Comments on: 40 Lessons Learned in Ten Years as a Freelance Writer http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2010/02/40-lessons-learned-in-ten-years-as-a-freelance-writer/ Freelance Writing Jobs for All Writers Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:52:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Celeste Stewart http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2010/02/40-lessons-learned-in-ten-years-as-a-freelance-writer/comment-page-1/#comment-125158 Celeste Stewart Sun, 27 Jun 2010 06:16:12 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=7212#comment-125158 Enjoyed your tips and agree wholeheartedly. I've been freelancing since 2006 and a telecommuter since 2000. The two most difficult challenges for me have been tips #33 and #34 (33 - Telephones are better than email and 34 - It's not easy working with kids at all). They're closely related as having kids at home makes telephone calls extremely difficult. With 10 years of using email and having it work great, I struggle with the occasional client who wants to talk. It's hard because of the background noise as well as the time spent chitchatting. I had one guy take 40 minutes of beating around the bush to tell me that he had an issue with a single paragraph! The revision took all of two minutes to make. Had he sent me an email saying "Paragraph two needs a softer tone" (or whatever it was), we both would have been happier, but no, he wanted to analyze each word used and the thought process that went into building each sentence. Back to tip 15 (the micro-managing clients). I suppose I could have controlled the conversation better as well, but it was tough as the little ones were performing their antics in the background (LOL - told you, these tips are intricately related). Enjoyed your tips and agree wholeheartedly. I’ve been freelancing since 2006 and a telecommuter since 2000. The two most difficult challenges for me have been tips #33 and #34 (33 – Telephones are better than email and 34 – It’s not easy working with kids at all). They’re closely related as having kids at home makes telephone calls extremely difficult.

With 10 years of using email and having it work great, I struggle with the occasional client who wants to talk. It’s hard because of the background noise as well as the time spent chitchatting. I had one guy take 40 minutes of beating around the bush to tell me that he had an issue with a single paragraph! The revision took all of two minutes to make. Had he sent me an email saying “Paragraph two needs a softer tone” (or whatever it was), we both would have been happier, but no, he wanted to analyze each word used and the thought process that went into building each sentence. Back to tip 15 (the micro-managing clients).

I suppose I could have controlled the conversation better as well, but it was tough as the little ones were performing their antics in the background (LOL – told you, these tips are intricately related).
Celeste Stewart´s last [type] ..Writing for Constant-Contentcom – Should I Wait

]]> By: Carolyn Cordon http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2010/02/40-lessons-learned-in-ten-years-as-a-freelance-writer/comment-page-1/#comment-124288 Carolyn Cordon Sat, 22 May 2010 05:34:21 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=7212#comment-124288 I love this post. I am a stay at home mother, recently diagnosed with a chronic and currently uncurable disease. I love to write and any time I can get money doing what I love is a great time. I have been a chronic procrastinator and I agree with what you wrote about writer's block. I love this post. I am a stay at home mother, recently diagnosed with a chronic and currently uncurable disease. I love to write and any time I can get money doing what I love is a great time.

I have been a chronic procrastinator and I agree with what you wrote about writer’s block.

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2010/02/40-lessons-learned-in-ten-years-as-a-freelance-writer/comment-page-1/#comment-124077 Jennifer Sat, 15 May 2010 05:38:00 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=7212#comment-124077 This is a great post! I just started freelance writing a couple of months ago and have already had the joy of doing something for nothing. Thankfully one of these projects was a set of ghostwritten articles, so I simply published them under my own name on the content site I write for to earn residual income. Again, great post, and great ideas. This is sure to help me as I shape my business :) This is a great post! I just started freelance writing a couple of months ago and have already had the joy of doing something for nothing. Thankfully one of these projects was a set of ghostwritten articles, so I simply published them under my own name on the content site I write for to earn residual income.

Again, great post, and great ideas. This is sure to help me as I shape my business :)

]]> By: Susan Elliott http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2010/02/40-lessons-learned-in-ten-years-as-a-freelance-writer/comment-page-1/#comment-123823 Susan Elliott Wed, 05 May 2010 15:36:01 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=7212#comment-123823 Thanks for the tips! I really, really think this is a great list. I am one of those people who used to think that I was not a "real" writer, because I publish on Blogger, Associated Content and work for Demand Studios and do not publish in print magazines. I have finally learned that online publishing is okay! I held out for years and kept my poetry locked away in a closet waiting for the day I would published a chapbook, but now it is available for the entire world to see, on my blog; and I am okay with that. I also agree that it is almost impossible to write with children around. I have three who are preteens/teens and they are a big distraction. I love them dearly, but I work best when they have activities to accomplish or are playing outside. With that said, I have set up writing hours so I can still spend time with them. Thanks again for your ideas! Susan Thanks for the tips! I really, really think this is a great list. I am one of those people who used to think that I was not a “real” writer, because I publish on Blogger, Associated Content and work for Demand Studios and do not publish in print magazines. I have finally learned that online publishing is okay! I held out for years and kept my poetry locked away in a closet waiting for the day I would published a chapbook, but now it is available for the entire world to see, on my blog; and I am okay with that.

I also agree that it is almost impossible to write with children around. I have three who are preteens/teens and they are a big distraction. I love them dearly, but I work best when they have activities to accomplish or are playing outside. With that said, I have set up writing hours so I can still spend time with them.

Thanks again for your ideas!

Susan

]]> By: Melanie http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2010/02/40-lessons-learned-in-ten-years-as-a-freelance-writer/comment-page-1/#comment-123475 Melanie Sat, 24 Apr 2010 03:07:04 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=7212#comment-123475 I literally Stumbled Upon your post and love what I see. Numbers 11 and 36 definitely hit home for me. I've been freelancing for 10 years now, too. And, I'm actually a bit relieved that online writing is starting to take over print. It's the medium I actually started out writing for (back before the dot-com bust) and I've been hacking away learning all I can about HTML, blogging, CMS, etc. ever since. That has definitely given me an edge over those who've relied solely on print media. Social media has also brought me so much more success than I ever expected, so I'm glad I jumped into that pool, as deep and unmanageable as it may be. All that said, freelance writing has been very inconsistent in terms of pay over the past decade and I've hardly made a living of it. In fact, if it weren't for my well-employed husband I'd have had to change career paths long ago. Luckily, the effort that I have put into being my own editor and writer for my own blog at http://www.italofile.com is starting to pay off. Slowly...but surely. I've also written a few other posts about freelance writing on my personal blog at http://www.missadventures.com if you'd like to take a look. Here's the most recent: http://www.missadventures.com/2010/02/10/freelance-travel-writing-and-the-art-of-being-a-parent/ So, thanks for this nice long list of freelancing tips and truths. Now, I'm gonna go find you on Twitter. :-) Best, Melanie .-= Melanie´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Italofile/~3/haz_F4sDpH8/" rel="nofollow">More Hill Towns of Umbria</a> =-. I literally Stumbled Upon your post and love what I see. Numbers 11 and 36 definitely hit home for me. I’ve been freelancing for 10 years now, too. And, I’m actually a bit relieved that online writing is starting to take over print. It’s the medium I actually started out writing for (back before the dot-com bust) and I’ve been hacking away learning all I can about HTML, blogging, CMS, etc. ever since. That has definitely given me an edge over those who’ve relied solely on print media.

Social media has also brought me so much more success than I ever expected, so I’m glad I jumped into that pool, as deep and unmanageable as it may be.

All that said, freelance writing has been very inconsistent in terms of pay over the past decade and I’ve hardly made a living of it. In fact, if it weren’t for my well-employed husband I’d have had to change career paths long ago. Luckily, the effort that I have put into being my own editor and writer for my own blog at http://www.italofile.com is starting to pay off. Slowly…but surely.

I’ve also written a few other posts about freelance writing on my personal blog at http://www.missadventures.com if you’d like to take a look. Here’s the most recent: http://www.missadventures.com/2010/02/10/freelance-travel-writing-and-the-art-of-being-a-parent/

So, thanks for this nice long list of freelancing tips and truths. Now, I’m gonna go find you on Twitter. :-)

Best,
Melanie
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..More Hill Towns of Umbria =-.

]]> By: Blogging Mistakes: Too Many Projects, Not Enough Time : Freelance Writing Jobs | A Freelance Writing Community and Freelance Writing Jobs Resource http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2010/02/40-lessons-learned-in-ten-years-as-a-freelance-writer/comment-page-1/#comment-123065 Blogging Mistakes: Too Many Projects, Not Enough Time : Freelance Writing Jobs | A Freelance Writing Community and Freelance Writing Jobs Resource Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:28:17 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=7212#comment-123065 [...] a successful endeavor for me, but it’s also a lot of trial and error. I often write about blogging mistakes, but one in particular has been nagging at me and I thought I’d share it with you here. [...] [...] a successful endeavor for me, but it’s also a lot of trial and error. I often write about blogging mistakes, but one in particular has been nagging at me and I thought I’d share it with you here. [...]

]]> By: Freelance Writing Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions : Freelance Writing Jobs | A Freelance Writing Community and Freelance Writing Jobs Resource http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2010/02/40-lessons-learned-in-ten-years-as-a-freelance-writer/comment-page-1/#comment-122612 Freelance Writing Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions : Freelance Writing Jobs | A Freelance Writing Community and Freelance Writing Jobs Resource Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:00:34 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=7212#comment-122612 [...] 40 Lessons Learned in 10 Years of Freelance Wriitng [...] [...] 40 Lessons Learned in 10 Years of Freelance Wriitng [...]

]]> By: Christopher http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2010/02/40-lessons-learned-in-ten-years-as-a-freelance-writer/comment-page-1/#comment-121455 Christopher Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:35:26 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=7212#comment-121455 Great list Deb. I can especially relate to working while children are around. I'm doing that right now as we speak, er type. I also agree with you on the procrastination deal. It's something I'm struggling with right now actually. Oh and I love the fact that non freelancers are getting something out of this post as well. It's nice to open someone's eyes! .-= Christopher´s last blog ..<a href="http://online-marketing-vault.com/2010/02/happy-valentines-make-a-difference/" rel="nofollow">Happy Valentine’s: Make a Difference</a> =-. Great list Deb. I can especially relate to working while children are around. I’m doing that right now as we speak, er type.

I also agree with you on the procrastination deal. It’s something I’m struggling with right now actually.

Oh and I love the fact that non freelancers are getting something out of this post as well. It’s nice to open someone’s eyes!
.-= Christopher´s last blog ..Happy Valentine’s: Make a Difference =-.

]]> By: Carleen http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2010/02/40-lessons-learned-in-ten-years-as-a-freelance-writer/comment-page-1/#comment-121417 Carleen Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:36:24 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=7212#comment-121417 Thank you for sharing these lessons! I found them EXTREMELY helpful as I'm seriously considering transitioning careers and working as a freelance writer. A lot of the advice you give answer some of the questions and concerns I've had. Great article! Thank you for sharing these lessons! I found them EXTREMELY helpful as I’m seriously considering transitioning careers and working as a freelance writer. A lot of the advice you give answer some of the questions and concerns I’ve had.

Great article!

]]> By: Glendon Cameron http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2010/02/40-lessons-learned-in-ten-years-as-a-freelance-writer/comment-page-1/#comment-121387 Glendon Cameron Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:27:09 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=7212#comment-121387 I never thought of freelancing, this article made me look at it through a completely different prism. Well done! I never thought of freelancing, this article made me look at it through a completely different prism. Well done!

]]> By: Erica http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2010/02/40-lessons-learned-in-ten-years-as-a-freelance-writer/comment-page-1/#comment-121386 Erica Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:11:03 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=7212#comment-121386 Thanks, great stuff for a beginning writer. I shared this with my tweeple. (Is that a stupid word?) Thanks, great stuff for a beginning writer. I shared this with my tweeple. (Is that a stupid word?)

]]> By: P.S. Jones http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2010/02/40-lessons-learned-in-ten-years-as-a-freelance-writer/comment-page-1/#comment-121385 P.S. Jones Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:56:39 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=7212#comment-121385 I really, really enjoyed this post. For someone who hasn't been freelancing full time but for a few years, it's really interesting to see what you think looking back on years of experience. And bonus: I got about twenty blogging ideas for myself. Thanks!! I really, really enjoyed this post. For someone who hasn’t been freelancing full time but for a few years, it’s really interesting to see what you think looking back on years of experience. And bonus: I got about twenty blogging ideas for myself. Thanks!!

]]> By: Freelance Writing Jobs for February 12, 2010 : Freelance Writing Jobs for Web and Print| Part of the Freelance Writing Jobs Blog Network http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2010/02/40-lessons-learned-in-ten-years-as-a-freelance-writer/comment-page-1/#comment-121376 Freelance Writing Jobs for February 12, 2010 : Freelance Writing Jobs for Web and Print| Part of the Freelance Writing Jobs Blog Network Fri, 12 Feb 2010 13:49:55 +0000 http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/?p=7212#comment-121376 [...] 40 Lessons Learned in Ten Years as a Freelance Writer [...] [...] 40 Lessons Learned in Ten Years as a Freelance Writer [...]

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