Words on the Page

The Remote Writer

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Quiet Little Voices by We Were Promised Jetpacks I’ve not mentioned it, but I’ve been on vacation since December 6th. Right now, we’re on our way back from Florida. December was a good choice for time away — nothing’s happening, and client projects were finished at the beginning of the…

Great, Unique Gifts for Writers

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers We’ve all seen the usual lists of gifts for writers. Journals? Pens? Again? Not this time. I’ve decided it’s time we stop taking the word “writer” so literally and start being creative in our writerly gift-giving. Here are a few things that writers…

The Writer Face-to-face Guide

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Relax My Beloved by Alex Clare This week, my projects are wrapped up and I’m marketing like mad. I want to sew up a few project commitments for January, and I have a few clients who have promised to come back in a week or two with some other needs. I’ve…

The Modern, Adaptable Writer

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Backyard Skulls by Frightened Rabbit It’s been a very productive week. I’ve wrapped up two projects and I got the invoices out. Let’s hope some of that shows up before the holidays. Today and the rest of the week will be full-out marketing. I’d love to have some more work lined…

Monthly Assessment: November 2014

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Iceberg by We Invented Paris This is one busy week. I’m trying to wrap up not one, but three projects before Friday. That means getting my invoicing in order for this month and getting some leads in line for January work. At the moment, I do have some work coming in,…

Vacation Week: Music That Inspires Me

Posted on by lwidmer

I hope to have finished my immediate projects and have today off. I suspect so, as Friday went well with one particular project. If so, I’m checking in as I bake and prepare for tomorrow. Today I’m sharing a few favorite videos. Please share links to your favorites in the comments section. Happy Thanksgiving, friends!…

Vacation Week: Favorite Reads

Posted on by lwidmer

This is a vacation week. Forget getting any work done — your clients and mine aren’t here. They’re grabbing some free time, as we all should. I’m working, but only today and tomorrow. I have a client script project due next week, so I want to get the drafts completed, today if possible. Wednesday is…

Free Advice Friday: Surviving Holiday Writing Project Pauses

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: All Too Well by Taylor Swift Writers: Be sure to catch an all new All Indie Writers podcast by Jenn Mattern! Her guest this week is Princess Jones. Well, I started the week with two projects. I now have seven projects with shorter deadlines coming up on a holiday week. I’m…

Changing the Client Conversation

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Parted Ways by Heartless Bastards Do not miss Jenn Mattern’s podcast tomorrow featuring special guest Princess Jones. Visit the podcast page at All Indie Writers for more info. About a year ago,I decided to throw some of my energy behind a poetry career. At the time, I was co-partner of the 5…

Writing Without Knowledge

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Peachtree Battle by Butch Walker It’s Monday already? I’m expecting a good start to the week. I have a good bit of work already done on an article assignment, I’ve been ramping up marketing and it’s starting to pay off. Also, I hope to see a large client project finish up…

Anne Wayman

Often take work I know nothing about… and I always say so and request links etc. to fill in my gaps. Seems to work out okay since I'm not writing tech stuff or instructions on how to do surgery or something way out of my ken.

Lori Widmer

As long as it works for you, Anne. Has it ever backfired?

Jennifer Mattern

Timely post Lori. I was furious last week to see a freelancer I previously had great respect for promoting a post encouraging freelancers to lie to get gigs. There is no excuse for it.

If you aren't sure how to do something, say so. If you don't know the subject matter, say so (and don't expect to be paid more later for extra research time due to ignorance about the subject matter — research better be accounted for in your initial quote). And if you aren't a good fit for the gig, don't take it! Don't waste your time, and a client's budget, when you should be looking for gigs you're actually qualified to take on. Clients don't turn to freelancers so they can do half of our job for us. Our job is to take some of their load off their shoulders.

That's not to say you have to be a subject matter expert for every gig. Not all gigs require it (though ones that do tend to pay significantly more). But if the topic isn't your specialty, research darn well better be. It's not a client's job to provide that research material either, unless it's research into their own company or access to staff for interviews. General niche or industry knowledge is your responsibility to figure out. If the client is willing to provide more, that's simply a bonus. But it should never be expected.

You know, it never ceases to amaze me that freelance writers jump into gigs without really understanding what a client expects from them. If that isn't 100% clear and you aren't 100% prepared to take on the subject matter or properly research it, then you didn't ask enough (or the right) questions. And that's nothing short of irresponsible.

But really, when I see other freelancers telling new writers to just lie their way into a gig to get past their ignorance and learn only after lying, it makes me want to scream (or worse).

Lori Widmer

I've seen similar, Jenn. It's kind of astounding. I get the "fake it 'til you make it' notion, but that should apply only to your confidence, not your actual skills.

You're right — you don't have to be an expert in every subject. I think it's okay to say "No, I haven't done that, but I've done this related stuff." I think you'd get more respect that way.

I hear you on the jumping in without taking into account everything you need to do and understand. If you take it on and it's over your head, either get busy learning what you don't know or tell them right now and let them find someone who does know.

Paula

This is too funny considering the email exchange we just had, Lori. I swear I hadn't read this first!

For everyone not part of our conversation, the nutshell version was I told Lori I'd replied to a job listing seeking writers with a certain specialty. I don't have professional experience in that area, but they're hiring people to write consumer-facing blog posts, so I told them about my personal experiences with their industry, then tried to sell them on the notion that a writer from outside their industry might be well suited to write the kinds of posts they're looking for. To me, clear and easily understood also means free of industry buzzwords and jargon.

It's a long shot, but at least I didn't lie.

Emily Fowler

Right, I've got viral labyrinthitis, which is like all the bad bits of being really drunk – room spinning, constant dizziness, being sick – without any of the good bits, so excuse any speeling mistooks 😉

I actually love researching, and I've become somewhat of an exert in a couple of industries that I had no prior knowledge of, because clients have given me the gig even though I've admitted I didn't habe the experience. They liked my 'writing style' and we clicked so they were happy to take the chance – and both projects were a huge success! I would never lie to a potential client, I would hate to massively fail and have to admit I'd lied. I'd rather be honest and miss out on the job.

This has taken me 20 minutes to write, so iI think it's nap time . . . on another note, this is why I'm glad I have a financial backup, I'm on bed rest for two weeks and can't see me being able to get much, if any, work done. Luckily I don't have any urgent deadlines, and I've been honest with my clients and told them I'm laid up, luckily they're all very understanding!

Lori Widmer

Paula, I like that you tried! I think you're able to translate what you know quite well.

See Emily, that's what I mean. If they're willing to try and you're willing to put the work into it, why not? I wouldn't lie to a client, either. That's just setting yourself up for a huge fall.

Devon Ellington

I'm lucky to learn quickly, but I also let clients know where I'm starting. One reason I love writing is that I get to learn on the job.

Lori Widmer

Me too, Devon. 🙂 As long as we're honest and put our best damn foot into it, why not?