lwidmer | Words on the Page

It’s Nearly 2012: Do You Know Where Your Business Plan Is?

Posted on December 7, 2011 by lwidmer

Good day yesterday. I had an unexpected lull in a pile of work (waiting for interview sources and feedback), so I was able to devote a large chunk of my day to my manuscript. I like where it’s going, and I like that I had time to get the story elements aligned. I had inadvertently…

My Very Own, Highly Subjective List of Top Blogs I Like and Maybe Even So Will You

Posted on December 6, 2011 by lwidmer

Had a good workday yesterday – for a Monday. I managed a few smallish proofing projects, a revision on another project, and some transcribing and writing on an article. Today, probably more of the same. I’m trying to get a few of these November projects done so I can invoice. In all but one case,…

Tire Kickers

Posted on December 5, 2011 by lwidmer

Lovely weekend. We managed to get outside and enjoy the unusually warm weather. I was tempted to open the roof on the convertible yesterday! We weren’t able to fit in all the relaxing we wanted to, but I was able to be lazy for a few hours. That’s more refreshing than a nap sometimes. In…

Things That Make My Head Explode, Part Six

Posted on December 2, 2011 by lwidmer

Don’t forget to sign up for the Mastering the Invoice for Maximum Profit Webinar – you can still save money! Register before December 4th and pay just $39.95. Or join the Five Buck Forum and spend just $15 for both forum access and the Webinar. Click here for more details. Didn’t get a ton done…

Monthly Assessment: November 2011

Posted on December 1, 2011 by lwidmer

A few more chances to save: Sign up for the Mastering the Invoice for Maximum Profit Webinar by December 4th and attend for $39.95. Or join the Five Buck Forum and get both forum access and Webinar attendance for just $15. Plus a chance to win an Amazon gift card. Click here to join us….

Repackaged or Respun, It’s Still Theft

Posted on November 30, 2011 by lwidmer

Just one more day to save $20 on the Mastering the Invoice for Maximum Profits Webinar! Register today and attend for just $29.95 (a $49.95 value). Make 2012 your year to improve your business processes and earnings potential. Click here for more info. Yesterday was another fruitful one. I completed a draft for the second…

Communication Vaguery

Posted on November 29, 2011 by lwidmer

Want to save $20? Register before tomorrow night for the Mastering the Invoice for Maximum Profit Webinar. You’ll get in for just $29.95! Give it a gander here. Super day yesterday. I managed great headway on three projects, finishing one, roughing out another, and starting the third. I hope to have them completed this afternoon….

Marathon Time

Posted on November 28, 2011 by lwidmer

Just two days left to save – sign up for the Mastering the Invoice for Maximum Profits webinar before November 30th and save $20! Click here for more info. NaNo count: Don’t ask. Just. Don’t. Here’s the thing – I was on track with NaNo until Tuesday. That’s when the parents arrived. I had been…

Happy ….?

Posted on November 26, 2011 by lwidmer

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Mine was great. The parents were in, all but one kid was home (and I miss him), and the girls did the cooking – all of it. I can’t remember the last time I was able to sit down on a Thanksgiving and watch tv and enjoy…

When You Hold the Cards

Posted on November 23, 2011 by lwidmer

I’m still hanging around with the folks, so I’m scheduling this post in advance. I had a chat with a writer friend earlier in the week. He was talking about his most recent client meeting and how he managed to stand firm on his rate to a client that was doing a little dancing around…

Paula

November 23, 2011

Unfortunately, when it comes to magazine/periodical feature writing, there's not much room for negotiation. The publications state their rates and terms and if you don't like them you're free to walk away. I am getting better at prompting late-payers into paying (and calling them on it when they try to short change me).

That said, the other day another writer friend of mine called. A client she's worked with wanted her to rework and expand something she'd already written for them so they could use it in a new way. Since she'd already done a lot of the work, she asked me if she should charge her normal rate of cut them a break since she's already done so much of the work. I told her to ask her normal rate – if they balked, she could offer the lower rate. They didn't flinch at her price. I'd take that as a sign that it's time to raise rates.

Wade Finnegan

November 23, 2011

Hey Lori-

Totally unrelated to your post, but I want your readers to know I've nominated you for the top ten writer's blogs from write to done. http://writetodone.com/2011/11/22/nominate-your-favorite-writing-blog-6th-annual-top-10-blogs-for-writers-contest/
Now, someone needs to second that nomination. You give so much great information and I believe you should be recognized for it. Visit write to done and nominate Lori right now!

Damaria Senne

November 24, 2011

I second Wade's nomination.

As to the issues you raise about nomination Lori,I have walked away from negotiations when the fee I'm quoting and what the client is offering are not compatible. But that has mostly been when dealing with low-ballers. The lesson for me is to take it to a higher level. Sometimes I'm shocked when I negotiate with some clients – I'd tell them what I'm asking for a few say yes without even blinking. Which later makes me wonder if I could have negotiated for more/held a stronger negotiating position than I knew.

Kimberly Ben

November 24, 2011

Wow, this is a very timely post, Lori. Yesterday evening a writer from an email group sent an email asking how many writers were being forced to lower their rates because of the economy. I was surprised at how many writers responded that they had. Only one respondent stated that she had actually increased her rates.

It never occurred to me to lower my rates when the economy started struggling. I can't afford to, and I've spent too much time and money working to improve my skills to take backward steps now.

I found that I had to re-evaluate my business and the market I was targeting and make a few changes there, which has worked in my favor. As an entrepreneur, I do know that I need to work on my negotiating skills – they could be better. I'm doing okay, though. 🙂

Carl Diamond

November 25, 2011

Part of the confidence to stick to your guns on your pricing comes from having a strong enough flow of new business and referrals, so that you can afford to be selective. Structuring your business so that you have a predictable flow of leads is the key.

Lori

November 26, 2011

Wade, what a nice thing! Thank you for that. Totally unexpected, and I appreciate that you like it here. That's award enough for me.

Thank you as well, Damaria. 🙂 I'm with you – if the offer is leagues apart, I'm walking away, too. Funny what you said about the ones who take your price without balking. Maybe it's more that they realize you're worth it than they think you're at bargain rates. If you're happy with your rate and they are too, that's a win!

My rates went up for new clients too, Kim. Lowering rates is kind of counter-intuitive. It doesn't say to me that person is a professional, but rather a dabbler.

Great point, Carl! I agree completely. If you've done your marketing consistently, you won't need to waffle on your rate.

Devon Ellington

November 28, 2011

Unfortunately, gender often still plays a bigger part in negotiations than it should.

Men tend to get their rates with less negotiation than women. Many women allow themselves to be pushed into lower rates. Many clients will push back once if a man states a rate, but, if he sticks to it, then agrees, but keep pushing a woman.

I've sat in meetings with male colleagues and experience this on numerous occasions. Or, if I'm working with a male graphic designer, his rate is accepted immediately. I always have to draw boundaries and usually get told I need to be "more flexible" or more of a "team player." When I'm working with a female graphic designer, we're often both harrangued to give lower rates in ways male colleagues rarely are.

And no, we don't give in.

I have to say, though, there's less of that up here than in NY. Less Wall Street/Master of the Universe mentality.

I've lost jobs to male colleagues who charged the same rate I did, even with fewer credits. I was told I was too expensive; the male writer was not. I've also lost jobs to male colleagues with less experience who then didn't deliver (which has nothing to do with gender, simply the individual writer), and then the client came back asking for me. And I charged a higher fee than my earlier quote.

Lori

November 28, 2011

Rescued you from spam again, Paula. Great point – ask what you're worth. If they balk, then you can decide if it's worth it to you to discount. Don't do it up front!