I question everything. You would think that taking the time to question things would make you less productive, but by listening to the answers, you can find better ways to do things.
Eva Webster is the Managing Director of Article-Writing.co. As the brainchild of David Tile, the company was a startup waiting to launch. With Eva’s guidance, monthly revenue was increased by 100% within a year, the client list exploded, and content production went into overdrive. Article-writing.co is no longer a small content agency, but instead a provider of full-service content solutions. Eva Webster began her career as a print journalist writing for local newspapers and morphed into the Director role, becoming a mentor to all of those in the freelance biz trying to figure out how to make it and shed the role of “starving artist”.
Where did the idea for Article Writing come from?
Article Writing is a pure and simple name for the company in terms of getting great SEO traffic and so that potential leads know exactly what we do.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
There’s no such thing as a typical day in my world. I get up before the rest of the family and head straight to my home office to check the inevitable hoard of emails that have come in over the night. My day can consist of training writers, creating content plans, discussing content needs with clients, editing and/or writing content and networking. I need to be insanely organized, which I do by keeping track of everything – twice – both electronically and using the old school method of paper and pen. I take breaks often to clear the clutter from my brain and come back to it ready to be more productive.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Inspiration for many of my ideas come to me while falling asleep at night or showering – generally the most inconvenient times. I get them down on paper and mark out a solid plan, which I’ll discuss with my right-hand or my team. My team is one of the most important factors in the realization of a great idea or the dumping of a bad idea.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that really excites me is the trend towards women becoming leaders in their field. So many women truly want to have it all, and they can (sort of…), but they need a good support system around them, something women typically haven’t had in years past. Both men and women are embracing the change towards recognizing that leadership has no gender. If we support and respect one another, the right person will get put in charge.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I question everything. You would think that taking the time to question things would make you less productive, but by listening to the answers, you can find better ways to do things.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Stand up tall! A younger and more timid me didn’t believe in herself and lacked confidence to speak up where it was needed. As you get older, you really lose that inhibition and no longer want to take any crap.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
What people think about you is not your business. It took a really long time for me to realize this, but you’ll fare much better in life and your career if you can ignore the haters and have faith in yourself. For so many people, their reputation is way too important. As long as you act with integrity, what people say about you doesn’t matter.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Just go for it. I don’t let fear get in the way of trying new things – both in my personal and professional life. I started playing ball hockey at the age of 40 after having very little athletic ability throughout my life. I was terrified of failing and also of falling but said yes anyway and it is now one of the best parts of my week. As an entrepreneur, you need to look past that fear of falling and failing and just do it anyway.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Under promise and over deliver. Too many people make deals they can’t keep. As a Managing Director, I don’t just tell my clients what they want to hear if I can’t deliver it, in hopes of getting the business. If I can get a client their content within two days, I tell them they’ll get it by the end of the week. That way, when they get it early, they are pleasantly surprised.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Doing what wasn’t working for far too long. It is too easy to get trapped in a situation just because it is hard to get out of it. If you aren’t happy because the work isn’t challenging, or your colleagues aren’t communicative, and you can’t change the situation somehow for the better, it’s best to jump ship and move on. Those moments of looking back and wishing you had of done something sooner are painful, but great learning opportunities too.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
An integrated health care app. I’ve spent many hours waiting for doctors. Wouldn’t it be great if you could find out the status of your appointment in real-time? If the doctor is behind on their appointments, you could get a notification that lets you know you’ve still got a long wait. This way you could go for a walk, get a bite to eat or get further into that book you’re reading. Instead, you are stuck in that noisy waiting room, not wanting to move to even head to the washroom in case your name is called.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Concert tickets! Spending my money on experiences is how I want to continue to live my life and concerts are so good for the soul. There are studies that actually prove that people who attend concerts live longer lives.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Google docs. I love that you can collaborate easily with anyone with a Google account, whether that’s with spreadsheets or slides or docs and the history of changes are all there. At any current time I will have at least 10 Google docs open on my computer – I don’t think our business could be as efficient without it.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
“The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck “– The book basically teaches you how to come to terms with how crappy life can be and how to confront your painful truths. Only then can you truly live a life well-lived – one of honesty and courage.
What is your favorite quote?
This isn’t specifically a quote, but lyrics from a Pearl Jam song called “Present Tense” – “Do you see the way that tree bends? Does it inspire? Leaning out to catch the sun’s rays – a lesson to be applied”
Key Learnings:
- Google docs can be your best ally.
- Life is about experiences, not material things – work for the pleasure of it, not the money and get out if the getting is not good.
- Under promise and over deliver – your integrity is on the line.
- Stand confident in your abilities and shut the haters up by not listening.
Connect:
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Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.