Skip to content

Words on the Page

a freelance writing resource.

Menu
  • Blogs Worth Reading
  • Courses
  • Ebooks
  • Free Writers Worth eBook
  • Guest Posting Guidelines
  • Home
  • Marketing 365
  • Monthly Assessment
Menu

Author: lwidmer

4 Ways to Inject Confidence into Your Freelance Writing Negotiations

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: Flagpole Sitta by Harvey Danger What a strange week it’s been. I’ve talked with three new clients, two of whom are referrals, and have started on one of the projects and completed another. I’ve also delivered a slam-dunk project for a favorite client, and I’m working on book edits for a…

Read more

6 Ways to Overdo Your Marketing

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: Misfits and Lovers by The Wallflowers It’s been a great start to the week. I’m in touch with three new clients, two of whom I’ll be finalizing project specs with this week. Plus I have an article assignment from a favorite editor, and I’m excited about the topic. Add to that…

Read more

Free Advice Friday: Making Freelance Lemonade from Rejection

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: A Good Reason to Grow Old by Owl John For my first week back, it’s been both busy and productive. I completed drafts on three new projects and have had talks with another new client about upcoming work. Plus I’m working toward nailing down a new client on project dates, focus,…

Read more

Monthly Assessment: January 2016

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: Starman by David Bowie For someone who was away for two weeks, I jumped right back into work with little effort. Since I’m still on UK/Netherlands time, I was up early and got busy. By noon on Monday, I’d finished a draft and a revision, then on to a call in…

Read more

The Multilingual Writer

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro What I’m listening to: Talking to the Moon by Bruno Mars You know, I had planned to leave more posts for you while I was on vacation. Really I did. But there was a rush of work right before we left– so much so that we…

Read more

Freelance Writing in 2016: How to Make Your Money

Posted on by lwidmer

Ahhhhh…. that’s the sound of a busy writer finally taking a holiday. Today, I was outside and walking and taking in sights while on vacay. Tomorrow, more of the same. I was talking with my daughter recently (a moment ago, actually) and I asked her “If you were a freelance writer, what question would you…

Read more

6 Hacks to Increase Your Freelance Writing Productivity

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage by Haruki Murakami What I’m listening to: Blackstar by David Bowie Snow. That was the focus of my weekend, at least until yesterday when the sun came out. Well no, even then. It all had to be moved. And there is a lot —…

Read more

Freelance Writing Biz Fix: Creating a Virtual Workspace

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: Lola by The Kinks What a week. I started with two projects and a new client call. So far, I’m up to two more projects and two more new client calls — none of which are happening until after I return from vacation. I did get a bit of work done,…

Read more

3 Freelance Writing Trends to Avoid in 2016

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: Sweet Jane by Lou Reed Maybe it’s the new calendar that brings out the crazy freelance writing advice I’ve seen lately. I’m not talking about the usual weird advice, such as how you must do this or you never should do that, or my all-time biggest pet peeve: “Freelance writing is…

Read more

Freelance Marketing in 2016: Following Up

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m listening to: Space Oddity by David Bowie Know what I love best about this freelance writing career? The ability to make any day the day to plan out the next twelve months. So if you’re a little late to the planning phase of your freelance writing business, today is your day. Well, every day…

Read more
  • Previous
  • 1
  • …
  • 68
  • 69
  • 70
  • 71
  • 72
  • 73
  • 74
  • …
  • 267
  • Next
  1. Joy Drohan Avatar
    Joy Drohan

    Wow, 5 times–ack!

    Wish I'd had your sample note when I followed up with 2 people last night. I like your wording for the last sentence.

    Great advice, as always.

    Reply
  2. Anne Wayman Avatar
    Anne Wayman

    it's amazing, sometimes, how illusive proper followup can be… good suggestions here for tracking which helps.

    Reply
  3. Cathy Miller Avatar
    Cathy Miller

    My boomer brain makes use of its electronic brain (they don't call it a smartphone for nothing). ☺

    Reply
  4. KeriLynn Engel Avatar
    KeriLynn Engel

    I use YesWare (gmail extension) to track & remind me to follow up on LOIs. That way I don't have to have a separate spreadsheet, it just reminds me automatically.

    I usually follow up 2-3 times, if I see they've opened my first emails. If no one even opened the first one, I usually don't bother following up.

    And I second Joy – I like your sample note! I think I might steal that last line, too 🙂

    Reply
  5. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    Steal away, Joy and Keri! That's why I put it here. 🙂

    Joy, I'm sure your note was just as good. It was in your voice. That makes a difference. Anything that sounds pre-planned or stilted just isn't going to work.

    It is amazing, Anne. Just a quick, friendly note that doesn't push or scare anyone off.

    Cathy, mine isn't smart enough to do the work for me. 🙂

    Keri, I think I would love YesWare. Does it work for any other email program, or just Gmail?

    Reply
  6. Paula Hendrickson Avatar
    Paula Hendrickson

    I do something similar, using a good old paper weekly planner. Count out a couple weeks and scrawl a note to follow up.

    What my issue right now is trying to reach an editor I worked with well last fall who for whatever reason has not responded to any of my emails. Meanwhile, I know two writers who say she's responsive to their messages. I'm trying to find the line between being proactive and coming across as a stalker.

    Reply
  7. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    Paula, I've been thinking about converting to a paper system. Paper does what you ask! 🙂

    It's tough to know what makes an editor go "strange" on you. I have one editor I thought I'd worked quite well with — then suddenly four emails go completely unanswered, including the follow-ups. I gave up at the time, but I'm about to hit her up again as a great idea just landed in my lap.

    Maybe call your editor if you can? Sometimes it's more of the "I'll write to her when I have a little time" rather than "Oh gawd, not her again."

    Reply
  8. KeriLynn Engel Avatar
    KeriLynn Engel

    Yesware can also integrate with Outlook, looks like! And it looks like there's an iOS app, too.

    I have the free plan – it's free up to a certain number of "events" per month. Events include the number of times a tracked email is opened. You can choose whether or not to track each email, though (so you're not wasting events on emails to friends, for example).

    You can also set up templates – I use that feature a lot, too!

    Here's their site: https://www.yesware.com/

    (In can anyone's wondering, I'm not an affiliate of theirs or anything, though I probably should be since I love them so much :))

    Reply
  9. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    Thanks, Keri! I'll check it out.

    Reply
  10. Translation favorites (Jan 22-28)

    […] 13 Online Tools Used by Successful Entrepreneurs Freelance Marketing in 2016: Know Your Market Freelance Marketing in 2016: Following Up 10 Reasons Why a Mentor Is a Must Elevator […]

    Reply
© 2026 Words on the Page | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme