Okay, I know this is supposed to be a blog mostly about cold calls, but I'm noticing lately that there are a lot of horrific products and services out there being marketed to writers and other freelance professionals, so from time to time I'm going to diverge a bit and post about them.
Granted, these are my experiences and mine alone. That being said, I will not to post until I have been using a product for a reasonable amount a time (6 months to a year) -- unless its truly a scam of some sort that should be avoided at all costs.
Today, I'll talk about the product that inspired me to post reviews on occasion -- a quirky little piece of accounting software called MacFreelance.
A quick overview: MacFreelance is supposed to be a billing and accounts receivable-only software. One nice thing that it's supposed to do is time your projects (good info for us writers). It also supposedly produces some basic AR reports.
My one-star review, posted on Amazon today:
I'm a freelance writer and bought this software rather impulsively when I got tired of making my own invoices. I've had it about a year now. It has been nothing but an enormous headache that rarely does what it's supposed to do. If I could give it negative stars, I would.
Take the reports feature, for example. I have NEVER (not for lack of trying) been able to produce a report with date parameters. I set them, but MacFreelance ignores them and just shows all-time statistics, which are worthless.
The email invoice feature also screws up -- if I try to email an invoice directly from the invoice book, it sends it to the LAST client I emailed, not the client who's name is on the invoice. (Very embarrassing).
It inexplicably "loses" time, which means you have to watch it like a hawk, because if you accidentally close the wrong window, or even switch to another client while it's timing something, the timer will stop and the accumulated time will be wiped out.
It's pointless for tracking overdue invoices -- deadlines are supposed to go on the iCal, but I'd say it's about 50/50 that they actually show up.
The makers -- and some reviewers -- giggle coyly and say, well, it's quirky, you have to have the settings exactly right. I would posit that it's so quirky as to be functionally worthless, unless you have hours of free time to wrestle with it, try new settings and make it perfectly happy.
I could go on and on.
There are never any updates, so the problems never get fixed and it never gets more user friendly.
BESIDES --
It's also pointless, in my opinion, to have software specifically for accounts receivable. For accounting purposes, I'll be upgrading to Quicken next month, which does everything this software does and much, much more. I wish I would have skipped MacFreelance and gone straight to Quicken to begin with.
IN SUMMARY --
If I could give MacFreelance negative stars, I would. If I sold a product this worthless to a client at any price, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. Seriously thinking about trying to get my money back from the merchant.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
@ColdCallWriter on Freelance Writers' Den - Weds. Sept. 14
Hello writers! I'll be participating in a cold calling webinar with Carol Tice at Freelance Writer's Den. If you're a member, or considering it, please definitely check it out!
Please note that FWD is a member's only site. If you're not a member and really dying to hear the webinar, please give me a shout through my business website at sarah@ziplineagency.com.
Sorry I have been really bad about posting here lately. Hopefully this appearance will jumpstart me into a more regular routine.
Please note that FWD is a member's only site. If you're not a member and really dying to hear the webinar, please give me a shout through my business website at sarah@ziplineagency.com.
Sorry I have been really bad about posting here lately. Hopefully this appearance will jumpstart me into a more regular routine.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Swamped
If you're a regular reader, you've probably noticed the little meter to the right has been hanging tough at 461 calls for a couple of months. So where has cold call writer been?
Well, not to bore you with the details, but basically swamped with work. Since I started my cold call campaign in April (when I literally had no work and was chewing my fingernails down to the quick), I've been working with six new clients and am in negotiations with two more. One of those looks like it will turn into a year-long contract, and another is talking about forming a long-term relationship.
Things have just started to slow down a bit (phew), so hopefully I'll be resuming this blog in the next week of so. But for today, I'm going to go hiking and see if I can enjoy what's left of the summer.
Well, not to bore you with the details, but basically swamped with work. Since I started my cold call campaign in April (when I literally had no work and was chewing my fingernails down to the quick), I've been working with six new clients and am in negotiations with two more. One of those looks like it will turn into a year-long contract, and another is talking about forming a long-term relationship.
Things have just started to slow down a bit (phew), so hopefully I'll be resuming this blog in the next week of so. But for today, I'm going to go hiking and see if I can enjoy what's left of the summer.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Why selling freelance writing is easier than selling aluminum siding
Okay, so I got an email today from a law firm in California (they are one of @ColdCallWriter's Twitter followers). They sell mediation services to companies.
They asked if I would like to be a freelance cold caller for them.
I thought it was a joke. Then the guy actually called today from California to repeat the offer.
Now what can one glean from this?
First, I think it shows how hard it is to convince most people to pick up the phone and sell something. If they're willing to give me, a complete stranger, a chance just because I write a blog ... psh. There you go.
Anyway, I politely declined their offer.
Why? As I explained to the mediation guy in an email, anyone, and I mean ANYONE, can sell freelance writing (or related freelance services).
Because if you find the right client, your stuff sells itself.
When I've got an interested prospect on the phone, I don't have to tell him or her my unique selling proposition or list features and benefits.
Honestly, until they see what I've written, they don't give a rat's.
My job is to answer their initial questions (usually few) and direct them to my online portfolio and resume.
Simple. A middle school kid could do it.
Now if I were selling mediation services (or aluminum siding or life insurance) through cold calls, it would be a different story.
That would require actual sales skills.
That would require a polished presentation.
That would require extreme motivation that withstands hang-ups, take-me-off-your-lists and stop-wasting-my-times.
I have so much admiration for people who have all of the above. But believe me, @ColdCallWriter is not one of them. The one time in 460 calls I had a guy get mad at me and tell me never to call again, I put down the phone and cried.
But I can sell freelance services. Because cold calling freelance services is a completely different (and gentler) process than what we usually think of when we think of phone sales.
They asked if I would like to be a freelance cold caller for them.
I thought it was a joke. Then the guy actually called today from California to repeat the offer.
Now what can one glean from this?
First, I think it shows how hard it is to convince most people to pick up the phone and sell something. If they're willing to give me, a complete stranger, a chance just because I write a blog ... psh. There you go.
Anyway, I politely declined their offer.
Why? As I explained to the mediation guy in an email, anyone, and I mean ANYONE, can sell freelance writing (or related freelance services).
Because if you find the right client, your stuff sells itself.
When I've got an interested prospect on the phone, I don't have to tell him or her my unique selling proposition or list features and benefits.
Honestly, until they see what I've written, they don't give a rat's.
My job is to answer their initial questions (usually few) and direct them to my online portfolio and resume.
Simple. A middle school kid could do it.
Now if I were selling mediation services (or aluminum siding or life insurance) through cold calls, it would be a different story.
That would require actual sales skills.
That would require a polished presentation.
That would require extreme motivation that withstands hang-ups, take-me-off-your-lists and stop-wasting-my-times.
I have so much admiration for people who have all of the above. But believe me, @ColdCallWriter is not one of them. The one time in 460 calls I had a guy get mad at me and tell me never to call again, I put down the phone and cried.
But I can sell freelance services. Because cold calling freelance services is a completely different (and gentler) process than what we usually think of when we think of phone sales.
When you're calling your ass off -- and no one's buying
Okay, so after two months of patiently calling 25 people a day with absolutely not a penny to show for it, the worm has turned.
First, permit me to rant for a moment about how crazy and insecure those two months of silence made me. I had plenty of nibbles (people who loved the portfolio, loved the idea, needed a writer, etc.), no one actually coughed up the cash.
This was maddening, as you might imagine. Especially when I was having trouble paying the bills and putting time into cold calling that could have been spent querying, networking and conducting other business building activities.
To keep doing it (with absolutely no reward) was a leap of faith of sorts.
I remember a story (I think I heard it at church camp) that would have made a great essay. Except it was from Middle-Ages Europe before they had O Mag or websites.
A monk was writing about his trip to a cathedral that was under construction. He admired how all the laborers, from men who were hauling giant stones to the women sweeping up the debris, were all working with great excitement and esprit de corps.
They knew they were building something worthwhile. The clincher? They also knew the cathedral would take 100 years to build.
They wouldn't live to see it finished.
Not a perfect example, but I really think when you're starting a business, you have to believe THAT MUCH in what you're doing. You have to be willing to bust ass through long periods with zero gratification.
What keeps a cold caller going?
For me, it was simple: Peter Bowerman said it would work. Other writer pals who have tried it said the same.
I was sure I was going to be the exception to the ironclad Law of Averages. Then last week, the phones started to ring.
Since May 23, I have either completed, quoted or am waiting on the green light for five new projects -- all from cold call clients.
Nothing huge, nothing earth shattering, but it's been months since I had a new client at all. And I have meetings with a number of promising prospects lined up when I get back from Vegas.
It's a huge change from business as usual, so I'll be slowing down the actual cold calls. But I will keep up the blog.
You see, the cold call process doesn't end when you hang up. There's the meeting, the quote, the dancing around fees, and all sorts of post-call fun to explore.
So stay tuned. And if you're currently busting ass with nothing to show for it, cheer up. Odds are your glory, when it comes, won't be posthumous.
First, permit me to rant for a moment about how crazy and insecure those two months of silence made me. I had plenty of nibbles (people who loved the portfolio, loved the idea, needed a writer, etc.), no one actually coughed up the cash.
This was maddening, as you might imagine. Especially when I was having trouble paying the bills and putting time into cold calling that could have been spent querying, networking and conducting other business building activities.
To keep doing it (with absolutely no reward) was a leap of faith of sorts.
I remember a story (I think I heard it at church camp) that would have made a great essay. Except it was from Middle-Ages Europe before they had O Mag or websites.
A monk was writing about his trip to a cathedral that was under construction. He admired how all the laborers, from men who were hauling giant stones to the women sweeping up the debris, were all working with great excitement and esprit de corps.
They knew they were building something worthwhile. The clincher? They also knew the cathedral would take 100 years to build.
They wouldn't live to see it finished.
Not a perfect example, but I really think when you're starting a business, you have to believe THAT MUCH in what you're doing. You have to be willing to bust ass through long periods with zero gratification.
What keeps a cold caller going?
For me, it was simple: Peter Bowerman said it would work. Other writer pals who have tried it said the same.
I was sure I was going to be the exception to the ironclad Law of Averages. Then last week, the phones started to ring.
Since May 23, I have either completed, quoted or am waiting on the green light for five new projects -- all from cold call clients.
Nothing huge, nothing earth shattering, but it's been months since I had a new client at all. And I have meetings with a number of promising prospects lined up when I get back from Vegas.
It's a huge change from business as usual, so I'll be slowing down the actual cold calls. But I will keep up the blog.
You see, the cold call process doesn't end when you hang up. There's the meeting, the quote, the dancing around fees, and all sorts of post-call fun to explore.
So stay tuned. And if you're currently busting ass with nothing to show for it, cheer up. Odds are your glory, when it comes, won't be posthumous.
Friday, May 27, 2011
@ColdCallWriter taking time off to write
So due to marathon cold calls, out-of-town visitors, a raptured cell phone and a heartbreaking dumping by a shallow dating prospect, I find myself buried under a mountain of neglected work this end-O'-May.
Rest assured, @ColdCallWriter will be back calling, Tweeting and posting next week. Just as soon as I dig myself out from under the unfinished blog posts, undone background research, unanswered emails and other debris.
Today was very productive. Just need four more like it. By tomorrow.
Rest assured, @ColdCallWriter will be back calling, Tweeting and posting next week. Just as soon as I dig myself out from under the unfinished blog posts, undone background research, unanswered emails and other debris.
Today was very productive. Just need four more like it. By tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Dear Writer, Make Me Popular
Since I started my cold call project, I have spent A LOT of time messing around on social media.
This blog is only the tip of the iceberg.
There's Tweeting (under my regular handle @maurer_kg and my new @coldcallwriter alter ego).
And then there's chatting on writers' message boards (I do this anyway, but I'm doing it more faithfully now because I can link my posts to my blog, etc. to my sig).
I've been spending SO much time on social media, I'm starting to think, "There must be a way to get paid for this."
But how? I've been mulling it over during runs, hikes and hot showers, but haven't come up with the answer.
So.
Today a cold-call prospect who's been doing Web design in my area for over a decade took me out for Mexican food (bless him).
He was a talkative guy and eager to dish about the "next big thing" in Internet marketing. And that's when he handed me an idea that knocked me off my chair.
Web designer has a client that wants to utilize the social networking power of Facebook, but doesn't have the time to tend to all the little postings, replies, comments, etc. (I feel client's pain).
Client also doesn't really want their employees doing it, because it feels Facebook + office work = productivity black hole.
So.
Every month, this client writes a schedule of posts, including expert tips, exclusive offers, sneak previews and other little insider tidbits and hands it over to the Web designer. The Web designer than posts it per the schedule.
This particular client was savvy enough to do their own writing. But ...
"I have so many clients who would love to do this -- if someone would just write it all out for them," Web designer says. "Would you be interested in coming up with a service package for that?"
Cha-ching. Botta-boom.
I would be so interested that I've already named my spin-off social media company and am on my way over to reserve my domain name.
How am I going to actually price and package this? I have no idea.
But if you have experience with social media marketing, please feel free to dish, dish, dish away in the comments!
This blog is only the tip of the iceberg.
There's Tweeting (under my regular handle @maurer_kg and my new @coldcallwriter alter ego).
And then there's chatting on writers' message boards (I do this anyway, but I'm doing it more faithfully now because I can link my posts to my blog, etc. to my sig).
I've been spending SO much time on social media, I'm starting to think, "There must be a way to get paid for this."
But how? I've been mulling it over during runs, hikes and hot showers, but haven't come up with the answer.
So.
Today a cold-call prospect who's been doing Web design in my area for over a decade took me out for Mexican food (bless him).
He was a talkative guy and eager to dish about the "next big thing" in Internet marketing. And that's when he handed me an idea that knocked me off my chair.
Web designer has a client that wants to utilize the social networking power of Facebook, but doesn't have the time to tend to all the little postings, replies, comments, etc. (I feel client's pain).
Client also doesn't really want their employees doing it, because it feels Facebook + office work = productivity black hole.
So.
Every month, this client writes a schedule of posts, including expert tips, exclusive offers, sneak previews and other little insider tidbits and hands it over to the Web designer. The Web designer than posts it per the schedule.
This particular client was savvy enough to do their own writing. But ...
"I have so many clients who would love to do this -- if someone would just write it all out for them," Web designer says. "Would you be interested in coming up with a service package for that?"
Cha-ching. Botta-boom.
I would be so interested that I've already named my spin-off social media company and am on my way over to reserve my domain name.
How am I going to actually price and package this? I have no idea.
But if you have experience with social media marketing, please feel free to dish, dish, dish away in the comments!
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