Exhibit A: I’m sure you’ve by now seen the sensationalist New York Times piece that might as well have been called, “Blogging Killz!” While it’s tragic that three prominent bloggers have had heart attacks recently (two of them fatal), this article was a huuuuge stretch. It did remind me, however, that no career is worth compromising your health (as I write this at 5 am, said the insomniac).
Moral of the story: The webconomy didn’t invent workaholism, crappy pay practices, and on-the-job stress. Workaholics, companies with crappy pay practices, and stress bunnies did.
Exhibit B: It’s worth reading Freelance Fizzle! The Decline and Fall of the Writer in the New York Observer, which pines for a freewheeling freelance past (complete with expense accounts!) that died decades ago — and probably only existed for a handful of A-list writers anyway.
The Reader’s Digest version: Once upon a time, magazine writers in Manhattan supposedly had it made. Today they have dwindling markets/readership/budgets to content with, not to mention — cue scary music — the web. Believe me, it saddens me greatly that print pubs are in peril. (Just this week, one of my beloved print clients had massive layoffs.) But I can whine about it, or I can wake up and smell the new economy.
Moral of the story: Freelance publishing rates haven’t gone up in decades. And unfortunately print as we know it is rapidly becoming yesterday’s news. Writers who want to eat need to have at least a couple toes in the digital pool (and depending on how much money they need to make, perhaps a couple more in the copywriting world).
Exhibit C: Procrastinating writers, take heart! Now you can strip away all toolbars, inboxes, and web connections and focus on the blank page at hand. Two distraction-busting word-processing programs (Mac version here; PC here) try to recreate the supposed glory days of writing by typewriter or clunky 80s computer, only with today’s processing speed.
On the one hand, I’m sorely tempted to check out this cool-sounding app. On the other, I did a fine job of procrastinating in the 80s and 90s, first with a typewriter, then with a Mac SE.
I applaud entrepreneurial software devs who sell their creations one download at a time, so I’ll skip the snide moral of the story here. And if anyone’s tried an app like this, I’d love to know what you think.
April 10th, 2008
Thanks to everyone who wrote in with their burning freelance questions last month. I really appreciate it. This question really stuck in my craw, so I decided to give a quick answer now.
Frustrated Freelancer asks: I recently was negotiating a project with a client I really wanted to work for. After I told them my price, they came back with, “We think this could turn into a lot of ongoing work, so would you be willing to come down?” It made no sense. If they are going to come to me with more work (and therefore take up a higher percentage of my time, which is then unavailable for other projects), why would I lower my price? Maybe there is some logic to lowering your price for some situations? I’d love to know.
I answer: Your instincts are right. “We will give you more work later” does not justify a haggle-down now. It’s a pretty weak argument for the client to make. Not only are you forfeiting 5, 10, or 20 percent of your earning potential now, you’re doing it month and after month if you continue to work with this client. And since you’d ideally want to raise your rates in another year or two to keep up with the cost of living (a topic for another day), you’re starting out wayyyy behind where you need to be.
The client’s tentative language (”Would you be willing…?”) indicates they’re just bluffing and trying to save a few bucks. Something more hard-and-fast like, “We’d love to work with you, but $xx.xx is the highest our budget will allow” lets you know there’s no more wiggle room (say, because you’re negotiating with a non-profit organization or a small company with limited funds for outsourcing projects). So my answer would be, “No, but I could do [a price midway between what you initially suggested and what they’re now offering].” If you’ve padded your first offer by 10 to 20 percent of what you actually want for the job and a haggle-down ensues, you have a much better chance of coming away with a price you like.
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April 3rd, 2008
I told myself I wasn’t going to post the cover of my new book on the site until I’d put the sucker to bed. The manuscript’s not even due till next week. But then Kristen Fischer kindly did this infomercial about me Q&A with me on Freelance Switch, which means the 22,000+ people who subscribe to the mother of all freelancing blogs now have the link to my new book (not that I mind). So I thought it was high time I let the cat out of the bag here too. In addition, I’d like to mention five things you probably didn’t know about my new book:
1. It’s called My So-Called Freelance Life: How to Survive and Thrive as a Creative Professional for Hire, and it’s due out this fall from Seal Press.
2. I interviewed several of the working class heroes I mentioned yesterday for it.
3. Kate Basart, the fab designer who’s responsible for The Anti 9-to-5 Guide’s good looks, did my new cover too. (Clicking the image at the top of this post will make it bigger, in case you were wondering.) Note the recurring post-it motif! Also, note that those are not my feet, though I do own a pair of pink flip-flops.
4. Just a hunch, but I suspect publishers like to announce their books on Amazon as early as possible so their authors can’t weasel out of their deadlines.
5. The book is available for pre-order on Amazon. I’m just saying…
March 24th, 2008
I recently did a Q&A with Cat Morley of the UK-based online craft community Cut Out & Keep. Cat asked me who my working class heroes are, and I liked the question so much (it was a first for me!) I thought I’d post my answer here.
I love the same funny writers everyone else does: David Sedaris, Sarah Vowell, Anne Lamott, Steve Almond… But I’d have to say my real heroes are the freelancers on the rise whose work I’ve come to know and love in the past few years, several of whom I’ve come to know personally: writer Judy McGuire, who’s as snarky and funny as they come; writer/illustrator Ellen Forney, whose performances of her work impress the hell out of me; writer Diane Mapes, whose ongoing news of book deals, newspaper columns, and assignments from enviable publications keeps me reaching for more too; writer/instructor Angela Fountas, who got a couple of kickass grants [last] year and does a tremendous job of giving back to emerging writers; writer/blogger Ariel Meadow Stallings, who’s got the online social media thing down; illustrator Nina Frenkel, who’s one of the most talented and prolific thirty-somethings I’ve ever met; erotica writer/editor Rachel Kramer Bussel, who besides being mind-bogglingly prolific is pretty dang fearless — I mean, if writing erotica isn’t literally putting your ass on the line, I don’t know what is.
I don’t think someone has to be a stranger who’s been pulling in six figures for the last decade to be a hero. The successes all these women have achieved feel accessible and within reach to me, which I find all the more inspiring. It’s not as daunting as comparing yourself to, say, Michael Chabon or J.K. Rowling and thinking, “Will I ever be that brilliant or rich, will I, will I?”
What about you gals/guys? Who are your working class heroes? Your mom? Sis? BFF? Fave blogger/designer/photog/coder/translator? Let’s hear it. And if you want to read the rest of my Q&A with Cat, it’s here.
March 24th, 2008
Some of you may know Ariel Meadow Stallings, author of Offbeat Bride, the book and web phenom. She’s also the subject of my current “How’d you land that great job?” column in the Seattle Times, as her part-time day job as a blogger at Microsoft is pretty dang enviable. Following are excerpts from my Q&A with her.
The job: “I never thought my silly Internet addictions would actually be useful,” says freelance writer and author Ariel Meadow Stallings, who’s kept a personal blog since 2000. But in the Microsoft job she’s had for the past year, being Facebook-savvy isn’t just useful — it’s essential. As a marketing manager on the software giant’s staffing team, the Seattleite spends much of her time publishing Microspotting, a blog profiling some of Microsoft’s most notable employees, from a Peruvian rockstar to a technical editor known as That Goth Girl to the company’s infamous mystery blogger Mini-Microsoft.
Q. How did you get this job?
A. About a month after I’d been laid off from [a] startup job, I got an e-mail from a colleague who I’d met at a blog conference in 2006. She started the e-mail congratulating me for getting back to my freelance career, and then said, “Just in case you’re interested, I heard about this job at Microsoft…”
I was going to stop reading right then. I wasn’t looking for a full-time job, let alone a job at The ‘Soft. In the late ’90s, I’d worked a contract gig at Microsoft, [doing] content editing, and it was such a bad fit that I was fired after two weeks and literally escorted out of the building.
But then I noticed the job was part-time — and permanent. That hit a special and rare sweet spot for me, as I’d have the benefits of a permanent gig (Helloooo, health insurance!) but still have time to work on all my freelance projects. I wouldn’t have considered the job if it had been a 40-hour-a-week position.
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March 20th, 2008
Jasmine asks: I just started out as a full-time freelance writer/producer/creative consultant in NYC about a month ago. I am a little unsure whether it is my responsibility to offer a W-9 form to clients, or if it is up to them to ask me for one. (Obviously, I’d rather not hand out my social security number willingly.) I have good record-keeping practices to ensure I am able to determine the appropriate amount of taxes I will owe, but expect that without a W-9 I won’t receive a 1099, although I will certainly report the income on my own returns. Any insights as to who needs to initiate a W-9 are very welcome.
I answer: Congrats on going freelance! This question, cousin to “Help, my client didn’t send me a 1099!”, is one I hear a lot from new freelancers. For those who don’t know, a W-9 is a simple form that tells clients your tax ID number (your social security number if you’re not incorporated), which they need for their records and to generate those cute little 1099 forms they send you each January.
It’s in the client’s best interest to get this form to you, and 99 percent of them will. You’re right that you won’t get a 1099 if the client hasn’t asked you to fill out a W-9, either because they’ve never done this before and have no idea that they’re supposed to (in which case, your good records will come in handy at tax time) or because they’re just starting to use freelancers and are too lazy/busy/confused to follow proper tax practices.
Don’t worry so much about giving your social security number to a reputable business that other freelancers can vouch for. I understand the fear, but I’ve never heard of anyone getting their social security info misused by a standup client, and I’ve been doing this since the Pliocene Era. If, however, a new client is giving you the heebie-jeebies, that’s a clear indicator that you shouldn’t work with them. And if anyone has a juicy My Client Committed Identity Theft And/Or Sold My Social Security Number On The Black Market story, I’m all ears (and of course, sorry to hear it).
March 17th, 2008
Still chugging away on writing my new book. Meantime, some links you might like:
Inkthinker skewers 7 heinous freelance writing practices. Kudos to Kristen King for reminding us why acting like a selfish, immature, vindictive freelancer is unbecoming. Best blog post I’ve read in ages.
Getcher top 100 freelancer blogs here. The listmaker (Bootstrapper) does it again. Everything from The Golden Pencil to DIY Photography to The Anti 9-to-5 Guide. (Aw, thanks, Bootstrapper.)
The readers speak: Your on-spec design contest sucks. Sounds like this guy was trying to be helpful to newbie designers, but he should know better than to announce an on-spec design contest to a community of professional freelancers (given that he writes about freelancing). I’m glad he pulled the plug when the peanut gallery threw tomatoes.
Red Herring deflates Helium.com. Personally I wish freelance “marketplaces” like Helium’s would shrivel up and die. Once those new freelancers using the site get tired of competing against each other, on spec, for $.10/word gigs, they’ll still have to learn how to go out and look for decent-paying work.
Freelance Switch launches a Client Analyser tool. Is your client bleeding you dry? Now you have a digital algorithm to help you make the call. You have to enter eight clients into the tool for it to work.
Want to know what editors want? Check out Editors Unleashed: Magazine editors growl about their writer peeves, a much-needed e-book from The Renegade Writer. Short, sweet, and endlessly informative.
Seattleites, want to know how to sell your writing without checking your soul at the door? Check out this one-day marketing workshop in April taught by my buddy Diane Mapes. (For full class description, click here. Then scroll down for description or search on “Mapes.”)
Are you Not An Employee? You might like this fun new freelance site/swag seller/blog. I’ll be curious to see where it goes.
March 13th, 2008
In honor of March 8, I thought I’d list eight of my favorite women’s media outlets in autobiographical order (that is, my autobio):
- Ms. — Used to steal my mom’s issues when I was a kid. Thank god for Gloria Steinem.
- BUST – Still have the “Sex” issue with John Spencer of JSBX on the cover. (Mmmm.) Still devour every issue.
- Bitch — Cannot read an issue without having a debate with someone about something I read in it, even if it’s just an internal, telepathic debate with one of the mag’s writers. In other words, the mag makes me think. Which is a good thing.
- Seal Press — What can I say? I heart my publisher’s MO. Always have, always will.
- Broadsheet on Salon.com — Brilliant, insightful, hilarious writers. Always classy, already a classic. I pretty much bow at their feet.
- Women’s eNews — Most underrated women’s media outlet. Remember back when web stories were 100% reported? That parallel universe still exists on Women’s eNews. This site’s top-notch.
- Feministing — Because in-your-face is good.
- Jezebel — Because snark is even better.
How about you? Got any faves to share?
March 8th, 2008
While I haven’t had many problems getting paid by clients over the years, the occasional accounting snafu does arise. This week I’m dealing with a client who’s been all thumbs in the accounts payable department. (In their defense, a personnel change has led a few check-cutting hiccups.)
Fortunately I’ve had enough money in my account to cover the boo-boos. Still, I thought I’d share my Not Getting Paid Properly Hall of Fame with you. Curiously all these goofs happened during the December holiday season.
- Client who normally sends checks within 14 days of receiving invoice takes almost three months to cut me a check. This requires some prodding on my part. Check arrives unsigned by client. I fail to notice and race to deposit it. Bank returns check to me, unable to cash it. I’m left waiting for client to reissue a valid check. (Duh all around.)
- Long-time client accidentally pays me double the invoice. All on one check. Not wanting to embark on a life of crime, I let the client know. I tear up the check and wait for client to issue a new one. (Merry Chrismukkah. Not.)
- Another December, another long-time client insists that I bill them in advance for work I’m slated to do the coming January. Something about having to pre-bill their client. When the project scope shrinks, I wind up having to reimburse my client a couple thou. (Don’t try this at home. Just as stupid and painful as it sounds.)
- My personal fave: My check arrives in an envelope stuck to the adhesive of another envelope addressed to and containing a check for another freelancer. Clearly an automation goof. Rather than send the poor guy’s check back to the client, I Google him, let him know, and drop it in the mail to him. (A Christmas miracle!)
This probably goes without saying, but impeccable accounting records (via Excel, QuickBooks, or the program of your choice) are a must if you’re even going to catch this stuff (save for the sig-less check).
So what about you? Any stupid payment tricks/accidents on the part of your clients you care to share? Please don’t name names, unless you want to pay my legal fees.
March 5th, 2008
We had ourselves such a lively conversation about grad school last month, I thought the topic deserved another look. I recently did a Q&A about all things higher ed with Kristina Cowan, aka The Salary Reporter, at PayScale.com. Kristina has more than a decade of experience reporting on education and the workforce. Here’s her take on higher ed, community college, trade school, and recession-proof gigs.
Q. I’m a big fan of not using grad school as the “I don’t know what else to do next” default. In the The Anti 9-to-5 Guide, I suggest auditing classes and talking to students in programs you covet before enrolling. Can you offer other tips for weighing a program you’re interested in?
A. It’s a good idea to interview others in the field you’re exploring. Talk to a professor at the school you’re considering, as well as professionals working in the industry. Request informational interviews by phone or, ideally, in person, and prepare a set of questions. A good one to ask is: Will a master’s degree help speed me along the career path and boost my paychecks? I did this when I was exploring a master’s degree in journalism, and found it very helpful.
Ultimately, you should determine the pricetag of graduate school, and whether the advanced degree will truly advance your career and increase your pay enough to justify the expense. Do as much research and talk to as many people as possible so you make a well-informed decision.
Q. When grad school isn’t required for making strides in a particular career path (for example, writing) what are the most compelling reasons to go?
A. I chased a master’s degree in journalism for two reasons I thought were compelling: I knew I could get hands-on experience from the school I picked (Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism). I’d get a chance to write and report for real publications in both the Chicago and Washington, D.C. areas, while getting guidance from professors with plenty of journalism experience. I also knew I’d come away with clips I could use when interviewing for jobs.
The other reason was networking. Medill’s alumni and professors form a strong circle of seasoned journalists at every level and in every medium; they’re individuals on fire for the Fourth Estate. I owe much of the last eight years of my journalism career to that network and my Medill experience.
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March 4th, 2008
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