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Best WordCount posts in November 2011

Michelle V. Rafter — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:00:00 +0000

November flew by, didn’t it? It seems like only yesterday I was carving pumpkins. Now I’m writing Christmas lists, planning a Cub Scout wreath sale and figuring out how I’m going to fit other holiday activities around work deadlines.

In case you missed them the first time around, here are the WordCount posts people were buzzing about this month:

10 phrases freelancers hate to hear

Michelle V. Rafter — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:00:00 +0000

This post was inspired by David Hochman, a Los Angeles freelance writer and the leader of UPOD, a Yahoo group for writers.

In this post on his blog today, Hochman writes about the three words never to say to a writer: “How’s it coming?”

As someone who’s worked as an editor and writer, I’ve probably said that a few times, and heard it plenty.

But it made me think: what are the other words or phrases freelancers hate to hear?

Here are 10 of my personal pet peeves:

“Your story is great. I have a few questions”
Translation – Warning, red ink ahead.

“We’re a start up.”
Translation – Our editorial budget is zero.

“What we lack in budget we make up for in exposure.”
Translation – We pay next to nothing.

“No other freelancer has asked to change that clause in the contract.”
Translation - Don’t make me have to ask legal about this.

“I don’t have any questions but I need to run this by the managing editor.”
Translation – Be prepared to be edited by committee.

“We’re looking for a fresh perspective on this topic.”
Translation – Good luck, we write about this all the time.

“We pay on publication.”
Translation – We can hold your story indefinitely and you won’t see a penny and there’s nothing you can do about it.

“I’ll check with accounting.”
Translation – I misplaced your invoice, forgot to submit it in the first place or the company’s having a bad month and behind on its bills.

“Thanks, but I’ll pass.”
Translation – Your pitch didn’t cut it, we’ve got something similar in the works, our No. 1 competitor ran that story last week, or my freelance budget is tapped out for the rest of the year.

“I’m not taking on new freelancers at this time.”
Translation – I’m too busy to read through your clips, your clips aren’t strong enough, I’m already managing more writers than I can handle or we’re getting ready for a major downsizing.

What common freelance industry phrases drive you crazy? Share by leaving a comment.

It’s not enough to be good – you have to show up

Michelle V. Rafter — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Last Saturday night at Notre Dame stadium, the best team didn’t win.

The Fighting Irish, under second-year head coach Brian Kelly, played its first night game in more than two decades. The stadium was packed with fans waving blue and white rally towels. The team upgraded to shiny gold helmets for the occasion.

Everything was perfect, except for one thing – the team didn’t play like they should have. A missed snap, a lackluster defense, penalties and other missteps cost them the game.

In football, you can have a million-dollar coach, the best recruiting system and the fanciest locker room. But if you don’t perform when it counts, none of it matters.

It’s the same in other professions. Think of actors or actresses who’ve been outstanding in one movie only to phone in their performance in their very next next film. Or a restaurant where the food and service is amazing on one visit, and mediocre or worse on the next.

It’s no different for writers. You could have clips from the highest circulation women’s magazines or the most prestigious newspapers in the country, you could have written bestselling books, you could be making $100,000 a year. None of it matters if you don’t bring your A game to the assignment you’re working on today.

As an editor, I’ve seen this a lot. To say it’s frustrating is an understatement. Every editor wants to think their publication is the No. 1 priority of the writers they work with. For some writers, it is, or at least, they do an admirable job of making it look that way. But I’ve also worked with good writers – really good ones – who don’t always turn in work that’s up to their potential, because they are over-committed, focused on other things, or just being lazy (though I hate to think so).

I’ve worked as a writer long enough, too, to know that giving your best performance day in and day out is difficult. You get sick, or your kids get sick. Sources don’t call so you get behind and then have to play catch up and can’t do as good a job as you wanted. I get it.

But those occasions should be the anomalies.

In the end, the writers who’ll go furthest aren’t just the ones with the natural abilities (and the best agents). They’re the one who – like Heisman Trophy winners and Super Bowl champs – push themselves day after day, year after year, to make the most of their natural abilities and experience. They may be good, but they put in the effort too.

Dear WordCount: What should freelancers wear to work?

Michelle V. Rafter — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:25:00 +0000

Photo courtesy: Internets_dairy

Dear WordCount:

I am loving your blog. I wrote a letter of introduction this week after reading about them. That got me thinking about another strange side of freelancing – the dress code. I am always battling myself over what to wear to interviews and events. Dress up to be professional, dress down for comfort and to appear more casual and approachable? I never know. Do other writers have this problem?

Signed,
Veronica

Dear Veronica:

Is this a trick question? Because the obvious answer is, “Wear anything you want to wear.”

When you’re your own boss and you work from home, it doesn’t matter what you wear – yoga pants, your pajamas or the same jeans, T-shirt and sweatshirt you’ve lived in for the past five years – it’s all good. Right?

Wrong. What you wear does matter. If you dress professionally, you’ll feel more professional and you’ll bring that feeling to your work. That’s not just me. That’s straight from Stacy and Clinton sharing the same message in umpteen episodes of TLC’s “What Not to Wear.” Fly Lady says the same thing. Fly Lady is a website that helps people be more efficient and organized. One of Fly Lady’s rules is always wear shoes and socks to work, even if “work” is a desk in your bedroom.

Adopt the same attitude when deciding what to wear to interviews, conferences or other events you attend for work. Wear something that makes you feel confident and professional while still being appropriate for the situation. For me, that might mean wearing a skirt or pants and a jacket if I’m interviewing a executive, or going to an industry conference. If I’m going to a tech meetup where everyone will be in jeans and T-shirts, I’ll wear jeans too, but pair them with a jacket or sweater and boots or heels. If I’m walking the floor of a consumer expo or doing man-on-the-street type interviews, I might go with jeans or other pants and flat shoes, all the better to blend in.

In the end, it depends on the occasion, why you’re there and what makes you comfortable.

Dressing for freelance success doesn’t have to be expensive. If you’re early in your career or a beginning freelancer, you might not have as many options as someone who’s been in the business a dozen years or is coming from a staff writer job that required a work-appropriate wardrobe. But you can still look professional by putting on a sweater or jacket over a T-shirt, wearing pants instead of jeans, and making sure clothes are clean and unwrinkled. If buying new is too expensive, hit up consignment stores or vintage shops – cities like Portland are loaded with them.

I’m sure some people will read this and think, man is she out of it, just wear whatever. To which I say, fine, if that works for you. But for me, knowing that I look good is a huge confidence boost.

What about you, when it comes to work, how do you dress to impress?

Tips for running a successful freelance business

Michelle V. Rafter — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 17:00:00 +0000

You could be good at writing, blogging, graphic design or translation. But what does it take to parlay those skills into successfully running your own freelance business?

Organization, discipline, fearlessness and technical savvy.

Those were just some of the characteristics cited by successful freelancers who participated in last week’s #wclw chat on building a freelance business.

The chat drew equal numbers of beginning and experienced freelancers, none of whom were shy about asking questions or sharing advice. Here are the highlights:

Challenges to starting or running a freelance business:

@jenwillis (Jen, a Portland, Oregon, freelancer since 1999): Making ends meet in a challenging economy.

@teachwhatisgood (Kate, from rural Illinois, a blogger on parenting and faith looking to do more freelancing) I’m just beginning to venture out and don’t know where to look to submit articles.

@SaraLancaster (Sara, a website content writer working on her own since 2008) It seems to change over time. Right now I think my challenge is staying inspired. Hard to work alone every day on similar projects.

@Liz_Sheffield (Liz, a Seattle freelancer on parenting, health and wellness) Narrowing my focus rather than going broad and trying to write on every topic for every possible market and media format.

@siljahurskainen (Silja, a Finnish freelance writer living in California and starting a freelance business) Getting started with the freelance business in this new country of mine. Everything’s new!

Sticking to a specialty:

@Liz_Sheffield How do you know how to specialize when your area of expertise is kind of broad, like parenting?

@MichelleRafter (That’s me!) I’ve always believed that specializing is the way to go as a freelancer. You provide added value to pubs you write for. Parenting isn’t too broad, lots of writers specialize in it.

@teachwhatisgood And if you focus on the parts of parenting that mean most to you, it helps with focus.

@MichelleRafter Another reason to specialize is because you can develop close ties with editors so they take you with them when they move to a new job.

Connecting with other writers:

@SaraLancaster I’ve tried a few co-work spaces and definitely do my best to attend networking events, etc. I’m slowly figuring it out.

@MichelleRafter I’d definitely suggest connecting with other writers in person or online. Freelance Success is a great online writer community. FLX has weekly newsletter with info on pubs that work with freelancers, online message board, pay rate database, blog and more.

@jenwillis FLX rocks! I’ve been a member since 2006, and I’m writing a market guide for them right now. The weekly market guides are good. I rely more on the online forums to share info, ask questions, etc.

@MichelleRafter There are other online writer groups as well, including UPOD, run by David Hochman, a very successful LA-based freelancer.

@SaraLancaster Networking is tough, but once you find a rhythm things will snowball. Just have to stay at it. It’s like the gym!

Tracking the news:

@siljahurskainen To get the broadest possible view of American life, what newspapers, tv channels, sites would you recommend for a foreign writer? Hope my question wasn’t too off topic, but for me as a foreigner starting my business it’s definitely one of the important ones.

@MichelleRafter For broad view of American life, try USA Today, New York Times, nightly newscasts on national & local TV, NPR.

@jenwillis That’s a tough one. Off the bat, I’d suggest Christian Science Monitor, USA Today, and your local free weekly.

Where to find out about publications that work with freelancers:

@jenwillis I’d like to know which pubs are still buying first North American serial rights (FNASR) at decent rates, rather than buying all rights for increasingly less money.

@teachwhatisgood Where to find them and how to submit. I looked at nine publications one day recently and found NOTHING about submission policies.

@MichelleRafter Some of my go-to sources for freelance jobs are LinkedIn Jobs, JournalismJobs.com, Mediabistro and ProBlogger.com.

@jenwillis Agree on JournalismJobs.com; that’s where I found out about the fellowship I’m on this fall.

@MichelleRafter For where to submit, look at the “About Us” or “Contacts” page on a publication’s website for names and email formats. Also, many publications post writers’ guidelines, or will send them to you if you email and ask for them.

@jenwillis Sometimes you just have to call or email an editor to ask about submissions guidelines.

@SaraLancaster When I started I used Writer’s Market. Helpful if you want to write in mags or enter creative contests. You pay for Writers Market. Online version has updated requirements. Makes it convenient and you’re not bidding against other writers.

@MichelleRafter My best source of work has been through ex-colleagues at websites, newspapers or magazines where I previously worked or freelanced. That’s why I’m such a big believer in networking and using sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, FB, Google+ to do it. I would say in the past two years, 99 percent of my freelance work has come through personal connections.

@teachwhatisgood WOW! I guess the goal is to get to the place where you have connections! ;-D Not there…

@MichelleRafter Or it could be that I’ve just been around so long! If you have a good experience with a publication, ask the editor to write a LinkedIn recommendation. It’s a reference all can see.

Connecting with editors:

@siljahurskainen I struggle with the shyness, too. That’s often the biggest obstacle and I really need to get rid of it.

@MichelleRafter Channel the same energy you use to track down and talk to sources for dealing with editors. They’re just people. Sometimes you have to pick up the phone or hit “Send” anyway and the shyness or fear goes away.

@jenwillis Acting fast can overcome nerves. I interviewed a famous author last week and didn’t give myself time to think before I called.

@siljahurskainen Moving to another country sure helps! You feel so stupid all the time that there’s no time for feeling shy.

@jenwillis I wrote a story for The Writer about telephone anxiety and learning how to reach out to editors.

Staying organized:

@AuntyJuJu1 (Julia, a part-time education reporter for a metro St Louis newspaper who wants to do freelancing) Lists, lists and more lists!

@jenwillis Email folders for each story, and calendar reminders. For bigger projects, I set up a Scrivener file on my Mac. I also have a whiteboard on the wall that I can use for jotting down notes and mapping project schedules. Here’s the link to Scrivener for Windows.

@teachwhatisgood Just read that anyone who did NaNoWriMo last year and had their account validated gets a 50% discount on PC Scrivener file.

@MichelleRafter Q3: For editing work, I create a spreadsheet for every step of manuscript production and write in date when that phase of work is done.

@Tia_Bach_Author (Tia Bach, a book author and freelancer) I still like paper and have projects and to-dos listed in a notebook. I also love email folders.

@MichelleRafter I’m also a big fan of Outlook. I color code everything and put interviews, due dates, meetings, etc., on it. I also think it’s important to maintain regular office hours, whether for you that’s 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., etc.

@jenwillis Regular hours have been a challenge for me. Some interviews can only happen at night, weekends, etc.

Editing your own work:

@MichelleRafter I usually edit as a I go. But sometimes it works better to write through a first draft, then going back and edit.

@SaraLancaster I sometimes hire other freelancers to edit my work.

@teachwhatisgood Do you ever have other people read it?

@MichelleRafter I don’t have others read my work. Sometimes I switch between Word and WordPress and see things in latter I didn’t catch. My other advice on editing: have The Associated Press Stylebook handy and read good writing. Both help with writing and editing yourself. It’s also helpful to let a piece rest overnight & read it in the morning with fresh eyes.

@Liz_Sheffield My husband is my best editor for the feel of a piece, and helps identify what I might have missed.

@jenwillis I often read my work out loud. That’s another good way to catch errors or text that doesn’t flow.

@SaraLancaster I use my husband for editing, too. We both work at home so that helps.

Archive and The August 2011 #wclw Chat

You can read the complete transcript of the July 27 #wclw chat on TwapperKeeper, a Twitter archive service, at TwapperKeeper/hashtag/wclw.

Tune into the next #wclw chat, where we’ll discuss everything you ever wanted to know about blog post comments. The chat takes place on Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. Pacific time.

Here are other posts I’ve done on starting a freelance writing business:

2010 freelance writing year in review: How was it for you?

Michelle V. Rafter — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:56:03 +0000

We’ve closed the books on 2010 so it’s time to ask: how was it for you?

Did your freelance writing business perk up last year, or continue suffering as the economy slogged its way out of recession?

Those were the questions that I asked self-employed writers during the WordCount Last Wednesday chat last week.

Usually my monthly Twitter chat features a guest speaker on a specific subject. But for the last #wclw virtual get together of the year, I ran a no-host gathering so writers could talk about the highs and lows of their business in 2010, what new tech tools they discovered and what their goals are for 2011.

Here’s a brief recap, written in the form of a Q&A and edited for length and clarity:

How was 2010 for your freelance writing business: better, worse or the same as the previous year?

Sara Lancaster

While some writers saw business pick up – some substantially – others reported making less than in 2009 as publications continued to deal with the fall out of lower ad revenues and changing reading habits. One of them was Carol Terry, a freelance editor in Spokane, Washington, who lost her biggest client when the editor she’d be working with was downsized out of a job.

But for Denver, website content writer Sara Lancaster, 2010 was much much busier than 2009. “I think my marketing strategy is more refined and more clients equaled more referrals,” Lancaster says.

As for me, 2010 was my best year ever, thanks to steady work from two long-term contracts for editing and blogging work.

What was the best thing that happened to your business in 2010?

Last year wasn’t all bad for Terry. One highlight was “unexpected and delightful sub-contract work” from someone she met via Twitter.

For writer Sue Poremba, deciding to focus her freelance efforts on a specific subject paid off. “It made a huge difference in my work load,” she says. Specializing gave Poremba a platform that allowed her to begin building a reputation and a following. “The focus has given me a larger pool of sources and know-how about subtopics,” she adds. Knowing so much about the topic helped her pitching too. “I produce spot-on pitches to pubs,” she says, “and I found editors recognize my name and some are starting to approach me.”

On a lighter note, Lancaster says the highlight of her year was starting a blog for the fun of it, a food blog called Saucy Dipper, and meeting other bloggers in process.

What was the toughest business issue you dealt with in 2010?

Sally Chapralis

Besides seeing work drop off, writers say that one of their toughest assignments last year was making time to use social media tools to promote their work without having them take over completely. You “can’t do one without the other,” says Sally Chapralis, a Chicago area freelancer writer in editorial, PR and corporate communications. One of the year’s low points, Chapralis, says, was realizing that instead of having a social-media strategy she was “just doing it.”

What new tech tools did you discover?

New tech goodies where everywhere in 2010, starting with the iPad but also upgraded smartphones and oodles of cloud-based software and mobile apps. Technological innovations made writers’ work easier, but proved to be tempting distractions to getting other work done.

Social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn continue to be among writers’ tech tools of choice, because they serve so many purposes, from finding sources and promoting stories once they’re published to connecting with potential clients and keeping up with current events.

When it comes to virtual networks, some writers have clear preferences. Twitter is a big favorite. “Isn’t Twitter awesome? I’ve made so many great contacts for my business this way,” Lancaster says.

Terry’s also a Twitter fan. In fact, she says all her current clients are people she’s “met” only through Twitter or LinkedIn.

To save time, Lancaster recommends using software such as Hootsuite, which lets users check in on multiple social network accounts through one integrated cloud-based dashboard. “Once you learn Hootsuite, you won’t go back. The analytics tool is awesome,” she says.

Writers’ love affair with tech tools didn’t stop with social media. In 2010, Chapralis bought a webcam, signed up with Skype, bought a flipcam and is currently in the process of teaching herself how to use everything.

What are your goals for 2011?

Nicole Relyea

Besides drumming up more business, writers’ goals for this year include getting a better handle on social networks and other tech tools, and going after new types of business.

In 2011, Chapralis intends to get a better handle on tech. She’s also putting more effort into cold calling prospective clients.

Lancaster is committed to launching an emergency copywriting service – which sounds intriguing – and building up a network of writers who can help with it “so I can spend more time promoting my business.”

Denver writer Nicole Relyea has a simpler goal – to make freelancing her full-time job.

Amen to that!

How was 2010 for your freelance business? Feel free to share your own highs, lows and discoveries, as well as your goals for 2011, by leaving a comment.

When everything on your plate is a priority

Michelle V. Rafter — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:53:14 +0000

Have you ever been so busy, so overloaded with things that have to get done right now you didn’t know where to start?

I’ve been feeling like that as I wrap up some assignments I’ve had on the books for a while, take on a gigantic new one, and at the same time, juggle a stream of requests to do presentations, take part in panel discussions or give interviews.

It would be easy to turn down the latter because it’s not all paid work. But I’ve spent a lot of time in the last year immersing myself in all things social media and talking about the future of journalism, so I don’t want to pass up those opportunities just when my marketing efforts are starting to pay off.

So how do I prioritize what’s becoming a longer and crazier work week?

It’s not just me. As the economy picks up more freelancers are getting offers of new projects, and after what the recession did to our business this year, nobody has the heart to say no to work. So we’re all in the same busy boat.

Some writers set a timer and concentrate on one thing until it goes off. Others segment every day into specific parts devoted to different tasks. Freelance writer, author and blogger Leah Ingram is the master of this. Even if you read the Q&A I did with her some months back, it’s worth taking a second look just to see again how she’s able to produce magazine articles, books and a busy blog with aplomb.

I was thinking about all this when I walked into Starbucks recently. I was browsing through the store’s bookshelf waiting for my hot spiced cider when I saw a guide to getting accepted into the Air Force Academy. My high school-aged son is interested in the Air Force Academy, so when my drink arrived I sat down and started reading.

A few chapters in there was a section on what first year cadets can expect – lots of classes, little free time. In fact, according to the guidebook, first years are given too much to do on purpose, so they learn to figure out what’s most important. The thinking is that when they’re in combat situations they’ll always have too much to do and will have to be able to prioritize in an instant.

I couldn’t help draw parallels to how freelance writers and other self-employed people operate. We always have too much to do. The trick is to figure out which things demand your attention right now and do those first.

That’s sometimes easier said than done, especially when you have conflicting high priority tasks.

Lately I’ve put all my work and non-work to-dos into one big weekly list and picked off the stuff that’s feels most important first and let the rest sit there. Some things roll over week to week because they’re not that critical. I almost always have 10 to 15 low-priority items waiting to get taken care of (we will replace the ugly green couch in the family room some day, right after I file the piles of papers sitting in my office and hang the pictures we took down when we painted last February). When it’s the end of the day or a weekend and I’ve finished a big project but still have work time to burn, I try to knock a few off the list.

I’m also a firm believer in outsourcing household or work-related tasks to clear the decks for work. I use a travel agent to book business trips. I pay for house cleaners, a yard crew and to have groceries delivered. I minimize routine chores by grouping them together once a day or once a week.

Still, there are times when even the best time-saving tricks aren’t enough.

So I’m asking: if your schedule’s gotten busier, how do you handle it? How do you prioritize?