Claire Creative

07/06/2024

Did you spot it? If you're on my mailing list did you see the criiiiiiinge typo in my email today? Pffffffff.
I had one of those genuine face palm moments!!
I may have uttered some f-words.
Then the replies from subscribers started to flood in.... "Did you mean....?"
And that was actually quite nice. Thanks guys xx

29/05/2024

There's a lot of figuring out to do as a solopreneur. You have to exercise creativity on a daily basis to make the best use of resources, to find ways to balance serving clients and finding clients. And somehow, to find a way to have a life outside of work.

Now more than ever we have access to information and advice on how to do all this. But how do you decide who to listen to?

You can get into a real tangle when you take advice from too many sources. Or from people who have achieved the kind of success you're not interested in. Or people who are so far ahead of you that their advice is not relevant and even a distraction.

Who then? Who do you listen to?

Theres a certain glamour surrounding those big names who have achieved massive success. It's tempting to gobble up their guidance, believing that you'll follow in their footsteps. What's the harm?

I've fallen into this more times than I care to count. It led me to reinvent, rebrand, reposition, basically spend a tonne of time and energy only to wind up back at the start - looking for advice.

So what have I learned?
Keep it simple. So simple. Stick with your strengths rather than following the advice of people who never met you. Figure out your most aligned strategy.

Wanna know more about aligned strategy? Tap through to my free live training.

27/05/2024

I stepped away from social media as a visibility tool about, ooh, about 9 months ago now. About the same time I started getting more serious about making time for my healthy hobbies (graph is my increase in physical activity over the last 6 months).

I found I couldn't dedicate time to social media AND have time to dedicate to non-work things. It just gobbled up all my mojo.

Because visibility on social means posting a LOT,

and staying up to date with trends,

and staying tuned in to on-going conversations.

And then while you're on there, you get distracted by things. You buy things. You compare yourself to others. And generally get lost in the infinite scroll.

I found it all pretty exhausting. And I realised, that all the time I had spent there, wasn't actually getting me in front of new people.

It used to. It used to work really well.

Then it stopped stopped working really well.

So I stopped. It took me a while to realise it, but when I did it was liberating!

I spoke about this in the Free Training this morning. How social is great for people to get to know you, but not always great as a way to get found. And how your visibility strategy has to be aligned with you as an individual in order for it to be sustainable and effective.

In case you missed it, I'm running a series of LIVE training sessions on the Lead Machine Framework.

It's a free training session where I share the framework I help my clients to set up so that they get more ideal leads and clients, without being a slave to social media and without having to adopt sleazy tactics.

Thanks to everyone who joined live today!

If you missed it, I'm running it again tomorrow (6 seats left at the time of writing). Tap the link in my bio to grab a seat.
See you there :)

15/12/2023

The countdown is oooooon.

I'm pulling the suitcases out from their hiding places, WhatsApping the big brother to consult on gifts, and getting client projects wrapped up for the Christmas break.

In a few days, I'll be sipping Baileys by the fire at my Mam's, and forcing my favourite holiday films on the kids. Ahhh Christmas.

Yesterday was another annual tradition. I ran an end of year review session with my mastermind group. It's all about preparing to set the intentions for next year by digesting the year gone by. I find it really valuable to take this time before even considering any goal setting. When you make space for this kind of reflection, you can come to the goals thing with calm ambition.

Would you like to try out the worksheet that I use? Tap over to my site via the link and let me know how you get on.

I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t find Christmas to be a relaxing time. Although there’s always so much to do to wrap up the year, I find that taking time in December to look back at the past 12 months I am able to start the upcoming year with calm ambition and clarity to get movi...

05/12/2023

Are you frustrated with social lately?

If you’re pouring your heart and soul into creating more and more valuable content, only to be met with a disappointing whimper of a response—raise your hand. 🙋‍♀️

When you go through the entire content creation process, brainstorming, editing, designing, posting, and you believe that THIS piece, THIS ONE is going to be the game-changer that will flood you with clients.

It looks great!

You’re sharing your best stuff.

And it took ages!

Then oh… aside from a few likes and comments, you get nothing. The leads you were hoping for just don’t materialise.

Showing up online and delivering value on social media is a fantastic way of nurturing and engaging with your existing audience, but if you were aiming for fresh blood, new people, new leads, this kind of posting can feel like a Sisyphean task. (High-fives to any Greek mythology geeks out there 🙌)

It can feel like you’re talking to the same group of people over and over again and they ain’t buyin’.

For solopreneurs, freelancers and small businesses without in-house marketing teams or massive ad budgets, social media can feel like the go-to for getting clients. Buuuut a lot of the things that used to work, really don’t anymore.

Times have changed, and it’s probably time to notice the changes and adapt.

(Tap over to my blog to keep reading)

Are you frustrated with social lately? If you’re pouring your heart and soul into creating more and more valuable content, only to be met with a disappointing whimper of a response—raise your hand. 🙋‍♀️ When you go through the entire content creation process, brainstorming, editing, des...

18/09/2023

Content marketing can feel like a tightrope walk sometimes – you've got to balance value and sales without undermining your personal brand, or your personal values.

And with so much noise online, how can you stand out against your competition? How can you grab the attention of the folks you really want to work with?

You can't be "SELL, SELL, SELL," all the time, but if you don't invite folks to become clients, they probably won't.

What's the missing link?

Is it the quality of your content?
The quantity of posts?
Are you showing up in the wrong places?
Are you selling something the people simply don't want or need?
Or is it something else entirely?

If you've asked yourself any of these questions, I'd love to invite you to my ChatGPT workshop this Thursday.

Here's what we'll cover:

Time-saving tips: How to use ChatGPT help you whip up content in no time so you can still show up at busy times.

Getting past generic output: How to really get the most from the free version of ChatGPT to create high-quality content that STILL SOUNDS LIKE YOU (without accidentally breaking the law).

The strategy behind the robots: Rather than just generating content, how can you plan your content strategy in a way that really serves your business?

Live Demo: I'll walk you through how I draft a week's worth of content for my clients in under an hour.

So if you've reluctantly dabbled with ChatGPT before and gotten 'meh' results, I'd love to share an hour with you this Thursday.

Workshop Deets:
🗓️ Date: Thursday, 21st September
🕘 Time:
9 am (Ireland, UK, Portugal)
10 am (Paris, Berlin, Barcelona)
⏳ Duration: 60 minutes
🌐 Location: The cozy corner of your choice (it's online!)

Don't be fashionably late to this content party—we'll be jumping straight in.

RSVP here: https://claire-creative.as.me/chatgpt-workshop

There'll also be a chance to ask any burning questions you have about using ChatGPT for your content.

(And if you can't make it live, RSVP and you'll get the replay by email)

I'm really looking forward to seeing you there.
Claire 🚀

16/09/2023

I took a poll recently about "Content Woes". The clear issue for most people was time.

As a solo business owner, time is our most precious resource. And unless you've figured out how to clone yourself there never seems to be enough time to create and distribute content in a way that actually serves your business.

So how do you consistently show up with meaningful content in a way that gets you leads without spending all day and night online?

There is a fast and efficient way. To generate a week's worth of high-quality content in less time you may have already dabbled with AI tools...

But have you developed a practice that suits your style and keeps you showing up regularly?

This is exactly what we'll be doing in this FREE workshop "Unlock Your Content Creation Potential with ChatGPT." (Link in the comments)

You'll discover how ChatGPT can revolutionize your content creation process, allowing you to save time and reach more potential clients online.

Workshop Details:

Thursday 21st of September
at
9 am - Ireland, UK, Portugal
10 am - Paris, Berlin, Barcelona

Duration: 60 minutes

Location: Online

RSVP here https://claire-creative.as.me/chatgpt-workshop

Agenda:
Introduction to ChatGPT: Understand the capabilities and potential of ChatGPT for content creation.

Live Demonstration:
Watch as I showcase how ChatGPT can generate engaging blog posts, social media posts, and marketing copy in seconds. (It's the process I use to create content for my done-for-you clients)

Hands-On Practice:
Get hands-on experience with ChatGPT and create content that sounds like you and resonates with your ideal clients.

Content Strategy Tips: Learn effective content strategy techniques to maximize your content's impact and reach.

Q&A Session: Ask questions and gain insights into how ChatGPT can benefit your business specifically.

This workshop will be informative and practical while keeping the techy stuff to a minimum. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of how to save time on your content creation by using ChatGPT AND how to use that content in a way that serves your business.

I look forward to seeing you there!
Claire

15/09/2023

What do you share on social?
Personal stories? Valuable tutorials? Inspirational quotes? All of the above?

It all depends really.

It depends on what you want your content to *do*.

Showing up consistently, on brand, and in a way that serves your business doesn't always seem possible when you're busy at work and life.

It can feel pretty stressful actually. I know that there are times that I just don't have the bandwidth.

Sometimes I disappear.
Sometimes I *cheat*... I get AI to do some of the thinking fo me. 🤫

Next week I'm offering a free workshop sharing how I use ChatGPT (for free) to brainstorm, plan and even write content for me

Tap the link to RSVP:
https://claire-creative.as.me/chatgpt-workshop

This pic is from my run this morning, totally irrelevant, but it was a great start to the day.

08/09/2023

I went outside to play
and run
and cycle.

I said yes to invitations.

I jumped in the river, picked fruit, chased bats, laughed, cooked, doodled.

And I'm so inspired to bring that energy through into my work now that the children are back to school.

While I was out having wholesome fun my online presence kept working for me.

My mailing list grew.

My September discovery calls started filling up from July.

My list of leads increased.

Testimonials and reviews popped up in my inbox.

And generally, things kept bubbling along without me. SWEET!

I'm ready to turn up the volume again, and make no apologies for my absence.

What's your back to the office plan? There are 4 lovely months left in 2023 and I'm excited to see new projects getting started.

The online eco-system that supports my business was 10 years in the making. I've tested and iterated over and over again.

I've squeezed all I've learned into a nifty little checklist called the 'Appointment Path'. It's for service based businesses to establish a flow of leads and get their calendar filling up with potential clients (without bro tactics or jumping through social media hoops!).

Tap the link if you're keen to build this kind of thing into your business. :)

Linky link: https://clairecreative.com/the-appointment-path/

06/09/2023

Ditch the energy-draining strategies

Folks running a business solo tend to try a lot of different tactics to get their business moving forward.

Some tactics simply don’t work, or don’t work on a consistent basis.

Trying multiple tactics, following tips and tricks, recreating marketing plans over and over... (aka strategy switching)... is exhausting!

Buuuuut, so often, we hold on to those tasks, hoping that THIS TIME, it'll be different.

If you're low on energy, all aspects of your work (and life) become more challenging.

When I first launched Content that Converts my goal was simple:
**To get members more perfect-fit clients doing the work they love without sketchy bro marketing tactics.**

And when you’ve done it once, you start to create a framework to rinse and repeat the process.

That's when it really starts to flow, and the chaos of strategy switching becomes a distant memory.

One of the most powerful outcomes of my programme Content that Converts is that members have learned to let go of time and energy-draining strategies.

We identify the tasks that sabotage progress.

Client result:
My client H.S. freed up almost 2 entire work days per week by ditching an energy-draining task that had previously felt essential.

2 whole days!

Giving her more time to do marketing and get visible.
More time to nurture client relationships.
More time to actually chill!

Doing less better gives you your time and energy back!

What would YOU do with 2 extra work days per week?

If you want the exact framework that gave H.S. her time and energy back reply 'CONTENT’ so we can start brainstorming a plan.

You can get started for just €125.
Claire :)

26/06/2023

They say that Irish people need to be asked 3 times before they'll accept tea/cake/just about anything else.

I'm stepping into a new season of my business, and it feels like this milestone moment was triggered by 3 conversations I've had in recent months...
1 - a discussion with a fellow content professional
2 - a catchup with a client who has been with me for 7+ years
3 - the briefing process with the brilliant Hela Staniszewska - the photographer behind my new brand images.

The process of planning and capturing these new images has been fantastic and these conversations helped me accept that this is indeed a moment I needed to STOP delaying, stop playing down my abilities and implement real changes:
In strategy
In confidence
In minsdet

Maybe it's not only about being Irish, maybe it also has to do with working alone. It's too easy to stay cosy and say "this'll do for now"... because as a solo business owner, we don't always have the bandwidth to manage the day to day AND the next 12-24 months (and the rest of the life stuff).

Is there something that has been on your horizon for a while and you haven't yet taken the step? What is it?

You can see my new brand images on my site.

Are you nodding right now? Let's get started!

10/04/2023

Do you notice how guests on Graham Norton always tell great stories? These witty anecdotes are delivered with charisma and perfect flow. It's great entertainment and Graham has a skill for making people look good when they guest on "the couch".

It's not as spontaneous as it seems though.These witty tales are crafted and honed well in advance, sometimes with the help of writers and coaches.

Makes sense really. They get their story working, then recycle them on their promotional circuit. So if you follow one star in particular, you're likely to hear the same story again and again on different shows.

What us business owners can learn from this:

Working on your key stories and content means you can show up online and capture the attention of your audience in a compelling way.

Repetition is totally fine. If you feel like you've told the same story, or used the same sentence multiple times, that's a good thing! Lean in to it!

Some people are natural storytellers, the rest of us work on honing the skill. We work on stories and concepts, and add them to our collection so that we have them to hand at key moments (in emails, on client calls, in online content, in interviews)

When I work on this cornerstone content with my clients, I pay attention to themes and vocabulary that show up repeatedly. You often don't notice this when working alone. Its really helpful to have this stuff worked out so that when you show up online:
- your message comes across and everything you say supports your brand.
- you get known for the problems you solve.
- folks start to feel they know you, because your "voice" is consistent.

If you'd like to get your content working like a Graham Norton guest, DM me "content" and I'll send you the details :)