Finding an Identity: WHO do You want to be online?
If you come up with the answer, be sure and let me know! It’s a great question that should be asked of anyone trying to earn a living online. It was asked by Janelle Elms, my success coach at OSI Rockstars. I think it can be applied to anything we set out to accomplish online and I admit I am still struggling with the answer myself.
Find the Answer Before You Go Any Further
The problem is, there are SO MANY THINGS I want to do online, that it’s hard to focus on just one thing. But focus is necessary or my online identity will be very confusing.
Making a List is Always a Good Start
1. A place to catalog and work through various thoughts since sometimes keeping everything in your head instead of writing it down can lead to a confusing jumble of half-thought-out ideas.
2. A source of information for those who are seeking the same independence that I am and need some help and guidance along the way.
3. A source of inspiration for those who seek independence but who need some reassurance that it can be done.
4. A place of learning both for visitors and for myself because the best way to learn something and to really get a deep understanding of it is to try to teach it to other people.
5. A relief valve because sometimes you just need a place to get things off your chest.
6. A community, because like it or not, life is a team sport and although we may want to climb our mountain alone, we’ll climb a lot faster if we bring our own Sherpa.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Criticism
There are a whole lot of smart, interesting people doing what I’m trying to do here and I really don’t want to ‘reinvent the wheel’. I would like to offer value, but through the perspective of a working mom who is, (almost desperately at times) working against the clock to make enough money online to justify quitting my traditional job.
Believe The Answer is ‘Findable’
Thanks for reading this post, and I hope you’ll leave comments that will help shape the direction of TammieHansberger.com.
On A Social Note:
As a part of the Starting with Marketing coaching, I’m on Twitter now and I’m really enjoying connecting with others like me who are trying to achieve online goals through Internet Marketing and eBay, and those who want to help and make a difference. And what I didn’t expect was that it’s a great way to feel connected with people I look up to. WOW! I hope you’ll follow me at http://twitter.com/Tammie_H.
August 24th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Hi,
I too am a OSI Rock Star and so glad to have you aboard. LOVE your blog! It’s very easy to read and so natural I feel like I’m actually talking to you.
I have an eBay store and also work so although I know a blog is necessary I’m still trying to find the time to make it happen. However, I think you have inspired me to GET STARTED!!
Thanks and good luck with all of your goals.
Linda
August 25th, 2009 at 8:05 am
WOW! Hi Linda! It it so great to meet another person in my situation and who knows exactly what it is like trying to get things going. Your post is so encouraging and together we can make it happen. The Dean Holland training has been helpful, and I am also going through Jenni Hunt’s “Start Here Blogging” Not to mention of course the great training on OSI about blogging too. We are definitely blessed to have so many great people who have paved the way before us. This is how we know this is possible! Thank you for stopping by Linda…you’ve made my day. Hope to see you back and also BACKSTAGE at Rockstars.
Best,
Tammie
August 26th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Tammie,
Your blog is looking good. How is the success coach working for you? I understand and agree with your comments about so much stuff to do online, but the need to focus. There are so many opportunities, we just need to slow down and focus on one area.
To our success….
Richard
August 26th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
HI Richard,
Thanks for visiting my blog. I’m glad you were able to relate about the need to focus. I keep reading over and over from others who have experienced success and say that you have to finish what you started before starting something new, but it is definitely a challenge for me. There is just so much opportunity! What is it about certain personalities that make us think the rules don’t always apply to us?
Well, we’ll just continue the good journey and focus as best we can!
Talk soon,
Tammie
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:59 pm
“A source of information” is very important. It’s like halfway promoting yourself as an expert in a simple way
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Hi Tammie,
I’m sorry if I message you here. I don’t see any other way to message you since I don’t have your email
You can call me Jeff. It’s my first time to visit your blog and its good to meet some fellow new bloggers just like you. Anyways, I am not here to post any kind of marketing offers for you so don’t worry.
I am here to extend some help just incase you needed it. When I started blogging, my very first interest is to search for wordpress templates. I’ve been searching for months already and just lately I found the best for my site.
So just incase you needed some help if you plan to search for some wordpress templates or plan to fix your headers, I would love to offer some help.
Help means it is voluntary, no fee’s required..
I’m just currently looking for some fellow bloggers who could be my friends online.
I would love to hear from you soon..
You can visit me on http://www.InstantDevotion.com
September 5th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Tammie,
I, for one, am very interested in the perspective of the working mom. As a parent myself, I believe that there are many people out there who find it hard enough to balance work and kids. Keep inspiring others with your achievements.
Teddy
September 7th, 2009 at 3:14 am
Hi Tammie.
You are so right about not writing thing down and just trying to keep them in your head… confusion ensues.
Janelle Elms is a great eBay mentor, isn’t she? I also have to stay focused though. I have eBay and Starting With Marketing too, but I have to schedule how many hours I’m going to do what; otherwise, my day looks like this:
Wake up.
Check email.
Check Facebook.
Check Google Analytics.
Check Twitter.
Check Facebook.
Check email.
Check eBay.
Check email.
Check Facebook.
Get some breakfast.
Check email. Etc, etc…
So not productive. Great post. Keep it up.
Thanks and God Bless,
Ed
September 11th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Hey Tammie!
You are so right focus is key. When I first started blogging I got so overwhelmed as there is so much information out there and you can get sucked into so many different things. So now I list things out that I am going to do each day. Like yesterday I worked on developing a few new posts. Today I am stepping away from my blog and thought I would go around to other peoples blogs that have visited me and see how their blogs are coming along.
Yours I have to say is coming along great! Keep up the good work. I to would love to be able to have the financial freedom to stay at home and blog full time to be able to be at home with my wife and kids. Well maybe someday
September 18th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Hey Tammie
Focus is very hard for me there are so many distractions with my kids and all.
I also find myself being a busy fool, checking emails and stats and stuff. I can go literally a whole week without getting anything done.
If I am not having a productive day the least I can do is a bit of blog hopping.
speak soon
Marcus
September 29th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Hi Tammie
This is the First time i have visited your blog,and i have to say it’s very impressive.
Yes i know people tend to say that sort of thing just to be nice,but i am referring to the content,your style of writing.
I was hooked after the first paragraph.
At last someone, who appears to be going through the same torture that i go through on a daily basis.
Yes so many things to do,always focus and then focus some more.
So difficult to keep to a plan,always getting side tracked by another idea that i must try.
Take today for example,found this very low competitive key phrase to do with a well known American singer.
Great excuse to have a go at building my first Squidoo site,and make some affiliate sales.But as usual there’s always something to impede the progress.Can’t quite figure out how to get Amazon links on the thing.
This is turning into a bit o a rant,so i will stop here.
Except to say that this blog does have an identity,the identity is within the written content.
Oh by the way I’m one of deans students.
Tom Shaw
October 7th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Hey Tammie
I think that we all suffer from lack of focus. The key is definitely to write things down. A friend suggested that every 5 mins I write down what I have done, so this 5 minute would be visit Tammie’s blog write a comment. You even write down things that distract you like a friend messaging you. Then you look at what was the most useful and did it help you achieve.
Keep up the great work.
Cheers
Kerie