When the conversation turns to blogs and newsletters, small
business owners look me straight in the eye and confess like I am their spiritual
guide. Generally, they confess to three things:
1.
They don’t have time to write
2.
They don’t know how to write
3.
They don’t know what to write about
While I can’t provide a quick fix to items 1 and 2, I can
offer a relatively timely solution for number 3. Although I see topics all
around me and can’t seem to find the time to write about all of them, I do
understand facing a blank sheet of paper or Word document on the screen and
feeling stymied.
One of the easiest
ways to find things to talk about comes on the heels of a simple suggestion
from Jeff Olson in The Slight Edge. The
Slight Edge is a remarkable book. Olson lays the groundwork of “Turning
Simple Disciplines into Massive Success & Happiness.” If you haven’t read
it, it’s worth the time investment.
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| Photo Credit: Lightwise at 123rf.com |
The suggestion he gives that I want to share is to read 10
pages a day of something for personal
development. Ten pages to a non-reader
may sound like a lot, to a voracious reader, not enough. But if you read 10
pages of something every day, you will be broadening your knowledge base and
stirring up the little grey cells as Hercule Poirot calls them.
When you stir up the cells, you generate some thoughts and
pretty soon, you want to talk about them. Voila! You have something to write
about. In fact, you might find you have several things to write about.
Here’s a little tip.
If you don’t capture them pretty quick, you will forget them and when faced
with that blank page, you’ll be lamenting that you have nothing to write about.
Think Post-it Notes. I think Post-it Notes were invented just for me – or at
least for people LIKE me. (Actually Post-it Notes were a failed attempt at
another invention, but obviously mistakes can be profitable, too.)
Anyway, a pad of Post-its and a pencil are your best
friends. Jot a few words to anchor your thought and tab the page of the book.
When it is time to write, grab your book and you are set. I have recently
started using the Post-its with arrow points. I just aim it at the section, jot
a word or two if needed and am ready to expand on it when the time comes.
The thing about reading and writing is that you share your
thoughts about what the writer said and how you interpret it, what you think
about it, or how you can use it. That becomes the basis of a conversation –
which is what words, ready and writing are all about.
With that in mind, you will also find that certain people
come to mind when you read something. Perhaps the content is something they
could use or would be interested in as well. Copy the page and send it to them,
or, share the book with them when you are finished – or, if it could be really
significant, gift them with a book.
Stay in touch with your colleagues, clients and customers
through the features of your CRM. (If you need help with that, talk to Troy at
AddressTwo.) Use blogs, newsletters and sharing. If you have things to talk
about, you have things to write about.
-Elaine
Author bio:
Elaine Whitesides has a unique business past having spent
time in the residential and commercial real estate/finance corporate world and
also many years as an educator. Combining those with a love of writing and
organizational development, she founded Whitesides Words. Her business is to
bring together professional service providers and the business owners who need
their services – at a reasonable rate. Her purpose is to share the stories of
business and business people with the world. She can be contacted at elaine@whitesideswords.com or at
317-520-2885. Visit her website at www.whitesideswords.com.
