lwidmer | Words on the Page

Judging Journalism – by a Non-Journalist

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I was all prepared to write this nice post today about what I’d heard and learned at my stepson’s graduation from Columbia yesterday. That is, until Sid sent me a link to an article by a Swedish professor of media economics, posted in the Christian Science Monitor. It would seem the good professor thinks journalists…

A Catnip Person

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Have you ever come across someone whose appeal is instant, whose manner is so easy or so charming that you can’t help but want to know them? I had that experience this week. The client was calling me to go over changes, normally a tense situation for both client and writer, for one or the…

The Ultimate Hangover

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Never fails that after a really cool party, you end up with either a headache or a hangover, right? Yesterday was no exception. Still high on the fumes of a Friday full of surprises, I got a rude awakening. One of my regular clients – an association magazine – has lost its freelance budget. No…

After the Party

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Know that feeling you get just after the last guest goes home and you start picking up plates and glasses? You’re tired, you’re reliving conversations and moments, and you’re happy that your friends are indeed the best. Yes. It’s like that today. Thank you to every one of you for helping make the Second Annual…

The Second Annual Writers Worth Day

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It’s here! It’s here! At the risk of my having a “phone book moment” like Steve Martin in The Jerk, the long-awaited Second Annual Writers Worth Day is here! Today is our day, writers, editors, and freelance creatives of all sorts. Today is the day we as an industry proclaim to our peers and to…

Writers Worth Tip #6: It’s Not About the Money

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Oh, you didn’t see that one coming, did you? What’s she smoking, eh? Hasn’t this woman been preaching endlessly about valuing yourself enough to demand the fees you deserve? I have and I still do. But I still say it’s not about the money. Here’s what I mean – too many writers go into each…

Can You Tell Them the Truth?

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There are two days left before the Second Annual Writers Worth Day! If you’re posting something on that day or you’re putting up the widget, Twittering, or Facebook-ing it, let me know in the comments section here, send me an email, send a pigeon gram… just let me know and you’ll be entered in the…

Writers Worth Tip #5 – Getting Help

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I had a pretty decent career going, but there was something missing. It wasn’t until I took one teleclass from Lisa Gates that I realized everything was there except confidence. Sure, I’d been successful to that point, but I wasn’t focused. In one hour, Lisa helped me turn things around and find the perspective I…

Take Part, Win a Prize

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I’m astounded by how many of you have given your blog, email, and Twitter support to the upcoming Second Annual Writers Worth Day cause. Friday’s the day! Here’s the plan – if you post something to your blog this week before Friday that is dedicated to the mission of the Writers Worth Day (and includes…

Writers Worth Tip #4 – Getting Involved in Your Career

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Oh come on, you know you’ve been taking a passive approach to your career, don’t you? No? When was the last time you actively sought out new clients? I’m not talking about cruising around the job boards looking to see who’s hiring. I mean when did you last contact a prospective or current client and…

Kimberly Ben

How funny that you’re discussing this today. I usually initiate contact with prospects through email, however, I have been hard at work over the past month creating a new website, a direct mail package (brochure, direct mail letter and postcards for existing clients I haven’t heard from in a while. I’ve also written a tutorial and will hopefully finish up the special report I’ve been working on.

Your advice about studying the market to make sure your rates are in line with the audience you’re targeting is great advice.

Lori

Kimberly, we must be conjoined at the psyche. :))

It just seems odd to me that we as an industry hide behind the Internet so much. Better to take the risk to our egos and seek the work we want.

devonellington

I’ve sent out quite a few teaching proposals in the past weeks.

And now that I have the Computer of my Dreams, I’m designing a new brochure with awesome graphics and doing a direct mailing to a targeted list.

Oh, yeah, and I have a book coming out next week.

Gabriella F.

I also think it’s funny you bring this up today.

I’ve had good luck identifying print and online pubs that fit my skills, working hard to find a direct phone number, and then making an introductory call. I identify myself, ask if I’ve caught the ed at a bad time (they always say no), and then ask if I can explain the reason for my call. Very nonintrusive, and no eds have told me they coudln’t take my call.

I did that just yesterday. I stumbled across a site I didn’t even know existed, ferreted out the editor and her phone number by doing online research, and made the call. We had a nice chat, and I’m going to send her story ideas and my resume today.

In the lingo of salespeople, that phone call makes your e-mail with ideas and clips a “warm call” rather than a “cold call.”

We’ll see what happens, but this technique has come up roses for me before!

Lori

That’s fantastic, Gabriella! Good to hear your tips on how to approach the call, too. A lot of writers get hung up on it, not knowing what to say (go figure – we’re great on paper, though!).

Katharine Swan

Lori, I think you were talking to ME in the opening lines! LOL. It’s been forever since I’ve marketed, online or anywhere else. My regular clients and the referrals I get keep me pretty busy, and even though I know I can’t depend on that last forever, it’s hard to find time for marketing. :o(

I am curious, though. When you approach potential clients, do you call them? Send an email? Send a letter? What do you find works best? I personally hate the phone, but I know some people swear by cold calling.

Joseph Hayes

Well said, Lori.

Lori

Katharine, me personally – I send out a correspondence, usually a brochure, then I follow up via phone (or email if I can’t reach them by phone). I tell them I’d sent out a brochure to introduce myself and my services and I was following up to see if they needed any writing or editing help now or in the future. I follow all conversations – including the “no thanks” – with a thank-you card and a business card tucked inside.