Content Mastery Guide

Editor and Ghostwriter

Search tool for your blog provides great marketing stats for you

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I search my own blog a lot – I'll want to find previous posts to send to a client, link to in a new post, or just refresh my memory about something I've written.

Everything TypePad recently led me to the Lijit search tool (before that, I was using a clunky tool that really wasn't meeting my needs), and so far I am absolutely loving it. It will also search other sources like Twitter.

Plus, there are some really helpful statistics, such as the top search terms that brought visitors to your blog, and the terms people searched for on your blog AND DID NOT FIND (from the folks at Lijit: "Hint…it's a great way of figuring out what you should be writing about!").

Check the right-hand column of my blog to try the tool, or visit the Lijit website to sign up for your own account. [Update December 22, 2012 – I am no longer using this tool.]

Write from the headlines: Checklists work for surgeons, too!

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My parents got me into reading The Wellness Letter years ago, long before I became the Self-Care Coach.

From Wellness Letter online: "Rather than simply reporting quick health stories of the day, the WELLNESS LETTER puts the news in perspective and evaluates it. It constantly reviews the latest research to give you the edge in your quest to live the best life you can. In particular, it clarifies the often conflicting and superficial health information presented by the popular media."

In his editorial in the current issue, Dr. John Swartzberg referred to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, exploring "The Checklist Effect" (the same study was covered in Time Magazine back in January). He described how surgical teams manage their complex tasks by using a detailed, written "to do" list.  And those lists are improving patient care and savings lives.

Checklists and systems are certainly not new to coaches. We may not be saving lives, but we are certainly improving them! Which checklists would your clients find helpful?

  • Life coaches: 10 steps to a more balanced life, every day
  • Money coaches: 10-point checklist for your month-end money matters
  • Writing coaches: 5-point readability checklist
  • Parenting/family coaches: 5 things to check before your family leaves the house every morning
  • Career coaches: 10 things that must appear in a winning resume
  • Marketing coaches: 10 weekly marketing actions

Writing prompt: Use these suggestions to design your own checklist for your target market. Make sure to separate each point into its own item on your list. Ask yourself, could someone say "Yes, I did this!" next to every line?

Social networking freedom for coaches

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Would you like some social networking freedom? Kristen Beireis and the gang at Coaches Marketing Source have just the answer.

Several coaches have told me that they're:

  • Having a lot of fun with Twitter and Facebook, but they're not sure it's paying off
  • Not having any fun on Twitter or Facebook because they're completely overwhelmed
  • Not on Twitter or Facebook yet because they have no idea where to start

If you can relate, check out the Social Networking Freedom program today. This hot new program is extremely relevant for coaches who want to grow their business using social networking.

I've known Kristen for years and we've worked together in several capacities. I've also seen her in action on Twitter and she definitely knows the medium! She has always impressed me and I'm positive this will be an excellent program.

[Update December 22, 2012 – This program is no longer available.]

P.S. Don't forget to follow me on Twitter!

On the subject of subject lines

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Here is a slightly paraphrased version of an email I sent to a client, Chronic Illness Coach Sylvia Lippman, reprinted here with her permission:

Hi Sylvia,

While we’re on the subject on subject lines, I wanted to mention that I very nearly deleted your last email without opening it. There were two reasons for that.

1. The From line: Counseling and Wellness Innovations

The email was from Counseling and Wellness Innovations, who I didn’t recognize – and all I could see on my Outlook screen was actually “Counsel,” so I thought it was some legal thing and probably spam.

When you’re building a brand (and what they call “brand recognition”) it’s really important to reinforce the same key names and phrases in all of your marketing materials and messages.

I’d suggest your “From” line either read Dan & Sylvia Lippman, or Feel Better Now-CI.

[Sylvia explained later that they used that return address because so many of the people on their list were familiar with Dan’s former business name]

2. The Subject line: Your very personal opinions (read ’em here)

This didn’t tell me enough about what was inside or who it related to. For that reason, I like to include the name of the ezine and/or business in every subject line, e.g., [Idea Generator] This week’s writing prompts and updates.

Also, I think it’s wonderful to be conversational with your readers, and yet you have to remember that since you last “spoke” to them, they’ve gone in and out of hundreds of other conversations, and they may need some help getting back into yours.

In this case, a more effective subject line may have been: Thanks for your feedback on our Feel Better Now-CI website.

Here is some more reading you can do about good subject lines.

I have three subject line suggestions for your first ezine that we recently worked on together:

  • [Feel Better Now-CI] 3 self-care tools that do the trick (this option highlights the solution)
  • [Feel Better Now-CI] Firstname, are your challenges piling up? (this option highlights the problem)
  • [Feel Better Now-CI] Firstname, are you taking time for joy? (this option highlights a key emotional benefit)

Where it says “Firstname,” you’ll use your email service provider’s personalization feature.

Thank you Sylvia, for sharing your learning process with the rest of us!

Creativity kickstarters – what are your favourites?

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I stumbled upon John Jantsch’s top 10 creative kick starters on the Duct Tape Marketing blog, and thought I would list my own current favourites:

  1. Giving myself the time and space to create
  2. Following links and connections to a wide variety of sources, online and offline
  3. Closing my eyes and connecting to my higher power
  4. Deep breathing
  5. Singing and playing music – improvising over a 12-bar blues
  6. Listening to music
  7. Staring out the window
  8. Walking my dog
  9. Turning my attention to something completely different
  10. Lightening up with laughter and joy

Care to join me? Please comment below or tell me on Twitter.