Comments on: 7 Important Lessons Freelance Writers Can Learn from Working in Fast Food

By: Yolander

Yolander — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 04:49:56 +0000

I would not have thought of fast food as an analogy for freelancing, but it is perfect!

By: EduBook.com

EduBook.com — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:07:21 +0000

Great article and great advice. The part about suggestive selling is a must. You can really make a lot of extra money if you stick to what works.

By: Kristen

Kristen — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 01:40:20 +0000

What a great post. And I wholeheartedly agree with your “the client is always right” sentiments.

What I have learned from past jobs:

1. The early bird catches the job.
I interned at a technology firm while in college. Although the day officially started at 8:30am, the company served breakfast at 8am. I always made sure to make it to breakfast; not only was it good (haha) but I made sure that the bosses saw that I was there early and ready to work. My eagerness paid off; the next summer I was invited back, most of my fellow interns weren’t.

2. If you don’t know the answer, find it…but don’t ACT like you don’t know the answer (bad english, I know).
At the same job, we had to work off-site and manage quite a few local temps to set up the company’s biggest meeting. Here I was, at 20 years old, managing 20+ local employees and having partners come up to me and ask questions. When one said, “I want to speak to the on-site supervisor.” and I showed up, he scoffed. But I had to keep my cool and PROVE that I was in charge.

3. The feet you step on today could be connected to the butt you kiss tomorrow.
I have gotten work from a past supervisor AND a past assistant of mine. You just never know.

By: Links: Love Edition 2009 | Meryl.net

Links: Love Edition 2009 | Meryl.net — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:37:12 +0000

[...] 7 Important Lessons Freelance Writers Can Learn from Working in Fast Food [...]

By: Jenn

Jenn — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 02:56:35 +0000

Deb,

I must admit that this advice translates well to writing. However, the inspiration that kept floating through my mind while I was reading this was “Thank God I am not working fast food anymore!” The threat of going back to that environment is a great weapon against writer’s block .

By: Louise

Louise — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 02:43:05 +0000

“…you’re still nothing without your clients.”
How sad that people believe this. I guess this attitude is what keeps some people writing articles for $5. If it were not for writers, many companies and even some industries (publishing, movies, TV) would not exist. My view is that writers and client have a symbiotic relationship rather than a parasitic one.

“They will always find new writers, maybe not as good, maybe better – but we might not find new clients.”
Again, such an attitude keeps people working at low-paying jobs and for unprofessional clients because of the fear or belief that there is nothing better out there. I got five new clients in October by just answering job ads. And if I had sent out queries or directly contacted local business I would have done a lot better. There is plenty of work available if you believe that there is.

By: Andy Hayes

Andy Hayes — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:27:57 +0000

Very very clever, Deb. While I’ve never been flipping flapjacks or grilling the greasy goods, I did work at a big electronics store. So I totally relate. The only thing I might add:

- You might not enjoy every aspect of your job. Just be sure to APPRECIATE everything that goes into making the final product. (Very appropriate to writers)

By: Deb

Deb — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:15:13 +0000

@Wess – While I do understand and appreciate your point, I will always maintain we need our customers more than they need us. They will always find new writers, maybe not as good, maybe better – but we might not find new clients.

So, while it’s ok for us to think the customer is wrong, and even offer them a little guidance when we can, I would never insinuate to them that they’re wrong. I would just offer a different “point of view.”

By: Wess Stewart

Wess Stewart — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:07:45 +0000

When I worked in fast food, I learned something too.

Whoever said ‘the customer is always right’ was usually either a customer that was wrong, or just plain stupid.

You just have to be smart enough to tell a customer that they are wrong without them actually knowing that you did…

*evil grin*

By: Deb

Deb — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 23:28:27 +0000

@Brad – In fast food you can at least east for free or a discount. In freelance writing, every now and then you eat your words but there’s still a good chance you’ll go hungry.