Out of the Blog, Into the Light

Writers, don't be discouraged

Did you know...

Stephen King had three novels rejected before Doubleday bought Carrie.

Sam Sinclair Baker had 17 publishers reject his Scarsdale Diet.

Richard Bach’s agent said, “Look, no one cares about a talking seagull right now.”

Never allow discouragement in -- no matter how often it knocks.

Even the best writers get rejections.

Have You Ever Thought of Joining or Forming a Consortium?

Hate marketing? Then joining a consortium could be good road for you to take. Then you must read this!

By Professional Business Coach Catherine Franz

Are you an entrepreneur but don't like selling alone? A consortium is a combination of different industry-types of entrepreneurs working together to attract business as a group. Even though each member maintains their individuality and operates as the same as self-employed.

They band to create a more valuable package to fulfill bigger needs for clients and for increased visibility and credibility.

The positive side to being part of a consortium is that you can work on larger projects. Larger than any single entrepreneur can accomplish alone. Together they can enter into contracts that require multiple skills and still maintain the freedom of their entrepreneur-hood they so desire. They gain being part of a team and organization while still keeping your independence.

A consortium can provide the security of core revenue that helps them breath, not chase prospects as hard, and usually take care of regular living expenses. It is also a great way to transition from employee to self-employment. The transition allows the learning and growth at a slower steadier rate. Each member learns from other group members by sharing their success and mishaps. This way the risk factor of being self-employed is less.

The consortium can also band products to create higher priced, more valuably perceived, packages. Larger packages are easier to sell. A group package of various authors is more attractive to buyers. Everything that the buyer needs is then packaged and available with one purchase.

Being a part of group also removes the pressure of trying to be an expert at everything. And allows each individual to focus and be brilliant at what they specialize. There are many types of group configurations for
consortiums. Let me give you a few examples of some of them. These groups formed a single purpose.

An entrepreneur consortium can include:
* CPA
* A writer specialty in business plans and advertising copy
* A financial management consultant
* a human resource consultant specializing in benefit programs and employee manuals
* An Internet consultant
* Web master
* Strategic planning consultant
* A secretarial service or virtual assistant
* Graphic artist
* Brand specialist
* Public relations firm

Click here to read the rest of this article.

At the end of this article is a list of 20 resources to read more on this topic!

Practical Nine-Step Guide to Max Productivity

Step 1: List all the business activities that you complete (regularly or not). Examples: phone calls, meetings, paperwork, projects, sales, follow-up procedures, writing, learning/researching, web site design, delivering core services (substitute name), etc. Yes, this might seem time consuming. You will need to trust in this process and wait for the benefits to appear.

You can create the list two ways: (1) focus and write all in a list, or (2) track your activities, even the 5-minute items, for a few days. Don’t need to add to the list what already exists, thus, the time required to complete the list will become less and less. Be specific clear and as brief as possible (less than 5 words). Use separate sheet to track activities.

Step 2: Place a star in front of three items that you are brilliant at, that you can rate as having a #10 energy level (1 little energy, 10 passion).

Step 3: List the three most important activities that produce income for the business?

Step 4: Mark three activities from list (Step 1) that you don’t like to do or are weak at completing?

Step 5: Review the list from step 4. Who would be good candidates for complete the items you don’t like doing? Is it a virtual assistance? Significant other? Assistant?

Step 6: What would be an ideal method for you that you could work with the three people you want to allow other people to handle for you?

Step 7: What one time-consuming activity will you delegate right away?

Step 8: What first step can you take to start this process?

Step 9: What immediate benefit will you get from delegating this out? How much time would it free up? What will you replace that time with?

(c) Copyright 2004, Catherine Franz

The best solution for finding the name to submit your article to

It is important to know who is currently the person you want to submit your article to. When I say currently, this doesn't necessarily mean finding a recently copy of their latest publication. However, that is a start.

To find it in their magainze...

Find a recent copy of the magazine. Bookstores and libraries will have copies if not a trade magazine. Trade magazines sometimes are not available in these places and can only be purchased. Find the magazine’s masthead for listing information of who is the editor.

Use the Internet...

Or use Google or another search engine to find and visit their web site to locate the editor's name or department head's name that you want to send your article to.

Both of these have downsides...

1. The magazine is about three months behind and the person whom you want to submit to could have changed.

2. Web sites are not updated regularly either and maybe updated on the names.

3. Submit to service, like Writer's Digest. However, this may not be exact either because of change over to posting time delays.

So what is the best solution?

Find the magazines main phone number and the latest name. Call the magazine and ask if that person is still in that position. Tell them that you are submitting an article and ask them if there is any planned changes that will take effect in the next 30 days that you need to be aware of. They might or might not tell you this over the phone because the release of change over isn't ready for publicity.

I suggest not making this phone call until you are everything else complete and ready to roll and then just add the name to the query letter or email.

Four Proven Techniques on How to Capture Positive Habits

New article available on eMaxHealth just posted...

Title: Four Proven Techniques on How to Capture Positive Habits

Bad habits, we all have them. They keep us from accomplishing our dreams, make us say and do things that really aren't in our integrity.

Good habits allow us to transition through our day on autopilot. So much so, we forget that our good habits have a bigger strong hold.

Dr. Phil McGraw, TV-psychologist and Oprah offspring, says that we need to, "Behave our way to success." I cringe when I hear this, don't you? It sounds so easy. Yet, we both know it isn't.

Positive psychology, the scientific study of happy, confident people, presents many proven techniques that assist in transitioning bad habits into good habits. Here are four proven techniques:

To read the rest of this, click here...

I would appreciate it if you would rate the article after reading. You can do this by clicking on, "Discuss This Article" at the top of the page. This will take you to a rating survey form. Why they labelled that, who knows. Your vote DoEs count. It tells the site that you enjoyed it and they will then post more of my articles in the future. So, please vote. I greatly appreciate it!

35 Quick Tips for Writing A Press Release

Here's a KISS List (keep it short and simple) for creating a press release.

Layout
1. 1-2 pages in length.
2. Double-space.
3. 1.5 to 2 inch margins.
4. Use company stationary with logo and slogan.
5. Avoid bright or dark-colored paper.
6. Center "News Release" at top.
7. Place a "release date" under "News Release".
8. On second page, type "page 2".
9. Use company stationary with logo and slogan on page 2.
10. Leave out "release after" date on second page, all
else should be the same.
11. At end of press release, type "-30-" or "# # #".
12. Include both black & white, color, and a variety of font
sizes (but no more than four).

Format
13. Inverted pyramid (biggest point or major message first).
14. Straight to the point at the beginning.
15. First and second paragraphs devoted to your main
message.
16. Secondary information comes AFTER main message.
17. No pussyfooting around, be clear up front, at the very
beginning.
18. Don't go on and on.
19. In the third section, establish a connection with you.
20. Use a problem/solution format.
21. Comparing and contrasting ideas can be inside the
problem/solution format.
22. Be careful of your facts, spelling and grammar
23. Only one news release per e-mail or envelope.

Information to Include
24. Newsworthy information, not sales copy
25. All the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How elements.
Their order depends on level of importance.
26. Enticing headline which summarize the material/news.
27. Photos if available, or where they can be accessed
in press section of your web site. No stock images.
28. No cover letter.

Distribution
29. Don't send press release out in a mass e-mailing
30. Don't pester contacts
31. Editors will not distribute anything sloppy, difficult
to read, or understand.
32. Mail release by first class mail.
33. Don't use any type of labels, including your return
address.
34. Add "PRESS RELEASE" and "Release Date:" on outside of
envelope.
35. Places to send press releases: writers@[magazines];
writers@[newspapers]; trade journals in your industry;
print magazines on the topic; online agencies that
distribute news releases.

(c) Copyright 2004, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.

Would you like to publish this list in one of your newsletters
or flyer. Contact the author, Catherine Franz, for
permission.

Article published & new place to post your articles

Got too birds to send your direction today, thus, pay attention...

First bird...

Article published announcement

Web site: ValuableContent.com

Article title: Knowledge is NOT Power

Second bird...

If you are looking for new places to post your articles, ValuableContent.com, is looking for new articles. To submit, cick on active link above. When you arrive at the site, click on "submit article." The terms of publication are also there at the top after clicking.

What does it REALLY take to be making 6-Figures as a service professional?

Over the past 30 years, I’ve read so much on how to make money that I know I can write a series of books on the topic, books that would cut through the junk and you don’t have to buy 101 things for each area. Most of the information repeats itself – same author, different title and packaging or different author repeating someone else’s list. All the how-this and how-that was driving me crazy as to what is REALLY required to make $100,000 or more in revenue.

A few months ago, I decided to go on a pilgrimage to create a quick and easy-to-see, all-in-one-place list of what does it REALLY take to generate a six-figure income as a service professional – accountant, coach, consultant, and other solopreneurs? Of course, the list is easy to read, but takes conscious awareness and consistency to achieve.

What this list did for me – it freed up valuable time that I was chasing for what I could possibly need in the future, it kept me focused, it increased clarity, and best of all I was able to narrow down my reading time. I also had a plan. Here’s the list of what I consider the top 50 – the list was actually 350 – but I chose the top ones and removed the repetitions.

1. Get up early and start early.

2. Take time to reflect on the day every evening for at least 30 to 60 minutes.

3. Create a vision before getting out of bed every morning on how you see the day progressing. See clients coming to you, see meetings going perfect, see your planning, etc.

4. Start and diligently use a business journal to record ideas, thoughts, suggestions, and reading/learning.

5. Dress so that you feel comfortable and powerful with your energy. It radiates and attracts.

6. Work more hours. (Don’t shoot the messenger.)

7. Schedule your time.

8. Always ask yourself every night, “What can I do better tomorrow from what I learned today?”

To read the rest of the article, click here and you will be taken to Catherine's web site and the exact page of this article at the Abundance Center...

Welcome

The following articles by Catherine Franz were published today at:

Publication: Quincy Star News
Title of Article: Three Gratifying Ways To Add Abundance To Your Life
Click here to read...

Publication: Home4Success (click here to visit their web site)
Title of Article: Knowledge is NOT Power
Click here to read article...

A Writing Exercise That Increases Awareness And Description Skills

Published article today on Writer's Unbound by Catherine Franz

Title: A Writing Exercise That Increases Awareness And Description Skills

Web site: Writers Unbound
Click name to access article.