Many of my clients and other entrepreneurs I have admired over the years have taken their past journey and experiences and turned that, in itself, into a successful business opportunity. This could take the form of teaching others how to duplicate their success in a particular field, or sharing their interesting life experiences with others to entertain them. This is how it can be done. I am going to use my grandfather, Leo McDuling, as the example. Leo McDuling was a journalist during South Africa’s interesting apartheid times. He broke some of the stories that made international news, including Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, before he became President.
To Go Boldly is a unique series of stories about the leaders, pioneers, heroes, prima donnas and assorted quirky characters who marched in the passing parade that makes up South Africa’s rich past. My grandfather Leo McDuling’s point of view is entirely compelling, as he tells the tales in exquisitely frank and humorous detail through the observant eyes of a journalist. The stories inadvertently provide many clues about the fragility and strength of the human spirit. http://www.amazon.com/To-Go-Boldly-ebook/dp/B007XI1EXE
How you can do it too The first thing you need to do is work out what your hook is. What is interesting about you and your life experience that others can learn from, or be entertained by? A good hint is to notice what about yourself fascinates people you meet at gatherings and parties. What do they want to know? This may be how you figured out how to successfully use a form of social media, turned your business into a franchise, or reached millions of people through your blog while you were traveling the world (Alternatively, you may be an Olympian with an interesting story of triumph over adversity that people just love to hear.)
If you find yourself telling the same story over and over again to a captivated audience of friends and colleagues, why not turn this into a successful business and get paid to do it? The business opportunity Depending on your hook, you have a number of avenues to share your insights and stories, and get paid for it. These are the most commonly used revenue streams at your disposal:
- Tell your stories, experience, how-to tips in the form of a book! E-books are one opportunity, but often a published book is even better (because of its higher perceived value).
- Develop a speaking career – either by holding your own workshops or by speaking at outside events.
- Create an online course that teaches others how to use your methods to achieve the success you have in your chosen field.
- There are countless other opportunities depending on your field of expertise and skills, including running retreats, webinars, consulting, coaching, selling your brand/image as sponsorship to other companies, etc.
If you choose to write a book, but are concerned that you don’t have the time or skill to do it yourself, why not consider hiring a ghost writer, or even a great Editor, to assist you with the project.
