Cathy Stucker - The Idea Lady

Attract Customers and Make Yourself Famous

How to Write Every Day

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write-everydayWrite more and you will become a better writer, more proficient and more productive. But the benefits of writing every day go beyond honing your writing skills.

I know that I think better, and I function better, when I write regularly.

Writing clarifies my thinking. Taking the random bits that are floating around my head and putting them on the page is incredibly helpful.

When you write a lot, you have to come up with ideas to write about. That causes you to pay more attention to what is happening around you. Suddenly, everything you see, hear and experience becomes something you can write about.

Writing every day creates discipline. Doing anything every day will cause you to become more disciplined, but writing is especially powerful.

There are lots of ways to get in the writing habit. Here are some things that work for me, and that might work for you, too.
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10 Reasons Why You Should Do Teleseminars

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teleseminarChances are that you have attended teleseminars and webinars, but have you ever presented one? For many people, the idea of putting on a webinar is intimidating. The technology can seem complicated and you have to prepare visuals, so it might be more than you want to take on, especially if you are not accustomed to presenting.

Although webinars do not have to be as difficult as you may think they are, there is a simpler option: teleseminars. Teleseminars are as easy as talking on the phone. You can do that, right? The technology is simple, and there are no visuals to worry about.

Webinars can be useful when your topic is visual or requires demonstration, but teleseminars are perfect for most topics. Your audience may prefer them because they don’t have to sit in front of their computers for an hour or more to get the information. They can listen on their phones or download the replay to an iPod or phone and listen while they commute or work out.

Most teleseminar platforms allow you to choose connecting over the telephone or with your computer, so there is no special equipment or software required, for you or your audience. The cost ranges from inexpensive to free, and even most free platforms offer a lot of features.

Still not convinced you should be doing teleseminars? Here are ten reasons why you should.
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Shaking Your Money Tree

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Does your business have a money tree you can shake when a little extra cash is needed? Every business should have one!

What I mean by money tree is something you can do quickly to generate revenue when you need it. Where can you find one? Not at your local garden store. Just as in a forest, there are many species of money trees, so you need to find one that is right for you. Here are a few common varieties:

The Sale Tree brings in cash by making a discount offer to customers. Buy before June 30th, and you get a lower price. This creates a sense of urgency for customers to buy now in order to save money and can create a new flow of sales for you.

The Bonus Tree can work like the Sale, but instead of a discount, customers get a free item with purchase. Buy one, get one free, for example, or buy this item and get a free accessory.

Generate cash with the New Product Tree by introducing a new product. Customers love new things, so announce it with a flourish.  You might cross the New Product tree with the Sale or Bonus tree to get a hybrid with extra appeal.

Shake the Personal Touch Tree by contacting current or former customers and reminding them it may be time to do business with you again. Perhaps the supplies they bought from you a few months ago are running low, or it’s time for a follow-up service.

The Referral Tree should be in bloom all the time, but you can get better results when you tend it. Do a mailing or phone campaign to ask current customers to refer their friends and colleagues. You may be able to generate lots of sales quickly this way.

The Cold Call Tree can be hard to shake, but the results can be worthwhile.

One of my favorites is the Publicity Tree. It’s an odd one, in that you never know when it is going to bloom, or what it will look like when it does; however, the results are often magnificent. Provide a jumpstart in its growth by regularly sending press releases and other materials to the media.

Decide which money tree is right for your business, then nurture it and keep it growing. And, every once in a while, shake the heck out of it and watch the dollars come floating down!

As the Idea Lady, Cathy Stucker can help you attract customers and make yourself famous. Get more free tips when you subscribe to Cathy’s newsletter at http://www.IdeaLady.com/.

What Makes A Great Press Release?

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great-press-releaseWriting a basic press release is easy. There are even templates you can use—just fill in the blanks with your information and go. But writing a great press release, one that grabs the attention of media and the public, takes skill and practice. The good news is that the skills needed can be learned, and as for practice…well, why not start right now?

You need a newsworthy angle and a great headline. Let’s look at the newsworthy angle first. [Read more…]

Should You Hire a Ghostwriter?

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need-a-ghostwriterWe are definitely in the information age. With the Internet and self-publishing at an all-time high, more people are interested in looking into the possibility of hiring a ghostwriter. The more content you can produce online, the better chance you have of making a substantial income using the Internet. Hiring a ghostwriter might be the best thing for you, or it might not be necessary at all. How do you know whether you need to hire a ghostwriter?

One of the main reasons why you might want to hire a ghostwriter is if you’re not a good writer. Not everyone is a good writer, so don’t try to make yourself into one if you’re not. If you absolutely abhor the thought of having to sit down and write a book or even an article, you would benefit from the services of a trained ghostwriter. If you have terrible spelling skills and you don’t know much about grammar, this is another reason why you might want to hire a ghostwriter.
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