Indian Writers Wake Up
June 1, 2009
Does this title – Indian Writers Wake Up sound ironic? If it does, I don’t feel that I owe anyone an apology. Once upon a time, Indian writers were most sought after. Their knowledge and writing style created revolution that inspired the youth. Writers from universities of Benaras, Allahabad and Bengal were honored and are still regarded with high esteem today. So if Indians are such good writers why has the world forgotten them? Let’s not go global with this question but ask our own people.
Reality shows on Indian television have sponsors who encourage singing, dancing and comedy. What they fail to realize is that writing too is an art form. Most Indian writers get their novels published in international markets. When they receive accolades abroad, then the people here acknowledge them. There are many reasons why Indian publishers do not encourage Indian authors to succeed in India. Some of their demands are unrealistic, there is a lack of marketing, zero popularity or affiliations with movie stars, celebrity power and sponsorships. Indian authors rarely get recognition if they publish their book with local publishers.
Most Indian writers get the satisfaction of publishing their pieces in local newspaper and now of course there is the internet. Is this trend ever going to change? I have no concrete answer to this. But what made me think of our lack of infrastructure to promote creative Indian writers is the new, upcoming reality show called “The Write Stuff,” America’s First Literary Reality Show.
In this show, candidates from across the country (USA) will compete for the chance to have their literary dreams come true. Week by week they will go through challenges that highlight what it takes to be successful in the business of writing. Winners of each challenge will be rewarded while the weakest will be eliminated.
I hope someday, Indian writers too will get a chance to bring back and glorify its literary image back to its own country.
©Nayna, 2007-2009. All Rights Reserved.
Jobs For Freelance Copywriters
May 6, 2009
Freelance copywriters should not feel that they have chosen a daunting profession. It can be rewarding when you know where to look for treasure. And the treasure chest as you know are always buried and stacked away from every onlooker. Here we are providing you with a small map to get you started in this copywriting profession.
There are endless freelance copywriters worldwide and so are the immense avenues to find the one job best suited to your writing style. For a small fee, there are reliable and ready markets available on websites like elance.com where potential customers post their requirements regularly. All you have to do is to pitch your impending talents and get ready to be plucked like a blossomed fruit.
Another popular and significant marketplace for freelance copywriters is guru.com. They too work on the same principle of elance. There many websites offering similar services. The key is to search them diligently and post your prospects without being too critical of your abilities and talents. Most freelancers have to fight this internal demon of being their own critic.
The best way to push back this negative self image is to develop a good portfolio. Even if you are a beginner, submit your best pieces and write with confidence. Most newbies in the profession of freelance copywriting hesitate because they haven’t worked with well-known publishing houses or clients. But you have to realize that we all have started from the bottom. So you too have to start somewhere.
Whenever you are bidding for a job in any of the freelancing website make sure you come across as a thorough professional who will go an extra mile to make sure that the article is a masterpiece. Your inner confidence should clearly reflect in your sales letter. If you have testimonials then add them too along with your best pieces.
Freelance copywriting jobs are available but you should be aware of how to pitch it to become successful. Watch this space for more tips and pointers in the coming weeks.
©Nayna, 2007-2009. All Rights Reserved.
Redefining Job Satisfaction
March 9, 2009
Job satisfaction is needed in every line of work whether you are a writer, carpenter or a banker. You need to feel excited and empowered with skills when you take up any career.
Initially most of us feel the euphoria of a new career and then slowly this enthusiasm fizzles out. The career goals become distant and the job satisfaction is absolutely nil. We come to work because we need the money. There is no motivation or eagerness to climb the corporate ladder.
We may be qualified for a promotion but the boredom of the routine takes a heavy toll in our life and career growth. We even forget that there are others watching us and our attitude towards our job. Many of us foolishly ruin our image. We create a wrong impression of ourselves simply because of boredom and lack of job satisfaction. We may pay a heavy price because of this callousness.
Image building at work is crucial not just for getting a promotion or for being recommended for the employee of the month, (that’s not a bad thing) but this helps in better networking and being in a good circle of people.
Tips On Image Building:
1) Be helpful. Take a step forward when anyone needs some assistance or asks for help.
2) If you take on a task with a smile but don’t really want to do it, it’s as good as no help at all. Avoid committing to do something if you have no intention of actually completing it.
3) Avoid doing only what is listed in your job description. If you stick to this, you will never have any career advancement.
4) Don’t let an off-the-cuff remark harm your image.
5) Stay away from gossiping. Many people think that this helps to become popular but it actually adversely affects your image. You could land up being the laughing stock or nicknamed, blabbermouth.
6) Asking for a raise because you are the oldest employee doesn’t really work with the management. You have to prove yourself and let your skills do the talking.
7) Constant complaints about your workload and too many deadlines are not the right ways to deal with the problem. No one enjoys the company of a cry baby. If you feel that there is unequal distribution of workload within the department or team then discuss the matter with your supervisor or head of department. Always process your grievances through the right channels.
8) Stay away from discussing your health problems. To the employer, your medical issues make you seem like a high-risk employee.
9) Avoid discussing your beer drinking competition over the weekend or how hard your partied last night. You may think that despite your hangover you are still at work but the employer may feel that you spend time talking about all these events rather than putting in some hours at work.
10) If your employer asks you to do something then take it as a compliment. It means he finds you capable enough to do it. Make sure you do the task diligently to meet his expectations. If you are unable to do it, then clarify and explain why it is difficult for you. Don’t bluntly say, “I can’t do this.” Or take the task and hand it over to some other colleague and take the credit.
11) Avoid bragging about the new watch you bought, the gifts you showered on your wife or the expensive meal that you paid for your colleagues. This will cause speculations on your lifestyle and your other sources of income.
12) Always be the guy others can count on. Being dependable is a wonderful trait to develop at work.
Job satisfaction develops when the work environment is conducive for growth. This not only depends on the employer but also the employee’s goal and state of mind.
©Nayna, 2007-2009. All Rights Reserved.
