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Author: lwidmer

Freelance Guide to Screening Clients

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson What I’m listening to: Die Like a Rich Boy by Frightened Rabbit I really thought this week was going to be slow. It’s June, clients usually disappear until I decide to go on vacation in August….not this June. Currently, I’m working on two large projects that…

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How to Be a Trusted Writer in One Simple Step

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day Well my plan last week was to increase my marketing. However, that didn’t happen. Instead, a client got in touch with me. In fact, that’s been my entire year so far. Every time I think about kicking my marketing into high gear,…

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Why Writing for Free Still Sucks

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins What I’m listening to: The Loneliness and The Scream by Frightened Rabbit It’s been a busy week. It started with a client meeting in Manhattan, complete with writing an article draft on the train, and has been followed by article revisions, completion of a…

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Monthly Assessment: May 2016

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins What I’m listening to: Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen It’s been one busy week. It’s not that there are a lot of projects, but that the projects I have are all due at the same time. I had wanted to go visit my dad…

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Writers Worth: Getting Off the Excuse Train

Posted on by lwidmer

Did you enjoy Writers Worth Month? Every one of the writers you’ve seen here have added something new to the conversation — that’s what I love most. I can prattle on all day long, but at some point, there needs to be new voices added to the mix. And frankly, I enjoy learning about new…

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Writers Worth: Putting the “I” Back in Freelancer

Posted on by lwidmer

There is no better way to end what has been a fantastic month with a post from Kathy Kehrli. Kathy is the brains behind the currently dormant Screw You! website, and she’s one of the first writers I met when I went freelance. I adored her instantly, and I consider her a good friend. She’s…

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Writers Worth: Travel Writing 101

Posted on by lwidmer

You know what I like about people like my new friend Jerry Nelson? They’re frank. I love that. If you’re the type of freelance writer who doesn’t take harsh advice personally, you’re going to learn a lot from Jerry. Here, he goes into one of his pet peeves — being told how “lucky” he is…

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Writers Worth: How to Fake It as a Freelancer

Posted on by lwidmer

I’ve already gushed about how thrilled I was that Princess Jones is in my freelance circle. A little more won’t hurt, though I am in danger of having the “stalker” label slapped on me. Here’s the thing about Princess — she’s a professional. She writes incredibly, runs her business exceptionally well, and takes no prisoners…

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Writers Worth: An Interview with Elizabeth Xu

Posted on by lwidmer

It’s amazing what kind of career you can build in just a few years of freelancing. Elizabeth Xu has spent the last three years finding areas of concentration and building her business and name recognition. It must be working — I remembered her from Twitter. What struck me about Elizabeth is her ability to be…

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Writers Worth: Favors, Barters, and Your Writing Worth

Posted on by lwidmer

If you know Nancy Oliver, you love Nancy Oliver. I met Nancy about four years ago through LinkedIn. We got to talking and pretty soon, we were sharing funny, wicked little emails that only the two of us would understand. We became fast friends. And whenever an email comes in from her, I stop what…

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  1. Susan Johnston Avatar
    Susan Johnston

    I've learned to be very wary of barters. When you barter, the other person often will not value you the same way they would if they were paying for it. If they don't follow through on their end of the bargain and you've already done your part, you don't have much leverage. If you need a web designer or a hair stylist or whatever else, just pay for it and you'll get more attentive service. I've learned this the hard way.

    Reply
  2. Cathy Miller Avatar
    Cathy Miller

    Nancy so good to "meet" you. I can see why you & Lori hit it off. Love your true story. The sad thing is your acquaintance still doesn't get it. So many don't. I bet she wouldn't try to barter with the painter.

    Also love that her SELF-published book was "accepted." ☺ I share your love of daily walking. However, I don't use electronic anything. I live in a rural area and love nature's entertainment. ☺ I have cheering sections of goats, horses, dogs, birds of all kinds, even the occasional llama.

    LinkedIn is my go-to place. I'll see if we can link up. No bartering needed. ☺

    Reply
  3. Sharon Hurley Hall Avatar
    Sharon Hurley Hall

    So good to meet you, Nancy. Great story – funny how those barter offers never come out in your favor. I'm a walking fan, too, but like Cathy, I usually go for silence and nature to help clear my thoughts.

    Reply
  4. KeriLynn Engel Avatar
    KeriLynn Engel

    Funny post 😀 Too bad some people don't understand the value of a writer/editor's services.

    I've done bartering a few times, but you have to be really careful about spelling everything out & making sure both parties get fair compensation. I always use a contract, even with bartering.

    I did some barter work to build up my portfolio in a new service I wanted to offer. Both times for stuff I would have paid for anyway! And both sides were very happy with the deal 😀

    Reply
  5. NancyOliver Avatar
    NancyOliver

    Gosh! I appreciate all these kind comments! As a dear (but clueless) friend of mine says: "Barter is as barter does." Er, what?

    -NancyO

    Reply
  6. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    Susan, great seeing you again! Would love to catch up and see what's new in your world.

    I too have become wary of bartering. My first barter with a web designer went beautifully because we did trade like-for-like. However, it's been more than a little dicey since then. Not everyone values your skills or even understands what they're worth, as Nancy points out.

    Cathy, I loved that part, too. Because it's so hard to get a self-published book accepted…NOT.

    Sharon, we think alike. Silence and nature — the best reset button.

    Keri, I hadn't thought to use a contract with a barter! Great idea.

    Nancy, huh? LOL I don't get that, either.

    Reply
  7. Paula Hendrickson Avatar
    Paula Hendrickson

    I love how you handled that situation, Nancy. The house painting analogy is great – I just had the trim painted last year and had sticker shock at the estimates, but like you said, the prep work is everything. In my case the workers spent a full day scraping and sanding before opening the paint (it was the kind with the primer in it). And after the painting was done, they spent a few hours touching up and scraping paint from the windows. Once I saw everything they did, I understood why it cost more than I'd expected. The problem with editing is, unless the client uses the Track Changes they seem to forget how bad the original copy was.

    So you're on LinkedIn, Nancy? I'll look for you there!

    Reply
  8. Devon Ellington Avatar
    Devon Ellington

    Good for you! Great way to handle that situation.

    When I lived in Seattle in the mid-80s, we were all broke artists, so we bartered goods and services that had fairly equal value. Where I live now, it's very similar == someone offers something worth $10 or $15 and expects a 100K novel without punctuation edited. Um, no.

    I have said to people, "That's insulting" or "You're kidding, right?" I do not regret burning those bridges. Sometimes you need to burn the bridge or they follow you across.

    Reply
  9. Ashley Festa Avatar
    Ashley Festa

    What a hilarious story, and how sad that it's true! I love your house-painting illustration about what an equitable barter would look like. While her book was "accepted" for self-publishing, she might soon be surprised at how measly those profits turn out to be. If it were me, I'd probably be "compelled" to "reach out" to her later on and see what your 10% would have been if only you had been willing to barter! 😉

    Reply
  10. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    Devon said: "Sometimes you need to burn the bridge or they follow you across."

    Great quote — who needs the low-ballers in their lives? If they're worth keeping as clients, they'll show you their respect at the outset.

    Reply
  11. Nancy Oliver Avatar
    Nancy Oliver

    All the LinkedIn requests: Thank you, and I am responding. If you are reading this later, I am always available.

    Ashley and Devon:
    I have found that being a freelance editor/writer provides me with no end of amusing anecdotes when I get together with friends who work the ol' 9-to-5 thing. So… even though dealing with this type of "potential" (ha!) client can be torturous and ridiculous, it also serves a purpose. I always have a story!

    Thanks, Lori, for this opportunity.

    Reply
  12. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    Nancy, our stories make them want our jobs even more. 🙂

    Reply
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