How to Create a Stand-Out Brand for Your Online Business

Creating a stand-out brand goes beyond the visual side of your business. You have to prioritize strategy, pinpoint your message, create consistent content, and have attention-grabbing visuals that tie it all together.

With each year that passes, and as industries get increasingly saturated, it becomes more and more important to create a distinct brand for your creative business. It can feel like the visual edge of the competition increases each day meanwhile your own brand identity lags behind and isn’t in the game.

If your biz is struggling with outdated or sub-par design, or if it’s simply time for a spruce, this post is here to help you!

As a brand strategist and designer, I have a lot to share on the topic of branding. So today, I’m walking you through 6 simple steps to create a stand-out brand—from strategy to social media.

Branding, Brand Strategy, Design, MarketingSarah ForestMay 23, 2022small business, 2022Comment

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

Not Converting Instagram Followers into Email List Subscribers? Here’s What You’re Missing Out On. (Hint: It’s HUGE.)

You put a lot of time into creating social media content. But with the constant changes to Instagram and the chronic algorithm shifts, Instagram growth and engagement can be a rocky road.

And for small businesses who rely on Instagram to reach their audience and make money, it can be detrimental to your income.

There’s no telling what Instagram will toss our way next, so we need to be prepared for anything.

If you’re wondering what is the best way to ensure your business doesn’t get forgotten, it’s simple:

Prioritize growing and nurturing your email subscriber list alongside Instagram.

It can take as little as 30 minutes a week to implement this incredible business strategy, so you really have nothing to lose but everything to gain.

If you’re just starting out with your newsletter list, or if you already have a steady stream of subscribers, this blog post will show you exactly how to start gaining significant traction with your email marketing list today.

This way, you’ll always be able to reach your followers—whether Instagram decides to show your content or not.

Instagram, Marketing, Strategy, BusinessSarah ForestMay 18, 2022small businessComment

5 Signs You Need a More Effective Planning Strategy

Do you know what’s the most valuable asset to get you from point A to point X-marks-the-spot where your goals are? An effective and easy-to-execute plan.

A strategic plan is the difference between sitting at your computer with a blank stare trying to figure out what to work on today vs. jumping into action each day to conquer effective to-do’s that make progress.

Most people agree that planning is important. But many people also recognize that planning can be a pitfall. Like with any task or method, there’s often a best and a not-so-great way to do something. And planning is no exception.

When it comes to planning, there are countless ways to get hung up. From not knowing how to create a plan, to staying in a planning stage for too long, to not being able to follow through on a quality plan.

As creative business owners, we have a lot on our plate. New ideas and opportunities seem to flood our notebooks and calendars, overwhelm sometimes knocks on our office doors, and at least a few of last month’s tasks are looking for a place to fit into our busy schedule. In fact, entrepreneurship brings so many hats that we either try to stack them in order of priority or shrink them to wear multiples ones at the same time.

With everything going on, our original dreams and goals can feel out of reach all too often. Like a distant memory, our long-term goals get buried, and our short-term goals feel impossible to work towards.

Thankfully, there’s a solution. And a simple one at that.

It’s called an effective plan. And if you’ve tried planning before with less-than-desired results, I’ve got you covered. This month in the Brand Strategy Treehouse, I’m going to show you how to turn those efforts into an easy-to-follow plan that takes your business places—rather than one that runs you ragged and yields no progress.

With videos, guides, and workbooks to walk you through each step, you’ll come away with a fresh perspective and a new approach to planning.

Brand Strategy, Goal-Setting, Planning, Productivity, Strategy, Time ManagementSarah ForestJuly 2, 2021Treehouse, 2021, 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

Goal-Smashing Planning Techniques for Creative Business

Going into the new year, I had a refreshed perspective about planning.

Because in 2020, I let some of my goals go without stressing about it. I took some time off to enjoy several other creative hobbies I hadn’t done in a while.

After a few months of making polymer clay earrings, doing home decor projects, and working on my fiber arts brand, I dove back into my Ponder Trail business tasks. But this time, with a different mindset.

It was still 2020, after all, so I decided to just take it day by day without planning or setting too many goals.

But what happened surprised me: I ended up checking off more things on my to-do and projects list than I had expected. My productivity somehow increased, and I achieved several goals earlier than I’d originally intended.

I launched my first few digital products for Ponder Trail, officially opening the entrepreneur resource shop that’s been on my list for a while now. I brought on new clients. Blogging became easier than ever. And all without following a rigid schedule or routine. It kind of blew my mind.

After some reflecting, I realized what had changed: I spent less time over-thinking, balancing all the things, and maintaining the status quo. And instead, I spent more time doing high-impact tasks, focusing on only 1-3 goals at once, and prioritizing project-creation.

I had much more clarity, and my productivity increased drastically once all of the extra things were off my plate and weren’t competing for my attention.

So going into January this year, I knew I wanted to restructure the way I tackle tasks, using my 2020 findings as a jumping-off point.

The main hang-ups that linger in the background of managing business to-do’s are typically (1) not feeling prepared enough (hence not taking action), and (2) feeling torn in too many directions (hence not being able to stay focused).

I knew plans and strategy were still they key to getting things done, but I wanted to simplify things and be more efficient.

I needed to find a way to still work towards my desired goals while also have less to manage at a time—and fast: I had no plan, and it was already one week into January, and my first launch for the year was fast approaching.

And then, I had an idea . . .

How to Avoid and Defeat Overwhelm in Creative Business

When overwhelm starts to show it’s ugly head, it’s time to take action and stop it in its tracks.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it might be a sign that something isn’t quite right.

Sometimes it can be out of our control, but often times, it’s tied to how we are approaching our business and managing things. If you’ve been spinning your wheels or find yourself stuck in a cycle of trying-and-failing, it’s time to take control.

Overwhelm can quickly lead to burnout if it hasn’t already.

But not to worry, I have your back with some tried-and-true strategies.

Try these tricks to put overwhelm at bay.

5 Simple Steps to Create a Mobile Office Kit

We’re all spending more hours working in our houses these days.

But it isn’t always possible to dedicate a space in your home for your business. Sometimes a work area looks like a the kitchen counter, coffee table, or couch, and with a little creativity, your home probably has a few great places to hunker down and get work done.

The goal of any workspace is to be a productive setting to get work done. And when we’re hustling hard or working on a project, it’s usually best practice to create some sort of setup to help your work sessions be efficient.

But when you don’t have an office or a desk, you might not want to leave your stuff set up round the clock.

The key is finding the right balance. You want your workspace to be quick to set up and easy to tear down. Otherwise, the process takes time away from your day and creates a hundred extra steps between you and getting to work.

What’s the solution? You need a mobile office system.

This summer, I came up with a simple way to pack up my office to work productively from anywhere.

My friend and fellow creative, Caitlynn, requested this blog post, so I made it a little extra special by including lots of images. In fact, I did a photoshoot so I could show you exactly what I use. I hope you enjoy the tutorial!

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

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!

How to Show up Consistently for Your Audience (because it’s the Key to Online Business Growth)

If I could only give you one tip for growing your business, it would be to show up consistently. Throughout the years of entrepreneurship, I have been convinced more and more that one of the top keys to growth is to simply show up for your audience each day.

Consistency gives you a steady stream of value to share, it demonstrates your expertise, and it shows that you truly care about your followers, thus building a trustworthy brand.

It sounds simple enough, but it isn’t always easy to show up every day. In fact, it’s quite difficult at times. And with all of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into running an online business, it can be easy to prioritize the front-end of your brand—especially for those of us who are on the introverted side of things. (Can anyone else relate?)

However, the audiences have voted, and it’s confirmed that you can’t grow a business without showing up consistently.

So today, I’ve narrowed down 3 easy ways to revolutionize your consistency. These simple things will help you get rid of the road blocks and keep you ahead of the game so you can show up each day and build a loyal and engaged audience.

Branding, Business, Marketing, Planning, Strategy, Goal-SettingSarah ForestAugust 21, 2020creative entrepreneurComment

How to Stay Productive while Working from Home

During the hiatus I took this spring, I spent some time brainstorming new content ideas for the rest of the year.

And today, I’m excited to introduce the latest resource to Ponder Trail: videos!

I wanted to try switching up the format for how I give tips for creative business and brand strategy, and what better way to share it that with video?

I will be uploading to the blog and my YouTube channel twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays. Each time I upload a video, I will add it as a new blog post with all of the info mentioned in the video.

Since I love talking about productivity and working from home, I figured it would be the perfect video to start with. I hope you enjoy!

Motivation, Productivity, Time Management, Youtube VideoSarah ForestAugust 12, 2020creative entrepreneurComment

Practical Productivity Tips for Running a Creative Business and Working from Home // Ponderstream Show Notes

The ultimate goal of productivity is to get rid of busyness and replace it with efficiency, effectiveness, and progress.

As creative business owners, hustling often works its way into our lifestyle. We have so many ideas and things to do. But sometimes that mentality pulls in too many things that aren’t actually helpful or productive in the long run. On the outside, it can look like we’re getting lots done, while in reality, we’re running around in circles.

Don’t simply add to your hustle for the sake of feeling busy. Instead, you want to see progress from the time you put into your business, and you want your time to have a big impact. True productivity looks like speeding along the process of reaching your goals or helping you stay on track.

Here’s how:

How to Stay Productive while Working from Home During Isolation or Quarantine

While many creative entrepreneurs have already been working from home, in recent months, people around the globe have faced strict social restrictions and isolation orders. This has taken away the much-needed work days at coffee shops that entrepreneurs often rely on to stay productive and to get out of the house throughout the week.

With productivity in jeopardy from being stuck at home for months on end, it's easy to slow down, get behind, or take days off unintentionally—simply because your drive to work has dwindled. But when starting, running, or scaling your own business, it's critical to keep working and getting things done.

So what is an entrepreneur to do when their livelihood is tottering at the top of a mountain along with their close-to-plummeting motivation?

You've got to push through and boost your productivity so you can get tasks done!

So here are 11 of my favorite work-from-home essentials to stay motivated and get back into the groove.

How to Effectively Use Time Blocking to Schedule Your Workweek

When you run your own business, it’s easy to leave your day open and unstructured because you can, right? But it’s also easy for that openness to become filled with nothingness.

And that’s where a schedule comes in to save the day. Structure is a key part in a productive day, and I’m here to share one of my favorite methods of organizing my time as a creative business owner.

It’s called time blocking, and it is why I’m sitting here today writing this blog post to help you on your entrepreneurial journey. Because without this system, my productivity would have flatlined a long time ago.

If you’re hoping to schedule your workweek and start being productive, this post is for you! (Plus, I’ve included a copy of my free goal-planning workbook, complete with a few pages dedicated to helping you schedule your week.)

The latest insights for creative entrepreneurs

Tackle your instagram strategy and content this year.