Branding: Beyond The Colors pt. 1
Riley's Radar – Week 5
Today's Radar is coming to you two days late because I was traveling home from visiting with my family in Michigan! It honestly felt a little weird not posting two days in a row, but it was a much needed break. Sometimes you have to take a moment off of work. Consistency is important but mental and physical health are more important.
With that said, here are my top three picks from this week!
“3 AM” – Wvllvce
Genre: Pop
I met Wvllvce not long after I moved to Nashville. He styled one of my clients photoshoots and not only does he have an incredible sense of style, but damn can he sing. His voice has the texture of melting butter and the tone that leaves me wanting more.
Follow him on Spotify, Apple Music, & Instagram to keep listening!
“Missing Home” – flora cash
Genre: Indie Folk
flora cash is one of my new guilty pleasures. I'm kind of obsessed with their hazy vibes and comforting bops. They're the biggest artist I've featured on here so far, but they're worth it.
Follow them on Spotify, [](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/wvllvce/1467122641) Apple Music, & Instagram to keep listening!
“Own Way” – Shaylen
Genre: Pop
“Own Way” is your typical pop-grunge princess “finding myself” type of song. I've got to say I'm obsessed with the melody and the lyrics. It's very vibey and I found this song stuck in my head.
Follow her on Spotify, Apple Music & Instagram to keep listening!
Get Paid, Not Played.
Time Management
I will be the first to tell you that I am terrible at managing my time. I am notoriously late and it drives my husband crazy. He's constantly telling me to think ahead, which I do, I'm always thinking ahead. But what I always fail to do is check in with myself and the clock. Half the battle of time management is simply checking the clock. Why is that so hard for me?
I've realized that time management is 90% self awareness and 10% actually following the clock.
Self awareness is a serious struggle for me. It's not that I don't want to be self-aware but checking in with myself often is something I avoid due to the impending to-do list and self-checks that I have to work on. Really it boils down to this: I'm avoiding the work.
I don't want to check in with myself to realize that the three things I promised myself would be down by now, aren't done. Or the fact that I really wanted to get up and work out today, but the day is more than halfway over and work took over everything? What about the fact that I really, really didn't want to go another day without calling my best friend, but there's just not enough hours in the day?
I'm not sure how much you know about the enneagram, but my inner 3- “the Achiever” is struggling to be perfect in all of these ways but it's battling with my inner 4- “the Individualist” which just wants to hide in my room all day and forget about all of my flaws. With these battling against each other 24/7 it's hard to want to do anything about this problem, but at the end of the day, successful people don't make excuses and I want to be successful.
I saw this quote the other day about how to be a successful woman and it really struck me. It wasn't until I read this that I realized how much time I actually spent worrying about all of my flaws and other people and how much time it was taking away from my character and my success.
“I once asked a very successful woman to share her secret with me. She smiled and said to me..
'I started succeeding when I started leaving small fights for small fighters.
I stopped fighting those who gossiped about me.
I stopped fighting with my in laws.
I stopped fighting for attention.
I stopped fighting to meet peoples expectations of me.
I stopped fighting for my rights with inconsiderate people.
I stopped fighting to please everyone.
I stopped fighting to prove they were wrong about me.
I left such fights for those who have nothing else to fight.
And I started fighting for
my vision, my dreams, my ideas and my destiny.
The day I gave up on small fights is the day I started becoming successful & so much more content.'”
Woah.
I don't know about you but I love to fight. I'm not sure why but it makes me feel really good if I can win a fight. So much so that I will literally push my husband to his last limit just so that I can get a fight out of him.
But this, this changes everything. I'd love for you to take a second and write down a list of everything that you “fight” on a regular basis. Now think, how would your life be transformed if you spent a little less time fighting the resistance and spent more time working with what you have? If you felt less guilty about how you spent your time, do you think you'd check in with yourself more and manage it better?
Time is of the essence.
This is a great quote from Marc Levy that you've probably heard before. I'd like you to read it and as you do, think about how much weight is held in those 86,400 seconds.
“Imagine there is a bank account that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to used during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course? Each of us has such a bank, its name is time. Every morning, it credits you 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off at a loss, whatever of this you failed to invest to a good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no over draft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no drawing against “tomorrow”. You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and health. The clock is running. Make the most of today.”
― Marc Levy, If Only It Were True
I don't know anyone who could read that quote and not see time differently. It's precious and every second truly does count. I'm not perfect when it comes to this. I spend hours complaining. I oversleep. I spend countless seconds watching tv & scrolling on social media without any intention. Does this mean that I am going to fail in life? No. But how much more would I succeed if I spent more time doing the things that are going to further me as a person and in my career than doing things that drain the life and energy from me and those around me?
I invite you, if you struggle with managing your time, rather than beating yourself up for not looking at the clock enough, identify how you spend your time and why. Identifying the “problem” is half the battle. Then set goals for yourself for cutting out or cutting down on those bad habits and replacing them with things that will improve your quality of life.
This isn't an overnight, flip-of-a-switch type of change. This is a try and mess up and try again until it's instilled in you change.
Success is a relative term so don't feel like you have to meet other people's standard when it comes to managing your time. Gary Vee's methods aren't going to work for everyone. My methods aren't going to work for everyone.
Hold On for Dear Life
“HODL” is used widely in the digital asset/crypto space. The popular phrase “Hold On for Dear Life” often refers to the holding of your asset no matter how low it may go, in hopes of a higher return in the future. I've also found this can apply to many situations in life.
Life is unexplainably hard, that is reality. Embarking on new endeavors is hard. Being different is hard. But starting in the midst of a bundle of unknowns is the hardest part. If you are able to jump the hurdle that is starting, you are further ahead than many around you.
Many people sit and wait for things to get easier before they try and do something hard. What they don't realize is that things will never become “easy”. There is never a “perfect time” or “ideal time” to start. Life is unexpected and even the things we seem to be able to count on the most, will fail us and leave us feeling frustrated and left behind. It's up to us to get ahead by simply starting.
Starting is often an investment within itself. Whether you're investing time, energy, emotions, currency, skills, when you start a new endeavor or project you are giving up something in hope of receiving a higher ROI.
But what happens when you let fear of failure creep in?
Missed opportunities.
Unfulfilled dreams.
Missed memories.
Complacency.
You are meant to be more than a working-class male or woman drowning in your 9-5.
You are meant to be more than just another number.
You are meant to be more, but it's up to you to take your skillsets and your ambition and turn them into an initial investment.
It's up to you to invest and not look back.
You “hodl” during the highs and the lows and the failures and the successes. You keep pushing forward knowing there is a greater reward ahead.
You keep the same faith you used to invest in your dream and you “hodl” with the knowledge that it will carry you through to the payout.
If you invest wisely you will find success.
If you “hodl” to the faith and the knowledge you started with and continue to educate yourself and keep up with the trends you will succeed.
Invest your money into projects and passions that will improve your quality of life.
Invest your time into creating and building things that make you happy and improve your mental health.
Invest your energy in building relationships in the communities that you desire to be a part of, you have a place.
Invest your heart into the relationship that makes you want to stay.
Hold on even when it feels like everything is falling apart.
Hold on even when the odds are stacked against you.
Hold on even when you are dragging.
Hold on even when you feel like you're the only one left swinging.
Hold on because one day the impossible will be possible.
The dream you invested in, way back when, will have manifested itself before your very eyes.
Hold on for dear life friends, we're just getting started.
Amazing Grace
Growing up this one of my favorite hymns. Here's a little doodle I recorded the other day on my guitar. Enjoy 💕
Getting Started On Coil – A Collection
Hi! It's so nice to meet you! I am so excited that you are diving into the world of Coil and the community!
New platforms can be overwhelming and confusing, but Coil doesn't have to be. I've been around for *update* over a year now and I am MORE than happy to give you all of my secrets and insights!
I've written quite a few articles now on how to succeed on Coil, how to share the wealth and a few keys to creating amazing content. There are also several other creators on Coil who have written similar articles.
I thought it would be incredibly helpful if I collected as many of these articles as I could find and put them all in one place for newbies! This is the perfect article to send to someone who is interested in getting to know the Coilsphere and wants to get started themselves!
Without further ado...
Coil 101
Artists, why should you join Coil?
Naysayer? Not quite sure about it all? I wasn't either.
Confused how this works when Coil is still small?
Coil's Set Up – Protecting Mental Health?
Creating on Coil
10 Keys to Success on Coil (This is the mother-load post ✌)
Best Practices for Posting on Coil – by Coil
Branding: Get Paid, Not Played- Coil 6 Part Subscriber Only Series
5 Mistakes You're Making on Coil
When Should I Apply to the Boost Program?
How to keep your readers engaged!
Need help making your Coil page look beautiful & branded?
Here is my header template! Check out my branding series for help creating your brand!
Sharing Coil
Inviting Friends & Family to Coil
Integrating Coil into Social Media:
Inviting Non-Crypto Lovers To Coil
Coil Skeptics: Jumping the Hurdles
Coil & Technology Updates
Cinnamon Video
Tutorial on Embedding Cinnamon Videos
Keep On Keepin' On- What's Next!
Why We Are Giving Away $100m to Creators with Mozilla and Creative Commons
Riley's Radar – Week 4
Ya'll SO. MANY. INSANE. SONGS. DROPPED. THIS. WEEK.
I have been in music heavennnnnn this week.
I am seriously so excited for this week's picks! 😍
“New York City” – Elise Hayes
Genre: Pop
Anyone who's read my “Get To Know Riley” post would know that my favorite city in the world is New York City. So OBVIOUSLY I had to be obsessed with the song, right?! Well damn, Elise Hayes delivered once again. The past few weeks I've been bopping to “Giving Up” by Elise but I have probably listened to “New York City” 50 times since Friday. I'm serious ya'll this is an absolute bop. The lyrics are super catchy, the beat is sweet like honey and Elise's voice is gorgeous!
Follow her on Spotify, Apple Music, Twitter & Instagram to keep listening!
“Flicker” – Bambi
https://open.spotify.com/track/3pgcgRe1NJzwYjXp7ofDcj?si=Yq9HoVS7QlezRrAqV9qG6g
Genre: Alternative
Bambi is an Insta pal of mine & she just released her new song “Flicker” which is a VIBE. I haven't been able to get the line: “There's a cigarette between your fingers and a lie between your teeth, you're killing me with smoking secrets but I won't ever leave” out 👏🏻 of 👏🏻my 👏🏻head! Bambi is releasing the official music video this week so be sure to subscribe to her YouTube channel to watch it, you won't want to miss it- I mean look at that promo pic! 😍
Follow her on Spotify, Apple Music & [](https://www.instagram.com/elisehayes/) Instagram to keep listening!
“No Turning Round” – Riley Q
Genre: Pop/Alternative
Okay, okay I know, shameless plug. But if you can't promote your music on your own music blog, where can you? 🤷♀️
I am so freaking excited for this new song to be out! It is the beginning of a new era for me. Raw emotions, blunt lyrics, crazy beats- the whole enchilada. I'm pumped & I hope you are too! Music video will be out super soon but in the meantime enjoy the lyric video I shot in 5 minutes. 😂
Follow me on Spotify, Apple Music, Twitter & Instagram to keep listening!
Thanks for tuning into this week's edition of Riley's Radar! See ya next week & keep listening! 💋
Be Original
Don't be a copycat, it's tacky.
Don't get me wrong, I get it- original content can be very hard to create- everything is out there, but that doesn't mean it's not possible.
You are unique in your own way- in the way you see, describe and consider concepts. You automatically have an upper hand because you have your unique perspective, but now you have to utilize that.
I believe that you have the ability to create something amazing and to inform, encourage and entertain- with your own content.
There is a difference between content being inspired by someone and straight up copying. Here's why:
1. When a piece of content is inspired by someone else it is customary for you to quote the other creator, give them a shout out and give credit where credit is due. This creates a sense of camaraderie, puts you on that creator's radar for collaborations & social media support and shows your fans that you are a team player.
2. When a piece of content is inspired by someone, it is an additional thought you are adding to the internet conversation. You are not regurgitating the information you just read/watched/heard, rather adding on your own thoughts, experiences, successes and failures.
THIS is how a platform stays sustainable.
Want a real life example? Instagram.
If you are reading this post I am 99.99% sure that you have heard of Instagram, been on the platform at one time or another and probably have an account you use on the regular.
Now what do you think of when you think of Instagram?
Perfect photos, adventure, snapshots, over-sharing, curation, bloggers...?
Instagram was my world for years, which is why I believe I can speak to this. I literally went so far as to write an entire course and build my business around Instagram, simply because that's what I believed in at the time. But no more.
People are literally flocking away from Instagram. Mental health professionals are encouraging users to walk away for the sake of their sanity and their inability to live in the moment. People are so focused on living up to the “Instagram Standard” that they are literally doing anything to get “Insta-Worthy” photos, videos & look exactly like their role models. There is an epidemic of bloggers and “influencers” who walk around demanding free things, love from their followers and authority. Have they earned that authority? For most I would answer no.
Over the years the “influencer-status” has become a highly-coveted spot. Women lining up for tickets to conferences to see the best fashion bloggers and social media experts, dying to become one themselves. It is has turned our society upside down and has resulted in Instagram and Facebook tightening down on rules, algorithms, hashtags and reach- limiting your ability to reach any kind of audience whether you are an “influencer” or not.
Part of the problem with the “influencer movement” is the fact that Instagram became debilitating to the mind and self-esteem. You would log on only to be met with photo after photo of what seemed to be the same girl with the same haircut, purse, leggings and.. you get the picture. Girls literally spending their entire paycheck on clothes just to keep up with some of the top fashion bloggers in an attempt to gain followers & status.
Ya'll, I literally had girls coming to me begging me to follow them just to get their number past another users. It is insanity. The standards, the copying, the cookie cutters- they aren't sustainable. They've turned Instagram, one of the most loved and fastest growing platforms, EVER, into a miserable place to be. It was created with great intentions and could be used in incredible ways, but it's just not.
Why tell you all of this? Because I don't want to see this same thing happen on Coil. I don't want to log on one day to see all of the great content being reproduced just to meet a “look” & “standard”. We all have something beautiful to bring to the table and you deserve to have your voice heard, but have YOUR voice heard, not someone else's through your username's mask.
For my lovely Coil Subscribers: Two ways to start creating original content that creates YOUR brand!
Create Your Career on Coil
At 19 you were probably embarking on your sophomore or junior year of college. Or maybe, like me, you decided to skip the college route and you were working retail and desperately hoping that something would work out for you.
When I graduated at 16 I knew that I had an advantage, a leg up, but I didn't know how I was going to use that. I didn't want to go to college which was a tragedy to strangers 🙄 and I didn't have the money to fund my music pursuits.
If any of you have followed along with my story you would know that I wandered for a few years and then started a business and then within a whirlwind year got married and started my music career back up.
I know my story isn't ordinary, trust me, many people have mentioned it.. many times. But the entire time I knew there was more out there for me. There had to be. I knew I was capable of doing extraordinary things. I knew I was meant for more. But I felt limited because I lacked two things:
1. Support
2. Direction
Think back to when you were in your last leg of your teenage years, what were your limitations? Did you take risks? Did you let things stop you?
Now look at where you're at now, what are your limitations? Are you still avoiding risk?
I'm sure you've changed over the years, matured and evolved, but have you ever stopped to deal with your crap? Have you ever stopped to compare how much you've actually changed and improved your mindset and ethics for the better?
Now here's a weird question...
How often do people challenge you & try to bring you down?
You'd think this would be a bad thing but over the years I have learned that when people are trying to tear you the down the most, that's when you're doing the best. That right there is jealousy of your success. That is the world trying to make you feel small when you are on the verge of a MAJOR up level.
Mindset is everything, my friends.
When you believe you can do something so much and put all of your energy into immediate action it will become your reality.
For instance, I have always struggled with believing that my music career will go somewhere even thought I knew I was meant for more. That is, because I thought that having a music career was some kind of formula that a man sitting in a label office developed and that was that. Until my husband, Dustin came along. When he introduced me to the world of Coil, the tip bot and the technology that was quickly evolving beyond my scope, my entire perspective changed.
What if I created my audience solely online?
What if I didn't waste my time playing show after show only to make $2 an hour?
What if I could create music/blogs that I loved with an audience that loved it AND get paid for it without having to wait months to receive royalties?
What if... the possibilities are never-ending?
I have stepped into a new realm, a world I didn't know was possible for me, but I am excited because it means that I get to work from home, work alongside my husband, create music, videos, photographs, stories and resources. I get to do everything I love to do instead of sticking to one lane.
This doesn't mean that I believe in myself all the time, in fact most days I am an anxious mess until my extremely dedicated husband reminds me of the truth.
This doesn't mean pursuing music is easy.
This doesn't mean that I don't have to get up everyday and work my butt off. Quite the contrary- it means I get up, I work, and I know how and where I'm making money. I know that I am not just creating music but I am creating a sustainable income through sharing it. #thankscoilforfundingmymusiccareer
I know that I am getting compensated for believing in myself and acting on that.
Thank you Coil for changing my mindset. Thank you for making my dreams a reality because you took a chance and did the one thing that creators needed more than anything. Eliminate ads! 😉
Now what about you?
When was the last time that you believed you were meant for more?
When was the last time you dared to dream and believe that your dreams could become your reality?
Have you once stopped to think that Coil and its technology could change your life? Are you going to be a bystander and let the web-monitezation movement leave you behind or are you going to contribute and be a world changer?