Typically, I don’t get frustrated when another writer asks for help. But sometimes, the situation is far from typical. In a recent exchange, the writer expressed a level of angst that was troubling. Nothing in this writer’s marketing was working. Things weren’t coming easy anymore. The work wasn’t paying off. Been there. Haven’t you? I…
Freelance writing advice
Putting Action Back in Your Freelance Action Plan
I saw you. You made that fantastic marketing/networking/business-building plan, complete with steps on how you’re going to succeed and when. Then what? Then nothing. It sat there. When it came to mapping it all out, you read all the blog posts and articles and culled the advice that fit your business. Then you did nothing….
The Freelance Saboteur
Sometimes you can’t find freelance work to save your soul. Sometimes it’s there, but either the timing is off or you’re missing some of the must-haves the client is looking for. Or the client and you are not a good match. Sometimes everything that could possibly align in the right way does. And you still…
Freelance Files: How You Appear to Clients
Thanks to a few recent interactions, I’ve come to realize that some freelance writers aren’t really presenting ourselves as freelancers. In public-facing situations, there are some pretty major missteps that some freelancers are making that could be causing potential clients to look the other way. Maybe you’re doing it too and don’t realize it. Let…
What Freelance Writing Has Taught Me
It’s Friday, and I’m traveling. So let’s keep it lighter. I was witnessing an acquaintance’s meltdown recently over a minor (seriously minor) issue. Instead of just getting it together (there was a slight snafu in their presentation), they became flustered. Then more flustered. Then they declared it was “such a disaster.” It wasn’t. It was…
How Freelance Writers Get Sucked into Low-paying Work (and how to stop it)
Imagine getting this email: Hi (your name): Just wanted to let you know I’ve moved to a new company, and we’re looking for writers. I recommended you since we’d worked together when I was at the last company. Do you have time to chat on the phone? So you call. The conversation goes something like…
The Cynical Side of Freelance Writing
Call me cynical. Actually, don’t. I’m not cynical, not when it comes to my job. I love my freelance writing career. Sure, there are shitty parts, like content mills disguised as actual clients, job boards that cause freelancers to fight for the lowest possible rate, scary-bad job postings that are either completely clueless (and low-paying)…
Professional Jealousy and the Freelance Writer
A number of decades ago, I had an interaction with a new person in our writers’ group. We had posted a notice in the library announcing our group and welcoming interested writers to join. One person answered the call — a writer who had a monthly column in the local paper. We greeted him warmly, and…
Avoiding the Freelance Niche Fad
I love fresh perspectives. That’s why I search for freelance blogs pretty regularly. Unfortunately, I rarely come across a freelance blog. Instead, I see the same advice: How to Start Freelance Writing 10 Tips for New Freelancers How to Start Making Money Freelance Writing How to Launch Your Freelance Writing Career The obvious keyword stuffing…
4 Steps to Reinventing Your Freelance Writing Career
Did you have a nice long weekend? Good. Now back to work. If you’re like me, though, work may be slowing down for you. Summer is nearly here (aren’t we already in the mindset?), and client work tends to drop off a bit from June through mid-August. At least, that’s been my experience. The change…