I can’t tell you the last time I actively marketed. That’s a confession coming from me, the one who hammers “market constantly” into your brain. Aren’t I the one who convinces you to send those LOIs every day, follow up every week, and repeat the cycle often? And here I am, saying I’ve not practiced…
The Freelance Writing Goal Adjustment Guide
I was reading an article about things successful people do in order to be, well, successful. One point was talking about getting your dream job. The advice was simple: Adjust your goal as you learn more about yourself. Hey, freelance writer — did you just hear that? They’re talking to us, too. We do tend…
13+ Essential (Free) Courses for Freelance Writers
It’s mid-July. You’re probably sitting there, post-4th slump, wondering what to do with the little bit of spare time between projects. How about learning something new? Right now? For free? What you’ll find on the list — plenty of free content from some of the top universities. Even podcasts (plenty of those) so you can…
Luck and the Freelance Writer
Luck. I’m seeing a lot of posts and forum discussions around how luck plays into the lives of freelance writers. Luck is why we found those clients, luck is the reason we landed that great client, luck is how we came across that one post that altered our business approach for the better. Luck gets…
5 Lessons Mister Rogers Taught Me About Writing and Life
In my hometown area, he was an icon, just short of a deity. But we worshipped Mister Rogers anyway — that quiet, unassuming man who just oozed love and understanding. When he spoke, it was in a soothing, quiet voice. Amid all the noise of television, it was a voice you couldn’t help but stop…
Tuesday Take: Writers With Borders
It happened again. Another would-be client restated the parameters of what would have been our working relationship. Not a little restatement, either. It was more of a major WTF involving the actual definition of freelance. What would have been a decent gig was suddenly a no-go from my perspective. It’s also not an uncommon occurrence, either….
7 Things I’ve Learned During My Freelance Writing Career
Recently, I dropped out of a LinkedIn writers’ group. I was already disenchanted by some of the conversations, which revolved around how miserable it was to be a freelancer these days. When a rather sketchy job posting was allowed to stay on the forum — and was defended by the moderator — I knew it…
Running Your Freelance Writing Business Like a Boss
I’ll admit it — at times, I still get a case of the guilts. I’ve been freelancing since 2003, so you think I’d be over that feeling of having to be at this desk at a certain time. Yet every vacation, every day off I took (aside from weekends), I felt like I was playing…
Finding Your Freelance Brand
I’m not here. Really, I’m not. I’m fishing north of the border and enjoying time away from electronics. But I wanted to leave you with some things to think about until I get back. — Cathy Miller does it simply. In fact, she says so. It’s her brand, and it’s a smart one. Her website,…
The “Do Not Think About List” Revisited
Way back in 2013, I wrote about things that unnerve us and that take up too much of our time worrying about, fussing over, or venting to friends about. In the current political and social environment, it might be time to revisit that list. And update it. If anyone needs it, it’s me. I’m addicted…