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| by Expert Copy Strategist, Charlon Bobo |
Another inspired week is upon us. To empower you with direct resources to increased, measurable results, this week's features include:
Charlon Bobo is the founder and team leader of EditCopyProof | Wordsmithing and Editing Solutions -- Transforming Words Into Profits. Proficient in many diverse writing roles, her expertise spans more than 25 years. This solid foundation offers you a single and final destination in your quest for extraordinary press-ready services including copyediting, copywriting and proofreading. Visit us TODAY at EditCopyProof to submit your Request For Proposal. |
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| Charlon Bobo |
My Biggest Challenge - Part 1 of 2
If you missed the
August 20, 2007
issue of The
Indie
Experience, I was asked about my biggest
business challenge.
As someone who approaches life with a unique perspective, I had to mentally reframe the question before I could respond. This article (Part 1) addresses the value of reframing ideas (or questions, in this case) and the freedom of not labeling circumstance. Next week's article (Part 2) contains my answer to the question: "What Is Your Biggest Challenge?" The Art of Reframing My need to reframe the question posed in the interview has a foundation in acknowledging that I don't think the way most people do. Without reframing the question, I would have to honestly answer, "I don't have challenges." However, this response places me in a position in which you cannot relate to me. I build as many bridges as possible for clear communication, and if you cannot relate to me -- for any reason -- I have not done my job. You stop listening. So, instead of the answer, "I don't have challenges," I reframed the question based on how my mind works and my understanding of the impact of words (Part 1)... and then set out to answer the question (Part 2). Reframing a question, notion, or situation is a preparation. It sets the foundation for maximum understanding or outcome. It allows us to take a few steps backward, look at the situation from another perspective, breathe deeply, relax and then proceed. The reframed question allows me to illuminate yet another valuable life skill for your empowerment. Dispelling the Need to Label Circumstance I live the entire range of experiences of being on this physical plane... just like you. The difference is my mental approach, which is: "No circumstance is a challenge (or problem)." I know how damaging it is to place labels on circumstance. How often have you heard someone else (or yourself) say, "That was so traumatic." Engage me for just a moment. In recounting the story, what if, instead, you said, "Although I was scared at first, that experience taught me how much strength I really have when I need it! I was very proud of how I handled the situation." Same scenario. Different mindset AND a diversely different impact on everyone involved... including you! One is based in fear and leaves the situation open-ended with IT in power. The second scenario is clearly concluded with YOU in power. Sit with these examples for just a moment. How does each feel? Yeah, I thought so. I understand the power of words. I also understand the impact of thinking something like, "I'm having a terrible day. Nothing is going right," which can number in the thousands throughout the course of one day. (What can possibly be different if, with your thoughts, you've already committed to having a "terrible" day? You actually anchored that experience to you!) Furthermore, I know the devastating impact of being in the habit of actually giving voice to these thoughts. (Don't do it! It serves no purpose other than feeding the monster and leaving you disempowered.) Attaching your current experience to words like problem, catastrophe, bad, hardship, fiasco, mistake, emergency, disaster, tragedy, etc. is death to your well-being. In my world there's no such thing... not because I am immune to the impact of everyday experience, but because I simply don't attach labels to circumstance. It's a conscious choice at first and requires practice, but I promise, it soon becomes habit. As you'll experience for yourself, eliminating the need to label experiences richly enhances your life because it frees you to consider other, more empowering, alternatives in the moment of now. You, too, have a choice; you get to decide if the circumstances in front of you are "problems" or not. Now that you know how I approach this question of my biggest "challenge," stay tuned to Part 2 in which I actually share with you my biggest business life circumstance. A hint: It will surprise and inspire you. It's a time-tested and proven technique to blow out all limitation. It's quick, it's easy and it's accessible to EVERYONE, but it requires a mental adjustment to the traditional approach to business! |
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| David M. Allen |
The Top 12 Power Words
It seems everybody is marketing something online these days. While the majority are struggling, an elite group of marketers quietly make a small fortune. In fact, these marketers are succeeding because of this one simple truth... your copy differentiates mediocrity from prosperity And even more revealing... is that these marketers know exactly which power words automatically draw their reader's attention to their headlines, copy and marketing messages. Probably because you are reading this, you realize the importance of such words. Well today I'm going to share with you what most successful marketers deem as the Top 10 most influential power words. But rather than the Top 10, what I'm going to do is share with you the Top 12. Drum roll please... The Top 12 Power Words In alphabetical order, here they are...
Bargains Most people believe the word "sale" is one of the top power words. Although it implies there is a special and items are on sale, it really has no emotional attachment to people. On the other hand, the word "bargain" implies much more than just a sale. It clearly states that you are going to be presented with an opportunity to receive items at bargain prices. Easy This word is in most people's top 10 list and for good reason... it's one of the main psychological triggers that practically every human wants. Simplicity. Ease of use. Exclusive Most top marketers believe that the word "limited" is a top power word. But again, I choose to replace it with the word "exclusive". The word exclusive has much more power. It implants a picture in your reader's mind of being part of an exclusive group of people, which is much more powerful then feeling as though you are limited. Fortune This word is included in most marketer's top 10 list, which I agree it should be. The words prosperity and fortune are something that everybody wants. Money is another power word that automatically catches people's attention. Free Who in their right mind isn't automatically drawn to this word? Free will never be excluded from the top list of power words. It ties in with our psychological desire to simplicity, easy. But always remember, whatever you offer for free, should have real value. Guaranteed As overused as this word is, it still belongs in this list. Everybody wants to be guaranteed that what they have bought, they can get a refund if not completely satisfied. Immediately Many top marketer's believe that the word "instant", or even "immediate" are power words. But just look at those words and you will quickly see that they lack action. By turning either one into an adjective, it instantaneously adds action and immediately draws your attention in deeper. Improve Everybody wants to improve something in their life. It's our human nature at work. Your copy should create imagery in your reader's mind that attaches your product to an improvement in their life. New No matter what, when you use power words like "new", "revolutionary", "discovery", etc, it does automatically catch your reader's attention and pulls them in. Everybody's natural curiosity is interested in something new, something different. Powerfully Again, most marketer's believe the word "power" is a power word. This is not true. What does power mean? It means to have the ability to do or act. But the word power itself has no power. But when you turn it into an adjective, it radiates with true power. It expresses that your reader is either in the act of something powerfully effective, or that they soon will be. Proven Let's face it, everybody wants proof. The more you can prove to others that your product/service is exactly the solution that they need, the more likely you are to profit. You And finally... perhaps, second only to your reader's own name, the most important power word is... YOU! When you use the word "you" in your copy, you are speaking directly to your reader. You just can't go wrong using the word YOU. Conclusion As you can see, these 12 power words do instinctively draw your reader's attention to your copy. Use these words appropriately and you will gradually see an increase in converting readers into profits. |
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| Charlon Bobo |
"A true leader has the confidence to stand
alone, the courage to make tough decisions,
and the compassion to listen to the needs of
others. He does not set out to be a leader,
but becomes one by the equality of his
actions and the integrity of his
intent."
Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) Leadership sounds a lot like entrepreneurship, doesn't it? Standing alone when necessary? Making tough but necessary decisions? Radiating compassion when managing our personal and professional relationships? For many of us, we were led to the path of business ownership quite organically and without much fanfare... sometimes without much of a plan. We may not have specifically intended to be entrepreneurs. However, at some point, we recognize and validate that we arrived at the destination of entrepreneurship (and may also wonder how it happened). It may happen because in the grand scheme of life, the path of business ownership inherently possesses the best way to face our greatest fears, learn to trust life's process, and feel what it means to truly thrive... all so we can dream ever-bigger. Dream on, leaders, pioneers, lightworkers, trendsetters, gurus, goddesses and masters! Blessings.
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