Sequence Over Strategy

Many business owners struggle with asking for collaborations due to fears of not providing equal value. This mindset often stems from past negative experiences. Michelle explains that true reciprocity isn’t about one-to-one trades and highlights different types of value exchanges, like introductions or future support. Using relatable examples, she encourages embracing varied forms of collaboration. Ultimately, she advocates for understanding the needs of partners and recognizing the uniqueness of each exchange.

Tired of hollow networking? Discover why genuine connections outweigh sheer numbers. Dive into how quality networks can become powerful business assets. Learn to identify your valuable ties and why depth is crucial for service providers. Michelle unveils a three-level framework for intentional networking and shares a step-by-step sequence to build meaningful relationships. Plus, get tips on auditing and refining your connections to ensure they truly matter. Say goodbye to empty coffee chats and hello to impactful networking!

Tired of wrestling with whether to accept unpaid work? Discover a smarter approach by asking what the opportunity truly does for your business. Michelle Warner dives into the nuances of unpaid gigs, clarifying when they serve as effective market research or valuable marketing tools. Learn about the importance of boundaries and the distinction between genuine opportunities and those that merely drain your resources. With practical examples, you'll uncover the real job each opportunity performs and make informed decisions about your time.

Dive into the pitfalls of audience borrowing and discover why targeting 'good enough' crowds can sabotage your marketing. Learn the importance of building genuine relationships with audience owners for better results. Michelle highlights the tradeoff between easy opportunities and quality engagement, emphasizing the need for precision in your marketing efforts. She also unpacks the challenges of passive placements and how they fail to convert without solid connections. Tune in for insights that could transform your approach to audience engagement!

Discover how to transform your approach to social media by prioritizing genuine connection over mere strategy. Learn why using social platforms primarily as tools for engagement can reduce marketing burnout. Explore the importance of asking the right questions before posting and how reframing your mindset can lead to stronger relationships. Michelle highlights practical examples, like using LinkedIn for meaningful connections, to illuminate social media’s true potential. Shift your perspective for a more fulfilling experience!

Explore how availability bias can lead to poor decision-making in business. Discover relatable examples, from favorite flowers to vacations, that illuminate this mental shortcut. Learn why it’s especially risky when stakes are high and how prioritizing sequence over strategy shifts your thinking. Michelle shares effective visual tools to reveal hidden options and the significance of aligning customer and marketing strategies. Finally, uncover the pitfalls of overcorrecting from referrals to traffic marketing, and why sequence-first thinking can save you time and mistakes.

Are you unknowingly sabotaging your business by ignoring small but crucial patterns? In this replay episode of a popular Sequence Over Strategy episode, Michelle Warner introduces a game-changing journaling exercise: What's Working, What's Not, and Why.   This simple yet powerful practice helps entrepreneurs spot small wins and red flags before they turn into major problems. By consistently tracking three things that worked, three that didn’t, and analyzing the patterns, business owners can make smarter, data-driven decisions. Over time, this habit prevents reactive choices and ensures strategies align with real, observed progress. Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

Trust is essential in business; it's more than just a nice-to-have. The conversation highlights the stark contrast between traffic marketing and relationship marketing. In saturated markets, building trust is more critical than ever. Collaborations can enhance credibility and help you work smarter, not harder. The focus is on creating deeper connections that lead to lasting success.

Struggling to manage overflowing ideas for your business? Discover strategies to balance what works now with future possibilities. Learn to use the Three Horizons Model for prioritizing ideas, minimizing risks, and maximizing returns. By organizing your thoughts, you can avoid pitfalls and focus on easy wins. Find out how to protect your current successes while also keeping an eye on innovative growth opportunities.

What if your business isn’t struggling because of bad strategy, but because you’re doing the right things in the wrong order? In this season two premiere, Michelle is digging into why sequence over strategy matters even more than ever, especially in a market that’s tighter, noisier, and far less forgiving than it used to be. She shares what she’s been hearing from business owners, why now is the time to double down on what’s working, and the three big areas she’ll focus on this season to help you plug leaks, boost results, and create your own unfair advantage.ResourcesCheck out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.comMichelle Warner on Web | Networking That Pays | Free WorkshopSequence Over Startegy Curated Playlists