Comments on: What Do You Do When You Have TOO MUCH Work? http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2010/02/what-do-you-do-when-you-have-too-much-work/ It's Your Freelance Career - Make it Rich! Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:48:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Ed Gandia, Editor http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2010/02/what-do-you-do-when-you-have-too-much-work/comment-page-1/#comment-1393 Ed Gandia, Editor Tue, 30 Mar 2010 18:39:34 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=1192#comment-1393 Kirk - The "hot team" concept can be done virtually if you don't know enough freelancers in your area whom you'd enjoy working with. Peter Bowerman (freelance commercial writer and author of "The Well-Fed Writer") has had great success with this strategy. He and 3 or 4 other freelance writers formed a group like this a few years ago. They promote their services as a separate entity. When projects come in, I believe the way they handle it is they figure out who's available/interested. Sometimes they work collaboratively; other times I think one person will take on the whole thing. I believe he talks about this in the latest version of "The Well-Fed Writer" (sounds like you may already have it; highly recommend it!) I commend you for your efforts as a part-time freelancer! I know it's not always easy when your free time is limited, but it can be a great income stream -- and a nice back-up plan should your day job go sour. Thanks for your kind words on the book! Glad to have you here! ;-) Kirk – The “hot team” concept can be done virtually if you don’t know enough freelancers in your area whom you’d enjoy working with. Peter Bowerman (freelance commercial writer and author of “The Well-Fed Writer”) has had great success with this strategy. He and 3 or 4 other freelance writers formed a group like this a few years ago. They promote their services as a separate entity. When projects come in, I believe the way they handle it is they figure out who’s available/interested. Sometimes they work collaboratively; other times I think one person will take on the whole thing. I believe he talks about this in the latest version of “The Well-Fed Writer” (sounds like you may already have it; highly recommend it!)

I commend you for your efforts as a part-time freelancer! I know it’s not always easy when your free time is limited, but it can be a great income stream — and a nice back-up plan should your day job go sour.

Thanks for your kind words on the book! Glad to have you here! ;-)

]]> By: Kirk Richardson http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2010/02/what-do-you-do-when-you-have-too-much-work/comment-page-1/#comment-1384 Kirk Richardson Sat, 27 Mar 2010 15:52:25 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=1192#comment-1384 Hi Ed. This is really helpful information. Some of what you write is obvious to industry veterans, but the gentle reminder sure helps. I'm intrigued with idea #7, a new one for me. I'd really like to form a "hot team" of writers here in Oregon, but am not sure how to go about it. This is a clever idea and very appealing to me - love collaborative projects and the joy of team success. BTW, I'm a successful Fortune 500 Company Marketing Executive, moonlighting as a freelance writer - a strange and demanding combo. I've been playing this dual role for the last 25 years, writing everything from restaurant and wine reviews to engineering company news releases. The work just keeps flowing in - all of it from word of mouth recommendations. I've just purchased your book "The Wealthy Freelancer" and recommend it to anyone who takes this business seriously (Pete Bowerman also puts out good ideas in his helpful freelancer titles). The last "Bios" page in your book turned me on to this blog, I've bookmarked the site as a favorite, and I plan to harvest the information here on a regular basis. Keep up the good work guys! Hi Ed. This is really helpful information. Some of what you write is obvious to industry veterans, but the gentle reminder sure helps. I’m intrigued with idea #7, a new one for me. I’d really like to form a “hot team” of writers here in Oregon, but am not sure how to go about it. This is a clever idea and very appealing to me – love collaborative projects and the joy of team success.

BTW, I’m a successful Fortune 500 Company Marketing Executive, moonlighting as a freelance writer – a strange and demanding combo. I’ve been playing this dual role for the last 25 years, writing everything from restaurant and wine reviews to engineering company news releases. The work just keeps flowing in – all of it from word of mouth recommendations.

I’ve just purchased your book “The Wealthy Freelancer” and recommend it to anyone who takes this business seriously (Pete Bowerman also puts out good ideas in his helpful freelancer titles). The last “Bios” page in your book turned me on to this blog, I’ve bookmarked the site as a favorite, and I plan to harvest the information here on a regular basis. Keep up the good work guys!

]]> By: Jeannette http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2010/02/what-do-you-do-when-you-have-too-much-work/comment-page-1/#comment-1288 Jeannette Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:20:45 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=1192#comment-1288 Timely advice for me, Ed. The comments were helpful, too! Thanks for the helpful reminders about how to handle it when it seems overwhelming. :) Timely advice for me, Ed. The comments were helpful, too!

Thanks for the helpful reminders about how to handle it when it seems overwhelming.

:)

]]> By: Ed Gandia, Editor http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2010/02/what-do-you-do-when-you-have-too-much-work/comment-page-1/#comment-1273 Ed Gandia, Editor Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:19:25 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=1192#comment-1273 Kara - I agree. You have to be careful, and you have to learn when to say "No." The benefit of developing long-term clients is that you get a chance to develop a good understanding of what you're willing and not willing to do. You develop mutual respect and therefore minimize these "I need it yesterday" requests. Albert - That's a great place to be -- congrats! Isn't it funny how more work seems to come your way when you're booked solid? It's one of the big reasons why we need to stay booked with work (besides the income, of course!) Emma - You're right. That can sometimes be the case. Kim - Glad to hear it came in at the right time. Serendipity at it's finest! Dean - I've had the same experience. But it hasn't been so much a quality issue as one of style. Part of the reason my clients hire me is my unique style and approach to the work. It's very difficult to duplicate that when it comes to writing. The more creative your field, the more difficult it's going to be to farm out part or all of the work. But my point in the article is that every project has at least one or two aspects that are more left-brain-oriented and can be outsourced without much hassle. Roberta - Research is a perfect project component to outsource. Designers and other creatives have similar aspects of a project that lend themselves to this sort of delegation. Great comments, y'all! Keep 'em coming! Kara – I agree. You have to be careful, and you have to learn when to say “No.” The benefit of developing long-term clients is that you get a chance to develop a good understanding of what you’re willing and not willing to do. You develop mutual respect and therefore minimize these “I need it yesterday” requests.

Albert – That’s a great place to be — congrats! Isn’t it funny how more work seems to come your way when you’re booked solid? It’s one of the big reasons why we need to stay booked with work (besides the income, of course!)

Emma – You’re right. That can sometimes be the case.

Kim – Glad to hear it came in at the right time. Serendipity at it’s finest!

Dean – I’ve had the same experience. But it hasn’t been so much a quality issue as one of style. Part of the reason my clients hire me is my unique style and approach to the work. It’s very difficult to duplicate that when it comes to writing. The more creative your field, the more difficult it’s going to be to farm out part or all of the work. But my point in the article is that every project has at least one or two aspects that are more left-brain-oriented and can be outsourced without much hassle.

Roberta – Research is a perfect project component to outsource. Designers and other creatives have similar aspects of a project that lend themselves to this sort of delegation.

Great comments, y’all! Keep ‘em coming!

]]> By: Roberta Rosenberg http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2010/02/what-do-you-do-when-you-have-too-much-work/comment-page-1/#comment-1271 Roberta Rosenberg Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:41:51 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=1192#comment-1271 There's a lot of excellent advice here. I agree with Dean that periods when you're getting buried is a great time time to test higher fees and a new client's willingness to wait for an opening in your schedule. I also will farm out research or pieces of a project so I can concentrate on the elements I do best and what clients are really paying me for. It's all good. There’s a lot of excellent advice here. I agree with Dean that periods when you’re getting buried is a great time time to test higher fees and a new client’s willingness to wait for an opening in your schedule. I also will farm out research or pieces of a project so I can concentrate on the elements I do best and what clients are really paying me for.
It’s all good.

]]> By: Dean Rieck at Pro Copy Tips http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2010/02/what-do-you-do-when-you-have-too-much-work/comment-page-1/#comment-1269 Dean Rieck at Pro Copy Tips Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:02:38 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=1192#comment-1269 You have to be careful about farming out work to other writers. If the copy isn't top-notch, it will hurt your reputation. I've been working on this, but it's incredibly hard to find people you can really trust. I also agree with Emma. If you're charging low fees, you'll get buried quick. I've always used busy times to up my fees with new clients. In-demand means "higher value," so there's no reason for a $15 an hour writer to hand work to other writers. Boost your fees until you start losing jobs THEN decide what to do with overflow. You have to be careful about farming out work to other writers. If the copy isn’t top-notch, it will hurt your reputation. I’ve been working on this, but it’s incredibly hard to find people you can really trust.

I also agree with Emma. If you’re charging low fees, you’ll get buried quick. I’ve always used busy times to up my fees with new clients. In-demand means “higher value,” so there’s no reason for a $15 an hour writer to hand work to other writers. Boost your fees until you start losing jobs THEN decide what to do with overflow.

]]> By: Kim Gusta http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2010/02/what-do-you-do-when-you-have-too-much-work/comment-page-1/#comment-1264 Kim Gusta Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:13:56 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=1192#comment-1264 Great post and very timely for me. I just started my business a few months ago and am starting to reach my capacity point. I just got another inquiry today from a potential client and was wondering how to handle additional work when I read your post. Thank you for the advice! Great post and very timely for me. I just started my business a few months ago and am starting to reach my capacity point. I just got another inquiry today from a potential client and was wondering how to handle additional work when I read your post. Thank you for the advice!

]]> By: Albert Ellenich http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2010/02/what-do-you-do-when-you-have-too-much-work/comment-page-1/#comment-1263 Albert Ellenich Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:50:47 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=1192#comment-1263 @Emma I think most freelancers strive (or should) to raise rates periodically. However, I don't think all the extra work coming to a freelancer is the result of their rate. I know freelancers who raise their rates and still run into the "too much work" issue. It's a contrasting position to be in when we hear of the economic demise of colleagues and businesses around us. I think a freelancer's network, reputation, experience and overall quality of presence on the job is what brings in the work. @Emma I think most freelancers strive (or should) to raise rates periodically. However, I don’t think all the extra work coming to a freelancer is the result of their rate. I know freelancers who raise their rates and still run into the “too much work” issue. It’s a contrasting position to be in when we hear of the economic demise of colleagues and businesses around us. I think a freelancer’s network, reputation, experience and overall quality of presence on the job is what brings in the work.

]]> By: Emma http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2010/02/what-do-you-do-when-you-have-too-much-work/comment-page-1/#comment-1262 Emma Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:28:18 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=1192#comment-1262 This may sound too obvious to state, but if you are inundated with work, it may be because you are under-charging, in which case it is time to raise your rates! This may sound too obvious to state, but if you are inundated with work, it may be because you are under-charging, in which case it is time to raise your rates!

]]> By: Albert Ellenich http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/2010/02/what-do-you-do-when-you-have-too-much-work/comment-page-1/#comment-1261 Albert Ellenich Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:21:46 +0000 http://thewealthyfreelancer.com/?p=1192#comment-1261 Great post Ed! I've found myself in this position many times over the past couple years. It seems my profession of User Experience is growing, and my reputation in my home city of Chicago has brought me many referrals. If I can't take on a project, I will do my best to help the client with a referral or offer to work with them on a limited basis if it benefits their immediate need. I try to find any way I can help, especially if it's a new client. The end of every request involves me thanking the client for contacting me and letting them know I will be in touch if I should find someone who can help, or if my availability changes. I got over the fear of never hearing back once I realized I was getting repeat calls even if I wasn't available for every job. Great post Ed! I’ve found myself in this position many times over the past couple years. It seems my profession of User Experience is growing, and my reputation in my home city of Chicago has brought me many referrals. If I can’t take on a project, I will do my best to help the client with a referral or offer to work with them on a limited basis if it benefits their immediate need. I try to find any way I can help, especially if it’s a new client. The end of every request involves me thanking the client for contacting me and letting them know I will be in touch if I should find someone who can help, or if my availability changes. I got over the fear of never hearing back once I realized I was getting repeat calls even if I wasn’t available for every job.

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