Services

Finding and Contacting a Qualified Attorney in Your Area

First of all, I’d like to applaud you for exercising your constitutional rights in the legal system. As you’re no-doubt learning, finding a qualified attorney who will listen to you is the first, and biggest, obstacle in your path. Many people just give up after a few attorneys decline to take their case. This is where I can help you.

As you see from my resume, I’m an experienced writer and editor, and more importantly to you, I’m a third-year law student. I know that in order to get an attorney to take your case, you’re going to have to speak their language. That’s where I come in. Lawyers are taught to think and act using something called the FIRAC method. If you want to get through to one, you’ll need to use the same method of communication.

I can read over your complaint and draft a letter that you can send to any number of attorneys. I can also recommend attorneys in your area, and help you contact them. You’ll have a much better chance of catching their attention when you present your case in a manner they will recognize and understand. The letter will include references to any precedent-setting cases that apply to your claim. At $49.99, this is an amazing value–especially if your claim is worth six figures.

Your search for an attorney should not take up precious time. Remember, there is a statute of limitations for all civil actions. Time is of the essence, and time really is money when it comes to the legal system. Contact me and let’s get started—jerri.l.cook@gmail.com

Editing

Most writers think I’m nothing more than a glorified fifth-grade English teacher, dutifully pointing out punctuation and grammatical mistakes. Of course, that is part of what I do, but the reason I do it has absolutely nothing to do with writers. I see myself as an advocate for the Reader. It’s the Reader who counts.

When you work with me to refine your book, manual, play, paper, or marketing material, you’ll learn time-honored editing techniques that will help you well beyond the current project. When we’re finished, you’ll be able to communicate with your reader on a level you hadn’t imagined.  Here’s a sample from a project I’m currently consulting on:

1. You have excellent instincts about mechanisms to engage your Reader. The first paragraph offers a chance for a connection between you and your Reader because you have revealed a not-so-flattering truth about your inner-self—you’ve said things just to get a reaction. You’ve poked people right in their Third Eye for no other reason than to make them react to you in the manner you expect. And for the most part they do. Tell us, does that disappoint you? What happens when they don’t react as predicted? These are important questions because your answers to them are an integral part of this jagged tale.

2. “Is that pushing buttons?” This is near perfection. You’re asking the Reader to make a judgment about you right off the bat, which is why the answers to the questions above are important. You have to give us enough information to answer the question. There are three answers that you should focus on here: 1) Yes, it is pushing buttons, and I don’t like it; 2) Yeah, it is pushing buttons, but who hasn’t; and 3) No, it’s not pushing buttons.

3. It’s the first answer that requires the most attention. This Reader isn’t sure they like you. You have placed them outside of their comfort zone. This is fine, actually desirable, as it gives you an opportunity to explain yourself. If you do it right, the Reader who doesn’t like you will keep reading and grow to understand you, even if they still don’t like you at the end. The Reader who chooses answer two wants to identify with you. This is an opportunity for you to allow them to do just that OR, make them uneasy about themselves by identifying with you. Which is it? The Reader who chooses answer number three will be easily bored. They’ve already had this dialogue and are perfectly fine with it. They need a twist. If you really want to connect with Readers like this, throw in a double twist.

4. “I’m not opening with the weather – you already know it’s sticky hot in Memphis in August. You don’t need me to tell you that.” Lose the second sentence. We don’t need you to tell us that you don’t need to tell us.

5. ”Cold chattery coffeeshop, the buzz of other meaningful (meaningless?) conversations in the air, those wonderful swirls of coffee aromas intermingling with voices. Orders and customer names being called out. This table we were sitting around was too small and too tall.” This is the perfect opportunity for you to deepen your internal conflict. You’ve already told us it’s August in Memphis. It’s hot and sticky out. This is where that horrible axiom “show don’t tell” comes in. What the literary geniuses are referring to is the opportunity to point out irony and absurdity by using the surroundings. For instance, why did the group choose to have the conversation inside a coffeehouse in August? Would the conversation be different if it happened outside in August? Is there a reason you chose to go to a place where you would be forced into close physical proximity? Example: In the artificial coolness of the coffeehouse, the meaningful (meaningless?) chatter didn’t quite blend with the aroma of hot coffee. The table wasn’t big enough for the four of us. Okay, only three of us were actually there, huddled around a table that was too small and too tall, but the memory of him takes up considerable space when we’re together.

6. “You know, she could probably disappear tomorrow and no one would ever know what happened to her.” I was back on my own self-serving conversation in my own mind. To let something like that be heard outside my head would be to confirm that I might really be crazy. After all, don’t we all have self-talk, and isn’t it only people who are really crazies who let it be heard out loud? I like this. We all have those thoughts, even the Reader who denies it. It tells me that you aware of the fragility of existence. Disappearing from the face of the Earth is something we all think about. What happens when someone disappears from the consciousness of others? Would the waitress’ absence be the same as the brother’s present absence?

It’s a good start. I like the jaggedness. Just remember to keep engaging the Reader. We’ll talk about punctuation later. There are only a couple of small errors.

No matter how small your project, if you’re looking for an editor that understands it’s all about the Reader, I’m your gal. Contact me at jerri.l.cook@gmail.com, and we can find away to work within your budget to make your Readers sit up and take notice.

Content Creation

I’m a writer, and a good one at that.  I’m experienced with traditional print media as well as web-based content. I create carefully targeted content that engages and informs readers. After reading some of the articles on this site, contact me at jerri.l.cook@gmail.com to discuss my rates.

Social Media Management

The dynamics of social media can be complex. Be that as it may, every successful business, regardless of size, has a well-planned and well maintained social network. When we work together to improve your social media skills, you’ll add a powerful tool to your marketing toolkit. I will explain why social media is crucial to your success, and how you can target followers on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and emerging networks.

Website Creation and Management

Your website is a reflection of your business. I’ll work with you to develop a user-friendly site and register your domain with all major search engines. We’ll work together to develop a list of keywords which we will then use for Search Engine Optimization (SEO), helping you to rise in the rankings as fast as possible. I offer Drupal and WordPress sites, hosting, PHP coding, design, and updating services. I can get you started on a basic WordPress blog site, including domain and one year of hosting, for only $59.99 (No technical support included). If you have a website that has glitches or is acting up, I can update it so it functions properly. Contact me here: jerri.l.cook@gmail.com

Crisis Management/Opposition Research

If you find yourself in the middle of a media hurricane, and your reputation is in the balance, contact me. I will work with you to manage your media exposure, craft responses, conduct opposition research, and develop a strategy to mitigate the injuries and help you move past the storm. Your confidence will never be betrayed. You don’t have to go through this emotionally trying time alone. In fact, if you try to do it all yourself, you’re likely to make mistakes which could have devastating legal and media consequences. I can’t promise I can make your opponents like you, but I can make them stop attacking you. It’s all about strategy. If you contact me before the horizon is dark with impending crisis, I’ll work with you to develop a detailed crisis management plan. If the gale-force winds of trouble are already blowing, contact me now:  jerri.l.cook@gmail.com