The Urban Muse

Recap of the Media Matters Writing Conference

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:45:00 +0000

I spent most of this morning and early afternoon volunteering as a workshop monitor for the Media Matters Writing Conference at UMass Boston. I've looked into volunteering with teens as a regular writing mentor or tutor, but all of the organizations I've found have required more of a time commitment than I can afford to give (usually one full day per week, which would make it difficult to meet deadlines and whatnot). So I figured volunteering for part of the day would be both personally and professionally fulfilling, because I could attend a bunch of free workshops and indirectly help students improve their writing.

During a morning workshop on brainstorming, the instructor asked students to describe an orange. Most of them used generic terms like "round" and "orange" (as in the color - tricky!). One boy pronounced the fruit "spherical and orange-tinted." Then the instructor pointed out that individual oranges have distinctive properties and if you spent long enough observing a single orange, you could pick it out among a bowl of other oranges because of little variations in shape and hue.

Then in the afternoon, I listened to Boston Globe's Sports Editor Joe Sullivan discuss the future of journalism. Considering how much upheaval the Globe has experienced in the last few years, Sullivan was remarkably upbeat (he clearly loves his job, which helps a lot). He predicted that newspapers will not become extinct in our lifetime, because "people still want to know things." Sullivan added that companies like the Globe need to think of themselves as "news organizations" rather than "newspapers" and journalists need to learn how to use the web effectively and create multimedia in addition to writing well.

But perhaps the most quotable moment of the day came when a middle schooler told the instructor of the brainstorming workshop she'd been "sort of published." To which the instructor asked, "Can you be sort of pregnant? How can you be sort of published?" Good point.

Open Thread: How Do You Handle Health Insurance?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:29:00 +0000

I'm fortunate to live in Massachusetts, which offers affordable insurance to the self-employed. Sure, it's not the most comprehensive coverage ever, but the one time a medication wasn't covered, my doctor agreed to send me a sample he had lying around his office. As long as I'm self-employed (and unattached), I'd think twice before moving out of state and giving up my Health Connector coverage.

Health coverage has come up in the news a lot lately, and it's a very touchy topic, especially for freelancers. I'm curious how other self-employed folks handle this issue. Do you take your chances and go without? Rely on a spouse or domestic partner for health coverage? Join a union and buy it through them? Perhaps your tips will be useful to another freelancer, so leave a comment and let us know!

The Great Debate: Flat Rates vs. Hourly Rates

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:06:00 +0000

A few people have emailed me asking about how to charge for copywriting work (magazine rates are usually set by the publication so there's less wiggle room). Some freelancers insist on billing by the hour or by the project. I do either one depending on the project specs.

Here's why.

If you charge by the hour, your compensation is practically guaranteed to scale with the size of the project (I say practically because clients don't always pay us as agreed, but that's another story). If the client wants a million little revisions, then you can happily provide them knowing you will be paid accordingly. For some clients, this means they will be very clear about what they want up-front to minimize back and forth later on. Others don't seem to realize that their indecisiveness is costing them money.

When the project's scope is likely to evolve over time, I suggest billing by the hour and invoicing monthly so that I can get paid for the work I've done even if the project is awaiting revisions or gets postponed. (Some clients go for this, and some don't.)

BUT...

Billing by the hour also means there's no incentive to be efficient. Your income is limited by the number of hours you work, so you're essentially a wage slave.

Say I've written a million press releases and could write a killer release in less than two hours. But it might take another freelancer twice as long to write that same release. She would earn twice as much for something that theoretically has the same amount of value to the client. Sure, she might have taken her time to craft something really compelling and concise, but she might also be less efficient because she's not as experienced at writing press releases. And some clients don't like hourly rates because they don't really know how you're using your time.

So, for a project that has a very defined scope (such as a press release, a sales letter, or a blog post), I try to set a flat rate that is fair to the client and, if all goes smoothly, still allows me to earn more than my hourly rate. The client likes knowing they will stay within their budget and I like knowing exactly how much I'll earn from the project.

The thing to be careful about with flat rates is those clients who like to spend lots of time on the phone or email discussing the project or requesting endless revisions. This can seriously cut in to your income, so I try to be polite but not too indulgent. And usually the flat rate will include a set number of revisions, though I've been known to be lenient about that because I want the client to love the finished product.

What about you? Do you prefer to bill by the hour or by the project?

Flickr photo courtesy of suburbandollar

Handling Your #1 Freelance Fear - Going Broke

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:04:00 +0000

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Earlier this week, I asked readers to share their freelance fears. As I suspected, most readers fell into one of two camps. Either they feared not being able to pay their bills or not being good enough (which could eventually lead to not being able to pay the bills).

I've already written about handling a crisis of confidence recently, so this time I'll focus on fear of not being able to pay the bills.

Despite what FDR tells us above, this fear is actually very real. It would suck to lose your house or get the heat shut off in the dead of winter. And let's be honest, we've seen it happen to people we know in the last year or so.

What's a creative freelancer to do? Here's my $.02.

1. Live below your means. My parents did this, and while I used to roll my eyes at yard sales and coupons, they taught me well. They were not freelancers, but they understood that bad things can happen to good people (and they did). My freelance income is amorphous, so it's especially important to live frugally.

2. Diversify. I don't just pen magazine articles. I teach writing and blogging. I write product descriptions and brochures and website copy for small businesses. And if I needed to diversify further, I'd embrace it as a new creative challenge. Of course, diversification also means seeking out a range of clients rather than relying on one or two.

3. Have a healthy savings account. Hopefully you were able to save some cash before leaving your day job like I did. But if the circumstances made this impossible (for instance, you were laid off or had major expenses wipe out your bank balance), you can still get back on track if you commit to saving some money each and every month. Even when you have a steady flow of projects, it doesn't guarantee a steady flow of money, because invoices get lost, checks get delayed, clients go bankrupt, and so on. That's why it's so important!

Freelancers, how do you handle the fear of financial ups and downs? I'd love to hear your tips and tricks!

And while we're on the topic of Halloween, check out this humorous post by Michelle Rafter on 10 things that scare freelancers.

Flickr photo courtesy of Banana Donuts ~ Half Baked Photography

Open Thread: What Are Your Freelance Fears?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:34:00 +0000

In honor of Halloween this weekend, this week's open thread focuses on fear. Not those scary feelings you get watching a horror film or walking through a haunted house. But the more practical fears that hold us back in our freelance lives. Like worrying that one day all of our clients will dry up and we'll be forced to sleep in a cardboard box and burn our beloved magazines to stay warm. Or that our college professor who told us that we had a way with words was totally off the mark.

What are your freelance fears?

I admit that the fear of inadequacy and fear of failing occasionally rear their ulgly heads in my own life. But I try to keep those fears in perspective. And on Friday I'll post more about working through fears as a freelancer. Leave a comment describing your own fears so I'll have more fodder for the post!

Flickr photo courtesy of Banana Donuts ~ Half Baked Photography

Guest Post: 5 Things to Do Before Submitting a Magazine Article

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:32:00 +0000

By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

When I finish writing a magazine article, I usually can’t wait to send it to the editor. “Look what I did! Aren’t I bright and creative?!” But, hard cold experience has taught me that it’s better to put my articles through the paces before I file them as a “fait accompli.”

Here are five things to do before submitting magazine articles to editors…

1. Organize your transcripts or source list. Some editors require transcripts of all phone calls or email correspondence; others want nothing unless they ask for it. Either way, it’s a good idea to have your transcripts or source list finalized before you submit an article. Even if the editor doesn’t require it now, he or she may ask for it later – and there’s nothing worse than scrambling for your source list two or three months after you’ve written an article.

2. Double check your source’s credentials, names, and organizations. Misspelling a source’s name, getting the credentials wrong, or placing them with the wrong organization not only makes you look sloppy, it annoys the source and the magazine’s readers – which aggravates the editor.Make double (or triple) sure that you’re referring to your sources and experts accurately.

3. Browse the magazine or website. Yesterday I submitted an article to an editor I’ve never worked with before. But before I sent the article – and when I was halfway through writing it – I spent half an hour reading the articles on the publication’s website. This gave me a feel for the content and style of the writing. The more I “fit in” to what already exists, the easier the editor’s job is…and the more likely she’ll hire me again.

4. Edit with different hats on. Do a full edit with your “grammar teacher’s” hat on. Then, do an edit with your “copywriter’s” hat on. Don’t forget to edit with your “assigning editor’s” hat on (I often compare my assignment sheet with my article, to make sure I’ve met his or her criteria). For more editing tips, read Editing Help – it’s my most recent article about editing, based on an amazing new resource for writing that I just found.

5. Sleep on it. After I sent Susan my last guest post – 5 Commonly Misused Words and Phrases – I had to make two or three changes after she published it. This created extra work for her and made me feel foolish. I didn’t sleep on that post, fellow scribes. Stephen King recommends letting your writing sit for six weeks, but most magazine writers don’t have the luxury of that much time! Before you submit an article, let it “gel” for at least one night…preferably three or four.

If you have any questions or thoughts on what to do before submitting an article, please comment below!

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger who created and maintains a series of Quips and Tips blogs: Quips and Tips for Successful Writers, Quips and Tips for Achieving Your Goals, and Quips and Tips for Couples Coping With Infertility. She's also the Feature Writer for Psychology Suite101.

5 Must-Read Posts for Writers

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Lately my RSS feed has been overflowing with so many posts that I can scarcely keep up. So today I thought I'd share of the best posts from the past week. Enjoy!

Are you a freelance writer or a journalist entrepreneur?: In this thought-provoking post, Michelle Rafter asks readers what's in a name? It's more a timely discussion of a topic I brought up on my this blog last year.

The internet has created a new generation of great writers: I'm sick of hearing how Gen Yers can't write, and in this post Penelope Trunk eloquently disputes that myth, showing how the web and social networking have actually improved writing skills.

The Writer's Best Friend? The Delete Key: In this post, NYT bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch explains why good writers are ruthless self-editors.

DIY Publishing: What's Worth Paying For?: Maria Schneider helps writers decide where to spend their money on self-publishing (hint: it's not where publishers tell you to spend it).

How to Be the Cool Kid (Even if You Weren't One in High School): With his usual dose of wit and humor, James Chartrand tells bloggers that the secret to being cool is not trying so hard (among other things).

What posts have you enjoyed recently?

Open Thread: Have You Dealt with Rude Readers?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

One of the interesting things about writing for the web is that it removes some of the barriers between writers and readers. That can be both a blessing and a curse. A few weeks ago, a post I wrote for another blog sparked a slew of nasty, mean-spirited comments. True, there was one inaccuracy that my editor fixed as soon as we discovered it (one word off, people, it happens!). But commenters kept writing things like "the author, who obviously has only a rudimentary understanding of spelling and gramar [sic]..." and "this is an abominable use of the English language!"

Frankly, I think they were more offended by the controversial subject of the post than my grammar (and I had to laugh at the irony of their own grammar and spelling), but it stung nonetheless. I kept rereading the post trying to figure out what other sections they were talking about and everything seemed clear and coherent.

If it were my own blog, I would have taken action by either 1) deleting comments that were mean-spirited and didn't add anything to the conversation or 2) defending myself by inviting commenters to elaborate if I thought it would be instructive for myself and my readers. But since it was a large media company's blog, I stayed mum and let them handle it. It would have been undignified for a contributor to jump down commenters' throats. And since that blog is highly visible, it attracts lots of commenters, many of them slightly crazy.

Another time, when I wrote a personal essay on a slightly political topic for The Christian Science Monitor, I got unsolicited emails from this uber-conservative who told me I was going to hell (to be fair, I got plenty of fan mail, too, and I wrote short thank you emails to those). Every week leading up to the election he forwarded me chain emails slandering Obama and his character. I never responded, but the emails kept coming, so eventually I started using the "report spam" button!

Your turn! How have you handled reader comments? Do you ever respond? Or just leave it alone?

Why I've Lost Faith in Creative Staffing Agencies

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:47:00 +0000

Last week, I had a conversation about creative staffing agencies with two different freelancers. Both wanted to drum up more work, and I suggested that, among other ideas, they call a few agencies (and drop my name so I could get the referral bonus!).

"Have you had any luck with those? Because I haven't," they told me.

"Honestly, no," I admitted. "But I keep hearing about them, so I thought maybe they worked for other freelancers, and I just wasn't working the system correctly."

Turns out they'd had a similarly disappointing experience. Here's why I think creative staffing agencies aren't so hot.

Low pay. My rate is low compared to a lot of the freelancers I know, but it's pretty high by staffing agency standards, because the agency takes a big cut of every hour you work. I have worked as a subcontractor with more specialized advertising and copywriting firms, and they actually value the work I do, because they do similar projects themselves. They get that good writing is a craft, not a commodity.

Why earn $xx/hour at some staffing agency gig when I could cut out the middleman and earn almost twice as much on my own? Sure, there are certain benefits to having a staffing agency behind you (it's likely you'll get paid on time and in some cases, you might quality for health insurance), but really, you're just making money for the agency when you could be making more of it for yourself.

Experience over a quality portfolio. I've seen gigs posted on staffing agency websites that mirror my skill set. Then when I call to ask if they'll forward my portfolio to the client, my contact tells me, "they're not really looking for a junior copywriter." Well, actually, I'm not a junior copywriter. But when they pull up my file and see my graduation year, they automatically assume I need lots of hand-holding.

Most of my clients hire me based on my portfolio, not my resume, because they know that the quality of my work matters more than the number of years I've spent working. Some of the recruiters I've met at supposedly creative staffing firms don't even know how to evaulate creative professionals, so they categorize people based on how long they've been working. (This conundrum reminds me of Brazen Careerist's focus on ideas rather than resumes.)

Lots of on-site gigs. Last year, I met with recruiters at almost every creative staffing agency in the city. All of them said, "we do both on-site and work-from-home placements." Yet it seems like every time I get a call with a potential project, it requires schlepping out to the North Shore or Western Massachusetts five days a week. That's just not my style. Part of the reason I freelance is so that I don't have to get up super-early and commute to an office. I can spend that time getting more work done, working out, whatever I want. I'd hesitate to give that up.

Some creative staffing agencies also place accountants, IT professionals, and other types that typically work in an office, so they buy into the notion of facetime. I don't. If I spent 40 hours a week working on-site, then I would have very little time to market myself and line up work for after the gig ended. Trust me, that is a terrible situation for a freelancer! We have to be masters of multi-tasking and you just can't do that if you're working on-site because you have to focus on one client's needs.

Your turn! Tell us about your experiences working with creative staffing firms. Have you had similar issues? Or the opposite?

PS If you're reading this and you happen to be a recruiter for an agency that places freelance copywriters, I'd love to hear why I'm wrong. Match me with a great gig, and I'll post an update singing your praises. Seriously, folks, bring it on. I'm ready!

Flickr photo courtesy of Marc Sebastian

Guest Post: The Benefits And Challenges Of Blogging For Business

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:55:00 +0000

Win a free copy of Kelly's “Blogging For Business Blueprint” e-book and tutorial videos (a $29 value). Details are at the bottom of this post.

UPDATE: Congrats to our lucky winner, Vera Marie!

By Kelly Watson

When it comes to online marketing methods that are both affordable and effective, blogging ranks number one. Benefits include:

· Access to an educated, influential group of potential customers
· More opportunities to make sales
· Improved customer relationships
· Enhanced credibility and trust

You can download a PDF with even more blogging benefits. But benefits aside, blogging can be challenging. For some people, the challenges start at blog creation. Others have an easy time building their blog, but can’t seem to generate enough web traffic or sales.

That’s why I wrote the “Small Business Blogging Blueprint,” a 68-page e-book with six tutorial videos to help small business owners create and manage a successful blog. (The PDF above is from page 10, “How Blogging Can Benefit Your Business.”)

The book started out as a free PDF for my customers, but I kept thinking of new topics to cover and challenges I wanted to address. I also created a seven-page blogging workbook to help people set blogging goals and track their progress, because I wish I had one when I started blogging.

Not just for people who are considering starting a blog, the book also offers a bullet list of solutions to common blogging problems, like not having enough time to write new posts. If you find yourself in this situation, it may be helpful to ask the following questions:

Is this a phase? All business owners have busy times. That’s why it’s so important to have several blog posts written in advance. If you don’t see yourself having more time in the future, however, you need to either outsource the blog content or end the blog completely.

Am I budgeting my time wisely? The next time you create a blog post, pay attention to the time it takes to brainstorm the idea, write the content and load the post onto your site. Then see if you can delegate any of the tasks, or shave some time off the process.

Where does this blog fit into my priorities? As a business owner, you have a lot of responsibilities. If your blog isn’t one of your priorities, you’re not going to find time to do it. If blogging is a priority for you, you can always outsource the content. Remember that outsourcing doesn’t mean handing the entire blog over to someone else — you may just need someone to write one or two posts a month. (Check out Chapter Two, Do It Yourself Or Outsource?, for more details.)

Is it time to quit? Only you can answer this question. I do encourage you not to quit too soon — blogging is one marketing tool that pays off over time. If you’re still thinking about quitting, however, this case study from ProBlogger may shed some light on the situation.

Here's how to enter to the e-book giveaway!
What’s your biggest blogging challenge? (If you haven’t started a blog yet, perhaps it’s just finding the right point to dive in!) Leave a comment below with your answer, and you’ll be entered to win a free copy of the “Small Business Blogging Blueprint.” I’ll pick a winner at random on Wednesday, October 21, 2009. [Ed. note: please make this easy on Kelly and me by including your email address or a link to somewhere we can easily find it!]

If your name is chosen and you’ve already purchased “Blogging Blueprint,” you’ll receive a full refund of the purchase price. So if you’re eager to check out the e-book but you still want to enter the giveaway, go ahead! Even if you don’t win, you’ll still get a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Kelly Watson is a marketing consultant who specializes in marketing to women. She recently launched the e-book “Small Business Blogging Blueprint,” available for sale on her website Womenwise Marketing along with a blog, podcast and other resources for women in business.

Open Thread: What Happens When You Mess Up?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:43:00 +0000

Last week, a reader requested an open thread about what happens when you mess up royally. I've already shared my experience with copy errors, but sometimes other stuff happens. Computers die. Voice recorders malfunction. Paper files get lost. Emails get sent to the wrong person.

Hopefully you're backing up your data and double checking the email address before you hit send, but like I said, happens. And when it does, it's usually best to take a deep breath and own up to it. Don't wait until deadline day, hoping maybe your computer might magically repair itself or that file you need will resurface.

Once you've confirmed that you have a problem, call your editor/source/client and offer up a solution ASAP. "My voice recorder malfunctioned but I'm available tomorrow if you're willing to offer me another interview." "Just wanted to you know that the original file is gone, but I'm borrowing a computer so I can recreate it." I know, easier said than done sometimes.

Have you had to handle a crisis? What did you do?

What Would Your Copy Wear?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:32:00 +0000

A few months ago, my brother asked for help proofreading cover letters. He was applying for jobs at several advertising agencies and wanted another set of eyes (he also knew I'd do it pro bono, which is a major plus for a soon-to-be graduating college senior). Honestly, there weren't many typos or grammar issues to point out.

But the words and sentence structure didn't feel right to me.

"Your tie is way too tight!" I told him. "Loosen up the collar and roll up those sleeves. You're a fun guy with lots of great ideas, but this sounds stuffy and formal."

He was writing as if he were wearing a scratchy wool suit and really ugly shoes (possibly a size or two too small). But the agencies where he was applying were the kinds of places where you could get away with wearing a vintage blazer and Steve Madden shoes. They didn't want corporate clones. (And fortunately for him, he's actually the kind of guy who looks great in a tweed blazer.)

In his defense, a lot of people slip into their "stuffy, soulless corporate" voice when they write cover letters for jobs, but mine are bursting with personality (the ones I wrote while applying for full times jobs and the ones I use to apply for freelance gigs now). I think that's the way to go, especially if you're in a creative industry like writing or advertising. We went through a few more drafts and eventually found a good balance. He scored a killer job in DC doing social media and now he has former classmates come to him for job advice.

But this exercise isn't just for cover letters. Anytime you get stuck on a project or aren't sure what voice to use, ask yourself this simple question: "what would this copy wear?"

If your answer is lululemon yoga pants and a tank top, then your copy should read differently than if it's argyle socks and a lederhosen. (And if you're writing about clothes, then answer is pretty obvious!) Picture your copy persona and write in that character's voice. Often we do this for our readers or target demographic, but we don't think as much about who's speaking and how they relate to readers.

So, what would your copy wear? And what other tricks do you use to think about your writing style?

Flickr photo courtesy of ncyg46

5 Tips for Handling a Crisis of Confidence

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:11:00 +0000

Earlier this week, I started a new project that was a bit of a stretch for me stylistically. For a few moments, I even wondered if I could pull it off.

As freelancers, our confidence is essential. If we don't believe in our abilities, then why should anyone else? Still, I know that many of us struggle with this from time to time, especially when we're tackling something new.

Here are five ways to handle a crisis of confidence.

1. Reread testimonials. Keep an email folder with praise from clients, editors, or readers, and refer back to it when you need a boost. You can also do this with the testimonials on your website or recommendations on LinkedIn.

2. Read for inspiration. I keep a stash of magazines and marketing materials for when I'm feeling low on inspiration. Sometimes reading great copy helps wake up my own muse!

3. Phone a friend. Ideally, you'd talk to a fellow freelancer who can attest to the fact that confidence issues are completely normal. But even if you call or email someone who doesn't know how freelancing works, at least they can remind you of your successes and what a kick-@$$ person you are.

4. Get some distance. Sometimes if you're really stuck, the best thing to do is step away (assuming your deadline allows for that). Last night I took a break from copywriting to make dinner and as soon as my food was in the oven, I sat down to pound out more copy. It totally worked!

5. Power through. If you're on deadline, then you may not have the luxury of calling a friend or reading other work for inspiration. If that's the case, then set a mini goal for yourself (say, two paragraphs or 400 words) and keep plugging along until you reach that goal. Then set another goal until you've worked through the entire document.

Oh, and that project I mentioned above? The client just approved the first round of copy this morning, so now I'm on to the next assignment.

What about you? Have you ever suffered a crisis of confidence? How did you handle it?

Flickr photo courtesy of Phoney Nickle

Open Thread: When Do You Do Your Best Work?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:10:00 +0000

Even though I've been freelancing full time for over a year now, I'm still figuring out what works for me in terms of scheduling. I thrive on to-do lists, yet I prefer not to create too rigid a schedule for my day. Inevitably, the phone rings with a new client or I get an email requesting last-minute rewrites or I find a fascinating article and decide to blog about it. I like to keep things flexible so that I can follow unexpected tangents without feeling guilty.

As long as I get through my to-do list, I don't worry too much about the order of tasks or if I spend two hours on something as opposed to three. Some days I jump out of bed and crank out an 800-word article before breakfast. Other times I find myself burning the midnight oil because I suddenly feel inspired. I'd love to be able to say "My best work happens between 10am and 2pm" or "I'm a night owl, so I feel most inspired after midnight" but I haven't found much rhyme or reason to how my work unfolds. I'm just glad it all gets done!

What about you? Have you noticed a pattern to when you're most productive? What's your best time of day?

The Writing Instructor's Toolkit

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:06:00 +0000

I'm in the midst of teaching another session of freelance writing at Boston Center for Adult Education, and I've been compiling a mental list of all the items I need to bring to class. Rather keeping it in my head (where I am apt to forget something), I thought I'd share it here:

1. Extra copies of handouts: Usually my handouts are waiting for me on the first day of class, but I always bring extras in case there's a mix-up and I need to photocopy them in a hurry.

2. Extra writing exercises/discussion points: Every class is different. Sometimes they ask a ton of questions so that I barely get through the topics I'd outlined beforehand, and other times I feel like Ben Stiller's character in Ferris Bueller's Day Off ("Ferris? Ferris...?"). That's why I always try to bring more material than I think I'll need. Just in case.

3. Water bottle: Water is a must when you're talking for almost two hours straight. Then again, I don't want to drink so much that I need a bathroom break before the midpoint of class.

4. A watch: Ever since I read The Time Paradox, I have chosen not to wear a watch so I can focus more on the present rather than stressing about time (still, I'm seldom late because I can look at my BlackBerry or the clock on my computer). But depending on which classroom I'm assigned to, it's hard to know if I'll have an easy view of a clock. And I don't want my students to see me constantly checking my BlackBerry. Bringing a watch ensures that I start and end class on time.

5. Pens: Despite the image above, I don't actually use a chalkboard. Instead, I try to get to class a few minutes early and double-check that the room has dry erase markers with plenty of ink. So far I haven't had much trouble with this, but I'd bring my own if I needed to. I also bring a few extra regular pens so I can jot down notes on paper when students bring up topics I'd like to explore in more depth later on.

OK, class, what am I missing? If you've taught (writing or another topic), is there anything you'd add to this list?

Twyla Tharp and the Creative Habit

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:02:00 +0000

"Without passion, all the skill in the world won't lift you above craft. Without skill, all the passion in the world will leave you eager but floundering." ~Twyla Tharp, The Creative Habit

Earlier this week, I finished reading The Creative Habit: Learn It And Use It For Life by Twyla Tharp (hat tip to Lauren for the recommendation). Like Lauren, I'm not big on super-abstract theories about creating art. I'm much more practical than that. My approach is to do, not to pontificate about doing.

But The Creative Habit really got me thinking about the creative process.

Tharp says that the brilliant artists, writers, musicians, etc. are the ones who work their butts off, not necessarily the ones who are the most naturally gifted. And by making creativity a consistent habit, they achieve brilliance. But wait! Habits can become dull and repetitive, so the famed choreographer suggests ways to prevent creative ruts. For instance, she challenges herself by following a large-scale ballet with a modern dance commission for two dancers. Having different parameters each time keeps her on her toes (literally and figuratively), just like working with different writing clients keeps me from getting bored.

There's a beautiful lyricism and rhythm to The Creative Habit, and it made me wonder if Tharp hired a ghostwriter to collaborate with. Either way, she certainly understands the challenges of the creative life, and I'd recommend The Creative Habit to any writer, dancer, composer, musician, or other artistic type.

What about you? What books or other tools fuel your creative process?

Open Thread: What Groups Are Worth Their Dues?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 13:11:00 +0000

Apologies for not posting earlier this week. I felt sick, so I opted to focus on sleep and urgent client work. I should have some drafts saved for situations like this, but... I didn't. Lesson learned.

Before I got sick, I submitted my application to join the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA). When I first started freelancing, it seemed like all the "cool kids" were ASJA members and recently it occurred to me that I have enough clips now to qualify for membership. *fingers crossed*

While I'm waiting to hear from the application committee, I thought I'd open the floor to discuss writers' organizations and other freelance groups. I'm already a member of Freelance Success (FLX), and I've found some great gigs through FLX's forums and weekly newsletters. The $99 annual fee is nothing compared to the fantastic interactions I have with members both online and at the FLX conferences (some members are also editors, which is rather convenient).

What about you? Are you a member of any freelance organizations like ASJA or FLX? Which one(s) are worthwhile and which one(s) should we avoid?

Guest Post: 5 Commonly Misused Words and Phrases in Writing

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:02:00 +0000

By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

The sentence, “Irregardless of the weather, we are bbq-ing tonight so take the beef out of the freezer so it can unthaw,” is one of my pet peeves – and it’s not just because I’m a vegetarian (flexitarian, really). Unthaw is not a real word, and neither is irregardless. When I see those, I go “Grrrr!!!” (which may or may not be a real word).

I taught Grade 8 Language Arts for three years, and am always amazed that the writing mistakes my students made are same mistakes I see adults make in business correspondence – or even published articles! It’s not because we’re dense; it’s because good writing takes practice. And, to learn something we have to be exposed to it regularly – and even when we have it down pat we still need to keep practicing.

These commonly misused words and phrases may just reinforce what you already know…or they may open up a whole new world of good writing…

“Could of” – When you say “She could’ve taken the beef out of the freezer”, it sounds like “could of.” However, the correct form is “could have.”

“Same exact thing” – If you’re writing tightly (and you should be!), avoid words that mean the exact same thing! Simply writing “the same” should do the trick – depending on context, of course. If your character is a teenager who is emphasizing what her frenemy wore to school, maybe you do want to say “She wore the same exact hat as I” (not me!).

“Peak/pique/peek” – “After eating my thawed beef, I peeked out of the window at the mountain peak, which piqued my interest in geological rock formations.” That works – but some writers don’t pay enough attention to the peak/pique/peek distinction.

“Out of the window” – in my above example about peeking out the window, I say “out of.” To clean up your writing, nix extra phrases like that. Redundant – even if you’re getting paid by the word!

“Affect/Effect” – I’ve never had a problem mixing up these two – I must’ve had a great English teacher! However, just this week I received a business email that misused “affective” (eg, “she was an affective teacher”). The next time you debate affect versus effect, remember that affect is emotion and effect is a result.

It’s your turn, fellow scribes: what are some of your word and phrase “pet peeves”? I welcome your thoughts and rants below!

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger who created and maintains a series of Quips and Tips blogs: Quips and Tips for Successful Writers, Quips and Tips for Achieving Your Goals, and Quips and Tips for Couples Coping With Infertility. She's also the Feature Writer for Psychology Suite101.

PS for more on this topic, check out my companion post over at Quips and Tips for Successful Writers: 5 Over-Used Words and Phrases for Writers to Avoid.

Open Thread: What Are You Working On?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:29:00 +0000

It's always interesting to talk to other freelancers and see what they're working on. There's usually a good mix of projects, some of which I'd never even thought of! And in this case, it will be useful for me to know what readers are working on so I can tailor blog posts to their interests.

I just finished up a project writing descriptions of home décor items. I'm also working on website copy for a law firm, a couple of assigned blog posts, and descriptions for a toy catalogue. I should be working on new queries and the ebook project I started a month ago, but somehow the paying projects with client deadlines seem to get in the way.

What about you? What's on your to-do list and what have you been meaning to write about but haven't?

Top 10 Blogs for Writers Announced!

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:21:00 +0000

I'm excited to announce that for the second year in a row, this blog was named to the Top 10 Blogs for Writers! Last year, I snagged the #10 spot, and this year The Urban Muse jumped up to #7. Community involvement is one of several factors considersed, so thanks to everyone who has commented and played a role in this blog's growth.

This is a fantastic roundup of blogs, so I hope you'll check out the full list:

1. Copyblogger
2. Men With Pens
3. Write to Done
4. Editor Unleashed
5. Freelance Writing Jobs
6. Confident Writing
7. The Urban Muse
8. WordCount
9. The Adventurous Writer
10. Fuel Your Writing

And if you're just joining us, you can read some of The Urban Muse's most popular posts and sign up for The Urban Museletter. Congrats to all the winners and nominees!

5 Q's with Julia Scott of The Bargain Babe

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:25:00 +0000

Earlier this month, I interviewed Julia Scott, the blogger and CEO behind Bargain Babe, for a website assignment. Julia left her full time journalism job and launched Bargain Babe in January. In less than a year, her blog has gotten buzz from The Los Angeles Times, Reader's Digest, and countless other publications. She's also managed to make it profitable! Since that's a goal for many bloggers, I'm including excerpts from our interview, including some of Julia's tips on blogging ethics, earning money from a blog, and more.

Urban Muse: What methods do you use to monetize your blog?

Julia: My main sources of revenue are advertising, syndication, and freelance work. What has worked for me was at first I focused on increasing the profile of my blog. That means building really good SEO. The way you build SEO is by getting people to link to you and linking back to them. They calculate your ranking based on how many people are linking to you. Your content must be good and it must be valuable.

A lot of networking online is just like you would network in person. Ask people, "would you consider linking to me?" It does take a lot of time. I spent a lot of time doing that, but it's incredibly important. You can also network with people online through Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. I recommend focusing on one or two channels rather than trying to be everywhere at once. Reserve your username even if those sites aren't active.

It's about inserting yourself into the community. It's kind of scary to think about how blogs there are, but the vast majority are not active. Introduce yourself. Show up to the party. Be friendly and out-going...

UM: What do you use to quantify your blog's value and entice advertisers?

J: I recommend PRchecker.info. You can type in any URL, check yours, your competitors, and other sites you admire. Page rank on a scale of 0 to 10.

Having a good page rank is crucial to getting advertisers. Google Adsense is your first step but never your last step. Do not rely on it for significant revenue. Everybody knows about it. It's a very broad ad network. The more targeted the ad is, the higher the ad rate you're likely to get. Ad rates on Adsense are low because they aren't sure who they're reaching. What's even better is finding an ad network that is specific to your community. You're more likely to make money off of advertising if you seek out an ad network in your community. It's smart to seek out better paying ad networks.

Affiliate programs are also important. That's a way people can make money off their sites. Two main programs are CommissionJunction.com and LinkShare.com. That can be really valuable around the holidays, so it's a lot about shopping and coupons. My blog has this natural commercial element. But a friend of mine writes a science blog, and he makes 50% of his income just by recommending products. So, don't write off affiliate programs even if you're not an overtly commercial blog.

UM: What about transparency? Should you tell blog readers you're part of an affiliate or advertising program?

J: I'm a huge proponent of transparency, so I let readers know what is paid content. As someone who has gone from being editorial and advertising, I can tell you that transparency will save you. A lot of times it's not actually clear what is paid content. On blogs, you have a responsibility to be clear. On my About page, I have an ethics policy. When I do run paid content, I let people know. Basically, I'm following the NPR model. They have a "shop NPR" tab.

UM: What tips would you give to new bloggers?

J: One thing I think is really important is to think about what your goals are. Not that you have to figure it out immediately. But if your goal is to become the next TMZ then you'll do things differently than if your goal is to use it as a scratchpad. If you are going to make this into a professional venture, think how am I going to do that? What can I do to get publicity? What are my readers interested in? What makes your site essential to readers? Ask yourself what are the actions you want your readers to take? Do you want them to buy your book? You've got to have things for them to buy? Do you want your readers to spend 30 minutes on your site?

If you don't know, then just start. People have this idea that because it's a blog that it's public and everybody's gonna know about it instantly. In a vast majority of cases, nobody is reading. Generally, nobody is gonna find your blog [until you promote it]. You also need to narrow down your topic so you can grab that niche audience. If you're broad or too specific you won't interest people.

UM: Anything you'd like to add?

J: The one thing I would add is going back to revenue through syndicating my content. I resell the content on my blog to traditional publishers including the New Jersey Star Ledger. You can resell your content if you're adhereing to traditional journalism standards and your information is practical and useful and in demand. You might consider approaching a traditional syndication company or syndicating posts yourself.

Thanks so much, Julia!

To read more from Julia Scott or sign up for her email updates, check out Bargain Babe.

Writing Lessons from Charlotte's Web

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:32:00 +0000

As I watched the 2006 remake of Charlotte's Web earlier this week, it occurred to me that Charlotte is not only a spider but also a talented copywriter. I mean, her words saved Wilbur from the slaughterhouse! How's that for impact? Here, some of Charlotte's lessons for writers.

Pithiness has power. Phrases like "Terrific" and "Some Pig" created a stir, because they were short and upbeat (plus, they fit the allotted space). A carefully constructed fragment can be effective.

But it has to be true. The other animals try to pressure Charlotte into using empty superlatives, but she insists that whatever she writes in the web has be to true. And she's right. Meaningless puffery doesn't pay off in the end, so it's best to make sure that your copy is grounded in reality.

Everyone's contribution counts. Charlotte knows she needs help brainstorming, so she enlists the other barnyard animals. They even convince Templeton the Rat to bring back scraps of packaging for inspiration. Sometimes creativity comes from unexpected sources.

You're only as good as your last project. Each time Charlotte completes a web, she has to worry about how to top it so that Wilbur won't get sold for meat. Good copywriters know that excellence is an ongoing process, and for Charlotte and Wilbur the stakes are high.

Have you learned a writing lesson from an unlikely place? Can you think of other children's books or movies that speak to this topic?

Flickr photo courtesy of missy & the universe

Open Thread: How Do You Balance Marketing & Writing?

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:05:00 +0000

Balancing marketing time with writing time is one the biggest challenges we face as freelance writers. When I began my full time freelancing career, I sometimes spent just as much time drumming up work as actually doing the work. Now that I have several ongoing projects that take up a big chunk of time, I devote less time to marketing, though I do try to spend at least a half hour each morning sending letters of introduction, following up on queries, or applying to gigs posted online. I'd love to spend more time reaching out to new clients, but I'm already very busy as is it, so I'm not sure I could handle much more.

Erik Sherman recently posted about the difference between a freelance writing business and freelance writing. He asserts that writers who either don't know or don't want to spend time on the business side of freelancing (especially marketing) are willing to work for writer mills, because then they don't have to market themselves. I'm hoping that most of you don't fall into this category of writers, so I'm interested in how much time you spend marketing vs. writing.

Do you set aside a designated time each day or each week for marketing? What percentage of time do you spend on marketing each month? And do you think you need to spend more or less time on it?

Book Release: PS What I Didn't Say

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

The book's official release date is October 1, but Amazon is already shipping copies of PS What I Didn't Say: Unsent Letters to Our Female Friends. (My copies arrived on Friday, and I almost hugged the mailman, I was that excited!) This Seal Press anthology includes 36 letters from female authors. Some are hilarious, some are heart-breaking, but all are awesome (trust me on this). My letter to my estranged former roommate starts on page 217, but you can read an excerpt on the book's blog.

I'm really jazzed to be included in this book alongside such fabulous female writers as Michelle Goodman and Jacquelyn Mitchard (view the complete list of contributors for more info). And if that doesn't convince you to buy the book, then surely this book trailer created by our fearless editor Megan will seal the deal.

Balancing Heart and Heartache

SusanEJohnston@gmail.com (Susan Johnston) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:04:00 +0000

At one point this summer, I lamented to my then boyfriend that I was getting frustrated with writing articles and felt tempted to focus entirely on copywriting. I'd had a long string of sources cancel or reschedule interviews at the last minute, which meant I had to scramble to meet my deadline (I always meet my deadlines, come hell or high water). Not to mention all those unanswered queries.

"I love interviewing people and telling their stories, but who needs all these headaches?" I said.

His response was the exact opposite of what I'd expected. In my mind, any sane person would choose the option that has fewer headaches and higher pay. But he told me that I'd be letting myself down if I didn't keep plugging away at articles. The copywriting process might be simpler in most cases and the pay higher, but he hated the idea of me completely "selling out."

Sure, I enjoy writing brochures and website copy and press releases, but copywriters generally have less of a personal stake in those projects. We don't get a byline, so it's easier to distance ourselves from our copy. That makes revisions a lot easier to stomach, but it also means we don't feel a sense of ownership or personal pride in the finished product.

I get practically giddy when I see my name in print, especially when it's a story I relate to on a personal level. There's a sense of accomplishment when I finish a copywriting project and it meets all of the client's parameters, but it's filtered through the voice of the brand, not my voice. (Still, I disagree with the idea that it's "selling out."It's still writing, and writing is a carefully honed craft.)

Much as I hate to admit it, he was right (partly). After a few months of mostly copywriting and a few article assignments trickling in, I'm working on establishing a better balance between the two areas. I've thought a lot about choosing direction and focusing all my efforts there, but ultimately I decided that I'm fortunate simply to be writing full time. I let the higher paying projects subsidize the low paying, highly interesting ones so I get a mix of topics and formats. In the end, I just love language.

Have you ever felt pulled in two (or more) directions by your writing? How do you balance creativity and commerce?

Flickr photo by Eric M Martin