#10 | when we need a reminder...
Challenging rules, embracing authenticity, and meaningful choices + Social Media Trends Report for 2024 + lead magnets, AI prompt, and GIFTS! 🎁
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Yesterday, I finished the seventh notebook of the last three and a half years. This one was special, a thematic Moleskine from a nice trip to Milan that I hesitated to start but ended up becoming one of my favourites.
Writing almost every day is one of the things that truly makes a difference in my life. There are days when I feel lost, and disconnected, so I write... and on the pages, I find myself again.
But speaking of this particular notebook, in the first text, written a few months after the purchase, back in October 2022, I found a passionate defence to start this notebook, a rant against the rules I imposed on myself.
The passage said something like:
"I took a long time to start writing in this notebook. I had another one that I didn't like as much, but I followed the rule of only starting a new notebook after finishing the previous one. A rule I hated but obeyed. Today, I decided to put an end to that. It is not necessary to take something to the end just because we started it. I have the power of choice, and the decision is mine, of this present self, not of the past that invented these rules."
I usually don't reread my notebooks, at least not right after I finish them, but yesterday the urge came, and I was grateful. An intense defence for a not-so-big issue, but I needed the reminder.
From time to time, I go back to thinking like the Amanda of a few years ago, who created rules and believed that all these rules were the only way to "get there" and when we "get there," all the pain will pass, that the secret was always to give more of ourselves, or tolerate more, be more. Writing in the notebook we don't like until the end, and giving up was failure. I want to embrace her just thinking about all of this. /:
But life taught me what led to this passage, which talks about starting a new notebook but applies to so many other situations in life.
Choosing the life we want to live every day, is more than simply continuing something just because we started it. Each step will be an experience filled with human emotions, pain and happiness. The ending is a consequence. Basically, what remains is the path travelled.
The notebook I wanted to start was there, yellowed pages, thick sheets, for a few months on the shelf gathering dust, while every day I complained about the white and thin sheets of the notebook I had started first.
The rules we create for ourselves and cling to even when they stop making sense. Even when they block what we know we want.
I still have many of them.
And from time to time, I rebel, like a teenager who slams the door on the way out and writes an inspiring paragraph about a not-so-big issue, like a notebook. But it's big. Everything that impacts our experience is big. Everything that makes a difference on good days and difficult days is big.
The notebook, the company, the work, what occupies you, what you lack.
I have been admiring more and more those who give up - not on what they love but on what no longer serves them. I know how difficult it is when pride or fear tighten, the pressure of "I've come so far already," or "just a little more and it will be over, or it will get better" - basically what I talked about in the Twitter newsletter.
But yes, I really admire those who rebel, who have the courage to give up and then try it in their own new way, changing direction in the middle of the path. Making choices that make a difference, choices that change the small and big details - choices that make the journey more enjoyable (and on difficult days - tolerable).
And speaking of that, the update is that my Twitter is still deactivated, and now I spend more time on other social media, but not so much because the format of Instagram and TikTok tires me a lot (which is good because it's easier to set limits - which makes the journey easier).
Giving up some things has indeed made room for others. Like the courage to fire a client, the return of the pleasure of creating my posts (this carousel mainly), and the space in my head to finally finish an entire book - in one day (thanks for the recommendation, Bia - The Silent Patient was so good! - I felt very #Ilovereading) - and for the other recommendations I received - super thank you! I've already added them to my list, and the moment will come soon, it always does ♡.
I believe it's the beginning or, better said, another step on the journey.
One choice at a time, occasionally, the pain even goes away.
To Inspire! Things I saw around...
→ I wrote the whole text, but this first image summarises
→ I really liked this video about creating 3 types of routines
→ "Art itself will never disappear, no matter how much they cement everything around us, because there is no human being without human perception." (in portuguese)
→ There is life in creativity (in Portuguese)
Social Media
Semrush released a Trends Report for social media for 2024, which is very good and completely free to download! It's a very interesting read if you're looking to explore the potential of social media.
What does it basically say?
Elevate your status on social media by embracing authenticity. Build a genuine emotional connection with your followers through authenticity.
Embrace the era of content creators' fame. Cultivate lasting partnerships with content creators for prolonged success.
Join the content revolution with Generative AI. Use Generative AI to optimise content creation, allowing you to focus on developing innovative ideas and strategic approaches.
Anticipate the dominance of TikTok and LinkedIn in 2024. Position yourself as a prominent figure on both platforms, leveraging user-generated content that actively engages and resonates with your audience.
Content Creation
An email address goes beyond simple characters; it is a golden ticket to establish a direct line of communication with your audience. Indeed, always grateful to have yours!
And so I know that collecting emails is not just about acquiring data; it's about building a connection that goes beyond a specific platform.
Emails are a powerful tool to nurture relationships, provide personalised content, and, most importantly, stay in the minds of your audience.
Now, the question arises: why would someone voluntarily share their email address? The answer lies in the value you deliver, offering something in exchange for an email address, be it good content or something more specific like an extra incentive. This incentive can come in the form of a discount, exclusive content, or Lead Magnets in the form of gifts, guides, workbooks, or even an additional chapter of your book.
Inspired by this, I created a new product for my Etsy store, published this blog post, and added some to my newsletter!
Now, anyone who subscribes here gets the first chapters of my book (in Portuguese and English). Yayy. Also, two bonus Canva templates to help with content creation - one for an ebook/workbook (for you to create your lead magnet) and another with posts for social media. My plan is to keep creating new things and always share here first. (:
AI Prompt
Since we're talking about lead magnets, I created this prompt to help you come up with more specific ideas to create yours! Start the conversation by saying:
“Hi chat, I need ideas for lead magnets! My target audience is [describe your audience], and I want to offer [results or the value of the offer]. The goal is [goals]. I already have [types of content, for example, articles, infographics, and video lessons]. Suggestions?”
Latest Updates on my Socials
I’ve started posting more frequently (still not too much) on Instagram - but I'm loving creating these posts.
I wrote a new blog post about lead magnets.
I have created 2 additional templates on my Etsy shop. And we have reached 90 SALES, yayy! (: If you haven't checked out my shop yet, please take a look at my Etsy store. I offer templates for promoting your book or product. As a thank-you gift for reading my newsletter, you can use the code NEWSLETTER to get a 10% discount.
If you've received this edition and have any comments to share, reply to this email or comment on Substack! I'd love to have a chat with you (and I apologise if I take a while to respond, I also have that little problem with WhatsApp).
And if you enjoy this newsletter, please share it with your friends and anyone else who likes it!
Until next time,
With love,
Amanda Oliveira-Telò
My book (: • Instagram • TikTok • Etsy