Woo hoo. It’s 1st Oct, International Coffee Day, and day one of my self-imposed content challenge.
Thank god for coffee, cos over the next 21 days I am going to write/record and publish original wafflings, musings, and ramblings on all the things I dig (and maybe you do too) – growing a baby biz, what to say when someone asks you ‘what you do’ and how to stretch your marketing muscles.
I have to admit to feeling a wee bit nervous;
- Can I do this?
- Am I the sorta girl that can stick to writing every day?
- Do I have 21 original ideas in my head?
- How much time is it gonna take…and do I have the time?
Wow, if it’s already feeling this mountainous and challenging, why do it at all?
To see if I can
Looking back at work diaries and planners, I can in see every quarter/month I’ve set the goal to ‘create a consistent content rhythm’ Yet, every week has gone by with this ambition remaining unfulfilled.
Now, as a marketer, I know how crucial creating useful, helpful content is in attracting an audience. But, I have been letting the visibility gremlins and the ‘not good enoughs’ get the better of me
My goal is to beat these gremlins into submission in the only way I know how.
Going through the fire.
Like the wonderful Brene B says ,you gain confidence by just doing it
“Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up”
Speak my brain
I’ve come to realise I have a lot to say.
This is a relatively new feeling for me. I thought my thoughts were just recycled versions of someone else’s ahas. But as I’ve been prepping for this challenge; looking back over the newsletters I sent and reading the follow-up emails I’ve sent to clients, I have started to believe in my expertise, to trust myself, and actually like my style of playful prodding.
This slow inner glow has been buoyed by the fab feedback I’ve received from clients – you are amazing, a gifted strategist, a joy to work with (gush)
SO, now I am starting to believe my writing is fresh, the ideas have worth and the delivery is kinda interesting. I still know I ain’t no Caitlin Moran (get her books, people!) but I really enjoy reading what I’ve written (and that my friends is a huge thing for me to say!)
Banish Perfect Polly…forever
So currently, it takes me about 6 hours to write my (almost) weekly newsletter – 6 fecking hours for approx 60 people (yup, my list is small – but mighty). From a return on investment POV that is crap. And the reason? Because I edit my voice, I edit my ideas, I over-think and I let self-doubt take the seat.
So, here’s the deal. If there’s anything I get from this challenge it’s to ‘let it flow’
I have given myself a parameter – 2 hours to conceive and write and publish. It’s not going to be pretty, the grammar may be shonky, the thoughts half-formed. But it doesn’t matter, this challenge is for me. To see if I can.
I’m going to write like no-one is reading. (Cos that may be true!)
And, finally – what’s the reward for this 21 days of putting myself in the fire.
A long massage and a ruddy big deposit in the self-trust bank!
See you on the other side x