~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~

Hey Freelancer,

Lina, the Flamepoint Siamese kitten, is on her first diet. Vet said she’s beginning to resemble a wood tick.

Sigh.

I’m on a diet, too. Heck, I’ve been on a diet pretty much my entire adult life. Colon cancer put me on a really weird range of acceptable foods. But to put a kitten on a stricter food plan? I feel her pain.

She’s definitely a Siamese. This means she talks. A lot. Constantly. I get the definite impression that she’s not real pleased with this development.

And her diet? It’s really not that bad. At this point, we just have to curb the treats. No “milkbones” when Jake (the Mini Pinscher) goes outside. (They like to celebrate his accomplishment together.) No more tuna treats. Salmon bites? Gone. We were told to quit doling out Friskies Party Mix like popcorn, too.

Please don’t judge me. I miss Ru, my dearly departed Doxie cross. In response to my grief, I’ve apparently decided to slowly ruin my lovely Lina’s health by systematically overfeeding her. :/

But no more.

Now, she eats kitten food. Only kitten food. That’s it. Nothing more.

The result? Everything about this new lifestyle displeases Lina. My office has become a cacophony of feline complaints.

And I love every minute. Jeepers, that girl is cute!

Onward and upward,

Beth 🙂

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Four Vital Marketing Steps

By Beth Erickson

Last time I discussed how annoyed I got when a stranger hit me up on Facebook asking if I’d buy her book. Another time, a self proclaimed “guru” got all friendly on that same message format, introduced himself, then broadsided the conversation, asking me to purchase his service.

While figuring out how to sell your writing online can sometimes feel frustrating, it’s important to remember a few basic principles before you start.

Hanging out your shingle online is similar to setting up shop in a small town. While people tend to be naturally friendly, never assume they’ll just pull out their wallets and start handing out cash because you’re so gosh darned talented, competent, wonderful… whatever.

Nope. That’s not how it works.

First, your potential customers have to be aware of your existence. They need to “know” you. Ever hear of the marketing mantra “location, location, location?” That’s fairly true online as well.