Comments on: Diversifying

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:44:01 +0000

Paula, amen to all you said. I don't think I've ever expected anyone to hand me a thing. Even clients who contract with me - I don't assume anything until the check clears. :)

Having multiple clients is critical. I used to have four regular ones. Then within days of each other, two of them stopped with assignments. Ouch. That made up about $3K of my monthly income. I was lucky to have the other two, but I knew I had to keep looking for more regular work. Who's to say the remaining two wouldn't disappear, too?

Anne, I don't think it's jealousy as much as it's frustration. Yes, there probably are some writers who are jealous of others' successes, but I'd say a lot of them are just plain confused and frustrated on where to go. Maybe I give too much credit.

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:38:55 +0000

Again? Let me rescue it, Paula.

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:06:42 +0000

Today I guess my comment was the one eaten by Blogger….

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:34:17 +0000

What Devon, Jake and Nicky said, and tons of others thought - the people who snipe at us are probably jealous.

And btw, Jake's right, that's what they teach in life guarding classes. (If you think there's a brag there you're right.)

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:36:51 +0000

Nicky, I want to bottle you and sell you to all the writers who ask that very question. You hit it exactly. :)

Precisely, Jake. I'm not the one who forgot to fill her oxygen tank, so to speak. LOL

By: Nicky Parry

Nicky Parry — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:10:55 +0000

It's highly frustrating, and also somewhat amusing, that people get so belligerent like this! As mentioned earlier, the anonymity of the internet does allow people to act like small children without any consequences – let's face it, if they'd acted like that in front of their grandmother, they'd have gotten what they deserved! I think you hit on a good point though – when you mentioned how many say it's "the only work they can find". When you don't go beyond the end of your nose, sure, you don't find much. Writing isn't really much different to any other business – the sweatshops are easy to come by, and they flourish because people continue to work there. Meantime, there are wonderful opportunities out there, but you have to seek them out and do your networking. I don't care whether you're a writer or a brain surgeon, you still have to get proactive and seek out the golden opportunities. There isn't just some magic website where the 6-figure salaries are overflowing and awaiting your appearance.

By: Jake P

Jake P — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:10:37 +0000

Yes, secure your own mask first. *makes international flight attendant gesture over head*

At the risk of hyperextending similes, it's even more like buddy breathing in scuba, because they're alleging there's only one air source and we're hogging it. But guess what? Boo frickin hoo. I'm not the one whose tank is on "E" for lack of proper technique and/or preparation and/or because I was panicking.

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:31:31 +0000

Jake said: "The first rule I remember from taking a lifeguard course way back when is...if you're trying to rescue someone and they start to drown you, get the heck away from them."

LOL - you're right. That's "Survival 101." :~)

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:20:37 +0000

Jake, good point. As they say on airplanes, make sure your own air mask is secured before assisting others.... well, that's different, isn't it? :)

Kim, some of the quotes are unrepeatable. I won't, either. Stupid behavior doesn't get rewarded with my time or attention. I didn't mind responding about this woman because there's an underlying frustration there. She's not pointing fingers necessarily as she's wondering who's out there who can point her in the right direction. At least that's what I heard.

I can't imagine surviving without some form of diversification. Sure, there are writers who specialize in one area only, but maybe they diversify their client base. It's a good way to stay fresh and not feel the boredom that can creep into the job.

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:13:33 +0000

Devon is a straight shooter, and not afraid to tell it as she sees it. I feel her frustration -especially after reading some of the quotes you shared. Some people will continue to refuse to look beyond where they are, and that's unfortunate.

There is so much junk out there from mill writers claiming to be living "the writer's dream" writing for these low-paying companies that some people aren't looking beyond that to see ALL of the options available to writers. Another big problem is many writers who find themselves stuck writing for mills (and claiming they can't find anything else that pays) are operating with an employee mentality. They are not treating the services they provide as a business. Part of running a business means you have to market yourself to keep business flowing so you can earn a profit. Relying completely on someone else to do it for you just doesn't work.

I like that you're discussing diversification. That is certainly what's kept me afloat as a freelance writer for the past 6 years.