Tarot is a very personal tool that works best when you are reading it for yourself.  As a human, we tend to see things out of the context of our own lives, meaning we put what we know into our readings.  It's not only inevitable, but it's also impossible not to.  Rather than rose-colored glasses, we see every experience with our own personal lens.  Many (wrong) tarot instruction books will tell you "You have to be careful not to do this!", when in reality, you can't not do it.

Then we add on the fact that there is no such thing as psychic ability (for some, we have an uncanny ability to connect with other humans and can easy to see what they're going through, but it's not supernatural in any way, it's psychological), then how can we see tarot as a tool to read for others?

I am not a tarot reader.  I am a tarot guide.  I use the tarot to help the client see the answers to their questions in their own psyches.  Only they hold the answers they seek.  Not me.  I can give advice, yes, I am very good at this.  But I can't give you the answers.  I can only help you read the map.  Together we can travel down the road to find where the answer may lay.  And I can give you the shovel the find it.  But you have to do the digging yourself.

Matisyahu has an amazing song called "Searching" with some spoken verses at the end of the song that go:


In the Earth, there are so many wonderful treasures. 
And if you know where to dig, 
You will find gold, diamonds, jewelery, all kinds of treasures. 
But if you don't know where to dig, all you will find is rocks and dirt. 
A rebel is the geologist of the soul. 
He can show you where to dig, and what to dig for, 
But the digging you must do yourself (the digging you must do yourself)"


That's how I see the tarot: a soul geologist (or what I call, a soul archaeologist).  The tarot can show you where to dig and what to dig for, but you have to do it yourself if you want real and true answers.

And how can I sit there with a card and guide you while you're not sitting next to me looking at the same card?  It's doable.  But it's not powerful.  And it's very disconnected (this is the feedback from my beta clients recently).  And who wants a disconnected reading?  So from this time forward, I will not be doing tarot reading for anyone online (except in my classes over Skype).

Personally, tarot reading should be done only a handful of times by another person other than yourself.  And the only reason to get a reading from another person would be have them guide you to find your own answers until you get the hang of seeing the deeper parts of the cards.

Instead, I will be doing more youtube videos about tarot reading my way, I will create more ebooks for you to learn from, and I will be creating more classes for you all to take, so you can learn how to read for yourself which is the BEST way to read the tarot.

If you are looking for clarity and insight in your life right now, then go buy a tarot deck (or just check out pictures of particular cards online at random) and learn with me how to read them to give yourself the best reading possible.  When you properly read the tarot, you are both the therapist and the client.  And you walk away with so much insight that you'll feel ready to take on the world!

Check out my beginner's class here:

The Rainy Day Tarot Shoppe

Lady Gaga's born name is Stephanie Joanne Angelina Germonotta. 

Miley Cyrus's born name is Destiny Hope.  

Reese Witherspoon's given name is Laura.

Mila Kunis's born name is Milena.

Emma Stone's given name is Emily.

Vin Diesel's given name is Mark Vincent.

Josh Lucas uses his middle name as a last name (it's really Maurer).

Michael Caine's given name is Maurice Micklewhite.

Martin Sheen's given name is Ramon Estevez.

And his son Charlie Sheen was given the name Carlos Estevez at birth.

Christopher Walken's given first name is Ronald.

Julianne Moore's given name is Julie Ann.  

Jodie Foster's given name is Alicia. 

Sissy Spacek's born name is Mary.

And we all know that the gorgeous Marilyn Monroe's born name was Norma Jean Baker (thank you to Sir Elton John for making a song about this--otherwise I would had never known!).

Hundreds and hundreds of people go by a chosen professional name every single day.  And most of those people live their names 24/7, not just at work, but that's because they are famous personalities.

So, what about other, lesser famous people? 

Well, Grav3yard Girl from Youtube goes by the name of Bunny, when her born name is actually Rachel.

Other Youtube personalities go by various stage names such as Pewdiepie (Felix), Captain Sparkles (imagine a tarot reader who's name is Captain Sparkles! LOL--his born name is Jordon, btw.), Jack Septiceye (who's given name is Sean) and, Markiplier (which is a play on his given name of Mark). 

And then we have authors, like Nora Roberts, who writes under the names J. D. Robb, Jill March, and Sarah Hardesty.  And even Nora's real name is Eleanor (which Nora is short for). 

And then we have me.  My born name isn't Emma Rayne.  This was the name I was going to pick if my oldest child had been a girl, and when he turned out to be a boy, I've been using it as a professional tarot reader name ever since. 

But what about you?  You may never be famous, so why would you want a professional name to work under?


Well, for a few reasons:

1. The biggest reason is: safety.  Let's face it, whether you read tarot online or in person, there are going to be people who do no like what you do.  And the best way to protect yourself is to use a professional name (and to make sure your personal details are nowhere for others to see-like your address, family members' names, etc.).  I will say it's rare, but I have had my life threatened online before by someone, because they believed the tarot to be the "devil's work".  You have to be careful, both online and off, and having a professional name is a great way to protect your privacy.
2. Sometimes your born name doesn't really go with your brand.  So picking a professional name (as famous people do) can take your brand up a notch.
3. Professional names separate you from you work.  I've talked about before how "you are not your brand", and this will definitely help you separate the two.
4. If you're a professional tarot reader, you probably wear many hats.  Using a different name for personal life and business life can help you slip into your business persona much better than trying to switch gears as yourself.  "I am mommy in the morning, business professional in the afternoon, wife in the evening" (this would be for a stay-at-home-mom who works from home and has a full-time working hubby out of the home--like me!).  So in the morning, your name is mom, in the evening your name is your given name, so should you not have a persona name for your afternoon work as well?  (yes, I know, you're always mom, and always wife--I am just using this as an example)  Even if you don't have kids and aren't married, this still applies.  I have my tarot name, my author names, and my given name, all used in different areas of my life.  There's no reason why you can't, so if this interests you, then do it.  I tell you, it really helps you shift into gear when you're working with clients.  "I am now (professional name), and my job is to (insert mission statement here)".
5. And last but not least, it's just damn fun.  Who absolutely LOVES their given name?  Okay, that one person in the back does, but most of us do not.  Who has always dreamed of having an alter ego?  Or leading a secret life?  Not that reading the tarot should be a secret, but for some of you?  You may have to.  And having a professional name can give you just that: a world of your own invention where you can be anything and anyone you want.  You can even create a character for your name---not that you should be fake in the least.  Always be honest.  But what if you're shy and introverted and your tarot persona is outgoing and fun?  You can put on that hat every single time you go by that name.  And who knows?  Maybe one day you'll want to legally change your name to your professional name and become this amazing person you invented (because aren't we all just inventions of our own minds?).  

While having a business persona may be fun, please do not use this as a way to play a game with your clients.  Like "Miss Cleo" who dons a "gypsy look" and pretends to read the tarot.  No, that's not what I am talking about in the least.  That, my friends, is dishonest, and will get you labeled as a con-artist. 

Notice I say "professional name" not "fake name".  And I say "given name" not "real name".  Because professional names are not fake.  And given names aren't always real.  You may feel 100% real in your professional name, that it's your true name, even.  Our parents just thought up a name and gave it to us.  There is no process for this.  You just say "oh, that sounds nice" and call your kids that forever.  So, why can't we pick our own names, even if it's just for business?  That's the beauty of a professional name--we aren't playing "make believe" by forcing everyone around us to call us something different (and even if we did, that's still not playing make believe--though some would accuse of us that), we are using it when we do a certain thing.  Just like Nora Roberts has FOUR author names she uses, we too, can have a name for every hat we wear.

I mean, when our kids call us "mom" or our siblings' kids call us "auntie" (my kids called their aunt "nana" when they were little), we don't wonder why they're not using our given names.  That's our mom and our auntie hats we wear.  So put on your tarot reader hat and pick a professional name that suits you and your brand.



Do you have a professional name?  How did you choose it?  If not, are you thinking of using one?  Share your story below!

(UPDATE 2021: I do not read tarot for others anymore, professionally or otherwise...though I do use my professional tarot name for my brand--my website and my classes--and for my books, so all of this still applies.)

My 2016 Mission Statement: "To connect to, understand, and support the world around me through my brand of individual humor, art, and knowledge.  In order to be at my best to do this, I must take care of myself first, both physically and mentally."  

I created this in September of this year.  And it addresses the way I want to run life, and my business(es).




But why have one at all?  I mean, we aren't a big business, right?  You may be even wondering what one even is at all.

A mission statement defines our goals, our ethics, our focus, and our norms for decision making.  It declares our bottom line.  Every choice we make should stem from this statement.

In my opinion, every single person should have mission statement, for business and our personal lives.  This gives us a set point of when, where, and how to gauge our actions.  Meaning: every choice we make in life should stem from our life's mission statement.  The same goes for our business: every business choice we make should stem from our business mission statement.

Can they be the same thing?  Yes, of course.  Especially if we're in a business that requires us to help others in some way.  Like, being a tarot reader.  Using a mission statement for our businesses (and lives) can give us direction when we feel lost.  Like, if we want to choose to do something with our business or respond to a client in some way, we can check in with our mission statement.  And it should be pretty clear what we should choose or how we should respond in any given situation.  And if that choice or response doesn't resonate with us, then we may find ourselves in need of having to craft a new statement (which should be revisited at least once a year, anyways).



There are so many great ways to find out what our mission statement should be.

First, I suggest heading over to Franklin Covey and using their program to generate some ideas.  They have one for personal statements, one for family, one for team team (business), and and one for values.  After you get your results, scale it down to a manageable sentence.

Then, head on over to Boho Berry to print out her 5-page Values and Strengths worksheet to incorporate into your statement.

Once you finish her worksheet, and picked your top three core strengths and values that reflect what is in your Franklin Covey information, we are going to find the three tarot cards that reflect the words you picked.

My top three were: Clarity, Connection, and Support.  I took all the words I wrote down and found the top three that described all of the other words.  Like:

• Clarity: This includes vision, balance, learning, self-realization, and growth.
• Connection: This includes fun, honesty, friendliness, discovery, and dreaming.
• Support: This includes comfort, selflessness, calm, and compassion.

So now, let's pick three tarot cards that represent each of these.  When you do it for your own words, do not pick cards based solely on the traditional book meanings.  Instead:

• Get out your tarot deck, flip them face up in your hand.
• Pick one of your three words.  
• Look at each card, not really thinking about what card it is.  Just look at the pictures.  
• When you get to one that feels like your word, lay it down.
• Continue and keep laying down cards that match your word.  If there's only one, good, that's your card. 
• If you have several, then lay them out all on the floor in front of you.  
• Concentrate on your word.
• Which card jumps out at you?  One?  More than one?  If more than one, then take those few out of the mix and study each one.  Use the Tarot Mind Map from my free packet of worksheets if you have to.  When you're done, there should be one that's feels very right to you more than the other.  If not, then look at your list again, how many words fall under each of your core words?  List them.  Then look at the list under your chosen word and see which card fits with those words. 
• Lay your card down and put the rest back into your deck.
• Pick a new word and repeat all of the above until you've got all three.

I chose from my Wizard's Tarot deck:

• Clarity:  The Hermit
• Connection:  The High Priestess
• Support: 10 of Cups

I had lots of cards chosen for each word, but ultimately chose these three to represent my mission statement.

• The Hermit because he reminds me of myself: If I need clarity on a subject, I will lock myself away in a pile of books until I find the answers I am looking for.  I am always learning, and then sharing what I learn with others.  This makes me a better tarot reader, as I am always growing and changing due to my need for clarity for myself and my clients.
• The High Priestess surprised me.  I had three of cups almost chosen for this, as three friends are connecting together, but then I looked at this card and saw she's connecting to her spiritual side and her intuition.  As an atheist, I still have a spiritual side and rely on intuition for many things.  No, I don't think intuition is "psychic" or supernatural.  I find it quite human and quite natural and it works out very well for me when I use it (listening to your gut--which is why I picked this card, my gut told me to).  Intuition comes from experience and subconscious cues, which I find to be very helpful in my tarot readings.
• The 10 of Cups were on all three boards.  Again, it was a tie between this and the 3 of Cups, but ultimately this one won, because I looked at my extra keywords: comfort, selflessness, calm, and compassion.  All of which a family gives (or should give).  I have never been able to rely on friends (which is represented by the 3 of cups) for any of those things, but I can on my husband and kids (I have two boys, just like the family in this card).  And I want to be able to provide that same kind of unconditional and compassionate support to my clients, to give them a safe haven to talk about what's bothering them. 

Now, let's see how well they hold up to my mission statement above.   

"To connect to, understand, and support my family and others that seek my guidance."  

Yes, I think that fits quite well, don't you?  



So, what's yours?  Share your mission statements, words, and tarot cards below!  Let me know how this exercise worked for you :)

Once upon a time, I had a flourishing tarot business.  I had clients all over the world, building my business, having fun.

And then one day, everything went sour. 

Well, it didn't quite happen that dramatically.  It was more of a "let me just walk away whilst you all forget about me for a moment...." 

As I was building my tarot business, I was making connections left and right.  I joined groups and made friends with oodles of people, took various classes, and even had a business coach (which turned out to be kind of crappy, but hey, it was life experience, right?).  I had lots of students and even more clients.  Life was pretty awesome.

Then, my business coach came to me and said "You need to change your business name.  It's way too close to another popular tarot reader."  I was a bit shocked, as I was doing pretty well under my own name, even if it was similar to a tarot business mogul. She was WAY more popular than I ever was and was WAY more famous, so I didn't see the issue with little 'ol me and my business name. And besides, I loved it. 

Then my business coach started a "Learn to Read the Tarot" course for like a hundred bucks.  She wasn't even a tarot reader.  I was shocked, but she was allowed to do what she wanted, so I just bit my tongue and said nothing.  Never mind I was already preparing my own beginner's course, which she knew about. 

So, I just went along, putting together my course, and gave it away for free (which was always my plan).  Because believe me, there is NOTHING you need to charge $100 for to teach a beginner, especially when there are already a billion books out there that can teach you everything you need to know. 

I could see if there is a special technique that someone wanted to teach to charge more than a nominal fee, that makes sense, but basic tarot for $100?  Why?

My goal was NOT to undercut her class, it was to give people a basic understanding of the many ways you can use the tarot (one of them is the way I read today) without any fluff or hype.  It covered the basics, no videos, just some great information and some great links and some fun downloads.  That was it. But that didn't stop her from sending in her assistants to take my class and to take anything I was using that she wasn't to incorporate into her own class (which was fine by me, my wanted to share what I knew, even if nobody knew it came from). 

Then I saw she was upping her tarot class game by giving away free copies of a workbook this other tarot reader she was "all of a sudden" promoting.

And guess what?

This other unknown reader had the same name as me.  

Oh, I though my name was too similar to a supposed tarot guru?  I thought I needed to change my name because people would think I was cashing in her popularity?  No, it was because she was deciding to promote another tarot reader with the same name as me.  And that reader became immensely popular. 

So, instead of fighting about it, I retreated.  Childish?  A little.  But I was hurt.  Angry.  And sad.  But rather than just quit (which I did do for a bit), I incubated.

I decided then and there, I needed to reinvent myself.  

If you've read my About Me, you'll see that tarot has been in my blood since I've been 12 years old.  I couldn't just walk away.  So I sat, I incubated.  I cultivated.  I deeply examined my views and what wasn't working anymore for me (and possibly what never did work for me).  And I realized something: I wasn't psychic.  I never was.  I so much wanted to be.  I believed I was.  But I just wasn't.  And I realized that nobody was.  That was their downfall.  And that would eventually be every other reader's undoing: they were going to be wrong sometimes.

Because they were completely reading the tarot wrong.  

 My entire tarot career, I had had an accuracy rate that was out of this world.  But why??

I figured it out: it was because I wasn't using "psychic prediction" in my readings.   I was ALWAYS reading the cards the way they were meant to be read, I just didn't know it at the time.  It wasn't some sixth sense gift that made me a good reader.  I was just tapping into people's deepest crap without even trying, all because of this method. 

So I deleted my domain name (some jerkoff bought it and wanted me to pay big $$ to get it back...LOL sorry sucker, I gave it up, not lost it! haha).  I completely revamped my website.  I changed my name, so I was not be associated with who I used to be or those I used to hang around.  Also, that person who has my name now is doing really well for herself (I don't think she stole my name, I think she had it, and that's why people wanted me to change mine).  So I don't want anyone to think I stole it from her. 

I wanted to be me. To create a site about the tarot I have come to know and understand.  To read in my style.  Teach in my style.  And distance myself from everything I once was. 

And Rainy Day Tarot is a play on my name, Emma Rayne, along with a feeling I wanted to convey to my clients, my fellow readers, and my students. 

If your tarot business isn't working or you've had a bad experience with it?  Or with any business?  Then step back, take a breather, reevaluate, and reinvent yourself with your new revelations.


Take your lantern into a dark cave and return to spread the word.  Because you're never stuck being who you are or who people think you are.  You always have a choice to change.  We all do.  I did.  So can you 😊 

YOU ARE NOT YOUR BRAND

No, you represent your brand, but your brand isn't you (at least not as a tarot reader...but maybe in another profession perhaps as a life coach or an inspirational teacher/speaker).  I know, I know, this goes against everything everyone out there is saying right now.  They want to infuse your personal you with your business you.   And I wholeheartedly disagree with this style of branding for many reasons, but mainly because clients aren't buying us, they are buying what we can do.  And in order for them to see a separation between the two, they need to see our business brand. 

Branding is described by Entrepreneur magazine as the promise to your customer.  It lets them know what they can expect from you and why they should choose you.

I've seen many businesses fail, small and large, due to not having correct or confusing or bad branding.  So here are some tips on from what I've learned from my many years (and from my own mistakes) in this business:



First here is a list of what not to do:

1. Do not mix your personal life with your business life.  Meaning, no talking about dating or your marriage or any personal relationships.  Keep that stuff on your personal page.  Unless your business is literally YOU (like mommy bloggers), nobody cares about your personal crap.
2. Do not mix your politics or religion with your business life (unless your business is based on religion). Do I even need to tell you why?  If so, I'll see ya later, because you're on your way out.  Foodie blogger I am Baker has a section of her site called "I am Servant" which is dedicated to her religious life.  And she talks about her politics on there.  I feel she's doing a disservice to her baking website by alienating her fanbase.  BUT, what I agree with, is that she made it a different set of pages all together, so you can choose which site to look at "I am Mommy", "I am Baker", or "I am Servant".   She doesn't seem to mix the three together, which if you're going to do this, then she's doing it right.  IF you feel the need to mix YOU and your business, at least give your readers a choice.  But this strategy doesn't apply to #3:
3. Do not put more than one service on your website (or other online presences such as social media).  When I go to your page, I want to see what you do.  ONE THING.  I don't want to see you're a tarot reader who also writes short stories.  I don't want to see your art (unless you're developing a tarot deck).  I don't want to see your ability to cook-home-cooked-meals-and-I-have-the-option-to-hire-you-to-cook-for-me.  NO.  I want to see your tarot business.  PERIOD.  Save all that other stuff for other pages.  If you have to, come up with different personas for the other stuff so they don't mix with your tarot work.  The same goes for social media.  Do not start a Facebook page for tarot and eventually wander off to talk about your love of cooking.  NO!  Bad tarot reader!  Stop it!  Stick to one subject and ONE subject only.  Period.  As I said above about giving your readers/potential clients a choice, you do not do this with your businesses.  It just makes for a confusing website.
4. Don't confuse your potential clients.  Be up front about everything.  Don't use flowery words and new age buzzwords.  This makes you look juvenile and not trustworthy.  Talk to me like a person, not like we're at a hippie convention and taking a hooping class together.  I have no problem with people who are at a hippie convention and taking a hooping class together to talk in flowery words, but that's where it needs to stay.  Your business is a business, not a bandwagon.  You are here to actually help people and telling them you're "holding space for them" won't help them in the least.  We need to get real about tarot, and jumping on a bandwagon isn't real.  Also, don't change your mind after you've made a contract with a person.  They are paying you for a reading, give them exactly (or more) than what is agreed upon.  Don't give the less just because you've run out of time or some other excuse.  
5. Never be late!  This is the center of every single job you'll ever have.  Be on time for everything, and early if you can.  Do you want your brand to be known as "the always late reader"?  If you are doing readings online, the same applies.  If you are doing them through email, don't delay in getting them their reading.  Once, I had a Cyber Monday sale of $5 tarot readings for one day only, and someone had bought 2 readings that I didn't catch until months later.  I found them and realized my mistake and refunded their money and gave them 2 free readings instead to make up for my mistake.  I didn't want my name, even with only one person, to be associated with being slow with readings.  Or worse, someone who takes money and doesn't deliver.  Mistakes happen, you may be late to a couple readings, but don't let that be your norm.  Strive to be on time. 

Now lets get on to what TO do in order to brand yourself as a tarot reader properly:

1. Make your website as concise as possible:  If I go to your page, I should be able to clearly see these things: a) your prices b) why I should hire you over the other million tarot readers out there and c) your policies (a code of ethics).  Your website should contain much more than that, but those are the three things I need to know before hiring you.  What will you charge me?  Do I get a refund if I don't like the reading?  If I am under 18, can I get a reading from you?  What topics are okay to ask about?  Do you keep my information private?  Cancellation policies?  And how will you help me? I'd also like to know your experience level, and other things, but those three things need to be clearly showing right where I can find them easily.
2. The same goes for your brand itself. Your brand should be concise, and as clear as possible.  You should be able to sum up your business in one line, just like a book.  They call these "elevator pitches".  This also works for any person branding their business.  If someone in an elevator asks you what you do or what your business is about, you should be able to sum it up in less than 30 seconds.  And that's a long one for a tarot reader.  Here is a great article on how to come up with your elevator pitch.  
3. Proofread everything.  Whether you do it or you have a friend or hire someone to do it, get it done.  I admit, I do have an issue with this.  I sometimes proofread myself and post without making 100% there are no misspellings, which very unprofessional.  And I will say that these mistakes have probably caused my potential clients and readers to see me in a different light.  So, don't make my mistakes and get a proofreader for all your written material (online and off).  
4. Come up with a spiffy name for your blog/website/etc..  Naming your service should be fun.  It should convey what you're trying to give your clients.  What does the name Rainy Day Tarot conjure up for you?  My goal was to have it convey a feeling of serenity, as most rainy days make us feel serene, calm, and at ease.  I wanted you to see us at your kitchen table, laying down cards while the rain was falling around us outside.  I also wanted you to see yourself finding a safe place to open up your own soul in your archeology tarot work (meaning that work you do alone, for your to find answer to the big questions hidden deep within).  Rainy Day doesn't mean to save every single tarot experience for a rainy day (meaning a day that's slow and you have the time), it means to save the BIG tarot experiences for those days.  So, pick a name that means something as to what you're offering.  I am offering introspection with the tarot (that is my elevator pitch!).  What do you want to offer?  Pick a name that reflects that.  (you can read about my old tarot business name here)
5. Be real.  By getting real.  The NUMBER ONE way to fail as a tarot reader is to give predictions.  Sorry, but it's the truth.  So stop.  Learn how to read without them.  Instead, help your client work through their issues with real solutions, real-world advice, and caring.  Sometimes they just need to talk about what's bothering them and they end up figuring out for themselves how to get through it.  Here's an article on how to deal with those "what will happen in my future?" questions we all get from our clients.  Give yourself a new brand by being actually helpful by giving hope to your clients with real solutions.  And then watch your client list get bigger and bigger and BIGGER.  This little act right here?  Is how I have clients all over the world and been in business for over 25 years.  
6. Your colors should match.  All your colors.  Go to this great website and pick a color scheme, and use those colors on your website, your printables, your business cards, everything.  Be consistent.  Make your colors a part of your brand.  What do you want to convey when someone looks at your website?  Make sure that the colors invoke the feeling of what you want clients to feel.   I use that website for decorating my home, as well. 

Branding is important.  It's how you sell your services to willing clients.  And it's not as hard as you might think.  And there are loads of great websites out there on branding, my page here is just a start.  If you have any more great suggestions for branding, please share them below. 

About Me.

This section is almost always read by your readers.  Whether you have a website or a blog, people want to know who they are reading or buying from.

The first question you need to ask yourself is "Who am I?" followed by "Why am I writing this blog/selling this service or product?"

I am writing my blog to help others understand the true nature of the tarot and to help them get away from traditional "psychic" readings.  I am hoping to help my readers use the cards to dig deep into their souls in order to find the answers they need, rather than to rely on fortunetelling.  In other words, I want them to actually work at getting to the roots of their issues, rather than just bandaiding their problems with what they want to hear.

"You WILL find your way out of the darkness!" is the traditional way to give encouragement with the tarot.

With my way, you don't give your clients or yourself a pretty card to make someone feel better, you prod them with questions (or yourself) until you find out why they were in the darkness to begin with.

I want my readers and their clients to HEAL.  Truly heal.

And I want my About Me section of my blog to reflect that.

So, what do you want from your blog or website?  And why are you qualified to give that to your possible clients?

Face it, you're here because you're a tarot reader.  Not because you sell DVD players out the back of your van.  Or that you sell security systems.  Or because you have a blog about cooking.  You're here because you either a) read the tarot, b) teach the tarot, c) sell tarot readings, or d) sell tarot related items.  Or you do you all or a combination of those.  So I am assuming you are reading this to think about how to do your About Me for your tarot blog/website.

So before you write your page, you need to answer these two questions:

1. What do you, as a reader, want from your blog or website? and 
2. Why you are qualified to give me what you're selling?

Even if you're not selling anything, just giving information, you're selling me on your ideas.  That's what you need to put on your About Me page.

But those questions aren't always simple to answer, nor should they be. 

The second part of the equation which is the "why" should include who you are, and what brought you to make this blog or website.  The "what" part should be conveyed smartly.  Not "I am here to sell you a and b because I am the best ever!"  Why are you the best ever?  And what will a and b do for me?

And don't list why you're the best ever, either.  If you were a writer, the first thing you'd learn in writing is to "show, don't tell".  This is very important for your readers.  You let them decide if you're worth their time, you don't tell them you're worth it (words mean nothing without the action to back them up).

So first, what do you want on your blog?  Are you selling something?  Of course you are.  Even if you're only selling information for free.  You are selling your readers on your blog.  So in the beginning, you're going to tell me why this blog or website exists.  But, you're going to help your reader see how what you're selling relates to them.

Then, you're going to tell me why you're qualified to do so.

You do this by telling your story.  What brought you here.  Why you love it.  How your readings have evolved from this to that.  Your first deck of tarot cards and how you fumbled with them.  Or how you were scared of the Devil card, but soon realized there was nothing to be scared of.  Your readers want to know these things.  Show them you're just like them, because you are.  Don't tell them you're psychic and come from a long line of psychics, because a) they may not believe you (with good reason), b) find you silly or c) at worst, they'd believe you and you'd be deceiving them.

Instead, show them how much you love what you do, and if you play your cards right (*snicker*), they will also love what you do and will soon want to either hire you or keep reading your blog to see what else you have to offer. 

You can write as little or as much as you want.  If you want to share some longer personal stories, then write them on a new page and link to them on your About Me page do you don't overwhelm your reader right off the bat.  That way, if someone wants to read more, then can.  If they don't, they don't have to.

Then, provide at least two links:

1. Click here to get a reading from me, and
2. Click here here to start your journey on my page

You can word both any way you want, but these two are important.  You want someone to take what they've learned from your About Me and put it into action.  Do they want to hire you to read for them?  Give them a link.  Or do they want to figure out what you're going to provide them on your blog?  Give them a link.   Then make a landing page for link two with all of your subjects on them.  My subjects are How-To Series, Reader Series, Working With the Dark Cards, One Card at a Time Series, etc.  So if they click on link two, they can see all of my subjects on a single page so they can pick and choose what they want to read, rather than flip through my entire blog. 

Also, every post on your blog also needs to show why you love what you do.  Why you're passionate about tarot.  Why you keep coming back to it.  Showing your passion, rather than telling, will keep your readers coming back for more because they can feel your passion and your honesty, rather than you just telling them you're passionate about what you do.  It's like the difference between saying "I love you" and never showing it and doing sweet things for your loved ones on a regular basis.  Words mean nothing without action.


You also need a kickass About Me picture.  Check out my post here about how to make one!


Share your About Me pages below and show everyone what you can do for your clients!   Someone may get some great ideas from your pages so they can effectively write their own :)