A Life By You

Creating engaging captions that elevate your online presence can be tricky. Over the last few years, I've learned how to draw my audience in with long-form captions and it's really helped boost my visibility. If you have ever struggled with creating an Instagram caption, I'm sharing tips with you in today's episode and if you've ever wondered how to connect with your audience through captions then push play now. Visit ALifebyYou.com for more!

Grab the episode freebie: Captions That Convert

Quotes Worth Listening To:

• I write really long captions...I have a lot to say (0:42)
• The average caption has doubled in size since 2016 (1:19)
• There are different methods you can use to create long-form captions - 2:54
• She's seen her following increase significantly since she started doing this consistently (long-form captions) - 3:49
• When you create a story in terms of a brand collaboration, it feels even more authentic (4:14)
• Building connections convert to engagement or even a sale(4:39)
• What every post should have - 8:10

Links mentioned in this episode:

Birds Of Papaya (3:03)

Quigley Goode (5:52)

Facebook Creator (7:31)

Follow on Instagram: @alifebyyou

Follow MJ on Instagram: @lifebymj

If you haven't already, be sure to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast!

This episode is all about the current climate and enlightenment our country is going thru in terms of racial injustice. As I sat back and literally watched my country go thru so much turmoil in a matter of two weeks, I needed a means to talk thru my emotions as a black person. I'm thankful that I was able to call on my peers of The Orange Collab - who are all black female entrepreneurs and influencers.

In this episode you will find we speak very candidly about our state of minds as black women specifically:

• How social media has effected this moment
• Our honest feelings towards the #BlackOutTuesday movement and why a black square isn't quite enough
• Suggestions of how brands and non-black influencers should navigate this topic and moment
• What we feel is needed to move forward for our nation and the entire world as a whole to combat racial injustice.

For my fellow black listeners, I hope this shows you are not alone in this space at this time. And for my non-black listeners, welcome! Just to advise, we do not hold back in this discussion and you are really getting an intimate view into our mindsets and feelings. Please listen with an open mind, open heart, and feel free to ask any questions or continue the discussion on social media on A Life by You's Instagram or Facebook page.

The Orangle Collab: https://www.instagram.com/theorangecollab/

Amber Calhoun: https://www.instagram.com/curly_corner/

JayJay: https://www.instagram.com/theventgaljay/

Brittany: https://www.instagram.com/eventsbykirk/

Tyler: https://www.instagram.com/thriftsandtangles/

Kendra: https://www.instagram.com/kendrajayy/

Amber W: https://www.instagram.com/pepperedbarn/

If you aren't using Pinterest, then you're missing out on a free way to grow your social media business and presence. But don't take it from me: learn from Pinterest expert Bea Alvarez who used the social media platform to grow her blog into a full fledged business. On this episode, Bea keeps it real by sharing her journey of leaving her 9 to 5, growing her blog while being a mother, and finding her own definition of balance. If you ever wondered what it takes to get started or how to grow, this is the episode for you!

Find more about Bea at: https://www.instagram.com/beaalvarezsoto/

It seems like everyone and their mama is using this time during quarantine to sell their COVID-19 offer. And while that isn't a knock to anyone, I have placed my efforts in a different way to grow my business: reevaluating my service offerings, updating my website, creating sustainable workflows, and outsourcing everything I should do but don't want to do. If you've ever wanted a behind-the-scenes of my business this is a great one to list to!

Raise your hand if you suck at selling? Listen as makeup artist Ava Tula details how she went from hustling as a Girl Scout, helping companies make 7-8 figures to following her passion and creating her own business while still balancing #momlife. If the selling struggle is real or you simply need some new ideas on how to be strategic with your online business, this episode is filled with so many gems!

COVID-19 has definitely flipped the entire world upside down and with it so many businesses. During this time, pivoting you services may be necessary but you might not have any clue on what to do. In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes in my Killer Content Creator group coaching membership where I advise two students on how to strategically change their business and use this time as an opportunity to diversify.

KCC students featured include:

Tiare of https://www.instagram.com/lets_grub_pass/

Darniesha of https://www.instagram.com/darniesha.rene/

What if I told you that by niching down you could land a great job, become a model, and work with the brands you admire? Well, that's exactly what blogger and YouTuber Tyler of Thrifts and Tangles did! Tyler has cultivated an incredible online community by doubling down on a sustainable and thrifting lifestyle plus natural hair. In this episode we dig deep on how niching down can give you tremendous opportunities while also touching on the how COVID-19 has impacted not only the influencer industry but also fast fashion.

Find out more about Tyler:

https://www.thriftsandtangles.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thriftsandtangles/

As an influencer, working with brands can be scary and super intimidating! In this episode, I'll answer some of your common brand collaboration and partnership questions:

• How much should I charge?
• Should I work with brands for free?
• Is it only about my followers?
• How do I consider my engagement?

Let me help take away your worry by preparing you not to be taken advantage of, by helping you understand the value in everything you create but most importantly in yourself.

Ever wonder what does it take to be a fashion stylist? Las Vegas-based blogger, Christie Moeller, shares her journey in how she earned this coveted career originating from an interest in high school theater to now styling commercials, editorials, and celebrities. Tune in to hear how Christie has navigated the evolving and competitive world of fashion and social media by adopting tried and true tactics such as SEO all while remaining open and staying true to herself.

Is there a method to dream chasing and achieving? Having been in my own ruts before, I think so! Let me help clear the path on how you can make your own dreams happen by laying out a path of executing including getting out of your own way.