Let's get together
Do you play (work) well with others?
In 2004 I was laid off and spent a few months being unemployed, looking for a full-time writing gig. By May I had my first contract gig, and another followed in July. I was feeling good. Things were easy. Then those projects wrapped up and I had no work beyond the occasional Craigslist job, a few of which actually paid. That lasted until early in 2006 when, in the middle of the night, I started typing random strings of words into Google in the hopes of finding work. Weird (and positive) things happened shortly after that.
Things I have done to create partnerships
- Emailed a graphic designer because her business name was a drug reference, or seemed so to me. It worked.
- Accidentally stalked a Portland brand professional, stopped him in the middle of the crosswalk at NW Glisan and Broadway, and convinced him we need to work together. It worked.
- Nodded and smiled on at least three occasions when a potential partner/client said, "You look like a writer."
- Talked at length about being left-handed.
- Read and commented on excerpts from a VP of Marketing's screenplay about a talking golf ball.
- Stayed for an extra drink at a client's request.
- Helped move furniture.
- Made weekly arrangements to work at a partner's office space on the other side of town because he asked.
- Taken numerous trips to Oregon's wine country.
Things I do that don't look like writing
- Lead meetings
- Create strange yet meaningful designs on the nearest whiteboard so as to capture the creative ideas flying around
- Make time for extra meetings
- Research
- Interview
- Offer creative input on design when asked
- Create very functional bullet point lists that help keep track of the project
- Brew and bring others cups of coffee
- Maintain a sense of calm
Look at this fantastic white board work (created on the fly during a brainstorm session)>>>
