That phrase, “Use it or lose it,” echoes through my mind a lot these days, for both copywriting and possessions.
If you’ve been following me awhile, you know I moved to Philadelphia last June. Originally I planned to stay for a year but … hey, there’s a reason this is my third time to move to Philadelphia.
So I bought a pet-friendly condo and am sorting through my possessions. Fortunately the Seattle movers destroyed several pieces of furniture, so I’m working with less.
“Use it or lose it” can be read as a warning. If you keep saying, “I can’t wear this because it’s too special,” soon it’s out of date and ready to be retired. Useless!
Reframe as a guideline: “Use it or get rid of it.” That’s what my organizer friends say, so I am ruthlessly giving away lots of things that sat on a shelf for a year. Some of my possessions are old enough to buy their own beer.
And for copywriting …
When we’re writing copy, reports, articles or books, we often get ideas that seems truly magnificent. “Too good for what I’m doing!” we think.
Professional writers are taught to think differently. When you don’t hold back, you keep getting more ideas and better ones. “Give it all you’ve got!” applies whether you’re writing a flyer for a small one-time event or a website for a significant business entity.
And when it comes to copywriting skills, the adage “Use it or lose it” also makes sense. My copywriting mentor, Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero, used to tell her students, “Write every day.” That’s what she learned from her own mentors.
It’s true. When I write frequently, the words flow more easily and I produce better copy. That’s one reason a copywriter can get your project out the door so far: we do this every day … okay, some of us may take off for a birthday or Thanksgiving. But *almost.*
In next week’s workshop I’ll be sharing many tips to multiply your content so you complete your projects faster for stronger rewards. You can still qualify for a 20-minute consultation when you sign up today only: http://www.CopywritingWithCathy.com/multipliercourse.html