I’m back! Miss me? We spent just enough time and donated more than enough money to the Las Vegas tourism cause. It was a wonderful trip, but I’m glad to be home. Time once more for a monthly assessment. November flew by. I was so busy with one particular client that all marketing went to…
Conflicts of Interests and Clients Who Request Them
Hope you had a terrific turkey day (or non-turkey day, as we prefer)! Don’t cause or get into any accidents at the malls today, okay? Talking with a writer chum last week, the topic of conflicts of interest came up. His client, a PR firm, wanted placement of an article in a publication (and they…
Stupid Jokes that Slay Me
Still on my trip…. I love stupid jokes. The ones that make me laugh loudest are the ones that make other people groan and question my parentage. I heard one the other day that had me rolling: What do you call a deer with no eyes?No eye deer (say it out loud) A few other…
Things That Should Make You Barf
How to spot a lousy job offer: – It comes addressed to “Writer”, your email address, or no one at all.– It promised you exposure to employers, other writers, or “industry leaders.”– It tries urgency to get you to move – “We’re hiring 30 writers in the next few weeks…”– The ad is loaded with…
Your Writerly Limits
Just a reminder I’m AWOL this week, but I’ve left some breadcrumbs. Questions for discussion: If you take on advertisers on your site, where is the line drawn between the advertising and your advocating for the company? Do you see any conflict of interest, ethical or otherwise, with such a practice? Why would a writer…
What NaNo Has Taught Me
Late to the dance here today – I met with a girlfriend and talked a little shop and a whole lot of Project Runway this morning. I needed it. I’ve had a stressed week trying to get things wrapped up before I run off this weekend and next week. And let’s not forget the time…
Milestones and High Mileage
Yippee! This blog now has 100 followers! Yay! Thank you to everyone who visits, links, or comments. I appreciate every one of you, and I hope you take the time to comment. I’d love to get to know you. If someone were to ask me what my sign was this week, it would be Out…
Worthy Tip: The Follow-up
I’m riding the wave of some query success – I sent an idea over to a new publication and within 16 minutes I had a new assignment and an opening to be a regular contributor. Yes! That makes up for all those publications I contacted last month that never responded. In fact, only two did…
And Now a Word for the Slow Pokes
Oh, you’ve been at that career of yours for a while now, haven’t you? And you’re making money, but not what you want, right? Here’s a word you may not have thought you’d hear from me – patience. Patience, my friend, for the foundation you lay today is the place where that career of your…
Burn, Baby, Burn
Pop quiz for you: If you’re in the middle of a client negotiations and the client counters your price with a request to put something together quickly for them while ignoring all mention of your price, what do you do? Answer: Nothing. The hard fact is that until you have a contract, you have no…