JANUARY 27, 2023

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Welcome to The Tilt, a twice-weekly newsletter for content entrepreneurs.

We interrupt your regularly scheduled content for this breaking news item (well, it's not really breaking, we've been talking about it for a while).

It's just we really want to meet you and didn't want you to miss today's deadline for the discounted rates to the Creator Economy Expo in May.

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​Prices go up at the end of the day so save your seat now and register today!​

Now on to your regularly scheduled newsletter …

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OK, here’s the truth. I didn’t listen to Nora Dunn, aka The Professional Hobo, at Creator Economy Expo 2022 because I don’t plan to live life on the road. But when I finally tuned in, I quickly realized Nora has a lot to help content creators, no matter your living arrangements.

“The show must go on,” Nora says. That holds true whether you live life on the road or at home. Just as flights get canceled, and Wi-Fi can be spotty in remote locations, creators at home can have a storm knock out electricity and internet or have their data corrupted by a faulty computer or digital thief.

Consider doing these five things to help your content business (and you) run smoothly, no matter the circumstances. All are based on Nora’s golden rule, “Set everything up so nothing can trip you up.”

1. Set up an office: It can be easy to blur the line between home and business. To keep things separate, particularly if you don’t want your business contacts to have your personal contact information, you can set up an alternative mailing address and phone number.

Nora uses a virtual mailing service. Unlike a post office box address, they include a standard street address that governments and banks usually require. They digitize and send you the mail and even take action on your behalf (i.e., deposit that mailed check into your account).

A separate phone number also can be helpful. You can add another line through your cell plan or use an internet- or cloud-based service, such as Google Fi, Skype, or Hushed.

2. Step up security: If you leave your home – even if it’s just to head to the café to work – you increase the chances for cyber theft. Using a VPN (virtual private network) is absolutely necessary to add a layer of protection. Otherwise, anyone who has ever used the cafe’s internet could get access to your computer if they want.

Use a password manager to protect access to your virtual accounts. Not only is it more secure, but it’s also a time saver because you don’t have to figure out which combination of your pet’s birthday and ones and exclamation marks you used.

If you work with contractors who need access to your accounts, password managers can allow you to give them access without giving them your login info.

3. Back up the backups: Nora tackles this in several ways. First, ensure all your devices (laptop, tablet, and phone) have all your work-related apps. That way, if one stops working, you can pick up the other and resume your tasks.

Use a cloud server to host your files. Nora prefers Dropbox because all the files sit on her computer and are synced automatically with the cloud server when she has an online connection. Google Drive is another solution, but since it requires internet access, it might not be the best choice if you experience internet disruptions.

Don’t stop at the cloud. Buy (and use) a portable hard drive to store your data. It’s helpful for long-term, accessible storage that doesn’t require an internet connection. It also can be good to buy two of special, must-have items, such as an adapter.

4. Give everything its place: Losing stuff can happen. You could forget where your earbuds are or misplace that notebook with important notes. To mitigate that, have a designated place for everything. Put your earbuds in the same pocket of your bag or the same section of your desk organizer. (I do this for both my desk at home and my tote bag that goes to the coffee shop when I need to look at different walls.)

5. Don’t forget the importance of community: Nora lost her sense of belonging after 12 years of full-time travel. As a content creator working alone, you may lose that, too. Find virtual or in-person opportunities to connect. It could be a co-working space or an online group to “gather” with people of like-minded work. (I’m a big fan of using The Tilt community as a resource.)

- Ann Gynn

Long version: Watch Nora share all her tips and stories in her free CEX presentation – Essential Tips To Run Your Virtual Business Smoothly as a Digital Nomad.

Nora will be back at Creator Economy Expo 2023 as she moves from the breakout sessions to the main stage. Save your seat! (Prices go up end-of-day TODAY - Jan. 27.)

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• Do you need an amazing lead magnet but not sure where to start? Try Interact, it is your step-by-step guide all the way through, from ideation to execution. Get the FREE course and a FREE 14-day trial.*
• This week Joe dives into a special preview of Epic Content Marketing Part Two. [Content Inc. podcast]
• Joe and Robert discuss the future of podcasting and whether a bear market is on the horizon. [This Old Marketing podcast]
• ​YouTube’s sharing how its viewership is changing and what’s ahead this year. Funnily enough, it’s a text-based article, not video.
• ICYMI - 5 Don’ts for Content Creators to Overcome Public Speaking Resistance​

*The Tilt receives a small commission if readers (at no additional cost) make a purchase using this link.

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Your team for this issue: Joe Pulizzi, Pam Pulizzi, Ann Gynn, Laura Kozak, Marc Maxhimer, and Dave Anthony.

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