Do you have this? Where there’s a thing that you are really good at helping other people do all the live-long day — but doing it for yourself makes you want to stab yourself in the neck with a fork?
Sorry if that description was a bit disgusting, but it’s how I feel, man. Anyway, I’m going to tell you about my one of these things, and what I did to deal with it.
About a month ago, I realized I needed to write a new page for my website. On top of helping people like you sell your services, products and talents to dream clients who desperately need them, I also work with corporate, NGO and non-profit organizations. I run workshops on how to use storytelling for better communication, more innovation and to ramp up your leadership skills.
Or rather, I ran them.
Then we went into lockdown, the world lost its mind and I knew I had to tweak those workshops. I knew that companies who were used to doing everything in person were suddenly having to adapt to their staff working remotely, with everyone communicating over screens and emails. Handily, I have some Charismatic Communication workshops that are perfect to help people with this. I didn’t yet have a sales page for them. But it’s ok — I teach people how to write killer Sales Pages with Soul. So no problem… right?
Except…
…whenever I thought about it, I mostly felt like a whining child. MUMMY WHY ARE YOU MAKING ME WRITE A SALES PAGE MUMMY IT’S SO UNFAIR I DON’T WANT TO MUMMY WHY WHY WHY MUMMMMYYYYYYYYYY!!
So here’s what I did.
I reminded myself of one of my favourite mantras (and one that, I recently discovered Denise Duffield Thomas quotes me on in her book Chillpreneur!):
ANYTHING I COME UP WITH IS LITERALLY BETTER THAN NOTHING.
And so I wrote. I was wincing the whole time. I was certain that what I was writing was terrible, cringeworthy. At times, it made me feel a little sick in my mouth. One part of my brain kept yelling, “Stop! This is nonsense! Don’t you think you should go and check Facebook instead? Or have a snack? Or kill yourself?” But I stayed at my desk and wrote. And then I closed my laptop and refused to look at it for 24 hours.
I did this because I know that it’s always, ALWAYS easier to edit a lump of garbage than it is to write from scratch.
I went back the next day and, you know what? It actually wasn’t that bad! Even as a first draft! All those years of learning how to write good sales copy had baked into my bones without my realizing it — the voice telling it was terrible was just my resistance. I didn’t even have to do much editing!
And now I HAVE THE BLOODY PAGE OF COPY WRITTEN!!!!!
Will I revise it? Probably. Does it do the job I need it to right now? Definitely.
If there’s a bit of writing you’ve been putting off, try this out. Say to yourself:
ANYTHING I COME UP WITH IS LITERALLY BETTER THAN NOTHING
Just write something.
Then go away and come back the next day. I promise you’ll have an easier time of it.
And if you’re reading this thinking,
“Hang on, that’s how I feel every time I have to write sales copy!!”, then I’ve got your back! Starting June 1st, I’m running a four-week Sales Pages With Soul class. For 2 hours each week, I’ll take you through my Sales Pages With Soul process for pulling out the exact words and phrases that’ll have your ideal clients going, “OMG I NEEEEED YOOOOOOU,” “How can I hire you???” and (my favourite), “Thank you, just this sales page on its own really helped me.”
Want to get on the waitlist and be the first to find out when doors open? AND to get a few little bits and bobs and free resources before the class even starts? Pop your details in below:
*You’ll also get my easy guide on the Magic Bullet when it comes to captivating storytelling, and join the Yes Yes Family with free tips on how to Be Unforgettable. It’s free, and you can unsubscribe literally whenever you like. I am not the boss of you.
OR if you can’t even wait that long, let me help you one-on-one (I even have lockdown special pricing until the end of May!). All the info (and the button to book a free call with me) here: yesyesmarsha.com/saleswithsoul
Thank you so much, for reading. If you know anyone who REALLY needs to hear this bit of advice, you can share it with them by clicking on the round buttons below or by clicking HERE to share on Facebook
You rule!
xx (Yes Yes) Marsha
PS as well as getting to hear about the class before anyone else, I’m going to be sending out some resources you get given class to this list, so even if you don’t end up joining the class, you’ll have them. Want that? Then pop your details in here to get into TEAM WAITLIST:
Photo by the amazing Caroline White
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