Strategic Content Creation

Strategic Content creation

Tell your story through Content

Providing content that centers around a consistent, on-brand message helps to reinforce your brand storytelling. Use valuable content such as blog posts to attract and retain a loyal customer base while continuing to build and communicate your story.

Remember, your ideal audience values your content.

Relevant content such as the following blog posts help to build a brand through storytelling while providing valuable content to the target audience.

Navigating the world of higher education can be intimidating to students of all ages. The goal of this blogging campaign was to provide informational content with insider knowledge of the college admissions process in order to help the target audience feel less intimidated and more empowered to reach out to an admissions representative.

5 Tips for Transferring to a Four-Year College

So you’ve decided to transfer to a four-year college and you’re unsure of the process? Questions are running through your head in a continuous stream, but sometimes, the most obvious obstacles you may encounter are not considered at all. Don’t worry! I’ve listed the top five tips for transferring to a four-year college for every student below.

1. Send your transcripts! It seems obvious, but students forget to complete this step all the time. Remember, we need ALL your transcripts. So if you completed dual enrollment in high school or only one semester at another college, we need that information. And please, don’t try to hide previous college information from us because you failed every class your first semester. We have to have it and WILL find it so the time we spend searching for it only delays the admissions process for you.

2. Take time to meet with your potential advisor. You may believe you don’t need to take any further courses in a given subject, but that may not be the case. At best, you may have already taken a required course that needs to be substituted for a similar course in our catalog. At worst, we may have different requirements for our major than your previous school, and you will need to fulfill those requirements to graduate. Which brings me to my next point…..

3. Plan ahead! If you already know when you want to transfer, where you want to transfer, and the major you want to transfer into, begin the planning process as soon as possible! By working together with both your current school and your future school, you may be able to minimize taking unnecessary classes while streamlining the transfer process.

4. Consider earning your associate’s before transferring. Again, speak with your advisors first, but there are usually some benefits to earning an associates degree before transferring to a four-year college. For example, some colleges waive required lower division courses and accept lower grades, such as a D, when the incoming student transfers with an associate’s degree.

5. Do not forget financial aid. They will need to work with you as well. If you have a balance left unpaid at a previous college, sometimes even a $5 library fine, or failed to reveal previous loan and financial aid information because you were trying to hide your academic record at another institution (refer to tip #1 above), you may find yourself in trouble.

Remember, transferring to a four-year college is a process with steps along the way. As long as you complete each step, you should be fine. And last, but not least, get excited! Achieving a four-year degree is a landmark in any student’s academic career and an excellent starting point for beginning a future career. What worries you the most about transferring? And what tips do you have for others?

Why Getting your Transcripts in is Important

Most students do not realize the importance of submitting their transcripts when transferring. Below I am going to go over several reasons why we in admissions need your transcripts as soon as possible and what you can do to help yourself along in the process.

Transcripts are extremely important in the transfer process. Not only do they help us to evaluate the classes you will need to take, but we also need them to process your financial aid, ensure you are on track for your degree plan, and make sure you are not retaking classes that you have already received credit for at another institution.
We need your transcripts to:

Evaluate where you have been. Do you really want to retake that year of chemistry if you don’t have to? By submitting your transcripts, we can come up with a plan that affords you credit for classes you have already completed with a passing grade.

Pro tip: If you are transferring with an Associate’s degree, a D may count for full credit!

Evaluate where you are. Many students forget that Federal Aid has limitations. Suppose you have already used a huge amount of your financial aid at previous institutions. If we don’t know about this fact until the last minute (and trust me, we will find all the colleges you have attended!) you may end up damaging your financial aid resources. Plus, planning for the upcoming semester and registering for classes are much easier if we already have your transcripts on file. We hate for a student to miss registering for a needed class because we did not have their information in. Don’t let that class fill up without you in it!

Pro tip: We can use unofficial transcripts for degree evaluations!

Evaluate where you are going. What are you hoping to major in? What are you career goals and future plans? Are you interested in completing an internship? By going through your transcripts, we can help you plan for your future in the best way possible in the shortest amount of time possible.

Pro tip: Some degree programs will need to see a copy of transcripts before they are able to talk with you about future admission. Come prepared!

So if you are putting off your transcripts request, stop. Get those requests in and get them to us. Remember that we need official transcripts from every college you have attended for official admittance, but we can do some evaluations with unofficial transcripts. What is holding you back from submitting your transcripts?

Why Transferring with an Associate’s Degree is a Great Idea!

Transferring from a two-year college to a four-year college can be confusing. Especially if you have attended multiple colleges, are transferring for a degree in a different field, and if you have have had problems in certain classes resulting in a lower grade. But there is one trick to transferring that can make things much easier and that is: transfer with your associate degree!

In most cases, having your associate degree before transferring is optimal. Many times I see students who are ready to transfer, but have not achieved their associate degree. We love all our students, but there are some benefits to transferring with your two-year associate degree under your belt. Listed below are a few things to keep in mind about transferring with your associate degree.

1. A grade of D may be counted as credit. Remember that class you took that you made a D in? If you transfer with an associate degree, that D may be counted as credit. For example, a school may accept most D’s as credit if the student has an associate degree, but if a student is transferring without their two-year degree, the D will not count towards their transfer credit, and they will need to retake the course. We also urge our students to submit all their transfer records for many reasons, but this is one of them. What you think will not count as credit may not always be true.

2. An Associate Degree of Arts or Science may be your best choice. An Associate of Applied Science can be useful for many career paths, but especially career paths focusing on terminal two-year degrees. For a traditional four-year degree, you will need some courses that an Associate of Applied Science does not cover. These may include English & literature, history, math, etc. For that reason, an Associate Degree in Applied Science may not have the same benefits as an Associate in Art or Science when pursuing a four-year degree.

3. You may be allowed to bypass select courses. Certain classes in an institution’s core curriculum may be waived for students transferring with an Associate Degree in Art or Science. This can help reduce the amount of time and money you will need to graduate with your four-year degree.

In conclusion, consider pursing your associate degree before transferring. It can make things easier for you while streamlining the transfer process. How far along are you in your transferring planning process? Are you working on your associate degree before transferring?

The Leah Price brand focuses on marketing a series of books for middle-grade readers. The tricky part of marketing this brand is providing content that appeals to the decision-maker in the buying process. For this campaign, I chose to focus on providing content for a parent or guardian instead of a child.

Fantastic Series and Where to Find Them

There’s nothing better than collecting a series of books. Especially kids books. They take you back to your youth and remind you of days spent reading under a tree and nights hidden under a blanket with a book and a flashlight. You eagerly devour each one, sure of the next waiting patiently for your perusal.

Sometimes it’s enough to simply have your favorite book, but it’s so much better to have all of them, ready and waiting for re-reads on your sick days, rainy days, and bored days. Here’s my list of several Fantastic Series & Where to Find Them.

1. Little House on the Prairie

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2. A Series of Unfortunate Events

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3. Anne of Avonlea

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4. Redwall

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So if you are in search of the perfect birthday present, Christmas present, or just present in general, be sure to check out these series. They are perfect for the kids who loves to read! Which series do you wish had just one more book?

View the original blog post with pictures here.

12 Ideas You Can Steal From Fairy Tales

Think there’s no meaning to fairy tales besides the prince rescuing the fairy maiden? Think again. I should probably make clear from the beginning that this post is about modern day fairy tales. The original fairy tales are not always so happy…. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, try looking up the original version of almost any fairy tale and you’ll see what I mean.

Modern day fairy tales, however, are much different. Think of your favorites. What were their core messages and values? And what meaning did they leave you with? I’ve outlined 12 Ideas you can Steal from Fairy Tales and insert into your personal mantra below. Let’s get started.

Love is the answer. Think of any fairy tale. Got it? What happens in almost every ending? Some type of love saves the day, whether from a parent, a friend, or more often, a prince. This idea is one I find to be very true and one of the main reasons fairy tales are so popular.
A makeover can change your life. This one is not quite as deep, but it is very fun. Who doesn’t love the feeling of a fresh haircut or an outfit that makes you feel like you can conquer the world? Even better, in fairy tales, it doesn’t happen every day. It’s a special event that transforms the character into a new purpose and a new life. It’s the symbolic beginning of a new stage of life that’s really fun, too.
Magic is all around us. A newborn baby, flowers in the spring, rain on a tin roof, starlight, true love. Life. Magic really is all around us, if you take the time to see it.
The underdog can win. This doesn’t happen only in fairy tales. What’s your favorite hobby? What do you enjoy doing? Your favorite sport? Think about it for a minute and then look it up along with the words “miracle” or “underdog.” No matter what it is, there’s an underdog story. There’s your inspiration for today!
Friends can appear at the most unexpected times. They really can. I have only a few people I truly consider my best friends and they all showed up when I was least expecting it. Friends that show up at the most unexpected times are usually the best, BTW.
And stick with you through everything. Ever gone through a difficult time in your life? Did your friends stick with you? If not, they weren’t your true friends. Please refer to #5 above because it simply means they are on their way.
Anything can happen. Anything can happen. At any time and to anyone. Need I say more?
Traveling is a good way to enrich your life (and possibly get yourself killed). There’s nothing like travel to lead a person to new ideas, adventures, and paths. Travel is the best and easiest way to build self-confidence and love for the world around you. Do it!
Good always triumphs and Evil never wins. The pure and sweet and meek can make it. It’s the foundation of almost every fairy tale I can think of. It’s a valuable moral and a true one.
Animals can be your best friend. How many characters in fairy tales receive help from animals? Yep, a lot! In fact, I can’t think of a single fairy tale that doesn’t have an animal hero. Doubt this one, too? Look it up. Animals have done some amazing things.
There are a lot of scary things out there… There are. This one is one of the truest. Top three, definitely. There are a lot of scary things in this world. We live in a world with many, many flaws.
But in the end, everything is going to be alright. This my favorite and, in my opinion, is the best idea to steal from fairy tales. Coming from a religious point of view, as I do, it’s incredibly true. If I could take only one idea from every modern day fairy tale, it would be this one.

Still think there’s no value to fairy tales? I find them to be invaluable. All 12 of these are ideas I would love to steal from fairy tales and insert into my daily life. And I try to. What ideas do you steal from fairy tales? What are your favorites?

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9 Problems with Reading

Anyone who reads this blog knows how much I enjoy reading. But even I can admit there are a few unintended consequences of over reading that are hard to foresee. I’ve listed the top 9 problems with reading below.

You lose sleep. I can’t count how many times I’ve gotten in bed, exhausted, and picked up a book. Just a few pages, I tell myself. I’ll just read to the end of this chapter. And every time (EVERY SINGLE TIME!) I read far past that and spend the next day in a sleepy blur, waiting until I can get my hands on that book once more, unless, that is, I already finished it the night before.
You live in a dream world. Read enough books and the characters and places in them begin to live in your mind. They seem so real! You’ll find yourself almost giving advice to others based on something a CHARACTER IN A BOOK did. This is not something that non-readers appreciate so be cautious. Readers, on the other hand, will understand.
You are book broke. On a budget? Doesn’t matter. Those books are beckoning and there’s not much you can do to resist it. But, and this is important, under no circumstances should you venture into a bookstore. Don’t do it because not only will you be broke but you will also find….
Your books take over your house. There’s no more room for you in your house because you have piles and piles of unread books covering every surface. You vow that you’ll sell them or give them away after you’ve read them, but….
You are addicted to your books. Give them away? Not this one, you tell yourself. This is my favorite. And this one and this one and this one and…. Pretty soon you realize that you won’t be giving away that book. Or that one. Or that one. Or that one.
You use words no one else has used since the 19th century. Reading historical fiction books can have problems all their own. You begin to think and speak like a person from that time period. But it could be worse, you could be inserting words and phrases that are entirely made up from Fantasy or Sci-Fi. Not that I’ve ever done that….
You forget to feed yourself. You sit down with a new book and then, just seconds later, you look up, dazed and confused. Only to find it’s been hours! And you’re starving! And… wait… let me just finish this page….
The library is not happy with you. It’s perfectly reasonable to assume that the library wants you to read, isn’t it? And they do. But they also want you to return that big stack of books on time and not owe a ginormous fee every time you come back, swearing you aren’t going to check out anything this time, but maybe you’ll just take a peek….
You can’t stop. Once you begin and get hooked, you can’t stop. Try to make a reader stop reading. Take away their book at breakfast and watch their eyes drift to the newspaper, the cereal box, and even the mail. Once you start, you cannot stop. You can’t! So why even try?

So keep telling yourself that the library appreciates all those overdue fines you pay and that you have room for just one more book and that it’s okay to miss eating and sleeping and anything else you need to tell yourself. You have discovered the 9 problems with reading and you now know it’s not just you. Maybe we should start a group?

How many of these problems do you have? And, even harder, if your house was burning down and you were trying to get out of it (while falling all over your piles and piles of books), which one would you save?

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10 Must Reads for 10 & Unders

One of my favorite conversational topics is books. And every time I find a fellow book lover and we begin to chat, our conversation inevitably comes back to the same question. What was your favorite book to read when you were little? Something I’ve noticed is that many younger children are missing out on some of the great classics. So I’ve listed the top 10 Must Reads for 10 & Unders below.

1. Little House on the Prairie.

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I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve read the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. They were my absolute favorites growing up and I still think of Mary, Laura, Carrie, Grace as well as Pa and Ma as people I know. The great thing about these books is that they are educational and can lead to great family projects and learning opportunities. Perfect for both boys and girls (though the boys may have to skip the descriptions of Laura and her sister’s dresses!).

2. Anne of Green Gables.

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Maybe it’s because I come from a small town in the South, but the Anne of Green Gables series was one of the most relatable to me. I recognized myself and my town in L. M. Montgomery’s characters. Family legends, gossip, and disagreements pepper these books and leave the reader feeling as if they’ve just returned from PEI every time they turn that final page. These books also hold a special place in my heart because Anne of Green Gables is the first book that made me cry, at least as far as I can remember. And for that, I will always hold their memory dear.

3. The Wind in the Willows.

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A perfect bedtime story. The Wind in the Willows is a comforting, magical book with just enough adventure and danger to excite young readers. Its whimsical nature and lovable characters are entertaining and memorable.

4. The Hobbit.

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A must-read on my list at a young age. Full of danger, excitement, and magic, this prequel to The Lord of the Rings series is a perfect read for a child interested in heroic quests and exploring the world. The Hobbit features so many good lessons for youngsters, I would highly recommend it.

5. A Series of Unfortunate Events.

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Parents, I can guarantee you that you will enjoy reading these books with your children. Lemony Snickets descriptions of situations and explanation of both word meanings and philosophy will entertain both young and old alike. And don’t forget, this book is part of a series. Also, please add Lemony’s autobiography to your to-read list.

6. Summer of the Monkeys.

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By the author of Where the Red Fern Grows. Summer of the Monkeys is a great story of love and family in the Ozark Mountains. It’s hilarious in parts with just a touch of seriousness to help bring the lesson across.

7. Little Women.

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Who can forget Meg, Jo, Beth, & Amy? Their story is both educational and an entertaining read. A great way to introduce young readers to the importance of sisterhood and the idea of growing up.

8. Black Beauty.

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Young readers who love horses will not be able to put this book down. Many of Black Beauty’s struggles struck a chord with me when I first read it.

9. An Old-Fashioned Girl.

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This is a great read for kids who are being picked on for being too quiet and/or boring. This is something that bookish kids are frequently accused of and this book, while featuring a character that may be deemed “too perfect”, does a great job of showing what’s really important and the danger of excess in anyone’s life.

10. The Phantom Tollbooth.

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Filled with life lessons, parables, and wordplay. The main character is hilarious and his adventures are even better!

There are so many more books that are must-reads for kids, but I’ve listed my top ten here. I’ll follow up soon with another list! I already have four on it! What would you add to this list? What is your favorite must-read for kids?

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The Top 7 Great Reasons to Use Ebooks for Kids

Like it or not, EBooks are here to stay. I hear and understand the complaints of die-hard readers when it comes to EBooks. They worry about quality and miss the old days of heavy hardbacks and fresh pages. I, too, love books in print. It’s one of the main reasons why I insisted on offering my books in print version as well as digitally.

However, I have to say I’m a sucker for EBooks. I love the ease and simplicity of bringing up a story on my phone, laptop, or other device whenever I have a few minutes free. Or even, if I want to admit it, during otherwise boring activities I’m required to attend. Another plus I see with EBooks is the reach it can have while encouraging children to read.

EBooks offer:

Books at your fingertips. Your kid is bored? Download an ebook! It’s that simple. I know, I know. I hear parents saying “But my kid would rather play a video game or get a new app.” Which brings me to my next point….
Many EBooks offer more than just the book. Some books have accompanying apps, games, and more. It’s not something that is extremely common at the moment, but it’s growing.
EBooks make any author and any story accessible. Is your child going through a phase of being interested in dinosaurs and paleontology? Just go to your distributor of choice and search with those key words. You can easily find several choices for every interest.
EBooks can be tied into your everyday life. Going to a Renaissance festival? Find a book before you attend and build up excitement about that trip. I would have loved this as a child and I imagined kids and parents doing just that when I wrote The Faire Pendant series.
EBooks are flexible. One of my favorite things about EBooks are the fact that they are flexible. I don’t have to worry about packing a book which invariably leads to a sore shoulder from my heavy handbag or returning my books to the library on time which I seem to be incapable of doing. I sometimes wonder how many books I’ve “purchased” for the library through my fines.
EBooks are cheap. They are! Most EBooks are very competitively priced. When you think about it, an EBook is usually only about the same price as a cup of coffee or a snack. And they keep kids entertained for hours while also being educational. It’s a win-win. And besides, for me personally, I usually have library fines high enough to have PURCHASED the books in EBook form. Anyone else out there have the same problem? No?
EBooks are an understood medium for your kids. It’s the new millennium and children now are not like the children I knew growing up. They are highly technical and spend a lot of time using technology. Everything from television to laptops and cell phones to Ipads are what they are familiar with and understand. I try to imagine what I would have thought as a child if I had been in the same situation but it is difficult. Maybe like someone giving me a paintbrush and an easel when I asked for a camera?

Despite all the reasons listed above, I still believe in the power of print. However, like I’ve pointed out, EBooks definitely have a place in our society. I enjoy having access to both print and EBook formats. I read different books in each medium and I love it. What do you think about EBooks for children? Would your child enjoy them?

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Fun New Years Resolutions to Make with your Kids

It’s that time of the year again. Fresh starts and new beginnings are on the horizon. A new year full of hope and promise lies before us all. And what better time to make change in your life than this time?

Most resolutions are for individuals, but I propose several resolutions between yourself and your child(ren) as follows. If you are looking for some ideas, I have included a list of my favorite resolutions. Pick one (or more!) resolution for the next year from the list below. All hours and terms, of course, are up to you.

We will play together. This year, I (the parent) resolve to spend at least two hours every week playing the game of you, (the child(ren)), choice. If you are feeling very brave, you may leave the resolution as is. If you are not technical, you may want to amend it to exclude video games, computer games, etc. Board games are an excellent choice.
We will have a special project. This year, I (the parent) resolve to spend at least two hours every week working on our own special project with you, (the child(ren)). This resolution is one of my favorites as it can take any form. You could take up a hobby, take lessons together, train a pet, grow plants, sightsee around your home, build a dollhouse…. There are just too many choices! Talk with your child(ren). I’m sure they have some ideas!
We will imagine together. This year, I (the parent) resolve to spend at least two hours every week pretending with you, (the child(ren)). I’m seeing forts, camp-outs, tea parties, etc. Let your (and their) imaginations run wild.
We will create together. This year, I (the parent) resolve to spend at least two hours every week creating with you, (the child(ren)), in the medium of your choice. Drawing, painting, sewing, calligraphy, music, etc. This can be incorporated with a special project very easily.
We will cook together. This year, I (the parent) resolve to cook at least one meal every week with you, (the child(ren)). This resolution is very exciting because it turns a somewhat mundane chore into a fun event for the family. If you have multiple children, I suggest cooking with each separately. Their proud faces at presenting the meal they cooked specially with Mommy or Daddy never gets old.
We will read together. This year, I (the parent) resolve to read the book of your choice at least two hours every week with you, (the child(ren)). You may or may not want to include the stipulation of the book of your choice. Instead, you may want to say the book of our choice. Reading with your child(ren) can be so rewarding and enjoyable while also increasing their vocabulary. Reading is such a critical skill very often overlooked in this day and age and such a fun thing to do together.

Be careful when choosing your resolutions as they are an oath and a promise between yourself and your child(ren). If you have limited time, make sure you adjust the hours in your resolution. It’s fine to go over, but most children will notice if you don’t meet the minimum. Remember, these resolutions cannot ever be a waste because you’ll be spending time with some of the most precious people in your life.

My resolution is to create more fun games, ideas, stories, and content for children in my newsletter. I have a lot of plans brewing and I’m very excited about it. What do you plan on resolving for the new year? Are you going to use any of the suggestions above? Do you have any additional suggestions of fun resolutions to make with your child?

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The Ultimate Cheat Sheet on Kids and Reading

“My kid(s) hate(s) reading!” I can’t tell you how many times I have heard a parent say this very thing at book signings and events. But every time I hear it, it breaks my heart. There is no reason that a child should hate reading and there are several ways to encourage a love of reading in a child. I rarely have the opportunity at these events to have an in-depth conversation with parents about their children and reading, but if I did, here is what I would say:

1. Your child hasn’t read the right book. THE BOOK. Every avid reader knows what I’m talking about. That first book that grabs you as a kid and sticks with you. The one you re-read even today. When your child finds that book, believe me, he or she will be a reader.

2. Your child doesn’t like to read because you don’t like to. I see this one a lot. Parents can be very dismissive of reading in their own lives, but when it comes to their kids, they expect them to “do as I say, not as I do.” If you want your kids to love reading, try to love it too! Even if you only read with them, as long as you act as if you enjoy spending that time with them, they’ll enjoy it, too.

3. Your child may need a bridge. Huge books can be intimidating for a child, even small books can scare them away, especially if they struggle with reading or have only just begun to learn. Put yourself in their place. Imagine that you have taken one semester of French and suddenly, the teacher wants to read a book an inch thick! You would dread it, too! For this reason, I suggest starting with something less difficult. If you have to start with a comic book and then build to a spin-off series and then middle grade and then young adult, what’s the harm in that? Give them a book with a subject that is something they are interested in and they will usually read about it.

4. Try different avenues. In this day and age, there are so many options for reading that haven’t existed before. For example, all of my books in The Faire Pendant series are available on Amazon. Through Amazon, I have the opportunity to offer a free ebook copy with every print purchase. This can be downloaded on a phone, tablet, computer, etc. A parent or sibling can easily read the ebook copy along with a child and engage in conversations with them. Or use audiobooks while driving if needed! It can become a treasured and valuable part of your commute, believe me. Reading is a great tool to build conversation! Speaking of which….

5. Use books as a communication tool. So many books provide a moral that may be something a parent wants to talk about with their child. For example, self-confidence is the theme of my book, <insert link here> while bravery is the topic in the sequel, <insert link here>. Reading books with a moral can open up conversation with your child. And besides, children love to have one on one attention from their parents.

6. Connect with an author. Many authors incorporate fun activities, news, events, and releases for their fans into their newsletters. Some answer fan mail and provide dates and locations for signings. Communicating with the author of a book can make it come alive for a child and become an exciting addition to reading that they never even considered.

In short, there are many different approaches that can be taken while encouraging a love of reading in your child. Using a hands-on and creative approach is usually the best way and can end up building a life-long “reading relationship” between a parent and child. I love hearing all about the creative ideas and fun activities readers think of from my stories. What is the last book you and your child read together? And what types of fun things did you like to do to encourage reading in your child?

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