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Author: lwidmer

The 5-Minute Move That Wins Over Clients

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: Wagon Wheel by Old Crow Medicine Show Thanks to everyone who commented on last week’s thread. I used Random.org’s list randomizer, plugged in the names of those commenting in the order in which they commented, and chose the first name returned. The winner of the Amazon gift card is… Joy Drohan! Congratulations,…

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Ten Years Later, Still Taking No Prisoners

Posted on by lwidmer

Today is an auspicious day for two reasons. First, it’s my own personal holiday, and all work stops so I can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Also, today marks the 10th anniversary of this blog. It’s funny how far this blog has come and, in some ways, how much it’s remained the same. From the first…

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8 Habits of Bad Writing Clients

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: Whiskey in the Jar by Metallica Wow. It’s mid-March already? I don’t know how you’re doing but my March has been filled with project deadlines and new-client talks. Just as the pile of work starts to dwindle, more work comes in.  While it was frenetic at first, now I’m seeing a…

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6 Ways You Might Be Sabotaging Your Freelance Writing Career

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: Fast As You by Dwight Yoakam What a gorgeous couple of days! Yesterday was near 80 degrees, so all the windows were open. It’s tough to work under those conditions, so I took full advantage of my freelance writing status — I played hooky. Okay, not entirely. I had a great…

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The Freelance Writer’s Fact Book

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: Right in Time by Lucinda Williams I don’t know how it’s been for you, but March came roaring in like a lion for me. I dug out from under seven of the nine projects piled on my desk, and I’m happy to say organization, once again, saved my hide. Plus the…

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26 Right-Now Ways to Market Your Freelance Writing Business

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: Stressed Out by twenty one pilots It was rather timely that the song above (go on, take a listen) came up on my play list. I’d been feeling stressed as the week started, chipped through a ton of projects Monday through yesterday, and saw the list grow right back to massive…

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Monthly Assessment: February 2016

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: Downtown by Macklemore It’s amazing what a little organization can do for the productivity. I sat down yesterday around 8 am and by noon, I’d finished (and invoiced) three projects. The fourth was finished by 3 pm, and I finalized a new client contract, plus another contract from an existing client….

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6 Leap Day Activities for Freelance Writers

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Satin Island by Tom McCarthy What I’m listening to: Love Test by The Growlers What a weekend! The sun was out, the weather warmed up, and I was in the garden. We had a ton of rain this past week, some freezing weather, but the ground was soft enough to get the…

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Writers Worth: This Job, Not That Job

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: The Warden by Anthony Trollope What I’m listening to: The Parting Glass by Ed Sheeran This week, this month, has been nuts. I’m clinging to Hump Day like it’s a life raft. I get one project draft completed and another one (or two) comes in. I keep everything scheduled and keep moving…

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7 Freelance Writing Hacks That Optimize Your Time

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: Wilderness by Middle Brother What a busy weekend. We spent Saturday at the home show in the city — waste of time. The majority of the vendors were selling doors, bed sheets, sheds, steam mops….and we were there for kitchens. Besides that being totally annoying, there were way too many vendors…

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  1. Cathy Miller Avatar
    Cathy Miller

    I know several people hate 'em, but for me, outlining what I'm working on is a huge productivity booster. When I don't do that I'm like a person wandering in the desert of lost time. 😉

    Reply
  2. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    Count me as an outline hater, Cathy. That said, I set my articles up — you guessed it — outline style. My subheads are my questions, and they help keep me on track. I write my queries with the questions I'll use, which become subheads, which turn into a more focused article.

    Go figure. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Cathy Miller Avatar
    Cathy Miller

    Methinks an outline by any other name… 😉 Could there be a teacher or editor or someone who demanded outlines in your past? 🙂

    Whatever works. Lord knows I HATE to be told, "Only do it THIS way."

    Reply
  4. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    LOL Oh, Cathy. You guessed it on the first try — a teacher. A teacher who was a tyrant about outlines. I could have given her an outline written by the Outline Queen and she would have said it wasn't right.

    What a way to sap a kid's confidence waaaaaay into adulthood. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Paula Hendrickson Avatar
    Paula Hendrickson

    I'm with you both when it comes to outlines. I cringe at the very word, but had fashioned my own type of outline to help with articles. I recall one college writing course that had a section on different types of outlines – some looked more like flow charts, some were done using index cards. The only thing they had in common? They helped synthesize and organize information.

    Once again we're having busy weeks at the same time, Lori. I turned in one article yesterday and have six more to wrap up. Trying to turn in one per day this week, which is a pretty ambitious goal especially since there's a family situation I'm waiting to get details on that will take me to Chicago for at least a day or two.

    When it rains, huh? Just hopes those checks start flooding in soon!

    Reply
  6. Devon Ellington Avatar
    Devon Ellington

    I bill for phone time, in 15 minute increments, like a lawyer. I have yet to have a call of more than 30 seconds' duration that wouldn't have been more efficiently done via email. Therefore, if you're going to waste my time because you love the sound of your own voice so much, you're going to pay for it. Best price addition I ever did.

    Reply
  7. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    AMEN, Devon! That's so smart. Very few people waste time when they're paying for it.

    Reply
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