Welcome to the latest issue of Write for You News & Notes with some words of wisdom on writing, business, and life. If you'd like to share any books or favorite links with our readers, send us an email. And remember -- on paper or on-line, when you need words that work for you, I can write for you! Nancy Passow
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Keep Warm (that includes your phone!)
| I try not to whine about the weather too much. But this winter has made it hard not to whine. It has been really, really cold. I hope you're all keeping warm. As a reminder, dress in layers, wear a hat (we lose a tremendous amount of heat from our heads), wear gloves, a scarf, etc. When I'm heading out, I dress for "what if". So even though I know I'll be in an eventually warm car, heading to some place warm, I dress for what if my car breaks down or there's an accident and I'm forced to be outside.
A recent "Bits Blog" in The New York Times discussed how our smartphones react to the cold weather. The answer -- not well. Exposure to extreme cold affects the battery in your cellphone and can cause it to quickly lose its charge. The article says "Although the phones seemed to return to normal after the tests [running them out very low temperatures], he said he couldn't be sure what might be going on inside them." So don't be surprised if your phone acts oddly when it's out in the cold. And read the amusingly written article for details.
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Always Get Paid
| Fast Company recently featured a great article "How Not to Get Screwed by Clients" (or, as the author Cody Schatzle originally called it on his blog "Always Get Paid or: A Few Business Rules & Guidelines for Freelance Designers"). He offers ten great tips for designers, but they can be applied and adapted by any freelancers. Here are the tips, with a few comments, but read the original article (and visit Cody's website).
- "Get it in writing." Make sure your project scope is understood by both sides.
- "No spec work." Samples of your work are fine, but not specific to the proposed project.
- "Upfront payments." 50% upfront or 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 is standard practice. Assume that anyone who argues wasn't going to pay you anyway.
- "Never send final work before final money."
- "Look for red flags. Run for the hills." Trust your instincts -- if you're not comfortable with a client or a project, don't do it.
- "Avoid working for friends/family." If you do it, make sure things are really, really defined ahead of time.
- "Pick your battles." Don't argue every time a client disagrees with your design, words, etc.
- "Sometimes, swing for the fences with pricing." Particularly if it's a project or client you're not sure you want.
- "Learn all the things." You can accept projects that include things you haven't tried yet.
- "Reputation is everything." Try to take on clients and projects that represent what you want to be.
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LinkedIn and Your Business (& More)
|  LinkedIn has been making changes, again. Need help figuring out where things went? Trying to hide some of your endorsements? Wishing your profile was more descriptive of who you really are? Let me help you! Don't forget e-mail marketing. I can help you get started -- whether it's set-up, writing the content, or managing the entire process. I'll even remember to pay the monthly bill for you. I can set up your contact lists, help you choose a template (and customize it with your logo and website colors), and develop your e-mail schedule. To learn more, click here. Why use Constant Contact? They take care of the details--managing your contact list, making sure you meet anti-spam regulations, tracking users--these are just a few of the reasons. Give me a call or send me an e-mail so we can talk about how e-mail marketing can help your business! |
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phone: 201-541-9702 (o)
phone: 201-362-3404 (m)
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Book of the Month . . Great Work Provocations
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You've seen me extoll Michael Bungay Stanier and his daily Great Work Provocation e-mail. As he put it, "Just in time for the new year! Great Provocations, the book." Subtitled "short, sharp shots of inspiration served up daily", there are 365 thoughts (or as Michael says it "Like a shot of espresso, but healthier.") It's a great way to start the day (or to take a break sometime during the day.)
Yesterday's quote (Jan. 28) is one of my favorites that I wrote about: "Think back five years. Impossible to have foreseen where you are now and what's going on, isn't it? I hope you're not taking your plans too seriously . . .. "
Michael's company is Box of Crayons. In addition to the daily (or you can make them weekly) Great Work Provocation e-mail, he offers an e-letter and other great services. So check him out and pick up this great little book. |
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| Quote of the Month |
"There is no right way to do the wrong thing. At the end of the day, your integrity is all that you have. Guard it closely." -- Lead Star, the company
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