Introducing Kylie Welsh - 'Writing as an Expert'

[Kylie Welsh]

I have for some time womdered about the use of Facebook and Twitter in a B2B environment. The evangelists for these media spend a lot of time accumulating friends and linking with each other, and then regularly talk AT each other rather thn with each other. It then just becomes white noise. What is your experience?

Regards

Greg Chapman

Hi Greg, you make some valid points here. The trick with social networking is all about balance. I know heaps of people that spend too much time and in the end it becomes more about the ego i.e how many friends/fans I have. I got some great advice when starting out and that was to make it meaningful and mix up business with personal. If you are on these sites and are only selling your product or service it gets boring to everyone. However if you are providing useful tips, interesting articles and perhaps new data released then that makes people stop and think a little. This is not a 'what's in for me' person. If you combine this helpful information with some personal then it really helps too. I would say 60% business and 40% personal. When I say personal I don't mean anything inappropriate - might be waht a great weekend you had, an awesome resturant you went to etc. For my business this has worked really well. The contacts I have made on twitter on facebook are now strong aliances. But like anythings it takes time to build a relationship and you need to be authentic about it. Now when I have event, I have a number of people on twitter and facebook who promote this, without me even asking - just to show their support. I in turn do this for them. I now get a lot of new people coming along to events etc as a result of this. Believe me I was quite sceptical that this would work, but decided to give it a go and it has been a wonderful tool to bring in new business. I would say it took probably atleast 6 months before I started to see real results.
Cheers, Kylie

[Kylie Welsh]

Hi Everyone, when you decide that you are going to write your E-book, you need to ensure it is going to be a success and represent you and your business in the best possible light. As we mentioned yesterday - just because you think it's a great idea, does not necessarily mean that there is a need in the market. Here are some key points to consider in setting your E-book up for success, that I read when starting out and have use as a guide myself from Almisco.

* Product Idea: why is your E-book desirable? What problem does it solve for your customer?

* Consumer Demand: Is there a vacuum (pent up need) for your E-book prduct right now.

* Niche-iness: Whom does your E-book target – a broad or narrow niche?

* Impact on Lifestyle: How will it make the reader’s life better? Will it make them money or save them time?

* Product Dependency: Is your E-book a ‘must have’ or discretionary purchase?

* Deep Pockets: Does your consumer group actively spend money of your type of product?

* Price Point: How much will people pay for your product? What is the right price to produce volume sales?

* Market Size: What is the sales potential for your product? Is it defined or unlimited?

* Potential Profit: How much money can you expect to make?

* Recurring Revenue: Does the purchase of your E-book lead to renewal and/or additional product sales?

* Automation/Touch: To what extent will you be hands-on at different states of marketing/sales/fulfilment?

* Ease of Start up – How easy or difficult will it be to take your project from ‘idea’ to ‘execution’?

* Investment Needed: How much money will you need to fund the project until it can exist on revenue for sales?

* Time to Break Even: How much time until your investment is paid back and your product is funding itself?

* Marketing Plan: How do you expect to contact and ‘pitch’ you product to your potential buyers?

* Competition: How likely are you to be able to excel among the competition?

* Barriers to Entry: What is in the way of your E-book succeeding ?

In order to build credibility through writing, we need to ensure that our written products are received positively in the market. It is so valuable to spend the time doing research before you launch an E-book, rather than trying to work out 'why not' after it has been launched.

Cheers, Kylie

[Barbara Gabogrecan]

Hi Kylie - your discussion is going really well. I like the way you are giving such great information when responding to members, then adding a really WOW Tip of your own. Great mix. I thought I would just add this comment in response to a great many people who tell me they cannot write enough for an e-book. I guess those of us who are used to writing don't really stop and think about those who really do struggle with writing skills.

I actually have put together an e-book of articles written by others and simply added an introduction. And it was well accepted as a 'free' e-book. So I did another one and this time after each article written by another author I wrote a short 'experience/case study' that I was familiar with. This too did very well as a free e-book.

As you know, there are a great number of article directories available where you can use other authors writing on a wide range of topics e.g. article city.com.
I wonder what you thought of this solution when non writers are trying to build their professionalism and credibility through writing e-books?

Cheers
Barb

[Peter O'Connor]

Kylie

What a lovely breath of fresh air you are! Right to the point and spot on!

We are so used to being fed a load of " ?#*!#* " by so-called experts and having to sort through everthing to find what may or may not be the facts. You, on the other hand, can put it all in a few sentences. I wish I could bottle you and sell you. We could make a fortune.

Many thanks for the tips you gave me on writing as an expert. I will certainly endeavour to follow your steps and suggestions.

Thanks for a most enlightening week. I look forward to more in the future (if you are game).

Regards

Peter

[Geoff Haw]

Hi Kylie
This has been an interesting week of discussion, chat and positive suggestions to help people at a realistic level. Thank you for your many comments and highly relevant tips. So many people feel daunted when the have an empty sheet of paper (screen???) and find writing to be a draining experience, so your material will assist many.

I love writing, and have been able to write for most of my life, both in work and personal life. However, I absolutely worship the ease with which it be done now, with computers and all the associated applications that make writing so easy. Mind you, there are times that I sometimes overrule a computer-generated suggestion, just so that I can add that 'personal' slant!

Early in this forum, you were asked about the term 'expert', and how long it must take to build up such status. Having been a teacher in a previous life, I see the absolute necessity of having students write freely but accurately as often as possible. No matter what you do, if your written communication is not up to acceptable standards, readers can translate that as a black mark against you across a range of skill areas. (Isn't the Errant Apostrophe Society a magnificent example of how errors persist?)

At the same time, I think most of the good writers who I know have always had a high level of writing (and reading) skills from the beginning, even at school. It just makes it easier if you have a firm grasp of the basics, rather than starting behind the pack with poor spelling or sentence structure. Maybe that's the luck of the draw/genes!

Speaking of luck, when I was 18 I made an accidentally brilliant decision. I had to do a major assignment, and as my handwriting was not naturally beautiful when compared with so many others, I decided to teach myself to touch-type. So, armed with a Pitman's typing manual and a brand new Olivetti manual typewriter, I diligently applied myself to the tediously boring but very valuable exercises. It became the best gift to myself, as I've been touch typing all my adult life.

I see this writing skill as a foundation for high quality business success, but at the same time, quickly acknowledge that there are many people in the world who may not be great writers but have fantastic skills in other areas.

While your forum emanates from a woman's perspective, it's great that a few guys salute you and the contributions that you have made this past week to both women and men! All power to you!

Geoff

[Kylie Welsh]

Hi Kylie - your discussion is going really well. I like the way you are giving such great information when responding to members, then adding a really WOW Tip of your own. Great mix. I thought I would just add this comment in response to a great many people who tell me they cannot write enough for an e-book. I guess those of us who are used to writing don't really stop and think about those who really do struggle with writing skills.

I actually have put together an e-book of articles written by others and simply added an introduction. And it was well accepted as a 'free' e-book. So I did another one and this time after each article written by another author I wrote a short 'experience/case study' that I was familiar with. This too did very well as a free e-book.

As you know, there are a great number of article directories available where you can use other authors writing on a wide range of topics e.g. article city.com.
I wonder what you thought of this solution when non writers are trying to build their professionalism and credibility through writing e-books?

Cheers
Barb

Hi Barb, you make some very good points. For many people involved with Brisbane Woman they are time poor and this has been an excellent alternative to getting articles on their blogs on directories too. I also recommend using elance to outsource a series of articles on your area of expertise. It is really important however that you read and edit the article before posting it and at least ad a paragraph or two of your own style. Your artile needs to reflect you and your business and this can be done quickly, once the content is sorted. Infusing the article with your personality is really what will build the relationship with your readers and keep them coming back for more. The content needs to be good - but your personality and expertise is what will keep them coming back. And yes Barb, this would be a great alternative for people wanting to develop their confidence too. Cheers, Kylie

[Kylie Welsh]

Kylie

What a lovely breath of fresh air you are! Right to the point and spot on!

We are so used to being fed a load of " ?#*!#* " by so-called experts and having to sort through everthing to find what may or may not be the facts. You, on the other hand, can put it all in a few sentences. I wish I could bottle you and sell you. We could make a fortune.

Many thanks for the tips you gave me on writing as an expert. I will certainly endeavour to follow your steps and suggestions.

Thanks for a most enlightening week. I look forward to more in the future (if you are game).

Regards

Peter

Thanks Peter for the lovely feedback. I really appreciate this and am so glad I have been able to de-clutter the overwhelming world of so called 'experts'. I've found this area very frustrating myself before, so know exactly where you are coming from. I look forward to chatting again soon and good luck with your writing in the meantime!! Cheers, Kylie

[Kylie Welsh]

Hi Kylie
This has been an interesting week of discussion, chat and positive suggestions to help people at a realistic level. Thank you for your many comments and highly relevant tips. So many people feel daunted when the have an empty sheet of paper (screen???) and find writing to be a draining experience, so your material will assist many.

I love writing, and have been able to write for most of my life, both in work and personal life. However, I absolutely worship the ease with which it be done now, with computers and all the associated applications that make writing so easy. Mind you, there are times that I sometimes overrule a computer-generated suggestion, just so that I can add that 'personal' slant!

Early in this forum, you were asked about the term 'expert', and how long it must take to build up such status. Having been a teacher in a previous life, I see the absolute necessity of having students write freely but accurately as often as possible. No matter what you do, if your written communication is not up to acceptable standards, readers can translate that as a black mark against you across a range of skill areas. (Isn't the Errant Apostrophe Society a magnificent example of how errors persist?)

At the same time, I think most of the good writers who I know have always had a high level of writing (and reading) skills from the beginning, even at school. It just makes it easier if you have a firm grasp of the basics, rather than starting behind the pack with poor spelling or sentence structure. Maybe that's the luck of the draw/genes!

Speaking of luck, when I was 18 I made an accidentally brilliant decision. I had to do a major assignment, and as my handwriting was not naturally beautiful when compared with so many others, I decided to teach myself to touch-type. So, armed with a Pitman's typing manual and a brand new Olivetti manual typewriter, I diligently applied myself to the tediously boring but very valuable exercises. It became the best gift to myself, as I've been touch typing all my adult life.

I see this writing skill as a foundation for high quality business success, but at the same time, quickly acknowledge that there are many people in the world who may not be great writers but have fantastic skills in other areas.

While your forum emanates from a woman's perspective, it's great that a few guys salute you and the contributions that you have made this past week to both women and men! All power to you!

Geoff

Thanks Geoff, I enjoyed reading this. I myself come from a teaching background and believe it has been an important foundation that has allowed me to spring board in new and exciting areas. If only I had been so wise as to sit down and learn to type properly. My mother told me that if I learnt to type I would 'only' ever end up being someone's secretary. How wrong she was in that regard Thanks for the great feedback Geoff and am glad you have enjoyed reading the forum, it has been great fun to be involved. Happy writing! Cheers, Kylie

[Barbara Gabogrecan]

Farewell from this topic Kylie. We have all enjoyed your input and learned a lot from it.
Thank you so much for being our Guest Expert for the week.
I hope that you might find time to visit us from time to time and add a comment or two in future Forums.
You are certainly a 'cool' customer!
Warm wishes
Barb