May 2004

In this issue:
Editorial: Keeping your eyes open
Let me introduce you to: Melissa McFarlane
News you can use: For writers
Your feedback: From the Netherlands, the UK and Dubai
What’s on: May and June

“Where words speak louder than actions”

Keeping your eyes open
Every time I run the course I call Definite Articles, in which I teach students how to write and sell articles, I talk about keeping your eyes open for opportunities. I say that if you want to be a journalist you need to pick up every magazine you see. If you are on a plane, pick up the magazine. If you are in a supermarket or a bank and see that they have a free in-house publication, take one home. If you are waiting for a job interview and notice a magazine you have not seen before in the reception area, make a note of its name.

If you want to be a writer you need to keep your eye out for new markets all the time. Even if the magazine is a free one, it does not mean that they don’t pay for contributions. I

Keep your eyes open for opportunities all the time. And when, in the case of writing, you do spot a potential new market, make a note of the editor’s name, the publication’s website address and drop them a line as soon as you can. It’s all very well noticing a new market, but it wont do you any good unless you make the first move.

But adopting this kind of approach is not only relevant for journalists. It applies to any area. Not only do I make a living as a writer, but I teach writing too, as you know. If I know I am going somewhere on holiday or on business, then I look for opportunities to earn a bit more money while I’m there.

Take this week for example. More than a year ago the American Women’s Club in Amsterdam asked me if I would like to be a speaker at one of their monthly meetings. Now they don’t pay enough to cover my expenses, but I wanted to find a way to be able to afford to accept their invitation. So, first, I agreed to go, and then I started looking for opportunities.

The first thing I did was to ask the organiser of the AWC if I would be able to take along any of my products to sell after the talk. This is a great way of earning extra money from your speaking opportunities. I have a range of books and CDs available now, so I was delighted when they agreed.

Then I contacted all the people I knew already in The Netherlands and asked if any one might like to organise me a one day writing workshop. Whoever organised it would get a free place and commission. Jacinta Noonan agreed, and I am delighted to say that she has filled my workshop for this Friday with ten students. Way to go, Jacinta!

Next I organised a meeting with an existing client who is based in Holland so we can progress her publishing project forward. A couple of meetings with potential clients should provide me with some more reasons to return again soon.

This should keep me busy and so I am delighted to be heading off to The Netherlands tomorrow with a full diary ahead.

But I have still not called a halt to my hunt for extra opportunities. While I am over in Holland I will keep on the look out for ideas for articles that I might be able to sell to some of the publications I write for regularly, and I’ll also start publicising my nextRelease the Book Within course in The Netherlands, scheduled for June 8th.

Do you keep your eyes open for opportunities like this? Do you contact the people in your networks regularly to ask for help? Do you take every opportunity to add value to your trips?

In this way I have made sure that my little trip to the AWC will increase my income more than ten times.

Let me just give you a few more examples:

• When I went to Dubai on a family holiday, I also ran a writing course, researched a couple of articles and came home with ideas for several more.
• When I went to Turkey on a family holiday, I came home with ideas for two articles, both of which I since sold.
• When I went to do a keynote presentation in Frankfurt I also ran a one day writing course.
• And when I went to London to visit one potential client, I also offered to give one-to-one writing surgeries to budding authors, and filled my afternoon with paying clients.

The only way I can continue to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way, is by keeping in touch with my current contacts and adding to them when I can. My door is always open. I am always happy to help and give advice to my contacts. A firm believer in Karma and the law of reciprocity, I willingly give and give and give some more. I am living proof that it does come back!

Make sure you keep in touch with, and nurture your contacts. You never know when you might need them.

Jo Parfitt

Let me introduce you to:
I first met Melissa McFarlane in Milan in 2001 at the WIN conference. She gave a workshop on taking Spirited Action. I was immediately taken with her. Melissa, who is now a coach, used to be an actress and has amazing stage presence. Since then I have always listened to what she has to say.

And now Melissa is coming to London with her amazing Electric Kites workshop. It takes place on May 11th and 12th from 7pm to 10pm at the American Church on Tottenham Court Road. It costs just £50 and promises to be a life changing experience. She calls the event ReCHARGE with Electric Kites. Find out more at: http://electrickites.com/workshops/currentworkshops.html

News you can use:
For a list of all the markets you could need as a freelance go to http://www.thescriptorium.net/on_writing7.html

For business writing go to http://www.bizwriter.biz <http://www.bizwriter.biz/>

Need to join a writers’ critique group then try http://www.writesuccess.com <http://www.writesuccess.com/>

Your feedback

Hello Jo,
I was at your 'Definite Articles' workshop last year in Amsterdam and found it inspiring and useful. I'm entering short story competitions right now and have had a couple of articles published in expatriate and dance magazines.

I've just read 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves' by Lynne Truss. You might like to mention it in your next monthly inspirer. It's a humorous (lots of anecdotes) but informative look at punctuation and would be a useful asset to any writer. I read it in a couple of afternoons and it's now permanently on my desk as a reference on how to use amongst others: colons, semi-colons, apostrophes and ellipses...

Bye for now
Angela Williams
As a self-confessed punctuation fiend, I adore this book! Thanks Angela

Jo
Just wanted to thank you for a great and inspiring morning in Dubai on 14 April.
Wanted to let you know that I had my first ever article published today in the Gulf News Business Section, on corporate social responsibility - so a success story for you - literally one week after doing your course!

Imelda Dunlop

Dear Jo
Why is Abba "I have a dream" playing whilst I read this???? Spooky. But seriously it was good to read of an idea that when tried properly had good results.

John Harris (who read my editorial about Dream Boards in the March Monthly Inspirer)

Hi Jo
This is just a brief note for the Inspirer, if you would, I have been using this lady as a coach to help me with my current project for the last 4 months, she was at WIN, based in Germany, she is French, and has been extremely proactive in helping me get my project off the ground. She has good business connections and is incredibly intuitive even though we have never meet and our sessions are over the phone.

She gives one complimentary session to see if you like it, her name is Veronique Beltz and her address is mailto:v.beltz@career-coaching.net. Her website is http://www.career-coaching.net, someone might find it useful.

Marian Weston

Hi Jo
I have been searching through Ecademy for people who have an interest in writing. The reason for this is that I am looking for volunteers to help with a new, not for profit‚ project called The Children’s Club. You can find more details at www.the-childrens-club.com. The purpose of this club is to promote in children, aged 0 to 90, a passion for reading, creative writing and communication. There is evidence that children with a passion for reading do much better at school and excel later in life.

To get this project off the ground we need to find volunteers to give of their time and experience for the benefit of children all around the world. Among the skills we require are, writers, teachers, artists, web developers, marketing experts, parents and anyone else who think they could contribute in some way.

If you would like to help please join our Ecademy club The Children’s Club and as the project develops we will seek you advice and suggestions as to how we can best approach our objectives.

Jim Tuffin
www.the-childrens-club.com

What’s on

Thursday 6th May
American Women’s Club of Amsterdam
Amsterdam
11.15
I will be speaking at their monthly meeting. Please contact Ruth Higgins for more information on mailto:r.higgins@inter.nl.net. Or of course you can contact me directly.

Friday 7th May
Definite Articles
Den Haag, The Netherlands
Full day
€150
Thanks to Jacinta Noonan, my plea for someone to organise this workshop was answered. The workshop will take place in the Treehut. Please liaise with her for further information on mailto:j.noonan@inter.nl.net. Or of course you can contact me directly.

Wednesday 19th May
Release the Book Within
Collyweston, nr Stamford, Lincs
9.30 – 3.30
£80 to include notes and lunch.
Come and learn how to turn everything and everyone you know already into articles that sell or give your business publicity.

For details and bookings please contact me at summertime@lineone.net

Wednesday 9th June
Release the Book Within
Den Haag, The Netherlands
Full day
€150
Thanks to Jacinta Noonan, my plea for someone to organise this workshop was answered. The workshop will take place in the Treehut. Please liaise with her for further information on mailto:j.noonan@inter.nl.net. Or of course you can contact me directly.

Thursday 10th June
Make Money at the Back of the Room
Collyweston, Stamford, Lincs
9.30 – 5.30
£395 including lunch, notes and two hour consultancy (worth £150)
BOOK AND PAY BY 27TH MAY AND PAY JUST £295

Find out how to make real money and raise your profile by publishing books, workbooks and booklets you can sell at the back of the room after your workshops or keynotes. Start work today on booklets, workbooks and real books so that your dreams can become a reality this time.

Wednesday 30th June
Definite Articles
Collyweston, nr Stamford, Lincs
9.30 – 3.30
£80 to include notes and lunch.
Come and learn how to turn everything and everyone you know already into articles that sell or give your business publicity.

For details and bookings please contact me at summertime@lineone.net