Over the last 24 hours, I have been slightly losing my mind. The economy sucks, as we all know, knowing you’re in “good company” doesn’t help when you’ve been laid off from your job. Especially when, just two months ago, you thought you’d never have to look for a job again. (Which was huge, since my husband and I have suffered at least one layoff per year for the last five years.)
Instead of completely freaking out, which was a real possibility, I threw all of my personal belongings in a box, stopped crying so I could drive home, and hopped on Twitter.
Within five minutes of my first tweet about being laid off, I had DMs from half a dozen people. Within a few more hours, dozens of people had contacted me to extend their sympathies and to offer any help they could. I’ve had a few feeler emails asking for my rates and areas of expertise. I’ve cobbled together a quick listing of services and introductory rates in editing, article writing, and blogging. For now, everything is negotiable. I’m sure the rates for my services will sort themselves out once I see how busy I’m going to be!
I would like to thank everyone who offered their help in setting up this Web site, particularly the anonymous person who generously donated a copy of Thesis for me. (Once I’m back on my feet, I’m totally getting myself the developer version so I can use it on my other sites.)
Thank you all for your kind, supportive words.
Thank you to those who have told me to “keep in touch” so we can work together on a project. (My Gmail is overflowing, so I hope I don’t lose your messages! I’ve got a support ticket in with my hosting company to set up my new email here, so stay tuned.)
Thank you to everyone who has joined my network on LinkedIn.
Thank you to the folks at SMX who are doing some face-to-face networking for me. (Wish I was there!)
Out of the dozens of people who have reached out to me, I can count on one hand the number of people I’ve actually met in person. The rest of you are all people I’ve met in the Twittersphere or elsewhere online. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have gotten to know you, and to have earned enough of your respect that you were so responsive when I needed support.
Social media rocks.
Glad to see you get the ball rolling so quickly, you will be great! My offer of assistance is non-expiring, just let me know how/what I can do.
Glad to see you’re keeping your head up! Talented individuals like yourself will always be busy. 🙂
The twitterverse is here for you!!!
Hey, Christina. I know exactly how you feel. The same thing happened to me back in December – http://alyssonfergison.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/no-good-deed-goes-unpunished/.
The outpouring of support that I received from my online pals is really the only thing that kept me from crawling under a rock on many occasions since then! 🙂 We really are lucky to be a part of such an awesome industry.
Keep your head up! Talent and good Karma always wins out in the end. 🙂
Nobody can lay-off quality and drive, both of which you’ve proven you have in excess. You’re going to do great!
Jack, thanks so much for the offer of assistance. I’m available for writing on demand, should you need anything written on a tight deadline! 😉
Jesse, thanks for your support. And I’ll make sure I remember to edit your comments for grammar regularly.
Alysson, thanks for commiserating. It’s a sucky place to be when it happens, but I have to believe it will work out. Right? And yeah, I’m a believer in karma. There’s always that. 🙂
Christina–
You are definitely a rockstar, girl. I really believe this is a good move for you and things will turn out a whole lot better for you.
If it wasn’t for social media, I doubt I’d have a friend in the world. LOL Okay so not really, but yeah, the support from my virtual crew is so comforting. 🙂
Godhammer, thanks for the vote of confidence!
Cindy, thanks for being a friend. I thank social media for that, too!
Christina,
I’m very impressed that your site is up and running so quickly. I know I personally was impressed by your character and the awesome way you handled the writing/editing team at WBP. I’m a perfectionist with a bit of OCD myself, and your attention to detail often made me smile as only a kindred spirit can. 😉
I will miss being one of “your” writers. Maybe we’ll ge to work together again in the future! Good luck in all future endeavors.
Jenn, I would love the opportunity to work with you again in the future. Thanks for the kind words!
Glad to see you were able to get your blog up. Let me know what you might need help with concerning your blog. My services are at your full disposal as I am in the same boat as you. Good luck!
Christina,
Clearly you are a survivor. I was one of your writers who very much enjoyed working with you. I am impressed with how well you handled the situation and how you land on your feet. Good things to come…
wow, I can’t believe you’re not at WBP anymore. What’s going on over there? Lots of departures in the last little while. In any case, glad to know I have a quality writer who charges normal rates I can turn to. I’m pretty sure we’ll be in touch as soon as SMX is over and I’m back at the office.
Your site looks great! I’m sorry about what happened – the same thing happened to me last year after I had emergency surgery. Good luck with all your new endeavors. I’m certain you will be successful.
Kick butt for us former WBP folk, yes? Keep in touch too!
The blog looks great and it’s so nice to *see* you after all these months! Your new blog is doing better than my old blog has in months lol.
If I could afford you I would hire you to edit me – I need lots of help. But I am the only one working, hubby was laid off in December.
It will get better. It will get better. It will….
Best of luck!
One door closes, a window will open.
For the fact that you have such an understanding of the English language, you should start looking into a niche website that you are passionate about. There is still ad/aff money to be made online with your content talent. It will keep you busy until you find your next dream job, increase your skill set and keep you thinking productively.
I wish you the best and well done on being so proactive on your new blog!
What an inspiration you are! Within hours of losing your job you weren’t whining, you weren’t wallowing in it…you jumped right into doing what needed to be done. I have just been amazed watching it unfold, and I truly believe you will be better off in the long run.
I was also one of your QG writers and, as someone pretty new to the business, always appreciated so much how you responded to my questions with professionalism and never made me feel like a novice.
I will enjoy watching your progress and will definitely keep an eye out for any chance to work with you in the future.
Wishing you the best.