Skip to content

Words on the Page

a freelance writing resource.

Menu
  • Blogs Worth Reading
  • Courses
  • Ebooks
  • Free Writers Worth eBook
  • Guest Posting Guidelines
  • Home
  • Marketing 365
  • Monthly Assessment
Menu

Author: lwidmer

What Turns Freelance Writers into Cynics?

Posted on by lwidmer

Since very few people are in today or the rest of the year, let’s have a little fun. I was talking offline with a writer friend, and we were going about the business of reading into people’s motives. Then it dawned on me — I’ve become a cynic. And a skeptic, but that’s probably another…

Read more

2019 Freelance Writing Tasks to Take into 2020

Posted on by lwidmer

It’s quiet this week, isn’t it? Oh, there are a few client projects to wrap up perhaps, and maybe more being discussed, but for the most part, things are calm. And you’re itching to get earning at a time when the world is on holiday. I know I am. But instead of sitting here for…

Read more

Protecting Your Freelance Writing Rate

Posted on by lwidmer

Saw a discussion online a while back among writers wanting to raise their rates. At one point, someone suggested that writers make sure to negotiate a raise with their clients. Couple of things wrong with that thinking. You’re not an employee; you are not talking to your employer. Your rates are yours to set. They’re…

Read more

The Worst (and Longest-lasting) Freelance Writing Mistake

Posted on by lwidmer

This post is about entitlement. It’s also about the big mistake some writers are making while thinking they’re entitled to something. I saw an exchange on a forum I frequent that made me wonder about a lot of things, but mostly about how some writers must truly love shooting themselves in the foot. Here’s how…

Read more

5 Ways to Organize Your Freelance Writing (and still have time for fun)

Posted on by lwidmer

My to-do list today: Finish summary article for Client A Continue on feature article for Client B Finalize article for Client C (and invoice) Get it all done by noon because my son is arriving and staying for the next four days ‘Tis the season, isn’t it? December used to be when my freelance writing…

Read more

Tales From the Stranger Side of Freelance Writing

Posted on by lwidmer

This post is serious. Seriously weird. Know those clients and interactions and projects that you get that make you wonder WTF years later? For some reason, one of those popped into my head last week. It was random, too. I was playing Solitaire before I got to my emails and boom! I’m thinking about one…

Read more

What’s Your Best Freelance Writing Rate?

Posted on by lwidmer

That title alone probably causes more than a little agita for freelance writers. It still does for me. In fact, I’d say most freelancers struggle on occasion with what to charge a client. That’s normal. What isn’t normal is what I’ve seen online when writers ask each other the “What should I charge?” question. Some…

Read more

4 Biggest Marketing Mistakes, Uncovered

Posted on by lwidmer

When you cruise social media, you see some pretty weird stuff. I’m talking about business stuff mainly. There’s plenty of other weird stuff, but business stuff — specifically, how people are presenting themselves and their businesses — makes for some head-scratching moments. Maybe it’s the hashtags I follow, but lately, I’m seeing some appeals/advertisements/begging that…

Read more

This Dirty Little Secret is Killing Your Freelance Writing Career

Posted on by lwidmer

There’s a good chance that if you’re a struggling freelance writer who’s been lamenting your inability to kickstart your freelance writing career, this post will blow your mind. There’s an equally good chance you won’t believe a word of it, either. And that’s okay. Just know that it’s your funeral. I’ve been doing this freelance…

Read more

How to Be a Freelance Writing Failure (and how to change)

Posted on by lwidmer

Typically, I don’t get frustrated when another writer asks for help. But sometimes, the situation is far from typical. In a recent exchange, the writer expressed a level of angst that was troubling. Nothing in this writer’s marketing was working. Things weren’t coming easy anymore. The work wasn’t paying off. Been there. Haven’t you? I…

Read more
  • Previous
  • 1
  • …
  • 23
  • 24
  • 25
  • 26
  • 27
  • 28
  • 29
  • …
  • 267
  • Next
  1. Jenn Mattern Avatar
    Jenn Mattern

    Great points here Lori. Sometimes it’s tough to watch, but you can’t help everyone. Not everyone is cut out for freelancing. That’s OK. And if it takes learning the hard way for some to either move on or get their act together, so be it. You’ve certainly gone above and beyond.

    Reply
    1. lwidmer Avatar
      lwidmer

      Look who’s talking, Jenn. 🙂

      I think the writer in question may be one of those who coasted on a few lucky breaks, but is either too tired or uninterested in figuring it out. That’s fine, too. Just don’t be an insulting ass about it.

    2. Paula Hendrickson Avatar
      Paula Hendrickson

      Ah…luck. It is a fickle thing. Sure, some people have luckier timing than others, but most of us who don’t have nepotism on our sides will never have good luck in freelancing if we’re not working out tails off to be ready for the “luck” to happen.

  2. Sharon Hurley Hall Avatar
    Sharon Hurley Hall

    Yes, yes, yes! Anytime there’s the “tried it, didn’t work” pushback, that’s my signal to stop talking.

    Many new and would be writers don’t realize how much time and flexibility is needed to craft your writing career the way you want it. And even then, you sometimes have to take bill-paying work, even if it’s not in your ideal niche.

    Reply
    1. lwidmer Avatar
      lwidmer

      Precisely, Sharon. If the bills are due, you kick pride to the curb and get the damn job done.

      It’s so true that our time and flexibility are ours to dictate. That’s why it unnerves me still to see those job listings that require writers to be available certain hours, yet won’t pay for those hours. That’s not freelance anymore — that’s employer/employee.

  3. Paula Hendrickson Avatar
    Paula Hendrickson

    I saw a freelancer virtually implode by arrogantly doing a “reply all” message challenging every tiny change the editors made in her copy. I don’t know if she felt superior to all of us and the editors, whether she was trying to position herself as the smartest one of in thread, or if she was merely a prima donna who felt her words were golden. Whatever her reasons were, her byline is no longer in the publication. No one wants to work with someone that difficult and obnoxious.

    Reply
© 2026 Words on the Page | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme