12th Day of Christmas

Testing, Testing, One Two Three…

I have yet to meet a small businessperson who does not love to talk about their business. Not those of you who are temping as self-employed until your next employer. No, those of you who are passionate about what you do. Even when you are bone weary or have had a major setback, you still love what you do. It can be hard to shut us up once we get started… Oh, that’s me.

Today’s gift is a microphone to use to tell your story in your natural voice. Write to your customers in the same voice as you would use to talk to them in person. Come on, when was the last time you were speaking face-to-face with a customer when you actually used the corporate babble that litters your web site. Also, sole proprietors, take that mouse out of your pocket. You’re not fooling anyone by using “we” when you really should say “I”. So why are you doing these things?

Remember what I said back on day 2: it is all about relationships. Use your customers’ profiles to determine what it is they are interested in. That is what you talk about.

Your social media outposts allow you to have brief sound bites with your community. It’s still not as rewarding or intimate as sitting down at a café and sharing conversation over a cake and coffee. But it does allow you to stay connected. So be yourself, just as you would when sitting across the table.

Remember, it is fine to be quick and casual in your writing in emails and on social media sites. There is no doubt that you will receive a high rate of return on your investment in a professional writer to produce your core marketing materials. Also, if you’re like me and suffer from an allergy to commas, hire an editor. Your readers will appreciate you for it.

I do apologize for occasionally I am guilty of publishing without the benefit of Nancy’s red pen.

Please, share your pet peeves about the writing you encounter online in the comments.