Posts Tagged ‘heyporter.com’
Bands Named After Places
Universal Orlando is currently hosting a concert series. Two of the acts scheduled: Chicago and Flo Rida — though not on the same night, which would be awkward to say the least; the ‘chronic back pain’ crowd meets the ‘chronic’ crowd.
This juxtaposition got me thinking about bands named after places. There’s actually quite a few. Below are the bands named after places I thought up, each with a video (at no extra charge).
Bands Named After Continents
Europe
Asia
Bands Named After Countries
America
Bands / Artists Named After States
Flo Rida
Kansas
Alabama
Bands Named After Cities
Chicago
Boston
Berlin
Calexico
Nazareth
Am I forgetting any bands named after places? If so, drop a reply and let me know.
- Matthew Porter
Great Quote Monday — Dr. Jonas Salk
'Hey, I cured polio. What's say we try these bottles of Scotch I've been saving?'
Today marks the 55th anniversary of Dr. Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine being declared safe and effective. I know that had I created the vaccine, I would have gone to every high school reunion: ‘You say you made VP, huh? That’s just terrific. Me? I cured an epidemic that annually killed thousands and crippled tens of thousands. But hey, good for you, right?’
In honor of Dr. Salk, here’s a syringeful of wisdom from the man who pimp-slapped polio…
“I feel that the greatest reward for doing is the opportunity to do more.”
-Dr. Jonas Salk, upon receiving the Congressional Medal for Distinguished Civilian Achievement (April 23, 1956)
- Matthew Porter
Found Comedy — Now THAT’S Fresh Chicken!
Picture I shot near the new office in Oviedo. Just thought it was a funny juxtaposition, though really, it could use a good caption. Got one? Drop it to us in the Reply section below and let’s enjoy some end-of-week Open Source Comedy!
- Matthew Porter
PS: Have a great weekend. See you here on Monday!
Etcetera — 4.8.10
The Etcetera crew was back in the studio today and the buffoonery was in full effect. Actually, amidst the comedy, we did delve into some deeper discussions. But eventually we circled back around for some more 4th grade humor.
Honestly, what other program can give you thoughtful discussions about God and poopy jokes? Not many, friend. Not many.
Click here now to get a fresh dose of your Etcetera meds (either streaming or via free MP3 download) and be sure to leave us your thoughts on today’s show.
- Matthew Porter
We Optioned Our TV Show!
I’ve previously mentioned that I (along with my producing partner) have been developing a reality TV show. Well, after a lot of exciting twists and turns and a three-way bidding war, I’m happy to tell you that the show has now been optioned.
While this is indeed exciting, there’s still a lot of hard-but-fun work ahead of us in shopping the show to network and cable channels. Even by the most optimistic standard, it’s a longshot. But then, that’s my favorite kind.
So, what’s the name of the show? What’s it about? Man, I wish I could tell you all about it, because it is truly amazing. However, in order to give us the best chance for success, I have to keep the specifics on the down-low. Sorry. Not trying to be cute or coy. I can say the show concerns a one-of-a-kind real-life family that is living in the midst of extraordinary circumstances. These circumstances will hit you in the gut and how they’re overcoming them will touch your heart. Aughh… wish I could tell you more, but that’s all I can say right now.
I think it’s a timely concept since we’re at a place in our country when we really need encouraging stories. Not gushy, sweet, melodramatic stuff, but true, honest, life-affirming stories that remind us that we’re not alone in this struggle. For these reasons, I like our chances.
I’m also encouraged in another, more roundabout way: one of the production companies we were talking to (but didn’t sign with) is now actively developing a knockoff of our idea. To them I sincerely say ‘best of luck’. For two reasons. A: I (and the rest of the team) welcome the competition, and B: for all the reasons listed above, we need more TV shows like these, so the more the merrier.
Will keep you posted on progress as events warrant.
- Matthew Porter
New Episode Of ETC This Thur @ 10am EST
Wouldn't trust these characters to care for a dead fern, but they're fun to listen to.
Etcetera, the internet radio show I’ve co-hosted since 2004, is once again hitting the air. Please join me, the Merry Monk, and the Spastic Mystic for all the fun. We’ll catch up on everyone’s projects, we’ll laugh, and maybe– just maybe– we’ll learn something about a little thing I call ‘life’.
Actually, no, we won’t learn anything at all. But you know what?
It WILL be fun.
Here’s the skinny…
Etcetera
Thursday, April 8th — 10 AM (EST)
Listen live here.
And to catch up on past episodes, hit the Etcetera show archive here.
- Matthew Porter
PS: Cool news update coming your way tomorrow. See you then.
Great Quote Monday — J.K. Rowling
“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.”
- J.K. Rowling
2008 Harvard commencement speech
- Matthew Porter
How To Become A Freelance Writer — Part 5: Think Like The Client
All this week, we’ve discussed How To Become A Freelance Writer, from first steps to actually launching and advancing your career.
What we haven’t yet discussed are a host of intangibles that are absolutely vital to ensuring your continued success. Here are a few, in no particular order:
- When given a project, repeat back what you’re hearing to make sure you’re on the same page from the start.
- Never miss a deadline.
- Maintain clear, consistent communication with your Client.
- Don’t create more work for your Client. Proofread and edit your work before turning it in.
- Be proactive; learn the Client’s business and, when appropriate, pitch writing projects without being asked.
While this is a lot of random items, you can easily memorize it all by taking the first letters of each sentence and stringing them together with this handy acrostic: WNMDB. There, wasn’t that easy?
Actually, I have a better idea, a single phrase that embodies all of the above — put yourself in the Client’s shoes, or put another way…
Think Like The Client
When you think like, and identify with, the Client– keeping in mind their deadlines, stresses, projects they’re juggling, and remembering that you are not the only person on their mind– you will start seeing ways to make things run better, everything mentioned above and a whole lot more.
Thinking like the Client is kind of a golden rule that, as a rule, will get you more gold.
The cliché goes that the customer is always right. That’s not true. However, even when the customer isn’t right, they must always be respected. That’s why, even though it’s a small thing, I always capitalize the word ‘Client.’ Why wouldn’t I? The Client is why we’re here (and when I say ‘we’, I now mean ‘you and I, two fellow freelance writers’).
By thinking like the Client (and, of course, being a great writer), you make yourself all the more valuable, steadily becoming a reliable, trusted, go-to person.
Make It Happen:
- Review the ‘WNMDB list’ of do’s and don’ts. Determine which is the biggest challenge for you, then create a plan for overcoming that challenge.
– List out your current Clients. For each, think of at least (1) thing you can do to make your working relationship with them run smoother.
– Make ‘Think Like The Client’ your new mantra by writing it down and posting it near your computer.
I have thoroughly enjoyed both this week-long discussion on How To Become A Freelance Writer and all the e-mail you’ve sent. While certainly imperfect, what we’ve covered here is grounded in my (12) years experience as a freelance writer and will definitely get you headed in the right direction as you seek to become a freelance writer.
Hope to revisit and continue this topic someday, this time focusing on better ways to handle the functional day-to-day tasks of being a working freelance writer. In the meantime, please keep the questions coming by e-mail or, better yet, by leaving a comment. That way we can all join in.
Hope you have a great Easter weekend. See you here on Monday for Great Quote Monday!
- Matthew Porter
How To Become A Freelance Writer — Part 4: Work Smarter
Thus far in our week-long exploration of ‘How To Become A Freelance Writer,’ we’ve touched on the need to find your niche, to create writing samples, and sell yourself.
Today, an aspect of becoming a freelance writer that can be a real gamechanger…
Make More Money By Working Smarter
One-off writing gigs can be rewarding, but as you become a freelance writer, your career will experience a quantum shift when you acquire Clients with regular ongoing writing needs. For me, this happened by connecting with a host of magazine Clients. Some published monthly, some bi-monthly, others quarterly. Whatever their frequency, once I had proven myself, I became a go-to resource for the editors of these publications. With some hustle and follow-through, I suddenly had a steady supply of assignment offers. Over the course of just a few years, I enjoyed seeing more than a hundred articles published in a dozen or so magazines.
The beauty of this approach is that you don’t have to start from scratch each time. Instead of hours spent searching out new Clients, you get to spend more time making sure your Clients are happy.
But there’s more to discuss here. To really break through and become a freelance writer, you have to think beyond the immediately obvious.
Who needs freelance writers on a regular basis? Yes, magazines. But don’t stop there. What about groups that hold special events once or twice a year? For years, I worked with a production company that specialized in staging big live events. Invariably, there were writing needs associated with these events: proposals, videos, promotional materials…
What about corporate e-newsletters? Or maybe running newsletters for your favorite local band that may be about to break?
I hope by now you’re starting to see that a large part of how to become a freelance writer lies in your own creativity– not in writing, but in enterprising opportunities.
You’re not just a writer and you’re not just a salesperson. You are an entrepreneur. Should you take a shot at the target everyone else is aiming at? Absolutely. But also make time to quest for new and largely undiscovered targets.
Make It Happen:
- Examine your current list of writing gig leads. How many have regularly scheduled writing needs as described above? If less than half, then research and list out some more.
- Take (5) minutes to think up as many non-traditional, non-obvious writing outlets as you can, then start pursuing those leads.
- Out loud, say ‘I am an entrepreneur’ three times. Stop laughing and just do it.
What does it take to become a freelance writer and stay in steady work? Certainly everything we’ve mentioned above and thus far.
But there is one more concept you absolutely must grasp as you set out. We’ll talk about that concept tomorrow. Hope you’ll join us.
- Matthew Porter
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
