Simple Sally wanted to start her own business blog but was very concerned with the process being too difficult. While Sally is an engineer and fully capable of mastering complex tasks, she believes creative writing is an art that only the most talented can master. I helped Sally see the possibility of blogging to help her formulate new ideas, promote her and her business and keep her current clients up to date with her business and personal activities.
Two days after our initial blog instruction meeting Sally called. “I’ve got a problem and need to meet with you today for about 20 minutes.”
Simple Sally and I met for coffee at the MoonBuck’s Coffee house. When struggling with a new concept, sitting peacefully and enjoying a double chocolate mocha with a butter croissant helps put everything back into perspective.
When I arrived at MoonBuck’s, Sally was at a table, but she looked out of sorts. Sally designs gears for large industrial shredders. She usually dresses in blue-jean casual but today wore white heels and a sundress.
I greeted Sally and she jumped right into her troubles. “You said I could write blog articles. You said it would be easy. This blogging thing is ANYTHING but simple.”
I knew Simple Sally liked to keep things neat and straightforward so I documented things such that it was easier to blog correctly.
“Let’s start at the beginning and figure out a way to fix things. Why don’t you make a list of five things I’ve told you about business blogging while I go buy us a couple of mochas?”
Coffee shops have always been my favorite meeting place for developing new ideas. The environment is usually calm and the aroma helps stimulate creative thinking.
While standing in line waiting to order, I pondered Sally’s dilemma. So far she had not given me very much to work with. I needed to dig down to the root cause issue that was preventing her from being able to write her blog article.
“What can I get for you?” asked the young girl behind the counter.
“Two double tall chocolate problem solvers please.”
The girl giggled.
After paying for the drinks I turned and headed to the table. Sally was sitting there with a blank sheet of paper and a puzzled stare into space.
“Here is your double tall problem solver. How are we doing with the list?”
“About as good as I am writing my first article.” With those words Sally turned the blank sheet of paper towards me and pushed it across the table.
“You really look nice today Sally, are you meeting clients later?”
“No, I have the day off and my boyfriend and I are going out later for dinner and a show. I had some extra time while he was working in the yard and decided to write my article before I got into the office tomorrow.”
With that announcement I took a cautious swing of my chocolate mocha. “Sally, the problem isn’t the process, the problem is timing. You are trying to do business on your day off. Name one business thing you do well while preparing for a date with your boyfriend. You are in time-off mode but you are tying to perform an important business development task. Writing a business blog article is about building relationships with strangers. You can not possibly be successful if you only give the process part of your heart.”
I turned the blank sheet of paper back towards Sally. “Why don’t you write that one at the top?” Sally picked up her pencil and began to write.
“How do you feel now? Do you think you can go back to your office tomorrow and get writing?
Simple Sally smiled and said, “Sure.”
Names and jobs of the characters in this story have been changed so that I can be silly! The blogging principles contained with-in this article are designed to help you use blogging to reach new clients and grow your business. If you would like to learn more about BusinessBlogging.net and Zenith Exhibits, Inc. Please give us a call (503) 709-1454 or visit one of our websites.
Ed Bejarana
Zenith Exhibits, Inc. &
BusinessBlogging.net
Tags: blogging tips, Business Blogging
[...] When using fictional characters in your story, follow traditional character development procedures, which can be found in any number of books available from your local library. Another approach would be to search the web for tips on creating characters; our web site can be viewed by clicking here. [...]
[...] from the story was to pick a calmer environment to do your business blogging organization. For Simple Sally last week, the lesson was don’t try to blog on your time off. Your environment and personal [...]