No Typo Guarantee

I'm not perfect, I admit. But I am a bit of a perfectionist.

I'm committed to crafting quality articles, website content, and newsletters. If you find a typo in any written piece that I create for you, I’ll give you 10% off that item.

I know how important it is for you to look professional and if I don’t produce the highest quality, you won’t tell your colleagues about me.

I’ll make sure we both look good and you have more time to do your thing.

Ztek Design

I met with Jeff from Ztek Design last week. Jeff does website developing. His rates are very reasonable and most sites can be up within a couple of weeks. Jeff can also help with calendars, guestbooks, email blasts, and some graphic design.

On Time Guaranteed!

On-time delivery has become a very important performance criterion. How many times have you asked yourself, “Isn’t this supposed to be fast-food?” Or “Wasn’t that package supposed to be here today?”

I’ve mentioned before that one of the benefits of working with a freelancer is the quick turnaround. I can’t afford to hold on to a project. If I don’t work - I don’t get paid. I know how important it is that promises are kept and contracts are fulfilled (especially with ad campaigns). If your product or service is going to be the next big thing, it needs to get out there fast. If your sale is coming up soon, you need your copy pronto.

Please be assured that when you work with Fletcher Freelance, I know how important your schedule is. I always put forth the effort required to satisfy the client who “needs it done yesterday.”

As of today, 12/14/09, I am offering a guarantee to all my clients. I will have your work done when I say it will be done. If I have to stay up late or work on Sunday afternoon, I will (I’ve done it before). If your project is one day late I’ll give you 10% off that item. If for some reason I really underestimate and I surpass my deadline by two days, I’ll give you 20% off that piece!

Most projects I take on can be completed in a few days to a few weeks. Please call for time and cost of any rush projects.

Does My Small Business Need a Website?

In a word, yes.

Does your business have a phone number? If that seems like a silly question that’s because you understand how much business you would lose without a phone number. Today, a website is just as important (if not more important) than a phone number.

The credibility and professionalism of a business is called into question if they don’t have a website. Many consumers use the Internet in place of a phone book. If a business doesn’t have a website they are missing a large market potential. Additionally, there are often individuals that know your company name, but not how to get in touch with you. Small businesses need a website.

I know that if I’m looking to do business with a company I almost always check out their website first. Even if a company has been in business for decades (if they don't have a website) there is a lingering feeling of uncertainty.

Surprise #1

There is no need to spend $1,000s on a website. Even one simple webpage highly increases your selling potential. One page can showcase your logo, unique selling proposition, mission statement, specialties, products or services, and contact information.

The return on investment can be very high. It usually costs very little to host and maintain a website after the initial setup. A simple website may not need frequent changes or updates either.

Surprise #2

You don’t need to sell anything on your website! Don’t think that your small business needs to set up complex forms, stores, checkouts, or payment options. All you need to do is be present so that when a potential customer types in the town name and business genre they are looking for (TA-DA) you show up.

Surprise #3

It isn’t hard to get top rankings for a local market! If you were under the impression that it would take extensive time and a large budget to get a high page rank, think again. Because small businesses usually cater to local markets and fill a specific niche they are easy to find. Again, if consumers type in the city and service, likely you’ll be on the first page of search results.

Of course your site should be well written and contain the keywords that your audience will use. You will want to list your website on your marketing materials just as you would indicate your phone number. Bonus: websites are usually easier to remember than phone numbers. There are also many free directories online where you can list your website.

If you have a business, you should have a website. If you need website content or Internet Marketing help, you need fletcherfreelance.com.

TLC Professional Services

TLC Professional Services is one of those great businesses that have been around forever and finally decided it was time for a website.

Ed was very easy to work with and got the simple site he wanted.

For commercial cleaning in the Madison, WI area call TLC today. TLC gets it done right, the first time.

Did you see me? I was on WFRV Channel 5 News.

This is one of the three clips I was in that aired yesterday.  Thanks Channel 5. (It's the one about Owens)



Too bad they spelled my name wrong. I'm not "Tara Fletcher."

Ode to Owens, Inc. - The Passing of my "Day Job"

This is not how I pictured this day to be. There was no pomp. No circumstance. No great feeling of liberation. No symbolic leap taking.

I expected someday to write a blog post exclaiming that I had finally quit my day job. I imagined how that would smell, taste, and feel. There is no glory. No feeling of relief or grand accomplishment. The doors just closed.

I came to Owens as an optimistic 21 year old. I brought a fresh perspective and willingness to learn. I started entering daily production information 20 hours a week. The list of what I’ve done and learned since then is long. Professionally- I’ve grown immensely.

I became the resident Excel guru and proofreading extraordinaire. I was the keeper of data. The go-to girl. If you needed a graph or chart of sales for the last five years sorted by state and specie and profit margin and color-coded to match the salespersons’ hair color- you came to me. I dabbled in customer service and marketing. I did my time answering phones. I even filled-in on the production line, sanding doors. I could tell you the standard labor and overhead rate for a square foot of finished flooring. I could tell you the Kanban quantities that were set for French door mullion.

Personally- I’ve changed. Since I’ve been working with Owens my tastes and hobbies have grown. I’ve come to know myself better. (I now understand why they say the human mind isn’t fully developed until age 25.) I’ve rekindled my love for writing and started freelancing. My husband and I bought a house. We had our first child.

For five years I was a dedicated Owens’ employee. I hardly ever said no. I faced challenges and new assignments head-on. I’ve taken classes and attended meetings. Owens was a good place for someone like me. Someone that doesn’t do well if they get bored. Someone that needs more work than they can handle. Someone that always wanted to learn.

Now, I’m asking, “What’s next?” I have such a mix of conflicting feelings. I’ve given a lot of myself to this company. Owens was a good company that made really good products. I can’t say I’ll miss the year-end inventories that had me working (on one occasion) 18 hours straight. I don’t think I’ll miss all the sawdust. Of course, many of the people there I will miss.

When I was pregnant I thought about how nice it would be if I could work from home. For a little while I thought I was close to realizing that dream. Then things changed. After selling so many articles so fast, suddenly no one was hiring freelancers any more. I never lost the passion for writing. It got buried away a little bit, but would always resurface.

I think this entrepreneurial spirit must be in my blood. There really is no logical explanation for someone to start their own business. It must be genetic. I witnessed my parents’ business ventures and all the hassles and headaches that came with them. For some reason, that is what I want. And I have a strong desire to see businesses succeed.  Maybe that's why I like business writing so much.

I always thought someday, in my own sweet time, I’d quit that day job. Now unemployment has been thrust upon me. I didn’t take the leap, but I was nudged. The question is, “Do I jump?” All these clichés and metaphors are coming to me now. Sink or swim. Taking the leap. No there was no press release, no going away party, no well-wishers, no investors. It’s just me. Me with a pen and a little more time to do my thing.



*Thank you Owens for five great years and for this fresh start.

Shawano Area Writers

Recently I decided to attend a meeting of the Shawano Area Writers. I’m so glad that I did. This talented group meets at the Shawano Library once a month and they are also very involved in the community.

The members don’t limit their craft to writing; many are artists and musicians. Today the Shawano Area Writers paid a visit to The Cottages, an assisted living home. Here they performed for the residents. Poetry, articles, and stories were read. One writer also told a tale punctuated by songs she wrote for the violin. It was a lot of fun.

I look forward to getting to know this group better. The objective of the group is to help each other grow in their art and to become published authors.

If you’d like to read the poems I performed today they can be found here and here.

KDesign & Photography

Thank you Kristy! KDesign & Photography came to my aid once more. Kristy helped me with my new logo and graphics for my site.

Special on Writing Services!

I’m running a special on writing services for the month of December. If you sign up for a free subscription to my blog you’ll get 10% off any writing services contracted during the month of December 2010. Services do not have to be completed during the month of December, but the contract must be signed within the month. Please call or email with any questions. I can be reached at 715-584-6773 or terra@fletcherfreelance.com.

Dynamic Designs

I met with Tammy from Dynamic Designs last Tuesday. I enjoyed getting to know her better. Tammy’s impressive business started as a small designing operation that she ran out of her home. That was in 1995. Today Tammy and her co-owners operate a successful shop in Pulaski, Wisconsin. They do screen printing, embroidery, promotional products, and design. Tammy really knows her stuff! She is also involved in many community activities and two local Chambers of Commerce, including Shawano.

What I like about Tammy is her positive attitude and driven spirit. Tammy doesn’t like to say, "no." She finds a way to do whatever her customers need. Her business flourished because she didn’t say, "no." That’s not to say Tammy doesn’t have high standards. View her site for testimonials from satisfied customers. Tammy knows that the quality of her products and services directly affect the success of her clients. Just like myself, Tammy knows if her clients aren’t happy, neither she nor they can be a success. This is just one benefit of working with someone local, someone small enough to care.

Tammy and I are teaming up to serve you better. Most small and mid-size businesses can’t afford an ad agency nor do they have marketing departments. As small business owners, we also recognize the necessity to spend time focusing on what it is you do. Let us do our thing so that you can better do your thing. By working with Dynamic Designs or Fletcher Freelance you only need to make one call. Let us help you put together your next direct mail campaign, business cards, advertisements, and more.

In addition, Tammy and I are offering a limited number of Strategic Marketing Consultations. The ONE thing you must have if you want to succeed is a plan. Benefit from Tammy’s experience in guiding her customers to the right professional image through promotional products, corporate apparel, logos, and more. As a widely published copywriter with direct response marketing, Internet marketing, and web content experience, I provide the rest of the package. We know that with the right combination of exposure and awareness your professional image will get results. Let us help you learn how to market your business with the best return on your investment. Benefit from our experience so that you can do your thing.

Call or email either Tammy or myself today to learn more.

Linkedin

I recently joined Linkedin. I just thought I'd let you know.

If you are on Linkedin and we've done work together, please be sure to let me know.

Thanks!

Why Happy Employees make you More Money

According to a 2005 report by The Conference Board about one-quarter of the U.S. workforce reported being so dissatisfied that they're "simply showing up to collect a paycheck". Why is that a problem for business owners? Simply put, it pays to have happy employees.

Think about it: What makes you happy in your job?

Most employment is considered “at will”. Yes, people actually choose to go to a specific company to work. Remember all the effort that your employees put forth to get the job they have? Likely your employees filled out an application, submitted a carefully written resume with a well drafted cover letter, interviewed, and followed up with a thank you letter or phone call. Perhaps you even required written tests, drug screening, and physical exams. These people wanted their job!

You made sure you only hired people that wanted the job you were offering. You ensured that every person on your team was bringing something to the table. Rekindle the enthusiasm that your workers once had. You already know that happy employees make you more money here’s why.

Marketing

I recently blogged on how employees can be walking billboards. If employees of a given corporation are to say good things about where they work (when the opportunity presents itself due to conversation starters such as company logo apparel) your employees need to be happy.

Productivity

There will always be aspects of an individual’s job that they simply don’t enjoy. Many of us have just come to terms with that. Not so the employee that strives for happiness- and productivity.

Happy people are a lot more fun to be around. They communicate better with customers and coworkers. Happy employees are more energetic and efficient. Happy employees are more optimistic and motivated. Whether you believe you can or you believe you can’t, you’re probably right. Happy people are also more open minded and receptive to learning new things.

Creativity

Happy employees are more creative because they can think clearly and focus their energy in a positive way. They fix problems instead of complaining about them. When an employee doesn’t enjoy their job they look at problems as insurmountable setbacks. A happy employee doesn’t have the same mental block. They just fix the problem.

Health

We know that stress adversely effects our health. Happy employees are less stressed and less likely to get sick. Heavy job strain also causes burnout.

The health of us and that of our employees is worth the effort of finding out what it takes to get happy. If you can’t help your employees find more happiness in their current job, maybe its time you let them find another job.

Marketing Tips: Your Employees as Billboards

Corporate apparel

Just think of all the people that walk through your door to come to work each day. Their apparel can improve morale, establish dress codes, and blur psychological barriers between staff. That is - if you have a uniform. In addition, quality corporate apparel boosts your professional image and increases brand awareness. (Isn’t that what marketing is all about?)

Custom embroidery in particular portrays quality, but even a simple screen-printed T-shirt can have positive results. Scenario: After work your employees go shopping, pick up their kids, or run other errands. If you have 100 employees and ten people see them with your logo in a week, that’s 1000 pair of eyes!

In addition to caps, jackets, and shirts consider giving gifts with corporate branding as sales or safety incentives. Pens, coffee mugs, and key chains are appropriate for smaller achievements. Totes, luggage, briefcases, and padfolios make nice gifts.

Social media

A great way to get your employees to spread the news about your company is through a contest. (We are all motivated by an appealing prize!)

Employees compete in creating the best commercial for your business. Give a few basic rules such as: a slogan they must include or a product they must feature. Mention the contest on your company website or blog. You might even want to set up a facebook page just for this purpose. The better the prize and more creative the advertisements, the more likely you are to increase awareness of your company and products/services.

YouTube’s contest channel is a free and fun way to showcase the commercials. Not only will employees talk about this contest, they will want to make sure all their friends and family vote for them. Your employees will blog and twitter about your company and their own ads. There will be mention of the ads on your employees’ social networking sites such as facebook or myspace.

Happy employees make for one of the best advertisements. Bonus: “Employee Billboards” cost very little, but have a high return on investment. Make sure you consider your employees as an asset in your marketing plan. Don’t have a marketing plan? Call 715-584-6773 or email Terra today.

Blogging for Owens, Inc. - Brand NEW Blog!

Blogging! I really enjoy blogging, especially for a great company. I’m working with Owens, Inc. on a brand new blog! Owens, Inc. is a manufacturer of quality wood flooring and interior doors based out of Shawano, WI (my hometown). You may recognize their products by the brand names; Woodport, Plankfloor, and/or Owens Select. Owens is committed to providing a variety of quality products with excellent customer service. Follow teamowensinc.blogspot.com for the latest news relevant to this industry.

Direct Mail Marketing

I just wanted to share with everyone my latest direct mail campaign. I thought this was clever (my husband thinks I'm crazy). He said a lot of people "won't get it". Do you?

Benefits of Hiring a Freelance Writer

Affordability

Most small and mid-size businesses don’t have the need to hire a full-time writer. In addition to the payroll costs, consider the taxes, benefits, and office space that would be required to employ another person. Ad agencies also charge rates that are outside the budgets of many companies. A freelancer has very low overhead and can reflect that in their rates.

Quality

Freelancers live or die by word-of-mouth advertising. They work hard to create quality copy so you tell your colleagues about them. Freelance writers also produce copy for a wide variety of industries and are able to bring a fresh perspective to your business. A freelancer becomes an extension of your marketing team.

They know what works and require very little of your direct involvement. Your time is better spent doing your thing. However, if you need personal attention and additional advice a freelancer is more likely to be in a position to interact with you. Small and mid-size businesses have to compete with large corporations to get attention from ad agencies. Unlike an agency, when you work with a freelancer you have the benefit of directly interfacing with the person that is producing your copy.

Turnaround

Freelance writers want to work and are almost always available. Most freelancers are not tied down to a strict 9 to 5 schedule. I’ve gotten phone calls at 8pm and I’ve done writing on Sunday afternoons. If I don’t work, I don’t get paid. Freelancers are highly motivated entrepreneurs. A freelancer can’t afford to hold on to a project for long periods of time. If they don’t do their work, no one else will do it for them. If you are really in a rush, a freelancer’s rush charge will be significantly less than that of an agency.

Picture of Me!

I was just checking out Kristy's website. She's got a picture of me on there! I haven't gotten my proofs back from her yet, but I guess I got a sneak preview. She also did one-year-old pictures of my son. (That's him on her photography page.) C'mon, you know you're curious! Go check it out.

Thanks Kristy!

Chimney Mechanix

I'm very excited to be working with Jasper from Chimney Mechanix. He is the owner of a local chimney service company. Jasper was literally born into the business. He is really good at what he does. If you haven't had your chimney inspected this year be sure to give him a call.

Keep an eye on his site as we work on it.

Marketing Plans

I thought I’d let you in on what’s up my sleeve.  I’ve been busy with a few marketing ventures as of late. They seem to be consuming my time, but I think they are worthwhile endeavors. I keep reminding small business owners that this is not the time to cut back on marketing. I need to follow my own advice.

I had some dress shirts embroidered by Quality Images. They turned out really nice. Maybe the shirts will strike up a conversation or two.

I’m getting some car magnets made by B&J Custom Graphics. Both of these local companies were highly recommended to me. Their prices are reasonable and I like dealing locally as much as possible.

I’m looking forward to a photo shoot I have scheduled with K Design and Photography on the 20th. Kristy is going to be taking some new bio pictures for me.

Kristy and I are also planning on getting her website online. She’s great with design, but needs a little help with the content. Be watching for links to her new site.

Why Hire a Copywriter?

They say that if you build a better mousetrap the world will beat a path to your door.

Not true! For one thing, have mousetraps really changed over the years? If I were to buy a mousetrap I’d pick the basic cheap one over a fancy, brightly-colored trap for twice the price. On the other hand, if the new and improved mousetrap highlighted it’s eco-friendly materials, humane methods, and guaranteed results, I’d probably spring for it (pun possibly intended).

Today just about anyone can build a mousetrap or offer professional mousetrapping services. Each of those companies probably has a website and a direct response marketing campaign. Yours has to be better than theirs are.

There it is! That’s the big marketing secret. (Well, one that I’ll let you in on here. Stay tuned for more.)

Tangent Alert!  ***Do you have a professional looking website? Today people Google before they flip open the phonebook. If your business doesn’t have a website-- stop reading this right now and go get one! (You don’t really have to stop reading. In fact you should read this, but I want you to know how important a website is! Ok, off my soapbox and back on subject.)***

You are really good at doing your thing. You have the passion, persistence, will, drive, and ambition. You have all the ingredients necessary to succeed at doing your thing. Entrepreneurs raised me. I know that you are a different breed.

How do you stand apart from the competition? How do they know you are so great? In addition to truly offering the best mousetrap or service, you need to succinctly present the features and benefits your customers receive from choosing your company.

As we become better at the thing we do- we surpass our contemporaries. A successful businessperson knows they can’t be good at everything, nor do they want to. As your business grows your time becomes more valuable. You should be doing your thing. A recent client of mine likes to quote Ross Perot. He says that you don’t have to be good at everything to succeed. You just have to have the right people.

Let me give you an example of how the mind works.

One day a man named Andrew (okay, he’s my husband) was on the phone patiently explaining to a friend how to do an automotive repair. Now, I consider myself a car enthusiast. We attend several car shows a year.  I've had several articles about cars published.  I could change my oil or a tire, should I choose to do so. My brother is a racecar driver. My parents’ business sponsored racecar drivers when I was growing up. We went to the races every Sunday night. Yet, I had no idea what Andrew was talking about.

Andrew was so frustrated that his friend couldn’t figure out how to do this “simple” repair. Andrew said, “It’s so easy. You just look at it and you can tell how it comes off and how to change it.”

I told Andrew I wouldn’t have been able to figure it out either. He still couldn’t understand why his friend didn't get it, after all, it was so simple. I said, “Well, I can’t understand why you can’t spell. To me it just comes naturally.”

Words. Writing. Yeah, that’s my thing. And I do it well. Call (715) 584-6773 or email me today. I’d love to help you do your thing and make sure everyone knows to get their mousetraps from you.

Check out my website!

I’m a firm believer in, “No website should be stagnant.” That means mine, too. I like trying new ideas. I've been playing around with the colors and theme and I added some content.  Check it out and let me know what you think.

New Email Address!

I wanted to let everyone know that I have a new email address.  You can now write to terra@fletcherfreelance.com.  I thought it was about time I set up a mailbox through my domain name.  I still have (and use) my fletcherfreelance@live.com address.

Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce

Greetings, from the newest member of the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce!

I’m looking forward to networking with local professionals. There is a special place in my heart for the small–town entrepreneur (probably because I was raised by a couple of them).

Small businesses have tough competition. But what would become of our communities, really society in general, without these hard-working entrepreneurs? Lets support each other to ensure we all come out of this recession poised for whatever is next.

Despite limited cash flow, small business shouldn’t cut spending on public relations, advertising, and promotion. This is primetime to showcase your products and services. Let your potential customers know what you have to offer and why they need to come to you.

If you’d like to polish your websites, if you need help with an ad, brochure, or press release, please let me know. Every business has a story, just like every person does. Let me help you tell it.

National Punctuation Day!

Apparently Hallmark isn’t the only one inventing holidays. I hadn’t heard of National Punctuation Day until this morning. I rolled over to shut off my alarm clock and actually paused and woke up. The DJ announced that it is National Punctuation Day! (I thought that deserved an exclamation.) Check out this link for information about this holiday and hints on how to use punctuation.

"Thank you!" from Valley of the STARZ

I just had to share this email sent to me by Teo from Valley of the STARZ.

"Hello Terra, THANKYOU! for your expertise in taking my thoughts and bringing them to Life. Your proper presentation of the written word is EXACTLY what Valley of the STARZ LLC needed! No business is easy, but with Creative Content Writers such as yourself, I now truly understand and VALUE the importance of having one on my Team! "Thank You" for Helping Valley of the STARZ LLC stand up and move forward! Teo"

Thanks to you Teo!  Teo is a great guy, very easy to work with.  Contact him for all your entertainment needs.

Tea Quote

This is the quote that was on the tag of my tea bag this morning:

"The world is a tragedy to those who feel, but a comedy to those who think." Horace Walpole (1717-1797)

I had never heard of Walpole until today, but I found his quote to be profound. Here is a biography on Walpole, if you're bored.

I apologize to any true tea connoisseurs out there. Yes, I do drink tea steeped from a bag (at work anyway). I have loose leaf at home and a great little teapot (thanks Kathy).
It's one of those cooler Wisconsin days. It feels like fall is coming quickly. It also feels like time to boost the immune system. I took acidophilus yesterday. I took some extra vitamins today and the green tea for antioxidants. My son has a bit of a cold and I don't want it.

Valley of the STARZ

I’m very excited to be working with Teo from Valley of the STARZ. Teo has an impressive business background. A few years ago he decided to start an entertainment agency. Valley of the STARZ features quality musicians, professional impersonators, comedians, and actors. Teo has hired me to help with the content on his site. If you are looking for some entertainment for your next event, be sure to check out Valley of the STARZ.

Don’t forget to check back as I transform Teo’s website!

It's about time...

I've blogged for other businesses, but I decided it's about time I started my own blog.

I am a freelance writer and I love it! I write for many other sites and purposes. This blog is what I'm doing for my business and my clients.

You can view my website here:

http://fletcherfreelance.com/

Thanks,

Terra L. Fletcher