It’s time to Blog Like Crazy

Birmingham blogger Javacia Harris Bowser encouraging Birmingham bloggers to "blog like crazy'' in November.

Birmingham blogger Javacia Harris Bowser encouraging Birmingham bloggers to “blog like crazy” in November 2014.

 

By Chanda Temple

Today kicks off Blog Like Crazy, a national initiative to push folks to blog for 30 days straight in November.

Tough challenge, but I’m up for it.

As I write my first entry for November, I’m sitting in the Church Street Coffee & Books shop with nine other women determined to do the same thing. We are all inspired by Javacia Harris Bowser, founder of Birmingham’s See Jane Write. She issued the challenge during a workshop today to encourage us to be bold and go for it.

“Blogging is hard. Even though everyone does it, not everyone does it well,” says Bowser. “It takes a lot of work and you need inspiration to keep going.”

For 45 minutes, Bowser shares tips on how to become a better blogger. She then tells us to roll up our sleeves and get to work. We have three hours to bang out what we can as we start our #bloglikecrazy journey. The women here are ready and explain why they’re here.

Says Jennifer Dome King of http://www.stellarfashionandfitness.com: “I guess I wanted to feel like I was rededicating myself to my blog and the goals that I have for it. So I felt like it was a good time for me to give myself permission to focus on my blog,” .

Says Darlene Millender of http://www.thebirminghambuff.com: “This is a kick start to focus on blogging again. I haven’t written articles since the spring. I think this is what I needed. I’ve gotten some great tips.”

Here are some of Bowser’s tips.

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Motivation Monday: Quotes to keep you going

When in doubt, keep going. Victory is coming. Photo by Steven Depolo via Flickr/Creative Commons.

When in doubt, keep going. Victory is coming.
Photo by Steven Depolo via Flickr/Creative Commons.

By Chanda Temple

When I worked as a reporter, I always listened for quotes that sounded like music. They were words that blended so well together that they stayed with you well after the person stopped talking. Such motivational messages fed my soul and I figured they’d do the same for readers. It’s a practice I continue to do to this day.

Whenever someone makes a memorable comment, I write it down or punch it into my smartphone. I sometimes post them on social media or share them when I talk to students. They are a constant reminder to keep going after goals 

Here are some of my favorites. I hope they inspire you today and always.    

  • “The best motivation is self-motivation. The guy says, ‘I wish someone would come by and turn me on.’ What if they don’t show up? You’ve got to have a better plan for your life.” – Jim Rohn

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Motivation Monday: Author Fights Cancer to Write Children’s Book About the Magic City Classic

Tuscumbia, Ala. native Sherri Graves Smith wrote "Magic City Classic Game Day Rules.'' She'll be in Birmingham on Oct. 24 - 26 to sell and sign books. (Image: Mascot Books)

Tuscumbia, Ala. native Sherri Graves Smith wrote “Magic City Classic Game Day Rules.” She’ll be in Birmingham on Oct. 23 – 26 to sell and sign books. (Image: Mascot Books)

By Chanda Temple 

On Saturday, Oct. 25, Birmingham, Ala. will welcome the 73rd Magic City Classic, the annual football showdown between Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University in Birmingham, Ala.

Thousands will pour into the city for the rivalry and reunions at Legion Field, where everyone from celebrities and fashionistas to alumni and grill masters will gather. If you’ve never been, consider putting it on your calendar.

For me, this year’s Magic City Classic comes with something special – the release of “The Magic City Classic Game Day Rules,” a children’s book that highlights the long football tradition.

Written by Tuscumbia, Ala. native Sherri Graves Smith, the book stresses the importance of manners when it comes to attending the game and other Magic City Classic festivities. The bands, the teams and the fans are featured in cute illustrations by Damon Danielson.

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Motivation Monday: Overcoming the fear of public speaking

Never read your speech. It's a distraction for you and the audience. Photo by Brain POP via Flicker/Creative Commons.

Never read your speech in front of an audience. It’s a distraction for you and the audience.
Photo by Brain POP via Flicker/Creative Commons.

By Chanda Temple

If your hands get sweaty and your mouth gets dry before you have to talk before a crowd, you may want to call on Janice Ward.

She’s a Birmingham, Ala. speaking coach and college communications instructor, trained in helping people lose their fear of public speaking.

On Thursday, Sept. 25, she will host the “Fearless Public Speaking” seminar from  8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at The Club, 1 Robert S. Smith Drive in Birmingham. Early registration is $50 at http://www.wardspeaks.com. On-site registration is $69. Breakfast, which is included, starts at 8 a.m.

Ward said the workshop is for novice speakers, CEOs, aspiring politicians, nonprofit professionals, business owners, the clergy, college students and anyone interested in conquering speech anxiety. She said the session will help participants develop skills to overcome their stage fright and become better speakers and presenters.

“Fifty percent of adults are afraid to speak publicly. They would rather do other things,” Ward said. “I think if people have the opportunities to learn the right techniques, they’ll overcome their anxiety.”

Here are six of her tips on public speaking:

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This is my season

One of the photos photographer Carrie took for my profile story in Style Blueprint in September 2014.

One of the photos photographer Mary Margaret Chambliss took for my profile story in Style Blueprint in September 2014.

By Chanda Temple

When good things happen, you want to shout them from the rooftop.

In my case, I think I need a bullhorn. Here’s why:

1) I saw Oprah in person

Oprah recently kicked off her Life You Want Weekend Tour 2014 in Atlanta, Ga. It was phenomenal. Over two days, Oprah and her “Trailblazer” speakers planted seeds of encouragement and wisdom that will bear fruit for not only me but the thousands of folks catching her tour this fall. Be on the lookout for my personal post on this experience in the next week or so.

2) I was featured in an online magazine

StyleBlueprint’s “FACES of Birmingham,’‘ profiles people doing amazing things in the community. I’m honored for the recognition and the story, which ran on Sept. 8, 2014.

3) I’ve been selected as one of Birmingham’s 20 Women Who Make a Difference.

I’m still in shock over this one. So honored to have been nominated and so thrilled to have been selected. All of the women on the list will be recognized during a luncheon on Oct. 22.

4) I organized and moderated my first panel discussion on Birmingham’s civil rights movement.

I work in public relations for a nonprofit organization, which was having a panel discussion on race, redemption and the civil rights movement to coincide with a day of reflection in Birmingham, Ala. When I asked one of the speakers which person they wanted to moderate the session, he said, “Well, I think you’d do a good job.”

I was speechless, yet honored to be considered as the moderator of a panel discussion with two Birmingham authors. In the end, everything worked out well. People said they enjoyed the panel, and one lady said she could tell I had read both books. My organization of the event and participation are both proof that you should never fear the unknown because it will lead to greater things.

I don’t take any of this for granted. I’m truly blessed for all that has happened. In fact, I think of William Murphy’s ‘It’s Working” song. It fits what’s growing for me and around me right now.

“I’ve got a seed in the ground, now I’m knowing and it’s showing,” is one of the lyrics. “This is my season for grace, for favor. This is my season to reap what I have sown.”

So, these are my top four “happy” moments to report right now. But there’s still more in the works. Stay tuned

Chanda Temple is a former reporter now working in public relations. She blogs about being better in business and more at http://www.chandatemplewrites.com. Follow her on Twitter at @chandatemple. Contact her at chandatemple@gmail.com.

 

 

 

Motivation Monday: How to make money from your website

The free workshop, "How to Make Money From Your Website'' will be held on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Birmingham Public Library. (Photo credit: Hubspot)

A free workshop called, “How to Make Money From Your Website” will be held on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Birmingham Public Library, 2100 Park Place.  (Photo credit: Hubspot)

By Chanda Temple

So someone told you that you needed a website to bring in more customers for your business.

You created one and nothing happened. Now you’re wondering what went wrong.

Andrea Walker, a digital strategist and start-up marketing expert based in Birmingham, Ala., may have some answers.

On Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014 she will lead a free workshop on how to make money from your website. The session will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Birmingham Public Library, 2100 Park Place. It’s free but registration is required, via this Eventbrite.

The workshop is part of an ongoing entrepreneurial series sponsored by Renasant Bank and Trudy Phillips Consulting Service. (Go here for the entire schedule.)

“A lot of small businesses don’t have the money to do advertising and ad campaigns, so (this workshop) will really be for how to use content marketing and social media to attract the right kind of customers they are looking for,’’ Walker says. “At the end of the day, I want people to walk away learning something they haven’t learned before and knowing they can do it.’’

Her session will address several topics, including the importance of content marketing, which is how to create and share free content on the web with the goal of attracting potential customers and turning them into repeat customers. In order to do that, here are a few things Walker says you should to consider:

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How do your children work their D.R.E.A.M?

Once you have the dream, you must make it a reality.

Once you have the dream, you must make it a reality.

By Chanda Temple

Go ahead and ask because Stephanie Perry Moore has heard the question too many times to count. 

Yes, people have told her she looks like Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer of “The Help’’ fame. And yes, Moore knows Spencer. 

The two were high school classmates at Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery, Ala., where they were both in drama class.

While Spencer has a large following for her acting, Moore has one for her writing.

Moore, who’s written more than 70 books full of heart, sass and grit, will be in Birmingham on Sept. 22- 25 for a fall book tour and talk at several Birmingham Public Library locations. She’ll kick off her tour at 10 a.m. at the downtown location, 2100 Park Place. (See the complete tour schedule at the end of this post.)

Stephanie Perry Moore has big dreams and says children should, too. (Photo: Special)

Stephanie Perry Moore has big dreams and says children should, too. (Photo: Special)

The young adult novelist will target youth in her Birmingham message. She’ll discuss the importance of following dreams, writing books and how she’s still on a journey of trying to get her books made for television and movies. Her goal is to inspire youth to live their purpose. Her new series, “The Sharp Sisters,” was released in August, and the next series, “The Swoop List,” will be released January 2015. She will be selling copies of several different books during her tour.

Actress Octavia Spencer Photo from American Library Association via Creative Commons.

Actress Octavia Spencer
Photo from American Library Association.

“If you are still living, breathing and going, you are supposed to keep striving,’’ says Moore, a married mother of three now living in the greater Atlanta area. “So that means, more networking, more education … and (more) prayer.’’

What is her advice for pursuing a D.R.E.A.M.? She has five tips:

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Motivation Monday: Tune up your career on Labor Day

As we take a break from work this Labor Day, we should start thinking of how we can get ahead at the office.

As we take a break from work this Labor Day, we should start thinking how we can get ahead at the office.

By Chanda Temple

I know it’s hard to think about work on a day off like today, but this Labor Day is the perfect time to plot your next career move.

If you don’t have a plan, it’s time to take a pause from the holiday barbecue and race to create one. Failure to do so could leave your career stuck in neutral.

Career coach Melva Tate of Tate & Associates in Birmingham, Ala. offers seven tips to help the unemployed, under employed and even the gainfully employed get ahead in the workplace.

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