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sadly outdated, sorely missed?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!

eBooks

There's a new craze in online reading, and it's called the eBook. Writing an eBook allows authors to bypass traditional publishing routes, which of course has advantages and disadvantages. The upside is that anyone can publish! And the downside? You guessed it...anyone can publish. However, it's worth pointing out that there are quite a few poorly written books in print, too. As with any publication, readers need to be selective when choosing exactly what they want to spend time reading.

That said, I'm jumping on the bandwagon as well. I'm preparing to unveil my latest eBook: The WriteTips Guide, in the near future. The book is a collection of 12 articles that appeared in my ezine during the first year of publication. I've already made an offer to WriteTips (ezine) subscribers for free copies, so if you aren't yet a subscriber don't worry, you can still get on board and receive your free copy. Just email me!

blogging for business

Like many business folks with online presence (which is, these days, most of them) I have become quite fond of blogging. Not only do I keep up with contributing my own thoughts online via one business and two personal blogs, but I have a list of useful/entertaining blogs bookmarked as well.

Lately I've been perusing blogs with a marketing focus. It seems there is no shortage of knowledgeable individuals in this area, so I'd like to share a few gems with you. Hopefully the tips offered here will help you promote your small business, too.

Duct Tape Marketing - Marketing expert John Jantsch posts often and always offers insightful ideas that are quite practical when you think about it. Problem is, many of us don't always think this way!

Publicity Hound - Who want's free publicity? (Me! Me! Yo, over here, me!) You'll find resources and ideas galore here.

Smart Marketing - Just came across this the other day while doing background research on marketing companies for a client. Smart guy, smart marketing.

Sept/Oct WriteTips issue

Finally, it's finished! The Sept/Oct issue of WriteTips will be delivered to subscribers' inboxes tomorrow morning. Check it out to learn how to beat the "Bad Brochure Blues"!

october updates

It's been a busy couple of months, which explains why I still haven't gotten the Sept/Oct issue of WriteTips out yet. Not to worry, it's coming!

The past few weeks have landed several new clients ranging from website to brochure content. I welcome it all wholeheartedly...the opportunity to work consistently on a variety of projects is what keeps the juices flowing!

I've updated the What's New section on my website, so be sure to check it out. I've also got links to a couple of newly archived articles via Dynamic Graphics magazine's brand-new site. If you're a designer you've got to check it out. The resources are unbelievable!

That's it for now, more as it happens.

when it rains, it pours

How much work does it take to overload a one-person operation?

I still haven't been able to formulate a solid answer to this question. My best guess is...it depends.

I've been a pretty good judge of workload-type situations in the 2 years I've been in business (full-time) for myself. Some weeks are busier than others: some are relatively slow, some are comfortable, and others are crazy-busy. This week is moderate. I'm working on two projects, a newsletter and a product review article. But I've got 3 meetings set up during the next two weeks for potential work (two possible web projects and a new marketing company, which could mean a variety of work if all goes well). Plus I received a call yesterday about some possible brochure work.

It would be great if all of these potential projects come through. The reality is, however, that every meeting doesn't necessarily lead to work. Some folks are just scoping out their options and others may decide to do it themselves (that's a professional copywriter's biggest competition, by the way). But it's important to continue setting up meetings because you just never know...work may result, your card may be passed along to an acquaintance of the person you met with, you may make an ally in the business world, etc. You just never know.

So, I'll attend these meetings, put my best face (and writing samples) forward, and hope for the best. Best being enough work to keep the cash coming in, but not so much that I have trouble meeting deadlines. Today's moral: know when to say when.

back in the game again

After a week or so of rest I'm ready to return--full force--to the writing world. And a few projects have already reared their heads: quarterly newsletter issue, a possible web content project, and a bi-monthly column for Dynamic Graphics magazine (DGM).

I've been a contributor to DGM for about 3 years. The mag has recently overhauled its website, and I noticed a few of my past pieces are now available online. Check out these articles from the ever-popular Makeovers Issue:

Vitamin Cottage

Music @ Noon

And of course, I'm jumping back into the networking game (not that I ever really left it...). BNI & the Chamber of Commerce will help with that, as will a new organization I've helped found, the Home Based Business Professionals Association. I'm anticipating a very exciting, busy fall!