LifePilot: Be the CEO of your life with Natalie Sisson

Did you know that some unbelievable number like 90% of people want to write and publish a book?!

The great news is these days it's possible to have your book fully funded before you write a single page. How is that even possible?

Why the beauty of crowdfunding, of course!

Back in 2013, I crowdfunded my Suitcase Entrepreneur book on Kickstarter and it got 122% over-funded and was one of the best decisions I ever made.

I'm pretty sure it's the reason it became a No #1 Bestseller on Amazon too because of the support behind it from that campaign and the marketing and visibility it provided.

I recently decided to it again but on a very cool platform that matches authors with publishers and combines it with crowdfunding.

I launched my Publishizer campaign to fund my next book project, The Freedom Plan, and it was fully funded within 15 days (and yes you can still pre-order as I'd love to hit 200%!).

The number one reason that it has been so successful is, without a doubt, social media. Not only the individual platforms we've strategically used to promote it on like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram but also the community I've built thanks to social media.

In today’s Fresh in Fifteen episode, I talk about how using heartfelt storytelling, consistency, and leveraging Instagram in a new way I was able to get my book funded so quickly.

Listen in to this episode (that is the first one I've recorded directly via a live BLAB!) to learn exactly how to:

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Key Resources I mention or add value to this podcast:

Knowing how to use social media to your advantage can make a huge difference in your business.

Social media shows your personality, your brand, and gives you the opportunity to position yourself as the authority in your niche.

Today, we have the man behind the Duckerscope, Chris Ducker, to talk about live videos, with Periscope.

We’re going to be talking about how to use Periscope effectively as a tool for your business. Chris shares with us how Periscope played a big part in his product launches and filling up seats for his Tropical Think Tank program that he holds yearly.

This episode is great for those who want to add Periscope as a platform for taking your business to the next level. Take out your note pads because this episode has lots of tips for the beginner to the Periscope pro!

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.

It’s no secret I’m a BIG fan of social media, I mean I built my entire business on it, and thanks to it I was able to share my Freedom Plan book quickly and efficiently.

It can become simpler though with a strategic plan of attack and when you track and measure your results.

That’s why I’ve dedicated this month of April to helping you use it more effectively to build your brand, establish your credibility, build a community, grow your list and make your more sales.

Because frankly, if you’re not doing any of this you are seriously missing out!

Listen in to this episode to learn:

So listen to this Fresh in Fifteen episode now:

Subscribe in iTunes | Play in Browser

Key Resources I mention or add value to this podcast:

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

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:

;Subscribe in iTunesPlay in BrowserDownload

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.