What Community Theater Taught Me About Freelance Writing

My name is Susan, and I am a recovering musical theater nut. That's right. Back in high school, I spent most of my waking hours either in rehearsal or in class (where I was probably thinking about rehearsal). I didn't have one of those t-shirts that said, "I can't, I have rehearsal," but that would have nicely summed up my teen years.

I still perform on occasion and my iTunes library contains far more musicals than anyone I know. But I no longer have the irrational desire to perform four different shows in six months (in retrospect, why would anyone think that is a good idea?). Recently it dawned on me that spending so much time doing community theater as a teen probably taught me some of the skills and traits that I now use as a freelance writer. Here they are.

A thick skin. There were several roles that I desparately wanted but didn't get, even though other people thought I'd get them, too. I still believe that I should have played Laurie in Oklahoma! but that's beside the point. I knew there'd be other auditions for other roles in other shows, so my disappointment was short-lived. Sometimes I'd go to auditions just to get the practice. If I didn't apply that same attitude towards query letters, I would have given up years ago!

Time management skills. My castmates always remarked on how I managed to juggle schoolwork and rehearsals (but hey, many of them had kids and pets to take care of and I didn't). Some of them initially assumed that I had a mediocre GPA until they saw me working on geometry proofs or conjugating Spanish verbs in between scenes and during intermission. Whatever downtime I had, I used. I didn't need silence to finish my homework, and I still managed to be salutatorian. Being able to use a few minutes here and there helps me get through my to-do list, even when they are distractions.

The ability to tap into objectives. For copywriters, it's really important to understand who their customers are and what motivates them. For magazine writers, being able to adapt to the publication's voice and write to different types of readers is key. Playing a variety of characters, including a British flower seller, an all-American teeny bopper, and a Biblical-era leper, helped me slip into different personas in my mind so I can tailor my writing to that specific audience.

What about you? Did your childhood hobbies help you develop the skills you now use professionally?

Photo of me as a flower seller in My Fair Lady

Open Thread: Send Me Your Questions!

In preparation for another ABC News interview next week, the producers have asked me to solicit questions from readers. The show is taking on a more interactive format, so the interview questions will be user-generated, rather than coming from the anchor or producers. Should be fun!

I'll be discussing an article I wrote for Yahoo! HotJobs on unconventional job search strategies. So, if this article or topic sparks any questions, I hope you'll leave them in the comments section or email me directly. Also, if you've heard of any unusual strategies that aren't mentioned in the article, I'd love to hear about them!

The segment will air at 4pm EST on Friday, July 17! (Check your local listings for ABC News - I think this channel may only be available in certain markets.) I'll be sure to post a link to the online video, too!

Musings on Being Suspended from Twitter

Last night I went to follow someone new on Twitter and discovered that my account had been... suspended! I read Twitter's help page on contesting a suspension and still could not figure out for the life of me what technical or other violations I'd committed.

Several of my friends on Twitter have had their accounts hacked, so I clicked on my feed to see if I might have fallen prey to the same issue. Well, apparently Twitter hides the feeds of users who are being investigated for spam, so I couldn't even see my last tweet (though I'm pretty sure it mentions a book I'm reading). Another writer I know had her account suspended after her website got hacked, so I checked that, too. Nada.

I emailed support begging them to restore my account and promising to be a better citizen of the Twittersphere (though in truth, I think I'm already a pretty good citizen). This morning, with just as much warning (meaning zilch), my account was mysteriously back to normal. There were no signs of a hacker, and Twitter didn't even bother to send me an automated email (Dear Twitter: I know you know how to send automated emails because I get several per day!).

I'm happy to have my account restored and I realize that Twitter is a free service (for now, at least), but I'm also a little miffed that they can suspend someone with zero warning and without even an automated courtesy email explaining why. (In retrospect, I'm guessing it was because I'd scheduled a few tweets using Tweetlater.com and maybe they mistook that for a spambot.) Sure, they're trying to protect other users from spam, but if a real person took 20 seconds to read my feed, they'd see that I'm a real person, too, and I'm actively engaged in the Twitter community.

Frustration aside, there is an important lesson in all of this. I had something similar happen to my Google documents account several months ago, and it prompted me to stop relying on Google docs for important files. Online apps are fun and easy-to-use, but they're not always reliable. They (Twitter, Google, etc.) can yank your account access if they suspect foulplay (or even sometimes just "because") and, of course, service is often spotty anyway. So it's best not to rely on Twitter as a communications tool or contact manager, as some people are starting to do.

Your turn! Have you had this happen to you? How long did it take to resolve?

Weekend Reading

Before I hit the road for the holiday weekend, I thought I'd share links to a couple of guest posts. I was doing a copywriting project on-site last week and this week I was crazy busy getting caught up, so I neglected to share these sooner. Better late than never, I suppose!

What to Do When You Lose a Steady Client, FreelanceSwitch.com
7 Tips for Television Interviews for Writers, Quips and Tips for Successful Writers

For those readers in the US, I hope you have a great Fourth of July! And to everyone else, have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the links!

5 Qs with Brigitte A. Thompson, Author of Bookkeping Basics for Freelance Writers

Many writers (myself included) struggle with the business side of things, especially keeping the books and paying taxes. That's why I was thrilled when Brigitte A. Thompson, author of Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers and owner of Datamaster Accounting Services, LLC, offered to tackle some of those tough questions. Many of you suggested questions for Brigitte via Twitter, so thanks for weighing. I plan to use Twitter more in the future to solicit questions, so stay tuned!

Urban Muse: What are some tax write-offs that freelance writers might not be aware of?
Brigitte: There are many tax deductions available to writers. Some expenses are common such the cost of purchasing a case of paper or paying for a computer software upgrade. Other costs incurred in the operation of your writing business may not jump out at you as expenses when they could be. For example, consider the following accounts:

• Mileage: Trips made in your vehicle to pick up office supplies can be counted as a business deduction if you record the proper information to support it.
• Meals: Treating your agent to a restaurant meal with the discussion focusing on your next book can also generate a tax deduction when properly documented.
• Shipping: UPS charges and postage used to mail a query or review copy of your book can be a small expense, but I suggest you track it. Those small deductions add up and every penny spent as a qualified business expense will reduce the amount of income tax you owe.

My book devotes an entire chapter to expenses including a comprehensive listing of them and detailed information on what documentation is required to support each one.

UM: A lot of writers freelance on the side while holding downing a day job. Any tips for part time freelancers on tracking and reporting freelance income?
B: It’s essential the two sources of income be tracked separately: one source as an employee and one as a self-employed freelancer.

The day job employee income will be reported by the employer on a W-2 after the close of each calendar year. However, freelance self-employment income should be tracked & reported by the writer.

Each time a writer sells an article, receives a royalty payment or completes a copywriting project as a freelancer, there are several things to track. These include: name of the person or business paying you- method of payment; cash, check, credit card- date of payment- dollar amount received- reason for the payment.

This information should be should be kept in any format that works best for you. Some people prefer to use a notebook identifying pages by months and others utilize accounting software. As long as you find a way to record this information on a regular basis and save related documentation, the IRS (and your tax preparer) will be thrilled.

UM: What are some of the differences between doing business as a sole proprietor vs. an LLC? B: Over the years, there has been confusion with Limited Liability Companies (LLC) and sole proprietors. It’s important to understand an LLC is an entity created by state statute. The IRS did not create a new tax classification for the LLC. They still identify a business entity as a corporation, partnership or sole proprietor.

Most writers are sole proprietors who file Federal Form Schedule C with the IRS to report their income and expenses. If a sole proprietor would like to register with their state as a Single Member LLC, applications are made at the local level. The IRS would classify this business as a Disregarded Entity which is taxed as a sole proprietor for federal income tax purposes and the same Schedule C would be required.

If a writer is a member of a partnership or corporation, a multi-member LLC can be elected. Different forms are used for this election and they are explained in my book.

UM: I'm sure you've observed other freelance writers making accounting missteps that cost them time and money. What are some of the most common issues and how can we avoid them?
B: The most common misstep I’ve seen with writers is not taking themselves seriously as business owners which leads to financial pitfalls. Many writers have been honing their craft for years so it’s hard to identify an official starting date for their self-employment. Without this point to mark the beginning, it is easy to put off tracking income and expenses. This can be an unfortunate mistake.

The IRS will consider you to be in business when you are actively pursuing projects intended to generate income and expenses. This means they will expect you to file a tax return to report those transactions. Keeping track of your income and expenses from day one will enable you to pay the least amount of income taxes on the money you earn.The most important thing you can do as a writer is to become organized. There are many books available on how to organize your writing, but this is the best book available to organize the financial side of your writing business.

UM: Obviously, your book is a great place for writers to get information on bookkeeping. Are there are any other resources you'd recommend?
B: Yes, I recommend US-based writers visit the IRS web site for specific tax issues and the Small Business Administration for general business information. Both of these government sites are working hard to become user friendly. I also recommend joining professional associations for writers such as American Society of Journalists and Authors, The Authors Guild and National Writers Union. There are many groups to choose from so consider the benefits of membership before joining.

I was interviewed recently by Freelance Success, which offers an insightful newsletter for their members (ed. note: I'll second that!). There are also online groups for writers such as MomWriters which offer networking opportunities as well as camaraderie.

My book, Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance Writers, is available through Amazon.com and my publisher's web site. Please also visit my blog, Writers In Business where I share tax tips and feature guest writers.

Thanks so much for sharing your insights, Brigitte!

Guest Post: 5 Ways That Your Day Job Can Help Your Writing

By Sara Hodon

Not all writers can afford to say goodbye to the day job so they can pursue their craft full-time. (Sad, but true). But there’s a bright side—why not look at having a day job as an advantage to your writing career, rather than an obstacle?

Below are a few thoughts to help you gain some perspective:

Your day job helps you keep your writing fresh. Approaching your writing with new energy every day definitely beats staring helplessly at a blank page, or a paragraph that just refuses to go further. Even if your freelancing is in the early stages with an article here or a copywriting project there, you’re more likely to find it energizing rather than draining after a long day at work. This is particularly true if you have a job that has nothing to do with writing.

You have easy access to expert sources for articles. If you’re making the most of your field and pitching to trade publications or other specific markets, why not use your network of contacts a bit and ask them for a quote for the article you’re working on? I don’t advise taking advantage of your network too much (as in, don’t try to win them as customers for your freelance business), but most people should only be too glad to share their knowledge with you. I was doing an article on Alzheimer’s disease and was able to use a few contacts I had at assisted living facilities. They were more than happy to contribute and they couldn’t wait to see the final version!

Focusing on work can help you think of story ideas. Your subconscious is still buzzing away, even if you’re intently working on a project or sitting through a meeting. Most writers and non-writers admit that their best ideas come to them at the strangest times. (I seem to get my best brainstorms either while in the shower or while driving.) Let your mind wander a bit and see what you can come up with. Carry a notebook with you so you can jot down those brilliant ideas.

Limited writing time helps you develop self-discipline. If your writing projects are reserved solely for evenings and weekends, you have no choice but to get yourself on a schedule. Most writers that I know need a deadline—even a self-imposed one. Come up with a to-do list and start tackling the less time-consuming tasks—get those emails sent, look up the name of the book you’re hoping to use for research, or send the photo to the editor for your bio. It may seem overwhelming at first, but it’s a great feeling of accomplishment to get some of those items out of the way. I’d be lost without my to-do list. Because of it, I find that I’m writing nearly every day. No small accomplishment for someone who tends to procrastinate!

Ask your co-workers for feedback. The next time you’re sitting around gossiping in the lunchroom, why not ask your co-workers for their thoughts on the article or short story you’ve been working on? Getting a fresh perspective—especially an impartial opinion—might help you get “unstuck” on the piece or try a new approach you hadn’t originally considered.

Sara Hodon is a freelance writer based in Northeast Pennsylvania whose work has appeared in History, Today’s Caregiver, Your Wedding, and GRAND Magazine Online, among others. She is also the “Date and Relate” columnist for Online Dating Magazine. Follow her writing trials and tribulations at Adventures in the Writing Life.

Flickr photo courtesy of mcdlttx

7 Ways to Showcase Older Blog Posts

Once you've been blogging for awhile, you've probably accumulated some posts that you're really proud of. And it's a shame if those posts remain buried deep in your blog's archive.

The occasional reader might stumble on an old post or two after digging through your archives or doing a Google search for certain keywords, but most of those posts will lie dormant, gathering dust in the virtual equivalent of an attic. Unless, that is, you're savvy about showcasing those old gems.

Here are a few strategies to get you started:

1. Revisit the topic. Someone once asked me if I'd recommend reposting favorite posts so that new readers can discover it. No, but since writing the original post you've probably gained new insights on the topic, so you could link to the old post and discuss new developments or revelations. See #2 for an exception.

2. Sell or share a reprint of your old post. I sometimes sell reprints of posts that I originally published here to earn extra money. Some writers offer free reprints as a guest blog post on another site. I like this solution because it brings you and your blog added exposure without repeating content on your own site (if you have loyal readers, they will probably have an inkling that you're repeating yourself). And most of the people on the other site will be none the wiser because they probably aren't following your blog yet. But if you're selling or sharing a reprint, you MUST tell the other blogger or publisher so they can decide if they're comfortable having duplicate content.

3. Link within your posts. Lots of bloggers do this so that readers have a chance to explore related topics. You could include a list of related posts at the bottom (I believe WordPress has a Plugin for this), but I prefer to have those links integrated into the post. You'll notice that I do a little of this throughout this post.

4. Include it in a sticky post. I discussed the use of sticky posts earlier, and you could include links to a couple of older posts or rotate links depending on what's happening in the news or what readers are talking about.

5. Link to it in your blogroll. Admittedly, my list of "popular posts" is woefully out of date, but this is another area where you could play up the posts you're most proud of. And readers really do click on those links! At one point, I had deleted the "popular posts" section in an attempt to tighten up the blogroll, and a reader actually emailed me to complain that she couldn't find one of my "popular posts."

6. Plug it in your newsletter. I get a certain newsletter that includes a section called "From the Vault," which highlights an article from their archives. I think this is a smart strategy, because people who are interested in the article and didn't see it the first time are somewhat likely to click on the link. Those who've already read it will probably ignore the link, but there's plenty of new content in the newsletter, too.

7. Include it in a roundup post. Roundups are great because they're chock full of information and it's usually quicker for the blogger to put together a roundup post rather than writing something from scratch. For instance, at the end of 2008, I created a roundup of popular posts from the past year. It's a popular (and perhaps cliched) way for bloggers to mark the end of the year, but you could also create a roundup around a certain topic or theme.

Your turn! Are there other blogging strategies I've missed? How do you showcase posts from your achives?

Flickr photo courtesy of gadl

Open Thread: Have You Used a Virtual Assistant or Intern?

The other night I complained to my brother about how hard it is to juggle writing projects and accounting and marketing and computer trouble-shooting and tweeting and everything else.

"You need an intern," he said.

"But what's in it for them? I've thought about getting a virtual assistant, but I'm not sure I can justify the expense."

"Just find a college student who wants to learn about freelancing and take her under your wing. She can help you with paperwork and marketing, and you'll help her build a network and a writing portfolio."

Huh. Not for nothing that my brother has an Ivy League degree. He's a smarty-pants all right! I'm still not totally sold (after all, freelancers don't get much practice in delegating), but I admit I'm intrigued.

Have you used a virtual assistant or an intern? How did you find this person? What sort of tasks did you assign them? Any tips or suggestions?

Guest Post: 6 Ways to Improve Your Blog Karma

By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

“Karma” means you reap what you sow, or get as good as you give. Karma is what the clichés “She had it coming”or “What goes around, comes around” are all about. Karma means your actions will return to help – or haunt – you in this world…or the next one.

To improve your blog karma, you need to throw stones and make positive ripples in cyberspace. Luckily, it’s easier – and more fun! – than you think…

1. Write blog posts based on your readers’ comments or questions. One of my all-time favorite “blog-currences” is when readers ask a question or make a comment on a post. Responding with a full-blown article not only gives me something new to write about (an idea I may never have considered), it also makes readers feel special! Thanking them in the post – and even connecting to their blog or website – creates more delicious karma.

2. Barter your blog “buttons.” Desirée Ossandon over at Canada Arts Connect is featuring my buttons on her blog, and in exchange I’m featuring hers on mine. If you have a blog button (it could be a small 125 x 125 graphic that represents your blog), ask a fellow blogger to do a button exchange. If you don’t have one, ask about it below….and I’ll write a “how to create a blog button” post! J

3. Add a CommentLuv plugin. One of my favorite blog features is a WordPressplugin called “CommentLuv” (I’m not sure if it’s available on Blogger). When readers comment on your post and insert their URL, their last post is listed as a live link. I love this feature because it reveals a little of the personality and style of the commenter, and it gives them a bit of exposure. Karma!

4. Talk blogging with Gramma. Sum up the purpose or theme of your blog in a sentence or two, and talk about it in real life, not just online! Tell your grandma, hair stylist, storekeeper, and taxicab driver about your best, worst, favorite, or latest post. And don’t forget to ask if they’ve created their own blog. If they have their own blog, seek it out, make comments, and refer to your “real life” relationship. Creating blog karma extends beyond cyberspace, my friends.

5. Become a “regular” on several blogs. The more a blogger and his/her followers see your name on a particular blog, the better your relationship with be. Don’t be a “drive by commenter.” A crucial aspect of successful blogging is building relationships, and this involves being strategic about your commenting habits. Get to know bloggers, and let yourself be known.

6. Help people achieve their goals. This is what karma is all about! The more you help others succeed, the farther you’ll go – in blogging and in life in general. Find people who need help by visiting writers’ forums, searching for questions on Twitter (Tweetdeck makes it easy – if you want to learn how, ask me below!), or even asking what readers want at the end of your own blog posts.

Karma is my new favorite sport – Susan, thanks for being the first to teach me this term, and for letting me write about it here!

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger who created and maintains a series of Quips and Tips blogs: Quips and Tips for Successful Writers, Quips and Tips for Achieving Your Goals, and Quips and Tips for Couples Coping With Infertility. She's also the Feature Writer for Psychology Suite101.

Guest Post and An Announcement

Today I'm guest blogging at Quips and Tips to discuss raising your blog's readership. On Monday, Laurie will share her tips here on raising your blog karma, so be sure to check back for that post.

Also, thank you to everyone who entered to win a copy of The 30-Second Commute! Congrats to Andy and Kim, who will be getting their copies in the mail very soon.

And now, back to your regularly scheduled blogging...

Open Thread: Did You Tell Your Employer About Your Freelancing?

If you freelance on the side, then at some point, you have to decide if you're going to tell your employer or keep it on the down-low. Sometimes telling your employer can yield useful contacts. Or it could give the impression that you'll jump ship at any moment to freelance full time. Of course, if you keep it quiet, it's also possible that your secret could back-fire if someone finds out, particularly if your company has a no-moonlighting policy.

In my case, my boss knew about my freelance writing when he hired me. In fact, I leveraged my blog and writing clips to set myself apart. But I wasn't too public with other people in the company, because freelancing is the kind of thing that can be hard to explain ("what is it that you do? And you actually get paid for that?"). I also wanted to avoid the stigma of appearing disloyal, so I mostly kept it to myself. Well, one day my photo appeared in The Boston Globe and the article mentioned that I freelance. It gave me a ton of great exposure, but it also outed me to my coworkers. At that point I didn't have immediate plans to go full time, but within four months, I had given my notice.

For those who are still working at a day job, do you tell your boss about freelance projects? What about those of you who've left the 9-5 world? How did you handle both worlds?

3 Tips for TV Interviews

Ever since my interview on ABC News a few weeks ago, people have been asking me a) how I got the gig and b) what they should know before going on the air. Well, the answer to A is pretty straightforward. The producer emailed me on a Friday afternoon after reading an article I wrote, I cleared it with the publisher's PR department, and my boyfriend drove me to the studio the following Monday.

I guess the key is to write a timely, interesting article that is useful to a broad consumer audience and get it published on several websites (the original publisher bought all rights, but in this case, it worked out well for me because they syndicated to a bunch of different sites, increasing my reach). Ha, I know it's easier said than done, and there's an element of luck involved.

As for what you should know before going on the air, I'm hardly a TV veteran, but here are a couple of suggestions.

1. Watch earlier segments online. This will give you a sense of the anchor's style, the types of questions they ask, and what other guests are wearing. While we're on the topic of wardrobe, I've noticed that almost everyone on TV wears solid colors and long sleeves (few of us have Michelle Obama's arms). I chose a teal V-neck, because I was afraid that white or black would look too stark against my pale skin. My Mom pointed out that teal doesn't have much contrast to my skin, so next time I might opt for royal blue or another jewel tone.

2. Assume that you are responsible for your appearance. Originally they told me there would be a make-up artist at the studio, but then the location changed and I found out half an hour beforehand that there wasn't. Fortunately, I had brought a small make-up case with me so I could wear my own mascara, but I didn't have any concealer, blush, or eyeliner, because I thought it would be provided. So I went to town with bronzer and lipstick and mascara with no idea of how it would read on camera. Afterwards, my boyfriend thought I looked like a clown up close, but several relatives asked why I gone on national TV sans make-up. Next time I will pay someone to make sure I don't look pale or shiny.

3. Practice beforehand, but don't overpractice. Another writer who appeared on The Today Show told me it'll be over before you know it, so don't obsess. She was right. I printed out a copy of my article to review and wrote down several talking points, but once they had planted in front of the camera with a microphone and headset, I listened to the segment before mine to get my mind off of my own nerves. The earlier guest had some good tips on budgeting, so I listened rather than practicing my own spiel again. That relaxed me and also gave me a chance to listen to the anchor so I would remember her name for my segment.

Anything you would add?

Flickr photo courtesy of Lekke

Boost Your Productivity with Social Bookmarking

There's a ton of useful information online, but when you’re juggling multiple projects and looking at dozens of different websites, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

I started using Delicious.com a few years ago to organize my online bookmarks, and it has helped me tremendously to streamline my writing and research process. With the Delicious toolbar, I just click the "tag" button on my browser window and quickly save any web page with a few clicks and add my own keywords so I can easily find it later. Other examples of social bookmarking sites include Digg.com, Reddit.com, and StumbleUpon.com.

You can also use these sites to drive traffic to your blog or website, but I find them most useful as an organizational tool. These are some of the ways that social bookmarking can improve your productivity as a writer and/or blogger:

1. Access your bookmarks anywhere. If you work from different computers, then this feature is invaluable. Once you log into the website, you’ll have all of your favorite links right at your fingertips. Last year when I bought a new laptop, I used Delicious instead of transferring the contents of my favorites folders.


2. Cross-tag your bookmarks. With traditional favorites folders, you have to choose one title for each folder. I had folders in my market research for "women’s magazines" and "health magazines" and "regional magazines," but sometimes I couldn’t remember which folder I’d used to save something if it fit into multiple categories. Social bookmarking lets you add as many tags as you need so that X magazine shows up in all of the applicable categories that you choose.


3. Organize your clips. Whenever I get an online clip that I might want to share with an editor or potential client, I save it under my clips folder in Delicious, along with other tags like "business," "food," or "money." Later when I’m applying for a business writing gig, I can easily find a bunch of business-related clips and choose the ones that are the best fit for the job.


4. Swap links with other freelancers. Adding friends lets you share links in one click. The next time they log in, they’ll be able to see all of the links you’ve shared. I do this with several other writers, so whenever I find a new website or magazine that might be of interest to them, I pass it along and they do the same for me. It's much quicker than emailing.


5. Find more writing markets. After you save a link, you can see how many other users have also saved that link (and the other links they’ve saved). Say I bookmark the writer’s guidelines for a lifestyle website that I plan to query. I can see the ten other users who’ve bookmarked this same page, then click through to see what other pages they’ve saved. I’ve discovered a lot of interesting websites and even landed paying assignments using this strategy.

Have you tried social bookmarking? What sites do you use? Any new tricks I should try out?

Flickr photo courtesy of bashford

Open Thread: How Long Do You Play the Waiting Game?

Picture this: an editor at your dream magazine says she's interested in giving you an assignment. Maybe she tells you she'll present it at the next editorial meeting or that she's just waiting to get a new budget approved. Perhaps she asks to hang onto an essay while she decide she want to publish it. The point is that you're psyched about the possible clip, but now you're in limbo, because you don't have a firm assignment letter. Is she leading you on? Are there financial troubles that are forcing her to hold off? How long do you wait? Or do you quietly take your idea elsewhere while you're waiting?

This is a tough situation for any writer, and one that I've found myself in more times than I care to remember. I've definitely waited longer than I should out of the hope that it will pay off. Often it doesn't. In fact, I got a maybe last November and kept following up until I finally got a firm no in March. Then I pitched another idea to the same publication, got a maybe and forgot about it, because I figured maybe meant no like it did the last time. Well, something like three months passed and last week the editor asked if I could turn around the piece in 72 hours.

I guess the point is that there's no real formula for how you long you should wait. You can give an editor an ultimatum ("if I don't hear from you by X date, I plan to shop it elsewhere"), but in the end, they answer on their timeline. What do you think? How long would you wait?

How to Use Sticky Posts in Blogger

If you've been reading this blog on the actual URL, then you may have noticed the sticky post I added just under the header (and if you're using RSS, then hop on over and check it out). I've admired Michelle Rafter's use of sticky posts for awhile, but I only recently discovered how to create one in Blogger.

It's ridiculously easy, even if you're not a tech person, but few Blogger users actually use them. I think it's a brilliant way to welcome blog readers, promote certain posts, or call out other links. Yes, you can include that in your sidebar, too, but it's easy for things to get buried, and a sticky post is more prominent. As you publish new posts, your sticky post remains at the top so you have more control over the reader's experience. Plus, it's great for information that doesn't need a full post. I plan to change the sticky message every week or so to keep things fresh.

Here are some of the ways you can use sticky posts.

• Post an inspirational quote.
• Link to favorite posts or your "about" page so first-time readers know what you're all about.
• Encourage readers to sign up for RSS.
• Remind readers about a book reading, class, or other event.
• Link to your Twitter page so gain more followers.
• Encourage readers to sign up for your newsletter.
• Announce awards or new projects.
• Link to guest post guidelines.
• Link to your own guest posts.
• Remind readers about a contest or giveaway you're sponsoring.
• Welcome new readers from certain high-traffic sources and link to that mention for your own readers.

I think it's best to stick to one or two messages in a sticky post, but I'd love to hear how others are using them. Is there anything I've missed?

Flickr photo courtesy of Viernest