Hello New Year

2008 sure was a crazy year for me. As the holidays wind down, and I have some time to blog again, I reflect on this year and all the changes that occurred. This will surely go down as one of the most significant years of my life. Here are some highlights:

1. I created my own freelance business.

2. I broke up with my boyfriend of 4.5 years.

3. I moved into my own apartment for the first time.

4. I was cast in my first show.

5. My sketch group had their first performance.

6. I learned how to create and edit videos.

Who knows what 2009 will bring. But I'm excited to find out.

Christmas Time is Here

It's been a while since my last post. I've been very busy preparing for the holiday season by trying to get as much of my work done as possible. I'm still going to have to do some writing while I'm in Dallas next week, but I've gotten a good head start on most of my work.

Although the holidays will be a welcome break from work, I can't help but to dread the new year. The economy is still tanking, reports of layoffs abound and I know many companies that are going under or filing for bankruptcy.

But it is these times that test the grit of a freelancer. If you can survive this, you can survive anything. It just takes an added push and effort. Which is why I am planning on launching a large marketing campaign for myself (as mentioned previously). I've been working on a prospective client list, generic proposal letters and sales sheets. I've got my Web site up: www.keithecker.com. So check it out.

If anyone has any advice they'd like to share about finding work during these tough times, then please post a comment.

Have a happy holiday everyone. Hopefully I'll get to post at least once more before the new year.

Oh, and here's my most recent video, which premiered at an Equality Illinois benefit show:

Surfing the Webs

I've been working on a my Web site as a component of my marketing push. You can check it out here: www.keithecker.com. Feel free to give me feedback. It's still a work in progress, so not all the links are up and running yet.

While creating my site, a dilemma arose. I want to link to the various presences I have on the Internet, from this blog to my YouTube videos to work I've done professionally. The only thing is the kind of writing I do for work is corporate. I wasn't sure how well my comedic personality would be accepted by my current and potential clients. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that these two worlds will have to mesh eventually. I mean, do a Google search of me, and you'll find many articles regarding points of law that I've written as well as me wearing a fake mustache and singing about Vietnam. In fact, you should watch that video because I just posted it. It was an entry into the Second City Training Center's Film Festival.



So although my business site isn't littered with my comedic work, it makes mention of it, and links to examples. Besides, you never know if one of my legal clients might occasionally want someone to write something that injects a little humor into the typically dry area of law.

Christmas Time Is Marketing Time

As a small business owner, Christmas time isn't just about Santa Claus and presents. It's about giving. And by giving I mean giving holiday cards to your client base.

The power of a handwritten note should not be overlooked. Sending holiday cards to your clients, especially those that have retained your services over time, is a great way to remind them that you truly appreciate their business.

You don't have to write much. No gushing statements like, "Thank you for allowing me to eat and sleep in a bed." But a "Happy Holidays. I appreciate your business," suffices just nicely.

Also, you might want to think about getting generic secular cards (unless your client base is purely Christian organizations). You never know what someone's take on the whole "War on Christmas" thing will be. So find something with a snowman or a snowglobe or snow that says winter without saying Jesus.