I have completely removed the word “d-line” from my vocabulary. I’m now using the phrase “scheduled (or estimated) delivery date.” It’s got the flexibility and comfort that I need, but still has a actionable feel with that word “delivery.” That other word just felt too ominous, strict and morbid.

What do you think? Are you ready to let go of the fear of death if you don’t meet your d-lines and ease into the comfort of scheduled delivery dates instead?

Writing prompts: Are there any words that make your skin crawl? Comment on this post and let me know. Are you using any words that could be having that same unintended effect on your readers? Scan your writing for words that have negative connotations or a double meaning.

I was standing at sink doing the dishes recently (no dishwasher around here – you’re looking at her!), thinking about my new book and white paper, and how I was going to get the word out. All of a sudden everything clicked for me. I could almost visualize the path that I could invite people to travel with me, as they learned more about me and what I offer.

But this isn’t about me (ok, it’s a little bit about me, but this IS my blog), it’s about the creative power of water.

I’ve noticed that water – whether it’s trickling, streaming, raining, pelting or flowing – can have a deep impact on my own creative flow. And when I remember to do it, I can consciously tap into that. So instead of turning on the news or a CD while I’m doing the dishes, I plant a question or problem that I’m seeking guidance about, and I open my mind to answers.

Of course the next step is to capture those ideas (see my earlier post about Einstein hair for some examples of idea catchers), before they float away again. I’ve learned not to fear that either, though, because the best ideas ALWAYS come back.

Writing Prompt: The next time you’re struggling to generate writing ideas for your blog, website, newsletter or book, let go of the struggle, take some quiet time and tune into the creative power of water.

In a website statistics tool like Google Analytics, direct traffic, literally, refers to website visitors who actually typed your website or blog address right into the address bar of their Internet browser.

Direct traffic is pretty special. It means someone remembered the URL of my website and used it specifically when they were looking for help with writing or editing.

Next, Google Analytics tracks traffic from referring sites, which is also very special. When a visitor has come from a referring site, it means that someone thinks enough of my work to include a link to my site from their website or blog, or maybe they've even sent the link in a direct email message to a client, colleague, friend or family member.

Or maybe the referral came out of my article marketing efforts at sites like Ezine Articles. Someone read one of my articles and liked my ideas enough to find out more about what I offer.

Direct traffic and traffic from referral sites both represent people who have already warmed up to the idea of finding out more about you. That's much different from just having your website pop up in a list of search results.

I really like what Rick Spence writes in the June 2008 issues of Profit magazine, "… the Web isn't always about the masses. For many niche businesses, Web marketing means drawing your best customers closer and closer." (Read Rick's article)

So do what you can to keep search engine optimization (SEO) on your side – write a lot of fresh content, and write for your niche by using the language they'll use when they're looking for information and help.

Then, turn your attention back to cultivating your relationships, because that's what will send direct traffic and referring site traffic your way.

Writing Prompt: How can you greet your website visitors as if they've all come as direct traffic or from referral sites? How can you treat strangers (search engine traffic) like friends?

P.S. There are also such things as human search engines (Mahalo) and social bookmarking sites (del.icio.us), both of which allow Web users to access search results that are based on human entries versus computer-generated ones.

In the post Want to write more? Read more – RSS can help, I focused on reading newsletters, websites and blogs. Because I have an Internet-based business and do 98% of my work on the computer, that's naturally the first place I go to do some reading.

But, do you remember books?

There's always a book on my nightstand that I read for pleasure, though it can take me months to get through one, at only a few pages a night.

When it comes to business books, because I know that I simply don't have a lot of time offline that I want to spend reading, I tend not to want to invest in buying my own copies.

So when someone recommends a book, the first thing I do is head over to the Toronto Public Library website.

From there, I can browse books, then log in and reserve the ones I want. They ship the books to my nearest branch and call me when they arrive. Then I have a week to go pick them up before they put them back into circulation.

When I do get my hands on the book, I tend to skim, not read. Usually I find at least one golden nugget that I can write about here and/or apply immediately to my business.

I've used the library a lot as I've been working on the Customizable Style Guide for Coaches who Write. Not too long ago, I was walking out of the library on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I'd just picked up two resource books for the style guide, and I had a huge rush of gratitude that the library is there for me and others who have a passion for knowledge and reading.

Writing Prompt: Writing book reviews is a great way to stay on top of the issues facing your prospective clients. Consult websites, blogs and trade magazines that attract members of your target market, to see what books they're talking about. And when you get the book, check out who the authors list as references and key influences. You don't have to write a formal review, you can just share your impressions of the book, summarize the main lessons you took away, or tell a story about how the book influenced your business or your life.

P.S. Of course, another way for busy people to access business books is to listen to them. My sister is a big fan of audio books, though I haven't really explored those yet. Away from the computer, my life is surpisingly low-tech. I finally have a CD player in the car, but still no .MP3 player 😉