Your multimedia content strategy
Effective websites make good use of multimedia. Video, audio, and presentations all keep your visitors at your site longer, help them be more likely to buy, and make them more likely to share your site with others.
BUT, we’ve all seen what happens when multimedia goes horribly, horribly wrong. Creating multimedia content is way too time consuming to dive in with no strategy. That’s where today’s audio comes in–I’m going to take you straight to the core of where YOU should be focusing your multimedia efforts in an easy-to-follow way. So listen with me. I’d love to hear your thoughts once you’ve enjoyed the audio!
Listen to Your Multimedia Strategy
(If you haven’t already, take the quiz. And, if you need the script instead, you can download the pdf. Whether you read or listen, make sure to leave your comments here.)
Why not throw in the towel
Long time, no see–I’ve missed you! I hurt my back right around the time of the last post and since then, typing or any sitting at the computer, has been cut to the bare minimum so that I could recover. Which meant giving up some of my very favorite things–like writing to you–so that I could make sure I kept my clients taken care of and projects on track while letting my body heal.
I’m finally starting to feel better, and though it’ll still be a bit longer before I’m back to my old self, I could not wait any longer to say hello. So, hello!
Today, I’m wondering why the heck you do a newsletter (or a blog, if you do that instead). Is it a way to “pay” for your readers’ attention and goodwill so they’ll feel indebted and buy from you? Is it a place to sell more stuff?
Or, is it a place to try out new ideas, ask questions and explore your field? A place where you can gather feedback and have a conversation with some of your favorite people?
Is it a mashup of all of this?
Or do you just plain do it because the gurus said you had to and you wish you could stop? Or, perhaps, do you do it because you actually enjoy it?
As we look towards changing the calendar and discovering ourselves squarely in 2010, I’d love to know what it is that motivates you to publish–why you do what you do. What role does it play in your business, this participating in writing great content and sharing it?
Now, I know you’ll “mean” to answer these questions I’ve posed. You’ll even give them a bit of thought. But today, I want to challenge you to write the answers down and, to make sure you take action, send your answers to me (either by email or as a comment on the blog).
I know this kind of reflection is challenging, but as you consider 2009 and map out 2010, determining the role publishing plays in your business will absolutely shape the way you approach your clients and readers. And, what’s more, giving some serious thought to your expectations, and challenges when it comes to writing a regular newsletter will help you expand your business and reach more people with your message in the coming new year.
So, tell me: why do you publish and how can you do even better in 2010?
Super easy multimedia formula… Postponed.
Today I have a great piece for you about using your Spotlight Style to design a multimedia strategy that will get you clients… But it needs to be delivered as an audio and I have absolutely no voice. I’ve tried everything (teas, honey, etc, etc) and no-go.
I promise it’s well worth waiting for and to give you a tiny taste, if you’re the Edith Head type, you’ll be learning once and for all why blogging traditionally will never work for you… and what to do instead. Katharine will learn how to use multimedia to look *less* smart (trust me, this is a good thing for Kats). Audreys will learn why the advice to share “high value” content only leads to frustration, and Judy will learn to stop being so distracted by all the possibilities and focus on one step at a time (follow the yellow brick road, my dear). Oh, and Liz will learn she’s a natural on camera if she only…
Reviewing my notes, I’m all the more disappointed you won’t be hearing all about this today. This is really, really good stuff. Stay tuned!
Also, my latest guest post is live on The Wealthy Freelancer. Check it out and share your thoughts on How to Use Job Boards to Land Lucrative Gigs.
I highly recommend you take the quiz so you’re ready for the audio.
November Desktop Wallpaper Freebie
One of the biggest places people get stuck in their businesses is they tell stories that their customers can’t relate to–and that means you wind up with fewer customers. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be taking a look at how you can tell better stories, and to get us started, I wanted to share this quote from Winston Churchill:
“The human story does not always unfold like a mathematical calculation on the principle that two and two make four. Sometimes in life they make five or minus three; and sometimes the blackboard topples down in the middle of the sum and leaves the class in disorder and the pedagogue with a black eye.”
It’s available in two sizes as a downloadable computer desktop wallpaper. If you’d like to share the wallpaper, please send people to this post so they can get their own copy.
Download the 1024×768 version
Download the 1280×1024 version
Enjoy!
Newsletter Stalled? Five Great Ways to Get it Moving
Two years ago, the 8 x 10 storage shed in my backyard was a problem. It blocked a window, wasn’t very convenient to use, and was taking up space that would have made a great patio.
But, I couldn’t move it myself and wasn’t quite sure how to go about *getting* it moved. And so it sat in its inconvenient spot for over a year.
Sometimes, big projects, whether a storage shed relocation or newsletter issue get put on the back burner because we’re not sure how to move forward. And sometimes, we put them on hold because we can’t give them the attention they need.
In my case, a quick call to my dad, a couple weeks of planning, and the shed was relocated completely in two days. In your case, let’s take a look at 5 great ways to get your newsletter back on track in a lot less time.
Brainstorm Possibilities
If your newsletter feels like too much work, it probably is. Brainstorm alternatives. Ask other people how they do their newsletters and what they’ve done to make them easier.
When a new client tells me they’ve been procrastinating about publishing their newsletter, it’s consistently because they’ve assumed they had to do things the hard way. For you, the “hard way” might be your belief that each issue must be 2000+ words, or that you need to conduct 2 interviews per article. Or, perhaps, you’re finding the content you usually share boring because you feel like you keep repeating yourself.
In the case of my storage shed, the original plan was to move it out to the far side of the back yard. Since my yard is a half acre, that back corner is *really* far away, and up a hill. Deciding to keep the shed a lot closer to the house is not only easier and more practical, but it also resulted in a private patio space.
Enlist an Expert
It can be hard to get perspective on our own. We consider the same possibilities again and again. That’s why it can be really useful to get help from an expert.
In my case, I asked a neighbor (whose garden I admire) for their thoughts on what to do with the shed. In your case, you could hire me for a one-on-one session, or talk to a colleague about how they handle content.
Exchange Support
Moving a backyard shed isn’t the only time extra hands come in handy–your newsletter is another project where having some help can make a big difference. By contacting a like-minded publisher about a content collaboration, you can accomplish a lot more with a lot less effort.
You might share articles with another publisher (one month you write both newsletters, the next month your partner does), offer to edit your partner’s newsletter (in exchange for their doing the same for you), or simply ask for feedback and encouragement on your newsletter from your mastermind group. Having support with your newsletter can make a world of difference.
Outsource Bits and Pieces
If you find it a challenge to get help, start small. Start by working with a proofreader. You don’t have to dive right in and hire someone to handle the entire project–you can get great results by starting small.
If you’re going to outsource part of your newsletter, make sure you leave enough time to get the help you’re looking for. (That’s the reason outsourcing the shed didn’t work–no one could help soon enough!) If it’s at all possible, don’t use short time frames as an excuse to do it all yourself–push back the publishing date a bit so you can get the support you need.
Just Publish *Something*
Sometimes, expecting to create a full newsletter issue is just too much. Consider whether you might be able to publish a newsletter alternative for this issue–whether that’s a great photo or applicable quote, or a short article by someone else, or a challenge for your readers. There are lots of ways to publish without sending a full- fledged newsletter, and there’s no reason not to take advantage of these alternatives from time to time.
Of course, once you start getting that publishing momentum going, you may feel like we did about moving the shed. (“Why would we stop with it half-way done… Let’s get it exactly in place!”) And continuing to publish, even when you don’t have time, or are feeling stuck, can keep that flywheel going so that you don’t start to slip backwards.
By trying out these options with your own newsletter, I think you’ll find you’re able to make the same sort of amazing progress we made with that shed. And, just like moving the shed opened up new possibilities (and views), using these exercises with your newsletter will do the same for you.
Gray and Moody Monday
This weekend was the local Oktoberfest celebration and though it rained all night the night before and stayed gray and windy the whole day *of* it was still great fun to wander around the Main Street shops and booths. There’s lots to love about small town celebrations like these, but what I especially adore is meeting all the craftspeople who pour so much of themselves into their work. Oh, sure, there are business mishaps galore (business cards, people, bring lots and lots of business cards!) but getting to chat with the woman who makes clay badge holders or the man who made amazing copper sculptures–it’s a really delightful way to spend a Saturday morning, learning what people are most passionate about building.
October tends to make me feel a little gray around the edges, a little uncreative and dull. I think it has a lot to do with the way everything is winding down and part of me wants to say, “But there’s so much I want to get done by the end of the year!” But, even more than that, a few years back, my friend Christi Collins wrote about how the fall can be a season of grief and I’ve decided this year to let the season support me in winding down, letting go, and wrapping up a bunch of projects. I know I’ll be bursting with energy again next month, but for now, I’ll let myself go a bit slower. (Also, this is my long way of explaining why you’re getting a collection of great links today in lieu of an article–I have a lot I’d love to share with you, but none of it is written by me.)
One of my most favorite clients, Dr. Lori Boothroyd, is launching a most excellent class–eight weeks of exploring and improving your relationship with food. One of the things I most admire about Lori is her abounding gentleness which means this class won’t be abrasive or bossy but will rather be genuinely nurturing and enjoyable. To join her, or to learn more about the class, you should click here. The class is nearly full so try to check it out today if it appeals to you. Also, Lori’s site is a great example of a WordPress site that doesn’t look like a WordPress site.
If you’re not yet on Twitter, give it another chance. Last week, I posted a question about what a group of fairy godmothers might be called and received the most delightful (and helpful) responses. Sure, it’s a great place to meet new people and to promote new projects, but more than that, I love that it’s a place to tap smart people on the shoulder and ask for help with even slightly-silly questions.
More Smart Stuff to Read Today
Here’s a smattering of awesome stuff from some really smart people. Danielle LaPorte’s excellent post, “Eat Your Mistakes Whole” is well worth a read if you two are feeling a bit October gray. If you’re thinking Twitter or LinkedIn (or *whatever*) is an adequate substitute for having your own website, read “And this…is why you need a stage” by Sarah Bray. The delightful Charlie wrote a (very, very) long post on Becoming Yourself and Growing Your Blog which is great even if you don’t blog as it’s all about developing your voice and finding your footing–something we all struggle with in our businesses from time to time. It’s about how we find our way as we go–a message that resonates regardless of where you are in your journey.
Happy Monday!
Website Color Scheme & Your Client Attraction Style
Your Client Attraction Style gives you a complete roadmap on everything from your website design to how to write your newsletter. What you might not have realized was that it can also point you in the right direction of the details, too. For instance, your Client Attraction Style is the perfect place to look for the right color scheme for your marketing materials! Find your type below to see what it means to the colors you use.
Katharine Hepburn
Kats are funnier than the rest of us–they’re the ones who can get away with long rants in their blogs and newsletters and people shower them with love and adoration. The ones who need to bring plenty of “tough love” to their work with clients, and balance it with a soft touch. They’re straight shooters with a playful side and require a color scheme to back that up.
The best mix is usually mostly neutral with a playful color or two thrown in for spark. A bit of orange, pink, or bright green gives the site a personality that lets visitors know right from the start that the Kat-style site won’t be like anything else they’ve visited that day.
A couple of schemes to try: sepia tones plus teal, grays and a bright orange, corporate blue plus pink.
Liz Taylor
Lush and seductive, the Liz Taylor style requires texture. In your business cards, that can mean letterpress printing, great cardstock, and a touch of high-gloss ink. On the web, that means wood grain textures, layered design, and lots of carefully selected details. Since true sheen isn’t achievable on the web, look for other ways to add depth and texture, like etching effects, embossing (carefully and subtly used) and colors that are saturated and dynamic.
A common mistake with the Liz style is to go overboard with the colors in an attempt to make things interesting–instead, rely on a handful of carefully chosen colors because for your materials, less is definitely more. Liz’s colors are often similar to Audrey’s but need to be a touch more sophisticated.
A couple of schemes to try: A dark, deep texture (like wood grain or wallpaper) plus neutrals, muted purples and greens plus dark gray to ground it, dark oranges with gray for a sophisticated yet friendly site.
Are you starting to see the ripples of your Client Attraction Style? It’s even easier if you take the quiz and then take me up on your complimentary consultation! From the way you write the text on your home page to the color you choose for your brochures, your Client Attraction Style will make everything you do to market your business, better. (Plus, having a role model makes everything a heck of a lot easier!)
So, start with the quiz, then let’s talk one-on-one so that you can explore what this means to you, and to your business.
(If you missed part one, it’s here.)
A Miscellaneous Compilation
There are a few things that have been going out in the newsletter that I haven’t been posting to the blog. (Which, btw is a great reason to sign up for the newsletter!)
How to Get Clients
First, if you haven’t yet checked out my call on Emergency Client Attraction, do. We did the live call about a month ago, and the recording’s been edited and is ready for download. Already people who were on the live call are racking up thousands of dollars worth of new business and they’re just getting started. I’ll be adding testimonials to that page soon, and when I do, I’ll also be making other changes, including raising the price… So, why not pick it up now so you can get started attracting clients right away *and* save yourself some coin!
Where Else You Can Find Me
Also, I’ve been doing more guest posting lately. Usually, I turn down requests to write guest posts because I don’t have much time for it, but as part of another project I’ve been squeezing in more writing time, so, enjoy these three new posts:
- Web designers, you won’t want to miss the article I wrote for ColorBurned: How to Avoid Client Chaos With Effective Screenshots.
- If you’re a freelancer, make sure to read How to Use Job Boards to Land Clients on MyInkBlog.com.
- And, if you’d like to know how chocolate cake relates to your business, enjoy The Secret Ingredient to an Internet Business That’s More than Just Profitable on FresheVenture.
How to Use Your Sense of Style to Find Your Web Colors
Your Client Attraction Style gives you a complete roadmap on everything from your website design to how to write your newsletter. What you might not have realized was that it can also point you in the right direction of the details, too. For instance, your Client Attraction Style is the perfect place to look for the right color scheme for your marketing materials! Find your type below to see what it means to the colors you use.
Edith Head
The Edith Head brand is marked by calculated risks. This means stepping outside traditional website color schemes, using super saturated colors, and setting the tone by choosing colors that expand on what you’re saying. You can get away with more colors than most people can (typically, a good color scheme uses no more than 3-5 colors), but you also might decide to choose a less colorful scheme than others. Whether you choose a two-color scheme, or you decide to unleash 11 colors on your site, the important part is to make sure you know *why* you’re using the colors you are.
A couple of schemes to try: black and white (and no accent color), 10 shades of gray plus one accent color (instead of using red which is rather expected, try an orange or teal), orange + red (for a saturated, dynamic look).
Audrey Hepburn
The Audrey brand is marked by classic usage of softer colors. You don’t have to use pastels, but stay away from the most vivid colors of the spectrum (red and orange tend to be too “hot” for your site). Stick to the traditional 3-5 color scheme, but feel free to freshen it up by using a monochromatic plus one analogous color (touching on the color wheel) for subtle interest.
A couple of schemes to try: two shades of blue plus purple, four shades of blue plus teal, three shades of purple plus two shades of blue.
Judy Garland
Judy’s colors are fresh and vibrant, but not quite as daring as Edith’s. Sunny, cheerful colors are a perfect accent for this brand, and using them in a playful way ensures you’re maximizing Tribe appeal. Use caution, though, because your propensity for primary colors can make your site too childlike (which really only works if you care for children). Bring an edge of sophistication with plenty of white space, and classic, clean fonts. (Attention Judys of the world: DO NOT use Comic Sans. Please.)
A couple of schemes to try: yellow plus blue evokes a sunny day, green plus blue is fresh and natural but slightly more sophisticated.
Next time, we’ll cover the remaining types, and in the meantime, make sure to take the Client Attraction Style Quiz.
