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Problem getting paid? Here’s what you can do

I’m not sure you can really call yourself a freelance writer if you’ve never had to chase a late payment. Like taxes and rejection, not being paid on time is (unfortunately) almost a rite of passage for freelancers.

But it seems like now, more than ever, I’m hearing stories of freelancers who simply aren’t getting any satisfaction when it comes to chasing up late payments.

The wonderful Anna Codrea-Rado calls chasing payments ‘the emotional tax of freelancing’, and I think it’s the perfect description, because who wants the hassle of chasing money for work you’ve already done?

No one does.

It’s emotionally and financially draining.

There are lots of different ways you can follow up with editors, publishers and corporate clients about overdue invoices.

Here’s my guide on how to chase late payments.

Oh, and I’ve had a lot of people get in touch in the last week asking if my coaching sessions are back – they are!

If you’d like to book in a session or are interested in finding out more go to:
https://thefreelancersyear.com/coaching/

March – a month unlike any other

A few days ago I was on the phone interviewing a local chef who is making and donating meals every day for people in the community when he stopped the conversation. “I hope you don’t mind me asking,” he said, “but how are you doing?”

I nearly cried.

Here he was, trying to ensure his 30+ employees have jobs, while making meals for people in need and he took the time to ask me.

How are you?

So, I want to ask you: how are you?

Because goodness knows, this is a crazy time.

And if you’d like to share how you’re going, I’d like to hear.

Resources for freelance writers in uncertain times

I know, I know. I wasn’t going to write a post about how to get through this unprecedented period of instability that we’re currently experiencing (mostly because I’m not an expert and I have no idea how we’re going to get through it). But after last week’s post, quite a few people got in touch to say they were interested in how I’ve managed (so far) to keep my freelancing business stable.

I’ve also seen heaps of great resources pop up that can help freelance writers during this time.

So this post is a bit of a cobbled-together, lord-knows-what-we’re-doing post.

I’m not going to pretend to have the answers, because I don’t. What’s happening is totally unprecedented and I feel like we’re all just trying to get through.

Hopefully there’s something in this post that’s useful for you, wherever you are and whatever situation you find yourself in.

What to do when an editor moves on

I hum and hawed about what kind of post I would write this week given most of the world is in some kind of lockdown.

I wasn’t sure if freelancers needed another ‘how to survive/capitalise on Covid-19’ article (although can I just say, reaching out to your editors and corporate asking them if they need content is a good move – I picked up 5 stories last week doing this).

So I decided to write about what to do when an editor leaves their job.

But if you think it would be useful for me to write a post about ways to protect your career and places to pitch while there are so many unknowns, please let me know.

Okay, on with the post.

This may sound pessimistic, but I’m never really surprised when an editor moves on.

It’s an unavoidable part of life as a freelance writer. I’ve had a good run with editors lately, but when I first started freelancing it felt like every editor I worked with moved on after a couple of years. So while it can be incredibly frustrating and disappointing when an editor finishes up with a publication, the editor’s departure actually offers some big opportunities for freelance writers.

This is how you can prepare for the inevitable.

sending the same pitch to multiple publications do you dare?

Feature Writing

Simultaneous pitches – do you dare?

Is it wrong for freelance writers to pitch the same story idea to multiple publications?

February – the start of a slump?

It’s been an unsettling start to 2020 for lots of reasons. The year started with the terrible bushfires that ravaged so many parts of Australia

Finding a publication for your (rejected) story idea

It’s the bane of every freelance writer’s existence. You spend time crafting a pitch or query letter for a magazine, newspaper or website. You send it off, full of hope. But then it gets rejected. Or even worse, your pitch is met with silence.

So, where to from here?
It can be hard to think of where else to pitch the story that you thought was a perfect fit for a particular publication, but there are easy ways to ensure your idea sees the light of day.

Freelance writing scams – What you need to know

Being a freelance writer takes faith. First you have to have believe in yourself, but you also have to have faith in others. But unfortunately, I know lots of writers who have been let down by others, whether it be clients, editors or other writers.

One my lovely readers got in touch a little while ago to ask me to put together a post about the warning signs of gigs that seem to be too good to be true.

After all, it’s hard enough to find good freelance gigs, so how can you avoid situations when a seemingly promising opportunity turns into a dud?

One freelance writer shares her story.

The best newsletters for freelance writers

If you’re anything like me, your inbox is full of unopened newsletters. Yes, once upon a time you signed up to receive them, but now they just sit there. Although you can’t bring yourself to unsubscribe, yet. But what if there were newsletters that you religiously opened? Newsletters that contain so much good stuff for freelance writers that you star them, print them out or actually just read them immediately?

Well, those newsletters for freelance writers do exist. Here’s my list (and by no means complete) of the best newsletters for freelance writers. And just a heads up, there’s a definite skew towards newsletters that help writers find high-paying gigs.

January – a slow start to 2020

January was a pretty flat start to the year for me. I had a couple of big work lowlights, my partner broke his heel and it was one of the quietest, slowest, lowest-income months ever. It would have been nice to start the new decade with a bang rather than limping in.

But (there’s always a ‘but’ isn’t there?) it’s also afforded me some much needed space and time to think about what I want from 2020.

how freelance writers can find work using instagram

Business of Freelancing

How freelance writers can find work using Instagram

On first glance, Instagram might not seem that useful for freelance writers. We’re all about words and IG is all about images, right?

Well, yes and no.

I’ve found that Instagram offers me a chance to connect with the people behind the images. And I’ve had offers of work from editors via Instagram and I’ve also used it to find work.

Let me tell you how.

What I wish I had known when I was starting out as a freelancer

I’ve been a freelance writer for nearly 10 years now. It seems such a crazy thing to say, given that in my 20s I couldn’t ever imagine a time when I wouldn’t be a social worker.

When I started freelancing, I never had a vision to become a full time freelance writer, I was simply seeing if I could write something that someone wanted to publish.

It’s been a lovely, organic journey, but it does mean that there are things I wish I had done differently.

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