"He can compress the most words into the smallest ideas of any man I ever met."
-- Abraham Lincoln
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Saturday, 30 August 2008
Are We Our Own Worst Enemies? (How Writers Need to Sell Their Services)
I recently got into a discussion over at Men with Pens about how difficult it can be for commercial writers to sell their services. I started off with the somewhat tongue-in-cheek suggestion that a writer's job is to make the reader's job easy. Thus, by making it look easy, we shoot ourselves in the foot, because the rest of the world may think, "Well, I could do that. Why should I hire someone else?"
This led to a discussion that rolled around to the topic of demonstrating the value you provide to a client. A tricky proposition, but one that can be managed. I have a few thoughts on how to approach the problem.
To start with, it seems to me we have to get beyond the idea of writing for writing's sake. Writers may tend to appreciate their own words more than how they can help others.
We also have to understand that writing is a valuable service and sell that service. Selling isn't easy for many writers, but it's an essential part of running any business--including a writing business.
So, first, we have to understand and appreciate our own value. Think about it. If you don't think of yourself as providing a valuable service, how will you convince a client of that? So know what you can do, market yourself accordingly and be prepared to discuss it with people during your networking.
Second, I think it's important to remember this isn't entirely about you and your talent with words. You may be the world's greatest writer, but if you write for a living, it always comes down to showing how your writing can help your client with his or her needs.
How do you do that? One way is to get testimonials and put them on your Web site. A few good words from a satisfied client can go a long way.
When you meet potential clients, don't just talk about your writing. Ask them about their needs and really listen to them. Then be prepared to talk about what you can do to help them. I've tried asking people, "How's your Web site working for you?" They often say they're not quite satisfied (surprise, surprise) with the content (that they've usually created), but they're "working on it." I've let them know I can work on it for them. I've also emphasized that properly written Web content that's updated often helps keep the site higher in search engine rankings, giving them a reason to care about the matter. So, if they don't like to write (and many business people don't), why not hire someone else to do it? Someone who can do a good job.
And I think it can work to emphasize the cost-effectiveness for the client. Recently, a client approached me with some rough notes for a Web writing assignment and a question--whether it would be more cost-effective to use me or write it himself. I told him I honestly couldn't say for sure, since I didn't know how fast he could write or how well he could edit himself, but what he had showed me could use a bit of polishing (I said it as nicely as possible) and, if he hired me, he would get the benefit of my 10+ years experience as a writing professional (implying, rather than stating, that I would be worth the cost). I landed that assignment.
This is just one example of how writers can show that their services are of real value to businesses. There are probably many others.
And, just to show that this doesn't apply only to the commercial writing field, let's consider the world of fiction writing. Writing well simply isn't enough to make it in that business. In order to sell fiction, you have to know how to pitch your writing to whomever you're trying to sell it to. You have to believe in your work, know the market and show agents and editors why your writing is so special, they should believe in it, too.
So remember--your writing is worth something. And it's not enough to write well--you must show the client why they should hire you (or the agent or editor why they should represent you or publish you, to extend that to fiction writing).
I'd love to hear other success stories from writers. Who else has landed a great assignment or a great publishing deal, based on a well-crafted sales pitch for their writing? What did you have to do to convey your value to the person to whom you made the sale?
This led to a discussion that rolled around to the topic of demonstrating the value you provide to a client. A tricky proposition, but one that can be managed. I have a few thoughts on how to approach the problem.
To start with, it seems to me we have to get beyond the idea of writing for writing's sake. Writers may tend to appreciate their own words more than how they can help others.
We also have to understand that writing is a valuable service and sell that service. Selling isn't easy for many writers, but it's an essential part of running any business--including a writing business.
So, first, we have to understand and appreciate our own value. Think about it. If you don't think of yourself as providing a valuable service, how will you convince a client of that? So know what you can do, market yourself accordingly and be prepared to discuss it with people during your networking.
Second, I think it's important to remember this isn't entirely about you and your talent with words. You may be the world's greatest writer, but if you write for a living, it always comes down to showing how your writing can help your client with his or her needs.
How do you do that? One way is to get testimonials and put them on your Web site. A few good words from a satisfied client can go a long way.
When you meet potential clients, don't just talk about your writing. Ask them about their needs and really listen to them. Then be prepared to talk about what you can do to help them. I've tried asking people, "How's your Web site working for you?" They often say they're not quite satisfied (surprise, surprise) with the content (that they've usually created), but they're "working on it." I've let them know I can work on it for them. I've also emphasized that properly written Web content that's updated often helps keep the site higher in search engine rankings, giving them a reason to care about the matter. So, if they don't like to write (and many business people don't), why not hire someone else to do it? Someone who can do a good job.
And I think it can work to emphasize the cost-effectiveness for the client. Recently, a client approached me with some rough notes for a Web writing assignment and a question--whether it would be more cost-effective to use me or write it himself. I told him I honestly couldn't say for sure, since I didn't know how fast he could write or how well he could edit himself, but what he had showed me could use a bit of polishing (I said it as nicely as possible) and, if he hired me, he would get the benefit of my 10+ years experience as a writing professional (implying, rather than stating, that I would be worth the cost). I landed that assignment.
This is just one example of how writers can show that their services are of real value to businesses. There are probably many others.
And, just to show that this doesn't apply only to the commercial writing field, let's consider the world of fiction writing. Writing well simply isn't enough to make it in that business. In order to sell fiction, you have to know how to pitch your writing to whomever you're trying to sell it to. You have to believe in your work, know the market and show agents and editors why your writing is so special, they should believe in it, too.
So remember--your writing is worth something. And it's not enough to write well--you must show the client why they should hire you (or the agent or editor why they should represent you or publish you, to extend that to fiction writing).
I'd love to hear other success stories from writers. Who else has landed a great assignment or a great publishing deal, based on a well-crafted sales pitch for their writing? What did you have to do to convey your value to the person to whom you made the sale?
Thursday, 28 August 2008
Top 10 Blogs for Writers Contest
Michael Stelzner of the Writing White Papers blog is holding his third annual "Top 10 Blogs for Writers" contest. To vote, you only need to go here and follow the directions.
And I'm not asking for your vote, but it won't hurt my feelings terribly if you choose to bestow it.
And I'm not asking for your vote, but it won't hurt my feelings terribly if you choose to bestow it.
Blogs and More Blogs
I was interested to find out today that Major League Baseball will use blogging to promote the sport. I think I may even have scooped the ladies at Business & Blogging on this one. :)
Plus, there's an interesting new blog on self-publishing (especially interesting to me, since I'm in the midst of doing it), which I became aware of thanks to Anne Wayman at The Golden Pencil.
And what's this new thing called Tumblr all about? Invented by a company called Davidville, I believe it's supposed to provide an innovative new approach to blogging. (I haven't even caught up with Twitter yet, and now this . . .)
Plus, there's an interesting new blog on self-publishing (especially interesting to me, since I'm in the midst of doing it), which I became aware of thanks to Anne Wayman at The Golden Pencil.
And what's this new thing called Tumblr all about? Invented by a company called Davidville, I believe it's supposed to provide an innovative new approach to blogging. (I haven't even caught up with Twitter yet, and now this . . .)
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Submitted for Your Amusement
Sometimes, it's nice to get a break from the writing grind. For your reading pleasure, I bring you The Fabulous Geezersisters' Weblog and its hysterical tale of horror on why writers will never compete in the Olympics.
If that doesn't make you laugh, William Shatner singing "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (with fabulous added graphics) just has to . . .
And, in a bit of theater of the absurd, we have this version of another Beatles' classic, featuring Senator Mike Gravel, Libertarian candidate for president.
Well, you'd never confuse him with Obama or McCain, would you?
If that doesn't make you laugh, William Shatner singing "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (with fabulous added graphics) just has to . . .
And, in a bit of theater of the absurd, we have this version of another Beatles' classic, featuring Senator Mike Gravel, Libertarian candidate for president.
Well, you'd never confuse him with Obama or McCain, would you?
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Quotation for the Week of August 24
"I’d hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone, but they’ve always worked for me."
-- Hunter S. Thompson
-- Hunter S. Thompson
Friday, 22 August 2008
Research or 'Publicity-Seeking Scam'?
For anyone who's ever wondered about awards and whether the recipients of same truly deserved them, I have for you a rather shocking example of how someone pulled a fast one on a publication called Wine Spectator. Robin Goldstein (as "part of the research for an academic paper . . . about standards for wine awards") invented a restaurant called "Osteria L'Intrepido" (Goldstein said it was "a play on the name of a restaurant guide series that I founded, Fearless Critic"), complete with bogus Web site and menu, and submitted it to Wine Spectator for award consideration. The phony restaurant won Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence, and Goldstein writes about this hoax (or research, depending on how you look at it) here.
Needless to say, the people at Wine Spectator weren't happy. Thomas Matthews, the executive editor, called Goldstein's stunt a "publicity-seeking scam" and an "act of malicious duplicity," while attempting "to set forth the actual facts of the matter." The actual facts would seem to be that Wine Spectator was bamboozled, hoodwinked and made to look foolish and possibly a bit less diligent in its investigation of potential award winners than it could have been. But, in fairness, it also appears that Wine Spectator relied in good faith on the restaurant owner's warranty "that all statements and information provided [in the application] are truthful and accurate." (In short, they f---ed up, they trusted them.) And Matthews enumerated the "significant efforts" it took "to verify the facts." (Efforts that didn't include talking to customers or going to the restaurant, but as Matthews points out,"We do not claim to visit every restaurant in our Awards program. . . . We assume that if we receive a wine list, the restaurant that created it does in fact exist." Well, you know what they say about assuming . . .)
What do I think about this? I think Robin Goldstein is looking for publicity--you'll notice in his article about the hoax that two of the first things he mentions are his book and his Web site; he then goes on to flog his restaurant guide series--and he could rightly be thought of as a liar (on the award application, if nothing else) and a jerk (to put it politely). However, he does seem to have made a point about the rigor with which such contests are judged.
However, I can't help but feel some sympathy for Matthews when he writes: "It has now been demonstrated that an elaborate hoax can deceive Wine Spectator.
"This act of malicious duplicity reminds us that no one is completely immune to fraud. It is sad that an unscrupulous person can attack a publication that has earned its reputation for integrity over the past 32 years. Wine Spectator will clearly have to be more vigilant in the future."
Clearly, if sadly, Wine Spectator not only should be more diligent from now on, but should have been more diligent in the first place. And there were very easy ways (for an information professional) to have exercised greater diligence than the magazine did here. Given that Wine Spectator's "significant efforts to verify the facts" relied heavily on information found on the Web, I think this story is a cautionary tale about relying too much on the Internet for research and not scrutinizing more carefully how reliable a source is before depending on it to verify anything.
My advice to Matthews: next time, have your librarian (and here's where I get to put in a major plug for the special librarian) or fact checkers do news searches for reviews of the short-listed award contenders in known publications like Gourmet and other big trade or consumer magazines. Or check the public records for a business name filing for the restaurant. These are just a couple of top-of-the-head suggestions--fairly basic steps that any magazine's librarian or fact checker could handle.
You need to check sources more independent and reliable than the purported restaurant's Web site and something like Chowhound, where (like Amazon) anyone could post anything, even if they don't know what they're talking about. And, if you find absolutely nothing from an independent source about the entrant, red flags should be flying.
Needless to say, the people at Wine Spectator weren't happy. Thomas Matthews, the executive editor, called Goldstein's stunt a "publicity-seeking scam" and an "act of malicious duplicity," while attempting "to set forth the actual facts of the matter." The actual facts would seem to be that Wine Spectator was bamboozled, hoodwinked and made to look foolish and possibly a bit less diligent in its investigation of potential award winners than it could have been. But, in fairness, it also appears that Wine Spectator relied in good faith on the restaurant owner's warranty "that all statements and information provided [in the application] are truthful and accurate." (In short, they f---ed up, they trusted them.) And Matthews enumerated the "significant efforts" it took "to verify the facts." (Efforts that didn't include talking to customers or going to the restaurant, but as Matthews points out,"We do not claim to visit every restaurant in our Awards program. . . . We assume that if we receive a wine list, the restaurant that created it does in fact exist." Well, you know what they say about assuming . . .)
What do I think about this? I think Robin Goldstein is looking for publicity--you'll notice in his article about the hoax that two of the first things he mentions are his book and his Web site; he then goes on to flog his restaurant guide series--and he could rightly be thought of as a liar (on the award application, if nothing else) and a jerk (to put it politely). However, he does seem to have made a point about the rigor with which such contests are judged.
However, I can't help but feel some sympathy for Matthews when he writes: "It has now been demonstrated that an elaborate hoax can deceive Wine Spectator.
"This act of malicious duplicity reminds us that no one is completely immune to fraud. It is sad that an unscrupulous person can attack a publication that has earned its reputation for integrity over the past 32 years. Wine Spectator will clearly have to be more vigilant in the future."
Clearly, if sadly, Wine Spectator not only should be more diligent from now on, but should have been more diligent in the first place. And there were very easy ways (for an information professional) to have exercised greater diligence than the magazine did here. Given that Wine Spectator's "significant efforts to verify the facts" relied heavily on information found on the Web, I think this story is a cautionary tale about relying too much on the Internet for research and not scrutinizing more carefully how reliable a source is before depending on it to verify anything.
My advice to Matthews: next time, have your librarian (and here's where I get to put in a major plug for the special librarian) or fact checkers do news searches for reviews of the short-listed award contenders in known publications like Gourmet and other big trade or consumer magazines. Or check the public records for a business name filing for the restaurant. These are just a couple of top-of-the-head suggestions--fairly basic steps that any magazine's librarian or fact checker could handle.
You need to check sources more independent and reliable than the purported restaurant's Web site and something like Chowhound, where (like Amazon) anyone could post anything, even if they don't know what they're talking about. And, if you find absolutely nothing from an independent source about the entrant, red flags should be flying.
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
What's the Worst That Can Happen?--Protecting Your Business in Case of Medical Emergency
Well, in a previous post, I covered computer crashes and protecting data from property loss by fire, flood or other natural disaster. Now comes the tricky topic of health-related disasters.
This is a difficult topic because: 1) no one wants to think it will happen to them; and 2) it's tough to keep a business based on personal service running if you're flat on your back in the hospital.
Much as we hate to think about it, the need may arise down the road for someone to step in and act for you, if you're temporarily incapacitated and can't personally handle your business--an individual to tell your clients that something's come up and the job they just hired you for? Well, it may require some extra time or have to be handled by someone else (depending on how dire your situation is).
To be clear on this, I'm not talking about health insurance--everyone should have it, but I'm not talking about that. (And if you think you're too young and healthy to worry about it, think again. Take this from someone who knows.)
I'm also not talking about estate planning or having a lawyer draft a power of attorney of any sort, in case you completely lose your ability to manage your affairs (although this is a good idea--I'm just not covering that).
I'm just talking about planning for the kind of stop-gap, emergency measures that should be taken if you end up, say, in the hospital in a body cast for several months. (Gruesome example? Yes--I told you this wouldn't be easy.) You haven't lost your ability to make decisions, but how well could you run your business in that condition? Someone has to make the calls, handle the bills and do whatever else it takes to keep the lights on, but let clients know either your assignment will be turned in a bit late or you'll be out of commission for a while (again, depending on how dire your situation is).
So if you're like most freelance writers and work solo (no partner, no employees), I would suggest you take at least the following steps, in case the unthinkable should happen:
1. Designate a spouse or significant other to act for you if you become incapacitated. Find someone you trust completely to take the reins of the business until you've recovered enough to take them back. This person will have to do all the tasks in the rest of this list, so (along with being trustworthy) it should be someone responsible, capable and cool-headed enough to manage the job. This person (if they aren't living with you) will need a spare key to your home and your mail box. Did I mention trustworthiness is important?
2. Make a list of all your current and pending projects. That list should include each client name, contact person, and any contact info you have for that person (office and cell phone, email), so the person acting for you (we'll call this person your "agent") can reach them and let them know what's going on, if necessary. Put this list in a file marked "In Case of Emergency" and tell the agent where to find the file. Also on that list, I'd include the name of any file you're working on for each client, so your agent can find it on your computer and send it to the client, if they wish to see what you've done so far. A client may really appreciate the extra effort you took to make sure they at least got a rough draft of your work, if that's all you could do before you-know-what hit the fan.
3. Make a list of other key contacts. You may be scheduled to speak or appear at an upcoming conference or event--make sure your agent can get access to your calendar and keep a list of people to contact (with contact info, of course) for each conference or event you're actively participating in, in case you aren't able to appear (or tell them about it). Put this in your emergency file, too.
4. Make sure your agent knows how to access your email and voice mail. You can't anticipate everyone who might need to know about your situation. Be sure that when someone does call or email you, your agent can respond, if necessary. The agent doesn't have to answer the phone, but should be able to monitor voice mails for potentially urgent calls.
5. Arrange for your agent to handle bills. You may be in the hospital, but that won't stop the bills from coming in. Be sure to have your agent look for those bills and pay them promptly or take them to you to pay promptly (if you're able). If it's a spouse or live-in SO, this shouldn't be much of a problem. If it's someone who doesn't live with you, you may want to set aside some extra cash to cover the payment of your bills in an emergency. Obviously, the cash would have to be kept in a place where your agent could find it. Or (since trust is an element here) your agent could pay the bills until you're well enough to handle it yourself, and you could pay him or her back later.
6. Consider finding people to whom you can refer work if you are unable to complete it. This is a really tricky one. Someone hired you for your expertise and skill. Now, because you're in the hospital in critical condition for who-knows-how-long, you can't deliver your work by the deadline. Maybe for so long, they can't wait for you. Clearly, your agent must contact the client to let them know what's going on. If it looks like you'll just need a deadline extension, you may be able to arrange that. Otherwise, you might want to be able to suggest someone who can either finish what you've done or take on the assignment instead. Keep a list of those people (and the kind of work they do) in a place where your agent can find them, if necessary. And--yes--add this list to the emergency file.
These are just a few ideas I came up with while pondering what is a very troubling (but possible) scenario. I won't say this list is comprehensive, but it's everything I could think of. Feel free to submit a comment with any further suggestions.
I've done many, but not all, of the listed things. However, I'm working on that. As I said, I'm just trying to think of all the little things you might want covered, in the event a medical emergency puts you temporarily (whether for two weeks or several months) out of service. Lengthier or permanent disabilities are another matter--usually handled by attorneys who do estate planning and draft powers of attorney.
This is a difficult topic because: 1) no one wants to think it will happen to them; and 2) it's tough to keep a business based on personal service running if you're flat on your back in the hospital.
Much as we hate to think about it, the need may arise down the road for someone to step in and act for you, if you're temporarily incapacitated and can't personally handle your business--an individual to tell your clients that something's come up and the job they just hired you for? Well, it may require some extra time or have to be handled by someone else (depending on how dire your situation is).
To be clear on this, I'm not talking about health insurance--everyone should have it, but I'm not talking about that. (And if you think you're too young and healthy to worry about it, think again. Take this from someone who knows.)
I'm also not talking about estate planning or having a lawyer draft a power of attorney of any sort, in case you completely lose your ability to manage your affairs (although this is a good idea--I'm just not covering that).
I'm just talking about planning for the kind of stop-gap, emergency measures that should be taken if you end up, say, in the hospital in a body cast for several months. (Gruesome example? Yes--I told you this wouldn't be easy.) You haven't lost your ability to make decisions, but how well could you run your business in that condition? Someone has to make the calls, handle the bills and do whatever else it takes to keep the lights on, but let clients know either your assignment will be turned in a bit late or you'll be out of commission for a while (again, depending on how dire your situation is).
So if you're like most freelance writers and work solo (no partner, no employees), I would suggest you take at least the following steps, in case the unthinkable should happen:
1. Designate a spouse or significant other to act for you if you become incapacitated. Find someone you trust completely to take the reins of the business until you've recovered enough to take them back. This person will have to do all the tasks in the rest of this list, so (along with being trustworthy) it should be someone responsible, capable and cool-headed enough to manage the job. This person (if they aren't living with you) will need a spare key to your home and your mail box. Did I mention trustworthiness is important?
2. Make a list of all your current and pending projects. That list should include each client name, contact person, and any contact info you have for that person (office and cell phone, email), so the person acting for you (we'll call this person your "agent") can reach them and let them know what's going on, if necessary. Put this list in a file marked "In Case of Emergency" and tell the agent where to find the file. Also on that list, I'd include the name of any file you're working on for each client, so your agent can find it on your computer and send it to the client, if they wish to see what you've done so far. A client may really appreciate the extra effort you took to make sure they at least got a rough draft of your work, if that's all you could do before you-know-what hit the fan.
3. Make a list of other key contacts. You may be scheduled to speak or appear at an upcoming conference or event--make sure your agent can get access to your calendar and keep a list of people to contact (with contact info, of course) for each conference or event you're actively participating in, in case you aren't able to appear (or tell them about it). Put this in your emergency file, too.
4. Make sure your agent knows how to access your email and voice mail. You can't anticipate everyone who might need to know about your situation. Be sure that when someone does call or email you, your agent can respond, if necessary. The agent doesn't have to answer the phone, but should be able to monitor voice mails for potentially urgent calls.
5. Arrange for your agent to handle bills. You may be in the hospital, but that won't stop the bills from coming in. Be sure to have your agent look for those bills and pay them promptly or take them to you to pay promptly (if you're able). If it's a spouse or live-in SO, this shouldn't be much of a problem. If it's someone who doesn't live with you, you may want to set aside some extra cash to cover the payment of your bills in an emergency. Obviously, the cash would have to be kept in a place where your agent could find it. Or (since trust is an element here) your agent could pay the bills until you're well enough to handle it yourself, and you could pay him or her back later.
6. Consider finding people to whom you can refer work if you are unable to complete it. This is a really tricky one. Someone hired you for your expertise and skill. Now, because you're in the hospital in critical condition for who-knows-how-long, you can't deliver your work by the deadline. Maybe for so long, they can't wait for you. Clearly, your agent must contact the client to let them know what's going on. If it looks like you'll just need a deadline extension, you may be able to arrange that. Otherwise, you might want to be able to suggest someone who can either finish what you've done or take on the assignment instead. Keep a list of those people (and the kind of work they do) in a place where your agent can find them, if necessary. And--yes--add this list to the emergency file.
These are just a few ideas I came up with while pondering what is a very troubling (but possible) scenario. I won't say this list is comprehensive, but it's everything I could think of. Feel free to submit a comment with any further suggestions.
I've done many, but not all, of the listed things. However, I'm working on that. As I said, I'm just trying to think of all the little things you might want covered, in the event a medical emergency puts you temporarily (whether for two weeks or several months) out of service. Lengthier or permanent disabilities are another matter--usually handled by attorneys who do estate planning and draft powers of attorney.
Sunday, 17 August 2008
Quotation for the Week of August 17
"It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do."
-- Moliere
-- Moliere
Saturday, 16 August 2008
What Writing and Baseball Have in Common: The Pitch
It was interesting and ironic to find these discussions of how to pitch one's writing, posted within a couple of days of each other: one by book publicity and promotions expert Paula Margulies of The Writer's Edge (about pitching your books to the media, bookstores, etc., after they've been published) and the other by screenwriter and novelist Lee Goldberg of A Writer's Life (on pitching a TV series).
Two very different spins on the pitch (pun most definitely intended).
Two very different spins on the pitch (pun most definitely intended).
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
Twittered to Death
This cartoon about Twitter was just too awesome not to share. Let's see--what's the character limit in Twitter? Whatever it is, I think, "I'm dying!" will fit.
And if that offends you (or even if it doesn't), I suggest you watch the following video (brought to you by Penn & Teller with a little help from Bobby Slayton). Frankly, I think a little "desensitivity training" could alleviate a whole lot of suffering in the world. (WARNING: This video is R-rated--by me.)
And if you don't like it, well ... what is it the Irreverent Freelancer always says? It's on the tip of my tongue ...
And if that offends you (or even if it doesn't), I suggest you watch the following video (brought to you by Penn & Teller with a little help from Bobby Slayton). Frankly, I think a little "desensitivity training" could alleviate a whole lot of suffering in the world. (WARNING: This video is R-rated--by me.)
And if you don't like it, well ... what is it the Irreverent Freelancer always says? It's on the tip of my tongue ...
Sunday, 10 August 2008
Quotation for the Week of August 10
"Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than death."
-- James F. Byrnes
-- James F. Byrnes
Friday, 8 August 2008
Online Social Networks--RU Using Them Well? R They Good 4 U?
So much to blog about, so little time! But I will commend for your reading pleasure this post on Business and Blogging about how to make effective use of online social networks. Bottom line: if you use them, don't be half-n-half or now and then (to borrow a bit from a song in Oklahoma!)--use them consistently and with your goals for doing so in mind. The post explains it in more detail.
And if you do use these social networks, you might want to keep in mind this piece from The Scholarly Kitchen on how LinkedIn has become the fastest-growing social networking site.
While we're at it, what is all this online interacting doing to us from a literary appreciation (not to mention grammatical, spelling and usage) standpoint? RU dumbing yourself down by reading blogs or ROFL when others tell jokes on these sites? Am I contributing to the problem or the solution by blogging about it? (Hmm . . . chicken or egg? chicken or egg? . . . Ya got me.)
And, finally, since we're talking online stuff here--why does this not surprise me?
And if you do use these social networks, you might want to keep in mind this piece from The Scholarly Kitchen on how LinkedIn has become the fastest-growing social networking site.
While we're at it, what is all this online interacting doing to us from a literary appreciation (not to mention grammatical, spelling and usage) standpoint? RU dumbing yourself down by reading blogs or ROFL when others tell jokes on these sites? Am I contributing to the problem or the solution by blogging about it? (Hmm . . . chicken or egg? chicken or egg? . . . Ya got me.)
And, finally, since we're talking online stuff here--why does this not surprise me?
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
Smatterings from MediaBistro
Seems like I can always count on MediaBistro to provide a few good nuggets of news about the writing business.
For instance, Playgirl is shutting down its print operations in favor of Web publication. (Writers, take note: they'll be running more images and video, cutting content.)
And women-oriented network WEtv is looking for TV movie writers.
Winston Wood says that journalism is still attracting talented newcomers--even if they can make more money begging on the sidewalk.
And NPR is buying out Public Interactive, "the Boston-based nonprofit organization founded by PRI that has played an instrumental role in the development and expansion of websites and digital services for 170 public broadcasting customers." Looks like media mergers and acquisitions aren't limited to the for-profit sector.
For instance, Playgirl is shutting down its print operations in favor of Web publication. (Writers, take note: they'll be running more images and video, cutting content.)
And women-oriented network WEtv is looking for TV movie writers.
Winston Wood says that journalism is still attracting talented newcomers--even if they can make more money begging on the sidewalk.
And NPR is buying out Public Interactive, "the Boston-based nonprofit organization founded by PRI that has played an instrumental role in the development and expansion of websites and digital services for 170 public broadcasting customers." Looks like media mergers and acquisitions aren't limited to the for-profit sector.
Sunday, 3 August 2008
Quotation for the Week of August 3
"How much easier it is to be critical than to be correct."
-- Benjamin Disraeli
-- Benjamin Disraeli
Friday, 1 August 2008
Using Blogs to Comply with SEC Regs
PRNewser reported today that the SEC has ruled companies can use blogs to disclose material information as required by law, such as earnings reports.
I think this is a potentially interesting development, not only for the PR industry, but for freelance bloggers.
What say you?
I think this is a potentially interesting development, not only for the PR industry, but for freelance bloggers.
What say you?
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