“Your art matters. It’s what got me here.” 💞~One Tree Hill

By Jessica L. Williams • Issue #267 • View online

Do you ever have those moments where you question EVERYTHING? Where you think to yourself,

“Why am I even doing this entrepreneur thing?”

“Do people even need what I’m offering?”

“There are already enough folks out here doing what I do.”

“Should I just be happy with a job?”

And then there are moments where someone reaches out and says, “Hey, keep doing what you’re doing.” Or they give you money. Or they share your thing. Doesn’t that change everything?

I find that if you keep going, these moments happen. They are a sign from the universe that, to take a quote from One Tree Hill, “your art matters.” Our art matters, even on the days when no one claps for us.

On the days they do, that makes it even more special. That happened for me this week on Thursday night when I suddenly got an Instagram story tag that my gurl Saya Hillman mentioned me as one of her favorite black creators in a Google for Creators post. 😭😭😭😭😭😭

It made my week! Thank you so much, Saya. You’ve been such an essential part of my growth over the years, and I am glad that we are in each other’s worlds. 🤗

There are times that we may not get the accolades or the signs to keep going, but trust me, there is someone out there who feels better, smiles, and feels like they are not alone when reading, watching, and listening to you. They may not be able to share that with you just yet. They may not know that you need to hear that you have made an impact. But know that those folks are out there.

Your approach, experiences, stories, and ways of looking at the world matter. Please keep sharing your voice. We need to hear it. 💖

On to the picks!

P.S. This week, I published my version of a 2021 year in review:>>Read 48 Things I Did, Experienced and Appreciated in 2021

Note: This email may contain affiliate links. If you click through my link and make a purchase, that means I may receive “thank you money” at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love.

#loves 😍

📚. Reading: Content, Inc: Start a Content-First Business, Build a Massive Audience and Become Radically Successful (with Little to No Money). Joe Pulizzi’s book about how to be a content entrepreneur (a fun name) has a seven-stage process for success. As I’m thinking through content marketing and planning for 2022, definitely curious to see what I will learn from this read.

📺. Watching: The Woman In the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window. It’s safe to say if something has Kristen Bell in it, I’m most likely watching it. Watched the first two episodes of this parody of women thriller movies and already loved it. Are you watching?

💰. Tool: Canva. I played with some Instagram stock templates this week (thanks, Pixistock) and decided to give the Canva Pro trial a try. Did you know you can schedule social media directly from Canva? Definitely a 😱🤩 moment for me. Will try to see if I can do some more social media things this year. Where do you follow me? Instagram? Twitter?

#reads

Lalah Delia 📖

@LalahDelia

Don’t stress over not being further along in the process. Give thanks that you got started, that you began. Acknowledge this, should doubt or worry creep in with their distraction energy. Stay in gratitude, journey in grace, and keep showing up—however you can—daily.

2:10 PM - 30 Jan 2022

How I made $1400 through my newsletter with less than 1-hour of work per day.

“A newsletter opens you up to multiple income streams and helps you find clients you otherwise wouldn’t have found. It’s an amazing side-hustle that doesn’t suck the life out of you if you do it right. It provides you with strong social proof for your future gigs.”

I have enjoyed seeing Vidya’s growth over the past six months and am so thankful I could be a very tiny part of her story. Learn how she monetizes her newsletter and how she manages her time.

vidya.so • Share

The Best Career Advice for 2022. Tiny suggestions to rethink your work.

I always love seeing Tim Denning’s advice, especially as someone who built a writing side hustle and is now doing it full time.

These are my fave suggestions in this post:

Work on a side hustle after hours (You know I’d like that one, right?)
Update your LinkedIn profile (Tell the story of your career. Share your thoughts. People are watching.)
Invest your salary in assets to buy your time back (this is one I want to explore in 2022!)

index.medium.com • Share

#icymi

😍. Last issue’s top pick was: How to grow your newsletter faster in 2022

📝 Want to start a curated newsletter? Get my tips in this free 20-minute course.

🤝. Get introduced to others within the #jesspicks community!

#classifieds 🗞

The essence of the web, every morning in your inbox. Join tens of thousands of smart people who start their day with their personalized digest by Refind. Subscribe for free.

👀. Have something you’d like to promote to #jesspicks 1500+ readers? You can buy an ad or sponsorship here.

#lifevibes

#supporters ☕️

Thank you Bex, Kim, Angela G., Lauren B., Chelsea, Amy, Ricky, Kirsten, Vin, Julie, Nicole, Humza, Greg, Kristin, Kirstyn, Jess, Cheryl, Krysta, Adrena, Vidya, Kristyn, Danielle, Keryn, Terry, Vanessa, Meredith, Lauren, Meg, Maria J., Chivon, Kim, Luciano, Colie, Chasity, Laurie, Latienda, Collette, Anne, Kristen, Liz, Katherine, Monale, Betsy, Melissa, Lindsay, Jennifer, Kayla, Madison, Rae, Stephanie, Christine R., Christine M., Frances, Hannah, Chris, Brandy, Mea, Kristian, Maria K. Avery, Adam, Barbara, Shenee, Desiree, Lisa, Kandice, L’Oreal, and LaVerne for being #jesspicks supporters!! ❤️

Want to help support this newsletter? Buy me a coffee.