Rich Brooks of flyteblog and Business Blog Consulting posted about how difficult it is for clients to write the content for the Web sites Rich’s company designs for them. The post was titled: News Flash: Web Sites Are a Lot of Work!

One of Rich’s clients wrote him, “I am amazed at how time consuming the writing and organization is.” No kidding. As a full-time freelance copywriter, I’m not surprised or amazed. As I noted in a comment on Rich’s blog, writing is by far the hardest work I’ve ever done.

I then offered a few suggestions that might make writing a little easier. I’d like to repeat them here:

First, research, organize, and outline your material before you start writing. It really helps to know where you’re going before you start.

Second, write quickly. Listen to the voice in your head (the one who did all that research) and just take dictation. Don’t worry about typos or bad spelling. You’ll fix all that later.

Don’t try to “think it up”. Just get it down. Be clear, not fancy. If you don’t know a fact, type (insert fact here) or something similar. Try not to interrupt the flow.

Give yourself permission to write a lousy first draft. Even for professional writers, perfect sentences usually do not flow easily. Just try to get your basic ideas down, even if they’re awkward and ill-formed at first. Later, you can (and must) go back, edit and rewrite, and rewrite, and rewrite, etc.

Oh, and rewrite some more.

What part of writing is most difficult for you? I’m collecting a series of writing tips that I hope to release before the end of the year (sorry, other projects are due first) and your input would be valuable.

If you’d like a copy when it’s ready, post a comment below or ask for it at my Web site.

Here’s another writing tip for your next PowerPoint presentation:

Create slide titles that convey a sense of urgency, news, importance.

How? One way is to write them like a headline you’d see in a newspaper. For example, instead of using the obvious (and boring) slide title “Q4 Sales Report,” try this instead:

“Q4 Sales Soar” or “Q4 Sales Sag” or “Q4 Sales Inch Higher”

Maybe even :

“Sales, Revenues Skyrocket in Q4″

I’m not talking about changing the message or hiding facts — just finding a more dynamic and interesting way to convey your message. It might seem like a small thing. But using action words to add a sense of urgency is another subtle way to increase the power and importance of your entire presentation. It’s more fun for your audience, too.

PS: The same principle can be applied to the headings and subheads in memos and reports, too.

Agree? Disagree? What do you think?

I’ve changed the name of this blog to better reflect what it’s all about: attracting clients and customers to your small business, professional firm or consulting practice.

Sharing your expert knowledge and experience with prospective clients, in an appealing and informative way, is one of the most effective and least expensive ways to build your business — without yelling or selling.

What do you think?

A big hello to Sherry and Kristin of Counseling Services, Inc. of Saco, Maine, and to all the volunteers who worked so hard organizing and running CSI’s big fund-raiser last Friday (Aug 26).

Special thanks to all the business owners and everyone who teed it up during CSI’s 14th Annual Drive Against Child Abuse golf tournament.

The event was held at beautiful Dunegrass G. C. in Old Orchard Beach on a sunny, warm day. Perfect golf weather, with only a light breeze.

Since 1971, Counseling Services, Inc., (CSI) has provided affordable mental health and substance abuse treatment for children and adults in Southern Maine.

I’m still waiting to hear how many participants sank a hole-in-one and split that $10,000 with CSI.

The PC maker has been the brunt of many a bad rap in the blogosphere (and beyond) lately. As I mentioned earlier, it started with a series of “Dell Hell” memos from blogger John Jarvis. First, he had major problems with his Dell laptop. When he complained (or tried to) he experienced nightmarish Customer Service from Hell.

You can read Jeff’s entire series of posts here.

Well, the mammoth computer maker has seen the light. Or heard the blogosphere. At least that’s what their PR reps say. Shankar Gupta reports in Online Media Daily:

“(Dell) says it has new procedures for dealing with the blogosphere. The company’s public relations department monitors blogs, looking for commentaries and complaints–and, starting about a month ago, began forwarding complaints with personally identifiable information to the customer service department so that representatives can contact dissatisfied consumers directly…”

PS: The article appeared the same day Jarvis finally got his refund from Dell.

Bert Decker points out that a bad ending can torpedo a good presentation. He offers six ways NOT to end your next presentation. In brief:

1. Don’t step back.
2. Don’t look away.
3. Don’t move on the last word. Hold still for a half-beat after the “you” in “thank you.”
4. Don’t raise your hands. Think of yourself as the gracious host or hostess and drop your hands with an appreciative “thank you.”
5. Don’t rush to collect your papers, visual aids or displays. Hang around for a while.
6. Even if you think you bombed, never blackball yourself with a critical grimace, a shake of the head, eyes rolled upward, a disgusted little sigh.

It’s a little like show biz. Old vaudevillians used to say, “Get a good opening and a good closing. The middle will take care of itself.”

I’d add this important point: Rehearse your opening and closing – out loud — until you’ve got both down cold. It’ll boost your confidence and eliminate those wishy-washing endings that undercut all your hard work.

Remember, even professional musicians and athletes have to practice — and they’re pros! All the more reason for us mere amateurs to work out the bugs in private.

More presentation tips are on my web site.