We recently connected with Dr. Tina J. Ramsay and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Tina , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
Earning a living doing what you love is truly a blessing. Podcasting has added an extra layer of convenience and reach to my journey, allowing me to connect with audiences worldwide. I embarked on this path in 2013 as a video content creator, driven by a desire to assist parents in destressing their homeschooling experience and starting their wellness journey. Not only did creating videos and podcasts serve as a means of helping others, but it also proved to be therapeutic for me.
Each day, I would begin with a prayer and outline my to-do list and the subjects I planned to teach my children. As a creative individual, I found solace in the process. In the evenings or at night, I dedicated my time to crafting videos on homeschooling tips, curriculum recommendations, and how to build a homeschool that is self-sustainable. I provided resources and coaching to aid parents in scheduling, creating, building, and growing their homeschools. My true passion lied in supporting parents with children who have special learning needs or what I prefer to call “learning differences.” I took parents on an authentic journey, sharing our real-life homeschooling experiences.
This opened up numerous opportunities for me, including earning an income, receiving free products and services, scholarships for my children, and more. Companies began to approach me, offering branding opportunities where I could provide video reviews of their curriculum or educational toys. The amount of money I saved was substantial. This milestone made me ponder how I could not only receive fees or highly discounted products and services but also earn commissions. Thus, I ventured into the world of affiliate marketing and ambassadorships. Now, whenever someone purchases a product or curriculum I recommend, I earn a commission.
I dedicated three to four days a week to recording and uploading videos to social media and YouTube, along with a live video session. All these efforts allowed me to assist others and generate income, all from the comfort of my home. Eventually, I repurposed and transformed my content into a podcast. Let me tell you, that decision was the best I ever made. Repurposing my existing successful content into podcast episodes, while also creating new content, proved to be a game-changer. Just think about it: taking what you already know works and diving into the world of podcasting, a medium that never sleeps. This opened up the possibility of making money while I slept—a true manifestation of passive income at its finest.
When it comes to expediting the process, I believe that everything happens in its own time. The actions I took back then were suitable for that particular time, just as what I am currently doing—being a three-time best-selling author of “The Power of Podcasting” book and having the #1 New Release of “The Homeschooling Interactive Magazine” on Amazon—aligned with God’s timing. Every valuable learning experience I had led me to where I am today and will undoubtedly propel me toward future success. While knowledge is certainly important, it is the combination of knowledge and experience that truly empowers us. With time, all these elements coalesce and give rise to extraordinary achievements. This realization birthed the CTR Media Network, a new standard of podcasting that aims to redefine the industry.
Dr. Tina , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Dr. Tina J. Ramsay (h.c) is an accomplished and influential international motivational speaker, podcast coach, 3x best-selling author, magazine publisher, and host of The Tina Ramsay Show. With a passion for empowering podcasters, homeschoolers, and entrepreneurs, she shares positive, impactful, and informative stories globally through her work. As the founder of CTR Media Network, her reach extends to 350 million households worldwide.
In addition to her podcasting and entrepreneurial endeavors, Dr. Ramsay has 25 years of experience as an educator and ten years of experience as a content creator. She has guided over 25,000 homeschooling parents globally, mainly focusing on educating children with special needs.
Dr. Ramsay is the founder of The Homeschooling Interactive Magazine, co-founder of a Facebook group with over 13K homeschoolers, and creator of The Podcast Revolution Magazine. Her #1 best-selling book, The Power of Podcasting, and her sold-out events, courses, and motivational notebooks/journals, have solidified her position as a leader in the podcasting, homeschooling, and media industry.
Recognized for her contributions, and volunteer work, Dr. Ramsay has received numerous awards, nominations, and certifications and earned her honorary doctoral degree in humanities as a testament to her hard work and community lead life. She’s been featured in various publications, blogs, TV shows, and podcasts. As the CEO of CTRMediaNetwork.com, she has supported countless podcasters and entrepreneurs in building their online brand awareness, credibility, visibility, and influence online.
Through CTR Media Network’s global platform, Dr. Ramsay helps members improve their “Click Through Rate,” generate leads, and expand their audience reach. Her commitment to empowering others drives her to provide invaluable resources and tools.
As a full-time podcaster, Dr. Ramsay is driven by her own transformative experience and passionate about helping others succeed in the medium. Her ultimate goal is to impact 100 podcasters who will, in turn, inspire and support 1,000 more, with the collective aim of creating one million empowered paid podcast content creators. She frequently reminds her followers that “Podcasting Paid for This,” emphasizing the life-changing potential of podcasting. With contagious enthusiasm, she is dedicated to helping others achieve their dreams and reach their full potential through this powerful medium.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
Why pursue a career as a content creator? Many non-creatives may question this choice, suggesting a regular 9-to-5 job would be more secure and devoid of the challenges that come with content creation. But here’s my response: Asking a creative not to create is like asking someone not to eat, breathe, smile, or think. For us, self-expression through our art is how we communicate and contribute our unique gifts to the world. While this path can be challenging, it also brings us profound peace because we are doing what we love. Personally, I am deeply passionate about what I do, and I consider myself blessed to be in a position where my creative gift not only sustains my family but also allows me to build a future and leave a lasting legacy. The financial gain is important, but more crucial is the fulfillment and inner peace that come from knowing you are pursuing your purpose. As creators, we would continue to create even if we didn’t earn a single penny. It’s simply our calling. However, in this new era, we have the opportunity to not only follow our passion but also make a significant impact on the world for good. That’s why I am passionate about teaching and coaching others on The Power of Podcasting. It allows me to empower individuals to unleash their creative potential, make a great living, and positively influence the world.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
The foundation of building your audience online is the same for entrepreneurs, homeschool influencers, and podcasters.
Create meaningful, valuable content and maintain consistency. Be authentic and strive for balance. While we are entrepreneurs with products and services, it’s crucial to prioritize people above profit. Putting people first in your business model will naturally lead to overall success, including financial gain. Personally, I believe in giving back every year in different ways through my services. While some offerings may come with a fee, don’t forget to provide valuable resources to the community for free. This approach will foster growth in your social media presence, podcast, book sales, and more. When you genuinely care and offer useful content, people will be delighted to share and recommend your work.
Remember, never give up, even during those moments when it seems no one is engaging with your social media posts or interacting with your podcasts or videos. Keep creating and posting anyway. Trust that people will eventually notice and support your endeavors. Just keep showing up. I vividly recall when I had only a hundred followers, and now, across my social media platforms and collaborative partnerships, I have a combined reach of over 300,000 people.
To help grow your audience, here’s a surefire tip: Go live for 30 consecutive days. This consistent live presence will foster growth, expand your influence, and positively impact your bottom line. Remember this. Your value is NEVER defined by how many followers, subscribers, likes, or shares you have. Your worth and value are already great because you are phenomenal, and there is only one you! Be yourself!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ctrmedianetwork.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetinaramsayshow/ , https://www.instagram.com/ctrmedianetwork/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TinaJRamsay , https://www.facebook.com/ctrmedianetwork, https://www.facebook.com/thetinaramsayshowpodcast
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctrmedianetwork/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ctrmedianetwork
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thetinaramsayshow , https://www.youtube.com/@ctrmedianetwork
- Other: IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12224710/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_6_tt_1_nm_7_q_tina%2520j The Power of Podcasting: Unlocking Tips and Strategies for Podcast Success: https://amzn.to/3MV7vXz
Image Credits
Multifarious Studios