Weekly newsletter brought to your inbox every Wednesday, by your friends at Elite Blog Academy®—full of valuable marketing tips, tricks and inspiration to help you keep pushing forward when the days get long. 

FEATURED READS

The big question…

Thinking about starting a blog but worried you've missed the boat? Fear of a "dead" blogging world is a common misconception. Here's the truth: Blogging is alive and thriving!

This week on the EBA blog we’re tackling the myth of blogging's demise. 

We'll explore how blogs are evolving, not disappearing and share 7 reasons why you should start a blog in 2024, and 3 surprising reasons why you shouldn’t.

You'll discover how a blog can be your brand powerhouse, attracting a dedicated audience and establishing your expertise. Plus, we'll show you how to leverage the latest trends to get your voice heard in a dynamic online space. It’s all in this week’s blog post, Is Blogging Dead in 2024?

POWER MOVES

The hack for easy video content

It’s no secret that short-form media is a hot tactic in digital marketing right now! 

The algorithms are currently working in our favor, so if you haven’t embraced short-form content like TikTok or Instagram Reels (our favorite!), consider this your sign that it’s time!

A major hangup we hear from our students who are getting started in short-form content is the time it takes to film content and put it all together. But what if we told you it doesn’t have to be that hard?

Not every video has to be a fully edited, professional-quality video. Using b-roll (or secondary footage) in your videos will keep the screen moving and it’s surprisingly easy to film to have on hand for when you’re creating your content. Here’s how:

1. Plan your shots

• Storyboarding: Before you grab your camera, jot down a list or sketch out the kind of b-roll footage you want. This helps you stay focused and capture all the necessary elements for your social media video.

• Mood matters: Consider the feeling you want to evoke. Upbeat and energetic? Calm and relaxing? Choose b-roll visuals that complement the overall tone of your video.

2. Capture compelling footage

• Smartphone savvy: Don't have a fancy camera? No worries! Modern smartphones can capture impressive b-roll. Utilize what you have!

• Steady does it: Invest in a small tripod or gimbal for smooth, professional-looking footage. Even propping your phone on a stable surface makes a difference.

• Shot variety is key: Mix things up! Include close-ups, wide shots, establishing shots, and panning shots to create a dynamic and visually engaging sequence. (And remember to shoot plenty of vertical!)

3. Organize for efficiency

• Folder frenzy: Create specific folders on your phone or computer for your b-roll footage. Label them clearly by theme or project (e.g., "Cooking B-Roll", "Travel Vlog Clips"). We use shared folders in iCloud for our team and it makes it so simple to collaborate!

• Keyword magic: When saving clips, include relevant keywords in the file name for easy searching later. (e.g., "WhiskingEggs_KitchenCounter", "ParisStreetScene_EiffelTower").

4. Post-production polish

• Editing essentials: Use free or paid editing software to trim clips, adjust color correction, and add music or sound effects. Even basic edits can elevate your b-roll. If using Instagram, the editing features in the app are easy to use and can handle most of this for you!

• Slow-Mo power: Use slow motion sparingly to emphasize specific moments and add a touch of drama.

5. Bonus Tip: Experiment and explore!

• The beauty of social media b-roll is the creative freedom. Don't be afraid to try new things, explore different angles and have fun with the process!

Short-form media has the power to transform your online business. But, the truth is it’s just another tactic if you aren’t following a strong, cohesive strategy for growing your business. To see the strategy we teach in action click HERE for our on-demand training, Firestarter. 

We’ll walk you through what’s working in the online world right now and how our business model can maximize the impact on your business.

WE’VE GOT TO TELL YOU ABOUT

Are you following us on IG?

If you aren’t already, you can follow us on Instagram at @eliteblogacademy for more business and mindset tips & insider secrets. If you’re looking to go even more high level, Ruth’s newest account (@ruthsoukupbiz) is the perfect place to be!

Looking to grow your podcast?

Our friend Adam at Podcasting Business School is THE go-to source for using your podcast as a funnel for your business. Check him out HERE (and use our special code EBAPALS to save 10% on his program!).

MINDSET MATTERS

Your secret weapon for entrepreneurial success

The entrepreneurial journey is a thrilling rollercoaster ride—exhilarating highs fueled by passion and innovation, followed by the inevitable dips of setbacks and challenges. It's during these dips that negativity can creep in, clouding your vision and dampening your spirit.  

Here's where a surprising weapon comes into play: gratitude.

Expressing gratitude isn't just a feel-good practice; it's a powerful tool for boosting resilience and fostering success in your business. Studies show that cultivating an attitude of gratitude enhances positive emotions, leading to increased focus, creativity and determination. This positive mindset is crucial for navigating the inevitable challenges that come with building a business.

Here's how you can harness the power of gratitude in your daily hustle:

Start Your Day with Appreciation: Make it a habit to begin each workday by listing three things you're grateful for in your business. It could be anything—a loyal customer base, a supportive team member, a recent learning experience or even a productive brainstorming session. Taking a moment to acknowledge the positive aspects of your journey, big or small, sets the tone for a more optimistic and focused day.

Celebrate Milestones (Big and Small): Don't wait for monumental achievements to celebrate. Recognize and appreciate the smaller milestones along the way—a successful product launch, reaching a social media milestone or overcoming a technical hurdle. Celebrating these wins, no matter how seemingly insignificant, reinforces positive progress and fuels your motivation to keep pushing forward.

Express Gratitude to Your Team and Clients: A simple "thank you" can go a long way. Show appreciation to your team members for their hard work and dedication. Express gratitude to your clients for their trust and loyalty. Recognizing the contributions of others strengthens your team dynamic and fosters stronger customer relationships.

By weaving gratitude into the fabric of your entrepreneurial journey, you'll cultivate a more positive mindset, enhance your resilience and attract more success into your business. It's a simple yet powerful tool that can make all the difference in navigating the exciting (and sometimes tough) world of entrepreneurship.

SHE MEANS BUSINESS

Powerhouses making big moves

Last month we taught the next phase of our EBA Powerhouse program LIVE which is always exciting. But even more exciting is seeing the progress our Powerhouse students are already making in their business so far this year.

See, many of our members were experiencing something that we ourselves have been facing. The old ways are just NOT working like they used to. 

So Ruth did what she always does…she dove head first into testing and researching and it has paid off big time. Basically, she developed a new framework that is working NOW in this economy and online business landscape. We have been applying it to our own brands over the past year and have seen such a quick turnaround that we knew this was something our community needed sooner rather than later, and so EBA Powerhouse was born.

If this sounds like you and you have an established business but feel like maybe you have hit a plateau or that things just aren’t working anymore know first that you are not alone, but more importantly that there is a way to turn the ship around.

Here’s a quick look at what is happening in Powerhouse:

I've been in business for so long now that it's really easy to get stuck in old strategies and methods... even when they might not be doing as well as they used to. So I'm really loving fresh new ideas so that I can pivot my business to stay relevant. - Jenny Chauvin

Joining Powerhouse is one of the best business decisions and investments I've made. As a long-time business owner, I knew all the foundational skills. But Ruth Soukup makes you actually put it all together by PROVING you've done the work. This forces you to stop thinking, perfecting, and procrastinating and take REAL ACTION. If you need your fire lit, this is the program to get you ignited! - Lisa Brooks

Ruth totally delivers once again, blowing me away with her expertise. Phase one helped me finally get my brand statement nailed down and my pillars clarified. This phase is definitely like trying to drink from a fire hose—so much amazing info to soak in! Feeling pumped and ready to rock this journey with clarity and purpose. Can't thank her enough for being such an awesome guide! - Kristin Escalera

Phase one was helpful in developing a strategy to get my message to my people. Gaining clarity on my pillar content, how to share that information, and where to find my people was a huge breakthrough. I can't wait to see how this transforms my business! - Melissa James

Powerhouse is a fresh and up-to-date framework for growing your online business in 2024, after a time when many businesses have started to plateau. - Jilly Blankenship

This was just what I needed! As an established business owner, it was great to go back and realign my site with my vision moving forward. When I first started blogging, I didn't really know what I was doing, so this was much needed to get my site in order. This program is INTENSE, but what else would you expect from Ruth? - Tiffany Jordon

It has been SO inspiring to watch their growth already, and we are just getting started! If this sounds like something your business needs, we encourage you to sign up for our free training to learn more HERE! 

MARKETING FUN FACT

Our brains process visuals 60,000 times faster than text. This makes including images and videos in your marketing content crucial. In fact, tweets with images receive 150% more retweets!