Standing Out As A Professional In The Blogosphere

This post isn’t designed to bring any one member of the blogosphere down. Some people prefer to take a more casual or personal approach to how they manage their blog, which is fine. However, when you want to look seriously at affiliate and marketing opportunities, you want to make sure you’re presenting your best self to the businesses and partners you can end up working with. As such, here are a few ways to make sure your blog has its most professional face on.

Stick to your commitments

It’s easy to be a little non-committal as a blogger, to be honest. Inconsistency with schedules, delivering different content than first planned, skipping out on networking opportunities. They can all happen quite easily. However, you should never skip on a commitment to a business arrangement you make. If you, for instance, agree to write affiliate posts for a brand, then doing so should be your number one priority. One of the most important lessons you will learn as a blogger is that your long-term relationships with other bloggers and brands are what is going to help drive you to success, so don’t sabotage them. Make sure you are keeping to your word when you say you will do something and always deliver!

Keep your blog presentable

When looking at starting any partnership with you, a brand or marketing company will be going to take a close look at your brand, too. Having a presentable brand includes not only have a great looking blog, but also your other channels, too. You should have an easily understood and impactful brand image that stays consistent from your blog to your social media channels. Creating a brand style guide with the help of https://www.forbes.com/sites/propointgraphics/2016/07/24/brand-style-guides/ can help you unify your look across all channels.

Know how to act

Your blog isn’t the only thing that potential partners are going to be looking at when they are deciding whether or not you’re a reliable and worthwhile partner for their campaigns. They are also likely to look at how you communicate and how seriously you take your partnership with them. Using tools like https://www.templafy.com/templafy-email-signature-manager/ to make sure that your emails all have an organized, professional style, for instance, can make sure you’re giving off the right vibe. Your blog might be personable and friendly, but your business should be organized and professional looking as well.

Grow your personal brand

Your blog represents your professional brand, how you interact with your audience and market at large. However, you also have your personal brand, i.e., how others in the industry know you as an entrepreneur. To make sure that people know your personal brand, you can look at opportunities to establish your expertise. For instance, you can submit content to other blogs and publications, take speaking and webinar opportunities, and generally network obsessively to get your name out there.

Can you get into the money-making side of blogging without sharpening your professional image? Sure. But a little extra polish can go a long way, so if that’s your aim, these tips are worth considering.

Leave a comment below, letting me know one thing you will implement in your blogging routine to help you stand out more!

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5 Important Lessons Learned As An Entrepreneur + Blogger

Each person has their unique story, a story that inspires and a story that portrays their experiences that have led them to the point they are at now. I believe everything you go through is a learning process and whether it is a step in the right direction or a bump in the road, it propels you to where you need to be! 

Being an entrepreneur brings about many blessings; meeting amazing people, doing what you love, being your own boss and having that freedom to achieve your desires. It also brings along obstacles that we have to overcome both personally, professionally, and financially.

NEVER STOP LEARNING

I have always enjoyed school and learning about different aspects of topics. No matter what age you are and where you are in life, you should never stop learning because that is when you stop growing. Study your passion, take a class in something that interests you or read a book on an interesting new topic! This allows you to grow and broaden your knowledge! For all my entrepreneurs out there master your craft and never stop learning it. This will allow you to become an expert in the field and really gain the trust of the people you work with. I will never forget the conversation I had one on one with Essie Weingarten (can I just input a quick squeal here at how awesome that was?). She told me that technology is constantly changing so you have to keep your mind open and change with the times! Be open to new opportunities and go with the flow!

BUILD LASTING RELATIONSHIPS

I can't even begin to describe how important this is. One of my favorite parts about being an entrepreneur is networking and building relationships with like-minded people. Whether it is a friend, a mentor, or a coach you will be blessed with newfound knowledge, a wonderful community and the ability to learn and share what you have learned with others. By being involved in Facebook groups, reaching out to those I want to collaborate with or learn from I have really gotten involved in the community and have built relationships that have not just landed me referrals and clients, but friendships that I know will last a lifetime which is priceless.

PUT OUT GOOD VIBES

Are you putting out good vibes to your audience? Put out good vibes and positivity and you will see it come back to you full circle. I know life isn't easy and it is easy to complain from time to time, but you have to motivate and inspire your audience. Share your story and let them know they are not alone. People will be attracted to your energy, so put your best foot forward and share your amazing vibes! 

DON'T GET DISCOURAGED & PERSEVERE

The road of entrepreneurship is not an easy task. It is so easy to get discouraged and give up but I can tell you right now when you persevere through those hard times, you will have incredible breakthroughs and become stronger from your struggles. Every struggle you overcome allows you to learn and share your experience with others. I can't even tell you how many times I have wanted to throw in the towel and after sticking through it for a few days, have come out of that funk with a breakthrough idea that has led me to where I am now. My Dad always instilled in me to persevere no matter what. It has been my mantra word from day 1! 

LET FAITH BE BIGGER THAN YOUR FEAR

Ever had something you wanted to accomplish but were to afraid to put yourself out there? Yep, we have all been there. You can't let fear stop you, go for your dreams and go outside of your comfort zone! Trust me, once you let faith be bigger than your fear you will start to see amazing things happen on the other side of fear. Go big or go home! 

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What have you learned through your journey as an entrepreneur? 

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How to Get Out of a Creative Rut + Spark Inspiration

As an entrepreneur, it is normal to go through ruts and feel uninspired. When this happens I shut all my technology off for a good while and go back to square one and do things that make me happy and it always gets me fired up again! 

As an entrepreneur, it's normal to go through a rut or feel uninspired. When this happens, I shut off all technology, just for a little while, and go back to square one. Doing things that make me happy will always get me fired up again! 

Every blogger has gone through a creative block at some point, and it is rough. I've had blocks that lasted a few weeks making me reevaluate my websites, blogs, and where I wanted to take them.  

I believe that everything happens for a reason. Usually, when I go through these blocks, I have an exciting new vision at the end. Technically, this makes the creative block worth it because I learn a few new things to better my business and myself as a writer and creative entrepreneur. 

Here are a few tips and pointers for helping your creative flow when you are feeling completely uninspired!  

Take time away from social media and your computer. When I feel uninspired, social media and our electronic devices pushing notifications and updates make my head feel even more cluttered. Take however long you can to close your computer and get some space from your phone. Read a book, watch that show on Netflix you've wanted to see (this time undistracted by scrolling and texts), go outside, or meet up with a friend. Do something to get your mind off of blogging/business. You will be surprised to find inspiration in the most unlikely places! 

Reevaluate EVERYTHING… What's working? What isn't working? These are the two vital questions to ask yourself when you have no idea what to do next. Take out a piece of paper and a pen, and go back to square one. What topics are the most rewarding for you to write? Maybe you need a brand redesign or to try a new layout. Take a step back to figure out what you should focus on that will be the most beneficial for you and your readers.  

Ask someone for their honest opinion. This is one of the most helpful things you can do. Getting an outside opinion, a pair of fresh eyes on a project will allow you to think outside the box, to see things from a new perspective, and you may even gain some good advice! 

How To Spark Inspiration

Change your screensaver and clean up your desktop.

Organizing my computer always makes my mind feel more clear. Changing my desktop background often helps me adjust my perspective and seek inspiration from a quote or a shiny, glittery gold backdrop! 

Read a magazine or book.

For me, fashion magazines always spark creativity. I have always loved fashion, and this business stemmed from my love of design and creativity. Browsing through fashion magazines and seeing all the different colors, textures, and patterns inspires my inner designer and always gives me new ideas for color palettes, images, and logos! 

Decorate something (planner, draw, write, paint)

My newest obsession has been planner decorating. It makes planning to-do list's so much fun, and it inspires you to get them done. Decorating my planner or simply doodling with my endless supply of pens and markers inspires my creative juices. There is something to be said for simplicity. 

I’ve also started painting which is currently becoming something that gives me so much joy. I have set up a little studio space in our spare bedroom with a little easel, paintbrushes, sketchbooks, gouache, and my creative heart couldn’t be happier to zone out.

Browse Pinterest

It may be a given, but whenever I am stuck with writing a blog post or on ideas for my business, I like to browse Pinterest to see what's trending and what my ideal audience is pinning. After having a little pinning sesh, I am always ready to pop out a blog post! 

Get out and do something fun!

Whenever I am in a rut, I always find getting out of the house and going to a cute coffee shop with a friend, on a city adventure, or just meeting up with someone who inspires me truly helps and gets me back on track! 

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What are some fun ways you stay inspired and motivated?

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