Comments on: The Right Way to Find Your Freelance Sensei http://freelanceswitch.com/start/the-right-way-to-find-your-freelance-sensei/ Freelance Advice and Freelance Jobs - FreelanceSwitch Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:08:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Rhonda http://freelanceswitch.com/start/the-right-way-to-find-your-freelance-sensei/#comment-27061 Rhonda Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:08:26 +0000 http://freelanceswitch.com/?p=1130#comment-27061 Thanks for this list, Kristen. Can I ask that add "Please say Thanks!" to your list? Over the years I've spent a lot of time answering "What advice do you have for someone just starting in [field]?". Invariably, the requests are polite and not at all imposing. I've happily shared information (though never contacts), but I stopped some time ago as too many of my responses went without a single word of thanks or acknowledgement. This isn't even a generational thing—one long reply was to someone my own age. Note to requesters: If your potential mentor has taken the time to help you by responding to a personal request for information or advice, the LEAST you can do is say thank you. You don't have to be gushing, just a polite acknlowedgement of the time and effort they've put in for you for free. Thanks for this list, Kristen.

Can I ask that add “Please say Thanks!” to your list? Over the years I’ve spent a lot of time answering “What advice do you have for someone just starting in [field]?”. Invariably, the requests are polite and not at all imposing. I’ve happily shared information (though never contacts), but I stopped some time ago as too many of my responses went without a single word of thanks or acknowledgement. This isn’t even a generational thing—one long reply was to someone my own age.

Note to requesters: If your potential mentor has taken the time to help you by responding to a personal request for information or advice, the LEAST you can do is say thank you. You don’t have to be gushing, just a polite acknlowedgement of the time and effort they’ve put in for you for free.

]]> By: Write on the Edge » Blog Archive » Link Love 8/12/08 http://freelanceswitch.com/start/the-right-way-to-find-your-freelance-sensei/#comment-26824 Write on the Edge » Blog Archive » Link Love 8/12/08 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:09:10 +0000 http://freelanceswitch.com/?p=1130#comment-26824 [...] The Right Way to Find Your Freelance Sensei at Freelance Switch - Kristen Fischer talks about the right way to approach a seasoned freelance writer for help. It’s all about consideration and respect for others and their time. Important information for any new writer! [...] […] The Right Way to Find Your Freelance Sensei at Freelance Switch - Kristen Fischer talks about the right way to approach a seasoned freelance writer for help. It’s all about consideration and respect for others and their time. Important information for any new writer! […]

]]> By: BusyBlogging http://freelanceswitch.com/start/the-right-way-to-find-your-freelance-sensei/#comment-26661 BusyBlogging Fri, 08 Aug 2008 22:16:56 +0000 http://freelanceswitch.com/?p=1130#comment-26661 I agree 100%. I try my best to help everyone I can but sometimes the sheer volume of requests are overwhelming. It's the same phenomenon of resumes bombing my inbox ever since there was the invention of emails because it's so easy to ask. People who are enthusiastic, polite and most importantly, those that catch me at the right moment will often end up having me respond. I agree 100%. I try my best to help everyone I can but sometimes the sheer volume of requests are overwhelming.

It’s the same phenomenon of resumes bombing my inbox ever since there was the invention of emails because it’s so easy to ask.

People who are enthusiastic, polite and most importantly, those that catch me at the right moment will often end up having me respond.

]]> By: frank http://freelanceswitch.com/start/the-right-way-to-find-your-freelance-sensei/#comment-26599 frank Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:42:44 +0000 http://freelanceswitch.com/?p=1130#comment-26599 Another Excellent post. thanks! Another Excellent post.

thanks!

]]> By: kristen http://freelanceswitch.com/start/the-right-way-to-find-your-freelance-sensei/#comment-26593 kristen Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:35:53 +0000 http://freelanceswitch.com/?p=1130#comment-26593 It's hard b/c I want to help people, but I think it's okay at the same time to admit when you're not mentor material. I do get annoyed when people want things handed to them, though. I tend to write about what's going on in my life, so I thought this would make a great post with good insight. I'm glad you liked it. @Martha: You raise a great point. I've always considered doing that, but I don't think I'm the teaching type, either. I kinda just prefer to rock it solo, if that makes sense. I do good with other writer friends but I feel like I work hard enough to keep afloat. I'm flattered when asked about my work, but once someone asks me for my clients' info, you've lost the nice Kristen. She does exist, btw.:P It’s hard b/c I want to help people, but I think it’s okay at the same time to admit when you’re not mentor material. I do get annoyed when people want things handed to them, though.

I tend to write about what’s going on in my life, so I thought this would make a great post with good insight.

I’m glad you liked it.

@Martha: You raise a great point. I’ve always considered doing that, but I don’t think I’m the teaching type, either. I kinda just prefer to rock it solo, if that makes sense. I do good with other writer friends but I feel like I work hard enough to keep afloat. I’m flattered when asked about my work, but once someone asks me for my clients’ info, you’ve lost the nice Kristen. She does exist, btw.:P

]]> By: Martha Retallick http://freelanceswitch.com/start/the-right-way-to-find-your-freelance-sensei/#comment-26585 Martha Retallick Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:55:14 +0000 http://freelanceswitch.com/?p=1130#comment-26585 The fact that people are calling to ask your advice is a good thing. But, as you've found out, it can also be quite a time-sucker. Have you considering offering "How to Get Started" classes for aspiring freelancers? When the next aspirant calls, you can say that, due to the current demands of your (paying) clients, you're too busy to talk. And then you invite them to your once-a-month class. I've also seen some "guru" types offering ongoing mentoring programs. And, yes, they charge for them. The fact that people are calling to ask your advice is a good thing. But, as you’ve found out, it can also be quite a time-sucker.

Have you considering offering “How to Get Started” classes for aspiring freelancers? When the next aspirant calls, you can say that, due to the current demands of your (paying) clients, you’re too busy to talk. And then you invite them to your once-a-month class.

I’ve also seen some “guru” types offering ongoing mentoring programs. And, yes, they charge for them.

]]> By: Grace Smith http://freelanceswitch.com/start/the-right-way-to-find-your-freelance-sensei/#comment-26565 Grace Smith Thu, 07 Aug 2008 10:42:15 +0000 http://freelanceswitch.com/?p=1130#comment-26565 Great read. I receive quite a few emails and phone calls each week from students and freelancers just starting out asking for advice. I take it as a huge compliment to be asked i dont think people always consider your time and the fact that they may not be the only one asking for that same advice! Im digging the tough love Kristen! Great read. I receive quite a few emails and phone calls each week from students and freelancers just starting out asking for advice. I take it as a huge compliment to be asked i dont think people always consider your time and the fact that they may not be the only one asking for that same advice!

Im digging the tough love Kristen!

]]> By: Leal http://freelanceswitch.com/start/the-right-way-to-find-your-freelance-sensei/#comment-26543 Leal Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:53:44 +0000 http://freelanceswitch.com/?p=1130#comment-26543 Sounds like she really got you annoyed since I noticed you used her as an example. You have some nice pointers though. Well said. Sounds like she really got you annoyed since I noticed you used her as an example. You have some nice pointers though. Well said.

]]> By: Sam http://freelanceswitch.com/start/the-right-way-to-find-your-freelance-sensei/#comment-26540 Sam Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:08:41 +0000 http://freelanceswitch.com/?p=1130#comment-26540 Hahaha you have an annoying friend. Maybe if I were on your shoes, I'll tell her exactly what day/time the best time to contact me. And I'll make sure I'll be available to discuss stuffs with her. However, I'll also reiterate that there are online groups available that she could search on her own for other people's advice. Hopefully, this will give her a "clue" that I'm not ready to be her mentor. Sam Fix My Personal Finance http://fixmypersonalfinance.com Hahaha you have an annoying friend. Maybe if I were on your shoes, I’ll tell her exactly what day/time the best time to contact me. And I’ll make sure I’ll be available to discuss stuffs with her. However, I’ll also reiterate that there are online groups available that she could search on her own for other people’s advice. Hopefully, this will give her a “clue” that I’m not ready to be her mentor.

Sam
Fix My Personal Finance
http://fixmypersonalfinance.com

]]> By: Travis King http://freelanceswitch.com/start/the-right-way-to-find-your-freelance-sensei/#comment-26538 Travis King Thu, 07 Aug 2008 02:58:07 +0000 http://freelanceswitch.com/?p=1130#comment-26538 Next time you can get me to work my l33t photoshop skillz on it :) Next time you can get me to work my l33t photoshop skillz on it :)

]]>