Everyone is better than me.

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Usually I try to keep personal rants, words that are not related to writing or entrepreneurship, out of the blog. There are too many people who are looking for attention out here and I don’t want to be just another hopeless chick in the blogosphere with nothing better than do with an internet connection.

However,  before we can all move forward as business owners, (or go further in your careers, because entrepreneurship is not everyone’s calling) there are some poorly chosen emotional investments (think: how things make us feel) in which we must cash out, like I’ve done with the Facebook stock, which has now fallen to $20.04 per share. In fact, I’m all cashed out, and can now type all of this, without shedding a tear…

Before I “go in” (I’m so NYC right now!) on my soapbox let me address what some of you will think, if you don’t already: I don’t need a therapist. I am fine. I truly love life. While I not only subscribe to the notion of reaching out to an unbiased professional to “sort things out” — and I have, after an auto accident and near the end of a relationship I had no business being in to begin with — I still keep someone on standby in the iPhone. But as it stands, I don’t need a therapist. I’m a better person, but based on what’s been floating throughout the major social networks, you are better than me. Better at handling news, better at not teasing someone’s look, and better at being a Christian. Yes, it’s going to be that kind of post!

On eating less chicken. With the recent news about Chick-fil-A’s CEO Dan Cathy, who declared he and his restaurant are against gay marriage, I haven’t seen so many Christians since Easter Sunday. Clearly, what makes you better than me, is your unapologetic stand for traditional marriage. If you are truly following all of the Bible, not just the parts that make you feel better about yourself, carry on.

And for those who support homosexuality by choosing to not eat at Chik-Fil-A earlier this week: where have you been hiding? Have you been marching? Donating? Shopping for rainbow stickers? No worries. Here’s your chance to partake in it all.

On defending Gabby.  Earlier this week I shared my fear…of nothing; when I pitch a story idea to an editor or blog owner and get no response from them — not even a rejection — I’m almost afraid to write anymore. This fear is something that I have tried to explain as the reason behind my procrastination, the over-looking of business opportunities and the “missed phone calls”.  And this fear is nothing in comparison to an older and long-running fear…of not being pretty enough. I was teased as a “skinny girl”, with thick-lensed glasses, because my parents didn’t think it was important for me to look normal at their 80s middle-income expense. Few people defended me back then. But today, support for Olympic medalist Gabby Douglas, who was recently criticized on Twitter for not having her hair done as she flipped and twirled into first place, is coming out of the woodwork. And by woodwork, I mean Facebook.

When I spoke my peace — ironically, on Facebook — on how everyone is holier-than-thou on this particular issue, my friend Sarai of www.SaraiGlamour.com quickly replied, “of course, you are right Ty, we have all talked about bad hair before. I think it’s just that people are more outraged that in all her accomplishments, people with nothing better to do than to down others, will still find something negative or bad to say…”  (She then reminded me that we all “will resume talking about folks soon.”)

Well, where was the outrage when the nerds (when it was uncool to be a nerd) in High School were being tormented while trying to make all A’s? Or when the gay guy was trying to make sense of his own life while he was bullied, because “he looked gay”? Bandwagoners…you all are better than me.

On…that dang Facebook…again! While most of you were choosing to eat chicken, to not eat chicken or to stand up for Gabby’s tresses — in other words, choosing to be better than me this week — there was a story in the lifestyle section of CNN which caught my attention. Jessica Ravitz’s Face it, Facebook: Sometimes you suck (last link, I promise!) describes how a random peek at the social network’s feed can force you into a place where most women don’t want to be: thinking about the ex.

While I don’t agree with her thoughts on how 20-year-olds don’t have adult issues, like seeing exes with the next’s, or having miscarriages, I hear her loudly on how Facebook friends of Facebook friends cause you to remind yourself of a past you’ve been trying to forget. But because you’re better than me, after reading the story you will think I (and Ravitz) need to get over that ex. I have, (oh how I have… *blushing*) but I am not looking for updates about his new life and new wife, when we called our wedding off just over a year ago.

Yes, I’ve missed the memo on what to say and on how to feel. On being righteous towards this, and saying nothing on that. On following the majority on Facebook, Twitter and CNN (did you see the comments?) and on having an opinion as a writer.  I thought being true to who I am, faults and all, still counted today. Alas, it’s all about being perfect, or at the very least, being better.
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I am a freelance writer, copywriter and consultant who provides to small business owners: articles, press releases, website/blog content, newsletter copy, and more. More importantly, I am also watching my 14-year-old diva, Tyra, grow before my eyes. Click here and check out my e-book, “What to blog about…” for free.
(c) 2012 TyLand Unlimited. Copying without written permission is prohibited.

Fear of…nothing

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facing fears, article writing

Source: Parnanet – Wallace Moura – flickr.com

Pastor Furtick, Lead Pastor of Elevation Church, spent the past month conducting a series about fears — facing them, embracing them, and understanding them. During his latest installment, Pastor Furtick pointed out the most common phrase associated with fear: what if.

Pastor calls the phrase one of  “fear’s greatest hits.”

For many writers, our “what ifs” may include questions like: What if my editor butchers my work? What if my blog posts aren’t tweeted? What if my client doesn’t pay on time? (Okay, the latter is not just a writer issue…it’s a small business recipe for drama at the end of a month!)

For me, it’s not about getting paid, or even getting an article rejected by top magazines. My what if, is about nothing. In other words, “what if I spend hours and days writing XYZ, submit XYZ (as I have on several occasions) and don’t receive a response at all?”

No news is supposed to be good news. Please. Ever sent a job resume to an employer you really wanted to work for back in your pre-entreprenurial days (somewhere like the hottest African-American business/financial magazine — in which a father and son have been running things for ages, maybe?), only to receive back no response whatsoever? What about the need to send an email to someone you seriously needed to connect with? Okay, multiply those feelings times ten and you’ll only begin to get where I’m coming from:

“What if” I don’t hear back from him/her? (All of that article writing and researching…
for nothing!)
Am I contacting the editor/client/etc. at the correct email address?
Is someone in Indi@ passing my work off as their own? (Maybe it’s just me feeling this way…)

Procrastination, excuses (for being behind schedule), passing up opportunities…it’s all tied to my fear of absolutely nada. No tips in this post; share your own in the comments if you can help me. This monster is eating me alive. :(

What a 14-year-old girl can teach you about motivation

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concepts,encouragement,Fotolia,incentives,inducements,inspirations,motivational,motivations,motives,persuasion,Photographs,provocations,reasons,roadsigns,road-signs,signage,signposts,signs,spurs,stimulus

Image credit: http://office.microsoft.com

The place a teenager wants to be this summer is nowhere with their mom (unless of course I’m your momma; I’m the cool mom!).

I remember as a teen not wanting anything to do with my mom unless: I was hungry, broke, or in pain. Okay…the list is way longer, because I liked my mom when I was a teen, and appreciate her more than ever today.

My daughter truly likes me, I’m sure. I will play a fair amount of Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz in the car, in between my house music and neo-soul. Well, she tolerates me.

But this week I am convinced that she cares about me, too. Nothing says “I care” more than your daughter persuading you to work out more, and consume the processed mess less. How does she get me to get serious about my health? By watching her be the change she wants to see (in me). She wants to try out for various sports teams so she has spent the summer on a healthy journey. How can I be a slob and watch her from the sidelines any longer?

Perhaps you’re not a parent or you don’t have problems with living a healthier lifestyle. You’re a Zumba fiend. Or, you might know all there is  about motivation and can motivate the heck out of anyone. But how cool is it to have children teach us a thing or two sometimes? Since working out and eating (somewhat) healthier:

I am more inspired to write. Admittedly, the summer is starting to make me lazy. Hello, yesterday in Charlotte the heat index was at 104 degrees. Taking a healthier approach to my life is getting the creative juices flowing. Not sure how or why, but that treadmill gives my right brain a workout, too.

I am making time to work out. Before there was never enough time. Funny how we make time for things we like, eh?

I am feeling good. And now I want to make others feel good. Have you seen my special shared on Facebook/email? Pow: Get your bio written/revised for $19.99 and get a press release complimentary! Check out the dtails, click the Paypal button and let’s get started today!

http://www.tyjuana-wilson.com/are-you-a-new-entrepreneur/

Sometimes, motivation can come from the least likeliest of people. If you are fortunate enough to have someone who motivates you, consider yourself blessed. In an age where teens are glued to smartphones and video games — and my daughter is no different — I am proud to have a mini-me who wants to kick start my health kick. :)

Note: I’ve lost two subscribers when I shared my bio/press release special. Email marketing strategy gone wrong, perhaps? You’ve been warned…
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I am a freelance writer, copywriter and consultant who provides to small business owners: articles, press releases, website/blog content, newsletter copy, and more. More importantly, I am also watching my 14-year-old diva, Tyra, grow before my eyes. Click here and check out my e-book, “What to blog about…” for free.

May I quote you?

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article writing techniques

Image credit-Microsoft Office

There are aspects of journalism I will always hold dear. Being able to share the news or provide a different angle to current news is super exciting. Steeping on toes, literally to make a name for myself as a report never interested me, but that’s another story – so to speak – for another day.

In an effort to make stories more believable, more reading worthy, I discovered an easy way to bring validity into writing. It has to do with listening more and talking less. What a concept, eh? Dear small business owners: It behooves you to listen more and talk less. We have two ears and one mouth for a reason.

I understand, you are not a reporter. You have no intentions on making more work for yourself (or for your assistant). But if I thought you couldn’t implement this one trick into your blogging, something you so should be doing for your business in the first place, I would not mention it here. If I could do it in my early 20s, during the Internet early years/pre-smartphone era, you can surely do it today. It’s free (of course, you know I am the queen of frugality) and you don’t have to travel far for it.

Get a statement from a reliable source, quote him or her, stick the quote in your blog posts, rinse and repeat. How? Ask questions. And another. And another, until you receive a blog-worthy quote that will make readers say “oh, now I see.” A simpler way to get a quote is to copy and paste one, with permission, of course.

There are several article writing techniques found in the blogosphere, but you will rarely find one as simple as snagging a quote from a reliable source. For writers, it’s about getting back to the basics. For others, it’s about listening more and assuming less. You may quote me on this.
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I am a freelance writer, copywriter and consultant who provides to small business owners: articles, press releases, website/blog content, newsletter copy, and more. More importantly, I am also watching my 14-year-old diva, Tyra, grow before my eyes. Click here and check out my e-book, “What to blog about…” for free.

You’re always on Facebook…

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facebook, always on facebook

Image source: Sodahead.com

Hmp. How many times have you heard this, fellow business owners? It’s girls night out, family day in or any in-person event in-between. There is always that one clueless being who finds it necessary to tell you how much time you’re spending in the number one social network on the planet.

But when you look at the latest headlines, anyone could and should understand why entrepreneurs cannot be logged on enough:

  • Facebook ad sales surpassed Twitter, and increased by 58% compared to last year’s earnings
  • Facebook mobile ads outdo other ad platforms
  • Washington state residents may now register to vote on Facebook
  • Americans spend approximately 400 minutes a month on Facebook (source, Huffington Post)

Your brand needs to be on Facebook all the time
Look, I don’t need to know what you had for breakfast, lunch and dinner – every freaking day – I do not care. Unless of course, you’re a gourmet chef or a health guru, then I will pretend to care much more than I actually do, as I eat my fried foods with pride. But if you have a reputable business (or you say you do) I expect to find you on Facebook. I should be able to like your page and read daily updates. I should see hundreds if not thousands of other likes, including likes from those who state that we are on Facebook too much to their liking as if their opinion counts to us in the first place.

If you’re getting on nerves, you’re doing Facebook right
Before I got serious about the writing business I remember days of seeing the same posts from the same business owners. Some posts were business related while others were random “have a good days” statements. It used to get on my nerves, until I remembered…hello…I can always log off when Facebook gets on my nerves. :) And I realized the posts helped with brand recognition. Aha! So saturate the newsfeed with your brand.

Having spent a solid three years on Facebook, I can tell you, the successful business owner is ridiculously posting, sharing and liking over there. The profiting-challenged? Well some of them are surprised to see the “new” timeline. If this doesn’t encourage you to get there and stay on there as much as possible, what will? So the next time you hear “You are always on Facebook” remember these words my dad, a retired business owner — who always kept a roof on our heads –keep going. If he was still in business I’d make sure he’d had a business page, believe that.

By the way, have you liked TyLand on Facebook?

Pop quiz: So how exactly does he or she know you’re spending too much time on Facebook anyway?
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I am a freelance writer, copywriter and consultant who provides to small business owners: articles, press releases, website/blog content, newsletter copy, and more. More importantly, I am also watching my 14-year-old diva, Tyra, grow before my eyes. Click here and check out my e-book, “What to blog about…” for free.

You cannot make money blogging

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make money blogging

Image credit: thepitter-patter.blogspot.com

If it were only just a “little” hard to achieve, more people would be doing it. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. I’m talking about winning with blogging.

I get asked the money question…it’s too often to mention here; I feel it’s time you know the truth: You cannot make money blogging. Thank you for reading, and make it a great day. :)

Oh, you’re still here? Have a seat.

Sure, there are countless write-ups telling you it’s possible to ball hard (slang for rolling in the dough, which is slang for making lots of cash) from a blog. There are ways to do it, right from home, blah blah blah. But what people fail to do, is do.

It kills me, to type the least, when those who talk about making money, won’t take three basic steps towards making a presence online. Think about it: There are millions of blogs online, so how will anyone find yours, so that you can eventually make money from it? Here is my attempt to not sound like a broken record about this topic. Will you take heed this time?

Stay consistent – Blogs with regular postings — at least two posts per week — get more traffic than those with a “Merry Christmas” message as the last posting created. Blogging on a regular basis leads to traffic, and more traffic leads to money-making on your blog. There is no way around it. You have to post to your blog, people.

Use keywords – “Make money blogging” is a keyword (phrase) that gets traffic. How? Well, have you or someone you know ever searched the mighty Google for ways to make money blogging? What did you type? Did you end up here? Imagine how many others searched “make money money” this year alone! Get some consistency with keywords and the money will come. Even a variation of the phrase (i.e. ways to make money blogging, how to make money blogging, making money by blogging) are great terms to include in your blog. Make sure your authentic and not a keyword dumper, though. That’s the equivalent to a spammer.

Ads work – Yes, PPC and banner ads still work. I remember I launched a blog years ago and placed an ad for err um shall we say…male enhancement aids? Guess what I received in the mail almost weekly? A small check from the company who makes the pills! I kid you not. I got rid of the blog (doh!) because I didn’t want my name tied to sex, male enhancement or the like…ooops I did it again!

Yes there are those are who making money by blogging. It’s true, and chances are you have bookmarked several of these bloggers. (thanks in advance for bookmarking this blog!) But if you think they are doing nothing, or nothing more that writing 500 words once a week…ha!
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I am a freelance writer, copywriter and consultant who provides to small business owners: articles, press releases, website/blog content, newsletter copy, and more. More importantly, I am also watching my 14-year-old diva, Tyra, grow before my eyes. Click here and check out my e-book, “What to blog about…” for free.

Sometimes…you just need to shut the eff up.

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tmi, shut up, experts

image credit: ropella.com

…and good Friday morning to you!

But let’s face it, the internet has turned broadband and Wifi users into:

  • scholars
  • advisers
  • experts
  • critics
  • and other know-it-alls who know very little at all (other than how to regurgitate info)

Even some of my TyLand Writings, especially the Facebook musings, are nothing more than babble. Are you gasping yet? Yes, it’s true. I like to go for shock value (re-read the title of this post!) For some, my words are gospel…and that’s why I keep on keeping on.

But sometimes even I need to STFU. Don’t you dare ask me what STFU stands for!

Celebrating someone’s independence (I’m just saying…I’m a Black woman! LOL), I attended three cookouts on July 4. Clearly I couldn’t eat everything at every house. As a matter of fact, by the time I made it to my last stop – my brother’s crib – I ate nothing. Which is sad, because my sister-in-law throws down. I see why my brother married her…

But if I ate even bits of every meat, salad or starch, my belly would look worse than it does on any other day. And I’d be a sick chick.

What’s my point? Sometimes we have to learn to take only what we need and want, in order to keep going in our business, and learn how to politely pass on the rest. (And perhaps, come back later for it!)

Check out my latest guest blog post, about all those tips that I bloggers keep sharing all over the net…ciao.

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I am a freelance writer, copywriter and consultant who provides to small business owners: articles, press releases, website/blog content, newsletter copy, and more. More importantly, I am also watching my 14-year-old diva, Tyra, grow before my eyes. Click here and check out my e-book, “What to blog about…” for free.

Your #hashtag is a tad bit long…

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stupid long hashtags annoy me

Image credit: blog.cubesocial.com

…or should I rewrite it, so that you might understand where I’m coming from: #yourhashtagisatadbitlong.

Recently I wrote as a guest blogger about being a hashtag hog. A hashtag hog is a lover of all words with a # in tweeting, and uses multiple hashtags in one tweet. Perhaps I have too much time on my hands today, but now I have found something more annoying than seeing the pound sign everywhere,  too-long hashtags.

When I view hashtags – keywords on Twitter identified by the # leaning on them – I view an opportunity to draw in more followers and connections by sharing common ideas: #summer #july4. I view it as an opportunity to share subliminal messages but I see it’s getting out of hand, so here goes my rant for the day.

I get where the abusers are coming from. What better way is there to get attention online these days, than to post a mile-long hashtag? We fight everyday for some of the social media spotlight only to find, again, that images with naked women or furry animals get the most recognition. I don’t care about your need for attention.  But I am concerned that your hashtag is hard to read. How can we possibly understand your message if we cannot make out the jumbled wording? Stop it.

Short and sweet: Shorter hashtags will get you more followers. #july4 will get more attention than say #july4thatmomsmeansgoodfood. Seriously, visit Twitter.

Relevant and readable: In keeping with the #july4 theme, make sure your hashtag is keyword friendly, so that it appears in Twitter searches. Unless you care less about being discovered. Then by all means, #gohashtagcrazy!

Pass and…pass: Sometimes nothing needs to be shared. Even as a writer, I have learned how to refrain from typing all of my thoughts. You need to ask what is your purpose for posting. If you are tweeting for re-tweets, make your hashtags simple words, not passive-aggressive phrases.

Thankfully, I’m not alone in feeling some kind of way about the hashtag issue. Skip to the 1:11 mark if you’d rather not hear about Justin Bieber:

What are some of the most ridiculous, too-long hashtags you’re finding on Twitter (and Facebook)?

 

Are you still running a BIN-NESS?

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small business issues

source: s12.invisionfree.com

For many of you, sadly, ignorance is bliss.

Six months ago you’d promise yourself that this year your entrepreneurship would blossom. A profit would actually be born. Now with the summer here to give everyone an excuse to take it easy, you have three more months (June, July, August) to do very little. My friend are you running a business…or a BIN-NESS?

What is a binness? My people know exactly what I mean, but for everyone else: A binness takes on various meanings, including  slang for the word business. However, for me and for many others, a binness is nothing more than a half-a$$ed attempt at pursuing a business. Learning all you can, finding ways to grow, having I’s dotted and T’s crossed, that’s doing business. Cutting corners, staying stagnant, making excuses? Yes, that’s a binness.

You need to stop it. Did you not read my reasons why small business is a joke? I give you 10 reasons, here and here. Seriously, read them now and then come back to this post.

And…we’re back. I trust you’ve spent the past few moments reading my two suggested posts. I write this all for you! Now, here is a handy sheet for you to print or download (it’s a JPEG) to keep for checks and balances.  Make sure your small business is bin-ness-free:

small business issuesSir, ma’am, are you ready to stop running a binness? Get started today for only $19.99 with a professional bio (Sorry, this rate is so 2012! Contact me at info@tyjuana-wilson.com for today’s writings fees.) Show the world you actually mean business in 2012, and once and for all.
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I am a freelance writer, copywriter and consultant who provides to small business owners: articles, press releases, website/blog content, newsletter copy, and more. More importantly, I am also watching my 14-year-old princess, Tyra, grow before my eyes. Click here and check out my e-book, “What to blog about…” for free.

How to use your bio to promote your brand

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(We are now back to posting to this blog twice a week. We understand the need to get tips and other information out there. Let us know in the comments if this is helpful in any way. As the “Entrepreneur’s Entrepreneur”, this is what I do.)

bio, branding

source: smbmaster.com

Lately I have been sharing the bio special with everyone I know. I am sure if you are reading this, you have purchased a bio (or at least had me revise the one you’ve been using all along.) But I guess I should explain why I feel that a bio can be used to leverage your brand. So here it goes:

Share a story. This is great for personal branding. Readers want to know what makes you do what it is that you get paid to do. How did you get there? If you’re genuine, a great, quirky, inspiring story will put you in a position to grow your following on the major social networks.

Can you back it up? I am not asking you to dance. (I’ll patiently wait for you to catch up here.) If you claim to be the go-to person for SEO, then you ought to be able to provide  awards won, major contracts earned or at least two testimonials. Defend yourself when the haters constructive critics dare to challenge your work. All of this can be condensed into the bio and help build your brand into something solid. Pow.

Show ‘em what’s in it for them. This is why consumers buy, is it not? Just as a car salesperson points out the bells and whistles on a new car, your bio should describe why we should hire you.

It is not too late to purchase your bio for $19.99. In fact, it’s never too late to take advantage of this offer. :)   Chances are, you are about to spend the twenty bucks on something useless over the next few hours anyway…

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I am a freelance writer, copywriter and consultant who provides to small business owners: articles, press releases, website/blog content, newsletter copy, and more. More importantly, I am also watching my 14-year-old diva, Tyra, grow before my eyes. Click here and check out my e-book, “What to blog about…” for free.