Content Mastery Guide

Editor and Ghostwriter

Should I get a Blackberry?

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I absolutely love my iPod Touch, and I was thinking that if and when I decided to upgrade to a smartphone, it would be an iPhone.

But you know what? Now that Google apps are so nicely connected, and I can sync my iTunes playlists to my Blackberry, I think I may just stick with my current mobile provider and get myself a Canadian smartphone!

I've resisted getting a smartphone, and I've sort of prided myself on only using my mobile phone to talk. But I have to say that even the glimpses I've had of mobile access through my iPod have really tempted me to get with the times. I guess I'd better start doing some thumb-strengthening exercises!

I do worry about always being connected (I tend to veer towards workaholism if I'm not careful), so I will need to practice good self-care and set clear boundaries for myself . Luckily, I've had lots of practice doing that. These things do have an OFF button, don't they?

My iPod Touch isn't going anywhere either! It has quickly become my home stereo system, my alarm clock, and (occasionally) a way to listen to a teleclass recording or some tunes while I walk Chyna.

My next stop is to the mall to actually try out the phones in my hands. The buttons absolutely must be comfortable!!

What do you think? Any recommendations (or warnings) about taking this leap? The Google Tutor has some great articles about the pros and cons of syncing with email using the Blackberry Internet Account or the Gmail mobile application. Which do you use? Please comment below – thanks!

Word Woman to the Rescue?

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I admit it. I was SUPER jealous of the cool avatar that 9 Lives Illustrations created for Sandra De Freitas, Tech Coach for Coaches.

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And then when I was researching the Style Guide and I came across Grammar Girl, I thought, “Pow! Foiled again!”

So when I saw a Twitter post about the 2009 Small Business Super Hero contest the other week, I jumped at the chance to express my inner super hero!

The contest was put on by the folks who make BatchBook,  my customer relationship management program.

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Congratulations to the contest winners, Chadd Bennett of RetroRazor (first place), Ed Basconi and David Jones of KitBook (second place) and Dan Gellert and Randall Green of jitterbug.tv (third place).

And now I’m pleased to introduce you to Word Woman, as I described her in my contest entry:

There they are again, those menacing ideas. Seemingly helpful, with the potential to grow your business and rocket you to super-stardom as an expert in your industry, they seduce you with their creative appeal.

All of a sudden, you’re tangled in their confusing web, asking what should I do first? Why does this sound so funny when I read it out loud? Why can’t I seem to finish writing this article? What should I say on my website? How can I turn these ideas into a product?

Relax, dear coaches and other small business owners! Linda Dessau, Founder of You Talk, I’ll Write, is on the case! Witness her super powers of word wrangling, mind reading, hope igniting and overwhelm taming! Watch her connect far-reaching ideas in a single conversation. Join her and make the leap from ideas to income.

OK, now it’s your turn – who would you be as a super hero? What makes you a super hero to your clients and customers?

Vicki Pinkerton’s Quest Across Canada

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Vicki Pinkerton is a writer, creativity coach and visionary spirit. We did some of our coach training at CTI together back in the day (sometime between 2002 and 2004), and because we felt a connection, we’ve stayed connected.

Vicki’s Quest Across Canada has been a long-time dream, and in just another week, she is making it come true!

When I heard about the party to celebrate Vicki’s Quest, raise gas money and show our support, I couldn’t wait to RSVP. I also thought immediately of the song I wanted to present to Vicki.

I’ve written before about the song “If I were brave,” and how inspirational it is to me. Well, I think Vicki is incredibly brave to be doing what she’s doing, and so I made up my mind to sing the song for her.

Songwriter Jimmy Scott was kind enough to send me the chord chart (thanks, Jimmy!). Unfortunately, I’ve strained my elbow/wrist and didn’t feel up to playing the guitar last night. Thankfully, Rosanne Speckert stepped in to accompany me, quite artfully and quite possibly better than I would have played myself!

I am so glad I could be there to send Vicki off with my love, support and music. And I can’t wait to follow her journey through email updates from her blog.

Click here to find out how you can help, and to sign up for Vicki’s updates. Trust me – you will be enlightened, inspired and entertained.

Writing prompt: Coaching has been a big part of Vicki’s life, both being coached and coaching others. There’s no doubt those experiences played a role in her realizing this vision. What would you like to say to your clients/readers that might help them take their next step towards making their own dream come true? Here are some of my ideas for you:

  • Career coaches: 10 ways to discover your dream job
  • Life coaches: 10 baby steps to take towards your dream
  • Money coaches: 10 things you can do today to start funding your dream
  • Family/parenting coaches: 10 ways to keep your dream family vacation from becoming a nightmare
  • Business coaches: 10 ways to incorporate your dream into your business plan
  • Spiritual coaches: 10 questions to ask in meditation before you go after your dream

Please let me know if any of these titles sparked an idea for you!

What I’m doing Saturday night and how I will participate in Earth Hour

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Earth Hour is this Saturday, March 28th at 8:30 p.m.

I’m proud that so many Canadians and Torontonians have committed to participate in this year’s event.

Last year, I attended a concert by Acoustic Harvest, and the performers sang and played unplugged and by candlelight for the entire hour. It was beautiful!

My plans for Earth Hour 2009

This year, I was invited to participate in the York in Concert Black Tie Gala, as alumni of the acapella group Wibijazz’n (now usually known as Wibi). The concert is a celebration of York University’s 50th anniversary. 

I have no control over how or if the organizers of this event will honour Earth Hour, but I do have power over the electricity use in my apartment.

Now, I don’t want to leave Chyna home alone in the dark. While I know she supports Earth Hour as much as I do, I think she would be a little sad observing it without me. 

So before I leave for the concert I will turn off MOST of the lights (as I usually do), PLUS I will unplug all of my home electronics to eliminate the phantom power that they draw even when they’re turned off.

Who knows – it’s an early concert and I live close to the campus – maybe I will even be home to join in before Earth Hour is over. The good news is that I can continue my efforts to conserve energy every day. Will you join me?

Update: At Saturday night’s concert, there was a note in the program that to offset the power they used to produce the concert (calculated by a third party, Toronto’s carbonzero), York University would be planting trees on campus later in the season.

Happy Holidays to You and Yours

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Wishing you a peaceful and joyous holiday season, and a prosperous and successful 2009 – whatever that means for you.

Thank you for your support in 2008. I appreciate you being a part of my business.

Sincere best wishes,
Linda Dessau
You Talk, I'll Write

P.S. I am on holidays now until Monday, January 5th. I will be checking email occasionally.