Claire Creative

07/06/2024

Did you spot it? If you're on my mailing list did you see the criiiiiiinge typo in my email today? Pffffffff.
I had one of those genuine face palm moments!!
I may have uttered some f-words.
Then the replies from subscribers started to flood in.... "Did you mean....?"
And that was actually quite nice. Thanks guys xx

29/05/2024

There's a lot of figuring out to do as a solopreneur. You have to exercise creativity on a daily basis to make the best use of resources, to find ways to balance serving clients and finding clients. And somehow, to find a way to have a life outside of work.

Now more than ever we have access to information and advice on how to do all this. But how do you decide who to listen to?

You can get into a real tangle when you take advice from too many sources. Or from people who have achieved the kind of success you're not interested in. Or people who are so far ahead of you that their advice is not relevant and even a distraction.

Who then? Who do you listen to?

Theres a certain glamour surrounding those big names who have achieved massive success. It's tempting to gobble up their guidance, believing that you'll follow in their footsteps. What's the harm?

I've fallen into this more times than I care to count. It led me to reinvent, rebrand, reposition, basically spend a tonne of time and energy only to wind up back at the start - looking for advice.

So what have I learned?
Keep it simple. So simple. Stick with your strengths rather than following the advice of people who never met you. Figure out your most aligned strategy.

Wanna know more about aligned strategy? Tap through to my free live training.

27/05/2024

I stepped away from social media as a visibility tool about, ooh, about 9 months ago now. About the same time I started getting more serious about making time for my healthy hobbies (graph is my increase in physical activity over the last 6 months).

I found I couldn't dedicate time to social media AND have time to dedicate to non-work things. It just gobbled up all my mojo.

Because visibility on social means posting a LOT,

and staying up to date with trends,

and staying tuned in to on-going conversations.

And then while you're on there, you get distracted by things. You buy things. You compare yourself to others. And generally get lost in the infinite scroll.

I found it all pretty exhausting. And I realised, that all the time I had spent there, wasn't actually getting me in front of new people.

It used to. It used to work really well.

Then it stopped stopped working really well.

So I stopped. It took me a while to realise it, but when I did it was liberating!

I spoke about this in the Free Training this morning. How social is great for people to get to know you, but not always great as a way to get found. And how your visibility strategy has to be aligned with you as an individual in order for it to be sustainable and effective.

In case you missed it, I'm running a series of LIVE training sessions on the Lead Machine Framework.

It's a free training session where I share the framework I help my clients to set up so that they get more ideal leads and clients, without being a slave to social media and without having to adopt sleazy tactics.

Thanks to everyone who joined live today!

If you missed it, I'm running it again tomorrow (6 seats left at the time of writing). Tap the link in my bio to grab a seat.
See you there :)

15/12/2023

The countdown is oooooon.

I'm pulling the suitcases out from their hiding places, WhatsApping the big brother to consult on gifts, and getting client projects wrapped up for the Christmas break.

In a few days, I'll be sipping Baileys by the fire at my Mam's, and forcing my favourite holiday films on the kids. Ahhh Christmas.

Yesterday was another annual tradition. I ran an end of year review session with my mastermind group. It's all about preparing to set the intentions for next year by digesting the year gone by. I find it really valuable to take this time before even considering any goal setting. When you make space for this kind of reflection, you can come to the goals thing with calm ambition.

Would you like to try out the worksheet that I use? Tap over to my site via the link and let me know how you get on.

I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t find Christmas to be a relaxing time. Although there’s always so much to do to wrap up the year, I find that taking time in December to look back at the past 12 months I am able to start the upcoming year with calm ambition and clarity to get movi...

05/12/2023

Are you frustrated with social lately?

If you’re pouring your heart and soul into creating more and more valuable content, only to be met with a disappointing whimper of a response—raise your hand. 🙋‍♀️

When you go through the entire content creation process, brainstorming, editing, designing, posting, and you believe that THIS piece, THIS ONE is going to be the game-changer that will flood you with clients.

It looks great!

You’re sharing your best stuff.

And it took ages!

Then oh… aside from a few likes and comments, you get nothing. The leads you were hoping for just don’t materialise.

Showing up online and delivering value on social media is a fantastic way of nurturing and engaging with your existing audience, but if you were aiming for fresh blood, new people, new leads, this kind of posting can feel like a Sisyphean task. (High-fives to any Greek mythology geeks out there 🙌)

It can feel like you’re talking to the same group of people over and over again and they ain’t buyin’.

For solopreneurs, freelancers and small businesses without in-house marketing teams or massive ad budgets, social media can feel like the go-to for getting clients. Buuuut a lot of the things that used to work, really don’t anymore.

Times have changed, and it’s probably time to notice the changes and adapt.

(Tap over to my blog to keep reading)

Are you frustrated with social lately? If you’re pouring your heart and soul into creating more and more valuable content, only to be met with a disappointing whimper of a response—raise your hand. 🙋‍♀️ When you go through the entire content creation process, brainstorming, editing, des...

18/09/2023

Content marketing can feel like a tightrope walk sometimes – you've got to balance value and sales without undermining your personal brand, or your personal values.

And with so much noise online, how can you stand out against your competition? How can you grab the attention of the folks you really want to work with?

You can't be "SELL, SELL, SELL," all the time, but if you don't invite folks to become clients, they probably won't.

What's the missing link?

Is it the quality of your content?
The quantity of posts?
Are you showing up in the wrong places?
Are you selling something the people simply don't want or need?
Or is it something else entirely?

If you've asked yourself any of these questions, I'd love to invite you to my ChatGPT workshop this Thursday.

Here's what we'll cover:

Time-saving tips: How to use ChatGPT help you whip up content in no time so you can still show up at busy times.

Getting past generic output: How to really get the most from the free version of ChatGPT to create high-quality content that STILL SOUNDS LIKE YOU (without accidentally breaking the law).

The strategy behind the robots: Rather than just generating content, how can you plan your content strategy in a way that really serves your business?

Live Demo: I'll walk you through how I draft a week's worth of content for my clients in under an hour.

So if you've reluctantly dabbled with ChatGPT before and gotten 'meh' results, I'd love to share an hour with you this Thursday.

Workshop Deets:
🗓️ Date: Thursday, 21st September
🕘 Time:
9 am (Ireland, UK, Portugal)
10 am (Paris, Berlin, Barcelona)
⏳ Duration: 60 minutes
🌐 Location: The cozy corner of your choice (it's online!)

Don't be fashionably late to this content party—we'll be jumping straight in.

RSVP here: https://claire-creative.as.me/chatgpt-workshop

There'll also be a chance to ask any burning questions you have about using ChatGPT for your content.

(And if you can't make it live, RSVP and you'll get the replay by email)

I'm really looking forward to seeing you there.
Claire 🚀

16/09/2023

I took a poll recently about "Content Woes". The clear issue for most people was time.

As a solo business owner, time is our most precious resource. And unless you've figured out how to clone yourself there never seems to be enough time to create and distribute content in a way that actually serves your business.

So how do you consistently show up with meaningful content in a way that gets you leads without spending all day and night online?

There is a fast and efficient way. To generate a week's worth of high-quality content in less time you may have already dabbled with AI tools...

But have you developed a practice that suits your style and keeps you showing up regularly?

This is exactly what we'll be doing in this FREE workshop "Unlock Your Content Creation Potential with ChatGPT." (Link in the comments)

You'll discover how ChatGPT can revolutionize your content creation process, allowing you to save time and reach more potential clients online.

Workshop Details:

Thursday 21st of September
at
9 am - Ireland, UK, Portugal
10 am - Paris, Berlin, Barcelona

Duration: 60 minutes

Location: Online

RSVP here https://claire-creative.as.me/chatgpt-workshop

Agenda:
Introduction to ChatGPT: Understand the capabilities and potential of ChatGPT for content creation.

Live Demonstration:
Watch as I showcase how ChatGPT can generate engaging blog posts, social media posts, and marketing copy in seconds. (It's the process I use to create content for my done-for-you clients)

Hands-On Practice:
Get hands-on experience with ChatGPT and create content that sounds like you and resonates with your ideal clients.

Content Strategy Tips: Learn effective content strategy techniques to maximize your content's impact and reach.

Q&A Session: Ask questions and gain insights into how ChatGPT can benefit your business specifically.

This workshop will be informative and practical while keeping the techy stuff to a minimum. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of how to save time on your content creation by using ChatGPT AND how to use that content in a way that serves your business.

I look forward to seeing you there!
Claire

15/09/2023

What do you share on social?
Personal stories? Valuable tutorials? Inspirational quotes? All of the above?

It all depends really.

It depends on what you want your content to *do*.

Showing up consistently, on brand, and in a way that serves your business doesn't always seem possible when you're busy at work and life.

It can feel pretty stressful actually. I know that there are times that I just don't have the bandwidth.

Sometimes I disappear.
Sometimes I *cheat*... I get AI to do some of the thinking fo me. 🤫

Next week I'm offering a free workshop sharing how I use ChatGPT (for free) to brainstorm, plan and even write content for me

Tap the link to RSVP:
https://claire-creative.as.me/chatgpt-workshop

This pic is from my run this morning, totally irrelevant, but it was a great start to the day.

08/09/2023

I went outside to play
and run
and cycle.

I said yes to invitations.

I jumped in the river, picked fruit, chased bats, laughed, cooked, doodled.

And I'm so inspired to bring that energy through into my work now that the children are back to school.

While I was out having wholesome fun my online presence kept working for me.

My mailing list grew.

My September discovery calls started filling up from July.

My list of leads increased.

Testimonials and reviews popped up in my inbox.

And generally, things kept bubbling along without me. SWEET!

I'm ready to turn up the volume again, and make no apologies for my absence.

What's your back to the office plan? There are 4 lovely months left in 2023 and I'm excited to see new projects getting started.

The online eco-system that supports my business was 10 years in the making. I've tested and iterated over and over again.

I've squeezed all I've learned into a nifty little checklist called the 'Appointment Path'. It's for service based businesses to establish a flow of leads and get their calendar filling up with potential clients (without bro tactics or jumping through social media hoops!).

Tap the link if you're keen to build this kind of thing into your business. :)

Linky link: https://clairecreative.com/the-appointment-path/

06/09/2023

Ditch the energy-draining strategies

Folks running a business solo tend to try a lot of different tactics to get their business moving forward.

Some tactics simply don’t work, or don’t work on a consistent basis.

Trying multiple tactics, following tips and tricks, recreating marketing plans over and over... (aka strategy switching)... is exhausting!

Buuuuut, so often, we hold on to those tasks, hoping that THIS TIME, it'll be different.

If you're low on energy, all aspects of your work (and life) become more challenging.

When I first launched Content that Converts my goal was simple:
**To get members more perfect-fit clients doing the work they love without sketchy bro marketing tactics.**

And when you’ve done it once, you start to create a framework to rinse and repeat the process.

That's when it really starts to flow, and the chaos of strategy switching becomes a distant memory.

One of the most powerful outcomes of my programme Content that Converts is that members have learned to let go of time and energy-draining strategies.

We identify the tasks that sabotage progress.

Client result:
My client H.S. freed up almost 2 entire work days per week by ditching an energy-draining task that had previously felt essential.

2 whole days!

Giving her more time to do marketing and get visible.
More time to nurture client relationships.
More time to actually chill!

Doing less better gives you your time and energy back!

What would YOU do with 2 extra work days per week?

If you want the exact framework that gave H.S. her time and energy back reply 'CONTENT’ so we can start brainstorming a plan.

You can get started for just €125.
Claire :)

26/06/2023

They say that Irish people need to be asked 3 times before they'll accept tea/cake/just about anything else.

I'm stepping into a new season of my business, and it feels like this milestone moment was triggered by 3 conversations I've had in recent months...
1 - a discussion with a fellow content professional
2 - a catchup with a client who has been with me for 7+ years
3 - the briefing process with the brilliant Hela Staniszewska - the photographer behind my new brand images.

The process of planning and capturing these new images has been fantastic and these conversations helped me accept that this is indeed a moment I needed to STOP delaying, stop playing down my abilities and implement real changes:
In strategy
In confidence
In minsdet

Maybe it's not only about being Irish, maybe it also has to do with working alone. It's too easy to stay cosy and say "this'll do for now"... because as a solo business owner, we don't always have the bandwidth to manage the day to day AND the next 12-24 months (and the rest of the life stuff).

Is there something that has been on your horizon for a while and you haven't yet taken the step? What is it?

You can see my new brand images on my site.

Are you nodding right now? Let's get started!

08/05/2023

Come steal the 3-step process that helped me hit 10K months, without ads or sleazy tactics!
RSVP here:
https://clairecreative.com/workshop

10/04/2023

Do you notice how guests on Graham Norton always tell great stories? These witty anecdotes are delivered with charisma and perfect flow. It's great entertainment and Graham has a skill for making people look good when they guest on "the couch".

It's not as spontaneous as it seems though.These witty tales are crafted and honed well in advance, sometimes with the help of writers and coaches.

Makes sense really. They get their story working, then recycle them on their promotional circuit. So if you follow one star in particular, you're likely to hear the same story again and again on different shows.

What us business owners can learn from this:

Working on your key stories and content means you can show up online and capture the attention of your audience in a compelling way.

Repetition is totally fine. If you feel like you've told the same story, or used the same sentence multiple times, that's a good thing! Lean in to it!

Some people are natural storytellers, the rest of us work on honing the skill. We work on stories and concepts, and add them to our collection so that we have them to hand at key moments (in emails, on client calls, in online content, in interviews)

When I work on this cornerstone content with my clients, I pay attention to themes and vocabulary that show up repeatedly. You often don't notice this when working alone. Its really helpful to have this stuff worked out so that when you show up online:
- your message comes across and everything you say supports your brand.
- you get known for the problems you solve.
- folks start to feel they know you, because your "voice" is consistent.

If you'd like to get your content working like a Graham Norton guest, DM me "content" and I'll send you the details :)

07/04/2023

Know, like, trust. You've probably heard this advice already about getting clients online. We're told to consider the relationship we have with our audience. Admittedly, it’s a relationship that feels one-sided when you’re not seeing the typical numbers grow.

Here are my practical tips on how to get known, liked, and trusted online (and an example of how to get better testimonials)

(pssst. if you're a "silent follower" and found this useful, now's your chance to tap a lil' ole' like or share to show you care 😘)

Marketing is all about getting people to know, like, and trust you. It sounds simple enough, but it can be tough to keep going when there’s no way to measure! There’s no way you can know how people are feeling about you and your brand, especially as a lot of people choose to follow your […]

05/04/2023

Showing up online is one of the best ways to get clients, while it doesn't cost you much in terms of cash, it costs a LOT of time and energy. Here are my updated tips for creating content that leads to better lead flow.

Keep it simple!
To take this a step further, tap the link to grab my free checklist https://clairecreative.com/the-appointment-path/

See how service based businesses are getting Thier calendars poppin' with new leads without forking out for ads!

30/03/2023

This became quite a talking point in the past few days.

I like Gary Vee's straight-talking, kick up the arse approach but I will admit that my eyebrows nearly hit the ceiling when I heard his suggestion on how often to post.

As someone who disappears from social media when I feel too anxious or overwhelmed, I approach this advice with caution.

As someone who helps people create content to grow their business, I feel I have to hear this advice and find a way to give it go in a way that doesn't hurt me.

Please make sure you get all the way to the last slide. While I do believe that social media numbers help your business, it's not the only way to get visibility and leads.

If this posting concept is not for you, it's not for you!

28/02/2023

Do you need a Border Collie for your content?

I bet you're never stuck for ideas. In fact, I bet you have so MANY ideas for your online business that you get stuck, staring at a blinking cursor wondering which to start with.

Should you create a video? Write a blog? Format that sales page?

They all seem equally important.

Next thing you know you've fallen down a Google rabbit hole that somehow brings you back to instagram, scrolling, and trying to avoid spoilers about 'The Last of Us'. (are you watching it? I'm holding out for a binge)

If you believed all the productivity influencers, you SHOULD be able to herd all those ideas and tasks together like sheep. Get them to form an orderly queue and ultimately get them where they're supposed to go - supporting your business. But the reality is different! It's a big challenge to do this (and EVERYTHING else) on your own.

You need a business border collie!!

Get your ideas and tasks lined up in the most strategic and aligned way possible... moving together, working in harmony, and making you look good.

This is a service I've been offering to existing clients for a while now. (Wait, did I just call myself a dog? 🤔) I help them to show up consistently by helping them brainstorm, plan, create and distribute content that aligns with their strategic goals.

Strategy
Brainstorm
Content map
Content format (making the best choice for your audience)
Video & blog & social post editing
Weekly distribution plan

If you struggle to stay consistent with your visibility (blogs, videos, emails and social content) tap the link to get in touch about my Consistent Strategic Content service.

https://clairecreative.com/book-now/

This is ideal of coaches, consultants and service providers who struggle to find time to show up for their audience regularly.

09/01/2023

Barcelona friends! I'm running a workshop this Thursday for the "BAD designers" group. It's the Anti-Goal-Setting session. Tap the link to join:
https://meetu.ps/e/LKpfd/2lkDN/i

23/09/2022

What's the best client-getting strategy for service-based businesses? A lot of us workin' solo started out because we love the work. You quickly realize though, looking for clients takes up a LOT of time. It can sometimes feel like an endless battle.

In my work, I help solo, service business folks (like coaches and creatives) to market their services with ease. It's a very scientific formula...

Brand + Visibility x Mindset = 🤩💰

The shiny ideas though. They're so shiny!

It's very tempting to follow the latest hacks and advice out there to get greater visibility. And it's soooo tempting to copy the popular styles to look "professional", but it's when you start showing up in a way that is of service to the people you're trying to reach that's when you start making a real impact and you start seeing the results.

When you start showing up in a way that aligns with your natural strengths and core values, and in a way that adds value, you're going to be a lot more memorable and impactful. And the people you're trying to reach will start to pay attention.

Thanks for watching ☺️
If this is something that you're struggling with, pop over and book a free call with me: https://clairecreative.com/book-now/

30/06/2022

Shiny ideas are so exciting and filled with the promise of a quick path to success. But there's danger there too. When you constantly act on shiny new ideas you risk using up all your resources without seeing your desired results.

Shiny ideas:

- constantly setting new goals without seeing them through,
- shifting your business idea,
- rebranding, and tweaking your site,
- trying out random marketing ideas every other week

Strategy:

- setting a goal that is meaningful to you and committing to it,
- sticking to an offering that your ideal clients want and need,
- commit to a brand strategy and visuals and stay consistent,
- find a strategic approach to pursue your goals that is sustainable and aligns with your natural strengths.

If you're a solopreneur who wants to be more strategic, the first step is to stop changing stuff!

Thanks for reading.

23/06/2022

08/06/2022

Here are the big pillars of my digital strategy process with some tips for each step. I hope you find it useful.

Knowing the steps is one thing. The real work happens when you get into the details and all the decisions need to be made and implemented. Keep in mind that as a solopreneur, this thing has to work for YOU! You'll be the one showing up. Make sure your decisions come down to aligned action.
Aligned with your temperament, your energy, and your ideal clients - so that you can make the best use of your resources and actually have a business that is kind to you and allows you to do your best work.

Lemme know if you have questions, comment below :)

07/06/2022

So many books have helped me improve my service and strengthen my process and find the energy to keep showing up.

These are just a few books that I keep going back to. What books have become building blocks of your business?

My list:
F**k Perfuction by James Victore
Radical Candor by Kim Scott
Attention Pays by Neen James
Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
Sprint by Jake Knapp
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller

07/06/2022

Having a steady flow of visitors to your website is brilliant but having website visitors convert to leads - is way better. These 3 simple tips can make all the difference.

Pop over to an incognito tab and test your site today. Comment below if you found a weak link!

02/06/2022

You totally COULD have done it. But here's the sucker-punch....

Swipe for my take on how Jackson Po***ck can inspire you to take action on your business ideas.

30/05/2022

The visibility paradox for early-stage businesses, and the perfect swear word.
I loved this conversation with Deirdre. We talked about showing up online and the vital mindset shift that helps you to get out there even when it makes you feel nervous.
Tap below to listen or look for "The Ambition Incubator Podcast" on your favourite platform.

Thanks so much for inviting me on the show Deirdre :)

Designer and digital strategy coach, Claire Gallagher & I chat about the visibility paradox for early stage businesses, and the perfect swear word.

29/05/2022

From one perfectionist to another... I must admit I still have to stop myself from reinventing everything each time I show up online. Wanting to do a better version, and upgrade my message and style... But when I consider *showing up as an act of service to the people I want to connect with*, I hit 'publish' more easily and urgently!

How are you showing up FOR your potential clients?

24/05/2022

When you have no leads in the pipeline, it can feel scary! But for whatever reason, it happens sometimes! Here are 10 tips that can help you bring in your next client quickly without too much prep.

*Pop over to clairecreative.com/strategy for another 10 tips :) *

23/05/2022

I just booked flights to head home to Ireland in July - YAY!
I'm really looking forward to seeing friends and family and finally getting to celebrate my 40th (one year late).

In the context of working solo, how do you take time off?

For me, it's about keeping a keen eye-ball on the calendar and planning in advance so that the time I take off is actually relaxing, and I'm not trying to check emails while I'm supposed to be chillin'.

Here are a few things I do to plan my time off. Pop over to the blog here:

I just booked flights to head home to Ireland in July – YAY! I’m really looking forward to seeing friends and family and finally getting to celebrate my 40th (one year late). In the context of working solo, how do you take time off? For me, it’s about keeping a keen eye-ball on the calendar a...

09/05/2022

Sarah* was spending 10+ hours a week on Instagram posting, going live, and engaging with followers. (Not counting the hours of research, scrolling, and understanding the algorithm). While her following grew slowly, very few of her followers were clicking through to her website to book her services. So she Googled it. “How to get more followers on Instagram.” She dutifully signed up for “10-tips” worksheets and free courses.

Months passed and she got more than 100 additional followers, but no new clients. She was getting pretty frustrated. All this work and nothing to show for it. No return on her investment of time and energy.

So she got in touch with me. When we began working together we did an audit of her digital strategy and saw how much of her resources were being poured into visibility for little or no return. Aside from Instagram, Sarah was working on building a website and had hired an SEO consultant to get her new site ranking well on Google.

So why were none of these efforts paying off? We identified 3 key weaknesses...

Read on here:

Are you sure you want to read this? Are you ready for an annoying, inconvenient answer? OK then, if you’re sure…. The secret is to use the right strategy. I warned you it’d be annoying, but let me break it down. What is the “right” strategy for a consistently profitable business? The “ri...