how to negotiate a starting salary

When you're offered a new job and it comes time to talk about money, always negotiate a higher starting salary. Why? Employers are expecting it and you can usually get more than initially offered, which not only means, well, that you get paid more, but that all your raises and bonuses will be more, too, since they're calculated as a percentage of your salary. Here are a few tips:

• Don't demand more; ask permission to negotiate. Explain that given your experience and what you'll be bringing to the table, you expected a higher starting salary. Then ask if it's possible to discuss it.

• When you start talking numbers, be specific. Don't just ask for more, suggest an exact salary or small salary range. And ask for higher than what you're willing to settle on.

• Don't forget that benefits and vacation time can be part of your negotiations as well. They may not be able to give you extra money, but maybe they can cover the cost of courses and conferences, or give you an extra week of vacation.

AOL Jobs has a few more good tips.

blog: copyblogger

A colleague just told me about the CopyBlogger blog. It has lots of great tips on blogging, all intended to help you get traffic, gain subscribers and attract links.

when taking a step backwards or sideways in your career is the right move

At some point in your career, you may be faced with the decision of whether to make a lateral move, or even whether to take a step backwards. How do you decide if it's the right move to make?

Will you be moving out of a toxic work environment? If you're miserable and your workplace is to blame, then a move might be the cure. Keep in mind though that you risk entering an even worse environment.

Does the new position offer opportunities you currently don't have? Maybe there's no room to move up where you are now, you'll have a chance to do things not currently in your job description, or the magazine you're applying to covers subject matters you would love to tackle.

Is your current title a true reflection of your responsibilities? Since there's some discrepancy between publishers of the job descriptions of each title, you may in fact be seeking the next step up.

Do you have any more reasons why a lateral or backwards move might be right for you?

going "backwards" in your career

When you're on the hunt for a new job, you may find yourself in the position of vying for a title that is "beneath" you. Whether you're trying to make the move from senior editor to associate, or section editor to assistant, in the interview you'll likely be asked why. Maybe you don't see it as a step down – explain why. Maybe your last position didn't offer the opportunities you wanted. Whatever the reason, have your answer prepared. Just don't tell them it's because you can't find a job at your level.

Tomorrow: Why a step backwards or sideways may be the right move.

ed2010 toronto announces first resume workshop

The Toronto chapter of editorial networking group Ed2010 is offering its first-ever resume workshop. Here are the details:

Learn how to get your resume noticed, with advice from those who do the hiring.

Join Ed for a panel discussion on the dos and don'ts of writing a resume, with guests Joe Chidley, editor-in-chief of Canadian Business,
Penny Caldwell, editor-in-chief of Cottage Life, and Jenny Pruegger, from human resources at Transcontinental. Then take advantage of our
one-to-one sessions, where one of our panelists will take a look at your resume and give you a personal critique. Space is limited, so reserve a spot soon!

Where: Upstairs, Deer Park Public Library, 40 St. Clair Ave. E., one
block east of Yonge at the corner of Alvin. Find a map here.
When: Tues. June 10, 6:00 pm
Cost: $25
Space is limited. To reserve a spot, email toronto@ed2010.com. You will receive a confirmation email with payment instructions.

write links as display copy

Publishing and website consultants West Gold Editorial (owners Susan West and Michael Gold are guest speakers at this year's Mags U), suggest that web editors treat links as display copy. Select text that is concise, clear, specific and informative, and make sure it's easy to tell that they're links. See some examples on their website.

quality is as important online as in print

In an interview with Folio:, New Yorker editor David Remnick points out that quality reporting is an issue whatever format you publish in.

"What I care about most is not paper versus screen, it's depth of reporting, quality of writing, humour, the integrity of the magazine – all those kind of things."

To achieve those qualities online, publishers need to recognize that they need to pay writers fees on par with print fees, and they need to dedicate enough staff and resources to manage a site. Many sites – even those of large publishers – are edited by one person. When the expectation is that the online version generate more content than the print version, how does this make sense?

bonnie fuller out at AMI: is the tabloid queen too overtly ambitious?

With news of Bonnie Fuller's departure from American Media Inc., speculation is in full swing as to whether she jumped ship or was booted out. Much vilified, Fuller is often depicted as being overly ambitious. She's "known for getting itchy feet," and switches jobs quite often compared to many others at the top of the industry. She's been at AMI for five years though, and in my books, that constitutes a decent run. If a great opportunity comes along or if someone feels as if they've done all they can and learned all they could, that they can't grow any further where they are, why do we begrudge their choice to move on?

award winning websites

Earlier this week, the 12th annual Webby Awards were announced. Check here for the nominees and winner of the magazine category. Web editors take note.

can awards be part of you HR strategy?

With the American National Magazine Awards just behind us and the Canadian NMAs approaching, winning big is on everyone's mind. Since there's some question as to the value of an award – does it help increase ad sales? do readers care? – it may make the most sense to look at industry awards as part of your HR strategy. What better way to show your staff and contributors that you you think they're doing a good job than by entering their work into consideration for an award? Studies have shown employees who feel appreciated are happier in their jobs and more loyal, and recognition by their peers is certain to boost their satisfaction – hey, they get to gloat in front of everyone!