How much do you want to have a freelance writing business?

Do you know how tough it can get along the way?

Laura has taken her many years of experience and put them all into a wonderful eBook. Now, you can have a mentor and a guide who will take you through the process of starting your own freelance writing business. Not only that, but all the valuable experience and knowledge that has taken her years to learn, is all yours within hours [reading]. So, do go take a look at Laura’s How To Start A Freelance Writing Business immediately!

I just found this really interesting site that talks about diet pills and nothing but diet pills.

Anyone who is interested in COPYWRITING should really take a look at this site. OK, if you are looking for a slimmer you, you can go too. Duh.

The site is fascinating for me because you have a page that contains a short write up of ten different diet pills. Yet, each is written with the following key points:

1. Each first line is a unique selling proposition
2. There is a statement of fact and a promise (mostly)
3. Each short write up contains all the salient points that you need to know including the invitation to purchase
4. There are clear links where you can get more information (does not apply to offline copywriting, critical for online copywriting)

I subscribe to the adage that we never stop learning. And this is really a nice learning experience.

OK, some people think of blogging as work. Strange people.

But if you enjoy blogging and are half good at it, you might have thought of doing it for a living, despite all the horror stories that are appearing. If so, then you should read Yvonne’s post on Blogging for a Network. It is a good starting point to learn more.

Once upon a time, in a board room not far away, the Council met.

“You know what we want,” said the Head. “Deliver for us a creative of such excellence, none who view it can resist The Product.”

It was a daunting task. A task that would challenge the mettle of The Best. But it was not impossible. Properly targeted, armed with information, demographics, statistics and other magical tools; knowing the Final Objectives, The Product shall thrive.

“Indeed, we will!” the Leader of The Best proclaimed confidently. “Now tell us more.”

“There is nothing more to tell. You are The Best. You have the Knowing. Speak no more and go Create.” And so speaking, the Head turn and walked from the room.

For one brief horrifying moment, the Leader realised, finally, he has met the Mission Impossible.

If you are any kind of writer at all, you must have dreamed this dream. At some point in your life, you must surely have wanted to write your own novel.

Frankly, I have never met any one who loves writing but never dreamed of writing fiction. It is a rare breed that is so focused on writing press releases, great headlines and killer ad copy that they do not even think about penning a story or two. If I had a dollar for every story that I started but never finished, I could afford that Wii.

So, head on over to Men with Pens – they are going to do a series on how you can write better fiction. I’ll be there.

Here is a chance for you to write, have lots of fun, and win US$100 all at the same time!

Head on over to ReallyLousyDates.com and enter their Valentine’s Day Contest. It is the Worse Valentine’s Day Story Contest. If you have a story to tell, now is the time to do it.

Unless of course, like me, all your Valentines were perfect… :)

Well, I wish I had read Glenda’s post Getting Smart About Setting Goals earlier. Then maybe, I would have set better goals for 2008. But well, it’s too late. The year has already started. I can’t set goals anymore. I am set on a path to an aimless year. Really.

Glenda made a very interesting comment yesterday, she was asking “to see a strategy on how we can effectively use and integrate these tools without them becoming great time and focus eaters”.

Every one has their own way of coping. Well, social networking is no different. Interesting enough, there are people who do not network at all. So, contrary to popular belief, social networking is not a universal truth, hermits aside. But I would like to share a tip on how you can use social networking and keep your sanity:

Choose one.

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? More is not necessarily better. If you are a member of multiple social networks, what usually happens is, you are a “fringe member” on most of them. Your name is on the list, but I doubt if you are on their minds.

Participate in several different networks. Find one that meets your needs. This means, are you comfortable there, can you promote your business there, or whatever it was that you wanted to accomplish. Narrow it down. If you are happy and comfortable with more than one, fine. But remember that participation is key. And participation can be a time sink you might come to regret.

I would love to hear how all of you are using social networking and what your tips are to make it effective and manageable. Maybe this could become a meme of sorts – but I would love to hear from Glenda, Angela, and Laura.

Technorati Tags: blog, social network, tips

Remember this? Well, I have looked at a few of the sites and there are some really nice posts out there!

These are just 3 of the posts that touched me. The others are nice too, but these seem to speak to me:

http://didisignonforthis.blogspot.com/2007/12/day-of-tree.html
http://thezenofmotherhood.blogspot.com/2007/12/generous-december-and-christmas-miracle.html
http://setxbayou.blogspot.com/2007/12/ladder-guy-view-from-edge-of-christmas.html

Which one do you like? Head on over to MomGadget.com to see the contest.

Technorati Tags: blogs, bloggin, christmas, contest

There is a difference, you know, between speaking and communicating. But many people, while they are aware of this, I mean, any 101-class you attend will tell you that; yet it is difficult sometimes in practice.

Context and point-of-view are very important when communicating. My thirteen year old daughter gave us an object lesson in that yesterday. When Mommy “corrected” her “… you should use, ‘when I was younger’ and not ‘when I was small’…” she immediately came back with a re-joiner -

“I am STILL young today, so, I was ’smaller’ then.”

Context and Point-of-View. Now, who would have thought…

Well, if you have been blogging for a while, and you are still at it, then you must really love it. So, why not test your mettle against the best on the web and take part in the Holiday Blogging Award 2007 competition?

There are three categories that you can participate in:

Best Holiday decoration of a Blog – Any blog or blogger who has decorated their blog for the holidays either entirely or in an subtle way. Prize: $20 USD via Paypal and links from channel blogs.

Best post about Christmas on a Blog – The best posting about Christmas or holiday activities on a blog. It can be religious or non-religious, but should celebrate the spirit of the season. Prize: $20 USD via Paypal and links from channel blogs.

Best Holiday image or video on a Blog – The best display of your own personal holiday decorations on a blog. It can be religious or non-religious, but again, should celebrate the spirit of the season. Prize: $20 USD via Paypal and links from channel blogs.

I have been invited to be a judge for these awards, so please… be nice to me! :)

Technorati Tags: blog, blogging, holiday blogging