From Retirement To Career Change

Blogging To Start Your Online Career

Expanding your career to the Internet or starting an online business will be overwhelming at times. Figuring out how to write on the internet will be frustrating. Two good reasons not to even think of a web presence?  WRONG.

 

Give yourself a label… you are a newbie and one of the best places for newbies to get accustomed to writing and promoting and marketing on the web is to write a blog.  You are the expert on your topic – your profession, your business, and you can talk about the topic for hours. Well a business blog is a sort of conversational journal about a topic. For instance, this blog post is about starting a blog. I am the go to person for information about this topic.

 

Three concepts to keep in mind. First you're going to make mistakes. You may get the technology wrong or you may not market your blog as you should but you're new at this and this isn't, after all, your area of expertise. You should worry about the content because that's where you are being measured.

 

Secondly, don't write what I call a VANILLA BLOG. There are millions of people blogging every day and something like 200,000 new blogs daily. What we don't want to read is a rehash of the basics we all know. Be controversial. Write your objective opinion that may differ from many. Write about an aspect of your profession or your specialty that hasn't been written about a thousand times before. You don't like that latest book about how to lose write. Tell your readers and tell them why.

 

Comment on other blog posts especially when you disagree. Be objective and use restraint. Remember no one wants to read a comment that's longer than the original post.  And attacking another blogger is always verboten.

 

When you do agree explain why. Use a personal experience as an example.  Writing vanilla comments is boring; no one learns anything and your name is forgotten.  Create a discussion about a certain topic and get your name known.

 

Just because you write a blog doesn't mean readers will come. Remind me to write to you about marketing.

 

To your career success no matter where you are in life.

 

Ruthan Brodsky

 

 

 

From Print to Writing On The Web

Figuring out how to write on the web when you are used to writing for print can be overwhelming, dreadful, or fun and a great learning experience.  It's up to you.

You know the print journalism and publishing industries are in big trouble and there's no sign of turning a corner very soon. In fact, more print publications are switching to the web and finding they just can't move all their print content to the Internet.  It needs to be written differently.

The same concept is for you to realize. If you are looking to expand your career or start a new career on the Internet you just can't keep producing the same kind of content for a different medium. The web and the people who read on the web demand a different kind of writing delivered in a different way. It can be hard to find the right mix if you've spent your entire professional life writing one way and now you are asked to change completely.

Your first rule and it's the same rule you had when you began your profession or career is that practice makes it better. In writing, practice does not make it perfect. Your writing will never be perfect but it can always improve.

My advice is to search online for your profession or business or topic. Read what other people are writing. Find one or two samples that you think are good in terms of style, format, and quality of information. It may be that you have three different sites each excelling in one attribute. Outline your topic even if it's a 3 paragraph blog post. Then when you write about your topic keep those three models in mind.

The major difference is that writing on line, unless you are writing for a traditional journal, is less formal and less traditional. Depending upon your topic you can count on your writing to be more conversational – most likely with better grammar. And you still have to provide correct spelling.

 

Do you have any tips for those who are making the transition to the Internet? Do you have any question about making the transition yourself?  Type them in the comment box and I will answer them.

 

To your success in your life and your career,

 

Ruthan Brodsky

Freelance Writing as a Second Career

Three years ago it was fun to dream about being the writer you always wanted to be in the second half of your life. Today, fewer people have that option to dream while they look for a job so they can keep their home and live comfortably.

Even so, for some, who may have enough income to live on from a good financial buy out, a well invested pension plan, or some other kind of passive income such as social security, the next 6 months may be the perfect time to find work that matters to you.

First of all, with freelance writing, as with anything, you need to go slow and do some homework to make sure you're heading in the right direction. One reason people make a midlife career change is they're simply not passionate about what they have been doing eight hours a day. To find something more rewarding you need to match your work to your interests and personality. You may even want to try a self-assessment at CareerPath or Monster.

Keep in mind that less people are earning a living as freelance writers because it is more difficult to develop relationships with magazines that use their work regularly. First, there are fewer magazines and publishing houses are being downsized just as other businesses. Secondly, more publications, especially local publications, are eliminating their freelance costs and often getting PR firms to write the articles for their clients. For example, a hospital's communication department wrote about a new hospital sponsored support group for eating disorders. That type of assignment was usually given to a freelancer.

My advice is to continue to market yourself as a freelance writer but select a particular niche such as fitness, or real estate, or weight loss, or home schooling. You can branch out to other subjects later. With a niche, however, you can cultivate related sources of income such as teaching, consulting, writing for businesses that focus on that topic.

Hope this is helpful. Let me know your questions. Send them in the comment window and I'll be sure to respond.

To your success whatever in whatever career you seek.

Ruthan Brodsky

Can Freelance Writing Fill Your Gap?

I have been freelance writing out of my home for 27 years so it is natural that many of you ask me questions about getting started, is this a good way to make extra money, and can I replace my job. Good questions – all of them. You know, of course, there are semester long classes that teach all this so I'm not going to be able to detail much in two or three paragraphs.

 

But I can give you some good advice.

 

Many of you are looking at freelance writing work as a means to fill in the financial gap – to earn extra money. It certainly makes sense to explore other possibilities because the cost of everything is gradually rising. This is especially true if you've been laid off and are having trouble finding employment, particularly if you're 50 and older. I've heard from several that it's just as tough if you're 45.

 

Consider yourself lucky if you can work overtime. If you're salaried you don't have that option and you may not be able to work at a second job. Freelance writing jobs can help you fill the gaps in your income. You can search for and complete assignments in your free time and it won't impact your salaried job.

 

The problem is that industries and businesses have tightened their budgets. Newspapers have shut their doors. Public relations businesses have closed and those that remain are greatly reduced in size. Marketing budgets have decreased because sales are down.

 

I'm not trying to frighten you. I am doing my best to be blatantly honest.

Just as most things are today, earning an income at freelance writing is not easy. I don't care what anyone hypes in their sales letters! You can do it but it won't be easy and the money won't come rolling in immediately.

 

If you still want to try freelance writing it does have its advantages:

Flexible hours to better balance your work and life.

Learn as you go. That's what writing is about – you learn how to write by writing.

 

More in my next post.  Ask your questions now and I'll cover them.

Let me know if you're interested in a course about freelance writing.

 

To your career success regardless your age.

 

Ruthan Brodsky

 

Create A System to Marketing Your Business With An Ezine

One of the reasons to start and distribute an ezine when you may be changing how you approach your career is to get more readers. More readers means you have more potential prospects as clients or customers. That means you can grow you business list of people who are interested in what you have to say. Every time you are key not speaker at an event or you have published an article, on line or in print, you can send a brief announcement to all these people.

Ezines to Promote Yourself as the Expert

You have been at your business or your profession for at least 20 years and you have a fairly good idea about what works and what does not work. You may be at that point in your life where you love what you are doing and you want to continue but you would like to take a slightly different and quieter approach when it comes to marketing yourself.

 

My suggestion is to start an e-newsletter or ezine which will help you keep your current clients and set you up as the expert for your new clients.

Set Up Your Email Basics

Email can be an integral part of your business and professional life in your retirement. It enables you to continue communication with your clients and to build your customer list.

 

You probably already have an email  address. My question is it effective for business. Now that you're not in an office it's even more important that you five the appearance of being serious about your business.

 

If you already have a website that reflects your business with the domain name, you may want to create an email address using that same domain name. Keep in mind do you want to be known for your own name or for your business name. For example, about a year ago I purchased the domain name Ruthan Brodsky and now use that for an email address. Ex: JohnDoe@JohnDoe.com   Previous to that I used my business name, RAB, but no one knew who that was unless they already had done business with me.

 

You, on the other hand, may be known as the doctor's coach and want to include that in your email. Ex:  coachingdoctors@professionalcoaching.com

 

If you do more than one thing, such as coaching and marketing organic hair products, you may want to use an email that's your own name. In other words if you want to appear professional and an expert in your field you need to decide whether to use one domain name that is your business name or your own name to start branding your business with email.

 

This isn't difficult to do but if you need help or don't want to bother then use your Virtual Assistant or webmaster.

 

To your internet success regardless of age,

 

Ruthan Brodsky

 

Write an EBook To Establish Expert Status

Writing an eBook on your area of expertise is an excellent way to show your clients and prospective clients/customers - and the rest of the world for that matter - that your career may be taking a turn in the road but you remain the expert.

You can write an eBook quickly and with little aggravation because you won't have the expense of self publishing or waiting for an agent or publishing house to let you know whether your information was even worthy of being published.

If you are planning to set yourself up as the expert, than be prepared to be the expert. Even though you know your topic, do more research so that you are up to date on whatever changes have taken place in your field.

Then do more research to figure out if you have a market that will purchase your eBook. Go to Amazon and search for your topic and see if there are other books on that topic. One quick way to determine if you have a market is to visit your local book store and see if there's a magazine or two on your topic. If there is you can stop your search; your topic is good to go. You can also look up your topic in Google and see the amount of activity. Are there ads on the Google pages related to your topic? If there are ads that is another good sign.

On the other hand, if you plan to write the eBook because you are going to use it for marketing, it won't matter very much how trendy your topic is. Start writing.

I always write from an outline. It helps to organize my thoughts and the main numerals in the outline end up being the chapters of the eBook. If you plan to market and sell the eBook on line you'll want to hire a VA or virtual assistant for graphics, and to help you set up a shopping cart with an auto responder. The idea for all this is that you will be much too busy writing your next eBook to respond to each purchaser individually. The auto responder can do that plus it will collect the names of those who purchased the book. This will give you a list you can make your pitch to for your second eBook. After all, you are the expert.

Let's start a list of possible eBook toopics. Scroll down to Comments and type your ideas in the blank window.

To your success in business and in life,

Ruthan Brodsky

How To Put Together A Swipe File For Your Writing

One of the best ways to become a good writer is to put together a good swipe file and then study it well so you will be able to use it when you write.

A swipe file sounds like what it is. It is a collection of good copywriting examples of letters, headlines, advertisements, sales letters, and first sentences in first paragraphs. These are not examples to be plagiarized but to be adapted to what you're doing.

You put together a swipe file by saving clips of articles and ads from magazines, from information products on the Internet and from ads you hear on different media. The National Inquirer, Cosmopolitan, and Men's health spend a lot of money making sure their headlines work. You don't have to test them when you're writing. Just turn them around to focus on what your topic may be.

You may also want to keep a file of good sales letter designs. Print them out and in color. Where is the white space? Do they use bullets with a list? How do they get your attention?

Writing good persuasive copy is a science and an art. You do have to work at it if you want to be good at it but you can also use a swipe file to help you out. The internet has lots of information about copywriting. The internet has lots of sales letters, good and bad. You will find outstanding writers and copywriters that give free tips, articles and ezines about how to write good sales copy. When you explore and find copy that appeals to you, print it out. Use them when you're writing and could use some inspiration.

Not every author has good writing credentials but they know the words that sell and which to use when you are trying to convince your prospect to purchase your product or service.

Other products to include in your swipe file are email messages, articles, blog titles, offers, guarantee statements and intros. Use a file folder or box to collect your good copy. Once a month go thru the copy and take our anything that's not current. Keep your swipe file up to date is important for your work.

You may even want to purchase someone else's swipe file and add it to your collection.

If you already have a swipe file, let me know when and how you use it. I could share your ideas with others. Scroll down to Comments and type your ideas.

To your success in business and in life,

Ruthan Brodsky

Writing Headlines for Your Target Market

A lot of people overlook the importance of their headline for their sales letter as well as for their other writings. Keep in mind that more people will read your headline as will read your content which ought to tell you just how important your headline is. If you don't have a good headline, those readers are gone.

Think about what you do when you read a magazine or browse on line. What catches your eye? What makes you go from the headline to the first paragraph? What makes you click on to the next message, the next page because you're not interested in this one?

A great headline is one that attracts your attention. It needs to be pointed to your target market so that it's appropriate for you, your service or your product. You almost pre-qualify somebody that way by saying if you're not in my target market, click on to the next.

A great headline shows benefits. It almost summarizes what you're going to read so people don't waste their time if they're not interested. It also is the most visually prominent piece of your sales letter copy or for that matter any copy.

There are many different types of questions. Some ask questions, some give testimonials, some have huge shock value to get your attention. Here's a sample of a headline that asks a question: Do you make these 10 top mistakes in your blog?

I like headlines that start with "how to" do something. You see a bunch of them that read like this: How to make millions of dollars…..

Headlines should also be written in the present tense. I think you have a better chance connecting with the reader when you write in the present tense rather than the future or the past tense.

A good place to check out great headlines is the magazines on the rack at the grocery store check out lines or at your local bookstore. Look for the verbs that are used. You can leave out the subject matter in the middle and apply those headlines to your topics.

When you find a great headline, use it. If you're willing to share that headline, let us know about it too. Scroll down to Comments and type that headline in the blank window.

More on copywriting from my posts this week. I'm on a roll!