As a freelance writer, you already know the odds you’re up against these days. With media consolidations, an increasingly competitive market and declining pay rates for freelance writing assignments, it’s only natural to worry about the future.

Gone are the days when you can wait for assignments to find you, or depend on colleagues for leads and referrals, or count on existing clients to continue to provide more opportunities.

In today’s economy, that kind of hands-off approach just won’t cut it.

And you know it.

Hi. I’m Maya Smart, and I want you to know that, despite all the doom and gloom in our industry right now, you can still be truly successful in your writing career. I know, because many writers are doing just that — and I’m one of them!

What’s our secret?

Here it is: We built our freelance careers just as we would any other professional small business. If you want to establish a thriving, growing enterprise that brings in significant income and sustains you in the long run, you can’t afford to approach your work in a hit-or-miss fashion anymore. You must take the business of freelance writing seriously — as seriously as you do your craft.

This is the way forward!

When you take the business of freelance writing seriously, you can:

• Recession-proof your work with smart, time-efficient marketing strategies that generate a steady stream of assignments.
• Better negotiate fees and contracts so you get paid top-dollar.
• Build healthy, ongoing relationships with key clients so you don’t have to chase assignments all the time.
• Set-up simple business systems that quickly take care of tasks that dig into your writing time.
•  Stay on top of the newest trends and technologies (without feeling overwhelmed) so you save time and money.
• Find high-paying writing assignments other writers may have overlooked.

All of this — and more — is possible when you use proven business strategies, time-saving tools, technology, financial savvy and a support team you can depend upon.

My Writing Coach PRO program will show you how.

"After two-plus years of freelancing, I felt I had a good grip on the elements of successful freelancing. But Maya's seminar showed me how much more I could improve. I realize now that I can increase my salary, improve my marketing tactics and fine-tune relationships with editors, whom I should actually be treating like business clients. Maya provides clear guidance on how to make it all happen. Just what I needed for 2010: a push to truly professionalize my work, and evolve it into a lucrative business."

--Manuela Zoninsein, a China-based freelancer

Writing Coach PRO

— a 6-month business school for professional freelance writers —

If you’re ready to transform your freelance career into a stable, thriving small business, Writing Coach PRO is for you. The program will provide the strategies, tools, techniques, templates and support you need to build a strong operation, manage projects effectively and efficiently, fine tune your budget and financial plan, and secure a steady stream of high-paying assignments … from sources that may surprise you!

This is a total immersion program for professional journalists and other working freelance writers who are seeking proven tools and sure-fire strategies to help them become more profitable, more productive, and more secure in their careers.

What business challenges do you face as a freelance writer?

• Business planning — Can you identify your niche and the types of clients you seek? Do you have clear goals and a specific plan to achieve them? 
  
  
• Project management — Are you focused on projects that earn money and able to outsource the tasks that suck up your valuable time?
  
  
• Sales and marketing — Do you regularly attract new clients and get assignments that you find exciting, interesting and lucrative?
  
  
• New technology — Is technology working for you … or against you? Are you a slave to your email inbox? Can you easily update your web site, or do you need a revamp? Could you make better use of spreadsheets, calendars, project management software and other tools to make your business run smoothly?
  
  
• Finances — Are you getting paid what you’re worth? Have you negotiated your contracts to your satisfaction? Have you set up a budget and a system for managing your money?

No matter what business challenges you may be facing,
no matter what may be holding you back from the security and success you desire,
Writing Coach PRO will give you the tools, strategies and support you need to transform your freelance career into a profitable, productive small business.

 

In Writing Coach PRO you will learn, step by step, how to:

• Develop a vision for your business — and a plan for getting there.Finding your niche and ideal clients can be tricky, but it’s essential. No matter where you are now or where you want to be, you can achieve your goals.
  
• Attract your ideal clients and land higher-paying jobs.It’s high time you went after better assignments, negotiated contracts in your favor and got paid the fees you deserve.
  
• Establish organizational methods that work for you.Putting a few simple systems in place will help you better manage your projects, clients, and cash flow — and help your business thrive.
  
• Make technology your best friend.
  
• A myriad of tools are available to assist you. Knowing which ones to choose and how to put them to use can make everything you do run more smoothly and efficiently.
  
• Be financially secure and savvy.Making smart money decisions isn’t difficult when you budget your resources.
  
• Hire reliable help. 
• In order to concentrate on perfecting your writing (and growing your business), you need to outsource basic administrative duties and other mundane tasks.
  
• Connect with your peers.

Freelance writing can be a lonely profession. Networking fuels creativity and leads to more opportunities. Writing Coach PRO includes a built-in forum where you can share ideas with and get advice from other professionals in the program — and our staff.

 

"I've been looking for ways to reinvent the freelancing business I've had for 25 years. Subject areas and strategies have grown stale even as the publishing industry (both magazine and books for me) has contracted or publications have disappeared. Maya Smart's information was superbly organized and cheerfully and confidently delivered. Maya's underpinnings have helped me design an action plan."

--Maxine Cass, Maxine Cass Writing & Photography, San Francisco




Could growing my business really be so easy? Yes!
 We’ve already done the hard part for you.

 

Don’t waste time and money trying to figure out which business systems, financial plans, time-management programs, marketing strategies and tech tools may or may not work for you as a freelance writer. Writing Coach PRO has already tested every tool, technique, strategy and system in its program.


Here’s how the Writing Coach PRO program works:

1.     Monthly training sessions

Each month beginning February 15, you participate in a live training call with Maya, during which she’ll teach proven techniques to improve your writing business. These detailed trainings will give you everything you need (tools, templates, resources) to implement the ideas and tasks associated with the discussion.


2.     Follow-up Q & A

The week after each training session, Maya will answer your questions in a second live teleconference. Anything related to the previous week’s topic is open for discussion and comment, and you can learn a lot by listening to the questions posed by the other writers in the program (and our replies).


3.     Monthly implementation plan

All talk and no action is the death knell of many entrepreneurial endeavors.  That includes yours. Putting all the good ideas, suggestions, contacts and leads to work requires a specific action plan that holds you accountable.


4.     Resources and further reading

Prior to and following the monthly training sessions, you’ll receive more information, suggested reading lists and action planning forms. Plus, all sessions will be recorded and posted online as MP3s and as written transcripts, so that you may refer back to them quickly and easily whenever you’d like.


5.     A partner to help keep you on track

As you get to know your peers in the Writing Coach PRO community, you’ll have the opportunity to pair up with a partner who can be your personal cheerleader as you develop your business and realize your goals.


6.     Dedicated support personnel

No matter what hurdles you may encounter along the way, you’ll never be far from help. Your success is as important to us as it is to you.





"Before taking the class, my approach to freelance assignments was more or less haphazard. Your webinar provided me with practical tools/advice on how to clearly define my business objectives and, most of all, change my old journalist's mindset. I now plan to have a more entrepreneurial approach to growing my business. Thanks Maya for this outstanding class!" ~ Sanjiva Reddy

--Sanjiva Reddy, a South Africa-based freelancer

 

Just like the rest of this coaching program, our price caters to freelancers: It’s affordable.

The six-month program, which includes everything you see above, is just $97 a month!

 
Or, if you pay for the entire six months in advance, we’ll discount the price even further to $388 — that’s like getting two months free.
 
If you’ve looked at other business courses for writers, you know they offer much less but charge much more. With Writing Coach PRO, you get the best-of-the-best in a business school for freelancers for a fraction of the cost. Shop around. Compare prices. And then read this page again. You’ll know you’re getting an excellent deal with Writing Coach PRO. 

Reserve your spot now. The program begins February 15 and is limited to 30 participants.

 Ready to turn your freelance writing into a writing business? Sign up today!

 

** RESERVATION FORM ** Yes, Maya, I’m ready to turn my freelance writing into a thriving small business! Sign me up for Writing Coach PRO! I understand this program includes the following benefits: • 6 training calls, one per month, each one covering a specific business success topic. • 6 live Q&A calls in which my questions about the month’s topic will be answered and my challenges addressed. • Online MP3 audio recordings of all calls. • PDF transcripts of all calls. • Access to and participation in the online networking forum. • Monthly step-by-step action plan guides. • Assigned accountability buddy. I'm ready to reserve my spot in the Writing Coach Pro Program NOW. Sign Up Now -- Only 30 Spots Available! Option 1: Pay in Full at $388 (I save $194 -- equivalent to 2 months FREE) Option 2: Pay in 6 Monthly Payments of $97 (Total cost of $582)




Now, it’s up to you. If you want to transform your freelance career into a strong, stable business that is perfectly positioned for growth and success, sign up for Writing Coach PRO today.


To your success!


Maya Smart


"I didn't know the many options available for journalists who want to start their own businesses until taking Maya Smart's class. Because of Maya's excellent teaching and presentation skills and the individualized attention she gave to each participant's questions and comments, I have a better understanding of the steps needed to start and sustain an independent journalism business."

--Leila Gray, science writer