Do you use Facebook?  I think most freelance people are using it on some level to either market themselves or just to have a place to meet other freelancers.  But are you taking advantage of all the great groups and pages there are out there?

Since I’m on Facebook I frequently join pages or groups that have to do with writing and social media.  Some have proven to be more useful than others.  Here are some of my favorites:

Groups:

• Writing Gigs Community

Pages

• Freelance Folder
• Sharon Hurley Hall
• Facebook4Freelancers
• Freelance Writing Jobs
• The Work at Home Life
• Savvy Freelance Writers
• The Blog Squad
• Social Media Examiner

Each of these pages and groups have their own advantages and can bring something to you Facebook experience.  Instead of just hanging out on Facebook and playing games why don’t you check out some pages and groups and learn while you’re there?

Of course, I would love it if you’d join my page as well.  Danielle Gibbings McGaw is still growing but I’d love to see some interaction happening!

Do you have others that I’ve mentioned?  Do you have your own?  I’d love it if you’d leave a link in the comments!

When you’re new to blogging it can be pretty intimidating, especially when you get out there and start looking around at all the information there is.  One person tells you that you absolutely have to have your own domain (which you have no idea how to get) and then someone else says that you can do it all for free and don’t need a domain.  Then there are all those terms – social networking, ping lists, backlinks.  If I was starting from scratch I’d be confused, too.

Well, Sharon Hurley Hall has made it all much simpler for you with her E-book, Getting Started in Blogging.  What does it cover?  From her site:

Hosting

Platform Choices

Free Themes

Customization

Getting Ideas

Planning And Management

Stats

How To Improve Your Blog

Linkbuilding

Advertising and Promotion

Monetization

Blogging as a Business

Resources

I’ve been blogging for years but I always find something new to learn from Sharon.  She was my first mentor and got me started on freelance writing and made me believe that I could actually make a living from it.  She encouraged and inspired me and still does today.  Personally, my favorite section was the Resources because it has some great places that I will go back to again and again.

Oh, and the part you’re going to like best – it’s free.  Save yourself some time and money and download this e-book.

And once you have the hang of the basics you might want to consider purchasing Darren Rowse’s 31 Days to a Better Blog. This e-book still has me working and it has a great workbook format!