Gardening in High Heels

cultivate a beautiful life

Blogger Tribe

If you saw Sunday Lately this week, you know that it’s being presented by the Blogger Tribe instead of just Katy, Meghan, and Nicole. I’ve written before about finding a supportive group here and here, so it’s probably no surprise that I’ve fit myself into the Blogger Tribe.

It really helps to have a group of people who are supportive that you can turn to for questions. As creatives, sometimes it’s hard to get your ideas flowing to the point where you can write something. It’s also great to have advice from people who have been there and done that.

Right now, Blogger Tribe is a group on Facebook and an Instagram account. I know it’ll go bigger and better places, but I really like the small, personal group we’ve built.

And of course, you’re welcome to join. Everyone has a unique perspective and deserves a supportive tribe regardless of how long you’ve been blogging or what you write about.

Finding your tribe in the blog world is important. The Blogger Tribe is your kick ass group full of inspiration & encouragement for bloggers.

How did you find your blogger tribe?

Facebook Business Page 101: Get around declining reach

Facebook is a mystery. It’s an enigma wrapped in a riddle housed in a coconut – you just can’t get through no matter how hard you try. Or can you?

It’s no secret that Facebook business pages have a declining organic reach. Just about everyone who has a business page (or reads blogs about blogging) knows that. I have found a few ways around this, though. Spurred on by this post from Think Creative, I want to offer a few more pieces of well-honed advice.

What caught my eye were their two points to “Post less, communicate more” and “Be a resource, not a sales pitch.” I say this to clients all day long at my day job.

I tell them, “You want to be inspiring, entertaining, and engaging. Make yourself a resource for your customers and position yourself as an expert. Why? Because the more someone interacts with your posts (likes, clicks, comments, and shares), the more likely Facebook will serve them up in their feed in the future. But in order to get customers interacting with your Facebook business page, we need to give them something meaty.

So how do you do that? Well, if I were to go on your page, is it 100% without question painfully obvious what you do? If it is, great, carry on. If it isn’t, let’s get you there.

How to deal with Facebook Business Page declining reach and why you should care as a blogger or business owner.

First, pick a schedule. I’ve preached about this before. It is so important to have an updated page. If I were to go to someone’s business page and see that the last post was from two months ago, I wouldn’t have a reason to click that all-powerful Like button.

Second, make sure your content is related to your business type. Are you a DIY jewelry making store? Let’s talk about jewelry, share tutorials, even post some style inspiration. Are you a blogger who writes about pie baking? You’ll want to share recipes, but also tips for making the flakiest crust and your insider secret for ensuring your blueberry pie doesn’t bubble over (I use a mixture of tapioca pearls and corn starch..you’re welcome.)

I love to take advantage of secret Pinterest boards. Whenever I find something that I think would be useful to share on my clients’ pages, I save it to a secret Pinterest board. Then when I’m ready to sit down and schedule out posts, I have a file of relevant content to pull from.

Third, be a real person. No one wants to follow an automaton. You want hearts, not eyeballs, so you have to give people something to connect with. Of course, you can highlight your Pinterest-worthy fall wreath when it’s all done, but take your customers behind the scenes and let them see your mess once in a while. It’ll humanize you a little bit and give customers a face, not just a business name, to put with the content.

So what did we learn today, kids? To succeed on Facebook, you need to post consistently, position yourself as an expert, and make sure you’re bringing some heart to your brand.

What do you do to stand out from the crowd on your Facebook business page?

Have you entered my You Guys Totally Rock so Here’s a Bunch of Things I Like and I Think You’ll Like, Too Giveaway? You should probably check it out. Like, now.

How to know when you need a blog break

Okay. So. Not to be entirely self-pitying, but I’ve had a rough couple of months. Between moving, problems with my mom, fluctuating responsibilities at work, and trying to keep personal relationships from sinking…things around here got a little quiet. Anything that wasn’t absolutely essential to keep in the air got dropped.

I really turned inward and didn’t want to broadcast my problems for the internet. Airing dirty laundry takes on a whole new level when it’s available world-wide (not that I flatter myself that someone in Paris is reading this, buuuut….)

And while I wrote about what I learned from blogging every day, I didn’t write about what I learned from not writing when my heart wasn’t there and how to know when you need a blog break.

How to know when you need to take a blog break (and a giveaway from Gardening In High Heels)

How do you know when you need a break? When you’re heart isn’t in it. It’s that simple. You need to take a step back to reconnect with what you love doing. Creatively rejuvenate yourself. That’s a post for another day, but I know my writing struggles when it just isn’t exciting me and I can bet it’s the same way for you, too.

So what did I learn from taking a blog break?

Of course, there are the practical things I’ve learned like I should have kept up with the promotion and sharing old posts through Facebook and Twitter. I mean, it makes sense. But again, my heart just wasn’t there. So do as I say and not as I do: still go through your popular posts and promote the hell out of them. Even if you aren’t producing new material, still share old material.

Find a new outlet. I turned to Instagram to document what was happening in real life. #BecauseImKeepingItReal

I don’t want to always have this picture-perfect portrayal here because life isn’t picture perfect. And while I want this to be a reintroduction to me and a hello to a new business of sorts, I also want to recognize life’s stumbles. Yes, you need to make sure you’re spelling is correct and your pictures aren’t fuzzy, but you also need to connect with people’s hearts. That’s my belief.

If you don’t have their hearts, all you have are numbers. And what good does that do you?

Another thing I learned from taking a step back is that it’s okay to change your path. You aren’t stuck in one niche forever. You can evolve. You can pivot.

I know, these are all things that are like, “Angelica, you seriously didn’t realize that??” but there’s a difference between knowing something and getting it.

So, back to pivoting on what you’re doing. Jenny Blake is the pivot queen. (She actually wrote about what happens when you try to nail your niche.) I love that we don’t have to keep doing the same thing over and over. Especially if you want to go in another path but feel like you should stay on the route you’re on. That “should” word is a red flag that you need to mix it up.

I’m redefining what I want to write about and letting this be a place for people to learn more about me and my work in a real way. I’ll still write about makeup and the trials of cultivating a beautiful life, but on a more consistent basis again. I’ll also be focusing more on letting this be my outlet and a way to highlight my writing strengths in the hopes that people hire me to write for them (because I love sharing my thoughts with you, but thoughts don’t pay the rent, y’hear me?)

As a thank you to people who have been with me through it all and a welcome for any new readers and friends I’ve made along the way, I want to share some of my favorite things (and let you win them).

How to know when you need to take a blog break (and a giveaway from Gardening In High Heels)

How to know when you need to take a blog break (and a giveaway from Gardening In High Heels)

Of course, my favorite pens, Post Its, and copious amounts of Target dollar spot stationery. My favorite balm + stain that looks great on anyone (it’s the Revlon Balm Stain in Honey) and a few other lip products. A freakin’ hilarious letterpress notebook from Sapling Press in Pittsburgh and purchased at my favorite card shop in the city, Wildcard. And this lovely scarf, of course in gray like everything else I wear. I seriously almost kept the for myself, yo. But I love you guys, so you win. And a few other things I may pick up along the way.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Can you pick out a theme? Me neither. It’s pretty much me in a box. And hopefully if you’re like me, you’ll love this all, too.

What’s your sign to know when you need a break?

PS: You guys rock. Just sayin’.

Blogs you need to read, Pittsburgh edition

Last month, I shared a handful of my favorite bloggers.  It only included half of my favorite bloggers.  A good portion of what I read are my favorite ‘Burgh bloggers.  So part two of the blogs I love conversation rounds out the list with some great bloggers right from my hometown.

I love that the list also includes a few dudes.  Blogging isn’t just for mommies and scrapbookers, especially in this town.  Just the amount of people writing about beer would fill up a few thousand words.

Pittsburgh bloggers who are killing it.

I know there are bloggers I’m missing (I’m really really sorry!).  I want to give love to the whole city; I’ll probably end up writing another post.  But for today, in no particular order:

Mel (30 Something Therapy)

Mel is hilarious online and the handful of times I’ve met her in person.  Her posts are short and sweet and her personality totally shines through the writing.  I especially love her race recaps.  You’ll be ready to lace up your shoes and go outside.  For real.  The girl is a total badass.

Alex (Everybody Loves You)

Another person who is hilarious online and off.  Even his emails that remind you not to reply all are pithy and just right.  Just like I enjoy Campfire Kam for her Instagrams, I love Alex’s tweets and pictures.  He’s brilliant, slightly self-effacing, and is great for fostering community and collaborations.  Want more proof: he’s the brains behind the Pittsburgh Great Blog Exchange.

And Finn is just too much.  How can you not follow along?

(PS: we’ll be doing a Twitter collab post soon and he is on the ball and on point as always.  So stay tuned.)

Britt (In Pursuit of Happiness)

I should just stop saying “OMG they’re so great in person” because everyone on this list totally is and Britt is another one.  And it’s no surprise that I’m including Britt because I’ve fangirl-ed out enough on here about her.

I love her inspiring posts and that she gets real and raw with her readers.  Life isn’t all rainbows and butterflies, but she always has a positive message, even at the end of a crappy story.  I love the way she presents these things.  It really makes you feel like, “Listen, life can be shit sometimes, and that’s okay.”

Emily (Emily Levenson)

Emily, a co-pilot of Propelle, has a great blog (in case you missed it, she’s the driving force behind Project:Food Budget) focusing on food.  I wouldn’t call her a “food blogger,” rather a “food inspire-er.”  I mean, I buy bananas and purposely let them get old just so I can make her banana bread.

And her baby is so cute.

Kate (Yinzpiration)

Kate rounds out the Propelle duo with Emily and is seriously inspiring herself.  Yinzpiration is like a big “here’s why Pittsburgh is awesome” proclamation.  And if you need to follow some entertaining tweeters, check out her 57 Reasons to Live in Pittsburgh page.

You’ll probably want to move here after reading it if you don’t already live in Pittsburgh.  And if you do, hit me up so we can grab some beers.  Which leads me to…

Jason (Breaking Brews / PCBN)

Okay, this is slightly cheating because I write for Pittsburgh Craft Beer Network (and it’s awesome regardless, so go read about the awesome craft beers in the ‘Burgh).  I love the podcasts that he and Jason Collins get together and put on.  They’re entertaining, especially when they’re actually drinking beers on air.

And Breaking Brews isn’t just Pittsburgh-specific, so you can totally get something out of this even if you’re not from around here.

Beth (The Fashionable Eye)

The girl’s ‘gram game is strong.  And her shoe game is even more on point.  Beth is another person who I love for her Instagram.  She always looks so fashionable and her outfits are something I’d never thing to do – like leather shorts, booties, and flannel for summer.  Genius!

I was introduced to Beth through Alex and the PghGBE this year.  If you need further proof that he’s great at making connections.

Bonus: her pup is adorable.

What blogs are on you must-read list?

Be a Twitter Chat Rockstar

Last night, while participating in the #CreateLounge Twitter chat, I got to thinking about what makes for the best chat experience.  I don’t do a lot of Twitter chats, but I try to attend the ones I know and love as faithfully as I can.

Why tweet and chat?  It’s a fun way to interact with like-minded people, learn some new view points and/or techniques, express your opinions, and grow your following on Twitter as an influential user.

In the process of tweeting and chatting, I’ve learned a lot about what makes for a good experience and what needs a little work.  Here are a few essential things to make sure you’re doing during a Twitter chat to be a gracious guest.

Twitter chats are so much fun! Love these tips for being a great chatter.

Make sure you’re using the hashtag

So you sent out a tweet without the chat hashtag.  That’s okay.  It’s a rookie mistake, but it’s still okay.  I’ve done it, the best Twitter chatters have done it, you’ll probably do it.  But use it because it allows the host and other chatters to easily find your tweets in the sea of lost message.

Oh and keep an eye out and make sure you have enough space to include the tag when you’re done making your brilliant point.

Also, don’t forget to number your tweets.  If you’re responding to Q1 (question 1), write A1 (answer 1) before your tweet.

Jump right in

Twitter chats aren’t the place to be shy.  Sure you can lurk around for the first few times while you get the hang of it, but the fun in chats is participating with everyone!

If you have something to say, hit reply and type away!  It always makes me feel good when someone starts a conversation with an answer I provided.  If a tweet does un-replied-to, does it ever get tweeted?

Try Tweetdeck

Native Twitter is hard to participate in Twitter chats.  I like seeing a running list of all tweets using the chat tag, my notifications, and any new topics coming from the host.  For this purpose, I use Tweetdeck when participating in chats.  It keeps me organized.

The only catch is that if you make a new stream (to track the hashtag perhaps) and the account you’re using isn’t the primary Tweetdeck account, make sure your favoriting tweets from the right account!  There was a chat I participated in where all my favorites came from the wrong handle.

You could also use your phone.  It’s convenient because it auto-fills the hashtag and handles, the favorites are always from the right account, and it’s easy to follow your new friends.

Follow interesting chatters

Like I mentioned before, you get the most out of a Twitter chat when you can interact with everyone.  Keep that momentum going after the chat by following the people you had a great conversation with!  I’ve met some great people from participating in Twitter chats.

And you know that you have similar interests because you’re participating in the same Twitter chat.  So if you’re in a blogger chat, most of the people are bloggers….with whom you can create a support network, find and share new content, etc.  See where I’m going here?

Some of my favorite chats are Kayla Hollatz‘s #CreateLounge on Wednesdays at 8p ET, CoSchedule‘s CoChat on Thursdays at 3:30pm ET, Megan‘s #TipsyChat on Tuesdays at 8:30p ET, and Blog Elevated‘s #BlogElevated chat on Tuesdays at 10p ET.

What are your tips for participating in Twitter chats? What’s your favorite to participate in?

Be a Better Blogger is a weekly link up dedicated to helping you be a more intentional blogger. Want to be a better blogger but don’t know where to start? Head over to the Be a Better Blogger page for daily prompts and a weekly linkup to help get the creative juices flowing! Oh, and use #beabetterblogger on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook to keep the fun going even after you hit Publish!

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People Really Dug These

We Belong in the Garden Together