It was a retweeted article — “Wow, this writer really knows how to be that six-figure writer!” Of course, I clicked. And of course, I read. And of course, I doubted. Why? Because it was once again touting how someone is making six figures through content-mill work. And when I saw what the writer was…
Turning Bread-and-butter Freelance Gigs into Caviar Clients
I was hungry when I wrote this post. And I was thinking about how I was going to approach today’s marketing. The plan is to reach out to existing clients and do a little upselling. Because nothing is more important than keeping current clients in front of you, buying. And if they’re buying those services…
Whiny Freelance Writing Fails: A Rant
This post is a full-on rant. Grab something to drink while a get a few things off my chest. The last month has been an eye-opener in a few ways. Our current stay-the-hell-home situation has exacerbated some of the things that before, when I had some modicum of patience, I was able to look at…
The Freelancer Guide to Inbound Marketing
About four years ago, I did something nuts. Well, I do a lot of things that could fall under that category. But this had to do with my freelance writing business. I admitted something right here on the blog that, well, kind of freaked me out a little. I wrote a post admitting that for…
Freelance Files: Why We Fear Pricing
There’s a custom kitchen installer in our area that we’d been considering. The work they do is absolutely beautiful. More to the point, it’s timeless. We were at a party, and we were admiring the hostess’s kitchen. She’d used this particular company. I commented on how great it looked and asked how long ago it…
Freelance Writing Guide to Managing Client Expectations
What’s the toughest aspect of your client relationship? Managing expectations. What’s the easiest aspect of your client relationship? Managing expectations. Both are true. Hear me out. In the 17+ odd years I’ve been running a freelance writing business full time, I’ve come to realize one truth: [bctt tweet=”Managing your #freelancewriting client’s expectations is both the…
Is Your Freelance Cold Pitch Working? How to tell, and what to do if it isn’t
Everyone and his uncle is in hoarding mode, and things are getting weird. So far, I’ve seen the following shortages: Toilet paper Tofu Live magnolias in pots taller than 2 feet Plain white t-shirts in my size (and under $85) While the tofu was a bit of a surprise, the white t-shirt was just madness….
Your Freelance Writing Career Reinvention
As I was writing yesterday what was my fourth article in six days, I realized something: How busy your freelance writing business is right now really depends on what your focus area is. I was fortunate enough to fall into — and build — a specialty area that is pretty much recession-proof. That is, until…
8 Ways to Create a Productive Freelance Work Day (especially now)
It’s really easy right now to kick back and do nothing. It’s even easier for the ennui and the depression to sink in when you do kick back and do nothing, particularly when it’s a work day and you’re not getting any new work. What’s a freelance writer to do? I get it. Jobs may…
Boosting Your Freelance Writing Career (when there’s an economic meltdown happening)
I don’t need to tell you what it looks like out there. Over 16 million people unemployed. Businesses closed until further notice. But you knew that already. In fact, you may have lost a client or two because of the current pandemic. But guess what? You can gain new clients right now, too. Yes. You…