Catching Up...

Well hello there!

Just a speedy post to say: It's been a while! I KNOW I said I was taking time off work to focus entirely on writing, but then my agency called and said "I know you said you weren't available but there's this job - in a library - in the Arts University."

I know, a library IN a specialist Arts University. Could there be a cooler place? (No there couldn't!) It's just a temporary project so I'll be there for a few more weeks and who knows what will happen next. Writing is still happening of course, but not so much blogging. In fact, I have to keep pen and paper nearby in the library due to sudden attacks of inspiration.

Will nap when old.
Photo by Bunty. 

So I have had a busy time, worked, attended some lectures, and also had a teenager revelation. i.e. teenagers look and sound all big and grown up and sensible, but actually they are just babies. But smellier and hairier and hungrier. And possibly worse sleep patterns. So I need to lower my expectations and stop assuming that they will notice that their muddy shoes have been in the middle of the bathroom floor all weekend. Silly me!

I've ridden my bike a lot lately, to work and back (that's why it rained all week, yo) and life is good.

I hope all is well with you!

Freelance Creative? Relax, You Don't HAVE to Be a Social Media Marketing Genius

I've been updating my website recently and researching ways to get more business flowing my way. Specifically, I need more paying jobs. And it's really interesting to see how much advice there is out there for small businesses and freelancers, encouraging them to spend countless hours and much creative energy getting traffic to their websites or building facebook pages to impress.

Courtesy 'Cartoonize Yourself' -Sharon Burford Cartoons 

Ten years ago, most creative freelancers had never heard of social media networking and they got along just fine. Even five years ago, I was a freelance artist with plenty of work and no internet activity for jobs. And I believe that extensive social media marketing just might be an expensive and unnecessary way for some freelancers to spend their time. In fact, the creative/rebellious/hermit side of me has over the years locked this website down on more than one occasion, temporarily banning comments and actively discouraging traffic because I couldn't be bothered with spam and found I was spending too much time mediating. 

Not that I have anything against social media: I have Facebook friends who would help me hide a body, or build a patio. Or both. But that's just me. I live far away from many of my true friends, and I really love to keep up with the minutiae of their lives and their kids' latest haircuts. So I have a Facebook account, and a professional Facebook page. Linkedin can be inspiring and informative, and a good place to trade tips in groups. I've also recently fallen in lust with Pinterest, a great forum for visual creatives if you can avoid the 'popular' pinners.

But many artists and writers are just not interested in social media. And some of them worry that they will lose out if they don't market themselves on the internet, especially with all the advice out there to Become More Visible, Get More Hits and See Increased Traffic!!! 

In the words of The Hitchhiker's Guide, Don't Panic. The gurus who want you to market yourself on the internet are, generally, making a living out of marketing. They are often good at what they do and can really help you increase traffic to your website and get site visitors to engage who will, sometimes, pay you for your creative services. Of COURSE they want you to want social media marketing. 

Breaking the Rules With My
Linkedin Profile Photo: This
pic has been the start of many
interesting conversations.

I'll tell you a secret: I have an 'All Star' Linkedin profile, but I've never had a paid job via Linkedin. My Facebook page looks good and I love the conversations with fellow professionals, but I've never made money there either. My website (this very website) had over 10,000 visitors last month, and not one of them who happened to drop by said "Ooooh, you are so wonderful, write for me and here's lots of money!" 

All of the great jobs I've ever had, I got the old-fashioned way. I emailed one person and offered specific services to them. Then I emailed another person and suggested another service that would be perfect for their publication. Then I walked in to an agency (calling first of course) and said "Hi! I'm Nan." I have had work via conversations, volunteering and pitching to glossy magazines. I've had referrals from satisfied customers and phone calls from people who happened to see my work in real life. But from the many hours of hanging out on the internet and re-designing my website, hardly anything, directly. 

Having some online presence is great. It means that you can include a link in your emails that says 'You can see examples of my work here.' I am sure many readers of my countless "I'm a Freelance Writer, Hire Me Now" emails must have checked my website, Linkedin profile or Facebook page before hiring me. If they can log in and see that I appear to be basically sane and haven't filled my site with end of the world conspiracy theories, they may feel more comfortable putting their project in my hands. So having either a website, or a Facebook account, or Pinterest, or any one of the dozens of online portfolios available is important. But if you're not that into it, it's okay. Make sure it looks professional and you have photos and links of your latest published work. Visit once a week or so to say 'Hi' and let your fans know you haven't forgotten them. And then, spend your time doing what you love to do. Write, paint, create. Lie under a tree and have a nap, even, as this is one of the surest paths to creative success that I know of.

"You can't just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they'll want something new." - Steve Jobs

Ajoupa Writers' Retreat. Internet Not Included

I know successful photographers who are not on Pinterest. Brilliant troubleshooters who work only by word of mouth recommendation. Published writers who can't be bothered with social media. They use their creativity to find new ways of selling their product- And are so good at what they do that everyone wants to buy it. And yes, there are flexible and intuitive marketers who understand the creative insanity that drives some of us. They are all good at what they do, so that's what they do.

Creative people often hop from one project to another, and evolve with the times. We understand that the ebb and flow of economy and earth can't be connected with a long term marketing plan. If you're like many creative people, you won't want to be tied down by a specific 'Personal Branding' strategy anyway.

Yesterday, I made ceramic tiles, stitched and painted. Today, I write, photograph and design. Tomorrow, I might paint, garden and dance. Remember, the internet was invented by us - different, slightly eccentric creative people who thought way out of the box. Are we going to let anyone tell us how to use it?

____________________________________________________

Keep up with Nan Sheppard's latest on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Nan is currently a freelance writer, painter and a regular contributor to Aquila Magazine and The Green Parent, and has told countless bedtime stories, some of the best of which were made up on the spot.

Nan absolutely loves talking about herself in the third person, and it is possibly the greatest contributing factor to her desire to become an author.

What is an Artist to do?

"Faced with the blazing magnificence of the everyday, the artist is both humbled and provoked. There are photographs now of events on an unimaginable scale: the death of stars, the birth of galaxies, soup-stirrings near the dawn of Time. Bright crowds of suns gather in the wildernesses of the sky. Magellanic clouds of glory, heavenly Pisan towers set in a celestial Campo dei Miracoli, lean across the frame. When we look at these images, there is, yes, legitimate wonderment at our own lengthening reach and grasp. But it would be vain indeed to praise our puny handiwork - the mastery of the Hubble wielders, the computer enhancers, the colourizers, all the true-life fantastist counterparts of Hollywood's techno-wizards and imagineers - when the universe is putting on so utterly unanswerable a show. Before the majesty of being, what is there to do but hang our heads?"

- From Salman Rushdie's 'The Ground Beneath Her Feet', a book I keep returning to.  

This Week, I'm a Freelance Writer

Photo: Chas

I have been 'temping' for almost a year at the same job, and in January I gratefully went 'part time' to spend more time writing. Recently, the part time gig came to a happy end with the best outcome for all concerned.

Which means I AM JOBLESS!! I am so thrilled and excited to embark on a full time freelancing career. I am also completely petrified.

I am not making enough money to survive as a freelancer, yet. But I have allotted two weeks to give it a go, before I have to go banging on Tate Recruitment's door and admit defeat. They are the best employment agency in the entire universe, by the way. If you are an admin whiz and can wow with your mad excel skillz, classy customer service poise or problem-solving acumen, pay them a visit. They were keen to have me begin a new placement almost immediately but I really hope I can find enough work to stay home in my jammies eating chocolates all day.

During my two weeks focusing on freelancing, by happy coincidence (the coincidences surrounding this whole life change have been quite eye-opening), there will be a free learning festival at Bournemouth University. I have signed up for TEN different courses, ranging from writing to social media marketing to anthropology to permaculture. Some are just an hour's lecture, some an all day workshop. This is so full of *SQUEEEE* I can barely contain myself!

Send fabulous marketing vibes, creative urges and chocolate.

_____________________________________________

Keep up with Nan Sheppard's latest on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Nan is a regular contributor to Aquila Magazine and The Green Parent, and has read and told countless bedtime stories, some of the best of which were made up on the spot.

Nan absolutely loves talking about herself in the third person, and it is possibly the largest contributing factor to her desire to become an author.

Seven Reasons Why I Like to Write Early in the Morning

Mornings have always been my favourite part of the day. Now that I'm freelancing, I find I get my best work done if I start early. I'm still working on my exact routine, tweaking my schedule so that it all fits in sensibly, but starting early suits my nature and my situation very well.

• I love the quiet. The phone won't ring for a bit. There is still milk left for my tea, hopefully. If it's a holiday or a weekend, the teenagers are sleeping. 
• No-one has had a crisis yet. By the time they do, I'm just about ready for a break anyway.
• If someone calls and says "Can I drop the kids to yours for a minute?" or "Help, my car has shut down!" I can say that I'm right in the middle of something, and mean it. That doesn't mean I can't help - Part of why I like freelancing is that I can be there for my peeps. But if my friend turns up and sees my laptop and notes on the kitchen table, they are more likely to keep it brief, and NOT stay for tea after. They learn to respect that 'freelance' does not actually mean 'lying around on the sofa eating chocolates'. 

“He'd heard that writers spent all day in their dressing gowns drinking champagne. This is, of course, absolutely true.”

-Terry Pratchett, Snuff

• Ticking things off of lists before midday for the win! Sending queries and posting wise and informative quotes on social media early in the morning grabs the attention of other productive early birds. 
• It's cool, and the sun comes in at the right sort of angle for creative lighting. My brain works better for long-term projects and retains information longer. If it turns into a beautiful, sunny day, I can get out for a walk later on and feel like I've already been productive. And we all know that a brisk afternoon walk in the sunshine makes us even MORE productive. 
• The cat wants out, having spent a boring night of watching everyone sleep. Later, she comes back in and expects an immediately accessible lap where she can gently insert her claws. Endearing, but distracting. 
• When you stop for a break, your mind tends to stay on the project and you DO get back to it. Because it is much easier to finish up a project, than it is to start one. 

Of course, not everyone is a morning person. I know some freelancers who would rather cut off their own ears than spring cheerily out of bed at six to start working. When is your best time for getting it all done? Is your routine working for you?

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