When I started my writing career at a regional publication in the late 1980s, I desperately wanted a mentor. Instead, I got a she-boss. A crazy one at that. More specifically, my would-be mentor was a power monger in a tie-front blouse. There would be no mentoring. Ever.

Since then, I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of working alongside some pretty awesome people, each of whom taught me something about the craft of writing, the business of freelancing or just being a better, more giving person.

It was that mentoring gap and subsequent collegiality that propelled me to become both a lifelong learner and blogger who shares freely about writing and the freelance life. Fortunately, the blogosphere also fills many a mentoring void, including my own.

Which brings me to Carol Tice …

I found Carol years ago through the Make A Living Writing blog. She’d go on to become a can’t-fail reference for me. Sometimes I used her as a virtual VP to vet my ideas; other times as a teacher to instruct me in areas in which I need more growth. Take paid blogging, for instance.

More than 10 years ago, paid blogging wasn’t really on my radar until one of my clients asked, “Can you refer me to someone who can do our blogging?”

What??!!!

I was stunned that my own client didn’t think of me first. In fact, didn’t think of me. At. All.

Uh, oh.

Then I remembered this post from Carol about building a lucrative business as a paid blogger.

Yikes.

I never promoted my blogging abilities to my clients. Consequently, they never asked.

Lesson #1: Avoid the “don’t tell and they won’t ask” syndrome.

  • Tell. Ask. Start by talking to your current clients. Tell ’em you’re ready, willing and able to alleviate their blogging pain by doing the heavy lifting for them.

Naturally, I couldn’t refer work out that I was quite capable of doing and more than willing to take on.

So, I shot an email off to my client expressing interest and outlining my capabilities.

“How much?” was the reply.

Uh, oh … Carol …

I quickly searched Carol’s blog and found this post about what to charge for blogging.

Within 10 minutes of reading her thoughtful recommendations, I created a proposal that included a clear definition of the project, a minimum required commitment, and a price that met my client’s budget while also rewarding me appropriately for the value I bring.

Bingo. I’m in. My client was happy, and I was instantly transformed into a paid blogger.

Lesson #2: Price it right—before you need it.

  • Consider and define your parameters, such as minimum and maximum word count, frequency commitment and social media experience. Don’t just think about these things in your head; write them down and be ready.

So, now I was just cruising along, thinking I’m hot snot, having added a paid blogging gig to my resume.

Um, not so fast …

One other thing I learned from Carol is that the most successful freelancers share a common trait: we’re hard workers.

Lesson #3: Be realistic.

  • Paid blogging (or any freelance writing, for that matter) is work. Hard, time-consuming work.

While star status, million-dollar paychecks and ultra-condensed workweeks are not impossible, they’re also not likely for the majority of us.

Instead, work hard, market well, negotiate smartly and enjoy the flexibility of being a freelancer.