HowToDoThings.com Media & Arts

How To Get Fired From Your Job

christphe6 — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:47:29 -0600

OK, so this really isn't an instruction manual for getting fired from your job. I'd rather you didn't get fired, in all honesty. The more people that take this kind of advice to heart, the more people are unemployed. The next thing you know, the economy is really in the tank, and who's to blame? Me. No, thank you.

Rather, this is a list of things that I would avoid doing, if you want to keep your steady paycheck, and in turn, your tummy full and your feet warm.

How To Become a Freelance Writer

bronwyn — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 11:27:58 -0600

There are a lot of aspiring writers out there - to be able to do it professionally takes time, dedication, and a little bit of luck. Although you can't always predict success, there are some steps you can take to improve your chances of making a living from your writing.

How To Do Graphic Design on a Tight Budget

genepooldesign — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:25:31 -0500

The typical graphic designer requires many things, including a quality, dependable suite of software tools for getting the job done right. One example is an Adobe Creative Suite, which is available in a few different flavors, tailored to your specific requirements. Unfortunately, though, not everyone can afford these tools. There are freely available, open source alternatives that, in some cases, function very much like their more expensive counterparts.

Image Manipulation. Instead of Adobe Photoshop or Corel Paint Shop Pro, there are a few tools available.

How To Find Publishing Jobs

L.500 — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 23:36:00 -0600

Publishing jobs are not as few and far between as many people believe. While it's true that the vast majority of publishing jobs were once located in New York City, today there are any number of opportunities in other states, as well as online.

Establish yourself with qualifications. Jobs in publishing are not as scarce as they once were, but there are still some stringent skill requirements. A degree in English, communications or a related field of study is most helpful. If that isn't possible, taking a few classes would also be helpful. Doing the appropriate reading on your own is an excellent way to get some experience and expertise, even if you do have the degree. Keeping current with publishing changes and trends will keep you ready for job interviews.

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How To Learn Copy Editor Marks

L.500 — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 21:27:00 -0600

Copy editor marks are an absolute must for any prospective copywriter, journalist or freelance copy editor to learn. These are shorthand symbols that indicate what type of changes need to be made, such as punctuation, spelling, and items that should be left out or added. They may also indicate formatting problems with spacing, margins or indentions. Copy editor marks are universal, so once the system of marks is learned, it can be used for countless different types of copy. The marks may be called proofreading marks in some circles, but the marks are the same, no matter the writing style or whether they are called copy editing or proofreading marks.

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How To Pass a Copy Editor Test

L.500 — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 21:10:00 -0600

How to pass a copy editor test depends largely on what type of copy it is you will be editing. There are different word usage guidelines for different types of copy, and in order to pass any copy editor test, you will have to be familiar with at least one of them.

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How To Find Freelance Writing Jobs Online

L.500 — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 11:58:00 -0600

Being a freelance writer has never been easier, thanks to the Internet. Finding online resources may take a little digging, but finding the right places to look online for freelance jobs is much less time-consuming than consulting books and magazines for the information.

Craigslist. Craigslist is a network of free sites that cater to individual cities. By searching your city's Craigslist, it is possible to find many freelance writing jobs. If there aren't many in your area, you can check the listings for other cities as there are many freelance writing jobs that can be done from home. Craigslist carries a wide variety of writing jobs, from resume proofing to ghostwriting novels. But, the site is largely unmoderated and may have a few listings that are not legitimate. The site simply allows people to post jobs, with no escrow service and no recourse if the buyer doesn't pay.

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How To Write a News Column

L.500 — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 22:56:00 -0600

A news column is a journalist's time to connect to the community on a personal level that is not possible with day to day objective news writing. Columns are often written in first person and can contain experiences from the writer's life, or simply the writer's opinion on a topic.

Keep a personal tone. This is your time to reach out, so make sure to let the reader know that these opinions are coming from you. This is also important because the newspaper itself may not agree with the opinions stated. It is also not a good idea to go against the grain of the newspaper. If the newspaper in question endorses candidates, do not write a glowing opinion piece about the opposing candidate.

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How To Sell Travel Writing

Malcolm161 — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 13:23:00 -0600

When it comes to being a successful travel writer, there are several things you have to understand before you ever make your first sale. Here are a few points to consider if you believe that you have what it takes to sell travel writing in various media outlets.

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How To Find Freelance Writing Jobs

Heather166 — Sat, 20 May 2006 12:54:00 -0500

Whether you are looking for a way to work from home or just want to make some extra money on the side, freelance writing is a great creative outlet that can also be profitable. Getting started is always the hard part, but by following these helpful tips, you will be a published author in no time!

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