Why everyone should follow Cathy Miller right now — she’s made the leap from corporate life to freelance, and has done so successfully. She dropped a six-figure corporate career — literally quit without warning — with the hope that freelancing would give her a life filled with satisfaction, not stress.
Another reason to follow Cathy — she’s a giving person and a smart business communicator. She’s also one of my offline foursome of fun, and I’d not be able to get through this career without her support and her wicked sense of humor. For a quiet woman, she can surprise you with her lightning-fast wit.
Cathy writes with a wisdom and an introspection that just draws you in. I’m a fan. I know you will be, too.
Writers Worth Spelled Out
by Cathy Miller
Are you stubborn? A bit of a bulldog?
That could come in handy as a freelance writer.
Don’t tell me what to do or not do. I try to apply that feeling to the “do onto
others” philosophy. So, every year when Lori Widmer’s Writers Worth rolls
around, I admit I cringe a bit about telling others what they should do or
feel.
it’s worth. And what I’ve found is my stubborn, bulldog self serves me well in
my freelancing career. That and my age. The older I get, the more I focus on
what’s worth the energy.
the best writers have their doubts. It may be a fleeting moment
or a nagging ache. Sometimes you have to spell out your writers worth (or
writer’s worth if you’re more possessive). Seeing it in print works wonders. I’ll
show you mine if you show me yours.
For What It’s Worth
- W –
Writing – You know it starts with writing. I bet you’re a good writer. You
probably would not have gone down this path if you didn’t deep down believe
that. And you know what? That’s something to be proud of. Not everyone can
write well. Believe it. - R – Return
– You offer your clients an incredible return on their investment. You save
them time. You save them money (no matter what you charge). Think about how
much money it would cost them to hire a full-time writer. Keep that in mind
when you review your rates. - I –
Income – And speaking of rates. Your income is personal. Only you know what
you need. Clients don’t dictate your rates. Either they can afford you or not. A
self-professed guru doesn’t know you. So how can he or she tell you are doing it wrong? Start with what you need. Then
review that return. Now, we’re talking worth. Is it time to raise your rates? - T –
Thought-provoking – You bring more to the table than your writing skills.
You help clients think. You help them become better communicators. You help
them focus on their business. That right there is worth plenty. - E –
Energy – This is my number one trick for reigning in my moments of doubt. I
apply it to both my professional and personal life. I ask myself – is it worth
the energy? Is it worth the energy to lower my rates and stress about earning
what I need? Is it worth the energy to write a piece without pay? Is the
hard-to-work-with clients worth the energy? You get the idea. - R –
Rejection – Rejection happens to all of us. The proposal that goes nowhere.
The article idea the editor rejects. I was raised with the attitude –
everything happens for a reason. That doesn’t mean rejection doesn’t hurt. But
I look at it as clearing the path for something better. - S – Stubborn
– Remember that bulldog? One
definition of bulldog is stubbornly persistent. I like that. You are going
after this writing career. Don’t sabotage
(another ‘S’ word) your business by buying in to books, courses, lectures that
make no sense for your business. Don’t sabotage yourself by missing deadlines
or accepting less than you’re worth. - W – Work
– Think about hiring someone to do work for you. Would you hire them, then
not pay? Would you pay them below minimum wage? Or would you pay him or her
what is fair? Why should your writing
business be any different? - O – Oxymoron
– “Paid writer” is NOT an oxymoron. Substitute the word “professional” for
writer. Paid professional. That is what you are – a professional. Why the heck
shouldn’t you be paid? And paid well? In certain circumstances, an unpaid
byline is the biggest oxymoron of all. - R – Repeat
– My “is it worth the energy” is my personal mantra. Find what works for you to remind you of your
worth. Repeat often. - T – Terms
– View the terms of your writer’s
contract. Are they representative of your worth? Beware of client contracts
with provisions like indemnity clauses that hold you liable for everything that
goes wrong. - H – Help
– You increase your worth when you seek help. How? By expanding your
knowledge base, becoming a better business person, and discovering more
resources.
spells success. Find what works for you and believe. Unleash the bulldog.
Cathy Miller has a business writing blog at Simply stated business. Her
blog, Why 60 Miles,
is in the early stages and inspired by her passion for walking 60 miles in 3
days to support research for finding a cure for cancer.
Writers,which one of these points is/was hardest for you to achieve?
How do you define your worth? How does it differ from how others define a writer’s worth?
At what point did you become your own bulldog? What did it take for you to get there?
Love this approach, Cathy, and there are so many excellent pieces of advice here. I think my current favorite is "oxymoron" (it helps that I like the word) because it's so important for writers to see themselves as professionals. Great job, as always.
Twins again, Sharon. 😉 Oxymoron is one of my favorite words. Thanks for the kind words, my friend.
And a big thanks to Lori for the huge commitment it takes to do Writers Worth every year. I count you among my many blessings.
Love this!
Thanks, Devon. ☺
Classic Cathy – boiling a vast amount of information into clear, concise nuggets that anyone (even difficult clients) can understand. And use.
And Cathy & Sharon? Oxymoron is also one of my favorite words, right up there with juxtaposition.
Triplets, Paula. ☺ Thank you for the kind words. I may need to add juxtaposition. Ah, nice ring to it.
Welcome to the club, Paula 🙂
I'll echo all the praise here, Cathy! And how funny that you talk about indemnity clauses right now, since that's what I've been dealing with lately. It's so nice to know that there ARE clients out there who respect a writer's worth. Those are the ones who are open to negotiation and who are gracious even if it doesn't work out in the end.
Thanks, Ashley. I know you recognize your worth and it will all work out as it should. You are worth it, Ashley!
Cathy, Sharon…maybe we're the real life Clone Club from Orphan Black! (Or am I the only triplet who watches that show?)
You're on your own there, Paula, but now I'll have to check it out. 😉
Twins, Sharon. ? I have no idea what that is.
Love it, Cathy!
'Energy' – that really resonates with me. We are, after all, our own bosses, so why waste all that energy on clients, projects, or anything at all that causes stress, anxiety, or sleepless nights?
Thanks, Emily. I found my energy question gets to the heart of the matter and makes it simple to say No.
"You increase your worth when you seek help."
This is so, so, so true!
They're all good points, but the Income one really hits home. I think when a writer learns that rates are indeed personal, as you say, they stop taking crap from those people who would use them and pay them garbage rates.
Thanks, Yo and Lori. ☺