Ditching Hourly

Dr. J.J. Peterson, a Professor-in-residence at StoryBrand and founder of Conscious Brand Agency, explores the delicate balance between empathy and authority in business. He shares insights on the 'Badass Softie' concept, urging sensitive professionals to embrace both softness and strength. J.J. discusses the importance of defining one's unique guide style and overcoming imposter syndrome. Plus, he provides a compelling take on leveraging AI for content generation, emphasizing the need for human perspective in storytelling.

Shachar Meir, a former data leader at PayPal and Meta, shares his journey from corporate management to solo consulting. He discusses the factors that motivated his transition, including career stagnation and personal loss. Shachar reveals practical steps for landing initial clients, the emotional challenges of solopreneurship, and the importance of networking. He highlights how leveraging LinkedIn and content creation has helped grow his business. Finally, he offers valuable advice on managing finances and building a supportive network.

Pranav Kale, a Big Idea strategist, shares insights from his journey as a soloist brand consultant and former LinkedIn ghostwriter. He discusses the pitfalls of hourly billing, highlighting how it can damage client trust and misalign incentives. Jonathan Stark recounts his transition to value-based pricing, the impact of his move to Rhode Island, and lessons learned while teaching others through talks and blogging. They explore differentiation in consulting and the future of productivity for soloists, emphasizing the importance of specializing and finding a core message.

Joel Clermont, a Laravel developer and SaaS subscription expert, dives into the transition from hourly billing to a subscription model for software development. He shares insights on launching his all-you-can-eat dev service, discussing initial pricing experiments and unexpected demand. Joel highlights the importance of managing client expectations and effective onboarding strategies. He also addresses challenges like context switching and finding the right client fit, offering valuable marketing tips for developers in the process.

Digital marketing strategist Eleanor Mayrhofer joined me on Ditching Hourly to describe exactly how she productized her web design services. Links:Eleanor's website » https://www.eleanormayrhofer.com/ditchingEleanor's LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanormayrhofer/Chapters:(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:14) - Eleanor's Background and Business Model (00:52) - Straight to Non-Hourly (02:01) - Starting a Solo Business During COVID (02:44) - Initial Market Approach and Challenges (03:48) - Developing a Productized Service (04:25) - Current Business Model: Website in a Week (05:31) - Client Interaction and Project Scope (09:40) - Copywriting and Strategy Sessions (16:31) - Handling Project Scope and Client Expectations (21:24) - Marketing and Client Acquisition (23:20) - Client Commissions and Referrals (23:40) - Subscription Maintenance Services (24:53) - Positioning and Target Audience (25:53) - Overcoming Launch Procrastination (27:11) - Client Collaboration and Revisions (28:55) - Technical Setup and DNS Challenges (31:25) - Post-Launch Support and Testimonials (33:13) - Pros and Cons of Productized Services (36:55) - Sales Process and Lead Time (38:55) - Long-Term Plans and Project Juggling (41:01) - Avoiding Boredom with Productized Services (42:20) - Conclusion and Contact Information ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!

Founder of The Upside, Erin Halper, joined me on Ditching Hourly to share her pro tips on creating and sustaining a premium online community. Erin's Links:Erin's community » https://betheupside.com/Erin's LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhalper/Chapters(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:19) - Erin Halper's Background and The Upside Community (03:19) - Challenges and Evolution of The Upside (07:24) - Starting and Running a Community (09:18) - Best Practices for Community Management (24:08) - Pricing Strategies for Independent Consultants (30:19) - Navigating Agency Subcontracting (30:52) - Building and Scaling Your Business (31:42) - Lifestyle and Impact in Consulting (33:00) - Celebrating Wins and Community Support (34:26) - Visibility and Positioning (36:03) - Pricing Strategies and Market Shifts (37:47) - Maintaining Boundaries in Community (40:30) - Application Process and Membership Cap (43:40) - Quarterly Open House Strategy (47:18) - Onboarding and Member Matching (55:26) - Concluding Thoughts and Contact Information ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!

Communications consultant Lynn Safranek joined me on Ditching Hourly to learn how to apply value pricing to an industry where the consultant can't control the outcome.(00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:11) - Understanding Upstream Contributions (00:23) - Lynn's Background and Expertise (01:05) - The Value Pricing Dilemma (01:21) - Client Communication Challenges (02:45) - Media Engagement Strategies (05:01) - Defining Client Needs and Goals (08:08) - Crafting Effective Messaging (14:32) - Measuring Success and Impact (20:42) - Leveraging Media Coverage for Nonprofits (21:26) - Budget Autonomy of Communications Directors (22:41) - Crafting Compelling Stories for Donations (24:33) - Exploring Budget Scenarios for Media Hits (26:03) - Creative Strategies for Media Attention (26:58) - Evaluating the Impact of Media Hits (29:21) - Developing a Comprehensive Media Strategy (31:35) - Reverse Engineering Media Success (38:40) - Thinking Beyond Traditional Roles (42:35) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Lynn's Links:Lynn on LinkedIn » https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnsafranek/ ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!

Diane Whiddon, a brand strategist and founder of SwayRise Creative, discusses her journey into integrating AI into branding. She reveals how AI illustration and photo services addressed a growing demand among her clients. Diane also shares insights on value pricing, focusing her business strategy, and the ethical implications of AI in branding. With a comparison of AI photo shoots to traditional methods, she highlights the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of her new offerings. Her experience illustrates the importance of adapting to technological advances for business success.

Alastair McDermott, an author and human-first AI strategist, shares insights on blending AI with human expertise. He unveils his new book, discussing practical applications of AI to boost productivity and decision-making for professionals. Alastair highlights effective prompting techniques and the importance of a tailored AI setup while navigating the challenges of using these technologies. He emphasizes striking a balance between leveraging AI tools and maintaining authentic human connections in work and learning.

Jessica Lackey, founder of Deeper Foundations, shares insights from her book, Leaving The Casino. She warns against blindly following oversimplified business strategies and emphasizes the importance of understanding unique business models. Jessica highlights the 'zone of enoughness,' encouraging entrepreneurs to balance finances with personal priorities. She delves into effective pricing strategies, marketing approaches, and the transition from client work to creative growth, stressing the need for clarity and strong sales skills in building sustainable businesses.