I’m going to kick off with a strong statement here: writers should specialize–especially when they are first getting started. I know that some of you are probably thinking that I’m wrong…but I’m not. Specialization is your friend, and it will get you a lot more work that being a generalist writer.
When I started out, I specialized in writing about dance. I wrote for a multitude of dance publications and got some good credits built up. Then I began branching out into the arts a bit. Singing. Acting. Using one specialty to move into another. Pretty soon I was getting my name out there as an “arts” writer… Continue reading Writers And Specialization→
As a freelance writer, the computer may well be your most important tool. With this in mind, it is important to perform weekly and monthy maintenance tasks. Do you know what you should be doing? If not, check out this resource by the Southern Tier Library System which gives a breakdown of the things you need to do to keep your machine in tip top shape.
Work as a freelance writer long enough and you will have some kind of issue with getting paid. Since writers often work on a tight schedule–and budget, this can be more than a mere inconvenience. There are some things you can do to try and rectify the issue. Try these:
Screen clients when possible. Try to check out a client ahead of time if you can. If you don’t feel good about taking them on, then don’t. Sometimes your gut instinct is right.
Give a little time. I can’t tell you how many checks came two or three days after I was ready to pick up the phone and call. Try to build in a grace period if you can.
Follow up politely. Often a missing check is just an oversight, and one that can be fixed quickly. Don’t have an attitude when you follow up. It won’t get you anywhere.
Ask when you can expect payment. Once someone has followed up on the issue, be sure to nail down a time frame within which you can expect your check.
Get it in writing. Do your follow up by e-mail whenever possible. This gives you a solid record of all communications. Even if you don’t plan small claims court action, people tend to feel more nervous about going back on something they put in writing.
Be persistent. I once had to follow up…you won’t believe this…twelve times before I got paid. I think they just got totally sick of me and wanted me to go away. I sent reminders on a regular basis.
Add a late fee. If you are coming up with a project bid, tack on a late payment fee.
Go over the person’s head. I only recommend this in cases where the person you are dealing with doesn’t seem to be doing anything. Do a little investigating and see if you can come up with a contact that is higher on the food chain.
If you have had success at getting a payment from a client who initially didn’t make it on time, please feel free to share your techniques here for others. After all, we’re all in this together, right?
Do you set goals? I do. As a matter-of-fact, I had two goals for this year. Want to know what they are? Here you go:
To get Freelance-Zone a spot on the Writer’s Digest “101 Best Websites for Writers” list
To make more money than I did last year
I have met both of those goals. Joe and I celebrated our inclusion in the 101 best sites and were thrilled that we made it. In addition to that, it’s July and I have already made more money this year than I did all of last year. My point? I don’t think I would have worked quite as hard if I hadn’t set these goals ahead of time.
For me, the key is to only pick a few choice goals and work hard toward achieving them. Some people like to do a whole list and are happy with just meeting a few. Whatever works. Everyone is different, but I would argue that just taking the step of making a concrete goal for yourself (or two, or ten) sets you right on the road to achieving it.
Don’t wait for January 1st. Start working toward something right now. See what you can accomplish!
I don’t want to leave people out who aren’t currently doing any travel writing, so I thought I’d post something useful to all writers…a list of descriptive words to get the brain thinking. Although the list isn’t exhaustive, it is a good one–and organized into interesting categories as well, such as “spiritual qualities” and “physical qualities”. Great for when you are feeling stumped and need some ideas to jump-start the brain.
Those Freelance-Zone readers who have been around for a while already know that I am a big iPhone lover. I use this tool for many different things, and it has saved me in many work-related situations. I use the calendar, I love the e-mail on the go function and I can’t get enough of the “apps”.
This is all news of course because yesterday Apple announced the iPhone 3GS. This is the latest version of the phone and some of the new features include:
Voice control
Video recording
16 or 32 GB of storage
Choice of black or white color
3 megapixel camera with autofocus
Photo and video geotagging
See all the details here. New updates released with this version of the phone include a cut and paste feature, landscape keyboard and a “remote wipe” capacity that allows you to remove all your personal data if you lose your phone. (Getting it back on is as simple as synching the phone to your computer.) The best news for writers may well be the fact that the iPhone 3G price now drops to $99. If you want an iPhone…it just may be the perfect time to get one!
Chicago-based content writing, editing, and social media. 1579 N. Milwaukee #220, Chicago Illinois 60622
by Catherine L. Tully
