Writing Can Provoke Fear. And That’s Okay.
Sometimes when you think about writing on a new topic, or in a new format, you might begin to feel afraid. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't write it. Fear doesn't have to signal "stop." It can instead be an indication that something thrilling lies in that...
Where Do You Stop in Your Marketing?
I'll bet most of you reading this work pretty hard at marketing yourself. It may seem like you are always going, going, going. But I find that for many self-employed professionals and creatives, there's a point where you stop -- a sticking place that seems to trip you...
A Writer in Action Stays in Action
I used to be a scientist once upon a time. A geologist, to be exact. As part of my training, I learned numerous scientific principles, like Newton's laws of motion, for example. You may remember the one that says: "A body in motion stays in motion." My science...
Nine Ways to Take Action When You Just Don’t Want To
Most self-employed professionals and creatives truly enjoy no longer having to answer to The Boss. But the lack of someone to report to can also be a problem. There's no one to make you do stuff you just don't want to do. If you procrastinate about posting to your...
Writing in Company Can Be the Best Way to Write
As a self-employed professional or creative, how often do you tell yourself you will write, then never get to it? Whether your writing is blog/Substack posts, web/email/social media content, course materials, reports/proposals, or a book/ebook/lead magnet, I know how...
Three Ways Accountability Will Improve Your Marketing Results
I know you have good intentions about marketing your business. You may even have some sort of marketing plan. But if you're a typical self-employed professional or creative, you don't always follow through on the intentions or plans you make. Sometimes you get busy...
To Keep Your Writing on Track, Don’t Forget the Map
When you sit down at the keyboard to write, you probably have an idea or two in your head. You might have a topic in mind, or a title, or a metaphor. So, you plunge into writing your blog post or book chapter. But somewhere along the way, you wonder where you're...
What If You Were Wrong about Marketing?
Lately, I've been playing the "what if you were wrong" game with the self-employed professionals and creatives I coach. It goes like this: Client: Jane at XYZ Company hasn't gotten back to me. They must not want to hire me. C.J.: What if you were wrong about that?...
Five Steps to Replace Your Resistance with Persistence
Do you find yourself at times resisting what you know you should be doing for your business? Or maybe all the time? The impact of feeling resistant can be subtle. If you don't like marketing or answering email or invoicing, don't feel like you should have to do it, or...
Tired, Distracted, Uninspired? You Can Write Anyway
On any given day, "You might not feel inspired," says author, editor, and blogger Leah McClellan. "You might think you don't feel creative. The thought of writing might feel overwhelming. You might feel dread, fear, or worry. You might think it won't be any good or...










