In this episode, Dave is excited to welcome Ryan Biddulph. Ryan is the founder of Blogging From Paradise. He’s done what so many people say they want to do… quit their job, travel the world, and fund their lifestyle by making money online. And in Ryan’s case, not just some money – a lot of money. Ryan’s story is amazing. He bounced around from job to job, making just enough to get by. And after getting downsized, he finally had enough and decide to make his dream a reality.
Since then he’s been featured on Richard Branson's Virgin blog, Forbes, The Huffington Post and Neil Patel Dot Com. He’s spoken around the world and of course traveled the world everywhere from Fiji to Thailand and everything in between with his family. Ryan’s written 126 E-books, and that is not a typo – one hundred twenty six! Been featured on 200+ blogs and has a number of businesses surrounding Blogging from Paradise. And he did all of this in less than 5 years!
8 years ago Ryan was a security guard in New Jersey. It took a catalyst of getting laid off to spur him to do something more in life and more fulfilling. Starting out, he didn’t even know what a blog was! But he figured some things out over a couple years. Within about 5 years he was making enough money to fund his lifestyle and travel the world. But something was off. The way he was doing it just didn’t give him the true fulfillment and passion he was looking for.
So he did what anyone making a lot of money through a business online that was funding a lifestyle to travel the world would do – he trashed it all and started over from scratch! He was scared, but he know starting over he could do it right and really follow his passion and that is how Blogging from Paradise came to be. That was 2 years ago and now Ryan is one of the most sought after blogging experts.
At the 6 min mark, Ryan talks about taking a failure/setback and turning it into an opportunity.
At the 8 min mark, Ryan talks about what it means to be open to opportunity
Ryan’s tips for success and being a successful blogger:
Pay close attention at the 12 min mark, Ryan tells you how to connect with top influencers and get them to promote you and your message, and how he used this secret to launch his first book.
Some fundamental tips for successful blogging:
81% of bloggers never make more than $100 during their entire online career. Because they skip the first few fundamentals which are being present and being mindful. The focus must be on developing authentic, powerful relationships over the long term. More than anything, focus on your inner game and be prepared to learn from your mistakes and get better every day. The mindset makes a huge difference.
What is the right mindset?
A lot is carrying an intent vs. just goals. Making sure you are focusing on the right tasks. For blogging that is creating and connecting. Spend your time giving and promoting others, giving value through what you do. Focus on giving and the process of it and it will make a huge difference for you. The rest will come. Don’t focus on “getting” because you will never be successful that way.
What about if someone wants to do blogging part time?
You still have to follow your fun. Strategy-wise, if you only have 8-10 hours/week focus on doing one thing really well, because where you attention and energy goes, grows. Start by focusing on writing 500-1000 words a day and a few mins a day on social and a few blog comments if you can. Then maybe write 2 really good guest posts per month.
Most Effective Ways to Monetize?
Ryan, “My passions precede my biggest profits.” For Ryan that is E-books, Freelance writing, converting his e-books to Audible, and blog consulting. Ryan has also used affiliate marketing and sponsored posts.
Lessons Ryan has learned:
1. Don’t get attached to business outcomes. Focus on what you enjoy doing vs. the outcome.
2. Be open to learning at all times. Spend 5 hours every week away from your business learning. Read, learn, implement
3. Persist – Push through, have faith, and keep at it 4. Embrace your fears. Really deal with your emotions and deep fears as they are most like holding you back and you have to get over them.
Best Quote: “Many times the biggest life changing moments come wrapped in what appears to be misfortune or something that appears to be really negative”
Ryan’s Misfit 3