Answers for Freelancers » Interviews

A4F 211: An Interview with J.C. Hutchins

Chris — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 03:39:48 +0000

This episode we bring you a full hour with podcast novelist J.C. Hutchins, author of the 7th Son trilogy. In just over a year, he’s managed to use New Media technologies that are generally free or inexpensive to all of us to build a listening audience of 25,000, catch the interest of Hollywood movie producers, publishing agents, and quite a few of the who’s who of the New Media world.

If you’re looking to use the internet and New Media to promote your skills and craft, this interview should prove to be very inspiring and chock full of advice to help you map your next steps.

J.C. is launching the third book of his trilogy on July 7th.

You can find more information on J.C. and his work at http://jchutchins.net

A4F 210: Road Trip ’07: Prelude to an Interview with J.C. Hutchins

bobostromstudio — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 02:14:24 +0000

This week Bob and Chris return from a 5 week break, during which your hosts have been VERY busy. Probably the most interesting thing we did was take a road trip to interview the great podcast novelist J.C. Hutchins, author of the 7th Son trilogy. Now, J.C. has done an incredible job of using New Media to promote and distribute his work, and we wanted to know how he did it. First, however, in this episode we hear how the boys have been getting along for the past 5 weeks and what they’ve been up to.

Turns out Chris overbooked his free time, and worked himself silly until he literally got sick. All the while Bob got industrious and built himself a brand new website to showcase his unique take on logo design: http://boboslogos.com.

The guys wrap up the show with a recording of the trip to J.C.’s. So pack your bags and come along for the ride. There’s plenty of room at J.C.’s for everyone.

A4F 209: Interview with Pod-Cast Novelist Seth Harwood

bobostromstudio — Tue, 15 May 2007 04:39:19 +0000

Chris and Bob interview writer and pod-cast novelist Seth Harwood. In this episode Seth gives some great advice to beginning writers. Seth’s pod-casts include, last summers block buster hit, Jack Wakes Up and his latest release, A long way from Disney (a collection of short stories).

Seth is putting the finishing touches on his latest pod-cast novel, Jack Palms 2 This is Life, the sequel to Jack Wakes Up. Look for JP2 to be released June 3rd at:

SethHarwood.com.

A4F 207: Interview with Mark Covell, Storyboard Artist from Family Guy.

bobostromstudio — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 05:39:32 +0000

Bob sits down for a little one on one with Mark Covell, storyboard artist from the animated series Family Guy. Mark talks about his career at Family Guy and what it took to become the talented storyboard artist he is today.

Mark is also an accomplished painter and talks about his latest gallery opening. If you’d like to learn more about Mark please check out these exciting links.

Mark Covell

Mark Covell’s Blog

Marks Gallery Opening

Editors note: Congratulations if you downloaded the earlier version of this pod-cast. You now have in your possession a rare behind the scenes valuable collectors edition of Answers for Freelances Ep2-7. The first person to write in and identify our mistake wins a free limited edition autographed Answers for Freelancers T-shirt. Good luck and happy hunting.

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A4F 204: Interview with Mitch Joel: Taking Control of your Personal Branding

Chris — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 05:19:53 +0000

In this fantastic episode, we speak with Mitch Joel, president of Twist Image and host of 6 Pixels of Separation, about the value and importance of building, not just your company brand, but also, in building your personal brand.

We all have a personal brand, whether we work on it or not. What people think of you. What they think of your values, your personality, your dependability, the quality of your work and your character. Its something that just exists. Grabbing hold of your personal brand, and making sure that people see you for who your really are, is a task that most of us neglect.

The fact of the matter is, if YOU don’t take control of your personal brand, then either someone else will, or worse, no one will, and it will present itself differently to everyone you meet. How do you take control of your personal brand? What kinds of action can you take to promote it? How does your elevator pitch fit in, and what’s the best way to introduce yourself to those who are in your network?

This interview is a favorite of both Bob and Chris. However, because we had so much fun doing it, the interview definitely ran long. Its a full hour. Some of the language in this episode is a little harsh, thus the explicit tag, but its nothing racy or explicit.

Show Notes:

Twist Image Blog:
http://www.twistimage.com/blog/

Six Pixels of Separation Podcast:
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=157616278

Mitch Joel’s presentation with C.C. Chapman at Podcamp Boston:
http://www.managingthegray.com/2006/09/11/
building-your-brand-podcamp-boston-presentation/

Just One More Book!
http://www.justonemorebook.com/2006/10/28/listener-input-show-5/

This Week in Tech: http://www.twit.tv/TWiT

This week in Media: http://www.twit.tv/TWiM

Podcasting Software:

CastBlaster (Windows) – http://castblaster.com/

UberCaster (Mac) – http://ubercaster.com/

GarageBand (Mac) – http://www.apple.com/ilife/

A4F 201: Networking: Its not Who You Know, its Who Knows You.

Chris — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 03:16:52 +0000

Know it or not, we all have a number of networks in our lives. Our friends. Our family. Our workmates. All are sub-networks within the larger network we call our lives. Networks happen every day, and as we change and grow, our networks change and grow with us. We use our networks for information, connections and help. We find great entertainment, deals, and services based on recommendations from our networks. Networking isn’t about selling, its about creating and passing along goodwill to those you work with, like, and respect. When you’re connected, it stops becoming about whether or not you can solve the problem, and instead becomes about whether or not your network can solve the problem. If you get that, you begin to see the power of networking. If you see the power of networking, then you start seeing the need to pay attention and manage your networking efforts. Networking isn’t about selling, its about connecting. It isn’t about selling, its about solving problems. It isn’t about selling, its about creating communities. It isn’t about selling, its about becoming top-of-mind to those who can help you build your business. Networking isn’t about selling, its about living.

Glad to get this interview out there. I interviewed Bill last November, just a couple of days after our interview with Michael Gerber, which caused such a stir amongst ourselves and some of our listeners, that we ended up revisiting the Gerber topic and sitting on this interview longer than we expected. Sorry, Bill!

Show Notes:

Networking You – http://www.networkingyou.com/
Why Don’t Doctors Cold Call – http://networkingyou.com/self_study.htm

Networking Boot Camp – February 1st – Glastonbury, CT

Books mentioned by Bill, written by Harvey Mackay:

Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty

Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten

You know, if we’re gonna keep linking to books, maybe we should get an affiliate account?

Online Networking Resources mentioned in the interview

LinkedIn – http://www.linkedin.com/
MySpace – http://myspace.com/
Second Life – http://secondlife.com/

A4F 109: Answers for Non-Freelancers? A Follow-up Discussion of our Interview with Michael Gerber, the E-Myth man.

Chris — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 19:29:16 +0000

In episode 8, we interviewed renowned business guru Michael Gerber, who had some very interesting thoughts on the very nature and business viability of freelancing. Michael’s remarks sparked some heated debates between Ken, Bob and Chris. So much so, that even before posting Michael’s interview, we knew we were going to have to follow it up with a discussion of our own on the subject. Are we actually telling you to stop freelancing? Yes! No! Maybe? Listen in and tell us what you think.

We take a hard look at the differences between freelancing and entrepreneurship. How are they fundamentally different? How do you apply Michael’s techniques to either to become more successful? Is one doomed to failure while another is a rocketship heading to the moon? Not necessarily, but until you understand the key features of each, you can’t really start to grow either, or grow beyond where you are now.

Give it a listen and weigh in. All of us, the hosts AND your fellow listeners, are anxious to know what you think. Where do you stand on this idea? Did you like the topic? Would you like to see us continue to offer more of this diverse type of subject matter? Let us know. Shoot us an email, leave a comment below, or drop us some audio using our My Chingo account to the left.

Yup, we know we were a little later than anticipated getting this out, but that just really goes to show the strong feeling we have on this subject. We’re glad you’re still with us.

Pod on. Chris, Bob and Ken

A4F 108: Interview with Michael Gerber of E-Myth Worldwide and In The Dreaming Room

Chris — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 05:05:08 +0000

Michael Gerber, author, entrepreneur, and acclaimed business consultant, talks to us about what happens when Freelancers are ready to start growing their business into a true company. The kind of business that allows the owner to touch the world in a way that is truly meaningful and allows him the freedom to pursue those interests, both inside and outside of work, that he feels are the most important.

If you have reached a point in your career where you are looking for this kind of growth, then this is an interview you don’t want to miss.

Freelancing is an idea that is full of romance and wonder; doing your own thing, anywhere you want, anytime you want. Traveling the world while creating your art, or working from home while watching your children grow up. Paying the bills when your ‘real job’ disappears. Freelancing presents itself as an ideal solution to many people under various circumstances, and if it didn’t work, people all over the world wouldn’t be doing it.

However, the very nature of freelancing is this: as guns for hire, we only make money when we are producing. This means that eventually we hit a threshhold we cannot pass beyond, since we can only work so many hours, and we can only charge so much. Also, for most of us, as we get older, the number of people we are responsible for providing for keeps increasing. Finally, as creative individuals, most of us have all sorts of projects that we wish we could be working on, but our freelance duties keep us from accomplishing them. How do we move beyond that?

When its time for you to move beyond the pay-per-piece or pay-per-hour world of Freelancing, but you want to continue working as a independent artist, its time to get a fresh perspective on your business and what it will take to truly make the next phase of your career take flight. Our interview with Michael Gerber serves to open the door to this line of thinking, and we hope you will join us as we consider these new ideas.

Show Notes:

E-Myth Worldwide: http://www.e-myth.com/

In the Dreaming Room: http://inthedreamingroom.com/

Michael Gerber’s Manifesto: http://blog.inthedreamingroom.com/

E-Myth Revisited: Amazon.com

Also, make sure to follow up with us next week as we discuss in more detail many of the ideas that Michael has presented in his book that we simply weren’t able to touch on in our interview.

A4F 107: Interview with Pia Sjölin of Pia Sjölin Design LLC.

Chris — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 03:42:09 +0000

Pia Sjölin has been an independent artist since 1974. She has had a diverse career that includes such disciplines as glass blowing, fabric and textile design, fashion design, mural and faux painting, importing, exporting, and resale.

Now, Pia is bringing all of these talents and disciplines together as she begins her 4th business venture. Trying to eliminate the necessity of “matching” fabrics, wall papers, glass and other home decor items by creating entire sets based on the same patterns and looks, she is pushing all of her experience and skills to new horizons.

Show Notes:

Pia’s Website: http://www.pia-us.com/

Currently, information for the “Stars and Stripes Mixed With Yellow and Blue” conference and show scheduled for Nov 6 & 7, 2006 can be found at http://ssac-usa.org/

Pia will be showing her work at the Farmington Valley Arts Center (http://www.fvac.net/) in Avon, CT between Nov 17 and Dec 23, 2006.

I think that’s about it! Hope you enjoyed the show. As always, if you have a question or want to send us feedback, send your email to: answersforfreelancers@gmail.com