From the moment I officially entered the full-time workforce (and even before), I wanted freedom. Flexibility. I always wanted to make my own choices about the clothing I wore to work, when I focused on my work, and eventually-- the itch to be in charge of the content of my work became something I had to scratch. I worked 6-months of W-2 salaried employment and happily waved goodbye to that world. Just Under a Decade of Freedom (and Flexibility) In July of 2011, I created my first company and shifted to independent contractor status (with my previous employer). While there are still some [...]

I acknowledge that my list of highest-paid bloggers is slightly wonky because there are loads of blogs that make more money than the folks below. But the people I list as my personal heroes in the blogosphere are here for a reason. (Note: did you know the Huffington Post makes $40,000,000+ monthly?) Stay tuned, next month I'm anticipating earning roughly $50 million... kidding. And let me make a distinction... because "paid" seems like the wrong word. How Much Do the Highest EARNING Bloggers Make? High earning bloggers... that's more like it. Because bloggers have no boss. Earning vs. Paying - There's [...]

While there are tens of dozens of ways to make money writing online, we're going to focus on three of my favorites. But First... Coffee (and a quick backstory): or Skip the Backstory I've been a deep-thinker for most of my life. I enjoy reading, thinking, and diving into the depths of the adventure of life. I like to be creative and live free. But in 2015, my daughter was born over 3 months early (while her Mom and I were in a city 2,000+ miles from home). Amidst the fear, questioning, and uncertainty, I found myself reflecting on those big [...]

As of today, blogging has been around for at least 25 years. But things have evolved a lot. What about the next 25 years? What does the future of blogging have in store for us? Big Picture Giveaway: Jump to the Answer (skip Forrest's ranting)Practical Stuff for Bloggers: Jump to the Practicals (skip even more B.S.) Additional Reading: Some practicals for you if you're considering starting a blog. I considered titling this post The Future of Content, to immediately give away some of the goodies of the post. I want to jump in and address the difference between content and blogging, [...]