Jobs
Applied for thus far:
Freelance Copywriter:
OK, I have tried outsourcing this job overseas, and I'm going to be honest-- that is just not working for me, so I've decided to try Craig's List with the hope of finding someone who I can have a real conversation with about the projects I need to get done. Is that so wrong? What I would like is a motivated stay at home mom or a college student or someone else that would appreciate a flexible schedule and who does a good job. I have been looking for someone to fill this position for awhile now, as I helped my previous assistant get a book contract, and now she is too busy to work for me (yes, it is richly ironic).
Here's the deal: I am a writer/ marketing person, and I have several research projects that need to get done, including fact-checking and making databases. My office is located near Danbury, CT, but it doesn't matter if you are located here or not.
Here are some skills you will definitely need to be successful at this job. Please be sure to read this carefully, as these descriptions also reveal what kind of boss I am and what kinds of expectations I'm going to have of you. As I mentioned I have been trying to find the right assistant for some time, and have encountered an interesting cast of flaky and weird people along the way. If you are one of those people, I have probably already hired you, and it probably already didn't work out, so you can just skip right over this listing.
Absolute requirements:
--Editing/ proofreading/ writing. I'm a writer with a bunch of projects going on at once and several people working for me, and it slows all of us down to have to babysit someone who is not on top of things. To be successful at this job, you are definitely going to have to do some writing, probably every day. If you know you're the kind of person who misuses apostrophes and misspells words, please do not apply for this job. If by some chance I end up hiring you and then you send me an email with typos in it, I have no problem firing you.
--The ability to "get" things easily, and to summarize: Sometimes we have the need for top-line summaries (like we'll need you to watch a video series or read a book and give a summary). If this sounds like something you totally hated doing in college, again, this is probably not the job for you.
--Good communications skills. I need a dependable person working for me. You will need to check in at least once a day. Yes, it is sad when personal/ family problems crop up, but I will not be sympathetic if you disappear off the face of the Earth for days at a time. In this economy, I am consistently surprised with just how flaky people are willing to be, even though I am offering to pay them good money to just get in there and do some work. If you know that you're the kind of person who doesn't have a great grasp of time management, I can probably tell you how this is going to end.
--Intelligence: I think fast, I talk fast, I need a smart person working for me who can keep up. I don't feel like I should have to pay someone for the time it takes me to explain things to them three times. If you're the kind of person who needs time to "let things sink in" or you need to "work your way through the problem" with a few unsuccessful attempts at a project that I have outlined, then this will not work out.
--A computer that works, and is connected to the internet. Does this need more of a description? You wouldn't think so. You'd be surprised.
--A sense of humor. Or at least a pulse.
Skills it would be nice if you had already or you would be willing to learn:
Graphic design (a little bit), some Wordpress would be nice, at least a conceptual grasp of what marketing is and why it's done. You might also have to make some phone calls occasionally, so it would be great if you had a working phone and could hold a conversation. You should also be familiar with social media, including Facebook and Twitter. In a perfect world I would also like it if you knew Flash animation and could custom-code some Wordpress CSS for me, but again, I would probably settle for a pulse, some decent writing skills, and working computer.
What you get in return:
--A totally flexible work schedule. Do the work assignments, and you will not have to leave your home or talk to anyone. This is a great job for an actor, or writer, or dancer, or really, anyone who is smart and ambitious and needs a job with a flexible schedule. This is the job I wish I had in college, but instead I was forced to work as a cashier at a cellphone store for a guy who I'm pretty sure only hired me because that was the only way he could get a woman to talk to him.
--Prompt payment. I will Paypal or write you a check every single week if that's what you want. Can you say the same of your other freelance writing gigs? Probably not.
--Interesting projects. You will not be bored, I will say that much. You will be getting paid to hone your writing skills and learn about interesting things. What's better than that?
--Career prospects: I love smart, ambitious people. If you do a good job, I will do whatever I can to help you advance in your career. I am well-connected and successful, so I can hook you up with more jobs/ connections.
That's it! Please send a resume/ writing samples/ links to any websites you might have made or worked on. I can promise you that if you are diligent and intelligent, this will be one of the best jobs you've ever had. Seriously though, if you apply for this job and end up giving me a hard time, wasting money, or being a bonehead, you will not only end up being quickly unemployed again, but you will probably eventually be a character in one of my books.
Freelance Copywriter:
- Seeking an experienced copywriter to craft 1-2 blog posts per weekday on home improvement topics.
You must:
Be able to generate leads through your content
Have a solid grasp of home remodeling (our main trades are window replacement, siding, solar power, kitchens & baths)
Do research quickly where necessary
Be able to meet your deadlines
Articles are typically 400-550 words. To apply, send 2-3 published writing samples via e-mail. Thanks. - Compensation: Paid per post
- Telecommuting is ok.
- This is a part-time job.
- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
- Please, no phone calls about this job!
- Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
OK, I have tried outsourcing this job overseas, and I'm going to be honest-- that is just not working for me, so I've decided to try Craig's List with the hope of finding someone who I can have a real conversation with about the projects I need to get done. Is that so wrong? What I would like is a motivated stay at home mom or a college student or someone else that would appreciate a flexible schedule and who does a good job. I have been looking for someone to fill this position for awhile now, as I helped my previous assistant get a book contract, and now she is too busy to work for me (yes, it is richly ironic).
Here's the deal: I am a writer/ marketing person, and I have several research projects that need to get done, including fact-checking and making databases. My office is located near Danbury, CT, but it doesn't matter if you are located here or not.
Here are some skills you will definitely need to be successful at this job. Please be sure to read this carefully, as these descriptions also reveal what kind of boss I am and what kinds of expectations I'm going to have of you. As I mentioned I have been trying to find the right assistant for some time, and have encountered an interesting cast of flaky and weird people along the way. If you are one of those people, I have probably already hired you, and it probably already didn't work out, so you can just skip right over this listing.
Absolute requirements:
--Editing/ proofreading/ writing. I'm a writer with a bunch of projects going on at once and several people working for me, and it slows all of us down to have to babysit someone who is not on top of things. To be successful at this job, you are definitely going to have to do some writing, probably every day. If you know you're the kind of person who misuses apostrophes and misspells words, please do not apply for this job. If by some chance I end up hiring you and then you send me an email with typos in it, I have no problem firing you.
--The ability to "get" things easily, and to summarize: Sometimes we have the need for top-line summaries (like we'll need you to watch a video series or read a book and give a summary). If this sounds like something you totally hated doing in college, again, this is probably not the job for you.
--Good communications skills. I need a dependable person working for me. You will need to check in at least once a day. Yes, it is sad when personal/ family problems crop up, but I will not be sympathetic if you disappear off the face of the Earth for days at a time. In this economy, I am consistently surprised with just how flaky people are willing to be, even though I am offering to pay them good money to just get in there and do some work. If you know that you're the kind of person who doesn't have a great grasp of time management, I can probably tell you how this is going to end.
--Intelligence: I think fast, I talk fast, I need a smart person working for me who can keep up. I don't feel like I should have to pay someone for the time it takes me to explain things to them three times. If you're the kind of person who needs time to "let things sink in" or you need to "work your way through the problem" with a few unsuccessful attempts at a project that I have outlined, then this will not work out.
--A computer that works, and is connected to the internet. Does this need more of a description? You wouldn't think so. You'd be surprised.
--A sense of humor. Or at least a pulse.
Skills it would be nice if you had already or you would be willing to learn:
Graphic design (a little bit), some Wordpress would be nice, at least a conceptual grasp of what marketing is and why it's done. You might also have to make some phone calls occasionally, so it would be great if you had a working phone and could hold a conversation. You should also be familiar with social media, including Facebook and Twitter. In a perfect world I would also like it if you knew Flash animation and could custom-code some Wordpress CSS for me, but again, I would probably settle for a pulse, some decent writing skills, and working computer.
What you get in return:
--A totally flexible work schedule. Do the work assignments, and you will not have to leave your home or talk to anyone. This is a great job for an actor, or writer, or dancer, or really, anyone who is smart and ambitious and needs a job with a flexible schedule. This is the job I wish I had in college, but instead I was forced to work as a cashier at a cellphone store for a guy who I'm pretty sure only hired me because that was the only way he could get a woman to talk to him.
--Prompt payment. I will Paypal or write you a check every single week if that's what you want. Can you say the same of your other freelance writing gigs? Probably not.
--Interesting projects. You will not be bored, I will say that much. You will be getting paid to hone your writing skills and learn about interesting things. What's better than that?
--Career prospects: I love smart, ambitious people. If you do a good job, I will do whatever I can to help you advance in your career. I am well-connected and successful, so I can hook you up with more jobs/ connections.
That's it! Please send a resume/ writing samples/ links to any websites you might have made or worked on. I can promise you that if you are diligent and intelligent, this will be one of the best jobs you've ever had. Seriously though, if you apply for this job and end up giving me a hard time, wasting money, or being a bonehead, you will not only end up being quickly unemployed again, but you will probably eventually be a character in one of my books.
- Location: anywhere
- Compensation: $10/ hour
- Telecommuting is ok.
- This is a part-time job.
- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
- Please, no phone calls about this job!
- Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.