67 of 69 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
My First Freelance Writing Book, July 26, 2002
This review is from: Secrets of a Freelance Writer, Second Edition: How To Make $85,000 A Year (Paperback)
The title intrigued me, the numbers enticed me. I bought the book and changed my business path.
Though Bly had obvious advantages due to previous jobs in the field, I decided I'd give it a shot.
Mr. Bly offered some excellent insight and explanations about where to advertise your services and what services to focus on.
His line concerning the great american novel not being the best or most realistic way to earn a living as a writer, struck a something inside me. Yes, I wanted to be recognized as a 'writer' but I wanted to make a living as well.
With Bly's advice and direction, I began learning the tricks of the trade for copy and niche writing. The I created some samples and advertised. It worked! I now get rave reviews and returning clients.
This is a great first book and one to keep on the shelf for reference. I highly recommend Bly's "The Copywriter's Handbook", David H. Maister's "True Professionalism", and Ross Dawson's "Developing Knowledge-Based Client Relationships" as wonderful sources for writers.
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37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good advice for any writer starting out, December 5, 2003
This review is from: Secrets of a Freelance Writer, Second Edition: How To Make $85,000 A Year (Paperback)
If you visit many websites on writing, particularly, copywriting, Mr. Bly's name generally comes up. He is sort of looked upon as the trailblazer, the guy who laid out the roadmap for people who want to write but not have to starve by doing so.
Peter Bowerman, author of "The Well Fed Writer," gives Bly all the credit in the world for essentially being his "muse" in regard to copywriting. Aside: "Well Fed," is a slightly better book, although I recommend you read both.
Bly does a great job of laying out what copywriting entails, what you will need to do the job, and how to become a copywriter. All great information. But I have two problems with the book (just don't let these problems dissuade you from reading it).
First, the book is very light on advice on obtaining clients. Bly touches on it, gives some advice, but ultimately there is a lot to be desired in advice on finding work. Bowerman's book does a better job in this area, although even he doesn't provide any magic formula that will have clients lining up at the door to hire you. Hint: you've got to work to find the work; just no way around it.
Second, and this is a problem I have with every book or program out there that seems to indicate everyone and anyone can become a copywriter: It just ain't so, folks! Pardon the poor grammar, but that's part of the problem.
A sizeable chunk of our population is clueless about how to write anything, much less advertising and marketing copy. I think before a lot of people assume they can read this book, become a freelance writer, and suddenly start earning enormous amounts of money, they are going to need to go back to school and develop an understanding of basic grammar.
But, in part, that is what creates value for freelance writers. They do something that most other people actually can't, even though many people believe they could do it if they just took the time.
So, I have a problem with the promise that almost anyone can become a freelance writer. But if you have a decent grasp of grammar and a little creativity, you probably can and this book will be an excellent place to seek help in starting out.
Just be aware, you will probably want to pick up some of Bly's other books on copywriting that actually explain the process of writing effective copy.
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68 of 74 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Promises too much, October 31, 2000
This review is from: Secrets of a Freelance Writer, Second Edition: How To Make $85,000 A Year (Paperback)
Not that Bly's book isn't filled with useful information, it is. But it becomes somewhat problematic when he glosses over the difficulties in breaking into freelance commercial writing. He did, however, discuss this in the book's predecessor: The Copywriter's Handbook. Buy Secrets of a Freelance Writer for its invaluable information on the nuts and bolts of ad writing and commercial writing in general. But read it with the premise that cracking open your first commercail acccount(s) is considerably more difficult that the author conveys.
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