By

Michele L. Tune

She’s on fire. Her words are inspiring, motivating, true, and resonate with my soul – and many others, I know. She’s accomplished more in a few months than most writers and bloggers accomplish in years. Her enthusiasm, talent, and zest for life are intoxicating and contagious. Who am I talking about? Okay, I’ll tell you. I could definitely go on and on, but I’ll resist. Her name is Kimberlee Ferrell. (You may remember her guest post.)She’s only been freelancing for a few months (although she’s been writing since she was a toddler) and she’s already achieving tons of writing and blogging success. She’s even written a fabulous e-book sharing how she’s achieving her success, and how you can do the same. (I’ve personally read the e-book and highly recommend it–it will help you blaze a trail all along the cyber highway!)

On to the interview…

Writing the Cyber Highway: You haven’t been freelancing for very long. Why don’t you share what you feel has brought you so much success in such a short time?

Kimberlee: My friends, both writers and non-writers! I have spent a lot of time cultivating relationships with all kinds of people on the internet. They are wonderful supporters who have pushed me on, even when I was unsure of myself. I could celebrate my successes with them, and brainstorm with them through challenges. I could not have done it without them!

CH: Even though you’re new to the freelance business, you have learned and excelled quickly. I’m learning from you and I’ve been freelancing since 2005! Convince everyone that even though you’re new you have important information to share in this e-book you’re offering.

Kimberlee: My e-book is not just for writers, although they will benefit greatly from its advice. Being sincere is something you learn over the course of your whole life. Before becoming a freelance writer, I was a waitress at a variety of restaurants. While waitresses are trained to be pleasant in the face of the unfriendliest people, I developed a different trait. I learned to draw happiness, warmth and sincerity from the bottom of my heart, so I could be kind and gracious to everyone.

This ability to be sincere and true to yourself applies beautifully to online businesses. You have time to think over your responses to others, and craft the best possible reply. You aren’t prone to slip up and say something you might regret. If you can be sincere in your desire to build others up, you and your friends will succeed.

CH: What prompted you to just “go for it” and write your e-book: Sincere Online Community Building?

Kimberlee: Again, it was due to the power of the online community. I have seen so many incredible success stories, through the unique characteristics of social media. I even have my own, as the community pulled together and helped get my car windshield replaced. I have even heard of a little girl getting a kidney donor! As a thank you to my online community, I decided to pull together all I had learned about being a genuine presence online, and share it with you in my e-book.

CH: You have such a fresh and inspiring confidence. Where does this come from? What drives you to be the excellent writer and blogger you are?

Kimberlee: I have the mindset of “failure is not an option!” People are so prone to giving up when things get tough. I have been there myself. It is a depressing place that I refuse to go back to again. I was laid off this fall, and I decided to take control of my own destiny and do what I love: freelance writing. I have my family to support, and I cannot fail them! I push myself each day to do the best I can for myself, my family and my community.

CH: In a recent post sharing your 2009 goals, you mentioned you plan on writing a new e-book each month. That is amazing! I’m sure you can do it (just because I’ve seen what you’ve already accomplished). Do you mind letting us know how you plan to make this goal come to fruition? Are you going to write each night after your daughters are asleep, or will you devote the weekends to e-book writing?

Kimberlee: I plan on giving my e-books my full attention, after my writing projects are done for the day. I am seeking input from my community, on what their goals are and what kind of information they might need to fulfill them. Then I will craft each e-book to help inspire, inform, and delight my community on the way to their success.

CH: Any advice you’d like to offer other new freelancers?

Kimberlee: Never give up! There is always something great on the horizon, even if you just can’t see it yet. Learn as much as you can, then jump in headfirst. You may make mistakes, but you will succeed in time. Keep writing, even when you don’t feel like it. The words will come, as long as you are attempting to write them down. Support each other, and you will reap the benefits. Give to others, and you will receive the benefits.

Kimberlee Ferrell is a freelance writer and blogger for Freedom Writing. She is also a mother of two girls living in small town Iowa. She also enjoys a strong (and large!) cup of coffee and walnut brownies.

Click here to visit Kimberlee Ferrell’s website!

Thank you so much, Kimberlee, for spending some time inspiring us here at Writing the Cyber Highway and letting us get to know you better!

NEW UPDATE: The drawing is over. See the winners here.

IMPORTANT UPDATE!

Kimberlee has decided to give away FOUR COPIES of her awesome e-book! Click here for an opportunity to win.

Note from Writing the Cyber Highway hostess (that’s me!) :

I’d like to add fess up that I experienced a little burnout in 2008. Not that I’d ever consider giving up writing, but I could feel my writing fire flickering… When I met Kim, I could see myself. She’s so much like me when I first started writing and blogging. She’s that fresh voice, ready to take the writing world by storm with energy that lasts through the night – night after night. I’d love to thank her for reminding me of that. Kimberlee has inspired me to dig deeper, keep at it, and make 2009 my best writing and blogging year ever! Thank you, Kimberlee, and may 2009 exceed all your dreams – you certainly deserve all the goodness that comes your way!

Be sure to subscribe to Writing the Cyber Highway’s Feed or by email, so you won’t miss upcoming posts and updates. Look for news from my own writing life, as well as interviews with other amazing and inspiring folks. I’ll even be sharing the links to my mom’s new website and blog!

Copyright 2007-2008 WritingtheCyberHighway.com

Posted Thursday, December 4, 2008

By

Michele L. Tune

Ever heard of eHow?

Maybe you’ve searched for something and landed on an eHow article. Read that sentence again. Don’t want to? Ok, I’ll write it again. Stay with me. This is significant. Read: Maybe you’ve searched for something and landed on an eHow article. Can you even fathom how powerful that sentence really is? Why is it powerful? Because if you’re the author of that article someone ends up reading after searching online for an answer, and they happen to click an ad related to your topic, you earn money!

I know, this sounds too good to be true.

I’m always skeptical of things like this myself and that’s why I waited so long before I joined eHow. (Everyone wants to get paid upfront, right?) And even once I joined (May, 2008), it was months before I even considered really submitting articles and participating in the site. (I’m kicking myself right now!)

Don’t like reading eBooks?

Me either. I’m not a fan of eBooks. I spend enough time online and staring at the computer screen writing and blogging. The last thing I want to do when I have time to read is stare at the computer screen even more. I’m over that now. Why? Because I just finished reading How to Earn Passive Income at eHow.com: Residual Income for Web Content Writers – eBook by WriterGig. (Again, I’m kicking myself because I didn’t take action and buy this eBook sooner!)

Okay, okay… so what am I loving about this book? Why do I think it’s worth $25? Why do I think you should buy it immediately?

Here’s a few reasons and things you’ll learn:

• tips and tricks for increasing your revenue from the first time you publish an article
• resources that will hugely benefit you and your articles
• how to write the best titles for ranking your articles higher in the search engines
• which topics to stay away from
• about key words, where to test them, and more

You’ll also get to see real screen shots of the author’s earnings!!

Extra Tip:

I highly recommend purchasing this book BEFORE you sign on with eHow. You’ll learn things that will boost your sales and help you tremendously from that very first article. What WriterGig shares about creating your eHow account is crucial. I SO WISH I had read her eBook BEFORE I created my account! Take this opportunity to get a step ahead of other eHow writers…

I was really surprised that the eBook is so short (24 pages) but it is packed with tons of information. It’s definitely worth the $25 – and more! Think about it. You’re benefiting from the author’s experiences, wisdom, and tried-and-tested methods of what works best and what doesn’t. Don’t you pay a doctor well for their expertise? Remember how much lawyers and doctors and therapists charge for their hard-earned wisdom and advice?

Does the thought of residuals make you cringe?

Keep reading. Have you ever sold an article for $10? That payment may be upfront, but if you sold all rights to it, you’ll never earn another dime. With eHow’s residual income system, countless writers are earning thousands per article! I’m an honest gal. I’ll tell you not to expect $1,000 your first month. If that happens, fantabulous! But I won’t give you false expectations. My reputation is worth more to me than a few bucks of affiliate commissions and I’d never want you to waste your hard-earned money on something (like this eBook) that I wasn’t 100% positive would be an asset to your freelance life and bank account.

Yes, I have already started applying what I learned from this eBook to my own (20+) eHow articles and am seeing my residuals increase daily!

BONUS:

When you order, you’ll receive a FREE eBook: The Affiliate Masters Course (152 pages)!

What are you waiting for? Snatch up your copy and get started earning with eHow now!

How to Earn Passive Income at eHow.com: Residual Income for Web Content Writers – eBook by WriterGig

Total:$25

Click here to view more details

(Yes, this is an affiliate link. If you buy the eBook, I’ll earn a commission. But I’ve been a guinea pig so you know you’ll be purchasing a quality product. ‘Tis the Season!)

Be sure to subscribe so you won’t miss out on eHow updates about my own articles, as well as tried-and-true tips from this awesome freelance life!

Best wishes on your eHow articles. (Be sure to add me as a friend once you sign up.) Here’s to eHowing the Cyber Highway!