Here's How to Replace Your 9-5

I’ve built a ghostwriting agency that brings in over $80k per month in revenue.

It took me 2.5 years, many late nights and early mornings, and tons of mistakes to get to where I am today.

But… I could have gotten there A LOT sooner if I were to narrow my focus on these 6 key skills:

1. Sales

Most people don’t know this… but everyone is in sales.

Every single day you’re selling something. In a job interview, you’re selling yourself and your capabilities to the employer. When you meet your significant other’s parents for the first time, you’re selling yourself.

Sales is one of those skills and topics that most people avoid. It’s a scary thing right… “selling” something. Nobody wants to be placed in the category of “salesman.”

But the #1 reason why I’ve been able to build a business is because I learned to sell. I learned to sell myself, my services, and the value of my team.

If your goal is to build an online business and replace your 9-5 job, then get serious about learning how to sell.

2. Marketing

There’s a reason every major company in the world has a dedicated marketing department.

Because without getting your name and your brand out there, people won’t know what you offer and how it can help them.

And marketing isn’t just about advertising.

The two categories of marketing I’d focus on are:

• Content Marketing: This involves building a brand and creating content in the form of social media posts, blog posts, and really anything else that would go on social media or a website.

• Email Marketing: Big businesses and successful entrepreneurs have email lists. They’ve collected emails over the years and are sending their list high-value content and updating them on product releases and other info related to the business.

I’d learn these… and I’d learn them fast.

3. Leadership

Leadership isn’t a title or a position… it’s a lifestyle.

Just like sales… everyone is and can be a leader.

Every day we lead ourselves in some form or another.

Your:

• Diet

• Fitness

• Work ethic

They all come down to how well you’ve been leading yourself.

If you’re going to leave your 9-5 and work for yourself… you have to start leading yourself on a regular basis.

Get serious about every aspect of your life and get in control of your schedule.

Building a successful online business requires high amounts of self-management and leadership.

4. Storytelling

“Everyone is captivated by a great story.”

If you can tell your story in a way that engages an audience and gets them to buy into what you’re doing, you can build a business doing anything you want.

A great reference to begin learning storytelling is Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller. It’s one of the best books I’ve come across for using the powerful frameworks of storytelling in your business.

This is a concept and skill I’ve dug deep into since day one.

I’d highly recommend you start learning it, too.

5. Copywriting

The highest leverage, highest income skill to learn is copywriting if you’re new to the creator economy and online business game.

Think about it… copywriting is:

• Product descriptions

• Social media posts

• Website content

• Email marketing

• Speech writing

• Video scripts

• PR materials

If you can learn to write well and write content that gets people to take action… there is money to be made for you.

6. Critical Thinking

Online business and entrepreneurship are not linear… there is no set path to follow.

You have to learn to iterate, adapt, and be open to new opportunities as they present themselves.

One of the greatest skills in business is learning to pivot and take advantage of opportunities.

One of my favorite quotes is: “What got you here, won’t get you there…”

It’s a totally different game going from $1k per month to $10k per month… and another different game going from $10k per month to $25k per month.

Critical thinking skills are what separate good founders from great ones.

Thanks for reading!

Building a brand is about more than copywriting, marketing, and posting content online…

It’s about adopting the mindset, skills, and beliefs that it takes to build a brand and business online.

And that’s exactly what I plan to dive into every day with this newsletter.

Until next time... Keep building,

Clifton

P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are 3 ways I can help.

• If you write great content but struggle with reach and engagement, then our Twitter Growth Service is for you.
  

• If you feel alone on your journey of building an online business, join a community of like-minded people building, growing, and leveling up in their business and life.
  

• We have worked with over 100 clients helping them build, grow, and monetize their personal brands. If you struggle with the consistency of posting online to build your brand, let our ghostwriting agency help you build the brand of your dreams.