Blowing a Deadline or Saving the Day?
The deadline’s approaching, you haven’t started yet – or worse, you did start and you’re stuck. Each time you sit down to write, nothing comes. Well, something comes, but it’s pretty awful and you...
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5 Reasons Not to Burn Your Bridges
So you lost a gig. Maybe your client felt you weren’t a good fit. Maybe she ran out of funding or maybe it was you who wasn’t feeling the job. Does that mean you should go openly badmouthing your...
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The Phone is Your Friend – Use it!
If I had my druthers, all of my freelance writing business would be conducted via email and Skype. It’s so much easier. I don’t have to put on my happy voice. Don’t have to wear my game face. If I...
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Sending Holiday Cards to Your Freelance Writing Clients
It’s only September yet Lowe’s and Kohl’s both have Christmas displays. They’re thinking of the holidays already and so should you. Among your considerations should be whether or not to send holiday...
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Who is Right? The Customer or the Writer?
I live by the “customer is always right” philosophy. I may not always agree with my clients but they’re the ones paying me to do the job their way. There are times when I might offer a suggestion if I...
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Why I Can Be Smug, A Blog Action Day Post
So, in case you’re living under a rock, or like me, you’ve been attending to a sick baby for days and haven’t poked around the Internet, I’ll let you know that today is Blog Action Day. It’s something...
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6 Tips for Receiving Feedback from Your Freelance Writing Clients
Client feedback is essential for freelance writing success. Even though we may not want to receive constructive criticism, not to do so could mean the end of our business. Look at it this way, even...
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Downsizing for the Holidays: Five Tips for Getting Back into the Freelance...
The impending holiday season means many freelancers are going to lighten their load for the next month and a half in order to handle obligations at home and spend time with family. However, does back...
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5 Reasons Offline Relationships are Important for Freelance Writers
Last week we discussed the importance of freelance writers using social media tools to build online relationships. While the benefits abound, it’s important to note offline relationships are also...
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What Lousy Customer Service Can Teach You About Good Customer Service
I had to pick up new glasses today. Actually, I kept my old frames but needed to up the prescription. I only took the appointment today because the nice lady on the phone assured me it would be a slow...
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5 Ways Freelance Writing is Like Black Friday
The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally called Black Friday. It’s called this because merchants all over the country significantly lower prices to bring in customers looking to save money on their...
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I Don't Think That's What They Meant to Say
I’ve mentioned a few times that the need for editors is overwhelming. From misspelled signs to poorly punctuated websites, there are far too many opportunities for those of us who love grammar to shake...
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3 Hints for Giving Value With Your Writing
A common misconception is that freelance writing means typing a lot of words in exchange for money. Most of us know this isn’t the case at all. The majority of people who hire us, do so because they...
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There’s No Job Security in Freelancing: How to Be Indispensable
In this economy, it doesn’t matter if you work as a freelancer or if you’re a full time employee, there’s no such thing as job security. Even though we have regular clients, they can suffer from...
View ArticleClients Just Hate Those "Yes Men"
In case it’s not clear, that title is totally sarcastic. Do you ever notice how clients who really couldn’t write their way out of a paper bag somehow have a whole lot to say about your professional...
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Complaining About Your Freelance Writing Clients
I don’t gripe about my clients on my blog. Other people do. In fact, I see a great deal of grousing about PITA clients on freelance writing blogs. Sometimes, these complaints are presented as part of...
View ArticleMy Job. Well, This Week, Anyway.
As a freelance writer, do you ever just sit in front of your computer and gloat to no one in particular about how awesome your job is? I just caught myself doing that as I reviewed what is on my...
View ArticleMy Passive-Aggressive Plea to an Unnamed Client
Dear Client, Thank you so much for choosing to work with me. I’m pleased to hear that you are so ecstatically happy with the final results of our project. I agree that the work ended up being pretty...
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Why the S.Larson Approach to Customer Service Doesn’t Work
S.Larson has been sending me customer service notes from Citibank for decades. At first I didn’t give “S” a second thought. Just a random worker on an impersonal form letter…nothing to see here. After...
View ArticleUsing Facebook for Something Other than Showing Off My Kid
So, do you let your clients follow you on Facebook? I’ve been loathe to do it. Frankly, I don’t want them to know about my addiction to online Scrabble or the fact that I’m often up at 1 a.m....
View ArticleFlame Away, Fancypants
I spend a fair amount of time on this blog making fun of so-called “employers” who think it’s totally reasonable to pay decent writers a pittance for their hard work. I’ve heard every argument for why...
View ArticleRidiculous Freelance Ad of the Week
I’m finding that when I post these insulting ads, I have less and less to say about them. I mean, how many ways can you call someone a “cheapskate,” anyway? That doesn’t mean that I don’t still find...
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Getting More Work from Your Existing Clients
You get the client. That’s good. You do the work. That’s good, too. The client pays you. Even better. Now, it’s on to the next gig! That’s bad. Well, it’s not really bad to move on to another gig. It’s...
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Naughty or Nice? What Would Your Editor Say?
It’s the end of the year and everyone is getting retrospective, including your editors and clients. What will they remember most? Your killer copy? That amazing lede (lead) you wrote? How many times...
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What Building a New Habit Can Teach You About Becoming More Than Just a...
Editor’s note: This post was written by Sam Eddy, the founder of Fulfilling Aspirations. He wants you to know that changing your habits can help you accomplish big things. If you’re interested in...
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