Jen Ruiz is an achieved digital entrepreneur, however she didn’t envision her life the way in which it’s right now.
Whereas working in regulation, she participated in a journey problem, and it actually flipped a swap for her.
Though she strayed from the problem barely, her expertise finally led her to give up her day job, begin a weblog, self-publish a number of books, together with a memoir, and diversify her revenue by way of social media and talking engagements, amongst different initiatives.
She’s getting greater than 100 million views to her short-form video content material, she’s gained 6 nationwide journey writing awards, she’s a 6-time Amazon bestselling writer, a 3-time TEDx speaker, and a 3-time guide award winner, amongst different accomplishments.
On this interview, she shares tons of nice perception and suggestions into altering industries, turning into an entrepreneur, leveraging short-form content material, and turning into a author and a public speaker.
She concludes with implausible recommendation that each blogger, content material creator, and entrepreneur ought to hear.
Watch the Full Episode
She initially began off as a lawyer in Florida and noticed herself persevering with in that sector, till the 12 months earlier than her thirtieth birthday, when she participated in a journey problem the place the target was to take one journey monthly.
She strayed from the problem barely, and her discovery led her to give up her day job, self-publish a number of books, together with a memoir, and diversify her revenue by way of social media and talking engagements, amongst different initiatives.
Jen talks in regards to the significance of beginning a facet hustle while you’ve received a day job and shares her ideas about when it’s the fitting time to depart it behind and focus in your different initiatives.
She shares how she received began freelance journey writing, why she went to her first journey convention, and the way she received her first hosted model deal.
Jen’s had a whole lot of success with short-form content material particularly, and she or he dives into that.
She talks in regards to the shift in the direction of authenticity and the way she used that to develop a following on TikTok, together with her movies going viral and getting as much as 100 million movies. She talks about why the decrease boundaries to entry on TikTok, amongst different traits, made it the proper platform to develop an viewers.
She affords recommendation for what to do while you begin with video on a brand new platform, and what metrics to make use of to find out your success. She additionally says what to do while you begin to see success, and the way she drove visitors from TikTok again to her web site.
Shifting alongside, Jen talks about writing and publishing books. She has expertise with self-publishing and conventional publishing, and she or he talks about the advantages of each, how they differ, and methods to do every of them.
When she discusses conventional publishing, she shares methods to get an agent and tells the story of how she received her agent and her books revealed.
Jen talks about her expertise talking at TEDx three totally different instances. She mentioned the applying course of and explains why she needed to talk on the occasions. She additionally affords a whole lot of suggestions for giving a profitable discuss and talks about what the talks are all about and the way anybody can apply.
Lastly, she discusses how all of those parts make up her model, from her guide royalties and advert income to teaching and digital product income, and many others. She talks about her expertise, her monetization methods, and her distinctive model.
She additionally mentions alternatives she sees sooner or later.
Hyperlinks & Sources
Matters Jen Ruiz Talks About
Her background
How she received into the journey area of interest
How and why she diversified her revenue
How she received began doing freelance journey writing
The significance of in-person occasions
Getting her first branded collab
Leveraging short-form content material
TikTok’s constructive qualities
Being profitable with short-form video
Writing a guide
Self-publishing vs. conventional publishing
The best way to get a writer
Talking at TEDx
Constructing her model
Future alternatives
transcript
Jared: All proper. Welcome again to the area of interest pursuits podcast. My title is Jared Bauman. And right now we’re joined by Jen Ruiz with Jen on a jet airplane. com. Jen, welcome.
Jen: Hello, Jared. How are you? Thanks a lot for having me.
Jared: Oh, I am superb. I am superb. , that is the primary time we have talked a few journey particular style for a short time.
And, um, I am actually excited to have you ever on as a result of, uh, uh, usually journey associated, uh, episodes have completed very effectively previously. We have lots of people listening. They’d both prefer to journey or operating their very own journey web site or weblog or, or a model. So simply so excited to listen to from you right now about your story and your development and what you’ve got completed to succeed.
Um, earlier than we get into all that although, perhaps inform us a little bit bit about who you might be and your backstory that led as much as what you are doing proper now.
Jen: Completely. Nicely, I completely agree with you, particularly as a result of so many individuals are working remotely now that journey appears to be sort of the perk of that, proper?
The power to work from wherever and the flexibility to sort of choose up and go set your personal schedule, work from the seaside or no matter fabulous location you are at. So that’s positively one thing fantastic and one thing that I did not suppose that I might have. As a result of I used to be truly a lawyer earlier than this. So I used to observe regulation, uh, in South Florida.
I labored on social safety incapacity regulation and contract regulation. And, you understand, I noticed my life in 10 years as perhaps being associate of a agency or turning into a choose. I positively didn’t suppose that I might be making a residing, uh, by touring the world, by sharing my journey experiences, by sharing my writing, uh, and by having These experiences and that experience be one thing that individuals had been prepared to pay me for So it simply wasn’t one thing that existed proper blogger content material creator all of those phrases They weren’t round once I was in regulation college Uh, and so positively getting old myself at this level.
Uh, I truly simply celebrated my thirty seventh birthday in mexico, which was pretty um, and i am Once more, a perk of having the ability to work remotely. So I practiced regulation for a number of years. After which the 12 months earlier than my thirtieth birthday, I took a journey problem as a result of I noticed I had gone all by way of my, you understand, younger and wild decade, and I had simply centered on work, which I believe many entrepreneurs can relate to as a result of we’re objective pushed and we get centered on a process and the place we wish to be and, you understand, excellence and striving for that, that typically you neglect to simply have enjoyable alongside the way in which.
So I took that journey problem to take one journey each month. The 12 months earlier than my thirtieth birthday, 12 journeys in 12 months, I ended up taking 20 journeys to 41 cities throughout 11 international locations whereas being again in time for court docket on Monday morning. On the finish of that 12 months, I wrote my first guide as a result of lots of people had been asking me Many questions, however the massive query that I stored getting requested increasingly more was how are you going to afford this?
, I used to be sharing all these flight offers. I used to be discovering 70 spherical journey flight to Aruba, 16 flight to Ecuador and folks had been eager to understand how can I get these offers too? So I wrote and I self revealed my very first guide The Reasonably priced Flight Information to reply that demand that I used to be already getting from readers After which after that, I self revealed 4 extra books.
I give up my job and I pursued this full time. Uh, utilizing Instructing English On-line, which I had began doing throughout that 12 months, as one thing, as a crutch to get me by way of as I used to be constructing my different on-line revenue streams. So I constructed out my weblog, Jen on a Jet Airplane. Uh, I constructed out my social media following. I now Really wrote a memoir 12 journeys in 12 months.
That’s about that 12 months And that’s my first historically revealed guide however six guide total And I made a profession out of sharing my journey tales and my journey experience in varied mediums
Jared: Give us some context on how way back that transition occurred. , what are we speaking about right here? If you had been doing all this stuff, you talked about how, hey, there wasn’t actually a conventional medium while you had been in regulation college for lots of this, however now there’s, clearly, now it is fairly a well-liked medium.
Like, what time interval had been you going by way of while you made that transition?
Jen: The 12 months of journey, my 12 journeys problem, was in 2017. After which I give up my job in April, 2018. So this was all earlier than folks even thought distant work was actual. Even I, once I, you understand, was getting that on-line educating job, was actually skeptical that this could truly be respectable, that I might truly receives a commission worthwhile cash, uh, as a result of on-line jobs on the time simply weren’t a factor.
After which for 2 years or so, I labored in that sort of environment, being certainly one of a form, increase my weblog, doing the self publishing, attempting all these digital revenue routes. After which the pandemic hit in 2020. And abruptly the entire jobs can develop into distant. And so now there’s much more competitors and much more content material as these new platforms are popping out with methods for creators to monetize.
Uh, on prime of that in 2020 weblog income fully crashed for all journey creators as a result of individuals are not touring. They’re simply not in search of it. So a whole lot of journey creators created second web sites. They, you understand, swap to the meals area of interest. Uh, and I believe now we’re seeing only a 4 12 months later repercussion of that with Google’s, you understand, laborious, you understand, updates and all people’s weblog crashing even additional.
And I believe. I noticed the writing on the wall already in 2020. And so I believed, okay, how can I diversify in order that running a blog is simply one of many different income streams that I’ve freelance journey writing might be my oldest income stream that I began in like 2016 whereas I used to be nonetheless practising regulation, I used to be doing way of life items, issues of the kind, uh, some journey items for tempo journal initially.
After which that has been one thing that I’ve all the time had simply as a further strategy to get credibility. And as a strategy to, um, simply have bylines be present, proper? As a result of on this environment, I believe that is one thing that is actually distinctive about what we do is that the tenure just isn’t a factor, proper? And the way lengthy you’ve got been doing one thing for does not actually matter.
It does not actually matter that you have been doing this for 10 years or 10 months and yow will discover people who go, you understand, viral and their profession fully takes off inside three months of beginning one thing and folks which were engaged on one thing for a decade, you understand, will be considering, you understand, it isn’t honest as a result of they’ve put in additional time, extra hours.
And that is simply not the way in which this trade works. You actually have to stay present within the digital house. It’s important to be creating extra. It’s important to be current. It’s important to be prime of thoughts. Uh, and so for me, Realizing that and realizing that that is one thing the place, as a creator, it may well result in burnout actually rapidly in case you’re probably not monitoring this, uh, I actually, I believe I’ve grown slower as a result of I’ve unfold my eggs in so many various baskets.
And due to that, I haven’t got anybody basket that has skyrocketed, however the entire, like, tremendous quick, however the entire baskets have been floating up slowly, if that is sensible.
Jared: Rising tide raises all ships, I believe, proper? Is that the fitting analogy?
Jen: Precisely. Precisely. Like if I needed to, I might have put all of my effort into TikTok, which rapidly grew to become my largest, you understand, social media channel.
It is the place I received probably the most traction. And I noticed that one TikTok followers did not essentially translate, despite the fact that I used to be reposting content material and people movies, they do not actually go to different channels in the identical method as they observe you on TikTok. Uh, after which additionally. If I had gone and simply tried to do, you understand, simply that platform, I’ve had my accounts, you understand, closed on a number of platforms.
There’s so many issues that occur by the point you get a assist channel to put in writing you again. In case your total livelihood is on anybody factor, I believe I am very weary of that. As a result of I’ve seen so many issues on this digital age, simply fall to the wayside. , TikTok now’s on the chopping block, however there have been so many different issues.
Twitter now turned X, which was an enormous place for journalists to search out leads and to attach with one another. The writing neighborhood on there was so sturdy and now it is, you understand, modified a little bit bit, however I am nonetheless on there due to these contacts and people, you understand, requires pitches and folks in search of press journeys and issues of the kind.
So It is actually, it is such an fascinating subject. And I believe that is what makes us these dynamic folks, proper? As a result of we’re continuously on our toes and we continuously must adapt. And I believe in case you’re an entrepreneur and you are a digital entrepreneur, it is since you like that. It is as a result of you do not need the monotony of like each single day goes to be the identical as a result of that is positively not the case.
Jared: Yeah. I believe lots of people listening are very acquainted with a whole lot of the updates which have occurred. Google the final couple of years. You are sort of proper. It does drop a line within the sand. Like what sort of, you understand, entrepreneur are you seeking to be? I imply, it is irritating, however that fully modified the way in which folks write and produce content material analysis, but it surely sort of is what it’s.
It is the character of the way in which these platforms work. You’ve got talked about this a pair instances in numerous, um, in numerous, uh, factors already. So I wish to sort of double down and ask you a query about you talked about that you just, uh, while you had been transitioning, while you had been first getting began, you had been writing as a freelancer.
You talked about additionally, uh, about educating English on-line, like these appear to be some belongings you had been doing earlier than you went out by yourself, earlier than you give up your, your, your lawyer job. And I believe a whole lot of them listening is perhaps wanting to listen to extra about that. Individuals listening, sitting right here at work at a full time job, having aspirations of doing their very own factor.
Perhaps discuss a little bit bit extra about a number of the belongings you had been doing after which the way you evaluated when to maneuver on out of your regulation profession and into doing this full time.
Jen: So I do not suppose that there is any higher time to begin a facet hustle than if you find yourself gainfully employed as a result of you don’t have anything to lose, proper?
You may actually danger one thing and take a look at one thing totally different with out fearing, like, you are all in on this, if this does not succeed, you are not gonna have the ability to pay your payments. So, I do encourage Beginning when you have a gentle revenue, and I do not suppose there’s any disgrace in persevering with when you have a gentle revenue as a result of we have seen so many ups and downs.
So there is a method which you could construct a extremely worthwhile enterprise, you understand, whereas doing that with a 9 to 5. So for me, it began with running a blog. as a result of I knew that I needed a artistic outlet. I used to be writing actually boring authorized papers all day and I needed to put in writing one thing totally different. I am a author.
This was uninteresting. Uh, and so I began a weblog simply to have a method for my mind to remain contemporary and I actually loved writing for the weblog, however I knew that my weblog wasn’t going to take off until I received linked to by different larger websites and until I received extra. simply assist being seen so I began by pitching elite each day And elite each day didn’t pay me for my contributions.
They’ve since been acquired Uh, you understand, they’ve a distinct contributor program now, however I did rather well for them And this was at a time once I was pending bar clearance In Florida, I had already been a Bard lawyer in Maryland. However while you go to Florida, it’s important to take the bar once more. It does not matter what age you might be.
It does not matter how lengthy you’ve got been practising. So that you wish to get that out of the way in which. And I used to be ready for my Florida bar clearance, working as a regulation clerk, making like 12, 15 an hour as a Bard lawyer doing regulation clerk work. And so I felt like this was probably the most. mind numbing, identical to, wow, like paper pusher.
My expertise had been past it at this level. And so I wanted one thing to distract my mind. So I truly received a whole lot of pleasure from Elite Every day. Each day they might ship out trending scorching matters, and you can write about these matters, submit them earlier than midday, after which there can be a excessive chance if it was effectively written and, you understand, on level as a result of they needed to cowl this, that it could be revealed.
So I might get such a kick out of, like, secretly writing this text whereas pretending to do paper pushing work, uh, on this, uh, on the regulation agency and sending it in earlier than midday. After which, you understand, I’ve the entire afternoon to additionally do work. It was simply work that I might do quicker than the time that was allotted.
And so to fill that mind power, I devoted it to those freelance articles. These freelance articles, freelance, I say loosely as a result of I might indicate fee contributor articles. So, uh, these contributor articles did rather well. They went viral. So that they had over 10 million views. Uh, and that is how the editor from tempo journal discovered me, reached out to me and mentioned, Hey, would you want to put in writing for our journey vertical?
And on the time I used to be a lawyer, I wasn’t touring. You are not allowed to have trip. No one needs you wherever however the workplace. And so I did not, I, I simply mentioned sure. And I believe that is a extremely massive function. Like simply say sure. And simply determine issues out later. It does not matter if you do not know, like even nonetheless to this present day, I take advantage of that rule.
Like folks simply discuss issues. I don’t know what acronym they’re utilizing. I don’t know. And I am identical to, yeah. And I simply make a remark to determine issues out later. So he requested me to be a journey author and I used to be like, okay, I’ll work out methods to write about journey for them as a result of they’ll truly pay me.
Uh, and in order that’s how I began getting paid for my writing. Uh, and I used to be in a position to write a whole lot of totally different articles for paste. Uh, they since discontinued their journey vertical, however that gave me sufficient bylines that I might then begin pitching myself elsewhere. In order that was how I received began with freelance journey writing.
That complete time, on the facet, any articles that weren’t getting accepted by Elite Every day, I used to be publishing alone web site. Which did not actually have its personal area of interest but, uh, it was not a distinct segment pursuit, uh, it was only a catch all pursuit of no matter wasn’t accepted by Elite Every day. And so in the end I, you understand, rebranded twice and refined that till I received to Jet on a Jet Airplane, which took me a little bit little bit of time, but it surely was nonetheless such a enjoyable mission to work on within the meantime.
The issues I did get to do underneath My first web site was 20s stylish, um, as a result of we’re like damaged in our 20s, however we’ll be fabulous. I am now not in my 20s. And so it isn’t a sustainable web site until you make it like a contributor web site. Um, and I did not wish to do this. So, but it surely was very nice. And I received to do some nice initiatives and it was, you understand, one step results in one other, you by no means know the place one thing’s going to steer.
Uh, and so it took, you understand, two years and two rebrands to lastly land on Jen on a jet airplane. And. I, one different massive sport changer for me whereas employed was that in that 12 months of journey, certainly one of my journeys was to a journey convention. I believe if you are going to run a enterprise, it’s important to perceive that nothing on this world like works in a bubble, notably in enterprise.
Prefer it’s such a social factor. It is who you understand, it is being in the fitting locations on the proper time. Like. If you are going to work with manufacturers, if you need folks to pay you for issues, they should find out about you and that you must be prime of thoughts for them and that you must be, you understand, first on the record and to try this professionally, it’s important to present up in these skilled areas.
So once I went to my first journey convention, that was a giant sport changer for me as a result of now I have been, you understand, it took so much as a result of I used to be like, it was in Huntsville, Alabama, and that was my 12 months of. Wonderful travels, proper? And so I am like, how Huntsville, Alabama, that is not, that was not on the record. It doesn’t sound, does not sound thrilling.
I do not know. It truly is fairly cool. It is like, uh, the, probably the most rocket scientists that you’re going to discover within the U S as a result of they’ve an area heart there and so they do, they’ve like an area camp you possibly can go to. Like, it is truly a extremely cool place with a whole lot of ridiculously good individuals who reside there.
Um, and so. I’ve realized that now that, you understand, locations will be deceiving. Um, however I went on that journey convention and I simply beloved it. I discovered myself actually engaged within the periods, sitting within the entrance row, taking notes, wanting to speak to the audio system after, making networks of brand name contacts. That is how I received my first hosted model deal.
I received a free lodge keep at Margaritaville Hollywood resort. And I bear in mind going there and, you understand, being this VIP visitor and seeing my title on the record for everyone to know I used to be coming and considering like, that is actually cool. And it occurred as a result of the PR rep preferred my story. She preferred assembly me. She preferred me as an individual.
And that is why she pushed me by way of versus me being simply. An electronic mail in her inbox asking for a free keep.
Jared: When did video and quick kind video come into play? Since you, you, you, you, you, you began, effectively, we’ll get into all of the stuff you’ve got completed. I imply, you sort of talked about there’s so many various threads we are able to pull right here, however quick kind video is an space you’ve got been actually profitable.
And I believe I noticed in your file, like, over 100 million views now on quick kind video content material. I, I believe a whole lot of it on TikTok. And, uh, you understand, you talked about not placing all of your eggs within the TikTok basket, however When did, when did quick kind video begin for you and the way have you ever leveraged that? Have you ever leveraged quick kind content material over time to develop your model?
Jen: I believe it was positively with Tik TOK as a result of with Instagram, there was nonetheless a whole lot of strain, particularly as a girl to put on this good, you understand, vibrant gown with the proper move and the proper ribbon and the proper filter, uh, and. I did that for years and it carried out effectively on Instagram. And I believe when the pandemic hit, folks had been drained.
Persons are at house. No one has the time to placed on this good gown and pretend it. And truthfully, no one has the desire or the power as a result of it simply feels inauthentic. And I believe we have now seen that shift in how we eat content material, the place we admire extra actual content material from folks that are not made up, you understand, to the nines and look.
Like unattainable. I believe we have seen that so much. And the identical factor with decentering celebrities. I believe it is only a normal development that we’re seeing with folks. So folks like actual issues and TikTok offered this outlet the place one, there was a sense that the people who I do know aren’t going to come back to TikTok.
They suppose TikTok is all dancing youngsters. So I can truly simply sit right here and. Converse truthfully with out feeling like I’ve to be this good, filtered, superb model of myself that I’ve created elsewhere. I can simply be new model of me right here. Additionally, since this was throughout the pandemic and all journey crashed, I did not, did not really want to speak about journey as a result of all people was taking place your throat.
Even in case you can be like, that is for later, they might be like, ah, do not promote journey. So all people was actually edgy, uh, round that point. So I used to be like, I can go and share one thing fully totally different. On tiktok and simply discuss my entrepreneur journey. You understand how I went from regulation to doing this now and so I believe that blend of authenticity of having the ability to actually share what I needed to the shortage of modifying required.
I might simply communicate and inside a minute or two, I can have a video and have it out. There’s actually so few different platforms the place that is the case. I believe threads not too long ago has captured a few of that. Mhm. as a result of you possibly can share a mixture of images and movies and simply sort of choose out of your factor, put a fast caption and share it.
So you possibly can have a publish inside a couple of minutes. I believe one thing like YouTube lengthy kind can take folks days to edit a video. Like I mentioned, these Instagram filters, I imply, they’re so tough and so it may well take a very long time and that may be a barrier for folks. TikTok had no boundaries that allowed extra content material to come back by way of.
Now you possibly can publish 5, six movies in a day and it does not even take you a half hour to create. Um, and so I believe these had been all actually key integral shifts that made me go from that conventional pictures, Instagram, good image to quick kind video and the way can we share content material of substance? What I beloved about quick kind video is that in 60 seconds, I can rapidly summarize one thing that you must find out about this vacation spot, why you must go to, you understand, why that is one thing that is necessary or distinctive or certainly one of a form or.
The one factor on the planet and you may share that like sufficient info inside 60 seconds to get one thing by way of. After which if there’s extra questions, you understand, do a observe up, make a sequence on it. Half one, half two. Um, but it surely actually made it really easy to share precious content material. Even I, as a client now.
It is modified the way in which that I search for methods to do issues. After I go on trip, I simply got here again from Mexico Metropolis to have fun my birthday. And I used to be considering to myself, the place do I am going in Mexico Metropolis? And TikTok is the primary place I went to sort greatest locations to eat, you understand, greatest eating places, greatest issues to do, greatest day journeys.
And that is the place I am going. Um, so I believe it actually modified. How we do quick kind and a lot so that each different platform has then tried to mimic TikTok. So then Instagram introduced out reels, YouTube introduced out shorts, uh, Fb put extra emphasis on their reels. And so, and now it is displaying them like each.
Three swipes that you just do. Um, so everybody, LinkedIn, LinkedIn is doing video now. So everybody’s attempting to seize that very same magic whereas concurrently burning TikTok all the way down to the bottom. It has been actually fascinating to look at as a result of nobody has been in a position to emulate it, uh, however all of them wish to be TikTok. Uh, and sure, I believe that was a part of it.
And in addition TikTok’s magic is that you do not want to have a whole lot of followers. To get 1,000,000 plus views it goes primarily based off of how your content material performs So you can have one follower and get 1,000,000 views if that video goes viral if individuals are sharing it and that and that is not Actually the case in different platforms both.
So I believe that was encouraging to creators the truth that your content material would get seen The truth that it could, you understand, carry out rather well and that it continued to carry out for locations that had been smaller locations. Perhaps the video initially received 10, 000 views, however over time it could be on the prime of my of the rankings for that seek for the hashtag.
So when folks do go to see issues to do in that space. My video comes up and I’ve had movies my Rochester rubbish plate video is at over a half 1,000,000 views And I believe it began with like 20 000. So during the last two years it is grown exponentially One thing that different platforms additionally do not do offer you you understand That could be youtube However they do not actually offer you views to outdated movies in that method that it retains rising and rising and goes newly viral months or years after it has been revealed, so That was what made TikTok so interesting and what made it such an exquisite trip.
Uh, and what made it in order that I might get, you understand, 100 million views primarily by way of that platform. Um, so I, I am actually grateful for it and I might simply maximize that. When one thing went viral, I might do Uh, observe up movies to the entire hottest feedback. In order that method, you understand, that visitors robotically will get directed to these movies in addition to folks proceed to open the video.
I might share these, uh, reels in every single place else that I simply talked about. Pinterest, Pinterest is one other one which went video first. All of them went video. Um, and so yeah, that, that is been the journey.
Jared: For these people who find themselves combating perhaps a TikTok or simply quick kind video basically, I imply, you discuss a lot about authenticity and I believe it is fascinating that you just had been in a position to sort of begin nearly a journey, uh, quick kind content material platform throughout the pandemic, which works again to what you are speaking about, like not essentially specializing in, uh, the journey a part of it, however on who you might be and the authenticity of it.
However what different like suggestions would you could have for individuals who is perhaps operating up in opposition to a brick wall in the case of, um, The TikTok. After which my observe up query to that might be, since you talked about it, so I am glad you probably did, TikTok is understood for having people who wish to keep on the platform, and so how do you, how do you get probably the most worth from what you do on TikTok when, you understand, it is like, effectively, what do I do with all of them?
What do I do with all these followers? What do I do with all these video views? So, you understand, sort of a two half query, however these are my two questions because it seems to be again in your TikTok journey.
Jen: Yeah. Nicely, I believe the very first thing that I might advise while you’re becoming a member of a platform is to sort of throw spaghetti on the wall and see what sticks as a result of you do not know what is going on to go viral on this platform and what are folks actually going to love right here.
So perhaps folks actually prefer it while you share a narrative with you and your canine, or perhaps folks actually prefer it while you share a B roll content material with textual content over display, or perhaps folks actually prefer it while you do three fast suggestions. So. Attempt while you’re beginning, that is the perfect time to experiment. After which I might take no matter folks have responded the perfect to, and I might take a look at that by shares.
Um, shares and saves as a result of that is going to be one thing that they wish to ship to anyone else. They wish to reference later. And so I believe that that is sturdy for you, perhaps extra so than likes. Um, so I might take a look at that. What has probably the most shares and saves? What do folks actually reply to and interact with right here?
And the way can I do extra of that? Is it the model? Is it the ideas that I shared? Is it the actual matter that I talked about? Was it as a result of I had one thing distracting within the background and that drew, you understand, feedback and extra interactions? How can I hold Including extra of that into what I am doing. Um, and I believe that that is a very good first place to begin What was the second a part of your query?
Jared: Yeah, so I imply you can take a look at it like what do you do while you do get success on tiktok? Like how do you flip that right into a following that goes past simply view video views and you understand feedback?
Jen: So while you go viral positively as I discussed these feedback you wish to make different movies to be able to have associated movies hyperlink to that authentic viral video and sort of ship folks down your video funnel to allow them to see extra.
Additionally hyperlink them to a playlist or one thing else the place they will proceed to reference different movies like this in order that in the event that they like this they will simply see extra like that. One factor I love to do is I prefer to sort of put What the juicy factor is in my Lincoln bio. So, as an illustration, I went viral so much with sharing, um, journey offers and alternatives.
Like, for example Delta had a, you understand, a specific giveaway or one thing the place they’re doing one thing. After which I might say, so that is every little thing that is included. That is what you win. After which if you wish to apply, I’ve the hyperlink on my web page. So now you’ve got like this, however you You prefer it since you wish to do it.
And it is simpler so that you can simply undergo the hyperlink on my web page and to go to Google and attempt to discover it your self. Um, trigger folks like every little thing that method. Um, and I can not embrace hyperlinks within the feedback in Tik TOK. So I simply have not, I used to have like a journey offers and alternatives web page the place while you click on, it simply had hyperlinks to all this stuff and that might get, you understand, on a viral video, I might get 10, 000 hits in a day simply to that one web site web page.
Um. As a result of you could have that a lot traction as a result of individuals are actually motivated as a result of they wish to apply they wish to you understand Get this stuff uh get the low cost get the deal Regardless of the case is in order that was how I used to be in a position to direct visitors from tiktok to my web site um Sometimes I might additionally direct it to join an electronic mail or a freebie or one thing of the kind in order that I can Get folks on my electronic mail record Uh, after which past that, I might say, yeah, beginning a sequence of one thing, you understand, to be widespread.
So I noticed like, I am a solo feminine traveler and I went to X nation, um, it is all the time a great way to begin for me. So I can do this for nearly something. I am a solo feminine traveler and I went to Mexico. I am a solo feminine traveler and I went to Egypt. I am a solo feminine traveler and I went to Japan. Individuals simply wish to see.
Um, and so if that is one thing that, you understand, is working, you understand, do extra of that. Uh, and make a complete sequence round that.
Jared: Let’s discuss books. As a result of that is clearly an space that you’ve a whole lot of expertise in. And actually, past books, like additionally public talking, I imply, uh, six time Amazon bestseller, uh, three time TEDx speaker.
Discuss in regards to the worth and the function books have performed in your total model. I do suppose lots of people consider books as a really troublesome factor for them to do, but additionally how a lot worth is it going so as to add to their total model. So perhaps contact on that, we are able to get into speaking about Writing books, conventional publishing, self publishing, a few of these matters, lots of people are all for.
Jen: Yeah, I believe the error that most individuals make is in considering that after they write a guide, that it must be one thing that they do on the pinnacle of their profession, in the direction of the top of their life, proper? That it isn’t one thing they’re able to do now. That writing a guide is one thing they have not earned the fitting to do but.
I am not prepared to put in writing a guide, I do not actually know. And I believe they intimidate themselves out of it, not realizing that being an writer, is extra of a lifelong profession. It’s extremely not often your first guide, you understand, your second guide that does effectively. And most profitable authors that we have seen have 20 books or extra.
They’re very prolific. So if you wish to be a author different than simply have like one most important guide, that is your most important, uh, entry into talking or, you understand, what you wish to promote in your web site. And that is advantageous as effectively. But when you understand that you just wish to write, you must begin writing sooner slightly than later and begin publishing issues now.
In an effort to get higher as you go as an alternative of holding off and anticipating that you just’re like one grand mission goes to be thoughts blowing for everyone as a result of that is perhaps disappointing. So I believe that additionally takes the strain off of getting to carry out. If you understand that your objective as a author is to all the time be writing.
Uh, and so for me, I did. Each the self publishing route and the normal publishing route. I did self publishing as a result of I needed to have a passive income stream. I needed to work on constructing my revenue streams once I, uh, left regulation. And I did wish to have that, uh, authority. So I did three books on journey, two books on distant work.
After which when the pandemic hit. I used to be truly on monitor to simply hold self publishing extra, uh, however I believed that is truly a, is perhaps a very good time to attempt to get a conventional guide deal since I am not touring. I can not hold placing it off. I can truly put the time to dedicate to this. Uh, and so I might say that the Self publishing was good for establishing a digital revenue stream, for turning into an writer, for having the ability to enter your self into writer awards, writer conferences, for saying you are an writer while you’re making use of to be a speaker, issues like that.
And that the normal publishing was good for issues like getting media recognition, getting, you understand, conventional TV appearances, doing a guide tour, getting distribution in bookstores and Barnes and Noble and issues of the kind. Um, so I believe relying on what your objective is, each are legitimate.
Jared: Your guide that went on to be, uh, historically revealed, um, Uh, for individuals who, uh, perhaps wish to go down that route, like from a excessive degree, what is the course of appear to be?
Um, do it’s important to go fig, determine all of it out your self or do you sort of, uh, latch on to an organization? How do you get in with that firm? What are a number of the particulars to doing a conventional writer route?
Jen: To be historically revealed, you want a writer and normally publishers solely take queries from brokers, circuitously from authors.
There are some exceptions to that. So there are some publishers which you could pitch straight. You’ve gotten hybrid publishers as effectively, however a conventional publishing home will normally solely take Submissions from brokers and in order that signifies that that you must get an agent. That is then going to pitch your thought to the publishing firm One other exception is that if the publishing firm involves you since you’re simply so fabulous You had one thing go viral your jewels and also you made demure just like the phrase of the 12 months And they also need you to put in writing a guide and that occurs as effectively however for most individuals it’ll be that that you must get an agent to then be your Key to the publishers after which they’re gonna go round and store your guide to all of their contacts at these publishing firms Which isn’t straightforward so that you can do by yourself so the individual that that you must get in your facet is an agent who’s going to be combating for you who believes in your E book and who needs to signify anyone in your style.
There’s some ways to do that. There’s like manuscript want lists and S. W. L. Hashtag M. S. W. L. You may search on social media and you may see brokers placing out requires submissions. In order that they’ll be like, I am in search of a narrative a few younger grownup, you understand, fantasy novel, regardless of the case could also be. And they’ll break down their genres of what they’re in search of.
So you possibly can search which you could search totally different brokers from books that you just like. So you possibly can go and see who’s the agent for this guide and, you understand, pitch them and say, Hey, I noticed you represented this guide. I’ve one other guide that is perhaps of curiosity to you as a result of it is comparable. And, you understand, issues like that.
Um, for me, I discovered my agent by way of the author’s digest convention. So once more, the facility of conferences, proper? I realized actually rapidly that It is simpler for me to make an impression when you possibly can see my face than me simply sending an electronic mail. It is really easy to simply delete the e-mail, ignore me, by no means get again to me.
And lots of people go that route and so they get actually discouraged after they’re pitching brokers as a result of they’re like, I’ve pitched 200 brokers and no one’s responded to me and my work should actually suck, you understand? And, um, I believe, I believe that is not the case. I believe on this digital age, It provides you an edge to be a human, and it provides you an edge to be standing like nose to nose with anyone.
On the very least, they can not simply ignore you. They must say sure or no. And normally if they are saying no, they’re gonna really feel obliged to both give detailed the explanation why, which will help you. Or, you understand, refer you to anyone else, give you one thing else as a comfort. So in any case, I really feel such as you’re simply higher off investing in this stuff.
And I had the flexibility that 12 months, 2020, since every little thing went distant, I might do that remotely and meet with folks over the pc. Versus having to go in individual to New York and spend money on that journey. So I took benefit, I paid for the additional registration for the pitch slam, which was an add on to the convention payment.
As a result of you could have the convention, you could have the periods about writing. However the pitch slam is a devoted hour. The place you go in and then you definately’re assigned to various brokers which might be all for representing your style and through that point you pitch them your guide. After which they’re going to let you know, okay, sure, this sounds good.
Ship me a proposal as a result of you could have, um, initially the question letter, which is one web page. That’s one thing that you’d be sending through electronic mail in case you had been, you understand, blind pitching folks to allow them to get a one web page thought of your guide. In the event that they’re , uh, which you’ve got simply now completed in individual, you’ve got like pitched them your one web page factor, they’re going to ask you for a proposal if it is non fiction.
If it is fiction, they’re going to ask you for the total So in case you’re writing, yeah, so in case you’re writing that fantasy novel, normally you may must have completed the novel earlier than you submit it. In case you’re writing a non fiction guide, a self assist guide, regardless of the case could also be, a enterprise guide, you simply must have your guide proposal, which is the define, uh, and a advertising and marketing plan, and like two or three pattern chapters.
And so upon getting that, they requested me for a proposals. I took the time to work with a coach, each on my question letter and the proposal. After which I later submitted, submitted that to the brokers who requested for it. And from that, I received a suggestion of illustration. After which a number of months later, a guide deal.
Jared: It is a cool story.
Oh my. Okay. Um, effectively, you are very purposeful about every little thing you do. I really like that. Uh, in order that dovetails completely. TEDx. You’ve got spoken thrice at TEDx. I think about getting the primary, the primary time getting that spot after which performing effectively will need to have helped get you additional TEDx time, uh, uh, talking periods.
However discuss that. I imply, I am positive there is a story behind the way you had been in a position to land a talking spot on TEDx and simply the method that went into that.
Jen: Yeah. So I knew that I needed TEDx to be on my resume as a result of I needed. Individuals to take me severely as a speaker. I used to be transitioning from regulation. So I had public talking expertise, however not on this realm.
And I needed to provide myself one thing to work with. Um, so I knew that that was a objective. And instantly once I give up my job in April, I began in search of methods to use to this. So I had a grasp record of like all of the totally different TEDx talks which might be. Going to be taking place. After which, you understand, when are they opening purposes?
The place do you apply? And I simply went down the record. I additionally rented the guide from the library, the TEDx talks guide by Chris Anderson, I imagine is his title, however, uh, inventor of Ted. Uh, and so he takes you thru every little thing, like methods to make your pitch. What’s methods to be on the stage. So I learn that guide whereas I used to be submitting that to dip my concepts to totally different, um, Ted organizations, TEDx independently organized.
And so finally, uh, a number of of them had been . We went by way of like the applying course of with one and we had an interview after which they invited me to be a speaker. After which I had a few months to organize. Uh, so I labored on, you understand, writing out trigger Ted is meant to be, you understand, quarter-hour or much less, ideally 10 minutes or much less, but it surely’s imagined to be one thing that you’d, Ideally have memorized.
I’ll say not very many different audio system did. I believe it is a very nerve wracking setting. Um, however ideally, you’ll have it memorized to be able to. It is not as necessary on the replay, however to be able to take a look at the viewers versus trying down on the prompter. Um, After which that that’s one thing that you ought to be conscious of.
It is like the place you are making use of and the standard of their recording goes to be necessary for you and your capacity to make use of this later. Um, in order that’s one thing that you must bear in mind as a result of they’re independently organized. So all people has totally different sources. And I used to be very fortunate the place my first TEDx discuss was at Penn State and at Burke’s campus.
And so they had All of the tools they wanted, actually excessive tech microphones, a extremely savvy crew. And so they made that an attractive, uh, you understand, video high quality presentation. In order that was wonderful. Um, and it was not, it was not like. It was not straightforward. I positively like misplaced feeling and I believe 4 of my 10 toes earlier than I went out, so I am not going to say like, you understand, every little thing simply goes and not using a hitch, however I believe that you must bear in mind that crucial factor within the Ted discuss is the recording and normally, as a result of that is, what is going on to reside on far more than this hour that you just’re right here, that not even hour, 10 minutes that you just’re right here.
Um, and so in case you mess up. Within the second, they will all the time repair it on the recording later or have you ever return on stage later and like repair that, take that clip once more or regardless of the case could also be. So you actually, it’s important to hold that in thoughts and attempt to not get into your personal head as a result of it’s such a giant factor.
You might be with such different achieved audio system. , the highlight is on you. You’ve gotten this purple carpet, you could have these massive letters behind you. It is a very, it may be a really intimidating second for lots of people. That is why I believe so many individuals use the prompter as a crutch. Um, however I believe simply remembering that the necessary factor is the video.
and the way that lives on. So then I utilized for my second discuss, which was additionally at a college, this time at Case Western College. And there I did have a little bit little bit of a video malfunction drawback in taking part in a video, which actually just isn’t beneficial. I did it for the aim of like eager to show, you What I used to be saying, however ideally Ted ought to simply be you talking with like that is why you do not have full slides behind you And in case you do it is like one phrase, uh, as a result of the concept is you not the factor So however I needed the video to show a degree, uh in that and I positively had some tech points and that is why I say like on stage it’s important to bear in mind like crucial factor is like Not that you just’re fumbling with this proper now, however that like, none of that is going to be within the closing video.
Uh, after which the third one was truly totally distant, uh, and that was throughout the pandemic. There was one other alternative to talk and I needed to speak about distant work. This was at a time when folks weren’t working remotely and I had seen how I might been in a position to make this transition. So I believed I might actually encourage folks to search out alternative ways to make on-line revenue.
Uh, and so these are my three talks. The primary one was The ability of flying solo. The second was why cannot we be pals, be pals, methods to, uh, you understand, get previous variations that you’ve with different folks. Uh, after which the third one was anybody can work remotely, distant work freedom.
Jared: Love all the ideas.
Love all the ideas. I’ve a secret, like, uh, need sometime to provide a TED discuss. I do not know, we’ll see if I can get round to it. Or no matter you possibly can say. Oh yeah.
Jen: I might say the largest factor when pitching for folks is that TED is so, it is, it is intimidating within the second, however within the software course of, it is truly very pleasant as a result of they don’t care about your background, your bio.
That is not the necessary factor in any respect. That is why you could have TED audio system which might be youngsters. That is why you could have, I am like, it doesn’t matter that you’re probably the most achieved CEO. If something, in case you lead your pitch with that being like, here is all my accomplishments and that is why I needs to be a TEDx speaker.
You’ll not hear from them. Try to be main together with your thought as a result of the entire thing behind Ted is that you’re sharing an concept that when folks depart there, they, you’ll plant a seed of their head that can make them take into consideration one thing otherwise. That must be the crux of your pitch together with your bio being, you understand, what bolsters that up afterwards.
But it surely’s the concept that you are pitching, not you, the speaker.
Jared: Yeah. So actually anyone listening. Offered they’ve a good suggestion. It might be somebody who applies. You do not have to attend till you, you understand, bought three firms or regardless of the case could also be. Um,
Jen: precisely.
Jared: So that is sort of all constructing to the place I wish to sort of lead into for the ultimate a part of the interview right here.
So we have talked about your success with TEDx, doing it a number of instances. We have talked about six books, some self revealed, some historically revealed. We have talked about your success on, um, on video platforms, all this stuff. I simply, what I wish to now do is discuss how this all truly applies to your model and the way it’s contributed to your model and the place all this stuff we have been speaking about play into your model, how your enterprise makes cash right now.
And I simply wish to give folks, trigger it is so much, proper? Like every of this stuff on their very own publishing books. Occurring and talking on massive platforms, um, uh, creating viral video content material. Prefer it’s a whole lot of work and I simply wish to sort of begin to convey it again to the way it’s influencing your enterprise and the way it’s helped your enterprise develop from a monetization standpoint and what you do on a everyday foundation.
Jen: Yeah, so my enterprise is Jen on the Jet Airplane LLC, and it has all of those totally different facets to it. So the guide royalties, the revenues from model, uh, partnerships, the revenues from talking engagements, any sort of weblog revenues from adverts on the web site, any sort of affiliate revenues from hyperlinks that I am sharing, uh, any sort of digital product or teaching income that I’ve from people who I, that wish to go perhaps one on one with me for any of those matters.
Uh, and so all of that comes collectively underneath the umbrella of Jet on a Jet Airplane, which was truly the, my very own imprint for the self revealed books as effectively. So every little thing’s underneath that Jet on a Jet Airplane umbrella, with the concept being that my, what I am promoting is my journey experience. I am promoting my capacity to journey the world as a solo traveler in a method that, Only a few folks can like, you understand, I’ve had moments the place I have been dropped in the midst of a overseas nation with a rental automobile, like with police or like every kind of like loopy stuff which might be taking place and also you’re identical to, you understand, some folks may crumble underneath this example, you understand, and I really feel like that is the place I thrive as a result of I, I am effectively versed on this and I’ve had so many issues occur everywhere in the world that I am superb at navigating these locations.
And so that’s the worth that I present and I present that to my readers. And as. Uh, media individual as a model as anyone who needs to work with me, I present you entry to these readers, but additionally my experience and my partnership recommending you proper? Like a few of these totally different manufacturers and locations that I’ve labored with this previous 12 months.
I did the media tour and I used to be requested a whole lot of questions on TV about what are issues I like to recommend locations I might prefer to go, you understand, issues I like to make use of. And so I hold that Rolodex in my thoughts of previous companions to have the ability to proceed to say them. So I monetize and I get my worth each from them. The one factor that I do know that could be very distinctive to me that I can do, which is navigate the world as a solo feminine traveler everywhere in the world.
Uh, and the way I can share that with folks, which is my ability with, uh, which is storytelling. And that is what I had as a lawyer. That is what made me a compelling lawyer and a trial advocate. That is what makes me now a compelling author. Uh, a video current. , regardless of the medium is of the second that I have to adapt to, if I have to go and, you understand, we’re writing now sub stack as an alternative of blogs, if we’re making holograms sooner or later, as an alternative of quick kind movies, if we’re like, I actually do not care what it’s, however I’ll nonetheless be there in that platform, sharing that core experience.
of journey by way of one thing that I understand how to do, which is storytelling and resonating with folks and hopefully ideally inspiring folks and displaying people who issues are potential for them as effectively.
Jared: There’s been a theme all through the interview about adapting, pivoting, adjusting, going the place, uh, going the place, you understand, the world goes and simply not, not staying locked down in a single explicit sort of content material creation.
Or method, you understand, perhaps as we, as we begin to convey this to a wrap, like, the place are you seeing alternative going ahead? The place are you seeing change occur? The place are you beginning to put time into perhaps in an space the place you have not traditionally put time in?
Jen: Yeah, completely. Uh, and I, the lawyer in me is cringing each time I say yeah, as a result of it is a filler phrase.
So I simply know that my public talking. Spoken by a speaker in me has been cringing and I wish to catch myself. It is not vital. Um, however I even have been placing time proper now the place the cash is. So threads has a threads bonus and so they’ve been paying for posting on there. And I’ve gotten fairly good attain on there.
I’ve had some issues go viral, tens of millions of views, board panda made an article a few publish that went loopy. So. I believe that that is good for now, so long as I am getting revenue from there. And, and I believe it is a good various to Twitter, just like the textual content primarily based platform whereas nonetheless permitting me to share a mixture of video and images that I have never been in a position to share by way of Fb that limits me to simply images or video one or the opposite.
Um, and so I believe it is a good way for me to simply, like I mentioned, pluck from my album, share it and really get a whole lot of affect and visitors by way of there. I’ve, I’ve truly seen some good weblog posts that get good traction, you understand, issues like that. So so long as they’re paying me for the bonus, I’m .
In threads, uh, after which I might in all probability additionally begin doing extra lengthy kind YouTube. So I’ve been rising my YouTube channel with shorts, simply reposting my content material, and it has been rising steadily, but it surely’s actually laborious to achieve monetization on YouTube by way of shorts, just like the, it is like 90 million or one thing views that you just want, in comparison with like 4, 000.
Watch hours on lengthy kind content material. So I will be in all probability diving into the lengthy kind content material, uh, as hoping to have one other strategy to monetize. I’ll nonetheless be rebranding my weblog and, and dealing on running a blog, however I’ll say I’ve by no means returned to running a blog with as a lot power as I did pre. March 2020 as a result of I used to be simply so traumatized.
I noticed my earnings go from over 100 a day to three a day. And that simply devastated me as a result of I did, I used to be going to go all in on that. And I believe that was the purpose the place I used to be like, Ooh, all in is actually harmful. Uh, so let me attempt one thing else. And whilst I’ve seen folks, you understand, now I see, you understand, the ups and downs.
And so I believe that is the lesson is that sadly, this can be a. the place there’s a whole lot of innovation. There’s a whole lot of change. There is a new platforms on a regular basis, and it’s tremendous irritating to construct one thing, you understand, to over 1 / 4 of 1,000,000 followers on one platform. After which swiftly suppose that that is going to be gone right away.
Um, and so I believe that is why there must be a degree of detachment and identical to, okay. My worth is right here. It is within me, regardless, and I am selecting the place to share it, however the worth is what I do know. It is what I’ve to share. It is not that individual platform. It is not that individual group that I’ve amassed there.
And so I believe it’s important to do this as anyone that is on-line, as a creator, as a result of you are going to see these dips. And in case you do not do this, you are going to take the dips personally. You are going to be like, Oh my goodness, this publish flop. I’ve nothing of worth to share. I’m actually unhealthy at this, and that is not the case.
Like, this stuff simply occur, and so you can not internalize it. It’s important to perceive that you just, as a creator, you, as an professional in your subject, are simply discovering alternative ways to achieve folks as a result of the eye naturally strikes. Uh, and so that you simply must go to the place the eye is in the intervening time. It is simply, it’s what it’s.
And if you need one thing extra steady, I do not advocate this life.
Yup. The wild, wild world of on-line publishing and content material creation and script. That’s the script we reside in proper now. Uh, yeah, that might be the headline.
Jared: Um, that is flown by, the place can folks observe together with you and your journey and what you could have going?
I’ve received to think about there is a ton of locations folks might go, however like, the place would you direct folks in the event that they needed to remain in contact?
Jen: Positive. You’ll find me on all social media platforms at Jen on a jet airplane. My web site is Jen on a jet airplane. com like leaving on a jet airplane, Jen on a jet airplane. And my guide, 12 journeys in 12 months is obtainable wherever books are bought.
Jared: We’ll put a hyperlink, uh, I believe I’ve the Amazon hyperlink for that guide, so we’ll put a hyperlink that, there isn’t any notes there. Um, man, Jen, thanks a lot, uh, very inspiring, and you have left me with so many issues to consider, I would not even know the place to begin proper now, however fortunately I’ve a whole lot of notes. So, um, thanks for approaching and sharing a lot, I admire it.
I admire you sharing the ups and the downs as effectively. It sounds such as you’ve had a whole lot of ups, but it surely positively sounds such as you’ve had a few downs. I believe that is going to actually be a narrative. Lots of people are going to sort of sympathize with you as they hear. So thanks once more. And till we discuss subsequent time.
Jen: Thanks, Jared.
