Social Media, Karma And Coffee Breaks In The Business Of Freelance Writing
Friday, April 11th, 2008You hang a freelance writing shingle, you learn to expand your social media base. These days writing for a living is so much more than it used to be. Or than it ever was for that matter. I’ve survived the profession by keeping an open mind, by being willing (even eager) to learn new skills, and by questioning almost every declaration of alleged fact I encounter.
So when I discovered the community at Blog Catalog, I didn’t get very involved at first. I already had pages at Facebook and MySpace but they occupied maybe 15 minutes of my time each week. At first, I registered my site at BC, popped a widget in my sidebar and pretty much left it at that. But I had friend requests and I made some requests of my own. Every now and then I’d scan the discussion board.
You work as an independent journalist, you rely on information. You juggle a dozen or more editors if you’re lucky. Fact is there were an unusually high number of participants at BC who seemed to know a lot about their interest areas. I’m always in need of experts for articles. One of my favorite clients, The Writer, has led to interviews with Ken Burns, Billy Collins, Christian Wiman and many other great writers. My news clients have led me to celebs like Russell Crowe, up and coming actors and creatives like Stefan Pinto, to governors, senators and even famous psychics.
But one of my favorite projects is the Web column I do for The Writer. Several times I’ve picked BC brains for that column, Web Savvy. For my marketing column at Beneath the Brand and for my own blog, I’ve done the same. The discussion board grew on me. Now I visit on a daily basis, and I’m inspired by what I learn and read. Despite an aversion to general political discussions, I even got involved in a recent discussion on global warming. The fact it remained civil says a lot about the community.
Some of the bloggers I’ve met are friends in the making; others are “friends” in the sense of people with common interests who connect via social media. At times, I’ve tried to give advice when it was sought.
Most of my online interactions are drive-bys. The pro writers’ groups I’m in—the ones where you have to submit thousands of words published in acceptable outlets and prove your skills—focus on the business of writing. But at Blog Catalog, there’s a global convergence where people share information on topics like banner making or moneytizing your blog. There’s added comfort because the blogs are approved by an actual human being. Discussions are monitored and ad hominem attacks are squelched. When I started a new blog recently, I received lots of help from members.
In between columns, interviews and the routine of running a word factory, I duck in and out much like you’d stick your head in the door or chat at the water cooler if you worked in an office. After all, my co-workers are a hound dog, a parakeet and a chicken. Humans need humans at times. Being part of the community has been an asset and an inspiration.
In a profession where one day you might descend into the dark shaft of a gold mine, or watch a Peregrine Falcon lift her wings towards the sky, or hold a snake in your hand and try very hard to remain calm, Blog Catalog is sort of a comfort room in cyberspace for me. You write a piece about the presidential primary for Sky News and a half-track for a wire service agency then hop over to peck out 1,000 words for a daily, you need a little comfort, you know?
You hang out a freelance writing shingle, you learn to expand your social media base. I think Blog Catalog actually taught me the meaning of the term social media, reminding me that these days, writing for a living is so much more complex than it used to be. Or maybe than it ever really was to begin with. (Filed by Kay B. Day)
Kaybday is an Independent journalist and poet, content provider for daily newspapers, wire services, magazines and Web sites as well as a self proclaimed blogging addict. Her blog Covering Florida focuses on everything from culture to politics and all points in between: travel, restaurants, breaking news, and health alerts.
April 11th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Nice post, I like the idea of coffee breaks
April 11th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Matt, thank you! Coffee breaks=necessary to sanity! And I will check you out! best, Kay
April 11th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Great post on the social aspects and the helpful nature of BCers.
April 11th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Monkey Tale, thank you so much. BC is a super community! best, Kay
April 11th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
You are a so effective as a writer. I enjoy your storytelling.
April 12th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Wonderful writing about this wonderful community. Congrats!
April 12th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Robert and Meghnak, thank you so much. I’ve received so much help from the community, and I enjoy my “coffee breaks” here! best, Kay
April 12th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Thanks for sharing your insider perspective on writers, social communities and your experience inside the blogcatalog community. The community is extremely privileged to have members such as you who possess high levels of skil and combine them with a true passion for using and learning more about the developing social web.
April 12th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
All I can say, Tony, is thank you for this place. I really enjoy my time here. Frankly, it’s the only blog community I’ve felt at home in. It was an honor to do the article, and I’m genuinely amazed at all the talent I find here. best, Kay
April 13th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Great post
April 13th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Thanks so much, Chris, and I will check out your blog and all the others as well! best, Kay
April 13th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Thanks you so much for sharing your perspective with us. You are a fine writer and a wonderful addition to the BC community.
April 13th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Timthief, thank you so much. This community has really given lots to me! And I learn lots from you about blogs and WP! best, Kay
April 14th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
While writing and painting are my passions, I would have to agree that this community of writers have been most welcoming and willing to bring their areas of expertise to this big table that we all share a seat at. I am amazed and inspired at how brilliant you are, and I would feel honored if you would take a look at some of the things that I have been writing about too. I always thought it would be amazing to write for a column, how do you like it, and how long have you done that? We will all grow as a result of having found this incredible community, and I can’t wait to see what else you bring to the table to share! Bravo!
April 15th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Elizabeth, thank you so much. I’m still blushing. To be honest, I thing writing is basically work with an occasional flash of something close to light. But I haven’t figured that one out yet. I will take a looksee at your work. I’m slowly making my way through blogs and focusing on those here simply because this thread makes it convenient! On writing columns. I like the steady nature of it. You know that’s a monthly billing, and if you’re writing about a topic you’re passionate about, that makes it even more worthwhile. On the other hand, it’s demanding because you have to keep that content steadily rolling and try to keep it interesting for the reader. I’ve done columns off and on for about 15 years for different publications. My favorite is Web Savvy at The Writer, probably because that’s one of my favorite magazines and the editors have always been so supportive. I’ve been able to meet some really inspiring writers because of the work I’ve done there, both print and Web, and right now, the way the industry is changing, it’s just very exciting to be in the middle of it all. I thank you for reading and commenting–best, Kay