Sigh. (insert large exhale here)<\/p>\n

A writer friend alerted me to a few posts and tweets seen recently that offer “writing tips” from freelancers that can help nearly any writer find more work this year.<\/p>\n

I guess the word “freelancer” is pretty loosely defined these days.<\/p>\n

I’m not saying only veteran writers have great advice —\u00a0writers at nearly any stage of their careers have something to share.<\/p>\n

I’m saying that what some writers choose to share can range from sketchy to downright scary. Doubly so, in fact. Why? Because other freelancers may follow this advice verbatim.<\/p>\n

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it to the point it should be a bumper sticker — no one writer has all the answers, and sometimes, the advice just doesn’t fit.<\/p>\n

[bctt tweet=”Every #freelancer should be adapting advice to fit their own needs and personalities.” username=”LoriWidmer”]<\/p>\n

Alas, there is also advice that should be forgotten immediately, for it doesn’t pass the sniff test.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the more dangerous tips that are circulating:<\/p>\n

Stick with the clients you have and focus on keeping them happy.<\/h3>\n

Right, because every client stays forever, don’t they? While I agree with the notion that we need to keep current clients happy, we need to realize too that their situations are fluid. Projects get pulled, budgets slashed, people fired, new bosses hired. If you have three really good clients and one or two disappear, no amount of keeping them happy is going to change the reasons why they left.<\/p>\n

Anyone who knows me well knows I hate absolutes. But there is one that I think we all need to be sticking to — Market always. How you market is your business, be it in the form of networking, social media, phone, or anything that gets you in front of potential clients. But keeping your name out there, making connections and being that writer who’s top of mind is the key to getting more freelance work in 2021, not putting yourself in a small silo and expecting it to sustain you.<\/p>\n

Stay within one or two specialty areas.<\/h3>\n

Okay, so I write about risk management and insurance. That means I’ve topped out, in this writer’s opinion. I shouldn’t be getting all “expandy” and going after related industry business, should I? I shouldn’t write about environmental, construction, finance, none of it. It relates, but I’ve just been told to stay in my lane.<\/p>\n

Right. That’s not happening. Because most of your business growth comes from expanding into related areas, often to your own surprise. I never knew I’d be writing about gender disparity or cybersecurity or even cannabis, but here I am. Turning down work because you’re stuck in a rut (or two ruts) is foolish.<\/p>\n

Let someone else find the clients for you.<\/h3>\n

Yes, I saw this “tip” and thought,\u00a0Wait, is she suggesting working for someone else?\u00a0<\/em>Why yes indeed, this writer was. Let someone else find the work, you do it, and you don’t have to bother with all that relationship-building nonsense that will sustain you years into the future. Why do that when you can work right now?<\/p>\n

Because\u00a0that<\/strong><\/em> sounds like a winning idea, right? Wrong. There are no shortcuts worth taking. None. If there were, there would be millions of wealthy freelancers right now, and you’d not have to read these sorts of tips from relative unknowns.<\/p>\n

Trade writing for good reviews.<\/h3>\n

That feeling that just crept down your spine — that’s the feeling when you know something unethical is taking place. So the premise of this bit of advice is that a writer would trade a guest post for a glowing review, thus impressing potential clients.<\/p>\n

How many things are wrong with this? There’s not enough bandwidth to answer that question. But know this — if you’re basically bartering for reviews, you’re lying to both your potential clients and yourself. Instead, ask current or even past clients for reviews.<\/p>\n

Ask for work on social media.<\/h3>\n

I’m fine with the occasional tweet promoting oneself, but this advice was specific: ask within a specific community if anyone has any writing leads.<\/p>\n

That’s lazy. It’s like saying “Does anyone know where I might find a date?” and waiting for someone to say “Yes! The perfect person is …”<\/p>\n

Back in the genesis of Twitter, a “cold tweet” might net you something, as we were all getting our virtual sea legs. I did land a client with a tweet saying I was ready to rock the next insurance-related project, but today, that would fall flat as hell.<\/p>\n

Better would be a tweet that outlined what you just finished for a client, and announcing that you’re available for new clients. That tells them what you do, at least. Better yet would be to build relationships before you go begging on social media for work.<\/p>\n

Work for free.<\/h3>\n

I have never seen anyone work for free and benefit from it. Well, I take that back — they benefit when it’s free samples for their own website.<\/p>\n

Don’t. Any legitimate company, person or publication will pay you even a small amount for those clips you want so badly. Really, it’s not necessary ever to work for free. I never did, and I was still able to build a good portfolio. So can you.<\/p>\n

Writers, what are some of the worst tips you’ve seen?<\/strong><\/em>
\nHow do you vet your advice? What should other writers do to determine if advice fits them?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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