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CB Passive Income Version 5.0 Review
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Backlink Machine Review – Build Backlinks in 1-Click & Rank Your Site Higher
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How To Make Money Online – Your First $100k From Blogging
Most people, when they try to make money online, overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.
That is why I often tell brand new bloggers to focus on the first $100 rather than the $100K figure.
That said, how was it possible, that we could create a brand new blog and only 30 days later, have already earned over $5000?
Today’s post will answer that question.
The IncomeDiary Blueprint for Making Money Online
Idea —> Take Action —> Build a Brand —> Create Content —> No Leakage Rule —> Blog Funnel System —> Free eCourse —> Product —> Money
All great websites start with solving a problem.
Step 1) How To Come Up With Website Ideas | Solve a Problem
At IncomeDiary we focus on the make “money online niche”.
Making money online is something that interests a lot of people, from many different demographics.
As soon as we started we had people ask us how to start their first blog.
And once they had started their blog, how could they make money from it?
Some even asked us to build websites for them.
There was a PROBLEM that people wanted help in SOLVING!
From the responses we where getting and our own research it was clear there was a demand.
But how do we make money from this demand?
In the case of IncomeDiary we knew a lot of our income would come from affiliate links.
That is where we started.
If you are a first time blogger you will need a domain, hosting, blog design, email list management.
Fortunately there are plenty of affiliate programs for services like this and in any case we needed all these services ourselves.
As an example if someone signed up for a domain, hosting and a blog design through our affiliate links, we would earn $100.
All we needed to do was convince 50 people to follow our advice and we would earn $5000.
Better still we where recommending products and services that we where using ourselves!
In blogging as in all business having a plan is essential.
A clear vision, backed by definite plans, gives you a tremendous feeling of confidence and personal power ~
All we needed to do now was estimate / work out how much traffic we would need in order to accomplish our goal for month one!
We are simplifying the calculations here a little – not everyone will need a domain or hosting for example – some will purchase more services, some will purchase less.
But for the purpose of planning these where good starting points.
Of course your niche may be entirely different from Make Money Online – but for just about every niche there is be affiliate programs you can promote to your readers.
As an aside, our sister site – ExpertPhotography.com covers a completely different niche to IncomeDiary – but when it started out, it used exactly the same strategy as IncomeDiary to get its first income – great content combined with affiliate income!
Step 2) To Make Money Online – Take Action
Now that we had an idea, we had to create a website.
This is an easy step, something that only took a few hours. I go over this in detail on this page.
Step 3) To Make Money Online – Build a Brand
Branding isn’t something a lot of people think much of.
But branding is important. It’s what someone thinks about your website.
When people think IncomeDiary, we want them to think, authority website that teaches people how to make money online.
To achieve this, we did a few things:
Domain Name
You want it to be easy to remember, easy to spell and you want it be a .com.
When I create a website, I don’t begin until I have found a domain that I think is good enough.
Sometimes it makes sense to buy a domain that has already been registered from a Domain Broker.
For example, IncomeDiary.com was bought for $100 from a blogger.
And we paid $2000 for our sister site – ExpertPhotography.com – via a domain broker.
Blog Design
If your blog doesn’t look good, it reflects badly on your brand. I’m not saying you have to spend a lot of money, we didn’t.
We started with buying a premium theme for $80 and getting a custom logo created. We kept the website simple and easy to understand.
It’s also important to pick a good color scheme for your site. When someone sees the green color we use, I want them to think IncomeDiary.com (I also wanted them to think money!)
Create Top Lists (read before you scroll past this)
Now I know most people know what a top list is, but you need to know what posts we created, why we created them and how they influenced our brand.
Some examples of the top lists we created:
- 30 Top Earning Blogs
- 30 Top Earning Websites
- 50 Most Influential People in Blogging
- 20 People Who Started As Bloggers, Who Are Now So Much More!
Creating these posts, made us stand out as an authority on the subject.
If we are the website to decide which bloggers are the most influential, then we must know a lot about blogging.
Interview Experts
Interviews don’t get us a lot of long term traffic.
What they do though, is associate our website with experts in our industry.
We are not going into detail on conducting interviews in this post – but read any of our interviews and you will have interview templates you can follow.
Step 4) To Make Money Online – Create Compelling Content
To make money, we firstly had to get traffic. To get traffic, we had to firstly create interesting content.
We have spoken a lot about creating content.
The strategy for getting a lot of traffic from blogging is simple – create amazing content.
Look at this post as an example:
- The subject of the post is something people are looking to read about
- Over 2000 words (average page on first page of good is over 2000 words)
- It’s easy to read (checked spelling, grammar, post styling)
- Headline draws the reader in
- It provides real value
- Post images add to value of the post
The 10 posts that received the most traffic in the first few months were all top list articles.
Looking back, their was very little traffic going to any posts that were not top lists or interviews.
One big benefit from writing top list posts and interviewing authorities in your industry, is the amount of links and social media shares you get. Often when we write a post saying that someone is one of the most influential bloggers in the world, they want to link to it on their site, because it helps with their own brand.
All these links and shares tell Google that we are a great site and they should rank our posts higher in their search engine.
You can see how our traffic would spike every time we published a top list on our site:
Step 5) How To Make Money Online – The No Leakage Rule
The no leakage rule is when you create a website in a way that either a reader signs up for what you are promoting, or they leave your website.
Let me explain further:
The goal of IncomeDiary is to get people to subscribe to our email list. Now to best accomplish this, we need to keep distracts to a minimum.
That means having no banner ads, no blogroll, no top commenters links and so on…
If a website visitor is leaving our website to look at an advertiser, they are not signing up for our email list.
It’s the same reason we don’t want to link to guest bloggers at the bottom of blog posts, because if our visitors are checking out their website, they are not signing up for our list.
Step 6) Make Money Online – Blog Funnel System
This is all about getting your visitors to go where you want them to go, or shall I say, how to funnel them to your desired location.
The goal of our blog is to get people to subscribe to our email list.
That is how we make the majority of our money.
To accomplish this, we get the majority of our subscribers through a popup using OptiMonk. Read this post on: how we use OptiMonk.
The longer someone stays on the site, the more likely they are to subscribe and for us to make money.
Step 7) Make Money Online – Free eCourse
When we started IncomeDiary, not a lot of bloggers were giving incentives for signing up to a mailing list.
Those that did, often gave free eBooks.
I liked the idea of a free eBook but there was one problem.
I wanted readers to take action and if they received to much information all at once, they would feel overwhelmed and would be less likely to follow my guide.
So instead, we decided to split up what we wanted to teach and give it to subscribers over 7 days.
We called it: 7 Day Free eCourse To Creating Your First Profitable Blog
I would explain to everyone signing up that “You may have to spend some money if you want to make some money” – not a lot of money just a little if you really wanted to be serious about blogging. (Less than $100). I included special offers on domain names and offers on hosting such as get your first months hosting for 1 cent and coupon codes. (People love coupon codes)
This worked amazingly well.
Pretty much one of the reasons it worked so well was because I showed my readers exactly what I’m doing. I was not asking them to do anything that I had not done myself.
It’s also important to point out that I was solving a specific problem. I wasn’t simply trying to help people become better bloggers.
Setting up a Autoresponder
Once people opted in and joined my eCourse, the auto-responder would start sending them an email every day for a week.
The course was very much step by step – “Day One, installing your blog” – “Day Two, adding a theme and customizing your blog,” – Day Three: monetizing” etc
Every day subscribers would look forward to the next addition. Often I would get people email me saying, “Hey, is there any chance I can get Day Two now, rather than wait until tomorrow?”
Subscribers took action straightaway. I told them, “Look, take action on this today, and then you’ll be ready to do tomorrow’s assignment.”
Marketing Your eCourse
Another huge benefit of having a squeeze page, or a separate page on WordPress dedicated to your free course, is people have a link they can share with friends if they wish to recommend it. It is great when people Tweet things like “Check Out IncomeDiary’s Free Blogging eCourse” and link to this page.
This also meant I could mentioned this page in my blog posts – for example if I did a Top 30 Bloggers list I would finish it with a link says: “Follow in their footsteps, check out my free course”.
The signup page became so popular that it was the third most visited page on the site.
Step 8) Make Money Online – Selling Your Own Product
Once someone has gone through our eCourse, we want them to be thinking, WOW, that was amazing, I can’t believe that was free.
If they think this, then when we tell them that we have a paid membership site, they can only imagine how good it must be.
When creating products to sell on IncomeDiary, we think about what our readers most want.
The two biggest struggles of new bloggers is getting traffic and making money.
For us, getting traffic has always been easy. And if it’s easy for us, surely we can make it easy for our readers. So we created an eBook called Traffic Domination which is a blueprint to getting over 100,000 visitors a month from top list articles.
We also use to offer a training program called Site Profit Domination which showed our customers in detail how we were monetizing our blogs.
Step 9) Making Money Online and Reinvesting
The reason for a lot of our success is the way we reacted to making money.
When we make money, we reinvested it. We may have started our blog with a small budget but as soon as we had the money, we made it a lot better.
I was not entirely happy with the blog theme, so I spent sometime customizing the design. This included a big change to the homepage – allowing us to display a large opt-in box.
We also used some custom graphics on the side-bar to direct visitors to our best revenue producing pages.
We even bought advertising for IncomeDiary, which at the time, was not something we would normally recommend with a new blog, but earnings per visitor was so good, we could afford to buy traffic.
One final note on making money online.
I love this quote from Paulo Coelho …
It is essential to know your visitor numbers and your earnings per visitor!
For some, attracting the first 1000 visitors will be the big goal and for others it will be attracting the first 1,000,000 visitors
Set yourself high, but realistic targets and go all out to achieve.
Hoping and Guessing is not a business strategy – but FOCUS and CONCENTRATION is.
What you focus on, EXPANDS!
Take the time to build your brand, build your following and build your website into the premier site in its niche.
Making $100,000 PA is a Big Goal – but it is not an impossible goal.
Believe in you – believe you can do it.
It is also the strategy you need in order to set yourself for the ULTIMATE Pay Day!
That magically day when you eventually sell your business.
Good Luck!
The post How To Make Money Online – Your First $100k From Blogging appeared first on How To Make Money Online.
The Truth About Being an Entrepreneur
Being an entrepreneur is rewarding.
But it is not for everyone.
You will work harder than you’ve ever worked for anyone else.
Setbacks, strained relationships and stress are commonplace.
No wonder “wannabe entrepreneurs” give up!
But the REWARDS make being an entrepreneur worthwhile.
Succeed as an entrepreneur and you are set for life!
Derek Halpern sums up being an entrepreneur perfectly…
According to the Small Business Administration (SBA) 30% of new businesses fail during the first two years of being open, 50% during the first five years and 66% during the first 10.
Of course, enormous success is also possible and there are advantages to being an entrepreneur.
But as stated…
Before success comes in any man’s life, he is sure to meet with much temporary defeat, and, perhaps, some failure.
21 Things They Don’t Tell You About Being an Entrepreneur
(+ 15 Ways To Handle Setbacks as An Entrepreneur)
How many of these things have you experienced?
1) People want you to fail.
It is remarkable how many people will put you down when you explain you plan on being an Entrepreneur.
I mean, how dare you want to make something of your life!
This includes your nearest and dearest.
My first business venture was in MLM – multi-level marketing. I “failed”.
For a number of years afterwards so called friends would ask me about it – in a sneering way.
They are no longer in my life. I have moved on and built several successful businesses. They on the other hand…?
I say “failed” because you see, I didn’t really fail.
I learned so much from that experience and had my first exposure to personal development.
We live in a world with a lot of insecure, jealous people. Some of them are our best friends. They are blood relatives. Failure terrifies them. So does our success. Because when we transcend what we once thought possible, push our limits, and become more, our light reflects off all the walls they’ve built up around them. Your light enables them to see the contours of their own prison, their own self-limitations. But if they are truly the great people you always believed them to be, their jealousy will evolve, and soon their imagination might hop its fence, and it will be their turn to change for the better.
~ David Goggins
2) If your idea is unique and shows success, competitors will quickly copy you.
I started my first online business back in 1998 (yes, that long ago). By 2001 one of the leading companies in the industry I was involved in, literally copied and pasted my content onto their website. I had to take legal action to defend my Intellectual Property.
However, there can also be positives to ‘copycats’ in that it keeps us on our toes and pushes us to innovate. Yes it is annoying and if it is a direct rip off of your intellectual property, you must take action, but if it is just someone else entering the same market place or niche that you discovered, then that is CAPITALISM. Get over it!
It should also be remembered that most of us have ‘copied ideas’ or been expired by another entrepreneurs business success.
3) People you employ will leave your business and set up in competition with you.
These people could even be people you consider “friends”.
Additionally in a start-up people often employ friends – this puts strains on a friendship – especially if you have to FIRE them because they aren’t a “good fit”.
Special Note:
Managed correctly, if you know a good employee is ambitious and likely to leave, you can at an appropriate time introduce the idea of you supporting them in their new venture, perhaps making their new business a Joint Venture.
Competition from either a former employee or another business is not always a bad thing.
I would suggest it is good. It keeps us on our toes, always striving to do better.
Competition is always a good thing. It forces us to do our best. A monopoly renders people complacent and satisfied with mediocrity.
Nancy Pearcey
4) Customers don’t pay.
Example: If you sell a downloadable information product – customers download the content and then ask for a refund.
5) In entrepreneurship there is no concept of weekends, you work 24/7.
You go from 9-5 to 24/7!
Start-up entrepreneurs tend to work more hours than the average full time employee in order to get their company off the ground.
Additionally, work-life balance is difficult.
When your office is not that place you go to – but instead is your bedroom or living room it is not easy to separate business and personal.
6) No one cares about your business as much as you do.
Employees will work the hours you pay them to work and only that.
You will wear many hats, especially in the beginning…
CEO, accountant, secretary, website designer, head of sales and janitor!
7) Some customers and competitors will bad mouth you in public.
Some will make up lies about you and your service and publish them on review websites.
8) People will let you down.
You will pay outside people to do work for you – web developers, virtual assistants etc – and discover they have not done the work you paid them to do.
9) You will spend money on advertising that does not work.
“Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don‘t know which half.”
~ John Wanamaker (1838-1922)
10) There will be legal disputes with customers, employees, suppliers.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking this won’t happen to you.
Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser – in fees, expenses, and waste of time. As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough.
11) Software and websites will not function as promised!
This happens even after you paid good money and thought you had hired the best.
12) People over promise and under deliver.
Wise entrepreneurs prefer to under promise and over deliver.
13) People waste your time.
e.g. Potential JV partners and Customers
14) Professionals will let you down.
This includes Accountants, Lawyers, Consultants etc
15) You will pay more than once to get a job done.
This has happened to me numerous times, especially when when developing software or websites.
16) Everything takes longer than you budgeted for.
This includes making a profit, launching a new website and raising funding.
17) People will let you down on their promises.
People fail to deliver on their promises and you will feel frustrated that your business is not taking off as you had hoped.
18) Being an Entrepreneur is lonely
Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey. You will experience rejection.
You will be cash-strapped and your social life will take a hit!
As an Entrepreneur you will be working while all others are out partying.
19) You pay yourself last!
It should not be this way, but unfortunately, for many entrepreneurs this is the case.
But it does not have to be this way…
Recommended Read: Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine
20) That BIG Order you have been promised will fail to materialize
Or if it does materialize, it cancels.
21) The above things do not happen in isolation.
Many times a number of issues will all happen at the same time.
You will experience failure after failure, after failure.
This is normal.
If you’re going to try, go all the way. Otherwise, don’t even start. This could mean losing girlfriends, wives, relatives and maybe even your mind. It could mean not eating for three or four days. It could mean freezing on a park bench… If you’re going to try, go all the way. There is no other feeling like that. You will be alone with the gods, and the nights will flame with fire. You will ride life straight to perfect laughter. It’s the only good fight there is.
~ Charles Bukowski
15 Ways To Handle Setbacks as An Entrepreneur
Great entrepreneurs know every challenge is an opportunity to learn.
#1 Observe what you tell yourself.
Self-talk is real. Thoughts can be positive and encouraging or they can be dangerous.
Believe in you and your abilities to overcome. Do not entertain a negative thought, even for a second.
“The next time life punches you in the face, stop for a moment and ask yourself this simple question: What’s the counter-punch? No matter how bad the situation, no matter how hopeless it seems, there is always an opportunity to turn it to your advantage. You just have to discipline yourself to spot the opening, and then find the courage to use it.”
– Jon Morrow
Above all, being an entrepreneur means you understand…
The world doesn’t owe you anything.
You must earn everything.
You don’t know how things will turn out.
And this is OK.
In fact, it’s one of the reasons being an entrepreneur is so amazing!
Your life, your decisions, your responsibility!
#2 Take Care Of Your Body
To succeed as an entrepreneur, you need to take care of your body and health. When you experience a set-back in business, you need all your strength and fitness. With a fit and healthy body you are better prepared for handling challenges.
Unfortunately for me, it took me far too long and two brushes with death to realise that I needed to take better care of my body. In that respect, don’t be like how I was!
You don’t want to be the richest person in the graveyard!
One of the biggest benefits of exercise, apart from improving your fitness is that it increases your creativity and concentration.
That for me is the greatest reward of exercising and my favorite form of exercise is long walks in the woods. The ideas and inspiration, flow and flow!
Recommended read: Fitness Routine for Busy Entrepreneurs
#3 Raise your Adversity Quotient
To succeed as an entrepreneur you need to raise your Adversity Quotient.
An adversity quotient (AQ) is a score that measures the ability of a person to deal with adversities in his or her life.
You have to be able to handle adversity and the suck factor!
If you can’t handle the emotional roller coaster, don’t be an entrepreneur.
Hardy individuals don’t see the world as threatening or see themselves as powerless against large events; on the contrary, they think change is normal, the world is fascinating, they can influence events, and it’s all an opportunity for personal growth.
– Geoff Colvin
#4 Ask for help
A lot of entrepreneurs are loners and find it a challenge to ask for help.
It is almost like they have failed in asking for help!
This is your silly ego speaking (remember what we said earlier about observing what you tell yourself).
A fresh pair of eyes often brings a new perspective and viewpoint. Perhaps it is just a simple tweak you need to make in your sales copy that will make all the difference. Or maybe you need someone to tell you something you already know, but which you have not yet wanted to hear?
Remember that you are not alone in business?, ?there will be other people who have gone through the exact same thing as you and are willing to help. If you are fortunate enough to be part of a Mastermind Group, this will be a good place to start asking for help.
One other tip here – based on personal experience, sometimes the biggest breakthrough from asking for help is to ask someone outside your immediate business circle – in a different industry or even someone not in business at all.
#5 Recognize that failure as a part of life
If you are afraid of failure, don’t be an entrepreneur!
Successful entrepreneurs take ownership of personal mistakes – they don’t blame others.
Blaming solves nothing – look for solutions.
Remember when times are tough:
a) It will not last forever!
b) You will overcome.
c) It will make you stronger
If the size of your failures isn’t growing, you’re not going to be inventing at a size that can actually move the needle.
– Jeff Bezos
#6 Reduce Stress In Your Life
Stress comes from being overwhelmed by negative emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety, or guilt.
Exercise and mediation will help but there are other practical things you can do.
Practical things such as creating a To-Do list eliminates the worry that you forget to do something.
Not only that, it allows to break down what needs to be done into ‘chunks’ and priorities and create a plan.
As Larry Winget said…
“Nobody ever wrote down a plan to be broke, fat, lazy, or stupid. Those things are what happen when you don’t have a plan.”
Recommended Reading: 17 Practical Ways To Manage Entrepreneurial Stress
#7 What you are going through is not a reflection of your abilities.
Believe in you, don’t worry – don’t beat yourself up.
If a friend experienced a set back what you would you tell them? My bet is you would encourage them and tell them things are not so bad and that they will overcome. You deserve to tell yourself at least the same when bad things happen to you.
Never be a prisoner of your past, it was just a lesson, not a life sentence, life goes on…
#8 Be willing to be uncomfortable.
Successful Entrepreneurs make difficult, uncomfortable choices in the short term in order to have long-term success.
Be comfortable being uncomfortable. It may get tough, but it’s a small price to pay for living a dream ~ Peter McWilliams
Again and again, the impossible problem is solved when we see that the problem is only a tough decision waiting to be made. ~ Robert H. Schuller
Saying NO makes a lot of people feel uncomfortable – but this is one thing you must master if you plan to be a successful entrepreneur…
You especially need to say NO to energy sapping acquaintances…
Most entrepreneurs, especially in friendships, hate to offend.
But the truth is that true friends understand and respect your position and priorities.
#9 Hire A Business Coach | Join A Mastermind Group
Being an entrepreneur means you are always learning – adding new skills and investing in your skill set. Hire the services of a credible business coach who will help you see what you don’t want to see, so you can be who you always knew you could be.
#10 Learn from Your Mistakes and Failures
As my friend and mentor Craig Ballantyne says…
Forgive yourself the mistakes of the past, learn your lessons, and move on. Guilt, regret, shame and self-loathing do not serve you.
Failure is often a gift.
Many times what we perceive as an error or failure is actually a gift. And eventually we find that lessons learned from that discouraging experience prove to be of great worth.
~
Often you have to go backwards, to go forward…
“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” ~ Alexander Graham Bell
You will never be 100% ready and there is no perfect time – Start now get perfect later!
It’s important to be willing to make mistakes. The worst thing that can happen is you become memorable.
Sara Blakely – founder of Spanx
#11 Remain Focused At All Times
What you focus on is what you get!
Experiencing problems and set-backs comes with the territory. If you loose focus of your main objective you will not reach it and your business will fail.
Whenever you want to achieve something, keep your eyes open, concentrate and make sure you know exactly what it is you want. No one can hit their target with their eyes closed.
~ Paulo CoelhoSuccessful people maintain a positive focus in life no matter what is going on around them. They stay focused on their past successes rather than their past failures, and on the next action steps they need to take to get them closer to the fulfillment of their goals rather than all the other distractions that life presents to them.
~ Jack Canfield
#12 Every Challenge is an Opportunity
Be thankful for each new challenge because it will build your strength and character.
When you face difficult times, know that challenges are not sent to destroy you. They’re sent to promote, increase and strengthen you. ~ Anonymous
The bigger the challenge, the bigger the opportunity for growth.
=> Quotes About Life, Purpose, and Success
#13 Don’t be Realistic
Successful entrepreneurs are rarely realistic. They don’t accept NO for an answer.
A “realistic” attitude is often a thinly disguised pessimistic attitude.
Every moment is a fresh beginning. – T.S Eliot
Die with memories, not dreams. – Unknown
#14 Meditation helps you to think more clearly and positively.
This is another thing I wish I had discovered the benefits of sooner,
Meditation improves your productivity. If you are completely relaxed and stress-free, then your mind will work more effectively. The right side of our brain, which is responsible for creating new ideas, will work actively when you do meditation regularly.
Meditation, helps you deal with the stuff going on in your heart and your head…
You can eat the kale… Drink the alkaline water…. Take the supplements… Do the yoga… Hit the gym. …but if you don’t deal with the stuff going on in your heart and your head, you’re still just as unhealthy.
~ Daniel Rengering
#15 Make More Sales Calls
Sometimes we neglect the most obvious strategy…
Take Action – Make more sales calls!
This applies, no matter if your business is offline or online.
Have a Sale!
Make an Irresistible Offer.
Create a Killer Offer That Converts Like Crazy!
If want to get cash into your company fast and you sell a physical product go back to all those people who said no – make them a new offer.
Action beats anxiety. Motion beats meditation. Work beats worry
~ Craig Ballantyne
Related:
Author Bio:
Barry Dunlop is a lifelong Entrepreneur, Angel Investor and business coach for entrepreneurs who launched his first Internet Business in 1998. Follow Barry on Instagram
The post The Truth About Being an Entrepreneur appeared first on How To Make Money Online.
🌠30+ Cool content marketing concepts?
Ever wish your content marketing could make a huge difference … not only for your readers, but also for your bottom line?
Well then!
contentmarketinginstitute.com/2019/07/define-home-run-content/
has an interesting collection of excellent ideas to ensure your content works hard for you as well as your visitors!
Some of the advice is quite spot-on:
“Follows 1-2-3 Formula
First, target a very specific group of people. Then, create one thing (text content, video content, audio content, etc.) on one channel (blog, YouTube, iTunes, etc.) that is differentiated and helpful. Then, consistently deliver that content over a long period of time (a year plus). That’s the same recipe that has been working for over 100 years and will continue to work for the next 100. – Joe Pulizzi, founder, Content Marketing Institute”
Brings in these numbers
A 50% open rate, 30% click-through rate, 50 shares, 20 subscribers, 10 comments, and a page-one ranking that lasts for a year. – Andy Crestodina, co-founder, chief marketing officer, Orbit Media
Gets people talking
A real home run is a piece of content that elicits conversation. It can be used to further engagement either publicly on social or through private messaging and email. A good example is an article written by my husband and posted to LinkedIn. It “only” got 6,000 views and 600 likes, but more importantly, it started 65 buying conversations and was shared 34 times. The article (as an update) in slide deck form got over 60,000 views, but the engagement (comments, etc.) was significantly less. – Viveka von Rosen, chief visibility officer, Vengreso
Content marketing itself is a serious name put to sharing content with an intent on your site – an intent that somehow helps your bottom line.
You could create a one page cheatsheet about such a thing as well:
Step 1.) Determine what types of content are shared the most
Step 2.) Use free tools to help you create that content
Step 3.) Release said content on a schedule that works for you
Resources for the above include:
revive.social/most-shared-content/
neilpatel.com/blog/shared-the-most-on-facebook/
optinmonster.com/best-visual-content-creation-tools/
www.convinceandconvert.com/content-marketing/how-to-build-a-content-calendar-free-template/
Your takeaway?
Great content shouldn’t work ONLY for your visitor… it should also work for you and help build up your bottom line!
Take advantage of that.
Enjoy!
☕ Your Wed Perkup: Taking Adult Ownership, Instapot, Affiliate Marketing, PLR, more!
== ALERT ==
First and foremost: Please ensure you have btl@barbaraling.com whitelisted in your email reader! The newsletter will NOT arrive unless you do.
Visit askblings.com/whitelist to learn how and then come back to read, thanks! (and don’t forget – feel free to share this newsletter with your friends so they can enjoy the morning MooseNCoffee too!).
== ALERT ==
Before we dive into today, let’s get a quick recap!
=== Start Ongoing Goodies! ===
Ready for Fall 2019? ==> Aliexpress Software: Find all proven bestsellers (physical products
askbling.com/alip2
askbling.com/alip2
Today in 1902: Willis Carrier creates the first air conditioner in Buffalo, New York.
NJ is in a heat wave as well.
and
No eMail list, no autoresponder, but profits anyways because: (beginner friendly and…)
askblings.com/stealthd
Today’s Freebie in our FB group: (if you can’t see it, you need to join our group below)
Best Instagram Apps for Marketers
=== End Ongoing Goodies! ===
Where was I?
Ah yes, Wednesday!
But first:
=======================================
Ever wake up one morning and say to yourself:
“Jeepers self, I really wish I knew exactly what should be the undeniable best area practices when it comes to affiliate marketing!”
Hmmmm?
Well you know…
That’s the thing, aye?
What ARE the very best laws depends upon whom you talk to!
However, you CAN get ideas like:
charlesngo.com/22-laws-part-1/
This cool goodie goes over not 1, not 2 but 22 (!) ideas regarding affiliate marketing, including:
Law #1: Be the First in a Market
Law #2: The Offer is 75% of the Battle
Law #4: The Need for Speed
and more!
Affiliate marketing is such a popular topic, you could break it down into many different aspects… say… beginners! A good beginners affiliate marketing cheatsheet might be:
Step 1.) Determine the area in which you want to profit via affiliate marketing
Step 2.) Make sure you can get your offers out in front of those who would care
Step 3.) Find a targeted offer you can embed in email, blog posts and the like.
Want resources to help with that? Consider
www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/affiliate-marketing-guide-for-beginners-step-by-step/
onlinemediamasters.com/how-to-make-money-with-affiliate-marketing/
digitaldefynd.com/best-affiliate-marketing-course-training-certification-tutorial/
Your takeaway?
Affiliate marketing is an area that is always perfect for profiting….
Why not start taking advantage of that today?
Enjoy!
========================= ==============
And….. Where was I?
Ah yes!
It’s Wednesday!
Actually gnope – it’s Tuesday around 7pm.
And today’s topic is that of actually (gasp!) being an adult.
Such a notion occurred to me while dealing with one of my kids, who alas, has yet to have those frontal-lobe-developing abilities activated.
And you know…
As I find myself getting older, I find myself more and more having zero interest about bending rules.
One of my kids will learn this shortly, and rather unhappily, alas.
But sheesh…
Enough is enough.
What else happened…
Here in NJ, the temperature is approaching that to the surface of the sun (aka massive heat wave has arrived). It’s going to stay that way for quite awhile, so I’ll simply stay nice and quiet and keep my work going on.
Your takeaway from this perkup?
Don’t be dumb in a heatwave.
A very powerful lesson indeed.
And that’s all…
Because….
It’s the Internet Lifestyle!
And want you to see baby mooses in swimming pools?
Of course you do!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91so0aTipZs?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]
And our morning art/humor?
If you like this goodness, get all the extra benefits at his Patreon site (stuff not shared on his site)
and then visit the page below and like/share the comics… they always make my day a wee bit more bright!
AND! At some time, I’m going to write about making money as a gamer (the site Twitch.tv is fascinating – you can stream people playing games and some of the best of ’em earn in the 5 figures!).
Because it’s both Star Wars AND coffee AND a cat, I like watching:
You can watch him and subscribe to his channel over at:
What’s new in your neck of the woods… would love to hear….
And onto today!
FIRST: Be alert to a GEMALERT from me – could be Traffic (note – if you’re not getting the additional GEMALERTs and you want to, opt into ’em at askbling.com/getgemalert ).
NEXT:
NOTE! I run a New Product Solution List that gives 3-4 new updates a day
…. please sign up at
askbling.com/4alert
to get these in real time. Thanks!
=======================
AND!! Please visit askbling.com/whitelist and whitelist btl@barbaraling.com – this will ensure you always get these morning goodies. Thanks!
=======================
And! I started a private Internet Marketing Authority Course over at askbling.com/btlclass1 … Click below to start the adventure!
=======================
And! I started a private SuperAffiliate Course over at askbling.com/superaff30 … Click below to start the adventure!
=======================
And! I started a private IM Coaching Waiting List over at askblings.com/btlcoach … Click below to get on the said waiting list!
=======================
And here we go!
Presenting:
Instapot?
AliExpress?
No eMail Lists?
and 2 more… can you guess?
And let’s begin!
Want you the AliExpress Prospector?
Well then!
_________________________
AliExpress Prospector!
See how this can help you zero in on great products here!
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Nifty!
Whats that? You crave No eMail list, no autoresponder, but profits anyways because: (beginner friendly and…)?
Well then!
_________________________
No eMail list, no autoresponder, but profits anyways because: (beginner friendly and…)!
See everything that makes it all ‘way easier here!
===========
============
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Sweet!
What’s that? You The topic is on sale today on Amazon Prime: FOOD: Cash in on one of the hottest Instapot niches today?
Well then!
_________________________
The topic is on sale today on Amazon Prime: FOOD: Cash in on one of the hottest Instapot niches today!
See how this goodie allows you to profit from this niche here!
===========
============
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Jeepers!
What’s that? You yearn for HEADSUP: 250+ of The BEST Paying *Recurring* Affiliate Programs? (in 17 niches and…?
Well then!
________________________
HEADSUP: 250+ of The BEST Paying *Recurring* Affiliate Programs? (in 17 niches and…!
See how you can get continuous commissions here!
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Coffee!
And finally:
_______________________
Adwords Made Easy!
See how this goodie demystifies it all here!
Wheeeeee! (btw, like this newsletter? Why not share it with your friends today? And don’t forget: Visit askblings.com/whitelist to learn how and then come back to read, thanks!)
================================================
Don’t forget yesterdays:
=======================================
Where was I?
Ah yes, Tuesday!
But first:
=======================================
Ever wake up one morning and say to yourself:
Today!
Yes, Today!
Today is the Amazon Prime Day Sale!
And it’s deserving of dozens of exclamation points! Like these !!!!!
And these !!!!!!!!
And even (dare I hint at it)…
THESE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Be still my beating heart.
Thank you very much, I feel much better now. 
Anywhos!
Amazon Prime Day is now not a mere piddling 24 hours but 48 (2 whole days!). Last year, you might remember that it was 1.5 days (especially if you had released your third version of the Amazon Prime Cheatsheet, but I digress), so a full 2 days is simply to be expected.
But here’s the coolio nifty thingee about it all…..
Amazon, like coffee, rules the world.
And one might rightly think… how on earth can they compete against such a mighty titan?
Some large retailers like Target or Walmart have their own sales in place.
But it’s eBay’s response that tickles my fancy a weeee bit – they’re having their own (insert dramatic pause here) Crash Sale.
And why is it a “crash sale”?
Why, to memorialize the time last year when on the very first day of Amazon Prime Day… the Amazon site crashed!
To quote:
“…She said Prime Day is “a holiday Amazon totally made up to get people excited about its parade of deals, real parades don’t charge a membership. They will mostly have deals on random stuff nobody wants, they are mostly trying to clear their warehouse.”
Last year, Amazon crashed last year on Prime Day (referenced in the ad). If it does crash now, eBay has promised to unlock even more deals. Its ‘Crash Sale’ is named after the crash it predicts the Amazon website will have….”
Extremely powerful marketing, wouldn’t you agree?
And yet, it’s virtually guaranteed that….
All of the hype and froth of Amazon Prime Day will end up causing now only billions spent at Amazon, but also bunches of moola being spent at other retailers as well.
A win win for all!
So how can you best use happenings like this to make more money yourself?
Why, by aligning your business with various and sundry events of course!
You could have the “Slightly Smaller Than Amazon.com Prime Day Sale!” on your own website.
Or perhaps an informal betting pool as to when the servers will get overloaded and reach that coveted status of: “fry an egg on the surface temperature” (I think only sysadmins would be interested in weeping in joy over that one, but you never know).
So yep…. *event* marketing.
Event marketing gives you 365 different reasons, one per day, to have 365 different sales (one per day!). Such a topic could make for a nifty one page cheatsheet as well:
Step 1.) Find all the relevant celebrations in your country
Step 2.) See what sorts of items you sell that would lend itself to that event
Step 3.) Create a hashtag and encourage participants to share their experiences!
Need resources for the above? Consider:
www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/
www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/
www.orbitmedia.com/blog/how-to-market-an-event/
sproutsocial.com/insights/create-a-hashtag/
Your takeaway?
Amazon Prime is today! See how you can use that fact to increase your own personal bottom line… allow your imagination to run free.
Enjoy!
========================= ==============
And….. Where was I?
Ah yes!
It’s Tuesday!
Actually gnope – it’s still Monday around 8pm or so.
See, yesterday… my sleep was more NOT than actually happening, so today was basically me being quiet and instead…
Working with the Beak of Doom and the PiggyMoose (not to mention the Kingly Meece whose main trick was getting me up, shuffling to the door, opening the door, and realizing they went back to sleep (they’re very elderly dogs)). Wheeeeee!
And don’t forget – it’s Amazon Prime Day (the 2nd day!). I wonder what kind of performance they’re delivering?
Your takeaway from this perkup?
Think outside the box when trying to take advantage of event marketing.
A very powerful lesson indeed.
And that’s all…
Because….
It’s the Internet Lifestyle!
And want you to see every coffeeshop in LA?
Of course you do!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR20O8YndIE?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281]
And our morning art/humor?
If you like this goodness, get all the extra benefits at his Patreon site (stuff not shared on his site)
and then visit the page below and like/share the comics… they always make my day a wee bit more bright!
AND! At some time, I’m going to write about making money as a gamer (the site Twitch.tv is fascinating – you can stream people playing games and some of the best of ’em earn in the 5 figures!).
Because it’s both Star Wars AND coffee AND a cat, I like watching:
You can watch him and subscribe to his channel over at:
What’s new in your neck of the woods… would love to hear….
And onto today!
FIRST: Be alert to a GEMALERT from me – could be MMO (note – if you’re not getting the additional GEMALERTs and you want to, opt into ’em at askbling.com/getgemalert ).
NEXT:
NOTE! I run a New Product Solution List that gives 3-4 new updates a day
…. please sign up at
askbling.com/4alert
to get these in real time. Thanks!
=======================
AND!! Please visit askbling.com/whitelist and whitelist btl@barbaraling.com – this will ensure you always get these morning goodies. Thanks!
=======================
And! I started a private Internet Marketing Authority Course over at askbling.com/btlclass1 … Click below to start the adventure!
=======================
And! I started a private SuperAffiliate Course over at askbling.com/superaff30 … Click below to start the adventure!
=======================
And! I started a private IM Coaching Waiting List over at askblings.com/btlcoach … Click below to get on the said waiting list!
=======================
And here we go!
Presenting:
Affiliate Programs?
Income Zoomers?
PLR?
and 2 more… can you guess?
And let’s begin!
Want you LOCAL/FREELANCING: The easiest way to instantly bring in more moolah for the same effort?
Well then!
_________________________
LOCAL/FREELANCING: The easiest way to instantly bring in more moolah for the same effort!
See how this reveals the hidden insiders secrets here!
===========
============
===========
Nifty!
Whats that? You crave PLR: SOFTWARE: Resellers plus… this?
Well then!
_________________________
PLR SOFTWARE: Resellers plus… this!
See some of the angles waiting for you here!
===========
============
===========
Sweet!
What’s that? You want to see 50+ Programs that give Big Huge Commissions? (ends tonight!!)?
Well then!
_________________________
See 50+ Programs that give Big Huge Commissions? (ends tonight!!)
See how this can zoom up your affiliate profits here!
===========
============
===========
Jeepers!
What’s that? You yearn for COUPON: => Instagram made simple??
Well then!
________________________
COUPON: => Instagram made simple!
See a brief hint of the benefits waiting for you here!
See the direct link and coupon ENGAGECOFFEE there!
===========
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Coffee!
And finally:
_______________________
Hyperactive List Building!
See the next time the list building is activated here!
Wheeeeee! (btw, like this newsletter? Why not share it with your friends today? And don’t forget: Visit askblings.com/whitelist to learn how and then come back to read, thanks!)
=======================================
Don’t forget our Favs:
================================================
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Woot!
Thank you for enjoying my newsletters – I will continue
to do my best to bring you the latest and
greatest of all marketing updates!
Grow strong,
Barb Ling
—————————————————
|
| About the Author: Barbara Ling has been a mover and
| shaker on the Internet since 1989, and has been an
| online trainer and marketing pioneer since 1997.
| Designer and creator of Barbara Ling.com
| she has taught thousands of entrepreneurs how
| to master affiliate marketing, product development,
| networking growth and more. Author of over 80 books
| and ebooks, her educational style is denoted by
| motivational, humorous, fun and easy to understand
| targeted writing.
|
| Nowadays, she is best known for teaching
| people from all walks of life how to be successful
| on the Internet. And are you part of our rockin’
| new popular free marketingNmoose group?
|
| Perking Up Profits!
| >> facebook.com/groups/perkingUpProfits
|
—————————————————
________________
__________________
________________
Got questions?
I respond to every email sent! Happy to hear from you…. and remember:
Fortune Favors The Bold
Go out and make *yourself* fortunate today!
Bulletproof Profits Review
The world economy is rarely stable, even if growth is expected there are still other factors that may lead to tightening of financial conditions and other risks that may endanger your current financial status. And if you are wise, you should never rely on just one source of income especially when you have a family…
17 Practical Ways To Manage Entrepreneurial Stress
The ugly symptoms of entrepreneurial stress.
Anxiety, Poor sleep habits, weight changes and health issues to name a few.
But it does not have to be like that!
You don’t have to make yourself miserable to be successful.
17 Top Tips For Avoiding Stress and Anxiety As An Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurial stress causes smart people to do stupid things.
Putting a brave face on things, even when they are on the edge of bankruptcy.
I should know, I was one of them…
My Personal Route Map For Handling Entrepreneurial Stress
# 1 Keep perfectionism in check
Perfectionism is exhausting!
Example…
A start-up entrepreneur gets stressed about the wrong font on a business card…
Or that their website is not perfect.
Sure, if you are Apple or Google, the correct font matters but for most of us, the priority should be to get our minimum viable product (MVP) to market ASAP.
Get some perspective, determine what matters for your business and focus on that, rather than stressing over trivial things.
Of course you should do your best – but don’t let perfectionism hinder your progress.
Striving for excellence feels wonderful because you’re trying your very best. Perfectionism feels terrible because your work is somehow never quite good enough. Perfectionism has nothing to do with what perfection actually looks like, but has everything to do with the elusive idea of “enough.”
Recommended reading:
Ready, Fire, Aim ~ Zero to $100 Million in No Time Flat
# 2 Action beats anxiety.
‘Seven out of ten adults in the United States say they experience stress or anxiety daily’
A surprising statistic which I imagine is much worse for entrepreneurs.
Anxiety and stress make even the most talented entrepreneurs unresourceful.
But there is a solution…
When the whole world is against you, don’t go and hide – take ACTION.
Action beats Anxiety!
It is remarkable how much impact taking action has on your mental state.
There is no need to hide or escape…
After all, that is what cowards do and you are not a coward!
Action beats Entrepreneurial Stress
Related: Anxiety Defeats Creativity – Creativity Defeats Anxiety
# 3 Invest in staff
Seriously, get help!
Stop doing $10 tasks or even the $100 tasks.
Your job is to concentrate on the $1000+ tasks and the bigger picture.
If you want to build a successful and sustainable business you must delegate.
Stop handling the simple tasks that you had to do in the beginning and hire talent.
Don’t be cheap when hiring.
It is always better to pay more for an exceptional member of staff than to pay average for an average member of staff.
Paying more for talent in the short term will improve your mental state in the long term.
If you hire staff, allow them to do they work they were hired to do. Stop being a control freak!
If you find yourself saying to yourself, that it is easier to do a task yourself, than show someone else how to do that task – hire a business coach!
Repeat after me: you cannot do it all, and you do not need to do it all.
Entrepreneurs who micromanage every detail of their business will end up spreading themselves too thin. Taking time-consuming $10 and $100 tasks off your plate, will allow you to target the things that really matter.
Recommended Reading:
Environment Matters: Create a Healthier and More Productive Home Office
# 4 Make a To-Do List
Overwhelm is common.
Make a list of everything that needs to be done and prioritize each task.
Can any of these tasks that can be delegated?
Are there any tasks that you could avoid or delete?
It is remarkable how many things take up space in our heads that are not that important or don’t even need doing.
Recommended Tool: Commit to your 3 most important tasks each day
Often when an entrepreneur makes a To-Do list they discover:
a) Things are not as bad as they thought.
b) They can see the end of their worries
If something is really bothering you – Write it down!
Never underestimate the serenity that comes from writing down what’s bothering you, or getting the issues that are on your mind off of your chest. This can be an important outlet for emotions and will help you get clarity.
# 5 Batch your work
Have specific times to do emails, make phone calls, and do focused work.
Don’t multi-task.
“The man who chases two rabbits, catches none”
Maximize your magic time…
Most people have a period of the day when they are at their most productive.
Record when you are your most productive and make that the time when you focus on your top priorities.
It may also be, that some tasks are best done at certain times of the day. In my case for example, any activities that include physical activity such as site meetings or exercise are best done in the mornings, but writing on the other hand, is best done in the evenings.
Recommendations:
a) If you have issues keeping focused you may want to investigate the Pomodoro Technique.
This is a time management method that uses a timer to break down work into intervals, usually 25 minutes in length, separated by short breaks. Of course there is an App for this!
b) RescueTime – a tool that helps you understand your daily habits – allowing you to focus and be more productive.
# 6 Set Boundaries
In addition to having a To-Do list, have a Not To Do list.
Learn the power of saying N0.
This is a powerful lesson from Warren Buffett:
“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”
And saying NO can also include saying NO to customers!
Create your own personal set of Life Rules – your own personal philosophy of life.
Use these rules as your guiding principles in everything you do and stop worrying about what others think. You will spend less time ‘thinking’ and agonizing over a response because you and your closest friends know your position on the important things in life!
Want some inspiration for creating your own set of life rules?
Check out this post from my good friend Craig Ballantyne
I especially like his No 6 rule:
I do not engage in confrontations with anyone, in-person or online. This is a waste of time and energy. If I have caused harm, I apologize and fix the situation. And then I take a deep breath, relax, breathe out, and re-focus my efforts back on my work and goals.
You may already have a set of rules in your head that you follow, but I encourage you to put them in writing.
A set of rules for every aspect of your life – HEALTH, FAMILY, BUSINESS and FINANCIAL.
With this set of rules it is so much easier to set boundaries.
Best thing, is your staff and social circle will be aware of your rules, values and boundaries, meaning conflicts are less likely to happen.
# 7 Know When To Say I’ve Done Enough
Sometimes the best thing you can do is rest, stop for a while or even go in an entirely different direction.
Yes, action beats anxiety but sometimes the action you need to take is to make the decision to restructure your business, lay staff off or even close the business.
Most successful entrepreneurs has experienced a business failure – it comes with the territory.
Dust yourself down and start again.
# 8 Don’t Borrow Money From Family.
Entrepreneurs often borrow money from family, or fund their business with home equity.
I had not thought much about this before writing this article but while doing research I found a number of articles suggesting you should not borrow from family. After all, it’s stressful enough to start and run a business without the added worry of losing your house or leaving family members in financial ruin.
I am in two minds about this, especially if you offer those family members some equity in your business in exchange for the cash. I can imagine that if you borrow money externally and go on to great success, some family members may be annoyed that they did not get a chance to share in that success.
I would say that as long as you are transparent and ensure your friends and family understand the risk, then borrowing startup capital from family is fine. However it is important to explain that should they want the money back, it may not be easily available. Explaining that is usually enough to scare away most potential family investors.
One of my first sales mentors gave me this tip.
He said, “Barry, never sell anything to friends, relatives or neighbors!”
I was young and struggled to understand what that meant, especially if you offered a good product and a good solution that benefited your friends, relatives or neighbors.
But time has shown me the dynamics of these situations can often be problematic and stressful.
So perhaps there is some merit in this advice after all?
# 9 Trust your team
Closely related to # 3 Invest in staff
Early on in my entrepreneurial career I ran a contracting business, building home extensions etc. It was a successful business, but it was slowly killing me and I had health issues.
All because I did not trust my team.
Or more accurately, I had not learned to delegate.
I recall one vacation when I promised my family I would switch off and had over the reigns to Gerry C – the company General Manager.
We enjoyed a 14 day vacation and when I got back I had a debrief with Gerry…
Everything had went swimmingly in my absence.
When I asked if there had been any issues, there had indeed been one. Gerry explained the ‘problem’ and what he had done about it. Interestingly Gerry approach to the problem was entirely different to what I would have done. Indeed, I doubt I would have thought of his approach.
But remarkably and most importantly the client was happy and they had settled their invoice.
Lesson Learned!
Even though I referred to Gerry C as my General Manager I rarely let him do that job. Almost every decision had to be run by me first.
This is no way to run a business.
Repeat after me: you cannot do it all, and you do not need to do it all.
# 10 Take a Break
Work life balance is essential.
You don’t have to make yourself miserable to be successful. It’s natural to look back and mythologize the long nights and manic moments of genius, but success isn’t about working hard, it’s about working smart.
~Andrew Wilkinson, founder of MetaLab
Do not neglect holidays, vacations and family time.
That is a PRICE you should not pay.
Even if it is only a few hours, take time to unwind and relax with family and friends.
Better still, make time to help others
If you are struggling, stop feeling sorry for yourself and go out and help someone. Add value to the world. Turn your moping into mentoring and help someone climb the ladder in your world. The best thing you can do for yourself is to make everyone around you better.
Craig Ballantyne
# 11 Exercise Regularly — Sweat it out.
It is a know fact that exercise will burn away the stress hormones that create anxiety.
Exercise tires your muscles, reducing excess energy and tension.
Exercise releases endorphins in your brain which can improve overall mood.
Ten years ago, I and a number of friends had the good fortune to spend a week on Necker Island with everyone’s favorite entrepreneur – Richard Branson.
Richard Branson must be the worlds coolest and most relaxed entrepreneur.
He is also very fit!
He plays tennis (very competitively) and starts each day with a walk around his island.
He is also an accomplished swimmer!
Vishen Lakhiani who was part of our group in 2009 recently returned to Necker Island and wrote a superb article about swimming with Richard Branson – it is a seriously good read with important lessons for entrepreneurs:
Things A Swimming Lesson From Richard Branson Taught Me About Leadership
By comparison, I was one of the least fit people on the Island!
I had just sold a business and was comfortable financially but I knew I wasn’t performing at my best and there was still plenty of stress in my life despite the financial success!
I am not saying Necker Island fixed me – but over time and through the company I have kept, my fitness has improved considerably and stress is something I rarely experience these days.
Indeed, exercise is virtually guaranteed to eliminate any stress should it ever happen.
While I may not be as cool as Mr Branson, daily exercise has made me a much happier and chilled person.
A far cry from the stressed entrepreneur I once was.
The only regret?
Why did it take me so long to make the connection between Stress and Exercise?
High-intensity cardio, or even just taking a brisk walk, is a great way to release endorphins and give yourself an instant pick-me-up.
Next time you feel stressed go for a hike, walk in a park, or Hit The Gym!
Or better still, make exercise part of your daily routine and avoid stress in the first place.
# 12 Do a values and beliefs audit
Closely related to # 6 Set Boundaries
Give yourself permission to let go of values and beliefs that no longer serve you.
This is a big subject and a personal one.
Suffice to say, that most of us still carry around beliefs and values that we obtained years ago, often as a child.
Values related to family and money in particular.
Of course many of these values are admirable and those who shared them came from a good place.
However, have you ever asked yourself does this belief still serve me?
Often the stress and ‘shame’ we experience as entrepreneurs relates back to our past.
For many years I carried ‘shame’ and stress related to the collapse of a business I started as a young entrepreneur.
These days however, I look at it quite differently, almost to the point of being proud of the experience and the lessons learned.
Don’t let old values and beliefs related to money, stress you out as an entrepreneur.
Cast them aside in the same way that you no longer believe in Santa Claus.
The same principles apply to relationships…
Do the people in your life assist you or hamper you?
Does the site of a “so called friend” make you feel empty and uninspired?
Reflect on any relationships that draw energy away from you and start distancing yourself from them.
Accept fewer invitations to social gatherings etc.
Or be ruthless about it and disconnect completely!
# 13 Don’t Do Regret and Stop Comparing Yourself To Others
Regret can seriously damage your mental health.
Regret turns to guilt, disappointment, frustration and stress about the past.
But we can’t change the past …
Let go. Why do you cling to pain? There is nothing you can do about the wrongs of yesterday. It is not yours to judge. Why hold on to the very thing which keeps you from hope and love?
~ Leo Buscaglia
Almost always this ‘regret’ is as a result of our values and beliefs.
You cannot undo the past but you can change what they mean to you.
You cannot go back an undo that bad financial decision – but you can ask yourself what have you learned from that experience? After all, successful entrepreneurs think differently and there is always a positive to be found.
You cannot go back and recapture that family time – but you can ask your family for forgiveness and more importantly, FORGIVE yourself.
You were doing the best you could do!
Forgive yourself!
Stop Comparing Yourself To Others
More incredible wisdom from Craig Ballantyne
Stop putting yourself through the emotional roller coaster of comparison. Yes, some people are richer, smarter, prettier and fitter than you. Get over it. We’re all dead in the end. So start living your life now.
Focus on your journey, be OK with imperfection and don’t knock others down.
Stop comparing yourself to others.
# 14 Break Down the Problem
When you have a problem, break that problem down into manageable parts.
• What are the issues?
• List all the possible solutions you can think of.
• Evaluate those solutions.
• Select an option or options. (and document)
• Agree on contingencies, monitoring, and evaluation.
# 15 Become a Stoic Entrepreneur.
Stoicism teaches how to keep a calm and rational mind no matter what happens to you and it helps you understand and focus on what you can control and not worry about and accept what you can’t control
~ Jonas Salzgeber
More than any other philosophy, I have found Stoicism offers the best philosophy for overcoming the stresses of being an entrepreneur. The best antidote for entrepreneur stress!
This article is not about Stoicism – I will leave that for another day.
What I will say though – is that this philosophy has made the occasional stress of entrepreneurship much easier to cope with. It has taught me to focus on what I can control and not too worry about what I can’t control.
Stoicism has brought me contentment and peace of mind – I recommend it wholeheartedly.
Peace of mind is that mental condition in which you have accepted the worst.
Lin Yutang
Recommended reading:
What Is Stoicism? [One of the best articles online related to Stoicism]
Distinguish between good, bad, and indifferent things. The only good is virtue – living by wisdom, justice, courage, and self-discipline. The only bad is vice – folly, injustice, cowardice, and intemperance. Everything else is indifferent and does ultimately not matter for a happy life.
6 Ways Stoicism Can Help Entrepreneurs
As an entrepreneur being able to practice misfortune makes you stronger in the face of adversity; flipping obstacles upside down turns problems into opportunities; and remembering how small you are keeps your ego manageable and in perspective.
The Obstacle Is the Way ~ The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
Remember:
You are not growing unless you are failing.
Mistakes happen on the easy side of life.
# 16 Find your Zen state.
Getting rid of non-essential mental baggage is crucial to stay focused, motivated and productive.
It is also essential for reaching a Zen state.
I appreciate this will appear woo-woo to some of you.
That is not my intention.
Being in a Zen state means different things to different people.
Finding your Zen basically means finding your sense of balance, allowing you to feel in harmony with the world around you. It’s a way of quieting your mind and your body.
It is also the best way I know to eliminate entrepreneur stress!
For me, being in a Zen state has been about being calm and slowing down.
That is when I am my most creative.
Being a stoic entrepreneur has made it easier to reach a Zen state.
But is the Stoic path is not for you, many people find Meditation is great at creating a Zen state.
YouTube offers a lot of Guided Meditations such as this guided sleep meditation which claims to help reduce your feelings of anxiety and prepare you for a great day ahead. Or try this 20 Minute Mindfulness Meditation.
Consider having Regular Massages for Entrepreneurial Stress
Perhaps the best way a stressed entrepreneur can fast track a Zen State!
Regular massage increase mental clarity, reduce mental stress, promotes better sleep, induces mental relaxation, calms temper, and enhances capacity for calm thinking. It also releases large amounts of endorphins into the bloodstream.
The mind, which before massage is in a perturbed, restless, vacillating, and even despondent state, becomes calm, quiet, peaceful, and subdued after massage. In fact, the wearied and worried mind has been converted into a mind restful, placid, and refreshed.
~ Dr. Dowse
Recommended reading:
=> Why Meditation is Good for Entrepreneurs
=> Meet The Zentrepreneur: A New And Emerging Breed Of Entrepreneur.
=> 25 Entrepreneurs Share Their Stress-Busting Secrets
=> 33 Quotes About Life, Purpose, and Success
# 17 Pay attention to your body’s stress signals
Entrepreneurs often find it difficult to differentiate between private and business life.
The ensuing stress manifests itself in many different ways.
Symptoms like:
a) Poor sleep habits
b) Appetite and weight changes.
c) Throbbing headaches,
d) Sore and tense muscles,
e) Feeling edgy and irritable,
f) Things you used to find fun, no longer excite you.
g) Acne
Entrepreneurial stress wrecks lives.
It damages your businesses, it damages your relationships and it makes you ill!
Recognize the symptoms before it is too late.
Entrepreneurial Stress – Some tough love!
Know that you alone, are responsible for who, what, and where you are in life.
Your stress – your choice!
Nobody makes your decisions for you.
The life you lead is because of your choices.
How you take care of your health, is up to you.
The friends you choose, is up to you.
The stress you experience is a result of your choices and what those choices mean to you.
You can choose to be a stress-free entrepreneur.
That is my sincere hope for you.
Being an entrepreneur is about making the world a better place.
That is easier to do as a STRESS FREE entrepreneur!
Be a stress free entrepreneur!
Author Bio:
Barry Dunlop is a lifelong Entrepreneur, Angel Investor and business coach for entrepreneurs who launched his first Internet Business in 1998. Follow Barry on Instagram
The post 17 Practical Ways To Manage Entrepreneurial Stress appeared first on How To Make Money Online.