My friend Merlina McGovern — the smartest copy editor I’ve ever worked with — got laid off from my old company last month. After 16 years working for Forrester, she’s starting a business as a freelancer. She had questions, so we talked. Since any freelancer starting a business might have similar questions, let’s walk through…
I recently got a call from a woman I’d presented to years ago, since then a senior executive in several technology companies. She wanted me to edit her book. “What’s the book about?” I asked. “It’s about web3; you know, NFTs, blockchain, cryptocurrency, and all that stuff,” she explained. “I can’t help you,” I responded….
After eight years as a freelance writer and editor, I’ve figured out what works and doesn’t work for my business — and for clients. This post includes everything I’ve learned about pricing and billing. One principle drives everything you are about to read: all freelance arrangements should create value for the client and be rewarding…
I price jobs by the project, not by the hour. That allows me to maximize value and enjoyment both for myself and for the client. And I include some unusual factors in my pricing strategy to maximize my happiness. Why price by the project? If you’re a freelancer, charging by the hour has significant problems:…
I started my career at age 23. It’s 40 years later. And I’ve finally figured out what I was doing all that time. Sure I was accumulating skills and experiences and figuring out ways to get well paid for doing things I was good at. But that’s just work. As it turned out, the most…
Tom Brady, the greatest NFL quarterback of all time, announced yesterday that he was retiring, “for good.” Bullshit. Oh, sure, there were a thousand headlines about it and unlike last year at this time, it appears Tom actually won’t be playing in the National Football League any more. But he’s not retiring. Is he going…
Authors can’t do everything. What should they hire others to do for them? Assuming you’re working with a publisher rather than self-publishing, here’s a list, ranging from tasks you really shouldn’t outsource to those you probably ought to. Do this yourself. Here’s what you can’t or shouldn’t delegate. You could outsource these tasks, but don’t…
People think profound advice demands sweeping generalizations. “Think before speaking.” “Build habits systematically.” “Avoid passive voice.” These are fine. But generalizations piled upon generalizations rapidly become tedious. Specifics are what keep your reader reading and relating. So be specific. People think it’s mundane to cite details. The opposite is true: the more grounded your prose…
When I first moved to Boston as a graduate student, I joined the local science fiction fan group. After each meeting, we would all go to a Chinese restaurant and order a bunch of dishes, family style. And there was one rule: you had to eat with chopsticks. Which was a skill I’d never learned….