In this episode, I do a deep dive into the basics of Patreon — a platform that allows creatives to get paid for their work.

I discuss the basic structure of Patreon (creators, patrons, the two different models, and tiers). I share how I've used Patreon in the past for my author business, how I plan to use it in the future, and how artists, musicians, illustrators, YouTubers, and knitters (yes, knitters!) are using Patreon to generate income from their creations. I'll also share the top Patreon pitfalls to avoid when setting up your Creator account.

Show Notes:

• Get my book, Creative Morning Magic here.
• Listen to the interview with Marie Forleo from this week's Discovery segment or buy her book, Everything Is Figureoutable.
• Check out the case studies I mentioned: Cynthia Lin, Lisa Clough, Peter Mohrbacher, Studio TRIGGER, Melody (the knitwear designer), SV Devos (the sailing videos).
• Read the article on fine artists who are killing it on Patreon from The Abundant Artist.
• Read the article on Patreon's top earners.
• Follow me @writewithtarah on Twitter and Instagram.
• Visit my website for writers and creatives at writewithtarah.com.

Everything we're seeking must come from within. When you create a piece of art — whether that’s a book or a painting or a piece of music — you don’t need to promote that thing. You need to share it with the world as a wonderful and exciting event. This way, your enthusiasm will radiate out to your audience.

In this episode, I share my best tips for generating genuine excitement for your work internally so that you can share it externally. I discuss why you need to consider your favorite creators, revamp your digital storefront, find your favorite medium, and why you should consider using emojis in your written communication. (Yes, really!)

Show Notes:

• Enroll in Author Business Bootcamp today.
• Follow me @writewithtarah on Twitter and Instagram.
• Visit my website for writers and creatives at writewithtarah.com.

In this episode, I break down the top mistakes I see creatives make when designing a website and why you should think about taking your site visitors on a journey. I touch on the different types of fans/customers that might visit your site and how you can create opportunities to connect and show them how to support you.

I give specific questions you can ask as you redesign your site to help showcase your unique personality, highlight the products and content you want visitors to see, and lead your customers by the hand to become superfans.

Show Notes:

• Read “50 Ways to Be Ridiculously Generous — and Feel Ridiculously Good” by Alexandra Franzen from this week's Discovery segment.
• Check out my free course for aspiring authors, "Stop Procrastinating and Write the Damn Book."
• Reference examples from the show: TarahBenner.com, BudgetBytes, DeepakChopra.com, or WellnessMama.com.
• Follow me @writewithtarah on Twitter and Instagram.
• Visit my website for writers and creatives at writewithtarah.com.

In this episode, I talk about the concept of a daily practice and how these positive things in our lives can wax and wane over the years. I share my own experience of allowing my meditation practice to fall by the wayside and what motivated me to reestablish some consistency.

I share my best tips for getting back to doing that thing that keeps you sane — whether it's writing, making art, meditating, or working out. I talk about the concept of accountability, why you should start small, and why it's best not to conflate consistency with morality.

Show Notes:

• Listen to the episode of The Daily Breath on the happiness formula from this week's Discovery segment.
• Get your copy of Creative Morning Magic here.
• Follow me @writewithtarah on Twitter and Instagram.
• Visit my website at writewithtarah.com.

In this episode, I share my recent realizations about the consequences of overwork. I discuss why I'm not a fan of the term "self-care" and how our obsession with "having it all" is driving us to the brink of insanity.

Of course, as creative entrepreneurs, building our businesses while working a day job means we must occasionally subject ourselves to periods of overwork. I share my best tips for protecting your health and relationships during periods of intense busyness.

Show Notes

• Get your copy of Creative Morning Magic here.
• Read the Business Insider article on "death by overwork" here.
• Follow me @writewithtarah on Twitter and Instagram.
• Visit my website at writewithtarah.com.

In this episode, I interview bestselling adventure and romance author Lindsey Pogue. Lindsey has published 14 books, including The Ending Series and the Savage North Chronicles. Lindsey has built a remarkable base of enthusiastic fans on Facebook and Instagram, and I wanted to find out how she's done it.

We discuss the best types of content to share on Facebook, the value of giveaways and the Top Fan badge, why Facebook Groups are taking the Internet by storm, how to be vulnerable online without oversharing, and so much more.

Show Notes

• Listen to Creative Morning Magic on audio with an Audible free trial.
• Follow Tarah on Instagram and Twitter.
• Find Tarah on the web at writewithtarah.com.
• Connect with Lindsey on Facebook and Instagram.
• Join The Collective — Lindsey’s Facebook Group for aspiring authors.
• Visit Lindsey on her website at LindseyPogue.com.
• Get Plann or Preview to optimize your Instagram.

In this episode, I talk about how our goals and experiences are constantly shaping us as creatives and as human beings. I chat about recent challenges I've faced in building our house and building my business (firing people, splitting my focus) and how those challenges are forging me into a more confident creative entrepreneur.

To progress without losing perspective, it's important to begin any project with a clear vision, maintain a record of your progress, remember that you can accomplish a lot in five years, and talk to friends and family to realize how much you've changed.

Show Notes

• Enroll in my free course for authors, Stop Procrastinating and Write the Damn Book.
• Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @writewithtarah.
• Find me on the web at writewithtarah.com.

In this episode, I break down my creative goals for 2020.

I discuss how I'm shifting gears in the New Year to focus on creating more fiction, making my author business more sustainable in the long term, and how an emphasis on owned media and content creation is going to help me strengthen my author brand. I also share my word of the year. Hint: We could all use some of this!

Show Notes

• Listen to Stuff You Should Know from this week's Discovery segment.
• Enroll in Author Business Bootcamp — my online course for authors.
• Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @writewithtarah, or find me on the web.

Are you sick of setting the same old New Year's resolution year after year? Do you start out strong in January only to fizzle out in February?

In this episode, I explain why I'm NOT setting a New Year's resolution for 2020 and discuss six things you could try instead. I talk about choosing a one-word theme for the year, setting areas of focus for each month, and how to perform a life audit.

You can make great strides this year in your life and in your business...and you don't need to set a big hairy goal to do it.

Show Notes

• Map out your family tree with FamilySearch.org from this week's Discovery segment.
• Enroll in Author Business Bootcamp — my online course for authors.
• Listen to Happier — Gretchen Rubin's podcast.
• Learn how to perform a Life Audit.
• Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @writewithtarah.
• Find me on the web at writewithtarah.com.

In this very special Christmas episode, I sit down with my husband and some hot wassail to spread holiday merriment and channel the creative spirit of the man who reinvented Christmas — yes, we're talking about Charles Dickens!

Charles Dickens was a fascinating man — and a creative entrepreneur in his own right. We share some wisdom gleaned from the life and work of Dickens...as well as some truly astounding facts about Christmas itself.

So pour yourself some wassail (or spiked egg nog), snuggle up by the fire, and allow us to regale you with some festive facts and creative wisdom!

Show Notes

• Get yourself some Old Tyme Wassail from McGowan's just like Ben and I were sipping on.
• Listen to the unabridged serialization of A Christmas Carol from this week's Discovery segment.
• Get Creative Morning Magic as an e-book or paperback on Amazon. Or download on Apple, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, or Kobo.
• Check out these phenomenal resources on Charles Dickens:
  • Mental Floss: Facts About Charles Dickens
  • The Book People: Fascinating Facts About Charles Dickens
  • The Telegraph: Charles Dickens 'invented Christmas,' but how good was he at managing his own fortune?
  • Market Watch: What the Insane Circumstances Under Which Charles Dickens Wrote A Christmas Carol Reveal About Money, Debt, and Success
  • The Vintage News: Charles Dickens' Pet Raven Inspired Edgar Allen Poe's Most Famous Work
  • Christmas Past podcast: Did Charles Dickens Really Invent Christmas?