Welcome to THE WELL-FED E-PUB!

Serving up food for thought and tasty tips for the prospering writer. Come

on in, sit anywhere and bring your appetite!

*****************************************

VOLUME 6, ISSUE 10 – OCTOBER 2007 (early AGAIN, as I’m traveling soon!) 

*****************************************

“DINGED” BOOKS/CDs FOR LESS! Save a bunch on less-than-perfect products (but the same great content!) at http://wellfedwriter.com/orderwelltraveled.shtml (books) and

http://wellfedwriter.com/teleseminar.shtml (CDs).

***************************************

ATTN: NEW ENGLAND “Well-Fed Writers” and “Well-Fed Self-Publishers”!

Back-to-Back No-Charge Live Seminars Coming to Massachusetts in October

Details in Dessert & at http://wellfedwriter.com/SeminarDates.shtml.

****************************************

NEW! “The BODACIOUS Banquet” – Issues 1-52 of The EPUB! Just $10.95!

Limited Time! Details: Dessert and http://wellfedwriter.com/thebodabanq.shtml. 

****************************************

White Paper Teleclass: "SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION FOR WHITE PAPERS"

Details in Dessert & at http://www.whitepapersource.com/cmd.php?Clk=2105522

9/21/07 WHITE PAPER SEMINAR NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD!

Details in Dessert & at http://www.whitepapersource.com/cmd.php?Clk=2024594

****************************************

MISSED MY TELECLASS? “Thriving as a Freelance Commercial Writer”

38-PAGE instant download just $12! www.wellfedwriter.com/jan07tstranscript.shtml.

****************************************

I. APPETIZER: DO YOU R-E-S-P-E-C-T YOURSELF?

Client Experience Underscores “The Respect Imperative”

II. CRISP “FIELD” GREENS: GOT DESIGNER?

South FL FLCW Reaps Bennies of Writer/Designer Partnership! 

III. MAIN COURSE: A LITTLE LEVITY AND A BIG LESSON

UK FLCW’S “Joke” Sales Letter Lands Client $6K Job (& Seat at Table for Him!)

IV. DESSERT: Sweet Success Stories and Tips

MA FLCW Joins Int’l Networking Group, Lands Four Jobs AND a 50K Client! 

TIP: TX FLCW Offers 4-Point Scoring Success System for Structure-Seekers! 

V. COFFEE, MINTS AND TOOTHPICKS

- “DINGED” Books/CDs for Less – Same Content, BIG Savings!

- ATTN: Boston Area: Live “Well-Fed Writer” & “Well-Fed Self-Publisher” Talks! 

- NEW! The BODACIOUS Banquet – Issues 1-52 of the EPUB; Just $10.95

- White Paper Teleclass on SEO & Live Seminar Now Available on DVD!

- MISSED MY TELECLASS? Full 38-PAGE e-Transcript – Just $12!

- AWAI Copywriting (& Other) Courses: Register Here, Get 2 Bonuses (no charge!)

- Well-Fed E-Pub Needs All Courses!

- How Can My Mentoring Service Serve You?

****************************************

****************************************

I. APPETIZER: DO YOU R-E-S-P-E-C-T YOURSELF?

Client Experience Underscores “The Respect Imperative”

I was working on a project recently for a financial services firm that involved several interviews with client personnel. It was my fourth project with this client, so I’d proven my value to them. I called one of my interviewees at the designated time, and he asked if he could call me back in five minutes. Sure. Thirty-five minutes later, he gets back to me. He was apologetic, I was understanding, AND I automatically, and with zero thought about it, added the 30 minutes “waiting time” to my final bill.

Later, I contemplated what it means to be a professional. It all starts with a mindset. Undoubtedly, there are clients out there who, if they’d kept their hired writer waiting for half an hour, would think, “It’s just a writer. I’ll get back to him/her when I’m done.” Translation: my time is more valuable than yours.

Now, while that attitude is, well, unfortunate, what’s far sadder is that many writers would not only accept that sort of treatment without a peep, but it wouldn’t even occur to them to charge the client extra. Unthinking acceptance vs. unthinking billing (me).

I know that my main client, by the fees he pays me, his repeat business, and yes, his respect for my time, considers me a fellow professional. If he knew I’d been kept waiting for 30 minutes for a set interview, he’d expect me to charge for it, and would likely think less of me if I didn’t. Seriously. And with that acknowledgement of my professional status comes trust: on this project, he didn’t even ask me for an estimate. He knows I’ll deliver a quality product at a fair price.

But, I pick my clients carefully. I work with only those people who will value my time as I do theirs, who value excellent writing, AND have the resources to pay for it. Yes, I realize, that not everyone, at every stage of their careers, has the luxury of being as discriminating. That said, whether you’re making $25 an hour (if you are, don’t tell me, unless you want a scolding) or $125+ an hour, you can absolutely decide to ONLY work for people who respect you and your time. Or, at the very least, if they don’t respect your time, they’re willing to pay for disrespecting it. Here’s to respect. Let’s eat!          

****************************************

****************************************

II. CRISP “FIELD” GREENS: GOT DESIGNER?

South FL FLCW Reaps Bennies of Writer/Designer Partnership! 

I’ve always been a HUGE fan (and equally HUGE beneficiary) of the idea of partnering with graphic designers. South FL FLCW Julie Ann Waid (julieann@waidwrites.com, www.waidwrites.com) echoes the value of that strategy here. Remember the old “features/benefits” equation. Selling writing services is a “feature” (about you and your offering). Selling a turnkey solution to a client via a writer/designer team is a “benefit” (about your client and what’s important to them). Check it out. 

****************************************

Peter: Got another song for the choir about the advantage of teaming with a designer. One of my design buddies up in Boca Raton and I just finished a big joint project for a client in Ft. Myers, who loved not having to be a middleman between his writer and designer, and he's referring us as a team to some of his contacts. Sweetness.

We’ve let our individual client bases and new prospects know that we each have a design/writer partner and can “turnkey” the operation if needed. Those who don't need the other service seem grateful to know it's there. We've done a few more jobs (brochures, direct mail, etc.) for our client in Ft. Myers and just finished a big brochure job for a global bullion dealer in Palm Beach. Thanks to the beauty of the Internet, we plan to keep partnering after I’m settled in after an upcoming move to Dallas. 

Another perk to partnering: we trade services. I've written her press releases and worked on some of her promotion copy and she's designed some snazzy logos for me. So by working together, we make our individual businesses better.

****************************************

****************************************

III. MAIN COURSE: A LITTLE LEVITY AND A BIG LESSON

UK FLCW’S “Joke” Sales Letter Lands Client $6K Job (& Seat at Table for Him!)

Got this funny, instructive story from UK FLCW Doug Jenner (doug@bestwords.co.uk, www.bestwords.co.uk). A lot of lessons. Forge alliances. Take creative chances. Have fun. Expect the unexpected. No, wouldn’t work in every case, but who knows? Enjoy.

****************************************

Peter: I’ve had a steady stream of work and formed some good working relationships, including one with a local graphic design firm. We’ve done pro bono work for each other – a great brochure for me and a sales letter for them, which they loved. Last week they asked me for another one – something that would make people sit up and take notice.

I wrote this spoof to amuse myself. It was silly, poked fun at the guys in the company, and I rattled it off in about three minutes. I sent it on and one of the partners called me:

Steve:  Hi, Doug. That letter that you sent us.

Me:  Oh, yeah.

Steve:  Why did you send it?

Me:  Errr. Just for a laugh. I thought you'd find it funny.

Steve:  We're going to use it.

I laughed, was then momentarily horrified, then thought, “Why not?” They created a professional, attractive mailing, with a brochure we’d done together. A couple of days later they got a phone call from a bloke, telling them that the letter was the best laugh he'd had all week. Then the phone rang again, pretty much the same thing, but this time asking them to quote on a job. They got the job – worth $6000 (US) to them. 

A three-minute sales letter, $6K so far, and the phone is ringing hot! Now, they want to do it again, but this time, pitch it with me as part of their team! Here’s the letter:

****************************************

Dear _______,  

D2P isn't as big as you think. Only three geezers and some computers and other stuff.  But we have our own office. And we are in handy walking distance of the pub.

Which brings me neatly onto my next point. We like to do lunch. On any given day you can find us sampling the culinary delights of a wide range of Harpenden eateries. This shows what discriminating men of taste we are. You can see it in our design work.  Or ON our design work if we’ve been eating at the same time as reading. (That last remark also shows what humorous men we are – always laughing and carrying on).

And we bring this attitude to our work – never taking anything seriously, always prepared to poke a bit of fun at things, and people.  Nothing’s sacred with us, not even our clients. Well, you’ve got to see the funny side, haven't you?

But getting back to other points about how great we are at all sorts of graphic design.  We’re great at all sorts of graphic design. The computers they have these days really help, don't they? And we’re signed up to this company that gives us all sorts of photos to use. Yes, technology really is great, but you know what? I still remember the days of the drawing board. A nice solid T-square would’ve come in handy last night when I found some oik had put a scratch right down the side of my old Morris Minor.

So that gives you a good picture of us. D2P. Fabulous graphic designers.

P.S. If you're too busy to reply to this email, that’s fine. I know what it’s like when you come in to work in the afternoon all bloated from a four-course lunch. You just want to crash and sleep off the effects of the cognac, don’t you?

Seriously though, we have a proven track record in optimizing our clients’ profits with a marketing approach that gets you noticed.

Please give us a call.  We’d be happy to come along and see you.

Cheers,

The boys at D2P

****************************************

****************************************

IV. DESSERT: Sweet Success Stories and Tips

MA FLCW Joins Int’l Networking Group, Lands Four Jobs AND a 50K Client! 

TIP: TX FLCW Offers 4-Point Scoring Success System for Structure-Seekers! 

Got this plug for BNI (Business Networking International; www.bni.com), from Jane Pierce of Newburyport, MA (jane@littleblackpen.com, www.littleblackpen.com) after recommending it to her. BNI’s twist is that they allow only ONE practitioner in any business category, so you’d be the only writer if you joined a chapter. It won’t always turn out this well, but it’s one more avenue to pursue. 

****************************************

Peter: In the category of “The softer side of networking,” I have a good BNI story. BNI is a good and potentially profitable baby step to getting out there. I used Peter’s mentoring service and he suggested I check it out. I walked out with a job lead just from visiting a meeting! That contact netted me four definite jobs (three paying, one pro bono) and lots of contacts. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you’re having a hard time putting yourself out there. Thanks for the tip, Peter!

PB: Since this note was sent to me last year, I asked Jane for an update. Check this out: “Peter: Through BNI, I became the exclusive content writer for a web developer and got a two year contract with another client good for about $50K.” Can you say WOW?   

****************************************

Got this great tip from Tom Myer (tom@tripledogs.com, www.tripledogs.com) in Austin, TX. Tom started out as a copywriter, but now has built an impressively sprawling empire. Those who like to put some real structure to their efforts will like this one.

Jeffrey Fox’s “How to Become a Rainmaker” is a fantastic book for anyone trying to raise revenues and increase sales. The book is chock-full of great ideas and inspirational passages doled out in bite-size chunks. My favorite, though, is score 4 points every day. It reminds me of your edict to focus on action, not results while prospecting.

What does scoring 4 points every day mean? You get 1 point for a solid referral or introduction. You get 2 points if you set a face-to-face appointment; 3 points if you have a face-to-face meeting, and 4 points if you close a deal. You can score 4 points in any combination (i.e., get 4 introductions; make 2 appointments; have a meeting and get an introduction; or make a sale) but the point is to not stop for the day until you’ve made your 4 points. You can make more, of course, but if you score 4 points every day (don't wait until Friday and then try to score 20 points!) you'll never be without business.

****************************************

****************************************

V. COFFEE, MINTS AND TOOTHPICKS

- “DINGED” Books/CDs for Less – Same Content, BIG Savings!

- ATTN: Boston Area: Live “Well-Fed Writer” & “Well-Fed Self-Publisher” Talks! 

- NEW! The BODACIOUS Banquet – Issues 1-52 of the EPUB; Just $10.95

- White Paper Teleclass on SEO & Live Seminar Now Available on DVD!

- MISSED MY TELECLASS? Full 38-PAGE e-Transcript – Just $12!

- AWAI Copywriting (& Other) Courses: Register Here, Get 2 Bonuses (no charge!)

- Well-Fed E-Pub Needs All Courses!

- How Can My Mentoring Service Serve You?

*****************************************

“DINGED” BOOKS/CDs for Less – SAME Content, BIG $avings!

I’ve got a decent supply of less-than-perfect versions of books & CDs at GOOD savings.  Check out books at http://wellfedwriter.com/orderwelltraveled.shtml and the “Cold Calls Without Fear!” CD at http://wellfedwriter.com/teleseminar.shtml.  

*****************************************

ATTN: Boston Area: Live “Well-Fed Writer” & “Well-Fed Self-Publisher” Talks! 

I’ll be speaking in my hometown of Topsfield, MA (25 miles N of Boston) on 10/21 and 10/22 (No Charge!) Details: http://wellfedwriter.com/SeminarDates.shtml.

*****************************************

NEW! The BODACIOUS Banquet – ISSUES 1-52 of the EPUB; Just $10.95!!

Every strategy, technique, tip, and success story from 5/02 to 8/06 in one KILLER easy-to-use 280-page ebook resource! http://wellfedwriter.com/thebodabanq.shtml.

*****************************************

White Paper Teleclass: "SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION FOR WHITE PAPERS"!

Michael Stelzner, WP guru, will host a one-hour teleclass author and SEO expert Dianna Huff on 10/18/07. Details: http://www.whitepapersource.com/cmd.php?Clk=2105522

9/21/07 WHITE PAPER SEMINAR NOW AVAILABLE ON DVD!

Missed Mike Stelzner’s recent live all-day white paper seminar? It’s now available on a

4-disc DVD program! Details: http://www.whitepapersource.com/cmd.php?Clk=2024594

*****************************************

MISSED MY TELECLASS? “Thriving as a Freelance Commercial Writer”

 38-PAGE e-Transcript! $12: www.wellfedwriter.com/jan07tstranscript.shtml.

*****************************************

AWAI COPYWRITING (& OTHER) COURSES: Register Here, Get 2 Extra Bonuses!

Six-Figure Copywriting, Graphic Design, Internet Writing, Fundraising, Health Market and more! TWO Bonus CDS: http://www.wellfedwriter.com/awai.shtml.

*****************************************

WELL-FED E-PUB Needs ALL COURSES!

“GREENS” (200-300 words), MAIN COURSES (400-500; query first), TIPS (150-200) and SUCCESS STORIES (200-300) to peter@wellfedwriter.com.

*****************************************

HOW CAN MY MENTORING SERVICE SERVE YOU?

For details and testimonials, visit www.wellfedwriter.com/Mentoring.shtml.

*****************************************

NEW Subscribe/Unsubscribe feature. To Subscribe (YAY!), Unsubscribe (boo!) and/or update your address for the E-PUB, visit: http://www.wellfedwriter.com/ezine.shtml.

*****************************************