Book Planning 101: Getting Work (that's not your book) Part 1

Of course I'm going to promote your book and you'll have nothing to do but rake in the cash, write more books and drink lattes!

Really! We'll get there!

Okay, there's one guy out there that I'm following and keeping an eye on VERY closely that I might tell you about later if his promises get those types of results, but the fact is, you need to still work. Not necessarily because you have to work for money, but because it's going to help expand your mind.

Here's where I pull out my secret weapon. Now a secret weapon would be nothing without the secret sauce, so I'm giving you both. What's my secret weapon? Elance. That's right www.elance.com.

You might have tried it and then given up because there's too much compitition, you might have bid and never got anything. There are people out there expecting you to edit their novel for $5. And your excuses mount and mount. But I'm here to give you some focus. You see, just like business--you need a business strategy. Ah, yes, you remember yesterday? Well, here's where I give you a precise marketing strategy tailored specifically for elance.

First a warning. elance is a place where you can build up your reputation and they are perfectly set up for repeat customers. However, you may be discouraged by the amount of "competition".

By the time we're done, you'll see there might be only a handful of real compitition out there. Also, to build up a rating and credibility, you may need to do a few jobs that require you to do the $5 post. But that post is part of your portfolio. You have a portfolio chaulk full of $20 posts and the high payers won't baulk at your fee. But remember, this is part of the strategy.

Now, the first thing in order is to breath. Yes, breath. Clear your mind of anxiety. Go where the words are because you will need them later.
If you skipped this step I beg you to repent! You need patience. You're in for the win and the win takes time.

The Strategy is simple:

Get on.
Build credibility.
Raise your rates.
Go for repeat customers.

Now for the action items.

Go elance at www.elance.com -- I suggest you go to https://www.elance.com/q/about-elance and read what they are about. We both know you love your work (or you wouldn't take a chance on this little micro publisher with big dreams), but read the section about "Better for freelancers." Of course read the "Better for businesses." because you'll know what employers expect.

Sign up. If you already have and have worked with elance before then you might already have credibility built up.

Read the terms of service. Accept, fill out your forms and all that take a look around if you like but time yourself. Ten minutes tops!

Go to https://www.elance.com/q/elanceuniversity/index.html and listen to the video.

If you follow what elance says you'll really find success. The tips I have that are a MUST is put up a professional picture with you SMILING! You're a happy worker. No body wants to work with sillouette dude (no picture). Or frown man.

Fill out all the spaces, like bio, portfolio, etc. with something. Especially portfolio.

Take a few of the elance tests. Self rating says to me, you think highly of yourself, wonderful! But I'd rather have a third party tell me how you rate. If an editor didn't take take any of the tests and just self rates, their bid quickly goes into the decline pile.

A portfolio is a must. I need to see your work. There is a portfolio section in elance. Put 3 - 5 of your best works up.

So let's reivew:
1. Sign up. (Note: Choose your profession they ask for wisely-they charge for others added or changed)
2. Watch elance University.
3. Put a picture on your profile.
4. Make a bio.
5. Upload your portfolio.
6. Take a test.

Whew! That took more than 15 minutes I'm sure. More like 30 - 45. So...we'll continue this discussion tomorrow! We'll get into building credibility and how you do it! 

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