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3 Simple Ways to Stand Out as a Creative Professional · The Daily Writer

• 0:19
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome everybody to the Born to Create podcast.
• 0:22
  SPEAKER_00: My name is Kent Sanders, and I'm your host.
• 0:24
  SPEAKER_00: I'm an author, musician, and teacher, but most importantly, I'm a husband and a dad.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: Here on the show we talk about practices, habits, and strategies that help us live out our creative calling.
• 0:37
  SPEAKER_00: This is episode 35, and today we're going to be talking about three simple ways to stand out as a creative professional.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_00: You can find the post that accompanies this episode, as well as the links at KentSanders.net slash creative professional.
• 0:55
  SPEAKER_00: Before we get into the content, I want to invite you to send in your questions on creativity, productivity, art, or writing.
• 1:04
  SPEAKER_00: I'll answer those questions here on the podcast.
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_00: You can send me an email at Kent at KentSanders.net, or you can shoot me a message on Facebook or Twitter at Kent Sanders.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_00: So let's dive in.
• 1:18
  SPEAKER_00: Everyone is looking for a way to get ahead today.
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_00: This is especially true in creative fields where we have a lot of competition in graphic design, editing, writing, music, photography, and many others.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_00: It's tempting to believe that the way to stand out is to produce work cheaper and faster than your competition.
• 1:39
  SPEAKER_00: But the road to success isn't a race to the bottom, it's a race to the top.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: But how do you get to the top?
• 1:45
  SPEAKER_00: Well, you get to the top not by fighting for the scraps, but by setting yourself apart as a true professional.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: As an artist, writer, teacher, and editor, I'm consistently seeing three practices that are increasingly rare.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_00: They are rare because they take a little more time and effort than most people are willing to spend.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_00: However, these practices will instantly set you apart and make you a hero to those you serve.
• 2:12
  SPEAKER_00: Number one, send handwritten thank you notes.
• 2:17
  SPEAKER_00: In today's digital world, sending a handwritten note through the mail seems kind of out of date, but that's precisely why you need to do it.
• 2:25
  SPEAKER_00: A handwritten note tells someone that you cared enough to go the extra mile.
• 2:29
  SPEAKER_00: And we all know this from experience.
• 2:31
  SPEAKER_00: When we get a handwritten card or letter in the mail, it's the first thing that we open.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: Whenever somebody has helped me in an important way, I send a handwritten thank you note in the mail.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: The tagline for my blog is unlock your creative potential, and many times I include a small vintage skeleton key in these cards to kind of indicate the fact that this person can help unlock other people's creative potential.
• 2:56
  SPEAKER_00: Everybody, no matter how well known or powerful, needs encouragement.
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_00: I want to be known as a person who makes other people feel good about themselves.
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_00: You can read more about my system for writing thank you notes by visiting Kent Sanders.net slash stationary.
• 3:14
  SPEAKER_00: Number two, be on time for appointments.
• 3:18
  SPEAKER_00: Creative people are notorious for being disorganized and scattered.
• 3:22
  SPEAKER_00: Whenever you show up on time, you have already set yourself apart from your competition just by virtue of being on time.
• 3:29
  SPEAKER_00: I think that habitual lateness is not really a creative issue, it's a character issue.
• 3:34
  SPEAKER_00: When you're late, it says to other people that your schedule is more important than theirs.
• 3:39
  SPEAKER_00: It also says that you're not able to manage your time very well.
• 3:43
  SPEAKER_00: Now it's true, sometimes unforeseen circumstances keep us from being on time for appointments.
• 3:48
  SPEAKER_00: We have a car breakdown or some type of emergency happens, but those things are the exception rather than the rule.
• 3:56
  SPEAKER_00: The best way to prevent being late is to show up early.
• 3:59
  SPEAKER_00: Arrive at your destination ten or fifteen minutes earlier than you need to.
• 4:04
  SPEAKER_00: If you have a phone conversation or a Skype call scheduled, make sure all your technology is working beforehand.
• 4:10
  SPEAKER_00: Always have a plan B in case something goes wrong.
• 4:14
  SPEAKER_00: And number three, use correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• 4:21
  SPEAKER_00: It's an understatement to say that the quality of writing among the general population has taken a nosedive over the last couple of decades.
• 4:29
  SPEAKER_00: But if you want to be known as a pro, you must write like a pro.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_00: How many times have you received emails and text messages that were poorly written and had mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation?
• 4:41
  SPEAKER_00: If you're like me, you probably receive these kinds of error-ridden communications all the time.
• 4:48
  SPEAKER_00: As a college prof, as a writer, and as an editor, I can say with a hundred percent certainty that good, careful writing will set you apart as a professional.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_00: In fact, the bar for using good English is so low these days that this one area will immediately help you stand out from others.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_00: If you struggle with writing well, then you owe it to your career and to yourself to get some help with editing.
• 5:12
  SPEAKER_00: And I can definitely help you with this.
• 5:14
  SPEAKER_00: For more information, check out my writing services page at KentSanders.net slash writing dash services.
• 5:23
  SPEAKER_00: You know, you don't necessarily have to be a genius to stand out from the crowd.
• 5:27
  SPEAKER_00: You just need to be willing to do a little bit more than other people.
• 5:30
  SPEAKER_00: And these simple practices, which are sending handwritten thank you notes, being on time, and using proper English, will set you apart as a true creative professional.
• 5:41
  SPEAKER_00: What other practices can help you stand out as a creative professional?
• 5:45
  SPEAKER_00: I'd love to hear your thoughts.
• 5:46
  SPEAKER_00: You can join the conversation and find the post and the links that accompany this episode at Kent Sanders.net slash creativeprofessional.
• 5:56
  SPEAKER_00: When you visit my site, you'll find all kinds of great resources to inspire your creativity.
• 6:01
  SPEAKER_00: I'd also love to share a gift with you when you subscribe to my newsletter.
• 6:05
  SPEAKER_00: You can check it out and learn more about my books, writing, and services at KentSanders.net.
• 6:11
  SPEAKER_00: I'd love to connect and you can tweet me at Kent Sanders or find me on Facebook and Instagram as Kent Sanders.
• 6:18
  SPEAKER_00: I hope that you'll also check out our Born to Create Facebook group by visiting KentSanders.net slash Facebook group.
• 6:27
  SPEAKER_00: Until next time, remember that you were born to create and designs to make a difference.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_00: What will you do with the time you have left?