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Author: lwidmer

8 Ways to Create a Productive Freelance Work Day (especially now)

Posted on by lwidmer

It’s really easy right now to kick back and do nothing. It’s even easier for the ennui and the depression to sink in when you do kick back and do nothing, particularly when it’s a work day and you’re not getting any new work. What’s a freelance writer to do? I get it. Jobs may…

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Boosting Your Freelance Writing Career (when there’s an economic meltdown happening)

Posted on by lwidmer

I don’t need to tell you what it looks like out there. Over 16 million people unemployed. Businesses closed until further notice. But you knew that already. In fact, you may have lost a client or two because of the current pandemic. But guess what? You can gain new clients right now, too. Yes. You…

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Beware the Freelance Writing Oversell

Posted on by lwidmer

With the world in a literal crisis right now, you knew it was coming. It’s oversell time. Everyone and his uncle is trying to convince you that their product, their new book/webinar/course/paid whatever is exactly what you need right now. You’re probably already seeing sales, limited-time freebies, and pushes coming from the lists you subscribe…

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8 Downtime Strategies for Freelance Writers

Posted on by lwidmer

You know that thing you’ve been putting off? That personal freelance writing project? That marketing? That ___ ? Now is the time. Seriously, when is it going to be a better time? A few caveats first. If you don’t capitalize on this time that’s been gifted to you by one of the most life-altering, ongoing,…

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3 Ideas for Successful Freelance Marketing (Yes, even now)

Posted on by lwidmer

There’s an entire country of people who are about to do — or are already doing — what we do every day: Work from home. You already know the impact that’s having on businesses, particularly small businesses and those that were struggling before the pandemic. Some companies are scaling back drastically (Macy’s, Lush, Sephora, and…

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What Every Freelancer Should Know About Relationship Marketing

Posted on by lwidmer

Remember that saying “We’re going to hell in a hand basket.” Welcome to hell. Not so comfy in that basket, is it? The world is upside down and contorted in ways we never thought could happen. That includes the working world. Companies everywhere are seeing unprecedented losses thanks to statewide orders to shut down. I…

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The Freelance Writing Sniff Test

Posted on by lwidmer

Not long ago, I had an email from a potential client. Well, let me back up a little. It was an email from someone I’d just connected with on social media. I mean, I’d connected with them in that same minute. The email was a thank you, but it was also a request. The person…

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The Freelance Guide to Pandemic Marketing

Posted on by lwidmer

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! And happy Blog-iversary to Words on the Page — for 14 years, we’ve been together. I thank all of you for helping make this a great place to share ideas and friendship. As much as I love a good St. Patrick’s Day celebration, that’s not happening. There’s this pandemic thing… So…

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How to Schedule Like a Freelance Writing Boss

Posted on by lwidmer

It happened again. I spent Tuesday through Friday of last week in the hospital. It was one of those health issues that just can’t be ignored, but once treated, it’s just a waiting game. And since it had happened once before, I knew it when it happened, so I calmly gathered what I’d need —…

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The #1 Way to Earn More at Freelance Writing

Posted on by lwidmer

I’m in the middle of a long run of constant work. I’ve met my March earnings goal with the projects I have on hand already, and it’s only the 4th of the month. You want that too, right? Look, there are precious few “secrets” to making a living freelance writing. Most of what you’ll do…

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  1. Krista Avatar
    Krista

    Ironically, my epiphany came when I cut back to part-time work after my son was born. Before that, I took basically anything I was offered. My thinking was simple: work more hours, make more money. Honestly there were many times I was working 18 hours a day and staying up all night to get things done.

    After he came along, I put him in childcare part time and gave myself 25 hours a week to work. I turned down the lower paying stuff because there was only so much room in my schedule. I was also hyper focused for the hours I was in the office. And guess what? My income went up by about 10 thousand a year while I was working about half of what I did before. I still can hardly believe it. And these days I don’t have all that much trouble politely telling potential clients their rates aren’t in line with what I typically earn.

    Reply
    1. lwidmer Avatar
      lwidmer

      Yep, sometimes it’s the back-to-the-wall moments that push us to stand up for ourselves. Way to go, Krista! It probably didn’t hurt that you had to pay for daycare, either. That in itself would have motivated me to charge more.

      My husband is often my source of sensible advice. He told me once as I was complaining how I had way too much to do that I should just charge more. That way, I’d make the same amount without killing myself.

      I took that advice right to the bank.

    2. Krista Avatar
      Krista

      Yes, it’s a different situation when you’re paying someone so you can work! I love your husband’s advice. It really does make sense but I think a lot of us get caught up in the idea that busier is better.

  2. Sharon Hurley Hall Avatar
    Sharon Hurley Hall

    I had a couple of aha moments, Lori. The first, after an insane 100-article project early in my freelancing career that had me working long hours for not much pay. I realized then that that approach wasn’t sustainable in the long term. The second, when I realized there *were* people willing to pay for good quality writing. From that time on, that’s where my market was.

    Reply
    1. lwidmer Avatar
      lwidmer

      Those light bulb moments are so life-altering, aren’t they? 🙂

      It’s what you said, Sharon — that lower rate is not sustainable. We hang on to clients too long out of some misguided sense of loyalty, duty, fear. But seeing for yourself that others do value your skills is so enlightening!

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