For more years than I can count, I suffered from burnout. At least that was what I told myself. I’ve been an entrepreneur for a really long time (since 1998—I know, I’m old). And for a decent chunk of those years, I found myself experiencing burnout after burnout. The cycle was always the same. I’d be fine for a while, and then I would start to suffer from overwhelm, … [Read more...] about No, It’s Not Burnout (And, no, more “self-care” isn’t going to help)
10 Things to Consider Before Launching a Writing Business
Ready to ‘take the plunge’ into full-time freelancing? Although the following ten tips are geared toward copywriters, they contain information that can benefit any writer, especially when it comes to getting your new writing business started on the path to success. Tip 1. Write your goals on paper. You know that old saying—“If you don’t know where you’re going, any … [Read more...] about 10 Things to Consider Before Launching a Writing Business
How to Succeed as a Writer
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?