13:00:21 From vickigiuggio : Hi! 13:00:37 From Charlene : Hi from South Dakota! 13:00:41 From Gabrielle : Hello :) 13:01:45 From Gabrielle : I like to read on my lunch break, whatever my book of the moment is. Other times I stand at the window and just look outside. 13:02:04 From Andrew Folkler : Movies, books, Ice cream 13:02:08 From Charlene : I always have a sewing project going on, so I go sew for a bit while ideas and solutions magically appear. 13:02:14 From vickigiuggio : Typical day: take a walk. Now: take a walk and get some groceries (not hoarding ) to prepare for lock-down:) 13:03:12 From vickigiuggio : NYC 13:04:02 From Andrew Folkler : W: Filed the LLC 13:04:19 From vickigiuggio : W: I’m mid-way through session 2 - not finished, but web copy in development!! 13:04:58 From Sam Freedenberg : Finally came up with a list of target markets/project types I can work with. 13:05:02 From Gabrielle : W: I exfoliated haha. I struggle doing that on a routine basis. 13:05:25 From vickigiuggio : Lol 13:05:39 From vickigiuggio : I: session 2 13:06:04 From Sam Freedenberg to Ed Gandia(Privately) : Susan, You may be speaking a bit closely to your microphone. A bit staticky. 13:06:06 From Gabrielle : I: session 3 13:06:15 From Andrew Folkler : I: Finishing up section 3 - final touches on web copy before submitting website for review 13:06:23 From Sam Freedenberg to Ed Gandia(Privately) : Yes. 13:06:27 From Charlene : I: Finished the program, now researching companies and sending out warm emails. 13:07:31 From Maima Jones : I'm about finished - now focusing on prospecting. 13:08:10 From Maima Jones : Thanks! 13:16:00 From Sam Freedenberg : OK for a quick comment on what you just said? 13:16:04 From vickigiuggio : Q: Once I get my copy written for my website, should I submit for your review before I build the site? Or would you prefer to give feedback on the formatted copy? I can send you a word doc, or just move forward and set up the site….but before it goes live I definitely would like your feedback. Thanks! 13:16:36 From Charlene : Q: I read Ed's email about current situation and adjustments we need to make to help companies get through this time. Lol, frankly, I kind of freaked out and am not sure what I need to do... What changes would you recommend or what direction would you advise to change about our approach to businesses? 13:17:03 From Sam Freedenberg : Maybe this reiterates what you just said. Thinking about what the economy and our society will be like when this ends. What new needs will there be? Thinking that people will be tired of their screens and finding new ways to connect in person. I know that people with our skills will still be needed. 13:18:25 From Maima Jones : I have a trial email from my first client (to be) that's due on next Tuesday - I really need another eyeball on the email copy I write. Could you please look at this email for me? 13:20:00 From vickigiuggio : Makes total sense- I’ll submit whole site, thanks! 13:24:06 From Charlene : Thank you, Susan! That makes so much sense. I appreciate you making that so simple. I can do that! 13:27:14 From Gabrielle : Maybe you should! 13:30:37 From Gabrielle : Q: I'm still unsure how to approach my site name. (If you'll remember) I have a blog called Gabrielle Gweneth, where I write about food and travel. The content goes back a few years. On one hand I could repurpose this site, so that the home page is about my business services, and then use a blog link to all my other content. On the other hand I could use this site just for my business services, and move all my blog content elsewhere. I don't want to create confusion in the mind of prospective clients, and I will also continue to write my own content. I like the idea of the site with my name being active, the way it is now, and I'm hesitant to remove all the blog posts because it seems my business site will be less so. Yet I think the best name for my business is my own, especially since I don't know which direction the writing will take me in. 13:31:32 From Maima Jones : Thanks Susan! Appreciate it! 13:31:59 From vickigiuggio : FYI: if anyone finds themselves in need of support for content that gets uncomfortably scientific for their clients, I am a scientific + medical writer and would be happy to help you with quick reviews or Qs— most communications won’t be terribly heavy in the medical/scientific aspects but just in case any assignments go there I’m happy to give a hand. (Sorry if this comment is inappropriate- I’m not looking to charge anyone! Just offering to help) 13:50:23 From vickigiuggio : Q: I’m planning to position myself primarily to biotech/pharma but I am fully able to write educational PSAs for nonprofits and the like— do you think it would be OK to broaden my initial positioning to include them? I was thinking of doing it by using broader language, and maybe adding a section in the sample section… just small adjustments. 13:50:39 From Andrew Folkler : Question for Gabby - How come you are not considering the travel industry as your target niche? 13:52:35 From Andrew Folkler : Gotcha 13:55:13 From Sam Freedenberg : Not sure if this is covered in later program materials, but what do you think about going "above and beyond" and serving as brokers to obtain additional communication services for clients. I'm think about things like handling their printing. 13:56:22 From Maima Jones : Thanks so much Susan for the session and have a great day! 13:58:42 From vickigiuggio : OK— yes- that addresses my concern. I’m sticking to my initial strategy, but will reach out if I see opportunities in the coming months (given we’re in the middle of a pandemic). Thank you! 14:00:13 From zeljko : Hi, sorry for being late. 14:02:34 From zeljko : Q: How to position yourself in a situation where you come to an agreement for a job (my first paying client), and everything is delayed due to a situation with a virus. I think to suggest the client to jointly prepare an article and a presentation for a conference for the next fall. This just to start work with the client and I think to do this as a pro bono project. Just to be present. What do you think? 14:02:50 From Sam Freedenberg : Thank you. I know it can be risky. 14:08:03 From Sam Freedenberg : I used to be in the printing business, and would like to offer my background in that business as an added value. 14:08:30 From Sam Freedenberg : Thank you. Great advice. 14:08:55 From zeljko : Thanks Susan. I will prepare a proposal for the client and hopefully get a positive answer. 14:09:41 From Charlene : V: I was stressing a bit over how to take a different approach and your ideas and comments really made sense and helped me to get back to an "I can do this" position. Thanks! :) 14:09:43 From vickigiuggio : V: Keeping me focused and telling me to get off social media! Twitter is paralyzing me :) 14:10:01 From Sam Freedenberg : V. Your optimism on how we can adapt to the new world. 14:10:30 From Gabrielle : V: I agree, your optimism and encouragement/tips to keep focused. 14:11:09 From zeljko : V: positive attitude in all situations! 14:12:43 From Gabrielle : Q: How much time do you think I should give myself to continue brainstorming the site URL? I want to set myself a deadline and not lose momentum, and I can see myself taking too long stressing about it being just right. 14:16:33 From Gabrielle : That’s so helpful! Thank you so much. I was definitely trending towards earth shattering haha. 14:17:22 From Charlene : Regarding Focus: I have a hobby business making handbags. I was trying to keep it going at a higher level of energy while getting my writing business going. It was dividing my energy and time too much and became very complicated. I have now pared back my hobby business so I can focus on my writing and minimalized my Facebook hobby page so as to not distract possible clients when they're looking at my writing FB page. More peace. 14:17:31 From vickigiuggio : Q: Squarespace vs Wordpress/blue host….. any preference? Or is there another you recommend? 14:20:54 From vickigiuggio : Thank you! 14:22:06 From vickigiuggio : A: Get this website built! 14:22:32 From Gabrielle : A: Deciding my URL and working on my site! 14:22:43 From Charlene : A: Strive for more consistency in business efforts. 14:23:21 From Sam Freedenberg : A: Finish Session 1! 14:24:01 From Charlene : Thank you! Love the stories you share!