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!!!
Hey Lorraine,
Glad to read your wonderful post, it’s really very enjoyable every moment.
This is really great post by you, success comes by a lot of hard working on your subject. Today it is very difficult to develop a good relationship with audience.
According to your post, you have so many life experience with you. Honestly you have shared lot of life experience with us it is really going to enlighten many life. When i started blogging i scared of publishing my content, whether it will be considered by audience or it may helpful for them, these some of question arises with me. But finally i started blogging and it may on suitable track.
Eventually, thanks for sharing your worthy post.
With best regards,
Amar kumar
Amar, it was really scary for me to start admitting the truth about my life, not just to myself, but to others.
And when I decided to open up and be honest ONLINE, I was TERRIFIED of the reactions and judgement I would get in response.
Fortunately, those who have taken the time to listen to me and hear my story (or stories) have responded in a positive way. They look at me someone who is inspiring, courageous, and strong.
I did not expect that!
It just proves that more of us SHOULD open up and be honest and share our experiences with others.
After all, we are all human (despite our cultures, race, gender, religion, etc.) and we ALL have commonalities. People LIKE hearing true stories.
I encourage you to continue to share yours!
Lorraine.
The above is very awesome article. Well, successful takes lots of hard working, and especially it’s so difficult to build relationship with people amount the community.
Yeah. You absolutely did it right way. You know? When I first started my own blog, I don’t care about helping other as my life was also suck and down. I deviced and quitted my job. I wasted money till my pocket is empty.
Every morning, my mom give $2.5 for my habit coffee and internet fee.
You know? At the time, I like a crazy dog. I need food thus I did everything and whatever to make money. I worked with phonography and illegal way such spamming to make money online.
One day, God gave me a man who taught me everything about the business, and he gave $100 to work with a MLM company. I didn’t success with the business at the time, but it was the time I learn about helping others and how to enjoy my life.
I learn how to skip thinking about money, but how to take people around me.
I love to work with blogging and other bloggers, especially I’m so glad to have you and other as friends.
Life is simple, but lots to me.
Have a nice day.
Kimsea Sok recently posted…How to Become The Expert Blogger Even if You’re A Freshman to Blogging
Kimsea, I’m so glad you are learning that helping others is really what blogging is all about…
Thanks for confessing to me what you did. That took guts!
The relationships you make in the blogosphere are very rewarding. No amount of money can buy good friends like bloggers.
Money is temporary, friends are forever. Remember that.
Thanks for advice, Lorraine.
You know? Confessing make use much more better, especially when we exactly understood our big fails.
However, the things I learnt from my fails is no people want to do the bad unless it’s important to them. I love video Danna shared a few ago, and I don’t know if you watched https://web.facebook.com/Upworthy/videos/1366982943342560/
I’m not rich, and don’t even money, sometime. I learn to enjoy my life, and friendship is lots to me.
Thanks for sharing the story and responded to my comment.
Kimsea Sok recently posted…6 Brilliant Advice On Starting A Blog Help To Solve Biggest Problems (Revised 06-08-15)
Wow. I just watched that video. Amazing!
I believe in treating others the right way, too.
Confessing is hard for many people.
Thanks so much for sharing all you have!