Forgive me if I’m repeating myself, but some of you need to hear this. Hell, I’d argue we all need to hear this more often than we do. And thanks to my dear friend Cathy Miller, we got a wakeup call recently when she retweeted this post. Cathy’s social media lessons form around the same…
Bad Advice
All Freelance Advice is Not Created Equal
Sigh. (insert large exhale here) A writer friend alerted me to a few posts and tweets seen recently that offer “writing tips” from freelancers that can help nearly any writer find more work this year. I guess the word “freelancer” is pretty loosely defined these days. I’m not saying only veteran writers have great advice…
The Freelance Writing Situation (and Removing Yourself from a Bad One)
Double post from me on Monday. The reason? I goofed up in scheduling. No biggie. Just go back and read at your leisure. I was on a LinkedIn Group for a good while, but last week, I just couldn’t any longer. It was a group specifically for freelance writers and editors, and I kind of…
4 Assumptions That Hurt Your Freelance Writing Career
What I’m listening to: Entitlement by Jack White Finally, a rest. This is my week away from the computer, away from email, and away from work. Every year, it seems my time off gets kicked further down the road, and this year it was nearly jeopardized by yet more work coming in. However, I did…
4 (New) Myths That Kill Your Freelance Mojo
What I’m listening to: Dani California by Red Hot Chili Peppers (what a fun video!) For July, this is one busy month. I’m working with six clients. That’s usually manageable, but I did have a week off in the middle of it. Fortunately, I was organized and I’ve been able to keep up. I’ve even had…
The $100-a-Day Freelance Shell Game
What I’m listening to: Laminated Cat by Jeff Tweedy There’s a bit of a disturbing trend in freelance writing, and it’s pointed at new writers and those who are struggling. It’s the lowering-of-the-bar promise. In one week, I saw four different blog posts tweeted out, full of can-you-believe-it exclamations about how much money you, freelance…
6 Social Media Truths for Freelancers
What I’m listening to: Carolina Drama by Jack White I read this the other day: If you want to be successful at social media, you have to pay for leads. Huh? That’s right. This self-professed expert was saying “Sorry folks, you can’t be famous like me unless you’re paying for the privilege.” And conveniently enough, he…
Misguided Beliefs of the Unsuccessful Freelance Writer
What I’m listening to: Oro Se do Bheatha Bhaile by Sinead O’Connor New week, new marathon. I had two projects for this week as Friday ended. Now I have four. And they all (but one) take precedent. So I’m back to allocating my time among them so that all will get the same level of…
How to Screw Up Your Freelance Writing Career in One Move
What I’m listening to: Get Out by Frightened Rabbit This re-entry into work is getting ridiculous. I’ve had a relatively slow week so far, and I’m thankful for it. My clock won’t reset — I’m still five hours ahead, which means I’m barely awake at 8 pm and wide awake at 3 am. I plan…
Free Advice Friday: Ways to Ruin Your Freelance Reputation
What I’m listening to: Black Yodel by J.D. Malone and the Experts Wow, what a week. I had a few things to do and I was thinking I’ll just cruise right into my vacation. Right. Yesterday, the work came in. Revisions on a big project will take up today. An article for another client has…