Please don’t judge me too harshly, but yesterday I caved in. I swore I wouldn’t do it, and I ranted that it was a ridiculous fad, and so on and so forth, and well I am now an official hypocrite. Yesterday I set up a Twitter account.
Why would I do something so stupid? Well, I’m not planning on being stuck in Saudi Arabia for any longer than I have to really, and that means finding a job in the big bad world at some point in the not all that distant future. My ideal job involves working as a freelance editor, proofreader and writer, eventually supporting myself fully through my own writing. However, whilst I work slowly towards this goal I am beginning to come to the realization that Twitting, or whatever it is called, is going to be a necessary evil.
Jobs I have looked to apply for ask in the application process whether you Twit and keep a Facebook profile. Quite what my Facebook profile is going to tell them about my abilities as a prospective employee I’m not all that sure – it’s purely for family and friends connections. Apparently though, the ability to read the ramblings of the latest drone of a celebrity and being able to type less that 140 words about wiping your arse is something necessary to show that you can use social networking sites. Being able to use a social networking site is obviously going to make me a better writer and editor so I gave in and signed up.
The main reason for my joining Twitter is to take advantage of the ability to get my name out and about, however slowly. I’m not entirely sure how I’m going to go about garnering a larger following than the two devotees I have at the moment though. Any tips are more than welcome! It’s a start though. Once I figure out exactly how I want to market myself and Ger (because naturally we do everything together) I’ll think about a website. Then it’s just a case of getting people to pay me for my sadistic love of ripping their work to shreds...
In the mean time though it is job hunting. For now we are happy to see out our contracts in Saudi Arabia, but if we can help it we’d very much like to get back to the real world after that! So that’s why I became a Twit. Anything that is going to make me appealing to a prospective employer in Canada (preferably) or the UK has got to be a good thing right?
So finally, after a somewhat rambling blog today, I have some requests for you guys. Request one, can someone please leave a list of tips for getting noticed and followed? Request two, can anyone who Twitters follow me in return for my following of them (username Kirsty274)? And request three, if anyone knows how to go about finding a job as an editor, copywriter, proofreader, or creative writer in the Calgary/Edmonton area of Canada please let me know? Jobs under these titles don’t seem to exist on the job sites I’m using!
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Comments
Asked question #1: As a Twit or as a professional word person? For the former, no idea. For the latter, . . . I know Ger is working as a tech writer, are you also? Do colleagues have connections? Ask them to connect you? Or, try a traditional route--get an inhouse publishing to learn the ropes adn then freelance after you've made contacts. Though I've no idea what there is of such work in Calgary.
Asked question #2: I would if I could but I can't 'cuz I don't.
Asked question #3: When I figure it out, I'll let you know . . . Seriously, though, what kind of editorial work are you thinking of? Lots of niches (trade, text, business, medical, financial), each with its own quirks, sets of requirements, and contact networks. You can also search for freelance work on the Intertubes, where it doesn't matter where you live. (Thus, you can start making contacts now.)
Unsolicited advice #2: Remember how John advised us all not to try to get our book published? Well, I've got similar advice: Don't go into editing. The proliferation of "information" on the Internet does not mean an exponential increase in demand for editor's skills and thus willingness to pay for editorial work. It means an explosion of un-edited and never-will-be-edited content. Now, this might be colored by the experience of the recession, and it might just be that my side of the industry (textbooks) is hurting more than others. But the amount of editorial work out there is a fraction of what it used to be.
Good luck!
As for the rest, well, can't help you there. But, I will say, if you were anywhere near Ohio, I would likely be one of the first to hire you as MY creative writing editors, so I can get some of my own writing published! For what it's worth...
R
It might be helpful to belong to a professional organization for networking as well as notices of writing opportunuties. If you return to Canada, PWAC (Professional Writers' Association of Canada) is one I would recommend for you to look into. Their website is :
www.pwac.ca
Best of luck.
Füsun
;)
Heck, I have an account, but heck if I remember how to login or I'd follow ya!! :D