Side hustle. Gig worker. Ugh. What I hate about these terms – and what you should hate, too – is how they diminish what you do. These terms suggest you’re dabbling. You’re not serious. You’re hustling. You’re just part of the latest fad, that “gig” economy. Screw that. You, my freelance friend, are a business…
Winning the “Do you write this?” Freelance Interview
Show of (virtual) hands — how many of you have had conversations with prospective clients that go something like this: Client: Tell me a little about yourself. You: I’ve been writing in the XYZ industry/writing ABC projects for the last eight years. My clients include 1, 2, and 3 plus a few clients whose work…
Relationship Marketing: Your Freelance Secret Weapon
Quite a few years ago, one of my best friends I’ve never met said something eye-opening. “You’re not very good at marketing.” I stifled a laugh and held my tongue. The reason: She said this as she was retooling her business model to include something produced by me. And it was something I hadn’t asked…
6 Ways Freelancers Are Leaving Money on the Table
I mentioned in my last post that in 2021, I left way too much money on the table. I undercharged. Given the huge amount of work I had, that was a serious oversight. No tears for me — I still had a phenomenal year. But if I’d been paying attention, I could have retired in…
The 2023 Freelancer: Building Your Value
Last week we talked about where your freelance rates should be. Hopefully it has you thinking about how to raise your rates with freelance clients. Perhaps too you’ve been thinking about what you bring to the table. What are those things you do that keep clients coming back? Those things, my friend, are valuable. They…
Freelance Rates: Where Should Yours Be?
It’s 2023, writer: Do you know where your rate is? If it’s still at the same level it was a few days ago in 2022, you’re cheating yourself. I mentioned this several times over the last year: I spent 2021 undercharging (and overworking) and lost a shit-ton of money as a result. In fact, had…
Using Freelancing to Combat Racism
My friend related this story to me a while ago. It bears repeating. She was driving home from her sister’s and was within a mile of her house when she saw the lights flashing behind her. She pulled over, trying to figure out what she’d done wrong. The officer approached her car window and asked…
6 Revealing Freelance F-Ups
Ah, December. A time in which you’re either refreshing your email constantly looking for client work or so busy you forget to wrap presents. Or buy them. No matter what camp you’re in this year, let’s start December with some fun facts. Freelance tells, let’s call them. Observations from some of the shit that’s been…
Freelance Files: Is This Freelance Client Worth It?
Welcome to a new series on the blog. No matter where you are in your freelance writing career, you’re going to come across a client that seems like a great find on the surface. Dig underneath, however …. I hope with this series, we’ll be better equipped to vet clients — even existing clients —…
One Preemptive Move to Reduce Freelance Client Friction
Quite a few years ago, I had this client. She handed me an unwieldy project every year and paid me well to tackle it. What she didn’t pay me for was the barrage of emails she sent. Each time she thought of something, she’d send an email. When you’re receiving and answering about 12 emails…