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Articles by Dawn Shuler

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110 articles by Dawn Shuler · showing 50

Browse every published article connected to Dawn Shuler, or search within this exact expert archive.

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Is It Time to Come Out of Your Shell?

Entrepreneurs and business owners often go through cycles. We can be all spitfire and balls o’ energy, and then we go into downtime, replenish, and retreat mode. We can’t be at high productivity and creativity all the time; we need the rest part of the creativity cycle. At the same time, we can’t be in rest mode all the time, or nothing gets done! And then there’s the in-between, the status quo, where we just keep doing what we’ve been doing, not adding anything new, and not really retreating into our shells.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

923 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

5 Ways to Protect Your Creative Energy

A couple of weeks ago, I led a local, in-person meeting of a women-in-business support group. This was the fourth time we'd met, and all the meetings before had been full of amazing connection and even transformation for some of us. I always came home energized and filled up. This time, though, it was different. One of the women sucked at my energy. Not on purpose, I'm sure, but she was so negative, and her energy was so barbed that I actually felt attacked. Again, not deliberately, but the effect was still there. I went home, exhausted.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,062 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Are You at a Threshold Moment?

We all have those times where we can just chug along in our businesses and lives…. la la la la. We’re good. We’re happy. It’s status quo at its best. And then that all changes. We want more. We’re ready. Status quo is not good enough. So, then we have a decision to make. I call this a threshold moment or a choice point because it usually involves taking a conscious step – passing over that threshold or choosing a different path from the one you’re on.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,180 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Put Your Expertise Out There - Create a System (Yes, You Have One)

If you're an entrepreneur or online business owner, especially with a service-based product, then what you're selling is you and your system. You may be thinking, "I don't have a system... I just do what I do." Well, see, that "just do what you do" IS a big part of your system. The trick is to verbalize that system - to put into concrete form (and maybe even create a product out of it, if that floats your boat... more on that below). "Why do I want to do that?" you might be asking...

Primary topic: Writing Tools

678 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

All You Need Is a Little Nothing

A few weeks ago, when I was feeling quite overwhelmed, I took a break and sat in my living room and looked out the big picture window with its view of the valleys and mountains. I had bee DOing so much that I felt I was losing a bit of the soul and the why of that doing. So I sat in my living room. And did nothing. Honestly, I had to force myself to do nothing. Not to have a book. Not to have a journal. Not even to put on music. I needed to just be. My goal was to do nothing. To produce nothing. To have nothing be the result of my BEing time.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

870 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

11 Lessons Art Taught Me About Writing

If you had ever asked me if I was creative, my answer would have somehow revolved around my writing. While both my grandmothers painted, I didn't feel my artistic bents leaned that way in the least. But art has been sneaking in for years... through mandalas and collages and vision boards and now, yes, painting. I have to say that playing with markers, paints, ink, and pastels has humbled me greatly. I have a vague idea of what I want to create, and it NEVER comes out the way I (even vaguely) imagined. Yet, I've pressed on because I really do love the creative process and the results.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

657 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Cooking Up a Few Words

As a writer, I see metaphors everywhere, and one of the lenses through which I view the world is that of writing and words. So, it's not a surprise that when I'm cooking a meal, my mind goes inevitably to writing... and tries to make connections. (One definition of writing could be "finding connections between like or unlike things.") Here are some examples of how writing is like cooking, along with a few concrete tips.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

704 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Planning - How Can This Help Your Business?

Every six months, I plan the next six months. Recently, I was reminded of why this is so important (besides the fact that it's smart business). Lots of upcoming traveling combined with workshops, and I needed to see how everything related to each other. When am I going to be out of town? When am I offering my new free gift product? How many programs will I be teaching? When are my children's out-of-school days? When are our vacations planned? (And one I just thought of... when is prom?!)

Primary topic: Writing Tools

654 views3/5 (1)

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Do You Need to Freshen Things Up?

I have a cool memorabilia board, and I switch it out every now and then. Through February, it still had Christmas cards and the like hung on it. As it came to my consciousness that it was time to change it out, it occurred to me that I was freshening up the energy. There's a difference between clearing out old, stuck energy... and renewing energy that might be fine... and could use some rejuvenation.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,290 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

I Don't Want to Write, and You Can't Make Me

The statistic that writing coaches, book marketing coaches, and write-a-book-in-a-weekend programs love to shout to the world is that 80% of people say they want to write a book. What do you think the key word is in that statistic? "Want." They want to write a book. The number of people who actually start - and finish - a book is much, much lower. Why is that? If so many people want to write a book and that's on most people's list of what they want to accomplish in their lifetime, why doesn't it happen? Because the fantasy is much more lovely than the actual doing.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

702 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Sometimes You Have to Coach Yourself

I'm a writer. I'm a writing and creativity coach. I see patterns. I'm good at the big picture and those itsy bitsy details that make up the big picture. And I'm not perfect. As much as I'm a good writer and good business woman, I don't do it all effortlessly. Like any good thing, it (whatever "it" might be) takes work, or, more accurately, consciousness and intention.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,100 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Creating Your Sacred Writing Bubble

"Writing time? Sure! I have a ton of stuff to write! Blog posts, Tuesday's ezine article, promotional copy for my upcoming program.... I could just write and write and write... But I'll get to it after these client calls. Oh, and preparing for my workshop. And let's not forget checking email and responding. Must respond right away, you know!" So how much writing do you think gets done? Not much. What I know from working with business owners with the amazing amount of STUFF to write is that they feel great when they write. They feel positive and successful. They wrote!

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,337 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

5 Simple Ways to Make Progress With Your Marketing

Running an online business requires a ton of marketing... even some things you might not consider marketing. Article writing, blogging, social media updates, sales page copy, campaign emails, video scripts, networking elevator speeches, bios... It can be overwhelming when you think about it. Sometimes it even seems easier to just not do anything at all. Here are five strategies to help you simplify your marketing plans - and to make sure you continue to market!

Primary topic: Writing Tools

561 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Rant: Writing Well As a Barrier to Creativity?

A few years ago, I ran across a blog post where the author claimed that those who think that writing well is important sap the life out of creativity. She recounted how she was discouraged from sending a letter to Mad Magazine because her English teacher critiqued it too harshly.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

607 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

What If Dreaming Big Is Too Scary?

There are five steps to making your dreams come true. First, just play with your idea. Second, let it sit for a while. Third, take that seed of an idea out of the marinade and see how you feel about it. Fourth, get down to business... what do you need to actually make this dream a reality? What resources, in terms of time, money, help, can you bring on to help you? Fifth, come up with an Action Plan. Steps one through three are more mindset and motivation oriented, whereas steps four and five are about action.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

748 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Claim Your Message - 5 Exercises to Create Your Compelling, Powerful Message

Your message – your brand, if you will – is crucial to your business. This message encapsulates who you are, what you do, and who you do it for… along with housing your uniqueness. Everything follows from that core statement. This message is woven through your elevator speech, your website copy, the topics you speak on, your social media updates. Here’s the thing: if you can’t speak concisely, powerfully, and clearly about who you are and what you do, people won’t know what you do!

Primary topic: Writing Tools

931 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Writer's Block - Is It an R.O.U.S?

As a creative, I have tons of projects in the works: two short stories, one short story that could turn into a novel, twelve quilts, three cross-stitch projects, one painting, one creative tool for an upcoming workshop. I'm in no danger of running out of things to do anytime soon, obviously. Why so many projects? Well, part of it is that I tend to engage in long-term projects (like a quilt). After a while, I lose my momentum or interest, and I go on to something else. Another part is that I get stuck. I'm not sure where to go next.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

675 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

How Do You Write From Your Soul?

We've all read the piece of writing, whether it's a sales page or an email, that lies flat, that seems as if an intelligent monkey in a room with a typewriter could have randomly come up with that particular combination of words - words that make sense, but no soul to the writing. It's that writing from the soul that piques the reader's interest, and, better yet, keeps her enthralled and wanting more-and doing what you want her to be doing (click the link, buy the product, sign up...) "Great," you say, "but how does one actually write from the soul? It's hard to do that all the time."

Primary topic: Writing Tools

980 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

What Is Content Creation Anyway? And Where Do You Put Your Energy?

Content creation is being bandied about nowadays, especially in the online marketing world. Each of us may have an idea of what "content" is, but you might be surprised at how many different things it is. It's about every single day when you sit down at your desk and put your fingers on the keyboard... what are you creating? Articles Blogs Social media updates Videos Website content Promotional materials (and this is a big catchall category: marketing emails, affiliate materials, speaker queries, graphics)

Primary topic: Writing Tools

837 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

What If... Your Writing

As a writer, you might find yourself stuck - at the beginning (can't even get started), in the middle (where the heck do I go now), or at the end (is this really a good ending) of whatever you're writing. You might find as you're writing and creating content that everything seems as if it's been done before. This 8-step program for success? You're sure it's already been done. This how-to guide for financial intelligence? A million books out there. Proven techniques for online marketing? Stand in line. This fiction story on vampires? Yeah, it's been done (a BILLION times).

Primary topic: Writing Tools

977 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Ten Rules of E-Mail

E-mail has changed the way we do business and made us more efficient. Instead of endless memos and phone calls, we can e-mail a quick question, an invitation to a meeting, or a request. As helpful as e-mail is, however, we need to follow certain rules: 1. Don't use all caps when writing. It's the equivalent of shouting in the cyber world, and it's difficult for our eyes to read. 2. Conversely, capitalize words when appropriate. Using all lower case shows disrespect and sloppiness.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

882 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Writing From Your Soul - In the Real World

So you've decided that you'll set aside time to write every day, and maybe you've even scheduled a particular time to write. You know you want to write from your soul.... it's the only way to truly to connect to your community and potential customers and get your message across.... Your deep message, the one that's so all-fired important that you have to get it out in the world. So you figure you'll just fit it in between dropping the kids off at school and your first client phone call at 9:00am.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

837 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Stuck IS Part of the Process

When was the last time you sat at your desk, having to write up a report on your department's progress? A memo explaining corporate policy? An article? A difficult e-mail? What do you do when you have to write something, and you're stuck?

Primary topic: Writing Tools

993 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Redoing Your Website (or Creating a New One) - The Real Truth

If you work virtually or market your business online at all, your website is a crucial part of your business. It's one of the first things online people will see about you. Even offline people might go "check you out" after they've met you in person. Think about your own website experience... you meet someone, and you go check out her website. You lurk a bit on your competition's websites to see what they're doing and what they offer. You shop. You read. You browse. You look for entertainment. And you flit from one website to the other.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

459 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

How to Get People to Open Your Emails

The Internet is a wonderful thing. It allows us to connect with people all over the world, get great information and resources, and do business. And in so many venues: social media, email, online communities... But our inboxes fill up with email after email after email.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

622 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Get Out of Your Head

I find as I'm working with people on their writing projects that they have trouble with all the ideas tumbling around in their heads. "I have this idea up there, but it just doesn't go anywhere!" they say, frustrated. "Have you started jotting down ideas, planning the structure, the story arc?" I ask. Blank look, then a start. "No, like I said, I can't get it out of my head."

Primary topic: Writing Tools

984 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

The Ins and Outs of a Product Launch

You've spent weeks, maybe even months, writing your new eBook or home study system. You brought on a graphics designer to make sure your product rocks the casbah. You're even ready with a fulfillment company to print the CDs, DVDs, and workbook. You give a sigh of relief... you're done. Uh, no, you're not. Now, you have to market the thing that you've just spent weeks and months developing. You're not anywhere near being done.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

507 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

9 Laws of a Project

If you're an entrepreneur or small business owner, you probably have a project. Or two. Or three. Or fifty-eight. I'm not talking about your daily to-do's or the actual work you do with clients and customers. I'm talking about the bigger projects that move you and your business forward. Redoing your website. Creating a new product. Designing a 13-part eCourse to go along with an existing product. Creating a speaker packet. Sending out speaking inquiries. Writing your book. Publishing your book.r

Primary topic: Writing Tools

799 views3/5 (1)

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

How to Run Your Business Like a Big Girl (or Boy)

In order to successfully run your business, you have to focus on more than just the thing you do (coaching, consulting, assisting, bookkeeping, CPAing, etc.). Some people find those other things are not the fun stuff. Well, I'm here to tell you that it's time to run your business like a big girl or boy and attend to ALL areas of your business. The good news (see how I play "bad cop, good cop"?) is that you can outsource some of this. The bad news is that you still need to pay attention to these areas and do at least some of the work.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

667 views3/5 (1)

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

The Top 5 Pieces of Content You Need to Be Writing

I have a checklist of over 70 types of content that business owners could be writing. That sounds overwhelming, but as a business owner, you probably don't need to write all 70+. And... to keep in front of your market and your community and to establish your credibility, you do need to be writing something. So, what do you write? Obviously, you want to put your energy, time, and effort where it's going to make the most good. Here are the 5 pieces of content you SHOULD be writing or tweaking.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

566 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Your Inner Critic Gremlin Lies to You: 6 Questions to Get to the Truth

You're no good. You don't know what you're doing. That's a stupid idea. What makes you think anyone is going to buy from you? You're sending too many emails. You're promoting too much. No one needs what you have to offer. ____ [fill in the blank] does that better than you do. You offer the same service/product as _____. Why would someone buy from you? That last question is the only question that the Inner Critic Gremlin has that is even remotely helpful. Why would someone buy from you?

Primary topic: Writing Tools

686 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Finding Subscribers

You have just designed and published your first e-zine. You are so proud of it. It looks great and it has wonderful content. You know the information you have to share is of great value to many readers out there in cyber space. There is only one problem. You have all of one (1) subscriber, you! Ouch! Now the real work begins. How in the world do you find the subscribers you need to fill your database? Here are a few of the ways that work for us. 1. Subscribe Form: A subscribe form should be on all pages of your website, or at least the most pertinent (most visited) pages of your site.r

Primary topic: Writing Tools

961 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Elements of an E-zine

Consistency is the key to a well designed e-zine. Aside from the format (look and feel) of the e-zine, the layout and order of your e-zine must be consistent. When you pick up a book to read, you expect the book to run in a certain order: the title page, copyright information page, possibly a table of contents, an introductory chapter, body of the book made up of various chapters, and a chapter that concludes the book and wraps everything up for you.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,209 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Words Have Power - Use That Power Wisely

Words are powerful. The little ditty we heard and sometimes used as a mantra (See? Words ARE powerful) of "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" just isn't true. Here's an example. One of my favorite memorials in Washington, D.C. is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. It's a different kind of memorial with four outdoor "rooms," one room for each of his terms. There are words everywhere, and one of my favorite phrases is inscribed on a granite wall, "I hate war."

Primary topic: Writing Tools

638 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

What If - Your Writing

As a writer, you might find yourself stuck - at the beginning (can't even get started), in the middle (where the heck do I go now), or at the end (is this really a good ending) of whatever you're writing. There are all sorts of techniques to get past writer's block, but it's even more than that.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

702 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Vantage Point - Your Audience's Point of View

A few months ago, I met with a former coaching client for a lovely dinner, and we spent some time catching up since it had been a couple of months since we had connected. We told each other our stories, including how some relationships, business and personal, had ended. She said it's like walking with someone along a path. You both can see the same thing because you're looking at the landscape from the same vantage point. You have a commonality. Then, the two of you come to a river and stop. The paths diverge. You can either cross the river or continue along the river on this side.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

595 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

How Do You Know When You're Writing From Your Soul?

I talk all the time about writing from your soul and how important it is to really connect your message to your audience. I've talked about how to do it, how to set yourself up for success, and what gets in the way. But how do you know if you're actually writing from your soul? That you're actually doing it, real time, right now? That what you're writing isn't just schlock, but real, true, writing from the soul? Think of it as a path you're on, with steps (even baby steps) and milestones. These steps are clues that, yes, you are indeed writing from your soul.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

674 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Lessons Learned From a Creative Writing Retreat

We may not be able to sit down and write anywhere. Some people can. Yay them! For me, though, my environment is ultra important. The energy of people around me affects me. The location. The natural environment. Maybe that sounds like I'm a diva and everything must be perfect if I'm going to write, dahling.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

698 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Are You Being Confusing in Your Writing? Six Steps to Make Your Writing Clearer

The most important aspect of connecting with your audience through words is being clear... Because if you're not clear, your readers certainly won't be. I was at a high-school band concert, and there was a box with "Cleaning Supplies" written on one side and "Lost and Found" written on another side... of the same box. Is it meant for cleaning supplies or lost and found? If I have a lost and found item, is it safe to put in this box? If I put cleaning supplies in this box, will someone thing they're lost items?

Primary topic: Writing Tools

616 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Setting Your Writing Up For Easy

For whatever reason, it's not as easy as one would think to sit down and write. I mean, all you need is a pen and paper or a keyboard, right? You could get a lot of writing done if you add up all these extra bits of time (yes, they really do exist): The 10 minutes before your next client call. The 15 minutes before you have to start dinner. The 5 minutes while the kids are getting ready for bed. The 20 minutes (I'm being optimistic here) that you're waiting in the doctor's office.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

741 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Will the Real You Please Stand Up and Market?

Whether you're a business owner or an employee, like it or not, there are thousands of people in your industry... Notice I didn't say, "There are thousands of business owners/employees just like you" because that's not true. However, if you present yourself like everyone else or play it safe in your marketing, then you might as well be just like everyone else. (And even if you don't think you're in the business of marketing, you are. If you're an employee, you're constantly marketing yourself, proving that you're the ideal person in your position.)

Primary topic: Writing Tools

569 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

What Is Your Content Creator Personality Type?

Writing looks like many different things (outlining, taking notes, recording our thoughts, stream of consciousness, to name a few), and we writers are all different, too. The biggest problem I see would-be writers and even those who make the leap and proclaim themselves writers to the world is that they don't think they're doing it properly. That probably comes from the good ol' Roman numeral outline, rough draft, and final version process taught in middle school.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

709 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

5 Writing Rituals to Get You Writing

When it's time to write, especially writing from one's soul, one doesn't just turn on a dime. At least, I don't. If I'm going to write from my soul, connect with my peeps, and write powerful, compelling material, I have to write consciously, not unconsciously. First, what do I mean by writing unconsciously?

Primary topic: Writing Tools

661 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

6 Keys to Reinventing Yourself

We're in the process of reinvention - all the time - because we're evolving and changing - all the time. One of my favorite quotations is "I am not the same person I was yesterday." And then the quotatio I came up with several years ago after going through some intense life changes was "The who I am today cannot catch up with the who I am becoming." And if we own our own businesses, and our businesses change and evolve, too, then it's almost as if the reinvention speeds up or intensifies somehow.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,116 views5/5 (1)

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

How to Convey Your Message With Power and Passion

Over my entire adult life, I've run into a lot of people who really struggle with writing. And some of these people are amazing at what they do, but they can't write. But, more importantly, they didn't THINK they could write. As a result, I started to take what I could see their problems were (because, yes, there were some places where they did need some help-but it wasn't hopeless) and begin to design solutions.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

1,426 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

The Writing Rhythm and Blues

As I talk with my coaching clients and work with people in my programs, the self-criticisms and struggles of gotta write, "Just do it," and feeling not good enough abound. As writers, it's what we all struggle with. "Am I good enough?" "I should just stop what I'm doing right now and give up this ridiculous idea." "Now that I'm committed to this project, I'm not having any fun. When you're writing about something you're passionate about, isn't it supposed to be fun?"

Primary topic: Writing Tools

760 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Structure Vs Creativity in Writing

As a writer, I find I'm always looking for new ways to flesh out my ideas. Not because I'm looking for an excuse to not delve into the words themselves, but because I don't want to get stuck in a rut. Outline only. Or mindmap only. Or writing down questions only ad nauseam. But at some point I actually have to sit down and write. It's a constant dance between creativity and structure. Between ideas and linear thinking. Between the-sky-is-the-limit thinking and tight, concise writing.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

823 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

You Gotta Want It Badly - 8 Ways to Actually Write

No matter how much we want and love to write, unless we're terribly disciplined or have deadlines (or an editor/agent looming over us), our default activity is not writing. In other words, if we have a spare minute, a break between activities, the rare gift of an unplanned hour, do we write? Or do we fill it in with stuff that "needs to be done"? Or take a much-needed nap? Or call a girlfriend and relax? Or make plans for dinner? I will write - after I take a shower and get dressed - and after I make the bed - and after I do the dishes.r

Primary topic: Writing Tools

886 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

Audience - Again and Again and Again

The most important consideration when writing anything, whether an article, sales page, press release, etc., is who your audience is. What you write, including your message, your style, the language you use, the concepts you mention or explain, is all determined by who your audience is. Writing is not about you at all. Sure, you're the conduit, and it might be your unique message you're conveying. But it's the audience who matters. You are connecting your message to them. So, you always need to be asking yourself these questions about your audience: Who is my audience?r

Primary topic: Writing Tools

898 views

By Dawn ShulerRecently published1 topic

7 Rules for Conscious Writing

You have a lot to write, and, of course, you want your words to come directly from your soul, connect with your audience (whether that be a reader or potential customer), and have a strong impact. To that end, the more conscious we are of our process, the easier, better, stronger it is. And most of the time, we get in our own way. We'd probably be able to create and write more easily if it weren't for our own bad selves.

Primary topic: Writing Tools

719 views

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