Errors? | Mistakes? | Sloppy? Or Overload?

by JudyAnn on March 11, 2010

Freelancers and others have to deliver product where we hope for perfection. Are we being unreasonable? What is it that lets things ‘happen’ to spoil the project and make us look a little stupid?

  • Snag the wrong email address (make the DOOM sound here)
  • Attach the wrong file (read more below)
  • Seem to be working in a different universe for time, dates and other specifics.
  • Spelling block (I have a word that won’t spell for me)

As we ‘hurry’ to accomplish something; misreading the necessity for perpetual rush, our eyes and mouse catch the wrong email address. That can come back to haunt us. Or, we select the draft file to send off as a piece of genius writing. We get on the wrong calendar pages; time has bought into that bit about speed and rush. I can’t keep up with it. CHECK BEFORE SEND has to become one of our mantras.

A couple recent blog posts drew this to my attention. At “About Freelance Writing”, Anne mused over comments she received in a blog post entitled: Freelance Writer Gets Criticism.

A couple days later, she has to write a mea culpa post because she’s discovered that the criticism arose because of “Yeah, So I Sent the Wrong File.”

This week a dear reader emailed me about an incorrect date on the Wilder Days |Mansfield Missouri website. I appreciate that anyone is reading it and am so glad someone brought me back to the present time warp. I found a couple that she missed and could fix them so that families wanting to enjoy the Wilder Days event could be reasonably sure of getting there on the right weekend!  One benefit of the error; blog fodder for the Wilder Days blog and more for the Facebook and Twitter account.

As soon as the pressure is applied, we tend to ’see what we need to see’. Till the precious proofreaders around us catch up with us. These errors are only part of the things that can happen.  That rising pressure sets off brain freezes; I cannot EVER remember how to spell some words under stress.  Rhythm is one of my biggest bug-a-boos.

Definitely the ever common and growing overload, added to the feeling of urgency and general increase in speed for whatever we are doing can lead us to ‘overlook’ things.

Now, I”m going to do some looking over to spread these thoughts around.

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I love blogging, but have come to prefer WordPress for my frame.  I can get it to work on my numerous blogs without knowing a lot of code.  I read the expression “low maintenance” somewhere today.  I like the less mess methods for many things so I can get on with working with the technology instead of fighting it.

I like WordPress and Thesis Theme for clients.  The first thing a client worries about (and justifiably so) is small updates.  Suppose they are at a workshop and meet some great people with whom they would like to exchange links.  They lust for a pretty system that is even lower maintenance for them that will permit them to add that link.

Or suppose they want to add information about their business or interest.  Golly, they had a vision just as they woke up that morning. One more page on that website and they would rule the world.  Well, that may be a little exaggeration, but still, when that vision comes, the client doesn’t want to get in line at my place to get their bite of the world!  They drool for a system that would let them set up that page.

With WordPress and Thesis being my pets, when they do call me, only seconds pass before I can be looking at a dashboard exactly like theirs and be able to walk them through their project.  The project that they have now done for themselves.  That kind of empowerment for clients is what I am all about.

I am so enthusiastic about Thesis because the support forum makes me look even smarter.

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Wind Blows & Twists | Rain Falls |Week for Severe Weather Planning

March 10, 2010

The week of March 10 through March 14 has been declared Severe Weather Awareness week for Missouri. As the clouds gather, DO YOU HAVE A PLAN?
Communities are planning to test their warning systems for tornadoes or severe storms. Residents are being encouraged to develop a plan for their families and households in [...]

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Be Still My Heart | All A-flitter About Twitter

March 9, 2010

When Twitter first came to my attention I thought it was a shallow game. That it would all be “OMG, I swallowed my gum.” Copywriters about had a stroke at the thought of making their statement in 140 characters.
When peers convinced me to try it, there still seemed to be a lot going [...]

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Rapunzel! Rapunzel! Log On Because We Need You!

February 28, 2010

Rapunzel’s story fits that of many virtual assistants and other up and coming virtual professionals In the ‘old days’ and even now, there are highly skilled people who don’t live within a metro area, but who can deliver quality services as independent contractors.
Remote professionals were active before the Internet. I used the [...]

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“I vant to be alone!” | Solitary Networker? Can that be?

February 24, 2010

That’s okay, honey. One of the things I like best about working virtually is the opportunity for absolute solitude. I can have only the hum of my computers and my brain going along while I concentrate on the project at hand. The TV is never on during the day; frequently the [...]

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Kiss me Quick! We’re in a Relationship! | Gotcha!

February 21, 2010

Networking for today’s business world is about relationships. Social media is the tool we are supposed to be using to build these relationships. We’ll play on Twitter, Facebook; rub professional shoulders on LinkedIn.  We’ll know what it means to Digg the Delicious.
Relationship? Are you kidding? Nope, now we’re going to all be [...]

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Creative Bookkeeping Not for Freelance Writers | The Writing Coach Has Free Teleseminar

February 20, 2010

Creative writing is an important option for freelance writers. Even nonfiction writers will employ creativity to their projects. Creative bookkeeping for the business side of a freelance writer’s career can be a stressful, costly activity. Maya Payne Smart, The Writing Coach will interview Pat Burns, a pro-active tax strategist and take [...]

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CRAZY is a Song Title, Not Your Social Media Life

February 18, 2010

“CRAZY” should not be your social media life. Social media services know CRAZY for you will not be good for them; this entire social media process is serious business. The social media tools that keep preaching to you that you should give them regular attention because they can ‘cut SEO ice [...]

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BUZZ that, Babe! |Google BUZZ | Make it Work for YOU

February 15, 2010

The newest social media  option that is getting a lot of buzz online is aptly named Google BUZZ. A Google Account and Profile are necessary to get any tingles from your BUZZ action. After that, there are more toys and tools for you.
My experience is that BUZZ can be most useful with [...]

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