In the five years since I first launched this blog — and in the 1.5 years since I began coaching — I’ve learned a thing or two about the things that can hold a freelancer back.

And aside from the lure of a smooshy couch, a good book, or a curated list of sparkly jewelry on Etsy, a lot of the roadblocks we put up around ourselves stem from the pitch process.

You’ve asked me so many questions about query letters over the years:

How do I find publications to pitch?

Which editor should I target?

What do I do if I have no clips/experience/personal connection?

How long should I wait before I follow up?

Is my letter really good enough to send out? 

I had the same questions when I started out and, over the years, I developed my own system for making the pitch to publish process go smoother.

So what’s my trick to busting query fear?

For the past few months,  I’ve been working on 5 Weeks to Freelance Awesome: An Action Plan, a workbook that takes you from idea generation to the building of your freelance brand. This workbook, which will be available for sale in the late spring, will be pretty damn fantastic. But as I worked on it, I couldn’t help but ask myself: Is there a way I can use this information to show gratitude to my loyal word nerd readers? Is there a way I can share this information with readers without ruining the big reveal?

Yesterday, I emailed Word Nerd News subscribers with a download link to Freelance Awesome: A Starter Kit, a FREE mini-workbook containing the five worksheets necessary to jumpstart your freelance writing career. These worksheets comprise the system I’ve put in place for making my own pitch process a helluva lot easier. I use them on an almost-daily basis. They help me:

• generate story ideas
• conduct market research
• write kick-ass query letters, and
• track pitches and assignments

These worksheets take the self-doubt out of story pitching, and help me keep the freelance momentum going.

Because I don’t want you to miss out, I encourage you to sign up for my mailing list as well. As a subscriber to Word Nerd News, you’ll receive instant access to my starter kit. Not only that, but you’ll receive a once-a-month email containing freelance success stories, solid advice, and valuable resources from around the web. I’d say it’s a win-win.

Once you’ve downloaded my .pdf-powered word glitter, I only ask one thing in return: If you find my starter kit helpful… if you think I have something valuable to offer… if you think my hair is pretty… if you think I could be a service to someone else you know, tell them to sign up for my mailing list, too.

(If you don’t want to sign up right now, you can always come back later. There’s a simple sign-up form in the right-hand sidebar of this blog, and a sign-up button on my professional site as well.)

I should also tell you that, next week (Thursday, February 9 at 12 p.m. PST / 3 p.m. EST), I’ll be appearing on Carol Tice‘s weekly podcast, over at the Freelance Writer’s Den, to talk freelance startup plans. (You may recall that Carol is one of my favorite freelance writing bloggers.) This is a members-only event, so be sure to register beforehand!

Finally, I want to give a big thanks to Lyz Lenz, my writing partner, for ripping my workbook to shreds and then helping me put it back together again; Melanie Ostmo, a fantastic designer, for making my starter kit all sorts of pretty; and Milena Canizares, a former coaching client who was kind enough to read through my kit and give me her feedback before I shared it with the world.

Go forth and rock it, y’all.

Related: How To Pitch: The Basics

But I swear to you. I’m getting shit done.

It’s just that…

I’m always looking for new and fun ways to build my brand, and to build my word nerd community, and I’ve been seeing various small business to interesting things online lately.

My latest obsession?

Pinterest. (Yeah, you and everyone else, Steph.)

Would it up my cool factor to tell you I’ve already been using Pinterest for about a year now in order to collect photos of pretty kitchens? Or does that just make me seem even dorkier?

Either way, I’ve decided to create a Pinterest board for word nerds, on which I can pin fun word nerd quotes, letterpress prints, lust-worthy reading nooks, and more.

Are you on Pinterest, too? If you come across anything particularly word nerdy, pin it with the #wordnerd hash tag, so I can easily find it and share it with the rest of the word nerd community!

My blogging buddies, and other people across the web, have been going gaga over how Pinterest can be used to drive traffic to your blog or business.

Have any of you guys been using Pinterest in new and interesting ways as a part of your business model?

Related: Freelancing and Yoga Go Together Like… Nutella and Pound Cake, The LinkedIn Lowdown: How To Pump Up Your Social Media Campaign, How To Avoid Social Media Fatigue in 5 Easy Steps, Using Twitter to Achieve World Domination (in Your Field)

I can't even do the pose pictured on my shirt without falling over.

Those of you who have been reading Freelancedom for awhile may have noticed a shift in tone recently.

Part of this has been due to a shift in focus, and in changing goals. Part of it has been due to the emotional/mental shift that comes with improved work/life balance, and with more consistent income (alleluia!).

But a big part of that shift has come from the fact that I now hit up my local yoga studio four to five days a week.

Is that crazy? Maybe. But I’ve come to realize that freelancing and yoga go together like Nutella and pound cake.

Let me explain. When I go to my morning and lunchtime yoga classes, I’m simultaneously pumped up for productivity and made more relaxed despite freelance-related stress. When I go to my evening class, focusing on the poses and meditating in savasana help me turn off my brain before bedtime. Yoga also helps me stretch out the muscles that perpetually ache after hours at the computer. And I’m healthier: mentally and physically. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this good without the help of mood-stabilizing medication.

In fact, yoga has become such a big part of my life that I plan on entering a teacher training program in January 2013. Yoga won’t supplant writing and editing and coaching and singing, but it will become a big part of the mix.

But I know you came here to talk writing. And entrepreneurship. And the freelance life.

Still, I feel that there are a lot of writer-yogis out there, so I thought you might find this interesting.

Basically, to give the rest of you non-yogis a break, I’ve created a Tumblr on which I will now gush about everything yoga. It’s called OMmygod, and I think it’s OMazing (stop rolling your eyes).

Interesting, yoga-related links? Got it.

Fun, funny, and just-plain amazing yoga comics, photos, and videos? You bet.

A picture of me in headstand? Yes. I’ve allowed that to go out into the world.

Also, I’ve been kicking around the idea of planning a yoga/writing retreat for word nerds. Would any of you be interested in that? Let me know, and we can chat about making it the retreat you’ve been dreaming of.

Anyways. Yoga has changed my mindset, and I’ll continue bringing that new sensibility to my Freelancedom posts. I hope you don’t mind. But with this new outlet, I’m hoping I can keep things — dare I say it? — balanced.

How has your freelance focus shifted over the past few years?

Related: Inch By Inch: How Small Steps Lead to Big Success, You’re Doing Great. You Should Give Thanks and Chill the Eff Out., How Choosing the More Difficult Path Leads to Awesomeness (and a Cuter Butt)

Bringing good vibes to all the good boys and girls...

I don’t usually promote events here that don’t have a direct link to writing, freelancing, or entrepreneurship, but writing brought me to this odd spot, so I wanted to share.

This coming Friday, July 29, I will be a guest on Late Night with Logan, hosted by sex educator Logan Levkoff. The topic? Oh, the usual. Vibrators. Sex. That kinda thing. The venue? The Trojan Vibrations Truck.

Say what?

Basically, Trojan is going on a truck tour in the style of the city’s popular food trucks, dispensing free Trojan Her Pleasure condoms and Trojan Vibrating Rings while also promoting sexual health awareness. You can read more about it here. Each night, the truck will also become a destination for a late night web talk show, Late Night with Logan. During this talk show, Logan will interview “some of the industry’s greatest visionaries and experts who have helped pave the way for making the conversation around sex and vibrators positive, healthy, and open.” (I’m going to start telling my mom that I’m a visionary.)

I practically squeed when I was invited. I had already seen Logan tweet about the truck tour, and had thought it was a fantastic idea. I myself have been writing about sex for 10 years now, and my initial sex toy reviews have led to a fulfilling career in which I’m able to destigmatize sex issues for my peers using openness, honesty, and humor. I’m thrilled for the chance to participate in something that seems so closely aligned with what I try to do with my writing.

How did I get here? I’ve been doing a lot of work for Ian Kerner and his Good in Bed site lately, and my most recent project was to copyedit Logan’s latest Good in Bed manuscript: How to Get Your Wife to Have Sex with You. (Such a fun — and totally necessary! — book.) She must have found my notes to be helpful because, only a few hours after passing them along, I was contacted about being a guest on her traveling web talk show.

I love how opportunities pop up and surprise me like that!

(In fact, my Good in Bed work came about simply because I’d interviewed Ian for an article in Time Out New York… and he liked what he saw.)

This Friday’s Late Night with Logan taping will take place from 8 – 10 p.m., outside the Williamsburg Waterfront at 93 Kent Ave.

You should visit! Not only will I be there, but the truck will be stationed outside a free concert with guests They Might Be Giants, Patton Oswalt, and Kristen Schaal.

If you can’t make it, though, the show will also be broadcast on the Trojan Facebook page and website following the event.

So tell me: What’s the oddest opportunity your writing has brought you?

This image is 100% about partners, and 0% about the huge crush I used to have on Burt Ward.

This is an excerpt from a post I wrote for Brazen Careerist. It was written both to promote my upcoming Networking for Word Nerds event (register here) and to sing the praises of having a good writing partner. (I love my writing partner to bits.)

Enjoy!

Several months ago, I wrote a blog post calling for a “writing partner who can kick my lazy, procrastinating writer’s ass.”

Now I have a writing partner I love, plus another partner I email my daily goals.

I’ve also left behind a low-paying permalance gig that had me feeling stuck. I’m well on my way to making more money this year than I’ve made previously, and I’m feeling more productive and successful than ever before.

Coincidence? I think not.

There are numerous benefits to having a writing partner. Here are my top five:

1. The no-holds-barred criticism

One typically pairs up with a writing partner in order to receive constructive criticism on one’s first (and second, and twenty-fifth) drafts. That way, by the time it gets sent off to an agent or editor, it’s damn near perfect. Despite being your own worst critic — and even if you’re an obsessive self-editor — it can be beneficial to get an objective opinion of your work. A good writing partner will rip apart your TOC, take you to task for overusing and mixing metaphors, and give you the kind of insight and feedback that could very well elevate your writing to pure awesomeness.

Click here to read the rest.

Related: Wanted: A Writing Partner Who Can Kick My Writing Ass, Introducing a Monthly Word Nerd Networking Event

Et voila!

I am now the official host of a monthly Networking for Word Nerds online event.

In the past, BC’s Network Roulette events were centered around simple speed networking. That’s still their m.o. but, in addition, each event will now be centered around a discussion question.

For this month, we’re keeping things basic, and just asking you: What drew you to the word nerd life?

Join me?

The deets: Tuesday, May 24, 7 p.m. EST

Related: Word Nerds: Join Me For Some (Virtual!) Speed Networking

Back in November, I co-hosted a Word Nerd Networking event in NYC that attracted a whopping 75 people. It was pretty damn awesome, and I’d like to do more of those. It was great getting to meet so many of you IRL!

Alas, some of you missed out, because… well… not everyone lives in the Tri-state area.

Which is why I urge you to check out tonight’s event. It’s totally virtual.

Brazen Careerist approached me several weeks ago with the idea of hosting a virtual speed networking event on their site. As I’ve taken part in several of their Network Roulette events in the past, and thought they were pretty fantastic, I was excited at the prospect of putting together a similar event for word nerds.

Which brings us to tonight’s event: Networking for Word Nerds. Totally virtual, you could be wearing nothing but panties and striped knee highs and nobody would be the wiser. Meanwhile, you’ll get the chance to chat up peeps who have been published in numerous national publications, who have published books, who run online magazines, and who generally rock the word nerd house.

So yeah. Basically? You should register. It’s at 8 p.m. EST, and only one hour.

Related: How to Throw an Event That Rocks the House, How to Build Your Network Without Having a Panic Attack, Networking for People Who Hate Networking: Network Roulette

Here’s an excerpt of my guest post:

Forget my degree. My resume. Even my (pretty darn awesome) cover letters.

My three internships are what got me where I am today.

The first one established what would come to be my primary writing niche. The second led to my first full-time job in the publishing industry. The third opened the doors to the magazine publishing world. From all three, I gained experience, contacts, and a deeper knowledge of what I did (and didn’t) want to do with my life.

And now I’m the internship coordinator.

It feels bizarre to have the tables so thoroughly turned. In some ways, I relish this role. As someone who also runs her own career coaching business, I obviously enjoy having the chance to nurture young word nerds.

But other times, I find myself disappointed. While my coaching clients value my services enough to pay for them, many interns don’t seem to value their internships in quite the same way. Instead, they look at them as a quick way to get college credit, or as an item to place on their resume… nothing more.

When I was an intern, I rocked the house. And not because I’m any smarter — or any more talented — than anyone else. No. I rocked the house because I was terrified of letting my supervisors down. And because I was hungry for a career within the publishing industry, and was willing to do whatever it took to make it.

So how can you rock the internship house, too?

Start off strong. In one interview, an applicant revealed that her mother had criticized her cover letter, telling her it should have been more formal. “Nonsense,” I said. “Your cover letter is the reason I’m interviewing you.” Why? Not only did it show personality, but it reflected the tone of the publication, a characteristic that bespoke a familiarity with our publication… or was at least a sign that she’d done her homework. Speaking of homework, come to your interview prepared to ask us questions. Your questions display your preparation, and also illustrate a genuine interest in the internship, the company, and the industry at large.

To read more, head on over here.

For more on internships, check out these previous posts of mine:

• 6 Ways To Find Your Next Mentor
• My 5 Favorite Things In: Test-Drive Your Dream Job
• Continuing Education for Freelancers
• How To Make It Big While Working for Free

That time you saw me at that thing? I was screaming on the inside.

There are sooo many things that terrify me about networking events. I agonize over the best way to approach people, and then wuss out and don’t approach anyone. I assume that, when people see me cowering in the corner alone, they instantly know I’m lame. I worry that my obvious social awkwardness is turning off anyone I happen to be speaking with. I berate myself for being so completely boring.

I’m an introvert. Extended social interactions exhaust me and, after awhile, I hit a wall. I also have social anxiety. Drinking helps. My shrink has suggested pot. My Xanax just puts me to sleep.

But as I mentioned yesterday, taking networking from online to in-the-flesh is SO. IMPORTANT. It can solidify a relationship that you’ve developed online, or lead to new, promising connections. Also? Despite the fact that y’all terrify me so damn much, I love meeting new people and forging new connections. It’s just so gratifying to connect with someone who shares my interests… who can act as a sounding board… who I can swap tips and war stories with. And maintaining those relationships can be key in moving a career forward. Remember my post on bringing in new projects without lifting a finger? The bulk of the work that comes to me nowadays is thanks to people I’ve worked with in the past, or people I BS with on Twitter, or people I’ve met at this or that networking event, thanks to several large glasses of wine.

I want you guys to have that, too.

I’ve been reading Networking for People Who Hate Networking, and the book mentions several times that introverts benefit the most from events that combine structure and open time. Which is pretty darn great, because Marian Schembari and I have been masterminding an absolutely EPIC event.

Word Nerd Networking is a speed networking event for publishing professionals, freelance writers, and other word nerds.

Much like speed dating, the structured format of the first hour takes away the pressure inherent in typical networking events, and allows interested parties to connect with established freelance writers and authors, book agents, magazine editors, and other media makers. This will be followed by two hours of casual mingling, during which attendees will be able to build upon those connections they initially sparked with our panel of (OVER 25!) experts. There will also be a raffle. If you come on out for our event, you’ll have the chance to win discounted coaching and consulting services, books, and more! Honestly, I don’t know why you wouldn’t come!

For more information on this event, check out this post Marian did up, and take a look-see at the full list of experts on our event page.

But before you go, I wanted to share with you some additional tips for surviving ANY networking event without a panic attack:

1. Clarify your reason for attending the event, and set up some clear goals. This can give you something to talk about (if your goal, for example, is to learn more about putting together a book proposal), and can also act as a motivator (if your goal, for example, is to swap business cards with at least three people).

2. Develop your elevator pitch. Basically, figure out beforehand how you plan on responding to that seemingly simple question: What do you do? That way, you won’t end up stumbling all over your words (as I typically do, because I’m a spaz). Depending upon the mix of services you offer, your response to this question could possibly change for each networking event you attend. It all depends upon what you’d like to achieve with your networking efforts, and what you’d like to convey to those in attendance.

3. Do some research on the attendees beforehand, if you can. In the case of Word Nerd Networking, you should totally check out our list of experts, accompanied on our event page by short bios. That way, you can prepare for the event in much the same way you’d prepare for a job interview or informational interview: Draw up a list of questions specific to the people you’ll be speaking with.

4. Dress your best. And not only because you want to make a good impression, but also because looking fabulous can make you feel fabulous, and infinitely more confident. I will so be wearing my go-to party dress next Wednesday.

5. Bring a wingman… someone who can keep you from cowering in the corner, and perhaps also pull you into conversations against your will. It can help to choose someone who’s more outgoing than you… someone who feels no compunction about dropping into a conversation mid-stream and taking over. Be careful not to use your wingman as a crutch, though. It won’t help either of you if you end up talking to no one but each other.

6. Drink at least one massive glass of wine. Or maybe that’s just me.

7. Make eye contact with the people around you, and be all smiles. This will make it easier to initiate conversation naturally. Keep in mind that everyone else at the event is just as nervous and self-conscious as you are, and eager to meet new people. Why else would they even be there? Plus, smiling is magic. Just the simple act of smiling can boost your energy and make you feel more confident.

8. Think like a journalist. What does this mean? Basically, ask lots of questions. People looove talking about themselves! Mostly because it’s a topic they’re absolute experts on. And if you continue asking probing, open-ended questions, followed by additional invitations to elaborate, the conversation will flow. And eventually, the person you’re chatting with will (probably… hopefully…) return the favor.

9. Remember to close the deal.  Mention that you’d love to chat more about BLAH BLAH BLAH sometime, or offer to send along some additional info on the latest BLAH BLAH BLAH. Oh, and also? You totally just read a fascinating article about BLAH BLAH BLAH the other day, and you’d just love to send it along! Let’s swap contact info!

10. Finally, don’t feel bad about leaving early. This is an issue that introverts grapple with the most. As I mentioned above, after a certain point, introverts just hit a wall. After which they’re completely useless. So network like hell while your energy is high and, when you feel it ebbing, don’t feel bad about bowing out early. You can even say that you have something else to go to, or a bus to catch, or a sweet, sweet date with your pillow-top mattress to attend. Whatevs. People will understand.

Ooh! Bonus Tip! Do follow up with all those fabulous contacts you made within the next week. Meeting people is only the first step. Maintaining that relationship is the clincher.

Okay. Now that you have absolutely no excuse for not attending Word Nerd Networking, because you’re TOTALLY going to rock the house, REGISTER NOW! You only have one more week to secure your spot, and spots are limited, mostly so that our experts don’t become trampled in a flash mob of word nerds.

<— Plus, don’t you want to meet moi? Look at that happy, smiling face!

Word Nerd Networking, Wednesday, November 17, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m., Galway Hooker, 7 East 36th Street b/w 5th Ave. & Madison Ave.

For those of you coming here from BlogHer, welcome! I hope you have fun digging around my archives and, please, by all means, stay awhile. We love having new people to hang with.