The Writing Coach Podcast 31: How do you feel about breaking into your dream publications?
Your dream publication might be high profile, high circulation, or high paying. It might reach a specialized, niche audience, or be pushing the boundaries of innovative types of multimedia storytelling. Maybe your dream publication employees your dream editor, who is smart and funny and prompt. Or maybe your dream publication comes back to you time […]
Writing Coach Podcast 22: The $10,000 email
Knowing how to negotiate can be the difference between earning a part- or full-time income as a freelance writer. I don’t want you to break into your dream publication only to have them pay you less than what they pay writers who know to ask for more. Asking for (and receiving!) more money on your […]
WCP Bonus: Why aren’t you making more money as a freelance writer?
Freelancing has so many moving parts that it’s easy to get overwhelmed. When you’re working a lot of hours, putting in a lot of effort, but not seeing a lot of financial return, that can add to the confusion: What’s holding you back from making more money? When we strip things back to basics, there […]
What if you loved to pitch?
What if you loved pitching, and/or knew you were really good at it? What would you do differently? If you’re avoiding pitching as frequently as ambitiously as you would if you were great at it, then you’re choosing to experience all the things you were hoping to avoid: silence from editors, not earning enough, and […]
The Writing Coach Podcast 20: Setting freelance writer goals
The freelance writer goal setting process I’m sharing with you today works for goals that will take half a day, one year, or anywhere in between. There’s one step in this process that most writers miss (and, consequently, don’t reach their goals). Listen in to make sure you don’t gloss over it. Listen to episode 20 […]
The Writing Coach Podcast 13: Setting freelance boundaries and company policies
Listen to episode 13 of the Writing Coach Podcast: WCP13 Setting freelance boundaries and company policies Establishing company policies might sound like it would create distance from freelance clients, but it does the opposite, especially with your ideal clients. Clear boundaries set a framework for clear expectations and positive work relationships and self care. If […]
WCP Bonus: Boost your bottom line as a freelance writer
WCP Bonus: Boost your bottom line as a freelance writer This bonus episode looks at the most effective strategies to raise your bottom line as a freelance writer. You’ll walk away with specifics you can implement right away to increase your cash flow. Subscribe to The Writing Coach Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Android, or RSS. This bonus episode looks at the […]
The Writing Coach Podcast 12: How to get freelance clients to pay on time
WCP12 How to get freelance clients to pay on time Freelancers often ask: How do I get a client to pay an invoice that’s past due? Today we’re asking a better question: How do you get clients to pay you on time in the first place? If you’ve had more than one late-paying client in […]
The Writing Coach Podcast 11: Money and negotiation blocks
http://writingcoachpodcast.libsyn.com/wcp11-money-and-negotiation-blocks Subscribe to The Writing Coach Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Android, or RSS. Often our thoughts about money and negotiations are so old, we don’t question them as optional belief systems. We think we’re observing reality. And then we make important choices based on that perceived reality. Most freelance writers I’ve coached say they’re underearning and want to make more money. […]
Freelance Writer Bootcamp alumni discuss what the program’s really like
Bonus: FB Live with Freelance Writer Bootcamp alumni Wondering what it’s really like to go through Freelance Writer Bootcamp? Join me for a discussion with several Bootcamp alums about their experiences. Registration for Freelance Writer Bootcamp is open until Tuesday, October 2: https://www.FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com More info and show notes: https://www.rebeccalweber.com/podcastalum Subscribe to The Writing Coach Podcast on […]
The Writing Coach Podcast 5: Pitching is …
05: Pitching mindset The first thing most freelance writers need to do to improve their pitching isn’t some editorial magic trick. It’s not tips on including a news hook, or how to write a great subject line, or having the right clips in your portfolio. Subscribe to The Writing Coach Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or […]
The Writing Coach Podcast 4: The perfect black T-shirt
04: The perfect black T-shirt Tailoring your pitch to an individual publication will be a game changer if you’re used to a spray-and-pray approach. Simultaneous submissions may seem efficient in the short-term, but there’s a reason why most editors don’t respond to the same pitch you sent to their competition. Subscribe to The Writing Coach […]
The Writing Coach Podcast 2: Thinking thoughts and feeling feels
02: Thinking thoughts and feeling feels In today’s episode, we’ll look more deeply at recognizing your thoughts and feelings, and the impact these have on your freelance writing results. If you have a habit of getting in your own way, understanding the thought model will help you work through difficult emotions to reach your goals. […]
Introducing The Writing Coach Podcast
Rebecca L. Weber’s Writing Coach Podcast features the sustainable strategies, mindset management, and creative skills development she uses to help independent writers around the world. Subscribe to The Writing Coach Podcast on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | | Audible | Android | RSS | or click on an episode below to listen. Listen to the Writing Coach Podcast Greatest Hits Playlist […]
On choosing not to be an underearner
Recently I opened up my schedule to people interested in a free mini coaching session with me. It’s a shot of quickie clarity—just enough time for you to describe one writing issue you’re struggling with and for me to offer some advice about the one next step to take. A couple of people transitioning from other […]
Modern Journalist Toolkit 20: Get your freelance clients to pay on time
Getting paid on time as a freelance writer isn’t luck of the draw. After more than a dozen years of freelancing full-time, I’ve had very few late-paying clients. Some of this is out of my control, but I’m quite diligent about a few things that most freelancers don’t bother doing. If you don’t think you have […]
Modern Journalist Toolkit 18: How to leave a conference full of freelance article ideas (but not tote bags full of brochures)
The first time I went to a large trade show as a freelance writer, I wandered around, mindlessly stuffing free tote bags full of every single brochure and pamphlet on display. When I got home I was completely overwhelmed. I had no idea how to coax those stacks of paper (most of which was a […]
Modern Journalist Toolkit 15: For freelancers who are worth the money
When I started freelancing, I was 100% DIY. Pitching, researching, writing, editing–that was me. Tech support, print cartridge buyer, office cleaner–that was me too. One of the tricky things about making a good living as a freelance writer is getting a feel for what to do yourself and where to spend–or invest–time and money. Some […]
7 most popular posts of 2016
Would you be surprised to hear that this Backstory blog was originally conceived of as a place to post comics about what goes on behind the scenes when writing articles? A few years ago, I was not imagining that I would be making videos, teaching freelance writers how to pitch, leading goal-planning challenges, or even […]
Pay Me!
In a strange twist of my-fish-that-got-away-was-bigger-than-yours, freelance writers sometimes like to play the game of my-deadbeat-client-owes-me-more-than-yours. Who said bigger was better? While occasional late payers are inevitable, I’ve had very few over the years, even though I’ve written for many clients all over the world. Do you want to know the steps I take to […]