About the Course
If you want to succeed as a freelance writer, editor, or content writer, you need to master the Business of Writing. This course will teach you how to handle the business aspects of your writing career, from negotiating contracts and fees, to marketing your services and building relationships with clients and publishers. You will also learn how to communicate effectively, write proposals and contracts, create a small business plan, set up a bank account, keep track of your income and expenses, and comply with regulations and requirements.
The course consists of modules, each with a specific learning objective and a practical assignment. For each module, materials have been provided to help you through the course and allow for quick references or easy use to complete assignments. There is no pass or fail; the information provided here is meant to help you hone your craft. The modules are:
Module 1: Multiple Lessons
If you are interested in pursuing a career as a freelance writer, this module will provide you with an overview of the business of writing. You will discover the various types of writing services that you can offer to clients. In our lessons,
You will learn:
what a niche is and why you need it
what your target market is
what your target market's needs and expectations are
how to reach your target market
what kinds of services you can offer:
copywriting
content writing
blogging
ghostwriting
Practical Assignment
Quizz
Summary
Module 2: Multiple Lessons
The skills and qualifications that you need to succeed as a freelance writer. In our lessons,
You will learn:
writing proficiency
research ability
communication skills
self-discipline
their meanings and requirements
Practical Assignment
Quizz
Summary
Module 3: Multiple Lessons
Explore the benefits and challenges of being a freelance writer. In our lessons,
flexibility
income potential
creativity
competition
isolation
manage your time, workload, and productivity to meet deadlines and quality standards
Practical Assignment
Quizz
Summary
Module 4: Multiple Lessons
A professional portfolio and website. Building a reputation as a reliable and proficient writer is extremely important. There are steps to take to start your own small business. In this module, you will discover things to do to build a professional portfolio and website. In our lessons,
You will learn:
how to showcase your writing skills
how to showcase your experience
if you need a website and why
Practical Assignment
Quizz
Summary
Module 5: Multiple Lessons
Create a legal and financial structure. In our lessons,
You will learn:
what you need to be a beneficial, working and thriving business person
how to promote yourself
what kind of sales process you have and what it involves
why following up with clients is important
why you need to be organized
what tools to use to keep track of things
how to deal with deadlines
how to deal with expectations of yourself and your clients
that you need a quality control process in place and what it entails
Practical Assignment
Quizz
Summary
Module 6: Multiple Lessons
Negotiating and Contract Writing. One of the most important skills for a freelance writer is negotiating and contract writing. Whether you are working with clients or publishers, you need to know how to communicate your value, set your fees and terms, and protect your rights and interests. In our lessons,
You will learn:
how to clarify ownership rights of your writing work
who owns copyright, trademark or other intellectual property rights and when does a lawyer need to be involved
if you can reuse material
if you will get credit or remain anonymous
how you handle any disagreements or conflicts that may arise during or after the project
if you will use mediation, arbitration or litigation
how to research the market and your potential clients or publishers
how to prepare a proposal or pitch that showcases your skills and experience
how to negotiate your fees, deadlines, revisions, and other terms
how to negotiate contracts, rates, and terms of service with clients and publishers to write a clear and professional contract or agreement that covers all the essential clauses
how to deal with common issues and disputes, such as late payments, scope creep, plagiarism, or breach of contract
how establishing a dispute resolution mechanism is a smart move
how to make the deal based on scope of project, deliverable, word count, format, style, and quality standards
if revisions are included
how to invoice the client, when and how to receive payment
about Terms and conditions
what are the costs and risks involved with litigation, arbitration or mediation
how important is your reputation
Forum Discussion: What to do when they don't pay?
Practical Assignment
Quizz
Summary
Module 7: Multiple Lessons
Marketing and Networking. Marketing and networking are essential skills for any freelance writer who wants to succeed in the competitive and dynamic industry. In our lessons,
You will learn:
how to market yourself and your services effectively
to use the portfolio you're creating
how to use social media and online platforms to promote your brand and connect with your audience
how to network with other writers and professionals who can offer you opportunities, feedback, and support
Practical Assignment
Quizz
Summary
Module 8: Multiple Lessons
Meeting Like-Minded Individuals. The biggest challenged I faced when first starting out, was being so isolated and unsure of myself. I've since then discovered the best way to avoid this was connecting to other writers. It was tough at first, but eventually I met some wonderful fellow writers. In our lessons,
You will learn:
the value of joining memberships
the value of joining job boards
the importance of creating profiles
Practical Assignment
Quizz
Summary
Module 9: Multiple Lessons
Working with Clients and Publishers. One of the most important skills for a freelance writer is working with clients and publishers. This module will teach you how to build and maintain good rapport with them, how to communicate your needs and expectations clearly and professionally, how to deal with feedback and revisions in a constructive way, and how to meet deadlines and deliver quality work consistently. In our lessons,
You will learn to:
identify the types and sources of clients and publishers for freelance writers
understand the benefits and challenges of working with different kinds of clients and publishers
develop effective communication strategies for different stages of the writing process
respond to feedback and revisions in a positive and professional manner
Practical Assignment
Quizz
Summary
Module 10: Multiple Lessons
Business Planning and Management. In this module, you will learn how to create a small business plan for your writing career, how to set up a bank account and a payment system, how to keep track of your income and expenses, and how to file taxes and invoices. As a freelance writer, you need to treat your career as a small business. This means you need to plan ahead, manage your finances, and comply with legal requirements. In this module, you will learn the essential skills and tools to run your writing business successfully. In our lessons,
You will learn:
to create a small business plan that outlines your goals, services, target market, pricing, and marketing strategies
to set up a bank account and a payment system that allows you to receive payments from clients and pay for your expenses
to keep track of your income and expenses using a spreadsheet or an accounting
to set up a brand
to create a logo
to create letterhead
to create business forms using your brand
that if in Canada, you need to acquire a business number
that if in Canada, you need to get a GST number
that if in the United States, set up tax forms
if you are eligable to work in other countries remotely
to file taxes and create invoices according to the laws and regulations of your country
to avoid common pitfalls and challenges that freelance writers face in their business
Practical Assignment
Quizz
Summary
Module 11: Multiple Lessons
As a freelance writer, you need to be aware of the regulations and requirements that apply to your work and your business. In our lessons,
You will learn:
Copyright laws: You must respect the intellectual property rights of others and avoid using their work without permission or proper attribution. You also need to protect your own work from unauthorized use or distribution.
Plagiarism: You must not copy or paraphrase someone else's words or ideas and present them as your own. Plagiarism is not only unethical but also illegal and can damage your reputation and credibility.
Confidentiality: You must respect the privacy and confidentiality of your clients and sources and not disclose any sensitive or personal information without their consent. You also need to safeguard your own data and documents from unauthorized access or theft.
Liability: You are responsible for the quality and accuracy of your work and any consequences that may arise from it. You may be liable for damages or legal action if your work causes harm or injury to someone or violates their rights or interests.
Insurance: You may need to obtain professional liability insurance or other types of insurance to cover yourself and your business from potential risks or losses. Insurance can help you pay for legal fees, settlements, or damages in case of a claim or lawsuit.
Licenses and permits: You may need to obtain certain licenses or permits to operate your business legally and comply with local, state, or federal regulations. These may include business licenses, tax registrations, zoning permits, etc.
Other regulations and requirements: Depending on the type and scope of your work, you may need to follow other regulations and requirements such as contracts, invoices, payments, taxes, etc. You should consult with a lawyer, accountant, or other professional to ensure that you meet all the legal and ethical obligations of being a freelance writer.
Forum Discussion: How do you protect yourself from legal issues?
Practical Assignment
Quizz
Summary
Module 12: Multiple Lessons
Working with templates and forms. Material provided for exercises and use.
Practical Assignments
Video
Quizz
Summary
Materials Provided
By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge and skills to run your own writing business successfully and confidently.
Course Summary Video
Breakdown of Fees: $904.00
$ 200.00 - base programming
$ 200.00 - For module set-up
$ 400.00 - For lessons: including:
videos
our copywritten forms
other materials
research
resources
forum access
Practical Assignment & Instructor Assessment
quizz
summary
instructor access
6 month access to program
Plus:
taxes
service fee
Notice: All information, forms and content provided for this course is strictly the property of Dark Dove Publishing, The WRITE Affiliates, and J.L. Slipak and should not be copied, reused, rebranded or altered in any fashion for unauthorized purposes, and without explicit permission to do so by the aforementioned parties, hereto.
Any infringement of copyright, trademark, or registration will result in legal actions being taken against violators. Permission of use is governed solely for this program/course as provided strictly adhering to copyright laws of Canada and the United States and for no improper purposes in accordance to the law.
For terms and conditions governing refunds, go to terms and conditions in the main menu under Dark Dove Publishing. All personal data is subject to our privacy policy listed below. Although Dark Dove Publishing strives to provide correct and appropriate materials, any errors or ommisions should be immediately brought to the attention of Dark Dove Publishing in written form by sending an email to:
info.darkdovepublishing@gmail.com
Private information is forbidden on public forums. Any links or emails provided there will be deleted. All posts are governed with the strictest policies. Please remain professional with conduct when using services, products, access and other items belonging to Dark Dove Publishing, The WRITE Affiliates, and J.L. Slipak, as per the terms of conduct and program/course polices provided with each course description.
All courses are for informational purposes to fine tune and hone the craft of writing. None are for official certification toward a degree, diploma, or professional certification in any form. Go here to read further terms and conditions
Your Instructor
J.L. Slipak

Certified Freelance Writer, Editor, Published Author, CEO of Dark Dove Publishing, Over 40 Years of Experience in The Written World