Freelance writing – pitfalls and positives
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Freelance writing
Stilus has been flooded with requests over the past few weeks. Can we write a bid for the dentist industry? What would it cost to produce ten articles on cheap housing in New York? Do we have capacity to produce the content for a website in three days? It’s fantastic getting queries in from clients, and I like quoting for the material and looking in to the subject to see what I can learn as I wait for the prospect to land so I can get started.
The plight of the uptight proofer
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I bought Florence a new toy yesterday. It’s a V-Tech talking teddy with flashing lights, buttons and a smiley face. It’s called Alfie, I think, which is odd because it has a female voice when it sings and speaks. I spent a good half hour playing with it before handing it over to Floss, who proceeded to try and eat it. So far, so good.
I turned my attention to the packaging, and started to laugh. The box revealed the various benefits which Alfie would bring to Floss, including a UK speaking voice, improvement of hand-eye coordination, and language development. Under the paragraph which detailed how great language development would take place, there was a spelling error. It promised ‘sustianable language development’.
Presenting with confidence
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This post has been sent through by talented communicator Andy Bounds. You can find out more about Andy and his work by visiting www.andybounds.com.
According to various pieces of research, making presentations is one of people’s greatest fears. If this sounds like you, here are some ideas to help boost your confidence…
Should we have to study poetry?
By · CommentsShould we have to study poetry? Justin Raymond guest posts on the best way to enjoy art…
Yesterday I found myself discussing poetry with a friend, secretly hoping she might volunteer to take a look at some of my recent work and provide a little feedback (always dangerous with friends, though, unless you know them well, because they tend to be more polite than honest). “I don’t read poetry,” she said. “I don’t understand it, it has so many levels, so many hidden meanings.” I was about to agree with her, until she added, “I don’t know what I’m supposed to think.” Hmm, I’m not so sure about that last point, but then again…
Giving yourself permission
By · CommentsI had another blinding conversation with my business mentor/partner last week. I was speaking to him about how I had blown out a couple of ‘friends’ since Florence was born, and how I felt bad – my hands were shaking as I told an old friend that I would rather she didn’t contact me this afternoon. There were a number of reasons behind my decision, all of which came down to the same few reason – I gained nothing from my friendship with her, while I gave a lot.
How to work smarter, not harder
By · CommentsLast week, I reached a milestone in my business. I realised for the first time that I didn’t have to be constantly stressed, tired and frazzled. I saw the proverbial light after a sound talking to by a colleague. Let me tell you the story…
As you know, (baby bore that I am) my daughter is over four months old and doing great. I get a load of support from family when it comes to whisking her off for a few days in the week so I can focus on Stilus, and I’m probably the luckiest person in the world to have people around who will help out when I’m at my wits’ end. Floss is the most placid and smiley baby I’ve ever met, which is also darned lucky, and things could have been much tougher for P and I as new parents.
Seize the day!
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Hello Stilus Blog readers, my name is Andrew Joy, and Jen has very kindly offered me the chance to do some writing with her so you’re reading my first piece on Stilus. Like most regular bloggers I like to write whatever is the forefront of my mind. Whether it is through daily routines, work, fun, hobbies, annoyances, people or generally what’s going on in my world.
For the past few days, what’s been going on in my world has been what to write for this blog. Jen is a very talented writer, this is a great chance for me to learn some new skills and I want to make a good impression.
