When you’re running your own writing business, you’re expanding your comfort zones everyday. At times like these, it’s important to keep your confidence as high as possible:

WHO, IN YOUR FIELD, HAS THE BEST MARKETING AND PR STRATEGY? If you’re thinking of Zoe Williams, Marian Keyes and Stephen King, you’ve probably already psyched yourself out. It’s easy to think, “Yeah, well, it’s OK for them, they’re ____.” But they weren’t always.

WHAT WOULD YOU LOVE TO BE DOING TO PROMOTE YOURSELF WHEN YOU “GET THERE”? Imagine being the writer you most admire. If you were already at the top of your ladder, what publicity would you make time for? Would you enjoy writing books? Making TV appearances? Doing keynote speeches at book festivals? How can you take a step in this direction today? If you don’t yet have any writing to promote, are you making sure you’re writing every day?

WHAT WOULD MORE CONFIDENCE HELP YOU MOST WITH? Do you avoid making phone calls to people who could become clients or other good contacts? Would meeting editors give you an edge? Have you been leaving writers’ events without taking the opportunity to talk to the speakers?

WHAT STEPS CAN YOU TAKE THIS WEEK? Is there a teleseminar you could join to help you get over your fear of cold calling? Have you researched your local Toastmasters group? Are there books you could read? Is there someone who could be your mentor? (The more mentors, the better!)

HOW WILL YOU CELEBRATE AND REWARD YOURSELF? Stepping into new comfort zones is scary stuff. If you don’t celebrate each success and acknowledge your achievements, you’ll soon run out of steam and get de-motivated. What can you do to reward yourself? This will help you coax yourself to do better each day…

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Friday, December 14

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE TO WRITING SUCCESS

by Eve Menezes Cunningham on Fri 14 Dec 2007 09:07 PM GMT

In CSI (and the New York and Miami spin offs), characters are regularly reminded to follow the evidence instead of making assumptions. Are you following the evidence when it comes to your writing? If you’re not getting enough commissions or acceptances, are you being flexible enough to take a look at potential reasons and then take steps to improve things?

1. WHAT “EVIDENCE” ARE YOU EXPECTING TO FIND? Spend some time focusing on the outcome you want and imagining how this will feel. Avoid feeling resigned to rejection. If your query / story isn’t the best you can make it before sending it, give it some more time. When you’re ready, picture yourself receiving that email asking you for more of your work…

2. WHAT WILL LET YOU KNOW YOU’RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK? If you’re sending off short stories / features / queries / book proposals and sample chapters, being asked for more, having work accepted and receiving positive feedback will all help you know you’re doing well. You’ll also want to pay attention to the editors that are delightful to work with and publications that pay well and on time.

3. WHAT KIND OF EVIDENCE WILL LET YOU KNOW YOUR STRATEGY NEEDS TWEAKING? If you’re putting in far too much time for the results you’re getting, you may want to pay attention to what you’re spending your energy on. How can you get better results by working and writing “smarter”? Log your time and then divide the fee by the hours you’ve worked. How can you be more efficient?

4. HOW CAN YOU PRACTICE FLEXIBILITY? This will help you to assess your progress and change direction before things get too far off course. A flexible attitude will endear you to editors, agents and publishers as well as helping you stay a step ahead when it comes to considering what your readers want. Who are you writing for?

5. REMEMBER, “THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS FAILURE – ONLY FEEDBACK” The evidence is your feedback. Pay attention and let it guide each new step. You may find that a few small adjustments will bring you all the success you want.

To find out more about Business Coaching and NLP for writers, please visit www.coachingwriters.co.uk. You can also sign up for FREE confidence tips.

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Friday, December 7

TIME MANAGEMENT TRICKS FOR WRITERS

by Eve Menezes Cunningham on Fri 07 Dec 2007 03:06 PM GMT

The days seem to be getting even shorter as we speed into 2008. Take a little time to look into areas where you’re wasting time, saving time and where you can make more time for the things that really matter (like your writing career).

1. THINK BACK OVER THE PAST WEEK - Or any typical week. What did you do? Exactly? Make a list of how you spent every morning, afternoon and evening. As you list everything, be as specific as possible and observe (without judging yourself) areas you can be more effective in.

2. WHAT SURPRISES YOU? If you are working full time and writing alongside this, are you surprised to see where your time’s been going? Is there anyway you could work on your writing during your commute? If you’re writing full time, how can you make it more effective? Is your problem area giving yourself enough time off?

3. WAVE A MAGIC WAND - What, if anything, would you change in your ideal world? Take a moment to ask yourself this question and actually answer it out loud. Do you crave more time to write? To work on your writing business (book keeping, admin, marketing, continued professional development etc.)? More work / life balance to see friends and family? Be honest with yourself.

4. IMAGINE WINNING 24 HOURS IN THE LOTTERY - A completely free day with no pressure, obligations or commitments! How would you spend it? How can you incorporate these activities into your current schedule? You may not be able to fit them into one day but break them down and aim for at least one a day. This will increase your overall energy.

5. CREATE YOUR IDEAL SCHEDULE - Use a diary, wall planner or pie chart and timetable in the most important activities you want to fit into your week for the sake of your writing and your wellbeing. Prioritise your days to include the important tasks as well as the urgent and immediate ones.

Please visit www.CoachingWriters.co.uk for more information and to sign up for FREE confidence tips.

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