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    <title>Courtney Johnson — Articles</title>
    <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/</link>
    <description>Courtney Johnson — Articles</description>
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    <lastBuildDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:09:58 GMT</lastBuildDate>
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      <title>How Gigi Robinson Became a Sports Illustrated Model From a LinkedIn Post</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/gigi-robinson-sports-illustrated/</link>
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      <pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2026 15:19:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Gigi Robinson became a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model from a LinkedIn post. Not a modeling agency. Not a talent manager. A LinkedIn post where she…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Gigi Robinson became a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model from a LinkedIn post.</p>
<p>Not a modeling agency. Not a talent manager. A LinkedIn post where she tagged the editor-in-chief, posted herself in a bikini, and talked about chronic illness advocacy.</p>
<p>Two weeks later, she was in the Dominican Republic shooting with the photographer who shoots Vogue covers. The same photographer she used as inspiration when she was a kid.</p>
<h2>Her Journey</h2>
<p>Gigi is one of those people where you finish the conversation and just sit with it for a while.</p>
<p>She started with a Squarespace portfolio at 12. Now she&#39;s a Penguin Random House author, a speaker, a creator who&#39;s partnered with 100+ brands, and the founder of Hosts of Influence. All without a manager, without <a href="/146-the-personal-brand-advice-you-need-before-2025-ends/">niching down</a>, and without waiting until she was &quot;ready.&quot; Just being herself.</p>
<h2>Key Takeaways</h2>
<p>In this episode, Gigi breaks down:</p>
<ul><li>Why niching down is a trap, and why YOU are the niche</li><li>Why having a talent manager might be costing you more than they&#39;re making you</li><li>The exact stalking strategy she uses to get featured in Forbes, AdWeek, and DigiDay</li><li>The <a href="/120-un-gatekeeping-linkedin/">LinkedIn news hack</a> that got her 100 million impressions in 2025</li><li>Why less than 2% of LinkedIn&#39;s 1.1 billion users post weekly, and why that&#39;s your opening</li></ul>
<h2>Her Mindset</h2>
<p>At one point, Gigi said she never accepted that being sick was something negative for her. She always used it to inspire people to get through it.</p>
<p>She didn&#39;t just turn her story into a brand. She refused to let it be anything other than fuel.</p>
<h2>Listen Now</h2>
<p>Gigi&#39;s story proves you don&#39;t need a manager, a niche, or permission to build something incredible. You just need to show up as yourself and be willing to put yourself out there.</p>
<p>Sometimes the path forward isn&#39;t about waiting until you&#39;re ready. It&#39;s about taking the shot anyway.</p>
<p>Listen to the full episode on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af_kMAC7fco">YouTube</a> or <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj?si=4a99f69259bc4784&amp;nd=1&amp;dlsi=8b02e2c16cfd413b">Spotify</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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    <item>
      <title>The Moment That Made Writing My Book Worth It</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/the-moment-that-made-writing-my-book-worth-it/</link>
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      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:56:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Someone walked up to me at my book launch party yesterday. She said: &quot;Your Career Cheat Codes changed my life.&quot; I hear this sometimes. But then she told…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Someone walked up to me at my book launch party yesterday. </p>
<p>She said: </p>
<blockquote>&quot;Your Career Cheat Codes changed my life.&quot; </blockquote>
<p>I hear this sometimes. But then she told me what actually happened.</p>
<h2>The Problem</h2>
<p>She was doing great work. Getting passed over anyway. Invisible.</p>
<p>She realized her work wasn&#39;t the problem. Her visibility was.</p>
<h2>The Shift</h2>
<p>So she started posting on LinkedIn. </p>
<p>Within WEEKS:</p>
<ul><li>Recruiters started reaching out</li><li>Opportunities she never applied for showed up</li><li>Her career finally started moving</li></ul>
<p>She built a massive audience. She built a career she&#39;s proud of. All because she stopped waiting to be discovered and started <a href="/146-the-personal-brand-advice-you-need-before-2025-ends/">making herself visible</a>.</p>
<h2>Why I Wrote It</h2>
<p>This is why I wrote the book. Not for the sales. Not for the launch party. For moments like this one.</p>
<p>If you&#39;re doing great work but still feel invisible, it&#39;s time to <a href="/120-un-gatekeeping-linkedin/">start showing up on LinkedIn</a>. Your career won&#39;t move until people can see what you&#39;re capable of.</p>
<p>Stop waiting to be discovered. Start making yourself visible.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>My Book Career Cheat Codes Is Officially Out</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/my-book-career-cheat-codes-is-officially-out/</link>
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      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:48:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>My book Career Cheat Codes is out. I wrote this book for the version of me who had no idea what she was doing. Who thought working hard was enough. Who…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>My book Career Cheat Codes is out.</p>
<p>I wrote this book for the version of me who had no idea what she was doing. Who thought working hard was enough. Who kept getting passed up and couldn&#39;t figure out why. Who was playing a game nobody ever explained to her.</p>
<h2>The Hard Truth</h2>
<p>While I was grinding, other people were networking up. While I was delivering, they were getting visible. While I was being good at my job, they were being good at the game.</p>
<p>Nobody handed me the rulebook. So I built it.</p>
<h2>What&#39;s Inside</h2>
<p>This book covers everything I wish someone had told me earlier:</p>
<ul><li>How to read a room and own it</li><li>How to make the right people remember your name</li><li>How to turn your work into leverage (not just output)</li><li>How to climb without selling your soul</li></ul>
<p>The unwritten rules, the real strategies (the ones that worked in real jobs, with real stakes), the stuff the rich kids already knew. All of it. In one place.</p>
<h2>Get Started</h2>
<p>Career Cheat Codes gives you the playbook for navigating <a href="/141-company-politics/">company politics</a> and getting ahead. It&#39;s about understanding how to position yourself, build the right relationships, and make your work count.</p>
<p>If you&#39;re ready to stop guessing and start playing strategically, this book was written for you. It&#39;s the guide I wish I had when I was just starting out, thinking hard work alone would get me where I wanted to go.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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    <item>
      <title>SXSW: Why Getting in the Room Changes Everything</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/sxsw-why-getting-in-the-room-changes-everything/</link>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:35:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>SXSW has been a dream. Not the panels. Not the parties. The PEOPLE!!! I finally met so many internet friends in real life. People I&apos;ve been DMing for…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>SXSW has been a dream. Not the panels. Not the parties. The PEOPLE!!!</p>
<p>I finally met so many internet friends in real life. People I&#39;ve been DMing for months. People whose content I&#39;ve been cheering on from afar!</p>
<h2>The Shortcut</h2>
<p>Something clicked this weekend: There&#39;s a shortcut that happens when you get in the room with people who are doing what you&#39;re doing.</p>
<p>You learn by osmosis.</p>
<p>The random conversation at dinner that changes how you think about your business. The offhand comment that solves a problem you&#39;ve been stuck on for weeks. The energy of being around people who just GET IT.</p>
<p>You can&#39;t replicate that on a Zoom call.</p>
<h2>Community Matters</h2>
<p>Here&#39;s what I keep coming back to: Community isn&#39;t a nice-to-have. It&#39;s ESSENTIAL.</p>
<p>Getting together in person revitalizes you in a way nothing else can. It reminds you why you started. It fills your cup back up when you didn&#39;t even realize it was empty. Building a spiritual community around your work isn&#39;t optional anymore.</p>
<p>And tbh it&#39;s reeeeallllly hard to get ahead without it.</p>
<h2>Show Up</h2>
<p>The rooms you&#39;re in matter. The people you surround yourself with matter. Showing up IRL matters.</p>
<p>If you&#39;ve been doing this alone, grinding behind a screen, wondering why you feel so drained... this is your sign to find your people.</p>
<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
<p>Get in the room. It&#39;ll change everything. The connections you make, the lessons you learn by osmosis, and the energy you absorb from people who get it. That&#39;s the stuff that creates big changes in your business and your life.</p>
<p>You can read all the books, watch all the videos, and attend all the virtual events. But nothing compares to being there in person with your people.</p>
<p>Stop grinding alone and start finding your community.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Why I Changed My Podcast Name</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/why-i-changed-my-podcast-name/</link>
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      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:42:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>I changed my podcast name. &quot;Slay the Gatekeeper&quot; is now &quot;Built in Public.&quot; Here&apos;s why. The Shift Slay the Gatekeeper was broad. Built in Public is…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I changed my podcast name. &quot;Slay the Gatekeeper&quot; is now &quot;Built in Public.&quot; Here&#39;s why.</p>
<h2>The Shift</h2>
<p>Slay the Gatekeeper was broad. Built in Public is FOCUSED.</p>
<p>This podcast is now 100% dedicated to personal brand journeys. The real stories. The messy middle. The people actually doing the work.</p>
<p>I&#39;m interviewing founders, creators, and operators about how they ACTUALLY built their brands.</p>
<h2>Why Free</h2>
<p>And here&#39;s the part that matters most to me:</p>
<p>I&#39;ve spent thousands of dollars a month on this. No sponsorships. No paywall. No expectation of return.</p>
<p>Because I&#39;m SO tired of gatekept resources:</p>
<ul><li>The &quot;secrets&quot; that only get shared in $10,000 masterminds</li><li>The strategies that stay behind closed doors</li><li>The knowledge that only the privileged kids get access to</li></ul>
<p>Not anymore.</p>
<h2>Open Access</h2>
<p>Everything I&#39;ve learned about personal brand? It&#39;s going into this podcast. For free.</p>
<p>Because YOU deserve to know what THEY know. I&#39;m passionate about <a href="/120-un-gatekeeping-linkedin/">un-gatekeeping LinkedIn</a> and making personal branding accessible to everyone.</p>
<p>Built in Public is now the top podcast interviewing people about their personal brand journeys. And I&#39;m just getting started.</p>
<h2>Start Here</h2>
<p>If you&#39;ve ever wanted to build a personal brand but didn&#39;t know where to start, this is for you. Check out <a href="/146-the-personal-brand-advice-you-need-before-2025-ends/">the personal brand advice you need</a> to get moving.</p>
<p>No more waiting for permission. No more wondering if you&#39;re &quot;ready enough.&quot; The resources are here, and they&#39;re free.</p>
<p>Subscribe to Built in Public and start learning from people who are actually doing the work.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>The Day My Boss Said I&apos;d Never Be Successful Without Him</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/the-day-my-boss-said-id-never-be-successful-without-him/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/the-day-my-boss-said-id-never-be-successful-without-him/</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:40:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>&quot;You will never be successful without me.&quot; That&apos;s what my boss said when I quit. He was harassing me. Making my life hell. And when I finally walked…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&quot;You will never be successful without me.&quot; </p>
<p>That&#39;s what my boss said when I quit. He was harassing me. Making my life hell. And when I finally walked away? He wanted me to believe I was NOTHING without him.</p>
<h2>The Fear</h2>
<p>I had no backup plan. No safety net. No idea what I was going to do next. Just this terrifying feeling that maybe he was right.</p>
<p>Maybe I couldn&#39;t do it alone. Maybe I needed him. Maybe leaving was the biggest mistake of my life.</p>
<h2>Fast Forward</h2>
<p>I&#39;m a best-selling author. I run a multi six-figure business. I have a team. I built a career that&#39;s entirely MINE.</p>
<p>And him? Lawsuits. Tarnished reputation. Called out for scamming.</p>
<h2>The Truth</h2>
<p>Here&#39;s what I need you to hear: The people who tell you that you can&#39;t make it without them? They&#39;re not saying it because it&#39;s true. They&#39;re saying it because they&#39;re TERRIFIED of what happens when you leave.</p>
<p>They see your potential. And it scares them.</p>
<p>So they try to make you small. They try to make you dependent. They try to convince you that you need them to survive.</p>
<p>You don&#39;t. You never did.</p>
<h2>The Sign</h2>
<p>If you&#39;re in a toxic situation right now and someone is telling you that you&#39;ll fail without them... That&#39;s the clearest sign you need to go.</p>
<p>The people who actually believe in you? They don&#39;t threaten you. They don&#39;t tear you down. They don&#39;t try to keep you trapped.</p>
<h2>Your Path</h2>
<p>You can be successful on your own. You can build something that&#39;s entirely yours. You don&#39;t need anyone&#39;s permission. When I finally became <a href="/205-dream-come-true-im-officially-an-author/">an official author</a>, it proved everything I&#39;d been working toward was real.</p>
<p>And one day? Karma will do what it does best.</p>
<h2>Key Takeaways</h2>
<p>If someone tells you that you&#39;ll never make it without them, that&#39;s manipulation, not truth. Toxic people try to keep you small because they fear your potential. You can build something entirely yours without anyone&#39;s permission.</p>
<p>The people who truly believe in you will lift you up, not tear you down. Trust yourself and take <a href="/145-small-habits-big-changes/">small steps toward big changes</a>.</p>
<p>If you&#39;re stuck in a toxic situation right now, let this be your sign to walk away.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>My Book is Here!</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/my-book-is-here/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/my-book-is-here/</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 20:45:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>I just held my book for the first time. My actual, physical book. In my hands. And I almost cried. Ok, fine... I did cry. A lot. Starting Out Because…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I just held my book for the first time.</p>
<p>My actual, physical book.</p>
<p>In my hands.</p>
<p>And I almost cried.</p>
<p>Ok, fine... I did cry.</p>
<p>A lot.</p>
<h2>Starting Out</h2>
<p>Because when I started my career, I had no idea what I was doing.</p>
<p>I thought if I just put my head down and worked hard, everything would work out.</p>
<p>I was so wrong.</p>
<p>That belief got me exploited.</p>
<p>That belief got me sexually harassed.</p>
<p>That belief got me passed up for promotions I deserved.</p>
<p>That belief kept me stuck while I watched other people get ahead.</p>
<p>And I couldn&#39;t figure out why.</p>
<h2>The Rules</h2>
<p>Until I realized something:</p>
<p>There are unwritten rules to the corporate world.</p>
<p>Rules nobody teaches you. Rules you&#39;re just supposed to &quot;know.&quot;</p>
<p>Rules the rich kids learned at the dinner table.</p>
<p>If you didn&#39;t grow up with entrepreneur parents or massive privilege?</p>
<p><a href="/short-form-video-accelerator/">You&#39;re playing a game</a> without knowing the rules.</p>
<p>And that&#39;s not fair!!!</p>
<h2>Spy Mode</h2>
<p>Once I realized this, I started documenting everything.</p>
<p>I went into full-on spy mode.</p>
<p>Every strategy I saw the privileged kids using. </p>
<p>Every shortcut that actually worked. </p>
<p>Every &quot;secret&quot; that kept getting passed around behind closed doors.</p>
<p>I tested it on myself.</p>
<p>And I wrote it ALL down.</p>
<p>And now it&#39;s a book.</p>
<h2>Information Equality</h2>
<p>The mission = information equality.</p>
<p>Because YOU deserve to know what THEY know.</p>
<p>To everyone who&#39;s ever felt overlooked, underpaid, or passed up for reasons you couldn&#39;t understand</p>
<p>This book is for you.</p>
<p>We all deserve to know the rules of the corporate world, especially if we didn&#39;t learn them at the dinner table. My mission is to promote information equality to help those who feel overlooked or underpaid.</p>
<p>This book is for you, so you can learn the rules and get ahead.</p>
<p>Snag your pre-order on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Career-Cheat-Codes-Unconventional-Unfiltered/dp/0593840054/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.A4aOyZ70enp7-Umpb_J46dYiRRz9sy1tYSUAO_X0QmYbXgKG1rGM1OEaAttb2BT0hqe37FTDhFhB6KwMX-JFUvNQG_w9okmmOqbn7In7--TnvwErke77U-bKZsSEmjR-Zv0qrovVCDJWGpP4nbQn22G00-T1jyKf8D2ELoSkzxs9jkujv9Ua6N48fQpK-CgUI_EnHGrLY5QzxaHZ30EbF8hctjSveT12uymtJCNwv9c.el9BmveF6aP8iXzFvrRF153fpHJIty868MnMS51PHVE&amp;qid=1771532927&amp;sr=1-1">Amazon</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>When Does This End? Women Are Tired of Having Their Work Stolen</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/when-does-this-end-women-are-tired-of-having-their-work-stolen/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/when-does-this-end-women-are-tired-of-having-their-work-stolen/</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2026 05:15:50 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Another day, another man taking credit for a woman&apos;s work. I&apos;m so tired. It&apos;s not just content getting stolen online. It&apos;s the idea you pitched in a…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Another day, another man taking credit for a woman&#39;s work.</p>
<p>I&#39;m so tired.</p>
<p>It&#39;s not just content getting stolen online. It&#39;s the idea you pitched in a meeting that suddenly becomes HIS idea. It&#39;s the strategy you built that shows up in HIS presentation. It&#39;s the work you did that gets credited to HIS name.</p>
<p>This has happened to me more times than I can count this year alone. And I know I&#39;m not the only one.</p>
<h2>Sound Familiar?</h2>
<p>Every woman I talk to has a story like this. Most of us have dozens.</p>
<p>We say something in a room and get ignored. A man repeats it five minutes later and gets praised. We build something from scratch. Someone else slaps their name on it.</p>
<p>And then we&#39;re told to &quot;be a team player.&quot; To &quot;not make it a big deal.&quot; To &quot;focus on the work, not the credit.&quot;</p>
<h2>The Payoff</h2>
<p>Meanwhile they get the raise. The promotion. The followers.</p>
<p>Our work. Their name.</p>
<p>I&#39;ve watched influencers with MILLIONS of followers post my content word for word. I&#39;ve watched men present MY strategies like they invented them. I&#39;ve watched MY ideas get stolen so many times I&#39;ve lost track.</p>
<h2>When Does Change Happen?</h2>
<p>And every single time I think: When tf does this end??</p>
<p>When do we stop having to fight for credit on our own work? When do we stop watching men get rewarded for what we built? When does it actually change?</p>
<p>I don&#39;t have a neat answer. I just have frustration.</p>
<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
<p>There&#39;s a whole lot of women nodding along right now because they&#39;ve lived this too. Whether it&#39;s <a href="/141-company-politics/">company politics</a> silencing your voice or content theft happening in plain sight, this pattern keeps repeating.</p>
<p>We deserve credit for what we create. Our ideas, our strategies, our work. It matters who built it.</p>
<p>If this resonates with you, share your story. The more we talk about it, the harder it becomes to ignore.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>How I Hit 50,000 Followers by Doing the Opposite of What I Was Told</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/how-i-hit-50000-followers-by-doing-the-opposite-of-what-i-was-told/</link>
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      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 18:01:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>I hit 50,000 followers by doing the opposite of what I was told. Everyone said: &quot;Stay professional.&quot; Everyone said: &quot;Talk about your work.&quot; Everyone…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I hit 50,000 followers by doing the opposite of what I was told. Everyone said: &quot;Stay professional.&quot; Everyone said: &quot;Talk about your work.&quot; Everyone said: &quot;Don&#39;t overshare.&quot; So that&#39;s exactly what I did. And I grew sloooooooowly. My posts were polished. My content was &quot;safe.&quot; My audience was… crickets. </p>
<h2>Tired of Hiding</h2>
<p> Then one day I got tired of hiding. I wrote about the emotions I feel. I wrote about the mistakes I&#39;ve made. I wrote about the situations that shaped me. I hit publish on stories I&#39;d never told anyone. My hands were shaking. I thought people would judge me. I thought I&#39;d lose credibility. </p>
<h2>Instead?</h2>
<p> The DMs flooded in. The followers started growing. The opportunities showed up out of nowhere. Because I finally stopped pretending. </p>
<h2>The Lesson</h2>
<p> Here&#39;s what 50,000 followers taught me: </p>
<ul><li>People don&#39;t connect with polished.</li><li>People connect with real.</li></ul>
<p> The things you&#39;re scared to share? Those are the things that will grow your brand. The stories you think are &quot;too much&quot;? Those are the stories people need to hear. You don&#39;t need a </p>
<p><a href="/146-the-personal-brand-advice-you-need-before-2025-ends/">perfect content strategy</a></p>
<p>. You just need to </p>
<p><a href="/120-un-gatekeeping-linkedin/">stop hiding</a></p>
<p>. </p>
<h2>Thank You</h2>
<p> To everyone who&#39;s been here since the beginning, thank you. And to everyone new, welcome. The key takeaway is simple: authenticity beats polish every time. Share your real stories, your real emotions, and your real mistakes. That&#39;s what builds connection and grows your audience. Stick around. I&#39;m just getting started.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>I Went From $25/Hour to $1,250/Hour. Here&apos;s What Changed.</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/i-went-from-25-hour-to-1250-hour-heres-what-changed/</link>
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      <pubDate>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:58:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>I used to charge $25 an hour. Twenty. Five. Dollars. For advice that was literally changing people&apos;s lives. I didn&apos;t know my worth. I was just happy…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I used to charge $25 an hour. Twenty. Five. Dollars. For advice that was literally changing people&#39;s lives. I didn&#39;t know my worth. I was just happy someone wanted to pay me at all.</p>
<h2>The Wake-Up Call</h2>
<p>Then one of my clients applied what I told her in a single session. ONE session. She got a new job that paid $30,000 more than her old one. Thirty thousand dollars. From one conversation. And I charged her $25.</p>
<p>Then another client took my advice and immediately signed a $12,000 PR deal.</p>
<p>That&#39;s when the math finally hit me: My advice was worth thousands. And I was charging like I worked at a coffee shop.</p>
<h2>The Real Problem</h2>
<p>The problem wasn&#39;t my skills. The problem wasn&#39;t my experience. The problem was I didn&#39;t believe I could actually get people results.</p>
<p>Once I saw the proof? Once I had the receipts? Once I watched people&#39;s lives change because of what I told them? Everything shifted.</p>
<p>I went from $25/hour to $1,250/hour. Not because I got smarter. Not because I got more certifications. Because I finally believed what I was worth.</p>
<h2>Uncomfortable Truth</h2>
<p>Here&#39;s the uncomfortable truth: You&#39;re probably undercharging right now. Not because you&#39;re not good enough. But because you haven&#39;t let yourself see the impact you&#39;re already making.</p>
<p>If you&#39;re ready to <a href="/112-the-100k-a-year-playbook/">build your own path to earning more</a>, it starts with recognizing the value you already bring.</p>
<h2>Collect Your Proof</h2>
<p>Start collecting the receipts. Start asking for testimonials. Start paying attention to what happens when people actually listen to you.</p>
<p>Building a <a href="/146-the-personal-brand-advice-you-need-before-2025-ends/">strong personal brand</a> means owning your wins and letting others see them too.</p>
<p>The proof is there. You just have to let yourself see it.</p>
<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
<p>You don&#39;t need to get smarter or earn more certifications to charge what you&#39;re worth. You need to start tracking your impact, collecting testimonials, and believing in the results you&#39;re already creating for people.</p>
<p>The receipts are already there. Your skills are already valuable. The only thing holding you back is your willingness to see it.</p>
<p>Start collecting your proof today and let yourself see the impact you&#39;re making.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>To Everyone Who Doubted Me: Thank You for the Motivation</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/to-everyone-who-doubted-me-thank-you-for-the-motivation/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/to-everyone-who-doubted-me-thank-you-for-the-motivation/</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Sometimes the people who try to tear you down end up building you up. This is my open letter to everyone who underestimated me. To the boss who sexually…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Sometimes the people who try to tear you down end up building you up. This is my open letter to everyone who underestimated me.</p>
<p>To the boss who sexually harassed me, I hope you enjoy seeing your story in the <a href="/205-dream-come-true-im-officially-an-author/">best-selling book I just published</a>.</p>
<p>To the CMO who fired me over a social media strategy. You called it &quot;dumb,&quot; &quot;frivolous&quot; and &quot;just a trend.&quot; I used that same strategy on myself. 600,000 followers and 50 million views. What strategy worked now?</p>
<p>To the man who told me my face wasn&#39;t worth a $4,000 brand deal. You&#39;re going to love my $20,000 brand deal :)</p>
<p>To the ex who said I wasn&#39;t smart enough for entrepreneurship. How&#39;s your 9-5 hustle while I grow my million dollar business?</p>
<p>To everyone who doubted me, minimized me, or tried to make me smaller. Thank you for the motivation.</p>
<p>And to all my girls <a href="/120-un-gatekeeping-linkedin/">building in silence</a>. They&#39;ll hear about you soon.</p>
<p>The doubters, critics, and naysayers in your life can become your greatest fuel. Every &quot;no&quot; can push you toward a bigger &quot;yes.&quot; Every underestimation can become your motivation to prove them wrong.</p>
<p>Success is the best response to those who tried to hold you back. Let your results speak for themselves.</p>
<p>Keep building, keep growing, and let them watch you rise.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>I Paid $5,000 for a Social Media Strategy I Never Used</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/i-paid-5000-for-a-social-media-strategy-i-never-used/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/i-paid-5000-for-a-social-media-strategy-i-never-used/</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:41:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>I once paid $5,000 for a social media strategy I never used. I hired a social media manager. She was incredible. She made me dozens of posts. A full…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I once paid $5,000 for a social media strategy I never used. I hired a social media manager. She was incredible. She made me dozens of posts. A full content calendar. A whole damn strategy. And I ghosted her. Paid her in full. Never posted a single thing. </p>
<h2>The Real Reason</h2>
<p> Why? Because I was terrified of being seen. I told myself I needed a strategy first. I told myself I needed the &quot;right&quot; content. I told myself I wasn&#39;t ready yet. But the truth? I was hiding behind preparation. $5,000 worth of hiding. </p>
<h2>Hard Lessons</h2>
<p> Here&#39;s what I learned the hard way: </p>
<ul><li>The reason you&#39;re not posting isn&#39;t because you don&#39;t know what to say.</li><li>It&#39;s not because you don&#39;t have the resources.</li><li>It&#39;s not because you need a better strategy.</li><li>It&#39;s because you&#39;re scared.</li></ul>
<p> And until you do the internal work, until you face the fear of being seen, you will sabotage every strategy, every coach, every opportunity. </p>
<h2>Start Messy</h2>
<p> You can&#39;t optimize what you haven&#39;t started. You can&#39;t perfect what doesn&#39;t exist. You have to post messy. You have to post scared. You have to </p>
<p><a href="/145-small-habits-big-changes/">build the habit</a></p>
<p> BEFORE you build the system. So if you&#39;re sitting on a strategy right now, waiting until it&#39;s &quot;perfect&quot;... Stop. Post the thing. Be seen. </p>
<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
<p> The fear doesn&#39;t go away. You just get better at doing it anyway. Stop hiding behind preparation and start showing up, even when it feels uncomfortable. Every strategy, every content calendar, every perfect plan means nothing if you never hit publish. The only way to build confidence in </p>
<p><a href="/146-the-personal-brand-advice-you-need-before-2025-ends/">your personal brand</a></p>
<p> is to actually put yourself out there. Post the thing today.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Dream Come True: I&apos;m Officially an Author!</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/dream-come-true-im-officially-an-author/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/dream-come-true-im-officially-an-author/</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:36:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>It&apos;s been 1 year, 6 months, and 6 days since a Penguin Random House email landed in my inbox. I saw the subject line: &quot;Hello from Penguin Random House!&quot;…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It&#39;s been 1 year, 6 months, and 6 days since a Penguin Random House email landed in my inbox. I saw the subject line: &quot;Hello from Penguin Random House!&quot;</p>
<p>Is this real? Am I being scammed? No way. No way. No way. I couldn&#39;t believe it.</p>
<p>Since I was a little girl, it&#39;s been my dream to become an author. And now, that dream has finally come true.</p>
<figure><img src="/cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/08ce8e691e3742a48a75ca055d435652-1.png" srcset="/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/08ce8e691e3742a48a75ca055d435652-1.png 400w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/08ce8e691e3742a48a75ca055d435652-1.png 800w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/08ce8e691e3742a48a75ca055d435652-1.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" alt="08ce8e691e3742a48a75ca055d435652-1.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" style="max-width:100%;height:auto;display:block;" /></figure>
<h2>The Big Announcement</h2>
<p>I&#39;m so incredibly excited to finally announce the completion of my first book, Career Cheat Codes!</p>
<p>This is the handbook I wish I had years ago. This is for the big dreamers that know they are meant for more. This is for anyone who’s ever thought: “I’m capable of more… why does this feel so hard?”</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p><em>If you want to learn more about how I help people build their careers and personal brands, check out my </em><a href="/work-with-me/"><em>programs and courses</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<p>More to come, but for now… I’m letting this all sink in. I’m officially an author!</p>
<p>This journey has been a long time coming, and I&#39;m so excited to share this book with you. It&#39;s designed for anyone ready to <a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/">take their career to the next level</a>, offering insights and strategies to navigate the often unspoken rules of the professional world. I hope this book provides guidance and empowers you to achieve your career aspirations.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for more updates, sneak peeks, and details on how to get your hands on a copy of Career Cheat Codes! This is just the beginning, and I can&#39;t wait to share this journey with you. Thank you for your support and encouragement!</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>I Was Featured in Fast Company: How 2 CareerTok creators are preparing for the TikTok ban</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/fast-company/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/fast-company/</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:22:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to speak with Fast Company about something that&apos;s been on every content creator&apos;s mind: navigating major…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Earlier this year, <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/91262129/how-2-careertok-creators-are-preparing-for-the-tiktok-ban">I had the opportunity to speak with Fast Company</a> about something that&#39;s been on every content creator&#39;s mind: navigating major platform changes and building a sustainable career in the creator economy.</p>
<p>In the article, I shared my journey from building brands for marketing agencies to finally building my own personal brand:</p>
<blockquote>&quot;I had worked at a bunch of marketing agencies building brands for other people, and I realized it was time to start <a href="/work-with-me/">building my personal brand</a>. So I started posting consistently about marketing and career first on LinkedIn and then TikTok, and everything has taken off over the past few years.&quot; </blockquote>
<p>I also opened up about what it&#39;s really like when your biggest platform faces uncertainty, and the strategies I&#39;ve been using to protect my business and continue serving my audience.</p>
<p>The piece also features insights from fellow CareerTok creator Hanna Goefft, and together we discuss the reality of being full-time content creators in an ever-changing digital landscape.</p>
<p><em>I share more about my approach to career growth and making money in </em><a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/"><em>The $100K A Year Playbook</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<p><em>This article is only available to Fast Company subscribers: if you want to read more about diversifying platforms, building sustainable revenue streams, and the future of career advice content, </em><a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/91262129/how-2-careertok-creators-are-preparing-for-the-tiktok-ban"><em>subscribe and click here</em></a><em>.</em></p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>What B2B Buyers Actually Trust in 2025</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/what-b2b-buyers-actually-trust-in-2025/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/what-b2b-buyers-actually-trust-in-2025/</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 15 Nov 2025 14:45:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>If you are still marketing like it is 2015, we need to talk. B2B content has a trust problem. But here is what is actually working: unscripted, human,…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you are still marketing like it is 2015, we need to talk.</p>
<p>B2B content has a trust problem.</p>
<p>But here is what is actually working: unscripted, human, and real.</p>
<h2>Video</h2>
<p>I posted a short video on my LinkedIn talking about this.</p>
<p>Watch it below, or <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/courtneylynnjohnson_builttotrust-ad-activity-7393733109676032000-OtIf?utm_source=social_share_send&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop_web&amp;rcm=ACoAAAAG-MsBpRQwLJWANngKE4WOfcvMaQa859Y">click here to watch it on my profile</a>.</p>
<p>https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:ugcPost:7393732719077249024?compact=1</p>
<h2>The Shift</h2>
<p>71% of B2B buyers today are Millennials and Gen Z.</p>
<p>These are people who grew up on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.</p>
<p>They do not trust corporate messaging the way their predecessors did.</p>
<p>Trust does not come from logos anymore.</p>
<p>It comes from people.</p>
<h2>What Buyers Want</h2>
<p>75% say that even as AI gets more advanced, there is no substitute for the intuition they get from trusted colleagues.</p>
<p>Real insights.</p>
<p>Real experience.</p>
<p>Real voices.</p>
<h2>The Real Question</h2>
<p>When you are actually buying software or tools for your team, what makes you trust a brand?</p>
<p>Is it the polished ad with perfect lighting and scripted testimonials?</p>
<p>Or is it the person who has been using it for 6 months, sharing real insights about what actually works?</p>
<p>Yeah. Exactly.</p>
<h2>The Investment Shift</h2>
<p>That is why 80% of brands are now increasing their investment in <a href="/employee-marketing/">community-driven content</a>.</p>
<p>They are tapping into creators and SMEs who actually know what they are talking about.</p>
<p>It is not about selling anymore.</p>
<p>It is about building trust together through authentic, people-first content.</p>
<h2>My Question</h2>
<p>If you are marketing to Gen Z or millennials, what are you doing differently?</p>
<p>Are you leaning into creators?</p>
<p>Employee advocates?</p>
<p>Real stories?</p>
<p>Because in a world where everyone is shouting, the voices we actually listen to are the ones we trust.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>The future of B2B marketing is not about perfect polish or corporate messaging.</p>
<p>It is about real people sharing real experiences that build real trust.</p>
<p>Want more insights on content strategy and <a href="/the-personal-brand-advice-you-need-before-2025-ends/">personal branding</a>? Follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson"><em>LinkedIn</em></a> or <a href="https://instagram.com/courtlynnjohnson"><em>Instagram</em></a>, or check out my <a href="https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand"><em>LinkedIn program</em></a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Small Habits, Big Changes</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/small-habits-big-changes/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/small-habits-big-changes/</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2025 17:01:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Most people chase perfection when building new habits, but that is exactly what keeps them from making progress. I have learned that the gap between…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Most people chase perfection when building new habits, but that is exactly what keeps them from making progress.</p>
<p>I have learned that the gap between <a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/">thinking about your potential and actually proving it</a> comes down to one thing: starting smaller than you think you need to.</p>
<h2>Video</h2>
<p>I posted a short video on my LinkedIn talking about this. </p>
<p>Watch it below, or <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/courtneylynnjohnson_careershift-personalbrand-careerhacks-activity-7391489412175667200-f1li?utm_source=social_share_send&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop_web&amp;rcm=ACoAAAAG-MsBpRQwLJWANngKE4WOfcvMaQa859Y">click here to watch it on my profile</a>.</p>
<p>https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:ugcPost:7386786514728484864?compact=1</p>
<h2>Start Smaller</h2>
<p>Walk around the block instead of training for a 5k.</p>
<p>Write one sentence instead of forcing a chapter.</p>
<p>Whatever it is, do it every single day.</p>
<h2>Consistency Wins</h2>
<p>That is how habits actually stick.</p>
<p>Consistency beats intensity, always.</p>
<p>The gap between who you are and who you want to be is built one small habit at a time.</p>
<p><em>If you need help building consistent habits for your personal brand, I share resources on my </em><a href="/work-with-me/"><em>Work With Me</em></a><em> page.</em></p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Perfection will keep you stuck in your head, but small daily actions will move you forward.</p>
<p>Follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson"><em>LinkedIn</em></a> for more content like this.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>The Personal Brand Advice You Need Before 2025 Ends</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/the-personal-brand-advice-you-need-before-2025-ends/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/the-personal-brand-advice-you-need-before-2025-ends/</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2025 15:41:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>The best personal brand advice I can give you before 2025 ends is simple but powerful. Stop posting when inspired. Start posting on schedule. The Reality…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The best personal brand advice I can give you before 2025 ends is simple but powerful.</p>
<p>Stop posting when inspired.</p>
<p>Start posting on schedule.</p>
<h2>The Reality</h2>
<p>Most people will enter 2026 the same way they entered 2025.</p>
<p>Same inconsistency.</p>
<p>Same excuses.</p>
<p>Same zero growth.</p>
<h2>Top Performers</h2>
<p>Here is <a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/">what the top 1% do differently</a>.</p>
<ul><li>They commit publicly.</li><li>They show up daily.</li><li>They build momentum.</li></ul>
<h2>My Challenge</h2>
<p>I am running a <a href="https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/join-the-sunrise-content-club-challenge?fbclid=PAdGRleANxBOtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp2N4hvF6hb41hIt6BmRayP09sxgxzuFLXsCDEdWh3-gI61eta9hgN7JUde8g_aem_QDN2AmK6qH_RPanbtKE7fg">10-Day Sunrise Content Challenge</a>.</p>
<p>November 10 through 21.</p>
<p>Live every weekday morning.</p>
<p>This is not recorded content that sits on your desktop forever unopened.</p>
<p>This is LIVE creation.</p>
<p>With me.</p>
<p>And with others who actually want to win.</p>
<h2>The Investment</h2>
<p>I usually charge $1,200 per hour.</p>
<p>But for <a href="https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/join-the-sunrise-content-club-challenge?fbclid=PAdGRleANxBOtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp2N4hvF6hb41hIt6BmRayP09sxgxzuFLXsCDEdWh3-gI61eta9hgN7JUde8g_aem_QDN2AmK6qH_RPanbtKE7fg">this challenge</a>, I am charging less than $8 per hour.</p>
<p>That is how badly I want you to win.</p>
<h2>What You Get</h2>
<p>You will walk away with:</p>
<ul><li>10 pieces of content (published, not sitting in drafts)</li><li>A repeatable system that works without motivation</li><li>The confidence that comes from proving you can show up</li></ul>
<h2>Who This Is For</h2>
<p>Here is what I will not tell you: &quot;Everyone is welcome! Join anytime!&quot;</p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>This is for people who are done making excuses.</p>
<p>If you have been &quot;planning to be consistent&quot; for months (or years), this is your line in the sand.</p>
<p>Doors close soon.</p>
<p>Limited spots.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Consistency beats inspiration every single time. </p>
<p>The only way to <a href="/work-with-me/">build a personal brand that grows</a> is to show up on schedule, not on feeling. </p>
<p>If you are ready to finally commit to your content, <a href="https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/join-the-sunrise-content-club-challenge?fbclid=PAdGRleANxBOtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp2N4hvF6hb41hIt6BmRayP09sxgxzuFLXsCDEdWh3-gI61eta9hgN7JUde8g_aem_QDN2AmK6qH_RPanbtKE7fg">this challenge</a> is your opportunity to prove it to yourself.</p>
<p>If you like my content, follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson"><em>LinkedIn</em></a> and <a href="https://instagram.com/courtlynnjohnson"><em>Instagram</em></a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Problematic Career Cheat Codes: Company Politics Edition</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/company-politics/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/company-politics/</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:07:15 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Navigating company politics can feel like walking through a minefield. But what if there were career cheat codes that could help you move up faster ?…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Navigating company politics can feel like walking through a minefield. </p>
<p>But what if there were career cheat codes that could <a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/">help you move up faster</a>? </p>
<p>These strategies might sound problematic, but they work.</p>
<h2>Understand Selfish Desires</h2>
<p>The only way to influence people is to understand deeply what they want:</p>
<ul><li>Your coworker doesn&#39;t actually want to hit their KPI. They&#39;re insecure and need validation.</li><li>Your boss doesn&#39;t want to create stakeholder value. They want approval from their boss.</li></ul>
<p>If you can figure out what the real deeper desire is, you hold the power.</p>
<h2>Work Loudly</h2>
<p>It&#39;s not how hard you work, it&#39;s what you work on:</p>
<ul><li>Focus on visible projects with quantitative impact</li><li>Never do extra work without mentioning it</li><li>Make your efforts known, especially if you&#39;re remote</li></ul>
<h2>Be Dramatic</h2>
<p>Dramatize your ideas, your work, and your results. </p>
<p>Yes, that means you have to brag. Being humble won&#39;t get you noticed.</p>
<h2>Read These Books</h2>
<p>These books give you the frameworks to navigate relationships and power dynamics at work.</p>
<ul><li>How to Win Friends and Influence People</li><li>7 Rules of Power</li></ul>
<h2>Mirror Your Circle</h2>
<p>Mirror the tones, writing style, formality, and dress style of people in circles you want to infiltrate. But here&#39;s the trick: you cannot lie or fake anything about yourself or that will be obvious and you&#39;ll look desperate. Instead, find qualities that already match with those people and lean into them.</p>
<h2>Hop Strategically</h2>
<p>The best way to climb any hierarchy is by hopping. Job hop, hop departments, hop between social circles at work. </p>
<p>At some point you&#39;re gonna encounter people that fight aggressively to keep the status quo. Just know when your efforts are gonna be futile and hop.</p>
<p><em>I teach strategies like these in my courses. Learn more on my </em><a href="/work-with-me/"><em>Work With Me</em></a><em> page.</em></p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>The key takeaways: understand what people really want, work on visible projects, dramatize your achievements, learn from the right books, mirror the people you want to connect with, and hop when progress stalls.</p>
<p>The people who get ahead aren&#39;t always the hardest workers. They&#39;re the ones who understand the game and play it strategically.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Wealthy vs Broke People Dinner Topics</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/wealthy-vs-broke-people/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/wealthy-vs-broke-people/</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 30 Oct 2025 14:51:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>I have a lot of wealthy friends and I also have a lot of broke friends, and the biggest noticeable social difference between them is the topics that they…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I have a lot of wealthy friends and I also have a lot of broke friends, and the biggest noticeable social difference between them is the topics that they talk about at dinner. </p>
<p>Please don’t get mad at me, I’m literally just reporting on what I’ve observed. </p>
<p>But it is very interesting because these patterns have been quite consistent.</p>
<h2>Broke People Talk</h2>
<p>I wanna start with what my broke friends talk about. My broke friends always talk about Netflix, they always talk about Hulu, like The Bachelor. They talk about whatever pop culture thing is going on right now.</p>
<p>Here&#39;s a short list of what else they talk about: </p>
<ul><li><strong>Sports</strong> - they just tend to talk about sports a lot. Again, I don&#39;t think like wealthy people don&#39;t watch sports, it’s just patterns that I see with my broke friends.</li><li><strong>Celebrity Drama</strong> - I find this topic very fun, but I never see wealthy people talk about celebrity drama unless they’re involved somehow or if they know the person personally.</li><li><strong>The News and Politics</strong> - my broke friends always talk about the news and politics, mainly getting really upset about it, and getting really triggered. I find that in wealthier circles, if people are angry about a political thing, they&#39;re more talking about solutions to it rather than just like getting mad about it.</li></ul>
<h2>Rich People Talk</h2>
<p>On the other hand, rich people seem to be talking about more positive things. </p>
<p>This is a good list of what my wealthy friends talk about over dinner:</p>
<ul><li><strong>Goals</strong> - asking each other what they&#39;re working on, how their business is going.</li><li><strong>Self Development</strong> - my wealthy friends are always sharing like their latest coach or their latest self development modality or a book that they&#39;ve read or <a href="/work-with-me/">a course that they&#39;ve just taken</a>.</li><li><strong>Spirituality</strong> - I find when I’m around wealthier people, especially self made wealthier people, especially in like the Austin tech scene, everyone&#39;s talking about spirituality. Everyone&#39;s asking like big questions of the universe and going a lot deeper a lot faster.</li><li><strong>Personal Education</strong> - kind of goes along with self development, but also everyone is like talking about people they&#39;re working with and then referring them to other people in these circles.</li></ul>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>In summary, the key difference observed in dinner conversations is a focus on external entertainment and current events versus a focus on <a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/">internal growth and future goals</a>. From pop culture to personal development, the topics often reflect different priorities and mindsets.</p>
<p>Of course, yes, there are obvious exceptions. These are simply patterns that are very interesting to observe in different social circles.</p>
<p>What have you noticed people talking about at the dinner table?</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>The $100K A Year Playbook</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/the-100k-a-year-playbook/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/the-100k-a-year-playbook/</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:38:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>I believe that everyone in the world should be making at least $100,000 a year, and honestly, we all have the capacity to do it. In this article, I&apos;m…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I believe that everyone in the world should be making at least $100,000 a year, and honestly, we all have the capacity to do it.</p>
<p>In this article, I&#39;m going to break down everything you need to do, step by step, to get to your first $100k year. Keep reading below to know more.</p>
<h2>Stop Watching TV</h2>
<p>The first thing you&#39;re going to do is stop watching Hulu or Netflix.</p>
<p>Instead, you&#39;re going to take the three hours you might spend watching Love Island this week and watch the three hour and 35 minute &quot;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-TZqOsVCNM&amp;t=1s">How to Get Rich Naval</a>&quot; podcast instead. This specific video was the catalyst to my path transforming.</p>
<p>You can watch it below, or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-TZqOsVCNM&amp;t=1s">click here to watch it on YouTube</a>.</p>
<figure class="video-embed" style="position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:1.5rem 0;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/1-TZqOsVCNM" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;" loading="lazy" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></figure>
<h2>Read &quot;Millionaires&quot;</h2>
<p>The next thing you&#39;re going to do is read &quot;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/We-Should-All-Be-Millionaires/dp/1400221625">We Should All Be Millionaires</a>&quot; by Rachel Rodgers.</p>
<p>Rachel does a really good job of talking about and acknowledging the <a href="/when-does-this-end-women-are-tired-of-having-their-work-stolen/">inequalities in our money system, especially for women</a> and people of color. <a href="/my-book-is-here/">The book</a> offers valuable insights:</p>
<ul><li>It discusses how actually making money is how we&#39;re going to fix those problems.</li><li>It emphasizes that staying broke is not how we&#39;re going to fix those problems.</li><li>It&#39;s my number one recommended book to everybody I work with because it balances the emotional, practical, and spiritual aspects of wealth building the best.</li></ul>
<p>C<a href="https://www.amazon.com/We-Should-All-Be-Millionaires/dp/1400221625">lick here to view on Amazon.</a></p>
<h2>Optimize LinkedIn</h2>
<p>Next, you&#39;re going to <a href="/un-gatekeeping-linkedin/">optimize your LinkedIn</a>. </p>
<p>Here are some valuable resources: </p>
<ol><li>Watch my &quot;How to Get Your First Six Figure Job Using LinkedIn&quot; free mini course.  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3HpumuPxio">Click here for part 1</a>   <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0GTdVVGzDs">Click here for part 2</a>  </li><li><a href="https://courtneyjohnson.gumroad.com/l/profileoptimization">Download this free LinkedIn profile checklist</a>.</li></ol>
<p>Optimizing your LinkedIn profile is very important because it makes you look like a thought leader, not a regular employee. Thought leaders always get paid more.</p>
<h2>Find Knowledge</h2>
<p>The next best thing to do is to read this article by Naval Ravikant called &quot;<a href="https://nav.al/specific-knowledge">Arm Yourself With Specific Knowledge</a>&quot;.</p>
<p>It talks about how to identify the specific knowledge that you have, even if it&#39;s something that&#39;s outside of work, it&#39;s still something you can monetize.</p>
<p><em>If you want hands-on support building your personal brand and income streams, check out my </em><a href="/work-with-me/"><em>courses and programs</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<p><a href="https://nav.al/specific-knowledge">Click here to read it</a>. </p>
<h2>Your Purpose</h2>
<p>Next, you&#39;re going to do this free worksheet called &quot;<a href="https://the1thing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/TheONEThing_MyPurpose.pdf">Three simple steps to uncover your purpose and realize your goals.</a>&quot;</p>
<p>This is a really great worksheet to:</p>
<ul><li>Find out what you want to do with your life</li><li>Help you create a work career mission statement</li><li>Provide something pretty easy to add to your LinkedIn profile to direct the direction of your career</li></ul>
<p><a href="https://the1thing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/TheONEThing_MyPurpose.pdf">Click here to download it</a>.</p>
<h2>Charge for Time</h2>
<p>he next thing you&#39;re going to do is add a <a href="https://calendly.com/">Calendly link</a> to your LinkedIn featured section.</p>
<p>You&#39;re going to start charging $100-$200 for somebody to talk to you for about 30 minutes or an hour.</p>
<p>I know it sounds crazy, and I know you might think people aren&#39;t going to book this. But trust me, people are going to book this.</p>
<h2>Read &quot;1,000 True Fans&quot;</h2>
<p>The next thing you&#39;re going to do is read Kevin Kelly&#39;s article called &quot;<a href="https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/">1,000 True Fans</a>&quot;</p>
<p>This article introduces a personal financial concept based on:</p>
<ul><li>Getting 1,000 people to pay you $10 a month.</li><li>This approach can lead you to six figures a year.</li><li>The article helps you understand what your offering can be.</li></ul>
<p><a href="https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/">Click here to read it.</a> </p>
<h2>Bonus: Gumroad</h2>
<p>Lastly, here&#39;s a little bonus: I would list a digital product on <a href="https://gumroad.com/">Gumroad</a>.</p>
<p>For me and my clients, no one makes a ton of money off of digital products that I personally know. But it is a really good way to go from $0 to $1. It&#39;s also a great way to start to own and monetize your own mind, your own information, and your own specific knowledge.</p>
<h2><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2>
<p>Making $100k a year isn&#39;t just a dream—it&#39;s completely achievable when you take strategic, consistent action. </p>
<p>The key is shifting from passive consumption to active creation and positioning yourself as someone with valuable knowledge to share.</p>
<p>Here&#39;s your roadmap to get started:</p>
<ul><li><strong>Invest in your mindset</strong>: replace entertainment time with education (start with the Naval Ravikant podcast and &quot;We Should All Be Millionaires&quot;)</li><li><strong>Build your personal brand</strong>: optimize your LinkedIn profile to position yourself as a thought leader, not just an employee</li><li><strong>Identify your unique value</strong>: discover your specific knowledge and clarify your purpose through the recommended resources</li><li><strong>Start monetizing immediately</strong>: add a Calendly link and charge $100-200 for consultations (yes, people will book!)</li><li><strong>Think in communities, not masses</strong> apply the &quot;1,000 True Fans&quot; concept to build sustainable income</li><li><strong>Create your first product</strong>: list a digital product on Gumroad to practice owning and monetizing your expertise</li></ul>
<p>The difference between where you are now and a $100k year isn&#39;t talent or luck—it&#39;s taking these specific actions.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>How to Go Viral on Social Media (The unethical way)</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/how-to-go-viral-on-social-media/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/how-to-go-viral-on-social-media/</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Oct 2025 02:03:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Want to get seen on social media without selling your soul to the algorithm? Many believe that creating bold content means being fake, forced, or cringe.…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Want to get seen on social media without selling your soul to the algorithm? </p>
<p>Many believe that creating bold content means being fake, forced, or cringe. But I’ll show you how to do it the smart way. </p>
<p>You can achieve strategic visibility that actually leads somewhere without resorting to inauthentic tactics.</p>
<h2>Embrace Controversy</h2>
<p>It’s not about being offensive, but about sparking a conversation. </p>
<p>To get noticed, you need to be a little bold and take a stand on a topic relevant to your audience. </p>
<p>This is the first step to creating content that people feel compelled to engage with.</p>
<h2>Lean In</h2>
<p>Once you’ve identified a controversial angle, it&#39;s time to lean into it. </p>
<p>This means you should exaggerate your position slightly to make your point stand out from the noise. </p>
<p>This deliberate approach will grab attention and provoke the engagement you&#39;re looking for.</p>
<h2>Exaggerate Your Position</h2>
<p>Amplify your viewpoint to make your content more striking. </p>
<p>This doesn’t mean being dishonest. </p>
<p>Rather, it&#39;s about highlighting your perspective in a way that catches the eye and stops the scroll. The goal is to make your stance clear and memorable.</p>
<h2>Understand the Impact</h2>
<p>While many of us want to create harmony and bring people together, the reality of social media is that controversy gets people talking. And all that talking leads directly to more shares, comments, and views for your content. It’s the engine that drives visibility.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>The key takeaway is that using a controversial angle—intelligently and strategically—is a powerful way to increase your reach. It’s about being bold enough to start a conversation, leaning into your position, and understanding that discussion drives the engagement that leads to visibility.</p>
<p>If you want <a href="/short-form-video-accelerator/">help creating short-form content</a> that will get seen, you don&#39;t have to rely on fake or forced methods. There is a path to smart, strategic visibility that <a href="/work-with-me/">builds your brand and gets results</a>.</p>
<p>Ready to create content that gets noticed? Send me a DM on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/courtlynnjohnson/">Instagram</a> or <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/">LinkedIn</a> to chat.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Un-Gatekeeping LinkedIn: Part One and Part Two</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/un-gatekeeping-linkedin/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/un-gatekeeping-linkedin/</guid>
      <pubDate>Sat, 04 Oct 2025 15:10:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Let&apos;s be real: LinkedIn is not sexy. It&apos;s honestly a little cringe at times. But here&apos;s the thing—that&apos;s exactly why you need to be there. The bar is so…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Let&#39;s be real: LinkedIn is not sexy. It&#39;s honestly a little cringe at times. But here&#39;s the thing—that&#39;s exactly why you need to be there. The bar is so incredibly low when it comes to standing out and making waves on this platform, and I&#39;m here to give you all my cheat codes.</p>
<p>Back in August 2024, I recorded a two-part podcast series where I pulled back the curtain on everything I know about crushing it on LinkedIn. And I mean everything. From setting up your profile to growing your audience to opening doors you didn&#39;t even know existed.</p>
<p>In this article, I&#39;m breaking down what I cover in each episode so you know exactly what you&#39;re getting into before you hit play.</p>
<h2>Part 1: Getting Started on LinkedIn</h2>
<p><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2TtHJ3IwvJf50lwZmZPLp8">In the first episode</a>, I tackle the basics—and trust me, they&#39;re less boring than they sound. We dive into why there&#39;s so much untapped opportunity on LinkedIn right now. While everyone&#39;s fighting for attention on Instagram and TikTok, LinkedIn is sitting there like an open playing field, just waiting for you to show up.</p>
<p>I walk you through:</p>
<ul><li>How to <a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/">brand yourself as a thought leader</a> (yes, you are one)</li><li>What you actually need to add to your profile to stand out</li><li>The kind of content you should be creating and posting</li><li>What content you should absolutely NOT be posting</li></ul>
<p>The truth is, most people on LinkedIn aren&#39;t showing up as themselves. They&#39;re hiding behind corporate jargon and boring job descriptions. Which means all you have to do is be better than the baseline. Just show up as you.</p>
<p><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2TtHJ3IwvJf50lwZmZPLp8">Listen to Part 1 on Spotify</a>.</p>
<h2>Part 2: Building Your Audience and Making Connections</h2>
<p><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Xahytv9zbnStNAmnHrdjY">The second episode</a> picks up where we left off, and this is where things get really good. I&#39;m sharing my exact strategies for building your audience and connecting with potential clients and customers.</p>
<p>We cover:</p>
<ul><li>How to grow your LinkedIn audience (and the magic number you should be shooting for)</li><li>The DOs and DON&#39;Ts for sending messages that actually get responses</li><li>Why commenting is one of the most powerful tools for getting noticed</li><li>The many possibilities LinkedIn can open up for you—from speaking gigs to partnerships to clients</li></ul>
<p>And here&#39;s the permission slip you&#39;ve been waiting for: You don&#39;t need anyone&#39;s approval to post on LinkedIn as an expert and thought leader. You can start right now. Today. This minute.</p>
<p><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Xahytv9zbnStNAmnHrdjY">Listen to Part 2 on Spotify</a>.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>If you&#39;ve been avoiding LinkedIn because it feels uncomfortable or you don&#39;t know where to start, these episodes are your kick in the pants. The opportunity is there. The audience is there. You just need to show up.</p>
<p>And if you want even more support as you <a href="/work-with-me/">level up your career and personal brand</a>, <a href="https://www.patreon.com/courtneylynnjohnson">join me on Patreon for access to dozens of tutorials, tips, resources, and subscribers-only podcasts for only $10 a month</a>. </p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Why AI Makes Emotional Intelligence Your Greatest Asset</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/ai-emotional-intelligence/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/ai-emotional-intelligence/</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2025 03:11:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>In today&apos;s world, the old advantages are fading. Information isn’t the advantage anymore. Neither is access. The people who come out on top and keep…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In today&#39;s world, the old advantages are fading. Information isn’t the advantage anymore. Neither is access. The people who come out on top and keep winning are the ones who can keep their head straight when everything feels messy.</p>
<h2>The AI Difference</h2>
<p>Technology, specifically AI, can hand you <a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/">the playbook for success</a>. But that is not enough to guarantee it. Emotional intelligence is what will separate the ones who know what to do from the ones who can pull it off. The playing field is being leveled by technology, but your success on that field depends on something more human.</p>
<h2>The New Wealth</h2>
<p>The new wealth and the new upper class will not be built on information or access. It is going to be built on emotional intelligence. The real question is, can you stay the path when things are going wrong?</p>
<h2>Critical Awareness</h2>
<p>To truly succeed, you must ask yourself some important questions:</p>
<ul><li>Do you have the emotional intelligence to understand where you and others are acting from fear rather than from vision?</li><li>Can you have the awareness to know where your blind spots are?</li></ul>
<p>If the answer is no, you are going to be stuck in the same loop over and over again. It doesn&#39;t matter how level the playing field is if you do not have stronger emotional intelligence than everybody around you.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>The key takeaway is that while tools like AI can provide a roadmap, it&#39;s our emotional intelligence that determines if we can navigate the journey, especially through the inevitable challenges. The ability to manage your emotions, understand others, and maintain self-awareness is the ultimate differentiator.</p>
<p>This principle is the key to breaking out of repetitive cycles and achieving sustainable success. It&#39;s about moving from simply knowing what to do to actually being able to do it, regardless of the circumstances.</p>
<p>If you&#39;re ready to build your emotional intelligence and <a href="/work-with-me/">break through to the next level</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/courtlynnjohnson/">send me a DM on Instagram</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Your Brand Is Dead: Why Employees Are Your New Marketing Department</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/employee-marketing/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/employee-marketing/</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:02:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Here&apos;s what every marketing and sales leader needs to hear in 2025: Your brand is dead. While you&apos;re wasting budget on ads that get ignored and webinars…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here&#39;s what every marketing and sales leader needs to hear in 2025: Your brand is dead. </p>
<p>While you&#39;re wasting budget on ads that get ignored and webinars nobody attends, your competitors are turning their entire workforce into content creators. And they&#39;re eating your lunch.</p>
<figure><img src="/cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/Marketing-770x1024.jpeg" srcset="/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/Marketing-770x1024.jpeg 400w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/Marketing-770x1024.jpeg 800w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/Marketing-770x1024.jpeg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" alt="Marketing-770x1024.jpeg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" style="max-width:100%;height:auto;display:block;" /></figure>
<h2>The Numbers</h2>
<p>The numbers don&#39;t lie: personal content gets 5x more engagement than company content. </p>
<p>Social algorithms actively suppress corporate posts because they&#39;re boring and users scroll past them.</p>
<p>But when your sales rep shares their honest takes? That content spreads like wildfire.</p>
<h2>Common Objections</h2>
<p>You might be thinking: </p>
<p><strong>&quot;But what if they leave?&quot;</strong></p>
<p>They&#39;re already thinking about leaving. Give them a reason to stay by investing in their growth.</p>
<p><strong>&quot;But what if they get side hustles?&quot;</strong></p>
<p>Good. Happy, financially secure employees perform better.</p>
<p><strong>&quot;But we can&#39;t control the message!&quot;</strong></p>
<p>You never could. At least now you can influence it.</p>
<h2>Your Playbook</h2>
<p>Here&#39;s what you need to do:</p>
<ul><li>Pay employees bonuses for quality LinkedIn posts</li><li><a href="/work-with-me/">Provide content training and templates</a></li><li>Feature employee content in your company channels</li><li>Track attribution from employee posts to actual deals</li></ul>
<p>The companies doing this are closing deals while their competitors are still debating LinkedIn policies in boardroom meetings.</p>
<p>Your choice: Adapt now, or watch your market share disappear to companies that figured this out first.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>The future of B2B marketing isn&#39;t coming. It&#39;s here. And it looks like your payroll, not your ad spend. Personal content gets 5x more engagement, social algorithms suppress corporate posts, and your competitors are already turning their employees into content machines while you&#39;re stuck in endless policy meetings.</p>
<p>The playbook is simple: incentivize quality posts, provide training and templates, feature employee content, and track the actual deals that come from it.</p>
<p>Ready to turn your team into your most powerful marketing channel? <a href="/contact/">Send me an email and let&#39;s talk about training your team on this</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>The 1% Rule for Success</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/the-1-rule-for-success/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/the-1-rule-for-success/</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2025 03:23:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Everyone’s chasing the “secret” to success like it’s hiding in some expensive mastermind. But the winners are the ones who can take advice, apply it, and…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Everyone’s chasing the “secret” to success like it’s hiding in some expensive mastermind. But the winners are the ones who can <a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/">take advice, apply it, and keep going</a> when it’s not fun anymore. </p>
<p>This is why I can give away all my best advice for free without worrying it’ll make everyone rich, because most people won’t do anything with it.</p>
<h2>Action Takers</h2>
<p>The one percent who will succeed do not overcomplicate it. They just keep showing up. The most successful people you know are not the smartest, they are just the most consistent. Look, the reason why I give free advice on the internet all the time is because 99 percent of people are not going to take it.</p>
<p>It takes so much emotional work to actually implement advice and to take aligned action towards your dreams. Most people are not going to do it.</p>
<h2>The One Percent</h2>
<p>So yes, I&#39;m going to keep being on the internet, giving all of my advice away for free, because 99 percent of you are going to ignore it and walk away. Most people do not have the emotional capacity to actually take steps towards their dream.</p>
<p>But there is going to be the one percent that sees my content and <a href="/work-with-me/">feels ready to build a personal brand</a>. They are actually going to implement the advice. These are the people that are going to succeed.</p>
<ul><li>Not the smartest.</li><li>Not the most intelligent.</li><li>The ones that can consistently put in the work.</li><li>The ones that can take coaching, advice, and feedback.</li></ul>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>The key takeaway is that success is not found in hidden knowledge but in consistent application. It is the ability to take advice and act on it, even when it is difficult, that separates the successful from the rest. It is about having the emotional capacity to keep moving forward toward your goals.</p>
<p>If you’re in that one percent, the <a href="https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/sunrise-content-club-annual">Sunrise Content Club</a> is where I give you the tools, accountability, and support to actually stay consistent and keep building.</p>
<p>Ready to take action? Send me a DM on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/courtlynnjohnson/">Instagram</a> or <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/">LinkedIn</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Announcing My Debut Book: Career Cheat Codes</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/career-cheat-codes/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/career-cheat-codes/</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:19:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>It’s official: my debut book Career Cheat Codes has been announced in Publishers Marketplace! This project is finally happening after years of work, and…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It’s official: my debut book Career Cheat Codes has been announced in Publishers Marketplace! This project is finally happening after years of work, and pre-orders are live today.</p>
<p>Career Cheat Codes will be out on April 14, 2026.</p>
<h2>The First Step</h2>
<p>Seeing the announcement in Publishers Marketplace is the first official step of this publishing journey. </p>
<p>It marks a huge milestone after a long and challenging creative process. </p>
<p>This project is finally becoming a reality.</p>
<h2>The Process</h2>
<p>Getting to this point has been a significant effort. </p>
<p>The journey to this announcement was filled with hours of dedication and creative challenges.</p>
<ul><li>Hours of drafting and redrafting</li><li>Whole outlines built and torn apart</li><li>Chapters shuffled, rewritten, cut, and rebuilt</li><li>Rewriting the same pages 50 times</li></ul>
<p>After years of messing with drafts and scrapping chapters, the book is finally on its way.</p>
<p><em>While you wait for the book, check out </em><a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/"><em>The $100K A Year Playbook</em></a><em> for actionable career strategies.</em></p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>The announcement of <em>Career Cheat Codes</em> is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. This book has been a labor of love, involving countless hours of writing, rewriting, and rethinking. Now, with pre-orders officially open, the next chapter of this journey begins..</p>
<p><em>Want to work with me directly? Explore my </em><a href="/work-with-me/"><em>courses and programs</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<p>For more updates, follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/">LinkedIn</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/courtlynnjohnson/">Instagram</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Level Up Your TikTok Game: Short Form Video Accelerator</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/short-form-video-accelerator/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/short-form-video-accelerator/</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 05:44:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>You&apos;re ready to start taking short form video content seriously because you&apos;ve seen how it can supercharge your personal brand, career trajectory, and…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You&#39;re ready to start taking short form video content seriously because you&#39;ve seen how it can <a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/">supercharge your personal brand, career trajectory, and life goals</a>. </p>
<p>You know the massive impact it can have. </p>
<p>What if you could confidently create impactful videos that build your brand and keep your values intact with the help of the <a href="https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/get-started-with-this-amazing-course-2o7ml9sc">Short Form Video Accelerator Course</a>?</p>
<p>Continue reading below to know more.</p>
<h2>The Problem</h2>
<p>Starting with short form video isn&#39;t easy, even when you know it works. </p>
<p>Here&#39;s what&#39;s holding you back:</p>
<ul><li>You&#39;re battling overwhelm</li><li>You&#39;re hyper-aware of the cringe factor</li><li>You feel exposed putting yourself out there</li><li>You&#39;re allergic to hokey, clickbait content</li><li>You crave a framework that empowers you to show up authentically and shine</li></ul>
<p>These challenges are real, but they don&#39;t have to stop you.</p>
<p><em>For foundational career and income strategies, read </em><a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/"><em>The $100K A Year Playbook</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<h2>The Solution</h2>
<p>In this self-paced course, you&#39;ll learn how to create content that speaks to the soul of your audience. No fluff, no fake energy, no cringe. We&#39;re talking about resonating with your audience on a deep level.</p>
<p>You&#39;ll learn the dark psychology and manipulation tactics behind video content (sounds scary, but we&#39;ll be using it for good, not evil).</p>
<p>You&#39;ll learn the exact strategies that helped me and my clients see explosive growth.</p>
<p>You&#39;ll discover how to spot the gold in value-packed content moments, break down repeatable patterns, and turn casual scrollers into loyal superfans.</p>
<p><a href="/when-does-this-end-women-are-tired-of-having-their-work-stolen/">By the end</a>, you&#39;ll come out not just as a content creator but as an authentic, magnetic creator. So your personal brand doesn&#39;t just exist, it shines.</p>
<h2>What You&#39;ll Learn</h2>
<p><strong>Turn Creative Sparks Into a Content Machine</strong></p>
<p>Learn how to tap into those creative downloads. Using techniques borrowed from master creators and artists, you&#39;ll become an unstoppable ideas machine that churns out scroll-stopping content.</p>
<p><strong>Own Your Personal Brand and Nail Identity Marketing</strong></p>
<p>It&#39;s time to build a brand narrative that&#39;s so you, people will recognize it in an instant. You&#39;ll craft an aesthetic and story that not only resonates but dominates in TikTok&#39;s fast-paced, competitive environment.</p>
<p><strong>Show Up Authentically with Storytelling and Series</strong></p>
<p>Master storytelling with an authenticity that sets you apart. You&#39;ll learn how to weave your unique voice through engaging content series so your followers can&#39;t help but come back for more.</p>
<p><strong>Create Value-Based Content That Hooks Your Audience</strong></p>
<p>Say goodbye to one-hit wonders. We&#39;re diving deep into the art of creating value-based content that grabs attention and keeps your audience coming back, post after post.</p>
<p><strong>Shift Your Mindset and Conquer the Fear of Showing Up</strong></p>
<p>No more hiding behind the screen. We&#39;re going to tackle those mental blockers that hold you back, giving you the confidence and actionable strategies to put yourself out there, own your story, and embrace the raw, real side of online expression.</p>
<p><em>If you also want to master LinkedIn, check out my guide on </em><a href="/un-gatekeeping-linkedin/"><em>Un-Gatekeeping LinkedIn</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<p>Get ready to step into this course and walk out with a thriving, unshakeable social media video presence that&#39;s unapologetically you.</p>
<h2>Student Testimonials</h2>
<blockquote>I learned so much in just 3 sessions. Courtney got me out of my TikTok rut and helped me reframe making content with a focus on fun. - <strong>Kel, Founder at Work Unseen</strong> (July TikTok Cohort) </blockquote>
<blockquote>Courtney doesn&#39;t hold back and lives up to her anti-gatekeeper persona. I learned a ton about what goes into the backend of personal branding but she keeps it feeling like you are just having a deep dive with a close friend. Doesn&#39;t feel like a &quot;course&quot; or that she&#39;s ever trying to sell you something at all. - <strong>Victoria, business owner/business strategist at Victoria winter consulting</strong> (February TikTok Cohort) </blockquote>
<blockquote>This was a great help in starting my TikTok account. I picked up some great tips and it&#39;s wonderful to have the support of Courtney and the cohort. - <strong>Julie, Owner at HighViz Marketing</strong> (February TikTok Cohort) </blockquote>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Ready to stop overthinking and start creating? The Short Form Video Accelerator gives you everything you need to build a personal brand that stands out. You&#39;ll learn how to turn creative sparks into a content machine, own your personal brand with identity marketing, show up authentically with storytelling, create value-based content that hooks your audience, and shift your mindset to conquer the fear of showing up.</p>
<p>This self-paced course includes 9 deep-dive video lessons, 100 days of content prompts, and 27 killer content hooks. No fluff, no fake energy, no cringe. Just the strategies and frameworks you need to create impactful videos that resonate with your audience on a deep level.</p>
<p>Join the Short Form Video Accelerator for $250 and start building your authentic, magnetic presence today. <a href="https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/get-started-with-this-amazing-course-2o7ml9sc">Click here to fill out the form</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>The Unspoken Truth About the Spiritual Community</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/spiritual-community/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/spiritual-community/</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 03:27:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>I was once smitten by the spiritual community. The crystals, the cacao, the full moon circles, the manifesting, it felt like I had found a portal to…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I was once smitten by the spiritual community. The crystals, the cacao, the full moon circles, the manifesting, it felt like I had found a portal to another dimension. </p>
<p>It was a world where everyone believed in something bigger, dreamed of something greater, and spoke the language of alignment, vibration, and truth. </p>
<p>But I eventually realized I was living in a hall of mirrors.</p>
<h2>Language vs. Agency</h2>
<p>So many people have all the language of power but none of the agency.</p>
<ul><li>“Money is just energy,” they say while overdrafting their accounts.</li><li>“Everything’s a mirror,” they say while blaming “the system” for everything.</li><li>“Follow ease,” they say while secretly avoiding responsibility, consistency, and discipline.</li></ul>
<p>I saw victimhood dressed up in goddess gowns, entitlement disguised as intuition, and disassociation wrapped in the word “alignment.”</p>
<h2>A Hall of Mirrors</h2>
<p>My breakup with the spiritual community was gradual. </p>
<p>At first, I was all in. </p>
<p>But then I noticed a disturbing pattern:</p>
<ul><li>Everyone was manifesting, but no one was building.</li><li>Everyone was “calling in” abundance, but no one had money.</li><li>Everyone was healing, but no one was actually changing.</li></ul>
<p>At the root of it all was a deep sense of victimhood about money, politics, the world, society, and how hard life is. </p>
<p><em>I explore this further in </em><a href="/my-book-is-here/"><em>My Book is Here!</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<p>I kept thinking: does no one see that we are here to change the world? That’s the whole point. And unless we release the victim mindset, nothing will change. It’s up to us.</p>
<p><em>I share practical steps for building real-world results in </em><a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/"><em>The $100K A Year Playbook</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<h2>The Victim Trap</h2>
<p>The spiritual world taught me a lot, but it also became a victim trap. </p>
<p>I watched people:</p>
<ul><li>Theorize about life, rather than live it, like a business professor who’s never actually started a business.</li><li>Mistake emotional expression for evolution.</li><li>Obsess over the identity of a spiritual person, rather than actually embodying anything.</li><li>Avoid any discomfort and be coddled by everyone around them, perpetuating these behaviors.</li><li>Bypass any form of ownership, with the community enabling strong victim loops.</li></ul>
<p>This coddling was disguised as feminine flow, peace and love, or anything else. I got so tired of the coddling.</p>
<h2>Nature&#39;s Example</h2>
<p>You know what doesn’t coddle? Nature. We are nature, and nature is brutal, unforgiving, and requires rigor. Nature is spiritual, but it&#39;s not soft. Nature is rigorous, unforgiving, and direct.</p>
<p>I realized the most “spiritual” thing I can do is <a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/">create, build, ship, and show up daily</a>, even when I don’t feel like it. The most spiritual thing <a href="/i-went-from-25-hour-to-1250-hour-heres-what-changed/">is to identify what needs to be changed</a> in the world and then go out and change it.</p>
<p>The people who change the world are not the most enlightened. They’re the most consistent. They are the most committed and devoted to their mission. They are the most tolerant of extreme discomfort.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>I still love ceremonies, use plant medicine, and I’ll never knock a good full moon circle or a breathwork journey. But let’s stop pretending that’s the work. The work is building the bridge between the inner world and the outer one. Spirituality taught me how to open up, but I had to step back to learn how to actually impact the world.</p>
<p>If you’re ready to move from just manifesting to actually building your personal brand and making an impact, I can help. I offer a range of resources, from my <a href="https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/get-started-with-this-amazing-course-2o7ml9sc">Short Form Video Accelerator</a> to my <a href="https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand">Level up on LinkedIn: 4 Week Live Cohort</a>, designed to help you show up authentically and create the life you want.</p>
<p>Ready to start building? Send me a DM on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/courtlynnjohnson/">Instagram</a> or <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/">LinkedIn</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Corporate Loyalty is a Myth</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/corporate-loyalty/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/corporate-loyalty/</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 08 Aug 2025 01:58:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Cheat on your job. I said what I said. The best way to secure your future is to get a side hustle, consult on the side, or pick up some extra projects.…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Cheat on your job. I said what I said.</p>
<p>The best way to <a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/">secure your future</a> is to get a side hustle, consult on the side, or pick up some extra projects. You should be going on practice interviews and building your personal brand.</p>
<h2>The Loyalty Myth</h2>
<p>One of the most dangerous career myths is believing that company loyalty will be rewarded. The truth is, your company has backups for their backups. They have contingency plans and replacement candidates ready to go. But who is your backup when they decide you are no longer essential?</p>
<h2>Corporate Kool-Aid</h2>
<p>Executives make cold calculations about headcount while preaching &quot;we&#39;re a family&quot; at company meetings. It&#39;s time to stop drinking the corporate Kool-Aid. Your boss isn&#39;t loyal to you, your company isn&#39;t loyal to you, and HR isn&#39;t loyal to you. So why are you being faithful to them?</p>
<h2>Feeling Disloyal?</h2>
<p>It&#39;s amazing how many talented people say things like:</p>
<ul><li>&quot;I can&#39;t interview elsewhere it feels disloyal.&quot;</li><li>&quot;I can&#39;t <a href="/work-with-me/">build a personal brand</a> what would my company think?&quot;</li><li>&quot;I can&#39;t take on side clients it wouldn&#39;t be fair.&quot;</li></ul>
<p>Fair to who? The company that would replace you in 72 hours?</p>
<h2>Smart Professionals</h2>
<p>The highest-paid professionals I know all have &quot;side relationships&quot; that help them stay ahead.</p>
<ul><li>They regularly interview at other companies.</li><li>They maintain a network of potential clients.</li><li>They build personal brands separate from their employer.</li><li>They keep multiple income streams active.</li></ul>
<p>Remember, your company doesn’t own your future. You do.</p>
<h2>Diversify Your Options</h2>
<p>Relying on corporate loyalty is like bringing flowers to someone who&#39;s already seeing other people. The market rewards those who diversify their options, not those who stay faithful to employers who would drop them without hesitation. Take that interview. Build that brand. Work with those side clients. Set up those coffee chats.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>The most employable people are the ones who never stopped dating the market. Your company is already seeing other candidates, so it is time for you to see other opportunities, too. Taking steps to secure your career is not disloyal; it is a smart and necessary strategy in today&#39;s professional landscape.</p>
<p>If you want to build a career that&#39;s independent of any single employer, let&#39;s connect. Send me a DM on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/courtlynnjohnson/">Instagram</a> or <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/">LinkedIn</a> to start a conversation.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>The Sunrise Content Club</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/sunrise-content-club/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/sunrise-content-club/</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 01 Aug 2025 01:12:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Creating consistent content can feel overwhelming when you&apos;re doing it alone. But what if you had a community showing up with you every single morning,…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Creating consistent content can feel overwhelming when you&#39;re doing it alone. </p>
<p>But what if you had a community showing up with you every single morning, ready to create together?</p>
<p><a href="https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/join-the-sunrise-content-club">The Sunrise Content Club</a> brings content creators together for daily live sessions, strategic prompts, and real-time collaboration.</p>
<p>Keep reading below to learn more about what you get if you join The Sunrise Content Club.</p>
<h2><strong>Live Daily Sessions</strong></h2>
<p>Every weekday morning at 8am CT, members join a live meeting to kickstart their content creation. It&#39;s not just about accountability. It&#39;s about showing up with other creators who are committed to building their presence online. These sessions set the tone for productive content days.</p>
<h2><strong>Daily Prompts</strong></h2>
<p>You get a new prompt every single day. No more staring at a blank screen wondering what to post. These prompts are built on strategic, proven-viral content formats that actually work. You&#39;ll have a framework to follow that takes the guesswork out of content creation.</p>
<h2><strong>Community Support</strong></h2>
<p>Members get access to a private WhatsApp group chat. This means you can connect with other participants throughout the day, share wins, ask questions, and get feedback. You&#39;re never creating in isolation.</p>
<h2><strong>Expert Facilitation</strong></h2>
<p>The club is hosted by me, Courtney Johnson and 2 other facilitators who guide the sessions and provide strategic direction. You&#39;re learning from people who understand what makes content perform.</p>
<h2><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2>
<p>The Sunrise Content Club gives you daily prompts, live morning sessions at 8am CT, proven content formats, a private community chat, and expert facilitation. Everything you need to <a href="/the-personal-brand-advice-you-need-before-2025-ends/">build a consistent content habit</a> and <a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/">grow your online presence</a>.</p>
<p>For $187 per month with a monthly subscription, you get structure, strategy, and support. If you&#39;re ready to stop creating alone and start your days with intention, this is your community.</p>
<p>Join the Sunrise Content Club and transform your content routine. <a href="https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/join-the-sunrise-content-club">Click here to sign up</a>. </p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>5 Podcasts to Help Monetize Your LinkedIn Presence</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/monetize-your-linkedin/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/monetize-your-linkedin/</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 18 Jul 2025 02:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>I don’t just post on LinkedIn to be seen or for the sake of having an active social media. I post to get PAID. And these 5 podcast episodes helped me…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I don’t just post on LinkedIn to be seen or for the sake of having an active social media. I post to get PAID. And these 5 podcast episodes helped me figure that out. </p>
<p>They shifted how I think about value, visibility, and what it actually takes to <a href="/work-with-me/">build a brand that converts</a>.</p>
<h2>Authentic Branding</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3V6GIVfE6g">EP.330 of the Expanded Podcas</a>t, titled &quot;How to be seen &amp; grow your career authentically,&quot; explores how to build a personal brand that is true to you.</p>
<p>It delves into questions like, &quot;How do you build an authentic personal brand?&quot; and &quot;How do you know you’re on the right, most aligned path?&quot; </p>
<p>This episode is for you if you know what you want but need guidance on the next steps.</p>
<p>Watch it below or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3V6GIVfE6g">click here to watch it on YouTube</a>.</p>
<figure class="video-embed" style="position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:1.5rem 0;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/g3V6GIVfE6g" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;" loading="lazy" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></figure>
<h2>Un-Gatekeeping LinkedIn</h2>
<p>In a two-part series on the &quot;Slay the Gatekeeper&quot; podcast, I un-gatekeep LinkedIn. We’re talking about a platform that’s not sexy and can even be a little cringe at times. But that’s exactly why you need to be there. </p>
<p>In &quot;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2TtHJ3IwvJf50lwZmZPLp8?si=6970c36e49f94ba5">Un-Gatekeeping LinkedIn, pt.1</a>,&quot; I discuss why the platform’s unsexy nature is an advantage. </p>
<figure class="video-embed" style="position:relative;padding-bottom:47%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:1.5rem 0;"><iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2TtHJ3IwvJf50lwZmZPLp8" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;" loading="lazy" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></figure>
<p>&quot;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Xahytv9zbnStNAmnHrdjY?si=a05677025a7f44d0">Un-Gatekeeping LinkedIn, pt.2</a>&quot; continues the conversation about the most boring social platform in the world and why its cringey nature is a strength.</p>
<figure class="video-embed" style="position:relative;padding-bottom:47%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:1.5rem 0;"><iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2Xahytv9zbnStNAmnHrdjY" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;" loading="lazy" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></figure>
<h2>Strategic Networking</h2>
<p>AJ Eckstein joins me in the &quot;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Saj091wbW4">Un-Gatekeeping LinkedIn + Strategic Networking</a>&quot; episode to uncover the untapped potential of LinkedIn for content creators, professionals, and brands.</p>
<p>We discuss how to leverage the platform for strategic networking and building valuable connections.</p>
<p>Watch the full podcast below, or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Saj091wbW4">click here to watch it on YouTube</a>.</p>
<figure class="video-embed" style="position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:1.5rem 0;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/5Saj091wbW4" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;" loading="lazy" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></figure>
<h2>Career Trajectory</h2>
<p><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2FIaV9B3bqOG9qSTWCAMXu?si=1U5bclYGSuiHVZMnm6ZorQ">On EP.80 of &quot;Don&#39;t Depend on Daddy,&quot;</a> Michela sat down with me to discuss &quot;Build your personal brand: Strategies to change your career trajectory.&quot;</p>
<p>This episode focuses on actionable strategies for using your personal brand to alter the course of your career and open up new opportunities.</p>
<figure class="video-embed" style="position:relative;padding-bottom:47%;height:0;overflow:hidden;margin:1.5rem 0;"><iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2FIaV9B3bqOG9qSTWCAMXu" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;" loading="lazy" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></figure>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>These podcast episodes provide a comprehensive guide to transforming your LinkedIn presence from a simple social media activity into a powerful tool for monetization. They offer insights on authentic brand building, leveraging the unique characteristics of the platform, strategic networking, and ultimately, <a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/">changing your career trajectory</a>.</p>
<p>If you are ready to take the next step in building a brand that not only gets you seen but also gets you paid, these episodes are a must-listen. For more insights and to listen to the episodes from Slay the Gatekeeper, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj?si=42e2e68d02a74276">you can find them here</a>.</p>
<p>Want more valuable podcasts to learn more about growing your LinkedIn? Feel free to send me a DM on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/courtlynnjohnson/">Instagram</a> or <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/">LinkedIn</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <title>Headshots of Courtney Johnson</title>
      <link>https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/headshots/</link>
      <guid isPermaLink="true">https://courtneyjohnsonnews-com.personalwebsites.org/headshots/</guid>
      <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jan 2025 14:39:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>These images may be used as headshots of Courtney Johnson for speaking and media appearances. Click each image for high-quality, print-ready file. Click…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>These images may be used as headshots of Courtney Johnson for speaking and media appearances.</p>
<p><em>Click each image for high-quality, print-ready file.</em></p>
<figure><img src="/cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/CourtneyHS1-683x1024.jpg" srcset="/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/CourtneyHS1-683x1024.jpg 400w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/CourtneyHS1-683x1024.jpg 800w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/CourtneyHS1-683x1024.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" alt="CourtneyHS1-683x1024.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" style="max-width:100%;height:auto;display:block;" /></figure>
<ul><li><a href="/wp-content/uploads/sites/137/2025/01/CourtneyHS1.jpg">Click here to download the file (with background)</a> </li><li><a href="/wp-content/uploads/sites/137/2025/01/NoBG.png">Click here to download the file (no background)</a> </li></ul>
<h2>More Images</h2>
<figure><img src="/cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS2-683x1024.jpg" srcset="/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS2-683x1024.jpg 400w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS2-683x1024.jpg 800w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS2-683x1024.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" alt="COURTNEYHS2-683x1024.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" style="max-width:100%;height:auto;display:block;" /></figure>
<figure><img src="/cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS3-683x1024.jpg" srcset="/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS3-683x1024.jpg 400w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS3-683x1024.jpg 800w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS3-683x1024.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" alt="COURTNEYHS3-683x1024.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" style="max-width:100%;height:auto;display:block;" /></figure>
<figure><img src="/cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS4-683x1024.jpg" srcset="/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS4-683x1024.jpg 400w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS4-683x1024.jpg 800w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS4-683x1024.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" alt="COURTNEYHS4-683x1024.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" style="max-width:100%;height:auto;display:block;" /></figure>
<figure><img src="/cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS5-683x1024.jpg" srcset="/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS5-683x1024.jpg 400w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS5-683x1024.jpg 800w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/COURTNEYHS5-683x1024.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" alt="COURTNEYHS5-683x1024.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" style="max-width:100%;height:auto;display:block;" /></figure>]]></content:encoded>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:09:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Title Options Your Partner Is Your Most Critical Business Investment Choose Your Partner Like a Co-Founder The Hidden ROI of Your Romantic Partner Your…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1>Title Options</h1>
<ol><li><br />Your Partner Is Your Most Critical Business Investment<br /></li><li><br />Choose Your Partner Like a Co-Founder<br /></li><li><br />The Hidden ROI of Your Romantic Partner<br /></li></ol>
<p>Your partner is not just a life decision.</p>
<p>They are your most critical business and career investment.</p>
<p>And nobody talks about this.</p>
<p>I see founders obsessing over which VC to pitch, what coach to hire, which market to enter.</p>
<p>But they are blind to the person next to them in bed.</p>
<h2>The Hard Truth</h2>
<p>Here is what I learned the hard way: Your partner will either 10x your capacity or cut it in half.</p>
<p>There is no in-between.</p>
<h2>What You Need</h2>
<p>When you are <a href="/career-cheat-codes/">building something real</a>, you need someone who:</p>
<ul><li>Holds the vision when you cannot see it</li><li>Covers the gaps you will never fill</li><li>Does not flinch when the account hits zero</li></ul>
<p>Not someone who asks &quot;when are you getting a real job?&quot;</p>
<h2>My Secret Weapon</h2>
<p>My partner became my secret weapon.</p>
<p>While other founders were fighting at home, I had a co-conspirator.</p>
<p>While they were hiding numbers, I had a strategy partner.</p>
<p>While they were making excuses, I had accountability.</p>
<h2>The Real ROI</h2>
<p>The ROI on the right partner? Infinite.</p>
<ul class="recent-grid"><li class="recent-card"><a href="/small-habits-big-changes/"><img src="/cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/Small-Habits-Big-Changes-scaled.jpg" srcset="/cdn-cgi/image/width=400,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/Small-Habits-Big-Changes-scaled.jpg 400w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=800,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/Small-Habits-Big-Changes-scaled.jpg 800w, /cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=80,fit=scale-down,format=auto/_media/Small-Habits-Big-Changes-scaled.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" alt="Small Habits, Big Changes" loading="lazy" decoding="async" /><div class="meta"><h3>Small Habits, Big Changes</h3><time>Nov 5, 2025</time><p>Most people chase perfection when building new habits, but that is exactly what keeps them…</p></div></a></li></ul>
<p>You can recover from a bad hire.</p>
<p>You can pivot from a failed product.</p>
<p>You can rebuild after losing a client.</p>
<p>But you cannot build an empire while your home is burning.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Choose your partner like you would choose a co-founder. Because that is exactly what they are.</p>
<p>Follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson"><em>LinkedIn</em></a> or <a href="https://instagram.com/courtlynnjohnson"><em>Instagram</em></a> for more.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:09:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Title Options The One Video That Changed Everything About Money Stop Being Broke: Watch This Now This 3.5-Hour Video Rewires Your Brain You cannot…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1>Title Options</h1>
<ol><li>The One Video That Changed Everything About Money</li><li>Stop Being Broke: Watch This Now</li><li>This 3.5-Hour Video Rewires Your Brain</li></ol>
<p>You cannot complain about being broke if you have not watched this one YouTube video.</p>
<p>It is called &quot;How to Get Rich&quot; by Naval Ravikant.</p>
<p>3.5 hours.</p>
<p>Yes, it is long.</p>
<p>Watch it anyway.</p>
<h2>Why This Matters</h2>
<p>I get dozens of messages every week from people thanking me for sharing this video.</p>
<p>And I have NEVER met someone who watched that entire video and stayed broke 6 months later.</p>
<p>Not one person.</p>
<h2>What It Does</h2>
<p>It literally rewires <a href="/wealthy-vs-broke-people/">how you think about wealth</a>.</p>
<p>Stop scrolling.</p>
<p>Go watch it.</p>
<p>Right now.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>This video will change how you think about money and <a href="/the-100k-a-year-playbook/">building wealth</a>. I promise you, you will thank me.</p>
<p>Follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson"><em>LinkedIn</em></a> or check out my <a href="https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand"><em>Personal Brand Course</em></a> for more.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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      <pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:09:58 GMT</pubDate>
      <description>Title Options Why Niches Are Killing Your Personal Brand Stop Picking a Niche and Become One Instead Your Niche Is You, Not a Worksheet Everyone online…</description>
      <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1>Title Options</h1>
<ol><li><br />Why Niches Are Killing Your Personal Brand<br /></li><li><br />Stop Picking a Niche and Become One Instead<br /></li><li><br />Your Niche Is You, Not a Worksheet<br /></li></ol>
<p>Everyone online is screaming the same tired advice: find your niche, pick a tiny box, shrink yourself to be marketable.</p>
<p>I am here to tell you that is completely wrong.</p>
<h2>My Coaching Philosophy</h2>
<p>I never coach my clients on niches.</p>
<p>I coach them on identity.</p>
<p>I coach them on why people choose them.</p>
<p>I coach them on becoming a category of one.</p>
<h2>The Real Truth</h2>
<p>The niche is not your <a href="/the-personal-brand-advice-you-need-before-2025-ends/">personal brand</a>.</p>
<p>You are.</p>
<p>Your lived experience is your brand.</p>
<p>Your perspective is your brand.</p>
<p>Your energy is your brand.</p>
<h2>What You Need</h2>
<p>Of course you need strategy.</p>
<p>Of course you need content themes.</p>
<p>Of course you need direction.</p>
<p>But a niche?</p>
<p>That is not something you pick.</p>
<p>It is something you become.</p>
<h2>How Niches Emerge</h2>
<p>Your niche emerges from what you naturally talk about.</p>
<p>It comes from what you cannot shut up about.</p>
<p>It develops from the problems people always come to you for.</p>
<p>It grows from the results you can deliver in your sleep.</p>
<p>Not from a worksheet.</p>
<h2>The Suffocation Effect</h2>
<p>When you force a niche, you suffocate your brand.</p>
<p>When you become the niche, you become a category of one.</p>
<p>No competitor.</p>
<p>No comparison.</p>
<p>No crowded market.</p>
<p>No oversaturation.</p>
<h2>Why People Follow</h2>
<p>People do not follow you because you picked the right micro industry.</p>
<p>They follow you because you make them feel something.</p>
<p>Because you articulate something they could not put into words.</p>
<p>Because you embody the future they want.</p>
<h2>Your Real Niche</h2>
<p>Your niche is not fitness.</p>
<p>Or career.</p>
<p>Or self development.</p>
<p>Or personal branding.</p>
<p>Your niche is you.</p>
<p>The intersection of all the things only you can do.</p>
<h2>Become the Category</h2>
<p>So stop trying to fit into a category.</p>
<p>Become the category.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>Your personal brand is not about forcing yourself into a pre-defined box that someone else created. It is about letting your unique lived experience, perspective, and energy become the category itself. When you stop trying to pick a niche and start becoming one, you eliminate competition and create something no one else can replicate.</p>
<p>Follow me on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson"><em>LinkedIn</em></a> or <a href="https://instagram.com/courtlynnjohnson"><em>Instagram</em></a> for more <a href="/un-gatekeeping-linkedin/">personal branding insights</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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