Rating: 
Summary: Next best thing to a veteran freelancer living next door ...
Review: ... or perhaps better, because you don't have to feel you're imposing. Bly takes all those niggling apprehensions you have about launching a freelance business and dispels them one by one. He explains how to pinpoint your niche, how to market your services, how to assemble a portfolio, and how to gloss over prospective clients' questions when you don't yet have an extensive portfolio. There are also practical suggestions on working at home, and on the writing life, and even a few elementary pointers on copywriting that are especially helpful to someone making the jump from fiction writing. The appendix contains a treasure of forms and sample letters.
I have only two very minor beefs with this book.
First, it's in need of an update: The latest edition was released in the mid-90s and is quite lacking in information about internet marketing and opportunities for internet-related work.
Second, it, for the most part, assumes that the reader has professional writing experience, which would be a huge leg up in beginning a freelance business. There's very little in the way of suggestions for people who have talent and skill, but who never had a job that let them use them. (And who, in the case of yours truly, are making quite a bit more in their non-writing job than they ever could in an entry-level writing position.)
All in all, however, Bly's book is an excellent introduction to the career of freelance business writing that has gone far in advancing my understanding of the field and confidence in myself as I enter it. I'll be buying more Bly.
Rating: 
Summary: Fundamental Volume
Review: As essential to a freelance writer as graduation is to a diploma. Buy it now!
Rating:
Summary: A Great How To Manual For The Newbie
Review: I very much enjoy Robert Bly. He is very giving and encouraging. I took notice of Bly in the acknowledgements in Peter Bowerman's The Well Fed Writer. Later other freelancers mentioned his books, including the Copywriter's Handbook and Selling Your Services. This book offers specific advice from that latter book. It is advice, ideas, suggestions, and reccomendations that represent real thininking from an experienced and well seasoned professional. He is very encouraging. His advice on fees and samples is priceless. The book has already paid for itself. The only waknesses are that this book is the opinion of oone person. It is not a survey book or a book culled from interviews of scores of professionals. Knowing this, his perspective on networking is understandable. He's overly critical but I know others for whom it is an effective strategy.
Rating: 
Summary: promises much, delivers little
Review: I was OK with the advice up until the part where it suggested that if you'd already published a how-to book and some magazine articles, you would probably have success branching out into other types of freelancing.
No kidding! I'd be very impressed by a writer who apparently already knew how to navigate the publishing/freelancing world.
And I'd almost certainly take a chance on them, unknown or not, provided the stuff they showed me was professional. Trouble is, I'm not sure how many writers this advice applies to. If they already knew this stuff, I doubt they'd bother to buy a book that supposedly tells them how to acquire it in the first place.
And if they already had a portfolio of sorts to secure the other jobs, why in the world would they need a whole book of advice on how to shift gears? Knowledge is transferrable, and I'm sure they'd already have contacts a beginner reading this book would die for.
Does this make any sense? Apparently, this book has helped plenty of reviewers, so it does fill a niche. But to me, it's like publishing a book on how to lose 50 pounds in a month and then assuming all readers have a naturally fast metabolism and simply need a boost of encouragement and maybe lay off on the junk food a little - and they will lose the weight!
Rating:
Summary: If you've been there & done that, go ahead and get this.
Review: I'm a pampered "copy princess" who has worked on national accounts at big Chicago ad agencies. Creatives of my ilk have generally smirked with superiority at freelancers, John Caples, direct mail, auto dealer TV spots, etc. But now, if you'll pass me a fork, I'm about to eat crow. I bought Bob's book to help me set up D.J. and Other Letters, a freelance writing business. I didn't need advice about How to Write a Headline. I wanted to know when to invoice, what to do about the guys who don't pay on time and--most of all--what to charge for a wide variety of media. All the stuff that involves (yech!) math. Bob Bly spells these things out with a straightforward authenticity that respects both client and writer. For the established copywriter, I heartily endorse this book. And while it's hard to find much fault with this book, I will mention two things. One is kind of a little thing: The internet references are becoming dated. If you're internet savvy, that won't hold you back. But the other is a HUMONGOUS point of contention: I must vehemently differ with Bob on the premise that anyone who has written a few church newsletters can break into the ad biz. ::groan:: I urge any professional writer, no matter how well-established in other fields, to work for small ad agencies before even contacting agencies with annual billings over $1 million. At one large agency, I used to screen resumes from writers who had no clue we called text "copy." Or what CD stood for. Do you know what it stands for? Uh, no, besides compact disc. Do you know how to determine which agencies bill over $1 mill? Unless you live in Podunk Falls, U.S.A., population 500, you'll need to do MUCH more homework than Bob Bly suggests. And I implore you to do so. YES, read Bob Bly's book. But please also read Ad Age every week for a year. Learn our buzz words AND the concepts behind them. Understand something about target audiences, branding, voice, etc. Get a feel for why writing for radio is utterly different than writing for print. And why we scoff at inverted pyramid objectivity. And why it's okay to start sentences with "and." And write sentence fragments. Also try The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman, which the author dedicated to Bob Bly, saying, "You're my hero." That dedication is what drove me to look into Bob's work. Bob is now my hero, too. Bob? I have come to love writing beautiful, glossy four-color DM packages that both client and consumer ooh and ahh over. You and I write in different styles, on different accounts, in different markets. But I hope one day I'll meet you. I respect you, your career and your willingness to share your expertise. And based on what you've written, I can only think of you as a darn nice guy. Above all, thanks for helping me set up my freelance business.
Rating:
Summary: If you've been there & done that, go ahead and get this.
Review: I'm a pampered "copy princess" who has worked on national accounts at big Chicago ad agencies. Creatives of my ilk have generally smirked with superiority at freelancers, John Caples, direct mail, auto dealer TV spots, etc. But now, if you'll pass me a fork, I'm about to eat crow. I bought Bob's book to help me set up D.J. and Other Letters, a freelance writing business. I didn't need advice about How to Write a Headline. I wanted to know when to invoice, what to do about the guys who don't pay on time and--most of all--what to charge for a wide variety of media. All the stuff that involves (yech!) math. Bob Bly spells these things out with a straightforward authenticity that respects both client and writer. For the established copywriter, I heartily endorse this book. And while it's hard to find much fault with this book, I will mention two things. One is kind of a little thing: The internet references are becoming dated. If you're internet savvy, that won't hold you back. But the other is a HUMONGOUS point of contention: I must vehemently differ with Bob on the premise that anyone who has written a few church newsletters can break into the ad biz. ::groan:: I urge any professional writer, no matter how well-established in other fields, to work for small ad agencies before even contacting agencies with annual billings over $1 million. At one large agency, I used to screen resumes from writers who had no clue we called text "copy." Or what CD stood for. Do you know what it stands for? Uh, no, besides compact disc. Do you know how to determine which agencies bill over $1 mill? Unless you live in Podunk Falls, U.S.A., population 500, you'll need to do MUCH more homework than Bob Bly suggests. And I implore you to do so. YES, read Bob Bly's book. But please also read Ad Age every week for a year. Learn our buzz words AND the concepts behind them. Understand something about target audiences, branding, voice, etc. Get a feel for why writing for radio is utterly different than writing for print. And why we scoff at inverted pyramid objectivity. And why it's okay to start sentences with "and." And write sentence fragments. Also try The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman, which the author dedicated to Bob Bly, saying, "You're my hero." That dedication is what drove me to look into Bob's work. Bob is now my hero, too. Bob? I have come to love writing beautiful, glossy four-color DM packages that both client and consumer ooh and ahh over. You and I write in different styles, on different accounts, in different markets. But I hope one day I'll meet you. I respect you, your career and your willingness to share your expertise. And based on what you've written, I can only think of you as a darn nice guy. Above all, thanks for helping me set up my freelance business.
Rating:
Summary: If you've been there/done that, go ahead & get this book.
Review: I'm a pampered 'copy princess' who has worked on national accounts at big Chicago ad agencies. Creatives of my ilk have generally smirked with superiority at freelancers, John Caples, direct mail, auto dealer TV spots, etc. But now, if you'll pass me a fork, I'm about to eat crow. I bought Bob's book to help me set up D.J. and Other Letters, a freelance writing business. I didn't need advice about How to Write a Headline. I wanted to know when to invoice, what to do about the guys who don't pay on time and'-most of all'-what to charge for a wide variety of media. All the stuff that involves (yech!) math. Bob Bly spells these things out with a straightforward authenticity that respects both client and writer. For the established copywriter, I heartily endorse this book. It has helped me with my own business and is one of the few books on this topic that I recommend. And while it's hard to find much fault with this book, I will mention two things. One is kind of a little thing: The internet references are becoming dated. If you're internet savvy, that won't hold you back. But the other is a HUMONGOUS point of contention: I must vehemently differ with Bob on the premise that anyone who has written a few church newsletters can break into the ad biz. ::groan:: I urge any professional writer, no matter how well-established in other fields, to work for small ad agencies before even contacting agencies with annual billings over $1 million. At one large agency, I used to screen resumes from writers who had no clue we called text 'copy.' Or what CD stood for. Do you know what it stands for? Uh, no, besides compact disc. Do you know how to determine which agencies bill over $1 mill? Unless you live in Podunk Falls, U.S.A., population 500, you'll need to do MUCH more homework than Bob Bly suggests. And I implore you to do so. YES, read Bob Bly's book. You'd probably better read ALL of his books and then some. But I haven't read his other books, so I can't say. But please also read Ad Age every week for a year. Learn our buzz words AND the concepts behind them. Understand something about target audiences, branding, voice, etc. Get a feel for why writing for radio is utterly different than writing for print. And why we scoff at inverted pyramid objectivity. And why it's okay to start sentences with "and." And write sentence fragments. Also read The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman, which the author dedicated to Bob Bly, saying, 'You're my hero.' That dedication is what drove me to look into Bob's work. Bob is now my hero, too. Bob? I have come to love writing beautiful, glossy four-color DM packages that both client and consumer ooh and ahh over. You and I write in different styles, on different accounts, in different markets. But I hope one day I'll meet you. I respect you, your career and your willingness to share your expertise. And based on what you've written, I can only think of you as a darn nice guy. Above all, thanks for helping me with the freelance aspects of my business.
Rating:
Summary: Good advice for any writer starting out
Review: If you visit many websites on writing, particularly, copywriting, Mr. Bly's name generally comes up. He is sort of looked upon as the trailblazer, the guy who laid out the roadmap for people who want to write but not have to starve by doing so. Peter Bowerman, author of "The Well Fed Writer," gives Bly all the credit in the world for essentially being his "muse" in regard to copywriting. Aside: "Well Fed," is a slightly better book, although I recommend you read both. Bly does a great job of laying out what copywriting entails, what you will need to do the job, and how to become a copywriter. All great information. But I have two problems with the book (just don't let these problems dissuade you from reading it). First, the book is very light on advice on obtaining clients. Bly touches on it, gives some advice, but ultimately there is a lot to be desired in advice on finding work. Bowerman's book does a better job in this area, although even he doesn't provide any magic formula that will have clients lining up at the door to hire you. Hint: you've got to work to find the work; just no way around it. Second, and this is a problem I have with every book or program out there that seems to indicate everyone and anyone can become a copywriter: It just ain't so, folks! Pardon the poor grammar, but that's part of the problem. A sizeable chunk of our population is clueless about how to write anything, much less advertising and marketing copy. I think before a lot of people assume they can read this book, become a freelance writer, and suddenly start earning enormous amounts of money, they are going to need to go back to school and develop an understanding of basic grammar. But, in part, that is what creates value for freelance writers. They do something that most other people actually can't, even though many people believe they could do it if they just took the time. So, I have a problem with the promise that almost anyone can become a freelance writer. But if you have a decent grasp of grammar and a little creativity, you probably can and this book will be an excellent place to seek help in starting out. Just be aware, you will probably want to pick up some of Bly's other books on copywriting that actually explain the process of writing effective copy.
Rating:
Summary: If you've been there/done that, go ahead & get this book.
Review: I�m a pampered �copy princess� who has worked on national accounts at big Chicago ad agencies. Creatives of my ilk have generally smirked with superiority at freelancers, John Caples, direct mail, auto dealer TV spots, etc. But now, if you�ll pass me a fork, I�m about to eat crow. I bought Bob�s book to help me set up D.J. and Other Letters, a freelance writing business. I didn�t need advice about How to Write a Headline. I wanted to know when to invoice, what to do about the guys who don�t pay on time and�-most of all�-what to charge for a wide variety of media. All the stuff that involves (yech!) math. Bob Bly spells these things out with a straightforward authenticity that respects both client and writer. For the established copywriter, I heartily endorse this book. It has helped me with my own business and is one of the few books on this topic that I recommend. And while it�s hard to find much fault with this book, I will mention two things. One is kind of a little thing: The internet references are becoming dated. If you�re internet savvy, that won�t hold you back. But the other is a HUMONGOUS point of contention: I must vehemently differ with Bob on the premise that anyone who has written a few church newsletters can break into the ad biz. ::groan:: I urge any professional writer, no matter how well-established in other fields, to work for small ad agencies before even contacting agencies with annual billings over $1 million. At one large agency, I used to screen resumes from writers who had no clue we called text �copy.� Or what CD stood for. Do you know what it stands for? Uh, no, besides compact disc. Do you know how to determine which agencies bill over $1 mill? Unless you live in Podunk Falls, U.S.A., population 500, you�ll need to do MUCH more homework than Bob Bly suggests. And I implore you to do so. YES, read Bob Bly�s book. You'd probably better read ALL of his books and then some. But I haven't read his other books, so I can't say. But please also read Ad Age every week for a year. Learn our buzz words AND the concepts behind them. Understand something about target audiences, branding, voice, etc. Get a feel for why writing for radio is utterly different than writing for print. And why we scoff at inverted pyramid objectivity. And why it's okay to start sentences with "and." And write sentence fragments. Also read The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman, which the author dedicated to Bob Bly, saying, �You�re my hero.� That dedication is what drove me to look into Bob�s work. Bob is now my hero, too. Bob? I have come to love writing beautiful, glossy four-color DM packages that both client and consumer ooh and ahh over. You and I write in different styles, on different accounts, in different markets. But I hope one day I�ll meet you. I respect you, your career and your willingness to share your expertise. And based on what you�ve written, I can only think of you as a darn nice guy. Above all, thanks for helping me with the freelance aspects of my business.
Rating:
Summary: Secrets of a Freelance Writer
Review: RECOMMENDED FOR ALL WRITERS! This book is an essential tool for anyone who wants to make money as a writer.Its benefits to me have been surprising, rewarding, and in some cases, astounding. Because of the advice in this book, I established myself as a nationally known copywriter who specializes in fundraising.I went from being paid $50 to $300 for a magazine article to over $2,400 for a single piece of commercial copy.Bly is probably the first well-known expert to pull back the curtains on the copywriting industry. He explains how the industry works. Then he shows you step-by-step how to break into specific areas and make the money you want.Bly gives detailed advice on marketing, self-promotion, telemarketing, direct response -- everything you need to succeed as a freelance writer.Additionally, he gives lots of resources and actual examples, graphics and case studies to help you along the way.Secrets of a Freelance Writer is a proven, realistic blueprint for real success as a writer.
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