Description
Introduction: What’s Your Thing? ix Chapter 1: The Role of Social Media: The New Networking 1 Taking “scary” terms like marketing and branding and making it super-simple. You can do it. Social Media and Success 6 Growing a Following 7 Learning from Others 8 Making Connections and Networking 9 Expanding a Hobby into a Full-Blown Business 11 Our Journeys in Social Media 12 Naomi’s Journey 12 LaNesha’s Journey 15 The Pros and Cons of Social Media 19 The Pros 19 The Cons 20 Tips for Getting Started 20 Chapter 2: Designing and Selling “Merch” 23 How to use your creative skills to design merchandise like T-shirts, mugs, notebooks, and so on–without ever touching it! Our Journeys Designing and Selling Merch 29 Naomi’s Merch Journey 29 LaNesha’s Merch Journey 34 Some Logistics 39 Print-on-Demand 39 Dropshipping 40 The Pros and Cons of Designing and Selling Merch 42 The Pros 42 The Cons 42 Tips for Getting Started 43 Chapter 3: Creating and Selling Resources 45 Using what you are probably already doing to create resources for other educators. Shifting Your Mindset 46 Our Creative Processes 52 Naomi’s Process 54 LaNesha’s Process 56 Creating Resources 101: Planning Your Process 59 Creating Resources 201: Pricing and Marketing Your Creations 61 The Pros and Cons of Creating and Selling Resources 63 The Pros 63 The Cons 64 Dreaming Up Your Creations 66 Tips for Getting Started 68 Chapter 4: Online Learning: Developing Courses, Memberships, and Teaching Sessions 71 Hosting online (or in-person) summits, hosting your own conferences and live trainings– on your own or with a group. Online Courses 73 Designing Your Course 75 Crafting Your Slides 78 Branding Your Course 80 Spreading the Word 81 Marketing Your Course 82 Pricing Your Course 86 The Pros and Cons of Online Courses 87 Course Memberships 87 Live and Prerecorded Teaching 90 LaNesha’s Live Camp 90 Naomi’s Prerecorded Camp 93 Tips for Getting Started 95 Chapter 5: Virtual Services 97 Using your talents (or habits–like social media scrolling) to do things like taking photos, social media marketing, organizing, and writing/ ghostwriting for others scaling their own business. Tutoring or Teaching Virtual Summer School 99 The Pros and Cons of Tutoring or Teaching Virtual Summer School 101 Offering Virtual Services 102 LaNesha’s Virtual Services Journey 104 Naomi’s Virtual Services Journey 106 The Pros and Cons of Virtual Services 109 Tips for Getting Started 109 Chapter 6: Becoming an Author 111 Teachers read hundreds and hundreds of books–professional books and picture books. Share your knowledge or your idea in book format via one of multiple publishing avenues. Ebook Publishing 116 The Pros of Ebook Publishing 116 The Cons of Ebook Publishing 117 Self-Publishing 118 LaNesha’s Self-Publishing Journey 118 The Pros of Self-Publishing 122 The Cons of Self-Publishing 122 Hybrid Publishing 122 The Pros of Hybrid Publishing 126 The Cons of Hybrid Publishing 126 Educational Publishing 127 Naomi’s Journey in Educational Publishing 129 The Pros of Educational Publishing 132 The Cons of Educational Publishing 132 Traditional Book Publishing 132 The Pros of Traditional Book Publishing 134 The Cons of Traditional Book Publishing 134 Tips for Getting Started 136 Chapter 7: Public Speaking 137 Take your “show” on the road! Using your expertise to speak to educators at conferences, summits, and professional development opportunities. Our Journeys with Public Speaking 140 Naomi’s Journey 140 LaNesha’s Journey 141 Conferences 147 The Pros of Speaking at Conferences 149 The Cons of Speaking at Conferences 149 School PD Sessions 150 The Pros of Speaking at School PD Sessions 150 The Cons of Speaking at School PD Sessions 151 Making Your Own Platform 151 The Pros of Making Your Own Platform 152 The Cons of Making Your Own Platform 152 Free PD via Online Platforms 153 The Pros of Free PD via Online Platforms 153 The Cons of Free PD via Online Platforms 153 Tips for Getting Started 154 Chapter 8: Passion Projects 155 Turning your extracurricular passions into a business. Passion Alert: Adorable Accessories 156 Passion Alert: Teacher Tees 158 Passion Alert: Stickers 159 Passion Alert: Self-Care for Educators 160 Passion Alert: Interior Design 162 Passion Alert: Music 163 Passion Alert: Fashion 165 Passion Alert: Teacher Bling 166 Passion Alert: Storytelling and Relationships 168 Passion Alert: Empowering and Inspiring Educators 170 Tips for Getting Started 172 Chapter 9: Exit Ticket 173 Unsure Where to Start? 175 LaNesha’s Advice 175 Naomi’s Advice 177 Too Much Work for Too Little Money? 177 LaNesha’s Advice 178 Naomi’s Advice 179 Want to Jump Into 10 Ideas at Once and Just Can’t Decide? 180 LaNesha’s Advice 180 Naomi’s Advice 180 Don’t Have the Time? 181 LaNesha’s Advice 182 Naomi’s Advice 183 Afraid to Put Yourself Out There? 184 LaNesha’s Advice 184 Naomi’s Advice 185 Ready to Start Right Now? 185 LaNesha’s Advice 185 Naomi’s Advice 186 Index 187
