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Hidden Talents…

Hello, here’s a sample of my Marketing Newsletter!

I’m so glad you’re here! July is just a few days away… I wanted to share a few things with you about July. Before I do that, let me tell you that as always, I’ve read a lot of marketing articles this week and I listened to two particularly good podcasts- one was about doing something positive that helps prevent or even ‘cure’ the feeling of being Burned Out. It’s basically about taking a break. Two takeaways? Working yourself to exhaustion? (some think this is a way to seek approval) Or constant striving for perfection? (some say- this helps us feel more acceptable). All I know for sure is that Burn Out is Real. July might be the time to work a little less. Think about what’s working and what’s not. What’s missing from your life and how to add those things you need.

The other podcast was insight into how successful folks who are either hardworking or have a genius for certain things that helps them be a cut above other folks. The ones who have a combination of both- tend to be the most successful. The Truth lies somewhere in between- a successful life is far more beneficial. Yet! Here’s something the behavioral psychologist who was being interviewed added a caveat she felt we need to know. She noted that even successful folks have also been through two years of a pandemic and now are well into the 3rd year with multiple problems on many fronts. She said a disturbing trend has come up with the subjects in her long-term study. They’re losing Hope. She said that just platitudes aren’t necessarily helpful. She suggested that if Loss of Hope is creeping into everyday life- do some things that are out of the box, push yourself a bit out of your comfort zone. I think July is a great time to focus, at least some of your time – On Yourself.

Which brings me to this: Find Your Hidden Talents. Here are 3 Ways.

  1. Follow Your Free Time. What is it that you love to do in your Free Time?
  2. What Things Do you find Easy that other folks Struggle With?
  3. Follow the Money. Yes, you read that right! Look at where you spend your money- aside from the monthly bills. What do you spend it on? Or, what would you spend it on?

Get your pencils sharpened and try to answer those 3 things. You may just find a few Hidden Talents. They could be amazing assets to your Business or open up your mind to the possibility of Change.

Okay, Okay- I know you’d like some Marketing Tips! I have those too! First the bad news- July is the slowest month for Retail. Especially this year, folks are taking trips, enjoying vacations and frankly they just aren’t that into buying stuff. I know you don’t want to hear that! So!

Remember, sometimes Less is More. Here are 4 Things to Do for your Business in July.

  1. Just for the month of July- focus on a media form that you’ve neglected or wanted to do. I don’t mean abandon your favorite. For instance, I’ve been neglecting my blog and wanting to do a bit more on Pinterest. You may want to start a YouTube Channel. If you don’t want to add another social media site- Do a Vision Board. I did one recently and it’s surprising how much I enjoyed it and one or two things have already manifested themselves! You may be surprised how just one little shift or change may help your business. I know several who are taking courses from Art to Personal Development and are enjoying the change of pace. I’ll applaud educating ourselves any time! At the end of July? Keep the Practice or Not- it’s up to you!
  2. Start Talking Now about what you’re planning for Back to School or just September. Maybe open Wait Lists. You could also do a Soft Launch of a new Product- folks love to know these things. You’ll have to trust me on this. Talk about a trip you’re taking, a workshop or a challenge you’re participating in and add how you think these things will help your business. If you’ll be posting less, give folks a heads up, let them in on things.
  3. Ok- here’s the Marketing that works in July- Dollars Off. Remember, you’ll get farther with dollars off than Percentage Off. This is true all year round. In addition, July is also a good time to run a Giveaway. (I’ll be doing some of that myself! If you don’t want to do that? Do a Free Gift with Purchase. I will also be doing this as well! These are proven ‘helpers’ for Marketing in July.

I’m taking my own advice right now! I have a Giveaway for You! I hope it will lower your stress levels. It’s 31 Days of Content! All done for you! It has some Pro Tips for how to personalize it for the type of business you’re in. And here’s the link to it:https://camellia-s-cottage-blog.mykajabi.com/pl/2147601292

Hope you have a wonderful week!

Love y’all, Brenda Wyatt

Creator of Be Unforgettable Beginner’s Guide to Visual Marketing Online Course

If you’d like to subscribe- send me an email at brenda@brenda-wyatt.com

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This is not Urgent…

Hello!  I hope you’re enjoying a new season! In my newsletter this week- the subject line was actually – ‘This is not- Urgent, a Reminder or the Final Hours’ I hope you know by now that I love to keep up with marketing trends. I recently read a reputable business site and the title was something like- ‘How to Get your Emails Opened.’ Those techniques in my newsletter subject line- Urgent, a Reminder and Final Hours– were just a few of their suggestions! No! I’m sorry, that’s not my style. Maybe if it’s from a retailer who I trust- though still doubtful. I don’t believe those tactics work- they’re stressful, seem icky and spammy to me. 

In fact, another highly reputable site and whom I trust further stated that words in the Subject Lines like Free, Reminder or Percentage Off are overused and have negative open rates. Whoa! Who wants that? Okay, so what will work? Here’s a few in my personal inbox that I plan to open-

  • ‘Countdown to Summer’ This is a new collection from a retailer I love. 
  • ‘Classes Start Today’ – I signed up for those. 
  • ‘Today Only’ I’m still deciding, though it’s not as much of a put off as others
  • ‘ 10 Ideas to Refresh.‘  It’s Spring here. Who doesn’t want a Refresh?
  • ‘The One Thing You Should Know’ Folks love Lists or that One Thing. 
  • ‘Let’s Talk About…’  Ok, women tend to like these subject lines. Men usually don’t. 
  • ‘Cleopatra’s Favorite Perfume.’ Now, really who doesn’t want to know that? Ok. Maybe just me. It’s thought to contain myrrh, cinnamon, fruit oil- probably from dates and pine or cedar resin. Apparently, the recipes for the fragrance have been found in ancient writings. I’m not making this up! This is from a reputable History site. So, yes! I trusted the information.

So! How do we actually get folks to open, read or even just scan our written content? It’s like anything else- Develop a relationship with the reader, stir in that Know, Like, Trust factor and you’re on your way. Some of our titles or subject lines should be Specific and Straightforward- like ‘Classes Begin Today’. And there are those which use a play on words- which I tend to like. Still others create interest, are quirky and fun- obviously Cleopatra’s Perfume checked all of those boxes for me! 

I want folks to feel happy, intrigued and curious- not stressed out with another Urgent Demand- unless it’s really Urgent– let’s avoid that! 

We want whatever we write to be a pleasure to read. Something they will enjoy. It’s always about Information and Inspiration. Speaking of that! If you’d like to subscribe to my newsletter- it’s free but not in the subject line! Just send me a message and I’ll tell you how to get on the list!

I’ve been posting about Color lately on Instagram. Here’s a download from my course about Color Mapping-

Click Here:  “C:\Users\sunni\OneDrive\Color Mapping for You.pdf” It’s a fun way to find out your Color Values- I have more training available in my course!

opening-slide-for-courseSpeaking of which- We are having so much fun with ‘Be Unforgettable- Beginner’s Guide to Visual Marketing.’ If you think this is something you’d be interested in- I’d love to have you! Here’s the link to find out more! https://camellia-s-cottage-blog.mykajabi.com/about-course-copy-1-ed7ee1ac-4438-4133-968b-ffee43106f2b

Love y’all, Brenda 

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Write using Scent…

The Scent of Fall. Think about it, what do Autumn Scents evoke? In the South, we plant Pansies, we collect hydrangeas on the wane…drying. The Zinnias are making one last effort. Full Blown Roses may take center stage on the fall floral scents. Yet. And this is Important- Fall Scent is really the decay of leaves and moss or fungi breaking down, this creates the musky sugary scent of a leaf pile. Yes, Mums have a distinct spicy scent and as fruit ripens- well you know the scent of ripe fruit, right?

Scents are closely associated with Memories. For instance, I worked for the Fragrance Division of Oscar de la Renta- the Classic Oscar fragrance was born from his stroll through his mother’s garden in the Dominican Republic. He picked a bouquet and the scent was born. With floral scents of Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Rose and Gardenia- Oscar brilliantly added herbs- Basil, Lavender and Rosemary. There is also a hint of Coconut and Cloves. So! Why all of this talk of Scent? Well..

When we show off our photos or even videos, we appeal to sight, maybe sound- using only 2 of our 5 senses. There are 3 more senses we need to appeal to our audiences. Scent is one of them- if you show Fall Food- write about the scent as the Food is prepared. Let us know the aroma is irresistible. If you show Fall Gardens, please know that it’s not the scent of a Pumpkin or an Apple- you want to evoke in your audience. It’s the Warm Spices of a Pie, hot from an oven. Create a Memory using Scent. That’s the biggest lesson of Writing in this post. Yes, we enjoy the photos, yet it’s the combination of images and words which form the greatest attraction. Writing which uses the Unseen Senses of Photography and is one of the best ways to draw us in. What keeps us there? is Writing about it!

A cosy blanket? Help me ‘Feel’ the Texture. Tell me what I taste and smell when I read your post- Warm Bread? Oh my, yes! Caramel? Did you know Caramel is one of the Burnt Sugar Scents of Autumn- the distinct burning of the sugary scent of Fall Leaves. It’s a scientific fact- when leaves fall and turn brown, part of the process is releasing sugars to feed the plants and trees through the winter.

Try on the Scents of Fall as you write, create more than Beauty- Create a Memory. Just like Oscar created a Memory of Home in his mother’s flower garden.

Love y’all, Brenda

PS. Sorry it’s been a while since I’ve written a post! I’m about halfway through creating an online course- A Beginner’s Guide to Visual Marketing. Stay tuned.

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A Writing Lesson using Doors…

A fun way to Write is to assign Human Characteristics to Inanimate Objects such as Doors.. It’s no secret that I love architectural elements. I take photographs of fences, railings, windows, shutters, windowboxes and more…especially Doors. Though this Writing Lesson may focus on doors, the technique applies to any inanimate object of your choice.

Take this first block of doors… that White Tool Shed, she’s a hard worker, down to earth with an unexpected flair for the dramatic with that blue door. The Hidden Door on a side street strikes me as a shy, private one- though hoping to be found, she secretly longs to stand out. That impressive Pediment in Constitution Hall, speaks of confident authority- yet one who probably wears sensible shoes. In contrast, there’s the humble thrifty landowner who probably caught paint on sale and didn’t give a whit about that showy color! Don’t you know that’s true!

In this block, there’s the introverted nature lover who obviously enjoys quiet and solitude. Bermed in, yet that blue Door is ready to welcome a friend or two. Now, the pretty Door with a Vine is a cheerful soul, a generous gardener who offers rustic dinner parties after holding a cooking class. Don’t you love her already? Oh my, that amazing Ornate Exterior has amassed a fortune, is also home to a fashionista. She’s a not-so-subtle standout with impeccable taste. The humble rustic door is concerned with protecting house and home- how do I know this? Well, it belonged to pioneer Kit Carson!

I had to include at least one window, a warm, open, happy personality, who allows us to see just the right amount of her humble home. as she breezes easily through her life.

Of course, the opening image is a Sanctuary Door- welcome, wise and strong. It’s as if She knows, at some point in our lives, we’re all going to need a discreet Listener. You know? I love them all- beautiful, unique as a fingerprint- serving their own purpose- big or small. Still. If I had to choose, it would be that white tool shed with the blue door. Why? I’ve decided that she’s actually a ‘Work in Progress’. Yes, I definitely relate to that! Which one would you choose? And, if you’d like to give it a try, assign human characteristics to an inanimate object like a Door.

Love y’all, Brenda

P.S. If you’d like to be on our mailing list for the free planning guides- drop me an email at brenda@brenda-wyatt.com

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Patina…

Patina… that magical thing that happens with age. I find it fascinating- maybe because I have a bit of patina myself. Ok, more than a bit. Still. Patina was originally a word used for a thing that happens to copper when it’s exposed to – well, life. Gradually patina came to represent objects that had been around a while, traveled through more than one experience- looked at life’s inevitable hardships and instead of becoming bitter became more beautiful and interesting- simply because it has survived and continues to thrive.

Patina holds within it, stories we may never read- through doors that have been the silent listeners to a time we’ve never known. They may not be shiny and brand new- yet, they’ve figured out how to be old, determined and useful.

One of the things I enjoy while traveling is taking photographs of architectural elements- especially those with patina like that wrought iron fence in New Orleans (oh, how I miss that old girl this year!) Patina is a good historical teacher who isn’t the least bit hysterical- especially when it comes to aging.

Now, it’s important to me that you know- I love all of you with all of your amazing talents, yet what always surprises me are those of you, who have a bit of age on them, seem more stable, less stressed, more inspired and less complicated or competitive- more willing to try new things. The ones of you who’ve realized that the last thing you want to do- is wake up and realize you didn’t do the things you were meant to do.

If possible, age should never be the limiting factor on potential. Patina is proof of timelessness- of a life fully lived. Just know, when you see patina anywhere- even the lines on a face, a bit of exposed brick, rust or peeling paint- you’re looking at proof that getting out of your comfort zones, staying strong, rising to the challenges, weathering the storms – results in something real, valuable and beautiful. Patina. Admire it. Aspire to it. Appreciate it in yourself.

Patina is a design trick used by the finest stylists. Take a tip from them. Use items with patina for your props or backgrounds. If you’re traveling, even in your own town- try to find and photograph patina. It’s beautiful and, I think you’ll find it everywhere you look.

Love y’all, Brenda