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5 Ways You Can Get Paid to Write

If you’ve been thinking about starting a career in writing there has never been a better time to start then right now.

You’re going to learn 5 ways that you can get paid as a writer while working from home. Or from anywhere in the world. All you need is a laptop and an internet connection.

Actually, you don’t even need a laptop (although it makes it easier).

You could do all of these using just a smartphone. As long as you’re connected to the world wide web.

I have made money all 5 ways that I am sharing with you below, and all of them can earn you extra income too. Or you can turn any one of them into a full-time career.

So you too can have the freedom that comes with living the writer’s life.

Here are 5 ways that you can start right away to earn a good living as a paid writer:

Freelance writing and guest blogging. The first time I got to paid to write an article I got paid $100. Although it wasn’t much, it was an amazing feeling to actually get paid as a writer.

Honestly, I’m not even sure if they ever published the article I wrote. But one of the cool things is that the editor helped me by giving me feedback about what I wrote. This helped me improve my writing skills.

There are tons of websites and publications that pay for articles and photos.

Make sure when pitching a publication that you follow their guidelines for guest posting and article submission.

Become a high paid copywriter. What exactly is a copywriter? A copywriter is someone who writes direct response *copy* for websites, emails, direct mail, social media, advertisements, or anything that leads someone to take action.

Whether it’s to read another article, sign up for an email list, register for a webinar, go to an event or make a purchase.

It’s the persuasive writing that sells or gets your ideal client or customer to take action.

Becoming a copywriter is one of the most lucrative ways of becoming a writer. Because there is always a need for good copywriters.

That’s why businesses pay so well. Your writing makes them money.

So let’s say you write an email campaign that makes your client $20,000. They will gladly pay you $3,000 to write 10 emails that make them money.

Paying a copywriter is an investment that saves business owners time (so they can focus on what they do best) and it makes them money.

It’s a skill every business owner should learn. Whether you plan to hire copywriters or write your own copy.

Learning the fundamentals of persuasive writing that sells improves all of your content.

Including social media posts, video scripts, live streams, blog posts, writing emails to your list, and especially sales pages.

Proofreading and Editing. If you have good language and English skills then you can easily get work as a proofreader.

There are tools available to help you and there is a ton of work out there.

When I first started writing, I picked up some side jobs like this to earn extra money and for my very first assignment I got paid around $700.

There are over 50,000 new books being published on Kindle every month and every book needs to be edited and proofread. So if you are looking to make some extra cash and improve your writing skills, it’s a great way to start.

Write and sell Books. Self-publishing is the fastest and easiest way to become a published author.

Books are a great way to earn extra income. You get paid for every book you sell plus you can turn your book into a lead magnet (to build your email list), a course or an easy way to promote your business.

It is also one of the fastest ways to distinguish yourself as a professional writer and the go-to expert in your industry.

After I wrote my first book it became easy to get media interviews on podcasts and on the radio. Getting interviewed on other people’s shows is one of the best ways to quickly build your brand and gain instant credibility as a writer.

Start your own “work from home” side hustle or full-time online business today.

Here’s the link to download a FREE newletter that shows you how: One of the fastest ways to make money online to work from the comfort and safety of home.

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How to Pivot Your Business Without Breaking the Couch

“Pivot. Pivot. PIVOT!”
Ross from Friends

Hey. I hope you and your family are safe and well. 

As I watch the world pivot to stay safe, I have been trying to figure out what I should be doing that will best serve you and anyone else who needs what I can teach.

I thought about focusing on health and wellness. Certainly if I was still the health & fitness expert on The Queen Silvy Show that would be my focus. But honestly, I left the show for a reason. Plus, there are so many health experts speaking out right now that it doesn’t seem like where I’m needed most.

Not yet anyway…

What I can say though, is to take the advice of the experts.

Take all precautionary measures to reduce the risk of spreading the China virus. And take zinc to help build a stronger immune system.

C’mon, you can’t tell me it wasn’t just a little bit amusing when our beloved President stood before our great Nation on national television and called the Coronavirus the China virus.

Can you imagine how ticked off his PR people were with him?

During these trying times, laughter is still the best medicine.

Speaking of laughter, I love the show Friends and enjoy watching the old episodes with my kids from time to time. 

Which leads me to the topic at hand. 

How to pivot without breaking the couch. You gotta love that episode.
So I decided to lay low on health advice while I focus on what I already have ready to offer. The courses and programs that are available to you at this very moment.

Stuff that can calm your anxiety over your finances.

According to the Washington Post a record 3.3 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits as the coronaviris slams the economy.

I think it’s safe to say there are a lot of folks nervous about their financial future. Now not everyone is willing to take on the challenge of starting an online business. But you unquestionably have a better chance of securing your financial future by taking control over your situation, then wondering what lies ahead.

The truth is that you can take just about any profession or knowledge and shift it into something you can teach online. 

This way you can make some cash and serve your people at the same time. All from the comfort and safety of your own home.

It just takes a little pivot.

The thing about making this shift in your business, by pivoting to serve your tribe in the online space, is that if you do it just right, you can successfully furnish your future with nice things. Like security, a constant stream of revenue and peace of mind.

But careful now, you don’t want to end up like Ross from Friends. Screaming, “Pivot!” As he tries to push a couch through a tight staircase in the hallway. When it doesn’t fit.

Ending up with a broken couch. Instead of a comfy place to sit.

So to show you how to pivot your unique offer, to meet the needs of your perfect client or customer, I’ve created a brand new membership site.

This way, if you need something, I can find a solution for you without having to *guess* what you need. Whether it’s by bringing in an expert or sharing a valuable resource.

Now it’s a simple business model. Find a starving crowd, get them to join your email list with a solution to a problem they have, email them often and offer a better (stronger) solution to a problem they are facing. 
A product or service that offers such value that your perfect customer must have it.

Then, of course, you have to know how to sell it to them. Not because you’re greedy and want to make money. But because you sincerely want to help them find a solution. Because it ain’t doing anybody any good if no one buys your amazing products!

Inside the membership, you will gain access to immediately follow the easy path to setting up your own “work from home plan” without having to break the couch.

This way you too, can quickly and easily create your perfect offer for your perfect customer. 

I show you exactly how to do all this inside the 24 page downloadable eBook that you can access within the membership site.

And in Video 6 where I teach you 5 ways to make money while working from home. Including how you can take advantage of affiliate marketing.

Even if you don’t have anything of your own to sell yet.

Why a membership site, you ask?

Because I don’t want you to ever feel “stuck.” Like I have so many times over the years. Figuring stuff out by myself. 

If you have a question, there’s a pretty good chance I have the answer. Or I can send you directly to someone who I know does. 

Growing a thriving 6 figure online business (that can replace your full-time income) takes time, patience, learning and always pivoting to keep up with ever-changing times.

You will learn what is working (and what isn’t) with marketing, Facebook and YouTube ads, many ways to drive traffic to your offer (so your ideal customer can buy your product) writing emails and sending them to your list, list building, how to build a membership site, the easiest (and fastest) way to set up a merchant account and much, much, more…

I have a very large list of upcoming training and videos that will show you everything you need to know. 

Including all the things I am currently doing to grow my business.
Tell me what you need and I will shoot a quick video to teach you how to do it. It’s that simple. I can easily upload it to the membership site and there you go. 

Plus, once inside you can model what I am doing within the membership site. 

Since monthly recurring revenue is where it’s at when it comes to financial security. Which is something everyone needs or should have. Especially right now. 

You can dive in to access your crash course to working from home today. You can try it for 30 days for only $7. 

That’s right you have 30 days to test drive it with no risk or obligation. You may cancel anytime before your 30 days is up and won’t be charged again.

And because I want to help as many people as possible with absolutely no risk, if you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, I will return your $7 with no questions asked. 

That’s how confident I am that you’re going to love it.

But this offer isn’t for just anyone.

Only the sexy people…

Just kidding. It’s only for serious entrepreneurs who are in this for the long hall. This is NOT a get rich quick overnight plan. It takes work, perseverance, a lot of testing (like all marketing does) and there is a lot for you to earn.

But that’s okay because building your own six-figure business should be fun too.

So if you are serious about creating a lifestyle filled with flexibility, freedom, financial security and comfort. Then pivot your fingers straight to the link below:

Work from the Comfort & Safety of Home

Stay safe my friend,
Irene 

P.S.
Make sure you eat healthy, get your sleep, paint your nails, get fresh air, wash your hair, breathe (not too close), don’t let fear overcome you, wash your hands, take vitamins, tell your favorite people you love them and remember that “This too shall pass.”  

And secure your finances and financial future. You can take care of that part here: Join the work from home Tribe.

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How to Start a Blog for Health and Beauty Professionals

There has never been a better time then right now to start your own blog or online business. Watch the video below to learn the 3 things that you need to start your own online business.

Download your FREE guide below to start your own money making Blog.

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Two Things Kate Hudson and Freedym Have in Common

Two of my favorite things are getting fit and making money. There’s nothing like getting motivated by putting on a cute new exercise outfit.

But this one outfit in particular almost cost me an extra $150. 

Here’s what happened…

A few years back I discovered Fabletics. Kate Hudson’s athletic clothing line. She has some pretty cute stuff. One day I ordered an outfit (it was offered at a low first time purchase deal for around $20). 

Anyway, they had this VIP club where if you joined you could buy one new outfit a month for $49. Loving the sound of a deal and a discount I signed up.

When the cute outfit I ordered arrived, I excitedly opened the package and tried it on. I really liked the style but it didn’t really fit me all that great.

I decided to keep it anyway and wore it a few times. But I never ended up ordering from them again. 

A few months later I noticed a $49 charge on my credit card bill that I didn’t recognize. After a little investigation, it turns out that Kate Hudson’s company charged me 3 times. $49 for 3 months even though I didn’t order anything. 

Say what?

I called the company and they refunded my money since I didn’t buy anything. But they didn’t bother to ask why I wasn’t happy enough with their clothes to keep ordering. I realize it was my fault for not reading the fine print, but seriously? They are charging people every month without delivering any goods. 

Not the best continuity business model in my opinion. 

Or is it?

Of course, there’s also nothing like earning passive reoccurring income while you sleep, go out to dinner or walk on the beach.

Now, I’m guessing good ole’ Kate has a lot of customers. Imagine if she only has a thousand people signed up for her VIP club who don’t bother to order a new outfit every month. Let’s do the math…

$49 x 1000 people = $49,000 a month times 12 months = $588,000. For nothing. Now I certainly hope most of her VIP customers read the fine print and order more clothes. 

But either way. The cost of manufacturing and shipping a sports bra and a pair of leggings can’t be all that much. Besides she has to have way more than a thousand customers.

Since she’s been in business for a while now. 

Now another membership I used to belong to is the Freedym group. It’s a membership that was founded by Ryan Lee, the guy who ran my Mastermind Group in LA a couple of years back. At the time I was paying about $30 a month to have access to all sorts of business information.

When I joined they were offering a $1 trial for one day. This way you could check it out first. Then they started billing me monthly after my one day was up. Now I don’t think one day is really enough time to fully check something out but I definitely got my money’s worth.

After a while, I dropped the membership since I didn’t seem to need it anymore. Which is the cool thing about memberships since you can usually cancel anytime. Unless you’re a gym membership that tries to lock you in for life and keep your firstborn child. 

One day I noticed that Freedym had over 6000 paying members. 

I did the math on that one too. Here let’s do it together. 6000 members paying $30 a month = $180,000 x 12 months. Ryan’s company was making $2,160,000 a year. And this is only one of the companies he owns!

You can see why I jumped at the chance to join his mastermind.
Of course, both companies have employees and overhead costs, etc. But still, my point is that continuity is where it’s at. Which is why everyone is doing it. Amazon, Netflix and even little businesses like me. 

Which is why I finally created my first membership site. But I will get to that in a minute…

Anyway, the 2 things both cutie-pie Kate and Ryan’s Freedym have in common is that they both get “continuity.” Since they both have successful businesses where they have members paying month after month. Which brings in sustainable income every month.

The other thing they have in common is that they draw in new customers with a one-time low priced offer. This way people can check it out first before they pay the higher monthly membership dues. 

Now the thing they don’t have in common is that Fabletics wasn’t Crystal clear on the deal. It took me 3 months to notice they were charging me. Whereas with Freedym I knew exactly what I was getting for my money and how much I would pay. 

I don’t know about you but I think doing business the way of my Mastermind coach is the way to go. 

Selling Online Courses is the #1 Way Most Bloggers Make Money

As wonderful as continuity is building the trust you need to get people to sign up could take month and possibly years. Especially, if you been burned before. Like I was with Fabletics.

That’s why most bloggers start out by selling lower priced eBooks and courses. Then once you’ve established credibility with your students you can then sell them higher priced (more intensive) courses that can help them even more.

Which is why I created the How to Build Your Own Money Making Website course. It’s so affordable anyone can start right away. Plus, I teach you 5 ways you can start making money online right away.

Here’s what’s included in the 6 part video series Plus Bonuses:
*You will learn step by step how to build your own money making website in less time than it takes to watch your favorite 1 hour TV show.
*How to start your own email list (who will buy from you for years to come)
*How to build your list of loyal followers with the perfect lead magnet.
*What is affiliate marketing and finding something to sell if you don’t have your own product yet.
*One of the best ways to quickly drive traffic to your website.
*A beginner’s guide to using Pinterest and make your pins go viral.

And a whole bunch more…

But before you sign up download your FREE guide that teaches the fastest way to make money blogging. If you’re ready to start creating a lifestyle filled with sustainable reoccurring income, then march on over to the link below. The one that has Freedom written all over it here:

I want the Freedom of owning my own business.

Irene
Founder of Zipping It Up

P.S. We’re on Thinkific! One of the leading course distribution sites with over 30 million courses sold. According to Entrepreneur, you can make 7 figures a year by just selling online courses alone. What would your life look like if you had your own freedom lifestyle business?

You can start now… Download your FREE guide here: The fastest way to make money online.

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Victoria’s Secret Way of Doing Business

This morning I was doing one of my favorite ab workouts. It’s called the “Victoria Secret Model Ab Workout” by Blogilates. Cassey Ho is the creator of Blogilates which last time I checked is still the #1 exercise blog on YouTube. 

What’s cool about it is that she simply started a blog. Then she recorded some workout videos in her tiny apartment with a camera (most likely from her phone) and started posting videos on YouTube.

Can you imagine the day she won the rights to call one of her videos “Victoria’s Secret”?!

But this didn’t happen overnight. Building a blog (or any business online or off) takes time. It could be years before you see a return on your investment or can replace your full time income.

But once you do, it’s well worth it. 

Cassey is now happily married (to her camera man – cute right?) making millions and living her ultimate dream life in Hawaii.

The other cool thing about her videos, is that I don’t feel alone while I’m doing them. I know many of her exercise videos by heart. So much that I can repeat her verbatim and practically do the routines in my sleep. 

But I still enjoy watching the videos. For the structure of the routine, the cool music and her company. 

Which is exactly why I started creating videos that show you how to start a business. I call it the “Victoria’s Secret” way of doing business. Since a lot of it has to do with building a brand, creating videos that guide you every step of the way and by connecting with influential people.

Like one of my upcoming books for example. I am co-writing a book with my good friend Jennelle Gordon called The Faces of Freedom. It’s her true inspirational story of going from surviving (from being sold into sex trafficking) to a thriving as a business owner, Author and Motivational TED Talk speaker.

She’s invited Tony Robbins to her first TED Talk and is asking him to write the foreword for the book.

We are also using a whole bunch of his motivational quotes throughout the book. Since the book is very much about how he saved Jennelle’s life. When they met (at the event he sent her to for free, after he took her under his wing) she said all she could feel was love, hope and inspiration.

Anyway, if you want to become well known, one of the fastest ways is to connect yourself with people who have a lot of influence and power. And one of the easiest ways to do that is to write a book.

I could not believe how doors started flying open for me after I became a published author.

I was getting interviews on all kinds of cool podcasts and radio shows, Which is how I met Jennelle. We were both guests on the same live radio show. Afterwards we connected and became good friends. Which then opened the door for this amazing opportunity.

Buy you know what else? 

She asked me to help her with her book because I spent countless hours helping her. By being her friend and helping her in any way I could. I didn’t ask for the opportunity or seek it out.

The good karma came back to me because of kindness. 

So now I have this amazing opportunity that could potentially explode my business and change my life. If you’re ready to take that chance and start going after amazing opportunities, then writing a book is a great way to start.

And since I like helping people so much, I created a course that will guide you every step of the way. 

In just a few short weeks, you will go from blank page to published Author. You will also learn how to publish and promote your book and how you can connect with top influencers in your niche. So your book and business can explode too.

The videos will all be loaded up, onto one of the best course creator platforms, Thinkific. Where you will have your own login and password. So you can watch the training videos whenever and as often as you like. 

You will also gain full access to our exclusive writer’s Facebook group. So you can connect with other writers and get your questions answered quickly. Especially, if you’re ever feeling stuck or alone. 

Right now  you can take advantage of the special Pre-sale price. If you enroll today, you get the entire course (plus Bonuses) for half off the purchase price of the course.

Plus, as a special bonus, if you enroll by midnight on Sunday, February 2nd I will give you full access to my “How to Start a Blog” course. 

The value of the bonus course alone is at least $200. Here’s what you get just inside the “How to Start Your Own Money Making Blog” course:

*How to Build Your Own Money Making Website in 60 Minutes or Less (which teaches you 5 ways to make money online).

*How to Grow Your Own Thriving List of Email Subscribers who will follow you and buy your books, courses, affiliate offers or whatever you decide to sell – for years to come.

*And the fastest and easiest way to drive traffic to your website (at least that I have found).

But the bonuses are only being offered until Sunday night at midnight. Since the weekends usually fly by pretty quickly, you better jump on this while you still can. What you need to do to get all the BONUSES is Enroll in the “Blank Page to Published” course, then send me an email with a copy of your paid receipt (a screenshot will do). Then send it to [email protected] or hit reply to any of my emails.

Then I will personally send you the “How to Start Your Own Money Making Blog” absolutely FREE. You will receive all the login information and PDF downloads as soon as I get your email. 

Oh and since you are one of my loyal email subscribers I am giving you a special discount. Enroll in the course by Sunday night (at midnight) and you will get an additional $100 off. The code is “SECRET” because I truly believe that writing a book can be the secret to your success.

To hop on to the Victoria’s Secret way of doing business and join our exclusive tribe of writer’s (before it’s too late) enroll now. 

Here’s the link:
ENROLL HERE

Irene Gabelnick

P.S.
Here are just a few of the things you will learn inside the “Blank Page to Published” course:

*A quick and easy method that will instantly help you overcome the daunting feeling of writing a book.

*How to publish on KDP and set up your Author’s Page.

*The pros and cons of self-publishing vs traditional publishing and how to send a query letter to a literary agent.

*How to create the best content for your book so people can’t wait to read it!

*How to quickly get reviews for your book and build a launch team.

*And a WHOLE BUNCH MORE!

To enroll now, before the spots all fill up (since this is a Beta course I am limiting it to only 100 students) hit the link below:
ENROLL HERE

P.P.S.
As a special bonus You will also get a full training session on how to write Kick-Butt copy that sells. I’m sharing some of my best marketing and copywriting tips. The insider secrets I’ve learned from some of the world’s top A-list copywriters.

Here’s a picture of me on stage with million-dollar copywriter Carline Anglade-Cole at the prestigious AWAI annual Bootcamp event. I’m the blonde chick on the right.

Learn more…

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Pros of Self-Publishing and Why Indie Authors Might Disagree

One of the biggest and most profitable advantages of self-publishing your first book is how amazingly fast you can become a published author. To quickly gain influence as an authority (or expert) in your niche and to get you and your business noticed with free media exposure. 

Many Indie authors might argue with me on this but Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is unquestionably one of the best and easiest ways to self-publish your book. It’s fast, it’s free to get started and you can reach a lot of people in a short amount of time. Plus, having your book published on the world’s largest online retailer makes you look serious and professional. 

There are also a number of self-publishing companies that can guide you through the self-publishing process. But if you want to do it *right* by first launching a pre-sale, followed by the higher priced hardcover (before allowing a paperback and kindle version) than using a reputable third party can be helpful. But it will cost you. You will need to pay them for their time and services as well as all the printing costs upfront. 

Unlike KDP where they charge you for paperback printing costs only after you’ve made a sale. Depending on the price point you use to sell your book, the costs involved may vary. Amazon is serious about selling so they reward you by selling your books between $2.99 and $9.99. Paying higher royalties so you will sell more books. 

They also offer marketing resources and incentives along with a step by step guide to quickly get your Author’s page set up. The book cover creator is easy to use and uploading your manuscript only takes a few minutes. 

So people can start buying your book right away!

In fact, once I committed to writing my first book, I wrote, published and sold my very first copy in only two weeks! With the right resources and system in place that’s how easy you can publish your first book.

What I like to tell my clients is this: “Your first book doesn’t have to be your #1 bestseller or even the book you are remembered for. It just has to be your first.”

Before publishing my first book, I did a ton of research on the pros and cons of self-publishing versus traditional publishing. I spent months doing research and learning the ins and outs of the publishing world. 

Initially, I thought I wanted to get published by a reputable publisher. For the prestige and to get help. Since I knew nothing when I first started writing. But after careful research, I determined that self-publishing was my best option.  

What I found was that the biggest advantage to self-publishing is how quickly you can gain prestige and the reputation as a published and accredited author.   

The Power of a Deadline

Once I decided to become a published author set a strict deadline for myself. I was on a mission to get published by the end of 2017 and nothing was going to stop me. 

Since this completely ruled out going with a traditional publisher it became a no-brainer to self-publish my first book. You see, using a traditional publisher to publish your books can take years before your book is available to purchase. This is after your book gets picked up by a publisher. Which doesn’t even count the time it takes to send query letters to literary agents and face possible rejections.

Once I learned that it could take over a year (possibly even two years) to hit store shelves I knew self-publishing was the way to go. At least for my first book. Now let’s see if self-publishing is right for you. 

Whether you decide to self-publish or go with a traditional publishing company really depends on your goals, the reason for writing your book and your time frame. If you are desperately trying to grow your business, drive traffic to your website and make a name for yourself than timing will obviously play a big role in your decision. 

If you already have powerful connections (who can endorse your book) and have already built a following then getting a publisher to pick up your book will be a lot easier. 

It’s even better if you can find a celebrity to write the foreword for your book. Which I’m in the midst of doing for several of my upcoming books. Since getting celebrity endorsements is one of the easiest and fastest ways to actually sell your book. 

I’ve written well over a dozen books since my first one. Some of which I will self-publish while others I plan to go with a traditional publisher. Mostly because of the prestige of getting published with a well-known publisher. But also so I can learn from the experience of using a publisher. To learn from people who’ve been in the publishing industry way longer than I have. 

You can never stop learning and I pride myself in keeping up with the latest trends and learning only from the best.  

Plus, some books are more complicated than others and having written so many, there’s only so much I want to do myself. Making it worth it to me to lose the rights and ownership of some of my books. While others I prefer to keep control over. 

In addition to timing, one of the drawbacks of using a traditional publisher is they typically buy the rights to your book. Meaning they keep most of the royalties and they can stop selling your book at any time. Hence cutting into your passive income and retirement fund.

If you self-publish your books you can continue to market and sell your books as long as you want. To create passive income for years to come and even for the heir to your estate. The book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey is currently ranked #3 for best sellers in business and money on Amazon at the time of writing this. Which just goes to show you the power of writing a great book. 

The first book I wrote (and self-published) is a weight loss book which I wrote primarily to get interviews in the media. It wasn’t until friends were telling me how my book helped them that I realized the impact of a book. 

Obviously, I wanted to help people. But what I really wanted was to promote my blog and business. So I could help even more people. Since I wanted to get it done quickly, I chose a topic I know well and that I could easily teach. I wrote down a system guaranteed to work. I knew it was an effective weight-loss method since I have used it many times to quickly lose weight myself. Now that little 41 page book helps women all over the world. To lose weight and feel happier and more confident.

How to Turn Your Book Into a Business

Now that I have raving testimonials I can turn that little book into a business. By creating a complete weight loss program. If I decide that’s something I want to do.   

The coolest thing I discovered after getting published was that it is unquestionably one of the fastest and easiest ways to get into the media. It became easy to land radio and podcast interviews. I started making awesome connections, getting new clients, growing my email list and driving consistent traffic to my blog. 

Writing my very first book couldn’t have worked out better! 

Within only two months of writing that little book, I became the Health & Fitness Expert on a live radio show with millions of listeners! I was going live every month on the award-winning The Queen Silvy Show sharing health and wellness tips. 

That my friend is the power of ONE book. It’s the power of your book. Even if it’s self-published. 

In my upcoming book, “One Book Can Change Your Life: How to write and publish your first book” you will learn how to quickly write your first book. Join our tribe of published authors so you can quickly grow your business, land media interviews (to gain instant credibility) and create an impact.   

FREE Resource to Help You Start Writing Your Book Today

You can start now by downloading your FREE guide where you will learn how to Write and Publish Your Book in 10 easy steps. Here’s the link to get started now: Start writing your book in 10 easy steps. 

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This Powerful True Story About Self-Protection Could Save Your Life

Originally published on February 26, 2019. Revised on January 3, 2019

Numerous reports show that out of every 4 women at least one of those women is raped. Another article I recently read on The Guardian quotes a global study that claims “1 in every 3 women suffers [from] violence.”

The scariest part is that most violent attacks are never reported.

Now take a moment to think about that. Imagine yourself with 3 women you care about. Or look around you, wherever you may be and pick 4 women in the room. Including yourself. If this report holds true then that means at least one of you, out of the four has been (or will be) raped or violently attacked.

Keep reading to see how you can prevent that one of four from being you or someone you love.

The Resurgence of the “Me Too” Movement

Allegations against Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault and rape triggered the resurgence of the “Me too” movement. A movement that had been quiet for too long. Victims of abuse began speaking up against sexual assault, rape, and sex trafficking. Bringing forth allegations and the arrests of men like Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein. 

Women from all walks of life began sharing their true stories of sexual manipulation and attacks. Horrid stories of sexual harassment, abuse, and rape. Teaming together with a public outcry. Demanding justice for crimes already committed and awareness to help women stay safe.

Harvey Weinstein is expected to go to trial next month in New York City where he faces criminal charges. Stemming from allegations of rape and sexual assault. We can only hope that if he did commit these crimes that he will be found guilty. 

You don’t have to be a famous actress to share your story.

Your perpetrator doesn’t need to be a Hollywood mogul or Billionaire for your personal experience to matter. Even ordinary folks like me have valuable lessons to share. This is why I am sharing some real-life experiences I have had with sexual abuse, stalking, and harassment.

What you are about to read is a true story about a “Me too” experience that has haunted me for years. It’s about a young girl who was repeatedly pinned down against her will. Fighting with all her might to defend herself against her attacker and how she finally found a way to stop him from hurting her again.

If you haven’t guessed by now, that young girl was me.

It’s a relief to finally be able to share our stories. Not just share them with the hope that justice will be served. But that action will be taken against perpetrators and rapists. Justice with serious consequences for acts of abuse and inappropriate behavior.

Instead of us sharing our stories secretively, with nothing more than a silent nod of “me too” between us. Something we as women have become accustomed to. Sharing our stories with fellow victims with nothing more than a mere consoling look that says, “Yes, that’s happened to me too.”

Which is why I’ve decided not to say “Me too.” Instead, I choose to use a more proactive and preventative approach. That is why I say “Not me.”

Because regardless of how horrible a past experience was, you still get to choose how you allow it to affect your life. You can choose to protect yourself from it ever happening again. You can protect your family and you can protect your own life. 

One of the best ways to prevent yourself and your family from harm is to be prepared. To be educated, conscious and always aware of your surroundings. Talk openly with your children about the dangers of predators. Teach them about safety and taking precautionary measures.

Speak openly with your children and encourage them to come to you if they feel threatened or are harmed in any way.

Shortly after the allegations against Harvey Weinstein took the media by storm, I read an article about a 9 year old boy who “touched a little girl inappropriately” at school. They were playing soccer when the boy apparently bumped into the girl. Touching her in a way that made her feel uncomfortable. 

The girl told her mom and she immediately called the school principal after hearing what happened. Fortunately, after investigating the incident it was determined that his touching the young girl was an accident. Which happens obviously. But had it been disregarded or downplayed the girl might be afraid to bring up future incidents. Situations that might not be accidental.

Misconduct that occurs every day. 

After years of girls reporting more serious offenses (with no consequences or justice), it’s easy to lose hope.  Fear, humiliation and the fear of being judged or disgraced has kept too many girls silent.

Young girls have been kept silenced for far too long. 

When I was growing up, we didn’t have that luxury. Kiss chase was a normal game that the kids played in the neighborhood and no one ever tried to stop it.

I was blessed to have small breasts (or cursed depending on how you look at it). I didn’t mature physically until well into my teens. Unlike some girls, I knew who developed at an early age. Luckily for me, most of the boys preferred chasing the girls with bigger boobs. 

The boys would catch the girls. Then pin them down and try to fondle them while attempting to steal kisses. Without consent. 

One sunny summer day a young girl I knew (name withheld for confidentiality) was pinned down and the boy would not let her go. We had to rally against him to get him off of her. 

Frightened and humiliated, she immediately wanted to go home. Her face was flushed with bright red cheeks as we walked her all the way home. She was fighting back tears the whole time refusing to speak about it. 

She stayed inside the rest of the day instead of being out enjoying the sunshine.

As for the boy? Nothing ever came of it. 

Even with my small breasts, I did not come out of my lower-class east side neighborhood unscathed. My skinny little stick-figure body and geeky glasses weren’t enough to deter the boys. 

There were two boys who lived across the street from me. Tommy and Rodney were stepbrothers and hung out like best friends. Just like my sister Natalie and I often did.

The brothers used to chase Natalie and me playing the same game. I would run as fast as I could to avoid getting caught.

Until one day, it happened. A boy caught me and pinned me down.

It was Tommy who caught me. I was kicking and screaming, trying to get him off of me. So he wouldn’t kiss me. I can still feel the blood rushing to my head as my cheeks became flushed with the humiliation. It was a horrible feeling being pinned down. Not being able to stop him.

I did NOT want him touching me or kissing me. 

After that, I learned how to run. Fast. Really fast. I’ve been a runner ever since and often jokingly attribute my love of running to these boys. The ones who chased me. But in reality, it’s the truth. As it turns out learning to run fast was a good thing.

Because the torture did not stop there. Not even close. 

Later when I was in 6th grade there was a boy who sat right behind me in class. My elementary school ran kindergarten through 6th grade so there was no class change. This means I sat in the same classroom (where I was stuck most of the day} with this boy sitting behind me.

I’ll call this boy, “The Stalker” so as not to reveal his identity. Not that I particularly care about revealing his identity for his privacy. It’s my privacy that concerns me.

Since stalkers have been known to reappear.

The story you are about to read is a true story. Every single word of it. So even though it may sound more like a fairy tale or a made for TV movie (with a real-life hero and a villainous creep) I kid you not.

The Stalker was a big kid. He must have failed a couple of grades because he was older than most of the other kids in my class. And much, much bigger. He had freckles all over his face and yellow crooked teeth. He had poor posture and walked kind of hunched over. Like one of the main characters from the movie “The Hunchback from Notre-Dame.”

The worst part was that I couldn’t stand this kid because of how he treated me.

One day, the Stalker kid started playing with my hair in class. My hair was really long (reaching halfway down my back) so it was easy for him to reach over his desk and touch it. I repeatedly raised my hand to tell the teacher. Pleading with her to make him stop. She basically did nothing.

Then the kid would get angry with me for telling on him. Making the situation a bit frightening. But I wanted him to stop.

Afterward, he would smile at me and hiss, “You know you like it.”

I would kind of laugh nervously. Apparently giving him unintentional mixed signals. And yes, I was a little bit flattered. Of course. Who doesn’t want to be liked?

I was the geeky smart kid. A stick figure with no shape and usually wearing glasses with tape wrapped around one of the arms. Probably from getting tackled by boys. Or getting hit in the head while playing dodge ball in gym class. 

I assure you though, that not only did I want it to stop but I began to hate this kid.

One day he started chasing me home after school. I ran so fast he never caught me. Not even once.

He would stand in the alleyway that led up to the back of my house. Gasping for air like he was out of breath. Defeated. Sometimes I even walked past my house just so he didn’t see which house I went into. Because I did NOT want him to know where I lived.

How to Stop Sexual Harassment

I was relieved when the school year ended so I didn’t have to see him anymore. Then, that summer, he started riding his bike around my neighborhood looking for me. One day, I was sitting in the schoolyard with my older brother and a couple of other kids. I saw the Stalker riding his bike towards me. I told my brother what was going on and pleaded with him to talk to the kid.

My brother was not happy about it. At first, I couldn’t understand why. Why on earth wouldn’t my big brother jump up to defend me? Soon I realized why.  

My brother stood up and boldly walked over to the kid. As I watched them talking, I suddenly realized that the kid was much bigger than my brother. Not just a little bit bigger. A LOT bigger. This kid could have easily pummeled my brother.

At that moment my respect for my big brother grew. But the best part? It worked. I didn’t see the kid again the whole rest of the summer. Not until 7th grade started. That’s when things took a turn for the worse…

Of all the classes he could have been assigned to he was in my homeroom. So I had to see him first thing every morning.

The harassment began again almost immediately and he was constantly trying to get my attention.

Now that we were in middle school we changed classes throughout the day. Which meant we would go to our lockers in between classes to grab books and stuff.

Making me an easy target. 

Some days he would physically pin me against my locker and try to kiss me. I would scream at the top of my lungs as he held my wrists so I couldn’t get away from him. Apparently, no one could hear me over all the sounds of slamming lockers and junior high kids gossiping. The noise muting my screams.  

Or maybe the other kids just didn’t want to get involved.

Then one day out of nowhere and to my complete surprise, an Angel came to my rescue. There was a new kid in school. He was tall, big and strong.

Plus he was cute so all the girls had a crush on him. I’ll call this boy, “The Hero” because that is exactly what he was.

The new kid and I began hanging out. Walking to class and sitting on the bus together. One day, we were on the bus heading home after school. I told my new friend what the Stalker kid had been doing and how that morning he stole my pen during homeroom.

My Hero would have none of this.  He got up from his seat, went right up to the kid and told him to give me my pen back. “Stalker boy,” thought about it for a minute, looked back at me, got up, walked back to where I was sitting and handed me my pen.

On his way back to his seat, he kind of pushed my Hero. Intentionally shoving him with his shoulder. 

Oh no! Before I knew it, fists were flying. It was a blur of craziness!

The bus suddenly stopped and the bus driver told them to get off the bus. Kids started yelling, “Fight! Fight! Fight!”

It was horrible.

Everyone rushed off the bus to watch the fight. All I can remember were these two boys punching each other and flipping each other over cars.

I couldn’t watch.

I grabbed a friend and begged her to walk home with me. I couldn’t believe I had just started a fight. It was never my intent. I just wanted the harassment to stop. And honestly, as silly as it may sound, I wanted my pen back. 

The next day both boys came to school with bruises and black eyes. I never found out who won the fight but I felt really bad about it. Especially, for not sticking around to walk home with my Hero and make sure he was okay.  

The end result? The Stalker kid never ever bothered me again.

It wasn’t long before the Hero kid dropped out of school again. Or maybe he was expelled. I’m not really sure. What I do know is that this kid saved me. From sexual harassment, being groped and molested and possibly something much, much worse.

I am grateful I didn’t have to find out what might have happened. If no one had finally stopped him. No young girl should ever have to be subjected to this type of harassment. Ever.

So then does this make me a part of the “Me too” movement? Not even close.

Instead of “Me too” I say “Not Me.”

The Best Way to Protect Yourself from Violence

The best way to protect yourself against harassment (sexual or any kind), violence and danger is to learn how to protect yourself. Be aware, educate yourself on safety and learn self-defense. Always be aware of your surroundings and get help the second you begin to feel threatened.

You don’t have to take abuse from anyone. Ever.

How to Protect Yourself from Violence

One of the best books I’ve read on self-protection is Survive the Unthinkable: A Total Guide to Women’s Self-Protection by Tim Larkin.

Learn how to protect yourself (and your family) from violence. Check your local Martial Arts Center for a self-defense class near you. If you reside in the Greater Buffalo Area there is an excellent self-defense class I’ve taken at Spar Self Defense.

Personal safety expert, Pete Canavan agrees that “The time to prepare is before the need arises.”

I met Pete when he interviewed me for his podcast Safety Talk. We talked about yet another personal experience (more serious than this one) and how to protect yourself during a home invasion.

By listening to the interview, you will learn at least one effective method (that I use) to protect yourself from an attacker inside your home. This one safety tip alone could save your life. To listen to the interview go here.

Pete Canavan teaches college campus safety, online safety, women’s safety and much more. To learn more about safety and protection go to Pete.Canavan.com.

Be proactive. Protect yourself from violence now. Before it’s too late.

Don’t say “Me too.” Say “Not me.”

Did you know that Writing can help you heal from emotional trauma?

According to Psychology Today studies have shown that sharing your story through writing can help you heal from emotional trauma.

Although it can be difficult at first, there are long lasting effects of healing through writing. Reliving and writing about your traumatic experiences can prevent and alleviate emotional triggers that may lead to anxiety, PTSD and depression.

Plus, by sharing your story through the Power of Writing you can help other women who may be suffering from similar experiences.

Right now, at this very moment, there are women who are experiencing trauma. Imagine how your story might help them cope. By sharing how you went from surviving to thriving again. In a world that’s not always kind.

With over 7 billion people in the world, chances are pretty good that there are many women who can benefit from hearing your personal story.

Don’t allow your story to eat you up inside. Share your story and discover a whole new world of writing. It’s easier now than it’s ever been to Write and Publish your first Book.

Download your FREE guide to learn how you can easily Start Writing Your Book Today.

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A Junkman Walked Away with Millions of Dollars and How You Can Too

“More gold has been mined by the brains of men than has ever been taken from the earth.”
~Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich

This morning I went for an early morning run. The sky was crystal clear and the streetlights were on. There was a fresh dusting of snow that looked like a blanket of diamonds.

Glimmering diamonds.

It felt like I was running through a diamond mine. Which reminded me of a story I read in “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. It’s about a gold miner back in the gold rush days.

To make a long story short a guy by the name of R.U. Darby got “gold fever” and headed out west to find some gold. Once he found some, he invested in equipment and started digging. He squandered around digging aimlessly and basically came up with nothing. Frustrated and discouraged he sold the equipment to a *junk* man for a few hundred dollars.

He then packed up and headed back home.

This *junk* man was no dummy. 

He hired a mining engineer to assess the land and do a little calculating. They began to dig and found the gold only 3 feet where Darby had stopped digging. ONLY 3 FEET from where Darby had given up!

This *Junk* man walked away with millions of dollars. 

Don’t worry this story ends well. 

You see Darby learned a valuable lesson from his mistake and went on to make fortunes as an insurance salesman. 

So you see there are a lot of lessons to be learned from this story. And so you don’t make the same mistake good ole Darby did I’m sharing a few of them with you. 

One, don’t give up too quickly. I have done this myself by changing my niche too quickly. Then realizing afterwards how much gold I already had.  

Two, learn from your mistakes and do better next time. It does no one any good to beat yourself up over past mistakes. Simply learn from them and keep going. 

And three, invest in a professional who can lead you to the gold. Why struggle aimlessly, floundering and risk failure?

When you can pay someone who already made the mistakes.

Someone who can show you a clear path to success. Like how I followed a very clear path to getting on loads of radio shows and interviews on podcasts. By following a very simple strategy. One I also happened to learn from another very expensive book I bought. 

It’s a simple strategy but not an easy one to go alone. 

It takes time, patience, work and an entrepreneur mindset. Meaning no quitting. 

You write a book. Promote it and gain *instant* credibility as an expert in your niche. Build a following that you have control over. As in your own email list of raving followers who will buy from you for years to come. 

Learn how to hit emotional triggers that make your customers want what you are offering so badly that they can taste it! 

Then give them a clear road to success. 

Like I’m going to teach you *exactly* how to write and publish your first book and how to promote your business by getting free publicity with the media. You will get the exact email templates and system I use to land interviews. Including the exact template I used to become the Health & Fitness expert on the award winning radio show The Queen Silvy Show.

Where I went live in front of millions of listeners each and every month. Right from my kitchen table. 

Aren’t you done digging for gold in the wrong places?

If so, then start working towards the life you want to live. Join me for a live training where I share all my best secrets to working from home (or anywhere in the world) using only a laptop and an internet connection. 

Here’s the gold mine of a link:
Blank Page to Published to Media Expert

Irene 

P.S.
Did I mention in the past couple weeks alone I got invited on two live radio shows and an invitation to speak at a live event alongside a prestigious group of successful entrepreneurs? 

Ring in the New Year with health and happiness… 

You can Enroll in the program here.

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Brighten Your Day Instantly and Feel Happier

Instantly, brighten your day (or someone you love) by doing this one simple thing. If you’re feeling a little discouraged or things aren’t going your way, use this simple strategy to brighten things up.

No matter how big or how small your troubles may seem, you can easily lift your spirits. In a flash! The only caveat is you need a friend or another person for this to work. Which in itself can brighten your day simply by connecting with someone.

This can work with absolutely anyone. Even a perfect stranger.

The really cool thing is, that it will brighten their day too. Sometimes just hearing a kind voice on the other end of the line can instantly make you feel better.

Let’s be honest, people run from negativity. It’s human nature to repel things that can bring you down. But if you’re dealing with a difficult situation it can be hard to always put on a happy face. Which can make people close to you not pick up the phone so much. Or stop making time to see you.

As sad as this may seem, it’s a reality.

It’s not their fault per se. Everyone is going through something. We all deal with difficulties at some time or another and sometimes you can’t expose yourself to people who might bring you down.

It doesn’t make you (or them) a bad person. It’s simply a defense mechanism to feel happy.

The good news is there is an answer! Which is why I am telling you something good. So you can reach out to people for help without bringing yourself down, harping on your problems, or worse, bringing your friends down too.

So if you’re feeling down and out, dealing with stress (or a difficult situation) or simply need a quick pick me up, listen carefully to something that works for me. Every… single… time.

Often when I need to hear a friendly voice I pick up the phone and call a friend. They’ll ask me, “How are you?”

Then I’ll reply, “Fine” or “I’m good. How are you?”

If they know I’m going through a rough time they can smell my BS a mile away. But still, maintain your composure, and simply say something like, “I could be better but I really don’t want to talk about it.” Then say…

“Tell me something good.”

They will usually ponder for a moment trying to think of a funny story to tell you. Instantly relieved they don’t have to hear about your troubles…

Before you know it you’re both laughing over some silly story. Or some achievement, or some cool thing that happened. Then you too start sharing something good that happened. Or begin reminiscing about a similar situation.

You and your friend both instantly feel happier. They are also way more likely to pick up the phone and call you again soon.

Don’t believe me?

Try it. Pick up the phone right now. Call someone you know and simply say, “Tell me something good.”

If you want someone you care about to feel happier, share this with everyone you know. Go ahead. Then reach out to me. On social media or wherever and tell me something good. Hopefully, you’ll tell me how my sharing this with you helped you (or someone you know) feel a little bit happier.

Want more happy stories like this one? Sign up to receive Lifestyle & Happiness news. Straight to your inbox!

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Once You Put Your Big Girl Pants On There is NO Going Back

When my youngest daughter was two, she refused to wear pull-ups.

You know, those diapers that are designed so you can pull them up and down. Like panties. So every time your little one goes potty you don’t have to throw away an expensive unused diaper.

Nope.

Not my little Miss Independent. Who I sometimes call “Mini Me.”

Now keep in mind, she hadn’t needed a diaper in months. I knew she was ready to go to big girl panties and had even bought her an assortment of really cute ones. To try to convince her to give up diapers.

I guess she wanted to stay little.

So here we had a box of pretty pink pull-ups that she refused to wear. As well as a drawer full of cute little underwear. Yet we were still throwing away expensive diapers. Every single day.

One day, she was going through one of the many toy catalogs that arrive by the boatload just before Christmas. She had circled a doll stroller along with many other toys.

There was this one particular stroller that she really wanted.

This one stroller, she had circled many times and kept showing me. Making sure I KNEW this was absolutely the one she wanted. We were sitting on the couch one day, when suddenly the wheels in my mind started churning.

This seemed like the perfect opportunity.

It was bribery, yes. But desperate times call for desperate measures. Christmas was coming and we couldn’t afford to keep throwing money away. Especially on unused diapers.

Then I asked her one question.

And it went something like this, “Sara.” I said to grab her attention. “If I buy you this stroller right now, and you have it in a couple of days, would you start wearing the pullups?”

Suddenly, she flew off the couch and took off running!

She ran up the stairs to her bedroom and pulled out a pair of panties. Completely bypassing the transitional pullups. She put them on, came right back downstairs and said, “Done.”

I actually don’t remember what she said. It was probably more like, “Alright Mom. Order the stroller.”

What I do remember was the determination in her eyes.

And the way she stood there looking at me. So confident with her hands on her hips. I knew at that moment that our diaper days were over. I confirmed with her that she would never go back to diapers. Once she agreed, I ordered the stroller.

That was unquestionably one of the best investments I have ever made. If you’re a mom (or a dad) you understand the joys of the end of diaper days.

Forever.

She never ever had an accident. And she never went back. Because once you put your big girl pants on, there is NO going back.

For the past several months or so, I have been learning everything possible about course creation, testing, marketing and selling online courses. Despite the fact that I already know quite a bit. I’ve been selling them for a while now.

I needed to learn how to scale my business and fast. Because it’s something I really want. To live a life filled with abundance, joy, freedom and wealth.

The training sessions I have been taking (and the people I am surrounding myself with) are experienced experts who are making millions of dollars selling online programs and are teaching course creators (like me) how to do it right. However, despite everything they are teaching me I still haven’t been doing it.

I guess maybe we all need a little incentive. Or bribery.

One of the things about starting a business is that we have a tendency to devalue our time. Most of us normal folks anyway. Which only hurts us in the long run. You see, if you don’t charge what your program is worth then people often don’t see the value in it.

When you charge a premium price, people have more of an “investment” mindset. They are serious about completing your program. Making it a “no brainer” to pull out their credit card and enroll.

Also making it a huge win/win for everyone.

Your students succeed by showing up and doing the work. Then they give you a raving testimonial. Making it easier for you to sell more high-end courses.

Then you can help even more people succeed.

I realized this morning that I’ve been kind of “staying little” too. Instead of joining the big leagues. Even though I have written over a dozen books just this past year alone.

Even though I became the Health & Fitness Expert on the award-winning radio show The Queen Silvy Show. Only two months after publishing my first book. Where I went live in front of millions of listeners each and every month.

Even though people were calling me “famous.”

And “You’re a Star!” Including my friend Chris (from my LA Mastermind group) who’s a real estate broker selling multi-million dollar listings in San Francisco.

Even though I am co-writing a book with Jennelle Gordon. A book about how Tony Robbins helped a brave young woman. Who as a young girl was sold into sex trafficking and escaped after 10 years of captivity. And how she has started her own business, created Beyond Freedom, a non-profit organization that helps young survivors get back on their feet.

To finally going live on stage delivering her very first TED talk.

A true inspirational story that can show you how you can overcome any obstacle in life. To go from surviving to thriving regardless of any circumstance.

What I realized today is that I am already in the big leagues.

It’s time to put my big girl pants on. And never look back.

So, I raised the price on my upcoming writing course. A LOT. A program where I am teaching entrepreneurs like you how to go from blank page to published in only 5 weeks.

To grow your business, get higher paying clients, land higher paid speaking engagements and easily get into the media.

Because once you put your big girl pants on there is no going back.

Not for my baby girl and not for me.

If you are ready to join the big leagues, by becoming a published author, to scale your business and take it to the next level, you can start today.

Don’t you think it’s time you put your big girl (boy) pants on?

Download your FREE guide to becoming a published author. Take off running now and head on over to The Power of Writing.