I'm Not A Writer. How Can I Blog?

Well, first of all .... no one is asking you to write a book or even an article! So get that fear out of your mind right now!

However, many people do struggle with putting their thoughts into a written format. You've got a great thought but just can't present it so it even appears interesting? Ever go through that? Stare at the paper endlessly? One tip that I hope helps you is to remember with most blogs you are not "writing to" your readers - you are "speaking with" your readers.

With blogs, more than "telling/presenting/informing" (depending upon your "why") you usually want to share, confide, ask, explore, be conversational, etc. I will often pretend my audience is a single person sitting at my desk and I start writing the same way I would speak to that person, right at my desk. Sometimes I even have an imaginary conversation "out loud" just to get me started. It works every time, so I say to "you" .... if you can speak, you can write on a blog!

Here are some additional mindsets that might help you:

• Talk about something that recently happened! What happened the previous day with a client or prospect? Was there something unique in the interaction? Why did they buy from you, did something funny happen, was it a disaster, did you learn something, etc.
  d
• Tell stories about people who have benefited from what you offer. Invite your readers to compare themselves to your story. .."Did you ever?" "Have you ever tried?"
  d
• Share what is going on inside your own head about your business. Get more personal. Talk about a growth plan, a challenge met, etc. Ask for input. If you are using your blog as a backdoor to your business this type of posting from time to time can create a bond and build trust.
  

Notice at all times in the above paragraphs I used the words "talk"- "tell"- "share"- "speak" .... it's not writing, it's simply talking! So get over your "writing blind spot" and think of those people out there that want to hear your stories and know about what you do and why. Stop worrying and just do it. It gets easier with practice, I know that for sure!

Please let me know if this helps you. Do you have other challenges with getting words onto your blog? As always you are invited to share with us publicly here with a comment or via a private message to me. I welcome your input.

Keep your business growing ...
margie

I Can Never Think Of What To Say On My Blog

Oh my goodness ... this is such a common challenge! And, probably the most common reason people give up on blogging. I went through it and I believe everyone goes through it.

There is a simple way to solve the problem. The trick is "Don't think so hard!" Can you do that? :-) Let me expand a bit.

First let's back up a step and review my last posting. If you really get your "why" cemented in your head it is much easier to easily come up with blogging thoughts, trust me! Then, "bingo," at some magical point you go to your blog and you are automatically in the right mindset to "speak" with an almost instantaneous thought! Almost like when you bump into various friends, you know how to begin a conversation ... it just flows? The same thing happens! Hope that makes sense?

But in the mean time, what do you do? My advice is to think small... yup, the smaller the better. Get inside your business. Too often we go to the big picture of what we do and it's overwhelming for simple multiple postings.Does that happen to you?

A great exercise to help you think small is to make a list that breaks down what you sell. Begin with the smallest sale anyone can make with you. (For me it is 15 minutes of consulting time at $1 per minute.) Continue with your list adding the larger individual items and expanding it with the bundled items you offer. Each one of the items on your list has a benefit and is purchased by different types of people . Each buyer also has their own, "why" for purchasing! This should provide you with "lots" of small thoughts!

Having the thought to write about is just the first half of the process. Tomorrow I will share with you some ways to "write" and "present" your thoughts that have helped me make better connections with my readers. Hopefully they can also help you get "further" into your reader's heads.

In the meantime, try making your list and let me know if that helps. I appreciate the feedback. Also please let me know what additional "tricks" you may have used that work and share with all of us. Also please share your specific challenges here where we all can help or send me a private message. You are very welcome to contact me privately.

See you tomorrow!

Keep your business growing ...
margie

Why Do I Blog?

A basic question ...

I blog because I want my prospects and clients to have a backdoor to my business. Every business needs a "connecting" opportunity. In the old days clients did company visits or sales people went out and spent time over coffee and lunch with clients. I don't think I could ever have that happen with my prospects and clients today, but I can easily invite everyone to a blog where together we can:

• Engage in discussions on what I do - asking and answering questions.
  
• Map out new plans ... requests from both clients & myself are heard.
  
• Have industry discussions where all viewpoints can be shared.
  
• Be real.
  

I often compare it to going backstage at a theater and sometimes I also call it water cooler conversation! It serves as a unique place within my entire communication strategy ... again, it's my backdoor. Come into my kitchen everyone .. this is my home!

Why do you blog? Your reason might not be the same as mine. It is a basic question and one in which you need to have a clear and defined answer. Like anything else, your basics need to be solid if you want you blog to be successful. Ever hear about an athlete who goes into a slump. When asked how they come out of it they will always say, "I went back to the basics!"

Please share with me why you blog ,,, OR ... let me know if you are struggling with the "why!" That usually is what keeps people from blogging. They feel it is an exercise they have to do and are just not sure "why." Is that you? Would love to hear from you.

Keep your business growing ... .
margie

Day One Of 30 Day Blogging Challenge!

And I am off ....
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For those of you who haven't heard, I have entered a 30 day blogging challenge! The object is to create a blog posting a day for 30 days ... and while doing so, watch my business grow! And .... if I complete the challenge, Connie Green (the challenge creator) will provide me visibility not previously enjoyed! I heard that and there was no way I could say no!

Daily blogging is how I originally added blogging to my business life. In the beginning my blogs simply went to myself - sad, but true! However the "doing" helped me find the style of conversation I wanted for my blog. With my website being information rich and my newsletter serving to "announce" information .. my blog needed to be much more personal. The daily exercise of "doing" got me through that 1st block. No longer would I sit looking at a blank screen for what seemed like hours! What was once difficult became spontaneous, part of my daily routine and fun!

THEN, I got carried away with LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter! My daily blogging took a back seat. I do still write blog postings to complement my weekly e-mailings .. but that has been "it" for a while. That's why I am so happy to enter this challenge. It is time to re-ignite the use of blogging for my business growth!

There are so many exciting things to do with a blog. We totally forget that blogs are also social networks and that they also serve as launching pads to other avenues of success such as article writing. And of course, very shortly blogs will be the main hub of our online presence, replacing the traditional website in that role. A 30 day exercise to develop and make my next level of blogging spontaneous, fun and part of my daily routine is just what the doctor ordered to kick off 2010!

I promise, as always, .. to share all that I learn from this journey with you!

Keep your business growing!
margie

4 Pointers For Twitter Business Success

Hello everyone,

By now you have to realize that Twitter is here to stay. And, I am sure most of you have an account on Twitter ... the question is how often do you use it and simply "how" do you use it? Have you had success?

I got on Twitter when it was still pretty much a whisper and have watched it grow and change, sometimes for the good and sometimes for what I thought was bad.

My first success in meeting new people and acquiring new busines came early on.. and then the spammers and advertisers arrived on the scene. Instead of opportunity for interactive connections, to me, Twitter became an information center. I got bored ... has anyone else felt this way on Twitter in the last year or so??

Well things have changed and I am once again totally excited about Twitter. Guess, like all things, it is growing up and finally evolving through "ugly" adolescence into something I feel is great! I have taken a new control of Twitter and started to use "it" instead of it using me! Walking my own talk you might say.

Here are 4 simple steps I implemented to reacquaint myself with the joys of Twitter: (1) I tailor my list of who I follow to "only" those I want to follow. (check out the new list feature - really helpful here ) (2) I make a daily goal to reach out to three new people a day (already in my feed) and leave comments to set the stage for more future interactivity and a true connection. (3) I think about my postings ... what I say and how I present what I say in the 140 character limitation. I try my best to be conversational and speak in terms of the benefits of my business. .. making it fun by relating my activity to fly fishing ( see my recent posting on this under social networking) (4) I am consistent.

There is still nothing like creating a new "real" connection on the internet. Hopefully these 4 pointers will put you in the right direction for the same success.

If you think you would like more guidance and instruction in making Twitter work for you, I have put together a fantastic 1-on-1 hand-holding training that we implement at "your" pace! I guarantee that at the end of it you will own your use of Twitter! It is being offered at a fantastic "roll-out" fee this month only.
Check it out here: http://www.todaysway.net/rollout/1on1twittertraining.htm

Otherwise, make sure you follow me on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/margiehanson. I can't wait to tweet with you!

As always, please leave your comments and thoughts. What success have you had on Twitter? Have you experienced the numbness with it that I went through? What do you love about Twitter?

Keep your business garden growing,
margie