From the category archives:

Getting Clients Like a Well Fed Writer

Run Into This Promising (and Increasingly Common) Client Scenario Out There?

July 8, 2010

So, I was talking the other day with one of the graphic designers I’ve collaborated with in my commercial writing business for years. She’d recently picked up a new client – a big company selling something people have to have, and targeted to a specific demographic – one that’s been making money hand over fist [...]

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Simon Says: “People Don’t Buy What You Do; They Buy Why You Do It…”

June 2, 2010

A little intellectual gymnastics – with possible real-world application to the commercial freelancing business….
So, I was clicking through a few links I found on a writer friend’s web site the other day, and came across this guy, Simon Sinek (pronounced, unfortunately, “cynic,” though he’s anything but that…), whose site is “Start With Why.”
Very provocative stuff, [...]

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Ever Had to Sign a “Non-Compete” Agreement Like This One?

May 13, 2010

Got an interesting note from a commercial freelancer recently:
Recently (and perhaps because of the recession) I’ve been asked to sign non-compete agreements from agencies I work with. The first time I was asked, I said no—and lost the account. Now I’m being asked again, and it happens to be a fairly substantial client.
I have [...]

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Ad Agency’s Solution to Client Pulling Work In-House Sounds Like the Freelancer Model…

March 21, 2010

It’s inevitable in an economic downturn. Clients using pricey creative agencies dump them and pull the work in-house. OR outsource it, as we’ve happily discussed in this forum (and elsewhere: check out the GREENS course at this link) to a more economical, low-overhead writer and designer team.
Well, thanks again to commercial freelancer Robin Halcomb [...]

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Growth in Temps: Bad Sign for Employees, Good Sign for Freelancers

February 16, 2010

Saw an interesting bit in the Associated Press this morning entitled: “Use of temps may no longer signal permanent hiring” (link).
Here’s an excerpt:
When employers hire temporary staff after a recession, it’s long been seen as a sign they’ll soon hire permanent workers. Not these days. Companies have hired more temps for four straight [...]

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Don We Now Our…Mental Armor for 2010

December 27, 2009

So, I’m hanging out with family for a few days in that dead zone at the end of the year, feeling like I need to be a little introspective….meaningful… significant… Y’know, that “let’s-reflect-on-2009” backwards glance (I know, many of you would just as soon not) “and-look-forward-to-2010” optimism (better).
Actually, all I really want to do [...]

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Design: Graphically Designing | Development: Gamajo Tech