​As we near years end, inspiration to achieve goals and set resolutions feels virtually endless. While I do believe that goals are immensely important, I find one major flaw in the non-stop stream of Instagram posts reminding me to make 2020 my best year yet. Very few seem to be talking about HOW to achieve said goals. It can sometimes feel like we are just supposed to manifest our dreams and cross our fingers that they happen. Call me a realist, but I'm just not convinced that is going to cut it. Achieving goals takes effort and follow-through. Although a worthy part of the process, no beautifully crafted vision board alone is going to get you there. The best way to create goals that actually stick is to first - dream big; THEN make a solid plan and stay consistent. 

Now, please don't throw your vision board into the fire and archive your motivational Instagram posts. These elements have their place. If you've gotten this far, you are well on your way to successful goal achievement. My five step process to creating goals that actually stick is designed help you fill in the missing pieces for the rest of process. 
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Step 2. Visualize 
Settle in to a quiet seat and start with a few deep breaths. Now, can you picture yourself a year from now? What does this look like? How do you feel? Write this down (or create your vision board) to begin to embody this visualization. 

Here is an example of how this might look.
Goal: Increase my Number of Clients by 3 per month
Action Step: Use my social media channels to build brand awareness and attract more potential clients to my business. 
Task: Spend 15 mins/day engaging with my target audience on Instagram.

​Step 5. Review  
Review your goals and progress weekly. It is important to set measurable expectations for each goal, and have a system in place to report on those expectations. Applying a quantity to your goal means that, at the end of the week/month/quarter, you can review your results and make informed business decision on your strategy. Am I seeing progress? Where do I need to shift? Remember - this part is not always linear and does require some critical thinking. Perhaps you only had one new client, but your social media following grew by 25 followers - this is still growth! Now... how do we get those social media followers to convert to clients.... a post for a different day ;) ​​

The year I graduated college I left home and moved across the country to live in the Rocky Mountains. My first "professional job" was working the front desk at a luxury hotel in Vail, Colorado. Thinking back now, it wasn't a bad gig, but at the time - I hated it. I remember calling my dad to complain, and he responded "Holly, you are not always going to love your job." to which I firmly replied, "I refuse to live that way."

At the time, my mind had no idea what the future held for me. But as it turns out, my heart knew.

Today, as I sit at my kitchen table, fitting in some writing before I hop on an Energetic Mastery + Business Strategy call with my coach, I can fully recognize a movement is happening. It is happening within me, and it is happening around me.

​Perhaps this shift is on my radar because I am just days off a Women's Intuition Retreat, or because I am working with a coach who brings this topic to light in the most affirming way. Perhaps this movement has been happening for quite some time, and is just now reaching me. Whatever stage it is at, I believe this movement extends far beyond my circle of influence. I believe this movement is rippling across the globe. 

This movement we speak of is a transition to a business model where wisdom and intuition meet to make decisions. A model where rest and balance are as valued as hard work and success. A work environment where women do not give away their power, act small, or feel undeserving of their worth. A space where abundance flows and a scarcity mindset has no place at the table. A position that does not require outside validation because we stand firmly in our purpose.
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Now here is where the shift occurs - I have made the conscious decision to be mindful of the energy of my business. I've found an amazing mentor, I am surrounding myself with other like-minded business owners, I am working to adopt tools in my daily life to help me recognize and end any self-limiting behaviors, I am creating boundaries, I am doing the work. 

Let the record show I have never been one to believe that if I sit back, love myself and manifest my dream life that it is just going to happen. Nope! I don't buy that for a second. I still firmly believe hard work, knowledge, planning and motivation are KEY to success.

That said, I now realize there is a place in the middle that feels better. That I can trust both my intuition and my wisdom when making business decisions. That rest fuels my creativity. That I have to value my own skills before my clients ever will. That I can attract and deserve the most amazing clients. That, when I become crystal clear on my intention, I no longer require outside validation. That I can do business differently. 

​In closing, one final piece of wisdom that I feel must be noted when discussing this shift:

"The Rising of the Divine Feminine is not a Fall of the Patriarchy. It is a meeting in the middle."
-Kelly Rich

The shift starts within.

If you would like to take a deeper look at the messaging of your business, if you are ready to connect with your ideal clients, if you are craving more organization, creativity and ease with your marketing strategies - reach out. Let's make this shift happen for you, too.

Whether it's your website, your business page on Facebook, or your airbnb vacation rental listing - nailing your digital presence could mean the difference between business, or lack thereof. No matter the channel, successful digital marketing most always stems from identifying your target client and marketing to their pain points. Therefore, perfecting your vacation rental profile means knowing your ideal guest, understanding their needs, and positioning your rental as the best solution.

In addition to being the solution to your guests vacation needs, you must also cut through the clutter of ALL the other listings, and provide an authentic, positive and memorable guest experience before your guests even step foot in your home. To  make things even more interesting, this all has to happen within the confines of your listing site. To do this well can be challenging. However, given the current travel market, the drive for authentic experiences, and the surge of shared-economies - I deem this a challenge worth pursuing. If you are reading this, I'd say you do, too. To make this challenge a bit more manageable, here are a few tips to consider when perfecting your vacation rental profile: 
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​Don't Over-Promise and Under-Deliver
When making large ticket purchases on the internet, such as a vacation, convincing your consumers to trust you is one of the biggest hurdles. One of the best ways to grow trust is though social proof, meaning - guest reviews. Now, the quickest way to get yourself a bad review is by not being upfront or honest about your offerings. To avoid this, definitely do not over-promise and under-deliver, and don't leave out important information that would change the guest experience.

That said, there are ways to be honest without selling yourself short. For example: if your house is a block from the beach, do not list it as "oceanfront." However, be sure to let your guests know just how quickly they can walk to public beach access. If your loft is in the middle of a busy, downtown district, I wouldn't say "city noise is a problem." But I certainly would say something like "located in a lively, urban area," so guests know what to expect. 

Market to Your Ideal Guests
If your property is an ultra sleek bachelor pad in the nightclub district, I probably would not describe it as "family-friendly." If your property is a yurt on an organic goat farm, I wouldn't recommend marketing to business travelers. These examples are extreme, but you get my drift. Often times we are afraid to define a niche because we don't want to "miss out," however I assure you there are plenty of business travelers, just as there are plenty of families looking for rentals. If we can identify and market to our ideal client, we end up offering a much more positive guest experience. This leads to better reviews and more business. 
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There you have it, folks - a few tips to help perfect your vacation rental profile. Oh, and one last piece of advice - don't forget to block out a few weekends for your own enjoyment before your listing calendar fills up! If you need any assistance putting these tips into action, email me - I love this stuff. 

Have you ever had an idea that you know is a great one, but when it comes time to execute – fear takes over and you wish you had never thought of said idea, because now you actually have to put yourself out there? Yeah… me too.
 
This blog post happens to be one of those ideas. In fact, if I am being honest, my work as an entrepreneur is chock full of one frightening idea after another. One thing I have learned in the first year of running my own business is that putting yourself out there is terrifying. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. (In many cases, all signs point to the exact opposite. More on that later.) 
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It was not until the responses began to arrive that I was able to settle back in to a place of self-assurance. The lessons shared by this powerful group of women are sincere, relatable and sage. Fear had no business in the conversation. These women are not playing small. Here’s what they had to say.
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Jaclyn Gallo, owner of Ritual Art of Wellness opening this fall in Cape Elizabeth, has this to say: "Progress isn't always linear and success doesn't necessarily mean you're moving forward.  As a female entrepreneur I have had to figure out how to navigate being the primary caregiver for my family, honor a pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey with the time it requires, and most importantly show up for all of these things and people… while running a business.
 
The ebb and flow of my family and life means that sometimes I am abundantly energetic and full of creativity and other times, I don't have anything left to give.  This has led me towards what I like to call a Yin Business Model.  A more feminine approach to business has allowed me the freedom to decline opportunities which don't align with my highest priorities."  
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Full-time Yoga Teacher and Co-owner of Maine Yoga School, Margo Rosingana, responds: "No matter how many blogs, articles or newsletters I read about being an entrepreneur, nothing comes close the direct experience you get through trial and error.  I realized that I have to figure out what works and dive in fully.  I've made so many mistakes in launching Maine Yoga School, but each time I mess up or a post falls flat, I learn something new about myself and what I have to offer.  It inspires me to be even more clear about my message and to fully get behind my mission.  Through this refinement I find I'm more willing to take risks."  
 
"I've also learned how important it is to work with actual human beings.  I tend to be fiercely independent, thinking that I can do this work alone. I now realize how important it is to seek out guidance and support from other women who have the skills that I need."

​Brand Strategist and Photographer, Elle Darcy, writes: "The biggest lesson I have taken away in the years of owning my own business is how very important it is to have clear, laser-focused niche. When I first started out (and I see this all the time with my clients) is that I was marketing to and working for any and everyone because I was nervous to not have steady income or steady clients. Ironically, the more I narrowed down and became really clear about who I would best serve, what I actually wanted to do, who I wanted to connect and create with, and who would most benefit from my services - my business grew exponentially. I’m a firm believer that you can’t stand out if you are too spread out, so I would say to any female entrepreneur: get super clear about who you are, what you want do, and most importantly, who it is that you serve — because it’s the fastest way to shine a bright light on your business!"

Caitlin Hathaway, co-owner of TULA studios in South Portland, shares: "I started to write this 100 times, and each time, I started over because it wasn't the 'perfect' lesson that I have learned.
And that, in itself, is the lesson. Nothing is perfect. We don't have the answers to all the questions. We do the best we can, with the best intentions. We show up for ourselves, for our friends, our students, our community. Each day, we take one step further. There is no finish line; no ultimate goal. We celebrate each small success; we learn from each small failure. We hold each other up in support, encouragement, and in being there for each other. There is no perfect answer for anything.

When I started out, I had a clear vision of who I was and what I wanted to do - and two years later, from each success and failure, I've shifted my path into an entirely new definition of what defines 'success'. My standout lesson, is to celebrate the small wins (yours and your people's) and to follow what serves you, and shed the layers of the things that, either aren't working out, or just aren't your thing. We have no boundaries except for the ones we create ourselves." 
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There is a new way of doing business. Consumers are becoming intolerant to slimy sales tactics, personal data trading, and click-bait messaging. Instead, a call for transparency, connection and mindfulness is changing the way companies compete in today’s marketplace. 

​To say we live in an information era is an understatement. The access we have to information has transitioned from exciting and useful to downright over the top. From our own personal data, to fake news, to social media addictions – we are forced to be hyper aware of the way we conduct ourselves online; or we chance putting ourselves, or others, at risk. 

As business owners it is our duty to act intelligently and responsibly when it comes to the information we own and share. Our consumers want to know they can trust us, we are not exploiting them, and most of all – that we are real people behind the screen, and we care. There are many ways we can be mindful when marketing our business.

Here are a few tactics I find particularly relevant: 

1. Be Transparent. Maintaining loyal customers has everything to do with building trust. A brand is a promise, and your business must deliver on that promise. Be up front and honest about your offerings and intentions. Consumers don’t have time to decipher hidden agendas, nor do they want to. #TransparencyIsTrending
2. Don’t add to the noise. I say this constantly. There is SO MUCH noise on the internet - reposted meme’s, false claims, and the same inspirational quote over and over and over... Be mindful about what you say, and how you say it. This shows you are respecting your consumers time. Time is more valuable than ever these days.
3. Be relationship driven. Yes, sales keep your doors open. Relationships grow sales. Create opportunities to meet people face to face. Have meaningful conversations (even if just online). Become so genuinely invested in your consumers that when anyone asks for a recommendation for a product or service you offer, you are the first person they think of.
4. Pause. The key to mindfulness is pausing before you act, or react. Now that literally everyone and everything is on the internet, there are no take-backs. Even if you delete the fiery comment you left under the less-than-stellar review someone posted on your facebook page… chances are a screen shot lives on.
5. Practice digital wellness. Last but certainly not least, put your phone down and go do the thing that you sell on the internet. Or don’t, and go outside.

​Instagram is a powerful marketing tool. According to Hubspot, approximately 80% of all Instagram users follow a business. Furthermore, Sprout Social reports “at least 30% of Instagram users have purchased a product they first discovered on Instagram.” Naturally, you want to be one of those businesses, amirite?!
 
That said, creating an on-brand, intentional and cohesive Instagram feed is not quite as simple as it may initially seem. If you have tried to make this happen for your business, you know just how difficult it can be.
 
If you are ready to step up your ‘gram game, you will definitely appreciate my five must-have Instagram apps for killer content creation:

1. Preview: Have you ever posted an image that, on its own - looks great; but combined with all the other posts on your feed, is totally out of place? Then what do you do? Do you delete it, or let it just sit there looking all awkward? With Preview you can see the way your feed will look BEFORE you post, so no more awkward images. Upload the images you plan to post to the Preview app, move them around, and make sure they belong, before you commit to sharing on Instagram.  
2. Canva: If you are someone who likes to share quotes (or tips, or FAQ’s, or client testimonials…), Canva is a necessary tool for your toolbox. You can create a template on Canva that fits with your brand (re: colors, fonts). Every time you want to share written words, you can update your template, download to your photos, then upload right to your Instagram account. Smooth as butter and pretty as can be.
3. Instasize: This app is clutch if you want to keep all your images the same size, or get that clean white box around your photos. Added bonus - you gain additional filters not included in your standard insta filter selection.
4. Unfold: Sick of the same old fonts and styles in Instagram stories? Unfold gives you a variety of additional layout options to set your stories apart. You can also organize stories by group and continue to add on as you create more content – very helpful for building highlight categories at the top of your feed.
5. Continual: Oh, if only life happened in perfect 15 second intervals. With Continual, you don’t have to stress if your video footage is too long for stories. This app will chop your content in to 15 second clips and save them sequentially to your photo library.

 
It is important to note that I am not nearly influential enough (yet) to actually promote these apps – so, this is not an #ad. However, I do find them to be super helpful, and hopefully you do too! At the end of the day, “winning” on social media is truly all about sharing original, engaging and high-quality content. Being social and building relationships is your best strategy, and no gimmick or fancy app will ever compete with authenticity.

Sources:
https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/instagram-stats#adoption
https://sproutsocial.com/insights/instagram-stats/

I am calling it now - 2019 is going to be a year of epic collaborations.

It seems to me, the most successful entrepreneurs I know are pushing right past fear of competition and, instead, choosing to work alongside like-minded brands and businesses. 

So, I'm just going to say it: If you have a total brand-crush on someone, it's time to make the first move. Start by taking some time to think strategically about how you could work together, create a proposal (or at least write your ideas down), then reach out! 

Still feeling those giddy nerves reminiscent of a high school romance? Let's break it down so you feel a bit more sure of yourself.

2. The Ability To Do More: As entrepreneurs and small business owners, we are often only one person (or a small team). That means, unless you have found a way to add more hours in the day… you can only do so much. However, when you collaborate, your bandwidth increases, making it possible to do more in less time! That being said, a word to the wise - be sure to outline in advance who is responsible for what within the collaboration to avoid confusion or frustration down the line.

3. Brand Strength: Working with a strong business like your own can help to validate each of you and position you both as experts within your industry. Clients will feel confident in knowing that another legitimate business thinks you are good enough to partner with.

4. Leads + Referrals: Ultimately the goal is to grow your business. With expanded reach and increased brand strength, you should see your leads and referrals rise as a direct result of your collaboration.

​I’ve said it before, and I will say it again – a rising tide raises all ships. Do your best, support other entrepreneurs just trying to do their best, be nice, and learn from one other.  If you are interested in ways to co-market your business and build your community, reach out! I am always happy to help brainstorm or make connections. 

A few years back I sat front row at a tourism conference with Samantha Brown as the keynote speaker. She was, of course, captivating as she shared stories of her endless travels. Her vivid depictions of unique experiences in far-off places could convince even the most devoted homebody to drop everything, grab their passport and just go. 

Not only is Samantha Brown a fierce storyteller, she is also an advocate for Project Time Off, an organization dedicated to encouraging Americans to actually use their vacation days. According to the organizations website, more than half of all Americans leave unused vacation time on the table each year. Project Time Off is on a mission to reverse this trend. The organization firmly believes more travel will boost the overall economy, and that taking a vacation may improve an individual's mental health, happiness and job satisfaction. 

If there is a mission I can get behind - it is THIS. I may be a marketer, but vacation planning is my avocation.

As a new business owner (with no such thing as paid time off) and a new mom ('nuff said), taking a vacation could certainly be looked at as a luxury I cannot (or should not) afford at this point in my life. Welp - good thing I am not really all that interested in adhering to societal views of what I should or should not be doing. In other words - I refuse to stop traveling. It's too good for my business, and yours. Here's why: 

2. Perspective
I have said this before, and I will say it again: Travel gives me perspective. This does not mean that I must visit a third world country to realize my problems are small. It is actually not about comparison at all. It is about stepping out of my bubble and seeing what it's like out there in the world. Through a travelers lens, I start to see my "normal" a bit differently. When I return home, I do not un-see or un-feel what I experienced outside my comfort zone. Instead, I incorporate this perspective into my daily living, my decision making, and my interactions. It impacts who I am as a person, and a professional.

3. Creativity
A street I have never walked before, the smell of a new city, the taste of another culture's cuisine, the sun setting over a faraway shore. To put it simply - travel lights me up. Nothing stirs my creativity quite like travel. There is so much to see, such inspiration to uncover, so many connections yet to be made. When I sit at home in front of my computer I am brought to life by the people I have met, the visions and experiences I have encountered across the globe. They pour through my fingers as I type, they impact my style as a creator and a writer. They are a part of me in every sense, including my work. 

If you are new to the #digitalmarketing game, you may hear marketers refer to an Editorial Calendar. If you are wondering what the heck that is and why people keep talking about it when discussing your marketing strategy – keep reading. This blog is for you.

If you read last month’s post, you know how much I love a good plan. Therefore, it should come as no surprise to you that I find great value in editorial calendars. In short, an editorial calendar is essentially a master plan for your content. Your content is organized in calendar form and planned in advance. The result of this effort has many amazing benefits. Here are my top three benefits to using an editorial calendar:

2. An Editorial Calendar Keeps Your Content Organized
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With a little bit of planning you can organize your content into categories. Categories are defined by your marketing goals and action points (I realize this requires a bit more explanation – but that’s a whole other blog post). What is important to note is - defining your content categories helps ensure that your content is relevant to your goals, and that you are sending consistent messaging about your brand and business to your audience. An editorial calendar is helpful in this endeavor because you can visually see your content spread out to cover ALL your goals over a time period. This way, you don’t keep hammering the same point home and missing all the others, or focusing on one goal and losing sight of the rest.

For example: Not all your posts should be a sales pitch. Not all your posts should be promoting an upcoming event. Your audience will get sick of hearing about it and lose interest in you all together (ouch).

So, there you have it! My top three benefits to using an editorial calendar. At this point - I think it is pretty clear I’m really into using Editorial Calendars, and I definitely think you should be, too.

If you need a hand getting started – contact me, I love this stuff. 

If there is one thing that I know about events, it is this: They never go as planned. For someone as plan-obsessed as me, you can imagine the horror. In an effort to keep things as on-track as possible and maintain my cool when the unexpected occurs, there are five things I always do when planning an event: 

 1. Create a PLAN
Call it a Banquet Event Order (BEO), call it a timeline, call it a checklist, call it whatever you'd like; just make sure you do it! This is your living, breathing document that contains every single bit of your plan: the WHO, the WHEN, and the HOW for your event. Share it with everyone involved, update it as details evolve throughout the event planning process, and be sure to have a copy of your PLAN with you on the day of your event. 

​2. Exchange Digits
No, I don't mean with the cute bartender (ok, well yes, actually you'll need his or her number, but not for that). I mean with every single vendor involved in your event. Make sure you have their best day-of contact number, and be sure they have yours. That way, when the band is running late, the linens don't show up and the bartender cannot find a place to park and unload - you can get in touch with your contacts and figure out a solution.

4. Bring Your "Oh Shit Kit"
Scissors, tape, clear nail polish (trust me), band-aids, a cellphone charger, a lighter, snacks, a water bottle, a pair of flats, a paper copy of your PLAN... the list goes on. Never, I repeat, never go to an event without your Oh Shit Kit, and you'll never be stuck at an event saying "oh shit."