Scam-BaitingI read an article in The Atlantic today about a new tack taken with scammers – you know, that Prince’s widow from Nigeria who needs you to transfer some money. It’s called scam-baiting. Instead of deleting these messages or worse, being taken in by them, folks are seeking them out. Why? It’s an attempt to…
Motivation, Please I don’t want to work today. I was in Manhattan yesterday and I got back home after midnight. Normally, that wouldn’t bother me, but this came two days after flying back on the early-morning flight from Cleveland. Mistake! Never take a 7:25 a.m. flight. You have to be at that airport before the…
Job Listings – May 8, 2007A Small, Familiar Rant The low-paying “employers” are becoming more creative. Here’s the ad I saw today – “Build your writing portfolio here – FREE!” Needless to say, it was just one more non-paying, sweat-your-arse-off-for-an-ungrateful-thief ad, but it was disturbing to see the ad framed in a way that may…
Life’s A Big GasOrThe Perks of Working from Home$2.99 – that’s what the price of regular unleaded was yesterday at the Valley Forge Texaco station down the street. I’m terrified to drive past again for two reasons – one, because the price is surely to go up and two, who can afford to drive at…
Job Listings – May 1, 2007Following DirectionsI’m constantly surprised by the number of people who have horror stories regarding writers. Yea, I said writers. See, just like any other professional group, writers seem to suffer from the same malady – we don’t follow directions. As much as I’d love to oppose those who say writers…
Writers and Contracts I’ll keep it short and sweet: Here’s all you need to know about contracts. Article by Sharlene Thomas Enjoy!
How to Ask Last night, I had the pleasure of hearing a lecture delivered by Terry Gross, host of NPR radio’s Fresh Air. Terry is the consummate interviewer – she has spent the last 32 years talking with everyone from politicians and dignitaries to authors and entertainers. She’s also a wonderful lecturer – she entertained…
Turning Down WorkWe all know to trust our guts, right? We understand that if the client’s needs and our abilities/focuses are not meshing, it’s okay to turn down the work. But where do you draw that line? Here are just a few examples of the times I’ve turned down work and why. It may help…
Freelance Jobs – April 24, 2007 I have a multitude of deadlines this week, so this will have to be a shorter list. My apologies. Freelance WritersMore Freelance WritersWebsite WritingJournalistFreelance Multimedia PlannerFreelance Copywriter
Freelance Jobs – Tuesday, April 17, 2007Scams Getting TrickierI received an email yesterday that admittedly had me wondering if it was legitimate. By all accounts, it wasn’t. The “how long have you been a member of our credit union?” questions from people I’ve never heard of, promises of twenty bucks if you complete the survey,…