Biz & Booze

Next week is December... I'm not sure how, but that's what I've been told. We're just a few weeks away from a completely new year. And since 2020 and 2021 have really sucked the life out of us, what better way to turn things around for 2022 then by setting clear and intentional goals for your business AND your life!?   In episode 67 of Biz & Booze, I'm taking you through a goal and revenue planning sesh, so you can set a clear vision and kick 2022's ass instead of the other way around.   Access the FREE mini-course: https://www.mybizfreetraining.com Join MyBizU!

Looking to quit your job WITHOUT the risk?   In episode 64 of Biz & Booze, I will be taking you through some significant, yet simple steps you can take in order to leverage the skills and knowledge you already have in order to go off on your own and finally get the freedom to do work on your own terms. Make money as your own boss, WITHOUT finding yourself putting in more work than you bargained for.   Check out SamCart and snag a free trial here!     *This page includes an affiliate link, but I only recommend the tools I know, use and LOVE.    Access the FREE mini-course: https://www.mybizfreetraining.com Join MyBizU!

You know that old adage: to make money, you gotta spend money? Well even though there are very affordable ways you can start your own business, if you expect other people to invest in you by buying what you want to sell, YOU have to invest in you.   But since money doesn't grow on trees for all of us, I'm going to show you creative ways access the money you need to make your dreams happen. Because regardless of how much or little you invest, I do NOT want money to ever get in the way of your success.   So grab a drink, it's time to make some money appear out of thin air!   Access the FREE mini-course: https://www.mybizfreetraining.com Join MyBizU!

Looking to quit your job WITHOUT the risk?   In episode 64 of Biz & Booze, I will be taking you through some significant, yet simple steps you can take in order to leverage the skills and knowledge you already have in order to go off on your own and finally get the freedom to do work on your own terms.     Access the FREE mini-course: https://www.mybizfreetraining.com Join MyBizU!

FACT: The stronger your brand is, the less marketing you need to do for your business. But most people don't realize that, so they put all their attention on marketing. Or they have no idea what makes a good brand, let alone how to create one themselves without any experience and without hiring someone to help them.   In episode 63 of Biz & Booze, I'm breaking down the 3 key elements of a killer brand. The only 3 things you need to bring a strong brand to life.   Access the FREE mini-course: https://www.mybizfreetraining.com Join MyBizU!

Do you look at marketing as this complex, confusing world that's challenging to navigate? Then listen up, because in episode 62 of Biz & Booze, I'm cracking the code for you and bringing clarity to your marketing.   Coming out of this, marketing will feel simple. It's all finally MAKE SENSE. And you can use this new understanding in order to create a high-performing marketing strategy that'll turn uninterested strangers into loyal clients or customers.   Access the FREE mini-course: https://www.mybizfreetraining.com   Join MyBizU!

Busy AF and feeling like you're barely keeping your head above water? then this is for you. If you have big dreams to start your own business... to make money doing what you love. Or you already have a business, and have big dreams for taking it to a whole 'nother level... BUT THERE JUST AREN'T ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY?!   In episode 61 of Biz & Booze, I will be taking you through my 3-step TIME CREATION approach. These are not basic productivity hacks... the approach I will be taking you through in this episode literally help you ADD MORE TIME into your day. I'm talking opening up an extra 5-10 hours a week!   Access the FREE mini-course: https://www.mybizfreetraining.com   Join MyBizU!

Looking for a brilliant business idea? One that has the potential to make you enough money to quit your job, actually do work you love... work when and where you want, move to a better neighborhood, spend more time with your kids, go on more vacations, or even never have to worry about money again... then you're going to LOVE this.   This is the biggest Biz & Booze yet! In episode 60, I'm taking you through my proprietary approach for how to come up your PERFECT business idea.   Access the FREE mini-course: https://www.mybizfreetraining.com   Join MyBizU!

A lot of people believe that the more you know, the more successful you'll be. And that is the farthest from the truth. Knowledge is not power at all. And if you believe that it is, you're missing a huge part of the equation.   In episode 59 of Biz & Booze... I'm getting on a lil' soapbox. A liberating and uplifting rant, if you will. One that will open up your eyes to what really matters when it comes to your success... In your career, in your home, and in your LIFE. And how to harness it!   It's time to unlock your true human potential.   Access the FREE mini-course: https://www.mybizfreetraining.com   Join MyBizU!

Unpopular opinion: Posting to social media everyday will NOT grow your business. In fact, when you are just starting out, and even as a new entrepreneur, it is one giant waste of time.   In episode 58 of Biz & Booze, I'm breaking down why it is a giant waste of your time and what you should be doing instead to successfully gain exposure for your business. And don't worry, it's also free.     Access the FREE mini-course: https://www.mybizfreetraining.com   Join MyBizU!

If you are aching to break away from that 9-5 job or to pick up some work to make a side income, but you have no idea HOW you would actually make money as your own boss, then you're gonna love this.   In episode 57 of Biz & Booze, I'm breaking down all the top ways you can monetize a passion, skill, or idea, both on- and offline. Coming out of this, you'll realize that making money as an entrepreneur is EASY! It's not a matter of IF you can make a reliable income, it's a matter of picking which way is best for you.     Access the FREE mini-course: https://www.mybizfreetraining.com   Show Notes: https://www.lauramarkz.com/57   Connect With Me!   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauramarkz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauramarkz Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lauramarkz   Join the FREE Biz & Booze Facebook Community!

If you are someone who doubts that you have what it takes to start your own business, to be a successful entrepreneur... If you are someone who's scared shitless about it for fear that you just don't have what it takes to succeed... If you are someone who is already exhausted AF and have no idea how you could make this happen on top of all the things you already have on your plate... then this is for you.   In episode 56 of Biz & Booze, I'll be walking through all the reasons why moms make the BEST entrepreneurs. I'm going to prove to you that you DO have what it takes. Elon and Bezos got nothing on you, girl! You've GOT this.     Access the FREE mini-course: https://www.mybizfreetraining.com   Show Notes: https://www.lauramarkz.com/56   Connect With Me!   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauramarkz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauramarkz Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lauramarkz   Join the FREE Biz & Booze Facebook Community!

You want to hear the biggest lie you've ever been told in your life? We are told that if we work hard, it will pay off. ESPECIALLY as an entrepreneur. But doing more, will not make you more money. In fact, it can have the opposite effect.  In episode 55 of Biz & Booze, ill be diving into the ONLY marketing strategy you need to hit 6-figures (and even 7-figures) in your business. So if you're someone who feels like you don't have the time to pursue starting your own thing... Or if you have an existing business, and it's running you ragged, then you're going to love this! Looking for more? Access the FREE mini-course: https://www.mybizfreetraining.com Show Notes: https://www.lauramarkz.com/55 Connect With Me! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauramarkz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauramarkz Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lauramarkz Join the FREE Biz & Booze Facebook Community!

Most new entrepreneurs take FOREVER to get their business off the ground, completely overcomplicating and dragging out the process.   In episode 54 of Biz & Booze, I'm breaking down what you should prioritize BEFORE you do your branding and website, how to get these done in a matter of days and at a fraction of the cost, and where you should focus all that saved time and energy instead in order to actually make money as a business.   Access the FREE mini-course: https://www.mybizfreetraining.com Show Notes: https://www.lauramarkz.com/54 Connect With Me!   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauramarkz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauramarkz Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lauramarkz Join the FREE Biz & Booze Facebook Community!

Most entrepreneurs are set up to fail before they even get started... And it's not for the reasons you think.   In episode 53 of Biz & Booze, I'm going to be talking about the #1 key to your success as an entrepreneur. But not just any entrepreneur, as a BADASS entrepreneur... Where you have a business you actually LOVE, where you enjoy the day-to-day, where success feels much more effortless. Because THAT'S the entrepreneur we all want to be, right?   Looking for more? Listen to the full episode here!

Inside episode 52 of Biz & Booze, I'm diving into why entrepreneurship as we know it is NOT set up for us to succeed. And how I'm changing the game to work for us (not the other way around).   The way we view entrepreneurship, and the way people have traditionally approached starting and running a business is all wrong. There are the 3 core mistakes people make that make entrepreneurship risky, time-consuming, and complicated. That's why so many who DO pursue it find themselves working harder than they would at a 9-5 and ultimately fail... And why so many, especially us MOMS who are juggling a full-time job on top of a full-time job, avoid it in the first place. But entrepreneurship doesn't have to be complicated. It doesn't have to be high-risk or high-stress, and it doesn't have to be expensive. IF you know how to do it the RIGHT way. The NEW way.   Looking for more? Listen to the full episode here!

In case you weren't aware... Which you are (whether you realize it or not): We got a MOM dilemma!   As a mom, society gives us two options: have a job or stay at home.   So you're either working your butt off all day (climbing that corporate ladder) with no time to spend with your kids OR you're working your butt off all day with no escape from them. We're stuck in this all-or-nothing scenario, where to succeed in one area, huge sacrifices have to be made at home, with our careers, or both.   In episode 51, I'm diving into this controversial topic, and shining light on the movement to change it for the better... to give moms a new, BETTER option that actually WORKS for us, and not the other way around.   So sit back and grab your drink, it's time to think!   ________   Access the FREE mini-course: www.mybizfreetraining.com Show notes: lauramarkz.com/51   ________   Connect with Me! Instagram: instagram.com/lauramarkz Join the FREE Biz & Booze Facebook Community! --> www.bizandboozecrew.com

Hey party people.... BIZ & BOOZE IS OFFICIALLY BACK!   It's been almost an entire year since I last came out with a Biz & Booze episode... and wow, I have missed happy hours with you ladies.   Inside this episode, I'm getting REAL... breaking down some of the big mistakes I was making, the big moves AND investments I've made this past year to pivot and rebuild, and more importantly why I've never been more excited for the future of my business, the mission we're on to support you and all those in the community, and of course, to happy hour with you

Holy hot toddy, Biz & Booze is officially 1 YEAR OLD! Like what? I cannot believe we've hit the 1-year mark since we originally hit play on Biz & Booze. Time really does fly when you're having fun, I guess. Or maybe it's all the booze… I don't know.   I thought there'd be no better way to celebrate than to cover the MOST POPULAR episodes of year 1… the ones you guys loved the most. The ones that knocked your crocks off, got your laughing, got you drinking, and of course, got you thinking. The best of the best. The GOATS.    And wow, the topics really run the gamut. From how to monetize, productivity hacks, free ways to grow your biz, and more.   I'm not gonna lie, #1 on this list… the top Biz & Booze episode of all time, really shocked me!    This is a good one, friends. So grab that drink, and get ready to binge on some Biz & Booze.   BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/49  

Hey party people! OMG so what I am going to cover with you today is one of the HOTTEST TOPICS I've ever covered. I am literally giving away the keys… the secret to growing a wildly successful business of your own FOR FREE.    More specifically, a strategic approach to collect a limitless number of leads & customers for your biz for free.   And no, I'm not blowing steam to get you to watch. This is legit.   It is so so so good, and I'm so excited to share this with you.   And this episode is actually pulled from my brand new Free Training for new and aspiring entrepreneurs!   The blueprint to design and launch a profitable business in just 6 weeks (even if you have no idea what business you want to start!)   If you want to get access to the FULL training where I… dive even deeper into the strategic approach I'm going to cover with you today Share my framework for coming up with your million dollar business idea (and how to make money from it) Already have a business? This framework will validate that you are in fact on the right track take you through my blueprint for getting your business off the ground in just 6 weeks PLUS give away a free gift, just for you showing up!   ...then head to lauramarkz.com/startuptraining to access it!    

This week's episode of Biz & Booze is an extra special one… I'm unveiling my brand new startup framework designed to help YOU come up with your million dollar business idea.    Already have a business or know what type of business you want to start? Awesome. This will help you validate that that IS in fact the best business for you.    What type of business you start is MASSIVELY underrated. and the reason most entrepreneurs set themselves up for failure before they even start! They start something simply for the wrong reasons. Or they focus on their audience FIRST instead of prioritizing what makes sense for THEM and what it is THEY want. Yea, you heard that right!   And this episode is actually pulled from my brand new Free Training for new and aspiring entrepreneurs!   If you want to get access to the FULL training where I… dive even deeper into this framework take you through my blueprint for getting your business off the ground in just 6 weeks (& two to make money from it!) PLUS pull back the curtain on a creative business funding hack to launch and grow your business without spending a ton of money or needing investors   ...then head to lauramarkz.com/startuptraining to access it!   BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/47   SIGN UP FOR THE TRAINING: www.lauramarkz.com/startuptraining   

Marketing rule #1: If you're marketing to everything, you're marketing to no one.   Similarly if you're trying to solve too many problems, you're solving no problems.   One of the biggest factors in your success as a business owner is how well you've nailed down your niche and the target audience you're looking to serve.    By niching down, this allows you to be focused and clear with your message and content, as well as set your business up for success by eliminating your competition.   In this episode of Biz & Booze, I'm going to be taking you through my 4-step process for doing this, including a free guide, so you can take action right away.   EPISODE FREEBIES: www.lauramarkz.com/niche    BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/46  

If you are someone who has been thinking about or wanting to start your own business, but haven't… OR someone who has kind of started your own thing, but not really… Like you've dipped your toe in or you've dabbled in a side hustle that's more of a hobby that you haven't gotten fully off the ground yet, then this episode was MADE FOR YOU.   In this episode of Biz & Booze, I am giving you a pep talk, actionable tips and, of course, some liquid courage to finally GET STARTED.    To stop simply dreaming. To stop waiting for things to be perfect. To stop waiting until you have the perfect idea. To stop waiting until you have more time or more money or more followers or more balls or more years under your belt.    To just get it going! It's time to be your own boss and live yo best life.   BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/45

Alright, so most entrepreneurs, me included, get their crocks knocked off by content that includes tangible tactics and strategies that they can apply to their business to get RESULTS. We think, ok... If I know WHAT to do, then I can most definitely do it. And once I do, I'm going to be rocking' and rollin'… customers just comin' at me hot, as I climb to the top.   But then WHAM, all these intangible roadblocks just unexpectedly smack you across the face. Things you never saw coming. And you're like hot damn! Why is this so hard? Why am I not rolling in the dough, yet? Why is this taking so long? Maybe I'm NOT cut out for this?   These things are known as MINDSET blocks. You know, the shit you think is all fluff and you don't care about until you realize how much it really is holding you back from getting what it is you want.   So in today's episode, I'm here to help you get ahead of these things. Or if you're already being affected by them, how to identify what's holding you back from success, and overcome them.

Hey party people! I got something totally different and exciting for you this week! A happy hour with my girls Dev, Tash & Jess from the Shi(f)t Happens podcast. This conversation is raw, motivational, and of course, fun. Literally, you will feel like you are at happy hour with us. These girls are absolutely amazing and we get into topics I've never covered on the podcast before… from an inside look into building my own brand and business (Did you know I actually contemplated being a mom blogger!? That would have been a disaster… I'm totally a B- mom, I'm not even good at it), my top tips for starting out online, my unedited opinion on what it takes to ACTUALLY be successful as an entrepreneur (which is most definitely not what you think), some embarrassing and hilarious confessions, and more. You will love this, guys. Definitely worth the listen!  In their words: It's just a great reminder that your business can be fun while also making an impact, and that's something we can all cheers to. Listen in for a sneak peek clip, and head to https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elevating-your-business-through-personal-branding-online/id1457631125?i=1000485602417 for the full episode Or over to their Instagram @shifthappenspod where they link to it from their bio.

Warning: You're in trouble if you're planning on promoting or launching anything from Sep - Nov this year… Because you're going to be competing with $6 Billion in political advertising spend, causing ad costs to skyrocket.   But I got some tricks up my sleeve to adjust your marketing strategy to avoid getting affected during this time!   And I'm sharing them in this week's episode of Biz & Booze!   ~4 Strategies for Marketing Your Biz During an Election Period~   From utilizing special targeting on Facebook ads, to search ad campaigns, to avoiding paid ads all-together, these strategies will help keep your ad costs down, and increase your visibility amongst your target audience.   BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/42 

You ready to hack your way through the remainder of 2020?   In this episode of Biz & Booze, I'm going to give you my top hacks to help you better manage your projects and your time, so that you can accomplish more and accomplish more BETTER.   From how I plan my weeks out, my approach for tackling large projects, the trick to conquering mom brain

Are you ready to say F you to the first half of 2020 and F yea to the back half?   So yea, the first 6 months of this year didn't go exactly as planned… to say the least.   If you're feeling discouraged about how this year has gone so far, then you're going to love this episode.   This week on Biz & Booze, I'm helping you turn things around with a step-by-step mid-year planning sesh, so you can have a kick ass 2020.5!    Plus, I put together a free planning guide to go along with the episode!   You ready to ring in the new (half) year?!     EPISODE FREEBIES: www.lauramarkz.com/planningguide    BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/40 

Are you ready to take your blogging to the next level!? Are you ready increase the visibility of your content, increase engagement with your content, and ultimately have a greater ROI on your content?   Then you're going to love this episode. This is part 2 of a special 2 part series all around how to get the most out of the content you're creating as a business, specifically your blog. But it applies to any content you're creating if it's a podcast or video series, whatever.    This week on Biz & Booze, I will be taking you through all the things you should be doing AFTER you publish that content.    Because believe it or not, what you do after you hit publish is even more important than what you do before, when it comes to getting your content seen by your target audience.   Also, as a part of this series, I put together a Blog Post Checklist for you. So every time you make a post to your blog, you can use this checklist as a reference to make sure you're getting the biggest return for your efforts.   EPISODE FREEBIES: www.lauramarkz.com/blogchecklist    BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramark.com/39 

Want to know how to dramatically increase the visibility of your blog content?   Running a successful blog isn't just about great writing.   If you REALLY want to get traction with incoming traffic, there are a few things you're going to want to do before and after you publish your content.   So in this week's episode of Biz & Booze, Part 1 of my 2-part series on blogging secrets, I'm taking you through the top things you need to do BEFORE you publish your blog post to your website.   And as a part of this 2-part series on blog content, I've put together a free Blog Post Checklist for you that you can keep handy as you go through this process for your own blog!   EPISODE FREEBIES: www.lauramarkz.com/blogchecklist    BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/38  

In this episode, I will be sharing 5 must-follow female entrepreneurs. I've specifically selected a diverse group of experts… they run the gamut from social media, content, legal, branding, design and stock photography. So whatever you're looking for support and resources on as a business, I got you covered.   These are not only powerful and talented female business owners with a ton of expertise and resources to help you grow a thriving business, they all happen to be powerful and talented black female business owners.    Some of them I've been following for a while, and some are new to me, but have absolutely blown me away with the amazing work they're doing. And I am so grateful that I get to highlight these fellow female entrepreneurs, to learn from them, and to help to amplify their voices the best that I can.   If any of these women are new to you, check them out! And if love what they're putting out, follow them, engage with them, share their content and work, recommend them, hire them, and buy from them.   #1 SOCIAL MEDIA GROWTH - Kim Carpenter, @kimcarnyc, @socialhackettes   #2 BRANDING + BIZ COACHING - Kachet Jackson-Henderson, @thekachetlife   #3 BRAND + WEB DESIGN - Tiffany Tolliver, @theemmaroseagency   #4 STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY + MOBILE PRESETS - Christina Jones, @christinajonesphoto   #5 LEGAL - Ashlee J. Fox, @attorney_ashlee   You can find a list of resources to help support the Black Lives Matter movement by clicking here.   BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/37 

Now, I have gotten a lot of requests to do an episode around personal branding, especially lately, because people got a lot of extra time on their hands with this quarantine and also because many are worried about the future of their careers.    With all that, there's been an increased interest in this topic, as people explore getting more creative with how they express themselves online, and many are now spending that time exploring start their own thing… and for many, that starts with establishing their own personal brand.   So in this episode, I am giving the people what they want! I am talking all about the rise of the personal brand, why you need one… ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW. PLUS steps you can take right now to get started creating your own personal brand.   Not just any ol' personal brand, but one that sets you up for growing an audience and monetizing into a profitable business.   And to help bring this to life, I'm also taking you behind the scenes on how I've built my own personal brand, as well as how I came up with the concept for Biz & Booze, so that you can use the same approach I used for honing in on your own brand.   EPISODE FREEBIES: www.lauramarkz.com/brand    BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/36 

The vast majority of the people who land on your website are NOT ready to make a purchase right away. (I'm talking upwards of 99% of your traffic!) With that, if you are not converting that traffic into leads — in other words, if you are not capturing their email list — once they leave your site, they're going to slip away and you'll likely never see them again.   Your site traffic are prime candidates for your offers. You can't let them just come over and then up and leave you like that!   BUT if you're able to capture emails of a big chunk of the traffic to your site, then you now have a massive group of high-quality leads that you can follow-up with and market to ongoing!   Luckily I got some tricks up my sleeve (6 to be exact) to help you can increase your website's email conversion — or opt-in — rate. Get these in motion and you'll be turning what would have been one night stands into long-term relationships.   And I'm taking you through them in this episode!   EPISODE FREEBIES: www.lauramarkz.com/leadpages    BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/35 

This episode is Part 2 of a 2 part series that breaks down my strategic approach for how to get in front of millions of people who match your ideal target audience for FREE.   There are publishers, brands, influencers and experts out there who have what you want… THEIR AUDIENCE. This is what I call your Hit List. The people and businesses who's audience you would kill to have!   In last week's episode, I took you through the steps to find who these are for you, get on their radar and initiate a conversation.   And in this episode, I will be taking you through the final step in the process: How to pitch them!   This isn't any old pitch… This is a script approach to follow in order to convince them to provide you access to THEIR audience.   Which is no small fete. Use this approach, and you will drastically increase the odds that those on your Hit List will say YES! No more excuses to wait to launch until you have more money or you've built your audience. This is your ticket to the top without those things!   And as a part of this episode, I've even put together a free script template that outlines what I'll be taking you through, and that you can use to fill in your own pitch copy!   EPISODE FREEBIES: www.lauramarkz.com/pitchtemplate    BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/34 

OK, so you hear all these amazing stories about people launching offers online and seeing massive success. Businesses that jump online and immediately start turning 6-figures in online sales. Influencers who start a membership and in their first launch have over 500 paying members.    All these stories are incredible… Except for one thing. They're different than you. THEY have a big budget! THEY have an audience! Both things you don't have.    You think: They are not me. I have to get an audience before I can launch anything. I have to get some revenue in before I invest.    I hear these excuses all the time as reasons people don't move forward.    But waiting until you have a budget or waiting until you have an audience is not a strategy… it is just a procrastination tactic.   In this episode, I'm going to help get you moving!   I'll be taking you through a simple 5-step strategy for how you can kick some major ass online with a small budget and small audience. This is something you can get started on TODAY,  no matter where you are in your business.   EPISODE FREEBIES: www.lauramarkz.com/tribe, www.lauramarkz.com/hitlist    BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/33 

In this episode, I will be taking you through inspiring stories of entrepreneurs who found HUGE success by incorporating memberships into their business.    If you weren't excited about memberships before. You will be after this episode, I promise you that.   This will not only get you really fired up about how a membership can help bring in major profits for your business (or be the primary revenue source for a business you want to start)…    If you're still skeptical about whether or a not a membership even works for your market or industry, this episode will also help to spark some ideas for you. Because these examples span all types of businesses: brick and mortar, online, product-based, service-based, local and global.   And at the end, I will be walking through a brainstorming technique for you to identify whether or not a membership could work for your business and what type of offers and content you can deliver as a part of your membership!    EPISODE FREEBIE: www.lauramarkz.com/tribe    BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/32 

In this episode of Biz & Booze I am talking about the #1 secret to recession-proofing your business right now… across pretty much every industry.   It is a business model that is giving all kinds of business the opportunity to make, stable, recurring and SCALABLE revenue online, WHILE improving the accessibility AND affordability of their offers to their customers and clients. YES, a win-win scenario that is a part of a $129 BILLION dollar industry that is predicted to triple in size in the next 5 years.   It is such a big opportunity, I have even made the commitment to pursue it in my own business.   And with everything that's going down with the Coronavirus and the quarantine we're under… and the lingering affects of that, causing a massive movement online… it is more relevant than ever before.   BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/31

Despite how it may feel, there isn't a shortage of money going around. It's just being spent differently. And it's being spent online. If you're jumping on this movement to the online space right now, all this means more opportunity to put more of that money back in your pocket.   This whole situation may feel out of control, but this is the age of the internet. And if you have a smartphone or a laptop, and an internet connection, and some fire in your SOUL, then YOU are in control.   In this episode of Biz & Booze, I am going to walk you through the top ways you can monetize a business online right now.   So if you don't have a business, ways you can quickly start one and turn a profit.    And if you have a business, new online revenue streams you can add to it to bring in more money AND stability in times like these. And YES, even if you have an offline business.   BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/30 

It seems like pretty much everyone these days is either blogging, vlogging, or podcasting. So what is with this content creation craze? And how on earth you decide which one of these to pursue based on your unique business, your audience, and most importantly, for you.   In this episode of Biz & Booze, I am going to take you through the key decision-making criteria for picking which of these is best for you… You'll walk away confident in your decision for which of these is most likely to catapult your business forward by helping you successfully reach, connect with, convert, and build loyalty amongst your target audience.   If you already have a blog, vlog, or podcast, you still should stick with me for this one, as you may find that you are pursuing the wrong format… And that may be part of the reason you're not seeing the growth you're looking for.   Regardless of your situation, you will walk away VERY confident that you're pursuing the BEST option for you.   BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/29

There are a lot of predications floating around on what the aftermath will be coming out of this Coronavirus fiasco… With the massive dip in the market, kids being taken out of schools, shutting down of businesses, the movement to working from home, and obviously the trajectory of the virus spreading worldwide. A lot's going down. And even more is about to go down coming out of this, that is for sure. And a lot of it will directly impact entrepreneurs and small business owners.   But I'm a glass half full of wine kinda girl, so I'm not here to add to the media's propaganda and contribute to the chaos. I'M here to talk about the silver lining in all of this. YEA. Believe it or not, there's GOOD in every bad if you're willing to look for it. And I predict some amazing opportunities coming out of this for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs!   So in this episode of Biz & Booze, I'm going to take you through my biggest trend predictions coming out of the Coronavirus and heading into the recession that can positively impact entrepreneurs. PLUS provide you with some tactical advice for how you can get the most out of these significant changes in our economy, our job market, and our media consumption.   And to further help you do that, I created an accompanying guide for this episode: Corona & Recession Business Success Guide: A practical guide to succeeding as a business when shit hits the fan.     EPISODE FREEBIE: www.lauramarkz.com/fucorona     BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze     BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/28 

We are currently in a worldwide quarantine for the Coronavirus. But when life gives you lemons… Or in this case, when life gives you Corona… You garnish it with a lime and have a happy hour!   If you're ready for a pep talk to help you get out of your funk and into a hot streak, you're going to love this episode! Because this one is all about lifting you up, finding the silver lining in tough times, and helping you turn this year around :)   EPISODE FREEBIE: www.lauramarkz.com/2020challengehub   BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/27

Not to intimidate you or anything… Buuut your welcome sequence, the series of emails you send to your new subscribers, is going to make or break your entire relationship with those on the receiving end. This is the moment of truth. The moment you've been waiting for. You have the stage and the attention of your ideal customers, so what are you going to do? Well, ya better be showing up with somethin' real special (and well thought out), because if you're not exceeding their expectations, you're going to fall into the black hole of emails, never to be opened again.   In this episode of Biz & Booze, I've outlined the key things you need to know when you're crafting your email welcome series. These tips will open up the door to a beautiful relationship with your subscribers, so that you can build trust and brand affinity, and ultimately convert them into paying customers.   And to help you execute against each of these tips to create an AMAZING welcome email series, I created a super helpful free workbook: The Welcome Email Series Workbook.   EPISODE FREEBIE: www.lauramarkz.com/welcomeseries      BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/26 

I am taking you through the TOP 7 strategies I am implementing in my business in 2020 from the biggest leaders in the industry. In addition to shaping the trajectory of my business moving forward, and making a much larger impact to those I'm serving, I'm also banking on these to bringing in thousands and thousands of dollars into my business this year.   So why should you care? So that you can come with me on the ride to massive success! These are strategies that you should consider adding into your business as well! Even if you're just starting out, you're for sure going to walk away with some great ideas for this year.   EPISODE FREEBIE: www.lauramarkz.com/messenger     BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/25

By now you've caught on to the fact that email is kind of a big deal. And the bigger your email list is, the bigger deal it is. In fact, because of the return potential, people are becoming obsessed with growing their lists.    There's a lot of content out there on tactics you can pursue to get subscribers, but it's difficult to weed through the noise. A lot of what's out there won't give you the growth you're looking for. Or it costs more than you're willing to invest at this stage in your business. Or it may get you opt-ins, but with subscribers that don't represent your ideal customer… and therefore won't pay off for your blog or business in the long run.   I'm here to weed through the noise and simplify the complex. I've done my due diligence to identify what the BEST and most up-to-date ways are to easily, quickly and cheaply grow your list full of high-quality leads that actually align with your target audience. So if you realize the benefit of email and are looking for where to focus your attention to get the subscribers of your dreams, look no further than THIS Biz & Booze episode.   EPISODE FREEBIE: www.lauramarkz.com/leadpages   BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/24

In this episode, things are getting crazy. I am taking you through my top 3 Facebook ad hacks that'll make Zuckerberg your new BFF. Umm yeaaaa. I will be taking you through some wild n crazy ninja tricks to help make your ads more appealing to your target PLUS get them favored by the Facebook ads platform… increasing reach and engagement, improving performance and driving down costs.   You'll walk away from this episode with some pretty groundbreaking stuff that you've likely never heard before and will put you at a HUGE competitive advantage…   You are going to learn stuff that will blow your mind… Stuff that plays to the algorithm biases and human behavior. This isn't mainstream stuff. Most people running ads have no idea about what I'm going to take you through. These truly innovative techniques will empower you to leverage the Facebook platform in ways you never thought possible. As well as garner the attention of those you're looking to attract.   EPISODE FREEBIE: www.lauramarkz.com/facebookadhacks     BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/23

When it comes to marketing your business online, I know that the word FREE always lights people up. Which I get... Lights me up too obvi. BUT I promise you… that the immediate and significant RESULTS you can gain from paid ads will light you up just as much, if not even more.   Paid ads can offer you quick, hyper-targeted growth with little effort. It IS the quickest and most effective way to get in front of the largest number of people that tightly match your ideal target audience, and requires the LEAST amount of effort to see IMMEDIATE results.   And although there are a lot of options out there for running paid ads, and more specifically paid ads online, such as Google, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest and more, FACEBOOK is hands down the best place for you to start.    Why? Well in this episode of Biz & Booze, part 1 of a 2-part series on Facebook ads, I'm walking you through why.   And when you walk away from this understanding the HUGE value running Facebook ads can bring to your business's success, most specifically your bottom line…    You'll then want to join me for next week, where I will be covering my top 3 Facebook ad hacks that'll make Zuckerberg your new BFF! This includes some crazy tricks you've likely never heard of anywhere else, so you'll want to be sure you tune in for that as well!    BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/22

It's pretty crazy how far technology has come and how much of our time is spent interacting with others through devices instead of in real life (IRL). With all the things made possible through technology, the need for human interaction has fallen, but the desire for it has only gotten stronger. People crave connections. There's this inherent need in all of us to feel like we're a part of a community, to find similarities between us and those we look up to, and to seek what's living and breathing behind every business.   Not only that, there's some stiff competition out there, and you're going to find it nearly impossible to differentiate on your product or service alone. People make decisions based on emotions, not logic, and on feelings, not features. In other words, they're more likely to make their purchase decision based off of your brand, not what your business is selling. With that, the need for building a brand behind (or actually, in front of) your business is critical.   So how do even go about doing that? In this episode of Biz & Booze, I'm taking you through steps you should take in order to build a popular brand online that people will crave to connect with, and most importantly buy from.   And to help you execute against these steps and build out your own popular brand, I created a super helpful free workbook: The Brand Building Workbook. You can access this and everything I cover in this episode at lauramarkz.com/brand.   EPISODE FREEBIE: www.lauramarkz.com/brand     BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/21

We all want to look like the badass boss we know deep down we are, but how do we do it!? How do we spit some mad game to make ourselves and our business look more legit, more credible, and irresistible AF to our target audience, so they truly trust and believe in the value we provide, and actually take action?   In this episode of Biz & Booze, I'm taking you through 8 creative ways to establish immediate credibility for you and your biz.   Also known as proof points…  These are things that help build trust in you and trust in what you're offering them by incorporating them into everything you put out there.   And to help bring these to life, I'll be sharing some super inspirational examples of how other businesses are leveraging these, which you can access at lauramarkz.com/20.   You're going to walk away with some tactics that you can apply for your business RIGHT AWAY to build trust, establish credibility, and ultimately drive more sales… Regardless of which stage you're at in your business.   EPISODE FREEBIE: www.lauramarkz.com/toolkit, www.lauramarkz.com/stocklane   BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/20

Imagine you're at a networking event and someone BIG walks up to you, makes an introduction, and asks the dreaded million dollar question: What do you do?   Do you start sweating profusely as you try to figure out how to explain something that they “would never understand"? Do you jumble over your words as you rattle on about the different parts of your business? Do you tell a drawn out story justifying all the time you spend on social media?   OR do you have the perfect, 10 second pitch that clearly explains what your business is, who it serves and the problem you solve?   Well, in this episode of Biz & Booze, I'm teaching you how to come up with your perfect pitch.   And not just any old elevator pitch… How to craft your perfect pitch as a business owner or new entrepreneur.   You are going to walk away knowing exactly how to respond next time someone asks you this… In a way that leaves them wildly impressed.   And more importantly, you're going to have the messaging you need to start clearly communicating this to all your prospective clients or customers, making it much more compelling and easy to do business with you.   EPISODE FREEBIE: www.lauramarkz.com/pitch    BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/19

Knowledge is power, baby!! Especially as an entrepreneur… because when you run your own business, investing in yourself IS investing in your business.    In this hyper competitive environment… where you are calling all the shots, the knowledge and information you have can make or break the success of your business!   But we're all busy AF, right!? So how in the F do people expect you to consume all this amazing content out there while keeping our businesses running, our homes Marie Kondo'd, and our kids and social life alive!? Not to mention #selfcare, ammi right!?   There is just not enough time in the day to read every book, keep up with every podcast, and watch every video I have piled up in my saves on Facebook and Instagram, right!?   WRONG. I totally understand the feeling. As a mom and business owner, I'm in the same boat as you. But you know what? I read 2 books every single month! And I consume on average 2 podcast episodes and a video a day. Not to mention my addiction to reality TV, but that's besides the point…   So how do I do it!? Well, first, I make my self-development a personal priority. But even more importantly, I hack the shit out of my content consumption, making it possible for me to take in far more content than most Gen Z'ers.    And in this episode of Biz & Booze, I'm walking you through my top hacks, so you can keep the benefits of all the information you have at your fingertips… So whether you want to become THE expert in your area, learn a new skill, grow a wildly successful business or just straight up be the best damn version of yourself… You will now have the time to soak up all the info you need to hit your goals.    BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/18

If you want to kill it in business and in life, and you're looking for some amazing books to help you do that, then you're going to love this episode, because I'm sharing my top book recommendations for 2020!   Whether you're looking to grow your audience, build your team, increase your productivity, streamline your business, or just straight up be the best damn version of yourself you can be, I got you covered.   BIZ & BOOZE FB COMMUNITY: www.facebook.com/groups/bizandbooze   BIZ & BOOZE SHOW NOTES: www.lauramarkz.com/17