As I was pondering the decision to get involved with Twitter, I asked Wendy Piersall (Sparkplugging CEO) about it and then I thought, “I will do it as an experiment and record my findings via my weekly posting at Sparkplugging.
Well, you can read more about my specific findings (very fascinating) in my article, My 30 day Journey with Twitter and you can decide for yourself (if you haven’t already) whether Twitter is for you or not.
I was in Lynn Terry’s weekly online chat and someone had brought up the question about how do you know where your target market hangs out?
Once you know who your target market is–you need to find out the habits of your target market. I have given you a few ways to find the answer to this question in my Tuesday Minute Tip this week.
Also, you can receive my Analyze your Ideal Client Profile Sheet, which can help you find out your target market, when you join my newsletter.
I would like to share with you a bit more of Linda Dessau, author of The Customizable Style Guide for Coaches Who Write: Look Smarter, Write Faster and Get Better Results from Your Writing.
Please give us a bit of background about you (where you grew up, where you were born, and if you have any siblings)
I was born in raised in Toronto, where I’ve lived all of my life except for the two years I studied music therapy at Capilano College in North Vancouver, British Columbia. I have one older brother, Jeff, and one older sister, Ruth. Ruth is mentioned in the Style Guide and has been a big part of my development as a writer and editor. I’ve also been blessed with one niece and four nephews.
What is your advice for those who are beginning writers (or those who wish to write but are apprehensive)?
There are people in the world who need to hear the wonderful ideas that you have. And some of them just won’t get it if they hear it from someone else. They’re tuned in to your frequency and YOUR unique way of expressing these ideas.
When did you start writing?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. As a child, I loved writing stories and cartoons, and I would fold them up into little books – my first venture into self-publishing. I’m been writing to promote my own online businesses since 2003, and professionally since 2005.
What was your inspiration for the book?
I was looking over the course calendar for the Editors’ Association of Canada and I spotted the course, “Developing a House Style Guide.” That got me thinking about creating some kind of central reference for coaches to use for their writing; an industry standard that would improve the credibility of the whole profession.
Can you share a few tips from the book?
Sure! One thing I always wondered about was when to use a bulleted list and when to use a numbered list. Now I have clear criteria for that decision. When the order or number of list items is important (such as a sequential list of steps or a Top 10 list, my favorite!), or if I’m going to refer the list items later on in the document, I’ll use a numbered list. If all items are equally important, then I use a bulleted list.
Another tip is from Part Two, where I go into detail about a variety of common writing projects. In Self-assessment and quiz tips, I write that if a high score indicates success, and a client scores a point for every question they answer yes to, make sure that each question is phrased in a way that yes represents the more successful response.
So it would be incorrect to write: (1) I am happy with how my home looks and (2) I feel buried by my clutter.
The correct format would be: (1) I am happy with how my home looks and (2) My home is tidy and free of clutter.
So, what is on the horizon for you and your writing?
My next big project is My Book Wiki, a web-based system where I will work with clients to plan, write and polish their book from start to finish. Right now someone is testing the program with me and I’m very encouraged by her feedback so far.
Here is a question just for fun – what is your favorite food and why?
I love my morning oatmeal – just plain oats with a little bit of salt. I enjoy the warmth and texture of it; it feels very wholesome and healthy (and it IS!) and it really sticks to my ribs and keeps me satisfied until lunchtime.
You can purchase the book here
This interview is a part of a blog tour: Yesterday the blog tour stopped at Biana Babinsky’s blog and tomorrow is continues with Andrea Lee’s blog
