Business and Career | Words For Hire

Not so Dirty Little Secret

April 20, 2009 by Karen Swim

Written by Karen D. Swim

Last week I hinted about my “affair” and it’s time to come clean. I would never advocate the human variety of cheating but cheating on your business can be a great thing! For more than five years my primary business has been writing and marketing. Within those broad parameters, I have performed a wide range of functions for clients.

My affair began with a casual conversation with Trish Lambert about clients new to the web led us to co-create a brand new shared venture. Our shared passion for helping people, and collective experiences of frustrations experienced by our clients led to “what if” discussions. What if we helped ease the way for brand new people to have a web presence? What if people on a do-it-yourself budget but lacking a do-it-yourself bandwidth had someone like us who would do it for them? What if we not only wrote their content but took them from zero to launch?

The conversations grew from excited snippets to a real plan. I soon found myself no longer talking but installing new WordPress sites, and spending hours coding and customizing. It was a flirtation, a chance to let my secret inner geek flag fly. I visited forums and learned new javascript code. I installed Firebug and began to explore the codes of sites I loved. I listened; I learned and fell in love.

I was cheating on my business, spending time on something that was not my natural area of expertise and loving it!

My flirtation will not become a full time job but it has allowed me a new perspective. Coding is precise and requires an attention to detail. Challenging my brain in this new way was not only keeping my brain healthy and young but refreshed my writing.

Stepping out on my business filled me with an excitement that had been missing in recent months. Cheating gave me the space to clearly see what I loved doing in my “real”job and what was draining me of energy and passion.

In recent weeks, I have talked with many others who are feeling a bit of wanderlust. Their stories led me to share my own journey in hopes that it would help others in need of a change without completely ditching their business. If you still love what you do but something seems off or missing, cheating can help you rediscover your passion.

Allowing yourself to flirt renews a sense of play in your work. I celebrated when I learned something new and took risks uncommon in my regular job. I was not an expert at coding and that freed me to have fun with it. Cheating on your business also exposes you to a different perspective from people that are outside of your primary industry.

Whether you have your own business or work for a company, allowing yourself a side flirtation can add value to your professional life. A flirtation can give you the space needed to assess your primary role without making major changes. You may find that you don’t have to ditch your business or job but simply spice it up with a little variety.

Have you ever strayed from your primary business role? What impact did it have on your professional and/or personal life? If you have never cheated, how do you keep yourself engaged and excited about what you do?

Dubious Deception and other Corporate Tales

April 17, 2009 by Karen Swim

Written by Karen D. Swim

Today’s post is a bit of departure from the usual fare. It is a story and yes it’s true but all is not as it appears. Put away your scarlet letters and put on your cloaks of creativity. Play along and I’ll provide the answer at the end…or at the very least a clue. 🙂

It began with a glance across the room, a small spark of interest ignited, as though we had a mutual secret. Soon I invented reasons to be in the same place my heart churning with each hushed conversation. It was all innocent really; I was not cheating, it was just talk. My new “friend” was interesting and seemed to awaken long forgotten desires. In “his” presence, I felt like a giddy schoolgirl. I blushed with each new discovery and even my failures to understand delighted me. Each moment of our time together was seared in my memory with snippets spilling out at odd moments beckoning me to come back for more.

I began to look forward to our meetings. You made me feel wanted and alive. I was a little afraid of how I felt but then reasoned that it was only harmless flirtation, and no cause for concern.

But of course the infatuation grew and I took the next step. I left that first day with a furtive glance over my shoulder. How could I have allowed this to happen? Consumed by guilt I returned home. Unable to look my love in the eye, I took a deep breath and got to work.

That night I thought of my wandering ways. Yes, I strayed but it was only that one time. It would not happen again, I wasn’t even good at it! How could I possibly think that anything would come of it with so many experts surrounding you.

I felt guilty but strangely satisfied by my tryst. I stretched and smiled secretly wishing for another chance. But then I saw my commitment out of the corner of my eye, peeking from the pages of my calendar and I was consumed with a new wave of guilt. Oh gosh, what had I done? You have stood by me in the darkest of hours, providing for my needs. You kept a roof over my head and fed me those soy dogs I love so much. I don’t want to let go but lately our time together has been so, well routine.

I was feeling unappreciated and taken for granted. But my flirtation gave me a new purpose. I feel important and needed. I even like “his” friends. I love hanging out in their forums and chat rooms and listening to their discourse.

I don’t want to hurt you but I had to come clean. Actually, my flirtation is a good thing. It has renewed my enthusiasm for you. No, no don’t cry I won’t leave you entirely but I have to admit you are going to have to share me and I know that might be hard.

Clue: I am me but “him” is deceptive.
Clue 2: This is a totally G rated post, pure as the driven snow.

It’s Friday, and time for a little fun so play along by sharing your best guess in the comments. Remember it’s G-rated. I promise to tell all in the next post.

Eyes Half Mast, Mug Half Full – I am There

April 16, 2009 by Karen Swim

: Image via Wikipedia

Written by Karen D. Swim

Late night, not enough coffee, hanging tightly to the threads of creativity needed to power through the day. Lingering in that state of adrenalin fueled rush that gets you down the road and then throws you to the pavement like road kill. I am there.

Longing to tell you things and fearing incoherence so leaving you with the wisdom of others instead.

Is it really Thursday? Oh yea, I am there. Big red dot marking the spot, three days now history, standing in the present wondering how I got here. Yes I am there.

Eyelids drooping, fingers heavy with fatigue, moving on to a thought for the day.

“The hero slays the dragon.”

(From “The Hero Within: Six Archetypes We Live By“
Carol S. Pearson, Ph.D.)

Finding the fire, unsheathing the sword, bring it on Thursday, I’m ready!

Are you?

The Enemy of Creativity

March 24, 2009 by Karen Swim

: Image by telex via Flickr

Written by Karen D. Swim

It took a near collapse of the global economy for organizations to admit that something was not working. The new big idea became innovation. Long touted in mission and value statements and the top bullet point in job seeker resumes. Organizations caught the wave chanting a new mantra of creativity. Some companies had been living the talk for years and yawned at the converts. But the newbies pressed on even coining a new job title, Chief Innovation Officer.

Yet, with all their talk of innovation, creativity and becoming an inspired work place they will not accomplish their mission. You see, innovation does not come without risk and organizations are not structured to cultivate failure. They want the gain but without the pain. We kill the very thing we crave because we want guarantees that innovation will always be a success. Heads roll and jobs are lost when the “big idea” fails to deliver.

Big business is not fond of failure. It is the reason we have formulaic television shows, warmed over movie remakes and color by the number novels. Innovation comes from the fringe, the entrepreneurial willing to take the risk. The brave souls who embrace failure in themselves and their people. Big business very often does not lead the way but follows. Those averse to risk emulate the new ideas. . They champion innovation from others and rush to create their own “unique version. In the sincerest form of flattery, the new idea is imitated until the public wants to hurl at the mere mention of it.

Yet, we have the opportunity to reverse this trend. We the people, the employees, middle managers and consuming public can begin a groundswell movement where failure is not only accepted but encouraged. Rather than painting a scarlet letter on those who try and fail we can champion them for having the courage to try. When given the freedom to fail it is amazing what people will do.

What say you, play it safe or take the risk?

Clear as Mud

March 18, 2009 by Karen Swim

Written by Karen D. Swim

Jane was giddy with excitement. She had just won her first freelance writing assignment. Technically, she would not be writing but proofreading. Her client had written an e-book and needed another set of eyes to proofread. Jane meticulously went through the copy, reading every word and marking up corrections. When it was time to deliver to the client, she did her fourth and final check just to be sure. She emailed the client a marked up version and a “clean” version. The client had not asked but Jane was eager to deliver.

An hour after she had emailed the manuscript to her client, her phone rang.

Hello Jane, this is Miranda. I received the copy and this is not at all what I wanted.

Beads of sweat formed on Jane’s lip as she tried to keep her voice from trembling, “I’m sorry, I don’t understand. I proofread the copy and sent you two versions, did you receive them both?”

“I wanted you to get this ready for publication. You made no enhancements.”

“I thought you wanted me to proofread not edit.”

Now it was Miranda’s turn to be stumped. “Aren’t they the same thing?”

When I was in high school , I had an English assignment that taught me the value of providing clear directions. Our class was instructed to write the instructions for making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for an alien visiting our home. Most of the class thought the assignment was silly until they attempted to comply.

The instructions were for an alien who spoke the language but was not operating from the same context of experiences. You could not take shortcuts or make assumptions but had to be clear and direct.

Jane and Miranda not only spoke the same English but lived in the same country, in the same state, less than 5 miles apart. Yet, there had been a complete breakdown in communications. Miranda thought she understood proofreading and editing, but to a writer they are vastly different.

In our effort to be understood, we may try to speak the language but if we incorrectly apply a term we may not get our hoped for results. When providing someone with instructions, it is important to be clear and give detail. When receiving instructions, it is equally important to ask questions, and confirm mutual understanding.

Being misunderstood is easy but clear communication requires patience.

Have you ever had a situation where you thought you were clear and the results indicated your error? What did you learn from the experience?

A Novel Approach to Picking up Customers

March 4, 2009 by Karen Swim

Written by Karen D. Swim

Maman est morte.–Albert Camus, L’Etranger

The first line of a novel has the power to hook you as a reader and entice you to read more. The line may shock you with honesty, tease you with what is to come or set the scene for the story ahead. Some first lines are so brilliantly memorable that they have become more famous than the novel itself, such as:

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. — George Orwell, 1984

It was a dark and stormy night. — Madeleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time

A great first line gets your attention and compels you to read on. It is the come-hither look and whispered breath of longing.

Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. –Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita

It serves as an introduction to character, place or mood.

If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don’t feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. –J. D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that station will be held by anybody else, these pages must show. –Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

You do not have to be a literary great to apply this novel approach in business. Every business has a story but that story gets lost in corporate jargon. How often have you opened a marketing brochure or visited a website with a first line that made you lean in eager to read more?

Applying storytelling techniques in business writing is an excellent way to make a great impression and pick up customers. Storytelling adds warmth and humanity to your writing and feels more like a conversation than a pitch. Here are five practical ways that you can leverage the novel approach:

Craft headlines that mirror the first line of a novel. Use them to capture your reader’s attention.
Use “characters” to tell your business story. The character can be you, an employee or a customer.
Think like a reader. If your copy were a book, what would make the reader pick it up from the shelf?
Be descriptive. Providing a reader with just enough detail allows them to form a mental picture and makes them part of the scene. Visual mediums use this technique but it is also possible to do it on paper.
Ditch the corporate jargon. The use of corporate jargon is common but often is a barrier to engaging your reader. It can read like a 10 foot wall that you expect readers to climb to get to the real message. Skip the corporate acronyms and jargon and talk to your readers.

Have you seen any good uses of storytelling in business? Are you using the technique in your own business writing?

Resources:

Kelly Erickson takes this idea a step further in her post on Building Your Business with a Concept.

Joanna Young discusses the use of long words and makes a case for plain, simple language.

If you have ideas to share on Writing Website Content, please offer your comments here.