Tim, I wouldn't believe you if clients didn't find me online themselves. A DeFi company wanted me to publish a personal review of their product. They paid me $500 for a three-minute story on Medium. I said that Medium wouldn't distribute their work. They replied they needed a micro-influencer (I'd never been called one before) to spread the word. They didn't care about the platform. $500 for two hours of work? I took it.
Absolutely brilliant breakdown! The analogy of “You INC” really hits home. It’s empowering to see employees shift their mindset from a single customer (employer) to multiple ones, opening up endless possibilities for growth and security. This perspective is a game-changer for anyone looking to take control of their financial future.
Huge thank you! I have **never** thought of social media as online networking.
An older GenX, networking is in-person, over cocktails. All except my last employment gig over 35 years happened that way.
A journalist, editor and copywriter for magazines, books, nonprofits, I’ve always gotten decent open rates and click throughs on email campaigns, because they’re targeted. With single, clear, CTA. Like writing letters, without the annoying stamps or trucking off to the USPS.
Social media, even the DMs I receive, have been in “tv” category for me—something I consume, almost privately, when I’m NOT working.
It’s the irritating ad or digital billboard—even though I have built wildly successful FB campaigns.
Imagine my surprise to consider using my posts as **friendly conversation starters** about my work, DMs targeted like email, and stories like a hello text to a future client?! 🤯💀
You are right, Tim. The Internet and my authors, students and other clients have been my main source of income since 2010. Enjoyable work, on my schedule, pay ranges from OK to excellent. What more could anyone want or need?
Loved this post. I've recently come to this epiphany myself -- marketing my skills that I use with my current employer (who I love working for) here on Substack. There's no reason to limit the audience that gets access to skills that you use every day and could easily double across platforms.
It's so weird that our minds assume we have to do something new when we want to do business online. Business itself is a new thing, so there's no need to make it harder by doing new services.
I love the idea of selling online what I do for a job. The question is how... I get that it's networking, so I'll start experimenting with that. I could use more help with offers.
Look up how to do an elevator pitch. It will help you gather the specifics you need while keeping everything short, sweet, and to the point. Sometimes, we tend to collect too much information and end up feeling overwhelmed.
Tim, I wouldn't believe you if clients didn't find me online themselves. A DeFi company wanted me to publish a personal review of their product. They paid me $500 for a three-minute story on Medium. I said that Medium wouldn't distribute their work. They replied they needed a micro-influencer (I'd never been called one before) to spread the word. They didn't care about the platform. $500 for two hours of work? I took it.
Did it feel good afterward?
I loved the feeling. Thanks for recommending me to take the money.
You earned every dollar. What's the next income stream?
1). One-on-one coaching. Potential clients ghost me when I try to charge more than $100 for two Zoom sessions. Working on improving my offer.
2). Monetizing my newsletter. I hope you'll tell me how tonight.
Good to hear things are stacking up.
Brick by brick.
There are so many points here and each can be turned into a strategy. The Internet makes it a level playing field where distance is no barrier.
What stops people from doing it?
I am: fucking scared of failure
&
I have: imposter syndrome
So am I. Take action anyway. If I told you that you would die tomorrow you'd stopped worrying.
Word. What’s there to lose anyway?
Nothing to lose if you ask me.
Exactly.
Fear majorly. Second is the thought of going against status quo could be crippling. However, once you move past that, it's tremendously exhilarating!
Life is hardddder
We got bills for sure.
Dovetails with your other post on permissions!
Which post was that Charles?
Absolutely brilliant breakdown! The analogy of “You INC” really hits home. It’s empowering to see employees shift their mindset from a single customer (employer) to multiple ones, opening up endless possibilities for growth and security. This perspective is a game-changer for anyone looking to take control of their financial future.
It sure is, Tim does it again!
Huge thank you! I have **never** thought of social media as online networking.
An older GenX, networking is in-person, over cocktails. All except my last employment gig over 35 years happened that way.
A journalist, editor and copywriter for magazines, books, nonprofits, I’ve always gotten decent open rates and click throughs on email campaigns, because they’re targeted. With single, clear, CTA. Like writing letters, without the annoying stamps or trucking off to the USPS.
Social media, even the DMs I receive, have been in “tv” category for me—something I consume, almost privately, when I’m NOT working.
It’s the irritating ad or digital billboard—even though I have built wildly successful FB campaigns.
Imagine my surprise to consider using my posts as **friendly conversation starters** about my work, DMs targeted like email, and stories like a hello text to a future client?! 🤯💀
You are right, Tim. The Internet and my authors, students and other clients have been my main source of income since 2010. Enjoyable work, on my schedule, pay ranges from OK to excellent. What more could anyone want or need?
Tim knows how to say.
You can save yourself writing on internet.
Loved this post. I've recently come to this epiphany myself -- marketing my skills that I use with my current employer (who I love working for) here on Substack. There's no reason to limit the audience that gets access to skills that you use every day and could easily double across platforms.
Everything Tim. All of this is gold. It's only a matter of taking action.
Nothing is easy but nothing is hard too and the only thing we need is momentum. Building. Getting in the flow to see it actually works and it does.
Thank you!
Thank you for this post. I found it very inspiring as someone who wants to branch out of the traditional work model.
It's so weird that our minds assume we have to do something new when we want to do business online. Business itself is a new thing, so there's no need to make it harder by doing new services.
Thanks for that reminder!
Right, just do what we've been doing but, for ourselves.
This is a great post, Tim. I realized that I need to work on my networking skills. Could you share one way I can start?
Once you become who you truly want to be, the passage of time and its marks lose their power over you.
——The Years (written by Annie Ernaux)
This is a very nice read, thank you for writing it Tim!
I love the idea of selling online what I do for a job. The question is how... I get that it's networking, so I'll start experimenting with that. I could use more help with offers.
Look up how to do an elevator pitch. It will help you gather the specifics you need while keeping everything short, sweet, and to the point. Sometimes, we tend to collect too much information and end up feeling overwhelmed.
Thanks, Shelly! I think I'm stopped at the "I do so many things, what should I be pitching" stage.
I definitely love your article. Thanks for aspiring!