101: Run Your Business with Exquisite Greatness and Tiny Art Projects with Alexandra Franzen

How has Alexandra Franzen built two thriving businesses without social media? By delivering work with a quality I like to call “exquisite greatness.” She treats every marketing initiative like a tiny art project, something to get excited about rather than a draining chore to dread—and no, it doesn’t require social media. As Alex shares, according to a Nielsen study, 92% of customers purchase products or services because of a recommendation from someone they know.

More About Alex: Alexandra Franzen is a bestselling author, award-winning editor, and entrepreneur based in Hawaii. She’s the co-founder of Get It Done, a company providing writing coaching, editing, proofreading, cover design, publishing, and distribution services for clients who want to write a book. She writes one of my favorite newsletters at AlexandraFranzen.com, and runs her popular Tiny Book Course. Alex deleted all of her social media accounts eight years ago as she describes in her forthcoming book, Marketing Without Social Media.

🌟 3 Key Takeaways:

• Being excellent at what you do is the best way to get more clients and revenue.
• Do less and do it better. There is always another layer of simplicity you can reach with your work.
• Flex your asking muscle. Remember that what you are asking for is usually a win-win and you will be giving as much as you receive. 

📝 Permission: Give yourself a raise! If you are excellent at what you do, significantly increase what you charge. 

✅ Do (or Delegate) This Next: If you’re stressed by social media, take a break; stop for a week and see how it feels. It’ll be fine. It might even be great, allowing you to focus on creating tiny art with your business communications instead. 

📘 Books Mentioned:

• Free Time: Lose the Busywork, Love Your Business
• Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One
• Marketing Without Social Media: 100 Marketing Ideas (No Social Media Required) for Business Owners, Founders, Freelancers, Authors, Artists, Musicians, and Creatives 
•  The 3-Day Effect

🔗 Resources Mentioned:  

• Alex on the web, Get It Done, Tiny Book Course, Marketing Without Social Media Program
• Ben Wendel 
• Brand Strategist: Jennifer Kem 
• Erin Haag: Pricing Overhaul 
• Video: Adele on Oprah

Related Podcast Episodes: 

• 183: Cultivating Opposites and Checklists with Alexandra Franzen
• 076: On Plan Z, Creative Finish Lines and the Graceful No—with Alexandra Franzen
• 075: Coaching Through the Free Time Framework with Wade Brill
• 020: Pricing Psychology with Jacquette Timmons

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