You get to choose what happens next

Do you remember those books? You started reading and then came to a point where you could:

1. Go up the ladder.
2. Climb down the hole.

Whichever choice you picked offered new choices, and so on and so forth. It was exciting because one physical book actually contained several stories. The number of possible stories was ultimately fixed, however - let’s say limited to 50 different variations that you could take.

But, that was the 80’s.

Today, I open up Firefox and I start reading my daily feeds. That first post contains about 5 links, and it all begins. I click on a link, read that article which contains other links. The machine is set in motion and there is no way of knowing where it will take me, what I’ll find. And, there is no fixed number of stories. I suppose some MIT scholar could give us some idea…but it’s a big number. Huge, incomprehensible to the likes of me.

It speaks to me of potential and opportunity as a writer, as a speaker, as a consultant, as a person. It reminds me that the possibilities are endless and that I can create whatever I want in my work and in my life. Exactly the sentiment I’m riding as I burst into this new year.

And…you?

Ghostwriting blogs: at what cost?

I spend a lot of time on this blog talking about how important it is to be authentic in social media (including blogs). I’m even in the midst of writing an ebook on the subject with my good friend, Ron Miller. And, yet, I’m on the deep end of a controversial debate about blogging itself.

The debate looks like this: is it okay to have someone else write your blog? And it sounds just plain UGLY.

I’ve got to say I ride the fence, see both sides, struggle intensely and feel many things when this gets discussed. But, if I had to choose, I’d say it’s okay (and I have some guidelines that I follow).

Side ONE

I absolutely ghostwrite blogs for certain clients, I’m proud of my work and I feel good about the services I offer. My reasons for doing so:

1. I love blogging and think it is an incredible and beneficial practice that everyone should have the option to enjoy.

2. Some people seriously can’t write. Why is it that writing is taken for granted and design isn’t? Is it because we all learned how to read and write in the 1st grade, but only some people learned graphic/web design. There is a difference between being able to literally write letters and being able to write skillful copy or prose. The ‘I can write, so I’m a writer‘ assumption is inherently flawed.

3. I don’t think a writing inability should exclude a person from the power and joy of blogging.

4. Time. Many people want to focus on their business and don’t have the time to write their blog. The number one reason for blog failure is time and commitment.

5. As best as I can, I approach blog ghostwriting like I approach all marketing writing: I listen to my client’s voice, personality, passions, business mission/goals/philosophy. I do market research and immerse myself in their industry. We talk regularly so that the blog really is theirs, I’m just the writing vehicle. (Disclaimer: This last part does not always happen, but it is always my goal to educate the client about its importance and then move in that direction).

6. I love blog writing - it is my all time favorite writing platform, so the work gives me great (and steady) work that I simply adore.

7. I wonder if there are two levels of blogging - or maybe a million, maybe there are as many levels as there are bloggers. The level is determined by the desired result. Are you looking to showcase a portfolio, write, hear your voice, connect with others, sell something, document a process, establish yourself as an expert, be public, be private, build a business, offer services…?

In some of these scenarios, it makes no sense, and in effect, would be detrimental to have someone else blog for you, in others…not so much. Can an architect document their process for a project with pictures, plans, etc. but have me write the accompanying text so that it sounds good? Can they tell me their philosophies and have me create copy that will be readable so that they can widen the net they cast? I’m going to say yes.

Side TWO

1. I understand the other side. The side that says that any blog value will be lost when the owner is not the author. I get it because it is all too true for my own blog. No one else could write this blog for me and get the same results (most definitively, because I’m a writer - so it would just be wrong. But if I was a prize-winning baker that was dyslexic? Different story).

2. This scenario was pitched to me: what if someone came up to one of your clients at a cocktail party or networking event and started talking to them about a blog post and they had no idea what they’d said (really, what I’d written). Of course, I see that this poses a problem. If someone writes your blog for you, you need to read it - and, as I mentioned in #5 above, it’s best if you are involved in the ideas and philosophies that stand behind the blog.

3. But, just two days ago, someone started talking to me about something that I wrote and it took me (someone literally married to and consumed by this url) a bit of discussion before I could locate the exact post they were talking about. It’s not out of the question that a blogger might need some time and help to identify each of their posts.

4. Back to #7 above, I think there are so many different kinds of blogs - some would be decidedly wrecked if they were written by someone else.

5. There’s also an honesty issue at play here…I know and understand that some people, if they found out that a blog they read was written by someone else, would feel lied to - that the blog was misrepresented. One of my clients insisted that we be transparent about the fact that I wrote for her - and the whys and hows - it was quite interesting, not to mention fun, to be a tag team visible to the world.

Wow - I’m rereading this and seeing that I’m heavy handed on the ‘it’s okay to ghostwrite a blog’ side…maybe it’s because I feel good about the how and why I do it. I’m not just filling someone’s blog with salesy, impersonal ‘crap’ (’scuse my French)…see how there are so many levels to this debate?

I know that a lot of you feel very differently and quite strongly about this topic - so let’s hear it! Because on this blog, there is plenty of room for discussion…we’re looking at the world through multi-lensed (and rose-colored) glasses ’round here.

FYI, for the record, I do not think it’s okay for a ghostwriter to write someone’s social media (Twitter, for example) conversations or to respond to blog comments (though if a client really can NOT write, I will edit the text). I know there has been a lot of conversation about how you can draw a line here, but I think it’s simple - a post is an article, a conversation or content posted on a social media site or as a comment on another blog is different. Regardless, this post is about ghostwriting blogs.

Update: I love what Alisa Bowman added to the conversation below in the comments. She is a ghostwriter and she puts this soooo well:

“I see it as an exchange of skills: One person has the idea (ideal world) and I have the skills (way of putting that idea on paper).”

The best things you could ever write about

While I’m interested in a pretty wide range of things in this world, there are plenty of things that I’m profoundly not into. GI Joe & Barbie, Velveeta, heavy metal, comic books, hunting, skydiving, fruit cake and video games top the list.

Can you imagine if I had to write about them? Sitting down in front of the blank screen, I can imagine searching wildly for my muse to no avail - she hightailed it to a beach in Tahiti at the first mention of Toys-R-Us.

Whether you’re a marketing copywriter, a freelance writer, a blogger and/or a business owner, you will always be looking for good content, the next job and the mojo to write and make it good.

Of course, I understand the argument that the need for a paycheck might necessitate that we write about things we aren’t inspired by. But, really?  I’m taking issue with that concept.

What if I follow my interests and because these things light me up so brilliantly, I write so well that I get accolades for that work and then more of that same kind of work? What if it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy?

I’ve written before about the fact that your energy comes through to your readers via your writing. That readers pick up on your writing emotions, even if they can’t really identify why they feel a certain way. So, if you write about GI Joe and don’t like him (or what he stands for or how he directs kids’ play into war and fighting), the reader will get that - no matter how subliminally. And let’s just say it won’t be the best ad copy we’ve ever seen.

If you’re a great or solid writer, it’ll be fine. But, don’t you want more than that? Don’t you want to be inspired, fed by your work creatively, satisfied, feeling good, making a difference with your words?

I do.

writer as incubator, writer as huckleberry bush

I live in the middle of a vast huckleberry forest. Very much like blueberries, huckleberries grow on small bushes, wildly…and last summer, like wildfire. Their fruit is a deep, almost black, purple - the berries either explode in your mouth with sweetness, are just full of normal berry-ness or taste bitter and sour, some of them big, some very small. They grow in clumps.

And, I’m intrigued by their entire life cycle because every fall when the berries are long gone, and we’re busy praying they come back next summer, the branches of their bushes change from brown to a deep purpley red. Like the juice of the fruit to come is building up in the plants’ veins, curing and growing - like in an incubator - and waiting to erupt.

I spoke to a woman a few months ago and when I asked her what she did for work, she told me she was in the incubation business. “Me too!” I exclaimed.

“Really!” she said - thrilled to know that I was of the same ilk. “What industry?”

“I’m a writer,” I said. “So, I guess I my incubation industry is ideas…”

She laughed and said that only a writer could come up with that analogy - she is literally in the business incubation world which as far as I can tell is like Start Up heaven meets Think Tank central.

So I had to concede that I wasn’t in her incubation business - but I know that I’m in my own.

Articles, posts, stories, novels, (yes, even poems) rush into my body on a regular basis - written. I learned quickly and the hard way that if I don’t get up and write them down immediately, they will be gone (which is why I’m writing this at 5 a.m.) My incubator burns a little hot.

The image of the incubating huckleberry plant holds true for this writer…only my skin doesn’t give me away like the berry’s bark. If it did, everytime you’d see me? I’d have words, some that explode in your mouth with sweetness, some just normal, some bitter and sour, some of them big, some very small, growing in clumps and streaming through my veins.

my un-epiphany: calendar for the freelancer

I’m staring at a blank calendar - seriously attempting to fit my daily life as a freelance copywriter into these solid, inflexible, militant spaces.

I can’t believe I’m about to do this…but, I have to. After my post last week where I pondered the ability of a calendar to boost my productivity, and I both encouraged you, my readers, to do the same and then said I would lead the charge, after all of that, and a lot of soul and brain searching…I’ve decided that I can’t wedge my work life into a strict schedule.
At least not by the end of today.

I already have many, many meetings placed randomly throughout every day over the next 3 weeks. And, like Ron Miller said so well in his diatribe explaining why he couldn’t and wouldn’t do this scheduling thing with me, we really are at the whims of our clients.

If a prospective client contacted me and asked for a meeting on Tuesday at 3:00, would I really say, ‘No. Sorry, I do research every Tuesday from 3-4:00′??? No, I would not. Now, I do see the other side of this. I could say, ‘I’m sorry, I already have a meeting schedule at that time, but I could meet at X, Y or Z on Wednesday.’

But, I have a few other points (that don’t have other sides):

• My muse writes when she wants to and I’m positive she won’t be okay with ‘making it happen’ from 10-12:00 every day.
• If I’m on a roll, I can’t just stop because my schedule tells me too. That’s just plain bad writing practice.
• Just a scenario: I’m working on a project A (as scheduled), when I get an email that gives me a huge lead for project B - it’s time-sensitive and ground-breaking. Project A can officially wait; project B needs me.

So…

There is still a small part of me that thinks I should create this new schedule and begin following it as soon as my current un-scheduled schedule has been filtered in to the strict flow because I said I would and I do have hope. And then, there is a large part of me that feels like a cad, a loser and a wuss for hyping you up and then bowing out so ungracefully.

But, as I’ve struggled with this for the last 4, long, internet-empty days in Vermont, my urge to let my work life follow the fancy of my creative strides is far too strong…and I just can’t fight with my muse - she’s way too good to me and way too valuable.

scheduling the freelance writer’s day

My family is currently marinating in an incredibly structured schedule. It includes meals, naps, errands, cleaning, dates - the whole shebang all carefully mapped out. At first it freaked me out, whatever happened to just letting things happen, right? Not really…

We’ve been at it now for about 2 weeks, and I can’t begin to tell you what a difference it has made in our lives. All four of us have entered some sort of rhythmically syncopated, ulterior universe that is lulling us all into, well, a happy place.

So, all of this order and ease, got me thinking - the daily life of a Freelancer is somewhat similar to the daily life of a house with two 2 year-olds and two 85lb. dogs. They both include:

• an extraordinary amount of work
• frequent distractions
• multi-tasking
• incessant demands from needy customers
• messes
• successes
• things that beep, whir, bark, whine and blink at you
• undulating energy levels
• and, total exhaustion.

So, why shouldn’t a structured calendar also transform my life as a freelancer? Think of all the time that will not be wasted because I’m efficiently shuffled from one task to the next. I already succeeded in turning off my social media while I was writing a project, this seems like the logical next step.

I’m going to make my calendar now…and then I’m thinking about a one week challenge - to really see if this raises the bar on my productivity. Yes, I will schedule Twitter breaks throughout the day. And, yes, I’m hoping I don’t have to hire an office mom to make this work.

Anyone want to join me in this endeavor?

UPDATE: I’ve had a fantastic response to this challenge, brave souls, each and every one of you! I’m away for the long weekend, so here’s what I propose: take the weekend to work on your calendar. I’ll post mine here by Tuesday and we’ll begin on Wednesday morning. I’ll also send you all an email to remind you, bust on you, and even, possibly inspire you. Thanks for your patience on the start date, I have to go to Vermont, my family is making me take a vacation.

Can’t wait to see how we all do and what we find…

good thoughts in hard times

Yes, I’m about to get all kinds of philosophical on you right now.

As the economy crashes, wars are waged, and there is still a possibility that Sarah Palin could become a world leader, it would be so very easy for me to slide into a deep, dark depression. To envision my world, my freelance business and my family crumbling into nothing.

But, I’m not like that. I refuse to be. I don’t think there’s anything more important right now than having a positive attitude. Seriously, how would my misery contribute to the world’s desperate need for support, positivity and goodness? HOW?

So, I’ve made a commitment to stay positive. This is a very difficult task. I realize that I can’t possibly keep any negative thoughts from entering my brain, I mean really. But what I can do, is this: every time I feel negative or sound negative, I can think of something that always, eternally, unequivocally makes me feel good. But what, who?

It’s George Clooney. He’s my happy button.

He’s beautiful, he’s charitable, he’s rich, he’s funny, when he looks at me (albeit from the movie screen) I turn to mush, I hear he’s a good person.

I’ve asked my family and friends to keep me in check (support is good, do not attempt this alone). So if they see me looking gloomy or hear me being negative, they have full permission to ‘George Clooney’ me.

It’s working. I’m feeling good, things are going well. Didn’t someone famous say, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Oh, right, it was Ghandi. That’s what I’m doing…with George Clooney.

How are you surviving? Do you have a happy button (and let’s keep it clean people)? I can’t wait to hear what or who, how and why…

bartering for services: should you?

This week, I’ve decided to barter services with a client in lieu of money. The pros and cons surrounding this issue are rife with judgment, fear, uncertainty, loopholes and very passionate arguments. Let’s see if we can break it down with some awfully important things to consider:

1. Ask yourself which would serve you more: the money or the trade service or items?
2. The trade has to be even and both sides must feel that they are being compensated equally.
3. Work out an agreement so that both sides understand what is included in the trade. For instance, I may barter my consulting, but I expect to get paid to write your site.
4. Create check-in points so that you can both evaluate time spent, how the arrangement is working and the future.
5. Be prepared to field this request from other clients who may have heard about the arrangement. You can’t always barter…because massages and personal cheffing do not pay the mortgage.

In my case, this is all working out perfectly. In exchange for my consulting services, I’m being rolfed and receiving a full series of personal Pilates sessions both with a master teacher and healer.

Why is this worth it to me, when I could be paying off my car? Because, if you’ve been following this blog with any regularity, you’ll know that I work way too much and never take time for myself. This barter arrangement is forcing me to take time out and take care of myself…and for me? This is invaluable.

Every situation is unique - to the person, the work, the terms. I know you people have some strong opinions (about everything)- lob ‘em at me.

are deadlines important?

Um, yeah, they only make the world go ’round.

Classic Julie Roads scenario:

1. I get a new project.
2. It’s due in 2 weeks.
3. I tell myself that I’ll get it done early - how great that will be!
4. I do everything else on my to-do list for the next two weeks.
5. I bang out the finished project with moments to spare - fueled by adrenaline.

Now, before you get all ‘ooooh, she’s irresponsible and organizationally-disabled’ on me…it’s actually nothing of the sort. In some sick and twisted way, I think that my chemical make-up in this area is partially responsible for bringing me to copywriting in the first place. I love the thrill of the deadline.

Also…my inner muse just knows that the assignment isn’t due - I can not fool it, no matter what I do. I’ve been this way since high school: give me 4 weeks to write a paper, I’ll take 4 weeks; give me 1 hour, I’ll take 1 hour - same paper, same result, no kidding.

So imagine my chagrin when one of my lovely clients hires me for a huge website re-write and, when I inquire about the deadline, he says, ‘no rush, whenever you can do it.’

Thankfully, I’m no fool. I told him that just wouldn’t do and that his project would get buried. I told him he had to give me a hard deadline.  He laughed at me for a bit, and then gave me until Friday.

If I was Homer Simpson, I believe the correct response would be ‘Doh!’ But, I’m decidedly NOT Homer Simpson…so I’m off to work on this project and convince my muse that it’s due in 1 hour.

Some tips for dealing with deadlines:

• Make sure you have the ability to get the job done in the allotted time.
• Factor in some ‘who knows what might happen today’ leeway.
• Put all deadlines instantly into your calendar.
• Put milestones and/or reminders for the project every day (or every other day) from now to the deadline in order to keep the project on your radar and hopefully to chip away at the work. (If it’s a big project, you have no choice but to work progressively.)
• If you get blocked (or feel that you are cracking under the pressure) take a break and accomplish some easy tasks to set your ego back on track. You can do this, you are very smart and extraordinarily successful.
• Misery loves company. Isn’t this why Twitter was created? If you need someone to yell at you, “Get to Work!” or you just want to commiserate, Tweet about it…your followers are there to help you.
• Feed the beast! What’s your poison? Mine is popcorn with a lot of butter and sea salt, popped in coconut oil in my WhirlyPop (yes, exactly like that).
• Remember that you have always gotten it done…and you’ll do it this time too.

Graphic Design USA contest winners? Leslie Tane Design & Writing Roads

Writing Roads has won an award!!! My go-to girl, aka phenomenal graphic/web designer Leslie Tane of Leslie Tane Design, entered a poster that we created together into the Graphic Design USA: American Graphic Design Awards competition, and…drum roll please…we won a Certificate of Excellence!

We’ll be published in the design annual in December. I’ve been schooled that it’s really a prestigious award — they received over 10,000 entries and awarded 15% of them. The magazine has a subscriber base of over 30,000 and the website (on which we will appear) gets over 100,000 visits a month. I like the sound of those numbahs!

Here’s our ‘award winning’ poster developed for the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and 4H. Let me tell you that we had a blast in the concepting stage of this project. The goal was to reach baby boomers, the Woodstock generation:

My favorite part is that I had no idea about the contest until Leslie told me this morning that we won! Seriously, that’s how every Monday should start, eh?

Disclaimer: Of course, the dye job is the brilliant work of Leslie, no animals were harmed or colored during the making of this poster. Sorry, you can’t read all of the copy…If you just have to read what I wrote about being a volunteer for 4H, come on - you know you want to! - just leave me a comment and I’ll get that right out to you.

Another Disclaimer: It was brought to my attention that my original copy for the poster (including the main tag) was changed by the powers that be. My words were a bit racy for the 4H…hard to believe, I know. So, anyway…I’m just sayin’.