Posted in News and Issues

Greetings from the Publishers of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine!

With Spring upon us, we find ourselves in need of a few good independent contractors to join our team here at TOS.  

Spring is that time when homeschoolers start coming out of the woodwork. Homeschool conventions come alive, vendors begin making plans, and parents excitedly begin their quests for quality products and resources for the upcoming school year. Parents, homeschool leaders, and companies/vendors have come to count on The Old Schoolhouse to help in these endeavors.  And we are always up to the challenge!  Quality is what everyone is after - and that's where you come in.

We need a few good additions to our staff. Here's something to keep in mind: while we love working with homeschool moms and dads (and we will consider inquiries from such), we *really* are looking for older folks to come on board with TOS. If you, or someone you know, are a parent or grandparent of homeschooled children who have graduated, you have the time to put in, and are skilled, YOU in particular are who we are looking for. Of course, we will also consider inquiries from anyone.
 
Would you like to work for Alpha Omega Publications instead?  They are looking for a few good work-at-home editors. Our contact at AOP is very interested in bringing on one or more persons for a current project. Think you are up to the challenge? Alpha Omega expects high quality, just as we do here at TOS. They've asked us for some referrals for editors who can work from home. If you are interested, email us with these exact items:
 
1. Subject line must say "Alpha Omega Work At Home".
2. In the email, provide a brief summary of who you are and please detail your qualifications
   (attach resume if desired).
3. Include a writing piece if you'd like (short).
 
If you'd like to be considered for doing some simple editing on a project basis for TOS, do the same thing, only instead of the subject line saying, "Alpha Omega Work At Home," have it read, "TOS Editing". Feel free to send one of each, if you are interested in working for both of us.
 
General Editor - This position is opening up at TOS Magazine. This is the main editor; the one responsible for keeping our themes and calendar, slating authors, issuing and collecting writer contracts (lots of filing), and doing a PRISTINE job editing our magazine. The General Editor must be extremely friendly (not high strung), highly organized, and have a working knowledge of homeschooling in general. Will work closely with Gena Suarez and Deborah Wuehler (Senior Editor) on a daily basis. Must have a college degree or equivalent. Email us with "General Editor" in the subject line. Include a resume, other qualifications, and a detailed summary of qualifications. What can you bring TOS as its General Editor?
 
Interviewers/Reporters - We need more interviewers and reporters who can dig up stories about homeschooling's growth and successes. Approved candidates will be expected to pitch (and sometimes write) stories, but also will be assigned interviews. This position pays by the piece. Put "Reporter" in the subject line and include a summary of qualifications. Feel free to attach a writing sample.
 
Public Relations - Can you write a good press release? Can you write ad copy that attacts attention? What about representing TOS on the radio? Attach a sample press release you've written, as well as fictional (phony) ad copy for TOS Magazine. Subject line should say: Public Relations.
 
Researcher - Must have working knowledge of Excel databases. Must be skilled at online searches and not afraid to phone organizations for information. Put "Research" in the subject line of the email. Include a summary of experience.
 
TOS e-Book Project Manager - We have three successfully selling ebooks. We need seven more for 2008. Candidate must be an excellent researcher and have the ability to work with others. Team player mandatory. Excellent writing and design skills. Send a sample of previously made ebook(s) and resume. Subject line: e-Book Manager.
 
Sales opportunities - Do you like forming new business relationships? Our top advertising sales reps make a very good income working full-time for TOS Magazine. Email us with "Sales" in the subject line, and we'll get you set up to talk with a manager. Attach a resume if you'd like. Be prepared to put in several hours per week in order for this position to work for you. Sales is commission-based only.
 
Conference Booth Reps - Put this in the subject line when you email. Candidates must be very outgoing and able to commit to representing the TOS booth in their state. Only professionals please apply. Must be outgoing enough to agressively sell from the booth (drawing people in from the aisles). Strong math skills, organized, and smiley.
 
Renewals - Care to talk with other TOS subscribers on the phone? Our Winter issue just hit the streets, and with it came over 8,000 families we need to renew - their subscriptions just ended. This is a telemarketing position; email us with "Renewals" in the subject line if interested.
 
Layout and Design - Put this in the subject line when you email us about your  qualifications in layout. What programs do you use/possess? We are looking for professional layout people to put our magazine together every quarter. Must have an eye for art and a professional working attitude along with an ability to follow instructions. Must work well with others and be patient with editors. Pays very well.
 
Marketing Helpers - Again, put this title in the subject line along with a written summary of your qualifications. How can you help grow TOS Magazine's subscribership? Please tell us how you think you can (part-time) assist our current marketing team. Attach a resume if you'd like, but certainly include a few paragraphs on why we should consider adding you to our team. The ability to analyze information, including surveys, is an important qualification. Can you take survey results and turn them into strongly written marketing pieces? We need you.
 
Secretarial Services - Use this title in the subject line when yourespond. Let's face it - TOS is growing, and our managers and directors are needing office support. Borders Bookstores nationwide is putting together a new homeschool section, and TOS will be the ONLY magazine on a special shelving unit in that whole section. Not only that, we're launching a digital magazine to go along with the print. Beyond even that, we're hitting the road this season with TOS booths at various conventions nationwide. We need help keeping us organized (Gena especially!).
 
Photography - Have you noticed our covers? They're schoolhouses! We pay for good schoolhouse shots, and we reference the photographer right in the front pages of the magazine. Put "Photography" in the subject line when you approach us about your services.
 
Schoolhouse Store Helper - Our store manager needs help. Take a look at the store. Can you help us organize it? Can you support our manager? Tell us what you can do to assist TOS in this very part-time role. Please put "Schoolhouse Store" in the subject line.
 
State Coordinator - This is the one position that does not pay - it's voluntary. We need leaders to represent TOS at the largest homeschool website on the Internet. If you have a working knowledge about homeschooling in your state and are willing to encourage new parents considering homeschooling, please contact us. Please put "State Leader" In the subject line.
 

All of the above positions are for independent contractors providing services from their home. If your business can help ours, get a hold of us - fast!  If you are not familiar with us, you might consider subscribing to our magazine.  If you are providing services within the homeschool market, you need your trade magazine - The Old Schoolhouse (and it's a tax write off if you are purchasing it for your business reference library).
 
Important to note before contacting us about any of the above positions!

The fastest way to lose a contract position with TOS is by proving to be slow at returning emails. TOS is a fast growing company which has primarily been operated via email alone. We are not brick and mortar. We depend on our contractors to stay very visible by phone and/or email. Our current staffers are extremely fast with communications. We do not renew independent contractors who don't respond to emails on a daily basis. Slow responders need not apply.  :)
 
Perhaps you have a special skill not listed above. We want to hear it. In the subject line, put "Special Skill".  We'll consider you.
 
Thank you for your attention to this request for added contractors over at The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. If you know someone who should read this, by all means, forward it - especially to older skilled people (grandparents!) who have the time to devote to our magazine and to growing homeschooling worldwide. Hitting reply to this email will place your communication in the correct box. In order to be considered, just be sure to label the subject line according to the instructions above.

Thank you,
 
The Old Schoolhouse
Publishers