The Secret Source of Clear Content
by: Susan Raab
You can do anything in four easy steps!
An outrageous claim, no? But I can prove it. Because you're doing it now.
Imagine your laundry basket. What are you going to wash today? Ah, socks. How will you wash them? In the machine. Now you do the wash and when the socks come out of the dryer, you wonder, "are they done?" Are they really clean and dry? Are they both there? Don't you have to match them and fold them and put them away? Because what you really want is socks that are ready to wear. And soon enough, they'll be back in your laundry basket again.
This is the circle of life: you decide what you want to do and how you want to do it; then you do it and check whether it's really done. The pattern's easy to see with a simple project, but when you're facing a complex project like writing a book, it's easy to get muddled.
To get where you're going, know where you are.
Many of my clients just start writing, trusting that their urge to say something will produce something someone (maybe even everyone!) will want to read.
This urge is valuable. It proves that deep inside, you have the power to complete your task. But to be effective, power must be directed. Like your car's drive shaft, process concentrates your writing power where it has the most leverage. And to get to the end of the process, you need to know where you are in the process right now! If you're not sure where you are, review these questions:
* Can you describe what your book does for your reader in eight words or less? * Do you know the demographics of your ideal audience, what they read to find information similar to yours, and how you can contact them? * Can you measure the value your book gives your reader, as well as the rewards you need to receive to make the book worth your while?
If you answered No to any of these, you have more work to do to define what value your book must deliver. Defining what gives you the ultimate guideline for creating a clear, easy-to-read book, and communicating its worth to a publisher.
* Can you picture the environment where your ideal reader actually reads, and visualize the style of content that's easiest to use in that environment? * Do you know your reader's goals and expectations for outcomes, and how to fulfill them? * Do you have access to all the information you'll need to deliver your book's solutions?
If you answered No to any of these, you have more work to do to define how your book will deliver its value. Knowing your book's structure and style as well as its content builds your confidence and helps you write it right the first time. If you answered Yes to all of the above, congratulations! You've done the hardest work and could probably turn the book over to someone else to actually write.
* When you sit down to write, do the words flow easily? * When you look at your work, do you feel a sense of accomplishment? * Do you have a complete draft?
If you answered No to any of these, you still have work to do. If the words aren't flowing or you're not sure you're making progress, your time might be better spent clarifying your what and how, or in examining and overcoming any fears or doubts that might be blocking you.
* Is every sentence, paragraph, and topic clear, crisp, and error-free? * Does every word contribute to the solution your book delivers? * Is your book ready for publication?
If your manuscript does not deliver the value you want for you and your reader, you are not done. The plan you created for what you want your book to deliver is an excellent guideline, but expect some "oh, yeah" moments, like "Oh yeah, those socks aren't really done till I put them in the drawer."
Take the next step, even if it's backwards
Perhaps you've been writing a little, outlining a little, and wondering how to get a publisher. Now that you know where you are in the process, you can put what you've already accomplished in perspective. Each phase builds on the one before, so you're best served by doing them in order.
If you don't have solid answers to the first three questions--answers from which no one can dissuade you--you're not finished with what. What is the hardest, the one you're most likely to revisit as your project progresses, and the secret to your success.
If you've already started writing, don't worry-your work is not wasted. Just keep it on file until you get your what and how defined. With those tools in place, you'll finish your book with confidence, get your message out, and be ready to start the next one!
About The Author
The award-winning creative force behind hundreds of non-fiction titles, Susan Raab has brought the Power of Clear to corporations like Sony, Microsoft and McGraw-Hill. For her FR*EE how-to articles, visit http://www.ContentWheel.com.
|
Fathers Day is the 3rd Sunday in June
Fathers Day is the 3rd Sunday in June
by: Lucy Huffenstuff
Great gift ideas for Dad on Father's Day.
- Personalized crockery - plate, mug or bowl.
This is perfect when the children are young - Why not get the kids to put together a time capsule, with some photos of them with their dad, some other personal items and bury it in the garden
- There are gift experience companies, why not treat dad to drive a sports car or perhaps sky diving?
- Why not get some printable iron on transfers which you can print using your computer and home printer.
- How about baking a cake or some of his favorite biscuits?
- What about a photo album of a frame of photos of dad and the kids
- Name a star after the father - there are a number of online websites who offer this service
- Casting kits are great fun, get the kids to mould their feet or hands and paint them afterwards.
Although there...
Fathers Day is the 3rd Sunday in June
Socks > Fathers Day is the 3rd Sunday in June
Essential Baby Clothes
Essential Baby Clothes
by: Stephanie Pearce
People love to buy baby gifts - especially the adorable baby outfits.
Beautiful outfits with cute buttons or bows are plentiful even in the smallest of sizes, but they are not very practical.
New parents need to know that they will be changing their new arrival countless times a day and that babies are very messy in general.
Following is a checklist of basic baby essentials that you will really need--so stock up on these!
Baby Clothing
* one-piece outfits (onesies) with snaps for easy changing
* one-piece footed pajamas (you generally want soft cotton, easy to change outfits)
* newborn socks
* little booties
* fleece outfits/sweaters or jackets for winter
* mittens
* newborn hats
* receiving blankets
* swaddling blankets
About... |
Socks > Essential Baby Clothes
Fathers Day is the 3rd Sunday in June
Fathers Day is the 3rd Sunday in June
by: Lucy Huffenstuff
Great gift ideas for Dad on Father's Day.
- Personalized crockery - plate, mug or bowl.
This is perfect when the children are young - Why not get the kids to put together a time capsule, with some photos of them with their dad, some other personal items and bury it in the garden
- There are gift experience companies, why not treat dad to drive a sports car or perhaps sky diving?
- Why not get some printable iron on transfers which you can print using your computer and home printer.
- How about baking a cake or some of his favorite biscuits?
- What about a photo album of a frame of photos of dad and the kids
- Name a star after the father - there are a number of online websites who offer this service
- Casting kits are great fun, get the kids to mould their feet or hands and paint them afterwards.
Although there...
Fathers Day is the 3rd Sunday in June
Socks > Fathers Day is the 3rd Sunday in June
Print Ads ? Alive and Still Selling to Readers Near You
Print Ads ? Alive and Still Selling to Readers Near You
by: Julia Hyde
The print ad is not dead. Although some people will tell you otherwise. If they do, they?re wrong. In 2003 advertisers spent nearly $60 billion to place ads in magazines and newspapers ? more than five times the amount spent on Internet advertising in the same year. And if that?s not confirmation that the print ad is alive and still selling, I don?t know what is.
So how come many business owners shy away from print advertising? Part of the problem is that they mistakenly believe people don?t read much anymore, and that a print ad will be a waste of their time, and their money. They?d be wrong, again.
If you don?t believe me, consider the following:
- 63 million newspapers are distributed in the U.S. every day. In fact more newspapers are published today than at anytime since World War II.
- In the first half (January to June) of 2004 the top...
Socks > Print Ads ? Alive and Still Selling to Readers Near You
Essential Baby Clothes
Essential Baby Clothes
by: Stephanie Pearce
People love to buy baby gifts - especially the adorable baby outfits.
Beautiful outfits with cute buttons or bows are plentiful even in the smallest of sizes, but they are not very practical.
New parents need to know that they will be changing their new arrival countless times a day and that babies are very messy in general.
Following is a checklist of basic baby essentials that you will really need--so stock up on these!
Baby Clothing
* one-piece outfits (onesies) with snaps for easy changing
* one-piece footed pajamas (you generally want soft cotton, easy to change outfits)
* newborn socks
* little booties
* fleece outfits/sweaters or jackets for winter
* mittens
* newborn hats
* receiving blankets
* swaddling blankets
About... |
Socks > Essential Baby Clothes
Making Your Baby?s Clothes Last!
Making Your Baby?s Clothes Last!
by: Kirsten Hawkins
As any mother with a young child will tell you, babies grow very quickly. So for new mothers, making the most out of baby clothes is of the utmost importance. So what do you do when those onesies just don't quite snap anymore? How do you get an extra month out of those jeans that are a little too short for the winter months?
The great thing about onesies, is that they're a very workable cotton fabric, and there really isn't any hemming necessary to turn a couple of onesies that fit at five months into a couple of shirts that fit at eight months. Simply cut them off right at the leg holes, and gently pull the material around the edges so that it rolls a tiny bit. This way there are no exposed threads for baby to pull at or chew on. The same can apply to footsie pajamas. By simply snipping off the feet, you can easily get another month's wear out of the sleepwear.
Adding extra buttons to...
Making Your Baby?s Clothes Last!
Socks > Making Your Baby?s Clothes Last!
All About Plantar Warts
All About Plantar Warts
by: Michael Sanford
Some of us still believe with the old folk tale, that you will get some warts when you touched a toad. Don?t you know that when you take a public shower or simply when you just walk around bare footed will possibly increase the plantar warts in your feet? When your feet perspire and the moisture is trapped, the plantar warts spread out in the area of the foot, in which they increase in size and have their babies. These could be some of the possible reasons why some of us have plantar warts.
Well, some of us are not aware of these plantar warts. Plantar warts are just the common skin infection on the bottom side of our foot. Most teenagers have warts and these plantar warts are cause by the virus that usually enters the body through a break in the skin. The virus of the plantar warts often grows in warm, moist environments. It could be difficult for you to determine the plantar warts from the calluses,...
All About Plantar Warts
Socks > All About Plantar Warts
What Would You Do If You Knew You Couldn't Fail?
What Would You Do If You Knew You Couldn't Fail?
by: Ian Bruce
One of the biggest obstacles to achieving the high level of success and happiness you desire in life isn't lack of money, lack of time, lack of talent or lack of opportunity. It's simply the lack of self-belief. Most people run their lives saying "I'll believe it when I see it," and whilst this approach can be useful in certain respects, it isn't effective from the perspective of achieving your...
The Secret Source of Clear Content Socks
Socks > What Would You Do If You Knew You Couldn't Fail?
The Secret Source of Clear Content
Ibiza And Its Night Life
Ibiza And Its Night Life
by: Jakob Jelling
Ibiza is famous around the world due to its amazing night life, although it offers several other things as well. This island is one of the most visited ones in the group of the Balearic Islands in Spain, and maybe the one which attracts the highest amount of young people as well.
From June to endings of October, Ibiza's night life, as well as the rest of the attractions in the island, is at its best moment due...
The Secret Source of Clear Content Socks
Socks > Ibiza And Its Night Life
Concerned About Your Pension?
Concerned About Your Pension?
by: Ken Morris
In the wake of poor market performance over the past few years, a number of traditional pension plans sponsored by private employers do not have sufficient assets to provide the promised benefits. These plans are underfunded.
In general, if your plan is a traditional pension plan, it promises to pay you a specified monthly benefit in retirement. Your plan may specify a flat dollar amount, such as $100 a month....
Concerned About Your Pension? ira The Secret Source of Clear Content
Socks > Concerned About Your Pension?
Defensive Driving - What Are The Choices?
Defensive Driving - What Are The Choices?
by: Mark Stone
At some point in our driving years I suspect most all of us have to take defensive driving, whether to get rid of a ticket or maybe to just lower our insurance. For many years you only had one option, traffic school. But times and the options have changed.
Traffic school used to consist of getting up early on a Saturday morning or spending two nights during the week sitting in a classroom, listening...
The Secret Source of Clear Content Defensive Driving - What Are The Choices?
Socks > Defensive Driving - What Are The Choices?
Stop Paying Standard Hotel Rates Through The Web
Stop Paying Standard Hotel Rates Through The Web
by: Jay Moncliff
Easy internet access to discounted and affordable hotel rates has sounded the death knell for the standard tariff, or rack rate posted at hotel reception desks. Whilst some still prefer traditional telephone reservations and the corresponding rates, many more are saving themselves money by booking their accommodation though the Internet, where an online booking can often deliver the same hotel...
The Secret Source of Clear Content
Socks > Stop Paying Standard Hotel Rates Through The Web