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  Write for You in NJ
 



Write For You News & Notes
Words Working for You
  Feb/March 2015
Vol 10 /#2/3
Welcome to the latest issue of Write for You News & Notes with some words of wisdom on writing, business, and life. If you'd like to share any books or favorite links with our readers, send us an email. And remember -- on paper or on-line, when you need words that work for you, I can write for you!

Nancy Passow

In This Issue
Is This Really Spring?
Just as spring is late this year, so is my newsletter late. As I was driving home from teaching last night, snowflakes were pelting my car. Nonetheless, I believe it is spring. The photo to the right is one of the first flowers of the year in my yard -- a vinca hiding in the middle of a cinder block. I've started raking and finding which plants survived the winter. I'm looking forward to playing in my garden. Spring is a time for new beginnings, a time to start fresh. Have fun!!
Who is Your Audience?
In my Technical Communications course, one of the first things I teach my students (which I then repeat often) is know who you are writing for. Is your reader as technical as you are? Then use all the jargon and numbers you want. Is your reader non-technical? Then make sure the information you are presenting is understandable to them. Before you write the first word -- know your audience.

This is true about everything we present -- whether it's a physical object, an ad, a marketing piece, even where you locate your business. A store opened in Englewood, on S. Dean St. among the trendy boutiques. It's product was faux designer perfumes. The store lasted about three months. Why? The possible buyers for those products rarely walked along that block. The "audience" on that street could easily afford the original perfumes. Another example. The person's business is to help seniors overcome their fears of the computer and the Internet so they can communicate with their families. She wanted to know if she should have a Facebook page to promote her business. I pointed out her potential clients would never see the Facebook page because they were afraid to use a computer. The best place to reach her target audience was through the weekly local newspapers and by presenting programs at Senior Centers.
Words Working for You
Constant Contact Silver Solution Provider
How's your website content? Have you updated your brochure recently? Do you need help telling the story of your business? There are many ways I can help words work for you! Constant Contact is changing, LinkedIn is changing. Let me help you navigate these changes and make these services work for you!!

E-mail marketing
is a great way to stay in touch with your clients and colleagues. I can help you get started -- whether it's set-up, writing the content, or managing the entire process. I'll even remember to pay the monthly bill for you. I can set up your contact lists, help you choose a template (and customize it with your logo and website colors), and develop your e-mail schedule. To learn more, click here.

LinkedIn is still making changes. Need help figuring out where things went? Trying to hide some of your endorsements? Wishing your profile was more descriptive of who you really are? Let me help you! Even with all of the changes, LinkedIn is still a great way to be found on the web and to network.
Write for You in NJ
phone: 201-541-9702 (o)
phone: 201-362-3404 (m)
  Book of the Month ... Four Seconds

Peter Bregman's latest book, subtitled "All the Time You Need to Stop Counter-Productive Habits and Get the Results You Want", is based on his excellent blog. This means each "chapter" is short and to the point. At the end of each one, there's a box with a concise summary of what you learned.

As Peter explains in the introduction, "bad habits happen to good people". We think we're doing the right things to overcome stress, build relationships, move forward, and instead we create more problems. So what should we do? Take four seconds, the amount of time required to take a single breath, and change what you are doing.

I'm looking forward to spending a lot more than four seconds with this book. Spring is a great time for new habits.
Quote of the Month

 "Follow your passion. It will lead you to your purpose." ~  Oprah Winfrey  


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