We’ve talked about the importance of beta readers and what to look for in a beta reader, now let’s consider what we should expect from beta readers. Discussing these items ahead of time will avoid frustration later. Addressing these items ahead of time is essential in order to have a positive experience with beta readers. […]
By Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD Do you participate in customer service surveys? Sometimes I do, and sometimes I don’t. Frankly I’m not sure if they actually serve to improve customer service, but I do know completing them makes me feel better when I’m upset. Based on my experiences, here are some tips to obtaining better […]
The word literally means that something actually happened. However, too often, people use literally as an intensifier, effectively meaning figuratively—quite opposite of the original meaning. Consider, “He literally turned blue.” We don’t interpret this as a man becoming Smurf-like or joining The Blue Man Group, but more likely that he was having great difficulty breathing […]
Seasoned Magazine Publisher and Editor to Hold Two Workshops for Writers Sep 19, 2014 – Hudsonville, Mich. – Author Peter DeHaan will speak at the 2014 Breathe Christian Writers Conference taking place October 10 and 11 in Grand Rapids Michigan. This year the event moves to a new location, the campus of Grand Rapids Theological […]
One way to improve our writing is to write every day. Another method is to receive feedback from qualified sources. A third technique is to pick one new skill to study and master each week. If we learn and then practice one new skill for seven days, it will become ingrained and begin to form […]
By Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD I’m not sure how the telephone answering service industry compares with other industries, but there seem to be many second and third generations running the answering services their families started. (If you’re a fourth or fifth-generation owner, please let me know.) While the process of handing over ownership and control […]
Last month I spoke about blogging at the Grand Rapids WordCamp. Next month I’ll again be speaking about blogging, this time at the Breathe Christian Writers Conference on October 10-11. The title of my Saturday presentation is “Getting Started with WordPress for Your Author Blog or Website.” In addition to my workshop on WordPress, there […]
By Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD Being farsighted and using a computer all day makes glasses a necessity. Imagine my dismay while cleaning my glasses when I heard a snap and a lens fell out. I arrived at my optometrist’s office as the doors opened. “Can you fix them?” I asked. The technician replied that, short […]
Most writers, myself included, would prefer just to write. We don’t want to pitch, sell, or market our book or ourselves. Some may not even want to blog, develop a social media following, or build a platform. Yet, the reality is writers need a platform, a vantage from which to gain a following and move […]
By Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD My wife and I recently moved. Some aspects went smoothly, and others were not so good. Part of moving is canceling services and changing mailing addresses. Each one is a customer service opportunity. Some companies excel at this, while others struggle, which produces repeat calls. This causes ramifications for both […]