November writing...

Just a word of caution...November may be a slow blog month for me. I've decided to participate in nanowrimo this year. Nanowrimo stands for National Novel Writing Month, and it happens every year in November at http://www.nanowrimo.org. The goal is to write 50,000 words on a new novel during the month - and since I have four to query and one to write for a game story creation, this seems like a good time to try it...again.

November's a bad month for me, and I have only been able to participate in nanowrimo once before. I think I managed 20,000 on that novel/novella series then. But I'm more hopeful this year, since I don't have a day job. Still have copywriting work to get done, but hopefully that won't interfere.

So, weekday mornings will be spent on fiction writing during November. My goal is to get 2200 words a day. I figure I'll lose a week's worth of writing time during the holidays. The weekend times will be flexible - as I can fit it around what the family does, even if it means waiting until midnight and working until 4am. Been there, done that.

I will try to update here at least once a week, but if I don't make, you know why. In the meantime, learn more about copywriting and about yourself. Set a goal of improving one thing about yourself each day, and to learning one new thing each day - about any topic.

And Have Fun!

When You're the Targeted Audience

I'm working on an assignment for copywriter professionals. In fact, I'm a member of the targeted audience for this product. So, I have to look at what it would take to sell myself on this product.

An easy project you say? Ha! That's what I thought too.

But finding the buying emotion within myself isn't as easy as it sounds. I like this product. I believe in it. I feel that it's worth the money and then some to purchase it. But it's taking me a lot longer to get the copy started than it does with projects intended for other people.

Now, why is that?

Took me awhile to figure this out, but after I looked at my process of profiling the target market, it came to me.

Normally, I role-play and become the reader as much as possible. I call upon my past experience at playing role-play games, my fiction writing, and what I observe police and criminal profilers doing on the tv. (Meditation and clearing your mind first helps with this.)

Then, I "find and identify" the emotions the reader is experiencing at the time. I just let them in and mark them down.

But here, I don't need to role-play because I am that reader. I'm so close to the subject that finding those emotions is more difficult. They're there and I feel them, but I just don't have the right thought process yet.

So, how am I overcoming this?

Walking and talking it out and mind mapping.

Walking and Talking is a common technique I use. I pace back and forth between two rooms of the house, speaking into a voice recorder my thoughts, feelings, and impressions of the character or reader as I try to bring the person's profile out. First, I did about twenty minutes of this. Started with why I'm a copywriter and how my fears, beliefs, and aspirations fit into this career. What can this career give me that others don't. What is negative of this career choice that I could use help overcoming. Get it all out.

Then make notes on the items that are useful to this product. How does this product help overcome the fears, support the beliefs, and help me achieve my goals.

Then I sat down with the Cayra software. It's available for free from http://www.download.com/Cayra/3000-2076_4-10777905.html. I highly recommend it, but please always be cautious when downloading from the internet. If you're inexperienced with this, I suggest getting a professional's help with it to ensure your computer's protection.

I've used the Cayra software in mind mapping for fiction, thanks to the teaching of Holly Lisle, and for creating maps of my pastor's sermons. (Very interesting way of absorbing a sermon's message.)

In the map, I started with the product as the central node.

Above it I branched it off into emotions that users of the product have. Each emotion branches into the problem presented by the emotion, and each problem branches into how the product solves the problem.

Below it, I branched the product out to what I call the "drivers". What drives the reader to seek this product out. For instance, in this career, the need to accelerate in our ability is driven by our distrust. Our distrust is from being able to count on the government and companies for our future. Distrust branches off into the specific areas we distrust, and what we believe will happen in those areas. Another driver is Financial Security. It branches off to show how we want a sustainable income, financial independence, and job flexibility.

The drivers help us understand why the individual is interested in knowing what the product is in the first place. The emotions help us know why the reader needs the product and how the product can fulfill those needs.

With mind mapping, not only was I able to find and identify those emotions that I was too close to find, but also whole blocks of copy were spilling out during the process. Now my thought process is in the right place to write the promotion.

My weaknesses...

Taking today to catch up on studying marketing and working on fixing my weak areas for my business. For me, it's marketing and time management. I'm good at showing others how to properly organize and manage those areas, but not so good with my own self.

In marketing, I'm a fairly strong person on the phone. Even on days when I don't have it all together and am a bit disorganized, I can pull off a good business telephone conversation. (I suck at personal phone conversations, but that's for another blog...) This is due to my past experiences of managing businesses and being the go-between for the reps and techs in an engineering department. Oh, and dispatching for a time during my service in the Air Force.

Choosing where to send my marketing materials and who to call seems to be my weakness. So far, I haven't found a library with the SRDS (a book to find marketers in your niche) within driving distance to me. I live remote. And I can't pay the hefty fee to use their online site. So, I gather information from various online directories. It's amazing how many of those give you the wrong address or contact person, or the phone number's no longer valid. Even when they are supposedly currently updated.

Also, I suck at narrowing my focus. Always have. It's why I'm slower at this than most...but I must make myself narrow my focus. I believe I'm going to narrow myself to being a publishing copywriter. (Got to think of the title for that.) My past as a fiction writer and editor gives me the strongest credibility in this area.

The other areas are health products, because it's a passion of mine, and Christian copywriting - because it's where a lot of my job experience is, and I write church office guides.

Publishing niche is something that will benefit the other ventures I'm in the most, so it seems the most logical place to focus on first. Some research needed here. Is it as lucrative as the other niches? How easy is it to make the contacts in this niche? And does this mean I cater to both publishers and authors who need to market their own books? And are the fees the same for both? Sounds like I have a homework assignment here.

Sigh. Time management. I rarely miss a deadline. When I do, it's usually if it's the type of assignment where I have the flexibility to miss a deadline. Such as for the magazine that I pay for out of my own pocket. It's mine. I have volunteers that help with it. And the schedule is kept flexible to fit into the staff's lives. This week's issue was a day late. More due to me than anything else. And a complication with the graphic design. But that's usually the only thing I miss a deadline on. Not sure if that counts, since it's not actually a deadline but a loose date range.

But deadlines are important to me and I don't miss them for writing or materials, yet I have a daily schedule that's too flexible. It's one reason I chose to freelance. If something happens to take my morning hours away, well, I just work at midnight and catch up. If I lose a day, I tack on a day that I hadn't planned on working. No problem.

The problem is what I do with my time. It's that whole focus thing again. I have so many things going on at once that I flit from one to another, with no real pattern. It works and I always get my goals accomplished, but feel this is a dangerous way to work. Someday it will catch up with me. I've learned and created techniques dealing with this issue, and they work great, but I don't stick with using those techniques. That is something that I will have to fix.

I'm an introvert and a hermit-type, but when I'm working with others, my organization skills kick into full drive. I should be partnering up with other writers and copywriters on projects - at least one other one. If I could afford to have a personal assistant come to my house a few days a week I feel I'd really do well. Because for a hermit, I work well with people and like working with another individual in a one-on-one situation.

Think about your weaknesses and how you can strengthen them. Don't forget to nurture your strengths in the process.

Believe in Yourself

Art Burleigh has a quote in chapter 9 "Belief: Why It's So Vital, How to Build It, Who's Responsible" from THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO NETWORK MARKETING

"Belief-- with enough of it, we can achieve just about anything; without it, we're essentially paralyzed, blind, and disoriented, and any shot at success is pretty dim."


After I read that sentence, it stayed with me for a long time. Because it's true. If we don't believe we can do something, we won't. Without belief, it's too easy to give in to life's stresses and take a path away from our dreams, hopes, and desires.

In copywriting, as with many other dreams, stepping away from the path towards success is easy. We're often distracted by pressures all around us...sometimes even other opportunities.

I should have entered into freelance writing full-time years before I did. What stopped me?

• Family obligations: I felt selfish and guilty that I wanted to give up a 'real job' to pursue something that had no guarantee of working out.
• Friends in Need: Seems that every time I managed to quit a job or that job's time ended, a friend of mine needed help. My friends operate their own businesses. In this way, I ended up with another day job, often turning into many hours when I ended up managing the businesses for my friends.
• Bills: Creditors don't wait for you to make the money. They want their payments now.
• Lack of Savings: I just kept waiting for our situation to get better so we can have a savings to take over when I didn't make money.

And, of course, all these involve fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of taking risk. Fear of finding out whether or not I would actually do what it takes. I already knew I had the ability and I knew where to get the training to start me off. But copywriting on the job is a lot different than freelancing. In freelancing, you have to rely on yourself to be all things in your business: CEO, manager, boss, bookkeeper, typist, secretary, file clerk, etc. If things don't get done, you only have yourself to blame.

And when you know your household's future is relying on your success, it increases your stress.

• To build the belief in myself that I would actually carry out my obligations as a copywriter, I had to overcome the reservations and realize some things.
• There are no guarantees in life. Nothing is guaranteed. Even the most secure day job can up and disappear without warning.
• I must learn to say "No". For me, it was saying no to the job offers and keeping on the path I set before me.
• Bills are always going to be there. They are never going to go away, so if I let those stop me, I'd never step out and work for myself. My bills were a lot lower than other copywriters had when they first stepped out into their careers. I had to realize that if they could do it, so could I.
• Our savings situation needed a change in order to improve. None of the day jobs open to me in our area would allow me to make that change. But making it in copywriting would.

Summarizing how to believe in yourself isn't as easy as I thought it would be. The fears that keep you from believing in yourself and your ability to control the future are numerous. I touched upon a few here that I faced when starting out. Let's touch upon more fears that you may be facing too.

Knowing how to write. I have written all my life, creating and illustrating my first story book when I was eleven. But you may not have that privilege. Understanding and believing that you can write good copy does not come from your writing experience. It comes from how much you are willing to learn. Are you ready to learn how to write a sales letter that will increase sales? Are you ready to learn how to write as you speak? Are you willing to self-study and increase your writing skills as you go along?

Better yet, are you ready to NEVER stop learning?

Even A-list copywriters are learning new methods and techniques for reaching their prospects and their clients' prospects every day. People change all the time and their response triggers change with them. A good copywriter will understand this, and be willing to learn something new about writing copy.

Not sure how to start marketing yourself. This is the biggest fear to get over, but it's also the quickest one to get through once you set your mind to doing it. This is where the motto "Just do it" comes so useful. Still, some people are so immobilized by this fear that they can't get through it on their own. Perhaps you haven't had any telephone experience. Maybe you're an extreme introvert and you need to learn to control that side of you before you begin.

If possible, I suggest getting into a coaching program for marketing your services. If not, don't overdo it. You need to push yourself to market yourself, but you need to do it at a pace that is beneficial to you also.

First, understand what you need to do. Take a course on marketing your services...it may be part of your copywriting course. Go over the instructions until you have them in your head. Read other copywriter's blogs and find out what they do. Join a copywriter message board and get tips from copywriters already in business. Copywriters are a great bunch of people. It's easy to make friends and we enjoy helping one another. Many senior copywriters also give programs or sell products to help new copywriters know what to do and how to tackle the fear of self-marketing.

Second, learn how your future clients' market their products. Study marketing. A copywriter is also a marketing consultant much of the time. It comes with having to know how the project you're hired for will fit into the client's marketing program. Use your resources of blogs, boards, and courses for leads to other resources that teach you the current marketing trends.

I'm a big advocate of self-study. For me, the more I learn, the more confidence I gain, and the less scary my fears are. Once I arm myself with knowledge, I'm able to face that fear.

There's plenty of free resources out there. Use them to get started. Find books that deal with an area you're fearful in and buy them or borrow them from your local library. Make it a habit to study a little each day, even if you can only spare ten minutes. Ten minutes of confidence building will dispel twenty minutes of fear.

Maybe you have no experience at making business calls on the phone, and do not feel good about making them. That's all right. There's a great old saying "practice makes perfect". Well, maybe not perfect all the time, but at least pretty darn good. Study your materials for what you need from a client to do the job and make yourself a flexible script to use on the phone. Some say to read from scripts - I don't; I can't. I can't role-play a call either. But having notes in front of me remind me of what I'm supposed to be covering and what I need to know.

But do what you need to do when you make the phone calls. Just give yourself the confidence to face the fear and believe in yourself. (Personal note: I'm experienced at telephone business calls, yet loathe this part of marketing... And so do many others. You'd be surprised.)

One way of growing confidence and belief in yourself is to talk to others about copywriting. Meet people in the community and talk about how you're a copywriter and what that entails. Meet some business owners. Granted, if you live in a small community like I do, they may not be potential clients for you, but they are good to practice talking about copywriting with. (Later on, I may go through how these people can actually become good clients for you too.)

Even though I could go on and on about this, I'll close with one, extremely important note: You must BE a copywriter. You must learn to think of yourself as a copywriter, call yourself a copywriter, and express confidence in that to others. In order to believe in your ability to make a career as a copywriter, you must believe you are a copywriter.

Do not say 'aspiring copywriter' or 'I'm learning how to copywrite' or 'I'm becoming a copywriter.' It's I AM A COPYWRITER.

From now on, when you wake up in the morning say "I am a copywriter." I don't care if you've just started to learn what a sales letter is. Start now, and it'll give your belief a boost.

I am a copywriter. I am a copywriter. I am a copywriter.

Establishing Faith

I had a book manuscript to prepare and some articles to build, so my blogging has been neglected. I know, I have to stop that. I'll work on that ...

In a recent five-part article series I introduced my idea of the B.I.G. attitude.

Basically, it's my idea of how you have to approach this career field in order to stay on the path when you first start out. You're up against a lot of roadblocks to your success. Starting a freelance writing business of any sort is not easy for many. Family and friends don't understand the need to work this way, and they don't understand that you CAN work this way. There's not a whole lot of belief in being able to make a living by staying home and working on your own schedule - in some cases, only a few hours a day.

I guess that means for you to adopt the B.I.G. attitude, you first have to find faith. No, not religious faith. Faith in that this job field actually exists, that people actually do make a living at it, and that it's possible for you to do it too.

How do you do that?

You learn about the job field. For instance, if you want to start your own freelance business dealing in direct mail copywriter, find who are the top copywriters making their living in direct mail right now. Most have blogs. Most also teach other copywriters. Many of those copywriters take on so much business that actually hire other freelance copywriters to work with them.

Many share little tidbits of information that help you gain knowledge about what type of marketers you'd be targeting. Many publish newsletters that you can sign up for.

Do the research. Find out what copywriters really grab you in their blogs and websites. Sign up for their newsletters. See if they have free downloads available.

To build your faith in this business, there's a few resources I suggest getting.

Master copywriter, Bob Bly, has a book that breaks the areas down wonderfully. It's call THE COPYWRITER'S HANDBOOK. If you're low on money, have your library get it in for you through interlibrary loan.

Go to youtube.com and punch in copywriter names into the search. Look for writers like Bob Bly, John Carlton, and Ray Edwards. There are some pretty clear and informative clips with them that will help you understand what a copywriter thinks about, and what type of help you'll find at a seminar with them.

In addition, check out a few copywriter's message boards. Look at what copywriters talk to one another about and visualize talking with those individuals. Join a few and start meeting these people.

Perhaps you need to check out a copywriting course to boost your faith. You can find courses in low to high price ranges, depending on the teacher and content.

In the low range, I suggest Alice Seba's Copywriting Sweetie course. Her courses are jam-packed with information and very easy to follow. You can get the course without the software for $47.95 or with the software for $77.95 at http://www.copywritingsweetie.com/.

In the high range, I suggest AWAI's Accelerated Program for Six-Figure Copywriting that's available at http://www.awaionline.com/copywriting/learn/make-six-figures/ for under $500 or payments of $39 per month.

(Neither of the above links are affiliate links.)

Alice Seba's course will show you the basics and how to apply them to any sales letter you create. AWAI's course has more master copywriters contributing to it, and will go into more detail. Look at the sales letters on these pages for examples of what you'll learn with their courses.

Building and sustaining your faith in this business, while dealing with the uncertainty of life and skepticism from others, takes positive energy. You need to get that from other copywriters sharing their successes. Sometimes it even takes you being 'overly excited' about being a copywriter to keep the momentum going. If you need to get emotionally supercharged about building your career to keep yourself moving forward and not give up, then do it. Participating with others and learning about all the pros and cons involved will give you this energy. Other copywriters understand this need and will project it to you, even when they suffer a failure. They will project to you how to learn from it and come out even better and stronger - and how to be enthusiastic about the next project.

Keeping busy during economic mess ...

So, how are you dealing with these economic times?

My copywriting business is good. But that's really because I'm using it to help others. While they pay me, it's not enough to afford me a full paying copywriting business. That sounds like I'm selling myself short. It's not. The ones I'm helping are ones that I've chosen for personal reasons, such as helping my church to survive during these times - and a friend who's given me complete freedom over the materials and agreed to be my guinea pig.

I haven't picked up on the marketing, mainly due to the fact that I've been suffering from a cold for the past few weeks that settled into my throat. I'm better now, although still with a few side effects. I have applied for a few jobs, but those companies are still going through the copywriting applications. And I do have some spec jobs that I'm working on.

I have a lot more latitude with how I direct myself than many people. My hubby has a good-paying job that will probably not be affected by this economic time. So, if one section is slowing down for me, I can move to another without worrying about whether or not pay will be coming in. Not that it's all roses... I have thought about taking a day job again (eww!), just to pay down some extra expenses and allow some breathing room. But that's just a time waster, really, when I have valuable information and services to market. So, I am definitely picking up on the marketing, now that my voice has returned.

I'm leaving enough time for my fiction work though. While my voice was out, I got through all the proof pages for book one in the SR series. Just have a few corrections to type into the file and the manuscript file is ready to send to the publisher. Still have to write the synopsis and book jacket yet, but that shouldn't take long, especially since I already have the extended synopsis done. Then, it's be patient and wait to hear back from the publisher about whether or not they will buy the book. That's a process that can take up to a year, depending on the publisher's schedule and workload. This one is 2-6 months.

While waiting, I've lined up more information products, and figured that I can take on two more copywriting jobs. There are some people who've asked me for help - copywriting students - and I've made them wait way longer than I expected(dratted cold!)... I really should get involved with the student board again. This is the tough times when upcoming copywriters need all the encouragement they can get!

And I've got to go through my notes from my down time. I have tons of good stuff for here now.

Creating the Writer's Life

Being a writer among non-writers is not easy. In most instances, the writer does not have the person space and freedom to pursue the writing career right at the start. Often times, there are small children involved, or a small house set up.

This can be overcome, however.

The writer must set down the ground rules for the family. Allow time to be with the family, spend time with the kids, but also block off times of the day for writing. Some writers overcome this hurdle by choosing to write before other members of the family rise in the morning or after they go to bed.

Non-writers do not understand this need. Nor do they like it. Kids want attention when they want it, not on anyone else's schedule. Spouses are tolerant, sometimes to say the least. And this will not change. Well, with some it'll change when the paychecks come in or with the notoriety that comes with being married to a professional writer.

Once a writer reaches this point (actually before, if possible), the need for one's own writing space and time is crucial.

First, write down your goals as a writer. Make a list of the tasks needed to reach those goals. Mark how long it will take to complete those tasks.

Make it realistic. Allow yourself extra time in there to deal with unplanned instances. Then take those figures and see how much time you'd need to make those accomplishments.

If you're not working a full-time job and don't have kids, being able to write 8 hours a day is realistic. If you have a full-time job and kids, you will have to cut this down dramatically.

And then sit with your family and explain the situation to them. Let them know your times that are reserved for your writing, and ask them to respect your space and needs. They'd certainly would ask the same of you for their needs and wants, so don't be afraid to stand up for yourself. At this point, you will also want to explain to any other family members and friends that you are not to be interrupted at these times.

Even with a busy life, a writer needs to get into the routine of writing. This not only includes the self-control to write at the allotted times, but also the writer must nourish the mind.

Health is a big factor. Pay attention to your heart, weight, and other areas. Be as healthy as you can. Take your vitamins regularly. Drink plenty of water. Keep a glass of tea or water available to wet your throat as you write.

Exercise. Whether it's a nice leisurely stroll in the morning, aerobics, dance, or serious weight training, get that blood flowing. Keep your brain and muscles supplied with fresh oxygen. Sitting for hours at your writing table or computer can wreak havoc on the circulation.

Clear your mind of troubles. You don't want to be thinking about the creditors, the broken washer, the mounting hospital bills for a sick family member, or the ailing friend while you're writing. Unless you're writing about those topics, of course.

Guilt often keeps the writer from having a clear mind. If someone we care about is suffering, we feel guilty at pushing that aside for a few hours. Clearing your mind does not mean you forget those you love. In fact, doing this often helps you when you do have to return to the trouble at hand.

Everyone has their own method of clearing their minds. The exercise can do it for some. A morning coffee or tea while watching the sunrise is refreshing. Meditation and/or yoga helps many. Find what works for you and do it. Sometimes playing a mindless puzzle game on the internet for a few moments helps reset the mind.

Limit your indulgences. This doesn't only refer to sweets, but to other things also. Don't drink gallons of pop or stuff a whole box of truffles into your mouth as you write - that's not healthy. Don't miss your writing time by spending hours on civilization games or role-playing games and try to pawn it off as world-building research.

A clue: even non-writers know that's a tall tale.

Create your atmosphere. Yes, I know. Not every writer has a desk all to themselves or an office. But you can find a place that's comfortable to you and create with medium your comfortable with be it a pc or pen and paper. If you're more comfortable creating the first draft with pen and paper, by all means do so. It doesn't mean you’re archaic. You really don't have to have that perfect printed draft until it's ready to go to the marketplace you're working towards.

Sound is important to your atmosphere. If barking dogs disrupt you, don't have your writing area at the window next to the neighbor's dog. This goes if kids bother you. A window on the side of the house facing the neighbor's yard when kids are playing isn't a good spot either. If you need library silence, then create the atmosphere that gives that. Or go work at the library.

Music is the most used sound element in a writing atmosphere. Different writers are motivated by different music. If opera spurs your mind to kick out the next best-seller, by all means play it. Same with any other like country, rock, Celtic, new-age, inspirational, rap, etc. If you're in a small space of your house, use headphones. This is also great for blocking out noises of family life if you can't get out of range to create.

Plan your space and routines, stick to those routines. Non-writers may not fully understand the need for them, but after you implement them and stick to them, they will get into the habit with you.

Life is hectic. Life is impossible to handle at times. Make your writing a routine, and you'll be able to focus through life's chaotic and blessed moments alike.

Finding resources...

I'm still fighting this nasty cold, so my time at the computer is limited.

In the meantime, if you're a new copywriting student or anyone looking for tips on improving your sales copy, join Twitter. Many A-level copywriters and marketers are members and provide links to useful resources in their posts.

Just make sure you read Twitter's TOS. They've been fighting spam recently. Especially their 'impersonation' violations. Don't sign up as a character's name and role play as that character. It falls under that category.

I like Twitter. My schedule is hectic, and its linear style makes it easy to keep up with the postings.

Updated Profile....

Been down with an illness. But I've built up some information for a pdf I'll offer as a download here.

My profile has been updated to include a link with it. I've had people ask me my experience, how I got into this profession and yada yada. After spending so long making each answer out, I decided to make a webpage for my background and vision outline. Right now it just has short-term goals on it for the end. I'll had more for long-term goals later.