The Amy Porterfield Show

According to Harvard Business Review, there are toxic effects of branding your workplace a “family”Have you ever worked for a company and part of the internal culture was for team members to call each other ‘family?’I know I have – and until very recently, I never really put a whole lot of thought into it. To be honest, I always looked at it as something positive, as if being part of the ‘family’ meant that I was valued more.In my own business, I’m super guilty of calling my team a ‘work family’, and of course, it’s been well-intentioned.But after reading this really insightful article in the Harvard Business Review, I’m starting to realize the negative effects this might have on someone. Not only can it make it more difficult for your team to set healthy boundaries, but it also can make parting ways harder, which is something I’ve experienced firsthand. The article brings up a lot of good points – all of which you’ll hear in this episode. Nowadays, I’m trying to figure out how I can make my company feel inclusive, foster a closeness, and set boundaries, without calling us a family.I’ll raise my hand and be the first one to say that this is something I’m still working on, but it’s a big goal of mine in the coming year. Tune in to hear my thoughts, and what I’m doing to shift the focus from “We’re in this together” to “We’re working towards the same goal.”Here’s a glance at this episode... [05:26] I love the idea of my team being my work family. I love us feeling close, having each other's backs, and celebrating each other outside of work. [06:23] A family never disconnects from each other. With employees, that should never be the case.  [08:23] I used to send messages later than I would like. Now, I pause and schedule the message for the morning.  [10:57] Calling your team a family can make it more difficult to set boundaries. [13:53] Shift your mentality from a place of ‘we're all in this together’ to ‘we're all working on a similar purpose.’  [15:09] There has been a recalibration of work and many people have been quitting their jobs because they want more out of life. [17:24] I want a lot of love in my company, but I also want to set boundaries so people don’t feel like they have to eat, breathe, and live in this company. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Grab the freebie for this episode by heading here! There’s a lot that goes into hiring a content support contractor – here’s where to startIf you’re at a point in your business where you could use a little extra help creating content, you should 100% consider hiring a contractor. Not only will it allow you to spend more time in your zone of genius, but you can also bring them on for just a few hours or on an as-needed basis, which isn’t an option with a full-time employee. Over the years, I’ve relied on skilled content contractors to create content for my audience. Under my (and my team’s) direction, they’ve done everything from writing email copy to producing high-traffic lead magnets, and more!But here’s the thing. It takes quite a bit of work and lots of communication to bring on a content support contractor and have it work successfully. Luckily, I’ve got it boiled down to a fine science – so I know exactly what I’m looking for, where to find that person, and how to onboard them so the relationship is a win/win for everyone involved. And that’s what I’m diving into in this episode. You’ll hear: Why hiring a contractor over a full-time employee can be more beneficial in the beginning The importance of providing lots of support and resources for your contractor The best places to find a content support contractor, and how to vet them How to onboard contractors and offer constructive feedback So if you’re thinking about hiring a contractor to help you create content, be sure to tune in – because these strategies will definitely set you in the right direction. Here’s a glance at this episode... [08:28] Set realistic goals and timelines with contractors, because they will have other clients. Be clear on how many hours you will need them.  [11:13] Doing everything yourself will lead to grief and overwhelm. When it's time to scale, you have to believe other people can do it better than you. [15:33] Another person can offer a fresh perspective with your content.  [16:29] We've found some people on Fiverr, Create & Cultivate, Creative Mornings, and LinkedIn, but referrals are my favorite way to find contractors.   [19:23] Ask for samples or a paid project test run. Give them time to ask questions and set a deadline. Assign a task to familiarize them with your content.  [23:05] We have an Asana checklist to make sure we have everything we need from our contractors, and that they’re provided with access to what they need. [27:00] Agree on how often you'll meet and if it will be virtual or in person. Provide your voice and brand guides up front to avoid extra editing.  [30:34] Ask how they prefer to receive feedback and share your feedback style.  [39:45] We use Asana to set up projects and tasks for contractors. Include all of the necessary support documents and be as specific as possible.  [45:16] Make sure they create their work on your Google drive. You want access to all of your stuff created by them.  [48:27] Action steps: Get clear on the hours and budget. Begin your search and onboard with everything I've shared. Give them a project test run. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

How going against conventional business wisdom has served Jen Hatmaker really wellMy guest on this episode, Jen Hatmaker, has created something that so many personal brands strive to create – and that’s a highly engaged community that’s in it for the long-haul.I’m not talking about a community that sticks with you for a couple years. I’m talking about a community that stays with you for decades.Jen has been an entrepreneur since the early 2000s, and one of the key pieces of her longstanding success as an author, podcaster, and speaker is the band of fiercely loyal women who’ve grown alongside her through the many seasons of life, and business. And here’s the thing that’s really interesting. Jen has created her community by not tying herself to a specific niche or platform – which as you probably know, goes against most conventional business wisdom, including my own.As you’ll hear her say in this interview, “[My community] may not come to me for one specific thing, but they do come to me for all the things” – and that, my friend, is something to be admired. This conversation was so much fun, and opened my eyes up to a lot of different perspectives. Tune in to hear:  How to create a business that’s truly community-focused Why perceiving yourself as a ‘part’ of the community, instead of the leader of it, helps build trust Why being relatable and transparent helps you build a loyal audience … Plus so much more! Jen is highly entertaining, and it’s my hope that you will learn so much from her, just as I have. Here’s a glance at this episode... [07:28] Jen Hatmaker is a writer, speaker, and podcaster who loves to serve women.  [11:53] Jen’s offerings have evolved from books to a podcast, book club, and a course.  [16:00] Jen shares what it means to have a community based business.  [25:05] Navigating her divorce publicly was very challenging. Instead of pretending it wasn’t happening, she chose to be authentic.  [30:34] Life happens. Create a team that can take care of your business when you can't be there.  [39:07] If you're lonely, others are too. Be the initiator and make friends with people who may be lonely too.  [43:49] Jen took her first solo trip after getting her divorce, which was empowering. She went to Maine for a month and vowed to do a trip each year.  [52:07] It's been a joy for Jen to create a business based on real life. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Toggling between apps negatively impacts your focus – here’s how to minimize it (and still get stuff done)On any given day, I have a number of apps open on my computer and my phone to help me run my business -- from Asana, to Voxer, to Kajabi where I host my digital courses.Thank goodness for these platforms, because let’s be real – even just ten years ago, having an online business was much more difficult because this sort of technology just wasn’t available.And while these applications allow online businesses to run seamlessly, I recently read a study that reported that the average person spends five work weeks – or nine percent of their annual time at work – context switching, a.k.a reorienting themselves after toggling to something new.That’s a lot of wasted time, and beyond that, constantly having to readjust takes a toll on your ability to focus. This article really got me thinking about some different ways that I could minimize context switching in my workday -- and since I’ve put some of them into practice, I’ve noticed that I’m much better able to stay in the zone.In this episode, I’m sharing the four ways I avoid context switching throughout the day, and how it’s helped me to be more productive.So close out of all those apps on your phone, pop in your earpods, and get ready to focus on this informative episode.  Here’s a glance at this episode... [03:22] Context switching is going from one application to another. Average users toggle between apps nearly 1,200 times a day. [04:41] Context switching increases the brain's production of cortisol. [06:31] I plan out my ideal work week and set themes for each work day. [07:22] I have guidelines in place for Slack. I don't want my team to have to stop and check the app every time there's a notification. [08:11] Look at all the tools you use and how you use them to decide if there's any way you could simplify the process. [08:47] The most important thing you can do is give yourself permission to stay focused and in the zone. Setting timers is a great way to do this. [10:47] Homework: What do you plan to do in order to reduce context switching? DM @AmyPorterfield with one thing you're going to do in the next 24 hours. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

Simple strategies to build your personal brand, monetize your message, and increase your influenceIf you’re first getting started with your personal brand, you’re probably wondering how the heck you’re going to cut through all the noise and position yourself as the go-to leader in your space. I get it – the digital world is crowded, and getting to that point can seem pretty overwhelming. But the good news is, it’s more possible to have an influential personal brand today than ever before.Now, I’ll come right out and say that there’s a lot more that goes into brand-building than having a Tik Tok video go viral. Sure, that might get you a few more social media followers in the short-term, but in order to build a brand that will stand the test of time, you need to be much more strategic about it. That’s why I invited Rory Vaden to the show – because when it comes to personal branding, he’s the guy you want to listen to. >> Be sure to grab your free brand call with his team here!Rory is a New York Times bestselling author, Inc. Magazine Top 100 Leadership Speaker, the Co-Founder of Brand Builders Group and the host of the highly rated Influential Personal Brand Podcast. In this episode, he’ll share simple brand-building strategies you can implement today, including: The greatest secret to growing a highly engaged audience online Simple strategies to become a well-established leader in your space  The Brand DNA Helix and how you can use it to grow your business How to increase your influence and monetize your message I absolutely loved this conversation with Rory, and learned so much from him. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

After doing 100 podcast interviews about my new book, here’s what I learnedTo call the podcast tour I did to promote my book, Two Weeks Notice, a whirlwind would be an understatement. I did 100 podcast interviews (yes, you read that right!) over the course of a few months, traveling to multiple different cities throughout the United States.It was both rewarding and exhausting… and I won’t lie, I had to pinch myself a couple of times, because writing a book – and then going on the road to promote it – has literally been a dream come true for me.Now if you’ve been with me for a while, you probably know that I’ve learned so much throughout the entire experience of writing, pre-selling, and promoting a book. The podcast tour was no exception. In true Amy Porterfield fashion, I prepared as must as I possibly could. I didn’t want to sound like a broken record, and it was also incredibly important to me to share its message in a way that was really meaningful for listeners.  I’m happy to report that all of my preparation paid off – but of course, there were some things I learned along the way (and in retrospect) that I wanted to share with you. In this episode, you’ll hear the 5 biggest lessons I learned, which I can guarantee will be helpful if you write a book, or do a podcast tour, at some point in your journey. And what’s great is you can also apply the lessons I share to other areas of your business, too.  So pop in your earpods, cozy on up and tune in!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

My readers give an honest review of my book, Two Weeks NoticeWriting a book has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my entire life. Believe me, when I was working a 9 to 5, hustling hard for someone else’s bottom line (from the confines of a cubicle, mind you), I never would have imagined that one day I’d be a published author helping other women start their own businesses.So now that my book Two Weeks Notice is officially out there, I’m absolutely over the moon. From the very beginning, it’s been my goal to help women all over the world find the courage to quit their jobs, make more money, and create a life of their own design through entrepreneurship. And I’m absolutely overjoyed to know that it’s doing just that. In this episode, you’ll hear from a handful of women who have read Two Weeks Notice. They share what’s stood out to them the most, what they’ve written on sticky notes, what chapters they’ve read over and over again, and the words that have moved them most. Hearing the impact this book has had on them truly warms my heart, and it’s my hope that these stories inspire you to take the next (or first) step in your journey – whatever that looks like for you!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

When your inner monologue starts to get nasty, remember that YOU ARE ENOUGHI’m going to let you in on something that I don’t really talk about a whole lot. And it’s that I can be downright mean to myself during times when I should be proud of myself. When people that I care about are happy for me or congratulating me for something I’ve achieved, I’m often thinking of things that I could have done better instead of giving myself a pat on the back. Now, I know that this part of my personality is part of what fuels my ambition, pushes me to improve, and to better serve my audience. But I’ll be honest -- it’s no way to live, and I can’t ever imagine telling someone else some of the things that the little voice inside my head has told me over the years. So when my inner monologue starts to get really nasty, I have to nip it in the bud -- and I do that by remembering my Why. Your Why, my sweet friend, can help you overcome all the obstacles that you face in your entrepreneurial journey – during the times that you’re down on yourself, when you’re worried, and when you want to just throw in the towel and quit. In this episode, you’ll hear my Whys, and exactly how I use them to flip the script on my self-doubt and negativity.You’ll also hear two incredible stories from my own students, and how they’ve used their Whys to persevere through incredibly difficult experiences in their lives and businesses. So get comfy, grab a Kleenex, and get ready for an incredibly heartfelt episode.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

The step-by-step marketing launch strategy behind my new book, Two Weeks NoticeIf you had told me years ago that one day I’d be a published author, I probably would have called your bluff. Writing a book -- especially one that I know is going to help so many women ditch their 9 to 5 jobs and create a life of their own design through entrepreneurship – is honest-to-goodness a dream come true. But I won’t lie, the entire experience -- from actually writing the book to building excitement about it and pre-selling it -- has been a true labor of love. There are so many things that I’ve learned about the publishing industry and what it takes to have a successful launch that I could probably write a book about it. And I just might do that -- but for now, tune in to this episode to get a behind-the-scenes look at the process.You’ll hear about the specific goals I started with, the marketing blueprint I used, and about all of the little publishing nuances that have kept me up at night.So if you’ve ever wanted to write a book, or are curious about what it takes to pull it off – then pop in your earbuds and give this episode a listen.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!

The decision to have a personal brand or a company brand is a strategic one – here’s what you should considerIf you’re thinking about starting a business, have you thought about whether you want to have a personal brand or a company brand? To clarify, a personal brand is one like mine. I’m the face of the company, my name is my website URL, and it’s me that you hear on my podcast. A company brand is one where the business is completely independent of your name – like Starbucks or Kajabi.When I first started my business many moons ago, it was clear to me that a personal brand was the way to go. But as my business continues to evolve, I’m getting curious about what it would look like to transition to a company brand – and if that’s even possible – because let’s be real, I don’t see myself doing Instagram Reels at 90 years old.In fact, my dear friend Michael Hyatt recently transitioned his personal brand to Full Focus, and it’s been a really great move for his business, and his personal life.I won’t lie, seeing him do this has me thinking about my own future, and I’m breaking down exactly what’s on my mind in this episode. Tune in to hear:  The pros and cons of a personal brand and a company brand Why I decided to have a personal brand vs. a company brand when starting my business The roadblocks I’m encountering at this point in my entrepreneurial journey What new and established business owners should consider when it comes to their brand This is a great listen for anyone who is thinking about starting their own business or already has one. Oh, and when it comes to my personal brand, don’t worry -- I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!