Inkthinker | Freelance Writing Blog

Today, I asked my Twitter friends which they prefer for managing and reading their RSS subscriptions: Google Reader or an offline reader. Here are the responses I received:

1. ferringer GReader. I’m hooked on key commands & being able 2 use it anywhere. Must haves are FF &Better GReader extension from Lifehacker
2. beatnikgal  …GR - I can check my email and blogs at the same time each morning…
3. pitchyourbiz I need to eat more breakfast. I also prefer google RSS. Don’t know why, but I just do.
4. lgr I use Google reader, but I prefer any online reader because I am not tied to any platform. I can read on my mobile for example.
5. dennisbp Does Bloglines count? I prefer online readers. No need to open more programs than you have to
6. Mi_Integrity  I love Google Reader http://tinyurl.com/6yw4fm
7. BlogWellDone Offline reader. I like finding readers with threaded discussions. Makes life easier.
8. marijked I have to admit, the only reader I’ve used is google and I barely ever use it.
9. auramae  google reader for me (for ability to read at home/work/mobile)
10. seoulfully be sure to share results of rss poll also google reader can do offline if you install google gears
11. chrisguillebeau i also like GReader because I can download everything using GGears and it saves everything for the next time i’m online
12. BlogWellDone The one installed on my laptop at home (d’oh) I really liked Lime (lemon, citrus) until it crashed and would not come back
13. tammylenski Google Reader: Simple interface, does the job easily. Not another desktop app. Have my browswer open anyway.
14. seoulfully FWIW I prefer Google Reader bc I don’t want unnecessary standalone apps though I’m going to give Net News Wire a shot
15. KIntheHouse  prefer Google Reader in Prism or an ReadAir. :-) Love the web portability yet can’t live w/o the desktop feel. :-)
16. SHurleyHall Google Reader because I can use it everywhere and use it offline too. I’ve tried others but always go back to Google.
17. rachelbeer google, because i use googlemail as main email. use the calendar too. can’t say why i prefer to office. just a googlet
18. sandielaw Google Reader hands down. I’m never really offline
19. StephenVerbit check out Lifehacker’s article today about the best RSS newsreaders (http://tinyurl.com/4sabf4)

And as for me, well, I’m on the fence — which is why I asked. But since we’ve got 13 official endorsements for Google Reader, several others who use it but didn’t say specifically that they were all over it, and only three other specific suggestions for other readers, it’s looking to me like Google is the favorite. The Lifehacker article StephenVerbit cited includes five readers (Google is listed first, but I don’t know if that’s necessarily because it’s "best"), with a poll at the end where you can pick your preferred reader.

What reader do YOU use to manage your blog feeds?

Tags: freelance writing, freelance writing blog, freelance, writing, twitter, rss reader, rss feed, blog feed, blog subscription, managing rss feeds, best feed reader, inkthinker, kristen king

Filed under: Blog reading highlights, Tools, Blogging | 3 Comments »

At the end of February, I announced an informal campaign to get Inkthinker into the top 25 search results for the phrase "freelance writing blog" by the end of March. This would be a big jump considering that it wasn’t even in the top 200 results when I decided to go for it.Well, here’s my confession: I got kind of overwhelmed with stuff around the middle-end of March and totally forgot to keep checking my results. But here’s the good news: As of today, Inkthinker is ranked 19 for "freelance writing blog." Cool, right? Another post to follow describing how I accomplished this magnificent feat.

In the meantime, here’s my question to you, darling reader: Are you satisfied with your search engine rankings? What would you change?

Tags: freelance writing blog, freelance writing, freelance, writing, SEO, search engine optimization, improve my search engine ranking, better search engine ranking, SEO tips, inkthinker, kristen king

Filed under: Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Self-promotion, Website, Marketing, Blogging | 6 Comments »

Startling realization: Every time I try to explain what I do to others, I realize that I don’t actually know. Note to self: work on that. - kristenking 12:12 PM May 03, 2008

This weekend at SOBCon, every time someone asked me what I do, I gave a slightly different answer. (It would be interesting to gather up everyone who met me and ask them all to tell me what they think I do. If you’re game, leave a comment to that effect.) I finally got to the point where I said, "You know, I actually have no idea. What do you do?" And we laughed at how totally clueless we were (and, at least on my end, what a relief it was to finally admit that to someone and find out they were in the same boat).

During one session on Saturday, Lorelle VanFossen challenged attendees to say what their blog or their business does — what their purpose is — in no more than 10 words. It was like pulling teeth. I have to hand it to my tablemate Anita Bruzzese, who rapid-fired questions at me and wouldn’t let me stop until I came up with at least some kind of answer. It was amazing and difficult and I loved/hated every second of it. I needed someone to say, "Wake up, girl! What are you going to do for me? How can you do it? Why should I believe you? Why should I pick you?"

I didn’t figure it out until I was at the airport waiting for my delayed plane on Sunday night, but I think I finally came up with my purpose:

I help people figure out what they want to say — and them I help them say it better.

A slightly more formal version might be:

I help individuals, companies, and organizations identify their message and express it brilliantly.

I want to tweak the language a little, but I’m comfortable with the idea. From resumes to Web copy to proposals, I’m helping people figure out what they want the world to know about them, and then I’m giving them the language they need to share it with their audience. Hiring managers, customers, grantors — they’re all audiences, and it’s all marketing.

This, my friends, where my big ideas for my business and for this blog are coming from: the realization that I’m spending a LOT of time on topics and activities that don’t have anything to do with my purpose. No wonder I’m feeling burned out.

So there are some changes coming, but I don’t know what they are for sure yet. I do know that there will be some major revisioning of the Query Challenge. It takes up a huge amount of my time with zero tangible return on the investment (and yes, there is that warm fuzzy feeling I get from your success stories, but I haven’t been able to feel that or much of anything else lately because I’m so numb from being spread too thin all the time). I do know that I will also be making changes to my freelance writing website, and, of course, to this blog. I welcome your input and your suggestions.

While I come up with my next steps, I want leave you with this question: Are you being true to yourself with your writing career? Are you really spending your time the way you want to be? And what do you need to change to be able to answer both of those questions with a resounding YES? 

Tags: freelance writing blog, freelance writing, freelance, writing, personal branding, life purpose, career purpose, burnout, avoiding burnout, figuring out your career path, professional goals, what do you want to be when you grow up, what do i want to be when i grow up, sobcon, sobcon08, anita bruzzese, lorelle vanfossen, kristen king, inkthinker

Filed under: Full-time freelancing, Goal setting, Professional development, Blogging | 19 Comments »

People, if you’re not here, you are missing out big. I’m so, so serious about this. SOBCon is one of the least expensive and most valuable conferences I have attended to date, and although it’s only one day of official sessions, it has been nonstop learning since I got to my hotel and connected with my first fellow blogger here.

From meeting people I recognized from their Twitter avatars to hearing URLs and throwing my arms around folks I’d been reading for more than a year but had never known their names, it’s been both emotional and incredibly educational.

I’ve heard brilliance from Chris Garrett, Brian Clark, Lorelle, and Anita Bruzzese, and we’re nowhere near finished. I’ve got a new strategy for THIS blog, and some major ideas for where I’m going with my career. And that’s just the beginning.

Session summaries to come when I get back to Virginia. And man, they’re going to rock.

Filed under: Blogging | 18 Comments »

Book Highlights Ways to Cope with Finding a Job, Paying Off Debt, Moving Back Home, and More

PT. PLEASANT, NEW JERSEY (April 30, 2008) - Jersey Shore native Kristen Fischer will be holding a book signing for her newest release, Ramen Noodles, Rent and Resumes: An After-College Guide to Life. The event will take place at Borders in Eatontown, NJ, on Wednesday June 11 at 7 p.m.

In Ramen Noodles, Rent and Resumes: An After-College Guide to Life, author Kristen Fischer encourages grads to embrace-instead of dread-life after college. Instead of the "quarterlife crisis", she introduces the concept of "The After-College" in which graduates learn to thrive during their 20s. Highlighting dozens of real-life graduates who have navigated their way through this challenging but exciting phase of life, Ramen Noodles, Rent and Resumes: An After-College Guide to Life is packed with valuable strategies for career advancement and personal growth.

The book helps recent graduates:

• Determine what career path will bring satisfaction
• Select a job hunting strategy that gets results
• Decide if graduate school will benefit their career
• Prioritize work responsibilities with personal commitments
• Cultivate better relationships with family and friends
• Organize a living plan-at home or on their own
• Manage their finances with the future in mind
• Overcome stress, anxiety or depression

"I look forward to meeting soon-to-be graduates and recent graduates-as well as their families," says Fischer, who resides in Pt. Pleasant, NJ. "Just by being aware of how hard life after college can be, it can be a great time for 20-somethings."

About Kristen Fischer

Kristen Fischer is the author of Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs. She has also contributed to College Bound magazine, FreelanceSwitch, Home Business Magazine, and StartUp Nation. She lives in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. To find out more about the book visit www.kristenfischer.com or www.ramenrentresumes.com

Filed under: Client plug | 2 Comments »

Book Highlights Ways to Cope with Finding a Job, Paying Off Debt, Moving Back Home, and More

PT. PLEASANT, NEW JERSEY (April 30, 2008) - Jersey Shore native Kristen Fischer will be holding a book signing for her newest release, Ramen Noodles, Rent and Resumes: An After-College Guide to Life. The event will take place at Borders in Eatontown, NJ, on Wednesday June 11 at 7 p.m.

In Ramen Noodles, Rent and Resumes: An After-College Guide to Life, author Kristen Fischer encourages grads to embrace-instead of dread-life after college. Instead of the "quarterlife crisis", she introduces the concept of "The After-College" in which graduates learn to thrive during their 20s. Highlighting dozens of real-life graduates who have navigated their way through this challenging but exciting phase of life, Ramen Noodles, Rent and Resumes: An After-College Guide to Life is packed with valuable strategies for career advancement and personal growth.

The book helps recent graduates:

• Determine what career path will bring satisfaction
• Select a job hunting strategy that gets results
• Decide if graduate school will benefit their career
• Prioritize work responsibilities with personal commitments
• Cultivate better relationships with family and friends
• Organize a living plan-at home or on their own
• Manage their finances with the future in mind
• Overcome stress, anxiety or depression

"I look forward to meeting soon-to-be graduates and recent graduates-as well as their families," says Fischer, who resides in Pt. Pleasant, NJ. "Just by being aware of how hard life after college can be, it can be a great time for 20-somethings."

About Kristen Fischer

Kristen Fischer is the author of Creatively Self-Employed: How Writers and Artists Deal with Career Ups and Downs. She has also contributed to College Bound magazine, FreelanceSwitch, Home Business Magazine, and StartUp Nation. She lives in Point Pleasant, New Jersey. To find out more about the book visit www.kristenfischer.com or www.ramenrentresumes.com.

Tags: freelance writing blog, freelance writing, freelance, writing, kristen fischer, ramen noodles, rent, resumes, book release, book signing, quarterlife crisis, after college, recent graduate, real life, what do i do after college, kristen king, inkthinker

Filed under: Client plug | No Comments »

Did you know…

• Over 12 million American adults currently maintain a blog.
• More than 147 million Americans use the Internet.
• Over 57 million Americns read blogs.
• 1.7 million American adults list making money as one of the reasons they blog.
• 89% of companies surveyed say they think blogs will be more important in the next five years.
• 9% of internet users say they have created blogs.
• 6% of the entire US adult population has created a blog.
• Technorati is currently tracking over 70 million blogs.
• Over 120 thousand blogs are created every day.
• There are over 1.4 million new blog posts every day.
• 22 of the 100 most popular websites in the world are blogs.
• 37% of blog readers began reading blogs in 2005 or 2006.
• 51% of blog readers shop online.
• Blog readers average 23 hours online each week.

Source: Blog World Expo
Reprinted With Permission

This is week 3 of the 6 week Six Figure Blogging course, and it’s going awesome. I’m saving the sessions and listening to them on my computer and in the car after each session, and I feel like I’ve learned SO MUCH over just the first two weeks and the preview call.

Even if you’ve missed the first half you can still join in now and get all of the previous sessions recorded, with transcripts, so it’s still totally worth it. Check it out.

You may also be interested in attending Blog World Expo or BlogHer. And it’s a little last minute, but SOBCon08 is next weekend!

Tags: freelance writing blog, freelance writing, freelance, writing, blogging, blog conferences, six figure blogging, blog world expo, blogher, sobcon, blog statistics, inkthinker, kristen king

Filed under: Blogging | 4 Comments »

This morning, my husband offered to be my office manager — to do my invoicing, record my expenses, pay my bills, etc. He makes this offer every three months or so, only this time, I’m in the midst of an organizing and productivity kick, and it sounds REALLY good to be able to turn over this stuff I really hate doing so I can focus on the things I like.

What do you think? Do you outsource any of your business functions? Would you? Which ones? Leave a comment.

Tags: freelance writing blog, freelance writing, freelance, writing, home business, outsourcing, assistant, office manager, filing, invoicing, paperwork, billing, paying bills, recording expenses, organizing, productivity, idea, inkthinker, kristen king

Filed under: Good idea, Home office, Organization | 21 Comments »

Today, I’m guest posting at Home Biz Notes with a video tour of my home office and a discussion of what’s working and what’s not. Check it out! And please, don’t laugh TOO much at my totally dorky narration. I wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself.

Tags: freelance writing blog, freelance writing, freelance, writing, office, video tour, home office, freelance writing office, home business office, home office space, home office organization, kristen king, video, inkthinker

Filed under: Home office, Organization, Video | 2 Comments »

Over at my women’s business blog, we’ve been running a call for comments on what you want to be when you grow up as part of the b5media Business Channel’s “Take Your Sons and Daughters To Work Day” contest. And here’s the cool part: A comment by our very own Lori Widmer was chosen as a finalist in the contest! (I am not one of the judges, but this was one of my personal favorites, I have to admit.)

Please help me help Lori win by commenting on this post and spreading the word on your own blog if you would be so kind. The post with the most comments gets the prize, and I would love to see it go to my fellow redheaded freelancer!

Go to Biz Chicks Rule to help Lori win! >>>

Filed under: Announcement | 3 Comments »

How to Charge, Hourly Rate versus Project Pricing, How Many Hours are in a Day?

When: Friday, April 25, 2008, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Where: The telephone at your desk
Why: Because it is important to be charging enough, but maybe not too much, and definitely not too little

In this interactive 1-hour session you will enjoy the benefits that years of research and development has taught WIW veteran Ken Norkin. Norkin is an ADDY- and ASPC Colonial Award-winning copywriter and full-time freelancer specializing in business-to-business marketing communications for technology-based products and services. Since establishing his own business—KN Creative—in 1991, he has written ads, brochures, annual reports and Web content for Sprint, Nextel, Mobile ESPN, IBM, Citrix, Carl Zeiss, Road Runner, MCI, Savin, Sharp and the American Gas Association. Beyond the tech market, Norkin has written for T. Rowe Price, Arlington and Prince William Counties, The Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Holy Cross Hospital, the Vince Lombardi Cancer Research Center, The Washington Post, PBS, the Discovery Channel and many other companies. His ability to share what he’s learned in 30 years of writing for a living makes Norkin a frequent and sought-after speaker on the business of freelancing and creative self-employment. He’s participated in panels, workshops and seminars for sponsoring organizations such as the Smithsonian Associates, Creative Club of Albany and, of course, Washington Independent Writers. In recognition of his service in support of this organization’s ideals, Norkin received the 1998 WIW President’s Award, bestowed by then-president Clyde Linsley. Norkin lives in Takoma Park, Maryland, in a two-freelancer household. His wife is Newsweek contributing editor, Reuter’s columnist and former WIW president Linda Stern.

Moderator Michael Causey is WIW’s past president and a long-time full-time freelance writer specializing in business-to-business newsletters in healthcare, telecommunications, energy and the automotive industries. He’s also been a senior vice president in public relations, and an editorial director of several newsletter companies in the Washington, D.C., area. He also just launched his own newsletter, Edata Integrity Report (www.edataintegrityreport.com).

WIW Member cost is $69 and non-member cost is $99. Advance reservations are required. Sign up online at the WIW Web site www.washwriter.org, send e-mail to rsvp@washwriter.org or call the WIW office at (202) 775-5150. Please mention the event for which you are responding and your membership status.

Tags: freelance writing blog, freelance writing, freelance, writing, advice for freelance writers, how much should I charge, freelance rates, rate setting, washington independent writers, WIW, ken norkin, inkthinker, kristen king

Filed under: Mark your calendar, Washington Independent Writers, Finances, Pricing, Seminars, How-to, Professional development, Getting started | No Comments »

This was a great article with a great title. Here’s an excerpt:

Presiding over a packed courtroom this morning, it was as if Judge Robert Patterson had never been asked to cross reference entries for "Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor" before.

Such is the nature of the evidence in a copyright case involving the Harry Potter books. But the whimsy of the situation seemed lost on the gruff judge, who has served on the federal bench in lower Manhattan since 1988, as he fumbled through some of the hundreds of exhibits in search of definitions for ogre, Voldemort, Remus Lupin, Occamy, and the especially confusing Dagbert Pips. (Listed under "P," it turns out.)

Today was the start of the trial of Warner Brothers’ and J.K. Rowling’s copyright infringement lawsuit against RDR Books, which seeks to enjoin publication of a book version of a popular Harry Potter Lexicon Website offering an A-Z guide to the content of the wildly popular children’s books. Keep Reading >>>

Want more on copyright? Read my post Plagiarism vs. Copyright Infringement: Do You Know the Difference?

Tags: freelance writing blog, freelance writing, freelance, writing, advice for freelance writers, copyright, harry potter, JK rowling, voldemort, remus lupin, warner brothers, hogwarts, fan fiction, copyright law, plagiarism, rdr books, copyright infringement, lawsuit, inkthinker, kristen king

Filed under: Copyright | 1 Comment »