Tag Archives: freelance writing advice

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Take Five – Rest On Your Laurels

Amanda Smyth Connor1241543_winner

I awoke one morning to a gentle knocking on my front door. I looked through the peep hole and saw no one on my doorstep. Minutes later, I heard the knocking again. I opened the door just a crack, and BAM! The holidays are violently upon me.

Here I sit and here I’ll stay, cowering in the corner, refusing to confront the travel plans, shopping, baking and the traditional family bickering. And to top it all off, I’m in the beginning stages of the Holiday Project Slump; the time of year when the flow of projects begins to go from a gush to a trickle and the number of incoming emails subsides. This time of year it gets harder and harder to get clients on the phone. From now until January marks my official “slow season.”

Grumbles.

It is also during this time of year that I begin to feel a little down. “A busy Mandy is a happy Mandy. A bored Mandy is a miserable Mandy.” Or so the saying goes.

I begin hosting daily pity parties and complaining loudly to my husband. “Why won’t this client sign the contract? When is that project going to get started that they discussed? Why aren’t they calling me back?”

But this year will be different. I’ve made a choice not to let the slump get me down. I’m going to gently decline my own invites to those pity parties and instead throw myself a mini-parade. I’m taking time this year to evaluate old projects and accomplishments and to take a hard look at the big picture.

From personal achievements (launching my own business) to aggressive business ventures that paid off and promising new partnerships, I’m taking five to sit on my laurels. Instead of whining to my husband and friends about my slump, I’m taking stock of my Year in Awesomeness by beefing up my portfolio, spending time putting the finishing touches on projects that I’ve been putting off and in general, polishing my professional presence.

In staying positive during a down time, I’m empowering myself to go into the new year with a positive outlook and with high hopes that this new year will bring more good fortune for my business ventures. There are so any aspects of the freelance business world that you simply can’t control. What you can control is your attitude and your outlook.

This season, stay positive and remind yourself of your year in achievements. You’re a freelance rockstar. Don’t forget it. Take the time this season to celebrate that rockstar status.

Amanda Smyth Connor is a SEMPO-certified SEO specialist, has managed online communities and nationwide marketing campaigns for several start-up and  Fortune 500 companies, and has been an editor for more years than she can remember. She also runs her own wedding planning company, Hummingbird Bridal and Events, throughout the northeast.

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Sometimes Less is More

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by Mike O’Mary

I recently worked with a freelancer who really knew his stuff. In fact, he knew way more about the subject matter than I did, which was great. Except for one thing: he didn’t know when to shut up.

That probably sounds harsh. Let me explain. I was extremely busy at the time, which is why I needed help from a freelancer in the first place. So I just needed to get some things done. But every time I talked to the freelancer, I got not just the update that I needed, but also the full back story about all the different options he had considered, the research he had done, the sources he had consulted, similar jobs he had done for other clients, alternative approaches, etc., etc. Which wasn’t a BAD thing. It was more like it was too much of a good thing.

Normally I’d be glad to hear a freelancer’s suggestions. To a point, anyway. But not this time. I just needed to get some things done. I’m a very patient person, but I found myself interrupting the freelancer to say things like “That’s great, but I don’t need to know all of that,” and “Maybe we can do that next time…for now, let’s just focus on getting this done.”

Then came this exchange:

Me: “We’ve made good progress. I’m meeting with the executive team on Monday. I’ll go over it with them then.”

Freelancer: “I can come to that meeting if you want.”

In my head I was thinking, “There’s no way in hell I’m going to let you babble in front of our executives. I’ll look like an idiot for letting you attend the meeting.” Instead I said, “Thanks, but I don’t think that will be necessary.”

In the end, the project was a success, and I may use the person again. But I will do so with the knowledge that I will have to manage my contact with the freelancer and never, ever let him have contact with anybody else at the company.

What’s the lesson from all of this? Maybe it’s that I’m a jerk of a client. But it hasn’t been that long since I was a freelancer, and I can remember how tricky it is to feel your way with a new client. You want to make your client look good. You want to be proactive and make suggestions that add value for the client and prove your worth. You may even want to get in on the meetings with senior executives where you could add even more value. But first, you have to read your primary contact and make him or her happy. Sometimes that means focusing in on the task at hand, picking up on verbal and nonverbal cues, and getting the job done. It may not feel like you’re adding value – especially when you have ten great ideas that are all better than the task or approach you were assigned. But perception is reality, and sometimes from the client’s perspective, doing exactly what you are asked to do and helping your client meet a deadline IS the best way to add value. And sometimes that’s a tough pill to swallow – and maybe the hardest part of freelancing. It’s the part I liked least…the fact that I was often called in toward the end of the project to help with execution after all of the strategic decisions had been made. I had some great ideas! I just had to learn to save them for the right client and the right situation.

I realize this post may sound cynical and unappreciative. That’s not my intention. I’m just trying to point out that one of the most challenging things about being a freelancer is figuring out exactly what it is that your client needs and how to deliver that without undershooting or overshooting the mark.

I’d be interested in hearing other perspectives on this topic. What’s worked for you as a freelancer when it comes to scoping out your client’s needs? What advice do you have for people on the client side of the equation?

Mike O’Mary is Founding Dreamer of Dream of Things, a book publisher and online retailer.

freelance jobs

It Ain’t Easy Bein’ a Freelancer

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By Amanda Smyth Connor

The life of a freelancer. Oh sure, it sounds glamorous. Make your own hours! Be your own boss! Work from home in your footy pajamas with the funny butt-flap!1113326_old_typewriter

In reality, the life of a freelancer is tough, can lack stability and can really cramp your lifestyle if you don’t plan accordingly. Before you quit your job, burn your business suits and throw caution to the wind, be aware of what you are in for.

Freelance writing isn’t just a career path that you jump into. It’s no good saying “hello world! I’m a freelancer now! Hire me!” It takes hard work and dedication, as with any job, but it also takes intense self-motivation, self-discipline and a TON of networking. Not to mention that you also need to be an incredibly reliable and consistently solid writer.

Freelance-Zone has loads of wonderful posts devoted to how to become a freelancer, how to break into the biz and how to get better assignments, but this post serves as a warning to any timid newbies out there considering making the jump. This is not a career choice that is to be taken lightly. I would recommend holding down that stable day job while making this transition and getting your feet wet in the field of freelancing before making any serious life-changing decisions. I would also recommend having an healthy savings account and/or a spouse/partner with a great salary. Freelancing is not for the faint of heart. Continue reading It Ain’t Easy Bein’ a Freelancer →

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How to Get Ahead at the Office: Part Two

iStock_000008423429XSmallby Mike O’Mary

Note: This is Part Two in a series of sporadic commentaries on how to get ahead at the office. These tips may not directly apply to your career as a freelancer, but if you have corporate clients, it’s important to understand life on the inside.

Two weeks ago, I talked about working your way up the corporate ladder by attending lots of meetings. The key is to hang around just as meetings are beginning and don’t leave unless someone specifically tells you to.

But getting inside the meeting room isn’t enough. If you really want to get ahead, you’ll have to express “opinions” and “ideas.” New ideas can be pretty scary to some people, so I recommend sticking to opinions.

The first thing to remember is that no matter what topic is being discussed or how little you know about it, it is very important for you to voice your opinion. In the meeting room, it’s quantity, not quality, that counts. It doesn’t even matter if you express a series of opinions or just the same opinion over and over again. The important thing is to be heard — otherwise nobody will ever benefit from your unique experiences and observations.

If possible, try to monopolize the floor during the early part of a meeting. Use a loud voice to keep everyone’s attention, and don’t be shy about talking over others if they try to interrupt you.

If you happen to be at a meeting where somebody actually comes up with an idea, don’t be afraid. Instead, reflect for a moment, then say something like, “I think Jim’s idea might be worth exploring.” Jim will appreciate the support, and you will have taken a step toward establishing yourself as an authority figure.

Finally, as the meeting begins to wind down, it’s time to let other people talk. People like to hear their own voices, so if you let them talk, they’ll leave the meeting with a good feeling. The best part is, you don’t even have to listen. You’ve already given your opinions — and lots of them. So sit back and have another donut. You’ve earned it.

Next time: Part Three on how to get ahead at the office.

Mike O’Mary is founding dreamer of Dream of Things, a book publisher currently accepting creative nonfiction stories for anthologies on 15 topics, including an anthology titled “Cubicle Stories: Life in the Modern Workplace.”

advice, lifestyle

Delaying the Battle Against Procrastination

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iStock_000012465994XSmallby Mike O’Mary

Like a lot of people, I tend to procrastinate:

  • It took me five years to complete a two-year graduate program.
  • When I first started working, the stock market was at 800. (Yes, I know…that was a long time ago.) I finally got in at around 8,000 — right before the dot.com crash earlier this decade. (Hmmm…maybe I rushed things there.)
  • I’ve put off buying a new life insurance policy for over a year now because I know I’ll get a better rate as soon as I lose a little weight — which should happen pretty fast once I start exercising.
  • And I’m on track to die with more unwritten novels than any other writer in history.

It’s easy to say, “I’ve got too much to do,” but there’s usually more to it than that. For some, it’s fear of failure. For others, fear of success. Sometimes it’s a control thing. Sometimes, we procrastinate because we’ve never really made up our minds on the big issues…things like “What I want to do with my life.”

Oprah Winfrey once interviewed the late Scott Peck, author of The Road Less Traveled and other books. She noted that he was a prolific writer, traveled all over the country giving lectures, maintained a psychotherapy practice, and still managed to spend time with his family.

“How do you find the time to do all of this?” Oprah asked.

“I spend two hours a day thinking about what is important in my life and what is not,” said Peck. “I tell people I am praying so they will not interrupt. I do not spend any time on activities that are not important to my life. And, I don’t watch your show.”

I like that answer so much, I think I’ll give it a try. But it will have to wait til tomorrow. I’ve got too much to do today.

Mike O’Mary is founding dreamer of Dream of Things, an independent book publisher currently accepting creative nonfiction stories for anthologies on 15 topics, including an anthology titled “Advice You’d Like to Pass on to Others.”

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Don’t Overpromise

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by Mike O’Mary

I remember a sales rep from a commercial printer who would never tell me what I wanted to hear. I’d say, “Is there any way we can get that printed by May 1?” And he’d say, “Ooh! I don’t know…that’s tight.” Never once would he say, “Yep, no problem.” Yet almost invariably, it was no problem. He never overcommitted and always delivered on time.

As someone who used to do things like “commit” to being in downtown Chicago in 15 minutes when I was still 30 miles away, or “commit” to producing a draft of a 2,000-word article in two days when I knew it would take two weeks, I greatly admire that rep’s discipline. And I learned from him. It’s easy to tell people what they want to hear. And as a freelancer, you want to please your clients. But you will do them and yourself a favor if you are realistic when it comes to the commitments you make.

What is your track record as a freelancer? Do you deliver on time 100% of the time? Or is it more like 90%…or 75%…or 50%? If it’s less than 100% of the time, why is that? Is it because something unexpected came up, or were you just trying to do too much in too short a period of time?

Don’t fall victim to your desire to please clients by telling them what they want to hear. It’s better to please them by delivering on time. So set realistic deadlines and then meet them. If you can do those two things, you will always have repeat business–and your reputation will result in lots of referrals.

Mike O’Mary is founding dreamer of Dream of Things, an independent book publisher currently accepting creative nonfiction stories for anthologies on 15 topics.