Recently, I signed up for a one-hour phone mentoring session with the talented Linda Formichelli.
I adore her Renegade Writer book
Even though I mentor other writers, I needed some fresh perspective about my own business—particularly where to take this blog. What a great investment.
Linda suggested I focus less on the craft of freelance writing and more on the business of it. And, because I’m both a freelance feature writer and award-winning copywriter, she suggested the theme (and the name): The Diversified Writer.
Genius.
Because that’s where my passion lies … in helping other writers.
Linda went on to encourage me to pursue a blog revamp, citing her 1999 story for Writer’s Digest called “Living a Double Life” about working as both a magazine writer and copywriter.
Why, that’s what I do!
I’m grateful that Linda provided such clarity for me, and I’m in the process of evolving both the look and content of this blog to make it more useful to writers who want to write and make money at both editorial and commercial writing.
I couldn’t find Linda’s original article anywhere (it dates back more than a decade), so I wanted to offer my take on just a few of the questions she raised in her query.
Q. Is it unethical to write for both magazines and corporations?
A. Absolutely not … provided you offer full disclosure about any relationships you may have. I prefer to discuss potential conflicts of interest before agreeing to do any kind of work. Sometimes writing in one medium naturally leads to work in another. For example, one of my sources for a business story I wrote started following me on Twitter.
Within a few months, her marketing manager and I met to discuss how I might help optimize their web site. I’ve been consulting with them for more than a year now. That being said, I’ve had other interviewees ask me during the interview about writing for them or pitching other ideas to the editor. Whoa! Now that’s another story. I immediately put the kibosh on that kind of conversation and finish the story first. I’ve yet to pursue relationships with people like that because it doesn’t sit well with my ethics. I like to have a partner-relationship with my clients, not user-relationships. However, if there’s an opportunity you’d like to pursue but something about it gives you pause, ask both parties and then decide if you’ll go ahead.
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Q. Should you tell an editor that you’re also a copywriter … or should you adopt a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy?
A. I don’t mention it—unless or until there’s a potential conflict of interest. I try to operate my business very transparently and I certainly don’t hide anything; however, I don’t see the value in mentioning my other work, simply because there’s a lot of it. I think an editor or client would get bored! Also, I specialize in being the diversified writer. I don’t hide that fact (as evidenced by my web site), but I don’t call attention to it either. Again, trust your instinct and/or ask a trusted colleague if you’re unsure.
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Q. Is it permissible to write for magazines and corporate clients in the same industry?
A. Depends. It all goes back to full disclosure about relationships. However, I think not only could it permissible, it may actually be desirable, but only under the right circumstances. Why? Because industry knowledge can benefit the reader. And my concern is always for the reader, both in editorial and commercial work.
Healthcare is one of my specialties. Because of my work with pharmaceutical companies and health systems, I know things about cancer, depression, medications, etc. that the average writer does not. However, I would definitely recuse myself if there was even a hint of impropriety. If the story is general and not specific to any of the brands I’ve worked with on the commercial side, I’m in; otherwise, I’m out.
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