Writing Archives - Take Permission

August 25, 2016 By Andy Traub

You’ll Write Like Seth Godin If You Use This Tool

The key to Seth Godin‘s success is a little known Mac-only word processor called Nisus (pronounced Nice us). If you use that software, you will write like Seth Godin.

Using Nisus will enable you to write a blog post every day. Using Nisus will empower you to express yourself for pennies to the entire world when you publish your thoughts to a blog.

The Truth

Of course, Nisus isn’t the secret. Nisus is a tool. Replace the word Nisus with Scrivener, Evernote, Google Docs, a Notebook, ByWord, TextEdit, Word, or Pages. It doesn’t matter which program you use, it matters that you’re using a tool consistently.

The reason Nisus works for Seth is it has become part of his routine. That’s what you need. You need to pick a program and use it, every day.

The process advice that makes sense to me is to write. Constantly. At length. Often. Don’t publish everything you write, but the more you write, the more you have to choose from.

Seth Godin

The Best Tool For You

On Tuesday (August 30th) I’m hosting a class at 10 am and 9 pm CT to teach you about the seven different writing programs you can use to write more consistently. Some will help you more than others, so I hope you’ll come learn about them.

If you can’t make it live, register anyway, and I’ll send you a replay.

Seth’s secret isn’t Nisus; it’s consistently using Nisus. Some programs are better than others, though, and I’ll teach you which ones I think you should use during the class.

“Too Much” Isn’t The Problem

You don’t write too many words.
You don’t publish too often.
Your problem is being brave, consistent, and disciplined.

I know the feeling.

August 24, 2016 By Andy Traub

Free Class: The Seven Best Software Programs To Help You Write More, Faster, & Better

There are dozens of programs you can use to create content but which ones should you use?

Evernote?
Google Docs?
ByWord?
Scrivener?

In the two free classes I’m teaching next week you’re going to learn the perfect program for your writing. The answer won’t be the same for everyone so I’ll be covering seven different programs and taking any questions you have.

The identical classes are on Tuesday, August 30th, 10am and 9pm Central.

How About A Replay?
That’s a great idea. There will be a replay if you register. I hope you’ll attend one of the two classes live so you can get your questions answered but if you can’t I’ll send you a replay.

Are You Selling Something?
After the class I’m inviting a small group of creatives to become founding members of Creators Academy. It’s a community of creatives that want to build their platform through writing, videos, webinars, email marketing, and blogging.

Why Did You Tell Me You’re Selling Something?
Because I hate it when people try to invite me to a “free class” and don’t tell me there’s a pitch at the end. This class is free and you’ll get value from it, but I would ruin the good will I’ve created with you if then I pitched you out of nowhere.

August 15, 2016 By Andy Traub

The Seven Proven Strategies For Getting People To Pay Attention To Your Content

Sign Up Below For Tuesday’s Free Class on the 7 Essentials For Getting People To Pay Attention To Your Content

Be Bold

Bold is easy to understand. Bold sticks out. Bold gets your attention. If you’re not bold, which is not the same as loud, then you’re going to be ignored.

Be Human

It’s hard to let our humanity show, but it’s vital if you’re going to gain the trust of customers, readers, and followers. Humility and humanity attract and build loyalty.

Be Great

Books like Essentialism, Deep Work, and StrengthFinders 2.0 help us discover what our greatest contribution is. Going deep isn’t popular, and it’s becoming more difficult because of the many distractions we all face. Being great at something isn’t easy, but it’s a superpower you control.

Be Consistent

Your brand’s colors, how often to publish, or release a new product, the types of images you use, they all must be consistent. Your customers want to know it’s you, and they want to belong to something. Make everything you can, consistent. It simplifies your message.

Be Risky

This might seem to contradict being consistent, but if you’re consistently taking risks, then it works. Being risky means you go ahead and try new things. Risks don’t always work, but history rewards the brave. Just don’t bet the whole farm on it. Take risks but don’t lose it all if it doesn’t work.

Be Generous

We humans are stingy. We wake up every day focused on ourselves and so we must be intentional about being generous. Your brand can be generous. The most valuable thing you can give is your time. 10amBe as generous as you can because it’s fun, it’s good for your business or cause, and it’s the right thing to do.

Be Moving

Rest is vital but playing it safe or being lazy is a guaranteed path to ruin. Movement happens when we create new things, connect with new people, get into conversations that benefit everyone involved. Movement requires risk, generosity, and a willingness to be great. Movement is the most important strategy. You’ll figure it out along the way.

To learn more about each of these strategies join me for a live class (no sales pitches)10 am or 9 pm Central on Tuesday, August 16th.

July 31, 2016 By Andy Traub

A Conversation With A New Blogger

When should I start a blog?
You should have started five years ago. Today’s a good day too.

What program should I write in?
It doesn’t matter.

Wordpress?
Great.

Typepad.
That’ll work.

Medium.
Great option.

So which one should I use?
They’re all better than the one you’re using right now.

I’m not using any of them right now.
Exactly.

OK, so I’m going to start writing.
Good, start right now.

Where should I put my drafts?
Don’t create drafts, publish what you write.

But I’m not a good writer yet.
How do you know if you’re a good or bad writer?

I just don’t think I’m good.
Are you writing for yourself or others?

For others.
OK, then let them decide if you’re a good writer or not.

What if I’m a bad writer.
That’s not a problem.

Why, because I’ll get better?
No, because no one is going to read your writing to tell you you’re a bad writer.

That’s kinda cruel Andy.
It’s a gift.

Is it a gift for people to ignore me?
Would you rather people ignore you while you’re not good or pay attention to you while you’re not good.

I’d rather they not see my bad writing.
Great, then get as much bad writing out the way as quickly as you can.

So I should write a lot?
Yes, a lot.

So how many posts should I write every week?
As many as you can.

Like three times a week?
Or once a day.

A post every day?
Or three.

I can’t write three posts in a day!
Ok, then write one a day.

How long should they be?
They should communicate an idea.

That doesn’t help me.
You’re making it too complicated. Just get an idea and deliver it in your voice.

What if I don’t know my voice?
Then you need to use it more.

So I’ll find my voice by using it more?
Yes.

Should I get email subscribers?
Sure, do that next week.

Why not now?
Because it’s a distraction.

Ok, so what if I’m not a writer?
Can you talk?

Yes, I can talk.
Then you can write. My friend Ray Edwards says that “Writing is doing part of thinking.” If you can think, you can write.

Well, I don’t think I can write.
Then you’ve got your first post.

What?
Write about how you don’t think you’re a writer.

That’s ironic. What if I run out of ideas?
Then write about how you run out of ideas.

People will think that’s dumb.
No, they won’t.

They won’t think it’s dumb?!
No one will be reading it to think it’s dumb.

That’s cruel Andy.
Anonymity is a gift for now. Go be anonymous. Enjoy it while you can.

October 30, 2015 By Andy Traub

It's Time To Take Permission; Why Learning Is A Crutch

You know enough. You’ve read enough books. You’ve read enough blog posts. You’ve watched enough TED talks. You’ve been to enough conferences.

You’re a learner, that’s great.

That’s not enough.

Why Learning Is Not Enough

Learning is not enough and our heroes are the proof. They’re our heroes because they take action.

Learning is a step in the process to achievement. Learn is not taking action. Taking action happens when we could fail. Taking action happens when what we do can change someone other than ourselves.

Learning is an investment in ourselves. Action is an investment in others.

[Tweet “Learning is an investment in ourselves. Action is an investment in others.”]

The Failure Test

You know enough but it doesn’t matter because what you need to do you’re not doing. Who you want to become can’t happen until you put yourself in positions where failure is an option and where fear is proven wrong.

My heroes (Seth Godin, Steven Pressfield, Jeff Goins, Michael Hyatt, Brenè Brown) are right. Facing fear is where life is found. If it’s not scary it’s not worth doing.

You know enough, now use it.

Sometimes you will fail but every time you will learn.

You’re afraid, so what? That means it’s worth doing.

You know enough but it doesn’t matter unless you take action.

Are You Going To Take Action?

If you’re inspired by these words but need help taking action then I can help.

This November I’m teaching my first Take Permission Group. 25 people just like you will learn how to Take Permission in their lives.

– You will identify your gifts
– You will stop bad habits
– You will gain clarity in all of your relationships
– You will take action
– You will learn to Take Permission

Click here if you’re interested in learning how to Take Permission in every area of your life and I’ll be in touch with more details.

You know enough. It’s time to take action.