Category Archives: Freelancing

Living: Take Me Out to the Ballgame

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A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz. — Humphrey Bogart 

A few weeks ago we got to take my little guy to his first Major League Baseball game. The sun was shining, the seats were great and the Nationals won. My guy got to have popcorn and his first Cracker Jacks. He was thrilled when his daddy told him he could have "his very own Sprite"–a rare treat in our house. My guy munched and cheered up until the seventh inning stretch, when we decided to go ahead and head home. It was the perfect way to start our summer! 

Living: Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Posted on by

 

A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz. — Humphrey Bogart 

A few weeks ago we got to take my little guy to his first Major League Baseball game. The sun was shining, the seats were great and the Nationals won. My guy got to have popcorn and his first Cracker Jacks. He was thrilled when his daddy told him he could have "his very own Sprite"–a rare treat in our house. My guy munched and cheered up until the seventh inning stretch, when we decided to go ahead and head home. It was the perfect way to start our summer! 

Freelancing: Clearing My Plate

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I’ve turned in the last of my articles, wrapped up a few lingering story questions with an editor and sent out my latest batch of invoices, which means it is time for this little baby to arrive. I still have a few weeks before her official due date, but now would be a great time for her to come. I’m not used to being still. I do have one assignment that will be due in late July and run in August, so I’m debating whether I should start lining up interviews or just sit back and wait for baby girl to arrive and then jump in. Of course, getting some interviews lined up for next week will be one sure way to guarantee she makes her appearance! 

Freelancing: Teaching Aspirations

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In my early 20s I wrote a series of articles about how the Utah State Prison was using education and vocational training to reduce the recidivism rate in the men’s prison. This involved a number of trips to the prison, eating lunch with inmates and sitting in on some of their classes. 
 
On one of my last visits, the program director asked me if I would be interested in teaching a writing course for the inmates. I was young and naïve and certain I could change the world one person at a time. The thought that I could do this through the power of writing made the opportunity even more appealing. 
 
I was about to jump at the chance and had just started to ask how soon I could start when the director piped up again: “Sometimes we need to dangle a carrot in front of these guys to get them to come to class and a young, pretty girl like you would be quite a carrot for us.”  
 
Needless to say, my career as a writing instructor was born and died within the span of six minutes. 
 

Freelancing: To Blog or Not to Blog

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A few weeks ago a friend and I were discussing whether or not it is important for writers to blog. I am constantly torn on how much time I should devote to blogging. On one hand it is something I enjoy doing and posting about freelancing helps me focus on ways I can improve my own business. On the other hand I don’t feel that my blog helps me obtain or keep clients. So for me it became important to focus on my goals for my little corner of the Internet.

I like sharing some of my freelance experiences and helping those that may be considering hanging their own shingle. Since I love to read, offering posts about my favorite books and stories just seemed natural. And, well, talking about my little guy and life at home just makes me happy. Since this is my professional Web site, I struggle more with how much to talk about my personal life. I’ve heard people say to go ahead and have at it since your clients and readers want to know about you as a person, but I’ve also heard people say sharing too much information can actually hurt you. I try to walk a fine line between the two. 

Jane Friedman, editor of Writer’s Digest, had a great post last week about why writers should and shouldn’t blog. My favorite reason she gave for blogging is this: "You will start thinking of opportunities you didn’t before. Once you have an online site/blog, you’ll notice that ideas and plans for it will emerge even if you’re not focusing on it. You have a more empowered and creative stance; you’re more open to possibilities for it because it already exists."

I think that sums up the biggest benefit of blogging for me. Knowing I have the blog keeps me on the lookout for new ideas. I am constantly evaluating the things I do that work well so I can share them with others and I find myself reading books, stories and articles with the blog in mind. It is just another tool for ensuring I keep my eyes open to the world going on around me. 

 

Freelancing: To Blog or Not to Blog

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A few weeks ago a friend and I were discussing whether or not it is important for writers to blog. I am constantly torn on how much time I should devote to blogging. On one hand it is something I enjoy doing and posting about freelancing helps me focus on ways I can improve my own business. On the other hand I don’t feel that my blog helps me obtain or keep clients. So for me it became important to focus on my goals for my little corner of the Internet.

I like sharing some of my freelance experiences and helping those that may be considering hanging their own shingle. Since I love to read, offering posts about my favorite books and stories just seemed natural. And, well, talking about my little guy and life at home just makes me happy. Since this is my professional Web site, I struggle more with how much to talk about my personal life. I’ve heard people say to go ahead and have at it since your clients and readers want to know about you as a person, but I’ve also heard people say sharing too much information can actually hurt you. I try to walk a fine line between the two. 

Jane Friedman, editor of Writer’s Digest, had a great post last week about why writers should and shouldn’t blog. My favorite reason she gave for blogging is this: "You will start thinking of opportunities you didn’t before. Once you have an online site/blog, you’ll notice that ideas and plans for it will emerge even if you’re not focusing on it. You have a more empowered and creative stance; you’re more open to possibilities for it because it already exists."

I think that sums up the biggest benefit of blogging for me. Knowing I have the blog keeps me on the lookout for new ideas. I am constantly evaluating the things I do that work well so I can share them with others and I find myself reading books, stories and articles with the blog in mind. It is just another tool for ensuring I keep my eyes open to the world going on around me. 

 

Freelancing: Preparing for the Self-Employed Version of Maternity Leave

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In about six weeks my little family of three is going to become a family of four. I can’t wait to welcome this new little bundle and I plan to use the next few weeks to wrap up some work projects and prepare for what I’m calling the self-employed version of maternity leave. 
 
This little miracle warrants my full attention, as will my little guy who will be facing an adjustment period of his own as he learns to share mommy’s time. But, building and maintaining a client list requires attention as well and isn’t something I can just put on autopilot for the summer. So, I plan to focus on slowing down versus stopping. Here is my approach:  
 
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate: I’ve already let me key clients know that I am planning to take off some time in June and July and will be ready to submit stories to them again in August. Knowing I am back on editorial calendars for the fall has helped ease my mind and makes sure we’re all on the same page. 
 
Be Flexible: As a full-time freelancer, my career is built on meeting my clients’ needs when they arise. Great opportunities are hard to pass up, and I have several steady clients that I plan to remain available to for last-minute projects and story edits during the summer. The biggest benefit of steady clients (for both of us) is that I know their style and I understand their needs. That will allow me to better plan my time and ensure I can meet their needs while still focusing on my growing family. 
 
Save Up: Freelancing means I will have to fund my own maternity leave. Luckily I was able to take on a few extra projects early in the year, and I married a CPA who does an excellent job of setting our family budget and ensuring we stick to it. I was also able to take on some extra projects earlier in the year, which will help with the budgeting.
 
Call for Backup: I’ve called in reinforcements for the summer (thank you, mom) to help me get settled in my new routine and allow me to tackle work projects.
 
I think a little advanced planning and preparation are going to go a long way in easing the transition as I become a mama of two. I’m sure I’ll learn a lot as I go—I always do.