Comments on: Your Excuses Don’t Interest Me

By: Monika

Monika — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:59:35 +0000

@ Kathy: Hear …hear! You are so correct and I LOVED your example quote about one of my favourite movies!
Herding cats, playing mother to lost children or simply losing another few hairs, whatever we call it, it is annoying and since writing this post I’ve come to realize that most of us suffer the same challenges by the looks of it.

By: Monika

Monika — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:54:58 +0000

@ Emily: The best advice I can give you right now is to ACT on any morsel of information you learn that propels you toward an online income. Write that first query – propose your first guest blogging spot and – bid for that first job on one of the many platforms. Doing so will get you started earning and before you know you will earn money in your chosen career.

By: Monika

Monika — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:47:20 +0000

@ Brent: Indeed, it’s been a long while since we last connected. How are things at your end? I feel for you and it seems you are right. I think about my husband and his line of work and again, he too suffers the same issues. For some reasons workers in many areas seem to be unable to stay dedicated to their line of work these days. It is sad and frustrating.

Great to see you are still around.

By: Brent Crouch

Brent Crouch — Mon, 25 May 2009 16:26:57 +0000

Hi Monika,

Long time, no see!

I don’t think this phenomenon is isolated to writers, I think it is rampant in all industries. I’m so tired of people that I’ve hired to complete tasks lying to me.

What’s the saying, “Do you want it good, fast, or cheap?” If you are lucky, you can find a provider that delivers two of these characteristics. Unfortunately, most only deliver on one of them.

By: Emily

Emily — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:50:57 +0000

I am a freelance writer, (newbie)..I have written some poems and started two books. I won an award at the college I attend and I am looking for freelance jobs, something simple. I write book reviews for the Anniston Star News, in Anniston, Alabama. I have a blog at bloggersholiday.bloggerspot.com and I have enjoyed reading your blogs. Any tips would be appreciated.

By: Kathy | Virtual Impax

Kathy | Virtual Impax — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:21:04 +0000

Working with freelancers is often like herding cats. I hear you – I feel your pain – and I think you hit the nail on the head with this post.

Morgan Freeman says in Shawshank Redemption, “Get busy living – or get busy dying.” For freelancers it should be “Learn to act like a professional or activate your resume and start looking for a job.” The thing is – it’s no SECRET why some freelancers are “unemployed”.

By: Davina

Davina — Fri, 15 May 2009 08:49:40 +0000

Hi Monika. I think a lot of “writers” are out there trying their hand at it because the idea of being a writer is “dreamy”. It’s not! It is hard work. But if a person IS a writer, it is more than $$$ and more than just work. It shouldn’t matter how much a person is being paid. Being responsible is being responsible. The money is just an excuse, not a reason.

If the pay is not satisfactory for a person, they shouldn’t take the job if they will be tempted to goof around. I just finished editing a 100-page book and worked pretty well non-stop for 5 days to get it done on time, while juggling a few other projects at the same time. If I didn’t like working with words, I would have quit long ago.

You’ve obviously found a real jewel in that 1 writer out of 20. I hope you find more like him.

By: Monika

Monika — Wed, 13 May 2009 06:13:26 +0000

@ Samar: I love your idea in regards to the contract. To be honest I have not bothered with contracting my writers for various reasons. However, after reading your comment I do see the value in what you are saying and am going to take this on board for future dealings with new writers.

I do agree with you in regards to being late at times because it happened to me too. However, what really gets me is when writers can’t communicate their lateness to keep me informed of the status of their work. It’s the least we can do when dealing with clients and helps to set the trust and bond for a long-term work relationship.

By: Monika

Monika — Wed, 13 May 2009 06:09:06 +0000

@ Chris: Thank you for the nice words about my blog. I certainly appreciate your input into my content here because it always helps to get a second or third opinion on things. Practice does make perfect – or close to, doesn’t it? At least it helps to shape our abilities. I don’t believe in easy because if things were easy everybody would make a killing online.

Like you said, most people are looking for the easy way out and are not willing to put in some long-term elbow grease to build a business or achieve measures of success. Good to have you here.

By: Chris Anderson

Chris Anderson — Wed, 13 May 2009 01:21:50 +0000

I notice alot of people try to take the easy way. I wonder if it’s something they should have got themselves into in the first place. I try my darnest to do a good job and besides, I’ll get better with practice.

The recession may actually have some part in it. By that I mean that A LOT of people are turning to working from home and online marketing. And that means many people are new or are just looking for the easy life. People don’t always realize this is work. It’s extremely satisfying and rewarding when you put the effort into it though.

By the way, I’m new here and I love your blog. Just though I’d throw that in there.

~Chris