Must-Reads for Freelance Writers: Tuesday, March 11

www.inkthinkerblog.com — There must be something in the air today, but I’m finding killer posts all over the place. Make some time to read these:

Types of Clients You’ll Likely Encounter as a Freelancer (from Telecommuting Diva)

I’ve been a freelance writer for a few years, and during this time, I’ve dealt with different types of clients. The typical client is appreciative and respects the fact that I do have a personal life. However, I’ve also ran into a few characters who thought my life and business revolved around their project.

Being a freelancer and working with varying personalities is similar to working in an office setting and dealing with an annoying boss or worrisome co-worker. The only difference is that in the freelance world – you can fire a client! Read more >>>

Are You a Confident Freelancer? (from Freelance Writing Jobs)

Whether you feel it or not, freelancers have to project a confident image. Think about it, who do you think an employer is most likely to hire? Someone confident in his ability or the writer who can’t get past his low self-esteem to find the words to toot his own horn? While this business, allows us a certain level of anonymity it’s not for the shy. Why does a freelancer need to be confident? Read more >>>

A Small Rant About Invoicing Clients (from Freelance Writing Jobs)

I don’t mind creating invoices to send to my clients. Indeed nothing makes me happier than to send out invoices at the end of the month. I know from my publishing days most writers won’t get paid without invoicing their clients. This doesn’t bother me. … My problem with invoices is how my stock invoice template won’t do. It seems as if just about every client has a specific format to follow. Everyone wants the same information, what different does the format make? Read more >>>

Writers and A Slowed Economy (from The Golden Pencil)

If you’re watching or listening to the news, or reading newspapers, you’ve got to be aware of how much talk is going on about the slowing of the U.S. economy. This kind of “news” drives me nuts, because it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. None the less, I can’t stop a recession by positive thinking and we freelance writers are actually part of the economy. But I don’t have to participate in a recession. That is, I don’t have to buy into the idea that I won’t make any money or I won’t make enough money during an economic downturn. Read more >>>

Get Your Nose Out of The Air and Relax (from Men With Pens)

“Daddy! Daddy! My school is having a contest for the most beautiful picture ever! I’m going to draw a unicorn… and a castle… and a princess… you can be the prince. Okay, Daddy?” …What do you do? Do you encourage your daughter, hand her crayons and tell her what a great artist she is? Or do you crumple the sheet, toss it in the garbage with a snort and say… “Sorry, honey. This is spec work. Your school should be ashamed. If they wanted your drawing, they should have given you money. You can’t enter. We don’t support spec work in this house.” Read more >>>

Something else catch your eye today? Give us the title and a link in the comments.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King

7 comments

Is Confronting Low-Ball Ad Posters Truly Heinous?

www.inkthinkerblog.com — Yesterday, I listed seven heinous freelance writing practices. Most of them have been well-received, but there were a couple of objections that surprised me. Here’s a recap of the list:

  1. Publicly badmouthing companies/editors/etc. when you’re not hired or when you’re fired.
  2. Visiting other writers’ blogs for the sole purpose of harassing them and/or making trouble.
  3. Visiting others’ blogs for the sole purpose of promoting your products and/or services.
  4. E-mailing the poster of every Craigslist/Guru.com/Elance.com ad that you think is offering compensation that’s too low.
  5. Flagging or otherwise deleting a job ad, or badmouthing it, after you’re responded to deter the competition.
  6. Bugging your writing pals for work when things are slow and never (a) saying thank you or (b) reciprocating.
  7. When someone does give you a referral, do a bad job or otherwise embarrass them and make them regret helping you.

Both in the comments and in private e-mail conversations, folks have shared with me that they feel strongly about the need to set people straight when they’re offering a pittance in exchange for writing work. As I said yesterday, I can understand the temptation. But there are several reasons I think writers should resist the urge to “teach those fools a lesson”: [continue reading…]

7 comments

Inkthinker Named Among Top 100 Freelancer Blogs

www.inkthinkerblog.com — Yesterday we had the world’s 50 most powerful blogs, and today Bootstrapper announced the top 100 blogs for freelancers. And what’s on the list of top blogs for freelance writers? Yes, that would be your favorite freelance writing blog, Inkthinker. Woohoo!

Other favs from the 100:

What would you add to the list if you could? Leave a comment with the link so we can all enjoy! And you’re welcome to promote your own blog with a link if it’s relevant to freelancers.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King

2 comments

Hal-le-LU-jah — The Comments Are Officially Operational

www.inkthinkerblog.com — Well it was a little touch and go there for a while, but the comments are now up and running thanks to Colin Hill, whom I found through fellow b5media blogger and all-around cool kid Zach Flauaus. One of the things I love about the blogging community is how willing people are to help complete strangers. I e-mailed this dude out of nowhere and he walked me through the fix over e-mail and IM until we GOT IT!

So, thank you, Colin Hill, for helping this random blog girl. I am very, very grateful for your generosity.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King

2 comments

Ut-Oh Spaghettio — Comment Troubles

www.inkthinkerblog.com — Thanks to Deb and Phil for tipping me off that something is wrong with the comment submit button in the new template. I’ve done everything I know how to do, so now I’m waiting for reinforcements. In the meantime, feel free to e-mail me your comment and let me know which post you’re commenting on, and I will add them in when everything is up and running. Thanks for bearing with me!

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King

0 comments