Words on the Page

How to Accept Losing Clients

Posted on by lwidmer

Great weekend. My son was visiting and while I saw him for a small amount of time, that time was special. Sorry to see him leave, but glad for the time he was here. Despite this lingering sinus problem and remaining internal junk going on, I got outside and waged war on the whitlow grass….

The Staple Work

Posted on by lwidmer

What a difference a day makes. We live in a world where medicines made to cure us make us feel worse. Once one of the antibiotics I’d been taking wore off, I felt infinitely better. Not 100 percent because now I have to wait out the medicine’s effects on the body, but better. If the…

Rest for the Weary

Posted on by lwidmer

Please head over to Michelle Rafter’s blog, WordCount, to see my guest post. Thank you, Michelle! Sometimes the universe provides what you need when you need it. I’ve felt awful for the last few weeks. This has coincided with a time in my workload where the deadlines were longer and the projects had all been…

Quick-start Guide to Finding Clients

Posted on by lwidmer

It’s now three days since I first called the doctor. No return call Monday, and the second I went off to the pharmacy (ironically) yesterday she called. I’m taking meds I know will make me feel deathly sick again, but until she changes things up, I’ve no choice. I’m taking anti-nausea meds, but who knows…

Rule of Absolutes

Posted on by lwidmer

Yesterday was somewhat fruitful. I got the bones of the article set up and I worked through the intro and the “supporting” evidence for that intro. About then I had to stop for a client call. After that, I had to stop because my body said so. Anyone who knows me knows I follow one…

Marginal Monday

Posted on by lwidmer

It’s funny how the cure can sometimes be as bad as the ailment. I started taking the second antibiotic on Thursday and felt somewhat better on Friday – enough to accompany the husband to Pittsburgh. By Saturday morning it was clear something wasn’t working. My head was throbbing (sinus infection), my face was hot, the…

Fried Fridays

Posted on by lwidmer

Yesterday was a complete wash. I was feverish, achy, and I couldn’t sit upright for any length of time. When that happens, I put up the “away” message and listen to the body. The doctor tossed one more antibiotic into the mix, and within two doses things were beginning to clear up. Today, mostly rest….

Five Risks Writers Should Take

Posted on by lwidmer

I wish these antibiotics would take hold – I’m still feeling achy and weak, though my headaches have cleared up and I don’t feel as feverish. I have one more article to finish, then I can relax a little until the next surge comes. I was thinking about risk management this week – of course,…

Monthly Assessment: February 2012

Posted on by lwidmer

Happy Leap Day! It feels good to have one extra day in the year, especially with a full workload. What are you doing for Leap Day? I’m currently pumped up with antibiotics and eager to get back to feeling 100 percent. Lingering infections are just a pain in the neck (and back and arms and…

Devon Ellington

February sucked on a personal exhaustion/frustration level, but I should get a couple of big checks in the next few weeks that will salve some of that. I need to replace a non-working business model with one that works better for me and then ease out of the first one.

I'm putting together some proposals and researching a few places do do LOIs in order to help with that.

I'd like to sleep for about a week, but no such luck. I can either manifest the change I want, or things will flow in the easiest way open to them. I'd rather it was the former.

Lori

Big checks always soothe sore mentalities, Devon. 🙂

Go for it. You of all people are able to affect positive change.

Paula

I'm using Leap Day to try to get ahead on a 2,500 word article due this week.

Despite being a short month, I think I accomplished quite a bit in February:

Queries/LOI – I sent two LOIs and two queries to new-to-me markets, and sent three batches of ideas to Favorite Editor. Yesterday she assigned four of my ideas.

Existing Clients – Turned in one article to Favorite Editor. Wrote three columns. Had the aforementioned 2,500-word article assigned by one editor, and a 2,000-word piece assigned by a different editor. I also reached out to numerous clients to let them know I'm keeping my eyes open for ideas they might like.

New Clients – Me! I launched my own blog a couple weeks ago. I missed writing for the knitting blog, so once I got comfortable with my new computer, I knew it was time for the blog.

Earnings – Better than January, but just shy of my modest monthly goal.

Bottom Line – Keep marketing. (Boy, read this blog long enough and you start sounding like Lori! That's a good thing!)

Wade Finnegan

Yes, sounding like Lori is a good thing. I'm not marketing enough, but linkedin has produced a couple nibbles. Paula, give us a link to your new blog. I want to check it out. I'm featured on Kristin Offiler's blog today. (shameless plug) You can check it out here: ow.ly/9mn1n

BTW Lori you are on a roll. Way to go!

Paula

Since you asked, Wade… it's createfromscratch.wordpress.com (I think clicking my name might take you there.)

If any WordPress users can explain how to get the blogs I've listed to, um, actually show up on a blog roll, that'd be great. (Added the Blog Roll widget last week, but none of the ones I listed showed up so I removed it until I figure it out.)

Now I'll go check your post on Kristin's blog!

Lori

Way to go, Wade! Congrats on being on the blog!

Paula, if you're doing all the work without feeling stressed, then you're not doing it like me. LOL

Sounds great!

Wade Finnegan

Paula, nicely done. I added it to my favorites. I'm moving to wordpress soon and would love to pick your brain. I like your design.

Paula

Thanks guys. My design is just one of the basic themes available at WordPress. Zero effort on my part (other than dealing with pesky widgets that won't show up the way I want them to).

Cathy Miller

Lori-you go, Girl! You're on fire. Just remember to take care of yourself! Okay, Mama Cathy will stop.

My year isn't starting as well as I planned. I had my best year last year so I upped the ante for goals. I'm not concerned. I have a lot in the hopper, but not where I want to be yet.

I missed my income target for the 2nd month, but increased it from January. I'm also 10% higher in income compared to the end of February last year.

I'm running behind on some of my special marketing projects. I'm going to try to really kick it in gear for March. I need those to move forward on upgrading my business site.

I did get a few unexpected projects this month that haven't been invoiced yet so that's good news.

I don't know how you youngins' keep up the energy. 🙂

Lori

Cathy, I shall heed your advice. 🙂

I'm glad you're not worried; you shouldn't be. I know you well, and I know you've got a good handle on it. Sounds like you have the work there in the pipeline!

Ashley

Love the looks of your blog, Paula. I love being crafty, so I will definitely have to read it more carefully very soon.

For February, I had an editor that I've worked with before come back with an assignment. Quick turn around, and she was pleased I got it done by the deadline. Apparently that's rare for her. Shame, but I'm glad it makes me look good. There would have to be serious extenuating circumstances for me to miss a deadline (knock on wood!)

I also had a new client looking for some web content. That turned into a smaller project (editing only) so that he could afford me. I do like being able to work with clients on cost, so I'm glad this worked out. It's a good relationship so far.

And I finished up another editing project for a favorite editor of mine, but I might have to ask for a raise pretty soon on that. It's a shame, because I don't think they have the budget (or at least, they aren't willing to budget for it).

Paula

Thanks, Ashley. Do I sense a crafty guest post coming from you one day?

Ashley

Oh I would love to do a guest post, Paula! Let's be in touch about that 😉

Lori

Life after a bad client, right Ashley? That usually happens right after a client insults or questions your capabilities, and it makes the compliment all the more welcome.