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How to Schedule Like a Freelance Writing Boss

Posted on by lwidmer

It happened again. I spent Tuesday through Friday of last week in the hospital. It was one of those health issues that just can’t be ignored, but once treated, it’s just a waiting game. And since it had happened once before, I knew it when it happened, so I calmly gathered what I’d need —…

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The #1 Way to Earn More at Freelance Writing

Posted on by lwidmer

I’m in the middle of a long run of constant work. I’ve met my March earnings goal with the projects I have on hand already, and it’s only the 4th of the month. You want that too, right? Look, there are precious few “secrets” to making a living freelance writing. Most of what you’ll do…

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Freelance Writing Marketing Mistakes You Didn’t Know You Were Making

Posted on by lwidmer

A while back, there was an odd exchange happening on a forum I frequent. One of the forum members asked a pretty general question about, you guessed it, how to find more work. The writer did give a snapshot of her background, and stated, amid a bit of complaining about her lot in life, that…

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What My Fitness Tracker Has Taught Me About Running a Freelance Writing Business

Posted on by lwidmer

I did something seriously wrong last week. Something that had me overthinking, overdoing, and generally stretching myself beyond my capacity and abilities. That’s right: I accepted and participated in a FitBit Workweek Challenge. I thought it would be a nice way to see how friends and their friends were progressing. I thought it would motivate…

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This Freelance Job, Not That Freelance Job

Posted on by lwidmer

As you look over your career, you’re going to see plenty of ups and downs. If you’re fortunate, you’ll see more positives, and maybe you’ll see you’ve overcome some pretty significant negatives. One negative that never changes is the crappy jobs that continue to be offered. Thanks to writing chum Sharon Hurley Hall for this…

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Where Your Freelance Writing Guru is Wrong

Posted on by lwidmer

It’s been a while since we’ve talked about one of the largest elephants in the freelance writing room. That’s right — I’m talking about the self-professed writing guru. Look, I have no problem with writers teaching others what they know. I have no problem with them charging for it, either. Really. Why shouldn’t they? They…

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One Writer’s Superpower That Could Land You More Clients

Posted on by lwidmer

I was talking with a writer friend a few days ago. She was relating an interaction with a potential client when it dawned on me: This writer has a superpower. Moreover, her superpower is so stealth, it’s taken me numerous conversations before I realized she had it. This is a writer who has an impressive…

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Stupid Math Tricks Freelancers Perform

Posted on by lwidmer

Sometimes, freelance writer, it isn’t your idea that’s the problem. Sometimes it’s not an idea at all. No seriously, that’s not an idea you have. It’s a pipe dream. Case in point: in a forum recently, a friend of mine said she’d seen where an aspiring writer announced she’d chosen a niche. Great! Only …….

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The No-bullshit Freelance Income Stream Guide

Posted on by lwidmer

Know what I’m sick of? Empty posts full of keywords that are meant to get traffic, not help the reader. That was my experience yesterday when I went searching for ways for freelance writers to create multiple streams of income. I’d read Diane Parkin’s post about how she’d employed an Income Octopus Method two years…

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The Freelance Writing Contract, Explained

Posted on by lwidmer

Thanks to longtime chum David Geer for resurrecting this four-year-old post the other day with this comment: This post is rocking awesome, and I’m not surprised, Lori, you always bring the good stuff. I have a selfish request: could you post an article with an example of a solid writer contract in its entirety? I…

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  1. Debbie Avatar
    Debbie

    This is fantastic–thank you!

    Reply
    1. lwidmer Avatar
      lwidmer

      You’re very welcome, Debbie! Hope it helps.

  2. Devon Ellington Avatar
    Devon Ellington

    I need to add the Third Party clause to mine. That’s a glaring error in my contract.

    My late fee is 20%.

    I also have a “rush fee” clause. Anything that requires turnaround in less than 3 business days requires a rush fee.

    Because I bill for phone time, in 15-minute increments, that’s another clause.

    For ghostwriting, I have a clause to allow me to use excerpts as portfolio samples that do not give away specific details of the person for whom I’ve ghosted.

    A lot of my clients are one-and-done, so I have the deposit and payment schedule.

    If it’s a project with specific deadlines, I include those dates and the turnaround by when something MUST be back to me in order to meet the next deadline. With the caveat that missing deadlines incurs extra fees or a renegotiation.

    Reply
    1. lwidmer Avatar
      lwidmer

      Excellent additions, Devon. You’re right about the upfront payment — because this particular client was known to me, I didn’t have that. But it’s a damn good idea otherwise.

  3. Krista Avatar
    Krista

    Apologies in advance if this is a bit off topic. In the industry I’m in, the client usually provides the contract. Usually it’s pretty standard and nothing is of concern. However, twice in the past week I’ve seen something I haven’t come across before. The contract includes a clause stating the freelancer needs to take out liability insurance and name the client as an additional insured. Is this something new, or is it just coincidence that I’ve only encountered it recently? What do you think about it? I did get it removed in one case, but in the other the client is adamant about keeping it in.

    Reply
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