21Jan 2020 by Colleen Casey

Can Good Writing Be Taught?

Beginner, Creator-ship
Good writers communicate their ideas in a way that others can understand. But were they born with some innate ability to use words well, or can anyone learn how to be a good writer? I’ve seen two main beliefs about writing that I want to debunk.  The first belief is that writing isn't highly skilled. As a professional writer, I’ve experienced my work being discounted because when it’s done right, it seems effortless. If you speak and write every day, even if you’re only writing emails, how hard could it be to write a quick blog post?  It turns out that using a language doesn't always translate to writing ability. The second belief is that writing is either something you’re naturally good at or you’re hopeless. You may be romanticizing…
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13Oct 2019 by Colleen Casey

3 Reasons to Plan Your Videos

Beginner, Content Planning, Creator-ship, Video Content
Videos are a lot to manage. Planning lets you make decisions ahead of time, leaving you the mental space to add value and entertainment during filming. Whether you make scripted content or freeform vlogs, it’s best to do a little planning before you start filming. A plan adds structure that helps you make sure that your videos attract viewers, that you have space to showcase your personality, and that you don’t ramble away from your intended message. In this post, you’ll learn 3 reasons why planning your videos can boost your views and engagement (and your sanity). 1. You Can Craft Your Story You want your video to be entertaining and useful from the first second. You do that by designing a clear path through a story or message in…
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15Sep 2019 by Colleen Casey

5 Ways to Boost Views on Your Videos

Creator-ship, Grower, How-Tos, Video Content
Ditch the idea that clickbait and trends are the only ways to get more views on your videos. Get your focus back to creating valuable videos that fulfill your creative drive. Creators are constantly faced with conflicting advice: keep on being the unique, creative mind that you are, and follow all the rules to appease The Algorithm. I’m talking rules like: post at least once per week, create clickable titles (even if it’s clickbait), encourage likes and comments to keep your content seen, and add all the right keywords to your video descriptions.  It’s hard to stay creative in an environment that’s all about getting results and monetizing every moment of your life. When you’re on a platform like YouTube, you’re also reminded just how much content is out there,…
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21Jan 2019 by Colleen Casey

The Top 4 Ways to Make Money Online

Beginner, Blogging, Creator-ship, Email Marketing, Grower, Podcasting, Video Content
Lots of people want to make money online as a content creator, influencer, or entrepreneur. But how do people make money online? Can a blog make money? How much money can someone make on YouTube? It can be tough to figure out what’s possible when you’re starting out. It’s even tougher when you’ve been creating content and have started to grow a following, but you’re not making money consistently, or at all. In this post, I’ll show you the four main ways that you can make money online and earn a real (and honest) living. Ads The first money-making strategy that comes to mind for many people is, of course, ads. You can place ads on your website or blog through services like Google Adsense or Amazon Affiliates and make…
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30Oct 2018 by Colleen Casey

6 Signs That You Should Commit to Your Side Project

Beginner, Creator-ship
Should I commit to my side project? This is the starting place for countless budding entrepreneurs around the world. How do you know if your side project is worth pursuing? How do you know if your project is worth your time and effort? Is it possible to live a balanced life with a job, side project, family, and social life, and still take care of your basic needs to survive? Your side project might be only an idea right now, or maybe you’ve been working on it and you’re not sure if you should dive in. Either way, we’ll explore six signs that you should commit to your side project. 1. It Excites You If you feel a rush of excitement every time you think about your project, you know…
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03Oct 2018 by Colleen Casey

Why Content Creators are Writers First

Beginner, Creator-ship
You’re making great content as a blogger, vlogger, podcaster, and whatever kind of internet maker you might be. You know how to capture great ideas, plan and execute content, and generally give the people what they want. You may not realize this, but you’re probably a writer, too. Even if you don’t create detailed proposals or write out a word-for-word script, you’re using some vital writing concepts in your work. If you do some form of brainstorming, scheduling, outlining, creating blurbs, marketing, or blogging, yeah… you’re a writer. So what are those concepts that keep the gears turning behind your content? In this post, we’ll talk about: Planning and organizing your content Communicating your vision to your collaborators and audience Creating experiences with your content Infusing your content with the…
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