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Audrey JoAnn | Content and Copy Writer

Compelling Copy for Female Founders

The Little Things

November 27, 2015

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I’m at John’s family’s home for Thanksgiving this year, and the other day before we drove to Austin, he told me, “We have this tradition we do where we go around the table and name the things we’re thankful for, just so you know.” I kind of laughed and told him that I’m fairly certain most families dating back to the pilgrims that celebrate Thanksgiving, if not all of them, do this exact same thing. It’s a tradition I’ve always loved doing, though, and it was comforting to know I’d get to continue it with his family.

If yours does this roundtable reciting of blessings, you know the usual responses: family, friends, significant others, a roof over our heads, food on the table, careers, health, success, being together. All incredible joys and privileges to have in life, but sometimes it’s easy to overlook these — especially the smaller, everyday details that can uplift and brighten a regular, mundane day. In honor of the day of gratitude, turkey, and the best side dishes I eat all year, I wanted to list a few little things that I wouldn’t be nearly as happy about life without. What are your little, everyday things you’re grateful for that sometimes we might take for granted or forget?

  1. Piper getting me up at 7 on the dot every day, including weekends, without which I wouldn’t have nearly as productive of mornings as I do with this sweet pup, nor would I see half as many sunrises.
  2. Also, while we’re on the subject of Piper, her mischievous-one-second, angelic-the-next behavior can drive me a little crazy sometimes, but the nighttime moments when she hops on my bed, snuggles into the crevices of my legs, and falls asleep make me wonder how I did life without her.
  3. A firm knowledge of my passion for writing, and the ability to pursue it in a creative way, even on my most discouraged, unmotivated days.
  4. Walks around neighborhoods I’ve never been to before, popping into and learning about new little shops and bars and food places.
  5. A man who treats me with such respect and admiration that, in turn, has taught me to treat myself with that much respect and admiration. And he cooks. It’s all amazing.
  6. Norah Jones and A Fine Frenzy Pandora stations. (All you creatives, these are the perfect soundtracks to make things to.)
  7. Lazy Sundays with football, beer, and cuddling. And snacks. Always snacks.
  8. An urgency to exercise, not because I need or want to change my body, but because it maintains my sanity and preserves my future health.
  9. A comfy home to sit down and cozy up with a book and glass of wine in after a long day.
  10. Exploring new cities and the ability to travel to places I’ve always wanted to go — which is everywhere.

It’s a good life we all live, even on the bad days. It could always be worse, and it’s no fun to think about it that way when we’re down and out, but a good thing to do every day is acknowledge the small things that make your life respectively more wonderful than it could be without them. We’re all lucky and talented and set for success, as long as you think that’s the truth. Happy Thanksgiving, and keep remembering the small gems that make your life beautiful.

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And then I learned my knees can distort themselves.

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Shirt: Forever 21 (Last season: similar here) // Vest: thrifted: similar here // Denim: Old Navy //Booties: Target (Old: similar here) // Lips: Revlon “Black Cherry” // Nails: Essie “Smokin’ Hot”

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Welcome! I'm Audrey, and I adore connecting with female founders and telling their stories in a way that matters & lasts for years to come.

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audskelton

I used to hardcore resist SEO in my writing work. I used to hardcore resist SEO in my writing work. 😂 It felt formal and stuffy and forced, so I just sorta... ignored it. 

As someone who appreciates copywriting for the creative and storytelling sides of it, I have struggled with some of the technical pieces like search engine optimization. 🥴

But... my clients wanted SEO, and truthfully I know it *is* important, even if ~cReAtIvE writer Audrey~ wanted to pretend it wasn’t a thing.

I began paying more attention to how to do it in a non-icky manner and sort of backed into this simple method for incorporating SEO best practices in blog posts in a way that is natural (aka, doesn’t read like a robot wrote it). Here’s what I do!

• Google your topic/headline. It will help you find the most appropriate keyword to focus on in your post. Say the topic you want to write about is “how to get your newborn to sleep.” 🙃 Type it into Google, and see what kinds of content comes up on the first page.
• Pay attention to which keywords are repeated. For this one, “newborn sleep tips,” “baby sleep tips,” and “how to get your newborn to sleep” are all keywords used in multiple headlines. Also pay attention to the “People also search for” and “Related searches” lists that Google provides because those are keyword goldmines. 
• Pick ONE of these phrases to use as your main SEO keyword (and try to weave in a few of the other phrases throughout the post, but don’t worry too much about those other ones... it’s better to have one focused keyword). Make sure you choose one that you can organically use a few times in the blog post. (So not something like “best restaurants near me 2021”... that keyword stinks and will read like you’re trying to rank).
• Use the keyword you chose in your headline, 1st paragraph of the post, and at least one H2 or H3. It should be in the blog post at least 3-4 times. The best places are the intro paragraph, 1st header, and last paragraph. And aaaaalways the headline!!!
• Include the keyword in a meta description (or the summary Google will pull underneath your blog post’s headline).
• Finally, make sure the content is actually interesting. Because SEO doesn’t mean a dang thing if the content sucks. 🥵
Motherhood is the only time I’ve worked hard at Motherhood is the only time I’ve worked hard at something every day but haven’t been able to problem solve or research my way into feeling very much better at it.

I know what you’re thinking. It’s only been 6 weeks! You have a *lifetime* to keep learning. I KNOW. It’s ridiculous but this is how my brain works.

And some days I just thank God over and over for a beautiful and healthy and good baby. Like, I still can’t believe he’s real. Then... there are times I just need a quick sob on the floor (😂😅) because he won’t nap longer than 20 minutes. It’s a real ride, over here. 

Most days I’m in leggings and the only thing on my face is coconut oil. I usually don’t get to brush my teeth until 10 a.m. or later. I want to cry every time he cries and I can’t figure out why.

It’s this constant mix of feeling unproductive because I’m literally not producing or accomplishing anything most days, let alone getting dressed (a la this photo), and feeling the most productive I’ve ever been because... I’m keeping this tiny being alive! (Using my boobs! That is insane, no? Why don’t we talk about this??)

Anyway. That’s the end of my jumbled rant on 6 weeks of parenthood that no one asked for. 😂 I just hope Wally knows how infinitely loved he is, always and forever. Even when I can’t figure out if it’s witching hour or sleepy cues or just gas.
Little valentine, thank you for being mine. ♥️ Little valentine, thank you for being mine. ♥️

#valentinesday #valentinesbaby #6weeksold #babyboy #boymom #valentine #babyoutfit
Me every day since becoming a mama = 🥺🥲🥰 Me every day since becoming a mama = 🥺🥲🥰 

Never knew I had a maternal bone in my body, yet here we are. I’m just... obsessed with him? Neck rolls and all. 🤎
It’s the hands and the half smile for me. 🤗 It’s the hands and the half smile for me. 🤗

One month old tomorrow and I *can’t* believe it! 🎉 He’s the sweetest babe, loves bath time, sleeps in 3.5-5 hour stretches at night (for now...), responds to smiles, and is already here for a good book, much to both of his parents’ satisfaction! We love you, Wallace. 🤎
Who do you think was more excited about this day t Who do you think was more excited about this day trip out to the coast... us or Wallace? 😅😂 I love them. Also, I can’t get over the burp cloth on John’s shoulder. Ya know, just in case. #newparentlife
One hour, just us two in our backyard with a big c One hour, just us two in our backyard with a big charcuterie board, a deck of cards, a couple glasses of rosé, and no baby monitor. 🤎

The first week of Wallace’s life? I ached even being in another room from him (#hormones). I was a wreck of emotions and had legitimate baby tunnel vision... preeeetty much nothing else mattered. But things have been balancing out this past week, and today was so needed.

My mom is in town all month and watched Wally for us so we could have some time just us two—yep, in the backyard because of shelter in place restrictions from COVID. (Plus let’s be real... I’m not quite ready for an out-of-the-house date yet anyway. 😂)

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Here’s to (almost) 2 weeks of being parents, @the_beermonger. I think we’ll do okay.
My two favorite guys in the world. 🤍🌎 My two favorite guys in the world. 🤍🌎
Me, trying to figure out what to do with my hands Me, trying to figure out what to do with my hands without a bump. 👐🏼 Wallace, trying to figure out what we’re doing out of the house. 🤨

First family walk in the books! All of 10 minutes. 🤪 (Also, does anyone else notice the rainbow over Wally?... My heart. 🌈🥺)
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