I've worried you. I apologize. Some of you think I've fallen gravely ill, died or worse, that Write to Incite is now defunct (it's not). Emails and private messages from Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn have begun to trickle in asking, "Where are you?" and "Are you OK?" You have reason to to be concerned. I am too, because for more than two months I haven't posted a single blog post here or … [Read more...]
Today, I'm tackling a question that I'm often asked, "How do you get new clients (or projects)?" The answer is insanely simple, but it definitely involves work that many aren't willing to do. Why? Because it's hard (if you let it to be) and because it usually forces you to be more bold than you're probably accustomed to being. But if you're up for the challenge or desperate enough for the … [Read more...]
Content marketing, like traditional marketing, is most effective when you have a target audience. But it takes more than jotting down a few demographic data points to develop content that attracts and engages your perfect client. The "anyone with a heartbeat" content marketing approach doesn't work either. It's tough influencing the masses with cookie-cutter content. No one likes to be a … [Read more...]
"Oh, Twitter? Yeah… I have like something over 6,000 followers. And I have well over 500 connections on LinkedIn. What about you?" It took every ounce of energy (and a short, silent prayer) not to roll my eyes and walk away. When people lead a conversation about social media with the number of followers they have, it's clear they don't get it. Unless, of course, their goal is to create an … [Read more...]
Last month, one of my newsletter issues compared studying vs. learning. The differentiating factor being this: To study is to gain knowledge. To learn is to take action, or change, as a result of that knowledge. But, I left off one additional layer of growth: surrender. As a writer, I spend a lot of time educating myself in my craft. I read books, blogs and professional journals. I … [Read more...]
Before social media, I marketed my practice in a fairly traditional way: in-person networking, speaking, hand-written notes and follow-up calls. I was all about personal touch and this approach helped me maintain a steady book of business. Then I started blogging, tweeting and hanging out at every social media hotspot I could find. It was fun! Plus, it served my generally introverted … [Read more...]
Ah… it's that time of year again. Time to claim a new intention for the coming year, the word or phrase that will guide your actions and propel you toward your goals. Last year my theme was "I Choose," a reflection of my desire to be in better control of my life, rather than allow circumstances or fears to dictate my actions. That theme carried me through two major changes in 2010: moving … [Read more...]
Yesterday I read a blog post titled "How to Become a Thought Leader in Six Steps." But the post should have been titled, "How to Promote Your Thought Leadership in Six Steps" because it focused on ways to gain visibility as a thought leader, rather than give steps on how to become one. Promoting and becoming a thought leader are not the same. Becoming a thought leader precedes promoting … [Read more...]
I'm not a football fan, but my RSS feed happened to catch a news story that spun off from another about Rutgers' Eric LeGrand's devastating injury in a recent game. The article begins, "NFL players are wondering what's happening to their game," and that made me wonder: As communicators, what's happening to our game? Similar to the aggression seen on the football field, it seems that social … [Read more...]
What's your niche? Today's consumer is hyper-discerning and more sophisticated than ever. They want to work the professional service providers who speak directly to their unique needs. One-size-fits-all marketing just doesn't work. For professional service providers, offering services that meet the needs of the masses can be a tempting strategy. Competition is stiff and there may be a sense … [Read more...]
