Exuding a Positive Attitdude - for a Winning Business and Self

Don't you find that you're more attracted to someone who seems to be exuding a positive attitude?  

Isn't it just natural that you find your own view changing as you become more acquainted with this person, their knowledge and way of expressing themselves?  It brings more enlightenment to your mind, clarity and peace.  The trick? Recognizing when someone is exuding a positive attitude. It makes you want to do the same.

As I've been setting up and kicking things into gear for my copywriting business, I've found that I am pulled toward those individuals that exude a positive attitude and energy.  You too will find that they bring much more to your outlook and thinking that those with negative energy.

Actually, being around people who have a negative outlook on their life and their accomplishments in general is a quick way to knock your own self-growth back a few notches. Everyone has someone (if not several friends or relatives) in their life that just seem to have big black cloud hanging above them.

Every word out their mouths is negative; nothing is good, the world is going to end, they hate their lives, etc., etc., you know them folks, I'm sure.  Don't you feel that after they've left you that you've been drained of energy? You have negative thoughts creeping in to your mind? You wonder if your own success will last (or ever come)?  You start to think, how will I ever earn a decent living, I hate my life?  Argh!

Don't be a black cloud in other peoples' lives.
Instead, think about exuding a positive attitude

At that  point, it's time for you to cut your ties with these folks, or at least distance yourself or lessen your meetings with them.

Instead, chose to be around positive-minded people. People who bring out the best in you... with their positive energy and attitude. Because that's the best way to keep yourself on the right track... the track to success.

No one ever made it in business thinking they sucked at what they did, or that they hated everything and nothing was good.  

So remain calm, keep confident. You've got this.

By surrounding yourself with others who are exuding a positive attitude, you remain well grounded and motivated to succeed.  Stay with that thought process and you'll definitely go farther.

In my travels through Facebook, LinkedIn and so forth, I've come across several people who's words have definitely influenced my outlook on life and business.  It's meant a new thought process and a willingness to accept things I might not have liked in the past.  I still may not like them, but I am willing to accept them, and just deal with it and move on.

One such person that I came across in fact, had a difficult childhood and teenage life.  A life which involved horrendous treatment.  She chose to not let those occurrences affect her in a negative way.  She overcame these serious issues and has in fact gone to be a major, successful marketing authority.  She now speaks words of motivation and all while exuding a positive attitude and demeanour.  I look forward to her tweets and comments.

Part of exuding a positive attitude also involves how you play the cards you've been dealt with in  life.  

Everyone suffers from a bad experience now and then, but how you deal with them makes a difference.  You can either lay down and play the martyr and feel sorry for yourself for the rest of your life, or learn how to rise up from those ashes and make yourself a better person.  I'd argue that doing the former takes way to much energy; too much to allow any extra strength to work towards being a successful, pleasant person.

When you're exuding a positive attitude, it's easier to deliver your message - an encouraging, enthusiastic message of how to overcome even those daily difficulties, to become the best person you are capable of becoming.

Succeed in business while exuding a positive attitude

Exuding a positive attitude will do wonders for you.  Don't take a chance and drive away your friends or prospects with a sour outlook or attitude.

When you're doing business, preparing your promotional message, or meeting someone for the first time, put your best smile, and attitude forward.  You can inspire others more when you're exuding a positive attitude.

Find someone who inspires you to do more, to think positively and be well-meaning, and follow them too.

I hope you have found this article useful.

If you would like to read more tips about how to prepare your messages to prospects, or need to to talk about how you could use copywriting services for them, head on over to my website, at Shelly Moreau, Freelance Copywriting Services.

Or, feel free to comment herein.  Thank you for your interest.

The Importance of Reading - Wanting to Learn

If you shut yourself off to reading, you may as well shut yourself off to learning.

You heard me...if you can't be bothered to read every day - even for least 15 measly minutes - you have effectively shut yourself off to a world of learning opportunities.

It's even been said that leaders are readers and we should feed our minds every day with at least 15 minutes of information.  It can transform us. Reading for 30-45 minutes is even better.  

So if you read for instance, Steven Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, or perhaps Richard Branson's, "Like A Virgin: Secrets They Won't Teach You at Business School" you will find great inspiration, and certainly something from either of those two books may be a factor toward your personal or business' growth.

Of course, you don't necessarily have to read from these two authors.  There are many more like them on the market today.  And anything that's important to you and you can learn from in a positive manner is relevant and worth reading.  

Closely related to the need to read, is the attitude toward saying yes - to opportunity, to taking chances, and yes...to learning.  The point here is not to turn down an opportunity at first sight because it's not something familiar. Be open-minded.  Consider and study the opportunity before shutting the door on it.  And that definitely applies toward reading and learning too.

If you said no to everything, you'd never be willing to learn new things, which affects growth - of yourself and your business. 

You'd be closing your mind to any new ideas, behaviours, thought patterns, language and vocabulary expansion.

Even reading good sales letters daily can improve your knowledge and contribute to your understanding of different types of personalities and how you might deal with them in your business.

As a copywriter, I make it a point to read every day.  In fact the very basis of my business and indeed purpose of it is based on reading. I love to read material that is of a didactic or news related nature.  If it’s something I can learn from, I’m all over it.  If it’s a love story, or epic novel, I’m generally not that interested.  

In fact, in the past year, I have absorbed so much marketing information -- along with the copywritng verbiage from my training -- that my writing style, language and behaviour have been affected: in a positive way I might ad.  And that translates to my being able to communicate with potential clients or other copywriters on the same level and gain credibility in my business dealings.

Because of all this new found knowledge, I also find that I am more at ease offering advice, and tips to others in their writing or marketing needs, because what you speak tends to come from what you’re reading.  And to think that I might be able to help someone else out, that makes me feel even better.  

No matter what you are reading, the important thing is that it opens up a whole world knowledge and opportunity, and what you do with that knowledge is what matters.  

So make it count.

If you like what you read here, please feel free to comment, and share.  Thank you for your interest.

Is Your Unique Selling Proposition Working?

Is your unique selling proposition working for your business?

Sure you’ve got a great product, a great website and a great sales spiel (that’s not salesy). So what!

Do you even have a unique selling proposition? What is it that sets you apart from all the other producers of widgets?  Does it have a particular characteristic, shape, color, sound, quality, or benefit? What can your widget do that no one else’s can? Oh really!? Well then, are you letting your prospects know about it?

If you really want to enhance your unique selling proposition above all the others and grab your prospects by the…throat to get their attention (ha, ha, I bet you thought I was going to say something else, didn’t you?), you stand a much better chance if you’ve got something noteworthy – more singular than John Smith’s widget.

Your fabulous product has to have that special something, something…

And employing this element of copy is an essential component of promotion. When included in, let’s say a direct-mail grouping, it can certainly improve your conversion rates.

To have your prospects rushing to buy your product, make sure your promotional copy incorporates the following as part of  its unique selling proposition:

√ A benefit to the prospect that is directly related to the use of your product. How will this product improve your prospects’ life or situation?
√ The benefit has to be significant.  You’ve got to convince your prospect that he cannot do without your product.
√ That benefit has to be one that is unique to you.  The prospect will not find this anywhere else.

Your Unique Selling Proposition Should
Have You Standing Out From The Rest of The Crowd

Another thing you should consider that contributes to people’s purchasing habits is exclusivity: when something appears to be exclusive (or in short supply), people are more apt to want to be part of it, or to own it.

Before you list your benefits, remember to back your claims with testimonials, statistics or charts or other proof.  Do all the research you can to find the appropriate data to support your copy.

In fact, the more research/facts you are able to find, the more you material you will have for your copy, making the writing process much smoother and with fewer stoppages

With your unique selling proposition now established, you’ve also got something you can possibly parley into future and ongoing marketing plans and other promotional pieces.  After all, it’s what you want to be known for and what sets you apart from your competition.

Your distinct product’s qualities or benefits should be enough to compel prospects to feel the need to buy from you.

They won’t want to go looking for a similar product anywhere else because yours is exactly what they need. And, as always, keep your copy voice and tone authentic, friendly and not salesy.  People do want to buy, but they don’t want to be sold to.

To know more about how you can enhance your sales copy or talk about how I can help you to get your prospects to take action, contact me.

Convenience And Satisfaction Equal Marketing Results

The Dark Desire of Convenience

It's all about convenience and satisfaction. And no one wants to admit that these traits – Lethargy, Vanity, Frugality play a role in a buying process. But did you know they do play key roles in marketing and ad copy?

You may not realize it, but every ad for (example) a skin-tightening, wrinkle-erasing facial cream or quick-fix, low payment diet product appeals to these traits.

I’ll let you in on a little secret… I’m vain.  Yup. I colored my hair for years because I couldn't stand to see the little straggly bits of grey that marring the otherwise rich dark brown/auburn color of my straight, short mop. 

It was bigger than me. On many occasions I told myself, "I’m going to let it go this time". But I gave in to my vanity. The next thing I knew I was sitting in the chair at favourite stylist's salon.

It didn't hurt that she was close by, didn't charge an arm and a leg, and always told me I looked great afterward.  

How was any of this important?

• It was convenient 

•  It was a great value

•  It satisfied my vanity 

All in all. It solved a nagging problem for me.

Now that's great marketing and she probably didn't realize it. So what can you do with your marketing to appeal to prospects' need for convenience and satisfaction?

Who Wants Convenience and Satisfaction?

The thing is, all buyers are looking for the same things. Deep down, it's all about convenience and satisfaction in the buying experience as they seek a solution to the problem at hand.

Customers don't generally admit that they're looking for a good deal. They don’t really want to have to shop ‘til they drop to find one either. And they certainly don't share that they buy stuff because they hope it will put an end to their secret angst once they take advantage of that product or service.

But rest assured, you’d be hard pressed not to find copy that appeals to these issues. Because a message that appeals on an emotional level carries great influence.

People buy for emotional reasons. And it's easy for them to justify the purchase when you let them know the benefits of your product or service satisfy those intense emotional concerns and needs.

So while you’re ramping up your copy for that one-of-a-kind, life-altering product, let prospects know -- as early as possible in your message -- what they get from it. Tell them how it will alter their lives; how easy it is to buy; how they will be sexier, or more attractive for having used your product or service. That's right... by appeal to their deepest emotions, desires and anxieties.

Build up an irresistible offer, and promise even more. Highlight features and describe their respective benefits in detail. Be sure to support your claim(s) with verified data and put the icing on the cake with great testimonials.

Convey The Benefits Through Your Message

When you craft your message, think about these elements as part of your sales copy. They can help to enhance the level of convenience and satisfaction in the overall experience: 

√  Make it super easy to make the purchase (minimal steps, clear instructions and easy payment options) 

√  Offer great value - the prospect thinks he’s running away with something very high-end, at your special low price 

√  Make your message sound like the offer is exclusive to them (the more unique or in short supply a product appears, the more people tend to desire the goods, or want to be a part of something) 

√  Make the prospect believe your product will make them a better person, or put their worries or fears to rest, and others will also ask what they did to change.

Hey, just a reminder though. Don't be cheesy or salesy in you message. Always be genuine and truthful about the information you're sharing. Refrain from forcing people to like your product or service. Let the facts (features and benefits) speak for themselves. No one likes to be sold to, but people do will buy when you solve a problem that troubles them on a deep level, and offer convenience and satisfaction.

I'd love to see your comments or questions. And let me know if this article was useful to you.

If you need more information about effective writing solutions, connect with me. I'm happy to provide basic guidance.

How To Get Results From Your Copy

Ask yourself... What is one of the biggest worries you face after writing your copy for that spectacular ad or promotional piece.... The results it will get, right?

While writing you ask yourself:  What should I include to ensure responses, comments, opt-ins, subscriptions, sales conversions or other measurable results?

You go about preparing your copy, which includes (in your estimation) your fabulous Headline. Your introduction paragraph will have your prospect/audience eating out of your hand -- you've made a connection and built your trust level. You've introduced and described your product, then you laid out its benefits and proof of its effectiveness -- removing any possible objections for its purchase. The prospect's problem is now solved.  In your mind, it's a done deal.

You're finishing up your masterpiece with those last few dots on the "I"s and crosses on the "T"s, and thanking your audience for their attention.  They've stuck with you to the end of your copy.... but now what?  

There's a vital element missing: the one thing that if left out, will ensure the failure of your entire promotional piece.    

So what's missing? You've left your prospect standing alone in the middle of a field, just staring blankly to the sky -- you haven't provided clear direction on what the next step should be. They just don't know what to do.

Buddy has no idea where to go or what to do...

For the love of Pete.... Tell them What Action you want them to take.  

To make this thing work, you need them to do something. Anything -- to capture their contact information or keep them interested in returning to the client (especially for repeat business).

When you're writing copy, it's for a reason, right?  Therefore, any consultations with your client need to include determining the purpose of the promotion.  Make sure they let you know what their end-goal is.

Once you identify what it is the client wants to accomplish with this piece, you can begin to build your copy. You're now armed with the vital information. You know where your copy is taking you, and you can provide clear and easy directions to the prospect on how to get there.  No extra junk, no clutter.

Here are a few options (among others) to consider using as a call to action, depending on the established purpose:

• Ask prospects to sign-up for your e-mail or blog (building your lead generation);
• Ask them to click on a link to your website, for additional information about what they need to do (if it's electronic promotion or social media); 
• Provide a form to complete, to order your fabulously wonderful product or service, or just to seek more information about your company and services. 

And remember, provide clear, concise instruction.  Make it easy for them.

Without a Call to Action, your copy goes nowhere and has no purpose, so make sure you get this part right. It's a big meat-and-potatoes part of the copy.

I look forward to your input or comments, or any other calls to action you think might be useful and wish to share.