Today I want to talk to you about fear, as it applies to bloggers and podcasters and others who work online.
To do this, I made a video that discusses fear as it relates to obscurity, fear of fame and success, and whether or not you are allowing fear from showing up and keeping you from being your authentic self.
I also created this accompanying post (with the help of my freelancer friend, Lorraine, who offers four different services via Wording Well), as I know some of you would rather read than listen to or watch a video.
I want you to be the best example to your friends, family, clients, and anyone you happen to come into contact with!
You can watch the video on YouTube. You can listen to the audio via Podomatic. You can even check it out on iTunes, or on Stitcher. Or you can simply watch or listen to it right here, as I’ve included it within this blog post!
Let’s begin by talking about why you even blog in the first place.
WHY DO YOU BLOG?
Most bloggers don’t start out to be rich and famous. They either have a product or a service that they want to sell, and they’ve heard that blogging is one of the best ways to go.
You want to get noticed.
You want others to read your posts, and buy from you.
In the beginning, you wonder if others are going to like you. This is your initial fear.
You see others experiencing success, and you want that type of success for yourself.
After some time goes by, you achieve these things, but on a small level. You know you’re doing good work, and you’re building your email list. But… you think something is missing.
You begin to wonder if you’re progressing at the right pace. You think it’s too slow, and you’re not seeing the results you’d ultimately like.
So you begin doing podcasts, interviews, and radio shows to expand your reach.
BUT… then other fears get in the way. You think about the size of the audience, and you get scared. Knowing that thousands (if not millions) of people are going to be listening to you gives you the jitters. You’re nerves frazzle, and you are afraid you are going to mess up, or forget to say something. You also begin to doubt yourself, and wonder if you even have anything worth saying.
Fear can really screw with your mind!
To help you through this type of fear, I’ve prepared an entire online course that specifically addresses each component of it.
It’s called On The Air: How to Use Podcasts, Radio and TV Interviews to Promote Your Brand, which is available from Gumroad for $97. Once you click on that link, simply click on the picture to enlarge it and see what the course offers!
The cool thing about this course is that it is an AUDIO COURSE, so you can be doing the dishes and taking (listening to) the course at the same time! In times where we are often busy, this allows you to kill two birds with one stone!
Basically, the topics covered in this course include:
- Discovering your story
- How to find interview opportunities
- How to determine what shows are a good fit for you
- How to pitch the hosts
- What to do to prepare for your appearances
- How to have a great experience, and what to do after the show is over.
- This course also includes membership to a private Facebook group, PDF resources, and access to me for help with writing the perfect pitch email.
For more information, visit the link, and click on the image!
DON’T BE AFRAID
People want to hear about your story. Believe it or not, others actually like getting the “inside scoop” on your experiences! They want to hear about the time you got embarrassed, was put on the spot, and how you dealt with it.
I want to encourage you to simply be yourself, let your inhibitions go, and reveal your secrets to the world. Work hard every day to improve yourself!
MY FEARS and PODCASTS
I’ve done so many podcasts at this point that I’ve lost count. Recently, I did a show with January Jones, and she mentioned she has over 50 000 listeners. Ouch! Instead of letting this number intimidate me, I put into practice the things I will teach you in my online course, and the entire show was a hit!
You can listen to that show right here.
In fact, it was such a success that January asked to have me back on September 22nd!
IS YOUR MESSAGE BIG ENOUGH?
Mine must be, as I also did an interview that was published in New York Magazine. What It’s Like to Lose 350 Pounds has been published online, too, at this link. Please read it. You’ll learn things about me very quickly!
Basically, this article discusses what it was like to be an obese blind man. Not just obese. Not just blind. But both.
As you can imagine, being 500+ pounds is no picnic.
You face adversity almost everywhere you turn.
In this article, many personal and truly embarrassing things were revealed.
Sure, I was scared to mention them (I won’t mention them here; I’ll let you discover them yourself!) but I can honestly say that I’ve never, ever been this open before with anyone.
Being that forthright is tough for many people, however, but if you simply tell the truth, you’ll be okay.
As Mike Robins says, “Be yourself because everybody else is already taken!”
YOUR NEXT STEPS
Let me help you on your journey to success!
Join my email list and receive a complimentary copy of my motivational ebook, Leading You Out of the Darkness Into the Light.
Email me. My email address is justask@theblindblogger.net. I want to hear from you!
Skype me. I’m mister.midway on Skype.
Find me on Twitter, @maxwellivey.
Call me. Let’s get to know one another. I offer a free 15-minute consultation (an exploratory call), too. My phone number is 1-979-215-1770.
Don’t let fear stop you from contacting me!
Until next time, take care!
P.S. Are you interested in becoming an affiliate?
Affiliate Sales
I have published this course to Gumroad as it allows me to offer affiliate sales opportunities. This means that if you help sell the product, you would receive a percentage of those sales. You do have to have a Gumroad account, but it is completely free to create one. They only charge when a sale is made. They receive a small commission on every transaction. If you are interested, then apply for an account and then email me about your interest.
Hey Max,
Fear holds so many people back, it use to hold me back and there are still some thing I won’t due because of it. I’m only human and this just proves that there are so many people out there still not reaching their potential because of it.
I’m so glad that you came out of your shell because I knew you wanted to do videos. From there you’ve just taken the ball and run with it. Look at you now, you have your own course which I’m sure is helping a LOT of people who want to use these platforms to get in front of their audience and brand themselves. I’m sure it will benefit anyone eager to do just that.
Glad Lorraine helped you with this and I wish you the very best moving forward.
Take care my friend and I’m off to share this post as well.
~Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted…How To Write For Your Target Audience
Hi Adrienne; thanks for the encouragement. truth is the course has yet to sell its first copy, so I’m considering how I could better promote it. As you warned me when I asked about doing a summit you said that quite often we put effort into projects that seem good at the time only to find that no one wants them. IN this case I created the course after more than a few people had asked me to share my methods privately. So, I thought I had a winning idea. I do feel good about the course and the work I put into it. I learned about how to offer affiliate sales. And I made some great new connections in the process. But I really wanted it to be successful on a financial basis. Awe well, its too soon to know yet. Yes, lorraine was a big help saving me the time and energy of writing the post and doing a much better job of embedding the video than i was doing. Next time I think I’m going to give her the outline of my video and ask for suggestions there too. At least now I’m remembering to mention all the promotional stuff in the video and audio. Now, if I could just have one thing I’m doing or have done convert into a paying client, speaking engagement, product sale, donation, etc; I would feel so much better about the future. well, you know me I’ve spent enough time talking about it. Now, have to get back to doing something about it. Thanks for being here for me. Its great knowing that I have friends who will continue to support me. xoxo max
maxwell ivey recently posted…Don’t Let Fear Stop You… EVER! Instead, Do THIS.
Hey Max,
Fear is a great topic to be discussing. I have been spending time with another friend lately, who reminds me of you, in that she is all about facing fears. I actually have my first radio show interview in the works and my story being published recently, actually holding the book, well it was better than I ever could have imagined. I never would have experienced that if I had let the fear of rejection rule my mind and my actions. Thanks for all your support and I always wish you the best of luck.
I actually have a few editing suggestions for your intro if you are still interested.
Take care.
Kerry recently posted…My Perfect Day
Hi Kerry; so happy to read your post and hear all your great news. It is amazing to hold a book in your hand. and I know its just a matter of time before you will have a whole book of your very own. I can tell there are many great stories in you some imaginative fiction and others heart rending laugh out loud funny and inspirational as well. just hope I can be there in person at your book launch. 😀 as for the intro video I’m always open to suggestions. I think it does need to be shorter and I definitely need to think more about what would draw people in who don’t know me yet. Because I find when I send people there who know me or who are considering me for a radio show that they watch and are impressed. thanks for being such a great friend. am happy I could be a small part of your story. xoxo max
maxwell ivey recently posted…Michael Babcock interviews me on blab Continuing to push my comfort zone
Hi Max
I know the feeling of fear and how it can deceive one into staying on the safe zone so I can relate to your situation.
However, as you brilliantly highlighted, your story does matter and makes a difference.
Thanks for sharing Max and you rock man.
Hi Ikechi; thanks so much for your comment. One of the things that sometimes creeps up on me is the wonder if people will continue to want to hear more of my story. Most of the time I know the answer is yes. But there are those days where it really helps to hear it. I am doing my best to be more active share even more and support my great friends by reading and sharing their stories too. bless you my friend. <3 max
maxwell ivey recently posted…Michael Babcock interviews me on blab Continuing to push my comfort zone
I know the feeling when something holds you up. But glad that you overcome that. I appreciate.
Thanks; So, what have you done where you had to overcome your fears? Pease share, Max
Hello Admin,
This one is such inspiration post. People should read this article to understand how to handle fear.T
Thanks to you for sharing this great post to inspire your Blog Audience.
Max always spot on buddy. Years later and this post rings true. I seem to uncover fears each day but as I step into these energies and feel the discomfort I have more fun and experience greater worldly success too. Thanks for inspiring us my friend.
Ryan
Ryan K Biddulph recently posted…5 Tips for Branding Yourself Successfully through Your Blog
Hi Ryan; I’m always happy to hear from you buddy. You are one of those rare people who makes me feel like I should be doing more, bigger, scarier. I’m happy to hear that the post still holds true. I have used revive old posts for a while now so new twitter followers can learn about my past work. But I had no idea that it could also cause amazing people like you who have been with me all along to go back and watch, listen, or read my work again. That’s really cool to hear. Take care out there, max