approaching joy

illustration :: how to pitch to a magazine

Last week I took the (free!) "How to Pitch to a Magazine" class from Alt Summit which was sponsored by Better Homes and Gardens and presented by a couple of lovely ladies who work for that publication.  Learning first-hand about how a national commercial magazine operates and prefers to work with bloggers is absolutely priceless.

Here's what I took away from the class.

Click image for a larger image that you can download or print.

The quote on the far left is my favorite.  It is from one of my "classmates"- she summed it up well by saying, "They are telling us, 'Have a "thing" and tell us what it is.'"  In magazines, as in life, no one can complement your talent until you have the courage to showcase it. 

Interested in other Alt offerings?  
Check them out here: Alt classes.

Oh and I must not forget: The amazing Leslie Fandrich was my inspiration for this illustrated recap. Go check this wonderful woman out!!

Lately... A day in my life

I recently realized (because of insights made at AWBU, because of this Fashion Week opportunity, and because of some good ole' encouragement from friends and family) that not only am I a writer but I am a full time blogger.  That realization makes me crazy grateful for the life I am leading despite the crazy schedule that comes with it.  

Here is a snapshot of one day last week:

• 6:15
  Wake up before my alarm (lots of things to do and ready to start my day). Grab a soda to get my brain caffeinated and going.
• 6:30 - 7:15
  Get ready while emailing about upcoming appointments and catching up with Twitter.
• 7:15
  Where is my make-up bag?!?!?
• 7:18
  Make-up bag found!!
• 7:25
  Out the door and on the road to south NWA. Listening to the news about Hurricane Issac and sending positive thoughts to all the people who were affected.
• 7:55
  I stand outside to take a picture of the coffee shop where I have my first meeting.  My appointment comes to the other door to show me the way in and realizes that I'm just a photo happy fool.
• 8:00 - 8:55
  First meeting of the day. I'm hoping to get my site optimized and am ecstatic that the folks at Haden Interactive are helping me with the process.  
• 8:55 - 9:20
  Shop for a hard drive and battery back up at big box tech store.
  I have been lucky by not having any major back up catastrophes so far but my boss Dale has thoroughly convinced me that luck only takes you so far.  The battery back up is for my upcoming travel.  Have you ever been stranded in the Memphis airport minus a cell phone while a hurricane invades the south?  I have and it's the most vulnerable position I have been in during recent memory.  I'm determined not to let that happen again.
• 9:30 - 12
  Back at the original coffee shop. Writing, writing, writing.  Asking permission to use pictures that aren't mine. Editing pictures that are mine.  Writing some more.  I have so much to catch up on since I was conferencing this past weekend and I've got insanely busy weeks ahead.  I have to take every spare second available to make sure that there will be something new and intriguing up on this site consistently during the next few weeks.
• 12 - 12:30
  Talk to my mom.  She's catching up on my plans for the fall and there's a lot to tell her.
• 12:30 - 12:45
  Confirm two meetings tomorrow morning.  Everyone's schedule is busy and even though I don't have set hours I still have to be able to work with others during their hours.
• 12:45 - 1  
  Wrap up a couple posts and head out to my next appointment.
• 1- 1:15
  Confirm scheduling details for my upcoming bridal shots with my hair and makeup master.  (Her name is Fallon; she blogs at WearBender and rocks my world!)
• 1:15 - 2
  Visit Mae's Emporium here in town and finally catch up with the owner.  This vintage jewelry store is nothing short of fabulous and she is allowing me to wear several of her pieces during fashion week.  So honored!!  (Did you see the post where I showed off her store the other day?)
• 2 - 2:30
  Pick up fast food lunch as I drive across town to get to work.
• 2:30 - 7 Work at Benfield Photography.  I told you about how I got the job here but I'm transitioning into a different position within their team and have lots to learn.  I am excited about the possibilities that this will bring and the skills that I will surely learn, but it's a level of responsibility that is humbling.  Bonus points: That night they fed me and it was nothing short of amazing.
• 7 - 7:30
  Head home to north NWA. Josie Dog is not going to know what to do with herself, since the Mister is out of town and she hasn't seen anyone all day.
• 7:30
  Yep, she's excited.
• 7:30 - 10
  Polish off the posts that I scheduled earlier in the day.  My writing generally goes from a rough outline (which I sometimes tap out on my iPhone) to a correct grammar but bare bones post to a polished, pretty, and scheduled post.
• 10 - 10:30
  Chores. Boo. Hate them.
• 10:30 - 11:30
  I recently started working as a virtual assistant for a local author.  This lady (who I promise to share details about later) is as good at finding humor in a everyday life as she is at being a modern day business woman.  Totally thankful that I'm a part of her team.
• 11:30
  Get ready for bed.  I am reading "The Creative Habit" as something to learn but also unplugs my brain for the evening.  I've got a meeting at 8 a.m. in the morning and both of us have confessed to not be morning people.  I'm going to need every ounce of sleep I can get.

Any other "work at home"  folks out there understand the craziness of this schedule?  Anyone else knew what it's like to camp out at a coffee shop for hours at a time?

And don't forget the giveways here and here! 

And now a word about the benefits of blogging... Part Two

This post is Part Two of The Benefits of Blogging.  You can read Part One here.  Like I mentioned yesterday, I don't claim to be a "pro blogger", the "best blogger", or even a "super experienced blogger"; more than anything I am a woman who recently (within the last nine months) started blogging and has learned a lot along the way.

Yesterday, I spoke about how blogging is the most perfect form of communication for anyone looking at showing both the word and themselves that they have something to say.  When presented on a blogging platform, what you have to say and support can be a true benefit to everyone involved.

Here's a few tips to get you started:

• Know the basics.
  Spelling and grammar matter. If you're not sure, ask (even if it's Google that you're asking). You are presenting yourself to the world; show them that you care enough about their time to catch your own mistakes.  
• Encourage input and grow your community.  
  Tell your friends you're blogging and if you are really proud of a particular post put it on Facebook. Ask questions at the end of a blog post to get your reader's reaction to what you've just told the.  If anyone has a discouraging comment channel Dr. Suess: "People that matter don't mind, and people that mind don't matter."
• Be yourself.
  There's a reason Brad Pitt and Julia Robert get paid the big bucks: It's hard work being someone else. If you bring your own voice passion and opinion to your blog from the beginning you won't ever have to struggle with finding the right words to say, you'll just write what's in your head.  

That being said: blogging isn't necessarily easy.
It takes self determination, to push past writer's block and to consistently create content of which you are proud.  The second part of continually searching out and then engaging the community that you want to build around your place is equally vital as well.  It's only as you build these connections that your blog becomes an example of the power of how how social media can make a difference in your life and the things that matter to you.

#AJFW Giveaway - Approaching Joy :: Adventures in the Big Apple photobook

Happy Monday!!  Today is the start of a huge week here at Approaching Joy and I am psyched that you are here for the journey.  In honor of Fashion Week I've got two (yes, two!) giveaways happening this week.  To stay tied in to all the action, remember to follow #AJFW (yes, that's: Approaching Joy Fashion Week) on Twitter and Instagram!!

This giveaway is officially closed. (Insert sad face.)
But no worries: More giveaways are on the horizon-Stay tuned!!

Fashion Week 2012 is fast approaching.  In fact, a lot of fashionistas across the globe are starting to converge on New York as I type.  As for me, my journey doesn't start until next Sunday but have been overwhelmed with support in my upcoming adventure!!  As a result, I've thought a lot about how I can include you guys in this trip.

• What if I told you that all of the recommandations and suggestions you guys have provided are being added to the information that I have spent hours pouring over the last few days and that all of this is going into a big "Things to Photograph while in NYC" list?  
  In case, you haven't seen me in action & in person, "to-do" lists are the lifeblood of this blog and the key to productivity in my life. This will be in Friday's post; be sure to check it out!!
• What if I told you that all the images that I take from that list are being all going to be put together and published as a photo book?  
  Wouldn't that be an awesome way to document this trip to remember for years to come?!?      
• Now what if I told you that twenty-five of you will get this book delivered to your doorstep free of charge, courtesy of my friends at The Moxy Ox?  
  Oh my goodness: It's happening and this is insanely exciting!!! 

It's true:
*Approaching Joy :: Adventures in the Big Apple
will be shot, edited, designed, bound, and published just for you, my loyal Joysters.  
All you have to do is click the link below and fill out the required information.  

Disclaimer:  If it were possible to be in love with a printer, I would need a formal announcement: I'm head over heels for The Moxy Ox.  
To date they have printed my Save the Dates, Thank You notes, wedding invitations, and business cards.  I am always impressed with the product they provide.  Their service combined with their turn around time is fantastic.  They are providing these books to me free of charge (to give to you) in exchange for spreading the word about their awesomeness, which I will happily do because it is a local company that I really support, but all opinions are my own. 

Social Media Saturday

As I mentioned here, the Approaching Joy Facebook page is up and rolling right along!  Have you joined the conversation yet?  If not, there's a new iPhone background up today on the freebies page for anyone who had pressed "like" (even you guys who were first adopters!)

This months backdrop is all about being grateful for the cool moments that each individual day has.  Go check it out and let me know what you think.