22 Takeaways from Content Marketing World 2015

I left the Content Marketing World conference with 10 pages of handwritten notes (I know, who does that anymore?), many business cards, and the memory of Nick Offerman casually eating bacon on stage during his keynote.

This was the first conference I've been to as a guest, and I have to say I was pretty impressed.

While many of the sessions were overcrowded or some of the information was nothing new, the mere energy from everyone there was enough to inspire change and action. Isn't that the point?

I did walk away with some new information and a list of tools to look into. I didn't attend every session or look over every presentation, but still gathered tons of useful information. I've rounded up some takeaways that I thought you all might find interesting.

9 General Content Marketing Takeaways:

• Many companies are lacking a clear content strategy
• Focus on the customer first and foremost (the audience is king, not the content)
• Define metrics that matter + stop tracking only vanity metrics
• Focus more on distribution and promotion
• Build buyer personas to target your content more effectively
• Publish articles from an author (person's name), not a company
• More frequent posting = more traffic but less engagement
• Native advertising is on the rise

How to Properly Communicate With Your Audience (via Kristina Halvorson)

• What do you need?
• How can I help you?
• I will be transparent.
• I will prioritize you over metrics.

2 SEO Takeaways

• The time someone spends on your page after clicking over from the search results will matter more for ranking. (So make sure your titles and descriptions are relevant.)
• Focus on questions your customers are asking to facilitate conversations and engagement, which in turn helps SEO.

4 Social Media Takeaways

• Using a visual with a social post is likely to get 180% more engagement.
• Facebook's organic reach is at 2% and dropping. Twitter has said it will take the same route.
• Pinterest is #3 of worldwide referral traffic behind only Google and Facebook.
• How to view social networks:
  • Facebook: "What are my friends up to?"
  • Twitter: "What's going on in the world now?"
  • Pinterest: "What can I do in the future?"

7 Useful Quotes from Content Marketing World

"Don't build your house on rented land." - Joe Pulizzi (Publish on your own content hub)

"The only way we can differentiate is how we communicate." - Don Schults

"You're more likely to survive a plane crash than click on a banner ad." - Chad Pollitt

"Don't confuse activity with productivity." - Kristina Halvorson

"The only things that matter: business outcomes + customer satisfaction." - Kristina Halvorson

"People don't have relationships with brands. They have relationships with people." - Seth Godin (He wasn't there, but it was an important reminder.)

"By filling your life with what makes you happy, the trick is you end up having a beautiful life even if you don't ever hit a home run." -Nick Offerman

Fun Photos

In the Comments:

What's your favorite conference to attend?

Sunday Link Love: Quick Workouts + How Important is "The Fold?" {Sept v3}

Health, Fitness + Lifestyle

Working Out Indoors: 10 Fast & Furious Workouts For When You Need to Get It Done

Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Body Scrub

Food + Nutrition

Forget Apples! Why You Should Be Eating a Pear a Day

Flourless pumpkin chocolate chip bars

Cheesy Cheddar Bay Biscuit Copy-Cat Recipe

Blogging + Entrepreneurship

6 Browser Extensions That’ll Make You Way More Productive at Work

25 Useful Tips for Bloggers On How to Use Periscope

Just How Important is “The Fold”? 5 Things to Consider

The 3 Keys to Creating a Successful Info Product

How to Make a Media Kit That Will Get You More Clients

2 minute, 5 minute, 10 minute, 30 minute blog building action plan

My Life Lately...

+I'm off to Colorado this week! Not only is it a place I've never seen, but it'll be the longest vacation I've taken in years.

Join me on Instagram to for a behind the scenes look at my business + life.

In the comments, tell us something exciting you have happening this fall.

Friday Inspiration: Better to Fail in Originality than Succeed in Imitation

"It's better to fail in originality than succeed in imitation." -Herman Melville

Keep trying your own ideas. It's the only way to find what truly inspires you and you'll end up with something much more valuable than if you imitate others.

Can you truly be content with success based on imitation, anyway? That kind of success isn't sustainable because you need that spark of personality or something different that helps you stand out. That differentiating factor.

I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Success based on imitation isn't sustainable. How will you STAND OUT?

The Road to Solopreneur Success (+a can't-miss business ebook bundle sale!)

This post is part of the blog tour for One Woman Shop’s Solopreneur Success Bundle, a roundup of e-courses, e-books, and subscriptions designed to help you succeed in all aspects of your solopreneur biz. Your chance to grab over $1,500 in products at just $99 is only here from September 14-18th -- learn more and get yours now!  

The Road to Solopreneur Success

What area(s) of your business do you struggle with most and what do you plan on changing?

Around two years into my business I started thinking about hiring an assistant. I've hired a few subcontractors here and there, but now at nearly three years in, it's becoming more urgent. It can be very challenging to give up control of something you've built from the ground up.

I've been working on an audit of what I do every day and within my business so I can pinpoint my weakest areas and delegate those out, as well as streamline repetitive tasks. Included in the weakest areas are also things that I just don't feel energized doing.

For example, while I love writing, certain projects drain my energy, so I've started working with a copywriter on some of these projects. I also have a developer to help out with the more technical things that I just honestly don't want to take the time to figure out.

While being a one woman shop is a wonderful thing, it's okay to get help when you need it. Hire the coach, invest in the e-course, or delegate your weakest areas to others who excel in them.

I also struggle with work-life balance. It doesn't exist in a consistent way that people might imagine, but give-and-take is definitely necessary.

I've started implementing "no-work-weekends." If I feel a little overwhelmed on Friday before 5pm-ish, I'll make an organized to-do list to get started with on Monday. Then I try to disconnect as much as possible. I find myself more energized and productive on Monday mornings this way.

What area(s) of your business are you excelling at most and how did you get there?

I have a solid client base of amazing women right now. I've built most of my client base from referrals from current or previous clients, offering flexible/customizable service plans + providing helpful content on my blog. It took consistent work and attention to detail with each client to get here.

As mentioned above I'm at a point where I need to start hiring help and I also have some big, slightly change-of-direction plans for the upcoming months.

I'm far enough into my business where I have a better idea of what I want to work on most. A business like this is ever-changing, but after some time you start to figure out what works best for you and your tribe.

When I started I offered both business coaching + holistic health coaching. While I still incorporate the importance of health in entrepreneurship, I haven't offered health coaching for quite some time. This was mostly a demand-based decision, but also just a natural evolution as I wanted to get more involved in helping other coaches reach more people.

One of the best parts of running my business so far has been the relationships I've formed with my clients, my tribe, other entrepreneurs / bloggers. It sounds a little cliche maybe, but it's been so true. It's important to keep the mindset of community over competition. We all bring different strengths to the table, so we can do amazing things if we work together and support one another.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Solopreneur Success Bundle is your one-stop shop for the some of the best resources out there that will unlock your potential as a solo business owner and lead you to greater success.

Writing copy. Creating passive income. Pricing. Streamlining your systems. Launching. Managing finances. Unplugging. These are all things you know are important to your biz, but you could use some help to make them happen.

The Bundle brings you 19 amazing products worth over $1,500 that do just that. Your investment? $99. But here’s the catch: it’s only available this week, from September 14-18th.

What’s more? The impact of your investment doesn’t stop with your own business. One Woman Shop is investing $10 on every sale in Kiva, specifically supporting women-run projects and businesses around the world.

What You'll Get

Amanda Genther - Creative Biz Kickstart e-course (Retail value: $75)

• A 16-lesson (45 page) crash-course on all things creative business basics: branding, clients + offerings, marketing + time management, and goal setting.

Amber McCue - How to Clone Yourself e-course (Retail value: $149)

• A 4-week, DIY workshop that shows the exasperated, drowning, overstressed, overworked, overtaxed business owner how to make more time for yourself and how to make more money for yourself… without making more work for yourself.

Ash Beaudin/Firework People - 14 Day Journaling Prompts (Retail value: $25)

• A 14-day email course for visionary women who are doing their dreams and want to connect with their hearts to process what is going on in their inner world.

Ashley Brooks - The Self-Editing Handbook (Retail value: $12)

• The ultimate DIY-editing guide for bloggers and writers who are serious about producing excellent content but don't have the budget to hire a pro.

Carrie Smith - Solopreneur Finances e-course (Retail value: $79)

• Over 12 lessons you'll learn how to get organized, simplify the financial obstacles of being a business owner, and find what works for you so you can manage money on your terms.

Coach Jennie - Coaching Biz Badassery Bootcamp (Retail value: $250)

• A self-paced online program packaged and templated to shorten your learning curve on building a coaching biz.

Electric Empire/Anna Long - BetaLab e-course (Retail value: $97)

• The self paced ecourse that will help you create and test your services so they can stop being ideas in your head and become real life money makers instead.

Halley Gray (Evolve + Succeed) - Supercharged Sales Pages e-course (Retail value: $197)

• A self-paced e-course that shows you how to write sales pages that sell in seconds.

Hey Shenee - Price Anything (Retail value: $25)

• A video workshop guiding you through the process of finding your own price, with a guide for beta testing your next thing and insights on how much money you’ll make this year.

Indigo Colton - Your Ultimate VA Crash Course (Retail value: $14)

• A step-by-step e-book to walk you through determining if you're ready for a VA, how to find potential VA's, what to ask in the interview, and what happens after you've hired your VA.

Jac McNeil - Solopreneur Sojourn (Retail value: $179)

• A self-guided, digital retreat kit for your business.

Lisa Jacobs - Shop Fundamentals ebook (Retail value: $15)

• An ebook and corresponding workbook to help you turn your online shop into an SEO-optimized, engaging place where visitors turn into paying customers.

Marianne Manthey - Blog Beautiful ebook (Retail value: $24)

• A self-paced course to hold your hand every step of the way from blog ugly to blog lovely.

Michelle Nickolaisen - The Freelance Planner (digital) (Retail value: $15)

• The first (undated!) planner designed specifically for freelancers, helping train you into better business and productivity habits as you use it.

One Woman Shop - Building Your Online Community e-course (Retail value: $49)

• A 14-week, step-by-step, action-packed guide to kicking off and strengthening your online community as a solopreneur.

Sara Frandina Copywriting + One Woman Shop - Kickstart Your Content (Retail value: $29)

• Blog content strategy for newbies + stalled pros who want a strategy behind their blog and the kickstart they need to get it in motion.

Sarah Morgan - Create. Profit. Party! ebook (Retail value: $29)

• A start-from-scratch guide to creating passive income, so you can build products and programs that will not only be valuable to your audience and enhance what you’re already putting out there, but also allow you to work less.

Shannon Mattern - The WP+BFF Wordpress Starter Kit (Retail value: $97)

• Guide to everything you need to do (and DON'T need to do) to get your WordPress site done FAST.

YouCanBook.Me - 6-month Premium Subscription (Retail value: $144)

• Makes booking time online easy, efficient and leaves you free to get on with running your business without the scheduling headaches.

Click Here to get your bundle now and beat solopreneur overwhelm!

Affiliate Disclaimer Purchasing the Solopreneur Success Bundle through the link here will result in us receiving some compensation. I appreciate you trusting my opinion on the products that will help you better your business! 

I have previously purchased Sarah Morgan's Create. Profit. Party. Ebook and really enjoyed it. I'll definitely be purchasing the bundle myself, though, so I can enjoy the rest!

Sunday Link Love: Fitness Routines, Eating Hacks + Blogging Income Thoughts {Sept v2}

Health, Fitness + Lifestyle

Why I Don’t Stick to One Fitness Routine

The Power of Meditation: Sit Your Way to a Happier Life

The Downside of Merging Your Passion and Work

Food + Nutrition

5 Ways to Hack Your Eating Habits

7 Reasons to Start Your Day with a Green Smoothie

Pumpkin Apple Baked Mini Pancakes

Blogging + Entrepreneurship

Take control of your email: How to check your inbox only twice per day

Do you really need to make six figures?

A Look Into My Blog Post Writing Process

The Marketer’s Guide to Periscope I've downloaded it but haven't tried it. I would love to hear your thoughts!

Income Report: How I went from making $3k/month to $12k

The Ultimate Guide to a Successful Blog Tour

How to Rock a Twitter Chat (and Our Favorite Ones!)

My Life Lately...

+I attended my first conference (Content Marketing World in Cleveland) and it was really good. While I did learn some new information, I think half the effectiveness comes from the energy of this group alone. Just being around a group of like-minded people, sharing ideas and inspiration- that's the motivator.

I'll do a review of CMW in the next week or two, so stay tuned for some handy marketing tips, wisdom from John Cleese, ukelele songs from Nick Offerman and jams from the Barenaked Ladies.

Join me on Instagram to for a behind the scenes look at my business + life.

Borrowing this great shot from @stevehall89. #cmworld at a glance

A photo posted by Danielle Zeigler (@danielleadairz) on Sep 9, 2015 at 7:06am PDT

In the comments, tell us something new you've tried this summer.

Stitch Fix Review 6 August 2015: Lots of Dresses

In case you're new to Stitch Fix*, here's a quick run-down on how it works: Not all of my fixes have been great, but I continue to get them because the pieces I DO keep I find myself wearing the most. It helped me realize that I tend to wear the same few items over and over– the ones I invested a little more money in. I have a bad tendency to buy quantity over quality when it comes to clothing, so I have tons of cute cheap clothes that fall apart in less than a year.

With Stitch Fix, it’s like having a personal stylist and shopper. You get to choose the price range for each item, how often you want your fix and add specific notes for the fix. For example, for several fixes I've requested dresses for specific occasions.

Your fix also comes with photo ideas for how to wear the items (with clothes you may already own.)

The details:

• $20 styling fee upfront, but you get to deduct this from the items you decide to keep
• set a schedule for your fixes (like monthly) or schedule as the mood strikes
• set up a detailed style profile + include twitter and Pinterest links (gives your stylist a better idea of your personality)
• choose the price range you’re willing to spend for each category
• 25% discount if you buy all 5 items
• 3 days to decide which items to keep
• the shipping is free to return any unwanted items
• $25 for each person you refer

Here's what I got in my latest fix:

For this fix I requested some options for an upcoming wedding I'm attending in Denver, CO. I mentioned the time frame and weather.

My stylist's note was perfect. She described how I could use the different pieces while I'm at the wedding or nighttime events. I'm really happy with this fix!

1. Brixon Ivy James Laser Cut Dress in Cobalt  - Kept

Brixon Ivy James Laser Cut Dress in Cobalt

So pretty! I can see dressing this up with a fun blazer for professional events. I have so many black, gray and navy blue dresses that I was excited to keep one that had a pop of color. 

2. Kensie Quinna Lace Sheath Dress in Black - Returned

Kensie Quinna Lace Sheath Dress in Black

I really liked this dress, but when it came down to it, I didn't need another LBD for the price and it was a little big. I didn't get a good shot of the detailing, but there was lace on parts the dress as well.

3. Freeway Callaway Textured Dress in Off-White - Kept

callaway offwhite stitch fix dress

I love this dress. It fit really well (maybe a little short) but overall it was perfect.

4. Le Lis Leavy Lace Sleeve Knit Top in Dark Gray - Returned

Le Lis Leavy Lace Sleeve Knit Top in Dark Gray

I loved the material in the middle of the sweater. It was super soft and smooth, but I just couldn't get into the sleeves. I like lace, but I wasn't into the colors.

5. Renne C Huebert Space Dye Open Cardigan in Gray - Kept

Renne C Huebert Space Dye Open Cardigan in Gray Stitch Fix

This was a little more than I like to spend on sweaters, but the material was so nice and I can see dressing it up or down, so I went with it. I've already worn it twice, so it was a good choice!

Interested in having your very own personal stylist send clothes to your doorstep? Try Stitch Fix here.* It's been a lot of fun so far!

In the Comments:

What do you do to make sure you get a good fix from Stitch Fix?

Sunday Link Love: Traveling, Cookie Butter + Social Media Tips {Sept v1}

Health, Fitness + Lifestyle

The Science Behind Why Traveling Makes You Healthier

Pilates Exercise You Can Do At Your Desk

15 Things Anyone Who Loves A Woman With Anxiety Should Know

When Helping Someone You Love Becomes Unhealthy

Food + Nutrition

Copycat Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter [Gluten Free, Vegan]

Microwave Sweet Potato Mug Cake

10 Healthy Foods to Eat Every Day

Almond butter ice cream cakes

Blogging + Entrepreneurship

What the Best Virtual Assistant Looks Like For YOU

Create Extra Hours in Your Day With This Simple 3-Step Process

How to Build a Strong Social Media Presence

10 Ways to Use Periscope for Business

How to Make Your Blog Archives Work for You

A Helpful Guide for Utilizing Twitter Chats

Media Deprivation: A Creative Diet for the Minimalist

My Life Lately...

+I've been slacking on any personal updates. I'll just say things are good! The past few months have been full of ups and downs, but I'm very happy with how things are turning out.

+Coming up in September I'll be attending my first industry conference (Content Marketing World) and then visiting Denver for the first time. Very excited!

Join me on Instagram to for a behind the scenes look at my business + life.

In the comments, tell us something new you've tried this summer.

Friday Inspiration: Passion in Their Eyes

"People are prettiest when they talk about something they really love with passion in their eyes." -k.v.h. What lights up your eyes?

What fuels your passion the most?

Beginner's Guide to Twitter: Hashtags, Lists, Analytics + Chats {Part 2}

Twitter is a social network that people tend to either love or hate (or just not understand). It's one of my personal favorites for the speed of communicating, but many clients question the value. Not every social network is appropriate for each person or business, so I'm breaking down how to get the most out of Twitter.

In the Beginner's Guide to Twitter Part One we discussed:

• Why entrepreneurs should be using Twitter
• Best practices for setting up your profile
• What, when, and how often to post
• How to gain Twitter followers
• The difference between a retweet and a favorite

Now we're going to dive into hashtags, lists, analytics and chats so you can step up your game for business.

How should you use hashtags on Twitter?

Hashtags allow people to view all the tweets around a certain topic and interact with others with a similar interest.

Use your hashtags wisely, though. If you use too many it will junk up your tweet and distract from your actual message. You should also really think about your hashtags (on Twitter and Instagram). Are people actually searching on that topic? Are you just adding it to get likes, in which case, are they quality likes (qualified leads)?

• Events: If you're attending a conference/trade show/etc there's a good chance there's a hashtag for it.
• Trending Topics: Join a trending conversation and stay up to date on what people are tweeting most about
• Locations: Find people close to you, find things to do when traveling, etc.
• Popular Themes: For the health and wellness world, some popular hashtags include things like #MeatlessMonday and #MondayMotivation.

Hashtag Tools

• Keyhole: Conversation / hashtag tracker for Twitter and Instagram
• Hashtagify.me: Find similar hashtags
• Tagboard: Monitor hashtags in a nice, visual way

What are Twitter Lists?

Twitter lists are a way to organize the people you follow so you can view segmented timelines of tweets.

For example, since my business covers a few different topics, I have lists for:

You can see which lists others have added me to here. This would be a good place for me (or another similar Twitter user) to go to find like-minded people.

How can you access Twitter Analytics?

Go to https://analytics.twitter.com/ while you're logged into your account.

You'll see a dashboard with helpful statistics like this:

1 Quick Twitter Tip for Beginners

If you are responding to someone or starting a tweet with someone's handle (@twittername), only that person and people who follow you both will see the tweet. If you want more people to see it, add a . in front of the @ symbol.

5 Twitter Chats to Join for Creative Entrepreneurs

I love Twitter chats. I've only joined a few, but I always learn so much and have made some great connections. Here are a handful worth looking into:

1. #creativecoffeehour -- Mondays 9pm EST -- Hosted by Callie Gisler
2. #createlounge -- Wednesdays 8pm EST -- Hosted by Kayla Hollatz
3. #ellechat -- Thursdays 8pm EST -- Hosted by Lauren Hooker
4. #blisschat -- Thursdays 8pm EST -- Hosted by Charissa Moore CCT
5. #OWSchat -- 1st Wednesday of each month at 9pm EST -- Hosted by One Woman Shop

There are a ton more great Twitter chats out there, but these are just a few I've jumped into in the past. Chloe Social has a handy Twitter Chat list in her sidebar here, and Elle & Co. recently posted this Helpful Guide for Utilizing Twitter Chats.

If you know of a good one, leave a comment to share with everyone!

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Join me on Twitter. Start a conversation or ask me a question!

Read part one here: Beginner's Guide to Twitter: Profile Set-up, Posts + Followers {Part 1}

In the Comments:

What has kept you from trying Twitter?

-or-

What do you love about Twitter?

Friday Inspiration: There is No Finish Line So Love The Journey

"There is no finish line, so love the journey." -David Weekly Just a quick reminder that there is no finish line.

Stop the mindset of "when x happens, things will be better" or "when x happens, I'll feel fulfilled."

Don't rush through life. This is a reason to find passions, either in hobbies or your career.

Beginner's Guide to Twitter: Profile Set-up, Posts + Followers {Part 1}

One of the questions I hear the most from new business coaching clients is, "Do I really need to learn how to use Twitter? I just don't get it." But for me, I have the most followers on Twitter. (However, Pinterest sends the most social traffic to my website, making up 55% of my monthly traffic overall, in fact, but that's a topic for another day!)

Twitter describes the platform as, "The fastest, simplest way to stay close to everything you care about." It has become one of the top news sources, often beating out news agency's for breaking stories.

Business Insider calls it the fastest way for news to spread. "Twitter is the fastest way to spread thoughts. Not the kind of thoughts about what you'll eat for lunch. The kind of thoughts that have global impacts."

Why should entrepreneurs use Twitter?

• 500 million+ people are on Twitter
• 47% of people who follow a brand on Twitter are more likely to visit that brand's website
• Here's a helpful interactive infographic on The Value of a Twitter Follower
• Easy, fast way to interact and get news on the move or in a time crunch (which most entrepreneurs deal with, right?)
• It's an easy way to provide customer service
• 74% of people who follow small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) follow to get updates on future product
• Twitter is becoming more visual. Tweets with photos tend to get more interaction

Whether these stats and benefits have convinced you or not, I still recommend giving it a try. That's the best way to see if it's a good fit for you and your business.

4 Tips for Setting up Your Twitter Profile

• Choose a Twitter handle that's similar to your other social profile handles if possible
• Use the same (or a similar) head shot to your other channels (preferable to use a head shot rather than a logo)
• Take advantage of your banner space and keep it consistent with your website branding
• Make your bio fun + include keywords to tell people what you do

What should you post on Twitter?

• Follow the 80/20 rule: 80% education/helpful content, 20% sales and self promotion
• Industry news and opinion articles
• Pull lines out of your blog posts to reuse content several times
• Post your blog post 3 times the day it goes live, and re-use often in the future (as long as it's relevant)
• Quotes, images or links to stories that inspire you
• Questions or short messages for brands or industry people you'd like to meet

How often should you post on Twitter?

• The "prime of life" for a tweet is about 18 minutes, so you can post pretty often
• I've heard 9 times a day is ideal, but that's kind of an arbitrary number in my eyes
• Use a scheduling tool like Hootsuite, Tweetdeck or Buffer to schedule out your posts for maximum reach

How do you gain followers on Twitter?

• There are a few tools you can use to search on topics in people's bios, like:
  • Twitter Advanced Search
  • Topsy: Twitter Search, Monitoring + Analytics
  • Add your favorite bloggers and entrepreneurs
    • Look through their followers and check out bios, lists they've made, people they interact with
    • Tweet consistently + share quality content
    • Promote others' work. They might retweet your message to their followers

Retweet vs. Favorite

Retweet something if you want all of your followers to see it.

Favorite something if you want to save it for yourself. Your followers can still see your favorites if they navigate to your profile and click on your list of favorites, but it won't be broadcast out to your list. A lot of Twitter users will also use the Favorite button as a way to acknowledge that they saw a tweet.

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Join me on Twitter. Start a conversation or ask me a question!

In part two we'll look at how to use hashtags, lists, analytics and a list of Twitter chats to join!

In the Comments:

What has kept you from trying Twitter?

-or-

What do you love about Twitter?

Friday Inspiration: Made of Flaws

"I myself am entirely made of flaws stitched together with good intentions." Reminder: we're all made of flaws. It's the intentions that matter.

4 Favorite Tools for Staying Healthy as an Entrepreneur

Running your own business can feel like a whirlwind sometimes. Between client work, working on your business, and trying to fit in time for family and friends, it's easy to let self-care take a back seat. But it's so important to the success of your business and your own fulfillment. You can't help others from an empty tank.

Here are 4 of my favorite tools for staying healthy as a business owner: *These are not affiliate links, just tools I love!

1. Headspace

Headspace is an app for guided meditation. I've tried a variety of guided meditations before, but I connected best with this one.

Meditation is the perfect partner for entrepreneurs because it can:

• Improve productivity at work
• Improve creative thinking
• Lower blood pressure / promote relaxation
• Help with insomnia
• Lower anxiety

Those are just a few of the benefits of meditation, of course. If you're interested in learning more from a modern perspective, I highly recommend the book 10% Happier by Dan Harris.

2. Reflexion Yoga

I don't think I need to tell you guys why it's important to exercise. However, not only is it good for your body, but the increased blood flow to your brain will help in a multitude of ways for your business. Plus, there's a good chance that you sit for long hours in front of the computer each day, so you need to get the blood flowing.

Yoga is one of my favorite ways to move because it can help balance out your mind and your body. I have a new-found love for acroyoga because it's the only exercise that has been able to completely keep me in the moment. When I'm focused on balancing my body and moving through the air with the support of someone else, there is literally no room in my brain to think about anything else.

I can't always make it to a yoga class, though, so I often use online videos. Reflexionyoga.com has been my favorite so far because I can filter through and find a class that fits what I'm in the mood for.

You can get to know the founder Kyle Weiger in this Chasing Dreams Interview.

3. Fitbit Flex

I've been using my Fitbit Flex for nearly 2 years and still love it. I've even kept it on through important business presentations and events. It's basic enough that I don't feel weird wearing it in any situation.

A few ways I use my Fitbit Flex:

• Steps - It was pretty eye-opening to see how little I was walking some days. It's too easy to get caught up sitting in front of the computer working. I can't say I meet my goal most days (10k steps) but I've been improving.
• Alarms - I set an alarm to go off every hour throughout the work day to remind myself to get up and move.
• Water Intake - The default goal in the app is 64 oz, but I upped mine to 85 oz. By tracking my water I've been able to figure out my ideal hydration level.
• Sleep - I usually forget to track my sleep, and when I do it's always alarming how many times I'm restless and awake through the night, but at least it's a good reminder to keep exercising, meditating and focusing on self-care.

4. Kindle

Reading is my favorite way to unwind. I think everyone should take time to read fiction or something outside their normal industry daily, or at least weekly.

Benefits of reading fiction:

• Improves empathy
• Enhances connectivity in the brain
• Improves your writing
• Enhances memory
• Boosts analytical thinking
• Reduces stress

In the Comments:

What are your favorite tools for staying healthy as an entrepreneur?

Can You Really Have it All? (On Business + Motherhood)

Today’s post is from Nicola Salmon, a UK based Acupuncturist and Naturopath plus mother to a 15 month old. Today's topic is an important one for female entrepreneurs. I'm not a mother myself, but know a lot of you can relate to the struggle of trying to "have it all." Nicola has some great advice, so take a look!

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You can have it all!

Up-leveling my business is something I’ve always dreamed of doing. I started my acupuncture business very small, working a couple of evenings a week, renting a small room at a yoga studio. My mind, however, had different ideas. I was always thinking about my next big idea. But they stayed big ideas until I had my son and realized I didn't want to choose between staying at home or working full-time at a job that didn't fill me with passion.

So what happens when you want to dream big in your business but also want to be a stay at home mum? I threw caution to the wind, quit my bridge job and went full steam ahead into the land of the unknown…. the land of the entrepreneur.

But can you really have it all? You can, as long as you know what it is that you what!

Find YOUR balance

I compromised on being a mum full time and running a successful business. As much as I wanted to cram all my work effectively into nap-time, it didn't ever quite work out like that. Now I have childcare for my little one two days a week. It makes me more efficient for those two days and I enjoy my time with my little more all the more on the other days.

What does your perfect balance look like?

Think outside the box

As an acupuncturist, I really love helping people but recently, I had the revelation, that this didn't just have to be in person. So much of my job is giving people advice about how to improve their lifestyle. So much of this advice could benefit millions of other people, so why not share it with the world? By thinking outside of my comfort zone, I’m now creating an online program using all my experience in health and lifestyle advice treating my patients, to help more women get their bodies (and minds!) ready for making a baby.

What could you do with your expertise to impact more people?

Go with the flow

In the midst of my up-leveling, life threw me a unexpected curve ball. I found out I was pregnant again. With a 15-month little man already in tow, it was a very much wanted but unexpected surprise. With a ticking clock now firmly embedded in my uterus, I had to reprioritize my goals and decide what was most important in my business. Creating my program now became my priority as it would provide a passive income whilst looking after a newborn. It also meant I couldn’t procrastinate any longer. Being done is better than perfect!

Are you resisting any changes right now?

Get a coach

Getting a coach was the best decision I ever made to up-level my business. Not only did it shift my mindset into believing that I was worth investing in, but it gave me accountability so I actually got the work done. My coach inspires me to fulfill my potential in my business and helps me iron out the niggles when they come up.

How would hiring a coach shift your mindset?

Outsource

Do you enjoy every aspect of your business? Chances are the answer is no. By outsourcing you are channeling your energy into the bits you love and building your business bigger whilst giving all the rubbishy bit to someone else. Sound scary? Start small, even hiring a virtual assistant for an hour a week will make a big difference to your productivity and happiness levels. I just hired a cleaner and boy does it feel good to have a clean house without having to force myself to do it.

What could you outsource today?

About Nicola

Nicola Salmon is an Acupuncturist and Naturopath in London, UK. Her mission is to empower women all over the world on their journey into motherhood. She blogs about making, growing and nurturing babies and encourages women to follow their instinct to make the best choices for the health of their families and themselves.

Website // Facebook // Instagram

What To Do When You’re Overworked & Overwhelmed

Today’s post is from Emily Hein, private practice dietitian and food/wellness blogger at Zen and Spice. She's one of my favorite wellness bloggers to follow and has great advice on living a balanced life.

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Our lives are so rushed. We’re trying to get a list of tasks done, and finish as much as we can each day, speeding along in our lives to our next destination. We rush what we need to do there so we can move to the next. We’re overwhelmed by what feels like non-stop, never ending demands and to-do lists. Our smartphones keep us always connected with work demands.

At the end of the day, we’re exhausted. Our minds are over-stressed from the busyness. We don’t have time for what’s important to us, what we really want to be doing, and for spending time with our loved ones. But we don’t have to live like this. We can enjoy a simpler life; we only need to choose to. That’s what mindfulness is about. Being mindful of what we are doing in the present moment, taking our time, and only thinking about what can be done in the present moment.

Meditation and mindfulness helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps us “rest and digest”—opposite of the sympathetic nervous system, which is associated with the fight or flight response. We may not be running from a wooly mammoth, but stress from work and home life creates the same type of response in our bodies.

Here are some questions to ask yourself the next time you feel stressed about a big “to-do” list. If you don’t have enough time in your day to take care of yourself, it may be time to eliminate some things so you can.

What’s really important?

It may be your family, a spouse, children, doing well at your job, blogging three times per week, or running a ten minute mile. Step back and look at what’s really important to you. What do you really want to be doing? Are you being you? Or are you doing things you think you should be doing? Make a list of things that are truly important to you. Then do them.

What are your true commitments?

We have too many commitments in today’s world. We can’t do everything that we say we’re going to do. Just accept this. Do what’s important to you and eliminate what isn’t.

Do you have enough time to take care of yourself?

If you don’t have time in your schedule to cook yourself a balanced meal, incorporate physical activity, relax or meditate, then you’re doing too much. It’s not worth being insanely busy if your body and mind take a hit. If your body and mind aren’t functioning at their best, it will be hard to put your best self forward. You don’t have to go to the gym every day, but just focusing on moving more throughout the day can make a huge difference. Meal planning and grocery shopping ahead of time can help you eat healthy during busy weeks.

How much are you trying to do per day?

We only have twenty four hours in a day. Don’t fill up your day with tasks. If you try to do ten tasks per day (and fail), do three important ones instead. Save the others for the next day. Complete your three tasks with mindfulness and don’t try to rush through them.

What can you eliminate?

Simplify your to-do list down to the essentials. Again, you can’t do everything. Even if you could, more things will probably pop up. Do you really need to cook dinner, fold laundry, write a blog post, sweep the floor and do the dishes in the next two hours? What can you save for later or tomorrow? What can you delegate to others?

With that said, slow down and enjoy every task. Whatever you’re doing, do it with a sense of calm. Whether it be taking a shower, cooking dinner, or driving. Just slow down. You do not need to complete this task at record speed. Pay attention, instead of thinking about other things. Be in the moment. It sounds silly to “be in the moment” while you’re brushing your teeth, but this is the simplest step you can take to become more mindful in your life.

Have you simplified your life? What have you cut out? What do you slow down and pay attention to?

About Emily

Emily Hein is a private practice dietitian and food/wellness blogger based out of Dallas, Texas. She thinks eating should be easy and pleasurable-- not a hassle! On her blog you’ll find easy recipes using natural ingredients, intuitive eating advice, and meditation & mindfulness tips. She aims to inspire her clients and readers to fuel their body with real, unprocessed food and live for mindfully and in the present moment.

Website // Twitter // Instagram // Facebook

4 Ways to Network Intentionally Online (Psst...Introvert-Friendly)

As a somewhat shy introvert, the word networking makes me cringe and want to hide. I imagine a big open room with people throwing elevator pitches at each other all night. I know this isn't reality (for the most part) but the idea still doesn't sit well with my personality. So naturally I gravitate toward networking online. It's not only good for introverts, but it's also more convenient, more targeted, and further reaching. By networking online I've been able to get clients from all over the world (UK, Greece, Australia, South Africa and Germany, to name a few!) and have built strong friendships and business relationships with others I've met through the methods below.

The other week I attended an #ellechat with the topic of authentic networking. The word "introvert" came up A LOT as you can imagine, considering we were on Twitter. Other phrases that really got me thinking were "authentic networking" and "network intentionally."

Authentic Networking

Authentic networking means not approaching every new connection solely as a business opportunity, but as a new relationship. 

It requires making genuine connections + being supportive of others in the industry. It means being able to joke, show flaws, and give real feedback.

Intentional Networking

The key to networking intentionally is knowing you can add value to that person's life.

It means reaching out to someone you are interested in speaking with, working with, or helping in some way. It can be as simple as leaving a blog post comment that adds value to the post. It's strategic in that you have researched the person or have connected with their content.

Now that you're thinking more about the way you that you network, let's see where you can network.

4 Places to Network Online

Twitter Chats

I am all about Twitter chats lately. I started with #ellechat and have jumped into #createlounge and #blisschat.

If you're not familiar, a Twitter chat is where a group of people discuss a designated topic at a specific time on Twitter, using a specific hashtag and being lead by a host asking questions. The chats usually last for an hour.

You can come and go as you please and get to know people before approaching them. You get to see the interactions happening before jumping into a side conversation, which is much more comfortable than if you were to do the same in person (I'm imagining the awkwardness of eaves dropping on an in-person conversation the same way you can on Twitter. Creepy!).

Further Reading:

Twitter Chats 101: A Step-by-Step Guide To Hosting or Joining a Twitter Chat

Twitter Chat Schedule

Blog Comments

Leaving authentic, meaningful comments on blogs is still a great way to make a connection. The interaction isn't as immediate, and you may not get a response, but I've still met many great business connections this way.

Just make sure you're adding to the conversation. If you really connected with someone's post, let them know why. Start a conversation.

Online Associations

In January I joined the Female Entrepreneur Association, which is an international association based in the UK. Connecting with others all over the world is one benefit to internet networking as opposed to in-person. We have an amazing Facebook group where women share ideas, answer questions, and inspire each other daily.

It does come with a monthly fee, but that means everyone in the group is dedicated and motivated. Because of that, I can ask for a referral (someone to hire for a specific task) and know that it's more trustworthy. These aren't people just trying to sell themselves to everyone in the group.

To me, that's very targeted (intentional) networking. We're all interested in the same overall topic (female entrepreneurship) and help each other out with referrals and tips.

Meetup.com

The first three were solely-online options, but it's still important to get in front of people and make face-to-face connections. What I like about Meetup.com is that you can get to know who is going to the event before you show up. You can check out their profile and see what you might have in common. There are also very niche specific meetups, so it's not just a general "business networking" event.

A general tip for in-person networking is to bring a friend along as a buffer. Limit your time talking with them and stand side-by-side rather than face-to-face if you do. Showing up with someone may help you feel more comfortable.

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In the Comments:

What does "authentic networking" mean to you?

What is your favorite way to network online?

Sunday Link Love: Summer Bucket Lists + Passive Income {July v3}

Health, Fitness + Lifestyle

12 Ideas for your Summer Bucket List

How Much Exercise Is Enough?

Healthy Hiking Tips

Escaping the Trap of “Shoulds” and Doing What You Want to Do

Food + Nutrition

Sweet and Salty Homemade Trail Mix

Southwestern Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Blogging + Entrepreneurship

7 E-Courses Worth Investing Your Time & Money In

Creating eProducts - A guide & workbook

25 Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts Everyone Should Know

Tips For Working From Home Effectively

These 7 Free Tools Will Save Your Eyes If You Stare at Screens All Day

How to get started with SEO <--Thrilled to be featured on The Business of Introverts this week!

How To Turn Your Online Community Into Offline Friends

How Passive Income Allows You to Work Smarter, Not Harder

6 ways to make sure your blog focus is obvious to new readers

My Life Lately According to Instagram...

+ I've been fully embracing no-work-weekends lately and it's so refreshing.

So pretty! #winery #adamscounty

A photo posted by Danielle Zeigler (@danielleadairz) on Jul 5, 2015 at 11:25am PDT

Fun at my 2nd #Acroyoga class! A photo posted by Danielle Zeigler (@danielleadairz) on Jul 7, 2015 at 8:34pm PDT

Sundays in Philly <3

A photo posted by Danielle Zeigler (@danielleadairz) on Jul 12, 2015 at 1:45pm PDT

In the comments, tell us something new you've tried this summer.

Friday Inspiration: Your Passions Will Not Lead You Astray

"Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray." -Rumi Growing up I loved entertaining myself with a wide variety things...making magazines + collages, writing stories, designing websites on Angelfire when I got a little older, health + fitness, reading about mental health issues, etc. I didn't imagine I'd figure out a way to combine a lot of these interests into a career.

What did you love to do as a child? What do you love to do now?

Even if you don't turn it into a business, you need to incorporate more of it into your life. Make time for your hobbies and passions. They're worth more than you think.

Or maybe you have a very specific, offbeat interest. This is even better as far as business is concerned, but it could also be a great way for you to connect with like-minded people.

Don't be afraid to share your passions. As the quote says, they will not lead you astray.

In the Comments:

What does this quote mean to you?

10 Minute At-Home Work Out Break

Hi! I’m Tara from Treble in the Kitchen and I am so happy to be guest blogging for Danielle today! Danielle and I connected a while back, and I have loved keeping up with her healthy approach to running your own business. She has so much good advice to offer! Treble in the Kitchen is my little corner of the web where I love sharing my latest kitchen experiments (mostly healthy, some not!), my latest workouts, and bits and pieces of my life.

While I am a Bodypump instructor and certified personal trainer, I recently started going to school full-time to fulfill my longtime dream of becoming a Registered Dietitian. The great thing about my schooling is that I am doing it through a DISTANCE learning program, which means I get to create my own schedule and I can work from home…much like an entrepreneur!

That being said, I completely understand that when you work from home you really are working all the time, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but does make it difficult to squeeze activity and fitness into the day.

I’ve created a great arm workout that focuses on light weight and high repetition. I love to use this workout as a little screen-time break in the middle of my day, but you could tag this workout on to an outdoor run or walk or fit it in wherever YOU feel the need to move your body.

Arm Workout

Equipment Used:

• 2 light dumbbells (around 5 lbs)
• Mat, optional

Complete 20 repetitions of each exercise and repeat the circuit 2-3 times. Focus on keeping the body in alignment, bracing your midsection, and maintaining good form.

*If you are making any major changes to your fitness routine, please make sure to speak with a medical professional first!

• Boat Pose with Drawbridge Arms: Sit with your upper back at a 45 degree angle. Bend your knees and place your feet flat on the ground. Feet should be hip distance apart, and you can lift them off the ground to engage the ab muscles getting into boat pose. Hold one dumbbell in each hand with your arms in a goal post position, both arms in 90 degree angles. While maintaining the angle in your arms, lower the weights to the ground so your forearms are parallel to the floor. Bring the arms back to starting position and repeat 20 times.

• Plank with Single Arm Bicep Curl: Begin in plank position, while holding onto two dumbbells. Hands should be under your shoulders and feet slightly wider than your hips. Lift one arm, while keeping the hips square to the ground. Extend the arm out away from the body, then curl the dumbbell in towards your shoulder targeting your bicep. Return back to the extended position and repeat the exercise 20 times on this side before repeating on the other side. This can be completed on the knees if your hips are moving.

• Plank Tricep Kickback: Begin in plank position, holding on to two dumbbells as described above. Keeping the elbow in close to the body, draw the elbow up so the weight is right by your ribcage. Extend the arm backwards, targeting the tricep muscle (the back of the arm). Bring the weight back to starting position and repeat the exercise 20 times on this side before repeating on the other side. This can be completed on the knees if your hips are moving.

• Boat Pose with Pec Fly: Return to boat pose as described in the first exercise. Hold one dumbbell in each hand as you extend your arms out in front of your body. As you keep the belly button pulled into the spine and the ribs hugged close together, open and close the arms to target the chest muscles. Repeat 20 times.

• W Arms: Place your feet flat on the ground and sit with your upper body at a 45 degree angle. Hold one dumbbell in each hand and extend your arms out from your shoulders at 45 degree angles. Draw your elbows down towards your waist line and create a W shape with your arms. As you make this motion, squeeze your shoulder blades together to target the upper back. Repeat 20 times.

Enjoy the workout!