Escape from Corporate America: A Practical Guide to Creating the Career of Your Dreams

A few weeks ago, I received an email from Alex Andrei saying he followed my blog and wanted to send me his wife’s new book, Escape from Corporate America. I don’t get too many compliments as kind as his and I was ecstatic when I received a copy in the mail soon after. I mean c’mon, it wasn’t even going to be released to the public for another couple of weeks! How cool is that?

Well, it was very cool…but it was nothing compared to the material inside the book!

With her captivating and witty style, Pamela Skillings has put together the ultimate escape guide for anybody struggling with life in the cubicle.

She helps the reader decide whether or not there’s a problem with their career before providing a number of valuable solutions. There are worksheets, case studies, checklists, questionnaires and other tools that will prepare you for the career of your dreams.

While there are a number of blogs (and other resources) that can help you make the decision to ditch the 9-5 and find the freedom you deserve, I have NEVER found a tool as valuable as this one. In fact, I wish I had read this book before I started my own freelance writing career – because I am now able to see that I made the transition more difficult than it had to be.

I highly recommend this book to anybody who is bummed about their job or career and considering a switch. By reading Escape from Corporate America, you’ll find out how you can make your dream job a reality.

Buy the Book: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Chapters.

View the Website: EscapeFromCorporate.com

Read the Blog: Ready to Plan Your Escape?

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I recently attended the Speed Money Seminar and had the opportunity to listen to great speakers such as Alex Mandossian, Armand Morin, Michel and Sylvie Fortin, Matt Bacak, Eric Graham, Ray Edwards, Kirt Christensen, and Stu McLaren.

Throughout the weekend I had hundreds of business ideas and blog posts running through my head. The article that I’ve been most excited to share with you, however, is based on Alex Mandossian’s presentation “How to Get MORE Done…Faster, Better and with Less Human Effort.”

If you’re interested in propelling your freelance writing career to the next level, regardless of what level that might be, read on. If not, you should probably spend your time doing something else. Read the rest of this entry »

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As a freelance copywriter, you’ll come across a lot of people interested in your writing – but only a small percentage of them will actually use your services. While this can seem frustrating at times, it shouldn’t be. You’re not in this business to make quick business with many – you’re in it to forge strong relationships with a few.

If you’re wondering why so many people show interest in your work but so few buy, consider all the variables that have a role in “buying”. Read the rest of this entry »

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It’s that time of year again – college and university graduates are tossing their caps in their air and celebrating. But over the next few weeks, when the dust settles, many will be asking themselves “what next?”

I graduated last April and started out in a door-to-door sales job, then quit that job and relocated, then worked for a couple months as an Account Manager at a printer cartridge remanufacturing company, and eventually quit and decided it was time to take a chance. I couldn’t continue working in a job I didn’t like. I wanted to write, I wanted to chase my dreams, and I wanted to break free from the 9-5.

If you’re considering freelancing then you probably know what I mean. I hated asking for time off, I hated not being able to set my own schedule, and I hated knowing that I wasn’t following my passion – only a few months after graduation.

I had enough money in the bank to survive for three months…so I figured it was now or never. I would see if I could make money as a writer. Read the rest of this entry »

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How many times have you been sold by somebody’s pitch?

Personally, I’ve never had that kind of experience. When I ask somebody the big question – “what do you do?” – I don’t really care, I’m just trying to be polite. In fact, even if their career fits one of my specific needs, I’m not going to buy from them.

Why? Because elevator speeches are useless! They don’t tell me whether or not somebody is actually good at what they do, they don’t show me whether or not I can trust them, and they aren’t a proper foundation for a healthy relationship.

Bob Burg, the author of Endless Referrals, famously said: “All things being equal, people will do business with, and refer business to, those people they know, like and trust.”

If you want to be successful then you need to ditch the pitch and get real – hang out for the sake of hanging out and get to know others for the sake of getting to know others. Leave your prospecting glasses at home! Read the rest of this entry »

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