The Process of Writing A Book
By Cheval John
I had made a commitment that 2014 was going to be a break out year.
Along the way, I had a strong desire to write a book because it was a worthy challenge.
I can see why that is.
According to a New York Times article by Joseph Epstein, 81% of Americans dream of writing a book.
Only a few fulfill their book writing goals and I wanted to be among them.
So I made a commitment to Suitcase Entrepreneur, Natalie Sisson in her workshop that I was going to have a book written by the summer of 2014.
I was able to fulfill my promise and released the book, “8 Things You Need To Do Before Quitting Your Job” in April of this year.
Though it was a huge accomplishment to become an author, the book did not do well because I failed to do a book launch and market the book.
I even got a brutal feedback by a publicist who said that the book was not ready for prime time.
To make sure that I do not experience that failure again, I decided to take part in Nina Amir’s “Write NonFiction In November Challenge.”
A person who takes part in the challenge will have to blog their manuscript of their book and get it finished by November 30th.
Though I am a couple of days late to the challenge, I can get the book done because I have already written the manuscript on paper called, “8 Lessons Every Podcaster Needs To Learn.”
I will be starting the challenge tomorrow with the introduction of the book and you will be seeing “chapters” every Thursday, Friday and Saturday in addition to the posts relating to sports and travel.
I feel that it will be fun to let the readers see the process of writing a book and also leave their feedback on the book.
Have you ever thought about writing a book?
You Are Not The Life Of The Party
By Cheval John
As I turned the television channel to a show on a respected national network, I saw that someone had filled in for the host, who was probably on assignment.
As the show was going on, I was feeling a moment of disgust because the fill-in host was being disrespectful to the guests and the correspondents.
As the show was about to finish, I turned the channel.
If you are aspiring to be a television journalist, a sports reporter, radio show host or podcaster, you should avoid doing these two things that the “host” did during the interview.
1. Interrupt The Guest/s
As they were discussing major events and the guests were sharing their opinion, the host was interrupting the guest/s.
Not only is that unprofessional, but downright rude.
2. Speaking Over The Correspondent/s
As the correspondent/s was sharing “breaking news,” the host was cutting off both of the correspondents almost every second.
I could have imagined they were thinking, “This person does not have any courtesy or respect.”
When someone is sharing information with their audience, you should have the courtesy to listen to what they have to say.
The reason is because they might share some nuggets of wisdom that could allow you to follow up with another question.
If you go out and do what the “host” did, you might not last long in your career.
As the saying goes, “You Are Not The Life Of The Party.”
Josh And Jill Went Over The Pond
By Cheval John
Society says that in order to be successful, you must go to college, get a degree and land a full time job.
Then if you’re lucky, find the right one, get married and go on a honeymoon before you settle in your new home and start a family.
Though Josh and Jill Stanton got married, their “honeymoon” is still going on.
They have built their affiliate websites that has generated revenue which allows them to live the lifestyle they have dreamed off.
In the process, they have started a blog called, “ScrewTheNineToFive,” which helps people who are looking to strike out on their own and live the life they have always wanted.
Recently, I caught up with the Stantons, who are currently in Thailand to get their insight on running a business and the motivation to strike out on their own.
You can visit at www.screwtheninetofive.com
Cheval John: How did you get into affiliate marketing
Jill Stanton: Josh actually got started with affiliate marketing about 6 years ago or so, but it was always just a side hustle he had going on…until we teamed up together 2 years ago.
These days affiliate marketing is our main income earner. We manage a network of over 20 affiliate sites, ranging from small sites of 4 pages to sites of over 250 pages.
We love affiliate marketing because it is essentially the lowest barrier to making money online one could ever get involved with. You don’t have to deal with order fulfillment, shipping, returns, customer service, branding, or payment processing—it’s the most hands-off model there is online.
Cheval: How did the “Screw The Nine to Five Blog” came about
Jill: We actually came up with the idea for Screw the Nine to Five on our wedding week in Costa Rica while sitting on our balcony—a time when we shouldn’t have been thinking of work! Ha ha
But the minute we had the idea we registered the domain and started planning what we would do with the site.
Cheval: Did y’all face any adversity in achieving your goals
Jill: Of course! It’s never easy when you run your own business because everything relies on you. We also have to contend with Google when trying to reach our goals, as a big part of our business is at the mercy of Google and their constant updates.
However we’re big believers in setting goals for ourselves…and so far we’ve reached all our big goals, but we’ve stepped it up for 2014 so fingers crossed we make those happen too! Ha ha
Cheval: You both achieved success in your home country, Canada, why did y’all moved to Thailand?
Jill: Well Josh is actually Australian and both of us pretty much hate any and all cold weather, so moving to Thailand was an easy sell.
We also wanted to make it a point to live in a cheaper country where our money could go further and we could use our savings from our day-to-day life to re-invest back into our business and hire more people to help scale our efforts.
On top of that, South East Asia is a HUGE hotspot for online entrepreneurs and we really wanted to surround ourselves with likeminded people. After all, there really isn’t an online marketing scene in Toronto and we never really met anyone who was doing what we were doing.
We’ve now been here for a year and it is hands down the best thing we’ve ever done for ourselves personally and professionally.
Cheval: What are the ins and out of running a business
Jill: I guess it varies for each and every person, depending on what kind of business you are running.
For us, our biggest struggle is to take ourselves out of our business, allow our team run the day-to-day side of things so we can focus ON our business and not work IN it.
I think the biggest thing to remember for anyone wanting to run a business online is that you have to comfortable with the uncomfortable, because online business is ALWAYS changing. Nothing is ever the same.
And the minute you get too comfortable with it, you’re doomed.
Cheval: Can you share an example how you helped someone be successful
Jill: I think in 2013 we were helping people through our one-on-one coaching services. We had quite a few happy clients that put our strategies to use and saw great improvements in their businesses, which was so exciting to see!
This year we have gotten rid of those in an effort to help more people on a bigger level.
We recently kicked off our public case study where we are being fully transparent and building and monetizing a site publicly so our readers can copy exactly what we’re doing.
So far the feedback has been amazing and we have quite a few people joining the challenge of building their own site over the next 3 months.
Cheval: Why is networking important
Jill: I think relationship building is absolutely crucial to your business’ success. After all, it’s those relationships that you can then lean on when things get tough, bounce ideas off each other, or help each other out with different ventures.
It’s really the key to getting your business out there and taking it to the next level.
I do think there is a way to do it though. I personally cringe when someone asks to pick someone’s brain. I mean think about it, who wants to give away all the tips and strategies that they had to figure out for themselves, just to give them away to someone who wants to fast-track their progress?
No one, that’s who.
However, if you frame it in a give-and-take situation then it’s much easier to connect with entrepreneurs you look up to and gain insights. Just don’t be a selfish networker and you should be golden.
Cheval: What are the quote/s y’all live by
Jill: We truly live by the quote “Get comfortable with the uncomfortable”, although I couldn’t tell you who said it first. It’s just something that resonates with us.
I also love the quote “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”.
I just think that it is essential to your success to stay slightly uncomfortable in your business at all times because that means you will always try new things, test new strategies and put yourself out there in a way you wouldn’t if you just kept everything copacetic.
All our biggest successes have come out of intense periods of fear and self-doubt, but the key was we kept pushing through those periods. I think that is what separates successful entrepreneurs from the “wantrepreneurs”.
Cheval: Any parting words?
Jill: Stop thinking about it and just start taking action. That’s the key. That’s all you have to do: Start with step 1….and stop stressing out about step 20. You’ll figure it out. Just start.
Two Bearkats Earned All-America Squad
Courtesy: Paul Ridings, Jr., SHSU Sports Information
Torrance Williams is a first team selection and Bookie Sneed a third team honoree for the Sam Houston football team on the Sports Network FCS All-America list, the first major post-season honor squad announced for the 2013 football season.
Williams, a senior from Waco Connally, is the Sport Network’s first team All-America punt return specialist.
Williams led the Southland Conference and ranked No. 2 nationally in punt returns this season.
He broke the Sam Houston single season punt return yardage school record with 29 returns for 464 yards.
He also set a single game school mark with five returns for 138 yards in SHSU’s victory over Lamar.
Williams completed his Bearkat career ranked No. 5 in Sam Houston career punt return yardage with 31 returns for 487 yards.
The senior led Sam Houston with 1,546 all-purpose yards this year.
Sneed, a senior cornerback from Conroe, was a third team All-America defensive back in the Sports Network listing.
He totaled 66 tackles in the secondary for the Bearkats and led the team with 13 pass break-ups. Sneed was a first team All-Southland Conference selection, his third year in a row to earn All-Southland honors.
Sam Houston is one of only three teams in FCS football to earn berths in the NCAA Division I Football Championship playoffs each of the past three seasons.
2013 The Sports Network All-America Team
First Team – Offense
QB – Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois, Sr., 6-3, 222
RB – Terrance West, Towson, Jr., 5-11, 223; Zach Zenner, South Dakota State, Jr., 6-0, 220
FB – Andrew Grothmann, North Dakota State, Sr., 6-1, 232
WR – Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington, Fr., 6-2, 195; Lee Kurfis, Lehigh, Sr., 6-2, 190; Erik Lora, Eastern Illinois, Sr., 5-11, 190
TE – MyCole Pruitt, Southern Illinois, Jr., 6-3, 260
OL – Dakota Dozier, Furman, Sr., 6-4, 291; Eric Pike, Towson, Sr., 6-5, 298; Collin Seibert, Eastern Illinois, Jr., 6-4, 277; Billy Turner, North Dakota State, Sr., 6-6, 314; Bryan Witzmann, South Dakota State, Sr., 6-7, 305
AP – Fabian Truss, Samford, Sr., 5-9, 185
PK – Tyler Sievertsen, Northern Iowa, Sr., 6-2, 185
KR – Xavier Roberson, Southeastern Louisiana, So., 5-9, 170
First Team – Defense
DE – Brad Daly, Montana State, Sr., 6-1, 240; Terrence Fede, Marist, Sr., 6-5, 270
DT – Sullivan Grosz, Cal Poly, Sr., 6-4, 295; Caraun Reid, Princeton, Sr., 6-2, 305
LB – Stephon Robertson, James Madison, Sr., 5-11, 230; Justin Shade, Samford, Sr., 5-10, 229; Joe Thomas, South Carolina State, Sr., 6-0, 230; Lynden Trail, Norfolk State, Jr., 6-7, 260
CB – Kendall James, Maine, Sr., 6-0, 214; Marcus Williams, North Dakota State, Sr., 5-11, 194
S – Jerome Couplin III, William & Mary, Sr., 6-2, 215; Caleb Schaffitzel, Missouri State, Jr., 6-0, 214
P – Chad Zinchini, Tennessee Tech, Sr., 6-3, 220
LS – Richard Wright, Liberty, Sr., 6-1, 260
PR – Torrance Williams, Sam Houston State – Sr., 5-8, 170
Second Team – Offense
QB – Vernon Adams, Eastern Washington, So., 6-0, 190
RB – Kyle Harbridge, St. Francis (Pa.), Sr., 5-10, 195; DaMarcus James, Jacksonville State, Jr., 5-10, 220; Lorenzo Taliaferro, Coastal Carolina, Sr., 6-2, 230
FB – Emmanuel Holder, Towson, So., 5-11, 255; Darien Robinson, The Citadel, Sr., 6-0, 220
WR – Sam Ajala, Fordham, Jr., 6-0, 194; Jeremy Butler, UT Martin, Sr., 6-3, 205; Lee Doss, Southern, Sr., 6-2, 180
TE – Justin Perillo, Maine, Sr., 6-4, 240
OL – Arinze Agada, McNeese State, Sr., 6-1, 286; Tristan Bellamy, South Carolina State, Sr., 6-3, 290; Matt Crisaki, William & Mary, Sr., 6-4, 302; A.J. Dalton, Robert Morris, Sr., 6-4, 280; Mason Halter, Fordham, Jr., 6-6, 282
AP – Rob Hollomon, Central Connecticut State, Jr., 5-8, 170
PK – Griffin Thomas, Jacksonville State, Sr., 6-0, 198
KR – Adrian Wilkins, North Carolina Central, So., 5-8, 170
Second Team – Defense
DE – Zach Hodges, Harvard, Jr., 6-3, 235; Shaquille Riddick, Gardner-Webb, Jr., 6-7, 240; Davis Tull, UT-Chattanooga, Jr., 6-3, 240
DT – Zach Kerr, Delaware, Sr., 6-2, 310; Troy Moore, Sacred Heart, Jr., 6-3, 285
LB – Quinn Backus, Coastal Carolina, Sr., 5-10, 215; Todd Davis, Sacramento State, Sr., 6-1, 250; Tyler Starr, South Dakota, Sr., 6-4, 235; Jordan Tripp, Montana, Sr., 6-4, 237
CB – T.J. Lee III, Eastern Washington, Sr., 5-9, 190; Jordan Love, Towson, Sr., 6-1, 180
S – Daniel Fitzpatrick, Tennessee State, Jr., 6-2, 210; Jaquiski Tartt, Samford, Jr., 6-1, 218
P – Kyle Loomis, Portland State, Jr., 6-2, 210
LS – Chris Highland, Illinois State, Jr., 6-2, 215
PR – Tavoris Doss, Alcorn State, Sr., 5-8, 165
Third Team – Offense
QB – Michael Nebrich, Fordham, Jr., 6-1, 205
RB – D.J. Adams, Portland State, Sr., 5-10, 210; Keshaudas Spence, Sacred Heart, Jr., 5-10, 230; Marcus Wiltz, McNeese State, Sr., 5-9, 192
FB – Kurt Odom, Campbell, Sr., 6-1, 215
WR – Kenny Cook, Gardner-Webb, Jr., 6-4, 210; Adam Drake, Eastern Illinois, Jr., 6-2, 199; Roman Wilson, Princeton, Sr., 5-11, 190
TE – Jeff LePak, Eastern Illinois, Jr., 6-6, 222
OL – Dorian Byrd, Georgia Southern, Sr., 6-1, 265; Phede Celestin, Marist, Sr., 6-4, 318; Jamey Cheatwood, Coastal Carolina, Sr., 6-5, 330; Kadeem Edwards, Tennessee State, Sr., 6-4, 290; Chris Elkins, Youngstown State, Sr., 6-4, 290; Danny Kistler, Montana, Sr., 6-8, 315; Mitchell Van Dyk, Portland State, Sr., 6-9, 290
AP – Greg Hardin, North Dakota, Sr., 5-11, 177
PK – Colton Cook, Southern Utah, Sr., 5-8, 185
KR – Shawn Johnson, Montana State, Jr., 5-9, 175
Third Team – Defense
DE – Anthony Bass, Tennessee State, Jr., 6-2, 230; Jesse Dickson, Lamar, Sr., 6-3, 265; Colton Underwood, Illinois State, Sr., 6-4, 255
DT – Robert Simpson, Mississippi Valley State, Sr., 6-3, 267; Tracey Smith, Bucknell, Sr., 6-1, 265
LB – Telvion Clark, Towson, Sr., 6-1, 230; Jarkevis Fields, Bethune-Cookman, Sr., 6-0, 230; Stephen Hodge, Jr., 6-0, 202; Cqulin Hubert, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr., 6-1, 250; Christian Kuntz, Duquesne, So., 6-2, 210
DB – Guy Morgan, McNeese State, Sr., 6-0, 188; Winston Wright, South Dakota State, Sr., 5-10, 190 , Colten Heagle, North Dakota State, Jr., 5-11, 202; Bookie Snead, Sam Houston State, Sr., 6-0, 180
P – Bentlee Critcher, Appalachian State, Fr., 6-1, 175; Bobby Wenzig, Alabama State, Sr., 6-2, 180
LS – Phil Faccone, Wagner, Jr., 5-9, 195; Chris Maikranz, Lamar, Sr., 6-6, 255
PR – Antwan Eddie, Robert Morris, Jr., 5-10, 180
Introduction To Podcasting
By Cheval John
As promised in my last post, “The Process of Writing A Book,” I will be sharing each chapter of the book “8 Lessons Every Podcaster Needs To Learn.”
This will be my way of letting the readers of this site get to see my writing process in creating a book and also I want to be as real and transparent as possible.
I want the readers to be a part of the book writing process and share their feedback with me on whether this book will be beneficial for those who are looking to create their own podcast.
So without further ado, here is the “Introduction” to the book.
Podcasting has made a resurgence in the last 10 years.
It was a once forgotten medium because the technology was only available on computers.
After Apple created the iPod in 2005, many flocked back to podcasting because they believed that they could reach a wider audience.
They are signs that podcasting will continue to grow in the near future.
The reason is because Apple has led the way in innovation again with their new product, the Apple Carplay.
Carplay allows anyone to connect their iPhone to their cars.
It was released this year on selected car models like Ferrari, Honda, and Hyundia and will be available on all newer models with the rest of the big name brands in 2015.
One might think this is all great, but what all this have to do with podcasting?
The answer is everything because the iPhone has given people the capability to download their favorite podcasts and listen to it anywhere.
That means that if you are small business owner, freelance writer, a college student who are trying to showcase their expertise in order to land their dream job, etc, starting a podcast will allow you to reach your target audience and establish your credibility.
And it gets even better with Carplay because podcasters are able to reach people who have to commute to work on a weekly basis.
So you might still wonder why I should journey into podcasting when the medium is the 11th social media platform used by 6% of marketers according to the 2014 industry report by Social Media Examiner?
The reason is because that same report has indicated that 21% of marketers are going to create their own podcasts this year and 24% are thinking of the possibility of having a podcast.
So if you are convinced and are ready to have your very own podcast, I salute you.
As you are thinking about what platform will best fit your podcasting needs, the third chapter, “Start A Podcast” in my first book, “8 Things You Need To Do Before Quitting Your Job” explains what platform will work for the newbie podcaster.
When you come to the decision on which platform you feel comfortable with in creating your podcast,
more questions will enter your mind like how do I secure my first guest?
Should I reach out to that A-Lister or should I start local with the people I know?
This book, “8 Lessons Every Podcaster Needs To Learn” will be the step-by-step guide to grow your podcast the right way.
It is based on the lessons I learned the hard way while hosting my very own online radio show/podcast, “What’s The Word?” on BlogTalkRadio.
My hope is that you will avoid the same mistakes as a podcaster and that you will grow your personal brand and establish yourself as a thought leader whether you are a business owner, freelance writer, college student or even an employee.
Let the lessons begin.
Video courtesy of Cliff Ravenscraft
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