And wow, what a ride!
When I reflect back over the past year, I have the benefit of 20/20 hindsight. If I had to do it all over again, I would have only accepted writing-related projects and not wasted my time with the other, more general-VA type stuff. I would have spent my advertising dollars more focused to my target market. I’m sure there are other things I would have done differently, but that’s all I can think of right now. That’s fine though, because life is about moving forward.
So, with 2006 around the corner, I have some big plans:
Finish writing my co-authored book about beginning and running a successful VA practice
Begin marketing it, and my first book, Write It Right, The Ground Rules for Self-Editing Like the Pros
Begin writing a novel: That’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I figure now is as good a time as any to start!
Continue to volunteer: With IVAA and helping with “kidwriting” in my son’s kindergarten class.
Continue to learn: Attend some online courses/trainings and any industry conferences
Continue to work with clients that give me projects that interest and challenge me and make the best use of my time.
Maintain a “full” work schedule (25-30 hours/week) while still keeping enough time to spend with my children and husband.
Travel more
Those are my “New Years Resolutions” What are yours?
Lauren
I got a call today from my younger son’s preschool today that he wasn’t feeling well and he was asking for me to come get him. He’s got a cold, cough, runny nose, sneezing, fever, plus reactive airway disease (like asthma) on top of it all. So this afternoon I was able to take care of my son and get some work done in between it all. I felt so lucky that I don’t have to feel “torn” between my employer and the needs of my children. I have total control over my decisions and, knock on wood, I’ve been able to meet the needs of my clients and my family without missing a client deadline. So many other parents don’t have that flexibility of rearranging their schedule to shift their working hours if an emergency arises.
Well, since my husband is home and on sick kid duty, it’s time to get some work done!
As an avid writer and a reader, I read lots of books to my kids. My kindergartner brings home a new library book once a week. This one we were reading was really long and about a dog that liked to take taxi rides. Anyway, on one of his adventures, he became “disconsolate.” What?? Who would use that word in a children’s book? It’s hard enough for an adult to give a definition of that, let alone a 5 year old.
What’s my point in this post? Keep your readers in mind when you write anything. Ask yourself who your target audience is. Will they understand your terminology or vocabulary? Will you alienate them with your choice of words?
Oh, and speaking of alienating your readers, don’t use “I” when you’re writing an article. You’ll turn your readers off. I have been doing a lot of ghostediting lately and I’m constantly editing out “I.” People really don’t care when you write about what you did or what you think. They care how what you say will impact them. Write from their point of view.
Wow, what a difference a couple weeks makes.
Ever since the Houston IVAA Summit, I decided to refocus my business on the writing/editing/publicity aspect and do away with general administrative VA-type tasks. That, combined with a slowdown of many of my clients due to the holiday season, I had the opportunity to take on more of my ideal clients.
Now I have recently taken two clients on at 10 hours a week each and continue to get calls from potential new and previous clients. So I need to explore options of adding a few more hours a week of childcare. I’ve thought of hiring a nanny, but that may be overkill.
So in the meantime, I’m checking into options to add on another hour and a half to two hours onto my workday. The problem is, I need someone NOW!
I’m just amazed at how when I finally focused my business to a very narrow niche, it’s really taking off. Now I’m doing the work I really like and am skilled at, keeping as busy as I could right now, and being able to work from the comfort of home. I feel like I’ve “made it.” Life is good.
This morning, while fixing breakfast, I was fortunate enough to be able to watch a few minutes of The Today Show instead of Clifford the Big Red Dog. So I caught just a little bit of Al doing the weather outside and his little audience participation bit. There are always lots of people standing outside the studio trying to get interviewed by Al on TV. The one he interviewed was a guy dressed in dress slacks, a white shirt and a red power tie. No parka or wool dress coat like everyone else. It had to be in the 30’s (F). Why do you think he got picked out of all the other possibilities? Because he stood out. He was different. A good reminder for any publicity we do.
I’m reminded of one of my favorite quotes, from, of all places A Thomas the Tank Engine video. Sir Topham Hatt said, “Different…is what makes you special.” It definitely proved to be true in this case.