Streamlined Solopreneur: Tips to Help Business Owners Grow Without Burnout

Recently, I sat down to dinner with my family when the doorbell rang. It was a door-to-door HelloFresh salesman, who wanted to make dinner easier for us (while ironically preventing me from eating dinner). I immediately got frustrated for two reasons: It was dinner time and the interruption was unwelcomedI had already told this guy’s partner “no” several hours earlier. It was a conversation that not only was unwelcome but was already flat-out rejected once before. This sort of tactic is what gives sales a bad name, and why folks like us hate sales. But today’s guest, Nikki Rausch, is here to tell us that’s not at all how sales should work – and what we should do instead. Top TakeawaysSales isn’t a one-way street. It’s a collaborative conversation that you have permission to enter into. And you get permission by asking. The person you’re speaking to has their own language – you need to tailor your offer to meet their needs and use their language. Never make assumptions! You can’t further a relationship without asking questions. Assumptions are driven by limiting beliefs. Questions lead to concrete answers.Show NotesNikki RauschWhat Prepared Plumbers Can Teach You About Winning BusinessThe Selling Staircase: Mastering the Art of RelationshipMastering the Sales ConversationSponsored by: Sensei Sponsored by:Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

Social media advice these days reminds me a bit of the parable of the Emperor with no Clothes. See, it's easy for anyone to display how smart and successful they are. They say things like, "Here's your content strategy for 2024: Post three times on X daily, post one thread on X daily. Create three LinkedIn posts per day and one LinkedIn carousel per week." People read that and think, "That's easy to understand," without realizing that just posting content is not a strategy at all. I often think about how people perceive me and my show because I consider myself a successful podcaster. But I also feel conflicted – I don't feel I've done a good job of leveraging this show to grow my audience. So, I've decided to have my friend, Zach Swinehart, come on to talk about how I can improve my conversions for this show.However, it almost feels a bit like the emperor has no clothes. Am I putting myself out there? Am I letting myself be too vulnerable? I guess you’re about to find out.Top TakeawaysWhen it comes to determining your lead magnet, you should test a few to see which resonates.When you're testing calls to action or lead magnets in a podcast, you should try a few different spots with a few different links.Know who you're talking to and try to understand your audience by looking at their pain points and objections.Show NotesDouble Your Email List Growth Rate in 29 minutesCheck out the full interview over on Zach's podcast, Full Time CreatorPersonalization is the Path Forward with Brennan DunnSponsored by: Sensei Sponsored by:Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

How much help is too much help? When do you go from the actual worker to the visionary? And where does AI fit into all of this? Over on LinkedIn, I said using AI to write your book is like using a car to run a marathon. People took issue with that. So my friend Alastair MeDermott and I decided to have a good old fashioned debate. You’ll hear a nuanced discussion around:How to think about AI assistance in writing and content creationWhere AI can help versus replace in the creative processHow iterative prompting can shape the AI outputWhether AI will ever replicate truly original human ideasThe importance of the human editorial eye in approving AI-generated contentWhat we potentially stand to lose in fully outsourcing creative work to machinesIf you’re feeling uncertain about how to responsibly and effectively leverage AI tools like ChatGPT in your business and content creation, don’t miss this lively exchange of perspectives. Tune in now to help shape your own ethical framework.Check out Alastair's podcast over at https://therecognizedauthority.com/  ★ Support this podcast ★

Imagine making $70,000…from your bedroom…in one night. That’s exactly what Matt “Dappz” McGuckin did with his online trading cards shop. He got his start “breaking” – that is, buying and opening boxes of cards live online, and selling the contents…all on TikTok. Sounds risky? It is! But today, Dappz Sports is the Live Shopping Company on TikTok in the U.S., making over $20 Million in gross sales. So the risks have paid off. Now maybe it seems like too far-fetched to say you’ll make $70K in one night, but it’s not too far-fetched to say that making calculated risks will elevate your business. It’s a proven strategy and Dappz, and today, he’s going to tell you how you can do it too. Top TakeawaysDon’t try to think about how you’ll go viral. Instead, be consistent and try different things. Experimenting can be low-stakes risk-taking. One of the biggest risks that pay off is hiring someone. They will take SO much off your plate. It sounds scary, but it’s a must for any business owner. Research is SO important with it comes to mitigating risk – remember, this is about calculated risks, not being a cowboy, and doing crazy stuff to see if it pays off. Show NotesMatt "Dappz" McGuckinMatt on TiktokThe Social Dilemma on NetflixSponsored by: Sensei Sponsored by:Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

Over the years, I’ve published a great many gift guides on my blog. From freelancers, to podcasters, to working from home, and even my hobbies — like pens and cigars. And this year is no different.But given my relatively new focus on helping solopreneurs (and the fact that the “Work from Home” guide is starting to feel a little stale), I’ve decided to change things up in 2023.That's why this year, I'm introducing the Solopreneur's Gift Guide. Enjoy! LinksThe 2023 Solopreneur's Gift GuideView on Casabona.orgRecording / Video Conference GearElgato FacecamElgato Facecam ProLive Stream kitSamson Q2U Sennheiser PC 8 USB Headset Podcaster’s Gift GuideHue LightsElgato Key Light | Key Light AirNeewer 2 PackLume Cube for Video ConferencingHome OfficeSteelcase HON ChairsRoller Blade Wheels for Office ChairsJarvis by FullyE7 by FlexiSpotMoft Sit-Stand Laptop DeskTwelve SouthLogitech MX Master 3 Keycron K2 Pro Mechanical KeyboardErgonomic keyboard from MicrosoftMonitor Arm by FullyAt Home TechWestern Digital My Book  BackblazeSynology 2 Bay Storage NAS +  some hard drivesWestern Digital Portable Hard DriveSamsung’s T7 portable SSDAirPods Pro IISkullcandy headphones Bose QuietComfort 45 Noise Cancelling headphones Audio-Technica ATH-M50sStream Deck GaNPrime Hybrid Power Bank / Wall ChargerMagSafe 3-in-1 Charging Cube (perfect for travel)Nano USB-C Power BankStands by Lab22ProductivitySidekick NotebookSidekick NotepadWilliam Hannah A5 Classic NotebookCheck out my Pen guideAnalog from UgmonkTodoistMindNode  BearUlyssesApp Store Gift Card SetappComforts of HomeCometeerKru DoomcupReading Jazzy JavaRook NicaraguaNespressoOXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee GrinderMahabis SlippersTravel / Outside the HouseWaterField Designs Sling bag from NomaticTimbuk2.Kindle ScribeAirTagsAirFly by Twelve SouthAt Your BestForget the FunnelThis is PersonalMade to Stick Sponsored by:Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

Do you remember the most awkward moments of your life? One for me was definitely the day I was defending my master’s thesis. I was explaining a complex algorithm, when my advisor interrupted me and said, “Well…that’s not really how it works.”  In front of my classmates, other faculty, and a number of friends who showed up out of support.As you can imagine, I was mortified – until recovered, finished the presentation, and said, If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them. Unless it’s about that one algorithm. They you can ask Dr. Bishop.” That got laughs, and I finished strong. I learned an important lesson that day: awkwardness will happen. It’s how you handle it that has a lasting effect. And that’s exactly what Dr. Henna Pryor is going to talk about with us today. She’s a keynote speaker, and her best-selling book, Good Awkward, came out in September with endorsements from people like NFL Quarterback Russell Wilson. Top TakeawaysWe are living in a society that increasingly doesn’t need to use its “social skills” muscle. We don’t have to interact with as many people, and it’s making us feel worse. Awkward goes hand-in-hand with uncertainty. That means if you never want to feel awkward, you’ll never grow. In order to embrace uncertainty, and therefore awkwardness, we need to create more situations to “practice” than the current world gives us. Show NotesHenna PryorHenna Pryor BookHenna on LinkedinHenna on InstagramHow to Stand Out When Everything is Competing for Attention with Steve WoodruffSponsored by: Sensei Sponsored by:Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

A family walks into a talent agency, and says, “Have we got the act for you…”If you’re familiar with this opening to a joke, you may have had a visceral reaction to it — either you think it’s hysterically funny, shamefully disgusting, or both. It’s the opening to the joke, The Aristocrats, and if you have a weak stomach, I don’t suggest you look it up.See, the point of this joke isn’t actually the punchline, which is right in the title. The point is to see how long you can improv a shocking, disgusting, offensive story.You can think about it as a secret handshake among comedians, that became not so secret after a 2005 documentary came out about it.It going me thinking about the importance of telling a story.This week, I got to speak to my friend Nick Benson’s college classes about Digital Storytelling.Don’t worry, I didn’t tell The Aristocrats.Instead, I spoke to them about why storytelling is so important in any content you create, especially podcasting.Read the article here: https://podcastliftoff.com/podcast-storytelling/  Sponsored by:Lulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book.Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

In a way, the chaotic start to our interview, followed by a calm, cool conversation, is a metaphor for Jordan’s business journey this year. See, this isn’t just a story about how to hire good people for your business. It’s a cautionary tale, and proof that running a business is about always learning and adjusting. Jordan runs an agency of high-level remote assistants. Today, she’s telling us her own trials and tribulations with making what seemed to be the right hiring call but ended up plunging her business into a few chaotic months. Don’t worry though, through patience and vigilance, she came out on the other side in a much better position. Plus, in the PRO show, we talk about what she’s doing for me…and why she’s contributed to me potentially leaving Airtable for Notion.Top TakeawaysYou need to share your mission with your team early on. This ensures that you’re both aligned on the same values – which will form a stronger bond than a paycheck. Know when to communicate. Jordan saw that through hiring contractors, they were taking on too much, and as a result, the quality of their work slipped. Clear communication could have prevented the worst outcome for her: loss of clients. Know when to cut ties. Jordan saw that for her agency, a contractor relationship would not work. So she pivoted and decided to hire full-time employees instead. It took several months to find the right fit, but she’s happy she didn’t rush into the decision. When you do bring on new employees, make sure to have a rock-solid, hands-on training program. This will allow them to start learning and doing, from day 1.Show NotesJordan EatonSponsored by: Lulu | Sensei Sponsored by:Lulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book.Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★

It's podcast swap time! Except I'm telling you about another podcast of mine: Podcast Workflows. It's a daily podcast that focuses on how to help podcasters improve their processes. Every Wednesday, I do a deep dive into someone's process, and that's what I'm bringing you today. Learn more at https://show.podcastworkflows.com/Arielle Nissenblatt eats, sleeps, and breathes podcasts.Her main job is with a podcast company.Her newsletter is all about podcast curation.She runs a podcast community on Discord.She loves podcasts so much that she, along with her co-host Tim Villegas, produce a podcast about podcasts. Well really, about podcast trailers specifically. It’s called Trailer Park.You might think that this is too niche, but they got 10,000 downloads in just a few weeks. Their outreach process was crucial to achieving that goal. Read on to learn how they did it.IN THIS EPISODEWhy a super-niche podcast is the path to successSpending some time in the edit can greatly enhance your showPitching and direct outreach is still the best way to grow your podcastRead the full article here: https://podcastworkflows.com/trailer-park-podcast/ ★ Support this podcast ★

If I wanted to cater to the current algorithm gods, I’d probably talk about how this interview is all about what AI can and cannot do for us. But it’s so much more than that. Much like the problem with leveraging AI to do all of the heavy lifting, me positioning this episode as “about AI,” would be inauthentic. And authenticity…well that’s really what this episode is about. Tom Schwab is someone who believes at his core that you’re just One Conversation Away from a profitable…and perhaps quite successful…business. So that’s what he helps people do. He helps them have conversations. And today, you’re going to learn how to get better at having the right conversations, as well as how to leverage those conversations to build your authority…authentically. Plus in the PRO show, Tom and I exchange podcast interview horror stories!Top TakeawaysMarketing is starting a conversation with someone who could be a great customer. But before you can do that, you need to get clear on what you do, and who you do it for. Obscurity is bad for business. When you go on podcasts, you’re having a conversation with potentially lots of people. This means you need to show up, be present, and make the host look like a genius for having you on! Go for quality over quantity. When I asked Tom about how to get on more podcasts he said, “More is not better. Better is better.” So use your time wisely, and show up fully for the listeners.Show NotesTom SchwabSponsored by: Lulu | Sensei Sponsored by:Lulu: Sign up for free today and sell your book.Sensei: Save 20% FOR LIFE with code JOECASABONAJoin my FREE Newsletter, Podcast Workflows ★ Support this podcast ★