Freelance Writing Blog

Know Thy Program

Posted on by lwidmer

Yesterday was one of those maddening, frustrating days of fighting with my software just to get one little thing accomplished. At issue – formatting. I’m working on an insanely large document, formatting the entire mess into something worthy of publication. I was cruising along beautifully when suddenly, something just stopped working. I’m making columns. In…

Bypassing the Trap

Posted on by lwidmer

First, I’d like to pass along my condolences to Devon Ellington, whose beloved cat Elsa passed on after a long, happy life. If you read Devon’s blog, you’ve gotten to know Elsa and also know her health struggles of late. My prayers to you and to Elsa, Devon. Carol Tice has a very interesting post…

The Game Plan

Posted on by lwidmer

Did we really have a long weekend? It seems like yesterday I was thrust back into work. Like walking downhill only to stumble and roll out of control. That was yesterday. I saw it coming. We’d gone to a meditation retreat over the weekend. It was going too blissfully. Still, I got a good deal…

The Hardest Word (But the Most Necessary)

Posted on by lwidmer

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! Back to the serious business for some. For the rest of us, we’re serious about business 24/7, 365, with a few days off for good behavior. Maybe it’s because the calendar page turned over, but the first few days of September were a damn sight better than…

Friday Madness

Posted on by lwidmer

I know it’s supposed to be a day people traditionally blow off work – that last summer blowout before we get serious again. But I’m here, for a little while today, to get ahead of the work. That’s either dedication or stupidity. It depends on your perspective. Since I feel like working like you feel…

Bringing Out the N Word

Posted on by lwidmer

I don’t need a calendar to know what time of year it is. I’m busier than I’ve been in months, so it must be September. More to the point, it must be right before Labor Day. Yesterday, I pushed through eight hours of writing to finish one deadline. Today will be no different. Everything is…

Monthly Assessment: August 2010

Posted on by lwidmer

Maybe it’s because it’s been a month of emotional hell on earth, but this month didn’t seem to fly by as the last several have. I was sure busy enough. Perhaps it was juggling that work – I don’t know. Either way, I feel like I’ve lived two months in the span of one. I’m…

Up for Bid

Posted on by lwidmer

It continues to amaze me when I see writers who have built careers on leading other writers to make smart career choices suddenly decide the money’s the goal. One writer, who shall remain nameless, has decided to offer a book on how to make money on one particular bidding site. By bidding site, I’m talking…

Working Smarter

Posted on by lwidmer

Spent a great weekend just reconnecting with the man and enjoying some yard time. The lack of humidity made it marvelous gardening. The neighbor’s cat, per usual, was a constant companion. I would sit on the swing for a break and he’d make a running leap for my lap. If they’re not careful, he may…

The Not-so-special Offer

Posted on by lwidmer

Well, it doesn’t take me long to get back on a tear, especially when I sense an attempt to get out of paying a writer a decent wage. This week is no exception. I don’t know what it is or why it is that some prospective clients find it their business to define our businesses…

Carole

I'm often puzzled and aghast by requests to complete a 10-hour project in 2 hours or less. I don't understand why some think that they can underpay or not pay for completed work.

I once had a client say that s/he could complete a specific project (new web site content of a medical nature)in less than an hour and a half and expected me to do the same. I told this person to go ahead and do it then because I could not in good conscience do an adequate job in that timeframe. S/he seemed surprised that I tossed it back.

Devon Ellington

"I can't afford that."

"If you were a professional, you'd know how to budget our time to fit into our budget." (the typical do a 10 hour project in 2 hours thing).

The ones who want me to use MY contacts to market THEIR products, instead of me just doing the writing job for which I was hired.

People who hire you to write a press release and then expect you to submit it. No, hon. I WRITE it. That's all I do. Getting it out there is YOUR job.

"We're starting up, but when we get on our feet . . ."
If I can't pass it on to the landlord, the plumber, etc., you can't pull it on me.

"It'll be really good for you to get the exposure."
Uh, no, actually, it will be rally good to be PAID for my work.

"Anyone could write this." Go ahead then. Write it yourself, save the money, and see where it gets you.

Diane

It has to be the oft quoted one of mine:

"Why should I pay your extortionate rates when I have hundreds of enthusiastic amateurs willing to do it for free?"

Nuff said.

Wendy

We must not forget the bullies. The ones who claim they have business contacts that they can refer to you if you're nice to them. If not, then they can make things difficult for you. At this point, I start imagining some kind of Al Capone type character coming in to "negotiate" a deal with me.

Cathy

The ones that contracted with you for an article, then send you their ads, contracts with an online magazine and other writing for you to take a "quick look" at and give your opinion.

Funny, when I quoted a consulting fee, they all went away…hmmm…

Lori

Cathy, I had that same thing happen. I finished the large project, then the email came from her: "If you were to put a caption on this photo, what do you think it would be?" Did she really think I was that stupid?

Wendy, I've not been bullied yet. I figure no one has that much clout that the entire WORLD would stop hiring us! But it's nice that these bullies have such low opinions of themselves, huh? LOL

Diane, that's when I say "Fine. You get what you pay for." I never look back at those. Crazies!

Devon, you've certainly hit on plenty I've come across, too! I don't do startups because they're so interested in wasting money on Flash websites and uber-cool business cards that they fail to have enough to pay their contractors.

Good for you, Carole! I'd have tossed that one back myself. Ridiculous parameters – there's no way any writer can do a fantastic job in two hours. You have to have enough time to visualize and build the ideas.

Ashley

Someone once told me that he would "put me on the map" if I did 30 articles for free. Articles that he stated were "time-consuming." I nearly fell out of my chair laughing 🙂

I think you hit on something when you mention in the comments about spending money on flashy websites and business cards — Those are things that they can't negotiate price. I think many people feel that a writer's price is more flexible than the price of a tangible product.

Paula

Anytime someone acts like they're doing you a huge favor – run in the opposite direction.

I'm with Devon on the press releases thing. Several years ago, after quoting a rate of $250/page, a potential client assumed that included compiling a mailing list, printing out hard copies, and mailing (not e-mailing) them out. Postage, too. Um, dude, that amount wouldn't cover the paper, ink and postage let alone my expertise.

Lori

Ashley, his verbal slip was very telling – I bet they were time-consuming!

Yes, I don't know how many times I have to remind people that I write, not distribute. Same goes for editing books. If I'm editing your book, I'm fixing the copy. I'm not finding a publisher, agent, or waiting until that time to get paid.