resources for writers

Are you a writer? Doesn't matter what you write: fiction, non-fiction, essays, blogs, personal journals, academic papers...at some point, you will need to look something up. Here's an article to help reduce time searching for quality resources:

http://brownstonepublications.com/blog

I "like" it!

I did it. I finally set up a business page on Facebook. It's a wonder it took so long since, like many people around the globe, I have somewhat of an addiction to the thing.

Anyway, if you don't mind, I'd love to up my "likes" on this page. Check it out! (And thanks in advance!)

punctuation speculation

They're little, but they're mighty. They have the ability to entirely change the meaning of a sentence. And they also have the power to make a respectable business look a bit less credible. We're talking about punctuation, folks. Let's look at a few examples to show how an intended message can quickly be misunderstood when punctuation is used improperly--or when it's missing entirely. Here's one example you may have seen already:

Let's eat, grandma!

vs.

Let's eat grandma!

Hmmm. I'm doubt many of you are particularly interested in sampling your own grandmother (or anyone else's!), so I'm pretty sure the first sentence is the correct one. See how important that little comma is?


Ah, the commonly confused "your" vs. "you're."Not to be crass, but this is a fun one (courtesy Terribly Write):




I saw this next one on Facebook first (and I "liked" it, of course!), but it could have originated anywhere. Again, apologies for the foul language, but I believe this gets the point across:

"An apostrophe is the difference between a business that knows its shit and a business that knows it's shit."

These are just a few examples of punctuation gone awry, and I'm sure you could provide many more. Feel free to share grammar goofs you've seen--or perhaps even made--here!

the business of small business

I guess I was, in a way, destined to become an entrepreneur. Or at the very least, I set my sights on working for a small, locally-0wned company. Because when I look back, that's all I've ever done. Here's a quick overview of my job history (excluding a smattering of part-time summer jobs and student-worker stints in college):

As a junior high student, I had a paper route delivering my hometown's weekly paper. I think I made about $15/month--but it was money I earned on my own, and that felt great. I still have fond memories of waking up before sunrise, donning my walkman, and trudging through the neighborhood, placing papers on doorsteps or, in wet or snowy weather, inside storm doors.

In high school I worked for a local commercial cleaning company, scrubbing and scouring offices, corporate bathrooms, and and assortment of bank lobbies. I definitely learned to appreciate those who harbor behind-the-scenes type-jobs.

After college I landed a job as a customer service rep at a family-owned music store. I was there for four years and learned a ton about treating customers with respect and how to work as part of a team. In a way, it was this job that allowed me to hone my writing skills in the commercial world as I created flyers, brochures, and even wrote an article for a music trade magazine.

Although these jobs required totally different skills, they all have one thing in common: not one of these companies is owned by a big-time corporation. They're all local products of their respective communities, and are all very in touch with the folks they deal with on a daily basis. I took many experiences away from each job, but the singular message I've kept in mind is that through hard work and treating people well, a small business can indeed be successful.

So here I am, many (exact number undisclosed :) ) years later, running my own business. And after having this opportunity, it's hard to imagine doing things any other way. Plus I have total respect for other small business owners. I try to patronize them whenever possible.

How about you? What types of small business to you support?

the coffeehouse writer

Aaaah...here I sit, undisturbed (i.e., no young children calling, "Mom! Mom?") with a cup of steamy coffee before me. I've got my laptop. I've got my cell (which I just used to take a call from my husband, who informed me of an incident involving our two-year-old, her diaper, and a certain mess that resulted from her taking said diaper off...but that's for another post). I've got ideas flowing for a project I'm working on.

Where am I? Certainly not at home. I'm at the local coffeehouse. As much as I love working from home, sometimes I love working away from home more. The change in scenery does wonders for one's concentration level...and the caffeine doesn't hurt, either.

As my mind wandered a few minutes ago (can't seem to avoid that fate!), I began considering changing my business name from Cassie Hart Copywriting & Editorial Services to something more, well, business sounding. Without my name included. I came up with Coffeehouse Copywriting. Given the fact that I am, indeed, a coffee junkie, and that I enjoy the atmosphere of coffeehouses, the name seems to fit. Of course, I'd have to get all new business cards and re-create my website, which I don't really have time to do. But it's a viable thought for the future.

All this leads me to a question for my fellow biz owners: how did you come up with your business name?

business x 2

How many entrepreneurs do you know who run more than one business? The more entrepreneurs/solo-preneurs I meet, the more I notice folks really taking charge of their own careers. This sometimes means adding a second "job" just to make ends meet, but more often it means having two careers because they have a passion in different areas. Sometimes the two paths are related; sometimes they're not.

I'm one of those folks. I've actually been playing music longer than I've been writing professionally. For a while I worked full-time at a music store and played lots of gigs. Then I left my job, went back to grad school and supplemented my meager assistantship with my gig income. After graduating, I launched my freelance writing career while continuing to play music as often as possible. Then I had my first daughter and the music had to be scaled back a bit. And then the economy tanked, plus I had another child, and gigs became almost non-existent. It was sad in a way, but since I was busy with other walks of life, I didn't miss the music aspect that much.

But then I played a gig this summer. And I reunited with some very good music friends. We had a blast playing our gig at the Uptown Normal Farmer's Market. And I decided I wanted to do this again. My husband convinced me I needed my own website and since he's a smart one--and a successful musician/composer as well--I took his advice.

Enter Cassie Hart & Friends: The Official Website. It's a long time coming, but now it's live and I'd love for you to check it out!

I realize this post doesn't have much to do with copywriting. But it's got a lot to do with my life. If you are reading this because you're a friend, you'll probably be happy to hear I've taken this step. If you're reading because you are considering hiring a writer and you happened to stumble on my blog, thanks for your consideration! I hope this post provides another look at me and the areas I'm passionate about.

I'm looking forward to embarking on not only new, interesting and challenging writing projects, but to jumping back into making music again. Here's to you, readers, and to whatever stirs YOUR passion!

do projects ever make you feel...grateful?

As I research information for a blog post for one of my clients, I realize I've got it pretty darn good. All my basic necessities are taken care of. I have a roof over my head. I have food on the table. I have a great husband and two awesome kids. Our home environment is safe. We love and respect each other. Sure, we get frustrated, irritated, and angry sometimes, but we find a healthy way to resolve our differences.

I've been learning about National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (observed in October) and the more I read, the more grateful I feel for my life. Some folks aren't so lucky. Some are involved in hurtful, abusive relationships and they--and their children--are suffering. It's a sad and potentially disastrous situation. And it needs to stop.

If you know of someone who needs help because of physical or verbal abuse, let them know that you are there to offer support. Here are a few resources to pass along:

Child Abuse Hotline
800.25.ABUSE
217.524.2606

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Family and Community Resource Center

Put yourself out there to help someone else. You'll be glad you did.

Lemme hear you say, "Waaaah!"

All word-type-people utter this from time to time, usually when staring at a blank page as writer's block takes hold of our minds. Those of us who work from home with small children, however, often experience it another way:


Child: "Waaah!"
Parent: "Shush, it's time for your nap."
Child: "Waah! No nap! No nap!"
Parent: (pleading) "C'mon, Sweetie...just lay your head down and rest. Mama/Daddy's got work to do."
Child" "Waaah! Don't care! Not tired!"
Parent: (along with child) "Waaaaaah!"

This post inspired by my here and now...I've got a list of projects to tackle and my two-year-old is calling from her crib. Sigh. (Or even better, "Waaah!")

So, how do you work-from-home types handle getting stuff done with kids in the mix?

sadly outdated, sorely missed?

I'm guessing this (semi-defunct) blog wasn't missed too much. I've done nothing to promote it (short of a link to my website) and I've not been very dedicated to it in general for an assortment of reasons. Does any of this matter? Not really. Because this blog is back! I've had an epiphany of sorts, a bit of inspiration, call-it-what-you-will...but I'm ready to hop on the blogging bandwagon once again. So...are you ready for this? Check back super soon for tips, info, and what-have-you in the wonderful world of writing.

names, names, names

You know how someone named James might be Jim, Jimmy, Jamie, etc? Or a Catherine might be nicknamed Cathy, Kate, Cat, or (yes even) Cassie?

A recent project opened my eyes to the many options one has when naming not just people, but departments within schools. If anyone ever needs to know what exactly to look up when reserching art & design schools and their departments, here's a short list of possible titles:

Art
Studio Arts
Art & Design
Fine Arts
Media Arts
Arts & Letters
Creative Arts
Graphic Design
Visual Arts
Digital Arts

There are more, but I left my main list (I started keeping track) at my home office.

Anyway, just thought I'd share this tidbit with you.

insurance issues

Ok, fellow freelancers. I need to hear from you on this one.

So we (we meaning my husband and I, not we as in business partners) received a letter from our insurance company yesterday informing us of a rate increase for 2009...which figures out to be a 25% increase. That's right, my friends. 25%. That's huge. It's ginormous. It's insane. And it's totally uncalled for.

I will be calling our provider later today to ask some important questions. (Why are the web site quotes so different from our actual raters? What justifies this enormous increase? Do you really think people are going to be able to continue to pay for this service if it keeps going up and up and up in leaps and bounds? Who can I talk to--who can give me actual answers--about this problem? Because it is a problem...a BIG one!)

But what I'd like to know from you, fellow entrepreneurs, is if you buy your own insurance, how have your rates increased this year? If you're willing to share, by how much? How much longer do you think you can actually afford to buy health insurance? What other solutions have you considered? What do you think needs to be done?

This is a huge problem in our country. I'm not going to spout my political views on the subject. I'm just wondering how many others are in the same boat and how you're handling these inflated costs. Thanks in advance for your comments.

the blog is back (again)!

After a year plus of neglecting this blog, causing it to join probably thousands of other lost blogs in cyberspace, I've decided to resurrect it. This is partly due to a book I'm reading, The Corporate Blogging Book by Debbie Weil. If you've ever considered publishing a blog for your business, this a great read to help you learn how to go about it.

Web 2.0--interactive, user-generated, online content--is huge right now. Blogs were at the forefront of this type of technology when they first emerged several years ago. Other popular Web 2.0 methods soon followed (MySpace and Facebook are notable right now). Blogs are still going strong--and they aren't just for teens searching for an outlet to bemoan the trials and tribulations of adolescence anymore. Many businesses--both large and small--are jumping on board and putting blogs out there for everyone to see.

This includes me. While I've been a blogger for several years, I've not been consistent about keeping this particular medium up-to-date. That's primarily because, as I've mentioned before, the number of hours I have to dedicate to personal projects as a work-at-home-mom (WAHM) ebbs and flows. When I'm not chasing after my two-year-old, I'm working on writing projects. And I need to meet deadlines for my clients first, so other things tend to fall by the wayside, including my own marketing tactics, like this blog (yes, blogs are indeed a form of marketing!).

But now I'm inspired and ready to blog again. I'm back in the saddle and ready to rumble. I want to get some dialogue going! And I'd love to hear what you have to say about blogging for business. What cool blogs have you come across? What do you like about them? Have you made an effort to offer feedback as you read your favorites? Why or why not? Talk to me!

off-peak hours

Since becoming a mom I've had to make numerous adjustments to my schedule. One of the biggest involves my working hours. No longer can I hang out at my desk all day or bop out to a networking event in the afternoon on a whim. I've become what I thought I never could: a night owl.

Thta's right, aside from an hour or two in the morning that I somtimes manage to sneak in before my husband leaves for the day, the majority of my work is done between 9 pm and midnight. I've actually adjusted pretty well, but one problem I've encountered concerns taking phone calls from clients. Most folks aren't in the office that late. And trying to have a phone conversation with a 10-month old clamoring around the office just isn't productive. I love email, but I realize not everyone wants to communicate that way--at least not all the time.

So I'm asking for your help...how do you hand the demands of working in a home office while balancing your relationships with clients and your kids?

This is embarrassing, but it's been so long since I've posted I completely forgot my login name for this blog. Eeek, so much for staying on top of things!

I don't know about you, but for me, 2006 was a pretty crazy year. Much of it had to do with the arrival of our daughter last spring. She's a healthy, happy baby, and I'm thankful for that. But as any parent knows, infants are a lot of work! I didn't realize how difficult it would be to juggle the demands of motherhood while running my writing business from home. I had to be available whenever my daughter needed me, and I certainly didn't want to miss any deadlines for my clients. But there are only 24 hours in a day, so something had to give—and that something was this newsletter. That's why you haven't received a WriteTips issue in a little while (if you are a subscriber) or why you haven't seen a recent issue posted on my site. I blew one of the rules I urge anyone who publishes a newsletter to follow—determine a publication schedule and stick to it.

But now, being a more experienced mother (having an older baby who can entertain herself for bits of time helps a little, too) and being more than ready to get back in the saddle work-wise, WriteTips is back on track. I'm glad to be back, and it's great to correspond with you again. Here's to a wonderful New Year for you, your family, and your business!

email blessing, email curse

Does anyone write “real” letters anymore, now that email seems to be the preferred form of communication? True, it’s fast, efficient, and low-cost—and for most of us, there’s no way we would give it up without a fight. One common problem, however, is that because email messages are often typed and sent hastily, sloppiness tends to creep in: words are misspelled, sentences are incomplete, and grammar is less than perfect. This isn’t the type of impression any professional wants to make via writing, whether making initial contact with a potential new client or a co-worker in another department.

So, let’s revisit the original question: does anyone actually write, stamp, and drop a letter in the mailbox anymore? The answer is a definite yes. After all, you still receive a stack of mail to sift through every day, right? Depending on the situation, a number of instances are often better suited for tangible letters rather than electronic communication. Here are just a few examples:

Cover letter (with resume)
Job acceptance letter
Character reference letter
Pay raise request letterMarketing/sales letter

Today's tip: remember to communicate with your clients and customers in more ways than just using email. Receiving an actual letter will make them remember you!

resources for everyone!

Are you responsible for writing duties at work or for your organization? These basic desktop references are good for everyone to have on hand—they’ll make the writing process easier!

Dictionary - A good dictionary is indispensable, and a must-have reference tool for your desk, no matter what profession you’re in. Merriam-Webster is a good bet, and an online version is also available at www.m-w.com/home.htm.

Thesaurus – Looking for another way to say it (whatever it is)? Crack open Roget’s International Thesaurus for a variety of wording choices. Over 330,000 words and phrases in 1,075 categories are included, and updated editions (most recent: 6th edition) keep up with trends in today’s ever-expanding vocabulary.

Style manual - Your company might have a corporate style guide, but it may not address every issue that tends to crop up when writing. One source I like to use The Chicago Manual of Style, which provides guidelines for creating lists, special characters, punctuation, plurals, acronyms, and much, much more.

have you hugged a writer today?

There really is a holiday for everything! I just learned that Feb. 6-10 is Freelance Writer Appreciation Week. Read up on other "different" holidays here.

pondering freebies

Everyone likes to get things for free. And free stuff is available everywhere. I know I've lost track of how many pens, travel mugs, and coffee cups I've collected from local businesses during the past year.

I also like to offer free items to my clients, but do they really need another keychain? Even though I do have those available (they're coupled with a pen and measuring tape portion...very handy) I realize not everyone needs more stuff cluttering up their desk. So I've devised two useful pieces information that I'll be handing out to new and prospective clients this year. Basically, anyone who contacts me to set up a free initial consultation to discuss their writing needs will receive a report called 10 Tips for Polishing Your Prose.

And for those folks who secure my services, I want them to trust me, and to realize that I'm not out to clean out their budgeting account. Thus, I've created a tip sheet called How to Save Money When Working With a Copywriter.

I'm hoping that this information will be something clients can actually use...and at the same time I hope it makes them feel more at ease as they begin to work with a new vendor. Maybe they've never partnered with a copywriter before and are a bit nervous. I don't want my clients to feel nervous...I want them to trust me. And to secure their trust I work hard to provide proof that I am indeed an experienced, dependable writer. I'm there to do a job for them, and my goal is 100% percent satisfaction and beyond.

Here's a question for you business-wise folks: what types of additional value do you offer to your clients?

2006 business planning

It's a new year--hope everyone is having a good one so far. I've been spending quite a bit of time analyzing aspects of my business. What can I do better? What new things should I try? How will I implement my ideas? If you're a business owner, you are probably having similar thoughts.

But just thinking about these important items isn't enough...you have to write them down. At least, I have to write them down. So I've got a list going. It's divided into various categories, and I'll be making sure I check off completed tasks. Here's an example of the maing areas I intend to cover:

Clients
Customer Service
New Services
Continued Education
Marketing & Networking

One goal I've reached already is an overhaul to my ezine, WriteTips. Thanks to Branmarc Design this newsletter has got a fabulous new look. The first new issue will go out January 15...if you aren't a subscriber yet, please let me know that you'd like to receive this free publication!

Until next week....

how's your customer service?

There's one thing (ok, there are many things, but this is a BIG one) lacking in the business world today: customer service.

How many times have you entered a retail establishment or restaurant, only to be (not) greeted by a dejected employee, who doesn't smile and say hello, but who instead grunts an incoherent "hey" and refuses to make eye contact?

Customer service today is often terrible, and I fear it's only getting worse.

Don't let poor customer service afflict your business! If there's one thing you can do to stand apart from your competitors, it's offer outstanding customer service--and train your employees to do the same. I came across this book the other day, which has all sorts of good advice: "Delivering Knock Your Socks Off Service" by Kristin Anderson & Ron Zemke. Read more about it here.

I'll be incorporating many of these tips into my own business practices. I'm ready to knock MY customers' socks off!