Comments on: The 2022 Freelance Writing Career Reboot

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 15:31:20 +0000

In reply to Paula Hendrickson. I love it, Paula. I think everyone is wanting to redefine what work means for them and find some time to do what they love. I sure do. Your It's My Monday posts are great. :)

By: Paula Hendrickson

Paula Hendrickson — Mon, 10 Jan 2022 20:37:29 +0000

Funny thing. While I launched It’s My Monday on January 3, it was totally random. The idea for it only hit me the week before when I was dreading going back to the usual 5-day work week. Then I remembered, “I’m a freelancer. I set my own schedule.” And It’s My Monday was born.

Today is week two. So far, so good!

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 16:05:08 +0000

In reply to Gabriella. Good point. Some may not have the wiggle room to absorb that.

By: Gabriella

Gabriella — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 15:24:41 +0000

Agree with you, Lori, but I plum forgot! I do recall that one of my clients was surprised when I sprung a price increase like that and asked for more time to build it into her budget. That’s why I’m thinking it might be best to introduce it that way for a few clients.

By: lwidmer

lwidmer — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 14:43:18 +0000

In reply to Gabriella.

That’s the dilemma, Gabriella. Raising rates should come as naturally to us as it does to our utility companies, but we balk. We don’t want to lose business. Chances are pretty slim that we will, but we still hesitate.

I’m introducing a new rate to new clients. I’m also increasing rates with current clients with a simple “My rates went up on January 1st” mention. The more I waffle, the less likely they’ll just accept that I deserve the raise.

By: Gabriella

Gabriella — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 12:19:35 +0000

This:
As I mentioned in December, my biggest mistake in 2021 was not giving myself a raise. I haven’t been doing so regularly. Not anymore. As I ease myself into retirement, I’m increasing my rates. The goal is to slide into retirement doing less work for the same or more earnings. Why not? After 21 years of it, I’ve more than earned the higher, specialized rate.

OMG, I forgot the lesson I learned from you a while back about raising rates! And I’m in the same boat–easing into retirement, I hope!

You’ve now got me thinking about how I can introduce that now for maybe second quarter so I don’t shock clients….

Happy new year, Lori!