I read with interest and a little more sarcastic laughter than I’d planned a post or two by people on other blogs basically scoffing and calling professionals who hold themselves to a higher earning standard hypocritical. At issue – the fact that we “bemoan” writing for too little, then post free weblogs. Oh, if only…
Month: December 2009
If It’s December, It Must Be June
Short and sweet today – I’m trying to get a holiday going here. Diane Parkin is ahead of the rest of us, and I thank her for it. Did you ever get a great idea about a summer vacation, but can’t market it because hey, it’s summer already? Diane’s posted some excellent prompts on her…
Who Wears What Pants?
With the Internet world still reeling from James Chartrand’s recent confession, we’re all left wondering exactly what gender has to do with anything. But it does, doesn’t it? Whether you’re a writer or a CEO, you’re judged on many factors, gender being one of them. Think about how many times you’ve encountered gender bias. I…
The Lost Art of Competence
Maybe it’s my karma to end up with payment issues and all things monetary driving me up the wall at Christmas. Yesterday’s installment was a credit card company telling me that yes, I did mail my payment in time, but I got a late fee anyway. Pour quoi? Apparently, I needed to pay the bill…
Taking the High Road
With a raging debate being rehashed over on dear friend Anne Wayman’s site, I added my thoughts once more on the side of writers valuing their skills enough to demand more than $10-20 an article. The resistance by one poster in particular was so caustic I’ve decided no more. No more will I add my…
Worthy Tip: Give Yourself 15 Minutes
Oh, did I raise an eyebrow or two when I mentioned this week that I spend 15 minutes a day marketing! You don’t believe it, do you? But it’s true. I don’t spend a ton of time marketing. My marketing is virtual and quick – therefore, it shouldn’t take much time. Oh, not every marketing…
Being the Project Gatekeeper
I’m about to advocate a little bit of hand-holding. All writers should own their own process in every project, but sometimes we have to perform beyond our own processes so our clients’ business can thrive. Let me explain. In the past, I’ve had clients who are hopelessly unorganized, terminally late, or too overworked to take…
Spinning Wheels Require a Slip Differential
Monday was exactly as busy as I expected it to be. I had a call to Belgium in the morning. Lovely person on the other end of the phone and hopefully the project I’m doing for him will net him the results he hopes for. Two other calls. The first one missed the scheduled appointment…
The Marketing Myth
If I hear one more person say that it takes tons more time to market a higher-priced article than it does to funnel something through a content mill, this last nerve of mine will snap. Three times this week and once last week, people have actually told me that selling an article that pays, say,…
Sprinting Through the Week
It’s tough to relax over the weekend when you know your day is going to start early and end late Monday, isn’t it? That’s my day today with three client calls and one project due. I’m exhausted thinking about it. Worse, last week ended with rather rudely. Incompetence threatened to ruin my day. Not my…