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Professionalism: 3 Simple Tips for Better Smartphone Etiquette

October 23, 2017 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Smartphones. They’re so much fun. They’re so convenient. They’re such an evil, tempting distraction!

The emergence of the smartphone has necessitated the development of new etiquette standards because people don’t leave their work phones at the office anymore. More often than not, they bring their communication hub with them to every meeting, dinner, and networking event they attend. There’s nothing wrong with that; however, it becomes an issue when every event revolves around the phone.

When it comes to phone use in a professional setting, here are some basic cell phone etiquette tips to remember:

Phone Calls – Identify Yourself: When I was growing up, we always answered the house phone, “Hello, Van Buren’s.” It let the caller know whether or not they’d dialed the right number. These days, I often call entrepreneurs who answer the phone, “Hello?” It immediately makes me wonder if I’ve called a business or personal line, or if I even have the right number.

Don’t make the caller guess who they’re talking to. You don’t have to say your company name, but at the very least, let them know who they’re talking to. A simple, “Hello, this is Karin,” gives the caller someone to relate to.

Text Messages – Be Proper: If you’re texting a friend, it’s perfectly acceptable to use abbreviations, emojis, and any other vocabulary substitutes that you like. When you’re texting clients and employees, however, your text is still a professional correspondence. You wouldn’t say to a customer, “BRB,” so don’t text it. Your text messages will reflect your business, so make sure they present the right image.

Phone Etiquette – Put Down Your Phone: The year was 2001. When I had a meeting at work, I walked away from my desk – leaving my phone and computer behind – and gave my full attention to the speaker. I worked at that company for five years, and never once did the world end because a client had to wait an hour or two for me to finish my meeting. The same could be true today … if people would put down their phones.

There are very few instances when we need to be available 24/7. Few of us are so important that we need to respond to others within minutes of getting an email or text. All of us, however, show disrespect to others when we’re checking our phones during someone else’s presentation.

Put your phone down, and be present. In fact, turn it off or put it on silent (yes, we can all hear your phone vibrating on the table – it’s distracting). Not only will you be showing those around you that you care about the person/people talking to you, you’ll also get a lot more out of the event because you’ll have given it your complete attention.

Smartphones have revolutionized the way we communicate, but we need to make sure we’re using them wisely. These three simple smartphone etiquette tips will help you maintain your professional appearance while making the most of your smartphone.

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Filed Under: best practices, entrepreneur, freelance

In Crisis? Ask Yourself These 4 Powerful Questions! By Allie Pleiter

October 16, 2017 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

I’ve spent most of the last year teaching survival tactics to keep your creative self alive and well when life’s chaos is giving you a beating. What’s the most important tactic I know? It’s the power of asking yourself the right four questions when you find yourself in a tight spot.

Question #1.  What’s possible now?
When crisis hits, our brains kick into totalitarian thinking, cataloguing everything wrong about our situations and blinding us to current possibilities. After giving yourself a few minutes to react – shock, anger, annoyance, and frustration are all natural and can’t be avoided – deliberately force a shift of thinking toward what IS possible now? The good news is that the more you practice this shift, the easier it becomes. Sure, I’ve asked that question through gritted teeth. Sometimes it is genuinely hard to drag my brain off the negative.  I’ve found, however, that even the tiniest possibilities make coping much more possible.

Question #2.  What’s not possible now?
Many of us get into trouble precisely because we refuse to recognize the true limitations of a given crisis. If your spouse’s car accident injuries will pull your time and attention from your tight book deadline, own it now, not forty-eight hours before the book is due. It’s not easy, and it often feels like surrender, but it’s far better than denial.

Question #3. What do I need right now?
The “right now” is the crucial part here. At the start of a given crisis, you may need simply to get calm. Or at least calm-er. You may need someone who understands the process ahead of you better than you do at the moment (especially true in medical crises). Our “what if” tendencies gallop off in a dozen long-term directions, churning today’s problems into tomorrow’s catastrophes. Yes, the larger picture is important to consider. If we can train our brains to focus on the next solvable step, however, survival comes more easily.

Question #4. What do I want right now?
We often think of a crisis as “survival mode”—allowing only needs, not wants. That’s not necessarily true. You may need to eat, but you might also want someone to help you talk through your situation. Resist the urge to cast aside what might feel like “luxuries” until life calms down.  Non-essentials that make you calmer, more comfortable, or a bit more cheerful are not selfish, but a wise form of self-care that can bolster your endurance or clarity at a time when you need it most.

These four questions can offer you the foothold you may need to get through the first hours or days of any crisis. I find these questions work for any size dilemma—from a missed flight to a parent in an emergency surgery. If you can shift your thinking from the knee-jerk reaction of “EMERGENCY! PANIC!” to “What’s possible now? What’s not possible now? What do I need right now? What do I want right now?” you will discover your coping abilities can be far stronger.

Want more tips like these? Click HERE for a FREE infographics package filled with great strategies for writers facing stressful times.

—

As the bestselling author of over 30 books and the creator of The Chunky Method of time management for writers, Pleiter has met deadlines in the midst of some imposing traumas. Pleiter speaks nationally on creativity, faith, writing, and resilience amid life’s stormiest seas.

Filed Under: entrepreneur, freelance

Entrepreneur Interview: Katie Morford Phillips

October 2, 2017 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Having a passion for a business is not enough to launch a successful career. It takes careful planning and some strategy, as author and editor Katie Morford Phillips found out for herself. Taking time to strategize and “pick a lane,” however, is paying off. Here’s how Katie is making her business work.

Tell us about your business. What do you do, when did you start your own business, and why?
I’m an author, freelance fiction editor, and writing coach. I specialize in content edits of soft speculative fiction and helping women authors tell their stories with clarity and confidence.

I started my writing and editing career in journalism, working for a newspaper before serving as a communications manager, writer, and editor for a global non-profit. A little over four years ago, myself and three other women launched Crosshair Press, an indie publisher of fiction adventure stories that ask life’s tough questions. I edited nearly all of the Crosshair Press titles and started taking on other side projects as well.

In July 2016, I launched my own freelance editing business. I wanted the freedom to simultaneously help other women writers, while making a living working remotely. Looking to the future, I wanted a career opportunity that would let me pursue my passion and help out my family financially, while still staying at home with kids. 

What has been your biggest struggle in launching your business/career?
I think my biggest struggle is two-fold, yet related. Like any other entrepreneur, my biggest challenge has been gaining visibility and connecting with the right clients. To overcome this challenge, I needed to identify 1) What makes me/my services unique? And 2) Who is my ideal client.

Finding the answers to those questions proved more of a struggle than I anticipated. It forced me to narrow my vision, get very specific about what I like (and don’t like) to do, embrace my giftings, identify the type of person I want to work with, and let go of areas I felt I should enjoy, but don’t.

For example, most editors (in the colloquial sense) are line and copy editors. They love grammar, get giddy over their copy of the Chicago Manual of Style, and obsess over comma placement. For a long time, I felt insecure as an editor because that wasn’t me. At all. Yet, when an author has a knotty character problem, a messy middle to their story, or flat worldbuilding, I’m their woman. Many editors don’t like to interact with clients on a personal level. I love to chat with my clients and help them through every stage of the process, from the initial consult and coaching sessions, to final edits and revisions.

Embracing who I am as an editor—and who I’m not—was the first step to finding my niche and identifying the right clients. 

How did/are you overcoming it?
I think the problem of visibility and connecting with the right clients will probably continue to be a struggle. But researching business models, and getting to know my preferences, strengths, and weaknesses, has gone a long way to give me clarity about who am I as an editor and what I can offer my client. 

What’s surprised you the most about working for yourself?
How much I love it. I’ve discovered my passion, and there’s no going back. It’s hard, don’t get me wrong. I’ve shed many of tear of frustration and discouragement. Yet, there’s nothing like pursuing your passion, seeing a plan come together, and hearing your clients say, “This is what you were born to do.” 

What’s your favorite part of this kind of work?
The moment when a concept clicks for a client; when I can listen to their struggles, offer a practical solution, and see hope and inspiration light up in their eyes. I love helping authors move past their own roadblocks and tell the stories they were meant to tell, whether that’s through writing and branding coaching sessions, or an in-depth content edit. There’s nothing quite so fulfilling as seeing a fellow writer’s passion for their story and characters return to their eyes after a frustrating, discouraging stretch of trying to figure it out on their own. 

Is there any one event/moment that helped you move from starting your own business to making a living with your business?
Early this year, I offered a special of majorly-discounted manuscript consults in hopes of gaining my first few clients. It’s a gamble that’s definitely paid off in the long run. I soon discovered that if I could get authors to take a chance on me, and give me the opportunity to help them, those initial connections would become great future clients. I actually just signed a manuscript content edit agreement with my very first manuscript consult client. 

If you could give new freelance workers/entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would it be?
Know yourself, and know your business. There are so many fabulous free resources on branding and business. Educate yourself about your chosen field and ask people in that field about their greatest felt needs. Pare down your various interests and “pick a lane” to focus on, at least until you establish your business. It’s easier to become known as the expert or go-to person in one particular area. A successful business is where your passion meets your clients’ needs.

 If you could do one thing differently in your career, what would it be?
More organization, and less overwhelm. Greater clarity and focus on where my passions and income streams intersect, and less running around like a chicken with its head cut off. The paperwork and admin side of business is not my strong point, and it’s a constant struggle to keep the wheels turning properly. 

What’s your favorite kind of work? Why?
I love my writing and branding coaching sessions. It gives me the opportunity to connect personally with authors, hear their stories, and help set them on a path to success. 

What does your work space/office look like?
It alternates between my tiny studio apartment and the most convenient local coffee shop. Someday I will have my own office with bookshelves, a window seat, and a view.

What’s your go-to snack when you need one?
In the past, my editing snack was Starbursts. Currently, I’m obsessed with anything dark chocolate salted caramel. 

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
The life of a creative entrepreneur is not an easy road, and it’s certainly not for everyone. Some people just want to enjoy their passion without the limitations of business. Others are interested in making money working remotely, but lack the passion to sustain them through the lean times. But for the determined few, the life of a creative entrepreneur can be a personally and financially rewarding journey.

You can find Katie online at:
Website: www.storyforhisglory.com
Twitter: @AuthKarisWaters
Facebook: Facebook.com/Create.explore.illuminate

Filed Under: entrepreneur, interview

Entrepreneur Interview: Kristyn Taylor – K. Noelle Artistry

September 4, 2017 by Karin Beery 1 Comment

I’m so excited today to interview Kristyn Taylor, owner of K. Noelle Artistry – Hair and Makeup Design. Though most of my entrepreneurs run digital/online companies, Kristyn works in “the real world,” helping women present their best selves. Like many of us, she’s learned on-the-job, and today she’s giving us a look at her life.

Welcome! Please tell us about your business.
K. Noelle Artistry- Hair and Makeup Design: I am a licensed hair and makeup artist. I design hair and makeup for special occasions, mostly weddings.  I started my business almost 14 years ago. It all started after I took a stage makeup class in college, then began pursuing work as a makeup artist, which eventually evolved into hair and makeup. Though I primarily work with brides, I’m also trained in stage make-up.

What has been your biggest struggle in launching your business/career?
Time and technology (maintaining my website and Facebook page while also running my business and homeschooling my kids).

How are you overcoming it?
Each wedding season/year builds on the previous year, and every year I meet new vendors and persons that connect me to new avenues, which helps me find new ways to make better use of my time. I have hired someone to help me with the technology aspects (mainly website).

What’s surprised you the most about working for yourself?
My time management skills. I’ve had to work on it.

What’s your favorite part of this kind of work?
Meeting people face-to-face that I never would have had a chance to meet before. I also love bringing out the features of each client, enhancing the outward beauty of a person.

Is there any one event/moment that helped you move from starting your own business to making a living with your own business?
Not a specific event, but the boom of destination weddings up in Traverse City has increased my work tremendously.

If you could give a new freelance workers/entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would it be?
Three things: education (keep learning your skill/trade – I regularly attend industry conferences and events), network (online and in person – take advantage of local networking events), and stay true to who you are.

If you could do one thing differently in your career, what would it be?
Have weddings take place during the week and not start until 9 a.m.!

What’s your favorite kind of work? Why?
Coordinating and organizing the event. I love helping clients with their hair and make-up needs, but it’s fun to be part of the whole process.

What does your work space/office look like?
I have a salon at home, but I usually work anywhere and everywhere – tiny rooms, big rooms, hotels, condos, bathrooms, patios, or any place with a flat surfaces! I work on-location for most events, so I go wherever my clients are.

What does your work day look like?
If it’s an office day, I send emails, write contracts, and file paperwork.

Events are more exciting. The night before, I load my car with my kit, chair, table, and light. The morning of the event I rise quite early, eat/get my coffee, do my own hair and makeup, then arrive 30 minutes prior to start time. That gives me time to set up my station before I begin curling/pinning/ applying makeup. I very rarely have time for breaks, as I’m usually on a deadline. Before the event, I do final touch-ups, clean up my equipment, then find something to eat before going home exhausted.

What’s your go-to snack when you need one?
Dark Chocolate (or a good salad, when I’m being good).

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Please look for me online!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knoelleartistryhairandmakeup/
Website: http://www.knoelleartistry.com/

Filed Under: entrepreneur, interview

Entrepreneur Interview: Allison Fab Howell, FAB Over

August 7, 2017 by Karin Beery Leave a Comment

Setting up your online presence is easy, but these days videos are the trend in social media engagement. That can stir up some anxiety (in women and men) when you think about stepping in front of the camera. That’s how Allison “FAB” Howell felt, but she didn’t let it stop her. Instead, she combined all of her passions to help other female entrepreneurs feel more confident in themselves. Here’s Allison’s story.

Welcome to Write Now Edits! Please, tell us about your business. Please include what you do, when you started your own business, and why.
My name is Allison “FAB” Howell- social worker by day, Life Stylist by night. As a Life Stylist, I empower female entrepreneurs who have been hiding behind old photos and stock images to work through insecurities about their appearance so they’re confident and at ease when it comes to sharing their FABulous business & gifts with the world. I do this through Life Style Coaching and online courses (using my background in fashion, makeup, psychology, social work).

However, I didn’t start with this clarity. When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher, and artist, and a singer. I used to design clothes for my Barbies, and began making my own jewelry at the age of nine.

In college, the teacher interest morphed into psychology as I struggled with anxiety and depression. But I wanted something more hands-on, so I ended up changing my major to Social Work. I helped pay my way through school with retail jobs in fashion. After graduation and an internship, I got a “real” social worker, because that’s what I thought I was supposed to do.

But my passion for creativity never went away. I was a freelance makeup artist and tried my hand at network marketing with a few cosmetics companies.  I eventually began designing and selling my jewelry as a business while growing my family and continuing my 9-5 (which is really a 7:30-5, plus the commute… *go ahead an laugh, I do too each time I type it and dream of starting work at 9 a.m.).

But something always felt off.

I spent years trying to fit everyone else’s version of “trendy” or “professional,” only to feel out of place and insecure.

Living in a poverty-stricken small rural town for nine years, I knew the key to a successful business could be found online, but I was scared to show up as me, not to mention exhausted from everyday life.  It seemed like SO much work to get all dolled up to record a video, and I feared that people wouldn’t take me seriously if I showed up in my pajamas.

Eventually I learned to feel comfortable in my own skin and stop living by everyone else’s style and business “rules.” I began teaching people what I had learned through my years in fashion, makeup, psychology, social work. A coach suggested Personal Appearance Branding, and here we are.

It’s SO important to me to share this message that God placed in my heart because I believe that true beauty is a gift from our creator and shines through our spirit. That’s why real beauty is not boastful, prideful or selfish – it’s the fullest expression of God’s light in our world. It’s not only about makeup, clothes, and accessories, but a strong connection with spirit and self, expressed through our smile, appearance, and personality.  When we see our beauty as an expression of that, we can allow it to shine through us in all ways, and share it as service to others.

What has been your biggest struggle in launching your business/career?
Clarity! In case you didn’t notice from my journey above, I’m definitely multi-passionate! So I try to help everyone. But when I’m not clear on my own messaging, people don’t take me seriously as business owner.  

How did/are you overcoming it?
I’ve worked with a few different coaches and have been in masterminds that have been very helpful. But one key piece has been learning to lean into God more and trust the process. It’s definitely something I’m still working on and probably will always need reminders/guidance with.

What’s surprised you the most about working for yourself?
How much accountability I need. I never realized how important it was for me in all areas of my life. As I’ve grown as an entrepreneur, I’ve also grown as a person and become more aware of what does and doesn’t work for me. Even though I need alone time (true introvert at heart) , it’s imperative that I share my goals/desires with others and have regular check-ins to keep moving forward.

What’s your favorite part of this kind of work?
Seeing the transformation! It’s my absolute favorite thing in all the jobs that I’ve had, but especially as a Life Stylist. The moment when my clients are filled with FABulous confidence to move forward and share their own gifts with the world is SO rewarding! Just thinking about it puts a smile on my face!

Is there any one event/moment that helped you move from starting your own business to making a living with your own business?
In full transparency, I am still working my full-time job as well. However, the moment I became clear on how I really (deep down inside) want to and am being divinely guided to use my gifts to best serve the world, everything began to fall into place.

If you could give a new freelance workers/entrepreneurs one piece of advice, what would it be?
Trust the small voice inside of you (you know more than you give yourself credit for) & find someone you admire to help guide you (as a coach) along the way.

If you could do one thing differently in your career, what would it be?
I would have gotten clearer/trusted myself/taken more deliberate inspired action earlier in the process instead of second guessing myself along the way. However, I believe that all things are working for my good (it’s actually a little song I sing to myself  based on Romans 8:28) so I’m trusting the process.

What’s your favorite kind of work? Why?
I love helping my clients identify the themes/trends in what they want, especially when it comes to their style. When I see a Pinterest board full of different things that they love, my brain automatically starts connecting the dots of their style & seeing it come to life.

When I was little, my parents used to buy, restore, and refinish antique furniture. I’ve always had a eye for the potential (the beauty that lies in the midst of the chaos). So helping other people see it too (and then the lightbulbs that go off in their life) is incredibly rewarding!

What does your work space/office look like?
I have a desk in the upstairs loft/open area of our house (next to the kids’ TV). The desk is white and decorated with pops of color and glitter decor (glitter background on my vision board, a rainbow calendar, a hot pink mouse). Pretty much my business in a nutshell- haha.

What does your work day look like?
I get up half an hour before I need to get ready for work (between 5:30 & 6 a.m.) and start with a few minutes of gratitude. Then I begin posting/engaging on social media. I leave for my social work job around 7 a.m and don’t get home until about 5:45 p.m. While I’m there, I do as much Life Styling as possible on my breaks, and my lunches are often filled with connection calls or a Facebook Live.

When I get home in the evening, we try to have dinner together as a family and watch one of our favorite shows (pre-recorded of course!) before  it’s time to prep for the next day (get clothes ready for everyone, check our schedules, plan lunchs, etc). Once the kids are in their rooms winding down to sleep, my husband often works on his studies (he’s taking classes online) and I do content creation, check emails, and follow up with clients before heading to bed around 9:30 or 10 p.m.. I’m a crazy person if I don’t get enough sleep!

What’s your go-to snack when you need one?
I really love something with crunch! My favorite is Flaming Hot Cheetos, but I also love tortilla chips. And I ALWAYS have a tall glass of water with me (wherever I go). I can’t stress enough how key water is to feeling FABulous!

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for taking the time chat with me through these thought- provoking questions. If you’d like to know more (I’m usually an open book), feel free to reach out through my website or come find me in the Find Your FAB group on Facebook. It’s where  I love to share my random quirks & insights about how amazing I think every woman already is and help them discover what their version of FABulous looks & feels like.

If you’d like to learn more about Allison and what she does, checkout her website (fabover.com) or connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Filed Under: entrepreneur, interview

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A passionate lover of fiction, Karin doesn't just write novels, she helps others write their best stories! A certified substantive editor with the Christian Editor Connection, her goal is to help authors to put her out of business by equipping them with the tools they need to become better writers.

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