Inspire Your Success: Recent Episodes

Michael Leonard: Copywriter & Freelance Writing Coach

Welcome to Inspire Your Success podcast, hosted by Michael Leonard. Michael is a professional freelance writer who built an online writing business from nothing after leaving his $120,000 9-5 career in 2017. When you listen to each episode, he will share with you his secrets of success. If you’re like most people, you want to make more money to pay off debt, have more freedom, travel, and enjoy your life. While there are a lot of online business models to help you make money online, he knows from experience that freelance writing is the fastest way to make money online. Whether you want to earn $500 per month as a side hustle or scale it to 5-figures per month and quit your 9-5, making money as a writer has never been easier. In this podcast, he will inspire YOUR success and show you how he 10X’d his income in one year, built a thriving writing business and made $20,000 in one month as a freelance writer. Plus, he'll share his secret hacks to scaling his business and growing his brand. This show is meant for writers, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and people who want to take their life and business to the next level.

Use these freelancing tips to beat overwhelm and get more done so you can have more free time!

Scale Your Freelance Writing Business

Learn my exact system to make $1,000-$5,000+ per month as a freelance writer inside Freelance to 5K. Perfect if you want to create a profitable side hustle and/or scale into a full-time online business.

Learn more NOW: https://inspire-your-success1.teachable.com/p/freelance-to-5k1

Get 1:1 Help From a 6-Figure Writer

Sick of feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused on how to launch or scale your business? Apply for 1:1 coaching with me to get access to Freelance to 5K + 30 or 60 days mentorship from a 6-figure writer inside Freelance to 5K Accelerator. Or, hourly coaching and consulting calls too.

Apply NOW: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YYFulNVS7tl60ic3kURiZtqPvLnBpVN3OZwdlWeruGA/edit

Launch Your Writing Website

To become a successful, wealthy writer you need a writing website. It will allow you to control your brand online, showcase your writing samples, and send to clients. Plus, it can help you attract clients on autopilot.

Sign up now: https://www.siteground.com/go/iys-podcast

Land Your First Client in 30 Days or Less

Want to get started landing clients now? Then make sure to join “Your First Writing Client” - this mini-course will help you land your first client in 30 days or less (100% FREE).

Join NOW: https://inspire-your-success1.teachable.com/p/your-first-writing-client

Multiple income streams and making up your own rates is one of the reasons why so many people get into freelance writing.

But how do you get paid? How do you invoice clients? What are the best practices to getting paid promptly?

I answer all those questions and more to help you simplify the process of getting paid as a freelancer.

Scale Your Freelance Writing Business

Learn my exact system to make $1,000-$5,000+ per month as a freelance writer inside Freelance to 5K. Perfect if you want to create a profitable side hustle and/or scale into a full-time online business.

Learn more NOW: https://inspire-your-success1.teachable.com/p/freelance-to-5k1

Get 1:1 Help From a 6-Figure Writer

Sick of feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused on how to launch or scale your business? Apply for 1:1 coaching with me to get access to Freelance to 5K + 30 or 60 days mentorship from a 6-figure writer inside Freelance to 5K Accelerator. Or, hourly coaching and consulting calls too.

Apply NOW: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YYFulNVS7tl60ic3kURiZtqPvLnBpVN3OZwdlWeruGA/edit

Launch Your Writing Website

To become a successful, wealthy writer you need a writing website. It will allow you to control your brand online, showcase your writing samples, and send to clients. Plus, it can help you attract clients on autopilot.

Sign up now: https://www.siteground.com/go/iys-podcast

Land Your First Client in 30 Days or Less

Want to get started landing clients now? Then make sure to join “Your First Writing Client” - this mini-course will help you land your first client in 30 days or less (100% FREE).

Join NOW: https://inspire-your-success1.teachable.com/p/your-first-writing-client

What's great about freelance writing is you can have a ton of different income streams... unlike a 9-5. Most months I have between 4-6 (sometimes up to 9) clients at a time.

But dedicating the time and energy isn't easy at times. In this episode I'll teach you how to find the right client mix so you can make consistent income and have more security as a writer.

Scale Your Freelance Writing Business

Learn my exact system to make $1,000-$5,000+ per month as a freelance writer inside Freelance to 5K. Perfect if you want to create a profitable side hustle and/or scale into a full-time online business.

Learn more NOW: https://inspire-your-success1.teachable.com/p/freelance-to-5k1

Get 1:1 Help From a 6-Figure Writer

Sick of feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused on how to launch or scale your business? Apply for 1:1 coaching with me to get access to Freelance to 5K + 30 or 60 days mentorship from a 6-figure writer inside Freelance to 5K Accelerator. Or, hourly coaching and consulting calls too.

Apply NOW: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YYFulNVS7tl60ic3kURiZtqPvLnBpVN3OZwdlWeruGA/edit

Launch Your Writing Website

To become a successful, wealthy writer you need a writing website. It will allow you to control your brand online, showcase your writing samples, and send to clients. Plus, it can help you attract clients on autopilot.

Sign up now: https://www.siteground.com/go/iys-podcast

Land Your First Client in 30 Days or Less

Want to get started landing clients now? Then make sure to join “Your First Writing Client” - this mini-course will help you land your first client in 30 days or less (100% FREE).

Join NOW: https://inspire-your-success1.teachable.com/p/your-first-writing-client

Most clients will want to "test" your services out before hiring your for a long term gig. Sometimes they won't but it depends... needless to say this is your audition to getting the gig.

This short episode will help you learn how to nail your test pieces and land clients for the long run. One client that gave me a test piece in 2018 is still a recurring client with over $100,000 of content!

Scale Your Freelance Writing Business

Learn my exact system to make $1,000-$5,000+ per month as a freelance writer inside Freelance to 5K. Perfect if you want to create a profitable side hustle and/or scale into a full-time online business.

Learn more NOW: https://inspire-your-success1.teachable.com/p/freelance-to-5k1

Get 1:1 Help From a 6-Figure Writer

Sick of feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused on how to launch or scale your business? Apply for 1:1 coaching with me to get access to Freelance to 5K + 30 or 60 days mentorship from a 6-figure writer inside Freelance to 5K Accelerator. Or, hourly coaching and consulting calls too.

Apply NOW: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YYFulNVS7tl60ic3kURiZtqPvLnBpVN3OZwdlWeruGA/edit

Launch Your Writing Website

To become a successful, wealthy writer you need a writing website. It will allow you to control your brand online, showcase your writing samples, and send to clients. Plus, it can help you attract clients on autopilot.

Sign up now: https://www.siteground.com/go/iys-podcast

Land Your First Client in 30 Days or Less

Want to get started landing clients now? Then make sure to join “Your First Writing Client” - this mini-course will help you land your first client in 30 days or less (100% FREE).

Join NOW: https://inspire-your-success1.teachable.com/p/your-first-writing-client

Learn why you need a simple pricing guide to start landing clients. This simple (and cheap) tool will help you change clients perspective from... "Should I work with this writer" to "Which package should I hire them for?"

Don't forget it's the simple things that make the biggest difference sometimes. Hire someone on Fiverr or use Canva to build your own pricing sheet now.

Make sure to check mine out by visiting my writing website: https://michaelleonard.net/golf/

Podcast

Scale Your Freelance Writing Business

Learn my exact system to make $1,000-$5,000+ per month as a freelance writer inside Freelance to 5K. Perfect if you want to create a profitable side hustle and/or scale into a full-time online business.

Learn more NOW: https://inspire-your-success1.teachable.com/p/freelance-to-5k1

Get 1:1 Help From a 6-Figure Writer

Sick of feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused on how to launch or scale your business? Apply for 1:1 coaching with me to get access to Freelance to 5K + 30 or 60 days mentorship from a 6-figure writer inside Freelance to 5K Accelerator. Or, hourly coaching and consulting calls too.

Apply NOW: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1YYFulNVS7tl60ic3kURiZtqPvLnBpVN3OZwdlWeruGA/edit

Launch Your Writing Website

To become a successful, wealthy writer you need a writing website. It will allow you to control your brand online, showcase your writing samples, and send to clients. Plus, it can help you attract clients on autopilot.

Sign up now: https://www.siteground.com/go/iys-podcast

Land Your First Client in 30 Days or Less

Want to get started landing clients now? Then make sure to join “Your First Writing Client” - this mini-course will help you land your first client in 30 days or less (100% FREE).

Join NOW: https://inspire-your-success1.teachable.com/p/your-first-writing-client

After a two-year hiatus of this podcast I'm back and want to help you start and scale your writing business in 2023. In this episode we'll cover:

The new content schedule
Discuss the ups/downs of freelancing
How freelance writing can help you quit your job
How freelancing helped me start a new golf business

Scale Your Freelance Writing Business

Learn my exact system to make $1,000-$5,000+ per month as a freelance writer inside Freelance to 5K. Perfect if you want to create a profitable side hustle and/or scale into a full-time online business.

Get 1:1 Help From a 6-Figure Writer

Sick of feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused on how to launch or scale your business? Apply for 1:1 coaching with me to get access to Freelance to 5K + 30 or 60 days mentorship from a 6-figure writer inside Freelance to 5K Accelerator. Or, hourly coaching and consulting calls too.

Launch Your Writing Website

To become a successful, wealthy writer you need a writing website. It will allow you to control your brand online, showcase your writing samples, and send to clients. Plus, it can help you attract clients on autopilot. Sign up for Siteground website hosting now.

Land Your First Client in 30 Days or Less

Want to get started landing clients now? Then make sure to join “Your First Writing Client” - this mini-course will help you land your first client in 30 days or less (100% FREE).

Email michael AT inspireyoursuccess.com with any questions about working together.

"Write everyday" said every writer ever... except me.

After writing millions of words online and earning more than $250,000 writing I want to discuss why this is bad writing advice and what to do instead.

Scale Your Freelance Writing Business

Learn my exact system to make $1,000-$5,000+ per month as a freelance writer inside Freelance to 5K. Perfect if you want to create a profitable side hustle and/or scale into a full-time online business.

Get 1:1 Help From a 6-Figure Writer

Sick of feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused on how to launch or scale your business? Apply for 1:1 coaching with me to get access to Freelance to 5K + 30 or 60 days mentorship from a 6-figure writer inside Freelance to 5K Accelerator. Or, hourly coaching and consulting calls too.

Launch Your Writing Website

To become a successful, wealthy writer you need a writing website. It will allow you to control your brand online, showcase your writing samples, and send to clients. Plus, it can help you attract clients on autopilot. Sign up for Siteground website hosting now.

Land Your First Client in 30 Days or Less

Want to get started landing clients now? Then make sure to join “Your First Writing Client” - this mini-course will help you land your first client in 30 days or less (100% FREE).

Email michael AT inspireyoursuccess.com with any questions about working together.

Will AI destroy freelance writing as we know it?

Short answer: NO.

Longer answer explained in this podcast where we'll cover:

Why Google hates AI
How to use AI to make writing easier
Why my clients told me to ignore some AI tools

Scale Your Freelance Writing Business

Learn my exact system to make $1,000-$5,000+ per month as a freelance writer inside Freelance to 5K. Perfect if you want to create a profitable side hustle and/or scale into a full-time online business.

Get 1:1 Help From a 6-Figure Writer

Sick of feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused on how to launch or scale your business? Apply for 1:1 coaching with me to get access to Freelance to 5K + 30 or 60 days mentorship from a 6-figure writer inside Freelance to 5K Accelerator. Or, hourly coaching and consulting calls too.

Launch Your Writing Website

To become a successful, wealthy writer you need a writing website. It will allow you to control your brand online, showcase your writing samples, and send to clients. Plus, it can help you attract clients on autopilot. Sign up for Siteground website hosting now.

Land Your First Client in 30 Days or Less

Want to get started landing clients now? Then make sure to join “Your First Writing Client” - this mini-course will help you land your first client in 30 days or less (100% FREE).

Email michael AT inspireyoursuccess.com with any questions about working together.

After a two-year hiatus of this podcast I'm back and want to help you start and scale your writing business in 2023. In this episode we'll cover:

The new content schedule
Discuss the ups/downs of freelancing
How freelance writing can help you quit your job
How freelancing helped me start a new golf business

Scale Your Freelance Writing Business

Learn my exact system to make $1,000-$5,000+ per month as a freelance writer inside Freelance to 5K. Perfect if you want to create a profitable side hustle and/or scale into a full-time online business.

Get 1:1 Help From a 6-Figure Writer

Sick of feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and confused on how to launch or scale your business? Apply for 1:1 coaching with me to get access to Freelance to 5K + 30 or 60 days mentorship from a 6-figure writer inside Freelance to 5K Accelerator. Or, hourly coaching and consulting calls too.

Launch Your Writing Website

To become a successful, wealthy writer you need a writing website. It will allow you to control your brand online, showcase your writing samples, and send to clients. Plus, it can help you attract clients on autopilot. Sign up for Siteground website hosting now.

Land Your First Client in 30 Days or Less

Want to get started landing clients now? Then make sure to join “Your First Writing Client” - this mini-course will help you land your first client in 30 days or less (100% FREE).

Email michael AT inspireyoursuccess.com with any questions about working together.

Learn how one of my students used freelance writing to quit her 9-5 in less than 6 months (while working full-time).

Delaney went from:

Not having a niche --> a niche to writing about topics she loves.
Being scared to pitch clients --> feeling confident reaching out to total strangers (thanks to creating her portfolio).
Having a blog with few readers --> a writing website that attracted clients easily (one client even said it’s one of the best-looking portfolios she’s ever seen).
Not having any clients --> having a handful in a matter of months (including a few “dream” clients in her ideal niche that pay great $$$).

All you need is one person to say yes and give you a chance as a freelance writer.

Today, I want to share you with the five most common ways to land your first freelance writing client so that you can find success as well.

Click the link to learn more about 1:1 coaching: http://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/coaching

Quit dabbling and start taking action. This is your time to start landing clients and making money as a freelance writer.

To learn more about working with Michael, check out: inspireyoursuccess.com/coaching

On this Feature Friday episode I got to interview Marta Brozosko, a top writer on Medium.com.

In this episode, you will learn:

How she got started writing
The difference of blogging vs. writing
How to make consistent money on Medium

Marta Brzosko is a thought leadership writer committed to promoting mindfulness and sustainable living. She started Self-Awareness Blog to help spiritual seekers tap into their inner knowledge. Connect with her on Twitter, LinkedIn or on martabrzosko.com

FREE TRAINING - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: inspireyoursuccess.com/training

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

On this Writer's Wednesday podcast, I take a trip down memory lane to tell you how I landed my first freelance writing client. Landing that client was a game-changer as it gave me the confidence to go pitch more clients that eventually led me to find success as a full-time freelance writer.

A question I get asked all the time is if Upwork is a scam. I have debunked that rumor many times: on my blog, on YouTube and even a recent podcast. I know that Upwork does work because it is how I found my first paying writing client!

If you are a new freelance writer, landing a client on Upwork is a great place to gain confidence and further your writing skill set. While they do take a percentage of the earnings, it is wise to keep in mind, that they too are running a business. Upwork can be a great place to create your free profile and start searching for writing jobs in your niche today.

FREE TRAINING - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: inspireyoursuccess.com/training

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

Do you want to quit your job and learn how to make money online?

Before you give your notice at work, make sure you listen to this episode a few times. Because in 2017, I did just that.

I left my corporate job and 6-figure salary for the unknowns of entrepreneurship. And I had made $200 from my blog...EVER!

In this episode, I'll talk more about what it's really been like leaving a $100,000+ 9-5 to build an online business and pursue professional golf. It's been a wild ride the past few years and hope this episode can give you more insight and a behind the scenes look!

If you found it inspiring &/or actionable, please share on Instagram by taking a screenshot and tagging @iammichaelleonard.

FREE Training - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: https://bit.ly/2NZ6BKk

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: https://bit.ly/38tcpWf

Learn how one of my Freelance to 5K students became a top writer on Medium.com and quit her 9-5 (in only 5 months)!

Kathrine is a writer and mindset coach. She helps people with insecure attachment, in life and relationships, to shed limiting beliefs and emotions that are keeping them stuck. Here's where to follow her & learn more: Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/kathrinemeraki Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/kathrinemerakicoach Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/kathrinemeraki

I quit my $120,000 career after making $200 in affiliate sales from my blog.

Most people thought I was crazy. But I was determined to prove everyone wrong and show that you could make money blogging.

After reading endless amounts of income reports from fellow bloggers, I figured if they could do it, I could too. For the next eight months, I slaved away 12–18-hour days doing anything I could to make my blog print money.

But despite endless amounts of hours, my blog was barely making $500 per month. I was relying on random side hustles and credit cards to keep my dreams alive.

The blogging dream didn’t pan out, but thanks to freelance writing, I’ve never had to go back to a cubicle and have made over six figures writing. Ironically, as a writer, I work with a lot of successful bloggers and know what works (and what doesn’t).

Use these lessons before going all-in on your blog, so that you can increase your odds of success and not hit rock bottom like I did.

Full story on Medium: https://medium.com/the-post-grad-survival-guide/7-lessons-from-my-failed-blog-471280dea915?source=friends_link&sk=e1c9e08b0c06be5c4b06c7c061e50aaa

Start or Scale Your Freelance Writing Business

>>FREE TRAINING: 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients

Click the link below to register for my FREE 60-minute workshop that will teach you “3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients in 2020.”

When you attend, you’ll learn:

The 3 best places to start finding clients
Expert tips to get clients to respond to your pitches
How to easily build your brand and become an expert in your niche

Click the link below to join the next workshop now.

https://inspireyoursuccess.easywebinar.live/registration-10

>>Work with me 1-1 (Extremely Limited)

Are you ready to finally start a writing business that makes you money every single month on a regular basis? I have a personalized, 60-day program to work together and mentor you.

We’ll work together 1:1 each week to build your writing business with weekly calls, email support, access to my signature writing course Freelance to 5K, and accountability to reach your income goals.

I’ll personally help you overcome any limiting beliefs, attract high-paying clients, build your brand online, review your pitches, and show you how to scale your business.

Fill out an application today.

            In this Monday with Michael episode, we talk about overwhelm versus busyness and go over five tangible action steps to keep your freelance business moving forward.

             The Difference Between Being Overwhelmed and Being Busy                It really all comes down to planning. Being busy is a good thing if it’s moving towards your goals.

Being overwhelmed on the other hand usually leads to ‘shutdown’ and you tend to stop doing what you need to do. When you are overwhelmed, your calendar starts to feel like it’s just ‘stuff to get done’; when you are busy though, that same calendar is attacked with a purpose of getting things done in a systematic way.

             5 Tips to Stop the Overwhelmed Feeling                When you are building a business the last thing you want to do is halt your progress! Here are tips to stop you from feeling overwhelmed:

Schedule Less
I recommend to schedule only 3 things in a day!
Start Using the 80/20 Rule
20% of everything that you do in life or your business produces 80% of the results.
Start Self Care Recharging RitualsBecome self aware enough to recognize when you need to rest and when you need to charge through.
Write in a JournalThe act of physically writing something will help you gain clarity.
Celebrate Your Wins!
Let your brain recognize the reward of a job well done.

>>FREE TRAINING: 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients

Click the link below to register for my FREE 60-minute workshop that will teach you “3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients in 2020.”

When you attend, you’ll learn:

The 3 best places to start finding clients
Expert tips to get clients to respond to your pitches
How to easily build your brand and become an expert in your niche

Click the link below to join the next workshop now.

| https://inspireyoursuccess.easywebinar.live/registration-10 |

>>Work with me 1-1 (Extremely Limited)

Are you ready to finally start a writing business that makes you money every single month on a regular basis? I have a personalized, 60-day program to work together and mentor you.

We’ll work together 1:1 each week to build your writing business with weekly calls, email support, access to my signature writing course Freelance to 5K, and accountability to reach your income goals.

I’ll personally help you overcome any limiting beliefs, attract high-paying clients, build your brand online, review your pitches, and show you how to scale your business.

Fill out an application today.

In this Writing Wednesday episode, I show you how I got accepted into a top tier Medium publication - Better Humans. Not only is this is a super popular publication, but it's very difficult to get pieces accepted as they're very selective and require long posts (3,000+ words).

But, I submitted my first story - "How to Use Hypnosis to Transform Your Life" and got accepted. This is a VERY personal piece to me and helped share my journey through depression and anxiety using hypnotherapy.

Plus, I earned $500 for the piece which is more than most Medium stories earn. In this episode, you will learn:

How to submit to Better Humans
Why I hired an editor to help on Medium
Why vulnerability is a superpower as a writer

Read the story on Medium (Friend link): https://medium.com/better-humans/how-to-use-hypnosis-to-transform-your-life-96b76ef7b9f5?source=friends_link&sk=f5a01f043459a69c9317ecce4aeb0b9b

Start or Scale Your Freelance Writing Business

>>FREE TRAINING: 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients

Click the link below to register for my FREE 60-minute workshop that will teach you “3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients in 2020.”

When you attend, you’ll learn:

The 3 best places to start finding clients
Expert tips to get clients to respond to your pitches
How to easily build your brand and become an expert in your niche

Click the link below to join the next workshop now:

inspireyoursuccess.com/training

>>Work with me 1-1 (Extremely Limited)

Are you ready to finally start a writing business that makes you money every single month on a regular basis? I have a personalized, 60-day program to work together and mentor you.

We’ll work together 1:1 each week to build your writing business with weekly calls, email support, access to my signature writing course Freelance to 5K, and accountability to reach your income goals.

I’ll personally help you overcome any limiting beliefs, attract high-paying clients, build your brand online, review your pitches, and show you how to scale your business.

Fill out an application today.

When the world nearly ended 12 years ago, I was an immature 20-year old drifting through life. As I had nothing invested (as I had pretty much no money) and my job was delivering pizzas, the recession didn’t affect me much.

But now a little more than a decade later, the global pandemic has given me a lot of time to reflect and look back.

In college, I made a lot of memories, traveled, partied a lot, and tried to figure out this thing called life. At 22 years old, I graduated, moved from California to Arizona with $1,000 to my name, climbed the corporate ladder until I was 29-years old, got a dog, moved in with my girlfriend and bought a house.

The American dream right?

Maybe for some but it wasn’t for me.

Working for someone else and having to be somewhere at a certain time was a living nightmare. So on May 11th, 2017 I had my millennial life crisis, quit the six-figure career, published a book, and went all-in on my dreams of building an online business and playing professional golf.

Over the last few years, I’ve learned more about my life and myself than I did the previous 29 years combined. As Forbes 50 Under 50, Ed Mylett said,

“Entrepreneurship is going to make you face something you’ve been running from for a long time; yourself.”

Quitting a lucrative career after making $200 on my own entrepreneurial journeys did just that, it made me finally look myself in the mirror and figure out who I am.

Let me tell you, there have been a lot of ugly moments. There’s been extreme highs and lows but at the end of the day, I wouldn’t change a thing.

While I’m quite fond of my own roaring twenties, at 32 years old, I’m more excited for this decade because I actually have a plan — I’m not just winging it anymore.

So if I was a young 20-something going through this pandemic like the rest of the world, here’s what I’d do to set myself up for success.

When you listen to the episode, you will learn:

What to focus on when things get tough
5 strategies to upgrade your mind for increased mental toughness
Why you need to keep investing in yourself and focusing on what you want

Start or Scale Your Freelance Writing Business

>>FREE TRAINING: 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients

Click the link below to register for my FREE 60-minute workshop that will teach you “3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients in 2020.”

When you attend, you’ll learn:

The 3 best places to start finding clients
Expert tips to get clients to respond to your pitches
How to easily build your brand and become an expert in your niche

Click the link below to join the next workshop now.

| https://inspireyoursuccess.easywebinar.live/registration-10 |

>>Work with me 1-1 (Extremely Limited)

Are you ready to finally start a writing business that makes you money every single month on a regular basis? I have a personalized, 60-day program to work together and mentor you.

We’ll work together 1:1 each week to build your writing business with weekly calls, email support, access to my signature writing course Freelance to 5K, and accountability to reach your income goals.

I’ll personally help you overcome any limiting beliefs, attract high-paying clients, build your brand online, review your pitches, and show you how to scale your business.

Fill out an application today.

    In this episode of Inspire Your Success podcast, I got to interview Omar Itani.

Omar was working a dream job at Google a few years ago before he decided to pursue his entrepreneurial passions and quit his corporate job.

Omar is a writer, an ex-Google, and an entrepreneur. He’s the Founder of Lovers of The Sea, a brand that raises awareness about plastic pollution and helps you reduce your everyday plastic footprint. He also runs a weekly newsletter about creativity and self-development. His writing, which has been featured in Thrive Global, Mind Cafe, and The Startup, will inspire you to look inward, master your mind, and change the way you think about what it means to live a slow, meaningful, and joyful life. Now, he’s a top writer on Medium and is passionate about sharing his passion for self-improvement with others.

When you listen to the episode, you will learn:

How he quit his corporate dream job (and how you can too)
What it takes to make money writing online
How to keep evolving your mind to live a better life and create a thriving online business

Make sure to follow and read more of Omar’s viral hits here:

13 Rumi Quotes That Will Change The Way You Think (Friend Link)
10 Daily Habits That Are Drastically Improving My Life (Friend Link)

I Left My Job at Google and Started My Own Business – The Truth About Entrepreneurship (Friend Link)

        Are You Ready to Start Your Freelance Writing Career?                Freelance writing is easy, as long as you have one thing…

CLIENTS.

Without clients, none of this works. Here’s the thing, there are so many talented writers out there who don’t get the chance to shine because they don’t know how to find paying clients. Because honestly, there’s a lot of information out there and it’s easy to get overwhelmed and not know where to start. If you’re like most writers, it’s easy to think… * Is Upwork a scam? * Should I pitch on job boards? * Where can I find clients to email?

If this sounds like you and you’re ready to finally start a freelance writing business, I want to help. Click the link below to register for my FREE 60-minute workshop that will teach you “3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients in 2020.” When you attend, you’ll learn: * The 3 best places to start finding clients * Expert tips to get clients to respond to your pitches * How to easily build your brand and become an expert in your niche

Click the link below to join the next workshop now. https://inspireyoursuccess.easywebinar.live/registration-10

Have you started writing on Medium.com yet?

Recently, I’ve had a lot of students inside my course, Freelance to 5K, ask me about Medium lately and I wanted to share some of that with you.

First off, Medium is a great platform for writers.

I love it and HIGHLY suggest it for all my coaching and course students.

It’s clean, easy to read, and you get started today.

But if you’re a brand new Medium writer, it’s hard to navigate the platform and figure out how to:

Get your content read
Learn what to write about
How to get featured in publications

And a lot more.

But in the latest episode of Inspire Your Success, I’ll help you with one of those hurdles -- getting featured in publications.

To find success quickly like I did with Medium you HAVE to become a writer in publications.

Otherwise, the odds of making consistent money as a Medium writer are slim (or will take a long time).

Because if you don’t publish in publications, you’re relying on your own followers to read the story.

And if you’re brand new, you don’t have any (or have >100).

But not all publications are the same, some are extremely difficult to get featured in while others are much more accessible to new writers.

When you listen to the latest episode, you will hear:

More about publications
How to get featured in publications
My 5 favorite Medium publications for new writers

And a lot more.

5 Publications

The Ascent
The Startup
P.S. I Love You
Live Your Life on Purpose
Post Grad Survival Guide

FREE TRAINING - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: inspireyoursuccess.com/training/

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

I’m passionate about this because last year I went through the darkest times of my life.

From January to April I struggled… a lot. I went through so much doubt and fear that it led to a deep dark depression.

I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy… it was that bad. Looking back, the reason it happened was that I didn’t have much self-care.

For most of 2017 and all of 2018 I hustled… non-stop — I prided myself on the hustle.

Early morning, late nights, and little rest eventually lead to a meltdown.

By the start of 2019, my mind and body shut down. I overworked myself and found myself in an awful place.

It wasn’t until a coach by the name of Jim Fortin and hypnotherapy did I get out of it.

So why am I telling you this?

First off, I want to be 100% transparent with you. While I’m happy to give out endless freelancing and writing advice, none of it works if YOU aren’t okay.

Remember, YOU are a reflection of your business.

So if you’re struggling, your business will struggle as well.

Second, one of the reasons I struggled is because I hid this depression from everyone (including you).

I didn’t tell my friends, family or anyone.

I suffered in silence.

So I want to shine a light on this subject as it affects a lot more people that you probably realize.

Plus, I recorded a new podcast episode and just released it today to shine some light on the subject.

The topic… self-care as an entrepreneur.

In reality, the same tips will apply whether you’re a 9-5 employee or an entrepreneur.

But I stress the importance of it as an entrepreneur because being your own boss is stressful.

It’s 100X harder than working in a 9-5 (but it’s worth it).

That’s why you need to take care of YOU.

And as I said before, your business is a reflection of YOU.

When you listen to the episode, you will:

The #1 strategy I used to beat depression
How I used my struggles to become a better writer
5 self-care tips I recommend to all of my students inside Freelance to 5

Self-Care for Entrepreneurs Here’s a preview of what you’ll learn when you tune into episode #106
How to journal for clarity
What is hypnotherapy and how it can reprogram your mind
Why you need quiet time to be successful
3 self-care rituals
Why you need to exercise as an entrepreneur

Start or Scale Your Freelance Writing Business

>>FREE TRAINING: 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients

Click the link below to register for my FREE 60-minute workshop that will teach you “3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients in 2020.”

When you attend, you’ll learn:

The 3 best places to start finding clients
Expert tips to get clients to respond to your pitches
How to easily build your brand and become an expert in your niche

Click the link below to join the next workshop now. https://inspireyoursuccess.easywebinar.live/registration-8

>>Work with me 1-1 (Extremely Limited)

Are you ready to finally start a writing business that makes you money every single month on a regular basis? I have a personalized, 60-day program to work together and mentor you.

We’ll work together 1:1 each week to build your writing business with weekly calls, email support, access to my signature writing course Freelance to 5K, and accountability to reach your income goals.

I’ll personally help you overcome any limiting beliefs, attract high-paying clients, build your brand online, review your pitches, and show you how to scale your business.

Fill out an application today.

In this writing Wednesday edition of Inspire Your Success podcast, I break down a 4-week, 30 day plan to earn your first $1,000 writing.

If you've been struggling to hit your freelancing goals, you'll love this one.

30-Day Plan to Make Your First $1,000 Writing

All it takes is one person to say yes.

As soon as one client hires you to write content online, everything can change. The amount of money doesn’t matter either because getting paid to write words online is a magical feeling.

My first freelance writing gig was back in 2017 when I got paid $30 to write about golf from a guy on Upwork. I remember the surge of dopamine flooding through my body when the invoice was paid.

Even though I was making six figures before I quit my job to blog, that $30 proved to me that I could make money freelancing. Because if you can get one person to say yes then you can get a lot more.

Because even during the chaotic times that we’re in right now, you can still make money writing. None of my clients have stopped since the lockdown and people are still pumping out content.

Sadly, so many writers never get off the starting line and never get to experience what it’s like to get paid to write about your passion.

To help you, I created a bulletproof four-week action plan. Follow the steps below to hit the ground running and take action on being a well-paid freelance writer.

Read the full story on Medium: https://medium.com/better-marketing/30-day-action-plan-to-make-1-000-as-a-freelance-writer-66013afa4ae0?source=friends_link&sk=eb5f0222cfaa8a956d759ff26e4c6b6e

FREE TRAINING - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: inspireyoursuccess.com/training

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

In this episode, I cover 7 reasons why most freelance writers (and freelancers in any niche for that matter) fail.

My goal with Inspire Your Success podcast is to help you SPEED up success and I'm confident that avoiding these seven mistakes will drastically help.

I’ve failed a lot since I hit publish on my first blog post in January 2016.

But failing can teach you a ton of great lessons — as long as you are looking for them. As Bill Gates said, “Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.”

Learning from my failures is why I’ve found my version of success as a freelancer — being able to work at home, publish content online, and never go back to a 9–5.

But sadly, a lot of writers have the same goals but give up too quickly and never get to reap the rewards.

I’m confident that if you can avoid these seven mistakes, you can find more success than you thought possible.

Read the full story on Medium: https://medium.com/swlh/7-reasons-why-most-freelance-writers-fail-2fb63d194e14?source=friends_link&sk=def9b9156a614282a9702a93c1e04ef7

FREE TRAINING - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: inspireyoursuccess.com/training

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

In this episode, I interview Emilina Lomas who went from nutritionist to full-time writer. Learn how she used her passion for health and fitness to make a full-time income writing online.

    Do you have a passion but aren't sure how to build an online writing business around it? If so, you will love this episode with Emilina.

Emilina is a clinically trained nutritionist turned health writer who has been working freelance for the last four years after leaving her consulting job at a Fortune 500 company. Emilina has worked with top health and wellness brands including the National Football League (NFL), Muscle & Strength and Bulletproof Labs, and manages written content for many professional athletes. She currently lives in Orange County, California.

When you listen, you will learn:

How she ditched her corporate 9-5
Tons of new strategies to earn money writing
How to get started as a health and fitness writer
Using social media to land freelance writing clients
How to get started using Fiverr to build your portfolio and expand your client base

And so much more.

Don't forget to connect with Emilina as well.

Make sure to:

Follow Emilina on Instagram.
Check out her Fiverr profile.
Read her writing website.

FREE TRAINING - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: inspireyoursuccess.com/training

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

In today's episode, I talk about three ways to use the law of attraction to help you land freelance writing clients!

LOA is a mindset tactic that when utilized will help you attract the things that you want into your life.

For example, when you buy a new car, it seems like right after that, those cars are everywhere. When in reality, they were always there, but your attention was not on them. When you use your reticular activating system correctly, and always keep at the forefront of your mind what you want, you're going to find situations in your life to, to eventually make those things true.

The LOA is a mindset tactic that when utilized will help you attract the things that you want into your life.

For example, when you buy a new car, it seems like right after that, those cars are everywhere. When in reality, they were always there, but your attention was not on them. When you use your reticular activating system correctly, and always keep at the forefront of your mind what you want, you're going to find situations in your life to, to eventually make those things true.

Show notes: https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/102/

FREE TRAINING - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: inspireyoursuccess.com/training

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

   In today's episode, I'm going to talk about three online businesses that you can start in a post-pandemic world coming up.

It's the middle of June, and we're already four months into the entire pandemic situation. A lot of people were laid off, or furloughed, so I'm using this podcast episode to give you some options out there since I've been able to create several income streams set up and was lucky not to be affected by the pandemic much.

So the best online business to start in the post-pandemic world are:

An online writing business (Freelancing or Medium)
Launch an epic podcast of your dreams
Sell your skills online with online courses and online coaching

Why Start an Online Business We live in an amazing time, with a lot of very cheap tools that you can get started building your online business with. And one of the best things in my life has been starting an online business because it really has given me that freedom to work at home, to work when I want to work and to work on stuff that I’m passionate about. Which we ALL DESERVE.

The three businesses I’m talking about don’t require a lot of money to start with. They also does not require a lot of time, either. Maybe for you it can be a side hustle, or you can take it full time like I did in 2017, and I just kept going. So if I can help with anything, please always let me know!

Join BBD now (Doors open for 96 hours): https://www.jameswedmoretraining.com/a/29630/4y9XF7wK

And hey, if you want me to bribe you to make sure you enroll in Business By Design using MY affiliate link (the link above), I’ll hook you up in 3, 2, 1…

Here’s what I’m giving you when you join me in BBD (on top of ALL the bonuses mentioned above)…

Three 1:1 Laser Coaching Calls (60 minutes 1:1 with me to help you get unstuck and make real progress in your business) - $750 value
Sales Page Critique (As a full-time copywriter, I'll breakdown the sales page for your offer and give you honest feedback to nail your messaging so you can turn viewers into buyers) - $350 value
Win the Morning Course (Get instant access to my morning routine course so you can learn how to create morning & evening rituals with powerful tools to create the life & business of your dreams) - $197 value

That's nearly $1,300 of bonuses just for using my affiliate link to sign up for BBD (plus all of James')!

Click the link below to learn more and enroll: https://www.jameswedmoretraining.com/a/29630/4y9XF7wK

See you inside BBD!

I'm so excited to share my episode number 100 with you! That's right. We just hit triple digits of the show. And in this special episode I want to show you how I went from broke, depressed, blogger to a full time thriving, six figure freelance writer and coach, and how you can do it too. Coming up.

Why I Decided to Quit My Six Figure Job

I was a corporate, uh, hostage at YELP, living with the golden handcuffs. And I always knew I wanted more, but I didn't know what that was.

I wasn't ready to quit my job yet, So I started exploring. I did a lot of different stuff, with some of them being:

Enrolled into acting classes
Engaged in eCommerce
Dove deep into personal finance

On one of my business trips with Yelp.com, I started talking to my director about everything I learned about personal finance, and she advised me to start a blog about it and that's when the seed got planted. How I Started Out as a Blogger Early 2016, I've decided to start supermillennial.com. My first blog was born and that was really the start of it all for me. I didn't know that 15 months later I would quit my six figure job and go out on my own. In 2019 I was about two years into my journey and I hit rock bottom. I was going through absolute depression - I could barely get off the couch. And I was just suffering in silence.

It was the time when a coach Jim Forton came into my life when everything changed for me. And so 2019, I was able to crawl out of this whole pay off credit card debt, and double my income over 2018 and had an extremely successful year. I started to grow this brand after I joined James Wedmore's program Business by Design - it was like finally all came together.

Now in 2020, I have the freelance writing, the online courses,online coaching program, the podcast, a team of four people and I'm just grateful.I just want you guys to know that five years is how long this all took. And it's not like I'm all done now.

The Mistakes I Made Along The Way

Although I'm very grateful for the entire process, there are some things which I didn't do, which I want you to start doing NOW:

Slow down and look back at what you had done
Celebrate Your Wins
Take care of your mental health
Don't ever compare yourself to me or anyone else
Don't give up

I made a lot of mistakes, and I went through a lot in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 or 2019, and even this year. So I just want to help you out and give you some support. If you're feeling down, just email or DM me on Instagram. Let me know what you're going through and let me give you a one on one call. Thank you so much for being with me throughout these 100 episodes and I wish you all the luck in the world! Watch the RISE of the Digital CEO by James Wedmore (100% FREE Video Series): https://www.jameswedmoretraining.com/a/28723/4y9XF7wK

In today’s episode, we talk all about hustling, but not about doing more. Instead, I want to talk to you about why you should quit hustling, how I was able to do it in 2019 and still double my revenue over 2018 coming up.

Wanna hear about how hustling almost killed me?

I hustled for a very long time, and I really don't think hustling is what I recommend for anyone. It really comes down to working hard, but smart. You don't need to work until your eyeballs bleed just because a lot of people out there are telling you that you need to work all the time to succeed.

But still, I'm someone who has done it, and it didn't work for me. Even more than that, I ended up in the worst mental space I've ever been in my entire life. Luckily, I made this switch last year, and it made me work fewer hours than ever while earning more money!

Here's How I Doubled My Income By Working While Working Fewer Hours

I already told you about how I made the switch last year, and when it happened, I was able to hustle less, work less and earn double the amount of revenue that I did over 2018 and 2019, and all that thanks to these new strategies that I’m gonna share with you today!

Things you need to start doing to work less, and earn more:

Start tracking your time
Schedule your day out and stay on track
Start working from the inside out
Focus on what’s important
Grow a team

If you want to stop working long hours which don’t bring in a satisfying income, you should consider doing these things as well!

    In this interview, I talk with Dr. Benjamin Hardy, author of the new book coming out soon ‘Personality Isn’t Permanent’ and my personal writing mentor.

            When the Why is Strong Enough, You'll Figure out the How                In this interview, Benjamin takes us back to the beginning of his writing journey and the steps he took to become a successful writer. In this interview we talk about:

Why Setting Specific Goals Gives Your Brain Something to Actively Focus On
How Results Over Process Lead to Success
Why a Morning and Evening Routine Build Confidence
How Tangible Change Can Take Place in 2 – 3 Years, if You’re Consistently Focused On Your Goal
Why Personality Tests Give You a Very Limited View of Yourself
Why Context is an Important to Apply Not Only to Your Former Self, but for Every Situation You Encounter

Why You Need to Shift to Looking at Your Past as ‘How Can it Serve Me Moving Forward’ vs. How Does My Past Limit Me

        The Four Levers of Personality from 'Personality Isn't Permanent'                In his new book, Dr. Benjamin Hardy debunks the pervasive myths and fascination by pop culture regarding personality tests. Instead, he focuses on science-based strategies for reframing past memories, becoming the scribe of your identity narrative, upgrading your subconscious, and redesigning your environment.

This includes going into detail the four levers of personality and how they shape who you are:

Trauma
Identity narrative.
Subconscious
Environment

This book will change how you think about yourself and inspire you to be intentional about change. You can pre-order your copy of Personality Isn’t Permanent here.

Learn more about Dr. Benjamin Hardy on his website.

FREE TRAINING - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: inspireyoursuccess.com/training

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

   In today's episode, I am sharing the #1 thing every writer needs, as well as how to achieve it through 3 simple steps.

            The thing I would love to share with you today is a quick and easy thing that you can do as a beginning writer TODAY. And that is creating your niche. And I would argue that this is one of the best things that you can do as a freelance writer for so many reasons.

I always tell people when they join freelance to 5k and they don’t have a niche yet, I say Hey, no problem. But that is something you’re gonna want to get to sooner rather than later just because when you have a niche, you can charge more money. You become an expert in your niche, which helps you attract more clients. Plus the better and more versed you are at a specific subject, the faster you can write, which then means the more clients you can take on if you want, which then means, of course, more income and hitting your goals. So today I want to give you just a really simple three-part formula to finding your own niche!

So, here’s my simple 3-step formula to finding your own niche:

Either find a subject which you’re knowledgeable about already, or you want to have a strong desire to learn about it
Make sure the niche is in demand
Make sure it’s at least profitable

There's also another thing I need to mention! I have talked a lot about how I love golf and writing about golf, but I would say my main niche is still the digital marketing side of things. The golf niche is something that I love doing. Um, it provides extra money... And I love doing it - so I consider it my secondary niche.

So what I've done the last two years is having a secondary niche, about which I talk a lot more inside Freelance to 5K. Although most writing coaches are not telling you to do this, this is a little hack that I've used. That way I have my main niche which is more profitable or has more opportunities, but I use that secondary niche to really recharge and fall in love with my writing.

FREE TRAINING - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: inspireyoursuccess.com/training

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

In this episode, I share some secrets of working with my 7-figure mentor James Wedmore to help you build an online business of your dreams.

Here’s a quick recap:

Work on yourself: If you want to become a successful entrepreneur for the long run, work on yourself as much as you work on your business. Your business is a direct reflection of you!
Grow a team: You can’t build a million dollar business if you spend all of your time on $10/hour tasks. There’s only so much time in the day and it’s up to you to protect your time and stay in your zone of genius. Start outsourcing work so you can stay focused and make the impact and income you want to make.
Nail your niche: People want to follow and work with experts — no one is good at everything. If you don’t niche down, you’ll likely never get the results you want. It’s up to you to find a niche and build a name for yourself. As you become more successful, you can always broaden out in the future.
Know your audience: Once you niche down, get to know your ideal audience as if you’re a family member! The more you know them, the better content you can create to help them get results in their life or business.
Reframe how you think about selling: Adopt the mantra, “The transformation is in the transaction.” The better you are at believing your stuff and knowing that people won’t get results unless they invest in your stuff, the more success you will have.
Create an ascension model: Have a suite of products at different price points all about the same offer. Remember, there are always going to be individuals who want the VIP experience while others might want the lowest one. Having several offers will help you attract more people into your business.
Take more time off: I know this sounds counterintuitive but it really works. When you take time off, you can recharge, look at your business from a 30,000 foot view, and get clear on what you need to do next.

As Tony Robbins said, “Success leaves clues.”

These clues from James Wedmore have helped me build a thriving online business and I wanted to share them with you.

In a post pandemic era, there has never been a better time to build an online business and share your gifts with the world.

Go out there and make it happen!

Learn more about James Wedmore's program, Business by Design that starts in just a few weeks: https://www.jameswedmoretraining.com/a/15799/4y9XF7wK

Doors only open once per year!

In this "Writing Wednesday" episode, I give you a behind the scenes look of my first $1,000 Medium story!

In this episode, I share how to create your own "Business by Design" and breakdown James Wedmore's signature online business program.

If you've ever wanted to build an online business around your expertise, there is no better time than now. But wanting to build an online business isn't enough - there's a lot that happens behind the scenes to make it happen.

For years, I struggled to sell online courses and coaching. While my writing business was thriving, I always wanted to help others as online courses literally changed my life. Not to mention, the e-learning space is BOOMING.

It wasn't until my coach Jim Fortin told me to check out his friend's program, Business by Design by James Wedmore. After doing a 2-day workshop with James, I knew I had found my online business mentor.

In this episode, I go in-depth explaining what it takes to sell online courses and what it's like inside the most epic online business program ever created -- Business by Design aka "BBD."

Learn more about Business by Design here: https://www.jameswedmoretraining.com/a/15799/4y9XF7wK

Read my full review of Business by Design here: https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/business-by-design-review/

    In this interview I talk with Clint Proctor from The Wallet Wise Guy about how he found success through freelance writing.

                     How to Leave Your Job in 12 Months to Pursue Freelance Writing                Clint was clear on his goal of wanting to transition out of his current job into freelance writing within 12 months! Here is his advice on how to transition from a full time day job to being a freelance writer full time:

Build an Emergency Fund with Your Writing Gigs
Be at 80% of your Full Time Salary, Then Push to Full Time Writing

Continually Network and Put Out Content to Sign New Clients

6 Tips to Be a Great Freelance Writer                To be a successful freelance writer, you need to be a mindful freelancer. For Clint, this really paid off and he provides these tips for freelance writers who are looking to succeed in their new career:

If your name is going to be on it, be sure it is your best effort.
Do your best research for the article and use legitimate sources.
3.. Follow the style guidelines that the client provides.
Make it easy for the editor to do their job.
Stay organized with a writing calendar.
Find new avenues to pitch clients, such as LinkedIn or asking for editor referrals.

This is a great time to be a freelance writer and build your online business. Remember this blueprint: niche down, create writing samples, get a pitch and rinse and then repeat.

FREE TRAINING - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: inspireyoursuccess.com/training

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

           In this episode, I teach you 3 tips on how to turn your Medium.com writing into landing freelance writing gigs.

      Freelance Writing vs. Medium Writing                Freelance writing is when you find clients and write content for them to get paid. I have made over 6 figures writing for clients over the last few years. Freelance writing is the best way to make money quickly online! If you miss writing your own content, though, Medium.com is a great place to write and earn money through a variety of ways:

The Medium Partner Program
Affiliate Links
Build Your Email List

The biggest difference between writing on Medium vs. Freelance writing is that you are your own boss. Freelance writing you have client deadlines and are writing for others; Medium gives you the chance to write about topics you are passionate about and more.

    3 Tips to Land Clients on Medium                Here are 3 tips on how you can land clients by writing on Medium.com

Get Published in Publications on Medium
Link to Your Medium Features on your Writing Website
Promote Your Medium.com Articles On Social Media

Freelance writing with clients is very different than writing on Medium, but together they can blend together beautifully. Download the Medium checklist here: inspireyoursuccess.com/medium FREE TRAINING - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: inspireyoursuccess.com/training

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

    In this interview I talk with Dr. Benjamin Hardy, author of the new book coming out soon ‘Personality Isn’t Permanent’ and my personal writing mentor.

            When the Why is Strong Enough, You'll Figure out the How                In this interview, Benjamin takes us back to the beginning of his writing journey and the steps he took to become a successful writer. In this interview we talk about:

Why Setting Specific Goals Gives Your Brain Something to Actively Focus On
How Results Over Process Lead to Success
Why a Morning and Evening Routine Build Confidence
How Tangible Change Can Take Place in 2 – 3 Years, if You’re Consistently Focused On Your Goal
Why Personality Tests Give You a Very Limited View of Yourself
Why Context is an Important to Apply Not Only to Your Former Self, but for Every Situation You Encounter

Why You Need to Shift to Looking at Your Past as ‘How Can it Serve Me Moving Forward’ vs. How Does My Past Limit Me

        The Four Levers of Personality from 'Personality Isn't Permanent'                In his new book, Dr. Benjamin Hardy, debunks the pervasive myths and fascination by pop culture regarding personality tests. Instead he focuses on science-based strategies for reframing past memories, becoming the scribe of your identity narrative, upgrading your subconscious, and redesigning your environment.

This includes going into detail the four levers of personality and how they shape who you are:

Trauma
Identity narrative.
Subconscious
Environment

This book will change how you think about yourself and inspire you to be intentional about change. You an pre-order your copy of Personality Isn’t Permanent here.

Learn more about Dr. Benjamin Hardy on his website.

     Finally, don't forget that Freelance to 5K is closing on 5/31 at 9pm PST!

This is my #1 rated program that will help you build an online writing business. I want to help you beat imposter syndrome, build confidence, and move past overwhelm so you can start making money writing.

Freelance to 5K is the exact strategy I used to earn over $100,000 writing online!

Don't miss out - enroll today and finally launch your passion business. Click the link below to learn more!

https://inspire-your-success1.teachable.com/p/freelance-to-5k-2020

In today’s episode, I go over five quick and easy tips to get started writing on medium.com so you can finally launch your freelance writing business!

    Top Tips to Being a Successful Writer on Medium                There’s never ever been a better time to build an online business and to just start writing than right now. It just takes that first step. I love writing on Medium.com and connecting with readers. I recently paid my mortgage with my earnings from Medium and want to share the top tips to being a success on the platform.

1. Just Start Writing
Quantity will create quality!

2. Submit Content to Publications
This will get your writing in front of new readers!

3. Follow Medium Guidelines to Get Curated
Being curated means that Medium shares your story with their audience on social or in an email! You must follow their guidelines though. Find those here.

4. Understand Your Target Reader
Write to them. Always be thinking, what’s in it for the reader?

5. Have Fun
If writing becomes a chore, you are not going to want to invest time into it.

Don't forget, Freelance to 5K (my signature freelance writing course is closing on 5/31 at 9pm PST). This is my step-by-step strategy to start and grow a freelance writing business.

This is the EXACT process I've used to earn over $100,000 writing online in two years. Get my secrets and speed up your success!

Plus, there's a bonus training all about crushing it on Medium ($147 value) that's yours when you enroll.

Learn more about Freelance to 5K now! https://inspire-your-success1.teachable.com/p/freelance-to-5k-2020

Do you want to learn how to leave your 9-5, travel the world, and impact people all over the world with your writing? Plus, learn how to write a book??

If so, I think you will love this inspirational interview with Anthony Moore. He's the only guest I've had twice on the show and really enjoyed learning more about his story.

Anthony Moore is an author and coach, focusing on personal development and self-improvement. He has an M.A. in Psychology and is the author of What Extraordinary People Know (2019). His incredible story shows what is possible if you believe in yourself. It also makes it more and more clear that you don't have to sit around in a 9-5 job you hate anymore. Use Anthony's success to take your life and business to the next level by following your passions! Resources Mentioned in the Show Check out the resources mentioned in this show:

**Read his outstanding work on Medium

**Learn more about getting started freelance writing

Launch your freelance writing career in 90 days with “Freelance to 5K**“

    In today’s episode I go over how I paid my mortgage by writing on Medium.com and how you can get started earning money as a freelance writer on that platform!

                     Why Publish On Medium.com                As a freelance writer, Medium.com offers a really low barrier entry to getting started! All you need is a partner account and you can get started publishing content you are passionate about. Be sure to check out my podcast on the top benefits to publish on Medium.com!

    How to Earn Money by Writing on Medium.com                In March, I was able to pay my house mortgage with my medium.com partner earnings. I published 8 articles in March and that earned my over $1,000. Here are the top tips I have learned on how to earn money by writing on Medium.com

Publish in publications
Consistently publish
Read articles to discover what is working on the platform

Getting started on Medium.com is a great way to get your work read and really impact others lives (and yours too!) Make sure to get the FREE Medium checklist at inspireyoursuccess.com/Medium. This will help you create high-quality articles, get your stories read, and earn more money from the Medium partner program.

    In this guest interview I talk with Kayla Hollatz about how to build a pandemic proof business with copywriting! I first came across Kayla when I reviewed her freelance writing website in my YouTube video that went over writing website examples.

                     How to Turn a Passion Project into an Online Project                Before making the leap into full time copywriting, Kayla actually created a community around a Twitter chat called #createlounge – from there she realized that her passion project could turn into a full time online business. After she put her ‘business’ proposal out to the community she booked 3 months of social media, copywriting and consulting work!

             The Transition to Online Business Owner (who writes!)                As Kayla dove headfirst into being an online business owner, there were alot of self discoveries she made along the way about not only owning a business but about herself.

Through ups and downs, the one thing Kayla always came back to was the love of writing. Through writing she can be her authentic true self and connect with clients through copywriting.

              Episode 72: How to Get Featured in Big Publications Online – Nick Wolny Interview Read More »  Episode 68: How to Make Consistent Money as a Writer Read More »  Episode 63: From $0 to $125K in One Year on Upwork (Lisa Cumes Interview) Read More »                 Advice for Copywriters                Kayla offers this advice to aspiring copywriters:

Build Your Personal Brand
Be Confident in Your Writing
Create an Awesome Writing Website
Showcase Your Work with a Writing Portfolio

Connect with Kayla on Instagram or her Website. FREE TRAINING - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: inspireyoursuccess.com/training

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

In this episode we dive into what it takes to write on Medium.com!

It's one of the best ways to launch your writing career and gain momentum fast. There's a reason over 80M people read stories on the platform each month!

7 Benefits to Writing on Medium.com

Its $5/month!
You can get started FAST
You don’t have to do any blogging things
You can build momentum quickly so you don’t get discouraged from no one reading your awesome content
You don’t have to build an audience! Nearly 100M people use it each month, this makes it SO much better for writers
You can land freelance writing clients
You can get syndicated in major publications

Now is the time to launch your writing career on Medium.com!

FREE TRAINING - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: inspireyoursuccess.com/training

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

    In this writing Wednesday episode, I go over in detail why you should love what you are writing about. I am crazy passionate about golf and have made $30,000+ writing about it and want to help you get paid to write about your passion.

                     Why You Should Have a Second Writing Niche                I have been playing golf for 20 years and I love everything about the game. I decided while searching for new writing gigs a few years ago to apply for a golf writing assignment. That one decision led to $30,000+ since quitting my 9–5.

The best part? It’s not my main niche, it’s my “side hustle” of writing. I’m proof that you can get paid to write about your passion.

So if you want to add a second niche writing about a topic you love, just know that it’s possible.

             My Biggest Takeaways from Writing about my Passion                When you follow your passion it can pay off! Here is how it can work for you:

1. Get Clients on the Phone
Sometimes, it’s hard to convey your passion through email. But once you get clients on the phone, it’s easy to let your passion come through and makes it easy for them to say yes!

2. Switch up Your Topics from Time to Time
If you write about anything for too long, it’s easy to get tired of it (or resent it as I did). Whether you add a second niche about a passion or write on Medium about any topic you like, mix it up!

3. Start Small and Work Your Way Up
If you’re venturing out into a new niche, sometimes you will have to take lower rates in the beginning, just remember to raise your rates after you build your portfolio!

4. Understand You Can Have Two Niches
While I agree the riches are in the niches, don’t put yourself in a box with only one niche. If you want to write about something else, dedicate a page on your writing website to your second niche.

5. There is More Than Just Blog Posts
Expand beyond blog writing! Emails, landing pages, webpages, e-books can all pay off big.

6. Write About What You LoveIf you don’t write what you love (or at least like), I think it’s extremely difficult to find long-term success as a writer.

7. Know Your Outcome in Advance
Before diving into a second niche or writing on Medium, make sure you know your goal.

You can make money writing about your passion. But if you never put yourself out there and inquire about blogs, websites, and brands, you could miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime.

Remember, people with passion make the impossible happen!

    In this Monday with Michael episode I go over five sales skills freelance writers need to succeed. You might have the best writing in the world, but if no one will hire you, good luck paying the bills. The Number One Skill to Make Money Writing Online is Selling                I recently wrote about this same topic on Medium because it is a topic that all freelancers need to learn from and apply if they are going to succeed. Being able to sell is hugely important as a freelancer because if you can sell yourself to clients, you can make writing online a lucrative side hustle or full-time online business.

    5 Sales Skills You Need to Learn Now                This set of skills is the only way I’ve earned over $100,000 publishing online — because I got clients to say yes. So if you want to make money writing online, work on your sales skills, then your writing skills.

Always Work Your PipelineWork your writing leads from cold to warm to hot and do it over and over again.
Provide Value to Retain ClientsIt’s the old adage of ‘under promise, over deliver’.
Build Relationships with ClientsPeople buy from people they like, know and trust.
Reframe Failure and SetbacksSales and pitching new freelance clients is just a numbers game. The more people you get your offer in front of, the more likely you are to hear a yes.
Be Persistent
I found that like sales, sometimes you need to be persistent with clients to make stuff happen. People get busy, your email could’ve gone to spam or maybe, they just forgot. Not hearing a reply doesn’t mean they aren’t interested.

If you build rapport, add value, and communicate with clients, I’m confident you can become a six-figure writer!

In this Writing Wednesday episode, I continue with part 4 of my 4 part series based off my recent episode How I Made $20,050 in 30 days of Writing. I recently wrote about this on Medium but wanted to dive deeper into each lesson so you know exactly how I was able to write that much, earn that much income and apply it to your own writing.

5 More Tips to Maximize Your Income with Freelance Writing

I’m no different than you. I started a blog in January of 2016 and, quite frankly, was an awful writer. Two years later, I started freelance writing because my blog was failing, and I had already quit my job. Two years later, I’m publishing a post about making $20,000 in 30 days.

Success isn’t overnight. But if you keep going, amazing things can happen. Keep believing in yourself, upgrading your skills, and trust the process.

1. Write Content You EnjoyI’ve found that writing about topics you care about is much more enjoyable and rewarding. As lame as it sounds, it doesn’t feel like work.
2. Network with Other WritersWriting can be a lonely job; one idea or a new perspective from another writer can change your online business!

3. Don't Forget to Exercise
Both your physical and mental health will thank you!

4. Have Fun
Keep everything in perspective. You’re getting paid to type words on a computer while other people in the world barely survive.

5. Celebrate Your Wins
Don’t forget: Your brain loves celebrating wins! Small or big, it doesn’t matter. Get in the habit of giving yourself praise and celebrate everything you do in your writing journey.

    In this Monday with Michael episode I go over 5 skills you need to succeed, even if you don’t think you are a good writer.

                     What You Need to Succeed as a Freelance Writer                If you’re like most people, you probably think that you have to be a world-class writer to get paid to write words online. That is just not true, you actually have to be a better freelancer first and have these skills to be an amazing freelance writer.

1. Willingness to Learn

My willingness to learn is why I was able to 10X my monthly income in 12 months as a writer and earn $20,050 in my 20th month as a writer.

2. Strong Work Ethic
No amount of sitting around on the couch imagining five-figure writing months will magically attract clients.

3. Growth Mindset
With a growth mindset, you believe that your most basic abilities develop through consistency and dedication.

4. Thick Skin
If you want to make money writing and learn to become a great writer in a short amount of time, you need to love getting feedback. This is one of the fastest ways to improve!

5. PerseveranceJust keep going, learn your lessons, and stay persistent and consistent to give yourself time to let the magic happen.

Final thoughts: Thinking you have to be a good writer before you can land writing jobs and get paid is a losing mentality. Do not set yourself up to fail with this attitude. Many businesses and blog owners want to outsource stuff like this and need your skills. Stay persistent and consistent!

One of the reasons I started this podcast was to help learn from people who left their 9-5's to build an online business. Today's guest, Natalie Bacon, is a story is incredibly inspiring as she did just that.

She went from lawyer to financial planner to full-time blogger. Her blog earned over $178K in 2018 and she just started in 2015. She's relentless in her pursuit of greatness and it shows in all of her content online.

Here's what you will learn in this episode:

How to make money blogging
The power of investing in yourself
How to blog and work full-time as a beginner
Why a mentor or coach can help you speed up success
Mindset hacks to make your brain work for you not against you
Understanding how your beliefs are holding you back from success

Resources Mentioned in the Show Check out the resources mentioned in this show:

Learn more about Natalie
Listen to Natalie’s podcast
Check out my guide on how to start a blog

Best Quotes From The Show * “Any obstacle or failure is neutral. You can make it mean whatever you want. I never let an obstacle or failure mean anything negative.” * “I think people change course too often and dabble. That is holding them back from true success.”

    In this Writing Wednesday episode, I continue with part 3 of my 4 part series based off my recent episode How I Made $20,050 in 30 days of Writing. I recently wrote about this on Medium but wanted to dive deeper into each lesson so you know exactly how I was able to write that much, earn that much income and apply it to your own writing.

                     5 More Insights So You Write Faster and Scale Your Freelance Income                In my first month as a freelance writer, I made $650. Nineteen months later, I made $20,050 in 30 days. In Episode 74 I talked about the first five lessons I learned during those 30 days, in Episode 77 I shared five more insights and today I have five more writing tips for you!

Plan Your Days & Weeks
One missed deadline could cost you a client and a lot of money in the long run. On Sunday night, plan out your week and be mindful of deadlines, writing time, editing time and self care time.
Review Your Writing Outline Before BedInstead of going to bed without any goals, always give your subconscious something to solve; you will be amazed that you often awake with an answer!
Understand the Power of Context Switching
While most of us wear busy as a badge of honor, jumping around from project to project is a massive waste of time. that context switching can kill up to 80% of your productive time!
Get a Stand-Up Desk & Use Two Monitors
Two monitors means you can write on one screen and have research or guidelines up on the other one.
Raise Your RatesIf you want to make more money and work fewer hours, charge higher rates. I see so many writers undervalue themselves and their work because they don’t think anyone will hire them.

Stay tuned for the next 5 tips and if you implement these I would love to know!

Join Freelance to 5K now to launch your own freelance writing career.

Get all my secrets and strategies here: freelanceto5k.com

    In this Monday with Michael episode, I take you behind the scenes of what it was like to earn $2,250 in one day as a freelance writer. I break down my routine and show you how to schedule your days and weeks for maximum productivity!

                     Writing Week Routine                I love writing as long as I schedule my time properly. For me, planning is key to juggling so much at once. To avoid context-switching and to stay organized, I try to keep my days simple to maximize productivity. I block my days into four types and schedule the week in detail every Sunday.

Day 1: Writing + Working Out

Day 2: Coaching + Inspire Your Success

Day 3: Editing/Researching + Golf

Day 4: Sunday is Free Day to Recharge!

   7 Tips to Maximize Writing Day Productivity                Being a great writer takes discipline and planning. Here are 7 tips to ensure you are reaching goals and scaling your writing income.

Use the Pomodoro Technique
Listen to Instrumental Music
Write about Stuff You Love
Do What Works Best for You
Don’t Neglect Your Health
Write and Edit Separately
Get Around People

I hope this breakdown of my writing routine gives you a few ideas moving forward.

Remember: Test, test, and test what works best for you. There is no one way to do this. Everyone has different schedules and peak writing times.

Join FREELANCE to 5K NOW: freelanceto5k.com!

If you're looking for some inspiration to quit your job and live your dreams, this episode is for YOU!

I got to interview Sean Ogle of Location Rebel to learn about his epic journey of entrepreneurship. He started blogging and freelance writing in 2009 and hasn't worked a normal job since.

Now, he spends his time writing, traveling, growing his brand Location Rebel, and golfing (his goal is to play the top 100 courses in the world). Plus, Sean is also the founder of Breaking 80, a golf membership site who helps connect like-minded golfers.

When it comes to making money online and living the laptop lifestyle, Sean is definitely one of the Godfather's so listen a few times and take notes.

In the episode, we talk about:

Sean's epic journey
What it's like to quit your job
How to make money online in 2019
How to start an online business with no experience
What it takes to make money writing, blogging, and other side hustles like membership sites

If you found it inspiring &/or actionable, please share on Instagram by taking a screenshot and tagging @iammichaelleonard.

Check out Location Rebel here.

Resources to Start Your Online Business

Earn your first $1,000 writing: https://inspireyoursuccess1.lpages.co/freelance-to-1k-podcast/

*Teachable: https://www.teachable.com

*Bluehost (Website Hosting for Podcast): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/bluehost

*Convertkit (Email List): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/convertkit

And if you’re ready to take your life or business to the next level, here are some ways that I can help you even more ...

1) Work with me 1-1

If you’d like some extra help starting a freelance writing business? Then let’s talk!

Learn more at inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

2) JOIN Freelance to 5K

If you’re ready to build an online business, freelance writing is a great place to start. With no experience or writing background, I was able to 10X my writing income in 12 months only working part-time. This one skill has allowed me to NEVER go back to a 9-5!

I’ve packaged up everything I’ve learned over the years to give you a step-by-step guide to launch a freelance writing business or side hustle.

LEARN MORE NOW: freelanceto5k.com

3) Follow me on Instagram @iammichaelleonard to get updates to new content, entrepreneurial advice, & motivation to help you create an epic life and business.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammichaelleonard/

    In this Writing Wednesday episode, I continue with part 2 of my new 4 part series based off my recent episode How I Made $20,050 in 30 days of Writing. During this series, I will talk about the 20 lessons I learned from that month. I recently wrote about this on Medium but wanted to dive deeper into each lesson on the podcast!

     In September 2019, I had my best month of freelance writing! The tips I am sharing here are five writing tips that I learned to that helped me maximize my time and productivity to get the most out of that busy month.

    5 More Lessons from My Best Month in Freelance Writing                In September of 2019, I had my best month of freelance writing! The tips I am sharing here are five writing tips that I learned to that helped me maximize my time and productivity to get the most out of that busy month.

1. Listen to Binaural BeatsThis type of music is comprised of different beats said to increase focus, concentration, and motivation.

2. Get out of the House
Even a simple walk can help clear the mind and re-energize you!

3. Find Your Best Time of Day to Write
This is key to getting more done in less time. For me writing early in the day is best, for you it might in the afternoon or evening, test different time periods out to find your ideal writing time.

4. Use the Pomodoro TechniqueUsing this method, break your workday into 25-minute chunks separated by five-minute breaks. These intervals are referred to as Pomodoro and encourage people to work with the time they have – rather than against it.

5. Wear UV blocking glasses.These type of glasses filter blue light and can help avoid eye strain which is important when you stare at computer most of the day.

Stay tuned for the next 5 tips and if you implement these I would love to know!

If you are ready to take the next step and launch your freelance writing career, I would love to help you build momentum!

I still have a few spots left in my coaching program, fill out an application to learn more 1/1 coaching.

www.inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

    In this Monday with Michael episode, I share why freelance writing is the number one side hustle in 2020 and how you can easily get started! 5 Reasons Freelance Writing is the Best Online Job                In 2018, I had to face the harsh truth – the blog that I had quit my 9 – 5 to pursue wasn’t growing, my side hustles were not generating income and my credit card doubt was racking up. I knew I had to pivot or I would end up back at my 9 – 5.

When I discovered freelance writing, I dove in headfirst and this one choice helped me earn over $100,000 in two years and it kept my entrepreneur dream alive!

Freelance writing is the best online side hustle for these reasons:

1. Low Start Up Costs
With freelance writing, you can get started for almost nothing. In fact, you could apply for jobs today on Upwork or job boards without even having a freelance writing website.

2. Low Barrier to Entry
Another perk to freelance writing as a side hustle is that you can get started quickly. You don’t need to learn endless new skills to launch your online writing business.

3. Easy to Scale
With freelance writing, and only a few clients you can make a few thousand as a side hustle or go all-in as a full-time writer. In the last six months, I’ve averaged $10,000 while only working part-time with 3–5 clients!

4. Freedom to Pick Your Clients
At the start of your journey you might take anyone, but as time goes on being able to pick people you like and trust as well as projects that interest becomes very appealing.

5. Get Paid Quickly
With freelance writing, you choose our payment schedule. Each client is different but for the most part, you will always get paid the same month.

Check out Freelance to 5K now --> freelanceto5k.com

Are you tired of going to a job you hate only to live for the weekends and then do it all over again?

If you're tired of living for the weekends, this episode will help you get clarity on creating your dream life.

In this episode, I got to interview Sam Crowley of the "Everyday is Saturday" podcast which is one of the top motivational podcasts in the world!

We discuss why a job makes you broke, how to make money online, and how to live your dreams.

I hope you enjoyed this episode with Sam Crowley. If you found it inspiring &/or actionable, please share on Instagram by taking a screenshot and tagging @iammichaelleonard.

10 Online Business Ideas: https://pages.convertkit.com/6bb5abb980/a1a9b0f67b

Resources to Start Your Online Business

*ClickFunnels: https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/clickfunnels

*Teachable: https://www.teachable.com

*Bluehost (Website Hosting for Podcast): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/bluehost

*Convertkit (Email List): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/convertkit

And if you’re ready to take your life or business to the next level, here are some ways that I can help you even more ...

1) Work with me 1-1

If you’d like some extra help starting your podcast or launching a freelance writing business let’s talk!

Visit inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

2) JOIN Freelance to 5K

If you’re ready to build an online business, freelance writing is a great place to start. With no experience or writing background, I was able to 10X my writing income in 12 months only working part-time. This one skill has allowed me to NEVER go back to a 9-5!

I’ve packaged up everything I’ve learned over the years to give you a step-by-step guide to launch a freelance writing business or side hustle.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2Q6QF9e

3) Follow me on Instagram @iammichaelleonard to get updates to new content, entrepreneurial advice, & motivation to help you create an epic life and business.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammichaelleonard/

    In this Writing Wednesday episode, I am starting a new 4 part series based off my recent episode How I Made $20,050 in 30 days of Writing. In this series, I will talk about the 20 lessons I learned from that month. I recently wrote about this on Medium but wanted to dive deeper into each lesson on the podcast!

              In September of 2019, I made $20,050 as a freelance writer. That was an insane income month! Let’s dive into the first five significant takeaways from that month.

1. Figure out your Hourly Rate.
As you start to get clients and earn money writing, make sure to calculate your hourly rate and then anything that doesn’t meet that hourly rate, outsource. This led me to outsourcing some items to a virtual assistant (VA).

2. Outline Before You Write.
One of the biggest mistakes I have made over the years was not outlining my work ahead of time. Instead, I would try to research, write, and edit at the same time, which led to a lot of wasted time. I talk about having set days for writing tasks in this episode here.

3. Buy Grammarly Pro.
Not editing can cost you your biggest client!

4. Eliminate Distractions
On writing days, put the phone away! It’s a huge productivity killer. Also, get rid of clutter on your desk.

5. Write and Edit Separately
While outlining before writing helps, the same goes for editing and writing separately. If possible, I recommend writing one day and editing the next day or at least a few hour-long breaks in between the two sessions.

Stay tuned for the next 5 tips and if you implement these tips I would love to know!

Get started with Freelance to 5K and use the exact strategy I used to earn over $100,000+ writing today and get a FREE 1:1 call: freelanceto5k.com

In this Monday’s with Michael interview, I talk about how I overcame depression as an entrepreneur and give you seven actionable mental health tips to keep your well-being in balance.

Developing a positive mindset as an entrepreneur is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your business. I recently wrote about this on Medium and how mental health is more than money.

It can be challenging to get into that mindset though, if you don’t first face the person you’ve been running from – and by that person I mean yourself. Use these tips to do the work and learn who you are, what you want and why you are the way you are – challenge your old belief system and walk away with a renewed sense of purpose.

1. Hire a Transformational Coach
I joined Jim Fortin’s Transformational Life Coaching and began to change my life from the inside out.

2. Do Hypnotherapy
Reprogram your subconscious by investing in hypnotherapy. Find a certified professional in your area.

3. Become a Student of the Mind
Anxiety and depression start with your thinking! If you can learn to change your thoughts, you can change your life.

4. Quit Hustling
Hustling can lead quickly to burn out. I follow the advice of James Wedmore “The less I do, the more I make”.

5. Quit Comparing Yourself to Others
Compare yourself to the previous version of yourself and not to someone else!

6. Begin Self – Care Rituals
Invest in anything that makes you feel better mentally. This helps you show up better in the world!

7. Learn to Love Yourself
Your business and results are a direct reflection of how well you treat yourself. The more you grow, the more your business will as well.

Liked the episode? Leave a review here: https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/apple

Ready to start freelance writing? Join FREELANCE TO 5K NOW (and get a FREE 1:1 call w/Michael): freelanceto5k.com

    In this guest interview, I had the opportunity to connect with Nick Wolny, a successful content marketer and freelance writer about how he pivoted from an education in classical music (he has two music degrees!) to his now successful content marketing business.

                   Why a Portfolio is Better than a Resume                Nick believes strongly in putting what your passionate about out in the world and letting the work show for itself. Creating an online portfolio has allowed him to create a network for himself, where as he tells in the interview, has led to many job opportunities where he has never even had to apply first for the job!

            How He Discovered Digital Marketing and It Opened Up a Whole World of Opportunity                Nick found himself in position where he loved learning about digital marketing and content creation – but not only did he love it, he was able to apply those strategies to lead businesses to a higher ROI.

Nick niched his consulting business by helping business owners discover new prospect opportunities through email and as they say the rest is history.

            His Thoughts on Copywriting vs. Content Writing                These two different types of writing are often confused one for the other.

Copywriting is oriented to sales and the job of each sentence in your copy is to get the reader to the next sentence. Content writing on the other hand is educating people on why their problem is a problem and why they should seek a solution.

            How Music Taught Him to Be a Better Writer                Having two degrees in classical music, might seem to some to have been a waste of time, but Nick attributes that to actually making him a better writer because it gave him a writing system that he can apply to each project:

Writing Fundamentals
Writing Repertoire

Write to Have Fun

        How to Build Your Online Footprint and Pitch Publications                Nick believes in the ladder approach to building your digital footprint and this strategy has led him be featured in Entrepreneur and other huge media publications.

Start with smaller guest posts and outreach and build upon each successful pitch that then will lead to bigger publications and opportunities. When approaching editors, Nick advises first building a relationship with them and then offering to help them. It’s also wise to think of each rejection as building your prospecting ‘muscle’, it is a numbers game and don’t take it too personally if an editor brushes off your pitch.

Lastly, Nick gives these two pieces of advice to new writers:
1. Find your footing
2. Learn different types of writing

If you want to connect with Nick, find him at nickwolny.com or email him at Nick@nickwolny.com

             If you want to connect with Michael - follow him on Instagram (@iammichaelleonard). To learn how to start your own freelance writing career, visit freelanceto5k.com

   How I Had My Best Freelance Writing Month Ever                If you can cultivate and develop your writing skills, you can get paid very, very well as a writer. When I quit my nine to five, I had a goal to make $11,000 in one month. I was able to surpass that goal in September 2019, and make over $20,000 in a month. Here is how I did that:

Easy Webinar Client- $4,653
Golf Writing Client – $1,155
Golf Writing Client – $352
Financial Advisor Client – $320
Entrepreneur Client – $13,410

Affiliate Income on Medium– $160

        What I Got Paid to Write                There is a variety of content that you can get paid to write! During my best month of freelance writing, it was all these pieces of content writing that led to success:

Blog Post Writing
E-Books
Podcast Scripts
Online Course Modules
Website Copy

Speech Writing

Where to Find New Writing Jobs                Freelance writing is easy to scale, but you must continually pitch new clients. Here are a variety of ways I have found writing clients:

Upwork
Writing Job Boards (Pro Blogger, etc.)
Cold Pitching
LinkedIn
Instagram

There are a variety of ways to make money writing, a variety of topics that people will pay you to write about and multiple ways to find clients. Freelance writing is the best way to make money writing online.

             Ready to start your freelance writing career today?

Enroll in Freelance to 5K (my signature writing course) for only $97 today!

Learn more at www.freelanceto5k.com

    Want a Freelance mentor?                 If you are ready to take the next step and launch your freelance writing career, I would love to help you build momentum!

I still have a few spots left in my coaching program, fill out an application to learn more 1/1 coaching.

     **Learn more at inspireyoursuccess.com/coach**

In this Monday with Michael episode, I want to take you behind the scenes to discover what a day in the life of a freelancer looks like. If you want to quit your job and work at home, you'll love this one.

    The More Discipline You Have, the More Freedom You Have                As a freelancer it can be easy to fall into an employee mindset and not do the big stuff that moves the needle. When you put systems in place and stop jumping from one task to another you will be amazed how much more freedom you actually have! Having discipline allows you to:

Work smarter, not harder
Write more efficiently

Have more freedom to do the stuff you want to do

How I Structure My Week as a Freelance Writer                There is a lot of advice out there on how to structure your time as a freelancer, but at the end of the day you need to find what works for you! Here is how I structure my time:

1. Writing Days
On writing days, all I do is write. I have already done my outlining usually the day before, so all I have to do is focus on writing content.

2. Inspire Your Success Days
On these days I record podcasts or coach my one on one writing students.

3. Researching, Outlining and Editing Days
I usually only spend half the day doing this and spend the other half working on my golf game.

4. Free Days
It’s important to schedule these days to recharge!

Final tip: Plan out your schedule for the next day the night before! It really does shift the mindset when you know exactly what you need to do the next day when you wake up. You can hit the ground running!

Ready to start your freelance writing career?

Enroll in Freelance to 5K (my signature writing course) for only $97 today!

Learn more at www.freelanceto5k.com

In this episode, I got to interview Tommy Baker. Tommy is an entrepreneur, coach, author, and podcaster.

Watch the video version on Youtube --> https://youtu.be/RKVjaqjCcaE

Tommy Baker helps dreamers, visionaries and entrepreneurs bring those dreams to life —and create a life they can’t wait to wake up for. As the author of UnResolution, The 1% Rule and The Leap Of Your Life, Tommy believes living up to our potential is what we’re here for.

Through his writing, coaching and podcast —he’s helped thousands of people take their next bold step and never look back. He’s been featured in Entrepreneur, Influencive, Thought Catalog and more.

Here's what you will learn in this episode:

How to find clarity in your life
Why you should always bet on yourself
How to make big changes in your life and push past fear
The importance of self-care and reflection on a regular basis
How morning routines can help you create space and listen to your intuition

To learn more about working 1:1 with Michael, visit www.freelanceto5k.com.

           In this Writing Wednesday episode, I go over how to make consistent money every month as a writer. I struggled with this at the beginning of my freelance content writing journey, and I want you to speed up your own success with these tips!

     How Content Writing Generates You Steady Income                I believe the easiest and fastest way to make money online as a writer is to become a content writer. Here are four tips to make a dependable income as a freelance content writer:

1. Blog WritingBlog clients usually follow a monthly posting schedule which means work will be consistent and dependable.

2. Clarify a Schedule with ClientsKnowing how to plan for your month, helps you execute on writing projects more efficiently and meet deadlines.

3. Have a Roster of Clients
Diversify your income and continually send out pitches!

4. Drop Loser ClientsIf a client is making you frustrated, affecting your energy levels or your sanity, it’s time to drop them.

5. Raise Your RatesIf you're a good writer and even better freelancer, people will pay a higher rate. Don’t be afraid to do this step!

To learn how to make your first $1,000 writing, visit: www.inspireyoursuccess.com/1k

To learn more about working together visit www.inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

           In today’s Monday with Michael episode today’s episode, I talk about the importance of investing in yourself, how I invested over $35,000 in my own freelance writing business and personal development and then provide some easy strategies for you to get started on your own path to success.

            Why You Aren't Getting the Results You Want                Most people want unbelievable results but are not putting in the work to obtain those results. You must pursue investing in yourself, otherwise you are going to stay exactly where you are at. When you invest in yourself and upgrade your skills, those will make a huge impact not only in your business but life.

The best investment you can make is an investment in yourself.

Warren Buffet

           How to Stop the Scarcity Mindset                When you flip the switch from thinking everything is an expense to thinking everything is an investment, you will begin to achieve immeasurable results. In my own life this has led to new business networking opportunities, being featured on podcasts, meeting millionaires and making more money in my freelance writing business. You must have the mindset that if you are getting better, then your business is going to get better.

     How to Invest in Yourself                Here are a few ways that I have found helpful when investing in myself and my freelance writing business:

Online Courses
Personal Development Seminar
Group Coaching
Mastermind Classes
Audiobooks
Podcasts

If you don’t invest in yourself, you are going to keep having the same results. Once you invest in yourself, your mindset will shift, and you will find that ‘success leaves clues’ and your freelance business will soar!

Do you want to learn how to leave your 9-5, travel the world, and impact people all over the world with your writing?

If so, I think you will love this inspirational interview with Anthony Moore.

Anthony Moore is an author and coach, focusing on personal development and self-improvement. He has an M.A. in Psychology and is the author of What Extraordinary People Know (2019). His incredible story shows what is possible if you believe in yourself. It also makes it more and more clear that you don't have to sit around in a 9-5 job you hate anymore. Use Anthony's success to take your life and business to the next level by following your passions! Resources Mentioned in the Show Check out the resources mentioned in this show:

Read his outstanding work on Medium
Learn more about getting started freelance writing
Launch your freelance writing career in 90 days with “Freelance to 5K“

   In this Writing Wednesday episode, I cover the seven most commonly asked questions about freelance writing, so I can help you take action and start making money as a writer.                Freelance Writing FAQ's                Answers to the most frequently asked questions about freelance writing including what it takes to be a freelance writer, how you get started and how you get paid!

1. How much do you get paid as a freelance writer and how do clients pay you?
This varies depending how much you charge and how many clients you have; I have got paid as little as $650 / month and as much as $20,000 a month. You should invoice clients. I have used Freshbooks, Quickbooks and also Paypal Business.

              Episode 44: What is Freelance Writing? How to Get Paid to Write Online January 5, 2020 Read More »   Best Freelance Writing Jobs Online For Beginners: 50+ Ways To Find Paid Online Writing Jobs October 18, 2018 Read More »                 **3. What do I write about?**

I write about personal development, digital marketing and golf. Find a niche to write about that you are passionate about and start writing about it!

4. How do I find clients?There are many ways to find clients including cold pitching, Medium, social media, Upwork and job boards.

5. Can I Write and Blog?
It can be hard to really focus on gaining momentum on one or the other if you try to do both!

6. Do I Need a Writing Website?Yes; you need a place to show off your writing work and build authority as a writer.

7. How do I Stay Confident and Overcome Imposter Syndrome?This is will be a battle you will fight constantly, but you have to resolute to keep going.

Ready to start freelance writing but want to speed up your success? Then work with me 1:1 to launch and scale quickly!

Fill out this short survey to learn more about working together: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

In this episode of Monday's with Michael, I talk about how you can have the mindset of a successful freelance writer. This episode is full of tips to jumpstart your Monday motivation.

    Why You Need to Master Your Mindset                At the end of the day, if you don’t have the right mindset, if you don’t really believe you are going to make this whole freelancing, solopreneur writing thing work, you’re probably not going to make it work. That is how powerful the mind is when it comes to creating reality based on your beliefs.

As Henry Ford said, “He who thinks he can, and he who thinks he can’t are both right”. That is the power of mindset!

    How to Develop a World Class Mindset                You must always be aware of what is going on between the ears. Follow these tips:

Reframe Failure
Develop Persistent and Consistent Action Towards Your Goals
Cling to the Belief that You Can Do It

If you can cultivate belief in yourself, some unbelievable things will start to happen!

    Your Success Is Inevitable               That is the motto that you should live by – it’s the motto I live by! * Just Don’t Hustle, Take Action

Fail Your Way to Success

Success might not happen overnight, but it is not going to happen just sitting on the couch either! You have to work on yourself, you have to take action and you have to stay patient and just believe that your success is inevitable. Are You Ready to Start Your Freelance Writing Career? If you are ready to take the next step and launch your freelance writing career, I would love to help you build momentum!FREE TRAINING - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: inspireyoursuccess.com/training

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

In today's guest interview, I had the opportunity to interview Lisa Cumes. She went from $0 to $125K in her first year freelancing on Upwork and has rapidly scaled her business since leaving the 9-5.

Lisa's secret weapon was to get potential clients on a Zoom call. Doing this allowed her personality to shine through, and in business people like to work with people they like and trust! She scaled her business and so can you!

Set Big Goals
Understand What Motivates You
Set up a Proven Process and then Invite Clients into that Process
Listen to What Your Clients are Asking For
Have a Growth Mindset

Double down on your strengths and watch your writing business soar. -- Lisa is a freelance copywriter and StoryBrand Guide who has built a 6 figure, online copywriting business, over the past 2 years. Last year, she shifted and scaled her business by bringing on a team of other copywriters to help more businesses and personal brands simplify their message and launch their mission. Find out more about her copywriting business at Simple Story Solutions.

She also has a passion for helping freelancers stop hustling and start building thriving full time businesses. As a mom of 3 kids, she knows how to navigate mommy guilt, actually be productive working from home and coaches other freelancers through The Copywriter Coach with online courses, coaching and free webinars.

In today's episode of writing, Wednesday, we cover exactly how you should price your freelance writing rates even if you're a beginner.

Once you get freelance writing clients, you need to learn how to actually charge them and what kind of rates to charge them.

There is not set standard for the freelance writing industry but how you price yourself has a direct impact on:

your total income
your rate per hour
your happiness

If you price yourself to low, you might quickly become jaded and give up on your goal to become a freelance writer or just experience burn out. I don't want you do that! There are five ways that I like to think about freelance writing rates:

1. Hourly
  I don't recommend this strategy, unless you really feel passionate about the writing gig and want to get your foot in the door!
2. Per Word
  I think is one of the best ways to charge as it allows you to scale your income. Most clients are very familiar with this type of content writing rate structure.
3. Tiered Pricing
  I use this model of freelance writing pricing often. I have 3 packages (tiers): intro, basic and premium and the pay matches the output on my end.
4. Fixed Rate
  Go into a fixed rate contract carefully. Find out all that will be required of you, how long that will take and determine if the pay outweighs the work put in!
5. Retainer
  Retainer freelance writing usually applies to more novice writers. In a retainer model, you paid a set amount every week (or two weeks, monthly etc) for a certain amount of deliverables.

Don't let clients push you around. Go into conversations knowing what your rate is, what you are willing to do at that rate, and they will respect you more and you will actually get paid good money to be a writer.

Listen to these episodes to give you more insight into pricing structure!

    In this Monday with Michael episode, we talk about overwhelm versus busyness and go over five tangible action steps to keep your freelance business moving forward.

             The Difference Between Being Overwhelmed and Being Busy                It really all comes down to planning. Being busy is a good thing if it’s moving towards your goals.

Being overwhelmed on the other hand usually leads to ‘shutdown’ and you tend to stop doing what you need to do. When you are overwhelmed, your calendar starts to feel like it’s just ‘stuff to get done’; when you are busy though, that same calendar is attacked with a purpose of getting things done in a systematic way.

             5 Tips to Stop the Overwhelmed Feeling                When you are building a business the last thing you want to do is halt your progress! Here are tips to stop you from feeling overwhelmed:

Schedule Less
I recommend to schedule only 3 things in a day!
Start Using the 80/20 Rule
20% of everything that you do in life or your business produces 80% of the results.
Start Self Care Recharging RitualsBecome self aware enough to recognize when you need to rest and when you need to charge through.
Write in a JournalThe act of physically writing something will help you gain clarity.
Celebrate Your Wins!
Let your brain recognize the reward of a job well done.

In this Writing Wednesday episode, I go over 7 reasons no one is hiring you as a freelance writer. I recently published an article on Medium with this same topic and it really resonated with my writing audience, because without clients, you can't have a thriving writing business.

Freelance writing is as simple as finding a niche, getting clients, writing content, invoicing and then repeating that whole process. To be successful you need to increase your pitch ratio and win more clients and it starts with not making these mistakes!

Mistake #1: Your scared and afraid of rejection
Understand that each time you get a “NO” (or no response) from pitching clients, you are one step closer to getting a YES. This is why you need to pitch clients consistently because without pitching you will not get enough clients who say 'yes'.

Mistake #2: You don't have a writing website
If you don't have a writing website, it is harder for potential clients to take you seriously. This is the first lesson I teach all my students in my writing course! A writing website helps clients know, like and trust you.

Freelance writing is as simple as finding a niche, getting clients, writing content, invoicing and then repeating that whole process. To be successful you need increase your pitch ratio and win more clients and it starts with not making these mistakes!

Mistake #3: You Don't Follow Up with ClientsTrack your pitches and job board submissions in a Google sheet so you can follow up, this will help you stand out in the crowd of freelance writer applications.

Mistake #4: You Aren't Using Social Media (Correctly)I landed a client from my business Instagram in December of 2018. 12 months later, I have earned over $35,000 working together. Watch my video here to learn the exact steps I took to land a client on Instagram. Learn how to use social media strategically and post relevant content to your niche that will attract potential clients. Here are 21 social media tips for freelance writers that I posted on Medium.

Mistake #5: You Become Complacent
If you want new (and higher-paying clients), you have to keep setting goals so that you can attract new clients.

Mistake #6: You Have Only One Writing NicheIf you’re not getting enough clients, don’t be afraid to change your niche or simply add another one. Almost every niche in the world needs writers so why not have a second one about something you are passionate about?

Mistake #7: Your Pitch Is Boring
Instead of sending the same pitch template over and over, make sure that you customize it. Let your personality shine through so you can stand out among the sea of other writers.

Making money as a freelance writer is all about getting clients! Master these tips to be successful.

In this Monday with Michael, I talk about how I overcame loneliness as a freelancer and provide some actionable steps for you to not feel the same way.

One of our basic desires as humans is connection. When I worked my 9-5 I was surrounded by people to talk with and even though I didn't realize it at the time, those mundane conversations and meetings provide connection.

When I left my job in May 2017, it was very exciting to create my own schedule, not shower to noon and experience all that freedom of doing what I wanted to do! At the same time though, I was suffering in silence and battling thoughts that I wasn't good enough. This spiraled into thinking I wasn't worthy enough to go out to eat, rent an office or hang out at a coffee shop.

Things had to change!

What to Do if You Feel Lonely as a Freelancer

1. Take the Myers Briggs Personality Test

I have felt more energized in the last 6 - 8 months because I have made it a point to get out and be with people. This all started with taking a personality test, realizing I was an extrovert and then finding ways to connect with other people through group fitness classes. The upside of this has been that I am more productive when I am in my office getting work done!

2. Stay in Touch with Your Circle of Friends and Family

It's easy to be 'out of sight, out of mind' when you work from home but it is very important to be intentional and stay connected with those whom you care about and who care about you! Make the time to grab dinner or a movie with a friend.

It may feel counterproductive to go out rather than stay at home 'working'; but in reality, most people are not more productive than 24 - 30 hours per week. I have found that I am more productive in my work life when I have created a balance of work/play in my personal life.

Earn your first $1,000 as a writer here -- inspireyoursuccess.com/1k

    In this Writing Wednesday episode, we are talking about why as a writer you need a website. This is the first thing I tell my writing coaching clients that they need to do, because it is very important to have a home base for your online writing business! A website also makes it easy for the client to say ‘yes’.

                        Why Do You Need a Writing Website?                Building a professional website for my writing business has by far been the most important investment I have made in furthering my freelance writing success. It really helps you identify with not only yourself that you are a professional writer, but it also is social proof to your clients that you are a committed writer.

A writing website:

Builds your credibility as a writer
Shows off your writing expertise
Gives you authority in your niche

Without a writing website, clients may not take you seriously or they may be worried you are a new writer and may not deliver the content they need.

              Freelance Writer Website: How to Become an Expert & Attract Clients Read More »                 What Needs to Be on My Writing Website?                To have successful writing website you need the following items:

Purchase a custom domain name
Invest in simple website layout – this makes it easier for your client and yourself!
Clearly address your ideal client on your homepage
Keyword optimize your website with keywords related to your writing niche
Add personality – talk in the language you write in and lifestyle pictures so future clients ‘get to know you’
Make your about page more about who you help and how you can help them
Showcase your writing portfolio to build authority
Add testimonials for social proof
Include your contact information – not a contact form! Include your professional email and how clients can get ahold of you

A writing website show authority, authenticity and most importantly allows you to control your online branding while helping prospective clients learn more about your writing style.

In this episode, I talk about a strategy to work your 9 – 5 job while building your freelance writing business. Whether you want to freelance so you can earn extra money or scale your writing business to leave your 9 – 5, this episode is full of tips to help you accomplish your goals.

     One of the most important parts to becoming a successful freelance writer is to plan. Setting goals and then following through with a plan of action to meet those goals is something every freelancer should be doing on a quarterly basis. Here are some actionable tips to help you plan:

Make a quarterly plan, then break that down into monthly and weekly goals
Take time on Sunday to plan your week
Use time blocking during the week so you know when and where you will be working on your freelance writing business
Put actions to the plan: when will you be pitching clients? editing drafts? writing? or creating samples for your website?
Plan to work on your writing business on the weekend or holidays when you have extra time to commit

Review your plan for the next day the night before so you can wake up knowing what needs to get done

                   How I Set Myself Up for Success                Planning in advance will help you succeed at your freelance writing business. Here is an example of my own routine, I hope it inspires you to think about how you will establish your own routine so you can find success at writing!

Each Sunday I set goals for the week
Each night, I prep for the day before, so when I wake up I can hit the ground running with my to-do list already planned
I plan to write in the morning when I am feeling at my creative best
I plan the remainder of my day around client outreach and editing

Freelance writing is the best online job because you can choose to control your own destiny and the amount of money you want to make based upon your availability. Successfully making money online starts with a plan, it has worked for not only me but also for every entrepreneur I have interviewed on the podcast! Remember ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail’.

In this Writing Wednesday episode, I share five simple actionable tips that will give you more confidence as a writer. I used these same tips to scale my freelance writing into a thriving business.

5 Confidence Building Tips for Writers

     1. To Gain Confidence, Gain Mental Clarity                If you want to build confidence as a writer the first thing to understand is to determine where you are at mentally. Is your mind telling you that you’re not very good? Have people told you that in the past? Gaining clarity on what truths or lies your mind is telling you plays a hugely important part in building writing confidence.

To gain mental clarity, I regularly practice meditation and self-hypnosis. Invest in noise-canceling headphones and find your inner zone of genius. Self-care really is important in drowning out the negativity that tends to drag us down when we are stressed or tired.

Make gaining mental clarity a regular practice!

             **2. Clarity Leads to Competency**                 When you have successfully ‘mastered’ a skill you feel more confident. This applies to freelance writing as well. The more you write, the more confident you will become.

In Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Outliers, he presents the idea of the 10,000 rule. The idea behind this rule is that anyone who has mastered a craft puts in the work on the front end first. I was not a great writer when I started, but the point is I started. With time, I got better because I continued to work on my writing skills.

If you want to build confidence, get out there, start writing on Medium, create writing samples for Upwork and start pitching clients.

             3. Understand the Difference Between Criticism and Feedback                Asking for feedback put you in a vulnerable position, but to build confidence, you need to get over this hurdle and understand that feedback is to be used as a learning curve to become a better writer.

Remember the only difference between feedback and criticism is how you take it!

             4. Write About Topics You are Passionate About                When you write about topics you are knowledgable and passionate about, it shows in your work! You will write faster, get more clients, make more money and gain confidence.

             5. Actively Flex Your Confidence Muscle to Gain More Clients                Clients can tell when you are desperate or needy. Gaining confidence in yourself and your writing is not just something you should do it is something you MUST do.

At the end of the day, it really does come down to owning your skills, having an open mind, practicing mindfulness, staying self-aware and not getting down on yourself when you “fail”. You must continue to put the work in again and again! FREE TRAINING - 3 Ways to Land Freelance Writing Clients: inspireyoursuccess.com/training

Apply for 1:1 Coaching with Michael: inspireyoursuccess.com/coach

In this Monday with Michael episode, I share my story of going from broke blogger to wealthy writer.

In this day and age, there is actually no excuse to just be an aspiring writer or aspiring blogger. You can be a successful writer too.

There's so many websites that will pay you online if you know how to get clients and make it work.

Let's dive into how to do that with the 5 steps I applied to go from not making any money blogging to 10x my income as a freelance writer.

In January of 2018, I knew I had to do something different than blogging. I was putting in 16+ hours a day blogging but was not seeing any financial gains. My savings were running out and I knew it was time to change.

I had to change my mindset! I wanted the blogging lifestyle - the freedom to control what I wanted to write about and when I wanted to write it. But truth was, if I had continued on the blogging path, I would have ended up broker than broke.

So I switched from blogging to freelance writing. It wasn't an instant money windfall, but over time I scaled my income - and in only a few months I made more money than I ever did in 18 months of blogging.

5 Simple Steps that Will Take you From Broke Blogger to Wealthy Writer

Admit that your blog is not working (and that you might need to go all in on freelance writing).
It's easy to think you can do both, but admittedly, it took me losing my first big client to realize I needed to focus on freelance writing first - it was actually making me money!
Pitch clients. And then pitch some more.
Most people are terrified of pitching because they are terrified of rejection. The hard truth is though that if you are not pitching, you are not making money writing!
Double your rates.
Don't undervalue yourself! If you deliver your content and hit deadlines, clients are gonna want to work with you.
Find a niche that you are excited to write about.
It will make life easier and you will be excited to work on writing when you love writing about the topic you are hired to write about!
Find a second niche that you love to write about.
I have made $40,000 in the last two years writing about my 2nd niche! There is value to yourself in writing about things that you love to write about. Get a 2nd niche.

In this writing Wednesday episode, I go over four simple steps so you can make more money writing so you can land your dream clients and you can build that momentum to not only get started but scaled your freelance writing into a growing business.

Before we can talk about the actionable steps, it is worth mentioning that as humans when we are faced with big goals, such as stating that you are starting a freelance writing business, our brain goes into survival mode. It wants to protect you from anything that could go wrong during a new adventure and it will work hard to keep you safe. This will often lead you to procrastinate starting said business!

So the first step in becoming a successful freelance writer and landing a client, is to get over this mental hurdle. You must push through these emotions and focus on the goal you want to reach to find success as a freelance writer!

Prepare Your Mindset
The first thing you need to do is get your mind on board! Everything starts from the inside out.
Identify Your Writing Niche
There are two options when it comes to writing - you can be a generalist or specialist. Specializing in a niche can lead to higher income due to be the expert voice in that area.
Ideal Client Mapping
Imagine what your ideal client looks like. Do they have a blog or online magazine? How often do they publish? If you were to write content for them, what topics would you write about?
Create Specific Samples for Your Ideal Client
Act like you already write for that client and create samples specific to send them. Make it simple for them to say yes! This will help with your pitch, it will feel personalized (because it is) and then you can also publish these samples on your website.

Follow these 4 steps: prepare mentally, identify writing niche, map your ideal client and create specific samples for your ideal client to find success as a freelance writer!

    In this Monday with Michael episode, I share how starting a blog four years ago had a domino effect and led me to be a successful freelance writer.

                      I Failed at Blogging, But Found Success as a Freelance Writer                When I started my blog in 2016, I realized quickly that I didn’t know how to build a tribe to follow it and also how to create sustainable revenue streams to keep it financially afloat. This is not a story of failure though, but one of success as I pivoted my ‘failed’ blog into becoming a successful freelance writer.

Freelance writing has had a massive role in my life. I was able to 10x my monthly income from 650 bucks to 6,500 bucks in one year while only working part time. In 2019, I was able to double my income and never go back to a nine to five. All this never would have happened if I had never started that blog.

     'Leap and the Net Will Appear'                My mentor, James Wedmore, said that quote and it resonates true. Sometimes you have to have active faith in yourself. Sometimes you have to believe in yourself, even if you don’t really know what’s going to happen out there, even if it feels terrifying to your mind and you’re thinking, “Whoa, this is way out of my comfort zone”.

Blogging was my first step. It didn’t work out the way I thought it would; but it led me to become a published author, successful freelance writer, podcaster and even write and do voice over for a video that went viral on YouTube.

When you bet on yourself and really put yourself out there and say, “Hey, you know what? I can do this”. Some pretty incredible things will happen.

In this episode, I go over what Medium.com is, how it works and how you can get started writing on this platform.

Medium is a no-fuss content platform where writers can publish their content. There is both a free version and a $5/month paid version. I highly recommend the $5/month paid version as it will open the 'doors' for your content to be seen by more people. As well as with the low-cost membership, you get the opportunity to apply to submit your writing to Medium publications - where your content can be seen by many more people.

I love writing on Medium.com for these two reasons:

You Can Start Writing Immediately
Medium Gets 100 million Views a Month

Both of these are huge reasons for writers to embrace being on Medium. Medium.com continues to grow its monthly readers and because of this content on the platform gets ranked on Google.

In this episode, I go over 10 tips to help you succeed as a new freelance writer! I wish someone had told me these tips when I first started my career as an entrepreneur.

Going from a structured 9 to 5 to making your own schedule can be exciting but daunting at the same! These tips will help you find success. Implement them early in your writing career and you will make more as a freelance writer.

              How to Be a Successful Freelance Writer                Freelance writing is the number one way to make money online. As a content writer, the opportunities are endless but you must hone in on a few key skills to go from good to great and watch your income grow. Here are 10 tips to become a successful freelance writer.

1. Create a Routine.
I know this sounds cliché, but creating structure is important. Otherwise, you fall prone to ‘I will get it done later’ or the opposite of that is you work all the time!

2. Value Your TimeCalculate your hourly rate, if a task is below that, then outsource it!

3. Understand How Taxes Work as FreelancerTalk with an accountant and determine how much you need to hold for taxes. This will save you a lot of time and headache at the end of the year!

4. Find a Specific Spot to Work
Having a clearly defined space to work creates boundaries of when and where you will get work done. When you create a specific spot, you will be amazed at how much efficient you are in getting things done!

5. Honor Your CalendarThe amount of integrity that you have usually has a direct relation into the ROI and the percentage work that you get done! If you say you will do something, write it down and do it.

Check out this Harvard paper on Integrity: Without it Nothing Works

Learn more about why you should ‘honor your word’ from the book The Four Agreements.

6. Find Like Minded People and Hang out with Them

Whether you are introvert or extrovert hanging out with likeminded people increases your network and can give you news which may lead to more income opportunities!

7. Keep Learning

To quote Warren Buffet “The More You Learn, the More You Earn”. Whatever writing niche you are in keep learning about that industry; this will make you more valuable to clients and they will pay you for your continued in depth knowledge.

8. Make an Effort to Get to Know Your Clients

This is relationship building 101! When you show genuine interest in not only their business but their life, you create a personal connection that leads to a better partnership.

9. Level Up Your Writing Skills

Invest in yourself, get out of your comfort zone and be challenged! This allows you to accomplish your income goals and become a better freelance writer.

10. Remember: Have Fun!Enjoy the process, document your wins and congratulate yourself! The more fun you have, the less you will worry and this will have an effect on everything you do, including attracting more clients!

In this episode, I go over 10 strategies to 10x your income in one year. I used these tactics to scale my freelance writing business while only working part time and I was able to double my income year over year.

If you are ready to grow and scale your freelance writing income, these strategies will work for you! I implemented them in my business in 2018 and was able to earn more revenue in one year than I ever made working my 9 - 5. I did this all while only working part time. I know these strategies work to 10x your freelance writing career!

10 Freelance Writing Strategies

Create a Freelancer Writer Website to Instantly Establish Your Credibility
Pitch like crazy! If you want to make more money as a writer, you need to get more clients.
Network, Network, Network! Attend free conferences, meet ups in your writing niche or seminars and start making introductions.
Ask for referrals. Leverage existing clients and ask them quarterly if they know anyone in their circle who is looking for a content writer.
Increase your rates or even double your rates. This may seem scary at first, but most clients won't even blink at the higher price tag.
Don't be afraid to drop clients. If they don't value your time or aren't paying on time, it's time to let them go.
Master SEO. If your clients rank high in Google, they will becoming repeat customers!
Write about what you love. Focusing on topics you love will make writing more manageable each month! The last thing you want is to feel like writing is just as bad as that 9 to 5 job you left.
Avoid complacency. Set income goals, pitch goals, client goals and daily goals so you can keep scaling your business!
Write in a second niche. It only needs to make up 20-30% of your income, but when you pick a niche that is a hobby or a passion it won't feel like work and will be fun!

During this episode of Monday's with Michael, I dive into the main differences between blogging and freelance writing. I am frequently asked this question and I wish someone had explained to me at the start of my entrepreneurial journey that these two categories of writing are not the same thing.

On this Writer's Wednesday podcast, I take a trip down memory lane to tell you how I landed my first freelance writing client. Landing that client was a game-changer as it gave me the confidence to go pitch more clients that eventually led me to find success as a full-time freelance writer.

A question I get asked all the time is if Upwork is a scam. I have debunked that rumor many times: on my blog, on YouTube and even a recent podcast. I know that Upwork does work because it is how I found my first paying writing client!

If you are a new freelance writer, landing a client on Upwork is a great place to gain confidence and further your writing skillset. While they do take a percentage of the earnings, it is wise to keep in mind, that they too are running a business. Upwork can be a great place to create your free profile and start searching for writing jobs in your niche today.

In this podcast episode, I debunk the myth that Upwork is a scam for freelance writers and talk about how you can gain momentum as a new writer by finding your first freelance gig on Upwork.

Why Some Freelancers Think Upwork is a Scam

There are two main reasons that the myth that Upwork is a scam exists.

Upwork takes a percentage of the money you make. This is a finders fee.
A variety of jobs are posted and some are very low paying.

Upwork is a business and to host, maintain their site and more, they need to charge a finder's fee for those using the platform to find a job. This covers their expenses.

When you encounter a job that is too low paying for the service you offer, remember you do not have to apply to that job! There are plenty of other higher-paying jobs to choose from.

How I Found Writing Momentum with Upwork While I don't advocate staying on Upwork long term as a freelance writer, I found my first client on Upwork and it gave me both the confidence and momentum to pursue freelance writing full time.

Joining the Upwork community is relatively easy. Sign up for an account, fill out your profile, upload samples of your work and fill out work authorizations. From there, you can start applying to jobs and pitching clients. Upwork is a great place to explore what your rate as a freelance should be and learn how to pitch potential writing clients.

I love that Upwork gave me the momentum to stay on track with my writing career. Winning breeds winning and we all need to start somewhere.

On this edition of Writing Wednesday, I talk about the reasons why I love freelance writing. If any of these reasons resonate with you but you are not even sure what freelance writing is, be sure to check out episode 44, where I tackle that exact topic: "What is Freelance Writing".

After I quit my job, I tried almost every online side hustle from flea market flipping to blogging. I learned a lot of lessons along the way, but the best one that stuck was the belief that freelance writing is the best job in the world. You can literally start today and get paid relatively quickly! If you are feeling stuck in your 9 to 5, or are looking for a way to make supplemental your income, freelance writing is the perfect side hustle.

We live in a fast-moving society that prioritizes instant gratification and freelance writing can be that idea that both vindicates your ideas and pays the bills. Here are the reasons I love freelance writing:

You can get paid quickly
You can control your destiny
You can work remotely - anywhere!
You pick your clients, how many hours you work and when you want to work
You learn more about yourself and how to run a business

In this writing Wednesday episode, I tackle the question I am frequently asked: "What is Freelance Writing?".

I answer that question as well as other frequently asked questions, such as:

What is the difference between blogging and freelance writing?
How did I find my writing niche?
How do I find clients?
How do I get paid?

Being a 'pen for hire' is a great job for any freelancer as it does not take a lot of money, you can get started quickly and you can make financial gains rather easily. I actually consider it the best job or side hustle for any aspiring online entrepreneurs.

I foresee content reigning king for years to come which means brands will be looking for content! That is the best part of being a freelance writer! You can become an expert writer in whatever niche you are interested in. You can get paid to write about hobbies you are passionate about or topics that interest you.

I get to write about my favorite pastime golf and also about motivation and entrepreneurship - and I get paid to do it! Freelance writing is the perfect opportunity for those that want to control their destiny. If you want more money, you need to just either do two things, raise your prices, get more clients, or both. Writing content is not just a fad! It is the number one way to make money online, all you have to do is just start.

In this episode, I take listeners back to the beginning and share my journey from being an unhappy 9-5 employee to becoming a part-time blogger and then finally now a full-time freelance writer.

I felt like it was important to share this journey as often when you see people online making money, it appears easy and that success happens overnight. Most people, though, don't make money right out of the gate! For me, it was discovering first that I wanted to help people learn about finances. That developed into writing a blog part-time, but that came with its own set of challenges due to lack of commitment and time. I discovered though that where there is a will there is a way.

After I left my 9 to 5 job to pursue what I thought would be blogging full time, I discovered that actually freelance writing about topics I was interested in and then getting paid for them was actually more of my niche. I have learned so many lessons since then about writing, about growing a business and becoming an entrepreneur.

All along the way though, I have never lost my firstmost desire to help others learn, apply and then experience success in life. I truly believe everyone has something unique to offer, and if you are stuck in a 9 to 5 job that despite the great pay or benefits, leaves you unfulfilled, then it might be time to explore a new career path in freelance writing.

I am really excited to share more of my journey with listeners during Monday's with Michael and then dive even more into the details of freelancing on Writing Wednesdays.

In this Monday's with Michael episode, I share why my blog failed and in reality why most blogs do!

I don't regret the lessons I learned along the way, though, and it has led me now to become a successful freelance writer. Blogging has evolved and there is both an art and science to becoming a successful blogger. I learned the following tips of 'what not to do' when starting a blog.

Here are some of the biggest mistakes bloggers make:

Don't use your blog as a personal diary
Don't assume it will be a success overnight
Don't make your blog about you
Don't think you will rank organically without knowing SEO
Don't assume people will find you without any promotion
Don't push out short form, not good quality content 2x a week
Don't assume that you can do everything
Don't think that you can do this without spending money

Do you have an online course but can't figure out how to sell it? If this sounds like you and you want to hear an incredibly inspiring entrepreneur story, you'll love this interview with Casey Zeman.

In this episode you'll learn:

How Casey went from broke actor to millionaire entrepreneur
Why he quit acting to build an online business
How he made his first $200,000 selling webinars and what prompted him to start Easy Webinar
Strategies to help you build an online business by selling your skills to people around the world via online courses and coaching

Have you wanted to start an online business but have no idea where to begin? Are you worried about the fear of failure? Are you letting your lack of tech skills get in the way of actually launching your idea to the world?

If this sounds like you, this interview with Jacqueline Kincer will help you speed up success. In this episode, you will learn:

Jacqueline's amazing comeback story
How to overcome fears of entrepreneurship
How to take your business online from offline
Why you should just start (even if you're not ready)
How to manage your life & family with your online business

Do you want to learn how to leave your 9-5, travel the world, and impact people all over the world with your writing? Plus, learn how to write a book??

If so, I think you will love this inspirational interview with Anthony Moore. He's the only guest I've had twice on the show and really enjoyed learning more about his story.

Anthony Moore is an author and coach, focusing on personal development and self-improvement. He has an M.A. in Psychology and is the author of What Extraordinary People Know (2019). His incredible story shows what is possible if you believe in yourself. It also makes it more and more clear that you don't have to sit around in a 9-5 job you hate anymore. Use Anthony's success to take your life and business to the next level by following your passions! Resources Mentioned in the Show Check out the resources mentioned in this show:

**Read his outstanding work on Medium

**Learn more about getting started freelance writing

Launch your freelance writing career in 90 days with “Freelance to 5K**“

If you're looking for some inspiration to quit your job and live your dreams, this episode is for YOU!

I got to interview Sean Ogle of Location Rebel to learn about his epic journey of entrepreneurship. He started blogging and freelance writing in 2009 and hasn't worked a normal job since.

Now, he spends his time writing, traveling, growing his brand Location Rebel, and golfing (his goal is to play the top 100 courses in the world). Plus, Sean is also the founder of Breaking 80, a golf membership site who helps connect like-minded golfers.

When it comes to making money online and living the laptop lifestyle, Sean is definitely one of the Godfather's so listen a few times and take notes.

In the episode, we talk about:

Sean's epic journey
What it's like to quit your job
How to make money online in 2019
How to start an online business with no experience
What it takes to make money writing, blogging, and other side hustles like membership sites

If you found it inspiring &/or actionable, please share on Instagram by taking a screenshot and tagging @iammichaelleonard.

Check out Location Rebel here.

Resources to Start Your Online Business

10 Online Business Ideas: https://pages.convertkit.com/6bb5abb980/a1a9b0f67b

*ClickFunnels: https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/clickfunnels

*Teachable: https://www.teachable.com

*Bluehost (Website Hosting for Podcast): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/bluehost

*Convertkit (Email List): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/convertkit

And if you’re ready to take your life or business to the next level, here are some ways that I can help you even more ...

1) Work with me 1-1

If you’d like some extra help starting your podcast or launching a freelance writing business let’s talk!

Sign up for a 30-min consultation: https://calendly.com/michael-leonard/30-min-consult-youtube

2) Schedule an hour for a consulting call.

Do you have an idea (or ideas) about starting an online business but aren’t sure where to begin? Trust me, I’ve probably done it. I’ve started a writing business, launched a podcast, grew a blog, Youtube, and e-commerce store as an entrepreneur.

Let me show you how to take your idea to income with a 60-minute consulting call.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2WNwfVr

3) JOIN Freelance to 5K

If you’re ready to build an online business, freelance writing is a great place to start. With no experience or writing background, I was able to 10X my writing income in 12 months only working part-time. This one skill has allowed me to NEVER go back to a 9-5!

I’ve packaged up everything I’ve learned over the years to give you a step-by-step guide to launch a freelance writing business or side hustle.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2Q6QF9e

4) Follow me on Instagram @iammichaelleonard to get updates to new content, entrepreneurial advice, & motivation to help you create an epic life and business.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammichaelleonard/

5) Subscribe on Youtube to get 2X/week videos to help you build an online business.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/michaelleonardentrepreneur

Are you tired of going to a job you hate only to live for the weekends and then do it all over again?

If you're tired of living for the weekends, this episode will help you get clarity on creating your dream life.

In this episode, I got to interview Sam Crowley of the "Everday is Saturday" podcast which is one of the top motivational podcasts in the world!

We discuss why a job makes you broke, how to make money online, and how to live your dreams.

I hope you enjoyed this episode with Sam Crowley. If you found it inspiring &/or actionable, please share on Instagram by taking a screenshot and tagging @iammichaelleonard.

10 Online Business Ideas: https://pages.convertkit.com/6bb5abb980/a1a9b0f67b

Resources to Start Your Online Business

*ClickFunnels: https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/clickfunnels

*Teachable: https://www.teachable.com

*Bluehost (Website Hosting for Podcast): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/bluehost

*Convertkit (Email List): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/convertkit

And if you’re ready to take your life or business to the next level, here are some ways that I can help you even more ...

1) Work with me 1-1

If you’d like some extra help starting your podcast or launching a freelance writing business let’s talk!

Sign up for a 30-min consultation: https://calendly.com/michael-leonard/30-min-consult-youtube

2) Schedule an hour for a consulting call.

Do you have an idea (or ideas) about starting an online business but aren’t sure where to begin? Trust me, I’ve probably done it. I’ve started a writing business, launched a podcast, grew a blog, Youtube, and e-commerce store as an entrepreneur.

Let me show you how to take your idea to income with a 60-minute consulting call.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2WNwfVr

3) JOIN Freelance to 5K

If you’re ready to build an online business, freelance writing is a great place to start. With no experience or writing background, I was able to 10X my writing income in 12 months only working part-time. This one skill has allowed me to NEVER go back to a 9-5!

I’ve packaged up everything I’ve learned over the years to give you a step-by-step guide to launch a freelance writing business or side hustle.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2Q6QF9e

4) Follow me on Instagram @iammichaelleonard to get updates to new content, entrepreneurial advice, & motivation to help you create an epic life and business.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammichaelleonard/

5) Subscribe on Youtube to get 2X/week videos to help you build an online business.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/michaelleonardentrepreneur

Do you want to have more success in business in life? Instead of doing more, why not do less? Instead of hustling, why not use the power of your mind to create the life of your dreams?

In this episode of Inspire Your Success podcast, I interviewed NLP coach, Teri Holland. She shares her inspiring journey to help you learn how to find happiness, wealth, and success in your life.

In this episode, we cover:

The power of visualization
Success habits to start today
The power of your subconscious mind
How to reprogram your mind for success

10 PROVEN Online Business Ideas to Earn Your First $1,000 (and beyond): FREE Email Course - http://bit.ly/2WUc9J1

Whenever you’re ready to take your life or business to the next level, here are some ways that I can help you...

Work with me 1-1
If you’d like some extra help starting a writing career, I have a personalized six-week program to help. Not only will you get access to my signature course, Freelance to 5K, but we’ll work together to build your writing business with weekly calls and accountability.

I’ll personally help you overcome any limiting beliefs, find high-paying clients, review your pitches, and show you how to scale your business.

Email michael@inspireyoursuccess.com

JOIN Freelance to 5K
If you’re ready to build an online business, freelance writing is a great place to start. With no experience or writing background, I was able to 10X my writing income in 12 months only working part-time. This one skill has allowed me to NEVER go back to a 9-5!

I’ve packaged up everything I’ve learned over the years to give you a step-by-step guide to launch a freelance writing business or side hustle.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2Q6QF9e

3.Schedule an hour for a consulting call.
Do you have an idea (or ideas) about starting an online business but aren’t sure where to begin? Trust me, I’ve probably done it. I’ve started a writing business, launched a podcast, grew a blog, Youtube, and ecommerce store as an entrepreneur.

Let me show you how to take your idea to income with a 60-minute consulting call.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2WNwfVr

LISTEN to my podcast to get inspired and learn how to build an online business using the habits of successful entrepreneurs.

LISTEN NOW: https://apple.co/30sDpkj

Follow me on Instagram @iammichaelleonard to get updates to new content, daily wisdom, & motivation to help you create an epic life and business.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammichaelleonard/

Visit My WEBSITE for the inspiration and motivation to build an online business: https://inspireyoursuccess.com

Are you ready to learn the #1 key to success to make it big as a digital entrepreneur?

Hint: This trick will help to improve ALL areas of your life.

If you found it inspiring &/or actionable, please share on Instagram by taking a screenshot and tagging @iammichaelleonard.

10 Online Business Ideas: https://pages.convertkit.com/6bb5abb980/a1a9b0f67b

Resources to Start Your Online Business

*ClickFunnels: https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/clickfunnels

*Teachable: https://www.teachable.com

*Bluehost (Website Hosting for Podcast): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/bluehost

*Convertkit (Email List): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/convertkit

And if you’re ready to take your life or business to the next level, here are some ways that I can help you even more ...

1) Work with me 1-1

If you’d like some extra help starting your podcast or launching a freelance writing business let’s talk!

Sign up for a 30-min consultation: https://calendly.com/michael-leonard/30-min-consult-youtube

2) Schedule an hour for a consulting call.

Do you have an idea (or ideas) about starting an online business but aren’t sure where to begin? Trust me, I’ve probably done it. I’ve started a writing business, launched a podcast, grew a blog, Youtube, and e-commerce store as an entrepreneur.

Let me show you how to take your idea to income with a 60-minute consulting call.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2WNwfVr

3) JOIN Freelance to 5K

If you’re ready to build an online business, freelance writing is a great place to start. With no experience or writing background, I was able to 10X my writing income in 12 months only working part-time. This one skill has allowed me to NEVER go back to a 9-5!

I’ve packaged up everything I’ve learned over the years to give you a step-by-step guide to launch a freelance writing business or side hustle.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2Q6QF9e

4) Follow me on Instagram @iammichaelleonard to get updates to new content, entrepreneurial advice, & motivation to help you create an epic life and business.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammichaelleonard/

5) Subscribe on Youtube to get 2X/week videos to help you build an online business.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/michaelleonardentrepreneur

Do you want to quit your job and learn how to make money online?

Before you give your notice at work, make sure you listen to this episode a few times. Because in 2017, I did just that.

I left my corporate job and 6-figure salary for the unknowns of entrepreneurship. And I had made $200 from my blog...EVER!

In this episode, I'll talk more about what it's really been like leaving a $100,000+ 9-5 to build an online business and pursue professional golf. It's been a wild ride the past few years and hope this episode can give you more insight and a behind the scenes look!

If you found it inspiring &/or actionable, please share on Instagram by taking a screenshot and tagging @iammichaelleonard.

10 Online Business Ideas: https://pages.convertkit.com/6bb5abb980/a1a9b0f67b

Resources to Start Your Online Business

*ClickFunnels: https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/clickfunnels

*Teachable: https://www.teachable.com

*Bluehost (Website Hosting for Podcast): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/bluehost

*Convertkit (Email List): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/convertkit

And if you’re ready to take your life or business to the next level, here are some ways that I can help you even more ...

1) Work with me 1-1

If you’d like some extra help starting your podcast or launching a freelance writing business let’s talk!

Sign up for a 30-min consultation: https://calendly.com/michael-leonard/30-min-consult-youtube

2) Schedule an hour for a consulting call.

Do you have an idea (or ideas) about starting an online business but aren’t sure where to begin? Trust me, I’ve probably done it. I’ve started a writing business, launched a podcast, grew a blog, Youtube, and e-commerce store as an entrepreneur.

Let me show you how to take your idea to income with a 60-minute consulting call.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2WNwfVr

3) JOIN Freelance to 5K

If you’re ready to build an online business, freelance writing is a great place to start. With no experience or writing background, I was able to 10X my writing income in 12 months only working part-time. This one skill has allowed me to NEVER go back to a 9-5!

I’ve packaged up everything I’ve learned over the years to give you a step-by-step guide to launch a freelance writing business or side hustle.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2Q6QF9e

4) Follow me on Instagram @iammichaelleonard to get updates to new content, entrepreneurial advice, & motivation to help you create an epic life and business.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammichaelleonard/

5) Subscribe on Youtube to get 2X/week videos to help you build an online business.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/michaelleonardentrepreneur

Do you suffer from shiny object syndrome?

It's easy to do with so much opportunity out there. But if you jump from project to project too quickly, it's easy to not make meaningful progress.

In this episode, I'll talk more about shiny object syndrome as an entrepreneur, how to stay focused, and the best ways to move the needle in your business.

If you found it inspiring &/or actionable, please share on Instagram by taking a screenshot and tagging @iammichaelleonard.

10 Online Business Ideas: https://pages.convertkit.com/6bb5abb980/a1a9b0f67b

Resources to Start Your Online Business

*ClickFunnels: https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/clickfunnels

*Teachable: https://www.teachable.com

*Bluehost (Website Hosting for Podcast): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/bluehost

*Convertkit (Email List): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/convertkit

And if you’re ready to take your life or business to the next level, here are some ways that I can help you even more ...

1) Work with me 1-1

If you’d like some extra help starting your podcast or launching a freelance writing business let’s talk!

Sign up for a 30-min consultation: https://calendly.com/michael-leonard/30-min-consult-youtube

2) Schedule an hour for a consulting call.

Do you have an idea (or ideas) about starting an online business but aren’t sure where to begin? Trust me, I’ve probably done it. I’ve started a writing business, launched a podcast, grew a blog, Youtube, and e-commerce store as an entrepreneur.

Let me show you how to take your idea to income with a 60-minute consulting call.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2WNwfVr

3) JOIN Freelance to 5K

If you’re ready to build an online business, freelance writing is a great place to start. With no experience or writing background, I was able to 10X my writing income in 12 months only working part-time. This one skill has allowed me to NEVER go back to a 9-5!

I’ve packaged up everything I’ve learned over the years to give you a step-by-step guide to launch a freelance writing business or side hustle.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2Q6QF9e

4) Follow me on Instagram @iammichaelleonard to get updates to new content, entrepreneurial advice, & motivation to help you create an epic life and business.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammichaelleonard/

5) Subscribe on Youtube to get 2X/week videos to help you build an online business.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/michaelleonardentrepreneur

Are you impatient for success? Trust me, I get it!

In this episode, learn from past digital entrepreneurs so you can start making more money sooner!

If you found this episode inspiring &/or actionable, please share on Instagram by taking a screenshot and tagging @iammichaelleonard.

10 Online Business Ideas: https://pages.convertkit.com/6bb5abb980/a1a9b0f67b

Resources to Start Your Online Business

*ClickFunnels: https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/clickfunnels

*Teachable: https://www.teachable.com

*Bluehost (Website Hosting for Podcast): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/bluehost

*Convertkit (Email List): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/convertkit

And if you’re ready to take your life or business to the next level, here are some ways that I can help you even more ...

1) Work with me 1-1

If you’d like some extra help starting your podcast or launching a freelance writing business let’s talk!

Sign up for a 30-min consultation: https://calendly.com/michael-leonard/30-min-consult-youtube

2) Schedule an hour for a consulting call.

Do you have an idea (or ideas) about starting an online business but aren’t sure where to begin? Trust me, I’ve probably done it. I’ve started a writing business, launched a podcast, grew a blog, Youtube, and e-commerce store as an entrepreneur.

Let me show you how to take your idea to income with a 60-minute consulting call.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2WNwfVr

3) JOIN Freelance to 5K

If you’re ready to build an online business, freelance writing is a great place to start. With no experience or writing background, I was able to 10X my writing income in 12 months only working part-time. This one skill has allowed me to NEVER go back to a 9-5!

I’ve packaged up everything I’ve learned over the years to give you a step-by-step guide to launch a freelance writing business or side hustle.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2Q6QF9e

4) Follow me on Instagram @iammichaelleonard to get updates to new content, entrepreneurial advice, & motivation to help you create an epic life and business.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammichaelleonard/

5) Subscribe on Youtube to get 2X/week videos to help you build an online business.

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/michaelleonardentrepreneur

Do you really need a morning routine?

I think "YES" but not for the reasons you might be thinking.

Most people start the day off reactive — hitting the snooze button, scrolling through social media while lying in bed, and waiting until the last minute to get ready.

This leads to being rushed and flustered. Instead of starting the day on your terms, you are simply reacting to your environment.

In reality, the mornings should be peaceful, positive, and set you up to win the day. People like Tony Robbins, Oprah, and Grant Cardone credit a ton of their success to winning their mornings.

In this episode, I'll share how morning routines have changed my life + business and how you can implement them. We'll cover how to use a morning routine to get what you want, how to wake up earlier, and 5 most common habits.

Win the Morning Course (How to Start a Morning Routine Using the Habits of Successful Entrepreneurs): https://inspire-your-success1.teachable.com/p/win-the-morning

Morning Routine Articles from the Blog

https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/morning-rituals-of-successful-people/

https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/morning-routine-checklist-for-adults/

If you found it inspiring &/or actionable, please share on Instagram by taking a screenshot and tagging @iammichaelleonard.

10 Online Business Ideas: https://pages.convertkit.com/6bb5abb980/a1a9b0f67b

Resources to Start Your Online Business

*ClickFunnels: https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/clickfunnels

*Teachable: https://www.teachable.com

*Bluehost (Website Hosting for Podcast): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/bluehost

*Convertkit (Email List): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/convertkit

And if you’re ready to take your life or business to the next level, here are some ways that I can help you even more ...

1) Work with me 1-1

If you’d like some extra help starting your podcast or launching a freelance writing business let’s talk!

Sign up for a 30-min consultation: https://calendly.com/michael-leonard/30-min-consult-youtube

2) Schedule an hour for a consulting call.

Do you have an idea (or ideas) about starting an online business but aren’t sure where to begin? Trust me, I’ve probably done it. I’ve started a writing business, launched a podcast, grew a blog, Youtube, and e-commerce store as an entrepreneur.

Let me show you how to take your idea to income with a 60-minute consulting call.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2WNwfVr

3) JOIN Freelance to 5K

If you’re ready to build an online business, freelance writing is a great place to start. With no experience or writing background, I was able to 10X my writing income in 12 months only working part-time. This one skill has allowed me to NEVER go back to a 9-5!

I’ve packaged up everything I’ve learned over the years to give you a step-by-step guide to launch a freelance writing business or side hustle.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2Q6QF9e

4) Follow me on Instagram @iammichaelleonard to get updates to new content, entrepreneurial advice, & motivation to help you create an epic life and business.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammichaelleonard/

Welcome back to Inspire Your Success podcast.

In this special episode, I got to interview David Meltzer. If you don't know David, he is a:

Best-selling author
International Keynote Speaker
Top 100 Business Coach in the world
Nationally recognized Humanitarian
CEO of Sports One Marketing (biggest sports agency in the world)

In the interview, we talk about:

The power of gratitude
How to speed up success
Advice for new entrepreneurs
Understanding fear vs. motivation
Why you don't have to love what you do

Resources Mentioned in the Show Check out the resources mentioned in this show:

Connect with David on Instagram

Best Quotes From The Show * “Gratitude is the most important thing in every part of your life. It makes your past great, your present better, and your future even brighter.”
“We misdiagnose fear. People think that you need to have fear to be motivated. Fear provides you focus, not motivation.”

If you found it inspiring &/or actionable, please share on Instagram by taking a screenshot and tagging @iammichaelleonard.

10 Online Business Ideas: https://pages.convertkit.com/6bb5abb980/a1a9b0f67b

Resources to Start Your Online Business

*ClickFunnels: https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/clickfunnels

*Teachable: https://www.teachable.com

*Bluehost (Website Hosting for Podcast): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/bluehost

*Convertkit (Email List): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/convertkit

And if you’re ready to take your life or business to the next level, here are some ways that I can help you even more ...

1) Work with me 1-1

If you’d like some extra help starting your podcast or launching a freelance writing business let’s talk!

Sign up for a 30-min consultation: https://calendly.com/michael-leonard/30-min-consult-youtube

2) Schedule an hour for a consulting call.

Do you have an idea (or ideas) about starting an online business but aren’t sure where to begin? Trust me, I’ve probably done it. I’ve started a writing business, launched a podcast, grew a blog, Youtube, and e-commerce store as an entrepreneur.

Let me show you how to take your idea to income with a 60-minute consulting call.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2WNwfVr

3) JOIN Freelance to 5K

If you’re ready to build an online business, freelance writing is a great place to start. With no experience or writing background, I was able to 10X my writing income in 12 months only working part-time. This one skill has allowed me to NEVER go back to a 9-5!

I’ve packaged up everything I’ve learned over the years to give you a step-by-step guide to launch a freelance writing business or side hustle.

LEARN MORE NOW: http://bit.ly/2Q6QF9e

4) Follow me on Instagram @iammichaelleonard to get updates to new content, entrepreneurial advice, & motivation to help you create an epic life and business.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iammichaelleonard/

Have you ever wondered, should I become an entrepreneur?

In this episode of Inspire Your Success, I talk all things entrepreneurship. From side hustles, quitting your job, and why digital entrepreneurship isn't like brick and mortar businesses.

You will learn the pros, the cons, and the solution to test the water before quitting your job.

Resources Mentioned

10 Online Business Idea Course

Start Your Online Business with my Youtube Channel

Thanks for tuning in!

In this episode of Inspire Your Success, I got to interview the King of side hustles, Nick Loper. He is most known for his epic brand, Side Hustle Nation. Nick teaches people about the endless ways to make money online through side hustles.

In this interview, we talk about:

Finding your perfect side hustle
The power of masterminds and coaches
The best 2019 side hustle opportunities
How podcasting change grow your business
The importance of reverse engineering your goals
Staying productive during the day (whether you work at home or not)

Check out the resources mentioned in this show:

Read Nicks blog at Side Hustle Nation
Listen to the Side Hustle Show

In this interview, Michael interview Pete McPherson of DoYouEvenBlog.com. Pete left his full-time career three years ago to take his passion for blogging and online marketing to the next level.

He now runs doyouevenblog.com as a full-time business with online courses, a podcast, and of course, an epic blog.

In this episode, you will learn:

How to make money blogging
The best way to start an online business
Why Pete left his corporate job for blogging
The challenges of entrepreneurship and how to succeed faster

Resources Mentioned in the Show

Check out the resources mentioned in this show:

Connect with Pete at www.doyouevenblog.com
Listen to his podcast
10 Proven Online Business Ideas to Earn Your First $1,000

Blogging Courses I Recommend:

Launch Your Blog (Beginner Blogging Course): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/launchyourblog

*Make Money Blogging (Intermediate Blogging Course):

https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/makemoneyblogging

*Six-Figure Blogger (Advanced Blogging Course): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/sixfigureblogger

*Pro Blogger Bundle: https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/probloggingbundle

Blogging Resources

*Bluehost (Blog Hosting): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/bluehost

*Convertkit (Email List): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/convertkit

*Studio Press (Blogging Themes): https://www.inspireyoursuccess.com/studiopress

In this episode of Inspire Your Success podcast, Michael interview Zander Fryer.

Zander is a high-performance coach who left a $200,000+ job at Cisco to become an entrepreneur. Since exiting the corporate world 2+ years ago, he’s been able to launch a highly successful coaching business & write a best selling book! Plus, he recently did his first TED Talk as well.

In this episode, you will learn more about:

How to start a coaching business
The one question that can change your life
Why you need to reprogram your mind for success
How Zander made over $100,000 in one month after leaving the corporate world

It was a pleasure to get to interview Zander as he’s an awesome guy who is on a mission to make the world a better place. Check out the resources mentioned in this show:

Connect with Zander on IG
Learn more his coaching program
Learn how to reprogram your subconscious with a morning routine

Legacy Perez Interview Today’s guest, Legacy Perez, was an absolute pleasure to have on the show. He is one of the most inspiring guests yet and his journey shows you exactly what is possible if you chase your dreams.

I love that Legacy has been able to dominate in two different industries; Hollywood/Dancing as well as real estate. It shows that he is committed to mastering his craft, regardless of what it is, and has an insatiable work ethic.

Make sure to listen to this one a few times because Legacy dropped all kinds of motivation, knowledge, and heartfelt quotes.

Check out the resources mentioned in this show:

Connect with Legacy on Instagram
Learn more Legacy and his epic backstory here

This episode launch marks 2 years since leaving my safe and secure, corporate 9-5 to build my online business and pursue professional golf.

In this episode, I give you the raw, unfiltered look of what it takes to make money online, the nitty gritty about personal development, and strategies to 10X your life.

Videos About the Subconscious Mind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDVi7pCEzu8&list=PL3JDCD84BjcL7ViO6amsvCOhkDsu4Tyx3&index=48&t=0s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNAN1XT2kQo&list=PL3JDCD84BjcL7ViO6amsvCOhkDsu4Tyx3&index=49

Freelance to 5K

https://inspire-your-success1.teachable.com/p/freelance-to-5k

In this episode, I got to interview Tommy Baker. Tommy is an entrepreneur, coach, author, and podcaster.

Watch the video version on Youtube --> https://youtu.be/RKVjaqjCcaE

Tommy Baker helps dreamers, visionaries and entrepreneurs bring those dreams to life —and create a life they can’t wait to wake up for. As the author of UnResolution, The 1% Rule and The Leap Of Your Life, Tommy believes living up to our potential is what we’re here for.

Through his writing, coaching and podcast —he’s helped thousands of people take their next bold step and never look back. He’s been featured in Entrepreneur, Influencive, Thought Catalog and more.

Here's what you will learn in this episode:

How to find clarity in your life
Why you should always bet on yourself
How to make big changes in your life and push past fear
The importance of self-care and reflection on a regular basis
How morning routines can help you create space and listen to your intuition

Does being your own boss sound appealing?

Thanks to the internet, gig economy, and low costs it’s never been easier to become an entrepreneur. 10 years ago it would have been impossible to do what we have access to now. You can start a blog, publish a book or grow an Amazon business with minimal costs.

Of course, becoming an entrepreneur vs a successful entrepreneur is a different story. Whether you start with a side hustle or build a company there are some universal rules that will help you succeed.

Last year I left my six-figure job to turn my passion for writing into a full-time career. I have learned some valuable lessons in my 10-month journey and want to share with you so you can avoid the mistakes I made.

Get Clear on What You Are Trying to Accomplish Clarity is so important to achieve your goals. You can’t go all in if you aren’t 100% clear on what you are trying to accomplish. This happened to me and it sucks. It drains your energy, leaves you scattered, and on bad days feeling hopeless. The worst is when you feel like you worked all day only to look back and feel like nothing got done.

Without clarity, it’s really easy to jump from task to task never really accomplishing anything. Spend time every day, week, and a month getting really clear on your objectives.

Each day dedicate a few minutes to writing out what your priorities are for the day. I found it super helpful to meditate for ten minutes and imagine the day going perfectly. Also, you will find it beneficial to do this each Sunday and at the end of the month to clarify upcoming goals.

Focus on Yourself As an entrepreneur, you are inevitably trying to solve a problem for a group of people. Your work should always focus on, “How can I help more people with this specific problem.”

While you should focus on your customer it is so vital to not forget about number one, yourself. If you stop caring for your mind and body you will never create the best product for your consumer.

Spend time each day looking after your physical and mental health. The easiest way to do this is with a consistent morning routine. If done properly your morning routine can shape your entire day by…

Focusing on your why
Gaining clarity on what you need to accomplish in the short and long term with journaling
Spending time reading, journaling, and meditating
Exercising and getting the creative juices flowing

Do The Hard Stuff First In Brian Tracy’s book, “Eat the Frog” he talks about the importance of doing the hard stuff first each morning. Spend this time on projects, problems, or situations that are giving you the most challenges.

Your brain is the most refreshed and creative in the morning. Don’t waste your time and creativity by checking emails, going on social media, or doing meaningless tasks like organizing your desktop.

“The more important and valuable the task is to you, the more you will be motivated to overcome procrastination and launch yourself in to the job. — Brian Tracy

Never Stop Learning I’ve found it’s easy to get busy creating and recreating that you sometimes forget that you need to be consuming information as well. You can always learn more about your industry by spending time reading blogs, books or popular websites. But you should also read or consumer information that is entirely unrelated to sometimes spark creative, new ideas.

As Elon Musk’s ex-wife said in a Business Insider interview: “Choose one thing and become a master of it. Choose a second thing and become a master of that. When you become a master of two worlds (say, engineering and business), you can bring them together in a way that will a) introduce hot ideas to each other, so they can have idea sex and make idea babies that no one has seen before and b) create a competitive advantage because you can move between worlds, speak both languages, connect the tribes, mash the elements to spark fresh creative insight until you wake up with the epiphany that changes your life.”

It’s easy to get consumed in what you are doing — your industry, your customers, your mission and your goals. But don’t be afraid to pull back to learn something new and find an idea you might never have thought of.

Don’t Settle The world is changing faster than ever. You can’t afford to settle in your current situation, no matter how good it’s going. Amazon is one of the biggest companies ever and they are still putting out new ideas constantly. Sure, not all of them will work but you can’t get comfortable. Remember when Blockbuster video did?

Always find ways to add value, create new projects, get more customers, and solve more problems.

“Work like there is someone working twenty-four hours a day to take it all away from you.” — Mark Cuban

Create an End Time It’s natural for time entrepreneurs to want to prove themselves to the world. They want “hustle” 24/7 and make Gary Vee proud. But if you go non-stop, 24/7 eventually you will burn out. Trust me, I did.

There is only so much caffeine in the world. Without recharging you will never create your best work. Chose quality over quantity by creating an end time. Just like you have a wake-up time you should have an end time. This could be to spend with family, read or relax before bed.

Stop feeling guilty about recharging as it will give you the energy needed to create the best possible products.

One of the reasons I started this podcast was to help learn from people who left their 9-5's to build an online business. Today's guest, Natalie Bacon, is a story is incredibly inspiring as she did just that.

She went from lawyer to financial planner to full-time blogger. Her blog earned over $178K in 2018 and she just started in 2015. She's relentless in her pursuit of greatness and it shows in all of her content online.

Here's what you will learn in this episode:

How to make money blogging
The power of investing in yourself
How to blog and work full-time as a beginner
Why a mentor or coach can help you speed up success
Mindset hacks to make your brain work for you not against you
Understanding how your beliefs are holding you back from success

Resources Mentioned in the Show Check out the resources mentioned in this show:

Learn more about Natalie
Listen to Natalie’s podcast
Check out my guide on how to start a blog

Best Quotes From The Show * “Any obstacle or failure is neutral. You can make it mean whatever you want. I never let an obstacle or failure mean anything negative.” * “I think people change course too often and dabble. That is holding them back from true success.”