Cocktail Party Chatter and Your Career
So, what do you do for a living?
Do you hate to get this question? Do you despise putting a name on the myriad tasks that you do to make money and get your name in print? If you say one thing, further explanation is needed, yet, if you say another, you're likely to be asked when your next JK Rowling- type novel is going to debut. So what do you say? Do you have your spiel down?
Guest columnist JR Hafer likes to be called a commercial writer. Be sure to check out his explanation of what, exactly, a copywriter is.
Meanwhile, tell me your cocktail spiel to that all-important question. Here's mine:
I'm a freelance writer and editor. I write and edit for magazines, but the majority of my income comes from writing copy such as press kits and newsletters for companies and websites.
Comments
Great post, I love your answer… I usually just say, “I’m a freelance writer” and either get more questions, which is good, curious looks, or a patronizing one that says, “Sure ya are.”
Your answer sums it up nicely and succinctly!
It’s those questions that get me. I mean, if it’s a networking event, fine. But socially, I don’t want to be put on the spot yaking about work.
I’m a freelance writer. Most of my work is writing articles for online magazines, but I’m also working on my first novel.
Seeing as how most people ask questions so that they can have the same question asked to them,I usually just say: “nothing exciting, how about you?”
You’d be surprised how often this works. But, if people persist, then they really want to know. So I’ll tell them.
I actually get a kick out of telling people I’m a freelance writer. Maybe it’s because I’ve only officially been freelancing for year, but I love my job, and I especially love working from home.
I usually follow up the “What do you write?” question with “I create website content and write articles for print and online publications.”
I tell them I am a writer. I don’t feel the need for a pretentious cocktail party spiel. If someone said he was a garbage man he wouldn’t say “I’m a garbage man. I primarily pick up trash in the Lapeer area but I’ve been know to travel into Detroit for the dumpsters.” He would just say, “I’m a garbage man.”
I say I’m a writer. If more questions are asked, I’ll answer. A good, secure writer can speak with brevity and not have to rely on a heavy job description to impress.