“I believe there is power in words, power in asserting our existence, our experience, our lives, through words.”
— Jesmyn Ward, The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks about Race (2016)
How to Avoid Plagiarism: A Comprehensive List of Free Online Tools
With the influx of AI tools taking over the internet right in front of our eyes, it’s important that we are paying attention to a looming effect of it all… the risk of plagiarism. While these tools are dope AF, it’s important to remember that you as a user do NOT own any of the content that is provided to you. In addition, you are at risk of the bots regurgitating information as it gets it, which can produce potential plagiarism down the line.
Who cares??? You should.
Dealing With Growing Pains As a Freelancer
Raise your hand if you speak wayyy kinder to others than you do yourself. Yeah, me too.
I posted something to my stories that stopped me in my tracks because I realize it’s something I do as a freelancer way more than I’d like to admit. I shame spiral.
Do NOT Get Lazy When You Start Auto-Posting Your Reels
Is it a “nice to have” for users and social media managers to be able to now auto-post reels? Absolutely.
But personally, my fear is that people are going to be creating reels without intentionality and it will ultimately ruin the fun. Don’t get lazy. Don’t post just because you can.
FAQ: Why should you invest in a social media manager when you could post your content on your own?
Do you wish you could relinquish duties for the tasks that you know how to do but simply hate doing? You're not alone.
Just because you *can* do something doesn't mean you *should* do something. This is especially true if you're not great at it or simply don't enjoy it.
This can be applied to managing your social media accounts.
Whoever Said You Have To Do Everything On Your Own Is LYING To You!
We (women/Black folks/POC) need to STOP thinking we are weak just because we want (and need) help with running our business. I know I'm a recovering "Strong Black woman" and even in the small instances when I do something like outsourcing my errands, I get a bit of "who do I think I am" syndrome. But it's not just about working hard y'all, it's important that we work smart too.
I made 5 silly mistakes working as a social media manager and I don't want you to make the same ones.
I'm going to get SUPER uncomfortable with y’all and be vulnerable about some of the biggest mistakes I made when I first launched... and some that might have even happened within the last six months.
Why?
Because *somebody* could stand to benefit from reading this so it doesn't happen to them.
21 Podcasts I’m Loving Right Now
I fell off the podcast train for a while but it's safe to say that I'm BACK! 🎉
Most of the ones I listen to fall in one of three categories:
Just for fun
Business
Wellness/Mental Health/Self-Improvement
What's especially fun for me is to go back and re-listen to favorite episodes to see if my perspective has changed throughout the years. I usually get another gem or two too!
Stop Running Away From Who You Are
I've shared this before, but when I originally launched, I did NOT want pink to be a part of my brand color palette. I also didn't want black.
I didn't the colors to be "too feminine".
I didn't want something "too dark".
I didn't want to do something that felt cliche.
Welp, clearly that didn't last long.
Grace Over Grind
Can I be honest for a minute... or more?
You have those moments when you're TRYING to keep it together but as -soon- as someone you're close to asks how you're doing, you're ready to crumble and cry?
Yep. That's how I've felt these last few weeks since I got sick.
Auntie asked me how I was feeling and how was my mental health? I kindly bs’d my answer but truthfully... this hard yall