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Free Advice Friday: This Job, Not That Job

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Iceberg by We Invented Paris I love weeks like this. I had time to work on a project, get some personal projects done, market, and meet new clients via social media. I sense a bunch of projects about to come in, and I’m gearing up to get a much-anticipated personal project…

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Dealing with Tough Writing Client Responses

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift (feat. Ed Sheeran) Yesterday was a good day. Despite one minor upset to start the day, I got halfway through a project that’s turning out to be a lot of fun to put together. I have one interview today and hopefully I’ll be able to…

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8 Ways to Pump Up Your Writing Career

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Two Coins by Dispatch More snow. Friday we had about four inches. Today, close to three more, they say. I did say I love snow, so I should be thrilled. To some extent, I am. It’s coming down this morning, but then the rains arrive this afternoon and the temperatures go…

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Free Advice Friday: Extracting Pay from Writing Clients

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Call Girl Blues by Diamond Rug Snow. I love it. Good thing, because late Wednesday night after we’d gone to bed, it started coming down. By morning, we had over 6 inches in the driveway and it just kept coming down. I’m writing this ahead of time should the power decide…

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7 (More) Deadly Writing Career Sins

Posted on by lwidmer

What I’m reading: The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri What’s on the iPod: Right in Time by Lucinda Williams What a couple of days. That cushion of time I had last week to finish two articles vanished thanks to whatever this latest winter storm was called — Nika maybe? I’m sorry the term “Snow-mageddon” was ever…

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Lessons from a Powerless Writing Life

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers Valley Forge Mountain damage: photos by my husband Well, that was interesting. Four days — 101 hours almost to the minute. That was the longest I’ve ever lived without power. I suspect the news got national coverage, but just in case you’re hearing…

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Monthly Assessment: January 2014

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Jumper by Third Eye Blind You’re getting a lot of posts out of me this week. That’s because there seems to be a lot to talk about. Snow, more snow, and work are piling up. I got a last-minute article request on Tuesday for a short sidebar piece and right now…

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Your Writing Revenue Sweet Spot

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: This is London by The Airborne Toxic Event The view from the kitchen door It’s been a week of wheel-spinning. I spent Monday thinking I’d get so much done, but spending the majority of the day shoveling (and re-shoveling) the driveway. Ten inches later, I cried uncle and went inside. By…

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Snow Days and the Writer

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Invisible by U2 (free until midnight on iTunes) View from my front walk Congratulations to Seattle Seahawks fans! Your team shone like diamonds yesterday, much to the dismay of the Denver Broncos. To Broncos fans, my condolences. Your team is better than one performance, so congratulations to them for making it to…

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Free Advice Friday: Writing a Terrific Query

Posted on by lwidmer

What’s on the iPod: Katharine Song by Runaway Dorothy (link below) It feels like the world is starting to return to its normal orbit. Not that things were completely a-kilter, but I did get the sense that my work life (and home life, for that matter) were a bit on the random side. Given the…

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  1. Anne Wayman Avatar
    Anne Wayman

    Asking for the job is something I learned to do and to teach clients when I was a headhunter back in the day… I usually phrase it as a statement – I'd really like to write this for you.

    Not sure if statements or questions like you have get the same results… can't think why they wouldn't.

    Employers are so reassured when you tell them you want the gig.

    Reply
  2. Paula Avatar
    Paula

    Like Anne, I phrase it as a statement: "I'd love to write this article for [name of publication]."

    Even better: check the magazine's editorial calendar and see if your idea fits well in one of the upcoming issues, then change it to: "I think this article would be a great addition to your [X-themed] April issue, and would love to write it for you."

    One other thing that's good to do is give the editor an idea of length. Are you pitching a short front-of-the-book story? A quick filler? An 800-word article? Or a 2,000-word feature?

    Sometimes I'll suggest a couple approaches. "I could write this as an 1,800-2,000 word feature, or as an 800-word article with a 400-500 word sidebar." This works especially well when one facet of the story is strong enough to stand on its own.

    I've always called the background paragraph the Me-me-me section. These days I've got it down to a sentence or two and a link to my LinkedIn profile in case they want more information.

    One thing I'm glad to be done with? SASEs. I probably spent thousands of dollars on unused return postage over the years. Even before e-mail became the norm for queries an who editor called to assign a story asked what the stamped envelope was for!

    Reply
  3. Lori Widmer Avatar
    Lori Widmer

    Yes Anne, I think either way works just fine. I've never had a problem with the question, for sure.

    Paula, you and me both! Those SASEs were a waste of good postage. Used to be editors were exceptionally good at responding, even with a "No thank you." Now they're so overworked and understaffed they don't have time to answer even with the free post-paid envelope.

    Reply
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