Worldwide, folks have a love affair with pumpkins and their warty cousins, the gourds!
Pumpkin everything, it seems!
I recently shared a post on Instagram- @brendawyatt_ a fun post called – Pick a Pumpkin! There were 7 images of Pumpkins- numbered. I asked them to pick their favorite pumpkin! Then I had instructions for the Writing Challenge with Pumpkin Prompts!
So, now I’m challenging All of you Writers, to give this a try? Why? it’s fun and really, sometimes we just need to Write for the Fun of it.
Most of us, including the Writers here, need Ideas! This one is Fun! And who knows? It may inspire you for your own post or more than one!
A few Tips!
1. The Texture- add details- not just ‘smooth and taunt’, the pumpkin also has a stem- what does that stem feel like? or the Inside of the Pumpkin? a totally different texture! right?
2. Sound. This is a good writing exercise. Why? Describe the ‘Thump’ as a baritone, or give it an adjective- The Thump was solid and strong. Or, I was expecting the Thump to sound hollow.. *finish the sentence.
3. With descriptive writing- What a pumpkin feels like inside? You decide? Will it be? Mushy. ‘I didn’t like the mess!’ or ‘I think the pumpkin didn’t like it that I was disturbing her insides!’ (that’s human characteristics) Which brings me to
4. Give your Pumpkin human characteristics– this is where the Fun really begins! ‘They always said, I’d be a Beauty when I grew up.’ or ‘I’ve always had a problem with my weight, now they tell me that my weight is my biggest asset!’ *I could go on and on… let’s get to
5. Describe the Color of the Pumpkin. Pumpkins come in various colors, especially now. You’ll see everything, from a ghostly white pumpkins, to a pale green, to dark, medium or pale orange. Describe the Color. Imagine your audience doesn’t have an Image to go by. Or, use color psychology! *I teach this, so I can tell you, Orange is almost always a ‘good hostess’.. off you go! Look up the other colors and when you describe your pumpkin, help me see it!
6. This is Emotion. It’s always good to practice Emotional Storytelling. Is the Pumpkin feeling anxious about leaving the Pumpkin Patch? or the Pumpkin excited to find a new home? You know how to do this!
7. Tell us Why you chose your Pumpkin. This one is getting close to home! You should write the emotions you felt choosing that particular pumpkin. What you are dreaming of using it for- decor? carving? toasting fresh pumpkin seeds? or you felt ‘the children would like it?
I don’t know about you, when I’m stuck? or have Writer’s Block– Sometimes, it’s just better to do something New! and Remember why we enjoy Writing in the first place! Drumroll please… I haven’t had writer’s block, I’ve been writing big Time!
BIG NEWS! I’ve been creating a New Online Course! It’s called ‘Writing Content with Confidence’ check it out, if you’d like to know more. It’s affordable, I promise!
The course starts out with a Challenge, it’s called the Writer’s Toolkit. And it has 3 Ways to Shake Loose Some Words! Another way of saying- If you’ve been Stuck or you feel your Writing could use an upgrade- I think they call it a ‘glow-up’ these days! And.. it’s a full blown course, not just a video and one measly download.
*If you’re signed up for my newsletter list? You received a bonus- October Prompts! November Prompts will be coming along soon! I hope to do the same to finish out December!
Now’s a Very Good Time to add New Products to your websites.. Product Shots especially. First, let me say Product Shots are Not the Same as Social Media posts!
Why? Product Shots need to be simpler. Did I say boring? Definitely not! A social media post, may be ‘Telling a Story’ – Product Shots need to highlight the Products you sell. No misunderstanding of What your Product is! Let’s Get Started…
This is wonderful Product Shot! Why? it’s Simple, it’s Clear that this is a Soap, it’s tied with Twine and has a Tag, and.. it’s sitting on a Towel. (just make sure, the viewer knows whether you sell towels or Not!)Let’s look at another one!
This Product Shot is very good.It’s a Tote Bag. Tote Bags are sort of a sore point withme. Please don’t share them Flat on your Product Page- Flat Totes just aren’t as attractive when you show them as a Product Shot! Unless, it’s an alternative photo. Get some brown paper, newsprint or tissue paper, crunch it up and stuff those Totes! Yes, on social media and Yes, on Product Pages! Remember Flat Totes just aren’t as attractive done as a flat display!I would say something similar about Coffee or Tea Mugs. They can have the cutest quip or the most attractive Design...yet if they’re sitting there Alone– no attractive add on.. you get it! Add a small napkin, why not a few crumbs? A spoon? Anything simple. Just take my word on this!
I was going to add More! Yet, I had a Brilliant Idea! Why not share the Download that goes along with this Segment in ‘Be Unforgettable’ Yes, there’s a Segment devoted toProduct Shots in my course! I rarely share the downloads, especially because they are for course students only! This is a good Exception to make!
Here’s What I want for your Business:
Clarity around What you Do, Create or Sell.
How to Express Your Values
Know how to Style your Social Media including Product Pages
Write Content with Confidence
How to bring your Viewer in, take them on a journey to being your Customer.
Whether you Become a Student in my course or not, I hope to give you enough information here and on Instagram to get you started down the road to success!
I’ve seen it happen with folks I’ve helped. I know it can happen for you! So.. Drumroll..
Here’s your Download – I know, I know, not another PDF? Well, this one is Full of Information and not too Long either! Product Shots There you go!
I hope you can use this information as you update your Online Shop or Website!
Love y’all, Brenda
Find me on Instagram @brendawyatt_ Stop by and say Hi!
Hello! It’s July, can you believe it? I can’t either… Before we get started- bear with me about July. Treat this month as a New Beginning- like a Second New Year! New Beginnings are always filled with Hope. Fresh Starts.
Think about what you Hope to Achieve. Set some Goals, write a list if you need to. Work on Steps you need for Personal or Business Growth. The garden here is brimming with Growth! July… a garden grows one sprout, one leaf at a time. It doesn’t happen overnight. Same thing with you- Small Steps each day, grows a life, a business. Just as you Nurture a Garden- Nurture your Audience. Find Occasions to Encourage them, invite them into your world. Put out the Welcome Mat.
And don’t forget July is a good time to Nurture yourself, your business and Grow! If you’ve already joined Be Unforgettable– my online course.. There’s an Announcement at the End of this Post! It’s a good one, I promise.
Now.. what about that Subject Line? It’s a Wonderful Time! It is.. Especially a good time to build a Brand!What are you crazy? I heard you. Even a great time to Rebrand. Yess, it is. Why? Uncertainty.
Build a Brand. Did you know that there were certain businesses that Grew and Thrived during the Great Depression in the 1920’s? It’s True. The Film Industry, Entertainment, Aviation, Insurance Companies- Fire, Life, Banking and Mortgage Insurance. It’s amazing. If you’re thinking- Whoa, that’s Big Business and I’m not Doing any of that? Well, consider this: the Candy Bar Market, exploded in popularity! It’s True.
Build a Brand. Get clear on What you do.. Or, Would Do. Uncertainty creates Needs. If you Build a Brand right now.. you will be in a Position to Meet those Needs.
How will you Build it? Make it personal. Tell how you’ve become who you are Today. Even better if you’re Older. Wiser. Tell What you would do differently now. (your Age is anAsset, your experience is Invaluable.)
Why Build it?When you share how You Solved Life Problems, you may help others – Earn extra Money, find Meaning, build Confidence. Depending on the Solutions you offer- it’s possible, you may Save Lives or Livelihoods.
Build a Brand that solves Problems. You will help others solve their problems. I didn’t sayAll Problems. Build a Brand based on how You’ve Solved a Problem, even more than one. Make Life easier in Uncertainty. The Time is Right.
No matter if you’re Employed or Retired, there’s Always Uncertainty. No one expected a pandemic, no one expected mass layoffs in 2023 in the Tech Sector. Thoughts swirl around all of the ‘What If’s . That’s where Building a Brand becomes a Positive. It doesn’t have to be built fast.
It does need Attention and Intention. If you’ve wanted to Build a Brand that’s great. If you want something as a backup plan? Well, that’s great too. Do it for Fun. Do it for you. Build a Brand.
Something I’ve truly enjoyed doing, is to have a Private Group Chat right insideInstagram.Unforgettables Only. I’ve been sharing a few tips and whoa there are folks inside there who Really know what they’re doing! One just made the Amazon Best Seller list! And.. they Share Insights also! The Price of Admission? The price of my course. (I know shameless plug, though it’s affordable, I promise) Would love to have you join us!Love y’all, Brenda
The biggest compliment of All would be if you shared this post with someone who may Need it. Thank you.
It’s been a while… hope your summer has gone well…in fact where has it gone? I’ve been back at work and some days it’s a real struggle! There’s been overwhelm and pressure.. still for the most part I love what I do! I’ve been updating my online course… done! Lots of additions, lots of good information too- if you’re already signed up? You have lifetime access so guess what? You can go back through it now! And I hope you will.
It’s back to school time! A good time to learn a few things yourself! AndIt’s the best time to sign up to learn new things and guess what? If you have new products, September is said to be the best time to launch new products! So, you’ll want to do that!
What I really want to talk about is Struggle. There are so many things we struggle with, yet also some things we can let go of and stop struggling with, then there are other things that we just will have in our lives that often create struggle. Struggling is a part of life. I’d love to share a story with you-
‘As a child, I loved to go to the County Fair- I particularly like the Incubators in which the eggs were struggling to become baby chickens- it was messy. The shell would be slightly cracked or you could see part of a baby chick. The shell was restricting the little bird’s progress, the egg would roll around.. a little kick, and the crack would become larger. I could see damp feathers, and perhaps little feet. I admit it was a struggle to hold back- I knew I could help the baby chick. Why I could break the shell open myself if I could get inside the incubator!
The baby chick wouldn’t have to work so hard. The chick wouldn’t have to struggle breaking the shell that it had outgrown. One of the instructors at the show explained- ‘If you break open the shell, instead of letting the baby chick do it alone, the little legs will not be strong- the baby chick’s whole body is being strengthened by the struggle to get out of that shell.’
‘The Problem of the Eggshell’ is a lesson, it’s the ‘Power to Become’- the struggle strengthens us. Without it, we will not be strong… ‘ This is an excerpt from my Book: Four Days the Lazarus Principle.
Here’s the Thing- I know it might seem obvious- Life is messy. We won’t understand all of anything when we are living in the midst of our life. So? What to do?
For me, it’s getting quiet. It’s listening to my Instinct…that Godgiven gift. It might say- Do this, or Wait. Don’t go there. or even this: Take the Next Best Step
.Instinct is what makes the baby chick keep kicking. That’s really all its little life knows to do. The shell might not crack according to plan. It’s definitely messy. It might not even make sense. The chick could get it into its head that Things aren’t Going Right.
As good as Goals are.. and they are. The Next best step might be to just keep on going… or kicking as the baby chick! So how do we know if we’ve reached our goal? For the chick? It is when it’s released from the confining eggshell! With a mess all around it- the baby chick stretches its little wings, walks on wobbly feet and a new goal is set!
Again, when you’re in the middle of something or some sort of work or business you may not think you’re making a difference. Or maybe you don’t think you’re making progress. Here’s the thing.. No matter where you are, in the longrun if what you do- helps someone else, improves the lives of others, enriches the life of yourself, your family and friends.. well, it’s worth the Struggle.
And remember this, As good as it is to plan, sometimes something comes along you didn’t expect. Good or Bad. It interrupts the plan. So? Instead of giving up. Go back to your Instinct. Listen quietly. Allow your Intuition to inform you of what your Best Next Step should be… and remember, the Struggle is making you stronger, if you’ll allow it.
And that’s the point of it… Struggle often makes us stronger. Pressure when we use it for good- is like coal becoming diamonds or combined with heat? This southern girl knows heat and pressure make Biscuits Rise! oh yes it does.
The Problem with Overwhelm is that we aren’t really taking care to take care of ourselves. We need breaks, we need to decide the importance of what needs to be done- as we take frequent breaks and it’s then we need to let our minds go blank. Break the cycle of overwhelm. Take deep breaths, get out in nature. This will help us regain our strength and creativity. Realize that we’re sometimes our own worst enemy. We need to ask…
What’s holding you back? Is your mind asking- ‘What if I’m not good enough?’ Yet- ‘What if you are?
Don’t be afraid to try, to struggle or even fail. Let the ‘Problem of the Eggshell’ help you grow stronger…
My struggle in the last few weeks has been Creating Content! It wasn’t that I didn’t have Ideas! Too many and my Mind is boggled and I’m trying to Stay on Track! I’ve struggled with it. Is it the content perfect? No it isn’t. Here’s what my goals were when I wrote the course in the first place-
I was going to keep the cost as low as I could. The price of the platform had to be factored in and a few other expenses, yet, I wasn’t going to buy fancy equipment. I wasn’t going to have it professionally recorded. I wasn’t going to add all the bells and whistles. I was going to create a valuable product, with valuable information at a Reasonable Price! Courses with 30+ videos, a 50+ page downloadable Workbook and Lifetime access – including All updates are usually quite an expensive investment- I didn’t want it to be out of reach for the average person to pay for.
Here’s the thing about online courses-
I’ve have developed friendships with those who’ve tested my course, and who’ve purchased and taken my course. These friendships are sooo valuable to me! And currently a special group of folks I’ve coached or who’ve taken my course are participating in a Private Group Chat right inside Instagram! Sometimes I pop in and give a quick tutorial or share insights or even a few new things to be aware of on Instagram (I don’t teach it, but we All need to Know stuff like that! And We’re having fun too!
That’s the thing about online courses that isn’t talked about enough! I took lots of masterclasses, bought small courses and one large one that was reasonably priced. I do believe in investing in lifetime learning!
I met so many wonderful people in that online course! We are cheerleaders for each other! Some I have made purchases from, some I have coached along, some are friends and mentors too! That’s another benefit of taking an online course that isn’t talked about enough! And there’s this: Taking an online course gave me the confidence that I had something to share, to teach… there’s no dollar value on that! However… if you don’t truly take the lessons in courses, interact with others in the courses, you miss out on a wonderful bonus! Here’s the downside of online courses…
Some online courses cost well over $1000 or more! I’ve been tempted by them. I couldn’t justify the expense. Here’s the thing: Folks often can’t afford to make a $1000 investment in themselves. They know they need the knowledge, they’re just not ready for a large cash outlay. So when I wrote and produced mine, that was a goal to make it affordable.
My course is actually 5 mini courses in one! The breakdown is less than $20 per mini course. I’ve checked with the platform that hosts my course- they’ve told me that my price is too low. Well, not for me it isn’t! Why? Because most affordable online courses don’t have this much information and I want folks to be able to afford to invest in themselves! I want to serve others and that includes making sure they get value and it’s at a reasonable price.
I want to show up to give- give you something that will help you and your business. I Love to See Your Progress, Help you when you’re Struggling, Watch you Succeed! And one more thing- whether you sign up or not? I plan to keep showing up for you, showing up to give you value. I hope it’s worthwhile for you to stop by. I thank you for it. It is one of the things I don’t ever struggle with… Thank you for being here! You are the Best Folks anywhere!
Love y’all. Brenda
I have a Marketing Newsletter too! If you’d like to sign up- it’s Free!
If you think Be Unforgettable Beginner’s Guide to Visual Marketing would be for you, Here’s the Link to information about my course: Be Unforgettable- Guide to Visual Marketing
It’s been a while… hope your summer has gone well…in fact where has it gone? I’ve been back at work and some days it’s a real struggle! There’s been overwhelm and pressure.. still for the most part I love what I do! I’ve been updating my online course… done! Lots of additions, lots of good information too- if you’re already signed up? You have lifetime access so guess what? You can go back through it now! And I hope you will.
It’s back to school time! A good time to learn a few things yourself! AndIt’s the best time to sign up to learn new things and guess what? If you have new products, September is said to be the best time to launch new products! So, you’ll want to do that!
What I really want to talk about is Struggle. There are so many things we struggle with, yet also some things we can let go of and stop struggling with, then there are other things that we just will have in our lives that often create struggle. Struggling is a part of life. I’d love to share a story with you-
‘As a child, I loved to go to the County Fair- I particularly like the Incubators in which the eggs were struggling to become baby chickens- it was messy. The shell would be slightly cracked or you could see part of a baby chick. The shell was restricting the little bird’s progress, the egg would roll around.. a little kick, and the crack would become larger. I could see damp feathers, and perhaps little feet. I admit it was a struggle to hold back- I knew I could help the baby chick. Why I could break the shell open myself if I could get inside the incubator!
The baby chick wouldn’t have to work so hard. The chick wouldn’t have to struggle breaking the shell that it had outgrown. One of the instructors at the show explained- ‘If you break open the shell, instead of letting the baby chick do it alone, the little legs will not be strong- the baby chick’s whole body is being strengthened by the struggle to get out of that shell.’
‘The Problem of the Eggshell’ is a lesson, it’s the ‘Power to Become’- the struggle strengthens us. Without it, we will not be strong… ‘ This is an excerpt from my Book: Four Days the Lazarus Principle.
Here’s the Thing- I know it might seem obvious- Life is messy. We won’t understand all of anything when we are living in the midst of our life. So? What to do?
For me, it’s getting quiet. It’s listening to my Instinct…that Godgiven gift. It might say- Do this, or Wait. Don’t go there. or even this: Take the Next Best Step
.Instinct is what makes the baby chick keep kicking. That’s really all its little life knows to do. The shell might not crack according to plan. It’s definitely messy. It might not even make sense. The chick could get it into its head that Things aren’t Going Right.
As good as Goals are.. and they are. The Next best step might be to just keep on going… or kicking as the baby chick! So how do we know if we’ve reached our goal? For the chick? It is when it’s released from the confining eggshell! With a mess all around it- the baby chick stretches its little wings, walks on wobbly feet and a new goal is set!
Again, when you’re in the middle of something or some sort of work or business you may not think you’re making a difference. Or maybe you don’t think you’re making progress. Here’s the thing.. No matter where you are, in the longrun if what you do- helps someone else, improves the lives of others, enriches the life of yourself, your family and friends.. well, it’s worth the Struggle.
And remember this, As good as it is to plan, sometimes something comes along you didn’t expect. Good or Bad. It interrupts the plan. So? Instead of giving up. Go back to your Instinct. Listen quietly. Allow your Intuition to inform you of what your Best Next Step should be… and remember, the Struggle is making you stronger, if you’ll allow it.
And that’s the point of it… Struggle often makes us stronger. Pressure when we use it for good- is like coal becoming diamonds or combined with heat? This southern girl knows heat and pressure make Biscuits Rise! oh yes it does.
The Problem with Overwhelm is that we aren’t really taking care to take care of ourselves. We need breaks, we need to decide the importance of what needs to be done- as we take frequent breaks and it’s then we need to let our minds go blank. Break the cycle of overwhelm. Take deep breaths, get out in nature. This will help us regain our strength and creativity. Realize that we’re sometimes our own worst enemy. We need to ask…
What’s holding you back? Is your mind asking- ‘What if I’m not good enough?’ Yet- ‘What if you are?
Don’t be afraid to try, to struggle or even fail. Let the ‘Problem of the Eggshell’ help you grow stronger…
My struggle in the last few weeks has been Creating Content! It wasn’t that I didn’t have Ideas! Too many and my Mind is boggled and I’m trying to Stay on Track! I’ve struggled with it. Is it the content perfect? No it isn’t. Here’s what my goals were when I wrote the course in the first place-
I was going to keep the cost as low as I could. The price of the platform had to be factored in and a few other expenses, yet, I wasn’t going to buy fancy equipment. I wasn’t going to have it professionally recorded. I wasn’t going to add all the bells and whistles. I was going to create a valuable product, with valuable information at a Reasonable Price! Courses with 30+ videos, a 50+ page downloadable Workbook and Lifetime access – including All updates are usually quite an expensive investment- I didn’t want it to be out of reach for the average person to pay for.
Here’s the thing about online courses-
I’ve have developed friendships with those who’ve tested my course, and who’ve purchased and taken my course. These friendships are sooo valuable to me! And currently a special group of folks I’ve coached or who’ve taken my course are participating in a Private Group Chat right inside Instagram! Sometimes I pop in and give a quick tutorial or share insights or even a few new things to be aware of on Instagram (I don’t teach it, but we All need to Know stuff like that! And We’re having fun too!
That’s the thing about online courses that isn’t talked about enough! I took lots of masterclasses, bought small courses and one large one that was reasonably priced. I do believe in investing in lifetime learning!
I met so many wonderful people in that online course! We are cheerleaders for each other! Some I have made purchases from, some I have coached along, some are friends and mentors too! That’s another benefit of taking an online course that isn’t talked about enough! And there’s this: Taking an online course gave me the confidence that I had something to share, to teach… there’s no dollar value on that! However… if you don’t truly take the lessons in courses, interact with others in the courses, you miss out on a wonderful bonus! Here’s the downside of online courses…
Some online courses cost well over $1000 or more! I’ve been tempted by them. I couldn’t justify the expense. Here’s the thing: Folks often can’t afford to make a $1000 investment in themselves. They know they need the knowledge, they’re just not ready for a large cash outlay. So when I wrote and produced mine, that was a goal to make it affordable.
My course is actually 5 mini courses in one! The breakdown is less than $20 per mini course. I’ve checked with the platform that hosts my course- they’ve told me that my price is too low. Well, not for me it isn’t! Why? Because most affordable online courses don’t have this much information and I want folks to be able to afford to invest in themselves! I want to serve others and that includes making sure they get value and it’s at a reasonable price.
I want to show up to give- give you something that will help you and your business. I Love to See Your Progress, Help you when you’re Struggling, Watch you Succeed! And one more thing- whether you sign up or not? I plan to keep showing up for you, showing up to give you value. I hope it’s worthwhile for you to stop by. I thank you for it. It is one of the things I don’t ever struggle with… Thank you for being here! You are the Best Folks anywhere!
Love y’all. Brenda
I have a Marketing Newsletter too! If you’d like to sign up- it’s Free!
If you think Be Unforgettable Beginner’s Guide to Visual Marketing would be for you, Here’s the Link to information about my course: Be Unforgettable- Guide to Visual Marketing
Camellia's Cottage 