Boost Ticket Sales for Your Event, Festival, or Retreat with These 5 Instagram Tips
Exploring Central America: My Upcoming Adventure to Nicaragua
Soon, I’ll be heading to Nicaragua to explore the beauty of Central America. This journey is fueled by my curiosity and the love I developed for the region after falling for Costa Rica a few years ago. While I’m there, I’ll be making a special stop at the Ometepe Gathering, where I’ll be hosting a workshop on strengthening the heart chakra through Kundalini yoga, meditation, and breathwork.
If you know me, you know how much I value work exchanges. For offering two workshops, I’ll receive free entry to the festival, along with accommodation and meals—an amazing tradeoff for sharing something I’m passionate about.
On top of leading the workshops, I also volunteered to provide the organizers with some advice on how to make their Instagram profile more engaging. Below, I’m sharing the info I sent them, filled with tips you might find helpful for your own projects. While these ideas are tailored to events and festivals, they can be easily adapted for other uses!
Boost Ticket Sales for Your Event, Festival, or Retreat with These 5 Instagram Tips
Establish a Consistent Brand
Choose a set of branding colors and fonts, and use them consistently in your posts to create a cohesive look.
Use Templates for Posts
Make your Instagram posts more visually appealing by designing them with templates on Canva.
Tag and Engage Facilitators
Whenever you feature a facilitator, tag them in the post and encourage them to re-share it.
Leverage Short Videos
Share quick videos of facilitators talking about their workshops or what excites them about the festival.
Have the festival organizers introduce themselves with a short video to build a personal connection with your audience.
Content Ideas for Posts (These can be repurposed for both Instagram and Facebook):
Spotlight a workshop facilitator or artist.
Share a fun fact about Ometepe Island or Nicaragua.
Provide logistical details like transportation options, nearby accommodations, or camping tips.
Post a packing list for festival-goers.
Highlight family-friendly offerings.
Share what attendees can expect for meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Put out a call for artists or facilitators.
Talk about what the project site is like outside of festival season and share the backstory of the project.
Create lighthearted memes or inspirational quotes to add a fun touch to your feed.
That’s all I have for you for now! Using these tips will help you diversify your Instagram feed, keeping your content fresh and engaging for your audience. By showcasing a mix of facilitator spotlights, logistical details, fun facts, and behind-the-scenes moments, you’ll pique interest and create excitement around your event.
This variety will not only increase your ticket sales but also boost engagement, bringing more awareness to your project. An active, thoughtfully curated Instagram feed can transform casual viewers into loyal followers and enthusiastic attendees, ensuring your event reaches its full potential.
Have you ever attended or contributed to a festival like this? I’d love to hear about your experiences or any additional tips you might have for making events unforgettable!
3 AI Tools I'm Loving Right Now
Lately, much shade is being thrown at AI and content creators who use AI, but I’m here to be a contrarian. AI has the potential to offer business owners (especially my fellow soul-preneurs) - alternative, easy, and budget-friendly ways to amplify their impact.
The following AI platforms have transformed how I approach my client work as well as my passion projects, whether for illustration, writing, or video creation. Let me share the AI tools I’m loving lately and how they help me create more freely and efficiently.
#1 OpenArt.ai: A Game-Changer for My Illustrations - $75/ year subscription, 5000 credits/ month
When my publisher Rio Nuevo shut their doors, I found myself in a bind. My upcoming project, a Desert Animal Oracle Deck, was on hold, and I was scrambling to find a new illustrator. My initial thought was to reconnect with my previous illustrator, but her quote was well beyond my budget. Not only that, but she also failed to respond to my inquiries about the timeline, leaving me in the lurch. I contacted other illustrators, but the responses were delayed or inconsistent, and the time was ticking.
That’s when I discovered OpenArt.ai. Desperate for a solution, I explored the world of AI-generated art. I taught myself how to create AI art using this tool, and the results were terrific. OpenArt.ai has allowed me to produce high-quality illustrations without the headaches and delays of finding a traditional artist.
Using OpenArt.ai and Canva, I’ve crafted stunning visuals that perfectly capture desert wildlife's mystical and serene essence. The best part? I can tweak and refine the art as I see fit, ensuring that the final product aligns perfectly with my vision and that I don’t need to spend much money on it. Here are some sample cards….SNEAK PEEK…Shhhhhhh!
#2 ChatGPT: My Go-To Writing Assistant, FREE
Regarding AI chatbots, I must admit that I haven’t experimented much with the plethora of options available. Why? Because ChatGPT has everything I need. As a writer, the ability to brainstorm ideas, generate content, and even refine my work in real-time has been invaluable.
Whether drafting blog post ideas, developing content strategies, or polishing my rough drafts, ChatGPT has proven an indispensable tool in my creative arsenal. The ease with which I can communicate with the AI and get meaningful responses makes it feel like I have a dedicated writing assistant at my fingertips.
The versatility of ChatGPT is what sets it apart for me. It’s not just about generating text—it’s about the collaborative process that makes my writing more dynamic. I can ask for suggestions, get feedback, and even ask AI to tweak content based on my target audience. This level of interaction has taken my writing to new heights, allowing me to experiment and push boundaries in ways I hadn’t considered before.
#3 InVideo: Bringing My Words to Life Through Video, FREE or $20/month
As a writer, I’ve always been intrigued by bringing my stories and ideas to life through video. However, the technical aspects of video creation always seemed daunting—until I discovered InVideo. This AI-powered video creator has become my latest obsession, enabling me to quickly transform my writing into engaging visual content.
InVideo offers a range of templates and customization options that make video creation accessible, even for someone like me with little experience in the field. I’ve started experimenting with creating promotional videos for my writing projects, and the results have been spectacular. The platform allows me to integrate my text with images, animations, and music, creating a cohesive and compelling narrative that resonates with my audience.
One of the things I love most about InVideo is its user-friendly interface. It’s designed to be intuitive, so I don’t have to spend hours learning how to use it. Instead, I can focus on the creative process, experimenting with different elements until I achieve the desired effect. Whether it’s a book trailer, a promotional clip, or just a fun visual experiment, InVideo has become an essential tool in my creative toolkit. Here’s a video I had fun making last night - I used text from a project I am working on about Exiting the Matrix. Not bad for a newb!
Embracing the Future of Creativity
AI is no longer just a futuristic concept—it’s a tangible resource revolutionizing how we create. Tools like OpenArt.ai, ChatGPT, and InVideo have empowered me to take control of my projects, allowing me to produce high-quality work without the usual hurdles. By integrating AI into my creative process, I’ve explored new mediums, experimented with innovative ideas, and brought my visions to life with unprecedented ease.
If you’re a creative professional looking to expand your toolkit or a business owner seeking to amplify your purpose, I highly recommend these AI tools. Whether you want to create stunning visuals, enhance your writing, or delve into video production, an AI solution can help you achieve your goals. The future of creativity is here, and it’s more exciting than ever.
And yes - I did enlist AI's help to write this blog post :)
Want to know more about how to use AI to amplify your impact? I’m currently offering a $77 one-hour Zoom session where you and I will dive deep into the inner workings of your business. During the session, you will learn how to create engaging, authentic content that resonates with your audience, saves time AND aligns your message with your mission. More details here.
If You're a Thought Leader, You Need a LinkedIn Content Strategy - A Case Study
I have a client, let’s call him HB.
HB is the former president of a very large corporation and was responsible for making that brand globally recognized.
Although he has been retired for some years, he continues to share his leadership insights via podcasts and interviews. He has also co-authored a couple of best-sellers.
In 2016, another author client referred me to him, and a connection was born.
His problem? He wanted to start networking online to spread awareness of his latest book release. He also wanted to use his social platforms as leverage to get more interviews and, therefore, help more people with his business insights. But - like many brilliant professionals, he didn’t have the time or desire to manage this outreach himself.
That’s where I came in.
For the past 8 years, I have regularly created and posted original content and engaged with his followers on his LinkedIn profile. Since then, I have created an entire movement around his people-centered leadership, increased his followers, increased his outreach, increased the number of interview invites, increased book sales, and increased his impressions (basically, how many feeds his post shows up in).
Below are screenshots of his most popular posts in the past months; I’ll let the numbers speak for themselves.
If you are an author, thought leader, conscious business owner, soulpreneur, or someone who is doing really cool sh*t, consider zeroing in on LinkedIn instead of other platforms. In my personal experience and my experience with clients, it has been a worthwhile experience, and the audience is full of positive professionals who are ready to root you on.
Curious about how to make LinkedIn work for you? Get in touch. I am currently offering a LinkedIn Strategy for Thought Leaders that will help you narrow down your goals as well as create a unique LinkedIn content strategy for your business.
When it Comes to Content Marketing, Consistency is KEY🔑
Tomorrow I am flying to Amsterdam to speak at two conferences, The Self Made Summit and Forward Festival. Though I’ll be there sharing the building blocks required to build an authentic community, powered by Squarespace an all-in-one platform for creatives and entrepreneurs to showcase their talents online— I hope to also share some key insights from my 10+ experience with content marketing…like this one, Consistency is KEY 🔑.
Case in Point
I have a friend who wants to move away from having a brick-and-mortar vintage shop to selling clothes online or by appointment only. He’s got quite a following on Instagram but no real strategy when it comes to posting. He typically posts random pictures from his life, happy customers wearing their “new” clothes, and occasionally he'll post “new” items he’s got for sale. But he never posts them on his wall - only in his stories.
He also doesn’t post consistently. Some days he’ll post ten pictures and sometimes he’ll go days without posting anything.
Seeing how he was struggling to get his online sales ramped up, I offered a few tips:
Post on your wall once per day. The first image should be a close-up image of the “new” item. The second and third pictures can be lifestyle shots or pictures of the clothes on a real live human. The caption should show how much it costs, the size, and any other relevant information.
You should then share that post to your story with a note that the item is new.
The reason I told him to post on his wall was because it wasn’t clear that he was selling clothes. For those who follow him or already know him, it’s apparent, but if he wants to attract new clientele, he’s got to be more obvious about his offerings.
For the first two days, he posted on time with my advice but on the third day, I noticed he had removed both posts from his wall.
“What happened?” I asked.
“I archived the pictures. I only got a couple of likes and no one asked about the items.”
This is SO common with people when it comes to content marketing. You finally get the courage and motivation to post and expect to have instant gratification/validation. But content marketing doesn’t work that way. It’s usually a long, slow process that requires showing up consistently even when it feels like you are shouting into a void.
Here are some of the things showing up consistently on my blog and newsletter have gotten me:
A work/trade deal where I work 3 months for a plot of land in Portugal
Organic clients aligned with my values
Paid speaking gigs like the upcoming ones in Amsterdam, you can also add paid flights and hotels to that list.
Partnerships
But they didn’t come overnight. They only came after I spent hours creating content for myself consistently. The reason is that Google rewards consistency. When it comes to SEO, if you are posting regularly, you are seen as an expert by Google. It also builds credibility and trust amongst potential clients. Wow, this person has had a blog for ten years? They MUST know what they are talking about!
I explained this to my friend and the next day I noticed he’d unarchived his posts and has been posting regularly since. Let’s hope he keeps it up.
Want to learn how to use ChatGPT and other AI tools to help you stay consistent? Book a one hour session with me where we will deep dive into your business and I’ll show you exactly how to create content effortlessly. More details can be found here.
Crafting a Content Marketing Strategy on a Shoestring Budget
I recently started a housesit outside of Olhão, Portugal. The house backs up to acres and acres of beautiful wild land; wildflowers, creeks, and rolling hills.
While walking around the land with the homeowner recently, I was admiring the landscape. That’s when he informed me of their dilemma last year. A large solar energy company sought to transform acres of pristine land into a sprawling energy farm, jeopardizing the delicate balance of the surrounding ecosystem.
Why couldn’t they just slap some panels on top of existing buildings/eye sores like grocery stores? Short answer…money.
This determined family organized under a former NGO, and were able to thwart this imminent environmental disaster. Through advocacy and activism, they emerged victorious, but the fight is not over. Now the family wants to make sure this can’t ever happen again. For that, they’ll need to raise more funds and get a formal land conservancy status from the Portuguese government.
They asked me how to help them shift the focus of their NGO to fundraising and community building, in case another crisis pops up? Below is the advice I gave them. My purpose for sharing this information is so that if you are an NGO, and have limited funds, you can scrap together a content marketing strategy that will help you achieve your goals. Before I deliver the goods, though, I want to stress one key point. In order for a content marketing strategy to work, you’ve got to stay consistent!! Now let’s get to the good stuff…
Crafting a Content Marketing Strategy on a Shoestring Budget
For grassroots organizations with limited funds, an effective content marketing strategy is key to amplifying your message and garnering support. Here's a step-by-step guide to building a robust strategy:
Step 1: Establish four marketing pillars.
These pillars will be the themes you will use to derive ALL your content. This will help you keep focused on the stuff that matters. Examples of pillars I’d recommend for the aforementioned organization include:
Environmental Conservation Advocacy
Community Engagement and Empowerment
Fundraising Initiatives
Event Promotion and Participation
Each post, piece of content, or talking point your organization delivers to the public will have to fall under one of the above categories. If it doesn’t fit into one of the categories, it doesn’t need to be said.
Step 2: Create a content marketing strategy (or just copy the one I have for you below :))
My suggestion:
1- Write one blog every week or every other week.
2- Derive 2-3 original posts from the blog and share them on one social platform of your choice every week. You can repurpose those posts onto other social platforms but it’s not necessary. Best to focus on growing one platform.
2- At the end of the month, send out a newsletter to your subscribers with a short personal message from you, including any relevant information about the NGO, any important events, and links to the blog posts from the month prior. Newsletter sites like Mailchimp are free up until a certain amount of subscribers.
3- Engage on social media - Follow members of your community, re-share their posts, tag local businesses, and use hashtags.
Step 3: Create a content marketing calendar.
I recommend using Google Sheets for this, it’s free and can easily be shared with other members of your team. Outline what kind of posts you will be sharing monthly. You can also write the posts in the Google Sheet if you need it to get approved by other members of your organization.
Step 4: Plan Community Building Events
1- Aim to provide a community-building event once every 1 to 3 months. These can look like clothing swaps, open mic nights, artisan markets, workshops, tours, concerts, lectures, etc. Partner with other organizations and co-host events with them. At every event make sure to give a short presentation about your organization and why it’s important to the health of the community. You can make these events free or charge a small fee, all of which will go back to the organization. COLLECT EMAIL ADDRESSES!
2- Aim to provide a higher-end community event once every six months. These events are aimed to attract those who can donate a substantial amount of money. These events can look like silent auctions with prizes collected from members of the community (massage by local therapists, workshops by local artisans, products made by local artisans) or black tie events that require a higher-cost ticket to enter.
Step 5: Implementing the content marketing strategy
1- To help you write things like blog posts, newsletters, social media posts, and fundraising proposals, fire up ChatGPT. Now use this step with caution. Chat GPT is a robot, not a human. That means it’s not funny, it lacks empathy and is just not as good of a writer as a human. But it can help you structure your content and eliminate any writer’s block. You can use the platform to get ideas and spark inspiration.
For example, you can enter a prompt such as:
can you write a fundraising proposal geared towards wealthy funders for a nonprofit that is trying to get protection status?
—> Tips: You can get very specific by adding an exact word count, adding the tone you are aiming for by expanding upon the ideal demographic, or by requesting a tone to sound like a certain public figure (ex. please rewrite this in the tone of Oprah Winfrey).
By adhering to these strategic steps and maintaining consistency, grassroots organizations can amplify their impact, rally community support, and safeguard precious natural resources like the wild lands of Olhão, Portugal. Together, we can make a difference.
Want to learn how to craft a killer content marketing strategy with the help of ChatGPT and other AI tools? Book a one hour session with me where we will deep dive into your business and I’ll show you exactly how to create content effortlessly. More details can be found here.
When It Comes to Building an Audience, Engagement Matters
As a content marketer, I can get so wrapped up in the process of creating fun and exciting content that I leave very little time left over for engaging with my current or future audience. But when you are building an organic, sustainable community, engagement is ESSENTIAL!
Think of engaging like dating. You probably wouldn’t like it if all your date did was talk about themselves. What if your date never asked you how you were doing, what makes you tick, or how you felt or thought about a particular topic? What if they never commented on the things that fired you up? You’d likely never go on a second date again - or you might even ghost/block them.
Building a community follows the same logic. Yes, spend time creating relevant, unique content, but also make sure you allot enough time for engagement. It’s important!!
Here are some tips on how to engage well with others…
Follow folks who produce relevant content, either direct competitors or folks with similar values.
Like other people’s posts (including dream clients, past clients, brands who hold similar values, brands you’d like to collab with, and brands who are direct competitors)
Reshare others’ content and make sure to add your own thoughts, opinions, or spin on their content.
Comment on other people’s posts.
Post content you didn’t create but that resonates with your marketing pillars directly on your feed but make sure to tag the original creator/brand.
Partner with a relevant brand/influencer and run a simultaneous promotion, that way you can tap into THEIR audience.
Don’t have time to engage with your followers? Don’t fret. While I always encourage clients to engage with their audience when they have time, consistent engagement just isn’t feasible (or enjoyable) for busy entrepreneurs. If that’s the case with you, feel free to outsource your engagement to someone else (like, uh, ME! )
Stop Being So Elusive, Already
As a lot of you know, I am currently in the process of creating my own Desert Animal Oracle Deck.
When I submitted my proposal to the publisher, I included my own digital concept of what I wanted the cards to look like. Needless to say, the publisher had another vision. Instead, they wanted to bring in an outside illustrator to help with the design.
I wasn’t upset, in fact, my original intent was to do the same but the reason I didn’t was because of budget constraints. Instead, I relied on my minimal Canva skills to whip up some sample cards.
Flash forward to now and we have both been on the hunt for an illustrator — someone who preferably has a connection to the Southwest, a love of animals, and a knack for Scientific skill-level detail when sketching said animals.
How do you suppose we have been conducting the search?
Well, first we asked people we already knew. I asked friends who had Tucson connections if they could recommend someone.
Next, I searched around my community. I went to a local bookshop and looked for any animal stickers, notebooks, or notecards on display near the checkout counter, and noted down the names of their illustrators.
Lastly, I looked at Instagram.
Why am I sharing this with you?
Because I want you to stop being so elusive and private about the gifts you are here to share with the world. How else are people going to find you, if you don’t put yourself out there? I used to think social media was vapid and a big waste of time, but what I am learning is that it is what you make of it. When you have a purpose — to share your gifts with the world — it becomes much easier to open up and let others into your creative process.
Sure, I still get shy before I am about to post something on Instagram. Last night I hesitated a few minutes before pushing that button, but then I did. Why? Because I want others to see what I am creating, so that it inspires them to put love and energy into their own creations. I also want to keep people in the loop because I believe that my oracle cards can help inspire others to protect the beautiful creatures of the Southwest as well deepen their connection to their own inner knowing.
“Happiness is only real when shared.”
As Christopher McCandless, the author of Into the Wild wrote, “Happiness is Only Real When Shared” and I just love it so much. For so long I felt like I had to hide who I was. I was afraid that people would think I was a fraud or that I was taking up too much space. I didn’t think my writing or creative endeavors deserved to see the light of day. But in the end, these are all limiting beliefs that keep me from reaching my highest potential. And I am just over it!
So there you have it, don’t be shy. Or try to play cool and mysterious. Share what you are working on and let others be dazzled by all that you are. Sure, there might be haters. But there might also be a whole lot of people who you help in the process!
Need someone to help hold you accountable when it comes to putting yourself out there? I am now offering a Content Marketing Accountability Coaching program. Head here for more info.
How Important is Social Media When Growing Your Conscious Business?
Well it depends on who you ask but since you asked me (or did I ask you?) I digress…
Social Media is pretty damn important.
I recently interviewed Tammy Tamuno, the lead education consultant of purplebook.ng, for the Transparent Voices series and she said she grew her entire business on Instagram. Her advice? If you want to grow your business you have to go where your ideal clients hang out. If they’re hanging out on Instagram then, by all means, you need to be on Instagram.
As a Conscious Business Owner, I’m not a big fan of anyone spreading themselves too thin, especially when it comes to social media. That’s why I recommend that my clients focus on one, MAYBE two, social media platforms that they resonate with most and then just deep dive into them. Now, I realize that this is contradictory advice from the big social media guru Gary Vee, but unlike Gary Vee, I’m assuming you don’t have a big social media team whose sole job is to repurpose content for you, am I right?
So, where do you go from here?
Well, you pick one social media platform that you vibe with. For me that’s LinkedIn.
Though I tend to use Instagram more in my personal life, I feel I already spend too much time on that app. And I didn’t want to just all of the sudden start posting about social media and digital marketing when my “followers” have grown to expect travel pics and funny shit I find on the street. In other words, my Instagram profile already had an identity, and I didn’t feel my business would be able to exist peacefully within the constraints. I also didn’t want to start a separate business Instagram profile for myself because ugh, that seems so exhausting.
That’s how I settled on LinkedIn and so far it’s been great! People are friendly and professional over there, and I feel like I have a safe space to share my knowledge and expertise. But that doesn’t mean it would work for your business. Do what feels good to you.
To finish up this blog post, I want to reiterate the importance of having a social media presence, not only to grow your current audience, like Tammy did, but to help you gain clout in the space. Case in point, I am organizing an interview series called Transparent Voices for a client and I reached out the World of Women (a renowned NFT founder) for an interview. Her assistant responded saying they weren’t interested. Being the bold bish I am, I replied asking her why considering my client has over 7 million visitors to his site every year. Her answer? My client didn’t have a very big social media following.
What? So, if my client had purchased followers, like many influencers and brands do, she would have happily agreed to the interview? Perhaps. Who knows. But one thing I do know is that social media still matters. And that key gatekeepers and potential clients still judge you based on your number of followers. So take it from me, get in the habit of posting regularly and soon enough you will see it pay off in the form of new clients or partnerships.
Need some help with a social media strategy? Get in touch!
The Secrets of Running A Successful Contest on Social Media
Last week I was doing my usual "peruse Facebook newsfeed for a few minutes while I wait for my picture to upload" when I saw that one of my friends (who also lives in the Phoenix area) made a comment on The Hotel Clarendon Facebook page.
They were running a contest that required you to 1. SHARE the post announcing the contest 2. LIKE their Facebook page, 3. say something nice in the COMMENT section of the post. I wasn't going to enter but then I scoped out their prizes, 10 1-night stays at their hotel, 10 1-day cabana rentals, 10 VIP Tickets to an art event downtown, 10 tickets to their Halloween party, 10 tickets to their NYE party, and 10 bottles of bacon infused olive oil.
Once I saw how many prizes they were giving away, the caliber of the prizes, and how easy it was to enter, I decided to try my luck. Boy am I glad I saw that post because I ended up winning a one night stay in their beautiful hotel! I have to give a special shout out to my handsome pup for helping me win the hearts of the judges. Thanks Rudolph! :)
Thinking about running your own contest on social media? Here is a list of 5 tips that will help you create a successful one. Need help running one? Email me here.
1. Enlist the help of third party sites
Read up on the rules of running a Facebook contest without the use of a third party site (it used to be against the rules and your contest would run the risk of getting shut down if Facebook got wind of it.) Here are a few sites that are easy to use and have cool templates; heyo, rafflecopter, shortstack.
2. Give away LOTS of prizes
The more chances people have of actually winning something the more likely people will enter your contest. The Hotel Clarendon gave away 60 prizes total--that's a LOT!
3. Make the entry easy on the entrant
Image by Joe Sullivan, Flickr
The more hoops people have to jump through, the less likely they will enter. The Hotel Clarendon's entry was easy--just say something nice to them along with liking and sharing their page with my followers. EASY!
4. Choose prizes that are something your business already offers.
image by Duncan C, Flickr
Don't lose site of why you are running the contest in the first place, you want to build a fan base that also belongs to your target market. Giving away 100 iPads might generate a lot of buzz for your brand, but is that winner in Cambodia ever going to come into your coffee shop and order a latte after the contest is said and done? Probably not.
5. Choose winners with a large social media following or impressive digital footprint
image by WalesOnline.co.uk
This may seem kind of icky, but again, don't forget why you are running the contest in the first place. You want to reach audiences that you wouldn't normally have access to. If you choose a winner with a large twitter following, he or she will probably give your brand a shout out when they claim their prize, thus creating a wave of free buzz.
Join us on the following networks and let's have some fun!