Thursday, April 9, 2009

Good people want to help

I have heard that previous SPJ events have been useful.


SPJ WANTS TO HELP

The Fort Worth SPJ pro chapter wants to help. We've put on several "how to survive a layoff" programs for folks from the DMN and Star-Telegram over the last several years, featuring things like financial advice on 401K rollovers. This time we're thinking about organizing a freelancers' "summit" -- probably a half-day program on a Saturday. To do that, we want to hear from you -- what advice or help do you need most? How to handle the finances? Find clients? Negotiate prices? Build a website? Learn new skills? What else?
Please write back and let me know. We will try to build a program around what we hear from you.

Thanks

Gayle Reaves
(SPJ-Fort Worth board member and editor, Fort Worth Weekly)
gayle.reaves@fwweekly.com
at

5 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 10, 2009 at 9:56 AM

    I'm going to be helping out with this, so if anyone can't get together for my informal meeting in a few weeks, this one will be a great resource.
    -Trey Garrison

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  2. Paul BaronApril 10, 2009 at 10:06 AM

    We, too, want to not only help, but also better understand what journalist, reporters, advertising salespersons are thinking when their thoughts drift to "what's next for me?" Here at www.hometowntimes.com, we want to hear from people in, out, or soon to be out, or want to be out of the established print/news outlets and are searching for a way to connect those in their local communities - the people, the businesses, the events - the issues of local importance that appear to be less and less covered by the incumbent media outlets. If we can help anyone in the industry in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, or you just want to shaer your thoughts, I welcome your input.

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  3. Paul FoutchApril 10, 2009 at 9:54 PM

    Gayle, I'd be happy to help with an SPJ event. I've already scheduled a seminar on 401(k) issues, but could do another one in conjunction with your event.
    Right now, I'm inviting everyone to a dinner seminar at La Calle Doce restaurant in Oak Cliff, on Tuesday, April 21, at 6:30 p.m.
    We'll cover tax issues, including how to take the money before age 59 1/2 without being subjected to the IRS' 10% penalty; the implications of loans taken on your 401(k); and more.
    Edward Jones is buying. So it's free food, free knowledge, and no obligation. There's no sales pitch -- if you want more information about rolling your 401(k) to an IRA with Edward Jones, you have to ASK me to contact you ... so it's opt-in, not opt-out.
    And yes, I'm the guy who co-wrote, with Will Deener, the four-part expose on local stockbrokers. And now I am one ... for what that's worth.
    If you're interested in the dinner, please let me know at paul.foutch@edwardjones.com, as I need to get an accurate head count. And please pass the word to others.
    Thanks
    Paul Foutch

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  4. GadflyApril 11, 2009 at 12:30 AM

    Can employees of suburban weeklies crash?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Paul FoutchApril 11, 2009 at 12:55 AM

    Sure, but "space is limited," as they say. I think the room holds 30 people.
    Paul Foutch

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