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Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow

Jake Poinier

Phoenix, AZ

Owner, Boomvang Creative Group

Freelance Writing

DearDrFreelance

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Brett Kunsch I'm compiling a list of the top 10 films for entrepreneurs. Citizen Kane, Social Network, Jerry Maguire, The Aviator, Ghostbusters (!) are making the cut so far. What else would you add to the list? Thanks ahead of time!!

65 weeks ago from Entrepreneurs, Film, Business Development, Upstarts! and Web Startups 3 more

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Megan Atkinson: A great female entrepreneur movie is Real Women Have Curves! Definitely a chick flick but a good business lesson regardless. I'd like to add Hitch ...MoreA great female entrepreneur movie is Real Women Have Curves! Definitely a chick flick but a good business lesson regardless. I'd like to add Hitch because it's about confidence in selling yourself. Also, It's a Wonderful Life because it's a classic!
64 weeks ago

Brett Kunsch: Thanks @Megan - I'll need to check that one out. Good call on Hitch and It's a Wonderful Life!
64 weeks ago

Janna Marlies Santoro Full-time freelancers & indie workers: do you work mostly face-to-face with clients, or virtually? Do you have a preference or better success with one or the other?

78 weeks ago from Freelancing

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Daya Bihm: My work is virtual
68 weeks ago

Helena Bouchez: I work mostly virtually, but visit my clients in person (even if its on my own dime) at least twice a year.
68 weeks ago

Monica Valentinelli Recommend me a book that helped you further your career. No title too small. No book too long. Just tell me why this book matters to you and what you hope I get out of it.

71 weeks ago from Productivity & Time-Management, Professional Development, Copywriters, Creative Writing and Professional Writers and Editors 3 more

Becky Benishek, sudan, Brianna Swartz and Liz Kasell and 1 others recommended this

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Jake Poinier: I echo Brett's comment. "Getting Things Done" is fantastic!
70 weeks ago

Cooper: I'm not a business type, but I think the only book anyone needs was written decades ago by Dale Carnegie " How to Win Friends & Influence ...MoreI'm not a business type, but I think the only book anyone needs was written decades ago by Dale Carnegie " How to Win Friends & Influence People". I was given this book by a friends father for graduation from high school. I kid you not. It's the only self help book I'll ever need.
70 weeks ago

Jake Poinier Have you hired a freelancer in the past year, or do you plan to in 2011? Are you a part-time or full-time freelancer? If so, Friday, Jan. 14 is your last chance to participate in this year's Freelance Forecast survey: Please head to http://deardrfreelance.com/2010/12/freelance-forecast-2011-surveys for links to the client and freelancer versions of the surveys. All participants receive a copy of the results and an entry for a $100 gift card to iTunes, Staples or OfficeMax. Thanks!

71 weeks ago from Freelancing, Hire A Freelancer, Entrepreneurs, Professional Writers and Editors and Copywriters 3 more

Ryan Paugh Can you be a good writer, but not be good at proofreading and editing? I like to think of myself as a good writer, but when it comes to the details of proofreading and editing I'm really bad.

71 weeks ago from Creative Writing and Professional Writers and Editors

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Ryan Paugh: This is all really good advice for me. Thanks. I think if I want to be a good writer I need to be focused on just getting my words down on paper ...MoreThis is all really good advice for me. Thanks. I think if I want to be a good writer I need to be focused on just getting my words down on paper and then worry about editing/proofreading later. Whether I'm doing the editing myself or passing it off to somebody who is better at it than I am. That's probably good advice for anyone who is trying to become a better writer.
71 weeks ago

Jake LaCaze: To me, "writing" is all about the content or the story. Save that grammar crap for the editors.
71 weeks ago

Ryan Healy “The whole difference between construction and creation is this; that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists.” - if you're an entrepreneur you understand what this means.

72 weeks ago from Entrepreneurs and Upstarts!

Sarah Peck and Jamie Nacht Farrell recommended this

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Jake Poinier: Fantastic distinction! Thanks for posting it, Ryan.
72 weeks ago

Dain: Excellent insight! Thanks for the post.
72 weeks ago

Jake Poinier As a freelancer, you're always hopeful that a query letter is going to land an assignment. At the same time, it's easy to be paranoid that your fantastic story idea is going to be 1) appropriated and written in house or 2) assigned to another freelancer. One of my readers had a recent bad experience, detailed here: http://bit.ly/b5BR5e I'm curious to know your experiences -- on either side of the desk. Are freelancers right to be paranoid?

79 weeks ago from Copywriters, Freelancing and Professional Writers and Editors 1 more

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Therese Pope: Hi fellow copywriters, I'm new to Brazen Careerist and this group. Jake, I found you via another site and like your Dr. Freelance site.

I've ...MoreHi fellow copywriters, I'm new to Brazen Careerist and this group. Jake, I found you via another site and like your Dr. Freelance site.

I've heard similar stories over the years, and I'm sure some of the article pitches that were rejected by newspapers and magazines ended up in their editorial calendar.

I guess as a copywriter this doesn't really phase me since I write for others in their "voice" and have taken on ghostwriting projects. It just doesn't happen with article queries/pitches. It happens in marketing, PR, sales - you name it. Ideas are stolen all the time. Look at Mark Zuckerberg. He was sued for allegedly stealing the original Facebook idea from those twins.
76 weeks ago

Aaron Evans: Recently, prominent aviators and builders got together in honor of the anniversary of the Wright Brother's flying invention. The idea was to ...MoreRecently, prominent aviators and builders got together in honor of the anniversary of the Wright Brother's flying invention. The idea was to recreate the invention, with the same materials and technologies, and make it fly. They failed.

These were the top minds in aviation and flight building, and they could not reproduce the result of the Wright brothers.

As a society we are constantly fine tuning other's ideas in a way that is more convenient, better, more marketable, etc. sometimes not even knowing or being able to reproduce the original idea. I don't know if this is good or bad, but it is happening.

Ideas can be stolen or reimplemented, but PASSION and EMOTION are yours and yours only. Doing the right thing is what sets people apart from the others today.

Zuckerburgs are everywhere, and occasionaly (as often as winning the lottery) they get lucky with another's idea, but it's not just the idea, it is how it is implemented.

Don't worry about whether others steal your ideas, just be passionate about your idea and implement better than anyone else. It is not worth the stress that it brings, is it?

All the best,
Aaron
76 weeks ago

Jason H. Parker I have a variety of freelance opportunities on the plate right now. Would it be wise for me to set up an LLC for tax purposes? How does one do this? I've worked as a 1099 employee before, but didn't have reason to set up an LLC. Thanks for the help and resources.

77 weeks ago from Digital Marketing Consultants, Location Independent and Freelancing 1 more

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Jason H. Parker: Thanks, everyone. Jake, thanks for the web resource. Charlotte, you've explained the situation very clearly to me, and I appreciate it. Jamie, ...MoreThanks, everyone. Jake, thanks for the web resource. Charlotte, you've explained the situation very clearly to me, and I appreciate it. Jamie, I'll touch base with you offline. Way to be a referral generator! Kim, thanks for the info, I'll figure out what makes the most sense for me.
77 weeks ago

Timothy Johnson III: You might want to take a look into www.myllc.com, which is the owned by ...MoreYou might want to take a look into www.myllc.com, which is the owned by the authors that wrote "LLCs for Dummies." The book covers a lot of issue you will or might run into, running an LLC.
77 weeks ago

Ty Unglebower What do you think is the best way for writers to network in casual settings? That is to say at a party or other non-networking social event, (where most networking happens.) When you tell most people you are a writer, they say, "oh!" and nod, and that is the end of it. They probably think I am up in an attic surrounded by papers and liquor. (I'm not.) So how can a writer discuss what he does, and what he wants to do in the future, with "lay people" in an interesting way?

78 weeks ago from Baltimore Brazen, Washington D.C., Professional Writers and Editors and Networking Tips 2 more

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Thursday Bram: I've found that it helps when I sound excited about what I do. It's easy to say 'I'm just a writer,' and that tells your networking prospect that ...MoreI've found that it helps when I sound excited about what I do. It's easy to say 'I'm just a writer,' and that tells your networking prospect that what you do is fairly boring. If you can convey your enthusiasm — 'I'm lucky enough to be a writer!' — it's easier to start a conversation about it. I also really like asking what other people do and talking about writing projects that I've worked on that are related to their industry.
78 weeks ago

Heidi: I am a strategy consultant and a writer. I actually have more interest at events when I tell people I am just a writer! What seems to work is if ...MoreI am a strategy consultant and a writer. I actually have more interest at events when I tell people I am just a writer! What seems to work is if I can tell them what I am working on or what I have worked on. I get bonus points (i.e. a longer conversation) when I can tie in what I am writing/have written to the nature of the event or the personality of the person I am speaking with.

Heidi
78 weeks ago

Steph Auteri There are so many things that terrify me about networking events. I agonize over the best way to approach people, and then don't approach them. I worry that I'm lame for cowering in the corner. I worry that I'm boring, or that my social awkwardness turns people off. I'm an introvert, with social anxiety. What do you struggle with the most when it comes to networking, and how do you cope? http://ow.ly/37zQ2

80 weeks ago from Professional Writers and Editors and Freelancing

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Caitlin: Meeting people at an event where you don't know anyone is so hard! One of my friends recently blogged about this: MoreMeeting people at an event where you don't know anyone is so hard! One of my friends recently blogged about this: http://gearsandshifts.com/2010/introverts-pain
79 weeks ago

Jake Poinier: I'm an extrovert, but primarily when I'm with people I know -- so, networking requires a concerted effort. My approach is kind of like the Dog ...MoreI'm an extrovert, but primarily when I'm with people I know -- so, networking requires a concerted effort. My approach is kind of like the Dog Whisperer recommends when walking an unruly dog: You just need to pretend and carry yourself like you're a famous celebrity! Just in a friendly and bold way, introduce yourself to some people -- odds are, they're just as shy about networking as you are.
79 weeks ago

Steph Auteri Being an editor and a writer is interesting. As an editor, I need to make the copy the best it can be, in a way that fits the publication. As a writer, I know what it's like to be attached to your words, and I try to run things by my writers when I’ve made extensive edits, as I don’t want to misrepresent them in any way. To all the editors out there: How do you find a balance between editing and respecting someones work? Writers: Any good/bad stories to share about the editors you have had?

82 weeks ago from Professional Writers and Editors

Rebecca Thorman recommended this

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Mehnaz Thawer: I'm on both sides of that fence regularly. As an editor, I try and maintain the integrity of voice. If the piece is having major issues with ...MoreI'm on both sides of that fence regularly. As an editor, I try and maintain the integrity of voice. If the piece is having major issues with information, I will ask for a rewrite or a clarification. Sometimes when there is a huge discrepency in how the writer reguarly writes and the editor's work, it can be obvious. I try and avoid that pitfall where I can.

I do hate it when the tone of my article gets edited. It's happened to me, and I think it comes more from a lack of understanding of your spin than anything else.
82 weeks ago

Lawrence Tabak: OK, I know I said above that I shouldn't get started...but here's one of many interesting editorial interactions. I submit what I consider to be ...MoreOK, I know I said above that I shouldn't get started...but here's one of many interesting editorial interactions. I submit what I consider to be an extremely tight 1200 word personal essay to a national journal -- sized to their normal well. After sitting with them for many months I am surprised to receive a positive response. However, could I edit it down to 900 words? In two days. Fine, I torture it down to 900 words, at some expense to the piece. Send it in. Three week later I get a frantic call -- an adverstiser has dropped at the last minute. Any way I could expand my essay to 1,200 words? And no, they no longer have my original submission...That said, I've also had many wonderful editors.
82 weeks ago

Emily Moore Do you think it's possible to go straight from graduation into a career of freelance? Do I need to get into a 9-5 profession? I'm working on establishing myself now so that I'm already comfortable and in my "career track" when I graduate next May. What are your tips and advice for going down this road?

94 weeks ago from Professional Writers and Editors, Ask Penelope Trunk!, Entrepreneur and Young Entrepreneur Community 2 more

Robby Chen recommended this

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Steph Auteri: Hey there Emily. I know I'm late to the game, but I thought I'd chime in, too. You mention that you're working on establishing yourself now, so ...MoreHey there Emily. I know I'm late to the game, but I thought I'd chime in, too. You mention that you're working on establishing yourself now, so that you're ready to go by the time you graduate. I'm wondering what this entails.

The thing about freelance is that you don't have to wait for that degree. You can just dive in now, and perhaps build up a strong client base that's already there by the time you graduate. How? Start pitching stories and building up a collection of clips. Build a professional site in order to showcase these clips. Become active on social media, so that you can both promote your work and connect with others in the industry. Network like hell.

Of course, there are a few things to consider before going all or nothing:

- Do you have enough money saved up to handle monthly expenses in the event you don't reach your income goals?
- Have you budgeted for health insurance? (I can't remember when graduates go off their parents' insurance...)
- What sets you apart from other writers? Sometimes, taking on other jobs can enrich your writing, and add to your areas of expertise.
- Also, Tia's right. Former employers can often end up as eventual clients!
- Finally, full-time freelance writing can be done, but diversifying can provide you with more stability. Perhaps you could supplement your freelance work with a part-time job. Or provide other freelance services, like copy editing or corporate copywriting. Etc.

God, it's like I'm writing a novel. I hope this helps!
84 weeks ago

Carlee Mallard: Emily, will you be moving back to the Raleigh area after you graduate? Either way, you'll want to start reaching out to people in the community ...MoreEmily, will you be moving back to the Raleigh area after you graduate? Either way, you'll want to start reaching out to people in the community that you'll be living in after graduating as well. I hope you come back to us though!
84 weeks ago

Ryan Paugh I'm the kind of writer who is always looking for a better word to describe what I'm feeling. Maybe that makes me a bad writer, or perhaps I'm just trying too hard. Whatever the reason I find myself using sites like Thesaurus.com a lot to find better words to use and it mostly works to my benefit. Does anyone else find themselves in similar situations when they write? Do you have a go-to source for finding better words to use?

93 weeks ago from Creative Writing, Professional Writers and Editors and Write a Book!1 more

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Mateen Hamza: @Christina requires great effort but i guess a very practical idea, must be real handy all times.
86 weeks ago

Bryon Ownby: Sadly, I use the Thesaurus in MS Word to get the creative juices flowing...
86 weeks ago

wendy aron They say, "Do what you love and the money will follow." I did what I loved and the money ran away. Did you heed this career advice and where did it lead you?

96 weeks ago from What I Wish I Knew Then, Career Changers, Legally Speaking and Professional Writers and Editors 2 more

Sadya Siddiqui recommended this

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Elizabeth Marling: My interpretation of this advice is that it regards specific situations. Say, for example, you love helping people. If you do the behavior ...MoreMy interpretation of this advice is that it regards specific situations. Say, for example, you love helping people. If you do the behavior people will see your abilities, and the likelihood of getting a chance to do it for $$ increases. Or if you love sewing, you should sew first to even have a chance at selling your finished work or services. I think by 'money' it just means making a living, not getting rich.

If you really love something, is it enough to just make a living doing it, or does money become a discouraging factor if your income doesn't increase along with your accomplishments?
90 weeks ago

Iris Van Kerckhove: I want to take the advice, but haven't quite got around to doing what I truly love! That said, doing what you love alone does not necessarily mean ...MoreI want to take the advice, but haven't quite got around to doing what I truly love! That said, doing what you love alone does not necessarily mean the money will follow.
90 weeks ago

Sadya Siddiqui There's a debate going on "skill vs luck" and also if hard work always pays off - I say it does, Ty Unglebower says well no, not always. Read & share your thoughts on Jamie Nacht Farrell's blog post http://bizrelationships.wordpress.com/2010/08/01/how-humble-do-i-have-to...

94 weeks ago from Ask Penelope Trunk!, Personal Development, GenYJourney: Tips, Insights, Experiences For Young Professionals, Brazen Careerists on Twitter and Professional Development 3 more

Jake Poinier: Sadya, thanks for the link. It's a great discussion!
94 weeks ago

Dassnagar: I like it.
94 weeks ago

Jake Poinier The creative world is rarely life-or-death, but good lessons in preparation in this Brazen Careerist post http://ow.ly/28gj5 #brazen

98 weeks ago from

Ryan Paugh Lately I've been seeing myself turn into my dad. It's funny because you never see that sort of thing coming ... I realized that I wasn't alone when Jake wrote about how he got his entrepreneurial spirit from his dad (http://bit.ly/crI5rw). So other people must be experiencing the same thing. How about you? Have you noticed yourself acting more like your parents? Is that a good or bad thing?

99 weeks ago from Helicopter Parents and Work-Family Balance

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Jake Poinier: Ryan, thanks for the h/t! It was interesting to see the strong reactions my post provoked, from people with similar experiences to those who ...MoreRyan, thanks for the h/t! It was interesting to see the strong reactions my post provoked, from people with similar experiences to those who vociferously denied that heredity could possibly have anything to do with what you end up doing for a living.

As I get older, I definitely understand why my parents were generally strict, and my wife and I are following a similar model. I am comfortable being a parent now, with the knowledge that friendship can come later. In particular, I think a lot of Baby Boomer parents want to try to be buddies way too soon.
99 weeks ago

Raquel Elle Bell: @Jake ~ You are right on there... I think that it's important to be a guide first friendship can come later when you actually have more in common ...More@Jake ~ You are right on there... I think that it's important to be a guide first friendship can come later when you actually have more in common with your children. When they actually have life experience and can appreciate the sacrifice and struggle.
99 weeks ago

Vickie Elmer I'm working on some articles and blog posts on time management and productivity for busy creative types - in part to improve my own performance and learn as I write. What's the one tool you find most useful in managing your time, energy and focus? And what are the big time wasters you're trying to shrink or escape from? (I've cut back on Twitter and Facebook lately and it seems to give me more time for summer joy and the work it takes to build my seasonal business Mity Nice.)

100 weeks ago from Entrepreneurs

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Jake Poinier: I recently bought "Getting Things Done," and it is the first time management book I've ever been able to implement. (Attempted the Franklin ...MoreI recently bought "Getting Things Done," and it is the first time management book I've ever been able to implement. (Attempted the Franklin Covey/7 Habits thing, and failed every time.) David Allen's method is more adaptable to the creative brain, because it's not guilt-motivated the way I feel like Franklin Covey is, for me, anyway.
http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/01...
100 weeks ago

Ilana Weiner: I love Google Calendar to manage my life. As a freelancer it's a must to keep things organized. I have different calendars for different things ...MoreI love Google Calendar to manage my life. As a freelancer it's a must to keep things organized. I have different calendars for different things (exercise, life, business) and color code them so that at a glance I can see what I have in store for the day. And on Facebook, I just implemented a massive hiding campaign. I have 600 "Friends" that are mostly people from high school and business acquaintances. After hiding I only see the news feed of relative and close friends. It's changed my life. Now instead of 2 hours on Facebook a day, I only spend 20 minutes.
100 weeks ago

Joy Kennelly I have been asked to co-author a memoir and was wondering what's the going rate for this type project? I normally charge $100/hour for other writing and am not sure how to gauge the time involved having never written one before. Any advice please?

101 weeks ago from Professional Writers and Editors

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Jake Poinier: Hi Joy: Very exciting! My rate is the same as yours, and I worked with someone last year on a memoir-type project. He made it relatively easy for ...MoreHi Joy: Very exciting! My rate is the same as yours, and I worked with someone last year on a memoir-type project. He made it relatively easy for me, emailing me electronic spoken files from a digital recorder. (I would highly recommend that as a method--makes it a snap to capture the "voice.") I then was responsible for editing the files, coming up with clever chapter titles, and re-writing as necessary.

It was not a long book, about 25 short (500 word) chapters, and it worked out to about 40 cents a word, though I charged him hourly. So, I think you need to get a handle on how much of the work is incumbent upon you vs. the co-author. I was fortunate that he happens to be a professional speaker, so he was relatively easy to write for. Anyway, I based my estimate on a (paid) 1-chapter sample, then just multiplied it out. Please feel free to email me if you want to discuss further!
101 weeks ago

Jake Poinier: Yikes, just saw Chris and JR's responses...and I agree with them 100% on the due diligence aspect. My contact was a known, trusted quantity who ...MoreYikes, just saw Chris and JR's responses...and I agree with them 100% on the due diligence aspect. My contact was a known, trusted quantity who was referred to me. You'd definitely want to get a deposit before commencing work!
101 weeks ago

Susan Johnston Just published a new post on WorkAwesome.com and I thought some of you Brazen Careerists might get a kick out of it: 25 Super Creative Resumes http://workawesome.com/your-job/25-examples-of-super-creative-resume-des... (Most are from graphic designers, but my fave #14, since it's a writer's resume)

103 weeks ago from Beantown Bloggers and Freelancing

Sadya Siddiqui and Mandy Boyle recommended this

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Melissa Breau: Very cool.
103 weeks ago

Marian Schembari: Love it!
103 weeks ago

TOP IDEA: Kim N. Campbell Does the "follow your passion" edict really apply to everyone? GenY is such a huge fan of going for what you love whether its lucrative or not, but how many people who are doling out that advice are poor or lower middle class, immigrants or people of color? Are we COMPLETELY ignoring how privilege plays into our ability to survive the path less taken? Are people buying into a dream that doesn't exist? What are your thoughts?

106 weeks ago from Non-Profit Management, Ask Penelope Trunk!, Brazen Undergrads and Brazen Careerists on Twitter 2 more

Karolyn Chowning and Robin Mills recommended this

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Barb G: Rishona, check out IATF, the International Association for Teamwork Facilitators. It's a great virtual group where you can learn a lot.
106 weeks ago

Tariq West: A lot has been said here, and I think Kim and Maureen captured many of the key points around privilege and how it powerfully marks peoples lives. ...MoreA lot has been said here, and I think Kim and Maureen captured many of the key points around privilege and how it powerfully marks peoples lives. I will add the following: The theme that has run through many of these comments is the idea of "what is possible" with hard work and perseverance.

It is as quintessentially American as the American Dream itself for people of privilege to overlook the difference between the possible and the plausible, and the disjoint between the mythology of "hard work" as a guarantor of success and the fact that the American Dream is implausible for many hard working people.

Returning to the original qs though - It is possible that anyone might achieve the lifestyle they desire while pursuing their passions. It is significantly more plausible, however, that people who have certain privileges will achieve the lifestyle they desire while pursuing their passions. Kim is absolutely right to ask the question of whether privilege plays into

Also, I really hope everyone here takes a moment to read this excerpt (especially pgs 8-9 http://bit.ly/9BdMwe) from Tim Wise's book "White Like Me" - it is framed around race, but it features extraordinarily lucid analysis of privilege that are very relevant to questions of class, gender etc... Every freshman in America should be required to read this book as a basic primer on privilege dynamics.
105 weeks ago

Dean Soto Okay. This is a call for for *one* book that had a drastic impact on your career, and that you would force someone else to read at gunpoint if you could. Not just a book that "motivated" you, but actually got you a dream job, raised your salary, or increased the profitability of your business. Ready? Go!

107 weeks ago from Entrepreneurs and Professional Development

Jake Poinier and Kenji Crosland recommended this

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Ginger Crowne: Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton. 2 in 10 people are not playing to their strengths at work. This book and ...MoreNow, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton. 2 in 10 people are not playing to their strengths at work. This book and strengthsfinder assessment will help you identify the areas you innately possess that enable you to accelerate your development in a meaningful way.
106 weeks ago

Amy Calhoun: I am going to have to agree with The Four Hour Work Week. I still actively work but it encouraged me to take more control over my life rather than ...MoreI am going to have to agree with The Four Hour Work Week. I still actively work but it encouraged me to take more control over my life rather than letting life control me.
106 weeks ago

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