It happens to a lot of us. Whether we’re living the journalistic dream or looking for a career in writing while slogging it out at a generic 9-to-5, we suddenly find ourselves staring down the barrel of unemployment. Particularly for journalists these last few decades, sudden job loss translates to, “Oh, I can just freelance.”…
Author: lwidmer
Getting Unstuck in Your Freelance Biz
A common question I get — and have gotten over the years — from struggling freelancers is: How do I improve my freelancing results? Mind you, that’s a big question. I don’t know you or your efforts well enough, nor do I know who your client is or what specialty or focus you prefer. It’s…
5 Freelance Writing Truths to Boost Earnings
I should stay off the internet. Really. My problem is that I read too many forums and social media sites where plenty of writers are either lamenting the death of freelancing (which is alive and well) or bragging about their ability to write about anything (which is going to burn them at some point). Lost…
The “I can write about anything” Fallacy
Recently I saw a post online in which the author was stating unequivocally that they could write about anything. That’s right — anything. It went something like this: Writers can write about anything! We learn your product, competition, message, and we provide solutions. With few exceptions, we don’t need all that experience in your niche…
Marketing 101: 4 Client Prospects to Give Up On
We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Those moments when we meet that sure thing, that client prospect who is so enthusiastic and is itching to work with you. Followed soon after by those moments (days, weeks, months) that are devoid of any communication from that enthusiastic prospect. You, my friend, have been ghosted. It’s not…
Freelance Marketing 101: The Relationship
Freelancers and writers, did you have a chance to read through and try the strategies I mentioned in my last post? How are you finding it going? Ready for a little more? Continuing the Freelance Marketing 101 theme, I thought it was best to talk about this bit at the outset. That is, how to…
Freelance Marketing 101: Research
Not long ago, I saw a writer lament that she was never told any “actionable” advice on freelance writing blogs. I understand the frustration. In many cases, it’s true. Not here, because I’ve made it my thing to show you how to do what I’m suggesting. Part of her frustration came from a weird place,…
Freelancer’s Guide to Better Rates
Imagine doing one thing right now that gives you a higher earnings total. You’d do it, right? Sure. But I bet many of you haven’t. That one thing? Raising your rates. Yes, you’ve heard this from me before. It’s important. That’s why I repeat myself. Imagine this — you have a new client in front…
Avoiding the “Work for Free” Freelance Trap
If I had a dollar for every time someone contacted me asking me to do work for free, I’d be a hell of a lot richer than I’d be working for free. In the past month alone, I’ve been asked four times to “partner” with or “look at” someone’s work. I had a stranger write…
2025 Guide to Freelance Success
This post was going to be about something else. It was going to be advice on how to level the client/writer relationship so that you’re protecting your freelance writing business and positioning yourself as a formidable professional. Funny how things morph, isn’t it? As I started writing, I realized that all of the things I…