Moving abroad is a big leap, physically and metaphorically. I have had “Live in Europe for at least one year” on my bucket list for decades. It was always a “someday” dream, along with learning how to ride a motorcycle and getting a sailboat. (I’ve already jumped out of an airplane, thank you. Twice.) This…
Details
I am in a lot of writers’ groups on Facebook and I often see people post a “follow for follow” exchange for their page or website. It always annoys me. (To be fair, I am easily annoyed.) I see no point in being “followed” on my page by someone who writes genre paranormal romances. I…
Details
Many people want to know how to become a professional writer—it’s one of those “dream” professions. But it’s scary, too because we’ve all heard stories of starving artists and some of us aren’t in a position to withstand unsteady income. Fortunately, you can start part time and grow your writing business. But full time or…
Details
When I tell people I run a boutique business, I’m pretty sure they’re thinking, “Really? She doesn’t even dress very well.” (For the record, they’re right. Most days I’m not even wearing shoes.) The boutique business model starts with providing a specialized product or service for a small niche clientele. Boutique businesses don’t compete on…
Details
Once you have identified your ideal client, where they hang out, and how they like to consume information, you need to craft a marketing message that will resonate with them. By resonate, I don’t mean that people will smack their foreheads and exclaim, “Eureka, I have found exactly what I have needed all my life!”…
Details
Um. That would be me. I’m doing some client work with the sliding door open because it is finally warm enough to leave it open for an extended length of time and let in some fresh air. My laptop is exactly where it was meant to be—on my lap. My feet are up on the…
Details
There are several sets of skills that a person needs to become a freelance writer because you are not only a writer, you are an entrepreneur. Congratulations. Being a freelance writer is one of those dream jobs—something you fantasize about while tapping away at an Excel spreadsheet in your cubicle. Making that dream a reality…
Details
In my book, Marketing in 4 Hours a Week, I discuss refining your marketing message in terms of The Three Cs. Your message must be: Clear Cohesive Consistent The person reading your marketing material has to understand what you’re offering. Yes, Calvin Klein has the marketing budget to run endless ads filled with beautiful, half-naked,…
Details
In a word, Hell No! That’s two. I’m a writer. Words are what I do. And words are what you can do, too. There are many things you can be too old to do: Olympic gymnast, child prodigy (still kicking myself over that one), bear George Clooney’s children. But writing? No age, height, or weight…
Details
Small business owners and entrepreneurs know that marketing is one of their most important jobs, but many of the marketing strategies that are available for large corporations just aren’t feasible for the little guy, whether it is taking out a Super Bowl ad or having a Madison Avenue advertising agency create a campaign. Most marketing…
Details