Business – Page 6

Nov 02 2016

How To Create A Photo Library For Instagram

One of the key elements of having a thriving Instagram Feed is to have great images. Unless you’re super popular and already well known, having high quality images will help you grow your following and make you stand out.

Having a photo library at hand is key but I’m not saying you need to spend all of your time taking photographs. My suggestion is to maximize your time by leveraging the images you already have. Most often you can find photos within a photo. You can crop the original image to get multiple images from it. I’ll show you some examples:

From My DSLR

When I use my “real” camera, the image quality is really high and the file size is very large allowing me to zoom or crop without compromising the quality.

Here’s the original image I took of sunflowers at a farm.

I was able to get 6 square images from it that I can now use for my Instagram account. I prefer to have square images on Instagram even though you are now allowed to have rectangular images. It’s just a personal preference.

This one I can overlay with text since there’s a lot of open space by the sky.

For the next 3 I zoomed in on the flowers – having them fill up most of the frame.

These next 2 are more of a wider view just slightly different from one another.

This next example was also from the same farm using my DSLR. I was able to get 3 square images from this original one.

From My iPhone

So you may be asking if this can also be done from your camera phone. Yes!! The file size is smaller so you may not have as many options but for this example of the tree I was still able to get 3 square images from the original. This was shot with my iPhone 5S.

Three different images from the same original.

Some Extra Tips:

I find that the horizontal images work better than vertical.
When shooting your original subject, shoot it wide – don’t zoom in.
On your phone, select Photo, not Square.
I use Photoshop to edit these photos but I’m sure you can do this with whatever photo editing software and apps you currently use.
Scatter your images – for example don’t post all of your sunflower photos consecutively

Let me know if you have any questions about your images and Instagram. I LOVE Instagram! It’s my favorite social media platform right now. Put your Instagram account in the comments so I can check out your feed.

Mine is @life.happens.now

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Oct 19 2016

Podcast Interview: Life By Design

This week a podcast interview I did with Allison Hardy of the Life By Design podcast went live!

It was so much fun talking with her about creativity and being a mompreneur. If you want to listen, go to her site and it’s Episode #6

I was also flattered that she invited me into her private facebook group to do a facebook live broadcast for her community. I gave them tips on how to incorporate mindset work into their morning routine. Having the right mindset is so crucial for your life and business. I spend so much of my day doing this – not just in the morning. I find pockets of time to journal, listen to inspiring audios, or sneak in a few pages from a book I’m reading. I do it throughout the day to keep my mindset at a higher level.

Let me know if you check out the podcast!

Sep 29 2016

Adventures in Denver

Last Monday at 1pm I was booking my flight for Denver. Four hours later I was on my way to the airport. Fortunately I had clean clothes to pack – enough for my 2 night stay.

Why was I on a mad rush to Denver?

Definitely NOT for the legalized pot! Whew that city reeks!

My business coach was having an intimate live event and I knew I just had to be there!

I’m part of a group coaching program with other female entrepreneurs from around the country and the world. We’ve been a support system for one another through group calls and the private facebook group but there’s no comparison to being in person.

With the support of both family and friends, I went for it and I’m so glad I did.

For 2 full days it was all about business. No talk about our kids, laundry, school or anything else. It was hyper focused on our businesses! There were about 25 in attendance and we were all at varying levels in our business so it was great to pick up tips listening to more seasoned veterans. I had plenty of aha moments and the personal connections I made were invaluable.

The event was held at The Oxford Hotel – the oldest hotel in Denver. Much of the time was spent in the nearby downtown area near Union Station. I had THE BEST tomato soup there – ate it 3 times!!

It’s interesting coming from NYC – you just expect certain things and you forget that the rest of the world is at a different pace. As another NYer at the event said “”This IS the rest of the world, NY is it’s own world.” Good or bad, it’s true.

If there’s something you’ve been wanting to do, do it.

Invest in yourself. Make it happen. You can do it and you’re so worth it!

Life Happens Now.

Sep 13 2016

Start Before You’re Ready

Have you ever wanted to do something but were waiting for that perfect moment to start? Waiting until all of the pieces were in place?

How’d that go for you?!?

Did you actually ever start?

Really when you think about it when is something ever perfect? A lot of times you just have to go for it. Whether it’s starting a new business, taking a class, signing up for a program, or trying something new in your business – just START.

I have plenty of things on my list that I want to do but one thing that kept popping up for me was to start my own facebook group. I had all of these doubts and worries – (one of them being that no one would join) and it kept me from creating it.

Last night I bit the bullet – stayed up waaaay too late and clicked on that Create Group button and finally did it.

I’m happy to say as I’m writing this, my biggest fear has disappeared – I currently have FOUR members!! 🙂 Hey – you’ve gotta start somewhere, right?!?

My intention is to bring together a collection of unstoppable women that will support and inspire each other in their new creative business ventures in a positive, high vibe atmosphere. NO NEGATIVITY ALLOWED!!! We all have different and unique strengths to offer and could all use our own personal cheerleader from time to time.

If this resonates with you, here’s the link to request to join:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1207775535960692/

What is it that you’ve been wanting to start but haven’t made that leap to do yet?

Aug 04 2016

Podcast Interview: The Power of Creativity in Your Business

Recently I was asked to be a guest on the DWL podcast – Dream Without Limits. I have to admit I was both excited and nervous at the same time when the opportunity was presented. Fear came in the way of thoughts like “I’m not ready” and “who am I to speak about this.” I just said F That and went for it anyway!

So glad I did!! I spoke with the host Teneika via skype back in May. Our conversation was both relaxed and easy going. So great when you can connect with someone so easily! I’m glad I didn’t let my fear get the best of me. We spoke about different forms of creativity, working on your mindset and tips for balancing motherhood and your business.

I’d love to do more podcast interviews but secretly I really want to be on the other end doing the interview. During a recent photography project i was working on, it was more photo journalistic and I was required to interview my subject. I actually loved it and after months of following her around I thought I’d eventually run out of questions to ask but they just kept flowing out of me. I’ve been told by my friends that I’m a good listener but I think I also attract people that like to talk a lot and I give them the space to do so. 🙂 So this might have to go on the goal list!

One of my intentions for this year was to be more visible – as scary as that may sound. I’m trying to push myself to do more things like podcasts and guest blogging to reach more women to inspire them to start that business they’ve only been dreaming of and start living their life now.

The episode was recently posted and you can listen to the podcast interview here on the DWL site: I’m episode number 8 – my favorite number!!

Make time to listen to some of her other podcast interviews – lots of great inspiration there!

If you found it inspiring or valuable in any way, please share with your friends! Always appreciated!

Is there something you’ve been wanting to do that’s scaring you a bit? Tell me in the comments…