✨ the SPARK 215 ~ The Year of Intentional Creation
Where possibility, income, and integrity meet
One of the best parts of having an online business is the people you connect with who end up as genuine friends.
I have a dear friend (who has become one of my closest friends), in Scotland who I chat with regularly on Voxer (I never take for granted that I have true friends worldwide thanks to technology).
We’re both pretty giddy about AI and share how we use it and where we see things heading. It’s a little nuts to see how fast it’s improving, and there’s always a bit of fear that AI will make all content sound the same, or we’ll be flooded with more crap content.
But here's the thing: there’s already a lot of content that sounds the same.
Not because of AI but because we've gotten caught up in following formulas, frameworks, and what everyone else is doing.
Don't get me wrong – there's nothing wrong with learning from others or using proven methods. But somewhere along the way, we started believing that success only comes from following someone else's playbook.
*Maybe I’ve been in this space too long, but OMG, with the formulaic headlines! “10 things that will ACTUALLY do something amazing…” blah, blah, blah. There has to be a better word than ‘actually’* <end side rant>
Here's what I find fascinating about this moment we're in:
The tools available to us (especially AI) are absolutely mind-blowing.
We can create faster, iterate quicker, and produce more than ever.
Yet paradoxically, this abundance of capability pushes us to understand who we are and what we stand for.
Because here's the truth: in a world where anyone can create anything, you are the only thing that truly sets you apart.
Think about it.
When was the last time you bought something simply because the marketing was good?
Sure, good marketing helps, but we buy from people and brands we trust. We invest in voices that resonate, perspectives that challenge us, and creators who feel genuine.
I've been in this space for almost 17 years (😳), and I can tell you that the fastest path to reaching your income goals isn't through copying what's working for someone else – it's through doubling down on what makes you uniquely you.
This might sound a bit woo-woo, but stick with me here.
You're always a step behind when trying to follow someone else's formula.
You're playing catch-up to a game someone else designed. But when you create from a place of authenticity and integrity?
That's when things start flowing.
And for a better in-depth understanding of why someone else’s formula may never work for you, read
’s article “You Can Follow The Perfect 5-Step Plan And Never Succeed: How To Stop Getting Manipulated By Modern Marketing,” (sooooo good!).So here's my challenge for you as we step into 2025:
Instead of spending so much time looking at what other people are doing and trying to do the same thing, start asking:
What feels energizing to create?
Where do I consistently show up as my best self?
What problems do I genuinely love solving?
What format lets me communicate most naturally?
What would I create even if no one paid me?
These aren't just feel-good questions – they're strategic ones.
Because when you align your creation with your natural strengths and genuine interests, a few powerful things happen:
Your content becomes more distinctive (no AI needed)
Your enthusiasm becomes contagious
Your marketing feels less like marketing and more like sharing
Your audience becomes more engaged because they're responding to authenticity
Your offers become clearer because they're truly aligned with who you are
I get it – this might feel scary. Following a proven template “feels” much safer than carving your own path.
But here's what I know for sure: the creators who will thrive in 2025 and beyond aren't the ones with the best AI prompts or who have invested the most in other people’s processes.
They're the ones who dare to be themselves.
They're the ones who use AI and other tools to amplify their voice, not replace it.
They're the ones who stay in integrity with what works for them, even when the "latest hack" promises quicker results.
As we enter this new year, I want you to remember something:
👉You don't need to be everywhere.
👉You don't need to use every tool.
👉You don't need to follow every trend.
You just need to be consistently, unapologetically you.
That's the fastest path to building something sustainable.
That's how you create work that matters. That's how you build an audience that sticks around.
And honestly? That's how you enjoy the journey a whole lot more.
Here's to making 2025 the year we let our uniqueness lead the way. 🥂
SPARK Spotlight 🔥
Now that I’m moving all my email marketing back to Kit (ConvertKit), naturally, I went back to the only person I’d recommend learning this from:
.He completely revamped his Creator Quick Start with video lessons. (I wiped my old account clean and am starting fresh!). I’m on a mission to make my email marketing smarter this year.
I should be ready to start sending again from Kit by mid-month (all my content will still be published on Substack - but emails will all be sent from Kit).
A Little Brainpower 🧠
Finally. An honest look at SEO & AI. “What Content Creators Must Know About Using AI for SEO in 2025.”
I’m all about imperfect action. “The Power of Imperfect Starts.”
Planning on YouTube in 2025? “I Uploaded 365 Shorts On YouTube And Here’s How Much I Made.”
Tool Time 🛠
Advertising: Save ads, build briefs, and produce high-converting Facebook & TikTok ads at scale without compromising quality. Try Foreplay free here.
Notion: Turn your Notion pages into a presentation. Turn the Notion top bar off for a clean view. Use Presentation Mode for Notion (Chrome extension) free here.
LOVE THIS: Save what you love without ads, paywalls, etc. Just paste a link & download! Ex: Drop a YouTube video link in and download the audio (or video). Works like a charm. Use Cobalt free here.
AI Agents: The easiest no-code platform for creating multi-agent automation. Try GenFuse AI free here.
AI Video: This was… wow! Turn your inspiration into an engaging short film in minutes! Create characters, generate a storyboard & click to make a movie! Try PopShort.ai free here.
Happy New Year!
But let’s be easy about it, shall we? 😂
However you celebrate the holidays, I hope it was full of love & joy with people you care about.
My daughter was in town for almost a week, Christmas with the family was lovely, and my heart is full.
After some much-needed rest, I look forward to returning to my regular routines and all that a New Year can bring.
Have a wonderful day,
Kim
Honored for being included in this article. Thank you very much.
Excited for what 2025 holds for you Kim!! Thank you for the share 🙏🏻