Setting Goals

We “made over” three writers at a wonderful networking group I attend each month. The three people asked our advice as they consider new directions–two are considering the freelance route from full-time jobs, while the third wants to market her articles to new publications.Always easy to tell other people what is good for them….While they [...]

Referrals

The topic at yesterday’s Roundtable sponsored by the Alexandria Small Business Development Center was on giving and getting referrals. Most of us are on either side of the fence regularly. In the past few days, I have referred colleagues to the photographer who did some work for me, a voice coach in a women’s network [...]

Cultural Exchange, Old Style

We members of the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee had a busy weekend. We hosted mayors from three of our four sister cities (or “twins,” as the less gender-specific Europeans call them)–Caen, France; Dundee, Scotland; and Helsingborg, Sweden. A fourth mayor, sort of a relative once-removed, also visited from Wurzburg, Germany, which is twinned with Caen [...]

Women Entrepreneurs’ Expo

I must admit, I wasn’t sure about attending the Women’s Entrepreneurs’ Expo, held by the Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia last Friday, even after I registered and paid–especially because the flyer said something like “bring a girlfriend.” Ugh.
But I went and got a great lift–as well as, maybe, some business down the line.
The workshops [...]

Smile, Look, Talk

I dread making phone calls to people I don’t know well, especially to check on possible work. At a roundtable held by the Alexandria Small Business Development Center, I learned three tips for the next time I have to make these calls.
1. Before you call, smile. The smile will infuse the tone of your voice.2. [...]

One or Two Spaces?

How many spaces should you insert after a period or question mark when writing a sentence?
I posed this question on an e-mail list and received lots of informed and even a few impassioned responses.
First, the correct answer: one.
I knew that the Chicago Manual of Style agrees (6.11, for those who want the reference), but [...]