Freelance Writing Blog

The Client Collaboration

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: The Sky is Crying by Stevie Ray VaughanWhat I’m reading: The Skull Beneath the Skin by P. D. James It was a little coincidental that I was listening to The Sky is Crying yesterday – I wasn’t shedding tears, but tension is building in a current project. Remember the “We didn’t…

More on Finding Work

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Rosalita by Bruce SpringsteenWhat I’m reading: The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson I love Allena Tapia’s latest blog post over on About.com. In it, she outlines how to be a profitable freelancer. Given that she herself has just topped the $100K mark, I’m apt to listen….

Weekend Re-entry

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Modern Leper by Frightened RabbitWhat I’m reading: The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson Great day Friday – thanks to both Devon and Jenn for a terrific time. Meeting with you guys underscores the importance of having like-minded writers in your life. We get each other. Had…

How and Where to Look

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Cherry Bomb by John MellancampWhat I’m reading: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larsen Great day yesterday. I managed one small project, got an article roughed in, and started lining up interviews for the newly-scored article. And despite my fears, the government agency I had to talk to wrote…

Your Next To-do List

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Floating in the Forth by Frightened Rabbit Yesterday felt like a massive wheel-spinning. Playing dodge on the phone with interview subjects has never appealed, and much less so when I’m under deadline. So today is aggressive follow-up. By aggressive I mean I become more pushy and a little more of a…

Where’s the Kaboom?

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Handle with Care by The Traveling Wilburys I’m channeling Marvin the Martian today as I look back at yesterday morning. Really. Just the morning was weird, but what a weird morning. Like an unexploded bomb ticking away somewhere (hence the Marvin reference, all you Bugs fans). Flash back to Monday around…

Mixed Messages

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: I and Love and You by The Avett Brothers Yesterday was a bit of a challenge. I was sporting a whale-sized headache (sinuses yet again) and I finished a ton of work early enough to be tricked into thinking my day was over at 2 pm. Alas, the best laid plans……..

Filling Up the Summer

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: She’s Mine by Brett Dennen Was it really too hot to move this weekend? Not much of a break when your plans to enjoy the outdoors run into a wall of heat and humidity. I managed a cup of iced chai at Starbucks and a flea market/farmers market with my daughter….

Lazy, Hazy Days

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Silence, You by A Plastic Rose I slept in! Yes! Well, I’d like to teach myself how to sleep really in, like say nine or so. My “sleeping in” resembles 7:30 instead of 6:30. I can’t help it. I love getting up early in the summer. Too much day to enjoy….

Covering the Freelance Tush

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Old, Old Fashioned by Frightened Rabbit What a day yesterday, in a good way. I accomplished more than I thought I could manage in nine hours. One article, three blog posts, two smaller projects, and a poem for my writing group. I didn’t get a post for this blog ready, but…

Lisa Gates

Lori, thanks for talking about when I'm not paying attention. You are always such a great champion for your tribe…this is a great piece. You have a good nose for a potentially foul smelling deal. 🙂

I think a very practical thing that could help those who are shy about asking is to research comparables.

In this case, I wouldn't be asking other writers because they notoriously undervalue themselves. Rather, what job titles and functions might your work be most like? What are they making per hour? Per year? If you are writing copy and marketing material most of the time, what are in-house communication directors and marketing managers making?

When you have a good idea of your value in the marketplace it can really boost your confidence in seeking more $$.

I have another writer friend who routinely triples the amount she *wants* to quote. So she anchors a $500 writing gig as $1,500. It leaves room for negotiating and elevates her *status* at the same time.

You know we're teaching this stuff again starting Monday, doncha?

Lori

Lisa, I not only have a nose for bad deals, but I seem to have a magnet that draws them in. 😉

Good point to look at corporate counterparts – Marketing Directors, VPs, even high-end consultants – to get a good price fix. You're right. Valuing ourselves against each other when we tend to undervalue and over-deliver is a mistake. We need to really understand our worth and what it's going to require for us to turn a profit and meet our obligations. Notice I didn't say "need." We have to think in terms of our price being a requirement.

Is that the "She Negotiates" course? Very cool!

Rebecca Fernandez

I think this is a really common problem. One thing that helps me is having a local friend who contracts for a few of the same companies. Then we can compare bids (for similar projects) and see if we're undercharging.

I often double or triple my bid, too, as someone mentioned earlier.

Lori

Rebecca, that's a decent approach. I guess the issue is finding someone working in the same areas and industries. Well, an issue for me. 🙂

Good seeing you here!

Wendy

The "posse of editors" worry me, sometimes. Especially if you don't know of anyone else involved in the project. Are they really connected to the client? And, if they are and if you follow their specifications and the project fails, who gets the blame?

As Freelance Business owners, we still need to keep an air of professionalism, so I say everyone should avoid responding to the unknown editing team and only deal with the client who hired you in the first place. Can you imagine forking over sensitive information to people that turn out to be not affiliated with the client at all?

Lori

That's an easy fix, Wendy. You just put it in your contract that the persons stated on the contract are entering into the agreement. Anyone who enters into the work later must be approved by both parties and a new price must be negotiated. I put something like "Any input from a third party not stated in this contract must be approved in writing by both parties or this contract will be void and full payment due immediately." I've had too many people expect me to work with people who jump in last minute. No way.

Wendy

Thank you a bunch! I've been wanting to add something like that in the contract, but haven't figured out how to word it so I'm covered on all the bases. Now I've got an idea! You Rock, Lori!