Ep. 89: Laura Belgray on Momentum, Engaging Emails, and Quieting Your Inner Critic
EPISODE 89
Laura Belgray on Momentum, Engaging Emails, and Quieting Your Inner Critic
About the Episode:
How do you keep momentum for 6+ months post-launch? That’s exactly what Laura Belgray and I are chatting about on this episode of the Purpose & Profit Club™ Podcast. Laura is the founder of Talking Shrimp, co-creator of The Copy Cure, and author of Tough Titties: On Living Your Best Life When You're the F'ing Worst. An award-winning copywriting expert, she helps entrepreneurs find the perfect words to express and sell what they do in a way that gets them paid to be themselves. Throughout our conversation, you’ll hear the strategies that Laura uses to keep her audience engaged and how she’d recommend nonprofit executives put them into action to drive success (and donations). Crafting an authentic connection with your audience and potential donors is probably easier than you think. Tune in to learn more.
Topics:
How Laura has kept up momentum and promotion for her book, Tough Titties, even though it was released 6+ months ago
Getting over the fear of “bugging people” when you are promoting your work to find more creative success
The promotion tools and strategies that Laura used during the pre-launch period for her book
Laura’s style of writing, “Flawesome” and how it gives her edge while modeling vulnerability and success
How Laura’s decisiveness has helped grow her career and her visibility
The method that Laura used to quiet her inner critic and finally get her book written
The number of emails per week that Laura recommends for non-profits and the type of content she wants to see more of
Think you’ve reached out to “everyone” in your network? Out of ideas to get noticed and get funded? Generate leads for your nonprofit or social impact business: https://www.splendidcourses.com/prospect
Christina’s Favorite Takeaways:
“Make peace with annoying people. That is maybe the key to life and success, to millions and to creative success.” – Laura
“Social proof is very powerful. Other people join in and it creates way more than the actual numbers who you've recruited.” – Laura
“People are drawn to you because they trust you, because you are giving them the relief that they are not alone… that shows them that it's possible to succeed even if you are a big hot mess.” – Laura
“I know that I will never do as badly as I think I'm going to do or badly at all, so that's how I get through.” – Laura
“I had a tough time with my inner critic on that front, and finally just had to sit down and do the damn thing. I found that doing it was easier than not doing it.” – Laura
“Nothing is for everyone.” – Laura
About Laura:
Laura Belgray is founder of Talking Shrimp, co-creator of The Copy Cure, and author of Tough Titties: On Living Your Best Life When You're the F'ing Worst. An award-winning copywriting expert, she helps entrepreneurs find the perfect words to express and sell what they do in a way that gets them paid to be themselves. Through her work with hundreds of clients (including online biggies like Marie Forleo and Amy Porterfield) she’s seen firsthand that putting “you” into your copy and all through your business is pure magic for getting people to love you up, share your ideas, and happily click your Buy button.
In addition to online types, Laura’s list of clients and credits include NBC, Bravo, HBO, TBS, Fandango, and many, many more. So if you watch TV -- and don’t skip the commercials -- you've probably seen her words on air.
Tough Titties, her first book, published via Hachette, is available now.
Connect with Laura:
Episode Resources:
FREE Resources from Splendid Consulting:
How to Work with Christina and Splendid Consulting:
-
*Links may be affiliate links which means I may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Christina Edwards 00:00
Welcome to the purpose and profit club podcast or Belgrade. I'm thrilled to have you here,
Laura Belgray 00:06
Christina. Thank you. I'm thrilled to be here.
Christina Edwards 00:08
So I think years back you actually coached me one time through Tarzan Kay's program. So it's a, it's fun to see you in real life and off the DMS on Instagram in relation to website. Sorry, my favorite.
Laura Belgray 00:23
I'm sorry, I was stopping you because you froze on me. I hope that I don't know if that went through me. I don't know. Maybe it's just start over. Because you said you start like your as soon as you said years ago, you froze. So and next time I'll just, I won't stop you. It was probably going fine. Yeah. Okay, cool.
Christina Edwards 00:47
So years ago, you actually coached me in Tarzan case program. So it's nice to see you again, off Instagram and off in real life.
Laura Belgray 00:55
Oh, I love that. I had totally forgotten that. Thanks for the reminder. And yeah, great to see you. And
Christina Edwards 01:02
this has been the most fun conversation starter ever, highly recommend grabbing a hard copy of your book tough titties, because leave it around town, bring it to a coffee shop. Or if you're like me, bring it on vacation. And this is the ultimate conversation starter on an airplane. So we're gonna be digging into this today.
Laura Belgray 01:20
Oh, good. Okay, because I have to tell you that is my dream was always my dream when I wrote it, that people would be like strangers would be reading it on planes and starting conversations just right off the cover. So awesome. Well,
Christina Edwards 01:38
one of the things that I loved about the book was your New York stories. So it had me it had me like nodding along I went to college in New York. And I like you had a very winding road to this entrepreneurship, this version of what I'm doing now. So it felt very resonant. I had the bartending job. I know the feeling of, of money waving in your face. And you getting to like having that stress of who to pick first.
Laura Belgray 02:06
Yeah, honestly, that's what I thought it was gonna be because I did two bars and seeing that the bartenders had all the power and everybody was just vying for their attention. And they had the Yeah, they had their pick of the litter, they could decide, you know, yes, you're the lucky one, I'm gonna give a drink a lucky one. Unfortunately, I had the crappy shifts that had like, two people. So there was nobody leaving money in my face to get my attention. My
Christina Edwards 02:34
first bartending stint was very, very busy in that in that version of it, and I was like, This is what it's like to have a panic attack noted. Okay, this is because the stress of like, just everybody wanting something all at once. But um, yeah, so we're gonna dig into your book launch. One of the things that I've noticed are I noticed when did the book originally come out?
Laura Belgray 02:56
June 13 2023. So you have
Christina Edwards 02:59
like, That is incredible. You have kept energy up, you have kept this conversation, it feels fresh and new to me. And one of the things that I noticed through like the lead up in the launch, and during the launch was how you kept your energy up. You didn't treat it as like my books coming out. Now it's out. I've talked about it now I'm done. It really felt like you brought your community in you partnered with people. So I want to dig into that. How did you keep your energy up through what is naturally I would imagine, like the the highs and lows of any sort of campaign, any sort of launch?
Laura Belgray 03:34
Yeah, it's funny you say that, because I did hear there were people I knew, like friends of mine whose books came out around the same time. And they would say like, Okay, I launched it, it's out there. And now it is up to the universe to get it into the hands of the right people. Like, well, the universe is not a book publicist. So I wouldn't count on it getting into the hands of the right people without you doing anything. And so like how I kept my energy up was just, I guess, momentum creates more momentum. So or, as they say, an object in motion stays in motion. So as long as I kept going, and I was waking up every day, I guess, because I was obsessed. I was able to keep going. I am not able to keep up the energy for anything that I'm not obsessed with and obsessed about. If I'm not obsessed, then I'm lazy and tired. So it's long because I was obsessed with the book and still am to some extent, but especially for like a good six months there. I was waking up every day thinking what can I do for the book, which sounds exhausting and was and is but I'm glad that I was doing something for my book every day and that's pretty much what it took was Thinking what? What one thing can I do for the book today? And that sounds more organized than I was, it was just like I WestJet to do something, got to do something. And so I would create a post or write an email or, you know, pitch a podcast or but usually it was about creating a post or writing an email talking about it to somebody. That's
Christina Edwards 05:23
so smart, though, that one, what one thing can I do, we could put that in for anything, whether it's promoting a book, whether it's promoting a campaign, whether it's promoting anything, but I do think there's this point of like, I feel like people come to me and they're like, I've reached out to my inner circle, like, you know what I mean, I've reached out to the people who are going to share it, or have me on the podcast, or share it on their Instagram or whatever. So now what so now like, again, it's up to the universe. And I feel like you really handled partnerships. Well, and you really were unapologetic about like, Who do I? Who do I know? Who do I not know? Who do I need to get in front of? Because this book is amazing. And people it needs to people need to know about it.
Laura Belgray 06:04
Talk about that. Yeah, well, there's always the unless you're a certain kind of person who gives CRO s, there's always the fear of bugging people of like being a being the past. And you just have to get over it. And you know, the answer isn't? Well, no one thinks of you that way. Or no one's you're not putting anyone out. You're not imposing you. Probably our I mean, I get tons of requests from people like, can you do this for me? Can you read my book? Can I send you my book? Can you recommend me to this podcast, and sometimes it's pain, and I don't feel like it. But if they, you know, if they asked nicely enough, if we have a relationship, if there's a reason for me to help them out, besides just being a good person, because that doesn't go far enough to get enough requests, then I then I will, and it's okay, that they were a pain in the assets worth it. on their end, it's worth it on your end, if you are the one being a pain in the ass. It's like, okay, if somebody's rolling their eyes and saying and saying like, I gotta do this for this person. Because when you think about it, like if you have something that people need, or want, or would be delighted by, and I think my book qualifies, like, from your perspective, the nice things that you're saying you were very glad that you found out about it. And, and think that people deserve to find out about it, you just have to keep that in mind. And it's like you're doing people a disservice and yourself and the work that you've you know, the whatever work it is that you've put so much into so much energy into, you're doing it all a disservice if you don't bug everyone you can possibly think of who might be of help. Okay,
Christina Edwards 07:57
so what you said, I think is true and shows up in your business. And because you have courses and digital products and a mastermind as well. But it's almost like you're saying and you email a lot, which is one of my most favorite things that you do. It's something that I have absolutely stairstep myself my business in doing. You've made peace with annoying people, or you've made peace with people not being like, Oh, I don't really want to do this. But alright, here's an email intro with this person, right? Of like, yeah, maybe maybe every connection point isn't going to be flowery and warm. And everybody's going to feel good about it. And we go in we do it anyway. Because you have this bigger goal over here. Talk about that if like yeah, not everybody's gonna be like, I'm so glad you emailed me today. Christina, I would be delighted to stop everything. Get this person on the phone and connect you with them.
Laura Belgray 08:48
Thank you just put it perfectly make peace with annoying people. That is maybe the key to life and success. Tomorrow. Yes. To millions and to creative success. Because no, like no work of art. No, you know, movie TV show you love No. Anything that you're so glad exists was created in the spirit of I don't want to annoy anyone. That has never been the mantra of anyone any creative success. So have to drop it make peace with annoying people.
Christina Edwards 09:27
Oh my gosh. All right. Well, there's our big tweetable takeaway today. Oh, my gosh. All right. So during the book promotion process, and you you've put together since book book launch hero, right, which I was like, Yeah, I'm glad she's put this together. So this is like a framework where anyone who is writing a book and wants to learn the promotion process that you followed, this isn't there. And some of the key points that I think that that you did well was just getting in front of lots of different people, whether it's through podcasts, whether it's Through interviews, whether it's through media, whether it's through partnerships, what did that look like for you? As far as I'm guessing you have like a publicity team work with you. But as far as some of the organic, like, what was what felt like, this is, this is something that I need to do. This is a tactic I need to do this is somewhere somewhere I need to get in front of. Yeah,
Laura Belgray 10:21
um, so I did hire PR for two months. Okay, and maybe should have done it earlier. But like, it's expensive. So I'm kind of glad I stuck to two months and, and they helped me get on podcasts that I wouldn't that it couldn't get on myself, podcast or like podcasts that were not in my realm, online entrepreneurs space. I know lots of people in there and was able to get on podcasts in that scene myself. But the ones that are like do your media types, like Bravo related podcast, because I'm a big Bravo head. And yes, real housewives and comedy, podcasts and stuff like that, or influencers podcasts. And to reach those, those young people, younger, younger readers, those were essential for like the wider spread. But most of the rest of it, I did myself. So some of that was what One essential thing strategy that I use that I wouldn't have known about add friend or to not told me about it was having a street team. So there was my friend, Selena Sue, who helped me draft a street team plan. And that is, like a group of people that you recruit, usually from your own email list. I guess some people might use social media to do it. But I can't imagine not having an email list and actually being able to do this. So I sent out a series of emails saying like, will you be on my team and recruiting? I capped it at 300 People now. Now I know like, not having gone through it, I would like to have aimed for 1000, I don't know that I would have gotten that many I might have gotten 300 might have been the cap anyway. But I stopped trying at that number. And their main purpose is to give you a review, leave you a review ahead of time on Goodreads, they get the they get your Ark Advanced Reader Copy. In exchange for this, like that's their their reward, the main reward is getting an arc. And so they read it in advance, leave a review on Goodreads in advance of publication and then on the day of publication or soon thereafter, their job, their main job is to leave a review five star review on Amazon. And Amazon reviews are sadly hugely important. I wish they weren't it's very it's really hard to get people to leave them especially if you are a nonfiction author fiction authors. For some reason peep readers of fiction leave reviews all the time that they feel like it's their duty, I guess. There's like a strange code among fiction readers like you go and leave a review. But nonfiction it's so hard to get. Like most authors, I know even best selling ones have under 100. So I was really glad that I recruited this team, and they were wonderful. It does turn out that only about 25% Do their full job without and then and then more come along. That's why I wish that I had had 1000 instead of 300. But, but I got a lot more reviews than I would have had I not had that wonderful loyal street team which were nicknamed the the titty committee. And yes, they were they were my cheerleaders. And they also helped promote it and shout it out, shout it from the rooftops and they were great.
Christina Edwards 14:23
This is a good reminder of like letting people help you. So this wasn't people that work for you and your company, this these are your subscribers. These are your raving fans. These are the people who want to see you succeed. And it's interesting because I teach a concept called Social street team, which is sort of the fundraising equivalent of this. So this is so my audience will basically get what what you're talking about and you just set it which is if 100 Say yes, about 25 of them will actually show up and do the thing. And then about 20 of them are going to rock at it and that's okay, like we account for that and That's okay. So I love that you did that. And what's interesting is I don't think I realized you did that. And I bet that's why it felt like hyped up as just somebody on Instagram where I'm probably seeing other people talk about the book. Like I felt the hype, I felt the energy, I felt the momentum. But I didn't really realize that what what's happening behind the scenes. So that's, that's cool. That's kind of Yeah,
Laura Belgray 15:20
and there's a ripple effect of that, of course. So, you know, say 25 People go out there, like it's their job, because it kind of is, and promote your book and hold it up and take pictures of it, post pictures of it, post it, post their reviews, like story them, et cetera, that creates hundreds more who see that like you get repost it, you restore it, people see like, Oh, her books getting a lot of attention, it must be really great. Or I want to be part of this, I want in on this. And social proof. It's very powerful. So other people join in. So it creates way more than the actual numbers who you've recruited.
Christina Edwards 16:01
Yes. And I love that you branded it, they had a name, what a good community building. Earth. It's so good. So I want to shift gears and talk a bit about your storytelling. And years ago, when I was I used to identify, by the way, as somebody was a terrible writer, I was like, that's not for me. I'm an artist. I'm a creative business. I'm not a good writer. And once I did, my first layer was just dropping that story to be like, Oh, right. Maybe I maybe I'm an okay writer. But one of the things and just being in your world, getting some of your products and just being on your list, and then ultimately reading the book is that I've gleaned is really excellent writers. I love that you didn't write a how to write book. Like, I love it. I love that it was a memoir. I love that one sentence and I'm in the room with you. Um, they're like, I get it. And I think that oftentimes in the entrepreneurial world, we think we got to read how to here's a nonprofit one, how to tell great nonprofits stories. And it's like, actually, no, a better way is to learn from some of your favorite writers, you know, a better way is to read from some of our favorites. So I want to talk about your style of writing, I wrote down the word philosophy, I think that we call it but you know, we might call it like you're vulnerable, but it's your flavor of vulnerable. So talk to me about your style of writing that philosophy, that voice and that edge and why it's so so important. And how if people have that wall up how they can start to like, let that wall down, let people in. Yeah,
Laura Belgray 17:32
so yeah, philosophy is my substitute word for vulnerable, because I think there's so much fake vulnerability, which I call PHONER ability or vulnerable shit out there. And it's usually just, you know, it's usually just bragging in the form of vulnerability, like, Oh, I'm feeling so less than because I didn't feel worthy of the seven figure launch I just had, or, and I tell you, the day I, the day, I went to the bank, and my, you know, to deposit my first million dollar check, I was wearing crocs, I'm so embarrassed, that is not vulnerable. So I like to I prefer to call it philosophy. And that is about flaunting your flaws and being open about them, sharing them sharing the feelings that you probably shouldn't, if you are trying to appear successful, and especially in the business that I'm in, like the online business world, where you are teaching people to where you're trying to model success, and people want and kind of the name of the game is for people to want to be you. So it is risky to be so open about your flaws and about your insecurities. And I don't know I just wrote a post and then turned it into an email the other day about feeling so tired of the internet I think the post was I think I'm reaching peak tired of the internet. And then I wrote a long caption about I'm just like, tired of all these things, all the BS and all the Yes, success tips and AI generated stories about how I just made you know, 67,000 while sipping Prosecco on the beach. When I'm like, kids, frolicked in the waves. It's all I mean, I can smell the chat GPT from here. So it was it was kind of a rant, and I knew it was. It was showing a crack in the armor because I think what you're supposed to do is say, I love what I do so much. It feels like play every day. And and when I'm sewing Flo and aligned that none of it bothers me. Hmm.
Christina Edwards 20:05
So what I'm hearing is, we are supposed to project ourselves as successful, it's aspirational for the people who are in our worlds, right. And that success has to look professional. That's kind of like the lie we've been taught. I definitely think my clients and listeners feel the same way. I don't want to seem scatterbrained overwhelmed, stressed out, because this is them, my audience is going to be like, holy crap, I'm not going to donate to them, or you know, they're a mess. But the reality is, that's the reality. And those are the juicy stories I want to read is we want to read that you're tired of the internet, we want to read that we're tired. I'm tired of Chad GPT saying unleash unlock transform, I'm tired of it and make a difference. Elevate, I'm like, I get like, that's okay. Like we get to say those things and still lead an organization lead a company lead a brand. And in fact, that's the piece that builds trust. That's the piece that builds connection, but I think it's a lost on a lot of people.
Laura Belgray 21:07
Yes. And for that very reason, they're afraid that people will say like, well, this person isn't successful, I'm not going to take them seriously. They don't have their shit together. And it is the opposite that people are drawn to you, because they trust you because you are giving them the relief that they are not alone. And they still perceive you as successful if you are and that shows them that it's possible to succeed. And even if you are a big hot mess.
Christina Edwards 21:41
So how do you balance the flotsam with like TMI, like how do you balance that, you know,
Laura Belgray 21:48
I mean, I am a bit of a TMI queen, but, and in my book has a level of TMI that I don't share in my emails, and in my business, like in my, in my daily email, semi daily, thrice weekly emails, I don't share the kinds of stuff that I share in the book that's a level deeper, and it goes into things that that makes some people blush, and especially when it comes to, you know, sex life in my 20s, and that kind of stuff. So I would say that, like, that's stuff that I don't feel comfortable putting in my business communications, I keep my emails, very personal and personable, but still don't open up that much of that much of the kimono. And I'm not saying that you can't, like I know, people who are very successful email marketers, who share way more than I want to read from them more than I want to know it, but other people eat it up. So yeah, you get to decide exactly right, you get to decide what are you comfortable sharing? What would you want to know about from somebody you follow? And whose emails you read and somebody might do business with? And what don't you want to know? And I'd say apply those same rules to your own writing.
Christina Edwards 23:17
So one of the things that showed up in your book, and definitely it shows up just in in your emails is you are decisive. You know what you like, you know, what you don't like, you know, you want to sleep in in the mornings, you know, you have a decisiveness that I think that has really served you and your success in your career. Talk to me about how your decisiveness has helped your visibility and has helped grow your business. And decisiveness is like saying yes and saying no, right. But it seems like you don't ruminate and decisions for very long. Yep.
Laura Belgray 23:49
I, that's an illusion. I am. I would never think of myself as decisive. You're right, that I know what I like. And I know what I don't like. And I am certain about those things. However, I hate making decisions. terrible about it. I put off decisions. I'm so avoidant, because, first of all, anything I do some every time I do something that's outside my comfort zone that is scary to me. That requires packing and picking out outfits, like a speaking gig. I am so regretful that I said, Yes. All the way up until I am there and onstage. I mean, I go through the same thing every time like why did I say yes to this? Why am I traveling without my husband? I don't like traveling without him. I only want to go on pleasure trips. I don't like I don't have anything new to teach these people there. It's not it's not going to be their jam or they're not the right it's not the right fit for this audience. I have so and I wore this outfit last time. I can't wear it again. and all the raging it's your
Christina Edwards 25:03
the brain like the rest of us, then this is perfect. It is
Laura Belgray 25:10
and the whole time knowing I will be glad when I when it's done and I will be glad I said yes. So that's the only thing that gets me to say yes. And to stick with the Yes. And at the same time somebody might say, like, still waiting to hear from you on this. You know, weeks later because I so put off giving that yes, giving that RSVP. So um, you know, I'm I am okay at picking what I want for dinner off a menu. That's not a big problem. But anything that involves my ego and performance and how I'm perceived, that is where I have a really tough time making decisions.
Christina Edwards 25:57
Okay, so I wrote down, how do you talk to your inner critic? And I think maybe you started to answer it, which is that inner that wasn't quite a critic, but it was a little bit of like that inner voice of why the heck did I sign up for this in the first place? And I don't even have anything to wear? And do they want any? Did they? Will they even want to hear what I have to say? And this isn't even the right audience? And that piece was? How you talk to it was? I'll be glad I did it. When it's over? I'll be like, is that part of how you get through that chatter through that mental chatter? Or what does that process look like for you?
Laura Belgray 26:29
Yes. And reminding myself, like, I haven't failed yet. I haven't had a disaster yet. You know, if we're say we're talking about speaking gigs, I have not had anything happen yet where they're like, this sucks, sorry, we want our money back. Or you're like, we cannot pass along a good word to anybody about you. So I know that I will never do as badly as I think I'm going to do or badly at all. But so that's how I get through that. When it comes to the inner critic and say, my writing or when I was writing the book that was really hard to get over like I had, yeah, just so many insecurities. And I know that I'm a good writer. But this was a whole different animal from the kind of stuff that I usually write writing emails, I mean, a friend, my friend, Susie, who's, you know, I would complain to her relentlessly. And about how hard it was to write these chapters and give them an arc to meaning and make them complete. And she'd say, you've write emails every day, so easily can this just be that with the spine? I'm like, I wish, but it's not. And actually, like emails do not have to be perfect. And if you write one that doesn't get any engagement that you can see, that doesn't get any replies or sales. C'est la vie, write another one the next day, or two days late or whatever the next week, there's always a do over with a book you don't get to do over. So I had a tough time with my inner critic on that front, and finally just had to sit down and do the damn thing. And found that doing it was easier than not doing it.
Christina Edwards 28:22
Hmm, that's good. Doing it was easier than not doing it. There you go. That's a way to talk to your inner critic. Like, let's go. Let's just put this out into the world. Yeah, yeah. Right. So we've talked a bit about email and storytelling, you've mentioned you email your list, your kind of setpoint your baseline is three times a week. Yeah. Love it. Is that your recommendation? Do you wish that organizations and nonprofits most entrepreneurs would email that much? Or what's your recommendation?
Laura Belgray 28:53
Only if they're writing really entertaining emails? I don't necessarily want to hear from a nonprofit that off, because unless they're writing something really entertaining, and it's not every one of them is not a plea for money, a straight plea for a donation. If it's like all I want, what I want is to be intrigued, entertained, maybe informed, but less informed and more entertained or have something to talk about. So if this isn't a nonprofit that's sharing interesting tidbits. Something personal fun stories, or I don't know gossip, even then I am going to open those emails. If everyone is like earnest, and here's why what we're doing is so important, Laura. I don't need that.
Christina Edwards 29:50
That was like the tone of being called into the principal's office. Laura. This is Siri.
Laura Belgray 29:55
Exactly. Excel. That's also the tone of the ones that you get from You know, from the PACs run all the political emails, most of them. You know, Tucker Carlson is lying about me, Laura. That's the subject line.
Christina Edwards 30:12
Yeah, yeah, we're getting ready to be bombarded by those this year for sure. Yep. So moving into some of the things that you'd like to see in inboxes. And this could be for nonprofits, or just general entrepreneurs. It can be trends, but I don't love that word. More of like, what do you want to see more of? What do you wish? What what are you seeing that you're like, I look forward to reading this. I look forward to seeing this. Even if it's social content. I'm curious, like, what's intriguing you lately? What do you want to see more of,
Laura Belgray 30:44
I mean, really, I just want to see more entertaining stuff more gossip more. Like if it is from, like, if it if it is from a nonprofit, which I don't follow a lot of them. But if it is, then still I want it to be, I want to see more entertaining stuff, or I just just an example. There's one person in my mastermind trip club. Her name is Diana de prima. And she has an organization called for farmers. And what I've been working with her on a lot is that like, people don't necessarily care about farmers. And you can't keep talking about why farmers are so important. And expect us to care. If however you're talking about, like, why these cookies will taste better with local butter. That then maybe I'm interested in, even though I don't bake, or like, you know, these ingredients, like your skin is going to be so much better if you like if it's about fresh local produce, or something like that, if it how it affects me. So, I mean, I, as a 54 year old woman is interested in right now in, in skin procedures and skin treatments that are non surgical that's like that, and house Real Housewives. And anything from HBO and like when is when is white lotus coming back? But um, yeah, it's a lot of Bravo. So
Christina Edwards 32:21
here's what I'm hearing I'm hearing through lines of like, don't make it always about the organization don't make it always about them. Figuring out that value proposition for a potential donor or subscriber and not to be so serious, which is something I talked to them a lot about. Many organizations are dealing with serious issues, they may be dealing with terminal diseases and work with one that deals with ALS. And they find a way there is some humor in that and they find a way they find a way and just not letting it all be so dry and sterile and serious and not using that very programming speak and instead helping to just entertain a little bit but more. I also think, you know, letting people have the driver's seat who work who are staffed there. So it's not always the CEO or ed or somebody like that who's writing the emails, or the ominous brand. I really hate that when it just comes from the organization. It's not even doesn't even feel like it's written by a person. An individual. Yeah,
Laura Belgray 33:16
well, it's funny you mentioned als because I've been thinking about a lot about Ms. Because right now as we're recording Christina Applegate has been on the scene a lot she and Jamie Lynn Sigler just started this podcast messy that I am obsessed with. And thank goodness like you meet like I don't have Ms. No one in my family has MS. But the but their honesty, their conversation. Their candor, and their humor is so just feel so universal and fresh and relevant to anyone who's craving that and it's a relief to hear them be so honest and Christina Applegate was just on deck shepherds pod. Yes,
Christina Edwards 34:03
I'm halfway through that episode right now. Oh
Laura Belgray 34:04
my god, it's so good. I laughed out loud so many times on the street that I scared people. And because of the things she was saying and just the way and she is in no way in no way does she think having MS is fun or funny. She's very honest about being really heartbroken about this condition that she has just so depressed about it. And any, anytime someone tries to reframe it as like, but is it an a gift to like, maybe it's what will make you you. She's like, I'm not there yet. Sorry. I am not there yet. And when people talk about X, you know, shouldn't you like Have you accepted it yet? She's like, No, fuck you. I haven't and that is funny. And that like all the humor that she gives, that is what makes me want to listen. So if she were like, you know, just in a commercial like won't To please like Sally Struthers like yeah, won't you with Sarah McLaughlin playing in the background? Won't you please just donate the price of a coffee? To help someone with Ms. Like, no thanks. But because she's so funny, and so real and raw and sometimes, like humor and truth are the same thing.
Christina Edwards 35:20
Yep.
Laura Belgray 35:21
That's why I'm interested and I can't get enough. I
Christina Edwards 35:25
love that. I love that. I love that so much and it's she'll be a great ambassador for an organization no doubt. Not only is she bringing eyeballs and visibility to to the disease, she'll end up no doubt people will see a surge in donations for sure. Right? There's there's a influence feel she's an influencer. Now to me, her name her handles limp bruschette like Limp biskit. But limpers good. So she her name is Brooke Eb, she has ALS. She's maybe 30. And she's hilarious. She's finding the humor in the fact that she has a terminal disease. And her her lifespan is cut very, very short. She'll, I mean, some of her content can be a little polarizing, and it's funny. And she's She has brought so much awareness to this cause I'm like, we need more Brooks. You know, she's like dating with a terminal disease. Here we go. And she'll be putting on her makeup talking about dating with a terminal disease. And, you know, you know, as things change, as she goes to clinics, and does her breathing test, she's, we're all along for the ride. And it's like, that's the kind of content I'm interested in. I've learned more about the disease in six months of following her than I have in six years, you know, of being on being, you know, on a drip campaign or something like that. So yeah,
Laura Belgray 36:37
and right. And there's so many I have heard the question from so many people in fields like that, or like I work with cancer patients, or cancer survivors, or people grieving, and like, but there's so much humor to be mined from that, even if it's like, there's, there's nothing funny about having it. But think of all the, you know, if you made a list of terrible gifts you got when you said you had cancer or awful things that you wish people wouldn't say to you. They're just, there's so much mishegoss around it, and so much trying and efforting on the part of awkward people, people who have no idea what to say or do and so many bad suggestions. And there's just a lot of humor to be mined from very serious things.
Christina Edwards 37:27
That's bringing us back to where we began with it just like but that's that willingness to be philosophy, the willingness to like, let people in not be so sterile, not be so serious. So I think those are some really, really good examples. So we ask every guest, one question before we wrap up, and one of the questions we ask is what is one thought you like to think on purpose? So this can be an affirmation? It can be a mantra, it could just be a saying it could be something you have on a post it note, but would you share one of your go twos with us?
Laura Belgray 37:59
Yeah. We think Wait, I have to think about it for one second. Yeah. Because Hold on, you're gonna have to cut a little bit, a little bit of pausing. Because I have it in my head, but I'm having a little bit Wait, I need to open my ticket at times when
Christina Edwards 38:24
our producer will,
Laura Belgray 38:26
huh, thank you. Because I have something that I always repeat. Like that is my message and my mantra, but for some reason I'm, I am. I am like, okay, here it is. Here's my my thought that I have to repeat to myself. And that I think, whenever I'm faltering, and when I am inclined to change something that I'm creating, then I'm writing so that nobody will be unhappy with it. And so that nobody will be irritated or mad at me. I always have to remember that nothing is for everyone. So no, as I was starting to list before, no movie, no TV show, no pop song, no brand of water, or soda or candy. For any, anything that you're glad exists. There's somebody who says, it's not for me. And so you have to remember that and that's I mean, I am. I could, I could not be less interested in Game of Thrones. I couldn't get into Game of Thrones. I have a chip missing. I just didn't like it and everybody else was obsessed with it. And I knew the problem was with me. That doesn't mean that Game of Thrones set the writers room should have gotten back together and retooled the show. To make it more to my liking. It means that it's not for everyone, and neither is it Anything that you are going to create and neither are you as a person, so stop trying to be for everyone because if you're for everyone then you're for no one.
Christina Edwards 40:08
Oh, so good. Thank you for that one. That was a good one. So where can everyone follow you hang out with you get book launch hero, all the things.
Laura Belgray 40:18
Okay, so my digital home is talking shrimp.com and you will find book launch hero there you will also find tough titties there. If you if you go to tough titties book.com It will lead you right there to my book page where there's some great bonuses there writing bonuses etc. And and then book launch hero is there it's for the taking. It's an instant download. So you'll find it on My Courses page. And or you can go to talking ship.com/book-launch-hero and you'll find it right there but is available right now.
Christina Edwards 40:58
Amazing. Thank you for today. This was so fun.
Laura Belgray 41:00
Thank you, Christina. Awesome.