Remember the first time you wanted to start a blog? It seemed so easy!
Then the fear took over. Who's going to read it? How do I build a website? Which platform do I choose? Perfectionism turned into being too focused on the smallest details, which in turn turned into procrastination... Help!
I've been there too. After all, I studied graphic design, not web design. Finally, I figured I'd start a travel blog since I traveled a decent amount. I got help coming up with a name, created a website, bought hosting and the domain name. I wrote articles, journaled numerous ideas, and took thousands of photos. I even made videos, some of which I edited. I announced that I was creating a blog – so I had to do it. That was the recipe for successful blogging, right? It was to accompany @TheSecretAtlas. However, I never actually published anything on the blog.
I wondered what was wrong, why didn't I act on it? I usually get everything done that I set out to do. I needed to get my voice out there yet I faced so much resistance. Overall, I knew I was getting closer to what kind of blog I wanted to write. There were naysayers of course who told me I'd dilute my acting brand if I was writing about other topics. But I thought, helping others is so much a part of my life... So when I met Marie Forleo, the fabulous creator of an online B-School and a motivational speaker on her own Marie TV, I brought it to her attention. "Marie, I have a dilemma. I am an actress and a writer, but my two brands don't exactly match. How do I bridge it all? Do I even do it?" To which she said, "Do everything that your heart tells you to do. We are multifaceted Renaissance women and if we can think it, then why not do it? Don't listen to 'them'. Listen to your heart." I knew that answer deep inside my soul but of course Marie saying that finally drove it home.
An impactful quote by Marie,
“If you have a product or service you believe in — one that truly helps others — it’s your responsibility to do everything you can to market and sell it in the most effective way possible. Because if you don’t, you’re stealing from those who need you most.”
On that note, let's dive into starting a blog in one day (or less).
1. DECIDE YOU WANT IT MORE THAN YOU'RE AFRAID OF IT
So often what we fear the most, we have to do. Because of that, we can't wait. We have to act. If you want to read a great book on resistance and how to get out of your own way, read this book: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. This book discusses how all of us have two lives – one that we lead and one that we are meant to live. We have to become professionals and show up for our work every day. Like Marie, he also asks us not to rob the world of our contribution.
The main point for me as a creator was to start creating, writing, and building my own community, not just reading and contributing to everyone else's. It was time to start and I finally realized why I didn't start the travel blog – travel was a small part of me, although a very important one. Yes, I am a traveler, an adventurer, a wanderer, and a jetsetter (sometimes), but I am also so much more than that! I am a storyteller.
2. OWN YOUR STORY. SO WHO ARE YOU?
Hi, I'm Valeria and I am a writer, an actress, a filmmaker, a producer, a master manifester, a visionary, a romantic, a soulmate finder, a love/life coach, a goal setter and an achiever, an empath, an artist, a loyal lioness, a Russian princess, a superstar, a model, a confidant, a social butterfly, a best friend, a wifey, a lover of life, and so much more.
3. LISTEN TO WHAT PEOPLE ASK OF YOU ALREADY
I've been asked to make a blog for years as I write very wordy Instagram posts. People usually come to me with their relationship questions – I help them with reading between the lines, why they should let go or hang on. Almost every week someone writes me that I've encouraged them to write or journal. I motivate them to keep going and I give them someone to look up to – when someone sees you living and working on purpose, they want to find their own thing as well. I'm approached with questions on different subjects constantly, so it didn't take a whole lot of convincing once I figured out that's what I was meant to do.
4. FIND YOUR STRENGTHS
My strengths are productivity, relationships, manifesting, traveling, and filmmaking. Of course sometimes there will be posts about everything in between that will closely fall into the above categories.
5. WHAT'S THE RIDE YOU WILL TAKE YOUR READER ON?
Imagine yourself reading this blog as if you're browsing a magazine like Conde Nast Traveler, Cosmo, and Fortune combined. All of a sudden you've stepped off the page into my world, and you're about to embark on a very exciting adventure: you're going to a ball in Casino de Monte-Carlo wearing your best attire. As if transported by a time machine, you walk in and are greeted by Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O, Grace Kelly, Brigitte Bardot, Elizabeth Taylor, and other classy superstar socialites. You talk to them about your goals, dreams, travel, etc. Then an envelope appears in your hand which contains the road map to your dream life... Are you ready? Would you like a glass of champagne or Martinelli's? ;)
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Let me know in the comments below or @ValeriaSweetOfficial if you've learned something you could implement or any questions you have!
Stay sweet,
Valeria ♥
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