Author: veehelene

What do Whole Foods, Allstate, and Home Depot, have in common? They each either have a stand-alone blog, blog content on their main website, or both. You may be wondering what these companies could even be writing about. Their products and services are pretty straightforward, right? While this may be true, they’ve utilized the concept of blogging to accentuate their offerings in thoughtful, creative ways. 

For example, Whole Foods’ blog can tell you everything you need to know about chocolate, while Allstate informs you on the best practices for withdrawing from your retirement accounts. Tap into Home Depot’s blog to try several DIY projects or learn about spring lawn care. 

Relevant blog content can turn a browsing consumer into a devoted client, because they feel like their time spent on your site is rewarded with valuable insight and inspiration. This keeps them coming back for more, which increases their odds of purchasing something, or at the very least, improves your website’s traffic. 

While Tik-Tok videos and curated Instagram profiles are now a popular marketing strategy, blogs are still a tried-and-true method for building brand loyalty. Let’s dive into some of the ways a well-written blog can still help your business, despite the changing times!

Showcase your expertise.

When I’m making a large purchase, like a new car, I don’t want to window shop and pick what looks nice or costs the least amount of money. I want my buying experience to be led by an expert who can guide me to an informed decision. If I have questions, the salesperson should have answers, or they should at least direct me to resources where I can find the answers. 

When companies have blogs on their websites, whether they’re selling something as complex as a car or as simple as mascara, I can trust that they are experts in their industry. I have the option to learn more about their products and can make a thoughtful, confident purchase rather than a trendy purchase.

Don’t just sell, be a resource.

Let’s say I’m an aspiring esthetician who hopes to provide spa services to clients and create my own skincare line. However, I haven’t finished training yet, nor have I created a product to sell. Believe it or not, a blog can still be helpful to me at this stage. I can write articles that keep readers up-to-date with modern tips, techniques, product ingredients, and trends. I can blog about my experience in cosmetology school. As a result of providing reliable and interesting reads, I am building a strong bond of trust with my readers. 

Once I am ready to open for business, they will likely become clients because they already feel connected to me and my business. With tempting headlines that are conveniently queued up at the end of each article’s page, visitors are also more likely to binge-read on the site, clicking around for hours and boosting its engagement – thus helping to push it to the forefront of search engine results.

Subtly sell.

The truth is, you can sell your products and services using blogs. In my opinion, it’s best to do this in a subtle manner. Let’s say I’m a coffee connoisseur who sells coffee beans and other coffee-related products. I may write a blog such as The Best Way to Make a Bold Cup of Coffee. In it, I would give tips or a tutorial for brewing the perfect cup. 

Sprinkled throughout the paragraphs would be hyperlinks to my own french press, coffee filters, or whatever relevant products I sell. When it’s all said and done, I’ve not only referred the reader to a product, but I’ve also pitched its value and given them a method for its use – all in one article. 

Promote updates and developments.

Don’t wait for a press interview to promote your progress. A blog is a great place to showcase developments within your business, such as staff promotions, awards, new certifications, and more. 

Remember, while social media accounts may be a great platform, you do not own the content. Your profile can be hacked, deleted, or buried underneath everchanging algorithms. Furthermore, not all of your clientele uses social media. You’ve actually purchased your website domain and hosting service. You manage it – nobody else. This means you are in full control of your content, and important updates will always be easily accessible for those who’d like to check in on your progress.

Express yourself.

Your blog can also be used as a way to give clients a behind-the-curtain look into your life. Most consumers like to know the face behind the brand. This creates a genuine connection and inspires them to purchase or hire, knowing that they’re supporting an actual human being instead of a cold corporation. 

Take to your blog to share your perspective on relevant topics in your industry. Do you have advice that would help others, or reflections about something you experienced? Your blog is the perfect place to share these things. Good writing can make a reader feel like they’re actually listening to you talk. Incorporate your voice into your text so that readers feel like they’re really getting to know you. 

Explain your work ethic.

As a business owner, you can use your blog to boost your brand’s reputation by showcasing the things you’re passionate about. If you’re an artist, for example, you could discuss the process of developing a new piece of artwork, like what inspired you or the impact you hope it’ll make. A small, local shop may use their blog to promote their involvements in the community, like park clean-ups or food drives. 

Did you hire a summer intern? Use your blog to interview the intern about what they learned and what they plan to do next. You can still be humble without neglecting the great work you do. For those who want to learn more about your company’s reputation, your blog will likely be one of their first stops.

All-in-all, you should never underestimate the power of a great blog. There’s still a prominent demand for written content that has the power to transform readers into customers!

5 writing prompts to spark your creativity.

“The world gives you so much pain and here you are making gold out of it – there’s nothing purer than that.”

Rupi Kaur, Milk and Honey

November Writing Prompts

• The day I buried my inner child was…

• I wish I could tell you how much I… 

• Write about today’s sunset from the perspective of someone else.

• If a stranger peeled back layers of you, one at a time, what would they reveal as they go?

• In my past life, I was…

Remember, writing prompts can be used to inspire all types of art. Brainstorm each idea and express your thoughts freely!

5 writing prompts to spark your creativity.

“By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes. So vague, yet so immense. He did not want to live with it. Yet he knew that, during this night, unless he lived with it very well, he might have to live with it all the rest of his life.”

Ray Bradbury, Something Wicked This Way Comes

October Writing Prompts

• Write a letter to someone who needs to be forgiven. Start with the following sentence: “You are no monster, but a lover misunderstood.”

• Create an urban legend based on a childhood memory. 

• Write about a feeling, sight, sound, or smell that haunts you.

• Write about an inevitable change.

• Write about the morning routine of a fictitious character that intrigues you.

Remember, writing prompts can be used to inspire all types of art. Brainstorm each idea and express your thoughts freely!

5 steps that kept me moving long enough to finish.

Have you ever stumbled across a post on social media that eerily resonates with you? One evening, during a deep-dive into the Instagram rabbithole, my thumb landed on a post that read, “Stop letting the idea of perfection get in the way of finishing.” The words seemed to yell at me through the screen.

For the past several weeks, I had been dragging my feet while finishing up the relaunch of my website. For hours I would turn the idea over and over in my mind, trying to visualize every potential outcome. I wanted the site to be perfect, so all the brainstorming and preparation felt productive at the time. However, as the weeks passed on, time was ticking and no actual progress was taking place. 

Seeing that post made me realize I was suffering from perfection paralysis – the inability to start or complete a project or task due to the fear of not getting it perfectly right. Once I understood what was causing me to procrastinate for so long, I decided to get out of my head and get to work. 

If you have a project lingering on your task list that you’re too anxious to complete, try following these 5 steps to overcome perfection paralysis. 

1. Just start.

As I sat at my desk to get started, one of my nearby post-it notes caught my eye. On it is a quote from Arthur Ashe which reads, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Initially, I kept telling myself to wait for better conditions before working on my website. Maybe I should have a bigger portfolio, I thought. Maybe I should wait until I can have professional photos taken.

While focusing on all those “maybes,” I had turned a blind eye to the experience, tools and skills I already possessed, which were more than enough to get me started. I wasn’t embracing the idea that the present moment was the perfect moment for me. That quote reminded me of my capabilities and discredited my excuses. 

Surround yourself with whatever motivates you. Take stock of your current resources. Use what you have to do what you can. Then, just start.

2. Don’t force it.

The first draft of my website was a fail. I planned a three-hour photoshoot, where I took self-portraits in stiff poses while trying to silence the nagging voice in my head that was telling me the truth: “That’s not who you are! This is so cliché and you know it! Those aren’t the types of projects you want to attract!” Still, I kept telling myself that finishing was more important than liking the result of my labor. Boy, was I wrong. When I finally put the site together, the outcome was too undesirable for me to ignore. I decided to scrap everything instead of launching something that wasn’t true to me. 

Always know when to stop. There’s a thin line between forcing it and faking it. Don’t push yourself to finish something you know you won’t be proud of. Be wary, though. Stopping now can be critical to your project. You can easily lose momentum here, and perfection paralysis can creep its way back in. That’s why the next step is so crucial. 

3. Do the backstage work.

In theater, the work that is done backstage is just as important to the show’s success as what happens in the spotlight. Instead of letting myself become stagnant, I found ways to be productive while still allowing myself to step away from the project itself. I spent time getting to know myself as a writer, discovering my niche and doing writing exercises to explore what my voice sounds like on paper. I found other writers to connect with online, and spent time reading their work or watching their helpful videos. I outlined blog topics and other content that I could post once the website was finished. Doing all of this backstage work reminded me why I wanted to relaunch my website in the first place. I felt excited to pick up where I left off. 

Allow yourself to be re-inspired. What backstage work can you do to help your project succeed in the long run?

4. Dust yourself off and try again.

Aaliyah said it best, “If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again.” Starting over after my first failed attempt, I felt more confident, prepared, and seasoned. This time around, I practiced patience and diligence. I was no longer in a rush to finish. I allowed myself to ease into my ideas, letting them come to fruition naturally. I had redefined the idea of perfection, understanding this time that only I held the power to determine what it meant.

I planned another photoshoot, this time learning from my mistakes and following my intuition instead of trying to portray an image untrue to me. Instead of working alone, I opened up to my network and connected with people who held me accountable, taught me things I didn’t know, talked me through my ideas, and offered honest feedback. I felt proud of every new development, every step of the way.

Don’t ever be afraid or ashamed to start again. Every new chance is an opportunity for improvement, so trust in your wisdom and use it.

5. Finish the last lap.

Once I’d completed the bulk of my work, I was ready to kick my feet up and chill, but a few little finishing touches lingered behind. I was so close to the finish line, but my motivation was diminishing, yet again! I sat down and listed everything I would lose out on by not finishing. Not having a website meant I was unable to pitch clients, write guest posts on other blogs, join freelance writing networks, and more. Along with setting (and sticking to) a final deadline, seeing these risks on paper lit a fire under me to finish up quickly.

Make a detailed list of every remaining task that stands in your way of finishing. Then, make a list of everything you’ll continue to lose by procrastinating. Are you willing to take those losses? If not, set a deadline and get everything checked off that task list immediately. 

Before you let perfection paralysis hinder you from finishing a project, remind yourself that perfection is in the eye of the beholder, and nothing perfect comes from standing still. Focus on the process, not the prize. It’s okay if you start before you think you should. It’s okay if you fail. It’s okay if you have to start over. What matters most is that you start – and once you do – keep going.  

Last month, I took my camera on an adventure to Industry City in Brooklyn, NY, where an alternative electronic artist, Chrome Sparks, was performing. The late-summer weather was perfect and the venue looked amazing as the sun set. I’d never been to a concert for this genre of music before, and I now see that I’ve been missing out. The energy there was unforgettable! The indie hipster inside of me left completely charged up. Here are a few shots from the night where I was experimenting with low-light settings on my camera.

Images taken with my Canon EOS Rebel T7

I’m a sucker for the cheap quirky items in Target’s “dollar section” near the entrance. One day, as I aimlessly perused the section, my eyes landed on a purple notebook. On it was an iridescent picture of a dinosaur. Inside, the pages were blank. Its price was $3.00. It was so cute I couldn’t resist buying it, yet I had no idea what I’d use it for! Like every other random notebook I have stacked at home, this one would likely be used for scribbling random lists, outlines, and ideas. One night, my mind was racing with creative desires, but I felt too scatterbrained to focus on any of my projects. Instead, I pulled out the Dino Sketchbook.

Without putting too much thought into it, I opened the sketchbook and started drawing swirls on its first sheet. I carefully connected each swirl and made sure every line was the same thickness. By focusing on these swirls and lines, I truly felt relaxed. It was calming to learn the power of my hands, willing them to draw neat lines by focusing on hand-eye coordination. Before long, my feet were starting to fall asleep and I realized I had fully invested myself into creating a cartoon-like, abstract masterpiece. Most importantly, I felt level-headed and at ease, like I just finished a morning run.

It was then that I realized I didn’t need to be super talented to draw. I didn’t need to take art classes to start sketching. I didn’t need expensive materials and techniques in order to express myself. I was nervous to share these sketches because they’re amateur, but then I realized a true artist isn’t always commended solely on their skills, but is often more infamous for their ability to adequately express their thoughts or emotions; transcribing them from intangible visions to colors and lines on paper for others to see. Although I don’t know much about sketching techniques or art, I know that it felt good to get my thoughts out on paper.

Here is what became of that…

In order to grow from life’s experiences, sometimes you will need to set boundaries to protect your comfort zone, and other times you will need to take risks and step out of your comfort zone. Before you can do either of these, you must first create a comfort zone.

We usually think of comfort zones as an intangible sanctuary in our minds where we go to shamelessly be at peace with our decisions, opinions, and preferences. However, a comfort zone can also be a literal amount of physical space that puts us at ease when we enter it. As much as we prioritize having a nicely decorated home and a cozy bedroom, it’s just as important to set aside a small space dedicated to providing us with feelings of safety, relaxation and motivation. 

Last weekend, I created my own comfort zone.

The basis of my comfort zone is comprised of four essential components: life, reflection, creative inspiration and motivation. In order to incorporate these things, I placed an easy-to-maintain plant below a framed mirror, artwork (including a sketch of my own), and my vision board.

At the start of a peaceful morning or the end of a long day, I like to sit in a quiet spot for about 15-20 minutes to regulate my thoughts and breathing. I keep a floor pillow and a yoga mat in my comfort zone to help create the perfect cozy area for my body to rest.

Using my oil diffuser, I can awaken my senses and induce certain moods. My favorite oils for relaxation are lavender and eucalyptus. To energize myself or focus, I use peppermint and orange oils. In addition, my Himalayan salt lamp emits a soothing glow and is said to improve air quality and increase serotonin levels.

Lastly, I stocked my comfort zone with books to read when I need to escape from the stress of the real world. I also take time to journal when I need to release and reflect. When I am inspired to write, I keep helpful writing resources and stacks of empty notebooks handy.

Whether it be in your mind or in your bedroom, use your answers to the following questions to help define and create your comfort zone.

1. What emotions are you hoping to spark once you step foot in your comfort zone?
2. In what types of atmospheres do you feel most at peace?
3. What’s essential to make you feel safe and at ease?
4. What items can you use to help create the perfect area of comfort for yourself?