Brandmerry Blog Archives
EPISODE 03 | The Power of Story and Public Relations
The Power of Story and Public Relations
Free to Be Podcast | Episode 03
In our first official interview on the Free To Be Podcast I’m excited to share the amazing capsule of knowledge that is Monica Woodhams. Monica is not only a friend, amazing female entrepreneur with years of experience but my own brand publicist.
Monica and I share a deep love for Public Relations (PR) and the power it has to connect people and catapult your message into the spotlight. In today’s episode, we are diving deep into the differences between PR and social media, how to get started sharing your story and what Monica’s journey into entrepreneurship looked like.
She’s ending the episode with a Golden Nugget of inspiration for you and a personal challenge. Trust me this advice will save you years of wondering, living in fear and completely change the way you go after your dreams.
I’m sharing a little life update on my trip to Paris and Iceland and some exciting news on how we can work together to create your life of freedom.
Things we talk about in this episode:
The difference between PR and social media.
The importance of story when it comes to connecting with your audience and getting featured.
What to pitch, even if you're just starting out and have no idea.
The importance of a great pitch and Monica's tips for making it your own.
Monica Woodhams
Monica Woodhams is a publicist and founder of Confessions Media, an agency specializing in strategic lifestyle public relations and podcast management. She's also the host of the Influencer Girl Lifestyle Podcast where she interviews influencers, celebrities and 7-figure business owners with global brands.
As a publicist for entrepreneurs and influencers, her clients are able to increase their visibility so that they are known as the leading experts in their industry.
Monica believes that when lifestyle and branding come together, the stories that her clients tell through podcasting, social media, and publications resonate deeper with their audiences.
CONNECT WITH MONICA
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therootedbizbabe/
Insta:http://instagram.com/monicawoodhams
Important Links Mentioned in This Episode
Join Your Brand New Adventure in September to Save 70% off + $100 of every purchase benefits The CJ’s Journey Foundation
My must-have skin care when traveling: Lola Jane Naturals
CONNECT WITH ME
Web: brandmerry.com
Instagram: @brandmerrycoaching
Facebook: @brandmerrycoaching
Biz Group: Authentic Brand Builders
LOVE THE FREE TO BE PODCAST?
I kinda secretly hoped you'd say yes! I love you right back lady and I'm so honored you tune in every week for massive inspiration. I've got a favor to ask. Would you be so kind as to leave a review of the podcast on iTunes (if you haven't already)? It means so much to me to read your reviews + it allows more people to get their hands on the amazing interviews and content. Let's spread the love, shall we? REVIEW ON ITUNES ↠
Listen to More
How to Easily Create Content that Sells for Your Brand
How to easily create content that sells for your brand
09/13/18
Creating content that leads to instant audience connection and more sales in your business can feel overwhelming, scary and hard. I get it lady. Before I implemented what I like to call “my secret weapon” for creating seamless content creation, I was also feeling completely burnt out when it came to creating content. Today I’m sharing with you 4 tips to ditching that overwhelm and creating content with ease.
1. Write when you feel inspired
I know for me, sudden bursts of inspiration come out of nowhere. When that happens, it’s so important you write it down or take a voice memo on your phone of the thoughts you are having. How many times have you had an idea, waited until you were ready to write a post and then completely forgot the amazingness that you came up with earlier? I don’t want that to happen to you, so when you feel inspired to write a post or have an idea for content, take a minute to get your thoughts out on paper or in a voice memo and then go back to what you’re doing. Then, each week have a time blocked out for creating content and go back through your notes and voice recordings so you can feel re-inspired and ready to write!
2. Create Brand Containers
I love brand containers! They have helped me tremendously when it comes to creating content for my brand. They’re basically a way to group and organize your content into the different facets of your brand.
If you want to identify and create your own brand containers with me, I’m hosting a free workshop where you’ll walk away with 5 brand containers you can start using right away to build momentum, reliability and buzz around your brand and business. I’ve hosted this virtual workshop before, and it’s always so fun to see everyone excited about creating content! Sign up here >>
3. Get Organized
Organize your content into an easy to use content calendar, so you know what your focus is depending on the week, month, quarter - even year. This allows you to plan your content around course launches, promotions, features and more!
4. Recycle, Repurpose and Reuse
You don’t have to take a one and done approach to content. Content can easily be recycled, repurposed and reused. This is super helpful because you don’t always have to be reinventing the wheel when it comes to your content. Plus, those pesky algorithms make it almost a requirement to recycle your content if you want the majority of your followers to actually see it!
Recycle
I love to use SmarterQueue* to recycle my blog posts, Youtube videos, Podcasts and more so that content is always going out and my Facebook Business Page basically runs on automate!
Repurpose
Go live on your Facebook page? Turn it into a blog post. Write a blog post? Break it down into smaller social media posts. There are so many ways you can repurpose content. One content piece can be showcased in different ways across multiple platforms to benefit as many people as possible.
Reuse
Look back at posts from awhile ago and reuse the posts that performed really well. No one is going to notice if you posted that same exact thing 8 months ago - and if they do, they must really like your stuff, so they won’t care to see it again!
Don’t forget to sign up for my free workshop
How to Create Seamless Content Creation That Leads to Instant Audience Connection and More Sales >>
And as always please share and comment on this blog post, I love connecting with you!
*Affiliate Link
EPISODE 02 | 6 Lessons Learned While Building a 6-Figure Business
6 Lessons Learned While Building a 6-Figure Business
Free to Be Podcast | Episode 02
Welcome back to The Free To Be Podcast and thank you for all of your amazing support in celebrating the first episode! We're kicking off the second episode with a solo episode from yours truly.
To celebrate my last 2 years in business I'm getting super personal about my own journey and some of the key lessons I've learned along the way. The best part of this episode is that it applies to EVERYONE, whether you have a business or not, these six lessons have not only impacted my business, but also my life.
Entrepreneurship is a fast track in personal development, and it's not all shiny photos in Paris, it's work and dedication, but it's worth every single second. In this episode, I hope to shed some light on the behind the scenes of running a profitable 6-figure business, being a mompreneur and woman.
I can't wait for you to dive in.
Listen on iTunes, Stitcher and Google Podcasts.
EXCITING NEWS!
To honor Childhood Cancer Awareness Month I'm giving $100 of every purchase of my signature course, Your Brand New Adventure to my favorite non-profit CJ's Journey Foundation. Sign up at brandmerry.com/adventure.
Brand New Adventure:
The ultimate branding course to support you in creating an authentic, captivating and money-making brand. Walk through my signature 7-step process for creating a brand that stands out online and shares your story with ease. The key to a successful and profitable business? Taking the time to build a strong brand that is a true reflection of your story and connects effortlessly with the desires of your ideal client. To sign up and help support CJ's Journey, learn more at brandmerry.com/adventure.
CJ's Journey Foundation:
The CJ's Journey Foundation was formed to celebrate the life of my brother, CJ Aubuchon, after losing his battle with childhood cancer. CJ's Journey is a registered 501©3, volunteer-run organization, providing hope and support to young patients and their families through the fight against Childhood Cancer. To learn more visit cjsjourney.org.
Things we talk about in this episode:
My journey from new mom to building my business while working a 9 to 5, what really went into setting a strong foundation and how I scaled from ZERO to 6-figures in one year.
The top 6 lessons I've learned throughout my journey that have impacted the way I do business and live my life as a woman.
The raw conversation about hustle, how to stay motivated and the #1 characteristic hurting your life and business (this was a big one for me) and how to become self-aware.
LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
Braving the Wilderness by Brene Brown
CONNECT WITH ME
Michelle Knight is a Branding and Business Coach at Brandmerry.com, mother, wife, world traveler and storyteller. Michelle has distinguished herself as an entrepreneur through the power of storytelling and its power to unite people, especially women. She has helped transform the businesses lives of female entrepreneurs by supporting them in tapping into their story to create a standout brand and message, ultimately leading them to live a life of freedom. Michelle is living proof that no matter what obstacles life may throw at you, or chapters that may contribute to your story, you have the power to write your own ending.
Web: brandmerry.com
Instagram: @brandmerrycoaching
Facebook: @brandmerrycoaching
Biz Group: Authentic Brand Builders
LOVE THE FREE TO BE PODCAST?
I kinda secretly hoped you'd say yes! I love you right back lady and I'm so honored you tune in every week for massive inspiration. I've got a favor to ask. Would you be so kind as to leave a review of the podcast on iTunes (if you haven't already)? It means so much to me to read your reviews + it allows more people to get their hands on the amazing interviews and content. Let's spread the love, shall we? REVIEW ON ITUNES ↠
Listen to More
The One Tool I Used to Scale My Business Past Six Figures
The One Tool I Used to Scale My Business Past Six Figures
SEPTEMBER 8, 2018
Organization - you’re either really good at it or NOT, and I have to admit it’s something I was born with.
I remember organizing my mom’s closet and basement on the regular as a child, teen and young adult.
I like to give a little credit to the fact that I’m a Virgo (shout out to my fellow Virgo’s), but I also know it’s because I don’t like my space or head to feel crowded.
You know the feeling right? You have a million thoughts running through your head, a million things to do, that you can’t seem to narrow in on the must-do task.
Ok, cool so I’m not alone.
Well, when it comes to being an online entrepreneur, a lack of organization and productivity can impact your business, and not in a good way.
I mean think about it, if you’re always wondering what you should be working on and when, and flailing from one thing to another without a clear plan of action, you’re not going to move very fast in the direction of your dreams.
When I started my business, I was a loyal supporter of the good ‘ole pen to paper planner. I would write my tasks every Sunday night in my planner to prepare for the week ahead until I didn’t.
I got to a point in my business where I couldn’t have my planner with me at all times and would often forget to write my thoughts, etc. down promptly. Ever seen those planners that have months missing? That was me.
So I switched. But before I share what I’m now using in my business I want to chat about the importance of organization and planning out your tasks (yes, day-to-day all the way to a year in advance).
THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING
When I started my business, I was just trying to get by, so if you are reading this and thinking, “Yeah, Michelle that is so me right now!” then know that I totally get it.
But, eventually I just felt like I was spinning my wheels, I needed a better way to look at the big picture if I was going to keep moving forward, but I still was reluctant to take action.
Then I heard something that completely changed the way I looked at planning and organization, and that’s coming from a Virgo. I listened to a podcast in which they chatted about building a 7-figure business. They said, and I’m totally paraphrasing here, “If you want a successful 7-figure business start treating your business like it now!”
What? Mind blown! If I want to get to 7-figures, if you want to get to 6 or 7-figures, then we better start treating our businesses the same way they do.
And let me tell you, they are not flying by the seat of their pants.
ENTER TRELLO
I knew I needed a system to not only organize my day to day tasks but a way to organize every aspect of my business, including my workflows for content, client onboarding and working with my team.
I absolutely fell in love with the possibilities with Trello, the fact that it was free (I mean YES) and how visual the platform was.
As someone who loves a good post-it note, it felt like a much more efficient and eco-friendly way to organize my ideas.
Since using Trello, I’ve been able to create multiple boards including but not limited to:
My Brand
My Weekly Schedule
My Big Picture Goals
Blog Workflow
Podcast Workflow - Subscribe to The Free to Be Podcast
Client Onboarding
Content Creation Strategy
Oh, and the occasional personal board (in fact I used Trello to organize my checklists and to-do list for my trip to Paris and Iceland).
Interested in trying Trello, check it out here →
*Please note this is an affiliate because as the blog post suggests, I absolutely LOVE IT!
One of my absolute favorite ways to use Trello, besides the weekly schedule, is to organize my big goals. I feel like this is what was holding me back when using the planner, I couldn’t see the big picture.
Now I have a designated board which easily shows my HUGE quarterly goals, my ideas for passion projects and a breakdown of what I’m working on and when in my business.
It’s changed the game for me and contributed to me hitting multiple 6-figures in my business this year.
Did I mention it’s free? Ok, cool!
Want all my Trello workflows, customizations and additions? This month in Free To Be U, my monthly membership community, we are taking a deep dive into task management and organization.
Learn more and sign up today →
I’d love to know in the comments your favorite way to organize your business tasks and if you don’t have one, will you be using Trello?
EPISODE 01 | Married to an Entrepreneur with Ben Knight
Married to an Entrepreneur with Ben Knight
Free to Be Podcast | Episode 01
Welcome to the Free to Be Podcast. I'm so excited to bring you a really personal and exciting first episode with my husband, Ben Knight. With questions submitted by my community Authentic Brand Builders and followers on Instagram, Ben and I are having a candid conversation about our relationship, how we find harmony in our relationship, his role in the business and how we handle those money conversations.
It's a beautiful episode in which you can get a glimpse into our life together, hopefully, learn a little more about how he has supported me as I have grown and continue to grow my business.
Things we talk about in this episode:
→ Our story, how we met and fell in love (seriously, it could be a movie)
→ How we find harmony in our relationship while running a business
→ What Ben really thinks about the time I spend on my business
→ How Ben supports me as I grow my business and his tips for you and your spouse
Important links mentioned in this episode:
Airbnb: Get $40 off your first rental
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
CONNECT WITH ME
Web: brandmerry.com
Instagram: @brandmerrycoaching
Facebook: @brandmerrycoaching
Biz Group: Authentic Brand Builders
LOVE THE FREE TO BE PODCAST?
I kinda secretly hoped you'd say yes! I love you right back lady and I'm so honored you tune in every week for massive inspiration. I've got a favor to ask. Would you be so kind as to leave a review of the podcast on iTunes (if you haven't already)? It means so much to me to read your reviews + it allows more people to get their hands on the amazing interviews and content. Let's spread the love, shall we? REVIEW ON ITUNES ↠
Listen to More