Inspire Your Success

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: 1.  Trauma 2. Identity narrative. 3. Subconscious 4. 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. Finally, don't forget that Freelance to 5K is closing on 5/31 at 9 pm 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.

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.    

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: 1. If your name is going to be on it, be sure it is your best effort.  2. Do your best research for the article and use legitimate sources. 3.. Follow the style guidelines that the client provides. 4. Make it easy for the editor to do their job.  5. Stay organized with a writing calendar.  6. 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.

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   Join Freelance to 5K (Doors close 5/31 at 9pm PST): freelanceto5k.com

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: 1.  Trauma 2. Identity narrative. 3. Subconscious 4. 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. 

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! 

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/