Graceful Resources

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Project Management Advice

3 Bad Words to Avoid in Copywriting

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The previous blog post about the upcoming guided project was a copywriting mea culpa.

Stated humbly another way, it was a content selfie. You deserved better.

It contained three bad words to avoid in online copywriting, both in web content and email forms.

The project announcement has now been adjusted but you can probably spot the three bad copywriting words between these original and revised paragraphs:

Original Paragraph

In alignment with my three goals to guide you strategically, keep you moving forward every week, and save you time and money, I am now preparing a new interactive do-it-yourself guided project for those who want to build an email list even without a website.

This project is for professionals like you and me who what to get things done now.

Revised Paragraph

In alignment with the three goals of Graceful Resources to guide you strategically, keep you moving forward every week, and save you time and money, a new guided do-it-yourself project is being launched to help you build an email list even without a website.

The project is going to be a meaningful experience for you as an entrepreneur to start building an email list of people who are genuinely interested in what you have to say or offer.

3 Bad Words to Avoid in Copywriting

As you probably guessed, the three bad words to avoid in copywriting are:

  1. Me
  2. My(self)
  3. I

Full Disclosure: There were originally 27 instances of these three words in the post How to Build an Email List Even Without a Website. Ouch!

Hat tip to copywriter Carrie Glenn who shared the dangers of me, myself, and I.

So as you share your passion with others, be mindful of these three words.

They are the copywriting equivalent of a selfie. 

Words-To-Avoid-in-Copywriting

Me, myself, and I focus the content on the writer (not good).

You, yourself, and yours shift the content focus to the audience (good).

Plural Words to Avoid in Copywriting

Accordingly, avoid the plural selfie versions as well:

  1. Us
  2. Our(selves)
  3. We

They are just as damaging but thankfully easy to correct too.

If you decide to join in the upcoming guided project (click here to stay connected to announcements), you’ll be able to share drafts of your content with the Graceful Resources team and with other project participants.

Copywriting selfies will be caught! 🙂

Hope this blog post helps,
Brent

3 Goals for Email Marketing (And For Your Success)

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Today is my birthday so been thinking a lot about the best ways to have a positive impact in the year ahead for the gracious professionals like you who are joining this journey called Graceful Resources.

You have a special gift to share with the world and you should profit from that passion so you can serve more people.

But you need momentum, one project step at a time.

If you are seeking professional project guidance for an online business, I’m here to help!

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3 Goals for Email Marketing (And For Your Success)

1. Receive Strategic Direction

Every online entrepreneur must have a solid foundation for growth and that starts with the right strategic direction and the right technology toolkit.

Strategic resources including some great books are outlined on the Graceful Resources about page.

2. Move Forward Every Week

Success is delivered to people who plan the work and then work the plan. A clear plan of action will guide your next step toward great results.

We use Teamwork Projects software for client projects and are now sharing this great project tool with participants in the upcoming guided do-it-yourself project to build an email list even without a website.

When you join the project, you’ll be given your own Teamwork login account and you will connect with other entrepreneurs going through the same project and journey.

And you will be guided along one project step at a time.

3. Save Time and Money

Online entrepreneurship is not free. There are real costs of doing online business plus the opportunity cost of your time.  You are on a tight budget and you do not want to make bad investments in software, services, programs, or people (only to then have to hire someone else to fix the problems).

Wise investments of your time and money will keep your dream alive!

Three Goals for Email Marketing (and Your Success)

If these three goals resonate with you, it would be an honor to have your join the Graceful Resources journey via this free mailing list. If you have any feedback, please feel free to drop a note via this form or in reply to any of email message.

Your success happens, one project step at a time!

Brent

Special Bonus: All subscribers to the mailing list can add their own lead magnet web addresses at any time to the lead magnet examples listing here on the Graceful Resources website. So free publicity for your website!

3 Reasons to Watch the Alike Short Film

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In the spirit of the holiday season, I shared my favorite Christmas-themed commercial in the previous blog post. If you are a fan of Star Wars, it is not to be missed.  The ending is also a nice tribute to actress Carrie Fisher (who passed away this week) and her famous Princess Leia character.

This week, in honor of the New Year’s holiday, I discovered another short video that is also worth watching. It is an award-winning animated film from a project team in Barcelona, Spain.

The film is called “Alike” and the synopsis is as follows:

In a busy life, Copi is a father who tries to teach the right way to his son, Paste. But… what is the correct path?

3 Reasons to Watch the Alike Short Film:

  1. The video itself is only 7 minutes long. It will be well worth your focused time. I promise you won’t regret it.
  2. Like the Star Wars based commercial from Germany, the story requires no words. The plot is easy to follow and the characters are priceless.
  3. The Alike short film will inspire you in the new year to follow your dream and to embrace your creativity. The alternative is kind of depressing.

You can watch the Alike short film right here…

Happy New Year!

Dream big in 2017 and to make it happen…

Plan the work and then work the plan.

If your goals involve landing pages, websites, or email marking, I’m here to guide you along step by step. I will continue to share advice through this blog and my free email mailing list (click here to sign up).

Other Plans for 2017

I’m now expanding my team to keep up with customer demand and more importantly, to help other entrepreneurs shine online with their respective business models.

I also plan to launch online courses for entrepreneurs who prefer do-it-yourself project plans related to the seamless integration of email marketing with landing pages and websites.

(For your quick reference, here are the website and email resources I use and recommend.)

I’m cheering for your creativity in 2017 so that we are not all alike!

Cheers,
Brent

Best Star Wars Christmas Commercial?

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Ok, I am not sure how many Star Wars themed Christmas commercials there are, but the inner project management geek in me thinks this holiday commercial is the best.

It is from Germany’s Kaufland Market (don’t worry, it doesn’t require any words to tell the story).

It has all the characteristics of a great project management love story:

  1. The hero sets a goal to win the girl.
  2. He tests out some ideas and evaluates his options.
  3. He then makes a decision.
  4. The hero practices his plan.
  5. Finally, he works up the courage to execute his plan.

I won’t spoil the ending for you, but it’s priceless.

Best Star Wars Christmas Commercial

Whether you’ve seen the commercial before, it’s worth watching again this holiday season…

Entrepreneurship is All About Projects

I’ve been on this entrepreneur journey for over eight years now.

Technology comes and goes.

Social media outlets come and go.

Some great ideas fail.

Some weak ideas succeed.

What always stands out for me is whether an entrepreneurial idea was managed as a project or not.

If there is no project, there is no chance of success (and I’ve learned that lesson many times).

The recipe for your success is simple…

Plan the work and then work the plan.

I’m here to guide you along step by step.

Happy Holidays!

I wish you and your family a very merry and graceful Christmas and a joyful New Year.

May the project management force be with you!

Cheers,
Brent

I’m a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) specializing in web design and lead generation strategies. I’m really good at outlining actionable steps for entrepreneurs struggling with web technology. Click here to join my mailing list for free weekly project management and technology advice and some really fun discoveries.