13:00:20 From Laird Raymond : Hello Susan, everyone 13:00:25 From Chris Dole : I hear you! 13:00:28 From Phillip : hello 13:00:30 From mariana : Hello! 13:00:37 From Chris Dole : Secondhand Lions 13:02:51 From Phillip : W getting back on track after having dental surgery 3 weeks ago. 13:02:52 From Gabrielle : W: Made several cold calls this week! 13:03:27 From Geesey : W; Not much to offer today, been preoccupied recently with my current day job. But looking at the ed market - last week discovered a friend who is investing in a pre-K school in his area, now picking his brain on that market and how my skills might be applied there. 13:03:49 From Chris Dole : Trying to regroup after a tough project in daytime job, one-week of on-call service and then moving to a new apartment. But I do have questions... 13:04:57 From mariana : I got a great project yesterday :-D 13:05:01 From Laird Raymond : W: Talked to a Commercial Insurance Salesperson, which is outside my industry, but connected with him anyway in case he has clients that may need my services. 13:05:03 From Sally : I chose my niche, my type of copy, and submitted my web site copy for review a few days ago. 13:05:28 From Phillip : W relearning how to do research on LinkedIn. On lesson 5d. 13:05:31 From kdweiland : W: I signed up for this coaching program! :) 13:06:25 From Chris S. : W: Making slow progress for last few days. My top priority is my publish deadline for my day job - tech writing. 13:06:35 From Macollvie J. Neel : Got invited to an entrepreneurs’ podcast 13:06:36 From Sally : All right. I'm looking forward to your feedback. 13:06:47 From Phillip : W also submitted my website for review. 13:06:54 From mariana : They were my first project when I started 2 years ago, and now after maternity leave is the first client that goes into the direction I want to go, I had others (smaller) but not really what I want to do. 13:07:31 From Brittany : Found a LinkedIn live video aimed at my target market talking about their needs in this department (needs I can cover!) 13:07:40 From Bryce : Howdy everyone! 13:08:03 From kdweiland : Kellie 13:09:21 From Sarah : W: finished up work for a small client. Pitched / interviewed for another gig which would be ongoing work! Going to do a trial project soon for that one. 13:11:32 From Chris Dole : Q: How best to research how to find companies in my niche (software that's complex, expensive or new) to pitch? 13:11:57 From Gabrielle : Q: Since making those cold calls (to bigger companies), I’ve tweaked my website copy to speak to marketing directors instead of small business owners. How does this sound as new headline copy? “I help B2B companies in the software and finance sectors create winning marketing content.” I’m not sure if it’s too broad but also not really sure how to talk to these people in the first place haha. 13:13:45 From Chris Dole : I can talk 13:14:36 From Macollvie J. Neel : Q: I have a Squarespace site. How difficult/easy it is to incorporate a Wordpress blog to it? 13:21:03 From Bryce : Chat Bots= Nick Usborne’s wheelhouse 13:24:47 From Gabrielle : Ok thanks! 13:26:15 From Gabrielle : Q: How long do you think is long enough to pursue a certain prospecting channel before switching to another? 13:26:19 From Chris Dole : Nick is offering a new program on chatbots via AWAI 13:30:09 From Kellie W : Q: I’ve just started Session 1 about positioning. I know Ed says that the gold is in your background, but I’m feeling unsure because I’ve been in Corp Communications and Employee Communications for many years (20+) with some PR and marketing along the way. In term of positioning (and what makes me different) would it make sense to flip perspective and talk about what differentiates me is that I’ve been on the client’s side? I’ve hired and worked with vendors and know what clients need from their outside partners. Or, is it more valuable that I’ve got experience working across teams/departments to set the vision, get people to collaborate and then get things done? Again, I’m just getting started on this work. 13:30:43 From laurelmildred : Q: Maybe this is covered in a future session, but I was wondering about guidance for using Upwork or similar platforms. 13:31:12 From Chris S. : Q: Regarding the process of consistently executing marketing tasks (such as follow up emails), do you recommend using a PM tool like Asana (Kanban columns for taking key tasks through stages)? 13:37:52 From Phillip : Q I’m currently focusing on the homebuilding industry because of past experience. I’m interested in alternative health care but have very little experience in that field. Is that a leap too far? 13:45:11 From Chris S. : Asana is free. It is mostly a PM tool. 13:53:32 From Phillip : I do have a ton of writing experience. 13:58:01 From mariana : T: Hotspot and CRM 13:58:17 From Kellie W : T: get started and go from there…it doesn’t have to be perfect or forever. you can always change/adapt. 13:58:32 From Sally : Going out there and prospecting for clients as fast as possible. 13:58:35 From Chris Dole : T: "Permission" to think outside my current "box" by looking at what others are doing and having talks with other folks to generate ideas. 13:58:38 From Laird Raymond : T: Research other tech writers and see what they are currently focussing on. 13:59:12 From Phillip : T I think my top takeaway is to hang with it until I hit a firm break point. 13:59:35 From Geesey : YES I agree, Susan! Switching gears is tough. 13:59:46 From Phillip : It being the homebuilding industry. 14:00:11 From Gabrielle : T: Keep trying until I feel like I’ve really given it a solid couple of months. 14:00:19 From Gabrielle : I mean, with a target. 14:00:28 From Gabrielle : Q: Follow up about having general conversations w/people in my target markets. Thanks for that advice, it’s not something I’d thought about trying. To clarify, you mean aside from a qualifying call? Any suggestions for getting those set up? 14:03:22 From Chris S. : One of the best Technical Writing blogs is Tom Johnson's I'd Rather Be Writing (IdRatherBeWriting.com) 14:05:08 From Gabrielle : Yes that’s helpful Susan, thanks. 14:05:38 From Laird Raymond : Hi Chris, thanks. It’s familiar to me. Will check it out. 14:07:57 From Sally : Thanks for the session. Time for my lunch. 14:07:59 From Chris S. : Tom Johnson is an outstanding writer. His general articles are very helpful. Be advised: lately he has been focusing on REST API tech writing, which involves working with/understanding code. 14:08:30 From laurelmildred : Finalizing website and getting it in for review. 14:08:41 From Kellie W : A: I’m committed to working through Session 1 and developing my positioning statement. 14:08:44 From Sarah : A: I need to find more leads for pitching 14:09:12 From Phillip : A Top action item is to complete the course. Need to get to warm emailing. 14:09:18 From Geesey : A: More research into education companies who may be interested in my skills...and keep picking my friend's brain for insights there. 14:09:20 From Chris S. : A: Finalizing tasks in Session 1, and starting Session 2. 14:09:33 From Chris Dole : A: Get back into Ed's program talks and get back in the flow of progress 14:09:43 From Gabrielle : A: continuing to prospect. 14:09:54 From mariana : I need to send my website for review! 14:10:58 From Laird Raymond : A: Need to find more companies to send warm emails 14:11:37 From Kellie W : Thank you!!!! 14:11:44 From Gabrielle : Thanks Susan. 14:11:52 From mariana : Thanks! 14:12:17 From Chris Dole : Thanks!