Make Your Mess Your Message

“Wisdom is ofttimes nearer when we stoop
Than when we soar.”
- William Wordsworth

In Issue #208

Make Your Mess Your Message
by Krista Jones

Robin Roberts, co-anchor of Good Morning America, has a new book out called “From the Heart: Eight Rules to Live By.”

Robin used to have seven rules to live by. But then, she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

After the diagnosis, Robin talked to her mother about whether she should reveal her diagnosis on the air. Her mother said, "In our family, it’s been about being of service to others. It’s not about us."

So Robin went public with the diagnosis and decided to continue working while she went through chemotherapy. During the process, Robin was living by her eighth rule: Make your mess your message. Month after month, she shared her fears, good and bad days, and lessons learned with TV viewers.

Robin has no doubt helped millions of people with the amazing courage, candor, and grace she displayed throughout her journey with the disease.

So … what do you think about the idea of making your mess your message? Does it make you feel uneasy, get a little sweaty in the palms?

That’s exactly how the thought of sharing my weaknesses with others used to make me feel. But writing this e-letter has helped change that for me.

Before Copy Protégé, I didn’t understand how powerfully sharing my challenges and even failures would serve others. But, you’ve taught me that we often help others most by sharing our problems and vulnerabilities.

Instead of making yourself look weak, being open about your trials actually inspires others.  It helps people feel less alone when they know that someone else has been in their shoes. And it helps them be more open about themselves.

And there’s a side benefit in it for you too…

When something brings you to your knees, and you find the strength and courage to help others by sharing the lessons you’ve learned from it, the sharing brings with it some liberation. Some freedom for your soul.

So in addition to serving others, learning to make your mess your message—when it’s appropriate—can serve you in many ways. 

If you’re sharing your mess with your family and friends as you build your career, it gets the negative energy and bad experiences off of your chest and frees you up to move on.

If you’re sharing it with readers of your newsletter (again, as appropriate), it can help at least one reader understand, accept or resolve a similar problem that she may be experiencing.

If you’re sharing your challenge with other copywriters, you may find that they (or someone they know) are experiencing the same thing. Together you might be able to work your way through your respective situations.

There’s a pearl of wisdom in the midst of any challenge you face. Pass it on by sharing it with others. 

Resource Referral: The Countdown Continues …

Last week, we reported that there were four spaces available in the last two groups we’re convening in the Copy Protégé Mentoring Program before we go to a wider audience.

Now there are only two.

So if you’ve been mulling this over and are leaning toward going for it, please let us know. We’d love to complete our quorum with people from the Copy Protégé community.

Over the past 18 months, we’ve watched our protégées accomplish the goals they set out to achieve, and then some. From winning the AWAI Spec Challenge, to landing a prize client, to getting a substantial pay raise and part ownership in their job – these dedicated members are going places. And we cheer – and sometimes push them – all along the way.

Here’s what a handful of them say about the program:

“Over the course of my Copy Protégé Mentoring program, I submitted 5 spec assignments, AWAI became a client of mine, I got on AWAI’s Wall of Fame and I had an article about my copywriting business philosophy published in The Golden Thread Online – and Michael Masterson commented on it.   I couldn’t have done any of this without your steady guiding hand, Krista, and my three companion mentorees.  Thanks all of you.  You set my career on the right path.”

– P. T., New Jersey

“Wow! You’re my favorite mentor Monica! Thanks for the copy … you
just know what works! And as far as my marketing plan … thank you for kicking me into action. Keep on pushing me, I’ll get there.”

– D.V., Israel

“Copy Protégé’s mentoring program is the perfect fusion of attentive tutoring and peer review. Your expert coaching helped me discover my copywriting strengths; your focus guided me back on track when I wandered off course; your enthusiastic cheerleading encouraged me every step of the way.
Krista, you’re a generous and talented teacher who has a gift for recognizing big ideas as well as seeing the smallest details – whether in a writing assignment or career development.” 

– A. R., North Carolina

“I just want to thank you for all the help you gave me during the Copy Protege Mentoring Program.  It was invaluable to have a tried-and-true professional guide me through those awkward steps of deciding what I want from my career and how to go out and get it.  Thanks to you, I am well on my way to doing what I love and making a whole lot of money in the process!!”

– K.L.

If you are ready to join these protégés, please send a writing sample (no more than 2 pages) and your goals for the next six months to admin@copyprotege.com.

Quick Business Tip: Imperfect Action is Way Better than No Action
by Krista Jones

Today I’m having my last session with one of my mentoring groups. One thing that has come up in this group a couple of times is how important it is to take imperfect action when you’re trying to reach your copywriting goals.

I know it’s unnerving to do something when you feel it might be the wrong action. But if you’re waiting for the perfect copy, perfect answer, or perfect situation to come along, you might as well give up on your goals.

One of our missions with Copy Protégé is to urge you to take action with your life. Even though it may be an imperfect action, it’s still better than no action. If you make a mess of things, then you can use that message to change your course. You can take another imperfect action, if need be, toward improving it.

Taking any action at least gives you a chance. It gets you closer to your goal. Achieving a dream is often a journey that is made up of many imperfect actions.