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Articles from Dawn Shuler | Selfgrowth.com
- 7 Rules for Conscious Writing - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2015 from Dawn ShulerYou have a lot to write, and, of course, you want your words to come directly from your soul, connect with your audience (whether that be a reader or potential customer), and have a strong impact. To that end, the more conscious we are of our process, the easier, better, stronger it ...
Views: 547 - What I Learned From Copying - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2015 from Dawn ShulerAt times, the creative process can almost look logical: "This is my purpose, and this is what I need to do." Other times the creativity just flows, and you do what you can to capture all the lovely ideas. Occasionally, I'll do some of the same writing exercises I require of my students. ...
Views: 523 - Managing the Writing Cycle - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2015 from Dawn ShulerMuch of the work I do with writers, especially authors, is to help them understand that writing is a process. You don't just sit down and start writing Chapter 1, finish that chapter, and seamlessly move onto the next one. Before you can get to that place where you're writing full sentences, you ...
Views: 516 - Lessons Learned From a Creative Writing Retreat - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2015 from Dawn ShulerWe may not be able to sit down and write anywhere. Some people can. Yay them! For me, though, my environment is ultra important. The energy of people around me affects me. The location. The natural environment. Maybe that sounds like I'm a diva and everything must be perfect if I'm going to ...
Views: 513 - How to Convey Your Message With Power and Passion - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2015 from Dawn ShulerOver my entire adult life, I've run into a lot of people who really struggle with writing. And some of these people are amazing at what they do, but they can't write. But, more importantly, they didn't THINK they could write. As a result, I started to take what I could see their problems were ...
Views: 1231 - 10 Specific Ways to Jazz Up Your Writing - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2015 from Dawn ShulerThe clearer (and more specific) you are about your message and the results you want to achieve, the easier it is for you to write. Then the words flow, because they're flowing from the heart. Once those words are flowing nicely and easily (because you're connecting with your passion), then you ...
Views: 818 - What If - Your Writing - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2015 from Dawn ShulerAs a writer, you might find yourself stuck - at the beginning (can't even get started), in the middle (where the heck do I go now), or at the end (is this really a good ending) of whatever you're writing. There are all sorts of techniques to get past writer's block, but it's even more than ...
Views: 491 - I Don't Want to Write, and You Can't Make Me - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2015 from Dawn ShulerThe statistic that writing coaches, book marketing coaches, and write-a-book-in-a-weekend programs love to shout to the world is that 80% of people say they want to write a book. What do you think the key word is in that statistic? "Want." They want to write a book. The number of people ...
Views: 551 - The Writing Rhythm and Blues - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2015 from Dawn ShulerAs I talk with my coaching clients and work with people in my programs, the self-criticisms and struggles of gotta write, "Just do it," and feeling not good enough abound. As writers, it's what we all struggle with. "Am I good enough?" "I should just stop what I'm doing right now and ...
Views: 579 - The Writing Race: Keep Writing, Even If You Think It Stinks - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2015 from Dawn ShulerMany writers, maybe all writers, have trouble being objective about their writing. As you're writing or immediately after you're writing, you're thinking, "God, what am I doing? This is pure drivel. It's awful. I should just stop." Luckily, you don't stop; you keep going. And, with more luck, ...
Views: 529 - 5 Simple Ways to Make Progress With Your Marketing - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2015 from Dawn ShulerRunning an online business requires a ton of marketing... even some things you might not consider marketing. Article writing, blogging, social media updates, sales page copy, campaign emails, video scripts, networking elevator speeches, bios... It can be overwhelming when you think about it. ...
Views: 441 - Will the Real You Please Stand Up and Market? - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2015 from Dawn ShulerWhether you're a business owner or an employee, like it or not, there are thousands of people in your industry... Notice I didn't say, "There are thousands of business owners/employees just like you" because that's not true. However, if you present yourself like everyone else or play it safe ...
Views: 460 - Be Brazen - Be Bold - Be You - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2015 from Dawn ShulerYou have a product or service that solves a problem and that people need, and you want to share that. But then it comes down to communicating with your target market... that's where you get stuck. You have to write blog posts, ezine articles, sales pages, campaign emails, affiliate ...
Views: 634 - 5 Common Pitfalls That Keep You From Getting Started Writing - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2015 from Dawn ShulerIt's time to sit down and write your article, and you can't seem to write a thing. You stare at your paper or screen, twirl your pen, tap the keys, get up and get a glass of water, sit back down, get up and go to the bathroom, sit back down, check Facebook/Twitter/Google+, twirl your pen some ...
Views: 487 - 5 Ways to Protect Your Creative Energy - by Submitted on Feb 22, 2015 from Dawn ShulerA couple of weeks ago, I led a local, in-person meeting of a women-in-business support group. This was the fourth time we'd met, and all the meetings before had been full of amazing connection and even transformation for some of us. I always came home energized and filled up. This time, ...
Views: 854 - Setting Your Writing Up For Easy - by Submitted on Jun 14, 2015 from Dawn ShulerFor whatever reason, it's not as easy as one would think to sit down and write. I mean, all you need is a pen and paper or a keyboard, right? You could get a lot of writing done if you add up all these extra bits of time (yes, they really do exist): The 10 minutes before your next client ...
Views: 551 - How to Get People to Open Your Emails - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2015 from Dawn ShulerThe Internet is a wonderful thing. It allows us to connect with people all over the world, get great information and resources, and do business. And in so many venues: social media, email, online communities... But our inboxes fill up with email after email after email. Typically, we open ...
Views: 467 - Let Creativity In - 6 Easy Steps - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2015 from Dawn Shuler"I have an article to write, so I'll just start writing." A few moments go by. "Hmmmm. Why aren't the words coming to me easily? Ah, it must be because I struggle to write." A few more moments go by. "This is hard." "I'm not very good at it." You stare at the screen. "I give ...
Views: 836 - Your Inner Critic Gremlin Lies to You: 6 Questions to Get to the Truth - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2015 from Dawn ShulerYou're no good. You don't know what you're doing. That's a stupid idea. What makes you think anyone is going to buy from you? You're sending too many emails. You're promoting too much. No one needs what you have to offer. ____ [fill in the blank] does that better than you ...
Views: 546 - Don't Rely on Yourself to Get Things Done - Create External Motivators - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2015 from Dawn Shuler"An object in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by an outside force. An object at rest will stay at rest unless acted upon by an outside force." You know how it works... if it's up to you get something done - and no one is relying on it - you procrastinate, procrastinate, ...
Views: 712 - When Our To-Do Lists Threaten to Strangle Us - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2015 from Dawn ShulerI run a business. I'm writing a collection of short stories. I'm working on a product for writers. I'm a mother of two amazing teenage daughters. I have deeply connected relationships with my friends and chosen family. I teach. I coach. I create and design new programs. I work with clients to ...
Views: 731 - Making Writing Easy - The Continual Process - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2015 from Dawn ShulerI've committed to writing more and more, and what that looks like (ideally) is more blog posts, more ezine articles, and books. That means writing. A lot of writing. And THAT means actually writing. The other day, I ended my work day at 3:00pm with the intention to write. Oh my ...
Views: 618 - 5 Writing Rituals to Get You Writing - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2015 from Dawn ShulerWhen it's time to write, especially writing from one's soul, one doesn't just turn on a dime. At least, I don't. If I'm going to write from my soul, connect with my peeps, and write powerful, compelling material, I have to write consciously, not unconsciously. First, what do I mean by ...
Views: 467 - Words Have Power - Use That Power Wisely - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2015 from Dawn ShulerWords are powerful. The little ditty we heard and sometimes used as a mantra (See? Words ARE powerful) of "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" just isn't true. Here's an example. One of my favorite memorials in Washington, D.C. is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt ...
Views: 448 - 16 Rules of Soulful Writing - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2015 from Dawn ShulerWriting is sacred, or at least, the power of words is sacred. We need to respect the word, the writing, and the process. While I believe there are no real rules to writing, here are 16 rules I use in my own writing life as well as with my clients and students. Feel free to break any as ...
Views: 1135 - What Movies Can Teach You About Writing - by Submitted on Feb 21, 2015 from Dawn ShulerAfter watching Gettysburg several months before, both Mark and I were champing at the bit to watch Gods and Generals. Mark's a huge Civil War buff, and while I'm not an aficionado, I really loved Gettysburg. Great characters, good writing, action that moved along... An hour into Gods and ...
Views: 467 - How to Get Motivated - When You're Not - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn ShulerIt happens... you set aside time to write and create. Or a client cancels at the last minute. Or that rare thing of a block of time drops into your lap. You're even all set with what you're going to work on. And you stare at the computer. You frown at your list. You shuffle papers on ...
Views: 695 - How Do You Know When You're Writing From Your Soul? - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn ShulerI talk all the time about writing from your soul and how important it is to really connect your message to your audience. I've talked about how to do it, how to set yourself up for success, and what gets in the way. But how do you know if you're actually writing from your soul? That you're ...
Views: 523 - Sometimes You Have to Coach Yourself - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn ShulerI'm a writer. I'm a writing and creativity coach. I see patterns. I'm good at the big picture and those itsy bitsy details that make up the big picture. And I'm not perfect. As much as I'm a good writer and good business woman, I don't do it all effortlessly. Like any good thing, it ...
Views: 851 - Vantage Point - Your Audience's Point of View - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn ShulerA few months ago, I met with a former coaching client for a lovely dinner, and we spent some time catching up since it had been a couple of months since we had connected. We told each other our stories, including how some relationships, business and personal, had ended. She said it's like ...
Views: 450 - Connect the Dots for Your Readers - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn ShulerIn conversations or in words, we usually know what it is we're trying to say. We have the concept in our heads. We can see it. Then, the trick is to translate that concept (which is not word-based) into words. Just like in a conversation with your spouse, you don't mention every single ...
Views: 475 - The Ladder of Abstraction: 5 Techniques to Strengthen Your Writing - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn ShulerWhatever we're writing, fiction or nonfiction, blogging or articles, sales letters or emails, we often find ourselves needing to convey an abstract concept. For example, in a marketing email, you are supposed to tap into your audience's pain. Whatever your audience's pain point, it's probably ...
Views: 1909 - Put Your Expertise Out There - Create a System (Yes, You Have One) - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn ShulerIf you're an entrepreneur or online business owner, especially with a service-based product, then what you're selling is you and your system. You may be thinking, "I don't have a system... I just do what I do." Well, see, that "just do what you do" IS a big part of your system. The ...
Views: 562 - Redoing Your Website (or Creating a New One) - The Real Truth - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn ShulerIf you work virtually or market your business online at all, your website is a crucial part of your business. It's one of the first things online people will see about you. Even offline people might go "check you out" after they've met you in person. Think about your own website experience... ...
Views: 334 - Are You Being Confusing in Your Writing? Six Steps to Make Your Writing Clearer - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn ShulerThe most important aspect of connecting with your audience through words is being clear... Because if you're not clear, your readers certainly won't be. I was at a high-school band concert, and there was a box with "Cleaning Supplies" written on one side and "Lost and Found" written on ...
Views: 479 - The Trap of Listening to the Voices in My Head - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn ShulerI've had my business since 2001, and it's been profitable since the very beginning (meaning I made more than I spent). Since 2008, I've had the sole support of me and my two daughters. My business has grown, and I'm thrilled to say I have a waiting list for people to work privately with ...
Views: 684 - Planning - How Can This Help Your Business? - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn ShulerEvery six months, I plan the next six months. Recently, I was reminded of why this is so important (besides the fact that it's smart business). Lots of upcoming traveling combined with workshops, and I needed to see how everything related to each other. When am I going to be out of town? When am ...
Views: 496(1 vote) - 11 Lessons Art Taught Me About Writing - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn ShulerIf you had ever asked me if I was creative, my answer would have somehow revolved around my writing. While both my grandmothers painted, I didn't feel my artistic bents leaned that way in the least. But art has been sneaking in for years... through mandalas and collages and vision boards and ...
Views: 463 - 6 Keys to Reinventing Yourself - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn ShulerWe're in the process of reinvention - all the time - because we're evolving and changing - all the time. One of my favorite quotations is "I am not the same person I was yesterday." And then the quotation I came up with several years ago after going through some intense life changes was "The ...
Views: 906(1 vote) - When You Don't Know What to Write - 6 Options to Get You Moving - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn Shuler"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both... " One of my clients was writing a novel, and she was extremely frustrated. She had two different tracks she could follow, and she just couldn't decide which one to take. So she was stuck... and wasn't writing a ...
Views: 460 - 9 Laws of a Project - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn ShulerIf you're an entrepreneur or small business owner, you probably have a project. Or two. Or three. Or fifty-eight. I'm not talking about your daily to-do's or the actual work you do with clients and customers. I'm talking about the bigger projects that move you and your business ...
Views: 621(1 vote) - Rant: Writing Well As a Barrier to Creativity? - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2015 from Dawn ShulerA few years ago, I ran across a blog post where the author claimed that those who think that writing well is important sap the life out of creativity. She recounted how she was discouraged from sending a letter to Mad Magazine because her English teacher critiqued it too harshly. I feel sorry ...
Views: 458 - Creating Sacred Space - Both Inside and Out - by Submitted on Feb 20, 2015 from Dawn ShulerMuch of what I do for my clients is to create sacred space. When I'm leading a workshop, I'm creating sacred space for my clients and students to write and create. When I coach, the coaching session is a sacred space where my clients feel safe to share, to stretch, to take risks, and to uncover ...
Views: 752 - Marketing, Oh That Evil Thing! - by Submitted on Feb 16, 2015 from Dawn ShulerWell, it's only evil if you look at it a certain way. If the word "marketing" scares you off, it might help you to know that my definition of marketing is any kind of communication and connection you make with your people... anything. See, it doesn't have to be evil. Or what some people call ...
Views: 404 - The Ins and Outs of a Product Launch - by Submitted on Feb 20, 2015 from Dawn ShulerYou've spent weeks, maybe even months, writing your new eBook or home study system. You brought on a graphics designer to make sure your product rocks the casbah. You're even ready with a fulfillment company to print the CDs, DVDs, and workbook. You give a sigh of relief... you're ...
Views: 375 - You're Stuck, and It's Your Fault - by Submitted on Feb 16, 2015 from Dawn ShulerThere are many reasons we procrastinate or simply don't do something we say we want to do. Something that will forward our goals. Something that moves us toward our dreams. Something that is EXACTLY what we want to do. But we don't do it. Why? It's being stuck, and it's not just a lack ...
Views: 695 - All You Need Is a Little Nothing - by Submitted on Feb 20, 2015 from Dawn ShulerA few weeks ago, when I was feeling quite overwhelmed, I took a break and sat in my living room and looked out the big picture window with its view of the valleys and mountains. I had been DOing so much that I felt I was losing a bit of the soul and the why of that doing. So I sat in my ...
Views: 663 - Consistent and Persistent AKA You Need to Be Writing - by Submitted on Feb 16, 2015 from Dawn ShulerA common marketing statistic bandied about is that it takes 7-10 touches to get people's attention. Hence, why on radio stations, you'll hear the same commercials over and over - because advertisers know they can't just play the commercial once and expect people to buy their widget. I've also ...
Views: 363 - Cooking Up a Few Words - by Submitted on Feb 16, 2015 from Dawn ShulerAs a writer, I see metaphors everywhere, and one of the lenses through which I view the world is that of writing and words. So, it's not a surprise that when I'm cooking a meal, my mind goes inevitably to writing... and tries to make connections. (One definition of writing could be "finding ...
Views: 525 - What Is Your Content Creator Personality Type? - by Submitted on Feb 16, 2015 from Dawn ShulerWriting looks like many different things (outlining, taking notes, recording our thoughts, stream of consciousness, to name a few), and we writers are all different, too. The biggest problem I see would-be writers and even those who make the leap and proclaim themselves writers to the world ...
Views: 551