As a bestselling fiction/nonfiction author and professional copywriter, I'm often asked by aspiring writers what they need to do to succeed. Most of their questions center around writing ability. They want to know how to find out if they have the talent to succeed, or if there's a "test" they can take that will tell them if they're a good enough writer to actually get paid … [Read more...] about How to Succeed as a Writer
A Little Secret About Sabotage (Compliments of Cutthroat Kitchen)
I remember one of my fave guilty pleasures a handful of years back—Cutthroat Kitchen. In case you’re not aware of the show (What?!?! That can’t possibly be?!?!), it’s a competition cooking show in which four chefs bid to earn ways to sabotage one another’s dishes. The last one standing the winner. What’s fascinating to me is how much it’s taught me about sabotage. You … [Read more...] about A Little Secret About Sabotage (Compliments of Cutthroat Kitchen)
How the Pandemic Helped Me Stop Worrying and Start Writing
In 2019, I published the third book of my award-winning psychological thriller/mystery series, Secrets of Redemption, and got to work on something new. Which never came together properly. I struggled with it and struggled with it, throughout the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020. Then, Covid came to town, the lockdowns started and the world changed. My first … [Read more...] about How the Pandemic Helped Me Stop Worrying and Start Writing
7 Tips for Launching a Copywriting Business
If you love writing, you may be considering launching a copywriting business to combine your passion with your income. If so, here are seven tips to help you get it off the ground. (And the best part? Many of these will work to launch or grow a variety of service-based businesses.) 1. Assemble a portfolio. It’s difficult for most people to hire a professional … [Read more...] about 7 Tips for Launching a Copywriting Business
The Importance of Personality Part 2: Let’s Add It to Your Writing
(Check out Part 1 right here.) One of the fastest ways to transform your website and marketing materials to attract your ideal clients like magnets is to add in your personality. (And yes, this applies even if your goal is to build a business bigger than you, personally—your personality is still important. No matter what, people want to do business with people … not … [Read more...] about The Importance of Personality Part 2: Let’s Add It to Your Writing
The Importance of Personality Part 1: Is Your Website Dreadful?
As a marketing expert, there’s one thing that makes me cringe again and again: Dreadful websites. And I don’t mean “ugly,” when I use the word “dreadful.” They can be pretty enough. They can have very nice graphics, and artfully placed (while sparse) copy. So, why do I say, “dreadful”? Because, despite being pretty, they have absolutely no personality. Boring … [Read more...] about The Importance of Personality Part 1: Is Your Website Dreadful?
4 Ways to Creatively Power Up Your Marketing
Today, I’m sharing a hard truth about marketing: People don't care about businesses (and that includes your business). What they care about is how your business's products or services can solve THEIR problems, meet THEIR needs and make THEIR lives easier. In other words, if you want your business to be successful, you need to know how to describe the benefits of your … [Read more...] about 4 Ways to Creatively Power Up Your Marketing
Quiz: Where Is Your Marketing Message Hanging Out?
Is your marketing message dancing in the spotlight, or cowering by the punch table? Take this quiz to find out. 1. Overall, you would describe your marketing as: A. Going strong. You consistently get lots of good leads and sales from your marketing efforts. B. Getting better. You're seeing some positive results, but you're always looking for ways to … [Read more...] about Quiz: Where Is Your Marketing Message Hanging Out?
Need Some New Ideas? 3 Ways Journaling Boosts Creativity
Whether you’re a writer or not, as entrepreneurs, we could all use a creative boost every now and again. After all, creativity plays a big part in many aspects of business. If you ever find yourself experiencing a block in new ideas, consider journaling to get the creative juices flowing. From Julia Cameron's The Artist Way to Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones to … [Read more...] about Need Some New Ideas? 3 Ways Journaling Boosts Creativity
4 Ways the Love-Based Concept Plays Out in Your Business
Therese Skelly, the author of Love-Based Mission: How to Create a Business That Serves Your Soul, is here today with the second of a 2-part article to give you a sneak peek of her book. Take it away Therese! Last week, I explained and defined Michele PW’s love-based philosophy. (If you missed it, go here to read it now.) As promised, today, I’m sharing with your four ways … [Read more...] about 4 Ways the Love-Based Concept Plays Out in Your Business