Writing is a specialized skill, whether the purpose of the writing is to inform, teach, sell, direct, coach, clarify, question or connect. Bad writing will not only stop you from reaching those goals, it can actually turn people away from you and your business.

When you're the eyes, ears, arms and hands of your client's business, it is up to you to make sure that doesn't happen. Whether you're writing or editing your client's words, you are often the last stop between those words and their audience. But are your own writing skills up to par?

Join me on Thursday, April 15, 2010, for an interactive presentation where you will learn:

• How better writing can help both you and your clients build trust, relationships, credibility, sales and referrals
• A 7-point readability checklist for your own writing
• A 7-point editing checklist for your clients' writing
• Tips for how to write or edit your client's writing without losing their voice
• The one SOP document you need to make your clients look good in writing

This session is part of an amazing event called the Virtually Successful Telesummit, put on by my friends Tina Forsyth and Cindy Greenway. I'll let them tell you more:

"We’ve helped A LOT of virtual support professionals over the years and frankly, too many virtual assistants are burnt out and not making the money they deserve.

In fact, according to the 2007 Virtual Assistant Networking Association survey, 74% of virtual assistants charge $40 or less per hour.

No wonder virtual assistants are tired, frustrated and in some cases ready to throw in the towel!

But the secret to making more money as a virtual assistant isn’t to take on more clients or work longer hours.

It isn’t doing more cold calling, speaking engagements or writing more blog posts.

Instead, the secret to creating a thriving virtual assistant business is to specialize. It’s time to stop being okay at many things, and do 1 or 2 things extremely well.

Yes, it’s time to go from being a generalist to a specialist to make your virtual assistant business totally ROCK!

That’s why we’re inviting you to attend the first ever virtual event that’ll teach you how to create a thriving – and profitable – virtual assistant business by specializing in what clients really want."

At the Virtually Successful Telesummit taking place April 12-16, 2010, you’ll learn how to specialize in:

• Social Media 
• Virtual Events
• Blog Support 
• Bookkeeping 
• Membership Management
• Affiliate Management 
• And a dozen more niche areas

Including writing and editing skills, with yours truly!

“I host the Profit Lounge SIG.  It’s a monthly worldwide teleconference call for coaches.  Linda Dessau was my guest speaker this month and she discussed “5 Secrets That Will Improve Anything That You Write.”  Her tips were practical, powerful, and easy to understand. I know the coaches on the call, including myself, will begin to put her knowledge into action today!”

Steve Borek, End Game Business, www.endgamebusiness.com

I love speaking to groups! If you host a group who would benefit from writing tips or article marketing strategies, please let me know!

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I also got this feedback about the Idea Generator blog update emails:

“I get ideas just reading your emails. I once wrote five blog posts off the top of my head just from something you mentioned in a newsletter. Aaah, if all newsletters could spark such creativity. Thank you!“

Joan Bell, http://www.lifecoach101.com

We'll be using webinar technology to deliver some of the upcoming lessons in our Pink Spoon Telecamp, and I'm excited to be branching out into an area that is new for me.

And on October 3rd, I'm jumping right into the deep end as I present at the OIVAC (Online International Virtual Assistants Convention), a state-of-the-art virtual event.

The event was originally planned for May and was rescheduled for October, and you can read my original post with more details about my presentation and an interview with OIVAC founder, Sharon Williams.

Specifically, how many articles will you write that address the problems of your ideal clients? I guess that depends on how much growth you would like to see in your business!

Well-written, targeted articles have the power to generate a following of people who need the exact solutions that you provide. 

By consistently keeping in touch over time with this great content, you are providing value that will help build a long-lasting, trusting relationship with your newsletter subscribers and blog readers. And that means they will be much more receptive when you offer to help them further with your paid services.

That's one powerful marketing tool! And that's why I've been bringing you so much information about this topic lately.

Sometimes having the information isn't enough

I know that some of you have been reading my Article Marketing Fundamentals articles and applying the tips right away. And I know that some of you haven't. I really don't want any of you to miss the boat on this essential marketing strategy!

Here's what my birthday wish contest winner had to say about her recent content strategy session:

"After my Article Marketing Strategy session, I was excited about new prospects and immediately began brainstorming about ideas to write about, as well as how to focus my business. I feel that I have so much more to go on than I did prior to the call. I now have direction for my efforts. Thank you for the session, Linda!" – Lydia Dean-Reese

Please contact me today to see how I can help.