Comments on: Associating with the Right Crowd https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html a freelance writing resource. Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:30:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html#comment-2742 Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:30:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html/#comment-2742 That’s great, Susan! I will check them out. Thank you!

]]> By: Susan Johnston https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html#comment-2739 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:29:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html/#comment-2739 Lori, sounds like you made the right decision. It’s a lot of money and it sounds like these wouldn’t be people you’d want to network with anyway. I will say that I’ve gotten a tremendous ROI from my membership in Freelance Success. It’s $99/year and that includes a members-only forum, newsletter (with very specific market info for well paying publications), and paycheck database. I’ve gotten thousands of dollars in gigs through networking with other members, attending their conference, and reading the newsletter. If you’re curious what it’s all about, they offer a free one week trial.

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html#comment-2723 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:36:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html/#comment-2723 Georganna, that’s awful! I’m fortunate (?) that the IRS corrects my return every year. I have the proper paperwork when I start – I simply don’t have the accounting degree necessary to fill it out correctly. Ugh.

That’s why I passed, Melissa. Since there was no brochure forthcoming (I asked) and since their site is a members-only deal that I wasn’t allowed to check out beyond the cursory “About Us” page, I figured there wasn’t enough transparency for me to be comfortable sending them anything, let alone 5 years of fees up front. Suppose the group folds in a month? Uh, no.

]]> By: Melissa Donovan https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html#comment-2722 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 19:39:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html/#comment-2722 Ugh, I never, EVER join groups like this. I’m way too wary of scams.

]]> By: Georganna Hancock M.S. https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html#comment-2721 Sun, 05 Apr 2009 18:23:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html/#comment-2721 I belong/belonged to a writers and editors group. One year in, one year out and pay by the meeting because less than half of the programs interest me (there’s no other benefit for me).

This year I opted to join an editors’ group instead, with bi-monthly programs and an online directory from which came an immediate hit. Worth the higher cost!

The IRS wants only $7k from you? Apparently I started going senile a couple of years ago, filled out my tax form incorrectly and now owe penalties and fees up the wazoo! We’ll see.

The most recent phone scam that came my way was someone asking if they could send me a survey about web security practices or some such great dangers. I said sure, send away, but nothing has arrived.

And I have a Twitter account, but not quite ready to leap ’cause LinkedIn is taking up so much time!

]]> By: Kimberly Ben https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html#comment-2720 Sat, 04 Apr 2009 01:33:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html/#comment-2720 Good for you standing your ground! As far as associations, I don’t currently belong to any, but am seriously considering the Editorial Freelancers Association.

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html#comment-2719 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:10:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html/#comment-2719 Bingo, Katharine. That’s why I won’t ever join them. Treat members as valued commodities, not cash cows!

I may belong to one group (how horrible that I can’t remember joining?). But like you, I’m considering others. I’m pretty picky. I want bang for my buck!

]]> By: Katharine Swan https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html#comment-2718 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:10:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html/#comment-2718 Admittedly, I don’t belong to any groups or associations right now. I’ve been considering the National Writer’s Union, but have yet to decide.

As for your experience, Lori… Personally, I’m skeptical of anyone who asks me for money directly — and calling every day is harassment, no matter who they are. They can call it a professional organization all you want, but if they run it like a shakedown, I don’t want to have anything to do with them.

]]> By: Lori https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html#comment-2717 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:04:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html/#comment-2717 Thanks, Gabriella. :))

Over the long term, this group’s fees were reasonable. I question why I have to take a 5-year membership up front. Again, red flag waving.

That’s it in a nutshell, Devon. Does the group give you actual value for your money? I think $100 a year is a reasonable fee, but only if I see something from it that enhances my business.

]]> By: Gabriella F. https://wordsonpageblog.com/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html#comment-2716 Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:37:00 +0000 http://loriwidmer.com/wordsonpage/index.php/2009/04/associating-with-right-crowd.html/#comment-2716 Oh, forgot to mention. Lori, I’m just like you. If someone pushes me for money NOW, I’m out. No questions asked. I’m out.

And I know what you’re going through with the IRS, and it probably stings more in this economy. I’ve been gobsmacked the past two years, but by some fate, this year I’m getting a state and fed refund. What a relief! But we’ve all been there, girl.

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