Today I learned… Much of the period between July, 2016 and March, 2020 was a combination of thrilling, frustrating, exciting and nerve-wracking. After being let go from Voce Communications I embarked on the roller coaster life that is freelancing, eventually adding on my full-time position at Starbucks, meaning each week and month involved a fun … Continue reading Learning As a Vocation
The Key to Successful Ghostwriting
My content marketing experience over the last 15+ years has included a fair amount of my writing under my own name as well as writing under someone else’s. I’ve written blog posts, white papers, reports and other material for clients that have wound up being published or released without my name attached in any way. … Continue reading The Key to Successful Ghostwriting
What Should Freelancers Do With Their Rage?
(10/19/18 Update: I wound up contributing this post to The Freelancers Union Blog. You can now read it in full here.) It can be tempting to to let loose and share your unrestrained thoughts about the current administration on any number of topics, from the continued detention of immigrant children to the recent controversy around … Continue reading What Should Freelancers Do With Their Rage?
Don’t Write For Free, Unless It’s For Yourself
There’s a long-standing and completely true maxim in the freelance world that you shouldn’t write for free. If a publication or site is telling you it can’t pay you but hey, you’ll get exposure, turn it down. They don’t value you as a creative talent, just someone who can help them build out their ad … Continue reading Don’t Write For Free, Unless It’s For Yourself
Should Freelancers Work for Startup Equity?
Last week Ben Schiller wrote about a new app (because of course it’s an app) that wants to facilitate a different sort of connection between freelancers and those who are looking for help and support. Loom allows startup founders to make a pitch to freelancers that offers equity shares instead of pay along with a … Continue reading Should Freelancers Work for Startup Equity?
I Don’t Sell Writing. I Sell My Experience and Service.
Two conversations I’ve had recently exemplify my current approach to managing my freelance life. First, I was given the opportunity to provide a quote for a significant amount of work each month. After taking a look and determining that yes, it would all fit within my schedule and capabilities, I came up with a price. … Continue reading I Don’t Sell Writing. I Sell My Experience and Service.
What I Learned In 2017
There’s been... a lot...that’s happened in 2017. Even more so than 2016, when I was let go from my last full-time job and began what might generously be called an “unexpected” career path, this year has been one of learnings, new beginnings, shedding of old notions and much more. I don’t want to overstate things. … Continue reading What I Learned In 2017
Two New Looks at The Freelance Reality
Two new studies have appeared recently that give additional insights into the state of the freelance workforce and marketplace. The first comes from The Freelancers Union and Upwork while the second comes from financial services company Payoneer. There are a number of insights that jumped out at me as I perused both reports. The Field … Continue reading Two New Looks at The Freelance Reality
Spotlighting My Experience
I’ve leaned into the reality that I’m a full-time freelancer. In many ways that’s a freeing situation because I get to do what I love - write, primarily - without the hassles of corporate politics and other issues. I love working from home and being available to my family. While I’d welcome the chance to … Continue reading Spotlighting My Experience
What I Can Learn From a Rejected Pitch
I’d sent the pitch several months ago. So long ago I had to search my memory for what it was that I had contacted the site about when I saw a response email land in my inbox. I’d pitched a popular entertainment news and culture site with an idea for a new regular feature that … Continue reading What I Can Learn From a Rejected Pitch