Posts On Writing
Posted on 31 January 2008 by Sharon
It’s about time for another roundup of posts that made me think in the last couple of weeks. A post on Dosh Dosh about reaching 10,000 subscribers made me wonder whether all the things we do to promote our blogs are really worth it. Dosh Dosh concludes that great content is the most important factor in getting visitors to subscribe.
That seemed to fit well with a post on Skellie’s new Anywired blog about leveraging a blog. This post is all about adding value - and making money while you do it.
Freelance writers are often overworked, so I was interested to read a post on FreelanceSwitch about the work life balance. The post gives 12 tips to help writers get themselves back on an even keel.
One of the suggestions in that post is to learn to say no. If you’re wondering how to do it, then the Web Content Copywriting blog has a whole post on this topic. Meanwhile, Dana Prince advises us not to let our manners get in the way of getting paid to write.
Finally, here are two useful resources to round out the list. The first is a list of other freelance writing job sites. It’s no secret that Freelance Writing Gigs is my top choice, but it never hurts to have alternatives. (Thanks to Freelancing Journey for the tip.)
And there’s something for all the non-US writers who are looking for the right paperwork to fill out. Sometimes companies ask you to fill out a tax form. If you don’t pay taxes in the US, then they may still ask for a form to meet their reporting requirements. The form you need is a W8-BEN - and here’s how to fill it out. The instructions are for the UK, but they work for everywhere.
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January 31st, 2008 at 11:45 am
Thanks for the linkout, Sharon.
I just wanted to correct you on one point in this post. Non-US freelancers don’t need to fill out any forms if they don’t live in the US or reside there during part of the year (like Canadian snowbirds do.)
In Canada, you declare income to the Canadian government regardless of where it comes and pay taxes on that amount. You do not report any earnings to the U.S. government and there are no forms required to do so.
Also, if you subcontract work to US residents, you do not have to supply them with any forms (such as a W-8). It is up to them to report their income to the US government using supporting documents such as pay slips, cheque stubs and PayPal receipts.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:55 am
I found your site on google blog search and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. Just added your RSS feed to my feed reader. Look forward to reading more from you.
- Randy Nichols.
January 31st, 2008 at 11:58 am
Hi James
The form isn’t for reporting income to the US government; it’s to explain why companies are not withholding tax from you. I have worked for at least four organizations in the last year who have asked me (and other writers) to do this so they can meet their reporting requirements.
However, I realise that wasn’t clear and have amended the post - thanks
January 31st, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Great post, Sharon & thanks for the love
@James, as a Canadian freelancer I’ve often been sent IRS forms that didn’t apply to me as a Canadian but have filled out the w8-ben form for many US clients. The idea of the withholding tax was pretty unattractive, that’s for sure
February 1st, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Welcome aboard, Randy
- far better to fill out the forms.
@ Dana - withholding tax, ugh