Autumn Reading #3

Robert Bly is my new friend. Over the past few weeks he's been convincing me to become a professional writer. Bly makes a very clear case that freelance writing is not only possible for those who love to write and are willing to work at it, but that you can be paid quite well if you are working in a lucrative niche market.

The basis for your pay as a freelance writer is: can you save someone enormous amounts of time and bring benefit to their business by selling your writing and research skills to them?

Have you ever

• yawned your way through a professional journal or trade publication?
• trashed your employer newsletter because it is redundant and boring?
• had your eyes glaze over looking at a dry-as-dust annual report?
• read an ad that actually turned you off of a product or brand?
• looked at a web site that shouted out "amateur!" on every click and page view?
• wished that you had some superb printed materials to sell your product or idea?
• read EnRoute magazine in an Air Canada plane and wondered Who pays for this?

Fact is, writers hold the key to solving all of these business problems. A company will pay very well to have their public image shaped positively, and the companies who understand this will hire good writers and pay them well.

How you say something is even more important than what you say. Enter the freelance writer.

It's Only a Matter of Degree

The Band is playing for eight weekends in a row. That's a first for the Ron Palangio Group, and in my humble opinion, not bad for a bunch of hobby freelance musicians! Here's the setup, for the record:

1. The Innsville
2. The Brassie Pub
3. Waltz Live Music
4. The Old Powerhouse
5. Private Party
6. The Innsville
7. Winchester Arms Pub
8. Magna International Corp. Christmas Dance

We finally get a weekend off on December 10th, but if we had our way we would book up for that night as well. We must love what we're doing.

Tonight is a first for us, however, because we're taking a stab at self-promotion. Waltz Live Music and Eatery is an established joint located downtown in Jackson Square.

A few of us went in on Karaoke night last Thursday to check out the PA. Sketchy setting: About 25 regulars scattered across the 125 seat room, one guy singing not too bad, and one guy on the dance floor dancing with himself. Oh well, I guess the regulars feel pretty comfortable!

Looks like we're going to have a "real" sound system tonight, which takes the performance angst up a notch. Usually, with our own PA, we're pretty comfortable, but with the new "showcase" concept and a new PA, I'm feeling nervous/excited.

That is a good thing. Way better than being bored with the gig and with the songs. Boredom would ruin our show and our edge. We need just enough UNCERTAINTY to keep us on our toes and in the moment. We must constantly eradicate the "ho-hum" factor. These 8 weeks in a row will be a success if we keep our edge, and keep it fresh.

The Ron Palangio Group, August 2011