Who inspires you to write better? (Part 1 of 2)

If you are going to be a successful marketer, there is no way around it, you have to be a good writer.

You might get by being a good salesperson without good writing skills, but marketing is  different.  It’s a more diffuse activity that requires succinct communication presented in a creative manner.

And what’s more, you have to enjoy writing, and look forward to it.  I know, that’s asking a lot for many folks.  But it’s a critical mindset.  If you don’t enjoy writing, you will find any seemingly rational reason to procrastinate.   And avoiding marketing will make your business anemic.

Here’s how I make it fun for me.  I jot down ideas and drafts of paragraphs throughout the week.  Then I finalize the blog on a weekend morning while sipping my coffee.  It’s turned out to be  one of my most enjoyable times of my week.

Also, if you enjoy writing, guess what, chances are it will infuse your writing.  I can’t tell you how many readers have said to me, “You seem to have a lot of fun writing, don’t you?”

It wasn’t always that way for me.  I struggled with writing throughout my youth.  Somehow I got excellent grades in high school.  I guess it was through just plain ‘ole hard work and a gregarious  personality.

But in college, the jig was up, and it wasn’t until years later that I realized all the criticism from my professors about my writing was valid, and that my quick dismissal of them being academic snobs was immature and totally incorrect.

Where did things go wrong?

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15 Mistakes Video Producers Should Avoid

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Sales & Marketing Rx: Do you avoid networking events?

If you truly have more clients than you can handle, then read no further.

But if you do not fit into that category, (like most of us mortals), and you recognize the need to market yourself and your services, then read on.

Do you disdain going to networking events?

If so, then I’m here unabashedly to make a pitch to change your outlook.

As much as you may wish to deny it, attending networking events is a  critical tool in the game of marketing.

Sure, as for any marketing activity, one can come up with a slew of seemingly valid reasons why not to attend networking events:

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5 years ago . . .

We all have our memorable dates. March 22, 2006 is one for me.

On that day, one of my best friends and professional mentors, Kaye Lavine, passed away. Here is a blog post I wrote about her in 2008.

I continue to miss her greatly.

Also on that day, before learning of Kaye’s passing, I was down-sized from a senior management and sales position with a DC-based production firm. I know it was a difficult but necessary decision for that particular company (now one of my leading clients), and looking back, I realize I was not properly prepared.

I had a difficult time dealing with being laid off. Family, friends and my network of contacts got me through.

People who get down-sized inevitably “go to the desert” mentally. I don’t wish the experience on anyone. Some people don’t easily escape “the desert,” but I was fortunate.

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