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Write from the headlines: Earth Hour is on Saturday, March 27, 2010

Earth Hour is coming up fast, scheduled this year for Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 8:30-9:30 p.m. I haven't made my plans yet, but I'm looking forward to a quiet, simple evening when I can reflect on the spirit of the event.

I feel proud that some of the pledges I've made in previous years are now second-nature - things like washing my clothes in cold water and bringing reusable bags when I go shopping. I'm not perfect (who is?) but I'm trying.

Here are some environmentally-inspired themes for your March articles and blog posts:

• Life coaches: Taking a stand for the planet

• Money coaches: 5 ways that recycling will save you money

• Parenting coaches: Family-friendly Earth Hour activities

• Business coaches: Green your office: 5 sustainable business practices 

• Career coaches: Choosing a job that fits your values

Writing prompt: Please join me in darkness, quiet and simplicity for an hour on March 27th. And in the meantime, inspire your readers with one of these earth-friendly themes.

Remembering Chyna

Just one month shy of her 12th birthday, my beautiful greyhound Chyna crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Friday, March 5th, 2010. Some of you know about the health challenges she's been having recently, and while this was sooner than I'd hoped, it wasn't unexpected. I'm grateful she was home with me and did not suffer very long.

Making a memory page for Chyna was very therapeutic, and it has been so heartening to read people's beautiful, loving messages (details and link are below). It has also been healing to compile my thoughts about some of the many things Chyna taught me in our 17 short months together.

5 things I learned from Chyna

1. Don't forget to get outside for a walk once in awhile. As my VP of Joy, Chyna was great for reminding me to take a break and stretch my legs - something that's easy to forget when the creative juices are flowing, or when I'm under the thumb of some self-imposed "emergency" that feels like it has to be done immediately.
2. A stranger is a friend you haven't met yet. While I'd heard this phrase before, Chyna epitomized it. She rarely met someone who didn't fall instantly under her spell, whether that was a neighbour, a cousin at a family gathering (even if she thought Chyna was a bit scary) or just someone on the street.
3. This is the only moment that counts. Chyna was incapable of holding a grudge. If we had a little disagreement about which way to walk or when it was time to come home, she was always quick to be friends again (especially when it was time to eat ;)  "Don't be silly," she seemed to say, "I may not like everything you do, but I never stop loving you!"
4. Love is never an interruption. This ties back to #1. When I'd be in the middle of working on something and Chyna would come over to snuggle, the thought would flash through my mind that I didn't have time for that! Luckily, through her quiet wisdom, Chyna reminded me what's really important.
5. Personal space is sacred and must be honoured. Chyna liked her own space, especially when other dogs were around (as her doggie cousin Tali will remember!), and she'd protect it - that was practically the only time she made a sound. But she was equally protective of the loving space we shared together, finding ways to be near me during the day while I worked.

In lieu of submitting comments below, please visit Chyna's memory page to see photos and sign the guest book: Remembering Chyna

Go ahead, ask me anything!

Over this last week I've introduced you to a couple of special people in my life. Last week I sent an email about the real value of support, where you met my coach Charlie Gilkey. And today I'm introducing you to my sister, Ruth Brickman.

Part of the reason I've been happy to do this is because I know it feels better to hire or refer someone once you feel like you know them. I want you to know me a bit better.

And I also want to know YOU a bit better. That's why TODAY ONLY, I'm offering you the chance to Ask Me Anything, in one of these limited 15-minute content consultation calls. I want to know where you're at with your content creation, and also where you're stuck.

Please use this link to book a time:
https://my.timedriver.com/BWN9N

Then you can bring any questions you have about content marketing or your personal content marketing strategy. Or you can even email me a short piece of writing (up to 250 words) that I will edit for you right on our call.

I hope you'll also bring any questions you may have about the Content Creation Capsule. The program starts on Thursday, so if it's the right fit for you I want to make sure you join in time to take advantage of all of the hands-on support that's available inside.

How to turn a client story into a news story (and more clients)

Disclaimer #1: The client in today's story is my sister, Ruth Brickman. Having served as my volunteer editor for many years, she has already provided far more value to my business (and my life!) than I ever would have charged her for this service.

Disclaimer #2: While our intention is to have our piece published locally, we're still early in the submission process so I cannot tell you yet about the end results of our efforts.

There are several reasons why client stories are so much more effective than a simple description of your services, or even than a straight testimonial.

1. Stories are engaging. They allow room for background, drama and time for the reader to really settle in and want to know more.
2. Stories are evidence. Stories show your reader that someone just like them used and benefited from your services.
3. Stories are newsworthy. We're used to reading and hearing stories about people in the news. Information that's delivered in this familiar format is accessible and credible.

Here are some suggested writing prompts that will help you turn one of your client projects into a newsworthy client story that will be attractive to new clients.

Every story needs a hero: Give your reader some background information about the client - really focus on what will get attention and make your story stand out. Does your client have a unique business or life circumstance? Was their problem particularly dramatic? At the same time, you want to be sure to highlight the circumstances that your prospective clients will relate to.

Write for your destination: My sister and I had a few publications in mind when we started this project, so I was aiming to write in a voice that would fit into those.

I did the same thing last week when I went blog-hopping to launch the Content Creation Capsule. You may have noticed the difference, for example, between the posts I wrote for Molly Gordon and Janet Slack. Both post felt authentic and in my voice, but I presented my ideas in a slightly different format to fit each blog.

Give your hero a voice: Use direct quotes to allow your client to say precisely how he or she felt about working with you. Ask broad questions that will highlight the benefits across all life areas and levels of experience. How is life different? What do you notice as you go through a typical day? What has surprised you most about this experience?

Quote yourself: Remember that you're the expert here. Study the work of journalists you enjoy reading and notice how they position expert quotes within their stories. Insert a quote that authentically demonstrates how your specific methods, experience or expertise made this story come to life. 

Click here to meet my sister and read the client story we created for her Creative Memories business.

The real value of support (a very personal note)

A heartfelt thanks to my coach, Charlie Gilkey, who has walked with me through this process of launching the Content Creation Capsule.

What did that support do for me?

I did more than I would have done otherwise - I've never written five new blog posts in one week before, but I did it! I never made a slideshow video before, but now I've made three!

I did things that scared me - I reached out and asked my colleagues to help me spread the word about my program, and I launched it long before it was perfect (or even completely designed!).

I went for MORE - I've raised my prices and changed my service packages since I've been working with Charlie, and am much closer to charging what I deserve (affiliate link). (By the way, this makes the Content Creation Capsule even more valuable for YOU.)

I would love to support you this way with your writing goals, which is why the Content Creation Capsule program includes a premium support option.

What could an intensive level of writing support do for you over the next six months?

How much more writing could you do? Are you struggling right now to publish one new article in a month for your newsletter? Imagine breezing through that and adding a mid-month mailing on top of it! Or maybe you're blogging once or twice a month now, if you're lucky. What if that turned into once or twice a week?

What have you been scared to try while marketing your business? Do you find it difficult to start conversations on social media because you have nothing to share? Do you neglect to follow up with prospective clients or referral sources because you don't have any resources that demonstrate your expertise? Are technical difficulties plaguing you?

How could you go for more in your business? With more clarity, resources, ideas and confidence, what will you be poised to accomplish in your business by the time we're through?

Wow, I am excited about these possibilities for you! Let's talk for just a moment about some of the numbers. Here's how it would look if you were to pay separately for everything you get at the premium level in the Content Creation Capsule:

$197	60-minute private content strategy session
$294	2 x 30-minute private writing labs ($147 each)
$58	2 x content calls/recordings plus implementation worksheet ($29 each)

That's a total value of $549 per month, and doesn't even include the priceless group support and learning you will get in the interactive Q&A calls twice a month, focused on how to implement what we're learning in YOUR specific business.

This premium level of support in the Content Creation Capsule will cost you just $397 per month.

Are you supposed to be one of my four premium clients?

Working with Charlie has also helped me stay mindful of my capacity, and I've realized that I need to put a limit on the number of people who work with me at this premium level. I've decided that I'm comfortable taking four people. Those spots are open now - is one of them yours?

Claim one of the four premium support packages in the Content Creation Capsule for just $397 per month:
http://www.growyourbusinesswitharticles.com/ccc-enrollment.html

Please note: My time is also limited! Enroll now to get the widest variety of available times in my schedule for your private sessions.

Lastly, I was reminded by Michael Bungay Stanier this morning how important is it to celebrate. Here are three things that I'm celebrating today:

1. I'm attending the Wealthy Thought Leader in Vancouver next month (and now you can spy on me and attend via video - affiliate link), where I'll be spending time with three of the coaches who have supported me in my business, both past and present.
2. People are enrolling in the Content Creation Capsule and I'm getting lots of questions and positive feedback.
3. My dog Chyna pulled through a very scary health ordeal last weekend.

Claim one of the four premium support packages in the Content Creation Capsule:
http://www.growyourbusinesswitharticles.com/ccc-enrollment.html

P.S. There are also still 6 spots remaining for the regular program, if that makes more sense for you right now.