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Annotated Bibliography

 The link to my blogger site is: http://www.babesindreamlandsleepconsulting.blogspot.com

“How to plan monthly content as a sleep consultant in 2 simple steps.” (2021, November 7). 

Market st. creative. https://www.marketstcreative.com/post/how-to-plan-monthly-content-as-a-sleep-consultant-in-2-simple-steps

Annotation: As this source is a blog that focuses specifically on setting up a strategy for marketing online as a sleep consultant, it is not necessarily a completely credible source. However, the authors do provide value that can help me understand how to run my blog. The business consists of two partners: Erin Meinel, the CEO of the company and a sleep consultant; and Jenna Millner, a professional web designer. Together, they have experience that is specifically tailored to what I will be doing individually once I choose to launch my business. The blog lays out a strategy of the kinds of posts a consultant should attempt to share for the month, from tips, to personal stories, to customer reviews. They also provide a free planner for a consultant to follow as we plan out our content for the month. Within the post, they discuss how the evolution of Tik Tok and Instagram reels have required a consultant to move beyond static posts and into incorporating videos and reels. It is my hope to use the suggested strategies as a way to incorporate helpful information about consulting into my individual blogs that discuss technology; however, I recognize that I cannot rely on this solely, as they are not scholars nor do they have the credentials to provide me ethos within my own work. 

Kaputa, C. (2012). You are a brand! In person and online, how smart people brand themselves 

for business success.  Nicholas Brealey publishing. 2nd ed.

Annotation: Catherine Kaputa is known as a branding strategist and motivational speaker.  Previously working for large New York corporations as a brand strategist, Kaputa turned author, publishing multiple works.  With her specific book, You are a Brand! I examined strategies for personal branding and women’s leadership. In the book, she lays out the importance of making connections with audiences, personal branding online, and logo creation. Many of the chapters discuss a given topic and how ethics apply to the application of her suggestions. While this book does not directly address the topic of sleep consulting, the information will be extremely useful as I create blogs and disseminate information in an attempt to build my new business. I specifically wish to focus on creating a digital persona and maximizing digital tools through the use of her information. 

Knight, S. (2021, June 21). “The promise and peril of a high-priced sleep trainer.” The new 

yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/06/28/the-promise-and-the-peril-of-a-high-priced-sleep-trainer

Annotation: A mix of personal experiences and historical information, this article will provide me with researched information that I can use when discussing the evolution of training. Knight also discusses some of the misconceptions or negative aspects of training, while intermingling the success of consulting as well. This article provides insight into how I may wish to continue my approach. For instance, Knight digs into the fact that consulting is as much a psychological support for parents as it is a coaching of the mechanics of sleeping. While Knight is not a professional coach, he is a journalist for The New York Times, ensuring that he should be following the ethical and legal responsibilities of gaining multiple perspectives in his investigation of this topic. His portrayal is fair and unbiased, including the depiction of cultural perceptions of the profession. Knowing the barriers I may face will allow me to address those misconceptions and fears in my blog posts.

Matricciani, L., Blunden, S., Rigney, G., Williams, M. T., & Olds, T. S. (2013, April 1). 

Children's sleep needs: is there sufficient evidence to recommend optimal sleep for children?. Sleep, 36(4), 527–534. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612266/

Annotation:  Not only does this source provide information about the cross-sectional rationale of sleep ranges for infants, but it also provides information about the detrimental effects of not getting enough sleep as a child.  Written by a nurse and multiple doctorates of health research, all authors provide accurate medical information and studies that support the information on sleep.  This article will give me an ethos to explain the benefits of sleep training, as many are hesitant to take the leap, due to misconceptions of the negative effects that people believe training can have on children.  It is my hope to create posts that cite actual data and address needs, as opposed to merely remaining on the defensive while advocating for consulting. Most fascinating is the cross-reference of sleep charts from reputable sources, such as the National Sleep Foundation; Harvard Medical School; or the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, which disagree a bit on totals. While that feels like a hurdle, I can then market myself as the “interpreter” of sorts, when it comes to sifting through mismatched information meeting the needs of individual families.

Shellenbarger, S. (2018, August 28). “Exhausted new parents turn to sleep coaches for their 

babies.” The wall street journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-coaches-parents-call-when-the-baby-wont-sleep-1535463081

Annotation: This piece is a quick explanation of data and reasoning behind parents choosing to use a sleep consultant. Shellenbarger builds ethos by examining the current cost, the reason for a rise in hiring consultants, as well as medical professionals’ perspective on the trend. In particular, I found the reasonings, such as the need for two-incomes, the pressure for mothers to return to work, the societal pressure of seeming perfect up against peers, all as reasons that some purchase a trainer. I find this information helpful as a means for developing my strategy when it comes to approaching families and examining their rationale behind hiring me. As well, a well-known trainer based in California explains the major pitfalls parents face, which I can also address in my blog. Shallenbarger’s credibility comes by way of her experience. A journalist for 40 years, she worked at The Wall Street Journal as a columnist, and no doubt, she remained in the profession by maintaining her ethical and legal obligations as a journalist.  And while this source is not a direct publication about training, the article provides an unbiased examination of the rise in hiring sleep consultants.

Singh, S. & Diamond, S. (2014, December 15). Social media marketing for dummies. John Wiley 

& sons incorporated.  https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/lib/snhu-ebooks/reader.action?docID=1866800

Annotation:  Both authors have vast experience in the field of marketing.  Singh is an award-winning marketer, listed as Adweek’s Top 50 marketers. Diamond has experience from small businesses all the way to multi-billion dollar corporations, and also has a degree in psychology. Together, they have crafted a book that I can use to understand better ways to market my own business, including topics like joining blogger communities. However, this book also gives me ideas on how I could possibly provide blogs to assist other sleep consultants.  Not only could my blog posts contain information for caregivers, but my degree and this book could possibly provide me with a space to coach coaches. Afterall, not all consultants will have the background I do.  Singh and Diamond outline ways to reach niche audiences, elevate influence, and the convergence of different platforms. 

Warrack, A. “Science says:  will sleep training harm my baby?” (2020). Family sleep institute

https://familysleepinstitute.com/2021/09/08/science-says-will-sleep-training-harm-my-baby/

Annotation: In all honesty, this is a blog that comes from a sleep consultant umbrella company. It is clearly from the perspective of the personal opinion of a consultant. However, what I find to be extremely useful in this source is the data presented debunking sleep training as harmful to infants. In particular, Warrack examines three studies. I will have to supplement, and possibly seek out the studies myself, as I noticed they are not directly cited in the blog.  As well, some of the information appears to be more generalized than specific.  Where I may use this, besides providing me with a springboard for researching the studies myself, is that it encapsulates the information in a neat package. Summarized easily for audiences, I could cite both this source and the actual studies for my own entry on why sleep training is more beneficial than harmful to a child.


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