Open Oceans of Opportunity by Being Vulnerable and Honest

Last Updated on: January 26th, 2021

Have you ever wanted to reveal a secret about yourself… but were too scared to?

Have you ever wanted to share something personal online… but didn’t, because you were afraid of being harassed, made fun of, or maybe even attracting a stalker?

Here’s some good news.

It’s okay to be afraid.

It’s OKAY to be Afraid. (We all are, at some point!)

It’s also okay to share personal stuff.

In fact, people LIKE it when you do.

Seriously! (I know, I was surprised at this too!)

People genuinely like it when you expose your vulnerabilities and share your innermost thoughts and private experiences. It gives them a sense of entitlement.

More importantly, they feel closer to you, learn that you are a real person, baggage and all.

They also deem you as brave and appreciate you more.

And they love you for it.

Because I have been through so much in my life, I wanted to offer my personal pieces of wisdom to you… because I know what it’s like to be in a position of uncertainty.

I was scared, once upon a time, of revealing things about myself to the world.

I also learned, in therapy, it’s okay to be afraid. (Plus, I learned a lot of other things!)

When I Ignored My Fear, My Posts Went Viral

I felt a ton of terror when I first began blogging (and often felt like a guppy!), especially before publishing a post about my experiences with getting false teeth. (I was 22 when I had all of my teeth removed.)

But I took a deep breath and hit the “publish” button anyway.

As it turns out, many other people had a ton of questions about getting false teeth and what it’s like to have that entire experience. (We all have teeth, and not all of us have perfect, supermodel smiles.)

Due to my unabridged honesty, that particular post ended up ranking on the first page of Google.

Seriously, Google anything to do with needing false teeth, and you’ll find my post about it.

(It’s titled I Have False Teeth – and I Love Them! BUT DON’T CHEAT and click this link. Actually do a search!)

When I Exposed My Suicidal Vulnerabilities, It Opened New Doors of Opportunity

I was pretty scared, too, before publishing my post about my suicide attempt.

I almost didn’t even write that post, but I did it because I wanted it to complement a guest post I had written for a blogger-friend.

But she ended up deleting her site when she gave up blogging.

So, what I did was update my post by including what I wrote for her.

The reason I wrote that post for MY site was because I wanted her readers to be able to see a related post on my site.

I also wanted to help others who were experiencing negative feelings, such as depression, and those who were having suicidal thoughts of their own.

I received a ton of comments on that post, and STILL get comments on MY post each week. (I don’t close comments on any my posts. At least, I haven’t yet; I want others to know I’m always available to help them!)

One day, I received an email from someone whose life I saved. I was humbled and honored at the same time. I mean, my goal was to help others, and that’s what I did. I ended up blogging about this experience, too. Saving someone’s life is a pretty big deal!

As time passed, I noticed that my post about my suicide attempt gained popularity.

Not only did it gain traction in Google Search by landing in the #1 slot on the first page of Google, but I was able to increase my AdSense earnings once I added some ads to that post. (Learn how to make money using AdSense on your site.)

The Doors of Opportunity that Opened

Earning passive income via AdSense is only one of the doors of opportunity that opened up to me.

After watching my blog stats each month (and sometimes each week!), I noticed that more and more people were visiting my site to read that post. Who knew there were so many depressed, suicidal people in this world? I certainly didn’t!

Because of the many people (and when I say “many,” I’m talking hundreds now!) visiting my blog EACH DAY, another opportunity has presented itself to me: writing a book to help others deal with and overcome their suicidal thoughts.

I ended up writing From NOPE to HOPE: How I Overcame My Suicidal Thoughts (and How You Can Too), and now I am selling that book directly from that post! (You can buy it on sale, too!)

This opportunity has created a win-win situation for all involved, as I will am helping those in need AND making money for doing so..

If only ONE person buys it each day, this will create another passive income stream for me. If I end up selling more than one book each day, I’m sure I’ll earn a pretty penny each month from that revenue source alone!

The funny thing is that I never set out to write this book; this opportunity simply found me.

Freelancing aside (I’m available for hire, and offer 4 different services), I’ve actually been working on another personal writing project for a while, which is Letters to Julian (and which is STILL nowhere near being finished). This book, coincidentally, brings me to yet another opportunity…

When I Shared My Innermost Feelings Regarding My Son, More Doors Opened Up

I’m a single mom, and I’ve been through the wringer during both my lifetime and that of my son’s.

Sure, I’ve accomplished a lot (like winning awards, medals, and scholarships to university, graduating with honours, teaching for years, opening my own business, publishing a book, helping others become published, etc.) BUT I’ve also faced much adversity (like being raped, getting involved in prostitution, doing drugs, etc.).

Due to my involvement with prostitution and drugs, my son moved out and we didn’t speak for three years. Then I nearly died, and we re-connected.

And my life got back on track.

Naturally, I blogged about my experiences, and I now also get over a hundred hits each day on the letter I wrote to my son.

As soon as I finish Letters to Julian, I’ll sell it via my website as well as on Amazon and CreateSpace (and maybe a few others places, too!). This probably won’t happen until next year, though, as I also have plans to write about my personal experiences via a series of books! (And yes, I will include a lot of juicy details about the sexual experiences I’ve had!!!)

I know how to self-publish books. I’ve self-published a book of short stories already, Risky Issues, and helped a blind man self-publish two motivational and inspirational books as well. (Learn more about these books on Maxwell Ivey’s site, The Blind Blogger.)

I can help you self-publish yours, too. (I am also available for editing them.)

YOU Can Open Oceans of Opportunity by Being Honest

My life has not always been easy, but it has been unique… just like yours.

I’m sure you have A TON to offer others and simply haven’t realized it yet!

You have been through things I haven’t, you’ve experienced things I will never experience myself, and you’ve been keeping these from the world for whatever reason, but NOW it’s time for you to share them!

If you think you’re going to hurt your business by revealing bits and pieces of yourself, think again. You won’t. Trust me on this. Sharing pieces of my life history didn’t prevent me from landing a gig on Problogger, writing multiple posts for Kikolani, and it sure didn’t affect my writing elsewhere!

My clients love me because I’m open and honest… always. So do my readers.

Yours will, too; you’ll see.

So just bite the bullet, take a deep breath, and be daring.

After all, you never know what kinds of hidden gems will pop out, and what types of opportunities will present themselves to you.

And if you end up on the first page of Google, all the better for you!!!

*(Feel free to ask me for help if you need assistance, too. I’m ready, willing, and able. Just let me know what you want or need!)

Now… ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:

Have you ever shared anything online (in a blog post or in social media) that you were scared to share?

How did people react?

Were they supportive?

Do you have something you want to share but you’re too scared to?

Let me know about YOUR experiences in the comments!

I really want to hear about them!!!