Comments on: Ten ways to get organized so you can get writing http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/ Freelance Writing Jobs for All Writers Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:32:16 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Four keys to getting consistent freelance work | Freelance Writing Jobs http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-30082 Four keys to getting consistent freelance work | Freelance Writing Jobs Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:35:42 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/#comment-30082 [...] are good ways to stay organized and keep on top of your [...] [...] are good ways to stay organized and keep on top of your [...]

]]> By: Candidate #11 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-29372 Candidate #11 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:34:05 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/#comment-29372 @ #4 - Thanks. It's nice to know how much money you can expect and what has come in. It can be a great form of encouragement to keep going, too, when you realize how close you are to your goals. @ #7 - I waited a long time before doing the account thing. It helps so much with record keeping, though. And businesses seem to like knowing they're paying another business, even if it's a sole proprietorship. @ #3 - It's much easier to solicit work from a current client than it is to chase new ones. (But we really should be doing both.) And don't forget that a lot of companies take that exact brochure and reproduce it word-for-word on their web site. If you can educate them on web-friendly writing, you may get to rewrite their web copy. Thanks, everyone, for the comments so far. Keep them coming! @ #4 – Thanks. It’s nice to know how much money you can expect and what has come in. It can be a great form of encouragement to keep going, too, when you realize how close you are to your goals.

@ #7 – I waited a long time before doing the account thing. It helps so much with record keeping, though. And businesses seem to like knowing they’re paying another business, even if it’s a sole proprietorship.

@ #3 – It’s much easier to solicit work from a current client than it is to chase new ones. (But we really should be doing both.) And don’t forget that a lot of companies take that exact brochure and reproduce it word-for-word on their web site. If you can educate them on web-friendly writing, you may get to rewrite their web copy.

Thanks, everyone, for the comments so far. Keep them coming!

]]> By: #3 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-29301 #3 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 20:13:19 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/#comment-29301 Good post. #10 can be an easy marketing technique for writers who feel a little squeamish about getting out their and marketing themselves. What Jodee said is a great way to get them thinking about you and their next project. When it comes to certain materials i.e. brochures companies just print of a billion and use them for the next 10 years. But if you nudge them they may realize that information they currently have is outdated, has changed or think of another opportunity where they could use your services. Good post. #10 can be an easy marketing technique for writers who feel a little squeamish about getting out their and marketing themselves. What Jodee said is a great way to get them thinking about you and their next project. When it comes to certain materials i.e. brochures companies just print of a billion and use them for the next 10 years. But if you nudge them they may realize that information they currently have is outdated, has changed or think of another opportunity where they could use your services.

]]> By: #7 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-29258 #7 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:55:34 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/#comment-29258 Hi #11, your list makes me feel like I'm right on track. Maybe I'm more organized that I thought. Well except for having a business checking account. But that's on my to do list. Hi #11, your list makes me feel like I’m right on track. Maybe I’m more organized that I thought. Well except for having a business checking account. But that’s on my to do list.

]]> By: #4 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-29173 #4 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:29:51 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/#comment-29173 This is a good list, #11! I started keeping a far more detailed list/chart of my payments recently, and I LOVE it because it makes me feel so great to be all organized and track my payments as I receive them. Every time I get a new payment and put it in my system, I feel like a cackling witch who rubs her long, knobbly fingers together with joy. (I'm a little tired today, so please forgive the crazy simile.) This is a good list, #11! I started keeping a far more detailed list/chart of my payments recently, and I LOVE it because it makes me feel so great to be all organized and track my payments as I receive them. Every time I get a new payment and put it in my system, I feel like a cackling witch who rubs her long, knobbly fingers together with joy. (I’m a little tired today, so please forgive the crazy simile.)

]]> By: Candidate #11 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-29053 Candidate #11 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:08:50 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/#comment-29053 @Jodee - great idea! You could also offer a discount on their next project if they refer other clients. @Phil - agreed. You don't want to bug them too much, but you do want to keep in front of them. I've also seen suggestions that if you see something that the client would be interested in, say an interesting article that pertains to their industry, send it along with a note saying you thought they might be interested in it. That's it, you're just trying to helpful. But it - again - gets your name in front of them and gives them something of value. @Jodee – great idea! You could also offer a discount on their next project if they refer other clients.

@Phil – agreed. You don’t want to bug them too much, but you do want to keep in front of them.

I’ve also seen suggestions that if you see something that the client would be interested in, say an interesting article that pertains to their industry, send it along with a note saying you thought they might be interested in it. That’s it, you’re just trying to helpful. But it – again – gets your name in front of them and gives them something of value.

]]> By: Phil http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-29049 Phil Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:59:14 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/#comment-29049 Carrar, Follow a regular policy of contacting clients every 90 days or so. Carrar,

Follow a regular policy of contacting clients every 90 days or so.

]]> By: Jodee http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-29046 Jodee Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:19:59 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/#comment-29046 @ Carrar: Here's a strategy I've heard of that seems to work - Contact the former client and make them an offer. Remind them exactly what project(s) you worked on for them in the past and tell them that for a limited time you are offering a special price for your premium clients on their next order. That may be enough of a hook to get someone to contact you. (You could offer a percentage off, a reduced flat rate, or make up a coupon to go with your e-mail which would entitle them to your special offer.) Hope that helps! :) @ Carrar: Here’s a strategy I’ve heard of that seems to work – Contact the former client and make them an offer. Remind them exactly what project(s) you worked on for them in the past and tell them that for a limited time you are offering a special price for your premium clients on their next order. That may be enough of a hook to get someone to contact you. (You could offer a percentage off, a reduced flat rate, or make up a coupon to go with your e-mail which would entitle them to your special offer.)

Hope that helps! :)

]]> By: Candidate #11 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-28983 Candidate #11 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:07:55 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/#comment-28983 @carrar - by putting your name back in front of the client, you're reminding them that you're available. Even if you don't get any acknowledgment, they'll still have you in the back of their minds. And the client who said 6 months is basically telling you to check back then. You don't want to be a nuisance by constantly checking back. But every 3 - 6 months is a good idea. @Melody - that's exactly it. You just remind them that you're there. If you don't have a lot to keep track of, there's nothing wrong with an Excel spreadsheet. The main thing is to find something and use it consistently. For payments, I use Quicken (it's what was available for my Mac). I can sync up with my bank, and I can create expense and invoice accounts so everything is up-to-date. You might think of using the client spreadsheet in conjunction with a calendar, so you can put reminders to follow up with them for more work. @carrar – by putting your name back in front of the client, you’re reminding them that you’re available. Even if you don’t get any acknowledgment, they’ll still have you in the back of their minds. And the client who said 6 months is basically telling you to check back then. You don’t want to be a nuisance by constantly checking back. But every 3 – 6 months is a good idea.

@Melody – that’s exactly it. You just remind them that you’re there. If you don’t have a lot to keep track of, there’s nothing wrong with an Excel spreadsheet. The main thing is to find something and use it consistently. For payments, I use Quicken (it’s what was available for my Mac). I can sync up with my bank, and I can create expense and invoice accounts so everything is up-to-date. You might think of using the client spreadsheet in conjunction with a calendar, so you can put reminders to follow up with them for more work.

]]> By: Candidate #11 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2008/06/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/comment-page-1/#comment-28982 Candidate #11 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:07:02 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/ten-ways-to-get-organized-so-you-can-get-writing/#comment-28982 @Kristy - thanks! I'm glad there's something there that you can use. @Jenny B - you're welcome. Thanks for your comment. @Beth - it's way too easy to get buried in the busywork and lose precious writing time! @Kristy – thanks! I’m glad there’s something there that you can use.

@Jenny B – you’re welcome. Thanks for your comment.

@Beth – it’s way too easy to get buried in the busywork and lose precious writing time!

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