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Business Plan

6 Signs Your Freelance Writing Business May Fail

Posted on August 3, 2015June 30, 2016 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Fade Into You by Mazzy Star Another wildly busy weekend. My son was visiting, so we were happily busy for much of the weekend. Because we’re still painting the upstairs, he had to stay at his sister’s house, which worked out well. Since we seem to be a revolving door when…

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Business Plan: Write It

Posted on December 10, 2012November 10, 2017 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Trash Tongue Talker by Jack White How was your weekend? Mine was a mixture of a great time and a frustrating situation that kept us from our plans, but I’ll get into that tomorrow. Continuing this month’s theme — business planning — let’s turn our attention to the plan itself. Despite…

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Business Planning: SWOT It Out

Posted on December 5, 2012November 10, 2017 by lwidmer

Today’s the day!Don’t miss your chance to organize your 2012 taxes. Join Anne Wayman and me and special guest Julian Block, tax expert extraordinaire, for the 8 Top Tax-Saving Strategies for Freelancers webinar. Special pricing: the one-hour webinar plus nearly $375 worth of freebies for just  $39.95! Get your spot before it’s gone: Register here.  —- What a good day yesterday. Despite a few…

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Business Plan #1: Brainstorming

Posted on December 3, 2012November 10, 2017 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Risk of Change by Holcombe Waller EBOOK SALE: Need a kick in your marketing backside? For a limited time, get the Marketing 365 e-book for just $5.99. And it’s a bargain — you get 365 easy-to-implement daily strategies (one for each day of the year) that can help you gain clients…

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  1. Cathy Miller Avatar
    Cathy Miller
    December 3, 2012

    I would love input on this.

    I want to figure out what "hook" to use to develop public speaking gigs. I miss that from my corporate days. I love PowerPoint, I love presenting, but what would bring that possibility to reality?

    I thought it might be using my healthcare/employee benefits background, but I think that's more safe than something that would sustain me long-term.

    I love making the complex simple. And on the personal side, I love promoting acceptance and recognition of our uniqueness.

    I want to make it a goal for 2013 to position myself to get back to public speaking. I know it's not something that happens overnight. I need brainstorming on how to find the right hook. Thanks.

    Reply
  2. Lori Avatar
    Lori
    December 3, 2012

    Oh, good one, Cathy!

    Two presentations come to mind:

    "Everything you've ever wanted to know about deductibles, but were afraid to ask."

    "Ten Step Guide to Market Penetration"

    You could reach out to blogging conferences, writer's workshops, etc.

    Or health care forums, workshops, etc.

    Reply
  3. Paula Avatar
    Paula
    December 3, 2012

    Almost anything belongs in a brainstorming session, other than self doubt. There is no right and no wrong when it's about generating ideas.

    Cathy – I was as shocked as anyone to realize that shy little Paula actually LIKED public speaking (to groups of <50 anyway). Two of my presentations were to college students, another was a writing workshop for the public library. The schools didn't pay (unless you count a $10 Starbucks gift card as payment), but the library paid a decent stipend.

    My weekend was spent with outdoor work. Record high temps in the 60s all weekend – today it's supposed to push 70 – when our normal high is probably in the low 40s this time of year. Saturday I patched some gouges and chips in the square porch pillars (they'd been covered with aluminum siding), hung the Christmas lights and took Doggie Lily on a long walk. Several neighbors stopped to say how good the house is looking!

    Sunday I painted the brown porch rails and all six (!) pillars with primer tinted to match the new siding. (The color is really similar to the green here on Lori's blog page, perhaps a tad darker but a similar soothing gray-green. I didn't get all of the high parts, but covered enough of the brown so the house should look okay from the street for the winter. We have a few trim pieces to put back on the porch next spring, so the real painting will happen then. I was out painting until the sun started to set, and was cleaning up with illumination courtesy of my Christmas lights.

    A neighbor said it looks like a new house, and thanks to the soft gold lights in my window boxes, she added "It looks so Currier and Ives." Love it!

    Reply
  4. Cathy Miller Avatar
    Cathy Miller
    December 3, 2012

    Thanks, Lori. Appreciate the ideas.

    Paula, sounds like you have a new Christmas photo opportunity. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Ashley Avatar
    Ashley
    December 3, 2012

    What great timing on this post, Lori! I need to start brainstorming ways to handle client work along with a new baby. I still have until February before the wee one arrives, but I need a plan in place ahead of time. Maternity leave is three months and without pay (don't get me started on that, either!) so I need to step up the client writing.

    My two thoughts so far are to have someone come in for a few hours a day to watch the kiddo while I work, or let a friend do the babysitting while she's a stay-at-home-mom (if she's willing). And I need to make enough to pay for those services to make it worthwhile.

    Reply
  6. Lori Avatar
    Lori
    December 3, 2012

    Paula, your house looks lovely! I'm jealous. 🙂

    Ashley, great to have a post-baby plan! Get it sorted now — you'll be too distracted and guilt-laden to do it later. Trust me!

    Reply
  7. Paula Avatar
    Paula
    December 4, 2012

    Thanks, Lori. If only I had snow, Cathy! Maybe it will snow once the area around the round attic window is re-done (needs bendable j-channel) and after the gutters go up – that would be a great photo op indeed.

    I can't believe your baby is nearly here, Ashley! I'm sure you'll find a good balance.

    Reply
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