Nov 7, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Nippers of New Inklings Press
You would think I would have thought of this before now, but I didn’t. Let’s just get that part out of the way and sweep it under the rug already. Okay? Done? Awesome.
So, y’all know how crazybusy it’s been for me lately but now that NOLA is out of my hands [at least for a week or so], I’ve had some time to take inventory of this and that and HULLO! Nippers brought it to my attention that he doesn’t have his own Instagram account.
I’m like, “Nippers, you don’t need your own account.” And he’s all like, “But I’m the mascot. It’s my company.” And I’m like, “Yeah . . .” And he’s like, “Make me an Instagram account.”
And rather than fight with the frog, I did as he asked.
Y’all can follow the misadventures of Nippers and New Inklings Press on Instagram here or by clicking on the photo above.
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Oct 14, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Earlier this week, the unthinkable happened. I couldn’t get into Facebook. Or Instagram. Not terribly heart-attack inducing, until my cohort Irene messaged me “Please tell me your Facebook account wasn’t deleted!” So of course, I did the only thing I could: I panicked.
I Googled “Facebook broke” and whoa-hoh. The ensuing disaster happened before my internet eyes. There in digital black and white was confirmation that both sites were down, and had been for a few hours, worldwide.
Now, my peeps are often scaring warning preparing me for the apocalyptic EMP that will someday take the world wide web, and my life, down with it. Can I just say this little glimpse into the future did not–I repeat, did not–make the warm and fuzzies show up.
The worst was when no one else could access their accounts, either. Or maybe that was the best. I mean, at least I wasn’t alone in my aloneness. Know what I mean?
Thoughts in rapid-fire succession came to me:
- How will I contact my besties?
- How can I blog?
- How long will this last?
- Do I have any other survival skills?
- Why can’t I feel my fingertips?
- When will the room stop spinning?
- How long before my dead body is found, crumpled in a heap at the foot of my MacBook Pro?
Don’t laugh.
I made good use of my five minutes of rediscovery. I made a meme. Only thing was, I couldn’t post it until the event was over.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : The Day the Internet Broke
Sure. It’s funny now. But not during. It was a hit to my social media funny bone.
So let’s not do it again, web.
[Note to self: Remember the digital isn’t the only world out there. I know, I’m laughing too. But they say it’s true.]
Tell me, what do you do when your social media doesn’t work?
TWEET THIS: Social Media Saturday: The Day the Internet Broke @RealMojo68 #socialmedia #facebook #instagram
With a working connection and building connections,
Happy posting!
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!
Aug 17, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Frankly, My Dear . . .: Nippers, Bruno, and Molly Jo Realy
I’m often asked what is the difference between media and marketing?
Now, that’s a pretty loaded question and I can definitely go on, and on, and on . . . but the bottom line answer for me is, media is networking and marketing is sales.
Not everything is marketing, but if you are a creative professional, your quest should be to share what you have to offer in a way that doesn’t scream, “Buy my product! Buy my product! Buy my product!”
“Give them a reason to care about you. Then they’ll care about what you write.” ~ Molly Jo Realy
Are you on Facebook or Twitter? How about Instagram? Did you see that cute post about your friend’s dog? How about that great photo your brother/sister/long-lost cousin put up, showing their morning coffee? [Hey, I am not knocking the coffee photos, okay? Let’s just be clear on that.] That’s media. That’s where you connect.
Now, how many of those posts prompt you to look at a product? Share a link to help you find life’s answers to why my coffee cup doesn’t magically refill? Yes, I’m still on the coffee thing, okay? Hey. You have your quirks. A little coffee in me never hurt anyone. In fact, the less coffee in me, the more likely someone is to get hurt. #needcaffeinenow.
But I digress. Anywhoo. That second part there is the marketing.
When the two come to together, it’s magic.
One of the best ways to know if you’re doing it right is to emulate someone you respect who has forged the path before you. Check out inspiring blogs, Facebook pages, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Look at websites with a critical eye and take note of what you do (and don’t) like. Now, pull the threads you want to use and tie them up in a pretty bow!
Well, I was thinking bow as in ribbon, but a bow can also be, you know, a bow. And I already have a meme for that!
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Be Your Own Hero
What a perfect demonstration. Why, that’s as nifty as a firefly in the tree. They just go together, dontcha think?
So my question to you is, are you a professional media magician or an amateur product pusher? [Check out last week’s post Social Media Saturday: Memes Aren’t Just for Marketing.]
Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have an urge to drink another latte. . .
Frankly, My Dear . . .: We love our lattes!
For more on media and marketing, join me this Saturday in Bakersfield at Writers of Kern monthly meeting.
TWEET THIS: Are you a professional media magician or an amateur product pusher? @RealMojo68 #socialmedia #marketing #coffee
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Aug 12, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Memes (“Meems”) are photos or images with a message. The picture gets your attention, and the text hammers the message home. In this sense, it is very much an important tool in your social media box.
Frankly, My Dear . . . Memes help hammer your message home.
But memes aren’t just for marketing. They’re for drawing in your audience, and keeping them. They’re for sharing a moment of your day, a sentiment, or an aspect of who you are.
What’s more appealing to you: Someone always shouting “Buy my product!” or someone offering to buy you a lemon infusion tea? It’s the tea, right? [Note to self: Add sugar.]
So, a meme is a way of saying, “Hey. I know you’re there, and I think you might like this.” Or “Here’s the personal side of me.” Now and then, about one in every six or so posts, it’s okay to share a marketing meme.
Start with a basic photo. Pixabay and Canva are great sources for free-to-use photos when you don’t have one of your own that suits the need. Then you can use apps like WordSwag or PicMonkey to edit the photos and add texts. You can also use PowerPoint, which works great for presentations.
PRO TIP: Take time to take a good photo. Don’t rush through putting together a blurry meme. If a photo is worth a thousand words, make sure they sing the praises of your professionalism.
In this first example, I wanted to share with girls that we can climb those steps in our way and turn the journey into our favor. I searched the internet for “climb” photos, and inspirational quotes, and married the two. Voila!
basic photo: metal steps
#BossBabe Meme
Now, the following is a photo, not a meme. There’s no text. But if I were to add text, it might be a banner or a twelve-point star that reads “Happy Mail Day” or “I know what my weekend looks like.” Neither of those statements is direct marketing, but it draws your attention to the book, yes? I certainly hope so. And in doing so, my mission is accomplished. It could also state, “Bad hair day. Happy book face.” But let’s just . . . not.
Frankly, My Dear . . . Happy mail
Memes are great for Instagram, but remember to add personal photos also. People really do want to see you in your natural habitat (hence my oh-so-many photos of reading through lunch at Starbucks, or Happy Planning, or both) and how you interact with others. Unless it’s a cat fight. Y’all don’t need to be posting the negatives, okay? Thanks.
As long as your memes relate back to your brand in some aspect, or draw your audience in with a personal touch, it’s a good meme. I couldn’t get away with sharing something SciFi Zombie-esque. That’s just not me. But if that zombie’s eating a big helping of jambalaya down in New Orleans, then we can talk.
Here are some of my most recent memes:
Galatians 6:9 NLT
#BEEtheZebra Media Tip No. 1
Good writing ~ Hemingway
Slay the Day
Marketing Tip: Leave Reviews
Liz Taylor: Slay Today #BossBabe
Passion- Julia Child
Create eye-catching, personality-sharing memes and your audience will read what comes next.
How do you get your audience’s attention?
TWEET THIS: #SocialMedia Saturday: Memes Aren’t Just for Marketing. @RealMojo68 #franklymydear
TWEET THIS: If a photo is worth a thousand words, make sure they sing the praises of your professionalism. @RealMojo68 #meme
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Aug 2, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Hannah’s Lace
It’s official! My sweet tea of a daughter has opened her Etsy store. Folks, this has been a project in the works for quite some time and I don’t mind telling ya this momma is strutting around like a proud peacock!
Dot’s Peacock
Y’all remember when she gifted me this peacock painting? Yeah. Sorry to break a million hearts, but it’s one of a kind, and not for sale.
But a whole lotta other stuff is!
I mean, this girl has been creative since the day she was born. Who in the family can forget her little 18-month-old fingers peeling wallpaper from the nursery? Or the handcrafted centerpieces she made for her wedding reception?
Hannah’s Wedding
Yes, the creative genius I gave birth to is expanding her horizons with Hannah’s Lace. She graciously donated a collection of her handcrafted cards for my website launch, and now those cards (and more) are available!
Frankly, My Dear . . . Hannah’s Lace – Hello
Do I sound like an infomercial? Gads, sorry. I just really am pleased as punch she’s excelling with her creativity. And photography. I mean, my girl does it all, folks!
Check out her soon-to-be-available matching painted Bible and journal sets.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Hannah’s Lace – Painted Bible
I can see I’ll be spending quite a bit of money at Hannah’s Lace. Not that her creations are pricey. They’re very reasonable. There’s just too much beautiful to choose from!
Want to see for yourself? Knew you would! Just click on any of the photos in this post to be taken to her Etsy shop.
You can also follow Hannah’s Lace on Instagram for more.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Hannah’s Lace – Thank You
TWEET THIS: She’s a creative genius. #HannahsLace @RealMojo68
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear. . . : Hannah’s Lace #Etsy Store is now open. @RealMojo68 #hannahslace
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
