Light Speed!
Life is moving at light speed! Here we are at the end of 2018, it feels as though it has gone by so fast, we do not have enough time to reflect. There is something about 2018 that has specifically defined what the future holds for our social interaction with each other, business, families, and the like. That thing is individualism. More and more people are realizing their opportunities lie within themselves. The best way for me to describe this new phenomenon is, you can become an individual business at the fastest rate we have ever seen in the history of the world. This article will touch on how people are taking advantage of the technology and freedom it brings. It’s been a journey, so let’s figure out how we position ourselves to reap the benefits of this new state of work and life. Will you join me?
What’s Your Why?
What was it that got you to realize your reason for doing what you do? I realized I could no longer sit idle while watching and understanding what the new state of work has become. I have seen younger people make millions of dollars through self-expression on You Tube, and on other social platforms. I have, seen so many people with perspectives and advice on LinkedIn and Facebook. What does all this mean? Technology has given us an immediate platform to engage other individuals all around the world in real time. Think about that for a second. As I write this, have you contemplated the impact you potentially can have, just by having an opinion and articulating it in a way that people can understand it. Whether people agree with you or not, you have that power. This is an amazing time for entrepreneurs and just anyone in general that wants to express themselves.
Millennial!
The millennial affect. I am a millennial and I understand why we do not stay in a place that does not satisfy our passion or purpose. The idea around giving back and creating sustainable resources through self expression is the epitome of individualism. The more we look at where we want to go, we take those steps with out hesitation. In the past generations, people would stay somewhere that would make them physically ill, due to stress. That is not the way we view things, and surely is not the way the next generation will view them. How is this changing the way we live, work, and play?
Technology!
Now that we know all these great things are available to us via technology. How do we use them to potentially make money and provide for our families and others? I know just making videos is not a source of income, but making videos that can assist and inspire people will bring so many opportunities for you, and eventually those opportunities turn into not just money; but life long friends, business partnerships, and a wealth of knowledge. Let’s look at a few examples of key contributors on LinkedIn in 2018 who have used social platforms to create a network of connections and followers and inspired me along the way! Let’s Go!
Top Influencers On Linked In 2019 (My Unofficial List)
Gary Vaynerchuck
Gary is an inspiration to so many people on LinkedIn and the social world in general. He provides free tools via podcast, to those who want to achieve freedom through social advertising and just being a bad ass at what you do.
b. What Gary taught me was to just jump off the cliff and learn to fly by taking the leap forward. I have always been an entrepreneur, but my efforts of entrepreneurship have been stagnant, to say the least. However, the experience is valuable. Gary taught me to use that as a source of power and just do it man, don’t wait, don’t think, just do it! Thanks @garyvanderchuck and keep killing it man!
Backstory: Gary Vaynerchuk is the chairman of VaynerX, a modern-day media and communications holding company and the active CEO of VaynerMedia, a full-service advertising agency servicing Fortune 100 clients across the company’s 4 locations.
In addition to VaynerMedia, VaynerX also includes Gallery Media Group, which houses women’s lifestyle brand PureWow and men’s lifestyle brand ONE37pm. In addition to running VaynerMedia, Gary also serves as a partner in the athlete representation agency VaynerSports, cannabis-focused branding and marketing agency Green Street and restaurant reservations app Resy.
Gary is a board/advisory member of Ad Council and Pencils of Promise, and is a longtime Well Member of Charity:Water.
Gary is a highly sought after public speaker, a 5-time New York Times bestselling author, as well as a prolific angel investor with early investments in companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Venmo, and Uber.
Gary is currently the subject of DailyVee, an online documentary series highlighting what it’s like to be a CEO and public figure in today’s digital world, as well the host of The GaryVee Audio Experience, a top 100 global podcast, and host of #AskGaryVee, a business and advice Q&A show which can be found on both YouTube and Facebook.
Gary also appeared as judge in Apple’s first original series “Planet of the Apps” alongside Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba and Will.i.am.
Here are a few of his mainstays and podcasts links for any of you that are ready to take that next step in your professional career. https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyvaynerchuk/detail/treasury/summary/?entityUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_treasuryMedia%3A(ACoAAACgAVMBb8w4dbaqCMriT5tTYE0H4M_oFKE%2C1502807617868)§ion=summary&treasuryCount=1&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BZbSg4PmOQEydGd08%2B9eMWg%3D%3D&licu=urn%3Ali%3Acontrol%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base-treasury_thumbnail_cell
Oleg Vishneposlky
Oleg is a true inspiration. He does not allow you to bypass integrity in everything you do. His quotes are always uplifting and centered around employees. He fights for the employee not the boss.
What Oleg has taught me is, do not underestimate humility in interaction with your staff. Always seek to improve the lives of others at all costs, especially with in an organization. We need more leaders like Oleg to take us to a place where being at work does not feel like being in a boot camp setting. We are humans not numbers! Keep it up Oleg!
Background: Mr. Oleg Vishnepolsky serves as Chief Technology Officer of 24/7 Real Media UK Ltd. Mr. Vishnepolsky serves as a Member of Advisory Board at Ology Media, Inc. Mr. Vishnepolsky served as Chief Technology Officer of 24/7 Real Media Inc. since January 2, 2007. From December 2005 to December 2006, Mr. Vishnepolsky served as Vice President of Publishing and Search at AOL Time Warner and was primarily responsible for its in-house publishing and search systems, as well as setting
Arianna Huffington
Arianna has a deep sense of engagement. Her content makes you think about where you are and how you feel about where you are in your life. She asks the tough questions. Like men not showing emotion in one of her most recent post. She is the epitome of take on the challenge and see how you fair. Also, not only challenge yourself, but your mental well being should be the center of your happiness, not the attainment of wealth.
b. What Arianna has taught me about social media is we can be vulnerable enough to have conversations that we all think about in real time with others we do not know. Her platform has given me great joy in expressing myself to people who may need to hear the words I have to say. I am just 1 person, but this speaks to the new collaboration and communication technology has given us today. Way to go Arianna, keep it up!
Background: Arianna Huffington is a Greek American author, syndicated columnist, and politician who has an estimated net worth of $50 million dollars. Arianna Huffington was born in Athens, Greece in 1950, moved to England when she was 16, and then to the U.S. in 1980.
In 2011, AOL acquired The Huffington Post for US$315 million, and made Huffington the President and Editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Media Group, which included The Huffington Post and then-existing AOL properties including AOL Music, Engadget, Patch Media, and StyleList.[8] On August 11, 2016, it was announced that she would step down from her role at The Huffington Post to devote her time to a new startup, Thrive Global, focused on health and wellness information.
Brigette Hyacinth
Brigette is 1 of the top 100 influencers on LinkedIn in 2018. Brigette is inspirational and truthful. She is always looking to help job seekers find their place in an ever changing landscape of work. She is a top selling author and a motivational speaker. Her will power of positive words will give you chills if you are really serious about your career.
b. What Brigette has taught me on social media is, do not let the small things get in the way of your future. You can always overcome failure if you put your mind to it. She always speaks to job seekers and people who need advice on how to get the job they really want. She is an inspiration to myself and thousands of others. Keep up the great work Brigette!
Background: Brigette Hyacinth is a Bestselling author, and an International Keynote Speaker on Leadership, Management, HR, Social Media Marketing & Influencing, Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence.
Brigette has been named:
🔹Top 100 Most Influential people of African Descent under 40.
🔹Top 20 EMEA-Based Tech Experts to inspire Digital Transformation Efforts.
🔹Top 100 HR Influencers (Leadership & Development) of 2018.
Booking Inquiries: Please contact admin@mbacaribbean.org
How to Monetize yourself in today’s Individual Expressive Branding!
1. Affiliate marketing and branding- If you have a blog and you are increasing your viewer rate you can approach companies to market on your blog and get paid.
2. Coaching- The introduction of coaching and mentor ship is moving at a fast pace. This is not new at all, but what is new, is the ability to acquire men-tees at a phenomenal rate due to technology. Some coaches charge a ton because of their experience, but you can start learning enough to charge a nominal fee or give your advice for free to build viewership and brand adoption.
3. . “Monetizing your website is more than offering ad placement and joining Amazon as an affiliate. It’s a strategy that starts with your SEO and the time you invest in building your audience. The programs you choose that provide residuals, like Amazon and AdSense or even selling your products or services, won’t prove successful unless your website has traffic.” – Lindy Chaffin, www.unstoppablestart.com
4. “The #1 way I monetize my site is by working with brands through sponsored posts. I’m very selective and only work with brands I trust. To get the attention of big brands, my content and photography must be top notch. Social media also plays an important part in monetization. The more followers you have on social media, the more willing brands are to work with you. It does take time and patience to build a presence on social media, but it’s well worth it in the end.” – Alli Smith, www.anallievent.com
Conclusion
We all have potential at our fingertips. If you know what to do, then that is half the battle. Do not get discouraged and think you can’t achieve the financial freedom that is for you. I believe in you and sometimes that is all it takes. All of the above mentioned influencers have the same thing in common, they just started doing it. Go and take these steps and start kicking ass today! Just a rundown of what was discussed in bullet points
- Create a social presence and build your audience
- Find a niche you are passionate about
- Engage your audience to see what they respond to (content is king)
- Create a website
- Brand yourself
- Ask for the business once you have put in the work and accumulated the followers.
- Learn! Learn! Learn! (Ask for help)
- Create a video about you, it does not have to be perfect. ( I am creating my video today, it will be my first video on LinkedIn)
- Believe you can achieve and you will
Lastly, this is also my plan. We can take this journey together. This is something I am very passionate about and I want to assist anyone else who may be thinking on the same line as myself. If you have questions you can reach me on LinkedIn at Carl Dunn. Good luck to you all!
