Kreative Ramblings
Archive for the 'Believe' Category
Righting Your Writing: The Sound of Your Voice
Author: Karen McGreevey
There are numerous ways you can “edit” your writing by yourself, although you’ll find that in the end the editing support of an “outsider” will by far be the best solution.
When you have your “work” ready for edit, one solution you can try on your own to check for misplaced words and awkward sentences is to listen to what you’ve written.
In short, read your content out loud.
And take the time to really listen to what you’re saying.
Sometimes, even reading the work backwards helps errant strings of words and sentences to stand out.
For more information on testing your work, take a look at Line by Line: How to Edit Your Own Writing, by Clair Kehrwalk Cook. It includes over 700 examples of editing techniques, grammar, and usage to help you with your writing efforts.
Jewels of Life: Believe, Dream, Righting Your Writing, Tips and Tricks, Writing, Working with a VA
read comments (0)Does Your Title Say What You Think You Said?
Author: Karen McGreeveyWhen it comes 
to readying articles and blog posts for the Internet, you know there’s more to it than throwing some words together.
Especially, when you want to attract readers and potential customers; it’s not just about cranking out a bunch of words into a text or Word document. Besides making sense, what you come up with ought to “speak” to your audience.
So, here are some tips to help you rev up your thinking gear before you begin to write:
Just as you’d do (usually) if you were going to go out–for an evening, to a wedding, to a game or perhaps to the store, you’d “do something to get ready”. (Of course, what you’d “do” depends–upon your needs, your desires, what you hoped to accomplish, etc.
Likewise, enter a correlation for your book (article or blog post) title. Because your “title” is crucially important to your body of work and because you want to grab the attention of your reader prospect so he’ll quickly scoop up your book, it’s important that you take a bit of time writing and deciding upon a title.
Note: If you’ve already written a title for a book that’s in print, you can rewrite it in a reissue–or just keep these tips handy for another time altogether.
Tips for Putting On A “Killer” Webinar
Author: Karen McGreeveyEverybody’s doing it; you know they are. 
And you know you ought to, too! Yet you’ve been holding off joining in on the fray. You know, however, you can only hold “them” at bay for so long.
So you might as well “get your feet wet”–and then do it handily with some of the following tips. Actually, I have seven tips that I’ll “spread” over several days–to give you a chance to “dig in to” the meat of them and to perhaps implement them as you go.
For starters, here are Tips 1 and 2:
1. Can you hear me now? What about “see” me?
How many webinars or online meetings have you sat in on that used the first 20, even 30, minutes or so trying to get everyone logged in, the “sound checked” and the visuals “pulled up”? Perhaps you’ve felt your precious time slipping away; time waiting you could have used to finish up that one report on the edge of your desk.
Instead of performing the many preliminary checks during the “live session”, consider using a checklist and preparing your sound and camera BEFORE the event starts.
Initiate the help of a friend or colleague and ask him or her to log in to the room with you beforehand.
* Do a trial run with him or her to see what glitches might materialize during your “trial”.
* Check microphones especially, and if you plan to record the event, test your recording equipment, too
* Lighting and background noise should also be considered.
2. Is it time yet?
If you’re scheduling a webinar do a bit of research before you set a date, then decide upon a date and time when your target audience is most apt to be available to show up. You’ll want to consider different time zones and countries as well. U.S. Eastern, mid-afternoon, midweek is a good time to attract viewers.
Be sure to stop back here this week for our additional tips.
And take a look at the Ultimate Webinar Marketing Guide written by Lewis Howes.
Jewels of Life: Believe, Dream, Internet Marketing, Tips and Tricks, Working with a VA
No “I” Nor “Me”
Author: Karen McGreeveyAn oft-touted “rule” when writing for the web is to leave out the 
“we”, the “I” and the “me” when referring to your readers. “You” makes what you write more personal and speaks more to your audience.
Instead, you might try referring to the “subject” in your blog posts or articles as “it”, “this” or “here”. Your reader will be more inclined to take notice of what you’re saying.
Here’s this theory in “action”:
In place of: “The Boys” Found the Treats On Sunday Morning and Made Short Work of Them
Use, This is Why There Were No Treats for “The Boys” Easter Sunday
Notice the subtlety?
When you don’t “lead” your reader in to the piece de resistance with your title by practically telling them the whole story, you’re creating enough of a mystery that they’ll actually want to know what you’re talking about.
So they’ll stay at your site long enough to read you whole post or article. And maybe they’ll even come back again.
Looking for more tips on sprucing up your writing for the web? Check out Lynda Felder’s book, Writing for the Web: Creating Compelling Web Content Using Words, Pictures, and Sound
Jewels of Life: Believe, Dream, Internet Marketing, Tips and Tricks, Working with a VA
Say Good-bye to “One-Trick Pony” Writing
Author: Karen McGreevey
Got you intrigued?
You’ve often heard that a good way to market your business is to an write article and to publish it at some of the article directories. Or, you can write blog posts and post them on your blog. And when you’ve done that, you “rinse and repeat” with another article or blog post.
That’s all fine and dandy, and might get a bit boring after a while but in essence by JUST doing that, you’re “leaving money on the table”; you’re not making the best use of your time and your finished work.
So instead, look for ways to reach a different audience, ways that might be a bit out of the norm, off the beaten path. Here are a few things you might try to help you set a new course:
1. Checking In. Try “repurposing” one of your older articles or blog posts–instead of re-writing it, divide it into bullet points and make it a checklist. Step by step, you then point out to your reader various methods they can take to get to a specific goal or idea they may have in mind.
2. Questions Are Good. Using a “worksheet” you’ve devised from your article, figure out the main idea of one of your article. And then write your worksheet and pose your questions so your readers can get involved and can add their answers in the spaces on the worksheet. Read the rest of this entry »
Write and Go
Author: Karen McGreevey
Believe it or not, email marketing can be a bit like the EverReady Bunny!
All you need to do is to “write and go”; write your message, set it, forget it, go. And your staying in touch keeps on going.
If done right, your email will reach your subscribers directly–no round-abouts. You just address your email to your subscribers specifically.
If you were to use social media like Facebook and Twitter instead, your message would get out there, but you’d not have the “direct” approach where you can address your reader from a personal standpoint–as in key in their first name, for instance.
Further, after collecting your visitor’s email address and name, you have an opportunity to continue to stay in touch with them and to have them come back to you via your email or other mailings. Otherwise, chances of a visitor returning are pretty much nil and none. So send them other offers or an ezine so you can keep in touch on a regular basis.
Whether your email is an ezine or special offer or some other type of follow-up, it will help you to build a relationship with your readers. In turn, they will be able to develop a like and trust with you.
All this helps your subscribers to know you offer sound advice and sell products or services they want. And they’ll come back again and again.
Check out Jonathan Brook’s ebook, Make Money with Email Marketing for a few more tips that might be of interest to you in your quest for getting new customers.
Jewels of Life: Believe, Dream, Internet Marketing, Tips and Tricks, Working with a VA0
The Case for the “I”
Author: Karen McGreeveyI don’t know about you, but for about as long as I’ve been involved 
in this Internet thing, I’ve more often than not read that when you’re writing articles or creating ebooks or content for your website, one of your major focuses must be that “it’s not about you”!
In fact, the mantra is often, “leave the “I” and the “me” and the “we” at the door. Instead, use “you” as much as you can.
However, this “no I’s allowed” slant can quite effectively and justly be tossed aside in some instances. As long as you still work toward keeping your prospects and clients at the forefront.
For instance, there is often an “I” or “we” dilemma when setting up a website. Perhaps you’ve struggled with it. (I know I did, so much so that for now I’m still using the “we”. Although I think it may now be time to go more with the “I”. Or at least to try it for a time to see whether there is a difference in traffic.)
Here’s why. When you set up your site, if you’re a Solopreneur you may be inclined to want to look a little more traditional, to give the impression you’re not working solo, that you have others on staff.
On the other hand, if you go with the “I” you are, of course, correct. You can also then talk about your own knowledge and experiences in certain situations; you can show your readers, prospects and customers and peers that you do know what you are talking about.
With the “I” you will also be presenting the case that you are an expert in your field. Further…
• You will be able to build a trust for what your know and the products you develop.
• You can foster long-term relationships with your customers
• You’ll also create a venue your readers and colleagues, etc., can use to ask you for interviews for their projects
For more guidance, you’ll want to check out Jim Edwards’ ebook, 10 Fast and Easy Tips & Tricks That Massively Increase Sales and Profits On Any Website or Blog.
Jewels of Life: Believe, Dream, Internet Marketing, Tips and Tricks, Working with a VA
If I’ve Said It Once…
Author: Karen McGreeveyI’ve said it many, many times…and you’ve probably 
heard it from many others as well. One of the best ways to create an online presence is to have a blog. And to post content to that blog on a regular basis.
However, all the good content on that blog doesn’t do you much good if no one is around to read it. (It’s not like the trees in the forest.)
So here are a few “tried and true” ideas to help you to get readers and maybe buyers to your blog (or other website creation):
1. You gotta post, and in the same century. Think about it; if you visit a blog and discover the last post showing up was written in 2005, how likely are you going to be to return to that site anytime soon? Update your blog content at least two times a week. Of course, this can become tedious if you’re doing other things so consider writing several posts ahead of time and setting them to “drip” at regular days and times.
2. Keep things fresh. This “harkens” back to #1, ^^. Once you’ve got your blog posts or articles written, make them work for you even more by submitting them to the article directories. And while you’re at it, be sure to include a link in your resource box as it will direct the reader to your site. Read the rest of this entry »
Online International Virtual Assistants Convention
Author: Karen McGreevey
The Steering Committee of the Online International Virtual Assistants Convention (OIVAC) is now accepting applications for Speakers for this year’s 8th Annual OIVAC Convention, which will be held this year May 16-18.
Tickets for the “early birds” are on sale now, and Speaker Applications for individuals interested in sharing and showcasing their knowledge, experience and expertise are also “live”.
To view a list of track topics that are being proposed, take a click here.
While the topic lineup is not yet in place, as applications for speakers are just now being accepted, the OIVAC does propose a “three track” system for this year’s events:
Track 1: Mew VA Business Startup, Virtual Assistance Basics” (for individuals investigating, launching or in business for 1-3 years)
Track 2: “Taking Your Business to the Next Level” (for VAs who have more than 3 years’ experience, have built a solid foundation and are ready to move to a higher level).
Track 3: “Social Media & Technology Track” (Technologies, social media platforms and best practices to enhance communication, outreach modalities and results).
Stop over to OIVAC now and get your application to register as a speaker. While you’re at it, get in on the Early Bird pricing. Prices so low you won’t see them again after March 31!
Jewels of Life: Believe, Dream, Internet Marketing, Tips and Tricks, Working with a VA
Tell me a story
Author: Karen McGreeveyOne of the 
stumbling blocks for those who want to write an article or blog post can be coming up with ideas of something to write about.
However, there are other concerns you might have that cause you pause. For instance, what format to use.
A couple thoughts come to mind; like,
You can best accomplish these by “sitting down with your reader” and “just chatting”, figuratively speaking of course.
The important thing is that you be natural and not include any “selling” script in your article. Your “sell” can be added to your bio at the end of your article. And if you’re posting your article on your blog, consider adding a link to your product.
Douglas Robert has an ebook with 99 Quick and Easy Content Writing Tips to help you get started with your writing.
Jewels of Life: Believe, Dream, Internet Marketing, Tips and Tricks, Working with a VA