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Freelance Guide to Building a Client List

Posted on by lwidmer

I don’t know what your writing focus is. I don’t have to. When it comes to finding freelance writing clients, there are quite a few similarities in how most writers market. No matter what marketing mix you use. But first, you have to know who you’ll market to, don’t you? I can’t help you too…

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Writers Worth: This Job, Not That Job

Posted on by lwidmer

I take it back. When I said last week that the job posting we looked at was probably the worst ever, I was wrong. Really wrong. As in really, really wrong. Thanks to Sharon Hurley Hall for sending this along. I couldn’t contain my shock, either. And I’m willing to bet you each what this…

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Writers Worth: This Job, Not That Job

Posted on by lwidmer

One can always tell when there’s an economic meltdown occurring. Besides my own McDonald’s Economics theory, there are the obvious signs that the economy is in the gutter. I’m talking about the job postings. Anyone who knows me at all knows I loathe job postings as a means of building a freelance writing business. It’s…

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33 More Rocking Freelance Resources

Posted on by lwidmer

Seems like everyone is working from home right now. Even as people start venturing back into offices, there are plenty of people still trying to get it all done, but with the distractions of home life interfering. We need things to make life and work a little easier to integrate. It’s been about a year…

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Writers Worth: This Job, Not That Job

Posted on by lwidmer

There’s something about a pandemic that brings out the best in most people. However, it brings out the worst in some people, too. Just take a look at any job board right now and you’ll see some of the most demeaning, insulting “employment offers” there have ever been. Thanks to Devon Ellington for sending this…

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3 Lies Inside the Six-Figure Freelance Writing Claims

Posted on by lwidmer

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…

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Turning Bread-and-butter Freelance Gigs into Caviar Clients

Posted on by lwidmer

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…

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Whiny Freelance Writing Fails: A Rant

Posted on by lwidmer

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…

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The Freelancer Guide to Inbound Marketing

Posted on by lwidmer

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…

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Freelance Files: Why We Fear Pricing

Posted on by lwidmer

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…

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  1. Devon Ellington Avatar
    Devon Ellington

    The constant locally is the refusal to pay the rate, and the demand to lower the rate. “I don’t pay for that” is the typical response when they ask for and receive a quote. Not just that rate, they want it free. No. Or they’ll offer 1/2 to 1/3 of the rate. When I refuse, I’m told, “you should be grateful I even offer to pay at all.” No. You need to value the skills I bring. If you don’t, I’m not working for you.

    Reply
    1. lwidmer Avatar
      lwidmer

      I don’t know how those people, who have the money, look at themselves in the mirror, Devon. The absurdity of wanting quality writing but refusing to pay for it is dumbfounding.

      And that “grateful” BS would be met with “You should be thankful I don’t call you a cheapskate out loud. Oops!”

  2. Paula Hendrickson Avatar
    Paula Hendrickson

    This is why I need to find clients that aren’t periodicals – periodicals set their rates. And while a couple places I write for have increased the rates a little over time, they’re the exceptions.

    A friend of mine had an executive she was interviewing for a trade publication ask how her freelance business was given the pandemic. She replied honestly, saying work had slowed. The executive asked her rate, said, “We can do better than that,” and had someone contact her the next business day. Working only 20-hours/week she said over the span of the six-month contract she stands to earn over $50K. PART TIME. I need a client like that to fall into my lap, too. But it won’t. That’s why I keep sending LOIs and marketing.

    Reply
    1. lwidmer Avatar
      lwidmer

      Yes, that is a problem with periodicals. We can’t do much more than accept their rate or move on, I guess.

      WOW. That tells me one of two things: 1) that’s an incredibly honest client who values her work, and 2) she was underpricing her work to begin with.

      Good for her! We all need those kinds of clients!

    2. lwidmer Avatar
      lwidmer

      And Paula, your marketing is exactly why you DO stand a shot at getting a client like that.

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