The Freelance Blogger
written by Philessa Hooks Jenkins
aka Lady PJ
October 30, 2014
All Rights Reserved

The Freelance Blogger

     Wikipedia defines a freelancer as:   "A freelancer, freelance worker, or freelance is a person who is self-employed and is not committed to a particular employer long- term.  These workers are sometimes represented by a company or an agency that resells their labor and that of others to its clients with or without project management and labor contributed by its regular employees.  Others are completely independent.  "Independent contractor" would be the term used in a higher register of English."
     "Payment for freelance work also depends on industry, skills, and experience.   Freelancers may charge by the day, hour, a piece rate, or on a per-project basis.  Instead of a flat rate or fee, some freelancers have adopted a value-based pricing method based on the perceived value of the results to the client.  By custom, payment arrangements may be upfront, percentage upfront, or upon completion.  For more complex projects, a contract may set a payment schedule based on milestones or outcomes. One of the drawbacks of freelancing is that there is no guaranteed payment, and the work can be highly precarious."

Reference;definition from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freelancer

     In conclusion a freelance blogger can work at home for many different companies or for one company in particular, and for different pay at different rates.

Finding your niche market

“Finding your niche market”

Written by Philessa Hooks Jenkins

Aka Lady PJ

All Rights Reserved

March 7, 2014

     When you’re thinking about building a blog or website you should know your audience or your niche market?  After all, your niche market determines your content (what you’re going to write about).  Sometimes that audience will surprisingly change and you’ll have to re-strategize your efforts to reach the new niche market.  You might fail the first time around but you cannot give up; you just try a different approach.  You have to understand that you cannot reach everybody but you can reach a specific group of people and it’s your job to find them.

     Every product can be defined by its niche market.  Your niche market is highly specialized, aiming to survive among the competition.  Finding your niche market is easier said than done but can be achieved by using social media (following the guidelines of course which means no spamming), using advertising, using your blog or website, and using your local market intelligently.  You have to try different methods and find out which method works best for you and your company.

#findingyournichemarket

To Write Or Not To Write

To write or not to write
written by Philessa Hooks Jenkins
aka Lady PJ
All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, March 3, 2014

To write or not to write;
This is the question?
Darkness invades my mind
Waves of fear and panic set in
I can't move... why?
I ask myself.  I hurt.
It's my pain and I love to
Express it in creative ways
There's a life reaching for that light
I can feel it!
Yet, again and again I can't move...
I try and try with zest and determination
But failure is all I can see
That tunnel of darkness closing down on me
and my ending is still pending...

Can't draw... Can you Stensil? by Philessa Hooks Jenkins

"Can't draw... Can you stensil?"

Written by Philessa Hooks Jenkins

aka Lady PJ

2/21/2014

Copyright 2/20/2014 Philessa Hooks Jenkins

     If you're like me and I'm imagining that some of you are; then you have the desire to draw but that's about it.  Your artistic qualities may not go towards the drawing side but can you stencil? I can't draw a lick but I can dab some paint onto a stencil; take the stencil away and I am artist.
     The project above was all done with a stencil that I purchased from a local arts and craft store.  How cool is that?  I used regular paper, colored markers, then I took a picture of the project with my camera, once I was done, then the final step was to load the card into my computer and upload the file onto my blog.  It was very easy and it didn't take me long at all.  Imagine all the things you can create with this simple idea?
     Stick with me and I will show you all sorts of little things you can do that are all so easy but look as if you really worked hard; sweat equity baby!
     As always it's your girl, Lady PJ, much love to you all and have a very creative day my friends.

What is a widget? by Philessa Hooks Jenkins aka Lady PJ

What is a widget?

Written by Philessa Hooks Jenkins

Aka Lady PJ

Copyright 2/19/2014

     If you blog you’ll definitely be working with widgets and html code.  I really hope you know what html code is because there’s no avoiding working with a html code to put into a widget.  The truth is that it’s really easy to do and once you get the hang of it; I promise you it will be like second nature. 

     So how do you get to the widget on Blogger.com? It’s a pretty simple process that involves a few steps:

Type in www.blogspot.com and it should automatically take you to the sign in page.  On the blog that you’re working on there’s a little gadget that looks like a page and it has a down arrow head.  You should see that small arrow head, now click the arrow head, a few links should pop up, and then scroll down.  You will see a link that says layout; hit that link (layout).  It will take you to your pages layout (that you already set up). Okay now take a breath. You will see a sign that says “add a gadget.” Hit that link now congratulate yourself because you have just made it to Blogger gadgets.  Was that not easy enough?

     I encourage you to go through the gadget section and see if you want to use any of them on your page.  The important thing to remember is that there’s an Image gadget for photos, a Videobar for videos, a text gadget for text only, a HTML gadget to add html code and Javascript, and an Adsense gadget.  I use these few gadgets’ the most and I’m quite sure that you will also.

     Below is the definition for a widget on Wikipedia.  Happy blogging my friends!  It’s your girl, Lady PJ.  Much love to you all.

________________________________________________________________

What is a widget?

Answer:

     “In computing, a web widget is a software widget for the web. It's a small application with limited functionality that can be installed and executed within a web page by an end user. A widget has the role of a transient or auxiliary application, meaning that it just occupies a portion of a webpage and does something useful with information fetched from other websites and displayed in place. Other terms used to describe web widgets include: portlet, web part, gadget, badge, module, snippet and flake. Widgets are typically created in DHTML or Adobe Flash.

Widgets often take the form of on-screen device such as clocks, event countdowns, auction-tickers, stock market tickers, flight arrival information, daily weather etc..”

Wikipedia contributors. Plagiarism. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. July 22, 2004, at 10:55 UTC. Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_widget.  Obtained 2/19/2014

#whatisawidget

New Book To Read

     I've decided to put everything I've learned on this blog so there's going to be a lot of information.  I didn't want to charge you for the information because I love information and sharing it is fun for me.  I'm reading a new book.  If you'd like to read along with me the book is called "Create Your Own Blog, 6 Easy Projects" by Tris Hussey.  I just ask that you buy it through my amazon store.  You don't have to but I'm asking that you do.  Once I'm finished reading this book I will post a direct link to the book and a bit about how I feel about the book; if I recommend it or not, if it was a good read, or worth buying at all.  I'm sorry but not all books are created equal, and some books you just don't get the same benefit from.

     Let me just say that if you love arts and crafts then you will love blogging because it really gives you an outlet to create infinity and beyond!  Laugh Out Loud!  You can create characters and do your own cartoon book, start a play and let your fans contribute, advertise your wonderful skills to the world, become a famous artist (if only in your mind) who has fans all over the universe, be the self-proclaimed smartest person in the world, etc., etc.  Wait... and you can do this for free.  How fabulous is that?  There are so any infinite possibilities with blogging and you can learn the basics right here.  I'm Lady PJ, remember that information is power so be informed.

NOTE:  I'm sorry but the book is in the widget to the side on your left.  If you want to purchase it but I say wait until I tell you if it's useful or not.

"Pick a template"

Pick A Template
written by Philessa Hooks Jenkins
aka Lady PJ
2/15/2014


    Now that you've named your blog, in the settings section, it's time to design your page; so you have to go into the template's and pick an amazing template to represent your new blog.  This is a very important part because the design could sink your ship.  You have to take your time and really think about what your blog should look like.  If you're like me you're going to go through quite a few templates before you settle on one.  Pick a template and then go and view it.  Ask yourself if you really like it or not? You can always tweek the design later on by customizing your blog.  Here's where you will pick a header, middle section, and a footer.  Congratulations, your blog is now alive.  It's time to worry about content.  I suggest you leave your new blog as private until you get some content.  You do this in the settings section under privacy.  

.Com Disclosures; A Must Read

     Blogging should be fun and exciting.  You should make love to it.  Really!  Make it an experience that people want to relive.  Just don't forget that it's a business.  Never forget that.  You need to learn what you can and can't do.  What you can and can not get away with as a blogger.  You really need to read the Federal Trade Commission .Com Disclosures: http://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/attachments/press-releases/ftc-staff-revises-online-advertising-disclosure-guidelines/130312dotcomdisclosures.pdf.  Have fun, baby!
     Much love from your girl, Lady PJ.  I know.  I'm always asking you to read something. What can I say but "it's your job."  

Book Review: "KaChing"

written by Philessa Hooks Jenkins
aka Lady PJ
Book: KaChing
2/10/2014

     I started reading this book by, Joel Comm, called “KaChing.”  It's all about "How to Run an Online Business that Pays and Pays."  First let me say that it was a good read.  It was only 222 pages of readable text, so it's not like a text book but the information that he supplies is excellent.  I highly recommend this book for people that have been blogging for a while and are interested in monetizing their blog.  If you don't know what that is then you're not ready yet.  I promise you; we'll get you there because we're going to go together.  Isn't that lovely?

     What I love so much about this book is that he actually teaches you in a way that it's very easy to comprehend.  Don't you just hate when you get those writers that are too smart for their own good and the rest of us have to try and figure out what he's/she's trying to say?  Dictionary please!

      The only thing I didn't like is that he did a lot of promoting himself in the book, which was all out obvious.  I thought to myself, "If you can't promote yourself then who." This book has good information on affiliate marketing, adsense, blogging in general (it touches on blogger and wordpress), and a host of other information.  I'm going to say that it's a must have book for bloggers.

      I'm posting below where you can go and purchase this book if you so choose.  Much love to you all, it's your girl, Lady PJ; with information is power so be informed.

#KaChing, #LadyPJ, #JoelComm, AD

"Starting A Blog"

written by Philessa Hooks Jenkins
aka Lady PJ
2/10/2014
Starting A Blog

     Have you ever just wanted to express yourself or share your knowledge with the world?  I don't know how many times I've wanted to voice my opinion on a topic and didn't have an outlet; except screaming at the television that is (not that I do that anymore).  Laugh out loud.  Since I've been blogging I get to do that all the time; share my knowledge that is and express my opinions -a lot.  It gives me the outlet to create limitlessly and so can you.  I use Blogger.com because it's free and easy to set up, but I suggest you shop around and find a platform that you're comfortable with.  You just type www.blogger.com and set up your account then you’re ready to create your blog.

     First thing first, you have to decide what you're going to talk about.  Here's where you're going to need to do a little brainstorming.  I'm going to suggest that you talk about a subject you know then come up with a name for your blog.  When you name your blog make sure it's easy for people to remember and pertains to the subject of your blog.

     Okay, so I'm not going to overload you on the first day but you should get started on that name.  It's important you know because this is how people will identify your work.  If you don't want to use blogger then I suggest you do some research on other sites you can put your blog on; there are sites where you can buy space to put your blog.  Of course I like free!  I'm just saying.  You will need to write a short description of your blog, so people know what your blog's about.

     Yes sweets!  That's the basics, so go now and get started.  You have quite a bit of work to do.  Remember, have fun and be creative.  You don't have anyone looking over your shoulder making sure you do it right.  You're the boss.

     Much love to you all and as always I'm Lady PJ.

#LadyPJ, #startingablog