Open Oceans of Opportunity By Being Vulnerable and Honest

Open Oceans of Opportunity by Being Vulnerable and Honest

Open Oceans of Opportunity By Being Vulnerable and Honest

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

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26 Phone Apps to Make LIFE Easier (for blogging or business)

numbered image for blog post titled Phone Apps to Use to Make LIFE Easier (for blogging or business)

You probably have a phone, a blog, and a business of some sort. You probably have a few apps on your phone, too, that you use to make your life easier, right?

The big question is: Are you making the most of your phone?

Today I am going to tell you how I use my phone, in my personal life and for blogging and business. 

I’m also going to share with you how 10 other people I know use their phones, too.

After reading a post by Esteban Pau on Harleena’s blog Aha!NOW, called 6 Best Free Blogging Apps For Savvy Bloggers, I decided to check a couple of them out…

…because I have phone.

And a blog.

And a business, too.

Plus, I wasn’t sure if I was making the most of my phone! (My phone is a bit old —  it is a Samsung Galaxy A5. Therefore, it’s an android phone. Without getting into too much geek-speak, I’ll just tell you that I love my phone!)

I use my phone daily, for different things.

In this post, I’ll reveal how I use my phone, and how 10 other people I know use their phones, too, for both blogging and business.

And I’ll even give you a bit of backstory about my personal life and my cell phone experiences!

GET INSTANT ACCESS to a list of ALL of the apps mentioned in this post… complete with LINKS for where to download each one (for both iOS and android)! JUST CLICK HERE!
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A Taxation Guide for New Freelancers in the USA

A TAXATION GUIDE for NEW FREELANCERS living in the USA

April means “tax time” to many people.

Many freelancers and other business owners use various bookkeeping software or accounting services to record business and personal expenses, such as Freshbooks, Zipbooks, or any of these alternatives.

My guest today is Samantha Staufenberg and she is going to discuss taxation issues for new freelancers living in the USA.

I’m also going to include an infographic for you, taken from The Freelancer Tax Guide For 2016

Take it away, Samantha! Read More

Start Freelancing to Change Your LIFE! (Featuring a TRUE STORY)

Start Freelancing to Change Your LIFE!

I had no idea when I started freelance writing on the side almost two years ago where it would take both my business and personal life. It’s true, I was looking to it as a way out.

My Way Out

I didn’t have it bad per say at work, I just wasn’t really passionate about what I did all day/week/month/year long as a financial adviser and support person to a large financial planning practice in my area. In fact, I had it pretty good.

I had:

  • A 10-minute drive to work
  • A decent salary (that supported our family of four)
  • Nice co-workers (that were family and treated me as the same)
  • And a whole lotta potential to grow

But it wasn’t what I wanted to be when I grew up.

Even if there was a lot of opportunity for advancement and pay. I had already spent the previous decade figuring that out.

And since I had another 30 working years or so ahead of me, I didn’t want to succumb to something I wasn’t passionate about so early.

So after I became honest with myself, I decided to buck the trend of Corporate America by starting a freelance writing side hustle instead.

And then I added virtual assistant services. And it grew – so much so that I was grossing $4,000 per month WHILE working full-time and having two toddlers at home.

Less than six months after I looked into it in the first place. And I’ve since more than quadrupled that since going full-time. In fact, in November 2015 I grossed over $18,500 from my little freelance business.

How’d I Do It?

It’s simple.

  1. I got started. And I learned a heck of a lot on the fly.
  2. I put myself out there. A lot.
  3. I asked to be hired, rather than waiting for clients to find me. (Because trust me, they won’t!)
  4. Then I started teaching what I learned. (‘Cuz, that’s the best way to start building an audience.)

Gina Horkey E-course cover

I launched 30 Days or Less to Freelance Writing Success. Read More

6 Ways for How to Think and Act like an Entrepreneur

How to think and act like an entrepreneur

So ya wanna be an entrepreneur, huh???

Entrepreneurship is becoming more and more popular, especially with the advent of the digital age.

Nearly anyone can now become an entrepreneur… or an author (a type of entrepreneur). I became one.

I also became an author. I help others become entrepreneurs, too, by coaching or mentoring them, and also by helping them become authors.

Depending upon which type of field you go into, are qualified for, or simply are passionate about, you will need to have basic skills (and be able to hire others for those you don’t have!).

In addition to being passionate, hard-working, and dedidacated (as well as perhaps have some accounting or book-keeping skills), you will also need to change your mindset, and understand a few other things about entrepreneurship.

My guest today is Katherine Brunt from Assignment Box, and she is going to go into detail about 6 things you need to consider when it comes to entrepreneurship. Be sure to respond to the question at the end!

Take it away, Katherine!

The Importance of an Entrepreneurial Mindset

In order to become an agile and influential entrepreneur, every day should be perceived as an opportunity, one in which any new or innovative thing could be done or planned. This is one of the most desirable aspects of an entrepreneurship, and through which mission statements and strategic visions could be formulated. Read More