Welcome to Episode 97 of Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing

Welcome Aboard for Episode 97 of the podcast! This is the first podcast episode for 2023 and I’m sharing “how to create passive income streams.”

Passive income has been referred to as the “8th wonder of the world” and for good reason; having the ability to create something once and then be paid regularly for many years to come is a wonderful experience and lifestyle.

The true name for what I’m describing here is “residual income” because you must take action first in order to set up the passive income stream. When someone is in a television show or films a commercial, they are paid first for the work they do, and then on an ongoing basis every time the show or the commercial airs again.

For online entrepreneurs, we can create passive income streams over and over again in a variety of ways…

* Create your own course or product that can be sold as a stand alone item, meaning that you will not be required to do any additional work.

* Recommend someone else’s product or course or service through your affiliate link. I do this regularly when I tell others about AWeber, the autoresponder service I’ve been using for over a decade.

* Publish a book – I now have over twenty-five books to my name, and each of these brings me passive income for years. Every month I receive a direct deposit into my bank account for the book royalties I have earned. The more books you write and publish, the more you are likely to increase your passive income exponentially.

Take a look at what type of passive or residual income you already have coming in, perhaps from real estate or stock investments. Then, decide how you will add to that with your online business, in a way that allows you to work once and then be paid regularly in an ongoing manner.

I’ve been a part of a formal goal setting and achieving program since 2005. I know that I would not have had the courage and the mentoring to leave  my teaching job and real estate a year later if it hadn’t been for this program. During this episode I share a little of what I do regularly to make sure I’m on track with my mindset and my goals.

One thing I began doing just recently as a new marketing strategy is to record myself reading through my always too long email messages, and then providing a link to the most recent recording at the top of the email. This allows me to connect more deeply with my audience and to expound upon what I have written, interjecting more details when necessary and appropriate.

I’ve begun writing for television and film this year. When I begin a new writing project, whether it’s for a television pilot, a screenplay for film, or even one of my non-fiction books, I begin with a series of steps that allow me to outline my idea in great detail before I start the writing process. These steps include:

* The BIG IDEA:  What’s the story about? In this case, my big idea in 2005 was to resign my classroom teaching position, give away my best real estate clients, and to come online.

* The THEME was that I wanted out of the work force and to work for myself from home.

* The SETUP was to examine closely the life I had created for myself to date, and to take full responsibility for everything I had created over time.

* The CATALYST was a series of events, actions, and conversations over a period of about three years that led me to the conclusion that I had to change my life in a major way.

* The DEBATE was around how I would do this. I had no desire to once again return to school to learn new skills or to begin a new career. Instead,

Welcome to Episode 96 of Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing

Welcome Aboard for Episode 96 of the podcast! This is my final podcast episode for 2022 and I’m sharing “how to achieve your goals in 2023 and beyond.”

Everything old is new again, and you must choose wisely in order to build a business and lifestyle that suits your goals and intentions.

As we near the end of 2022, it’s a time for planning and reflection. What worked during this year, a tumultuous one after coming out of the pandemic and entering a new phase of our global life experience, may not work well as we go forward.

What did you start or take on during 2022? What did you let go of this year? Remaining focused and action-oriented will always be important to success in both a personal and professional way.

When you’re in a job, there is built-in structure and focus. You must be able to stay on task and keep your priorities straight if you are to achieve your dreams and goals in a timely manner.

I’ve been a part of a formal goal setting and achieving program since 2005. I know that I would not have had the courage and the mentoring to leave  my teaching job and real estate a year later if it hadn’t been for this program. During this episode I share a little of what I do regularly to make sure I’m on track with my mindset and my goals.

One thing I began doing just recently as a new marketing strategy is to record myself reading through my always too long email messages, and then providing a link to the most recent recording at the top of the email. This allows me to connect more deeply with my audience and to expound upon what I have written, interjecting more details when necessary and appropriate.

I’ve begun writing for television and film this year. When I begin a new writing project, whether it’s for a television pilot, a screenplay for film, or even one of my non-fiction books, I begin with a series of steps that allow me to outline my idea in great detail before I start the writing process. These steps include:

* The BIG IDEA:  What’s the story about? In this case, my big idea in 2005 was to resign my classroom teaching position, give away my best real estate clients, and to come online.

* The THEME was that I wanted out of the work force and to work for myself from home.

* The SETUP was to examine closely the life I had created for myself to date, and to take full responsibility for everything I had created over time.

* The CATALYST was a series of events, actions, and conversations over a period of about three years that led me to the conclusion that I had to change my life in a major way.

* The DEBATE was around how I would do this. I had no desire to once again return to school to learn new skills or to begin a new career. Instead, I wanted to start my own business that I could run from home, or from wherever in the world I happened to be, with only a laptop computer and an internet connection.

* The “B” Story brought a mentor into the picture. While this person did not work out for me, he led me directly to the people who would become my friends, colleagues, and mentors going forward.

* The FUN and GAMES began when I actually started my business and learned what I needed to do each day in order to earn income and keep my business on track to grow and expand over time.

* The BAD GUYS CLOSE IN occurred when I realized I was not earning enough money to cover my expenses, and that my savings and other assets would not last more than one year.

* The ALL is LOST feeling was that I had to quickly decide what I needed to change immediately in order to achieve the success I wanted as an online entrepreneur.

This is the point where many people give up.

Welcome to Episode 95 of Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing

Welcome Aboard for Episode 95 of the podcast! Today I’m sharing my thoughts and strategies around focus, as well as your “to-do” lists and schedules.”

As we near the end of 2022, it’s a time for planning and reflection. What worked during this year, a tumultuous one after coming out of the pandemic and entering a new phase of our global life experience, may not work well as we go forward.

What did you start or take on during 2022? What did you let go of this year? Remaining focused and action-oriented will always be important to success in both a personal and professional way.

When you’re in a job, there is built-in structure and focus. You must be able to stay on task and keep your priorities straight if you are to achieve your dreams and goals in a timely manner.

One thing I began doing just recently as a new marketing strategy is to record myself reading through my always too long email messages, and then providing a link to the most recent recording at the top of the email. This allows me to connect more deeply with my audience and to expound upon what I have written, interjecting more details when necessary and appropriate.

I’ve begun writing for television and film this year. When I begin a new writing project, whether it’s for a television pilot, a screenplay for film, or even one of my non-fiction books, I begin with a series of steps that allow me to outline my idea in great detail before I start the writing process. These steps include:

* The BIG IDEA:  What’s the story about? In this case, my big idea in 2005 was to resign my classroom teaching position, give away my best real estate clients, and to come online.

* The THEME was that I wanted out of the work force and to work for myself from home.

* The SETUP was to examine closely the life I had created for myself to date, and to take full responsibility for everything I had created over time.

* The CATALYST was a series of events, actions, and conversations over a period of about three years that led me to the conclusion that I had to change my life in a major way.

* The DEBATE was around how I would do this. I had no desire to once again return to school to learn new skills or to begin a new career. Instead, I wanted to start my own business that I could run from home, or from wherever in the world I happened to be, with only a laptop computer and an internet connection.

* The “B” Story brought a mentor into the picture. While this person did not work out for me, he led me directly to the people who would become my friends, colleagues, and mentors going forward.

* The FUN and GAMES began when I actually started my business and learned what I needed to do each day in order to earn income and keep my business on track to grow and expand over time.

* The BAD GUYS CLOSE IN occurred when I realized I was not earning enough money to cover my expenses, and that my savings and other assets would not last more than one year.

* The ALL is LOST feeling was that I had to quickly decide what I needed to change immediately in order to achieve the success I wanted as an online entrepreneur.

This is the point where many people give up. They are overwhelmed and beat themselves up over their current predicament. Instead of giving up, I instead recommend a “starting over to begin again” approach, where you retrace your steps and make small changes to your actions and to the habits that are necessary in order to succeed in the way you originally wanted to and definitely deserve.

My latest book is “Essays at the Intersection of Hope and Synchronicity” and it’...

Welcome to Episode 94 of Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing

Welcome Aboard for Episode 94 of the podcast! This time I’m sharing a concept I call “Deconstructing Entrepreneurship Using a Show Business Writing Example!”

After a lengthy discussion with one of my mentors, she suggested that I share my thoughts and ideas around starting a business online and becoming successful. I’m doing that is this episode with the intention of helping you decide what you can do to be more successful in your own business.

I’ve begun writing for television and film this year. When I begin a new writing project, whether it’s for a television pilot, a screenplay for film, or even one of my non-fiction books, I begin with a series of steps that allow me to outline my idea in great detail before I start the writing process. These steps include:

* The BIG IDEA:  What’s the story about? In this case, my big idea in 2005 was to resign my classroom teaching position, give away my best real estate clients, and to come online.

* The THEME was that I wanted out of the work force and to work for myself from home.

* The SETUP was to examine closely the life I had created for myself to date, and to take full responsibility for everything I had created over time.

* The CATALYST was a series of events, actions, and conversations over a period of about three years that led me to the conclusion that I had to change my life in a major way.

* The DEBATE was around how I would do this. I had no desire to once again return to school to learn new skills or to begin a new career. Instead, I wanted to start my own business that I could run from home, or from wherever in the world I happened to be, with only a laptop computer and an internet connection.

* The “B” Story brought a mentor into the picture. While this person did not work out for me, he led me directly to the people who would become my friends, colleagues, and mentors going forward.

* The FUN and GAMES began when I actually started my business and learned what I needed to do each day in order to earn income and keep my business on track to grow and expand over time.

* The BAD GUYS CLOSE IN occurred when I realized I was not earning enough money to cover my expenses, and that my savings and other assets would not last more than one year.

* The ALL is LOST feeling was that I had to quickly decide what I needed to change immediately in order to achieve the success I wanted as an online entrepreneur.

This is the point where many people give up. They are overwhelmed and beat themselves up over their current predicament. Instead of giving up, I instead recommend a “starting over to begin again” approach, where you retrace your steps and make small changes to your actions and to the habits that are necessary in order to succeed in the way you originally wanted to and definitely deserve.

My latest book is “Essays at the Intersection of Hope and Synchronicity” and it’s available in paperback and also on Kindle.

My online business is based upon the premise that being in service to others is the most important part of entrepreneurship.

You may notice that I offer many items that are completely free of charge. Yes, I’m sharing them through my affiliate link so you’ll be cookied in through me for future purchases and sales, but there’s more to it than that. I want you to opt in and download some valuable items from some people I know well, respect, and continue to learn from.

Start by asking yourself some questions:

* Am I already familiar with this person or brand?

* What is it exactly that they are giving to me for free?

* After I opt in for the free item(s), what’s their upsell?

Welcome to Episode 93 of Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing

Welcome Aboard for Episode 93 of the podcast! This time I’m sharing my thoughts on “Being in Service to Others, Moving the Free Line, and Sharing Resources with Your Prospects, Customers, and Clients!”

My online business is based upon the premise that being in service to others is the most important part of entrepreneurship.

You may notice that I offer many items that are completely free of charge. Yes, I’m sharing them through my affiliate link so you’ll be cookied in through me for future purchases and sales, but there’s more to it than that. I want you to opt in and download some valuable items from some people I know well, respect, and continue to learn from.

Start by asking yourself some questions:

* Am I already familiar with this person or brand?

* What is it exactly that they are giving to me for free?

* After I opt in for the free item(s), what’s their upsell?

* Once I check/confirm my email address, what’s next?

* [Most Important] Is what they are sharing with me AFTER I request the free item in alignment with what I originally requested?

We all know so much on a variety of topics and this is based, in part, on the fact that before we started our business we already had experience and knowledge and an interest in many things, most of which was unrelated but relevant to the business we started and are in the process of building right now. This is true whether you are college age or older. Wherever you are in your journey, you’ve dealt with people and situations that will make a difference for you, now and going forward.

I began my life as an entrepreneur by going to Rotary, primarily as a way to meet people in the new city where I had moved after resigning from my classroom teaching job and giving away my real estate clients.

My opportunity to speak as a result of visiting a Rotary Club close to where I had been living previously to coming online. Although I wasn’t prepared and not scheduled to speak that day, I stepped up to the challenge and spoke about something I knew – the current real estate market as we were inching closer to an economic downturn and recession.

Soon, I realized that speaking, writing, and being active in the community would help me to grow my business, as well as change my mindset and open my mind to the world of small business and entrepreneurship.

When I began marketing for small businesses, I encouraged the owners to become an expert by first speaking about and then writing about what they knew about their specific industry. Then, I helped them to connect with people who would benefit from learning from them.

Put in your ten thousand hours of practice and this will move you closer to expert status.

I started my first blog for my new business in 2006. The name of it was Ebook Writing and Marketing Secrets, and within two years that blog became my primary site – where I continue to blog all these years later – at Connie Ragen Green.

During the next several years, two mentors, Raymond Aaron and Alex Mandossian told me that I was the “huge profits with a tiny list” person and should blog about how I was becoming known for making excellent and ever increasing income with such a tiny number – relatively speaking – of people on my email list.

I took their advice and soon after my “Huge Profits Tiny List” blog was created. Initially begun for the sole purpose of sharing my strategies on earning income with a small list, I continued to expand upon these principles and in July of 2010 my first book,

Welcome to Episode 92 of Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing

Welcome Aboard for Episode 92 of the podcast! This time the discussion is around the topic of “Becoming an Expert in an Area You Already Know Something About in the Next 90 Days!”

We all know so much on a variety of topics and this is based, in part, on the fact that before we started our business we already had experience and knowledge and an interest in many things, most of which was unrelated but relevant to the business we started and are in the process of building right now. This is true whether you are college age or older. Wherever you are in your journey, you’ve dealt with people and situations that will make a difference for you, now and going forward.

I began my life as an entrepreneur by going to Rotary, primarily as a way to meet people in the new city where I had moved after resigning from my classroom teaching job and giving away my real estate clients.

My opportunity to speak as a result of visiting a Rotary Club close to where I had been living previously to coming online. Although I wasn’t prepared and not scheduled to speak that day, I stepped up to the challenge and spoke about something I knew – the current real estate market as we were inching closer to an economic downturn and recession.

Soon, I realized that speaking, writing, and being active in the community would help me to grow my business, as well as change my mindset and open my mind to the world of small business and entrepreneurship.

When I began marketing for small businesses, I encouraged the owners to become an expert by first speaking about and then writing about what they knew about their specific industry. Then, I helped them to connect with people who would benefit from learning from them.

Put in your ten thousand hours of practice and this will move you closer to expert status.

I started my first blog for my new business in 2006. The name of it was Ebook Writing and Marketing Secrets, and within two years that blog became my primary site – where I continue to blog all these years later – at Connie Ragen Green.

During the next several years, two mentors, Raymond Aaron and Alex Mandossian told me that I was the “huge profits with a tiny list” person and should blog about how I was becoming known for making excellent and ever increasing income with such a tiny number – relatively speaking – of people on my email list.

I took their advice and soon after my “Huge Profits Tiny List” blog was created. Initially begun for the sole purpose of sharing my strategies on earning income with a small list, I continued to expand upon these principles and in July of 2010 my first book, Huge Profits with a Tiny List: How to Use Relationship Marketing to Increase Your Bottom Line was published.

Instead of closing down this blog after the book was released, I decided to continue publishing posts there a few times each month, and continue to do this to this day.

My writing has improved over the years, and I am now a bestselling Wall Street Journal and USA Today author. During the summer of 2019 I decided to start a third blog, as a way to write mostly fiction and begin my journey as a television and screenplay writer. You may see what I’m sharing on my Monday Morning Mellow blog where I publish… you guessed it! every single Monday.

You must get back to basics if you are to succeed as an online entrepreneur. There are a few “musts” that include:

* Blogging: I’ve blogged consistently for almost sevent...

Welcome to Episode 91 of Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing

Welcome Aboard for Episode 91 of the podcast! This time the topic is “Blogging to grow your business, change your life’s focus, and achieve your goals and dreams!”

I started my first blog for my new business in 2006. The name of it was Ebook Writing and Marketing Secrets, and within two years that blog became my primary site – where I continue to blog all these years later – at Connie Ragen Green.

During the next several years, two mentors, Raymond Aaron and Alex Mandossian told me that I was the “huge profits with a tiny list” person and should blog about how I was becoming known for making excellent and ever increasing income with such a tiny number – relatively speaking – of people on my email list.

I took their advice and soon after my “Huge Profits Tiny List” blog was created. Initially begun for the sole purpose of sharing my strategies on earning income with a small list, I continued to expand upon these principles and in July of 2010 my first book, Huge Profits with a Tiny List: How to Use Relationship Marketing to Increase Your Bottom Line was published.

Instead of closing down this blog after the book was released, I decided to continue publishing posts there a few times each month, and continue to do this to this day.

My writing has improved over the years, and I am now a bestselling Wall Street Journal and USA Today author. During the summer of 2019 I decided to start a third blog, as a way to write mostly fiction and begin my journey as a television and screenplay writer. You may see what I’m sharing on my Monday Morning Mellow blog where I publish… you guessed it! every single Monday.

You must get back to basics if you are to succeed as an online entrepreneur. There are a few “musts” that include:

* Blogging: I’ve blogged consistently for almost seventeen years for a reason… it works! This is the fastest and easiest way to build your business with credibility, visibility, authority, and profitability.

A Bonus: It will turn you into a writer, like it’s done for me, allowing me to write my own ticket as a speaker, consultant, and online marketing strategist.

* List Building: Set up a WordPress site, publish three blog posts, create a short – 5 pages is enough – free giveaway, add an opt-in box to your site – on the right-hand side, ABOVE the fold, and you’re in business. This cane be done in two or three days. If one more person tells me their site in “under construction” or a “work in progress” I think I might scream!

* Social Media: Have active profiles on the “Big Three” of social media… Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. My rule for over a decade has been to “get in, get out, and get back to work” by spending no more than 15 minutes a day on social media, and I have never once broken my own rule. Yes, you “have to” be on these three platforms to build relationships, allow people to get to know you, and grow your business as a result.

Other important concepts and ideas around getting back to basics and laying a solid foundation for your business include:

* Think of yourself as a problem solver

* Create simple products by teaching a simple concept you may be taking for granted

* Asking each day “What’s for Sale?” in your business and looking at what you are purchasing for ideas on who and what to be an affiliate for in your niche and be...

Welcome to Episode 90 of Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing

Welcome Aboard for Episode 90 of the podcast! This time I’m sharing my thoughts, ideas, and experiences around… “Getting Back to Basics: Laying a Solid Foundation for Your Business”

You must get back to basics if you are to succeed as an online entrepreneur. There are a few “musts” that include:

* Blogging: I’ve blogged consistently for almost seventeen years for a reason… it works! This is the fastest and easiest way to build your business with credibility, visibility, authority, and profitability.

A Bonus: It will turn you into a writer, like it’s done for me, allowing me to write my own ticket as a speaker, consultant, and online marketing strategist.

* List Building: Set up a WordPress site, publish three blog posts, create a short – 5 pages is enough – free giveaway, add an opt-in box to your site – on the right-hand side, ABOVE the fold, and you’re in business. This cane be done in two or three days. If one more person tells me their site in “under construction” or a “work in progress” I think I might scream!

* Social Media: Have active profiles on the “Big Three” of social media… Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. My rule for over a decade has been to “get in, get out, and get back to work” by spending no more than 15 minutes a day on social media, and I have never once broken my own rule. Yes, you “have to” be on these three platforms to build relationships, allow people to get to know you, and grow your business as a result.

Other important concepts and ideas around getting back to basics and laying a solid foundation for your business include:

* Think of yourself as a problem solver

* Create simple products by teaching a simple concept you may be taking for granted

* Asking each day “What’s for Sale?” in your business and looking at what you are purchasing for ideas on who and what to be an affiliate for in your niche and beyond

I mentor people who wish to emulate the success and lifestyle I’ve achieved as an author, online marketer and entrepreneur. There are some characteristics that I observe from those who struggle with success.

Those include focus and clarity, time management, perfectionism, and committing to doing what it takes to reach, and then surpass your goals.

…

I categorize “passive income” as anything that comes into your PayPal or bank accounts without you having to do any additional work. Yes, you must set it up initially, so technically it’s something called “residual” income. Within my message here to you today, I’m setting up four new streams of passive income. I also share on social media – especially Twitter (I’m @ConnieGreen) throughout each day, and those updates are scheduled days or weeks in advance.

How can you get started with passive income? Start with affiliate income. Become my affiliate at https://AffiliateLinksandTools.com and get your personalized affiliate link for my “Action Habits Challenge” that is free. How will you earn income from recommending a free training? It’s the magic of “cookies” where everyone who comes aboard through your link will be cookied in for all future sales of my more than fifty current products, courses, and programs. I’m the “Marketing Madwoman” so yes, they’ll buy something from me and through you in the future!

I want to add here that I do not recommend you sign up for everyone’s affiliate program you find. Instead, look at what and from whom you are purchasing, and then join those affiliate programs.

Welcome to Episode 89 of Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing

Welcome Aboard for Episode 89 of the podcast! This time I’m discussing… “Looking Within, Because Everything You Want and Need is Part of Who You Are Right Now.”

I was reading an article from Jeff Haden about Steve Jobs, titled Steve Jobs Said 1 Thing Separates Successful People From Everyone Else (and Will Make All the Difference In Your Life). He shared…

Steve Jobs believed in the fundamental power of belief itself—and of using that belief to motivate and inspire.

As Jobs said:

You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.

You have to trust in something—your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

One of the biggest reasons most of us don’t set out to achieve a huge goal is that we think we first need to develop a comprehensively detailed grand plan, one where every step is charted, every milestone identified—where success is pre-ordained.

But because we don’t have that kind of plan—because creating that kind of plan is basically impossible—we hesitate. We need to see an end before we see a beginning.

And so we never start.

This is pure wisdom, and I highly recommend you pick up Jeff Haden’s book, titled The Motivation Myth: How High Achievers Really Set Themselves Up to Win and read or listen to it from beginning to end.

I mentor people who wish to emulate the success and lifestyle I’ve achieved as an author, online marketer and entrepreneur. There are some characteristics that I observe from those who struggle with success.

Those include focus and clarity, time management, perfectionism, and committing to doing what it takes to reach, and then surpass your goals.

…

I categorize “passive income” as anything that comes into your PayPal or bank accounts without you having to do any additional work. Yes, you must set it up initially, so technically it’s something called “residual” income. Within my message here to you today, I’m setting up four new streams of passive income. I also share on social media – especially Twitter (I’m @ConnieGreen) throughout each day, and those updates are scheduled days or weeks in advance.

How can you get started with passive income? Start with affiliate income. Become my affiliate at https://AffiliateLinksandTools.com and get your personalized affiliate link for my “Action Habits Challenge” that is free. How will you earn income from recommending a free training? It’s the magic of “cookies” where everyone who comes aboard through your link will be cookied in for all future sales of my more than fifty current products, courses, and programs. I’m the “Marketing Madwoman” so yes, they’ll buy something from me and through you in the future!

I want to add here that I do not recommend you sign up for everyone’s affiliate program you find. Instead, look at what and from whom you are purchasing, and then join those affiliate programs.

And remember that affiliate programs like Amazon and many others do not create passive income. Instead, you’ll earn affiliate commissions on the day people purchase, but it does not carry over to future sales on their website. Make sure you understand the terms up front, so you won’t be disappointed down the road.

Welcome to Episode 88 of Praestabilis: Excellence in Marketing

Welcome Aboard for Episode 88 of the podcast! This time I’m discussing… “The Misconceptions Around the Idea That Introverts Do Well in Online Marketing.”

Even though there are many introverts who have made a name for themselves with businesses online and in person, that isn’t as common as you might think. I’m thinking of relationship counselor John Gray, author of Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus. It wasn’t until he got out in the community and made a name for himself as a public speaker that others began to take him seriously in regards to his ideas.

The same was true of my long-time friend and mentor Brendon Burchard, who still shares how painful it was for him to connect with new people and share his thoughts and ideas. He writes about this in great detail in High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way.

For me, the things I thought I could not do were writing and fundraising. Over time, both of these activities are become the focus of my life and I live to help more people and share my stories with the world.

Even Brené Brown is a self-proclaimed introvert, though she may be best known for her “Dare to Lead” talks around the world.

I’ve written extensively about my habit of talking to strangers and how this practice made such a difference in my own journey as an introvert wanting to be successful and accepted into the world of public speaking at live events, marketing, and entrepreneurship as an introvert.

As an introvert, it’s common to feel like the last thing you want to do is to engage in “small talk” with other people. But, the truth is that the small talk you’re avoiding is actually the first step to becoming more of an ambivert who is better prepared to connect with and network with others.

We connect with people all over the world as online marketers. Hiding at your desk, behind a computer screen and away from anything more than social media does not lead to success, at least not at the level you’re most likely striving to achieve.

How do you present yourself to the world? If others see you and experience you as being an introvert, they may believe that you think small, believe small, and are small. It’s up to you to change others’ perception of you, and speaking up and engaging in conversation is exactly the way to do this successfully.

Connecting and collaborating with others is crucial to our great success. While waiting in line at the post office years ago, a woman struck up a conversation with me. It turned out we had much in common, as she had been an author and online entrepreneur for close to three decades, while I was still relatively new. I waited for her to complete her transaction at the window and then gave her my card. That woman was none other than Barbara J. Winter, author of Making a Living Without a Job: Winning Ways for Creating Work That You Love and if she hadn’t been the first one to “talk to a stranger” that day, I might have never have known she lived less than ten miles from my home.

My “Two Hours a Day Profit Plan” includes writing, marketing, and connecting with others. Today, this included sending out an email to my online community, outlining and recording this podcast episode,