Have you considered hiring a writer or editor to handle your business communications, but decided it was too expensive? If so, I’d like you to consider how much it’s costing you to not get help with your writing.
Chances are, it’s costing you more to do your own writing or editing than it would cost to hire a professional.
Yes, I’m a little bit biased since I’m a professional writer/editor. But I’m still right.
First, there’s the opportunity cost.
If you spend 10 hours editing your own e-book, you’ve just lost the chance to use those 10 hours doing what you do best. You could have spent that time reaching out to prospective clients or meeting the needs of your current clients (and ended up with a better e-book).
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that doing things yourself is cheap.
Remember Cliff Huxtable? That’s right, the dad from The Cosby Show. He was always trying to fix plumbing problems himself, and his wife was always trying to stop him. His attempts to play the part of plumber always resulted in a bigger bill from the actual plumber. Just think how much better off the Huxtables would have been if Cliff (an OB/GYN) had spent his time delivering more babies instead of trying to fix the dishwasher.
Don’t make the same mistake as Cliff. Stop trying to fix the dishwasher and go deliver more babies.
And then there’s the matter of lost business.
Let’s assume that if you decide to use a writer/editor, you will hire someone who is a better writer or editor than you are (I highly recommend this approach, by the way).
That means that if you go without professional help, your copy or content will be worse than if you hire a freelancer. What’s wrong with that, you ask?
Lower quality content means less traffic and/or fewer leads. Lower quality copy means fewer sales.
Things like typos, bad grammar, and jumbled thoughts will immediately destroy any credibility you are hoping to build, at least among the group of prospective clients you most want to attract – clients with a strong focus on quality who are willing and able to pay a premium for it.
So take a hard look at the quality of your written materials, including your website, blog, e-newsletter, brochures – everything. All of this stuff represents you and your brand, and should be helping you impress leads and sell your products & services.
Is it doing its job, or is it costing you money?
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