The Daily Writer

So far, we have talked about getting clear on your message and audience, choosing your platforms, writing consistently, publishing books, and expanding your network. Once you have those in place, then you are ready to take advantage of Milestone #6: Create streams of income based on your writing and services. Why it’s important: All of the successful writers I know personally have multiple streams...

We’ve talked about several steps in the Writer’s Path, and today we’ll focus on Milestone #5: Expanding your networking of friends, fans, and connections. Why it’s important: One of the biggest things that holds back great writers is not knowing how to network and build relationships. I have learned a lot from Vincent Pugliese in this regard. He leads the Total Life Freedom community and mastermin...

So far in this series, we have looked at the importance of getting clear on your audience and message, building the platforms where you will share your content, and writing consistently. That brings us to Milestone #4: Publishing and marketing books that solve problems for your reader. Why it’s important: Books give you credibility and authority that you cannot get any other way. Books are also a...

On July 4th, 1776, the Second Continental Congress pronounced that it was officially independent of British rule. Known as the Declaration of Independence, this document made it clear that the thirteen colonies had their own sovereign identity. They would no longer be content to stay under the rule of another entity. July 4th is a uniquely American holiday, but there is another kind of declaration...

So far, we have talked about getting specific on your core message and audience, and building the platforms where you will share your content. Now let’s look at Milestone #3: Write consistent content that helps your readers. Why it’s important: When you write consistent material, specifically blog posts, it helps your SEO (search engine optimization) and also builds an audience. It’s impossible to...

Yesterday, we talked about the importance of getting specific about your core message and audience. Let’s move on to Milestone #2: Build the platforms where you will share your content. Why it’s important: When you see other successful writers, it might seem like you should be everywhere. But that’s not the case. The ones who do seem to be everywhere probably have assistants creating a lot of that...

So far, I’ve given you a quick introduction to The Writer’s Path, why it’s important, and I’ve shared a bit of my story of traveling the path myself. Over the next couple of weeks, you’ll learn more detail about each of these seven milestones. I’ll explain what it is and also share the biggest challenge you will face as you try to achieve it. I’ll also give you some examples of people who have bui...

Now that you have a basic idea of what The Writer’s Path is all about, I’d like to share my story of traveling this pathway myself. I began blogging around 2007 or 2008. I had several blogs and was just writing for fun. I wanted to build a business but didn’t know how. I was a college professor and wanted to create more income to support my family. On this episode, you’ll be inspired by Kent’s sto...

I was a college professor for many years, so anytime I’m creating content, I begin with what I call a “key idea.” Anytime that I created class material, it always started with the main idea of what I wanted to talk about or accomplish in that class session. As we look at the 7 steps to building a writing business, there is one central idea that ties it all together. Let me give you the key idea, a...

Today I want to explore the question, “Why does the Writer’s Path matter?” What’s the point of it, anyway? Why am I doing this series? Here’s what I have observed: Lots of writers are frustrated because they are working hard but not seeing tangible results. You can be the most hard-working, talented writer in the world, but if you don’t have the proper systems and framework in place to help your b...

You might know (or maybe you don’t) that about a year ago, I left my full-time job as a college professor to do ghostwriting full-time. That’s my main gig, but I also run The Daily Writer Club, which is our membership community, as well as produce this daily podcast. I also write my own books. Most writers have a desire to make money and build either a part-time or full-time career with their writ...

It’s natural for us to talk about our successes and triumphs. It’s not quite so natural to talk about our mistakes and failures. We’re afraid people will think less of us. Truthfully, though, none of us is perfect. And whenever we see another writer be vulnerable enough to talk about their failures, we relate to it. On today’s episode, you’ll discover how being vulnerable strengthens your relation...

Summertime is now fully upon us, and with that, the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. Summer is also the perfect time to take a look at our habits related to health, wellness, exercise, and nutrition. Let’s face it—it’s easy to live a sedentary life as a writer. But what good is it to build a business around our writing, or write lots of books, only to lack energy and cut...

When you look back over your life, you can see a pattern. We spend lots of time and energy going from person to person trying to find an answer to the central question that drives our lives: What is my purpose? On today’s episode, you’ll gain knowledge on how to discover your purpose, so you can live the life you are meant to live. *** Check out my NEW book:  18 Words to Live By: A Father’s Wisdom...

When it comes to the creative arts, there have always been two roles in society: those who are creators and those who are critics. The creators are the ones who make things, while critics offer intelligent reflection and commentary on culture. But make no mistake, the real action lies in creating something. The French novelist Gustave Flaubert said, “A man is a critic when he cannot be an artist,...

Nothing else defines you quite like your family. It’s where you got your name, your personality, your sense of a place in this world, and so much more. Some writers came from a supportive environment, while others were not so lucky. On today’s episode, you’ll be encouraged that regardless what family you come from, you have the ability to dream big, set huge goals, and define yourself. *** Check o...

It’s scary to start a writing project. But you know what’s even scarier? Finishing it. Sometimes we think that being a writer means to be constantly gaining new ideas and exploring creative possibilities—which is true. But those ideas and possibilities must live somewhere. They need to be published. On today’s episode, Kent challenges you to be confident and finish what you started. *** Check out...

If you ever run a race, you’ll notice there are two kinds of runners: those who are competing against everyone else, and those who are competing against themselves. The ones who are competing against everyone else take running very seriously. They like to set records and get the glory of being known as a winner. The runners who are competing against themselves aren’t worried about anyone else’s ti...

Most of us grow up believing that we can change the world.   Then, as we get older, some life experience and a bit of cynicism set in. Pretty soon we give up on the idea of changing much of anything… much less the world.  But imagine for a moment… what if you COULD actually change the world? How would you go about it?   On today’s episode, Kent reminds us that writers are uniquely positioned to ch...

The office of the President of the United States gets a lot of attention for various reasons, but have you ever looked at our Presidents through the lens of the books they wrote? If you've never considered this, you're in for a treat today because my guest is Craig Fehrman, author of the excellent book Author in Chief: The Untold Story of Our Presidents and the Books They Wrote. The Wall...

There are a lot of questions you have probably asked about the results of your writing. Here are a few of them: Will it make my life better? Will it make me money? Will it grow the size of my audience? Here is another important one to consider: Will it make me happy? On this episode, Kent shares insight on how to find true happiness in your writing. *** Check out my NEW book:  18 Words to Live By:...

If you had to pin down one universal emotion that all humans experience, it’s pain. We are often afraid to share our pain because we’re afraid we will look weak. So, we lock up our feelings in a box, set it on a shelf in the back of a dark closet, and try to forget about it. This is not a healthy way to deal with grief or loss. One of the best ways of working through your pain is to write about it...

There are lots of skills that are important for writers, but there is one skill that trumps them all. It also happens to be the oldest communication skill in the world: storytelling.  But, when it comes to fiction, what is the purpose of storytelling? What is the use of engaging in stories that aren’t even real?  On today’s episode, you’ll be reminded that storytelling allows you to connect direct...

The comedian Steve Martin famously said, “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” The simplicity of this statement is stunning. Those seven words contain the secret of getting noticed, building an audience, and all the other things writers and creatives want.  On today’s episode, you'll learn that people will take notice of you if you’re willing to put in the work and continue getting better.  ***...

John Steinbeck said, “Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen.”  Writers are known for their creativity, but the truth is that the well sometimes runs dry. If you’ve ever found yourself fresh out of ideas, a way to instantly get more is by using a strategy called “Idea Mating.”  On today’s episode, you’ll discover an effective method...