Words on the Page

Things That Are Never Okay

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: The Adventures of Rain Dance Maggie by Red Hot Chili Peppers Did you have a wonderful weekend? If I were to paint a picture of the perfect Easter weekend, we had it. Sunny, warmish, everything was green and in bloom, and we were compelled to take two walks on Sunday because…

Friday Peeves

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Love Interruption by Jack White A mindful Good Friday and Passover to you all. May whatever your celebration is be blessed and filled with love. Though I made an effort to avoid it when possible, I didn’t give up complaining for Lent. Good thing, for there was plenty going on this…

Writing Tool #2: Flexibility

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Neil Young I love when you inspire posts, and today is no different. Last week we talked about traits of a successful freelancer. Damaria Senne, author, blogger, and wonderful human being, said for her, a freelancer needs flexibility – “A willingness to try new…

Guest Post: Do as I Say, Not as I Do

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: The Unicorn by Holcombe Waller What a treat! Cathy Miller of Simply Stated Business has offered up today’s post, which is a great look at the writer’s attitude turned around. Thank you, Cathy, for such a neat post! Danger Ahead: Do As I Say Not As I Do By Cathy MillerThere…

Technology Tuesday

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Baby’s Got Sauce by G Love and Special Sauce Somewhat slow day yesterday. I talked in the morning with two clients — one a potential client of mine, the other an ongoing client for my ongoing client (confused yet?). I may have a gig with the first and definitely have some…

Monthly Assessment: March 2012

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: The Hamlet by William FaulknerWhat’s on the iPod: Walk Like an Egyptian by The Bangles April. Really? I’m still getting used to 2012. If you must know, I’m still getting used to the 20– part instead of 19–. It was a slightly slower month mainly because I focused on marketing for the…

Writing Tool #1: Perseverence

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: Tortilla Flat by John SteinbeckWhat’s on the iPod: Look Around by Red Hot Chili Peppers Yesterday I asked everyone what they thought freelancers needed in order to adopt a better freelance mindset. Wow. Such great ideas! I thought it might be nice to examine each one. Today’s comes from Cathy Miller, super…

That Freelance Mindset

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: The Hamlet by William FaulknerWhat I’m listening to: The Kids are Ready to Die by The Airborne Toxic Event I spent the better part of yesterday marketing. The conference is close, and I’m trying to reach at least 100 of the 2,500 vendors. That’s my goal. If I can connect with even…

Worth-inducing Wednesday

Posted on by lwidmer

Still waiting for any of the six promised projects to show up. Any day now, but let’s hope not all of them at once. Meantime, I kept busy yesterday with more marketing. I now have eight meetings lined up for the conference,and a few more on the way. I’ve lined up enough “stop by your…

Why They Don’t Hire You

Posted on by lwidmer

Yesterday was fruitful. I was able to get a bit more marketing done than usual, and because the projects I expect aren’t in yet, I had some free time to read around the forums and blogs. To some extent, that’s a learning experience. However, there’s always one. Maybe I’m more excitable than most people, but…

Devon Ellington

Not following directions is a big one. I tell my students to think of exercise guidelines as the same as submission guidelines — if they don't follow them, it's sent back, and at least in class, they get a second chance, which they don't in the real world. "Creativity" is not an excuse to send whatever you want, especially if it doesn't fit and isn't proofread.

Biggest problem I see from writers? Lack of craft and lack of care to take the time to build it. There are 10,000 lined up right behind you just as talented who bothered to learn the craft, so when they deviate, it's a CHOICE, not a careless mistake.

Paula

There's also the opposite of the "not congenial" writer: the overly familiar writer. A bit too casual, overly friendly (often unaware of normal boundaries). They're the ones most likely to intrude on a client's time, too. At least they're usually pretty easy to spot – which is why they probably lose out on some great jobs opportunities.

Jake P

To your penultimate point, and Paula's followup: This is paramount, to work things in terms of relationships evolving. I act quite a bit different with clients on first interaction versus those I've worked with for 10+ years. I dress nicer for the first few meetings…I'm a little more formal in written and verbal comms, but not to the point of dorkiness…I might joke lightly, but not in my (far more natural) cynical or sarcastic tone.

Interestingly enough, I think that's why at least one in-person meeting (and periodic ones thereafter) is such a powerful relationship tool. It's much more challenging to read cues purely over the phone or net; which is not to say long-distance clients are worse, only that I personally find it easier to cement things face-to-face — or to figure out more quickly, "this ISN'T someone I care to work with."

Cathy Miller

Great comments all. Another biggie is not listening, which manifests itself in writing like those you listed, Lori-not following directions.

Especially the first time you speak with a prospect, you need to notch up the listening skills. If you are distracted, it's better to let that call go to Voice Mail than to pick it up, find out it's a potential client and your head's still lingering on what you were working on.

Sharon Hurley Hall

Listening is a key one, Lori, as is knowing your value – that stops you from jumping into something that may not actually be worth it.

Anne Wayman

I wonder why so many folks seem to have trouble figuring this out… it's not rocket science… following the instructions, building relationships, refusing to sell yourself short. sigh

Devon Ellington

Anne,
I think a lot of it has to do with insecurity hiding behind ego. I hear a lot of that, "I'm good enough so I don't HAVE to follow the rules."

Well, when you're working with a client, it's not all about YOU. It's about meeting the client's needs.

And, in fiction, it's about understanding the craft and seducing the reader, not whacking him with a 2 x 4. Few people will choose to be continually whacked. They'll find another writer who enchants them instead.

Lori

Great points, Devon. Learning the craft and understanding how that affects the product is essential.

Paula, having been trapped by one such writer last year at the show, I wholeheartedly agree. Overshare and Too Much Information were his calling cards.

I say this in my marketing book, Jake — you can't propose on the first date. I wish more writers did as you do: treat it like a first date and be on your best behavior.

Cathy, amen. I've spent way too much time around salespeople who ask you how you are and their eyes are scanning the room as you're answering. I could bet money few of them could have repeated what I'd said. Those are not people I care to talk to, nor do business with.

Sharon, exactly. It works as a great filter, too!

Anne, too many are selling themselves short, aren't they? It's been a point of frustration for me, but I've had to shed that and let them make their mistakes. My goal is to be there as a resource when they come to their senses. LOL

Devon, that's also true. I know a lot of freelancers whom I'd avoided back in the day because they were too married to their own brilliant prose for me to make any sense of their articles. No thanks.