Moving: One of my favorite things to do…

… No, really. I love to move. I don’t move often, and I love the fact that we found a place where we can put our roots down for a while. But the act of moving, for me, is an interesting and even cathartic experience. It’s one of the few times when you have an easy to excuse to get rid of the old and bring in the new. It can be an emotional process, because when you begin to go through things, you silently evaluate your life. How far you’ve come, how you’ve changed, what to keep and what to throw away – both physically and emotionally. Moving gives you the unique opportunity to revisit your past while gaining a fresh perspective and a fresh start.

It’s amazing to me how many items I have that I don’t need or even want – and that’s strange because I really don’t like shopping. It’s always the little stuff, stuff that “doesn’t take up any room, so I might as well keep it” that tends to add up. As a writer, I can only feel creative when everything is in its own “home”, with no trinkets hanging around in random places. And, of course, in addition to writing I’m an organizer (always nice to get out and move from time to time), and I dislike clutter. To support my lifestyle and stay sane I try not to buy too much of the little stuff, and to give away unused gifts without guilt – and I have to say, this made moving a lot easier.

Here are some things that really helped me during this move, tips that you may benefit from whether or not you’re moving:

1. Buy an item, purge an item. When I buy a fun, casual piece of clothing, I have a rule: for each piece of clothing I buy, I have to give one away. An eye for an eye, only with clothes. This way, my closet is always current and filled with things I actually wear.

2. If someone else will enjoy it more than you, give it away. If you have a beautiful sweater you’ve only worn once in the last year, assume that there’s someone out there who will wear it a bit more often than that. Yes, it’s a beautiful sweater; that doesn’t mean you need to keep it in the back of your closet. Give it a new life!

3. Do away with “someday”. You know what I mean – “I’ll use this olive-stuffer someday, so I’ll keep it.” Your olive stuffer is now yet another item crammed into a kitchen drawer, taking up valuable space. Toss it. “Someday, I’ll wear this sequined dress to the opera.” Never been to the opera? It’s safe to say that space in your close would be better off filled with a simple cute dress that you’ll actually wear.

4. Organize before you move. Moving is sooo much nicer when you know what’s in each box. If you move in organized, you’ll be more likely to stay that way. Moving is difficult enough without having to sort through everything. Go area by area, take everything out, and ask yourself what items you really want to take with you and which can go. Once you’re done making your Give Away/Throw Away piles, you can begin to sort and make it look nice inside each moving box. Keep in mind that when you unpack, you’ll probably do some more purging. Purging is good. I know it doesn’t always feel that way at the time, but space is nicer than crammed closets and shelves.

Okay, that’s all for today. Happy weekend!

Blogger’s Block? Here are some ideas…

Hello, hello.

First, I just have to say, thank GOD the sun is shining. As a writer, it can be fun to type away in the window, watching the rain fall over San Francisco… but after a while it’s kind of depressing. Today, feeling the sun on my shoulders while walking in my neighborhood, I actually felt like whistling. I can’t whistle, so I made funny little chirping sounds. Ok, moving on…

Writing a blog for your business is a great idea. It’s great for SEO, it’s a fun distraction, and it is a way to reach potential business and inform existing customers. So maybe you’ve set up a blog, and you have written a few great articles but now you’re stuck. What can you write about?

When I write blogs for my clients, they will send ideas to me throughout the week but sometimes they get stuck. So I come up with ideas too. I have come up with some tried-and-true subjects that make great blog material and would like to share them with you.

Some examples of good article concepts are:

• FAQ’s: Frequently Asked Questions are always good fodder for blog articles – and they help your customers, too.
• Customer Stories: Do you have any good stories about your customers and their experience with your product? Check out this example of a story I wrote for one of my clients.
• Product of the Day/Week: Use your blog to showcase some of your most popular products.
• Your Philosophy: What’s your approach to customer service? What sets you apart from other businesses?
• News Headlines: Any headlines related to your product or service make great blog content!

Be creative, and have fun with it! You never know who’s reading your words. And if you get stuck or don’t have the time to create or maintain your own blog, that’s what I’m here for. Email me to get some help!

Until next time,

Robin

A New Site for My Clients

Hello, and Happy Friday!

I just launched a new website where I will feature my writing clients and their businesses. I offer writing services for small businesses all over the Bay Area and beyond, and thought it would be fun to dedicate a page to them. Through this website, I can feature my clients’ services, and blog about what they offer to help increase their web visibility and improve their SEO. I’m really excited.

The idea started when I began writing web content for PrintableMemories.com, a website that offers custom photo gifts. I created their very own blog and designed it with their website in mind – after this, I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to mention the business in an additional blog (Google loves cross-linking).

Hope you enjoy it, and if you’re interested in starting your own business blog or being featured in mine, please drop me a line.

Thanks!

~Robin

Don’t Forget to Say “Thank You.”

You did it – you had the interview. It went pretty well, you were prepared and got along nicely with the interviewer. Sure, there were a few things you forgot to say (and don’t feel bad – there always are), but for the most part you feel like you’ve got a good shot at the job.

But wait – you’re not done! There’s still one very important step you need to take, a step that can seal the deal: The Thank-You Letter.

Thank-you notes are old-fashioned. Maybe you’re like me and your parents made you write one for every family member who gave you a birthday present. And, like me, you often feel guilty for not sending them now. But nowadays, this seemingly quaint gesture is surprisingly powerful.

What A Thank-You Note Says About You

When you take the time to write a thoughtful note to the interviewer and all other potential coworkers you meet during an interview, it gives them insight into who you are. It also tells them:

• You care. You aren’t just running out and grabbing a beer after the interview – you’re still thinking about it and it means something to you.
• You are a good communicator.
• You’re detail-oriented. If you word it right (see below), you can show them that you remember everything about the interview.
• You’ll be pleasant to work with. A thank-you letter is not just advantageous; it’s thoughtful and kind. It lets them know you are grateful for their time and effort. In short, you’re a nice person.

How to Write a Great Thank-You Letter

So now you’re ready to write your note – but where do you start? Take out your notes from the interview. If you don’t have any, take out a piece of paper and write down everything you remember, from beginning to end. Once you have all your information, you can start writing. Here is an outline to get you started:

• Start by saying thank-you. Duh, right? But you’d be surprised how many people don’t do this. Thank them for taking the time to talk with you.
• Tell them how you think it went. For instance, now that you’ve met everyone, you are convinced you’re the perfect fit.
• Answer their questions one more time. Address each question you can remember and answer it again. Talk about your skills and abilities and how they line up (perfectly) with their needs.
• Talk about why you like them. What impressed you most about the company? Tell them what you love about the atmosphere, the systems that seemed to be in place, and of course, the job.
• Close with a promise. Tell them what you will do for them, how you will help their company succeed.

Write it By Hand!

So it’s been 10 years since you’ve handwritten anything? Dust off your favorite pen, by some nice, simple stationery, and write it down. I guarantee, it’ll probably be the only hand-written note they receive. It’s personal, it’s unusual, and it’s thoughtful. Tip: type it out first, do a spell check, and copy it down – it has to be legible and neat.

If your handwriting is bad and not going to get better, there are other ways to make your note stand out. Like:

Special Delivery

Should you email it, or send it by snail mail? If it’s a young, exciting start-up environment, email can work fine. Snail-mail takes too long: you need them to see it within 24 hours of your interview – and Fed-Exing it might look a little too eager/stalker-ish.

The best option? Bring it to them in person if at all possible. Why? Because they get to see your beautiful face one more time; it shows you really want the job; you are willing to go the extra mile (literally) for them.

If you had an okay interview, a good follow-up can give you a real chance of getting the job. It’s a small token of gratitude that goes a long, long way.

If you would like help writing your thank-you letter, I’d be more than happy to work with you. Email me and we’ll get started!

Some Job-Hunting Tips…

Hello,

So it’s the New Year, and you’re still looking for a job. You’re sending your resume out to what seems like hundreds of jobs a day, but you still haven’t gotten a phone call. If this is the case, chances are, you’re starting to get kind of tired of the process, and you feel as if you’ll never find a job again.

Don’t despair, and try not to worry. Instead, focus on the task at hand and try to see this as an opportunity to learn about yourself and your goals. I know – I know, that this economy is crappy enough to make you want to throw in the towel, start a drinking habit, or worse – start applying for jobs you don’t want, just to make the rent.

If you don’t have enough money to pay the rent, or if you’re living off your credit card, taking an interim job just to pay the bills and stay afloat isn’t a bad idea, and remember, sometimes these kinds of jobs turn out to be more fun than you expected. I remember, when business was slow, I took a front-desk job at the local JCC. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it, but I ended up meeting new friends and getting a free gym membership as a perk. So you might be surprised.

Try searching for a job a different way. Here are some enjoyable (really!), unexpected ways to get a job you really want:

Go to the Source: Make a list of all the organizations and companies you’ve been dying to work for. Cool museums, art galleries, media companies, law firms, etc.. then, go to each company’s website and check out their employment page. Nothing? Contact them anyway, with a well-written letter stating your qualifications and why you’d love to work there. Who knows- they might even create a job for you in the future.

Ask Around: You probably have some friends who have jobs they love, or colleagues from that failed dot-com you worked for who you still talk to once in a while. Go ahead and ask them if their company is hiring, and to put in a good word for you.

Use Facebook: Update your status and say what kind of job you’re looking for. It doesn’t hurt, and you don’t know who will see it.*

*…which is fine, unless you’re presently employed. You don’t want your boss to see a post that says “hey guys! I’m SO ready to get out of this hell-hole”.

These are a few fun ways to search for jobs – they sure beat staring at Craigslist all day (don’t get me wrong, I love Craigslist). It’s a way to break up the monotony of your job search and make you feel like you’re in control – which you are.

That’s all for now. Happy rainy Tuesday, and good luck with your search! As always I’m here for help when you need it – just email me.

Cheers!

Robin