[stylist] Websites and resources

Fri Sep 16 11:21:53 UTC 2011

Hi Brad,
If journalists count, you probably already know that the NFB has a Journalism group, and I know that one of the moderators is a working journalist.

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Brad Dunse'
Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 5:26 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: Re: [stylist] Websites and resources

Bridgit,

Yes I am particularly looking for a blind person actively earning
income doing  this either  full or part-time. Of course though, hey,
I'd never turn down technical or stylistic information from those
who've written but not hired out for $$, but it is  experiences of a
person with his shingle out getting calls from customers and the
challenges they run into meeting deadlines, finding contacts/jobs,
handling the visual aspects/software programs/etc. that I'm
interested in most. I use to work with construction contracts lol no
attorney  or paralegal needed there. Most of that jargon is customer
job tweaked boiler plate type. I'm reading the Well Fed Writer and
while it is a book published in 2000,  it does seem many agencies and
businesses outsource material which their own staff are too busy to
do, or just don't have a staff at all. I'd though tof doing this
years and years ago when I first red about it in a home business
resource. I've been in business pretty much all my life so hopefully
there'd be some aspect to that as well to be utilized. Writing is a
learned skill, self-employment not so much. I have a songwriting
friend who is a copyrighter for Best Buy out here, I may meet up with
him for a Q&A though he isn't blind and pretty busy.

As for  the resource idea, I  guess I wasn't  originally suggesting
it to be a highly technical thing with   steller formatting and etc.
Basically a  working vehicle to get access to information. There ar
pick up truck owners with flash smoke stacks, wheel spinners,
pristine bed liners, designer pin striping, roll bars, fog lights and
heavy duty grills that ride around town on friday nights. And then
there's the farm truck that is scraped  up a bit, bent  trailer
hitch, a couple dents in the front quarter panel where the cow backed
into it, a cracked rear window where a two-by-four got a little too
close, and the back is filled with fence posts. *grin* Of course I'm
not saying for it to be a shambles lol, but I'd suggest start with
something simple like a spreadsheet where it is easily downloaded,
information is easily searched, sorted alphabetically and hyperlinked
to whisk you to the web site desired. If it is used and deemed
valuable by members, then html it???? I wasn't meaning for it to be a
publicly open web page for all writers but more of a wrench in the
NFB Writer's toolbox, right next to the coffee pot lol. But don't let
my comments detract you if that is what folks want to do. Just
looking for a working vehicle :). It might get done if it is easily
developed and maintained. I came 'this close' to just offering to do
it but I  didn't want to commit and not be able to put out, and
didn't want to just say nothing since it would be something  folks
might find helpful as well.

Brad

On 9/15/2011  03:16 PM Bridgit Pollpeter said...
>Brad- I've not done this type of writing for commercial purposes, or
>strictly businesses, but I do have experience in writing news releases,
>pitch letters, speeches, fact sheets and briefings. I know people do
>this kind of writing commercially but as an individual entity. I've
>never heard of people free-lancing for existing agencies and firms
>providing these services. That would be an interesting and potentially
>lucrative profession. Are you looking specifically for those who do this
>commercially, or are you looking for those who have knowledge of such
>writing? Or both? I would think a lawyer, or at least paralegal, would
>need to write a contract, though I guess, now that I think about it,
>anyone can write a contract; I've watched enough court TV! LOL
>
>Robert and all- providing information, whether it be links or something
>else, to various resources is a great, and much needed, idea. The way I
>see it, though, it would be a rather big endeavor requiring hardwork and
>dedication. These are my thoughts:
>
>1. Uniformity and organization are a must. Whomever may undertake such a
>task, if anyone ever does, a predetermined concept of how material will
>visually look and be organized should be discussed and decided upon
>before executing. For example, unlike websites like Wikkipedia,
>information should always be formatted the same, meaning wording,
>headings, structure, etc. all be formatted the same.
>
>2. Categorization would be a nice and appreciated feature. For instance,
>if categories like Style Guides, Templates, Writing magazines and
>Journals, etc. existed, it would be easier to search through especially
>for those who know exactly what they're seeking.
>
>3. Having a central person maintaining this would be better than people
>being able to just upload information. This would help keep uniformity
>and organization. One person, or a few working under one person, would
>accept submissions, check validity of sources, edit to follow format and
>place into proper category. This could keep it from looking like a
>Wikkipedia page that's different page-to-page.
>
>A list of members and their professions/services is a good idea too.
>Again, I think a specific uniformity and organization should be
>followed. And I think a central moderator should be in charge of
>formatting and update with this too.  My thoughts for a
>profession/services list are:
>
>1. Each entry would be formatted the same. Example: Name, two to three
>sentences providing background/bio, current profession, services
>provided (if any) and contact info.
>
>2. Of course, the list should be alphabetized, and individual categories
>are a potential thought too; like everyone in journalism fields grouped
>together, social workers, artist, public relations/media relations,
>teachers, etc. Again, this may help in the research process for those
>perusing the information.
>
>3. A template could even be created allowing members to enter their info
>in, and it would automatically be set up to post and even possibly be
>placed into a category based on what a person selects as a career/job.
>
>I have more thoughts, but these are some initial suggestions. It would
>be a lot of work up front, but once the initial set up was done, and a
>format/structure was agreed upon, I don't think the maintenance would
>take quite as much work.
>
>Not being technologically advanced, I'm not sure how to best provide
>such information. Downloadable spreadsheets from the division website
>may be the simplest to begin with, but I'd think eventually we'd want
>something a little more sophisticated. The links could exist on the
>website itself, or a single link could take people to another
>website/blog containing all this info. I'm sure others know what would
>be the best route.
>
>I can't help in any way with the online construction, but I'd be willing
>to work with any person/team as a consultant in the design and
>development process. Just to add potential suggestions and ideas.
>
>Jim- Joing the division would remedy that! LOL
>
>It seems Jim and Peter might have the most knowledge to physically
>construct this, but of course I'm not volunteering anyone who isn't
>interested. *smile* And I'm sure others are on this list who have
>knowledge of websites and stuff.
>
>It's a big undertaking to begin with, no matter how it's done, but one I
>think worthy of pursuing.
>
>Sincerely,
>Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
>Read my blog for Live Well Nebraska.com at
>http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
>
>Message: 1
>Date: Wed, 14 Sep 2011 19:25:13 -0500
>From: Brad Dunse' <lists at braddunsemusic.com>
>To: Writer's Division Mailing List <stylist at nfbnet.org>
>Subject: [stylist] Quick poll
>Message-ID: <131604631778986318 at t14.hostbaby.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>
>Are there any free lance commercial writers on list? Someone
>who  helps with ad agency overflows, free lance writing individual or
>business pres releases, business letters, contracts, speechs,
>resume's, etc.? Basically writing that is not looking for so
>called   "published" status.  I know Joe had a  web shingle out a
>while back. anyone else in this now or before?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Brad
>
>
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Brad Dunse

Instead of waiting out the storm, learn to dance in the rain

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