Voice
So I embedded my last radio show in this and it might just start up automatically. I don't know how to fix that, but hit pause if you aren't ready!
The gist of Saturday's show: When you put yourself out there on the internets...is the voice you create sustainable? If you come out guns ablazin' can you maintain that sort of presence through all the ways you communicate? I think authenticity is the way -- whatever that means to you. I won't stop beating that drum!! The other thing is, make it about what you are...not about what you aren't. If you build your presence, tearing down someone elses, all they have to do is change and you've got nothin'...so take the time to express you. It's so worth it!
My son popped in, while I was recording, to show me that the mask I made of foil, paper, and glue, for one of his toys, had fallen apart. I was reminded why I call this Indie with...because I am. An indie with a kid, a life where things collide, and of course, things fall apart.
Love
Today I feel lucky enough to have read a few blogs that were full of passion and honesty. On Valentine's Day I think a li'l passion and honesty should especially be celebrated, right? Here are two amazing ones to get your heart beating a little faster:
A Love Poem for Entreprenuers by Jonatha Fields (Be still my heart, this one is hot!!!)
Love is Ugly by Kelly Diels (This one gets all in your heart!)
While reading those blogs, I felt motivated to put more of the same out into the world. And so I present to you this bowl of homemade granola. It's so good and it might find a home in Oralgasm Sweet Shop, but it's more than that...
Granola Trust
I like "granola trust" because in my mind it sounds like "guerilla trust" and that's the journey I'm on. I love granola, not just because it is so goooood. See, granola that's been all cinnamon and honyefied doesn't look all that different at the finish than it does at the start to me. There's a moment when it smells delish, but if you take it out too soon, it's still soft, grrrrr. There's another moment that if you take it out too late...there's burnt bits and I just hate that. I learned that there's a moment in between these extremes...when I trust. I trust my nose and my know-how, that the granola. is. done. One day it hit me...in life & in business...you have to trust. You have to trust BIG. You have to believe in what you know then, let it go. Let your heart go and not choke your spirit with worry.
I have always said that if I could get paid to worry, I'd be a rich woman...I'm good at it. But it isn't sustainable. Worry is exhauting and energy draining. Worrying about my granola doesn't make it taste better...I'll let you carry that analogy wherever you may. Here's to granola (guerilla) trust!
I'm just bursting with love...love of what's happening and love of what's to come. I'm thinking about that saying (and book title) "Do what you love and the money will come". Tonight I feel free from reasons why. I hit a tough patch of soooo much going on and made it through.
I've had MAJOR writer's block because I wasn't so sure. Why should I be doing this? Who cares? Actually it wasn't a block, just a HUGE obstacle of self-doubt mixed with a little bit of overwhelmed balancing life and work and work (no that's not a typo).
Well, I have a lot to learn for sure, but I am full of love for everything I'm doing and so I'm moving forward and feeling mighty fine. (clickity click if you love turtles!)
I'n making cookies, doing a radio show, and blogging because I love to. I want to do this full time one day...it will come. And now, some Matthew Wilder...
On the radio show today, I talked about getting your voice out there, especially with social networking in the mix.
Is this thing on__ Get your voice out there! - Feb 05,2011
I shared an example from one of my friends and Team Bacon members LonesomeRoadStudio. Here Chicago Hotdog belt buckle makes me hungry *and* want that belt buckle too! Check it out.
I also made a reference to Clay Aiken and Elvis, hmmmm :) A the end I shared a couple of questions to consider when working on your voice: 1) Is it true to me and 2)Does it accurately describe the experience a potential buyer would have? If yes, keep it rolling. If no to either of these, stop for a second and adjust.
Last, but not least...having an authentic voice makes selling fun! But then it was time to go and my ending was quite abrupt, grrr. I must improve on this :) So how do you get your voice out there? Spill it :)
Just before the holiday madness started in December, I interviewd my friend, team member, and wire wrap artist Kathryn of www.kittyd.etsy.com (click the pic to see more) on Jen Davis Indie with.
Kitty and I had an awesome chat about her craft, how she got her work in a contest and won some supplies, as well as how she comes up with her own ideas and works them out till they're ready for their close up.
I hope you have the chance to listen and get inspired to think of creative ways to get yourself out there! Try a contest, join a team or a forum related to your craft...see what local opportunities there are to showcase your work...whatever it takes. My goal this year is to break out and check out some local shops that I can sell my cookies. Eek, I'm so nervous, but excited to see what the possibilities are!
via hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com
Link to full blog post here: http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/12/year-kenny-loggins-ruined-christmas.html
via www.badnima.com
This blogger is a genius!
Man, it's been a while. Mama needs a schedule! I have been very busy candying bacon and dipping deliciousness, for Oralgasm, which rocks!!
Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing artist, Garrett Weider on my radio show Jen Davis, Indie with.... Garrett sells his KICK ASS original art work on Etsy. (Original work by Garret Weider to the right. Click to shop!)
Part of our discussion centered on how essential it is to get comfortable with business and marketing ourselves as artists. I was charged by our chat and thought I'd share some more links that I hope will get you charged too!
Beautifully honest talk (be excellent, unabashed marketing, and more...): BlogcastFM Interview with Danielle LaPorte of Whitehottruth.com
Hush your inner critic: Scoutie Girl's post on the inner critic is always relevant.
Be a li'l bold and badass: Blacksburg Belle's 7 Naughty Creative Business Tips
These all take me back to the Vision and Balls post and then push me way beyond that! Happy reading and may you thrive in your creative business!
Handmade coloring book available @ Kokodiablo.etsy.com
Consider this my personal invitation to listen (and call) in to Jen Davis, Indie with... as I interview Karly McCuthan on blog talk radio at 11 am EST. Karly is the creator of the sweet coloring book above and also had another store called Kokosboutique where you can find the most fascinating fascinators (see and click below)! The talk? Keeping your creative mojo when you have a lot going on. Yep, a must listen.
Karly and I are members of the illustrious Team Bacon on Etsy.com and I can't wait to talk with her live :) It'll be a hoot!
Also, afterwards, my friend Keith has a show airing @11:30 am EST especially for geek gifting!
Who are you? That question whispered it's way into my morning meditative time. That sounds impressive doesn't it? Do you imagine some breezy, quiet moment where I am perfectly connected with my center, eyes shut or relaxed like they tell you to do in yoga? Just so you know, it's nothing like that. My morning meditations are a rich source of frustration as I try to quiet my busy mind, including hushing Robert Palmer's "Some Like it Hot" looping in the background of my thoughts. (It's a damn good song though.)
So anyhow, this question comes up "Who are you?" And I think... I'm an artist. I am an intensely creative, curious, and capable person. (Pardon the three C's, that is pure coincidence.) I like who I am, but I find myself sometimes working to become what I already am. (Ahhh, perfectionism!)
Without thinking, I feel this moment of clarity...if this is who I am, then I should be that person in my business. Of course I work hard to provide excellent customer service, take great pictures, etc., but what about the other stuff? Does how I do my business reflect who I really am and if it does, do I recognize it? What about taking a minute to breath and care for my 3 C self as a part of how I do my business? It hit me...I gotta get naked. Strip off the doubts and resist the temptation to just be an image out there. That temptation comes from seeing slick big business brands that are too big to be a person so they have to settle for a person (my theory not founded in any research, but I like it.)
As it happens, one of my fav blogs, Jeff Korhan, has a recent post about superhero's and flaws. I think it speaks what I'm saying so beautifully, please check it out and be inspired :)
I'm an indie mama with...a kid, husband, day job & a sweet business.
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