TL;DR: summer and why it's the ultimate motivation to reconsider your marketing, two cool marketing things, and one thing I made for you.

On a scale of 1-10, how much do you love summer?

I'm a 10.* 😜

In summer, I feel most alive. I relish in languid afternoons spent in sidewalk cafés in Salzburg. What you need to know: I live close by, in a small mountain village in Bavaria. It's all very Sound of Music-Land. Salzburg is where I go to soak up city vibes.

The magic of summer

Every time I'm in this so-pretty-it's-surreal town, it's like a mini-vacation. It's so fun to watch the waiters at my favorite café, when they float around in their black and white uniforms. They're the king and queens of banter, oozing charm and wit from every thread of their starched shirts. Sitting there is like being an extra in a Wes Anderson movie. I like to retreat into the shade and watch the scene unfold. In the meantime, I welcome every fresh breeze of air on my skin.

Summer is a greedy time for me. Greed for aliveness. Greed for experiences. Greed for serendipity. I'm not shy when it comes to soaking up summer.

I love watching never-ending streams of tourists waddle through our town. I adore when they gasp at the beauty of our pink baroque castle. That's the royal we, btw. ;) Is there a more perfect place to live in the world than a pink castle?

My very favorite thing about summer is how free and easy everything feels. Conversations, opportunities, and fun are waiting on every corner.

And because I love summer so much, I'm extra-conscious of how I spend my time. I want to be out in the world as much as possible. I want to spend as little time on my phone as I can.

I love life - so social media marketing is off the table for me

The richness of life and how much I want to enjoy it, is the number 1 guideline for me in how I set up my marketing and business. I love talking about what we do. I enjoy writing this newsletter so much.

And I'm setting up the business to run in a way, where I'm feeling free to be and do the things I care about in life. Entrepreneurship is a big part of that, because it inspires and fulfills me. And there are better ways to run an online business than chaining yourself to your phone.

That's why - on a personal level - socials are off the table for me. I want to be in the moment and not have to think about what would make good content for my Instagram.

When "should I do a story from here?" crept into my life

Last year, I still used IG for marketing. There was a period of time, then, when I started to think "wow, this looks like a great photo to post". Or: "should I do a story from here?" and "that coffee looks great - I'll make a post about working from a pretty place".

I didn't notice the shift in the beginning. And when I did, it came as a shock. Here I was, writing a PhD about Instagram and still, somehow the app had managed to change how I see the world. I went from "oh that's pretty" to "Should I post that?" and "Does that make good content?". I had begun to see life as an opportunity for grams. Yikes!

After that epiphany, it took me another 6 months to pull the plug on social media marketing. I resented it. I wanted something better - and I didn't dare to explore alternatives. I felt scared to mess up my chance at a new business after my startup didn't make it through COVID. I played it safe for a long time. Until I was over it so much, that the mounting pressure inside me propelled me in a different direction.

Build a thriving business that leaves space for life

And here we are. This is the beautiful world of off-socials marketing. Over here, we build thriving businesses that create a lot of space for life.

The short-lived pleasure of summer in the alps always makes me remember how much I value a multi-dimensional life - and being present for it.

I love what I do. I love writing this newsletter and our work. I thrive as an entrepreneur. And I want to soak up all the hours swimming in my favorite lake. I want to have time for spontaneous conversations in the street. Banter with Austrian waiters is balm to my extrovert, pun-loving, chatty soul. I need room for that. I want to see art shows, have cake on mountain huts after long hikes, and enjoy balmy evenings with my friends.

Do you relate?

While I do all of that, I want to be at peace with my business. I know that with the way my marketing is set up, it's pulling most of the weight for me in the background. It's fine for me to step away from things for a moment. What a freeing feeling! When I look back at last summer and my IG experiments, it's like a weight has lifted off my shoulders.

The fleeting magic of summer is the best reminder for why it matters so much how you market your work.

Seasons change***, the fact that life happens and you want to be able to be there for it stays. Give yourself the grace to step outside of hustling on socials. Step into calm marketing off-socials, instead, and watch your life blossom.

Here's to enjoying the homestretch of summer!

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Love summer and playing outside? Great!

Let me help you build a marketing plan that lets you do that.

Let yourself stop worrying your business will go bust, if you're away from IG or the algorithm changes.

Let's build a marketing plan together that feels light and free year-round. You'll get to go and live life knowing that your marketing pulls the weight for you in the meantime.

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2 Fun Things for Your Marketing

Harry’s Newsletter

Harry’s newsletter is a gem of gems. He shares copywriting tips and examples. I always learn something from him. Always.

You can sign up for his newsletter here. Also make sure to check out his delightful site copywritingexamples.com.

How many newsletter sign-ups can you fit into a blog page?

Turns out: A LOT. Matt Giovanisci tried and here is the hilarious result. Check it out and see if there’s one you missed. Mine was full-page exit intent forms.

I'm too shy for a full-page leave-intent pop-up just, yet. Once I have a groovy idea for it, I'll give it a whirl.

I Made Something for You: Community Connection

Whee, I made something new for you and I’m excited about it! I want to feature some cool members of the community on the newsletter going forward. I know you're all doing cool things in the world. I want to make you shine!

You’ll get a feature in a dedicated section of this newsletter with your picture, what makes you a sparkly human, and where to connect with you and your work. I want to make this a space where we can connect with each other more.

If you want in, fill out this form. https://tally.so/r/wMe6MM​

Happy Marketing! 📣
Have a lovely weekend,

Johanna

*And so are you. I saw the same meme all over socials all week. She's a 10, but...You're business is a 10, but...So, I just decided I'm a 10 and that's that. 😜

**Yes, it's a thing. Our mayor wears Lederhosen all the time for official stuff.

***Don't tell me. I'm not ready to hear it. I saw the first fall coats at shops in Salzburg yesterday...phew, I'm still digesting it.

If you like our work, forward this email to a friend.
​They can sign up for this newsletter here.

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