Christine B.

Go to any trade show or convention, and you’ll see companies exhibiting their goods to the world. Literally, you get to see some of the inner workings, most importantly: the budget, of these businesses. Some have poorly spelled or hideously looking posters, others have professional trade show displays.

The curious writer always asks him or herself: “who writes these?”. Whether Mr./Ms. writer is looking at a shampoo bottle, or at the local convention’s truss exhibits. It is these markets that often starve for writers, but there is not clear path to the client’s door. Usually these jobs are sucked up by PR or Marketing companies, who may or may not work with freelancers.

The easy route to a possible client’s heart may just be that local convention though. Next time you float from booth to booth, instead of giving your rehearsed-sounding 2 minute introduction, give your feedback on those banner stands instead. At a mining convention last year I caught the eye of a client this way, and it is just one of the many unconventional manners of client-fishing modern freelancers should learn to embrace!

After the car accident I was in last week, and after hearing about my friend’s vacation yesterday, I really feel like I need one too.

In between Christmas shopping and working, I’ve been looking for interesting places to go. I love sun and beach as much as most people, but I generally prefer a more interesting vacation.
Martha’s Vineyard vacation rentals caught my eye as a result. Although other locations on “weneedavacation.com” are equally interesting. That’s what I like about these vacation rental places though, you find places you never thought existed!

The site also has a summer photo contest, great way of trying to win your next vacation.

Brought to you by Martha’s Vineyard vacation rentals

I am not the first person to advocate the very popular marketing tactic known as “giving away free stuff”… and I’m sure I will not be the last.

Yesterday I was at a silent auction to which I had donated two products from a business I am involved in. The silent auction was visited mostly by people who have either influence, money, or both. Basically, a fantastic way of tapping into this potential market.

If you own a business, consider donating to high-profile silent auctions, but make sure your business cards or brochures are included. This way, even people who do not win your item in the auction have an opportunity to pick up a brochure, business card or flyer.

It’s cheap marketing! and it works!

Last night I had my best friend over. We try to get together frequently to chat and also work together, which frankly makes marking a pile of papers a whole lot more fun. Anyhow, we reached the topic of my book at some point when he saw the books I bought at a silent auction earlier yesterday as possible research material for my own book.

Eventually, and I am not sure anymore how it happened, my friend literally said:
“Just start writing, just start and stop making excuses.”

He said this, I believe, after I mentioned I was stuck somewhere mid-book because I am entirely unsure of what format to use, in which person to write and whether to keep it as a social commentary or heavily based on personal experience. I am leaning towards personal experience, although a more non-fictiony type of approach would be infinitely easier to write.

So, I really have to stop pondering, and just continue writing…

I went to do some Christmas shopping the other day, and although the person in question never reads my blog, I will not take the risk and divulge what I was purchasing. Suffice to say it was electronics, and the price was amazing for the specs being offered.

Unfortunately, when I took the item home and tested it (because I was skeptical it was as good as was written on the package), it turned out the specs were actually WRONG! What company in their right mind misrepresents their product so grossly? Imagine how disappointing it would have been if I would not have tested it and given as it? The quality was just completely unacceptable in this day and age, and frankly the price was far too high for the specs it turned out to have outside of the box.

I have a problem with misrepresentation, especially with products. The silly thing is, it may be a simple type-o on the product packaging, which would turn the 11 (amazing) into 1.1 (more like the real thing was).
Ever thought type-o’s are not a big deal? They can alienate customers and cause losses in sales…

Love, romance and dating is often seen as happy, light, and seeing the world through a rozy haze. Some people though look for soulmates who participate in the same lifestyle they do, and those people are attracted to the niche sites that cater to these lifestyles. There are dating sites for dog owners, single parents, and Goth singles caters to singles who enjoy the goth culture, fetishes, extreme music, and alternative culture. Singles can upload their pictures, chat with other members and send messages.

To find the perfect person for you, the likelihood of finding him or her increases exponentially if you place yourself in a situation where you meet people with similar interests. As far as niche dating sites go, they perfectly complement this age-old concept in the dating world. Thus, it is not entirely surprising, and really neat, that this section of the dating market is now being serviced!

From a media and advertising perspective, the website is extraordinarily well designed and looks stunning! It is a refreshing change from many generic and ugly websites cluttering the web these days.

This post was brought to you by www.darkyria.com

This blog and website has been moved to ChristineBuske.com, my apologies for the inconvenience!