The Writing Coach Podcast with Rebecca L. Weber – Détails, épisodes et analyse

What’s one thing you’d like help with in your writing life today?

I’d like to coach you about it—and share the recording with other listeners of the Writing Coach Podcast.

To apply for a free coaching session with me, visit www.rebeccalweber.com/coachme

🔗 You might also like to listen to …

WCP 1: What’s your problem?

WCP20 Setting freelance writer goals

Writing Coach Podcast Greatest Hits Playlist on Spotify

🎁 Download my free guide on how to pitch freelance article ideas, “5 Proven Steps to Writing Queries that Sell.”  

www.rebeccalweber.com/howtopitch

⭐ Support the Writing Coach Podcast by reviewing on Apple Podcasts, sharing a link on your website or in your newsletter, or in your next social media post. Let other writers know why you listen.

Sometimes you AND your pitch need to get out of your head and out into the world. 

On the first Tuesday of the month, I’m hosting co-pitching calls where freelancers work on their pitches together. 

This month I offered a few short prompts for those who needed it. Here I elaborate on ways to approach these prompts, your story idea, your editor, your readers, and your mindset.

🔗 You might also like …

WCP 245 Archives: 🐶 Monday mornings on the mountain with Mishka

WCP 217 Title TK

WCP 16: Freewriting for freelancers

WCP 4: Pitching: The perfect black T-shirt

🎁 Download my free guide on how to pitch freelance article ideas, “5 Proven Steps to Writing Queries that Sell.”  

www.rebeccalweber.com/howtopitch

🔥 Work with me 1:1

Private coaching is for the writer who wants a personalized agenda and transformative breakthroughs. You’ll experience new clarity about what’s been holding you back and choose new patterns of thinking and behavior to propel you forward toward your writing goals. 

Apply for private writer coaching: www.rebeccalweber.com/coach

⭐ Support the Writing Coach Podcast by reviewing on Apple Podcasts, sharing a link on your website or in your newsletter, or in your next social media post. Let other writers know why you listen.

📝 More info and complete show notes: www.rebeccalweber.com/podcast246

No electricity. No internet. They’re not one in the same, but when they overlap they make for a powerful Venn diagram.

The extreme weather and increased pressures on infrastructure means we’re going to continue to see large areas lose power and connectivity.

Here in South Africa, we’ve had plenty of chances to learn how to freelance efficiently both with some tech strategies and managing our own expectations during power outages. Let’s get into both so that you can keep getting your work done.

🔗 You might also like …

Writing Coach Podcast Greatest Hits Playlist on Spotify

🎁 Download my free guide on how to pitch freelance article ideas, “5 Proven Steps to Writing Queries that Sell.”  

www.rebeccalweber.com/howtopitch

⭐ Support the Writing Coach Podcast with a review on Apple Podcasts, sharing a link on your website or in your newsletter, or in your next social media post. Let other writers know why you listen.

✏️ Work with me in Freelance Writer Bootcamp

Break into your dream publications and get paid well while covering stories that matter. Alumni of my group coaching program have used the proven Bootcamp processes to break into the New York Times, the Guardian, Bustle, Fodor’s, Ms., Nat Geo Travel, Al Jazeera, the BBC, and many more. 

Apply now for the next session: www.FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com

🔥 Work with me 1:1

Private coaching is for the writer who wants a personalized agenda and transformative breakthroughs. You’ll experience new clarity about what’s been holding you back and choose new patterns of thinking and behavior to propel you forward toward your writing goals. 

Apply for private writer coaching: www.rebeccalweber.com/coach

📝 More info and complete show notes: www.rebeccalweber.com/podcast237

When you’ve developed an evergreen story idea, it may be accurate to say that there’s no reason why the story needs to be told now.

But that’s only true when we look at your existing pitch. Your angle, your slant, your point of view doesn’t include a perspective that makes the story relevant now.

Telling yourself the story doesn’t have one, that you don’t know how to find one, that you shouldn’t have to find one, etc., will likely lead to confusion, inadequacy, or doubt … and a pitch that seems less relevant than it could.

This approach to pitching is disempowering, and leaves you mistakenly believing that things are out of your control.

It’s in your control to find a reason why the story should be told now.

It’s in your control to find multiple reasons why the story should be told now.

It’s in your control when in the pitching process you identify the timeliness or news peg.

It’s in your control if you eat your delicious organic tomato today or leave it on the shelf for a month. 

Let’s address making your pitches relevant, compelling, and as delicious as a ripe organic tomato.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE …

Download my free guide on how to pitch.

WCP 158 Archives Vol. IX: Urgency

WCP 144 Archives Vol. V: What’s your (writing) problem?

SHARE THE WRITING COACH PODCAST 

Did you enjoy this episode? Share your podcast takeaways with your writer friends. Tag Rebecca on Instagram: @freelancewriterbootcamp 

WORK WITH ME

Apply for the next session of my small group coaching program: www.FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com

Break into your dream publications and get paid well while covering stories that matter.

Bootcamp alumni have used these proven pitching processes to break into the New York Times, the Guardian, Bustle, Fodor’s, Condé Nast Traveler, Al Jazeera, the BBC, and many more.

We cover all the external skills to improve your pitch acceptance rate, and the internal mindset work to keep you from getting in your own way.

Click here to apply: www.FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com

More info and complete show notes: www.rebeccalweber.com/podcast167

When an editor posts a call for pitches, freelancers sometimes respond the way they would to the siren’s call.

The writers retweet them, share them, subscribe to newsletters with them. After weeks of saying they’ll get around to pitching, they suddenly snap to attention.

Typically, the writer skips over-analyzing (or even reading) the publication, and sends out a half-developed idea to join the hundreds of others in an inbox queue.

As popular as calls for pitches are, they rarely lead to what writers say they want most: long-term editorial relationships. 

What I find interesting is the gap between how excited the call for pitches can make the writer feel and their surge of activity, and the actual outcomes (i.e., no assignment). There are far more systematic ways to find editors commissioning work who are a good fit. And there are replicable methods for sparking creative ideas that editors will want to assign.

If you’ve been answering the siren’s call with little to show for it, today’s episode will help you respond to calls for pitches in a new way.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Download my free guide on how to pitch.

Chocolate and Zucchini

Change ma vie

Podcast Edition

WCP 97 Setting freelance writer goals V: Celebrations

SHARE THE WRITING COACH PODCAST 

Did you enjoy this episode? Share your podcast takeaways with your writer friends. Tag Rebecca on Instagram: @freelancewriterbootcamp 

WORK WITH ME

Apply for the next session of my small group coaching program: www.FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com

Break into your dream publications and get paid well while covering stories that matter.

Bootcamp alumni have used these proven pitching processes to break into the New York Times, the Guardian, Bustle, Fodor’s, Condé Nast Traveler, Al Jazeera, the BBC, and many more.

We cover all the external skills to improve your pitch acceptance rate, and the internal mindset work to keep you from getting in your own way.

Click here to apply: www.FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com

More info and complete show notes: www.rebeccalweber.com/podcast166

What do 1947, 1972, 1997, 2012, and 2021 all have in common?

They all have big anniversary years in 2022: 75, 50, 25, 10, 1. We like these kind of milestones to remind us of past events, and the impact they have on how we live today. They can work well to anchor an evergreen story that’s worth sharing but that otherwise get lost in the relentless news cycle. 

This bonus episode looks at thinking about why a story needs to be told now, as well as an example of a feature that touches on an author read by millions of people for 5 minutes a day. 

The Yolisa Qunta Scholarship for Freelance Writer Bootcamp is open until February 12. Click here to apply: www.rebeccalweber.com/scholarship 

In Freelance Writer Bootcamp, writers learn how to break into your dream publications, develop long-term editorial relationships, and get paid well to cover stories that matter.

The scholarship is intended to help support the career of a writer who identifies with one or more groups who have traditionally been underrepresented in journalism.

If you’re a woman, if you identify as a person of color, if you’re from the so-called Global South (i.e. a low- or middle-income country), and/or other groups not well represented in journalism, you are strongly encouraged to apply.

Yolisa was a freelance writer, author, and Bootcamp alumni. For years after her initial enrollment, she stayed active in the Bootcamp alumni group, where we enjoyed her generosity, talent, advice, camaraderie, and humor. She was an excellent wordsmith and writer friend. 

Yolisa passed away at the age of 41 in 2021. I asked her family's permission to rename the scholarship in her honor.

Apply today or share with a writer friend: www.rebeccalweber.com/scholarship

Read more about the program: www.FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com

Follow Rebecca on Instagram: @freelancewriterbootcamp

Most women say they’ve never negotiated their salary. As freelancers, we have so many more opportunities than staff employees to practice negotiations and to get better and better over time.

When the lease on my house came up, I thought all I’d have to do was say I wanted to renew, and possibly negotiate a rent increase. I was not expecting to have to draw on all the negotiation skills I’ve learned through my years of freelancing. 

In this episode I share how the skills I’ve developed in my writing life help me in other areas too:

• Look to see how everyone can win.
• Instead of being overwhelmed by a lengthy contract created by a team of lawyers, focus on becoming familiar with one section at a time.
• Visuals change the narrative. Use them to shape the way others see the situation.
• Get clear about your preferences vs your deal breakers.
• Draft your response, set it aside, and edit it down with fresh eyes.
• Just because you don’t get everything you want doesn’t mean you made bad choices.
• Get agreements in writing.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Most women say they’ve never negotiated their salary

WCP 150 Archives: Company policies

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WCP 22: The $10,000 email

Follow me on Instagram: @FreelanceWriterBootcamp

WORK WITH ME

In Freelance Writer Bootcamp, you’ll learn the negotiation skills you’ll need for securing better rates and terms at your dream publications.

Alumni of my small group coaching program, Freelance Writer Bootcamp, have used these proven pitching processes to break into the New York Times, the Guardian, Bustle, Fodor’s, Condé Nast Traveler, Al Jazeera, the BBC, and many more.

Writers on the Freelance Writer Bootcamp waitlist will be first to hear when applications open for the next session, and get access to a special early bird offer only for those on the waitlist. Join the waitlist: www.FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com

More info and complete show notes: www.rebeccalweber.com/podcast165

Have you ever held back from turning your camera on Zoom?

Sent a pitch via an anonymous form (the modern day slush pile) instead of the assigning editor?

Imagined somebody saying that you were posting too much–or too repetitively–on social media?

These are all slightly less obvious ways of holding yourself back. You may be aware of some ways that you’re already doing this, and less attuned to others.

Holding yourself back may feel safe, comfortable, or familiar in the short term. When you hold back with the small things, it’s harder to be ready for stepping up for the big things that matter most.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

WCP 164: Putting yourself out there

Follow me on Instagram: @FreelanceWriterBootcamp

WORK WITH ME

Breaking into your dream publications includes building your capacity to put yourself out there in multiple ways: showing up uninvited in editors’ inboxes, asking sources for interviews, publishing pieces with your byline on larger platforms, promoting your work on social media, etc.

We address handling these mindset issues that can hold you back in my small group coaching program, Freelance Writer Bootcamp.

Bootcamp alumni have used these proven pitching processes to break into the New York Times, the Guardian, Bustle, Fodor’s, Condé Nast Traveler, Al Jazeera, the BBC, and many more.

Writers on the Freelance Writer Bootcamp waitlist will be first to hear when applications open for the next session, and get access to a special early bird offer only for those on the Bootcamp waitlist. Join the waitlist: www.FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com

When we put ourselves out there, we take a risk. We risk not getting validation, assignments, contracts, money, Likes, comments, safety, etc. We risk approval internally and externally.  The idea of putting yourself out there probably pushes buttons that you had even before you became a professional, published writer.

You may have prior experience with it not being safe to say what you want to say. There may have been consequences for you, or someone in your family, or with one of your personal identities, to make themselves seen and heard. 

It could be someone in your immediate family or generations back. It could be someone with your same gender, race or ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, religion, age, etc.

Part of you knows that what you have to say matters. And you’ve also received the message from individuals and/or society that you should be quiet. Or polite. That you shouldn’t brag or call attention to yourself. 

Your journalistic training, tradition, or preference may be to not be included in the story itself, and you think that promoting your work somehow violates this ethos.

Putting ourselves out there is essential. You can’t make a living as a writer without doing it. 

Today’s episode looks at how the resistance to the commonality amongst very different forms of putting yourself out there, be it a tweet, a pitch, negotiations, promotions, etc., and how to manage it better.

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY …

WCP 89: Annoying pitches

WCP 48: 100 reasons why you shouldn’t pitch today

WCP 16: Freewriting for freelancers

Spotify playlist of the greatest hits on the Writing Coach Podcast (Please rate the podcast while listening on Spotify. A 5 star rating would be much appreciated.)

Download my free guide on how to pitch: www.rebeccalweber.com/howtopitch

SHARE THE WRITING COACH PODCAST WITH OTHER WRITERS

Subscribe and write a review of the Writing Coach Podcast on Apple Podcasts.

Share your podcast takeaways and tag Rebecca on Instagram: @freelancewriterbootcamp 

WORK WITH ME

Break into your dream publications and get paid well while covering stories that matter.

Alumni of my small group coaching program, Freelance Writer Bootcamp, have used these proven pitching processes to break into the New York Times, the Guardian, Bustle, Fodor’s, Condé Nast Traveler, Al Jazeera, the BBC, and many more.

Writers on the Freelance Writer Bootcamp waitlist will be first to hear when applications open for the next session, and get access to a special early bird offer only for those on the waitlist. Join the waitlist: www.FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com

More info and complete show notes: www.rebeccalweber.com/podcast164

Two months ago I invited you to take a 90-day challenge to get paid on time. That episode includes the logistics of what to do to get paid promptly … and also addresses the resistance so many freelancers have about actually doing these things.

Overall, you’ll see a shift in your cash flow when you do this challenge. 

But that doesn’t mean every single client will pay on time.

Today’s episode is a real-time update of what comes next, i.e., how I handled a client last week who didn’t pay on time. 

(Spoiler: What I share here worked. I didn’t get into weird, all-consuming, chasing payment mentality. And I received proof of payment the same day that I followed up.)

I also share a new tip that can help both your mindset and workflow to get paid on time in the first place.

Today’s episode is the replay of an Instagram Live, so I also answered questions about taking on a bookkeeper persona as well as what really causes writer’s block.

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY …

Follow me on Instagram: @FreelanceWriterBootcamp

Take the 90 day challenge to get paid on time: www.rebeccalweber.com/podcast153

Spotify playlist of the greatest hits on the Writing Coach Podcast (Please rate the podcast while listening on Spotify. A 5 star rating would be much appreciated.)

WCP 1 What’s your problem?

Download my free guide on how to pitch

WORK WITH ME

Break into your dream publications and get paid well while covering stories that matter.

Alumni of my small group coaching program, Freelance Writer Bootcamp, have used these proven pitching processes to break into the New York Times, the Guardian, Bustle, Fodor’s, Condé Nast Traveler, Al Jazeera, the BBC, and many more.

Writers on the Freelance Writer Bootcamp waitlist will be first to hear when applications open for the next session, and get access to a special early bird offer only for those on the waitlist. Join the waitlist: www.FreelanceWriterBootcamp.com

More info and complete show notes: www.rebeccalweber.com/podcast163