In the last weekday episode, we talked about the power of sending handwritten notes. Today, let’s look at another powerful way to personally connect with people.

Since high-speed internet and mobile phones started becoming more powerful ten or fifteen years ago, video has become a more important medium with each passing year. We all love to watch videos, and one of the ways to take advantage of this is to send people short, personalized videos.

There are many reasons to do this. You can thank someone, send a note of encouragement, follow up from a meeting, explain more about a client proposal, add some thoughts after a conversation, or just point out something you appreciate about what the other person is doing.

The bottom line is that a personalized video forges a deep connection with the other person. Why? Because you took the time the create something specifically for them. It is rare, therefore it is effective and valuable.

Many writers are not comfortable on video, but you will need to get comfortable. Learn to make video your friend. People don’t care if you come across as some smooth TV star. In fact, the more real and authentic it feels, the better. The fact that it’s from you is what makes it so powerful.

You would be surprised at the impact that a short, personalized video makes on someone.

Daily Question: Do you feel comfortable on video? Why or why not? What is an area of your writing or business you would like to grow, and how could personalized videos help build relationships in that area?

The post The Power of a Personalized Video appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

There are few things in life as powerful as a handwritten note sent through the mail. Why? Because we all want to feel noticed. We want to feel special. We love the feeling that someone took the time to hand-write a note, put it in an envelope, and mail it.

As a writer, you interact with a lot of people: readers, other writers, clients if you have them, people who have helped you with publishing, and others connected through podcasts and media. Whenever someone does something for you, send a note of thanks or appreciation.

Author coach and business leader Honoree Corder sends a note every day to someone. This strategy has been a powerful way for her to build strong relationships and set her apart as a person who goes the extra mile.

Sending a card does take some time and a little bit of money because there’s postage, but the return you get is amazing. People really love getting stuff in the mail. You can also include an extra little surprise such as a bookmark or a small trinket for a special touch.

Sending cards and gifts might seem like a hassle, but that’s precisely why you should do it: because hardly anybody else is doing it. Handwritten cards sent through the mail are a small gesture that produces massive results.

Daily Question: Who are three people who have helped you in some way over the last month, and how might a handwritten note build your relationship with them?

The post The Power of a Handwritten Note appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

It is important that you learn from other writers who can share their knowledge. In the same way, you must help other writers be more successful. There are plenty of people in your orbit who would love to achieve your level of success, whatever that might be.

Even if your only level of experience is starting a blog, there are plenty of writers who would love to learn how to do that. Don’t dismiss your skills just because they seem common. If you’ve taken time to build or create something, you can teach it to someone else.

It doesn’t mean you have to label yourself as a teacher or set yourself up as some big expert. It just means that you’re sharing what you have learned. You can do this on social media, your blog, an email newsletter, speaking, and so many other ways.

A simple but powerful way to help other writers is to host a weekly mastermind call. I have been a part of a writer’s mastermind group for years. Each week, we meet on Zoom and talk about our successes and challenges. That weekly meeting has an amazing way of encouraging my spirit.

It also helps the other writers because they have challenges of their own. The whole idea of a mastermind is to bring together like-minded people to help each other solve your problems. I can’t begin to tell you how many times over the years that a mastermind has helped me push through a problem or obstacle.

And many times, the obstacle isn’t somewhere out there… it’s in my own head. I’m my own worst enemy. But when I help other people, it gets the focus off myself and reminds me that I do have some things to teach others. If you have a brain and you can write words, you can teach others.

Somebody out there needs your knowledge, and you can change their life by sharing it with them.

The post Someone Needs Your Knowledge appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

It’s not quite so natural to talk about our mistakes and failures. We always run the risk of disappointing people or coming off as less than perfect. We’re afraid people will think less of us.

Truthfully, though, none of us is perfect. And whenever we see another writer be vulnerable enough to talk about their failures, we relate to it. We live with our own failures every single day, and it’s refreshing to hear others own up to their imperfections.

Al Alvarez said, “The better the artist, the more vulnerable he seems to be.” There is a connection between greatness and vulnerability. Why is that? Because our humanity, and our willingness to display it without fear of judgment, is what attracts other people.

Go ahead, give it a shot. You may find that the very thing you are afraid to share is what would actually help people the most.

The post This is What We Relate to as Humans appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.

Writers and artists seem to be prone to discouragement. How many stories have you heard about writers who are addicted to alcohol, battling personal demons, or even take their own life?

It’s not easy to be a writer. We spend our lives putting our stories, thoughts, and emotions out there… and sometimes it feels like your heart gets trampled on.

This is why we need all the encouragement we can get. But how do we create a ready source of encouragement for those dark days?

The answer is quite simple: keep an encouragement file. Any time someone sends you an email, letter, text, or other communication that encourages you, keep it. You can print it off or save it as a digital file.

I keep both kinds. I have a big box where I store all the nice letters and cards people have given me over the years. I also keep a notebook in my Evernote app simply called “Encouragement.”

Whenever you’re discouraged, spend a few minutes looking through these files. You’ll soon remember how you are making a difference and impacting other people’s lives.

It’s easy to forget this in the push and pull of everyday life. That’s why you must take a few moments to store these notes whenever you get them.

Oscar Wilde said, “When it rains, look for rainbows. When it’s dark, look for stars.” On your darkest days, look in your encouragement file and that’s exactly where you’ll find those rainbows and stars.

The post The Magic of an Encouragement File appeared first on Daily Writer | Essential Habits for Impact & Influence.