We live in an incredible age where anyone with expertise in a particular subject and a desire to share their knowledge freely with the world (on and offline) has the potential to build a sustainable mini-business empire, literally from the comfort of their own home (or on the road somewhere if that’s their want).
Platform
Today, thanks to social media and other new technologies, it’s possible to develop an online platform from which to amplify your voice and increase your visibility on a local, national or – should you choose to do so – global basis.
(A platform is a person’s unified online presence e.g. blog, podcast series or web show and their followings on social channels such as Twitter and Facebook, plus their email list if they have one, and/or a regular magazine column etc).
Brand
With a solid platform in place, your reputation as an authority in your field will grow, resulting in a personal brand that’s increasingly recognised and trusted, in turn leading to a growing community or tribe of fans, followers, enthusiasts and advocates of what it is you do and how you go about doing it.
(A brand is not your logo; what people think of you, that is your brand; people’s collective experience of dealing with you whether virtually or in the flesh – that, like it or not, represents your brand).
Business
Having a thriving base of supporters – read: potential influencers and customers – consuming and sharing your content and providing valuable word-of-mouth buzz for your brand provides a fantastic opportunity to package your expertise and commercialise your brand.
(Sources of income vary but tend to include a combination of speaking, writing books, creating digitally-based information products, consulting, training, coaching, running events and managing membership sites; sometimes they might include building an ‘old school’ physical business such as a marketing agency).
Life
You’ve built a sizeable platform, your brand is well known and respected, and you have developed a multi-faceted business around your knowledge and your expertise. Now comes the kicker: you’re in a position to live life on your terms.
(Want to stay a solo operator with no overheads? No problems. Perhaps you want to scale your business for global growth but don’t want to commit to physical premises or a large regular payroll? Assemble a specialist virtual team. Maybe you want to live out of your suitcase and be on the road 90 per cent of the year while growing your business? No sweat – today, that is indeed a reality!).
So there you have it – become what I call a micro maven:
- develop your platform,
- build your personal brand,
- grow multiple revenue streams, and
- live the life you’ve always dreamed of.
Does this interest you?
If it does then you’re going to love the topics and themes we discuss in my book microDOMINATION (out now through Wiley Publishing).
Vive la revolution! Prepare to DOMINATE!
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TREVOR YOUNG specialises in PR, social media, content marketing and personal branding strategies. He speaks professionally and is the author of the book ‘microDOMINATION: How to Leverage Social Media & Content Marketing to Build a Mini-Business Empire Around Your Personal Brand’.
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