Archive for March, 2010
Hey Porter! — March Roundup
March is over? Madness! In case you missed any of the fun here at Hey Porter!, I DVR’d the whole thing…
Great Quote Monday — Winston Churchill
To get the full effect of this quote, you really need to read it out loud with a British accent.
Failed Dr. Seuss Book Titles
Why do things like this make me laugh? Because in my brain I will always be 14 years old.
In Praise Of Steve Martin
Want to read a really long, embarrassingly gushy article on why Steve Martin rocks? Give this one a tumble.
Great Quote Monday — T.E. Lawrence
‘Dreamers of the day…’ That’s just good stuff.
Matthew Maxim #32
Another installment in an occasional series…
Found Comedy — Reebok Jump Rope
Now you can LOL while you JUAD.
Great Quote Monday — William Shakespeare
Dude, what’s the preoccupation with Great Quote Monday quotes from En-guh-land this month?
The Drunken Leprechaun’s Ode To Beer
A delightful single-malt comedy bit, aged 10 years.
Social Experiment: How Can I Help You? Seriously.
Wow, did this article ever set something off…
Great Quote Monday — Zig Ziglar
If this quote doesn’t set you on fire, then your wood is wet.
Bonus Quote — P.J. O’Rourke
Is P.J. O’Rourke a (A) commentator, (B) author, (C) prophet, or (D) all of the above?
How Can I Help You? — Part II
Matthew Maxim — Update!
How do you like that? I know what I’m talking about. Mathematically speaking, it was bound to happen eventually.
Great Quote Monday — Albert Einstein
Was Albert Einstein an agnostic? Maybe. But when you talk about Beauty and Mystery, only one person comes to mind for me (hint: first name ‘Almighty’, last name: ‘God’).
How To Become A Freelance Writer — Part 1: Find Your Niche
Twelve years of freelance writing experience boiled down to five how-to’s…
How To Become A Freelance Writer — Part 2: Creating Writing Samples
A blog website showcasing writing samples? That’ll never work…
How To Become A Freelance Writer — Part 3: Sell, Sell, Sell
A-B-C, baby; always be closing.
- Matthew Porter
How To Become A Freelance Writer — Part 3: Sell, Sell, Sell
We’re in the middle of our week-long series on ‘How To Become A Freelance Writer’. Yesterday we discussed how to create and showcase writing samples. Today…
Sell, Sell, Sell
If you want to become a freelance writer, you must also be a salesperson. Your product? You. And the great news? You’re the exclusive purveyor of this product. You have a corner on the market!
You’ll find writing gigs through three general means:
Cold-calling
Whether it’s a literal phone call or a letter of inquiry pitching an article, this scenario involves you reaching out to a total stranger (who is not actively looking for you), making the pitch, creating interest, and closing the deal.
Online
I’ve found some amazing writing gigs through online research. I’ve also encountered scores of flaky would-be producers, entrepreneurs flush with optimism but not capital, and delusional artists who think they should get paid while I– and everyone else involved– should ‘do it for the love.’ Folks who make the Star Wars cantina scene look like the cast of America’s Next Top Model.
Here’s my personal scorecard:
- Craigslist (A-) Yes, Craigslist is a flake magnet. It’s also a uniquely useful website provided you’re prepared to sift through the detritus. To save you scads of time, create a unique CL search, then pop the results into an RSS reader. Huge timesaver. Need pointers on how to do this? Drop us a comment or hit me up directly.
- LinkedIn (A) A social networking site like Facebook, but geared exclusively toward the business realm, LinkedIn is a great way to build out your connections. Just keep in mind, it can only facilitate the connecting; leveraging these relationships is entirely up to you. Oh, and while you’re there, be sure to say ‘hi’.
- LinkUp (B+) A no-nonsense job search engine that focuses on jobs that are real and available, some of which are not listed elsewhere.
- Careerbuilder (D-) Unless you want an avalanche of spam for bogus job opportunities, avoid CareerBuilder.com.
Networking
Even in a tech-centric, on-demand world, nothing beats having a network of friends and associates keeping an eye out for you. With the advent of social networking and social marketing, this has become all the easier.
Let those in your sphere of influence know about your plans to become a freelance writer. Ask them specifically to let you know about writing opportunities they encounter. By the by, this is a perfect time to leverage the writing showcase website you recently created.
Oh, and remember the list you created, the (10) outlets related to the niche you’re passionate about? Haul that sucker out. We have work to do…
Make It Happen:
- Make a cold call (mail a letter of inquiry, pick up the phone and dial a publication, etc.)
– Check out current writing gig opportunities on Craigslist and LinkUp
– Set up an account on LinkedIn and make connections with people you’ve worked with. Don’t forget to link your LinkedIn account to your new blog website featuring your showcase writing pieces.
– Contact (10) friends and acquaintances. Let them know you’re going to become a freelance writer and ask them to let you know about writing opportunities they encounter.
Tomorrow, the Hey Porter! series on ‘How To Become A Freelance Writer’ continues with a two-part tip on how to make more money writing freelance with less effort. Don’t miss it!
- Matthew Porter
How To Become A Freelance Writer — Part 2: Creating Writing Samples
Part 2 of our week-long series on ‘How To Become A Freelance Writer’. Today…
Creating Writing Samples
If you’re asking someone to pay you to do something, their first (and very reasonable) statement will be ‘show me some samples of your work.’ Don’t have any samples showing off your chops as a freelance writer? Then you’re in trouble, Chester.
But chances are, if you want to become a freelance writer, you’ve probably already written a bit. Maybe even a lot. Mostly likely you wrote about something you’re passionate about (you did already find your niche, right?).
Cull through your existing work and find a few pieces that really shine. Then rewrite and edit them until they gleam. If pitching yourself as a freelance writer is a virtual job interview, then these writing pieces are your clothes: don’t tie a perfect tie only to leave your fly down.
Next, create a very basic website with your name, contact info, and your showcase writing pieces. Don’t have the money for a website? No worries. There are now a bevy of free resources for making this happen including WordPress, Tumblr, Blogger, etc.
Please hear me on this: if you found this article, you can create a blog-based website. This is not a cutting-edge thing anymore. It’s basic. It’s the buy-in. If you want to become a freelance writer, you must have an online presence. Period.
Make It Happen:
- Find and refine your best writing pieces.
- Create a basic blog website and populate it with your best work.
What do we do with this basic website and writing samples? We sell. ‘Sell?! But I thought I was going to become a freelance writer, not a salesperson.’ Tune in tomorrow to find out why the ‘selling’ is just important as the ‘telling’ AND discover how to do it effectively. See you then!
- Matthew Porter
How To Become A Freelance Writer — Part 1: Find Your Niche
If you’re reading this, you may have wondered to yourself ‘how can I become a freelance writer?’
The short answer: ‘Not without a lot of hard work.’
As to whether or not you should become a freelance writer, that’s another article for another day. On that subject, I will simply pose this question: ‘can you be fulfilled doing something other than writing freelance?’ If so, give it some serious thought.
Assuming you’ve discovered you must become a freelance writer, here’s how to get started…
Find Your Niche
The beautiful thing is, writing doesn’t just exist in a vacuum. It is an integral part of business and life in general everywhere. Therefore, whatever you’re already passionate about– whether crocheting or World of Warcraft– is a great entry point for your career as a freelance writer.
Before he became a bestselling novelist writing books that start with the word ‘The’, John Grisham was a lawyer and politician. So when he launched his writing career, what did his stories revolve around? Law and politics.
There’s a lot to be said for following your passions in life and all the more as you start out to become a freelance writer. If you can talk about a subject ad nauseum, chances are you could also write about it. So instead of getting rolled eyes at parties when you go on and on about Flemish needle lace or that your new ’resto druid for questing totally roxxorz,’ you could be getting paid.
Maybe.
Make It Happen:
Answer this question: what is your great passion? Once you’ve answered that, research and create a list of (10) outlets within that area of interest. Magazines, books, online… it’s all good.
Tomorrow, Part 2 of ‘How To Become A Freelance Writer’ wherein we’ll learn all about creating the writing samples that will get you gigs. See you then!
- Matthew Porter
Great Quote Monday — Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
Fantastic quote for you this morning in honor of Holy Week:
“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.”
- Albert Einstein in Mein Weltbild (1931)
- Matthew Porter
Matthew Maxim — Update!
A few weeks ago, I shared with you a maxim I’ve found to be true, useful, and readily applicable:
“I will take ‘no’ for answer; I won’t take ‘no answer’ for an answer.”
In that post, I cited a prospective Client who showed interest in hiring me as a creative consultant, but then went off the grid:
“(I had) a conversation with a successful business owner back in December. This CEO was interested in possibly hiring me as a creative consultant to help form and lead an in-house marketing team. I’ve consistently followed up with him this year and yet, no returned call.”
“Re: the CEO who needs creative help… still no response. I have a strong feeling his answer will eventually be a ‘no’ or ‘not right now.’ But what if it isn’t? What if he’s been too busy? What if– like a lot of people I eventually get in touch with– he says ‘thank you so much for your persistence. I’ve just been swamped lately’ ? What if I stop following up and in so doing– to use a metaphor from success guru Zig Ziglar– I stop pumping the handle just a few seconds before the water would have started flowing?”
Well, guess what? He called back.
In all, I’ve probably made at least thirty follow up calls, sometimes leaving a message with a secretary, sometimes leaving a voicemail. That’s why when I realized who was calling, I braced myself for something along the lines of ‘STOP CALLING ME!’
But instead of getting an earful, I got an offer.
So, how many follow-ups until you get a ‘yes’ (or at least an answer)? How many pumps until the water flows?
Maybe just one more.
- Matthew Porter
PS: I promised JK and everybody else an article this week on How To Become A Freelance Writer. However, I’m going to do even better: a comprehensive multi-part series I’ll publish throughout next week here at Hey Porter!. Don’t miss it!
How Can I Help You? — Part II
The cover of the 'Ten' album has always said 'we're in this together' to me...
Last week I asked you a question: ‘how can I help you?‘ And you answered.
A few responses…
JK wrote:
- “I am trying to figure out how to make a living at writing. Kind of tired of the whole tech thing. Perhaps you could help point me in the right direction?”
Anonymous wrote:
- “What you could do for me is hold positive thoughts for strength for myself and my family, and the health of my family.”
AP wrote:
- “…since you asked, I would like to increase my income within the career of software implementations or training. I am currently working in the banking software arena.”
So, let me first briefly address each of the above…
JK, you wrote that you’re trying to figure out how to make a living at writing. You and me both. I don’t think that writing professionally for twelve years necessarily makes me an expert on this. However, I’ll be happy to put together some suggestions which I’ll post here later this week.
Anonymous, I know you went into a lot of detail in your e-mail about the physical and emotional trials your family is going through and it breaks my heart. I will be happy to pray for you and your family and ask others to do likewise. If there is something specific you need, please let me know and I’ll do whatever I can to help.
AP, I will be posting on my Twitter and LinkedIn accounts to see if I can find someone with needs relating to your area of expertise. If you would, give me a shout back with specifics on what you do so I can dial in my pitch.
This bleak economy has created an interesting phenomenon for me; prior to this, I can’t think of anything that everyone agreed on. Even when the weather is terrible, there’s some oddball (me) who says they like it. But now– whether you’re a Mac or PC, a Yankees fan or Red Sox fan– we can all commiserate about the current financial climate. Every single person, to varying degrees, is affected. That’s really something significant, when you think about it.
But we can do more than just commiserate. We can come together. We can create community where there wasn’t community before. We can ‘do unto others’ the things we’d like somebody to do for us. This isn’t some ‘kumbayah’ BS I’m shoveling here. The sunshine-y ‘everything is good all the time’ thing… not my bag. I’m a realist and I am telling you for certain that community is vital to survive and prosper and there’s no better time to make it happen than right now.
The requests above are a great start, but it’s just a start, so give me a shout right now and let me know how I can help you. Worst case scenario, I can’t do anything and you’re out thirty seconds. Best case scenario, well… you tell me.
- Matthew Porter
PS: Thanks, by the way, for all the kind words and encouragement you guys e-mailed. I didn’t include those quotes above because I am incredibly modest. Like, you can’t even believe how modest I am. It’s really just amazing
Bonus Quote — P.J. O’Rourke
P.J. O'Rourke
“If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it’s free.”
- P. J. O’Rourke
From The Liberty Manifesto, a speech delivered May 6, 1993 for the opening of the Cato Institute’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Great Quote Monday — Zig Ziglar
Zig Ziglar
An empowering quote from Zig Ziglar to start your week. If you’re the one who needed to read this, please take it to heart…
“…failure is an event, it is not a person — yesterday ended last night.”
- Zig Ziglar
See You At The Top
Social Experiment: How Can I Help You? Seriously.
You ain't heavy -- you're my brother. Or sister.
Last year, I made an unusual request to three people who are very important to me, my go-to Director of Photography, an editor / producer, and an author / motivational speaker. People whom I work and collaborate with but, more importantly, are also dear friends.
The question was as simple as it was out-of-the-blue: what are your goals for this year?
When I asked them this, I let them know the intent behind the question; by knowing their goals, I could view emerging opportunities not just in terms of my own goals, but also through the lens of their wants and needs. By knowing their dreams and goals, something that otherwise might not register on my radar would instead stand out.
So here we are, more than a year later. My DP has now gone on to shoot several feature films and dozens of music videos. My editor / producer friend has now moved to L.A. to pursue a great new job. And my author / motivational speaker friend has written a new book and has exponentially increased his number of speaking engagements. Is this just some wild coincidence? Actually, uh… yeah. Their successes are in no way linked to my efforts to help them. But please, don’t let the whole ‘correlation doesn’t equal causation’ thing get in the way of you thinking that I’m an awesome guy with the Midas touch.
While not validated by some glowing success story, I maintain that there’s value in what I proposed. And I should say, my idea is not anything especially new. In the realm of business, you could say this is part of ‘networking.’ In a social / spiritual context, this would be part of ‘being in community.’
Which brings us to now. I now want to amp up and expand the focus of this social experiment by asking you this question: how can I help you?
Seriously. I want to know. What if what you need is something I can provide? Or what if I can put you in touch with someone who can help you? This is too simple to just blow off. If you need a kidney, I’ll tell you now, that’s a longshot. Need help moving? A little less of a longshot.
Bottomline– borrowing from the world of sales– don’t be afraid to ‘go for the ask.’ What will shake out? Don’t know. That’s what makes it an experiment. But I’m excited to find out.
You can hit me up here, but also feel free to post your request in the replies. Looking forward to hearing from you.
- Matthew Porter
PS: See you here next week for Great Quote Monday!
