Sparking Connection Blog
BROWSE BY CATEGORY:
SEARCH THE BLOG:
How to Use AI Intentionally (Without Losing Your Voice - Or Getting Lost)
As I’ve been working with AI this year, here’s where I’m landing (for now): AI isn’t the enemy — it’s a thoughtful partner. Discover how to use AI intentionally for productivity, creativity, and amplifying your expertise.
Nurturing your nonprofit's message: strategies for authentic engagement
Recently I had a truly insightful conversation with a friend who's navigating the world of communications for a wonderful nonprofit. We chatted about the unique challenges of sharing impactful stories, especially when the organization’s work involves sensitive situations and clients privacy is paramount. It made me reflect on how many purpose-driven organizations are doing incredible work but might feel stuck when it comes to effectively communicating their mission and building engagement online.
Website Refresh Checklist: Essential Elements and Best Practices For Increased Visibility and Engagement
Even in this era of social media proliferation, your website is still a key marketing tool for you and your business. As it is controlled by you (not a mega platform that changes the rules of engagement frequently and unexpectedly), it makes sense to regularly check that your website is working as hard as it can for you.
20 Years Wiser: Critical Business Truths Experience Has Taught Me
Twenty years ago this month, I quit corporate – or opted out – as they called it back then.
You know the drill – commuting from the burbs to NYC by train, working in cubicles on the 35th floor of a midtown building, surrounded by co-workers, and lots of buzzy publishing activity of a weekly magazine.
The algorithm is not a person
Escaping the algorithm trap: Building authentic connections on your own terms. Recently I’ve witnessed two different scenarios where people referred to the algorithm as though it were a being: “The algorithm doesn’t like me today.” and “We can’t stop posting or we will be penalized by the algorithm.”
What does disruption feel like to you?
I admire the idea of disruption but it sort of scares me too. I’ve been thinking about how to disrupt my own business but that sort of scares me too.
What does a book marketing strategist do?
Are you an author who wants to get your book out there? You’ve written your book, and you’re ready to get it out? But where do you start?
The world of book marketing is an exciting one, but it can be overwhelming.
Celebrating Women Coming Together
As this month of celebrating Women’s History winds down (not that we shouldn’t be celebrating women every month), I’d like to give a shout-out to all of the amazing and inspiring women I’ve admired, met, learned from, connected with and worked with who have helped me get to where I am today.
How to Navigate a Smooth Transition for Your Team
Whether you are on-boarding or off-boarding a team member or a client, a smooth transition is always the goal. While there are likely to be a few hiccups or bumps, there are several things you can do to make the process as successful as possible.
Why It Took Me Two Weeks To Send This
How do you handle this?
This blog post was meant to go live over two weeks ago. But I couldn’t send it. I didn’t know how to strike the balance in acknowledging the acts of war occurring in Ukraine while trying to move forward with “business as usual” without seeming unmoved, unsympathetic, or tone-deaf.
The Strategic Path to Book Launch
Paula Davis knows firsthand about burnout. As a successful lawyer she burned out. But she didn’t initially recognize what was happening. Stress caused her to begin having panic attacks almost daily and when she ended up in the hospital, she knew things had to change.
3 Key Marketing Strategies for Self-Publishing Your Book
Deciding to become a published author is no small decision – for many it’s a dream come true, for others, it’s a calling and for others it is a way to share their expertise, experience or their point of view with the world.
A New Way to Use Personal Brand Photos for Marketing & Business Growth
Alice Patterson is not just another photographer. She specializes in personal brand photography for women entrepreneurs. She has created and designed her business, Loving My Company, to be a unique membership for female business owners who are expanding their businesses and their networks through very engaging social media and content marketing.
How to Set Up Your Content Planning for Success
Lizzy Fox is a Social Media Manager and Brand Strategist at By Elizabeth Fox. She joins me to discuss content planning. She shares her insights about content strategy with the goal to help us all get organized to be more effective, starting today.
The Ideal Working Relationship Between an Author and Editor
While Brooke and I met waayyyy back in our magazine publishing days, she has since worked in nearly every capacity of the book publishing world. She now balances her book work between the roles of ghostwriter and book editor. In addition to being one of the most fun AND funny people I know, Brooke has really smart things to say about helping authors.
Tips & Trends in Good Book Design
Even though George started with his design passion way back in high school and carried him through college, his journey to become a book designer was anything but straightforward. Being part of a publishing start-up out of college George got immediate exposure to client facing work. Nearly 12 years later he had grown into the “Creative Director” position with a staff larger than the entire company when he had started.
Why You Need Brand Strategy
After going through the “brand breakthrough” process with Michelle earlier this year, I was so captivated with her approach that I really wanted her to share it with others. Listen to our conversation, where she explains the concept of branding – in an authentic way that makes sense – and is FUN!
What Is Clubhouse and Why You Should Check It Out
Yes, Clubhouse is Another. Social. Media. App.
Cue the eye roll and know that I did not want to engage either. I don’t need another thing to do (or distract me) and was happy to sit this one out. But I can’t (I’m blaming Jen Lehner) and I don’t think you should either.