I guess that’s a nice way of saying “commencing litigation.” I was relaying the huge amount of outstanding invoices (over $9K) to my husband, who asked why I didn’t have an attorney to chase these things down. Well, probably because I can’t afford one. He questioned that logic, citing that attorneys would typically take a…
Admitting to Limitations
Got a note from a prospective client the other day after I’d responded to an ad. The question came – Do you have experience writing about this, that, and this other thing? I didn’t have that experience. All of us get these questions. Not all of us have the experience they’re looking for. It’s at…
Yes Virginia, There Really Are Pork Bellies
I’m researching a new article on the financial crisis. Finance is something that’s fascinated me, but not quite my strongest area yet. The article I proposed has to do with speculation in the markets. Okay, I’ve lost most of you right now. I know, I know. Stop snoring and listen up, though, for I’m about…
Why Blogging Isn’t The Same As Article Writing
I read an interesting article in The Atlantic this week by Andrew Sullivan about blogging – why we do it (or more to the point, why he does it). He made the point that blogging is not like article writing in that your audience is not once-removed from you. If they don’t like what you’ve…
Return of the Sham Job Offers
Ah, fall. Gorgeous scenery, crispness in the air, the march of the morons… I’m talking about the sudden onslaught of gawd-awful job postings that seem to crop up as the holidays near. Not that crappy offers have a particular season, but they tend to be in ample supply right now. One I read yesterday had…
When You’re Out of the Office
Man of mine had minor surgery on Friday, which meant I had to free up my day in order to help him pre- and post-surgery. I informed the client base, but not all. Why? Because not all needed me that week. In fact, only two actually needed to know where I was and why I…
Friday Freelance Facts
1. No matter how professionally you conduct your own business, there are any number of people out there who will not extend the same professionalism back to you. Expect it and screw on that professional face with every interaction. In other words, be the bigger person. 2. The Murphy’s Law of Freelancing – if it’s…
Lousy Job of the Week
Since our Irreverent Freelancer Kathy Kehrli is on temporary hiatus, I thought I’d help pick up some of the slack left in her absence. Kathy typically brings us The Ultimate Get-A-Clue Freelance Request weekly. In keeping with her theme, I bring you this week’s entrant for the Crappy Employer of the Minute Award: “(Guilty company)…
Making Lemonade
Those of you who read here regularly know of my boneheaded mistake last week – I wrote a fabulous article only to find out I’d written the wrong one. This week is redemption time. I spent the better part of yesterday searching for a home for the mistake, and I may have landed on one…
Standing Up for Your Business
Bankers, I get it. The economy’s got you all running a little scared. I understand. Yet if you start squeezing us small business people for inane (and in some cases, contract-breeching) things, you’re going to lose us. Time for a little dose of Chill Out, okay? I say this because my bank, the one I…