Customer Reviews

Working Writer Happy Writer: How To Build A Thriving Writing Business From Nothing

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Sue LaPointe has written a definitive guide for anyone who wants to build their own freelance commercial writing business from the ground up. If you've got the chops to write with intelligence and know where to put the commas, this book will lay out the steps to take and the tools you need to start and build your own freelancing business - with next to zero financial investment to you other than your computer and your Internet connection.

I recommend this book to everyone who has ever wondered if they could earn a living as a writer. I followed the steps in this manual page by page and within seven months, I quit my full time job to devote myself to my new writing business. I haven't looked back once- I'm having the time of my life running my own business and doing what I love. This is the first resource I recommend to anyone who asks me how to get started writing online.

Buy the book- you will never regret it!

I ordered Sue's book after I lost my job as a bank teller. I've always written and have a few articles published in magazines, but to make a steady living on article selling is rather tough. Before I even got past the first few pages, I was enthralled! Sue was just like me - a normal everyday gal trying to make a living with writing skills and a desire to stay at home while doing so. I'd had more than I wanted of the environment in which I gave my all (energy, time, loyalty) in return for absolutely nothing but a minimal paycheck and no respect, no thanks, no investments, no future. It was time for me and my family to benefit and this book was the key I needed to unlock the door.

If you've ever thought the only way to make a good living with your writing skills is by penning the big novel and making it into Oprah's book club, you absolutely must read Working Writer, Happy Writer! Sue walks you through the process of understanding and establishing your own home business where the paths to earning money are straight, easy to walk even for the "non-entrepreneur" type, and logical. From getting started (what do clients want?) to finding jobs (she's already got you finding them in the second chapter! And believe me - it is very do-able!), Sue's got you covered! Her writing style is fabulous. I felt like I was sitting down with one of my best friends and just chatting over coffee. And, within two days, I had my first real copywriting job! Unbelievable.

I've read it front to back, ear-marked it, highlighted it, and re-read it twice in just a month. I keep it on my desk at all times. I've had to write down the title and author for quite a few people who have seen me reading it in doctor's offices, schools, etc. and they want the same thing I want - freedom from the nasty corporate system and the stress, expense and exhaustion that goes with it!!

Sue also teaches you how to continue to make more money, how to build on the foundation of your copywriting business. I am excited and preparing to get my website up and running and sell information from it. I believe it will be better money (income) than I've ever had before!! The sky is the limit really. I'm so pumped and excited. Just opening Sue's book gets my heart beating wildly!! The chapter titled "What Else Can I Do to Earn Money" is a book in itself! The opportunities are so vast and certainly attainable to anyone who reaches for them. This is not a "dreamer" book. It's the real deal!

I know this review probably sounds a little over the top, but it's just truth. This is definitely an investment that you will reap benefits from for many years to come no matter what your writing talent or desire may be. Sue also offers personal coaching sessions and I'm thrilled about that. Someday when my copywriting business is earning enough money to allow my husband to quit work so he can farm fulltime and pay all our bills, I will pursue my dream of writing that Great American Novel. But, I don't have to try to get it done under a rush in hopes of being recognized as a good writer or selling it to the big publishers....I can write it in my own time and enjoy the entire process! This book is definitely a must.

The title says it all! Sue LaPointe will walk you through exactly how to become a working (and well paid) writer from the comfort of your own home. She doesn't promise miracles and she doesn't tell you will get rich by doing nothing or merely thinking positively. Though she is positive and encouraging, she's also refreshingly down to earth. So many other guides offer you a lot of positive thoughts but they don't tell you what to do once you've finished reading. Sue tells you that if you want to have a steady stream of writing jobs coming in, you have to make the time to market yourself every day. She outlines the exact steps you need to take to market yourself, start working and to keep the jobs coming in. If you've ever thought about becoming a freelance writer, buy this book.

Straightforward and very easy to read and understand! It's obvious Susan has been where we are. She uses real examples and provides practical steps for moving toward your goal. I'm just getting into chapter 3 and I cannot put the book down. Make sure you have a pen and paper handy...there's so much here, you'll want to take notes.

I first came across Sue's material in 2010. At that point, I had already been thinking about making money online for several years, but I had never found quite the right angle, or a "guru" who convinced me that I could really make this work in a reasonable amount of time. I have a degree in music and had been travelling the world as a pianist, working my way from gig to gig - making money from my laptop would give me a lot more flexibility, as I would no longer depend on concert halls or other venues that would hire me to perform - any beach would do, as long as there was an internet connection.

Sue's concept seemed very feasible and so I bought her book. I liked the step by step instructions... if you can use a coloring book without drawing outside the lines, you should be able to pull this off (I'm exaggerating only slightly). The book explains every step, step by step - even how many bids to place where and how - it's just a matter of following the blueprint. I also bought the web design software she recommends and had a professional looking website up and running in 2-3 hours with very little previous experience.

I actually recently bought Bowerman's book and read some of Bly's stuff as well but I much prefer Sue's style. Eben Pagan frequently talks about the four learning styles - the why what how what-if - learners - and I'm the how type. I prefer to be told how exactly to do something rather than just learning about more abstract concepts and ideas, so Sue's material turned out to be a much better match for me.

On my second day of freelancing I had to stop bidding on more projects because I was swamped with work. I made 2000 USD in my first month - on the side - next to my other job. That was enough "POC" (proof of concept) for me, and I now finance my travels entirely with my freelance work. I currently live in a tropical paradise near the ocean, on the 21st floor of a five-star-resort type apartment complex, complete with gym, spa, swimming pool and an amazing view from my terrace (this costs less than half here of what it would cost in Europe or the US).

I make my own schedule, I wake up when I want, eat when I want, work when I want and take time off when I want. I'm also using my free time between projects to build a second business online... this time, something that will not only be mobile but also scalable. Financial freedom here we come! Things honestly couldn't be much better and I owe Sue a debt of gratitude for the life style freelancing has given me.

I started this book, and initially put it down, but when I returned back to it, I find that it's a very easy read, and has a lot of information to get your feet off the ground in making money writing.

This book is very good if you want to find sources needing writers who write comerical or technical manuscripts. It is not for freelancers, who write fiction. I did like the way the book was written and its format. Deciding my sister could make better use of it, I shipped it off to her. After all she was looking for occassional work, that would get her off her aching legs and feet!