I'm excited...Since I work from home, like most freelance writers do, I am handicapped by a lack of access by my clients. Email just won't cut it anymore. So to provide improved access for my potential clients, as well as current clients, I have installed a Chat Room to use as a sort of virtual office. This allows my clients to talk directly to me about their projects in real time. It's the next best thing to being there.
To talk to me directly all you have to do is open my blog, click the "My Office" chat page on the menu bar and log into the chat. From there I can answer questions and make quotes as wells as develop/customize their "Unique" presence and brand on the web.
Plans for later expansion of this idea include Skype, GoTo meetings, and possibly networked file sharing. The goal is to use technology to overcome distance barriers, provide a more personal access point, and eliminate travel expenses.
December 22, 2010
December 6, 2010
Networking
I thought I would take a minute and share my thoughts on marketing and networking. We've all seen the internet marketers use Twitter and Facebook as marketing tools. I hate that. Sure social networking platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and others can be an effective way to reach thousands of potential clients very quickly, but is it really effective? The number one response I see from people concerning "Internet Marketing" is how fast they un-friend or block internet marketers. The folks that use platforms like Twitter and Facebook only to sell stuff or advertise are missing the best part of the technology and losing valuable assets. The opportunity here is to build real relationships with real people. One thing is true when it comes to advertising...Word of mouth beats every other form of marketing for return on investment. The more people who know you are genuine and trustworthy the more clients you will have. But the opportunity is lost if you don't take the time to build the relationship.
In my view, building your business is a matter of building relationships. The hardest part of building a relationship with a client is building trust. And social networking is a great way to build trust...if you use it for what it is intended for and that is meeting new and interesting people. As you interact with friends and acquaintances on these platforms you have an opportunity to let people have a little insight into who you are... don't waste that opportunity on trying to sell them something. Instead build those relationships...genuine relationships...with real people who are on your side. There is NOTHING more annoying to a person than having his/her down time interrupted by someone trying to sell something. Don't be the guy who calls and interrupts dinner trying to sell some crap I don't need or want.
This approach may not "Drive Massive Amounts of Traffic"...but who cares...I don't want massive amounts of people coming to my site...I want people who are interested in what I have to offer. My friends from Facebook or Twitter can pass on my information if they meet someone who needs my services...and I may even meet someone who needs my services himself...but that's not why I use those services...I use those services to meet people and build personal relationships...the rest takes care of itself. Building a successful business online or off takes time...there are no short cuts.
Besides...it's more fun to open up and get to know someone than to constantly look for ways to sell them something. I would rather sit on the computer for an hour or two talking to people who I enjoy talking to...debating subjects we all are interested in...and laughing/crying at situations that occur in daily life ...than spend 24/7 trying to sell someone something. Wouldn't you?
In my view, building your business is a matter of building relationships. The hardest part of building a relationship with a client is building trust. And social networking is a great way to build trust...if you use it for what it is intended for and that is meeting new and interesting people. As you interact with friends and acquaintances on these platforms you have an opportunity to let people have a little insight into who you are... don't waste that opportunity on trying to sell them something. Instead build those relationships...genuine relationships...with real people who are on your side. There is NOTHING more annoying to a person than having his/her down time interrupted by someone trying to sell something. Don't be the guy who calls and interrupts dinner trying to sell some crap I don't need or want.
This approach may not "Drive Massive Amounts of Traffic"...but who cares...I don't want massive amounts of people coming to my site...I want people who are interested in what I have to offer. My friends from Facebook or Twitter can pass on my information if they meet someone who needs my services...and I may even meet someone who needs my services himself...but that's not why I use those services...I use those services to meet people and build personal relationships...the rest takes care of itself. Building a successful business online or off takes time...there are no short cuts.
Besides...it's more fun to open up and get to know someone than to constantly look for ways to sell them something. I would rather sit on the computer for an hour or two talking to people who I enjoy talking to...debating subjects we all are interested in...and laughing/crying at situations that occur in daily life ...than spend 24/7 trying to sell someone something. Wouldn't you?
December 5, 2010
OK...Lets try this again!!!
The good news is I now have a home office. The bad news is, I actually have to show up for work beginning tomorrow morning! LOL...
When I started the transition from full time auto technician to freelance internet copy writer I had set up my office in the bedroom my daughter vacated when she left home. A few months later I gave up my office to my daughter-in-law when she came to stay with us while my son was deployed over seas. He's back, she's gone, and I can finally have my office back.
While I was being displaced, I was working from my own bedroom, and my productivity really suffered. Take my advise...NEVER try to do that. You need to be able to separate work life from home life, even if you work from home. I found that by working from the bedroom I never got out of the HOME mode. I was more easily distracted, and after a few months, depression kicked in from staring at the same four walls 24/7. These last few weeks have been sheer hell on earth. I want to work but psychologically I could never get on track.
So...My extended vacation is over. I'll get up tomorrow and take a shower...put on work clothes and go back to work. Wish me luck...I got a lot of catching up to do. But I'm ready to rock and roll now!
When I started the transition from full time auto technician to freelance internet copy writer I had set up my office in the bedroom my daughter vacated when she left home. A few months later I gave up my office to my daughter-in-law when she came to stay with us while my son was deployed over seas. He's back, she's gone, and I can finally have my office back.
While I was being displaced, I was working from my own bedroom, and my productivity really suffered. Take my advise...NEVER try to do that. You need to be able to separate work life from home life, even if you work from home. I found that by working from the bedroom I never got out of the HOME mode. I was more easily distracted, and after a few months, depression kicked in from staring at the same four walls 24/7. These last few weeks have been sheer hell on earth. I want to work but psychologically I could never get on track.
So...My extended vacation is over. I'll get up tomorrow and take a shower...put on work clothes and go back to work. Wish me luck...I got a lot of catching up to do. But I'm ready to rock and roll now!
November 1, 2010
Efficiency Tip: Templates
I have found that many of the project types I work on follow a similar structure. A "How-To" article follows a certain pattern and even a Press Release is written in a specific way with common elements. Even though the content is different in each project, the structure is constant. Look for these constants and set up a template in your word processor for each type of project you write to streamline your efforts.
Label each section of the template and leave yourself a note about the specific information required for that section. Don't forget a section for links to supporting information, and even affiliate links that are appropriate for the project. Organizing your work in this way allows you to concentrate on the content and still have good structure. Remember, the less you have to think about, the faster you will become.
Another thing benefit to this occurs when you are interviewing a client for their project. You will have a handy reminder of what specific information you need to have to complete the project with minimum edits. When you consistently complete projects accurately and on time your customer base will grow and you will always have plenty of work.
Label each section of the template and leave yourself a note about the specific information required for that section. Don't forget a section for links to supporting information, and even affiliate links that are appropriate for the project. Organizing your work in this way allows you to concentrate on the content and still have good structure. Remember, the less you have to think about, the faster you will become.
Another thing benefit to this occurs when you are interviewing a client for their project. You will have a handy reminder of what specific information you need to have to complete the project with minimum edits. When you consistently complete projects accurately and on time your customer base will grow and you will always have plenty of work.
October 29, 2010
The Writer's Blog
One of the first things I was told when I started writing professionally was that if I didn't have a writers Website I would get nowhere fast. There has to be some way for your potential customers to find you and contact you. While planning this project I gave considerable thought to the marketing aspect of doing business on the internet. As a writer one of the most important things to remember is that you are constantly "Building Your Brand" and learning to market yourself effectively is critical.
In my opinion a writer's Blog accomplishes a couple of the goals related to marketing yourself. It gives your potential client an opportunity to "Get To Know You" and see live examples of your skill. Any good business person will agree that the most important thing in business is building trust and a relationship with a customer. Without trust between you and your client you will have a hard time making a sale no matter what you have to offer. On the Internet that aspect of business can be difficult to accomplish. Since a blog is a more relaxed and interactive format building a personal relationship between you and your clients gets a little easier.
The other critical goal a blog helps you with is traffic. Of the three basic parts of website business traffic to your site may be the hardest to develop. Think of The Writer's Blog as the front door to building your brand and your business.
In my opinion a writer's Blog accomplishes a couple of the goals related to marketing yourself. It gives your potential client an opportunity to "Get To Know You" and see live examples of your skill. Any good business person will agree that the most important thing in business is building trust and a relationship with a customer. Without trust between you and your client you will have a hard time making a sale no matter what you have to offer. On the Internet that aspect of business can be difficult to accomplish. Since a blog is a more relaxed and interactive format building a personal relationship between you and your clients gets a little easier.
The other critical goal a blog helps you with is traffic. Of the three basic parts of website business traffic to your site may be the hardest to develop. Think of The Writer's Blog as the front door to building your brand and your business.
October 28, 2010
Welcome
Hi, and welcome to my blog. I've been writing professionally now for a little over a year and I'm starting to understand the business a little bit more. In this blog I will try to pass on a few tips and pieces of information as I get them to try and help others do what I am trying to do.
If you are in need of a writer, I specialize in Automotive related web and print content and copy and would be glad to try and help. I am also available to write Custom Automotive Repair Courses in several different formats. I promise to provide quality work at a reasonable price. I can't promise my work is the cheapest but I am confident you will be surprised at the quality I can deliver for the price I charge.
This is a new blog so it will take a little bit to get some pages up and some posts written...check back often and I hope you enjoy the Blog.
If you are in need of a writer, I specialize in Automotive related web and print content and copy and would be glad to try and help. I am also available to write Custom Automotive Repair Courses in several different formats. I promise to provide quality work at a reasonable price. I can't promise my work is the cheapest but I am confident you will be surprised at the quality I can deliver for the price I charge.
This is a new blog so it will take a little bit to get some pages up and some posts written...check back often and I hope you enjoy the Blog.
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