Hi friends,
As you know, I’m a big fan of Creative Mornings. And I’m into their recent offering: templates to help you design and send yourself a love letter. I feel this is relevant to every creative person, regardless of ‘relationship status’. Why? Because we’re called upon, day after day, to put our heart and souls into our work and offer this up into the world, sometimes to be met with negativity or (and perhaps this is worse!) tumbleweed. Whether you’re writing, composing, designing, performing, directing, or something else, it takes energy and resilience to regularly share your talents and inspiration with the world. And one way of replenishing our energy is to remind ourselves of what we’re great at, our uniqueness and talents. Send that love letter, buy yourself flowers, celebrate yourself. And, once you’ve topped up your own batteries, do this for your friends too, especially the freelancers and founders.
I noticed as I was putting this monthly newsletter together that I’ve reached edition 40. That’s more than three years of writing to you all monthly. Thanks for reading.
I’ve got into a flow recently of sending three emails out to you each month in fact, and I thought it might be useful to explain why:
This one you’re reading now, I see this as my ‘main’ newsletter, entitled: …For Creative People, and it has its own theme each time. It’s a monthly showcase of things that inspire me and includes client case studies, writing, art, music and other things lighting my fire at the moment. Plus a summary of what I’m up to.
My ‘50 Ways’ email contains new and insightful ideas around how to win new work. This is aimed at freelancers and business owners and designed to help you make more money. This is the only ‘paid-for’ content. Everything else is free.
Plus there’s my Events Diary, giving you updates on the workshops, retreats and coaching programmes you can get involved in. This is a straightforward ‘what’s on’ guide to my business. As a subscriber you’ll automatically receive all three emails.
I love to celebrate your work with other readers, and I’d be delighted if you’d like to send me your photos and a couple of short lines about what you want to share. I’ll consider everything you send me and, as long as it aligns with my own values, I’ll aim to include it.
Speaking of values, it’s come to my attention very recently that some of the other writing published on this platform, Substack, would not align with my values if I were to read it. I’m looking into this and once I’ve found out more I intend to contact the platform with my thoughts.
In the meantime, do send me your creative, inclusive, diverse work that you’d like me to share with my brilliant network.
Big love,
Helen
helen@coachingbyhelen.com
Coaching By Helen
coaching for creative people
https://creativemornings.com/blog/self-valentine
Pitching to Glossy Magazines
Tues 19th March, 7pm GMT: join me and my expert guests for a practical online workshop
‘Pitching to Glossy Magazines’ will focus on prepping your individual pitch to the magazine you’d like to be featured or quoted in. And we’ll better equip you to promote your services or products, or yourself as an expert.
Greta (pictured, below, right) writes for magazines such as: Red, Forbes, Stylist and Breathe and has two published books. Andréa (pictured, below, right) worked on Red magazine for a decade, is the Editor of Country Homes & Interiors and also writes for homesandgardens.com
If getting into magazines such as Red, Psychologies or Homes & Gardens is on your wish-list, this is a great opportunity for you to receive the expert advice you need.
Andréa & Greta will share their expert advice in this online workshop. All welcome.
Inspired by: Gabby Jahanshahi-Edlin
I met Gabby when she was the guest speaker in a Huckletree Women's Circle where she explained what she’d learned as the CEO of Bloody Good Period – the charity she founded – and what she’s doing now. Here’s a bit more about Gabby in her own words:
”Hello I’m Gabby Jahanshahi-Edlin, and I’m a brand nurturer.
I use playfulness, collaboration and empathy to help founder-led organisations create strategic, sustainable growth. In 2016, I founded the groundbreaking non-profit, Bloody Good Period after a career in arts education. I spent just under 6 years as CEO of BGP, building up a gorgeously talented team into a strategic, beloved organisation, before handing it over in 2022. Bloody Good Period is both trusted and disruptive - pretty much the holy grail of start up land. Since then I’ve worked with a host of interesting, innovative organisations who wanted to bring joy, credibility and confidence into their brands.”
Gabby is running a PR Masterclass ‘PR, Bootstrapped’ on 22nd March, and you can find out more and get involved HERE.
Coastal Retreats for Creative People
Join me by the sea, for a 1-day retreat on Thurs 25th April.
from £200 per person.
Click here for more details.
What I’m listening to:
I’ve mentioned this podcast before because I find it so uplifting and, with a recent series on the theme of JOY, I was delighted to hear Femi Coleoso of Ezra Collective featuring. Ezra Collective are an amazing band, and I’d recommend seeing them live if you get the chance, but this interview is more about Femi himself and how he got to be such a happy dude. I can also recommend the episode with Michael Rosen, particularly if you happen to be in my Write The Book group, I think you’ll just love it.
Listen HERE.
Rachel Arts, new book:
My Father, Alan Carter, out March 2024
Rachel Arts was a part of my Write The Book year-long coaching programme for authors-to-be and, excitingly, her first book is coming out this March.
“At 6 foot 6 inches tall, Alan Carter could always be described as a larger than life figure. This heartfelt biography by his daughter Rachel captures his life as a teenager joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and his love of scouting and working with young people. Alan's voice comes through, from his infamous fishing blog, detailing his fishing adventures across the UK, Gibraltar, USA and S. Africa. With his signature catch-phrases like 'Isn't it exciting!' and 'It's a challenge' Alan was always enthusiastic. If you want to be inspired on how to live a life, then this is for you.”
Find out more at: https://breakingrods.com
Client launch: Strategy + Impact
Natalie Orringe
Interview by Kate Williams
Natalie Orringe is the founder of Strategy + Impact.
I asked her to tell us the story of her business.
She explains:
My career spans leadership, brand and communications across public, private and not-for-profit sectors alongside volunteering and NED (Non-Executive Director) roles.
I saw time and time again that transformation would only succeed if leaders were able to communicate effectively. Reputation thrives when culture becomes action and is experienced outside the organisation. This is why I founded Strategy + Impact to turn great vision into action; great culture into reputation and growth. I work with organisations at every stage with my approach distinct in thinking holistically about growth then delivering targeted, scalable interventions that make lasting difference.
Why do you do what you do?
My red thread is having positive impact whether that is inspiring change or changing outcomes. I love being part of making transformation happen.
Has there been a big turning point for you in your career so far? Could you tell us a bit about that?
There have been two moments. Firstly, joining Teamspirit and having the mentorship of the amazing Jo Parker, COO of Chime, who supports me still to grab opportunity. The second was taking time last year to work with Helen and unpack what would really make me happy. Being challenged to own my ambition and own shaping how I want my career to develop has been life changing.
How has coaching helped you?
It helped me recognise my strengths - as much as the brakes I put on my own personal and career growth. I found taking the time to unpack then challenge my thinking life-changing.
What really motivates you in your work?
Being able to inspire people to do more - and achieve more by working together.
Anything else you'd like us to know about you and your business?
About me: outside of my day job, I spend a lot of time on Brighton beach either wrapped in neoprene braving the sea or with my wife, toddler and cockapoos looking for beautiful pebbles. We're happiest with coffee and ice cream watching the waves.
More about my business is at www.strategyimpact.co. I deliver leadership communications that helps to activate leadership; accelerate strategy and amplify brand communications. I work with leaders and organisations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors at every stage from scale up to market leadership.
Thank you for subscribing to this newsletter. If you’re a free subscriber and would like to upgrade to paid, you’ll also receive access to my 50 Ways to Win New Business series.
Hope you’re all keeping well and feeling inspired.
Lots of love,
Helen x
Still reading? Why not enter a poem or short story into Bournemouth Writing Festival:
https://www.bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk/writing-competition