Do you use gmail?  Have you seen the ads on the right hand side of your messages?  Did you know that you can set up your Google adwords account to show ads on the gmail network?

Internet Marketer, Ryan Deiss has found a HUGE backdoor into Google advertising (PPC)  that cuts costs by up to 90%
and boosts conversions up to ten times.

Watch this 13 minute video to see how you can get your ads appearing beside the gmail messages.

PS … Ryan’s offer is good only until midnight January 19th … so do this now!!

Scott Myers has been writing screenplays since 1987 when Universal Studios bought and produced K-9, a spec script he co-wrote. Other movie credits include:  Alaska (1996), starring Thora Birch, andTrojan War (1997), starring Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Scott is an  Executive Producer with Distillery Pictures, and teaches screenwriting at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and online through UCLA Extension in his spare time.

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This series of 10 blog posts essentially take us through the process he uses to develop a script.

How I Write A Script is found on  Scott’s Blog … Go Into The Story

Part 1 — Story Concept

Part 2 — Brainstorming

Part 3 — Research

Part 4 — Character Development

Part 5 — Plotting

Part 6 — Outline

Part 7 — Script Diary

Part 8 — 1st Draft

Part 9 — 2nd Draft

Part 10 — 3rd Draft

Scott’s script writing process will give you a glimpse of a working writer in action. You will probably take parts of what he does and create your own process.

Need more help?  We have some of our favorite books in our Screen Writing Store … we feature books on screenwriting, on how to sell your script and loads of actual scripts you can read and learn from.

There are about a DOZEN different market guides for writers, from the editors of Writer’s Digest.  If you make a living selling your writing, you should probably have at least one or two of these handy information sources on your reference shelf.

Be sure to check out our Specialty Bookstores for recommended resources.

Writing Fiction

Writing Non-Fiction

Writing Screenplays

We’ve ALL been caught on the PC before…

• Playing games when we’re supposed to be working
• Planning a secret birthday party
• Looking at the “wrong” kind of website
• Just HATE someone looking over our shoulder … doesn’t matter what’s on the screen!

Suddenly, someone strides into the room - and we’re scrambling to hide all of those windows.
That intense panic, worry, suspicion. It’s BAD.  It LOOKS bad.  The other person can see us scrambling
to hide something, which makes them curious to find out what!

There IS a better way…

The Panic Button Software  hides ALL of your private windows - with just a single keystroke.

It’s totally customizable:

• it can mute your sound
• hide particular browser windows
• open programs
• and more!
• It can run in stealth mode too, so nobody knows it’s even installed.

Panic Button Pro is the ULTIMATE privacy guardian for your PC.

And YOU could have it protecting YOUR privacy - within the next 5 minutes.

Check this out to learn more

I highly recommend it. This is one great software tool!

GET YOUR FREE CD NOW!

Jeff Mills is the King of Outsourcing and MY Personal Outsourcing Guru.  I met him last spring at a Internet Business Conference here in Vancouver. In addition to being an amazing resource, he is one of the NICEST people I’ve met.

I have transformed my business using Jeff’s tactics and information. I now have several teams of “worker bees” working for me while I sleep.  I wake up in the morning to find that all the work I assigned the night before is done.  I can’t tell you how fabulous that is.

It has taken my productivity and the efficiency of my business UP by over 500%   All my workers are experts at what they do, which has expanded the capabilities of my company.

Jeff’s Free Video Reveals the #1 Secret for Tripling your Time Off and Doubling Your Monthly Income by Working with Virtual Assistants & Outsourced Teams Who do ALL Your Internet Marketing & Money Generating Activities For You!

If you want just a little bit of that for yourself …  CLICK HERE Enter your name and email … then fill out the form. You will get the free CD (just pay a very reasonable shipping charge) AND a 30 day FREE trial of Jeff’s Outsourcing Program. This is the SAME program I belong to. You’ll get 30 days to kick it around and see if it is a fit for you!  In addition to that you will get all sorts of OTHER FREE goodies. Be sure to go and take a peek at everything Jeff is giving away.

If you want to GROW YOUR BUSINESS you are nuts if you don’t take advantage of this program.

Melanie

Get all your goodies here

Where's YOUR computer?

How many photos do you have stored on your hard drive?

How many client files?

Is all your bookkeeping information on your computer?

Are you just days or weeks away from finishing off that novel or info product?

What would you DO if all that information disappeared tonight when you went to bed?

Some people get an adrenaline kick from disasters … but this is one disaster I can personally do without!

Look at it this way:

You hopefully have some kind of health insurance.

You may have life insurance,

If you drive a car, you should at least have liability insurance.

But there is NO insurance that will make the pain of a complete hard drive failure go away. IF you find someone who is capable of recovering the information from your hard drive, you will be amongst the very lucky and it will still cost you big time … both in cash outlay and in time delays and talk about major stress.

There is NOTHING that will alleviate your anger, anxiety and stress if your precious laptop is stolen.

One study found that 93% of the companies who have had their data disappear are usually OUT of business within a year.

I know you’re thinking … “Duh, I’ll just backup my files once a day or once a week.   Easy!”

Question:  Have you done it? When was the last time you backed up ALL your information.  Where is the backup?

Mozy is the closest thing to data insurance you can get.  With Mozy, you regularly back up your files and if a disaster occurs, you have the ability to easily restore the files.

Given the costs in time, stress and money, Mozy is a real bargain.

For the month of July, it is even MORE of a bargain because you can get a 10% discount off their annual or biannual plans.  Type the code (JULY) into the referral box at signup to get the discount.

Mozy Unlimited Backup – $4.95/Month

Image by Sprungli

Here are ten great resources about and for writting horror fiction … short stories, novels and screenplays.  Please DO tell us about your favorite sites and horror fiction books or movies.

1.  Horror Factor

Horror Factor offers great resources for almost all levels of horror writers; from enthusiasts to well known authors.
At Horror Factor, you will find almost all resources and tools needed to become a great writer, starting with their own email horror writing course.
User forums, horror writing contests, and horror market listings are also featured in this resourceful website. If you are interested in keeping up to date on what’s happening in the world of horror writing, simply subscribe to the horror fiction newsletter.

2. Horror Writers Association

Horror Writers Association is a guild where horror writers can meet to discuss a spectrum of topics. Guests are only offered a taste of what’s available. To get the full meal deal, you have to become a member.
Horror Writers Association offers three levels of memberships based on the experience you have in horror writing. Once registered as a member, you will have unlimited access to site’s resources such as blogs, market listings, and tips and tools. You can connect with Horror writers around the world through their blogs, myspace pages and websites.

3. Horror Writers UK

Horror Writers UK is an online community where you can publish your horror writing for reviews and critiques by other members. This is a place where, regardless of the type of writing, members are always willing to spend a bit of time helping your out. If you are a novice, then start by reading reviews available on the site. Doing so will give you insight in to how a proper fiction should be structured, the common mistakes in writing, and how a reader’s mind works.

4. World Horror Convention

This website is dedicated for the world horror convention, the annual gathering of professionals in the horror writing industry; authors, publishers, artists, and horror fans. The site also contains a lot of information about horror writing and the content is very well structured.

The message board allows users to share ideas and concerns. In addition to that, World Horror Convention contains many links to horror related websites. Unlike some other listings, this list of external links is up-to-date. By visiting this website, the users can get to know all information about the past horror conventions and also the future plans.

5. Writing Horror Fiction for Tweens

This is an excellent resource that we could not resist putting on the list!. Have you ever wondered how to write horror fictions for tweens?

This article systematically explains us the concerns, tips, and steps for writing horror for tweens. You should follow these advices and tips since you will be writing for a specific segment of children. The author needs to have a very good understanding of how tweens think and how sensitive they are for the subject on the horror fiction.

6. Monolith Graphics

This is one of the special website that is dedicated for horror fictions with horror graphics. By far, this is the best website that can be found for this subject matter. Monolith Graphics offers its users a variety of resources such as books, dark realms, journals, music CDs, gothic tarot, calendars, posters, t-shits, stickers and so on.
When it comes to commercial products such as books, Monolith Graphics facilitates a service where users can directly order from the web. In addition to that, users can also read story excerpts, official book reviews, and fan comments of the books. This definitely allows users to get to know the value of the book before making the purchase.

7. Horror World

This could be your one stop horror writing resource website. Horror World allows users to enjoy many unique resources that cannot be found in other websites.
First of all, the interviews with horror fiction authors are one of the most important features offered by the website. This is a great way to understand how their minds work and their approach to great fiction. In addition to that, Horror World contains a great collection of books in the library, so users can make use of them.
The article archives and chat rooms are a great way of digging up and sharing information, as well. The horror fiction reviews available on this website are comprehensive, yet interestingly shorter than the regular.
8. Writing Horror

This is not a conventional horror writing resource website. It is rather a user group for horror writers created using Yahoo! Groups. In the usual scenario, Yahoo! Groups are created to maintain a community for a common objective. Through Yahoo! Groups, the members can keep others updated about the latest trends, news, events, etc.  When it comes to Writing Horror, there is no exception. The members of Writing Horror keep the rest of the members informed about everything related to horror writing. The members can simply post messages conveying their ideas, concerns etc. and also ask questions from other members.
In addition to the group posts, there are files uploaded by users that contain useful information on horror writing. So check it out!

9. How to Write a Horror Screenplay

This is a quick outline guide to writing horror screenplays. It’s for people who know what a three act structure is and probably have written something before and are considering writing a horror for the first time. But it’s also worth reading if you want to know why horror movies hold their appeal (and why so many get made).

10. If you want to WRITE horror, you have to READ horror.  Clive Barker is widely acknowledged as the master of nerve-shattering horror. Here are a great selection of his books. Clive Barker Horror Classics

The problem is, when I face that blank piece of paper, or computer screen, my mind also goes blank. Duh. I can stare at the screen for an hour, just meditating on whiteness.

From time to time I am inspired to haul out my watercolor paint box and a nice white piece of watercolor paper. The same thing happens. Whatever it was that inspired me to get my art tools out has suddenly disappeared. The idea is gone, and again I meditate on whiteness.

I know from talking to hundreds of writers, photographers and artists that I am not the only one with the Blank Page Syndrome!

Over the years I have come up with ways to keep the idea pipeline full.  What works best for ME may not work for you. So though I will give you my technique for fighting the blank page syndrome, I encourage you to contribute your ideas and techniques.

My blank page syndrome pops into being when I put myself on the spot. The fact that I have created a deadline somehow leads to the diagnosis, “brain dead.”

At other times I have an endless stream of ideas.  My clients can’t shut me up. I don’t have enough time to implement all the ideas I have for my blogs and newsletters.

My solution is to capture my ideas when there is no deadline looming. It took me over a year to develop a system for capturing the ideas in a way that is easy, fast. elegant and ultimately useful given MY working style.

If I am in front of my own computer, it is easy. I use an online program called Backpack to capture my ideas in the form of notes or lists.  I can track my ideas by creating pages, or tags.  For example, if I had an idea for this newsletter … I might put my idea on my “Freelance News Ideas” page or if I put it on another page (for example my “Twitter Info” page … I could tag the page with “FN ideas.”

If I am not at MY computer, but a computer is handy I will send myself an email labelled “Freelance News Ideas.”  Then when I get back to my office, I’ll transfer that to Backpack.

If no compute is in sight, back to a low tech solution. File cards in my purse or briefcase.

I still regularly come up against the Blank Page Syndrome, but now the solution is seconds away. Now there’s another problem! Which one of these thousands of ideas should I choose?

I’d love to hear YOUR solution to the Blank Page Syndrome!

Melanie Rockett
the IDEA Queen … 625,689 ideas and counting!

Why Every Single Client and Every Single Business Writer Should Always, Always Use a Creative Brief!

In this article you’ll learn the #1 reason writing projects fail… and how to make sure YOU don’t get the blame!

It all boils down to a simple but very powerful planning tool… the Project Brief.

In advertising and marketing agencies they’re called Creative Briefs, and a job doesn’t move forward without one. Sophisticated marketers have learned that certain core questions MUST be answered if the project is to succeed.

Creative Briefs are as individual as the agencies that use them, but they all have points in common. Their goal is to define the project, clearly state the objectives, and provide critical information to the team charged with executing the marketing campaign.

Some of the most important questions to be answered include:

• Who is our audience?
• What lists are we using?
• What is the product’s unique selling proposition (USP)?
• What are the key “pains” of our audience?
• What is our offer?
• What are the objections we’ll need to overcome?
• Who is our competition?

My business-to-business Creative Brief has 33 such questions, and my business-to-consumer has 44. What’s more, I have a Creative Brief specific to my copywriting specialty, the software industry.

I don’t write a word until the Creative Brief is complete and I have all the information I need to write a powerful direct mail package, online promotion, website, or what-have-you. With a properly completed Creative Brief, you the writer will be able to write strong copy that’s supported by other essential elements for success, such as quality lists, a great offer, and a smart strategy.

What If You Don’t Use A Creative Brief?

Be prepared for trouble. Not only have I lived it, but I often help my coaching students out of “hot spots.” Writing without a plan practically ensures you’ll fall into one or more of these traps:

• Your concepts and ideas are off the mark
• You lose money and time in heavy revisions
• You hand in unacceptable work
• Your client’s promotion fails
• You miss that all-important deadline

The benefit of using a Creative Brief for every writing project has been proven thousands of times with successful results. Using a Creative Brief dramatically increases a promotion’s chance for success because both parties (copywriter and client) have crafted a plan that has
considered all of the elements required for success.

A strong Creative Brief also gives the copywriter an opportunity to assess the project’s strengths and weaknesses and make changes. For instance, the writer might argue that the offer needs beefing up. Now’s the time to craft a good offer…not later, when it costs time and money to make the change!

Best of all, a Creative Brief gets the “grunt work” out of the way. With a well-conceived Creative Brief in hand, you can:

• Tackle the project with confidence
• Work quickly, without starts and stops, and earn more
• Enjoy the process instead of stressing out

The Creative Brief is so important to the business freelancer that I usually introduce it to my students within the first two or three  coaching sessions.   If you’re interested in learning how you can take advantage of master-level knowledge, documents, and processes for the business freelancer, you’re invited to visit my Coaching site and ask for a free consultation at  The Copywriters Coach. 

Chris Marlow, all rights reserved

* * * * *

Chris Marlow shows copywriters and other freelancers how to land the
high-value, high-quality clients through her popular Coaching Program
and Get Great Clients ezine. Sign up for your free subscription and
get instant downloads of four timely articles on how the right clients
can help you build your most profitable business!

RESOURCES

Books we recommend on Copywriting

Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Easy Steps: Build the Buzz and Sell the Sizzle (Entrepreneur Magazine)

Web Copy That Sells: The Revolutionary Formula for Creating Killer Copy Every Time

In a word, it’s Empathy.

And my copywriting colleagues should know this, because understanding the pains, frustrations, desires, wants, needs, and goals and aspirations of your target audience is the key to higher response rates, more orders…and yes, better clients.

Why is this?

Simply because as human beings, from the moment of birth (and that first slap on the fanny) we are in pain. We are in psychological pain(How can I get out of debt?), emotional pain (I hate this job), and sometimes physical pain (starting with our first moments into this
world).

Are we ALWAYS in pain? Of course not. Sometimes we have pleasure, but first the pain must be absent (maybe this is why drugs are so popular!).

Now here comes the clincher: Pain is more powerful than pleasure. The human being will seek to alleviate his pain before he will seek to find pleasure.

The lesson here?

Simply that the freelance consultant who knows her target market’s pain… and seeks to SOLVE it… will be the freelance consultant who gets the job.

In lead-generating direct marketing, this is what the “offer” is all about.

As a direct response copywriter who targets marketing directors, I’ve made it my business to know what their life is like at work. I know a number of “pains” they deal with on a daily or weekly basis, and then I figure out how I can help them solve those pains.

When I think I have a great solution to a problem (e.g., how to increase response rates, shorten sales cycles, gain market share), I write a report (or guide, White Paper, Problem/Solution Recommender, etc.), and I present this free information as an offer to my target.

Being of high quality (I present only to pre-qualified prospects who meet certain criteria), this marketing director recognizes that I too am of high quality, and a “hot lead” is born.

When I share this information with my coaching students, I sometimes point out that most copywriters study every detail of the product or service, and spend very little time delving into the living, breathing pains of the prospect.

This is a terrible mistake, of course, because it is not the product we must convince…it is the prospect. So spend the time it takes to get to know the unique pains of your target audience, then offer them a solution for solving a specific problem.

For freelancers who target business, “pain” is on your side. You might find selling pleasure very profitable in the B2C space, but in B2B, pain is king!

Chris Marlow, all rights reserved

* * * * *

Chris Marlow shows copywriters and other freelancers how to land the
high-value, high-quality clients through her popular Coaching Program
and Get Great Clients ezine. Sign up for your free subscription and
get instant downloads of four timely articles on how the right clients
can help you build your most profitable business!

RESOURCES

Juran on Quality by Design: The New Steps for Planning Quality into Goods and Services

Content Rich: Writing Your Way to Wealth on the Web

Persuasive Business Proposals: Writing to Win Customers, Clients, and Contracts