Who is your writing buddy?

This is mine.

One of the challenges most reluctant writers face is describing their business – what they do, how they help – to their target market.

They know – you know – that you can explain it live. So how come you can’t transfer talk into words?

If this sounds like you, you need a writing buddy. Here’s what I want you to do.

Get a stuffed animal. Make it as wacky as possible. Why? Because writing is hard enough without taking yourself too seriously. A goofy looking companion allows you to inject some much-needed silliness into your word play. 

Size doesn’t matter, but the eyes do. They should be big, over-sized orbs that you can stare into. Prop the stuffed animal on your desk, positioned so you can stare into those glossy peepers. (Yes, I know, my cat’s eyes are knitted wool, but what can I say? Marmalade has been on my desk for nearly 8 years now. She gets me.)

Now, begin.

Tell your writing buddy about your latest offering – how you can solve a client’s problem in a way that no one else can. Record and transcribe the conversation if that’s easier for you. Or you can look your writing buddy in the eye and, without peeking at the keyboard, write down all the reasons why someone should do business with you.

This is a brainstorming exercise. Neatness doesn’t count, but dialog does.

As you “talk” to your writing buddy, imagine you are having a two-way conversation. Allow him to ask you questions about your offer; talk through how your competitors might describe their services. Practice persuasion, what are the words that sound most powerful and convincing?

Yes, you’re going to laugh, and that’s ok. The lesson here is this: If you can say it, you can write it. But you need to be able to say it to “someone” who will listen and not judge.

Writing – effective communication – is about hearing our inner voice clearly. For some of us, we have to speak to be heard.

And if that means talking into an orange cat’s eyes, so be it.

~sr~