Musings and updates from your friendly scribe in the Okanogan Highlands
Share
One in Goats, One in Books: Community Comes Together
Published over 2 years ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader,
As you may remember, our neighbor James Standhope gave us our first goat, OD. That was three and a half years ago. Our herd has grown since then, and we've given some of OD's kids to neighbors who also wanted living lawnmowers that produce milk.
Patrick, Precious, and Barry
When it was time for this year's crop of kids, born in March, to receive their vaccinations, hoof trimming, and other routine veterinary care, James came over to our farm to help.
Then we all loaded into our truck and went up the mountain to Eva's farm to help with her kids. James and I were both delighted to see how the offspring from our herds are growing up. James pointed out which goat kids resembled their grandparents back on his farm.
Sophie and Brian at home on their new farm
After that, we loaded back into the truck and headed further up the mountain to Lisa's farm to take care of her goats.
Having goats that are related to my neighbors' goats makes me feel like we're related too. We're goat family. We're one in goats.
Now, I know most of you aren't raising goats (though who knows, maybe some of you are!), but as solopreneurs, we're all growing businesses. We may call ourselves "solopreneurs," but just like goat farmers, I don't feel like it's very solo at all.
There are countless ways we can support each other and amplify each other's voices--sometimes literally. This is one reason I keep talking about starting a podcast. I like talking about good books as much as I enjoy writing them.
As a ghostwriter, my name isn't on the books that I help write, and I'm not always at liberty to promote them when the authors want to keep my role a secret. Still, I believe in the authors I work with and the books that I help put into the world. We're book family.
I recently met someone else who understands the power of community--Sam Liebowitz, founder of Talk Radio NYC. He has cultivated a remarkably collaborative and supportive community among the hosts and podcasters in his network. They actively cross-promote and cross-pollinate between their shows and strengthen their relationships at monthly meetings.
The fact that some have even launched new businesses together is a testament to what can happen when like-minded individuals come together to empower one another.
I'll be there. I know I’m going to learn a ton! I've done all of two podcast episodes so far, and I'm eager to grow this skill so I can elevate more of the voices of the wise teachers I work with.
During the webinar, Sam will explore real-life case studies of podcast hosts who have achieved tremendous success, including Tony Martignetti's Nonprofit Radio, Secrets of the Sire, and The Hard Skills. We're going to discover how these podcasters have grown their shows and influenced thousands, without the pressure of having a massive audience.
Whether you're a seasoned solopreneur or just starting out, building a supportive community is just as essential in the business world as it is for goat farmers. That's why I would love to see you at Sam's webinar on July 2nd at 12 PM EDT / 9 AM PDT. The workshop will be 60 minutes, including a Q&A session to address all your questions.
PS If your book is ready to launch but you still don't know where to start, Jane Tabachnick's 2-Part Book Launch Action Planning Workshop on June 25 and June 28 will demystify the process and give you a customized step-by-step action plan. You will learn bestselling book launch methods and ways to get people excited to help you launch your book, even if your audience is tiny.
Hi Reader, I made a cartoon of my goat Precious making soap, and I had a lot of fun doing it. I never thought that would be something I could learn how to do. Yep, I used AI tools. Several of them.AI is here, like cars and cameras. You can still paint a portrait by hand if you have the skills and the time. You can still walk and ride a bike places. It's better for you and for the environment. But most of us live in places that weren't designed for bicycles and pedestrians. So much depends...
Hi Reader, Looking back over the summit interviews I've done over the years, it's interesting how many of the authors, when I asked what got them across the finish line, said something like, "I had to call the book done. My publisher was waiting for it." Someone was waiting for the book, and that's what got it finished. You've probably heard me and others talk about how a book takes a village. Beta readers who can tell you whether they're hearing what you're trying to say. A coach who helps...
Hi Reader, Three goat kids left for their new farm this week, and the milk keeps coming! 10 quarts a day. We're freezing most of it while setting up the business that will connect all this milk with people who can use it, and while building infrastructure for the intentional family we're growing. This means we're in motion from first light until the afternoon heat makes rest mandatory. In between, the time I spend on calls with clients and working on my book in the Writing Studio feels like a...