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Going Offline With Your Online Business

This post was most recently updated on February 23rd, 2014

In my last post, I wrote about “What Happens When Life Throws You A Curve Ball?

 

Well here I am this week to tell you what happened.

 

I have always seen this little movie in my mind that I was going to teach High School and College kids about how to be entrepreneurial on the internet.  Why? Because I have noticed that a lot of young people in our country are getting discouraged about what to do after their school years.  This angst makes perfect sense considering the economic swings we have been experiencing in the United States, and most of the Western world, in recent years.

 

 

To me, so many kids are confused in an economy that they don’t feel secure in.  The little movie in my head was of me teaching kids a “back door” plan.   By all means, go to college, set your goals, but in the meantime, discover your passion.  It may or may not be related to what you are going to school for.  But when you discover it, your passion will take you a long way.

There is one kid I know going to school for a business degree, but she has a horse she takes care of.  She knows lots of things about horses.  When I asked this girl  “how would you like to make money talking about your horse?”…   I got the crazy look.  So, I  explained to her how she could create internet offers to actually teach people ways to take care of horses.

 

 

I asked her how much time she spends on the computer and it was every waking moment she was in her home.   I then asked if she was interested in a little experiment.  She had thousands of friends on Facebook.  I asked her why and it was for social reasons.  I asked her to start talking about her horse.  She obtained so many replies from “friends” she really didn’t know.

 

 

I told her how to monetize her expertise with horses, and now she is writing an ebook!

WOW!

 

 

But let me get back to my curve ball.

 

 

I sought help from an alternative high-school about a computer program they could help me with.  We met and they are teaching me how to use it.  We will meet every Friday until I get it (poor kids – lol).

 

 

In the meanwhile, I asked the head of the Technology Department if the school was interested in me teaching them Internet Marketing.   He was so happy to hear that because many kids were asking about it.   We are currently setting up dates where me and my husband, David Merrill, will be teaching these kids how to monetize their passions online.

 

 

I know it will be a challenge, but they will learn not only personal branding techniques, but patience, writing skills, and marketing skills.

 

 

Moral of the story: Whatever we learn, we pass on.  Did you ever think of teaching the marketing skills you’ve learned online to kids, adults or baby-boomers in an offline setting within your community?  If you are a Go-Giver, consider it.  I learned this lesson when a curve ball temporarily took me away from my computer.  It has turned into an awesome experience!

 

 

Just think of what YOU can do with your passions if you share them within your community.  All the while, you’ll be branding yourself in ways you may never have thought of.  Give it some serious consideration!

I appreciate your feedback.  Thanks, Donna

Donna Merrill
Donna is a well known blogger and creator of "Blogging Magic" - an intensive guide to blogging. "Blogging Magic" is for beginners who are trying to figure out how to bring their blogs to life with tons of visits, comments and social media interaction. It's even for advanced bloggers looking to reach new levels of authority and engagement with their audience.

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29 Responses to Going Offline With Your Online Business

  1. Jupiter Jim September 10, 2011 at 3:42 am #

    Donna,

    That is sooooo great that you introduced the “girl with the horse” to the idea of using that passion and that love of horses to share with other people and get paid for it. I taught in high schools for several years. High schools are government run. They teach you how to be a good employee. Schools almost never, never teach young people about working for themselves, about being entrepreneurs. Consequently, there are MILLIONS of people out there, products of our educational system, who have spent two years of their lives looking for work instead of starting their own online, or home-based, or network marketing business. And that is heart-breaking to me. It’s only people like you who can break the cycle!!!!

    So thanks for your concerns and your efforts for the Youth of Today!

    Sincerely,

    Jupiter Jim

    • Donna Merrill September 11, 2011 at 11:55 pm #

      Hey Jim! It is terrible that schools do not teach they way they “should.” It is a new world out there, with a new economy, etc. Kids need to think for themselves. I think this is why there are so many more home schooler’s out there.
      Blessings, Donna

  2. Hans Schoff June 8, 2011 at 8:43 am #

    Hey Donna, what a great way to share your internet marketing skills and empower others and doing it offline. Great idea! Thanks for sharing your experiences!

    • Donna Merrill June 10, 2011 at 3:24 am #

      Thanks Hans,
      That good old Law of Attraction sucked me into that space!

  3. Leslie Watson Leake April 26, 2011 at 8:53 pm #

    Donna, I think you’re a super role model helping those right in your backyard, instead of trying to make it worldwide right away. Those that are helped will in turn give it away again, and again, and again! You have inspired many just by them reading about your “go-giving”, online and offline!

  4. Monika Genehr April 23, 2011 at 4:11 pm #

    Donna, you are showing me the true meaning of a go giver. Go where there is a need and give what is needed. Online and offline, wherever people are found, needs will be found… and thankfully, go givers like you are found as well… going online and offline… to give, to inspire, to empower, to do business. I’m glad to meet you here to remind me of the importance of *go*giving*.

  5. Helen Wenley October 28, 2010 at 7:58 pm #

    Hi Donna,
    I have had a little taste of what you have experienced. A friends 18 year old son wanted to build a WordPress blog so he could sell inspirational T-shirts and it was a great joy for me to pass on my learning and to teach him what I know.
    Thanks,
    Helen
    .-= Helen Wenley´s last blog ..My nutritional supplement program =-.

  6. Lottie Jenvey October 26, 2010 at 5:37 am #

    Hi Donna,

    What a great thing you and your husband teaching kids the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur! I’m bet you’ll find them better equipped to catch on than some of us octogenarians.
    .-= Lottie Jenvey´s last blog ..Anti-Aging Secrets and Your Longer Healthier Life =-.

  7. Raisa Garrido October 26, 2010 at 12:02 am #

    Hi Donna,

    What an excellent idea!
    as you said “sometimes life throw us a curve ball” and we don´t know what to do, but you turn that into a win situation!
    Those kids will have the best teachers on Internet Marketing, you and David are great mentors.
    I always learn something from you.
    Regards
    Raisa

    • Donna Merrill April 27, 2011 at 1:41 am #

      Thank you Raisa. Your kind words made me feel so wonderful. You my friend are a great teacher too!

  8. Carolee a.ka. Blogging Biz Mom October 24, 2010 at 2:01 pm #

    Hey Donna,

    Been thinking about you…and I found you again.

    I am joining with Denice Duszynski at Woman’s Speed Networking Association at:

    http://wsnbassociation.ning.com/

    We are going to get together and brainstorm ideas for networking/training in the Central New York area.

    You were someone I mentioned to her.

    If we get some big event going on, I was wondering if you could teach something like “following your intuition” or something.

    Let me know..
    .-= Carolee a.ka. Blogging Biz Mom´s last blog ..The almighty schedule… =-.

    • Donna Merrill October 24, 2010 at 9:33 pm #

      Hi Carolee Thanks for stopping by. And YES I can surely teach using your intuition for marketers. I’ll get in touch asap.
      Regards,
      donna

  9. Don Enck October 22, 2010 at 4:18 am #

    Donna,
    What a great story to follow up with where life takes you when you least expect it. It can take years to really discover your passion. To find it at a young age and then have someone be able to relate to them in their language (technology) how they can earn from it is a blessing.

    It’s great that you get to learn from them and they can learn from you. Everyone wins…except like you said I think the kids will be teaching longer LOL!
    .-= Don Enck´s last blog ..A Day In The Life… =-.

    • Dona Merrill October 24, 2010 at 2:40 am #

      Hi Don. Yes there is no better joy than that! Giving these kids an opportunity to teach in the community is also awesome. Imagine, teens getting a self esteem boost doing something positive! WoW!
      Donna
      .-= Dona Merrill´s last blog ..Going Offline With Your Online Business =-.

  10. kim jensen October 21, 2010 at 9:19 pm #

    I loved how this was right to the point! Funny what happens when ideas foat around in our heads! You created the perfect outcome for a concept of sharing your knowledge with college kids. Keep us posted on how this teaching experience comes together for you.

    Leading the generations to come!
    Your friend, Kim
    .-= kim jensen´s last blog ..Comment on Lost and found- Neglect Check by Kim Jensen =-.

  11. Val Wilcox October 20, 2010 at 3:14 pm #

    Awesome Donna!
    I love how you took your passion and are helping others in building their passions into a voice presence. The internet is here to stay so why not give young adults the direction to monetize their online experience.

    I can just imagine the energy and fun that is being shared by you and David with these young people. You guys are rocking!

    Val 🙂
    .-= Val Wilcox´s last blog ..Clarify Your Vision =-.

    • Dona Merrill October 24, 2010 at 2:39 am #

      Hey Val, yes more to come. I want to also teach women on public assistance how to get out on their own. Also the elder population. These are passions of mine. I believe my path will take me there.
      Donna
      .-= Dona Merrill´s last blog ..Going Offline With Your Online Business =-.

  12. Tricia Karp October 19, 2010 at 8:30 am #

    Donna, I was so touched reading your post.

    What a wonderful thing to do – to teach kids to think about their true passions and give them concrete ways to express them in their lives, and turn it all into a business.

    And I love your story about the girl who looks after the horse.

    Isn’t it amazing where life can take us when we’re open. I’m happy for you that you copped that curve ball.

    You’ve given me a few ideas for using my passions in the community. More to come!

    Thanks,
    Tricia.
    .-= Tricia Karp´s last blog ..What Price a Voice =-.

    • Dona Merrill October 24, 2010 at 2:36 am #

      Hi Tricia, “It takes a village to raise a child.” That is what I firmly believe in. Whatever knowledge we have, whatever talent… it is so important to share in our own communities.
      Thanks for stopping by,
      Donna
      .-= Dona Merrill´s last blog ..Going Offline With Your Online Business =-.

  13. sandra spence October 18, 2010 at 10:57 pm #

    Hi Donna,
    You are such an inspiration, and I know that everyone will be learning in this situation. Congrats to you and please keep us updated:)
    Sandra

  14. Shelly Allen October 18, 2010 at 10:43 pm #

    Hey Donna!

    What an excellent idea!

    Take the online business offline!

    So many folks, including myself, sometimes take for granted what we know, because we see things as we are, not as they are…

    Therefore thinking (assuming) everyone knows what we know…

    When in REALITY…

    We all have something to share and pass on!

    Thanks for the reminder and really making it so simple…;)

    Shelly

    • Donna Merrill October 24, 2010 at 9:31 pm #

      Well Shelly that’s what my main purpose is: To break things down to simplicity. The online business is a fast and growing one, but in my blogs I try to simplify it for Newbies coming into the business.
      Thank you for stopping by,
      donna

  15. Jennifer Akers October 18, 2010 at 10:43 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    Great to find your blog. BTW, I found it when Ed shared your post on FB. I’m currently going through my own ‘curveball’ – it’s given me new ideas and experiences I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

    Whenever we come across something internet/copywriting business related, we’ve been sharing it with our son. I’ve also shared the writing as a business in Great American Teach-Ins. The process of giving helps us realize things about ourselves, as well as paying the knowledge forward.

    Important reminder – thanks!
    Jennifer
    .-= Jennifer Akers´s last blog ..Motivational Radio- Online Internet Radio For Your Success =-.

    • Donna Merrill October 24, 2010 at 9:27 pm #

      Thanks Jennifer! The knowledge keeps coming, that’s one thing we can count on. This is an ever-changing business and we all must go with the flow. Sometimes we do get “stuck” but we have to pick ourselves up and go on.
      Thanks for stopping by,
      Donna

  16. Edward October 18, 2010 at 10:29 pm #

    Hey Donna,

    Excellent post. Thank God for your curve ball. This idea of giving back to my local community has been on my mind for a while now. Have had a lot of great ideas just need to pick one and go for it. There is so much need for people to teach the real stuff to those who are able an willing to accept it and take action on it. Thanks for sharing your experience.

    Many blessings to your success!

    Make it a great day!
    God Bless,
    -ed
    .-= Edward´s last blog ..Knowledge vs Intelligence – What’s the Difference =-.

  17. Richard Goutal October 18, 2010 at 9:50 pm #

    If there was ever an honorary degree of “Evangelist of Entreprenerial Opportunity” I would have to nominate you for it. Awesome story about the girl and her horse (CS Lewis updated?) and your own account of working with the alternative school.

    I was thinking of some friends who are big on teaching entrepreneurship overseas; you’re doing it in your backyard.

    Here’s something – Yesterday I bought a book that was reviewed by another blogger – “Kidpreneurs: Young Entrepreneurs With Big Ideas!”
    Adam Toren

    I think you may be onto something!
    .-= Richard Goutal´s last blog ..Clean Water For All Blog Action Day =-.

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