Mar 1, 2018 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Okay. Seriously. I have a lot–I mean a lot-to tell y’all. There’s been some travel, some food indulgences, some Happy Planner MoJo, and of course, some writing.
And we’ll get to all of that. Soon. Like, this weekend when I can spread everything out and take awesome-possum photos for y’all while drinking some of that sweet tea I’m so utterly fond of.
But today I need to share with you something I hadn’t experienced before.
Now, I know it existed. But it was like an urban myth I hadn’t paid attention to.
You ready for this?
I’m blogging from. my. PHONE.
BoHoHurricane Girl say what?!
Frankly, My Dear . . . : That One Time I Learned How to Blog From My Phone
That’s right. [Ha, ha. I almost spelled it w-r-i-t-e. But that would be wrong. See what I did there?] (*insert winky face here. Or a smile.)
Frankly, My Dear . . . : That One Time I Learned How to Blog From My Phone
So there’s this WordPress app (short for “application” for you old-timers) that you can download to your smart phone. And it manages all your wordpress sites. Like, say, your blog. And website. And online storefront.
And with the Canva app, I can make great images as well. Like this:
Frankly, My Dear . . . : My Website Collage
I might be just a little over the moon with all this.
I might be just a little more in love with writing these days.
Now comes the nervy part: Submitting the post and hoping it all turns out all write right. Oh, look. I did it again.
What apps do you use in your on-the-go professional life?
With a quick thumb and a palping heart,
Happy reading.
~Molly Jo
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!
Jul 14, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Five Things Friday
Okay. So, I guess we knew this post had to happen sooner or later, right? Y’all know my love for Happy Planning. I mean, from the day I brought my first one home I started telling you about it. Remember 2017 Prep: My Happy Planner? And Hobbes’ Mexican Chicken Meatloaf?
I laughed at the groups on Facebook. I saw ridiculous posts of women with four and five planners and entire shelves devoted to the art of the plan.
“No,” I told myself. “I will not be one of those. I will not be a ‘Planner Babe’ who can’t function without a big book at my side. No.”
And then the Universe laughed.
Because the more I used my first planner, the more I fell in love with it. That’s right. Two key words in that sentence: “first” and “more.” Mm-hmm. You already know where this is going, am I right?
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s Happy Planners
I suppose I should explain myself . . .
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s First Planner
- This is my first planner. I purchased it to help keep track of all my social media work. Then I bought some expansion packs like the menu planner and home planner sets. Little did I know how it would change my life. Creativity brings peace, so whether I’m planning a meal or working out the budget, using my Planner makes me, well, Happy. I think that’s the whole point.
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s Second Planner: Blessings Abound.
2. Realizing what a blessing my Happy Planner is, I picked up a second one. I don’t remember to write every day, but when I do, I’m astounded by the little “pennies” I keep track of. From a friendly client to a free Starbucks to a bill that was paid, all the little “Thank You’s” the Universe blesses me with go into this book. The year’s only half over, and already I’m overwhelmed with seeing how it’s a wonderful life.
Frankly, My Dear . . .: MoJo’s Recipe Planner
3. Of course, after I used a few of the menu pages, I realized I had to get a separate book for all my recipes. I can plan party menus, holiday delights, and keep tracking of my grocery lists all in one great location. It’s complete with great foodie quotes, and kitchen measurements. How sweet is that?!
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s Blue Ridge Planner
4. Ah, Blue Ridge. That wonderful writers conference that beckons me each May. Of course this year I put together my own binder. Class list? Check. Appointments list? Check. To Do With Friends list? Check. Plenty of blank paper for note taking and idea making. A calendar I could fill, or not, as I chose. And that ever-inspiring dashboard. [Click here to read about my Blue Ridge Happy Planner.]
Frankly, My Dear . . . : MoJo’s Blogging Planner
5. My Blogging Planner. I just picked this one up this month. With my new website and the forthcoming redesign for Frankly, My Dear . . . and all the blog traffic coming and going, I wanted one special place to note my online presence and to track contributors for Frankly, My Dear. And let’s be real. That awesome Peacock Pen from Paige needed a home.
What’s that? You saw more Planner covers in the top photo? Aww, I can’t get nothin’ by you, can I?
Frankly, My Dear . . .: MoJo’s Extra Planners
Additional Planner covers come in sets of three. So when I created-from-scratch started my Blue Ridge Conference Planner, I had two cover sets left over. The one on the left above is now used as a “memory” planner. As each month passes, I take the pages from my main planner and transfer to this one. It serves as a great record keeper, and I don’t have to search far to find notes. On the right is an as yet unpurposed cover set. I’m thinking I may turn it into my Holiday Planner. I can picture it now: recipes, gift guides, short stories, shopping lists. Yes. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. Thanks for helping me figure that out.
Soon I’ll have Planner Lucky Number 8: I’m going to start a novel bible for CENTRAL. I didn’t do so with NOLA and I wish I had. [Read: #AmWriting: Using a Calendar to Storyboard Your Novel.] As soon as I start CENTRAL, I’ll track character notes, backstory, magazine clippings, thoughts, and of course, the dreaded rough draft.
Yikes. I mean, yea.
Happy Planning with BEE the Zebra
Tell me, how do you stay organized? And, can you overdo it?
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear: Five Things Friday: My Happy Planners @RealMojo68 #happyplanner #franklymydear #FiveThingsFriday
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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Jul 13, 2017 |
Huzzah! Another first post by another regular contributor! Today, I’m thrilled, and I mean thrilled, to introduce you to my friend, prayer partner, and the woman responsible for making me look good professionally. This is Mary Denman, photographer. She’s going to be sharing “Intro to Photography” tips. Sweet, yes? Yes!
by Mary Denman @MaryDenman
I’m so excited to introduce myself and join you here on Frankly, My Dear . . . ! I’m Mary Denman and I’m a photographer who’s also a writer, with a teaching heart like my mom’s.
A few years ago, Molly Jo and I met at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. I had the pleasure of taking her headshots since I’m the conference photographer. We became friends, so, when she asked me recently if I would write photography tips for her blog, I said, “Yes!”
Blue Ridge Mountains by Mary Denman
I’m always learning about my craft, and love sharing how to take better photos. I believe everyone can learn to be a better photographer.
Why is photography important to bloggers?
1) Because a lot of text without pictures will not engage your reader. If you’ve been to a blog with a lot of writing and no photos, you know what I’m talking about! Think medical journal. There may be good info in there, but you have to want to read it and concentrate on it. Instead, you would probably prefer to read a site with pictures illustrating the points.
medical text
2) Because good photography can draw readers in! When you have a great photo or meme, you can use them on social media to catch a reader’s eye and draw them to your blog. You’ve probably seen a great meme on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter that made you want to read the article. It works!
3) Because your photos can illustrate your articles or they can inspire what you write about! When I started out, I found that I enjoyed using my own pictures to illustrate what I wrote about. At other times, going through my pictures inspired ideas for articles. The more you practice your photography, the better you’ll get and the larger the resource of pictures you’ll have!
I want to come along side you and help improve your photography. There are some very simple tips that will have a big impact on your photos.
Some of the topics we will cover in the months to come are:
- Cleaning up the clutter in your pictures.
- Making sure you have a defined focal point.
- Learning how to take sunrise/sunset pictures well.
- Understanding composition.
- Understanding the Rule of Thirds.
- Filling your frame.
- Learning how much perspective matters and how to use it.
- Creating a meme.
If there are other things you’d like to learn about, or have a question about, please let me know! You can find me over at my blog, www.marydenman.blogspot.com writing about life and lots more photography tips.
Baden-Baden Sunset
I’m excited to join you here and hope that I can inspire you to pick up your camera more often and learn how to take better photos!
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . : Mary Denman: Why is #Photography Important to #Bloggers? @RealMojo68 @MaryDenman #amwriting
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Mary Denman, photo by Peter Hurley
Mary Denman is a photographer who also writes and loves to teach. As a freelance writer, Mary has had articles published in various forms ranging from Focus on the Family publications to magazines to devotions to op-ed pieces. She’s a member of several professional writing organizations including ACFW, My Book Therapy, and Word Weavers.
As a professional photographer, Mary has had photos published in both print literature and online. Her shots have been used by businesses and by fellow authors alike.
Her philosophy is to catch a moment that reflects God’s beauty and creativity, whether in nature, in life or in the face of her subjects. Mary blends the mediums of writing and photography on her blog. www.marydenman.blogspot.com.
Apr 25, 2017 |
Ways to Support Your Favorite Blogger
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Ways to Support Your Favorite Blogger
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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