The secret of getting ahead is getting started - Mark Twain

Starting, not “the waiting,” is the hardest part. Sorry, Tom Petty.

This applies to almost everything in life, including starting a business, which you've already done if you’re reading this newsletter. Congratulations!

Few entrepreneurs enter business ownership because of their writing and communication skills. However, these skills are necessary in every type of business, which is probably why you’re here.

To start building the content your startup needs, let's begin by understanding the five basic forms of content (DWEBS).

#1. Descriptive: Descriptive content explains the reason for your company’s existence and the value your business provides to your target market. Descriptive content includes the about page on your website, social media bios, app store descriptions, etc.

#2. Web: The writing on your website brings people to information about your business through Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and leads them to where you want them to go (purchase a product, sign up for your newsletter, etc.). This includes a combination of microscopy, which are small text snippets, and long-form content, like a helpful step-by-step guide that explains how a customer can solve a current problem with your product or service.

#3. Email/Newsletter: Emails remain a digital marketing powerhouse. They help you communicate regularly with current and potential customers and automate portions of your sales process. From autoresponders to a monthly newsletter, emails can keep your business top of mind amongst your target market while strengthening that relationship.

#4. Blog/Vlog: Blogs are still one of the best ways to engage and connect with current and potential customers by providing them with value in various ways. Blogs and vlogs also strengthen your SEO efforts and help potential customers find your products and services.

#5. Social: Social media is among the most powerful and cost effective ways to promote your business and connect with current and prospective customers. By focusing your time on the platforms where your customers are, you can quickly develop a following and begin to sell your products and services.

This post was first published here on LinkedIn. Please consider subscribing to my newsletter and connecting with me here! 

“When you look at a strong brand, you see a promise.” – Jim Mullen

Hey there!

I was recently on a call with Propllr (PR & Content Marketing) CEO/Founder Josh Inglis, and he told me something that I’ve known for years, “You should start a newsletter to let your network know what you’re up to.” After spending hours trying to figure out a good excuse for why I shouldn’t, I began working on the concept for Entrepreneurial Writer Monthly.

This work-in-progress will give you a behind-the-scenes look at what I’m up to as an entrepreneurial writer, and more importantly, help you in some way with your entrepreneurial endeavors. You will also meet a fellow content professional, learn what I’m working on, know my availability for new projects, and more.

What does your brand promise your target market?

Whether you’re an employee, CEO, business owner, or freelancer, you have a brand, and that brand whispers (or shouts) messages into the brains of your audience. In my first edition of the Entrepreneurial Writer Monthly, I am challenging you to consider what your brand is saying and promising to customers and guiding you through a quick exercise.

Now let’s dive into this month’s topic.  

What is your promise?

Strong brands deliver a promise. When writing long-form landing pages for clients, one formula I use pain + problem + pleasure + promise. This strategy relies on connecting with a target audience by explaining the pain a customer is experiencing, then detailing the problem that your product or service solves, painting a picture of what their life will be like with this problem solved, and making a promise to the reader if they purchase the product or service.

The promise leads into the call to action – where you can ask your potential customer to purchase, set up a consultation, or sign up for a free trial. The promise is a powerful part of a brand’s sales process as it provides a potential customer with confidence in what they are about to purchase. The promise explains what will happen as a result of the purchase instead of leaving that up to their interpretation.

• Nike
• Toms Shoes
• Apple
• Amazon

The above brands have clear promises that their customers inherently know and understand. Nike promises high-quality athletic wear, Toms Shoes promises to help others when you purchase their shoes, Apple promises high quality and a unique experience when purchasing technology, and Amazon promises low-cost products shipped quickly.

Your promise exercise

Have you defined your promise and planned how you will communicate this promise to your target market?
If not, set a 5-minute timer and write about what you can promise your customers if and when they decide to work with your company. Don’t stop writing for the entire 5 minutes. After you finish, trim your writing to 1-2 sentences and edit as needed. Ideally, your promise should include a maximum of 2-3 focuses; areas where your company provides something better than competitors that fills the wants and needs of customers (price, speed, customer services, social impact, etc.).

Once you have your brand promise put together, spend another five minutes planning how you will communicate this promise to your target market. This plan can include taglines, changes to your mission statement, web copy, social media copy, and more. You want to carefully drill this into the subconscious of your target market so they understand what they will receive in exchange for their business.

My promise

I promise to deliver content marketing to entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses that is more engaging, creative, and simple. These three focuses are what I believe my clients need and what I provide in a unique way compared to the majority of other content agencies, marketers, and freelancers.

• Engaging

I take pride in getting to know the target market, their fears, wants, needs, goals, and more to speak to each of those, making each piece of content engaging and of interest to them.

• Creative

Content does not need to be innovative, but the process behind the ideation and creation of that content often is. After an initial consultation with a prospective client, I send a long, detailed, and overwhelming list of campaign and content ideas and notes. While it may take a week or two for the client to fully process this information and select what ideas they would like to pursue. Not only does this give a potential client a brief look into my overly active and creative brain, but it serves as a test of the client’s ability to invest time and effort into the ideation and information gathering stages of content creation. 

• Simple

Confusion doesn’t sell. A review of a book I was the ghostwriter for called the style of writing “rudimentary.” At first, I was hurt. I spent several weeks trying to expand my vocabulary and dress up my writing to impress readers. As the five-star reviews continued to roll in and the book became a bestseller in its category, I began to take pride in what I had written and its ability to connect with readers in a deep level, even if it would leave a college professor, which the reviewer was, scratching his head. Explaining complicated products and services in a simple manner is a valuable skill, and one I take pride in having. 

I plan on communicating this promise by updating my mission statement, creating a new tagline, and creating a social media calendar that includes posts that speak to these three focuses. Help keep me accountable by following me on LinkedIn.

If you completed your promise, please share below. I would love to give you feedback and to highlight your promise in my next newsletter. 

What I’m working on

I call myself an entrepreneurial writer because of my background and passion in entrepreneurship, my experience writing for entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses, and my creative approach to accomplishing goals with content. Here is what I’m working on:

• First on Deck Marketing (FODM)

I am very grateful to be a part of the First on Deck Marketing team. FODM works with marine businesses in South Florida, including shipyards, yacht brokerages, marine associations, and more. For these clients, I help plan and execute marketing efforts from PR campaigns to social media editorial calendars.

• Odyssey Open Water Swimming

I am the content manager for San Francisco’s Odyssey Open Water Swimming, an adventurous event-based company that brings fun, safe, open water swimming activities to swimmers of all skill levels. I manage the company’s social media pages, ideate and execute on content campaigns, edit and publish photo albums and highlight videos, and more.

• Startup Content

Thanks to one of my favorite entrepreneurs in the world who continues to refer me to startups, influencers, and others (Cory Levy), I am discussing work with two exciting early-stage companies, one in fintech and the other in education.

• Freelance
  

I provide a select number of discounted freelance services on Fiverr, including business name creation, mission statements, taglines, and short email newsletters. View my profile here.

• Side Hustles

I love turning hobbies into opportunities to help others and earn a bit of recurring revenue on the side, also known as a “side hustle.” I co-own a YouTube Channel (How to Liveable) with entrepreneur and Cleaver Creative Founder Chris Weiher where we create short tutorials and walkthroughs. The process of creating hundreds of walkthrough videos, editing, marketing, and optimizing topics and content has been a rewarding effort in addition to the income earned each month from the channel. View the How to Liveable YouTube Channel here.

Teaching others is a secret passion of mine that I am trying to let out more and more. I teach content-related courses on learning platform Skillshare. I have reached nearly 3,300 students to date. Courses range from helping business owners name their business to walking startups through the types of content they will need while beginning their journey. View my Skillshare profile and the courses I’m teaching here.

What I’m learning about

One of my only regrets over the past 7 years as a content marketer is not making more time for learning while spending the vast majority of my time working on projects for clients. I plan to keep myself accountable by sharing what I’m learning each month with you.

• Personal Newsletters

Writing hundreds of email newsletters for clients doesn’t make me an expert in personal newsletters. I recently read a definitive guide on personal newsletters by Revue, which helped give me the added confidence and direction for this newsletter.

• Stand-Up Comedy

For a year and a half, I have been writing and performing stand-up comedy as an amateur comedian. I spend hours each month learning how to become a better comedian, from watching comedians perform to participating in joke freewriting sessions in the Hot Breath! Community. On July 30th, I will be opening the Rad Dads of Comedy Show in Peoria, Illinois. It will be my first time performing a 10-minute set. I'm very excited!

• Building an Audience on Medium

With Katie Sowa, I created the Write Your Startup community on Medium to help founders grow their startups through the art of content writing. Although I’ve published articles on Medium for over 5 years, I have yet to spend an ample amount of time learning how to effectively build an audience on the platform. I’ll be spending time this month learning from the top writers on the platform in order to help more founders grow their businesses with content writing.

• My Availability for the Next 30 Days

Interested in hiring me for a project or to take projects off your monthly to-do list? Over the next 30 days (June 15 – July 15), I have roughly 2-4 hours available each week. Respond to this email to schedule a painless and commitment-free 15-minute call.

Thank you!

This is a new effort and something I’m excited to get out into the world. If you have an additional minute to spare to help me help you and others more after reading this lengthy newsletter, please share your feedback with me.
If this has been of value, please forward and share with your network.

THANK YOU!

This post has also been published to my LinkedIn page here. 

Imagine being told to write a speech on “chasing dreams.” You don’t know who the speech is going to be for, but you’ve been asked to write it. Do you think you could write a great speech on chasing dreams without knowing who you’re speaking to?
​
Could a speech written for graduating college students be effective if given to a preschool class or retirees looking to make the most of their lives after they’re done working? It could, but why risk it?

What you’re writing or saying should be based on who you’re speaking to -- always! The most effective parts of your speech, elevator pitch, blog post or podcast will be the personalized pieces of information that you give, which give the listener something to act on. Without an audience in mind, there is no context. Without context, the impact you hope to have on your audience will be lost.

On multiple occasions, I’ve been asked, “Is it necessary for a business to hire an in-house writer for their website? Would it be more practical to just outsource the service?” My answer takes into account the pros and cons of both approaches. A huge component in making this decision is rooted in content needing to be FOR and ABOUT the customer, much more than it needs to be about the business (it sounds weird, but it's the truth). If outsourcing, creating impactful content relies on finding a writer who is:

• a natural interviewer,
• experienced with web copy, and
• someone who can understand your business model.

The writer is only part of this equation. For effective content to be written, a company needs to have someone able and willing to share the information the writer needs to create great copy, make introductions if necessary, and provide feedback and edits.

Outsourcing can be a great option and a huge time saver in the ideal situation. On the other hand, hiring someone in-house most could mean that he or she doesn’t have experience writing web copy, but understands the business. This is not an ideal scenario. People in the business are likely to think similarly and are more likely to just talk about the business when writing copy than talk TO the customer. If the in-house writer understands this and is given the freedom to write FOR the customer instead of ABOUT the business, what they write has a chance at making an impact.

Remember, your customer is your audience, not your business. You know the business. Let the public know why the business will bring value to their lives or business.
​
Want to chat about your business content? Contact Michael Luchies at [email protected]. This article was first published here on my LinkedIn page. 

First published on my LinkedIn page. I'd love to connect with you there as well. Visit here. 

Every customer goes on a journey before purchasing your product or service. The journey starts when he or she is first made aware of and interacts with your brand. This could include the customer hearing about your company from a friend, stumbling upon your website, or meeting you at a networking event.

As a business, your goal is to get as many qualified potential customers started on that journey, which is also referred to as a funnel. There are many stops during this journey, like stops along a road trip. Each “touchpoint,” which signifies a brand interaction with a potential customer, is a stop. Unlike a road trip where stops are delays, touchpoints help your customers get closer to the final destination -- making a purchase.

During a recent Ask Me Anything session hosted on AMAfeed, I was asked, “Do you feel it's really important for entrepreneurs and startups to have a blog?” The answer is both yes and no. It’s yes because there is an important aspect of your customer’s journey that can begin and be nurtured through blogging -- creating a strong connection. It’s no because blogging isn’t the only way to create a strong connection.

“The important aspect of blogging that I do think every entrepreneur and startup needs to incorporate into their efforts is speaking to and connecting with their target market. Blogs are a great way to accomplish this, but not the only way by any means.”

When I started my first business in 2007, blogging was the only form of marketing I could afford because it was free to write and publicize the content on my own. That business, “Stubs4sale,” was in an odd niche within sports memorabilia and through blogging I saw a quick and significant impact.
I gave free, witten appraisals, leveraged blog posts to get published in magazines, and caught the attention of the National Ticket Summit, which I was asked to speak at in Las Vegas, all through writing blog posts. Each of these opportunities began with my passion for writing about topics I loved, which helped create strong connections.

If you love your business and enjoy writing, and have a little spare time you can dedicate to it, then yes, you should be blogging for your business. Outsourcing is also an option as well if you don’t want to spend your time writing, or would rather hire a professional to get your blog up and running. Just keep in mind that you will still need to give this writer your time and energy to allow them to write compelling content for the people you’re trying to attract to your business.

While blogging has become a key for me and my business due to how it’s allowed me to connect with customers, there are many ways to create strong connections, and you should choose ones that align with your strengths. Are you an amazing public speaker? Talk at events and host networking get togethers. Are you a natural born teacher? Create tutorial videos, online courses, and host webinars.

You don’t have to blog, but you absolutely need to connect with your target market. Blogging, along with social media and email marketing, is a great way to accomplish that.

In my Ask Me Anything, I also answered questions on personal ambitions and challenges, shared my own rules of thumb, and shared resources that have helped me in my career. View the full feed of questions and my answers here on AMAfeed.

​How do you connect with potential customers along their journey with your brand? Please comment below! Need help connecting with your target market through blogging?Contact me at [email protected].

Have you ever tried something for the first time and then thought, “Why the heck is this just the first time I’m trying this!?” I’ve had that experience twice; once when I had my first piece of good sushi, and the second after my first week of freewriting.
 
I write for a living, and sometimes, I get stuck. I’m often too worried about meeting deadlines to take a few minutes to just write. Freewriting consistently for fifteen minutes has changed the way I write and helped me become a more productive writer.
 
But you don’t have to make a living from writing to get the benefits of freewriting. I made a short video and this written tutorial to explain how to incorporate freewriting into your daily routine (or maybe just give it a shot to see how it goes). Here’s the what, why, and how of freewriting like a pro.
 
What is freewriting?
Also called stream-of-consciousness writing, freewriting is writing non-stop for a set period of time. This could be for five minutes, fifteen minutes, or an hour. It’s up to you to choose a time period that will give yourself a chance to clear your mind and write whatever you think of. After all, it’s practice. Think of freewriting like an exercise. If you want to get in shape, five minutes a day on a treadmill probably won’t do it, but fifteen at a high speed is a little bit more challenging and you’re going to get more out of it.
 
To see an example of a freewriting session (sorry, it’s not very exciting to watch), view one of my streamed freewriting sessions here on YouTube.
 
Why Freewrite?
For me, there are four main reasons why I now freewrite on a regular basis:

• Practice: Practice makes perfect, and for writers, freewriting is fantastic practice without the pressure felt when trying to meet deadlines.

 

• Overcome Writer’s Block: Merriam-Webster defines writer’s block as “a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece.” In other words, it’s all mental, and it happens when someone is working on a specific piece (article, blog, book, etc.). Freewriting helps clear your mind because you’re just writing whatever comes to mind, even if that’s writing about how frustrated you are that you can’t think of what to write about.   

 

• Create a Routine: Like stretching before your workout, freewriting gets your mind and body ready to write. This routine can help your brain know it’s time to write and this process can help it prepare to give you its best.

 

• Stumble on Something Great: The moment I stop actively trying to solve a problem is usually the moment the answer appears.  When you are able to get your mind to relax and clear out the clutter, you can often uncover brilliant thoughts and ideas. I’ve often turned a freewriting session into an article, or several strong articles, but this only happens when I’m not trying to write something worth publishing.

 
How To Get Started Freewriting
 
To get started freewriting, take the following steps:

• Choose a period of time (I recommend 15 minutes)
• Set a timer (use your phone or find a timer on YouTube)
• Turn off distractions
• Grab your computer or paper and a pen
• Write until the time expires

 
I also livestream my sessions on WatchMeWork.com, a productivity and creative streaming platform, and on YouTube, but I don’t recommend streaming if you think having people watch you will impact your freewriting.

If you’re willing to give freewriting a try, commit to at least a week of short freewriting sessions and schedule out a time each day to complete it. I’d love to hear how it goes. Please email me at [email protected] or tweet me @MichaelLuchies and let me know how your experience with freewriting goes! 

“You can only do your best. That's all you can do. And if it isn't good enough, it isn't good enough,” Imelda Staunton once stated. I don’t buy it, at least in the world we live in today. Your best doesn’t even need to be good enough. Let me explain.
​
While driving a couple of days ago, I thought about the saying, “Always try your best.” I have no idea where it came from, and I’m aware of how basic and cliche the quote is, but the more I thought about it, the more fascinated I became with the outcomes of trying your best.

I came up with four best-case scenario results from trying your best based on your skill level, from being a skilled expert at something to being absolutely terrible at it. Obviously, trying your best means giving something your all, and it requires the highest level of interest and dedication. What trying your best doesn’t require is skill or natural ability.

Here are four outcomes of trying your best based on your skill level:

• Amazing

If you’re amazing at something—say a savant or virtuoso—trying your best will usually result in dominance and people will recognize you for it. You will stand out in any crowd and rise to the top of your field, art, practice, etc.

The only thing that could stand in your way is yourself, although some people are so talented that they barely have to try. This is a one in a million scenario, so don’t rely on being so good that you don’t even have to try in order to be the best at what you do.

• Good

The world is in need of good talent that tries hard. Look at professional sports. On the bench of every team are players who are good and willing to give everything they have in order to live the life and work the profession of their dreams. They often rise above those who are more talented but less willing to make sacrifices.

If you are good and give something your very best, you will rise above most, including those far more talented who are relying on their talents instead of working harder than everyone else.

• Mediocre/Average

Even the average, when trying their best, can accomplish great things. I was recently watching the main event of the 2017 World Series of Poker. Out of 7,000 poker players, most of them professional, 64-year-old John Hesp made the final table (meaning only nine players were left). While most of the other participants had won hundreds of thousands of dollars playing poker (if not millions) in their careers, Hesp had a career poker earnings total of just over $2,000. He wasn’t bad at poker, but on this level of competition, he was an amateur and considered an average player at best.

John finished fourth and won over $2 million. Several poker professionals applauded Hesp, not only for his play, but for being good for the game. People who rise above what should be their ceiling (the limit of their potential) help others realize what’s possible if you try your best.

• Terrible

”Going viral” is something desired by nearly everyone who is trying to develop a following online. Unfortunately for the many who are trying, the formula for success is cloudy and different for each person. What does tend to go viral is when people who are terrible at something try their very best.

When your best isn’t good enough, it could just be bad enough to help you become overwhelmingly successful. Although you may not want to be known for doing something “so bad it’s good,” there is a place for these people in the world and in our hearts. There is no industry like entertainment and showbiz for the talentless trying their best and becoming known throughout the world. The otherwise unspectacular William Hung, Tommy Wiseau, Rebecca Black, and countless others have built fan bases from being bad at what they love doing, and who knows, maybe you can too.

So, while not everyone can be successful, everyone has a shot at it. Give your very best, and there’s no telling what will happen. Even if you’re bad, you might succeed just from trying. 

Being yourself pays. When writers and small business owners take themselves out of their writing, they’re making a huge mistake.
People connect with other people. The more you can be yourself while blogging for your business, the better the chances that you will connect with the people reading what you’re writing. And developing a connection with someone can turn them from a stranger into a raving fan who is more than happy to buy whatever it is you’re selling. But you have to sell them on you first.
Regardless of what you’re writing a blog post about, you need to insert little bits of yourself throughout. This is easier said than done, but with a little practice, you’ll be sprinkling bits of yourself in everything you write, and what you write will be more powerful because of it. Here are a few tips for being yourself while writing blog posts.

• Share a Personal Story

We learn through stories. Sharing a story in a blog post is a great way to engage your audience and create an instant connection. Just think of the way you feel about your favorite directors and authors—you love them because they’ve found a way to entertain and engage you, and bring you into their story.
If you don’t have a personal story or personal experience with the topic you’re writing about, you either need to be really good at research and find other ways to connect with your audience, or pick a different topic to write about. The easiest way to insert yourself in a blog post is by sharing an example or telling a story connecting you with the topic you’re writing about. Not only will the reader learn something about you, they will also gain trust in your knowledge of the subject.

• Admit Something

The act of writing for other people to read feels empowering, and it can cause writers to talk down to their readers. Don’t get so focused on proving yourself as an expert that you forget to be human. I like to admit things in my writing to show the reader that I’m just like they are (because I am) and I make mistakes and suck at things too (probably even more than my reader).
As long as what you’re admitting to doesn’t strip away the interest or trust of the reader, like a paramedic admitting they cheated on their exam and have no clue how to give you CPR, feel free to admit something. The more personal, the better.

• Insert a Footer

A footer or bio inserted in your blog posts can give your audience a snapshot of who you are and why they should care. The above footer is from a LinkedIn post from Steven Rosen. It promotes his personal brand, expertise on management, and promotes his success guide.
Your blog posts need to be about your reader, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add information about yourself. Add a footer to your posts (or a bio line at the beginning) that give a few sentences of background and a link or two for people to learn more about you.

• Add a Picture or Video

Another way to give them a piece of yourself is by giving them something visual. Add a picture to your bio or footer or add a quick video to your blog post. This may be the last thing you want to do (show pictures of yourself), but as a reader, we appreciate being able to see the author.

• Offer them Something Personal

If someone gives you something, you remember them. If you can give your audience something of value and of a somewhat personal manner, you instantly create a stronger bond with that person. Giving something personal away in a blog post sounds odd, I know, but this can be as simple as an offer to email you directly, schedule a free 15-minute phone call, or invite them to a live webinar you’re hosting like Vikki Thomasdoes in the image above. Give them opportunities to get to know you better while gaining value from that exchange—you’ll both be better off for it.
Michael Luchies is a writer for entrepreneurs. He is the Founder of content marketing agency TrepRep, Communications Manager for After School, Entrepreneur Magazine Contributor, Content Advisor for Mavidea, Copywriter for Propllr, Skillshare teacher, and TEDxNormal alum. Connect with Michael on Google+, LinkedIn, Facebook andTwitter.

This post was written in a 15-minute freewriting session. Sorry for errors or incomplete thoughts. See the livestream replay here. For more from me, please take my Skillshare course on Startup Content: Writing You Need When Starting A Small Business.

Entrepreneurs are busy. One thing few of us have extra of is time. But does that have to be the case?

In the technology-driven world we live in, there’s no shortage of tools aimed at increasing our productivity and designed to help us to work smarter instead of harder. So if we clear some tasks and responsibilities off of our plates, or if we have a couple of extra hours available in our week, what should we fill that time with? For those four or five entrepreneurs in the world who have this problem, this blog post, created during a 15-minute freewriting session, goes out to you!

• Create Additional Revenue Streams

There are an unlimited number of things to worry about as a business owner. One of my top fears is what happens if the core offering I provide is no longer valued as much as it once ways (what if I’m fired)? For years, I’ve thought about creating additional revenue streams, but haven’t made the time to create them. That stopped earlier this year as I made an intentional effort to create several small streams.

Look for ways to earn revenue for years to come based on the skills, expertise, and brand you have today. I’ve started selling stock images I’ve taken, recorded videos and started a YouTube channel, created a course on Skillshare, and am looking into publishing an eBook later this year. I started by searching on Google for “recurring revenue streams” to get ideas, and then went with a few of the ideas I thought would best fit my skills and what I like doing (writing, sharing what I know, etc.).

• Freewrite

This will seem odd and biased since I’m a writer and you’re probably not, but freewriting has opened up a lot of doors inside my mind that were previously closed. By taking 15 minutes to write each morning, I’ve been able to clear my head and get ready to work hard each day. Paired with a cup of coffee, it’s made me downright dangerous (not really, but I like thinking so).

Try clearing some time to just right whatever is on your mind. This is a great way to tap into your creativity and get out some thoughts and ideas that have been hiding for years.

• Livestream

Believe it or not, people are interested in what you do every day. Have you considered streaming what you do? Right now, I’m writing this post in front of a very small number of people, but this post and the recording of this stream will be available for years to come. Will it be popular? No, but creative and productivity streaming is on the rise, and getting in on this trend now could be valuable, just like being one of the early YouTubers a decade or so ago.

• Take Intentional Breaks

Use your free time to take walks, explore your surroundings, and to see the world. New opportunities, ideas, friends and more are all out there waiting for you.

I’ve started taking daily walks on a local nature trail, and have come up with new ideas and remembered things I wouldn’t have otherwise by giving myself and my brain a chance to breathe.

• Meet Strangers

Unless you’re the life of the party, networking isn’t always that easy. While I love talking to entrepreneurs I know, putting myself around groups of people I don’t know can be stressful. Go out to coffee shops, co-working spaces, incubators, and just local businesses around you to introduce yourself and to get to know how and why they do what they do.

• Build Your Social Media Channels

As an entrepreneur and writer who works with other entrepreneurs, the one thing I’ve heard more entrepreneurs reference when saying “I’ll get around to it one of these days” is social media. Start putting time into your social media channels. Building an audience is important, and even if it doesn’t lead to sales, if you build these channels right, they can lead to new contacts, leads, and raise the overall value of your brand.

• Blog!

Another biased idea for you, but you should be writing! What you know is valuable, and the best and easiest way to get that out (video could be great too!) is by writing about it. Share your knowledge on your blog or start an account on Medium (or publish on LinkedIn).

Have a great day and congratulations on having a little bit of extra time on your schedule. Enjoy it! 

This is a 15-minute creative writing ramble by Michael Luchies. I enter each session with a blank slate and free of distractions. For this session, I asked my network for a one-word topic. The first word submitted was “ambition.” Watch the replay of the livestream here.

​Ambition is a tricky topic. It’s not like it’s hard to understand the concept, but it can be extremely difficult to comprehend what drives us to give our best and what we’re trying to achieve at the end of our yellow brick road.

I used to think that I was motivated by money. While attending Bradley University and in groups and courses designed to teach me how to be a successful entrepreneur (which can’t really be taught, it can only be experienced) I tried coming up with the next billion-dollar business idea. I quite possibly came up with good ideas – but these ideas would only have been “good ideas” for someone else.

Without the ability to build a complicated consumer app that would improve the lives of millions (and without the desire to learn how to code/engineer an app) the bulk of my ideas were completely wasted. I had a false sense of ambition. Not only was I incapable of creating the bulk of these ideas, I lacked the actual interest and passion to see these through.

The world’s best business ideas are wasted without ambition that is driven by passion and supported with knowledge and hard work.

I learned that I was not driven by money through an exercise where I was forced to write my own eulogy. When thinking of myself passing away and what I would want to be known for and the impact I would want to leave on the world, not one thing I wrote had anything to do with acquiring or passing down millions of dollars to my children. A lot of good can come from creating wealth, but if I lack the interest of making a lot of money, there’s no point in setting goals tied to earnings.

Ambition, as I see it, can only come from internal desires and one’s ability to use their abilities to see them through.
What are you ambitious about? What do you want to accomplish? How can you use your skills and your network to accomplish this?

My top ambition is to take care of my family and build them up in a way that helps them positively change the world. On a more selfish level and as a secondary ambition, I want to improve the lives of as many entrepreneurs and business owners as possible.

As mentioned, money is not the motivating factor, but in order to take care of my family and help many small businesses, it does play a part. In other words, money is an ingredient in the ambition equation, but not what lies at the end of my yellow brick road.

If there’s anything worth taking away from today’s creative ramble, I hope that it’s to avoid false ambitions and focus on what’s truly important to you in order to get the most out of yourself, and to make the biggest positive impact you can on those around you and the world.