Bouncing Around
I’m a generalist. So, throughout my day (pretty much every day), I bounce between three to eight (or more) different topics and, at times, different kinds of writing. Other freelancers have asked me how I keep it all under control, how I keep from getting lost in the topic shuffle. It could be a crazy-making way to work but it doesn’t have to be. Here, some tips if you want to bounce around but worry that you’ll get lost along the way:
*Make a master list. I’m not a naturally organized person. But no matter what piles of papers are sliding toward me on my desk, the list I hang on my office wall keeps me in control. Broken down by magazine (or client), I list every article or project I’m working on. Under each I list the very basic to-dos for each. VERY basic. A typical article to-do list goes like this: Do research. Find sources. Do interviews. Write it. Send invoice. As I take on new assignments or knock old ones off, I print a new list, and hang it up.
*Make a master doc or folder for each assignment. Using SOHO Notes, I keep a running list of all calls/links/everything for each article. I also scan any papers I collect for the piece and attach them to that master doc. If I feel off-track on something, I can always go back to that document and see what calls I’ve made and what else I need to do.
*Limit the number of folders in your email inbox. I create one folder for each project I’m working on but, when it comes to queries (or other general headings), it’s all in one pool. I don’t break things down by “food queries” or “travel queries” or whatever. I try to keep myself from splintering my attention any more than I already do. I move every query email I send into that folder after it’s gone out. Sometimes, by seeing all of the queries in one place, I make connections between topics and magazines that I otherwise wouldn’t have noticed.
*Use humor. Yes, there are times when I get mildly confused by the topic bounce. It usually happens when I’m deep into writing/reporting one piece and the phone rings. Now, it would be great if, when sources return calls, they would start out by saying something like “Hi, this is Bob McBob. You called me yesterday at 11:12 am EST to discuss my personal experience living with a stupid name.” Alas, it never happens. Instead, it’s usually “Hi, this is Bob. You called me.” Since, whenever possible, I like to get sources to calm down and, when appropriate, have a little fun with the interview — it makes for better quotes — I use my confusion as a chance to poke some fun at myself and give them a good chuckle by saying something about how I’m working on a bunch of things at once and would appreciate help figuring out which of the notebooks I need to pull out of the stack sitting on my desk. So, can he remind me where he’s calling from? Does it make me sound like a bit of a disorganized dip? Maybe. But that doesn’t worry me. I know my questions will make it clear that I’m good at my job and that I respect the source’s time and expertise. And filling the person in on a bit of one of my weaknesses can make the source think “oh, this is just another person on the phone. I can let my guard down and talk to her.”
Those are just some of the ways I manage the bounce between topics and platforms. How do you handle it?
By the way, I’ll discuss this issue — and much more — when my Diversify Your Way to Success class kicks off in January. I hope you’ll join me. [Jenna Schnuer]
“Topic bounce” — so THAT’s what you call that moment of abject terror when you’re shuffling through notebooks trying to figure out who’s on the other end of the line!
It’s one of the reasons I handle so many contacts via email. I like your style — I’ll have to try just chilling out!
Thanks Lisa. Another thing I’ve done from time to time when I know I’m headed for confusion — hang a list right next to me of stories and, under each one [in big easy-to-read letters], the names of people I’ve called. I’ve even listed the area codes for some. Then I just give the caller ID a quick look, match it up to my list, and answer the phone.
Thanks for the great post, Jenna!
Very good points. For years I thought “being organized” required having all you papers stowed away in file drawers, but that just made it easier for me to forget what I needed to do. Now I know “being organized” means doing whatever works for us, as long as the job gets done.
I know what you mean… In theory I have a nice clean list in front of me of all my outstanding jobs, each day allocated to a different task or two.
I’d say that it gets rewritten, crossed out and jumbled about at least every two days for one reason or other.
Nice post! I’m a big fan of keeping the project files around and handy, and keeping every single piece of info about that project in that file. I even go so far as to copy project emails into text docs, and keep track of email communication that way. What I don’t do it a dynamic master list. Good suggestion, and I’ll try it. Thanks!
I feel like there are two kinds of organized. My mother has a craft room. It has scrapbooking, sewing, sculpting, molding, on and on, sections. Everything is labeled, she has what appears to be clear fishing tackle boxes with every colored piece of junk in the world filling them. This room is busy, but organized.
Then there’s simplicity organization. Instead of focusing on complicated systems, leave everything to the wind that doesn’t deter productivity. Focus on the most important things.
I like the big list tip a lot. I’m going to try that, it sounds like it breaks things into less overwhelming chunks.
Thanks for a great post exactly when I needed it. My desk is floating in papers. I’m a big fan of color coding. My submission spreadsheet is color coded according to accepted/rejected/lost in space. I also color code my calendar and to do list. I’m currently moving from paper sticky notes to the stickie software on my Mac. They’ll be color coded too.