I saw an interesting discussion on a LinkedIn forum recently that got me thinking about the way we present ourselves to potential clients. The discussion was around the use of LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” banner that one can put on their profile picture. It is meant to signal to future employers that this is a…
Tag: professional image
Your Freelance Career Speed Bumps
If you look online long enough (two minutes), you’ll find ample evidence of why some freelance writers are still struggling with running a successful freelance business. I present Exhibit One here, a writer who, upon attempting to identify the roadblocks to their success: My credentials don’t align with straightforward career trajectories. (They go on to…
Professional Jealousy and the Freelance Writer
A number of decades ago, I had an interaction with a new person in our writers’ group. We had posted a notice in the library announcing our group and welcoming interested writers to join. One person answered the call — a writer who had a monthly column in the local paper. We greeted him warmly, and…
The Response Your Freelance Writing Business Doesn’t Need
Today. Vote. Got it? If you don’t, you lose all right to complain, in my opinion. Had a great weekend, one in which I was able to meet Joy Drohan. She was in the area with her children for a sports event, and we met for lunch afterward. What a great person! Joy is someone…
Free Advice Friday: Converting the Nonbelievers
A late post is better than no post, I say. I’m back home for a short spell, fully expecting to head back to my parents’ house in a week or less. But for now, I’m checking in. You should’ve seen the look. My mom introduced me to someone recently and announced proudly “She’s a…
Writers Worth: Expressing Your Worth
My husband and I were at a high-end kitchen design shop not long ago. We were browsing for ideas, and in the process, we were greeted by one of the salespeople. The man introduced himself, explained the showroom floor, then hung back at the front of the store until we sought him out. He then…
6 Top Freelance Writing Traits
What I’m listening to: Roadrunner by The Modern Lovers Another year, another conference under the belt. This makes 10 or so appearances at this particular conference, so there are plenty of familiar faces and names. I ran into quite a few of them too, and I was fortunate to be able to finally meet a…
How a Shift in Attitude Changed My Freelance Writing Business
What I’m listening to: Heathen by twenty one pilots We’re four days into 2017 and already the possibilities are encouraging. Some easy marketing has netted some scheduled follow-up calls, and the calendar is filling quickly. There’s potential on the horizon. There’s also a shift in my own attitude, one that was small, but one that…
Wednesday Take: Professionalism in All Things
What I’m listening to: Pride (In the Name of Love) by U2 It’s over. Amen. I voted. You voted. Rather than go into who won/lost, I’d much rather talk about the day. Here, it was 33 degrees at 7:00 am (that’s Fahrenheit for my Celsius friends) with clear skies. I stood for an hour and…
12 Ways to Boost Freelance Success in 2016
What I’m reading: Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler What’s on the iPod: Roadrunner by The Modern Lovers and Jonathan Richman You know, I expected December to be slow. Not a chance. This week I have an interview (possibly two) for two different projects, and I bigger project just arrived. Plus I’m working on a…