How to Become a Freelance Writer Who Gets Paid

Image: luigi diamanti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

People often ask me how I got started as a writer, and how I found my work from home job. Thankfully, I currently write full-time for a trade publication, and I do get to work from my home office. But that hasn't always been the case. Most of the writers that I know -- in journalism, public relations and marketing, at least -- are still required to work in a traditional business setting, in an office. But with the power of high speed Internet connection in homes, and the fact that more … [Read more...]

Need a Mental Detox? Plan An Easy Getaway



Used with Permission from StockVault

Dinner needs to be cooked. Doctor's appointments need to be made. Bills need to get paid. The child needs to get picked up from daycare by 5:30 p.m. That assignment needs to be filed by tomorrow afternoon. Your spouse needs your undivided attention. Your toenails are screaming for a pedicure. Your blog hasn't been updated in a week. And the list goes on and on and on. If your to-do list looks anything like mine, then you're probably feeling pretty overwhelmed right about now, or at least … [Read more...]

Guest Blogger: Becoming Carrie Bradshaw

Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw

When Carrie said, "I'm looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love," on Sex and the City, she could have been talking about her career. Frankly, I already have career-love. I'm a consumer affairs mediator. My job combines shopping, helping people and the occasional entertaining crazy. Bliss. And yet. It's not my dream. Or it's only part of it. My childhood hobbies included reading fashion magazines and creating puzzle, mystery and … [Read more...]

Who’s Got Yo’ Back?

Please excuse the grammatical no-no in the title. But this is a very important post (as the rest of them are.) Who has your back in your career? Who’s in your corner when you need some advice, insight, support in pursuing your dreams when times are low, or who gives you that extra push off the ledge into facing your fears? Who would you consider as a mentor or supportive friend? Today, I had a very encouraging conversation with a good friend, Monique McDowell, whom I first connected with … [Read more...]

What Are You So Afraid Of? Top 5 Fears That Paralyze the Career-Minded


Courtesy of Dreamstime

This week I decided to take some calculated steps to advance my career as a journalist and writer. Most recently, I felt the need to step outside my comfort zone. So, I decided to bypass opportunities with smaller publishers, and attempted to break into the more competitive markets. Even as an experienced business journalist working with the nation’s top news outlets, I was still riddled with self-doubt as I considered whether I would be "good enough." Here's something I rarely share with … [Read more...]

“What do you do well?” And Other Simple Questions To Discover Work You Love

Courtesy of Dreamstime

Since graduating from high school, throughout college, and up until about a year ago, I went back and forth in my mind trying to determine what my true career path was. Along the way, I considered pursuing jobs in social work, education, public relations, theatre, film & television, sales and journalism -- without a doubt, an eclectic group of industries had crossed my mind. The one profession that continued to resurface was writing and journalism. It made sense. After all, I enjoyed the … [Read more...]

News

First Annual Power 30 Under 30 Awards, Washington, DC Photo Credit: http://power30under30.com Photographer, Kat Goduco

### Apex Society selects professional development blogger, journalist as awards finalist The 2010 Power 30 Under 30 Awards™ honors 30 young professionals in their chosen fields WASHINGTON, DC (October 7, 2010) — Emily Ann Brown, a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and the founder and key contributor of TheCareerPioneer.com, announced today that she was selected as a finalist for the Apex Society's annual Power 30 Under 30™ Awards. The Power 30 Under 30™ Awards honors 30 outstanding … [Read more...]