lwidmer | Words on the Page

All Freelance Advice is Not Created Equal

Posted on February 3, 2021February 1, 2021 by lwidmer

Sigh. (insert large exhale here) A writer friend alerted me to a few posts and tweets seen recently that offer “writing tips” from freelancers that can help nearly any writer find more work this year. I guess the word “freelancer” is pretty loosely defined these days. I’m not saying only veteran writers have great advice…

The “What Should I Do When” Freelance Post

Posted on February 1, 2021February 1, 2021 by lwidmer

Not long ago, I followed up with a client with whom I’d gotten all the way to the part where they send the NDA and contract. It never arrived. It wasn’t as though they weren’t eager to get going on the projects, nor was it that I’d done anything to make them bolt. A pandemic…

Market in 2021 Like a Freelance Boss

Posted on January 26, 2021January 26, 2021 by lwidmer

A few weekends ago, I sat down to tally up my invoices for 2020 and pay that final self-employment tax installment. It’s an exercise that used to fill me with untold amounts of angst. I loathe figuring taxes. I never get the percentage right no matter how high I estimate. This year, I still owed…

Freelance Writing Projects: Warnings Signs (& fixes)

Posted on January 19, 2021January 28, 2021 by lwidmer

A writer friend called me the other day about a project a contact had proposed. As I listened to my friend’s overview of the project, I got the same gut response she did — This project is, and always will be, a nonstarter. Not everything we writers deem to be a lousy business idea is…

The Great Freelance Rate Debate

Posted on January 15, 2021January 14, 2021 by lwidmer

There was another discussion on yesterday’s Twitter #FreelanceChat about rates. Ironic since the chat was about negotiation, but rates are indeed part of that. And not saying the rate discussion isn’t warranted — far too many writers don’t know what to charge for their services. What I am saying is the discussion isn’t needed. I…

Taming the Freelance Project from Hell

Posted on January 11, 2021January 8, 2021 by lwidmer

Question: How many of you have taken on a freelance project that turned out to be one speed bump after another? Yea, me too. Let’s face it — even the best writer is going to come across that one project that threatens to break them. I had one such project recently that, while small and…

Freelance Game Plan: January

Posted on January 5, 2021April 22, 2021 by lwidmer

Welcome to 2021. It already looks better, doesn’t it? That is, unless you’re trying to kickstart your freelancing business. However, I have good news for you: [bctt tweet=”You can find #freelancewriting clients any time of year.” username=”LoriWidmer”] Fact: clients need freelance writing help any time of year. Another fact: finding them isn’t always easy. But…

Does Your Freelancing Say ‘Amateur’?

Posted on December 18, 2020December 18, 2020 by lwidmer

Maybe it was bad SEO keyword use. Or maybe it’s just lousy writing. Honestly, on my first read, it didn’t really matter, because I tuned out. A writer friend sent over what is probably one of the worst examples of whatever kind of writing this bot was trying to emulate. Yes, I said bot. I…

Why Burning Freelance Writing Bridges Sucks

Posted on December 16, 2020December 15, 2020 by lwidmer

A short while back, I got an email from someone I’d done some projects for once upon a time. The note set me back on my heels. Let me back up — the fact that I got a note from this particular contact at all was a pretty major shock. This is a former client,…

Why You Aren’t Getting Those Freelance Writing Gigs

Posted on December 9, 2020December 8, 2020 by lwidmer

(sigh) Here we go again. Another trip around the internet groups and forums is all it takes to wind me up. So forgive the minor rant, but this needs to be said: [bctt tweet=”There is one solid reason why you, #freelancer, are not getting those gigs you see online.” username=”LoriWidmer”] Know why? Because the job…

Gabriella

December 9, 2020

Amen, sister! I see it often. Actually, I just forwarded a series of emails I had with a woman who plainly wasn’t paying attention at all to what we were discussing–and she kept calling me Gabriel, despite the fact every email in the thread had my signature line with my name spelled correctly.

This is a related rant. I sometimes use source-finding sites. As required, I post on there what I’m looking for, such as “Need tech experts to offer their best tips on how to extend the life of your devices.” The smartest PR people always, always respond with their potential source’s name and some great tips I can pick up and attribute to that person, perhaps with some clarifying discussion.

The worst PR people and sources? They respond as you’ve said–with an, “I’m here.” “I’m interested.” “My client would be great….” and then they tell me their client’s reality TV credentials (I’m not joking. I get lots of responses from reality TV stars, and I wouldn’t touch them with a 10-foot pole; I believe we’ve had enough of that for a lifetime, but that’s another rant for another day.)

People: Show why someone truly needs you or your invitation! Don’t just show up.

Ugh. You got me going. 🙂

1. lwidmer
  
  December 10, 2020
  
  LOL We are preaching to our own choir today, you and I. 🙂
  
  So, Gabriel ;), why haven’t you changed your name to accommodate that woman? I mean really, talk about being inflexible. LOL I feel your pain. I once told a dude what my name was and his response was “No it’s not, it’s …it says right here your name is….”
  
  That’s when you know they’re not your client — when they argue what’s obviously not true.
  
  Good PR people are tough to find, aren’t they? You’re right — the good ones will read and respond in kind. The bad ones will send you a cosmetic surgeon when you asked for a security expert. Oy.
2. Randy B. Hecht
  
  December 12, 2020
  
  Gabriella, YES! On all counts. A while back, I received a press release about a source who I could have pitched to one of my editors IF the source’s company was involved in certain areas of work, which was not clear from the pitch I received. So I sent an email asking for clarification and stating specifically that the company would need to be actively involved in (not just planning to get involved in) A, B, and C–and that if the company met those criteria, I could query my editor on a potential story. The publicist, rather than answering my questions, sent an email to her client and me in which she told the client I wanted to interview him for a profile of his company that would appear on (name of media site) and asking him what dates would be convenient to schedule an interview.
  
  As for names: Mine is androgynous, and my parents went with the traditionally male spelling, so all my life I’ve gotten mail/email incorrectly addressed to me as Mr., and I hate that but it is what it is. But last week, I replied to a Mr. email and signed with Ms. to correct the error, and the person (a source I need for a story) proceeded to use Mrs. in subsequent email.
  
  Cluelessness abounds…
Paula Hendrickson

December 10, 2020

Whenever I see writers responding with “I’m interested” or “I can do that!” to a post asking interested candidates to contact them by DM or email, I wonder if they have any price. I mean, they usually don’t even know what, if anything, the job pays. Follow directions, and you’ll find out everything you need to know.

And Gabriella, I’ve had those PR replies too. The sources they offer up are rarely a good match to whatever query I posted.

1. lwidmer
  
  December 11, 2020
  
  Bingo! Once again, Paula, you hit the nail squarely on the head. And I doubt in most cases if these same writers even know what the job entails.
  
  When I see those replies, I read “I’m desperate” instead of “I’m willing to have a conversation to see if we’re a good fit.”
2. Randy B. Hecht
  
  December 12, 2020
  
  Paula, I’ve seen instances in which the job poster provides a link to the full job listing–and then they get peppered with questions from people who clearly couldn’t be bothered to read the listing.
  
  Can I work remote? (The job description specifically states it’s on-site.)
  You didn’t provide rate information. (The full job posting does.)
  What style guide is required? (Guess where you could find that detail?)
  And so on.
  
  All these people are doing is branding themselves as freelancers who need to be spoon-fed, who need their hands held, who have zero initiative–who are, in short, poor prospects. And all because they couldn’t be bothered to click on a link that would have answered all their questions. I don’t get it–but I do know that they make it easier for me to compete for those positions!
3. lwidmer
  
  December 14, 2020
  
  Randy, you’ve seen the bulk of the more ridiculous things while moderating the LinkedIn forum. I think the most frustrating for me is the sense I get (and I see you do, too) that some of these people need to be led by the hand to the job, then want to be hired without question.
  
  Meanwhile, another writer is following directions and getting the job. Funny how that works.
4. Paula Hendrickson
  
  December 14, 2020
  
  (Nothing like spotting a typo four days too late: PRIDE. I was wondering if the overly-eager respondents had any pride.)
5. lwidmer
  
  December 14, 2020
  
  Paula, they both work. 😉
Krista

December 13, 2020

Oh my, I see this all the time on LinkedIn too! It leaves me scratching my head every time. If you can’t send a resume to the email address as requested, how are you going to digest (and follow) the guidelines for the project?!

I feel like in general people’s ability (or willingness) to read information right in front of them is going down the toilet. Off topic but almost every day I also see FB ads selling something and people will start asking questions that are answered in the damn title. Boys clothes 7-8 $50. What size are these? Price? LOL

1. lwidmer
  
  December 14, 2020
  
  Oh Krista, you hit on my peeve, too! I saw it a few times just over the weekend. It’s right THERE. First sentence, title, etc. If you don’t read, you’re not presenting yourself very well to a potential client, right?
  
  I saw it on a weekend conference chat — people asking questions. The answers were right there on the screen. I mean, literally it was in plain sight and the presenter was talking about the very answer they were seeking. Yikes.