Freelance Writing: Multiple Learning Curves

I've realised this is not a single learning curve in fact, but a growing multitude ... thankfully, they all seem to be going in the same direction.

5 Learning Curves

Writing

Freelancing

Marketing (or Entrepeneuring)

Technology

Social Networking

Steep Curves

I know a little about writing, even less about freelancing and almost nothing at all about marketing. I can use Word, Hotmail and recently Blogger, I'm comfortable using the net for research but have only that very basic technological knowledge. I knew nothing about social networking (other than it's cool name, and that it seemed like it might provide some exciting possibilities) until I discovered Blogger at the beginning of this year.

The Social Networking Curve

But I have recently jumped in at the deep end as far as social networking is concerned, joining Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter in as many days. I've been getting to grips with lots and it's been a bit scary and overwhelming sometimes, but has already provided positive results:

1. I have been introduced to some fab links to websites and blogs I might never have visited otherwise.

2. I've joined in some very interesting conversations with some people I respect and admire (well, I sort of hung around at the edges, because we're talking 'heroes' here!)

3. I've learned lots of new things and I've learned that there are a lot of new things I need to learn about!

4. I had a fantastic feelgood start to the week following a post on Twitter linking to Darren Rowse's (Problogger) post about Blogger Appreciation Day.

The Technology Curve

So, with so many new things to try and understand already, I had decided to concentrate on social networking for a while and leave the techno learning curve for a while, until Dave Navarro gave me a kick up the bum and now my mission for today is to find out about and set up a Gmail account.

Oh dear ... I don't even know what that is really! Seen it mentioned as a useful productivity tool by various people, but always thought it would be too complicated, so have filed any information without acting on it (or even reading it properly.)

I'll let you know how it goes in another post.

:o)

Some Interesting Posts

Writing

41 Blog Success Tips from 10 Years of Blogging by Chris Garrett

The Richard Branson Guide to Making Money With Blogs by Brian Clark

10 Questions to Kickstart a Daily Journal Entry by Ian McKenzie

Freelancing

The Freelancer's Guide to Increasing Referral Business by Steven Snell

When Freelancing Isn't Free by James Chartrand

The Eternal Writing Job Hunt by Angela Booth

Marketing (Entrepeneuring)

5 Tips for Planning a Social Media Marketing Campaign by Matt Jones

Is Free Really the New Economy? by Jacob Morgan

Top 5 Search Engine Marketing Trends in 2008 by Jack Humphrey

Technology

Why Web Workers Should Indulge in Guilty Pleasures by Harrison McLeod

The Technology of Writing UCSB Links

Why Downloading Firefox is Like Getting Into College by Seth Godin

Social Networking
Social Media Starter Moves for Entrepreneurs by Chris Brogan

Social Media Networking and ROI by Dosh Dosh

Twitter is Like Sex by Michael Martine

:o)

Note: I have included a post by Seth Godin under 'Technology' but he is in fact an incredibly influential man in the 'Marketing' sphere: My Marketing Hero Himself - Seth Godin by John Hoff.

:o)