Starting an online business can often feel overwhelming - especially if it’s a part-time thing and you still have a full-time job. I know, I’ve been there!

That’s why I wanted to interview Dan Schawbel, the founder of Personal Branding Magazine. Dan blogs over at his Personal Branding Blog plus a host of other business blogs. You can also watch Dan in action over at his Personal Branding channel at YouTube.

I’m honored that Dan took some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions. Hopefully you’ll find some inspiration from Dan’s story!

MP: You obviously have a full schedule with working full time for EMC and running your own online magazine and blog. How do you manage to do all this?

DS: My passion, experience and network have helped drive all my personal branding efforts outside of EMC. Personal branding is so important to me that I sacrifice more of my time outside of work to work on the magazine, blog, tv projects. I have the first ever social media position within EMC communications besides of this work (I just got the job on friday), so I will be able to leverage my work outside EMC for EMC and visa versa. Basically, one of the goals of personal branding is to be successful in something your genuinely interested in, and make money at it. I don't have a blackberry or calendar, but donate piece of mind for each project. I have a good memory and I truly care about what I'm doing, but I know that in the future I will need to have more written down.

Who or what inspired you to start up your own magazine? What kind of resources did you tap into to get started? What steps did you take to get the website up and running?

After writing for other magazines and online resources, I figured it would be logical to have my own magazine around my topic, expertise and network. The community I built off of my blog has fueled the magazine and has given a full perspective on personal branding. I studied the backgrounds of my readership, what their expertise is, and then formed a group of contributors that could help me write each issue. Having years of web development experience, the website didn't take long, just a few nights brainstorming on the overall vision and mission.

How do you stay motivated?

Motivation comes through inspiration, support and interest. I'm motivated by my focus on success, my family and friends that support me and my underlying love for personal branding and it's impact on individuals.

What part of your work puts a big fat smile on your face?

Waking up each day, not knowing what to expect, and receiving an email occasionally saying that my work has helped change their life. Of course the occasional magazine issue, blog interview, podcast filming is fun.

What's your favorite business book of all time?

This is a tricky one. I would say that I don't have a particular favorite. I tend to read books by Tom Peters, Guy Kawasaki, Seth Godin and leaders in the personal branding niche, such as William Arruda, Tim O'Brien and Peter Montoya.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced as an online entrepreneur and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge for anyone is getting your name out there and building your personal brand. With the upfront investment, your work will payoff, as I use myself as an example. Don't fear starting new conversations and networking with anyone. You don't know what new opportunity can surface.

What advice do you have for those who would like to start their own online magazine?

First, you want to take a niche that has an audience and very few or no other competitors. Secondly, you want to use your network and the community you build with your blog. Lastly, you need to be dedicated to the success of the magazine and have metrics in place to measure that success.

Proceeds from Personal Branding Magazine benefits the American Cancer Society. Subscribe now!


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