Welcome back for another week of, “BECOME A BLOGGER MONDAYS”!!!
By now you’ve decided that blogging is for you and you have chosen which site is best for you as well. Ok, so now comes the FUN part! You get to write about ANYthing! When I first started writing I didn’t know exactly what I’d be sharing with the world, but I knew the message I wanted to get across. Here are some helpful tips on HOW to decide what to write about:
1. Know the reason WHY you want to blog.
For me, the reason was simple…I wanted to inspire others. Just tap into what motivates you and that’s the first step to your success.
2. Figure out what you want your end result to be.
Some people blog for their business, others want to make money on the side and some just do it for the fun of it all. So, whether you want to use your “stage” as a means to an end or to simply document an online journal, you must decipher what you ultimately want to see happen with your blog. Knowing this will allow you to further hone in on what you want to focus on.
3. Make it FUN!
When I say this, it’s more for you, rather than your readers. Of course, you want to captivate your audience, but if you don’t enjoy what you’re writing about then no one will.
4. Be diverse in your topics.
Starting out, you’re going to want to be consistent in your topics; this will help form your target audience. BUT! BUT! BUT! Every once in a while, it will be nice for your readers to see a different side of you, i.e. if you’re serious then make it funny, if you’re funny then maybe write about a more serious/personal topic. Diversity will help expand past your target audience! One thing that I do often is reach out to my readers. I ask them what they want to read about, I ask them their thoughts on my topics of discussion and most importantly, I open myself up for constructive criticism.
Whatever you choose to share with the world, is all up to you! Remain true to what you know and the rest will fall into place. Happy BLOGGING everyone! Make sure to come back next Monday when I discuss, “Grammar is YOUR Friend!!!”
Did you ever feel like you wanted more out of life? Did you ever feel like you had a story to tell that could help others? Did you ever go against the norm and jump out on faith because YOU had faith in yourself? If you can answer “yes” to these questions, then you’ve taken the first steps in discovering your power…the power to inspire, the power to motivate, the power to be GREAT! I was at a point in my life, as you all know, where I began to crave success and I wanted so much more out of my LIFE! Randomly one day, I did a search for John Starks because I thought he’d be a great person to interview. For whatever reason, there wasn’t much current information on him, but I came across a photo. A photo of him and a gentleman named, Jim Hernandez, at an event. So, I sat for a minute and I pondered on this…hmmm, barely any information on one of the greatest NBA players for the Knicks, but this guy has a picture with him? Who IS this guy? I began reading things like “motivational speaker talks with youth…” and “Jim Hernandez speaks to high school class…” and then it started to click. This wasn’t just a random person that I had come across, this was the person who was going to kick start my passion to continue on my journey with a purpose.
He has no clue (well, now he does), but he began to motivate me before I even had the chance to speak with him. So, I knew what my next step had to be…to reach out and give him kudos for just merely having a presence in the world that is built on inspiring others…and that’s exactly what I did. I also had the urge to share his success and passion with my readers! So without further ado, I introduce to you, Jim Hernandez, motivational speaker/mogul in the making. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and raised in the South Bronx, NY (no he’s not a distant relative lol), he spends his time traveling all around the United States encouraging and building up our youth. He teaches them to think BIG and to consider sharing THEIR stories and one day becoming a motivational speaker as well. With so many things discouraging our young people and the exposure that they get to violence and drugs and poverty, it is his goal to show them a different way! Check out what he has to say to the Dreamworld:
Did your environment (neighborhood, school, family, etc.) give you the motivation to want more or did you possess an inner-desire?
It was a combination of it all. My neighborhood, school, community, friends, all of my peers always looked up to the SAME people. We ALL admired rappers, actors and athletes. But what was it about all the people that we admired that made them successful? They learned how to manage and develop their talents. I always knew there was more to life than working 9 to 5, putting money in a 401k and just growing old. I didn’t only know this, I understood this and I WANTED MORE. My family is a HUGE support system and always encourage me to go out and do my thing. I get my drive from my mother and my personality from my father.
How does one go about discovering what their dream is?
A LOT of reading and surrounding yourself with positive, powerful, influential individuals. You have to have a different state of mind which is different from everything you have done before which has NOT produced the results you have desired. Understand that if you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse. If you’re not growing, you’re declining. You have to understand the only difference between winning and losing is taking the first step. Take that step towards what you believe in. This applies to any area of life, do not be afraid to fail. Take risks: If you win, you will be happy; if you lose, you will be wise. There is a lesson in all that you do. Invest time into yourself, invest time into your God-given talent and once you do that, then and only then will your PURPOSE present itself to you.
Has your success as a motivational speaker provided a life where you don’t need a traditional 9-5?
Yes it has. I have had the blessing to live out my dream because I believed in myself and was not afraid to fail. One of my favorite author’s, Tim Ferris, who wrote “The Four- hour Work Week” allowed me to look at life from a different perspective. I call it the “What’s the worst that can happen” point of view. If I leave my job and things don’t work out what’s the worst that can happen? I have to get another job, I may get evicted, things may not work out. Whatever the “Worst case scenario” was it didn’t involve me getting killed or hurting someone else. So … Why NOT take a leap of faith and that is exactly how I went about it. I still have the resignation letter from the day I quit too.
What do you think contributes to your success, allowing your audience to trust your words?
I am not afraid to be myself and share my story. I am very honest and transparent and allow that to pour out of me when I am on stage. We ALL have unique stories and this is something that I realized at the age of 25 while on this journey. I keep things SIMPLE. My mantra is Be REAL. Be RELATABLE. Be READY.
What do you think is your God-given purpose in life?
I notice that when I speak, people listen. It’s something that I realized early on. People value my opinion and the advice I share with them. When I first began searching for myself and my God-given talent, what I saw was that other people around me were inspired, others were motivated and encouraged to do the same thing. That is when the LIGHT-BULB over my head went off. I wanted to take that and enhance it, I want to share my story and my wisdom with more and more people. My God-given purpose is to simply SPARK the imagination and creativity in the mind of as many people as possible till my job here on this earth is done.
What do you say to the young person in the audience who doesn’t think they can be successful or overcome their circumstances?
I would first ask them WHY do they think that they cannot be successful or overcome their circumstances. It is not always about what you say to a person. Also take the time out to listen. Some people already KNOW what has to be done but just don’t believe in themselves enough to do it. Sometimes it may be a lack of guidance, direction or maybe even a positive role model in their lives that is keeping them from reaching their potential. Encouragement, support or even a listening ear will push a person just enough to help them embark on their journey thru LIFE.
But remember, you are as you THINK. Many of us base what we THINK off of what we see, know and are taught to believe. The young person in the audience would first have to be open to the message and let it into his heart and mind before any transformation can begin.
What are your long-term career goals?
Speaking to a million youths, bringing awareness to Motivational Speaking in urban communities allowing the youth to share their stories through public speaking, travel to as many places around the world as possible, create a financial life-style space for my family & myself and just continue to have as much fun as possible as I continue this journey.
What’s something funny/quirky about you that most don’t know?
I am a super-hero on my spare time. Shhhhhhhhhh …
We can all use an extra PUSH and sometimes all we have to do to get it is, LISTEN! Thank you for joining the Dreamworld, I hope you got the inspiration you needed today!
Want to see Jim in action? Check out the below video or visit www.jimspeak.com:
Welcome back to B.B.M.! Last week I discussed how to decide if blogging was right for you and seeing as though you’ve come back for a second week, that means you’re ready to begin your blogging journey (which makes me so happy). So, let’s jump right in and get down to business!
Of course the next big step is to find a site to call home. Now, if you are anything like I was, you will have no clue how to make this decision. Here are the steps that I took in finding a site that was just right for me:
1. I opened my mouth to ask questions.
Sometimes it can be intimidating to ask the most basic questions, but you will find that it is often the best option. Ask around and see what other bloggers are doing. You may even find it helpful to ask people with a tech background (which is what I did) to see which sites are user-friendly and offer the best features.
2. Google became my friend!
Pretty much anything that you need to research can be found online…information is right at your fingertips. Any and everything that I could think of, I researched, i.e. types of blogs, did I like blogs with or without a lot of pictures?, did I skip over sites with a lot of writing?, colors, etc. By looking at what others are doing, you can really begin to shape ideas for your site, which means you can target one that is right for you.
3. I was honest about my likes and dislikes.
While you continue your research, pay attention to what catches your eye (and not just the obvious details). It may make sense to ask a friend if you can take a “tour” of their site to see how it works “behind the scenes”. There are certain features that I like about my site, that I didn’t find elsewhere. For example, I love that WordPress is really “professional” and up-to-date. They take the time to help new users and they constantly update layout themes, add-ons, widgets, etc. for the regulars who want something new. If I have any questions, I can always ask a WordPress staff member and I can also search through forums for answers to ALL of my questions. Of course, other sites offer things that I don’t get with WordPress, but when I weigh the pros and cons, I know I’ve chosen wisely. So, before you go signing up, make sure you are critical of your options!
4. Just make a choice…I did!
If after all of this, you still aren’t sure which site is best for you, then just pick ONE! What’s the worse that can happen? You don’t like it? TIP: When I first signed up with WordPress, I didn’t make my site live right away. I played around with different layout themes and I practiced writing new posts. I learned how to do the simple things like loading an image or creating tags (something you’ll learn more about). Have fun with the decision-making process!
I hope you’ve found this helpful and be sure to come back next Monday when I discuss: What the Heck Should I Blog About?
Remember the teeny bopper who was yelling for us to “get out, right now!”? Well, she’s grown up and is singing a mighty different tune. Almost 22, she has a brand new single, Demonstrate, and it’s nothing short of sexy and very blunt. With a new style and image, this may be the comeback hit she’s been needing!
Check it our for yourself and let me know what you think!
He’s taken a hiatus and has come back with a masterpiece! With all that life has put at his feet in recent years, he’s put it all into his craft and the argument of who the best rapper is will definitely be reignited with this album. Life is Good brings lyrical content and plenty of personal confirmations, especially in reference to his saddening divorce from Kelis. If you’re wondering if he drops her name…yes he does! He’s back! If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to support real artistry and get the new Nas album! This is what Hip-Hop needs!
Before I go, I’m leaving you with a small excerpt from the album…and this is just from the intro; only the tip of the iceberg:
…who wasn’t the most faithful husband, revealed my life, you will forgive me, you will love me, hate me, judge me, relate to me. Only a few will, this how it sounds when you’re too real. They think it’s just music still. Well, I am a graphic, classic, song composer, music notes on sheets I wrote this piece, to get closure. Some of yall might know Kelis, this goes to her with love, also goes to yall to see, the craziest things already happened to me…so either you’ll be laughing at me or you’re laughing with me.
Leave your thoughts/comments on what you think of Life is Good!
I love to write. I love to share stories about people who are on their grind and fighting to make their dreams come true. I even share my own stories of personal triumph (because I know you really care)! After speaking with a friend, I realized that a lot of what I talk about—although very uplifting—can sometimes be so serious that you don’t get to see my lighthearted side. So, in LIGHT of my fame and success (haha), I’ve decided to begin a series (Become a Blogger Mondays) that highlights exactly what I do, how I got here, the things that have helped me along the way, tips I’ve gathered from other bloggers and anything else I can think of to help YOU become a blogger!
This week’s topic: “How Do You Decide to Start Blogging?”
1. Be honest with yourself. Can you even write?
-I believe in putting your mind to anything, but you must also be realistic with yourself. A major part of any blog site is, in fact, WRITING! Of course, there’s interactive portions and pictures and whatnot, but at some point…you will have to express what’s in your mind through words and unless you plan to have a ghost writer (which some bloggers have), you should decide whether this is right for you and if it is, then put your best foot forward.
2. Do you have anything to blog about?
-There are SO many types of blogs out there! You have travelers, crafters, advice columnists, financial advisers, chefs, fashion gurus, etc. You can pretty much BLOG about anything, but I suggest making sure it’s something you can stick with and obtain longevity in. If you don’t enjoy what you are sharing with the world, how can you expect others to buy into what you’re talking about?
3. Is this something you are going to be able to keep up with?
-The idea of starting something new is [almost] always fun and exciting at first, but as we know, starting something for the first time is often like a relationship. You get butterflies, you hang out, you talk all the time, etc. and then after the honeymoon period, you’re sometimes bored! Think of your new venture like a marriage…am I in this for the long haul? Of course it’s your choice to start something new and not finish it, but what about your readers/followers who enjoy reading what you write about? Are you just going to leave them hanging when you decide you’ve had enough? No bueno!
4. Are you ready for the world to see YOU?
-No matter how personal or impersonal your blog site may be, you must always realize…it is for the world to see (of course once you’ve decided to make your site public). You must also realize, as with anything in life, you cannot please everyone. There will be negative feedback, naysayers and even people who may directly tell you what they don’t like! This comes along with the territory, so having thick skin is key. Getting past this realization was easy for me because I love what I do and I learn something new everyday.
Example: I had someone tell me that my blog needed to be more controversial and I needed to talk about the juicy/dirty stuff with celebrities in order for me to see success. How did I handle this feedback? Well, for starters it was hard to take their words seriously since they weren’t offering an educated opinion. They rarely read my site. Secondly, everyone is entitled to their opinion! I believe in what I do and I’m confident in my work. Take the good with the bad and keep it moving!
Tidbit: This all started by acknowledging my talents! I thought there was a special formula to discovering what I was good at, but I soon realized that my dream/passion was staring me DEAD in the face for years! Sometimes we often overlook the thing we have been seeking the most because it is the simplest option (message!).
I hope I’ve helped in some way! If you have questions, leave a comment below and I also welcome other bloggers to offer their ideas on how they decided that blogging was for them! HAPPY WRITING and join me next week when I discuss “Which Blog Site is Right for You?”!!!
We’ve seen him on television, heard him through our speakers and now he’s telling everyone to Instagram Ya Bodyin his brand new single! This young man has been known to sing ladies’ lingerie right off their bodies (or so we can assume!) and he’s proven to be well equipped with dance moves, a sultry voice and writing talent. Willie Taylor (Willie Madison Taylor III) hails from Illinois and was a member in R&B group, Kwiet Storm, but eventually parted ways to start his solo career. He’s worked with artists such as Avant, Joe, Jagged Edge and Ginuwine and, prior to his solo album release (On My Way), he auditioned for MTV’s Making the Band 4. He and four others managed to fight their way through grueling try-outs, wow the judges and even win over Diddy himself, to eventually form the group, Day26.
In addition to his success on Making the Band, Willie is the CEO of Noivak Music Group and is a father of two; he seems to be holding up well against the pressure of balancing family and work. He took some time out of his busy schedule to chat withtheDreamworldand share what’s new with Day26, what we can expect in the near future and one thing that all of the ladies are dying to know…if he’s single! Check out what he has to say:
How have you grown (musically and personally) since you were first introduced to the world on Making the Band 4/Day 26?
I’ve grown a lot since the show first aired, I’ve recorded two #1 Albums, traveled the World twice, won awards & had a LOT of Reality checks, but I feel it only made me STRONGER and WISER in my Music and Personal Life.
Instagram Ya Body seems like a simple enough concept since it’s such a popular app now, but no one has made a hit quite like you. How did you come up with the idea to dedicate an entire track to this modern phenom?
I’m a CREATIVE Writer, I always want to be Clever in my Music, I’ve shown a lot of that on my first mixtape, Sextape, with songs like “Knock it Out The Park,” “Sex Conversation,” “King of the Jungle” & “Full Course Meal” to name a few and just like I did with those records I did this recordInstagram Ya Body; which is basically letting your girl know how fly she is and wanting to share her Beauty with the world, that Simple!!!! lol
Are you still making music with the group or can fans expect you to be a completely solo artist moving forward?
Great Question,lol. Well Honestly I would Love to tell you that a New Group (DAY26) Album is coming soon but that wouldn’t be true. The reason for the Breakup….. we’ll have to do in a later interview but just know I was one of the members there til the end, and I can’t just stop because of others, so I have to continue to do what I love which is Music. Get Ready For “The Reintroduction Of Willie Taylor”!
Between the Sextape mixtape and Instagram Ya Body track, it’s safe to say that you are a sexual individual. What influences you to make such raw and sensual music…is it all based on personal experiences?
Some of it is Based of Personal Experiences, Big Imagination, and some just from Knowing what Women Want. Those 3 are SOME of the Secrets to My MADNESS.
You’ve fought your way through the industry and have seen your fair share of ups and downs, what’s one thing you would change if you could?
Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything thus far, I feel Like God works right “ON” Time so everything that I’ve been through, Ups and Downs were in some shape, form or fashion Needed for this Journey!!!!
If you could offer advice to the younger you, what would it be (given what you’ve learned about the industry up to this point)?
I would say, Keep God First, Stay true to yourself, Invest in YourSelf, And Give it your all, that way you can always know that you left it all out on the table. Win or Lose You Gave it your all!!
A personal Willie Taylor favorite of mine is 12 Play; how does it feel to know that you may be responsible for some great romance and/or baby making?
That’s a good feeling! I actually have had many ladies come see me at a show and tell me that they have a baby off my Sextape Music…. crazy part is one said she named her baby “Willie” LOL
All of the ladies want to know…are you single or can they feel free to Instagram their body?
Sorry Ladies, I’m not Single but, however, you can Still feel Free to “Instagram Ya Body” I’m Sure you do that already!!! lol
What’s one funny/quirky thing about you that fans may not know?
I’m goofy as hell, I turn everything into a Joke!!!! We laugh all day in my Camp!!!
Well there you have it! Everything we’ve been wondering and then some! I will definitely be following up to get the details on the Day26 break-up, but in the meantime check out his new single, Instagram Ya Body feat. Jeremih, below! Thank you so much for visiting theDreamworldand be sure to check back in!
In keeping aligned with my previous post that featured female rapper, Charli Baltimore, I wanted to feature LoLa Monroe’s new video, Exodus 23:1. She reps the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area pretty hard, but with females like Nicki Minaj in the game, can she keep up with their pace? One thing that Nicki has been able to do well is crossover into mainstream, appealing to many different audiences. LoLa Monroe’s style is different in many ways, but seems raw like Charli Baltimore or Lil’ Kim. There’s been much hype surrounding her breakthrough within the industry; I’m curious to see how her career plays out! Maybe I can feature her in the Dreamworld and get her thoughts on why she’s the next big thing to come from the DMV!
Check out LoLa Monroe’s new video and let me know your thoughts!!!
It’s always nice to share the journey of others, whether they be famous or not, but it is always rewarding to highlight individuals within the industry. Hearing how they made it and what their experiences have been like, let’s us all know that anything is possible if you just follow your heart and your path. YOU can be successful in any talent you choose to pursue; the drive just needs to be steadfast. I recently had the pleasure of exploring the female, Hip-Hop world (for all you aspiring female rappers out there)! Well known rapper, Charli Baltimore, blessed me with a few moments of her time to catch the Dreamworld up on life and offers some advice to female artists on the come-up.
Born Tiffany Lane, to a German father and Black mother, she adopted the name “Charli Baltimore” from Geena Davis’ character in the film, The Long Kiss Goodnight. She’s seen her fair share of ups and downs, in and out of the industry, but remains grounded and driven; determined to be a strong support system for her family. A Philly native and a mother of two daughters, India and Sianni (to the right), Charli is taking a step back into the limelight and on her own terms. Since meeting The Notorious B.I.G. in 1995 and given her first shot at fame, she has continued to write her own rhymes (something she prides herself on) and has always sprinkled her unique flare among other female rappers.
Dealing with personal losses and an abusive relationship, she managed to graduate from Pierce College as a certified paralegal. She’s also earned a Grammy nomination, been featured with Junior M.A.F.I.A. and released a debut album (Cold As Ice). After a five year hiatus, she signed to Murder Inc. but separated with them in 2006 due to album delays and creative differences. She’s since released an EP on iTunes and in March 2012, released the mixtape titled Mickey and Mallory Knox: Natural BornKhronicles. With a new album on the horizon, True Lies, Baltimore is determined to continue doing what she loves, while making sure that she doesn’t settle.
Take a look at what she has to say to the Dreamworld:
What do you think the female hip-hop game is missing?
I don’t necessarily think it’s missing anything but more females…I think that their is a diverse mix right now but we could always use more females.
What motivates you to continue to follow your passion for music?
It’s not so much a motivation at this point…I’m good at writing…it makes me happy…
Who do you think is the best female rapper?
Best female rapper? Well to not hold one’s self in the highest regards would be awkward.
What advice can you offer other females trying to make it in this industry?
Stay away from it…lol. No..it’s a hard business so you have to develop a tough skin and be able to take the good with the bad.
What do you think is your God-given purpose in life, outside of rapping?
My God given purpose is to make sure my Children are good….first and foremost. Everything else is secondary.
If you could have a conversation with the younger you, what advice would you give?
Learn to relax…have more patience..actually that applies to myself now as well.
Are you involved in any other business ventures outside of music?
I am actually, but I kinda gotta keep it under raps for the time being.
How can fans show their support?
Well, for now they can support my two films, my single All Lies, my album (when it’s released)…and [follow] @charlibaltmore on Twitter….
What’s one funny/quirky thing about you that fans may not know?
One quirky thing..I’ll give u 3. I have OCD when it comes to cleaning. It destresses me…Walls, floors, whatever. I turn into Cinderella..lol. I’m a bit of a nerd and I was a huge wrestling fan forever. I used to attend all the matches and everything!
She has a great sense of humor and a much appreciated dose of sarcasm. I was so excited to have her as a guest on danithedreamgirl.com. Thanks for your time and best wishes on your new album…WE are patiently awaiting the drop!
Check out Charli Baltimore’s new track, All Lies featuring Maino:
Danithedreamgirl 