Here’s a blog post called: Why freelancers may be better equipped to weather a sucky job market than nine-to-fivers.
Thanks to Elizabeth Cockle of EC Writing for sending the link.
Editor and Ghostwriter
By Linda Dessau
Here’s a blog post called: Why freelancers may be better equipped to weather a sucky job market than nine-to-fivers.
Thanks to Elizabeth Cockle of EC Writing for sending the link.
By Linda Dessau
I’ve blogged before about How Big is the Leap from Your Site to Your Sales and pink spoon marketing, but the other day when a client asked me about the best way to use autoresponders, I created a very brief, simple and clear sequence for applying the pink spoon approach – what do you think?
My signature line:
************************************
Linda Dessau, BFA, MTA, CPCC
www.contentmasteryguide.com
FREE Readability Secrets
Guaranteed to improve your writing
www.forcoacheswhowrite.com
************************************
Autoresponder logistics:
Does that clear things up for anyone?
By Linda Dessau
In a Constant Contact FAQ post they discussed how the CAN-SPAM (anti-spam) act applies to the claims that we make in our subject lines. [Update December 15, 2012 – The direct link to this article is no longer functioning.] Are we so eager to get the reader's attention and have them click through, that we resort to deception?
There's a fine line between being clever and compelling to being dishonest and deceitful. Following the lead of some of the more aggressive (AND successful) Internet marketers, it's easy to get overly focused on compelling headings and subject lines and not focused enough on the integrity of the message.
I don't ever want to leave a bad taste in someone's mouth after an interaction with me – whether it's direct or indirect. Not everyone is going to like me or what I do, and I can live with that (sigh), but I can certainly avoid misleading someone to have an expectation that I have no intention of delivering on.
Did I cross the line with the post titled, "Win a copy of the Customizable Style Guide for Coaches Who Write"? After all, there was no fine print letting readers know that attendance at the ICF-GTA Conference was a prerequisite. But if I'd said that, then no one outside of Toronto would have clicked through and I would have lost an opportunity to remind my readers about the Style Guide resource and also my Talk-Write article service.
I'm curious to hear from you: Have you ever been duped by a "bait and switch" subject line that didn't deliver? How did you react? How did it affect your relationship with the sender? Comment below and let me know.
Also, how much emphasis do you put on composing your subject lines and titles? Are they as or more important to you than the post/article? What are your tricks for getting people to click through? Post them in a comment below. I'm also curious to know how/if you track your open rates, and which subject lines have been most successful for you. Thanks!
By Linda Dessau
Did you know that October is National Reading Group Month? To celebrate, Teresa Morrow of Key Business Partners has put together a showcase of fabulous “Books to Read,” and guess who was included?
[Update December 15, 2012 – Teresa has a new website now and this list is no longer available.]
Yes, you can hop over to Teresa’s website to see The Customizable Style Guide for Coaches Who Write in the company of all sorts of interesting reads, including:
Rock Star Mommy by Judy Davids
Mindful Marketing by Jenn Givler
The Soccer Mom Myth by Holly Buchanan and Michele Miller
Back to the Table Cookbook by Betty Lynch
Web Business Success by Susan Daffron
The Celebrity Experience by Donna Cutting
Girl Talk by Gigi Garner
Most of the book listings include a free downloadable excerpt, so that you can check them out at no cost or obligation.
By Linda Dessau
On Saturday, October 4, I had the pleasure of attending the Fall Community Conference of the ICF-GTA, which is the International Coach Federation’s Toronto Chapter.
The focus of the conference was Business Building for Coaches, and several of the speakers reinforced that good writing is an essential marketing skill.
Nicki Weiss and Susan Jacobson talked about Building Strategic Partnerships and Alliances, and Nicki identified her newsletter as the key to her success, helping her to:
From all of the questions Nicki got, it was clear that the coaches in the room knew about the importance of newsletters and article marketing but were missing some crucial pieces to actually put them to use.
Another speaker, Liz Walker of Marketing Masters, presented the elegantly simple Duct Tape Marketing system. She talked about how important it is for prospective clients to know, like and trust you.
Good writing is essential for every stage of the Duct Tape system, so much so that Liz said very clearly, "You have to either be a good writer or hire a good writer."
I also participated in the conference as a door prize sponsor. To help conference delegates with their writing efforts, I donated two copies of the Style Guide as well as a Talk-Write Article package.
As it turned out, I was in good company as a sponsor. My client and colleague Sandra De Freitas, the Tech Coach for Coaches, also donated copies of her book, Does This Blogsite Make My Wallet Look Fat?