Blogger Edit: How To Define Your Purpose

If you aren’t following Ascia aka @IamAscia, you will after you read this. This week on the blogger edit, I’ve invited my friend, mentor, role model, Ascia as she is truly unlike anyone else I follow – period. A Mother of 3, Wife, Content Creator for IAmAscia.com and named by Washingtonian’s Most Fashionable People in DC , she is low-key, high-key a big deal. Ascia is as kind as she is beautiful, articulate and honest, so I am honored that she is sharing her tips on how to define your purpose, why she doesn’t follow many people on the ‘gram and how to focus your message.

With no further adieu, here’s the wisdom of Ascia on how todefine your purpose:

Realize Your Purpose – What are you hoping to achieve by starting a blog or instagram page? What’s your message and stay clear. Write it down, share it with a significant other or someone you trust. You will find that on this journey, you will get pushed and pulled in many directions. It’s easy to get sidetracked. When you realize your purpose and verbalize it, you will know how to use your voice. Establishing a clear vision is everything.

Not To Follow Too Many Bloggers –

Especially in the beginning, it’s important to stay true to your own voice, your own style, your own authentic way. Often times, when you follow too many people and you feel like a) you have no chance of succeeding and b) you feel discouraged because what you are doing isn’t resembling what everyone else is doing. You start to lose focus on what you are doing and get distracted. Stay true to your own voice, your own style and authenticity. It’s okay to let yourself shift and evolve. But hold onto your own style so you don’t look like everyone else. You don’t want to become just another number or just another blogger. Stay uniquely yourself.

Pick The One Thing –

What is the one thing, the one reason why people come to your page – it can be anything. What is your one thing that you are an expert on? It can be that you are a mother of multiples. Once you start to build your one thing, then start to build and expand to create other expertise and other ways of sharing parts of yourself.

Leveraging Instagram Stories –

Instagram Stories is such a strong tool to use and build relationships with your audience. Introducing these ‘expertise’ through IG stories is the first step and when you feel you have a strong enough voice on that topic, you can start sharing it on your feed. Be mindful as it can work against you, if you aren’t 100% secure or confident in yourself, some have a tendency to come off as pretentious. If you understand who you are and want to share that with the world to deepen that connection, go for it!

I told you – brilliant, concise and focused. I love how Ascia is unwaveringly herself and always stays true to her Afghan roots, raises awareness on human rights issues and speaks her heart daily. She’s inspired me to stay focused on reaching inside of myself and speak my truth. If we have been friends for awhile, my voice was the same. But my aesthetic was different. I was trying to be someone I thought I was supposed to be – especially as it pertained to fashion – versus who I am.

This year, I am allowing myself to evolve. I blocked out the noise and my writing started to flow even more easily. I’d really encourage you to do the same. Find a handful of people who inspire you. And no one who makes you feel worse about yourself. Also, ASK FOR THEIR HELP. The good ones will help you. Don’t be afraid to show and share perspective – even if it’s imperfect. It will help deepen the connection with your audience. That’s my two cents.

Till next time,

P

xo