a website & community for women who write & blog
As a non-fiction writer with lots of fiction writer friends, November can be a lonely month for me. Most of my friends are locked away in their home offices or metaphorically chained to a table at their favorite coffee shop working on novels for National Novel Writing Month. So a few years ago I decided to start #bloglikecrazy – a challenge for myself and other bloggers to publish 30 original posts in 30 days in the month of November.
I feel as if this shift happened overnight, but I know it didn’t.
It seems that I went to bed one night stressed to the max about business and ready to “close the doors” of See Jane Write and then woke up the next morning with a completely new attitude. I woke up the next morning fired up and ready, once again, to take See Jane Write and the women of the group to the next level.
I woke up jotting down event and program ideas for 2016 and drafting a new social media strategy. I woke up with a renewed commitment to my coaching clients and with a plan to recruit more members.
But this change of heart didn’t actually happen overnight. The process of bouncing back after the burnout I experienced last month actually took several steps.
I figured out what went wrong. I was burned out, quite frankly, because in September I was stupid. In September I took on three live events, an e-course launch and two speaking engagements. This was all in addition to meetings with clients, my full-time job, a weekend visit from the in-laws and a housewarming party. Stupid! But I’ve learned my lesson. From now on I will only host one in-person event a month and when planning events I will always take into consideration my work schedule and life matters. I’m also going to start reaching out to trustworthy volunteers for help.
I took a break. After the insanity of September I decided to make October a month of rest. Because I had a mountain of papers to grade, several client meetings, and lots of bookkeeping to do, October did not turn out to be the peaceful month I’d hoped it would be, but I did cancel all See Jane Write events for the month and that certainly helped. Sickness also caused me to miss some social events, and while I mourned the memories I never got to make with those friends, I know that my illness was my body’s way of forcing me to chill out.
I committed to continued self care. If I get back to business with the same “No Days Off” attitude and “Whatever It Takes” mantra, I’m going to end up residing at the Burnout Bungalow once again. As I renew my commitment to building my business, I must also stay committed to self care. For me that means exercising daily, going to bed on time, and taking off at least one day a week. It also means spending quality time with my husband and my girlfriends and starting each morning with prayer.
I remembered my why. One of my biggest frustrations last month was realizing that I’ve been so busy with See Jane Write that I haven’t been able to actually write! So this month I relaunched my personal blog, not with any strategy or pageview goals but simply to have a space to practice my craft. After all, the main reason I started See Jane Write was simply because I am a writer and wanted community. I must write to be a writer.
I surrounded myself with inspiration. I know that the catalyst to my comeback has been reading blog posts and watching Periscope broadcasts by some of my favorite bloggers and online entrepreneurs. They are so hungry to make it big. This hunger reminded me of my own passion to succeed as well as the passion of the women of See Jane Write. And as the founder of See Jane Write it is my calling to give these women the tools they need to make their dreams come true.
I decided to do something new. As 2015 comes to a close I’ll be launching a few new things for See Jane Write and planning those has certainly given me the boost of energy that I needed. Most of my plans will be announced next month, but I want to reveal one right now.
While reevaluating everything this month I realized just how much I love doing one-on-one coaching with the right clients. The See Jane Write Mastermind program is winding down, which means I’ll have more time for new clients. While I am always happy to meet with women writers and bloggers for a single session, I’ve found I have the most impact with my long-term clients. Thus I’ve decided to formalize this process.
I am currently accepting 6 long-term clients for 2016. Here’s how this will work:
In December 2015 we will meet via Skype to discuss your writing and blogging goals for 2016 and develop a comprehensive plan to accomplish those goals. $99 value
Are you looking to launch a blog or to finally monetize the blog you’ve been building for years?
Do you want 2016 to be the year you finally write your book?
Or maybe you’ve already written a book but you need help with self-publishing or promotion.
Are you interested in starting a freelance writing career or making money through public speaking?
I believe my education and experience can help you accomplish any of these goals and more.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. Here’s what one of my mastermind clients had to say:
I’ve been working with Javacia for about 3.5 months to grow my business and reach more people. She has helped me do just that. Not only has her guidance helped me create writing consistency, but I also launched my newsletter, created an online program, and booked my first big speaking gig. — Emilie Maynor of Emilie Maynor Living
Throughout 2016 we will meet 5 times either via Skype or in person (if you live in the Birmingham area) to work on your goals. $625 value
For additional support, you will also receive a free See Jane Write membership, including access to the new membership site set to launch December 2015. $1,000 value (Savings of $97)
You will receive three blog audits (a review of your site’s content, layout and design) $300 value
Please note this coaching program does NOT include regular editing of your blog or newsletter content or book editing.
The investment for this coaching program is $500.
To allow time to schedule our December Skype session, this offer closes on November 15, 2015.
If you’re interested in this highly affordable, long-term coaching program, click here to schedule a free 15-minute strategy session with me and we will determine if this program is the best fit for you. Serious inquiries only, please.
See Jane Write won’t be hosting any events in October, but there’s still plenty for women writers and bloggers to do in Birmingham this month.
Join Swoozie’s at The Summit as they TOAST to TEN years of business in Birmingham on Wednesday, October 7 from 5pm to 7pm. An over the top soiree benefitting The Exceptional Foundation will feature local artists and designers. Local companies to be showcased at the event include artists such as Bradford Billingsley, Carrie Pittman, Dixie Creative, State Traditions, Inspirations by Janie, D-Zines & Letters and many more! Special discounts for the day include 10% off your entire purchase all day and 20% off your purchase between 5pm and 7pm. The first 25 guests to RSVP to swoocrew@swoozies.com will receive a free swag bag. Swoozie’s will be giving away prizes throughout the evening valued at $100 each. To learn more, visit http://www.swoozies.com.
The Birmingham Public Library’s Eat Drink Read Write Festival is in full swing. A major highlight of the week will be the Thursday, Oct. 8 presentation from Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito of Baked NYC, a New York bakery that has been featured on various national media outlets. The bakery’s brownie has been listed as one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things.” (Lewis is a graduate of the University of Alabama.) They are former ad men, turned bakery owners and cookbook authors. They will discuss their bakery, dole out samples from their restaurant and more. Their 2010 book,Baked Explorations, is a tribute to American treats and baked goods that range from regional gems to family secrets. EDRW will end on Friday, Oct. 9 with Bards & Brews poetry and beer sampling event at the Central Library. Get more details on all EDRW events at the Birmingham Public Library website.
I’m excited to be one of the “Women Who Inspire” set to be honored at the upcoming Evening of Empowerment sponsored by Girls on the Run Birmingham. The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. on October 8 at Clubhouse on the Highlands. The evening will include wine, appetizers, and a meet and greet and Q&A with the “Women Who Inspire,” including Molly Baker, the founder of Girls on the Run International. There will also be a screening of The Empowerment Project, a one-hour documentary that celebrates positive female role models. If you’d like to attend An Evening of Empowerment, you can purchase tickets here. Use the code GOJAVACIA for $10 off your ticket.
The 31st annual Southern Women’s Show is Oct. 8-11 at the BJCC. Local food blogger Katrina Adams of In the Kitchen with K. Marie will be featured on the cooking stage at the event. Go out and support your fellow Jane! Get tickets to the show and more information here.
Christina Renteria of the blog PinkLux is hosting a meetup Sunday, Oct. 11 at the Sephora located in Riverchase Galleria. There be a makeup application demonstration, gift bag giveaways, and refreshments. Learn more and RSVP via Facebook.
Birmingham Boutique Blowout is hosting its fall event 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 17 – 18 at the Pelham Civic Center. This is your chance to shop the best local boutiques and vendors all in on spot. This event is sure to offer much inspiration to fashion bloggers! Register as a VIP shopper at http://www.BirminghamBoutiqueBlowout.com.
Christina Renteria of PinkLux is hosting another event later this month for those determined to master their makeup skills. Mastering Makeup with PinkLux is set for 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 18 at the Vestavia Hills Public Library. Beauty bloggers definitely shouldn’t miss this event. Christina is a proud member of See Jane Write and is offering the Janes a $5 discount on the event. Just use the code SJWBHM. Visit the official EventBrite page for more information and tickets.
Tickets are on sale now for the Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham’s Smart Party, set for 5:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29 at Iron City. This annual event helps raise money for the Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham, which is dedicated to helping women move beyond poverty. Each year the Smart Party recognizes 10 local women who are innovators in their fields and who are helping make Birmingham a better place. I was honored to be in the first class of Smart award recipients in 2012. Learn more here.
The See Jane Write member of the month for October is personal finance blogger Tracie Threadford.
Tracie is a member of the See Jane Write Mastermind program and is one of those clients that blog coaches love to have. Tracie signed up for the program because she wanted help with relaunching her blog and help with turning that blog into a business. Tracie loves makeup but she also has a passion for helping others improve their personal finance. I encouraged Tracie to find a way to combine those two interests and she did just that, dubbing herself as your “Money Makeup Artist.” This is why Tracie is a dream client — she works so hard and when I give Tracie advice, from the smallest tip to the most challenging assignments, she takes my suggestions and runs with them. (She is also hilarious and I spend half of our sessions together laughing hysterically at something she’s said.)
Read on to learn more about Tracie, her blog, and how she plans to give you a money makeover.
Tell us about your blog and the products and services you hope to offer readers in the future.
My blog is a personal finance blog. I offer tips and advice on cleaning your credit and living a frugal lifestyle. Right now I am working on my signature program, Pretty Money: Total Money Makeover. This program will teach basic budgeting concepts that anyone can use. In the future, I hope to offer my readers courses on investing, cleaning their credit and a short course on frugal living. My goal is to empower the family unit to create sustainable wealth for generations to come. I also plan to host a financial seminar in January of 2016. It will encompass finance and tax advice. Through my business, GlamPowerment Enterprises LLC, I aspire to do community outreach to low-income families and help them change their financial situation for the better.
How did you get interested in personal finance?
I became interested in finance after I became totally broke with no options other than to declare total bankruptcy. I grew up in home where I was taught basic financial principles but when I became an adult I strayed away. After declaring bankruptcy, I felt really low as a mother, a woman, a wife, and a person. I felt as if I had somehow failed. I vowed that I would not let the poverty mindset stick, that I would not wallow in shame and brokenness. I vowed that I would implement all the knowledge I had been taught and study to gain more knowledge so that I could change the trajectory of mine and my family’s future.
You have a clever way of combining your interest in finance with your love of makeup. What tips would you give to other bloggers looking for ways to marry two interests that seem completely unrelated?
I would tell other bloggers to take a look at all of their interests, their passions, and see what meshes, what goes together. I would tell them to just do what comes natural to them and see what comes out of it. I had to “makeover” my finances so that just came natural to me with makeup, because in the makeup industry we give people makeovers. I like the way that Jennifer Dome King married her fitness and fashion together, I thought that was clever so I said, How can I do that? and that’s how i came up with finance and makeup. I am multi-passionate, so it was quite easy to marry the two.
If someone reading this wants to makeover her finances, what’s the first step she should take?
I feel the first step is get your credit straight. You can’t do anything if your credit is out of sorts. Even if your score is not low per say, you would still want it high enough where you would get a lower interest rate on things like a mortgage or car loan. You know, if your credit is not up to par then you are going to pay high interest and that is going to cause a ripple effect. You will spend more money over time, and in the interim you will be paying higher notes. The goal is to have more of your money in your pocket so that you can do things like invest.
What do you enjoy most about being a member of See Jane Write?
There are so many things I enjoy about being a member of See Jane Write, it is so hard to name just one thing. Since I have to pick, I would say the fearlessness of the other members. They are so encouraging and so willing to help the newer bloggers such as myself. The camaraderie is unparalleled, like nothing I have ever witnessed before. There is no shade or hating — and that’s almost unheard of when you get a group of women together.
What have you accomplished so far through the mastermind program?
I have started my blog and newsletter, started a Facebook group, landed a freelance writing/editing spot with WOW Magazine as the fashion editor, I held my first webinar and I have been asked to speak at a marriage conference in February 2016. I also have overcome my fear of networking.
Why did you decide to join the See Jane Write Mastermind program?
I decided to join the mastermind program because I felt deep down inside that this was the boost I needed in order to set my vision in motion. I needed a tad bit of prodding and I knew YOU would be the one to help me get over my fear and just do it.
Be sure to visit Tracie’s blog, join her Facebook group, and check out her latest article for WOW Magazine.
Would you like to be the next See Jane Write member of the month or do you know someone who would? Send your nominations to javacia@seejanewritebham.com.
What would you do if you were not afraid to fail?
That’s the question that Girls on the Run Birmingham will explore on Thursday, October 8, Girls on the Run during its Evening of Empowerment. The event will celebrate local “Women Who Inspire” including yours truly!
I am so honored to be among the women who will be recognized at this event. (You can read my interview with Girls on the Run here.)
An Evening of Empowerment will be held at 5:30 p.m. on October 8 at Clubhouse on the Highlands. The evening will include wine, appetizers, and a meet and greet and Q&A with the “Women Who Inspire,” including Molly Baker, the founder of Girls on the Run International. There will also be a screening of The Empowerment Project, a one-hour documentary that celebrates positive female role models.
If you’d like to attend An Evening of Empowerment, you can purchase tickets here. Use the code GOJAVACIA for $10 off your ticket.
On Friday, October 9, the other “Women Who Inspire” and I will have the opportunity to view the film again with a group of middle school girls from across the Birmingham metro area. We’ll also have a Q&A with them after the screening about how we overcame fear to make our dreams come true.
So, what would you do if you weren’t afraid to fail?