#FreelanceFriends have a wonderful week! Thanks for a great converasations!

I know! Today's buyers wany to get to know someone before doing business. An email newsletter archive or curation is perfect for that. #FreelanceFriends

Immensely helpful tip for the day: Sunscreens that have zinc oxide in them will reflect a camera flash and make you look like you are freakily glowing in photos. And not in a good way! If you are going to be in wedding photos, put a little powder on over the top of your sunscreen. #FreelanceFriends

Proof blog archives matter!

In my opinion, an email marketign plan uses email to routinely send emails to subscribers. For me, one is a newsletter with updates and a new writing-focused blog post. The other is just an automated email that says there's a new post on my lifestyle blog. #FreelanceFriends

A2: An email marketing program has benefited my small business in lots of ways. Sometimes I get replies, and hear back from readers or clients. It directs traffic to my articles, this chat, websites, etc. It keeps communication flowing. #FreelanceFriends

Agree! I'm always open to learning. I don't know what I don't know. And sometimes it's good to change processes or focus after a while of doing things one way! #FreelanceFriends

A3: I don't like the way the program keeps changing things for the worse. Tech is a foreign language to me, and I learn it as I go, so when something changes and they don't tell me ahead of time, it costs me billable hours to learn the new way & I'm grumpy. 1/ #FreelanceFriends

I've used several platforms over the years for both myself and clients, and they always muck it up and call it an "improvement" or "upgrade" when it's not. #FreelanceFriends

Email-marketing

Agreed. Design is important here. Take images for example. So much MB wasted in massive photo files. Text files aren't that large until your photo is 20x times larger than needed. Folks don't know better and treat storage as never-ending. It's an issue but no one's listening. #FreelanceFriends

Open Mic Q: What email marketing provider(s) have you used and liked? #FreelanceFriends

A3: The downsides for me include tech glitches that take time to fix, the cost (can go up any time, which is frustrating when you're comfortable with the service and its processes), and some emails don't get delivered b/c of email server issues. For others: Some send TOO MANY! #FreelanceFriends

Spicy opinions are valid, too. And often more interesting - and they get people looking at things from a different perspective, which can be good. #FreelanceFriends

A1) I administered a non-profit e-mail connections for almost a decade, but not specifically marketing. Of course the weekly news-letter heavily featured events and opportunities to participate. #FreelanceFriends

Welcome to #FreelanceFriends, your weekly chat to connect with fellow freelance pros. We are discussing email marketing for small businesses. Are we using it? Why or why not? What are the benefits? Drawbacks?

Good morning #FreelanceFriends! Sorry to be late, lost track of time while reading out loud this morning’s “Great Dane Universe” entry on Facebook. A difficult task through the laughter.

This week on the #FreelanceFriends chat HERE on Bluesky we're talking all about small businesses using email marketing. What are the benefits? What are the downsides? What do newbies need to know? Stay tuned for updates!

#FreelanceFriends you’ve made me hungry now! Thanks for a great chat! Have a wonderful week!

And the feed just disappeared for me… basic, click on ‘see #FreelanceFriends posts and continuous ‘retry’… I think work arounds are still working :)

As a follow-up to our #FreelanceFriends chat last week, I put up a post on social media for freelancers at freelancewritingpros.com/social-media... - There's also a free printable social media strategy worksheet you can use (will share that direct link in a response).

The best young driver I've ever met was taught by an ex-(UK)police instructor. He told me that on his first lesson he was told that these vehicles kill 2500 people per year (in the UK) and all of the training wll be conducting with that in mind. #DigiBlogChat

Thanks #DigiBlogChat leaders and community for another great chat! Take care!

A9. My digital footprint is as a form of resume that reflects my professional interests, values and communities like #DigiBlogChat. I see it as a reputation lever and try to be responsible in what I say and how I interact.

#DigiBlogChat An important point that is easily forgotten in the ‘digital literacy/tech savy’ viewpoint is that critical thinking, executive function, creativity, and life experience (even young folks have some) matters! Most scams (electronic or otherwise) capitalize on speed in order to deceive.

“That pause-and-verify step is digital literacy in actions. #DigiBlogChat”

Wow, yes, I think digital tools, like other tools are there for us to help us find solutions to every day problems. Digital tools are tools, and you know the garden doesn't grow by itself. Likewise, that spreadsheet or drawing ain't going to complete itself without YOU #digiblogchat

A5. Being literate allows me to navigate online banking, healthcare portals, and government services without relying on others or risking exposure to scams. It empowers me to take control of my own data and digital identity. #DigiBlogChat

Hi #DigiBlogChat! A1) Digital literacy is often a dodge term designed to hide age bias. Realistically it is the ability to effectively engage with your electronic devices in a manner that permits you to participate as you wish & enhance your life. It does not mean total electronic knowledge.

Ethical concerns of #genAI —Copyright/intellectual property —Transparency —Bias #ACES2026 #amediting #editorsky

Environmental concerns with #genAI A simple internet search uses 10–30x less energy than asking #ChatGPT — and likely results in more reliable material! You can even use -ai in your Google Search to get search results without the AI overview. #ACES2026 #amediting #editorsky

We’re living through a polarization of information that would have been unimaginable a decade ago The news is not being consumed; it is being weaponized #ACES2026

Trust is essential in communication; it shapes how #readers perceive information. Clear and concise #editing fosters credibility and strengthens connects between content creators and their audience. #ACES2026 #ACESPolishingTheBot #amediting #freelanceeditor #editorsky #editing #copyediting #ai

You cannot google a quote and just look at the Google AI Overview and trust that. It's often wrong!!! #ACES2026 #ACESDidTheyReallySayThat #amediting #freelanceeditor #editorsky #editing #copyediting #copyeditor

Let's reframe these editor ego traps Instead of thinking: “If I let this go, I’m lowering my standards.” Try: “Following the client’s standards is maintaining standards.” #ACES2026 #ACESEditingWithoutEgo #amediting #freelanceeditor #editorsky #editing #copyediting

Editing is not about rule enforcement—it's about judgment. But it's easier to point to a rule than explain your judgment on an editorial choice. #ACES2026 #ACESEditingWithoutEgo #amediting #freelanceeditor #editorsky #editing #copyediting

Absolutely! Owned media is always the best thing to prioritize. Those of us involved with social media for a while have seen policy changes, ownership changes, sites disappear, entire social media tool sectors vanish... it's rented, and we can't count on permanency. #FreelanceFriends

A2: I am on many platforms, and feel they all generate something different. Some get more comments (LinkedIn, Facebook), some get more clicks (Pinterest!!), while other get more shares (X). I feel having many messages out there helps me to reach more potential clients and readers. #FreelanceFriends

I know some people just don't like or get social media, but I remind my clients that Google, AI, LinkedIn, and other algorithm-based platforms heavily reward activity on social media. I encourage you to set up a Google Alert for your name and see which posts generate an alert. #FreelanceFriends

Yes! Exactly. I get mocked for focusing so much on social media, but it's much like having a billboard on the highway. I don't own it, but it's valuable real estate nonetheless. #FreelanceFri4nds

I came in late, and then got a phone call, sorry to be so distracted today! Will try to check back more this week! Take care and have a wonderful day! #FreelanceFriends

A1) Mostly networking, a bit of supporting/amplifying my network … I do find each platform is useful in it’s own way… #FreelanceFriends is a huge incentive to use BlueSky!

Hi #FreelanceFriends! Coming in late…

The timeline has ground to a halt, so I'm gonna bow out for this week. Don't let Bluesky problems darken your day! Thanks for chatting, everyone. #FreelanceFriends

Hope, faith, love, joy Evidence of a Spirit in Bloom.

#FreelanceFriends have a wonderful week! Thanks for the tips on mindset practices. Staying positive, but realistic is necessary!

I also like to remind myself that things have a way of working themselves out. If something is (or isn't) meant to happen, it will (or won't) happen. But we still have to put in the effort, either way. #FreelanceFriends

It’s fine to feel fear and lack, but the secret is not to stay there too long. When you shift your mindset to recognizing opportunities, you become empowered and excited to see what’s next. #FreelanceFriends