Check all that apply:
- The word marketing induces your gag reflex.
- You’re terrified of sounding sales-y or, even worse, like you have the personality of a dead blowfish.
- When you glance at your marketing to-do list of blogging, posting on Instagram and Facebook, emailing your list and updating your product photos, you wonder if a shot of tequila at 10am is really such a terrible thing.
- You believe there must be an evil monster working against you when you sit down to type up your sales pages because your mind goes blank, as if you have no original thoughts.
- You wish a fairy godmother could tell you what marketing efforts will finally result in money in your PayPal account (so you can pay your light bill this month).
- You love your creative work but sometimes it feels like you’d be better off flipping burgers at McDonald’s.
If you checked any or all of the above, I’m ready to help (and provide the tequila shots, if necessary).
At the end of September, my five-week CreativeLive boot camp, Double Your Followers with Creative Marketing begins. Insert happy dance here!
If you join me, you’ll have a doable, effective marketing plan that’ll help you double your online followers (blog readers, email subscribers, social media followers) in a matter of weeks.
And, the part that should make you wanna do seventeen somersaults is that you can watch the entire thing for FREE. All you have to do is RSVP right here.
I’ve been super glued to my computer, working on this course for months now, so I thought it’d be fun to share some behind-the-scenes secrets with you.
The Promo Video
My content producer and a videographer flew to Blacksburg (where I live) to shoot the promo video in June.
The month leading up to that, I completed eighty million house projects (well, it felt like eighty million), including putting up the gallery wall I’d been dreaming about for two years.
You’ll see that gallery wall in the video. Does it give you butterflies, too? It’s my favorite part of our house. It’s what I look at all day while I’m working in my office.
The Watercolors
My love for watercolor keeps growing and growing. Every day I get to spend time playing with watercolor is a magical, I-feel-like-a-kid-again type of day.
When I said HECK YES to teaching a CreativeLive boot camp, I knew that I’d include as many watercolors as possible. If you tune into the course, you’ll see watercolors on the slides and in the workbook.
I spent three full days on the one below! (If you’re interested in hearing more about my process of creating something like this, let me know in the comments below. I’d love to share more with you if it’s something you’re interested in.)
This print (and many others) will be included in the workbook which you’ll get for FREE just by RSVPing for the course. No purchase necessary, my friend.
The Color Palette
Every time I teach a CreativeLive course, I spend a few days compiling a color palette for the slides and workbook because I want them to be extra pretty.
I use this color palette for any illustrations I create in Illustrator, for the text colors on the slides, for the workbook colors and more.
What’s your favorite color in this palette? (Mine changes daily but today it’s winter sky.)
Topics I’ll Cover
Thank goodness this course is a boot camp, because I’ve got lots of topics I want to cover. By the end of the course, you’ll know everything you really need to know about marketing your creative business.
You’ll be able to create a marketing plan that leads to money in the bank, talk about your business with confidence, and enjoy marketing. I bet you’ll even look forward to it cause that’s what happens when you understand marketing and see the positive impact it can have on your business.
Here are the topics I’ll be covering:
- Why your customers should choose you and your brand
- What you really need to know about your target market
- Writing an ideal customer profile that you’ll actually use
- How to make marketing fun so you spend time on it
- The psychology of marketing (a.k.a., what works and what doesn’t)
- Compiling brand information and making a great first impression
- Pricing your products and services
- Branding with visuals
- Taking swoon-worthy product photos
- The power of video: getting started and beyond
- Writing headlines that get your followers to click and share
- Transforming ho-hum writing into content worth reading
- The transcription and one-person methods
- Persuade, connect and sell with story
- Writing sales pages that actually sell
- The basics of email marketing
- Designing your email freebie and writing your intro email
- Tracking your subscribers and readers behavior
- Email segmentation and the practice of using autorepsonders
- Doubling your blog readership
- Choosing the right social media platforms
- Growing your Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Periscope following
- Your marketing plan put together
If you need help with any of the above, RSVP right here so that you don’t miss out.
Special Guests
If you follow me on Persicope, you probably already know that Kris Windley is joining me for a segment to teach the writing process and how to combine the logical and creative parts of writing. She’s brilliant and I can’t wait for her to share that brilliance with you.
And, because product photos are critical to your marketing success, Candice Stringham is going to teach you how to take swoon-worthy product photos once and for all. Can I get a ‘oh YES pa-lease’?
Bonuses
Because the majority of the course will be pre-recorded (which means you can’t ask me questions during it), I’m hosting a live call at the end of each week where I’ll answer any and all questions you’ve got. (To join the live calls, make sure you RSVP for the course and you’ll get a PDF download with all the live call links. These live calls are also all free. All you have to do is RSVP.)
Plus, I plan on jumping on Periscope most days to chat about that day’s topic and answer your questions. (Another reason you should join Periscope NOW.)
There are definitely more bonuses but a girls got to keep some secrets. You’ll have to join me to find out what they are in September.
Heads Up
If you want to join me live in the studio audience, apply ASAP. The spots are filling up fast and I want you to have a chance if you want to come hang out with us and have the BEST time EVER.
It’s free to be in the studio audience. (I know I keep using the word ‘free’ in this blog post, but I think it’s pretty darn cool how much of this stuff is free.)
If you have any questions about being in the studio audience, email me at blacksburgbelle@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
That’s it for now. I need to get back to my watercolors…
I hope you enjoyed the peek behind the velvet curtains of what’s going on here at the Blacksburg Belle headquarters.
I’m totally digging that gorgeous moss color!!!!
I love that one, too!
Love all those colors…can’t pick just 1….Blush, Lipstick, and Winter Sky.
The video was gorgeous!!!! I can’t wait for the live course!!! (And being in the studio audience!)
It’s hard to pick just one, isn’t it? That’s why I tend to have a new favorite each day. 🙂
Thank you!
I’m so excited to work with you in person and give you a big hug! We’re going to have a BLAST!
What a lovely post April ! I love your promo video (and I wish to have such a nice one for me one day) and your gallery wall is gorgeous. I love watercolors too, making some with my 4 years old princess. I definitively want to know more about the process please :). I love coral ! And yes I would LOVE to join you live but I’m freaking scared. Have to think about it 🙂
Thanks Virginie! I want to let you in on something: you’ll never feel ready. I didn’t feel ready the first few times I went to conferences or joined courses. As entrepreneurs, it’s kinda part of the package. I definitely understand your fear and hope that you don’t let it get the best of you now or for other things! You’ve got my support and encouragement!
SO many pretty things..I can’t! This has me beyond pumped, April! 🙂
YAY! Thanks Amanda!
Woohooo!! This is awesome, April! Love the watercolors, the cuteness in your video, and your doggies!!! Looking forward to following you in the course!
Thanks Jennifer! We need to catch up…I need to hear about what you’ve been working on lately. 🙂
I wish I could come again, but I’ll be in the middle of my Project STIR crowdfunding campaign so I’ll have to join in from afar. Looking forward to Kris’ segment and all the Periscopes!!! Wheee!!!
Love the watercolors! So pretty!!!
YAY for Project STIR! Congrats, Sarah! I’ll take your participation in any form, my dear. 🙂
Sounds amazing April! I loved your blogging course on Creative Live and this one looks exactly what I need next.
Love your watercolours! My favourite colour today is spa. 🙂
Thanks Ailene! So glad you’ll be joining along. I’m so excited for this one.
Snazzy! Gorgeous (water)color-sorted bookshelf.
I’m all about the tangerine today. Can’t wait to see your creations.
Thanks Marsha!
Eeeeeeeee!
I’m SO excited about this course, April. I can’t wait to share the Writing Process with everyone, and I can’t wait to see all if your beautiful work come together 🙂
I just know you’re going to go above and beyond – as always – and make some crazy changes for people. It’s going to be AWESOME!
*happy dance, happy dance, tap, tap, tap, JAZZ HANDS!*
xo
K
THANK YOU! Your writing process segment is gonna kick some serious booty! 🙂
I feel super lucky that you’re going to share your wisdom with us.
My favorite color is spice.
Good pick! I picked that one with fall in mind since this course is taking place in September and October. 🙂
omg that painting is effing rad! I am so excited to learn all of the things! This experience is going to be epic. Not even exaggerating.
xo!
rs
Thanks Richelle! MUAH!
Gallery walls are my fav! Love the way you’ve mixed it up.
Great topic course topic too!
Thanks Tess! I’d been collecting (and creating) pieces for my gallery wall for about two years so I had a ton to choose from and it made the process a lot of fun.
Yay! I’m looking forward to this course! I RSVP’d as soon as it was announced. Your content is just too awesome to miss.
‘Spa’ is standing out for me in your beautiful colour palette. Maybe I need a pamper day 😀
You da best Virginia! Thanks for the support!
Can’t wait for the class and I love the idea of the color palette for each project! I have one for my brand, but never thought about doing it for each course/presentation. The lipstick pink is my favorite. 🙂
It’s soooooooo much fun to play with color palettes. I can’t help myself.
Lipstick was my favorite the day I created it. 🙂
I fell in love with Creative Live when I worked overnights and had nothing to do. I’m so happy you are doing another class, since yours are by far the best ones I’ve seen!
The gallery wall is amazing and inspiring….brb, I need to go buy some frames.
Oh my gosh…I bet. CreativeLive would be perfect for that kind of thing.
THANK YOU! I really appreciate that.
Some of my frames are from yard sales and thrift shops. I just spray painted them all the same color. 🙂
Loving the video and your pups featured in it! So cute. And your gallery wall is amazing! I have been putting off doing one of those up my stairs. And your watercolors are AMAZING, and loving all the colors but have to pick lipstick as a fav. I can’t wait for your class because I know it will be full of great information and fun!!!
Thanks Cindy! I’m sooooooooo happy you’re gonna join us in the studio.
Kaya Lucy (my lab mix in the video) didn’t really want to be in the video if you couldn’t tell. For some crazy reason, she hates cameras. Weird dog!
Yay, looking forward to it! Even though none of the things on your checklist apply – I’m doing pretty good with marketing, and your and Tara’s courses helped a lot with that too, but I’ll still check in on the days when you cover something I’m interested in, especially video.
The illustration looks wonderful, very polished! I wouldn’t peg you for someone who is new to watercolor 🙂
My favorite color is winter sky because eh to be honest, none of them are my favorites. I’m a fan of reds, violets, indigo blue, emerald green and of course black. I’m pretty conservative when it comes to color!
(I know, weird for a designer, but I separate my personal favorites from objective color choices that suit someone’s brand.)
Anyway, exciting to see Kris teaching with you!! I still remember when we first connected in the chat
on your blogging course *sniff* 🙂
I looooooooooooove to hear that you’re doing good with marketing! That makes me so stinkin happy for you.
I am in the life-long learner school and believe that you can always learn more, but I love that you’re in a good place with your marketing.
Thanks for the watercolor compliment. 🙂
As a designer, really loving a limited color palette could set you apart from your competitors. So, not such a crazy thing.
I can’t wait for Kris’ segment on the writing process. It’s gonna be so good.
I’m really looking forward to this course and I’m RSVPing right now. I loved the promo video and your watercolors are just fabulous! Congratulations on this new project, April! It’s been so inspiring watching you and your business blossom.
Thanks Tabassum! I can always count on your support. You’re the best. 🙂
Love this post so much and I am so excited for your new CL course! 🙂 Btw, lovely promo video and doggies (the look in that black lab’s face just melted my heart)
I can already tell it’s going to be awesome (wish I could be in audience)
Oh yeah, my favorite color today is blush.
Hi, April!
I’m so excited about this course, especially since I applied to be in the live studio audience! Eek! I turned in my application a couple of weeks ago but I haven’t heard back yet. I was starting to get a little nervous about not getting picked, (a bit junior high, I know) since it seemed so many peeps have been getting their acceptance emails already, but then I got over myself.
If it’s live or via chat room, I’ll be there one way or the other. With Blacksburg Belles on!! 🙂
I’m totally needing this course too. I’m pretty good at parts of marketing but I really get a little overwhelmed when it comes to putting it all together and especially with keeping it consistent and following through for the long term. Kris helped me a ton with a course I took from her and I’m so looking forward to learning tons more from the both of you!
Oh, and I am in love with your water color drawing! It looks amazing and yes, I would really like to know more about how you did it. It’s high on my crafty list of “want to learns”. My grands can sit down and create little water color masterpieces and I want to be able to keep up with them . . . seriously! 🙂
I’m looking forward to this class! I recently bought your digital products class on Creative Live — I’m looking forward to diving into it, too.
Do you have any plans to start a podcast?? It would be great!
Hi April!
Yeah!!! Sounds like a great class and will definitely sign up. Love your watercolors and the color palatte.
I already own your creative live class “Build a successul Creative Blog” and I enjoy the classes over and over again. Best of all I can take your class even though I live in Australia. So looking forward to it April!
Oh, I wish could be in the live audience again this time, but I live on the other side of the country now. It sure was fun when I lived in San Francisco and had a short drive to the studio. But I’ll be watching from home here in Orlando! I can’t wait for this workshop! 🙂