Freelance Writing Blog

This Job, Not That Job

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What I’m reading: In One Person by John Irving What’s on the iPod: That’s How Strong My Love Is by Taj Mahal My last work day before the annual trade show. For some reason, I don’t feel ready, but the schedule and checklist both say I am. It was the heavy workload coming up to…

Coming Soon: Writers Worth Month

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We interrupt this blog to bring you some news: Just eight days left! Writers Worth Month starts May 1st! Every year, Writers Worth Month attempts to reach freelance writers and help them gain confidence in the value of their skills. The goal is one more freelancer, one more person improving their business through better choices. This…

What Your Network is Saying About You

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What’s on the iPod: Just As Well by Jackie Greene Over the weekend, I had a nice conversation with one of my daughter’s friends. We were talking about her work, my work, and we ended up on the subject of networking. After listening to her experiences at a local networking event, I came away with…

Freelance Writing Business Facts

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What’s on the iPod: Human Error by We Were Promised Jetpacks It was an absolutely gorgeous weekend, though I wouldn’t know much about that. Colds hit at the worst times, and they pretend to be allergies at first. That means I infect everyone around me. My husband and I missed what was surely a fantastic…

Writer Mini Clinic: Finding Ideas

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What’s on the iPod: It Doesn’t Matter Anymore by Linda Ronstadt Taxes are done. Amen. Alleluia. Am I done paying? Ha. Ha. Hahahaha… If you asked me right now who I’d vote for in the next presidential election, it would be the first person to simplify (fairly) the tax process. I’d even switch parties —…

How to Win at Marketing Every Time

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What’s on the iPod: Already Gone by The Eagles Yesterday was a day of planning. I finished a ton of work last week, and now I can take a much slower pace to finish other projects. Plus, I worked on setting up in-person meetings at the upcoming conference. I had one person cancel — not…

33 Places to Learn New Writing Skills for Free

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What’s on the iPod: Late July by Shakey Graves It’s been a productive week so far. I’ve managed to write five articles for one client (complete with interviews, so I had to be efficient about it) and two blog posts for another client. There’s one more feature article due to the first client, so that’s…

Raising Your Professional Rates

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What’s on the iPod: Blue Skies Again by David Mayfield Parade Head over to Freelancer FAQs to see my guest post. Thanks, Elna! What a week. I’m working with a new client on a project launch, which means they need content. Lots of content. The launch is in two weeks. They need eight articles by…

Monthly Assessment: March 2015

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What’s on the iPod: Raised by Wolves by U2 What a week. I’ve had no time to think beyond the two projects in front of me. My workload is rather massive, and I’m digging in and managing to make an impact. Now is when time management is my friend — thank God and my mother…

4 Freelance Writing Truths for Beginners

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What’s on the iPod: All You Ever Do is Bring Me Down by The Mavericks What a productive week so far — I’ve finished two magazine articles and started on four more website articles. I’m a little toasted (and it’s only Wednesday), but I’m determined to get 16 articles to the two clients I’m working…

12 responses to “4 Freelance Writing Truths for Beginners”

Ronda

April 1, 2015

Hey Lori…I can't handle laziness. Had some random guy email me this weekend asking me to tell him who was hiring freelancers. First, I don't know you. Second, how about you go dig up your own clients like the rest of us have. This is a business. It's fun and wonderful and I love it. But it's still work. And btw, I'm excited today b/c it's my 5-year anniversary. I started full-time freelancing 5 years ago today. I've been reading you for years, Lori, so I know you're definitely part of my success. Thanks for all your words of wisdom!
Cathy Miller

April 1, 2015

First, congrats, Ronda, on your anniversary! If you're like me, I don't feel that far removed from being a newbie (My 7th anniversary is in November). I recall how overwhelming all the information is – even when you've done a lot of researching before making the leap to freelancing.

I made a lot of mistakes, read a lot of bad advice, and I still do. Such is life. My suggestion to newbies is do your homework, and ask specific questions, rather than vague, open-ended questions that could take a book to answer (which is probably why there ARE books on freelancing). 😉

Like ask what my favorite books/blogs are on freelancing, then go see what you think.

Participate in blog communities and forums.

Following on your sentiment, Lori, regarding passive income – freelancing (like any career) is NOT passive. It's hard work.
Lori Widmer

April 1, 2015

Ronda, congratulations! Feels good, doesn't it? 🙂 And I don't blame you — I'm not stopping to help someone do the basic work they should have done already. It's rude to expect a stranger to find work for you. I agree!

And thank you for the generous compliment, but you did the hard work, girl. That success is all yours. 🙂

Cathy, great advice. Mistakes happen, and they're learning experiences. Blogs and forums — AMEN. Pay attention, too. Not all advice is going to fit, nor is it always said with the right intention. I would highly suspect commentary from people who mention their products/courses in the same breath.

The word "passive" is what's deceiving, right? I've seen people flock to the passive-income idea. Uh huh. And what work do you need to do in order to get it to the passive point? If you're smart, a lot more work than you first think. 🙂
Emily Fowler

April 1, 2015

Ronda, spooky, I had an email like that too this weekend – I wonder if it was the same guy? I just deleted it, how rude.Congratulations on your 5 year anniversary!

I've also had someone asking me to 'give' them my 'overflow' work. We'd literally just connected on LinkedIn, I removed him straight away. I've helped out a writer friend recently because she had some things going on that meant she wasn't able to complete everything she had on her plate, but again, she knows and trusts me!
Lori Widmer

April 1, 2015

Emily, there's the difference. You know her. You have a relationship with her. The LinkedIn person didn't have either going for him/her.
KeriLynn Engel

April 1, 2015

So… I think I got an email from the same guy! Out of the blue, some stranger asking me if I knew of any "companies hiring writers." Um, no. I sent him a list of recommended resources (including this blog!), but never got a thank you.

I used to spend time trying to help people who randomly emailed me for advice or "interviews" or whatever, but decided to stop when I realized how much time it was eating, and how few of them ever said thank you.
Lori Widmer

April 1, 2015

Keri, now I'm worried. I just added someone on LinkedIn — a guy who's a writer. I'm hoping this isn't his way of marketing. I may have to straighten him out.
Paula

April 1, 2015

Wow. I'm starting to feel under-appreciated or at least left out because that guy hasn't asked me who's hiring freelance writers.

April Fools! (Okay, fellow wordsmiths…is it plural, singular, possessive? I've never heard a definitive answer.)

It's one thing for a newbie to ask, "How did you get started," but things have changed since I started freelancing back in the Dark Ages. Knowing how I got started won't be very helpful to someone starting out today who probably won't know what a SASE is or why anyone would want one.

Persistence is the habit I appreciate both the most and the least. If a new writer is persistent in marketing their writing services and seeking out clients, it's great. But if they're persistent in hounding me to hold their hand, it's not so great.
Krista

April 1, 2015

Oh dear–I'm eight years in (yikes!) and people still don't get it. Just a few months ago I had someone tell me "my friend wants to do what you do because she doesn't want to leave her baby to go back to work." Huh? I have a baby and I can tell you when my husband is done his leave I will need some sort of childcare so I can…you know…work. It's like people have this idea that I can just sit down and leisurely tap on the keyboard for a few minutes while the baby naps. And I totally agree about "overflow" work. The concept of "bulk" work is also vaguely offensive to me! I'm not an assembly line.
Lori Widmer

April 1, 2015

Paula, I wouldn't mind that question, either. It may help more to hear ways in which other writers started. Helps you find a way in (or avoid one). And amen with persistence –applied in the right direction, it's a great thing. Otherwise, bug off. 🙂

Krista, you're so right! I remember when my kids were little, there was no working with them around! And frankly, nap times aren't long enough (nor was it fair that I didn't get one). You can't be productive with a baby around — you just can't.

That woman wouldn't last through the first diaper change, to be honest. I did my best work when my kids went to school. 🙂
Peter Bowerman

April 10, 2015

Love all this, Lori!

Collectively, we need to dispel the myth of overflow work; it's definitely one with a long shelf-life! In addition to what you and the commenters have pointed out here (i.e., that it really doesn't happen that much at all, and when it does I have trusted sources to go to), I’d add the related misconception that the work we do is just so easily transferable to someone else with no background or experience with the subject. I think the freelancers asking questions like this are still in the "article" mindset, as if freelance writing only includes that project type.

Had to chuckle at the point about asking advice… Egads, how often has this happened? Though, at least in my case, when somebody asks me, "How do I get started?" I can very comfortably say, "Read my book. It'll answer every question you have now plus a whole lot more that you haven't even thought of yet."

That said, I try to answer all email I get (and I usually succeed). But I too have been somewhat flabbergasted by how often I never get a thank-you. I'm not sure what's up with that. If it's a younger person writing, there does seem to be a serious entitlement thing going on with them…

Good stuff!

PB
Lori Widmer

April 10, 2015

So true, Peter! And I love your response — "Read my book" — good answer!

I like your point about the skills not necessarily being transferable from writer to writer. You're probably right about the notion that it's all article work. The attached presumption with that thinking is that all article work is alike. I know a few writers I've hired who have given up on what I do. It's not easy — not inaccessibly hard, but definitely not a "4 Things You Need to Improve Your Workers Comp Program" kind of stuff.

Regarding advice: I've been lucky — the people who have asked me for advice have thanked me. And almost to the person, they've asked smart questions and not expected me to wax on endlessly on their behalf. There were those few, however…oy!