Comments on: Quick & Easy Traps

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 19:20:14 +0000

🙂

By: Samantha Bangayan

Samantha Bangayan — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:17:52 +0000

Unbelievably good, Lori! =) Thanks and hugs!

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:49:01 +0000

That's fantastic, Samantha! Congratulations! Feels pretty damn good, doesn't it? 🙂

By: Samantha Bangayan

Samantha Bangayan — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 01:12:54 +0000

I absolutely loved reading what everyone's involved with right now! =) With your help and advice, Lori, I finally have two clients and one of them just offered me a raise! WOOPEE! =)

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:51:48 +0000

I like Eileen's word for it too, don't you, Kim? :) I'm with you - the moment the demands outweigh the rewards, it's no longer worth it.

Anchors, albatrosses.... it's all about as heavy, isn't it, Jake? :)

Oh, the tragedies in hockey! I appreciate the sentiments. And yes, as much as I love various teams for various reasons, I'd love to see your Bruins do some serious damage up north. :)

By: Jake P

Jake P — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:36:44 +0000

I suppose I think of my clients as satellites -- sometimes they're visible to the naked eye, sometimes on the other side of the planet; sometimes they escape gravity or crash to the ground. At any rate, there are currently 8 or so that need monthly or better attention, which is an OK rate of orbit for me.

Today, I had a client ask if I wanted to work as a contract writer at their office...*that* to me would be an anchor all right, but not in a good way. I was reminded of one of my fave quotes: "A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." — John A. Shedd, Salt From My Attic

Sorry about the Pens last night. I'm hoping my Bruins can put Les Habs out of biz tonight!

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:45:25 +0000

Anchor clients...I like that term too. I only have two such clients right now. I recently ended a relationship with two anchor clients. One expected me to be available for them as if I were their employee and didn't have other clients. the other would spring projects on me at a moment's notice (e.g. "We need you to interview a client and write his newsletter. You'll need to call him within the hour because he's going out of town tomorrow."). Um, thanks, but no thanks.

I once had a rotation of at least four regular clients, and I honestly didn't have to deal with this type of drama.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:36:44 +0000

Eileen, don't think I haven't entertained that notion! LOL Great minds, sister. 🙂

By: Eileen

Eileen — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:11:45 +0000

Lori, I think you should create an information product: "How copywriters can get business from a conference."

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:56:02 +0000

I'm with Eileen on sending the materials after the conference. It's less for you to haul, less for your contacts to lug home and offers the perfect excuse for a swift follow up.

I also like the term "anchor clients." My favorite client (aka Favorite Editor) is bi-monthly, but I usually have anywhere from 1-6 pieces per issue. Nothing in the current issue, but I've already been paid for several pieces in the June issue. They also pay pretty well - and quickly.

Another anchor client generally keeps me busy from spring through fall, with occasional assignments in between. I don't count on the in-betweens, but during the busy time they usually assign at least one or two articles per month and farm out a bunch of quick fun capsules that freelancers can write in 15 minutes with little if any research. (Just got one of those yesterday - 75 words due by May 26. Think I can manage that? LOL)

I have one client that I write 3-5 quick columns for per month, but they don't pay much.

One publisher could have become an anchor client if they'd bothered to pay for services rendered. They paid for the first two articles, quickly loaded me up with five more (for three titles)...all five have now been published, but none have been paid for. Not exactly an ideal client.

You're right about the resumes - they can ebb and flow. Sometimes they flow when I'm busy and ebb when I'm not. Wish it were the other way around. They can be a nice little supplement.