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Author: lwidmer

The Online Writing Persona You Didn’t Know You Had

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Anna by Will Butler It’s been a good week so far. I’ve had a conference call with a new client, have worked on a project for a newer client, finished a project for an existing client, and have had time to relax a little. And paint. There’s one more bedroom to…

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Relationships and the Writer

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Sweet Dreams by The Eurythmics Remember when weekends were relaxing? Since my kid and her husband moved out (just over a week ago), we have been working nonstop to paint bedrooms, a bathroom, clean carpets, and furnish the empty rooms because, you guessed it, another kid is moving in. Maybe. The stepson…

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Free Advice Friday: Turning Ideas Into Article Queries

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Have Love, Will Travel by The Sonics What a week. Unlike most summers, I’ve been working to the point where I had to postpone my vacation a few weeks just to get caught up. I did, but more came in. No matter — I’m out of here either way. I need…

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Guest Post: 3 Steps to Vetting Writing Experts

Posted on by lwidmer

One of the best people you can possibly befriend in this freelance world is Paula Hendrickson. Paula is a sharp, intuitive, and skilled writer who is  as fun as she is generous. You’ve read here about the LOI? Paula introduced me to that method. In fact, her first post here was teaching us all about…

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6 Hard Facts About Freelance Writing

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Dirty Dishes by Deer Tick What a week. My daughter and her husband are moving out all this weekend, starting yesterday. Amid a good bit of work, and with more work coming in, I had to pause and help clean, unpack, and sort. Today will be more of the same. I…

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7 Ways to Attract Your Ideal Client

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee What’s on the iPod: A View That Almost Kills by We Invented Paris Since Monday, I’ve gotten quite a bit done. I have to — my daughter and her husband move out tomorrow and we’ll be busy. Then Monday I’m off to Ontario for some…

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6 Ways to Compound Your Writing Success

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Anna by Will Butler A new week, a new chance to get it all done and take a vacation. My daughter and her husband move this week, so Friday is lost, as I suspect is Thursday afternoon. If I intend to get out of here anytime soon, I have to wrap…

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Chasing the Client Relationship

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Roadrunner by The Modern Lovers Wow. Thursday, huh? Tuesday and Wednesday feel like a blur to me. I had a number of things going on at once and deadlines that are looming. Plus I knew that today and tomorrow would be truncated thanks to appointments and an annual lunch date with…

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The Professional Side of Writing

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Running on Empty by Jackson Browne Isn’t life full of little ironies? That song popped up on my iPod today after what felt like Marathon Monday. I’m working on three projects simultaneously and two more that are due this month. Plus my suspicion is I’ll be hearing back from another client…

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Monthly Assessment: June 2015

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys What’s on the iPod: Naked Kids by Grouplove What an interesting day yesterday. In an instance of the most asinine behavior imaginable, some guy behind me objected to my waiting to turn left (didn’t want to chance it), he honked, screamed, and then turned left —…

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  1. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    This is actually the time of year things begin ramping up for me. July and August can be really busy.

    Here's my June:

    Queries: Sent several ideas in three queries. Four articles were assigned.

    LOIs/follow ups: Sent an update/follow up to a publication I know I'd be a good fit with and had a couple of encouraging replies from in the past, but no response yet. On the advice of a friend, I sent an LOI to one of her editors (see referrals, below).

    Social Media: I had 10 articles hit print this month, so I used social media to share links and had some good replies. The Property Brothers both commented and shared an Instagram post did of the Q&A I did with them (nice option for articles without URLS), but they still haven't retweeted the link I sent them. On Monday I tweeted about a great interview I had with a showrunner – he favorited and retweeted it, as did some of his writers and the show's star. I've picked up a few new followers as a result. Also posted updates on most of those articles on LinkedIn. And I FINALLY got my 10-year old niece to follow me back on Instagram! (Perhaps the biggest social media accomplishment of all.)

    Job Posts: replied to two, one of which was tied to that LOI follow up noted above.

    Existing Clients: Finished two articles for Alternate Favorite Editor; wrote four columns; picked up three assignments for Favorite Editor; and have one college planning article to complete.

    New Clients: Signed a contract June 30, hoping the editor will assign me something in July.

    Referrals: Another writer I know referred me to one of her clients (the new client noted above) who was looking for experiences writers, so I followed up with an LOI. The editor got back to me immediately. Terms sound fair, so I've got my fingers crossed.

    Earnings: Actual earnings fell about $300 short of my monthly goal. My current invoices are only $700 shy of being double my monthly goal (the bulk of that won't be here until mid-August). The good news is the largest one of those invoices will cover the huge sum of money I paid the house painters this week plus almost all of the second half of my property taxes. Phew. And the jobs I'm currently working on total nearly half my monthly goal.

    Bottom line: I still need to work on creating a smoother revenue stream. I like knowing I have a fair amount of money coming in, but that doesn't help pay this month's bills. (Well it will if a couple of the smaller checks come in soon!

    Reply
  2. Cathy Miller Avatar
    Cathy Miller

    Lord, is it that time again?

    For actual checks in my hot little hand, I was also down in June, although there are a few good-sized ones I should receive within the next week. Existing clients are rocking it as I have a 12-month blogging contract and several projects for another that will take me through September. I also had various single projects from existing clients throughout the month of June.

    I've received three inquiries into my services in the last two weeks. Realistically, I think I may be lucky to land one, but we'll see. In June I sent 3 LOIs, and touched base with about 2 contacts a week. One reached out for a call and I sent a proposal but she has been traveling a lot (according to LI). A former client also sent my info. to a long-time colleague of hers. I will be following up on that next week.

    Bottom line: Pretty good month but I'm working on getting more in the pipeline. I'm just about done with my new business site. I have begun to refer LOIs to that site.

    Reply
  3. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    Paula, when you figure out that smoother revenue stream, let me know. I think that one plagues us all.

    Yes, it's that time again, Cathy. 🙂 Sounds like you did okay. I like that you've been touching base with people. Amen!

    I'd forgotten one invoice, so my earning were slightly better than expected, but not where I want it to be.

    Reply
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