Summary
Write about what you know. This is particularly important if you are going to write for paying clients.
It is highly unlikely that you will have indepth knowledge about a specific client's business unless you have worked for the particular client. Ideally you should have an overview of the industry and know where to research the detail.
I have been writing offline and online for more than 40 years for a variety of industries. I have also written numerous blogs on different websites on a range of topics that interest me but do not necessarily earn me an income.
I LOVE TO WRITE!
Please click here to review my Brief Resume and click here to review my Qualifications and Skills (The links will open in a new tab)
Industries I have written about
Article for Fair Lady Magazine 1979
More than 40 years ago I earned the grand sum of ZAR 50.00 for an article I wrote about personal finance in FairLady Magazine a popular women's magazine in South Africa which continues to publish today.
An early adopter of technology, I bought my first desktop computer in the late 1980s, and when access to the internet arrived with dial up modems, I was hooked.
ProLoCon (Pty) Ltd - Industrial Automation, Software Development and Training
From 1990 to 2000, my ex-husband and I established and operated ProLoCon. My role of financial director expanded to include marketing, sales and exhibitions.
With no online presence at that time, we used brochures, flyers, and A5 booklets which we snail mailed to our 5000 contacts on our CRM (Customer Relationship Management) which I set up and maintained to capture and keep in contact with customers and prospective new clients.
Tourist Operator
In 2005, I started my own Tourist Guiding Business.
I set up my first website and designed and wrote the copy for my brochures.
Having gone through the tedious process of obtaining a tourist operating licence, I wrote an article on Business Warriors (an online publication which is no longer operational) - “So you want to be a tourist operator?” I have re-published the article on my MoneyADDers website .
Living ADDventure ADHD Coaching and Training
It was in 2006 I was diagnosed by a psychiatrist with ADHD which changed my life. I had just met Dave Pughe-Parry who was an ADHD Coach and also diagnosed with ADHD in later life. I enrolled in his ADHD Coaching Programme, became his partner in his business and we married in 2007.
This is when I started writing in earnest and haven’t stopped. Once again, I took on the finance, marketing, event management and sales roles. To promote our talks, workshops and conferences which we held all around South Africa, I created brochures, flyers, new websites and wrote numerous blog posts for our email newsletters.
Dave wrote his first book, I am Audacious, Original and Innovative ... I have ADHD which was published as a hard copy print with each chapter recorded on CDs. as which I helped edit and we sold out in the first year.
In 2024, I edited and re-formatted the book as an E-book and titled it Audacious ADHD Ebook which is now available from our online store.
The Magnificent Living ADDventure
In 2009, Dave and I traveled South Africa with a big trailer and slept in a tent. We visited many schools where we ran talks for parents, workshops for teachers and medical professionals.
We called it the Magnificent Living ADDventure Tour.
I created a small magazine with the same name covering aspects of our travels and information on ADHD. We published 3 issues. LADD_Magazine_April_2009.pdf
Websites, Social Media and Blogging
As social media evolved, I enrolled in a 30 day blog challenge, writing a post daily for 30 days choosing technology as my theme. I also completed a couple of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) aimed at Social Media for Journalists.
As a side hustle, I created websites and did social media postings for several clients using one of my domains - Braving Technology.
I continue to hhost and provide support for domains, emails and websites for a number of clients.
Paddle Power River Rafting
2015 found me in the tiny village of Broederstroom in the North West Province of South Africa. I had been at my sister’s side during her final days of her battle with cancer. Three days before Christmas, she passed away and I impulsively took on her role as Manager of Paddle Power a river rafting company.
I knew nothing about river rafting but it was super high season so I learned fast. My web development, social media, marketing and event management skills were very useful. Over the next 3 years, I significantly grew the business and hosted corporate clients, international tourists, local groups and individuals.
From 2019 to 2023 I contracted my services to a large private security company as their bookkeeper managing the finances to balance sheet and working closely with the CEO and the auditors. My writing took a back seat during this time.
My Medical Companion
Living in a Senior Citizens Home and also having ADHD, I am well aware that keeping track of our medical history, appointments, medication, medical professionals who treat us can be a nightmare. It is also difficult for our children who have to make the appointments and get our medication. When we die our surviving family need to know who to contact and where to find our wills.
I created a very comprehensive document called My Medical Companion which is downloadable as a pdf. A separate file should be created for each family member.
In the case of a family (ADHD or not) it is invaluable to keep track of childhood ailments and injuries, vaccinations, operations etc. It is a valuable gift to be able to give to your youngster when the flee the nest.
Click here for details and to purchase the document
2024 to date
At the age of 70, I am still active and I am devoting my time to writing and helping businesses grow by assisting them with email marketing and content creation.
I am always open to learning new technology and dipping my toes into AI.
Send Pat a message
If you need help with writing content for your website or sending email newsletters, I offer a free 30 minute Zoom call to discuss your needs.
I focus on writing for the following industries:
- Small business Accounting Practices
- Personal Finance
- South African Tourism
- Event Management
- Coaching
- The Elderly - Visit Our Younger Selves