Archive for April 2010

Birthday boy with Chuzzle friends

My youngest of three turned seven on April 28. My little guy is the only one of the five of us born outside of the January – February and Capricorn – Aquarius months (or Capriquarius as I call ‘em because my birthday falls right where one ends and another begins). Winter birthdays are awesome, but it’s nice having one in the spring and get a break from all the celebrating that occurs within one month (January 14 – February 10). He loves drawing, playing Chuzzle and doing whatever his big brother does.

Gosh, seven years since I touched the baby blog that began with the pregnancy test and ended shortly after his arrival. Anyway, enough indulging Mom. And onto more important things for you… the weekly links.

Brain food…

• Linkbait Generator: Plug in a couple of words from your post and let it come up with some great ideas for post ideas and titles. I spent a lot of time trying to come up with a title for the bad query responses post. Maybe I could’ve saved time with this. [Link: Joan Stewart]
• Gobbledygook Grader: Enter press releases, copy and whatever content to see how it rates for gobbledygook, jargon, cliches and more. [Link: Joan Stewart]
• Do Authors Choose Their Covers? Therese Walsh shares her experience in working on the cover for The Last Will of Moira Leahy.
• Study: Brain Exercises Don’t Improve Cognition: Know all those popular brain games? They may not help after all.
• My Top 33 Email Tips Part 1 and Part 2: Hey, I actually apply most of these tips — it’s the organized freak in me that makes it possible. They do work. One feature that bugs me in some group lists: Even if you hit “Reply” — the email reply address is to the entire group, not the person who sent the message. Some services let you control this.
• Your Turn: Is it Ethical to Vent Your Personal Feelings On a Client’s Blog? Don’t burn bridges, people.

And for fun because we’re allowed…

• Sunday Morning at Zhongshan Park in Shanghai: They thought of everything in these rules for a Chinese public park.
• A Typical Day in the Life of an Internet Addict: High tech procrastinating.
• Top 10 Bad Beverage Ideas: New Coke is the only one I tried. Big mistake.
• Unique and Stylish Coffee Tables: Love the first two. [Link: Misty Belardo]
• Cut It Out! Amazing Paper Cut Out Art: Amazing is right.
• 23 Ingenious and Artistic 404 Error Pages: I used to collect 404 pages in the early days of my blog. Boy, have they come a long way!
• Ultimate List of Funny Bathroom Signs: H.i.l.a.r.i.o.u.s. [Link: Misty Belardo]

Big Fish Games has a new feature called “Catch of the Week.” The “Catch of the Week” is announced on Monday, 12:00 AM PST and will be available until Sunday 11:59 PM PST for $2.99 instead of $6.99. The company promises that every “Catch” is a best selling game.

The first one is Azada (review of Azada). The “Catch” is available for both Macs and PCs.

Catch Azada for PCs.

Catch Azada for Macs.

Use coupon code CATCH299

This offer is good through Sunday, May 2 at 11:59pm.

Photo from stock.xchng user Dan Milligan

I’m the editor of several email newsletters. Every issue has a reader question that everyone is welcome to help and answer. Sometimes the questions stump readers, so I post it in Help a Reporter Out (HARO). Most of the time I receive dozens of replies. The latest submission had 40+ replies and only ten made the article.

Here’s the short version of the reader question. “My clients come from all over the country. So I wondered if I should pursue some of these options (referencing social networking), or stick to phone calls and emails? Which networking tools are best?”

Many replies didn’t make the cut, even good ones. Here are the reasons they ended up in the rejected pile.

1. Unoriginal answer. I’m not going to bore readers with multiple replies all making the same point. The one that says it best wins.
2. Off track. These didn’t pay attention to the query. Notice the reader said he has clients all over the country and that he uses phone calls and email to stay in touch. That tells me that face-to-face isn’t an option. Yet, many replies mentioned face-to-face. However (the grey area), I added some strong responses because there are readers who have local clients. And face-to-face is still important.
3. Self-promotion. One response provides a URL immediately followed by a suggestion to send handwritten cards. Guess the person’s business. Yep, sending cards. Some opened with the company name and what it does. Who cares? Had the person cut that part, it may have had a chance. Several constantly mentioned their own organizations in giving examples. Sharing your experience is good, but not when your company dominates the response and adds irrelevant details. For example, an organization emphasized networking events and included the name of a speaker and other details about a specific event. Again, who cares?
4. No paragraph breaks. I got a 600-word reply in one giant paragraph. If I had five replies instead of forty, maybe I’d take the time to add the breaks so I can read it. Not this time.
5. Expects a follow up. I put the following in my query: “A reader asked the following question. Please answer it in email. No interviews or phone calls.” A couple of PR people introduced their expert and offered to set up an interview. Smart PR folks get the answer from their clients and then email me the reply.
6. UPPER CASE LETTERS. The reply itself may not be in all upper case letters, but the entire signature is. Of course, upper case is acceptable in a company name, abbreviations, initials or career as in CPA, M.D. or J.D. In this 40+ reply pile, at least three violated this. This may sound uptight to you, but it speaks to the quality of the person and business. For grins, I clicked these folks’ links to discover unprofessional-looking sites to match the emails. One person’s signature had an entire paragraph of 160 words — all upper case.
7. Unprofessional website. I add links to the responders’ websites as a way of thanking them for sharing their expertise. Well, I’m not going to send my readers to unprofessional sites. A weak website could have readers questioning our judgement in selecting experts. I expect the experts to be professionals and treat their entire business as such.
8. Wrong audience. Like I said, I’m OK with replies that use a person’s company as an example if done without promotion overkill. One person said he’s gotten a lot of X work doing Y from Twitter and Facebook. It was a business-to-consumer (B2C) type of company. Our readers are people who work in business-to-business (B2B) and professional services. Granted, my query may not give that clue, although I did mention the publication’s name. Grey area, but it’s a reason some responses go in the trash pile.
9. Missed deadline. That didn’t happen in this round, but it has happened in previous queries. Several folks were nice enough to admit they knew the deadline had passed, but wanted to submit it in case I could use it. It shows they paid attention and I consider them if…  (a) I still have time, (b) I didn’t get many replies and (c) they’re strong responses. They knew the risks of submitting a late reply.

These rules aren’t black and white. But I’ve rejected responses because of every one of them. I’ve let some through, too. When responding to queries, all we can do is be aware and do the best we can.

What annoys you when people respond to your query?

Photo from flickr user delphwynd

One kid’s school went all out on Earth Day and turned it into Earth Week. They did an activity each day. Monday was the Paper Bag Project where the students decorated donated grocery bags that went back to the grocery store to spread the word about protecting our environment.  Tuesday was Walk and Roll Day when kids were encouraged to walk, bike or skate to school. Unfortunately, we couldn’t do this one as there is a major intersection that’s not safe for my son (This isn’t his “home” school.)

On Wednesday, he brought a plant to school. On Thursday, actual Earth Day,  kids wore blue and planted two trees at the school. Today, kids calculated their carbon footprint. Kids will pick up litter at school tomorrow. Nice, eh? I hope the kids learned from the experience that we can all do something to help our planet.

Irony of the week: Last week, we saw in the school’s newsletter than the kids were to bring a plant to school. So I bought a plant over the weekend when I was at the story. A note came home on Monday saying 5th graders were to bring geraniums. What??? Why didn’t you say so the week before? Gives me two evenings to go get one. So that meant hurting the environment for an extra 15 minutes driving the car as we had no plans to shop on Monday or Tuesday night. On the bright side, the school’s flowerbed looks beautiful and colorful.

From @OMGFacts: More than 20,000,000 Hershey’s Kisses are wrapped each day (133 SQ miles of tinfoil). Tinfoil is recyclable.

Recyclable brain food…

• AP changes its style on website, related words: The new entry for “website” says: “A location on the World Wide Web that maintains one or more pages at a specific address. Also, webcam, webcast andwebmaster. But as a short form and in terms with separate words, the Web, Web page and Web feed.” I never liked “website” as one word, but what can you do?
• Why Don’t Publishers Market & Promote the Books They Publish? Jane Friedman tells it like it really is.
• Once Upon a Time… Lori shares great tips for getting started in a writing career. I did a lot of the things she mentioned in my early days.
• 10 Reasons Why You Aren’t Done Yet: Wonder why you can’t finish tasks? This will help.
• 5 Great, Free Keyword Research Tools: Worth saving for when you need it. I tried the SEO Toolbar, but it turned my browser experience into an annoying one.
• Why Meetings Suck if Bullies Speak: I love the look at the brain’s involvement in the process. I’ve learned a lot about the amygdala, serotonin levels and hippocampus and how they play with our emotions. I’m a fan of Dr. B. Bryan Post’s “The Stress Model,” which says the all behavior comes from state of stress and we have two primary emotions: love and fear.

And for fun because we’re allowed…

• The 50 best author vs. author put-downs of all time: “Yes, hell hath no fury like one author gleefully savaging another author’s work.”
• 10 Wackiest Fitness Products: Just watching the first video with Ellen is worth it — even without captions! Guaranteed laughs and ab workout.
• Mindbending photos of the sun: The blue one is just … wow. [Link: Amber Naslund]
• Uncovering the Secrets of Hidden Mickeys: Looking for Mickey Mouse in Disneyland in not so usual places. [Link: Neatorama]
• How to Name a Volcano: Cute cartoon.
• @oatmeal: This is an infographic to end all infographics: Death and Taxes by @mibi
• 8 Twitter Inspired Tattoos — What Were They Thinking: My thoughts exactly.

The following games will be discounted next week on Game du Jour, the first ‘one-deal-a-day’ website dedicated to indie and casual games:

Mon. April 26th: 45% off on Echoes of the Past: Royal House of Stone

Tue. April 27th: 45% off on Cassandra’s Journey 2

Wed. April 28th: 65% off on The God’s Treasury: The Bewitched Mask

Thu. April 29th: 50% off on The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes 2

Fri. April 30th: 65% off on The Otherside: Realm of Eons

Sat. May 1st: 65% off on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Sun. May 2nd: 60% off on Cajun Cop

So many conferences, so little travel budget. How do you decide? The last few conferences I’ve attended are sxsw interactive and Texas PTA’s, both in Austin, of course. (The only place I’ve been go outside of the Dallas / Fort Worth area is Austin in almost 10 years. Sad, I know.) Flying or driving to Austin is cheap. My local PTA took care of the costs and I shared a hotel room.

With sxsw, I also shared a room with Christine Tremoulet one year and my husband and our unborn youngest child went the following year.

I almost went to a writer’s conference in Oklahoma City, which also has cheap flights and a great conference price. Plus, several people I know are speaking and it would be nice to meet them in person. But I opted not to due to crowded schedule.

It’s not that I’m cheap. Because of my deafness, I don’t quite get the full benefit of a conference especially one that’s full of panels that converse with the audience. It’s like watching a tennis match that happens all around you. This approach quickly turns well rested eyes into tired ones. I came this close to going to sxsw this year, but backed off when I saw how much attendance grew since my last visit in 2003.

So then… how do you decide which conference to attend with overwhelming options?

klatsch n. “A casual social gathering, usually for conversation.” Source: The Free Dictionary AKA a meryl.net blog post centered on a discussion topic.

This week is book fair week at my youngest child’s school. I’ll be volunteering at the “Book Fair Diner,” this spring’s theme, and trying my best not to buy too many books. We have a theme every book fair to make it fun.

When I was a wee kid, I loved the Scholastic Book Fairs in my elementary school. When I was a student teacher in college, the school I worked at had the book fair, too. Now as a mom, I go to at least four book fairs in a school year. Plus, my youngest brings home book club booklets for ordering in between book fairs. (Each elementary school has two book fairs per year and I have two kids in two elementary schools.)

My favorite class in college: Children’s literature. So yes, I bought children’s books after I grew up and before I had children of my own. We have so many children’s books in this household that I’ve bought duplicates. Too bad we didn’t have the apps we have today for book inventories. I could never begin such a project now.

Brain food…

• Why You Need a Content Strategist: Explains what they do and how they work with your web site. [Link: Deborah Edwards-Onoro]
• How to Find Work Without Using the Freelance Job Boards: Most of my finds are through word of mouth and referrals. I keep myself out there so people remember me when the need comes.
• 8 More Business Buzzwords I’d Like to Ban Because They Make Us Sound Like Tools (Part Two): been trying to avoid “solutions” but couldn’t find a workaround. Here’s part one. [Link: Jeff Hurt]
• Experience Is an Action Word: Christina Katz discusses experience. Know that even experienced writers have moments when they lose self-confidence or wonder why they’re in the business.
• 5 Great Reasons to Use Gmail: I’m using Gmail more and more and meryl.net email less (except for business cards and all). Spammers keep using my domain and sometimes my emails end up in people’s junk folder. So Gmail works well. [Link: Melinda Emerson]
• Public Speaking – How I Prepare Every Time: Speaking can be simple. Tim Ferriss shares his process. If you know your stuff — just practice and it’ll turn out. Be passionate like Gary Vaynerchuck — without the F-bombs. Not necessary.

For fun because we’re allowed…

• Blurred Out: 51 Things You Aren’t Allowed to See on Google Maps: Also from cheth.
• 826 Poster: Are you ready to publish your novel? Humorous look. [Link: WD]
• 50 Clever, Hilarious and Geeky Twitter T-Shirts and more at Zazzle. Tino Valdez made my IRL @merylkevans Twitter shirt (see photo).
• A Volcanic Rainbow in the Hottest Place on Earth. Not the colors you expect… if you’re thinking “rainbow.” [Link: Shelly Kramer]
• The Forbes Fictional 15: Who knew Forbes had a sense of humor? Of course, the top 15 richest fictional folks. [Link: Andy Hayes]
• 15 Amazingly Clever Logos: Love this stuff. Shame my domain/company name doesn’t lend itself to anything exciting.
• What Stormtroopers Do on Their Day Off: Who knew Stormtroopers had personality??? More Stormtroopers in Part One. [Link: Mark Hurst]
• 40+ Hilarious Facebook Comic Strips: Prepare to nod your head in agreement to many of them. Oh, and laugh, too.

The following games will be discounted next week on Game du Jour, the first ‘one-deal-a-day’ website dedicated to indie and casual games:

Mon. April 19th: 45% off on The Adventures of Mary Ann: Lucky Pirates

Tue. April 20th: 45% off on Mystery Case Files: Dire Grove [Game review] Definitely worth it!

Wed. April 21st: 65% off on Heartwild Solitaire: Book Two

Thu. April 22nd: 65% off on Mahjongg Dimensions Deluxe

Fri. April 23rd: 45% off on The Palace Builder

Sat. April 24th: 65% off on Vampireville

Sun. April 25th: 65% off on Kuros

Photo by stock.xchng user Maja Lampe

I’ve lost clients over the years. Only one was because she didn’t like my work. However, in defense of my work, she wanted web site content that resembled her business plan — a bad idea that will not go over well with the audience. I tried to explain standard practice and support that with data. It was a relief to get out of that one because it probably would’ve turned into a dreaded project and a bad client.

Anyway, freelancers lose jobs because of budget cuts, changes in a company’s direction, the company going out of business and many other reasons not having to do with you. That’s why it’s important to have balance in your clients. If one dominates, losing the client will be dangerous and it CAN happen.

But that’s not what happened to me. I lost one client due to cutbacks. Another client may not be gone, but I haven’t been able to reach them. Then a games affiliate changed up its program. All this happened within a week or two, so it was a bit much.

I reacted like a human. I reeled and did the whole “Woe is me” thing for a few days, but without it affecting my work. I’m sure my husband was sick of me that week. As soon as I stopped reeling, I started dealing.

I sent emails and tweets to contacts to explore possibilities of replacing one client with a similar type of client. I emailed the non-responding client a couple of times (spread out and to both contacts). I will keep trying to reach them without nagging. I don’t think they have a problem with my work because I’ve checked in with them a few times to ensure I’m more than meeting their needs.

The affiliate thing. That’s one I can’t really fix. I need to write more reviews and articles for The Game Zen, but I’ve been too busy to play games.

Point here. You will lose clients and it will hurt even if it’s not personal. That’s OK. The key is to be proactive before and after it happens.

How to deal with losing clients:

• Ensure you have a variety of clients and projects.
• Make marketing a regular part of your job.
• Check in with your clients to see how you can better serve them.
• Stay in touch with current and past clients. Cheaper than finding new clients.

What other tips do you have for preparing for losing clients and dealing with it?

Tomorrow, my husband and our two sons will see the Harlem Globetrotters play the hapless Washington Generals. I went years ago with my dad and caught them on TV whenever I could. I enjoyed the antics and fancy ball-handling of Curly Neal, Twiggy Sanders, Sweet Lou Dunbar and Meadowlark Lemon. I remember when Lynette Woodard joined them.

Cool fact: “Globetrotters have lost 345 games over the course of eight-plus decades. However, with over 23,000 wins, the Globetrotters do own the best winning percentage (.985) in the history of professional sports.”

What are your favorite sports memories?

Brain food…

• Social Networking For Authors: Tips For Using Twitter Effectively: Not including this because it mentions one of my articles. It’s good stuff.
• Best Writing Advice (According to Writers): A nice variety of folks.
• Lorna’s Top Ten Movies About Writers: What do you think? I added The Shipping News.
• How to Scan Thousands of Tweets without Tears: Breathe… one step at a time. It’s one option for finding what you need.
• 10 Rules for Killer Business Cards: 80 page presentation with mostly photos. Great example of good presentations and business cards. But what’s wrong with business card promos? OK, you don’t want your business card to be used to help someone get their shoes on, but there are clever ones.

For fun because we’re allowed…

• 16 Creative Coffee Mugs
• 10 Geeky Ways to Say I Love You: How about, “01001001 00100000 01101100 01101111 01110110 01100101 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101.” (I love you in binary computer code).
• 11 Strangest How-To Books: I own How to Read a Book.
• 12 of the World’s Most Unique Stamps: My dad was a stamp collector. Even went as far as mail certain stamps to have them stamped by US postal service. I was interested in it for about 10 minutes.
• Pac-Man Art in Brooklyn: Be like Pac.
• 40 Conceptual Print Ads – Creativity with concept: The one time McDonald’s had me saying, “Whoa! Cool!” (Referring to coffee photo. The clown one just looks freaky.)