Once I’m well, I’ll write things here. I’m currently waiting for surgery (I write health-related updates on my GoFundMe page) and won’t be making any updates until that’s behind me.
In the meantime, check out my About page to get a feel for what’s going to go here.
Or, if you’re a horror fan, check out my articles on HorrorFam.com
Thanks for stopping by!
~ Lauren*
PS: If you follow me on Twitter, I’ll announce when I make any new posts here or on my GFM.
Hey, Everyone!
I just wanted to make another quick update. As I stated in October 2020, I’m no longer accepting guest posts on LittleZotz Writing. That’s still true and will continue to be true.
Going forward, LittleZotz Writing is going to be drastically different from what it was. You’ll still be able to read all of the old content (I created an “Old Blog” category where all of the 2010-2020 posts will be stored); however, the new content will be much different. And it will all be written by me (Lauren Spear AKA LittleZotz) again. No more guest writers on LZW.
I will still be accepting guest posts on my other website, HorrorFam.com. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to accept any guest posts any time soon due to my ongoing health issues. I’ll make an announcement when I’m accepting posts over there again.
As for my health, thanks to generous donations on my GoFundMe, I now have the funds needed for surgery. We also have the surgeon and the anesthesiologist on board. Right now, we’re just…endlessly waiting. You can read the updates on my GoFundMe for all the details but, basically, everything is “good to go” except for the facility where the hysterectomy is to be performed. So, we’re stuck waiting until the surgery center’s owners can sort out their issues and let us set the date. That’s been very frustrating. But, overall, things are looking a lot more hopeful than they were. We’ve made more progress in the past few weeks than we did in the past several months, so I can’t complain too much.
Thank you for checking on me. I’ll update again when I’m able. I can’t wait to be well and share my LittleZotz Writing + HorrorFam.com plans with you all!
Keep me in your prayers. Thank you again.
Until next time,
Lauren*
I’m just writing a quick note here since my inbox is filling up with pitches faster than I can write replies:
I’m no longer accepting guest posts on LittleZotz Writing.
I’m planning to do something different with littlezotz.com when I’m able… But, for now, I’m prioritizing my health and HorrorFam.com content.
Thank you for understanding.
–Lauren*
Out of the zillion blogs on the internet, you want yours to succeed. As a new freelance blogger, you want faithful followers who see you as an authority in your industry. So, what do you have to do to be like those amazing bloggers who already get loads of comments on their posts and boatloads of shares?
As a new freelance blogger, you already have a lot on your plate. Not only do you have to set up your workspace and website, you also have to track your projects and finances, create and follow a blogging schedule, send out pitches… WHEW!
OK, take a deep breath. It’s important to remember that everyone starts somewhere. This new journey you’re on right now? This is where you’re starting.
Are you ready to learn the six major ways to kick butt as a new freelance blogger? Let’s get started!
Continue reading “6 Major Ways to Kick Butt as a New Freelance Blogger”
You have all the necessary qualities required to become a successful freelance writer! …And yet paying writing gigs seem elusive and uncertain.
Ever since you made that big decision to start writing full-time, you’ve sent approximately a million emails to thousands of business entities; however, the responses have been demoralizing.
Have you ever thought: “Maybe it’s my initial approach that’s turning clients off?” I know it’s a hard pill to swallow, but it very well could be!
What if you could introduce yourself in a professional manner — if you could really stand out from the crowd in a way that it’d be impossible for the potential client to ignore your pitch? What if you could write a killer email that leaves the corporate client of your dreams begging to hear more from you?
I know. Sounds tough! But let me tell you: it’s entirely possible (and easy!) to write professional emails that will be well-received by business people. All you need to know are the necessary freelance writer “etiquettes” and use them in your email to make it truly professional.
Below, I’m going to share my tips on how to create an outstanding impression with your very first email. You’ll learn the ins and outs of writing a professional email that will impress even the snobbiest corporate client out there.
And, if that’s not enough, as a reward for reading my entire article, you’ll get a proven email template I’ve used successfully throughout my career. Let’s do this!
Continue reading “How to Write Effective Business Emails as a New Freelance Writer”
“I don’t need to put pants on today… right?” Working from home provides the ultimate in freedom and comfort — but sometimes, a little too much. Before you know it, you’re three seasons deep into Game of Thrones and you haven’t accomplished a single task. So, how can you maximize your productivity while running your business from home? I’m going to share 10 of my best tips.
Continue reading “Working from Home: The Ultimate Guide!”Being a freelancer or running an agency is an amazing and rewarding experience. You get to set your own hours and work when you want (in an ideal world), and you only take on as much work as you feel you can handle at any given time.
There’s just one problem: what will you do when the work dries up? What if that one big client you have suddenly doesn’t have any work for you, or unexpectedly cuts their budget and has to cancel your contract?
There’s nothing worse for stability and security for an agency or freelancer than falling into the “single client trap”. As the old adage goes, don’t put all of your precious eggs in one basket, which is exactly what happens when you become too reliant on one or even a couple of “main” clients. If you find that 80% or more of your income comes from just one client, then you’ve fallen into what’s often referred to as the “Single Client Trap”.
Let’s look at how to get out of this all too common “trap” and into a regular rotation of clients and work that is consistent, reliable and dependable.
Continue reading “How to Escape the “Single Client” Trap”
Hey, Everyone!
Lauren “LittleZotz” Spear here! I got some messages recently from readers who were afraid I’d, ahem, lost my battle with depression. Given my openness on the subject (and considering my suicide attempt in 2014), I don’t blame folks for fearing the worst…
GOOD NEWS: I’m still alive!! And I’m VERY well!
It feels strange (in the best way) to say this, but… I can’t even remember the last time I felt depressed! My mental health has been thriving and my physical health is following its good example (hehe!). As of this writing, I’ve lost 100lbs and I’m more “fit” now that I’m pushing forty than I was for the bulk of my twenties. Weird!
Now that you know I’m still among the living (whew!), you’re probably wondering: What’s up with the LittleZotz Writing blog?!
This year (2020) marked the first year since its inception that LittleZotz Writing didn’t win any awards or land on any “Best Websites for Writers” lists. At first, I was mildly huffy about it like, “Aw! What?! I’m still bringing it! Why no prizes?!?”
But, after some soul searching, and looking at the blogs belonging to the folks who did win… I realized that I was, in fact, NOT still “bringing it.” My content was poop! I’d lost my passion and I was rightly demoted from my “best” status.
I’d grown bitter and had nothing good to say anymore. And that’s zero fun — for me AND the LittleZotz Writing blog readers.
Going forward, the LittleZotz Writing blog will be SOLELY guest submissions. That’s right. I’m leaving my beloved blog in YOUR hands!
There are already several guest posts featured on the LittleZotz Writing blog and I dig ‘em! The writers are all super gung-ho and have fresh, relevant, tips to help their fellow freelancers succeed. It’s pretty exciting!
If you want to submit a guest post, check out my guest post guidelines and send me your best pitch! Right now, I’m posting about one article per month… but if more folks start writing in, I’ll increase the publication rate. That’s all up to you guys and how many of you send me articles!
One note: I know a lot of people would send me articles solely to see what kind of custom illustration would appear with it. lol. Totally understandable! The custom art was a lot of fun for me too! However, going forward, I’ll be using stock photos with the blog posts. I can only afford to buy custom art for ONE website (it gets pricy, and rightly so — the art is amazing and deserves top dollar!), so I’m only shelling out for my other website.
Which brings me to…
I’m still writing and editing, but I’m being VERY selective about the projects I take on now. This is still my “hire me” website… But I’m NOT going to say “yes” to everything anymore.
For the most part, you can find me on my other website: HorrorFam.com
It’s been a dream of mine for YEARS to run a horror-focused website. I grew up in the horror industry (my folks were both practical special FX artists for horror movies) and the genre means a lot to me.
So… I did it! I now own and operate a horror website! My husband and best gal pals are co-founders!
I’m still utilizing the skills I honed here at LittleZotz Writing — I write articles, I edit guest articles, and I host weekly podcast episodes/interviews! — but I’m having way more fun than I’ve had in YEARS.
If you’re a horror fan, or simply want to check out what I’m doing these days, check it out! I’m also very active on Twitter (@LoveHorrorFam) and Instagram (@LoveHorrorFam).
Oh, and I accept guest posts on HorrorFam.com as well! 😉 So, if you ARE a horror fan, and you need additional writing clips, feel free to pitch articles to me there too!
LittleZotz Writing will always be my “baby,” but it’s up to YOU to take care of it now.
I’m really excited to read what y’all write!
And feel free to say “hi” to me! I’m SUPER alive. Promise.
–Lauren*
PS: There will be a guest post coming out later this month and another one in May!
Nick Napier reveals the process for going from an enthusiastic blogger to fully paid freelance writer.
Yes, there’s more to it than just “stand up!”
You know the usual tips for staying healthy when your job involves a lot of sitting — take breaks, use a standing desk, stretch — but you probably don’t have the tricks to follow through.
Let’s be real, how many of us actually get up and walk around every fifteen minutes or stay vigilant about our posture?
I know I don’t. In fact, I’m currently writing this in an armchair in my living room. (Not the most ergonomic).
So, let’s break down some ways you, as a freelance writer, can stay healthy during your workday. As a bonus, I’ll include an app recommendation for each tip to help you stick with your new habits.
Continue reading “5 Ways to Stay Healthy as a Freelance Writer”
