Do you list your current work on your website?

VARIOUS PR people have started to follow me on Twitter, thanks to this post, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to tell them what I wanted in a tweet. Well what I wanted work-wise from PRs anyway, I couldn't fit George Michael and an endless supply of Turkish Delight in the space.

So now my 'online portfolio' (bit of an ambitious title that, it's a blog that's currently being redesigned) now has the following information, plus loads more details of current projects:

IN November 2008, I am working on the following:

Bereavement: The Essential Guide. Packed with first-person accounts and advice from people who have grieved for their loved-ones, this book aims to help the recently bereaved through their darkest of hours. I'm researching chapters that take the reader from the moment of receiving the devastating news that someone close to them has died, to sharing that news with the rest of the family, where to find outside help and support and how to look to the future. This sensitive and informative book is due for publication in November 2009. If you would like to share your story of loss with me, or would like to recommend a source of expert comment, support or advice, please get in touch.

Real life and health features for newspapers and women's weekly magazines. I'm particularly interested in pitching hard-hitting features connected with the every day lives of UK women. I've recently written about binge eating for a national newspaper and would love to hear from anyone with a similarly compelling story that readers of mainstream national publications could identify with.

Features about diabetes, especially in children. I'm writing for a national magazine and am researching family case studies, research and expert comment. If you have any pointers connected with related developments, then I would love to hear from you.

Blog posts about books and publishing. I have been sharing my opinions on the Guardian's books blog and am always on the look out for any news of thought-provoking initiatives, campaigns or marekting stunts. If you are a PR person who would like to add me to your mailing list for relevant, well-targeted press releases, then my details are here.

I've never done this before, mainly because my ideas don't tend to come from press releases, but it's always useful to make new contacts and find out more about what's going on, isn't it? I've seen that several journalists do already have this sort of information on display so it will be interesting to see what, if anything it brings me.

I've also been concerned about publicising the names of specific publications I'm writing for before the piece goes in or even worse, if it's one I haven't even secured the commission from yet. That's why the information here relates to unnamed newspapers and magazines.

And of course with the battle lines permanently drawn between the foot soldiers of PR and journalism, it always feels a bit odd to wave nervously and acknowledge that erm, some of us do a bit of both. (Why does that make me think of Peter Kay saying 'a bit of blue?' ) Time to go home I think.

Do let me know in the comments if you think setting your stall out like this is a good idea.

Cheers.

Comments

[Sarah Cruickshank]

I send out a monthly e-newsletter to PRs and put it on my website. I've had feedback from it and I think it is worthwhile as it doesn't really take that long to put together.

[Brighton copywriter Kath Burke]

Hi Linda

I don't list my current work - but I do like it when websites do this. I guess I'm quite nosey, and that's why! I'm interested in the projects you've got on at the moment. It's an icebreaker / talking point.

In your case you're actively looking for PR help with some of your workload so publicising it makes sense.

So why don't I list my work - partly it's because I haven't created a space to do so. And there's also that insecurity of "Oh I don't have enough work on to talk about. It will be boring / puny!"... that familiar English reticence.

PS.. .OK so on the diabetes front I assume you've spoken to the press team at Diabetes UK - they bank up lots of case studies for the press. If diabetes is an ongoing specialism for you they should be a great resource. Their members' magazine Balance is quite good too.

[Linda]

Hi Kath - thanks and nice to 'see you' - sorry if I sound like Brucie...keep dancing...oh no sorry.

anyway

first off re diabetes, I now (regrettably!) have a personal interest and have all sorts of work to do in that area - for away from work as much as for...

re not having a space to do it on, it's very easy to get one and on the not having 'enough' work, I really wouldn't worry - there's stuff I'm looking for all the time - which is basically good stories so hopefully this is just another way of helping find them.

All the best.

[Linda]

Hi Sarah - thanks, good to see your newsletter paying off and that it's not just encounters with gorillas that get you work.

[Sarah Cruickshank]

Ha, I love that gorilla (although getting close to it once was enough for me thanks).

I think even if you don't have a lot of work to talk about you should still let people know what you're up to as you just never know who'll be reading and what it might lead to

[monica]

I've just discovered the wonderful world of Twitter and have added you to my followees.

This post is an interesting idea... I don't include this in my portfolio but I think I might start. Sounds like a great way to get sources.

[Steve Newman]

Thanks for this.

It has already brought me a couple of enquires from magazines I've never worked with before so it obviously works!

I also invested in your book which I found very useful in honing some of my presentation skills when making a pitch. I'm trying to get my head around blogging at the moment but at 57 I'm finding it difficult but I'm a great believer in "If you think you can't, you won't" so I'll get there somehow!

Thanks again.