Be Like Thomas & Ernest

 It's July 5th.

The day after American Independence Day.

Which brings to mind the Declaration of Independence and its principle author, Thomas Jefferson.

If you are a writer, I urge you to read this masterfully written state paper. Take in the format and the words that have been carefully selected. There's a lot to learn here.

That being said, as a writer, there is more you can learn about your craft from the Declaration of Independence than by only reading it. 

After you read it, consider this photograph of an early draft of the document and the quote from Ernest Hemingway that follows it. 

The first draft of anything is shit. - Ernest Hemingway

The lesson to be learned from Jefferson and Hemingway is to edit and improve every piece you write.

• Many consider Jefferson to have been one of the smartest people on the planet in his time. And it took him many drafts to craft this masterpiece into the brilliant writing that is still relevant hundreds of years after he wrote it.
  
  
• Almost 100 years after it was published, Hemingway's "A Farewell to Arms" is still considered one of the great American classics. He rewrote the ending over 39 times.

You might not be a Jefferson or a Hemingway, but as a writer you can learn from them. And one of the major takeaways is about the positive impact strong editing can have on the quality of your writing.

Differentiation

Find yourself in a category of look-a-likes?

Be like Party Cannon.

How to Keep Your Clients

Your clients are the life's blood of your business. Take the necessary steps to retain them.
 
6 Proven Ways to Keep Your Clients

1. Set customer expectations early.
   
   
2. Don't overpromise. Do overdeliver.
   
   
3. Maintain consistent and constant meaningful contact.
   
   
4. Own up to your mistakes.
   
   
5. Deliver proactive service.
   
   
6. Get feedback and incorporate it.

 
Learn what the client wants and what their expectations of customer service are beyond the deliverable. 

A good client will give constant feedback. If not, ask for it. 

It's critically important that you listen to the feedback ... and ... try to demonstrate that you listened when servicing the account and when presenting changes or new work.

 

Please take action on this information. In the words of  Bill Davidow: "The longer you wait, the harder it is to provide outstanding customer service."

 

The Copywriter Blues: Fixing the Funk

"I feel like I'm digging myself deeper into a rut." 

"It feels like everyone else is kicking ass in their careers while I'm  mired in a funk, feeling sorry for myself."

As a writer, sometimes feelings like this can creep up on you, kick motivation in the crotch, shove enthusiasm to the curb, and launch you into a foggy funk of self doubt. 

Add in a dash of imposter syndrome and your dad's suggestion of a career as a welder is starting to look like a better alternative.

It sucks.

And it seems like there is no end in sight.

You can get through it. But you've gotta be proactive.

First, stop beating yourself up. Accept that this happens. You're normal. 

Next, stop comparing yourself to others. Tomorrow start comparing yourself with today's you. Make incremental progress, trying to be a little better than you were yesterday. Repeat daily. Get some momentum going. 

Once you're slowly moving forward, consider some bigger steps:

• Set a goal for another type of writing and chase it. For example, commit to writing a blog post every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or  to posting everyday on a select social media.
  
  
• Take a course. It doesn't have to be a copywriting course. 
  
  
• Start keeping a gratitude journal and shift your focus from what's bad to what's good.
  
  
• Commit to reading a number of books in a set period of time. For example: two books a month for 3 months. Pick books that will forward your career or books that will give you a break from your career. 
  
  
• Get out. Outdoors. Fresh air. Sunshine.
  
  
• Ignore the news for a while. 24/7 news coverage and constant access to social media can be draining. Limit your consumption to a set period a couple of times a day.
  
  
• Find an activity that brings you joy but is not writing based. Plant a garden. Bake bread. Crochet a blanket. Learn to play an instrument. Take up photography. Start collecting something. Play video games. Dance. Meditate. 
  
  
• Take a vacation. Pick a place you've never been or do something you've always dreamed of doing.
  
  
• Connect with others. Call friends and family. Socialize. Even limited connection with others can help you feel your best.
  
  
• Get a side gig with some relatively easy to reach wins. Write and publish a short story. Volunteer a few hours a week at a charity.
  
  
• Find a physical outlet. Working out. Walking. Kick boxing. Golf. Running. Fishing. Cycling. Bowling. Tennis. Swimming. Yoga.
  
  
• Focus on music. Buy tickets to a few concerts. Pick some artists you like and some artists you are not too familiar with. If tickets are too expensive, explore online options for listening to music you like and discovering music you didn't know you liked.
  
  
• Identify someone else who's having a tough time and help 'em out. 
  
  
• Pick a windmill to tilt at, such as a local, regional, or national cause that could use a volunteer.
  
  
• Make getting enough good sleep a priority.
  
  
• Quit and find yourself a new gig (or freelance). Maybe it's your work environment. If it's toxic and bringing you down, plan a strategic withdrawal.
  
  

Take a shot at one of these. 

Or a few of 'em.

You'll get those copywriter blues in the rearview mirror where they belong.

Now step on the gas.