Posts Tagged ‘planning’

What Every Business Owner Should Know About Marketing

by Travis Heermann  ||   2 Comments

Marketing can be boiled down to a few simple ideas–but they are ideas that can be difficult to implement. Absorbing these ideas–implementing them on a consistent basis–will put you head and shoulders above your competition.

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Small Steps

by Mistina Picciano  ||   No Comments

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao-tzu

Have you read David Allen’s Getting Things Done? This book is an amazing guide to doing more. I’ve even picked up the OmniFocus application for both my computer and my iPhone to help manage my to-do list.

Too bad I’m not so disciplined about using the system.

One of the key principles that Allen writes about is the need to break huge projects into small, actionable steps. It’s the same concept used by that super-achieving minority who set goals and make them happen.

Identify specific, time-sensitive outcomes and create a specific plan of execution.

Yet, what do I have under my goal of “Complete my novel by year end”?

Nada. Zip. Just a daily reminder in my calendar to write 500 words every morning, which I usually ignore.

Step by step

Most of us have at least one big project on our to-do list. Maybe it’s something in the Someday/Maybe category, like writing the Great American Novel, or perhaps it’s something more pressing and practical, such as launching a monthly email campaign or creating a sales system.

Identify the specific outcome. To get there, we need to figure out where, exactly, “there” is. What does the end result look like? In the case of my novel, I want a draft I can shop around to agents.

Set a deadline. Without a deadline, we have no sense of urgency, and something more pressing always comes up. If you really want to get something done, you need to commit to doing it by a specific point in time.

Take a reality check. Outcomes and deadlines need to be tempered with reality. While I’d love to knock out that novel by June 30, that probably won’t happen in light of other commitments. However, I do write quickly, and this goal is important. With some sacrifices and persistence, a good draft by December 31 can happen.

Create an action plan. As a two-time NaNoWriMo “winner,” I’ve proven that I can write much garbage in a short period of time. Free-writing for long stretches is a legitimate way of writing a novel, but it involves much, much rewriting.

Given that I have a few distractions – like a growing business and a new husband – I’m going to spend more time planning in hopes of saving myself some time writing. So here are my next steps:

  • Draft an outline of the overall story arc (10-20 scenes).
  • Write a summary of each individual scene.
  • Create backgrounds on main characters (protagonist and antagonist).
  • Create backgrounds on supporting characters.
  • Track subplots in a separate document.
  • Track necessary research in a separate document.

As I work through the above steps, which I’ll chart on a calendar, I’ll start the daily writing process. (Unfortunately, there’s no getting around the grunt work of sitting down and actually writing.) Reaching my December 31 goal for a polished draft means I’ll need an aggressive schedule: 750-800 words a day. I should have a rough draft in four months, which leaves eight months for rewriting.

Track your progress. Follow the plan as best you can. Adjust the timeline as necessary, but keep moving ahead. Accept the fact that everything takes longer than we think it will, and celebrate your successes along the way.

What big project have you been putting off? Why not commit to it here and now and create an action plan for marking it off your to-do list?

If you have any suggestions to help others tackle big goals, we’d love to hear them.

Latest from the blog:

Website Traffic and SEO

In this post, I’ll take a closer look at SEO and the process of optimizing websites for better placement within organic search results to improve website traffic.

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What our clients have to say:

Albert Barette

"Our executive staff reviewed the final product, and it was excellent. Thanks to you and your team for all your input and contributing to our new website. The vertical market sheets were also excellent."

 

Albert Barette, Bowles Security Group
Industry: Security & Investigations | Services: Brand strategy, website development, marketing materials

Market It Write
2015-04-25T18:46:25-04:00

Albert Barette, Bowles Security Group
Industry: Security & Investigations | Services: Brand strategy, website development, marketing materials

"Our executive staff reviewed the final product, and it was excellent. Thanks to you and your team for all your input and contributing to our new website. The vertical market sheets were also excellent."  

Barbara Centrella

“You made the experience fun, and you brought so much to the table—things that I would never have thought of on my own. You added a dimension that brings the work to life. I was very pleased with the first media kit and am blown away by the second.”

 

Barbara Centrella, children’s author
Industry: Publishing | Services: Media kit

Market It Write
2015-04-25T18:52:18-04:00

Barbara Centrella, children’s author
Industry: Publishing | Services: Media kit

“You made the experience fun, and you brought so much to the table—things that I would never have thought of on my own. You added a dimension that brings the work to life. I was very pleased with the first media kit and am blown away by the second.”  

George Donohue

“Market it Write makes the copywriting process painless. Their responsiveness and professionalism kept the project on track, despite a tight deadline. Mistina has a keen ability to understand the client’s needs, and she uses her intelligence and creativity to convey those needs in succinct copy.”

 

George Donohue, GMAC Real Estate IPG
Industry: Real estate | Services: Newsletters, corporate communications, investor relations

Market It Write
2015-04-25T18:49:31-04:00

George Donohue, GMAC Real Estate IPG
Industry: Real estate | Services: Newsletters, corporate communications, investor relations

“Market it Write makes the copywriting process painless. Their responsiveness and professionalism kept the project on track, despite a tight deadline. Mistina has a keen ability to understand the client’s needs, and she uses her intelligence and creativity to convey those needs in succinct copy.”  

Arianne Andrusco

"Have I mentioned how wonderful you are lately? This is good stuff. It is such a pleasure to work with someone who hears the feedback and just gets it immediately. You really are making my job a lot easier. Thank you!"

 

Arianne Andrusco, NewYork-Presbyterian
Industry: Healthcare | Services: Direct mail campaigns

Market It Write
2015-04-25T18:45:55-04:00

Arianne Andrusco, NewYork-Presbyterian
Industry: Healthcare | Services: Direct mail campaigns

"Have I mentioned how wonderful you are lately? This is good stuff. It is such a pleasure to work with someone who hears the feedback and just gets it immediately. You really are making my job a lot easier. Thank you!"  

Terry Yoffe

“Market it Write was able to take the content from my last website and transform it to my new one, making the content clear, informative and to the point. The clarity of the content has been so powerful that I have gotten several new clients based on my website. I found Mistina and her team to be easy to work with and very willing to listen to concerns and objectives and work through them in a very professional way.”

 

Terry Yoffe, TRY Coaching
Industry: Professional services | Services: Website content

Market It Write
2015-04-25T18:49:53-04:00

Terry Yoffe, TRY Coaching
Industry: Professional services | Services: Website content

“Market it Write was able to take the content from my last website and transform it to my new one, making the content clear, informative and to the point. The clarity of the content has been so powerful that I have gotten several new clients based on my website. I found Mistina and her team to be easy to work with and very willing to listen to concerns and objectives and work through them in a very professional way.”  

Samuel Vinicur

“Market it Write does fabulous work. Mistina's team takes the time to understand both their clients and their clients' audiences. I highly recommend engaging them for any communications efforts you have.”

 

Samuel Vinicur, TSS International
Industry: Security & Investigations | Services: Corporate communications, press releases

Market It Write
2015-04-25T18:48:35-04:00

Samuel Vinicur, TSS International
Industry: Security & Investigations | Services: Corporate communications, press releases

“Market it Write does fabulous work. Mistina's team takes the time to understand both their clients and their clients' audiences. I highly recommend engaging them for any communications efforts you have.”  

Adam Wolf

“Market it Write’s copywriting and editing acumen is only matched by their excellent client service and easy-to-work with demeanor. I’d recommend the firm for any marketing writing assignment.”

 

Adam Wolf, Wolf Communications
Industry: Creative agency | Services: Website content, copyediting

Market It Write
2015-04-25T18:51:53-04:00

Adam Wolf, Wolf Communications
Industry: Creative agency | Services: Website content, copyediting

“Market it Write’s copywriting and editing acumen is only matched by their excellent client service and easy-to-work with demeanor. I’d recommend the firm for any marketing writing assignment.”  

Hiroto Takagi

“Many writers want to say things their way, but Market it Write understood exactly what I wanted to say—and that’s what they wrote. Market it Write works for me and for my business. I recommend the company to anybody who needs writing help.

 

Hiroto Takagi, Bryton Harry
Industry: Sports marketing | Services: Website content, marketing support

Market It Write
2015-04-25T18:52:52-04:00

Hiroto Takagi, Bryton Harry
Industry: Sports marketing | Services: Website content, marketing support

“Many writers want to say things their way, but Market it Write understood exactly what I wanted to say—and that’s what they wrote. Market it Write works for me and for my business. I recommend the company to anybody who needs writing help.  

Gerald Pennington

“The Market it Write team has the ability to grasp what we want to accomplish and put those concepts into words quickly—faster than we could in-house. Whenever they communicate, they respect the demands of our schedules and politely get right to the facts.”

 

Gerald Pennington, Stryker Spine Global Marketing
Industry: Healthcare | Services: Employee newsletters, corporate communications

Market It Write
2015-04-25T18:49:09-04:00

Gerald Pennington, Stryker Spine Global Marketing
Industry: Healthcare | Services: Employee newsletters, corporate communications

“The Market it Write team has the ability to grasp what we want to accomplish and put those concepts into words quickly—faster than we could in-house. Whenever they communicate, they respect the demands of our schedules and politely get right to the facts.”  

Joe Biondo

“Market it Write adds a level of professionalism, insight and creativity rarely seen in our industry. They consistently deliver exceptional marketing ideas, unique materials and solutions that have allowed us to move forward with our business development and marketing programs. They ‘get it’ and know how to articulate your message. They are true professionals, a pleasure to work with, and I would recommend them without hesitation to any business or organization looking to increase their business, membership and/or public image.”

 

Joe Biondo, Summit Investigations
Industry: Security & Investigations | Services: Sales letters, advertisement copy, website content

Market It Write
2015-04-25T18:48:07-04:00

Joe Biondo, Summit Investigations
Industry: Security & Investigations | Services: Sales letters, advertisement copy, website content

“Market it Write adds a level of professionalism, insight and creativity rarely seen in our industry. They consistently deliver exceptional marketing ideas, unique materials and solutions that have allowed us to move forward with our business development and marketing programs. They ‘get it’ and know how to articulate your message. They are true professionals, a pleasure to work with, and I would recommend them without hesitation to any business or organization looking to increase their business, membership and/or public image.”  

Stephen May

“Market it Write is amazingly adept at working as a team player on a variety of projects and has consistently proven to be a valuable asset. Bottom line: if you need creative and powerful writing for your marketing effort, look no further.”

 

Stephen May, Crescent Leaf Technologies
Industry: Creative agency | Services: Website content

Market It Write
2015-04-25T18:50:35-04:00

Stephen May, Crescent Leaf Technologies
Industry: Creative agency | Services: Website content

“Market it Write is amazingly adept at working as a team player on a variety of projects and has consistently proven to be a valuable asset. Bottom line: if you need creative and powerful writing for your marketing effort, look no further.”  

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Larissa Nycz Montecullo, Tribecca Designs
Industry: Creative agency | Services: Website content, marketing materials, ad copy

Market It Write
2015-04-25T18:50:56-04:00

Larissa Nycz Montecullo, Tribecca Designs
Industry: Creative agency | Services: Website content, marketing materials, ad copy

“We have had the pleasure and opportunity to work with Market it Write on a daily basis over the past several months, and regularly for over a year prior. Their writing talent, attention to detail, and business savvy across industries make the Market it Write team an incredibly valuable asset to any company.”  

Lee Angus

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Lee Angus, Legacy Alliance
Industry: Professional services | Services: Corporate communication

Market It Write
2015-04-25T18:51:21-04:00

Lee Angus, Legacy Alliance
Industry: Professional services | Services: Corporate communication

“I loved having Market it Write do the interviews and walk us through the drafts to the final version, and I was impressed with your ability to condense the story to meet our needs. It was also nice to have someone ‘outside’ write the story. The results seemed more objective than they would have been if I had written it.”  

Howard Levy

“I have known Mistina for a while and have since hired her firm on retainer to write our website copy, email newsletters, postcards and articles. Market it Write understands my business, helps develop ideas and writes great copy. They are highly professional, dedicated to their craft and easy to work with.”

 

Howard Levy, Red Rooster Group
Industry: Creative Agency | Services: Marketing consultation, bylined articles, blogs, website content

Market It Write
2015-04-25T18:47:41-04:00

Howard Levy, Red Rooster Group
Industry: Creative Agency | Services: Marketing consultation, bylined articles, blogs, website content

“I have known Mistina for a while and have since hired her firm on retainer to write our website copy, email newsletters, postcards and articles. Market it Write understands my business, helps develop ideas and writes great copy. They are highly professional, dedicated to their craft and easy to work with.”  

Lucien Harriot

"I'm always inspired after a meeting with Market it Write. Mistina's insight into the needs of my company's marketing strategy brings clarity to our messaging and pushes our company closer to the high-performance business model we strive for."

 

Lucien Harriot, Mechanism Digital
Industry: Media | Services: Marketing strategy, marketing materials

Market It Write
2015-04-25T18:47:19-04:00

Lucien Harriot, Mechanism Digital
Industry: Media | Services: Marketing strategy, marketing materials

"I'm always inspired after a meeting with Market it Write. Mistina's insight into the needs of my company's marketing strategy brings clarity to our messaging and pushes our company closer to the high-performance business model we strive for."  
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