We always want to build out a runway of content before a course launch or new offer. You don’t want to be that person who never communicates until they are trying to sell something.  After all, customers want to know why they should buy so make it easy for them! When I brainstormed with a client recently, we came up with 20 ideas that she could use as part of a series to share before her upcoming launch. That’s what I’m breaking down in this episode.  A series is a collection of content based on a theme. It can be one big topic broken down into smaller segments. It can also be multiple ways to approach a solution, or a variety of perspectives about a single strategy.  Creating a series also allows you to go deeper on a topic. We have all seen the post title that sounded intriguing that ended up being a bullet point list that was on point but ultimately not that helpful.  Focus on creating smart, compelling content and your audience will look forward to the next installment. A challenge is a good example of this. A series allows you to build momentum for your audience.  You can create a custom page for your series. This is just one of the ways you can repurpose your content and use it as part of your customer journey. That’s a long game strategy I love to use.  Lastly, planning and batching this can be a huge time-saver. Once you’ve identified the idea, you can plan it out, record it at once or write it in a batch. This will make the process much more manageable. Engagement and relationships are key. Use a series to demonstrate your expertise while providing content that’s valuable and helpful for your audience.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amazon Prime Day is here and in full force! Maybe you caught great deals, maybe you tried ignoring it, but quickly found it to be nearly impossible to not see. There is a reason Amazon is one of the largest e-commerce providers in the world. Valued at $1136.94 Billion as of July 2022, there are more than a few lessons we can learn from the online giant. A quick Google search for Amazon Prime in the news section quickly reveals that their PR is the absolute best. No, it’s not by chance, it’s by design, research, and lots of psychology that Amazon Prime is one of the biggest events of the year. “There are no wrong answers when it comes to how you want to handle things for your own business.” -Sandra Scaiano Today I’m going over 5 keys lessons that small business owners can take away from Amazon Prime Day for the success of their own business. When a company is this successful and has a level of resources and access to research that you may not have, don’t be hasty to judge. Instead take notes and see how it can work for you. This is how you play The Long Game.  Create an event, not just a sale and make it annual  Refine your PR machine and affiliates, leverage access to other audiences  Get creative with live streaming opportunities with key influencers  Maximize your marketing channels and educate your consumers like a pro  Build urgency into your event to get people to act fast   “The primary success factor is knowing how to learn from others and rely on yourself.” -Dennis Waitley Amazon has perfected this annual event that you can’t escape. It’s on every major news channel, it’s in every influencer’s social media feed, it’s on YouTube channels, and on your mother’s computer screen (really)! Prime Day has gone from $1Billion in the first year to $11 Billion in sales last year. Let’s take notes on what we are able to do and implement what makes sense for your business. Episode mentioned: Episode 80 - Black Friday Promotion Strategies with Maureen Mwangi   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What I love most about talking to other entrepreneurs is the new insights and perspectives they bring. When others share their zone of genius and methods, we learn what works and we get a sneak peek at how someone else does things.  Today’s guest is a great example of that.  Brenda Cadman is joining me, and she understands the importance of consistency in building a brand. She’s a verified Canva expert and has helped tons of people figure out how to manage and utilize Canva.  First, we dive into Brenda’s strategy and usage of free resources for prospects and clients. No surprise, she stresses the importance of repurposing. A very long game approach!  Don’t miss our discussion on using affiliate links in your free resources. Brenda reminds us to meet people where they are which is a great way to encourage people to try a new product or check out a service that’s new to them. When you are sincere about what you are promoting it’s a win for you and for the client.  Brenda just closed her membership. This was a big pivot and Brenda shared how it worked and why she decided to close it. Her experience is helpful to understand how to use the data to make good business decisions.  Don’t miss the genius behind this. She created a better way to support her clients and it saves her time too. Another win/win.  I love how experts like Brenda take this approach to share tips for popular software that many people already use. It’s such a good way to support people and help them use the tool they are already paying for.  Brenda explains that “everybody is wasting time in Canva” (ouch) and she’s on a mission to help us reclaim that time by sharing her tips and expertise. It starts with her organization tips. It made me realize that sometimes we don’t know all the capabilities because we don’t even know the questions to ask!  Here are Brenda’s 5 Steps to organizing your Canva files (or other things – these concepts work for all sorts of things)   Clear the deck. Get rid of the things you know you don’t need.   Create an archive folder if there are things you might need or aren’t sure where it might fit.   Make sure what’s left is searchable. Naming things accurately is the best way to be able to find exactly what you need, when you need it.   Evaluate what’s left and figure out how you can categorize broad topics (like social media) into specifics like LinkedIn, Instagram etc.   Batch move files into the correct folder to save time and make this piece go quickly. This is a pro tip and how-to.  Tip: If you feel like you are fighting your system, then you have some work to do. Don’t be afraid to personalize it in a way that works for you.  Last, hear how Brenda developed her brand personality with the baking theme. She also shares where she doesn’t use it. As she explains “don’t sacrifice clarity with cleverness”. This is such good advice and a long game philosophy. Be you, all the time!   Resources:  Brenda’s Website  Brenda’s Freebie Page   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recently, a former client reached out asking for help. Our work together ended about 5 years ago when I built a website for her. We keep in touch now and then, but her recent request was a ask for help.  Her site was down, and she was looking for a resource. I’m glad she reached out to me and I was happy to point her in the right direction to resolve the issue. She then asked about doing some updates and wanted to know if that’s something she could hire me to do.  You know it’s a long game strategy conversation today.  My P.E.A.K. framework is all about client relationships and the K stands for keep in touch. Let’s dive into why it’s worth having a plan to reconnect with past clients   You never know when a past client will need your services again. Staying top of mind as a valued resource is a win/win.   When you are in touch, they have an opportunity to refer business your way. Timing is everything and when a friend asks for a recommendation, someone who has maintained a relationship is going to benefit.   It’s good for your brand! It’s not about selling all the time. Staying in touch is a great way to let clients know they weren’t just a transaction.   I know you agree this sounds nice but you’re wondering how to do this on top of taking care of current clients and everything else? I’ve got you.  5 ways to keep in touch with past clients.   Make the first move. Reach out with a text or email. Did something remind you of them? Give them a call and let them know they are on your mind.  Send a relevant article or blog post that you know will be helpful for them. Staying on top of trends or sharing something in the news about their industry is an easy way to let people know you’re thinking of them.   Tag clients in your email provider so you can send client only info. This takes a little set up time but once it’s done it is a great way to share information that’s only for them from a trusted resource (you!).   Engage on social media. Leave a thoughtful post or comment on their page or in response to something they have shared. Take time to really connect with a shared experience or a comment that shines the spotlight on the great work they are doing. Makes this a once a week 30-minute task.   Be the person who refers them! Make the introduction to someone you know will benefit from their expertise. There’s no better way to nurture your connections by helping them make relationships.   These don’t have to be everyday activities. Be intentional when you see an article or post or find an opportunity to refer or make introductions. Make a part of your process to quickly send an email or text.  Staying in touch is one of the best ways to gain new business from previous clients and make connections Strong relationships are a long game strategy that will always be on trend.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to turn 50?  I know I’m not alone when I look back at the difference of 50 when I was young (my grandmother in her housecoat), to today’s version of 50. That Golden Girls meme is popular for a reason!  I’m taking a walk down the pop culture memory lane with reflections from 1972, the year I showed up in the world.  Top Music (albums back in the day!)   Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book  David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust  The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Roberta Flack was a top single  American Pie by Don McLean was too  What we watched on TV:   All in the Family   Sanford and Son   M*A*S*H debuted this year  The Equal Rights Amendment showed up again (after first being proposed in 1953!) and it’s still waiting to be ratified. Hear the fascinating history to all of this.  A consumer-based world was beginning, and it framed my experiences growing up.  I didn’t set out with a big plan for reflection, but as I did, I enjoyed looking back at life and how things have changed.  What kept coming up was the concept of commitment. I’m breaking down what that means to me. In thinking about people from the past, the phrase a reason, a season and a lifetime resonates with me. Looking at relationships this way means you can always be open to new connections and be open to growing into who you want to become.  My commitments at 50 are my family, my work, my spirituality, and personal growth. We are at our best when we are purely being ourselves and letting our unique voice come through.  Keep sharing your story!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am part of several business communities and having experienced the ups and downs of business both pre-pandemic and post-pandemic, there were valuable lessons all of us had to learn. Becoming more adaptable, creative, and resilient ended up being a pandemic gift for some businesses. A recession is a period of declining economic performance across an entire economy that lasts for several months (source)  Let’s take a sober look at what’s been happening since Covid rocked the entire world. Businesses that catered to the needs of the world and a workforce that shifted to homelife almost overnight were wildly successful. Peloton being one of those businesses, rocketed to being valued around $4 billion. As the world has adjusted to Covid and headed back to life outdoors, so have consumer needs, leaving companies like Peloton to fall in almost 80% value. Global recession is a real concern and a conversation you’d have to go out of your way to avoid. Will there be an economic hurricane or an upward turn? This episode is about being prepared, smart, and proactive. You have to know when and how to ride the waves. Learn how to see the downshifts in the markets before they happen so you can pivot and make smart business decisions. Today I am giving you 5 ways to handle economic uncertainty. Both large and small business owners need to read the market and anticipate change. Whether you are a large business like Snapchat or Twitter, or a small web design and brand strategy business like mine, dealing with uncertainty is a guarantee, but it can still be fruitful if you play The Long Game!  Don’t freak out, see the opportunities around you  Keep in touch with your audience. What are they prioritizing?  Look at your offerings. How can you position your product or service to be a better fit for your audience?  Relationship marketing is key and something to double down on  Create partnerships and collaborations   As business owners, we need to be in touch with what consumers are going through to better position our products and services. With an economic environment deteriorating so quickly, keeping your relational ties strong to your community, your clients, and your business network is going to separate businesses that survive and thrive from those that get lost in the recession.  Two things you must do in order to know what’s coming down the pipeline for your business:  Be well read and track industry news and aggregate news sites  Lean on your communities and business friends  Meet your audience where they are, bring them the value they need for the current economic environment, even it means lower ticket products or services that will get new traffic into your funnel. Episode mentioned: Episode 107 - Email Marketing with Ashley DeLuca Quotes mentioned:  “The macroeconomic environment has deteriorated further and faster than anticipated. As a result, we believe that it is likely we will report revenue below the low end of our q2 2022 guidance range.” -Snap Stock (source) “The global macroeconomic environment has become less favorable, the war in Ukraine has impacted our results and may continue to do so. Many other companies have been experiencing a similar effect” CEO of Twitter (source)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's again a rocky political climate here in the U.S., with gun control, abortion rights, post-pandemic economies all highly charged conversations happening.How we show up and choose to express ourselves during these times is part of our own journey to process, heal, and stand up for what we believe in.Today's show is an encore presentation of Activism thru Art. In this episode I dive into 'Why does art matter?', artists who have influenced how we communicate today, and the role that art plays in activism.All important pieces for how we as a society are representing ourselves and what we believe in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I consult with my clients all the time, and a common sticking point for most is simply not having a clear message. You’re in business, you have a product or service to market so you can close on sales and increase revenue, but not having a clear message about who you are, what you’re offering, and why people need what you have is killing your business. If you can't clearly state what you do when someone lands on your website, they're going to move on!  Today I’m giving you 4 things to examine for your business website that you can improve to make sure you’re building design around your messaging, and not trying to fit messaging into a design that doesn’t serve your business goals. Let's get your messaging super clear! Spend some time working on clearly stating what you do and who you serve. Choose messaging that is clear and concise over clever, and you’ll start converting more visitors. Make your Call to Actions (or CTAs) clear for potential customers. Clearly present the next step you want the person visiting your website to take. Make information easy to find on your website. Don’t make visitors guess and fumble through your website. If they have to put in extra effort to find it, they will quickly move on. Consider a mobile-friendly experience for customers. Having clarity about your web design is at the heart of your business success, and it’s at the heart of everything you do on your website, your marketing, and your social media.  Messaging about your services and products, and the value you bring to the customers in your niche, should never be a mystery. Key reminders:  Websites are malleable and can be changed at any time  If you don’t call your potential customers to action, they will walk away.  Scale down your content to make it mobile-friendly   Web design is really a series of strategic decisions made along the way, and when you are clear on your message and the outcome you want, it's easier to tackle the design issues one by one.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’ve talked about knowing your why. The reason that motivated us to get started in entrepreneurship and stay with it is often a big, life-changing thing. It’s unique for each of us but often a rebellious-fueled reason (or two) is what helped us take a big step forward.  How we operate, communicate, and create can be continuous micro-acts of rebellion.  Today we are talking about your business as an act of rebellion.  Money claims, pressure tactics, how you lead your team; these are hot topics in the online business space.  Who decides what is ethical?  You do! The choices you make in your business are acts of rebellion. It’s all about how you show up. You get to decide boundaries, methods and more.  That’s rebellion.  Apply what you want from the coaches and gurus online. Take what works for you and discard the rest.  Here are a few examples of micro-acts of rebellion in business.  Scarcity tactics – there isn’t anything wrong with this, but I have never asked someone to make a decision on an initial call. Hear why I decided not to use this tactic in my business.  Marketing with money claims – I get it. We want to know that people can back up their offer, but promising millions to everyone who joins a program or course doesn’t feel right to me. Intellectually we understand those claims are not possible for every person. What if we let people buy based on other criteria? That’s a rebellion strategy for sure.   You get to create your own company culture.   That includes how you treat your team, how you interact with clients, how you manage ending a client relationship, and more.   The marketing strategies and practices that work for you are part of your culture. You can do what feels best for you   Present the new you!   You get to share your personal story.   Leave past anxieties (and the old “shoulds”) that aren’t you anymore.    Who are we rebelling against?  Bro marketing?  The status quo?  The gurus and millionaire promise-makers?  Maybe it’s all of the above.  We have the power to create the culture and community that aligns with our values and our vision. That’s the best act of rebellion!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

List building has never been something I focused on. I’ve always done 1:1 work I have been able to stay busy with a full roster of clients. Growing a list is one of those things I’d do differently if I was starting over.  We are building businesses based on relationships.  Email marketing is one of those things that can help with all parts of your marketing. It gives you a great way to stay in touch and it’s an asset that you own. Today I’m talking about all the advantages to email marketing and relationship building.  Ashley DeLuca is here and she’s an expert when it comes to email marketing. She’s going to break down what’s working, why it matters and how we can all do this in a way that serves others as well as our businesses.  “Your business is not just the number of followers that you have it’s the community and relationships that you build within it.” Ashley DeLuca Let’s talk opt-ins.  Ashley explains that this is where we can really target the clients that we want. Don’t be afraid to make that a paid opt-in. Ashley shares 2 great examples that you can use as inspiration.  Why I’m cleaning up my list.  I want people on my list who really want to hear from me. I’m getting ready to clean up my list, knowing that I may lose some followers but that’s ok. My goal is engagement, not a vanity metric.  Creating profitable conversations.   Purpose  3 Key points  Call to action  Ashley explains how she does this for herself and her clients to use emails to serve before we sell.  Is there a perfect welcome sequence?  Knowing your clients and what they need is important here. Ashley provides a few examples that work and ways you can optimize them for the target audience who is opting in for your information.  50% Open rates for real?  The open rate comes from the relationship you have with your subscribers, and the subject line. Ashley explains that it is a 50/50 formula. It’s also important to realize that how you show up outside of email matters as well.  Great email subject lines – how to create them and why it matters.  This is so helpful. The good news: you don’t have to be spammy or use deceptive methods. Ashely explains what works for her and gives a great tip that you can use for inspiration.  How to manage a sales sequence.  Ashley shares 2 great examples of what you can do to set expectation for your audience. She also explains how she lets her audience self-segment. This is so helpful!  I talk about the customer journey all the time with my clients. It’s just as important to think about it with the way you email and communicate. Ashley reminds us to be intentional about how to serve your audience.  If you’ve been reluctant to start a list, or you have a list that’s not getting much love, listen to this episode and be inspired to share and serve via email.  Connect with Ashley:  Instagram  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices