Avant Marketeer Nikki Alvin-Smith Offers Timely Insights For Your Marketing Delight
“I’m a big believer in writing from the heart. Whether you are a professional wordsmith, a freelance blogger or authoring the bestselling equestrian title, there are few things more important than being sincere.
It’s not just about what you write, but why you write.
People all write for different reasons. The array of an individual writer’s talents may cross many spectrums within the written word. Folks that exhibit a high level of creative genius, rarely stay in one lane. Their creative journey may take many roads during their careers. This will likely include side trips and vacations into experimental vocations, experience inspired adventures into a myriad of genres.
For me thus far my ‘asides’ have been focused behind the lens; artful wielding of hog bristle paint brushes to play with color and romantic light on the canvas; development of art in motion with classical dressage training of horses to haute école; house and barn designs with hands-on construction; interior design of complete homes and fashion and tack buying for equestrian houses.
I have been fortunate to travel a lot from an early age literally as well as figuratively speaking and experienced different cultures, architecture, fauna, and flora. This travel has broadened my mind. The ability to bring creative angles to my writing is heavily influenced by thinking ‘outside of the box’ because of all these endeavors and life lessons learned.
Writers are generally inspired to put words to work by being voracious readers in their youth. As a little girl I read many age and non-age-appropriate titles that included le Carré, the Bronte sisters, Hardy, Du Maurier, Elliot, Steinbeck, Austin, Dickens, and other classics. Later favoring Wharton, Tolkien, Woolf, Heller, Wyndham, King, Howatch, Trollope (all 3 generations of writers) and an eclectic mix of other titles too numerous to mention.
Like many writers my passion for the written word was driven by the love of adventure and escapism and the allure of experiences developed in someone else’s imagination.
Books I have authored/co-authored or ghostwritten also cross divides. From romantic and historical romance to comedy and literary efforts, celebrity biographies, travel guides, investment marketing, to non-fiction ‘how to’ titles. It took me a while to lose the pseudonym and gain the confidence to use my proper name. But that, as they say, is another story.
Whether mentoring writers or riders, my advice is always the same, “Put your heart into it and great things will happen.”
Remembering why you started writing in the first place is a great way to ensure creative content is staying on point. Dressage and CT published my first article in the 1980’s, closely followed by many others being printed in The Horsemen’s Yankee Pedlar and The Chronicle of The Horse with some assignments for event coverage and journalism plays. I was keen to follow the age-old directive all writers know, ‘write what you know’.
But what did I really know at that age? Certainly, a lot less than I do now. Though the reason I wrote then is the same reason I write now, to share earned knowledge and impart some help and advice to others. Always figuring in my heart that if something I wrote could save just one person or one animal angst or upset or improve their life in any small measure, that I had done a good job.
I feel the same way today. Occasionally, I turn prospective clients away if the product or service they want me to help them promote is one I don’t feel is a genuine benefit or could be potentially harmful in any manner. As a seasoned creative content writer, I am still touched when heartwarming feedback about my writing efforts is received by one of my clients that the client is kind enough to share with me. When their audience is moved enough to reach out and thank them for the help or advice and explain how much they appreciate the input then you know you are making a difference.
Yes, it is work. But it is work I love. On a recent visit to the Dr, this time an ophthalmic plastic surgeon for another ‘cancer’ related issue that popped up recently in my world, he saw the notes in my medical file on my profession and asked me, “Do you like your job?”
I was surprised by the question and paused briefly before responding with an emphatic “I love it!”
Despite the mask he was wearing I could see his delight and amusement at my passionate response. His arctic blue eyes were smiling.
“But it is a lot of screen time,” I added, worried about the growth on my eye but also amused and a bit surprised by my passionate response to his question. I don’t recall anyone asking me that question before.
So whatever reason you write, or whoever you employ to write on your behalf, it is smart to ensure that the works produced are unique, well-written in an engaging voice and that the writing has heart and character.
Readers know the difference between sincerely written content that offers education and edification and material that is clearly one big sell. Marketing and branding do go hand in hand. Take the reins and enjoy the drive.”
If you would like to engage Nikki Alvin-Smith’s services via her company Horse in a Kilt Media Inc., please don’t hesitate to reach out to find out what’s on offer. Individually tailored marketing package pricing is more affordable than you may think and having a professional content producer on board for your pet or equine business will make all the difference in your branding and market presence.
Trot in and visit Nikki Alvin-Smith, Horse in a Kilt Media Inc., to learn more about her stable full of marketing skills as a content writer, equestrian blogger, columnist, and marketing specialist. As a British/American professional Grand Prix competitor/coach/clinician she brings a unique experience/angles and thought leadership/authority to her wordsmith wizardry.
About Nikki:
Internationally published writer, content creator, PR/Marketing specialist, photographer and equestrian Nikki Alvin-Smith offers “Engaging Content that Engages Riders to Read,” with unique and fresh material for your horse or pet related business, magazine, website, newsletter, blog and email blast sales machine. Her portfolio of works is extensive and includes equestrian and pet features that have been published worldwide in over 230 different magazine titles. Her clients include equestrian and “B” list movie celebrities for whom she regularly ghostwrites and provides PR services; manufacturers of equine and pet related medical devices, feedstuffs, supplements, grooming supplies, fencing and barn equipment, horse transport, horse structures and professional equine service providers; profit and non-profit initiatives and organizations; and non-equestrian related businesses/publications in the pet industry, investment, real estate and international travel and rural lifestyle.
Nikki Alvin-Smith is a British international level Grand Prix dressage competitor/trainer/coach/clinician. Together with her husband Paul, who is also a Grand Prix dressage rider, Nikki operates Willowview Hill Farm in the Catskill Mountains of New York; a full-service horse training facility. The duo provides ‘team’ clinician services to clients worldwide to riders of all levels and many riding disciplines.
Contact: Nikki Alvin-Smith: Content Writer; PR/Marketing Specialist
Email: Nikki@NikkiAlvinSmithStudio.com
Website: NikkiAlvinSmithStudio.com Horse in a Kilt Media.com
Cell: 607 434 4470