We freelance writers may not have office mates, but we have colleagues. One of the people I rely on most for sounding off ideas, finding answers, and unending support and friendship is Cathy Miller. She’s a veteran corporate communications expert, a terrific writer and editor, and a wonderful human. And she has plenty to teach us…
Author: lwidmer
Writers Worth: Owning Your Value
In an online exchange recently, I noticed a writer having a difficult time convincing her client that she was worth her rate. Been there before, haven’t we? And like this particular writer, we all struggle with the notion of “I’m worth your money” when the client pushes back. There are a few cases that clients…
Writers Worth: The “Where Do I Find Clients?” Primer
We’ve all been there. The beginning of that freelance writing career. And no matter how far along we’ve come, not one of us forgets those first days. Like a newborn calf on shaky legs, we got our feet under us and started down this road. Except for a lucky few who left jobs with clients…
101 (New) Free Freelance Writer Resources
Welcome to Writers Worth Month 2017! In 2008, it was one day I decided to set aside: May 16th. I asked fellow bloggers to spread the word and help other writers say no to low-paying jobs and yes to owning their value. Then Paula Hendrickson suggested a week because, as she reasoned, a day was…
6 Top Freelance Writing Traits
What I’m listening to: Roadrunner by The Modern Lovers Another year, another conference under the belt. This makes 10 or so appearances at this particular conference, so there are plenty of familiar faces and names. I ran into quite a few of them too, and I was fortunate to be able to finally meet a…
Conference Hiatus
This is my week. Every year I attend one trade show. That’s where I network, connect with familiar faces, talk shop, and find new clients. My work usually starts five or six months out. I contact companies that are attending or exhibiting and I introduce myself. In the past I’ve sent out hundreds of LOIs…
The Confident Freelancer
What I’m listening to: Changed the Locks by Lucinda Williams Today, let’s explore confidence. Some of us are born with it in abundance (I’ve been known to think I can do it even if I can’t demonstrate that ability all the time). Some of us could use a map, while others are too easily discouraged….
Kicking Freelance Writing “But”
What I’m listening to: Never Let You Go by Third Eye Blind Yesterday on a private writers’ forum, I saw a post from someone I consider to be a smart, savvy writer. She was asking for help. She wants to lose her full-time gig and go 100% freelance. However, things were getting in the way….
Free Advice Friday: This Job Not That Job
It’s Friday. After the week I’ve had, I’m tempted to spell it “fried-day.” Glad the weekend — and a holiday — are upon us. Since my brain is already out of the office for the week, let’s have some more poking-fun-at-bad-jobs time. Once again, this one is from Paula Hendrickson, our resident celebrity writer and…
9 Tough Client Conversations (and how to rock them)
What I’m listening to: All Apologies by Nirvana Tuesday already? Wow. I blinked and last week was gone. This one is looking the same. The workload isn’t big, but the marketing for the conference is taking up a lot of time. On a LinkedIn Group discussion, a new writer was asking where she could go…