Hashtag Authentic - For Small Businesses, Bloggers And Online Creatives

Things I talk about in this episode:A reading of one of the sections in Hashtag Authentic - Our Visual CultureWhy I ended up working directly with a publisher without an agent - and why I'll do it differently next timeWhat happened when my publisher retired mid-way through the processHow self doubt showed up for me during the writing process, and how I (re)learned to advocate for myselfWhat the book's about, and digging into the different chaptersOne of my fave photos I've ever takenHow I'm publicising the book on social mediaWhy any book around Instagram needs to tackle imagery, photography and editingMy hopes for the book and its messages around Instagram and wider social mediaLinks mentioned in this episode:Pre Order my book UK / US / AustraliaMy upcoming Live book events Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Things we talk about in this episode:Erica's move from working as a journalist and fashion editor to running her own 'mini magazine' on her Instagram & blogThe impact of showing your real self onlineMoving away from London - and how this brought Erica clarity on her brand and voiceBeing a 40-year-old, size 12-14 fashion blogger - and why there's the need for every kind of body on InstagramWays to make money as a fashion influencer - sponsored posts, ongoing brand partnerships, affiliate links etc.The importance of due diligence when choosing sponsorships and partnershipsTransparency about sponsored content, and respecting your audience's trustThe lack of transparency around adverting and product placement in traditional media such as magazines and music videos, and the inequality of the conversations around it'Fast fashion' and why we all should be buying fewer clothesThe problem of money when it comes to choosing between fast fashion and more ethical brandsUsing your "influence" in positive way

Things we talk about in this episode: What is Pinterest, and why you should be using it Advice and top tips on how to get the best out of Pinterest for your business Updates on new Pinterest tools How to organise or repurpose your boards An introduction to Pinterest Themes The joy of planning your pins and boards Using Pinterest as a visual search engine Why you should upgrade to a business accountLinks mentioned in this episode:Lauren Laverne on PinterestPinterest 100 - The top trends for 2019Talonted LexPinterest best Practice blog postCarrie - Wish Wish WishIfttt - Connecting Pinterest to InstagramZoe's Pinterest boardReena's Pinterest boardPre Order my book UK / US / Australia Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Things we talk about in this episode:Anna's new book - An Edited LifeHow Anna got started onlineHow our favourite platform online can change and evolveThe importance of following your interestsHow Anna built an audience that has grown and evolved with herThe importance of planning and structure when managing your social media accountsHow to do YouTube if you're camera-shyDealing with critical comments/reviewsAnna's epic organisation skills, and how we can all be a bit more like herThe importance of reflection and celebrating our achievements, instead of always chasing the next big goalWhere to draw the line with what to share online, and how we can all find our own comfort zone with itThe magic of following your gut instinctsWhether everyone has a guilty messy place, like 'Monica's Cupboard' in FRIENDS.Links mentioned in this episode:An Edited Life - Anna's bookFree organisation worksheets on Anna's siteAnna's recent video on her work organisation techniques At Home With - Anna's podcast with Lily PebblesResc

Things we talk about in this episode: Laura's new book - Just Eat It Laura's career path and journey to Intuitive Eating, and how podcasting shaped her career Defining 'diet culture' why it's unhealthy for you, and it's relationship with the patriarchy Challenging BMI negativity, and why it's a poor indicator of risks to health and disease  Laura defines Intuitive Eating, and it's physical and mental health benefits How to spot bad nutrition advice Busting the myths around diets, 'unhealthy foods' and alternative therapies The relationship between food and mental health Dealing with negative responses to her postsLinks mentioned in this episode: Just Eat It - Laura's book Don't Salt My Game - Laura's podcast Laura's Sunday Times interview with Dolly Alderton The London Centre for Intuitive Eating Health and Care Professionals Council and The Association for Nutrition The Angry Chef Dr Anjali Mahto Laura's articles - We Need To Talk About 'Refined Sugar Free' & Think You Have a Sugar Addic

Things we talk about in this episode: Farrah's new book - The Discomfort Zone Farrah career path, and the role failure and discomfort have played The 'London bubble', and why you don't need to be in it to succeed in print media Breaking down the barriers of starting out in journalism, and the need to diversify the media The challenges faced by young people today, and the concept of "generation snowflake" Whether women - or anyone - can ever really 'have it all', or should even want to Why we all need to have a 'failure CV' What lies outside of our comfort zone, and why we need to dive into it The relationship between old and new media, and why Farrah is positive about influencers and bloggers The creation of the Cosmo Influencer AwardsLinks mentioned in this episode:The Discomfort Zone - Farrah's bookFarrah's InstagramMy InstagramMy bookThe Insta Retreat Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

The New Year is a natural time for setting goals, plans and intentions - so why do so few of us wind up making them actually happen? And worse, why do they always feel so grim? This week I chat with stylist and writer Hannah Bullivant about her 'January Book' ritual, how it's helped her in her family and professional life, and how setting kind and compassionate goals for ourselves can lead to the kind of leaps forward that we've often been craving. We also talk about finances, self doubt, launching ebooks and online courses, plus mailing list building and more. Full show notes at meandorla.co.uk/podcast59 Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Kate Watson Smyth is a powerhouse in the interiors world. A blogger, journalist, podcaster, author and interiors consultant, Kate has the kind of in-depth knowledge and strength of voice that can only come from years of creativity, hard work and life experience. In this episode she shares her route to where she is today, the importance of tenacity and showing up, and how to carve out your own space online with plenty of her trademark humour, insight and passion. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Dasha Pears is a conceptual photographer with a unique and magical voice and style. This week Dasha shares how she stays true to her creative voice and delivers value and magic – whether she’s creating for her own pleasure, for her devoted Instagram audience or for one of the brands she works with worldwide. An unmissable episode for anyone at an early stage of building their creative dreams, struggling to find their true style, or who is curious to know about the process behind such incredible, evocative imagery. Full show notes at https://meandorla.co.uk/podcast57-2/ Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Public speaking falls outside of the boundaries of the comfort zone for many of us, but is an indispensably valuable skill in many creative careers. In this episode, Viv Groskop, journalist and writer turned stand up comedian, shares the different ways we can show up and truly own the room – without having to compromise on who we truly are. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Working for yourself can mean years of feast and famine, financially - and nobody seems to mention it. This week I talk to fashion designer turned illustrator Niki Groom, about what makes the difference, sticking with your dreams, and building a secure financial future. Full show notes: https://meandorla.co.uk/podcast55-2-2/ Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Comparison and envy can sneak into pretty much any area of our lives, and it's seldom pretty. Comparison coach Lucy Sheridan has made it her life's work - and the focus of her business - to get to the heart of those feelings, and help people live a life free from its clutches. https://meandorla.co.uk/podcast54/ Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Neal Whittington is the creative mind behind online stationery wonderland, Present & Correct. I’ve followed him online for a long time not only for his store’s range of glorious paper goods, but because his social media is always a treasure trove of unusual links, on-brand curiosities and visual delights. In this episode we talk about the magic of content curation as well as creation to support and elevate an online brand. Neal shares his tricks for finding shareable content, staying active on social media and creating a unique and instantly recognisable brand. https://meandorla.co.uk/podcast53-2/ Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

When you don't know what your talent is, with Carly Rowena by Sara Tasker Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

My guest this week has spent ten years researching writing, and the psychology of happiness. Author and Academic Megan C Hayes believes the two can be firmly intertwined, and has developed a framework - the Positive Journal® approach - to help anyone pick up a pen and start feeling more positive. In this episode we explore her background online, the psychology and neuro-science behind writing your heart out, and how it can all come together to make magical things unfold. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Find your why, with Kayte Ferris. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Syreeta Challinger started her lifestyle brand and online studio, Moments of Sense and Style, following a total upheaval of her and her partner Rob's life. Life changed in a heartbeat when Rob suffered a severe stroke and brain haemorrhage whilst on holiday in Sydney, Australia, miles from home, friends and family. Since then both Syreeta and Rob have had to find a new home, new ways of living and a new sense of purpose in their life together, and M.O.S.S. became the phoenix that emerged from the ashes. Together, with Syreeta's incredible optimism and determination at the helm, they've build a business that is all about light in the darkness and appreciating the beautiful moments in life. I haven't edited Rob's audio for pauses etc, because a) there's nothing wrong with pauses, and b) they show the reality of conversation with a communication impairment, and I think that's something we don't hear enough. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Instagram gets a lot of criticism for having too much styled content and not enough reality - but sometimes staged, planned imagery can still be heartbreakingly honest. Artist and photographer Carolyn Mara uses her camera and Instagram as  away of working through the difficult parts of her life, and expressing emotions or experiences that are harder to put into words. This week we talk about how she discovered this technique, how it has helped her, and why she believes we all need creativity in order to be whole. Shownotes: https://wp.me/p5XVXq-3ql Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

Photographer and videographer Flore has had an eclectic journey through marketing and running an online textile store to the work she does now, and along the way one thing has been essential to her growth: workshops, with other creatives. This has left her with a burning passion to create these types of events herself, to help fellow floundering creatives connect, skill up and develop their ideas to make their big dreams come to fruition. This week we chat about why the difficult business model is still essential, and what we can all gain from being involved. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe

How many of us dream of someday writing a book? For this week's episode I sat down with Abigail Bergstrom, head of publishing at Gleam Titles, the forward-thinking literary division of digital-first talent agency Gleam Futures, to grill her all about the inside world of publishing, the future of books, and how online creatives can find a route in to making those book dreams a reality. Get full access to Entre Nous at meandorla.substack.com/subscribe