Portrait Of A Pandemic Parent

Portrait Of A Pandemic Parent Who Hasn’t Slept Well In Months…

…But Said F*$% It And Recorded Her Audiobook Because Life Is For Living. 🔊

Don’t worry about the mic, it wore protection.

Only had time for one selfie before we got down to business straight away.

‘Startup Blogging: Validate A Business Idea and Build Your Audience‘ Audiobook streaming April 2021.

If you prefer eBook or paperback, you can get it at the link above right now!

Hate the sound of your own voice?

Try recording yourself more and listening back.

Really, I mean it.

I used to cringe as I edited my recordings in 2010, when I first started doing interviews for my broadcast journalism class assignments and radio station internship.

But you know what?

Living in Australia meant people were curious about my Canadian accent.

I started to embrace it more, get over myself and just hit record because I was also relying on getting good grades to keep my international student scholarship.

I didn’t really have a choice, as I couldn’t really afford the tuition without it.

After I graduated, I started volunteering with an Irish sports club and became their PRO (Public Relations Officer), which meant I spent many weeknights or weekends recapping game day matches during Irish Radio interviews over the next few years.

It all kind of snowballed from there, as I was:

• interviewed for an Irish sports in Australia film documentary
• appointed to chair editorial meetings in my Queensland Government job with committee members dialing in from other states and territories
• asked to present webinars, then later a master class, and later national conference sessions in my education and training job
• forced to practice my elevator pitch in startup spaces, usually while holding my baby and getting comfortable with being spit up on at the same time
• given speaking opportunities on stage, in the media and on others’ podcasts and webinars

All because I got used to hearing my own voice and owning it.

The whole ‘small steps, taken regularly add up to big results’ advice can seem discouraging when you’re searching for a quick fix but it is sooooo true.

Stepping it up a notch

I did something a bit different this week and recorded my first audiobook about my experience building Mixing Babies And Business™, bringing my kids into business settings, writing about it over the years and creating parent-friendly professional development…which was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Recovery Projects of 2020 by Future Of Good.

It’s one thing to get used to the sound of your own voice, but also articulating your thoughts, sharing them with others and reading them out loud – to be made more permanent in another format – felt like the next level for me.

I’m all about accessible and micro learning, especially for underserved audiences of people (parents) who are short on time and overloaded by responsibilities (usually but even more so right now).

Thanks to the team at Pop Up Podcasting for hosting me and helping me with the audio version! 🔊

I first met JP Davidson (the Founder) back in 2017, when I toured his studio with my then baby and his stroller. He was very friendly, accommodating and encouraging of my goals.

I was exploring podcasting back then but didn’t make it happen until August 2020, after I had validated some of my ideas and started interviewing guests from my home studio (office) and editing it myself.

But I had remained in touch with him over the years, he provided some nice feedback on my DIY podcast and when I wrote and published my first book, I knew I wanted to also record an audiobook version and would need help producing it in a quieter space.

I’m fine with my podcast focused on parenting and business having some background life noises, but I don’t think you want to hear my washing machine or kids squealing as you listen to me narrate the book.

So I scheduled sessions with them and once the restrictions lifted in Ottawa, I joined Will in the studio last week and narrated my first book in a day.

It was exhilarating and at times awkward and frustrating as I fumbled over my own words, but all in all, I LOVED the experience and it will impact the way I write my future books, with audio narration in mind.

I’m excited for the story to reach the ears of parents around the world in April 2021, one year after the first edition of ‘Startup Blogging: Validate A Business Idea and Build Your Audience‘ was released.

I first wrote and delivered it as a workshop for a conference in 2019 and the feedback was so good I decided to make it more accessible, self-publishing it at the start of the pandemic, writing and editing on my ‘breaks’ between looking after the kids.

Did you know I’ve written a book? It’s currently available as an eBook and paperback via Amazon here: https://notesfromanotherland.com/startup-blogging-book/

I’m currently working on my second book which is all about how I negotiated for my first remote work arrangement in 2013 and spent the next few years working across 10-hour time differences between Australia, Europe and North America.

I’ve used the same approach and practices to secure subsequent freelance, flexible and remote work arrangements both locally and overseas and more recently, alongside my kids.

Are you working on any writing projects in 2021?

I’d love to meet some fellow writers here!

Stay well everyone,

– Amy (+ Family) xx

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I wrote a book:

Startup Blogging: Validate A Business Idea and Build Your Audience is based on my journey as a blogger, writer, founder and parent to date.

You can download the Amazon Kindle app for free from the Apple Store and Google Play.

You can then purchase, download and read the eBook version of my book from your mobile, tablet or device!