I am a multi-passionate, feminist creative marketer who helps women stand out online without burning out. As an accomplished web designer, brand strategist, and published author, I know a thing or twenty about helping women-owned businesses grow their online presence, wealth, and impact in the world (because women do good stuff with their money) AND confidently take up space online.
Bad Review? Good Lesson.
Hey Bootstrapper,Each week, I deliver a fresh, feminist-inspired, creative marketing email to your inbox...let's dive in! My children's book, I Love Me from A to Z, was released this week! After signing the publishing deal in 2021, it's so exciting to finally see it on shelves and the online marketplace. I woke up the other day to an email from my publisher with a glowing review from the School Library Journal. This felt like a big deal because a positive review from the School Library Journal is considered a highly respected endorsement that can significantly increase a book's visibility, credibility, and chances of being added to library collections nationwide. The funny thing is that my first book, Body Positive: A Guide to Loving Your Body, which came out in 2021, received a really bad review from them when it came out(see below)! When I first read the negative review of my book, it stung. I had poured my heart and soul into it and was so proud of the final product. I interviewed experts, photographed 75 diverse women, and included responses from real women for each chapter. However, the reviewer said it offered essentially nothing to those struggling with body image issues. Ouch. I’ll admit that the book was written from the perspective of a white, able-bodied woman with a lot of privilege. But I did my best at the time to make it inclusive, and I still believe it has a lot to offer. I know if I wrote it today, it would be a different book. But I'm not ashamed of what I created. It's what I needed at the start of my body image journey, and I know it has and will continue to help young girls and women. There were also a lot of really great reviews. Even one of my idols, a well-respected writer and filmmaker, Dr. Jean Kilbourne, wrote, "This book will improve many lives and could save some as well." So, what's the point of this story? Well, there are two: 1) You don't get good at something without first being NEW at something. I had never written a book before I wrote mine. I simply had the passion to create something helpful, and I know it has been! 2) Not everyone will love your book, service, podcast, or whatever it is that you dare to create. And that's okay. You shouldn't have to change who you are or where you are in your journey to make others comfortable. I'm not saying we're incapable of learning and improving, but we also cannot be ashamed of the process it takes to get there. As I mentioned last week, your brand is an evolution, not a destination. You are human. You are going to keep changing! And that is such a beautiful thing! Please don't let others discourage you from starting or trying things simply because not everyone will like it or like YOU! When you create a genuine brand, those people will find you. |
Hey, I'm Emily, and I don't just create stand out brands - I create change.
I am a multi-passionate, feminist creative marketer who helps women stand out online without burning out. As an accomplished web designer, brand strategist, and published author, I know a thing or twenty about helping women-owned businesses grow their online presence, wealth, and impact in the world (because women do good stuff with their money) AND confidently take up space online.
Hey Bootstrapper, Each week, I deliver a fresh, feminist-inspired, creative marketing email to your inbox...let's dive in! Prefer to listen to this podcast style? You're in luck! Check it out here! A few weeks ago, I found myself in an unexpected situation that made my heart race a little. I spotted a post from someone in my network – a fellow ethical marketer – discussing how messaging about "getting money into women's hands" excludes non-binary and gender-fluid people. As someone whose...
Hey Bootstrapper, Each week, I deliver a fresh, feminist-inspired, creative marketing email to your inbox...let's dive in! Prefer to listen to this podcast style? You're in luck! Check it out here! I need to make a confession: I haven't posted on social media in almost two weeks. For someone who teaches the importance of consistent branding and visibility, this might seem like a bad thing, but the truth is there are many ways you can be visible online. I realized I needed a break from social...
Hey Bootstrapper, Each week, I deliver a fresh, feminist-inspired, creative marketing email to your inbox...let's dive in! Prefer to listen to this podcast style? You're in luck! Check it out here! This week, I noticed something interesting. One by one, several top business experts I follow sent emails with strikingly similar messages: they're tired. Exhausted, actually. The constant ups and downs of the world, combined with the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, is genuinely exhausting...