Autumn Reading #3

Robert Bly is my new friend. Over the past few weeks he's been convincing me to become a professional writer. Bly makes a very clear case that freelance writing is not only possible for those who love to write and are willing to work at it, but that you can be paid quite well if you are working in a lucrative niche market.

The basis for your pay as a freelance writer is: can you save someone enormous amounts of time and bring benefit to their business by selling your writing and research skills to them?

Have you ever

• yawned your way through a professional journal or trade publication?
• trashed your employer newsletter because it is redundant and boring?
• had your eyes glaze over looking at a dry-as-dust annual report?
• read an ad that actually turned you off of a product or brand?
• looked at a web site that shouted out "amateur!" on every click and page view?
• wished that you had some superb printed materials to sell your product or idea?
• read EnRoute magazine in an Air Canada plane and wondered Who pays for this?

Fact is, writers hold the key to solving all of these business problems. A company will pay very well to have their public image shaped positively, and the companies who understand this will hire good writers and pay them well.

How you say something is even more important than what you say. Enter the freelance writer.

It's Only a Matter of Degree

The Band is playing for eight weekends in a row. That's a first for the Ron Palangio Group, and in my humble opinion, not bad for a bunch of hobby freelance musicians! Here's the setup, for the record:

1. The Innsville
2. The Brassie Pub
3. Waltz Live Music
4. The Old Powerhouse
5. Private Party
6. The Innsville
7. Winchester Arms Pub
8. Magna International Corp. Christmas Dance

We finally get a weekend off on December 10th, but if we had our way we would book up for that night as well. We must love what we're doing.

Tonight is a first for us, however, because we're taking a stab at self-promotion. Waltz Live Music and Eatery is an established joint located downtown in Jackson Square.

A few of us went in on Karaoke night last Thursday to check out the PA. Sketchy setting: About 25 regulars scattered across the 125 seat room, one guy singing not too bad, and one guy on the dance floor dancing with himself. Oh well, I guess the regulars feel pretty comfortable!

Looks like we're going to have a "real" sound system tonight, which takes the performance angst up a notch. Usually, with our own PA, we're pretty comfortable, but with the new "showcase" concept and a new PA, I'm feeling nervous/excited.

That is a good thing. Way better than being bored with the gig and with the songs. Boredom would ruin our show and our edge. We need just enough UNCERTAINTY to keep us on our toes and in the moment. We must constantly eradicate the "ho-hum" factor. These 8 weeks in a row will be a success if we keep our edge, and keep it fresh.

The Ron Palangio Group, August 2011

Autumn Reading #2

This is one of the most recommended books for those who want to learn how to write advertising copy.

As it turns out, I'm discovering that I really enjoy writing. Duh, I'm a blogger, so that's no surprise to the 5 people who read this blog. However, I've never thought that it was possible to make money writing, but Bly has got me thinking otherwise.

He's got me analyzing advertising copy that I see everywhere, and it's surprising to see that a lot of writing for advertising is NOT done by a professional copywriter. You can tell pretty quick, because the ad is boring, it doesn't get you thinking, it arouses no curiosity about the product, and it doesn't clearly convince you about how you may benefit from the product. The fact remains that companies will pay for the skill of having good advertisements written. Let me give you an example of what I think is one of the best Human Resources ads I've seen:

Director of Marketing

We're looking for a Director of Marketing who probably never thought about being the Director of Marketing at a community college. Instead, you've been busy creating amazing end-to-end customer experiences in challenging environments. Leading successful teams to accomplish impossible things. Inspiring others throughout your organization. And now you're ready to commit your legendary energy to help amp up the ongoing transformation of one of the most innovative community colleges in the country.

We are Nova Scotia Community College. Our mission is to help "Build Nova Scotia's economy and quality of life through education and innovation." We offer 120 advanced skill programs in five academic schools, serving the whole province through a network of 13 campuses. Fully 87% of our graduates are employed, most in their field of choice; 94% have chosen to live and work in Nova Scotia. We are looking for someone to lead the College's marketing function; working to strengthen the NSCC brand and stakeholder experience across all marketing channels and customer interactions. Someone who supports the growth and success of a dynamic team of marketing and web professionals. A natural and collaborative leader who builds relationships easily. An innovative thinker with a bias for action and a lifelong commitment to learning. Someone with at least ten years of senior leadership experience in marketing and most importantly, in delighting customers.

So come to Nova Scotia. Your energy will be felt. Your leadership will make a difference. Your horizons will be as limitless as the sea itself. And if this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity isn't enough to convince you, go to novascotia.com. Allow yourself to be reminded ­ this isn't just any college, this is Nova Scotia's community college. Take the job and we'll throw in the entire province.

What a great piece of writing! It makes me want to be that person.

Autumn Reading #1

Steven Scott is taking me on quite an adventure! My curiosity got the better of me when I saw this book, and I just had to see what he had to say.
Three days into the book now, and I've already started a loose leaf binder and am filling it with notes!

Stay tuned...

Summer reading #9

This one took me a couple of weeks to slowly wade through. This probably has shaped my thinking around the reality of current marketing trends more than anything else I've read.
A huge variety of helpful bits of information.
Good overview of Adwords and the philosophy behind it; but not just about Google - the book connects to what other internet companies are doing to understand their potential customers better.
I'm fascinated by the manner in which companies are developing a higher degree of respect for their potential customers. Since there are so many choices open to people, and so many times at which they can be exposed to the possible connection that they may have to you as their vendor, you really have to know your target audience.
4 stars out of 5