Comments on: Are you a phone-phobic freelancer?

By: Tyrean Martinson

Tyrean Martinson — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:25:27 +0000

Thank you for this wonderful article, and your helpful advice. I am extremely phone phobic, and I nearly always have to script myself before I have a phone conversation with anyone other than a close family member. Otherwise, the conversation will run off course, or I will lose any of the ideas I had before the phone call. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one with this problem. Thanks.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:17:18 +0000

LOL, thank you wordwych! It’s good to know there’s a hard-and-fast rule about this–and that I’d better follow. AND it’s good to know the email protocol too, as I’ve seen this suggested as an alternative to an in-person or telephone interview.

Many thanks for sharing your expertise!!

Nancy

By: wordwych

wordwych — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:54:39 +0000

Nancy, the editor I work for most often would skin me alive and dine on my slow-roasted backside with fava beans and a nice Chianti if I quoted someone from a book and did not note that in the article.

I don’t know about other editors, but mine is very specific: Quotes come from live people, quotes from email are to be noted as such and prefaced or followed by, “X said in an e-mail,” and anything that comes from a book or another publication/document is to be appropriately identified as having been taken from another publication/document.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:12:57 +0000

So i have a question for anyone with some experience under their belt–it looks like a lot of writers might SKIP phone interviews in favor of quoting from books. Am I right about this? I read a lot of articles with three quotes with three different “experts” who’ve all written books on the topic and I think, Did they actually interview all three of these experts–and then just use one quote!–or are they just quoting from their books, which are named in the article. Anyone have any thoughts/experience on this?

Also, as a writer who’s been forced to make lots of phone calls, I think the first-thing in the morning and group-em-together tips are the best! I discovered these myself and they made the work quite tolerable! : )

By: Geek

Geek — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:51:11 +0000

Call sources on the fly.
Hey this is a great tip! I’m waiting for an interview to come. I’ll give this a try, maybe today if i can sum up the courage and breath… thanks!

By: dino delellis

dino delellis — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 07:11:07 +0000

I know what you mean , I’m a bit phone-phobic as well. I do well with Emails and Online messengers like Skype and YM , but I tend to freeze up when it comes to the phone. I even find it difficult to call my friends in fear of being answered by the others living in their residence.

It’s irrational I know but at least it’s comforting to find out that I’m not the only one that goes all sweaty and tense when talking on the phone.

-Dino Delellis

By: Dr Andrew Power - Phobia Hypnosis Melbourne

Dr Andrew Power - Phobia Hypnosis Melbourne — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:48:49 +0000

Looking at your own definition of rejection can also make a tremendous difference. If for example, “rejection” means “anyone who rejects me”, then you are setting yourself up for a negative outcome.

If however you understand that there will always be at least one person who humours you (a spouse for example), then its not a far stretch to realies that not “everyone” will reject you.

Having made that highlight, its only a small step to then reframe your definition of “rejection” from “anyone who rejects me” to “five out of ten people who reject me”.

This small reframe gives your subconscious mind the understanding that the next person you call has greater chances of agreement than rejection. It becomes a numbers game instead of a give-up-first game.

Then, over time, reframe again to “one in ten that says no” and so on

By: Crissy

Crissy — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 02:54:53 +0000

I was glad to find this. Its nice to know I’m not the only one with this issue. I love researching in books, online, and everywhere else, but when it comes to talking to people and asking questions of them… I freeze. I’ll definitly try these tips.

By: Bristol Hypnotherapy

Bristol Hypnotherapy — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:00:03 +0000

Going back to your comment Diane, interview anxiety anxiety is extremely common as is depression. What you said does not sound silly at all. I have heard it many times from my clients. The best advice I could give without any treatment is to not negatively forecast the interview. You see anxiety is a subconscious response tied in with the fight or flight response. The reason for the response is actually to keep you away from danger. It is the mind and bodies way of getting you on alert and prepared to either run or fight. So, if you negatively forecast an interview or anything else for that matter. The subconscious mind will perceive that scenario to be a danger. The closer you get to the interview the more anxious you may become because the subconscious mind wants to keep you away from it. Your body will be running on adrenaline and your mind will be hyper -vigilant. Hypnotherapy is an effective treatment that you may want to consider.

By: Brisbane Hypnotherapy

Brisbane Hypnotherapy — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:33:47 +0000

Great points! Some people are really good with words through writing, but find themselves out of words when it comes speaking with other people.