Over the course of the years I’ve been writing this Dr. Freelance blog, I’ve received countless questions about freelance pricing for writing, editing, ghostwriting, and other freelance jobs. By its nature, the 300-400 word blog format isn’t ideal for dealing with such a complex and important part of your freelance business. So, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve just published The Science, Art and Voodoo of Freelance Pricing and Getting Paid. [Read more…]
14 years of freelancing
In August 1999, I walked in the front door of my house with The Box: all of my personal belongings from the last corporate job I ever plan to hold. Looking back on 14 years of freelancing, I can only marvel at how quickly it’s gone—particularly compared with the preceding two-year stints in various magazine, marketing and public relations staff positions that seemed much longer than the time elapsed on a clock.
I didn’t make the decision lightly or capriciously, and I made sure not to make what my dad used to call an acrimonious departure. (I won’t get into the details here, but let’s just describe the bridge as smoldering rather than burning; a few years later, I counted my former employer as one of my best freelance clients.) [Read more…]
Friday freelancing link roundup
This week’s Friday freelancing link roundup has a theme of sorts, spun out of a lunch discussion with one of my longtime creative partners yesterday, who ditched the ad agency world at about the same time I went solo.
Without further ado… [Read more…]
Friday link roundup
Super busy day ahead, but wanted to take a few minutes to share a link roundup of items I came across in the past few days:
Here’s How Daniel Pink Writes: Absolutely fantastic interview at Copyblogger with the author of Free Agent Nation, Drive, and, most recently, To Sell Is Human. Free Agent Nation made a huge impact on me when I was early in my freelancing career, confirming that I was on the right track going solo. I simply love the way he thinks, and am gratified that he thinks writer’s block is bunk, just like I do. [Read more…]
Why freelancing is like Wipeout
Freelancing is like Wipeout, the cult TV show with unexpected obstacles popping out of nowhere, and even visible obstacles being squirrellier than you realize…till you plunge into the drink.
My most challenging client and I weren’t seeing eye to eye on Friday. (He’d be proud of the “most challenging” descriptor, so I’m at peace writing this openly under the assumption that he might read it.) It was the most serious disagreement that we’ve had in 3 years of working together. [Read more…]
Freelance Forecast survey results
It’s here! Download Freelance Forecast 2011 (pdf, 1.5MB).
Many thanks to all the freelancers and freelance clients who contributed their opinions and insights to the third annual Freelance Forecast. Bookmark or RSS this blog for the announcement of the 2012 survey in December. If you participated this year, you’ll automatically be notified when the new survey comes out. If you didn’t participate this year, please subscribe and indicate your survey preference through the signup form in the right-hand column.