neXtDRAFT 67. A Whole New Look.

Published: Sun, 12/15/19

A whole new look.

Welcome to neXtDRAFT 67, it's a whole new look.

It's been more than a while since I last published neXtDRAFT, but I've been busy making fundamental changes to my website, my social media, and my entire marketing strategy. It's nice getting back to my core business.

This isn't sounding much like the neXtDRAFT that used to appear every week I hear you say -- full of personal stories about my life here in the Philippines.

I'm still writing those stories but to a lesser extent. Jerry is almost 12 now and a few months ago his classmates found my blog and social media sites online. And even though I originally wrote his stories as a source of inspiration and smiles, it's now making him a target for bullies.

He doesn't want me posting a lot of photos and videos of him to Facebook anymore, and asked me to take down some of the cute videos I'd shared of him when he was 7 and 8. Which I have done (well made them private links anyway).

When I started neXtDRAFT more than 2 years ago I had an idea to start a little eZine that would get me into a writing and publishing habit. At the time it was mainly about poetry and personal stories -- because that was how I spent most of my day.

Now I'm focused on building up my writing and marketing business and providing a sustainable life for Jerry and my sponsored kids, so neXtDRAFT has evolved again.

You may not realise that more than 75% of the income I earn as a writer and marketer is given directly to my sponsored families. And changing the track of neXtDRAFT is about expanding my business audience -- plus I love writing business stuff. It's something I was doing for decades before coming to the Philippines and now I see a way that it can benefit everyone.

The newlook neXtDRAFT

My vision for this newsletter is to be a resource tool for writers and small business owners, and this is what you can expect now from future editions of neXtDRAFT:

Monthly. From the December edition, neXtDRAFT will be sent out each month.
Editorial. A personal letter from me with updates and stories about my writing (and adopted mum) life between the Philippines and Australia.
Book reviews. Still sharing my reading list, but there'll be more books about writing, marketing and personal development.
Content hacks. Helping my readers improve their content and get a better handle on their marketing activities.
SmallBiz Talk. I've been small business owner and Consultant for decades now, so I'm ready to share some of that knowledge.
WritingBiz. For writers and freelancers who want their own writing business. I'm writing this over on Medium now.
Giving Back. Stories about the kids and families I sponsor. They are still at the foundation of everything I do.

Thanks for your love and support

Now you have a better idea of what to expect from future editions of neXtDRAFT what do you think? Truly I won't be offended if you unsubscribe this week because this may not be the newsletter you originally signed up for.

I look forward to your replies and feedback and hope that the content I'm serving each month will be practical, inspiring, and genuinely helpful.

See you in January.

Melxx

PS: Sending love, blessings and Christmas prayers to you all. And There is a little boy (well not so little any more) who is super excited about the Christmas holidays starting on Tuesday.

Sincerely,

Melinda J. Irvine

[email protected]

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