Do you know how to ditch time-wasters?
Hi Reader!
I was this close to dropping the tired old "March already?! Leap year! Where does the time go?" blah, blah, blah… but, Nah, let's skip the small talk and get to the good stuff!
I've got a couple of exciting short getaways planned this month, and I'm so pumped to slow down a bit! Total disconnection, no laptop, just me and some leisurely reading.
Speaking of reading, someone recommended the book The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin. I heard it’s a can’t-put-it-down kind of read.
I’m also packing Overwhelmed by Brigid Schulte. Can’t wait to get lost in their pages.
So, I've got to ask: What's on your leisure reading list? Let's hear your recommendations and maybe even start a little book club in our community! 😏 We could share our thoughts and favorite quotes.
Let me know what you think, and if you've got any must-read suggestions, send them my way!
Alright, that's it from me for now. Remember to take some time for yourself this month, even if it's just a few minutes a day. You deserve it!
A word, please!
Last time, we talked about steps to nail those discovery calls to turn leads into clients. Some of you had “Aha!” moments, and I loved hearing all about the tips you’ve been putting into action!
But I also heard from some of you who were wondering about filtering out those pesky time-wasters who can’t — or won’t — pay what you’re worth.
Who wants to waste time on endless requests from people who aren't the right fit? We want to focus our energy on ideal partners who value our expertise!
So, here we go! The three things I implement in my business to help weed out the window shoppers:
1. Post my starting rate on my website
Now, I know what you might be thinking – "Won't that scare away potential clients, Maggie?" And early on, I had the same fear.
I shied away from posting my rates because I worried it would shut potential new clients with limited budgets out completely. I didn’t know it then, but it wasn’t a mistake — and I encourage you to do the same! Here’s why:
As a brand-new freelancer, you need to build a portfolio! Cast a wide net and be open to all inquiries. And again, opinions differ here. My take is when you’re starting out, it really isn’t the time to be selective!
Talk to all inquirers (I know it might feel like a waste of time and it defeats the purpose, but think of as discovery call practice when you're starting out😉), assess their budgets and needs, and go for it if the rate is decent. What’s a decent rate, you ask? Well, one of my very first gigs paid a whopping 15 cents per word.
Oh, and that’s after my volunteer clips (read that again: volunteer as in unpaid) were published. Talk about humble beginnings! No shame starting out a bit lean to score the experience! Just know what your absolute bottom price is and stick to it.
But now, as an established writer, posting my starting rates on my website is the best thing I could have done.
Two things happen when you do this: First, it establishes you as an expert worthy of investing in. Second, it saves you countless hours explaining your rates to every inquiring mind and helps weed out those who can't afford your high-quality services right from the start.
2. Send a rate sheet
So, your rates are on your website… or not! It’s your call!
But let’s say a potential client contacts you, and you want to be sure they can afford your services before investing time in a discovery call, that’s where a rate sheet comes in handy.
What exactly is a rate sheet? It’s essentially a menu of your services, a template that lists out all the common content types and services you offer, neatly organized and easy to read.
When you send this to a potential client before your discovery call, it gives them a clear picture of your starting rates and the whole range of services (if any) they can choose from.
They'll quickly understand the value you bring to the table and can start thinking about the best approach for their needs.
But wait, there's more! (😂😂 Sounds like a sales pitch from those middle-of-the-night infomercials!) The other super benefit of a rate sheet is that it's also a fantastic way to weed out those dead-end leads!
Plus, it makes those discovery calls way smoother because you won't be stumbling over rate questions. (I mean, who actually enjoys the rate question on discovery calls? Not me!)
Even if you choose not to share your rate sheet with prospective clients as I do, having this handy will save you time and ensure consistency on discovery calls.
3. Share a writing proposal
This is the other priceless tool in my arsenal.
Now, this step doesn't necessarily save time from hopping on a discovery call with someone who has no intention of paying your rate. But think of it as a bookend, making sure you and the prospective client are completely aligned after your chat.
As I mentioned in the last newsletter, I don't always share final project rates on a discovery call for fear of underquoting (Been there, done that!).
So, a detailed writing proposal is how I communicate my rate to clients whose projects are a bit more complex and might require work beyond my standard rates.
A writing proposal is a must no matter where you are in your freelance journey — whether you publicly post rates or not.
I learned the hard way just how valuable this little gem is after a client exploited a vague scope of work with endless revisions and add-ons.
Even if a client has their own contract, creating a writing proposal is a smart move. Why? It allows you to lead with confidence, establish best practices, and highlight the value you bring.
So, what should you include in your writing proposal? Here are the main areas I cover in mine:
📝 Project scope — Briefly recap key information from your discovery call
📝 Challenges — Succinctly explain client pain points and content barriers
📝 Solution and value — Benefits the client will receive
📝 Process — Standard workflow protocol
📝 Pricing — A cost breakdown and payment terms
Boom! With these strategies, you're not just setting expectations; you're laying the foundation for wildly successful partnerships. Goals! 🙌
As your freelance empire grows, don't be afraid to update and evolve with the times. But remember: there's no one-size-fits-all approach to running your business.
Find that sweet spot where you're excelling at meeting clients' needs without compromising your worth or well-being.
I know you've got what it takes, so believe in yourself every step of the way. Because when you do, the world (and your ideal clients) can't help but take notice!
If you need any more guidance on these steps, you know where to find me!
Now, let's go out there and land those life-changing, dream-client-snagging, bank-account-boosting gigs!
And I don't know about you, but that gets me pretty dang excited!
Your Turn!🤝
- Review your website/landing page and decide if you want to add your starting rates.
- Create a rate sheet that outlines your services and pricing tiers. (Even if you keep your rate sheet private, it'll be a huge time-saver and help you stay consistent when discussing pricing with potential clients!)
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Craft a writing proposal template that includes:
- Project scope
- Client challenges and pain points
- Solution and value you provide
- Your process and workflow
- Pricing and payment terms
Hot off the dek!
📌This issue's Hot off the dek is brought to you courtesy of Aditi Shingal, Health Communications Expert!
Have you connected with Aditi on LinkedIn? She's a fantastic health writer and a gem!
What’s making waves in health writing? What’s the latest buzz?
Here are 3 pitch ideas editors want:
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Norovirus
With Norovirus rapidly spreading across the Northeastern United States, why not create awareness about the disease? There's always another angle to approach it: prevention, treatment, etc. The opportunities are endless.
Reach out to experts to shed light on why Norovirus is serious and help people understand how to tell it apart from other illnesses.
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Endometriosis
March is National Endometriosis Awareness Month! It’s a perfect opportunity to talk about this often misunderstood condition. Again, so many angles you can go with this topic. Misdiagnosis (this is a big one!) or share a patient's story. How about alternative treatments like acupuncture, yoga, etc.? Get your SMEs lined up and get those golden nuggets of information. This is need-to-know info!
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Postbiotics
What is it??
Postbiotic science is fairly new and still developing, with a lot left to discover. As cutting-edge research happens, it's a great time to pitch articles explaining this exciting area.
Interview experts to cover microbiome basics, pro/pre/postbiotics, what postbiotics are, how they work, and if they're worth taking as supplements.
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Gigs & Opps
Your next paid gig might be hiding below. Take a look!
DAME Magazine wants feature/op-ed pitches on the care economy, elder care, women's health, and climate stories with intersections to other issues.
Pay: $350-750 for reported stories.
Looking for stories about longevity (healthy lifestyle tips from older people in your family), among other super interesting topics. Open to writers of all levels, demographics, and locations. Send your pitch to Rosemary Donahue: rdonahue@businessinsider.com.
Pay: $225 for around 600 words.
If you have an engaging personal story related to health and parenting (like relationships, mental or physical health), she wants to hear from you!
🎉 Get your byline in Business Insider!
Attention health writers with expertise in specific fields! Contently is seeking additional writers to produce interesting content in specialized areas such as rheumatology, nephrology, ophthalmology, oncology, and beyond.
They're looking for conversation starters about culture, history, health/wellness, and trends, mythology, the supernatural, unusual history, and fitness trends.
Pay: Around $1 per word.
Send your pitches ( ~200 word blurb who, what, where, WHY ARE WE TELLING THIS STORY NOW & WHY DOES IT MATTER) to starlight.williams@natgeo.com.
Looking for experienced health and wellness freelancers. Not a whole lot of information provided but check the link.
Looking for English professional writers experienced writing about nutrition, health, medicine, and mindfulness-related. Email work samples to contact@healthtoday.com.
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💡Writer guidelines can seem tedious, but sticking to those outlined submission instructions offers major returns on your pitch success rates! Editors are flooded with queries daily, so take the time to follow their stated processes to help your pitch stand out.
Need a refresher on how to pitch? Pitch, Please! How to Pitch Story Ideas Like a Pro
On the Blog
Check out these insightful blog posts:
Show some extra LinkedIn love to these talented contributors.
Want more from the blog? See it here!
Blog Booster
👉 What did you write for your own blog? Share it with me at hello@thewritern.com.
Use our Blog Booster challenge to grow your own blog. And... it's time for another blog booster! Are you ready?
Here’s the plan:
- Over the next two weeks (by March 21), write one blog post. That’s it, just one blog post for your website in the next two weeks.
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Suggested topic ideas:
- How to improve on-page SEO
- A health writer’s take on AI
- Medical misinformation
- It takes more than blogging to rank on Google
- Beating writer’s block
- Tracking your blog's impact
- Post your challenge blog post on LinkedIn using the hashtag #THWNblogbooster. It helps me (and other writers participating in the challenge) find and support your blog post on LinkedIn.
- Once you’ve published your post, send the link to me at hello@thewritern.com so I can easily collect submissions.
- Posts from challenge participants will be featured in upcoming newsletter editions. This gives your writing bonus exposure!
- One last thing! Make it a point to interact with and support the work of fellow health writers taking on the Blog Booster challenge. Remember, this is our community!
Missed the last issue? Catch it here 👉 Let's Turn Leads Into Clients
And that, my friends, is it for THWN Issue No. 7!
Au revoir, mes amis…
See ya in about 336 hours, aka 14 days!
PS: I'm seriously, absolutely, and honestly itching to know how I can make this newsletter the best for YOU and US. This is not a one-way street. You hear from me. But I want to also hear from you. Hit REPLY to share what works and what doesn’t, what you want to see more of, or just say hi! 👋
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