Sometimes Your Best Plans Don't Work Out
...but here are some resources, tips, and encouraging reminders that can help
Hi and happy July!
Sometimes Your Best Plans Don't Work Out
Recently, I shared a form asking people to send me questions they have about freelancing and writing. My plan was to create a video answering those questions, then to sell it as a form of passive income, and to donate some of the funds to families in Gaza.
To be totally transparent, I felt like it would be a hit. It was cheaper than my coaching services, it answers consumers’ direct questions, etc. When selling resources and writing articles, a main tip I hear is to address what your target audience needs, and I felt like few things could do it as well as this.
And yet, the form has 0 responses. Seeing that, I felt a bit disappointed (not at y’all, just the situation!).
This could be for so many reasons. People might not have the money to pay for the video (I mean, that’s why I was going to make it—because I need to make money). They may not have seen the email (as I learned in a self-promo course, you have to publicize things more than you think!). Or maybe they’re busy and my quick deadline was too quick. These are only a few of the possibilities.
But no matter the reason, it’s okay!
Sometimes your best plans don’t work out for whatever reason. That doesn’t mean your idea was bad or that it might not succeed in the future. Sometimes it’s a lesson learned, and sometimes it’s just a fluke. These kinds of things happen to most (if not all) of us at some point.
I’m reminded of this Japanese proverb: “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.”
Updates / Housekeeping
As mentioned in a previous newsletter, paid subscribers have the opportunity to promote themselves! We’ve got some writers there so far who are offering resources, community, and so much more. Connect with them here!
Writing/Freelancing Tips
Pitch Calls
GENERAL NOTES FOR THE PITCH CALLS BELOW:
If the story is about a marginalized community, you probably need to be in that community to write the piece.
Mentioning my name in your pitch won’t help, unfortunately!
Who Pays Writers can be a helpful site to get an idea of how much publications pay.
Pitch calls:
Clayton Purdom: ATTN: writers looking for pitches for EX. we pay $200 for 800 words. i want your fun/funny/weird pitches about culture, technology, or both. more details here: https://forms.gle/gW6vGJrw6RGjrgwC6… pls rt if you think ppl in yr network may be interested!
Alisha Prakash: Looking for people who have retired abroad and are willing to share their experience for an essay on @TravelLeisure. Please email Alisha.Prakash@dotdashmdp.com (or DM me!) if this is you!
Deborah Jian Lee: CALL FOR PITCHES! @econhardship
gives grants to indy journalists for essays, features, photography & other reported stories about economic inequality in America…
Writer Jobs
Writing/Freelancing Resources
Encouragement
“Soon Will Come”: This is about kids, but I think the vibe/message could be applied to fears re: freelance writing (and anything else that scares you)!
My Articles + Updates
Nothing super noteworthy this month! I’ve gotten lots of assignments and SEO rewrites which have kept me busy. The second summer session for school started June 27 :)
Want More? Here Are Other Ways I Can Help
Don’t forget about my approved pitches document and Medium guide and coaching/editing services and writing checklist set and worksheet packet for writers!
More of my content: (1) my writing Twitter // (2) my portfolio // (3) my resource set // (4) my newsletter with tons of writing jobs and pitch calls // (5) my Instagram
(BTW, my Ko-Fi shop is here!)
This newsletter is free, but if you’d like to donate, my Venmo is @AshleyBroadwater, my PayPal is paypal.me/aebroad, my CashApp is $ashleybroadwater3, and my email for Zelle is ashleybroadwater346@gmail.com :) A huge thanks to donors!
That’s all for now! Thanks for reading this month’s newsletter. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions :)