My daughter was interviewing to hire an assistant recently, and her experience was eye-opening. She had two resumes in front of her — one was a young man whose college credentials were a match for the kind of job he’d be doing. On paper, he looked amazing. The other resume was that of a young man…
Client issues
The (Updated) Freelancer’s BS Litmus Test
Back in 2010, I came up with what I call the BS Litmus Test. It’s a series of questions freelance writers can ask themselves when considering a new client or project. The goal when I wrote it was to get us freelancers to think deeper into the relationship and the project so that we make…
How to Be a Trusted Writer in One Simple Step
What I’m listening to: Wake Me Up When September Ends by Green Day Well my plan last week was to increase my marketing. However, that didn’t happen. Instead, a client got in touch with me. In fact, that’s been my entire year so far. Every time I think about kicking my marketing into high gear,…
Writers Worth Tip: Avoiding Empty Promises from Clients
What’s on the iPod: You’re No Good by Linda Ronstadt Did you have a nice weekend? We were treated to a jazz concert at the Kimmel Center by my step-daughter in honor of my husband’s upcoming birthday. And what a treat it was! We prepared for, and received, our first frost of the season — saw…
5 Ways to Manage Client Upset
What’s on the iPod: Free Fallin’ by Tom Petty Busy week, albeit a short one since my husband and I are finally going to take that vacation we’ve been putting off. Sadly, it’s just four days, but it’s four I don’t have to think about projects or money or anything beyond relaxing. After the weekend…
Writers Worth: Undoing the Client Posse
What’s on the iPod: Down With the Shine by The Avett Brothers What a nice, long weekend! Mine actually started a little early — Friday was the first day in months that I didn’t have a ton of work in front of me. I’ve managed to get through three more projects, and the three remaining…
Freelance Technique: Capturing Your Writing Client’s Voice
Have marketing questions? Want to find out what works best for successful writers? Join Jake Poinier (a.k.a. Dr. Freelance) and me for a FREE one-hour Marketing Q&A. Reserve your spot today What a week so far. I spent five days away, two of them on the weekend, yet I’m working like I’ve been away a…
5 Ways to Navigate the Writing Client’s First Draft
I’m out of the office this week — at least I hope I am. As I write this post Thursday afternoon, I’m certain I didn’t go anywhere on Friday. My car decided it wasn’t done bleeding money out of me. A day after I paid $850 for new struts and an alignment, the brake hydraulics…
Relationships and the Writer
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…
7 Ways to Attract Your Ideal Client
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…