You are here: Home / Archives for Freelance Writers

What Does Not Paying Freelance Writers Say about You?

September 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Freelance writing is a business. Freelance writers are professionals that provide a service which is writing. They’re no different from other business professionals you hire to provide a service for you and your company. If you don’t pay them, they could post something on the internet on sites such as Predators and Editors. That wouldn’t be positive for your image and it could be a public relations nightmare!

What does not paying a freelance writer say about you? It could say that you don’t have integrity or morals. It could say that you don’t respect others. It could also say that you aren’t a trustworthy person. Is this the image you have of yourself? Is this what you want to portray to your clients? Think about this before you forgo paying your freelance writer. Remember, it’s a small world and people know people.

Not paying a freelance writer puts them in a bind. What if they have children? How will they be able to pay their rent or mortgage if you stiff them? Do you want to be responsible for your freelance writer losing their home? What about taking food out of their children’s stomach? You could contribute to these situations. How would you like it if this happened to your family? Remember, what goes around comes around. You could suffer great loss in your business because of the karma you put out into the universe.

If you can’t pay your freelance writer, be honest about it. Pay them what you can. Next time make sure you’ll be able to afford hiring a freelance writer. If this isn’t possible, contact colleges and universities and hire an intern. College kids would be thrilled to get the experience.

You may want to suggest a barter exchange of services. If you have a direct mail business, offer your freelance writer a half or full page ad in exchange for copywriting. It’s a win-win situation. You’ll receive free copy and they’ll receive advertising. When your income increases then you can pay your freelance writer or leave the arrangement as is if it’s working well for both of you.

The bottom line is to pay your freelance writer. Not paying them isn’t the right approach if you’re short on funds. Pick up the phone or send an email to explain your situation. Work something out instead of not paying your invoices and ignoring calls and emails from your freelance writer. Your conscience will thank you and your karmic energy will be clean!

Rebecca

Have you ever “stiffed” your freelance writer? Why? Share your thoughts.

Filed Under: Clients, Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing Tagged With:

Increase Sales and Web Traffic with Target=”_Blank”

September 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I have a pet peeve about blogs/websites — sometimes the HTML code target=”_blank” which opens a link in another web browser is not used. If you’re not utilizing this code, you could be sabotaging your website and business. Implementing the code is easy and will help readers and potential clients remember your website! More importantly, it won’t deter them from your website.

I can’t tell you how many websites and blogs I visit that are not using the HTML target=”_blank” code in articles, blogs, and web copy. The point of the code is to make sure people stay on your website and not be taken away from it when they click on a link. If you don’t use the code, readers will have to press the ‘back button’ or worse be forced to remember the name of your website when it’s their first time looking at your website. You could lose valuable web traffic.

Benefits of target=”_blank”

  • Links open in a new web browser guaranteeing visitors stay on your website.
  • Visitors to your blog/website won’t have to press the Back button to get back to your website after they click on a link.
  • You won’t annoy or frustrate people by making them press the Back the button.
  • You’ll increase web traffic because visitors to your website will stay on your website. This will help them to remember the name of it.

Make your blog/website easy for people. They’re on your website for a reason — they want good, solid information that will provide them with links where they can find other good, solid information. And, they’re interested in the products and services you have to offer. If you don’t keep them on your website, they’ll go to another website and you will lose a sale!

Remember that most people are multi-taskers and usually do more than one task at a time. If they have multiple browsers open, they could accidentally click off of your website instead of the link they opened. And, it’s possible they won’t remember your website if they didn’t write it down or bookmark it. Closing out of your website could cost you money and web traffic!

There’s nothing worse than finding a blog or website you like only to be taken away from it. The next time you write a blog post or article or add links, make sure to use the code target=”_blank” which opens a link up in a new web browser. Visitors to your website will appreciate it!

Rebecca

What’s stopping you from learning HTML coding? Share your thoughts.

Filed Under: Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Overcoming Obstacles, Search Engine Optimization, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: , , , ,

How Useful are Teleseminars?

September 16, 2010 By 1 Comment

Photo by Wendy Pastorius_Stock Exchange

I used to frequently sign up for teleseminars but I’ve become disillusioned with them for many reasons. First, most of them are usually sales/marketing platforms disguised as helpful information. I have no problem with this except that I find out about it when I call. My time is valuable to me, and I prefer not to waste it on a telesemnar that’s nothing but a sales/marketing program. Send me a brief email, and I’ll read it. Second, most people who give teleseminars take 20 to 30 minutes to introduce themselves. I’m capable of going to your website and reading your bio. Yes, I can read. Third, most people don’t get to the point. They drone on and on about what they can do for you without telling you what they can actually do for you. Get to the point, say what you want to say and say it! Finally, some are way too long. This isn’t a problem if they’re informative. When they’re strictly sales/marketing platforms, I feel duped.

Many professionals such as freelance writers use teleseminars to reveal the “Top 10 Secrets to Creating Money Making Headlines” or “How to Stop Attracting the Wrong Clients” only to leave you wondering why you signed up in the first place. Most people usually take a half hour to tell you how wonderful they are, what they accomplished, and how they can help you make more money with their program that’s being offered for a limited time of $997. What happened to the useful information you promised to share? Did you forget why you were having the teleseminar? Isn’t the goal of a teleseminar to get people to purchase your product or service not driving them away from your business? You may want to consider these questions before you hold a teleseminar.

Most freelance writers do more than write. In fact, some of them are writing coaches. If you want to gain clients, you may be inclined to have a teleseminar. Make sure you walk your talk. If you proclaim that you’ll reveal the “Top 10 Mistakes Freelance Writers Make,” please make sure you actually reveal them in addition to selling your product or service. There’s nothing wrong with using a teleseminar as a marketing tool, it’s when you misrepresent it as an hour of helpful techniques that could leave potential clients feeling like they wasted their time and cell phone minutes!

A teleseminar is a great business tool to grow your business. Before you create one, make sure you have valuable information to share with people. Be honest about what your teleseminar will entail. Provide your website in the email that explains the call-in instructions so people can read about you before they dial in and listen to you. When the big day arrives, spend 10 to 15 minutes telling listeners about you and get on with the show! Good luck!

Rebecca

How many teleseminars have you attended that were helpful? Share your thoughts.

Filed Under: Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: ,

Freelancers “Electronically Out” Clients that Don’t Pay

September 12, 2010 By 1 Comment

Photo from Stock Exchange

There’s a captivating article on Crains New York about freelancers taking a stand against clients that don’t pay. According to the article, “…more than 400 freelancers have electronically outed clients who haven’t paid via a website set-up by Freelancers Union.” Some of the clients include political candidates to banks to media companies. This seems extreme but sometimes extreme measures are necessary to implement change.

Some clients will use the state of the economy as an excuse not to pay. If you know you can’t pay, why hire a freelance writer? And, you can always make payment arrangements. Most freelance writers are more than happy to work out a payment plan with their clients.

Freelance writers either charge by the hour, word, or project. It’s not uncommon for a ghostwriter to earn $70,000 for a project which is usually split into payments of thirds. What happens when the first payment is paid but the final two payments are not? How many times does a freelance writer have to send an invoice or make a phone call? You can be sent on a ‘wild goose chase’ trying to collect payments.

Make sure you get paid for the work. If you’re billing a project in thirds and received the first payment but the second payment hasn’t arrived in your mailbox, stop working on the project. Pick up the phone and inform your client that the work will be put on hold until you receive payment. If the client can’t handle the large payments, you may consider breaking the payments and project into smaller pieces. You may have to walk away from the project. Use your discretion and go with your gut instinct as to whether or not this is the right move for you.

Freelance writers may be tempted to “electronically out” clients but this could backfire on you. Remember the saying, “what goes around, comes around.” Forgiving and forgetting may not be easy for you to do, but it could be the best option for you. It’s a life lesson that you won’t repeat in the future. Make sure your invoices are marked with your terms such as “net 30 days or payment due upon receipt of invoice.” Go over your payment expectations with clients before your begin working on projects.

Being a freelance writer is a great career choice but remember that it’s a business. Are you prepared for everything that goes with being a freelance writer? This includes dealing with clients that don’t pay. Get a clear vision of who your clients are and focus on attracting them to you. Not every organization or professional is your client. In fact, you may want to ask your clients for references which will give you a chance to see how they pay. Organizations usually have D&B reports or S&P reports. You may have to pay for the reports, but it could give you peace of mind.

Communication is the key to a long lasting business relationships. For clients who can’t pay, be honest about it and make payment arrangements. Freelance writers will appreciate your honesty and integrity and respect you for speaking up. On the other hand, clients who withhold payments run the risk of ending up on internet sites such as Preditors and Editors. No one wants that to happen!

Rebecca

How do you handle clients that don’t pay? Would you ‘electronically out’ your clients? Share your thoughts.

Filed Under: Clients, Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing Tagged With:

Why Won’t Clients Return Phone Calls or Emails?

August 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Photo by Michael Faes

When you run a business, it’s important to be professional. This means returning phone calls and emails in a timely manner. If your clients have questions about their projects, you probably respond to them within a day or two, depending on how heavy your schedule is. If you respond to them, why wouldn’t they respond to you? After all, it’s their business not yours. Isn’t it important they get back to you immediately in order for you to complete projects on time? Some clients may not have your business ethics.

Clients may not return your phone calls or emails because they’re too busy to stop for a minute to contact you. If this is the case, forget about getting mad about it. Calmly let your clients know that you’ll work on other projects until they have the time to speak to you. Their projects will be put on hold since the lines of communication aren’t open at this time. This will get their attention.

Perhaps your clients are just rude. Maybe you attracted clients that are not that concerned with their projects. Perhaps they’re really laid back and know that the work will be completed in due time. If this is the case, put their projects aside or do as much as you can until you hear from them. You can’t make people call or email you back. Work on other projects until they respond to you.

Maybe your clients are intimidated to call you or are afraid you’ll charge them more for the changes they have. To avoid this, make sure you go over your fees which includes any revisions. Clients will feel more comfortable communicating with you as long as they know they won’t be presented with “hidden” fees.

Whenever you work with clients, it’s necessary to lay the ground rules and set boundaries. For example, you may submit a proposal for work and it’s to be signed by you and the client(s). Perhaps you create a quote before you even submit a proposal. Make sure you stick to your business procedures and forget about cutting any corners. If you aren’t available on weekends, let your clients know that you’re off on Saturday and Sunday unless it’s a dire emergency. Otherwise, your weekend plans could be interrupted.

Communication is what freelance writers do. It’s frustrating when your clients don’t return calls or emails. Stay calm about it. They could have an emergency with family or the business. Stay on top of communications. If the problem persists, you may have to say ‘goodbye’ to your clients.

Rebecca

Have you ever had clients not return your calls or emails? How did you handle it? Share.

Filed Under: Clients, Freelance Writers, Freelance Writing Tagged With:
« Previous Page
Next Page »