While I love to write my fiction on spec (translation: work on my manuscripts which are currently unagented), Momma’s gotta pay some bills. So from time to time I take an editing gig. I’m not the stuffy, Professor Tina says “this is the grammatically correct way to write or take a hike” kind of editing gal. I’m more of a “how can we make this subject interesting, make sense and not break a kazillion grammatical rules in the meantime” kinda woman.

So, when credit expert Patrick Ritchie asked me to edit his first book – The Credit Road Map – I did it in a way that would keep his voice intact, make credit actually readable and understandable and I had a fun (and educational) time doing it!

A couple years later Patrick decided to write a book that would  be his original book on steroids…plus geared towards the multitudes of persons who are self-employed. From real estate agents, to business owners to direct marketing sales people. And that book is aptly titled The Credit Road Map for the Self Employed and you can find out more information here.

]]> http://tinamcallister.com/http:/tinamcallister.com/editing-work-the-credit-road-map-for-the-self-employed/feed/ 0 http://tinamcallister.com/http:/tinamcallister.com/have-you-checked-your-credit-card-bills-lately/ http://tinamcallister.com/http:/tinamcallister.com/have-you-checked-your-credit-card-bills-lately/#comments Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:48:45 +0000 Tina http://tinamcallister.com/?p=139

One of my favorite clients is Patrick Ritchie. I edited his book The Credit Road Map and we’re working on his second book – The Credit Road Map for the Self Employed and let me tell you…Patrick’s got it chock full o’ good stuff.

Patrick has taught me plenty on credit and editing his first book (and now his second) was truly eye-opening.

Patrick has been used as an expert by local Phoenix news stations before so being on TV isn’t new to him. But he was on the CBS affiliate recently talking about a new tactic used by the credit card companies. They are slashing credit limits. Yes, on already existing credit card accounts. That $XXXX credit limit you had on that Visa could be slashed in half (or worse).

Don’t think it could happen to you? Think again!

Here’s the clip of Patrick talking on the news about the credit limit slashing info: http://www.kpho.com/video/17711452/index.html

Be patient…it takes some time to load and then you have to obligatory 15 second ad to get thru.

Back in June I mentioned that I needed to come up with a term for the type of writing I do. It’s creative. But it’s typically business related (real estate, mortgage and credit industries). I came up with a couple wacky names…but nothing has taken hold.

I also mentioned that I know I need a 7-second snippet for those quick little pitches to prospects.

Knowing and actually doing are two very different things.

I’m a wordy gal. I like words. So I have a tendency to use too many. Especially when I talk.

I edit my own work fairly well. I can go through my writing and rip it to shreds and bring it to its beautiful naked core. But when I talk, sometimes I just blather on.

A post on elevator pitches was simple and just plain ol’ common sense. Just the kind of swift kick in the pants I needed to remind me that I need to get off my duff and come up with a clear, concise elevator pitch.

No rambling on forever. Just a sentence or two summing up what I do and why I freakin’ rock at it.

Most days, I LOVE being a ghostwriter. I mean, I LOVE it!!!! I get to write about a lot of topics. My clients are happy because they get top-notch writing with their voice and notes and vision…

Among my various marketing efforts, I do belong to a couple subscription freelance sites. It’s a way to find new clientele and fill in time between other projects. So, among these freelance sites, I am on Elance and Guru.

I don’t bid alot. I wait until I see a project posted that 1) I know I can do a superb job on, 2) is typically in my niche (the real estate, mortgage and credit industries) in order to build that section of clientele and 3) isn’t a nickel and dime job. My rates aren’t cheap. I’m negotiable…but I’m not cheap.

Several posted projects have me scratching my head lately. In one, the poster wanted an experienced ghostwriter (I’m talking NY Times bestseller ghostwriter) and wanted the writer’s resume. Details about titles, etc. Uh, hello?? Most ghostwriters sign NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) and can’t divulge that information. My clients want to be seen as the author of the material. Some clients give me copious notes, outlines, research and more. Some clients give me the minimum…an idea, a sketchy outline, some direction for research. But in either case, the clients are the author of note. Not me. 

Ask me what I’ve written. Go ahead. Ask me. 

I’ll tell you what topics I’ve written on. And I’ll tell you that I’m seriously proud of many of the projects and how they’ve gone on to sell. It’s pretty cool to go to the Amazon page of a book I’ve ghostwritten and see the comments mentioning the great writing. That’s how I get my proverbial pat on the back.

But I will not tell you the titles I wrote, either for ebook or print. And I won’t tell you who I wrote for. In fact, If you look at my testimonials, you will see I use initials only. Not names.

Why the soapbox monologue? I lost a bid on a project today. A credit ebook. I could have written it with one hand tied behind my back and my puppy walking all over my laptop. I could have hit that one out of the park! But the guy declined my bid due to lack of examples. Sorry, buddy, but I’m not giving up the goods on my work or clients. Come look at my testimonials. Ask me to whip up a page to see what I can do for you…I won’t mind. Really. But don’t expect me to cough up work that is covered under a NDA…especially when your own project demands an NDA. 

One of my favorite freelance sites, FreelanceSwitch, has an interesting article. It discusses the pros and cons of being a generalist versus a specialist in regards to your freelance business.

I’ve been thinking about this very subject a lot lately. Over the years, I’ve written on a variety of subjects and worn numerous writing hats. Editor. Copywriter. Marketing Consultant. Ghostwriter. In the fields of childhood education, retail (from tanning salons to baby shoes, wholesale (ask me anything you want about how to manufacture and sell a tombstone – I’m your girl!), real estate, finance, credit…you name it.

And honestly, I love it all. I’ve learned a lot of things. Honed a lot of skills.

But there’s something to be said about specialization. When it comes to certain industries, I know my shit. I mean, I seriously know my shit.

And I’m not trying to be crass. And I’m not trying to be cocky. It’s just the God’s honest truth.

And in the industries I don’t know? Well, typically I find something that gets me going, tickles my fancy (insert witty metaphor here).

When it comes down to it, I love writing and I love business. Especially the marketing aspect.

Who woulda thunk it?

Not me, the girl who dreamed of writing fiction books and selling said books worldwide.

Not that that can’t happen. But the business side of me has taken over. I know the reality of fiction. And how hard it is to get your break, and then to keep creative control. Blah blah blah. I can still write whatever I want. But writing non-fiction articles and books for professionals who lack the time, I get a kick out of that. And helping businesses position themselves for great things to come? Exciting stuff in my mind!!!

So back to the niche thing. I find myself working a lot of what I know. Real Estate, Mortgages, Credit…because it’s what I know and people recognize that. But I write the other stuff because I get excited. I get almost as passionate as the business owners about their products and services. And it shows in my work. So I don’t think I’m a generalist or a specialist, at least not straight down the Mason-Dixon line. I’m a bit of both and I like it that way

It seems that most of my projects end up falling into the real estate, mortgage and credit topics. I haven’t marketed myself specifically towards those people/projects, but that’s how things tend to go. I’ve got a real estate background…I’m a licensed agent and while I don’t actively market myself as an agent, I do still get business with residential resales and leases.

Is it a sign?

I like writing on all sorts of subjects. I find a myriad of topics interesting. But it seems that the writing may be on the wall. I’m slowly but surely being pointed in the direction of a specific niche, and that’s okay.

I LOVE real estate and money and mortgages and credit and debt (writing about it, not being IN it). So why not market myself as the expert that I already am? No need to fake expertise. No need to feign interest. Just write about what I know and keep building on that knowledge and present myself as an expert ghostwriter for real estate agents, loan officers, credit consultants, etc.

Clue duly noted.