Man, the highs and lows this week looks like my Google Analytics graph (think: sideways view of the Andes).  It was a week marked with promise and let downs, lessons given and lessons learned.

Here’s the rundown:

Think globally – In my post on Breaking into freelance writing I very pointedly told folks to head on over to Textbroker and sign up as a way to start some freelance writing.  Well by doing this I gained a brilliant opportunity to be one of those arrogant Americans who believes the world revolves around the US.  It never even occurred to me that Textbroker would not allow sign ups from those outside of the US.  Imagine my chagrin when this was (very nicely) pointed out to me by a reader who tried to do exactly as I had suggested.  I was embarrassed and a little angry with myself for my assumptions.

The lesson: It’s called the WORLD wide web.  Not the US wide web.  Remember that your readers are as close as your monitor, and as far away as a dozen time zones or more.  Take the time to do a little research on something you recommend.

Also on the overseas front – I received an email from a nice gentleman in India who was wanting to become a regular contributor to Tumblemoose.  I was pretty stoked to say the least.  I responded to his email said I’d love to consider him, could he please send a writing sample topic specific to the Tumblemoose genre.  What I received was a rather scathing email regarding how insulting I had been, that he was a professional with professional credetentials and so on.  Yikes.  I had looked at his web sites and his journalistic skills were in order.

The question: Was I wrong to request the sample from him?  I don’t know.  Comment feedback, please.

Great Expections – I’ve been using Twitter regularly for about six weeks now.  I started following Darren Rowse’ Twitip site and found a lot of great information there.  I had an idea for a guest post so I emailed the contact form.  Darren really is a stand up guy and he responded back in a timely manner, saying to send it to him and he would consider the article.  Well, he accepted it and said it would go “live” in a day or two.  You can just imagine how excited I was.  I got Tumblemoose cleaned up and sparkling for the anticipated “Open House”.  I read every post on making the site sticky.  Then I wrote a post to try and incorporate as many sticky features as possible.

Bam! The post at TwiTip hits the streets.  Oh, man.  I better check my stats and see how much bandwidth I have left.  I wonder how much traffic Hostgator will allow?  I wonder if I should call them and let them know? I wonder… Uh?  Wait!  What’s that sound? (mournful wind blowing, scattering my cousins the tumble-weeds through the front door)  Silence.  Whaa?

Over at TwiTip, things are chuggin’ right along.  Great comments from folks.  Everyone’s having a good time.  Oh, there’s a party going on all right.  But it’s a couple of houses down the street from Tumblemoose.

Expectations minus results = a pretty big gap.  Now, It’s REALLY important that you folks understand that I ain’t gripin’.  The information was important to get out there, and I am proud as can be that a post by lil’ ol’ me was accepted by someone who is so well respected in the blogging community.  For some reason, I just assumed that my traffic would go through the roof.

Lesson learned:  Keep putting your best stuff forward in as many venues as possible.  Don’t freak out about how much traffic something will or won’t get you.  Every notch on the post (no pun intended) is a good notch.

I learned a lot more than what I’ve posted here, but I’m already at 650 words, so I’m going to cut it short.

I’m actually pretty happy with everything I’ve learned this week.  I’ll apply it all and be even better next week.