The Sting of a Launch That Didn’t Land: The Story Problem You Didn’t Know You Had
You worked for weeks (maybe months) planning the emails, building the sales page, showing up online. And then… The sign-ups didn’t come. The sales didn’t hit your goals. The energy and excitement fizzled into frustration and self-doubt. If you’ve been there (and most...
Character vs. Brand Voice: How to Write Stories That Sound Like You
Like people, every brand has a voice. The problem is that too many entrepreneurs either don’t know how to find their voice or get stuck trying to sound like someone else. Imitation might be that Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but it isn’t a great...
Persuasion, Influence, or Manipulation? Why Knowing the Difference Matters
There’s a fine line between helping someone say “yes” and pushing them into something they’ll later regret. That line is the difference between persuasion, influence, and manipulation. If you’re a content creator, coach, or entrepreneur who genuinely cares about...
Words That Work: The Psychology of Language
Words matter. The ones you choose to use matter even more. Yesterday, I spent the afternoon at Planet Word Museum, an interactive museum dedicated to words, language, and reading. It was heaven. If you are ever in the Washington, DC area, make a point to visit. While...
The Power of Specificity: How Adding Small Details Creates Universal Results
There is an axiom in writing: The more specific a story is, the more people see themselves in it. The more specific your story, the more universal your theme. People don’t relate to theme alone. They need a human connection to identify with to feel the theme at work....
Breaking Free: Why Templates Hold You Back and Structure Sets You Free
Have you ever seen an email come into your inbox that feels like déjà vu? Like you’re getting the same thing again and again? We’ve all seen it. The sales page that seems oddly familiar. The email sequence that follows the same patterns and sounds like anyone could...
Connect with Your Audience and Community
Emails. Stories. Sales talk. None of it matters if your audience or community doesn’t feel connected. Sure, you could come up with a viral opportunity or product that takes over the market. But that’s unlikely to happen unless someone first raves about it or you. That...
Using Stories to Win Hearts (and Customers) for Your Business
Picture this: A local furniture maker posts a photo of a wonky bookcase that leans to the side and looks on the verge of falling down with the caption “Our first attempt at building furniture in 2016. Swipe to see our award-winning furniture today.” Which...
Stop Confusing Your Audience: How to Write Clearly in Any Business Setting
Clarity in writing is a game-changer in business. Whether you’re drafting an email, creating a proposal, or crafting marketing content, clear communication helps you build trust, avoid misunderstandings, and achieve your goals faster. Yet, writing clearly isn’t always...
End of Year Tasks for Freelance & Professional Writers (Part 3 of 3)
Finish out the year with our list of year-end tasks designed specifically for freelance writers.
End of Year Tasks for Freelance & Professional Writers (Part 2 of 3)
Finish the year strong by doing a series of year-end tasks designed to help you analyze how you did last year and set you up for a more successful year in 2022.