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Author: lwidmer

Clients: Why Your Projects Aren’t Successful

Posted on by lwidmer

Right now I’m in New Orleans. The conference is kicking off today, and I have meetings and parties scheduled. It’s a great time to make new acquaintances and connect with companies that have expressed interest in working with me. Any time we have a chance to be in front of potential clients is an opportunity….

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This Job, Not That Job

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: In One Person by John Irving What’s on the iPod: That’s How Strong My Love Is by Taj Mahal My last work day before the annual trade show. For some reason, I don’t feel ready, but the schedule and checklist both say I am. It was the heavy workload coming up to…

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Coming Soon: Writers Worth Month

Posted on by lwidmer

We interrupt this blog to bring you some news: Just eight days left! Writers Worth Month starts May 1st! Every year, Writers Worth Month attempts to reach freelance writers and help them gain confidence in the value of their skills. The goal is one more freelancer, one more person improving their business through better choices. This…

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What Your Network is Saying About You

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Just As Well by Jackie Greene Over the weekend, I had a nice conversation with one of my daughter’s friends. We were talking about her work, my work, and we ended up on the subject of networking. After listening to her experiences at a local networking event, I came away with…

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Freelance Writing Business Facts

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Human Error by We Were Promised Jetpacks It was an absolutely gorgeous weekend, though I wouldn’t know much about that. Colds hit at the worst times, and they pretend to be allergies at first. That means I infect everyone around me. My husband and I missed what was surely a fantastic…

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Writer Mini Clinic: Finding Ideas

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: It Doesn’t Matter Anymore by Linda Ronstadt Taxes are done. Amen. Alleluia. Am I done paying? Ha. Ha. Hahahaha… If you asked me right now who I’d vote for in the next presidential election, it would be the first person to simplify (fairly) the tax process. I’d even switch parties —…

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How to Win at Marketing Every Time

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Already Gone by The Eagles Yesterday was a day of planning. I finished a ton of work last week, and now I can take a much slower pace to finish other projects. Plus, I worked on setting up in-person meetings at the upcoming conference. I had one person cancel — not…

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33 Places to Learn New Writing Skills for Free

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Late July by Shakey Graves It’s been a productive week so far. I’ve managed to write five articles for one client (complete with interviews, so I had to be efficient about it) and two blog posts for another client. There’s one more feature article due to the first client, so that’s…

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Raising Your Professional Rates

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Blue Skies Again by David Mayfield Parade Head over to Freelancer FAQs to see my guest post. Thanks, Elna! What a week. I’m working with a new client on a project launch, which means they need content. Lots of content. The launch is in two weeks. They need eight articles by…

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Monthly Assessment: March 2015

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Raised by Wolves by U2 What a week. I’ve had no time to think beyond the two projects in front of me. My workload is rather massive, and I’m digging in and managing to make an impact. Now is when time management is my friend — thank God and my mother…

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  1. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    What a great month you had Lori!

    Mine was busy, but I've yet to see the fruits of my labor.

    Queries & LOIs – I should have done better here. Only sent three queries (two were assigned, the other is a longer range idea but the editor replied right away saying we're on the same wavelength). I followed up on one LOI.

    Social Media – I still haven't figured out a way to measure it, but the past week or two have been pretty hectic for me as well, and I've gone entire days without checking any of my social media accounts.

    Job Postings – I replied to two. One is for a company I already have an "in" with, but the application was automated, so who knows if it will count for much.

    Existing Clients – Thank goodness for my regulars! I turned in three articles to Favorite Editor; did one massive listing for one client (am neck deep on a second big list for them now); sent in an article from one of the queries (am working on a second article for them from one of the other queries; picked up a more manageable listing assignment from another regular market; and turned in four columns.

    New Clients – I had an assignment from a promising new-to-me client, but the sole source bailed at the last minute, citing he'd be "on the road"…yeah, um, he runs a major hotel chain, so I think he'd have phone and internet access, but whatever. It was disappointing for that to happen on the first assignment. My graphic designer sister referred one of her clients my way. My sister is creating a website for her and knew the client wants to incorporate a blog but knows she's not a good writer. She also needs help with social media (contrary to a lot of people, she's good at sharing via social media but not good at promoting her own accomplishments). We discussed her needs this week and I sent her a few options.

    Income: Actual income was about $350 below my goal, but my outstanding invoices total more than my monthly goal, and the three projects I'm working on now (all due within 10 days) equal about 75% of my monthly goal. So not bad.

    Bottom Line: More queries and LOIs are needed.

    Reply
  2. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    Damn, Paula. Just a few hundred shy is great! I know you and I measure differently, but it's great to see you're getting the invoices paid.

    Sounds like the source would be the last one I call next time. I don't like the single-source stories for that very reason.

    Reply
  3. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    The secret to getting invoices paid was dropping LatePayer last year. Freeing myself of that albatross allowed me to focus more on marketing and less on collecting.

    Oh, the irony of that particular executive canceling the interview is the focus of the story was supposed to be a positive, helpful approach he's brought to his chain's staff, encouraging them never to say "no" to a customer (unless they're asking for something illegal or unethical), but instead to seek creative solutions to keep customers happy. Yeah…. right. Then again, I'm not a customer.

    Reply
  4. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    That kind of "attention" by these execs is exactly why I don't believe they'll follow through on that customer commitment pledge. If they can't apply it to all facets of their lives, how do they expect to maintain that focus beyond the bottom line?

    Reply
  5. Damaria Senne Avatar
    Damaria Senne

    What a fabulous month, Lori. Congratulations.

    Most of my work came from ongoing clients, but I was $500 short on my monthly target. The amount was invoiced, just not collected.

    In March I sent out 18 LOIs and applied for 5 gigs on job boards. i also emailed clients I haven't worked with in a while, pitching them for projects and/asking for work.

    The old clients brought in 3 gigs and the LOIs brought in two. The job boards didn't bring anything.

    My focus in April is going to be on sending a lot more LOIs to PR agencies. They tend to pay better rates in my neck of woods. They can also bring me work in larger volumes.

    Reply
  6. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    Same here, Damaria. I don't count on collection — just invoices.

    You're having good success with your efforts! An 11-percent conversion on your LOIs is good.

    Reply
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