Words on the Page

Worthwhile Tip: Stop Apologizing

Posted on by lwidmer

This week’s worth-inducing tip attempts to undo what could be a genetic flaw, but that’s never stopped me from trying. Too often writers, mostly those at the beginning of their careers, will insert an apology alongside a proposal. Raise your hand if you’ve said or typed any of the following paraphrased lines: – “I’m sorry,…

Checks, Lies, and Silly Red Tape

Posted on by lwidmer

Some of them are good – very good. I’m talking about the clients and pseudo-clients who cajole us into sticking our necks out or taking on work or working conditions that normally we’d run from. But haven’t we all said, “But they were so nice!” Yes, they were. It’s how they get you. By investing…

Partnering for Perfection

Posted on by lwidmer

It’s been a bit of an angst-filled week so far. One of my newer projects isn’t going well, and it seems it’s more a matter of I-don’t-get-their-business-model rather than I can’t please them. The client is hanging in there with me and giving me some additional attention, which is great. I love when we all…

Myth Busting

Posted on by lwidmer

It cracks me up to read writer advice columns sometimes. So many of them parrot what they think to be true without really considering if it holds up in practice. My least favorite: Write what you know. Considering that back a few decades ago when I first heard this advice I was living in the…

Manic Mondays

Posted on by lwidmer

So far this morning the power has gone out and with these high winds, I suspect it’ll be more of the same all day. I’m fortunate that my deadlines are Friday. It’s going to be a long day. It was a long weekend, too. I was on edge – a client had written and expressed…

Worthy Tip: Stand Up

Posted on by lwidmer

Welcome to Friday. If you’re like me, you look forward to weekends during the busy times especially. Today I’m floating on the remnants of the wonder-drug codeine and its counterpart penicillin. I’ll kill this sinus infection or myself. Either way, I’ll not be sick much longer. Today’s worthy tip: When dealing with client negotiations this…

Say Aaaaahhh

Posted on by lwidmer

This has been the best week. Yes, I’ve been miserable with this cold/sinus infection, but when I open my email in the morning, I don’t tense up or stress. I smile. More signs that dropping those projects was a great idea. Because I fulfill my obligations, I still have residual edits coming in from this…

Recovering

Posted on by lwidmer

I’m not talking about my recovery, but yours. Mistakes, errors in judgment, bad decisions just happen. Sometimes it’s because we’re inundated with too much work, sometimes it’s because we open our mouths and insert our foots, sometimes we take on something we’re not sure we can handle. It happens to everyone. How we recover, well,…

Thump, Thump, Thump

Posted on by lwidmer

That’s the beat hammering out in my sinuses right now. Having had little sleep last night thanks to the sinus infection that’s taken over where the cold left off, I’m exhausted. I went to sleep with high hopes – I’d had a good day, little coughing, much healing. Then I made the mistake of lying…

Politically Speaking

Posted on by lwidmer

Maybe it’s a new trend and I’m behind the curve, but I’ve been seeing a great deal of email correspondence, tweets, and bold statements lately from business colleagues expressing their political views in group emails or segmented business groups. Before you think I’m overreacting, know that these are people with whom I’ve worked but have…

AnnaLisa Michalski

I haven't seen this from clients or potentials (so far)–thank goodness. Certainly I agree that personal is personal and business is business, and rarely, if ever, should the two meet.

I have never publicly claimed a particular political affiliation. Yet personal contacts of all political stripes are convinced I'm "with them" on one issue/candidate or another and routinely pass along their emotionally charged, misinformed, hatemongering opinions to me. When I see an obviously political email in my box, I hit "delete" without hesitation. I can't imagine I'd be able to muster up any more polite response than that with someone who WASN'T my personal friend.

A side note: I used to work for an advertising/marketing/public relations firm. The company handled a wide array of products and causes, but it never, ever took on political campaigns. I once asked why. The VP said she and the prez turned down those clients because once a PR firm has worked on one end of the spectrum, it is forever pigeonholed–her term–in that spot. They didn't want to end up colored with someone else's brush. I had (and still have) a lot of respect for that position.

Lori

That's a great reason not to touch it. I wonder if the political parties have a difficult time finding those who will take on their campaign marketing? I worried that taking on the book would lump me into one category or another, but I was the ghostwriter, so it's doubtful. 🙂

Carson

I'm an opinionated person and I'm sure that my politics have occasionally bubbled to the surface over the years. When among friends on Facebook, for instance, I'm not shy about climbing atop my soapbox.

However, I don't make an effort to round up votes and I don't make a point of sending out politically-charged emails. Business is business–we can talk about the issues elsewhere under different circumstances.

I don't see a great deal of politics in my email exchanges with clients and colleagues, but I do see more than enough of it among my Twitter followers.

I don't always mind it. We're all political animals and the urge to express ourselves can be hard to resist. I'm willing to accept and to work with those who may not share my slot on the political spectrum. I'm open to learning and appreciate a diversity of viewpoints.

However, I won't suffer a fool. I can't stand stupid poli-tweets and I have a reasonably high threshold for what constitutes acceptable, opinionated political discourse.

It may not have a huge impact on "offenders", but when I notice a stupid political tweet (and that's a purely subjective matter), I unfollow. Instantly. My life is far too short to hang around with jackasses who spend their days jabbering about conspiracies, repeating the rantings of lunatic pundits or equating Presidents with the anti-christ (whether the POTUS in question is an Obama or a Bush).

Gabriella F.

Funny, Lori, I haven't seen this among my clients.

I'm crazy with politics–love to talk about and debate politics.

However, I make it a point not to discuss politics on my Facebook page because many of my clients are "friends." I don't want to offend any of my clients, and like you say, it has nothing to do with our business relationship.

Doing anything other than that is just asking for trouble.

Anne Wayman

Great topic Lori… and yes, I've had one client who started sending out emails I consider almost dangerous.

Our project was a long one and had gone off the rails due to, well not me. I'd had a brainstorm about rescuing it and then I got one of his anti-this and conspiracy-that and decided to just let it drop.

I'm politically active and occasionally express my (ahem)liberal views on http://www.aboutfreelancewriting.com and elsewhere.

One result is I usually get like-minded clients which suits me just fine.

I've also turned down work when I've realize our belief systems were miles apart and actually opposed to each other.

Most of the time I'm big enough to wish them well, but I don't want them in my life and figure they don't really want me either.

A

Devon Ellington

I'm politically active, but I keep it — to a certain extent — separate from most of my business writing.

However, if I find out that a client has views and is active in something I think is heinous –whether it's a business practice or a political one– I'm out of there.

I'm not interested in furthering agendas I find deplorable simply because I'm a persuasive writer and can make a buck.

I discuss politics with close friends, and, as far as networking, i probably interact politically more on Twitter than elsewhere.

I think there are times when one's politics don't matter — but there are also times when the politics do matter, and one has to make the choice whether working with someone damages your own integrity.

Holly Rutchik

Sorry, that was me – I deleted a comment because my two year old had the keyboard and hit post before I read it over – and corrected many mistakes:)
I agree with this post, and have found this to be a problem in the writing world.

Jill

"when I notice a stupid political tweet (and that's a purely subjective matter), I unfollow."

I have done this. I am only on Twitter for business reasons, so almost everyone I follow is a writer, editor, or potential client. When someone consistently gets political in a way I find offensive, I unfollow. That's not what I need to see when I check Twitter.

Paula

Thankfully I've never had any editors or clients espousing their political or religious views – not even the guy who runs a newspaper that relishes every opportunity to publicly chastise local politicians and some of their poor decisions.

On the other hand, my uncle and one of my neighbors both send me a lot of political e-mails. I'm not a blind follower of any political party, I prefer to weigh the options and choose the best person for the job. Perhaps the fact that I haven't bashed their party's policies has led them to believe I support that party and its more extremist views? Both of them are adamant in their beliefs, so I'm not going to waste my time trying to sway their opinions. I just hit delete.

One thing my uncle and that neighbor might not realize is that bombarding me with negative messages about their political enemies isn't a smart way to win independents over. It just makes their party come across as mean, nasty, judgmental and ignorant.

Lori

Wow! Didn't expect so much discussion around this one. Glad for all your input, folks.

Carson, I'm also fairly outspoken. I'm sure anyone could guess my political affiliations by a few of my posts. But like you said, it's a different matter when someone sends you off-topic, group emails with slants that are either false or just plain nuts. Email is NOT the place for it. Yes, go for it on Facebook, or even Twitter. If I don't like what I see, I stop following. I did that with one guy whose agenda was set on "constant spew." It gets old.

Gabriella, normally I don't see it, either. It usually comes from friends. But getting a few lately in my in box just didn't sit well, you know? It's as though we've broken through a wall that is better left standing.

Devon, I have friends who are very active, too. I donate to my cause, but like you, I don't wave the banner. I'm of the opinion that the vote is secret for a reason and I don't have to share no matter how much someone insists.

No worries, Holly. I've had my share of kids typing for me in my day. 🙂 How often do you see these sorts of things? It seems to me, from my opinion only, that it's much more prevalent these days to hear people talking politics in the office, at trade shows, etc.

Anne, I took on work from someone whose political affiliation was opposite mine. I did so because she was just such a great person and she never beat the "recruitment" drum or got into any discussions about how much better her party was than mine. She didn't know what mine was, either. That helped. :))

Jill, me too. I appreciate that people join Twitter to politicize. It's just not me. I like hearing opposing viewpoints, but I don't like being beaten senseless by them, nor do I stand for judgment.

There's my worry, Paula. If you're interested in getting more folks to your side, why do you present your side as though the other side has horns, talons, and a taste for human flesh? I think all current parties have pros and cons, but you'd never know it to hear them talk about each other!

Kimberly Ben

I'll admit to being quite political and having strong options about controversial topics, but I completely agree with you, Lori, about keeping a lid on it.

I appreciate the differences between me and others and am not one to take things too personally; but I also respect the fact that everyone can't just turn the other cheek so easily so I choose not to go there on forums, blogs, social media sites and what not.

Lori

You're right, Kim. The blogs and social media sites ARE for such things. Just not email, especially group email to acquaintances.

I'm all for a good political discussion on a blog, etc. It just feels intrusive when it's coming at you from nowhere.