I was talking with Joy Drohan the other day about our monthly assessments. Joy and I are accountable to each other for what we do and earn. (If you’ve not held yourself accountable for your freelance writing efforts, I highly recommend it. And I’ll be starting the Monthly Assessment posts back up here soon, so…
Author: lwidmer
Boredom and the Freelance Writer
Bored. I’ve felt that in the past with a few projects, particularly strings of projects that are just. The. Same. Thing. I get that way when I feel they’re too manicured, so to speak — when the client is too intent on massaging every word, dumbing it down, or creating what turns out to be…
The Freelancer’s Self-Assessment Guide (or what I learned from a week in the woods)
To say it was a good week away would be a stretch. It was relaxing. It was necessary. But it was full of memories and, for me, tears. Maybe the decision to head to the cottage in Ontario right after a memorial for my father wasn’t the best idea. It was all too raw yet….
5 Ways to Vet Freelance Writing Advice
I’m still up north enjoying what I hope is a rain-free week. I’m so over the weather in the Northeast. Today, let’s talk about freelance writing advice. In particular, those who give it, and those who give it and have no business doing so. Take a look at Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or any social media…
7 Lousy Marketing Tactics (and how to fix them)
I’m in Ontario at the moment, enjoying the company of family. But I’ve dug into the archives and left something for you to ponder. Marketing sins. We’ve all seen some pretty awful marketing tactics. We’ve also probably made our own mistakes. Like the writers who tout constantly their one success that everyone can do (and…
Getting Freelance Writing Prospects to Yes
Today, I’m out of here. I’m traveling back home for a final goodbye. There’s a memorial picnic happening in my father’s honor. The tent has been delivered, food has been made, photos printed. Tomorrow, the memories come out. Then on to Ontario. Somehow, it just seemed fitting to head to his favorite place after giving…
The Writing Pitch, Perfected
Not long ago, we had a salesperson come to the house for a product demonstration/sales call. The appointment was set for 11 on a Saturday morning. At 6:30 pm, we ended the sales pitch. And it was the third or fourth time we’d ended it. We’d missed both lunch and dinner. I was seriously worried…
Free Advice Friday: The Freelance Work You’re Missing Out On Right Now
I’m sitting here in an unusual situation — I’m between projects. So what am I doing about it? Nothing. For the moment, anyway. I have three projects for this month that are in what I call “wait mode.” One can’t be completed without further input, due next week. The other two can’t be started until…
Writers Worth: Removing One Fear
There’s something about the first day after Labor Day that feels, well, serious. Summer gear put away (even if it’s still warm enough to use it), summer attitude stowed, and it’s down-to-business time, isn’t it? I’m stubborn. I hang on to that summer feeling until the warm weather is gone completely. Last year, that was…
This Job, Not That Job
Wow. Funny how one week you’re enjoying a quiet week and the next you’re swimming in deadlines. In the past day, I’ve gotten two large projects to go with the two smaller ones I had already. Feast and famine is a cycle we freelance writers know all too well. Luckily for me, the famine cycle…