blogging

Why Self-Promotion Isn’t Selfish

selfpromotion

Most days I pose a question to the ladies of the See Jane Write Facebook group designed to help us get to know one another better. Recently, I asked, “What are your superpowers?”

For mine I listed “teaching, writing, inspiring people, connecting people and cultivating community.” One superpower I failed to mention, though, is my knack for building buzz.

Earlier this year when Southern Living magazine included me in its list of Innovators Changing the South, I wrote a blog post about how I believe I’ve received recognition such as this and a number of other awards and opportunities because I’m good at self-promotion.

I know that for many people, especially women and especially writers, self-promotion feels dirty. Perhaps it even feels selfish. But you’ve got it all wrong.

If you have something truly valuable to offer others, you’re actually being selfish if you don’t promote it!

If your blog post could make someone’s day, if your book could change someone’s life, if your business could solve someone’s biggest problem, why would you keep that to yourself?

Self-promotion seems dirty because it’s usually done in a pushy, forceful, and slimy way. But despite how it sounds, “self-promotion” shouldn’t be simply about promoting yourself. It should be about letting someone know that you have something they need and that you want to help.

Perhaps you’ve gone so long shunning self-promotion that now you’re not even sure where to start. No worries. I got you, girl!

On Saturday, July 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. I’ll be hosting a FREE workshop at DISCO on how to build buzz.

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The 3 Cs of Blogging

3cs of blogging

On Tuesday, June 28 I’ll be the guest speaker at the Alabama Women in Business Luncheon to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Club, 1 Robert S. Smith Drive in Birmingham.

I’ll be speaking about how to use blogging and social media to boost your brand or business.

If you are a small business owner or aspiring entrepreneur, I’d love to see you there. Tickets are only $30 and can be purchased here. (If you are a member of ALWIB admission is free.)

During my talk, I’m going to cover what I call the three Cs of blogging: clarity, content, and community.

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How to Turn Your Blog Into a Business

lb2bl

When I started See Jane Write in 2011 it was just a small women’s writing group and a simple Blogger blog. Now it is an award-winning business that has allowed me to make money and make a difference. In fact, just this year Southern Living magazine included me on its list of Innovators Changing the South because of my work with See Jane Write.

In my e-course Lady Blogger to Boss Lady, which is now open for enrollment, I share all my secrets as to how I’ve grown See Jane Write and used blogging to land paid freelance writing gigs and speaking engagements.

Here are the seven steps I took to turn blogging into a business:

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Ready to Get Your Blog in “FORMATION”?

beyonce is my spirit animal

Well, I did it. I snagged two floor seat tickets to Beyonce’s Formation Tour!

One of my best friends and I will be heading to the Nashville show come May 5!

Ever since Mrs. Carter dropped her new single “Formation” the day before the Super Bowl I have, of course, been thinking of lessons we lady bloggers and lady bosses can learn from the message of “Formation” and from the public’s reaction to the song and video.

And her song also inspired me to create a new mini e-course that I’m excited to tell you about today!  

But first, here are five things I think Beyonce’s “Formation” teaches us:

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How Blogging Can Boost Your Confidence

bareface selfie
Yes, I’m confident enough to post a bare face selfie!

“The best way to develop confidence is to become good at something and get yourself in front of people who appreciate it.” – Oliver Emberton

I believed the lie. I thought that the moment I turned 30 confidence would come upon me like a Puritan conversion. But 30 came and went I still found myself struggling with the same insecurities that plagued me in my 20s and even my teen years.

But today, less than one month away from my 35th birthday, I find myself more confident than I have ever been and more confident than I ever thought I’d be.

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