Finding Success in Opportunities to Pursue Knowledge
If I’ve learned nothing in the years since I ditched my accounting career to pursue more creative ventures, it’s that success comes from remembering two things:
- Embrace the opportunity to gain knowledge
- Keep making space to allow new opportunities room to arrive
Sometimes I plug away, writing regular posts, and barely caring how many people they reach, or if they’re reaching an audience which might do more than glance at a post before moving on to something they find more interesting, or what they’d consider readable (I realize my long-form posts aren’t for everyone). I recognize my failure to truly define who my target audience might be, much less, where I can find them, or, when I do, what topics might interest them.
It isn’t that I haven’t tried to acquire the knowledge I need. I’ve filled out forms from several successful coaches who teach engagement, attraction, and business building. I watch other copywriters find varying levels of success writing in, and out of their own niches, and know the work I seek is out there.
I’m just missing a key component or two for putting myself in front of the right people, but more, in earning their trust. It’s like trying to make soup but missing a key ingredient. It might be close, but never quite reaches the point where I can call it a successful pot.
I know I have most of what I need: talent, skills, and above all, persistence. I’ve even found I speak fairly well on camera, which is a struggle for many people. I’m able to capture someone else’s voice fairly easily, and write extensively on the topic of their choice. I’ve even created a post or ten from snippets of conversations that gave me insight into what was important to a client. Since I’ve been unable to attain a noticeably high conversion rate with my own posts, I think I lack the confidence in my ability to do it for others, which is just plain stupid.
The Constant Challenge to Identify Your Market
Other people already know who their market is, and what topics will interest them. They simply lack the time, or the inclination to get the necessary posts written. And frankly, a Call to Action message can be used over and over, from one post to the next. The question is, do you figure out who your market is, or the stories that will pique their interest first? Is it the chicken or the egg?
I raise this issue not to launch a pity party, but because I believe I’m not the only one who gets stuck in this spot. I know other writers who are crazy busy doing work for others, but I know more who, like me, pick up jobs here and there. Some have even gone way outside their own areas of expertise, to take jobs writing about anything and everything. I applaud them their efforts, but know they have to spend an inordinate amount of time researching in order to achieve the desired results.
Don’t get me wrong. I do love researching, and do it willingly, even when the topic I’m writing on is familiar. It’s easier when I get to research a topic that interests me in some way, that’s all. And if I have no knowledge of the subject, it takes me awhile to figure out what to look for, and sometimes, even understand the terminology so I can write knowledgeably in the voice of someone who is somewhat of an expert in the field.
Identifying Who I Aim to Attract
As evidenced by the title I’ve adopted, “Holistic Ghostwriter”, I lean heavily towards the 
alternative medicine market which includes, Healers, Coaches, Massage Therapists, Acupuncturists, and more. So far, I’m finding many of these either prefer to do their own writing, or don’t consider regular blog posts important to their business. Who am I to dispute the fact that whatever they’re doing is yielding the desired results?
One thing I won’t do is give up on myself, and that means continuing to connect with people in my chosen areas via sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Alignable. Besides, there’s a bonus in connecting with these people. Even if we never form a business relationship, I have endless opportunities to learn something new.
Recently I connected with a woman who does ancestral trauma healing. When she described what she did, my interest was piqued, and of course, I asked for more. She was kind enough to offer me a couple of resources to satisfy my initial curiosity, as well as feeding my innate love of research. Ultimately, that may be the purpose of continuing to pursue a direction that has thus far yielded less-than-stellar results.
I’m rather a knowledge sponge, and have always embraced the opportunity to learn something new. In fact, I’ve been tossing ideas around for my next learning opportunity.
Letting Go of Preconceived Notions
Sometimes, opening up my mind to possibilities without any definite expectations allows something like this to swim into view. To be honest, I would never have stumbled across the topic of ancestral trauma or its healing on my own. That doesn’t mean I’m not aware of it in my own life. I’ve gotten glimpses and know there’s more than just the family traumas I’m aware of which need to be cleared.
As I work through the known ones, I realize I’m clearing space to go deeper, and clear further. Without my continued efforts to connect with people who might find my services appealing, I’d never have encountered a lot of the people who have, one way or another, helped me on my way.
Whether it’s Linda Clay who helped me uncover some blocks to my own progress, or Landon Porter who helped me recognize I didn’t have to be one of those smarmy sales people who sends cold emails to anyone and everyone, spewing sales jargon out every orifice; each encounter has gained me another stepping stone on my rather unconventional path.
Better still, I’ve gained a network of people who support each other, even if it’s encouragement, or a referral to someone else who can help me move forward. All in all, as circuitous as my route might be, there isn’t a single step that wasn’t worth taking. Each one taught me something important I’ll need when I reach the first of my goals, and for me, that’s priceless!
About the Author
Sheri Conaway is a Holistic Ghostwriter, and an advocate for cats and mental health. Sheri 
believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. Her mission is to Make Vulnerable Beautiful and help entrepreneurs touch the souls of their readers and clients so they can increase their impact and their income.
If you’d like to have her write for you, please visit her Hire Me page for more information. You can also find her on Facebook Sheri Levenstein-Conaway Author. And check out her new group, Putting Your Whole Heart Forward.
Be sure to watch this space for news of the upcoming releases of ” Rebuilding After Suicide” and “Sasha’s Journey”.
