Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheril Clarke.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve been writing for 20 years. I started as a creative writer and have authored novels, award-winning plays, children’s books, short stories and more. Several years ago, however, I decided to add business writing to the mix. I have never believed “starving,” and “artist” have to go together, and when I realized creative writing wasn’t generating the kind of income that I wanted for myself, I decided to write for corporations. I now run a boutique executive communications firm that provides ghostwriting and speechwriting services for C-level executives and entrepreneurs worldwide. Speeches I’ve written have been delivered all over the world, from Madison Square Garden in New York City to conferences in Dubai.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been smooth for the most part because I put in a lot of work when I was younger. I’m also a firm believer in constantly studying, fine-tuning practices and trying new things. I know my strengths and weaknesses and hire help to fill in the gaps. There were some bumps along the way, of course. I learned some entrepreneurial lessons the hard way, such as the vitality of needing to keep your pipeline full of prospects. Never let one client be the bulk of your income because if anything happens you can experience a huge drop in cash flow. I’ve also learned the value of transitioning to value-based pricing (billing by the project) vs. charging by the hour. When you do the latter, you get penalized for working efficiently.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Phenomenal Writing story. Tell us more about the business.
My company provides premium ghostwriting and speechwriting services for executives and entrepreneurs who need help in telling their story. We also offer other custom content such as executive bios, presentation skills training, white paper editing and more.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I see growth. People are realizing the value of having a communication partner that can help them stand out, work more efficiently and tell a better story about their company, product or service. I also see a lot of room for younger, up-and-coming writers of color to penetrate the space. There is a lot of work but not enough diversity of voices. I’m excited about the future for myself and those who will follow in my footsteps.
Pricing:
- Social speeches, such as wedding toasts and eulogies are more straight-forward and start in the $500 range. Corporate and other business-related speeches require a custom quote.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.phenomenalspeeches.com www.phenomenalwriting.com
- Email: cheril@phenomenalwriting.com
- Instagram: phenomenal_speeches
- Facebook: phenomenal_speeches
- Twitter: PhenomenalWrite
Image Credit:
Jaxon Photogroup for the image of me in pink
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