How a Pitching Challenge Changed My Freelance Writing Career

by lenkapod | updated Mar 27, 2017 | 16 Comments | sharesThis is new on my blog! I have a guest poster for you today. Her name is Lenka Podzimek and she won $100 in the first pitching challenge I created just for my course participants of Write Your Way to Your First $1k. I put up $100 as a way to motivate students to take action and start pitching, hoping they land their first or next freelance writing client. Lenka is here to tell her story of how much she learned since taking my course and how much confidence she now has as a professional freelance writer. I couldnt believe it! Out of a very talented group of writers, I had actually won the pitching challenge that Elna started for her course students at the beginning of the year. For a month, we tracked the number of pitches we sent, and the person with the highest number won. I ended up sending 50 pitches throughout the month and won the challenge. It was hard work at times, and I didnt pitch every day, but when I did, I made it count. I made a template that was easy to update or customize, and I sent 5 or more pitches on the days that I was pitching. I got into a groove and pretty soon the pitching process became second nature. And it paid off. I landed several new clients, some with recurring gigs, and one really big client, who hired me on for exclusive writing and editing. I didnt start out that way. I Was a Struggling Freelance Writer Let me rewind to a year ago, when I was a struggling freelance writer who hadnt yet seen a penny for her work. I was writing for free to build up my portfolio, and I hadnt been paid for anything. I felt stalled and stagnant, and I was about to throw in the towel thinking I wasnt cut out to be a freelance writer. And then I discovered Elna (through LinkedIn, if youre curious) and her course Write Your Way to Your First $1k. I already knew her course would be different than the other ones out there. I had been reading her blog for a few months and I appreciated the honest, actionable advice that she provides for freelance writers. And she isnt afraid to show real-life examples or point out her own mistakes. So I signed up for her course and then my freelance writing business changed. I landed my first ever paying gig a few days after I started the course and I knew it was because I had implemented some of the actionable and practical advice that Elna offers. And as I went through each of the course modules, I realized I was missing some key factors in my freelance writing business, and that I had been making some BIG mistakes. Here are five things that I learned from this pitching challenge and her course. 1. I Was Looking for Writing Jobs in All the Wrong Places A year ago, I was scouring Craigslist and Guru for writing jobs. And I found a lot of them listed there, but what I didnt know was that these ads were for low-paying writing gigs or content mills. Sure, you can find good writing jobs listed there too, but they are few and far between. In her course, Elna teaches us there are much better ways to search for higher-paid writing gigs. And isnt that what we all want as freelance writers? Here are the types of places I looked for freelance writing clients: Problogger JournalismJobs Indeed Freelance Writing The Write Life Job board Contena (I bought a Pro Membership) 2. I Was Pitching all Wrong In the past, I would answer an ad for a writing gig the same way I would answer a job ad. Read: formal, boring and stuffy. And that is exactly how NOT to pitch a writing gig! I learned from Elnas course that answering an ad for online writing doesnt require a formal cover letter. In fact, the opposite is true. The tone of a writing gig pitch should be conversational and easy to read. But you still need to demonstrate you are a professional and skilled writer, and the course breaks down exactly what you need in your pitch email. There are even templates for pitch letters included so its easy to get started. Your pitch letter is definitely a showcase for your writing talent, so you need to craft it carefully to stand out from the crowd. 3. I Needed a Tribe A year ago, I was a lone ranger. A solitary soul trying this writing thing all on her own. I felt lost and isolated, and just figured that loneliness was part of the deal of being a freelance writer. I did have the company of my three cats, and, dont get me wrongI love my cats, but theyre hardly qualified to give advice or encouragement for my freelance writing career. After signing up for Elnas course, I realized things could be different. There is a whole community of writers out there who support each other and cheer each other on through the daily grind of running your own freelance writing business. I belong to the private Facebook group for course participants and its made up of wonderful writers who are all there to help each other succeed in the best way possible. No question goes unanswered and no post gets ignored. What a great tribe. 4. I Wasnt Writing Proper Blog Posts Sure, I knew you had to be creative and engaging when writing a post, but I didnt know there was actually a proper way to structure the content. Or that there are actual rules to follow when writing a blog post. When I was writing pro bono, I was happily scribbling whatever came to mind and no one told me that blog posts needed a call to action, for example. With Elnas course I learned the correct way to structure a blog post and even how to format the post so it is easily uploaded into the clients content management system. 5. I Didnt Have a Website Well, technically, I still dont. But its in the works. Thats where Im currently at in my freelance writing journeyat the website design stage, because, well, I need one! I have managed to get by with my LinkedIn and Contently profiles, but there comes a time when you need a website to be a credible freelance writer. Its a place to list your services, showcase your portfolio, and even create your own blog. And you can be as creative as you want since you are in full control. I know I have a few special things planned for my own blog! A writer website is a great marketing tool and it can help you attract clients and get writing gigs. Wrapping It Up I gained confidence in myself as a freelance writer, which gave me the courage to join the pitching challenge. And I won, not just the challenge, but at freelance writing. And you can too! Thanks Lenka for your wonderful words of wisdom and praise. And for those interested, Im starting a new pitching challenge in March for all course participants. The winner will receive a free 30-minute coaching call with me. Take it from Lenka, enrolling in the course and joining the private Facebook group can be a game changer in your freelance writing biz. Over to you have you had a chance to look at Write Your Way to Your First $1k?

Signal generators also know as function generator or test oscillator The WritePass Journal

Signal generators also know as function generator or test oscillator ABSTRACT Signal generators also know as function generator or test oscillator ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION ­SIGNAL GENERATOR (Outline and types)ARBITRARY WAVEFORM GENERATORFUNCTION SIGNAL GENERATORDESIGN OF SIGNAL GENERATORSOPERATING PRINCIPLES OF SIGNAL GENERATORFUNCTIONS AND APPLICATIONSVERIFICATIONCHARACTERIZATIONSTRESS AND MARGING TESTINGCONCLUSIONREFERENCESRelated ABSTRACT Signal generators also know as function generator or test oscillator, have come to be more popular and most used testing device for the engineers especially and also for the medical sector. Signal generator delivers an accurate calibrated range. It provides a signal that can be adjusted according to the frequency, output voltage, impendence, waveform and modulation. It has been in existence and they are used in so many ways before time till present. An American inventor Nikola Tesla has conveyed electricity from one location to another in the form of signal and uses the same frequency. This report talks about the overview of a signal generator, how they do function using their applications and also describe to us their operating principles using the direct digital synthesis DDS, their types and designs. The Next page gives you a brief introduction about the early days of signal generator and how they are been used in those days. INTRODUCTION Before the Initiation of this device called signal generator which is around 1906 to 1920 are regarded to be the early days of radio, the only way for testing of new apparatus or electronic instrument was to use another similar device to create the signal, which was the case of new tools and modulation format in radio. During that time, this basic method of testing worked excellently with minimum percentage errors, but problem arises when there is a circumstance whereby they might be diverse devices under test. To solve this problem, there must be need for so many reference devices. One radio’s was picked which was used as a performance parameter and was measured which was now used as the standard or â€Å"golden radio† as it has been called. Even if they are expensive,   a regular change in their functioning features either during a short time as a result of warming up or during a long time as an effect of continued use, and for this reason their will be reduction in their accuracy. The need for signal generator that can effectively used to test devices as the field of engineers must be to reduce this flow. However, we are going to explain the device â€Å"signal generator† in this report and also we will discuss about the operating principles, and also the things I have already mention in the abstract area. In this next page, we will be looking at the overview of this device signal generator.  ­SIGNAL GENERATOR (Outline and types) A signal generator also called a function generator or a text signal generator is an electronic device designed to perform a variety of operations which includes band pass filter characteristics, the response of amplifiers to frequency or fault tracing in many electronic equipment and circuits. â€Å"Signal generator is a tool widely used in fields such as industrial electronic instrumentation, medicine, production, communication and research†, (Alloca and Stuart, 1983). A signal generator is the stimulus source that pairs with an acquisition instrument to create the two elements of a complete measurement solution. In its various configurations, signal generator can provide stimulus signals in the form of analog waveforms, digital data patterns, modulation, noise and it may add known, repeatable amount and types of error (distortion) to the signal it delivers. Signal generator can produce the most types of waveforms or signal which are square waves, sine waves and triangular waves over a wide range of frequency. Coombs, (1972) declares that the frequency range of a signal generator maybe less than 1Hzto at least 1MHz. Some other type of signal generators, have the ability to produce pulse, trapezoid and ramp waveforms including the ones mention above. Therefore, there are many types of signal generator designed to a variety of uses which has much possible application meaning that one particular type of signal generator may not be suitable for all pur poses. Here are the two main type of signal generator Arbitrary waveform generator Function signal generator Below is a picture example of a typical function generator: ARBITRARY WAVEFORM GENERATOR Arbitrary waveform generators (AWG) are complicated playback system that delivers waveforms based on stored digital data that describes the regularly changing voltage levels of an AC signal. The arbitrary waveform generator can produce any kind of waveform you can think of. You can use many methods to create the needed output (from mathematical formulae to drawing the waveform). FUNCTION SIGNAL GENERATOR Function generators are more simple compare to arbitrary waveform generator. They generate simple signal in wave form and this signals are been produce by a circuit which creates the repeating wave which is usually a sine wave. They are most often use in process of designing or repair simples electronics. DESIGN OF SIGNAL GENERATORS Before the modern waveform generators were initiated, analog was the mode of operation. In some industries, analog refers both to the circuit technique used to generate signals and to the signal themselves. Functionality, economic feasible, and types of waveform needed have really change the design of signal generator in period of times, although the traditional analog signal generators still exist till date. The analog is a means to represent a material measure, for instance an indicator on a current meter (regulator), by a quantity whose measurement is known. Such measurements, do not really give the accurate result of a particular tool or device under test, as they are prone to having drifts in their working parts. Most modern signal generators are based on the digital technologies such as the modern function generators which uses a technology known as Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) which are able to provide a wide range of signal or waveform. The DDS device are more like to generate analog signals via creating a digital output signal that is continuously pulsed by a clock signal and at last translating the digital signal to form an analog signal. Below is the experimental diagram of this process. The Method above, illustrate that the input is supplied into the 8bit counter which evaluate the input with an analog, (Q5 to Q0). The matching analog now is been verified with an already stored address which is the ROM (Read Only Memory) 256 x 8. As the counter cycles through the 256 different addresses, which the ROM has for each analog, the ROM counter now picks out a digital value corresponding to that address which sequentially represents the input. This information is then processed and outputs the 256 data points to the DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) which is the 8bit converter. The analog signal obtain is then shown as a waveform. An example of a generator that uses this method illustrated above is the 20MHz sweep function generator from BK Precision (model 4040DDS) image is shown below. According to BK Precision (2010), this sweep generator is a full featured DDS generator, the unit generate superb quality waveforms with a high signal precision and stability and it provides sine and square wave outputs over the frequency range from 0.1Hz to 20 MHz in one extended range. Most of the DDS generator today are dedicated instrument, simple and comfortable, and are at low cost from a few tens of dollars to tens of thousand of dollars. In the next section, we are going to look at how this device operates. OPERATING PRINCIPLES OF SIGNAL GENERATOR In this 21st century, most of the modern function generators use Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) technology to generate output wave forms. BK Precision sweep function generator (model 4040DDS) happens to be among one of this generators. This section describes how DDS technology works. There are two fundamental ideas of DDS technology which includes: Producing an arbitrary waveform that can be in various waveforms or not assigned a particular value from a periodic ramp signals. Producing a digital ramp. First, consider producing wave function that can be in various waveforms or not assigned a particular value from a periodic ramp signal. To make this explanation more simple and understandable, imagine the ramp period (t) is greater than or equal to 0s (t ≠¥ 0), then lets call the recurring ramp function R(t) as shown in the diagram below. This ramp function R(t) as shown in figure 1 differs linearly or oscillate between 0 and 1 with period T. Now, suppose their is a new function F(t) that is defined on the interval 0≠¤ t ≠¥1, in mathematical terminology, the domain of the function which is the values assigned to the independent variables of F(t) is the half-closed interval. Imagine to construct another wave function of period T which is similar to R(t) with the shape of F(t) and assuming again that the period is 4s using the diagram shown in figure 4, we will notice that as the time increases from t0 to t4, which is equal to one period, there is a sequence which implies that their will be a gradual rise in the function until t4, therefore calculating the corresponding value of each time and removing the integer part of it. For instance, tn=  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ . The calculation for t0 to t8 is shown in the table below using the figure 4 diagram. The illustration shows that there is a rise in the time value, in the sense that when one period is reach, it will start over again until another period is reached. This is how it works continuously for the defined time interval. This means that it resets after each successive cycle. On the other hand, the resetting of the time interval is carried out by a phase accumulator which is the first time interval that is the t1 = frequency. In the above example, the waveform that was created has a frequency of 0.25Hz and a phase angle of 90  that means the frequency is x360 As BK precision (2010) guild book instruct that to produce a digital ramp, as an alternative of increasing the time intervals by 1s, let the increment be in terms of ÃŽ ±, the phase angle, by the digital clock and for an N-bit counter, it will count from 0 to 2N – 1, then reset to 0 again. For example, let the value of be N = 4, which will be (24), therefore the counter result is 16 bits. When a signal is received, it will only match up to one of the bits frequencies and the waveform of that frequency will be generated. Lastly, the generated waveform might be displayed as a square or triangular signal using the control buttons on the device. This is made possible by including an operating amplifier (op-amp) in the circuit. Assume the received input signal was a sine wave, it can be converted to a square waveform; an op-amp acts as a comparator that gives and output signal of â€Å"1† only when the amplitude of the sine wave is greater than 0 and a â€Å"-1† when the amplitude is less than 0. According to Floyd (2009), this change was essential because digital data processing and transmission can be more effective and dependable than analog data and it’s of advantage when data storage is needed. FUNCTIONS AND APPLICATIONS Signal generators have hundreds of different applications and function that are suited for variety of use in many fields but in electronics measurement context, they fall into three basic types: Verifications Characterization Stress and margin testing VERIFICATION In the world of electronic and technologies, wireless equipment designers that are building new transmitter and receiver hardware must stimulate baseband I and Q signals (with or without impairments), to verify some wireless standards, a high performance arbitrary waveform generators can provide the needed low-distortion, high-resolution signals at rates up to 1GB/secs. CHARACTERIZATION This is a state whereby the newly developed digital to Analog converter (DAC) and the Analog to digital converters (ADC) must be systematically tested to determine their limits of undeviating, distortion and so on. STRESS AND MARGING TESTING Advanced signal generators, save the engineers hours of calculation by providing efficient built- in jitter editing and generation tools because engineers that works with the serial data stream architectures; commonly used in digital communications buses and disk drive amplifiers, need to stress their devices with impairment especially jitter and timing violations so engineers must characterize their emerging designs to ensure that the new hardware meets design specifications across the full range of operation and more. However, using this device, much difficulty in electronics and also field like the medicine can now be resolute easily.   To design an assorted signal and a high speed low filter data, an arbitrary waveform generator can be used. They are specifically design for it. Radio frequency signals are used to achieve tests on radio transmitters and receivers. (Theraja and Thereja, 1959)   Signal generators that are connected to oscilloscopes can be use in testing faults in electronic equipment and devices. In telecommunications today phones functions using signals, for example: the process, transmit and receive data. Devices for example: digital X-ray appliances, brain mapping system and advanced cardiology uses signal in most medical field today. CONCLUSION The modern DDS generators have some advantages and disadvantages of it depict that they help in solving solutions in various fields. Describing about the advantages of DDS, you discover that their frequency is tuneable with sub-Hertz resolution; their phase angle is digitally adjustable, as long as the clock is stable, they don’t go with the flow due to temperature changes or aging of components, addition of arbitrary waveform generator is not theoretically difficult and lastly they have simple design and low parts count which help to keep cost down. However, describing the disadvantages of this machine has to do with the negative aspect which is their output frequency is ≠¤  ½ the clock frequency, their amplitude is also fixed that is; they need external circuitry to change, sine wave is sampled and not spectrally pure; distortion is present at that moment. But this disadvantages, does not cost more harm the technology is still the best and with more careful design in future, these advantages can me minimized. REFERENCES Floyd, L. (1977) Digital Fundamentals. 10th Edn. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education Ifeachor, E. and Jervis, B. (2002) Digital Signal Processing. A Practical Approach. 2nd Edn. Harlow, England: Pearson Education Hill, A. (2010) What is signal generator? Available at: wisegeek.com/what-is-a-signal-generator.htm (Accessed 15 March 2011.) Nashedky, B. (1996) Electronic Devices and Circuit Theory. 6th Edn. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. Peterson, D. and BK Precision (2010) Function Generator and Arbitrary Waveform Generators Guidebook. Available at: bkprecision.com/support/downloads/guides/Function_and_Arbitrary_Waveform_Generator_Guidebook/BK-Function-Generator-and-AWG-Guidebook.pdf. (Accessed: 25 March 2011) Alloca, J. and Stuart, A. (1983) Electronic Instrumentation. Reston, Virginia: Prentice-Hall. Crecratf, D. et al (1990) Analogue and Digital Electronics. Great Britain: The Open University Referencec.com (2010) Signal generators. Available at: reference.com/browse/signal+generator (Accessed: 14 April 2011) Theraja, B. And Theraja, A. (1959) A Textbook of Electrical Technology. 23rd Edn. Reprint 2003. Ram Nagar, New Delhi: S. Chand Company Ltd. Coombs, C. (1972) Handbook of Basic Instrumentation. New York: Mc Graw-Hill Yourdictionary.com (2010) Nikola Tesla Biography. Available at: http://biography.yourdictionary.com/nikola-tesla (Accessed 18 April 2011) Tektronics (2008) Signal generator fundamentals Guidebook. Available at: http://circuitslab.case.edu/manuals/Signal_Generator_Fundamentals-_Tektronix.pdf (Accessed 20 April 2011) ZTech Instruments (2010) Waveform Generator Fundamentals. Available at: ztecinstruments.com//applications/waveform-generator-fundamentals.php (Accessed: 6 April 2011)

Ethics in Electronics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethics in Electronics - Essay Example In the last few years, electronic engineering ethics have come forward as separate and identifiable fields in applied ethics. Most of the parts and development areas have emerged in USA. Modern electronic engineering declares that engineering ethics involve the part and ways in which an engineer thinks. So, according to this point of view, ethics involve all those activities that are involved within engineering profession. It is a complete process that demands all the technical as well as material knowledge that is not only required but also sufficient for the possible goals. In electronic engineering when we talk about ethics we may see that two attributes play very important role. The first deal with the focus through which activities are carefully associated with the interests of human being. Ethics of engineering practice is generated by shared ideas related to primary activities whether we talk about organizations, designs, constructions or similar terms of the same manner. In 1 994, while talking about ethics related to electronic engineering, Johnson mentioned that electronic ethics include the understanding of societal context in relation to electronics and its designs. These ethics are also important to make students aware about various issues going on especially those professionals indulged in the field of electronic engineering. Moreover, ethics are also developed to make students aware about various sensitive issues while designing electronic devices in their learning process or while working in an organization. Electronic engineering ethics are also developed to give students and professional better understanding about various electronic devices and their usage. These ethics identify the use of devices and how these make impact on society and social environment. Basically, society or social environment is the place where these devices are practically used and implemented. So, ethics prove relation between two. Moreover, ethics in the field of engine ering are also developed to demonstrate the analytical approach and develop conceptual tools for sorting out decisions in various conditions. These ethics further define the impact of electronics in general as well as in specific conditions. However, it is important to understand that engineering ethics do not come or achieve without cost. Many well known ethicists like John Ladd divides electronic engineering ethics into two domains including macro and micro ethics. These divisions of ethics depend on the focus of relationship between engineers and clients or with colleagues and employers. Moreover, these further depend on collective responsibility of profession as a whole. These are known as professional ethics by Ladd. As a whole, we can say that micro ethics deal with the internal issues of the profession whereas macro ethics related to electronic engineering refer the professional attitude and responsibility in broad context including society. Furthermore, when we talk about en gineering ethics, we can see that this deals with the study of moral issues that might be confronted by individuals or organizations that are engaged in engineering. These further include all the questions that were directly or indirectly related to morals, ideas, policies and characters. These ethics identify the relationships of corporations and people that are involved in all technological activities.