Call a Friend

I've placed this topic under writing, however, it also deserves equal billing under marketing.

Here's a method that I love using when the words just don't seem to be flowing. I use it mainly when I want to write copy for my web site, however, there are other uses. I'll let your creative juices flow on how you can use it to improve your life and business.

Sometimes I have so much going on in my mind and sometimes I have very little going on in it too (chuckle). When this occurs and I need to get my thoughts or ideas down on paper, even if the page is blank, or even if I have words are there but they have run out of steam, I call a friend.

Or sometimes I call my coach.

Even sometimes I call a business associate. It all depends on the project or desired outcome.

I ask them to play a role. Here are a few roles that I use:

* Just be a master listener (ML role). This one is easy and doesn't really need any explanation.

* Spinner. If I want them to be my spinner, I ask them to play with me and spin off ideas on the topic that I'm working on.

* Devil's advocate. Again, this is kind of easy to understand. Just provide feedback to the opposite of whatever it is I'm working on. All the negative, why it will not work, or how will some people perceive it. This is very helpful actually because I can then see different viewpoints.

* Guardian angel. Even I need praise and to feel good about something. All they can do is tell me what's good about it. Now I'm sure you have never heard of this. You need to try this one out, it really does work when procrastinating or the energy level is down.

In most of these cases I record the conversation. It depends on which role I'm looking for as to how I do the recording.

For the ML role -- the master listener. I record only my side of the conversation. Afterwards, I transcribe it almost word for word.

For the spinner role I record both sides of the conversation (I have a recorder connected to my phone system). Of course, I have their permission.

For devil's advocate and my guardian angel I also record both sides but I don't transcribe. Each devil's advocate point I freewrite for 10-15 minutes to flush out elements that need to be in my copywriting or article. I like taking listening to the tape or CD sitting in the park or a cafe. Afterwards I reuse the tape or erase it.

For the guardian angel, I play the tape over again a few times to keep me motivated and then erase it when I'm done.

I especially love to use this when producing copywriting material, writing my radio scrips, or producing product descriptions for clients or myself.

Hope this helps you on getting to the solution or getting the project done faster. It does me.

If you have used this in some unique way or have ideas on other roles people can play in order to support you please post your info in the comments section for all of us to enjoy.

Blessings, joy and abundance,
Master Life and Business Coach and Talk Show Host, Catherine Franz
www.AbundanceCenter.com
www.LetsTalkMarketingShow.com

PS: Once you begin doing this with others, they will in turn return the favor (chuckle). It is contagious. You will find even when you help someone else with this exercise you will come away with something you can use as well. Give it a try today. Let me know what happens.