Streamlined Solopreneur: Systems & Automation to Help Solopreneurs Reduce Friction

It’s the end of the summer and the end of our experiment to keep our kids home instead of sending them to summer camp. So today I’m going to answer 3 questions: 1. How did it go (including giving it a grade)2. Was it worth it? (and if yes, would it have made it **not** worth it) 3. Will we do it again? In Accelerated, I talk about why I want to create a more scalable business while remaining a solopreneur, and we do a time-tracking check-in. Sign up to get ad-free, extended episodes early over at https://streamlined.fm/joinTakeawaysKnow your schedule & build in time for unknowns. I felt overwhelmed because I didn’t have any margin in my schedule- Save some extra money. I know we saved money by not spending it, but that’s different from having extra money in the bank. Having kids home means having to entertain them —so have a budget for that!- Cherish the time you have time. I’m reminded that as another kid enters full-time school, they are now out of the house for most of their waking hours each week. Talkroute: Visit streamlined.fm/talkroute for 20% off your first yearReady to get Unstuck? Visit https://streamlined.fm/unstuck for 33% off.  ★ Support this podcast ★

I think failing to give a good presentation is an incredibly missed opportunity. You have everything: a captive audience, borrowed credibility, and a place to deliver your message your way. But there are a lot of places where your presentation can fall down. Most people will focus on not capturing the audience quickly enough, or pacing. Maybe not rehearsing. But what about your slides? The actual visual part of your presentation. The visual storytelling is as important as the words you deliver. Not enough context? Your audience is lost. Too much text? Your audience is too busy reading to hear your message. That’s why I decided to have Emily Schneider on the show. She’s a visual storyteller, and her canvas is PowerPoint presentations. Intrigued? I was too. Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where I take Emily’s advice and roast my own recent talk slides? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated. Top TakeawaysStart with the Audience: Understand who your audience is and what you want them to think, feel, and do by the end of your presentation. This is crucial for making a meaningful impact.Craft a Compelling Story: Begin with the end in mind and structure your presentation around a clear storytelling arc. Focus on the challenge, benefits, and reinforcing the main message.Balance Images and Words: Use simple words or short sentences, and stylize your slides to naturally guide your audience through your story. This approach is effective not just for live presentations but also for pitch decks and emailed presentations.Show NotesEmily Schneider4 Simple Tips for Impactful PresentationsThe Go GiverWant to be a Better Speaker? Do THESE Things with Mike Pacchione Talkroute: Visit streamlined.fm/talkroute for 20% off your first yearGet started with Clariti for just $1 your first month with code SOLO2024Ready to get Unstuck? Visit https://streamlined.fm/unstuck for 33% off.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Do you have offerings for people at any level of their journey? That’s the importance of having a well-defined product ladder. A product ladder provides multiple offerings at different price points and levels of engagement to meet potential customers where they are at.Today I’ll talk about how I have struggled with this in my own business, with offerings that didn’t clearly communicate how I help my specific target audience of busy solopreneurs with podcasts.Then, I give you a walk through (walk-up?) of my Product Ladder!Want to hear my poke holes in my product ladder and give a general update on Podcast Navigator and my business? You can become a member over at https://streamlined.fm/joinTop TakeawaysAs a solopreneur, it's important to have multiple offerings at different price points to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket. Some offerings should be scalable and not require a lot of your time.Your product ladder should clearly communicate how you help your specific target audience and micro-segments achieve their goals. Be focused rather than trying to be everything to everyone.Map out your product ladder from low-priced "assistance" offerings like courses, to mid-priced "accountability" offerings like group coaching, to high-priced "acceleration" offerings like done-for-you services. Have something for customers at every stage.Your core offering that you want to sell the most should be in the middle of your product ladder. For me, that's my Podcast Navigator tool.Constantly evaluate and refine your product ladder based on customer feedback and your business goals as a solopreneur. Don't be afraid to make adjustments as you gain more clarity.Show NotesPodcast NavigatorMy Home Page, where most of product liveChris Lema’s blog post on Product Ladders Talkroute: Visit streamlined.fm/talkroute for 20% off your first yearGet started with Clariti for just $1 your first month with code SOLO2024Ready to get Unstuck? Visit https://streamlined.fm/unstuck for 33% off.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the endless options for hosting your online business? The decision between a hosted platform like Squarespace or a self-hosted solution like WordPress can be daunting, especially for solopreneurs juggling multiple responsibilities.And while the conversation feels like it's been done to death, I was recently reminded that even seemingly simple platforms can shut you down for no reason.There are a lot of merits to going with a hosted platform. But there's also a lot of danger. Let's explore.Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where I talk about my experience choosing the wrong platforms, and how I’m trying to fix it? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated.Top TakeawaysHosted vs. Self-Hosted is a lot like renting vs. owning a house. There are safeties in place, but you can't do as much, and you run a higher risk of being kicked off a platform you don't own.No matter what you choose, portability and how it impacts your ability to truly own and control your online presence is important. Worse than needing to change platforms is being completely unable to.Research is key. Look at features, sure, but make sure you can export, use your own payment accounts, and look at the terms of service. You might even reach out to support to ask them questions about what types of projects are allowed.Show NotesWhy an apartment is better than a house for most creatorsMatt Medeiros on XMemberfulConvertKit Get started with Clariti for just $1 your first month with code SOLO2024 ★ Support this podcast ★

When I first started my business, I was 14 years old. My income was pretty light, and my expenses were even lighter. Heck – I didn’t even pay for hosting. I hosted my few client websites on a web server in my bedroom (don’t tell my old ISP). But even then, I knew the importance of keeping track of my income and expenses, which I did in an Excel sheet. I’ve always had an interest in accounting, which I thought served me well. Then I hired Rachel Stas. She made some fantastic changes to my business that ended up saving me money AND lowered my tax bill. And while everyone is different, I know the advice she gives today will be great for any solopreneur*. Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where Rachel and I talk about my business, and I ask her specific questions about my books? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated. Top TakeawaysForming an LLC alone does not provide tax benefits. While incorporation is an important aspect of running a business, you also need to file as the right type of entity (like an S Corp), to help lighten your tax load.Track all business income and expenses from day one in a spreadsheet or separate bank account. Don't rely on memory or mix business and personal finances.Don’t deduct for the sake of deducting, and be cautious with what you deduct. Some things, like a home office, might offer short-term gains for long-term pain. Finally, I believe that investing time upfront to properly track finances and get professional accounting help pays off in the long run in taxes saved and peace of mind. Don’t wait until your business gets big to implement good accounting practices.Show NotesRachel Stas TaxWhy Solopreneurs Need to Time TrackPodcast Growth Audit Check out Podcast Workflows here or wherever you get your podcastsGet started with Clariti for just $1 your first month with code SOLO2024 ★ Support this podcast ★

The podcast discusses the challenges of aligning newsletter content with podcast topics, leading to a reevaluation of strategy for improvement in growth. Examples of successful newsletters with clear focus are highlighted for inspiration and guidance.

Join expert affiliate marketer, Justine Galea, as she shares tips on maximizing passive income through affiliate programs. Learn to target the right audience, balance sponsorships, and secure better deals. Discover the advantages of affiliate programs over sponsorships and how to navigate successful brand relationships.

A common thread on the show this year has been the push and pull of finding the right tools while also balancing our time and money as solopreneurs. A while back I invited my friend and fellow podcaster Sarah St John onto the show. She’s the host of the Frugalpreneur podcast, and at first, I thought we’d share podcasting war stories. But then everything went wrong. We were having both hardware and software issues. So once we got everything squared away, I thought we could refocus the conversation. See, I have a tech background, and sometimes forget that troubleshooting and working with tech isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. So we decided to dive deep into managing your tech stack without spending a fortune. We share our top tips and personal experiences on how to choose the right tools, avoid unnecessary expenses, and leverage platforms like AppSumo for amazing lifetime deals. Whether you're a tech newbie or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you streamline your business operations and save money. Top TakeawaysEvaluate Your Current Tools: Regularly check if your tools are still meeting your needs.Consider the Cost of Switching: Weigh the benefits of switching tools against the effort required.Balance Convenience and Cost: Ensure the cost of a tool is justified by its value.Show NotesSarah St JohnCaardSkoolCaptivateDescript System.ioSendFoxTidyCalCastmagicCapshoPodiumPodsqueezeStreamYard RiversideTransistorObsidianNotionEcamm LiveCal.comWordPressSwitchy Sponsors: Check out Liquid WebGet started with Clariti for just $1 your first month with code SOLO2024Ready to get Unstuck? Visit https://streamlined.fm/unstuck for 33% off.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Learn why time tracking is crucial for solopreneurs to improve efficiency and make informed business decisions. Start with simple methods, use tools like Timery and Timing, and implement time tracking effectively with tips on categorizing tasks and optimizing efficiency.

Just this morning I watched an incredibly interesting video that sent me down a rabbit hole. A 19-year-old kid was arm wrestling against a massive bodybuilder – and won, pretty easily. Thinking this could be rigged or fake, I looked at other matches this fellow – Maxim appears to be his name – competed in. And he won…a lot. See, while he is very strong (just not as big as the other guys), Maxim has great technique. What does this have to do with lead generation? Well, as you’ll hear from Jennie Wright, you don’t need a massive list to build your business. You don’t need to be smarmy. You don’t need to be showy. You just need to have good technique – and forge good relationships.Top TakeawaysConsistency is key in lead generation. Create a plan that aligns with your end goal and focuses on activities that will give you the best results within your available time and resources.Leverage other people's audiences by appearing as a guest on podcasts, speaking at summits, and participating in bundles. This is an effective way to grow your credibility and reach new potential leads.Nurture your leads authentically by setting expectations, providing value, and building trust. Avoid being too salesy, and focus on creating genuine relationships with your audience.Show NotesJennie Wright Sponsors: Check out Liquid WebGet started with Clariti for just $1 your first month with code SOLO2024Ready to get Unstuck? Visit https://streamlined.fm/unstuck for 33% off.  ★ Support this podcast ★