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Nettie Reynolds most early beginnings were spent covering Silicon Valley as a journalist. She is a produced playwright and was the founder of Hartsock Communications, a boutique PR firm focused on business book authors. Nettie is also a speaker, encourager, and believes in the power of storytelling. She is now working for Community Brands in their K12 Education division as a Sr. Marketing Manager.
Connect with Nettie to learn more.
Listen to the Podcast Here, or Find it Wherever You Get Your Podcasts:
Here are Five Things We Cover:
- Embrace your curiosity: Good writing starts with a genuine interest in the subject and a connection with the audience. Nettie emphasizes that being curious not only enriches the content but also brings authenticity to your work.
- Build and leverage your portfolio: It’s important to create a broad range of writing samples, even if some are not highly paid. A diverse portfolio can open doors to new opportunities and help you advance in your writing career.
- Human touch in AI-assisted writing: Although AI can aid with ideation and outlining, the human element—cadence, personality, and unique perspectives—is irreplaceable. Writers should focus on enhancing these aspects to make their work stand out.
- Maximize LinkedIn for career growth: Nettie offers practical tips for boosting your job search on LinkedIn, like joining local groups and personalizing your URL. Making the right connections and engaging with the platform can be a game-changer for your professional journey.
- Overcoming writer’s block: Nettie shares strategies to break through creative barriers, such as establishing writing rituals, providing yourself with micro-incentives, and engaging in activities that can trigger inspiration. Always remember, starting is the key to progressing.
Here are Three Actionable Takeaways From This Episode
- Build and Showcase Your Writing Portfolio: Start writing on topics that pique your curiosity and align with the publications you aim to write for. This can include blogging, freelance articles, or any public writing work. Even if some writing opportunities aren’t highly paid, take them to improve your writing and build a portfolio. Make sure to maintain an updated collection of writing clips to showcase to potential employers or clients.
- Improve Writing Through Feedback and Editing: Regularly seek feedback on your writing from peers, mentors, or writing groups. Accept constructive criticism and use it to refine your work. Invest time in the editing process and consider it as a collaborative effort. Editing helps in making your writing clearer and ensuring it effectively communicates the intended message.
- Overcome Writer’s Block and Find Inspiration: Establish pre-writing rituals such as listening to music or engaging in a small activity like gardening to clear your mind and signal the transition into writing mode. Break writer’s block by setting small, attainable goals and incorporating micro-incentives, like rewarding yourself with a short walk after an hour of writing. If you’re stuck, start by writing anything, even if it’s unrelated to your project, to get the creativity flowing. Handwriting or talking out loud can also help disrupt the blockage and generate new ideas.