Taking classes, learning, growing, evolving… that is beyond important to my well being and personal fulfillment. I’ve loved education since I was a little girl. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I went a full year without taking a class of some sort! From getting my MBA to Certification in Photography, from “Cooking Your First Thanksgiving Dinner” to kick-boxing, from knife skills to scrapbooking, from the Perfect Cocktail Party to painting, and everything in-between, I love to learn. Seriously, I haven’t met many classes that I didn’t love and grow from!

And that streak continues with all the classes I’ve taken at CreativeLive! Have you caught any CL classes yet? They’re fantastic! Live broadcasts are free, but I’ve actually purchased access to several classes because the content is just that valuable! I’m gonna tell you about one class in particular… so keep reading!

Have you noticed some changes here at Clicky Chick Creates? I recently participated in CreativeLive’s “Build a Successful Creative Blog” class taught by the über spunky, smart, adorable, fun and knowledgable April Bowles-Olin of Blacksburg Belle. April’s class covered tons of great topics about creative blogging, not just goals and writing, but deeper discussions including finding your voice, utilizing social media, fostering relationships, taking daily steps (no matter how small) to get closer to your goals and so much more!

The great thing about constantly taking classes is all the new information I’m exposed to and bits and pieces I put together along the way. The tragic part of taking so many classes is it’s way more fun to take the classes and less fun to actually do the work! But April’s class was so inspiring, and the community that transpired from the student chat during the class, combined to create a fantastic ball of energy! Some of the messages that came through, loud and clear, that I decided I had to take immediate action on included:

1. Get your face on your page!

Did you notice the left side bar changes? See me smiling at you?! Here I am again… Hi, sugar!

2. Get an opt-in email list!

Have you subscribed to the Clicky Chick Creates email list? For signing up, you’ll get a downloadable list of “7 Must-Have Kid Birthday Photos” to help you get your game plan for the next birthday! Sign up HERE!

3. Create a great freebie download!

Yup, get your hands on the super awesome “7 Must-Have Kid Birthday Photos” for opting-in to the email list! I’m pretty proud of it 🙂

4. Make it easy to stay connected

How about the social media icons in the left sidebar? I’d love to connect with you!

 

5. Just DO IT!

Throughout the class, April gave us loads of information and knowledge on how to do what we need to do. Lots of info. A plethora. Books worth. Some of my favorite words of wisdom from April can summarize an easily digestible plan to move forward:

• Take it one step at a time: determine what your priorities are so you can focus on one step at a time
• Set B&W goals: accomplish those first, then move onto adding new goals
• Don’t aim for perfection: if at the end of the day you can say “I did at least one thing today to get closer to my goal!” then you’re doing good! (Click to Tweet)

Sounds simple enough, right?! So just DO IT! I’m glad I’ve made the changes that I did, and yet there are still a ton more I’d like to make. I had plenty of roadblocks (um, excuses, reasons, whatever you want to call them) as to why some had not been done. For example:

• I couldn’t send out from my MailChimp account until I had a PO Box (I’m just not comfortable sharing my home address with the public), so it took a while, but I finally made time to get to the Post Office.
• I prefer my face behind the lens, not on my sidebar! But putting myself, my face in particular, gives Clicky Chick Creates a little more personality!

So what are you doing to move your blog forward? There are tons of tips and tricks in April’s class and on her blog, as well as tons of other resources all over the web.

I came across CreativeLive last year and rarely does a week go by that I haven’t checked out a classroom or two! My two favorite channels are “Photo & Video” as well as “Craft & Maker.” Both are perfect for my worlds, but they do have a other channels, so check them out regardless of what creative world you live in 🙂

If you landed on my page following the blog tour, you came to me from K9 Studio Photography (aren’t Kristina’s images fantastic?! I’m in love with her conceptual Doggy-Angels!) and now you’ll be headed to my sweet and amazing eco-crafting friend, Gina Zee. I’ve actually known Gina for years and have enjoyed watching her evolution as an artsy and eco-crafter – go tour her site, you won’t be disappointed!

Enjoy the rest of the hop! Lots of great blogging tips and take aways being shared via the “What #BelleLive Taught Me” blog tour! {Click to Tweet}

As always, thanks for stopping by. I know this post was a bit meatier than my usual pretty pictures and creative crafts, so thanks for sticking with me! Have a joyful, creative, blessing filled day! And if you haven’t signed-up for the Clicky Chick Creates email list yet, whatcha waiting for? You’ll get “7 Must-Have Kid Birthday Photos” printable photo tips as my thank you 🙂
Live creatively!
xoxo,
/c

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