The Business of Being Online

TOD Dream House Website Renovation: The Craft Room Reveal

Welcome back to the TOD Dream House Renovation Series! And welcome into the Craft Room.
This is the cozy, colourful, *slightly* chaotic corner of our digital home where creativity happens in real time. It's also the first new room we’re opening!
In this episode, I walk & talk us through:
🧵 The Mood
A Crazy Quilt-inspired space stitched with googly eyes, cardboard textures, and maximalist joy
🧵 The Function
What the Craft Room does, what lives here and how it supports the bigger Dream House
🧵 The Process
Restless energy, side quests, and circling back to trust my original vision
🧵 The Invitation
Permission to be messy, to revisit old ideas, to treat creativity like a living room, not a museum
 
Come peek behind the scenes and explore the Craft Room with me — the glue's still drying, but the glitter’s in place: https://taraondemand.ca/blog/

TOD Dream House Website Renovation: The Blueprint

In this opening episode of the TOD Dream House Reno series, I’m walking you through the threshold moment of business — the death of the old Tara On Demand website, and together we're opening the space to plant the new, gayer, glitter-covered foundation.
 
In this episode, I walk & talk us through:
The Threshold 🌀 We're honouring what the old website held + what is being released
The Vision 🌀 Why this new build, why now, and what's changed
The Blueprint 🌀 The architecture, layout, and metaphors of the new site
The Spark 🌀 “Match My Freak” as an invitation, archetype, and calling card
The Ritual 🌀 Burning it down, laying flowers, and stepping into the next version TOD
 
Step through the portal with me by checking out the Craft Room, live now: https://taraondemand.ca/blog/

How to Create Your Own “Fat Stacks” Inventory List

This week, we’re exploring a creative, fun, and deeply impactful exercise: the Fat Stacks Inventory List. It’s all about reflecting on your wins—big and small—to draw momentum from your past and propel yourself forward.
 
In this episode, we’re chatting about: Why creativity and momentum come from celebrating what you’ve already done. The iceberg model: what’s visible vs. the deeper, emotional work of being online. How my paper bag puppet alter ego, Brenna (yes, really), inspires future work. Easy steps to start your Fat Stacks Inventory List, whether keeping it simple or turning it into a full-blown creative project.
This episode is about finding joy and pride in your journey, using your experience as currency, and creating movement toward your next big thing.

Should You Add a Call to Action to Every Post?

Wondering if every social media post needs a bold “Click here!” or “Book now!”—you’re not alone. The truth? It’s not a cut-and-dry answer. That’s why you’re pressing play on a nearly 20-minute blog post about it. This episode was inspired by one of my retainer clients and I felt it was valuable to share with a wider audience and truly dive deep on.
 
So let’s explore what works, what doesn’t, and how to balance value with calls to action (CTAs) to keep your audience engaged and your brand’s online presence thriving!

The Language of Social Media – Verbal, Audible, and Visual Hooks

In this episode of The Business of Being Online, host Tara Trottier explores the ever-evolving language of social media, diving into how brands, creatives, and founders can effectively communicate using verbal, audible, and visual hooks. Tara also touches on internet trends like internet brain rot and confusion core content, providing insights on how to engage audiences through familiarity and shared cultural references. Finally, she wraps up with an audio round-up, sharing favorite sounds to incorporate into content creation. 
🔗 Check out the blog for resources and examples: www.taraondemand.ca/blog

Do ChatGPT Trends Reflect the Health of Our Society?

Welcome back to Season 2 of the Business of Being Online podcast! 🎉 In this episode, Tara dives into the fascinating world of AI and its impact on creativity, self-expression, and personal growth. From the popular trend of asking ChatGPT to roast Instagram feeds to using AI for manifestation and crafting the perfect dating app bio, this episode is packed with stories and reflections on how AI is reshaping our digital lives. ✨ Highlights: AI Roasts - Why asking AI to critique your creative work might not be as fun as it seems. Manifesting with AI - How people are using ChatGPT to envision their dream life. Dating Adventures - Tara’s experience using AI to craft a quirky, standout dating app bio. The Power of Being Seen - Exploring the significance of being seen and heard online and offline. Top Audio Picks - Tara shares her favorite audio clips for creatives and brands. Whether you're a creator looking for new ways to engage with AI or just here for the personal stories, there's something for everyone in this episode! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations on navigating the digital world. 🚀 📝 Show Notes Check out the resources mentioned in the episode: ChatGPT Roast Trend Examples https://www.instagram.com/p/C-3cS5LScSG/?igsh=a3hlNGF0OGJuOWJy https://www.instagram.com/p/C-2sCm4O68v/?igsh=bngzZmd5Mnh2MTY3 Alok on Self-hatred https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_yzb6DO_4H/?igsh=MTZoZmNid3NiZHZtYw== ChatGPT Dream Life Reels https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_tvvMOtOPP/?igsh=MXg3aHpoam5wMnA3MA== https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_oIdWzSP7e/?igsh=MWlsdzZob3VuY3V1Mg== DQ Closes in 10 Example: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-4GYPKMILz/?igsh=c3k4Z2d1ZTA0b3py Audio: https://www.instagram.com/reels/audio/856868292671790?igsh=OHdwcXBrcWoydzhw Chubby and Independent Audio: https://www.instagram.com/reels/audio/1033969455097704?igsh=c2lnZWozc3pqYTA5 Example: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-5rOigpMRa/?igsh=MW94eXFoa3R0YTR2OA== RuPaul Naughty-Lite Audio: https://www.instagram.com/reels/audio/1529332257993991?igsh=cXBzejhkZmc1bnEx Step Brothers Audio Example: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_38ZjwyDyG/?igsh=MTNhcHVlenl5NHNhbQ== Audio: https://www.instagram.com/reels/audio/1271187733778457?igsh=M2xkNHBmMWRuZm93

The Power of Storytelling in Personal Branding

In Episode 4 of "Business of Being Online," Tara Trottier takes a structured approach to explore the power of crafting personal narratives for personal branding. She shifts from personal anecdotes to delivering actionable advice on how to effectively use storytelling to build a personal brand online. Tara discusses the importance of consistency, authenticity, and strategic content placement across different digital platforms. The episode is packed with tips on leveraging one's unique story to attract the right audience, enhance business strategies, and deepen customer relationships, all while managing creative blocks and maintaining one's unique voice in the crowded digital landscape.

What's Between Me and Me

In Episode 3 of the "Business of Being Online" podcast, Tara Trottier shares a deeply personal and introspective look into her relationship with herself, particularly as it pertains to her identity and journey as an online entrepreneur. She delves into her recent life changes, including coming out as queer, navigating online dating, and the overarching theme of personal growth amidst these experiences. Tara introduces the CORGI framework—a method she uses for self-check-in that stands for Compassion, Offering, Receiving, Gratitude, and Intention. This episode is candid and vulnerable, with Tara opening up about past traumas, her process of self-discovery, and her aspirations for the future, including her vision for her family, her business, and her personal life. She also discusses the importance of being seen and monetizing one's presence online in a way that aligns with personal values and desires. Tara's reflections offer listeners insights into managing life's complexities, embracing identity, and pursuing a path of growth and fulfillment in both personal and professional realms.

Navigating Not-For-You Client Relationships

Tara discusses the challenges of working with unaligned clients online, sharing personal experiences and strategies for identifying, managing, and avoiding such clients. She emphasizes the importance of attracting clients that resonate with one's values and working style, reflecting on her journey toward working with more aligned clients. Tara also addresses the significance of setting boundaries, not compromising one's standards for professionalism (she has none, clearly), and the importance of authenticity in attracting the right clients. 

Cycles of Creativity and Identity Work in the Digital Space

Tara Trottier, the host of the "Business of Being Online" podcast, shares insights from her personal and professional journey in the digital space. The podcast explores the intricacies of building and maintaining an online presence, particularly through creativity and art. Tara emphasizes the importance of starting new projects and embracing change, illustrating how these actions drive growth and innovation. By highlighting her experiences and lessons learned, the podcast serves as a guide for listeners navigating the challenges and opportunities of the digital world, encouraging them to pursue their creative endeavors with confidence.