Lyden's Lab for Strategic Copywriters

3 Strategies for Writers to Combat Fear of Failure

In yesterday's post, Feel the Fear But Do It Anyway, I wrote about how thoughts of fear and doubt still afflict me, despite 15 years as a professional writer. During that time, I've learned strategies to combat the fear of failure and channel it into constructive action that propels me toward my goals.

Here are three strategies I employ:

1. Take charge of your thoughts by keeping them positive.

Develop and repeat affirmations that work for you. A few that are effective for me include:

• I have everything I need to succeed.
• I follow through on all my commitments.
• I will complete and send this [brochure/article/blog post/Web copy] by [time and day] -- win, lose or draw.
  
• No excuses! I can write anytime, anywhere, under any circumstance.
• I can break through ANY obstacle.

2. Visualize yourself successfully completing the project.

Imagine the client reviewing your deliverable, impressed and delighted with your work. The more you can get your mind to envision the finished product, all the way to the client's hands, the greater confidence you'll gain in your ability to follow through successfully.

This approach is the exact opposite of what happens naturally. When fear arises, an endless loop of worst-case-scenrio images tends to flood your mind, eroding your confidence and sabotaging your project.

Switch those mental images to positive pictures of desired outcomes and you'll displace the fear that blocking your creativity.

3. Focus on one section of the project at a time.

Block out everything else. Each section you successfully complete, the more confidence you gain as you move on to the next section. This way, you build momentum, finding yourself writing quicker and easier.

The Bottom Line

To be candid, none of these strategies are intended to be a cure for fear. Instead, they are a means to manage it, daily, to keep me on the path toward my writing dreams.

What are your strategies to combat fear and doubt?

About the Author: Sean M. Lyden is a nationally recognized feature writer and columnist on sales, marketing, automotive and technology topics. As a ghostwriter and copywriter, Sean has served clients such as General Motors, SunTrust Service Corporation, Morgan Stanley, Embedded Linux Consortium and Shaw Industries. He’s also co-author of the book How to Succeed and Make Money on Your First Rental House (Wiley, 2003). Follow Sean on Twitter.

© Sean M. Lyden, 2011, All Rights Reserved

 

Feel the Fear But Do It Anyway

Every morning that I get ready to write, especially when projects are due that day, I'm filled with fear and doubt. I'm overwhelmed with balancing my writing workload and all my family responsibilities (I homeschool our 6th and 8th grade daughters). I put in 40-50+ hours per week writing, along with several hours homeschooling, taking kids to activities and preparing meals. I'm stretched, physically and emotionally, with seemingly little energy to face each project.

So when I sit at a table at my local Starbucks "office," I think to myself, Is this the project that takes me down? Is the project I fail to fulfill for the client? Do I really have what it takes? I find myself tempted by procrastination activities, wanting to divert my attention to doing more research, more business planning, more social media, or anything else but tackling the projects that need to get done TODAY. 

I've been writing professionally since 1997, and full-time freelance since 2008. You'd think these feelings would go away.

They don't. At least for me, they don't.

Perhaps you experience similar feelings of fear, doubt, anxiety or whatever you want to call those knots in the stomach as you approach crunch time with writing projects.

How do you push through it?

What I do: Feel the fear but do it anyway.

I've made my peace with the fact that fear will accompany me every day. It's just the way it is. That's because every project brings with it the risk of failure. I've come to realize that greatness can only be attained when we push ourselves to the edge of failure. 

In other words, if we're not pursuing projects that stretch us, that position us to directly confront our weaknesses and the prospect of failure, can we truly achieve greatness in our profession?

I've changed my perception of that fear. I've made it my friend and choose to harness its energy to help me succeed. Those knots in my stomach? They represent the "butterflies" that come with anticipation of pulling off the impossible project - and blowing away my clients' expectations. 

 

About the Author: Sean M. Lyden is a nationally recognized feature writer and columnist on sales, marketing, automotive and technology topics. As a ghostwriter and copywriter, Sean has served clients such as General Motors, SunTrust Service Corporation, Morgan Stanley, Embedded Linux Consortium and Shaw Industries. He’s also co-author of the book How to Succeed and Make Money on Your First Rental House (Wiley, 2003). Follow Sean on Twitter.

© Sean M. Lyden, 2011, All Rights Reserved

 

Pro Writers: 5 Questions to Jumpstart a Productive Day

As professional writers, we often encounter days that we don't feel like writing. But if we surrender to that feeling, we risk missing deadlines, which can erode our client relationships and, eventually, our cash-flow.

We write, even when we don't want to, because we must. It is our commitment to our clients. That why we are professional writers, not hobbyists. So, how do we make sure each day is as productive as possible, no matter what emotions may afflict us?

Below are questions I use every morning to help me get into the right frame of mind to seize the day. I record my answers in daily entries in Evernote (which is one of the best productivity tools I've encountered all year!) so that I have a goldmine of all the ideas I'm generating. Perhaps these questions can be useful to you, as well. 

1. What am I thankful for today?

No matter what challenges you're experiencing that may discourage you, this question helps put your mind in a positive, resourceful state. 

2. How did I do yesterday -- and how can I improve?

This question could be worth thousands of dollars to you. How? Your answers could lead you to the one idea that, if you follow through on it, would take your writing business to the next level. 

3. What is my single highest leverage task today? (In other words, what will I absolutely commit to getting done today that would make the greatest positive impact on my business?)

This keeps you from getting bogged down by urgent, but not necessarily important work, ensuring you're laser-beam focused on the activities that will benefit your business the most.

4. WHY do I believe I can achieve [insert income goal] per month?

When you're discouraged, you can come up with myriad reasons why you CAN'T do something, essentially selling yourself on your deficiencies. Turn the tables on that thinking! Sell yourself on your assets and abilities. This is your personal pep talk time!

5. Where can I find incremental (0.5% to 1.0%) improvement in my time/ production today?

You don't have to make huge changes to significantly boost productivity. Look for small ways each day to make better use of your time. Some of the things I've come up with over the past few weeks include: cutting down on TV time, scheduling time to return calls/ emails (instead of doing those tasks immediately, which may distract me during a project), and honing my writing processes to keep me focused.

How do you get focused?

About the Author: Sean M. Lyden is a nationally recognized feature writer and columnist on sales, marketing, automotive and technology topics. As a ghostwriter and copywriter, Sean has served clients such as General Motors, SunTrust Service Corporation, Morgan Stanley, Embedded Linux Consortium and Shaw Industries. He’s also co-author of the book How to Succeed and Make Money on Your First Rental House (Wiley, 2003). Follow Sean on Twitter.

© Sean M. Lyden, 2011, All Rights Reserved

 

 

How to Turn Off Your Internal Editor - and Crank Up Productivity

Imagine yourself driving with one foot pressed on the accelerator and the other slammed on the brake, simultaneously. The result: A revved up engine and squealing tires, but very little forward movement. In other words, there's a lot of energy expended with near zero progress.

That's what happens when we attempt to create and edit at the same time.

Think of writing as the accelerator, editing as the brake. When you perform both roles at the same time, hours can go by with little useful copy to show for it. You write a sentence, and before the curser can flash, you've edited, creating a vicious cycle that stifles creative flow and productivity.

If you write for a living, this cycle will eat into your profit (essentially lowering your effective hourly rate) and, if left unchecked, jeopardize your dream altogether. 

 How do you silence your internal editor during the drafting process -- and boost productivity? Here are five tips.

1. Use a stop watch or egg timer. 

Set a time limit for writing the draft. Make it a game by challenging yourself to hit certain times.

2. Commit to NO editing. 

Don't worry about having precise facts. If you need to insert a quote or stat, don't take time to look it up. Note it in your draft by using parentheses, brackets, all caps or whatever method to help you remember to, for example: [insert quote/ research/ etc. here].

3. Allow for free flow of thoughts. 

Don't feel confined to starting from the beginning of the draft. If ideas about specific points come quicker to you, start there. Begin with the areas of the project where ideas are flowing effortlessly. This will give you a sense of progress and confidence that will serve you well with the other portions of the project.

4. Press on through negative thoughts. 

You'll inevitably think, "This sucks," or "I can't believe I'm writing this crap!" Keep going.

5. Think of yourself as a sculptor. 

The purpose of your draft is to give you the raw material (the block of wood) with which you can then use a chisel or knife to shape into a work worthy of praise and compensation. Wait until you have the raw material to work with (the draft) before starting the sculpting (or editing) process. 

How About You?

Do you wrestle with an internal editor that slows your writing? What strategies help you overcome it?

 

Related Posts to Help You Increase Productivity

• 7-Stage System to Boost Your Writing Productivity
• What is Your Writing Warm-Up Routine?
• How Do You Regain Your Focus in the Midst of Flux?
• 7 Steps to Break Through Writer's Block

 

About the Author: Sean M. Lyden is a nationally recognized feature writer and columnist on sales, marketing, automotive and technology topics. As a ghostwriter and copywriter, Sean has served clients such as General Motors, SunTrust Service Corporation, Morgan Stanley, Embedded Linux Consortium and Shaw Industries. He’s also co-author of the book How to Succeed and Make Money on Your First Rental House (Wiley, 2003). Follow Sean on Twitter.

© Sean M. Lyden, 2011, All Rights Reserved

7 Steps to Break Through Writer's Block

Your deadline is in the morning, and yet the project doesn't seem be coming together. Thoughts of doubt and anxiety overwhelm your creative abilities, grinding your project to a halt. How am I going to get this done on time? Is this my time to fail? How will I explain this to my client (or editor)?

You're stuck.

What now? How do you break through writer's block to get your mind - and project - back on track? Here are seven steps: 

1. Don't panic.

 Remind yourself that there is a solution, IF you persist in finding it.

2. Focus. 

How can I simplify this project to make it less intimidating? One strategy is to break up the project into separate components and then focus on one component (or section) at a time. Your confidence - and, as a result, creativity - will increase as you conquer each section. 

3. Assess.

What do I need? Am I lacking research that will help this project come together? Should I take a break?

4. Connect. 

Tap into the reader's pain/pleasure points. What will make this relevant, valuable, must-read info to the reader? (See post: 6 Questions that Help You Blast Through Writer's Block.) 

5. Re-prioritize. 

Is there another project forward that you can complete quicker and easier? Starting working on that project. This will help you use the time productively and give you a sense of momentum that may help you get unstuck with the more challenging project. 

6. Persevere. 

Commit to keep going till you "break through."

7. Recall. 

Think about all the instances where you faced similar challenges that seemed insurmountable at the time but you overcame them. Draw strength and encouragement from those memories and move forward!

What about You?

What steps do you take to break through writer's block? What techniques work best for you?

 

Related Posts

• 7-Stage System to Boost Your Writing Productivity
• What is Your Writing Warm-Up Routine?
• How Do You Regain Your Focus in the Midst of Flux?

 

About the Author: Sean M. Lyden is a nationally recognized feature writer and columnist on sales, marketing, automotive and technology topics. As a ghostwriter and copywriter, Sean has served clients such as General Motors, SunTrust Service Corporation, Morgan Stanley, Embedded Linux Consortium and Shaw Industries. He’s also co-author of the book How to Succeed and Make Money on Your First Rental House (Wiley, 2003). Follow Sean on Twitter.

© Sean M. Lyden, 2011, All Rights Reserved

 

Lead-Writing Formula: The I-Feel-Your-Pain Lead

The "I-Feel-Your-Pain" lead (also known as lede) draws your audience into the article by tapping into specific pain points your readers might feel -- and then makes the audience thirsty to read further to discover the remedy they've been longing for.

Here are two examples of leads that "feel your pain" from articles I wrote for Entrepreneur Magazine, with corresponding formulas that you can apply when writing about a wide range of other topics.

 

LEAD EXAMPLE #1

Perfect Balance

Steps to help you achieve balance between work, family and play when you're launching your start-up

Author: Sean M. Lyden

Entrepreneur.com

 

Even if you're well-versed in time-management and goal-setting techniques, achieving balance is especially difficult for start-up entrepreneurs. You're putting in horribly long hours. You're the CEO, marketing director, receptionist, tech-support person and janitor all rolled into one. And the hours you're away from your business, you're worrying about it, which can leave you feeling fatigued and irritable-with little patience or energy for anything or anyone else.

But if you don't strike a balance between work, family and play-even when you're launching a new company-you put a lot at risk:

• You risk burning out and sabotaging all that you have sacrificed for.
• You risk damaging relationships that are important to you and your business
• You risk missing out on new money-making opportunities and ideas because you have tunnel vision.

Balance, on the other hand, means committing to having your life revolve around more than just your venture. It means family and personal relationships are im-portant and fulfilling to you. It means you work hard and play hard, and you feel energetic and pumped up about life. So how can you realistically achieve balance while launching your company? Here are six strategies:

LEAD FORMULA #1

The formula for the example above looks like this:

Paragraph 1

Sentence 1. Statement of challenge. Use "you." The main idea is to tap into the audience's pain.

Sentence 2. Pain point #1

Sentence 3. Pain point #2

Sentence 4. Pain point #3

Paragraph 2

Sentence 1. But, if you don't correct this situation, here's what you're putting at risk: <insert bullet points>.

Paragraph 3:

Sentence 1. [The solution], on the other hand, means ... [define what the solution is, looks like, etc.]

Paragraph 4: The Nutgraph (A term that means: What the article is about in a "nutshell.")

Sentence 1. So how can you realistically achieve [the solution]? Here are x tips.

 

LEAD EXAMPLE #2

Blind Faith

Don't Worry! We'll tell you how to overcome your feelings of intimidation and reach your goals

Author: Sean M. Lyden

Entrepreneur.com

You feel mixed emotions as you consider leaving your day job to work for yourself. One moment, you're so pumped, you can't think about anything else. But the next, you're stricken with fear, intimidated by the uncertainty that lies ahead. (What if I fail? What do I even know about starting a business, anyway?)

"[Intimidation] is a feeling that somehow you aren't good enough," explains David Verchere, 33, CEO of Corporate Gear LLC, a New York City exchange and application service provider for the promotional products industry that recently closed a $1.5 million financing round. "We all classify ourselves in relation to others. When we apply that to our ambitions, we don't always see our potential, but rather our limitations."

Richard Kaufman, 31, agrees. "When you're intimidated, you feel doubt and uncertainty about whether you're up to the challenges that life throws your way," says Kaufman, president and CEO of Sweepsclub.com, a Deerfield Beach, Florida, direct Internet marketing company. "You wonder if your ideas will be accepted by your family and business associates. And then there is a fear of failure...especially when you have successful competitors."

Every aspiring entrepreneur gets intimidated to some degree. That's a given. Here's how they overcome those feelings of intimidation and accomplish their goals:

LEAD FORMULA #2

Here's what the formula looks like for the example above:

Paragraph 1

Sentence 1. You feel x.

Sentence 2. On one hand (one moment), you're ....

Sentence 3. But on the other hand (next moment), you're <insert pain point> ... [The objective here is to create tension in the mind of the reader.]

Paragraph 2

Sentence 1-2. Heighten tension with quote or support research.

Paragraph 3

Sentence 1-3. Cite another example that increases tension.

Paragraph 4: The Nutgraph

Sentence 1. Every [whoever the audience is] experiences [x] to some degree.

Sentence 2. That's a given.

Sentence 3. Here's how they overcome [pain point] to experience [pleasure point.]

 

What About You?

Do you have examples of "I-feel-your-pain" lead formulas that have worked well for you? 

 

About the Author: Sean M. Lyden is a nationally recognized feature writer and columnist on sales, marketing, automotive and technology topics. As a ghostwriter and copywriter, Sean has served clients such as General Motors, SunTrust Service Corporation, Morgan Stanley, Embedded Linux Consortium and Shaw Industries. He’s also co-author of the book How to Succeed and Make Money on Your First Rental House (Wiley, 2003). Follow Sean on Twitter.

© Sean M. Lyden, 2011, All Rights Reserved

Do You BELIEVE in What You're Selling?

If not, your sales copy will most likely fail to connect with your reader. Your power to persuade in writing begins with a wholehearted belief in your product or service that spills over with infectious passion and enthusiasm.

Napoleon Hill says it best in this quote: 

"I do not believe that I can afford to try to deceive anyone, about anything, but I know that I cannot afford to try to deceive myself. To do so would destroy the power of my pen and render my words ineffective. It is only when I write with the fire of enthusiasm burning in my heart that my writing impresses others favorably; and it is only when I speak from a heart that is bursting with belief in my message, that I can move my audience to accept that message."

Before you write, tap into this power of belief. Imagine yourself experiencing the benefits your (or your client's) offering brings to the customer. From that state of mind, allow the words to flow.

 

About the Author: Sean M. Lyden is a nationally recognized feature writer and columnist on sales, marketing, automotive and technology topics. As a ghostwriter and copywriter, Sean has served clients such as General Motors, SunTrust Service Corporation, Morgan Stanley, Embedded Linux Consortium and Shaw Industries. He’s also co-author of the book How to Succeed and Make Money on Your First Rental House (Wiley, 2003). Follow Sean on Twitter.

© Sean M. Lyden, 2011, All Rights Reserved

3-Step Formula for Writers to Get More Done in Less Time

 

1. Simplify. 

Shorten your to-do list to diffuse feelings of anxiety and overwhelm that can paralyze writing productivity. What are all the tasks vying for your attention? Are there any tasks that you can put off for later, delegate or eliminate altogether?

2. Focus.

Prioritize the tasks that remain on today's list so you know exactly what you should focus on. Of all the tasks, which one is the most important to your life, business or both -- right now? Isolate that activity, blocking out any others that seem "urgent." Also, shut-off outside distractions (such as Twitter streams, Facebook updates, TV, and so forth) so your mind is laser-focused on the task at hand.

3. Execute.

Take the first step. Then concentrate all your energy on each subsequent step until the task is done. 

 

About the Author: Sean M. Lyden is a nationally recognized feature writer and columnist on sales, marketing, automotive and technology topics. As a ghostwriter and copywriter, Sean has served clients such as General Motors, SunTrust Service Corporation, Morgan Stanley, Embedded Linux Consortium and Shaw Industries. He’s also co-author of the book How to Succeed and Make Money on Your First Rental House (Wiley, 2003). Follow Sean on Twitter.

© Sean M. Lyden, 2011, All Rights Reserved

 

What's the Price for Squandered Time?

You're tempted to sleep an extra 30 minutes. But before you hit the snooze button, count the cost. What's the price to pay for just 30 minutes more sleep?

The math: 30 minutes per day for 365 days is 182.5 hours. This translates into over 4.5 40-hour work weeks.

How much could you accomplish with this extra month per year of productive time? How many more projects could you take on -- and complete? How many more prospects could you contact to grow your pipeline? How much more writing income could you generate?

The price is steep for squandered time. Therefore, seize each moment and take advantage of your extra month per year!

About the Author: Sean M. Lyden is a nationally recognized feature writer and columnist on sales, marketing, automotive and technology topics. As a ghostwriter and copywriter, Sean has served clients such as General Motors, SunTrust Service Corporation, Morgan Stanley, Embedded Linux Consortium and Shaw Industries. He’s also co-author of the book How to Succeed and Make Money on Your First Rental House (Wiley, 2003). Follow Sean on Twitter.

 

© Sean M. Lyden, 2011, All Rights Reserved

One Question that Motivates a Response to Your Sales Proposal

You’ve spent several hours writing a sales proposal, making sure you’ve articulated the most compelling benefits of your product or service, and sent it off to the prospect.

One day goes by. No response. Two days. Same thing. Three days. Crickets.

You follow up a week later. But still, no response. No feedback.

Was our price too high? Did the scope not match requirements? Where do we stand?

It’s impossible to get answers to these questions when the prospect goes silent. And such answers would be invaluable to help you adjust and refine your proposals to improve your sales conversion ratios in the future.

So, what can you do to motivate a response?

Here’s an approach that has worked very well for me. I developed and refined it as a nationally ranked corporate fleet sales rep for a General Motors dealer – and now use it to grow my freelance writing business and help clients convert more of their sales proposals into new revenue.

The “Let’s confirm” close

At the end of an email that includes the sales proposal (either as an attachment or, if appropriate, in the body of the email), I close with this question:

Let’s confirm: Do the scope and terms match what you're looking to accomplish? Or do we need to make adjustments?

Why this question works 

• It does not put the prospect on the spot to make a buying decision right then and there. In a sense, you’re taking the pressure off the prospect by “confirming the order” before you proceed to the next step in the sales process. As a result, the prospect is less defensive about your offer, and more likely to respond to your request and continue the sale.

• If the scope indeed matches your prospect’s expectations (and the price and terms are agreeable), the prospect will likely reply, “Looks great. When can we start?”

• If, for any reason, the price exceeds the prospect’s budget, she may say, “I like the scope but our budget is only $500. We just can’t do $800.” Now, at least you have a dialogue to keep the sales process going. You can respond with something along the lines of, “Understand completely. How about I look for areas where we can adjust scope and scale our services to still provide you with substantial value, but to fit within your budget. Would you be open to that?”

You accomplish two objectives with this response:

• Instead of simply cutting your price to meet a budget number, you’ve preserved the value of your service.

• You’ve positioned yourself (and your company), not as a transaction-seeking sales person, but as a trusted partner looking to create a win-win agreement.

What happens if the prospect does not respond to my initial email?

If, for any reason, you don't receive a response within a reasonable amount of time, send a follow up email along the lines of, “Hi ____, Just a quick email to check in and make sure you’re taken care of … Do you still need [whatever service you’re offering] or have you found someone to take care of this for you?” This approach almost always gives you some form of feedback from the prospect. He may still have a need and wants to continue dialogue with you but has been extremely busy. Or, he may be spooked by the price and say, “I’m not sure we have the budget to do this right now.” Or, “We decided to go with so-and-so.” At any rate, you’re getting valuable feedback on where you stand.  

What about you? 

How do you close your sales proposals? What works for you in motivating response? Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below!

 

 

About the Author: Sean M. Lyden is a nationally recognized feature writer and columnist on sales, marketing, automotive and technology topics. As a ghostwriter and copywriter, Sean has served clients such as General Motors, SunTrust Service Corporation, Morgan Stanley, Embedded Linux Consortium and Shaw Industries. He’s also co-author of the book How to Succeed and Make Money on Your First Rental House (Wiley, 2003). Follow Sean on Twitter.

 

© Sean M. Lyden, 2011, All Rights Reserved