Rosie Battista

The Sleeping Naked After 40 Lifestyle

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Card Deck Creators Tell Their Stories

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We all love stories. Listening to others tell their story is how we get to know them.

That’s why I love interviewing my Card Deck Creation Course Graduates (those who have gone thru my course and come out the other side with a gorgeous card deck that shares their with message with their audience and creates a passive income stream for them).

This is the way I get to know more about my card deck creators, what inspired them to create their card deck, how they view the creation process, and what gift they are sharing with the world.

They have taken their golden nuggets of genius, narrowed it down to digestible bites and build a tool that serves their audience and grows their businesses.

Patricia Witherspoon Dyershares her “Morning Glory” inspiration with us. Showing you how to enrich your life through the power of God’s word. 


Kim Wilkishshares “Becoming & Being A Leader”. With this card deck and guidebook she wants you to know that you are the foundation upon which your leadership is cultivated and expressed. 


Judy Ranieri will help you leave your legacy. There’s no need to stress and you’ll have loads of fun pulling a card and answering the questions.  


Brenda Elizabeth’sLemormand Card Decks are the perfect divination tool for getting guidance. You’ll love how easy it is to learn to use this tool with the simple graphics that tell you a story.


Charlotte Seefeldt’s 

 

Professional Photography Tips for Capturing your Products & Business

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Let’s get it straight. Good photos are important. You’ll want them to showcase your hard work and gorgeous product.

Let’s imagine you have a physical product for your business –  a card deck, a book, a journal, a workbook, a mug?  

When you are selling a product online,  the photo is the only thing the purchaser has to access if they are to purchase it. Your photo is like your merchandise on a store shelf. The buyer is gonna want to look it over from every angle, see what they are getting. There even needs to some photos that act like eye candy – so that the buyer can’t resist having it.  

There are many pieces that go into a good photograph. You need lighting. You need background. You need a good camera. You need a sense of style and personality.

I’m not a photographer and although I have an eye for beauty I sometimes miss things in the background. I don’t necessarily notice a cord hanging or a wrinkle in the fabric. So I’ve reached out to 3 professionals to share their tips for taking great photos.

Different Shots for Different Folks

Each one of these photographers specializes in a specific category – a dog photographer, an empowering portrait photographer, and a product photographer.  You can see that each one of their categories brings a unique responsibility and skill based on their niche needs, however the basic tips for photography remain the same. 

Each of these women are passionate about their subjects and that is what makes them shine. Their passion shows through their work and they know their audience.

Meet Rita Earl Blackwell.   The Dog Photographer. 

She’s often called a life saving photographer because her photos of rescue animals finds them the loving homes they deserve. Dogs adore her which is why she’s able to capture their essence. People love her because of her dedication to saving homeless dogs everyday. It’s top of her list and the love pops out in her work. 
 

 

Rita’s Photography Tips

1) SUNLIGHT!
Always make sure you’re in or near good light! This is the most important rule for photos. Better to use natural light then flash when possible.

2) DE-CLUTTER
Look around your subject and see if there are no other distractions around. Move if needed.

3)* iPHONE CAMERA
Swipe over to PORTRAIT MODE. This feature allows for a shallow depth of field which means it’s a pretty blurred background!

4) POSITIONING
Hold your camera at eye level! Whether it’s a selfie or a photo of your dog, get down to eye level!

Here are a few of Rita’s photos, that help these little doggies find their homes! She’s saved so many lives and I’m proud to tell you that Rita is my baby sister. 

And just for joy *and some happy tears* a video proof of Rita’s good work. Click here to watch short Instagram video of this little boy thanking Santa for his best friend (rescue dog) 


and since your mascara is already running, I’ll add this short video to make your heart grow. Click here to watch the short video of this beautiful little chihuahua finding his forever new home.

From little kids to famous actors, Rita Earl Blackwell never rests in her quest to place every rescued puppy in the arms of love. 

 

Meet Anna Visik.   The Empowering Portrait Photographer. 


She’s all about self love and body liberation and that starts with  her mission to help woman heal their relationship with their body.  Anna is about helping them feel empowered to live a life they love with authentic confidence. She offers empowering portrait experiences, retreats, coaching and hosts an online community called The Self Love Club. 

A photoshoot unlike anything you’ve experienced before because you get to be you – whether boudoir, headshots, lifestyle or goddess.  It’s all done to help you see yourself from a different angle while someone (Anna) captures your beauty. 

Anna sees you!  No matter the shape, the size or the pose, Anna will get the best of you. She’s able to capture your beauty even before you can see it. 
 

Anna says our culture teaches us to look outside ourselves to feel good about ourselves. And when we see others who seem to have it all together, we feel worse about ourselves. She questions, what if you knew that everyone else also was struggling and was really good a wearing their mask?

When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and seen by others, we realize how heavy the mask is and how freeing just being our imperfect selves can be.

It becomes easier to see how we’ve been programmed with limiting beliefs and how this holds us back from feeling good in our lives.

Anna’s Photography Tips

Anna says you can practice taking awesome selfies.  A selfie is a photo that you take of yourself by yourself usually with your phone.   An awesome selfie is one that portrays your energy and the essence of who you are, right in that moment.  
 
The best selfies aren’t necessarily the ones with the perfect pose or the one with photoshopped skin or enhanced facial features.  Those “perfect” selfies are fake versions of you and never really feel empowering.  They may give a temporary dopamine hit that eventually wears off.  The oppressive nature of beauty standards have trained us to believe that we must adhere to them in order to be “good” or worthy.  
 
The best selfies empower you to be your true authentic self.
 
1) FIND GOOD LIGHT.  
The best light is usually what I call open shade…and area that is shady but that there is direct light nearby.  For example, a covered porch where the porch cover is blocking the light but there’s still sunshine in the front year.  In this case, you would face the front yard.  Or in a room when it’s sunny outside but the sun is not pouring into the room. In this case, you would face the window.   
 
2) USE THE VIDEO MODE. 
Switching to video mode instead of photo mode if you don’t need high resolution and especially if you’re in motion or action.  Then you can watch the video and do a screen capture of your favorite clip and save that as your photo.  To do this on an iPhone, simply watch the video and press pause at your favorite part.  Then hold the power and volume up button at the same time to do a screen capture.  You can then crop this to crop out the parts of the screen capture that aren’t the image.  
 
3) CONNECT TO YOUR BODY & BE YOURSELF.
 There’s a subconscious process that happens when we see an image of someone feeling good about being themselves.  This energy is transmitted and evokes an emotion from people who see it.  If you notice yourself being self critical, you can take the time to access why and where those messages are coming from.  What can you do to connect to your self, your body more?  
 

Meet Amanda Myers.  The Product Photographer. 

Amanda obviously loves cats too. You’ll find that she may slip in a cat or two near your product just for fun.

Photographing a product is a bit different than photographing a person that can smile back at you, and exude energy that is captured by the camera. Photographing products and items requires you have lighting and backgrounds to capture the details in your product. It’s got to enhance but not compete. Not so easy to do on your own. In product photos you aren’t captured by the charm of the person, so your eyes are all over, noticing every detail.  So every detail must be considered with no room for error. 

 

 

Amandas Photography Tips

1) LIGHTS
 It’s all about great lighting.  Flashes, Stobes, LED, reflectors, and natural light.
 
2) TREATS
When photographing cats and dogs don’t forget the treats.
 
3) PROPS
Add props.  Adding props to product photography can create a lifestyle scene and help show people the size of your product.  You can also hold the product in your hand to show size.
 
4) ANGLES
Shoot from different angles to get different perspectives.  Try shooting from above, low angles, side angles, and straight on.

Amanda has taken a few photos of my card deck, I Am Power Connectors.

Amanda does videos of your product too, which can be tricky to go it alone. 

Great photography doesn't end when you shoot the photo. As you can see from all 3 of these examples, it magically lives on, firmly planted in the minds and on the hearts of those who get to experience it.

You can find Amanda here and learn more about her services and how she can help you capture the best versions of your product. 

Joys of Journaling

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Journaling offers so much joy because it releases you from holding everything inside.

If I told you  journaling could could change your life… would you make a commitment to a practice?

It might feel scary at first to put your authentic thoughts to paper. I mean what if someone read your deepest darkest thoughts?  I remember as a teen, my Dad would give us a new dated journal every new year, where we could record our daily events. I was petrified of that thing so I kept it very simple, only listing things I did for the day. Heaven forbid, I would dare collect my innermost feelings and thoughts in a place where I could be discovered.

As I got older and more mature, my journals evolved with me. It became my best friend, my confidant, my healer, my voice. It was a safe place for me to process through lives ups and downs, to ask for guidance and to receive answers.  It was literally a life changer for me. I give credit to my journal practice for helping me clear my darkest issues.

Journaling helps you calm down and dig deep. When you take pen to paper something magical happens.  As we sit and write, we settle down, we calm down and we center in. Through our own words we find answers, a place to sort things out, clarity and focus.

The very act of free self reflection is a letting go that helps us feel less cluttered, less stuck, more clear, more centered. It opens up doors you never thought possible.

Have I convinced you yet?

Okay so here’s more. Health benefits include reducing stress, lowering blood pressure and strengthening your immune system.  As a spiritual tool, it deepens your spiritual connection, releases your creative flow, organically improves your writing style, frees up your self expression and opens up your throat chakra.

No matter where you are, the best way to start is actually anywhere that feels right. There are no rules and no one is judging your journal entrees. A consistent practice is the key to reaping the delicious benefits that journaling brings.

Buy yourself a beautiful notebook, make yourself a cup of tea, and look upon those empty pages as an opportunity. Free yourself from situations that weigh you down, circumstances that hold you back, questions you want answered, or anything on your mind.

Journaling is freedom from all those things you’ve been holding in side.

There are many forms and styles of journaling so you’re certain to find a style that fits you well.

Here are just a few of the many styles you can experience:

1) Wake Up Journal

I’ve noticed when I journal as soon as I wake up and I’m not fully awake that many great ideas get born. Before I’m involved and distracted from daily life things and my thoughts are free to flow, they come out without resistance.  This is a great time to let your creativity grow. 

2) Good Nite Dump Journal

I’ve noticed that a journal by my bedside aids in a peaceful nite sleep. You don’t want to clog up your sweet slumber with thoughts floating around in your head.  Before I retire for the night I dump all the things on my mind and all the things I’m worried about doing the next day.  Right there in my journal and out of my head so I can rest up.

3) Gratitude Journal

I’ve noticed that the more I am aware and take note of all the good that is in my life the more grateful I become and that’s always a good thing. Keep a designated Gratitude Book and jot down what you’re grateful for as a reminder.   

4) Question Answer Journal

I’ve noticed when I am bothered about something and need an answer, I can get it from my journal. I write the question on top of the page and in silence close my eyes and write what comes.  This is also a way to speak to your guides, your source, to God.  I trust the answer will flow into my pen and onto the paper and it always does.

5) Sacred Soul Journal

I’ve noticed that waking up in the wee early morning hours is a sacred time. While everything is still still, I sit up in the dark, not fully awake, grab pen to paper and just let it flow. This is a time when your ego hasn’t kicked in to involve itself in your writing.  What you get here is raw goodness and deep stuff.  It’s one of my favorite ways to clear things up and deepen my spiritual connection.

6) Specific Category Journal

You call it. Category journals are super fun and a great way to discover more about yourself. What do you want to compile all in one place, what do you want to notice, what do you want to explore, what do you want to create? Category Journals are perfect for that thing you want to focus on. Imagine a Creative Journal, an Idea Journal, an Inner Child Journal, a Nature Journal, Your Life Journey Journal, a Sketch Book Journal, a Prayer Journal, a Dream Journal, a Travel Journal.

Make journaling part of your life habits and watch the magic begin to happen for you!

P.S. If you’re ready to dig in and get going, come join me in a weekly “She Journals Club” 

P.S.S. If you’re really a journal lover like me, you might want to make your own. I teach you all you need to know in my Journal Creation Course. You can make them for yourself or for your clients/customers.

If you would like to start out with guided journals, check out my I Am Spiritual Journal and my Naked Truth Self Love Journal.

Your Magical Mailing List

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Kelly McCausey tells us how to use PLR to create a catchy and useful opt-in using PLR. She shares the magic of email and why it's so important to stay in consistently contact with your clients.  

To join Kelly's " I DARE YOU TO EMAIL CHALLENGE", you can sign up here. 

 

Here are fabulous PLR options that could work well with your topic and teachings – already done for you!   

These are gorgeous digital planners and journals and articles. Pick the topic that aligns with your work.

A Cup of Zen: 
Healing with Crystals & Color Therapy Digital Journal
Zodiac Sign Planners
Healing with Crystals & Color Therapy Planner
Moon Phases Planner
Self Love Workbook
The Universe is On Your Side Workbook
Master Your Mindset Journal
Other spiritual type items from A Cup of Zen 

Thrive Anywhere:
Gratitude Devotional Journal
Encouragement Journal 
Praying the Word Journal
Sleep Journal 
The Art of Calming Your Mind
Self Care for Busy Moms
Other items from Thrive Anywhere

Coach Glue:
The Abundance Journal 
Done For You Mindset Reset Workshop

White Label Perks:
Sparkle & Shine: Boost Your Self-Confidence 
Creating More Love & Light in the World
Find a Surprising Source of Happiness
Other items from White Label Perks

Content Drafts:
Your Brain: How to Think Clearer, Focus Better & Have a Happier Life
Start Right! Rock Your Morning to Rock Your Life
How to Break Free From Stress: How Relaxing Can Help You To Live Longer
No More Chaos! How to Finally Get your Workspace Organized for Maximum Productivity
Self Care- How a Simple Routine Can Make Your Body & Soul Sing
Other items from Content Drafts

For health and wellness expertly written and researched by a retired medical doctor :

Coach Ready Content:
Obesogens and Weight Gain DFY Content Pack
Reduce Toxins DYF Product 
Ecotherapy-Healing with Nature Package
Don’t BOOST Your Immune System, Optimize It! 
Cultivate Comfort For Your Wellbeing

For Your Email Service:

When you’re ready to get your email rocking with a great email marketing program, I highly recommend Active Campaign

25 Card Deck Ideas for the Spiritual Entrepreneur

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If spirituality is your gig, having a card deck can up your game. 

Getting your message into the hands of your client in the form of physical product is top priority. It gives your peeps a part of you to hold on to and refer to. Card Decks are simple and easy to use, both for you and for your client. 

Here are 25 ideas to spark your creative flow. Once you pick a topic that resonates with you, brainstorm around the content that you want your audience to experience. Then brand it to yourself !

Mindset Shifters, Self-Love Matters, Healing from Within, Weekly Tips for Being Grounded, Random Acts of Kindness, Sweet Affirmations, Self-Care Principles, Quotes that Move You, Mini Meditations, Powerful Affirmations, Mindfullness, Tips for Meditation, Self-Reflective Journal Prompts, The Inner Game, Ways to Show Gratitude, Quotes that Inspire, Personal Growth Questions, Daily Journal Prompts, Gratitude Prayers, Love Stories, Heart-Centered Affirmations, Daily Reminders for Self-Love, Divine Guidance, Intuitive Readings, Chakra Balancing

Let's look at Mindset Shifters as an example. If you are a change agent or transformational coach and your mission is to instill a new mindset into your client, this is a huge topic.  Here are 2 ideas you can run with to make your set of Mindset Shifter cards. 

No. 1
Create 52 quotes that prompt the reader to think differently about something. If you don't already have your own quotes handy, scan your content for things you say often. Turn those snippets into bit size jewels / your personal quotes. 

No. 2
Create 30 power questions that will encourage your audience to examine what they want. The question gives them the opportunity to dig in deeper for their answer. 

Getting clear on your concept is the first part of the process. 

If you're now dreaming of having your own personal deck, I've got a kick ass self study course for you.  

Check out my interview with Carri Adcock. She came into the Card Deck Creation Course and in less than 2 months had her deck in her hand. She talks about the course, the process, how it feels to have her deck and what she plans to do with them.