Goals

{READ TO BOTTOM OF POST FOR GIVEAWAY}

Am I celebrating because I’m the next TPT millionaire?!? Heavens, no! I wish! I’m celebrating reaching some of my own, personal, reasonable goals. Of course I like to set high hopes and standards, but over the last year, one thing I’ve learned is that it’s MORE important to set goals that are personally important or satisfying for yourself. For me, I really wanted to work on a few things:

CONNECT: At last year’s conference, I came alone, knew NO ONE, and had absolutely no social media presence AT ALL. That was okay, I was just starting (still am, really), and it gave me a really great, personally appealing, reasonable goal. Luckily…I’m not shy ;-). Over the past year, I’ve worked hard and thoroughly enjoyed connecting with other educators, bloggers, and sellers via social media, blogging, and local meet-ups. Of course I love amassing these connections for business reasons (I’d be lying if I said I didn’t!), but BETTER YET has been the countless inspiring educational role models and true friends I’ve met along the way. Those, my friends, are truly priceless.
Build my BLOG: Last summer, my blog didn’t even exist. I had blogging experience (and continue to) with Scholastic Top Teaching and LOVE that opportunity, but also wanted my own blog. So, that became a goal. Over the year, I’ve built my own blog, designed the elements therein, and blogged whenever possible. Throughout the school year I TOTALLY went MIA on this blog a few times, but this summer I have HIT IT HARD. A new goal is for me to blog more regularly this coming year.
Play with PRODUCTS: I’ve been creating teaching materials as long as I’ve been teaching, but creating something to SELL to other teachers is a whole new level of work…and pressure. I told myself not to worry about cranking out tons of products, nor making lots of money (if any) this past year. I wanted to play with product creation, create only things I truly NEEDED for my classroom, and then go from there. I’ve learned much from this approach, and feel much more ready for the year of creation ahead of me!

I will have TONS of posts more on this and other related topics, but my biggest take-away from the TPT conference was FIND YOUR NICHE…and then NICHE DOWN. Anyone who knows me knows…that is REALLY TOUGH FOR ME. I enjoy so much and want to try everything. The problem is {as we say in the small town where I grew up} “you can’t ride 2 (or 3, or 4) horses with one….rear.” 😉 Hearing this at the conference was a GAME CHANGING CALL TO ACTION for me. I took it to heart, and will from here on out am channeling my creative energy on…..drumroll….my Marketing Maven ventures. I’m leaving my existing curricular products up in my store, and I’m not saying I’ll never create a school activity for sale in the future, but for right now, my goal is to be YOUR TPT MARKETING MAVEN. What does that mean? Check out some of my current and future Marketing Maven products and services below!

Stylized Photography Mock-ups: High quality images for social media, TPT store makeovers, and product covers/blog post creations. I’ll be blogging more TOMORROW, through the weekend, and in the future about what these are, how you can use them to maximize your branding, and steps to customizing these items for your own shop needs.
Marketing Maven Branding Services: As you learn more about me, you’ll know that my passion for and experience with graphic design and photography go waaaaay back. Before my son was born, I designed couture wedding invitations and brand logos, as well as photographed children and families “on the side” while teaching. NOW….I’m channeling those passions to help the blogging and TPT selling communities. COMING SOON {working with 2 private clients right now!!} I will be offering: custom logo creation, professional teacher/blogger photography, branding toolkits, and website/blog design! STAY TUNED!!!

Since settling down and channeling my interests and abilities is tough for me…I’m CELEBRATING this breakthrough!

It’s only a few days before the HUGE TPT BTS SALE! Primp your shop!!!! I’ll be posting & Periscoping the rest of this week on the topic of making your TPT SHOP and SOCIAL MEDIA look stellar…without losing your mind. For now, here’s a preview of the new Marketing Maven products currently in my store & 20% ON SALE BEFORE the TPT SALE to help you READY your STOREFRONT:
{Be sure to scroll through b/c there are 3 different design styles!}

I’m SO GRATEFUL that even ONE of you follow me on any of the social networks, read this blog, or have purchased a product from my shop. As a small token of my appreciation, I’ve teamed up with an AWESOME group of sponsors to bring you the FABULOUS GIVEAWAY below! Be sure to click through the slideshow to see the sponsors & the more you enter…the better your odds are of snagging one of the amazing prizes!