What I’m listening to: Your Long Journey by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss It’s been a good start to the week. After a busy, enjoyable weekend, I sat down on Monday with just one project in front of me, but with a few client calls to prepare for. It was nice to have the luxury…
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Free Advice Friday: Using Writing Contracts to Nail Down Projects
What I’m reading: Strip Jack by Ian Rankin What’s on the iPod: Just Another by Pete Yorn Yesterday was a bit of a blur. I sat down to accomplish something. Well, I managed my marketing and a little editing on my poetry. Nothing more. There’s a fatigue running through me that can only be thyroid-related….
Worthy Advice: This Job, Not That Job
What’s on the iPod: The Road to Home by Amy MacDonald (including Caledonia) I don’t need a calendar to tell me September is almost here. The clients are starting to call, email, and send projects. It’s going to be a busy fall, and I’m happy for it. I was looking for something else when the Craig’s…
When to Follow Writer Advice (and When to Go Your Own Way)
What I’m reading: Strip Jack by Ian Rankin What’s on the iPod: Conductor by We Were Promised Jetpacks It was nice to get away. It wasn’t a long break — 4 days — but it was welcome. Saturday afternoon, we started the 7 1/2 hour ride. It’s always made longer because we stop at our…
7 Lousy Marketing Tactics
What I’m hearing: Rain on a tin roof, a loon in the bay…. Today I’ll be waking up to the sounds of birds, frogs, and maybe some rain. The cottage I sleep in (there are two on my parents’ property) is a one-room place with a tin roof. There are no amenities beyond the four…
This Job, Not That Job
What’s on the iPod: Nothing. I’m fishing. As I spend this week tormenting Canadian fish, I wanted to leave behind a few things for you all to discuss. And anytime I want a good laugh, I just head to Craig’s List and look at the job ads. That’s not to say all the ads suck,…
Free Advice Friday: To Contract or Not?
What’s on the iPod: Rain King by Counting Crows Yesterday felt like Friday to me. That’s because today, I’m out of here. There’s a little river in the middle of Ontario where there are some fish and a few parents camped along the shores. I must go visit them all. I did manage three newsletter…
Finding More Writing Time
What’s on the iPod: The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie by Red Hot Chili Peppers It’s been a productive week so far. Monday was nonstop work.Tuesday I had to stop for a few phone interviews and a furniture delivery, plus I had to get out of this house before I suffered some serious cabin fever….
Marketing Monday: Removing Client Reservations
What’s on the iPod: Don’t by Ed Sheeran Since I’ve been talking to a good many client prospects lately, I’m realizing that there are some pretty big obstacles we writers have to overcome. Just having a client interested doesn’t guarantee it’s going anywhere, as most of you know. Some writing clients get so close and…
Monthly Assessment: June and July 2014
What’s on the iPod: Temporary Ground by Jack White Three articles in four days — yes, it can be done. I finished a 2K-word piece yesterday around noon. That made a total of 4,200 words for the week in just client work. I might even take today off. I was embarrassed to find out that…