Let’s talk about something that’s been quietly revolutionizing the way I work behind the scenes—AI. Now before you start picturing some robot sitting at a desk doing all my marketing for me—let me stop you right there. This isn’t about replacing the heart of your business or handing over everything to technology. It’s about working a little bit smarter. About giving yourself the gift of help in a world where we’re all trying to wear a dozen hats at once.

The other day, I posted a quick poll on Instagram asking who’s using AI—even in small, simple ways. 51% of my audience said they use it. The other 49%? They slid into my DMs with the same question: “Okay, but how?!”

If you’ve been feeling the same—curious about AI, wondering how it actually fits into your business without feeling robotic or overwhelming—this post is for you.

I’m going to walk you through exactly how I use it in my own work, why I created Wordsmith to help other business owners do the same, and where I’d start if I were brand new and just getting my feet wet.

I’m a Writer at Heart… But Not Always a Perfect One

Let me be honest with you—I’ve always loved writing.

There’s something about putting thoughts into words that feels like home to me. It’s how I make sense of the world. How I connect. How I teach and serve and show up.

But grammar?
Perfect sentence structure?
Avoiding run-on thoughts that sound more like a rambling voice memo?

Yeah… not so much.

I moved to America when I was 11 years old and didn’t speak a word of English. I learned the language by listening—by paying attention to the rhythm, the tone, the meaning behind the words. And while I eventually became fluent and feel like someone who’s great at communicating, I never had those early years of formal grammar lessons or spelling drills.

So now, when I sit down to write, I know what I want to say—but sometimes the mechanics don’t always come out perfectly. I write the way I talk. I pour my thoughts out quickly and with feeling. And honestly? I think that’s part of what makes my writing real and relatable.

Still, that’s also why AI has become one of my most trusted tools.

Content Prompt: When you [specific action or result from your service], it doesn’t just change [initial benefit]—it changes everything. From [related benefit] to [unexpected positive outcome], the ripple effect is real. Let’s start creating yours today.

Copywriting Formula: Cause and Effect

This week’s content prompt taps into one of the most powerful parts of storytelling: cause and effect.

It’s easy to talk about what your service does on the surface—but what happens after that initial transformation? What shifts? What doors open? What positive chain reaction begins?

When you help your audience understand the full scope of what’s possible, they don’t just want your service—they feel the value.

Why It Works:

Sometimes the big, life-changing moments start with small steps. But your audience might not always see how those small wins lead to bigger transformations. This formula paints the whole picture.

It connects the dots between what your service does today and how it impacts everything else tomorrow—business growth, confidence, peace of mind, freedom, energy… all the things your audience actually wants.

And when they start to see that domino effect? They’re all in.

You ever have one of those days where you open Instagram and instantly feel… tired? You scroll for a few seconds, see someone’s highlight reel, remember you haven’t posted in days (or weeks), and immediately feel that weight. That ugh, I should really post something kind of guilt that seeps in before you even finish your coffee.

If you’re anything like me (and so many other women I talk to), you’ve probably found yourself thinking, Do I really have to keep showing up here? Can I just… stop?

Lately, I’ve been having a lot of conversations with fellow business owners—smart, talented, creative women—who are all quietly wrestling with the same question:

“What if I just stopped posting Instagram?”

Let’s talk about that.

Are You Burned Out… or Just Ready for a New Way?

First, let’s name it: you’re not lazy, flaky, or uncommitted to your business if Instagram feels heavy right now. You’re probably just burned out by the constant pressure to be “on” all the time.
You know what I mean:

Trying to keep up with trends that change every five minutes

Wondering if your caption was too long, too short, too real, not real enough

Watching your views tank and wondering if it’s you or the algorithm

Feeling like you have to share every personal moment or “pivot” just to stay relevant

It’s exhausting.

But what if this feeling isn’t a sign that you’re failing?
What if it’s actually an invitation to do things differently?

I Stepped Back—And Found Something Better

A while ago, I decided to take a break. Not just a “detox” where I swore I’d be back in a week (spoiler: I usually was), but an actual year long pause to re-evaluate what purposeful content really looked like for me.

What I found wasn’t just more white space or less stress—it was clarity.

I realized I didn’t want to chase every trending audio or force a reel just to stay visible.
I wanted to create content that mattered.
Content that would last longer than 24 hours and didn’t rely on a perfect photo or a catchy hook.

That’s when I c

I can still remember the feeling—packing up my gear on a Friday night, knowing I’d be spending yet another weekend photographing other families while missing time with my own.

At the time, I was fully booked with motherhood sessions—those beautiful, emotional, joy-filled shoots with mamas and their babies. While I genuinely loved capturing those sweet connections and helping other mothers freeze time in such a fleeting season, there was always a quiet ache in my chest.

Because while I was giving my clients memories they’d cherish forever, I was missing out on my own.

I wasn’t there for lazy Saturday mornings in pajamas, or spontaneous afternoon walks with my kids. I was spending weekends creating for others, while watching my own time with my family slip by in the margins.

And what made it harder? I knew that if I stopped shooting—even for a weekend—I wasn’t just pressing pause on work. I was pausing my entire income.

That was the moment it clicked: I needed to build a business that could run with me and for me—even when I wasn’t actively working.

The Limitations of Service-Based Business (Even the Ones You Love)

Service-based businesses can be beautiful. They’re often built on heart and hard work. They let us share our gifts in deeply personal ways. But there’s an unspoken truth that not enough of us talk about: they have a cap. A limit.

There are only so many hours in a day. And as one person, there’s only so much you can do. Your energy becomes the currency. And over time, that becomes exhausting.

I reached a point where I realized I didn’t want to hustle for every dollar anymore. I didn’t want to build a business that only paid me when I showed up. I wanted freedom. I wanted flexibility. I wanted to make income even on the days I was fully in mom mode, snuggling my kids on the couch.

My First Step Into Passive Income (It Wasn’t Fancy)

It started small—almost by accident. I began sharing my editing tools with other photographers. I packaged up my presets (you know, those dreamy film-inspired edits that I love) and offered them as digital downloads.

And then something amazing happened.

Sales started coming in while I was sleeping. Or while I was at the park with my kids. Or while I was working with a client on something completely unrelated.

That shift was the beginning of something much bigger. It was proof that I could build something once—and have it continue to work for me long after I hit publish.

From One Product to Multiple Streams

After that first taste of passive income, I was hooked—but not in the “let’s build an empire” kind of way. It was more about curiosity. I started asking:
What else can I create that helps others, solves a problem, and doesn’t require me to be tied to my laptop 24/7?

I know what it feels like to pour your heart into your business—sleeves rolled up, coffee in hand, dreaming big—but still wondering how you’re supposed to actually get eyes on your product or service. There are a million strategies out there. Everyone has their “secret formula.” And with so many voices telling you to do this or try that, it’s easy to feel like you’re spinning your wheels.

I’ve been there.

And that’s exactly why I want to talk to you about one platform that completely changed how I market my business—and brought in real results without eating up my entire week or sanity.

Yes, I’m talking about Pinterest ads.

And before you write them off as just pretty pictures or a DIY haven (though we do love a good farmhouse table makeover), let me tell you: Pinterest ads are one of the best-kept secrets in digital marketing.

Let’s unpack it.

So… Are Pinterest Ads Worth It?

Short answer: YES.
Long answer: Still yes, but let me show you why.

Unlike Facebook or Instagram—where your ad is trying to interrupt someone’s scroll—Pinterest is where people go when they’re actively searching for ideas, inspiration, or solutions. They’re already in decision-making mode. So instead of fighting for attention, your ad can show up exactly when someone is looking for what you offer.

It’s like having a storefront on Main Street and placing your best-selling product right in the window display—right when the perfect customer walks by.

Why Pinterest Ads Work (Even If You’re Brand New)

What makes Pinterest ads so powerful is how they act more like a search engine than a social feed.

Think about it: People come to Pinterest to plan weddings, design living rooms, start businesses, and yes—shop. They’re already dreaming, already visualizing, already saving ideas for what they want. That means when your ad pops up in a relevant search, you’re meeting your ideal client mid-dream. (Which, let’s be honest, is the best time to show up.)

You don’t need a massive following.
You don’t need to be an influencer.
You just need to have something helpful, beautiful, or inspiring—and a clear idea of who it’s for.

When I launched my content platform, Wordsmith, I wanted to do something different. I didn’t want to rely on reels or TikToks or fight an algorithm that changed every five seconds. I wanted a sustainable way to reach the right people—women like you who are growing businesses and need tools that actually help.

So, I ran Pinterest ads.
And friend, they worked.

Real Talk: The Results I’ve Seen

Let’s talk numbers for a second. I’ve used Pinterest ads to help scale one of my businesses (Wordsmith) to over $600,000 in revenue—without spending hours online every day.

The ROI from Pinterest ads has consistently outperformed other platforms for me, and the best part? The pins continue to work for you long after the ad ends. That’s evergreen visibility.

There’s something beautiful about sitting down and writing a blog post. Not for likes. Not for the algorithm. But because you actually have something to say. Something you’ve learned. Something that could help someone else.

That’s how I’ve always approached blogging.

Over the years, I’ve come to realize just how much I enjoy writing long-form content. Unlike social media, where I always struggle to keep it short and snappy, long-form content gives me space. Space to think, to explain, to reflect. To share the lessons I’ve learned in building and running a passion-led business—and the ones I’ve learned the hard way.

Pair that with my love for sharing what’s worked (or totally failed) in my own journey, and blogging became my favorite way to show up online. The kind of marketing that feels like storytelling. The kind that lets me connect with the right people for all the right reasons.

But I get it—there’s a lot of noise out there these days.

“Is blogging dead?”

I’ve heard that question more times than I can count. And here’s the truth: it depends on how you define blogging.

If you’re thinking of blogging as writing a post, sharing a few photos, and hoping someone stumbles across it… yeah, that kind of blogging might be on its way out.

But if you’re creating blog content that speaks directly to your ideal client? That answers their questions? That shows them you get what they’re going through and have a solution that can help?

Then blogging is alive and thriving. I think it will continue that way for a long time.

The Power of Evergreen Content

What I love about blogging is that it keeps working long after you hit publish.

A post I wrote 10 years ago still brings in traffic today. A blog that answers a specific question can rank in search results for years. And if you’re someone who wants to build a brand that lasts, blogging is one of the smartest marketing tools you have.

Unlike social media posts that disappear in 24 hours or get buried in the scroll, blogs stick around. They become part of your business’s foundation. They’re searchable. They’re shareable. And they’re yours.

The Rise of AI (and Why Blogging Still Matters More Than Ever)

Here’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately:

With AI tools becoming more integrated into how people search for and discover information, your blog content matters more than ever.

Why?

Let’s talk about Pinterest ads—the not-so-secret weapon I’ve used to quietly and consistently scale my business without relying on algorithms or going viral. I know paid ads can feel a little intimidating (or a lot), especially if you’ve never dipped your toes into that world before. I used to feel the same way. Ads felt like something reserved for “big” businesses with teams and fancy strategies… until I realized Pinterest was playing by completely different rules.

If you’re new to Pinterest ads—or maybe you’ve heard a whisper about them and want to see what the buzz is really about—this post is for you. I’m going to walk you through exactly how Pinterest ads work, why they’re different from social media ads, and how they could be the sustainable traffic-driving, sales-generating strategy you’ve been looking for.

Let’s dive in.

What Makes Pinterest Ads So Different?

Here’s the thing most people don’t realize: Pinterest isn’t a social media platform—it’s a search engine.

Let that sink in for a second.

While Instagram and Facebook are built for interaction and connection, Pinterest is built for discovery. People come to Pinterest not to scroll for entertainment, but to find things.

To plan. To dream. To search for inspiration or a solution.

And that mindset changes everything when it comes to advertising.

Think of it like this: Pinterest is where people go with intention.

They’re already searching for ideas—recipes, outfit inspiration, home design, content strategies, wedding decor, business tips… and yes, even the exact products and services you offer.

So when your ad shows up on Pinterest, it doesn’t interrupt someone’s day like an Instagram ad might. Instead, it joins the journey they’re already on. It becomes part of their vision board. And that’s powerful.

So… How Do Pinterest Ads Actually Work?

Let’s break it down in the simplest way possible.

When you run a Pinterest ad, you’re essentially paying for your pin (a visual post) to show up in front of people who are searching for content like yours. Here’s what that process looks like:

1. Create a Pin (Ad Image or Video)

This is the creative part! You’ll upload an image or video—ideally something that’s scroll-stopping, helpful, and aligned with your brand. You can add a short headline and a link to your website, product, service, or blog post.

2. Choose Your Audience (AKA Targeting)

Here’s where the magic happens. Pinterest allows you to target based on keywords—the search terms your dream customer is typing in. This is what sets it apart from most social platforms. You can also target people who have:

Interacted with your website

Engaged with your pins

Or fit certain interests, locations, or demographics

You’re putting your content exactly where people are looki

For the last several years, I’ve had the incredible privilege of helping over 12,000 passionate business owners with their content—whether through one-on-one client work or through Wordsmith, the platform I built from the ground up to help entrepreneurs like you show up and share what they do in a way that actually connects.

And here’s the truth: you can learn a lot when you’ve been behind the curtain that many times.

Whether it’s writing a single Instagram post or mapping out a full-blown yearly strategy, you start to see patterns. You start to see what works and what doesn’t. You start to see the difference between content that fills space and content that moves people.

You also start to see where entrepreneurs get stuck—and friend, it’s usually not because they don’t care enough. It’s usually because they’re wearing too many hats and trying to juggle everything on their own.

So today, I want to share a few lessons I’ve learned from writing content for hundreds (okay, thousands) of businesses—big and small, scrappy and seasoned, across nearly every industry you can imagine.

And more importantly, I want to tell you how all of that wisdom has been poured into Wordsmith—so that you can finally create content like a pro, even if you’re doing it all yourself.

Lesson #1: Great Content Isn’t Just Pretty Words

You’d be surprised how many people think great content means perfect grammar, the right buzzwords, or some clever hook.

But the best-performing content I’ve ever written? It’s not the one that sounds the fanciest. It’s the one that sounds like you.

Real connection comes from storytelling. From owning your voice and speaking directly to the person you want to help.

When I’m writing content—whether it’s for one of my premium clients (those are my full-service, high-touch marketing strategy clients)—or whether I’m crafting content for Wordsmith, I’m not trying to write like a copywriting robot.

I’m writing like a real person who understands the brand, the voice, the mission, and the heart behind it.

Because that’s what converts. Not the flash, but the feeling.

Lesson #2: The Most Ignored Content Is Often the Most Important

Want to know what type of content gets skipped the most?

It’s not the reels or the captions or the carousels. It’s the emails. The blog posts. The long-form content that feels like “too much work.”

But that’s also the content that does the heavy lifting in the long run.

Blog posts bring in organic traffic. Newsletters build real relationships. Strategic content that lives beyond 24 hours? That’s the stuff that creates sustainability.

Content Prompt: I know how it feels to [insert common objection or hesitation your audience has]. I’ve felt the same way before. But what I found is that when I [what you did or changed], everything started to shift. That’s exactly why I created [your service] – so you don’t have to stay stuck.

Copywriting Formula: Feel-Felt-Found

This week, we’re using a classic yet super effective formula: Feel-Felt-Found.

It goes like this:

Feel: Empathize with what your audience is experiencing

Felt: Share a personal story or experience that mirrors theirs

Found: Show what changed, and how your service played a role

This is the formula for overcoming objections in a way that feels natural, personal, and totally relatable.

Why It Works:

Let’s be honest—trying something new can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s investing your time, your money, or your energy, there’s always that little voice asking, “But what if this doesn’t work for me?”

I’ve been there. That uncertainty? It’s real. And chances are, your audience has felt it too.

That’s why I love the Feel-Felt-Found formula. It doesn’t try to sell or convince—it connects. It gives you the space to say, “Hey, I see you. I’ve stood where you’re standing. And here’s what happened when I took the leap.”

It helps your audience feel seen and supported, and that shift—from doubt to trust—is where the real magic happens. Because once someone feels understood, they’re so much more open to the solution you offer.

Wordsmith Instructions:

Use this week’s content prompt to connect with your audience on a deeper level. Share a hesitation you’ve had (or one you hear from clients all the time), explain how you’ve felt the same way, and show what changed.

Using Wordsmith? Drop this prompt and a few details about your business into Wordsmith. We’ll generate a blog post, newsletter, and social captions that sound like you and speak directly to your ideal audience.

How to Use This Prompt:

Start with a common fear, frustration, or hesitation your audience has

Share a real, personal moment where you felt the same

Show what shifted when you tried something new (aka, your service!)

Wrap it up with a CTA that says, “You don’t have to stay stuck”

Content Prompt: I wish more people knew that [insert lesson or truth about your industry]. After working with [clients/customers], I’ve learned that this one thing changes everything. Let me walk you through it—because this might be the shift you’ve been needing.

Copywriting Formula: Story + Teaching Moment

This formula blends personal storytelling with powerful takeaways. It lets you share something meaningful you’ve learned from your work, offer a new perspective, and gently guide your audience toward the next step.

It’s less about pushing a product, and more about pulling back the curtain on your expertise—in a way that feels human, helpful, and rooted in real experience.

Why It Works:

People love a good story—especially when it teaches them something new. This formula helps you connect the dots between what you’ve learned and what your audience needs to hear. It builds trust, adds value, and positions you as someone who knows their stuff and genuinely cares.

Sharing a lesson with a “this changed everything for me (and it can for you too)” energy makes your content both educational and deeply relatable.

Wordsmith Instructions:

Write a [Social media, newsletter, blog post] that shares something you wish more people understood about your work, your industry, or the transformation your clients experience. Start with a real story or example, add a helpful insight, and wrap it up with a CTA that encourages your audience to take the next step.

First time using Wordsmith? You’re in for something good. Wordsmith takes your message and turns it into content that sounds just like you (without you having to spend hours writing it yourself). Just drop in this prompt, share some details about your business, and let Wordsmith do its thing—helping you create content that feels true to your voice and super clear for your audience.

How to Use This Prompt:

Start with a story or reflection. What’s something you wish people understood before working with you?

Teach the lesson. What truth or insight has come from your real-life experience?

Relate it back to your offer. How does this insight connect to what you do?

Invite action. End with a call to take the next step (whether that’s booking, buying, or just learning more).

Information Needed About Your Business:

To use this prompt well, think about:

What’s a belief or mindset your audience might be stuck in?

What do you wish they understood before working with you?

How has your own experience shaped this insight?

How does your service or offer provide a better way?

This prompt works best when it comes from the heart. Let it be honest, helpful, and rooted in real-life moments your audience can see themselves in.

Example Post Using This Prompt:

I wish more people knew this before creating content: You don’t need to reinvent the wheel every time you show up online.

So many business owners believe they have to be wildly original or start from scratch every time they write a post. But after years of writing for my business (and hundreds of clients), I’ve learned that consistency and clarity matter way more than constant reinvention.

That’s why I created Wordsmith. To give you a foundation—a starting point—a weekly content prompt that helps you know exactly what to say, and why it works.

Every prompt comes with guidance, strategy, and the tools to make it work for your business. You can write it yourself, or let Wordsmith build it out for you—from social posts to newsletters to full-blown blog content.

When content stops feeling so hard, you

Let’s have a heart-to-heart. Because if you’ve been feeling like your launch flopped, your offer fell flat, or your Instagram posts just aren’t hitting like they used to… it might not be your strategy.

It might be your words.

That message that lives in your head and your heart? It might be getting lost somewhere between intention and execution. And here’s the thing most people won’t tell you:

Most marketing problems are actually messaging problems.

You could have the most beautiful website, the most value-packed offer, the best pricing in the world—but if the words on the page don’t make someone feel something, they’re going to scroll right past.

The Real Reason Your Message Isn’t Landing

You’re not alone in this. I see it all the time. Business owners pouring their heart into their businesses and then wondering why it feels like no one’s listening.

The truth is, it’s not that people don’t care—they just don’t know why they should care yet. And that clarity? It comes from your words.

You don’t need to overhaul your business. You don’t need to build a new funnel or spend hours reworking your website.

You just need to say what you’re already doing in a way that connects.

A Simple Copy Trick: Clarity Over Cleverness

Let me share one of my favorite copywriting reminders: Clarity beats cleverness every single time.

You don’t need the catchiest tagline or the most creative caption. What you need are words that speak directly to the person you want to reach. Words that feel like a mirror, reflecting their thoughts back to them.

Ask yourself: Is what you’re saying actually clear? Could a stranger read your homepage, your Instagram bio, your service descriptions and instantly know what you do, who you help, and why it matters?

Because clarity? It creates connection. And connection? It creates conversions.

So How Do You Find the Right Words?

This is the part where I get to tell you about something that’s changed everything for me and the many passionate business owners I serve.

Wordsmith is the tool I created because I knew the missing piece wasn’t hard work. It wasn’t strategy. It was support in saying the things we already know in a way that resonates.

Wordsmith helps you:

Craft clear, powerful messaging that feels aligned

Show up consistently without spending hours writing

Create social posts, newsletters, blogs, and more—with ease

Customize your writing style so everything sounds like you

It’s a copywriting tool that feels like your favorite creative co-worker—you know, the one who just gets you and helps you put your vision into words.

Whether you’re writing a sales page, a launch email, or a caption that makes people stop and say “Wow, that’s me”—Wordsmith is here to help.

Better Words = Bigger Impact

If you’ve ever sat at your desk feeling frustrated because you KNOW what you offer is good—but it’s just not selling—I want you to know you’re not failing.

You’re not bad at marketing. You’re just one powerful sentence away from the clarity that clicks.

Wordsmith is here to give you the prompts, the support, the starting points that make writing feel doable again. And the best part? You can try it free. No pressure. Just a week to explore and feel the difference that better words make.

Because Your Voice Deserves to Be Heard

You don’t need to reinvent your business. You just need to say what you already know in a way that lands.

Let Wordsmith help you do that. Because when your words match your heart, everything changes.

You’re already amazing at what you do. Let’s make sure your audience knows it, too.

It’s Monday morning. You sit down with your coffee, open your laptop, and realize you have no clue what to post this week. You scroll Instagram for inspiration, peek at what other people are doing, and before you know it, your time is gone—and you still haven’t posted.

Sound familiar?

Friend, it doesn’t have to be this way.

One of the most powerful shifts I ever made in my business was learning how to batch my content—and not just a few days at a time. I’m talking about building an entire month’s worth of content in just one afternoon.

Let me show you exactly how I do it. (You can apply this strategy to anything; Social media, your blog, newsletter.)

Step 1: Decide How Often You Want to Post

We’re not aiming for “post every single day or you fail.” We’re aiming for consistency you can actually stick to.

For those wanting to focus on social media, I think every other day works well.

That’s about 15 posts a month. Enough to keep your business visible and your message strong without making content your full-time job.

Step 2: Define Your Content Pillars

These are the categories your brand talks about regularly—the foundational themes that reflect what you do and who you help.

Think of them like buckets. Every piece of content you create will fall into one of these. Here are a few common examples to get your wheels turning:

Educational (Teach something your audience needs to know)

Inspirational (Share your journey, behind-the-scenes, or a mindset shift)

Connection (Ask a question, tell a story, start a conversation)

Promotional (Talk about what you sell, how to work with you, and why it matters)

Testimonial/Social Proof (Share wins, feedback, or results from clients)

Pick 4-5 that feel right for you. These will guide everything.

Step 3: Brainstorm 3 Ideas for Each Pillar

If you have five content pillars and you write down three ideas for each, guess what?

That’s 15 content ideas—your whole month planned.

Let’s break down 15 post ideas—3 for each pillar—that any business owner can adapt to fit their niche:

EDUCATIONAL

1. 3 mistakes to avoid when [doing something your audience regularly does]

2. How to [solve a challenge your ideal client faces every week]

3. One quick tip that helped me [save time / save money / get better results]

INSPIRATIONAL

4. That one time I almost gave up on [your work] and what pulled me through

5. A behind-the-scenes look at [a recent launch, tough decision, or lesson learned]

6. A story about a client who [saw real change or growth with your help]