Tired, per usual. Whenever I think I have an easy day ahead of me it turns out to be anything but. Life just piles up on you, ya know? I’ve been working hard on doing PR outreach, and it seems to be paying off in terms of traffic to both Evil Beet and Zelda Lily. It’s been interesting being on the other side of the interview process. Whenever I do interviews, I’m very careful to record the whole conversation, so that, when I quote people, I get their exact quote. Not everyone does this. So I’m starting to understand what celebrities mean when they’re like, “That’s not what I said.” Now I read some of the quotes attributed to me, and I’m like, “That’s not what I said.” I find all sorts of factual errors and incorrect links in the articles journalists write about me or involving me. I’m so careful about things like that; those are not mistakes I make when I’m the one writing up the interview. But you know what? That’s probably why I’m running a successful media business right now and they’re still busting their ass to freelance. There’s value in insuring your work is of the highest possible quality. It takes more time, yes, but it’s worth it. (I am not, of course, including the women who freelance for me, all of whom are exceptional writers with great attention to detail and quality — and that’s why they work for me and these journalists don’t.)
It’s strange, though, because sometimes I feel like I’ve been incredibly lucky to have the job I have and to do the work I do and to have the opportunities that have been made available to me. And, in many ways, I am. I have run across so many people over the course of my career who have been kind enough to change my life and ask for nothing in return. Journalist Dave Maass — one of those “real” journalists who’s out there unearthing political scandal and fighting to expose the struggles of African people — changed my world with a single phone call once, several years ago. And I didn’t even ask him to make it. He just thought I was a talented writer who deserved more exposure, so he called the people at RealNetworks and suggested they take a look at the work I was doing. A few weeks later, they offered me a contract. The management at RealNetworks has been unwavering in their support for me, they’ve provided unbiased advice about how to grow my business; they’ve just adopted me and nurtured me and trusted me and, most importantly, funded me, even as the economy continues to plunge like a topless cliff diver in Lake Havasu. So, yeah, very very lucky.
But here’s my point: None of this luck could have happened if I weren’t ready for it by running a celebrity gossip website whose chief focus was on quality of writing. As a result, it was a well-differentiated property in a sea of similar blogs.
So, listen up, journalists: I know you have a lot of pieces to get in this week. But trust me when I say that I have more. And the people I quote in my articles — as long as they’re people to whom I’ve actually spoken — will be quoted accurately. (I’ll note that this does not apply to everyone who’s interviewed me recently — many have done fantastic jobs — but some really did not. And, yes, I’m in a place to criticize because this is my job too.)
OK. Off my soapbox.
Thank you all for your feedback regarding my photos. It was really interesting to see what you guys liked — some of the photos you all ADORED were some of my least favorites. But that’s why it’s so important to get outside opinions on things like this. Clearly because it’s my own face I’m not in a position to judge what looks good. Very few of you selected my personal favorite, which was this one:
I think it’s because it’s the one I most identify with. Like, when I have a mental picture of “me” in my head, she’s making that face. So I kind of clung to that one. But obviously it was not a fan favorite, which is totally cool, you guys are better judges than I am, and that’s why I asked for your help. I have to talk it over with a few more people but I think we’re going to be going with a couple of the smiling ones that you guys all loved. THANK YOU!
Actually, I’m really liking that pic! It’s kind of guarded, and a little bit snarky but with no actual malice (please note that I am extremely hungover so this is my brain after way too much wine and three hours sleep). But whatever you eventually go with, I am LOVING the hair! Seriously - the colour is absolutely perfect for you, and it looks pretty without being overstyled. Kudos =)
I think it’s a really nice picture of you, it’s cute! But you have to keep the purpose and your target audience in mind. You look a bit cautious and shy. I know that you have described yourself like that before - but I don’t think that it applies for you in a business context. I think that you should go for a picture in which you look open, direct, strong and selfconfident - just all the things you ARE, when you’re talking about the success of your business.
Check out the ones, where you’re looking straight into the camera (you can always crop them, if the background is too dominating…). In the ones, where you’re keeping your head down and only looking upwards towards the viewer with your eyes, you seem rather hesitant…not the image you want to get across, I guess :).
But hey, maybe that’s just me….
When I was a senior in high school, my local paper basically devoted an issue (i’m from a pretty small town) to my best friend and I who were performing in our 13th and final Nutcracker together. I remember the reporter asked me how I got into dance, to which I replied “well my mom and aunt were both professional dancers and now teach, so I guess I was born into it.” The next day I get a pull quote in the story reading “I was born to dance!” Which sounds SO lame and SO cheesy. I vowed then to never misquote, because even if it’s a simple mistake in note-taking, you still might make them sounds like a complete idiot.
Not a fan of that photo at all. The shirt looks wrinkled and it isn’t sitting properly on your body. The bottom V of the neckline should be right in the middle of your cleavage. It also shows too much of your armpit. Besides it looks like a $10 T-shirt in this photo.
You have a lovely smile with perfect teeth. Why not use a photo with a smile? I don’t believe every photo needs a smile but in your case it is a benefit.
well I really like the photo. I think it makes you look real and sexy and assured in yourself - like you don’t have to strike a stupid pose or look through your eyelashes like an idiot. and I think your hair falls just the right way. and you are glowing! the shirt looks fine, shut up donkey punch :)
> the shirt looks fine, shut up donkey punch :)
I put my time as a portrait photographer and lab technician against yours.
I prefer the smile, but this photo would be better if the bottom half of the arm hole was cropped off. It’s less distracting that way.
you probably know stacks more about photos than I do, but I stand by my opinion on the shirt :)
You have very beautiful teeth. Select a picture that shows them.
I love that picture. Its just a bit bad that the top of your head is missing. Otherwise its a beautiful picture!