Notes from Minnesota

In today's show, I'm honored to chat with Jody J. Sperling from The Reluctant Marketer Podcast. We discuss: Conquering fear, particularly reticence to market your…

Today I discuss two marketing methods I encountered last week. It's an interesting exercise with lessons for every creative entrepreneur including… Red flags that screamed one marketing method wouldn't suit... Read more »

In today's installment of Notes from Minnesota, I discuss… Three mistakes that can hurt your creative career A brief primer on some writing scams How to identify to whom you're... Read more »

In today's (much delayed) Notes from Minnesota podcast, Beth explains where she's been lo these many months. She also discusses: Why it's important to explore physical reasons for symptoms that... Read more »

(Hey! You can listen to this entire newsletter here!) Hey Creative Entrepreneur! Well, this isn't an announcement I was figuring I'd make. It's been an interesting few weeks since last... Read more »

Not in the mood to read? Listen here! Hey Creative Entrepreneur! I recently discovered a dear friend and longtime subscriber has succumbed to melanoma. I was not only stunned, but... Read more »

Hey Creative Entrepreneur! I know it’s been a while. I’m still dealing with some interesting complications from my nasty Covid diagnosis. Gotta say, I feel better than I have in... Read more »

*NOTE: Scroll to the bottom of this page to listen to an MP3 recording of this newsletter! Hey Creative Entrepreneur! Oh my. It has been a while, eh? Truth is,... Read more »

Sigh. The fun never ends! In today’s episode, the Chix discuss some challenges when selling books on Amazon. Issues like: Buy Button shockers Pricing conundrums Some possible workarounds The possibility... Read more »

In today’s podcast, the Chix discuss a tried and true marketing technique that is making a quiet, yet strong comeback. Many proclaimed its death, but the Chix concur that in... Read more »

Hey Writer, Scribe, Influencer! My office is a mess. If you recall, we built a nice outdoor catio for our two kittys last summer. While my guys were pounding nails,... Read more »

Today Victoria, Donna, and Beth share their personal stories on how they began their freelance careers including: * How Beth began her publishing house and why she runs it in... Read more »

What do you do when a client expects more but is only willing to pay less? In today’s 3Chix discussion, Donna, Victoria, and Beth discuss: * Donna’s famous Eight Second... Read more »

Today Beth is joined by Janet Scott from Studio 36. They discuss the re-branding and utter transformation of a particular project…     Websites mentioned: https://www.facebook.com/JLStudio36/ https://www.facebook.com/JanetScottDesign/ See the new... Read more »

Diversifying your business can be a savvy move… assuming you do it right. In today’s episode of Notes from Minnesota, the 3Chix discuss how to evaluate potential projects/products, when diversification... Read more »

But it’s not! Check out today’s Notes from Minnesota Podcast. Here’s where we detail step one on how to achieve the miracle of instant change… Enjoy!

What would you do if you discovered you could achieve lifelong dreams, become the person you always wanted to be, rediscover joy, reclaim your schedule… act rather than react… all... Read more »

Oh my! So many smoke and mirrors on the Internet. Today Donna, Victoria, and Beth discuss what you should look for when selecting a mentor, agent, or “expert” to follow.... Read more »

Hey Freelancer! Welcome to a Writing Etc. Mini. I promised occasional fast, useful, info packed additions to your regular Writing Etc. subscription so I’ll keep ‘er short today. It’s February!... Read more »

In today’s special episode of Notes from Minnesota, Victoria Rosendahl and I are joined by copywriter extraordinaire Donna Doyle to chat about the state of copywriting in the new year.... Read more »

~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~ Hey Freelancer! Thanks for all the kind comments concerning the audio version of Writing Etc. I love that you enjoy it! If you’re short on... Read more »

(Pssst… No time to read? Want to nab the MP3? Scroll to the bottom. We’re talking six minutes this time.) ~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~ Hey Freelancer, Well. After over... Read more »

~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~ Hey Freelancer, Every now and again, I have the incredible opportunity to work on what I call a “passion project.” This project generally falls outside... Read more »

~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~ Hey Freelancer, Greetings and salutations from the Great White North. (Actually, it’s pretty brown around here.) I’m in a pickle. Recently invited to take part... Read more »

Life’s fabulous! Have a thick skin! Never let ‘em see you sweat! Think happy thoughts! How do you handle social media glory with the realities of freelancing in a world... Read more »

How does trademark work? What are the implications of trademarking certain words? Today Beth and Victoria (who just happens to be a retired attorney) discuss the current #CockyGate situation, ripples,... Read more »

An interview with the ever fabulous Victoria Rosendahl! Video below, audio at the end of this post. Today I speak with dear friend, wonderful writer, and savvy marketer Victoria Rosendahl... Read more »

Mark Redmond is the creator of the Arty Anderson Series. With lively characters, Redmond tackles thorny philosophical issues with a deft hand, all framed by a solid Christian faith. However,... Read more »

Hey Freelancer, I’ve got another snarly, head scratching scenario on tap today. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not some sort of saint. However, you probably won’t convince me that cutting... Read more »

~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~ Hey Freelancer, Lina, the Flamepoint Siamese kitten, is on her first diet. Vet said she’s beginning to resemble a wood tick. Sigh. I’m on a... Read more »

* Scroll to the bottom to listen to this post! * ~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~ Hey Freelancer, You know I enjoy marketing. Persuasion is (and will likely always will... Read more »

Today I answer a reader’s question: How does a writer find work, how do they know what to charge, and how do they get paid. Ah, timeless questions… Your wish... Read more »

If you have a Facebook “Page,” you may be in for an unpleasant surprise. According to The Guardian (link below), Facebook is running a test in six countries keeping all... Read more »

Uff-da. I never thought creative blocks could be controversial. Guess they are. Yes, the “blocks don’t exist” and the “just sit down and write” crowd is alive and well. Those... Read more »

After checking out today’s podcast, you may want to rethink your notions on who should write books and why. Just think… for just a little effort, you can turbo-charge your... Read more »

If you’re not as prolific as you’d like, it may be time to examine what’s going on. Life on the other side of cancer isn’t necessarily all roses and tulips.... Read more »

~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~ Hey Freelancer, Oy, what a week. As I’ve been focusing on rebuilding my post cancer writing career, a couple interesting events have unfolded this past... Read more »

~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~ Hey Freelancer! My head is spinning. I recently ordered four books from Amazon. When they arrived, I realized every single one of them was printed... Read more »

And more importantly… why is it there? Save

The passing of a creative entrepreneur is something to be mourned. Today Beth and Jackie discuss the artists they miss. They also discuss: How many world woes could be solved... Read more »

So much stuff. Waaaayy too much. It was time to pare down the clutter in the office so Jackie and Beth discuss the pros, cons, and in betweens when it... Read more »

Moonlighting can be one way to launch your creative endeavor. But it’s got some upsides as well as downers. Today Jackie and I discuss: Is moonlighting as easy as it... Read more »

The only constant in life is change. Or so “they” say… Today Lindsay and Beth discuss pen names, reasons why they’re good, why you should use one, as well as... Read more »

It strikes fear in the heart of every introvert. Yet we must do it. Today Jackie and Beth untangle the mysteries of networking. We cover things like: Whether what we... Read more »

Lisa Jenson, a long time freelancer from Idaho, shares how a diverse portfolio helps prevent income highs and lows. In today’s Convos with Pros(e) we discuss: * How she landed... Read more »

Once your creative career takes flight, expect to travel. Today Beth and Jackie share their battle scarred stories of: Annoying travel mates The power of asking (for nearly anything) The... Read more »

As an expansion of Notes from Minnesota, I thought it might be fun to interview successful authors and freelancers to ferret out some of their secrets to success. To my... Read more »

When is profanity acceptable in creative works? Today, Jacklyn and Beth discuss… The apparent rise in profanity in titles Whether it’s frowned upon in some spheres but not others Various... Read more »

Uff-da. Another downer episode? Hardly. Everyone faces life changing events. Blessing or curse, Beth and Jacklyn discuss the Big C, the Big D, tips to get back into the creative... Read more »

Well, this is embarrassing. Today, Beth and Jackie reveal their grandest and most epic fails. Think everything goes slick in the creative world? Ha. They discuss instincts, marketing vs being... Read more »

Today Beth shares a crazy story about an expert who mistakenly deleted a large chunk of her email list, and Jacklyn shares a bit about the “power of the microphone.”... Read more »