Career & Work Archives

Career & Work

Why Audiobooks Became One of the Fastest Growing Book Formats

Audiobooks have transformed how millions of people consume books. What began as an accessibility tool for visually impaired readers has evolved into one of the fastest-growing segments of the publishing industry. Today, people listen while commuting, exercising, doing household chores, traveling, and working. Audiobooks have made reading more accessible, more flexible, and easier to fit into busy lives. While printed books and ebooks remain important, the rise of audiobooks has fundamentally changed how readers discover and engage with stories and ideas.

September 24, 2019

What It Really Takes to Write Children’s Books: Insights from Brooke Van Sickle

Writing for children looks simple from the outside. The books are shorter, the language appears straightforward, and the stories often feel effortless. Yet creating books that truly connect with young readers requires far more skill, discipline, and intentionality than many people realize. Children's author, editor, and educator Brooke Van Sickle has spent years studying the craft, building a platform within the children's publishing industry, and helping aspiring authors navigate the path from idea to publication. In this interview, Brooke shares practical lessons on writing for children, developing creative discipline, building an author platform, and pursuing a long-term career in publishing.

September 16, 2019

Why Brand Trust Is Built Through Consistent Value, Not Marketing

Modern consumers are more connected than ever and more skeptical than ever. We’ve watched corporations leak data, fake authenticity, manipulate attention, and prioritize growth over people. Trust is eroding everywhere. And because trust is disappearing, it’s becoming incredibly valuable. In a world full of noise, manipulation, and endless advertising, the brands and creators who consistently provide real value stand out immediately.

September 13, 2019

How to Build a Brand People Want to Talk About

Most businesses, creators, and professionals focus on marketing when they want more attention. They look for better advertising, more social media followers, improved SEO, or the latest growth strategy. But the most successful brands often grow differently. People voluntarily talk about them. A favorite restaurant. An exceptional book. A trusted mechanic. A thoughtful coworker. A business that consistently exceeds expectations. Nobody has to convince people to share these experiences. They do it naturally because something about the experience was memorable enough to be worth mentioning. This type of word-of-mouth growth isn't an accident. It happens when a product, service, or person delivers value that stands out in a crowded marketplace. In other words, it happens when something becomes remarkable. Let's explore why remarkable brands spread and how you can build something people genuinely want to talk about.

August 28, 2019

Why the Best Brands Grow Through Word of Mouth

Long before social media existed, great businesses grew because people told other people about them. Despite endless changes in technology, that principle hasn't changed. The strongest brands are still built through trust, reputation, and genuine customer experiences. While many businesses focus heavily on advertising and promotion, the most sustainable growth often comes from something much simpler: creating something valuable enough that people naturally want to talk about it.

August 23, 2019

How to Write a Social Media Bio That Attracts the Right Audience

One of the biggest complaints I hear from writers is writing the perfect twitter bio. Most would settle for just a decent bio! Even authors who have published books struggle when it comes to boiling down their life to 160 characters. So, I did some research for you from my 12,000 Twitter followers to bring you the best tips in crafting a Twitter bio you'll be proud of.

August 20, 2019

How to Grow Your X (Twitter) Following Through Engagement and Consistency

One of the largest hurdles for creatives in gaining exposure for their awesome work is building a social media platform. For the #WritingCommunity, other social media platforms pale in comparison to the support, encouragement, and advice given daily on Twitter. Starting at zero, many authors and illustrators struggle to find even a couple hundred followers, let alone 5,000. Here's an effective strategy I used to climb all the way up from zero to 5,000. It worked for me and will work for you.

April 10, 2019

Your Reputation Is Built Long Before You Need It

Your reputation may be one of your most valuable assets. Long before someone offers you a job, recommends your business, trusts you with leadership, or asks for your advice, they have already formed opinions about who you are. Those opinions are built through hundreds of small interactions that accumulate over time. Most people don't think much about their reputation until they need it. They assume opportunities will arrive based solely on talent, experience, or credentials. Yet reputation often determines who gets the opportunity in the first place. While companies spend millions of dollars building and protecting their brands, individuals are constantly building reputations whether they realize it or not. The question isn't whether you have a reputation. The question is whether you're intentionally shaping it. Understanding how reputations are formed can help you build greater trust, stronger relationships, and more opportunities throughout your career and life.