May 21, 2012

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Guest Post: Celebrate Earth Day the Write Way

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By Diane Stresing

Earth Day comes around every year on April 22. Here are seven ways writers can celebrate – and help save the planet – every day.

  1. Commit to a pro-bono project for your local park system or a conservation organization. Get creative; your local APL or Goodwill also counts. I take photos and update the Facebook page for one of my favorite park organizations; since I took on the project, its fan base has more than quadrupled. Which makes me happy because, first, it’s a great organization and second, because it provides me with a great reference account.
  2. Reuse your paper. Look, we’re writers – we use paper. If your printer has a duplex feature, learn to use it, and make sure used paper ends up in the recycle bin. If your printer doesn’t duplex, learn to edit onscreen as much as possible, and instead of just recycling the paper, consider creative re-use options for it. For example, I know of two local preschools that love to get white paper that’s unused on one side. The kids draw on it, and use it in other crafts. (Makes me smile just thinking about it!) Another feel-good, good-for-the-earth reuse: shredded paper in the compost bin.
  3. Make “fast draft” a habit. Sometimes, you have to print. Use the “fast draft” setting as your printer’s default and you’ll reduce your carbon footprint by using less ink and making fewer trips to the office supply store. Also, check into Ecofontsofware’s green printing applications.
  4. Green up when you spruce up. Do you use long-lasting, energy efficient bulbs in your office lighting? You know you should. And the next time you paint, remember to use low-odor/low emission paint or save money (if you’re not super-picky about color) by buying paint and other building supplies and furniture from a Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, local thrift store, or even garage sale.
  5. Be a green techie. You know that familiar advice to writers, “always have a pad of paper with you?” It’s sage, but dated. Try keeping those endless lists in your phone or if you need more keyboard/screen space, use ‘green’ as an excuse to buy an iPad or tablet PC (you know you want one) and use that as your new pad to draft notes on while you wait at the dentist’s office or for that always-running-late client.
  6. Balance out those new-tech purchases by re-using and recycling everything you can. Make it a point of pride to pull out your “old” phone (what? You’ve had it 18 months already?) and say, “I just can’t justify getting a new one when I know this one will end up in a landfill.” Speaking of landfills, ink cartridge refill options have improved tremendously in the past 3-5 years, and many schools have recycling-fundraiser collection bins for the ones you can’t refill. Reuse ‘em as many times as you can, then donate. When you finally do upgrade your phone, find a spot on the EPA’s list of placesto drop off the old one for recycling.
  7. Be good to yourself while you’re good to the planet. Commit to some fresh air and exercise everyday. Your posture and posterior will thank you. How to squeeze it in? Instead of a lunch meeting, plan a working walk with a friend or colleague. Or, figure out how to do an errand or two on foot or by bike. Mother Earth will really appreciate it.

Diane Stresing recycles, composts, and gets fresh air and exercise (almost) every day. She writes health and technology articles for consumer publications, white papers and web copy for B2B clients, and is the author of 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Cleveland.

Interested in contributing a guest blog post of your own? Check out the guest blogger guidelines.

Image: Master isolated images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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Guest Post: How to Stop Procrastinating and Start Writing

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By Alisa Bowman, co-chair of the 2012 ASJA Conference

Many times, at the start of an important project, I find myself doing the following:

  • Drinking cup after cup of tea
  • Taking the dogs for an extra walk
  • Napping
  • Staring out the window
  • Going to Facebook-yet again-to see if anything is new with anyone
  • Eating cheese doodles

I’m good at justifying all of this, too, with the exception of the cheese doodles. The tea? It has caffeine in it and I need caffeine to think clearly. The walk? I get my best ideas while walking. Plus it tires out the dogs so they are less likely to distract me. The nap? Apparently I’m tired! What working mother isn’t? Staring? Similar to walking, this is often how I get ideas. Facebook? Everyone is always saying that social networking is important to career success.

In reality, though, what I’m doing is procrastinating. I’m hesitating. I’m holding back.

For many years, I thought that procrastination stemmed from three problems:

  1. Fatigue. Sometimes I just can’t think straight.
  2. Multitasking. My brain only seems capable of working on two to three big writing projects a day. If I try to add a fourth, I end up using up every tea bag in the house and noticing a lot of what takes place outside my window.
  3. Not being ready. Ideas are like panning for gold. They don’t always show up when one is looking for them.

While, at times, all of those reasons are true, Manhattan therapist Jonathan Alpert recently suggested a fourth to me: fear. I worked with Alpert on his book Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days. Initially, I thought the project would result in a nice paycheck. It never occurred to me that I would learn something that would change the way I approach new projects.

Fear leads to procrastination, he says, especially when you focus too much on the end result: excellence. Suddenly little demons invade your brain, whispering demotivating thoughts like, “This editor is going to hate this,” “I’ll never get this done on time,” “I can’t believe I got this assignment. I’m in way over my head,” and, the ultimate, “I suck, and this sucks, too. I’m doomed. Why did I ever think a career in writing was possible for me? I should have become a waitress.”

Once I realized that fear was behind my inertia, I began approaching new projects differently. I broke them down into small tasks–tasks that I could easily finish in 15 minutes to an hour. For instance, an initial task might be, “Pick five people to interview for the Parents assignment.” Once I check that off, I might assign myself the task of contacting them and setting up interviews. Later on in the process, I might assign myself the task of “typing gibberish onto the screen.” After that is the task of organizing some of that gibberish.

I continue to approach the project in small chunks until, eventually, I reach a flow state where I no longer have to think about what I’m doing. I’m in the zone.

I learned so much from Alpert that I asked him to serve on a panel at the upcoming American Society of Journalists and Authors Conference called “Face Your Writing Fears.” For this panel, he and business coach Jonathan Fields, author of Uncertainty, will conduct an interactive workshop, helping writers overcome everything from procrastination to fear of pitching to writer’s block.

Below are tips for overcoming procrastination from Alpert and that panel’s moderator, Jen Singer, author of many parenting books and the creator of MommaSaid.net and ParentingWithCancer.com.

Set goals. “While the allure of Words with Friends is ever present, so is the appeal of a positive cash flow,” says Singer. “If you find yourself procrastinating often, set goals – daily, weekly, monthly and annually.” For instance, Singer sets goals to fix her router (a daily goal), finish interviews for an article by Friday (weekly), send out X number of pitches (monthly) and write book proposals and books (annually).  “That way, the nebulous goal of getting stuff done doesn’t get lost in a Triple Word Score,” she says.

Remind yourself of the dangers of putting things off. “Think about the amount of stress caused by putting off things and how much frustration will be caused if you continue not to take action,” says Alpert. “Imagine how good you’ll feel once you finally do act. Compare the cost of taking action to not taking it at all.”

Change your language. Alpert suggests you avoid phrases such as “I can’t” and “I have to” and replace them with “I will” and “I want to.”

Draw a line down the center of a page. “On the left side write down how life will be one year from now if you accomplish your goals,” says Alpert. “On the other side write how it will be in one year having not completed your goals. Both will yield powerful information that will drive your forward.”

Take a deep breath and jump. “I’m a soccer coach, and I have a soccer ball paperweight that reads ‘You always miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,’ and it’s true,” says Singer. “I would never had made it onto the Today show or in The New York Times if I had succumbed to fear. So I heed what Eleanor Roosevelt said, ‘Do something every day that scares you.’ Even if you’re feeling weak, pitch as though you are your own client, and you’re trying to sell you and your talents to a golden market. Distance yourself from your product – your pitch – and do that thing that scares you even if it’s just once a day.”

For more help in overcoming writing fears, attend the ASJA Conference April 26 to 28 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. [Ed note: I'm moderating the LinkedIn for Journalists panel and speaking on the Secrets of Successful Freelancers panel, both on Friday, April 27.]

Alisa Bowman is the author of Project: Happily Ever After, which tells the story of how she went from the brink of divorce to falling back in love. She is also the creator of ProjectHappilyEverAfter.com, which is a gathering spot for recovering divorce daydreamers. She’s also co-chair of the 2012 ASJA Conference. 

Interested in contributing a guest blog post of your own? Check out the guest blogger guidelines.
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Guest Post: Are You Taking Advantage of Social Media the “Write” Way?

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By Kaity Nakagoshi

Just as writing for the web requires different tactics than writing for print, writing for social media is different than writing for the web. Writers need to evaluate their style and approach when writing for social media in order to meet the unique needs of this medium.

Know Your Audience
One of the biggest ways in which social media writing differs from web writing is the fact that you are writing for specific people, not for algorithms. Even though web writing is generally crafted to appeal to people, it must also take into account how to best attract attention from search engines and how to stand out in search results. With social media, the emphasis is on building conversations and relationships, not page rank. Content has to appeal to specific individuals, not aggregate groups, and must be written in a way that encourages sharing.

So-Me Writing for Dummies
While talented writers can produce content for just about any medium, to be a successful social media writer, it helps if you’re a sociable person. The same qualities that make you successful in social settings will help you with social media. Below are some helpful tips.

  • Be yourself. With social media, it’s best to be authentic. People generally respond most to those whom they perceive as being genuine. Regardless of whether they agree or disagree with you, by being yourself, you will at least reveal your personality which helps start conversation.
  • Don’t worry about building a platform or a brand. People gravitate towards social media for interaction and connection, not to receive broadcast marketing messages or to simply follow carefully crafted statements. Make them feel that they have a personal connection with you.
  • Participate in conversations. Social media is about listening and responding to others, not just talking about yourself. Building an audience is artificial; letting one gather around you is organic.
  • Share what you love. Don’t limit yourself to posting content revolving around a limited subject matter. Share things across a variety of topics that entertain, engage, or excite you, but be sparing about sharing things that irritate or anger you.

Perfect Match
Writers are particularly suited to use social media because it relies on the ability to write compelling and interesting content. It’s all about the words. Most writers are also natural storytellers, a skill that meshes perfectly with this medium. Social media can also help relieve some of the isolation many writers face. Writing is a solitary occupation and social media can help connect you to potential clients, industry leaders, other writers, and readers.

Speaking of readers, most writers don’t have the opportunity to meet their readers, much less to find out what they like or don’t like, but they can do just that with social media. Engaging with readers can be fulfilling on a personal level, can increase audience retention, and can help you as the writer come up with new content ideas.

Victim of Your Own Success
Despite all of the positive aspects of social media, writers should be cautious about falling victim to common social media pitfalls, such as:

  • Distraction. Social media should supplement and support your writing life, not supplant it. If you’re spending more time on social media than you are on your writing, you probably need to re-evaluate your priorities and goals.
  • Over sharing. While you’re encouraged to share details of your personal and writing life, there is a line that you shouldn’t cross. Sharing uncomfortable personal details, the uninteresting minutiae of everyday life, or gloating about your successes (or rivals’ failures) can backfire and drive followers away.
  • Arguments, sour grapes, and unbridled criticism. Social media is not the place to start or engage in public squabbles or to air your dissatisfactions with your career, fellow writers, the industry, or life in general. Similarly, you shouldn’t use it to blast other writers’ work. Just like in the offline world, you should strive to maintain your professionalism online.

Making the “Write” Connections
Social media can be an incredibly effective tool and rewarding experience for writers who are looking to not only market themselves and their work, but to establish genuine connections with other people. Social media can also help you stay informed on developing trends and monitor longer term trends. For writers, it also makes for an excellent research resource. By tapping into the collective knowledge and experience in your network, writers can quickly gain new perspectives, contacts, suggested reading, reviews on products, and an array of other information. It’s a great way to connect with other writers, creatives, readers, and industry insiders, helping you take your career to the next level while meeting people and making friends along the way.

This article was written by Kaity Nakagoshi and provided by University Alliance, on behalf of the University of San Francisco’s online program.  They offer a variety of professional certification opportunities, including a master certificate in internet marketing and a specialized certificate in advanced social media training. To find out additional information please visit: http://www.usanfranonline.com.

Interested in contributing a guest blog post of your own? Check out the guest blogger guidelines.

Top image: sixninepixels / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Filed Under: guest post, social media

Twitter: Breaking the Four-Figure Follower Mark

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A colleague recently posted on a freelance forum with a question about breaking the four-figure follower market on Twitter. Being the savvy content creator that I am, I’m polishing and repurposing my response to him so that hopefully some of you will glean some value from this information as well.

Before you start to build your following, though, ask yourself these questions:

Why do you want more Twitter followers? Plenty of successful authors aren’t on Twitter because they’re focused on writing books or other long-form pieces. If that’s your focus or you really don’t enjoy Twitter, maybe it’s not the right platform for you. Despite what some people tell you, not everyone has to be on Twitter. I resisted joining for quite awhile, but once I jumped in, I discovered that I love the short, fast-paced conversations that serve as a virtual water-cooler for me. In fact, I like Twitter a lot more than Facebook, because it’s simpler and the relationships can be asymmetrical.

What kind of followers are you looking for? Most likely, you want followers who are interested and engaged in the things you tweet about, so go for quality, not quantity. (If quantity was all you were after, you could buy followers on eBay, but that’s sketchy in my opinion.) Since I blog about writing and freelancing (as @UrbanMuseWriter), most of my 5k+ followers are fellow freelancers, writers, editors, and other creative pros. Since I sometimes crowdsource sources, PR pros and people I’ve interviewed in the past follow me as well.

Still want to boost your Twitter following and break the four-figure mark? Here’s what has worked for me:

  1. Participate in Twitter chats. @MichelleRafter hosts a monthly Twitter chat for writers (#WCLW) so I participate when I can and I always find relevant followers through that, not to mention the camaraderie and tips I enjoy along the way. @EFAFreelancers also hosts a monthly chat called Freelance Fridays (#EFAchat) and I was the March “guest,” which again boosted my following.
  2. Post retweetable content. I’ve found that interesting quotes, enticing headlines, and pithy tips tend to get shared and RT’ed, which exposes my Twitter handle to my followers’ followers. Make sure your tweets are short enough they can be RT’ed with your Twitter handle without shortening. Otherwise, it’s too much work for the RT’er. Using the phrase “please RT” sparingly also tends to get RTs (it sounds suspect but there are studies that back this up).
  3. Livetweet events. I attended the Blog Better Boston Conference (#BBBos) a few weeks ago and tweeted up a storm. As fellow attendees follow the live feed of the conference hashtag, they tend to follow other attendees and RT interesting sound bytes, which again exposes me to their followers. I’ll also be tweeting at #ASJA2012 later this month.
  4. Participate in #FollowFriday. Most people tweet a list of recommended follows each week, but I’ve found that I get more mileage out of highlighting one person and explaining why they’re worth following. For instance, “Happy #followfriday to @NikkiGroom. Just discovered her blog & am enjoying the sassy style & interesting topics.” When you send something personalized like that, the personis more apt to RT the #FollowFriday shout out or RT your other content in the future. Now I’m more focused on #FridayReads, where I mention the name of the book I’m currently, give a capsule summary in some cases, and include the author’s handle whenever I can.
  5. RT others. When you RT other people in your niche, they’re more likely to follow you and/or RT you in the future. However, some people are turned off by too many RTs, because they want your point of view rather than you just repeating what others have said. That’s why you need a happy medium of original content and RTs.
The bottom line? Building a quality following on Twitter requires quality content and a commitment to participating in micro-communities on Twitter, which isn’t that different from any other online platform. Have you found this to be true? What strategies work well for you?

Image courtesy of Master isolated images / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Filed Under: Twitter
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