When I interview people, I emulate Bryant Gumbel.
In my head, I’m sitting in front of the person, and I’ve got my glasses in my hand, sort of dangling to one side as I balance a notepad on my lap, just like Bryant Gumbel. I’m asking the tough questions, and I’m ending the interview with the same kind of sign-off. Breezy or tough, Bryant Gumbel always impresses me with the way he repeats the person’s name, then thanks them genuinely.
So when I have to interview people, I channel one of the best. I’m nowhere near as good as he is, but he’s my inspiration.
That’s my secret, and it’s one I’ve never told anyone before. But I have Bryant Gumbel to thank for my ability to develop that 10-minute relationship with a stranger and still get the job done.
Do I think it’s boosted my freelance writing business? You bet I do. And it’s something that can boost yours, too. Okay, maybe not Bryant Gumbel for you, but whoever inspires you with their style.
[bctt tweet=”Any other #freelancer out there who channels Bryant Gumbel?” username=”LoriWidmer”]
I suppose I’m the only one, but maybe you envision someone else when you’re writing, interviewing, editing, marketing.
Today’s post is full of that same kind of quirkiness that can get you out of your own way and help you improve what you do.
1. Emulate your inspiration.
When I got nervous before interviews with big corporations or big names in the industry, I “Gumbel-ed” it up. How would a real pro handle that interview? What attitude would he/she bring to the job at hand? How would Hemingway handle edits? Would Hunter Thompson ever not go balls out on his writing? Would Helen Thomas not ask a tough question in the White House briefing room?
Be that person in your head. Imagine how they might react in your situation. Then do that.
2. Value your own time.
The word “no” is a complete sentence — and thank you, Devon Ellington for that reminder. If you’re overworked, underpriced, and undervalued, stop it. Here’s the person who has to be happy in your freelance writing business:
You.
If you value your time, you’ll stop giving it away, and you won’t waste it on people who don’t deserve it. You’ll put a price on your time that reflects that value (and your skills, as well). You won’t be undervalued because you’ll base all your decisions on how much stock you put in your own time. Would you waste 3 hours at a 3rd grade piano recital listening to kids you don’t even know? Of course not. You wouldn’t sit in traffic for 6 hours because the road crew doesn’t want to move, either. You’d change the situation. That’s in your power. Because you value your time. Now, apply that to your career.
3. Stop thinking like an employee.
“I don’t want to tell the client I’m taking time off.”
Why? Are they your employer? Hell no, they’re not. You, my friend, need to start thinking like a business owner (because hey, you are). Your business will be closed next week? Then state it like that. Or tell them you’ll be out. Whatever you do, do not ever ask permission to take time off. Permission is not theirs to give. It’s yours.
“But Lori — what if they fuss? What if they get upset?”
What if they do? You are not the employee. You are the small business owner. Read that again. Repeat it until you realize that you are in charge. Frankly, any client who would fuss over you having time off might be one you reconsider working with, but that’s me.
4. Give yourself a raise.
Come on. It’s been years, and you’re still charging the same amount. Everyone deserves a raise. A writer friend of mine reminded me of that just last week, so I’m just as guilty as you are. It’s time we rewarded ourselves for our skills (which are much more advanced since our last raise) and our time (refer to the first point here).
Got a contract with a client? Great! But even contracts have a limited reach. So you agreed six years ago to work for your rate then. Time to bump it up. If need be, revisit the contract with your client, or just send over notice that the rates are going up and they can expect a revised agreement in a few days. They can dissent, and you can negotiate (or not) from there.
5. Embrace your choice.
Tired of dithering around waiting for your freelance career to take off? There’s the problem — you’re waiting. You’re waiting for someone else to do something, like give you that grain of advice that finally sinks in or that perfect client to somehow drop in your lap. Honey, if you want this, you have to grab it. As my chum Kristen King once said, treat this freelance thing like it’s your only option. I’d add this to that sentiment — treat it like it’s your child who needs protecting. Then protect it. Make decisions that bolster the business, not set you back or keep you in the same spot. Learn everything you can about making it your best business. Keep learning. Keep nurturing.
Writers, I’m dying to know who you emulate and under what circumstances. Share, please!
When was your last raise?
What quirky ways have you used to boost your business?
4 responses to “5 Random Freelance Tips to Boost Your Biz”
I can’t say I’m that familiar with Bryant Gumbel’s style, but I often steal one of Dan Rather’s tricks (which he uses at the end of every episode of his current AXS TV show, The Big Interview) and ask if there’s something the interviewee wished I’d asked. And yes, when someone says they love that question I admit I stole it from Dan Rather.
Last month I was overwhelmed with lots of short interviews that needed to be Otterized (my word for what you do when you edit an Otter transcript while listening to the recording), so I asked a friend who does some transcribing work how much she’d charge – $1/minute – and hired her to clean up several of them for me. After she’d done a couple, she gave me a great compliment by saying I made the interviewees feel relaxed and comfortable and gainedtheir trust. I always just try to keep it conversational—I never want anyone to feel like they’re taking a pop quiz!
Back to your points, Lori: Just this week a client said they’d soon be assigning articles for December. I explained that I always take the last two weeks of the year off, and already have enough work to see me through mid-December. I said I MIGHT be open to a short, quick, single-source article if he could extend the deadline. Next day he asked if I could take 1,200-word single-source article.
I’m conditioned to write super short things for most of my clients (often with more than one source), so 1,200 words was a bit long, so I passed. Did the editor get huffy or threaten I’d never work for them again? Of course not. He praised my work and said they’d have plenty more assignments to make after the holidays.
Paula, I love it! And I know exactly the Dan Rather move you’re talking about. 🙂 Good one.
I need to take your example and run with it. I’m off the entire month, but there is someone who wants me to work right up to the last second before I head off. Nope. Boundary is drawn.
After that, a new-to-me client also wanted to assign a 1,200-word article (with six interviews) due December 17. I felt awful declining, since it would have been my first article for them, but I was honest. I have several things due that week and would not be able to do it justice – and I am taking the last two weeks of the year off. I said if they have any assignments that don’t need to be started until January, I’d be glad to take them on.
More than 24 hours and still no reply. I hope I didn’t lose a new client, but I’d rather be honest than say yes to something I know I don’t have time to do – especially since Thanksgiving reduces the number of work days between now and December 17.
I think you did the right thing by you, and by them. That’s a lot of pressure to finish all these other things, then have to learn a new client’s style when your attention is divided.
Good for you. I hope they appreciate your honesty.