Begging for Dollars

These days, it seems most of us service providers are practically begging for dollars. The economic "upturn" is supposedly happening, but I'm not so sure it's very real yet. Steady work is good work and that's about all we can expect right now. If you are starting a business, focus on getting your first client or making your first sale. That's your most important job, assuming you have done everything you need to be open for business.
Speaking of sales, very few of us enjoy that part of business. Okay, some love it but they're born to sell. The only way to get better at closing sales is to practice. And to learn from each success or failure. A recent Inc. article on selling suggested that salespeople relish both rejection and failure. But what struck me as a major takeaway was the scenario wherein a salesperson was happy with selling a dress to a customer, but her manager chided her because she neglected to suggest shoes, a handbag, a sweater, a belt, and a hat to go with the dress. Her manager said, "The sale is over when the customer says no." In other words, don't close the sale prematurely. If you sell a service, you should offer as many add-ons as you can. Don't stop until you hear no. Good advice in a climate when selling is hard to begin with.

Marketing In a Downturn

As professional service providers, my wife and I have been challenged to keep up our marketing efforts this year. Let's face it, we've all felt a pinch in the pocketbook. But one thing we've learned is to keep marketing our services no matter what. In fact, we've actually ramped up our marketing this year, but we've done it strategically and frugally. Increasing our visibility on Google's search and Adwords has been a primary focus. If you have a "local" business with an actual address, get your business on Google Maps. It's really quite easy and increases your rankings on Google search results. For example, if you do a search for "life coach in Nashville," my wife (Coach Kyna) is usually in the top three listings on the map. What else did we do? We've finally decided on an email newsletter provider. I had been considering Constant Contact, but I was unimpressed with their templates. So I chose My Emma and enlisted my friend, Jay Thatcher of Thatcher Design to design our templates. If we have your email address, stay tuned for the debut of our inaugural issues. And lastly, thanks to two wonderful interns from MTSU, we're more visible and more motivated than ever. How are you marketing in this downturn? Are you spending more or less?

Blogging For Dollars

Anyone remember Mark Frauenfelder? The one-time associate editor of WIRED? Well, he’s still writing and publishing his online zine, Boing Boing. I have been wondering where he went and it turns out he’s been right there on the web all along. (I didn’t get the memo). He appeared on my radar screen again thanks to a recent Wall Street Journal Q & A. Turns out, he makes six figures from blogging about building chicken coops and three-string guitars. He does this because he was one of the pioneers of the blogosphere. Having WIRED street cred helps a lot too.

I remember sending Mark queries when he was at WIRED. In fact, I just might still have the letter he sent me accepting a pitch and the contract he signed from WIRED. Guys like him usually go on to write popular non-fiction books on subjects they are passionate about. Turns out, he did write Rule the Web in 2007. And apparently he’s working on another book about the DIY craze.

Anyway, I’m taking his advice to heart. So tell your friends about my fabulous blog and maybe I too can blog for dollars.

I’m just a few days away from my New York City excursion. I’m attending the annual ASJA (American Society of Journalists & Authors) Conference. I can’t help but think that I wish I was more prepared. Then again, last year I was the most ready I’ve ever been and the results were just okay. Maybe I’ll be surprised this time. I have several book ideas and my hope is that I’ll find an agent. A publisher would also be great. 
I just got my new personal cards from London that are about half the size of regular business cards. They have my picture on one side and my contact info. on the other. I’m calling them “Mini-Me.” I ordered them fromMoo.com and the quality is quite good. They arrived surprisingly fast given their international transit. I’d recommend trying them. I’ll post a sample soon. 
Meanwhile, I’m thinking about getting a Twitter account. A few friends think I should do it since I’m a writer. What do you think? Pro or con?

Signs of the Times

Just got back from a business/pleasure trip to Orlando. Based on the crowds at Disney World, we're all either in denial or the rumors of our economic collapse are overly exaggerated. Of course Spring Break is hardly a fair time to judge the crowds at Disney. At least, it was someone's spring break. What was most disturbing was the cost-cutting measures Disney has deployed. They are scrimping and it shows. Cast members were fewer and farther between (and not all smiles, either). Some of the co-branding they have been doing with McDonald's and Nestle for example, has ended or isn't as prevalent. We were told by some insiders that contracts simply weren't renewed when Disney realized they could replicate the food and save money. Look, a Nestle Tollhouse cookie can't be fabricated. It either is or it isn't. Let's just say that when I can buy Tollhouse cookies at SuperTarget and not in the Magic Kingdom, the Mouse has messed up. Perhaps this seems like a small change, but I think it's a bad move. I've always been a big fan of Disney. But you can't dilute the brand or the brand experience and think your fans won't notice. Change might be inevitable, but it doesn't mean it's always good. More on this later.

Food For Thought

I'm overwhelmed. I feel like there is so much to do and so little time. Aside from cloning, what are my options? Well, I'm thinking of sleeping less. (Thanks a lot Daylight Savings Time).  I've found that the afternoons get covered up or interrupted with phone calls and interviews fairly quickly. I'm not really a morning person, but I am planning on trying the early morning writing ritual. If nothing else, I'm hoping it will improve my discipline. I suppose it's like any other decision, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, etc. Only I can do it. No one else can do it for me. 

A few years ago my wife, a.k.a. Coach Kyna, and I came up with a simple guiding principle: Enjoy life more. In fact, it's on her calling card. My theory is, if I apply myself, I will enjoy life more. Or at least I'll increase my chances. 

So, my new plan is—sleep less, write more. Wish me luck. Or not.

Mister Write

Why is it that so many fiction writers who 'burst' on the scene have such bizarre personal stories? Perhaps the fiction really lies in their histories. Or maybe perception is just reality. Take Reif Larsen, for example. His debut novel, an illustrated story about a cowboy's son, reportedly earned a near-million-dollar advance. Besides attending a "progressive" school where he apparently didn't have to learn how to spell, Larsen has more recently produced a tour of Botswanan marimba players. See what I mean? Actually, there's no way he's making that up.

Since my life is normal by comparison, I'm beginning to think I need to fabricate a tortured past for my literary pursuits. Perhaps I'll even use a nom de plume to protect the innocent. Besides, a messed-up childhood makes for a much better (and more lucrative) memoir. So, I'm going to have to get creative about my past. Either that or I'm moving to NYC. That way I'm guaranteed some bizarre life-altering experiences to enhance my writing. Or I'll just go broke first.