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6 Query Writing Mistakes

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: The Busker by We Invented Paris Friday! The week went by too quickly, but I’m glad to see it end. Weirdness with Verizon yesterday had me without email all day. In fact, I’m hoping by the time you read this I’ll have my email restored. The company said it wasn’t expecting…

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The 3 P’s of Writing Client Success

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Lonesome by Dr Dog Disjointed day yesterday — it started with an appointment that lasted until lunch time. I came home, got busy on a large project, but I was lacking steam. I pushed through and managed a few thousand words, but not the kind of progress I’d hoped for. Today…

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Satisfying Recharges

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: In the End (There’s Only Love) by Ewert and the Two Dragons Sometimes accomplishing a lot doesn’t mean wearing yourself out. I had a weekend that started with a long list of things that had to be done. By Sunday, I was relaxing and not over-tired. That’s a good way to…

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Monthly Assessment: August 2013

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Life by The Avett Brothers Well, I’m back. Fishing was amazing, the weather was just right — sunny, warm days followed by those lazy rain showers that just beg for naps to be taken. It was a pleasant few days away, and Ontario, per usual, was good to me. I jumped…

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Doing Nothing Wrong

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Mission by Dispatch I’m back. I promise you I’m not yet in front of the computer. I know myself enough to realize that after a long ride back from Ontario, I’m not getting to posting until two days later. I’ll avail you of my trip details, and of the fish almost caught,…

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5 Ways to Look Like an Inept Writer

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Plenty of stuff; I’m in the car driving to Ontario View from the cottage Vacation time. At long last, I get the heck out of Dodge. At first I felt guilt for wanting a few days off — didn’t I just have a surgery/convalescence? Isn’t that time off? Yes. And definitely…

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4 Ways to Set Writerly Boundaries

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: The Last Time by Taylor Swift ft. Gary Lightbody Writers: Take part in a FREE chat with veteran writer Cathy Miller Thursday, 8/29 at 1 pm ET/10 am PT Register for free access here I thought I’d have a nicely paced week, have time to research for an article, take time…

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Heeding Writing Client Warning Shots

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Blue Skies Again by The David Mayfield Parade Last week was a nice transition from a light workload to a faster pace. I ended the week with another project and a few potential ones from the same client. Plus I saw my surgeon Friday morning and got the good news: I’ve…

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Writerly Wednesday

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Radioactive by Imagine Dragons It’s August. I can tell by the silence. Where last year I had a summer of confinement (tons of work at once from May until December, really), this summer I could probably take off entirely and never be missed. Well, except for one large project and a…

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4 Simple Moves to Impress Your Writing Clients

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Middle Brother by Middle Brother It’s amazing just how much you can change your perspective in a few short days. My husband switched out his desk from this massive, executive monstrosity to an original, mission-style hunk of gorgeousness. Not only is the desk much smaller, but the study is now arranged…

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  1. Cathy Miller Avatar
    Cathy Miller

    One of the things I do routinely that seems to ve appreciated is give regular updates. Many of my projects can have weeks where I'm working on my own (research, draft copy, etc.) I've never missed a deadline (knock on wood), but I will give a simple update – something like Just touching base to let you know the white paper is on track and I should have no problem meeting targeted date. I will keep you posted on progress.

    Typically, I deliver a few days before the deadline, but customers hate silence. 😉

    Reply
  2. Cathy Miller Avatar
    Cathy Miller

    uh, make that seems to BE appreciated. Coffee….

    Reply
  3. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    Cathy, they do appreciate that from my experience, too. It's just a simple hello, here's where we are, and no, you don't have to chase me for info. Sometimes that last bit scores the points more than anything. 🙂

    Reply
  4. John Soares Avatar
    John Soares

    Really good advice Lori. I'm a big fan of giving files logical names that clearly identify the content. I'm surprised how few people do this.

    Reply
  5. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    John, it's almost an epidemic, isn't it? It just takes slowing down, thinking "How am I going to find that later?" and using some common sense.

    Reply
  6. EP Avatar
    EP

    Your suggestion about email subject lines is particularly good. I don't know what it is about emails, but they're usually tend to be a bit too informal = chaotic. Putting in order in your response like that saves everybody a lot of time. Hey, somebody's got to do it.

    Reply
  7. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    EP, that's what I've seen, too. In the case of my good chum Anne Wayman and me, we were the worst offenders! We had slews of emails and ideas and documents, and we couldn't find one of them. I moved the madness to Google Docs and put sensible labels on it all. We're so much more organized now.

    Reply
  8. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    One of my clients had a very specific way of naming files – but it was different for each version. I like adding the date. I think I'll start doing that. It sure would make finding the latest version easier.

    I try to check in with editors, too, especially for projects with deadlines more than one or two weeks out. Some, upon seeing how much progress I've made, will even ask if I can take on additional work.

    I hope you're 100 percent now Lori. I had a similar thing hit me around 2 AM Sunday. I feel okay today, but am still a bit achy. Which reminds me. I meant to take an Aleve for that.

    Reply
  9. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    I'm better, Paula. It was just one weird virus! Glad it's gone.

    Reply
  10. Kimberly Ben Avatar
    Kimberly Ben

    My clients tend to appreciate that I respond quickly to correspondence. BTW – I'm not counting those who think I work 24/7/365.

    Reply
  11. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    LOL! I wouldn't count them, either.

    Any word on when you'll be back blogging, Kim? I miss you. 🙂

    Reply
  12. Ashley Avatar
    Ashley

    Love the idea of adding dates to file names. I usually include "first edit" etc. to keep things organized, but it's nice to know when it was submitted without having to go look up the email.

    Also, 100% agree with changing email subject lines. I hate having a million back-and-forth emails, then having to search for the one that had that ONE piece of info I desperately need 🙂

    Reply
  13. Lori Avatar
    Lori

    Ashley, it's the simple stuff that messes us up, isn't it? 🙂

    Reply
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