Sara Said:

Is there a Yahoo Discussion Group that offers free business/marketing writing advice?

We Answered:

Here you go http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Co…

Mark Said:

Any Great Ideas for Cold-Calling? I am trying to break into free-lance business writing.?

We Answered:

I'm assuming you mean either copywriting for advertising (which can be lucrative) or magazine writing (which is usually not lucrative at all, unless you get really lucky).

I think before you start working the phones, the first thing you really need to do is have a portfolio together of some writing samples. Press releases, print ads, articles, etc. Anything that demonstrates that you can push words together in ways that are rewarding to the reader. Unless you work for free, it will be very difficult to convince somebody to take you on with only 2-3 pieces in your book.

A good start is at your local bookstore. Find a book or two on copywriting and magazine writing. Both are disciplines unto themselves, and you need to be aware of their requirements. Then write a few pieces for submission on spec. Even if nobody buys that piece, it least demonstrates desire. More people will give you a shot that way.

Finally, don't cold call. Magazines and editors are beseiged by wannabe writers. What you need to do is network. Figure out where your targets are going to be and talk to them personally. Don't just talk about you either. Exercise curiosity about what the market s looking for. Ask lots of questions about what you can expect. You'll be surprised how many will give you a shot in that fashion. Only then do you actually make the call and say, "Remember me? We met at the Society meeting last week. You asked me to give you a call, so I'm just following up...."

Then once you get an assgnment, bust your *** on it. My first magazine writing assignment was $160. I put ten hours into it. But it was more important to write a good piece than to think in terms of dollars per hour. If you deliver 2-3 good small pieces for somebody, you'll be surprised how quickly they'll fling more assignments at you. But whatever you do...make sure you deliver on deadline.

Good luck. Feel free to e-mail me with any further questions.

Marlene Said:

where to get a free business plan writing?

We Answered:

Go to sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/plan/writea… for instructions on how to write a business plan.