Author Archives: Deidre Rienzo

About Deidre Rienzo

Deidre Rienzo worked in corporate marketing for nearly 10 years. In a quest for independence and freedom, she began taking on some freelance jobs. Once she got a taste, she was hooked. She left the corporate world and is now self-employed, working as a copywriting partner to web designers (http://www.connectwithcopy.com), and with Ilise Benun as the Mix Mistress on the Marketing Mix Blog. (http://www.marketingmixblog.com) Using an informal, personal approach to writing, Deidre specializes in writing web-friendly copy that not only engages readers, but also makes a keyword-rich impact on search engines. She currently lives in Clane, Ireland, but visits home (New York) often. When she isn’t putting herself inside the reader’s shoes, Deidre is hitting the pavement in running sneakers, knee-deep in mud in golf shoes, comfy in Uggs, or stomping through town in her favorite pair of purple boots.

Feel like wallowing? Try this instead...

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Deidre Rienzo

Web copywriter and CFC-veteran, Deidre Rienzo, tells of how she started to feel sorry for herself, then got a grip instead. Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, CFC, Freelance Writing, Freelancing, Work Life Balance | Tagged | 3 Comments

Damn … I missed the red flags. Now what?

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Deidre Rienzo

Veteran CFC-er and copywriter, Deidre Rienzo, shares a client horror story about red flags ignored. What would you have done? Continue reading →

Posted in Client Relations, Featured, Freelance Money, Freelance Writing, Freelancing | Tagged , | 15 Comments

Do open rates matter?

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Deidre Rienzo

My recent newsletter had one of my lowest open rates yet. But its subject line -- Tired of Waiting for Copy? -- was also the most targeted to my ideal audience. Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, Communicating, Freelance Graphic & Web Design, Freelance Marketing, Freelance Photography, Freelance Writing, Freelancing, Growing Your Business | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

You Will Not Be Alone at CFC

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Deidre Rienzo

Last year was my first Creative Freelancer Conference (in Denver)—and the only person I knew was Ilise. I was nervous because although I consider myself to be a people-person, I can get nervous in big groups. I pictured a big group of strangers all looking at me—and me, with nobody to talk to. In reality, I couldn’t have been more wrong. Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, Connecting, Freelance Graphic & Web Design, Freelance Writing, Inspiration | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Love Letter to Freshbooks

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Deidre Rienzo

I hope this isn’t too forward, but I am in love with you. You make my heart flutter. You bring me so much joy, save me hours of aggravation, and allow me to be organized. You have smoothed my once rocky relationship with money, and you’ve made running my business so much easier. Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, Freelance Graphic & Web Design, Freelance Illustration, Freelance Money, Freelance Photography, Freelance Writing, Freelancers Union, Freelancing, Sponsors & Partners | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Where’s the room for feelings?

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Deidre Rienzo

I’m a sensitive person who probably feels too much instead of too little. I think a lot of creatives are. And in our work, we often try to create a feeling through our design, writing, photography—we aim to create a feel with our creative work. Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, Client Relations, Freelance Graphic & Web Design, Freelance Illustration, Freelance Photography, Freelance Writing, Freelancers Union | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Bye Bye Hoodies

Posted on March 4, 2011 by Deidre Rienzo

I hit a new low last week; I must admit my secret. Hopefully it’s the first step to recovery. Last week, I went to the supermarket in my pajamas. Yes, PAJAMAS. The pajama pants were black, but they had pink lace trimming, which I simply tucked inside my Uggs. Continue reading →

Posted in Client Relations, Freelance Graphic & Web Design, Freelance Illustration, Freelance Photography, Freelancers Union, Freelancing, Tools of the trades, Work Life Balance | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Where’s the fine line? Part 1

Posted on September 17, 2010 by Deidre Rienzo

Ah, the unending quest to find balance in my workday. Lately I’ve been quite busy (which is great), but I’ve noticed some curious behaviors popping up in my normally routine-ish workday (which I’ve worked pretty hard to establish). This has … Continue reading →

Posted in Freelance Graphic & Web Design, Freelance Illustration, Freelance Photography, Freelance Writing, Work Life Balance | Tagged | 1 Comment

A Fearless, Cold-Calling Illustrator

Posted on January 29, 2009 by Deidre Rienzo

P>Many creatives struggle with making cold-calls.  But anyone who had overcome the discomfort and made it part of their business surely knows the benefits.  Luc Latulippe is a very popular illustrator-- who seems to have no qualms about making cold … Continue reading →

Posted in Freelance Marketing | 2 Comments

Freelancers Unite!

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Deidre Rienzo

Big things are happening in New York, and we need your help! The Freelancer's Union sent out a call for support yesterday. Right now, NYC freelancers have to pay an unfair double-tax called the Unincorporated Business Tax (UBT), and it … Continue reading →

Posted in Current Affairs | 1 Comment