On Your Terms®

Funnels. The word alone can make your eyes glaze over or send you running for the hills. But what if I told you building a funnel doesn’t have to be overwhelming, expensive, or tech-y? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Katelyn Collins, funnel copywriter and strategist. Katelyn's helped me fine-tune my own funnels and turn them into sales machines. In this episode, she’s pulling back the curtain on how you can do it too.Whether you're just getting started or you're tired of hearing “you need a funnel” without any clear next steps, this is the episode for you. Katelyn simplifies everything and gives you a no-fluff, no-gimmick roadmap to creating a funnel that works on your terms.In this episode, you’ll hear…The real definition of a funnel and why it’s not what you thinkThe easiest way to build a funnel (even if you’re not “techy”)Why webinars aren’t the only option and what works just as wellThe difference between funnels for services vs. digital productsWhat to include in your funnel so people actually convertWhen to tweak your funnel—and when to let it do its thingThe mindset shift that changed everything for meClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Grab your guide for How To Start Copywriting and watch Katelyn's free workshopGet Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarCheck out Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy: A Practical. No-BS Guide To Successful Entrepreneurship" Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop

What if you didn’t have to show up on social media every day to grow your business?If you’ve ever felt exhausted by the algorithm or like posting content is just one more thing on your to-do list (and not even a fun one), this episode is your permission slip to rethink your strategy.In this episode, I sat down with Amelia Hruby — feminist writer, podcaster, producer, and founder of Softer Sounds podcast studio — to unpack what it really looks like to build a sustainable, profitable business off social media.We talked about what happens when you stop relying on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, the emotional rollercoaster that can come with leaving, and the real-life marketing strategies Amelia uses to grow without a single post or Reel.Spoiler: you don’t have to quit cold turkey, and no, your business won’t wither away if you take a break from posting.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why social media isn’t the magic client magnet you’ve been led to believe it isHow to create an off-ramp that gently transitions your audience off socialThe 3 biggest mistakes people make when leaving social media (and how to avoid them)What to replace your social media presence with so your business can keep growingThe surprising emotional toll of quitting social and what to expectClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Amelia's Leaving Social Media ToolkitListen to Amelia’s podcast, Off the GridCheck out Amelia's SubstackCheck out Softer SoundsListen to Sam's episode of Off The GridGet Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarCheck out Sam's book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy: A Practical. No-BS Guide To Successful Entrepreneurship" Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop

Ever wonder if your podcast is actually doing anything for your business… or if it’s just another thing on your plate? Whether you’re podcasting already or still dreaming about launching, this episode is for you.In this special 250th episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I built a podcast that’s lasted four years, what I’ve learned, and how my approach is shifting. I’m not some podcasting guru—I’m an online business owner who figured out how to make podcasting actually work for me.So if you’re feeling like your show is more effort than outcome—or you’re podcast-curious but overwhelmed—this episode will help you cut through the noise and find your own rhythm.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why I waited four years into business to start my podcast (and why that was the perfect timing)What I thought podcasting would do for my business—and what actually happenedThe surprising role podcasting plays in nurturing and converting my audienceHow I’ve kept podcasting consistent for 250 episodes—without losing my mindThe tools and tech I use to keep podcasting sustainableMy new “YouTube-first” strategy and what’s changing nextClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarListen to Episode 247: Craft + Commerce Recap: What I Heard In The Hallways (Not on Stage)Listen to Episode 248: How To Write Emails People Actually Want To ReadListen to Sam's episode of Off The GridCheck out Sam's YouTube Channel and watch Start Your Online Business Legally in 3 Days (+ free legal guide)Sam's Tech Gear: Shure MV7 Mic (affiliate link), Ring Light (affiliate link), & DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator ComboClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop

What happens when your business no longer matches who you’ve become?This is a raw, behind-the-scenes episode where I’m sharing what it feels like to run a successful business while outgrowing the version of myself who built it. There’s no “5-step plan” here—just real talk about what happens when the inside stuff starts shifting and the outside needs to catch up.I’m bringing you along as I grieve, evolve, and slowly rebuild what business—and life—look like from here.If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t know who I am in my business anymore,” you are not alone. And this one’s for you.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why comfort can actually feel uncomfortable in businessHow grief and healing have shaped my entrepreneurial pathWhat I’m letting go of and what I’m exploring (without needing a “plan”)Why I’m finally creating outside of performance metricsWhat it means to build a business that evolves with you4 takeaways to help you through your own pivot or personal growth seasonClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarListen to Episode 247: Craft + Commerce Recap: What I Heard In The Hallways (Not on Stage)Get Sam's Book "When I Start My Business, I'll Be Happy"Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop

Are you staring at the blinking cursor, wondering what the heck to write in your weekly email? You’re not alone. This week, I’m joined by the email whisperer herself—Tarzan Kay—to finally take the mystery out of email marketing for online business owners.We’re talking about what actually builds an email list in 2025 and how to write weekly emails that are fun to read and get people to click “buy now.” Tarzan isn’t just one of my favorite copywriters—she’s been dismantling the bro marketing empire and rebuilding something more real and inclusive.Whether you’re writing to a list of 20 or 20,000, this episode is going to help you build momentum, sell with integrity, and feel a whole lot better about email marketing.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why a tiny email list can actually be more powerful than a massive oneThe key mindset shifts to stop dreading your weekly newsletterHow to write emails that sound like YOU (and get replies!)What to focus on if your list feels like a ghost town right nowTarzan’s hot take on social media vs. email—and where she’s doubling downClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Tarzan Kay’s The Welcome Sequence Copy KitTarzan's template for writing a landing page for your email listTarzan's doc for keeping her ideas and the “cutting room floor”Get Sam’s free weekly newsletter, Sam’s SidebarClick here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal WorkshopLegal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop

If you've ever wondered what really goes down behind the scenes at a big-name business conference like ConvertKit’s Craft + Commerce, I’ve got the juicy details for you—straight from the hallways of Boise, Idaho.In this week’s episode of On Your Terms®, I’m taking you along for the ride as I share what it was like to not only attend but speak at Craft + Commerce this year. But spoiler alert: the real magic? It wasn’t just in the keynotes or workshops. It was in the dinners, hallway chats, and the unexpected conversations with people who get what it’s like to build a business while living a full, complex life.In this episode, you’ll hear…The story behind my first time speaking at Craft + CommerceWhat she really talked about on stage (it’s not what you think)The real value of community when you’re grieving and growing a businessThe surprising email marketing tactics top creators are actually using right nowWhat’s being whispered in the hallways about the future of online entrepreneurshipClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Order Sam's book: When I Start My Business, I’ll Be HappySign up for my weekly email: Sam’s SidebarKit (affiliate link) what I use to build my email list, send emails to my list, and create opt-in forms & pagesSam's interview with Matt GiraListen to Sam’s episode on Smart Passive IncomeCheck out Jen Diaz and The JAVA MethodCONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop

Starting an online business is super exciting—you're finally working with customers, launching offers, and maybe even making some money. But what if you’ve unknowingly skipped a legal step that could derail everything?In this episode, I’m breaking down the 7 most common (and totally preventable!) legal mistakes I see new entrepreneurs make—plus, how to avoid each one so your business is built on a solid legal foundation.This episode is packed with real-talk examples, actionable tips, and a whole lot of myth-busting. If you’ve ever wondered when to get legal protection, whether you really need business insurance, or if those “free policies” from your course platform are enough—this one’s for you.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why waiting to “get legal” until you’re more successful could cost you big timeThe #1 mindset shift you need to build a future-proof businessWhat to do instead of obsessing over trademarks before you even have a businessWhy DIY-ing contracts through Google or ChatGPT is a legal disaster waiting to happenThe hidden danger behind free templates from course and membership platformsWhat most people misunderstand about business insurance (and when you actually need it)Why having legal protection early helps you raise your prices, show up more, and actually growClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Grab the Ultimate Bundle® on sale for $400 off plus a bunch of exclusive bonuses!Click here to watch the free workshop so you can get legally protected right now!CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMER

So you’ve got the business idea. You might even have the Instagram handle locked down. But now you're stuck staring at your laptop like... “What legal steps am I supposed to take to make this real?”If that sounds like you, you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place.In this episode of On Your Terms®, I walk you through the exact checklist of what to do (in order!) to legally set up your online business. Whether you’re a coach, digital product creator, or service provider, I’m giving you a clear, three-day action plan to get your business legally legit—without the legal jargon, guesswork, or overwhelm.This is the episode that takes you from “OMG where do I even start?” to “Wow, I actually did that!”Let’s walk through the 5 essential legal steps (plus a bonus) every online business owner needs to take from day one.In this episode, you’ll hear…How to finally stop Googling and start doing with a 3-day legal setup checklistThe 4 things to knock out on day 1 (and how quickly you can do them)What you need to open a business bank account—and why it’s not optionalHow to legally accept payments online (the right way)What kind of contract you need based on what you sellMy thoughts on LLCs vs. sole proprietorships (and what could get you in trouble)Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Grab my free legal guide "The Ultimate Legal Guide for Online Entrepreneurs"Sign up for Sam's Sidebar, my weekly email, to receive legal tips & marketing advice that I implement in my 7 figure businessCONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramSam on YouTubeDISCLAIMER

Ever feel like your brain is bloated from binging on too many business tips, tutorials, and trending strategies?Yep, same. It’s like we’ve all been force-fed a buffet of content, but no one told us how to actually digest it.That’s exactly what I talked about in this week’s episode of On Your Terms® with the amazing Pat Flynn — longtime online business leader, podcaster, author, and Pokémon enthusiast (yes, really!).Pat’s got a new book out called Lean Learning, and he’s here to share how you can stop swirling in the sea of “just-in-case” info and start actually moving your business forward with less learning, more doing. If you’re tired of feeling stuck even though you’re trying to “do all the right things,” this one’s for you.In this episode, you’ll hear…What “information obesity” is and how it’s quietly holding your business backWhy more knowledge isn’t what you need — and what to focus on insteadThe real difference between “just-in-time” vs. “just-in-case” learningWhy implementing as you go beats learning everything upfrontHow Pat built a 7-figure business by taking imperfect actionHow to create your own “force functions” to finally make progressWhat Pokémon collecting taught Pat about entrepreneurship (yes, seriously!)Click here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Check out Pat’s new book www.leanlearningbook.comCheck out Pat on YouTube: Pat Flynn // Deep Pocket Monster // Short Pocket MonsterSign up for Pat’s newsletter: https://patflynn.com/Listen to Sam’s episode on Smart Passive IncomeJoin the free legal workshop: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/oyt-workshop CONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop

Ever feel like you’re showing up consistently—posting, emailing, sharing—only to be met with… crickets? You’re pouring your heart into your content, but it’s not converting into customers. What gives?In this episode, I’m breaking down a mistake I made with healthy brownies (yes, really) that’s basically a marketing metaphor for why your content might not be working. It turns out, if you’re leading with broccoli when your audience really wants mac and cheese, they’ll pass every time—even if it’s good for them.This one’s short, sweet, and will change the way you write content forever.In this episode, you’ll hear…Why your content might be falling flat even when it’s technically “good”The “brownie story” that reveals a powerful marketing truthHow to identify your audience’s version of mac and cheeseA simple framework for layering value (aka broccoli) into crave-worthy contentWhat to say instead so your audience finally bitesClick here to find the full show notes and transcript for this episode.RESOURCES:Sign up for my free weekly email Sam’s SidebarJoin my free legal workshop: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/oyt-workshopCONNECT:Sam on InstagramSam on FacebookOn Your Terms® on InstagramDISCLAIMERMentioned in this episode:Legal WorkshopDo you feel lost thinking about how to legally protect your online business? Head to mylegalworkshop.com to sign-up for immediate access to my free 1-hour legal workshop, 5 Steps to Legally Protect & Grow your Online Business.Legal Workshop