2010-2011 Recap

With 2011 drawing near it's end, it's hard to believe that I (and thus Maniac MarCom) have been in a contract with Apple for 3.5 years! My responsibilities at Apple started out primarily with editing the company's online how to and troubleshooting articles. In the past year, my focus has been on managing the localization of articles into the numerous languages into which Apple typically translates. Although I have come to love Apple and their products, I'm eager for new challenges and to get back to the writing and editing work that I love, so I'm on the lookout for new opportunities in 2012!

My time at Apple has given me invaluable experience in the mechanics of larger corporations, specifically working with large marketing and legal departments and getting approval from appropriate channels. I've also become highly familiar with (yet another) content management system (CMS), localization software, and, of course, the arsenal of the software and hardware that Apple creates. My localization responsibilities have allowed me to make many new contacts with businesses that specialize in the translation of content, adding even more outsourcing possibilities to my array of client offerings.

In unrelated news, I obtained a real estate broker's license in 2011, which has opened up doors for me to write meaningful copy for real estate firms, mortgage lenders, home inspectors, and other companies in the real estate industry.

Here's to new clients and new adventures in 2012!

2009 Recap

In 2009, Sylvia Christensen / Maniac MarCom has been under contract the whole year writing and editing support articles posted in a major hardware/software manufacturer's online knowledge base. I've had the opportunity to do a lot of graphic design work myself rather than outsource it and have learned many new and exciting highlighting tips and tricks in Photoshop. I've also become somewhat of an expert in Mac OS X. Somehow I still can't ever get my iPod to work the way it does in commercials though!

One of the most exciting things I've noticed in the last year or two is that I've risen to the top of the Google rankings for "Austin marketing writer" and I periodically get calls from Austin businesses for small projects. I love taking on small projects, so don't hesitate to contact me if you have one for me!

In an effort to provide better service to the growing number of Realtors who inquire about my writing services, I obtained a Realtor's license in 2009 and have taken over 120 hours of coursework in real estate to date. I have nothing but respect for people who make real estate their full-time career, as it is harder and more complicated than I ever would have imagined! Getting out and working with buyers and sellers every now and then is a welcome break from sitting in front of the computer wordsmithing all day long!

I've gotten more active on LinkedIn and have updated a full profile there. I've been very fortunate to get nothing but great reviews from people I've done consulting work for and former employers. Check me out here: http://www.linkedin.com/in/sylviachristensen

I've really been very fortunate since starting Maniac MarCom in 2006. People ask me all the time how business is expecting a negative answer because of the state of the economy. They're consistently suprised when I say "It's really better than ever lately!" Although some companies are cutting their marketing budget, few can afford to go without technical writing. Many companies have been forced to cut their full-time technical writer and outsource. This has really been excellent news for me. I can offer companies of more enormous sizes than I ever thought possible quality work on an almost-full-time basis and earn a great wage, while saving them money because they don't have to pay my taxes or offer me benefits. Economic downturns benefiting my business was not something I considered when I started Maniac MarCom, but I'm thankful every day to have plenty of work!

Thanks for a great 2009 to my clients and I'm looking forward to working with you in 2010!

Under Contract Indefinitely

Having ended its relationship with a major Austin computer manufacturer due to economic downturn, Maniac MarCom is now under contract with another (more typically California-based) computer and gadget manufacturer. Maniac MarCom is providing marketing and technical writing services for the company during regular business hours. There remains plenty of time in the evenings and on weekends for existing clients and/or small projects!

Under Contract for 6 Months

Maniac MarCom is under contract with a large computer corporation for the next 6 months. It's a big step for a little company! I will be lending my written and organizational expertise to document business processes in the US and overseas. It's a great project and I should be able to keep up with all my existing clients while I'm working on it! Woo-hoo!

Copeland Group Realty Signs on with Maniac MarCom

I met up-and-coming Austin investment realtor Dee Copeland through her advertisement for a blogger on Craigslist. She has chosen to enlist my help with press releases and other writing projects for her and her office. I'm very excited to be working with an investment realtor, because the field is of genuine interest to me (not that she's the only client of mine that has a product/service that's of genuine interest to me!). I still maintain that housing values in Austin will continue to go up in the coming years, but am continually getting into arguments with friends who think otherwise. Hopefully my research for The Copeland Group will give me the expertise I need to make informed decisions in my ongoing Austin realty adventures (and to win realty arguments again other Austinites!).

Top-Secret Marketing and Technical Writing

One of the most frustrating things about doing great writing for some of my clients is that non-disclosure agreements prevent me from talking much about what I've done! In recent months, I've acquired two new clients and have been doing press releases and Web site copy for both. I really enjoyed the influx of work, but now I've gotten both clients caught up on their marketing and technical writing needs and must seek out some new ones!

MapMyRun Signs on with Maniac MarCom

Maniac MarCom has picked up a couple of new clients in the past month or so. I wanted to briefly introduce each one. Today's focus is MapMyFitness, the parent site of MapMyRun. MapMyRun is a great resource for runners who want to know how far they're going! You don't need a GPS to use the site. You can plot your run (or walk) by hand, see the total distance, save it, and explore the runs of others in your area. It's a great way to find new places to run! MapMyFitness also includes MapMyTri, MapMyWalk, MapMyHike, and MapMyRide for other types of athletes.

Maniac MarCom welcomes MapMyFitness to its client list and hopes to provide writing services for MapMyFitness for years to come!

Professional Networking Organizations

A few of my friends who have their own small business ventures have joined "professional networking organizations." I must admit, I am extremely skeptical of these organizations. Their purpose is getting small business owners referral busines from other small business owners. Although I think the concept is good, I object somewhat to the large fees that professional networking organiations require for membership. Surely, people could organize these groups independently, pick up their own tab when they went out to eat for networking meetings, and not have to pay any membership dues.

Furthermore, professional networking organizations require you to attend weekly or bi-weekly membership meetings durnig business hours. Shouldn't your average small business owner be working during business hours (and beyond), I wonder? I have heard that marketing and growing your business is the most often-overlooked aspect of business ownership, but I feel like there has to be a better way to address the issue of getting new business than paying for referrals from other business owners in completely different industries.

I can see how they might work, but I wonder if they do work... I shall have to hunt for some success and/or horror stories. If you have one, your comments are most welcome!

The Quest for Work Begins

Maniac MarCom has finally gotten a handle on its existing workload and is looking for new clients. I'm investigating the usual online venues -- Craigslist, elance, Monster -- as well as disseminating business cards whenever possible. I was fabulously lucky to start a small business with an existing client base and no need for additional work, but now I would like to try my hand at growing my little venutre to a not-quite-as-little venture. I have quite a few talented friends who do graphic design, marketing writing, and blogging, who are interested in picking up the slack if the company's workload gets out of hand.