One of the best things I have purchased for my business (not counting my computer) is Paul Lima’s book “Everything You Wanted to Know About Freelance Writing,” which is actually two books in one. I highly recommend this book for new freelance writers, to give them an idea of how to get started in freelance writing, and for seasoned veterans, because the tips in the book might trigger ideas that can have a positive impact on business.

The two books included in this one book are “The Six-Figure Freelancer: How to Find, Price and Manage Corporate Writing Assignments,” and “Business of Freelance Writing: How to Develop Article Ideas and Sell Them to Newspapers and Magazines.” It may sound like a mouthful, but there’s a lot of fantastic information in here for writers (and aspiring writers).

Everything You Wanted to Know About Freelance Writing

First, I love the spiral binding of this book. The binding makes it easy to fold the cover open, keeping the book open to your page while you type at your computer, and believe me, that comes in handy. I constantly refer to the book when I write my business plan (which I did for the first time this year) and set out my monthly goals. Not having to constantly find the page I was on is a huge timesaver.

I also love that this book involves both the corporate side of freelance writing and writing for periodicals (that’s newspapers and magazines to you younger folk). This means that no matter what your interest in freelance writing–corporate, periodicals or both–you’re covered if you buy this book. It also means that if you are more interested in one side of freelancing but change your mind later, you’ve already got a book to help you.

The Six-Figure Freelancer: How to Find, Price and Manage Corporate Writing Assignments

The first part of the book involves the business aspect of freelance writing–including time management, business plans, marketing yourself, pitch letters and pricing jobs. Anything you might wonder about regarding the business side of freelance writing is included here.

Items such as business plans are examined on a step-by-step basis, starting with a business vision and business goals, so the process of writing a business plan isn’t overwhelming.

The book is easy to read and has important tips that are easy to follow and implement. Exercises to help you define your business and develop your target market are included. Finally, the book has tips on staying organized (valuable for just about any writer, I’d bet).

Anyone interested in corporate writing, or looking for tips to increase business would be wise to take a look at this book.

The Business of Freelance Writing: How to Develop Article Ideas and Sell Them to Newspapers and Magazines

Newspaper and magazine writing is the higher-profile side of freelance writing, but that doesn’t mean it’s either easy or lucrative. This book, however, gets you started on the right path by providing tips to develop article ideas, building a portfolio, querying editors and writing leads.

Also included are sections on finding markets, conducting research, dealing with copyright and multiple submissions. Anything you have a question about regarding newspaper or magazine writing is probably covered in this book.

I can’t say enough good things about Paul Lima’s book. I constantly refer to it when I’m thinking about my freelance writing business or considering pitching article ideas. It’s a book I highly recommend for freelance writers. Both of the books included in “Everything You Wanted to Know About Freelance Writing” are available separately, but since they’re available together, I don’t see the point of buying them separately. True to the title, the two books together cover all aspects of freelance writing and answer questions that you have now as well as questions that will probably come up later.

The book is available in a print edition for $24.95 (US) plus shipping or in an electronic version for $12.95 (US). It can be bought from Paul Lima directly here.

Please note: I purchased my own copy of Everything You Wanted to Know About Freelance Writing. The version I bought is an earlier edition of the version available now, but my understanding is that the information contained in it is the same.