Filed under: behind the scenes, my story, stories | Tags: 2010, authentic, business writing, Charlotte, communications, freelance, freelanceclt, goals, plan, preparation, small business, SMB, social media, Twitter, writing
The best antidote for fear is knowledge.
At last week’s FreelanceCLT event, one theme stood out for me – freelancers, not surprisingly, are afraid. Afraid of failure. Afraid of running out of money. And I know it’s not just freelancers and solo entrepreneurs, but those fears seem louder when you don’t have a salary and a 401(k) to fall back on.
I have seen a similar fear overshadow the confidence of small business owners. It takes confidence to start a small business, to quit a corporate paycheck, to go out on your own and put your stamp on the world.
So, why not name that fear and then do something about it? Are you afraid to start a company Facebook fan page, because you don’t understand the inner workings of Facebook and don’t have time to read a dictionary-sized guidebook about it? Are you afraid that you won’t be able to track your time, your invoices or deal with the IRS?
My philosophy? Jump in, get your feet wet, and then change and grow as needed. The world will not stop to let you catch up.
I am not a blogging expert, but I started one. I am not an expert at naming a company, or putting together invoices, or going after new business – but I didn’t wait to become an expert first. I’m learning as I’m doing – isn’t that what the “real world” is all about?
None of us had a Twitter handbook when it first came out. But I didn’t want to wait for one – I wanted to find out for myself. I think many of us who are freelancers or small biz entrepreneurs have that itch within us. So why do we let fear take away that drive for knowledge?
So today I say to you – just do it. (thanks Nike). Just start that Facebook page, create a Twitter account, put together an invoice system – put pen to paper and just go. You will be amazed, once again, at what you can do. And when you need help, just ask.
Filed under: my story | Tags: 2010, Charlotte, communications, freelance, freelanceclt, preparation, small business, Twitter, writing
Are you a freelancer (any industry) in or near Charlotte, NC?
Tomorrow night, I’m serving on a panel of freelance specialists as part of the Freelance CLT meetup group. We will be discussing how much freelancers should charge for their work and other related issues. Some of us write, others communicate, others edit or shoot film, and others do it all as serial entrepreneurs.
Sometimes it’s hard to be “on your own.” This group of people will understand your gripes about invoicing, clients, work/life balance and other freelance-related issues. Do you know how much your time is worth? Is it time to give yourself a raise? Join myself, Melissa Lamkin, Adam Hobbs, Brian Pace and Philip Dodds to explore these questions and more.
If you can’t be there in person, follow updates on Twitter.
Share your own tips, advice below and I’ll be sure to mention them tomorrow night.
Details:
Tuesday, June 29
6:00 p.m.
1430 South Mint Street
Suite 103
Charlotte, NC
Filed under: behind the scenes | Tags: 2010, authentic, business writing, communications, crisis communications, goals, plan, preparation, research, small business
Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.
I really hate it when a blogger stops creating new content for awhile, then comes back and apologizes, offering excuses about why he or she has been offline. As a reader, that can be annoying. But, as a blogger, I understand – sometimes you need a breather. I haven’t even been blogging long enough to need a breather, but here’s my excuse for you – I was moving! Hubby and I bought our first home, and moved in this past weekend.
In the midst of boxes, packing paper, paint cans and bleach, I started thinking about communications. Which can be a scary thing, especially when it’s late and I’m feeling a bit delirious.
The truth is, I’m getting sick of painting. I mean, you would think that being able to paint your own home would be fun! And it is…for the first room. But the catch is that I wanted to do it right. And to paint a room the right way requires a LOT of preparation. The painting itself is actually minimal compared to the amount of prep work. To do it right, one must:
- Fill in cracks and holes with putty (let it dry)
- Sand down any rough spots
- Wipe down the entire room with soap and water (let it dry)
- Tape every nook and cranny
- Cover the flooring with drop cloths
- Tape down drop cloths
- Prime the walls (let it dry)
- Paint the first coat (let it dry)
- Paint the second coat
- Pull off the tape
- Let it dry
- Tape again – this time for the trim
- Paint the first coat (let it dry)
- Paint the second coat
- Remove the tape
- Touch-up any mistakes
It’s a ton of work. But, at the end of the day, I can tell which rooms have been prepped, and which ones haven’t. And, those walls aren’t going to be painted again for a long time. So, any mistakes will be there, day after day, for me to look at and wish I had prepped them correctly.
Obviously, the tie-in here is pretty easy to spot. “Preparation is key” is a tired phrase, but I think in communications it’s especially important to consider. Like paint on your walls, what you say, write or communicate will have a lasting effect. You want that feeling to be a positive one, don’t you? When considering how you will communicate, remember to properly prepare.
A few examples:
Prepare for interviews – Communicating with the media can be a wonderful opportunity to spread word about your business or organization. Reporters frequently have short deadlines, so be proactive about media training or preparing ahead of time. Don’t get tongue-tied just because you are going to be on TV – make a lasting impression.
Prepare for disasters – businesses frequently end up spending a ton of money to clean up messes. I don’t have to name the most obvious example right now. Before a crisis hits, make sure you have communications plan and a team ready for anything. While no one can predict the future, the benefit of preparation certainly outweighs the cost.
Prepare for tomorrow - Twitter will not always be as popular as it is today. Each year will bring new technologies and new avenues for communication. Don’t get overwhelmed. If you prepare your messages ahead of time, you can spend more time keeping up with the latest trends and less time figuring out what to say!
And, after all that preparation, remember: sometimes, you just need to take a break.
Filed under: behind the scenes, Uncategorized | Tags: authentic, business writing, communications, competition, goals, plan, small business, SMB, website, writing
“Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.”
When my May issue of Inc. arrived last week, I turned immediately to Jason Fried’s article on business writing. So many of his points reflect my own thoughts about how businesses communicate, so I wanted to share.
He points out a few fun facts:
- Full-service solutions provider – A quick search on Google finds at least 47,000 companies using this phrase
- Cost effective end-to-end solutions – brings you about 95,000 results
- Provider of value-added services – nets you more than 600,000 matches
Jason goes on to give several examples of companies that are doing it right – with business writing that is fun, personable and clear. My suggestion? Think about your approach – how do you go about the writing process when you are creating copy?
Step one – Stop thinking about yourself. Sounds counter-intuitive, right? Once you have given blood, sweat and tears to build your company, your products, or your brand, you must realize that at the end of the day, it is NOT about you. It’s about your customers. What do they want to read? What will draw them to your company, rather than your competitors?
I hate filler. Don’t say the same thing over and over. Each sentence, each word must be intentional.
Bottom line – the words you use to describe your business could ultimately affect sales. Words are important. Is it time to re-evaluate your own business writing? Try this: read your website. Go through it line by line, and ask yourself – what does this really say? What do my customers want?
Don’t be afraid to be real! For some good examples, see Jason’s article. What other business writing have you seen that you actually enjoyed reading? Feel free to share here!
Filed under: behind the scenes | Tags: 2010, Charlotte, communications, research, ROI, social media
I wanted to share today’s story written by The Charlotte Observer‘s social media reporter, Eric Frazier. It’s a great recap of a meeting of local social media minds that I attended yesterday – put on by Social Media Charlotte.
Fittingly, the title of the presentation we saw was “Social Media ROI – Necessary, but not Evil.” Measuring the power and the expense of social media is top-of-mind for many business owners. We know that social media is important, and we are learning how to do it. But how much does it really cost, and how much return on that investment can we expect?
If these are questions that you ponder, I encourage you to read Eric’s recap of the meeting for some ideas. If you are on Twitter, follow #smbCLT for updates. I’m excited to continue working with such a smart, proactive group!
Questions? Feel free to leave comments so we can discuss.
Filed under: behind the scenes | Tags: authentic, communications, plan, social media
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
You have heard it before. Perhaps you learned the phrasing in elementary school or a place of worship. I doubt many of us actually remember learning the infamous “golden rule.” But how long has it been since you really thought about how that rule applies today?
When it comes to communicating with social media tools, the golden rule is key. Think about it: If you have a blog, you may hope that people will comment on your posts, link to your blog or include you on a blogroll. But if you aren’t doing that for other blogs, why should you expect a favor in return?
I forget this sometimes. I read blogs of friends and colleagues and don’t always comment. I don’t always retweet links that are interesting. But if I want to build my online presence, that’s exactly what I should be doing. The same applies to any organization or business.
Your challenge? Take initiative. Add cool blogs you find to your blogroll and post links on Twitter and Facebook. Rate local businesses on Yelp. Not just so they will do the same for you, but because you actually think they offer valuable content. Think WWRL – What Would Your Readers Like?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. It’s a community, after all – not a one-way street.
Feel free to leave any questions about linking, blogrolls etc. here!
Filed under: behind the scenes | Tags: 2010, communications, competition, goals, plan, research
“Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.”
Nobel Prize-Winner Albert Szent-Györgyi
How well do you know your competition? How well do you know your customers?
When putting together a business proposal, many entrepreneurs and small business owners will do competitive research to build a business strategy. How long has it been since you really dug into some research? It may be time to shake things up to stay ahead of the game and to deliver fresh ideas.
Research can be intimidating – charts, data and time-consuming analysis. But who says all research has to be scientific?
Social media helps make research simple.
1. Tweet to Compete.
Specific Twitter tools such as TweetDeck, HootSuite or simply Twitter Search can help you track what your customers are saying about your company and your competitors, research who is talking about trends in your industry and find out what customers want.
For example, if you own a lawn maintenance company in Atlanta, GA, try using TwitterLocal to search for words like #grass, #lawn, #drought or #garden. You will find potential customers in your area – create a list of them, respond to their tweets to build a relationship first, then offer your services and follow-up. Find out how your competitors are using Twitter (if at all) and do it better. Twitter is one of the most effective tools for eventually building relationships.
2. LinkedIn is your Friend.
Though it isn’t as well-known as Twitter or Facebook, LinkedIn is a valuable tool for business research and networking. Business owners can easily search for competitive companies in their area, join groups to find other industry professionals or fans, and connect directly with business partners or potential customers. Your customers will be able to find your company more easily, recommend your business and provide feedback if you maintain your own company’s LinkedIn page.
For example, the owner of a coffee shop in Seattle may want to join the Seattle Start-Up Club to network with area entrepreneurs, or Seattle Gourmet Foods to research potential partnerships.
Guy Kawasaki posted a helpful article on his blog this week to help SMBs create opportunities using LinkedIn.
3. Face it: Facebook.
You know you like sharing with your friends and family on Facebook, now make it work for your business! Create a business page for your company to begin gathering feedback with your customers and fans. This week, a social media company announced that they consider Facebook fans as earned media – worth $3.60 each, to be exact. But more important than measuring your social success using numbers, use Facebook as a tool to ask your fans questions and allow for feedback. Be prepared to be as transparent as possible and take the good with the bad – it’s most important to gather information from people who are dedicated enough to become your fan.
SAS Cupcakes, which has locations in Newark, Del. and Charlotte, NC recently used Facebook to advertise an in-person taste test and gather feedback from some sweet-toothed customers. This is just one great way to use Facebook to connect both online and in person!
Small Biz Trends has some more great tips for utilizing Facebook here.
If you’re really ready to “keep tabs” on the competition, Inc. Magazine has a guide for you here.
Remember that research never ends – but it doesn’t have to be a daunting task on your to-do list. Set up a weekly research plan as part of your larger communications strategy. Don’t rely only on Google only – there are so many tools that you can use to strengthen your business. Have other examples of how businesses are using social media for research? Feel free to leave comments and share.
“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
Christopher Robin to Pooh – A. A. Milne
This month’s issue of Inc. magazine features an article titled, “Fast Learners: Cool College Start-ups 2010,” which profiles several college-age entrepreneurs whose creative ideas have already seen success. Stories like that of Whitney Williams, who will graduate this summer from Texas Christian University and plans to expand her Italy-inspired jewelry line nationwide, are inspiring other students to go for their dreams, even before they are granted a diploma.
There is no doubt that college students today are facing a tough career climate. The job market is changing, and companies and organizations have adjusted to stay afloat. The January 2010 NACE Salary Survey reports that among the many things that employers now seek in new hires, communication skills are number one on the list. Rounding out the top five were analytical skills, teamwork, technical skills and a strong work ethic – topics that aren’t exactly offered as majors at most colleges. It’s less about your GPA and more about your level of effort.
What can we learn from these stories of young success? My takeaway is that there is no time like the present – you don’t have to be a college graduate or the CEO to go for your dreams. You don’t have to have the perfect job or know the right people. Make your dreams happen now. Take that first step, make that first call or write your plan today. Lowly intern? Send a quick business idea to your boss about how to better reach Gen Yers.
The definition of success is changing. How will you change to find your own success?
Filed under: behind the scenes, my story | Tags: 2010, authentic, Charlotte, communications, goals, life, plan, social media
a goal without a plan is just a wish.
antoine de saint-exupéry
Life changes. Good things happen, and bad things happen. To all of us.
What’s your story?
I’m launching this blog with a purpose – to share my passion for communications. To tell great stories, and comment on how to tell them better.
I am a writer and communicator. I work behind the scenes. My background is in public relations – corporate, non-profit and business-to-business. After three years at a large Atlanta agency, I was laid off. I jumped into freelance projects and contemplated work/life balance. I slowly realized something that has since been better explained by Gary Vaynerchuk in his new book, Crush It:
love your family.
work superhard.
live your passion.
Why do we fight against our work life? Why don’t more people go after their goals? Why do we settle?
If being laid off doesn’t force questions like these, I don’t know what will.
So, what are my goals? To be true to myself. To be authentic. To become a more effective communicator. To build a business based on collaboration and partnership with clients. To never stop learning. To enjoy my work.
My plan? Connect with people and organizations that have passion, and help them communicate that passion better. Learn as much as possible about communication, networking, and building communities both online and offline. Listen. Share.
Interested in coming along for the ride?
You can expect:
- a dose of southern flair
- the honest opinions of a gen y-er
- a little life mixed with work
The journey is just beginning. I hope you will come back for more!
-Lelia
