Comments on: What a Rotten Roof Can Teach You About Your Business

By: Analogies and Metaphors | Men With Pens

Analogies and Metaphors | Men With Pens — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:24:58 +0000

[...] short version is that analogies compare something unfamiliar to something familiar. Readers thus grasp what you want to teach quickly and with greater [...]

By: Marilynne

Marilynne — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:48:24 +0000

I would probably have taken out a loan and rebuilt the garage, but that's overkill, isn't it? Marilynne´s last blog post...Three Little Birds - a song

By: Khaled

Khaled — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:59:21 +0000

I think the best thing that cam out of the story is the valuable advise you have received from the construction guy. At least you can use this advise to weigh up your options and make a better decision from it in the hope of not making the mistakes he made you aware of. His visit actually may have saved you a great deal of money in the long run.

By: Wilson Pon

Wilson Pon — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 09:29:44 +0000

Nice and provoking post, James. It gives me a lot of inspirations after I’ve finished reading it. By the way, if you don’t mind, I can lend you a hammer here! lol

By: Urban Panther

Urban Panther — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:21:09 +0000

Um. James, I'm thinking you need to tear the garage down. Oh, excellent post though! Urban Panther´s last blog post...My very first flame!

By: Solomon

Solomon — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:12:01 +0000

Hi James, I enjoyed reading the post so much. I read it almost thrice! I liked your analogy to drive several crucial points, though. By being very sincere, some people though step on nerves, teach us a lesson or two to follow. I'm so much strengthened by your post to speak nothing but the truth to the client. Whether I get the project or not. unfortunately, that's not what I do most of the times and get stressed out. Thanks for the great post! Solomon Solomon´s last blog post...Every BRAND knows who copywriter is

By: James Chartrand - Men with Pens

James Chartrand - Men with Pens — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:16:12 +0000

@ WriterDad – Heh, you’re welcome. I like when I can tell a story versus just giving out information. Makes my job more fun!

@ Dave – Well, winter lasts about 8 months around here, so sometimes we can’t always go for that summer-only option

@ Barbara – *grin* I love that I can find a tie-in to anything as well. And no fairy tales! I swear! (Because I’d wave a magic wand and find the 10k I needed…)

@ Mary – Woot! Love that, thanks!

@ Clint – I’d take on any job that allows you to build up your reputation – even if the money isn’t great. But I *wouldn’t* take on just any job. So it’s a bit of both: Don’t be picky, but don’t be too selective either.

James Chartrand – Men with Pens´s last blog post…What a Rotten Roof Can Teach You About Your Business

By: Clint

Clint — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:02:42 +0000

I was definitely surprised to hear that they turned the job down. It's a great testament to the caliber of their work and the company as a whole. However, it can be a scary thing for a small business owner to turn down work when he/she doesn't know what's around the corner. If someone is just getting started in his/her business, would you advocate taking on almost any job just to build up a portfolio or reel, or is it best to be selective right from the get-go? Clint´s last blog post...Our Short Film â€˜Collectionâ€™ Now Available Online

By: Mary / WritetoDone

Mary / WritetoDone — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:16:32 +0000

It’s interesting to think how these points might relate to blogging:

Lesson one: Never opt for cheap, even if youâ€™re on a budget.
Blogging: Use a good designer for your site.

Lesson two: People donâ€™t like too many options.
Blogging: Use clear callS to action, for example “Subscribe to…” instead of “You could subscribe to RSS, or you could subscribe to email. Actually, why not subscribe to our newsletter?”

Lesson three: Differentiation is crucial to attracting customers.
Blogging: Know your niche – and stick to it.

Lesson four: Out of sight, out of mind
Blogging: Comment on other blogs -especially if you want to remind people of Write to Done.com …ahem

Lesson five: Customer service counts.
Blogging: Be friendly and insanely useful – respond to comments and emails

Lesson six: Your reputation is all you have.
Blogging: Don’t blow your credibility with a stupid post

Mary / WritetoDone´s last blog post…Quote-Hunting: How to Improve Your Writing and Your Life

By: Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach

Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:24:20 +0000

Have I mentioned how much I adore the way you can relate ANYTHING to business and customer service, James?

Although I really think you wrote about a fairy tale – such a contractor could never exist in real life (she said, having written the book Avoiding The Contractor From Hell back 9 years ago….)

Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last blog post…What Profit Personality Are YOU?