Why Keep Your Skills a Secret?

[DanRMorris]

If you know how to do something well - don't be humble - there are lots of people who could use your expertise. And that will be a great way to meet some new people.


So what are you good at? Sure, you can say Archery - but seriously, there's no way David's schedule is going to allow for Archery lessons. :) Ping Pong, maybe. But not Archery.

So fess up Bloggers, e-Book writers, Virtual Assistants, teleseminar queens, webinar wizards, sales page gurus and keyword colonels. Let us pick your brains.

[DanRMorris]

Me? I'm glad you asked.

I understand Twitter backwards and forwards. I understand the hub-and-spoke model of internet business. And I've become really good at breaking down the buying process so you're not selling to someone who's still in the research phase.

What I'm really bad at is sales copy. I can build the most amazing structure that smoothly pushes a person from A to Z - but when it comes to the sales copy conversion rate - I'm just horrible. That's an art you see. If you're good at sales copy - let me know. You may just get hired. - Dan

[ChristineCobb]

I'm in the same boat as Dan. I can do many things technically well but when God passed out sales copy talent, I was buried in a spreadsheet or something. Here's the list of things I can help with: Quickbooks questions, tax questions, how to choose an investment advisor (these are skills from a previous career); wordpress, aweber, installing ultimate footer ad, basic thesis theme, basic affiliate theme, Twitter, Cagora, Excel, Print On Demand Book Publishing, Kindle formatting, Wine Drinking, Video Poker, Having Fun.

[DRaff]

Three's a charm when it comes to writing poor sales copy. As an analytical left-brainer, I did not get the gift of the pen. Skills that I do possess which might help in internet marketing: project management, article submission, social bookmarking, Excel, databases such as MS Access and MySQL, server side processing, some knowledge in client side scripting, and Miller time (like the commercial says 'livin the High Life')

[Traci Knoppe]

Hi guys!
I too do not have the great sales copy gene. I can write content (i.e. articles, blog posts, tutorials, ebooks, etc..), just not so great at 'sales copy'. That's my lack of talent/skills....

However I do have quite a few skills: WordPress, web design, ecommerce setups/installs, social media and just about anything technical. I'm a true geek and use my skills to help my clients via my outsourcing company.

[KathyColaiacovo]

Good Gravy! I think I am going to like this bunch at NAMS! For starters ... Chris and DRaff, as Canadian Maritimer, I relate to some of your talents/likes!

I am a virtual assistant and specialize in setting up custom social networking profiles and ensuring everything works as efficiently as possible. With one on one training I am very successful in helping clients overcome their social networking fears and learn how to use social media to help market their business but more importantly as a way to reach more people and make more connections. After a few session with me, clients feel more at ease using social media and definitely understand how it can help.
I also offer other general admin services for clients such as email management, newsletters and website/blog work, social bookmarking...but my heart lies in the realm of twitter and facebook.

Ir am kinda wishing I was a copywriter at the moment too!! I write my own copy/content and do some initial writing for clients, but I also firmly believe my clients need to play a part in networking in order to succeed.

I have recently started thinking my business needs to evolve from one on one training and servicing to a model that allows for reaching more people and doing group or webinar training as well as creating products to help people use social media with knowledge and ease.

[Tawnya]

Being a Certified Internet Marketing Specialist, anything to do with Internet Marketing is of interest to me. From affiliate marketing, social networking, online branding, Website Usability to SEO, I love it all and have been in this business for over 12 years now.

I really love to teach others how to start up their online business and help them turn their clicks into cash for them so if you got questions at NAMS, just ask me :)

And as you already know from my speaker profile, I'm founder of the largest social network online for Virtual Assistants which leads me in the direction of teaching "outsourcing" to clients and "how to become a VA" to administrative professionals.

[Michael Schultz]

I'm almost as much of a geek as Traci! :) I also do web and graphic design - basically anything technical.

[DanRMorris]

Mike is known as Magic Mike amongst the NAMS community for all his crazy skillz. Don't let his post about "My Skills" fool you. Even if he can't do it, he'll figure it out before the conversation is over.

[Loretta Oliver]

Look at Mike being all modest again. Seriously, smartest kid I ever met that wasn't my own.

Skills are a plenty in this group of NAMS attendees. One thing I noticed at the NAMS2 event was not only are we all a talented a bunch, but we're also a helpful bunch. After hours brainstorming and chat sessions had people figuring out how to overcome others stumbling blocks, and getting past hurdles that had been holding people up for as much as a year.

My strongest point is transcription. I can whip out a transcript in my sleep if need be. I've dabbled in other things, like graphics and design, but I'd rather leave those more graphically inclined folks, like Mike, and I've been outsourcing those tasks and focusing on content creation more the past few months.

[DRaff]

As this list grows, we should catalog the skills and post it for the NAMS attnedees.

[DanRMorris]

That's a good idea. If you're not going to run with that idea - I just might. I was going to do a post-NAMS guide of what's next. Perhaps cataloging the NAMS attendees so you know who might be helpful to get a hold of is a good idea. Hmmm. . .

[David_Perdew]

Okay - this is such a good idea. And i've spent thousands on a membership site infrastructure that will do exactly that for us. I'll provide the space and the infrastructure to maintain this. All we have to do is have a simple db collection page and folks can input there information with product links, etc. that we can then load to the dynamically created page.

Take a look at the My Twitter Toolbox (http://repeatable.org/newtwitter) tools. I can render any page with dynamic content in that format and customize the look and feel based on the CSS we choose. Very soon - like this week - we'll even be able to rate the member contributions.

Let me see what I can cook up by this weekend.

dp

[CarolBremner]

While David is cooking, I'll add my little blurb before I head to bed. I can write, probably not copy but anything else. I seem to have a special talent for coming up with rhymed verse in no time and although I can see no usefulness where Internet marketing is concerned, it has helped in my personal life at various times. For example, this is off the top of my head:

Can't wait for NAMS to learn some more
Cause Internet marketing we adore,
We do it for love and for the money
So much to know it isn't funny.

Now that I've got that out of my system, I also have been told I'm a very patient trainer, especially for those that are starting out with all things computerize.

Carol

[Tawnya]

My strongest point is transcription. I can whip out a transcript in my sleep if need be..

Good to know as I never liked doing that and can use one now and then :)

[Annemarie]

Unlike many of my colleagues here, I am no technical genius...I leave all of that work to those gifted in technospeak. I am therefore a queen of outsourcing! In addition to my ecommerce site, I run a virtual marketing agency that specializes in product launches and brand development. For the most part I service clients left over from my past life in the corporate and agency world.

I am pretty good at the copywriting thing, whether it be for an email campaign, direct mail, sales page, website or press release. This is really the only part of my business that I don't outsource, besides strategy, hence the "virtual" thing.

In reading all the comments above, it appears I need to hit that sales copy niche among my fellow marketers. :-)

See you all soon!
Annemarie

facebook.com/annemarieobea (http://www.facebook.com/annemarieobea)
twitter.com/annemarieobea (http://www.twitter.com/annemarieobea)
www.shesquared.com (http://www.shesquared.com)

[KarynGreenstreet]

My special gift is teaching. I can take any business topic, any marketing topic, any geeky-tech topic, and make it simple and accessible to the self-employed small business owner. Writing a class is as easy as breathing for me. In my Corporate days, I was the International Director of Education for a software company -- teaching AND geek, what a combo! (Dream job until I got "the boss from Hell," but that's another story...). I have a 27 year background in instructional design.

Ten years ago I created a small business school for the self-employed. So another skill is being able to help people create classes AND create a school.

I'm also very, very good at SEO. Not the SEO that gets you to #1 for 30 seconds, but the kind that gets you to #1 for 3 years.

I'm good at producivity and helping people plan AND implement their business growth. I seem to instinctively know how to break up a large project into doable tasks, and to know which project or which task is the "right" one to do first. I hate wasting time, y'know?

I'm great at writing copy for myself, but stink at writing it for others. But I am a good copy editor...I can quickly see what's not working. I'm also quick at seeing what's not working on people's websites, why they're not producing results. (I used to be a website designer but now I leave that work to my hubby, Aly, while I focus on small business coaching and consulting.)

[michelleschoen]

I'm a Camtasia video specialist. I can whip up a great marketing video or product demo pretty fast. BUT since I'm focusing on my own products now- yours would have to be something unique or fun so I could add it to my portfolio and show a new technique.

[DanRMorris]

I would love to see a short demo of how Camtasia works, if you get a chance.

[CarolBremner]

I second that Dan. I've been wanting to learn Camtasia for a long time.

[Terri]

I'm a Facebook geek. I love everything about it and specialize in developing Fan Pages. Actually, Fabulous Facebook Fan Pages (http://fabulousfacebookfanpages.com)!

I do lots of training for the beginner and have a easy way to help people understand how to use social media for their online marketing.

Other things I'm good at are, ezines, shopping carts, autoresponders, and WordPress sites.

And I love to network!!

[DanRMorris]

Are you familiar with the Involver Products for Fan Pages? Do you like them?

[ChristineCobb]

I'm a Facebook geek. I love everything about it and specialize in developing Fan Pages. Actually, Fabulous Facebook Fan Pages (http://fabulousfacebookfanpages.com)!

Sounds like a good "Known Sooner" project -- What I Wish I Had Known Sooner About Using Facebook For Marketing. Let's talk!

[Loretta Oliver]

Love seeing all the little corners that everyone enjoys working in and what makes each of us flourish. Roll us all into one and we'd be the uber marketer ;)

[MaryB2010]

I'm a Facebook geek. I love everything about it and specialize in developing Fan Pages. Actually, Fabulous Facebook Fan Pages (http://fabulousfacebookfanpages.com)!


And I love to network!!

Terri, I would love to set up a Facebook Fan page. Perhaps we can get together at NAMS sometime and talk about it.

Sorry guys, I don't think I have any talent that would apply here. Well, I can write and I think I have a pretty good command of the English language. Maybe that's my talent. :)

[Tishia]

My specialty is transcription. I can do other things well - Aweber Autoresponder Set Up, Blog Installation and Set Up, MP3 Audio Editing, PLR Re-Writes, Article Submissions, Press Release Submissions and some other odds and ends.

One thing I want to work on is copywriting! I love writing (blog posts, etc) but I want to learn how to incorporate salescopy into my writing!

[MaryLMorris]

Here are some things I have learned to do pretty well in the past year although I won't claim expert status: Google Adsense - placement of ads, researching keywords, building informational web pages that are keyword optimized and interviewing others which builds interesting and personable content for our website.

Like Carol I also like to make up rhymes. I didn't know we had that in common! LOL

I am going to NAMS to learn a lot of stuff.
I know it will be real and not full of fluff.
This forum's cool. It really rocks.
The main event will surely knock off our socks.

Ok, that's about as good as it gets!

Mary

[DanRMorris]

You poets crack me up.
So much so, I almost spilled my cup.


I'd love to chat with you guys about Facebook Pages and Facebook Groups. I recently spoke to some kids at Belmont University about the differences and the traffic advantage that comes with Facebook groups.

[KurtScholle]

I love your poetry, Dan!

I'm attending my second NAMS this month and just loved my first in January. I've enjoyed listening to the recordings since.

My specialties include website strategy and Internet marketing with an emphasis on social media. My partner in CertifiedSocialMedia.com (http://www.CertifiedSocialMedia.com) is Al Lautenslager, a best selling author. In fact, several NAMSters have spoken to CSK classes, including Traci Knoppe, Denise Wakeman and Terri Brooks.

I love to be a resource. And I look forward to speaking with all of you in Atlanta!

[ReginaSmola]

Without an attempt to age myself, I started online with CompuServe and Prodigy and was hooked! Do any of you remember how amazing it was to actually chat with someone in another state? Or open your first website? I remember sitting there as my jaw dropped open. I knew I had to learn whatever I could about the Internet.

I was thrilled when FrontPage came out in 96'. That's when I dove into HTML. Then I graduated to Dreamweaver and absorbed as much as I could about HTML, CSS & PHP. Once I got websites going, I just had to learn how to be on a search engine. Then, I got into affiliate marketing and started a coupon site (way too much work). I also had a transcription company.

As time progressed, I started working with Joomla and WordPress design and customizations, graphics, teleseminars, webinars, podcasts, audio/video editing, shopping carts, mailing lists, social media, membership sites, Internet marketing, SEO, all things Microsoft Office, etc. I love to learn. So if any new program comes out, I try to educate myself.

During this time, I thought I had it made. Then, I woke up to a nightmare. My website got hacked. Every stinking page had malicious code on it. That's when I decided to figure out how to fix my site and NEVER let it happen again. I decided to focus my time on learning "how NOT to get hacked." Little did I know I would discover a passion for it.

Now that's my main focus. I help others fix their hacked websites and secure them, focusing primarily on self-hosting WordPress sites.

I guess I have a "techy" talent. LOL

[Sheri Dresser]

I have just read through all the threads here and am very impressed (and somewhat envious, I must say) as most of you already seem to have figured out your special "niche" in the market, so to speak.

My current business is as a self-employed senior contract recruiter, recruiting for various small and large organizations for the past 10+ years, with a BBA degree in marketing. My husband and I have attended IM seminars and workshops for online marketing seriously since 2007. But during that time, I had a more than full-time job in recruiting and dealing with some family eldercare issues prevented me from spending time to focus on developing my online business. I am very excited to have made the commitment to focus and move forward with my online business this year!

This is a great exercise, Dan, as it is making me think about what I know, have experience with and what I believe I can draw on for my business...

My experience, knowledge, abilities, and skills:

- Small business start-up experience/expertise (brick and mortar, professional services, and online)
- Leadership - Years of experience in leading as either a leader or as a part of the leadership team for various groups, organizations and small business start-ups.
- Recruiting - Over 10 years experience in the human resources field as a self-employed senior contract recruiter, recruiting people for major companies to fill various executive,technical and consulting type roles. Full-cycle recruiting experience on a local, national and international basis for small, mid-sized, international and Fortune 20 companies.
- Performing - informing, instructing/teaching, and entertaining (many years of experience as a professional speaker and as a professional musician/singer)
- Project Management skills - Managing a project from the data gathering stage all the way through to the end result...I like closure and am focused on ROI! (but I am not a certified project manager)
- Creating, Managing Processes and Procedures, and Planning - creating and setting up process and procedures and managing them; decision making; planning specific events (specific directions and tactical issues)
- Consulting and problem solving - mainly with businesses owners and managers (based on my areas of expertise/experience)
- Creative ability - Coming up with new, creative and unique ideas/images
- Marketing - (both small business and for individuals) offering strategic ideas and creative ways to market a business (business degree in Marketing)
- Research - strong skills in general research, online keyword research, etc. Good at finding people and information.
- Communication/Writing - very strong skills in business communications and writing; working on building copywriting skills
- Facilitating interactions and training within groups and organizations (workshops, training groups, etc); putting together presentations and delivering training in various areas of my experience and expertise

My passions are in the areas of: music, writing, reading, learning, marketing, research, spiritual (Christian), and helping/serving others profitably (also volunteering for worthy causes).

(By now, you have likely figured out that I love to write. I just made myself laugh out loud (LOL!!) looking at my "laundry list"!)

For those of you who know me, if you see something that doesn't ring true, or something I left out (doubtful) then please let me know. Right now I am in the process of identifying the best way to harness my experience, knowledge and skills into a profitable online business...and more importantly, how to use these to serve others in the marketplace profitably.

Sheri

[Shannon]

Sorry guys, I don't think I have any talent that would apply here. Well, I can write and I think I have a pretty good command of the English language. Maybe that's my talent. :)

Mary, you make a wonderful podcast guest and are very gracious and easy to interview. That is a talent too :)
...Shannon

[Shannon]

I agree with Sheri - tons of talent here!

Like Karyn I have a background in training, specifically software and technology. So any thing related to teaching and training is very comfortable for me. I *love* the process of creating information products - written, video, or audio. Also enjoy interviewing others and helping them tell their story and share their experiences and info with others.

Do well with writing, but not the clever rhymes that Carol and Mary have demonstrated a talent for. More of how-to, blogging, and story telling type. Specifically trained in copywriting and have applied it to the corporate world mostly, not as much in the IM world. I have lots of training in sales letter copy but rarely put it to use.

I adore brainstorming ideas and mapping out strategy. Love to help people find ways to accomplish their goals.

Love project management and keeping things moving, but despise day-to-day repetitive details, which is why I have a VA to help keep me on track with those.

I outsource transcription and coding whenever possible, because while I can do them, they make me (and everyone around me) cranky. (Highly recommend Loretta for transcription - she's wonderful!)

Because of time constraints, I've moved away from services work in the last year, but am up for bartering or joint ventures, and just helping people out :)

....Shannon

[LaylaDSmith]

Loved seeing DRaff's post re: database work. I've needed it in the past. now I know where to go for that. Not sure if you need someone to do that part for you David or if you have someone on your team already. ~L

[LaylaDSmith]

wow! Okay, we have so many talented ppl. Since I'm just getting started, I have yet to figure out what I'm good at, that will apply to internet/affiliate marketing. But, I can say that I'm good at research & I'm EXCELLENT at proof-reading/editing for grammar & spelling errors.

I've spent many $$'s on products and when I read them I've thought "Really? They charged $xx for this & they don't know the difference between they're/their?" or some other variation of that same question.
I've used a red pen to mark up my local paper & mailed it to the editor. ;-)

It comes naturally to me & I LOVE to do it.

[herbhagell]

Hmmm.

I guess I will have to date myself.

I worked with a university on the last 1970's where we built a network with a number of other universities. I remember when those emoticons were really clever.. :-)

I have the technical skills for programming, web site development, etc.

After spending a long, long time with a series of 'three character-named companies, I'm comfortable with project management and completing the projects I start. Most of those years I worked as a consultant interacting with a wide assortment of characters.

After one particular development project, I had the privilege to write the 'documentation' for the software. It wasn't in my original plan(so I didn't really get paid for it), but someone had to do it. After my first draft, the PM had a nice comment for me 'You majored in math and Science.'

I picked up a copy of Elements of Style and passed in a second draft, this time without receiving any comments.

Yes. I have worked on my writing and picked up some copy writing skills for both online and print projects. Oh yeah. I passed the test of NaNoWriMo and 3-day novel writing contest, so I can pump out a lot of ... stuff.

Along the way, I've done real estate investing, love the stock market, started a couple of small businesses, and did ok in network marketing.

I'll ponder on this a bit more and update at some point in time.

Cheers!

[LorayneBlacka]

I've spent many $$'s on products and when I read them I've thought "Really? They charged $xx for this & they don't know the difference between they're/their?" or some other variation of that same question.
I've used a red pen to mark up my local paper & mailed it to the editor. ;-)

It comes naturally to me & I LOVE to do it.

Layla - You and I have a lot in common, especially the proofreading and grammar/spelling checking being a natural skill. People are always amazed at how I can spot the spelling, grammar, and punctuation glitches, but I swear they literally jump out of the page (or off the screen) to my eyes! You probably have the same experience. My biggest pet peeve is the confusion between plurals and possessives. I'd be rich by now if I could have a dollar for every time I've seen an ad like - Fresh apple's for sale at Mikes Farm Market - or some such thing. Drives me crazy! I used to be an English teacher, so I've also done the red pen markups of local papers and ads. Never went so far as to send it to an editor - not a bad idea, though! Hmmm....

Lorayne

[SkipperHolmes]

Hi Loretta,
I am looking for work and have written all types of medical reports across the board for 15 years with 98.9% accuracy in English, ESL, and medicl technology. I left the medical profession 4 months ago, became active in NAMS, developing a website, etc.

What would you suggest that I do to obtain some transcription work, overflow work, any needed training? Sure do appreciate your thought, Loretta!

Skipper Holmes

[davetteb]

... But, I can say that I'm good at research & I'm EXCELLENT at proof-reading/editing for grammar & spelling errors.

I've spent many $$'s on products and when I read them I've thought "Really? They charged $xx for this & they don't know the difference between they're/their?" or some other variation of that same question.
I've used a red pen to mark up my local paper & mailed it to the editor. ;-)

It comes naturally to me & I LOVE to do it.

If I marked up my local paper, that would be my full time job! It is horrible. The TV news anchors aren't any better with mispronunciations. I've been known to throw books across the room if they have too many errors; what do those editors do all day?

Editing comes naturally, especially checking for consistency, flow, and word usage errors. That was a constant battle with the fan fiction writers I have worked with in the past. Most of my mistakes are related to my typing more than my lack of understanding - but it is getting better.

I'm also good at enhancing documents so you have a good-looking PDF ebook.

[KevinRiley]

IMO, my main skill is creativity. I love nothing better than coming up with a creative solution. I've been told that I use Camtasia in ways that Techsmith never meant it to be used, and tend to do the same with many other things. Part of it comes from growing up on a ranch and fixing things with what was on hand - mainly wire.

[drmani]

Interesting conversation - I'm taking notes :)

I write my own copy most of the time, and have studied it a lot.

There are phases when I get into 'copywriting mode' - and if anyone
has a project or two you'd like me to help out with, I'd be glad to
give it a go.

But the downside is this. I don't write copy when I don't feel like
it, so you won't be able to meet any pre-set deadlines by asking my
help :)

If you're still game, please let me know.

All success
Dr.Mani

[FLOYD]

Skills shows the experience and worth on knowledge. Secrecy sometime become habit for some persons and they not share their secrets. Sometime if a person share his skills then receiver misuse the skills. In SEO field there are lots of ways to express the skills and to earn on behalf of skilled knowledge. Skills ranks a personal values which helps to earn profit.

[geoffhoff]

Wow. So much here, so many talented people. I am overwhelmed and humbled.

I came to all this from the creative side, and provide copy writing services and autoresponder writing services, but my main thrust is the online tech. I both teach it and have a select group of clients in a subscription service who I do the tech for.

When the holidays are over, I'm going to go over this list again and start contacting people about their services, though!

Geoff