How to Build an Intentional Online Presence

As an writer and expat blogger for the past four years, I can't think of a time when I hadn't noticed Anastasia online! I'd heard wonderful things about the book she co-authored (Tales From the Expat Harem) from my writing mentor and future publisher, Jo Parfitt, devoured the book and immediately went looking for her online. I've been following and learning from this forward-thinking, people-connecting, boundary-crossing, network-linking, visionary thought leader ever since.

When she and Tara Lutman Agacayak created GlobalNiche, the online community supporting location-independent entrepreneurs worldwide, I said 'count me in'. Their SUM-It UP program turns the old school competitive model on its head, choosing instead a collaborative, encouraging approach to branding yourself in the 21st century marketplace using cutting edge methods and online tools. They excel at helping members identify their talents, skills, experiences and creative assets, then harness the synchronous power of social media to successfully create a powerful online presence.

As an author and global/cultural community builder, I place great value in emotional resilience. The best part about Anastasia? Knowing how successfully resilient she is - not because she knows a LOT of people (she does) in a host of different fields (they are) all over the globe (ditto), but because her unremitting support for putting people together and coaxing the best out of them is contagious. The community she and Tara have created in GlobalNiche ~ 'creative self enterprise for the global soul' ~ is unparalleled. In fact, it's the epitome of resilience.

Anastasia is someone who keeps exploring new ground in the realm of culture, identity and how they play a role in our lives as global citizens. She creates the space for conversation on issues that shape our lives and how we shape the lives of those around us. She recognizes life, culture, economy, politics and everything in between are in fact co-created realities. All of us play a role in that creative process and she encourages us to be aware of how we contribute to what we see around us. Most importantly, Anastasia gives voice to those ideas that need to be talked about and gives those who need to share a voice. I highly recommend Anastasia for anyone looking to produce cultural work of any kind relating to the ever evolving definition of a global citizen and global community.