A Niche is a Niche is a Niche - For a Writer

In business, there's no end to the talk about establishing a niche. Still, when you ask most people who their target audience is, they'll blithely answer "Everyone."

Wrong.

Everyone cannot be your target audience. Well, they can be, but you won't be very successful. Small businesses in general need to know exactly who their target demo is. This makes marketing/advertising far more streamlined (and therefore, more cost effective) and also allows them to specialize in a particular area, creating expert status.

A career as a writer is no different. We must niche. Of course, we're often afraid to do this because we feel we might be pigeon-holing (this is actually a word!) ourselves. After freelance writing for 5 years and writing full-time for close to one year, my niche has revealed itself. I am so grateful! It's actually no surprise, though, as they're topics I'm exceptionally passionate about and also have a tremendous amount of knowledge on. Ah, the old adage - do what you know (and love!)

With no further ado, I introduce my target niche topics: unrefined eating (sans wheat, dairy and processed sugar) and conscious living - both for women. Conscious living includes authenticity, creativity, eco-friendly initiatives, self-love and much more. Having discovered my own path in both topics makes them the perfect fit for me.

Are you a writer? Business woman? Editor?

What's YOUR niche?
Who are the people you want to do business with? What avenues of business or writing do you wish to pursue?

If you don't clearly know yet, start figuring it out now. Write down the clients you LOVE working with, the topics you love writing about - decide what brings you the most joy. Then, find a way to just do that.

We don't need to know how to do everything and appeal to everyone to be successful in business. We simply need to specialize in one or two areas and then target them unabashedly.

Happy niche-ing (new word)!
-Heather :)

Sedona Method Anyone?

For me, part of living an authentic life (and as I pointed out in last week's blog) involves getting away from it all. Lately, I've been feeling particularly pulled to Sedona, Ariz. Those red rocks are calling me. I've never been to Sedona, so I'm not sure why I'm feeling pulled there, but something is in the air. As synchronicity would have it, the Sedona Method recently came into my life. It's a technique that reportedly brings peace, empowerment and an overall improved life to its practitioners. Its founder is Hale Dwoskin, also a member of The Secret cast.

The Sedona Method involves doing the following whenever an unwanted emotion or situation appears:
-Name the feeling.
-Could you allow that feeling to exist?
-Could you let it go?
-Would you let it go?
-When?

Now, I've only applied this once, but I will say I felt a release around the particular situation I was struggling with. It no longer seems to aggravate me like it did before I applied the Sedona Method to it. And so, I'm continuing on to see what this aspect of Sedona will bring me.

Perhaps this explains why I've spent far too much time on Sedona travel websites in hopes of planning a journey there...I'll keep you posted. And if you've been to Sedona and have recommendations for me, please leave a comment.

Have you tried the Sedona Method or do you currently practice it? I'd love to hear about it!

-Heather

Keys to Being a Full-time Writer

Lately I've been asked about how to make it as a writer. Apparently, the idea that writers must be starving artists still exists. Fortunately, that's not only NOT the case, it's perfectly possible to make a great living as a full-time writer. Even better, there isn't some magical formula, but actually just good ole' common sense and the belief that you CAN in fact be a full-time writer (see concept of Law of Attraction for more on this).

The following is my list of "how-to" make it as a successful writer in today's world:

-Say good-bye to traditional forms of writing.
When I first started out as a writer, I thought that I would write for national magazines that I loved, like SELF, Real Simple, Cosmo and the like. What I've learned is that in order to stay alive, print publications sell "stories" to publicists or advertisers. Editorial isn't always editorial and more often than not it's advertorial. Once I realized that traditional markets were struggling to survive, I turned my attention to un-traditional pub's that will allow you to write, no purchase necessary. Explore the world of on-line writing - that's where it's at. Blogs and online pubs make up the majority of my writing. And I love it! Now, anyone in the world can read my writing, at any time.

-Allow change to occur.
Businesses change. Being able to flow with these changes is paramount. When I started out, I took whatever writing gigs came my way. Over time, I was able to carve out a niche (and learn what I love and don't love!) and create a writing flow that best reflected my interests and passions. Recently, after letting almost all of my business writing go, I was approached to write a resume for a wonderful lady. I loved her energy and agreed to take on the project. It's been a blast! The same with my journaling workshops - I originally started out volunteer teaching girls groups. From there, it morphed into paying gigs and lots of learning for me. Flow with the change of your business. Each adjustment will get you closer to your true dream.

-Attend conferences & workshops.
Get networked in the writing community. Absolutely attend conferences, like the Willamette Writers Conference in Portland, Ore. I met my current agent and some lovely writer friends at this year's conference. It also inspired about 1000 new ideas and helped reinvigorate my passion for what I do. Don't miss these. There's also a Maui Writer's Conference which I hope to attend within the next year or so. These are gems for your writing career. Do not miss them.

-Get out of the office.
For the love of god - you are in a mobile environment, so BE mobile. This is something I've struggled with enormously, but over time have learned to love the opportunity to write at a local (or beach) cafe. Getting out of your element frees up your creativity and allows the right projects to come your way. At any given time, when I leave the office for a day or two, new projects, people and abundance come my way. When your energy isn't desperately tied to your desk, more good can come in.

If you have other suggestions that have made all the difference for you, please add them in the comments section.

Look forward to connecting with you!
Heather :)

Peace Is The Way

“There is no way to peace, peace is the way.” -A.J. Muste

Okay, so we've all heard this quote a million times, but for some reason, its been ringing in my ears. While reading Anatomy of Spirit by Caroline Myss (the chapter covering the second chakra in particular), I am struck and inspired by her account of a client who was dealing with health issues in his chakra and was overcome by work/anxiety, etc. Myss suggested he make a peace contract with himself, since he was a lawyer. I read this passage over 2 weeks ago, but have not been able to stop thinking about it.

And so, while spending 5 days on the beautiful Oregon Coast - Brookings to be exact, where it was sunny and warm all week! - I made a peace contract with myself, a non-lawyer. The action in itself filled me up, making me feel more committed to a cause I could really get behind - myself. For the first time in my life I made commitments to myself and no one else. It was at once liberating and blissful.

To create your own peace contract, which I wholeheartedly suggest if you feel called to it, you can follow my outline:

-Begin with: I, (name), do so solemnly swear on (date) to live my life with the sole purpose of peace.

-Create your peace "rules" in the areas of: work, romantic relationships, your body, health (nutrition/exercise, etc.), friendships, family, career, vision for the future, daily interactions, spirituality and daily practice.

-Read it out loud - either looking at yourself in the mirror, or as I did facing the ocean.

-Read it daily out loud or to yourself to cement this commitment in your life.

When my purpose every day is peace, so much of what doesn't matter falls away. I'm finding it allows me to fully allow life to unfold, as opposed to forcing it. A truly lovely place to be. My writing is flowing with more ease and certainly more purpose. I'm loving it!

Please share your calls to peace if you feel so inclined...
-Heather :)

Love ALL Men...For Real!

I used to think men were stupid, selfish and sexist.

Shh...don't tell my boyfriend.

And shocker of all shockers, I kept attracting these very men (ah, Law of Attraction). Finally, I was fed up with having less than fulfilling relationships, walking away thinking, "What is wrong with THAT guy?"

Luckily, I was introduced to PAX Programs who's sole purpose is to help men and women gain harmonious relationships. After taking their Making Sense of Men seminar I felt ready to take on the weekend workshop, Celebrating Men, Satisfying Women. In 2 days, I was able to shift from a place of irritation and fear surrounding men to a place of total acceptance. In addition, I learned more about what my needs are and how important communicating them is to both myself and to my man . As a bonus, I met incredible women who I'm continuing to keep in touch with.

I'm reformed! :) In all seriousness, if you've ever been perplexed by men, check these programs out. They're based on more than 16 years of research with and about men. At the end of each workshop, a panel of regular guys are brought in to answer your questions. It's simply AMAZING.

The only thing men want to do is make the women in their lives happy. That's it. Can you believe it? That's what we've been getting so irritated at them about.

Learn this and MUCH more. I'm intending to take as many of their workshops as possible to continue my transformation.

Have a workshop that changed your life? Do tell!
Leave me a comment...

Thanks,
Heather :)