advertising on a national
TV show
barefootWriter Page 2 Januar y 2016
what youll learn in this issue
The Secret to Achieving

Any Goal or Resolution
T
heres just something exciting

about the start of a brand New
Year. Dreams are possible. Goals are
attainable. And 12 months down
the road, you just might be exactly
where you want to be as a writer.
Although that depends on two

things: Whether you take the time
to define where you want to be by
the end of the year, and whether
you hold yourself accountable to that target.
It doesnt matter if you make a New Years Resolution, choose a guiding word, or just lay out your
month-by-month goals. Whatever your approach, I
want you to focus on the accountability part. Ask
yourself, How am I going to hold myself accountable? (You can look to our Reader Poll on page 30
for accountability tips.)
Accountability is really the secret to sticking to any
goal or resolution. Thats why groups like The Barefoot Writer Club are so effective it gives you an
easy way to confide in fellow writers. Because lets
all admit, its easy to dream big inside your head. But
everything changes when you tell someone else
about those dreams. Then you have to, you know,
Publishers: Katie Yeakle and

Rebecca Matter
Executive Editor: Mindy McHorse
Layout: Mike Klassen
follow through.
Yet, nothing could be better for your Barefoot Writing career. And I say that from experience. My writing income was paltry when I kept my goals to myself. But when I decided to quadruple that income
and broadcast my six-figure goal through Wealthy
Web Writers Reality Blog, guess what happened?
I did it. It was an impossible road, but the support
from other writers that poured in who held me
accountable well, thats what turned the impossible to the achievable.
For 2016, our mission is to make your writing goals
achievable. Whether that means explaining which
writing opportunity is the true key to wealth (p. 19),
or showing you ways to stay healthier while writing (p. 34), well fill your year with tips to make the
impossible achievable. And if youll let us, well hold
you accountable. Share your 2016 goals here on the
Barefoot Writer website.
To your writing success,
Mindy McHorse
Executive Editor, Barefoot Writer
[email protected]
Published by:
American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Avenue, Suite 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Questions?
Contact Member Services:
www.awaionline.com/contact
866-879-2924 or 561-278-5557
American Writers & Artists Inc., 2016. All rights reserved.

Protected by copyright laws of the United States and international treaties.
Stock photos from Bigstock, Fotolia, iStock, Dyson
featured contributors
a living, writing can give you

Challenge Question: Besides making
ility, emotional well-being, etc.
deeper benefits like more freedom, flexib
ieve in 2016 through writing?
What deeper benefit do you hope to ach
27
When Jon Stoltzfus (How to Use The Writers Life to Cut Your Hours, Cut Your Taxes, and
Improve the Lives of the Most Important People in Your Life) got laid off in 2013 after
18 years in the Defense Industry, he made a commitment to never be caught without
options again. Despite a full-time job as an Aerospace Engineer, Jon is now a successful
copywriter in the financial newsletter niche with multiple clients and controls under his
belt. Jon lives in State College, Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
My goal for 2016 is to reach a point of stability where Im comfortable

starting to cut back on the hours at my day job as an engineer. The
writers life will be a lot more fun once I work less than 100 hours a week!
34
After taking 5 years off from work to provide family caregiving, Elizabeth Blessing
(How Standing Improves Your Health and Writing Career) was eager to jump back
into the work force and re-energize her writing career. In 2013, she joined AWAIs Circle
of Success and devoted herself to learning direct-response copywriting. When not writing for the financial services niche, youll find Elizabeth trekking the spectacular coastal
redwood forests of Northern California.
Having a portable career one that goes with me as I travel

the world has always been a dream of mine. Thats certainly
one of the advantages of freelancing. So, Im hoping to put
on my traveling shoes in 2016, while still making a great
living as a copywriter!
39
Back in 2005, Les Worleys (On Potatoes, Carrots, and Setting Achievable Writing
Goals) company outsourced his IT job. He faced a crossroads and he chose to move
to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. But when the economy tanked, he went back to the corporate grind in the U.S. He says hed still be living abroad, if only hed become a copywriter
sooner. Today, his writings in-demand and portable and we cant wait hear when
and where Les will go next!
I want the time and means to explore more of this beautiful planet
and its cultures. And I want to pay forward the encouragement and
mentoring Ive received so other writers can also findsuccess.
living the writers life
Barefoot Writers Come

From All Walks Of Life
How Intense Desire Led Jewel Pickert to

Writing Success
ewel Pickert is refreshingly bold and direct about

her goals as a writer. She seized upon the opportunities in the Barefoot Writing world with a singleminded focus we can all learn from. And now that
she knows what she wants, her approach is to combine a variety of resources and methods to enhance
her skills, gain practical writing knowledge, and
build her client network. Enjoy Jewels frank take on
what led her to success.
Youve found success as an author. How did

you come to write a book?
Ive always wanted to write a book. When I observed the experience level and camaraderie
among the PowerTalk Toastmasters members, it
just felt right to inquire about us writing a collaborative book project together. Im glad we succeeded. Now I have numerous ideas for future
books of my own.
How long have you been a working writer?

I started writing a monthly column on communication and conflict resolution for a local newspaper in January 2013. Now, Im putting together
the pieces to forge a career as a B2B copywriter.
Whats your favorite way to market yourself?
Directly, creatively, boldly. I like to meet new people; hence, I prefer cold calling or cold emailing. I
figure the worst-case scenario is a no. I think of
every experience, regardless of the outcome, as
either defining my character or creating a future
conversation starter. Either way, I win.
Jewel exercising: Jewel enjoys working out because of the way it

makes her feel. The bench press is particularly relaxing for her.
living the writers life (continued)
You also have a lot of experience in public

speaking, something a lot of writers avoid.
How has that helped you as a writer?
In speaking, you need a Big Idea. You have to focus on a specific number of points in relation to
the length of your speech. You have to appeal to
your audience, not impress yourself. You have to
strike an emotional chord. Its just like any successful copywriting project where you need to
start with a Big Idea.
Whats been the biggest challenge (or surprise) youve faced in your freelance career,
and how did you overcome it?
I can think of 4 surprises:
1) Freelance writing truly is a journey, not a destination. You can shape it into whatever you want.
I maintain that if you enjoy the journey, your attitude will remain optimistic, and your destination
will be that much more rewarding.
2) You have to acquire a knack for determining
how much time it takes to do things to become
more efficient.
3) It takes dedication and commitment to develop a business mindset.
FACT FILE
Jewel Pickert
Previous Job: Management, plus many other jobs
Current Writing Interest: B2B copywriting in
technology and personal development
Best Part of Barefoot Living: Freedom and
unfettered autonomy to stretch yourself to the max.
Top Advice: Know yourself better than anybody
else. That way, no one can fool you, and you can
concentrate on other things.
Jewel in bookstore: Jewels favorite writing spot is at a

table in Barnes & Noble where she goes once a week.
She finds the different location boosts her productivity.
4) Copywriting makes me more observant of human nature and psychology.

Who has been the biggest influence on your
life?
Without a doubt, my parents instilled values in
me which I retain to this day. A solid foundation
can truly give you an anchor of comfort. Therefore, I value self-integrity, trust, and honor. Its coincidental that the buzz word of today, authenticity, aligns with integrity.
What books do you recommend for other
writers?
How Rich People Think by Steve Siebold
177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class by
Steve Siebold
Anything by Robert Ludlum. Although fiction,
your imagination and creative juices will find
enrichment.
Focused Family Man Pursues Barefoot

Living with Unmatched Energy
on Stoltzfus made a commitment to Barefoot

Writing and took off running, landing multiple
projects throughout 2015 one of which turned
into a retainer contract. Yet he continues to work
at his day job while putting the welfare of his family first. Find out how Jon is steadily moving toward
full-time freelance writing, and how his family is
helping him get there
and productive. What are your favorites, and

whats your secret to finding them?
What first got you interested in copywriting?
I find most apps via Google or articles by other

copywriters. I also employ my kids to do things
that simply eat up my time. (See page 27 for more
on this.)
Like many people, I didnt realize copywriting

was a career until I received the Can You Write a
Simple Letter? promotion. Ive always done a lot
of writing, so it immediately captured my interest.
I ordered AWAIs Six-Figure Program, started going through the lessons, then got caught up with
long hours at my day job and set it aside. Several
years later, I started taking on more of a role in
business development writing government
proposals, white papers, and other marketing
materials. I picked the AWAI program back up,
ordered the B2B program, and began looking
for freelance opportunities in the B2B/Technical
niche. Ive since transitioned primarily to the financial niche.
Im a tech geek, so I love my toys and apps. I use

Google Calendar to manage all my schedules,
Asana to share project information and files with
my clients, Wave to manage my invoicing and
expenses, and Evernote to catalog research and
manage my Swipe File.
Youve found success relatively quickly. What

have been the most important steps youve
taken to become successful as a freelancer?
Attending my first live event, the 2014 AWAI Bootcamp, was the smartest move I ever made.
But more importantly, when I went, I made a commitment to myself to submit at least five specs for
You still work full time in another job. How is

that working out?
I still work as an Aerospace Engineer for an engineering software company. Im an internal support person for our staff around the world. Fortunately, this gives me a lot of flexibility in terms
of when Im in the office. I essentially work two
full-time jobs, but its worth all the hard work to
get to the point where I can transition to only
copywriting.
With your schedule, youve probably found
some shortcuts that make you more efficient
Jon at home actively working on a writing project
Bootcamp and to make a good connection with

the companies I was interested in at Job Fair. [Editors Note: Specs are projects written and submitted to a company with the hopes of being hired
or paid for the project.]
I submitted all my specs, introduced myself to
each of the marketers, and made sure to followup. I won one of those specs and Ive been building momentum ever since.
Whats one thing about you that might surprise others to know?
I worked in the defense industry for 18 years and
Im one of the few people who can say theyve designed a propeller for a U.S. Navy submarine. In
my case, it was the sub driven by a team of Navy
SEALs!
What kind of advice do you have for someone
who wants to start freelancing but doesnt
feel comfortable leaving their job?
FACT FILE
Jon Stoltzfus
Job He's Working on Leaving: Aerospace engineer
Current Writing Interest: Financial niche (and a little B2B)
Best Part of Barefoot Living: The freedom to choose
projects that interest me, that I can work on from
anywhere, and that pay very well.
Top Advice: Sign up for a live event and squeeze
every drop of opportunity out of it. Submit the
specs. Meet the masters and the marketers. Forge
relationships.
Jon took his kids and wife on a hiking trip to Yosemite

this past summer. As he says, "One of the reasons I do
copywriting is the freedom to take my family on vacations
and still work a bit (after the others go to bed!)."
You have to evaluate your own personal situation

and be honest with yourself about where you are,
where you want to be, and what risks youre willing to take. I was laid off from my previous job
two years ago due to defense budget cuts a
scary time for my family. For me, and especially
my wife, stability plays a huge role in the decision
to become a full-time copywriter. Ive written
down what goals I need to reach in order to make
that move. My wifes bar is a bit higher were
still negotiating.
What does your future hold?
Im a competitive person, so I wont stop until Im
one of the best copywriters out there. That means
I continue to learn, develop as a writer, and build
strong relationships with fellow writers and marketers.
We want to hear your story! Tell us about how being a Barefoot Writer has changed your
life and the most important tip you have for those just starting out.
Email: [email protected]
interview with a barefoot writer

The biggest gift you can give yourself
is when opportunities come, take them.
You can always figure things out along
the way, but opportunities dont come
around that often.
Sandy Franks, Author and Publisher
By Mindy McHorse
andy Franks is hands-down one of the nicest

people youll ever meet. But along with that,
she has a deep reservoir of knowledge and insight into the businesses of writing, marketing,
and publishing.
Much of Sandys expertise was cultivated from 28
years of in-the-trenches work at Agora Inc., one
of the worlds most successful and dynamic consumer newsletter publishers. While there, Sandy
worked alongside several industry giants. She
also became an industry expert in her own right,
thanks to hard work and a healthy quest to constantly learn and improve. That included diligent
research into the history of prosperity, which
resulted in her co-authoring two books: Barbarians of Wealth: Protecting Yourself from Todays
Financial Attilas, and Barbarians of Oil: How the

Worlds Oil Addiction Threatens Global Prosperity
and Four Investments to Protect Your Wealth.
Sandy is also a well-respected crusader for womens rights to wealth. As founder of The Womens
Financial Alliance and publisher of The Womens
Financial Edge, Sandy focuses much of her effort now on helping women become financially
secure.
I connected with Sandy on a crisp winter day
from her home in Baltimore. Enjoy the resulting conversation, with insider secrets on how to
be a writer clients clamor to hire, time management for successful book writing, and tips to help
you sail past the biggest obstacle to success for
writers.
interview with a barefoot writer (continued)
Was writing always a hobby, or something

you fell into?
Learning on your feet! Did you figure out what

was needed?
I fell into it. After high school, I had this crazy idea
I could move to New York and be a model. Of
course, I quickly realized that wasnt realistic. Instead, I worked in the banking industry for several
years. I wasnt happy with that choice and then
switched to public relations.
I did. That taught me a lot about the metrics of the

publishing business. Then when Mark Ford came
on board as a consultant, I got to work closely with
him on copy. Bill was also involved in copy, but
more so in the editorial. Bill has tough standards
when it comes to editorial quality. Hes probably
the best writer Ive ever met, hands-down.
I worked in the PR department of a major hospital.

I got to write PR articles for local newspapers, design brochures, and put together health events.
I really enjoyed all the writing assignments. By
chance, I saw an ad in the newspaper about working for a small publishing company.
That company was Agora, Inc. and its no longer
small. Its now the worlds largest privately-owned
newsletter publisher. My initial position was as a
marketing assistant where I did print buying and
coordinated all our direct mail efforts. When the
owner, Bill Bonner, fired his right-hand person, he
pulled me into the office the next day and said,
You can take over some of her duties, such as
putting a mailing list plan together right? Truth
is, I had never done it but said yes anyway, thinking I could figure things out along the way.
I learned so much from both of them. It was an

amazing experience. As the company grew in
size, so did the need for people who understood
the marketing, business, and editorial aspects of
publishing. Since I had that blend of skills, I was
asked by Bill and Mark to head up one of companys financial divisions.
I knew I was in the right business because none of
it ever felt like work. I love coming up with product ideas, figuring out the right way to position
them, working with copywriters all of it.
Youve worked with some notable authors
Mark Ford, Addison Wiggin, Larry Crane, William Bonner Do they all share a common
success trait?
While each one is very different, with widely different personalities, I would say the traits they
share are: Passion for what they do, not afraid of
taking risks (I should say calculated risks), and being idea driven. Bill has a famous saying, We are
not in the publishing business; we are in the idea
business.
An important distinction. Your publishing career spans a variety of different fields, including financial, health, and business start-up.
Which field do you like best?
Heres Sandy while touring Geneva,

Switzerlands historic district, called Old Town.
Its ironic, business start-up and home study

courses are my favorite, but I spent most of my
publishing career on the financial newsletter
side. I didnt know very much about the stock
market or investing when I first started, but I
learned by asking lots of questions, and reading
How to Become Your Clients Favorite Writer

Over the course of a 28-year-plus career, Sandy has seen every type of writer imaginable from the
ardent and eager to please to the rude and dont hire at any cost. Here are Sandys 10 dos and donts
for writers:
llDont offer to critique existing packages when you have no winners yourself
llDo know your clients product and services
llDo be patient. It may take time to get your first assignment
llDont be a know-it-all
llDo be receptive to ideas
llDo keep in touch with prospective clients
llDo call them every now and then they may have work waiting to be assigned
llDont send out mailings selling your services without a follow-up phone call
llDo write articles in trade magazines (so they see your name)
llDo drop them a note when you see a great control (all marketers love flattery!)
books. Eventually I could hold conversations with
financial experts. I even got to write two books
on economics and investing.
where I know people, I will call those people for

references to see how much of the copy was actually written by the person.
But business start-up, helping people figure out

careers I always enjoyed it the most because
you see the difference you make in someones
life, such as when a customer writes a letter
thanking you for helping them start a business or
learn a new skill.
The biggest mistake I see is that most people

dont understand the art of copywriting takes
practice and patience. Years of experience matter. I see it now with young writers who quote
rules theyve heard on how to do certain things.
Yes, there are rules, but knowing when, how, and
why to use them matters even knowing when
to break them. That only comes from experience.
You cant really see that on the financial side.

As someone who hires copywriters every day
and has for years, what are some common
mistakes you see?
Everyone will share samples with you and while
those are good to see, it doesnt really tell you a
whole lot about the person.
Actually talking in person or on the phone is better. You get a real sense of what theyve done,
how they approach projects, ideas they have, and
whether theyre able to take direction.
If a writer tells me theyve written for a company
What should those writers do instead?

I would tell writers starting out to take direction
well, listen, and learn. Intensely study what is
working, dissecting it down for format, formula,
copy claims, and promises. Your time as a top-tier
copywriter will come.
Youve co-authored two popular books, done
while maintaining your full-time job as an editor and publisher and parent. What was your
secret for fitting it all in?
into chunks. That meant I had to write a certain

amount of words each day to stay on schedule.
How did you stay motivated and manage your
time?
I used every bit of spare time I could find. I got
up early on weekends, around 6 a.m. and just
wrote until I couldnt write any more. Sometimes
I would stay up past midnight. But I took breaks,
too, because I didnt want to burn out and not be
able to complete the book.
I also had a lot of passion and excitement to get
me through it. Its very thrilling to hear that a major book publisher has accepted your book idea.
That helps drive you to get it done. And passion
for the subjects I was writing on, which basically
were exposs of Wall Street big banks for the first
book, and of Big Oil companies on the second. I
loved the research.
I kept uncovering new things all of the time. The
biggest problem was deciding what to include in
the book.
Can you share any tips about how to successfully work with a co-author?
Sandys first book, Barbarians of Wealth, was published
in China. Here it is translated into Chinese.
I have a few secrets like having a co-author. I

knew running my publishing business, along with
taking care of my children was a lot and if I had to
write the entire book myself, I dont think I could
have done it at least not in the time frame
needed. So I asked Sara Nunnally, one of my financial editors who herself was a great writer but
also a research fanatic, to work with me on it.
I also got a lot of support from my family. They
knew I had a deadline, so the days I locked myself
away in my home office to write, they let me be.
Schedule and word count were important as
well. For both books, the contract spelled out
the page count for each book. So I broke it down
It has to be someone you trust. Someone who

thinks like you do. Someone with a strong work
ethic (hence, the ability to meet deadlines).
What I didnt realize is that I would be named lead
writer, which meant that whatever my co-author
Sara wrote, I would have to blend our two writing styles together so there was one voice in the
book. That was just extra work I hadnt figured in.
But because I knew her style, it wasnt that difficult to do.
We divided up who wrote certain chapters. We
also talked often throughout the process.
You spent 28 years with direct mail giant Agora, watching the company go from startup
to a multi-million dollar business. What made
Agora so successful?
Its the people who make the company successful.
Most of the publishers in charge of divisions and

higher-level marketing personnel have an entrepreneurial spirit.
They test different elements often and pay attention to details. When they find something that
works, they maximize (and monetize) quickly.
They ask lots of questions and challenge each
other. Theyre learning all of the time.
In fact, thats the way Bill built the company
giving people the freedom to learn. He would
tell us its okay to fail, but fail quickly and cheaply.
That was is his way of saying it was good to learn
things. He wanted us to figure out what worked
and what didnt.
How can a freelance writer apply these lessons to his or her writing business?
I think its important to never stop learning. If you
want know something, ask. If there is no one in
your company who can answer your question,
then find someone who can, even if that means
stepping outside of your current organization.
What Ive learned is that people like to share
information.
Pay attention to details. Practice your craft of writing. Think outside the box.
So creative freedom was really key. What else?

Thinking outside the box and finding workaround solutions is also another quality Bill and
Mark instilled in all of us. For example, when the
Internet came about, we were worried it would
have a negative impact on the newsletter industry. People could now get information from all
sources and we were concerned about losing
subscribers.
But Bill had the idea of writing to readers via email
to create a bond with readers. We figured keeping in touch with readers through email would
at least maintain or increase retention rates. The
only way to know if that was true, was to write
to readers regularly. So he wrote every day. Readers loved it; theywrote back with comments and
shared their thoughts.
Since his e-letter was being well received, the
next step was to test ads in the daily e-letter. That
was a breakthrough. Money was pouring in every
day.
I remember Bill being criticized by fellow CEOs
of other publishing companies for spending so
much of his time writing. Nowadays, most publishing companies have followed his lead and
publish daily e-letters.
Sandy and fellow Agora employees at a posh hotel during

a retirement party for colleague Beth Ketzner. Beth was given
the best suite in the hotel for the night and Sandy and
the Agora team helped her explore the suites luxuries!
What motivated you to launch The Womens

Financial Alliance?
It was really my husband, Marks idea. His mother
and father had a traditional marriage where his
dad took care of all the financial and investment
decisions and paid all the bills. When Marks father passed away, his mom didnt know what to
do. Luckily, she had children to help her.
But that experience made my husband wonder
how many other women have had a similar situation. I researched more about women and money
and found out there are lots of women who arent

comfortable with financial matters.
Since I was able to educate myself on financial
matters, I knew other women could learn it too.
Thats inspiring. Its all a side business, right?
I call it my passion project. Its my spare time project. It provides a healthy amount of extra monthly income with little effort, but it could bring in
even more. Right now, I just dont have the time
to focus on it 100%. Im committed to it because
my husband and I see it as legacy business
something to give to my children, especially my
daughter Rachael.
Shes a great marketer. During high school, I let
her intern in my division at Agora. That gave her
a great marketing foundation. And she went to
NYU for marketing. Shes great with social media
marketing. Shes also a great writer, able to paint
pictures with her words. She entered essay contests throughout her school years and won many.
It would be a great business to pass on to her. I
dont know if my son Zac would help. Hes in law
enforcement and loves it.
Drawing from your experience with The Womens Financial Alliance (WFA), do you have any
advice or warnings for women writers and
freelancers in particular?
There arent many female copywriters specializing in the financial newsletter industry. I would
love to see that change. I think the reason there
are so few is similar to what Ive seen with the
WFA that women see financial matters as too
challenging. But again, its learnable.
For female freelance writers, invest in yourself.
Like a business reinvests capital into research or
creating new products, grow your knowledge
base. If there are programs and courses that will
increase your writing skills or marketing skills, invest in them.
Find fellow writers you can talk with regularly
Sandy and her husband in the small town of Annecy, France,

in the French Alps. They had meetings with a financial
company that took them up to a ski lodge for lunch.
to pass ideas along. Theres nothing wrong with

helping each other out.
Any general tips you can share about attaining financial independence and freedom?
Get good at marketing yourself. While Agora has
some of the highest editorial standards, its their
attention to marketing details that have really
helped drive their success.
No matter how good you are at writing, you have
to market yourself so youll have clients.
For gaining financial independence and freedom,
with the WFA, I have three principles: knowledge
gives you choices, choices give you independence, and independence gives you freedom.
As for money always put a portion of money
you earn into savings or investments that dont
carry too many risks. I like stocks that pay dividends. I like alternative assets, too.
I dont like to take risks with my money. Im conservative with how I invest it because I see it as
long-term, not short-term. I dont care if the stock
I invest in didnt return 300% (those are rare). I
only invest in what I understand and things I feel

good about.
Ive also read a lot of books on the Pharaohs of

Egypt, particularly Cleopatra.
Lets switch gears for a minute. What do you

like about life in Baltimore? Is there anywhere
else you hope to live someday?
Ive read books on US Presidents such as Lincoln

and Kennedy.
I grew up in Baltimore. When my husband was a

young child, he livd in many states (his Dad was a
Captain in the Marines). But most of his adult life
has been here in Maryland. Most of our family is
here, so thats why we are here. But were empty
nesters now. Our children have moved out. We
could move anywhere and talked recently about
downsizing. Were making a list of possible places
to move maybe Colorado, or other places out
west.
But if our children have kids, well, then we may
stay here because wed want to see our grandchildren often.
What are your favorite fiction and non-fiction
books?
I love murder mystery books.
But I also really love biographical history. Im a
nerd with that stuff. For example, when we traveled to France, I was intrigued with the Bourbon
(King Louis) dynasty. I read every book I could
find on the royal family. I know a lot about Kind
Louis and Marie Antoinette.
If you could have free, unlimited service for

five years from an extremely good cook,
chauffeur, or masseuse, which would you
choose?
A chauffeur I hate driving, I hate traffic.
From your vantage point, whats the single
biggest obstacle that holds new writers back
from succeeding at the writers life?
FEAR. Look, when Bill fired his right-hand person
and asked if I could put a mail plan together, I
could have easily said no. Although I was nervous
and afraid because I had never done them before,
I didnt let it stop me.
I didnt let fear stop me from submitting book
ideas to John Wiley & Sons
For me, the biggest gift you can give yourself is
when opportunities come, take them. You can
always figure things out along the way, but opportunities dont always come around.
Click here for an EXCLUSIVE Member Bonus:
Discover an easy way to overcome obstacles
and build momentum in your writing (Hint: It
has to do with eating a frog backwards!)
I love reading The Barefoot Writer magazine each month and eagerly
look forward to each issue. I especially love the success articles on
how other writers are making it, how they do it, and tips to do the same.
This helps to continue to fuel the fire I have inside concerning one
day leaving my boring and unfulfilling job and striking out to work with
healthcare companies in the B2B arena. Please keep up the great work
and the stories coming my way.
Alan Harmon
bW
GET PAID
To Travel The World
What if in a matter of months weeks, even you could be traveling the world, writing about your
adventures, and getting paid to do it?
Imagine the possibilities. Maybe you want to swim the sapphire waters of the Caribbean ... or sip
steaming coffee as snow falls outside your Aspen mountain lodge ... or enjoy a quick getaway at a
cozy Bed and Breakfast (B&B) not far from where you live ...
Then, imagine returning home, writing about your experience, and getting paid for your efforts. Even
better, picture yourself on all those vacations without having to pay a dime upfront all because you
agreed to share your adventure in an article.
Get stories of real people who are enjoying the

travel writers life and find out how you can too here.
featured essay
How One Mans Story
Revolutionized
an Industry
By Sandy Franks
We want people to say, Thats a hell of a
product instead of, Thats a hell of an ad.
is James Dyson, and his vacuum is known as the

Dyson.
James Dyson is quite good at not only inventing

products but also selling them. In fact, his company has sold over $6 billion worth of products
worldwide.
Leo Burnett
n September 24, 2006, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art did something quite unusual. It added a bright yellow vacuum cleaner to
its permanent collection.
It wasnt long before eight other museums followed suit.
Now, I doubt any of them need to worry about a
Tom Cruise, Mission Impossible-style heist of the
vacuum cleaners. But, you might wonder, why all
the fuss?
You see, the man who invented this vacuum
cleaner turned the entire industry on its head,
leaving his competitors choking in his dust.
You may know who Im talking about. His name
Hes done that by not only creating a better product, but also by telling a very compelling story.
And anyone in the business of selling (and if
youre in a business, youre in the business of selling) can learn a lot from his sales technique.
The next time you see a Dyson commercial, take
a few minutes to watch it. Youll be drawn into
the story of how Dyson noticed that the air filter
in his companys spray-finishing room was constantly clogging with powder particles (just like a
vacuum cleaner bag clogs with dust). So he built
featured essay (continued)
an industrial cyclone tower, which removed the

powder particles by exerting a centrifugal force
greater than 100,000 times that of gravity.
Then it hit him. Could the same principle work in a
vacuum cleaner? Five years and 5,127 prototypes
later, the worlds first bagless vacuum cleaner was
created.
By the time youre done watching the ad, youll
be tempted to give a Dyson a try even if youre
not shopping for a new vacuum cleaner. You
wouldnt be alone. More than 20 million Dyson
vacuum cleaners have been sold. They are sold in
42 countries and are market leaders in the U.S.,
Western Europe, and Australia.
audience, I believe in this product so much, Im

willing to put my personal reputation on the line.
Before Dyson, ads like this had never been done.
Before Dyson, a vacuum like this had never existed. But the two, together, have completely revolutionized the vacuum cleaner industry.
I cant promise you can completely turn your industry upside-down. But I can tell you that telling
a compelling story will dramatically increase your
sales.
What James Dyson knows is that selling a convincing story is one of the most important elements of making a sale.
Now, dont get me wrong. When I say convincing, I dont mean making up a story to elicit a
response. That seldom works. What Im talking
about is telling the truth.
Of course, not all true stories are compelling.
Thats why you have to focus on the part of the
story that draws the most emotional reaction
from your audience.
To demonstrate what I mean, lets go back to
James Dysons story.
Instead of following in the style of conventional
vacuum cleaner ads that focused solely on the
product, he decided people might like to hear the
story of how he invented the cyclone technology.
Throughout the story, James empathizes with his
audience by sharing their frustrations and concerns. You feel as if this man understands what
you go through. And he does. Thats what motivated him to invent the Dyson.
Whats your story? Maybe its how your product

or service helped a customer in some dramatic
way. Maybe its the recognition your product
draws whenever someone uses it. Or maybe its
the passion you have for what you do.
No hype. No exaggerated claims. Yet enough of a

promise to make you take notice.
Spend some time today thinking about how you

can connect with your prospects in a way thats
personal and memorable thats compelling
and persuasive.
He adds a dose of credibility by branding the vacuum under his name. In essence, hes telling his
barefoot writing opportunity

An In-Depth Look into the Most Empowering
Writing Opportunity of All
and Why it Opens ALL
Cash-Generating Doors
By Rebecca Matter
Editors Note: In our November Reader Poll, we asked how Barefoot Writer could help you be a better, happier, more profitable writer. Were grateful for the feedback you provided. That included a resounding request
to help you understand more about the different writing opportunities available to you.
Throughout 2016, weve made a commitment to breaking down each writing path in new ways. We want to
give you fresh, easy-to-follow insight into which opportunities are best for your needs, and how to get there
fastest. With that, Ill hand the reins over to Rebecca and her in-depth analysis of the foundational, most lucrative opportunity of all
his year, my goal is to give you a deeper understanding of the freelance writing opportunities available to you. But not just that. I want
you to understand which ones will get you up
and running as a paid writer the fastest, how to
profit from the different approaches to writing,
and how to build a Barefoot Lifestyle that suits
your individual needs.
Specifically, I want to show you why a solid background in persuasive writing opens the door to
virtually all cash-generating businesses. It doesnt
matter whether youre interested in paid writing
as a way to get some easy side cash or launch
an entirely new career or have an alternative
to a fixed income, day job, or lifestyle you dont
love
So it only makes sense to start with the foundational writing opportunity: Copywriting but
like youve never before seen it.
Whatever your goal, copywriting will get you

there. But not in the way you might think. Lets
dive in
barefoot writing opportunity (continued)
The Three Cs of Copywriting and

Why They Matter in ALL Businesses
Lets start with a simplified definition: Copywriting is the learned art of persuasive writing. Its
writing that offers a product or service for sale.
In fact, if you think about it, thats really the root

of all business and commerce everywhere:
1. To connect with people who are in need of a
specific product or service
2. To convince those people to give the product or service a try
3. To convert those people to eager buyers
Thats why copywriting can be so versatile and
lucrative. Good copywriting is good communication. And in the business world, communication
is one of the most important skills you can have.
From Copywriting to Cash Flow:

5 Ways Writers Can Profit
Good communication is crucial to virtually every
business, but especially so because of the Internet. Many companies watch their profits soar
after hiring a copywriter to fill up their websites
With rich content. Companies that invest in additional communications materials, like case studies, white papers, free reports, and lead-generation devices, often see an even greater benefit.
But its also much more.

Good copywriters know how to connect with
their audience. They can research a topic or market and pinpoint the needs, or pain points, of an
ideal customer for that market. They know how
to talk to specific customers in ways that make
their messages resonate. And theyre skilled at
crafting content that informs, engages, entices,
persuades, and entertains their audience.
Chances are good youve already engaged in
some form of persuasive communication yourself. For example, have you ever talked a friend
into seeing a movie he or she wasnt excited
about, but ended up really enjoying? Have you
ever convinced someone to try a new restaurant
they had no interest in, only to watch it become
their favorite place to eat?
Those examples are simplified forms of persuasion, which is the heart and soul of copywriting.
Its about connecting, convincing, and converting.
Theres also the advantage of ongoing communication. Last month, in our interview with Internet Marketer Brian Edmondson, he talked about
the importance of building a list. If youre not
building a list, youre not building a business, he
quoted.
Brian was referring to the importance of collecting email addresses (called prospects) which can
be done I many ways, including through a companys website. But it takes smart copy to bring
those prospects to a website in the first place and
get them to give you their email addresses.
It takes even smarter copy to keep those prospects interested, which is yet another example of
where copywriting skills are critical. From emails
to e-newsletters to autoresponders, all are enhanced when someone skilled in the art of copywriting is at the helm.
Once you learn the skill of copywriting, there are
a variety of ways you can profit. Here are some

examples of the different paths you can take to
freedom and financial success:
1) Projects and Writing for Clients
Once youve mastered the skill of copywriting,
you can pursue virtually any kind of writing project for any client in any industry.
However, this is where I often caution new copywriters to pursue something theyre either interested in, have knowledge about or already skilled
in. You dont want to burn out early, so its smart
to enjoy what youre writing about.
Writers who take on client work will often choose
one or two writing specialties. That is, a specific
type of writing project. Examples include directresponse sales letters, web content, social media
campaigns, e-newsletters and emails, white papers, or case studies.
Heres why. When you focus on one type of writing project, your ability will improve steadily in
that area. That means youll write faster and be
able to charge more.
Many writers also choose to write for a niche,
or specific industry. This is where their interests
and experience comes into play. If you left your
day job after 20 years in the software industry, it makes sense for you to write for software
companies (provided you want to, of course). If

youve always enjoyed learning about gardening
or education or even horses, you could focus on
one of those industries.
Copywriting for clients can be quite lucrative for
two reasons: Retainers and royalties. Most writing done for clients is done on a fee-per-project
basis. But often, writers develop long-term relationships with their clients, and those clients have
ongoing needs.
In such cases, clients will offer the writer a fee in
exchange for regular work. For example, a writer
could be paid $2,000 a month for a set number
of blog posts. Or perhaps $400 a week for an
e-newsletter.
If youre a freelance copywriter and you put together retainer agreements with your clients,
your fees could add up fast. Unless you make an
agreement otherwise, youre not restricted in
finding more clients to write for even after you
set a retainer agreement. It all depends on the
amount of time you have to write and your financial goals.
Receiving ongoing royalty checks can make the
financial gains of writing for clients even sweeter.
Royalty agreements often happen when a copywriter puts together direct-response sales letters
or Video Sales Letters. Because clients can track
exactly which order device brings in a new customer, they can tie any sales letter you write to
the number of customers youre bringing in. Depending on the agreement you make with your
client, you could get anywhere from 1% to 5% (or
more) of the gross sales for that product. And if
your sales letter is used over and over again, youll
continue to profit long after youve written it.
But client work is just one path a copywriter can
take to generating significant cash flow. Heres
another:
2) Writing E-books
Granted, you can write e-books for clients for a
fee. But you can also write them for yourself and
sell them online.
Well-respected copywriter and author Bob Bly is
a master at this. Hes written dozens of e-books
over the last several years, and earned hundreds
of thousands of dollars for his efforts. Bobs approach is to self-publish and sell his e-books
through his website. This gives him a 100% profit
margin. Whats more, he often sells his e-books
for between $19 and $39 far more than what
most people will pay for an e-book on Amazon,
or even a print book.
The reason Bob can charge so much is because
hes built his own email list. He then leverages
his copywriting skills to reach out to his list on a
regular basis. Sometimes he shares writing tips,
sometimes he shares general business lessons.
But whenever he mails to his list, he uses persuasive writing to connect with his readers and build
a relationship of trust.
Then, anytime Bob has a new e-book ready to
share, he has a go-to list of likely buyers. Once
again, because of his copywriting skills, hes able
to highlight the unique strengths of the different
books he writes. He also uses copywriting insight
to put together sales pages that then persuade
his readers to buy. Bobs e-book sales net him as
much as $200,000 in any given year. And because
he also does client copywriting work, this is all
bonus income.
But thats not the only way to achieve bonus income through copywriting
3) Money-Making Website Writing
Lets say you like the idea of a passive income
stream and just want to write for yourself. In that
case, copywriting positions you perfectly to create a Money Making Website. The simplest way to
describe one of these is that its an informational
website on a topic youre interested in.
Once you pick a topic, you set the site up to attract web visitors who search the Internet for
information on the same topic. When they arrive

at your site, you gift them with informative content to read and they become a passive revenue stream for you.
Karen Patry of Port Angeles, Washington, is a
great example. Shes raised rabbits for over 30
years. In 2010, she started the website RaisingRabbits.com with the goal to replace her day-job
income of $3,000 a month and support herself
and her husband through retirement.
Karen used her copywriting training to write content for the different site pages and set up keywords for the search engines. She also wrote and
added an e-book for sale to the site. And on every page, Karen offers affiliate marketing links to
items like cages and rabbit food. (Affiliate marketing is where you get a commission on every sale
that originates from your site. All you have to do
is advertise the products and your affiliate partners handle all the order processing, shipping,
customer service, etc.)
Since launching her site, Karen has accumulated
over 120 incoming links from other sites that direct people to her website. Wikipedia even references her site as an authority for their information.
These days, Karens various web pages get around
186,000 views each month, making Karen more
than just an expert in the rabbit field. Thanks to
sales from her e-book and from the affiliate marketing links shes set up, she also makes money
from a wide percentage of those site visitors.
A website based on your own interests isnt the
only thing copywriting skills can promote. Copywriting is hugely beneficial when it comes to promoting one other popular writing project
4) Marketing and Promotion
of Your Own Book
Janet Grosshandler spent over 30 years as a school
counselor. Shes since funneled her knowledge
and experience into life coaching and writing. Janets projects include seven self-published books
on women empowerment along with a Facebook
page thats nearly 47,000 followers strong, called
Get Stronger, Girlfriend.
On top of that, Janet has authored three contemporary romance novels.
Janets copywriting skills made it easy for her to
put together her own website and other promotional materials. She now regularly promotes her
books and her speaking services using the power
of persuasive writing.
But thats not the only way you can use copywriting to market your creations
5) E-commerce Business Promotion
Christina Gillick became a copywriter several
years ago and quickly rose in favor with many top
clients. But rather than pursue just client projects,
she and her husband, Nick, opted to start their
own e-commerce business selling earrings.
Since launching ComfyEarrings.com in 2012,
Christina has built up a healthy passive income
stream that flows in even while she sleeps. She
used her copywriting training to write the pages
on her website and all ads and banner promotions. She also used her background in copywriting to put together a full Pay-Per-Click campaign
that sends hundreds of visitors to her site. On top
of that, shes built an entire social media presence
for her product which currently includes upwards of 13,500 Likes on Facebook.
Even better, Christina has seen a steady upward
trend in her income. Profits increase by 50%
almost every month. Her most recently reported

intake of monthly profits was $9,627.
The Single Most Important

Requirement to Learning
Copywriting
The question Im most often asked by people who
want to learn copywriting is, Where do I start?
Really, the best answer I can give you is to make
a commitment to learning. Copywriting can be
learned by anybody, but it is a developed skill and
requires study and practice over time.
What it doesnt require is a degree or any particular background or qualifications. Ive worked
with young and old copywriters in the past. Some
have advanced degrees, some have a high school
diploma. Some live in Austin where I am, others
write from halfway across the world.
The only real qualification is that you take the
time to study and learn what persuasive writing
is all about. Here are some tips Ill share with you
to get you started:
1. Read as much as you can about copywriting and direct response. AWAI offers a
free content archive that covers every topic
under the sun when it comes to persuasive
writing. (See the box on the next page for our
top copywriting book recommendations.)
2.
Copywriting is about clear communication. That means writing at least at a
sixth grade level and no higher than an
Top Copywriting and Direct-Response Book Recommendations:

ll Breakthrough Advertising by Eugene Schwartz
ll Tested Advertising Methods (Fifth Edition) by John Caples
ll Ogilvy on Advertising by David Ogilvy
ll The Copywriters Handbook: A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Copy That Sells by Robert W. Bly
ll The Architecture of Persuasion: How to Write Well-Constructed Sales Letters by Michael Masterson
eighth-grade level. Shorter sentences and
shorter words are easier for the mind to
digest. They make their point quicker and
more effectively than lengthy, 12th grade
sentences. You can check the grade level
of your writing in Microsoft Word if you go
to the Review panel and run a spelling and
grammar check. Under Readability, your
Flesch-Kincaid grade level will be displayed.
3. Write like you talk. Many of us learned to
write in a more formal way than the way we
speak. But in the world of copywriting, its
more powerful to write in a conversational
style. You can check your copy for this approach by reading what you write out loud.
If it doesnt sound like something youd say
to a friend over coffee, revise it till it does.
How Long Does it Take

to Get Started?
Theres no one-size-fits-all way to describe a
copywriting career. I know some writers who
learned the art of copywriting and had their writing businesses up and earning lots of money in a
matter of months.
Others choose to take their time, learning as their
schedules permit.
The length of time it takes you to start earning
also depends on the road to wealth you choose.
As you saw in the five examples outlined, there
are several different paths you can take with
copywriting. The biggest challenge comes in
deciding which path is right for you and your personal lifestyle goals.
Dont forget, though, that copywriting is a
learned skill. Anyone can master it, regardless of
background. But it does require that you commit
to becoming a competent copywriter and see it
through. Since its the beginning of the New Year,
right now is the best time of all to sit down and
set your year-long writing career goal, as well as
an income goal.
Then, break that goal down into 12 month-long
smaller goals, and get to it.
Your Key to Money-Earning

Power for Life
Probably one of the best things about the art
of copywriting is that it can be molded to fit
whatever kind of writing business you choose to
pursue. Remember, copywriting is a financiallyvaluable skill. Its versatile. Its adaptable. And its
a talent you can use over and over again to generate wealth.
But it all starts with taking the time to learn copywriting, the art of persuasive communication.
Editors Note: If youd like to learn more about
copywriting, I highly recommend the industrys
most acclaimed, interactive teaching program,
The Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting.
Not only will it explain the art of persuasive writing, youll also benefit from a critiqued assignment as well as access to a jobs board exclusive
to AWAI-trained copywriters.
did you know?
The Author Who

Wrote Fiction as
Real as Fact
By Katie Yeakle
anuary 31, 1709, is a day not many people know

much about, but the events that took place
became the basis for a novel everyone knows.
long exile, he constructs a fortress, fights off cannibals, saves the life of a native he calls Friday, and
eventually gets rescued.
The true story is about Alexander Selkirk, a Scottish sailor who was rescued on that
date after being stranded
for four years on an island in
the Pacific.
Now heres where truth becomes stranger than

fiction
Alexander Selkirks real-life

adventure inspired the story
of Robinson Crusoe.
Robinson Crusoe, considered
by many to be the first English novel, is the tale of an
Englishman marooned on
a deserted island for nearly
three decades. During his
Daniel Defoe, who wrote Robinson Crusoe, purposely left his name off the book when he first
published it in 1719. Why? Because he presented
the book as a true account of real events recorded by a real man named Crusoe.
While readers immediately doubted the story
was true, they didnt seem to mind even after
critic Charles Gildon published a piece showing
that Crusoe was made up and the novels episodes were fiction.
The reason readers were so accepting of this hoax
is that there was no clear distinction between fiction and nonfiction at that time. The novel was
did you know? (continued)
just emerging as a new art form and Defoe was

simply experimenting with it.
Modern day critics contend that Crusoe remains
an enduring classic because Defoe wrote a story
thats fiction, yet feels as if its nonfiction.
Here are some other interesting tidbits about Defoe and Crusoe:
llSome historians believe Defoe used the name
of a former classmate, Timothy Cruso, for his
fictional hero.
llDefoe wrote two sequels to Crusoe: The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (1719) and
Serious Reflections of Robinson Crusoe (1720).
llThe first sequel, Farther Adventures, has
Crusoe returning to his island after his wifes
death. He later travels to Madagascar, the
Far East, and Siberia after the death of Man
Friday.
llDefoe was a prolific writer who wrote more
than 500 books, pamphlets, and journals,
used roughly 200 different pseudonyms
throughout his writing career, and was a pioneer of economic journalism.
grammar check
llWhile Defoe based part of his tale on the story of Scottish castaway Selkirk, historian Tim
Severin contends the real Robinson Crusoe
figure was Henry Pitman, a castaway who escaped from a penal colony, was shipwrecked,
and stranded on a deserted Caribbean island
the same location as Crusoes island.
llThe Crusoe story has inspired many knockoffs, including J. D. Wyss The Swiss Family
Robinson, the TV series (later a film) Lost in
Space, Tom Hanks film Cast Away, R. M. Ballantynes The Coral Island, and William Goldings classic Lord of the Flies.
llThe deserted island where Selkirk was marooned was not named after the Scottish
castaway. Rather, it was named Robinson Crusoe Island because it supposedly inspired the
writing of Robinson Crusoe.
Nearly 300 years after his death, Defoe continues
to be recognized. Mont Blanc, the German manufacturer of quality pens, honored the author in
2014 by issuing the Writers Edition Daniel Defoe
fountain pen. Excluding tax and shipping, its a
steal at $1,100!
Which One Should You Use: Since or Because?

Sometimes two words are so similar in meaning, youre unsure which one to use, or even if it matters.
Take the case of the words since and because. Most of the time, they can be used interchangeably.
Both since and because imply that something caused something else. So in those cases, you can
use whichever one you like.
Here are two examples:
Because my shoes pinch my feet, I like to write barefoot.
Since my shoes pinch my feet, I like to write barefoot.
The word since can also imply time, like in the sentence: Ive been up since dawn. In this instance, the
meaning is pretty clear. But sometimes, using since can confuse the meaning of your message.
Look at this example: Since I ate lunch, Ive been so drowsy. Do you mean that in the time after lunch
occurred, youve been feeling like you could fall asleep? Or is it because you ate lunch?
Avoid confusion by always reading your writing for clarity. If the word since makes your sentence unclear,
use because instead.
thinking like a writer
How to Use The Writers Life to Cut

Your Hours, Cut Your Taxes, and
Improve the Lives of the Most
Important People in Your Life
By Jon Stoltzfus
reelance writer. The job title sounds amazing

and it is. But its not quite as simple as it
sounds.
Because ultimately, this is a business youre running. And that means you have to take on many
other roles:
business activities hes an expert at thinking,

research, and writing.
But Ill be honest, as a new copywriter Im not that
eager to send a share of my freshly-printed paychecks to other people. Ive got a mortgage to
pay and three kids to send to college.
Then it hit me
llOffice Manager
If Im Going to Pay Them Anyway,

Put Them to Work!
llMarketing Rep
llInternet Research Assistant
Like I said, Ive got three kids in this case, three

wonderful daughters who cost an unbelievable
amount of money.
llAccountant
llIdea generator
llEditor
Copywriting legend Bob Bly has often said that
he doesnt do anything he can pay someone else
to do. Otherwise, it takes time away from the core
While they all get a modest allowance, they also

get additional chores to make money like washing windows or mowing the lawn.
But then my writing business started taking off
thinking like a writer (continued)
and thats when I started learning how to place

my kids on my payroll. I call it
The Writers Life Family Style

One of the many benefits of having a family business is being able to put your kids to work. If you
can find legitimate tasks for them to do as part of
your freelance business, you can legally pay them
the going market rate, thereby shifting the tax
burden from your business to them.
As minors, they can make up to the personal deduction without paying Federal or payroll taxes.
(For example, it was $6,300 for 2015.) Thats a
pretty significant tax savings for you and you
wont have to run your kids to the local McDonalds for work.
So lets take a look at that list of tasks again and
see which ones make sense for a couple of moneyhungry teenagers.
Putting Your Kids on the Payroll

I recently added both my 16-year old, Bailey, and
my 13-year old, Megan, to the payroll of my business. As an LLC operating as a sole proprietorship, I meet all the conditions of a family business according to the IRS. But it is a business, so
even though theyre my kids, I need to treat them
somewhat like employees.
That means I gave them job titles, a job description, an industry-standard rate, and I keep a
timesheet in Excel and pay them by company
check on a regular basis.
So what do they do? Simple anything I can
have them do that allows me to spend time on
thinking, research, and writing for my clients.
Bailey is in 10th grade. Shes an excellent student,
a very good writer, and a naturally inquisitive kid.
And shes now my Internet Research Assistant.
In this role, she collects information on the companies in my writing niche the financial industry. She routinely gathers information on products, including current price, current promotion,
Jon peeks over the divider that separates his office from a play
area; a reminder that he's never far from his three girls
guarantees, ads theyre running on their site

essentially anything that helps me keep tabs on
what my clients and my clients competitors are
doing.
She also helps to manage my Swipe File and will
do additional research on-demand for me when I
need it for a promotion.
Bailey is also an excellent proofreader. I can have
her follow the CUBA review guidelines, meaning
she goes through and looks for anything that is
confusing, unbelievable, boring, or awkward. If
she finds and highlights something, then I know I
have some editing to do.
Megan is in 8th grade and she recently signed on
as an Office Assistant. She loves to organize things
something my office needed badly.
thinking like a writer (continued)
Megans duties include printing background data

for my new projects and organizing them into
binders, helping to file my offline Swipe File, and
general cleanup and organization of my office.
Megan also acts as a proofreader. As an 8th grader,
shes right in the sweet spot for a real-life version
of the Flesch-Kincaid (FK) score. Any words or
phrases she highlights tell me that maybe I started getting too refined with my word choice.
But while the financial benefit is unbeatable,
there are also a couple extra perks of my family
version of the writers life
How to Raise Smart, Confident,

Self-Reliant Teenagers
If you happen to figure this out, then please email
me!
Okay, seriously I want to touch on several other
things Ive realized during my first year as a freelance writer:

llIf your kids love reading and writing, having
them get involved in your business is a great
way to grow your relationship in a totally different way.
llSaving on taxes should never be underappreciated, but it pales in comparison to helping
your kids learn the value of a dollar earned.
llLook for places to apply all youve learned as
a writer with your kids. I cant tell you how
much the So What? method has helped my
kids with various aspects of their schoolwork.
(This is where you dig deeper for benefits, asking yourself So What? every time you want
to explain the importance of something.)
I could go on and on. For now, Ill just say that living the writers life with your kids may be an even
better option than living it for them.
the barefoot writing challenge
Congratulations to the Winner of the December Barefoot

Writing Challenge!
Last months Challenge was to write an essay that answered this question:
Tell us about one thing you did this year or one step you took
toward making your Barefoot Writing dream a reality.
And if youre already seeing payoff, tell us about that, too!
We were thrilled to discover so many Barefoot Writers took big (and brave) steps toward success this
year, and are seeing impressive payoff.
But one essay stood above the rest in its fresh take on old advice. Not only that, but the writer has
experienced tremendous payoff thanks to this single, daily action. To find out who won, go to our
Barefoot Writing Challenge Winners Page.
Win $100 if Your Essay is Chosen in Our January Challenge:

People have different motivations to write. Besides making a living, writing can
give you deeper benefits like more freedom, flexibility, emotional well-being, etc.
What deeper benefit do you hope to achieve in 2016 through writing?
Send your entries to [email protected] by midnight ET on January 18th.
The Barefoot Writer team will award the winning entry $100! Please submit entries as a Microsoft Word
attachment and limit your essay to 500 words or less.
reader poll
Here are your December Poll Results! We asked:
If you could go back in time and start your writing
career again, what would you do differently now?
62%
46%
31%
31%
29%
27%
17%
15%
Id start earlier instead of sitting on the

fence
Id take more risks right away instead of
being afraid
Id try new writing opportunities earlier
in my writing career
12%
12%
8%
Id practice my writing more before approaching clients

Id set higher fees
Id ask more people for feedback before

submitting a writing project
Here's what else you said
Feedback on writing samples

Id take the time to pick a niche sooner
Id connect with more writers, sooner
Id specialize in a writing opportunity
sooner
Id go to more live events and industry
conferences
n I wish I had known about copywriting AND

gotten into it 30 years ago!
n I wouldn't allow "naysayers" to influence me.

n I would master persuasive content.
n To actually get started.
n I would continue submitting my writing even
after getting a rejection.
e
lark, winn er of th
C
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lin
au
P
to
S
N
O
on. com Gif t Card!
CONGRATULAT I
az
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A
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December 20 15 dr
Answer this months Reader Poll question for your

chance to win a $100 Amazon.com Gift Card!
How will you hold yourself accountable to your
goals in 2016? Among your choices this month:
n Ill tell friends and family what I want to
do and the goals Im trying to achieve
n Ill join a group of other writers who will
press me to meet my goals
n I plan to meditate on my goals every day
n Ill make a vision board that hangs on my
wall and reminds me daily of my goals
n Ill hang a list of my goals on my wall so

I see it constantly and am reminded of
what I want to accomplish
n I will invest in something significant
that proves I take my writing career
seriously
n Ill keep a journal of my progress
Discover 7 more ways to keep yourself

accountable when you click here
become a better writer

Follow-up NaNoWriMo 2015
What happens when you

set a goal to write 50,000
words in just 30 days?
5 writers share how NaNoWriMo

changed their lives
By Li Vasquez-Noone
n our October Essay Contest, we asked readers

to tell us, What it will mean to you to complete the NaNoWriMo Challenge in November
and FINALLY write the book youve always
dreamed of writing?
You answered, and our five lucky winners were
Lisa, Marina, Kara, Syndee, and Katy. They each
received a $500 prize, and their essays were published on our website.
These five writers also participated in National
Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) in November.
They committed to writing 50,000 words in 30
days, or an average of 1,667 words a day.
What effect does a project of this magnitude
have on your writing? We checked in with our
Essay Winners at the beginning of December, to

find out what happened during their NaNoWriMo
experience.
Did they reach 50K words?

Lisa, Marina, and Kara each hit 50K words and beyond. Lisa had the highest word count, ending
the month with an amazing 81,126 words in November. Well-done!
Even though Katy and Syndee didnt reach their
goal of 50K words, they were still positive about
their efforts. As Katy says, I only got in 10,000
words and change this time, but I was happy with
my overall attitude shift. No matter what the
word count, they got a big benefit from making
progress toward a goal.
become a better writer (continued)
What did they learn

from NaNoWriMo?
Katy found that writing daily helped silence her

inner editor so she could concentrate on getting
words on the page. This was a great refresher for
me in terms of getting back to basics and getting
out of my own head.
Discipline was key to each writers success. Almost

all of them scheduled time to write every day, and
set a daily word count to meet. Lisa said, having a word count to meet every day, it helped me
to be more descriptive, more inclined to show
rather than just tell.
And Marina discovered an unexpected benefit.

Having done this for the past month now has really created a momentum for me, which is translating over into my now editing process with my
book, as well as into my freelance writing business I seem to have picked up three new clients just this week!
They also realized how important it was to build

a daily writing habit. A schedule, and daily writing goals got them through busy days when they
might otherwise have been tempted not to write.
How has this changed their

views of what they can
accomplish as writers?
Marina learned a good formula for her writing:

Writing things down on a schedule and sticking
to them as much as possible + being kind to yourself + staying even keel = SUCCESS!
Its not surprising that all of the writers said they

have more confidence after NaNoWriMo, from
tackling a long writing project, trying something
different (fiction vs. copywriting), and just seeing
they have it in them to write and edit.
Syndee also discovered something new about her

personal writing style. Although I had a synopsis,
research, and a general outline for the book, Im
not a pantser I need planning. A tight outline
is needed. I cant write without one! By having a
great skeleton for the book, filling in everything
else becomes easier and thats where the pantsing comes in after the planning.
I remember when I first started trying to write

novels, most of them were no longerthan short
stories and I would get discouraged, said Lisa.
Writing for such a long story its a daunting
task, but it can be done and I can do it!
How did this change

them as writers?
Do they have any plans

for their manuscripts?
NaNoWriMo reinforced their discipline and commitment to their daily writing practice.
Syndee pitched her story idea to an editor, who

wants to see the finished manuscript. Shes planning to finish and edit her novel, and send it in
to see what happens. Marina is editing her novel with the intent of getting it published. Lisa is
Kara also renewed her commitment to writing

for her own personal benefit. Im on a mission to
make time every day for my fiction writing. Id lost
sight of how much I enjoy it.
Lisa
Marina
Kara
Syndee
Katy
become a better writer (continued)
about 75% done with her story, and will decide

what to do when its finished. Katy is also still
working on her first draft, but would love to see it
finished and published. And Kara isnt happy with
her story arc, so she plans to start over and finish
it.
How about any new

writing goals?
Everyone agreed that they want to keep the momentum going and keep writing every day. They
all said that consistent writing is part of their lives
now, whether its finishing up the novel theyre
working on, starting a new fiction project, or
working on more copywriting projects for clients.
Id love, love, love to get this book written, said
Kara. Its been in my head for years (along with
a few others I keep a running list). So my goal
is to make time to write fiction every day. Maybe
just 30 minutes to an hour each day.
Syndee said NaNoWriMo sparked a new project.
The whole experience also made me realize I
know a heck of a lot about publishing, so Im contemplating that as a key blog focus for my new
website (set to launch soon!).
How can you can benefit from the

NaNoWriMo experience?
NaNoWriMo comes around again each November. But you dont have to wait a year to get these
benefits. You can get started right now.
Simply commit to 30 days of daily writing. Set a
goal for your daily word count, such as 250, 500,
or 1,000 words a day. Writing every day for 30
days is long enough to develop a lasting habit,
and make a lot of progress on any large project.
And you dont even have to write a novel. There
are many other things you can write about. For
example, you can use NaNoWriMo to write a
non-fiction book, a blog, a journal, or even selfpromotional content like web copy or a brochure
that sells your writing services.
At the end of the 30 days, youll have a new daily
writing habit, and maybe even the foundation for
your new life as a Barefoot Writer!
As Katy says, The best part about NaNoWriMo is
that it is whatever you make it and you can use it
to your advantage in whatever way you need at
the time.
cover photo contest Win $100!
You Could Be On The Cover Of The Next Issue Of

Barefoot Writer Magazine PLUS Win $100!
What does your Barefoot Writer lifestyle look like? We want to know!
Send us a photo of you living your dream as a Barefoot Writer. It just might be chosen as the
cover shot of an upcoming issue. If it is well send you a check for $100.
Here are some tips for submitting a winning photo:
n Please make sure your shot is vertical, not horizontal.
n Make sure your camera is set to its highest resolution setting.
n Be sure the subject of your photo does not fill the whole frame so there is room for
copy on all sides.
Our designer needs room at the top for the name of the magazine and along the sides for the
cover blurbs. Check out this month's cover page for an example of what we're looking for.
Just email your submission here: [email protected].
productivty secrets
How Standing Improves

Your Health and
Writing Career
By Elizabeth Blessing
oes your stomach ever get queasy right before a big writing deadline or a meeting with
an important client?
You know what I mean that churning, worse
than butterflies-in-your-gut feeling?
So, what do you do? Reach for an antacid? Practice deep breathing? Maybe lie down for a few
minutes?
Well, apparently writers dyspepsia has been
a well-known ailment among writers for some
time. In the July 1883 edition of Popular Science
Monthly, Felix L. Oswald, M.D., suggested the following remedy:
At the first symptoms of indigestion,
bookkeepers, entry-clerks, authors, and editors should at once get a telescope-desk. Literary occupations need not necessarily involve
sedentary habits Schrebers telescope-desk
enables the writer to sit and stand by turns,
and has the further advantage of a sloping top
that eases the wrist by resting the weight of

the arm upon the elbow.
In 1883, what Dr. Oswald called a telescopedesk is known today as a standing or stand up
desk.
It occurred to me a few years ago that I might
want to give writing while standing a try. While
not a sufferer of writers dyspepsia, I was definitely experiencing back and neck aches after
long hours of sitting at my computer.
I remembered reading that Ernest Hemingway
and Winston Churchill used standing desks. This
tidbit of information spurred my quest to learn
more about the potential health benefits of writing while standing.
The Scientist and His

Magic Underwear Experiment
One article on the topic that fascinated me was on
Dr. James Levine, a Mayo Clinic researcher, who
productivity secrets (continued)
He concluded that too much sitting was a dangerous if not downright lethal activity. He
likened it to the health risks associated with cigarette smoking.
According to Dr. Levine, too much sitting decreases the electrical activity in the muscles and
increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
It increases the risk of obesity and developing
heart disease.
One 13-year study of 17,000 participants found
that people who spend most of their day sitting
are 54% more likely to die of heart attacks.
And lest you think you can undo a days worth of
sitting by hitting the gym after work, think again.
According to both Dr. Levine and researchers at
the American Cancer Society, the health benefits
of daily exercise are not enough to counteract the
damage done from sitting all day.
Yikes! I thought after reading the research. So,
whats a writer to do whose job requires her to
spend long stretches of time sitting on her keister
pounding out copy?
Elizabeth uses a Techni Mobili mobile laptop
desk she purchased on Amazon for $60.
It's height-adjustable and includes locking wheels.
specializes in inactivity studies. In 2005, Dr. Levine

outfitted test subjects with skintight shorts that
had sensors attached to the thighs and wires
leading to a portable data-collecting device.
These motion-tracking shorts (dubbed magic
underwear by The New York Times reporter
who covered the story) measured every movement twice a second, 24-hours a day that
participants made as they went about their daily
activities. The shorts tracked an amazing amount
of data, including the amount of time subjects
spent lying, standing, walking, or sitting.
Dr. Levines findings turned common perceptions
about activity and health upside down.
Well, according to Dr. Levine, the key is to break

up periods of sitting with activity. Its the hours
of uninterrupted sitting that play havoc with our
bodies and overall good health.
Dr. Levines simple solution? Move more at work
and get up for 10 minutes every hour.
How I Became a Stand Up

Kind of Gal
Dr. Levines study convinced me. As part of my
2015 New Years Resolution, I purchased a standing desk and resolved to be more active during
my workday.
Heres what Ive learned over the past year:
ll Theres a surprising number of standing
desk options on the market. They range
in price from $60 for a mobile, height-adjustable laptop cart (which is what I use and love)
all the way to $1,500 for a treadmill desk.
productivity secrets (continued)
Yes, thats right, its a desk attached to a walking treadmill so you can surf the Web, write
your copy, and exercise all at the same time.
Talk about multitasking!
for a few hours at a time. I alternate between

standing and sitting throughout the day, listening to my bodys signals to alert me when
its time for a break.
If you dont want to give up your current desk,

or youre tight on space and dont have room
for an additional piece of furniture, there are
kits that will convert your current desk to
a standing desk. These range from $100 to
$200.
ll I categorize which work activities I can do

standing up. For intense writing projects
that require focus, I found Im more productive sitting down.
If youre looking for a motorized desk that will

allow you to go from sitting to standing at the
press of a button, you might be interested in
IKEAs Bekant desk (starting at $489).
One caveat: You can get most of these options online, but youll probably need to do
some assembly. A friend and I assembled my
standing desk in a couple of hours.
ll Alternating between standing and sitting
works best for me. Initially, in my zeal to
perfect my new standing-while-working routine, I overdid it. I put in way too many hours
of uninterrupted standing. My productivity
plummeted and I ended up with achy feet
and legs.
A quick online search pointed me to studies
that showed excessive standing has its own
set of health risks, including varicose veins
and carotid artery disease.
So, moderation seems to be the key when
making the sitting-to-standing transition.
With the help of good shoes and a standing
mat, I can now comfortably stand and write
However, I found that many of my work activities are easy to do standing up. This includes
talking on the phone, responding to email,
copy editing, attending webinars, creating
client proposals, dictating copy, and doing
online research. I now automatically move
my laptop to my standing desk when doing
these activities. This easily adds two hours of
standing time to my daily routine.
ll I avoid staying frozen in one position for
long periods of time. Whether Im standing
or sitting, I found that a lack of movement in
any position leads to discomfort. I use an online timer set to 30 minutes to remind me to
get up and stretch if Im sitting, or do a few
squats and lunges if Im standing.
ll I became a fidgeter. Now that Im conscious
about movement and its importance to my
good health, I indulge in fun bouts of fidgeting throughout the day. I wiggle my toes.
Rock back and forth in my chair. Drum my fingers on my desktop. Bust a quick dance move
when nobodys looking.
So, to sum up, in the year since I started my totally
non-scientific, standing-while-working experiment,
Ive dropped 8 lbs. toned my legs and thighs
and have eliminated my back and neck aches.
I have more energy which means I can take on
and complete more writing projects. And, yes, my
writing income has increased, too.
Just in case youre curious Am I standing as I
type out these last few words? You betcha!
mobile freelancer
Untethered: How to be a Mobile Freelancer
Get an Internet
Phone Number
By Kimberly Weitkamp
Editors Note: Many readers have asked us for tips
on how to maintain a freelance writing business
while traveling. Our new series, Untethered, by
Kimberly Weitkamp, shows you how.
any of us dream of the writers life. We want

to feel the breeze on the beach while we
work on our next project travel the world and
write with a view of the Coliseum or the Eiffel
Tower spend more time with family and still
have the ability to earn.
Whats the first step? You need a way for people

to contact you, no matter where in the world you
are. You could be on a beach on the Mediterranean Sea on Nicaraguas Emerald Coast or
in a small town in North Carolina and still receive
your important business calls. But how?
Getting an Internet number is one of the easiest
and most important first steps in launching your
Mobile Freelancing life.
Use Technology to Stay Connected

You can use the Internet to make and receive calls
for free or at a low-cost, in whatever faraway places you choose to write. Many apps and programs
let you do this. However, most require you and
your client to have a specific app or downloadable program.
There are two low-cost options that dont require
your client to use an app: Google Voice and Skype
Number.
Google Voice is great if you

llAre in the United States
llHave a U.S. phone number
llWant to use it mainly in the USA
Your account must be set up in the USA. Account
holders who leave the United States can only use
the service via their computer.
mobile freelancer (continued)
freedom of conducting your business anywhere

in the United States. Whether you travel within
the States work from the beach or hold your
business call in a local museum, the number always stays the same. (Note: If you switch phone
companies, you need to port your number for
$20.)
A Skype Number is
your best choice if you:
llAre outside the United States
llWant a business phone number not connected to an existing phone number
Incoming calls from the USA or Canada are

free. You can call most numbers in the United
States and Canada for free, too! Google Voice is
free to download and use, except when calling
internationally.
So what do you do if you have overseas clients?
Simply dial from your phone for a low rate of between $.01 and $.06 a minute, depending on the
country.
One caveat: Google Voice must be attached to an
existing phone number. Its great if you want the
Its $60 a year for the number and a subscription.

This gives you unlimited calls to landlines and
mobile numbers in the United States and Canada. Thats the same as a single month with a cell
phone plan carrier! And you can write it off as a
business expense!
You can base your number in one of 24 countries.
That sets you up to receive phone calls on your
tablet, computer, or smart phone from anywhere
in the world for free.
Both Google Voice and Skype Number require an
Internet connection. If you have a local SIM card,
you can use data or Wi-Fi without worrying about
roaming fees.
Get Involved with Barefoot Writer!

4 Ways to Make the Most of Your Membership:
1. Want to call yourself a published writer?
Then write an essay for this months Barefoot Writing Challenge contest. Plus, you could win $100 and if your writing style impresses us, you might even be asked to write
for The Barefoot Writer!
3. Care to help other writers?

Chime in on our Reader Poll. Each months poll results help
you understand your fellow writers. They also help us better tailor our content to your needs.
2. Are you living the writers life?

Show us! Submit a photo of your life as a Barefoot Writer.
You could win a $100 Amazon gift card for snapping a
4. Have something to share?

Submit any thoughts, questions, opinions, or stories about
your own writers life to [email protected].
simple photo. And, youll get to call yourself a cover model.
monthly motivator
On Potatoes, Carrots, and

Setting Achievable
Writing Goals
By Les Worley
e just got back from 10 fabulous days in Ecuador. It felt like paradise the mountains,
cloud forests, waterfalls Its easy to picture myself there someday, as a Barefoot Writer.
But like potatoes, goals should come in all

shapes and sizes. If you set only lofty, abstract
goals, reaching them can be rather daunting. For
example:
One of the things that impresses me most about

Ecuador is its biodiversity. More than just exotic
plants and wildlife, theres also a huge variety
of fresh, local produce. And the climate makes it
available year round.
Im going to taste every one of those potatoes.
I was shocked to learn that over 4,000 types of potatoes grow in those mountains! And the carrots?
They come in just about any color orange,
white, purple, black, yellow and in every size,
too.
Silly, yes, even if you really love potatoes! And a

pretty tall order, too. Even if only half of those
4,000 varieties are edible, youre still looking at
5 years of steady eating. And thats if you try a
new kind every single day.
A writers goals are no different. Finding financial
independence, for example, is a big mountain to
climb. Especially if youre just starting out.
Your Personal Mountain of Goals
You cant eat a mountain of potatoes without first

mashing them, one at a time. The key is to break
down a big goal into smaller, more manageable
chunks.
As a writer, setting explicit goals is important.

When we reach those goals, were reminded of
how much progress weve made.
Instead of a two- or three-year goal, what specific

actions can you commit to over the next three
months? Updating your website? Landing a new
So what does a bunch of vegetables have to do

with my success as a writer and yours?
monthly motivator (continued)
client? A steady monthly income? Then break it

down even further what can you complete in
30 days this week or just today?
The Long-Term Value

of Short-Term Rewards
Slicing your goals into bite-sized pieces isnt always enough. Sometimes we need a little extra
incentive a reward to keep things moving
along. Kind of like dangling a carrot in front of a
horse, to make sure it finishes the race.
But freelancers dont have a boss to give them a
raise or a pat on the head. We have to create our
own carrots.
Like goals, these rewards come in many shapes
and sizes. Whatever their shape, size, or color,
whats important is that we have them and
that we reward ourselves when we reach each
goal whatever it is.
This works with even the smallest tasks. Each
night, I make a short list of five or six must-do
items I can complete the next day. Like finishing
up an article invoicing a client or following
up on a lead. Small potatoes, maybe, but they
move me forward, toward the larger goals.
And when I finish my list? I get a carrot a workout, a long walk with the dog, or maybe a nap!
You can substitute a latte, a cerveza, a snack
whatever you like. Just remember, when you do
what you set out to do, its okay to treat yourself
a bit.
Maybe you allow yourself a movie or a night out
when you complete your weekly actions. Or, if
you have a 30-day milestone and hit it, you go try
on that jacket youve been eyeing. And when you
hit your yearly target, you might just deserve a
nice vacation maybe Ecuador!
You get the idea. The bigger the goal, the bigger
the reward.
Les and husband Casey in awe of the cloud forest

in the Antisana Ecological Reserve, Ecuador
Can You Have Too Many Incentives?

All your goals from the smallest daily tasks up
to your big end game are targets. Always do
your best to hit them. However, dont beat yourself
up if you miss one. (The one exception is a client
deadline!) And remember your goals will change
over time.
Rewards can change, too, especially the small
ones. Its okay to cut down on dessert, if you
dont need the motivation as often. But if you do
find yourself slipping, just dangle another carrot.
Its important to always set yourself carrots for
those bigger goals. After all, we write to have the
freedom and the means to do whatever we want.
So go ahead! Plan that night out that new
kitchen that vacation Its what youre working for.
Oh, and about my Barefoot Writing in Ecuador?
Thats my shiny 24K carrot. True, I have a few
more milestones before I get there. But thats
okay Ill make sure there are plenty of other
carrots along the way.
ask AWAI
Rebecca
Q:
A:
Katie
As managing partners of AWAI, Katie Yeakle and Rebecca

Matter have guided, motivated, and celebrated thousands
of Barefoot Writers over the years. Got a question for them?
Send it here: [email protected]
I want to start making money right away.

What should I do first?
(Katie Yeakle) There are several ways to

start making money quickly as a writer.
But to make that experience as easy and enjoyable as possible, heres what I recommend:
1. Map out your goals beyond money. Money is
definitely a motivator, but it only gets you so
far. What are you really after? Do you want to
quit your day job? Have more flexibility with
your schedule? Supplement a fixed income?
2. Set time constraints. Decide how much you
want to make by the end of the year, then
break it down month-by-month. (Expect to
make less money in the first few months of
launching your writing business.) Then, decide how much time each week you can devote to writing. Make yourself a schedule and
stick to it.
3. Choose a writing industry that has high demand and pays well. Copywriting would be
my first recommendation. Beyond that, look
into writing for the Business-to-Business
(B2B) market, or online writing. Use a third of
your weekly writing time to study your chosen craft of writing, a third to building your
online presence (through LinkedIn and your
professional website), and a third of your
time reaching out to prospective clients.
How do I write a resume to clients offering my services when I have no
experience?
Q:
A:
(Rebecca Matter) Clients who hire writers

dont expect a resume in the traditional
way. Instead, they like to get a sense of who you
are, what your background is, and of course, your
writing ability.
The two best ways to do this are through a LinkedIn profile and through your own professional
ask AWAI (continued)
writers website. Start with the LinkedIn profile

since its free and easy to set up. Even if you dont
have writing samples or experience to share, clients gain a lot of insight into how you write based
on how you present yourself through your profile. Describe your past work experience and/or
education in a conversational, polished manner.
The same is true for your website. Every page
on your website is a writing sample of its own,
so make sure it takes the tone your ideal client
would want to see. Present yourself as a professional and focus on what you can do for your clients, not on what they can do for you. (In other
words, dont talk about your dream of being a
writer and making lots of money talk about

how you can help them attract more prospects
or convert more buyers.)
As you gain experience and your portfolio grows,
you can add writing samples to your LinkedIn
profile and your website. But dont think this is a
step you have to take. Plenty of highly-paid copywriters I know dont have samples on their profiles and sites. Their writing stands on its own as
a way to showcase their ability. Meaning, even if
youre just starting out and have no samples, you
can present your writing in a polished, professional way, which works to your advantage in lieu
of a resume.
Want to write for Barefoot Writer Magazine or any other publication?

Heres what you need to know
1. Follow Directions.
It might seem obvious, but its not uncommon to skip details in the excitement of submitting work to a publication or writing contest. Before you
submit your final copy, always go back and check for submission guidelines. Pay close attention to word count limits and formatting requirements.
2. Submit Your Copy as an Attachment in Microsoft Word.

Unless otherwise specified, this is the industry standard.
3. Name Your File Appropriately.
Include the name of the publication or contest in your file name, and include your own name as well. If
youre short on space, at least include your last name.
4. Put Your Name and Contact Information on Your Actual Copy Submission.
Even if youre submitting by email, where your name and contact information are obvious, you cant assume your copy submission will stay linked to your email. Staff members for a magazine may save your
Word attachment to a separate folder for the editor to review at a later date. If your name and contact
information arent on that Word document, you might be sacrificing your shot at getting published.
5. Review Your Submission for Typos and Errors at Least Twice!
Even the most glaring typos sneak by the best writers. Here are two tips to avoid embarrassing typos: Read
your submission aloud, slowly. This is a great way to pick up errors your eyes otherwise miss while reading.
Or, try reading your submission one sentence at a time, starting at the end. By reading backwards, youre
more likely to notice errors that otherwise sneak by when read normally.
the glicken
What is Glicken? Its a Yiddish word referring to the icing on the cake. That extra reward on top of the
regular benefits you get as a Barefoot Writer. Every month, well showcase a Barefoot Writer we know whos
enjoying a little Glicken. Have a Glicken story of your own? Send it to: [email protected].
How an AWAI Idea Helped

Me Get Millions of Dollars
of Free Advertising on a
National TV Show
By Wesley Murph
ould you like more new customers than you

can handle?
Then you need to get on TV.

But getting on TV is impossible, right?
Wrong! In fact, today Im going to show you how
an AWAI idea helped me get millions of dollars of
free advertising on a national TV show. And how,
with a little effort, you can do the same thing.
The story starts on November 17, 2006. Thats the
day I opened a small pet business in Los Angeles.
It was also the day I discovered that people would
not line up outside my business and beg me to
take their money, just because I hung an Open
sign on my door.
And since I had bills to pay overhead to cover
and food to put in the kibble bowl I had to
get my phone ringing.
So heres what I did:

I drove to Barnes and Noble. I made my way to
the Im desperate for some business section.
And after thumbing through a few marketing
books, I discovered an idea that sounded like it
might work.
AWAI talks about this idea all the time.
So a few days later, I tested it.
And to my surprise, my phone started to ring.
So I tried it again, and my phone rang some more.
Months later, this little idea helped me add dozens of new customers to my schedule. It kept
Franklins in my register. Eventually, it helped me
dominate my neighborhood, since my competitors were not aware of this idea.
But why stay small?
the glicken (continued)
I figured Id test this idea on a bigger scale, to see

if it would get my business featured on a national
TV show. Deep down, I didnt really believe my
plan would work. But you never know until you
try.
Cesars van pulled up outside of my business. A

bevy of cameramen makeup artists lighting guys assistants assistants to assistants
and everyone in between herded into my
850-square-foot business.
Heres what happened next:
And then, an imaginary drumroll echoed in my

business as the man of the hour waltzed in
with a posse of dogs in tow.
I launched this campaign on a national scale. And

a few weeks later, my phone rang. Ill never forget
what my employee said to me, Wes, you have to
take this call. It sounds urgent.
I never expected who was on the phone. Or what
they would say to me. But my life was about to
change, in a big way
Hello. This is Wes. How can I help you? I said.
Wes. This is Kay Sumner. Im the producer of
Cesar Millans TV show The Dog Whisperer. I was
wondering if youd want to be on Cesars show?
Kay asked.
Be on Cesar Millans TV show? Was this really
happening?
I must have said yes, because a month later,
The first thing Cesar said to me, as we sat down,

and went hot was his famous line How
can I help you?
To make a long story short, Cesar and I had killer
chemistry. In fact, once the cameras rolled, we
never stopped yakking except for a lunch
break. I still remember the cameramen getting peeved because they couldnt change tape
fast enough, while Cesar and I went on another
tangent.
I asked Cesar how he got on Oprahs couch.
I asked Cesar how he hooked up with celebrity
actress Jada Pinkett Smith.
Wesley Murph (left) talks to Cesar Millan during the video shoot for Cesars show, The Dog Whisperer
barefootWriter Page 4 4 Januar y 2016
the glicken (continued)
I even asked Cesar how he snuck across the border, which was a question I probably shouldnt
have asked.
In between my Larry-King-like questioning, Cesar
and I used many of his training philosophies on
three troubled dogs in my store.
Twelve hours later, Cesar and his team left.
Six months after that, my show aired on The National Geographic Channel.
But perhaps most impressive is what happened
when I walked into my store after that TV show
aired: As I flicked on the lights, I noticed my answering machine was flashing like lights on the
Starship Enterprise.
You have 74 new messages my answering machine belted out.
74 new messages? How could that be?
I dont remember how many customers I got from
that show. Several hundred? Maybe a thousand?
Whats important is how I pulled off this marketing stunt:
Remember when I told you I was thumbing
through marketing books at Barnes and Noble,
desperate for some customers? Well, somehow,
I discovered a book about writing sales letters.
And right away, I began writing them.
First, to prospects in my neighborhood.
Then, to bigger fish like Cesar Millan.
In the end, the power of writing a sales letter
helped me add 2,000 customers to my pet business. It helped fill my schedule two years in advance. It helped me dominate my neighborhood,
which was packed with competitors like dimples
on a golf ball.
Perhaps most impressive was the fact that a single sales letter got my business featured on Cesar
Millans TV show The Dog Whisperer.
Mind you, this wasnt any rag-tag sales letter. It included testimonials. It included several
The publicity of being on Cesars show landed Wes and his dog
grooming business a feature story in his local newspaper
newspaper articles. And, it contained potent psychology even Cesar couldnt ignore.
In the end, I learned two powerful lessons from
this experience:
First, you never know until you try. The part I
havent revealed (until now) is that I was not going to mail that letter to Cesar Millan. And the reason? Because I felt Cesar was too big for me.
Big mistake.
As I said, the fact is, you never know until you try.
Cesar, like everyone else, is a human being. With
feelings. Fears. Doubts. And dreams. Goals. And
goof-ups. And losing the battle before youve
even fought the war, is not a good plan in business or in life.
Lucky for me, my wife encouraged me to mail
that letter. And the rest is history
The second thing I learned is that a personal letter out-pulled every marketing campaign I ever
tried. In fact, if you tied me down and said, Wes
you can only use one campaign to get customers. What would you use?
Id write a letter.
Finally
A Professional Organization for
the Benefit of All Direct Response
Industry Ad and Content Writers.
(Best of all, membership neednt cost you one single penny!)
he Professional Writers Alliance is dedicated to helping you

improve your persuasive-writing skills, network with writers and
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Youll learn all thats new and happening within our exciting and
fast-paced industry including the latest opportunities to emerge
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Youll enjoy full and unfettered access to a long line of benefits,
including:
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ways to quickly elevate your writing and marketing
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Whether you are (or aim to be) an ad writer, web writer, website
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organization neednt cost you one red cent!
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(Including a FREE GIFT Weve Set Aside for You!)

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barefootWriter

Issue 53 January 2016

The Empowering Writing

PLUS: Cut Your Hours and Enhance the Lives of the

Living the Writers Life

Barefoot Writer Les Worley at a small helados

25 Did You Know?

Thinking Like A Writer

29 The Barefoot Writing Challenge

barefootWriter Page 2 Januar y 2016

what youll learn in this issue

The Secret to Achieving

heres just something exciting

Although that depends on two

Publishers: Katie Yeakle and

American Writers & Artists Inc., 2016. All rights reserved.

barefootWriter Page 3 Januar y 2016

a living, writing can give you

My goal for 2016 is to reach a point of stability where Im comfortable

Having a portable career one that goes with me as I travel

barefootWriter Page 4 Januar y 2016

living the writers life

Barefoot Writers Come

How Intense Desire Led Jewel Pickert to

ewel Pickert is refreshingly bold and direct about

Youve found success as an author. How did

How long have you been a working writer?

Jewel exercising: Jewel enjoys working out because of the way it

barefootWriter Page 5 Januar y 2016

living the writers life (continued)

You also have a lot of experience in public

Jewel in bookstore: Jewels favorite writing spot is at a

4) Copywriting makes me more observant of human nature and psychology.

barefootWriter Page 6 Januar y 2016

living the writers life (continued)

Focused Family Man Pursues Barefoot

on Stoltzfus made a commitment to Barefoot

and productive. What are your favorites, and

What first got you interested in copywriting?

I find most apps via Google or articles by other

Like many people, I didnt realize copywriting

Im a tech geek, so I love my toys and apps. I use

Youve found success relatively quickly. What

You still work full time in another job. How is

Jon at home actively working on a writing project

barefootWriter Page 7 Januar y 2016

living the writers life (continued)

Bootcamp and to make a good connection with

Jon took his kids and wife on a hiking trip to Yosemite

You have to evaluate your own personal situation

barefootWriter Page 8 Januar y 2016

interview with a barefoot writer

andy Franks is hands-down one of the nicest

Financial Attilas, and Barbarians of Oil: How the

barefootWriter Page 9 Januar y 2016

interview with a barefoot writer (continued)

Was writing always a hobby, or something

Learning on your feet! Did you figure out what

I did. That taught me a lot about the metrics of the

I worked in the PR department of a major hospital.