THAT DIGITAL RUSH
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Design Templates
Picture

Get Through a Horrible Day at Work

3/24/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Ever had a day at work that was so bad you’re ready to just walk out? We all have. How we handle it is what will either make us or break us … but is also very difficult when you feel like work has already broken you.

Unfortunately, there are no ways to avoid bad days at work. The only thing we can do is come up with coping mechanisms that are healthy and keep us moving forward. Use these tips below to help you get through the day. Whether you only have 5 minutes to pull yourself together or you’re lucky enough to take an hour break – these ideas will help you find relief fast.  
In 5 minutes
Geez, 5 minutes doesn’t sound like enough time, does it! But that’s the way it is sometimes! You only get 5 minutes (sometimes while hiding in the bathroom) before your next meeting or confrontation. Try these ideas …

1.Try the 4-7-8 exercise
  • Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound.
  • Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose to a mental count of four.
  • Hold your breath for a count of seven.
  • Exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight.
  • This is one breath. Now inhale again and repeat the cycle three more times for a total of four breaths.

Read about more breath exercises here.
 
2. Do Light Stretching
  • Roll your head to the left and right, holding each side for 15 seconds before switch to the other side
  • Shrug your shoulders up to your ears then lower them as far as you can
 
3. Repeat an affirmation
Use the notes app on your phone to keep a list of affirmations for fast access. Here are few affirmations you could try.
  • I’m more than this situation.
  • I find the good in all situations.
  • I take all opportunities to show others optimism, love, and light.
 
In 15 minutes
15 minutes is enough time for a quick reprieve and hopefully enough time to calm you down so you don’t walk out! Try these ideas if you have enough time …

1. Go for a walk
Burn the adrenaline out of your system with a quick, brisk walk around the office or house, if you work from home.

2. Call someone to vent
Who can you vent to? Give them a heads up that you just need to vent. Let them know upfront if you’re looking for solutions or if you just need to say the f-bomb a few times to get it out of your system. Make sure you call someone who doesn’t internalize negative energy, so you don’t accidently ruin their day, too.

3. Listen to music
Break out the earbuds or sit in your car for a bit. Try these Spotify playlists if you need some upbeat music:
  • Happy Hits
  • Feeling Myself 
  • Serotonin
 
4. Watch a funny video
Need a laugh? Start here and then create a YouTube playlist of your faves …
  • TikTok Animals to Cheer You Up
  • “Kalen Reacts” – Potato Salad Cake
  • News bloopers
  • Lip Sync Battle - Tom Holland
 
5. Play a game on your phone
PC Magazine has a list of games you can try. Maybe there will be some new ones you haven’t tried before.

6. Write a list of the good things in your life
Remember you are more than your job! Are you a parent, friend, partner, involved in a hobby? Those are all good things! Make a list and write one positive thing about each of those things.
 
In 30 minutes
There are plenty of things you can do in 30 minutes. Start by being grateful for the break and then try one or more of these ideas …

1. Workout
The Fitness Marshall is amazing. Try his workout and you’ll end up with a smile on your face …
2. Yoga
If you can’t leave your desk then try desk yoga. 
If you can leave your desk, then try yoga outside.
3. Meditation
​Try the Meditation Minis Podcast. They are around 7-10 minutes long and offer immediate relief.
​
If you’re still muttering f-bombs under your breath then go all out and listen to “F*ck That: An Honest Meditation”
​4. Get in nature
If there’s a park nearby then go for a quick walk and focus on all of the natural beauty around you. If you’re not near a park then try to get close to gardens or water features so you can connect to nature.

5.Grab some tea.
Smile big when you order. Psychologists say that smiling is an easy way to start feeling more positive. Green tea has amazing benefits for your mental health, so order a large size!
 
In 60 minutes
Whether it’s a lunch break or you get to sneak out for a bit, take this time to really focus on self-care. Try these ideas …

1. Workout
If you have a gym membership, then get in there and get sweaty. Burn off that aggression!

2. Make a to-do list, then get away from your desk for a while
To-do lists will help you feel more in control of your situation. Make a list so you know what you’re doing first as soon as you get back. Then LEAVE and get a break mental break knowing that everything is ready for when you get back.

3. Walk and listen to a positive podcast
You have enough time to get into a good podcast. So find one that will help you either destress or learn how to better handle the situations around you. Try one of these:
  • Oprah's Super Soul Conversations
  • Emotions Mentor podcast
  • Wellness Force Radio
 
4. Grab tea and sit outside if you can
Like we said earlier, green tea baby! Get it in your system!

5. Search job openings
If you’re ready to walk out anyway, why not look up some new opportunities. Just knowing you have options you can apply for can have you walking back into work with your head higher. You’re not stuck! You’re simply learning quickly in an environment that’s not suited for you and you’ll move on when you’re ready.

At the End of the Day
1. Cry
According to healthline.com, “Crying for long periods of time releases oxytocin and endogenous opioids, otherwise known as endorphins. These feel-good chemicals can help ease both physical and emotional pain.” So do it if you need to.

2. Reward yourself with a tasty treat.
We’re not saying to smash a whole chocolate cake – that will come with too much regret and shame. We’re saying to make a smoothie or enjoy a Hershey kiss.

3. Lose yourself in a hobby
You need to have SOMETHING, ANYTHING outside of work that makes you happy. If you have a hobby then lose yourself in it after work. If you don’t have a hobby then try one of these ideas…
  • Lettering
  • Rug hooking
  • Building models
  • Water sports
  • Tennis
  • Basketball
  • Pickleball
  • Cooking
  • Growing plants
  • Painting
  • Learn an instrument
  • Brew beer
  • Metal detecting
 
4. Workout with a friend
Grab your bestie and choose something fun and active. Want to try something new? How about …
  • Tennis
  • Pickleball
  • Kayaking
  • Rock climbing
  • Dancing
 
5. Tidy your bedroom to create a relaxing space
Use these tips to give your bedroom a makeover. Set yourself up for success by creating a relaxing oasis inside your home.
 
Hopefully these ideas help! Learning how to stay positive and take care of your own mental health is a big learning curve as an adult. It’s in your best interest to keep looking for ideas that are most effective for you. Comment below if you have a relaxation idea we could try! 
0 Comments

4 Video Creation Lessons I Learned the Hard Way

3/10/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
As you know, there are many factors that go into creating a successful video for online use. Today I’m going to go through some of the things I’ve learned the hard way. Maybe these learnings will help you, too.

Lesson 1: Start with the hook, not an intro

The most successful videos online don’t have an intro slide at the very beginning of the video. It doesn’t show the company’s logo first. Instead, it immediately brings up the WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) – the benefit statement - of the video. The hook!

Example: Instead of showing your company’s logo and then moving into a video of you introducing yourself, start with a video of you stating the benefit of the video. If it’s a video about grooming cats, you’d start with “Today I’m going to show you 3 ways to groom your cat without drama.” After your “hook” you can transition to a slide that shows your logo and a quick introduction of yourself.

Once your audience is hooked, they will wait a bit longer for the content. But they’re not waiting too long, so you need to get back to your content within 3 seconds. Yes, I know that’s fast!

Lesson 2: Pause between sentences … like a LOT … and for a long time

Say this to yourself, out loud, “Today I’m going to show you 3 ways to groom your cat without drama. We all know cats can cause some mayhem when it’s time to clip nails or take a bath.”

Now, read it again, but make sure you pause for 3 seconds between the 2 sentences. “Today I’m going to show you 3 ways to groom your cat without drama.” PAUSE (count to 3). “We all know cats can cause some mayhem when it’s time to clip nails or take a bath.”

If you did this exercise, you probably noticed your tone of voice changed when you said the word “drama” at the end of the first sentence. And you also probably had more emphasis on the words "We all" in the following sentence. That's because of the pause. 

Instead of your tone ending on a higher note at the end of the sentence which you might have done during the first exercise, your tone probably was a tiny bit deeper and final at the end of the sentence. This gives you easier transitions in your video. Additionally, adding more emphasis to the words at the beginning of the second sentence helped you start that section of the video with more enthusiasm. You don't have to build a pause in between every single sentence. I would plan to work them in every few sentences though as you adjust to this presentation style. 

Psst … you can edit your video to remove long pauses. These built-in pauses allow you to cut your video in pieces and move sections around without it sounding like you’re cutting yourself off mid-sentence. You can edit any pauses out later. 

Lesson 3: Look directly at the camera until it feels weird 

​Have you ever seen a video where the person looks like they weren't prepared to talk - looking somewhere else or looking down when the video starts? How about when they're finished speaking and they start looking down or reach to turn off the camera before they've finished their last sentence. It's distracting and sometimes you can't hear what they're saying. To ensure your video is just a bit more polished, look directly at the camera for 5 seconds before you talk and after you're done talking. This gives the video editor time to create transitions and create a successful video.

Lesson 4: Write your script and then cut the copy in half, then cut it again

15 – 30 second videos perform best on social media. Facebook and Instagram stories keep their videos under 15 seconds and TikTok doesn’t let you go over 30 seconds. Consumers of content online are used to quick moving videos with punchy hooks and fast delivery. They will not stick around long … even if your video is long.

Consumers of video content are also used to reading text on the video while listening to you speak. So don’t be shy about adding extra key points in your video via text while you’re talking.

This 4th lesson takes a lot of practice. You might feel like you’re taking a video script that feels conversational and light and now you’re being asked to cut that text in half. Remember, your tone of voice and mannerisms also speak for themselves, so cut the text but keep the rest of your video conversational and open. Your viewers would rather you get to the point so they can consume the content you’re creating for them.

Feel stupid on video?

It’s time to get over it. Use these tips to start creating videos for your business.

I’d love to hear about any hard lessons you’ve had to learn while creating video. Please comment below! 
0 Comments

“Hey, Remember me?” - Evergreen Content

3/4/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
What’s next?
If you’re like me in the world of social media, you’re feeling the pressure of “what’s next” multiple times a day. If you’re overwhelmed about creating new content ALL THE TIME, you’re not alone. Content creators are on the hook for providing new content day in and day out.

While chatting with other creators, it seems like many of us forgot about the magical world of “evergreen content” in the last couple of years.

Evergreen Content
For those who haven’t heard this term before, Evergreen Content is content that doesn’t age quickly. You can use it and re-use it again and again. It’ll keep working for you.

If you gasped and thought to yourself “What! Re-use content! That will look horrible to our audience!”. Keep this in mind:
  • Your audience doesn’t see most of what you post. YOU DO and that’s why it feels redundant to you. No one else sees your content as much as you.
  • As long as you’re not posing the same content right away, you’ll be fine. So for example, post it again in 8 weeks, not in 2 days.
  • Some social platforms move faster and can take multiple posts on the subject.
  • Often times, you need to show your audience the same message a few times before they take action. So it’s ok to repeat yourself.

How to Re-Use Content
Before re-using content, go back through and read it to make sure you don’t need to change anything that sounds out of date.

Create different social posts:
  1. Design images and posts that call out different tips or ideas from your content. You can end up creating as many of these are you want. For example, if your article is “5 ways to pets cats” then you essentially have 5 different themed posts you can create. Each post features one of the 5 ways to pet a cat and you can end the post with “read all 5 ways here…”
  2. Use the same tactic above but create images or vides for posting in stories. Stories disappear after 24 hours, so you can do this as often as you want.
  3. Use written content (article or blog post) to create a video. Videos perform well on social media, but also it gives you content to add to YouTube and IG TV video, as well.
  4. Create a multi-photo post that features tips/ideas that are listed in your article. For example, each image has a different way to pet a cat. Yes, you’re putting all of your content out there without making someone visit your website, but think of it as trading website visits for social media engagement and growth. 
  5. If you’d like to take things a step further, you can look into Content Syndication. This is where you post the content on other platforms. There are free and paid options, see below.

Content Syndication
If you’re interested in Content Syndication, you can look into these platforms:
  • Medium
  • Quora
  • LinkedIn
  • SlideShare
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Business2Community Outbrain
  • Taboola
  • Zemanta
  • Content.ad
  • RevContent
  • Sharethrough

One More Idea
A few years ago, while hungover during the holidays, I wrote a blog post on how to use your past social media content to fill your social calendars during Dec and January. You can read that here if you’re interested.

Don’t Be Shy, Re-Apply
Ok, that was a horrible rhyme. But you get the point. Re-apply, aka Re-use, your content so it continues to work hard for you. Having evergreen content that you continue to re-use WORKS. It continues to drive traffic to your website, helps host conversations on social media, and it saves your budget because you’re re-using instead of paying for more new content.

Have fun getting creative with your old content! 
0 Comments

Friday Favorites: TikTok

2/16/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture

Find Accounts to Follow on TikTok:

Many businesses are starting to get interested in TikTok, which means you might be scrambling to download the app and get started yourself. If you haven't yet, then download the app.

​I was pleasantly surprised at how much I really liked TikTok! I find myself on that app more than Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Finding talented folks and inspiration is much easier than other social platforms. The more you heart and follow others, the more content you'll see in the same category. 

All other social platforms I'm on are filled with years and years of connections ... and honestly doesn't give me much joy to interact with. TikTok feels so fresh and new. I love it! 

Below are a few accounts I follow because they inspire me, educate me, or just make me laugh so hard other family members run over to see what I'm looking at. 

Comment below with your handle so I can follow you and let me know who you like following! I'm always looking for more people to follow. 

@​yoleendadong

@yoleendadong

##stitch with @firstletterj ##inverted honestly I didn’t want to brag about my handwriting ✨ ##bornthisway ##forthegirls ##attractive ##idontwantobrag

♬ original sound - LeendaDong

@thefitnessmarshall

@thefitnessmarshall

Our dance workout to ##BestFriend hits YouTube tomorrow at 9am □‍♀️ who is gonna do it!? @haleyjordan12 @adflorea

♬ Best Friend (feat. Doja Cat) - Saweetie

@​jazmynjw

@jazmynjw

This is how I would act. Lmk if y’all want part two □ ##thebachelor ##bachelor ##fyp ##comedy

♬ original sound - Jazmyn W

@notoriouscree

@notoriouscree

Had to try this one again ##nativeamerican ##dance ##indigenous ##transition ##native

♬ original sound - Tia Wood

@​thequeerindigo

@thequeerindigo

Kamala Harris + Joe Biden on their way to DC ##kamala ##kamalaharris ##joebiden ##trump

♬ bad guy - Billie Eilish

@​omg_itsqueen

@omg_itsqueen

##artistsoftiktok ##art ##blackhistorymonth ##blackartist

♬ Self Care - Mac Miller

@youngtitdancecrew

@youngtitdancecrew

##youngtitdancecrew ##dancewithyoungtit ##verification ##tiktok ##tiktokkenya ##dance ##254 ##teamyoungtit ##2021 ##teamkenya

♬ Prrrum Challenge - Ilika Cruz
0 Comments

Are You Good at Making Others Look Stupid?

2/9/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
If so, then you should join a creative agency! 

Trashing Talking, Finger Pointing, and More!

Good. Lord. WHY is a selling tactic for most agencies to point out how stupid others are? I honestly think I've only met one other agency who chose to go the higher road and not trash talk everyone and everything. Competitors do really cool things - it's ok. You can admit that. Former employees, managers, and consultants can have great ideas before you came around - it's ok. You can admit that. 
  • If you need to have a pre-call with someone else to get yourself worked up regarding your own opinions before you call someone else ... then leave me out of it. 
  • If you're going to rant about how something doesn't make sense - only because it's new to you and doesn't yet make sense to you ... then leave me out of it. 
  • If you're going to trash the hard work of others to make yourself look better ... then leave me out of it.
PSA: I'm here to help build businesses and people up. Not tear them down. 

How to Support Others ... and Yourself.

Picture
Supporting Others is Good for YOUR Business

First of all, no one wants to work with negative people. Well ... that's not true. However, I can assure you that if they LOVE negative people who speak ill of others, then your turn is coming and they are going to EAT YOU A LIVE and enjoy every minute of it. True story.

Second, supporting competitors and others will actually help you succeed. Why? Because you need for your industry to succeed in order for your business to succeed. You need an environment that your business can grow in. You and your competitors can either work together to create awareness and  opportunity ... or you can squash it and end up hurting each other. Your choice!  

You Will Be Better and Will Do Better

What excellent motivation! Instead of tearing down everyone, you can use them for motivation. There are plenty of businesses I come across where I KNOW I can do better than them. However, I also know there's SOMETHING they do differently and better than me. Instead of spending time looking for faults, I look closer to see what I'm missing. I guarantee you're missing something. We all are. 

So, How to Support Others? 

Keep your damn mouth shut. Too harsh? Sorry! Let me try again ... if you don't have anything nice to say then keep your damn mouth shut. Try things like this instead ... 
  • "Yes, I've heard of ABC Firm. I'm sorry about your experience with them - let's see what we can do to fix your situation and set you up for success." 
  • "I probably wouldn't have gone in that direction, but I can see what they were trying to achieve. Their objective wasn't wrong but the tactics weren't right for the audience. With these changes we can put you back on track."
  • "I don't know a lot about ABC Firm. I know they do things a bit differently, which I usually enjoy learning from, but I can see how they might not have been a fit for you. Let's do this instead."
  • "Your team members have done an excellent job starting the project, here's how I would build on what they've started." 

If your competitor, or someone you work with that you view as a competitor, has a win, simply congratulate them. Then move on. 

If you're working on a project and someone from left-field shows up with an idea and you're feeling a little insecure about your position and value ... don't take it out on them. They're just trying to make it, too. By offering collaboration and your expertise you'll prove your worth. 

Times Are Changing

In the last couple of years there's been a shift in how businesses and people regard "competitors"  ... many of us have come to realize that people we've viewed as competitors were never actually competitors. And in fact those very people would make great colleagues and peers. We're so used to society pitting people against each other and hating on the ones who are successful that we didn't realize we were playing into the toxic behavior. But times are a changing and our views of collaboration and success are changing, too. Don't get stuck hating on others like the dinosaurs of the past. 
0 Comments

What to Post on Social Media

2/2/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Creating a social calendar can be overwhelming. If you're also wondering where to start, use the ideas below. Make sure you have at least 3 posts scheduled for each week! Pick from the list below to get started.

What to post once a week

Social media is about engaging with your audience and creating conversations, however you need to make sure your products and services are front and center as well! Use this list for weekly content ideas...
  • ​Sales/Specials/Freebies/Recruiting 
  • Product/Service Spotlight
  • ​Tips/Tricks
  • ​Blog post

What to post once a month

Sprinkle these posts in throughout the month to switch things up and offer new ways of engagement...
  • Live video
  • Testimonial
  • ​Inspirational/Fun Quote
  • ​Poll
  • ​Employee/Staff Spotlight
  • Brand new blog post
Need help? Fill out our contact form so we can talk about your goals/needs. 
0 Comments

Zoom Backgrounds You Didn't Know You Needed

1/29/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture

It's been how long?

Who else thought we'd be done with Zoom meetings by now? Me, too. I was creating new Zoom background images that were branded to That Digital Rush and then I got a little sassy and decided to make a few more. Feel free to use any of these! If you do, take a screenshot and send it to me because I need some entertainment! 
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Friday faves: Vegan food, plants, dogs, and sweets

1/15/2021

0 Comments

 
For a while now I've been wanting to write a weekly blog post outlining some favorite things I've come across during the week. And that's it. That's the goal. This isn't for building your business or understanding digital marketing ... it's just random things I like and want to share. I'll do my best to point out local businesses, bloggers and influencers, but also just want to point out anything fun that I think you'd like, too. 

Let's start with a person I admire and respect and who, as you can see below, eats plants ...

Vegan-Blogger, @jeweleatsplants

Picture
Wanna know which brands of vegan food taste the best? Ask Jewel. Have dietary restrictions and still want to try new vegan-friendly foods? Ask Jewel. I'm always having my mind opened up to new possibilities by her. Jewel is a local blogger who reviews vegan products, restaurants, and provides a wealth of education about veganism. You can follow her on Instagram at @jeweleatsplants. Keep a tissue handy - these food pics are going to make you drool. 

De-Stress with Plants

Picture
Did you know that plants can reduce stress and depression AND make your memory stronger? Yes, I'm not making it up (read more here). During the pandemic I've added 10 new plants to my house. And I see absolutely nothing wrong with that. Start with a local store if you're ready for more plants in your life. The plant above is located at Art Terrarium in Des Moines and is pet-friently, so your fur-baby won't get sick from your new green-baby.

Cinnamon Roll Milkshake

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cassey Ho (@blogilates)

Who else is trying to be healthier but also constantly craving sweets? (I'm raising both of my hands. Me. Me. Me!) I'm all about any recipes that satisfy my sweets craving while also being healthy. That's why I love Cassie from Blogilates. She's always coming around with the good stuff. 

We Rate Dogs

Picture
We Rate Dogs is guaranteed to give you a smile after a long, hard day. The dog pics are cute and if you're a nerd like me, you'll appreciate the quirky, silly captions that go along with the photo. And don't worry - all the pups are rated very highly! 
0 Comments

Last Minute Holiday Offer How-To

12/1/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture

There's still time!

Fill out the form below to get tips and tricks for quickly creating a holiday offer. We'll even send you drag-and-drop social image templates you can use to promote your message! We created the templates in canva.com which gives you the ability to add in images, your logo, change text, change colors, and anything else. 

That Digital Rush Freebies

* indicates required
Psst ... check your spam folder and your "Promotions" folder in Gmail if you don't see an email from us right away! You can also add ashley@thatdigitalrush.com to your whitelist if needed. ​
0 Comments

Free Social Post Templates For The Holidays

11/30/2020

1 Comment

 
Picture

Need Some Creative Help?

Look no further! We've created a few "drag and drop" holiday templates for your business to use. These are created in Canva.com. Canva is pretty easy to use, even if you've never used it before, but if you have questions just let us know and we'll help you out! Simply fill out the following form and we'll send everything to you. Plus, we'll keep you up-to-date with new templates throughout the year.

Go Where Your Audience Is

Did you know???? 74% of consumers make purchasing decisions using social media.
​(Source: softwareadvice.com)

​So it's time to take it seriously! Get to posting! Hurry up and fill out the form below to get started ... 

That Digital Rush Freebies

* indicates required
Psst ... check your spam folder and your "Promotions" folder in Gmail if you don't see an email from us right away! You can also add ashley@thatdigitalrush.com to your whitelist if needed. 

Holiday "Reminder" Templates

We have templates to help promote holiday deals, specials, and more. You'll notice there are 3 sizes. 
1. Social square image that can be used on all platforms
2. Rectangle image that looks best on LinkedIn and Twitter
3. Story image which is best for posting stories

Simply select the size you need (once you receive the email) and click the text to edit the message. 
​Plus, more templates to help spread holiday cheer!
This isn't it! There's more! So make sure to enter your email address so we can send the templates to you.

Holiday "Stories"

You can also use our "story" templates on Facebook, Instagram, and now LinkedIn and Twitter as well! When you receive the email from us, we'll explain HOW to use everything.

What Are you Waiting For?

Fill out the form already so you can get started!

That Digital Rush Freebies

* indicates required
1 Comment
<<Previous

    Author

    First, I'm the mother of three crazy, sassy, sarcastic, hilarious children. Second, I work in the world of social media, email, digital marketing. Third, I'll probably try to tell you what to do.

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017

    Categories

    All
    Business
    Digital Marketing
    Emoji
    Marketing
    Social Media
    Time Saving Tip

    RSS Feed

Agency Vista Sendible Agency Partner Verified Badge
Agency Vista  Verified Badge
Copyright © 2020
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Design Templates