4 secrets to getting the writing done

Here’s what someone needs to tell you when you open up a business that you intend to grow online:

You will write.

A lot.

Yah, you will be selling, and speaking and managing your time like a ninja and all that…

…but the writing.

The writing is an advantage that some people have over others.

Because for an online business, the fuel in the gas tank is being able to express yourself in a way that fascinates other people.

That’s level one.

And from there, once you have their attention, you actually want them buying from you.

That’s level two.

And once they start buying from you online, then the clouds part and the rays of sunlight come shining through, and – wait — is that an angel singing?! – you realize you have no idea what you’ve been talking and writing about… and your soul craves clarity of message.

You want to be “on message.”

And you don’t exactly know what that means, but you want it. You pine for it. And you see the people who are a few steps of you, and they have it… and you wonder what they did to get from where you are… to there.

But that’s a story for another day.

Today, it’s just about the writing.

How to get it done.

How to get it good enough.

And how to develop a working relationship with your muses and your guides and your gremlin voices – so you can just get it done.

Whether you are working on getting your newsletter out on a regular basis to build that relationship you need with a list to actually get them to buy… or you want to fill a group program online and need to write copy for all that…

Here are some of my tried-and-true secrets to getting the writing done:

1) Do it first. If you hate writing, forget it. I can’t help you. But if you actually enjoy writing – and just can’t seem to fit it in – do it first. Before you check email, before you make a to do list, before you start “doing” anything… write your article. Craft your new signature talk. Your writing brain is different than your chief executive brain. (Note: this can be ANY time of day – when are you sharpest? Do it then).

2) Batch it. I like to write my newsletter on Tuesday mornings, but I have some students who prefer to write several articles in a 3 hour session, once a month. What works best for you? Design a production process that works for you – there’s no right way to do it, so long as you are consistent.

3) Separate “thinking” from “writing.” One of the biggest causes of writer’s block I see in business owners is that they try to cut straight to writing, without getting clear about what they are talking about, or why other people should care. Writer’s block is often a cover-up for a pile of unmade business decisions. Make the decisions. Get clear on your message. THEN show up to the page. You’ll be amazed at how much things flow when you are clear.

4) Talk it out. Find someone to ask you clarifying questions to get to the meat + potatoes of your message. In the Writing Brigade – I ask Brigadiers to walk me through their angle, position, and case for what people want to know before they buy… before they write a word on a preview call or sales page. This tip alone will save you so much time + heartache – just make sure you ask someone who knows what they’re doing (or is making more money online than you!)

There’s no one way to get it done – it’s about uncovering your own creative process, and then setting up your days and weeks to work towards that. One final note – beating yourself up about how you work is NOT productive. If you find that you are procrastinating, it often means one of 4 things: 1) you don’t have enough support 2) you need more training 3) you’re making yourself “wrong” for your natural creative process – instead of finding ways to work with it 4) you are a raging perfectionist.

Be gentle with yourself. This is a process. You won’t learn everything overnight – or ever. But as you learn to be easy with yourself over time, you’ll start to notice a shift. And before long, you’ll have trained yourself to just get it done, no matter what.

Ready to get YOUR next writing project done – and want my personal feedback on how to make it even better? Then come to the Writing Intensive, Feb 20 -22 in Miami, where I will personally talk you through your next writing project. I invite you to get unreasonable. Get on a plane. And get your website, sales page, email series, or preview call opt-in page DONE. More info + register here: www.stellaorange.com/writing-intensive.

Mighty thanks to katsrcool (Kool Cats Photography) flickr photostream for the vintage gas pump.