Over three weeks ago, I quit the day job. I wanted to give you a quick update on what I’m doing. During the first two weeks of self-employment, I had to prepare for two speaking engagements. One was for monetary compensation, but both paid in Christian fellowship, personal and professional contacts, and confirmation that risk-taking and adventure-seeking are worth the effort. Blogging has become a big part of my professional and personal life, and it’s a blessing to be paid to talk about something I enjoy.
Two days after returning from BlogNashville, I began clocking blog consulting hours. I consult for someone who helps business owners build better web sites and improve marketing strategies. One of the ways to do this is through the implementation of blogs. Business blogging is all the rage now.
I’m also doing some editing work at home, and believe it or not, I’m still not finished with the business web site. The blog consulting gig was an unexpected venture that’s turning out to be a very smart move, and I anticipate it will eventfully take up most of my time when I’m not blogging.
By now I’m sure some of you have noticed that MSNBC’s Connected Coast to Coast has changed its blog round-up format. It seems the “blogger reporter” experiment is over. A producer usually does the segment, but sometimes a blogger will do it. My guess is that rounding up bloggers from across the country to whisk to local studios turned out to be too taxing and not worth the effort. Most bloggers are regular people with day jobs, and the nature of the cable news business is last minute appearances. It was probably too much of a hassle for most bloggers to get time off from work to prepare for a 90-second segment.
Preparing for a segment typically takes up a whole day: finding topics, selecting blogs, discussing the selections with producers, getting ready for the segment, traveling to the studio, going to make-up and…waiting…finally appearing before the camera for 90-seconds to zip through three topics and six blogs. Then you go home. It was…an interesting experience, and I’m glad I did it.
I’ve notice under the new format that bloggers appear as guests to talk about one topic. I think that’s a much better idea. I was asked to appear last week to talk about the John Bolton nomination, but I declined because I wasn’t following the story and have little interest in it.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe I was once so excited about appearing on MSNBC, yet treat it so casually now. But I do hope they call again because I prefer the interview format to the blog round-up, and I’d like to go on occasionally to talk about a really controversial topic.
That’s what’s going on with me. Now I have to “go to work.” Thanks for listening.
Related posts:
Unrelated Addendum: Although I’m not fond of the Washington Post, I always get a kick out of seeing my name in its pages, on- and off-line.
Reading your blog is encouraging because sometimes I’m sick of working alone.
Comment by mj — 05.17.05 @ 9:12 am
La Shawn:
Great you are living the American Dream of Self-Employment.
I have worked as an Anesthesiologist for Universities for many years. Always got a paycheck.
In 1993, I got fired from a job in Dallas, when Hillarycare was in the news; jobs in my field were scarce, because people were cautious about hiring. I was afraid I would be unemployed.
I had a job working for one of my former Residents in Stephenville, TX, in a small hospital. I was suddenly “self employed”.
I was turned down for malpractice insurance by two companies; one company finally accepted me.
I was turned down for life insurance because I was overweight.
Private health insurance cost me $9,000/yr.
I didn’t know what my receipts would be from month to month.
WOW- when someone offered me a tenured job at LSU in Shreveport in 1996 - I jumped at it.
I have the best job in the world for me. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
But my experience at being self-employed is priceless - I can really appreciate what you are doing.
Good luck, La Shawn.
Comment by Frank Zavisca — 05.17.05 @ 9:14 am
MJ, it’ll be years before I’m sick of it, if ever. I’m a solitary person by nature, and I think I’m well suited for working at home. Are you thinking of returning to outside employment?
Comment by La Shawn — 05.17.05 @ 9:18 am
This might be helpful. Or not.
2 resources for developing church blogs:
Leave It Behind.com - the personal blog of a large church’s web director. Often includes info about business blogs.
Church Marketing Sucks.com - not solely focused on blogging, but has helpful info about it.
Comment by Lexie — 05.17.05 @ 11:03 am
I’m not necessarily at home the whole time, but still, sometimes when I freelance outside the home, I’m still alone. I’m not a solitary type. But I’ve been freelancing for so long (more than a decade) that I’m used to creating my own work life. So it’s not a “return” to outside employment, but a more dynamic work situation that I’m looking for.
Comment by mj — 05.17.05 @ 11:49 am
Wow! This was just the post I needed to read today! I took the same route in January — actually I quit my job working for the MSM (sorry, but it’s true) last summer to take a communications gig on the presidential campaign (ok, no comment on that — lousy candidate and all…) and am now working on my own as a blogger/writer/consultant as well. It’s tough — very tough — and daunting, but I’m still glad I made the leap. We’re not on the same ideological page for the most part, LB, but I TrULY respect what you are doing, and am so, soooo glad to see a fellow sista doing it for herself. Keep it up, you’re inspiring a lot of us young turks out here!!! God bless.
Comment by Joy Reid — 05.17.05 @ 12:51 pm
Very encouraging post. I’m debating the jump to self-employment, especially while I’m trying to help my wife get through grad school. There is something very liberating about answering to only yourself.
Comment by Chris Roberts — 05.17.05 @ 11:58 pm
Congratulations on your move La Shawn! Freedom from bondage to an earthly master. Cool.
BTW - https://www.google.com/adsense/
…in case you haven’t already noticed. Maybe it’ll add more to your financial support?
Comment by Cryptblade — 05.18.05 @ 10:11 am
Around The Blogosphere #26
The “Twin Towers II” edition in the continuing saga of interesting and thought provoking news from around the web. There’s sure to be something you’ve missed around the blogosphere. (All links open in a new window for faster cruising) The…
Trackback by Diggers Realm — 05.18.05 @ 5:53 pm
Welcome to self-employment. I did it about five years ago, and have never looked back in regret.
You will be blessed by your decision!
Comment by Deborah White — 05.18.05 @ 8:30 pm
Congratulations on your courage. I too have taken the leap to self-employment after my son was born. It is not easy to make a living as a freelance writer but my overall stress level is so much lower than when I was a practicing psychiatrist.
Keep up the good work.
Comment by Victoria — 05.19.05 @ 7:58 pm