From Bunny Slippers to Business Plans
Hey there y’all! For those of you who are regular readers, you’ve already read my post on how to bring in new work without lifting a finger. But check it! BlogHer was kind enough to syndicate my blog post!
For those of you coming here from BlogHer, welcome! I hope you have fun digging around my archives and, please, by all means, stay awhile. We love having new people to hang with. 😉
I’ll admit it. Most days, you have to pry me away from the computer screen with a crowbar. I flourish before its dull glow, pretending bravery with every word I type. It’s my safe space. It’s my livelihood. It’s my everything.
People terrify me. It’s why I became a writer. It’s the best way I know of to connect.
But writing can also push you out there. Take you out of your comfort zone. Give you the opportunity to try new things. And — conveniently — this is where the best writing comes from.
This past weekend was more action-packed than it’s been in awhile. In fact, it’s probably the most I’ve been away from a computer screen in eons. It wasn’t my fault, though! I blame the writing.
While it would be really groovy to have my own editorial intern, I don’t know that I would even know what to do with one. I have a hard time letting go of my work (being the perfectionist control freak that I am), and have always sucked at delegating.
Yet somehow, I ended up as the intern coordinator at YourTango.
On the one hand, it’s overwhelming: the posting of job ads, the weeding through of application letters, the interviews, the hiring, the training, and the managing…
On the other hand, it sort of reminds me of coaching. I get the chance to talk to those just starting out about their goals and dreams, and then I try to build an internship experience for them that will help them achieve that.
p.s. I’ve been told that I’m fabulous to work with.
So if you’re looking for experience at a web magazine, or looking to build up your portfolio (or both!), check out the editorial intern ad after the jump… or pass this post along to all you friends!
Why have I embraced writing so fully? Perhaps because I’m just better in writing. And because I have major social anxiety. And I’m an introvert with reclusive tendencies. And I have a history of passing out in front of large groups of people.
Seriously. During one book presentation in high school, I literally saw my world go gray. And during a choir rehearsal, I full-on passed out. I had been standing on the second level of a set of risers and, when my head hit the floor (just narrowly missing the corner of the piano), my choir director actually thought the risers were collapsing!
So when my senior editor at YourTango asked if I would be interested in reading at their lit crawl event this year, I was equal parts excited and balls-out horrified.
Several months ago,  I asked for your burning, publishing-related questions. In response, Alisa Bowman — a fellow blogger — mentioned that she was constantly being asked how to prove credibility and experience when just starting out:
“You need experience and contacts in order to get assignments and jobs, but how do you do that when you are right out of school?”
It’s a good question, especially considering that — when at a loss for how to move forward — many college grads consider just staying in school and pursuing a graduate degree.
I’m of the mind, however, that getting your Masters degree isn’t a necessity. Rather, I think it’s better to dive right in, instead of spending countless hours (and dollars) in a classroom environment.
So how do you prove your credibility when you don’t have a lick of experience?
It’s been a bit quiet here at Freelancedom, aside from the occasional service piece, and a handful of biz-related announcements. Why? I’ve been preparing for my 5 Weeks to Freelance Awesome e-course: pitching guest posts, drawing up the lesson plans, building up the platform. I’m on the home stretch with an e-book I’ve been working on with Ian Kerner since last year. I’ve been looking at houses and trying to make babies. And dude. I have been all over this here Internet.
If you’ve been dying for a fix of Steph Auteri awesomeness (and of course you have), here are a few new places where you can get it.
Last week, I ran a contest here at Freelancedom, in which I asked you guys to share your number one freelance roadblock in order to be entered for the chance to win a free spot in my upcoming e-course: 5 Weeks To Freelance Awesome. The variety of responses I received made me even more excited for the course, and not because I sadistically enjoy watching others struggle. Rather, it quickly became obvious to me how much we could all learn and benefit from each other’s experiences, and I couldn’t wait to help each and every one of you.
I chose a contest winner at random over the weekend (congrats Susan!), but I wanted to remind you that, through August 17, you still have the chance to enroll at a deeply discounted price. After that, it’s back to regular price. Feel free to e-mail me with any questions you have about the schedule, platform, pricing, etc.
I hope to see many of you in my virtual classroom this fall. We have so much to talk about!
I recently watched a video by very talented lady Marie Forleo, in which she touted the importance of marketing above all other things — even more important than product.
Say what?
Come on. It makes perfect sense. As Forleo pointed out, you can have the most high-quality product in the world but, unless people know about it, your business is sunk.
Many of us dread marketing as a necessary evil. I know I did. I wanted nothing more than to just practice my art. But recently, I found myself in the middle of some great brainstorming sessions, and I also had a blast writing up my marketing plan. And now? I’m eager to finally put that plan into action.
Have you written up a marketing plan yet? Why not!? Even if you’re not launching a fancy-pants career coaching practice or consulting business, your freelance business could still benefit. And it’s not scary at all! I swear!
Here. I’ll walk you through it.
Earlier this week, I sent out the very first edition of Word Nerd News (note: I’ve finally added a sign-up form to the Freelancedom sidebar —–>). It was a lot of fun to put together, and I was way excited to send it out, but what was even more exciting was what was inside.
Because — aside from the career advice, the great resources, and the must-click links (seriously, you should sign up) — I had a pretty exciting announcement to make.
This is for those of you who read Freelancedom regularly, but are hungry for more. It’s for those of you who feel you should be pitching more, but don’t know where to start. It’s also for those of you who agonize over your query letters to the point where you’re afraid to send them out. Befuddled by writing contracts? Click through. Want to make your content more palatable for the web? Yeah. You should totally click through. Finally, this is for those of you who don’t feel ready to commit to a coaching relationship, or who don’t need heavy, in-depth coaching, but would benefit from some solid, freelance writing advice. Really. I got your back here.
Audacia Ray, sittin' pretty beneath her red umbrella. God how I covet those tattoo sleeves.
Dear readers: I know you come here because I know everything about freelancing ever, and because you love my pretty pretty smile. But every once in awhile, I like to give you the chance to soak up someone else’s wisdom.
To that end, I’m super-duper-excited to introduce Audacia Ray, a prolific media maker and advocate who’s has been an inspiration to me since I started in the sex writing biz almost 10 years ago.
I first met Audacia when she was leading a Safer Sex for Sluts workshop at Sexy Spirits in Manhattan. I began reading her blog soon after, tracking her career as she spread sex positivity through books, magazines, movies, and more. For a short time, I volunteered at $pread, the magazine by and for sex workers that she was the executive editor for. Later on, I did a write-up for New York Press when Audacia had a launch party for The Bi Apple, her porn directorial debut. And I read and loved her book Naked on the Internet: Hookups, Downloads, and Cashing in on Internet Sexploration.
Talk about diversifying! (Can you see why I so love and admire this woman?) Nowadays, Audacia is the Program Officer for Online Communications and Campaigns at the International Women’s Health Coalition, and the co-founder of advocacy organization Sex Work Awareness. Audacia also hosts a monthly storytelling series, The Red Umbrella Diaries, where people who have worked in the sex trade gather to share stories and document their experiences. Their latest live event is this coming Thursday, August 5, and you should probably go. (Even better, you should go with me.)
So what can you learn about freelancing from Audacia?
