How to know you're being authenticIn my last video, I talked about the importance of authenticity. Today, I’d like to talk about how you know when something is authentic. Watch below or keep reading to find out more... So, how do you know when something is authentic? It’s a really difficult question to answer, but there’s really only one way to know. Would you say it? You are the only person that can answer that question. You are the only one who really knows if it feels right. The funny thing is, it's contextual. We don’t walk around saying “why did I just say that? Does that sound right? Does that fit in line my life views?”
So when it comes to authenticity, it not only comes down to whether or not it feels right to us, but how its perceived by other people. And today, I’d like to talk about a tip to help you be perceived as authentic in the eyes of others. As leaders, and I suspect that you are a leader if you’re watching this, it can be difficult to allow yourself to be imperfect. So to appear authentic to others, we need to be okay with imperfection and embrace that. Now it might seem difficult to embrace imperfection in a professional context, but in the right context, it can really lend itself to authenticity. You know what it makes me think of, is the question that is often asked in job interviews: “what’s your greatest weakness?” And when you take that weakness and turn it into a strength, you say things like “you know, sometimes I’m pretty hard on myself, so it means I end up working pretty hard or sometimes I’m tireless and don’t know when to quit”. But if you’re an accountant for example, and you’re asked about your greatest weakness and you answer, “sometimes I get the 6 and the 9 confused”, uhh…that’s not going to bode so well for you. So when you’re sharing your imperfections, look for the silver lining. Today I’m filming this video from beautiful British Columbia, Canada. I’ve struggled a bit with people and noises behind me, so hopefully this turns out. But, there’s a gorgeous rainbow behind me (see, always find that silver lining!) and you can still see the remnants of it. That’s all I want to share for today. If you’re interested in learning about me as a copywriter, I do free connection calls. I’d love to hear more about you and what you’re working on. Until then, keep smiling. What does authenticity mean to you? Leave a comment below and let's talk about it. I like to keep it real and look forward to hearing from you!
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Ready to write your own copy but tortured by that damn blinking cursor? In this video I'd like to talk about getting past writer's block. Listen or read on below... A quick three tips for you.
Start by writing as though you plan to throw it out. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. Just imagine that whatever you're writing is actually going straight in the trash bin. That way the pressure comes off. Next, if you've been doing nothing for too long, get out there for a change of scenery. Whether that means having a shower, going for a walk, calling a friend, just do something different. I'm not advocating for procrastination, but sometimes you just need to change speed to see things flow. I’m working with the assumption here that you watched some of my other videos and you really have a sense of the person that you’re writing for and speaking to that person. Once you've done that, just start writing. Get something on the page. The first thing you write down doesn’t have to be part of it. Editing is an entirely separate beast. Just get some words on the page and you can fix it later. That's it for today. Today I'm filming from beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As you can see downtown behind me there. If you're interested in talking to me about working with you as a copywriter, I would love to have that conversation. I do free connection calls so please do reach out. That's it for this week and we will talk to you later. Writer's block can be so hard...but commenting below isn't! :) Maybe it's the change of speed that you need to get going on your work... I'd love to hear from you! What to do with your "stuff", part 2In a recent video I talked about the fact that if you’ve decided to become a digital nomad full time, you're probably going to want to get rid of most of your stuff. In this video, I'd like to talk about what you can actually do with it. Check it out! So what to do with that “stuff” that turns out is just not that important. You have lots of options. I would suggest Craigslist and in Canada at least, we have an app called Letgo. That's what I used to get rid of most of my stuff.
Don't expect to make too much money. I sold just about everything I owned. I sold all my furniture, all my clothes. I only made about four grand and it was A LOT of work. So mostly it's about letting it go rather than making money. You can also give it away to friends or give it to a charity. That's my tip for you today. If you’re interested in connecting with me as a copywriter, click on the link to my free connection call. Let me tell you about my process, let's talk about what you need and see if we’d be a good fit! I'm filmed this video from some geysers in Bolivia. Its most fantastically sulphry here! Until next week, I will talk to you then. Letting go of your "stuff" can be so hard...want to talk about it? I do! Leave me a comment and let's chat. What to do with your "stuff", part 1So you're about to take your life permanently on the road as a digital nomad. What the heck do you do with all your stuff? In this video, I'd like to tell you about what I did…read on or watch below. So when I decided to become a digital nomad, it wasn't my first experience moving abroad. Some years before, I had left Canada to move to Australia. I owned my own home, and I chose to rent it and put most of my possessions in a friend's basement. When I returned two or three years later, basically, I didn't know what was in the boxes anymore. I knew a few things but for the most part, it wasn't really needed. Honestly, you think your things are more important than they actually are.
I had this experience with England as a kid as well. We put all of our stuff in storage and when we came back three years later, I was like, “why did I think this was so important?” And honestly, you'll just have to deal with it on the other end. Storage is expensive, and makes your life harder. So my tip for you is, be as ruthless as you can. If you're on the fence about whether to keep it, err on the side of getting rid of it. That's it for today. If you're interested in me as a copywriter, I would love to tell you more about my process. Below is a link to my free connection calls. I love to learn about what you're working on and see if we're a good fit, so please don't hesitate to reach out. Today I am filming this video from a beautiful lake in Bolivia and behind me are some wild flamingos which is pretty neat. So until next week, we'll talk to you then! Considering life as a digital nomad? Have any experiences with getting rid of your "stuff"? Share in the comments below. I'd love to hear from you! Whoops! Do you ever just feel a bit off center? In this video I’d like to talk about something that I use to help center myself. Read on or check out the video below for some great advice… So this might sound a little bit hippy, because it is, but when I’m feeling kind of weird and off-center, I like to ask myself what I need. And when I say “ask myself” I mean, ask my body, my inner intuitive self, that other part of me that knows best what it needs. I find that I often get an answer when I Just ask the question. So when I say “what do you need?”, somewhere deep inside of me often says “you need some water. You need some exercise. You need sleep. You need to meditate. You need some yoga. You need some time with friends.” So I would like to suggest that you go ahead and give it a try and see if it works for you. I’m filming this video from Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia which is absolutely stunning! This is an island behind me in the salt flats. Looking for a copywriting perspective? If you’re interested in having a bit of a connection, seeing what my process is, seeing if I can help you, I’d love to hear what you’re working on. I do free connection calls, so why not reach out and we’ll make that happen. Until next week, I hope everything’s great (and centered😊) with you and I will talk to you then. How do you find your center? I'd love to hear what works for you. Comment below with your tips so we can chat about it!
Work-life balanceThis is the last video in the series that I’ve been recording on the challenges of being a digital nomad and today we’re looking at the solutions to balancing work and life when you’re living on the road. Check out my tips by watching this video or reading below. I’m filming this video from the unbelievably neat Lake Titicaca on a floating island. Today I’ve got 5 tips I’d like to share about finding a work-life balance: #1 - The first is a mindset shift. Because when you are a digital nomad and you’re working, it’s not a vacation. Even though it feels like it is. Once upon a time being on the road like this meant it was a vacation but you now have to balance seeing all the cool stuff with doing your work and living your life. So how do you do that? I would say that planning is going to be your friend. #2 - Decide what your work hours are and try to stick to them. #3 - Decide how many hours you need to work to get done what you need to get done. #4 - Plan out what you’d like to see in the places you’re visiting so that you don’t feel like you’re missing out. #5 - One of the most important things though is a mindset shift. It’s ok to not see everything. When you’re living in your home base for example, you’re not upset by not getting to every restaurant in the city or seeing every attraction that exists. You are used to the idea that you’re going to miss something and you need to be okay with that as well when you’re on the road. That’s it for this week! If you’re interested in hiring me as a copywriter, I do free connection calls. I’d love to talk to you about my process and see if we’d be a good fit, so please don’t hesitate to reach out. Until next week. I’ll talk to you then! This is the last video in the series of nomadic travel challenges, but the fun doesn't have to stop here... Leave me a comment below and let's chat some more!
At one time or another, we all struggle to lead lives of meaning. In this post I’d like to share something that I’ve found extremely helpful and I hope will help you too. Watch or read on! Within the past couple years, I found an author by the name of Russ Harris. He has written a wonderful series of books called “The Happiness Trap”, “The Confidence Gap”, and “The Reality Slap”. They all cover something called ACT Therapy: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
The specific tip that I wanted to share today is something I have taken from Russ on how to live a life of meaning. Russ’ suggestion is that when you’re clear on your values, you can always be headed in a meaningful direction. Even if you’re struggling with anxiety—I have anxiety and I know a lot of female entrepreneurs and other people do as well—no matter how you’re feeling, even if that can’t control that, you can always act in line with your values, and THAT is what makes a meaningful life. So getting clear on your values is…well, invaluable. On the note copywriting, if you’re interested in seeing if we’d be a good fit to work together, I do free connection calls. Tell me about what you’re working on and let’s see if we’re a good fit! This week I am sharing from Lima, Peru. Go team #DigitalNomad! What do you think of this idea? Does it resonate for you? Please leave a comment and I promise to reply :) So you've got the website... but you don't have the clients. What gives? The #1 reason your web copy isn't getting you clients revealed in this video (and the transcript below). I’ll just spit it out. The #1 reason that your website isn’t getting you clients is because you’re speaking in your voice, not your client’s. Think about that for a minute. You sell purple widgets. You want your prospective clients to buy purple widgets. What you really need to sell is what purple widgets will give your clients. “What’s in it for me?” That’s what everybody wants to know. So when you’re writing your copy, think about it from your client’s perspective. Learn everything you can about them, and out yourself in their shoes. Reach out to me here for your complimentary connection call and see if I'm the right copywriter for you. Hey you, yes you there! Talk to me. Do you know how to learn more about your clients' pain points? Tell me how you'd go about this.
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Megan Haney
Megan is the owner of Megan Words, a boutique copywriting and editing consulting business devoted to helping female entrepreneurs with worthy causes develop high-quality web copy and content. She sometimes wears pants. Learn more about her here. Archives
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