NOTE: I'm sending this out one week later than normal this month
to steer clear of the holiday last week. It will be back on schedule (first
Tuesday of the month) in August!
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Welcome to THE WELL-FED E-PUB!
The companion monthly
ezine to the quadruple-award-winning how-to guide, ÒThe Well-Fed WriterÓ (http://www.wellfedwriter.com). Serving up food for thought and tasty tips for the prospering
FLCW*. Come on in, sit anywhere and bring your appetite!
*FLCW, peppered
throughout the ezine, stands for ÒFreelance Commercial WriterÓ – anyone
who freelances for businesses (vs. writing magazine articles, short stories,
poetry, etc.), typically earns $50-125+ an hour, and is the sole focus of this
e-newsletter.
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VOLUME
11, ISSUE 7 – JULY 2012
Publishing
the first Tuesday of every month since May 2002
Read
it Online at: http://www.wellfedwriter.com/ezine/july2012.html
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PARTNER
WITH DESIGNERS FOR A LOW-EFFORT FLOW OF WRITING JOBS!
Details
here: http://www.wellfedwriter.com/partnerwithdesignersebook.shtml.
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NEW 1-ON-1 COACHING PROGRAMS: SAMPLE/SITE REVIEW
& ÒSIDECARÓ!
Low-cost peace of mind and guidance: http://wellfedwriter.com/mentoring.shtml.
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Check out The WELL-FED
WRITER BLOG! Weigh in on ÒAre Long-Term, On-Site Gigs (Even in Hawaii!) Worth
It?Ó; ÒCommercial Writing Clients with Money vs. Ones Without: Like Night and
DayÉÓ; and more! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog.
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ÒTHE
WELL-FED SELF-PUBLISHER BLOGÓ IS NOW LIVE!!
Long
overdue, but finally up and running. To weigh on the welcome post and
subscribe, visit http://www.wellfedsp.com/blog
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I NEED YOUR SHORT
(100-200 words) SUCCESS STORIES for the E-PUB!
Landed a great client?
Had a successful marketing campaign? Done something else that boosted your FLCW
income? Send them to peter@wellfedwriter.com.
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SITE-HACKING UPDATE:
As many of you know,
several of my sites (and blogs) got hacked recently, resulting in various
mischief and mayhem (visitors being locked out, redirected to spam sites,
receiving warnings, etc.). ItÕs been NO fun at all.
Thanks MUCH to those
who let me know. Your feedback's been invaluable. Problem seems to improving,
but weÕre still battling here and there. If you've had trouble getting into any
of my sites, PLEASE come back! We're definitely open for business...;)
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THIS
MONTHÕS MENU:
I. APPETIZER: YET ANOTHER HI-PROFILE WRITING FIASCO
Yours Truly ÒCruisesÓ Through One More Set of Clueless
Communications Material
II. ÒFIELDÓ GREENS: IMPORTANT TRUTH
- HE WHO CARES LEAST WINS!
FLCW Gets Bad Vibes from Gig, Jacks
Up Fee to Run Client Off; Client Says Okay!
III. MAIN ÒMEATÓ COURSE: THE
ONE-CLIENT/MANY-CLIENTS STRATEGY
Danish FLCW Has One Client with
Multiple Divisions, Routinely Earns $150 an Hour!
IV. DESSERT: Sweet Success Stories and Tips
NJ FLCW Lands 3 New
Clients Before SheÕs Even Finished Reading TWFW!
TIP: Grab a copy of Wendy WeissÕs F.R.E.E. Ebook: ÒThe
Cold-Calling Survival GuideÓ
V. COFFEE, MINTS AND
TOOTHPICKS
- MORE GIGS WITH LESS EFFORT? New Ebook Serves Up the
ÒHow-ToÓ!
- THE WELL-FED E-PUB
NEEDS ALL COURSES!
- The WELL-FED WRITER
BLOG is RockinÕ! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog
- AWAI Copywriting (& Other) Courses: Register Here, Get
Bonus CD!
- How Can
My Mentoring Service Serve You?
****************************************
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I. APPETIZER: YET ANOTHER HI-PROFILE WRITING FIASCO
Yours Truly ÒCruisesÓ Through One More Set of Clueless
Communications Material
So, IÕve got a ÒCruise CardÓ on my windshield that allows me
to sail through the tollbooth on one of our toll roads. A few days ago in the
mail, I get a ÒPeach PassÓ from the state – yet another windshield thingy
(which, incidentally, I hadnÕt ordered). And in a colorful, well-produced
little folder that says, ÒWelcome, New Peach Pass Customer!Ó
Hmmm. Peach Pass. Seem to remember it being this thing that
allows solo travelers to use the HOV (High-Occupancy Vehicle) lanes during rush
hour, for a fee. It tells me how to set up my account, but is it in addition to
my Cruise Card? No clues in the folder. So, I call them, and get all the fodder
I need for this monthÕs Appetizer.
The guy tells me that it replaces my Cruise Card. And where
does it say that here? Nowhere. How would I know this? Um, not sure, sir.
Sorry. OK, now I know. So, if I just go to peachpass dot com like it says, and
follow the instructions, IÕll be good to go?
Um, actually, itÕs mypeachpass dot com. Then why does it say
peachpass dot com? Well, it was a mistake and we told them about it, but they
didnÕt fix it before it went out. And how would anyone know this? I guess they
wouldnÕt. Sorry. Oooo-kay. Now I know.
So, MYpeachpass dot com, then follow the instructions,
right? Well, um, not exactly. You sort of have to ignore those instructions,
and instead (sound of rep delivering 100% different instructions than those in
the folder). IÕm actually starting to enjoy this.
After I get these brand-spanking-new instructions, the next
step is to enter my account # and PIN. Well, I tell him, I have them right here
in my password file. Um, well, sir, it wouldnÕt be those. It would beÉ (sound
of rep giving me completely new, unfamiliar, never-seen-before account # and
PIN). IÕm really enjoying this now.
Um, how would I know this? Never mind. So, let me get this
straight. You send out this obviously expensive folder with my new Peach Pass,
and not only is the most important piece of information missing, but ALL the
information you DO provide is wrong. Um, pretty much, sir. Bet youÕre getting a
lot of calls like these. Yes, sir. Course you are.
Extreme example? Perhaps, but nonsense like this happens far
more out there than it ever should (yes, this was the gummint, but the business
world is far from immune). If theyÕd hired a good FLCW with the crucial
ÒoutsiderÕsÓ perspective, I daresay IÕd have had to find my creative
inspiration elsewhere. IÕm telling you (like a broken record): DonÕt put these
companies on a pedestal. On that head-shaking note, letÕs eat!
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II. ÒFIELDÓ GREENS: IMPORTANT TRUTH
- HE WHO CARES LEAST WINS!
FLCW Gets Bad Vibes from Gig, Jacks
Up Fee to Run Client Off; Client Says Okay!
Got this interesting saga from a Northeast FLCW who wants to
remain anonymous. ItÕs a great example of drawing your line in the sand,
recognizing your value, and not letting clients use you as a doormat. He wrote
initially:
Ever bowed out of a project while still in the negotiation
phase? How did you do so gracefully, without offending the client and burning
bridges? IÕve spent a month trying to work with a big companyÕs approval
process, all for one brochure.
What really irked me was they asked me to be available on a
certain date, I blocked out the time, turned down another project, and then
they werenÕt ready! Shows a total disregard for the value of my time.
IÕm probably going to bail, as theyÕve irritated me so much
that IÕve accumulated too much contempt for the project at this point. And
thatÕs never a good place to start from.
Update: I ended up telling them that due to an increased
workload, I needed to increase my fee. I upped it significantly, figuring there
was no way theyÕd agree to that, and then theyÕd go away and I wouldnÕt look
like the bad guy. But, they said, Òokay.Ó Ha!
So IÕm almost done with the project, and yes – there
has been a bit of a frustration factor with it. But it was easier to tolerate
knowing that I was getting paid substantially more. Just goes to show that
saying is true: the person who cares the least holds the power.
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III. MAIN ÒMEATÓ COURSE: THE
ONE-CLIENT/MANY-CLIENTS STRATEGY
Danish FLCW Has One Client with
Multiple Divisions, Routinely Earns $150 an Hour!
Denmark-based FLCW Anne Neilsen (http://language-arts.dk/en/home/) sent this great piece on a risky strategy sheÕs used since 2006 to stay
busy and exceptionally well-fed: one client. But not really one, as youÕll see.
No, most of us donÕt have her situation, but nonetheless, I found it
interesting, filled with good lessons, and a reminder that big companies
everywhere have ongoing needs across the spectrum. Enjoy!
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This may be a strategy you wouldnÕt want to try at home, but
itÕs worked for me ever since I became a FLCW in 2006.
I do not advertise, I do no cold calling or marketing of any
kind, and I have one company whoÕs my only customer. And at the age of 61, my
phone is ringing all the time, and IÕm making more money than I ever have in my
life. Consistently. From Day 1 until today.
I am based in Denmark, and my story began when I took a
20-month leave from my job as a newspaper journalist to try out a temporary
position at the corporate communications headquarters of a large Danish company
with worldwide reach. My job was to write for and help edit the
English-language employee magazine.
I learned a lot about the company, and vice versa. I did a
little freelancing for them on the side after returning to my newspaper job,
until one day they offered me a freelance assignment that was so sweet that I
quit my job altogether and started my business.
To begin with, I was just writing for Headquarters, but big
companies have tons of departments, units, and divisions that all need someone
who can read and write. When they need someone to do a brochure, a newsletter,
coach other writers, create content for their internal website, whom do they
call for a name? Corporate Communications. And so itÕs CorpComm that does all
my advertising for me.
I know itÕs risky to have just one main customer, but I feel
as if I have many. Some departments have used me a lot and then petered out.
But then others come along and pick up the slack. I have helped write a corporate
history book, written a funny play for a marketing event, coached untrained
writers, written tons of articles, and translated portions of the companyÕs
Annual Report.
Right now IÕm editing articles for a regional company
magazine based in Turkey and helping to create a talent-recruiting booklet. My
hourly wage is about $150.
If I were younger, I might be doing things differently. But
right now IÕve got enough saved up so that I donÕt really have to worry about
losing my one big fish. If that were to happen, I can pretty much just retire
and live on savings until my pension kicks in at 65.
Thanks for a great book (TWFW), which I recommend regularly
to others.
PB: Very cool. For this company to hire her so regularly,
for so many varied tasks, and at such a high rate, underscores how few
resources they have access to (or are aware of!). DonÕt assume a big company
has a ton of writers in their stable. They may not!
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IV. DESSERT: Sweet Success Stories and Tips
NJ FLCW Lands 3 New
Clients Before SheÕs Even Finished Reading TWFW!
TIP: Grab a copy of Wendy WeissÕs F.R.E.E. Ebook: ÒThe
Cold-Calling Survival GuideÓ
Got this enthusiastic account of early success from Mount
Laurel, NJ FLCW Nikki Bailey (bailey.nikki@gmail.com).
Love it when a plan comes together! And after that, a great new (and NO-charge)
resource from ÒThe Queen of Cold Calling.Ó
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I havenÕt even finished reading your book and I already have
three paying clients! IÕm writing photo descriptions and web content for a
WWII vet whoÕs spent years compiling photos from his service aboard a Liberty
Merchant Ship. My gig writing a menu of tasty treats for a local caterer
required me to taste everything on the menu – poor me!
I have an undergraduate degree in communications and a
graduate degree in religion, which helped me write a spirituality-infused
marketing article for a local yoga studio. I have a graphic designer
friend creating a website and business cards for me in exchange for writing
some marketing material for him. This rocks!
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If you like the idea of setting appointments with real
prospects faster and more consistently, check out a new (and no-charge) ebook
from my friend, colleague (and recognized authority on lead generation, cold
calling and new business development) Wendy Weiss, a.k.a. The Queen of Cold
Calling.Ó
In her newest ebook, ÒTHE COLD-CALLING SURVIVAL GUIDE,Ó Wendy shares her secrets to getting
face-to-face with highly qualified prospects. In fact, she claims sheÕll have
you setting appointments within 24 hours of reading it. YouÕll learn how to:
á
Identify real prospects fast
á
Grab your prospectÕs attention in the
first few seconds
á
Get more appointments and more sales in
todayÕs tough selling environment
á
Overcome fear forever
á
And much, much more!
If youÕre looking to connect with more good commercial
writing clients, this great resource can help get you there. Download it
here:
https://wendyweiss.infusionsoft.com/go/911/WFW/
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V. COFFEE, MINTS AND
TOOTHPICKS
- MORE GIGS WITH LESS EFFORT? New Ebook Serves Up the
ÒHow-ToÓ!
- THE WELL-FED E-PUB
NEEDS ALL COURSES!
- The WELL-FED WRITER
BLOG is RockinÕ! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog
- AWAI Copywriting (& Other) Courses: Register Here, Get
Bonus CD!
- How Can
My Mentoring Service Serve You?
****************************************
MORE GIGS WITH LESS EFFORT? New Ebook Serves Up the
ÒHow-ToÓ!
ThatÕs not hype. ItÕs how my business has worked for the
better part of 18 years, thanks to some juicy partnerships with graphic
designers. The result? 1-2 jobs virtually every month with little or no effort
on my part. And I put all the how-to details down on paper. Check it out at http://www.wellfedwriter.com/partnerwithdesignersebook.shtml.
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IÕM
SERIOUSLY LOW ON TIPS AND SUCCESS STORIES!
Got a tip (web site,
software, new strategy, etc.) or success story youÕre willing to share? IÕd
love to see it (150-200 words for Tips, 100-300 for success stories). Send to peter@wellfedwriter.com. Archived issues at http://www.wellfedwriter.com/ezine.shtml.
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The
WELL-FED WRITER BLOG is RockinÕ! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/blog
*****************************************
AWAI COPYWRITING (& OTHER) COURSES: Register Here, Get
Your Choice of Bonus CD Program! Six-Figure Copywriting, Graphic Design,
Internet Writing, Fundraising, Health Market and more! http://www.wellfedwriter.com/awai.shtml.
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HOW CAN MY MULTIPLE MENTORING PROGRAMS SERVE YOU?
For details and testimonials, visit http://www.wellfedwriter.com/mentoring.shtml.
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