Check out this hourly rate calculator from FreelanceSwitch.com. Nifty!

If you’re a tried-and-true PR pro or more into guerilla PR, Joan Stewart’s The Publicity Hound offers a wealth of free resources. I’ve signed up for her daily e-newsletter and press release writing tips, giving me at least one idea to use in my business.

Sometimes we just need to take a vacation, even if it’s just a mini-vacation of a day or two. Heck, even an hour or two.

Yesterday, I had a pretty long, frustrating day, and closed my home office door for a couple hours and watched a movie. I also spent a little alone time with my iPod, just listening to the music loud enough so I couldn’t hear the phone. I want a week-long beachy vacation; I would only afford to spare a couple hours, which I did.

So, how do you unplug?

Most of the How to Write Web Copy articles I’ve read lately have said that using “click here” is old school. So I’ve been eliminating that call to action (although I really thought it wasn’t a bad idea to tell people what you want them to do….it works in direct mail!).

Now I get an emailing from Copyblogger saying that using “click here” can lift clickthrough rates by more than 8%.

Click here to read the article

So what is everyone else doing?

The topic of the September IWOC (Independent Writers of Chicago) meeting was Creativity. The speaker, Dr. Bernard Golden, Ph.D., has written a book, “Unleashing Your Creative Genius.” A clinical psychologist with his own practice in Chicago, Golden discussed the roadblocks to creativity, including fear of failure and fear of success.

Strategies to manage inhibitions include:
- Increasing self-awareness
- Challenging inhibiting themes
- Fostering positive emotions
- Enhancing physical states for creative engagement
- Practicing self-compassion

One tip Golden shared was to not think about the beginning of the project, rather, to think five to ten minutes into the project, or finish the last sentence/last paragraph.

Golden’s major premise is: Our freedom to be creative depends on our ability to effectively manage the tension that arises when you dare to create.”

More information at Bernard Golden’s Web site: To Unlock Your Creative Genius

Hi folks, short and sweet this week: How do you boost your creativity, especially in times of stress? It’s hard to feel like producing something fun, interesting or exciting when you feel pressure (from clients, from the clock, from yourself).

So - how do you boost your creativity when you feel it flagging?

I just read this post on the Accidental Creative blog and thought it was worth passing on to the group. The excerpt below is slightly edited, but here’s a link to the whole thing.

1. They work with what they’ve got.
2. They only see possibility. They live within the bounds of “no” and “yes”, but are always saying things like, “Hey! what if…” They see boundaries as opportunities to re-direct their energy.
3. They ask questions incessantly.
4. They have little tolerance for “blow-offs.” They keep pursuing answers until in makes sense. They are on a mission to understand.
5. There is always time. They live in the moment. They are not obsessed with what’s going to happen, they are concerned about what is happening.

Not exactly theme-related, but a refreshing reminder nonetheless!

OK, I think I get to be self-centered this week and announce a theme that is directly derived from my life. As you all know, my condo (including my home office) was struck by a tornado (or microburst) on August 23 (here are some lovely photos), and since then I’ve been in a whirl of planning, packing, moving, phone calls, appointments, decisions, emotions…it’s been overwhelming.

I was very lucky to have loads of help packing for our sudden move, including some of my fellow ideaXchangers, for which I am extremely thankful. If not for them and my friends and family, I don’t know where I would be today.

In any case, this disaster came on the heels of an email round-robin discussion about back-up strategies and the like. So my theme for the week: Are you prepared for disaster? Ask yourself:

- Are my vital (irreplacable) files backed up somewhere outside my office?
- Is my financial information available to me online in case I don’t have access to my computer?
- Do I have an evacuation plan at my home office? An outside office?
- Do I have a flashlight in my office? (Seriously!)
- Do I need an APC backup in case of sudden power outage?
- Should I keep a binder/file box/some other handy thing with vital passwords and business information (like incorporation papers and tax i.d.) handy in case of an emergency?

I would love to hear what you are doing, what you are planning, what you’ve considered, what’s worked well for you in the past, etc.

And I IMPLORE you to get insurance if you don’t have it. Without homeowner’s insurance, we would be totally screwed. It costs us less than $300 a year and totally absolutely 100% worth it.

… all in one place! the site also lists resources for all elements of using stock photography, from search assistance sites to articles and blogs. check it out.

Are you submitting? Deadline’s tomorrow.