Customer Reviews

The Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Commercial Freelancer in Six Months or Less

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought the first edition of TWFW several years ago, and hesitated before buying the new version -- would it really have enough new information to make the purchase worthwhile? Actually, yes -- this time around, Bowerman has inserted plenty of examples from other writers so that, whatever your challenge, you can find a story from someone whose background or experiences are close to your own. Because Bowerman comes from a sales background, I always felt a little overwhelmed by his cold call methods in the first book -- easy for him! But in the second book, there are plenty of examples from people who loathe the idea of picking up the phone to drum up business -- and that's just one example. Lots of tools, lots of ideas, lots of good stuff -- now I have two books that are dogeared from overuse!

I had bought Bowerman's original edition and picked up the newest one last year. It's obvious he missed the "freelance collapse" of 2009, as much of his advice just doesn't pan out now. I've been writing for commercial markets since 2005, and after a fantastic year in 2008, I'm making 1/4 of that the past two years...and I'm commanding money in the top pay bracket. Companies just aren't hiring and are pulling it in-house or cutting advertising/marketing budgets altogether. Not that it's his fault, but do realize that the market right now is different than the one he is writing about.

I also have some credibility issues with a writer who doesn't know the difference between "phase" and "faze" and a few other basic homonym differences. That's freshman college stuff.

Typically I don't buy "update" editions of books I already have, as they tend to have most of the same information. Not so with "The Well-Fed Writer." Peter Bowerman has included plenty of new information in this edition, much of it based on "lessons learned" from his own business and feedback from readers who have shared their ideas and experiences with him (which he gratefully acknowledges). Bowerman delivers the "nuts and bolts" information you need for starting and running a writing business in an entertaining, reader-friendly way. At the same time, he's honest and upfront about the effort and work required. "If it were easy, everyone would be doing it." Keep this book close to your desk--anytime you're having a procrastination-type day - just read a chapter and it'll motivate you to get off your duff and start making calls.

I really do not remember how I found out about this book, but it has literally changed my professional life. I have been a full-time writer and editor for about two years and was plugging along with billings of $3-4K a month; but within two months I looked at my billings and they are now at $7-8,000 a month! Just me! Wow! I didn't start from scratch as many people who read this book will be doing; I already had in place some of the basics. But I was able to take Peter's recommendations and double my billings! I live in one of the states hardest hit by the economic meltdown.

I did not read the previous editions, so I cannot compare this newest addition to those. I just know that Peter starts by blasting the "starving writer" meme and helping people to realize that writing is both a skill and an art that cannot be done by "just anybody with a computer". Although Peter lets people know that although they do not have to be professionally trained writers to become well-fed writers, they do have to do the work necessary to become skilled at the craft of writing and the business of marketing themselves.

Peter gives step-by-step instructions on how to build a well-paying writing business for yourself using all of the latest tools and techniques available. Most importantly, all through the book, directly and indirectly, Peter reminds writers that they are WORTH charging real rates. This is not a get-rich-quick scheme; but solid advice on building a real business at a nice even pace over the next several months.

I did raise my hourly rate from $55 to $75/hour and my per word rates from $0.10 to $1.00 - $1.50 per word, but more importantly--I almost exclusively charge by the project and use my hourly and per word rates as just benchmarks. I have almost more work than I can handle AFTER I changed my rate schedule.

So, if you are one of those writers who is struggling with less-than-U.S. minimum-wage writing projects and trying to compete with people who charge or will only pay $0.01/word or less, get this book NOW. Then get a yellow highlighter and a pen and paper--remember those?--and read, highlight, take notes and read again. Then stop complaining about the economy and overseas competition and revise your entire business to not only reward yourself with a decent annual compensation ($60,000- $100,000 or more) before the end of twelve months, but also a well-balanced work life.

The starving artist is not a stereotype one needs to live in. "The Well-Fed Writer: Financial Self-Sufficiency as a Commercial Freelancer in Six Months or Less" is a guide to breaking into the lucrative and flexible world of freelancing as a writer in commercial venues. An absolute must consideration to anyone who wants to pave their way in life using their skills with a pen, "The Well-Fed Writer" is quite the guide for getting started when you're at square-one.

Peter Bowerman is the soul of generosity as he lays out everything one needs to know in order to run a successful free lance copywriting business. From cost benefits to the client, to demystifying sales and marketing and cold calling, Peter shows how any ambitious and decent writer can promote their copywriting business and achieve a steady stream of work projects.

Peter is well-qualified, with 31 plus years in sales and marketing, which is key to achieving success in this field. As such, Peter explains prospecting for clients and following up with them, and all the ingredients necessary to mount a successful marketing strategy.

Peter writes in-depth about the ins and outs of securing copywriting work from business-to-business and business-to-consumer clients: client meetings, pricing, networking, document types, smaller copywriting markets, and what it takes to get major league copywriting rates of $125.00/hr. and above.

Peter includes plenty of success stories from other copywriters who have read his book(s), and how they met the challenges of getting their free lance businesses up and running. He also includes a plethora of copywriting resources.

All in all, you will be a well-fed reader by the time you're done with his primer on running a free lance commercial writing service.

To sum up, Peter offers several packages of copywriting resource material, including The Deluxe Well-Fed Tool Box and the Well-Fed Writer's Time-Line. I have only scanned through these materials, because I'm so inundated with resource material for copywriting through Peter's professional affiliations that it will take some months to absorb it all. But, I can assure you that you'll find more meat and potatos, i.e., practical resources for setting up a successful copywriting business.

The only downside (if there truly is one) is that Peter doesn't cover the legal aspects of doing business (taxes, fictitious business names, business licenses, etc.), and I was initially looking for this information too. But that information is easily obtainable through your local Small Business Administration, which offers on-going courses in all legal matters of setting up a small business.

If you're a writer of at least average ability and serious about starting a free lance commercial writing service, I highly recommend Peter's book as a go-to resource for your daily free-lance business operations.

Everyone seems to rave about this book, but I honestly found it tough to understand. I'm young and new to all of this stuff. Also the writer has a laid back tone like it's all a piece of cake. If you're seriously a BEGINNER, then this book may overwhelm or intimidate you. A good reference book, but not super detailed and step-by-step enough for me.

The Well-Fed Writer is a well written book which was a very easy read. Mr. Bowerman was very clear and to the point about what tactics he employs to be successful and he also flat out tells the reader that you could be more successful than he is...it just takes more effort.

Well written and enjoyable to read!

WOW! Bowerman has done it again. His latest book (a combination and revision of two previous books) The Well-Fed Writer (2010) once again meets the needs of copywriters writers (and others) hoping to create a business doing what they love. This excellent resource is honest, practical, and real!

Bowerman addresses those niggling (or loud) doubts and fears that writers have when contemplating starting a commercial writing business. Chapter 3, discussing sales and marketing, does everything possible to help calm the loathing about marketing. And he's fairly successful with that. One can't get over a lifetime of disliking the idea of self-marketing in one reading, but the chapter helps start the process.

He also confirms my own realization that in order to make a good living as a writer these days, you have to serve in ways most others can't; in other words, you have to be special. He discusses the online meat market (my term) of online contract writing in which people are being paid peanuts for their work simply because everyone else can do the same thing. It's the old law of supply-and-demand. Too much supply means the price drops like a rock, so those online contract writers can be working for less than minimum wage. He does offer exceptions, but they are rare. But Bowerman's book lays out a plan and helps set aside the doubts and fears for creating a profitable commercial writing business.

Bowerman's style is informative, relaxed, and often humerous. He doesn't overwhelm the reader with every possible detail that might, or might not, be needed when setting up and performing this business. He gives readers what is needed to get started and become successful. He hasn't produced an encyclopedia (thank goodness); he has produced a practical guide to help writers succeed as freelance commercial writers.

I did experience one personal disappointment: Chapter 14 - the types of writing one can do. This chapter focuses mainly on marketing types, which, admittedly, are a large portion of the types of writing one can be hired to do. I went through the chapter looking for non-marketing types (since that's not my forte) and found only a few. But then, he does discuss the fact that most commercial writers are generalists and thrive on variety in their writing, so the chapter will be useful to many readers.

I also want to thank Peter for the wealth of web links and stories of other freelancers offered in the book. I actually found the model I will use for my website (Ed Gandia's website). Thank you, Peter and Ed.

So if you want to learn more about the freelance commercial writing business, to see if it is for you or not, check out Peter Bowerman's The Well-Fed Writer, available at Amazon.com and in bookstores no. I highly recommend it.

Katie Ploeger, M.A., M.F.A.
Ploeger's Services
[...]
Beaverton, OR

I've read many books about commercial the freelance writing business. This is, by far, the most comprehensive and useful book on the topic I've ever read. Most books seem to touch on the same aspects of the business and gloss over many of them. Peter Bowerman does an excellent job of digging into every related topic and he gives great examples from his own extensive career, as well as from other commercial freelancers from around the country. He takes the reader from looking at whether or not this is the career for them to what it takes succeed. He covers in great detail topics such as setting up a website, sales & marketing, cold-calling, interviewing, networking, how to thrive in a small market, what types of commercial writing one can earn a living at and how much to get paid. Bowerman also does the reader a great favor by referencing a variety of websites including his own, as well as other books. For anyone considering launching- or improving- a commercial freelance writing career, this book is a must.