Making Good: Small Business Podcast

So, I have been very excited to share this book with you all and Charelle for a long time because I have been following Ali and his YouTube journey for quite a bit. Ali Abdaal is an ex-doctor turned productivity wizard and highly followed person on YouTube. He shares a lot of videos about productivity, time management, evidence-based strategies, and tools to help us be more productive. He has been publishing amazing content on YouTube for the past 7 years. I am a big fan and I cannot tell you how much I have learned from his channel. When I heard Ali had a book coming out I was immediately sold. I purchased a book, got on the waitlist, and, (with Charelle’s agreement of course), we decided to cover his book on the podcast. So this is that episode! We finally got our hands and eyeballs on our copies of Feel Good Productivity, and I had so much fun dissecting this book with Charelle. As Cherelle would say, Feel Good Productivity is very “bitty.” In other words, it is jam-packed with lots of bits of extremely valuable info, way more than we could ever cover in one episode. His recommendations, ideas, and experiments you can try are evidence-based and science-backed, which I very much appreciate. Ali also asks a lot of valuable questions in the book, which are themselves very worth keeping in your back pocket. I think this book is well worth a read, but here we’re going to talk about some of our key takeaways. I think Charelle and I did a good job of pulling out highlights that will hopefully inspire you in your day-to-day, but again I would absolutely recommend giving the whole book a read, it is fantastic.MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/221CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

Today’s show is a bit different from the topics I usually cover, though the topic has come up in small ways as long as I’ve been making this podcast.We’re talking about how to pick yourself up when life gets in the way, with my guest Michelle Simons.In a case of cosmic timing, while this episode was recorded a month or two ago, this episode comes out less than a week after we had to say goodbye my sweet wolfy dog, Puff, who many of you have heard in the background on past episodes. So. I’ve been really deep in the experience of life throwing a wrench in things. The truth is that not every day is going to be awesome. Some days may find you in a pretty low place. Maybe some health issues came up, maybe a friend or family member is going through a rough time, maybe some other tough life stuff is going on, or maybe you’re just experiencing what we all do from time to time- burnout. Despite our circumstances, so much of the time, things still need to get done.If any of this resonates, my guest today knows exactly how you feel. In fact, picking yourself up and moving forward after challenging life events is something she’s given a lot of thought. Michelle Simons is a a brand strategist and copywriter for small businesses and entrepreneurs. She loves helping business owners pinpoint their brand’s beyond-profit purpose, talk about it in their message, and live it out.Though Michelle is an amazing copywriter and is so good at what she does, we actually had her on the show to talk about a very different topic: how to run a business when life gets in the way. Michelle has chronic illness, and as a result has done a lot of mindset work and strategizing around how to keep her business moving during and after an event. You can’t plan for everything life throws at you, and I was so inspired by everything Michelle shared about toxic positivity, “comparisonitis,” and ways to be gentle with yourself.MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/220CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

I’ve got a very short & sweet episode for you, today, and it’s 2 things! An invitation and a gift.MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/219CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

I am so thrilled to share this episode with you today, because the topic is a first for Making Good! As a small business owner, one of the things that I’ve had the most fun with is when I get to work with other small business owners… This is something i’ve done through my stationery business, Good Sheila, my retail shop, Station 7, and even this podcast.Turns out that working with other small businesses owners can be a form of marketing – something called Partnership Marketing! Partnership marketing is when two businesses create a campaign or promotion that benefits both parties. It can take all kinds of forms, everything from a  giveaway to a joint product or offer and everything in between.Well, I was so excited to have today’s guest on the show because she is a partnership marketing expert. Erika Rodriguez works with mission-driven companies, social impact organizations, and ecopreneurs to create impactful content strategies and partnerships. Through her small business, Nadi Marketing, Erika helps grow conscious businesses through intentional marketing and the power of partnerships so that their visions for positive change continue to be sustainable.Aside from her areas of focus being so up my alley, I loved Erika’s straightforward and actionable tips for anyone new to partnership marketing. She was so full of creative ideas and examples, and I’m so grateful for how generous she was with her knowledge. I cannot wait for you to hear our conversation.Connect with Erika:Instagram: @nadi_marketingWebsite: nadimarketing.comMAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/218CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

Sometimes, the simplest things are also the hardest to do.Exhibit A: Showing up consistently for something… even if it’s something you really care about.Exhibit B: Putting ourselves out there.And Exhibit C, which is what we’re talking all about in today’s episode, and is probably the simplest of all:STARTING.Taking the first step. Writing the first paragraph. Your first 5 minutes on the treadmill. Starting.Starting is simple, deceptively difficult, and yet… SO CRITICAL. Anything you want to do in life requires taking the first step.Any result you want can only come from getting started.So. Today’s episode is tackling this very pain point that I suspeeeeect a lot of you can relate to. I know I certainly can! And that is: GETTING STARTED.MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/217CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

The conversation I’m sharing today was so sweet, and to say the subject was right up my ally is an understatement. Helping brands explore their why? Unapologetically standing out from the crowd? Creating an unforgettable customer experience? Yes, yes, and more yes! My guest today is Denisa Parker, and while our areas of focus are different, there is a lot of overlap in the types of clients we work with. Denisa is the founder of Kind and Ivy, a brand and packaging design studio. She works with conscientious small business owners to help them unapologetically stand out in their market and create memorable experiences for their customers, so they can ultimately make a bigger positive impact in the world. Denisa has worked with fashion, beauty, wellness, and handmade brands to help them make a big impact with their audience- all while making a minimal impact on the planet.Denisa was lovely to talk to, and so full of amazing tips and insight. I hope that this chat brightens your day as much as it brightened mine. Connect with Denisa:Instagram: @kindandivy.studioWebsite/newsletter: www.kindandivy.com/newsletterMAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/216CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

I had heard amazing things about this book and was so so excited to cover it in this months Book Club. The more I read, however, the more I realized that Hooked is really geared toward tech companies, tech products, things like apps and games, and not physical products or services like the ones most of us have as our businesses. That’s not to say this wasn’t a great book! Charelle and I were able to pull out so many lessons and ideas from each section, and throughout our conversation, apply them to business models you might have as a listener of this podcast. It was a fun exercise in finding the generalities in each marketing method, and thinking about how they can be used across industries. Plus, I got to ask my favorite question: What can we learn from this? Another aspect of this book that I really liked was the way the author, Nir Eyal, took the time to consider the ethics of the Hook Theory, the marketing strategy he outlines in the book. I have talked before on this podcast about how I dislike using the language of hunting or fishing when it comes to how we market, (people are not fish!), so I did pause at “Hook…” But Eyal takes a lot of care in considering the ethics of his theory, which I really appreciated, and think we all need to think about more as marketers. So, an unconventional episode, but one really worth giving a listen because there is so much to get out of it!Connect with us on Instagram:Charelle - @charellegriffithLauren - @laurentildenMAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/215CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

Okay my friends, I hear you loud and clear.Lots of you are experiencing social media burnout, and I can relate. I’ve been there. The ever-shifting algorithms, the pressure to constantly create content, and the time suck of putting yourself out there over and over again, often with minimal returns on that investment. It is exhausting. Personally, I still really enjoy social media for the most part, but that’s more of a preference than a hard and fast rule, and as regular listeners of this podcast know, social media is certainly not my main marketing focus. Beyond that, social meda isn’t for everyone, and it doesn’t have to be! It feels kind of radical to say that on a marketing podcast, but it’s the truth. You do not need social media.My guest today has made NON-social media marketing the focal point of her marketing, and I am so excited to dig in with her. Rebecca Tracey works with aspiring life coaches, health coaches, healers, and other service-based businesses to build a business that will stand the test of time (and not be at the whim of whatever the newest trendy marketing fad is!). She helps clients clear the clutter and bring them back to foundations so they can articulate their vision clearly and move forward.Rebecca’s message? Marketing without social media, (or at least without the need for social media), IS POSSIBLE. I found this conversation energizing and refreshing, and I know you will too. MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/214CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

You made it to the last episode in our 10-day Ringing in 2024 series! You’ve done some reflection, you’ve dreamed up your ideal 2024, and you’ve done some planning for the year and month ahead. Now it's time to talk about the key ingredient for making it all happen: maintaining momentum.This week on the podcast is a special 10-part podcast series that I’m airing on the private podcast that’s part of Making Good Happen, but! As my holiday slash New Year’s gift to you, I’m sharing it with you, too!This series will be released every weekday, Monday through Friday, from December 25th through January 5th. Each short and sweet episode will include some guidance as well as a short exercise to go through. By the end of this series you’ll have reviewed 2023, dream up your ideal 2024, and create a plan to get there.And, BONUS! I’ve also created a free workbook you can use to work through these exercises. Head to makinggoodpodcast.com/2024 to get your copy and get going!MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/momentumCONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

It's the second to last episode in our 10-part Ringing in 2024 series! Yesterday we took a top-level approach to planning the upcoming year, so today we're getting a little more granular. This week on the podcast is a special 10-part podcast series that I’m airing on the private podcast that’s part of Making Good Happen, but! As my holiday slash New Year’s gift to you, I’m sharing it with you, too!This series will be released every weekday, Monday through Friday, from December 25th through January 5th. Each short and sweet episode will include some guidance as well as a short exercise to go through. By the end of this series you’ll have reviewed 2023, dream up your ideal 2024, and create a plan to get there.And, BONUS! I’ve also created a free workbook you can use to work through these exercises. Head to makinggoodpodcast.com/2024 to get your copy and get going!MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/planningCONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts