www.inkthinkerblog.com —

a guest post by Rachel Kaufman

If I told you that one program could save you time and money, keep you in touch with clients, and even earn you more business, you’d probably think I was selling a scam and laugh me off. But it’s true: There’s one piece of free software that does all this and more, and it’s one you probably already have installed: Skype.

1. Cut Your Phone Bills

Are you still using a land line to contact clients? In most parts of the United States, phone service costs a minimum of $15, plus taxes and fees–you’ll be looking at almost $30 a month just to make and receive calls. Skype, on the other hand, is free if you call other Skype users and cheap to dial regular numbers. Should you ask your clients to install Skype? If you write Web copy for tech-savvy clients, they might appreciate being able to call you for free. But if you write for more conservative companies, it’s best to avoid the headache of helping your clients with tech support.

What you’ll need:

• A subscription. Skype’s recently done away with Skype Pro and unrolled “subscriptions.” Most features are the same, but now it costs only $3 a month for unlimited calling within the US and Canada. The company offers worldwide plans, too.
• A SkypeIn number, which lets non-Skype users call you from a cell phone or land line. That costs an extra $2.50/month.
• Voicemail, call waiting, and call forwarding. These services are included with your subscription–at most phone companies you’ll pay extra for these services.
• A Skype-capable phone or a headset to make calls.

Total cost: $5.50 a month for what would otherwise cost $30 or more!
One caveat: Skype’s caller ID does not work within the United States.

2. Be Reached Anywhere

If you don’t want to shell out for a wi-fi mobile phone (more than $100), you can still go mobile with Skype’s call forwarding. It’s just a click or two, and then your clients can reach you whether you’re on the road or in a coffee shop. Of course, if you don’t want to be reached, there’s always voicemail.

[continue reading…]

www.inkthinkerblog.com —

Don’t Forget to Register for the 10/3 AIW Seminar in Northwest DC!

If you haven’t yet registered for my upcoming American Independent Writers / Johns Hopkins University seminar Pushing the Electronic Envelope Even Farther! Using Cyberspace to Advance Your Career, now’s the time. Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll get in this all-day event, hosted by yours truly, Kristen King:

4 Info-Packed Sessions with More Than a Dozen Expert Presenters

• Building and Leveraging Your Social Network — Facebook, LinkedIn, and More with Jeff Taylor, Jen Consalvo, Shashi Bellamkonda, and Austin Camacho
• To Tweet or Not to Tweet? That Is the Question… On Twitter, Blogging and Vlogging with Laurie White, Deborah Ager, and Nancy Shute
• Using Online Tools to Manage Your Writing Business: Low-cost and No-cost Must-Haves for Every Freelancer and Author with Thursday Bram and Mayra Ruiz-McPherson
• More Writer’s Website Do’s and Don’ts: How to Take Your Writing Website to the Next Level and Find Work Online with Dori Kelner, Jill Kurtz, Paula Whyman

Get the full event details and a downloadable flier to share with your friends

Ready to sign up?

Three ways to register!
§         Phone: 202-775-5150
§         Online: www.aiwriters.org
§         E-mail: rsvp@aiwriters.org

Regular Registration (beginning September 21, 2009)
§         Member Price, $89
§         Nonmember Price, $129
§         Student Price, $49

Important Note:
§         New membership is only $100/year now through December 31, so join when you register to get the member price for this and upcoming events over the next 12 months! Call 202-775-5150 for details.

As with all AIW events, be sure to mention your membership status and the event for which you’re responding.

See you there!

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King

www.inkthinkerblog.com — Michael Stelzner (author of Writing White Papers) and Maria Schneider (formerly of Writer’s Digest) both announced their top blogs for writers this month. Lucky for us, because these two lists are a who’s who of the best reading about writing online.

Michael’s list: Top 10 Blogs for Writers – The 2009/2010 Winners

Maria’s list: Editor Unleashed 25 Best Writing Blogs 2009

Surprisingly, there were only 3 blogs that appeared on both lists:

• Freelance Writing Jobs
• The Urban Muse
• Quips & Tips for Successful Writers

Unsurprisingly, all of the picks are awesome and absolutely worth your time. And I was quite tickled to see that Maria’s Editor Unleashed was #4 on Michael’s Top 10. Well deserved, if you ask me.

However, no “best of” list can ever be fully comprehensive, what with satisfying some of the people some of the time but never all of the people all of the time. So I want to know which of your favorite writing blogs you think got robbed and should have been included. Leave a link in the comments, and YES, it’s absolutely okay to cite your own blog.

So, who else should we be reading?

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King

www.inkthinkerblog.com — One of my favorite clients is looking for a full-time Production Manager/Editor in their Laurel, MD, office. They are a pleasure to work with, and I’d go for the job myself if it weren’t too far away! I don’t have any additional information about the position beyond what I provide below.

AFYA, Inc., in Laurel, MD, is an 18-year-old firm that provides a variety of technical and professional services in the health arena. The firm’s mission is to eliminate health disparities and help ensure an optimum quality of life for all.  See www.afyainc.com.

They have an immediate opening for an editorial professional who is passionate about quality. Requires a minimum of 7 years of experience as a senior editor and at least 1 year of management experience. Person is responsible for ensuring the quality of a variety of print and electronic products. Will supervise three staff. Also will serve as a senior editor. Must be familiar with the Government Printing Office (GPO) Manual of Style and be able to perform basic to advanced functions in MS Word 2007. In support of business development activities, will help manage the production of proposals, capability statements, brochures, and other marketing materials and help keep the corporate Web site up-to-date. Will develop and ensure the use of a corporate editorial style guide and be responsible for ensuring that production deadlines are met. May be asked to meet with clients to review the editorial requirements of an assignment.  Must be able to work under pressure and juggle competing priorities.

If this sounds like you, or someone you know, please contact Angela Pyles, Human Resources Director, at apyles@afyainc.com.

Please mention my name, Kristen King, when you contact them.

Good luck!

Contents Copyright © 2006-2014 Kristen King