Amy C. Fitzjohn's Blog, page 18

If Web Platforms Were People

Brilliant guest post by my friend and colleague, WordPress Developer, Vik Martin.

Vik designs beautiful websites for real people using WordPress and I’m delighted to be co-hosting a workshop on Blogging With WordPress, in the pretty little Somerset town of Frome this month.

 

If Blogging platforms were people…

 

You want to start a blog but which platform is best for you? It’s a confusing subject swamped with choice and conflicting advice. Allow me then, to scramble your brain even more by asking – If web platforms were people, who would they be?

 

Mr Squarespace – The hipster … and his hosted platform gang

Mr Squarespace always looks fabulous. He’s popular and buff with never a hair out of place. His tattoos are bang on trend and he’s been spotted at ‘popup’ festivals, his beard adorned with flowers. His style looks effortless, but an awful lot of work goes on behind the scenes to keep it in place.

He’s predictable but he’s also controlling. He frowns on any activity that might mess up his hair… or his street cred. He’s catlike, so on the plus side he doesn’t need a lot of care, but like a cat, he will never really belong to you. He’ll be faithful if you’re pledged to him alone, but if you try to make other friends he will draw a line in the sand.

Break up with him completely and he will take you to the cleaners.

He’s got quite a few friends who try to emulate him. Wix, Weebly, Yola, Moonfruit and (confusingly) WordPress.com – the hosted version. They look ok but they’re generally harder work and they don’t keep up with the latest trends so well…

Pros 

You pay a monthly fee to a single company and get the hosting, software domain name and technical care all included.
Some platforms also have free plans (if you can put up with adverts on your site and don’t want to use your own domain name)
You can build a blog, static site, an online shop or a combination.
The interface is set up for non-coders, and most platforms have attractive templates.
If you’re fairly confident with computers you will probably be able to self – build (if you spend the time to learn the system.)

Cons

The companies use their own software, so you’re tied in to staying with them. You can’t download the site and move it to another server, so you’re stuck with their charges and their speeds.
If the company/platform you have used ceases to exist, so does your website
You can only do the things they allow you to do within their program and add the functions that they offer.
As standards and technologies change, you have to wait for them to catch up – which they do at varying speeds…
The above point can have an impact on SEO, particularly in this time of ever-changing Google goalposts.

 

Mr blogger.com – the networker –  and the social blogging platforms…

 

He likes to come across as simple and straightforward. No nonsense. (A lot of work goes on in the background to keep him looking like that though…) He probably is the shallower of the 3 characters; but he doesn’t demand too much hard work or attention, which can make him quite relaxing to hang out with.

He’s a socialite and an amazing networker. If you’re friends with him he will introduce you to all the other amazing people in his little black book. On the downside though, you have to conform.

You can choose the colour of your uniform but there’s a definite theme… If you’re going out for a meal there’s a list of approved restaurants, and he chooses from the menu for everyone. Deep down he wants to be safe, and he needs to be in control.

Being with him might give you a nice warm fluffy feeling for a while, but you might eventually outgrow him. He won’t change with you if you go your own way, and like our hipster above, if you dump him, he gets the lot.

His group of friends include people like Tumblr, Medium, Ghost… and their pet budgie, Twitter.

Pros

You can set up a blog quickly and easily and start blogging straight away
You are immediately connected to a large network of other bloggers and potential followers
The platforms are generally free to use (but again, you have to put up with adverts and a generic domain name.)
They are great for short, casual, informal posts.
You don’t need to learn lots of technical stuff about websites in order to publish your content online

Cons

You don’t get a lot of choice over the look and feel of your blog
You don’t have the option of building a website or online shop on the same platform in the future, so If you want your business to change and grow from your blog these might not be for you.
Like the web builders above you don’t get to back your blog up, or download it if you want to move somewhere else (but at least you’re unlikely to have put a lot of work into the design)

 

Mr WordPress and the (loosely affiliated) self hosted buccaneers.

 

He’s a maverick adventurer with a million different disguises. You’ll see him looking dapper one day, outrageous and original the next, and then you bump into him in the supermarket one evening and he looks like a dishevelled madman. It all depends who his stylist is that day.

He can be whoever you want him to be – a hipster, a punk, an old fart… it’s up to you. He’s a bit of a risk taker too, always looking for the next challenge in a world of possibility and collaboration. His options are fully open, but they’re not always guaranteed.

He likes a bit of attention, and you have to care for him. With freedom comes responsibility. He doesn’t need to pledge your life just to him though, and he’ll let you change and grow without dumping you.

Mr. WordPress will let you call the shots, and he won’t get angry if you have other friends. You can move to another town, or even go out on the open road and he will come with you.

He’s got a gang around him too – Drupal, Joomla!, October, Magento and a host of others.

They have their differences but they stand for the same principles.

Pros

You can build whatever you like, as long as you have the technical knowledge (or know someone who does!)
You own your site, design included, and can download it and save a backup. This means you can choose/change your server company and shop around to get a balance of price and facility that suits your business. If visitor numbers suddenly skyrocket, you can move to a bigger and better server that can handle your traffic.
The sites can develop and grow as your business does, and you can add/remove functionality as often as you change your mind
All these platforms have communities around then where you can get help and advice (The WordPress community is by far the biggest of these)
You can find plugins, themes and extensions written by other programmers so you can add functionality – and certainly, with WordPress, there is really nothing that you can’t find. A lot of these are free to use.
You can implement any changes you like (if you know how) so that your site stays up to date up with trends in design and SEO
If you’re not a coder you can use a page builder, which can make the design process feel similar to the hosted platforms

Cons

You have to sort out your own server space and domain name, and install the software (Most server companies offer help and advice with this)
There is a bit of a learning curve to using the software, and you will need either: help from a professional web developer or a lot of patience, time and willingness to learn ( but you can get a lot of help from the around your choice of software)
You need to develop a bit of technical knowledge to manage and update your site in the future – or pay a professional to do it for you.
It’s a good idea to pay attention to security, to keep hackers at bay – and you need to scan regularly for malware (server companies can usually offer this service)

Ultimately, you know your own priorities and skills – and, (perhaps) the way you want your blog to develop. It’s up to you who you choose to hang out with, but it’s a commitment – so as with all relationships, it pays to do your research.

Talk to a range of people who’ve known them (their exes as well as their mums) and if a red flag comes up… run away. You can do better.

 

Join us at the Blogging with WordPress workshop

 

 

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44 Lessons From Blog School

The entrepreneurs I work with every day, constantly surprise and inspire me.

A client I am doing some ongoing mentoring with to build her blog and grow her influence wrote ‘blog school’ in her diary for our next appointment.

 

“I think I’ll steal that!” I confessed.

So, I did…

I’ve leaned so many lessons (at least 44, in fact) through building my business around my blogs. I now have three blogs; this one, an author blog and a just-for-fun travel blog.

 

Here’s a selection of my favourite lessons from the 44…

 

Lessons Learned

 

#1 – The most authentic voice is your voice

If you are the heart of your business, people want to hear from you, not someone pretending to be you!

 

#2 – By putting pen to paper yourself you learn more about your business

Stay close to your business. Be true to it. Every time you write something for your business you’re learning more and more about your style, your voice,  your skills and what really what makes your customers tick.

 

#3 – If it means that much to you, get help

Just because you work for yourself doesn’t mean you have to have all the answers!

When you are your business the most meaningful and worthwhile investment you can make in the business is to invest in your own continuous professional development.

If being able to express yourself, articulate your message and educate your audience is important to the health of your business, get help!

Invest in some lessons

 

 

#5 – If you consistently write a blog you can write a book.

I’m often asked, “How do you write a book?” The simple answer is ‘one word at a time’.

Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint.

If you’re not used to writing a large volume of words, writing an entire book is a tall order!

Blogging is a great training ground for your dreams to write a book.

It gets you into healthy writing habits, helps you iron out the kinks in your style, learn your writing rhythms and discover your voice… plus, you already have material you can re-purpose into that book so it reduces the workload of writing a whole book!

 

 

#7 – Even with video you need to know what to say.

Video is just another tool to share your story and your lessons learned, it’s not ‘instead of writing’!

Make your plan then make your video and use all the characters available to describe the contents of the video when you share it online so it has the best chance of being found and watched.

 

 

 

#9 – Gain confidence by writing it yourself

As with anything, the more you avoid doing it the less confident you feel about it.

Just getting on with it and starting to write is a great confidence boost. And when you realise that your writing isn’t as bad as you think and people are resonating with it, that’s an extra boost.

Confidence is so important when you work for yourself. If you have confidence in yourself and what you do, it instils confidence in others.

 

# 28 – The more you write the better and easier it gets

As with anything, the more you do something the more you will improve.

 

But there is more to improvement than practice alone. There is only so much you can learn alone, you need feedback, you need input from others.

The more regularly you write, the easier it will flow because your confidence will increase.

If you liked this, you will also like A to Z of Blogging: 26 Elements to Be Better at Blogging

 

Back to school…
Up your blogging game by making the most of the tools in WordPress.
Join me and WordPress expert, Vik Martin for lunch and learning in Frome:

 

 

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How To Optimize The Images On Your Blog

Let’s get real, if you open a web page and see an impenetrable wall of text with no images, you will probably click away.

Even the most avid reader will squint and think twice before diving in!

Break It Up

Using images to break up your blocks of text not only makes your blog easier on the eye, it’s also a great opportunity to visually represent your story, show off your brand and appeal to audiences who learn visually.

Google also likes content that has variety. It likes images.

 

The Images Tab

Many of us will type a search into Google and go straight to the ‘Images’ tab – I often do this when I’m looking for inspirational quotes.

Images are an important feature of any content you share online.

There are few simple things you can do to optimize your images so they give your content a boost on Google:

Image Name

When you include an image in a blog post, give it a sensible name.

This starts by saving your images with a sensible file name. No one searches for ‘img20957578934789.jpeg’!

If you want to use the image to link back to a specific blog, include the title of the blog in the image name. If it’s an image you are using more generally, as a rule, ‘say what you see’. Give it a simple name that tells the viewer (and Google) what the image actually shows.

For example: If someone looks up an image of a ‘carrot’ they don’t want to see an image of an ‘apple’!

A silly, and obvious example I know, but think carefully about what’s in an image and name it appropriately.

 

Image Descriptions

When you upload your image, make sure you fill in the appropriate boxes with information.

For example, on WordPress, when you upload your image this box pops up:

 

A ‘caption’ appears under the image, this is a good place to credit any image source.

 

Alt Text: The purpose of this option is to describe images to visitors who are unable to see them. This includes screen readers and browsers that block images, but also users who are sight-impaired. If you have given your image a sensible ‘say what you see’ name, copy and paste it into this box.

 

Description: This allows you to include many more words to describe the contents of the image. Include the title of the blog and any other useful keywords that are relevant to the content.

 

Image Size

Your images need to be of a high enough quality that they are clear on different screen sizes, but they shouldn’t be so big it takes 5 minutes for them to load!

 

Large images slow down websites and people will click away when a website isn’t responsive enough.

 

Consider the shape of your image too.

Landscape oreintated images make good headers.
Portrait and longer images make good Pinterest pins.
Square pictures work well on Social Media (i.e. Twitter and Instagram)

 

Canva is a useful free tool to get the right sized template for the right purpose

Here is a really handy ‘Image Compressor’ tool (thanks to Dana Sallow for emailing the link)

How Do I Compress An Image?

Visuals are essential but it’s still all about words because Google needs words so it can index your content.

 

Learn How to Make the Most of Your Blogs, with Amy
Book a FREE Inspiration Call 

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Becoming a Digital Nomad (Guest Post)

Living The Nomad Life

One day, I’ll travel far and wide with Learn To Love Your Words and live the nomad life!

My vision has always been to travel. I want my business to be a means of doing so, for both myself and my husband.

I’ve started a just-for-fun ‘Roaming Entrepreneur’ blog this year to explore ideas for just that, and share the travel stories I already have.

I’m delighted to host a contributor who contacted me about their Infographic on Becoming a Digital Nomad…

 

Home Away from Home: Becoming a Digital Nomad

 

Remote working has been taking the working world by storm. More and more people are doing their work from home or their favorite coffee shop. Employers have wisened up to the fact that remote workers are often more productive, happier, and more likely to stick around. Not to mention remote workers can be more affordable, as office space isn’t required anymore.

 

As remote work has grown, so too has the number of people working from the beach, mountain tops, and other exotic locales. Unlike remote workers, this group doesn’t stand still for too long.

 

Who is this mysterious group? They’re digital nomads, and they’re growing by the day.

 

Can anyone become a digital nomad?

Working from a sandy beach or beautiful countryside probably just a tad appealing. If you’re wondering whether or not you can become a digital nomad, the answer is a tentative yes! Before you quit your desk job and start packing sandals, there are some things to consider and do.

 

You need to think about your skill sets and how you’ll earn a living on the run, come up with a financial plan for you and anyone accompanying you, and look into getting proper insurance for nomads.

 

Fortunately, we have this handy infographic that lays everything out for you. While no two people or situations are the same, these steps will make sure you get started on the right path!

 

Source: https://hellobestow.com/blog/how-to-become-a-digital-nomad/

 

 

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Being A Problem Solver (A to Z of Blogging)

What’s the first thing we all do these days if we have a problem with something?

We’ll Google it!

…Or take to our Social Media channels and ask the hive mind what they think.

 

The Purpose Of Business

Strip away everything, get right down to the fundamentals of business and there is ONE thing that a business MUST do in order to exist…

…It must solve a problem.

That’s why P is for ‘Problem’ in my A to Z of Blogging series.

 

Problem:

“What shall I have for dinner tonight?”

Solutions:

Order a takeaway
Go to the local pub
Pop into the supermarket

All businesses solve a problem in exchange for money.

 

Every Business Provides Solutions

Every business that has ever and will ever exist is there to provide a solution to a problem.

Businesses start either because someone has an idea then finds a problem it can solve, or they see a problem and develop a way to solve it.

 

Even if you have created an artistic work, it still needs to provide a solution for someone if they will value it enough to pay for it.

The ‘problem’ doesn’t have to be a massive one. It can even be an emotional one.

They buy your picture because they just like it, it makes them feel happy to surround themselves with things they like – that’s the ‘solution’ it offers them.

 

 

 

Asking For Help

When someone has a problem, and they take to either Google or Social Media to help them solve it, they will frame their problem as a question.

If you want to be the business they choose to solve that particular problem, you need to know what questions they will ask, then answer them so they come up in those Social and Google searches.

Their questions go beyond their decision to buy.*

What questions do they have on their way to making a buying decision?

Long before they get their wallet out. Sometimes, long before they can even articulate the specific problem they have or realise that you are their solution.

Part of your job is to educate your prospective clients on what you do, why you do it and how it can help.

It’s to educate them long before they even know it’s what they need.

 

Solving a Problem Creates Value

If you can be the answer to their questions, show them you know what you’re talking about – you’ll be the one they pay to fix their problem, or be the one they recommend to their friends looking for your solutions.

 

 

Using Your Blog To Solve Problems

Think of your blog as a resource for people.

Accept that some people will have their problem answered by reading a blog and may never pay you any money. If they are unwilling to spend money to work with your business, at that stage, they were never really your customer in the first place. That doesn’t mean that they won’t be in the future, however, and they can still be of value to you by advocating for your business, in other words, telling other people about you.

Here are six ways you can use your blog to show prospective customers and advocates how you solve their problem:

1) Answer a question they type into Google

Use the tools that Google provides for free to refine your understanding of people’s behaviour online

2) Be clear on who your customers REALLY are.

The more specifc and more empathetic you are of their needs, the more likey you’ll hit the right notes with you content.

3) Share your blogs

Share your blogs widely across your Social Media channels, and reshare them. Information goes out of date very quickly on Social Media, especially fast moving platforms like Twitter. Re-share your content long after you’ve written it. Answer different questions with it on your updates. Use different #’s to attract different audiences. When you are ‘passively present’ in people’s Social Media feeds you become more memorable.

4) Be clear on the problems you solve

Once you are clear on the solutions you provide, you can then present that information in different ways and be creative in how you get your messages out there.

Think of the problem from theperspectivee of your client. Your perception of their ‘problem’ could be different.

5) Use their language

Avoid industry jargon at all costs! Your clients don’t necessarily speak the ‘same language’ you do in your office!

Part of knowing them is knowing how they communicate and what messages will resonate with them.

Get help if you’re struggling with this.

6) Educate your audience

They may not even realise they need what you do. They may not understand how it can benefit them.

NEVER assume any prior knowledge. The benefits may seem obvious to you because you work with them all the time, but to an outsider, they may not be as obvious. Keep it really clear and simple for them and explain all of it as if they know nothing about it – not in every blog, but give them the means to search for answers to questions that may seem obvious to you. Some readers will have some knowledge, others will need a lot more handholding, so allow them to read up on all of it if they need to.

That doesn’t mean you have to write all of that content, link to other content to help people to understand it – i.e. link to Wikipedia article, dictionary definitions, the ‘official society’ for whatever it is you do. etc.

 

How does your blog reflect the problems your customers have?

 

Further Reading
*Need help to pin down the questions people type into Google?
Read this breakdown of Google’s free tools:

 

What problem do you solve?
Book a FREE 30-minute Inspiration Call with me and I’ll help you to solve your client’s problems in your own words.

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Should I Oppose Others In My Blogs? (A – Z of Blogging Series)

Very few of us go around deliberately upsetting others. It’s natural to not want to oppose someone.

I was at an event recently and got chatting to a fellow small business owner.

He said something that could have been taken the wrong way, then backtracked by saying, “You’re not supposed to say that these days…”

Now, I don’t actually remember the thing he said that ‘you’re not supposed to say these days’  but I do remember immediately losing all respect for him in that instant, and making my excuses to politely exit his company.

I’d just met him, and my early impression was that in his efforts not to appear contrary, he had lacked all courage in his convictions.

Not a good look when you run your own business!

 

 

Having the courage of your convictions

Freedom of speech means you can say whatever the hell you like, but remember, with every right we cherish comes responsibility.

You can, absolutely, say anything you like, that’s the point.

There is no such thing as something you’re not supposed to say these days – but there is such a thing as saying something that is deliberately inflammatory.

Sometimes there is a fine line between saying what you think and just being an a’hole!

 

 

It’s OK to Oppose

If you want to say something offensive, if you want to express your extreme left-wing or extreme right-wing opinions you have the right to do that, but you must accept that everyone else has that right too and there are consequences to everything we openly declare.

It’s OK to disagree. You can have an opposing argument. Your opinion is just as valid as anyone else’s, it’s OK to have an opinion and to express it openly.

That’s why O is for Oppose in my A to Z of Blogging series.

You can disagree.

Have and express a strong opinion – but you must be prepared to accept the consequences.

 

How Should I Oppose an Opinion?

Step 1 – Distinguish between the messenger and the message.

It’s OK to argue against someone’s position. You can oppose and attack their argument.

It’s NOT OK to insult them!

Attacking them personally, by calling them ‘stupid’ or whatever, just makes you a ****, or a troll!

Step 2 – Back it up

You can disagree, but if your argument isn’t backed up with evidence or you can’t cite reliable sources, you’ll lose all credibility.

Accepting the consequences of your words means being prepared to defend them from a strong position. If you can do that, any reasonable person, even if they still disagree with you will respect you for it. If they prove themselves to be unreasonable, it’s fair to say that they don’t deserve your respect anyway so it’s best just to move on with your life – block, ignore – but quit while you’re ahead!

Step 3 – Accept it

It’s not your job to change the minds of everyone who disagrees with you. It’s your job to be true to your position, present information, educate where warranted and back it up.

Accept that people will still disagree with you and it is their right to do so.

In business, you can’t please everyone and shouldn’t try.

If you try to be something for everyone you’ll be nothing for anyone, and that makes you forgettable.

 

 

Step 4 – Know when to quit

In the heat of the moment, it can be easier said than done. And when faced with someone who is attacking you personally, it is difficult not to be offended or upset by it.

The best thing you can do when you feel the red mist rising and want to lash out is to walk away.

 

Remember…

YOU have the right to have and express an opinion, just as much as anyone else does. Your point of view is just as valuable as anyone else’s, whether you oppose them or not.

When you have a strong message you want to share through your business. If you are determined to make a difference through your work. If you want to change the world, don’t you dare chicken out!

 

 

THAT is your purpose.

THOSE are the values at the core of your business.

Yes, people will oppose you, but anything worth doing is worth fighting for!

 

 

Be comfortable with your own words…


Book a FREE 30-minute Inspiration Call with me and I’ll help you articulate your argument in your own way.

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The Consulting Industry In The UK

Knoweldge = Value

Information services is a key area of consultancy in the UK reporting the highest growth in recent years.

When you create your own online content – such as a  blog – not only are you building your brand, but with a little knowhow you can add real, tangible, financial value to your business.

Thanks to a contributor or this comprehensive breakdown of the consulting industry in the UK…

 

 

https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/08/30/17/26/analytics-2697949__340.jpg

Diverse Consultancy Services

Today, the consulting industry in the United Kingdom is separated into many different areas. Consultants supply a diverse and extensive scope of services, from providing expert advice in specialised fields to implementing large scale IT. In terms of management consultants, there are more than 187,000 UK businesses, employing over 497,000 people with revenue in excess of £50 billion. In terms of engineering consultants, there are more than 82,000 UK businesses, employing over 375,000 people with revenue in excess of £52 billion.

 

A Growth Industry

The industry has recorded significant annual growth over the past few years, with management consulting growing 1.7 per cent and engineering consulting by 2.8 per cent between 2014 and 2019. The areas of consultancy that reported the highest growth include information services, retail trade and finally administrative and support services. Oil and gas extraction consultancy also recorded significant growth as well. Research also shows that the majority of consulting demand is stemming from companies that need support and assistance in order to develop growth propositions.

 

Fierce Competition

Competition is fierce in the consultancy industry, with the dissolving of boundaries leading to more competitors in the sector. At present, there are more than 187,000 management consultancy companies in the UK. This industry is currently in the growth stage of its life cycle, with annual growth expected at a rate of 5.3 per cent until 2020. Demand for consulting services is clearly high, especially as a lot of businesses are going through a period of transition. New technologies are appearing on the market, which need to be integrated, and a lot of businesses are moving from the recovery period of the recession to a stage of growth and they need assistance to ensure this comes to fruition.

 

A Stand-Out Position

Therefore, there is certainly an opportunity for your company to make great steps in the industry and to acquire further business. Nonetheless, as competition is strong, it is imperative to do everything in your power to stand out from other consulting firms. There are various ways you can do this. However, it all begins with having a professional image. After all, you are going to be advising companies and providing them with support in order to advance their company. No business is going to use your services if they do not have confidence in your company and the brand image you project. It is your duty to ensure you leave potential clients in no doubt that your service is the most professional one to go for. No one wants to take a risk when it comes to the position of their business.

 

There are various steps you can take to achieve this strong expert brand identity. Case studies are an excellent way to build your standing in the industry. On your website, you should include some examples of the work you have done so far. Content marketing is also incredibly valuable for this industry, as you will be able to show that you are experts in certain fields. You are essentially empowering the client with your knowledge, which breeds confidence in your service and your level of skill, which in turn will result in them choosing to use your services. Testimonials also work well. If a potential client sees that plenty of other customers have been happy with your service they are going to be reassured that you are the right choice for them. You also need to be committed to improving yourself. You can study online at Aston University and other online universities in order to add more skills to your locker to increase trust and heighten your authority in the industry.

 

Your Professional Image

Not only do you need to focus on how you brand via the web, but you also need to think about the professional image you project when you communicate with clients and potential clients. This concerns everything from the way you dress, to the way you talk, to the documentation you utilise for business communications. In fact, the latter point is of paramount importance. It is so vital to make use of professional business documentation, especially in an industry such as consultancy. You cannot expect to advise businesses on how to progress if you cut corners on one of the fundamental aspects of your own company.

 

No matter whether you require a quote template or you are sending a final bill, it is imperative to do so by using a sophisticated, stylish and striking invoice template that brands your business to the maximum level. Such financial communications have a greater purpose than merely presenting a few figures. You are sending a message with every document you deliver to your customer or potential customer. You need to have a commercial invoice template that reflects the highest levels of professionalism, from an immaculate design to a well-thought-out structure. Nonetheless, you also need to make sure that it reflects your brand identity as well.

 

There is no denying that the consulting sector is one with many opportunities available at the moment. Nevertheless, you do need to be cautious in your approach if you are to ensure your business stands out from the crowd. Competition is fierce, so follow the tips above to make sure that you take steps forward. You also need to commit to improvement. This cannot be a one-time thing – that is for sure!

 

Talk to Amy about making your consulting brand stand out through great writing…
Book a FREE 30-minute Inspiration Call with me and I’ll help you rediscover your creative side.

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Are You A Business, An Entrepreneur or A Freelancer?

 

I was always entrepreneurial and creative.

My first experience of being ‘an entrepreneur’ was in the mid 1980’s – I think I was about 8 years old!

 

A Child Entrepreneur (?)

My sister and I were really into Quilling at the time – the art of curling thin strips of paper to create images (quilling was the fidget spinner of the 1980’s!).

We’d made heaps of pictures and greeting cards that were cluttering our bedroom (we shared a room).

Mum booked a stall for us at the local community centre at a summer craft fair – she was our ‘Angel Investor’.

The deal was, we stocked the stall, managed it, and any money we made selling our crafts we got to keep.

We split it 50/50 between the ‘partners’ .

Here’s me and Chloe at around that time (she’s now Artist Chloe Birnie, also Self-Employed/ An Entrepreneur)

(I really loved that sparkly green jumper!)

 

My Dream

Although we were both creative and always making and crafting, my big love was stories. My dream as a child was to see the name ‘Amy Fitzjohn’ on the spine of a book.

I used to write little stories and read them or act them for my younger siblings, Chloe and Lewis.

Chloe carried on with the visual arts, Lewis is a musician, and writing was my thing.

I always wanted to be an author.

My head was forever in a book or a notebook as a child. Then, and I’m not sure why or when it happened, I stopped.

Throughout my 20’s and 30’s I rarely read for pleasure. I painted, I crafted, I baked, I gardened, I decorated, I made jewellery, I made cards – but I hardly ever wrote creatively.

 

Side Hustle

As a teenager, I had a lucrative babysitting racket going on at my secondary school minding the teacher’s kids.

Over the years I had various side hustles – including an art business ‘Tom Cat Designs’ – but it wasn’t until 2015 that I was finally brave enough to be fully full time self-employed.

 

Finding My Mojo Overseas

However, the catalyst in my journey to self-employment came in 2007/8, when my husband and I relocated to Bulgaria to start a property business.

I started to write again.

I wrote four novels in Bulgaria and it was the fourth one – The Bronze Box – that was the first book I felt could be commercially viable. Then, it was in the 2010s that self-publishing a book became so much more accessible and mainstream – so I gave it a go!

We came back to the UK in 2010, having run out of money, and ended up in Bristol. I started work as a Business Trainer for an Enterprise Agency and we slotted back into urban UK life!

 

The Push I Needed

As is so often the case, it was a redundancy that helped make my business a reality.

When you’re in a job – especially when you quite like that job – there’s no incentive to take such a risk and give it all up for self-employment.

However, ironically, self-employment is the most secure job I think I’ve ever had!

It was in 2015 when my worlds as a trainer and business advisor and an author eventually collided.

I said to a business colleague recently, in response to a question about how successful I’ve been, “well, I’ve not given myself a redundancy notice, which is more than I can say for pretty much every role I’ve been employed in!”

 

What To Call Myself?

 

It’s my fourth year in business this year and I still have different ways of describing myself.

If a stranger asks me, “what do you do?” – my response will vary depending on the social circumstances.

At a Business Event I’m a ‘Writing Mentor‘ and my business is ‘Learn To Love Your Words‘
At a family gathering, I’m a Freelance Business Trainer (and they still don’t really get it!)
In a social setting (i.e. a wedding), I’m an author – people get that, and it’s always a good conversation starter!
When we visit Bulgaria, with my language limitations, I’m an Author, “автор (Avtor)”

 

In my head, I think of myself as an ‘Entrepreneur’ – something creative and amorphous, but I’d never say, “oh, I’m an entrepreneur!” (how pretentious does that sound when you say it aloud!).

I talk about having ‘a business’ even though I’m the only person employed in it.

When I introduce myself to startup mentees at Brave Enterprise Agency, I introduce myself as a ‘Freelancer’.

 

What about you? When are you a Business, an Entrepreneur or a Freelancer?

 

 

Be comfortable with your own words…


Book a FREE 30-minute Inspiration Call with me and I’ll help you rediscover your creative side.

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What Do My Blog Readers Need From Me? (A-Z of Blogging: Need)

There’s a mantra in fiction writing, ‘Show don’t tell’.

 

Reader’s Need Context

Don’t tell us the character is crying, show us their heartbreak, describe the anguish in their expression. It’s much more powerful and compelling.

The same goes for your blog writing.

Blogging is not about writing an academic paper or impressing people with your big words and complicated acronyms.

Context allows your readers to empathise with your message.

 

Ask yourself what your readers really need from your words.

That’s why ‘N’ is for ‘Need’ in my A to Z of Blogging.

 

Get Creative

Effective blogs take their cues from creative writing. They tell a story.

They show us why this business would be good to work with, by demonstrating your knowledge and expertise, building that all-important trust with every chapter in your story.

Every blog you write can be one of those chapters.

And because you are so confident in what you do, you are willing to give away your tips and advice for free – you’re just that good!

That’s the message you send with your generosity.

 

Don’t Be ‘That Guy’

Telling everyone how smart you are is just, well, it’s irksome!

Don’t be that blowhard boasting about your brilliance. It’s not big and it’s not clever!

Showing us what you can do, that’s far more likely to engender trust in you and your brand.

 

What They Need isn’t Necessarily What You Sell

They may ask for what they think they want, but building relationships will help you get to the bottom of what they really need from you.

Hint: They don’t just ‘need’ what you want to sell!

They need:

Reassurance
Clarity
Education
Support
Nurturing
To trust you
Answers to their questions
Their objections responded to
Proof you know what you are talking about
To like you enough to feel confident in your ability to give them what they want

 

If they want to buy, lead them to your sales copy with an appropriate ‘call to action’ on every blog post you write.

Show them you know your stuff, telling them isn’t enough.

 

What do people need from your blogs?…

 

Book a FREE 30-minute Inspiration Call with me and I’ll help you rediscover your creative side.

 

For instant updates when I publish a new blog post, Follow me on Bloglovin’
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Making Connections With Your Blog: Meet Others (A-Z of Blogging)

(Quick Read Blogs – a 5-minute read)

My first blog was a vanity project. Something I did to hold myself accountable on my journey towards becoming a published author. But it did more than that, it allowed me to make connections.

Making Connections

Some days, it can feel like you’re blogging into thin air, your words are evaporating and no one is seeing them.

In these moments, remind yourself of your own behaviour online – How often do you comment on blogs or Social Media updates?

It doesn’t mean you didn’t notice it, that it didn’t have an impact on you, even in a small, subconscious way. It just means you didn’t comment.

Most of us behave like this.

Blogging regularly requires a certain level or raw nerve and faith in the process!

When you do get that comment, or that Social Media like or share, those are the moments you can be confident that your words are having more of an impact. Especially when that comment comes from someone other than your bestie or your mum!

Your words are creating connections, they’re getting through to people.

That’s why M is for ‘Meet People’ in my A to Z of Blogging series.

Start Conversations

It’s taken a while to build up my ‘little black book’ of connections, but my network is one of the most valuable assets in my business.

No business can operate in isolation.

I’m always on the look out for opportunities to collaborate with other businesses, rather than compete with them.

90% of my paid consultancy work comes through physically (and digitally, to a degree) networking with others in the small business community.

The connections I’ve made over the years are the lifeblood of my work. My blog has been a powerful way to reinforce and enhance that network.

 

Nine Ways I’ve Built Connections With My Blog

 

1) Joining Groups & Forums

I joined a Bristol Bloggers Facebook group and have been to their events, I’ve even spoken at one of their gatherings.

 

2) Accepting Pitches From Guest Bloggers

I get daily emails from people asking to be guests on the blog and I now have a standard response with my submission guidelines. I rarely reject a request, unless the quality is too poor, the topic isn’t relevant or the link back is for something I don’t want to be associated with (i.e. online betting).

Immediately, that person will then share the article with their networks, taking my message to a wider audience.

 

3) Send Blog Links

I often write a blog and then think of someone in my network who would find that article useful.

Sometimes it’s a conversation with someone that inspires a blog post.

I’ll always email or share those blogs as a way of opening up or continuing a dialogue.

 

4) Sponsored Content

I’ve accepted invitations to go to events in exchange for blog coverage and it’s a great way to meet people.

I’ve accepted offers from businesses willing to pay to be hosted, and this leads to more paid blogging connections.

 

 

5) Freebies

Approaching people running events and asking about ‘press passes’ to get free entry in exchange for blog coverage.

I’ve climbed the mast of the SS Great Britain. I’ve been to the openings of bars and restaurants and eaten and drunk for free. Attended a business show.

I’ve also offered freebies to my own events for bloggers willing to give me some online PR.

 

6) Reviews

Offering to review products and servcies for people.

If you’re a big reader, this is a great way to get books for your ‘To Read’ pile!

 

7) Interviews

Interviewing authors and business owners for features.

 

8) New Client Bookings

I’ve had prospective clients book an Inspiration Call after reading a blog.

 

9) Offering to Host Guests

I like to give something to people I meet to help their businesses.  Inviting connections I’ve made through networking as guests on the blog is a great way to solidify a mutually beneficial relationship with a fellow entrepreneur

 

If you’d like to be interviewed for a blog or write for me as a guest, get in touch…

 

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