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Why Blogging Is a Love Affair

Last Friday I had the opportunity to attend the Melanie Duncan Workshop. In case you aren’t familiar, Melanie Duncan is a highly successful entrepreneur and founder of the Entrepreneuress Academy, through which she strives to help other women achieve the success in business that she has enjoyed.

By meeting her I got to cross off an item on my Life List but thanks to the workshop I had quite the revelation: I realized that blogging is a love affair but not for the reasons I previously thought.

I have often compared blogging to a relationship and I even have blog dates — times when I go to my favorite coffee shop to work on my blog for hours on end.

But during her presentation Melanie Duncan shared this quote:

Don’t fall in love with your business; fall in love with your customers.

Immediately I thought of See Jane Write. Immediately, I thought of how important it is that I stay focused on the women I seek to serve and not simply get enamored with the idea of building a business.

But days later after the workshop I realized that I need to apply this to blogging as well. I need to fall in love with my readers, not my blog.

This is a hard pill for writers to swallow. We are told again and again to write for ourselves. And I definitely think we should. I definitely believe you should write about the things that stir your passions. But if you’re also blogging in hopes of serving others and especially if you’re hoping to turn your blog into a business, you must keep your reader’s needs in mind.

Another quote from the conference that stuck with me:

And in blogging the most important thing is your ideal reader’s loyalty.

Blogging is a love affair, a love affair with your ideal reader. And here are a few ways to rekindle the romance.

Don’t get lazy with her love. If you’ve been blogging for a long time chances are you have a loyal following and chances are you have an ideal reader — that reader who not only reads every post but also shares each one with her network and friends. Don’t ever take her for granted. Don’t get lazy and post content just for the sake of posting content. Stay creative, even when you’re writing sponsored posts. For example, Jessie of Style & Pepper, one of my table mates at the conference does a fantastic job of this. When she was asked by Glade to write about a new candle she didn’t just write a post saying over and over again “Oh, this candle smells so good!” Who wants to read that?! Instead she wrote a post about what to put on the nightstand of your guest bedroom to be a good host to your visitors. And she included the candle. Brilliant!

Talk to her, not at her. We all love Facebook, but don’t rely solely on your blog’s Facebook fan page to communicate with your ideal reader. Not only does she probably not see your posts thanks to Facebook’s current algorithm, but your Facebook fan page doesn’t really foster conversation. Instead, consider starting a Facebook group. This is something I’ve been encouraging my clients to do and when Devin Duncan, Melanie Duncan’s husband who also presented at the conference, suggested this too, I knew I was on to something!

Ask her what she needs and give her what she wants. If you’re having blogger’s block simply ask your readers what they need and want to read about. This is why it’s so important to build an email list — so you can ask your readers important questions like this directly through their inboxes. If you need help building your list, use this as yet another opportunity to give your reader what she wants and needs by embedding a newsletter opt-in with an opt-in freebie in your blog posts. For example, let’s say you wrote a blog post on why everyone needs a blog. Your opt-in freebie could then be a guide on how to set up a blog. If you’re thinking about offering a product or service to your readers to help monetize your blog you can use the conversion rates of different opt-in freebies to determine what interests your readers most.

KISS and move slowly. For everyone ready to launch a new product or service, Devin reminded us of the KISS principle — Keep it simple, stupid! Start with a product or program you can launch quickly (without sacrificing quality, of course) and promote it through webinars, email, your blog, your social media networks and Facebook groups.

Here’s what I plan to do within the next 60 days to better show my love for my ideal reader:

– Be more creative with sponsored posts for SeeJaneWriteBham.com.

– Take steps to make the See Jane Write Facebook group more vibrant and valuable.

– Create a new opt-in freebie.

– Complete and launch a blogging e-course.

What will you do to rekindle the romance with your ideal reader?

branding See Jane Write

Tips for Your First TV Appearance

From my latest TV appearance. If you’d like to see me in action, you can view the segment here for a limited time.

I always encourage the writers and bloggers I coach to pitch a segment idea to local TV media. And, not to brag or anything but… after using the tips I give them on how to pitch their idea they usually email me saying “I’M GOING TO BE ON TV!” (Click here to check out those tips.)

But about five minutes after sending that email they send another that reads something like this: “OMG! I’M GOING TO BE ON TV! WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?! I CAN’T DO THIS! I’M FREAKING OUT!”

If you’re a few days away from your first TV appearance and you’re having similar anxious thoughts, here are a few tips to help things go smoothly:

Practice, but not too much. Write down five questions you think a reporter might ask based on the topics you presented in your pitch. Now write down your answers to these questions. (Some TV stations will actually request that you do this and ask that you send your questions and answers to their producers.) Read over what you wrote a few times. Now get your spouse, significant other, best friend or blogging or business buddy to interview you using the questions you wrote, but also get them to throw in a few questions that aren’t on your list so you’ll have practice responding to questions off the cuff. WARNING: Don’t try to memorize every word you’ll say. If you do that you’ll sound too rehearsed and come off as inauthentic.

Choose your outfit the night before. You don’t want to feel rushed and frazzled the morning of your big television debut because you couldn’t figure out what to wear. So be sure you have your entire outfit prepped and ready to go the night before your segment. Not sure what to wear? Bright colors are best, but avoid white. Wear something that makes you feel both comfortable and confident. And remember — you have to look the part to get the role. So if you’re going on TV to give tips to aspiring entrepreneurs because you want to be a business coach, you need to look like you run something! If you’re giving fashion tips, that should be obvious the moment you walk on set and you better be the most stylish person in the room.

Arrive early, but not too early. Leave your home and head to the station early enough that you will be on time even if there’s a wreck on the road and you get stuck in traffic. But don’t get there so early that you have 90 minutes to stew in your nervousness before your segment begins.

Make small talk… or not. I’m an extrovert so talking to other people at the station — whether folks who work there or other people waiting to be interviewed — calms me. But the idea of talking to even more strangers may make you want to puke. If that’s the case, head to the restroom for some alone time before your segment. Figure out what works best for you based on your personality. And if you’re a spiritual person be sure to wake up early enough that you can get in your daily spiritual practice. This will also help you feel more centered and calm.

Forget about the cameras. OK, stop laughing. I know this sounds impossible. But try your best to just pretend you’re having a conversation with the person interviewing you and forget that you’re on TV. Most likely your segment is on something that you’re very passionate about, something you probably talk to people about all the time. Just pretend this is another one of those times when someone has shown interest in this passion of yours and wants to know more because actually that’s exactly what this is!

What tips would you offer to folks preparing for their first TV appearance?

PS – Today I was on a show called Talk of Alabama to promote some upcoming See Jane Write events. Click here to see the segment and if you’re in Birmingham I hope you’ll join us for the Bloganista Mini-Con presented by Laura Vincent Printing and Design and the Bloganista Mixer presented by Collage Designer Consignment.

branding

How to Land Your First TV Appearance

Alabama-based babes, set your DVRs! Tomorrow morning I’ll be making my fourth appearance on Talk of Alabama, a daytime talk show on ABC 33/40 that focuses on entertainment news and features local events, organizations and various businesses in and around the state. I’ll be on discussing the See Jane Write Bloganista Mini-Con presented by Laura Vincents. This is See Jane Write’s annual one-day blogging conference for women and is set for August 1.

Whenever I work with writers on building buzz for their blogs or books I always encourage them to pitch a segment idea to local TV media. It’s a great way to get out of your comfort zone and, obviously, a great way to spread the word about what you’re doing. The last time I was on Talk of Alabama to promote a See Jane Write event a viewer drove to Birmingham from a city more than an hour away to attend the event I discussed.

Here are a few tips on how to land a TV appearance of your own:

Be sure you’re pitching to the right person. Writing a great pitch for your segment idea is pointless if it ends up in someone’s email trash folder. So ask around and find out the name and email address of the person in charge of booking for the show that you’re interested in. Usually, it’s the show’s producer handling such decisions, not the folks you actually see on TV.

Remember it’s not all about you. Unless you’re Beyonce, don’t email a show’s producer saying they need you on the show because you’re awesome. In your pitch stay focused on the value you’re bringing the show’s viewers. The last time I was on Talk of Alabama it was to promote my time management e-course. But in my pitch I didn’t write, “Hey, put me on your show so I can promote my awesome e-course.” Instead I discussed the importance of having good time management skills when trying to accomplish goals. I made this pitch in February, the time of year when people’s enthusiasm about their New Year’s resolutions is starting to wane. I presented four tips for good time management to help people make the time to work on their goals. And, of course, I mentioned my course as a way that they could get additional help.

Check your calendar. Always be mindful of what time of year it is just as I was when making my time management pitch. If you can tie your topic to a holiday — no matter how obscure that holiday may be — do it! If you’re a food writer, for example, you need to have things National Hamburger Day or National Ice Cream Day on your radar.

Do cool stuff. Tomorrow’s Talk of Alabama appearance and an appearance I made in January were both unsolicited. In both cases the producer reached out to me. Last year I exercised every single day and wrote about it at WriteousBabe.com. One of Talk of Alabama‘s producers read my blog and asked me to come on the show to talk about how I managed to exercise 365 consecutive days. Of course, whenever I’m on Talk of Alabama I want to promote See Jane Write so I found a way to tie this all back to writing and blogging by discussing how this fitness challenge of mine actually helped me become a better writer because it showed me that no matter what excuses I may have in mind, I do have time to write and blog. If I could find time to exercise every day, I can find time to work on my life’s great passion. For tomorrow’s appearance someone from the show actually reached out to me asking if I was working on anything I’d like to come on the show to discuss. At this point I’ve established a reputation as someone who’s always up to something!

Be sure to tune in to ABC 33/40’s Talk of Alabama tomorrow at 9 a.m. And swing by the blog tomorrow for tips on how to do a good job during your first TV segment.

branding business

How to Rebrand in Style

Megan at her brand relaunch soiree

If you know me you know I am a huge fan of style coach Megan LaRussa Chenoweth. She’s my brand and business role model and the prototype of how women can transition from lady blogger to boss lady.

Megan started a fashion blog years ago when she was going to school and working in New York. The purpose was just to share her adventures in style and what she was learning about the latest trends with her friends and family back home in Birmingham, Alabama. But soon people started asking her to help them with their wardrobes. Then she started styling for magazine photo shoots and fashion shows. Her blog turned into a booming business that for years has been known as Southern Femme.

Last week Megan revealed that she and her team were rebranding. Her website, social media channels and business name are now Megan LaRussa and with the new name comes a new focus: Megan has decided to only focus on style coaching and she will no longer be styling for magazines or fashion shows.

A quick snapshot with Megan at her soiree

In true Megan fashion, she and her team unveiled the new brand with a fabulous soiree held at The Nest in Birmingham. I was honored to attend and after the party I had a chat with Megan about her decision to rebrand in hopes that she could offer advice to any other lady bloggers and boss ladies out there who may think it’s time for a change.

How did you decide that it was time for rebranding and what advice would you give to someone trying to decide if she should rebrand?

I’ve been feeling the need to rebrand for quite some time. It wasn’t that I didn’t like my previous branding, company name, logo, or site, it was more so that my company was changing directions and I needed a new brand that reflected those changes. For over a year and a half now I have been wanting to focus my energy solely on my style coaching clients, but I was afraid to leave my other work behind. I have been doing wardrobe styling and fashion show production since I moved back to Birmingham from New York City and I almost felt paralyzed at the thought of turning down these kinds of jobs. I just kept saying yes. It wasn’t that they weren’t great jobs or I didn’t enjoy the work or the people I had the pleasure of working with, it was more the fact that style coaching was and is my true passion. It was with the help of my business coach, and the support of my fabulous style coaching clients and team that I finally decided to move forward. The rebrand has “sealed the deal” so to speak, allowing my company to help me move forward in the direction I desire.

For anyone trying to decide if they should rebrand, I encourage them to really think about what their current branding is projecting. Is it projecting the right “image”? Is it showcasing your skill set in a unique light? Is it speaking to your target market? But even more importantly, think about what aspects of your business really bring you joy and fulfillment. Is your brand allowing you to focus on those areas you are passionate about? If not, it’s time to rebrand!

Logistically speaking, how did you go about rebranding your website and social media?

It has been a six-month process, and it’s not done yet! It all began with the initiative to turn my dream of rebranding into a reality. I had to get the ball rolling by finding a branding firm that understood my unique services, and the direction I wanted to take my company in. I luckily was able to call on my friend Laura Kate Whitney and her team. They helped me turn my thoughts on what I wanted my new brand to look like into a few rounds of drafts and, finally, into a new logo, color palette, business cards, and most recently website. It did not happen overnight; this process took a few months. During this time, I worked on other aspects of my rebrand. I hired a professional photographer to spend two days with me capturing the work I love doing. These became the images I am now using on my site, social media sites, etcetera.

Once the logo was complete I focused on how to use it outside of my website and social media channels. My team and I then created business cards, brochures (they look like clutches!), stationary, stickers, and more. We also hired a talented web developer using the site, upwork.com, to turn our graphic designer’s work into a fresh, new website. That took a close to a month to implement properly. Many, many edits had to be made as my team and I are perfectionists. As the final tweaks were being made, I began changing all of my social media channels over to my new company name, Megan LaRussa. Finally, it was time to celebrate! After much planning and team work, we hosted a stylish soiree for our clients and colleagues announcing our rebrand! Once we shared the exciting news with those we work with most, it was time to announce to our social networks. This is when we changed images, logos, and made the big announcement. But it doesn’t stop there. We will be working all summer and into fall to showcase our new brand, our expanded services and all in all our passion for bringing style and confidence to women.

How did you decide to have the brand relaunch soirée and how do you feel it helped your brand?

In the 6 years I have been back in Birmingham, I have never hosted a soiree celebrating my clients or my company. It finally felt like the right time. I adore my clients and it seemed only right to show them how much they mean to me through a stylish evening out. Many of my clients told me after our night of rosé, desserts, and great conversation at The Nest that it was just what they needed. They needed an evening out away from work, kids, and other responsibilities.

I feel the gathering helped my brand in that it connected my VIP clients to a larger style community, making them feel like they are a part of something bigger. It also allowed me to meet my Style Yourself Chic virtual clients face to face, again creating beautiful connections. Lastly, it helped me spread the word about my rebrand to those I work with the most. It allowed my team and I the opportunity to explain the rebrand to them first. I also loved gifting my attendees with a “my stylish tee” party favor to allow them to spread the word visually of our rebrand, and to show them how special they are to me.

Were you nervous at all about rebranding?

Absolutely! Anytime you change something that is important to you it is scary. It made it especially nerve-wreaking since my business was doing great and growing rapidly as is, but I knew it was time for a change. I had been dragging my feet for too long, and I was finally ready to take that next step towards fulfilling my dream of just being a style coach. It is also scary for anyone that owns their own business to invest heavily in their company like you have to during a rebrand. But take your time, do it right, hire the right people, and it will be well worth the investment. I have an amazing mentor that told me that a rebrand doesn’t come along very often and thus it is worth doing it right. If you listen to your instincts, have great mentors, and follow your dreams, then investing in yourself, your company, and ultimately your clients is well worth it!

Fun fact: Megan LaRussa Chenoweth was the afternoon keynote speaker at last year’s See Jane Write Bloganista Mini-Con. Megan’s talk is what inspired me to make the transition from lady blogger to boss lady and start making the moves that lead to me being recognized by the Birmingham Business Journal as one of the city’s Top 40 Under 40. Perhaps this year’s Bloganista Mini-Con could be just what you need to take your blog to the next level. If you’re in the Birmingham area and would like to attend visit SeeJaneWriteBham.com/Bloganista for details.

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