Spring 2003 newsletter, communications, freelancing speeches in DC and Baltimore are successes!

It was somewhat of a marathon when I shared my expertise in organizational communications, putting together newsletters and freelancing with varied audiences in Baltimore, MD, and Washington, DC, this past March.

My first-ever seminar for the Society of National Association Publications (SNAP), "Producing Effective Association Newsletters" on March 26 in DC, attracted more than two dozen attendees for a stunning debut that was profitable to both the host association and my own bank account, while scoring well with participants. The majority of those attending gave the three-hour session a 5 out of 5 for presenter's knowledge, quality and scope of information, and more. The program covered everything from planning to developing content and maintaining deadlines, basic design tips, samples of good and bad design, to the whys and wherefores of doing electronic newsletters. SNAP plans to have me offer this, or something like it, on an annual basis, which is very flattering!

About a dozen potential freelancers joined me at the downtown DC Teaism restaurant on March 27 for the lowdown on launching their freelancing efforts when I presented "Getting Started as a Freelance Writer." Everyone seemed to enjoy the session, and most of them bought my booklet, "Get Paid to Write! Getting Started as a Freelance Writer." (A note of caution to anyone considering doing a program at this location -- the site is free and very conveniently located, the food and drink are wonderful, the staff is very nice, but the program space is quite noisy. It's an open platform in a large, downstairs dining area, so your voice or presenters must compete with conversation of other diners, people going up and downstairs, piped-in music, etc.)

As part of the same trip, I also presented an all-day "Communications Day" seminar in Baltimore for members of the Pratt Library system's nonprofit development program. More than 40 representatives of nonprofit organizations showed up. The morning focused on "Making Your Organization Look Good in Print," with tips on general business communications and media relations. The afternoon was "All about Newsletters," with insights into putting together attractive, readable newsletters on a budget. Evaluations were all in the top ranks; my favorite was the participant who said, "Ruth is a jewel!"

For information about having me speak to your organization or upcoming conference, or to order my booklet, just send me a message at Ruth@writerruth.com.

Featured in alma mater newsletter

Being the subject of a profile in my high-school alma mater's district newsletter recently was a great feel-good moment. There's nothing like a little recognition right at home, especially when it lets you give something back to those who helped you get started.

The fall 2002 issue of the Brighton News, published for current, retired and alumni members of the Brighton Central School District of Rochester, NY, featured a full-page profile about me, a 1971 Brighton High School alumna and successful freelancer who returned to my hometown of Rochester in 2001 after my husband retired from Bethlehem Steel. I've always wanted to say "thank you" to the outstanding teachers I had in the Brighton system, and this was one way of doing so (I also provide volunteer media services to the Brighton Schools Alumni Association and have written profiles of other alumni for the district newsletter).

In the article, I noted that I owe a great deal of my freelance success to two key things: the love of reading I absorbed from my parents, and the early training in basic grammar and usage I received from my Brighton teachers in both junior high and high school. I was writing better in eighth grade than a lot of the people I've encountered over the years were in college and the workplace! My sixth-grade English teacher gave me a strong, instinctive grounding in the basics; my eighth-grade history teacher taught me how to do research efficiently and organize ideas around a theme; and my favorite high-school English teacher not only helped me strengthen those important skills through a critical reading and writing course and AP English, but gave me a sense of confidence in my writing ability. I owe all of them a lot.

The article can be seen at the Brighton website (www.bcsd.org).

Booklet offers tips on "Getting Started" as a freelancer

My colleagues tell me it's nuts to give advice to potential competitors, but I feel there are enough writing venues nowadays to provide outlets for many freelance writers, and that the more professional we all are, the more all of us will benefit. That's why I do presentations about freelancing, and it's also why I've put much of my experience as a long-time successful freelance writer and editor into print as a resource for colleagues in a booklet, "Get Paid to Write! Getting Started as a Freelance Writer."

The publication expands in detail on basic tips on various aspects of setting up as a freelance writer, based on my popular presentations on this topic to writers' organizations such as the Eric Friedheim Library at the National Press Club, Society for Professional Journalists, International Association of Business Communicators, Women in Communications, Maryland Writers Association, Baltimore Writers Alliance, Washington Independent Writers, Rochester InfoCourses, Brighton Continuing Education Program and more.

For details about hosting such presentations, send e-mail to Ruth@writerruth.com.

For a copy of the booklet, send U.S. check or money order for $20 to: Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, Writer/Editor, Olde Rochesterville #502, 165 N. Water Street, Rochester, NY 14604.

National Press Club speech is a hit!

It seems that I was a hit with colleagues when I discussed "Getting Started as a Freelance Writer" in May 2002 at the prestigious Eric Friedheim Library at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

It was a great thrill to do a presentation at the Eric Friedheim Library, one of the capital's premier services for working journalists. About 20 people attended the program and provided positive evaluations afterward, saying the presentation had been lively, fun, highly practical and useful.

Renowned for my networking, I've shared my expertise with colleagues over the years through active membership in professional organizations such as Washington Independent Writers, Society of National Association Publications, Edpress, International Association of Business Communicators, Women in Communications, Maryland Writers Association, Baltimore Writers Alliance, Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists and more. For details about hosting such presentations, send e-mail to Ruth@writerruth.com.

Returning to roots with move to Rochester

Colleagues may be wondering why they haven't seen me in my usual professional haunts in DC and Baltimore. It's because I've returned to my hometown of Rochester, NY, now that my husband has retired from Bethlehem Steel (hey -- if you had worked in a steel mill for almost 30 years, you'd find the Rochester climate pretty great, too!). I'm still available for writing, editing, newsletter and other communications assignments, with e-mail, the Internet, phones and faxing making me as accessible as ever. I also make regular visits back to Baltimore and DC, and am more than willing to travel as needed by my clients.

My first professional efforts were published in the Brighton-Pittsford Post newspaper and Genesee Valley magazine while still in high school here, and I credit much of my professional success and skills to my Rochester roots. I had a good grounding in the basics at what was Rochester City Public School #49 and an excellent education at Brighton Middle School and Brighton High School, where I learned more about grammar, usage, research, writing and editing in Brighton than most people get from today's college education. We did work in sixth and eighth grades alone that was more accomplished than what I've seen people produce in college and in the workplace today. My teachers were amazing sources of knowledge and inspiration, and I still use what they taught me.

I also have fond memories of my parents encouraging me to do more than the minimum on assignments. When I'd bring home an assignment with a reading list, my dad would say, "I have a book!" and bring out not only everything on the assigned list but a dozen more related works. I had some of the best-researched papers in class, and continue to use those research skills on behalf of my clients' projects.

After spending the previous 30 years living elsewhere -- Bloomington, IN; New York City; St. Louis, MO; Washington, DC; and Baltimore, MD -- it's odd but exciting to be back in Rochester. There are still many familiar faces and places, but there also is so much going on here that is new that it's like being in a whole new city.

To reach me for assignments nowadays, just use: 585-232-8036, phone; 585-325-7478, fax; or Ruth@writerruth.com, e-mail.

Lifelong learning comes alive
I did it, I did it! Proving my commitment to lifelong learning, I proudly walked in commencement on August 6, 2000, at the University of Missouri-St. Louis to receive my long-delayed BA (in General Studies). I have always wanted to complete my degree, but time and circumstances intervened. I couldn't see breaking out of an exciting, successful publications career to go back to school in Washington or Baltimore, where I lived after leaving St. Louis in 1980. However, the year 2000 and the advent of distance and Internet learning offered the opportunity to accomplish this goal without interrupting my work life.

Finishing my BA through UMSL was important. I could have completed my degree at one of the colleges in DC or Baltimore, but I got my start in real newspaper journalism and freelancing in St. Louis, as well as my grounding in diversity and inclusion. It meant a lot to me for my BA to reflect those early days of discovering what I wanted to do with my life.

To demonstrate my appreciation of the UMSL experience and the school's flexibility in granting my BA after more than 20 years away from academia, I made a $300 donation to the UMSL's scholarship fund and plan to continue such support regularly. It feels great to be a BA!

Service to colleagues yields prestigious award

I am very proud to announce that, at the opening event of the 1999 WIW Spring Writers' Conference on May 14, 1999, I received Washington Independent Writers' (WIW) 1999 Philip M. Stern Award, for my "exceptional service to the freelance profession."

I joined WIW in 1980 after moving to Washington from St. Louis, MO, and have been an active member ever since, even after moving to Baltimore, MD, in 1988 and Rochester, NY, in 2001. I was recognized for my extensive service to WIW over the years, including serving as WIW's first ongoing newsletter editor for eight years, recruiting dozens of WIW members, finding leads for the WIW Job Bank, organizing Small Groups, speaking at conferences, mentoring colleagues, participating in the WIWList, writing for the newsletter, helping organize the Freelancers Fair of the Society for National Association Publications, helping start the Baltimore Writers Group, and more.

I am in august company ­ previous recipients have been WIW founders, board members and presidents, as well as authors of important books. I feel that I represent many of WIW's lesser-known but equally hard-working freelance writers ­ both successful and struggling ­ in local journalism, association publishing and general writing craftsmanship.

Promotional newsletter
mentioned in professional publication
Newsletter on Newsletters recently mentioned my promotional newsletter, Words of Ruth. The newsletter itself can be seen in the Services section of this site (full-size sample copies are available upon request; just send a message to Ruth@writerruth.com).

Featured in writers' newsletter
It's always nice to be recognized for service to colleagues and professional affiliations. The December 1998 newsletter of Washington Independent Writers (WIW) included a profile of me (below, right) and the March 1999 issue featured coverage of a workshop that I co-presented for the WIW Job Bank (left).