SUNOASIS JOBLOG JUNE2008
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She earns a living
through blogging. How? Read the article. It's not the blogging but the knowledge of blogging that counts.
July 29, 2008
Writing a Success Story – in the Publishing Industry
Long hours spent hunched over the computer screen poring over copy that others have written or coming up with your own creative work, fast food that tastes like cardboard and coffee that tastes like lukewarm dishwater, late nights spent rushing from pillar to post to make that all important deadline – it’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but for the avid writer, editor or copywriter, it’s a job to kill for. A career in the publishing industry demands a keen eye for detail and a talent for coming up with inspired and original copy day after day. Even if you think you’ve got what it takes to make your mark in the industry, you’ll have to work at getting doors to open first, and here’s how you can achieve that start you’re looking for:
Pack your resume with samples of your writing/editing style and achievements: If you’re just out of school and getting started on looking for a job, work samples that have been published may be hard to come by. But you can build your resume by volunteering to do free work for local newspapers and magazines, or by working as interns for newspapers and publishing houses.
A degree in English/Journalism helps: A background in English or a degree in journalism with a specialization in any discipline is extremely valuable when you’re trying to squeeze into the publishing industry. Most companies prefer employees with a basic knowledge of the way the business works.
Use the Internet: The advent of the Internet and its wide reach are a boon to those with a passion for writing and editing – not only does it offer you the opportunity to search for jobs in a wide range of locations, it also throws up a whole new world of employment by offering writer/editor/journalist jobs for websites, blogs, online newspapers, online magazines popularly known as ezines, freelance gigs, and ebooks.
Start a blog: If no one will provide you a chance to prove yourself, give yourself one and start your own blog. Build up a readership with insightful writing and smart marketing. Then take your proven skills to a publishing house and ask to be given a chance.
Know your prospective employer: If you’re seeking a job in a particular organization, familiarize yourself with what works for the company. Sometimes, even a good command over the written language and strong grammar skills are not enough to cut it in this cutthroat industry – employers are looking for innovation in writing styles, for someone who talks to their readers than at them, and for talent that understands the audience and is able to write to cater to their needs.
Persistence pays: Don’t let rejection stand in the way of your dreams. Work on enhancing your skills and resume in the time it takes you to apply for another position or reapply for the same job that was denied to you.
By-line:
This post was contributed by Heather Johnson, who writes on the subject of pediatric nurse. She invites your feedback at heatherjohnson2323@gmail.com
July 28, 2008
Do you know the three ways to boost your chances at freelance writing? MarketWatch's Marshall Loeb says he does.
July 22, 2008
Young people are looking for jobs with varying degrees of success.
"The biggest problems in not finding a job are usually that they are aiming too high and they don't have the skill set to network," he said. "Eighty percent of jobs are filled through networking and talking with people."
July 17, 2008
The Digital Journal has a lively essay and responses on the demands and rewards of the freelance life. In a hectic way it describes a lot of the freelance market out there now.
July 13, 2008
Check out the Forbes Freelancers Survival Guide. "...there are some 18 million "sole proprietors" in the U.S., according to the Census Bureau."
Here is some
very practical advice for recent graduates about the job market.
How about "outsourcing" from the
Indian point of view? Mid-sized firms are being created to take the load. "Editors at Express KCS are often journalists hired from Indian publications, and the company works to familiarize them with American editing standards. Husain said many are between the ages of 22 and 30 and are usually single. The firm runs shifts around the clock, and employees work five shifts each week."
"...a copy editor at a medium-sized American newspaper makes between $30,000 to $60,000 per year, compared to between $4,800 and $14,480 at Express KCS."
For those in the newspaper industry there are
always prayers.
July 10, 2008
Marshall Loeb of MarketWatch has three tips to increase your odds in getting a job in a tough job market.
Will journalists survive the tumult of these times? Of course they will. They have the skill set to do so.
July 9, 2008
Sunoasis.com has been contacted more than once by people interested in becoming grant writers or getting grant writing leads.
The Poughkeepsie Journal recently ran an article about a grant writer that illuminates some aspects of this obscure profession. And it is very much a freelance type of business.
July 8, 2008
A newspaper reporter goes to the Jackson Hole Writers Conference and comes away happy he has a steady job. He seems resentful that writers have the courage to try the freelance route. Has he heard about the newspaper industry of late? "We are all free agents my friend."
July 7, 2008
Should freelancers try to make some passive income? I've always felt that writers are the most resourceful people on the most resourceful medium in history. It takes time and patience and, as the article points out, the Achilles heal of the writing class is a complete aversion to selling and marketing. So the question becomes, "is there enough incentive to get writers over the marketing block?"
July 2, 2008
Ben Bova is an experienced professional. When he speaks writers
should take note.
He states the obvious and fundamental fact writers must obey. Sit down
and write! Don't think about it. Set a bar for yourself and meet it.
A professional will do this because he or she knows that revision is
the key act. Revision is the thing that divides the amatuer from the
professional. Therefore, it is not difficult to sit down and pour
out words for a professional.
The difficulty is in shaping those words well.
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