Those looking to see what you can do with your passion for writing and a little freetime should head over to GoSmelltheFlowers and read up on the blog posts by Jim 'n Em. I've been helping them keep up with the posting on their site while they turn to other matters like editing their travel journals into books. The posts on their books are written by the couple and since I've started working with them they've had a lot of editing to do.
Jim 'n Em had a problem common for most writers: overwriting. Their journals alone numbered over 100,000 words. That's a lot of whittling down before they even got to piece together their travel adventures. I'm certain they'll get those books done soon. They're both very determined to get the travel journals up on their site. Go! check them out sometime.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Deductions for Business Use of the Home
Oiy! I've been continuing work on my taxes for this year. Running a bit late. I didn't think it would take me this long, but I figure since this is my first time filling out all the stuff for Self-Employment I just needed to learn the ropes and it will go a bit quicker next year...hopefully.
Tip: Form 8829 has been a big help in reducing my SE tax for this year. It's the form you fill out to get a deduction for business use of the home. Warning its a pdf. document.
Anyway you fill out form 8829 and put the resulting deduction on line 30 of Schedule C, which is how you calculate the profits or loss of your small business for the year. Deductions are my friends!
Corporations
Since I've also been writing up some articles for a client on the real estate business I've been picking up quite a bit about incorporated. A lot of readers have probably heard that its best that a writer incorporate when they start earning over a $100,000 a year because it saves them a lot of money in taxes.
Well, its true. If you set up a C corporation there are about three hundred extra deductions you can take on taxes. But there are a lot of little requirements you need to fulfill, so its best to wait until you begin earning a lot more before setting up said corporation.
Not all of us newbies are certainly going to need to set up a corporation. If you want to see someone who's actually earning quite a bit with their online writing (blog) check out John Chow's tax problems. Damn, I wish I had those problems.
Tip: Form 8829 has been a big help in reducing my SE tax for this year. It's the form you fill out to get a deduction for business use of the home. Warning its a pdf. document.
Anyway you fill out form 8829 and put the resulting deduction on line 30 of Schedule C, which is how you calculate the profits or loss of your small business for the year. Deductions are my friends!
Corporations
Since I've also been writing up some articles for a client on the real estate business I've been picking up quite a bit about incorporated. A lot of readers have probably heard that its best that a writer incorporate when they start earning over a $100,000 a year because it saves them a lot of money in taxes.
Well, its true. If you set up a C corporation there are about three hundred extra deductions you can take on taxes. But there are a lot of little requirements you need to fulfill, so its best to wait until you begin earning a lot more before setting up said corporation.
Not all of us newbies are certainly going to need to set up a corporation. If you want to see someone who's actually earning quite a bit with their online writing (blog) check out John Chow's tax problems. Damn, I wish I had those problems.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Little Known Secret: Web Content is all about the Writing
Internet Accessable?
I am surprised at the attempts by website developers, businesses, and even just plain old regular folk to treat the internet as a domain where only the graphic image rules, similar to television or an abstract painting. Many companies often fail to take into account the need for good writing, good web content! As Matthew Stibbe at Bad Language points out that, when surveyed, many companies only gave the writing on their websites a 10% priority. What do they usually focus on? Design and SEO.
Darwin's Theory of the Internet
We as people, have evolved to a point where language and words are what's needed for communication, not pictures. Those companies just don't seem to realize, no matter how many visitors they draw in with their SEO and how cool they make the site look, they still won't be providing useful information through accessability and useability in their web content. Say it with me people, 'Accessability' and 'Useability' for these are the keys to drawing in repeat visitors, who can then become repeat customers.
I am surprised at the attempts by website developers, businesses, and even just plain old regular folk to treat the internet as a domain where only the graphic image rules, similar to television or an abstract painting. Many companies often fail to take into account the need for good writing, good web content! As Matthew Stibbe at Bad Language points out that, when surveyed, many companies only gave the writing on their websites a 10% priority. What do they usually focus on? Design and SEO.
Darwin's Theory of the Internet
We as people, have evolved to a point where language and words are what's needed for communication, not pictures. Those companies just don't seem to realize, no matter how many visitors they draw in with their SEO and how cool they make the site look, they still won't be providing useful information through accessability and useability in their web content. Say it with me people, 'Accessability' and 'Useability' for these are the keys to drawing in repeat visitors, who can then become repeat customers.
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