How Can This Be Easy with Krista Smith

As a female small business owner, it's important to know if there is funding available to help you grow your business. But most funding is controlled by government agencies who aren't allowed to market to you. Erica Waddell is a StoryBrand Certified Guide based in New Brunswick and she's recently launched an online community for Canadian women called The Roundabout. It's for women who are not only looking for funding but also skills and connections to strengthen their own businesses but to share what they know with other “commuters."    Tune in today and discover: • What exactly is The Roundabout • The real goal of the Roundabout • The importance of investing in your business. • The importance of having a mentor. • How this community can support you even if you don't live in New Brunswick. • AND SO much more!   To see the full show notes, go to https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/48

As a small business owner, it's important to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to marketing. With the rise of language generators like Chat GPT, you may be wondering how to best leverage this technology for your business.  Tune in today and discover: How text generators like Chat GPT actually work The pros and cons of using it out of the box What you need to be aware if you DO plan on using it The best ways you CAN leverage it in your business AND SO much more! To see the full show notes, go to https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/47  

Social proof is a powerful tool that can help you build trust with potential clients and show them that you're an expert in your field. It's a great way to demonstrate that you're credible and that you have the experience and knowledge to back up your claims.  The reality is that new to you clients are more likely to trust and follow the opinions and behaviors of those they perceive as authorities or experts in a given field. When others endorse your business or products, it lends credibility and authority to your business, making it more attractive to potential clients.  Tune in today and discover:  What exactly is social proof  Creative ways to share social proof through video, graphics, and screenshots Why sharing social proof is so powerful How to encourage your clients to highlight the work you did for them How to share social proof even if you don't have any clients, yet And SO much more! To see the full show notes for this episode head over to https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/46

Today's episode of the How Can This Be Easy Podcast focuses on the mindset challenges that many women over 40 face regularly:  overthinking and procrastination. These two challenges often prevent you from taking action in your business.  Tune in today and you'll discover: Why perfectionism and fear of judgment are instigators in overthinking How engaging in negative self-talk, such as feeling inadequate or comparing yourself to others is contributing to your procrastination How to reframe your negative thoughts, practice gratitude, and use positive affirmations as mindset hacks to overcome negative self-talk How to practice self-compassion, focusing on progress rather than perfection And SO much more. To see the full show notes for this episode, head over to https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/45  

Sending regular emails to your subscribers is the easiest way to grow your business. Need more clients? Want to sell more products? I want you to stop looking at social media and instead turn your attention to your email list.  If you struggle with sending regular emails, I get it. I was once in your shoes too. Tune in today and discover: How to grow your business faster with email marketing The easiest way to use email to sell more products or services The common challenges and how you can avoid them including the fear of being too promotional and lacking compelling content ideas And SO much more! By following the tips in this episode, you can learn how to develop a regular email cadence, and grow your business faster.

Today I'm talking with Lindsay Stockall about Facebook and Instagram ads. This is the fourth episode in my series of how you can get more clients from your website.   Tune in today and you'll discover:   The biggest benefits of hiring a meta ads specialist to manage ads for you. The kinds of offers that are doing well right now. How much you should expect to invest if you want to leverage ads. Who shouldn't run ads. Why "Boosting a Post" is NOT going to get you results And so much more!   Find the full show notes for this episode at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/43

Today is the third episode in my series on how websites really work and how you can start to get more leads AND paying clients from your website. If you're tuning into this episode first, you'll want to go back and listen to parts 1 and 2 so everything in this episode will make sense. In today's episode, you'll learn: How to get new leads and subscribers Everything you need to know about lead magnets How lead magnets lead to clients The BEST kind of lead magnets to create And SO much more. To see the full show notes for this episode, head over to https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/42

If you've spent considerable time and resources building a website for your business, it's important it's effective in sending you qualified leads on a regular basis. In this episode, we're going to explore how you can use email to build trust + make sales on your website. It can feel really overwhelming to understand all this tech and how it can help you grow your revenue. Tune in and you'll discover: The magic of content marketing to build authority How to develop your own content plan to execute on social media AND your website How to improve the titles of your post and page titles to get more traffic to your website And SO much more. To see the show notes, go to https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/41

This is the first in a series of episodes dedicated to help you understand how your website works to send you more leads. We all need more clients. When we spend thousands of dollars creating a website and when it doesn't send us a consistent series of new inquiries, we can feel really disappointed. The thing is, most women over 40 don't understand how websites work with Google and the other search engines. In today's podcast episode, I'm sharing all the details so that you can get MORE leads and make MORE money using your website.Tune in and you'll discover: How to increase the traffic to your website How to help Google understand the kinds of content on your website The easiest way to get and nurture new leads AND so much more. To see the FULL SHOW NOTES, please visit:  https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/40

If you're a business owner, you KNOW the importance of good brand photography that visually tells the story of what you do. Having a vault of custom images makes social media SO easy. Gone is the need for stock photography subscriptions. Stock can be fine for a while, but it's hard to make a visual impact using a bank of generic photos that anyone can use. Eventually, everyone keys in and uses the same images from the same stock photo sites and you'll find yourself getting lost in the sea of sameness. In today's episode, I'm breaking down exactly how to plan out a successful brand photoshoot, even when you're not comfortable having your photo taken. Tune in and you'll discover: - How to be more photogenic - How to feel confident going into a photoshoot - How to LOVE your photos - The essential steps I take with every photo shoot - and SO MUCH MORE. To see the full show notes, please head over to https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/39

Sandra is the owner and founder of PHIT'Cetera - a local sustainable lifestyle-wear boutique. Tune in today and discover: What it was like to open a brick and mortar clothing boutique during the pandemic The surprising a-ha she had after her first year in business What other E-Commerce Retailers can do to make social media easier What you can really do with your old sweaters, jeans, and empty jars What's hot for fall in comfort fashion And so much more! To see the full show notes, head over to https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/38

I know you want to find a way to easily make more sales. Converting cold traffic from your website leads or from social media often feels like a stab in the dark. What if you had a regular post you made on a weekly basis that felt easy to create and share? You can and in today's episode I”m going to explain how you do this. Tune in and you'll discover: The miracle product that showed me the power of social proof How to leverage your testimonials How to capture, organize, and publish the BEST testimonials and SO much more. 
To see the full show notes, head over to HowCanThisBeEasy.com/37

Last week I published a reel over on Instagram and I couldn't believe the immediate feedback I received. In it, I went against the tide. I came right out and said what I've been holding in my heart for a really long time You see, I'm entering my 13th year as a business owner. I've partnered with hundreds of women over 40 (and those under 40, AND a handful of people who don't identify as women) and helped them develop their digital marketing - usually a website but not limited to other marketing channels too - like your social media. Today, I'm digging into this topic deeper. Tune in and you'll discover: The top 5 things I've learned from helping women grow businesses online Why it sometimes feels so hard  How to get out of your head Why doing it the way SHE did, might not work for you. And SO much more! To see the full show notes, go to https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/36

In today's episode, I'm talking with Michelle Massman, an experienced consultant who made the move to serving digital businesses last year. Tune in today and you'll discover: What's the difference between coaching and consulting? Why the consulting model might be right for you How you can get your own on-demand Vice President Why hope CAN be a strategy AND so much more. To see the episodes full show notes, go to https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/35

Tune into today's episode and discover how to prevent sticky situations with clients before they actually occur. Managing multiple clients at the same time takes systems, strategy, and policies. Today I'm giving you a glance into the successful and proven systems I've developed over the past 12 years of running my business. If you're scrambling with each new client and recreating processes that never feel aligned, this episode is for you. You'll discover: The exact policies I have in place and cover in our first call The exact questions I ask in our kickoff meeting The biggest reason you might be having more stick situations that you'd like And SO much more! See the full show notes at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/34

In today's episode I'm talking with entrepreneur Kim Neeson. She's a Forbes Council writer + leadership coach based out of the Greater Toronto Area. She's not new to owning a business, having successfully sold her former court reporting business. Tune in and you'll discover how she's made the pivot to owning and running a digital coaching business. We dive into a juicy conversation around the differences between coaching, consulting, and mentoring where Kim has extensive experience. To see the full show notes, go to https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/33

In today's episode I'm talking with Cosmetic Nurse Injector Paula Miller of Embellish Medical. She's got over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical/medical industry. Paula has worked as a Nurse in ENT, Oral Surgery, Plastic Surgery and Burn Unit.   When you're new to cosmetic injections, there's a lot to know and Paula is passionate about natural enhancements.   Tune in and you'll discover: The difference between botox and fillers. Where and why fillers are used. How to choose the best provider. What to expect on your first visit. And SO much more. To learn more about Embellish Medical, please visit them at https://EmbellishMedical.com

In this episode I'm joined by Lauren Peachie a Phoneix, Arizona based Brand Photographer who has created a partnership model for her business where she makes social media easier for her clients. She's the third in my series on how to get more confident on camera.   Tune in today and you'll learn:   How better photos help you create better content The direct relationship between the quality of your content and getting better inquiries. What exactly is brand photography and why would you want to book a quarterly shoot. And SO much more. See the full show notes at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/31

In this episode I"m joined by Vicky Mina, an award winning Make Up Artist who is the secret weapon of women across Nova Scotia. She's the second in my series on how to get more confident on camera. Tune in today and you'll learn: - How Vicky uses makeup to uncover your confidence. - The reasons why your confidence might be taking a hit. - All the tips you'll need to show up on video and feel self assured. - And SO much more. See the full show notes at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/30

Today is the first in a series of four episodes diving deep into confidence and the ambivalence women feel about sharing themselves on social media. Tune in and you'll discover:   The number one thing you can do to get more eyes on your services & products How your family and generation play a bigger role than you think in your success The reality of your reach when you can share more of YOU, online How being critical of yourself has nothing to do with confidence AND so much more.   Show notes can be found at https://howcanthisbeeasy.com/29

With more and more contests popping up on Instagram as we ease into the Holidays, you need to be more proactive than ever protecting yourself online. Today I'm talking to Vicky Mina. Listen in and you'll discover: - What to be aware of when you're entering a contest - The red flags you need to watch out for that put you at risk - What you really need to know about how Facebook or Instagram help out small business owners - And SO MUCH MORE! See the full show notes at https://howcanthisbeeasy.com/28

Today I'm talking to Karissa Jones from The House Wren and Co. Her company helps REALTORS stay consistent in their business while making them look good. We are sharing all the things Real Estate Pros need to consider as you head into 2022. Listen today and you'll discover: The three things you can start doing today to improve your google ranking today as a REALTOR® How you can clarify your market and where to show up. Two really simple things you can START doing today that will help you MORE than anything else on social media. AND so much more. See the full show notes at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/27

Michelle Capizzi is an amazing human. After raising her three boys, she decided to follow her dream. In college she was an aspiring artist. Life sent her down a more practical route. Tune in today and you'll learn: - How she decided to chase her dream - The exact steps she took to jump into selling her art - Her secret to success on Instagram - And SO much more. See the full show notes at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/26

If you've ever struggled to find your voice on social media, this episode is perfect for you. In it, I speak with one of my best friends, Jane Thibault. She is an entrepreneur in the world of social selling. Tune in today and you'll learn:   - how to find your voice - where to look for inspiration - the exact things that changed the game for Jane - and SO much more.   See the full show notes at https://howcanthisbeeasy.com/25

The reality is that many business owners FREAK OUT when they realize just how dependent they are on social media to drive sales. Think about it. If you were to instantly lose access to all your followers right now, how would you sell? Enter the sales funnel. Today I'm breaking it all down for you. You'll discover: What a sales funnel is Why you NEED one The exact emails to include in yours AND SO MUCH MORE! See the full episode show notes at https://howcanthisbeeasy.com/24

If you've virtually ignored Pinterest as a tool to bring in new leads, you're definitely going to want to tune in to today's episode. If you're like many other business owners out there who are intrigued by the potential of Pinterest to grow your sales and generate more leads, but are feeling lost about how to get started – Oh, boy you are not alone. Knowing what the best Pinterest strategies are for YOUR unique business can be tricky. In today's episode you will learn the exact process I used to increase traffic to my website by over 400% in one month and how to you can use Pinterest to increase your sales. For the full episode show notes go to https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/23

Today I'm giving you a candid peek into how I structure my solo business retreats to relax, refocus, recharge, and reignite my passion for my business. For some of you, I have a hunch the thought of solo travel, even if it's local and for a getaway to recharge, freaks you out a little bit. Listen in today and you'll discover: How to plan a mini getaway The exact schedule I follow All kinds of pro tips for a successful adventure AND SO MUCH MORE! See the full show notes at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/22  

Wondering what to do if your perfect domain that ends in .com is taken? Small business websites are no longer an optional marketing tool. Your clients & customers expect it. If the .com is already taken, there are lots of things you can do. In this episode you'll discover: 7 different + creative ways to get a .com Why I don't like using .net, .org, .co and other top level domains And so much more! See the full show notes at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/21

There are 7 key messages you need on repeat in your marketing to sell more of whatever it is you're selling. Today I'm breaking each of them down and showing you the kinds of graphics you need to create in order to help your audience understand your offer and buy from you. You'll discover: What the 7 messages are How you can use social media to sell AND SO MUCH MORE! See the show notes at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/20

Regardless of what kind of business you have, in today's world, having a website is more than necessary. I meet MANY women who come to me feeling frustrated that their website isn't doing what they need it to do. They are often surprised by the costs involved to re-work what they have and launch a new refreshed website that actually works. Listen in and you'll discover: 9 reasons why websites cost more than you think How you can determine what you should expect to pay for a website refresh AND SO MUCH MORE!

Have you ever wondered why your audience aren't buying your offers? You've done the work. You know the problem. You developed a solution. But after sharing it, not enough people are saying yes. I've been in this boat more times than I care to admit. I've learned so many things! I want to break down what I've learned about launching new offers so that you too can avoid some heartache. Listen in and you'll discover: The 5 reasons your offers aren't selling How to fix each one AND SO MUCH MORE! Need the show notes? See them at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/18

Are you longing to be booked out for months with more clients than you can serve? Are you done with aimlessly trying to connect with strangers online? I have some good news for you. It's totally possible to find clients online. In today's episode, I'm sharing: the 7 myths that might be holding you back how writing one email can bring new clients the secret to growing your client list and so much more! Access the show notes for this episode at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/17

Have you been staring at your screen forever and you still have no idea what to send your email subscribers? Out of email newsletters ideas? I've got you covered. If you've started to build a list the next logical step is to introduce an email strategy that will nurture your new leads. I'm building on last week's episode on email marketing. (LINK) This episode if full of: tips on how to increase your open rates how to increase your click rates what really makes a good email some of the best practices of selling in an email that you definitely want to know AND SO MUCH MORE! See the show notes at https://howcanthisbeeasy.com/16

We hear it all the time - you need to be list building! But WHY? Today I'm breaking down what email marketing it, why it's something you can't ignore, and how it helps nurture new leads even when you're asleep. You'll discover: Why it's MORE important than your number of followers on social media How it works AND SO MUCH MORE! If you want to check out the show notes for this episode, they are at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/15

When a new client hires you, what happens? When I first started my business, I didn't even have a contract in place. I certainly had no processes in place to welcome new clients.  Do you send dozens of emails back-and-forth trying to figure out scheduling and project timelines? How do you handle payments and manage client expectations? Today I'm sharing everything I include in my Client Welcome Kit. If you're tired of clients ghosting you, having unpaid invoices, or sticky situations come up, you need to check it out. You can read the show notes at https://howcanthisbeeasy.com/14

Are you struggling to stay on top of the ALL THE THINGS?  Are you frustrated your to-do list is so long? Maybe you're overwhelmed trying to figure out the tech stack you need to execute your next big idea. Today we are talking about how and when to outsource. You'll discover: the decision making matrix you can use to help you decide when to delegate the kinds of things you should be delegating how to decide who you're going to bring on to help and so much more. You can access all the show notes at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/13

Have you ever struggled with launching something new? A service, a business, a digital product, a new product, or a course and had disappointing sales? When this happens I've found that the disconnect between your new offer and lacklustre sales is more often than not, about one important missing element and not the actual offer itself. Today I'm sharing the one element you need to fix. You'll discover: Why your offer isn't working 5 marketing messages you need for any launch AND so much more! Get your episode cheatsheet at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/12

Have you ever worked with a seemingly ideal client and, out of the blue, received TERRIBLE feedback? The kind that feels like a sucker punch, right in the gut? When you own your own business it's not a case of ‘if' this ever happens to you, rather it's a case of ‘when'. Today I want to break down for you. You'll learn: why this feedback hurts how to handle it like a pro how to turn it from an obstacle into an opportunity (like my friend Andrea would say!) AND so much more! Spoiler alert: Someone being disappointed by the work we've delivered says almost NOTHING about our work. It says everything about the expectations that were not met - by us or by the person purchasing our products or services.

If you're using social media for business, you know it's more than just a platform for your cutest fur baby antics and funny memes. It's a powerful tool for building your brand and cultivating an audience online. But to reap the rewards, you don't just need an audience: you need engagement. AND, engagement only has value when it's genuine — coming from real people who really care. Today I'm sharing 10 ways you can create engagement in your social media!  To see the show notes go to https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/10

This week I'm joined by Rebecca Bly to talk about how she pivoted during the pandemic with her business. Rebecca is one of the incredible women in my group program Her Launch Lab. Listen in and you'll discover: - How she created a new business model - The exact tools she uses in her business - How she created a life (& business) living in Costa Rica You can learn more at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/9

Are you looking for clients or customers? Do you have offers that just aren't selling? Are you wondering why no one is buying your solutions? I'd be willing to bet that you need an audience adjustment. Understanding the persona of the people who will buy from you is KEY is growing in your business. In today's episode you'll learn: How to find your dreamiest clients How to develop your own ICA How you can use your audience to refine your offers And so much more! Your Right People are waiting for you. Are you ready for them? Download your cheatsheet for at HowCanThisBeEasy.com/8

Today I'm welcoming my first guest to the podcast. Corinne Boudreau is a Canadian Lawyer who is my go to resource for helping you understand how to protect your website and the content that you publish on it. From how to protect your content from being stolen to coaching agreements, growing your team, and hosting in person events like retreats we covered it in this episode. You can see all the show notes at https://HowCanThisBeEasy.com/law

Today I'm covering all the misconceptions you might have about what it takes to grow a digital business. Spoiler alert: it might not be as Insta-perfect as you think.  You can expect to learn: The 4 common expectations that might be holding you back. 3 reasons why your business might take longer to grow And so much more!

You have an online business. BUT, you never feel confident or even comfortable sharing photos or god forbid, video of yourself. The truth is that people are more likely to share and engage with video than any other form of content on social media. Getting on camera is one of the absolute best things you can do to grow your business. But what if you're not really comfortable with video or lack the confidence to really be visible online? Today you'll learn: how I got over my own fear of the camera 12 things you can do to today to improve your confidence on camera

Avoidance is a very common strategy when it comes to difficult conversations. The fact of the matter is that our lives are peppered with difficult conversations. Avoiding the tough stuff will only get you so far. In this episode I'm breaking down how to have a difficult conversation with a client. You'll learn: how to prepare how to avoid the unnecessary anxiety that comes with a hard topic, AND how to easily find the best solution for all parties to move forward.

Have you ever felt frustrated with the comments when you ask a question in a Facebook group? The issue that I see regularly online is that we ask our question but don't get the answers we're looking for. We're left feeling misunderstood or worse, completely crushed, by the people who we thought understood where we're coming from. In today's episode I want to highlight how you can change that narrative so that you will feel less vulnerable and more confident.

If you're a woman over 40, you didn't grow up learning how to use technology. You might be feeling stuck and overwhelmed trying to figure out what is needed to run an online business on your own. My name is Krista Smith and you're in the right place. I'm a former teacher and I made the jump into entrepreneurship in 2009. I'm a web designer and brand strategist. I'm known for my ability to help you get out of your own way and I can take you from overwhelm to ease in minutes. By tuning into the How Can This Be Easy podcast, you'll be able to stop spending so much time navigating sticky situations. Instead, you'll discover easy shortcuts to better businesses practices that make you look great and save headaches for everyone involved. You'll come to understand the software, systems, and strategies you need to grow your online business. Each week my guests and I talk tech, business, and life. Listen in as I break down all the things so you too can find the easy way forward.

Are you wondering why your website isn't sending you clients or customers? In this episode, Krista helps you understand how websites work and how you can tweak three things on your already existing website to improve your bottom line. She introduces you to three things you can change today to get more inquiries from your website. You'll learn how to use the content you already have to improve your traffic flow. You'll discover the biggest hack to ensure you get regular website visitors. You'll find the #1 tool Krista uses with EVERY client to improve the clarity of your messaging. And so much more. Also, if you haven't done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you're not subscribed, there's a good chance you'll miss out.

Are you waiting for a logo or a website before you share your business with the world? In the first ever episode of the How Can This Be Easy Podcast, Krista is going on a deep dive into the truth behind when you really need a logo or a website for your online business. In this episode, Krista walks you through the five things you need before you invest in a logo or a website. You'll discover: How you know you're ready for a website How to increase the leads from your website The real relationship between social media and your website And so much more. Also, if you haven't done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I'm adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you're not subscribed, there's a good chance you'll miss out.