Wow, thanks Barrett, that’s amazing and it’ll help
out greatly. After I’m finished with my work for today I’ll fix my
cover letter and draft out a sample resume and see how it fares in the market.
Thanks man.
I agree, when I project the near-future of my online writing
career, I only see it as progressively making more money as time goes on. It
looks as if it’ll just be a steady line-chart. I don’t see very
many similarities between our resumes. I’ve been neglecting to
produce a political blog; I should probably find the time to do that.
I’ll keep in touch Barrett. I’m definitely doing alright. Right now
I have 5 clients that I’m working on assignments for and some people who
might need me to write them samples in my inbox, some jobs in-process, some
money is owed, no writing is owed. Except today is the only day that is a
deadline that I haven’t had the assignment done many days in advance. The
assignment is easy though, sports-- $30 each, two per week. I have some jobs
much better than that , however. One similarity is writing about cities; I do
that now currently. I’m sure my resume will build up. I’ve probably
done some pretty cool things I can list. NYC Event Planning Guide, Chiropractic
Pamphlets—ongoing. So things should be good.
I just remembered I do some political writing too! Alright, thanks for the
advice man. It’ll be put to good use. You’re going to help me
accomplish new levels so I can set new precedents for myself. I’m very
grateful.
I’ll let you know how it goes,
Best regards,
JlB
From: Barrett Brown
[mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 12:01 PM
To: Jordan l Brooks
Subject: Re: Freelance Writers Needed
Jordan-
I've pasted my current resume below for you to take a look at it. Basically,
there's no one particular right way to format things like the names of past
employers. As for you, I would leave in records of your employment with the
computer firms, but take out things like Subway. You'll get a basic idea, I
think, from my resume as to what should be included.
If you made $800 last month, you're off to a damn good start. It only gets
easier once you've accumulated some clips and references and all that.
Barrett
BARRETT BROWN__ 512-560-2302 barriticus@gmail.com
Copywriter/ Feature Columnist/
Contributing Editor/ Book Author
With focus on political satire, policy
analysis and contemporary humor.
Published Work/ Freelance Media Experience:
Studio 2a – Currently serve as
marketing consultant for Chicago-based architectural rendering firm, handling
all sales letters, marketing copy, and long-term branding strategies. 2007
– present.
PoliticalBase.com – Created content and
served as paid blogger for online political news start-up founded by CNET.
2007-2008.
Fox Business Channel, Yahoo, Minyanville.com
– Writer
on freelance creative team for animated humor series Minyanville, which
aired on Fox Business Channel's Happy Hour program as well as on Yahoo
Finance. 2007
The Onion A/V Club - Freelance copywriting
for The Onion's features department. 2006-2008.
Sterling and Ross Publishers – Authored nonfiction
book of political humor, Flock of Dodos: Behind Modern Creationism,
Intelligent Design, and the Easter Bunny, released in March 2007. Book
received praise from Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, Rolling Stone,
Skeptic, Air America Radio, Huffington Post, others.
Anglesey Interactive, Inc. – Produced online
marketing collateral (web text, press releases, blogging, etc.) in support of
firm's "Riight.com" integrated
search engine from June 2007 to March 2008
Dining Out - Feature writing for
national restaurant publication. 2006-2008
National Lampoon - Occasional
contributor; past features included "Pick-Up Lines That Don't Seem to Work,"
"Craig's Conspiracy Corner," "A Guide to Dealing with
Housecats," more. 2003 - 2006
Evote.com - Weekly columnist and
feature writer for political analysis site from October 2004 to November 2005.
AOL CityGuide - Web content writer
from 2000 to 2004 – Researched/ created coverage of event and
entertainment venues. Served as regional correspondent for Dallas, Austin, New
Orleans, Houston and Little Rock markets.
Additional magazine work - Ongoing, have contributed
feature articles from serious political commentary to humor pieces to fine
dining overviews for outlets including business-to-business publications Pizza
Today, 360, Club Systems International, Destination Dallas, D.C.-based
public policy journal Toward Freedom, London-based public policy journal
Free Life, humor magazine Jest, regional publications The Met,
Austin Monthly, Dallas Child, Oui, literary journal Swans,
dozens more.
Additional
writing projects - Created both print and online marketing collateral for
New York tech start-up Organic Motion, Inc. Created online marketing
collateral for New York corporate training firm Illuminata Global.
Researched and wrote entertainment/dining/venue content for Dallas ad agency Avacata
and clients' marketing collateral, including that of luxury resort real estate
firm. Have created marketing copy for Verizon via Dallas ad agency Sullivan
Perkins, produced website copy for design firm NPCreate.com,
provided public relations pieces for Texas energy company EBS and Dallas
real estate firm Dunhill Partners.
Education:
1999 - 2003 University of Texas at Austin,
College of Communications
On Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 1:35 PM, Jordan l Brooks <jb.killa.poe@gmail.com> wrote:
Barrett, thank you so much. The
tone of the examples that you included is something that my letter does not
have also. It's mature.
Your last message was excellent.
I only have one more question, please.
I've been freelance writing for about two months now; I made about $800 last
month. I've only had a handful of clients thus far. I mean some of them I've
written 10+ articles for already, but I only have so many. My resume is taking
from my past life. I was a computer technician. When I was 19 I was getting
paid like $15 per hour to fix computers at a theme park down the street from my
home. After that job ended, I was a contracted computer tech who made $100
dollars per hour for just one or two hours of work a few times a month for the
same company (and the owners' auto-shop nearby). So my resume details my life
from Subway all the way to the mailing-store which was the last job that I had
before I started writing as a profession. I've looked up query letters on
Google before (but honestly I could tell that you were the man to talk to for
additional information regarding the craigslist field), but looking-up a
writer's resume is a little more difficult.
My original resume is formatted like you would expect a computer tech's to
look, so do I send a revised version of my actual work history or do I
list clients that I've worked for?
If it's clients that I've worked for. Then I have no clue as to what the
headings my resume should look like. Should the names be first initial and last
name? Just the company name? Do I write the date and service I
provided, their contact information? That would mean that I have to get in
contact with all of my old writing employers, no?
--Yeah, that's one question
Barrett.
Please respond whenever you get an available opportunity. Do not let me hinder
your work or plans for play.
Thank you.
You are kind and helpful, a truly good-hearted individual, as am I—I'll
pay it forward.
Respectfully,
JlB
From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:01 AM
To: Jordan l Brooks
Subject: Re: Freelance Writers Needed
Also, I should add that the query letter I just
described is just for contacting editors who post ads on craigslist or
something like that. Of course, if you're sending out articles, you would
include a brief summary of the article, your relevant background, and perhaps
some clips, depending on the editorial guidelines of the target. You might look
up sample query letters on Google, too, because I actually don't have any
particular insight into that particular practice.
On Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 12:56 PM, Barrett Brown <barriticus@gmail.com>
wrote:
Hi, Jordan-
I got your other e-mail first and didn't know what it was about, so disregard
that last message.
Regarding your query letter, you should tone down some of the more creative
language and also shorten it quite a bit. Basically, the format I use goes
something like this, with bold words replaced with specific items:
"I understand that you're looking for a writer to handle such-and-such-job,
and I'd like to be considered. My work has appeared in this publication,
this other publication, and this literary journal, as well as
other outlets. I've also won several awards, including this award and this
other award.
Along with my resume, I've pasted a relevant sample below; please take a look
and let me know if you'd like to discuss this further."
Basically, it's a big mistake to send a long query letter that makes use of any
flowery language or terminology whatsoever. Also, be sure you've got a
well-formatted resume to go along with it.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks,
Barrett Brown
Brooklyn, NY
512-560-2302
On Thu, Jun 26, 2008 at 12:49 PM, Jordan l Brooks <jb.killa.poe@gmail.com>
wrote:
Hello Barrett,
My name is Jordan; I'm simply a young writer. Since the first instance of this
email, however, (yesterday) I recognized your voice as the conscious of
Craigslist. That's admirable. I'm sure you're probably just as busy as I am (or
busier) so I'll be brief. I wanted to know if you could provide me with some
(small) assistance in the growth of my writing career. This could be as brief
as you desire. I'm only requesting the help but one time; if you could maybe
critique what the world calls my 'query letter' or my blog or anything that my
potential clients have to look at and then let me know how it strikes you or
whatever strikes you as wrong, I could evolve 10fold.
Personally, I'm all about growth. Although some people will not be able to
tell, I've edited my query letter on a daily basis from my early days writing
when I had no messages in my inbox to today when I get 10 -14 per hour. Not all
of the jobs that return to my inbox are worthy, however, (so it's 1 – 3
per day, maybe 5 on good days). I am observant of the jobs that I am capable of
effectively completing efficiently—jobs that I seem to get passed-up for
continuously. I see your skill, patience, dedication, expertise and
intelligence as things that I strive to achieve. If you decided to give this
message no-time of day: I would simply continue to strive without any
assistance from you. If you have whatever amount of time that it took you to
type any one of those messages to Mr. Rich Preisig, to assist a young writer,
your words will not fail or fall on deaf ears. I assure you.
If you have any tips that you could direct towards me personally, I would
appreciate it. Any kind words would also be appreciated. Thank you for taking
the time to read my message. If you would like to view my query letter I can
send it to you if you reply.
I'll just send it anyway.
(Usually I can put myself in the position of the reader of my query
letter—as if I was putting myself in the position of a character in a
book that I'm writing –and then I can observe their opinions and
reactions and ideas concerning my work. In this case I am too far from the
target audience to effectively do this. I am biased here, I think.)
Thank you.
JlB
From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 2:44 PM
To: Rich Preisig
Cc: Kyle Vonder Hulls; lerlanger@nyc.rr.com; ericnow@live.com; eman6704@yahoo.com; joseph.alexiou@gmail.com;
writers@masterpiecewriter.com;
doriamiyata@gmail.com;
auguste319@yahoo.com;
jb.killa.poe@gmail.com;
joseph.leutz@earthlink.net;
writer@well.com; newyorkcitywriter@earthlink.net;
sharonmcelwee@yahoo.com;
travlinguy@hotmail.com;
johnriddle@sprintmail.com;
maben14@hotmail.com; skietzman@embarqmail.com;
gina_gallagher@msn.com;
kentcurry@sbcglobal.net;
poeticaesthete@aol.com;
jschreier@gmail.com; markmy@earthlink.net; jessicamousseau@gmail.com;
imrachella@gmail.com;
aseybert@yahoo.com; annie@anniebkay.com; bailey.mccann@gmail.com;
brian.oco1@verizon.net;
michaelgavin2004@yahoo.com;
aaronland@nyc.rr.com;
dross.ross@yahoo.com;
kerri.linden@gmail.com;
v13christensen@yahoo.com;
amarjerome@gmail.com;
brian_benjamin@yahoo.com;
evangelistpenny@aol.com;
mingyang.liu@gmail.com;
citizenck@gmail.com; mintzword4@aol.com; niceavila@yahoo.com; lirisaredins@yahoo.ca; harmon.katherine@gmail.com;
whereisbrittneyj@gmail.com;
hfmbears@aol.com; carlin.galietti@gmail.com;
createworks@mindspring.com;
prof@doctor.cnc.net; rv@charter.net; sfgators96@yahoo.com; apps@aspenmerchantcapital.com
Subject: Re: Freelance Writers Needed
Rich-
You just don't know when to quit, sir.
Here's the rest of the story for those of you who might actually still be
considering working for a guy who's already begun lying to you before you've
even signed a contract. Note that the following information is not covered by
the NDA; this is all data that only need be pieced together from public records
and five minutes on Google.
"Loan Saver," which will allegedly be in the business of performing a
wonderful public service for the nation's homeowners by way of educational
materials, is being represented by Mr. Preisig's friend Kyle Vonder Hulls, who
also just happens to be involved with Aspen Merchant Capital, which is a parent
company to New York Capital Funding, which is itself based in the same office
as Aspen Merchant Capital. Hilariously enough, the "educational" firm
that will be advising people on matters pertaining to unusually-structured
loans will be run by the very same folks who also want to provide people with
unusually-structured loans - and, of course, the guy who'll be in charge of all
this swell, free, and spiritually-motivated civic altruism, Rich Preisig, also
just happens to have been barred from brokering or even working with brokers by
the SEC because he had an unfortunate tendency to trick people out of their
money after first gaining their trust. But Rich Preisig wants you to ignore all
of that because, you see, he's married now, and he wants to start a family, and
plus he's managed to reach the ripe old age of 38 without having walked into
traffic or blown himself up trying to reprogram his VCR.
So, there you have it, guys. That's the job you're being asked to sign up for.
Thanks,
Barrett Brown
On Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 4:25 PM, Rich Preisig <rich@loansaver.com>
wrote:
Thank you for your thoughts
Barrett. I wish you well and ask that you move on.
We also regret that, although you
were the "first" to sign and send back the NDA, we're going to have
to pass.
Ps. I'll be sure to work on my
grammar and punctuation skills, but not now, there's a lot to do. J
From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 2:58 PM
To: Rich Preisig
Cc: Kyle Vonder Hulls; lerlanger@nyc.rr.com; ericnow@live.com; eman6704@yahoo.com; joseph.alexiou@gmail.com;
writers@masterpiecewriter.com;
doriamiyata@gmail.com;
auguste319@yahoo.com;
jb.killa.poe@gmail.com;
joseph.leutz@earthlink.net;
writer@well.com; newyorkcitywriter@earthlink.net;
sharonmcelwee@yahoo.com;
travlinguy@hotmail.com;
johnriddle@sprintmail.com;
maben14@hotmail.com; skietzman@embarqmail.com;
gina_gallagher@msn.com;
kentcurry@sbcglobal.net;
poeticaesthete@aol.com;
jschreier@gmail.com; markmy@earthlink.net; jessicamousseau@gmail.com;
imrachella@gmail.com;
aseybert@yahoo.com; annie@anniebkay.com; bailey.mccann@gmail.com;
brian.oco1@verizon.net;
michaelgavin2004@yahoo.com;
aaronland@nyc.rr.com;
dross.ross@yahoo.com;
kerri.linden@gmail.com;
v13christensen@yahoo.com;
amarjerome@gmail.com;
brian_benjamin@yahoo.com;
evangelistpenny@aol.com;
mingyang.liu@gmail.com;
citizenck@gmail.com; mintzword4@aol.com; niceavila@yahoo.com; lirisaredins@yahoo.ca; harmon.katherine@gmail.com;
whereisbrittneyj@gmail.com;
hfmbears@aol.com; carlin.galietti@gmail.com;
createworks@mindspring.com;
prof@doctor.cnc.net; rv@charter.net; sfgators96@yahoo.com; apps@aspenmerchantcapital.com
Subject: Re: Freelance Writers Needed
Comrade Preisig-
I sincerely apologize if I've hurt your feelings. I shouldn't have spoken out
like that without having first gotten your side of the story. So, let's get
that side of the story, shall we?
1. You note that you tried to take responsibility for your actions by
"accepting a bar from the securities industry," and you seem to imply
that this proves something about how you learned your lesson or reached a
higher plane of spiritual understanding or something to that effect. Is that
not a strange point to make, seeing as how a bar from the securities industry
isn't something that you choose to "accept," but rather an utterly
involuntary punishment that I suppose you could have tried to appeal were it
not for the fact that the SEC had a pretty damned strong case against you?
2. In reference to the above point, why would anyone want to work with someone
who was too dishonest for the securities industry?
3. In reference to your second paragraph, how does anyone reach the age of 38
in a developed country without knowing when it is appropriate to capitalize
words and when it is not appropriate at all?
4. In reference to your assertion that "LoanSaver.com exemplifies [your]
growing concern and immediate need to 'Educate and Protect' [sic] the
'Homeowners of America' [sic]," why do I get the impression that the
education in question will involve educating people about what a great idea it
is to do business with your other firm, Aspen Merchant Capital, or some other
nifty little boiler room you've got set up in Florida or some such place? Is it
because I'm not retarded?
5. Which part of my last e-mail was "drivel"?
6. How did you managed to get "humbled" by writing an e-mail that
also accuses someone else of "vitriolic drivel"? Is it because
you figured out towards the end that your e-mail is full of non-sequitors and
dime-store New Age nonsense? Were you high when you wrote it?
7. Do you expect to actually make some good money off of this scam? If so, I
take back everything I wrote. Let's do business!
8. Just kidding.
9. Congrats on the marriage.
With sincerest regards and visions of the dawning of the Age of Aquarius,
Barrett Brown
On Wed, Jun 25, 2008 at 1:43 PM, Rich Preisig <rich@loansaver.com>
wrote:
Dear Barrett, Dennis, et al
While my history is no secret, it is, however, truly history (the acts I
took responsibility for occurred more than eleven years ago.) I do
regret hurting people. So I did what I believed to be the right thing - I took
responsibility for my actions by pleading guilty, accepting a bar from the
securities industry, and paying into a fund to help the investors I
harmed. I'm now 38, recently married (first for both of us) and look
forward to having a family.
With this said, my company; LoanSaver.com exemplifies my growing concern and
immediate need to "Educate & Protect" the "Homeowners
of America." There is absolutely nothing to sell them; just educational
content hence, we seek professional writers like yourselves. With this
said, I encourage you all to see past Barrett's vitriolic drivel. I hope
"our" time in Life is better spent than "trashing" others,
while referring to incidents that occurred more than a decade ago. For
what it's worth, Barrett's email was hurtful. I seek to hurt no one.
Ok, moving on. I have absolutely no experience in knowing what the
"proper wages" are for professional writers such as yourselves. I
would encourage any suggestion(s) that lends itself to accomplishing each
other's goals, as the magnitude of this company will benefit 10's of millions,
and we're just getting started.
Thank you all for your sincere consideration, as I am humbled writing this
email.
Respectfully,
Rich
From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 1:00 PM
To: Kyle Vonder Hulls
Cc: lerlanger@nyc.rr.com;
ericnow@live.com; eman6704@yahoo.com; joseph.alexiou@gmail.com;
writers@masterpiecewriter.com;
doriamiyata@gmail.com;
auguste319@yahoo.com;
jb.killa.poe@gmail.com;
joseph.leutz@earthlink.net;
writer@well.com; newyorkcitywriter@earthlink.net;
sharonmcelwee@yahoo.com;
travlinguy@hotmail.com;
johnriddle@sprintmail.com;
maben14@hotmail.com; skietzman@embarqmail.com;
gina_gallagher@msn.com;
kentcurry@sbcglobal.net;
poeticaesthete@aol.com;
jschreier@gmail.com; markmy@earthlink.net; jessicamousseau@gmail.com;
imrachella@gmail.com;
aseybert@yahoo.com; annie@anniebkay.com; bailey.mccann@gmail.com;
brian.oco1@verizon.net;
michaelgavin2004@yahoo.com;
aaronland@nyc.rr.com;
dross.ross@yahoo.com;
kerri.linden@gmail.com;
v13christensen@yahoo.com;
amarjerome@gmail.com;
brian_benjamin@yahoo.com;
evangelistpenny@aol.com;
mingyang.liu@gmail.com;
citizenck@gmail.com; mintzword4@aol.com; niceavila@yahoo.com; lirisaredins@yahoo.ca; rich@loansaver.com; harmon.katherine@gmail.com;
whereisbrittneyj@gmail.com;
hfmbears@aol.com; carlin.galietti@gmail.com;
createworks@mindspring.com;
prof@doctor.cnc.net; rv@charter.net; sfgators96@yahoo.com; apps@aspenmerchantcapital.com
Subject: Re: Freelance Writers Needed
I guess everything's been covered. I would just
add that the guy who's running the show per the NDA form has been barred from
going anywhere near a brokerage firm or even a share of stock:
http://www.sec.gov/litigation/admin/34-44266.htm
... and that he and his friends have a tendency to skip out on civil trials:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117758451.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1
... and also that their offices are located on that same shitty block where all
the low-rent scam artists tend to congregate.
In fact, just Google "Rich Preisig" if you want to kill twenty
minutes.
Word,
Barrett Brown
On Mon, Jun 23, 2008 at 8:37 PM, Kyle Vonder Hulls <kvhulls@aspenmerchantcapital.com>
wrote:
Hey Guys,
Thank you all for responding to our ad for
freelance writers. We are looking forward to launching a huge project and could
use the help from all of you in this. The exact nature of this project must remain
confidential until its ready for release, so I must have all of you sign and
return the attached non-disclosure agreements before topics can be assigned.
In an effort to save time, once you have
returned the NDA we will schedule a conference call to disclose the nature of
the project, discuss topics, discuss pay and to answer all your questions.
I know this may seem unusual, but given the
scope of this project, this is how it must be done. We are looking to work
with 50 - 100 writers on a continuous basis.
Please print, sign and fax this
agreement to (866) 847 - 0478.
Once faxed back, please email me your contact
information. I will verify you have sent the Non-Disclosure Agreement and
forward you a schedule of conference calls along with instructions on how to
join the calls.
I look forward to working with each of you.
Kyle Vonder Hulls
146 W. 29th St
Suite 6E
New York, NY 10001
Office: (800) 796-0136 ex.
105
Fax: (866) 847-0478
Email:
kvhulls@aspenmerchantcapital.com