Last week a reader asked the question we’ve all heard or asked in some form or another — What specifically does one need to do to make a living as a freelance writer? Shawn, this post is for you. It’s actually for all freelance writers who find themselves stuck in a low-paying rut, in an…
Author: lwidmer
How to Change Your Freelance Writing Landscape
What I’m listening to: Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison It’s been a week — a good one so far. Still, it’s not been without its head-shaking moments. If you’ve not noticed, there’s a bit of a movement swelling called #MeToo in which women are trying to raise awareness regarding sexual harassment/assault by tweeting or sharing…
4 Assumptions That Hurt Your Freelance Writing Career
What I’m listening to: Entitlement by Jack White Finally, a rest. This is my week away from the computer, away from email, and away from work. Every year, it seems my time off gets kicked further down the road, and this year it was nearly jeopardized by yet more work coming in. However, I did…
Free Advice Friday: Your Freelance Clients, Prospected
What I’m listening to: Song #3 by Stone Sour One of the toughest things I had to learn as a freelancer wasn’t how to do the job. It wasn’t how to run a business, how to market, or even how to chase invoices. The toughest thing about freelance writing is finding clients. Actually, it’s more…
Are You Freelancing with an Employee Mindset?
What I’m listening to: Backyard Skulls by Frightened Rabbit This week will be better. It has to be. I spent all last week pushing through projects and deadlines and working ahead so that I could take a slower pace this week. And I am. I have work and I will get things done, but I…
A Freelancer’s Month of Getting Nothing Accomplished
What I’m listening to: When September Ends by Green Day It’s been a rough September. Dad is ill. Mom broke her knee. The stepson, his wife and kids (ages 2 and 3 months) have descended on the house and show no signs of departure (which I normally don’t mind, but it’s been a week and…
Writer Wednesday: Fair Use and Mashups
What I’m listening to: Dark Nights by Dorothy For those of you freelance writers who work your asses off to do your jobs correctly, you’re about to feel some vindication. There was this book — a successful one, and one that was crowdfunded — that was no more than a mashup of both a Dr….
Free Advice Friday: The Purposeful Freelancer
What I’m listening to: One Thing Leads to Another by The Fixx Know those weeks when you’re trying to get a lot done so the next week won’t be so bad? Forget it. Nothing is getting done and next week looks like more of the same. I have four deadlines, three of which are indeed…
The Freelance Writer’s Guide to Overcoming Lousy Social Media Marketing
What I’m listening to: A Rock ‘n Roll Fantasy by The Kinks A sucky week ahead of me. I have plenty of work, but I also have physical therapy for an exercise-induced foot injury. Plus, I have a good dose of personal junk to deal with that just sucks my energy by the end of a…
4 Freelance Writing Myths You Can Dispel Right Now
I was talking with a relative at a party last year when I realized I was missing a pretty big opportunity. He’d asked me how the writing was going, and then he said it: “You write stories and magazine articles, right?” Magazine articles, yes. But stories? Hardly ever, and certainly not for pay. He had gotten…