Fellow writer and consummate blogger Devon Ellington posted about the need for writers to buck up in their expectations of what they should earn. As she put it, “Yes, we ARE in a recession. Sometimes you need to take a job you don’t really want to make some quick cash. But don’t settle. Always strive…
Let’s Talk Numbers
With the onslaught of what I think are the worst possible “job” offerings out there right now, I think it’s time for us to talk once more about valuing yourself. Kathy Kerhli, whose Irreverent Freelancer site is one of my go-to sites each day, has dug up a winner for her Middle Finger of the…
Reinventing the Edge
As I watched the IMAX production U23D this weekend, which was freaking amazing, I thought to myself, “Self, why do you suppose more bands aren’t going for these innovative productions?” As I sat there counting freckles on The Edge’s arm and watching the verbal foreplay Bono and Larry Mullen were having with lyrics and a…
Problem #1 – Making Time for Marketing
I’m spending extra hours this month trying to get all the projects done on time. See, they all (save one) have the same deadline. They all need to be finished on or before January 31st. I’m working some twelve-hour days mixed in there with some ten-hour and one or two 9-hour days. I took on…
Alligator Skin
Last night I was explaining to a non-writing friend how I’ve learned over the years to implant a healthy dose of doubt and more than a little moxie into dealings with new clients. As she gasped and muttered “Oh dear” as I mentioned casually that even new clients are thought of in terms of how…
Meme, Myself, and I
In a double team effort, Devon Ellington and Susan Johnston have both seen fit to lambaste me with two separate meme tags. The first one is seven random things about me, and the second is three writing tips. Seven Random Things: 1. I hate memes.2. Like Susan, I have an addiction to Starbucks chai lattes-…
Beginning Writers, Listen Up
If any of you out there are interested in some solid info on how to start, where to start and what to do once you start, toddle over to Michele Tune’s blog. Michele’s got a really cool three-part beginner’s series, and she spells it out for you pretty succinctly. What I like is she’s given…
Is There a Wrong Way to Network?
Seems like a stupid question doesn’t it? But if you think about it, you’ve probably been the victim of someone who’s guilty of bad networking. Let me give you an example: Years ago, a salesperson came to our house trying to sell us meat products. Mind you, she played it up nicely, saying the steaks…
The Year of Better Work Habits
So far, January is starting out well. Not that there’s a ton of work in my “pipeline”, but that there’s a lot more planning on my part. Today I’m off to visit a potential client a few hours away, and I hope the connection will be successful in terms of work. If not, I’ve made…
Do the Follow-Up Thing
As indicated by my previous post, following up with clients has been a bit of a weak area for me. However, the times I’ve managed to do so (and not sound like a bumbling fool), it’s paid off in some way. Either I get valuable feedback on how to improve myself going forward, or I…