I love this—I’d been mulling over a post about figuring out how to set your rates as a freelancer, and then a long-time reader of mine sent in the perfect question to get this discussion started. It’s fate, I tell you!

Alexa writes:

I currently work full time as an Events Director and do a little freelancing on the side. One organization that I do a project for every year, just approached me to do several more stories as well as pulling together editorial, managing submissions and proofing an insert for an event. The other jobs I’ve done I’ve been told how much I would be paid. For example the local paper in the area pays $50 per small article. When I first started the other job I do for this organization I knew how much they charged the person who did it before me, and I came in at a comparable rate. This job they asked me to give them a quote, and I was stuck. I came up with one, and all though I think it is a fair rate, I’m now wondering if I screwed myself. Read the rest of this entry »

My son had his first longish orthodontic appointment yesterday morning, and once again I said a silent little prayer of thanks that my life is flexible enough for me to take him where he needs to go without having to sign out of an office and/or apologize to clients. He has an appointment? Off we go! No problem!

Except there was a problem. I had assumed the orthodontist’s office—which is outfitted with video games, books, magazines, a beverage station, and quite possibly a private spa (maybe we only gain access to that after he gets his braces?)—would have wireless. But they didn’t. The waiting room was crammed full of parents even at 8:05 in the morning, so I found this surprising, truthfully. But that’s fine. I could make do without being able to hop online for an hour. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve talked here before about the relative importance of attending conferences when you’re a solopreneur. In fact, the last time I talked about it, I was busy justifying the cost of such an excursion when balanced against the potential advantages. And I mentioned that last year I was a volunteer, which meant that my conference registration was comped—that’s a great way to keep costs down.

You know another good way to keep costs down? Find a way to get yourself invited to attend. That works well, too. Oh, um, hey! Guess what! I’m speaking at BlogHer Business this year. Because I’m incredibly cheap. Because I have important things to say. Read the rest of this entry »

Some of you know that every so often, my kids go off and spend the weekend with their dad, leaving me footloose and fancy-free. Or, at least, as footloose and fancy-free as one can be when you are both a freelancer (read: someone who works all the time) and a big fan of planning.

(And by “big fan of planning” I of course mean “anal retentive.”)

Of course, having a kid-free weekend also means that my husband and I have the opportunity to work on projects around the house or go on an outing, too. So I try not to spend the whole time working. Ideally, such a weekend affords me the chance to either catch up on work or get ahead a bit, and to have some quality time with my honey. Read the rest of this entry »

I wrote here recently that I don’t really believe in writer’s block; if you are a writer by vocation, you should be capable of writing more or less whenever you need to. A photographer never grips his forehead in agony and declares, “I just… can’t shoot any pictures today! I am incapable of pressing the button on my camera!” A chef never shrugs and insists that she cannot cook right now, because the stove simply isn’t moving her, or anything. Professionals may have a calling, but they also have the ability to work through those less-than-inspired days. At the very least, we all have assignments and deadlines we honor. I never have a problem with this—if I have writing to do, I do it.

Except when it’s not for work. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear Kristine Scalzi:

I sort of love your husband. Don’t worry, it’s not that kind of love, or anything. Nor am I a stalker of any kind. But the strength of my feelings are such that I just felt the need to apologize. So… sorry about that. If it truly bothers you, perhaps you could ask him to be less brilliant? Great; thanks.

Yours,
Mir

I feel better, now that I’ve gotten that off my chest.

The thing of it is, John Scalzi wrote something so completely awesome that you’re not allowed to read any further until you go read it yourself. Especially if you’re an aspiring writer. Go! I’ll wait. Read the rest of this entry »

My parents were here for a visit this past week, and I felt a fair amount of guilt about having to spend some of what I felt should’ve been quality visiting time sitting at my desk, working. My father would periodically rib me about how fast I type, and how constant the “tappity tap tap” refrain wafts out from my office.

One night at dinner he turned to me and asked, “How do you keep coming up with things to write about?”

“What do you mean?” I responded. “I have assignments and obligations. So I do them. It’s no different than what you do.”

“I could never write, day after day, the way you do! I’d run out of things to say after the first hour!” he insisted.

“I could never design a building that doesn’t fall down,” I answered. (My dad is an architect.) Read the rest of this entry »

Now that I have my new accounting system in place, when checks arrive I open ‘em up and record them right away. I’m also much more aware of when I’m waiting on funds, and what payments I can expect to be coming in, when.

This is all very good. It’s almost like being a real grown-up, or something. Wild.

Anyway, yesterday I was expecting some checks (and also had a pile of bills on my desk, here, waiting to be paid, and so was hoping to get my money in), and wouldn’t you know it, of course that ends up being the day that the mail lady is MIA. I checked the mailbox before the kids got home from school; nothing. They checked on their way in from the bus; nothing. I checked again at 3:30 and then again at 4:30, and nothing.

Hmph. Read the rest of this entry »