How to Transform Instagram Followers into Newsletter Subscribers on Autopilot with a Quiz

Quizzes. We’ve all heard of them. We’ve all taken at least one. But have you ever used a quiz for your business?

The power of quizzes is no joke. Even the experts sing the praises of a good quiz for small business growth and success.

And with amazing software in these modern days, creating a quiz is almost as easy as waving a wand. Well, that plus a little bit of creativity and planning.

So get ready because I’m about to walk you through the exact steps to follow to create a quiz that will skyrocket your email list growth and Instagram engagement.

A quiz is one of the best methods to turn Instagram followers into subscribers while you sleep—and no, I’m not talking about an Instagram sticker poll.

With Instagram’s latest updates, it’s easier than ever to share a full-fledged quiz with your audience. So hop on board today, and take advantage of this quick-growth quiz strategy to boost your brand and ensure long-term progress—instead of a plummet.

Instagram, Social Media, MarketingSarah ForestMay 19, 2022small businessComment

5 Business Strategies I’m Prioritizing for Online Growth this Season

Just like life, businesses go through different seasons. Some months are jam-packed. Some have a slower pace. Some are exciting. Some are a little less interesting.

But it’s often overlooked that we actually have so much control over this.

I’ve switched some things up inside my business over the last several months to keep it fresh and to help serve me and my clients better. Plus, these changes play into my long-term goals even more.

I thought it would be fun to share this inside look on the blog, so today I’m diving into 5 strategic areas I’m prioritizing in my business this season.

I hope these ideas offer you inspiration if you’re looking to give your small business a backstage spruce too.

A few key changes can really amp up your productivity and build more strategy into how you run things as an entrepreneur. Let me show you around…

Business, Content Marketing, StrategySarah ForestMay 9, 20222022, small businessComment

Not Attracting Enough Customers or Clients? Your Blog Strategy Might be to Blame

I find the most difficult part of being a creative entrepreneur is managing the constant flow of new ideas. Everyday, I think of more and more possibilities and directions to explore for my business, and it can be quite a task to manage, analyze, and sort through them all.

The largest stream of ideas is usually for my blog content. There are so many things I want to share on my blog, but it often seems impossible to check each one off my never-ending list. Which posts should I write first? Which ones will be most strategic for my business? Which posts will be most helpful for my audience?

With a huge number of tentative posts, topics, and tips to create, it can be a bit overwhelming to figure out which blogs to write—especially while juggling other areas of business, such as client work, social media marketing, newsletter content, product development, and so on.

It takes a lot of time and energy to think through every blog post possibility, decide which ones to write each month, and map out titles into an editorial calendar.

In a panic, it can be easy select and write posts on a whim because we know creating content is key to growing a successful business. Gotta stay consistent. Gotta show up. Gotta build that SEO.

But this frantic approach leads to “idea clutter,” and it can quickly cause your business to crash and burn. Your posts are all over the place. They’re hard to write. They don’t grow your readership. They feel like a complete and utter waste.

And yet, you keep on blogging because you’re still hoping to strike gold one day.

But take a deep breath because today I have a simple solution to make blogging easy again. In this post, I’m going to show you how to cut the clutter, get to the point, and create blog posts that convert.

It’s time to whip your blog into shape so it can become a powerhouse for your business—instead of a burden.

Let’s begin!

Instagram Strategy + Content Challenge

Tackle your instagram strategy and content this year.

It's an exciting day because it's time for the Instagram Challenge to begin this Monday at 10:30am EST over on Instagram @PonderTrail.

Let's dive into all the details for how the challenge works, how to begin, and what to expect.

And if you haven't signed up yet, there's still time. Sign up here.

Instagram, Marketing, Social MediaSarah ForestFebruary 19, 20212021, small businessComment

How I Planned My Subscription Membership Area on My Squarespace Website: Part 1

Last month, I published a post all about Squarespace’s new, long-awaited feature that allows you to create a built-in membership area on your website. It’s called Member Areas, and in my recent blog post, I mentioned how I was using it to build and house the latest addition to Ponder Trail: Treehouse: a brand strategy subscription.

I wanted to create a service that was chalk-full of content and value each month. I structured it to include written and video components to provide education and support, while also including downloads such as graphics, photos, and templates that creative entrepreneurs could use as helpful tools for their businesses.

Rather than being a simple library or gallery of downloads, my new membership area is made up of actionable weekly lessons, with an all-new topic each month. My goal was to create a format that feels part-course and part-service, all while having a self-paced approach for each 30-day span.

I also included a live webinar component so I can answer members’ questions directly and help them work through each step of our current topic.

If you’re looking to create a membership website using Squarespace, this is the post for you. Because today, I’m going to walk you through my exact step-by-step process for how I created my new members-only area on my site.

I’m unpacking my entire method, and I wanted to make it easy for you to work through, so I’ve decided to break it down into a 4-part series.

Today’s step is focused on the planning phase where I’m sharing my strategy and approach for how I came up with my subscription service idea.

In this post, I’m sharing how I created a plan for my signature membership, how I mapped out the details, and how I determined what it would include.

Here’s what I did:

Welcome to the Treehouse: the Brand Strategy Membership for Creative Entrepreneurs

Over the past few years, I’ve discovered the value of adopting a laser-focused mindset. It creates clarity and an open runway to brainstorm and bring your ideas to life. It gives you space to think strategically, create a plan, and stay on track. It cultivates productivity, action, and progress like nothing else.

Once I switched my approach and dedicated my attention to one part of my strategy, I started saving time, seeing more progress, and finally getting in the groove. And I haven’t looked back since.

I started seeing the difference it made in my business first-hand, so I set out to help other creatives do the same. And after coaching brand strategy clients one-on-one for over a year, I wanted to find a way to help even more creatives.

So I landed on the perfect idea: a self-paced membership program. It’s a brand strategy subscription that’s part-course, part-service, and part-library, so it meets the best of all worlds for entrepreneurs who are looking to take action in their businesses.

I’m calling it the Brand Strategy Treehouse.

It’s my all-new signature membership, and it’s available to you today!

Simple, Proven Methods to Grow Quickly and Authentically on Instagram

As we approach the new year, we start to plan and dream about where we can take our business in 2021. At the top of that list for many creative entrepreneurs is growing our Instagram accounts.

With all of the users on Instagram, most brands have thousands of potential clients and customers hanging out on the social media platform. But it seems to become ever more difficult to grow our accounts due to industry saturation, algorithms, and just plain overwhelm.

Despite the odds, we sometimes discover new accounts who are surging with popularity.

How are they getting so much traction? What are they doing to gain followers so easily? How are they completely sold out after each product launch or shop update? What magic beans do they have that my brand is missing out on? There must be strategies they follow.

Can you relate to some of these questions and thoughts?

Well, today, I’m sharing the best methods for growing quickly and authentically on Instagram. They’re the simple techniques that all thriving accounts utilize, and I can’t wait to spill the beans with you in this blog post!

P.S. I’m hosting an Instagram Challenge starting January 4th. Sign up to grow your account and reach your Instagram goals in 2021.

Marketing, Social Media, Strategy, InstagramSarah ForestDecember 23, 2020Instagram, creative entrepreneur Comments

How to Create a Secure Membership Site with Squarespace using Member Areas (without 3rd Party Programs)

Squarespace is hands-down my favorite website provider for small businesses, bloggers, and content creators alike.

And it just got better.

If you’ve ever thought about creating a password protected area on your website or envisioned what a members-only area could do for your brand, then it’s the perfect time ever to take action. Why now?

Because Squarespace just rolled out its latest feature: Member Areas.

6 Strategies for Instagram Success: Gearing up for My Instagram Growth Challenge

Instagram has been one of the best tools for small business owners for over five years. And while the features keep getting bigger and better, many creators find that their engagement is declining. When Instagram introduced their non-chronological algorithm several years ago, it caused many brands to lose their reach and become out-of-touch with their audience.

Instagram has amazing benefits, though it can be an overwhelming or dreaded task if you aren’t seeing results. It can be a lot of work to get the ball rolling and to keep the momentum going if you don’t have a simple strategy in place.

So the last thing a creative entrepreneur wants to do is lose all of that hard work by making the algorithm—or their audience—unhappy.

That’s what this January challenge is all about: how to grow a loyal and engaged audience on Instagram and how to keep the platform happy—all without using up hours of your day.

Marketing, Social Media, InstagramSarah ForestDecember 12, 2020Instagram, Growth, creative entrepreneur Comments

New Tool for Instagram Growth: Marketing and Content Strategy Planner

I am so excited to launch my new social media planner for Instagram. I’ve been working on it for quite some time. I wanted a straightforward tool that would . . .

help with staying on track with Instagram goals
take the guesswork out of posting
make connections that help build a profitable account
grow an audience without frustration
create a clear step-by-step routine with daily actions
save hours and hours each week

Enter the planner!

My Simple Method for Batching Tasks to Maximize Efficiency

Imagine gaining back hours each month without delegating, cutting back, or automating your tasks. It’s like free time that’s yours for the taking.

This not-so-secret weapon is a strategy that all creative entrepreneurs have at their disposal, and it’s called batching.

It’s the king of task management, yet this effective trick is so simple you can master it in 3 easy steps. If you try it out, I guarantee you’ll benefit from this approach to getting things done.

Learn how in today’s post, and start saving time so you can focus on the projects you’ve been wanting to work on.

3 Goal Setting Hang-Ups, and Solutions for Each

Setting and reaching a goal consists of 3 main stages:

the part that depends on your time, resources, and tools
the part that relies on your know-how and abilities
the part that counts on you doing the work

These areas each create their own hurdles around achieving goals. Over the years, I’ve struggled with all three of the hang-ups above, and today I’m sharing my best insights on how to overcome them.

With goals, we either tend to overaim with excitement or under-aim with overwhelm. Both often result in feeling stuck. But instead, we need to find the right balance to bust through roadblocks like these.

Good news is, goals are infinitely easier to set and achieve with you are equipped with the right tools in your pocket.

If you are struggling to start or grow your creative business, don’t extinguish your dreams before you have a good run! Give it your best shot with the tips in today’s blog post.

4 Steps to Stop Re-Setting Goals and How to Start Reaching them Instead

Are you making headway on your goals? Are you staying on track? Or do you often find yourself missing the mark and rewriting the same goals at the top of next month’s planner pages . . . again?

In my last post, I talked about the simple missing link to reaching goals, and I explained why many goals always seem to get away from us or feel out of reach.

Today, I’m showing you how to apply that secret so you can finally break the cycle of pushing your goals into the future.

If you tend to rewrite the same to-do list week after week, these 4 simple steps will help you understand and overcome the common struggle that many creative entrepreneurs face: how to actually reach goals.

8 Signs of a Quintessential Logo

While your logo is one of many brand elements that make up the visuals of your brand, it has the notable ability to give people the gist of your business.

With just one mark, you have the opportunity to showcase facets of your company that go deeper than just your business name. This is a very powerful assignment.

A compelling logo grabs your audience’s attention, draws them in, and makes it easier for people to remember your brand.

It’s your business’s signature. Your X on the dotted line. And a logo designed with great intention and strategy reflects the care you give to each of your customers and clients.

While this is an area of your brand that can be creative, there are a few helpful guidelines to follow when it comes to an effective and quintessential logo.

Branding, Business, Getting StartedSarah ForestOctober 7, 2019creative entrepreneur Comments

The Worst Website Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

In 2019 and beyond, every creative business can benefit from a website, and most already have one set up. However, there are many things that can make a site subpar.

You don’t want your website to be one of the many that fall prey to these rookie mistakes.

Even the smallest error can result in the largest loss—such as deterring potential clients or customers because of a site’s faux pas that’s easily fixed.

I’ve rounded up the most common website errors I’ve spotted in 2019 right here in this post. Give your business an advantage by avoiding these top 11 mishaps.

10 Characteristics of a Well-Designed Brand

You’ve seen it before: an amazing brand design that is perfect in every way.

From the logo, to the color scheme, to how well the concept fits the business’s theme, a stunning brand like this can have you spending hours eyeing everything their shop has to offer.

This is much more powerful than a brand that lacks this alluring feel.

Why is this the case? A well-designed brand creates an entire experience around a business. So it’s no longer just a product or a service or a blog and is instead transformed into a captivating aura that draws people in.

Instantly, items in the shop become a little shinier and more special. Services become more desirable and engaging. Therefore, a well-designed brand increases the entire value of a business and makes its audience more eager to invest money into whatever the brand is offering.

This can be your business, too!

Many careful decisions go into developing successful branding; it’s the result of a design strategy and process that hits all the marks. Much brainstorming and planning is required to elevate your brand in this way, as well as techniques and know-how.

In short, with a brand like this, there’s more than meets the eye.

But I’m spilling some designer secrets today to help you make sure your brand creates an irresistible experience that draws in customers and clients.

Branding, Getting Started, StrategySarah ForestSeptember 23, 2019Design, Experience, creative entrepreneur Comments

Squarespace 101 for Creative Entrepreneurs and Bloggers

video + blog post

In this Ponderstream episode, learn the basics of Squarespace as I take you behind my computer screen and give you a step-by-step tour of the back end.

Get a detailed glimpse of Squarespace’s many features to see how simple and easy it is to use.

From creating pages to setting up shop, I cover practical ways creative entrepreneurs and bloggers can use Squarespace to build their brand’s headquarters.

Missed joining this one live? Register for next week’s Ponderstream webinar here.

How I Set, Plan, and Follow Through on My Goals

video + blog post

In my last Ponderstream Episode, I shared my step-by-step process for how I reach my goals. My process includes creating goals, breaking them down into daily actions, and monitoring your progress along the way.

Over the past year, I’ve focused on creating an effective and streamlined goal-planning system that saves time. Setting goals can be an easy place to get hung up on, so I wanted to outline a specific method that I could follow over and over again.

My goal was to be able to incorporate a step-by-step planning system into my routine to eliminate the pitfall of wondering where to start each day or what to work on next.

After over a year of experimenting and refining, I’ve ended up with a simple goal-planning process and created a workbook to go along with it. It’s made such a difference with reaching my goals, so I was excited to share it with you all last week in my livestream.

Essentially, my method for reaching goals is breaking them down all the way into simple to-do tasks that are assigned to each day. This creates a step-by-step plan for staying on track so you can monitor your progress and actually complete the tasks necessary to accomplish your goals.

There are 4 main sections: prepwork and laying the foundation, setting goals, planning them out, and following through. Join me as I walk you through the entire process in detail.

Missed joining this one live? Register for next week’s Ponderstream webinar here.

The latest insights for creative entrepreneurs

Tackle your instagram strategy and content this year.