Q. I'm staring at a blank screen with an equally blank mind. I need an idea for tomorrow's newsletter. Help!
A. Most of us have too many ideas or too few. I've never met anyone with just the right number. Here's the secret: Once you start writing prolifically, you'll get ideas. Each idea will seem better than the one before. In fact, some ideas will be so good that you may be tempted to stop your current project and start over with the new idea!
Instead, keep a folder on your virtual or actual desktop or write ideas in a notebook. Some ideas age gracefully while others earn a decent burial.
But now let's say you're staring at a blank screen, desperate for an article for tomorrow's newsletter. What can you do? Here are five tips to get started.
1. Begin with your website's keywords. Let's say your site features "time management for stay-at-home-moms." You want to attract visitors who are searching on "parenting," "home" and "mothers." Write your keywords on top of a sheet of paper and free-associate. Busy. Homes. Housework. Hmmmaybe you can write about housework and time management?
2. Look around the room where you are working and choose an interesting object. For example, I see two sleeping cats and, through the window, a plant holder with the remains of my last gardening efforts.
My sad little plant could be a metaphor for some aspect of writing, such as ideas that die unless they're watered, fertilized and loved. Or it could be a reminder to focus on your strengths. Laziness often signals a lack of interest or skill. Let's face it, I'll never grow a nice pot of geraniums like the one my neighbors have.
Sleeping cats? Well, some images work better than others, and I've written a lot about my cats and my dog. Overuse of an image...hmm, there's an idea!
3. Call up a friend and describe what you're offering. Ask your friend, "What seems most unusual, puzzling or surprising about what I just said?"
Let's say you're an office organizer. Your friend says, "I didn't realize that people who cleared clutter often found their sales increasing. Can you convince me?" Given the state of my own office, I'd like to be convinced, too! You've got a winner here.
Heidi Challenger of Boise, Idaho, promises a year's guarantee for each home she sells. See http://www.movinglady.com/relolinks.html to find her site. Now there's a great idea for an article -- or several! What is a home guarantee? And why should we ask for one? Does Heidi have unique assets that allow her to offer a guarantee when other realtors can't? All these questions arise from her online advertisement -- and all could be developed into articles.
4. This one's my favorite. Ask your subscribers to contribute questions. You'll be sure your articles fit their interests. Last week's article on permission marketing came directly from a reader request and this week's article combines two queries. WL Ezine subscribers, take note!
5. Look at your calendar. What's the season? If you're writing for your own ezine, choose the current season or, if you're right on the border, next season. If you're writing for print media, ask the editors for a calendar. You may need to submit in June for a Christmas issue. You can go deeper, choosing month and even holiday within the month. You can get whimsical, writing about the astrological sign that governs this month.
About The Author
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.
"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" http://www.cathygoodwin.com
Contact: http://www.cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareBeginner's Blues: How to Collect Samples, Testimonials, and References as... Read More
A good white paper is a paper that makes you... Read More
It is satisfying to be a part of such a... Read More
Building a new website can be extremely exciting. Seeing your... Read More
Just about every marketer on the Internet claims to be... Read More
Interested in breaking into writing or breaking into a new... Read More
Although he has his own website, John Grisham probably does... Read More
As a child, I loved to write. I can't remember... Read More
No matter what your fifth-grade English teacher says, some grammar... Read More
Writing a sales letter doesn't have to be that difficult... Read More
Nothing is more daunting for any writer than having to... Read More
Every part of your book can be a sales tool.... Read More
1) Convince yourself you want to do something else. If... Read More
As a previous article ("Making Better Word Choices ? 4... Read More
One day in the mid-1970's a young man stumbled into... Read More
'Talent is cheaper than table salt. What separates the talented... Read More
You are far more likely to successfully write and publish... Read More
The Blogfest 2005 Writing Contest has only been running for... Read More
Yes, you know your subject. You also need to think... Read More
So many clients come to me as a book or... Read More
Is there a book inside of you? Yes? Then why... Read More
"If you're like me, than I'm sure you're pretty familiar... Read More
It's a good idea to use TextPad because all opt-in... Read More
Based on the feedback that I have been getting from... Read More
If you are an aspiring writer, or you simply want... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Ever wonder what an author's life is like? What that... Read More
Next time you're tempted to use italics for emphasis... STOP!"Why?"... Read More
DEFINITIONSRetail margin is basically the difference between your book's wholesale... Read More
There is one key difference between reports and most other... Read More
Have you ever started a creative writing project with great... Read More
Writers are notorious collectors of slips of paper. They tear... Read More
In a crowded market, clients will be seeking personality as... Read More
Whether you are writing a magazine article, composing a press... Read More
Let's Discuss Publisher Ethics:If you are an ezine publisher or... Read More
A QUERY LETTER is written to an editor or agent... Read More
IntroductionSince our early days of elementary education we have been... Read More
This is a tough question for every freelance writer. For... Read More
In his book, "Achieving Financial Independence as a Freelance Writer,"... Read More
Back in my school days, if the teacher demanded a... Read More
First drafts are for getting down the ideas. Anna Jacobs... Read More
It never ceases to amaze me when a prospective writer... Read More
How to Come Up with Fresh Story Ideas When Your... Read More
Prolific authors write; they don't just dream about it. A... Read More
A few magazines refer to their written idea sources in... Read More
Many of the most effective low-cost marketing strategies require writing.... Read More
Griselda spent hours polishing up her resume. No detail was... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?Writing is a creative process and how... Read More
"This is just brilliant. The whole interview is incredible? I'm?... Read More
The Internet has truly revolutionized the careers of writers worldwide.... Read More
Have you ever written a letter to a friend? Ever... Read More
Writing |