Out of the Blog, Into the Light

Dear Ms. Dixon…here’s an evaluation of your email invitation

Here's an e-mail invitation I received and evaluated from Ms. Dixon along with my suggestions following the email.

The PDF file attached has arrows to point to what I'm suggestion and why.

You will need Adobe Reader to open the file.

Download Email_Invitation_Evaluation

Note from Sandy Baudoin

Hello,

 

I just wanted to tell Catherine Franz that I was reading an article that she wrote on positive attraction.  I just wanted to let her know that it was exactly what I needed.  I LOVE what she said about replacing a bad habit with a good habit and not just trying to drop the habit without filling something in its place.  I've been reading a lot about the law of attraction and use it in my life but I have never read anything like the aforementioned.  I will try this technique and I know it will work for me.  Thank you Catherine for your insight.

 

Sincerely,
Sandy Beaudoin
--------------------

Sandy, thank you!  Catherine

Don’t do this on your blog or in your writing

Blog posts need to move the reader forward. You want to do this to honor the relationship between you and them. To honor their time for stopping by. Not just to place the reader in a cul-de-sak so they have to turn around and figure out what's going on.

I've attached an evaluation of only one post from Small Business Trends blog. Unfortunately, many of their posts are the same. Out of 15 I read, only one was any good. I find that percentage too small to remain a subscriber.

If you have a blog, you write posts for a blog, or you're thinking of starting a blog, this evaluation will help you understand what not to do and what you do want to do.

I did a different approach this time. I let you hear my inner chatter (in red) as I read the post.

The post never got me to want to know more about this guy he's introducing, nor watch the video.

My recommendations for the blog may seem a little harsh at first but they are from my experience and expertise of writing blog posts since 2002 and also from reading hundreds of them a week.

Here's the evaluation (pdf) -- Download SmallBusinessBlogEvaluation

Web site critique of www.choosingyou.org

I don’t necessarily like the word critique because I feel what I’m offering only my opinion.  Yes, it is a very experienced and knowledgeable opinion.  However, an opinion none-the-less.

The web site URL is:  www.choosingyou.org

I met Liz at one of the greatest workshops I’ve attend this weekend.  This is her site.  She has no clue I’m doing this (but will after this I’m sure). 

I’m offering this free of charge because I want more people to connect with her and her gifts and sometimes it’s the little things that hold us back from getting the word out.

When you open the attached document (PDF file and you must have at least Adobe Reader to open), you will learn to understand:

·        How the eye travels

·        Ideas on how to control a visitors reading

·        Ideas on how to improve some little things that will make a big difference

·        “Be careful” notes not necessarily for this web site but for all web sites

Enjoy the learning lessons.

Download ChoosingYouCritique (PDF)

TweetChats on Twitter

I'm not totally sold that Twitter is for me. It seems too time consuming and my time is spread thin already.

Yet, today on the Small Business Trends blog, I read about TweetChats. The information is well written and presented. It provides an easy-to-understand systematic process on how to use TweetChats to your benefit.

Because of this, I'm adding the link so you don't miss this information.  

Without ado: http://smallbiztrends.com/2009/03/tweetchats-network-on-twitter.html

How to Create a Countdown Marketing Calendar

My article, "How to Create a Countdown Marketing Calendar is available today on the what marketing blog:

http://whatmarketing.blogspot.com/2009/03/how-to-create-countdown-marketing.html

Check it out...you'll like the tips!

An example of what hoops you don’t want to create

Be careful on how difficult you make it for others to post a comment on your blog.

A few months back, a subscriber wrote me an email. She told me how difficult it was to add a comment onto my blog. At that time, someone had to click once to get to the sign up page, subscribe, and then submit the comment, then it went through my approval process. Eventually getting added.

After thinking about her suggestion…and coming across another site the very next day requiring this same process, I realized I wouldn't even go through this process. It was too much effort.

I understand the reasoning behind this…spam blocking. That was my reason too. However, there's more to this…it's really being done so they can sell you something. By going through this process you are giving them permission to contact you.

Voice Care Tips

You don't need to be a coach to be concerned about your vocal cords. In fact, statistics show that women take better care of their nails.

You have probably lost your voice at least once in your life if not more. Dealing with it at the time is awkward whether you have a job to content with or a household to run. You may have shrugged it off believing it just needs to run its course. Which by the way, isn't always true.

The Beautiful Truth

It's the first day of spring, Sunday, March 22, 2009, 1 pm. I just finished a light cry after watching a movie.

Since nothing is a coincidence, I'm going to assume I had requested this in some way -- especially since the movie found me in a very unusual way.

Getting Past The “Shoulds” To Write

I'm a member of LinkedIn and belong to several communities there.

Occasionally I add a small comment or two. Yet, one day, about a month ago, someone wrote for feedback. I can't even remember how it began. Yet, this particular time it got my heart juices going and the words flowed. A long flow now that I've re-read it.

The community leader liked it so much he asked to use it on his blog. I was flattered. And still am.

Here's the link to the story now posted on his blog. Remember, this is first draft, fast, heart moving copy. There are grammar errors for sure, just move past them and feel the love, hope and inspiration full blast of my intention.

Take a trip with me from my past to my present.

Inspiration from a writer's searching soul…

http://kindpointer.com/archives/2009/03/18/getting-past-the-shoulds-to-write/