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12 Strategies to Make Your Blog More Interesting

This is a guest post by Michael Cash. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.

One of the biggest (and most important) challenges that bloggers face is making their blog stand out from the masses and hit home with a group of readers. From generating the content itself to handling aspects of the blog’s organization and design, it can be difficult to come up with interesting ideas to add that personal touch to your posts.

Provided here are 12 strategies to make your blog more interesting. If you’re having trouble keeping your readers interested in your blog, the answer may be below.

1. Prove to your readers that you know what you’re talking about. Accomplish this with an About Me page, and include your education history, certifications and places where your content has been published.

2. Post a poll or a survey with software such as Blog Poll or Poll Daddy. Allowing your readers to interact with your blog beyond simply reading it can keep their attention. As a bonus, you can learn more about what your readers want to know more about.

3. Consider using SEO services to generate a list of keywords that will not only bring new traffic to your blog, but likely touch on some of the subjects that your regular readers want addressed. You might be surprised at some of the keywords related to your blog that are revealed – some that you may not have ever thought about before.

4. Respond to your readers’ comments. Blog readers like to know that their comments are taken seriously, and the debates you engage in may provide inspiration for future posts.

5. Create catchy titles. Words and phrases such as “how to,” “reasons why,” “lessons,” “secrets,” and “top” catch the reader’s attention because they imply that the information included in your post will be direct, actionable, specific and/or rare.

6. Include images and graphs to illustrate your points. Free charts are available from sites such as MarketingCharts.com and Compete.com. If you need to post an image that you didn’t originally create, be sure to use legally available images from sites such as Flickr and ImageShack that fall under the Creative Commons license.

7. Post your contact information to make your blog more personal. You don’t need to disclose sensitive information such as your phone number, but you can at least list your email address and perhaps your Skype contact name.

8. Link to a relevant Youtube video, or create your own video content. Most Internet users prefer to watch instead of reading. Videos are especially useful for product review blogs, live music blogs and other types of content that demand more than a text explanation.

9. List your sources. Phrases such as “studies show” or “according to some” don’t mean much unless they’re attached to a credible, authoritative source.

10. Include some humor. Even the driest, most rigid, most academic subject matter can benefit from some irony or a light jab. Including humor in your posts reminds the reader that you’re a live human being, not a machine simply spewing facts.

11. Include hashtags in your posts. A hashtag is a # symbol attached to a word of interest, such as #Obama or #Lollapalooza. You can use hashtags to categorize your posts, and make the keywords attached to them easier to follow. For example, your reader could click a word affixed with a hashtag and see all of the other posts on your blog that include that hashtag.

12. Don’t post “walls of text.” Break up your content with white space, headings, subheadings, shorter paragraphs, and bulleted lists. Judiciously using bold text, italics and even colored text can help to emphasize a point. Keep introductions short and pointed, and ensure that your reader knows exactly what to expect from your post after reading the first sentence or two.

This post was contributed by Michael Cash, an expert in SEO and Social Media @ iNetZeal.net

Earn Money For Shopping, By Shopping!

This is a guest post by Jessy Troy. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.

For many of us shopping is a bit of an addiction. With so many sales and chances to get new products online, it can become more like a mania. Of course, this means we suffer the empty checking account or high credit card bills in silence, promising ourselves that next month we will stick to budget. But what if you could shop and also make a little bit of that cash back? Yes, I am talking about making money while you shop, and without any of those mystery shopper scams.

This isn’t some kind of far off dream, and it has been proven to work again and again. This is because developers in the retail world have put increasing focus on better ways to shop online, as ecommerce becomes a regular part of the average consumer’s life. An entire industry has been created around making money as a shopping incentive to stimulate the web-based economy, and you can take advantage of that fact. Try these three tips to get you going.

Earn by Reviewing

Do you like reviewing products, or maybe just trying new products to see how they work for your own purposes? There are some sites out there that will actually pay you to write up a review about what you were already using anyway. These are not writing-specific, so don’t worry if you aren’t a world class author. They want opinions from real consumers trying real products right now.

Sadly, you have to be careful when finding these websites, as some are scams. But one good one to try is Epinions, which is a popular site approved by consumer protection agencies. They work by promoting certain products with your reviews, based on your opinions. Then, when sales are made, they distribute a percentage of that into a payment pool, which is paid out to the people who made reviews. Once you have $10 (within the U.S only) you can request to be paid. For those outside of the U.S, the amount is $100.

Sell Your Gift Cards for Cash

It has happened to all of us: you are at yet another ridiculous white elephant daytime office party and you are handed an envelope. Without even opening it you know that it will be a gift card, and almost certainly to a place you never shop at or visit. Most of those cards sit at the bottom of a drawer and are never used. But what if you could sell it to get a bit of extra cash?

There are some sites that will sell your gift card for a percentage of the price, usually between 60% and 90%. Gift Card Granny is a great example of a site that buy and sell gift cards. Ebay is another great option, as they have gift card sections where you can get up to the full price for it. Some sites also offer a way to trade yours in for a store you actually like.

Answer Questions, Get Paid

Product answering sites are becoming all the rage. The idea is a wonderfully simple one. You sign up, answer questions about products and if your answer is selected as the best you will be paid for it. Once it adds up to a certain amount you will be able to request a payout, which will be sent to an online payment third party, like PayPal.

There aren’t the many legitimate sites that work this way. So far, the best I have found is IMShopping. The only downside to this site is the amount that has to acquire before you are paid is higher than some sites, but still lower than others like Inbox Dollars. You also have to wait if you go over $40 until the next pay cycle.

Bonus!

Still want more? Try a paid survey site, such as MySurvey, or Inbox Dollars.

This is a guest post by Jessy Troy, whose online passion is collecting DIY gadgets.

10 Tips to Increase Your Rates as a Freelance Writer

This is a guest post by Ahlam Yassin. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.

So, I’ve been at this freelance writing business for a little over a year now. It’s been exciting, actually earning money (not yet a living) doing something I enjoy. However, my first year of freelance writing has been one stuck in the content mills. The few hundred dollars a month I made from this type of writing may have been o.k. when I was living abroad and that was the equivalent to a teacher’s salary. However, I’ve moved back to the greater New York City area, and life is expensive! Here’s what I’m doing to earn more as a freelance writer.

freelance 5 Financial Mistakes New Freelancers Make

1. Want to Earn More? Write the part.
Here’s the thing, getting trapped in the content mills can be dangerous. You can easily get comfortable writing repetitive content. If you want to earn more as a writer, you have to put your heart into it. Start a blog and showcase your best writing. Having a place where you can direct potential clients to in order to reference your work is so much better than saying; ‘I’ve written hundreds of ghostwritten articles’.

2. Breaking the Pay Raise to Existing Clients
I have a client I really enjoy writing for, and there is a lot more work in discussion. Today, I was on the phone trying to break the news that my rates will no longer be as low as he is accustomed to. Just like a dream, the international phone call was cut off! When I do get him back on the line, we’re going to talk about my rates. The time it takes to get the academic writing done, and how I would like my pay to match the quality of work I am providing. He may say, no thanks, how can I pay you X when I’ve so used to getting it for Z? If this is the case, I’m going to have to live with it, drop this client and move on. I have $1 a word aspirations buddy.

3. Find a Successful Mentor
I’ve been finding a wealth of information online from people who have actually succeeded at this writing game. Yes, these writers are my hero, and I am a sponge for the information they are putting out, for free! I can not afford their mentoring services, but I can afford the time it takes to learn everything they are teaching on their own websites and personal writing blogs. Carol Tice and Anne Wayman have been awesome inspirations.

4. Show up and Write
It’s so tempting to get caught up in the learning process; in all actuality if you want to succeed you’ll never stop learning. This is why you have to make time to actually write. This is how you want to earn a living, so don’t forget to practice. A great resource I’ve found is Angela Booth’s ebook “Write and Sell Your Own Writing”, which is free when you subscribe to her blog. She details a mechanical process to get you writing, even when you’re not in writer mode.

5. Believe in Yourself
As a writer, it may sometimes be a little hard to match the words that are typed out on the screen with the person other people see. In order to achieve great things, including higher pay, you have to believe in yourself and your ability to communicate effectively. You have a talent, have worked hard on it, and there is a market for your skills.

6. The Power of Networking
You may not consider your aunt Sally as a contact person, but don’t underestimate who aunt Sally may know! Use your friends and family as starting points to network. This will help you practice marketing yourself to a (hopefully) more sensitive audience. Let them know you’re trying to expand your business and are looking for new clients.

7. Business Cards Matter
So, when you’re done talking to aunt Sally about any prospects she may know ask if she wouldn’t mind taking a few of your business cards. Just having a business card can get you out of the content mill mindset and help you feel like a professional.

8. Don’t Hesitate
Too often, you may walk away from a potential client feeling like you didn’t quiet make the right impression. When you hesitate too often, you may be losing a valuable opportunity.

9. Open Yourself up to the Possibilities
The best things have happened to me when I’ve completely opened up to great things happening. Why not? Why shouldn’t great things happen (like excellent resources of income) happen to you? You’ll be surprised what the right mental attitude can bring you.

10. Learn to Say No
It’s tempting to fall back into the grind of the content mill if you’re having a slow week, I know, I’ve been there. However, find the power to say no. Instead of investing so much of yourself for such little pay, work on a great article to pitch to a magazine, track down prospective clients or get inspired through reading. When you’re having a slow patch, do any one of these things and have the power to say no to low paying content mills.

Ahlam Yassin is a freelance writer with a passion for personal and career development issues. You can find out more at www.prowriterinc.com. You can follow her on twitter @prowriterinc

5 Tips for Disposing of Ink & Toner Cartridges

This is a guest post by James Adams. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.

Ink and toner cartridges for printers inevitably wind up empty at some point. Whether it’s the first or the fiftieth time you’ve had to replace your cartridges, it’s important to know what your disposal options are. Tossing the spent cartridge in the trash may seem like the easiest way to get rid of it, but it is also the most environmentally damaging. The plastic casing will just sit in a landfill while the chemicals from the ink leech out into the ground. Fortunately, there are many other, more eco-friendly, options available.

Recycle for Charity
The saying that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure can be true in the case of your empty ink and toner cartridges. There are many websites and organisations that can take your old cartridges and turn them into money for charities.

Recycle4Charity is a US-based recycling program that collects empty ink and toner cartridges and makes a cash donation to charity per qualified cartridge. All shipping expenses are covered by prepaid shipping labels.
Recycling Appeal is based in the UK for both individuals and businesses that allows you to choose from a number of open “appeals” when recycling your cartridges. Or start an appeal of your own if the charity you wish to donate to isn’t listed.

You may also be able to recycle your ink and toner cartridges locally. Check with schools, stores, and nearby charitable organisations to find out if they have their own cartridge recycling programs.

Recycle for Cash
Ink and toner are expensive, especially for high-end laser printers and all-in-one units. Why not turn your empty cartridges into cash? Several recycling services exist that will pay you to send them your empties.

FreeRecycling.com will pay for over 150 types of ink and toner cartridges. Local pickup is free, and they also offer free shipping boxes for non-local shipments. Large shipments are accepted.
eCycle Group is a good solution for when you have multiple ink and toner cartridges to get rid of. They pay for shipping as long as you meet their minimums and offer competitive pricing on a variety of cartridge brands.

Some electronics and office supply stores offer recycling for cash, as well. The payment often comes in the form of a discount on future ink purchases or credit toward other purchases made in-store. Visit retailer websites or call local locations to find out which places in your area offer these programs.

Recycle at Work
Take a moment to think about all the waste generated at your workplace. Offices, schools, and other institutions that print a lot of documents or send a lot of mail use hundreds of ink and toner cartridges. Instead of throwing them all away when they’re no longer useful, consider starting a workplace recycling program if there isn’t one already. Gathering up used cartridges and recycling them could save an enormous amount of waste every year. Send them somewhere local or choose an online recycling program that accepts bulk shipments.

Refill & Reuse Your Cartridges
If it’s possible to refill the type of cartridges used in your printer, this can be the most economical choice. Refilling ink cartridges takes a little time, but is worth the effort. Check online for refill kits for your brand of cartridge. This can be a messy process, so before trying it for the first time, you may wish to visit websites like RefillInstructions and Printer Toner Warehouse, which offer instructions on how to safety refill a variety of cartridges. Make sure to print a test page or two once you’re done refilling to check that everything is in working order.

Return to Manufacturer
If you can’t find a viable way to recycle your empty cartridges, you may be able to return them to the manufacturer. Contact the makers of your cartridges and ask about disposal. If the company is indeed willing to take the cartridges back, make sure that they will either recycle the cartridges or reuse them. Some companies may simply dispose of used cartridges, which would defeat the purpose when trying to be environmentally conscious. But if you’re comfortable with their disposal methods, go ahead and send your empties.

It only takes a little extra effort to recycle or reuse empty inkjet and toner cartridges. This small time investment is a win-win situation, as it can have a big impact on both the environment and your budget.

This guest post was written by James Adams who analyses and writes reviews of the newest consumables for HP printers for CartridgeSave.co.uk.

10 Ways to Save Money on Printer Cartridges

This is a guest post by James Adams. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.

When the printer seems to be drinking ink instead of efficiently printing documents, there are some steps that can be taken to optimize ink usage. Older printer models use more ink than newer models so consider replacing printers that have been in use for more than three years. New models of printers allow more control over print settings. Spend some time walking through this logical series of steps to evaluate the settings and lower the consumption of ink and toner.

1. Reset the automated cleaning function – When the printer performs an automated cleaning of the print heads, ink is wasted instead of used for printing. While the process is necessary for the printer to function correctly, the frequency of these cleanings can be reset to reduce the ink consumption. Refer to the user manual for instructions. The printer that is used daily will only need the print heads cleaned weekly.

2. Use “draft” printing mode – Within the printer properties, set the default printer to print every document in “draft” mode. Documents that are going to reside in a file that is opened only occasionally can be of lesser quality. When the printed document will be presented to a customer, the print quality setting can be changed for the one print job. Since the default is set to “draft” the next document will be printed in draft mode.

3. Print in monochrome – Set the default color setting to “grayscale” or “monochrome” to use only the black ink. Black ink is much less expensive than color ink. Most text documents are entirely black and white. When draft copies are needed for a color document, the black ink can be used until the final copy is printed.

4. Choose a finer font – Some fonts consume a great deal of ink because each line is thicker. Choose a font that has very fine lines and a narrower footprint within the print line. The research to find a better default font may require the use of some ink, but the long-term benefit will be evident.

5. Use cartridge completely – Never change an ink cartridge before it is completely empty. Wait until the print quality has been directly impacted before removing the old cartridge and inserting a new one. While a little bit of ink in one cartridge may not seem like much, over time the habit of removing a cartridge with usable ink remaining will cost money.

6. Send digital pictures to print service – Printing one picture with a reduced resolution consumes an acceptable quantity of ink. When multiple high-resolution photographs are printed, an entire ink cartridge can be consumed. Save money and use the expertise of a photo printing service for printing photographs.

7. Evaluate compatible or remanufactured cartridges – Out of pocket costs may appear to be lower when choosing to use less expensive compatible ink cartridges. While some remanufactured cartridges may deliver comparable quantities of printed pages, most consumers are disappointed with the cheaper versions. Just for proof, purchase one full set of the compatible cartridges and track the number of printed pages. Then decide which printer cartridge is best for use in your printer.

8. Outsource high-volume print jobs – When a very large document is to be printed, contact the local copy shop and inquire about the cost of their services. The cost of paper, ink, and employee time will be more than working a deal with a copy center. Set a certain threshold for the number of pages that can be printed on the office printer and send all larger documents out to be printed.

9. Refill cartridges – Some printer cartridges can be refilled by a service or refilled in house to save substantial funds on ink and replacement cartridges. Toner cartridges must be refilled by a service, but this can save a great deal of money over the course of a year. Find a reputable refill service and ask if they have deals for frequent ink refills. Monitor the number of pages printed from a refilled cartridge and determine which approach is the most cost effective for printer.

10. Recycle spent cartridges – Many retailers have started to offer money-saving coupons in exchange for spend printer cartridges. Those cartridges are sold to a refill service instead of being thrown into the landfill. Use the coupon to purchase the new printer cartridge and save money on your print costs.

Print quality is important for some documents, but most of the printed pages produced are for internal use and do not require excessive use of ink. When looking for ways to save money on the ink cartridges in the printer, know what the printer is currently doing to consume ink. Familiarize yourself with the settings that can be improved. Reset one and then see how the print quality is changed. Reduce the number of automated operations the printer performs that consume ink. Evaluate business practices that consume unnecessary ink. Reward employees that come up with creative ways to reduce the amount of printed material produced each month. Choose the best practices to prevent being penny wise and pound foolish.

Also give the latest HP Photosmart Ink b110 Cartridges a try without fail, and let us know what you think in the comment section.

James works as part of the team of writers at CartridgeSave.co.uk who analyse and review Pitney Bowes supplies and printer accessories. If you would like to read more of his work, you can visit their website.

Web design careers for freelancers: How to get more work than you can handle

This is a guest post by Paul Wallis. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.

If you’re a freelancer, you’ll have noticed the market for web design comes in a large range of shapes and sizes, particularly on the contract sites like Elance. This is also an evolving market, and if getting business is the natural first priority, staying in touch with what the market wants is the natural development. Things like SEO, in its various ramifications for clients, need to be studied.

This is a business exercise. It’s worth getting yourself well prepared to provide a range of services so you can target your freelance work efficiently. You’ll find that you can generate more business, and more repeat business, with some pretty basic concepts and capabilities.

How to get more business without even trying- The support role
If you’ve been in the business for a while, you will have noticed that you’re supposed to be all things to all people. All glitches, bugs, hopelessly inappropriate software and other invaluable users of time mysteriously turn out to be your babies. This, believe it or not, is a real business asset, if you know how to exploit it. The Mr. Fixit role is actually extremely valuable to clients.

More importantly, you’ll find that good clients will stick with you as a support service. This work may not be glamorous, but it will pay all the bills by itself. You can double your receipts and you’ll also get referrals from customers without asking for them. You may find the entire local Chamber of Commerce is suddenly on your client list.

Targeting your web design work
Targeting uses your skills to their best advantage. Don’t bother going for any work that happens to be there, unless absolutely unavoidable. Target the things you do best, where you can really perform brilliantly.

Ask yourself:

1. What are your strongest design areas? Which facets of web design can you do day in, day out, and do well, almost reflexively? These are areas where your business can go into high production mode with no problems.

2. In what fields of web design do you really excel? This is quality control for business- You don’t even feel like you’re working in these areas. This is your quality zone, where you’re not only better, you’re ultra-competitive, and quite likely to win a battle for contracts.

3. What extra services can you provide? This is a business issue. If you can show added value and services, you’ve got the contract before you even go for it. If you’ve got search engine optimization” as part of your credentials, you’ve just ticked a box on the client’s list.

4. How good are your client relationship skills? If you answered anything other than “Excellent, Dazzling, or Brilliant”, you need to put in some work. All business is as much about relationships as anything else. If you want customers, excel in this area. Take courses if necessary but get it covered.

You’ll never look back, targeting your work on this basis. Keep your relationships strong and healthy, and you’ll literally have more work than you can handle.

About the author: Paul Wallis is an award winning professional freelance writer, specializing in creative writing, SEO and journalism, working in the US, Canada, Australia and Belgium.

10 Tips for Increasing Creativity in the Office

This is a guest post by John Brook. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.

You are expected to be creative at your workplace. You are supposed to look for new connections and seeking out new horizons while you are working. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to keep the creative energy at full steam ahead. Here are ten ideas to help you get a creative boost.

#1. Chat With Friends
Friends are concerned with your well being. They will be happy to talk about their own passions, allowing your brain to rest from the constant performance pressure. Learn about what they’re doing and listen to them speak about their passions. If you have friends in the field, talk to them about the situation.

#2. Do Something Different
Find something completely different to which you can devote your attention. Actively listen to the music that is playing on the speakers. Talk to different people. Go to any networking events or conventions that are in your area. If you are a writer, everything goes into the catalog of ideas.

#3. Brainstorm
Write down a stream of consciousness list about a subject. Intentionally write a list of bad ideas. Brainstorm a list of the worst breakfast cereals, fictional or not. With brainstorming, there are no truly bad ideas. This exercise is intended to get your brain pumping once more.

#4. Keep a Healthy Attitude
A healthy attitude is quite important to keeping the river of creativity flowing. Know that the current lack of good ideas will not last forever. Your mental batteries just need to be recharged. Keep a smile on your face. If you can’t smile, fake it til you make it.

#5. Look at the Past
Think about the projects that you have done and see if there is anything that you can do to improve upon them. See if there are any openings to expound on your subject matter or polish your words. If you have written a training manual, could your illustrations be more effective?

#6. Mind Maps
Write your subject in the middle of the page. From there, start writing words and phrases which are related to the word in the middle. Start writing the words and ideas that relate to the words and ideas. Allow yourself a limited amount of time, else you will cover the room with related items.

#7. Walk Away
Take an hour to walk around the building or parking lot. Walk through the hallways at your work or walk out to the home garden. Your brain needs to recharge. The break that you give your brain will pay off later in great ideas.

#8. Take a Nap
Take a nap. They give you that necessary time to recharge. You need to recharge, and napping is the perfect opportunity to catch up on some sleep. Don’t allow your nap to go over two hours. When you come back, you should be refreshed and invigorated.

#9. Play the Percentages
Let those bad ideas come out and play. If you have been successful, you have probably had quite a number of bad ideas. You want the ideas to be coming as often as possible because you never know which one is going be the idea that will propel you to superstardom.

#10. Clean Your Desk
The energy within your workspace might be stifling. Take the time to clean off your desk and the floor. Sometimes, ideas will come while you are putting things away. Take a note of those ideas and keep working. As you eliminate clutter, your mind will feel more relaxed.

You will become more creative with the frequency that you use your creativity. When you are slumping, take the time to recharge your creative energies by mind mapping, taking a walk or cleaning your area. While you are doing other things, make sure that you have a pen and paper with you to capture the ideas.

John Brook is a writer who works at Office Kitten, one of the top suppliers of office stationery for businesses in the UK.

5 Financial Mistakes New Freelancers Make

This is a guest post by Deborah Dera. If you want to guest post on this blog, check out the guidelines here.

Let’s be honest from the start, shall we? I’ve been freelancing for 5 years and have been working independently for the past 2 years. If I knew 2 years ago what I know now, I might have waited longer before quitting my full-time job to make it on my own. That said, I’m still alive and kicking and I’d like to share some of the mistakes I and others have made in the hopes that you’ll be able to launch your own freelance career without as much financial strain.

Ignoring Your Savings
One of the worst things you can do as you prepare to embark on your career as a freelancer is to ignore your savings. Most financial experts recommend always having a buffer of at least 6 months in savings in case of financial emergency. Having that kind of a financial safety-net before starting your freelance career might be niche but isn’t always possible. The truth, however, is that you should have some money in savings to help you cover your rent, utilities, and grocery bill while you search for new clients. Make sure you have a month or two in reserve and don’t forget to continue adding to your savings as you begin earning more.

Living Beyond Your Means
Let’s say you’re working a 9-5 job in corporate America. You’re probably used to buying a cup of hot coffee on your way to work in the morning and you might buy your lunch every day. When you first start freelancing you’ll need to be more careful about your expenses – every penny will count. That $5 cup of gourmet coffee, while nice, may add up to the amount of money you need to pay your electric bill. Your lifestyle will change as you grow your business, but it is important to recognize that you may not be as well off in the beginning as you hope to be.

Not Adjust Your Expenses
We often take our day-to-day expenses (or lack thereof) for granted. Your office job probably gave you access to long-distance telephone calls, fax machines, and copy machines – whether you should have been utilizing them for personal reasons or not. Now you’ll have to pay for these and other expenses on your own and they can quickly add up. Adjust your cell or home phone calling plan to include long distance, invest in an online faxing service, and look for some all-in-one office equipment (printer/copier). The more you can do in-house, the more you’ll save and have available to grow your business.

Not Tracking Your Expenses
As a freelancer, almost every single penny you spend will count as a tax deduction. Keep track of expenses – from office supplies to medical appointments – and organize your receipts accordingly. Your accountant will be able to help you determine what you can legally write-off when tax time rolls around – and you may just be surprised at how much you’re able to save.

Redefine Trust
For me, the hardest part about launching my freelance career was redefining my definition of trust. I was suddenly on my own and wanted to trust everyone who recommended a product or service that would make my business better. I subscribed to blog feeds, read countless newsletters, and subjected myself to “shiny new object syndrome.” I bought product after product, trusting their promoters and believing each would help me to grow. I would buy one thing and then purchase the next before I had finished with the first. This type of spending will eat into your profits and, if you aren’t careful, cause you to quickly build up a significant amount of debt.

As a freelancer you’ll want to gain control of your financial situation from the very beginning. Take your time and build your business slowly. Don’t waste your money on things you don’t need and make future investments wisely. Treading carefully, especially in today’s economy, will ensure you’re always able to put food on the table!

Deborah Dera is a full-time professional writer specializing in personal finance, credit repair, bad credit loans, bankruptcy, blogging, search engine optimization, and PLR content creation.