We were given a very small number of words to pitch our presentations for FinCon19. Here’s the description of my panel, “From Guest Posts to Six Figures: Actionable Tips for Freelancers”:

Beginning writers often take any jobs they can find, even if they’re poorly paid and/or labor-intensive. You need the clips! But at some point you should ask yourself whether it’s wise to do things like:

– Write for “exposure” (Hint: People DIE of exposure.)

– Write for peanuts (especially for clients who take up waaay too much of your time)

– Take assignments you don’t believe in (“Yay payday loans!”)

– Keep working with First-Ever Client out of loyalty, although other gigs pay better

The takeaways:

– Finding the right jobs

– Learning to say “no” (e.g., to calls/Skypes that take too much of your time)

– Asserting yourself (“My rates have gone up,” or “Sorry, I won’t put together a sidebar without being paid extra”)

– The gentle art of firing a client

It’s your career. Take charge of it, and don’t sell yourself short.

I had three wonderful, experienced panelists – Jackie Lam, Ben Luthi and Miranda Marquit –– and a responsive audience that asked good questions. It was a great experience that went past its alleged stop time and spilled out into the hallway for even more questions.

Sorry you missed it? You can pick up the video version by purchasing the FinCon19 Virtual Pass. The pass features 90+ sessions, including keynoters Sharon Epperson and Ramit Sethi, and it’s the next best thing to attending the Financial Blogger Conference IRL.

 

 

In fact, more than a few people who do go to FinCon spend most or all of their time meeting other writers and podcasters and networking with potential clients – and later use the Virtual Pass to “attend” the conference.

And why shouldn’t they? It’s a business expense!

 

What’s in the FinCon19 Virtual Pass?

 

Among other things, the FinCon19 Virtual Pass loops you in to:

Six 90-minute workshops (such as “Branding Bootcamp: Who You Are, Who You Serve & What to Do Next,” with Emma Johnson of Wealthy Single Mommy – tried to get into this one and it was packed, so I’ll have to catch the video version)

“Big Idea” talks with Tanja Hester, author of “Work Optional,” and blogger Catherine Alford

Nine sessions focusing on podcasting

Nine sessions focusing on video (e.g., YouTube)

11 blogging sessions (including mine!)

10 sessions on freelancing/entrepreneurship, including one with Jean Chatzky

Four journalism tracks, such as “Voice of Authority: How to Find, Keep or Become a Sought-After Source”

Six advisor sessions, including “How to Build a Six-Figure Advisory Firm Working With Millennials in Just 15 Months”

Six brand/industry sessions, such as “Money Honey: How Brand and Influencers Make a Sweet Team to Boost Financial Confidence in Women”

11 discussion panels, on topics such as “The Truth About Publishing a Book” and “Behind the Scenes With Five Course Creators: Scaling Your Revenue to 6 Figures and Beyond”

18 “quick money” talks, on topics such as “Legit Ways to Make Money in a Changing Market” and “How a Generation is Spending and Earning to Prepare for Retirement”

Purchasing the pass also gives you access to the private FinCon Facebook group, a great place to find sources – and writing jobs.

 

 

More on what you missed

 

For a list of all the programs, visit the FinCon schedule page. But here are a few examples to whet your appetite:

“Perfect Pitching: Little-Used Ways to Landing Your Next Freelance Client” (I went to this one, presented by my pal Linsey Knerl, and I did learn new stuff, even though I’ve been freelancing since 2002)

“How Writers Can Make More Money by Switching From Journalism to Content Marketing” (alas, it is true)

“The Finances of Freelancing: Save Time and Maximize Your Take-Home Pay” (essential info for beginners)

“How to Get a Book Deal, Write the Book and Crush Your Launch”

“10 Breakthroughs That Tripled My Blog and Business”

So if you wish you’d gone to the conference, consider the FinCon19 Virtual Pass. The cost is $199. (Again: If you’re a writer/podcaster/advisor, or working on building one of those professional niches, it’s likely a business expense.)

And maybe I’ll see you at next year’s Financial Blogger Conference? It takes place in Long Beach, Calif.