Question: Hi Balaka, is there any specific reason you chose environment as your primary niche?

Haha, good question Andre. I usually joke about it – that environment chose me to be a writer, not the other way around!
And when I look back to the time I was a journalist, I found myself gravitating to stories on ecosystem disruptions or cutting edge research on environmental remediation… and I didn’t see that pattern until much later.

So when I came to America, I saw the splurging lifestyles and I cringed, kept going back into my groove, reducing my own carbon footprint.

But that doesn’t really help. Doesn’t make a difference.

So I finally decided to go back to writing to make a difference.

Soon, I found the right mentors in AWAI, you know, AWAI the top international group of writers helping businesses make more profit,

I thought Aha, jackpot that’s when copywriting came up as an option for me.

I like working for companies that do one of these three things:

• promote alternative energy,
• or showcase an organic lifestyle (food, fashion, fun),
• and those that create products from discarded materials of other industries. Like I use a yoga mat made from discarded wetsuits.

I consistently offer my services to take their businesses to the next level, to elevate their cash flow and profit so they can continue to do the great job and touch even more lives and make a difference.

Question: What products and services are you offering for your clients in these changed realities of the pandemic that’s taking the world by storm?

Oh Yes, this pandemic makes a huge huge difference to how we look at things in business.

You see, the challenges of these green companies are more or less identical to any other conventional business – always, always, even before this horrible pandemic struck–

The challenge of making new customers and then converting them into returning customers and finally making  some of them their raving fans who’ll keep purchasing from them – over and over again, right?

These challenges are same across the board for all businesses.

and it’s even more so at this time.

So, where’s the solution that I offer?

Pivoting. Yes, pivoting is the mantra now. Pivoting. Shifting, swiveling…

How well I pivot and how well I can help these companies pivot is key now.

You see, I’m learning from the stalwarts – I take core marketing training with one of the top coaching teams of the world — — as their Rainmaker member, their base level.

Powerteam International under Bill Walsh’s leadership has all the cutting edge online components there is on this earth for online marketing. And they’re imploring businesses to pivot, to adapt and change, they themselves are doing it as an example–

Seriously, crumbling down to dust is not an option. There’s always the option to take this crisis and make a change towards thriving– going online, going virtual is really BIG now. It’s easier for the service industry.

Powerteam is setting an example themselves. They are doing lead generation through virtual summits now in place of conferences. And It’s free. Try out their Success Summit 360.

Maybe this crisis will force us to look at things differently, in a more empathetic and pragmatic ways, using technology and helping each other out. Just like Napoleon Hill had envisioned. And I very much want to be a part of such a business community.

Unfortunately, not all businesses can do that. Their leadership or other realities are not carved out that way. But if there are creative minds at the helm, with a higher vision they’ll be able to do just that. Pivot.

The good news is – most of these environment companies already have a vision and they are on a mission, they already have leaders with a lofty mindset to do things differently. Their pivoting should come pretty easy.

But on the flip side, these environment-supportive companies have a couple of additional challenges to face than conventional ones – these challenges have always been there…

1. first is — converting people’s mindset to become their customers –Only those who’re already into that earth-friendly mindset are usually their prospects and that’s unfortunately a very narrow slice of the market, right? You can’t base your entire business on that.

It seriously needs to change, without any preaching or lecturing, nobody likes being preached for some reason, right? These products are usually more expensive in the beginning. So, it’s even harder to convince.

So, changing how we look at things is intensely tricky, but NOT impossible… with subtle educating. It takes time. Sometimes a crisis can speed up the educating process… like the current one. I’m coming to that.

2. The Second unique challenge — to let people know they even exist, to position their products strategically. We all know about reading glasses. But my reading glasses are made of recycled plastics. They’re beautiful. And affordable too. Like $8. But I didn’t even know they exist.

I told you, I use a yoga mat made out of discarded wetsuits, right—it’s very expensive but without the usual toxic pvc. My knowledge about how bad pvc is helped me go for it. But I had to search for it. It was a long research.

See, I wouldn’t buy that yoga mat or those glasses if they didn’t have any info out there, right? But these products have little visibility, they’re not placed at the right places.

Now, that’s where I step in pivot–

• to talk about these product in the current realities — For example, In Australia, there’s a 400% spike in solar panel sales since the corona virus lockdowns. People are worried that the grid may not function after weeks or months of economic downturn. We can leverage this changed perception that’s adding value, this fear.
• I can help to place the products where they are more visible — several online tools are available for all kinds of budgets.
• And creating raving fans is same challenge for all businesses.

Now, a lot of these are just tweaking the online platform dynamics – not just writing endlessly about the products but it’s more about how to use the online processes strategically, how to create the unputdownable offer and creating the sales funnel.

The Call to Action is of vital importance in all online platforms.

That is exactly why I’ve evolved, not calling myself a copywriter anymore really  but a webcontent optimization specialist.

When I used to tell people I’m a copywriter, they just assumed I’m a legal expert on copyright stuff. So, I now either say I’m a writer helping businesses that are trying to do a greater good, or I say I’m a webcontent optimization specialist helping eco-friendly businesses do better.

And I love the eyebrows shooting up when I say that mouthful of a profession. (laughter) Like WOW!

It feels good even when say it to my mirror. (laughter)

Question: Great info there, Balaka! What’s the best way for prospects to get in touch with you?

That’s the key. I can have all the talent in the world and the great offers but it’s no good until people get in touch with me, right?

Well, hire me or not, I love giving, I love helping. I love chatting to know about people’s business dreams.

So, here’s a gift for everyone.

My first business book on optimizing online presence is about to go for publishing this year. So, I have a pdf version up on my website as a free gift this week. Those tips can help all businesses across the board, actually.

So, go to my website thegreenwriter.com and download it. That’s it. Let me know what you think of it and I’ll add your review with your name.

You can try the LinkedIn route too. I have my email and phone number on my profile there. Feel free to contact me any which way.

I’m always ready to squeeze out a quick chat time. Before anyone hires my services, I do a detailed getting-to-know information gathering. Usually called “creative briefing” to bring out the priority issues that’s giving a sleepless night for the decision makers.

I value their time and burning concerns. To do the best job, I don’t take up overnight-turn-around jobs which was kind of due yesterday.

Those usually have a shallow impact. In plain English it’s band-aid make-over.

Striking at the source of a problem needs a deeper dig which means we need time … we need to consistently delve in for a more permanent solution

notching up the game for more profits over time.

I mean, c’mon, all good things take time to build, yes or no?.

Like Rome, not built in a day.

I’m fully committed to working consistently.

Check out thegreenwriter.com now for the free gift. That self-check of online presence, as I said, can help any company. There’s something in it for everyone.

Thank you so much, Andre. It was great talking to you, totally appreciate your interviewing me!

Be well and be safe!