RealTalkAJ

It’s AJ, and this is my commercialized blog site, where I can share my lifestyle interests and provide thoughtful insights on topics worth discussing.

  • A patient black man in micro media culture

    Things have been the most hectic they’ve been all year.

    I’m talking about over the course of only 2 weeks by the way.

    I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on my life throughout this period.

    I mean I shared the story of what I considered to be rock bottom for me.

    Those are moments you really get to understand who you are at the core.

    On my way to the bank today I got a chance to draw a conclusion:

    I’m just a black man that’s dealing with feeling overwhelmed in a micro media culture

    Some may define it as social media.

    I think it’s so much more than just that though.

    I had all the signs that this was inevitable though.

    Some of my favorite shows were only 15 minutes in length (compared to half hour programs).

    I was conditioned and maybe even prepared at one point for it.

    I just fell off with my training at some point.

    The only thing that I believe’s reviving me is my love for music again.

    I’ve been recording myself over beats that I’ve found over the internet.

    The problem was that I wasn’t sharing them.

    I wasn’t allowing my voice to be heard amongst the millions.

    Was it lack of confidence?

    Maybe

    Perfectionism syndrome?

    Possibly

    Whatever it was, I feel better and even more sure of myself moving forward.

    I added being a black man so if you are one or even love one, there’s a chance you can relate.

    Odds are continuously shown to be against anyone that falls in my demographic, but here I am.

    With that said, you can find me on my socials if that’s how you prefer to stay connected.

  • How to live more traditionally?

    Let’s discuss how to live more traditionally.

    It can be a discussion that makes you feel weird in some ways.

    Especially considering we’re in a society where what’s new is always considered better.

    Traditional lifestyles can be a great thing to keep alive.

    If these teachings impacted your life for what you believe to be is better, you might be determined to make this happen.

    Whatever the case may be, I’ll be looking to serve you with support in regards to this topic.

    But without further ado, let’s get into the logistics.

    How to live more traditionally?

    Living more traditionally is relative in many ways, but generally it’s before innovation. The best way to go about it and apply it whatever section of your life is by doing this: Pinpoint an area of life you enjoyed, then when it drastically changed, and safely incorporate more original concepts into your philosophies.

    How I live traditionally

    I don’t do the tracing my steps back as literal as it sounded earlier with my advice, but I keep some traditions alive through nostalgia.

    I’ll revisit media I consider classics and allow it to dictate my surroundings in a way.

    Whether it’s a song from the mid to early 2000s or a movie from the late 80s, I’ll indulge.

    What that does is reprogram my subconscious.

    I’ll suddenly: talk the same way organically, sort clothes out that I thought were cool at the time, even find myself in a place of more clarity.

    It’s powerful in a way, because I’ll find myself just prioritizing things I want in life differently as a result.

    Spend some time in that same frame of mind that I pictured and watch yourself become a different person in some ways.

    How to create a simple, traditional, and vintage inspired life

    Creating a more vintaged life is a skill in many ways.

    You’re actively building the past in a way that’s accepted in today’s modern time.

    That happens with having an open mind.

    Be open to the possibility that as great whatever you thought things were in the past, not everything was done the best way for you.

    It’s cool to capture elements that you’re set on.

    They become non-negotiable in a way.

    Identify them and move forward with them.

    However, it’s equally important to find the things that weren’t so great.

    Think of it the same way with how some video games or apps get updated with removing bugs.

    It keeps all the good stuff but remasters things in a way that still feels fresh and new.

    Sometimes I’d wish developers would do the same with some of the classic Pokemon games.

    However, with life, you have to (as I mentioned earlier) actively build this tradition.

    You’re going to turn into a journalist here and recover old pictures, maybe scrapbooks, or whatever.

    You reflect on them and employ things you would’ve done differently if relived.

    Find what made those times so much fun for you, and innovate on ways to recreate them.

    There has to be something in the present that would’ve made the past a little better.

  • What is the 3 7 27 rule of branding? (Answered)

    Today we’re gonna discuss what the 3 7 27 rule of branding is, and how it could serve your operation.

    Specifically with building trust and earning sales.

    I’ll preface this by sharing that I’m unaware of this rule.

    It’s my first time ever hearing about this thing.

    But it deals with branding obviously, and anything new for me to learn should be good enough for you too.

    So without further ado, let’s move on:

    What is the 3 7 27 rule of branding?

    It’s a rule of thumb that suggests a brand’s message should aim for an initial impact within 3 seconds. It has to build a connection and establish clarity in 7 seconds. Finally, it requires 27 exposures to be fully remembered and trusted enough for a customer to engage with it.

    Understanding the 3-7-27 Rule: A Branding Foundation

    The first number (3) in this rule is easily the most important part of it.

    You lead with this one and you’re gonna be on the cusp of learning what it takes to go viral.

    You might have the most powerful message the world’s ever seen, but it’s irrelevant if you can’t catch someone’s attention.

    It could easily be paralleled with the thesis statement that could be found in an essay.

    Next is moving onto the 7 portion.

    Earlier, we understood it to be the connection and clarity area of the rule.

    Here’s where we focus less on attention grabbing, and more on speaking to close friends.

    These are gonna be the people that will at least have an idea of what it is you’re talking about.

    You can really shine in this area by connecting dots (or as I keep saying [paralleling] your points).

    If you can introduce a new concept and bring up another that’s more familiar, it helps your audience get what you’re saying much quicker.

    Last is the 27.

    This as I’m understanding it to be is where you can start spamming your platform (I mention spam loosely) with a plethora of examples.

    Specifically, it suggests 27 pieces of material that has to be shared.

    The best way to go about approaching this that I’m finding is sharing personal stories.

    There’s nothing like being able to share experience with your audience.

    The book that I mentioned before was in one of my more recent posts (within a week) you can find.

    It helps me understand this concept and where it fits in much better.

    Optimizing Your Brand Strategy for Today’s Marketing Landscape

    I look at the title and it reminds me of how optimistic you can be with marketing.

    I’ve mentioned several times before about how marketing isn’t a cut and dry skill.

    In order to optimize it: you need to figure out what the “old” method was.

    How I saw it was being a robot (where a customer doesn’t feel welcomed to approach the name).

    The company or brand just puts things out in a highly regulated market.

    They communicate through usually predictable channels with them having a product:

    • TV
    • Radio
    • Billboards
    • Newspapers

    Very traditional forms of media.

    What we have now however is a new medium.

    I’m talking about the internet of course!

    It’s a generally unregulated marketing tool that quickly rose to being the most popular.

    And it hasn’t been around for a super long time either.

    That’s what makes and defines the new marketing landscape: understanding the internet.

    I’m not saying to get how every single logistic works when it comes to the web either.

    Just focus on the things that serve you.

    I’ll address the pink elephant in the room and steer the focus on social media.

    Optimizing your branding strategy around the internet is mastering the art of creating digital content.

    You’re gonna go on a journey to learn ways to communicate different layers of your product or service.

    You have to balance the desire to just hop on the internet and stay there all day.

    Just remember: there was a life before it (and people lived great then too)

    It’s just a decision that you have to consciously make, which could dramatically shape your future.

    How the Rule Influences Branding Decisions

    The rule influences branding decisions because it concentrates the narrative being put out by the brand.

    Imagine a timer where you only have so much time to communicate a specific thought.

    Almost like Pictionary: there’s only so much time you get to effectively capture an agenda

    The 3 is the shock value in many ways.

    You get somebody to say “Are you serious?!, Look at that!, What’s going on here?”

    It gets you thinking: “Am I gonna have enough time to brief about this complicated thought?”

    Things like that.

    That 7 being the connection period is finding a way to share emotion.

    This is where you get a good idea with what makes the marketer is coming from.

    If they tend to utilize music heavy, draw movie comparisons, be flashy— whatever they care about.

    As competition grows, whoever’s in front constantly changes because there’s real creatives.

    Someone might be able to fit in more important points early on.

    There might be somebody that can extend seemingly simple messages and break them down best.

    This branding rule is a set of training wheels: it doesn’t tell you where to go, just keep you on your feet.

    Applying the Rule Across the Customer Journey

    When I apply this rule to the customer journey, it just reminds me how time is short.

    When you only have 3 seconds to cope approach, you have to be highly creative.

    I’d say this is when you have to get a good idea of your target audience’s demographic.

    Find out more about the way they get their information.

    Gen X will be different from Millennials, same way they would be from Z or Alpha.

    That could be changing as you run an official campaign.

    I learned somewhere with it taking anywhere from 7-10 exposures before a customer buys.

    Final thoughts

    So the 3-7-27 rule is one that accounts for where the most minuscule portion becomes important.

    From there it’s putting more effort towards connection building and exposure with specifics.

    The best advice I could provide moving with this rule is to practice adding the golden rule to your marketing efforts.

    With having creativity to market in a way that’s on your call, you still have to be mindful.

    If you dish out your messages in a way you’re willing to accept it, anything else moving forward will be acceptable.

  • What’s the best way to sell sneakers? (Explained)

    Here’s a follow up to my story earlier on having to resort to selling my sneakers.

    So maybe this is therapy in an unconventional way.

    What I’m gonna do is speculate on ways to sell your sneakers, and hopefully it’s the best way.

    I haven’t done this before, so I feel it’s important to add that point.

    I’ve seen plenty of people do it before and it doesn’t seem to tough to do, but let’s approach it logically.

    There’s the obvious in what could be done by taking them to a pawn shop or thrift store.

    But what’s the absolute best way to go about doing it?

    Let’s figure it out.

    What’s the best way to sell sneakers?

    The best way to sell sneakers is to host them on third party retail sites. They’re made special to advertise previously owned items, including your sneakers. Another option is to do what I did and sell them right on your social media account. Just be sure to capture pictures that compliment your shoes and be honest on the condition of them.

    Final thoughts

    You could do what I did and just announce that you have some available for purchase on socials.

    There’s literally millions on social media that do their buying online, and that’s not even including Instagram!

    There’s platforms such as Poshmark or Stock X, even eBay will gladly host what you’re offering.

    But when I think of best way, I take a few things into account:

    • What’s gonna get them sold fastest?
    • What’s gonna get me my cash quickest?
    • How much money has to come out of my pocket just to complete the sale?

    Those are all valid questions to have when considering doing this.

    Sneakers can get highly expensive, and everybody wants to save money buying them.

    So those are other things you have to take into account when moving forward with your choice.

  • Change we can believe in…

    That was a platform that helped former President Obama get into office in 2008.

    Well here I am still looking for change in 2025’s backend with 26 in sight.

    It’s not long since I’ve mentioned I hit rock bottom.

    But what comes after admitting a problem?

    I’d like to think a desire for change at some point.

    If not anyone else then for sure me.

    Part of getting it and being successful in it’s dependent on recognizing areas of struggle.

    So let’s see if we can learn from my own areas of opportunity for growth here:

    Why am I struggling to change my life?

    I’m told that the struggle in changing a life you don’t desire anymore comes from a hazy “why.” I think that’s part of the equation, but another aspect worth mentioning is truly understanding what it is you’re dealing with too. That’s a personal barrier that I’m dealing with. After I get a more confident grip on that reality, I’ll be stronger than ever.

    What it takes to change

    Before diving into the “why” spiel of earning change, I wanna preface it.

    This is advice that anyone able to read should be able to understand:

    You have to admit a certain level of ignorance on your part

    This is where you’re aware of somebody being more skilled in bringing that change you want.

    There’s several ways that could be expanded on, but the best part to meditate on is consciously keeping that desire alive.

    You have to actively reinforce your passion for earning this life change you’re looking for.

    Keep in mind I’m still applying this message to myself.

    I’m feeling humble to an extent worth acknowledging.

    But let’s not keep this message completely on me.

    Let’s get more universal and discuss more about the “why” that’s needed to thrive.

    Finding your “why”

    Okay, now we’re at the “why” portion—the most popular concept you’re gonna hear yet.

    Shouldn’t be much of a shocker to hear that discovering yours can create change.

    But what is it about the “why” that makes it so powerful?

    It’s a compass (to speak metaphorically).

    Ideally it guides you in the direction of wherever you’re trying to go.

    It’s motivation for the individual that has a good idea on what theirs is.

    The thing that makes it great is that it’s universally applicable.

    You don’t need to know anything upfront—just that desire piece that I mentioned earlier.

    Finding your “why” happens with being motivated by two factors in my experience:

    • pain

    (&)

    • pleasure

    It’s going to be the driving force that gets you to attack each day fearlessly—non negotiable.

    Getting a grasp on the reality of your situation

    Getting a grasp on what you’re really experiencing is a personal piece of advice that I could share.

    I felt it was needed to add because “why” is a luxury that’s taken for granted to me.

    I see understanding what your situation is as being more of staring at ground zero.

    You’re in a state of acceptance (at least challenged to do so) and without that part, you might stay stuck.

    Grasping your reality is a matter of opinion in most cases—let’s be clear.

    It’s worth adding that perspective plays a critical role in this part?

    And what affects your perspective (someone might ask)?

    It’s unexplainable, at least by me.

    I feel it’s more of how you’re hardwired.

    You have to be born with an affinity for positivity or even care for curiosity.

    It might deserve a disclaimer, (if so I’ll get to that) but, I feel it boils down to the care your parents had for you up to birth.

    Everyone isn’t given that chance.

    Not everyone had responsible caretakers up to the point of learning accountability.

    That’s not the important part though.

    What is should be that you’re here seeking the best information.

RealTalkAJ

It’s AJ, and this is my commercialized blog site, where I can share my lifestyle interests and provide thoughtful insights on topics worth discussing.

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