Writers Cafe - Friendly Accountability - Want To Talk To Other Writers By Phone?
I’ve discovered lately the best productivity tool for me is accountability and feeling connected to other writers. The two go hand in hand.
We’ve all suffered from the big internet overwhelm of shoulds. There’s the feeling that “I’ll be the perfect writer or blogger if I just do this and that or maybe if I try this. Trying to keep up can impact on productivity. No more…”
Anne Wayman at the Golden Pencil has an accountability partner. I love this idea too.
Accountability strategies that work for me include
- Joining a membership site at Blog Mastermind (Affiliate Link)
- Emailing a blogging friend
- Weekly Skype Mastermind Teleconference Call
- Announcing something on my blog
- Sharing a goal or project at The Writers Cafe
- Networking with blogging pros at Performancing Hive (Affiliate Link)
I’ve seen others use Twitter very effectively for accountability.
Weekly Skype Call
Of all these (and they’re all valuable), the one I find focuses me the most is Skype. Skype is a free service and you can talk to anyone else on Skype who gives you their Skype details at a mutually agreed time.
One On One Skype Call
Are you on Skype?
There’s the sense of additional connectedness with actually hearing someone’s voice and interacting with them in real time. You can toss ideas around and get feedback. You can “read” tone, pace, enthusiasm, hesitation and encouragement. I’ve done this with a wonderful blogging friend.
Group Skype Call
I’m part of a weekly Mastermind Call with 6 others. Fantastic! Each week we share something specific we want to get done by the next call. Whether it is completed or not it is a real goal, and I know the group is there to support each other the next week to discuss progress and problems and offer suggestions - a great sounding board.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What acccountability tools & strategies work for you?
- Make yourself accountable. Set yourself a realistic goal for the week and share it here if you like.
- WRITERS CAFE SKYPE INVITATION:
Let me know in the comments if you would be interested in me setting up a one off experimental Writers Cafe Skype Teleconference Call - taking the cafe to the airwaves? Can you help me spread the word?
Catch me on the web - Yvonne Russell
Grow Your Writing Business
Small Biz Mentor
HomeBiz Notes
Follow me on Twitter - www.twitter/yvonnerussell
I totally agree, Yvonne, the Internet is sometimes too impersonal. I am on Skype and on Twitter now, and I wish I had time for more. This week is almost over, but next week we have a big launch for a customer and I will need all the help I can get. I am sure I can count on you.
Mihaela Lica’s last blog post..Higher Blog Monetization through Blog Ads
Looking forward to the launch, Mig. Yes, you can count on me for sure.
Wow! This makes me want Skype. Of course, there’s the time issue…
Laura Spencer’s last blog post..It’s Okay to Be Yourself (Web Content Thursdays)
Hi Laura
The time zones will always be an issue with Skype. I’d probably use US time zones, but there’s usually a time that can be worked out. And there will always be people who can’t make it.
But isn’t it exciting that we could talk to each other from all over the world?
SUGGESTION
If you like the idea of a Writers Cafe Skype Call, please SPREAD THE WORD, as we’d need to have enough people to make it a viable call.
Who knows - maybe the Writers Cafe Call could become a more regular thing if there is an interest and a need.
Let’s keep the conversation on this going - any suggestions or thoughts from others?
Hi Yvonne, I’d be interested in a group Skype Call, definitely. Not least as I’ve not done a group call yet, just 1-1s. How many do you need to make it viable?
Accountability is good - as you say announcing something on your blog tends to mean you need to make it happen. My good friend Amy also used Twitter to help her write a chapter of her PhD (not with the content, with the act of sitting down and writing it)
Sorry I wasn’t here last weekend, the time just flew away with me.
Joanna
Joanna Young’s last blog post..Exploring The Dimensions Of Powerful Writing
Hi Joanna
I’m excited for you heading off to SobCon so I understand your time is very precious at the moment. Good to have you back at the cafe this week.
Great to hear you’d like to be part of a proposed Writers Cafe conference call. I think we’d need at least 6 or 7 people and probably no more than 10… will need to give that some more thought.
I would envisage it would be for one hour. Any suggestions very welcome.
Interesting idea! My problem is - I avoid appointments - when I have to be at a certain place at a certain time. I tend to do things when the spirit moves me. I’ve not ventured into Skype, althought it is growing in popularity. I should get with the program, since eBay owns Skype and I am all about eBay!
I might just have to do this so I can hear Yvonne’s cool Aussie accent. Austrialians sound so sophisticated when they speak!
Have a great weekend-
Suzanne Wells
Suzanne Wells’s last blog post..Huge List - 64 Resources for eBay Sellers
He.. he.. about my Aussie accent. Have you listened to my first ever (nervous) podcast? - http://www.growyourwritingbusiness.com/?p=533
Having to arrange something for a certain time is even trickier with time zones across the world.
Yvonne Russell’s last blog post..Writers Cafe - Friendly Accountability - Want To Talk To Other Writers By Phone?
I love the idea . . . but I don´t have a sound card right now.
I´d so love to talk with other Writer´s Cafe members! What a great idea.
Time would also be an issue for me, since I have two small kids and while they are up and about, a phone call wouldn´t be terribly practical.
Another idea that isn´t quite as exciting would be a group chat. That way, if someone has to run and do something for a minute (like rescue the baby from his brother), they can read back and still be a part of the convo.
Hi Genesis
A group chat sounds like a good idea too… possibly a different type of conversation from Skype, and maybe a different purpose too.
What do you think?
No reason why we couldn’t try both.
Keep the suggestions and feedback coming.
Hi Yvonne, I love the idea of a Skype Chat and/or call. I am in Linked In Power Women and several women in the group have Skype rooms. The rooms are open for chats 24/7 and people float in and out as they please. It’s a nice alternative that accommodates various schedules. The Lonely Entrepreneur also does group conference calls periodically and everyone is in different time zones. It’s nice to chat and hear voices, and most importantly to support one another’s goals. Count me in!
Karen
Karen Swim’s last blog post..Perseverance Completes the Meal
Hi Karen
I’ve been in private Skpe Chats. Is that the same as a Skype Room? The 24/7 aspect of chat is a good idea to account for all time zones and people’s commitments.
In your experience with both, what did you see as the difference between the purpose/outcomes of the chat vs the phone call?
I was thinking more of support, sharing, questions, brainstorming, moving towards goals etc. rather than social chat.
What are your thoughts?
Anyone else?
Yvonne Russell’s last blog post..Writers Cafe - Friendly Accountability - Want To Talk To Other Writers By Phone?
I’m not much for appointments or phone calls. My husband says I’ll do anything to avoid talking on the phone … which isn’t quite true, but almost.
It would be fun to hear everyone’s voice, though. I don’t normally do chats, either, but I’d be more apt to participate in a chat. Sounds like I’m anti-social, but I’m not … really. 
Lillie Ammann’s last blog post..Building Long-Term Client Relationships - Part 1: Why
Yvonne, I think a 24/7 chat would be more social, but there´s no reason a scheduled one couldn´t be focused on a specific topic. When I did the 30 Day Challenge, we had a group of 7 people and we would get together on Skype Chat each week to talk about where we were with our projects and where we were going, offer support and advice and to plan joint projects. It worked very well and I could see that working here, too.
BUT, I do think that it´s a good idea to do both. Not everyone is going to be able to participate in a phone call, but it would be SO cool to talk to each other. You learn a lot about people just by listening to their voices. I´ll see if I can´t get things up and running on my computer so I can actually have sound.
Yvonne, the skype rooms are different from skype chats and I only learned about them through Dr. Sally Witt and Carol Deckert. After years of using Skype, I learned something new! Both ladies are open networkers on LinkedIn and they both tweet. I love the idea of connecting with this community live (or semi-live depending on the hour of the day). Let’s go for it!
Karen Swim’s last blog post..Perseverance Completes the Meal
Hi Lillie
It’s great to hear different perspectives and approaches to this.
The consensus seems to be that getting together is a great idea, no matter how we do it.
We just need to firm up the best way to do it or just try both.
Hi Genesis
Having a specific focus is a good idea. Working on a joint project sounds like a good use for chat too.
Thanks for those insights.
BTW - I see a new version of the 30 day challenge is starting again soon.
Hi Karen
I’ve seen Carol Deckert’s profile on LinkedIn. I’ll look for Sally Witt’s too. Those would be good groups to join.
I’ll go find the ladies you mention on Twitter too. I agree with you on getting together - let’s go for it!!
Does anyone know any other good online networking groups?
I’m late to the party this week, but I’ve participated in group chats with other writers (by IM) and it’s always been inspiring and productive, so I’d definitely be interested in something like that. I’m on Skype, so that might work too (if my connection is behaving that day). Like others, I have the issue of childcare, so an IM conversation would be easier to follow.
Sharon Hurley Hall - Get Paid To Write Online’s last blog post..Querying And Bidding Strategies
Hi Sharon
It’s never too late to visit the Writers Cafe.
Interesting insights… I have lots of questions for you or others who have thoughts on this.
Any tips about how to make the group chat as effective as possible… the do’s and don’ts etc. Would love to hear your insights about what worked and a bit more about the process and logistics.
Which IM service did you use? Chat wise, I’m inclined to use Skype chat, but are there better options?
How would you see a chat differing from a call in purpose/approaches/outcomes etc.?
I’m leaning towards doing a chat one week with a follow up call the next week, continuing on with those who can make it. That’s just thinking aloud…
Let’s throw it around some more. Any other ideas or tips from previous experience?
Heard your podcast, Yvonne. It’s quite a thrill to listen and visualize your smiling face at the same time. Haven’t used the chat or skype way of e-communicating. It sounds exciting to me. Especially with those different accents!
Sometimes I can’t help but think: Does Yvonne ever stop thinking, even in her sleep?
Have a great week.
Princess
P.S. Thanks to those food blog links.
Hi Guys,
Well, I admire the depth and quality of what you contribute here Yvonne, and I see the commenters are all skilled writers as well. As for my opinion on IM errrr talkie boxes. I think we all need one that is very good. The desktop or tool bar clutter alone makes me crazy.
I believe Mig told me that YIM has the capability to interface with most of them, and this would seem to make it one of the best. As for Twitter - well I refused to review it when it came out because of the name.
Voice is a richer and more efficient means of communicating and I would love to hear all of you talking on Skype for sure. 
Keep up the great work Yvonne and perhaps you guys will come by and critique some of my babblings sometime.
Always,
Phil
Phil Butler’s last blog post..Power Blogging Extreme - The Existence of God
Hi Yvonne
We started the group chat on MSN, then shifted to a private chatroom on my friend’s site (don’t know the program, but I can ask). MSN works well for group chats and you can save the chat history, which means you can have a permanent record for those that are unable to attend. Skype chat does this automatically, I think.
Another writing chat I attended had people taking turns to moderate the chat. So people in the chat would say: ‘question’ or ‘comment’ and the moderator would say ‘GA’ (go ahead) when it was their turn to speak. That worked well for keeping the chat flowing in an orderly way.
Sharon Hurley Hall - Get Paid To Write Online’s last blog post..Querying And Bidding Strategies
When in a group chat, it usually helps to have someone with an agenda, or list of things to talk about. The moderator can pull the conversation back to the chosen topics and that helps keep it from getting way off track. At least in my experience.
Hi Yvonne, I spent most of the weekend without internet or TV service. It was like going back in time.
It’s funny that even though I often sit quietly and read, I missed having the option of checking email, or blog chatting.
I am part of many, many networking groups. Got a bit carried away with joining things. Some of the writers groups are quiet but individually I’ve forged some fantastic relationships. I am part of Content Wrangler, and Informed Ideas, both writing groups. I found them through LinkedIn but they have Ning discussion forums. Writers Digest also has a list of online writing forums/groups.
I think an agenda is a wonderful idea for the focused chat as it will lend order. Skype is great because it’s free and easy to do a group call or chat. I’m looking forward to chatting with everyone.
Karen
Karen Swim’s last blog post..The Long Hot Race
Hey Princess
The podcast was fun and will be the first of many.
The food blogs are great, aren’t they… and a great inspiration for writing (and cooking… and eating, of course).
You’re right. I never stop thinking… too many ideas. LOL.
Hi Phil
Great to see you here. The Grow Your Writing Business community are a talented bunch of writers. That’s for sure.
Thanks for your insights. Hope you’ll join in with us when we get together.
Hi Sharon
Sounds like you’ve done quite a few of these. I appreciate your insights about the process.
Hi Genesis
With limited time and a number of people, I agree that an agenda, even a loose one is important to keep things focused and on track.
Especially with the logistics and time to co-ordinate something like this globally with different time zones etc. we need to make the time count for everyone.
Any ideas for topics/focus? We can throw this open to discussion.
Hi Karen
Sounds like you’ve found LinkedIn a valuable social media tool. I’m a member there too, but need to update my profile.
You’re a regular dynamo with all those groups you’ve joined.
Thanks for the tip. I’ll look into some of those too…. following you around the web. LOL.
Apr 21st, 2008 at 8:15 am
[…] First of all… want to catch up with other Grow Your Writing Business Community writers by phone or chat? Add your comment to our recent Weekend Writers Cafe post. […]
Apr 26th, 2008 at 12:40 am
[…] Check last week’s comment thread for full details. […]
Apr 28th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
[…] The Great Grow Your Writing Business Meetup Writers Cafe - Friendly Accountability - Want To Talk To Other Writers By Phone? […]
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:53 am
[…] Friendly Accountability - Want To Talk To Other Writers By Phone? […]