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Get It In Writing featured in the Christian Science Monitor
2008-02-27 19:53:00
Get It In Writing 's Allison Nazarian is interviewed in a January 11, 2008, Christian Science Monitor article entitled, "Meet the fake Steve Jobs... ... and several other satirists blogging in the guise of famous CEOs as interest in captains of industry grows."Amazing how P.R. works: We didn't even know this article exsited until one month after it ran!
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Thank you for letting me share this amazing SEO copywriting success
2008-02-27 19:45:00
I am floored by an amazing success my client, Larry Zerner, a Los Angeles Entertainment Attorney, experienced this week. Along with Teri Tucker, a great web designer from T&I Grafix , we created a new site at http://www.zernerlaw.com/Larry’s goal, like so many others out there, was to raise his search engine rankings, Google in particular. [This is what is referred to as "organic" or "natural" search engine rankings, as opposed to "paid inclusion" which includes Pay Per Click (PPC).] As a solo practitioner, Larry wanted to maximize his web presence (who among us doesn’t?). What we want and what we may get aren't always the same, right?Now this is no exaggeration, nor is it a promise of what could happen to you and it is certainly not a guarantee, but here is what happened:Within 24 – 48 hours of the new ZernerLaw site going live, Larry’s firm, which previously had had little to no search engine presence whatsoever, was on the first page of Google, and in some cases in o...
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Do all entrepreneurs have ADD?
2008-02-27 19:15:00
I don’t know about you, but I have days (and nights) during which I have one million-dollar-idea after another (Donny Deutsch are you listening?).Apparently, I am not alone. In fact, I read in a couple of places that roughly half of all entrepreneurs have (or maybe think they have?) Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)Now I know little about ADD, I do not have the condition nor would I ever diagnose myself or anybody else. I use the term here to describe the constant flow, at least in my brain, of new ideas, approaches for clients or for my own business, better systems and so much more. (And that's all before the additional millions of ideas I have for kid-friendly products and other gadgets that will make our busy lives easier in the kitchen, at home and in the office.)There will never be enough hours in the day to develop even a small fraction of the copywriting and marketing – related products I am dying to bring to life. NEVER. Yes, the entrepreneur’s mind is a busy, excited ...
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Does this hit too close to home?
2008-02-25 21:13:00
In our most recent e-newsletter, I discussed a real person/friend who wasn't interested in negotiating, bartering or lowering his prices with potential customers. I received a few VERY HEATED negative responses to this and wondered what you think? (BTW, none of the responders were our actual clients.)Here is the inspirational info verbatim: When my dear friend I.R., a business owner, has a potential customer attempt to negotiate pricing, this is what he tells the individual:"We have two problems: one if that you are too cheap and the other is that I am too expensive."You may want to remember that next time you are asked to reduce your pricing, barter or, worse, give away your expertise for free.
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The Art of the Relationship
2008-02-24 21:47:00
I had a few interesting "situations" this week. All were slightly uncomfortable, all tested me, all made me angry (at least for a fleeting moment) but all, at the end of the day, were great learning experiences. What I have learned is that it is precisely in that incredibly frustrating, perhaps fed-up or awkward moment that we (or at least I) have to step outside of ourselves and see things for what they are rather than blow this up into the biggest deal ever. More than that, we need to remember that this instant, while not so much fun, is a lesson, sometimes a very valuable one. For me, another reminder I constantly need to give myself is that no matter what, it's not personal. Instead of letting my emotions get out of control, I try to tell myself that this is about business, and about the other person, and their needs, frustrations and issues. Instead of taking it to heart, I try to learn from it and, at least emotionally, walk away. This all got me thinking about when business...
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Getting Your Blog Noticed
2008-02-22 08:22:00
We all know by now that the Internet is filled with literally millions of blogs – millions!Based on this number, the amount of blog posts floating around in cyberspace would appear to be endless, right? So how can you make your business blog stand out among the many?I have no idea. OK, just kidding. There is no magic formula, but there is much you can do to tip the scales of success in your favor. According to social media marketing blogger Scott Monty, the answer comes down to timing and technique. In a recent post, Monty revealed that bloggers who post on major developments as they happen are far more likely to attract readers.Because Google has the ability to quickly index blog posts as they come online, bloggers who are fast to post breaking news are rewarded with high placement in search engine results. (The saying about luck is where preparation meets opportunity comes to mind.)Timing, however, isn't the only great tool. Monty also recommends adding humor to your blog entri...
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Getting Out Of Your Home Office ‘Cave’ (Part 2 of 2)
2008-02-20 16:42:00
As I said in my previous post, working from home, whether as an entrepreneur, freelancer or employee/telecommuter can be one of the best, most effective, most liberating gigs around.Before moving out of my home office, I called home “my office” and my office “home” over five years. I managed to be incredibly productive and growth-oriented by following these rules every single day:Dress for success. I never started the day or sat at my desk in my PJs. I always dressed as if I were going into a public office or a client meeting. Always.Don’t have the “home” mentality during business hours. There is never a shortage of things to do at home, from laundry to making dinner to picking up in the bedrooms to…well, you get the point. I made it a rule to never even start any of those never-ending tasks because I would never stop if I were to start.This leads me to: Set a schedule and stick to it. You work certain hours and then you close the door and become the “home you” d...
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The Art of the Relationship (Part 2 of 2)
2008-02-20 07:35:00
In my last post, I gave you the first three of my "art of the relationship" tips. Here are the next three:Remember their human needs. No, I don't mean anything that personal. We are all emotional beings who want to feel appreciated and loved (bring out the violins). Your clients are no different. Thank them when necessary, tell them how much you enjoy your relationship with them or how much you respect them in their business. A little goes a long way!Listen. You know the saying about having two ears and one mouth and using them accordingly? This could not be more relevant than with your clients. Listen to them. Really listen to them. Don’t assume you know their expectations and needs -- ask (and then listen to the answer).Picture-perfect. Lastly, share your picture with your customers. In today's world we work with so many different people, some daily, and we never even see them face-to-face. It may be an old adage, but a picture is still worth a thousand words.
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The Art of the Relationship (Part 1 of 2)
2008-02-20 07:21:00
True or false: Your clients and the relationships you foster with them are the most important aspect of your business. (Obviously true.)Through good working relations, you not only can generate more business, but credibility and visibility (and ultimately profitability) that money really can’t buy.By extending them the courtesy of open communication and meaningful attention, you ultimately develop a strong relationship. There are a few "musts" that I live by with all clients no matter how "big" or "small" they are. What really blows my mind is that not all businesses abide by these basic tenets.Here are my Top Six "art of the relationship" tips for entrepreneurs, small business owners and all of the rest of you no matter where you fall in the business spectrum:Be on time, every time. If you promise to deliver a project at a certain time, deliver it accordingly. If you must break or miss a deadline, contact your customer immediately and be prepare to provide them a good reason for ...
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Getting Out Of Your Home Office ‘Cave’ (Part 1 of 2)
2008-02-18 16:40:00
Working from home, whether as an employee or as the master of your domain, is no longer the exception to the rule when it comes to where you work and what you do all day.Many people decide to leave full-time employee positions to “go out on their own.” Others remain employees but are allowed to telecommute some or all days of the week.Many see the “freelance life” or the “work-from-home life” as a perfect, idyllic existence. Freelancers and telecommuters have a seemingly perfect life of hanging out around the house in their pajamas and doing much of nothing at all, right? (Similar to what many view, so wrongly, as the relaxed, pajama-and-soap-opera-days of stay-at-home-moms.)Wrong!The truth is, working out of your home is a lot harder than it sounds. You have to keep yourself motivated and productive at all times -- not an easy feat in today’s distraction-filled world. Discipline and scheduling will make or break you.On a personal note, I ran my business, Get It In Wri...
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Understanding Key Words
2008-02-15 16:38:00
Everyone wants to be at the top of Google and Yahoo! listings but so few seem to understand that you don’t just magically appear there! SEO copywriting is not what I would call a mystery, but I am convinced that it is something that most people do NOT do well (sorry…).It is SO important for marketers and writers writing, editing or developing online copy to truly understand what keywords are, what they do, what they need to do and how to use them effectively.Yes, we all know that a keyword or key phrase is a word or phrase your potential customer would ostensibly use when searching for a company that provides your services or products. Clearly, this is an even more basic explanation than a SEO Copywriting or SEO Keywords 101 primer would give you. This world is infinitely more unknown and complicated than this, but I like to be clear and simple so that we are all getting the same point.Simple example: if you want to learn more about copywriting, or about how to hire a copywriter...
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The care and feeding of your blog
2008-02-09 05:20:00
In a recent blog entry, I talked about the all-too-common trend of setting up a blog and then not doing anything with it. Here are some basic but key tips for keeping the care and feeding of your blog:Investigate. Become a journalist whose beat is your industry. What are your competitors writing about? What trend or news items are the associations, trade publications and periodicals of your industry discussing? (And what are they not writing about?)Don't go TMI on us. One of the attractions of blogs and blogging is the casual, conversational tone you can adopt. But don't take the reduction in formality to mean that you can let it all hang out. Your business blog is not a place to discuss your child's potty-training, or your search for Mr. (or Ms. Right or your personal habits) UNLESS there is a very definite and specific business-related and sales-related reason to do so! (And by all means if you want to get down to the brass tacks of your personal life, create a personal blog on...
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Cross it off your to do list
2008-02-07 08:52:00
Do you ever find yourself with a business "to do" item that you never manage to get done? I am super-guilty of that one.Sometimes, it is something I just dread doing and will do anything instead. Other times, I am not sure how to approach "the thing" and to protect myself from that uncertainty, I skirt the issue of that item as much as possible. And then in a third scenario, it's actually something that isn't smart, valuable or even doable in terms of your business. Almost like the Universe's way of telling you that this thing shouldn't even make the to-do list.One of my goals is to pare down the list, not only by completing tasks and crossing them off but, more importantly, to being more selective about what makes the list in the first place. If it is confusing, uncomfortable or unworkable, it may be, to the contrary, the best thing you can do for the business. On the other hand, it may be all wrong and you need to know that and act accordingly.So as I strive to be discerning, ...
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Unattended Blog Syndrome
2008-01-28 21:04:00
One day, a client I was speaking with used the term “unattended blog” to refer to the many blogs, including his, that had been completely and utterly ignored and, well, unattended to. How many of you have fallen victim to Unattended Blog Syndrome (UBS) -- the ailment that occurs after you have created your business blog and immediately following the realization that this is a creature with a never-ending appetite for words, messages and ideas? Is it better to create a blog and then ignore it or to not have one at all? Along the same lines, is it better to have an unprofessional web presence/website or none at all?That’s up to you to decide. I would argue that you need to have both AND both need to be updated, attended to and fed, fed, fed with new and relevant content. Just like a website is an absolute must for just about any business, so too is a blog -- and if you don't think so now, just wait until you lose a new job or potential client because they so enjoyed reading a...

Making mistakes is a good thing
2008-01-25 06:15:00
Show me the person who makes no mistakes and I will show you someone who is, well....not alive!Who among us hasn't made mistakes? I make 'em daily, big and small. One of my goals is to take everything I do wrong, or too much or not enough less seriously in a personal way and more seriously in an educational way.Over the years, my mistakes have proven to be great mentors. How many times have you done something in your business (like work on a project without a written agreement or promise something within an unreasonable timeframe) and then realized that not only did you make a mistake, but that you would learn from this mistake in a way that would spur you to act differently the next time around.I'm not going to say I welcome mistakes, but I don't think I would have ever gotten this far without my mistakes! I try to be grateful for mistakes I have made, for bad choices I have made, for the wrong clients and for unrealistic projects and deadlines. As long as you and I don't keep...
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What's up for the new year?
2008-01-23 22:39:00
Print vs. online marketingA one-time shot to your clients through a piece of paper may not lead to more business. I always tell my clients that when they are in doubt, choose online marketing over print marketing because online is instant, changeable, less expensive and has a wider reach.In-person vs. online networkingMore and more, online networking and communications with potential clients, colleagues, alliances and vendors will prove to be more efficient, effective and long-lasting in terms of results than its in-person networking and communications cousins. (I know some of you may disagree with this.)Content is still kingUltimately, your message and words will make -- or break -- your sale. Be clear on what you are selling and to whom. Also be clear that your message is solutions- and benefits-oriented (and accurate, too!).
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Are you a small business or a bank for small businesses?
2008-01-21 15:09:00
We talk a lot about what you need to do in your small business marketing. And sometimes we overlook the one thing you need to move your ideas into reality – money. It's easy to let passion or a sense of doing good overshadow the economic component of your business picture.Where are you going to get the funds to take your business to the next level? In case you've forgotten, it starts with something called receivables.When's the last time you took a look at how many of your clients have an outstanding balance? More often than not, the numbers are much more surprising than you think. Before you can blink, you're behaving more like a bank than a business, dishing out loans -- yes, loans -- like they are candy and forgetting (or not being able) to collect.Maybe it's time to “assess the quality of your loan portfolio,” according to Norm Brodsky in his November 2007 article in Inc. Magazine. Delayed payment is a common problem we small businesses may face more often than w...
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New Year and New Marketing
2008-01-17 07:25:00
You know the saying about the best laid plans of mice and men? Well, that about sums up the last two weeks of 2007 for me.Those of you who know me personally know that when I am not focused on building my business and sharing what I know with all of you, I am also a mom of two with all of the craziness (and fun) that that entails. My husband had planned to travel with our two kids over the winter break and I had all sorts of plans to stay back at home and tackle all of the "exciting" things in my life in glorious solitude (closets, overflowing drawers, unruly mounds of paperwork -- can you relate?).Somewhere within that week of "me time," I also planned to schedule all of my days and set my vision for 2008. I also expected to somehow start meditating, create and stick to a blogging and press release schedule and, of course, to exercise daily during my week off.As it turned out, my dear grandmother died on December 21st, so my husband and kids had to cancel the trip, I spent the week...
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Wikipedia….are you in?
2008-01-14 20:46:00
Unless you have been living under an Internet-less rock, you've likely heard about Wikipedia, the online free encyclopedia with millions (and counting) of user-generated entries.Take a few minutes, if you haven't already, to check out Wikipedia. Look up key terms related to your business. Start your own new articles and add to existing articles related to your industry, audience, business name and competitors. See what else is out there, who is doing (or trying to do) what you do and study how they are presenting and describing themselves. And be sure to check back regularly to share and update with new information.

What role does improvisation play in business?
2008-01-07 16:16:00
Milo Shapiro of IMPROVentures works with staff in companies using improvisation as a teaching tool for teamwork and communication, both inside the office and in dealing with clientele. Get It In Writing's Allison Nazarian recently interviewed Milo on the benefits of improv in the workplace (and yes, there is a significant connection between improv and your business!).Q. Milo, why would non-actors, in the business world, want to play with improvisation?Milo: Let’s be clear here that we’re not talking about stand-up comedy. Improvisation is the art and skill of being able to think on your feet and create without a script, like on the TV show, “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” Now I know a lot of people watch that show and think, “Oh, I could never be THAT creative!” But you don’t have to be. You’re improvising all the time. Every time you pick up the phone and have to react to a call you didn’t expect, you’re improvising. Every time a client says, “W...
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A whole new - and virtual - way to sell your expertise
2007-12-18 19:10:00
Very interesting article in the CS Monitor on a whole new kind of book tour. The great thing is that these tours can be applied to your books, e-books, special reports and information products.An excerpt from this article:"...marketing tools...have made it possible to orchestrate a virtual encounter, without the hassle or expense of travel. Publishers and authors are now touting books through podcasts, film tours, blog tours, bookvideos, and book trailers.
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Can you take a minute to give your opinion?
2007-12-18 09:22:00
Please e-mail us at newsletter@getitinwriting.biz and share your insight and experience on the following:What challenges do you face when it comes to marketing your business or the company you work for?If you could snap your fingers and have a magic marketing formula or even a marketing reference guide nearby, what kind of information would be valuable to you?Is there anything marketing-related you want/need to do but haven't had the time, budget or resources? Some examples would be press kits, regular blog entries and e-newsletters. Would a "how-to" copywriting guide on any of these be helpful to you?
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Bask in the perfection of our imperfections…
2007-12-16 08:01:00
You may (or may not) have noticed that our website looks and feels new and different. We are still working out the bugs and glitches, and I want to thank those of you out there who pointed out issues to me. I really appreciate your time and effort.This whole experience of trying to get a new site up with a seamless transfer from the old to the new got me thinking: I have been told I am a perfectionist (guilty as charged) and as such, I delay, stall and procrastinate with big steps, like a new website, because I never feel it's just right, perfect. So this time I decided that after three or so months, we would go live and tweak as needed.It's been a learning experience and one that has taken me out of my comfort zone. And to tell you the truth, I probably wouldn't allow my clients to follow in my footsteps (the "do as I say, not as I do" approach) but in this one instance, it was actually liberating to throw caution to the wind and just do it.What I have learned is that people - y...
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DRIP…DRIP…DRIP
2007-12-14 05:45:00
Have you ever heard of a DRIP campaign?It's a consistent, many times automated, way to keep in contact with new/former clients as well as prospects. Through the great tool of autoresponders, you can schedule (or "drip") groups of e-mails (or print communications) to your entire database or just to those that you choose.I always tell people to up the value of the content (advice, examples, tips, etc.) in these communications so that ultimately they are more memorable, credible and response-generating.
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Ger It In Writing Launches New Website Aimed at Educating, Serving and Conn
2007-12-11 09:54:00
Get It In Writing , a leader in providing copywriting and marketing services, consulting and instruction to businesses and business people throughout the world, announced today it has launched a new website aimed at serving businesses, entrepreneurs, other marketing professionals and even do-it-yourselfers (DIY) throughout the world."The new site was a 'pet project' of mine for some time," explained Allison Nazarian, Get It In Writing's founder and president. "I knew all along that our website was about so much more than a design or look. For me, it has always been about informing and serving our audiences, regardless of whether they come for information and then leave or they actually become our clients. My goal has always been to serve as a resource for end-clients and other marketing- and web-related businesses everywhere."The user-friendly site offers tools, resources and services that apply to businesses of all sizes, marketing and ad consultants and agencies, entrepreneurs, ...
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What's Your Marketing Plan For 2008?
2007-12-09 08:51:00
As I was looking for an inspiration quote for this week's issue, I came across something that is incredibly timely and relevant: "I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure--which is: Try to please everybody" (attributed to Herbert Bayard Swope). As far as business and marketing, I applied this to defining a market and focusing on them rather than on the "throw it all out there and see what sticks" method of marketing I think we've all been guilty of at some point.Have you defined a niche or sub-market in your business? Sometimes it is scary to narrow down because we mistakenly think this will narrow down our business prospects. But the fact is you're actually increasing your chances for more and better clients - clients whose needs are perfectly suited to what you are offering. It's not enough to say that "anyone" or "everyone" can use and benefit from your services. Who are they? Where do they work and what do they need? The better yo...
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Being A Better Client
2007-12-02 08:05:00
Have you ever heard that the best way to get the clients you are looking for is to be a great client yourself? Here are some quick tips to becoming an ideal client:Know what you want. If you waffle, or are uncertain, the end result will suffer and your provider won't be sure which way is up.Be involved. We know you are insanely busy. You hired this person or this company because you don't have the time or skill to do what they do. But this doesn't mean you are out of the process. Keep up with what's going on, respond when asked and respect the timeline.Picky is for kids eating vegetables. You hired this company or person because they are the expert at what they do. Know and accept that they know their business and can get the job done. Don't micro-manage, it serves no one.Pay what's fair and on time. Don't delay on payments and don't question prices. Respect the work, the fees and the payment schedule or you will get what you pay for.Praise and refer. Like what you get? Tell...
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Seven essential components of a billion dollar company
2007-12-01 03:19:00
Courtesy of my client and friend, Alin Lozada. Even if you're not intent on becoming a billion dollar company, there are some good nuggets of advice here. If you know the original source of this list, let me know and I will properly attribute it:Here are the 7 essential components that make up a billion dollar company.Create and sustain a breakthrough value proposition.Exploit a high-growth market.Focus relentlessly on cash flow.Leverage big brother alliances.Pack your board with industry experts.Use blue-chip customers to gain credibility.Build an inside-outside leadership team.
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Just say "no" to time wasters and time stealers
2007-11-26 00:57:00
I received some great advice via Jack Canfield (of Chicken Soup for the Soul and The Secret fame) and his "Success Principles" e-mails.Here is what he says about saying "no" to the nonsense that keeps us from doing what we need to do (and these are directly quoted from Mr. Canfield's e-mail):1.) Non-essential email such as poems, jokes and stories. Write a polite, "take-me-off-your-feel-good-list" response you can create as an email signature to reply whenever you receive these. If you are routinely copied on inner-office email that doesn't apply to you, ask to be taken off the list.2.) Telemarketing calls. Log on to www.donotcall.gov to have your telephone number (including your cell phone number) removed from telemarketing lists.3). Other people's busy work. Direct co-workers to readily available information they can locate, print and read on their own, once they know where to find it -- instead of asking you as an easier "go-to" source.4.) Crisis deadlines. Ask to be notified ...
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Just say "no" to time wasters and time stealers
2007-11-26 00:57:00
I received some great advice via Jack Canfield (of Chicken Soup for the Soul and The Secret fame) and his "Success Principles" e-mails.Here is what he says about saying "no" to the nonsense that keeps us from doing what we need to do (and these are directly quoted from Mr. Canfield's e-mail):1.) Non-essential email such as poems, jokes and stories. Write a polite, "take-me-off-your-feel-good-list" response you can create as an email signature to reply whenever you receive these. If you are routinely copied on inner-office email that doesn't apply to you, ask to be taken off the list.2.) Telemarketing calls. Log on to www.donotcall.gov to have your telephone number (including your cell phone number) removed from telemarketing lists.3). Other people's busy work. Direct co-workers to readily available information they can locate, print and read on their own, once they know where to find it -- instead of asking you as an easier "go-to" source.4.) Crisis deadlines. Ask to be notified ...
More About: Time , Aster