Job Listings

No post this week, just some job listings that were passed our way. Please only apply if you have the skills the employer seek. When employers are inundated with unqualified apps, they are always reluctant to pass opportunities our way -- which means less opportunities for all.

Good luck!

JOB LISTINGS

Freelance Writers, City Limits: http://www.nycfuture.org/content/jobs/jobs_detail.cfm?jobpkey=4266

Editor, The Next American City Inc.: http://www.nycfuture.org/content/jobs/jobs_detail.cfm?jobpkey=4233
**************************************

P.S.: Learn everything you need to know to work from home as a Freelance Writer, Editor, Proofreader, etc. How? Get Our Entire Library of Work-at-Home Ebooks for only $19.95!

Save $47.70!

Get 7 EBooks in All, Which Include the Following:
Medical Editing/Copyediting: An Overview (Reg. $4.95);
The Truth about Participating in Surveys & Focus Groups (Reg. $3.95);
How to Really Make a Living as an Editorial Freelancer (Reg. $9.95);
Advice from Successful Editorial Freelancers (Reg. $9.95);
The Small Business Owner's Complete Marketing Kit! (Reg. 24.95);
and more!
**************************************
P.P.S.: Place Your Order Now for Immediate Delivery via Email!

A Day in the Life of ... A Freelance Illustrator

Jack of All Trades, Master of None
by Amy Ignatow

Webmaster Note: See our complete schedule for this series at http://www.inkwelleditorial.com/CareerCenter/day-in-life/intro.htm.

I still get up early. I’ve been an early-riser all my life, and working from home hasn’t changed that. If the sun is up, I’m up--I could have been a farmer, but I’m a professional illustrator.

And sometimes a writer, apparently.

The fact is, at twenty-seven, I’ve been a muralist, a cook, an illustrator, a teacher, a graphic designer, a fundraiser, a wedding singer, a face and body painter, a reporter, a portraitist, and yes, a farmer.

It’s been a pretty interesting life thus far. I’ve travelled a whole lot, lived in a bunch of different places, gone to a couple of different schools, and if I’ve learned something about myself, it’s this; I want to do it all. And I do.

This is not to say that I’m successful at everything (or, really, at anything--at least not in any significant way). But I plug away, and with each check that comes in, be it one thousand dollars for a painting or fifty bucks for a short magazine article on spas in Atlantic City, I feel free.
(Hell, I’m submitting this piece for a chance at cash money. Mama needs a digital camera.)

I leave my bedroom and I have three choices. To the bathroom for a shower. Downstairs to the computer. Upstairs to the studio to start drawing. Option 1 is a nice, fresh start to the day. If I go downstairs to the computer there’s a good chance that instead of working on my digital art I’m going to screw around on Craigslist while watching reruns of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It’s a weakness of mine, so I’ve taught myself not to turn on the television during work hours. Some mornings I’m not so strong.

Going up to the studio is always the best option (though not for my cat) because all of my strongest drawings get done between eight and eleven in the morning. I know my rhythms. I draw until I’m satisfied with what I’ve done.

There’s a theory that when you work from home, you should dress and act as if you’re at work. Don’t sit around in your bathrobe all dang day. Problem is that I hate dressing up, so if I’m not in my jammies I’m wearing slobby, unpresentable jeans anyway. My mother, an outdoor educator who dresses almost entirely in jeans and tee shirts that she got for free, blames herself for my “schlumpiness”. In the past I’ve been able to pull it together to work in an office, which was enough to make me deeply appreciate my current work uniform.

Shower. Get dressed. Feed cat (poor thing). Telephone and computer. Billing and negotiating and sending off proofs. I check my email and find eighteen messages from a group of friends who zing each other while at their jobs. I am lured into sending out my own two cents.

There’s an email from a new client who is a Red Flag farm. She’s wishy-washy, she can’t seem to express her vision, but she’s already paid the 25% deposit so I politely email back a different suggestion for the project (not too many, though, it will only serve to confuse her more). An editor from the magazine sends another project. What to do with your kid in Atlantic City. How the hell do I know what to do with a kid in Atlantic City? I mentally block out time later on to do research on the subject. I was going to go grocery shopping but it looks like that can wait another day.

I eat. On good days, when everything is chugging along, I eat when I get so hungry that I forget I haven’t eaten until my stomach cramps up. On bad days, when I’m uninspired and cranky about what I’m working on I forage throughout the house for things to munch on. I won’t leave the house until the days duties are done, so I find myself eating some weird things. I won’t tell you what. My roomate is often horrified by what I’ll will myself to digest.

My father calls to shout at me. He isn’t angry--it’s just the way that he talks. Loud to begin with, he doesn’t trust newfangled things like cell phones and headsets to work properly, so his phone volume is broken at ten. Though unhappy that I have no health insurance, my dad (also a freelancer) is thrilled that he can call me at any time during the day to tell me Very Important Things.

“ARE YOU LISTENING TO NPR RIGHT NOW?”

I don’t have the heart to tell him that I don’t listen to NPR unless I’m in a car. “Um, no, what’s up, I’m working...”

“CAN YOU BELIEVE WHAT THAT IDIOT SAID!! HE’S INSANE!! I CAN’T BELIEVE IT. WHEN ARE YOU COMING UP, WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY?”

“I think I’ll spend the night in Manhattan on Wednesday and come out to the island on Thursday.”

“WHEN?”

“Around two-ish, I suppose...”

“YIKES!!” my easily excitable father screams, “IT’S THE UPS GUY!! I’LL CALL YOU BACK...”

“Dad, I’m working on some...”

“BYE!!! BYE!!! I’LL CALL YOU BACK!!!!”

I go for a walk. I won’t leave the house if I haven’t gotten a satisfactory amount of work done--my walk is my reward. If the weather is nice I’ll pack a picnic lunch and loaf around the park for an hour or two. I strongly believe that it is important to leave the house for a significant amount of time each day, and by three or four I’m usually clawing at the walls to get out.

I didn’t lose my health insurance and become a freelancer to spend beautiful days inside. I do not make enough money to deny myself the feel grass between my toes. In an average year I make less than 25K a year. I make a little more each year as I pick up new clients and try new things (writing, for instance), but this is definitely not the life for a big spender.

Sometimes I stay in the park, and friends come over after work to have a hoagie picnic with me. Sometimes I go home and do more work. Sometimes I go out, mostly to dive bars unless someone else has invited me out. I don’t love being the cheap one, but most of my friends understand. I give them presents of original cartoons and knitted scarves. I sound like such a hippy. I’m not at all. I’m just a little destitute sometimes.

I look for full-time jobs. I love my life, but I do miss that safe feeling of a regular paycheck. The thought of direct deposit is seductive, but I haven’t yet found something that’s worth giving up this life.

http://www.amyignatow.com/
©2006 – Amy Ignatow. This article may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever, in any form, for any reason, without the express, written consent of the author. Violators will be prosecuted.
********************************************************************
P.S.: Learn everything you need to know to work from home as a Freelance Writer, Editor, Proofreader, etc. How? Get Our Entire Library of Work-at-Home Ebooks for only $19.95!

Save $47.70!

Get 7 EBooks in All, Which Include the Following:
Medical Editing/Copyediting: An Overview (Reg. $4.95);
The Truth about Participating in Surveys & Focus Groups (Reg. $3.95);
How to Really Make a Living as an Editorial Freelancer (Reg. $9.95);
Advice from Successful Editorial Freelancers (Reg. $9.95);
The Small Business Owner's Complete Marketing Kit! (Reg. 24.95);
and more!

P.P.S.: Place Your Order Now for Immediate Delivery via Email!

Your Editorial Marketing Q's Answered -- & More!

A reader wrote in with the following questions -- and a very nice comment:

I was very happy when I stumbled upon your website. It is a great resource!! Thank you for this! Moderator Note: I blush at the praise and thank you for your kind words. Now, on to your questions!

I have a couple of questions. I have worked as an editor for the last 5 years for two companies. Both companies edit testing materials for school such as standardized tests and preparatory materials. While I love what I do, I find myself not very happy with my current employer.

I have sent my resume to several different companies but have received no response. Some of these companies are outside of the educational publishing industry. Do you have any ideas how I can more effectively market myself to other industries?

ANSWER: See the following link to the February 2005 issue of our blog (See the Monday, February 21, 2005 and Thursday, February 24, 2005 posts).
http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/2005_02_01_inkwelleditorial_archive.html (read the Feb 22 & Feb 24, 2005 posts)

Also, see this topic, "The Worst Time to Send Your Marketing Materials/Resume" under the March 10, 2005 post on our blog (about midway the post). Access this link: http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/2005_03_01_inkwelleditorial_archive.html

Finally, see our resume tips for editorial professionals at this link: http://www.inkwelleditorial.com/resumetips.htm

Remember, although these things may seem minor, it's the little things that can cause your credentials to be reviewed -- or not.

My second question is about freelancing. I am also trying to do some freelance work on the side. I have reviewed some local websites and found them to be riddled with editorial errors. My thought was to try to partner with Web masters to help them present sites that are more professional and offer a better first impression to the many people that will see the site.

I'm not sure how to market this idea to Web masters. I don't want to be insulting. Do you have any suggestions on how I can market my editing services to Web masters?

ANSWER: See the following link to the April 2005 issue of our blog (See Monday, April 18th). The answer to your question can be found in question 6 -- it's the exact question you ask here: http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/2005_04_01_inkwelleditorial_archive.html

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for the help you offer.
Moderator Note: You're welcome!

Editorially yours,
Y. Black, Moderator
InkwellEditorial.com
********************************************************************
P.S.: Learn everything you need to know to work from home as a Freelance Writer, Editor, Proofreader, etc. How? Get Our Entire Library of Work-at-Home Ebooks for only $19.95!

Save $47.70!

Get 7 EBooks in All, Which Include the Following:
Medical Editing/Copyediting: An Overview (Reg. $4.95);
The Truth about Participating in Surveys & Focus Groups (Reg. $3.95);
How to Really Make a Living as an Editorial Freelancer (Reg. $9.95);
Advice from Successful Editorial Freelancers (Reg. $9.95);
The Small Business Owner's Complete Marketing Kit! (Reg. 24.95);
and more!

P.P.S.: Place Your Order Now for Immediate Delivery via Email!

How to Create Multiple Income Streams from Your Editorial Biz

NOTE: A variation of this article was published some months ago in this blog and on our website. However, as it's the beginning of the year, we thought the article worth regurgitating as many are seeking ways to increase income from their editorial business. Enjoy again!
****************

To survive, most small business owners need more than one revenue stream. Two easy ways to create multiple revenue streams is to:

1. Listen to your customers: Do you get repeated requests for a specific product/service that you don't offer? Then it may be time for you to explore what that product/service can add to your bottom line.

Consumers are very busy these days and the more they can get done in one place, the better. A huge example of this is WalMart. You can buy everything from patio furniture to diapers there. Why would you go any place else? Although you probably can't operate on that scale, don't let the message escape you.

Examine your products/services. What can you add that will grow your bottom line? Eg, are you an illustrator? How about a funny t-shirt or greeting card line. [I'm constantly amazed at the number of talented artists, writers, photographers, etc. who only think "service", not "product". If you're blessed with a creative talent, use it as many ways as you can to make money!

2. Partner with complementary vendors: If you are a proofreader, then obvious "partners" are graphic and web designers, printing and copy shops, resume writing services, etc.
One effective way to capitalize on these partnerships is to create a brochure where each business owner advertises his/her services (ie, a co-op ad brochure). By splitting the costs to produce the brochure, each participant slashes their advertising costs and gets their name out to more customers than if they went it alone.

This way, you kill two birds with one stone -- save money and increase your bottom line. Now, you have a real reason to look forward to networking with similar business owners!
********************
P.S.: Learn everything you need to know to work from home as a Freelance Writer, Editor, Proofreader, etc. How? Get Our Entire Library of Work-at-Home Ebooks for only $19.95! Save $47.70!

Get 7 EBooks in All, Which Include the Following:
Medical Editing/Copyediting: An Overview (Reg. $4.95);
The Truth about Participating in Surveys & Focus Groups (Reg. $3.95);
How to Really Make a Living as an Editorial Freelancer (Reg. $9.95);
Advice from Successful Editorial Freelancers (Reg. $9.95);
The Small Business Owner's Complete Marketing Kit! (Reg. 24.95);
and more!
P.P.S.: Place Your Order Now for Immediate Delivery via Email!******************************************************************
Reprint Rights. May be reprinted with inclusion of the following in full: © 2006 InkwellEditorial.com: THE business information portal for and about the creative and editorial industries. Visit our informative, up-to-date blog at http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/ for first-hand information on how to start, grow and/or maintain a successful freelance, editorial career. Copyright violators will be prosecuted.

How to Effectively Target Neighborhood Businesses w/Your Editorial Services

Small businesess owners are results-oriented. Show them and they will buy! How do you do that?

Easy. Do the work first, then present it to them. "But," you may be thinking, "I don't do spec work."

I say, "Marketing is a numbers game." How much time do you spend targeting clients with nothing to show but your handy little brochure, portfolio or flyer? How many clients do you garner? Show them their business in black and white and you'll more than likely double or triple your response rate.

For example, take a neighborhood restaurant that has a website. What if the one they have is lousy? Redesign/rewrite one page and present it to them. Show them their version and your much improved one. You're more than twice as likely to land the client if you SHOW them, rather just just tell/explain to them what you can do for them.

Clients outside of the editorial realm usually don't grasp how much value you can add to their business by improving their copy, website, logo, etc. If you want to add to your client list, make a part of your marketing "show and tell."

CAUTION: You shouldn't do this for every client. But, by making "show and tell" marketing a percentage of your business, you can exponentially increase your client list -- which is what marketing is all about.
********************
P.S.: Learn everything you need to know to work from home as a Freelance Writer, Editor, Proofreader, etc. How? Get Our Entire Library of Work-at-Home Ebooks for only $19.95! Save $47.70!

Get 7 EBooks in All, Which Include the Following:
Medical Editing/Copyediting: An Overview (Reg. $4.95);
The Truth about Participating in Surveys & Focus Groups (Reg. $3.95);
How to Really Make a Living as an Editorial Freelancer (Reg. $9.95);
Advice from Successful Editorial Freelancers (Reg. $9.95);
The Small Business Owner's Complete Marketing Kit! (Reg. 24.95);
and more!

P.P.S.: Place Your Order Now for Immediate Delivery via Email!******************************************************************
Reprint Rights. May be reprinted with inclusion of the following in full: © 2006 InkwellEditorial.com: THE business information portal for and about the creative and editorial industries. Visit our informative, up-to-date blog at http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/ for first-hand information on how to start, grow and/or maintain a successful freelance, editorial career. Copyright violators will be prosecuted.