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…
This Freelance Job, Not That Freelance Job
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…
Where Your Freelance Writing Guru is Wrong
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…
One Writer’s Superpower That Could Land You More Clients
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…
Stupid Math Tricks Freelancers Perform
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 …….
The No-bullshit Freelance Income Stream Guide
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…
The Freelance Writing Contract, Explained
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…
Refining Your Freelance Message
Sometimes these posts just write themselves. I was in the company of someone a few months back who’s a real talker. Mind you, I like a good conversation, and I love hearing other opinions. What I don’t love, nor does anyone else beyond theater and the comedy circuit, is a monologue. And no one loves…
How Far You’ve Come, Freelancer
Unlike the rest of humanity, who is busy trying to piece together some resolutions they’ll forget in a week, today isn’t about looking forward. It’s about looking back at your own freelance writing journey. A number of years ago, I was talking with a cousin, who happened to be hoeing her garden. I mentioned how…
What Turns Freelance Writers into Cynics?
Since very few people are in today or the rest of the year, let’s have a little fun. I was talking offline with a writer friend, and we were going about the business of reading into people’s motives. Then it dawned on me — I’ve become a cynic. And a skeptic, but that’s probably another…