The cost of not spending

"What does it cost?" What a loaded question.

I'm often asked, what is the cost of hiring a writer or editor? I just finished reading a thread in a Facebook group. The topic was marketing, and the responses were posted by people who have their own businesses. They're not marketers or writers. Someone in the thread wanted to know: Should I hire a social media marketer and writer? (At the core, this is a "what is the cost?" question. People want to know, is this worth spending money on?)

The answers from those in the group made me cringe. The basic consensus was that any monkey could do their own marketing writing. Ouch. And if you wanted to hire someone, you could do it for a song. Double ouch. Above all, it was clear that no one wanted to pay more than what I'd pay a babysitter. The final Ouch. Not that babysitting isn't important...but, really?

Every skill, every craft, and every business has its experts. Experts give results, often in a shorter time, because they know what they're doing. Often through pain, they've earned  their stripes and pass on  their hard-earned knowledge to you. They know what they know -- and wield that knowledge mightily.  Some of us spend years, thousands of dollars in learning and degrees, and hours upon hours honing our craft...to become someone who can serve you well. Such expertise building is the same for all fields. So when it comes to writing, why do we say, oh, anyone can do that? Writing and social media marketing isn't any different, from any other expert field.

I wonder how the "any monkey can do it" belief system looks, applied to other fields.
"I can get anyone to teach (or watch) my kids. I don't need someone trained in child development and education."
"I can get the man down the road to look at my sick dog. I don't need a vet."
"I can get anyone to fill my prescriptions. I don't need a pharmacist."
"I can get the woman down the road to manage my business. I don't need a trained manager."
"I can fill my own tooth. I don't need a dentist."
"I can hire that guy down the road for surgery. I don't need a specialist."

That's not logic. That's not even basic thinking. The phrase, you get what you pay for, certainly applies. I heard a radio show the other day, while driving in the car. It was two guys talking about home repair, much like brothers Click and Clack, the Car Talk guys talk about fixing cars. The two home repair guys were moaning and groaning about the terrible results of a home owner trying to do-it-yourself and save money. Certain things need the expert, they said. In the long run, they said, the home owners end up paying much more in an escalated or new problem caused by the non-expert trying to fix the first issue. Some things just need an expert.

Think about your own business. Whatever you do, isn't there a level of expertise that you own, that you're proud of? I hope so.

What is the cost of not using the expert or giving yourself the edge? Whatever you need, whether it's in home repair or writing, there's a cost up front and a cost, long term. It all depends whether or not you have a short term or long term view.

And to the would-be social media marketers and writers on the Facebook page, I ask you this: If you don't hire that writer to fix the website, craft the words in that email, and help to communicate the brand and passion -- beyond the product -- then what is the ultimate cost to your business?

How many people will click away from the page?
How many people will toss the email into the bin as one more irritating junk piece that lowers their view of you?
How many people won't buy, join, or get excited about your ideas and product?
How many people won't even look at you -- because of the words?


It's about more than just saving money, isn't it? Cost is measured in so many different facets. And writers -- good ones -- make the difference.

Writing for you and me both,
Erin

P.S. This is a shameless post in defense of writers. We're worth it.

Simple, short, and strong

Good sentences make good writing. If you want to write a good letter to the editor, a good memo to your boss, or a good academic paper for your professor, master the sentence.

While writing, some of our sentences become overstuffed with powerful words. Too much power actually dulls the reader. Oh, I know -- our intent is to wow the reader. We want to zap electricity into the reader’s brain, impressing her with our expertise. We want to capture the reader’s heart, wooing him into admiration. But in the end, the drench of powerful words simply pushes the reader away. More makes powerful words lose their influence.

One of the best ways to make a point is to “go simple.” Make the sentence with your key point shorter. I know, I know – it seems that we need to do the opposite. We think, “Here comes the most important point; time to lay it on thick….”

It's tough. The urge to write sentences longer and thicker makes our fingertips itch and tremble. Our digits hover over the keyboard, yearning to throw in just one more superlative or descriptor. Don’t cave! Go short, direct, and clean. With different sentence lengths, you create effective contrast. Contrast can And if you want to really make an impact, remember that the short sentence is strongest.

Cheers,
Erin

                                

It's not "Sci Fi"...

Certain words carry negative meaning, and we all know to avoid those words. What's embarrassing is when we have no clue that we've used a derogatory word.

Last night on a Skype call, Russell Davis shared a critical word to avoid. I thought I'd share the information with you, so we're all in the loop. It's regarding the terms "Sci Fi" versus "Science Fiction." Russell was the president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) from 2008–2010, so when Russell speaks on the topic, one listens.
 
Here it is: Never use the term, "Sci Fi." It's known in the writing business as "derogatory, idiotic, and unintelligent" -- an insult that refers to mindless entertainment. Wow. Talk about the explosive potential of words.

So unless you want people to think ill of you, use "SF" or "Science Fiction."

Yes, Russell called me out for using the wrong term. But I must admit, after two other people on the call let the same term slip from their lips during the discussion, I felt much better. (We all have something to learn, don't we?)

So don't be caught with your terminology shield down.

Cheers,
Erin

A book every fiction writer should own...(and it's not what you think...)

Great writers of fiction know a secret. (And, when it comes to having better relationships, it's a secret that all of us could stand to learn, too.) It's about body language.

More than any words can do, body language instantly tells us about a person's thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

What does that have to do with writing? Great fiction writers don't tell the reader our characters' feelings. The reader knows--or figures out--the character's emotions, based the action. Specifically, we give readers clear emotions through body language.

When seated, palm-down hands placed on the top of the thighs can mean you're nervous. Rocking up and down on the balls of your feet can mean we're feeling positive or confident. Turning our front side away from someone can mean we're uncomfortable, that we're blocking ourselves from someone who is threatening, as we turn away from the discomfort.


Writers: Body language knowledge is a goldmine. How much do you  know?

Here's my new favorite on body language:
What Every Body is Saying: An Ex-FBI Agent's Guide to Speed-Reading People

If you're serious about fiction writing, invest in the book.

And if you're serious about knowing people--period--get the book, too. It can give you insight to understand--and get close to--those you care about.

To  your success,
Erin