About Us
Helping your message rise above the noise. Wordsmith of Roanoke provides strategic plans, marketing support, copywriting, editing, media interface and other services designed to help your small business gain recognition and grow.
How We Got Started
The company's roots began in Rochester, New York more than a couple of decades ago. Today, with headquarters in Roanoke, VA, the Wordsmith of Roanoke focuses on creating messages that make you memorable. The words you use and the strategy behind those choices are more important than the word count.
The products and services we offer
Recommendations Received (14)
"great to work with and organized"
"Nanette is a true professional who sincerely cares about her clients and their success. She and I..."
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"Nanette is a true professional who sincerely cares about her clients and their success. She and I have worked together on many projects for my author clients. She is always organized, articulate, and attentive to all the details and timelines."
Products & Services
Support for small business, not-for-profit and personal writing needs including brochures, letters, papers, speeches, articles, award applications,...
Creative copy designed to build trust, influence and credibility. Specializing in marketing strategies and associated word solutions for small busi...
Recommendations Given (20)
"Interacting with Pamela is an absolute joy. The Wellness WIthin business she's created with her..."
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"Interacting with Pamela is an absolute joy. The Wellness WIthin business she's created with her husband, Brad, provides compassionate guidance through mind-body tools to help those who have been challenged finding effective ways to address issues that have kept them stuck in life. I also recommend her wonderful book, Stress Less Thrive More. "
"Teresa's scientific, research-based and results-borne knowledge is priceless. She's also lived..."
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"Teresa's scientific, research-based and results-borne knowledge is priceless. She's also lived with and learned from family members with severe learning disabilities. There are few business owners as passionate about helping the audience they serve as Teresa. She's determined to demonstrate challenged learners can achieve a lot more than what most expect. She's also able to leverage her deep knowledge about effective learning practices to help those seeking high achievement exceed their expectations. "
Recent Activity
Nanette from The Wordsmith of Roanoke - Helping your message rise above the noise Answered this on October 15, 2019
In my opinion, the USPS is one of the least expensive ways to get attention these days. That's because everyone else is focused on internet communications. When you consider the cost (55 cents for a letter, 35 cents for a postcard), that doesn't sound very expensive to me as a marketing tool if...
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In my opinion, the USPS is one of the least expensive ways to get attention these days. That's because everyone else is focused on internet communications. When you consider the cost (55 cents for a letter, 35 cents for a postcard), that doesn't sound very expensive to me as a marketing tool if you create a message that's memorable. Of course, there's the additional cost of printing, envelopes and time to consider, but how much time and money are you already spending trying to rise above the noise online to no avail?
For the typical small business owner, a smart and compelling message (if you're sending cards, that means making it personal in a way that will cause your client or prospect to smile about your recollection and kindness) is going to be a whole lot more effective in keeping you top-of-mind than a generic e-card.
If you're thinking you need to remember everyone with holiday cards as part of a business marketing strategy, that's falling out of style. You're better off targeting clients and prospects when they're not already being flooded with seasonal greetings. If thank cards are in question, USPS delivery trumps an e-card big time.
These days, when people are flooded with impersonal messages all day long while they're on their computer or phone, a thoughtful card or letter pulled out of a mailbox stands out. Of course, being thoughtful seems to becoming a lost art on both the personal and business front, so getting creative in how you do this might be a stretch for some. Still, think of how much more memorable a personalized card or letter you get in the mail is vs. a e-card likely sent out in bulk is for you. Now, consider if it's worth the cost for your clients and prospects. Sure, there's a bit more time involved in creating a customized message for someone with the potential to send a lot more business your way, but think of the possible returns before you decide free is better.
Nanette from The Wordsmith of Roanoke - Helping your message rise above the noise Answered this on July 12, 2019
I've had success with both in securing clients for Horse Sense and Cents (R) {my other business}. This is in a tight niche industry, which helps on both platforms. For Linked In, my biggest reach has come from being active in groups. For your marketing business, I wouldn't recommend seeking out...
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I've had success with both in securing clients for Horse Sense and Cents (R) {my other business}. This is in a tight niche industry, which helps on both platforms. For Linked In, my biggest reach has come from being active in groups. For your marketing business, I wouldn't recommend seeking out peer populated groups {these tend to be more about self-promotional shouting so no one's listening}. Instead, think about where your prospects may be congregating and offer useful input to their stated challenges. Don't overtly sell. You can mention what you do for a living but your answers should provide useful and applicable information designed to help solve their challenge. Pulse used to be a great way to extend reach and recognition too. This has been discontinued, but you can still publish articles to the platform through your profile. Might be worth giving this a shot. Pinterest is a visual gathering place, as others have mentioned. Perhaps I'm an anomaly, but I haven't found it critical to have beautiful images so long as the content I'm posting {I often point people back to my website for more information on teaser copy interests} is relevant to the audience I'm trying to reach. Rich pins are important here. They travel along with your material as others add it to their boards. It's also critical here to share what others are producing. This requires spending some time thinking about what you want to present so you can create relevant boards that make your profile easy to navigate. Gaining traction on Pinterest is more about who's sharing what you offer than it is about the pins you create. That means time is well spent building relationships with people {or businesses} who are established and already respected there. My experience with both platforms has been if you're providing useful information that helps your prospects solve their challenges, they'll reach out to you {or check you out elsewhere - Horse Sense and Cents sells a good number of products that are available through major online retailers} to determine if they're a good fit as a client. Good luck with your efforts to integrate these two resources into your marketing mix. I've found it to be great fun building relationships through both and hope you do too.
Nanette from The Wordsmith of Roanoke - Helping your message rise above the noise Answered this on May 17, 2019
Small business marketing is best done with a creative approach. It need not cost a lot to stand out from the crowd. Some of my favorite tools for your type of business demographic are: multi-part 3-dimensional mailing campaigns (to target centers-of-influence that might otherwise be hard to get...
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Small business marketing is best done with a creative approach. It need not cost a lot to stand out from the crowd. Some of my favorite tools for your type of business demographic are: multi-part 3-dimensional mailing campaigns (to target centers-of-influence that might otherwise be hard to get face time with); feature columns with relevant industry print publications (you can hire a ghost writer to create these - good ones can also help you pitch the idea to a publisher or editor); and public speaking (this should be designed to provide valuable information to the audience rather than giving a sales pitch - a talented writer can help you create powerful presentations). You can do all these yourself for little cost if you have the time and skills. Going with some of these old school methods (USPS, print & face time) would be a good approach for you, given your target market. There's also that time vs. money thing. If you're considering hiring someone who has expertise in the field there may be aspects of the project you can do yourself (or delegate to an employee or lower cost administrative contractor). For example, if you're thinking about a newsletter (online or print), it usually makes sense to hire a graphic designer to create a piece that's attractive and a strategic marketing pro to help you design an effective content approach. Most graphic designers are willing to provide a template that has core image, elements and typeface & size standards that you fill in with content for future editions. A good marketing strategist consultant can create initial copy while giving you guidance on how to take on much of the work in the future. In general, focusing on people who have a wide reach (centers-of-influence) and are in a position to recommend you, rather than individual prospects, is more cost-effective. This gets a bit interesting with your music themed cruise offering. Since you're spotlighting 50s, 60s and 70s music, that's likely to appeal more to an older audience. Financial advisors, estate planning attorneys, churches (those populations are mostly aging), golf course operators, retirement communities and joint replacement specialists might be good places to start. They key is in crafting a message that's about them (not you) and how you can help their clients or patients. That will take some inventive reflection on your part unless you want to hire some help to get you started in the right direction ;-).
Nanette from The Wordsmith of Roanoke - Helping your message rise above the noise Answered this on January 30, 2019
When I first read your question, Pamela, I believe I misunderstood what you were asking. Once I read Steven's reply, I gathered your focus is on acting talent. Still, I think there's a lot of value for professionals who advise others on branding strategies to engage a wardrobe stylist to help...
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When I first read your question, Pamela, I believe I misunderstood what you were asking. Once I read Steven's reply, I gathered your focus is on acting talent. Still, I think there's a lot of value for professionals who advise others on branding strategies to engage a wardrobe stylist to help provide guidance on how they present themselves. After all, each of us broadcasts our brand in how we look. I've benefited from hiring a professional to help me dress for success. She's even gone clothes shopping with me to help quickly select a wardrobe. This makes an activity I usually abhor fast, fun and productive. So, perhaps, if as Scott indicates, the ad agency or production company is making all the decisions on commercial shoots and you're challenged with a situation where they use in-house staff, there may be a bigger market for you with business owners in Florida. In little Roanoke, Virginia, I've found Beth Garrett to be a wonderful resource for everything from colors and clothing selections to makeup and jewelry. Her consultant fees are reasonable and she goes well above and beyond with the help she provides. For me, the big issues were time, talent and flexibility in both accommodating my schedule as well as my personal tastes. I suspect most business owners would consider these items important. If you can address these concerns, you may find a considerable market for your services in a segment you hadn't considered previously.
1 Reply
Nanette from The Wordsmith of Roanoke - Helping your message rise above the noise Answered this on January 04, 2019
This is an interesting question as I moved to an area with a big BNI presence about three years ago. Prior to that I hadn't really been exposed to this organization or its mentality. It didn't initially occur to me that someone offering a referral would do so with little or no knowledge of how...
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This is an interesting question as I moved to an area with a big BNI presence about three years ago. Prior to that I hadn't really been exposed to this organization or its mentality. It didn't initially occur to me that someone offering a referral would do so with little or no knowledge of how the business they were recommending operated or whether I was a good fit for what they do and visa versa.
I learned a long time ago not to recommend any providers to my business clients I hadn't already tested with my own company. Engaging them first was necessary to verify they can do what they claim, deliver as promised and operate with integrity. That was a costly lesson as I wound up reimbursing a client for a considerable amount of money spent on a contractor who didn't have the skills they boasted and provided poor solutions he couldn't use. Did I have to do this? Nope. But I wasn't comfortable sticking the client with a bill for useless work product from a person I recommended.
If I get one referral from someone and it becomes clear they haven't had direct exposure to how they do business, I don't go back asking for another. Conversely, I've hired several business owners for work suggested by a single client because his endorsement is always golden.
Whether you recognize it or not, how those you refer to others perform (or how you handle a bad recommendation) affects your reputation. Fantastic providers make people remember you for the tip and tell stories about how you helped them. Poor ones tend to have people blaming you for the disappointment and telling more stories in ways you don't want shared.
So, I guess to answer your question, I don't think it's OK to give a referral to someone you haven't worked with if you're a business owner with an eye toward building good will. Those bad providers won't refer useful prospects to you and will sully your name.
Nanette from The Wordsmith of Roanoke - Helping your message rise above the noise Answered this on October 26, 2018
Gather business cards instead of trying to shove yours into everyone's hands. Write notes on the back (unless you're in Japan or another country that views this as disrespectful) to help jog your memory for follow up.
Have a plan ahead of time to quickly record and respond to those you meet....
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Gather business cards instead of trying to shove yours into everyone's hands. Write notes on the back (unless you're in Japan or another country that views this as disrespectful) to help jog your memory for follow up.
Have a plan ahead of time to quickly record and respond to those you meet. Trade shows make it easy to record exhibitor contact information before the event, but if it's a Chamber event or other organization you belong to, you can usually see more about the people who attend on the member website area. It makes sense to do a little homework here prior to and/or after the event. If possible, send something snail mail to the best prospects or centers-of-influence you meet during the event. Few use this method of communication these days so you really stand out over those who choose the easier method of e-mail, or worse, social media connections. It's best if you can follow up within a day or two with a note that includes something personal you gather from the attendee.
The common wisdom that equates networking events with speed dating doesn't work. You're better off spending time trying to identify the 20% of people there who are the most influential. Take more time getting to know those who are in the best position to help foster your business goals than you do working the room. Longer conversations with key centers-of-influence will serve you and your business a lot better than an approach that has you shaking hands with as many people as possible.
Most view networking as a venue to sell. That's why it's not working for the majority. You're better off using it as an opportunity to listen, learn and glean information from the people you'd most like to get to know better in the future. Having a good, fast and personal strategy in place for follow up after the event is what makes it powerful.
OK, that wasn't one "best" tip, but like get rich quick schemes, networking isn't usually very effective for those that go into such events with the single objective to sell. These events work best if you view them as relationship building opportunities. Hope this helps.
Nanette from The Wordsmith of Roanoke - Helping your message rise above the noise Answered this on October 19, 2018
I first became involved in Toastmasters when I was in my 20s with a wonderful club in Rochester, New York (TNT). The club president during the time I was a member planned a reunion recently that was incredibly well attended (I did so through a video feed as I was living a considerable distance...
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I first became involved in Toastmasters when I was in my 20s with a wonderful club in Rochester, New York (TNT). The club president during the time I was a member planned a reunion recently that was incredibly well attended (I did so through a video feed as I was living a considerable distance away - about 20 members from "our time" showed up in person). The friendships we built with that special club so supportive of its members lasted decades. Over the past two years I've reconnected with Toastmasters. It's changed with smaller clubs and members that seem to be less committed, but it's still a great opportunity for anyone seeking to gain experience and input on leadership skills and public speaking performance.
Nanette from The Wordsmith of Roanoke - Helping your message rise above the noise Answered this on April 06, 2018
I read the answers to this question mostly out of curiosity, but was a bit surprised by the responses. In my experience as a homeowner and approved mortgage applicant, banks have never required inspections nor considered them in their lending decisions.
On a recent home purchase (I moved to...
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I read the answers to this question mostly out of curiosity, but was a bit surprised by the responses. In my experience as a homeowner and approved mortgage applicant, banks have never required inspections nor considered them in their lending decisions.
On a recent home purchase (I moved to Virginia from the northeast), I engaged four home inspectors. After the fallout from that investment, I'd never waste that money again, at least not in this commonwealth. I come from a state where such providers are held accountable for what they report (by law).
Perhaps a better question is, "how can we identify and engage knowledgeable & dedicated inspection providers (for both the applicant and the bank) to aid in good decision making." Even low income prospective home owners would benefit from a vetted list of proven "advocates" and likely consider the expense worthwhile. Banks could provide incentives (if they ever adopt a policy to encourage gathering more information) for home purchasers to dig a little deeper. Everyone wins (except the unscrupulous vendors). I see the issue being less about paying for service and more about helping homeowners (and banks) easily identify who can honestly help them with pertinent information for smart buying decisions.
Nanette from The Wordsmith of Roanoke - Helping your message rise above the noise Answered this on March 02, 2018
It really depends on where you are and your particular aims. Generally, I've found people who show up for early morning meetings (particularly since I've moved from the Northeast to Roanoke, VA - where that southern slower pace seems to mean slower to rise too) are more serious about building...
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It really depends on where you are and your particular aims. Generally, I've found people who show up for early morning meetings (particularly since I've moved from the Northeast to Roanoke, VA - where that southern slower pace seems to mean slower to rise too) are more serious about building business relationships. Lunch (unless it's a smaller group with an agenda and an educational objective for getting together) can be difficult for interaction. Afternoons (particularly if it's an evening event that involves drinking) tends to be the least productive as people tend to congregate among known colleagues and friends.
Mostly, though, it depends on the group and your approach. If your focus is selling, you're probably not going be very effective in your networking efforts whatever the time the event takes place. If you go with an eye toward building relationships, which requires doing more listening and less talking while also resisting the temptation to "speed date" but rather to build rapport with a few key centers-of-influence in attendance, you should find success at any time.
1 Reply
Nanette from The Wordsmith of Roanoke - Helping your message rise above the noise Answered this on January 26, 2018
I kind of have to laugh here because I figured I'd counter what I had witnessed over decades of watching small business growth curves when I moved an existing business to a new community. It's almost always two years to go from start-up to consistent and sustainable profitability.
Sure, you'll...
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I kind of have to laugh here because I figured I'd counter what I had witnessed over decades of watching small business growth curves when I moved an existing business to a new community. It's almost always two years to go from start-up to consistent and sustainable profitability.
Sure, you'll have good months and bad ones that make you feel like you're trending in a certain direction, but after working with hundreds of small businesses, I've come to realize that 2nd anniversary is key. Right about then, all the work you've done to date on marketing, networking, building relationships, branding and gaining clients who are now referring others to you with sound testimonials takes hold and creates a flow of prospects excited about becoming customers that often comes forth much like a tidal wave.
Sadly, I see many small business owners quit shortly before their efforts will see fruition. Plan for two years of start-up capital. Don't get frustrated when it seems like all your promotional work is wasted. Remember you're building a foundation. Hang in there for two years and you'll likely find all those efforts you thought were futile start paying off exponentially. I've had a lot of clients claim they don't even recall meeting the person who just referred a large account to them. It takes time, but it's worth it.
