Christine Buske.com

Well, this is an unexpected turn! I just designed my first MySpace layout! I’m not personally a huge user of MySpace, so I never actually had a need for a custom layout for my MySpace profile. However, considering I’ve read in so many places that it truly is a good place to make (business) connections and network with people in your field, it doesn’t hurt to change my approach a bit.

Here is my very first MySpace layout:
It is based on the RSS feed icon (how appropriate for a blogger!) and looks very orange!

The MySpace layout screenshot:

Get the code

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Fancy words are what some clients expect writers have stocked in their mental inventory, and in some cases they are the reason writers are hired. However, above anything else, you should be clear in your brochures, on your websites and any other medium you use to communicate to prospective customers or clients.

Fancy words are best kept for literary works, or can be sparingly used in some types of commercial work. Instead, strive to be clear about your services, your goals, your mission and also your pricing structure. Keep in mind; clarity does not mean “unprofessional” or “poor wording”, it means your prospective clients understand what you are trying to tell them. This sounds like an excessively simple thing, but you would be surprised how many companies confuse the heck out of you! There are two possible scenarios if you fail in the clarity department:

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I realize I am on a bit of an “encouragement and inspirational” journey since yesterday, but I wanted to share this video. I first received it years ago, and remembered it today when I wanted to take a five minute encouragement break.

It is no secret that positive thinking and positive message can change your day, and every positive day will compound to change your life. Consider taking a few minutes to change your perspective:

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I happened to click a link on my BlogRush widget, and seeing this video made it worth installing BlogRush in the first place! I am not a sports fan, and I’m not sure I can watch it every day as this blogger suggests, but it certainly is inspiring!

I’ve felt lately like I have been given too much weight to carry, even though I keep telling myself God never gives us more than we can handle. Nevertheless, it is comforting to watch this, and give it my best shot. I am a person who checks her stats every morning, checks her page and word count whenever she works on her book, and can’t put away her list of “things left to do” (always more than anyone can fit in 24 hours). The message I took from this video is not only not to give up, to give it your best shot, but most importantly: don’t look back. don’t look forward… JUST KEEP GOING.

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It certainly doesn’t mean or in any way imply that you enjoy all forms of writing. I’ve done my fair share of really unsatisfying paid (and unpaid) freelance writing work in the past and am now up against another big project I technically enjoy. I do enjoy scientific work, and I do enjoy writing about it. But I don’t enjoy that the journal articles I find that could be great resources for the proposal I am writing are not available.

The library system tricks you into believing they are online, just to make matters worse. Finally find a great paper, very relevant and it sounds like it is about to save your life. However, after clicking the “read full text article here” link, you get an error page saying the “search result was not found”. WHY?

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Technorati Tags: writing, freelance writing, articles

I’m beginning to navigate the intricate bureaucratic labyrinth’s of starting a business in Canada. To kick-start my efforts, I went to a small business seminar offered by the CRA yesterday, and have to admit it was actually one useful thing put forth by the Canadian government.

The woman giving the seminar was trying to throw in some jokes, and they were actually quite funny. I’m not sure why people (including myself) were not really laughing. I did know how she must have felt though, because at a recent seminar I gave nobody saw my sense of humor as laugh-worthy.

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After working as a writer for years, I no longer suffer from that initial paranoia of telling people that I write when they ask what I do for a living. However, that does not really mean I think my work is great. In fact, I am likely my toughest critic, and perhaps it is this everlasting criticism that keeps me from publishing more. After all, if you don’t send anything out… nobody will publish you.

Identity Crisis
I am really still trying to identify a focus for this blog. Whether it will focus more on freelance writing, or on another more specific niche, I don’t know yet. However, I am finding that because it carries my name it is better if I keep it more personal. Personal does not mean I will be posting pictures of my pet bunny (although maybe one day! Just because he is unforgivably cute). Personal does mean that I want to discuss useful topics that are important to me. This really just narrows it down to freelancing, writing and making money online.

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I came across this great idea to set up a viral words puzzle. The idea: copy the puzzle (keep all links intact) to your own site and add your own link to one of the empty words. As it spreads, the puzzle fills up and everyone in it will get a back link for different websites. Once a pingback is received, I’ll add your link to this grid, and everyone copying it from this website will also copy your link into theirs.

Here it is:
Writer blogger blogging writing business work from home Internet marketing

Marketing viral SEO home business web 2.0 traffic generation word press

Squidoo search marketing website building you tube my space how to Technorati

Internet money design products make money info-preneur make money blog

Freelancing tech WAH work at home online marketing content communication

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It takes more than just willpower to become a successful freelance writer. When people ask me how I did it (although I don’t consider myself being “there”, whatever that means, yet) they are surprised how much work really goes into developing yourself as a writer.

Now, almost anyone with decent writing skills and write a blog though, and most people who put their minds to it can also make money with their blog. If marketing your own website is not your thing, or if you want to get your feet wet writing freelance, there is one site I recommend signing up for: writerlance is a great resource and it is completely free to sign up!

Although sign up is free, bloggers who recommend it to others can make a decent amount of money with the affiliate program. You have to sign up though to recommend the website and make money.

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Text Link Ads.com is giving away free advertising! Get in now the game now and market your business with $100 in free text link ads by using coupon code “starter kit” in the coupon field at the checkout.

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Technorati Tags: free advertising, text link