Your Online Presence Matters More Than Ever. Recently, I was researching ways to support my son on his upcoming mission trips. One option immediately caught my eye. It was Christian-focused, which I love to support. But as I looked further, I realized finding reliable information about them online was very difficult. Here’s the process I follow when researching a company: 1. Google their website … [Read more...]

Building an online presence as a small business owner can feel overwhelming at times, but with a few simple strategies, creating a strong digital footprint can actually be quite manageable. As someone who’s been online for over 11 years, I’ve learned valuable lessons that have helped me strengthen my presence, grow my brand, and connect with companies and partnerships I never knew existed. Having … [Read more...]

Grow a business with short-form content while still using your long-format platform. Mercedes Eckert is the President and CEO of iShop, the fastest-growing mystery shopping company in the world. With a remarkable track record, Mercedes has helped over 17,000 people create flexible income opportunities through mystery shopping,  proving that financial freedom is possible, even in uncertain … [Read more...]

A lot of people wonder, What is a content creator? There seems to be various schools of thought on this, and I want to dispel the idea that content creators are only those who post on social media to secure brand partnerships. While traditional social media influencers certainly fall under the content creator umbrella, they are not the only ones who do. In fact, you might be a content creator … [Read more...]

If someone asked me how to be a content creator today after my 11-year journey, these are the things I would prioritize in my content creator strategy. Starting as a content creator is an exciting and rewarding experience. I launched my blog more than a decade ago after doing freelance writing and earning a master’s degree in Professional Writing and I wanted an outlet to pursue my passions. While … [Read more...]

Building a brand that stands out has always been important to me. Since launching my blog in 2014, I wanted to set myself apart. Back then, mommy blogs were everywhere, and while my blog fell into that category, I didn’t want it to look or feel like a typical mom blog. I wanted my brand’s look, feel, and message to be unique. At the time, I didn’t realize it, but I was already learning how to … [Read more...]

Discussing controversy on your platform, is this something that you should do? Is it appropriate for your brand? As someone who’s been creating content online for over 11 years, deciding whether to post seemingly controversial topics on your platform can be a challenge to navigate. I’m going to discuss whether politics, social issues, or other “controversial” topics are appropriate to discuss on … [Read more...]

Content creation for online businesses is a must. With over 10 years of experience creating content online and millions of viewers, I’ve seen firsthand the power of content marketing for your brand. More importantly, choosing the right content creation platform is crucial for boosting visibility, aligning with your ideal customer, and building a strong brand presence. It took me over 10 years … [Read more...]

If you’re building a business or brand, it’s crucial to make it easy for people to find you and learn more about you before deciding to engage further or do business with you. Over the years, I’ve noticed that many people, perhaps unknowingly, make it impossible for others to find them online. Don't be one of them. These are small but critical steps that can make a big difference. Simple Ways to … [Read more...]

Social proof is the evidence that others trust and value your business or brand. It’s a powerful tool for building credibility and turning potential customers into loyal clients. There are many ways to use social proof to grow your business and brand. As someone who always reads reviews before making a purchase, I understand the importance of social proof firsthand. When people see others … [Read more...]

There are many ways to get featured on the local news. You can hire a PR firm and pay a hefty fee to secure local spots, or you can take a DIY approach. Over the past 10 years of building my brand, I’ve appeared on both local and national media—all through my own efforts. If you’re promoting your business, building your brand, seeking greater visibility, launching a book, or just want the … [Read more...]

Episode #139 is all about niching down! Today, I'm sharing live coaching and training from a recent 4-week entrepreneurship class I taught. In this episode, I reveal how niching down helped me triple my audience in less than 6 months and grow my podcast from a top 5% globally ranked show to a top 1.5% ranking within that same timeframe. I also guide attendees through 10 key questions to help … [Read more...]

When you're trying to gain new social media followers or blog post views it usually takes time, effort and strategy. I’ll be sharing the benefits of collaboration to help you grow your brand’s visibility faster. Plus, I’m going to give you five actionable ways to partner with others on an idea or project—partnerships I’ve personally participated in over the years. My suggestion is to partner … [Read more...]