HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Friends, Family, and Supporters today is a special day! It has been ONE FULL YEAR since I’ve been a PUBLISHED AUTHOR. I cannot thank you, to whomever is reading this, how much I appreciate all the love and support I’ve had thus far. Being published has had it’s ups and down…. mainly ups!

I’d like to start off by saying I have been able to come out of my comfort zone which is a big thing for me, but don’t worry I’m not stopping just yet. This post will highlight all I’ve done this year, and to encourage anyone who has ever thought about publishing a book or whatever it is to follow your dream. I’m always a call, text, DM, or comment away.  I will also be highlighting things I did once I became published. Being new to this I had to think about what would make my brand different, what would make people want to buy my book, or any future merchandise I may have.

So, in this year I’ve gone to numerous open mics and poetry readings. I was able to perform at some, or simply just listen to the greatness on stage. I have learned the power of Networking. The one plus to having social media when being a millennial is having contact with those you may not have exchanged numbers with. I have also been part of a Podcast episode. A good friend of mine from high school and her co-host interviewed me to discuss my journey to becoming published, and it was so much fun! (Shout out to “The BlackStreet Podcasts). During this year I have been part of a panel discussion for the FEMININE ENERGY event. Thank you to Natasha and Zee for the opportunity. What better way to empower women than by having two great women to host how to be fierce and how to uplift one another. To feel all the genuine love in a room full of women was magical. I was also a vendor at the #QueenswithHoney event. Another important day where women were empowering and uplifting each other.

If it’s one thing I’ve learned in this year, not only being published but just as a woman is that there’s a shift happening. It could just be the women I’ve encountered, but it feels great. To know that there are women out there who don’t succumb to the stereotypes and truly support others and want to see everyone win. A comedian (@lalamilan) I follow on Instagram once said, and I’m paraphrasing, “Women are so caught up on only feeding themselves but if they stopped and realized that what set of skills one woman has, another woman could obtain, we could all EAT.” Someone’s going to miss that gem, but it’s okay.

In this year I have grown as a writer. To be honest, I haven’t written anything in months, how ironic huh? Life, stress, just adult-ing takes over sometimes. It feels good to know that I have the support from friends, followers, family, etc. that when I do post something, somebody is always watching. At least I’d like to think so. I’ve also realized that just because I wear many hats doesn’t mean that I need to have them on all at once…whew! That was a gem right there! *pats self on back*  I’ve learned that when I do pick up a pen, or click the keys on my keyboard that something amazing is going to come from it, and I have a fire ignited that takes a while to dim. I can say that writing, and being published is a great accomplishment, and I do plan on publishing more books.

If there is one thing I want to change about being published, it’s utilizing my social media more. Doing more live videos, talking about my journey (and not just to those who ask me directly). I’m sure I follow plenty of people who aren’t quite sure what to do. So I do plan on utilizing my resources more. I also need and want to start memorizing my poems more. Figuring out how to market myself better. If there is one thing I can suggest for anyone who has a hustle, or considers themselves an entrepreneur, whatever it is… make your IG a business page. Having a business page has plenty of tweaks and cool features a regular IG doesn’t.

I also designed two sets of business cards;  why two you ask? The first set was because I didn’t have any for the longest time, so I felt totally unofficial lol and they were a basic design. Although I loved them, I quickly ordered a new set and these are so much better. So, business cards are a plus if you don’t already have them. I created a website, which hasn’t had that much traffic but on there you can purchase my books as well as some bracelets I had designed for a spoken word event I went to a while back.

To end, Thank you again to anyone who has purchased, shared, commented, or written a review on any of my platforms! I hope the followers I do have continue to grow and increase. I want to #spreadlovewithwriting and show the world that being able to express how you feel through writing is sometimes the best medicine.

Below are some pictures from some of the events I mentioned and others are things I’ve done this year. Feel free to if you’re not already, follow my handles! I’ll leave those down below too.

 

Business IG: @jordan_freels

Facebook Business Page: Jordan Freels

Big Cartel Website: https://my.bigcartel.com/products