The Scribble Studio

Top 3 Hurdles to Creating Your Own Information Product: Hurdle #1

#1 - "I am not a writer."

I hear this a lot. My first response to this is - have you ever written a Resume or a cover letter for that resume? How about an email? Or a term paper?

Remember that assignment you wrote in high school? The one about the famous French painter, Eugene Delacroix, whose painting 'Liberty Leading the People' depicts a bare breasted French woman leading her people to revolt with a tumultous sky in the background? Okay, so maybe you only got a C minus on it. But that was only because your history teacher, Mr. Lentz, was trying to push you to "live up to your potential" and said something like, "You'll thank me for giving you such a low grade later in life', but I digress. My point is - you have written stuff. It might have been for a small audience. It might not have been as well recieved as any of the Harry Potter books, but you do write.

If you choose not to write - well that's a different story. Try saying to yourself, "Self, I choose not to write because writing takes time away from doing _____________ (whatever gift you are meant to share during your stay on the planet).

I remember (years ago) filing my own taxes because I didn't want to pay someone else to do it for me. I learned 3 things from doing my own taxes:

a) I hate paying taxes.

b) I would much rather spend the hours it takes to do my taxes doing something (anything) else.

c) I was being selfish by depriving those who love to do taxes the pleasure of their given talent and desire. Let me tell you something that, for me, was a secret up until a few years ago - there are people out there who will not only like doing your taxes (or your writing or whatever), they will actually love it.

Bless them.

With hours of time and frustration under the proverbial tax filing bridge I am free to do what it is that I do and enjoy best: using my brain for thinking up stuff and writing it down.

Whether you consider yourself a writer or not don't let that book (CD, article, newsletter etc.) idea gather dust - consider hiring someone to help - someone who will love to do it. Time to take action.  Here are some suggestions:

(1) Have a book ready for editing? Great! Email me right away to get your editing started! mike@msoci.com

(2) Prefer to spend your time on other projects but still think there's a book inside you? Super! Don't let the idea gather dust a moment longer! Pitch me your book idea and let's see how to make it fly.

(3) Want to write it yourself but not quite ready for an editor to look at your 'baby'? A great resource I recommend when you're in the creative process is: If You Want to Write: A Book About Art, Independence and Spirit by Brenda Ueland.

Testimonial

"Mike, I just wanted to write you and let you know how much I appreciate all you did for me. Your editing work on 'Be a Wealthy Therapist' has improved the book in such significant ways it simply AMAZES me.  I especially loved how you beefed up the introduction. As well, the overall structural changes you've made have really made the book 1,000% better. I am so grateful! Your input has made the benefits of the book so clear - this is definitely what I needed to increase my book sales.  You really did a fantastic job adding improvements while preserving my voice and style (you took my writing and made me sound even better!)  I am happy, happy, happy with the book.

Thanks again for all you did! 

-- Casey Truffo, Founder www.BeaWealthyTherapist.com

"I recommend [Mike's] work ethic and his writing
highly." -- Nicholas Mangozho, former Program Facilitator Calgary Alternative Support Services.

"Simply put, I believe *everyone* who wants to fill their product funnel and make more money needs a 'Mike'."-- Andrea J. Lee, Head Coach 'Creating What Matters' and Author of 'Multiple Streams of Coaching Income'

How to Not Get Ripped Off When Hiring a Writer: Step #1

Know What You Want.

Okay, sometimes it's difficult to know exactly what you want.

But, try your best to give the writer as much preliminary information on the project as you can - tone, time-lines, page numbers and, in the case of hiring a writer to edit a piece you've already created, know if you are looking for technical or creative editing.

Technical (or grammatical) editing includes such corrections as grammar, punctuation, typos, and minor clarity points. Creative (or editorial) editing covers the same points in technical editing but also involves re-writing/content creation and re-structuring to make your copy make more sense and flow more effectively. Editorial editing typically requires more skill and takes more time and will, therefore, cost more. But it can give you great piece of mind to have a second set of objective eyes look over your work before it goes to print.

If you change direction or concept three-quarters of the way through a project, you could be 'hooped'. "Yes", the writer assures you, "I can definetly change to this new concept you came up with. After I submit my invoce for work already completed I'll recalculate my new fee..."

No one works for free.

Knowing ahead of time exactly what you want means you will avoid the expense in terms of time and money. Having said that, try to be flexible as well. If your writer has suggestions that will add value to your product, by all means go for it.

So, got an idea of what you want? Great! Time to take action.  Here are some suggestions:

(1) Email me right away to get your polishing started! mike@msoci.com

(2) If you prefer and don't mind sifting through an application process, try your luck at www.elance.com or www.guru.com to source other possible suppliers.

(3) Or, let's say you're not quite ready. A great resource I recommend when you're in the creative process is: The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Stephen Pressfield.

Testimonial

"Being the very creative person I am, it's such a relief to rely on The
Scribble Studio and Mike to help complete new products.  His strengths are
in giving a linear flow and creative zip to the written word, and do so
while preserving my individual voice.  Whether he's taking audio material
and creating a written companion document or editing something already
drafted, Mike helps us avoid 'product creation constipation!' As a result,
we sell more and attract more happy customers as a result.

Simply put, I believe *everyone* who wants to fill their product funnel and
make more money needs a 'Mike'."

-- Andrea J. Lee, Head Coach 'Creating What Matters' and Author of 'Multiple Streams of Coaching Income'

Book Editing | Physical or Electronic Book

A very popular information product that will build your reputation and lead to sales is a long-form book.  This may be from as little as 100 pages to 150 pages.  Remember that if you have about 10 major points to share, this is ample content to form an excellent business-generating book!

Here is the overview of the editorial process for your first (or next) book:

(1) Email me at mike@msoci.com to let me know you are nearing completion of your first draft, and we can book a time in for your editing to be completed.

Typically, editing a book of this length takes between 2-4 weeks. You'll want to be in touch with me enough in advance so that you aren't sitting waiting for editing with nothing on your end to do.

Once we have settled on the timeline, you can rest easy knowing I will be ready to pick up your draft as soon as you have dotted your last i and crossed your last t.

(2) Once I receive your first draft, I will begin polishing your 'baby'.  Don't worry, I won't rub too hard, I know it's your 'baby' and your voice and style will be preserved, and usually enhanced.

Book editing includes taking care of:

- grammar

- punctuation

- typos

- minor editing for clarity

Depending on your wishes, I can also provide actual re-writing and re-structuring to bolster the concept of your book.   Especially if your book is a tool you'll use to upsell your other services, I will have restructuring suggestions for you to take full advantage of that. 

Hint: Making sure your book upsells your other products in an assertive but not uncomfortable way is a major piece of your successful book. 

(3) After receiving your draft, I will spend a short amount of time buffing up a sample for you to see before I proceed further.  This ensures we are on the same 'page' if you'll pardon the pun. 

Once you've looked this over and we have calibrated ourselves, I will launch into completion of your manuscript to meet your deadline.

Of course along the way, there will be some ping-pong back and forth as we sort out the best path for your book.  Open communication by email is usually most efficient for this purpose.

(4) Completion Day! When your editing is complete, I will send over a final manuscript for you to look over.  We handle any further minor details and you are done. You can now proceed with the next step of your book birthing process - most likely getting the text laid out by a professional graphic designer - this really makes your words pop.  If you need a referral for an inexpensive talent for this, I'd be happy to oblige.

So, what's the fee for all of this?

It really will depend on the length of your final manuscript and how deep you'd like any restructuring work to be done.  However I know you must budget, so here it is: Between $1500 and $2000.  We will finalize the dollar amount once you've been in touch, and we have ascertained that our timelines mesh.

Terms:  I request 50% of the total fee up front, as a deposit and to hold your spot in my schedule.  The remainder of the fee is payable upon completion of the project.  If the project is extremely big, we may decide to break the payments down into smaller chunks.  Let's discuss what works.

That's it!  So are you ready?  I'm eager to get working on your behalf, to put money in your pocket using the power of the pen.  To take the next step,  click on the link below:

Email me at mike@msoci.com to negotiate your project

Testimonial

"Mike's writing, editing and content generation for the Herb, Bud and
Beanstalk Boys organization was instrumental in giving them a professional,
approachable and useful website.  He also created extremely thorough and
clear operating documents.  I recommend his work ethic and his writing
highly.

Mike has an extremely strong ability to communicate with others to get
results - both verbally and in writing.  I counted on him for his strong
work ethic, patience and sense of humour and would recommend him to anyone
else seeking an energetic and conscientious team player."

-- Nicholas Mangozho, former Program Facilitator with Calgary Alternative Support Services

Sample Writing - CD Booklet Creation, Editing and Proofing

Edited and Proofed the content and structure for Andrea Lee's CD - 'How to Measure What Matters.'

What is Metrics?

Metrics is a boring word for a very exciting thing...watching your business grow!

Put simply, metrics is tracking your numbers (sales, leads, promotions, etc) so you can truly see what is going on in your business.

If you have ever experienced a day of excitement when your first passive product hit the market And, wow, sales started rolling in... you'll be just as much of a metrics-addict as me!

Measuring success is definitely one of my favorite gleeful guilty pleasures as a business owner… I hope you have one too, and no I don't just mean the ice cream you had for lunch.

Now, the 'numbers' may not be the most exciting aspect of your day-to-day business activities, but what if measuring could be the catalyst that moves your business to the next level?

Let's say to six or seven figures? Would this be good enough incentive to pull out the 'virtual' measuring stick? Listening to your numbers will point the way to what you must do next in terms of making more money in less time.

What can you learn from metrics?

·         Tracking metrics tells you how well you are doing from week to week. 

It helps you measure the things it's most important to measure, which we will get into later in this program.

·         You will immediately see when your measurements 'spike' or 'tumble.' 

This means you know precisely what you should keep doing, and what you should stop doing.

·         Your own Metrics Worksheet can act as an EKG for your business.

It will tell you if your business pulse goes flat-line, fast. Obviously flat-line is not a desirable state for us or for our businesses, and the more quickly you can respond when things are 'slow,' the better chances you have for a healthy business. (Simply keep an eye on whether your metrics change. In all cases, if they aren't moving somehow, things are not as they should be.)

·         A great Metrics Spreadsheet also sharpens your focus.

Would you be better off adding new income streams to your product funnel? Could your existing streams be doing higher volume?

Although there are many more deductions you yourself can make when it comes to your Metrics, be aware that the process of tracking your metrics is a clever and elegant management tool.

Sample Writing - Web Content

Created and edited website content for small business.

  Herb, Bud and the Beanstalk Boys (also known as simply, The Beanstalk Boys) is a partnership of adults with disabilities who own and operate an urban agri-business. What started out several years ago as a small project to develop a garden space out of a piece of land the size of a large living room, has grown into a year-round Urban Agribusiness with over 600 square feet of indoor and outdoor growing space. Last year the Beanstalk Boys grew a variety of crops including herbs, peas, beans, cabbage, flowers, etc. that were sold to local restaurants, farmers markets and a local grocery store. All seeds and plants were from donations from local garden centers and grocery stores.

After securing long-term partnerships with the Alternative High School, The University of Calgary Community Garden Project and Mount Royal College and with the generous support and cooperation of the local business community, Herb Bud and the Beanstalk Boys has turned a corner and is now a year-round agribusiness. With the development of two outdoor garden locations at the Alternative High School and the University of Calgary and one professionally equipped greenhouse growing space at Mount Royal College, hopes are high for future expansion.

After much ‘sweat equity’ and teamwork the location is now a series of garden boxes laid out in a circle design that signifies the ‘circle of truth’ philosophy of the school. This year, approximately 20 more garden boxes will be built with the assistance of up to 20 volunteers from Home Depot and CASS staff. ‘Team Depot’ will bring their expertise and their tools to assist in a “garden box work bee” on May 3, 2006 to increase the growing capacity of the garden business.

to see more: www.beanstalkboys.com

Sample Writing - Ebook Content and Editing

Researched, proofed and edited the content and structure of ebook, Breastfeeding For a Better Life.

INTRODUCTION
Congratulations!  If you are reading this book, you have either given birth or plan to in the near future.  Perhaps you bought this book for a friend who is considering breastfeeding.  Regardless of your reason, you have taken a step in the right direction!
This guide will help you through your breastfeeding journey.  Mothers have been nursing since the dawn of time.  If you have not yet committed to the idea of nursing your infant, read on. 

One of the first decisions you’ll have to make after giving birth is whether to breastfeed or bottle feed your infant.  There are even some mothers that will choose to do both.  Most women will be able to breastfeed their newborn, but there are some exceptions to the rule.  Generally, all mothers should be able to breastfeed.  Due to medical reasons however, some women are unable to breastfeed.  Adoptive mothers also may not have the option to nurse their children.  There are many women who choose not to nurse, and for them bottle-feeding may be the best choice.  Bottle-feeding does offer some benefits.  For example, fathers can share in the bonding experience early on, and allow moms some much needed rest.