John White, MBA

7 years ago · 3 min. reading time · ~10 ·

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How I Swim With The Big Fish at Inc. Magazine

How I Swim With The Big Fish at Inc. Magazine

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Recently, I got my contract renewed for another six months with Inc. I was holding my breath to see if I would be renewed or not. You see at Inc.; I am a small guppy trying to swim upstream against some of the biggest and baddest fish on the planet. Blogging is a competitive world. Other bloggers I know haven't been renewed.

Inc. has some of the most-well-known entrepreneurs and influencers in the world writing on the platform. They also receive hundreds of applications each month from great bloggers wanting to contribute.

So, like anything else in business, blogging takes real dedication, strategy, and skill to do at a high level. Here are some things I do daily to try to stay at the top of my game and stay competitive with those who are truly out of my league.

1) Always be hustling (ABH)

To start, give up your worst habit and use the time to create. For me, that was watching television in the evenings after work. I gave up watching TV about five years ago.

I realized that to get ahead, I needed to start hustling in the evenings. I put in the time long after my day job had ended. I got an MBA, started writing blogs, and used social media to build a robust business network.

As beBee USA CEO Matt Sweetwood says, "Social media isn't something you just do, it has to become part of your lifestyle."

Your talent can only get you so far in your career, and for me, it led me into a brick wall that I kept running myself into over and over like some sort of idiot. I was only able to finally break through that wall after several years of hustle and working well into the evenings, something I continue to do every day.

2) Always be connecting (ABC)

Who remembers the old sales adage, "Always Be Closing"? Well, there couldn't be worse advice for today. People are tired of being closed, spammed, and constantly being sold to. In today's world, people want to connect with other people and establish genuine relationships before doing business.

Well, you are here on LinkedIn (be sure to try beBee too!) that shows me you have a vested interest in your career! Use this platform and the others to be prolific with your networking.

3) Always be creating content (ABCC)

Take Jim Murray as a great example. I am always in awe of writers like him that can consistently deliver engaging content almost daily. His prolific blogging efforts on beBee are to be admired. To be a great writer and create content that people value, you always have to be producing. I know I have written some awful blog posts before (before what?).

However, I also know that I've written some excellent ones that got read by tens of thousands of people that enabled me to have a platform with an audience and generate real business opportunities from writing.

There is no doubt that good ones would have never come without the ones that totally sucked. I'm sure I will write a bunch more bad blogs too. However, I will keep writing and ignoring those that tell me I cannot do it.

You can't score if you don't take any shots! -Unknown

4) Always stay humble (ASH)

When I made it to Inc., I knew the work had just begun. I realize that writing on Inc. is a privilege that can be revoked at any time, and I treat as such.

I never self-promote myself as an expert or a guru. I let my writing speak for itself. If the content is good enough, people will come back for more, and they will begin to use wonderful adjectives to describe you.

I've embraced the underdog role and use it to help me stay motivated.

5) Always be sharing (ABS)

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make on social media is that they make it all about themselves. While personal branding and blogging are often about self-expression, you must be a good community member to have others engage and share your content (that is unless you are already famous or simply "the best" blogger...LOL).

When I say that blogging is competitive, I do not mean that I view other bloggers as my competitors.

When I say that blogging is competitive, I do not mean that I view other bloggers as my competitors.  

A couple of weeks ago at Sarah Elkins’ No Longer Virtual Conference, someone in the room mentioned Milos Djukic as a great community member and someone who regularly shares and engages with other people’s content. Milos was recognized in the room despite not being physically present at the conference. In fact, he was not even on the same continent. I think it was a true aha moment for many people at the conference. When you fully realize the power of promoting others, you will take a step or two forward with your personal brand.

To succeed in business as an underdog in a highly competitive market, you have to be prepared to make sacrifices, cut out all activities that are not providing you with utility, and always seek to be inspired by the great work of others. 




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Comments

Jim Murray

3 years ago #32

Yo John...you are not a small fish. It may be a big pond, but there's a lot of bullshit in it and none of it comes from you. Happy New Year.

John White, MBA

3 years ago #31

I just re-read the comments on this buzz. I needed that. Thank you! 🙏

John White, MBA

6 years ago #30

#62
don't forget those annoying auto-play videos! 😲

Debesh Choudhury

6 years ago #29

Very good news John White, MBA and an inspiring post for all of us in this network

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #28

#53
Ahh, I even looked up male names that start with B LOL. The first name I didn't have to look up because that's my son's name. Still great stats on LI Aaron! Yes, very hard to compete (and I don't think I could ever) with people like Candice and John. ;-)

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #27

#50
Hmm now I'm trying to guess your middle name... Brian? Bart? Barry? Benjamin? Congrats on being ranked top 3 profiles on LI Aaron Skogen!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #26

#49
You sound like me, I feel like I've been scattered lately Aleta Curry. Is it me, or do the comments on John's buzz link back to your buzz too? If so, I will have to remember this!

Lisa Gallagher

7 years ago #25

Heading back to Aleta Curry and for some reason I thought I had this tweeting. Great advice. I'm not sure I could give up all my TV time at night but most people know I am an insomniac so I tend to get a lot done after everyone is sleeping. You rock John! Now... I AM sharing this since my mind has left me a bit lately LOL

Wayne Yoshida

7 years ago #24

Milos Djukic -- Awesome

Larry Boyer

7 years ago #23

Great to see these tips from someone who is actually doing it and making it work.

Wayne Yoshida

7 years ago #22

Way to go and thanks for the pointers for social media and business behavior. And the reminder to everyone that this is hard work. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work, John White, MBA

John White, MBA

7 years ago #21

#33
Thanks, Andy! My fins are growing for sure!

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #20

John White, MBA Congratulations John. You are an example of how hard work and perseverance pays off, of using setbacks to propel you further, and how the power of connections help in life and business. BeBee is privileged to have you as an executive member and your online conduct sets an example to follow. The two key messages that stand out to me from your post is not to make it about yourself but of others, and your last line which sums it up succinctly: “To succeed in business as an underdog in a highly competitive market, you have to be prepared to make sacrifices, cut out all activities that are not providing you with utility, and always seek to be inspired by the great work of others.”
Thank you John.

John White, MBA

7 years ago #18

#27
Anne Thornley-Brown: First off, good luck with your blogging journey, I'm glad to help any way I can. So, to apply send them an email to contributors@Inc.com. In the body of the email include why you would be a good fit for Inc, a copy of a post you've written that you think would be a good fit for Inc., and then 10 potential article titles. However, before you apply, I would recommend doing all of the things I've mentioned in this post. They look for people that already have an established audience and have demonstrated their influence in business, social media, and blogging. Cast a wide net on social media, write a ton of posts, and network your way in. You've already got one connection there (albeit a guppy...lol) Seek out some other writers on Inc. that you like and network with them. Then, after you provided them with a ton of value, ask them to help you with a recommendation.
What advice do you have for those of us who are interested in writing for Inc. Magazine. How would you suggest we go about it?
What advice do you have for thos of us who are interested in writing for Inc. Magazine. How would you suggest we go about it?
Again : B R I L L I A N T buzz my friend
Very very important : "One of the biggest mistakes I see people make on social media is that they make it all about themselves. While personal branding and blogging are often about self-expression, you must be a good community member in order to have others engage and share your content " I see a lot people everywhere trying to get engagement without engaging in a positive way with content from others!. They don't look to be so smart as it is supposed to be.
"people want to connect with other people and establish genuine relationships before doing business" ... agreed !! John White, MBA
John White, MBA congratulations ! Beatiful words here . John was the first guy getting in love with beBee and approaching me. Many thanks for your contributions. We need you to keep on pushing hard John ! Vamos !

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #11

I quite like when humility and talent are combined together :-) Good on ya John White, MBA

Gloria (Glo) Ochoa

7 years ago #10

#
EPIC! Congrats John White, MBA ! Well deserved renewal.
Congratulations on the renewal John White, MBA Y gracias por la información Juan Blanco.

Matt Sweetwood

7 years ago #8

Congratulations John. You are a machine. A powerful machine.

Milos Djukic

7 years ago #7

I agree with you John White, MBA, is without doubt one of the most prolific writer and word artist. I'm a great admirer of his writing. He is also a great marketer and communicator. Last but not least, my friend. Yes WE (beBee) can.

Milos Djukic

7 years ago #6

Congrats John White, MBA, my friend. Your time and efforts are greatly appreciated by many. I believe In you. You have not lost touch with people and yes, you are a social media maven. A social media maven: "As with mavens in other areas, social media mavens are seen as being more advanced in their understanding of social media than the average population." - from "Social Media Maven" on techopedia.com (https://www.techopedia.com/definition/27867/social-media-maven)

Milos Djukic

7 years ago #5

Thank you John White, MBA. It's all about people, caring and sharing. Great lessons about social media and communication. Be patient and attentive. Trust is built slowly. Creativity and authenticity are the foundations that are necessary for a good relationship on social media. Fractals forever :)

David B. Grinberg

7 years ago #4

John, many congratulations on being renewed as a blogger at Inc. That's great news! Second, this is such an excellent read with so many good points. Moreover, kudos to those you mentioned above. I likewise have a great deal of respect and admiration for Milos Djukic -- Plus so many other wonderful people on this platform. You have certainly come a long way, JOHN, through hard work, tireless dedication, fierce perseverance, and seeking to help others rather than just yourself. Quite frankly, I'm amazed at how you do it all, especially with a family including young children. You are living proof of all the wise points you make above. Keep the great work!👏👏😇

Donald 🐝 Grandy PN

7 years ago #3

Great post John White, MBA. As a society we are pre-conditioned to focus on the visual rewards of success (cars, houses, boats...etc) rather than the sacrifices we must make . Nose 👃 to the grindstone my Dad would say...

Jim Murray

7 years ago #2

Hey John White, MBA. Thanks for the shout out. Lots of good advice here, a lot of which is underscored by the three word phrase...We Never Close. It also helps to ignore you OCD meds. (Just kidding, always take your meds, kiddies)

John White, MBA

7 years ago #1

CC: Virag Gulyas

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