IMPORTANT: Writer's Block and Legalities

Hey all,

Here are some tips from us at IMI. This stuff is probably our most important stuff yet so don't be afraid to take some notes and feel free to leave some comments too.

Best,

J.

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Tips to Curing Writer's Block

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

THE INFORMATION MARKETING INSTITUTE'SINFO MARKETING E-HOTLINE

Tips to Curing Writer's Block... Better Safe Than Sorry: Some Common Problems You Can Avoid... And more!

By Adrian Newman, Founder and Director of the IMI

Most times, when I write, the words flow out so easily that I have a hard time stopping.
However, there are some times that I just can't get started, because I've got some sort of writer's block. And, yes, even though I'm writing about something I'm both knowledgeable and passionate about, I can still get stuck.

And when you're in information marketing, selling advice and knowledge, writer's block can literally hold you back from making money.

So here are a few tips I've learned to help cure writer's block:

Tip #1: Stop Trying to Write: Whenever I get stuck, if after about half an hour I'm still staring at a blank page, I turn my monitor off and walk away from the computer.
I'll go grab a coffee, take a walk, even get in my car, put on the radio and take a short drive.
Basically, what I'm trying to do is clear my mind. You see, when the writer's block occurs, my mind will be 100% focused on trying to write. Once that anxiety and worry is gone, I can get back to the computer and, more often than not, start writing again.

Tip #2: Talk to People: Sometimes when I encounter writer's block and I can't clear my mind, I'll talk to someone. But I don't just talk about anything. I'll ask them something related to the topic I'm writing about.

For example, if I had to write a report on creative ways to get financing for your business, and I get stuck, I would call a friend who I know has some experience in the field.
I won't interview them or even tell them the purpose of my call. I'll just ask them, "What's new?" or "How's business?" More often than not, during the course of our conversation, I'll start writing again.

Even if they don't have anything to say, they might ask me "What's new?" I get talking and then, lo and behold, I'm writing again, because the conversation triggered something to help overcome the writer's block.

Tip #3: Transcribe a Book. I know this sounds silly, but if my writer's block is absolutely horrible, I'll actually open up a book and start copying it.
Now, I'm not saying that I plagiarize, because I pick up any book and turn to any page and just start typing. I don't even save or print what I type. All I'm doing is getting my fingers going on the keyboard.

Sort of like a rolling start with a car. You know, when you have to have friends push it while you start the engine? Well, my "friends" are my fingers and the "engine" is my brain. I find that just by physically typing, I can overcome writer's block.

Try any one of these tips if you have trouble writing your information product. They work for me, and will hopefully work for you, too.

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Better Safe Than Sorry: Some Common Problems You Can Avoid

By James Burt, Online Marketing Specialist

You always want to make your business the best it can be. Naturally, you're going to hit some pitfalls along the way. Mistakes are just an everyday part of life. But if you are committed to making your business a success, then you are probably alert to some bad things that may lie ahead for you already.

Here are some tips on avoiding some popular and potentially disastrous business mistakes.

--- Watch Your Budget: This is probably the most important advice ever. While the old maxim of, "You have to spend money to make money? is true, don't go overboard. Construct a reasonable, workable budget and stick to it as closely as possible. Too often, entrepreneurs forget this when they are starting out and they wind up broke or, worse yet, bankrupt.

--- Keep it Legal: Make sure you keep your business legitimate and don't be tempted to do anything that may get you into trouble. Be wary of issues like copyright, trade-marking, etc. If you are unsure of whether the material you are putting on your blog or web site is someone else's, do some research or consult a legal professional to be sure. These precautions will save headaches later on.

--- Be Sure of Yourself: In providing information to clients, much like a school term paper, always use reliable sources. You could lose clients or seriously ruin your reputation by providing false information. Always be sure of your information from reliable resources, e.g. industry professionals, and government publications.

--- Stay on Top: Time stops for no one or nothing. Rightly or wrongly, trends change and it's important for you to keep up with them. Make sure you watch what your competitors are doing, attend information sessions or seminars, and take on new challenges that will enhance your business.

--- Enjoy and Take Care of Yourself: It's important to work at what you love, but don't overdo it. Nobody is superhuman, so it's important you eat properly, exercise, and get sleep. Remember: having your own business is a lifelong commitment. Always look to the future to see how you will still be enjoying and working at what you love years from now.

As mentioned earlier, making mistakes is a part of life. If you make them, learn from them. In the meantime, you can use these basic tips to avoid potential problems in the future.
But don't forget: working to prevent potential ones from happening is never a waste.
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Dear Reader: There is no magic formula to getting rich. Success in any wealth-building or business opportunity can only be achieved through proper and rigorous research, and plain, old-fashioned hard work. The opinions in this e- newsletter are just that -- opinions of the authors. Information contained herein, while believed to be correct, is not guaranteed as accurate.
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Copyright (c) 2009 Information Marketing Institute, a division of Lombardi Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved. Full reproduction of this e-newsletter in any manner, without written permission from the copyright holder, is not allowed.
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