a productive pen

I have been working hard lately and typing ’til my ‘lil fingers might bleed. I am learning so much, and having a good time. In between projects I am working on my very first product launch. I want to start adding custome ebooks to my menu of writing services, so I am whipping up a sample ebook that I can offer to visitors and give to clients as a sample. So, that will be on tap soon.

I have not yet finished reading Getting Things Done, but I found this blog by someone who’s clearly a GTD freak:

So this post is just to keep the old blog nice and fresh. I am still feverishly freelance writing my little heart out, so stay tuned for some cool new happeings around here soon.

I found Sallie’s Author-ized Articles writing blog while surfing on mybloglog. Her blog looks good, and I plan to check out some of the writing podcasts she has listed.

Do One Nice Thing

I’m all about paying it forward and trying to do my best to be helpful to others. While blog-hopping this morning, I came across this Do One Nice Thing, a web site that helps people to spread kindness and encouragement to others. Check it out:

Yes, I am still here. I am trying to learn how to strike a balance between getting my writing work done and on deadline, and keeping the blog fresh and updated with new content. For now, I must err on the side of what’s paying for the groceries.

I will say that with this sudden influx of big projects I am really learning to write faster and be more efficient. My copy of Getting Things Done arrived the other day, but, ironically enough, I’ve not had time to read past chapter three. . .

A few weeks back I posed the question, “Would you do a writing project–specifically grant writing–on spec? I had seen an ad on craigslist for a business that was not even a non-profit that wanted grant writers to agree to write grants on their behalf with the promise of a percentage of the amount of the grant IF the grant was awarded to them. I had a conversation with the person who placed the ad, but got a funny feeling about it, so I declined. It just did not feel right to me.

Well, it’s always gratifying in some small way when you discover confirmation that something you felt in your ‘gut’ was the right thing. Here’s another ad I saw on craigslist this morning:

ATTN UNETHICAL “NONPROFITS”

“No REPUTABLE nonprofit worth their salt would ever hire a grant writer and pay them a percentage of whatever grants they receive. Likewise, no REPUTABLE grant writer would accept payment for their services based solely on the grant being received. If you’re going to start or run a nonprofit, please engage in above-board, ethical hiring practices.

According to the code of ethics of the Association of Fundraising Professionals:

16. Members shall not accept compensation that is based on a percentage of contributions; nor shall they accept finder’s fees.

17. Members may accept performance-based compensation, such as bonuses, provided such bonuses are in accord with prevailing practices within the members’ own organizations, and are not based on a percentage of contributions.

18. Members shall not pay finder’s fees, or commissions or percentage compensation based on contributions, and shall take care to discourage their organizations from making such payments.

The full code of ethics is found here:

http://www.afpnet.org/ka/ka-3.cfm?content_item_id=1068&folder_id=897

So, I imagine that I was not the only one who felt squeamish about these ads.

That’s all for now. Keep on writing.

I’ve been a fan of  Internet Business Mastery for awhile now. They have a nifty podcast that gives useful information, and I find Sterling and Jay to be fun and engaging. What I like about the podcast is that they don’t waste your time, rather they share concrete stuff that will help you grow your Internet business. These are the guys that turned on that little lightbulb over my head about passive income streams. My goal was to find a way to work from home. Well, I’m doing that, but I’m still just trading my time for dollars. What I really wanted to do was not just work from home, but figure out ways to set up systems where I could invest some time and effort on the front end to something that would continue to generate income without my further continuous involvement.

I was listening to the latest show in my ipod while I was on the treadmill at the gym and I wished that I had a pen and pencil so that I could take some notes. They are talking about the whole web 2.0 paradigm and how these big changes are effecting the way businesses work online. I also learned about the whole Getting Things Done (GTD) phenomenon and how David Allen’s prodctivity doctrine is helping people to learn to be more productive and free their mind and life of unnecessary clutter. So, I followed the link and bought the book and I can’t wait to read it and make the changes that I need to make so that I do not feel so overwhelmed with all that I have to do in my life.

So, head on over to itunes and subscribe to Internet Business Mastery. You will learn stuff that you can implement right away to help your business grow.

Here are some GTD links that might inspire you to give this system a whirl:

A Squidoo.com lens on GTD:

http://www.squidoo.com/gtd

43 Folders on GTD: 

http://www.43folders.com/2004/09/08/getting-started-with-getting-things-done/

A Forum and Podcast from David Allen on GTD:

http://www.davidco.com/forum/

http://www.davidco.com/podcast.php

BTW, I am now a raving 43Folders fan. I need to get out more. Really. Why is that I have not yet seen this blog? While reading up about GTD, I found the Hipster PDA, which is just my speed. I’ll do a review and roundup of the Hipster PDA later in the week. ‘Til then, Keep on writing.

For me, blogging has always been about creating community. Now, before ya’ll start rolling your eyes, you know its true. When blogging first started, there was no Adsense, no Technorati, no mini-malls and worrying about stuff like PPC, and CTR and all of that mess. It was all about people sharing their experiences with others and making connections across town and even across the world.
When I saw this little clip on AgentSully’s blog, I laughed out loud, I said, “awwwww!” and it really just made me feel good to watch people connecting. In a good way. I’ll stop now so you can watch:

YouTube - Free Hugs Campaign. Inspiring Story! (music by sick puppies)

So, while you are counting up your site stats and Adsense earnings, remember that it’s really about the people whose lives you touch or encourage or inspire. Money is free. Human relationships are priceless.