Words on the Page

Unhooking the Time Suckers

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading:: The Johnstown Flood by David McCollough Tomorrow is the wedding! I can’t wait. The chapel sits on the coast in Boothbay Harbor, and the weather is supposed to be gorgeous. Today is rehearsal dinner, which is a barbecue with what will be a rousing game of corn hole. If you’ve not played,…

Freelancers and Fun

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner I’m still in Maine, but I’m leaving vapor trails. I hope I’m enjoying either a good book or a good shopping trip. Maybe both. I’ll be working, but depending on the WiFi connection, it could be sporadic at best. So as I relax and remember what life…

The ABCs of Delegating

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Quiet Little Voices by We Were Promised Jetpacks It feels strange taking time off right after having a month lost to surgery and recovery. However, there’s a very good reason why I’m not here this week — I’m in Maine to attend my stepdaughter’s wedding. It’s going to be a great…

A Writerly TGIF

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Two Coins by Dispatch Man, am I glad it’s Friday. There was a lot of work to be done this week, and I finished nearly all of it. More to be done, but for now, I’m in a good place right before I leave town. After spending yesterday working frantically in…

Simplifying Your Freelance Life

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Middle Brother by Middle Brother What have I said a million times about going on vacation? Don’t the clients smell it, even if you say nothing? We’re leaving for Boothbay Harbor in just a few days. I was nuts the last two days with interviews and juggling three projects at once….

Taking the Pressure Off Your Freelance Life

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Bats (Acoustic Version) by Dispatch Today starts a marathon of work and personal details that will probably level me by Friday. Next weekend we’re heading to Boothbay Harbor for my stepdaughter’s wedding (the wedding is in two weeks), and the place we’re staying doesn’t seem to have WiFi. It’s advertising that…

Finding Your Freelance Down Time

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: The Woodpile by Frightened Rabbit Made a lot of headway on three different projects yesterday despite my having a slightly interrupted afternoon thanks to some errands. I have two projects in great shape and the third will be framed in today. I have a few weeks to finish them, but I…

Your Start in Freelancing

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Coffee Cups by Langhorne Slim and The Law Good day yesterday. I have two article assignments due this month, plus some newsletter work for another client, so I’m busy. Feels good to be back to a semi-regular work schedule. I was over at Jake Poinier’s Dr. Freelance blog where Jake is…

Monthly Assessment: May 2013

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: All You Ever Do is Bring Me Down by The Mavericks How was your weekend? We had glorious sunshine and high temps. Beautiful days to be out and about. Too bad I wasn’t. Ah, it’s just one thing after another. There’s something about an invasion of the body that brings out…

Getting Past Your Own No

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Life by The Avett Brothers Good day yesterday. Finally. I felt good enough to finish a client project and start another. I got an article pitch out, as well. Things are starting to look up. Except possibly customer service. I’d called our trash company and asked for a spare recycling bin….

Paula

You have to contract for your own trash removal? Here the city negotiates the deals and we're stuck with whatever company they choose.

Twice within six months the collector managed to rip the rim off my trash can. That's two cans that no longer fit (much less hold) their lids. When I called, they said they only replace cans that have been run over by their trucks. I've since learned to complain to the company and to the city. The city can pressure them more than individual homeowners can. Boy, does that clear problems up fast!

As for saying "no" to clients, I try to keep it as professional and objective as possible. It only gets ugly when people take rejection personally. So when I'm told no, I remind myself that it's nothing personal.

Lori

No contract, but they act like we're their personal servants — not the other way around.

Cathy Miller

Paula's right. Staying professional and objective is key. That's tough to do when you're talking money. It seems so personal.

I give myself the pep talk about it being business. I see if there is room for compromise (e.g., narrowing the scope of services), but I do not compromise on my bottom line.

We don't need to justify our bottom line, but we owe it to ourselves to have one.

P.S. So glad to hear you're feeling better, Lori.

Jake Poinier

I have to say, of all the Phoenix city services, trash collection is pretty good & responsive. In my MA hometown, we had to pack the Wagoneer with bags and take them across town to the transfer station — which was seriously disgusting duty during bluefish season!

As far as saying no, I've gotten far more comfortable with it over the years. Any or all of your tactics will work; I have no patience for people who insist that something is a "great opportunity" if it doesn't fit my business in scope, content, or pay rate.

Glad you're feeling better, kiddo.

Nichole

Ahhh… I just had to do this; let a client go. It was a really hard decision because who wants to turn down income?

It was a client I hadn't worked with in about 5 years too. At first I was honored that he came back to me but after hearing the scope of the project, I had to tell him goodbye. He wasn't budging on 2008 rates and I wasn't about to cut my bottom line down to an unlivable wage just to keep him. I was polite but firm, I even tried a compromise ("Gee thanks for thinking of me for this project! For you I can do it for X/hr instead of my current X/hr rate.") but he refused to meet me in the middle.

I was sad about it for about a day and even felt guilty! Then I realized that I needed to be good with the decision because I knew I'd hate myself for taking such a low budget job when I knew I could be leaving the door open for better paying and more satisfying opportunities.

Lori

"We don't need to justify our bottom line, but we owe it to ourselves to have one."

Amen, Cathy Miller. That's the quote of the week. 🙂

Jake, I think I've had no troubles with no lately, either. It's never pleasant, but it becomes easier with practice. And you're right — hauling fish guts in your car IS seriously disgusting!

Nikki, you outgrew him. That's sad, but it happens. He has the choice now — either pay you what your new rates are or try to find someone as good as you are. Luckily, you're one of a kind. 🙂 I bet he comes back and tries to negotiate that rate.