I’m beat.
My wife and I both worked a very, very long work week. And when it lands hard on both of us at once, neither can pick up the slack.
It’s not true, but the last few days, I feel like I’ve eaten nothing but cereal.
Does it look like I’ve been sleeping here? (It feels like it.)
Still, the worst is over. Yet I’ve only got time for a short update.
In a prior post, I urged my readers to pursue their dream clients (and dream projects) instead of sitting and waiting for clients to choose them.
I even outlined a process, and employed it myself to win a meeting, where I pitched a sizable membership project. I left the meeting feeling pretty good.
And I’d love to report on my success (as in “I’m writing this from the French Riviera, where my English butler is doing the typing for me“) but in truth, the reality isn’t that rosy. Still, you get the bad with the good here on the Underground, and the project that seemed so promising is now on… hold.
Why?
After all, I invested several hours educating the marketing person.
Who just left the organization.
Damn.
But you know, stuff happens. And if you’re deterred by every setback, you should consider a different line of work (no crybabies on the Underground).
The good news?
The higher ups now know my name. They liked the original proposal. And because of the visibility gained, I’ve been given a shot at a different project (my proposal’s on several desks as we speak).
In fact, I’ve got three separate proposals circulating at two different organizations, and I’m talking to the industry leader about some very, very intriguing engagement marketing stuff (and yes, I’m getting sick of spreadsheets).
Best of all, each is the kind of project I want to do — the kind of work that fires my imagination.
Starting tomorrow, I’m spending a week in Maine, where I’ll have limited connectivity (they have web servers in Maine, but apparently they’re wood fired).
I’ll leave you with this thought. When you sit down at the keyboard in the morning, what kind of project would it excite you to write?
Keep writing, Tom Chandler.
Comments 12
Good luck. As for your question, interestingly enough, I like writing much-needed programs that people need. Because then they’re very thankful to you :)
Yes, there’s something to be said for being loved.
I want to write something deals with my work and my family.
I want to write something quickly, say the 15 minutes it took Irving Berlin to write “God Bless America” or say one-hit wonder, Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky” (still one of the greatest pop songs ever written – 1st runner up “Walking on Sunshine”) and live off the immeasurable royalties.
Enjoy Maine and that dial-up thing!
Racquel: That sounds like a start.
Ms. Rosenberg: See now, that’s not passion, that’s greed… 8-)
So, you’re saying that’s a bad thing? :)
Hi Tom,
Speaking of success, I’m writing this from the French Riviera (truly) – but I must not have “made it” yet, because I still don’t have that darn English Butler doing the writing for me. (Good help is SO hard to find!) Just discovered your blog and enjoyed it so much I’ve added you to the few blog feeds I read!
I particularly enjoyed reading the posts about the bulky mailers and your marketing strategy. Would you be interested in doing an interview with me after summer vacation? It’s for my writer’s academy. You’ve got my email address, drop me a line.
And when you decide to come over here to Paradise, let me know where you find that butler, okay?
Warmly,
Cheryl
I’ve spent the whole last week asking myself that very question. What would get me out of bed on an early Monday, thinking “I can’t wait to start drafting this”? Right now, almost nothing -though I have fantasized with a freelance job for a fashion magazine. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing that I’ll get my well deserved holidays in 3 weeks.
Normally I’m really active and would write about anything that enters my mind, like a little game, but I’ve been feeling quite ininspired lately, and I’m starting to worry.
It could be that I desperately need some holidays, or an exciting new project, or a great challenge, or perhaps a career change -God forbid-?
It’s too early in the morning to swell on that. For the time being, I keep reading your blog, looking for inspiration, and also writing, to see if anything good comes out. Also, an idea for a highly interactive post:
What inspire you to write? My two cents: A good read, loneliness, fashion magazines (shallow, I know, but the truth nonetheless).
Thanks for writing,
Victoria
Tom: I don’t think that’s greed, that’s being a dreamer. For one reason, that kind of thing normally just happens when you last expect it -just like falling in love. But it’s good to dream…
Also, Maine, French Riviera… I’m really envious. Anyone ever thought about organising a copywriters summit in Formentera (Spain)? I’m sure that’d be really inspiring ;-)
Enjoy your trip Tom.
Perhaps you’d better take along your own wood for net connection purposes. lol
How about a summit anywhere in Spain??
I’m sick of hearing about really cool copywriters’ meetings in the US that I will never be able to make.
On pursuing dream clients, I think it’s important to also pursue your dream niche.
For me, that niche is the charity industry. What better way to make a difference to the world than with your copywriting skills?
A bonus that comes with the pay is the moral satisfaction I get from the knowledge that I’ve actually made a difference, in an indirect sorta way!
Sarah: The dialup connection was so spotty, I largely gave up trying to even download emails. Which was good, because a lightning storm knocked out the phone line for a while.
That was all a prelude to the trip home, which ended about half there. Instead of snuggled warm in my own bed, I’m stuck in a hot hotel room in Salt Lake City.
From a purely connectivity-related perspective, this trip pretty much bites.
Charity and cause-related marketing are rewarding fields, and in fact, one of my dream clients is a cause.
More as it happens.
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