Born To Create

Maybe you are active on social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. But are you active on Instagram, which is one of the most popular and fast-growing platforms? And have you ever wondered how to be more engaged and grow your audience on Instagram? If, you’ll love my conversation with Lauren V. Davis, who is a social media and personal branding expert. Her advice has been featured in articles by Huffington Post, Readers Digest, as well as over a dozen podcast episodes including the Brand You Podcast with Mike Kim. Lauren runs a marketing consultancy, Lauren Davis Creative, and hosts a fantastic podcast, The Business Event Playbook. In our conversation, you’ll learn why Instagram is different than other social media platforms, how to write a great Instagram post, how to start building an audience on Instagram, and much more. You can connect with Lauren at her website or on Instagram. Make sure to grab Lauren’s Instagram PDF’s with content ideas, and also check out here amazing Facebook group

I just completed my first ghostwriting project, and the book launches this month. (Unfortunately, I can't tell you what it is since that is the nature of ghostwriting!) On this episode, I share three important lessons I learned from this project, and how they will help in your business and writing. *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

Have you ever written a draft of a blog post or article, only to feel frustrated that you couldn’t figure out a great introduction?  If so, you will enjoy this episode where I share three foolproof strategies for crafting a great introduction. These tips will work for almost any type of content, including emails, newsletters, podcasts, blog posts, articles, book chapters, speeches, lectures, sermons, and pretty much anything else. *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

On this episode, you'll get an inside peek into a new podcast I'll be launching on Sunday, November 1st: The Daily Writer Podcast. I'm super excited about the new direction, which will focus on the 4 key practices of a writer: Creativity, Consistency, Courage, and Connection. The show will keep the current focus on creative entrepreneurs and writers, but will focus less on the business side and more on the habits and mindset of successful writers. I share details about why I'm making this pivot and what to expect on the new version of this podcast. I appreciate you as a listener and can't wait to bring you a 7-day-a-week podcast that will help you be more successful as a writer! *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more w

Has anyone ever said you don't have enough talent to be a writer? Or have you ever thought that about yourself? On today's Audio Journal, I share something that is far more important than talent when it comes to your writing success.  *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

I was recently tempted to use my words to fire back at someone when I was feeling irritable. Fortunately, I didn't. I learned an important lesson about the power of our words to hurt or heal. *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

As a writer and a creator, one of the most important steps you can legally is protecting your intellectual property. My friend, Steve Sponseller, joins me on this episode to dive into this complicated but vital topic. Steve is an intellectual property attorney and innovation strategist who has helped more than 1,000 innovators and business leaders develop and protect innovative ideas. Steve’s articles have been featured in Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post, and other publications. He just released his first book, Cracking the Patent Code. Steve shares a summary of his new book, the 4 types of intellectual property protection (and when to use each type), and some insights on why and how he was able to finish his book.  If you have started a book but struggled to get it finished, Steve has some advice for moving forward and getting it done. You can connect with Steve at his website and LinkedIn. I also encourage you to check out his book, Cracking the Patent Code. *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project?

On this episode of the Audio Journal, I share some thoughts on why it's difficult to write in a world full of distraction and noise. The secret for getting the work done is to find a way to block out the noise and focus on doing the work. *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

Headlines are one of the most important parts of a blog post or article. They are also one of the most misunderstood. A great headline can grab the reader’s attention and keep them reading. On this episode, we dive into the art and science of writing headlines. You’ll learn 3 key elements of writing headlines: Headline Goals (Pain or Pleasure, and the 5 Primal Urges) Headline Types (Provocative Question, List, How-To, Story) Headline Hooks (Emotional Words, Numbers, Time Element) We also analyze several headlines to see how these principles work in the real world. With a little practice and a desire to learn, you can learn to write headlines that grab people’s attention and keep them reading. *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people li

On today's Audio Journal, we learn a lesson from Taylor Swift and explore the fear behind releasing our creative work. *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.    Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe    If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show.   Follow Kent:   Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

We are celebrating 200 episodes of the Smart Business Writing podcast! On this special episode, I reflect on 20 important lessons I have learned about podcasting over the last few years. If you have thought about podcasting, I hope this encourages you to consider starting your own show. If you already have a podcast, I hope this encourages you to keep going. *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

This is the first episode of a new "Audio Journal" series. These are short, unedited episodes where I share reflections on life, what's working or not working, and thoughts on current or future projects. These episodes are recorded directly on my phone while I'm out walking or when I have a few minutes between meetings or interviews. Therefore, you'll probably hear some background noise. I'm aiming for a couple of journal episodes per week, but we'll see how it goes. I'd love your feedback on whether the content is helpful or you like the format. Today's episode is all about legacy. We spend so much time working toward a legacy that will come into full bloom in the future. But what about the legacy we're creating today? *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.    Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe    If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover th

On this episode, we begin a series dedicated to the basics of blogging. Blog posts can be an important part of your marketing as well as a key way you can impact people and improve as a writer. For the sake of simplicity, I’ll focus on a standard 600-800 word blog post. There are many variations of blog posts and articles, but this is a standard length that will serve most people well. These are 7 reasons why every business owner should be blogging: Anyone can write blog posts!  Blog posts are simple to write.  When you put content out into the world, it works to build your business on your behalf.  Blog posts establish you as an authority on your topic.  Blog posts are the best building block for content marketing.  You can repurpose blog posts into other forms of content. Blogging makes you a better writer. *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we wo

I’m excited to share this conversation with my friend and former student, Adrian Lance. Adrian is a blogger and author from the Midwest. His background is ministry and leadership, and his mission is to equip all believers for a life in the kingdom of God and to see its advancement on the earth today.  Adrian just released his first book, 3 Keys to Cultivating the Kingdom of God. It’s not only an engaging and well-written book, but it’s also a great example of how to approach writing and marketing a book.  We explore why Adrian wanted to write a book, his publishing and marketing processes, and advice for anyone who wants to write a book. If you’ve been thinking about writing a book but don’t know where to start, this episode is for you! You can find the full show notes here: https://kentsanders.net/sbw198 *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be

Are you a blogger, writer, podcaster, pastor, speaker, coach, or consultant? If so, you have content and ideas that can change your audience’s life. However, many content creators struggle with knowing the best way to communicate their ideas. On this episode, you’ll learn a simple template you can use to teach anything to anyone: the T-E-A-C-H formula. T - Take their attention E - Explain the main idea A - Apply it to their situation C - Counter their objections H - Help them take action You can find the full show notes here: https://kentsanders.net/sbw197 Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.

One of the biggest questions every author must face is: Should I self-publish my book or find a traditional publisher?  The good news is that you have a third option. David Hancock, founder of Morgan James Publishing, joins me on this episode to share his company’s innovative approach to publishing.  David is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author, and was also selected for Fast Company Magazine’s Fast 50 for his creative thinking and significant impact on the industry over the last ten years. David shares his unusual story of getting into publishing, the benefits of writing a book, and the Morgan James approach to publishing. I have lots of friends who have published with Morgan James, and they have universally praised David for being a publisher who thinks differently and truly supports his authors. I’m such of fan that I recently signed with Morgan James as a literary scout! This company's model is the future of publishing, which you’ll see in the interview. *** Need a ghostwriter for you

Zig Ziglar famously said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” Success is all about building great relationships and serving other people well. But what if you’re an introvert? How can you succeed in a world that is so relationship-driven? On this episode, we dive into ten ways you can grow your network as an introvert. This strategic approach to building relationships actually gives you an advantage because of how you’re wired. The secret is to stop focusing on your discomfort, and start focusing on making others feel valued by serving and being generous.  *** Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent:

I’m excited to bring you this conversation with my good friend Jennifer Harshman, owner of Harshman Services. Jennifer is a successful editor, author, ghostwriter, and business owner.  She’s also the editor of the book Find a Real Editor: Avoiding the Posers and Scammers, which is a helpful guide to evaluating editors for your writing. You’ll learn systems for planning your time, why it's important to do an energy audit, some habits that will help you be more productive, and much more! You can find the full show notes here: https://kentsanders.net/sbw194 Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  *** If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, which helps us create better content and resources. Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  Follow Kent: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://t

As a writer, you know it’s important to spend time reading. But like most people, you probably feel pressed for time. On this episode, we’ll dive into ten specific ways to read more books and get more out of the books you read. You can find the full show notes here: https://kentsanders.net/sbw193 Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://kentsanders.net/subscribe  If you enjoyed this episode, we would be grateful if you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people discover the show, and the more people listen, the more we can invest into it and improve the show. Follow Kent: Facebook: https://facebook.com/kent.sanders Instagram: https://instagram.com/kentsanders Twitter: https://twitter.com/kentsanders 

My guest on this episode is Renee Vidor. She is the author of the fantastic book Measuring Up: How to Win in a World of Comparison. Renee is also a speaker and community creator who helps individuals and organizations discover how to be who they’re created to be so they can do what they’re designed to do.  Comparison has been a big struggle for me over the years as a creative person, a writer, and now as a business owner. It’s almost impossible not to compare our looks, our income, and our success to other people.  Renee is here to help us sort through this issue. You’ll learn how comparison is hurting your success, and she also shares her WIN framework and how it can help you. Renee also talks about the process of writing her book, which I hope inspires you to write your own book if you haven’t already. You can find the full show notes here: https://kentsanders.net/sbw192 Need a ghostwriter for your next project? Learn more here: https://inkwellghostwriting.com.  Subscribe and grab your free gift: https://ke