If you haven’t ever seen a Twitter or Facebook post that has the “#amwriting phrase on it – it acknowledges the community of people who are out there – actively writing as a profession, a job, or passion. I hadn’t really used the designation before, because until recently as I would have been more likely to use the #ammeeting  or #ampowerpointing on most days.  But as I started this adventure of LittleBox Social, I find that I am spending a good part of my day writing with the desired outcomes of  either persuasion, information or entertainment.  And what an adventure it’s been!

You could argue that in my previous life at the Big Blue Box and other corporate jobs that a portion of my job was writing. Here’s the difference – I now have the ability to write in my natural style. For the past 20 years, I had been coached that my writing must be more concise, more to the point, more in the “less is more” style. I received feedback from some leaders that “Jenny, I’d read your emails, but they are just too long and I don’t have time.” Or “if I have to scroll down the message on my phone it’s not even going to get opened”. So I started editing the crap out of my messages. Tightening them up. Sticking to the facts. Bullets. Phrases. Short.

The result? I got pretty good at being an effective emailer. But that doesn’t count as writing; that’s just transfer of information. I’d barely call it communication. That kind of writing shrinks or minimizes what the reader thinks about, rather than expands it. Narrows the focus rather than broadens it. Now that I have the freedom to write in complete sentences vs. bullet points, I’ve re-discovered the joy of weaving a story through the play between words. I like the idea of being able to open someone’s mind to a new idea or thought and encourage them to build on it. I can ask poignant questions and use a vocabulary that would have been too fluffy or hard to understand. I call B.S. on the notion that it’s a bad thing if your reader has to pull out a dictionary to understand your writing. Instead, can’t we use words in a way that encourages learning and exploration? In fact, shouldn’t we?

In the past 90 days or so, I’ve had lots of practice in sharpening my complete sentence writing skills. I write content for two separate blogs, I’m ghost writing a series of articles for a client, I write proposals for new clients and I write scads of content for websites and social media posts for my clients. Each piece has a different audience and purpose, requiring a different tone and style. I didn’t know if I’d be able to get out of the corporate “box” to stretch this way, but feedback I’ve received so far indicates that I’m capable of switching it up effectively.

When I started my business, I knew that a lot of my time would be interacting with clients, managing their expectations and my deliverables. Ditto with networking – hours each week devoted to meeting new people and learning about their stories and how we may be able to help each other. Had someone asked me on April 8^th 2016, (my last day of corporate employment) how much time I would be spending writing, I would have shrugged and said “eh, not much”. I really had no clue how much of my day would be spent looking at a blank (or full) page – with that cursor just waiting for something brilliant to be typed. I had no understanding that I would enjoy plowing headlong into a writing task, being amazed when I looked at the clock, that several hours had passed without any awareness on my part. I had no idea that I would grow to enjoy the white noise of my home office as a background for the clickety clack of my keyboard. I had no idea how much fun I’d be having doing this all absorbing task.

Since then, I’ve learned that the fun comes from telling other peoples’ stories. I feel satisfied by pulling words together about a product, or a service, or an even an idea – so that someone will be compelled to sign up, buy or take action.  The happiness is having a client read what I’ve created for them and feel renewed towards their mission and purpose. The joy is from a client who reads my piece and is reminded that they have a unique value to add to their customers. On my best day, with my best work – the words I put together hold a mirror up for my clients and customers and help them see what’s beautiful inside.

Never, ever, in my wildest imagination of starting up a business did I think that this would be how I would spend my days. Not once did I think about it. Back in my corporate days, I would be happiest with a day packed full of meetings, as it would give me a way to “actively contribute” and pass the time. I enjoyed days where my meeting schedule was light, but rarely took advantage of those times to create something new. Now, I crave big blocks of time when I can write. I pick the place, the time, the topic and the medium. I write on my computer, or in a notebook with my favorite pen. I put together outlines on post it notes, or use my notecards in the Little box of ideas for writing. I get a sense of peace when I can write uninterrupted for hours at a time – a completely unexpected benefit from taking the risk of leaving cubeville behind and venturing out on my own. And as long as I am fortunate enough to have people hire me to be their storyteller, I’ll keep doing it.

So, if you don’t hear from me for a while on this blog, just know I’m sitting somewhere, with a cursor staring back at me. Waiting for the words to form about a client’s new line of custom jewelry, a non-profit event, a new business strategy, or a cool product.  I’ll be using complete sentences rather than bullet points. I’ll be trying out new words for effect rather than precision. I’ll be keeping it long rather than short. I’ll be sticking to the soul rather than just the facts. For me, #amwriting is about how much fun I’m having telling stories on behalf of other people.  I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity!

First I want to start out with this fact: I really do miss all of my BFF’s at Big Blue Box – you know who you are – the EBR team, the IT Gov Ops team, the HCC group circa 2012-14, The entire OMS team, the RRD Core team and exec sponsors – the list goes on and on. I miss you all and your cheery smiles across the hub, and your snarky comments about hanging out in my “office” at Sandy’s.  I feel the same way about my old RFC coworkers – even though we haven’t seen each other in years, I still feel so very closely connected to you –

there is something about the concept at Best Friends at Work that matters. I feel like I’ve made dozens of BFAW’s over the years and I am thankful for tools like facebook to help us stay in touch.

I’m now facing a new reality – speed dating strangers. Ok – I’m not romantically dating as I love my darling husband to pieces. Nope – I mean I’m meeting strangers every single day and building potential work relationships within the time it takes to consume ¾ of a cup of coffee. Sometimes it’s a one on one meeting where we swap stories about our business. Sometimes it’s in a structured group.  Sometimes it is a “one cup stand” – networking to say you did it, then never connect again (for whatever reason). Sometimes I can tell that there will be another conversation and maybe a potential work relationship. Sometimes it feels like there’s more of a connection that can transcend a client/provider relationship to something more like a friend.

I’m pretty transparent about the fact that I test out as an Introvert in the Myers-Briggs tool. Because of the career and hobby choices I’ve made, I’ve had to develop Extrovert skills. But honestly,  in any situation where I don’t need to have the “E” button flipped on, I’m happy to sit by myself and be quiet.  When I started this adventure, I knew that I would be pushing my boundaries in this manner – many articles and perhaps chapters of books have been written about “Networking as an Introvert”.  I have found my own methodology – crafted in my early career of working in a cut-throat banking environment in the 80’s, honed while working in the “always making a deal” mortgage banking world of the 90’s and truly tested in the community while representing a Fortune 100 company at various charitable and public events in the rocky 00’s.  By the time I started consulting in 2010, I had a sharp handshake, a genuine smile and a sparkle in my eye when I walked into a room of strangers. And I still have that… but again, if I had a choice, I’d sit in a corner and have a meaningful one on one conversation.

So now – I’m out here – connecting with people whom I never would have met in any other situation. Yesterday was a great example. I recently joined a local chamber of commerce, (Go TwinWest! ) and I was strongly encouraged to join a networking/referral group that they had starting up.  I arrived at the meeting – sat down and assessed the group. Generally younger than me and very keen on driving success. The mood was light hearted leaning toward  mildly snarky, which I enjoy. We did some brainstorming, made some decisions about how the group would work and ajourned.  I have to admit, I left in a bit of shell shock that a group of (mostly) strangers could get together and make progress like this in a 45-minute encounter.

Granted, my comparison point is coming from large corporate environments. Everyone knows each other, has already pre-scripted how the meeting is going to turn out, and well if we were meeting about it, there must be some kind of disagreement already, because otherwise, the decisions would have already been made.  I’ve gone on record that one of the reasons why I leave a company is because “I’m tired of sitting around the same table, with the same people and hear the same arguments, year over year”. I get frustrated with the predetermined destiny mindset so prevalent in large organizations.

So here’s the question I’m pondering right now – Do long lasting relationships actually limit opportunity and drive mediocrity? If so, then how do we disrupt these relationships to make them effective, but keep them close?  How do I take that consideration into my business model – if I prefer to have deep/meaningful relationships with the people I work with, how do I prevent drifting into complacency?

It’s an odd spot to be in, because I can actually choose a path to answer this question, rather than be forced into a model. I can modify my own behavior to get the right mix – I just need to figure it out. Perhaps I need to go sit quietly in a corner and think about it.  Drat!  –  it’s time for me to go meet someone and see if we can persuade them to join a group. Guess I’ll leave the sitting in a corner for another day!

Hey everyone! It’s been a little longer between posts than I intended – it’s all for good reasons, though – my workload is ramping up and it’s been so much fun working with clients! I’m learning all sorts of new things about the “start-up” process, social media and how I like to work… Here are the top things I’ve learned in the last few weeks:

10. My Robbinsdale neighborhood is really quiet during the day –especially the morning. I’m accustomed to the multitudes of dogwalkers, kids on bikes, young families out and about. I guess that’s the weekend personality of my area. Weekday personality is more like a sleepy tourist town out of season. I’m sure once school is adjourned it will shift – but for now Robbinsdale could be called snoozedale!

9. I really don’t need that much sleep. Or at least my internal clock is telling me that right now. I commonly wake up after about 6 hours of sleep – mind charged and ideas starting to flow. Not in the way that I used to wake up, jerked out of sleep by panic, but instead just ready to start my day. The trick is not disturbing any of the animals or my husband while I write stuff down or mentally prepare for the day and wait for the sun to rise so I can start my day.

8.Traditional networking is still not my favorite thing – but it’s a necessary part of this business. I’ve become much more practiced at the “Smile/Handshake/business card swap/10 second summation of my business” maneuver, however I’d really much rather meet people one on one and have an in depth conversation. There’s a reason why I don’t care for the speed dating approach to networking, and it’s the next item:

7. In an attempt to “be nice”, lovely people who are new connections will promise to follow up, have interest, knows someone who needs my help,  etc.., but when pursued will completely ignore you. Yes, I know that strangers would rather tell a fib than turn you down flat. But, come on – why lead someone on?  I know I haven’t been on the dating seen recently – ok, ever really. But I know a good connection when I make it. And I know when a fib’s being told. I’ve learned to simply move on quickly to the next open handshake available.  Authenticity matters – and I try to be as authentic as I can – every day.

6. My dogs aren’t really that great at helping me do work. In fact, right now, Parker, the barking beagle mix is thinking it’s time for dinner and is laying outside of my office door with her nose pressed up against it. “hey Parker – barking and whining and scratching won’t get you what you want!!!” well, maybe it will if I have to get on a phone call.    And then there’s the daily doggy wrestling match on the futon in my office. That’s really not helpful when I’m working. – but it’s nice to have them around!

5. Today I stopped at Target after meeting with a client- it’s the same Target that I used to sneak over too in my Cubeville days. Maybe I’m the only one that does this, but I would script out if I saw someone from the company there while I was shopping. I have no idea why I felt ashamed about making a Target run during the work day. I guess the old programming is still installed because as I stepped through the doors I went through the same process – get in, get out without anyone being able to see me.  Am I the only one? I doubt it…

4. Getting paid for my work feels really good. Like too good. I had two clients pay invoices to me last week and I was skipping to the bank and whooping it up! My billing rates are nothing near the rate I would charge as a full time consultant, or even as an employee. But each dollar I make right now is precious, and I am motivated more than ever to bring value to my clients and make them proud of the work I do for them in exchange for that payment.

3. I still run out of time everyday. I have more cool stuff to do than I can get done in a day. Some days I cut short and do non-work things, other days are very long. The fun part is I can decide which days those are. And if I have a frustrating moment because I can’t figure something out, I walk away and do something different – even if it’s watering flowers in my yard.

 

2. When you meet your competition (I mean literally meet them at a Chamber of Commerce meeting or a networking gathering), reach out and shake their hand. I’ve done this twice and each time, it breaks the tension when we both realized we work in the same space and could be hunting down the same client. Breaking that tension allows you to move on to make connections rather than obsess about how they work, what they charge , etc.

1. The number one thing I’ve learned in the last couple of weeks is to bask in the learning process. I’m learning this trade of social media one day at a time – I was counseled yesterday (by one of my competitors) not to waste time doing tasks that can be done less expensively by others. Like writing copy, or taking pictures for posts, or figuring out how to optimize something. Part of the joy I get out of this gig is being able to take the time to learn new stuff!