It started with an email from a local contact. They needed a writer onsite. Yea, that’s not happening. I declined, saying if the client needed someone on a virtual basis, I might be interested. The response: yes, they’re quite open to virtual arrangements. Except…. The time commitment and the pay; neither were going to work for…
Client issues
The Response Your Freelance Writing Business Doesn’t Need
Today. Vote. Got it? If you don’t, you lose all right to complain, in my opinion. Had a great weekend, one in which I was able to meet Joy Drohan. She was in the area with her children for a sports event, and we met for lunch afterward. What a great person! Joy is someone…
Writers Worth: The Power of No
Don’t miss the next Writers Worth Twitter Chat! Join Paula Hendrickson and me on October 16th at 11 am ET using the hashtag #WWMchat Didn’t I promise you some Writers Worth love throughout the year? Here you go. Saying no. If you do an internet search on how to say no to clients, you’re going…
Getting Freelance Writing Prospects to Yes
Today, I’m out of here. I’m traveling back home for a final goodbye. There’s a memorial picnic happening in my father’s honor. The tent has been delivered, food has been made, photos printed. Tomorrow, the memories come out. Then on to Ontario. Somehow, it just seemed fitting to head to his favorite place after giving…
The Writing Client Interview (Theirs, Not Yours)
As I get longer in the tooth with this freelance writing business of mine, I’ve come to realize some truths. As your client is interviewing you, so too are you interviewing your client. That’s a big one, actually. It’s one a lot of new freelancers don’t recognize. It’s a truth that can take a ton…
Writers Worth: Getting More Client Respect
It’s been a nice, calm week. After going full steam for about four months, there’s been a break in the action. I managed to finish all but one project on my desk, and I’m waiting for a few more to arrive. What did I do with the time? Cleaned the desk, filed papers, figured more…
Your Freelance Rate Killers
I was writing a magazine article a while ago that, given the per-word rate — $1.25 per word, 1,500 words — was going to be a killer payday for me. Until I was 12 interviews and a complete rewrite in. That’s the trouble with some projects. The unforeseen can really hit your bottom line. Even magazine…
4 Freelance Writing Life Lessons I’ve Learned (that you can learn, too)
A while back, I had an uncomfortable interaction with a would-be client. It was negotiation time. I gave my rate. We discussed. We agreed on a slightly lower rate. Then the communication became dodgy. Very dodgy. They asked for something that sounded a lot like a freebie. I repeated their request back to them. Is…
Confusing Client Requests (& How Writers Can Handle Them)
It happens when I’m busiest. Probably happens at the same time for you. The client prospects start showing up in email, on the phone, and inquiring about your services. I’ve been getting quite a few lately (seems to pick up every year as August creeps up). Some are straightforward. Others are loaded with questions. Some…
Tuesday Take: Writers With Borders
It happened again. Another would-be client restated the parameters of what would have been our working relationship. Not a little restatement, either. It was more of a major WTF involving the actual definition of freelance. What would have been a decent gig was suddenly a no-go from my perspective. It’s also not an uncommon occurrence, either….