5 Kick-ass Ways to Build Your Digital Career

by MarsDorian · 25 comments

make money online

awesome image: disrupsean

Hello my fellow Creative Crusaders,

I’m interrupting my ongoing series how to influence people online for a short break.

A creative blast overcome me today and I want to share the luv.

I am going to show you a few digital mavericks that invented their own digital careers. Not only do they make a good living online, but they also inspire the world with their presence. An epic win-win all the way.

Get inspired and kick-launch your own digital career.

Maren Kate

Maren-Kate Social Media & Branding Consultant

I have know Maren Kate for a few months now, and I can assure you: This is a digital entrepreneur on fire. Her crusade is about escaping the 9 to 5 and building your own digital business. Her writing style is liquid fire mixed with branding and just-do-it inspiration.

How she’s doing business online.

Her main business is actually a social media consulting company which she operates with her VAs. Her blog is mainly her personal take on digital entrepreneurship, but it’s getting her a lot of clients lately.

  • Main business: Oracle launch / social media and brand consulting for small businesses
  • Site business: Escapingthe9to5 blog, income: Affiliate marketing (products and services she uses for her main business)
  • special consulting offered via her blog

She’s uber-ambitious, and her plans for the future are wild. I believe her blog will rank among the top players soon.

Everett Bogue

Everett-bogue Minimalist Blogger

Everett Bogue is a self proclaimed minimalist. He’s gathered a raving fan base around his blog in less than 7 months (!)

He writes long-ass articles with a crystal-clear voice. They are inspiring, concise and immensely valuable. It’s obvious why people digg his stuff.

How he’s making money online:

Everett lives entirely off his blog. And to be more accurate: He makes his living from selling 2 ebooks !

  • The Art of Being Minimalist
  • Minimalist Business

Yep, that’s it. No consulting. No services.No company. . Just crafting high quality ebooks.

Purely minimalist ;)

Dragos Roua

Dragos_Roua Personal Development Blogger

Dragos enriches the world his personal development “brilliantly better”. He published 4 ebooks and fully embraces the digital nomadic lifestyle.

I enjoy reading his posts because they are both – personal and inspiring. A very fine bland of self help and online business approach.

How he’s making money online:

His blog is not only a kick-ass source for mind nourishment, it’s also his “promotion” platform for his self-help/business consulting services, which is his main business.

Kelly Diels

Kelly-Diels Digital Poet

Kelly is an interesting lady. Her writing style is surreal, flavored with personal anecdotes and poetic blasts. Half the time, I have no clue what she’s talking about, but I don’t understand women in general, so that’s no surprise.

How she’s earning dinero $ online:

Kelly makes a fulltime living through her online writing:

  • She writes regularly for problogger.net
  • She’s a gun for hire and writes copy and for clients: articles, newsletters, websites, blogs, case studies, bios and press releases

Her main reason of success is her remarkable writing style. I haven’t seen so much quirkiness in quite some time.

Nathan Hangen

Nathan-hangen Digital Empire Builder

Now Nathan’s a guy who I have admired for ages. He’s co-authored the uber-famous Beyond Blogging ebook and turned it into a big consulting project with his JV partner Mike CJ.

From writing articles for 3 bucks to offering business consulting and doing incredible projects, his digital empire has come a long long way.

I personally luv his take-no-prisoner writing style with the crusader flavored inspiration. He’s trying out new things and isn’t afraid of pissing off people.

How he’s owning his digital space:

Nathan does a crazy amount of projects.  He’s currently building an Iphone app and is busy distributing his inspirational digital radio show Bloggerbeats. Along countless other ramblings.

He:

  • sells various ebooks/reports on his blog (Twitter, Facebook )
  • provides personal digital business coaching through his blog
  • offers online workshops with like-minded entrepreneurs
  • does speaking gigs about digital entrepreneurship
  • comes up with new projects like Beyond Blogging and Blogging Beats

Nathan gives productivity a new meaning. I can’t wait what he’s going to unleash next.

Profile-Twitter what it all means

cool.cool.cool.

It’s all I can say. Those mavericks have found a way to dominate their part of the digital realm, and they are making a killing from it.

They all couldn’t be more different, but they have something in common:

A kick-ass blog where they offer insane value in a ridiculously unique style.

That provides incredible potential for offering your own products & services:

consulting/digital products/freelance services

So, what are YOU waiting for ? Devour all the juicy inspiration and invent your own digital career !

What are you going to do ?

And please retweet and share the crusader love !

Tagged as: brand, Branding, digital business, make money online, online business, online marketing

Want to turn visitors into raving customers ?

Fuck yeah !

This is my favorite ecourse for people that HATE sleazy online marketing but want to make money from their site. It's genuine, entertaining and packed with valuable info that helps you make your website profitable like hell.

BTW - I use it myself successfully. It rocks. That's why I'm an affiliate for it ;) Get more visitors to buy your stuff image

  • darrenlcarter

    Hey Mars,

    Thanks for letting us know about these people. I hadn't ever heard of any of their sites but they all have really good stuff. But more importantly they are making it and they're showing that it can be done. Thanks.

    Peace,
    Darren L Carter

    • http://www.marsdorian.com/ Mars Dorian

      Hey Darren,

      yep, they are all doing remarkable work, and I respect them for that. And some of them started about a year ago, so it's all do-able, for everyone.
      It's just a matter of how much daily effort you want to put into it !

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  • srinirao

    Mars,

    It's funny because everybody you mentioned on this list, with the exception of Maren (who I've been trying to get scheduled) is somebody I've interviewed and modeled myself after. Each one of them has been tremendously influential in how I've done things and each of them is unique. I think if anything this shows that finding your greatest strengths and learning how to turn them into cash is where we can get the most bang for our buck. Good stuff,

    • http://www.marsdorian.com/ Mars Dorian

      Hey Srini,

      yes, all of them rock the game because they are bringing their true strength to the table.
      What I also admire is that they not only make a living doing what they love, but also inspire people along the ride !

  • http://www.stevescottsite.com/ Steve Scott Site

    It's always cool to see some fresh faces online, so thanks for compiling this list for us! It's just more proof that becoming successful online IS possible with hard work.

    • http://www.marsdorian.com/ Mars Dorian

      Hey Steve,

      yeah – I mention them because most them are fairly new and are already killing it in an inspiring and creative way. It's definitely possible with lots of work and enough passion to melt the polar region ;)

  • http://cashwithatrueconscience.com/rbblog Ryan

    Hi Mars,

    Thanks for sharing your analysis on what makes each one of these digital crusaders successful. It's interesting to note the strategic differences between all. The common thread however is a perfect blend of uniqueness and a mindset of service. That's what separates these guys from the rest.

    I am familiar with Maren Kate's blog but am new to the others. Thanks for introducing me to them :)

    Ryan

    • http://www.marsdorian.com/ Mars Dorian

      Hey Ryan,

      my pleasure, I luv analyzing people ;) And uniqueness plus awesome service really are the things that they share.

  • http://www.icebluebanana.com mark

    Hey Mars,

    Thanks for the list! I was only aware of Maren. Your comments are great (and funny too)!

    I suppose I will not be getting to bed anytime soon now. :)

    Have a great day!

    • http://www.marsdorian.com/ Mars Dorian

      lol,
      You can always sleep when you are dead, Mark ;)

  • MarketingWIthRick

    Mars:

    Thanks for the creative blast about these people and their businesses. I personally have only heard of Kelly Diels before, I know…where have I been?

    It is amazing as I continue to learn how people are making it online but in different ways…typically there own way and not some copy cat.

    I just checked out BloggerBeats.com and that is so cool.

    Keep bringing it!

    - Rick

    • http://www.marsdorian.com/ Mars Dorian

      Hey Rick,

      yep, they are doing things their own way, and rock because of it. It's soo essential to use your own voice to make an impact, and it's always inspiring to see people who making a killing doing it.

      BTW – Bloggingbeats is really a good project. Nathan tried something different with it, and I appreciate his curiosity and courage.

  • http://jonathanbutterworth.com Jonathan Butterworth

    Great list of digital mavericks! It is always great to see how others are making a living online and hopefully learn from them. Thanks Mars!

    • http://www.marsdorian.com/ Mars Dorian

      thanx Jonathan,

      I luv sharing the message of those mavericks. We need them. And we have to become our own mavericks.

  • http://www.jewelry-secrets.com/ Richard Scott

    What a wonderful list. Everett Bogue is a winner in my book. I've just spent the last hour reading through his posts. How inspiring. It really does make you open your eyes and see the big picture. Thanks for the link. You'll be seeing me there. :)

    • http://www.marsdorian.com/ Mars Dorian

      yeah – Everett is cool, Richard.

      He inspires me to lead a minimalist flavored lifestyle.

  • http://www.valuableinternetmarketing.com Anna Haller

    This list of maverick is fantastic! I never even heard of anyone on this list with the exception of Maren Kate. It really inspires a newbie like me to go out there and as you mentioned use my own voice to make an impact and to add value to the lives of others.

    You are awesome Mars!

    Anna

    • http://www.marsdorian.com/ Mars Dorian

      Thanx Anna,

      that's what I intended with this post. I'm glad it inspired you. Now go out, and rock the world !

  • http://www.scottwebb.tv/ Scott Webb

    Ya this is a really strong list for sure! I love that some of these people are more “quiet” than others though. I don't mean in effort, I mean in promotion. It gets old sometimes when so much is promotion but I guess that is what comes with doing so much great work! :)

    • http://www.marsdorian.com/ Mars Dorian

      Konnichiwa Scott,

      Yeah, it's the difference that spices up life. That's why I picked them: they are all remarkably diverse. I believe promotion gets never old as long as it's creative and good promotion ;)

  • http://www.giveabrick.com/ Eleanor Edwards

    Hi Mars,
    I headed over here from you brilliant piece over at Catherine Caine's place. Being in the middle of catching up on your Influencing People series, I almost skipped over this one. I'm glad I didn't because it's sort of switched a light bulb on in my brain. I know who I want to be now, I want to be me! For that realization I thank you :)

    • http://www.marsdorian.com/ Mars Dorian

      Hey Eleanor,

      Awesome ! And it's the only way to mass success – to be just you. All those digital crusaders kill it because they add their very own flavor to what they do. You will never have competition again !!

      • http://www.giveabrick.com/ Eleanor Edwards

        lol Very good point :)

  • Justin Guzman

    Just discoverd your blog man you have some really fantastic/flamboyant content really diggin your writing style.

    The farther I dive into this blogging world I am beggining to see theme after theme of minimalism and simplicity. It really strikes a cord with me and EV Bogue inspired me to create my own blog on my adventure. So cool too see so many people out there sharing the same collective conciousness.

    cheers,

    Justin

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