

Cornered Office
with Mir Kamin
I'm a freelance writer and mother of two working from home, which theoretically means I can set my own schedule so as to best accommodate my family. In reality, "flexible hours" often equals "working too much." Yes, I'm my own boss; no, that doesn't mean life is easy. It's hard to leave the office when you live there. But I love what I do and feel very lucky. And not just because I get paid to work in my pajamas.
To learn more about Mir, check out her profile on Work It, Mom! or visit her blog at http://www.wouldashoulda.com/
I’ve been writing here at Work It, Mom! for coming up on three years. Can you believe that? The time has flown by—in a good way—and part of me feels like it was just yesterday that typed that first “Here is why you should hire me” email (with clammy palms) to one of my very first clients, close to five years ago.
Some days I still can’t believe this is what I do for a living.
Anyway, for years I’ve been writing about all of the aspects of being a freelance writer which I suspect others will find interesting or informative, and I hope I’ve been on target at least a good percentage of the time. What a good percentage would be, I’m not entirely sure. Would it be like a batting average…? Anything over about 40% is awesome…? (Kidding!)
Now I want to hear from you.
What have I talked about in the past that you want to hear an update on? What haven’t I addressed that you wonder about?
In short, if you could have me answer your questions in this space, what would you ask?
I’m not an expert, nor do I play one on TV, but I’m someone who’s not all that remarkable and has more or less found a way to make this life work—I’m my own boss, I set my own hours and fees, I work for multiple clients as well as running two websites of my own. On the side I sort of manage to keep our household running, and may even be raising a couple of kids that seem to always be around here. Plus I’ve got a husband and an unnaturally intense fear of marriage failure.
Hit me with your burning questions, and I’ll devote the next few pieces to answering them. Again, my advice will be worth exactly what you’re paying me for it (lucky you!), but I’m happy to share on whatever would be of interest.
We can talk about my rescue dog, if you want. I’m not sure what she has to do with successful freelancing, but I highly recommend your own slobbery ball-of-love as an office footwarmer.
We can talk about public school and kids with special needs. Again, it’s not entirely freelancing-specific, but it is something that occupies a large portion of my time.
We can talk about writing—how to make it your career, how to fit it in around everything else, how to get better at it, and even the dreaded writer’s block (spoiler: I don’t believe in writer’s block).
We can talk about getting clients, keeping clients, networking, incorporating… you tell me you want to hear about it, I’ll make it happen. I’m just that agreeable. Plus I’m starting to feel like I’m repeating myself, some, and if I’m going to say the same thing twice, I’d at least like it to be something you want to hear again.
Lay it on me.
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Hi Mir!
I’ve been working as a freelance writer for over two years now (wow, time does fly!) and most of that time I’ve worked for 2 main companies. This means that I’m really not very bright when it comes to getting new clients or starting to work for new companies. Any hints or tips that you’re willing to divulge?
Thanks!
Randi
Randi | January 12th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
What exactly did that first email say? How did you convince them with a beginner’s resume?
carrien (she laughs at the days) | January 13th, 2010 at 1:34 am
Ditto to the others - getting new clients. Even if it’s just a variation on the 90/10 rule, hearing stories about how you psyched yourself up to send things out, how you chose whom to approach, what kind of a portfolio you built (or wish you built), etc.
A different topic’d be what you see beginner’s mistakes to be - I think you’ve posted on this before, but repetition’s not always a bad thing. It’s easy to fall into bad habits even if you should know better, and getting reminded of it can be good.
Alice | January 13th, 2010 at 9:50 am
I’d love to hear your thoughts on evaluating clients and negotiating with them - warning signs that you’re getting into a bad situation, negotiating with client expectations (ie, they think it should take 30 hours and you know it will take at least 50), when to negotiate and when to just turn a project down, etc.
EmmaC | January 14th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
All good suggestions. I would also like to hear about networking - who, when, where, and how. At what point did you start “Want Not” and how did you publicize that website? In general, how do you market yourself? Thank you for this opportunity.
Sharon | January 14th, 2010 at 11:29 pm