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Bread Crumbs

Posted on December 16, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Sea of No Cares by Great Big Sea Super day yesterday. I accomplished much more than I thought I would, and I still had time left over at the end of the day to relax. That’s almost unheard of – time to relax in December. I had my shopping done five…

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Happy Resolution Day

Posted on December 15, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: So Long, Sweet Misery by Brett Dennen If you heard rejoicing yesterday, that would be me. Yesterday was an AMEN day. As I sat trying to get the meat of an article and two small projects completed, a favorite client came knocking with not one, but two projects due by the…

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Freebies, Systems, and Busy Work

Posted on December 14, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: In Between by The Clarks Yesterday was fun. I managed one project before life interrupted. Because I work from home, I get tagged to let the work people in for appointments I knew little, if anything, about. This one was the annual termite inspection. It usually takes about ten minutes, but…

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Surviving Weekends

Posted on December 13, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Wishing Well by The Airborne Toxic Event It was one of those weekends where I’m glad to be sitting here working today. Mind you, it was full of fun, but it was full. We met friends for dinner Friday night. Then we went out Saturday to the annual Firebird Festival to…

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Top Five Writing Roadblocks

Posted on December 10, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Where the Streets Have No Name by U2 Still on temporary work sabbatical (meaning I’m not in the office) as I try to get projects completed before the holiday. Add to that my daughter’s college graduation next weekend(I’m so proud!), a holiday, and more marketing, and you can just take the…

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Finding Inspiration

Posted on December 9, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: You’re No Good by Linda Ronstadt If you’ve not signed up for my semi-regular e-newsletter yet, go to the left of this post and register. I don’t use your info for anything beyond the newsletter, so your info is safe with me. You’d not know it by the posts, but I’ve…

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The Domino’s Guide to a Tasty Career

Posted on December 8, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Ten Thousand Things by The Avett Brothers Busy day yesterday. Interviews in the morning and book work in the afternoon. I put up the “Away” message on my email and avoided. I have projects due and I needed the uninterrupted time. I was busy two nights ago putting together a last-minute…

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Seven Things You Should Never Say to Your Client

Posted on December 7, 2010 by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Gilian the Dreamer by Neil MunroWhat’s on the iPod: Hicktown by Jason Aldean For some reason I was thinking about George Carlin over the weekend. I was remembering some of his earlier stuff, which at the time we thought was drop-dead hilarious. I listened to a little of it again. It still…

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Integrity and Writerly Boundaries

Posted on December 6, 2010 by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David SedarisWhat’s on the iPod: Wishing Well by The Airborne Toxic Event Are they making weekends shorter these days? Not that we didn’t cram a week’s worth of things into two days, but Monday is here way too quickly. We had our meditation group over on…

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Putting the Wow in Your Business

Posted on December 3, 2010 by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Just Another Girl by Pete Yorn Yesterday was fruitful. I managed an interview, an outline of one article, and contact with a few folks regarding some potential work. Things are coming together, amen. Even managed a little holiday shopping, which means I now have just two people to buy gifts for….

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  1. Cathy Avatar
    Cathy
    December 3, 2010

    Remembering to thank them for their business and showing that you value them as a client.

    It's sad how often clients are surprised when they receive a "thank you"-either verbal or a small gift. I like to occasionally throw in a gift "off-season"-a "just because" thank-you.

    Reply
  2. Devon Ellington Avatar
    Devon Ellington
    December 3, 2010

    Melding my unique/quirky/odd way of viewing the world with the information they need presented so it goes out there in a unique, memorable way that is very much THEM and stands out in a positive way.

    Reply
  3. Cathy Avatar
    Cathy
    December 3, 2010

    Love it, Devon!

    Reply
  4. Paula Avatar
    Paula
    December 3, 2010

    Considering I deal with a lot of editors long since jaded by a constant stream of faux sincerity from studio publicists, celebrity handlers and wannabe writers who fawn over said celebs, I think I offer my editors honesty tinged with an "every person" point of view that helps them better connect with their readers.

    Reply
  5. Lori Avatar
    Lori
    December 3, 2010

    Wow, you guys are impressive! I'd sure hire you.

    Cathy, you're right. Rare is the "thank you again for your business, and let me know if I can be of further assistance" note. And really, how hard is it?

    Devon, you've said it! It's about THEM, not us. Amen.

    Great point of view, Paula. Honesty AND the "every person" view – I love it!

    Reply
  6. Wendy Avatar
    Wendy
    December 3, 2010

    One of my local clients can be sweetened up pretty easily if I walk in for a meeting wearing a MN Viking cap. You should see the man's face light up.

    Or we could talk about fishing. Kind of a buddy to buddy thing, I guess.

    Reply
  7. Paula Avatar
    Paula
    December 3, 2010

    Running with Wendy's example, one of my editors likes to hear about my cooking and baking. This time of year I think she really wishes we were in the same town.

    Reply
  8. Jake P Avatar
    Jake P
    December 3, 2010

    Thanks for the link-love, Lori! Crazy day (crazy week, for that matter) here in my little corner of the universe…just coming up for air. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

    FYI, the links to the Freelance Forecast 2011 surveys will be posted shortly. Feedback welcome!

    Reply
  9. Jill Avatar
    Jill
    December 4, 2010

    My last two blog posts were about wowing prospective clients by sharing knowledge and resources with them.

    As for wowing existing clients, I like to take Cathy's approach (though I don't give gifts). Saying thank you and being gracious and polite never hurts.

    Reply
  10. xacerb8 Avatar
    xacerb8
    December 4, 2010

    Treat the receptionist with as much respect as you would the vice-president. And don't assume that someone with a big, important title wants to be treated like the Pope.

    Being nice may be under-rated, but I know that not only do my clients value my work, they also like working with me.

    Reply
  11. Lori Avatar
    Lori
    December 5, 2010

    Fantastic advice, xacerb8. On both counts.

    Right you are, Jill. Thank you goes a very long way.

    Thanks for letting us know about the forecast, Jake! I'll be over to visit.

    Paula, I think extending beyond our work humanizes us and gives clients a better sense of who we are.

    Wendy, you and I need to talk fishing, too. 🙂 And I believe we have one other fisher person here. 🙂

    Reply
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