Confessions of a Content Pimp

It’s not everyday that you get to “interview” yourself. I’ve got quite a few years of experience asking questions of others and then writing about them. I think when you interview yourself, though, all that means squat.

Anyway, the challenge was set by Nora Burns (@noraburns), who “Twitter tagged” me to share seven interesting, eclectic, unique, WOW-Who-woulda’-thunk-it?! facts about myself. I don’t think I’m all that fascinating, but since I’m a journalist, I’ll just instead do my best to make it all “sound good.”

Of course, I wouldn’t be a “Content Pimp” worth her weight in commas if I didn’t try to focus on my writing/editing quirks here. First, however, the rules of play must be shared or else I hear this blog may self-destruct. Worse yet — it could be hacked by typo terrorists. (Just shoot me now, if so!) Read ‘em here, and see if you’re among the Tagged!

1. Just call me the Doogie Howsie of magazines. I was named editor-in-chief of CollegeBound Teen Magazine when I was 23 years old. That was back before email and when ambitious, fearless girls didn’t get sidetracked by the online world and instead faxed publishers magazine critiques and an editorial business plan to demonstrate that they really, really, really wanted the job. (I’ve since gotten shuttered out of the magazine world when CB Teen converted to an online-only format in 2007; more how I feel about that in #4.)

2. To this day, I check, double-check, and triple-check the spelling of the word “school” when it appears in something I’m editing. It was way before my time, but there is an old issue of CB Teen that had a ginormous cover line that proclaimed it the “Back to Shool” issue. OMG.

3. I once received a “creative” cover letter from an associate editor applicant that started out, “Hi. My name is Assjack….” and then proceeded to tell me all about the porno magazine editing experience he had (because that would be oh-so-relevant to editing for a magazine targeted at high school kids. Right?!). I don’t know what that was all about either, but whenever I come across an annoyingly off-target journalist or PR person, I call them an “assjack.” (You like that one, don’tcha’, Peter Shankman?!)

4. I’m an equal-opportunity editor, but I have always been swayed by a hand-written thank-you note from a writer or PR rep. Toward that end (somewhat), I LOVE paper, collect stationery, and cry a little bit inside when a print publication shutters.

5. I see typos like that creepy kid in “The Sixth Sense” sees dead people. (Yes, I use that line all over the place in my social media profiles, but it’s so true.) I’m a little “possessed” that way.

6. The older I get, the less I trust my grammar judgment. I used to be able to apply the rules of the English language with no frame of reference; I’d just get it. These days, I find that I need to Google affect vs. effect, further vs. farther, lay vs. lie, especially if I hadn’t had my token cup of decaf for the day. Shhhh… don’t tell my clients!

7. I started out as a newspaper intern in high school writing obituaries. What it taught me: Writing about the dead really makes you appreciate the living, and that no experience is invaluable… even *that* job (we all have ‘em). Mine required I fetch the editor-in-chief’s dry cleaning, straw-up her seltzer at lunch (”with bendy straws only”), and pick up the senior editorial staff’s kids at various busstops. While freezing my butt off at said busstop one day, I made myself a promise to never treat employees like “do-ers.” I take the team-oriented approach instead, committing myself to lead with passion, not sweat (or demand) the inconsequential stuff, and ask of others only that which I wouldn’t mind doing myself.

So you see, I can ask seven of you to take a few minutes out of your ridiculously busy days (or Twittering-about-insomnia nights) to do this Twitter tag — I’m been through it myself…

Jason Kintzler
Lisa at MyThoughtsIdeasandRamblings.com
Chris Brogan
Kelby Carr
Sarah Evans
Brian Carter
Peter Shankman

If you missed it, here are the Twitter Tag rules.

One of the “rules” I try to apply to my role as editorial director and consultant is to examine the overwhelmingness factor of content. (Oh, in case you missed the memo –  since I’m an editor, I can make words up!) Though isolating these Twitter Tag rules onto a separate post won’t drastically decrease the word count on my “And so I interview myself…” entry, it will help a bit.

• Link your original tagger(s) (Check.)
• List these rules on your blog. (Got it!)
• Share seven facts about yourself in the post — some random, some weird, some pimpy. (Missed it? No worries — here you go!)
• Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs. (If I’ve invited you, it’s because I find you fascinating — and OK, want you to look at my blog, too. Thanks in advance!)
• Let them know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blogs and/or Twitter. (Alright. Doing that next…) Get to it now…
  

… her name was misspelled on her invoice. Yes, her name.

It’s no wonder she couldn’t complete a copywriting project without rampant typos.

So that’s just a quick what-not-to-do-to-an-editor ditty. Now, find out what not to say…

The more I dive into (er – become obsessed with) social media, the more amazed I am at how very much the Internet can shape, cultivate, and bring the fulfillment of goals to fruition.

I started exploring Twitter.com only a few months ago, and in that time have discovered a whole new way to utilize this online space we love so much. It’s become second nature to me now to check in with my Twitter network to share with them what I’m working on, the challenges I’m facing, and the interesting things I’ve encountered both personally and professionally.

From my TweetDeck, I’ve learned volumes about utilizing social media and other online techniques to improve my business and that of my clients. I have continued to add to my arsenal of editorial knowledge and build my staff. What’s most valuable to me are the connections I have made with an amazing group of professionals, all of whom inspire me, enlighten me, and have demonstrated that we can truly make a difference in other people’s lives if we lead with our heart, even from Tweet to Tweet.

That’s one of the reasons why I am so excited to be giving back on Tuesday, November 18th, when the weekly GNO online meet-up at Twitter.com will focus on a “virtual food drive” to  help provide Thanksgiving dinner to 14 million Americans through FeedingAmerica.org.

During the hours of 9-11 p.m. EST, there will be announcements of live auction winners for products and services from a multitude of talented, knowledgeable, and gifted professionals across a range of industries. You need not be online at that time to win, however, if ever you were looking for an online experience that will forever convince you about the power of social media, it will be then. (Not to mention that everyone who does donate, either directly or through a live auction, will be eligible to win one of many “door” prizes being distributed at the event.)

{11/18/08 – 11:30 p.m. EST – BIDDING IS CLOSED}

Bid now on the editing package offered by GL Editorial Services:

Three hours of editing consultation (to include the professional editing and critique of three blog posts, complete with line and stylistic edits, overall feedback, and suggestions for blog/Web site enhancement)

GLES has worked with companies large and small, from Experian Interactive, The CollegeBound Network, HotelHotline.com, BOTW.org, ParentSociety.com, SeniorsforLiving.com, CollegeBound Teen Magazine, Empire Hotel Group, SUCCEED Magazine, Online Degrees Magazine, HotelsCheap.org, and others. Our writers and editors have had their work featured on AOL.com, MSN.com, Yahoo.com, HotJobs.com, WorldNow, Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc,. etc.

Read more about GLES

But, don’t take it from me… Testimonials

The opening bid will be $50. Please include a comment below with your name, site URL, and bid amount (please make sure your email is included in your back-end registration).

{11/18/08 – 11:30 p.m. EST – BIDDING IS CLOSED – Congratulations and THANK YOU to Chris Perrin!}

You may also donate freely to the Virtual Food Drive with as little as $5 using PayPal here.