Teaching vs. Doing
February 21, 2012
Like most of us, I started out my working life learning. I was hired by a TV station to be the new weekend producer and after one weekend of training with the previous weekend producer – who was now the 11pm producer – I was on my own. It was the kind of job that went by you like a freight train on fire. But – you learned.
The next thing that happened was I “did”. For many years, I wrote, ran tapes, edited stories, assigned reporters to cover stories and managed the “children”. I was a doer. Next thing you know, I am teaching. Teaching the next weekend producer who came in when I was promoted. And so it goes.
Each of us are a combination of doers and teachers – which one do you like best? If you can zero in on which makes you the happiest, perhaps this is a bit of knowledge you can follow – right into a new career.
Are you a teacher or a doer? If you’re a doer, you’ll probably charge by the hour – if you’re a teacher, you’ll charge by the lesson. Think about it.
Write From Your Heart to Attract New Clients
February 16, 2012
One of the truly great things about the World Wide Web is that we are all connected. All connected – and seeking information. We’re all hunting around for information on every crazy topic you can imagine: from changing your car’s oil to investing in particular stocks to cooking chicken on the grill. When people search for the topic you specialize in, wouldn’t it be great to share a little bit of your knowledge – while building a little trust along the way? Who knows, this person could become a long-time client.
And how do you do that, you might ask? Simple: write an article.
OK – hold on – let’s not get crazy. I can string a few sentences together but a full-blown article? Yes – you can do it. Just make sure you follow these simple guidelines, post the article to your blog and voila – instant sharing – instant help and you’re well on the way to making new friends and influencing people.
When you write your article, be very sure to consider your audience – who do you want to read the article? Well, a prospective client, that’s who! So – you have to speak to their issues and make sure you are being REAL. In other words, write from your heart and above all DON’T TRY TO SELL ANYTHING. Just SHARE. A couple of tips:
1. Be yourself – be “authentic”. It’s a buzzword, I know, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. When you sit down to write, do it in your own voice and bring your passion to the table. When you show your passion, it can be a very attractive element along with the quality information you are sharing. Don’t hold back.
2. What are the most common questions your clients ask? What are their biggest problems? This is a great way decide what you should be writing about. Think back to other clients you’ve worked with — or clients you want to work with. When it comes to your expertise, what do clients need most from you. Can you write about an example when someone came to you with this problem and you solved it? That’s a great reason for an article — proof of performance!!
3. Give tips. People love tips. a checklist is even better. Tips are short, easy to follow hints that will assist your potential client in seeing the problem clearly and giving some options on how to handle it. Many times, they see that your expertise will be invaluable (and money-saving, too) and will connect with you for more information or help.
The key is – show a sample of your expertise and knowledge. If you help them solve one small problem, chances are you are building enough trust along the way to be hired when the big problem hits.
mary jo cranmore
