Just a few days into my Social Networking Experiment and the first SN application – Twitter. Some initial findings: – It does matter what Twitter “reader” you use – greatly. I had one that had small print, massed-together messages, and no appeal beyond turning it off. I now use Twhirl. Much more user-friendly. It’s helped…
The Great (or not-so-boring-and-somewhat-interesting) Social Networking Experiment
I did it for you guys. Really. Yesterday in one of my more fickle moves, I decided to explore some of these various social networking sites and tools and conduct my own experiment. I want to answer these questions: What’s available and how does it work? How are people using social networking gadgets and sites…
Tenacity and the Word ‘No’
I’ll give her credit – she’s tenacious. The editor of a magazine I worked with recently has once again contacted me to complete a story for her. That would be fine – only, I told her twice now that her publication doesn’t pay enough for me to justify the work involved, and that I had…
Weird Client Tricks
My girlfriend and I were sharing war stories over tea yesterday morning at the local Starbucks. She said she’d never had an instance where a client didn’t pay her. It would’ve bothered me more, but she’s a part-time freelancer and she works with a lot of local publications and clients – she has face time…
The Real Reason Why I Don’t Twitter
Raising my right hand, I’ll swear before this Internet community the truth – I, Lori, am a techno-holic. I sort of knew this all along, but it took Facebook to bring me to my knees and my senses. Recently I was “found” on Facebook by a high-school chum. Her contacting me piqued my interest in…
Would You Settle For Less?
Inauguration Day – a new beginning. Much like New Year’s and our penchant for resolutions, today’s a day where we ignore the harsh realities and try to find that silver lining among numerous clouds. I sit here hopeful, yet people being people, I know it won’t be long before the political maneuvering will hit full…
Perspectives
Last week our favorite Irreverent Freelancer Kathy Kehrli opened up about how she changed her ways, albeit briefly (for we love her irreverence too much to see it disappear). The result was her ability to secure two at-risk clients by simply stepping back and reassessing each situation. While I don’t advocate being a pushover, I…
Everybody’s Working for the Weekend….
Is the song stuck in your head now? Are you even old enough to remember Loverboy? Since I took the first part of this week off to host my mom, I’ll be pulling out the laptop this weekend to do some work. Fortunately, lots of work came in while she was here (and she was…
Keeping Clients Happy When You’re (Officially) Not Around
Despite being off much of this week due to my mom’s visit, clients are still calling and still needing work done. Mind you, I didn’t put an “away” message on my email or phone because I decided I’d check in every evening to see if there was anything critical. In one case, I’d already promised…
Lori’s Annual Reminder That You’re Worth More Than You Think
Welcome to a new economy and a new round of idiot job posters hoping to secure your writing talent for little-to-no money all by either sweet-talking you or convincing you you’re out of your mind to expect more than they’re offering. With our financial pictures fading to darkness nationally, don’t expect anything but an increase…