Author: Kelly James-Enger

ISBN:  0-375-72095-2

The following review was contributed by:   Helen Kaut: To read more of Helen Kaut’s Reviews Click HERE

Is it possible for freelance writers to earn $100.000 and more per year? Yes, according to Kelly James-Enger. The ex-lawyer turned journalist knows what she writes about. She started her writing career with little knowledge of the industry, but within three years she matched the salary as an attorney and reached the six figure target within six years. In her book she tells you how to increase your income and reach the six figure goal without burning out. 

“6 Figure Freelancing” is divided into three parts: Mind-set, Efficiency and Connections. The first part invites the prospective freelancer to evaluate his/her own money mind-set. Kelly James-Enger asks questions about how much money you make now, how much you want to make within a year and how much time you spend on writing. She recommends picking a figure for the whole year and dividing the amount into monthly, weekly and daily goals to figure out how much money you have to earn each day. The reason for this is simply that you can track your progress better. She shows you how to set yourself up as a writer and maintain a businesslike mindset to achieve your long-term financial goal. A quiz helps the prospective freelancer to find out if he/she has got what it takes. “Mind-Set” includes tips on setting up your office, balancing family and freelance work life, negotiating fees, rights and boosting your income. A chapter on keeping accounts and dealing with the tax man finishes the first section.

“Efficiency” shows you how to make the most of your skills and time. She recommends creating your own effective writing templates for queries and gives several examples of successful queries. Most of them are surprisingly detailed and long. The templates also include follow up queries, cover letters and invoices. New to me was the idea of sending out a  general pitch letter, rather than a query, in which you set out your writing experience, qualifications and background. This can work for seasoned writers but beginners might be not confident enough to go down this route. 

A very efficient way of making more money is to milk story ideas by finding several angles in one idea. Her questionnaire helps matching the idea to the right readership and market. The advantage is that you can re-use your research material - which saves time and therefore increases your income. Another way of squeezing more money out of one article is simply reselling it as a reprint and James-Enger shows you how. Specializing on a subject area is also a way of working efficiently.

The final chapter of part three is all about time management. Time is money, the less you spend on a piece the more you earn. To find out how to make the most of your time she recommends  writing down how you structure your day. This shows you where you waste and where you can make time. She also gives loads of time saving tips from using email efficiently, to finding experts and simply writing faster.  

It’s not the pay per word that is important but what you earn per hour. Some assignments might be well paid, but can be more time intensive. James-Enger recommends evaluating each assignment in terms of “PIA factor”( pain-in-the ass!), before you take it on: how much research, revising and other hassles are involved that could lower your actual pay rate?

 “Connections” is about making connections with editors, agents and other freelancers. James-Enger shows you how you can create a good working relationship with editors, how to chase up late payers and how to find an agent for your book. Networking is important for a successful freelancing career. Networking events around the country help you to meet editors and other freelancers and the key to successful networking is to be prepared to give and take. The book finishes with setting new goals once you achieved the magic 6-figure mark and a questionnaire helps you to find them.

 What makes Kelly James-Enger’s book unique is her complete focus on the business side of things and her engaging writing style. Even if you have read writing books before you will still be able to discover new valuable advice on how to improve your writing business and increase your bank balance. Highly recommended to beginners and experienced writers.