Want to be a “perfect” freelancer? Better have these seven “P” words as part of your personality!
Category: Freelance Life
It’s Time to Get on Gab!
As of yesterday, I’m now on Gab at http://gab.ai/littlezotz – Follow me if you get on!
I had been using Gab for a few months as someone I ghostwrite for and I absolutely loved it. I believe in Gab as a social network and made some donations to the cause. Then, yesterday, I was invited to join as a verified user (check out my blue checkmark! I feel like a big shot!). And I already have several followers.
I believe that Gab is going to be the network for freelance writers. They already have a large community of writers — and people interested in good writing — and it’s growing every day. Continue reading “It’s Time to Get on Gab!”
Lauren Spear (née Tharp) is the owner and creator of the multiple award-winning LittleZotz Writing. She’s written hundreds of bylined posts helping freelance writers to become BETTER freelance writers. Thousands if you count all the articles she’s ghostwritten (but she’s not allowed to talk about most of those).
Why and How to Let Go of Your Worst Client
Here are four great reasons to kick your worst client to the curb — and exactly how to do it!
What to Do When You’ve Lost Your Motivation to Blog
Are you “bored” with your blog? Here’s how you can get back in the groove and start writing again!
Are Freelancers Allowed to Get Sick?
As we all know, freelancers are absolutely invincible! Freelancers never get sick. It isn’t allowed! We aren’t hired to fall ill, we’re hired to work.
But, of course, there are a few of us in the freelancing business who are rebels… Sick, sick “rebels.”
Your Body Will Betray You
All right.As much as I would like it to be true, it’s a myth that “freelancers never get sick.”
No, really. Freelancers are people too! And people, from time to time, get sick.
However, how you handle your illness can mean the difference between keeping your clients (and the gigs they pay you to perform) and losing it all. Continue reading “Are Freelancers Allowed to Get Sick?”
Lauren Spear (née Tharp) is the owner and creator of the multiple award-winning LittleZotz Writing. She’s written hundreds of bylined posts helping freelance writers to become BETTER freelance writers. Thousands if you count all the articles she’s ghostwritten (but she’s not allowed to talk about most of those).
LittleZotz Writing’s 6 Year Anniversary
My name is Lauren Tharp. I started my freelance writing career as a teenager (over 15 years ago) and never stopped. On August 17th of 2010, I opened up LittleZotz Writing and I made freelance writing + editing my sole source of income.
Through LittleZotz Writing I’ve worked in the writing and marketing departments of a television mini-series, an online radio station, a designer headphone company, and countless small businesses around the world.
My blog for writers has won multiple awards and was named one of the best in the business by The Write Life, Positive Writer, and others.
I’m also the Managing Editor for Be A Freelance Blogger and the Editorial Assistant for Copyblogger — two of the largest blogs for content creators in the world!
As a freelance writer myself, I know the struggles that writers go through. As an Editor, I know what goes on behind-the-scenes in the blogging world and what it takes to get your pitches read — and your posts published.
My 5 Most Popular Posts (So Far!)
I ran the analytics on my site from August 2010 until today, and my all-time most popular posts are:
- What to Do When Writing Keeps You From Writing
- 16 Red Flags: Say “No” to That Potential Client!
- How NOT to Get Your Guest Post Published
- How NOT to Treat a Fellow Freelance Writer
- Why I’m a Hardass Pitching Editor
My 3 Most Popular Services
It’s been an incredible journey thus far! Thanks for sticking with me all these years! I have big plans for the future. 😀
–Lauren*
Lauren Spear (née Tharp) is the owner and creator of the multiple award-winning LittleZotz Writing. She’s written hundreds of bylined posts helping freelance writers to become BETTER freelance writers. Thousands if you count all the articles she’s ghostwritten (but she’s not allowed to talk about most of those).
How to Define Your Job as a Freelance Writer
When I first launched LittleZotz Writing, I would frequently get e-mails from visitors asking if I could design their website, create a flyer in Photoshop, or “whip up some background art” for their landing page.
While I was flattered that those people thought I was so artistic, none of the tasks I just mentioned have anything to do with my job.
But what does…? Continue reading “How to Define Your Job as a Freelance Writer”
Lauren Spear (née Tharp) is the owner and creator of the multiple award-winning LittleZotz Writing. She’s written hundreds of bylined posts helping freelance writers to become BETTER freelance writers. Thousands if you count all the articles she’s ghostwritten (but she’s not allowed to talk about most of those).
Handling Criticism and Naysayers as a Freelancer
Here are five steps to handle the criticism spewed from the naysayers in your life.
Writers Don’t NEED College (Plus 5 Reasons to Love Online Classes)
Why freelance writers don’t need college, but SHOULD try online classes!
How to Meet Deadlines While Avoiding Burnout
There are a lot of things that cause freelancers stress, but deadlines are one of the worst. How do you meet them without getting overloaded?
Would you hire someone to do a job the night before it was due? Of course not. You’re probably thinking, “That would be unreasonable.”
However, as a freelancer, you’re bound to have a client or two who think you have an endless amount of time on your hands.
In my experience, every client thinks they’re your only client.
But, remember, they’re your client, not your boss. YOU are your boss. So YOU get to set the deadlines. Their deadlines are not your deadlines.
No matter how badly you need the money, never feel pressured to take on a “rush job” if you feel you can’t complete it to perfection. Sacrificing quality for speedy delivery can come back and bite you in the butt in the long run. You also don’t want to put yourself in a position with a client where they consider your “rush job” turn-around as your “norm.”
Note: It’s perfectly within your rights as a freelancer to charge an extra “fee” if a client insists on a rushed deadline. Just remember: You do not have to accept the project if you don’t feel right about it.
9 Tips to Meet Deadlines While Avoiding Burnout
Here are nine of the things that I do to meet all of my deadlines without losing my sanity. I have confidence that you can make these tips work for you as well! Continue reading “How to Meet Deadlines While Avoiding Burnout”
Lauren Spear (née Tharp) is the owner and creator of the multiple award-winning LittleZotz Writing. She’s written hundreds of bylined posts helping freelance writers to become BETTER freelance writers. Thousands if you count all the articles she’s ghostwritten (but she’s not allowed to talk about most of those).
