Writing Success

This was supposed to be part of the website I’m working on. Unfortunately I am having troubles in uploading them onto the Net.

Ghost Blogging

Blogging is a great way to promote your product and services at a cheaper cost. You can even create it for free! Yours truly has two at WordPress.com (Standing My Ground and Writing Success). As a blogger, you get to control and decide the contents of your blog. You can also interact with your customers and prospect - or even your fans.

Unfortunately despite this fact, 1.09 million blogs are abandoned by bloggers after one day after they built it (Perseus Development Corporation). Why? Because the blogger has no time nor energy to do it. If your blog is a business blog, not updating it can have negative repercussions. What’s worse is your customers and potential clients will stop visiting it.

Here’s what I can do. For US$ 29/week (international clients) or RM 80/week (Malaysian-based clients), I can ghost blog for you. How does this work? I will supply you with a two paragraph entry twice a week. Alternatively, I can manage your blog and write in your name for US$50/week or RM150/week. Contact me now to discuss on a more customized arrangement.

WHY FREELANCERS NEVER HAVE NO WORK

            What do you do when you have no project? For freelancers and the self-employed, this question seems relevant especially when you’re just starting out. Just because you have no assignment, does it mean that you have no work to do? While some of us can afford to sit idly and comfortably, most of us still need to do something. It can be marketing, self-improvement or developing our services.

Task # 1: Marketing

            In any article or book on start-ups, you will find a section dedicated to marketing. Marketing not only encompasses advertising in its traditional sense. In today’s world – especially if you’re in the service industry – you need to market yourself!

            Set up a blog or a website. Get your presence known in cyberspace. But cater it for your prospects. Remember that you’re selling your service while many surfers are there to pass the time. Carefully craft the content to convince prospects to hire you.

Blogs are easy to create. In his book Blogger, Blog, Blogging, Rosli Jamal states that 40,000 blogs are created everyday! But before you register and create one, you might want to shop around for the best blogging site for you. Unlike traditional websites, blogs are more interactive and updated. With a blog, you can market to the world. And remember to update your blogs.

Besides that, you should have a soft copy of some sales and promotion materials available online. It can be a brochure explaining your product or service. It can also be an information kit containing all the information your prospects need to know about you. Why soft copies? Because you can email them immediately or print them out where necessary.

Never ever forget your appearance. I’d like to regard this as “first impression marketing”. Prospects are interested in professional looking writers and entrepreneurs who (at least) look the part. People judge the way you look and dress every time. If you look shabby, incompetent, and messy, the door will just slam in your face.

There are many books on the market which elaborates on this subject. You can access the same information online. It’s just a matter of will. Remember that you cannot afford to look less than professional and successful.

Task #2: Self Improvement

            Just because you’re just starting, it does not mean you should stop efforts to improve yourself or your product. Say you product is absolutely perfect; you still need to improve other areas of your business. Customer service for example. Despite how good your product is, terrible customer service leaves a bad impression the product (and your reputation).

            So what if you’re new? Develop your skills and abilities. If you’re a wrier, read more and write more. This expands your abilities tremendously. Not to mention improving yourself also widens the windows of opportunity.

            Get yourself certified. Enrol in classes and join seminars on topics relevant to your business. Just by doing that, you might even meet you prospects there.

            Many seem to take this for granted – even after they succeed. Because of this, veterans and experts loose out to new faces.

Conclusion

            There are still a lot of things which you need to do. Because you are new, you need to be more aggressive and adaptive. As they say, time is one commodity you can never renew. Don’t gamble your future or even you business’. For your efforts today, tomorrow’s rewards would be better.

(c) 2008 Aldric Tinker. All rights reserved.

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WHY AREN’T YOU SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE?

            With the convenience of a blog, I’m starting wonder why there are some entrepreneurs and consultants who do not share their experiences. You don’t need to disclose everything. But the more experience you share affects the respect and perception of your reader.

            Professional writer Robert Bly recommends novice writers to write articles or even a book. The reason? It positions you as an expert. Sharing your experience shows that you have handled a certain situation and producing a positive outcome.

            With the invention of blogs, you now don’t have to worry about editors anymore. The only editor that you need to impress is yourself. But be wary of how you write and present you ideas. Your readers may have different approaches.

            No experience is ever dull on the Internet. An avid reader is sure to find your blog – thanks to search engines. Capture their attention by showing how your experience distinguishes you from the rest of the pack.

            I believe that the rules of advertising and marketing are absolutely different now. You don’t need big bucks or a lot of effort. Just 15 minutes a day is more than enough.

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GROWING YOUR BUSINESS

            Before you try to reach for the skies, you should have a solid ground to stand on. At an airport, the runway needs to support the coming and going aircrafts. The terminal building should be able to accommodate the volume of visitors. That’s why when the airport is being built or renovated; all these data must be taken into consideration. Because you cannot afford to renovate every month. You don’t have the time and energy for that.

            At one point or another, you’d certainly want to expand your business. You may have been anticipating for this. Or it was forced upon you. If you’re local, you might at least consider going regional. Why not tap into the international market as well? The rewards are never ending. But do you know how to go about this? Fortunately, it’s not as complicated as running an airport. But at the first stage, you need to do a bit of forensics work.

            You better know your strengths and weaknesses before that A380 or B747-400 begin its descent. Is your business able to satisfy a larger demand for your product or service? Do you have enough capital (money) and manpower (energy)? How soon can you get them? What about your current customers; what do they say? What is it that they like about your business that they keep coming back? Can you use this in your favour? The golden rule “Know thyself” applies not only to you but also what you do.

            What about the weather? Do you anticipate a bit of turbulence during flight? Or could the hail and rain end up grounding the aircraft and closing the airport? You will need to be aware of the threats that stand in your way. Do not neglect the risks involved in this operation. Are you aware of who your competitions are and what they are doing?

            I’m shy of the “Opportunity” bit to make it the SWOT analysis. Instead of going that direction, I need to ask you compare your strengths and weaknesses against the risks. Can you outmanoeuvre the other side? Where does the advantage lie in your part?

            Are you convinced beyond reasonable doubt that you and your enterprise can expand? If you are, you have completed the first stage and can proceed to plan your expansion. Captain, you are cleared for takeoff.

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Why My English Lecturers Would Kill Me for Writing

            English lecturers (and teachers) and copywriters just don’t mix. While they try their best to teach proper and correct English, we’re out to destroy it – courtesy of commercialisation. The problem is sales literature isn’t Shakespeare. It does not have to be complicated. We keep it simple.

            While writing for scholastic assignments, long sentences are acceptable. In fact, we’re supposed to write is such a manner that we sound professional and credible. Whereas for copywriting, it’s different: short sentences rule! We write like we’re talking to a friend. In conversational tone.

            Unlike writing for academic purposes, we write to talk. Instead of communicating ideas, we share information. That’s why you see so many conjunctions.

            Why else will they kill me? Because I didn’t repeat the question. I start my sentences with “because”, “but” etc. Just like the previous one. But for us, it’s normal – especially when we’re talking.

            Our prospects’ customers and clients want to know about a product or service. The last thing they need is a lecture or a text book. Also, we write to fit our medium. Headlines from two words and the body up to 500. The exception? When we’re writing white papers.

            These are some reasons why my English Lecturers would kill me for my writing. If there was a grammar police, they’d report me. Why don’t you share your own experience? Just leave me a comment and I’ll get to you.

(c) 2008 Aldric Tinker. All rights reserved.

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INTRODUCING THE COPYWRITER

        When I registered business with the Companies’ Commission of Malaysia (SSM), I had to explain to the various officials the service I’m selling. The problem was not just there. I had to explain to some of my colleagues as well. They know what a writer is and they have an idea of what graphic designers do. Unfortunately when you say “copywriter”, it becomes something else.

        Let’s start simple: what is a copywriting? Firstly, it has nothing to do with copyright. While they are homonyms (they sound the same), they have nothing to do with each other. To quote Steve Slaunwhite in The Everything Guide to Writing Copy, copywriting is “writing the words that are printed, spoken or displayed in any type of advertising, marketing, sales, and publicity piece”. And a copywriter, according to Robert Bly, is a salesperson behind the laptop/computer/typewriter.

        Not all copywriters call themselves that. First it depends on the medium they’re writing for. It is also whether they are in-house writers or independent (freelancers). They may be ghost bloggers, marketing managers, PR manager, speech writers etc. As for me, my card says I am a “freelance writer & copy consultant”.

        A rose by any other name is a rose. What distinguishes copywriters from “traditional” writers is that we do: “business writing” or “corporate writing”.

        I hope this clears the cloud a bit. At least you know what “copywriting” and who “copywriters” are. As I conclude, I attach the copyright notice at the end. Happy surfing.

(c) 2008 Aldric Tinker. All rights reserved.

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Tags: CLIENT ORIENTED, customer service, freelance writer, client-writer relationship, writer-client relationship, positive relationship, returning customers, returning clients

    Have you ever wondered what makes a retail store successful? Why do you prefer one shop over another just to buy the same thing? To quote my uncle who has been in the retail industry for over 10 years: service. Where do you put your efforts more? In the end product or in your clients.

    As a freelance writer, my ultimate goal is to win clients. While being hired for projects are important, but it does not surpass positive and healthy writer-client relationship. With over 8 billion people on earth, over half can write. But how I treat my clients distinguishes me from my competition.

    I throw in one free initial consultation meeting and two free revisions to make sure that I am in the same page as you. Why the trouble? Because you’re hiring a writer to sell your products and service. Because the press release and media kit I tweak up can make or break you business’ goodwill. Because at the end of the day, the number of sales you make from that reflects the effectiveness of my writing. Robert Bly offers the writers, both new and old, some valuable advice in Secrets of a Freelance Writer. He warns of how quickly a writer can loose a contract just because of ignoring her prospect’s needs.

    When preparing the copy, a good writer will make sure the client’s needs and the wants of the consumer are the same. Manipulation of the various formulae and maintaining a high degree of integrity and ethics makes the writer – and the client – more credible and trustworthy in the eyes of the consumer.

    In completing my end of the bargain, I try my best to reduce meetings. If possible avoid them all together. With the Internet and telephone, there are other ways to share information. After all, time is money for both my client and I. That is why to save our time; the final draft submitted would be error free.

    Honesty is the best policy. I don’t believe in telling clients and promising them the world when you have no idea how to complete the assignment or if you lack the time. As the vendor, I am at the accepting end. If I accept my client’s offer (project), a binding contract is formed.

    In Seven Steps to Remarkable Customer Service, Joel Spolsky shares inspiring and educational experience on how important customer service. While getting new clients every now and then is good, returning clients are better. In fact, it carries at least two benefits: returning clients reduces the need to generate leads at 100% and they can introduce your service to their contacts.

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Time passes by and it’s now 2008. I wish you a happy new year! We all have different reactions to the arrival of 01/01/08. Some of us could not be bothered with it. They have their own reasons. For one, I am excited. I could not wait till launching day when I begin writing for clients to help them reach more people effectively; Helping you to spread the benefits of your products and services. I take the opportunity of this first post of 2008 to outline my plans for 2008 - as a copy writer and as an entrepreneur. I hope you the information helpful to you before you hire a copy writer.

COUNTDOWN TO LAUNCH

February 12th, 2008. Starting from that Tuesday, I will actively market my services and begin accepting assignments. What shall be my niche area? Marketing Communications (marcom) and customer communications. Personally, as a consumer and customer, I hate the cold and distant attitude some retailers and businesses have. Either by the owner or their employees. That is the fastest way to loose to competition and eventually seeing red balances. Why February 12th? First, I need some time to iron out some last details of my service. In January, my university will be buzzing with registration and related activities. As a full time student there, I would get caught in the process. The month also will see me settling down after a 5 week holiday. This buffer time also acts as a warming up period to build momentum to last a long time. After all, I want the best only for my clients - as I promise and as they expected.

WEEKEND WRITING SERVICE

In conjunction with the launching, I will begin my weekend writing service. Here’s how it works:- I receive the assignment by Friday and you get the copy on the next Monday. Here’s how it will work: I begin working on the project immediately after receiving the letter of authorization and 1/2 advance payment from you on either Thursday or Friday. The sooner the better. Over the weekend, I will conduct the necessary research, drafting, and proofreading. By Monday, you should have receive your copy via email. For this service, you get 2 free revisions. The outstanding balance must be paid within 10 working days from receipt of the draft, i.e. Monday. This service is only for short copies like brochures, sales letters,  advertorial and the like. Email me directly for current information.

WHO DO I PLAN TO WRITE FOR?

If you are a business based in Malaysia or have a branch here,  you should not miss out on this opportunity. If your target market are the "younger generation", students, youth and young adults, the best person to hire is one of their own. I also accept assignments from government agencies, (Federal, State and Local). I’m here to help you sell and communicate. For now, these are my plans. As we move into 2008, other forms of services would be offered. This concludes my Early 2008 Plan.