Blog

When I was asked to speak at the annual Get Smart conference sponsored by Austin Association for Women in Communications, I knew I needed to avoid a PowerPoint snooze-arama. After all, I was talking at 8:45 a.m. and my topic, “Strengthening your Online Writing,” needed to deliver some pop for this audience of sharp Austin communicators.

So I was pleased when I found this free infographic template and thorough instructions from HubSpot. I have little experience creating graphics, but I was able to follow directions!

As a writer, I found the exercise of preparing my text very helpful. Not only did I have to break down my pages and pages of notes into five highlights, but I was forced to figure out the best bullet items to support them. I think bullet points are a great way to organize your online writing or to convey information in a breezy way. Try it!

I hope you find my writing tips helpful and feel free to share the infographic if you like it.  You can find more infographics and some handouts from the talk at my website WriteAustin.com.

Sandra Kleinsasser has more than 30 years of experience working for multiple news organizations, the state and running her own business. Currently she is editing a weekly newsletter for the Health and Human Services Commission and running her business,  WriteAustin.com, which provides content strategy for small businesses. Previously, she was executive news editor at the Austin American-Statesman.

Today’s post was provided by an individual who, for obvious reasons, prefers to remain anonymous.

Any writer who has been looking for a job recently knows that many employers – primarily those who want website content — don’t think very much of us. Are we really underpaid and undervalued or just paranoid?

Some employers want writers to work for free or, at most, pennies on the dollar while producing SEO content at a maddening pace. Other employers want a new generation of writers proficient in website design, video content and myriad other non-writing skills, and they still want to pay pennies on the dollar. It feels as if the gap between what employers are willing to pay and what we deserve is wide and ever widening.

A true story

In mid-September, I responded to an advertisement on Craigslist for a “Feature Writer for Multiple Content Sites.” This Internet marketing company was “looking for writers to create medium to long length feature articles in the following niches: Technology, Small Business, Finance, Statistics.”

My detector of all things that stink was activated when I came across this gem in the ad: “Basically you need to be able to … have the pulse of the market.” Since I didn’t expect this job to be lucrative, I figured I had nothing to lose in emailing to ask if they would prefer a writer who has her finger on the pulse of the market.

When I send out these snarky, modestly provocative “cover letters,” I always expect the person on the receiving end to take offense and trash my email, and wish that  I could hear the satisfying sound of my resume being tossed in a desktop garbage bin. For that reason, I’m always stunned when I get a response. This employer responded.

“More content samples?”

In my cover letter I included a link to my portfolio which contained more than a dozen individual writing clips and several more links to projects, blogs and packages that I’ve worked on. The COO responded:

September 9, 5:09 a.m.
“more content samples?”

I was slightly annoyed but not surprised. This was, after all, the genius looking for a writer who has the pulse of the market. I wrote back to explain how the online portfolio works (click on the tiles to see samples), provided another link to a less technology challenging online portfolio, and waited.

Next day, 7:27 a.m. 
“My wife walked on in as I was reading one of your articles : P
anyway would you like to give it a try? What are your rates?”

Round and round we go

September 10, 9:17 a.m.
“I need more information about what you’re looking for. I can charge hourly – from $30 to $50 or so. I can charge by post: $.50 to $1.00 per word, or from $50 to $500 per post. It really depends on how time/research intensive it is. Whether you need interviews or if it is online research only.”

9:18 a.m.
“say interviews of professors and such?”

 My frustration was activated in full.

9:21 a.m.
“I feel like you’re not being very forthcoming — making me think that this is not an authentic job offer. In order to price the deliverable you advertised, I need to know the topic, word count, where you’re publishing.

A 400 word blog post runs $200; I can also charge $30 p/h.”

I did not expect to hear from this man again. I had intentionally spiked my going rate because I was aggravated and wanted to see what a little provocation would do. This is what it did.

 9:23 a.m.
“a 400 word blog post is $200???? No thanks.”

9:29 a.m.
“You can pay $5. You’ll get $5 writing. Good luck.”

9:30 a.m.
“I don’t pay 5, I don’t pay 200 either. god bless”

 9:40 a.m.
“Then perhaps you should tell applicants what you pay so you don’t have to go through this again. Then, only the people interested in working for that rate will apply.

Even for $20, you will get writers who have the pulse of the market. For writers who have their finger on the pulse of the market, you may have to pay a livable wage. Writing is a career. Not a hobby.”

I figured that that would shut him up, but in six short minutes … ding! Another email. I must have tipped the scales in favor of struggling writers everywhere.

9:46 a.m.
“If I want interviews with people in the criminal justice industry; Interviews that typically run 500-800 words, how much? This would be professors, heads of organizations etc.”

Lesson learned

I never did respond. With every step forward I tried to take, this schlub took two steps back. I doubt  that I would have ever convinced him to pay a living wage to a writer. I can picture him forwarding this correspondence to his bowling league, getting a real kick out of some outrageous writer’s gall at asking for so much money for such an easy assignment, work that anyone who can write a birthday card could manage, if only he had a spare six hours.

The other reason I didn’t respond is that I honestly don’t believe that this guy would know good writing if it jumped off the page and slapped him in the face. Copy populated with passive voice and awkward syntax would go unnoticed, so much so that I even entertained the idea that doing bad work for bad pay might be a legitimate option. Maybe this employer actually taught me a valuable lesson. Perhaps online marketers like this one aren’t really undervaluing writers. Perhaps the writing they want requires so little skill and talent that it really is worth $5 to $20 per page.

I have no doubt that this COO will find a writer with the pulse of the market. He’s going to pay his writers next to nothing and he’s going to get bland, awkward writing. I’m sure he’ll be very satisfied.

Over the past two decades, I have been lucky enough to combine my two great loves—music and writing.  I have been a music aficionado since babyhood when my parents used to blast The Supremes, The Stones and The Beatles’ White Album over and over again. When I decided I wanted to become a journalist during my sophomore year in high school, writing about music seemed to be my destiny.

If you enjoyed this post, consider subscribing to our RSS feed.

Today marks the first day of the 20th anniversary celebration of the Austin International Poetry Festival. When I spoke with festival director, Barbara Youngblood Carr, she emphasized the importance of tradition in festival planning. “If you want to make big changes, do it on the 21st anniversary,” she said. This year, they’re paying tribute to their origins.

All four of the original founders — Herman Nelson, John Berry, Sue Littleton and Festival Thom — will be in attendance this year, along with many local, national and international poets. The celebration spans four days (September 27th to the 30th) and the whole city of Austin, with readings and events at various local establishments. An official festival schedule is available online.

The launch of AIPF’s annual 100-page anthology, Di-vêrsé-city, will be held Thursday night at 7:00 pm, at Huston-Tillotson Auditorium. (Author’s note: I’ll be reading in this event, as one of my poems has been selected for the anthology. Wahoo!)

All events are free and open to the public, so come be a part of the “largest non-juried poetry festival in the U.S.” For more information on becoming a member of Austin Poets International, a non-profit organization, go to their website.

I hope to see you out there! Come support poetry in your community, and all over the world.

Are you going to the poetry festival? Let us know how the festivities are going. And if you know of any poetry events coming up soon, keep us in the loop!

Erin Coffin is the contributing poetry editor for Professional Writers of Austin, and very excited to announce her publication in Austin International Poetry Festival’s anthology, Di-vêrsé-city. Also, send her an email at [email protected] if you want to be a part of a new poetry networking group. Let’s get together and help each other write better poetry!

If you enjoyed this post, consider subscribing to our RSS feed.

Alisha Thomas graduated from Cal State Monterey Bay University in 2010 year with a BA in human communications. While studying for her postgraduate degree in London, Thomas interned at Runner’s World UK and Gaz7ette magazine. In 2010 to 2011, Thomas served as art director of Kingston University magazine, which was shortlisted by the BBC for Best University Magazine in 2011. Thomas came to Austin in 2012. Her goal is to work in publishing, marketing or communications.

If you enjoyed this post, consider subscribing to our RSS feed.

This is part II of a series about burning bridges.

Whether you’re a recent graduate or in search of a new career, remember that networking could lead to your big break. Job opportunities are more likely to arise if you network with a healthy number of career-oriented peers. Managing connections is not hard. It entails making a conscious effort to stay in touch with colleagues — and especially the people you came up with. Finally, always make an effort to establish new professional relationships.

Use these 8 tips to help you make and keep professional contacts.

1. Always leave a job on a good note. Send your personal email address to your peers and bosses whenever leaving a job. According to one Austin-based professional, headhunters look at your LinkedIn page for letters of recommendation from previous managers and other professionals. “I’ve given out referrals for former colleagues and have received them as well,” he explained.
2. Maintain old contacts and always look for new ones. You never know who you will meet at a dinner party, café or happy hour — socialize, have confidence and never fear swapping business cards. Aligning yourself with other career-oriented individuals is crucial, especially when transitioning into a new job.
3. Check in every now and again via email with former colleagues and other professionals in your field. Meet with them at events such as those hosted by Writers’ League of Texas; a specialty organization like the critique group for science fiction, fantasy and horror fiction writers, SlugTribe; or BASHH, a networking organization for social media professionals. You might end up with a job lead.  “It important to pass job leads to your peers as well. If you help someone get a job, they may feel indebted to you and will likely pass leads on in return,” says Riki Markowitz, PWA founder.
4. “Write a follow-up email after hearing the news that you didn’t get the job. Let the hiring manager know that you appreciated his time and the opportunity to interview,” says Kindall Heye, a recruiting manager in Austin. This not only shows professionalism, it is also a display of interest. By doing this, more often than not, recruiters will hang onto your resume and remember you for future openings. 
5. Use social media outlets. They are one of the most important tools you can utilize to connect with other professionals and learn about different companies. “I know a lot of people who use LinkedIn and say they have come into contact with peers who have been beneficial to their career,” said the Austin professional . Sites such as Twitter and Pinterest can benefit you in the future but always remember to curate your personal content. Anything you put on the internet is public and could be seen by a hiring manager.  
6. Keep lines of communication open with those who may have helped you in the past. They are a great source for recommendations and just might surprise you one day with a job lead.
7. Don’t take it personally if you don’t get the first job you applied to.  One Austin recruiter said, “Don’t be discouraged from re-applying for the same or other positions in the company. If I see your resume again and liked you the first time around, I may offer you a different job.” He added, “In the past, I’ve recommended people I’ve interviewed for other openings within the company. When an opening comes up, I always first consider candidates I’ve already interviewed.”

Alisha Thomas graduated from Cal State Monterey Bay University in 2010 year with a BA in human communications. While studying for her postgraduate degree in London, Thomas interned at Runner’s World UK and Gaz7ette magazine. In 2010 to 2011, Thomas served as art director of Kingston University magazine, which was shortlisted by the BBC for Best University Magazine in 2011. Thomas came to Austin in 2012. Her goal is to work in publishing, marketing or communications.

If you enjoyed this post, consider subscribing to our RSS feed.

Writing is in my blood. My childhood is marked by long afternoons spent curled up on the windowsill with a book in hand, basking in the sunbeams streaming through the window. When I began my first journal at the age of 8, I found a home in writing and never looked back. Both my writing and I have changed remarkably over the years, and it only makes sense that we should both evolve.

Questions, struggles and fears

There are so many professional writing careers that one can pursue, and to the uninitiated, the choices are overwhelming.  As I went through my second year of college, I struggled to narrow down what it was that I actually wanted to do with my degree after graduation. I wondered if I should pursue journalism, grant writing or publishing. But honestly, not feeling very passionate about these options, it occurred to me I could be wasting my time pursuing a degree that I had no idea what to do with.

I flip-flopped between ideas, and my enthusiasm for each one never failed to fizzle. I thought about grant writing for a long time before realizing it is a profession that would please others more than myself. I wanted to be a published author, but didn’t want books to be the only outlet for my writing. Copywriting was an appealing option, but still didn’t seem like the right path. How was I going to write about the things I loved if I got paid to write copy that promotes someone else’s dream? Isn’t the beauty of the written word to fully express oneself? To impact lives with ideas so great, the reader is a different and better person for having been exposed to them? If I couldn’t do that, why even bother pursuing this type of career?

Career goal checklist

I had no answers. All of my options lacked the one thing my soul desires most: freedom of creativity, location and financial burdens.

I didn’t oscillate for long. I came to realize that I’d been thinking of professional writing as a means to a career. But what if it was the other way around? What if my career could be a means to my writing? Perhaps I didn’t have to write to live; at least not in the sense I was thinking. Instead of getting paid expressly for my writing, what if I simply used my writing as a tool to attract people to my end game?

I could be my own copywriter and sell myself as, well, whatever I wanted. My mind was made up. I would blend the two things I loved most: writing and helping people. I’ll use them to build a coaching business. Cue the trumpets! Release the doves!

I don’t have everything figured out, but I have a starting point. I’m on the right path and my energy is now being directed towards building something that feels right. It’s something I’ll feel good about no matter what. Even if one of those doves decides to poop on me.

We’ve all been on this path at some point. What career did you ultimately choose? And once you chose that career, did you stick with it? Let us know in the comments section below what you did with that seemingly nefarious Bachelor of Arts degree.

Micaela Barrios is an aspiring author and life coach living in Austin, Texas. Barrios is in her junior year at St. Edward’s University, where she is majoring in creative writing. Barrios enjoys discovering new restaurants, soaking in Austin’s thriving music scene and spending quality time with nature in Texas’s many beautiful state parks.

If you enjoyed this post, consider subscribing to our RSS feed.

Having a hard time landing a job? Is it difficult finding someone to write you a letter of recommendation? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may have unknowingly done one or two things to interfere with your professional advancement. Here are a few ‘what not to do’s’ from hiring professionals.

Mistake #1: Poor Interview Etiquette

Dressing appropriately is the cardinal rule for any job interview. Dressing provocatively, or, on the other hand, showing up to an interview underdressed, can make for some amusing stories around the office. It’s definitely not a good look for you, the interviewee. Not only will you jeopardize your chances of getting hired, word of your brand of professionalism can spread rapidly in small cities like Austin.

Here’s what one hiring manager had to say about interview sabotage:

Q: As a recruiting manager, have you ever come across an applicant that bombed their interview before even speaking a word?
A: “I once had an engineer show up to his interview wearing jeans and a t-shirt,” says Kindall Heye, Aerotek Account Recruiting Manager in Austin. “Needless to say, this guy did not get hired, nor will he be considered for future positions.”

Q: What was the most awkward interview that you have ever experienced?
A: “I held a panel interview with a candidate who asked to remove her sweater, revealing an inappropriate top. She claimed it was hot (in an air conditioned room). It was an uncomfortable situation for me and my colleague and the interview was swiftly terminated. Suffice it to say, she wasn’t the candidate we were looking for. – UK Creative Professional

Mistake #2: Not Respecting the Business

Treating recruiters or colleagues like they have the intelligence equivalent to Peter Griffin may not be the best thing. In towns like Austin, everyone is connected in some way or another, especially in the writing community. Word of one mistake can easily spread and result in you developing a reputation that can get you blacklisted.

Q: How easy is it for someone to be repudiated in a small community?
A: “Recently I saw an ad on Craigslist writing gigs. This guy tried to come off nonchalant, asking someone to write him a letter of recommendation,” explains PWA founder Riki Markowitz. “He wrote, ‘I could get anyone to sign it. [I’m] just feeling too lazy to write it.’ He even offered to pay for the forged letter. I forwarded the listing to a popular job blog and several recruiters talked about responding to the ad to find out who would have such huge cojones. If his identity is ever discovered, he could be blacklisted from the industry for life. No kidding.”

Q: What is a sure way to lose professional recommendations?
A: “I hired a freelance ‘picture professional’ to cover me for a week while I was going on vacation. At the time, I was working for a major advertising agency. All his credentials were checked and I was happy with my choice. On his first day, I received an emergency call late in the morning from the studio director asking where my cover was. No show, no cover, no contact. I managed to eventually get in contact with him shortly before midday and it turns out he was sick — a simple phone call from him would have sufficed. After chatting with my colleagues, we decided not to ask him back. It was unprofessional and he put my office in a comprising/difficult position. I have not recommended this person since.” Creative Professional, U.K.

Mistake #3: Lying

Hiring managers can see through the B.S. When attempting to make a great first impression, it’s always best to be honest. Being untruthful — lying — is a sure way to taint your name in this industry.

Q: Have you ever caught anyone in a lie while interviewing them?
A: “Definitely. One tip I have is to be straight forward about the things you do and don’t know. It’s ok if you don’t have all the answers or haven’t done something before, but if you try to get one over on me and I know, I won’t hire you. I’d rather have someone that doesn’t know everything and is willing to ask questions and learn than someone that will fake it and does it wrong.” -Solar Power Systems Engineer, Austin

Q: Have you ever found intentional inaccuracies or fabrications on a resume?  
A: “One time, after interviewing a prospective candidate, I found out that two of the full time jobs he had included on his resume were actually internships. He didn’t get hired.” -Head of Business Development, Creative Shop, S.F.

Mistake #4: Thinking ‘Out of Office’ Means Out of Office Behavior

Going to happy hour or dinner with a superior is not the same as going out with a buddy.

Q: Can you a recall a time when you let go of someone based on their demeanor outside of the office?
A: “I took a group of candidates out for dinner and drinks one time and there was one girl in particular that quickly took the night to the next level. She acted like your typical party girl and drank far too much. I never helped her again.” -Head of Business Development, Creative Shop, S.F.

Mistake #5: Not Filtering Your Social Media Sites

It’s a well-known secret that recruiters Google applicants. My advice: if you intend on posting personal photos,

videos and messages, create two accounts. One that is private and one that is strictly public and professional. This way, you can have your fun and remain professional at the same time. Be sure to double-check your security settings. Even the founder of Facebook, Marc Zuckerberg, learned the hard way.

Q: How crucial is it to maintain professionalism on social media sites?
A: “Recently a few candidates came into the office to interview for a position underneath our Customer Experience Manager. After the interviews were over, the office communicator asked me to come to the manager’s desk. With a grin on his face, he told me to check out this guy’s Facebook page. The first thing I saw was an oversized photo of the candidate. We couldn’t help but to erupt with laughter. It wasn’t inappropriate, but he looked like a cross between Zoolander and a Ken doll. We looked further into the candidate’s page and we realized that every photo was of him — it screamed arrogance. Our customer experience manager chose not to hire him. The applicant may not have had inappropriate photos on his page, but the feeling the hiring manager got from it was enough for him to skip over this fellow.” -Solar Energy Company Receptionist, Austin

Have you ever been passed over for a job you were certain you were qualified for? Any thoughts on what could have gone wrong? Or have you ever interviewed anyone who turned out to be a wrong fit — in more ways than one. We want to hear your stories below!

Alisha Thomas graduated from Cal State Monterey Bay University in 2010 year with a BA in human communications. While studying for her postgraduate degree in London, Thomas interned at Runner’s World UK and Gaz7ette magazine. In 2010 to 2011, Thomas served as art director of Kingston University magazine, which was shortlisted by the BBC for Best University Magazine in 2011. Thomas came to Austin in 2012. Her goal is to work in publishing, marketing or communications.

If you enjoyed this post, consider subscribing to our RSS feed.