Cathy Stucker - The Idea Lady

Attract Customers and Make Yourself Famous

Writing Quotes

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Do you find it hard to get ideas or start writing? Lots of people–even famous authors–share the same problem. Here are some of my favorite quotations from writers and others about coming up with ideas, writing and not writing.

Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any. – Orson Scott Card

Don’t worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you’ll have to ram them down people’s throats. – Howard Aiken

If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word. – Margaret Atwood

Nighttime is really the best time to work. All the ideas are there to be yours because everyone else is asleep. –  Catherine O’Hara

Don’t get it right, just get it written. – James Thurber

If you’re going to be a writer, the first essential is just to write. Do not wait for an idea. Start writing something and the ideas will come. You have to turn the faucet on before the water starts to flow. – Louis L’Amour

The art of writing is the art of applying the seat of the pants to the seat of the chair. – Mary Heaton Vorse

Lower your standards and keep writing. – William Stafford

I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately I am inspired at 9 o’clock every morning. – William Faulkner

Do you have a favorite quotation that motivates or inspires you to write?

Turn Complaints Into Opportunities

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complaintsWhenever you hear anyone (including yourself) complain about something, ask yourself, “What opportunity is hidden within this complaint?”

1.More often than not when anyone complains about anything there’s an opportunity wrapped up in the complaint.

Many businesses were created in response to complaints. People complained that something they wanted was not available, or it was hard to get, or the quality wasn’t up to their standards, or…whatever the complaint, the response can be the creation of a successful new product or service.

2.Listen when other people complain about situations. Make it standard procedure to turn the coin over—see what opportunity is spelled out on the other side.

Ask yourself, “How could this complaint be addressed?” Think about solutions you could offer.

3.Listen when you yourself kick about little “personal” things that get your goat. When you act to correct these annoyances you not only get rid of the bother, but it can touch off a whole new attitude for the constructive handling of all sorts of things that bother you.

How often do you grouse about not being able to find things, or that you can’t make your computer do what you want it to do. A day spent with an organizer could solve the first problem, and a computer class at your local college could resolve your other complaint. A little time invested now could make you much more productive—and stop your complaints!

4.Remember that when we refuse to do anything but complain about things that bother us we perpetuate an endless cycle of frustration.

Are you going to continue to complain about that $#@%^# computer, or are you going to take action?

5.Get things out of your system by crabbing about things first if you must—but then ask yourself, “How can I capitalize on this?”

OK, sometimes we just want to bitch. So do a little complaining. Set a timer, and let yourself whine and moan for seven minutes. Then stop and come up with a solution. (You might find it hard to keep complaining for a full seven minutes when you realize how silly you sound and that your complaining isn’t getting you anywhere.)

6.When something about your work doesn’t suit you, be sure to turn the coin over. Here’s your chance to go to town in an area that you yourself control.

Don’t like your job? Bored with your business? Find ways to challenge yourself and make things more interesting.

7.Remember, there is not just one opportunity on the other side of the coin—there are often several.

In school, we were taught that there is one correct answer to every question. In life, there can be dozens or even hundreds of workable solutions.

The next time you hear yourself or someone else complain, stop and ask, “So what am I going to do about this? Where is the opportunity for me to do something exciting and wonderful?”

Waiting for Your Muse

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musesIn Greek mythology, the Muses were goddesses who served to inspire those in the arts and sciences. I often find myself wishing for a Muse who could inspire greatness in marketing. Unfortunately, being mythological, they aren’t easy to find.

You can get by without a Muse by finding ways to inspire yourself. Instead of sitting at your computer, waiting for inspiration to strike, try one or more of these: [Read more…]

What is Your Next Step?

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woman-jumpingDoes the state of the economy have you feeling down? Listening to negative talk can make you feel hopeless and helpless. When you believe that it won’t do any good to market because no one is buying, you have created a self- fulfilling prophecy: You think no one will buy, so you do not attempt to sell, so you do not make sales.

Although many people have seen their financial situation, and thus their spending patterns, change, there is still a lot of spending going on. And when the economy bounces back (and it will) you want to be positioned to make the most of it.

In a previous article, I talked about finding opportunities in a down economy. Here are some ways you can attract customers to what you have to offer. [Read more…]

Do You See the Opportunities in Today’s Economy?

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binocularsWith more bad economic news every day, it is tempting to be like a turtle, pull yourself into your shell, and wait for things to calm down. However, as a business owner, you can not afford to do that.

Times of economic upheaval are not only times of crisis, they present great opportunities, too. But if you are deep in your shell you will not see them.

The fact is that if you can help people get what they want, they will find a way to pay you in any economy. People are still spending money, but they are making different choices than they have in the past.

Keep in mind that “downsizing” spending can mean greater opportunities for some businesses. For example, fewer people are splurging on expensive restaurant meals these days. However, some grocers have reported that they are selling more of their expensive cuts of meat, such as quality steaks. People who want a good steak may choose to cook one at home rather than going out to a fine dining restaurant. Bad news for the restaurant means good news for the grocer.

How can you find new opportunities for your business?

Listen to your customers. In some businesses, you may find that the help your customers need today is different from what they wanted from you in the past. How can you adjust to help them realize their dreams?

Solve new problems. The saying is that if you keep doing what you have always done, you will get the results you have always gotten. The idea is that you have to try new things in order to move forward. However, today you may find that if you do what you have always done you will start moving backwards. Old solutions to old problems will not work. Help customers with the needs they have now.

Find a way you can provide a substitute for a more expensive option. For example, if companies are cutting their travel and training budgets, could you provide lower-cost training options such as webinars and teleseminars? Can you help companies get more for less in any area, from telecommunications to advertising to shipping, supplies and other expenses? The same idea works for consumers, too. Can you offer an option that helps them make more money or spend less?

Get outside of your shell and look for the new opportunities that exist. They are everywhere, just waiting for you to find them.