This month is all about social media.

When you’re running an online business, social media can play a big part in your business.

Social media is one of the best ways to position yourself as an expert in your niche.

You can use it to drive leads to your site.

It is also a commonly used platform to reach out to other influencers to collaborate with.

Today, we have the Instagram expert, Sue B Zimmerman, with us on the show.

We’re going to talk about how you can use Instagram to drive leads to your business. She also shares her special ninja tips on how she uses multiple platforms to drive the results she currently gets on her businesses.

If you are currently trying to grow your business online, Sue got really specific and broke down the steps on what she did to use social media to get the successes she is getting now! This is an episode that you wouldn’t want to miss!

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in Browser

HostGator is your one stop shop for creating your online presence. From creating a website to promote yourself or you business, or even to talk about your favorite hobby, to creating your Facebook pages and marketing website – HostGator can help you do it all. HostGator has partnered with me to help my listeners get started. Use couponSUITCASE to get 30% off any new hosting package.

Visit SuitcaseEntrepreneur.com/HostGator today.

I credit this wonderful blog to beginning my entire business. First I started with just a blog, a passion yet hobby.

Until the day my cofounder at the tech company we had suggested since I loved it so much, and since I seemed to be doing a great job of it, maybe I should consider doing it full time.

I'll never forget that day as it changed the course of my history. Essentially it saw me leave our startup and go out on my own.

I'd love to say it was all roses and unicorns from that day on but we all know that's not true. It was bloody hard work. Long days of learning how to be a better blogger, understanding the art of a great blog post, building a community one painful day at a time.

I'd check my stats daily to see how many visitors had come, if just ONE person had left a comment and I'd do everything in my power to turn up, be consistent, get better and get the word out.

It took 6 months to start seeing any results, which is why in this Fresh in Fifteen episode I answered a listener question from Jonathan on this very topic - because I know how feels, and I imagine you may feel like this too:

"I just wanted to ask you about, early on did you ever want to quit and I'll give you a reason why I asked that. I started a website and I've noticed some small success through Amazon affiliates and I just feel like I write the best content, I spend all these hours doing it and nobody cares. I see a little bit of success. Maybe $20 a month income off 1 article that did well on it's own because I got lucky. And I just think I am doing everything I should be but I am doing it all wrong. I know your busy but can you guide me to finding my problems?"

Listen in to this episode to learn:

So listen to this Fresh in Fifteen episode now:

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I highly recommend eKco which is a complete video ecommerce solution that helps consultants; coaches sell their online video; digital content direct to their customers; literally in a matter of minutes! Super simple to setup and use, highly customizable, extremely affordable, and backed up with 24/7 support, eKco is here to help solopreneurs and small business owners to create the passive income stream that you have been looking for.

Go to www.myekco.com and sign up for an account. The first 30 days are free, and when you enter the code SUITCASE25 you will receive 25% off your subscription for your first 12 months - a savings of $87 in value!

in iTunes by Parenting Abroad from USA

I hope to move from being a fairly stationary expat (in Switzerland) to truly taking my show on the road! This show both guides and motivates me as I build my business.

Watch this short video on how to leave a review for my show on iTunes

The idea of starting a blog makes many people uncomfortable.

For one, you have to “put yourself out there”, which can feel extremely scary if you’ve never done it before.

Another reason that holds people back:

The thought that nobody is ever going to be reading the content they put out.

Today’s episode with Caz and Craig breaks it all down for you to start giving you ideas on how you can get started, to grow your own community of like minded individuals, to help you to live the lifestyle that you desire.

This is one to listen if you’ve thought of starting a travel blog, or already own one, and want to take it to the next level!

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in Browser

HostGator is your one stop shop for creating your online presence. From creating a website to promote yourself or you business, or even to talk about your favorite hobby, to creating your Facebook pages and marketing website – HostGator can help you do it all. HostGator has partnered with me to help my listeners get started. Use couponSUITCASE to get 30% off any new hosting package.

Visit SuitcaseEntrepreneur.com/HostGator today.

Social media is a great tool and an absolute must if you want to grow your business, get more visibility and build a really engaged tribe.

I've been a social media convert since I first started using Facebook in 2005 but back then things were different and nobody realized or knew how major this platform would be from a business building point of view.

And if you still believe Social Media is a fad (yes people used to say that for years) then you're living in the dark ages and missing out on the most powerful platform builder there is right now at little to no cost to you!

This Fresh in Fifteen episode is partly inspired by a recent post of Dan Norris about Social Media Trends in 2016 where I think he hit home on several points about which sites are winning and losing right now.

As we roll into April on the podcast I've got a great line up of interviews from entrepreneurs crushing it on specific social media platforms for you to learn from.

To kick it all off I share which sites are hot and working for me and others right now, and which ones are on the out or need to up their game.

So listen to this Fresh in Fifteen episode now:

Subscribe in iTunes | Play in Browser

I highly recommend eKco which is a complete video ecommerce solution that helps consultants and coaches sell their online video and digital content direct to their customers – literally in a matter of minutes! Super simple to setup and use, highly customizable, extremely affordable, and backed up with 24/7 support, eKco is here to help solopreneurs and small business owners to create the passive income stream that you’ve been looking for.

Go to www.myekco.com and sign up for an account. The first 30 days are free, and when you enter the code SUITCASE25 you’ll receive 25% off your subscription for your first 12 months - a savings of $87 in value!

in iTunes by Parenting Abroad from USA

I hope to move from being a fairly stationary expat (in Switzerland) to truly taking my show on the road! This show both guides and motivates me as I build my business.

Watch this short video on how to leave a review for my show on iTunes

In your line of work, time is so important aspect.

While we have the freedom to plan however we want, once time is gone, it’s never coming back.

That’s why time management is critical for us to get the freedom we seek.

Today we have Peter Awad from the Slow Hustle podcast to share with us how he manages his busy schedule and still manages to balance his personal and business life.

He shared with us the systems and tools he personally uses to manage all these and the steps you can take to apply it in your life.

You are going to love this!

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in Browser

HostGator is your one stop shop for creating your online presence. From creating a website to promote yourself or you business, or even to talk about your favorite hobby, to creating your Facebook pages and marketing website – HostGator can help you do it all. HostGator has partnered with me to help my listeners get started. Use couponSUITCASE to get 30% off any new hosting package.

Visit SuitcaseEntrepreneur.com/HostGator today.

Like any online entrepreneur I love me some gadgets, tools and new technology and I see them as an investment in my business too.

And there's nothing like dropping your perfectly good iPhone 6 Plus down the toilet (by mistake) to make you start again from scratch when you're setting up your new replacement phone.

I've taken a good hard look at the apps I was using versus what I actually use every single day, and which ones I MUST have and which ones are really just for show.

As you know I'm also about minimalism and only working with what you need, so in today's Fresh in Fifteen episode I basically reveal exactly which apps I have on my phone, that sync also with my new iPad Air 2 and my MacBook and how I work with them.

Plus I share some cool new gadgets I've purchased that I think every lifestyle entrepreneur should consider, especially if you run your business predominantly online and work from anywhere.

So listen to this Fresh in Fifteen episode now:

 Subscribe in iTunes | Play in Browser | Download

Products:

Iphone Apps 

Listening:

Wellness:

Travel:

Productivity:

Social: 

I'd love to know your favorite MUST HAVE apps and tools you use daily in the comments!

I highly recommend eKco which is a complete video ecommerce solution that helps consultants and coaches sell their online video and digital content direct to their customers – literally in a matter of minutes!  Super simple to setup and use, highly customizable, extremely affordable, and backed up with 24/7 support, eKco is here to help solopreneurs and small business owners to create the passive income stream that you’ve been looking for.

Go to www.myekco.com and sign up for an account. The first 30 days are free, and when you enter the code SUITCASE25 you’ll receive 25% off your subscription for your first 12 months - a savings of $87 in value!

in iTunes by Working From Anywhere from Australia

Wonderful reminder on a topic that we need to be serious about. Simple. Heartfelt advice. Thank you.

Watch this short video on how to leave a review for my show on iTunes

One of the best parts about having a business that allows you to work from anywhere is getting to experience different cultures.

And with different cultures also come different laws you must abide by, including tax laws.

Today’s guest not only has a business he can run from anywhere, but he also helps other location independent business owners make sure they don’t pay more taxes than they need to (and stay within the law).

David McKeegan, co-founder and owner of Greenback Expat Tax Services, supports business owners who live outside their native country by simplifying the tax process and giving them peace of mind so that they can focus on what they do best.

In today’s show, David sheds light on what to look out for when you’re traveling for extensive periods of time, and shares financial tips to improve your freedom lifestyle.

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in Browser

Key resources:

HostGator is your one stop shop for creating your online presence. From creating a website to promote yourself or you business, or even to talk about your favorite hobby, to creating your Facebook pages and marketing website – HostGator can help you do it all. HostGator has partnered with me to help my listeners get started. Use couponSUITCASE to get 30% off any new hosting package.

Visit SuitcaseEntrepreneur.com/HostGator today.

Recently, I was honored to be a keynote speaker at DNX in Bangkok. I talked about using online tools and technology to streamline your online business and make your travel life easier.

While there, aside from connecting with all sorts of like-minded lifestyle entrepreneurs, travelers and digital nomads, I also got to learn about and interview founders of some awesome new services popping up to serve people like you and me.

I like to keep you abreast of the latest tools, services, platforms and apps to help make your life easier, and these go beyond that to creating lifestyle hubs, intimate communities and experiential learning too.

In this Fresh in Fifteen episode, I give you an interview of the following 5 cool or new services and platforms popping up to empower location independent, travelling entrepreneurs and digital nomads.

Listen to this Fresh in Fifteen episode : Subscribe in iTunes | Play in Browser 

“eKco is a complete video ecommerce solution that helps business consultants and coaches sell their online video and digital content direct to their customers – literally in a matter of minutes! Super simple to setup and use, highly customizable, extremely affordable, and backed up with 24/7 support, eKco is here to help solopreneurs and small business owners to create the passive income stream that you’ve been looking for.

Go to www.myekco.com and sign up for an account. The first 30 days are free, and when you enter the code SUITCASE25 you’ll receive 25% off your subscription for your first 12 months - a savings of $87 in value!

in iTunes by ryel01 from New Zealand

Always to look forward to the latest release from Natalie about how to live a nomad life. Recommend for anyone interested in their freedom!

Watch this short video on how to leave a review for my show on iTunes

March is all about what it takes to work from anywhere over on my podcast and blog.

The mindset...the systems...and the tools.

If you were to ask your friends, most of them would say that they wish they could travel more.

And what keeps them from doing so is no mystery…it gets expensive. The highest costs tend to be airfare and accommodation.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

In this show, we get to hear from Professional Traveler (yes, that exists!), Travis Sherry.

As a travel hacker, Travis reveals how jumping around from country to country can be affordable, and how you can have more authentic travel experiences without breaking the bank.

He also shares how to balance life and business so that you can enjoy yourself more while exploring the world.

Podcast: Subscribe in iTunes | Play in Browser

Key resources:

HostGator is your one stop shop for creating your online presence. From creating a website to promote yourself or you business, or even to talk about your favorite hobby, to creating your Facebook pages and marketing website – HostGator can help you do it all. HostGator has partnered with me to help my listeners get started. Use couponSUITCASE to get 30% off any new hosting package.

Visit SuitcaseEntrepreneur.com/HostGator today.

Ask the average person and they'll probably tell you that they'd prefer to be doing something other than sitting in their office at a 9-5 job. .

When FlexJobs surveyed 2,600 office employees in August 2015, the majority said they actually prefer doing their most important tasks outside of the office.

In a separate survey respondents said their overall wellbeing (including health and relationships) was better when they had the

Digital nomads and location independents like me (and probably you if you're reading my blog) are a fast growing sub-sector of the population who work remotely, and believe just that.

We've designed our ideal lifestyle by utilizing the increasingly mobile technology that's available, allowing us to work on the go from anywhere in the world that we currently desire. New York? The beach in Bali? The world is our oyster.

All we really need is a laptop, internet connection, and a business model that lets us work from anywhere or a boss with some faith.

The rise of this modern nomadic lifestyle has been covered extensively in a new infographic from Bargain Fox and SavvyBeaver. It reveals that in 1990 only around 5% of the US population were "freelancers" and back then this meant somebody fortunate enough to have a computer and dial-up internet at home.

Today as we approach 30%, many freelancers are not just trading the dull office cubicle for the spare room at home, they're trading both for experiences further afield.

Digital nomads include everyone from the high powered entrepreneur to your average freelance programmer. What's exciting is that because technology is so accessible even those at the lowest end of the pay grade are still able to make it work.

It's not just a freelancer's world either. An increasing number of large companies are employing people remotely and allowing them to be nomads.

Take my fave accommodation marketplace AirBNB. Their workforce is 50% remote. Viral news website BuzzFeed also has half of their employees working from wherever they desire.

Automattic - the company behind leading blogging software Wordpress - are one of the first to adopt a 100% remote workforce. They don't even have an office and stay in contact with employees through their own online message board.

Employees couldn't be happier with the self autonomy provided by remote work, whereas the company itself benefits from being able to hire anybody from around the world, rather than somebody who can commute to the workplace. They also save a great amount of money by not having to pay for an office space.

Indeed, the future for the digital nomad and distributed workforces looks bright. Experts believe that by 2030 nearly half of the US working population could fit that mould and I imagine that will apply in many other western countries too and emerging economies.

Advances in technology will make the whole process easier, with faster and broader internet coverage, cheaper and faster travel (and completely new modes of transport as well). Supportive online communities and apps are also set to grow.

Even those that need a few extra facilities beyond their laptop are being catered to with co-working spaces that are open to anyone passing through.

If you (like many people out there) dread getting up in the morning to go to the office, chances are that soon you simply won't have to.

Especially after you listen in to my podcast where I talk you through a case study of working on your business from Bali vs London and all the factors you can consider to choose where you'd start and grow a business... some points may surprise you!

Listen to this Fresh in Fifteen episode : Subscribe in iTunes | Play in Browser

“eKco is a complete video ecommerce solution that helps business consultants and coaches sell their online video and digital content direct to their customers – literally in a matter of minutes! Super simple to setup and use, highly customizable, extremely affordable, and backed up with 24/7 support, eKco is here to help solopreneurs and small business owners to create the passive income stream that you’ve been looking for.

Go to www.myekco.com and sign up for an account. The first 30 days are free, and when you enter the code SUITCASE25 you’ll receive 25% off your subscription for your first 12 months - a savings of $87 in value!

in iTunes by Yanks fan 27 from USA

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the fresh in 15 segments you do, by the way. The one about building credibility (last week I think) is one of my all time favorites. It is very refreshing to hear someone talk about the importance of integrity. Keep up the great work!

Watch this short video on how to leave a review for my show on iTunes