Words on the Page

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Psyche!Lisa Gates mentioned a freelance writer who gets in her car, backs out of her driveway and pulls right back in. It’s her way of getting “psychologically ready” for work. How much trouble do you have getting psyched for work? Yes, you have the desk, the equipment, the time and maybe even the clients. But…

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Jobs Listings! Come and get ’em: Fashion WritersFreelance Magazine WritersSenior WriterFreelance WriterCopy WriterFreelance WriterTech FreelancersPress Release WriterNewsletter WriterFreelance WritingFreelance Writer

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Teach Your Children WellI’m excited – my daughter’s journalism class has invited me to talk with them tomorrow. The teacher wants me to tell them what a journalist’s life is like. It should be fun, despite the hour (7:30? Do people dress that early?). One thing I have to address is deadlines. In fact, if…

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When There Isn’t A ClueA recent editorial in the local newspaper featured a new freelancer going on about how much she was enjoying what she called “the latte life” – sitting in cafes and being a writer. She painted such a lovely picture of what freelance writers do all day that I wanted to be…

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The Complaint Department Recent “writerly” talk turned to what’s discussed in weblogs. Some suggested that weblogs were bitch-and-moan sessions that reflected badly on the writer. What’s your weblog say about you? Do you complain? If your clients were reading your weblog, would you still stand by your posts? It made me think about what I…

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Jobs Listings In hopes that some of the work I come across will be a better fit for others, I’ve decided to start posting weekly job listings. Here are a few I’ve found – Freelance Technology Investments Writer Freelance Writers Regular Article Writer News Writer Newport Daily News Specialist Regulatory Writer

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Write About What? If you haven’t read Kristen King’s Notes in the Margin newsletter yet, now’s a good time. That’s because Kristen was kind enough to include an article from yours truly on what to write about. Thanks, Kristen! While at the site, please feel free to subscribe to Kristen’s email newsletter. It’s loaded with…

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More Meme (sigh)… I can’t ignore it any longer. Leigh tagged me. Here are the questions I must answer: To whom am I blogging?I blog to writers both new and not-so-new. Am I talking to you?I hope so. I hope through my mistakes and through what I happen to have done right, you learn something….

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The Mantras Talk of various mantras has made me wonder – what are your mantras? I’m not talking just those things that motivate you. What abotu those things that you must refuse to do? I have a couple: – I will not work for less than I could make at McDonald’s.– I will not work…

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When to Hold Your TongueI have this new project (an ongoing one) that isn’t going well. It’s not the work – no, I’ve done some already. It’s the level of organization in my client (the nonexistent level of organization, to be precise). I do not like to “kiss and tell” as they say, so that’s…

A Wealth of Words

Good post, and very timely as far as I’m concerned. I’m preparing to file in small claims court over an unpaid invoice. I gave the guy 10 days to pay and he wrote me a nasty e-mail and told me he never signed anything agreeing to late fees. I would think late fees would be pretty standard when your invoice is FORTY-FIVE days overdue, but maybe that’s just me.

Also said he never got an invoice from me, yet I have a saved voicemail from a company rep stating that he specifically said a check was being sent out the same day the message was left.

I can’t wait to go to court…I’d rather just get my money, but I’ll have to be satisfied with having my day in the legal system.

Lori

You GO, Leigh! Watch his tune change the moment he gets notice. If you can show you attempted more than once to get payment, you’ll get your judgment. Getting the money may be another matter, but the justification could be sweet!

Or, you could say, “Look – you pay this now and we can forget the late fees.” And give him just a few short days to do so. Then tack them on. Do this all in writing!

Try calling the Attorney General’s office in the state where he does business. It may happen with just one phone call from them.

Carol

I would also say to Leigh to remind him that copyright doesn’t transfer until the bill is paid. So, theoretically, if he’s used (or uses) your work, you can sue for copyright enfringement, too.

Good luck to both you guys.

A Wealth of Words

Carol:

I’m not quite sure how that would work in this case. He subbed out sell sheet copywriting to me and it was a rush project. The day after I finished it, the sheets were printed and his client used them at a trade show the next day.

So I don’t think I can pull off the “I own the copyright” argument here because he had an agreement with his client to transfer the copyright to the client.

If you know of anything I could do in this case, I’d appreciate the tip! You can comment on my blog or e-mail me using the e-mail in my profile.

Lisa Gates

Hi all,
Okay, someone let the coach out of the closet. Please, please hear these comments in the spirit of contribution. In the spirit of inquiry. I work with people every day in exactly this spot.

I have lots of questions about responsibility, as in, are YOU taking personal responsibility? Said another way, if you were 100% responsible (not as in blame, as in leader) what would you do? What needs to be put in place so that the future doesn’t look like the past?

If you choose not to be 100% responsible, what might future client relationships look like?

Do you spell out in your agreement, both in writing and verbally, what you need to work effectively?

Are you willing to risk losing the job by reminding your clients about their agreements when they start to go south?

Do you give by-when dates and times in every communication?

Here’s the biggies:

What values do you honor when you are definite? When you reiterate the agreements? When you set deadlines? When you choose not to work further when deadlines are not met or when agreements are broken?

What would it be like to tell your disorganized client that you notice he’s disorganized, not getting people to the table, having trouble returning emails and calls? Can you be authentic?

What would it be like to honor your values and risk being fired?

If your thoughts create reality, what do you think your words do?

What if all of your answers begin with the word “I”?

I am honestly interested in your answers, and would be honored to read them.

Lisa

A Wealth of Words

Ahem…didn’t I tag you like 4 days ago?

Lori

Lisa, thank you so much for your comments. I can answer your questions thusly (and thank you for asking them – they speak directly to independence v. dependence):

I would (and did) write an email to said client giving bullet points on what I expect from our arrangement. Very detailed, in fact. This client was told when I expect feedback, how I like to be contacted and when I will bill. In her case, she needs some organization help and I’m more than willing to do my part to keep her on track.

Today will be another bulleted email (sometimes busy people just respond better to bullet points) asking for clarifications on ongoing assignments and spelling out more of the relationship going forward. All with a small disclaimer – “Let’s discuss any questions or concerns.”

Gone are the days of relying on others. Luckily (??) I’ve been burned enough to get what you’re saying – take that bull by the horns and steer (pun intended) it in the right direction!

Lisa, you rock. :))

Lisa Gates

Lori,
So glad you responded. I had a little monster on my shoulder screaming, “who asked you???”

My favorite tactic is transparency. All elephants in the living room, NOW!

Great work, great post.

L

Lori

Lisa, I am glad for your input! In fact, wanna be the subject of a post? I’d love to interview you!

Lori

Leigh, I’m ignoring the fact that I’m to meme. :))

Lisa Gates

Lori,
Wow. I’d be honored. Asking questions is an occupational hazard for both of us I’d say…;)