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The end of the 40 day blogging challenge

If you’ve been following me on social media, you will notice that I’ve been doing a blog a day for a long time. Well, 40 days to be precise. It’s been part of a self inflicted 40 day blogging challenge. I still have no idea why I went for 40 days. Probably the voice inside my head that gets me into a world of trouble. But there you have it, I’m now at the end of my 40 day blogging challenge.

So – the 40 day blogging challenge

The 40 day blogging challenge is exactly what it says on the tin. I have published a blog each day for the last 40 days. I have picked the theme, the length, the type. I have not followed any formula, only that I needed to publish one blog each day for 40 days. I’d seen in The Million Dollar Blog that there was a challenge called the 30 day blogging challenge (I believe there’s a book about this too). I can honestly say that I didn’t research the 30 day blogging challenge. I just saw it and thought ‘Yeah – I should push myself, let’s go for 40’. I know. I’m not quite sure what planet I’m on a lot of the time. But the intention was simple. To push myself in the world of blogging. To get under the skin of it. To really experience the issues my clients face when I tell them they should be blogging. And I feel this challenge has done this. Well. More or less.

40 day blogging challengeThere are some common issues that people seem to experience when blogging. These include…

  • I have nothing to blog about
  • I don’t like writing
  • I don’t have the time
  • I have no ideas
  • My images are rubbish
  • I don’t know what I’m doing
  • I don’t know what the point of it is

And so on. All are perfectly valid. And I’m not going to tell you otherwise. But all can be overcome. So…

I have nothing to blog about – have a look at this blog here

I don’t like writing – fair point. I do, so I haven’t experienced this issue, but even I got tired of typing. Have a look at this blog about dictation software for one idea on how to sidestep this issue. But you can also pay people to transcribe vlogs and videos, so this can be fixed.

I don’t have time. I find people make time for things they want to. I know everyone is busy. As I type this very blog I have dinner bubbling away, it’s twenty to eight at night (yep – this has been scheduled) and I have a to-do list to rival most people’s. But I make time. Because it’s important to me.

I have no ideas – refer to point one.

My images are rubbish. Fear not. Not everyone includes images in blogs, and this is an area you can address with tools like Canva, your iPhone and free image libraries.

I don’t know what I’m doing. Yeah you do. You’re writing about stuff that matters to you. Don’t overthink.

I don’t know what the point of it is. There are so many points that I’m doing another blog about it.

Did I learn anything?

Oh yes. I learnt loads. I learnt how to save time, use dictation tools, schedule, share content better – I learnt a LOT. I would definitely recommend a blogging challenge to anyone serious about content marketing, their business and improving the experience for their customers.

Would I do it again?

Yep. Actually, I haven’t quite decided what I’m going to do with my blogging for the foreseeable. I’m thinking three or four times a week might be easier and take the pressure off a little bit, to allow me to really get under the skin of something else.

Was it hard work?

At times it definitely was. I have a pretty hectic life. I have two small children, a business to run, horses, a dog, family – lots of things that take up my time. And blogging definitely does.

Was it worth it?

Yes. Without a doubt.

 

 

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Should I buy ‘She Means Business’ by Carrie Green?

I love a business book. OK. I probably have more than many libraries. But despite my thirst for knowledge, there are some I just can not get into. I have three on the go now because I struggled with the first one (I felt the same point was being covered over and over and over), I’m just not enjoying the second. But the third is good. It’s making me think. That’s what I like in a book. I like it to make me think, I like to learn and I like to be inspired. And if you’re like me, you’re going to love She Means Business.

A bit about the author…

So, first up – the author of She Means Business. Carrie Green is the founder of the Female Entrepreneur Association. Carrie has grown a Facebook following and ‘tribe’ many people would cut arms off to have. And she’s worked with and interviewed some truly amazing people. She provides a LOT of content for free, including podcasts, and videos. And I’ve followed her online for a while. In a She Means Businessnon-stalker way. Obviously. I’ve been really impressed by what she’s achieved and her determination. And she just seems like a flipping nice person too. And her brother – he seems like a complete hoot. I think I’d like to spend the day with them both just chatting and having James sing random things at me (watch a few of Carrie’s vlogs – that statement seems a lot less random if you do!). So, a video (and, let’s be specific, a really nicely made, well produced video), popped up on my Facebook page one morning. Initially I was just blown away by the quality and production values (so much so I made my husband watch it too!), but then I wanted to know more about the book is was promoting. So I pre-ordered (I’m not sure I have ever pre-ordered a book!) and was excited. And then there were the extras – the Facebook group – an amazing bundle of all sorts from some leading names around the world, and being part of the 28 day challenge (OK, I’ve dropped a ball on this, but never mind. I can do it whenever as it’s in the book!). But the real star of the show is the book.

She Means Business – the book

She Means Business, the book, was a joy to read. It was really nicely written and I just ate up the words. Carrie has a way of making anything sound possible and achievable, and in telling you her story, you can see how she did it and how the formula, the journey, can be applied to everything you do too. Just by doing simple maths, the Members’ Club obviously makes a lot of money each month – you can see the success – but there’s not a hint of arrogance – Carrie cheers you on to do whatever you want to do. There are challenges in She Means Business and plenty of resources online to support you in your journey. It’s more of a course than a book, and for under £10 – seriously – buy it now if not sooner! And don’t worry about the title – it’ll work for men too. I’m sure of it!

So, why am I writing this review? I spoke to someone a few weeks ago who helped me achieve something big for a client because she wanted to help the ‘good guys’ – the nice people of this world- succeed. And it made me smile and nod. I know Carrie doesn’t need my endorsement or my recommendation – but she can have it. She Means Business is a seriously good book and one that I am planning to re-read from cover to cover, armed with a highlighter and sticky notes, very, very soon. Here’s a link to Amazon (it’s not a referral link or anything like that – this is my genuine opinion and I have nothing to gain by you buying She Means Business – just for the record :-))

Have you read a business book that you couldn’t help but recommend? I’d love to hear what it was. Please leave your comments below.

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Do I need a business coach?

Today’s blog is about something close to my heart for two reasons. Firstly, I do an increasing amount of business coaching with a range of clients. And secondly because my business coach is a complete diamond who has helped me take my business to the next level (and will continue to help me). If you’ve asked yourself ‘do I need a business coach’, this blog is just for you.

Coach, mentor or consultant?

When I first started down this path, I couldn’t decided on the correct term. Was I a coach? A mentor? A consultant? I was kind of all of them, but each word made me think of something I didn’t like. Coach – I thought of running faster and jumping higher. Mentor – I was unconvinced. Consultant – I’m not formal enough to be one of those, and I’ve met many ‘consultants’ I didn’t rate at all. If there’s a horrible child in your class at school, no matter how lovely their name is, you’re never going to like that name. I felt the same. I take the point that I use the term PR consultant when I have a limited amount of space. But still. I digress…

As you’ll know, I’ve build up a successful PR and marketing business in the rural and equestrian industry. And I don’t like to blow my own trumpet, but it’s something I’m really proud of. But I work Do I need a business coach?on my own (Ok, I have a little help with my accounts and my husband does my video editing and offers this service to my clients), but you get the idea. But the problem is, I am one of those people. I love helping people. I like helping people achieve more in their businesses. I’m proficient at doing this with minimal budget because I look at things differently (and I’ve been doing this for a while!). I adore social media, love content marketing, am pretty obsessed with video, Facebook Live, collaborations. You get the idea. I knew how many people could benefit from my knowledge and how I could help them. But what ‘name’ would I give myself? I’m kind of a fixer. Yep – I can help you with your social media. I can get into the strategy. I can help you find the right brand ambassador. I can help you with a content marketing plan. I can help you gain clients. I can help you work with magazines. Give me a problem and I will be able to help you fix it OR I will know someone who can. Actually, I’ll teach you how to fix it and present a load of options too. And then we’ll review what you’ve done and we’ll look at the next area for improvement. So after a fair amount of steering by my lovely coach. I decided coach was the best label.

What is business coaching – well, what’s the service I offer about?

I knew what I wanted to do – what I was capable of helping people do – and when I tentatively told the world, I got some clients. Some coaching clients. Theses lovely lot have made huge leaps forward and it is SO exciting to watch. I have one client who secured an article in the local press after one chat (and now knows how to do it again and has the contacts to be in control of her own promotion in that area!). I had one client who launched a business. One who was asked to be a brand ambassador for a company she’s adored for years. One who secured a regular column in a magazine. One who grew their Facebook following massively at minimal cost. You get the idea. So, my advice (and I do appreciate the bias here), is that if you want to improve what you do, reach new people, retain loyalty, or just up-level your business, then yes. Business coaching can be a game changer. If you’re still asking ‘do I need a business coach’ – here’s a look from the other side of the fence.

Do I need a business coach?

I didn’t think I needed a business coach. And if I’d asked myself the ‘do I need a business coach?’ question, I would have said no. And I would have been oh so wrong. My coach helped me to gain clarity. She helped me to be comfortable with the word coach and a whole lot more. And she helps me now with new ideas that get the old grey matter whirling and push me to be better and do more. We’re friends, she knows what makes me tick, and I help her in her business too, so she knows me very, very well. And I’m grateful – oh so grateful – that I have her on my side.

So, if you’re interested in business coaching – I would love to hear from you. Just contact me for an informal email chat. I’d also love to hear if you work with a coach and the difference you feel it’s made to your business. Please leave your comments below. I’d love to see them.

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Why I use moo.com

If you need to get any business cards or other business stationery sorted out for yourself, there are lots and lots of providers out there. I’m not saying you should use my choice, which is Moo, but I’m going to tell you why I chose them and, hopefully, highlight some points that you can have a ponder about before you take the plunge.Why I use Moo.com

What is a business card? Really?

Let’s just think about what a business card is. At its most basic, it’s a way of giving people your contact details, but it has the power to do a whole lot more. Like a website is your online shop window, a business card can have a similar power. Hand over a scrappy bit of paper and that’s what people have to remember you by. A scrappy bit of paper. And that’s not how you want to be seen. Is it?

More than a place to put your phone number…

In my opinion, a business card can be so much more. At one end you have the scrappy bit of paper or poor quality card that bends and stains and just looks rubbish. At the other end you have clever business cards. I’ve seen ones made out of wood, with liquids in – just have a Google. It’s a bit mind blowing. I’m looking at the happy medium area. As much as I’d love a business card made out of wood, I don’t think I’d like to give them away, and I would need a suitcase on wheels to carry them around. And I don’t need more bags!

But, luckily, there’s a big area that sits between scrappy paper and wood/metal/full on amazing business cards. There are a few things to consider when you think about your business card…

  • Design – you want your design to align with the rest of your branding
  • Copy – make sure the key info is on it
  • Colours – again, like design, you want these to align with the brand
  • Size – there’s more than one size
  • Quality – the thickness of the card that you use
  • Cost – goes without saying, but is often linked to the quality
  • Finish – matt or gloss
  • Extra touches – like spot gloss, embossed detail, foil spot and more
  • Quantity – again, no awards for guessing what that means

I know this is just business cards, but the above applies to other business stationery too.

And here’s why I use Moo.com!

This can seem like an overwhelming list if you’re just starting out. But it’s not. A lot of these things you’ll already know if you have a website, a logo or any kind of branding. It can be difficult to get inspired, visualise different finishes and card quality, but what I’d suggest is a bit of time on Google and ordering a sample pack or two – here’s a link to the moo one. If you’ve had a designer work on your website or logo, ask them for their ideas too. As for why I use Moo…

  • They do a great range of business cards in different sizes and different qualities and have a range of extra touches too
  • The customer service is second to none
  • There’s lots of inspiration on the site if you’re at a bit of a loss
  • They also produce ‘flyers’, which I use as compliment slips, stickers, postcards and other stationery items that match
  • I had an issue with one lot of postcards I had printed and they replaced them for me, for free, really quickly. I then had another issue with something that was entirely my fault but I didn’t like and they fixed that for me too. Really exceptional.
  • You can upload your own designs or customise theirs
  • The process sends you emails at different times so you can see where your order is

Of course, there are LOTS of people who print business cards out there, and I am sure many of them are very, very good. However, I’ve only personal experience of Moo, and I have no plans on changing in the near future. Definitely check them out.

I’d love to see your business card designs or ones that have caught your eye on the web. Please post below, or tag me on Instagram (@rheafreemanpr) with your business card in action!

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How to get testimonials

How to get testimonialsIf you read my previous blog about testimonials, you might be wondering how you can get them. And I’m here to help you with that. So how do you get testimonials and how can you ask for them without feeling ‘weird’? Here’s a quick guide to how to get testimonials.

First of all-  do a good job. Yes I know goes without saying, but before you ask anybody for a testimonial, you need to make sure they’re happy with what you’ve done. Not least because the testimonial received back is likely to be a bit noncommittal if they aren’t! It’s also going to be a bit awkward if they’re not entirely happy! Moving on from this though…

  • Ask people for testimonials. Yes, you read that correctly. Ask people for testimonials. Don’t just assume that they’ll think to send them over and offer them. If you know that they are pleased with the work you do/have done, just ask if they’d mind sending over a few words that you could use. You’ll be amazed how quickly people say yes if they’re happy with the work you’ve done.
  • Make sure all testimonials are genuine. Do not fabricate them. They lose all value if they are made up.
  • Display a testimonial with pride – ideally create a section on your website where you can put the testimonial so people can find out more about you. Also say who the testimonial came from and, ideally, link to that person’s website too.
  • Thank people for the time they’ve taken to leave your testimonial and help you. Even if it’s just a line – they have decided to associate their brand with yours, so make sure you thank them.
  • Use your testimonials. Yes, put them online, but use them on your social media too, to reach your hard earned following – these people have already become part of your following, so let them find a bit more about you. You could also look to add them to your email signature (in rotation), on newsletters… you can actually make quite a lot out of a testimonial if you think about it the right way.

Do you have any tips? What was the best testimonial you have ever received? Please comment below! And never one to miss an opportunity (!), please have a look at my reviews and testimonials page here if you have a few moments to spare!

 

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Do testimonials matter?

Do testimonials matter? Actually, testimonials are more than a way to sell your services, they can give people confidence in what you do and also let people learn a little bit more about you without having to commit to hitting the ‘contact’ button. And if you’re not entirely convinced and feel a bit odd about testimonials, please have a read of the blog below. I think it might just change your mind.

Isn’t it boasting?

A while ago I did a video about power of testimonials. I’d had a brilliant testimonial come in from a client of mine – but I didn’t want to put it online. I know it sounds stupid, but I just felt that it was boasting. I had helped this lady and I loved working with her, and when I got the testimonial through it really did make me smile. But there was something that stopped me from sharing it. I didn’t want people to think I was boasting. How stupid is that?! I would metaphorically slap any client around the face who told me they were not going to publish a testimonial because they felt like that! The testimonial was in my inbox for number of weeks, just there, waiting for me to do something fitting with it. I kept looking at it and smiling. But I still couldn’t put it online. That was until something made me think.

What if you look at it differently…

A few weeks later, I was on Amazon looking at books. I am have a bit of an obsession with business books. I’m always looking for the next read. But how do you choose? There are literally thousands onDo testimonials matter? Amazon. You can read the description – but then what you do? Reviews. You look at the star rating each book has and then you click to see what people have written about it. You’re looking for them to say something that’s relatable to you, for you to think ‘yes that would be perfect for me – that is the area I would like to read more about’. As I was reading through the reviews left about a particular book, it didn’t cross my mind that author of the book was boasting. I was using the reviews to educate myself about what the book covered. And then it struck me. Testimonials are reviews. And how do people know what your services are like unless you tell them? Well, unless you find a way to let your clients tell them?

How do testimonials help potential clients?

I’m very lucky many of my clients actively tell people about me when they’re at shows and events. I really value this. But what about the people that don’t cross the paths of my clients? What about them? How do they know what I’m really like? Yes, there’s social media and my videos, but to work with – how do they know? When I thought about it properly, I decided that the testimonial was a review. These reviews added value to my clients, and they help my potential clients and interested parties. It was at that point I decided to put it online.

Did I receive hate mail and people blasting me for boasting? Nope. Not once. And has it helped my business? Oh yes. So in answer to the question ‘do testimonials matter?’ – I’m very confident in saying yes, they matter a lot!

I would love to hear your thoughts on testimonials and how you use them. Do you see them as reviews? Do you see them as boasting? Has this blog made you think a little differently?

 

 

 

 

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What should I blog about?

Have you ever heard yourself asking the question ‘what should I blog about?’. Maybe it’s something that pops into your head whenever you sit down to create your first/next masterpiece. What are you going to write about? What will people want to read? Will they want to read what you have to say? In this blog I’m going to share my tips to help you address the question ‘what should I blog about?’, and keep you brimming with ideas for the foreseeable future too. Here are four topics that will generate a whole heap of ideas…

What am I passionate about?

Simple. Write down a list of the things you’re passionate about and then work out from there. If you’re the next Nigella and you’re passionate about food, you have a near constant source of inspiration from recipes to ingredients to food/wine pairings to what to cook when you’re in a hurry/in-laws are coming over/on a budget. The list is endless. Say you’re passionate about the countryside – you have the seasons, farming calendar, wildlife, farm animals, issues threatening the countryside/schemes to enhance it. Let’s say you’re passionate about cars – you have the differentWhat should I blog about? makes, models, styles, innovations, events, races… just get some paper, but a passion in the middle of it and let your imagination run wild!

What am I known for/what does my business do/what problem/s can my business help to solve?

If you’re lucky, this will overlap with point one, and if not, you have even more ideas. Let’s say you’re a retailer selling – I don’t know, screws. Yep. I’m being really specific to prove a point. You have the different types of screws for different jobs, the differences in the metals they’re made from and why that matters, how to with screws (how to screw into wood, plasterboard, etc), and that’s before we look at stuff that goes with screws (rawplugs? I’m getting out of my depth now!), tools to use with screws (drills, screwdrivers) and DIY jobs. And then you could expand into other DIY products and materials. Take my blog as another example. Yep, I’m a coach and PR and marketing consultant, but there’s a LOT under that umbrella, from the things I do in my job (PR, marketing, social media, video, collaborations, blogging, strategy, advertising, etc), to great examples of things I specialise in, to the companies I work with, to top tips and how to, really focussing in on individual parts of things (Facebook ad targeting, hashtags on Instagram, Twitter power-hours)…the list goes on.

The news.

Yep. The news is a near constant source of blog inspiration. Don’t be completely off the wall and start blogging about something you are clueless on, start with industry news and work out from there! So, in my line of work, the algorithm changes, new software and apps, new tech to make lives easier usually hits the news, as well as PR campaigns that haven’t quite worked out, or viral content that’s made the news for one reason or another.

YOU

Yep, and this can be scary. Why not tell your readers about you? It doesn’t have to be your deepest darkest secrets, but a bit about what makes you tick and why you’re passionate about what you do, how you got into the job you do, places you’ve been, things you love (see point one), even your pets if it’s relevant.

So, next time you ask ‘what should I blog about?’…

So, if you find yourself asking ‘what should I blog about?’ ever again, come back to this blog with your notepad and get planning!

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How Audi nailed customer service (and what we can learn)

I have, well, had, one of those Audis with the emissions issue. I was a bit cross about it initially (I mean, who wants a fibbing car?!), but their customer service and communication has been second to none. They have turned what could have be a negative into a HUGE positive, so much so I have been raving about them ever since. Actually, I filmed a video about it – click on the screenshot and you’ll be taken to Youtube!

How did Audi nail customer service?

So, what did they do? First, they kept me fully informed of the issue and how they were planning to fix it. Good move. I’m actually a pretty patient person when people keep me informed of what’s going on. Next, when the update was available, they sent me a letter telling me what I needed to do. It was clear and it as concise, and it offered a collection service. Being just under 20 miles away from my nearest garage, I didn’t think it would apply to me. But it did. They asked if I’d like the free valet and the free winter health check too when they did the update. I said yes. The man from Audi arrived when he said, he took the car away, they called me to say that it was all sorted (as they said they would) and asked me what free gift I’d like. Yep. Another freebie. And then the car was delivered back to me with all the documentation, all clean and shiny and updated. They followed up too with a call to make sure I was happy. Nice.

What can we learn?

What can we learn? Customer service trumps most issues. If the customer service I’d received from Audi had been substandard, the emissions issue could have really annoyed me – not because of the actual problem, but the inconvenience to me to sort out something that I had not caused. But it wasn’t even slightly inconvenient. More than that, they threw in a few extra things, like the valet and the car check, that made me feel special. I mean, I was pretty thrilled – anyone who lives in the countryside gets pretty excited when someone offers to clean their car for free. They kept me informed. They did what they said. Actually, they over-delivered.

Stuff goes wrong, we know this, but you’ll often find that the thing that broke isn’t the part that turns reasonable people into pretty savage beasts. It’s how they’re treated and handled. If you ‘channel’ Audi, you can turn a potentially negative situation into a positive – the customer experience, the care, the service, can change a potentially angry customer into a fan, actually, an advocate for your brand. Who wouldn’t want that?

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Should you sponsor someone?

Should you sponsor someone?This blog is all about whether or not sponsorship is a good idea for you and your business. In my business group, Small and Supercharged, many people talk about sponsorship and it’s a subject that I think many business owners think about. Many feel it’s a ‘no brainer’ or something that they must do, but I’m here to tell you it isn’t. This is something that I am passionate about, actually, I’ve written about it before and produced some videos too…here’s a link to my previous blogs, videos and even a podcast!

You have to make sure everyone wins from the arrangement

You might think I’m anti sponsorship. I’m not. I’m against the wrong kind of sponsorship where nobody really wins long term. The sponsor feels they have no return on their investment, and the person who is sponsored gets support cut very quickly, because they haven’t delivered. Who wins here? The person who secured the sponsorship received some product, maybe even a bit of money, but not for long. And now they have a bitter taste about the business they were working with, and the sponsor has a very bitter taste about them and, often, sponsoring anyone else. No one wins. This is why sponsorship isn’t always good. However, I’m here to give you some food for thought on sponsorship – here are my top 10 things to think about…

  • It’s not a no brainer. You don’t HAVE to sponsor anyone, so take your time and make sure you’re comfortable with what you’re doing and you’ve worked out a way that it can benefit you and them.
  • Pick carefully. If you’re in business, you will get a LOT of people asking for your money and products. Don’t feel pressured. Pick carefully.
  • Work out what you want from the deal. Do you want social media content? Blogs? Vlogs? Videos? Would you like your sponsored person to come to events and maybe your shop? Would you like them to wear your logo when they’re out and about? Have a list of what you’d like.
  • Be flexible. A list is good, but listen to and consider other ideas provided by the potential sponsored person. They might have other sponsors and, therefore, some of your wish list isn’t possible, but they might have some other thoughts that could work.
  • What are you going to do for them? Can you help promote them to your audience through the content they provide? Sell yourself as well as them.
  • Be clear. Be crystal clear on how often you expect contact. How many blogs/vlogs a year/month, for example? Don’t assume anything. Also explain what could happen if these aren’t provided, for example, will the support stop?
  • How will you do it? Most people support with product, especially to start with. Some sponsors call people supported with product ‘ambassadors’, some people say they’re sponsored. It’s terminology really.
  • Look at people’s reach. Make sure the people that you’re choosing to work with have a reach and a network that’s of use. And don’t just look at the number of people who like a Facebook page. Look at the interactions and engagement.
  • Look at the quality of the content. They might produce a blog each week and fill their Instagram feed with pics, but if the copy is full of typos and the pictures are poor quality, are they right for your brand?
  • Look at personal accounts too. If you sponsor someone, it’s not just their ‘official’ page that you need to look at. Look at personal Facebook pages too. See how they behave in their ‘personal’ life. It matters. Nothing is that private when it’s made it onto the internet.

What do you think about sponsorship?

I’d love to hear your experiences with sponsorship. Have you attracted a sponsor? How did it work? Do you sponsor people? How does it work for you?

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How dictation software can make blogging a whole lot easier

I’ve been doing more and more blogs lately (as you may have noticed!), and I have been looking at ways to save time while maintaining the quality of the content that I’m putting out. There are a few ways to do this, but the one I’m looking at today is the use of dictation software.

This blog is brought to you with a little help from Apple (and its dictation software!)

How dictation software can make blogging a whole lot easierThis blog has been written with the help of Apple’s own dictation software. I have previously used another form of dictation software provided by another supplier. It was OK, but I needed to do a lot of editing and I didn’t feel that any time was saved. When Apple launched theirs, I was a bit hesitant about using it because, if a company dedicated to providing dictation software struggled, how would Apple be able to achieve better results? It was a foolish thing for me to think because, of course, when the geniuses at Apple put their minds to anything, it tends to do well.

Why the resistance?

I have resisted this dictation software for while because I wasn’t sure I’d see any kind of time saving. And a blog written using dictation software does still require editing, and sometimes substantial editing. I’ve seen many words appear on the screen that have not crossed my lips!  However, using the software helps me to think freely and quickly. It also allows me to view the copy that I have ‘written’ with fresh eyes because I haven’t actually written it. I feel this makes it easier to pick up on typos. Well, that’s the theory! When I produce a press release, I normally look at it three or four times before I send onto my client who also reviews it. When they send it back to me, with approval or amendments, I then read it through again before I send. With a blog, this process doesn’t happen.

How accurate is dictation software?

Dictation software isn’t perfect – and it probably never will be. You will always need to edit or check what it ‘says’ you said. If you do a lot of writing, you’re and avid blogger and want to put a lot more content out there, dictation can make a welcome change to typing. So definitely have a look around. The Apple one is actually really good and I have to say, in my opinion, better than the software I paid quite a lot of money for.

Using tools like dictation software to make life easier is something that we should all be harnessing. Or at least trying on and seeing if it ‘fits’ us and what we do. You might find the tool you’ve chosen doesn’t work that well for you and it’s not worth persevering with, but if you find one time and labour saving bit of software out there than frees you up to spend more time doing other things, that has to be a good thing!

 

…and she presses publish after only two editing sessions…gulp!

 

 

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