Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amara Russell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Amara, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Becoming an Author and creating a brand that will turn into a successful business is a risk! You not only have to believe that what you have to offer will attract the right audience and sell, but you have to be willing to put in the work that comes with building a successful brand/business.

That comes with lots of prayer, knowledge, wisdom, strategic planning, and making sure you’re on the right path. The worse thing you want to do is start several projects just to make money, only to end up back where you started. If you’re going to take the risk, make sure what you’re doing is something you’re truly good at. Something that you love doing even in your sleep or not getting paid for, make sure you know your audience, and make sure that your product is going to benefit them.

Taking a risk is sometimes going to mean that everyone is not going to support you, and that’s okay. I’ve learned that my biggest support comes from those I don’t know and honestly, that’s okay! It’s meant for whomever it’s meant for.

My gift has always been to write, I’ve been writing since the age of ten. However, as I got older, I didn’t know what direction to go with my writing. It took losing my job in 2014 for me to tap into that hidden talent. I wrote and published my first novel and realized I needed to take a risk and explore that deep passion that I connected so well with. It was my place of peace, my place of truth, my place of healing. I created characters and storylines that resonated with life and people around me. I found joy and my happy place.

Taking that risk led me to making some amazing connections, being apart of a Metro Authors Group and collaborating/networking with phenomenal authors that spoke my language, doing book signings, helping other authors along the way, becoming a publisher, earning a Bachelors degree in Creative Writing and Masters in Public Relations. I won a global award for my novel, published three more books and turned my novel into a trilogy set and it afforded me the opportunity to produce and direct my first drama series based upon the novel, in which episode 1 is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

Risk taking is not for the weak, even the strong will fall/fail. However, the key is knowing your worth and that what you’re doing or selling is what you love and will be beneficial and meet the needs of your target audience. Another effective tool I ‘ve learned is to move in silence, the world doesn’t need to know until is is completed. Often times, we get excited and find ourselves sharing things before its time. When the challenges and setbacks happen, it puts pressure on you because you’ve set up a platform to where you now have to prove something to everybody. No one knows but you what goes on behind the scenes, all they know is they’re waiting and they’re persistence or expectation shouldn’t be on your timing, nor God’s.

As you take these risk, let your success talk, when it’s time. I’ve learned that what I do, is not to prove a point, nor to show off to the world what I’m doing. It’s me doing what I truly love, what I’m passionate about, for those in need to find inspiration, motivation, healing, or peace during that time of need. It’s God’s given gift and talent that He has purposely used me for to deliver in my own creative way. In doing so, I have to seek Him, be patient with myself, know that there’s going to be good days and there’s going to be bad days. There’s going to be days when I hit my goals and my ROI will be booming, and then there will be days when I question, is this really what I’m supposed be doing. (LOL) but, at the end of the day, when you know that it is, that you were purposed for this, then you will be assured that the risk is worth taking!

Lastly, don’t allow fear to talk you out of it, go for it! As they say, fail forward, mistakes will only lead you closer to your purpose, because there’s a lesson in every mistake. Believe in yourself and take the RISK!

Amara, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Amara Russell, I am a Fort Worth native and the older of two siblings, I am a prolific writer who’s been fascinated with storytelling since the age of ten. I have written many articles, blogs, short stories, and scripts and have been featured in local magazines and newspapers. I won a global award for my novel, A Rare Diamond, and also published a trilogy, devotional
titled, Nspired and I co-authored an Anthology, titled 20 Beautiful Women.

I am a graduate of Full Sail University, named as Valedictorian, with a high academic achievement award earning a master’s degree in Public Relations and B.F.A. degree in Creative Writing. When not working, writing, or growing my brand. I can be found doing what I love most, inspiring others, cooking and spending time with family.

I am currently re-branding myself as an author and building my social platforms to highlight other authors and creatives.

Visit my website: amararussell.com (currently under construction) IG: rareandauthentic

If you would like to be featured on any of my platforms or website, or learn more about the type of services I offer, please contact me @: [email protected]

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building a social presence takes time! You first have to figure out what platform works best for your business. When you narrow it down, begin to research that platform. Follow other people that are in your niche. Develop a strategy and scheduling tool. Do not be afraid to ask for help. Hire a virtual assistant or social media manager. Most importantly, know your audience and know the main reason in which you are using that platform for. Is it to sell products, to become an infeluencer, grow your page, engage, or just to be seen, When you know your reason why it will be easier to build your following, encourage engagement, and create engaging content.

You have to learn the best times and days to post when you have the best engagement and when the most traffic is being directed to your website to generate sells. Create a theme, your pages are an open book, it should flow as such, and it’s important that you stay consistent. Branding is key! Again, don’t be afraid to ask for help/advice.

I’ve been growing my IG page since 2016, I now have 9K+ followers, good and bad. Only a handful engage, however, I know they’re watching. It has taken alot of trial and error and learning who my target audience is. Developing a marketing plan and hiring a team to assist. It’s still not where I want it to be, but as I am currently in the process of re-branding, it will slowly but surely get there.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is that I get to just be me and use my gifts as a writer creatively.

Contact Info:

• Website: amararussell.com
• Instagram: rareand_authentic
• Facebook: Rare PR Firm – (Re-branding)
• Linkedin: Amara L. Russell

Image Credits
DorJaba Productions Kendrick Mays Photography