“This is one of the most impactful avenues that entrepreneurs aren’t utilizing….”

Well, folks. I am introducing you to the officially unofficial Jenna Kutcher’s “Smartest Person I Know” list!
Meet Meghan Brown, owner of “2 Bright Lights” and an incredible resource for creatives and event professionals. Meghan’s soul and heart are in connecting creatives with publishers and other ventures and teaching them how to get the word out on their work.

Meghan is a creator herself, a musician, with a brilliant branding, business, and event planning background. Simply put: she knows the creative world inside out and knows all the nitty, gritty details about getting creatives published.

describe the publishing world in “one word” :

STORYTELLING. Meghan urges us to tell a story- whether you are capturing a wedding, an old garment, or a review of a restaurant- make a story of it and invite people in. You can not only tell the story of the scenario but also the story of your brand- string in personality and give people a clear picture of what you are like and your take on the world. When publishers are looking at your work, they are thinking of the end goal: to “hook” the reader and storytelling is the perfect way to do that.

Meghan points out that getting published is more about the story than the image- write words that are captivating or new or interesting or powerful.  Simply put, “The image peeks the interest and the words are what make it special.”

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF GETTING PUBLISHED:

Wow, wow, wow. Getting published truly is the gift that keeps giving. It is free marketing that gets shared, read, and re-shared and re-read. AND it reaches far! Publishing often leads to a “string” of connections; for example, another vendor could be tagged in the publications and their followers look at the article and see YOU… and so on and so forth!

There are so many different ways that people can “stumble upon” your work when you get published as opposed to your already established Instagram following. Think of it this way, the ultimate goal of getting published is having marketing that works while you sleep.

WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE A PUBLICIST:

Okay so you’re saying “I see the power, but I have no idea where to start..” Fear not! If you don’t have a formal publicist, don’t sweat. There is so much in your power that you can do to get your name out there (pssst: not to mention amazing resources, like Amanda’s company Two Bright Lights)

Meghan notes that “there is often a big fear of hearing no“, but you just have to go for it. Let me give it to you straight: you will hear no! And that’s okay- legitimately every person does. But as we discussed, Meghan demonstrated that “no” in the publishing world often means “not yet”. Hearing no isn’t forever. And it doesn’t mean your work is bad (you must remember this!).

OK, YOU GOT PUBLISHED. NOW, WHAT?

Let me give it to ya straight: be bold and be proud! Don’t be shy about it: share it, contact everyone involved (the couples, the vendors, the facility). Share it, tag it, promote it- whatever you want! It’s YOUR content, it’s your work, on the big stage! That is thrilling and it’s time to celebrate!

I asked Meghan the ONE thing you can work on starting today. Her response? Simple. “Don’t wait. Don’t wait until you have that elusive event of your career. The time is now. The opportunity is here. And you have to move it further up your to-do list.”

Head to Two Bright Lights! //PROMO CODE: GOALDIGGER 10% off annual subscription!