January 30, 2008
Nessa's Notes
Happy New Year and welcome to the Vanessa's Desk Newletter!
Happy New Year? But January is over; the new year is past.
Or is it? The celebrations and parties are finished. You made your goals and resolutions. How much progress have you made? Are all your plans still on track?
There are many things waiting to pull us away from our intended path. The planned launch of this newsletter has been delayed by three weeks. Delayed, but not derailed. The key is flexibility.
Be aware that there are many things that can alter your plans. A computer crash, and then a client emergency forced me to re-evaluate the methods I would use to reach my goal.
Things are going to happen that are outside of our control. Sometimes, despite our best made plans, we must be willing to change tracks. We don't have to abandon the goal; we just find another way to get there.
Do you give up when things go wrong? Or do you have the flexibility to persist and persue your goals no matter what?
Until next time,
Vanessa
Do you struggle with words? Know what you want to say but not quite how to say it? Have great ideas that you can't seem to express?
Then stop by Vanessa's Desk for all your business writing, marketing and website design needs!
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From the Desk of Vanessa Shelton ...
Do Your Communications Attract Customers?
It doesn't matter what business you're in and it doesn't matter how you define success, we all have the same goal: To make a certain number of "sales".
In most industries it takes a minimum of seven contacts with a prospect to turn them into a customer. Once they become a customer, it only takes one bad experience - or contact - to lose them forever.
Many business owners are not aware that everything you present represents a contact, or communication with your prospects. This includes your website, emails, network and forum posts, newsletters and articles.
You are being judged on these communications.
What you say and how you say it are very important for a variety of reasons:
- Trust - if they can't understand your message, they can't trust it, or you.
- Consistency - if you don't have and stick to a plan, your credibility is nonexistent.
- Perception - too many errors can make you look stupid, even when you know exactly what you're doing.
- Clarity - When your thoughts are clear to you, it's that much easier to express them to others.
As we explore these issues we will not only discuss why they are important, but how you can use them to improve your communications and your bottom line.
The Right Words - The Right Way
In each issue this column will focus on some easily confused and common language mistakes. You should know the correct way to use these words and phrases.
Then refers to a time sequence. Than is a comparison.
First one thing then another.
I'd rather read than watch television.
Pair is an amount (two). Pear is a piece of fruit. Pare is how you peel the fruit.
The doves are a beautiful pair of birds.
A pear makes a nutritious snack.
Use the right knife to pare the fruit.
Your turn readers. What word foul-up drives you to distraction?
Exercise
Think carefully about this question: What are the most important things your future customers should know about you and your business? The answer will form the foundation of much client communication. Next time we'll discuss how you can put this information to use.
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