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Author: lwidmer

Making Lemonade

Posted on by lwidmer

Those of you who read here regularly know of my boneheaded mistake last week – I wrote a fabulous article only to find out I’d written the wrong one. This week is redemption time. I spent the better part of yesterday searching for a home for the mistake, and I may have landed on one…

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Standing Up for Your Business

Posted on by lwidmer

Bankers, I get it. The economy’s got you all running a little scared. I understand. Yet if you start squeezing us small business people for inane (and in some cases, contract-breeching) things, you’re going to lose us. Time for a little dose of Chill Out, okay? I say this because my bank, the one I…

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Sweet Dilemma

Posted on by lwidmer

It’s one of the strangest client situations, but it’s not unheard of. Avid Writer Kimberly has a situation in which the client paid up front and then disappeared completely. If only that were the problem we all faced! But it can be a problem, for now you’re in a place where the client may return…

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On Being Late

Posted on by lwidmer

Okay, it’s been a month and a half. The invoice still goes unpaid and the emails go unanswered. Time for late fees. I understand busy people and busy offices. I understand juggling the jobs of three other people that are now piled onto your own. But I do not understand the absence of common business…

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Ask the Expert – You

Posted on by lwidmer

Show of cyber hands – how many of you consider yourself an expert in something? What does “expert” mean to you? If you think it’s someone with an exhaustive knowledge of one particular topic, industry, or some such notion, you’d probably be female. I’m basing that on what I’ve seen in the corporate world and…

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Sensible Deductions

Posted on by lwidmer

I was talking with the better half about my buying some stuff for the office – new desk, new computer, maybe a new chair. He asked why the rush. To get the deduction, of course! Per usual, he grounded me with a simple-yet-brilliant notion – if you’re spending in order to save, are you really…

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Things to Remember About Being Freelance

Posted on by lwidmer

1. You aren’t an employee. Therefore, no one has the right to demand your undivided attention unless you are being compensated accordingly (that includes benefits and vacation time). 2. If they don’t know you’re there, they can’t hire you. Be vocal and promote yourself once in a while. 3. If you complain publicly about your…

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More Cool Sites

Posted on by lwidmer

While I’m off enjoying the sands of New Jersey, I’ve left you with some new haunts to check out. Here are some more I’ve found lately that I’m beginning to love. And you’ll find them as new residents on my blog roll: Gumbo Writer. Thanks to Angie for showing up here quite frequently lately. You’ve…

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Pumping Up the Blog Roll

Posted on by lwidmer

I’m out the rest of the week here – don’t fret. I’ve posted well in advance to keep from leaving you guys with nothing to do but work in the mornings. While I had some spare time, I went over my blog roll and did some housecleaning. I added some new blogs to the list….

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On Days When Lori is a Big Old Dork

Posted on by lwidmer

I had quite a week this week. I completed interviews and writing for a fantastic article on nurses with addictions. Handed it in on time and everything. Only….I’d contracted to write a story on drugs that combat addictions. Oy and vey! said this Irish chick. I spent the better part of Wednesday and Thursday fixing…

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  1. Dana Prince Avatar
    Dana Prince

    I think you handled it with professionalism and integrity. I’d have done the same.

    Anytime I’ve made an error I drop everything and fix it straight away and I think that has helped clients be a little more forgiving.

    Did you save the wrong article though for another time? At least the error doesn’t have to be a complete write off. Sounds like it might be a good magazine pitch for American Journal of Nursing or something like that.

    Cheers,
    Dana

    Reply
  2. Avid Writer Avatar
    Avid Writer

    ^^I agree, Dana. Yes, Lori, I’ve been in your shoes. I know about those fleeting thoughts of running away from the mistake. But like you I just apologize, accept the responsibility and correct it right away. I don’t waste time making excuses – it doesn’t fix the situation. That’s how I like to be treated. Just accept responsibility for the problem, fix it and we’re good.

    Reply
  3. Devon Ellington Avatar
    Devon Ellington

    Great job, Lori.

    And now you have another article on a fascinating topic which you can also sell.

    Remember, it’s Mercury retrograde — misunderstandings abound!

    Reply
  4. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    Mercury’s gonna kill me, Devon. :)) It’s probably a good thing we weren’t able to meet for lunch today – this is something I needed to wrap up ASAP. Means I’ll be more relaxed when we do! :))

    The reason I wanted to run? I had already decided this was my last article for this pub because of the pay rate. They’re good people, but they don’t pay very well. I couldn’t get a higher rate out of them, either. That was the only reason I’d have walked away, but I couldn’t validate that since I’d already accepted the contract at that rate. Commitments, you know.

    Dana, I did save the other article and I’m sending it around now. Hopefully it will find a new home. The one interview subject was great – she had a good laugh at my expense, which is better than anger and outrage any day. :))

    Reply
  5. Jennifer Williamson Avatar
    Jennifer Williamson

    You did exactly what I would have done. Any time I make a blunder, I freak out about it and drop everything to fix it right away. Same day, if it’s possible. I completely agree with you–if it’s my mistake, the client should never have to pay for that in money or time. I think it’s the only way to go.

    Reply
  6. Angie Ledbetter Avatar
    Angie Ledbetter

    So nice to see a person taking responsibility for their own actions or mistakes. A rarer and rarer thing today. Great post.

    Reply
  7. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    Thanks, Angie. All the credit goes to my parents for raising me well. 🙂 Please tell me it’s not THAT rare!

    Reply
  8. Sal Avatar
    Sal

    Lori, looks like you have the same mentality that I do. I messed up, I fix it. That is where the 7P’s come from in the Navy. Prior Propper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. Since I messed up, I should not be given any extra time to fix it. It was nice that your client offered though. I would keep them around at all costs.

    Reply
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