Deliberate Freelancer

Listeners, I need your help! Please contribute to an upcoming episode: Email me a voice memo of you describing a specific marketing tactic you did that landed you a client. Provide your name and helpful details of what you did that might have been unique or persistent that worked in securing new work. Email it to me at melanie@meledits.com to be considered for a future episode that will include tips from other listeners. Thank you! Today’s episode is from my other podcast, Association Station, where I interview people who work at and with membership associations about a topic related to content, publishing and media.  Many of the Association Station episodes may be relevant to your work too since the main focus is creating strong content. But today’s episode, in particular, is relevant for anyone who creates content — this conversation can help us both in the content we create for our freelance business and the content we create for our clients. We can also learn how to be advocates for less harmful, more aware and more conscious language.   Today’s guest is Crystal Shelley, of Salt Lake City. Crystal is the owner of Rabbit with a Red Pen. She edits fiction and is an authenticity reader. Drawing on her background as a social worker, she unites her love of language and passion for social justice by pushing for writing and representation that’s more dignified, intentional, and just. Crystal is the creator of the Conscious Language Toolkits for Editors and Writers — these toolkits are fantastic resources.  Crystal also serves on the board of ACES: the Society for Editing and is an instructor for the Editorial Freelancers Association.  In this episode, we talk about:  What “conscious language” is, a term coined by Karen Yin, who also created the Conscious Style Guide. What the difference between “conscious language” and “inclusive language” is. Why using conscious language — and critically assessing the language we use — in our content is important.  Style guides are just that: guides. The primary ones, such as the Associated Press Stylebook and the Chicago Manual of Style, don’t always reflect the most updated and conscious language or the accepted language of a particular group.  Some pitfalls when editing and striving for conscious language. How we can advocate for using more conscious language with clients.  How we and our clients can respond to readers who criticize using “woke” or “politically correct” language or content.  Why everyone should embrace and use “singular they” in their content.  How to think about which words to use when identifying people by race and ethnicity.  What ableism and ableist language is and how incredibly prevalent it is in our society.   What “inspiration porn” is and why not to write so-called “inspiring” stories of people with disabilities.  What an “authenticity reader” or “sensitivity reader” is and how we can use these experts to avoid stereotypes and harming readers.  Resources: Crystal’s Conscious Language Toolkits for Editors and Writers Crystal’s website Crystal on Twitter Crystal on Instagram Crystal on LinkedIn Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee Connect with Melanie on Threads @MelEdits_DC Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group  Style Guides: Karen Yin’s Conscious Style Guide Trans Journalists Association Style Guide Native Governance Center Style Guide National Center on Disability and Journalism Style Guide American Psychosocial Association (APA) Style  Lydia X. Z Brown’s Glossary of Ableist Phrases  Authenticity reader directories: Editors of Color Database ACES–the Society for Editing’s Editors for Hire database Editorial Freelancers Association Member Directory Writing Diversely Sensitivity Reader Directory

Listeners, I need your help! Please contribute to an upcoming episode: Email me a voice memo of you describing a specific marketing tactic you did that landed you a client. Provide your name and helpful details of what you did that might have been unique or persistent that worked in securing new work. Email it to me at melanie@meledits.com to be considered for a future episode that will include tips from other listeners. Thank you! Today’s guest is Ericka Andersen, a freelance writer living in Indianapolis. She is the author of two books and has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Good Housekeeping, Christianity Today, and more. Ericka coaches writers on how to make a living as freelancers and also how to improve their article pitches to land big bylines.  In this episode, we talk about:  Why Ericka became a freelance writer. Lessons Ericka learned as she improved her freelance business. How Ericka balances higher-paying anchor clients versus the more creative, passionate work she yearns to do.  Successful ways Ericka found anchor clients. How Ericka improved her own pitching process.  How Ericka coaches writers on writing better pitches.  The importance of cultivating a good story idea. How to find the right editors to reach out to. What makes a good pitch. When to follow up and when to send a pitch to a different editor.  How to become a “dream writer” for an editor to work with.  How these skills can also help you provide “earned media” services for other clients.  How writing an opinion piece for a newspaper can get your foot in the door.  Biz Bite: Find solutions to problems your current clients are having. Resources: Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee Register for Ericka’s free From Pitch to Paycheck course Ericka’s business: Pitch&Publish Get Ericka’s “10 Proven Tips for Publishing Your Writing This Year” Pitch&Publish on Instagram Sign up for Sonia Weiser’s twice-weekly Writing Opportunities newsletter Connect with Melanie on Threads @MelEdits_DC Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group — The “join group” isn’t working, so you can temporarily “friend” Melanie on Facebook so she can add you to the group (or anyone you know who is in the group can add you as a new member).

Listeners, I would love your help! Please contribute to an upcoming episode: Email me a voice memo of you describing a specific marketing tactic you did that landed you a client. Provide your name and helpful details of what you did that might have been unique or persistent that worked in securing new work. Email it to me at melanie@meledits.com to be considered for a future episode that will include tips from other listeners.  On today’s show, I share five questions to help you wrap up your year to create a “fresh start” in January. I explain the difference between these five questions and larger questions to ask yourself later in a solo business retreat to set up your year for success. The five questions are: What do I need to do now to line up work in January?  What do I need to do to wrap up the year?  Do I need to raise rates or fire anyone?  Where do I need to improve my marketing and networking? How much money did I make this year? Biz Bite: Front-load your week The Bookshelf: “Wandering Souls” by Cecile Pin Resources: Support Deliberate Freelancer at Buy Me a Coffee Episode #149 of Deliberate Freelancer: Evaluate—and Expand or Fire—Your Clients for a Strong 2023 Episode #123 of Deliberate Freelancer: My 2021 Business Review and Questions to Help You Episode #148 of Deliberate Freelancer: How to Line Up January Work Now Episode #3 of Deliberate Freelancer: Host a Solo Business Retreat Episode #162 of Deliberate Freelancer: My Solo Business Retreat Reminded Me to Always Be Marketing Episode #139 of Deliberate Freelancer: A Solo Biz Retreat After a Struggling Summer 16 of the best virtual gifts for clients and employees 25 fun corporate gifts for clients you want to impress Connect with Melanie on Threads @MelEdits_DC Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group

Wudan Yan, a narrative writer and independent journalist, discusses rethinking anchor clients, freelance challenges in the current economy, and the value of building and maintaining relationships. They address pricing strategies for anchor clients and the importance of project rates. They also highlight the offerings of The Writers' Co-op and the significance of planning and relationship-building for freelancers.

It’s time for my analysis and reflection on how my third quarter of the year went.  Here’s what I share with you in this episode: The many ways tracking my time helps my business.  How I use Freshbooks and Toggl to help me analyze my progress.  The steps I use to analyze my quarter:  Calculated how much I invoiced for that quarter. Counted how many clients I worked for.  Used time tracking data to see how many hours I worked on average each week.  Did the math to see how much I earned per hour on certain projects by dividing the project rate by the hours it took to complete. Reflected and analyzed. The amount of money I earned in Q3 and how it compared to Q2 and my goals.  How a delayed Indiana vacation derailed my schedule. How many clients I had in Q3 and the types of clients they were. How much I earned on certain article assignments.  Anchor clients versus rock steady clients versus confetti clients.  How I landed several of these clients.  How was your third quarter? Have you hit your annual revenue goal? Have you started thinking about if and when you’re going to take off some days around the holidays?  Biz Bite: Embrace whimsy The Bookshelf: “The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing” by Lara Love Hardin Resources: Help out Marvel artist Thomas Tenney via GoFundMe.  Laura Vanderkam’s book “Tranquility by Tuesday” Episode #168 of Deliberate Freelancer: My Q2 Audit: It Can Only Go Uphill from Here, Right? Episode #115 of Deliberate Freelancer: Time Tracking Lessons from Deliberate Freelancer Listeners Episode #5 of Deliberate Freelancer: Track Your Time for Better Efficiency Connect with Melanie on Threads @MelEdits_DC Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Melanie’s other podcast, Association Station

On today’s show I discuss how I think about freelance “dealbreakers,” which aren’t only the red flags I’ve noticed over time but also may simply be quirks of my personality or assumptions I’ve made.  Here’s what I share with you in this episode: Rethinking “strategy” and whether saying “I don’t do strategy” is holding me back. What I learned from Ed Gandia’s thoughts on strategy. Why I like to create “bridge” projects. How I’m rethinking some of my more stubborn dealbreakers.  How some dealbreakers are in my head and only cause me to beat myself up for not sticking to them.  How you can evaluate your dealbreakers and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Biz Bite: Set a single goal for your day The Bookshelf: “In Light of All Darkness: Inside the Polly Klaas Kidnapping and the Search for America’s Child” by Kim Cross Resources: Help out Marvel artist Thomas Tenney via GoFundMe.  Episode #166 of Deliberate Freelancer: Smart Advice from the Content Byte Summit Connect with Melanie on Threads @MelEdits_DC Connect with Melanie on LinkedIn Deliberate Freelancer Facebook group Melanie’s other podcast, Association Station

Celebrating 10 years of freelancing, the speaker reflects on the freedom it brings and lessons learned. They emphasize the importance of making it easy for clients to find you. The chapter covers trusting your gut and firing problematic clients. It also discusses the importance of accessibility and following instructions in freelance writing. The podcast wraps up with a book recommendation: 'Lone Women', a mix of historical fiction and fantasy horror.

Brian Hall, a freelancer specializing in website strategy, discusses quick website fixes to attract more clients. Topics include the importance of websites for freelancers, common website mistakes and how to fix them, and strategies for evaluating and improving website usability. Additional topics include the power of heat maps and feedback, the value of including links and engaging in co-working sessions for freelancers.

In this episode, the host recaps their second quarter, shares their experience with creating a tiered proposal and pivoting to consulting services. They discuss managing anxiety and depression through medication, the impact of dietary choices on energy levels, and the concept of anchor clients. They also explore a complex narrative of crime, marriage, and inspiration in a book recommendation.

Cassandra Le, owner of The Quirky Pineapple Studio, discusses the importance of content marketing and shares tips for creating a sustainable strategy. She also explores cultural competence in marketing and the impact of TikTok on Instagram. Additionally, there are productivity tips for freelancers.