Category: Life Lessons

My husband, Bill, has a reputation for giving me over-the-top presents on holidays, like a full-length floor mirror he secretly built in our basement and a 6-foot-tall, bright pink flamingo that was equal parts artistry and eye-sore. What do you suppose I received as a birthday present this year? Let me tell you!

Wonder Writer nickname

But first, here’s some background. When I launched Writer to the Rescue, Bill hit upon a nickname that stuck: “Wonder Writer.” Before assuming the persona of Wonder Writer I was a mild-mannered reporter and newspaper editor.

When my birthday rolled around last month, Bill took the Wonder Writer moniker and ran with it. Imagine my surprise when I unwrapped a Wonder Writer action figure. I couldn’t stop laughing. Wow, somehow he topped the flamingo gift!

My little clone is wearing the green cape, boots, and belt of my high-flying logo, and the similarity doesn’t end there. Thanks to the wonders of 3D printing, the Barbie-like reproduction even has my curly brown hair, my gray eyes, my nose, and my lips. She’s a mini-me! She was modeled after photographs of me, minus the smile. Apparently, 3D printers aren’t good with teeth.

Triumphant and confident

For a prim and proper introvert like me, all of this was a bit overwhelming. But it’s fun, too! When I triumphantly pulled Wonder Writer out of my bag at a networking event, the response was overwhelming. People laughed and clapped and wanted to see her up close.

Nothing gives you more confidence than having an action figure made in your image. Nothing, except a husband who truly believes in his wife’s superpowers and inspires her alter ego to emerge and take her business to the next level.

So if you’re looking for a hero to write your website content, blog articles, news stories, or marketing materials, the Wonder Writer has the superpowers you seek. She’s just a phone call away.

Before jumping ship a year ago to open my own business I was racked with uncertainty about changing my career. I even dreamed I was driving a semi through a revolving door. I still experience a few restless nights, but I no longer feel the midnight fright of driving a run-away truck. Whether you’re contemplating a career change like mine or just want to reinvigorate your career in 2018, here are 10 tips from someone who traded in her ride for a new model in 2017.

1. Invest in your education. I earned a marketing degree in 2017, and my college experience opened my mind to so many new

   

   strategies and concepts. On a smaller scale, I’ve attended conferences and webinars, read industry publications, and joined professional organizations.

2. Take pride in your work. I love the freedom of blogging, and I’m proud to create original and thoughtful blog articles, engaging website content, and effective marketing materials. Finding work that gives you a sense of accomplishment leads to happiness on the job.
3. Create an enriching work environment. My adjustable, sit down/stand-up desk was the best purchase I made for the new work space in our home. I feel more alert when I stand to do my work and less restless at the end of the day.
4. Know the industry standards. I need to stay in tune with marketing trends and continue to improve my writing and marketing skills so I can offer clients the best content possible.
5. Be open to new assignments. In the past year I created a variety of promotional materials, including Facebook ads, press releases, whiteboard scripts, and direct mail letters. I enjoy the challenge and the variety of new projects.
6. Build relationships. Marketing is all about building relationships, and I’m constantly on the lookout for ways to connect with clients. One effective communication platform is a newsletter. Newsletters allow you to educate, inform, promote, and relate to a targeted audience.
7. Learn new things. Over the past year I’ve gained a greater understanding of SSL certificates, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), WordPress, and some of the ins and outs of running a business. Finding a mentor can ease the learning curve.
8.  Be flexible. I never know who my next client will be! I’ve written about lawn mowing, videography, bicycles, diesel engines,

   

   sandblasting, aquaponics, excavating, froyo, funeral services, and more. Sometimes I’m spoon-fed the information, but I’m responsible for presenting it in an understandable manner.

9. Contribute to your community. Volunteering at 4-H Summer Camp and lending my writing talents to Walleyes for Tomorrow and Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. have been rewarding. I like knowing that I make a difference.
10. Hold yourself to high standards. I do more than just show up. I set myself (and my client) up for success by being well-prepared for assignments and carefully completing each project. Nothing is more satisfying than receiving positive feedback from clients.

How can I help you grow your business and reach your marketing objectives in 2018? Contact me today.

The words of President Ronald Reagan popped into my head today when I answered the NWTC graduate follow-up survey. Reagan posed this question: “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” That simple question helped Reagan win the election.

I thought of those words because I am 6 months past my NWTC graduation date, and NWTC emailed me a link to the NWTC graduate follow-up survey. The survey reminded me of graduation day, May 19, and my hectic life as a full-time newspaper editor and part-time college student. Am I better off now than 6 months ago? I would like to think so. I’m getting more sleep and spending my nights and weekends doing something other than homework. That’s a bonus right there!

But the survey didn’t ask about nap time or free time, it asked about my employment and my level of satisfaction with the education I received from NWTC. In an email from Pamela Kuffel, NWTC graduate follow-up specialist, she said the feedback is used to improve academic programs for future students.

Life as an NWTC graduate

Of course, I wouldn’t be blogging about NWTC if I didn’t have a positive experience at the college. I’m one of the graduates who clicked “Highly satisfied” to answer the question “How do I feel about the training I received?” Overall, the instructors knew their stuff and made class interesting and relevant to what I’m doing on the job today. The college was close to home and affordable, with the flexible options I needed as a working woman.

At the NWTC website, I checked the survey results from the Class of 2016, and it turns out that lots of NWTC graduates could be writing this blog because they feel the same way I do about the college. Of the 1,425 graduates surveyed, 98% were satisfied or very satisfied with their NWTC training. I’m a bit envious to report that many NWTC grads are making more money than I am. The median salary of associate degree grads is $39,997. Good for them! I’ll get there eventually.

Itching for a career change

I enrolled in the marketing program at NWTC with the idea of changing careers from print journalism to public relations. Just like 25% of the 2016 NWTC graduates, I was itching for a career change. An even larger percentage of 2016 grads (38%) enrolled for employment-related reasons. Instead of working in public relations, I opened a professional writing business. I credit NWTC with giving me a solid education and the confidence to take my life in a new direction. They say time flies when you’re having fun, and these last six months have flown by so fast. One thing’s for sure — I am better off than I was 6 months ago.

One of my business clients described herself as a “dumb blonde with a Smartphone.” That certainly wasn’t true, but it’s a feeling many of us Generation X-ers can relate to. We didn’t grow up in the digital age, with a phone in our pocket, a laptop on our desk, and the world at our fingertips. Some of us didn’t even take a typing class.

Dinosaur in the digital age

When I enrolled at NWTC in 2015 I was carrying a flip phone. That pretty much sums up my digital literacy at the time. To get ahead in today’s workforce, it helps to be tech savvy. It’s one of the reasons I returned to college. I wanted to feel more comfortable using the technology most people take for granted. I really challenged myself by enrolling in the Social Media Marketing program.

Marketing instructor Ronnie Coyle once told me “Age doesn’t matter.” When it comes to adapting to the digital world, what’s important is a willingness to learn, experiment, and spend time with the technology.

Learn as you go

My Microsoft Word class laid the foundation for working on posters, reports, and presentation materials. My Excel class helped me with accounting homework. Over time, using these programs became more comfortable and intuitive as I kept experimenting. Plus, I learned the power of the phrase “Just Google it.” Chances are someone has already asked your question, and someone else has answered it. I view Google as an embarrassment-free way to ask a really silly question. In my social media marketing classes I created a Twitter handle, Instagram account, and WordPress site for blogging. When I told my sisters “You should follow me on Twitter” they just laughed because they knew I was way out of my league. What they didn’t realize is that I was making progress.

Find a buddy

I know I have plenty of company when I say my kids taught me almost everything I know about using technology. My daughter was my go-to person, and she helped me take my first selfie and design my first marketing poster, created for the NWTC golf outing. After enrolling at NWTC I took the orientation course for Blackboard where I learned how to submit assignments and use the online discussion board. In my NWTC classes, I was an observer, watching and learning how to create, share, and change a Google document and answer questions in Kahoot!, an online quiz game.

Catching on

It all took patience and practice, and I’m still learning. I know NWTC has my back, with academic resources and classes to help me continue learning. If you recognize your own shortcomings while reading this article, take heart! If a dumb brunette with a flip phone can jump into the digital age, so can you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joan Koehne, of Abrams, is a 2017 graduate of NWTC. A former newspaper editor, she co-owns Writer to the Rescue, the content writing division of Packerland Websites.

I remember the uneasy feeling I had when my work schedule interfered with the Customer Service class I wanted to take at NWTC. I really didn’t like the idea of taking an online class. I was afraid I wouldn’t learn as much, and I thought I needed that weekly class time to keep me on track. As it turned out, I shouldn’t have worried. I completed my Associate degree by taking about half of my classes online.

10 strategies I used when enrolled in an online class

1. Know what’s expected.

At the start of class I picked up my textbook and read through the syllabus, course calendar, and emails from my instructor.

2. Keep it organized.

I created a folder on your computer for each online class and saved all of my documents to this folder. Sometimes I created subfolders to keep track of specific projects or multi-step assignments.

3. Listen to your advisor.

I checked with my marketing adviser when enrolling in a coding course. He suggested the in-person class because I didn’t have a solid background in coding. Your advisor should know what classes are tricky to take online. Just ask!

4. Plan for Success.

My online instructors assigned a “Personal Plan for Success” worksheet. It made me plan a strategy for the class (I did most of my course work on Sundays to avoid conflicts with work), plus a backup plan for handling “obstacles,” like unexpected computer problems.

5. Be ready to roll!

Only 2 weeks into my Customer Service class, a big project was due, the Service Culture Report. I couldn’t believe how much work it was, but it turned out to be one of the best learning experiences of the class.

6. Get friendly with your keyboard.

Plan to do a good amount of writing. Each week I posted comments and responses on the discussion board and typed up my assignments. If you’re not a strong typist, maybe online courses aren’t for you.

7. Ask for help.

The NWTC instructors are really helpful! I remember emailing my instructor, Ronnie Coyle, asking for more time to finish a tough assignment. For another assignment Ronnie sent me screenshots to explain something.

8. Deadlines come up quickly!

Keep track of what’s due and when it’s due. I printed off the course calendar, and I checked off the assignments as I completed them.

9. Don’t leave the party early.

I remember leaving a summer picnic long before sunset because I had an assignment due. Plan ahead, otherwise you might regret signing up for the class.

10. Your grades matter!

Recently, my daughter was asked to submit her college transcript while interviewing for a job. Some employers and most schools will want to see your transcript when you’re applying. The grade you earn in an online class will show up on your transcript, and that grade is just as important as any other. Make sure you put in the effort you need to succeed.