When people ask freelancers to work for free...

I think the name "freelance" writer maybe puts the cha-ching in folks' minds. Maybe using the word free is what gets people thinking that it's okay to take food out of your baby's mouth. Maybe we should change our names to "Paylance Writers..."

That being said I do some free work, prestigious non-profits like Ohioana. Shout out to Leslie! But just some random, "I'm going to get paid, but I want you to donate-type thing? No thanks." Even friends get charged. Oh I may not charge you money, but you better believe you're invited to painting/moving/watching kids party. Oh yeah.

But for those who are not ahem, sensitive to strong language. Harlan Ellison has a few funny words about the whole situation. Again I warn it's not for those offended by strong language, so don't email me about the strong language. Seriously. I'll sick Harlan on you.

Freelancing Rocks!

I'm having a great week. It's one of those weeks in which you rejoice everyday that you're a freelance writer.

I've blazed through work, the ideas are just flowing. AND the work is flowing in, everyday this week I've made a new connection, gotten a new gig, did a happy dance.

I'm exhausted, but the good kind. The kind in which you've gotten things done, felt appreciated and when you know you are doin' your thang.

When you do something you love, not just something you're good at it is so fulfilling.

As I work on more assignments today I type a little lighter, but still know that each day is a hustle, never get too comfortable, even with long term gigs. But still, this is nice...This is nice...

Happy Friday!

Health and the Freelance Writer

Freelancers can be hermits at times. We sit, for hours, tapping away at our keyboards. Every so often we stumble out of our haze and tend to bills, children, the dog and then back to our seats.

Because we are tied to our chairs, we can make easy excuses for our lack of exercise: we don't have a company gym downstairs, we can't take time off because we're on deadline, etc.

Let's get rid of the excuses folks. The whole reason you became a freelance writer is so that you wouldn't be tied to a chair. And if you have a heart attack and die, you still won't meet your deadline - so get up and get moving!

The first thing I do in the morning is stumble to my computer and check email. WRONG! That just sets me up for at least two more hours of sitting while I scan for gigs, check more email, do some follow-ups, etc. Then it's hard to get the motivation to go and do something active.

When I get up and immediately put on my work out clothes, strap on the tennis shoes I feel ready to do something like go for a walk, run up and down the stairs, something...

We've got to take care of ourselves and each other. And if you think taking an hour a day out for physical activity will cost you money, think about how much money you are going to spend on health insurance when your BMI is off the charts.

Do you have an alternative plan?

Computers crash. Kids get sick. Things come up. Do you have an alternative plan for dealing with the little things that can turn your world upside down?

If your computer crashes, do you have a back-up system? Is your information backed up?

If your kids get sick or your babysitter flakes out on you, do you have someone you can call while you finish an important article or project?

Freelancers have to have a plan B and C. When the computer is on the fritz at work, you call up IT and the company pays the dime. Most freelancers don't have an IT department in their basement, so it's useful to have a couple experts on file in case you need them.

While someone fixes on your livelihood, do you have a back up system? I have a Window 98 HP - it's horrible & clunky, but it works and in a pinch I can hit up the local library.

Do you have back up blogs that you can whip out and post in a flash while taking a temperature? I don't for this blog, but for paying blogs you can bet your butt there are some great, timeless blogs cooling their heels in my online file folder accessible from anywhere.

Another way to help insulate yourself from disaster is to work ahead. I know there are writers out there that absolutely thrive on waiting until the last possible minute to finish an assignment. I know, I used to be one of them, until recently it dawned on me that every time I waited to start an assignment because I had a month or two to work on it, something came up during crunch time that made it a stressful, taxing task to get the article out on time.

Working ahead allows writers the luxury of rearranging their schedules if there's a hiccup in the plan. You can't prepare for every scenario, but you can be prepared for the common ones.

Do freelancers take a day off?

Happy Belated Turkey Day to All!

I'm waking up from my Thanksgiving induced coma and find myself sitting in front of my computer wondering - Do Freelancers Take a Day Off?

Working the day after Thanksgiving is usually a chore for those in retail, public services industries and recently, government workers in Jersey. But I know there are a small sect of freelancers who are taking a few moments to check emails, return phone calls and yes, blog a bit.

Unfortunately, there are very few instances in which you can get paid vacation time as a freelancer, travel writers excluded. Deciding whether to take a day off means decided which day you are going to go without pay.

The thing to remember is writers, especially the self-employed, need a day off just like everyone else. Everyone has got to be able to take day in which they put down the pen and paper, leave the emails to collect and recharge their internal battery.

Hopefully everyone got the day off yesterday and maybe even today - okay you can check but not respond to those emails. :-)

Organizing Your Freelance Finances...

As a freelancer, so many things revolve around money. Mostly, we writers focus on when we're going to get paid, how much we're going to get paid, how can we get paid more...

There was a time, and I'm not proud of it, when I would get a payment from a client, run and cash the check (you can never be too sure) and toss the paystub on my desk, or in a box or with a pile of receipts. I never separated my purchases i.e., work items and family groceries, nor did I bother with keeping track of mileage. Essentially, I was constantly throwing money away.

Now back during that time I didn't make enough for it to make a huge difference really. But still, the principle makes me shudder. All of those business lunches and dinners! My husband and I always strategize over a meal.

What about all of that ink and paper? Before I kicked the habit to save more trees, my editing process consisted of printing out my articles to review them. So, for Monday Monday - if I had a nickle for every blog that started out with that today, here are a few tips for organizing your finances:

• Keep a log book in your glove compartment so you can log your mileage
• Add a pen to that log book - come on folks wake up it's Monday!
• Get a small accordian file, like the ones people use for coupons, and use it to keep your receipts; be sure to label each section: supplies, utilities, subscriptions, etc.
• Write on your receipt what a purchase is for, i.e. business dinner, travel expenses.
• Think about getting an accountant, claiming a home office, etc may be out of your realm of expertise, get someone who can not only make sure your deductions are legal, but they can also get you more bang for your buck.
• Invest in some sort of billing software, I use Billable and it's fabulous. No more will I use a MS Word template and then try to keep track of what's going in and coming out, or setting a watch to calculate I work on something when I'm charging by the hour, my program does it all.

What financial organizing tip do you have? Come on, share with us!

Organizing Carried to Week 2 Due to Disorganization...

I crack myself up. Really I do. So blog posts have been scant this week. We still haven't gotten to query letters and our week long foray into organization has fallen flat. That's the bad news. The good news is that we will work through our issues to become better people.

So back on the horse people. Back on the horse.

Ah yes, organization. We talked about the importance of organization and how it affects your pocketbook/wallet. My pledge to have my entire office reorganized along with my closet has fallen short of my lofty goals, but I am proud of what I've accomplished so far. All of my papers/ideas/etc have been gathered, logged & are ready to file. I need to then organize the 3 ring binders that are staging a protest on my bookshelf. They shall be moved to the garage where they can give my husband trouble.

So things in the office have gotten off to a great start. I think by next week I shall have the beast that is clutter tamed in the money room of the house. As for my closets...I'm just happy the clothes are clean and put away, color coordinating the lot may be too anal right now...

So talk to me people, what organizing job have you been putting off? Do you even have an office to organize?