I never set out to create a content platform for entrepreneurs. In fact, for a long time, the idea of content creation felt forced—like something I had to do rather than something I wanted to do. But writing? Writing was always different. It was my safe space, my way of making sense of the world, my way of connecting.

Long before I had a business, I had words—journal entries filled with late-night thoughts, stories scribbled in notebooks, long-winded emails just because I needed to get my thoughts out. Writing was second nature to me, but for years, I struggled to fit it into the traditional marketing mold.

I was told over and over again:
“People don’t want to read.”
“Keep it short and snappy.”
“Nobody has time for long-form content.”

And I believed it—for a while. I tried to fit my words into captions that were no more than a few lines. I forced myself to be concise, cutting out the parts that felt real, deep, and meaningful. I tried to fit the mold of what “content” was supposed to look like.

But something felt off.

Breaking the Rules and Finding Connection

Even though I had been told that nobody wanted to read, my audience proved otherwise. They showed up. They responded. They connected with the words I put out into the world.

They didn’t just skim—they read, engaged, and felt something.

I started getting messages from people saying they looked forward to my emails, that my posts made them stop scrolling, that my words made them feel seen. And I realized something that changed everything:

It was never about the algorithm. It was never about “keeping it short.” It was about creating connection.

And that’s when everything shifted for me.

Turning the Struggle Into a Strategy

Even though I had found my way of connecting through words, social media still felt exhausting. Planning content month after month? Constantly wondering what to say? Trying to keep up with trends while also staying true to my voice?

It was draining.

But I also knew I wasn’t alone in feeling this way.

Over and over again, I heard the same struggles from other business owners:

“I don’t know what to say.”

“I can’t keep up with content planning.”

“Social media feels like a chore.”

If you’ve been relying solely on organic marketing—posting on social media, hoping for engagement, and waiting for website visitors to show up—you’ve likely felt the highs and lows of unpredictable traffic. One day, your content reaches hundreds (maybe thousands) of people; the next, it barely makes a ripple.

The reality? Organic traffic alone isn’t enough.

The average organic reach for a Facebook post is just 6.4% of your total followers (Invoca).

On Instagram, engagement rates have dropped significantly as competition for visibility increases (The Graygency).

Pinterest, while still a strong organic traffic driver, requires consistent content creation to maintain visibility.

So what does this mean for your business? If you’re relying on organic marketing alone, you’re leaving potential customers on the table. That’s where paid advertising—especially on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest—fills in the gaps.

How Paid Ads Solve the Organic Reach Problem

1. They Guarantee Visibility

Instead of hoping your audience sees your posts, ads put your content directly in front of the right people. Whether it’s a warm audience (people who have engaged with your brand before) or a cold audience (new potential customers), ads ensure your content actuallygets seen.

2. They Target Your Ideal Customers

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest offer detailed targeting options, allowing you to reach people based on demographics, interests, behaviors, and even past interactions with your brand. This means you’re not just reaching more people—you’re reaching the right people.

3. They Create Consistent Traffic & Sales

One of the biggest struggles with organic marketing is inconsistency. Some weeks are booming, while others are slow. Paid ads create a steady flow of traffic, bringing potential customers to your website every single day.

4. They Provide Measurable Results

With paid advertising, you’re not guessing what’s working. Every ad campaign comes with detailed insights—click-through rates, conversions, return on investment—so you can see exactly what’s bringing in results and adjust accordingly.

How to Get Started with Ads (Without Wasting Money)

If you’re new to paid advertising, the key is to start strategically and avoid common pitfalls. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

Step 1: Set Clear Goals

Before running ads, ask yourself:

Do I want more website traffic?

Do I need to generate leads?

Am I looking to increase direct sales?

You can have the most beautifully designed ad, the perfect copy, and an irresistible offer, but if it’s not reaching the right people, it won’t convert. That’s the hard truth about running ads.

When I first started running Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest ads, I made the mistake so many business owners make—I cast my net too wide. I thought that if I reached more people, I’d get more sales. But what actually happened? I wasted money on people who weren’t interested, and my ad spend wasn’t giving me the return I wanted.

That’s when I learned the power of targeting the right audience. Once I dialed in my targeting strategy, everything changed. My ad costs dropped, my conversions skyrocketed, and I wasn’t just getting sales—I was getting sales from the exact people I wanted to attract.

So, let’s dive into how you can target the right audience on ads across Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to make sure your money is working for you, not against you.

How to Target the Right Audience on Ads

The key to successful ad targeting is understanding who your ideal customer is and how to put your ad in front of them. Here’s how to do it, step by step:

Step 1: Define Your Ideal Audience

Before you even open up Ads Manager, take a step back and think about your dream client or customer. Ask yourself:

→ Who is my product/service for?
→ What problem does it solve for them?
→ Where do they spend their time online?
→ What are their interests, habits, and pain points?
→ What type of content are they engaging with?

Knowing the answers to these questions will help you target your ads with intention instead of just guessing.

Step 2: Use Audience Targeting on Facebook & Instagram

Facebook and Instagram offer some of the most powerful audience targeting tools. Here’s how to use them:

If you’ve ever felt exhausted trying to keep up with social media trends just to stay visible, let me introduce you to one of the BEST platform for passive sales: Pinterest. Unlike Instagram, where your posts disappear into the void within a day (or even hours), Pinterest works differently.

It’s not a social platform like most everything thinks—it’s a search engine. That means the content you post today has the power to bring in sales weeks, months, even years down the line.

And that, my friend, is the kind of marketing I can get behind.

How Pinterest Works Differently From Social Media

Most social media platforms are designed to keep people engaged on the platform itself—endless scrolling, short-lived posts, and constantly shifting algorithms. Pinterest, on the other hand, is designed to send people off the platform to find what they’re looking for.

Think of it like this:

Instagram = Content disappears fast. You have to keep posting to stay relevant.

Pinterest = Content builds over time. One pin can send traffic to your site for years.

Why Pinterest Is Perfect for Passive Sales

Here’s the magic of Pinterest—it connects buyers to your business at the exact moment they’re looking for a solution.

Think about how people use Pinterest. They’re searching for inspiration, ideas, and things to buy. Whether it’s a Lightroom preset, an online course, or a physical product, they’re already in the mindset to take action.

This is why Pinterest drives some of the highest-converting traffic compared to other platforms. People aren’t just scrolling mindlessly; they’re searching with intent—and when your product pops up as the solution? That’s when the magic happens.

How I Use Pinterest to Make Passive Sales

Step 1: Optimize Your Website for Pinterest Traffic

Before you even start pinning, make sure your website is ready to convert visitors into customers.

Create clear landing pages for your products, services, or freebies.

Have an email opt-in to capture leads from Pinterest traffic.

Use strong CTAs (calls to action) that guide visitors toward making a purchase.

Step 2: Create Pins That Drive Clicks

Pinterest is a visual platform, so your pin

If you had told me years ago that SEO would become one of my favorite parts of my marketing strategy, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Like so many entrepreneurs, I thought social media was the way to grow. I spent hours creating content, chasing trends, and trying to keep up with ever-changing algorithms—all in the hopes that my next post would reach the right people.

But then I started paying attention to something different: search engines. I realized that while social media posts disappear within hours or days, a well-written blog post, optimized for SEO, could bring me consistent traffic for years.

Now? Thousands of people find my business every single month—without me having to post on social media every day. And I’m going to show you exactly how you can do the same.

Why SEO Works (Even If You Don’t Have a Big Audience)

One of the biggest myths I believed early on was that I needed a huge following to make an impact. But the truth is, SEO works for everyone, no matter the size of your audience. Why? Because when people search for something on Google or Pinterest, they’re already interested in that topic.

They’re looking for solutions—which means they’re way more likely to become your next customer.

Here’s the beauty of SEO:

It’s not about being popular—it’s about being searchable.

It works 24/7, even when you’re not online.

You create content once, and it keeps bringing in leads for months (or even years).

Unlike social media, where your content disappears into the void, SEO helps people find you exactly when they need you.

How I Use SEO to Attract Thousands of Visitors Every Month

I didn’t wake up one day magically ranking on Google. I had to be intentional about my strategy. Here’s exactly what I did to make SEO work for me—and what you can do too.

Step 1: Create Content That Solves a Problem

Think about your ideal client or customer. What are they struggling with? What questions are they asking? What solutions are they looking for?

Before I write anything, I always start by brainstorming content ideas that directly help my audience. Some of my best-performing articles are based on real questions I’ve been asked over and over again.

💡 Action step: Make a list of 10–15 common questions or problems your audience has. These will become the foundation of your SEO strategy.

Prompt Text: You deserve to feel confident about [specific area your service improves]. With [your service], you’ll gain [specific benefit] and the tools to keep moving forward. Let’s make confidence your new superpower!

Copywriting Formula: Empowerment

Confidence changes everything. When your audience believes in themselves and the transformation you offer, they take action. The Empowerment formula works by shifting the focus from the problem to the possibility, making it clear that change isn’t just an option—it’s within reach.

This formula works because:

It builds trust by affirming that your audience is capable of change.

It removes doubt by showing them exactly how your service supports their growth.

It inspires action by making confidence feel achievable, not overwhelming.

By speaking directly to their potential and positioning your service as the catalyst for their confidence, you’re not just offering a solution—you’re helping them step into a better version of themselves.

Wordsmith Instructions

Write a [blog, social media,newsletter] post that shows how my service helps clients build confidence in a specific area of their life or business. Use encouraging language and include a CTA that invites readers to take the first step.

New to Wordsmith? Here’s the deal—Wordsmith helps you take content prompts like this one and turn them into polished, on-brand content in seconds. Whether you need a blog post, a newsletter, or social media captions, Wordsmith does the heavy lifting so you can focus on running your business. Over 11,000 business owners have signed up to try it and I hope you’ll give it a try too!

How to Use This Prompt

Here’s how to bring the “Step into Confidence” prompt to life:

Identify the transformation. What specific area do your clients struggle with, and how does your service help?

Show them what’s possible. Paint a picture of what life looks like after working with you.

Make it feel real. Use storytelling, testimonials, or personal experience to connect with your audience.

Invite them to take the leap. End with an empowering CTA that encourages them to take action.

Information Needed About Your Business

To make this prompt powerful, focus on these key details:

What area do your clients lack confidence in?

What specific benefit does your service provide to help them grow?

How does this transformation impact their business or life?

What’s the first step they should take to get started?

When you clarify these points, your audience will see themselves in your content and feel ready to step into confidence with you.

Example Post Using This Prompt

Imagine showing up for your business feeling completely confident in what to say, how to say it, and knowing your message truly resonates and drives results.

That’s the kind of transformation we’re talking about.

If you’ve been searching for the perfect email marketing platform, chances are you’ve come across Flodesk. With its visually stunning email templates, intuitive design, and promise of a flat-rate pricing model, it’s easy to see why so many female entrepreneurs are making the switch. But is Flodesk really worth the investment? And how does it compare to other platforms, especially as your email list grows?

Let’s break down Flodesk’s pricing, what you get for your money, and whether it’s the right long-term choice for your business.

Flodesk’s Pricing Structure: A Flat Fee That Stands Out

One of the biggest selling points of Flodesk is its flat-rate pricing model. Unlike other email marketing platforms that charge based on the number of subscribers you have, Flodesk keeps it simple:

$38 per month (or $35 per month when paid annually at $420/year)

No price increases based on subscriber count

Unlimited emails and workflows

No additional charges for automation

I used to spend hours fighting with other email platforms just to get my emails looking halfway decent. I spent more time trying to set everything up and sending simple emails than actually growing my email list. Since switching to Flodesk, growing my list feels effortless and automated. With Flodesk, I can whip up a beautiful email in minutes. It’s the kind of tool that makes running your business fun instead of frustrating.

What You Get for the Price

→ Unlimited Subscribers – Whether you have 500 or 50,000 subscribers, you pay the same. (Spoiler: most platforms charge way more once you pass 10k subscribers.)

→ Drop-Dead Gorgeous Emails – Seriously, Flodesk makes your emails look so professional without needing a designer. And if you need some premade design with copy then I got you covered with these Flodesk Templates.

→ Simple, Effective Automation – Welcome sequences, sales funnels, launch emails—it’s all drag-and-drop easy.

→ No Tech Headaches – You don’t need to know HTML or coding. It’s all super intuitive.

→ Fully Branded Designs – Upload your own fonts, colors, and logos to make your emails 100% you.

I used to spend hours fighting with other email platforms just to get my emails looking halfway decent. With Flodesk, I can whip up a beautiful em

How Flodesk Compares to Other Platforms

If you’re thinking, “Okay, but is Flodesk really the best deal?”—let’s compare. Here’s what it costs to have a 50,000-person email list on some of the big-name platforms:

If you think the pros are doing it all alone… think again. Let’s talk about a little secret that no one tells you when you’re starting out: the most successful entrepreneurs are not writing every single caption, blog post, or email themselves. They’re not spending hours each day brainstorming content ideas, crafting perfect headlines, or staring at a blinking cursor, wondering what to post next.

Nope. They’ve built systems, assembled teams, and invested in the best tools that help them show up consistently, without the overwhelm. Their marketing looks effortless because, behind the scenes, they’ve structured it that way.

And that’s exactly what we’re diving into today—how the professionals actually do it, why you don’t need to be burning yourself out trying to keep up, and how you can create content like them (without hiring a full team).

The Illusion of Effortless Marketing

From the outside looking in, it’s easy to assume that some people have it all figured out. Their social media posts are perfectly polished, their newsletters arrive like clockwork, and their blog is full of valuable insights. They must have some kind of superhuman ability to create content so seamlessly, right?

Not exactly.

The truth? Their effortless marketing isn’t effortless at all—it’s strategic. The reason they show up so consistently is because they have systems that do the heavy lifting for them. They batch content. They use tools. They’ve got workflows in place to make sure their brand stays visible, even when they’re not actively working on content creation.

Meanwhile, so many entrepreneurs feel like they’re failing because they can’t keep up. They sit down to post on Instagram and feel like they’re starting from scratch every single time. They want to send emails consistently but don’t know what to write. They wish they had a clear strategy, but instead, they’re scrambling just to stay relevant.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And I promise you don’t have to keep doing it this way.

What If You Had That Same Support?

What if instead of feeling stuck in the cycle of “What should I post today?”—you had a system in place that made creating content easy?

That’s where Wordsmith comes in. Think of it as your behind-the-scenes content strategist, AI-powered writing assistant, and creative sidekick all rolled into one. It’s built for business owners like you—people who want to show up consistently, powerfully, and authentically without spending hours every week stressing over content.

I used to believe that if I just followed the latest trends, my marketing would magically fall into place. That if I jumped on the latest viral sounds, participated in every trending challenge, and crafted my content to match what the algorithm wanted, I’d finally see the results I was chasing. But after years of playing that game—posting, adjusting, and constantly feeling behind—I realized something big:

Trends come and go. But your brand? It deserves a strategy that feels timeless.

Before I took a whole year off from social media, marketing felt like a never-ending to-do list. There was always something new to keep up with. A new format. A new platform. A new strategy that someone swore was the “game-changer.”

But when I stepped away, something beautiful happened—I realized that my business was going to be just fine without it.

That realization changed everything.

Why Chasing Trends Isn’t a Marketing Strategy

When I look back on my time before stepping away from social media, I see just how much I was creating for the platform instead of creating for my business. I wasn’t focusing on what actually worked for me—I was focusing on what was working for everyone else.

And that’s where so many entrepreneurs get stuck.

Trends give the illusion that if we just hop on board at the right time, our business will explode. But here’s the truth: chasing trends is like running on a treadmill—you’re constantly moving, but you’re not actually getting anywhere. Sure, you might get a quick spike in engagement, but what happens when that trend fades? You’re left scrambling to find the next big thing, repeating the cycle over and over again.

The biggest shift happened when I stopped looking at trends as a strategy and started looking at them as tools—things I could use occasionally, but not things I needed to depend on for success. And when I made that change, I found myself creating content that actually felt good, content that didn’t feel forced or rushed, but instead felt aligned with the vision I had for my business.

Running ads can feel a little like gambling. You set a budget, launch a campaign, cross your fingers, and hope something good comes out of it. And when the results don’t come? That sinking feeling starts to creep in.

Where is my money going?
Why isn’t this working?
Should I just give up on ads altogether?

I get it because I’ve been there. I’ve run ads that flopped, watched my budget disappear into thin air, and spent way too much time trying to figure out where I went wrong. But once I cracked the code on what actually makes ads work, everything changed. My ads started converting, my budget stretched further, and I built a sales funnel that generated over $600K for just one of my products.

The truth is, ads can be wildly profitable—but only when you know what you’re doing. So today, I’m breaking down the three most costly ad mistakes entrepreneurs make—and exactly how to fix them.

Mistake #1: Running Ads Without a Clear Strategy

Too many business owners throw money at ads without a plan. They boost a post or run a campaign without thinking about why they’re doing it or what they want to achieve. But ads aren’t magic—you can’t just put money in and expect sales to roll out the other side.

What Happens When You Don’t Have a Strategy?

You waste money on ads that don’t convert.

You get random traffic that doesn’t actually buy.

You feel frustrated and convinced that ads “don’t work.”

The problem isn’t the ads themselves—it’s the lack of a clear strategy behind them. Ads should fit into a bigger marketing funnel that guides people from discovery to purchase.

What to Do Instead:

Define Your Goal – Before running an ad, ask yourself: What is the ONE thing I want this ad to accomplish? Are you trying to grow your email list? Sell a product? Get more traffic? Your ad should have a single, clear objective.

Know Your Customer Journey – Your ad should lead somewhere—whether it’s a high-converting landing page, an irresistible freebie, or a sales page designed to convert. A cold audience rarely buys immediately, so think about how your ad fits into their journey with your brand.

Use Targeting to Reach the Right People – The key to successful ads isn’t just getting in front of more people—it’s getting in front of the right people. Use interest-based and behavior-based targeting to reach those who are most likely to buy from you.

For years, I believed that the only way to grow my business was through working longer hours, posting more content, showing up every single day, hoping that organic marketing alone would bring in enough leads and sales. I thought if I just worked harder, the results would come.

And while organic marketing absolutely has its place, it wasn’t until I ran my first ad that I realized something that changed everything: I didn’t have to work more to grow. I just had to work smarter.

I went from feeling like I constantly had to grind for every single sale to seeing my business scale in a way that felt… dare I say, effortless? That’s when I knew: ads were the missing piece.

And I’ll never go back.

How Running Ads Changed Everything for Me

I’ll never forget the moment I launched my first paid ad. I had poured so much time into growing my business organically, yet it still felt like I was stuck in a cycle of needing to work around the clock. When I stopped working, the sales stopped coming.

I figured I had nothing to lose, so I took the leap. I started with a small budget, testing out just $5 a day. And then something wild happened—

For every dollar I spent, I was making three dollars back.

I watched as people who had never heard of me before started clicking, signing up, and buying. I could see exactly what I was spending and exactly what I was earning in return. For the first time, I wasn’t just hoping my marketing efforts would work—I had actual numbers to prove it.

I wasn’t just throwing content into the void and waiting for engagement. I was actively bringing in leads and customers on autopilot.

That one ad completely shifted how I looked at my business. It’s been over 10 years now, and I’m still running ads today.

Content Prompt: “Working with [your business] isn’t just about [surface-level benefit]—it’s about gaining [unexpected benefit or transformation]. If you’re ready for results that go deeper, let’s get started today!”

Copywriting Formula: Unexpected Benefits

Sometimes, the biggest game-changers are the ones we didn’t see coming. That’s why this formula works so well—it shifts the focus from the expected to the extraordinary. Instead of just talking about the obvious perks of working with you, this formula helps uncover the deeper, more meaningful transformations your clients experience.

Here’s how it works:

Start with the expected. Identify a common, surface-level benefit that people associate with your service.

Reveal the deeper transformation. Share the unexpected ways your service changes lives—things clients didn’t even realize they needed.

Make it emotional. Connection is key, so dig into how these benefits feel and why they matter.

Call to action. Invite your audience to experience these transformations for themselves.

Why it works: People expect results, but when they discover that your service changes more than just the obvious, that’s when the magic happens. It builds trust, deepens connections, and turns customers into lifelong fans.

Wordsmith Instructions

Write a blog post that highlights the unexpected benefits of working with me. Share examples of how clients’ lives or businesses have transformed beyond what they anticipated, and end with a CTA encouraging action.

How to Use This Prompt

Here’s how to bring the “What You’ll Gain” prompt to life:

Start with the obvious. What’s a basic, expected benefit that people assume they’ll get from working with you?

Dig deeper. What’s an unexpected way your service truly transforms their business or life?

Make it personal. Share real examples, emotions, and client experiences to drive home the impact.

Wrap it up with an invitation. Encourage them to step into this transformation by working with you.