It happened to me last week. Twice. To be fair, it happens to plenty of established writers pretty regularly. I’m no exception, believe me. It comes from friends, but mostly it comes from strangers. It’s unpleasant no matter who it comes from. I’m talking about someone asking for my “overflow” work. Let’s just skip the…
Author: lwidmer
No-Marketing Guide to Freelancing
Everyone has a sweet spot. It’s that place where the struggle is over, the work and clients come easily, and that working-hard mode you’ve been in for ages has shifted to the hardly working mode. And you’re actually better off. Man, what a sweet spot that is. But what a ton of work you put…
When Freelance Clients Behave Badly
Sometimes you come up against someone who, for whatever reason, cannot help being an asshole. The person who tells you that your assigned article is not the one you should be writing, but this one is better, and proceeds to talk about their chosen topic. Or the person who blames you for their mistakes. Or the…
Spotting the Freelance Scammer
I should subtitle this one, “How to spot an obvious scam despite your desire for legitimate work.” Antonio Michael is back. Don’t remember him? Refresh your memory here. He’s the person who needed a writer because he claimed to have a speech impediment that didn’t allow him to talk with you on the phone about…
How to Vet that Freelance Gig
A friend of mine called me last week. She had an inquiry about a writing gig and, on the surface, that sucker sounded great. The dilemma — the client needed someone ASAP for a large project. My friend was already tied up with a big project and wondered if I had room on my calendar….
How To Increase Freelance Article Rates
I love it when someone shines a light on a truth and your own lightbulb comes on. That’s how it was for me in 2013 when Walt Kania (whose blog is pretty fabulous, by the way) wrote this guest post for Writers Worth that still resonates. What you charge is determined by one person —…
The Freelance Writing Compromise You Shouldn’t Make
I remember when I was first starting my freelance writing business. I don’t always remember fondly, though. It was rough. Finding clients seemed like this secret step that only insiders who’d found clients could manage. Sort of like those job listings for entry-level positions, but you have to have a year or two of experience…
A Writer’s Anti-racism Toolbox
Let me tell you, bad behavior is everywhere. If you’ve just spent time with family over the holidays, you’re shaking your head in agreement. We spent time with what I call “good” company — family who are not combative, who don’t drop statements that are hateful or racist, and those who behave like decent adults….
The 2022 Freelance Writing Career Reboot
I hate resolutions. But many of you know that already. Why they suck — Resolutions are promises, empty ones at best. We promise to lose five pounds. We promise to get a better job. We promise to find more clients. Notice anything about these promises? Not one of them is a plan. Not one thing…
3 Racist Assumptions to Remove from Your Writing Life
It’s been a little over a month since we’ve addressed racism in our writing. And it’s the conversation we need to keep having, even if we get it wrong or make a few mistakes along the way. The goal is to be better, and to promote better. Three things that have been bugging me, in…