Legal Road Map®: copyright, trademark and business law info for online entrepreneurs

If you listen to just one episode of the Legal Road Map® podcast, let this be it. In the final episode - at least for the foreseeable future - Autumn shares takeaways from the past 5 years of running her own law firm, what all online business owners need to know about legal protection to build a sustainable, profitable business, and more. In this episode, we’ll cover: How entrepreneurship can help you live your values Why putting legal protections in place early can help you build the business of your dreams faster and with less stress (One last time for the cheap seats in the back!...) Why contracts are THE most important legal protection for your online business Why you DON’T need to spend money on ALL the legal things when you’re just getting started Why -- and when -- you should add an attorney to your bench of professionals to build a sustainable, profitable business BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast171! Resources mentioned in this episode: Season 1 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/blogs/news/tagged/start-here Season 5 of the Legal Road Map® podcast - legal for each business phase episodes: https://awbfirm.com/podcast120 https://awbfirm.com/podcast121 https://awbfirm.com/podcast122 https://awbfirm.com/podcast123 Prep to Scale™ FastTrack:  https://awbfirm.com/fast-track This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

We love helping our clients get their legal house in order, but sometimes when we introduce a new service, contract template, or marketing initiative at the AWB Firm, we have to be our own lawyers, too! We recently hosted our very first 5 day list building challenge that brought up some questions around our terms and conditions, protecting a potential new trademark, rules for giveaways and contests, and more. In this episode, we’ll cover: What you need to make sure you have on your website, so your Facebook ads won’t get rejected Why you should use website terms and conditions for your course or challenge, even if it’s not required by law The easy (and free!) ways you can begin to protect your intellectual property without having to spend lots of dollars on an official trademark or copyright registration How to make sure your giveaways or contests don’t break any laws BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast170! Resources mentioned in this episode: Prep to Scale™ FastTrack:  https://awbfirm.com/fast-track Legal Road Map® podcast episodes about Facebook ads: Episode 102:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast102 Episode 124:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast124 Episode 125   https://awbfirm.com/podcast125 USPTO website:  https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks-application-process/search-trademark-database This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

If you’ve been in business for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard about (or seen firsthand) the value in building your email list. No matter how large a following you may build on a social media platform, that following isn’t owned by you - it’s owned by the platform, and they can change who sees your content on a dime.  But an email list? That’s all yours! And it can be a great way to get to know your audience and them, you. But with all the talk about Privacy Policies, GDPR, cookies, and more, how are you supposed to build your list and stay out of legal trouble? In this episode, we’ll cover: Why email lists have become increasingly valuable in online business Who has to comply with the EU’s GDPR privacy regulations What you need to know about cookies on your website Why you shouldn’t make promises, especially about earnings or weight loss, in your list building freebies or opt-ins Whether or not you need to include an affiliate disclaimer if you’re promoting someone else’s list building challenge BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast169! Resources mentioned in this episode: AWB Firm 5 day Prep to Scale™ challenge:  https://awbfirm.com/challenge Prep to Scale™ FastTrack:  https://awbfirm.com/fast-track Jasmine Star’s free Instagram challenge:  https://jasminestar.com/join-my-free-instagram-challenge/ Ask by Ryan Levesque:  https://askmethod.com AWB Coaching quiz:  https://awbfirm.com/coaching-quiz Amy Porterfield’s list building challenge:  https://www.amyporterfield.com/growmylist Corinne Crabtree’s free weightloss course: https://pnp411.com Privacy Policy contract template:  https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-privacy-policy-for-u-s-businesses-gdpr-compliant GDPR guide: https://awbfirm.com/gdpr Legal Road Map®  podcast episodes about GDPR: Episode 38:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast38 Episode 39:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast39 Episode 40:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast40 Episode 38:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast83 Legal Road Map® podcast episode 164:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast164 This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Finances and legal are like four-letter words for most entrepreneurs. You know you need to have a grasp on them to run a successful business, but the amount of things you don’t know about finances and legal makes you want to bury your head in the sand. In this episode, I brought on CFO consultant and founder of 100 Degrees Consulting, Stephanie Skryzowski, to share some of her best practices and advice for entrepreneurs when it comes to getting a handle on the financial side of business.  In this episode, we’ll cover: Why you shouldn’t run your business based solely on the money you have in your bank account (i.e., what cashflow is and why you need to pay attention to it!) How widely profit margin can vary among different industries and service providers and how often you should review yours Some helpful advice for hiring new team members How a cobbled together contract ended up costing Stephanie five months of pay Stephanie’s best practices for coming up with your business’s financial plan for 2021 The difference between a forecast and a budget (and why a budget can actually be freeing!) BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast168! Resources mentioned in this episode: 100 Degrees Consulting:  https://www.100degreesconsulting.com Free financial worksheet: https://www.100degreesconsulting.com/profit This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Planning for next year is in full swing. You may be planning new products or services, epic launches, new training series, and more. And you’re probably also working on your budget with line items all geared toward helping you facilitate those rollouts. While most people forget to add legal into the budgeting equation at all, the good news is that you may need way less than you think, depending on your unique stage of business. In this episode, we’ll cover: What you might want to skip legally when you’re just getting started Why you should definitely update your contract every time you uplevel or change the way you work with clients  How you can start protecting your trademarks and copyrights even before you register them What you should plan to protect with your first custom contract Which lower risk activities you can likely still use a contract template for, even if you’re in a more advanced stage of business The revenue threshold that marks when you should absolutely when you should absolutely sit down for a legal audit of your business with a lawyer  BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at https://www.awbfirm.com/podcast166! Resources mentioned in this episode: Contract template store: https://awbfirm.com/contract-templates Episode 120 of the Legal Road Map® podcast (Launch Phase): https://awbfirm.com/podcast120 Episode 121 of the Legal Road Map® podcast (Solopreneur Phase): https://awbfirm.com/podcast121 Episode 122 of the Legal Road Map® podcast (Success Phase): https://awbfirm.com/podcast122 Episode 123 of the Legal Road Map® podcast (Scale to CEO Phase): https://awbfirm.com/podcast123 Legal Road Map® Facebook group: https://facebook.com/groups/legalroadmap Episode 91 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast91 Episode 49 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast49 Episode 37 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast37 This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

We’re here… finally. Down to the final weeks of 2020 and there’s no better time to start creating your business’s legal plan for next year.  If you’ve got your sights set on building a successful business, creating a legacy, launching a new product or service, or simply maintaining your current side hustle, this episode is for you. In this episode, we’ll cover: The best way to stop losing sleep over the legal black holes in your business in 2021 How you can avoid learning legal lessons the hard (and expensive!) way The cost advantage of thinking proactively when it comes to legal for your business The right time to register your copyrights or trademarks and when it makes sense to wait How to create legacy with legal planning Why creating a legal plan doesn’t mean doing it all or spending all the money right now JOIN THE PREP TO SCALE™ CHALLENGE! Our very first 5 day challenge kicks off December 7-11. Doors close on December 6, so claim your spot today! https://awbfirm.com/challenge Don’t need 5 days and want to have lifetime, instant access to all the challenge content, plus attend an exclusive Q+A with Autumn? Take the FastTrack today for just $27. https://awbfirm.com/fast-track Resources mentioned in this episode: FastTrack Prep to Scale™:  https://awbfirm.com/fast-track This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Testimonials, endorsements, and more. Whatever form it takes, you know that being able to share your customers’ success from purchasing your product or online course is one of the most powerful ways to drive sales, especially during year-end promotions. But the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) actually has quite a few guidelines about how your customers’ words and experiences can be presented as you market your business, and if you don’t follow them, the penalties could be steep. In this episode, we’ll cover: Who needs to comply with FTC regulations What the penalties could be if you don’t comply What you can and cannot include in testimonials or other social proof Everything you need to know about using experts or celebrities to promote your product The specific language you need to use in your disclaimers (fair warning: you’re not going to like it!) Whether or not you should add an earnings disclaimer on your website and what it should say BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast164! Resources mentioned in this episode:   This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Most everyone I know will not shed one single tear when it’s time to bid 2020 farewell. We’re all ready for a new year and a new start after everything that’s been thrown at us this year. But there’s still plenty of opportunity to run a successful year-end promotion in your business. Going through a launch, running a challenge, or doing a Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale is stressful enough when everything goes right - not to mention when something goes wrong (like your FB ads account gets disabled, no one shows up to your webinar, or you can’t get your ads approved for your sale). In this episode, we’ll cover: The Facebook ad basics you need to know (especially if your ads keep getting denied) How to break through noise and offer fatigue to make your year-end promotion a success What people are really tired of in 2020 Ways to structure your year-end promotions for maximum engagement New Facebook ad limits that are rolling out soon BONUS: If this episode has spotlighted areas of your business’s website that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your it’s in good shape legally. Download our legal for websites  checklist to make sure your website won’t drag your year-end promotion down at www.awbfirm.com/podcast163! Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 124 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast124 Privacy Policy contract template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-privacy-policy-for-u-s-businesses-gdpr-compliant Episode 125 of the Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast125 This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Navigating the world of LLCs, bookkeepers, and legal can be tough when you’re new to the business world. But doing it in the middle of Covid? That’s a lesson in patience and perseverance! Boudoir and personal branding photographer Layra Marte shares how she navigates the world of online business and in-person connections to grow her photography business. In this episode, we’ll cover: How saying ‘yes’ to unpaid opportunities can sometimes pay off BIG Why surrounding yourself with people who inspire you can help you uplevel your business Why it’s so important to be crystal clear with your clients about what to expect during their shoot (duration, outfit changes, etc.) The importance of not being afraid to ask questions - to government offices, or to friends who are also running a business How to break through the hesitation to charge for something you love doing BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast162! Resources mentioned in this episode: Layra’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/layramarz/ Layra’s website: https://www.layramarz.com This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

It seems there are more ways than ever to grow a thriving photography business. Mini-sessions, branding photography, wedding and events, to name just a few.  But each of these revenue streams presents its own unique set of considerations to make sure you and your photography business are protected legally. While the barrier of entry to the photography and videography business can seem relatively low, if you want to have staying power and create a successful, profitable business, it’s essential to build yours on a solid legal foundation. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why you should still use a (short) client agreement even for a simple mini-session Which contingencies you should definitely include in your contract (you might not have thought of these!) How to make sure you get your clients’ permission to use their photos in your marketing Important special terms your contract should include if you’re a wedding or event photographers/videographers How to get on the same page with your client about who owns the rights to photos or videos you create Why you should always use a model release if you’re creating content you intend to sell or license as stock photos or footage Which type of agreement you should use with a second shooter The essential agreements you’ll want to be sure are included on your website BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast161! Resources mentioned in this episode: Workshops for photographers by Penny Chevalley - https://pennychevalley.com Photography/videography business contract templates: https://awbfirm.com/collections/photographers-and-videographers   This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

There’s an online course for just about everything these days. And for good reason. More people are learning online than ever, and online courses can be wildly profitable if you play your cards right. Jacques Hopkins is a bit of an anomaly in the online course world because he took a subject he’d never taught before (piano) and turned it into an extremely successful course that allowed him to quit his 9 to 5.  And now, it has even led him to begin teaching others how he put his own course together. In this episode, we’ll cover: How Jacques grew his online course by implementing funnels How to work on two different brands simultaneously How to deal with (and plan for dealing with!) haters The value of having a trusted legal advisor you can call whenever a question or problem arises BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast160! Resources mentioned in this episode: The (new and improved!) AWB Firm coaching quiz:  https://awbfirm.com/coaching-quiz Storybrand by Donald Miller:  https://buildingastorybrand.com/ Expert Secrets by Russell Brunson:  https://expertsecrets.com/getesfree-1 Jacques’ Online Course Show podcast:  https://theonlinecourseguy.com/podcasts/ Piano in 21 Days website: https://pianoin21days.com/ The Online Course Guy website:  https://theonlinecourseguy.com/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Online courses are quickly becoming one of the most popular points of entry to the online world. They can cover nearly any topic and the online format makes them accessible to a broader audience.  Online courses can be a lot of work to put together with many moving parts ranging from copywriting to video editing, which is all the more reason you want to be sure you put the proper legal protections in place. In this episode, we’ll cover: How to safeguard your business against chargebacks or refund requests How to be sure using social proof (testimonials) from your raving fans won’t land you in legal hot water Why you should use Terms & Conditions for your online course website (even if not required by law) What you need to know about intellectual property ownership when you work with independent contractors who may create graphics, copy, etc., for your course The tricky business of using affiliates to promote your course, plus how you can make things a little less risky for your course business Why it’s so important to make sure no one else is already using the name you choose for your course The differences between ™, ®, and © and where you may want to start using them in your course BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast159! Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 90 of Legal Road Map® podcast:  https://awbfirm.com/podcast90 Your Legal Course - FREE masterclass:  https://awbfirm.com/course Online Course Creator bundle:  https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/online-course-creator-bundle GDPR-compliant Privacy Policy template:  https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-privacy-policy-for-u-s-businesses-gdpr-compliant Terms & Conditions contract template:  https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-terms-conditions-of-use-with-disclosure-policy Episode 71 of Legal Road Map® podcast: https://awbfirm.com/podcast71   This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

If you’re a service provider -- like a web designer or copywriter -- you might feel like you’re tethered to a single revenue stream: designing websites or writing copy. But the online world now offers more opportunity than ever to diversify your revenue streams. A mix of affiliate marketing, memberships, and online education can all be perfect complements to your service-based business. And in this episode web designer Shannon Mattern shares how she’s incorporated many of these revenue streams into her own business. In this episode, we’ll cover: The importance of setting boundaries and expectations with your clients How preparing ahead of time for your boundaries to be pushed can help remove the emotion from dealing with it when it (inevitably!) happens How packaging your services can help you more easily identify AND PREVENT scope creep How combining affiliate marketing with 1:1 design services allowed Shannon to leave her day job faster than she could have with services alone How Shannon has made sure she uses the appropriate disclosures for her affiliate relationships to stay legal What Shannon wishes she would have done in her business 5 years ago BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast158! Resources mentioned in this episode: Shannon’s website: www.shannonmattern.com Launch Party (AWB Firm website designer):  https://www.launchparty.live/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Web design is one of the most collaborative creative service relationships we see at the AWB Firm. Because of this unique relationship, it can be especially easy to find yourself dealing with things like scope creep and delays caused by your client. The best way to avoid these issues altogether is… you guessed it… to use a rock solid client contract. But what terms should you include to make sure you’re covered? And that you’re also fair to your client? In this episode, we’ll cover: Autumn’s tips for presenting a proposal and/or contract to a new client How to deal with delays in getting information, images, or copy from the client that you need in order to finish their project Why going through the steps of putting together your client contract can help you proactively think through some worst case scenarios (and how you can avoid them in the first place!) What a ‘pause clause’ is and why you might want to consider including it in your client contract How you can use work product ownership in your client contract as leverage to make sure your project stays on track, and you get paid The best thing you can do when you start growing your team Whether or not you need to form a legal entity or get insurance BONUS:  If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free How to Write Your Own Contracts checklist to make sure your business has solid contracts in place at www.awbfirm.com/podcast157! Resources mentioned in this episode: AWB Firm YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Awbfirm/ Contract template shop: https://www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates Launch Party (AWB Firm website designer): https://www.launchparty.live/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Losing sleep worrying over your business is no fun. But Britt Seva, founder of Thrivers Society, found herself in that exact situation before she decided to take care of the legal blindspots in her business.  Learn how Britt has built an extremely successful membership business model by starting small and growing smart. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why starting micro (especially when it comes to courses + memberships) can be your best way to scale Why doing 1:1 work FIRST is an essential step to growing your business How the simplest, plainest way is the best way to start Why overserving in your membership site or online community really isn’t serving your community members at all How honoring your business as a real business can help you reach that next level What it really looks like to manage a team of 16 How getting legal in order can help you sleep better at night and stop worrying about things going wrong in your business Why it’s important to pay attention to outgrowing service providers and making sure you have the right fit for your team BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast156! Resources mentioned in this episode: Britt’s website: https://brittseva.com/ Britt’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittseva/ The Thriving Stylist Podcast: https://thethrivingstylist.com/podcasthome Britt’s membership for hairstylists, Thrivers Society: https://thriverssociety.com/courseinfo This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Membership sites and online communities are some of the most popular business models in the online world. They allow your business (and consistent revenue) to grow quickly and reach more people without necessarily adding more work to your plate. But to anyone who’s ever seen a discussion around social issues turn ugly, or found your own resources pop up on someone else’s site, you know that there are lots of things that can go wrong in the membership site/ online community business model if you don’t set up the right legal protections. In this episode, we’ll cover: How to avoid legal issues by making good business decisions when you’re getting started Best practices for where to include your Terms of Use (TOU) on your website What term you should NOT include in your TOU -- to make sure you don’t get taken advantage of when it comes to refunds How your TOU can help you address social justice issues like BLM  What to consider if you have volunteer mentors or moderators in your community or membership Whether you should protect your content by registering your copyrights BONUS:  If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free How to Write Your Own Contracts checklist to make sure your business has solid contracts in place at www.awbfirm.com/podcast155! Resources mentioned in this episode: Contract template store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates Episodes about employees vs. independent contractors: www.awbfirm.com/podcast37, www.awbfirm.com/podcast144 Membership or Online Community template bundle: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/membership-online-community-bundle This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Interior design can transform the dullest of spaces in your home into an inspiring retreat. But there’s a lot more to a gorgeous design concept than meets the eye. Managing client expectations, coordinating countless vendors, and even a little marriage counseling from time to time.  A designer’s work is complex and requires a lot of focus on process, efficiency, and client relationships - something that Nashville designer Kendall Simmons navigates with grace and ease.  Enjoy this behind-the-scenes peek at Kendall’s unique design business that combines both traditional in-person design work and an innovative e-design approach. In this episode, we’ll cover: The importance of diversifying your revenue streams (especially when a global pandemic happens!) Why the simplest technology is oftentimes your best option The time and money-saving benefits of tweaking and perfecting your intake process How Kendall’s crystal clear client contract has helped her AVOID tricky legal situations in her business over the past six years The importance of thinking about boundaries as you create your client contract Why walking through your contract WITH your client can save you a lot of headaches later on Why it’s helpful to provide a project price range vs. a fixed amount or flat fee BONUS:  If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast154! Resources mentioned in this episode: Kendall’s website: https://www.kendallsimmons.com/ Kendall’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendallksimmons/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

To an outsider, interior design or decorating can seem like a fun and easy gig. You pick paint colors, recommend a few pieces of furniture, top your vision off with a few accessories. Done! But actually, interior design and decorator contracts are some of the more complex contracts we work on at the AWB Firm, with moving parts like who’s responsible for install, will you pass along your designer discount to your client, if you hire a photographer can your client use the pictures, and many more questions. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why interior designer and decorator contracts are more complex than other creative service providers’ contracts, and what terms should be clearly spelled out What to be sure you make clear (both with the photographer and with your client) when you hire a photographer to capture your finished product The higher risks in an interior design or decorator business and why you’ll definitely want to form an LLC or corporation, and be covered by insurance How your designs have automatic copyright protection under US law, but why you still might want to register them What you need to know about using other people’s creative work in your business BONUS:  If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free How to Write Your Own Contracts checklist to make sure your business has solid contracts in place at www.awbfirm.com/podcast153! Resources mentioned in this episode: Miles & Kirk Design: https://www.milesandkirk.com/ The Green Room Interiors: https://www.thegreenroominteriors.com/ Interior Designer contract template: This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Copywriting can be intimidating to a lot of online business owners. It seems like an elusive yet necessary skill to running your business successfully and increasing sales. But copywriting genius Ashlyn Carter joined us in this episode to give a behind-the-scenes peek at what starting and growing her agency/curriculum-based business looks like, including some pretty big legal lessons she’s learned along the way. In this episode, we’ll cover: How Ashlyn learned the importance of client contracts the hard way The value of forming and nurturing in-person relationships in an online business Why Ashlyn still tracks her time (even if she doesn’t bill hourly anymore) How batching your tasks and days can give a real boost to productivity How clarifying and naming your signature process can help you protect your IP more easily The benefit of working with an emotionally uninvested third party (i.e., a trusted lawyer!), especially if you tend to be emotionally invested in your business BONUS:  If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast152! Resources mentioned in this episode: The ONE Thing by Gary Keller: https://www.the1thing.com/ Essentialism by Greg McKeown: https://gregmckeown.com/book/ Powersheets: https://cultivatewhatmatters.com/ Focus Keeper app: http://bit.ly/focuskeeper Ashlyn’s website: www.ashlynwrites.com Ashlyn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashlynscarter/ Ashlyn’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshlynWrites/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

The words you write help business owners sell their products or services like hotcakes. Word of mouth is starting to do its thing and you’ve got a waitlist of people dying to have you write copy for their emails, sales page, or website. So how do you make sure you grow your copywriting business legally? Do you really need to form an LLC or get business insurance? And how do you make sure you’re protected when (not if!) your relationship with a client gets sticky? In this episode, we’ll cover: How a solid proposal can really make or break a copywriting gig Why you really need both a proposal and a contract The essential information your contract should always include What a “pause clause” is and why you should consider including it in your contract How you can use ownership of rights to your work as leverage if you’re not getting paid The essential legal documents you need to be sure are on your website The must-have contract to use if you start growing your team with one or more independent contractors Whether you need to form an LLC or worry about insurance in your copywriting business BONUS:  If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast151! Resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 147 of the Legal Road Map® podcast for branding and graphic designers: www.awbfirm.com/podcast147 Client Proposal template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/client-proposal-template Website documents bundle: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-pages-bundle Independent Contractor agreement template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/independent-contractor-contract-template Creative Service Provider bundle: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/creative-service-provider-bundle  Client Agreement contract template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/client-contract-template This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Ecommerce can be intimidating to a lot of entrepreneurs, because they have misconceptions about needing tons of startup capital or product to get started (myself included!). But ecommerce business owner and business coach Vivian Kaye has debunked all those myths on her way to 7 figures.  In this episode, in addition to a lot of inspiration and laughs, we’ll cover: Why you don’t need a warehouse full of product to start your physical product business Vivian’s favorite way to exercise your confidence muscle How the “go big or go home” mentality can cause your business to fail before it even begins The disservice that not talking about money is to women The ins and outs of participating in a subscription box as a product-based business Why you should subscribe to your ecommerce platform’s blog + newsletter How being the face of your company lends credibility to your business Who Chad is and what he can teach you about being bold in your business How sticking to a niche can be the key to scaling big BONUS:  If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast150! Resources mentioned in this episode: Kinky Curly Yaki website: https://www.kinkycurlyyaki.com/ One of Vivian’s favorite affirmations: I am worthy. I am talented. I am successful. I am healthy. I am wealthy. Money comes naturally to me. Everything I touch turns to gold and I provide value in everything I do. 4 Steps to Niching Your Business (Vivian’s course on Shopify Compass):  https://www.shopifycompass.com/learn/niche-it-4-steps-to-niching-your-business Vivian’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/itsviviankaye Vivian’s website: https://viviankaye.com/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Ecommerce is booming, with more brick-and-mortar stores taking their products online.  And while there are tons of online store platforms that make the transition to online selling easier than ever, there are many pitfalls to not setting up your ecommerce store legally that you might never see coming. Get our best legal tips for ecommerce businesses to make sure your online store doesn’t cause you major headaches down the road. In this episode, we’ll cover: The best way to work with independent contractors as you create products and market your shop What you need to know about licensing agreements for your ecommerce business (this may surprise you!) Why you’ll likely want to form a corporate entity and have insurance for your product-based business The important legal documents you need on your ecommerce website (one of these is required by law!) What you should do from day one to avoid issues with the name of your shop and products When it comes to registering copyright vs. trademark, which process Autumn says you can probably do yourself, and when she recommends you work with an attorney Best practices for using other people’s intellectual property on your products, your website, or in your marketing and social media efforts BONUS:  If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast149! Resources mentioned in this episode: Independent Contractor Agreement contract template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/independent-contractor-contract-template Website Privacy Policy for U.S. Businesses template:https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-privacy-policy-for-u-s-businesses-gdpr-compliant Website Terms and Conditions of Use template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-terms-conditions-of-use-with-disclosure-policy Bundle & Save: Website documents bundle (includes Privacy Policy + Terms and Conditions): https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-pages-bundle Meet Wick the Gnome of Almanac Supply Co.: https://almanacsupplyco.com/blogs/articles/meet-the-maker-eryn-garcia?_pos=5&_sid=e07ad022e&_ss=r This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Signature offers, growing a team, landing big clients, proprietary methods, taking care of legal, and more. This interview with Kathleen Shannon and Tara Street of Braid Creative will give you a behind-the-scenes peek into growing a successful graphic design and branding agency, and how a contract helped them feel confident enough to stick to their guns to work with Brené Brown. In this episode, we’ll cover: The benefit of having one signature offer for clients to access your creative services How creating solid contracts can help you be more clear and consistent about the deliverables you provide to your client The difference between men and women when it comes to negotiating contracts (!) How growing your team first can bring in bigger clients later The importance of having clearly defined roles for your team members Why no contract can replace trusting your gut and intuition (Kathleen’s Oprah clause!) BONUS:  If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast148! Resources mentioned in this episode: Braid Creative website: https://braidcreative.com/blog The Chalkboard Method: https://braidcreative.com/worksheets/BraidCreative_ChalkboardMethod.pdf Contract templates for your graphic design or branding business: Project Proposal template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/client-proposal-template Client Services contract template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/client-contract-template Website Privacy Policy template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-privacy-policy-for-u-s-businesses-gdpr-compliant Website Terms and Conditions template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-terms-conditions-of-use-with-disclosure-policy Independent Contractor contract template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/independent-contractor-contract-template Creative Service Provider contract template bundle: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/creative-service-provider-bundle This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

You obviously have your logo design skills nailed down (hello, graphic designer!) and word of mouth about your gorgeous branding packages is starting to spread. You’re ready to make things business-official. But what about legal for your new graphic design or branding business? What do you even need to tackle and when? What are the things that could go wrong that you don’t know you need to worry about? In this episode, we’ll cover: Why you should always start your client relationship with an official project proposal, in addition to your client contract The one document that will take care of 99.9% of all legal (and client) issues in your graphic design business Why it’s super important to spell out how you or your client can end the relationship, and who owns the intellectual property you create How to make sure your website isn’t breaking the law Some of the most common pitfalls you may encounter when working with an independent contractor (and how to avoid them) What you need to know about forming an LLC, staying a sole proprietor, or choosing another corporate entity The most important thing to know if you’re incorporating other people’s work into any designs you create for a client BONUS:  If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast147! Resources mentioned in this episode: Project Proposal template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/client-proposal-template Client Services contract template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/client-contract-template Website Privacy Policy template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-privacy-policy-for-u-s-businesses-gdpr-compliant Website Terms and Conditions template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/website-terms-conditions-of-use-with-disclosure-policy Independent Contractor contract template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/independent-contractor-contract-template Creative Service Provider contract template bundle: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/creative-service-provider-bundle Launch Party (AWB website redesign): https://www.launchparty.live/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

The only thing worse than not protecting your business at all is putting legal protections in place -- but not following through so that they’re actually effective. You probably know by now that I think contracts are the simplest, best way to protect your online business. But if you don’t get them signed, they won’t do you any good if you run into an issue. In this episode, we’ll cover: What a signed contract really means What types of agreements MUST be in writing (we think all agreements should be in writing!) Why you must give your purchasers the opportunity to read your Terms and Conditions BEFORE they purchase Why you should definitely consider using an e-signing platform to get your contracts signed The types of documents that can NOT be signed electronically  BONUS:  If you’re starting something new, or this episode has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation at www.awbfirm.com/podcast146! Resources mentioned in this episode: Legal Road Map® Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/legalroadmap/ AWB Firm contract template shop: www.awbfirm.com 

As much as we don’t want to think about things going wrong in our business, calculating risk is part of being a responsible business owner. So how can you set up your business when you’re just getting started to make sure your personal home, car, bank accounts, and other assets are protected if something happens later? What role does insurance play in managing risk and do you even need to form a corporate entity at all? In this episode, we’ll cover: The best way to protect your personal assets in case your business gets sued Which corporate entity you should choose if you have low risk in your business (you might be surprised!) Additional steps you should take to get your business set up as a sole proprietor Which corporate entity you should avoid if you have a business partner What you definitely DON’T want to do with your finances that could cause you to lose liability protection for your personal assets Why you’ll probably need to have an attorney on call to help you if you form a corporation The additional protection that insurance can provide to you and your business A few professions where you may not need a corporate entity at all BONUS:  Are you brand new to business and stuck on which corporate entity you should form your new business as? With all the options, it’s hard to know what’s what and understand which is the best fit for your type of business. Download our free corporate entity cheat sheet below. Resources mentioned in this episode: Find your local Small Business Administration (SBA) office: www.sba.gov This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.  

For many business owners, arriving at the point of needing to hire someone because you have more work than you can handle is an absolute dream come true.  But loose hiring practices can lead you to make some extremely costly mistakes -- like hiring an independent contractor who really should be classified as an employee, or not using a contract to make sure you and your worker are on the same page. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why it matters what state your worker lives in, and where your company is located How the number of hours worked and whether or not your worker has other clients can help you determine if they should or should not be classified as an independent contractor The potential costs (monetary and otherwise) of misclassifying a worker Why you should never work with an independent contractor without a contract The top things to include in a contract with your independent contractor Why a noncompete agreement may not be the best option for you and your independent contractor Why it’s important to understand who owns the rights to the content your independent contractor creates for you Resources mentioned in this episode: Legal Road Map® Episode 37: www.awbfirm.com/podcast37  *Please note that this episode was recorded prior to significant changes to California employment laws dealing with the classification of independent contractors, and therefore does not address these changes. If you live in California or your worker lives in California, please consult with legal counsel about these important changes to the law. Independent Contractor Agreement Template: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all/products/independent-contractor-contract-template This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

The online space is its own unique ecosystem - no other industry does things quite the way we do them here. And never has that been more evident than over the last weeks and days as we have seen the outcry about the death of George Floyd unfold and the subsequent flood of activity calling out racism and police brutality (and each other) in online forums. DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) consultant Erica Courdae joins this episode to share best practices for facilitating difficult conversations in places like Facebook groups and other online communities. We are grateful to Erica for lending her voice to help educate us and our listeners and to continue invaluable conversations like this one. In this episode, we’ll cover: The critical step to take BEFORE sharing your values and beliefs with your audience What you should know about when to speak up and when not to Steps you can take to educate yourself without burdening people of color to do it for you Why it’s important to examine the actual cause of any problems within your team (hint: the problem might be you!) Why erasing posts and turning off comments in the age of social media is no longer a viable option to moderate difficult discussions How to create a protocol for when (not if) difficult discussions take place in your online community and how you can minimize harm Resources: Erica’s website: www.ericacourdae.com Pause on the Play: www.pauseontheplay.com Erica’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericacourdae/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

You’ve started your business, created your products, and maybe even made a few sales. Think you’re ready to scale? Not so fast… Messaging and marketing expert Lisa Princic joins the podcast to talk about the importance of nailing down value proposition BEFORE you scale, the most common marketing mistakes she sees businesses make, and more. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why identifying your value proposition is critical to scaling your business How you can prevent marketing burnout by tracking where your leads come from Why getting in front of more people isn’t necessarily the best way to scale your business How risk factors into deciding if it’s the right time to register your trademark What you need to know about whether or not you need to register your trademark in a foreign country (Lisa’s Canadian but has a lot of U.S. clients) Why it really is worth it to narrow your marketing focus BONUS: Worried you’ll make one of the mistakes mentioned in today’s episode? We’ve got you covered. Our guide to using other people’s content has you covered. Download your free copy below.  Resources: Lisa’s website: https://scalingdeep.com/ Lisa’s Messaging Toolkit: https://scalingdeep.com/toolkit/ Lisa’s Marketing Roadmap: https://scalingdeep.com/roadmap/ Scaling Deep podcast: https://scalingdeep.com/podcast This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Building a beautiful website and creating compelling content takes time and resources (financial or otherwise). And when you’re just getting started, you may be short on both.  It’s tempting to just “borrow” a bit here and there and hope no one notices.  But the consequences can be severe… not to mention potentially devastating to your business. So what’s allowed and what isn’t when it comes to using other people’s images, video, music, or other intellectual property, and what best practices should you follow? In this episode, we’ll cover: How using an image from a Google search without permission can become an extremely expensive mistake How getting permission to use someone’s image might be a lot easier than you think Why it’s risky to rely on “fair use” as a justification for copying or borrowing someone else’s content The ways that copying another business’s emails, website copy, or social media captions can really damage your reputation Why it’s super important to do a trademark search (you can DIY this!) BEFORE you choose and start using a brand or product name in your business. BONUS: Worried you’ll make one of the mistakes mentioned in today’s episode? We’ve got you covered. Our guide to using other people’s content has you covered. Download your free copy below.  Resources: Legal Road Map® podcast Episode 71 - How to do your own TM search: www.awbfirm.com/podcast71   This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

You’ve made the plans to take your business online, and decided on the basics we covered in part 1 of this series. Now what?  Part of the beauty of starting an online business is that you can get up and running quickly, but there are still a few more things you need to tackle before you open your virtual doors. In this episode, we’ll cover: How the terms and conditions on your website are different from your terms of use with your paying customers, plus why you’ll want to use both, especially if you’re a course creator The simple wording to include on your marketing materials, downloadables, and branding to protect your copyrights and trademarks The types of service providers that need to use a more robust contract, plus what should be included in this type of contract E-signing contracts vs. print, sign, scan and send back The essential policies every online retail store should include on their website Why you shouldn’t use a payment app like Venmo for your business What you need to know about email and social media marketing rules BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or coronavirus has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation!  Resources: AWB Firm Contract Template Store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates Episode 4 - Do I need an LLC or corporation for my business?: www.awbfirm.com/podcast4 Privacy Policy Contract Template: bit.ly/PrivacyPolicy_AWBFirm This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

From retail to restaurants, businesses in every industry are flocking to the online space. Navigating the ins and outs of online business can add another layer of unclear rules and laws to sift through as you set up your business. So, how do you know where to begin? In this episode, we’ll cover: How to choose the right model for your online business (what are you going to sell and how are you going to sell it) Choosing the best online venue for your online business (hint: you may not even need a website!) If you do choose to create a website for your online business, why making it functional is actually more important than how it looks How to choose a good website domain (hint: even if a domain is available, the business name itself may already be in use!) Which documents are you required to have on your website, and which are optional but still a good idea to include Other policies you should make sure you have spelled out for your customers (shipping, pickup, gift cards, and more) BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or coronavirus has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation!  Resources: Legal Road Map® Episode 71 - What is a trademark search and how to do one?: www.awbfirm.com/podcast71 Privacy Policy contract template: https://bit.ly/PrivacyPolicy_AWBFirm Website Documents contract template bundle: https://bit.ly/WebsiteBundle_AWBFirm This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to let legal fall to the bottom of the priority pile. It can be much more exciting to work on your branding or website, or work up some new product ideas. But if you skip a few basic protections now, it could lead to big problems later.  In this episode, I walk through the three actions I think every business owner should take before making their first $5k.  (And, even if you’ve already crossed the $5k mark, don’t skip this one - you might learn about an important legal protection you haven’t tackled yet!) How going to the worst case scenario can help your contracts provide the greatest protection in your business Negotiating contracts (hint: they’re not set in stone!) Why protecting yourself from chargebacks is one of the first things you’ll want to do in your business What documents you need to make sure your website has from day one Why you SHOULDN’T worry about registering a trademark before you reach $5k What you SHOULD do before you choose a business or product name to set yourself up for later success BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or coronavirus has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation!  Resources: The AWB Firm Contract Template Store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates Episode 71 of the Legal Road Map® podcast on trademark searches: www.awbfirm.com/podcast71 USPTO trademark search: http://tess2.uspto.gov This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to let legal fall to the bottom of the priority pile. It can be much more exciting to work on your branding or website, or work up some new product ideas. But if you skip a few basic protections now, it could lead to big problems later.  In this episode, I walk through the three actions I think every business owner should take before making their first $5k.  (And, even if you’ve already crossed the $5k mark, don’t skip this one - you might learn about an important legal protection you haven’t tackled yet!) How going to the worst case scenario can help your contracts provide the greatest protection in your business Negotiating contracts (hint: they’re not set in stone!) Why protecting yourself from chargebacks is one of the first things you’ll want to do in your business What documents you need to make sure your website has from day one Why you SHOULDN’T worry about registering a trademark before you reach $5k What you SHOULD do before you choose a business or product name to set yourself up for later success BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or coronavirus has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation!  Resources: The AWB Firm Contract Template Store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates Episode 71 of the Legal Road Map® podcast on trademark searches: www.awbfirm.com/podcast71 USPTO trademark search: http://tess2.uspto.gov This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Financials can either be exciting or depressing, depending on how your business is doing. But no matter how you feel about them, reviewing and understanding your business’s numbers is critical to growing a successful, sustainable business.  Danielle Hayden with Kickstart Accounting and The Profit Planner shares her tips for making bookkeeping more manageable and enjoyable, even if you’re doing it yourself. In this episode, we’ll cover: The importance of understanding and reviewing your business’s numbers throughout the year (not just at tax time!) Why Danielle recommends creating a weekly financial dashboard for your business How you can make DIY bookkeeping work for you  How building your business with the thought of selling it can help it run more smoothly Danielle’s formula to figure out if you can pay yourself more Small steps you can take now to start building up your cash reserves BONUS: If you’re starting something new, or coronavirus has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download our free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation!  Resources: Kickstart Accounting: www.profitplannerbookkeeping.com Kickstart’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kickstartaccountinginc/ Kickstart’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kickstartaccounting/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

Hiring a lawyer for one-on-one help to protect your business probably seems like an impossible goal for a lot of business owners I know, especially in the midst of a pandemic.  But did you know there are steps you can take on your own that will have you worrying less about things like refund requests, scope creep, and clients stealing your content, and more about how you’ll be able to scale to serve all the new clients coming your way? (And some of these steps won’t cost you a dime!).  In this episode, we’ll cover: How often you should be updating your client contracts How friction with your clients can help guide you to make smart changes in your business, and your contracts FREE ways to begin protecting your intellectual property Why using old contracts for new offerings can leave you and your business open to problems Why you should be using a contract, even for your side hustle BONUS: If you’re ready for a break from Netflix by now, or coronavirus has spotlighted areas of your business that have you worried, now is a great time to make sure your business is in good shape legally. Download the free legal checklist to make sure your business has a strong legal foundation!  Resources: Contract template store: https://awbfirm.com/collections/all This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

The new AWB Firm website got a facelift recently - if you’ve discovered that your contract isn’t quite doing what you need it to (i.e., protecting you and your business), check out our new contract template shop at www.awbfirm.com. All templates and bundles are 40% off through April 30. No code needed. If you know your way around the business section of your favorite book store, there’s no way you haven’t heard of Autumn’s guest this week: Mike Michalowicz. His simple but powerful business principles are featured in his incredibly popular books Profit First (a personal favorite), The Pumpkin Plan, Clockwork, and his newest release Fix This Next. In this interview, Mike shares his experience with growing multiple large and small businesses, navigating licensing deals, dealing with copycats, litigation, and more. In this episode, we’ll cover: The importance of taking deliberate action in your business, not just any action Why more is not always better when it comes to legal for your business How Mike has used licensing to spread and teach his business principles to more people Mike’s advice to business owners about how to pivot during COVID-19 Smart communication tips you can use right now Resources: Mike’s website: www.mikemichalowicz.com Mike’s Recession Response website: www.recessionresponse.com Fix This Next: https://mikemichalowicz.com/fix-this-next-book/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. Worried about the legal blindspots that may be lurking in your business? The AWB Firm can help! We start every VIP Day with a Legal Road Map® session, but you can schedule this session separate from a VIP Day too. One of our experienced attorneys will take a one-hour deep-dive into your business and provide you with a report of recommended steps personalized for your business. And you’ll be confident you’re not missing anything essential now, and you’ll learn what you might need to do later. For more info or to book your Legal Road Map® session, visit https://awbfirm.com/legal-road-map-session

Looking up to some of the most successful people in your industry can either motivate you or make you feel like you’ll never get there. But one of the best ways to find success in your own business is by learning from those who are a few, or even many, steps ahead of you.  Autumn is dishing on some of the simple ways her 7-figure + online course rockstars have set their businesses apart and become the household names we know and love. And the best part? Everything she shares in this episode is 100% actionable for you - no matter what stage of business you’re in. In this episode, we cover the benefits of: Serving a very narrow niche without compromising your secret sauce Unabashedly being yourself even if know that means you won’t be for everyone Consistently giving away incredibly useful + valuable content for free Being willing to fail repeatedly on the road to success and seeing failure as data Starting with a digital product vs. 1:1 service Trying lots of different things before landing on your signature offering BONUS: The new AWB Firm website launched recently - if you’ve discovered that your contract isn’t quite doing what you need it to (i.e., protecting you and your business), check out our new contract template shop. All templates and bundles are 40% off through April 15. No code needed Client websites: Katrina Ubell: https://katrinaubellmd.com/ Kara Loewentheil: https://unfckyourbrain.com/ Amy Porterfield: https://www.amyporterfield.com/ Corinne Crabtree: https://www.phit-n-phat.com/ Vanessa Levin: https://www.pre-kpages.com/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. If you’re so in love with your course, product, or business name that you’re ready to say “I do”, it’s probably time to register your trademark. The AWB Firm can help! Clients love our seamless process and flat-fee pricing (i.e., no surprise bills for you!). If you’re ready to learn more or get started, visit www.awbfirm.com/trademark-copyright.

This episode was recorded April 1, 2020. If you’re a small business owner, you may feel like you’ve been dealing with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic for months already. You may have had to lay off employees, temporarily close your business, and more. Times are leaner and cash is oxygen for your business. So what do you do when it comes time to pay your rent, your employees or yourself? Because you can’t pay these with a credit card. Autumn explains all the options that may be available to small business owners to make sure they can get the cash they need to survive the current Coronavirus economic crisis. In this episode, we’ll cover: The importance of figuring out how much cash you need to run your business (and why this includes looking at your personal finances, too) Why now is the time to make sure your books are in order What free money may be available to you under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) How unemployment benefits have changed (hint: benefits may be available to you when they previously were not - i.e., independent contractors, freelancers, self-employed, etc.) What you need to know about paid sick or family leave, as an employee and as an employer Why you’ll want to make a phone call to your mortgage company, landlord, bank, student loan servicer, and credit card company (please don’t just stop paying your bills!) What you need to know about small business loans - including SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Small Business Interruption Loans (SBIL) and the forgivable Payroll Protection Program loans, (PPP) - Autumn explains the alphabet soup! BONUS: The new AWB Firm website launched recently, and while we had a big celebration planned, it just didn’t feel right to move forward with it given the current state of the world. BUT, we also know that a lot of business owners are dealing with refund requests, event cancellations, and more. If you’ve discovered that your contract isn’t quite doing what you need it to (i.e., protecting you and your business), check out our new contract template shop. All templates and bundles are 40% off through April 15. No code needed. Resources: AWB Firm COVID-19 / Coronavirus resources page, including step-by-step guide: www.awbfirm.com/covid19  NY Times Coronavirus stimulus package article: https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-stimulus-package-questions-answers.html This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. If you’re so in love with your course, product, or business name that you’re ready to say “I do”, it’s probably time to register your trademark. The AWB Firm can help! Clients love our seamless process and flat-fee pricing (i.e., no surprise bills for you!). If you’re ready to learn more or get started, visit www.awbfirm.com/trademark-copyright.

When it comes to online marketing, there’s one name that stands above them all: Amy Porterfield. She worked with some of the biggest names in the business before striking out on her own and growing into a multimillion dollar online course business, now supported by a team of 15. Amy is a client and friend of the AWB Firm, and in Autumn’s interview with Amy, you’ll get to hear about Amy’s business-building journey (including candid stories about mistakes along the way), working with our firm, growing her team, and why she wishes she’d dealt with legal much earlier in her business. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why a pivot in your business doesn’t always have to be drastic or even obvious How to recycle your existing content to create a new course or product Why having different avatars for each of your products is crucial to your sales How unprotected trademarks = unprotected revenue streams The unexpected issues that can come up when you start building a team How Amy delegates day-to-day legal matters to her team They key mindset shifts that Amy credits with reaching incredible levels of success And, since we were recording in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we talked about how it’s affected Amy’s business BONUS: Are you stuck Googling the answers to what you need legally, and what’s just a good idea to have, before launching your online course? Head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast132 to get free access to my masterclass The 3 Legal Protections Your Course Business Is Probably Missing to make sure your online business is digital course-ready.  Resources: AWB Firm COVID-19 / Coronavirus resources page: www.awbfirm.com/covid19  Amy’s website: www.amyporterfield.com Amy’s podcast, Digital Marketing Made Easy: https://www.amyporterfield.com/amy-porterfield-podcast/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. Have you poured your heart and soul into creating an online course? How upset would you be if one of your students copied some or all of your course content and tried to sell it as their own? Perhaps a more important question: how upset would you be with yourself if you didn't have an agreement in place that expressly prohibits your students from doing something like this? Our Legal Road Map® to Protect Your Online Course contract template bundle can help you lock down your course content in the time it takes you to catch a few episodes of your latest Netflix binge. To buy your bundle and start protecting your online course today, visit www.onlinecourselegal.com/yes

This episode was recorded on March 17, 2020.  Find all of our Coronavirus resources here: www.awbfirm.com/covid19 There’s no denying it, we’re all in the same uncharted waters as the global Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic touches each and every one of us. Everyone is asking new questions and thinking through new scenarios, especially when it comes to our businesses. This special episode is designed to answer some questions that may have come up for you in the wake of events cancelling, clients finding themselves in economic difficulty, and leading your business through this unprecedented time. In this episode, we’ll cover: What to do if your client wants to cancel or can’t pay for your services What to look for in your contracts to see if or how you’re covered in a pandemic Why it’s a great time to take a look at your business’s values and use them to guide your response in a crisis How digging your heels in when it comes to your contract can really cost you in the long run The importance of being proactive when it comes to cancelling your live event How technology can help you pivot your live event Why it may just be the perfect time to launch a new offer BONUS: Do you have a team that helps you run your online business? Wondering what your best practices should be to make sure you take care of them while also taking care of business? Download our new FREE resource for employers during the Covid-19 pandemic at www.awbfirm.com/podcast131.  We’ll also send additional resources for best practices in these uncertain times as we develop them. This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation.

When you’re already running a business, carving out the time to actually work on your online course can seem utterly impossible. Your clients always come first, so how do you balance continuing to provide them with the stellar service you’re known for, and make time to draft your course outline, record your modules, write copy for your student worksheets, and market your course? More practical than legal advice, in this episode Autumn is sharing some of the best practices she’s seen working with our 6 and 7-figure + online course creators to help you start thinking creatively about how you can buckle down and present your course to the world. In this episode, we cover: The importance of starting with something you’re not just good, but GREAT, at teaching Why you want to make sure you can offer a tangible, repeatable result to your students How to win BIG by starting with just one measurable result that will produce a significant positive outcome for your students The importance of thinking about marketing and sales before you start building your course How soliciting suggestions + ideas from your audience can translate into a very successful course launch Why Autumn loves to batch her tasks How selling your course before you create it can help you avoid lackluster (or zero) sales Why it’s so important to weigh the costs and benefits of paying an expert vs. you spending your time (what’s your hourly rate, again?) doing something you’re not great at How writing a launch date on your calendar can become your biggest motivator BONUS: Are you stuck Googling the answers to what you need legally, and what’s just a good idea to have, before launching your online course? Head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast130 to get free access to my masterclass The 3 Legal Protections Your Course Business Is Probably Missing to make sure your online business is digital course-ready.  Resources: Positive Parenting Solutions: https://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com/ Dana Malstaff’s Boss Mom® Ideal Client Scale course: https://boss-mom.com/ideal/  Lewis Howes’ How to Sell a Product Online (Before You Create It): https://lewishowes.com/sales/how-to-sell-a-product/ Kendrick Shope’s Authentic Selling University: https://learn.authenticsellinguniversity.com/asu-waitlist-join Amy Porterfield’s Digital Course Academy: https://www.amyporterfield.com/dca-waitlist/ Thinkific online course resources: https://www.thinkific.com/ and https://www.thinkific.com/blog/10-steps-creating-successful-online-course/ Teachable online course resources: https://teachable.com/ and https://teachable.com/blog/create-awesome-online-courses Kajabi online course resources: https://kajabi.com/ and https://blog.kajabi.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-creating-and-selling-online-courses This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. Want to make sure your business is protected but working one-on-one with a lawyer just isn’t in the budget? Our customizable contract templates are a great, affordable way to get protection for yourself and your business without breaking the bank. Shop our selection of contract templates for online businesses and protect your business today! Visit www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates.

Putting together an online course is a huge undertaking. There are so many moving parts - writing copy, sourcing or creating images/video, making sure your tech is working, marketing + sales, and more. I’m tired just thinking about it!  If you’re not careful, all of those pieces can take you away from the parts of your business that are making you money now, and you’ll start out at a deficit before your course even launches. So what can you do to ensure your online course enables you to create more income, instead of draining the success you have already created? In this episode, we’ll cover: How paying commission to your affiliates can still help you exponentially increase your overall sales - and profit! The importance of using an affiliate agreement with all affiliates How outsourcing certain parts of creating your online course can actually end up saving you money in the long run Why it’s so critical to always use a contract when hiring an independent contractor Autumn’s tips to keep making sales of your course, even when you’re not launching BONUS: Are you stuck Googling the answers to what you need legally, and what’s just a good idea to have, before launching your online course? Head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast128 to get free access to my masterclass The 3 Legal Protections Your Course Business Is Probably Missing to make sure your online business is digital course-ready.  Resources: Micro Famous, Matt Johnson: https://www.amazon.com/MicroFamous-Become-Famously-Influential-People-ebook/dp/B084ZGWVHJ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=how+to+become+microfamous&qid=1582889149&sr=8-1 AWB Firm Contract Template Store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. Worried about the legal blindspots that may be lurking in your business? The AWB Firm can help! We start every VIP Day with a Legal Road Map® session, but you can schedule this session separate from a VIP Day too. One of our experienced attorneys will take a one-hour deep-dive into your business and provide you with a report of recommended steps personalized for your business. And you’ll be confident you’re not missing anything essential now, and you’ll learn what you might need to do later. For more info or to book your Legal Road Map® session, visit https://awbfirm.com/legal-road-map-session

It seems like everyone is adding a digital course to their arsenal of offerings these days. With tools like plug-and-play platforms and even courses on how to create your course, it’s easier than ever to start earning serious income from these popular products. But what about the legal side of digital courses? In the rush to get your course up and running, it may be the last thing on your mind, but not taking the time to put even the most basic legal protections in place can create some real nightmares for you later on. In this episode, we’ll cover: One thing you must have on your website if you’re collecting any type of personal data from visitors (hello, newsletter sign ups and opt-in forms!) Why Terms and Conditions are an especially good idea to include on your website if you’re looking to add a digital course to your offerings When not including disclosures on your website can land you in a lot of trouble How having a client contract (Terms of Use) with your course students can provide a tremendous amount of protection for you (even if it’s not required by law) The refund/chargeback/payment plan nightmares you can avoid in your Terms of Use Why having a proven result from working with your 1:1 clients is the secret ingredient for big success with your digital course Autumn’s top questions to ask your ideal clients before you create your course BONUS: Are you stuck trying to Google the answers to what you need and what’s just a good idea to have legally to launch your online course? Head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast128 to get free access to my masterclass The 3 Legal Protections Your Course Business Is Probably Missing to make sure your online business is digital course-ready.  Resources: Legal Road Map® Episode 126: www.awbfirm.com/podcast126 Amy Porterfield’s Digital Course Academy: https://help.amyporterfield.com/article/67-dca-details This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. If you’re so in love with your course, product, or business name that you’re ready to say “I do”, it’s probably time to register your trademark. The AWB Firm can help! Clients love our seamless process and flat-fee pricing (i.e., no surprise bills for you!). If you’re ready to learn more or get started, visit www.awbfirm.com/trademark-copyright.

Growing your Instagram following can be tricky business. If you’ve ever struggled with your IG account, you know my guest is an expert on the platform: Jasmine Star! Jasmine is a law school dropout, turned photographer, turned business strategist, who has transitioned from offering 1:1 services, to digital courses, to now a membership model to help business owners grow their social media reach. In this episode, she’s dishing on some lessons she learned the hard way, sharing a couple of embarrassing stories she’s NEVER told before, and continuing to be an all-around inspiration. In this episode, we’ll cover: Jasmine’s challenges in transitioning from selling online courses to a membership or subscription model How Jasmine overcame finding out the domain she wanted was already owned by someone else What a “side hustle clause” means, and why you might want to include it in your employment or independent contractor agreements A few alternatives to consider if you need a contract but can’t afford to hire a lawyer to create one from scratch BONUS: By now, you now know you need a Privacy Policy on your website or landing page to make sure your FB ad is approved, but what other legal documents do you need to include on your website? Head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast127 to download our free website documents checklist to make sure your website or landing page isn’t missing anything that might cause your ad to be rejected.  Resources: Jasmine’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/jasminestar Jasmine’s website: www.jasminestar.com Jasmine’s Social Curator subscription: www.socialcurator.com AWB Firm Contract Template Store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. Have you poured your heart and soul into creating an online course? How upset would you be if one of your students copied some or all of your course content and tried to sell it as their own? Perhaps a more important question: how upset would you be with yourself if you didn't have an agreement in place that expressly prohibits your students from doing something like this? Our Legal Road Map® to Protect Your Online Course contract template bundle can help you lock down your course content in the time it takes you to catch a few episodes of your latest Netflix binge.  To buy your bundle and start protecting your online course today, visit www.onlinecourselegal.com/yes 

If you’ve been paying attention to Facebook over the last couple of years, you’ll know that FB is making a big push for users to engage in groups. So, not surprisingly, FB groups have been popping up everywhere, whether they’re free and open to anyone, or private and part of a paid membership or online course. But what happens if someone’s behavior in your FB group goes against your standards? And what happens when your group grows so large that you have to enlist some help in monitoring activity and enforcing your rules? Plus, what are the consequences of bad-talking others in Facebook posts or comments? In this episode, we’ll cover: The rules two of the biggest names in online business use in their FB groups, and why The most common pitfalls in groups to be aware of and how you can avoid them by carefully crafting your group guidelines Why it’s a good idea for some of your guidelines (i.e., admin’s right to remove people from the group) to be open-ended, but not too open-ended What defamation, slander, and libel really are, and what can go wrong if you are bad-talking others in Facebook groups BONUS: By now, you now know you need a Privacy Policy on your website or landing page to make sure your FB ad is approved, but what other legal documents do you need to include on your website? Head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast126 to download our free website documents checklist to make sure your website or landing page isn’t missing anything that might cause your ad to be rejected.  Resources: Legal Road Map® Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/legalroadmap/ Get a Privacy Policy (and other website documents) in the AWB Firm Contract Template store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates Dana Malstaff’s Facebook group guidelines for Boss Mom® : https://www.facebook.com/groups/BossMomGroup/about/ Marie Forleo’s Facebook group guidelines for B-School Alumni: https://www.facebook.com/groups/571503882933914/ Boss Mom® group  guidelines: Boss Mom® group  guidelines: No Promotions or Spam Give more than you take to this group. Self-promotion, sharing links to your personal page, spam, use of hashtags and irrelevant links aren't allowed. Members may not go live, share videos of themselves or their friends without admin approval. You may not go live in our group or share promotional content on behalf of your friends in the Boss Mom Facebook group. No Unsolicited PMing of Members Direct sellers or any other business may not personally message members unsolicited. Have value to share? Put it in the group. Posts that lead to: "I'll PM you" will be deleted No sharing news stories or articles into the group We do not allow members to share ANY news stories or articles into the group. Please ask questions and engage on relevant topics but no sharing articles. No Hate Speech or Bullying Make sure everyone feels safe. Bullying of any kind isn't allowed, and degrading comments about things like race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated. Be Kind and Courteous We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. Let's treat everyone with respect. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required. No Long Form Teach Posts Posts should not sound like a blog post ora motivational speech. These kinds of posts are better for your Instagram feed or as a blog post. No political, religious, or cultural posts If your post talks about a particular event or situation you did not like and its sole purpose is for others to agree with your point of view then it may be removed from the feed. No Motivational quotes While we appreciate your desire to motivate others in the group, the best way to do that is by commeting on their posts. No Prompts allowed We love when you ask questions, but we do not allow you to ask prompt questions like (share wins, where are you from, raise your hand if) B-School Alumni group guidelines: Be Kind. Encourage and support your fellow B-Schoolers. Never make anyone feel unwelcome or judged; treat everyone with love and acceptance. No venting. This is the place to lift others up. We don’t put anyone down — be it other programs, industries, teachers or people. Ie "I'm so upset this web designer did this" or "All coaches should be certified" Be Generous. Give more than you ask. Share what you’re working on, but keep a larger emphasis on sharing support, wisdom, and encouragement. Think 3:1. Give 3X more support, insight, and encouragement than you ask for. Don't Share Your Work or Services. All offerings of yours or someone else's, including free and beta, belong on one of our three sharing threads. All posts shared from an outside source (FB page, YouTube, blog) will be removed. No massive "like parties." Don't ask people to “like” your FB page, follow your Instagram account or follow you on Twitter or LinkedIn. This also includes putting together social media “pods," blog shares & watch parties. Be Ethical and Original. This is a safe place to share your work and get feedback, not a place to reuse or repurpose other member’s content. Respect Each Other's Privacy. Always get permission to contact or direct message another member or add them to your newsletter list. Do Your Due Diligence. If you choose to work with another B-Schooler, make sure you get a clear, written service agreement in place. No asking for votes, likes or shares. Any post that asks someone to take an action outside of this page will be removed. Including asking folks to vote for you, like your page, share your work, or read an article. This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. Want to make sure your business is protected but working one-on-one with a lawyer just isn’t in the budget? Our customizable contract templates are a great, affordable way to get protection for yourself and your business without breaking the bank. Shop our selection of contract templates for online businesses and protect your business today! Visit www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates.

If you rely on Facebook or Instagram ads to make sales in your business, losing your ads account is probably one of your biggest nightmares. A shut-down account could cripple your next launch and have a serious effect on your bottom line.  I’m sharing juicy stories from online business owners who have dealt with this super frustrating situation, and, in several cases, what they were able to do to get their accounts reinstated. The good news is, if you understand the rules and regulations for ads accounts, you can (in most cases) avoid having your account shut down. In this episode, we’ll cover: Steps you can take if you think your account has been flagged or shut down by mistake Why your ad’s landing page is just as important as the content in your ad itself Which kinds of keywords in your ads or other content will increase your chances of getting shut down How a ‘final’ determination from Facebook isn’t always final BONUS: By now, you now know you need a Privacy Policy on your website or landing page to make sure your ad is approved, but what other documents do you need to include? Head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast125 to download our free website documents checklist to make sure your website or landing page isn’t missing anything that might cause your ad to be rejected.  Resources: Get a Privacy Policy (and other website documents) in the AWB Firm Contract Template store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates FB Ads Policies: https://www.facebook.com/policies/ads/ FB Community standards: https://www.facebook.com/communitystandards/ This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. Worried about the legal blindspots that may be lurking in your business? The AWB Firm can help! We start every VIP Day with a Legal Road Map® session, but you can schedule this session separate from a VIP Day too. One of our experienced attorneys will take a one-hour deep-dive into your business and provide you with a report of recommended steps personalized for your business. And you’ll be confident you’re not missing anything essential now, and you’ll learn what you might need to do later. For more info or to book your Legal Road Map® session, visit https://awbfirm.com/legal-road-map-session

Facebook ads can seem like a mystery - it’s no wonder there are people who have made a whole career out of helping others set up ads that work. Whether you’re a seasoned social media ad user, or you’re just starting to think about using them, you know ads can be a powerful tool to help move the needle when it comes to driving traffic, generating leads, and making sales. But ads often get rejected… repeatedly. And for different reasons than you might think. So, what do you need to know before you run that ad so you can avoid any potential problems? In this episode, we’ll cover: How your ad’s copy or images may not be the reason it keeps getting rejected The essential elements you need on the landing page your ad leads to The potentially tricky business of using other people’s content in connection with your ad BONUS: From today’s episode, you now know you need a Privacy Policy on your website or landing page, but what other documents to you need to include? Head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast124 to download our free website documents checklist to make sure your website or landing page isn’t missing anything that might cause your ad to be rejected.  Resources: FB Ads Policies: https://www.facebook.com/policies/ads/ FB Community standards: https://www.facebook.com/communitystandards/ Get a Privacy Policy (and other website documents) in the AWB Firm Contract Template store: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. If you’re so in love with your course, product, or business name that you’re ready to say “I do”, it’s probably time to register your trademark. The AWB Firm can help! Clients love our seamless process and flat-fee pricing (i.e., no surprise bills for you!). If you’re ready to learn more or get started, visit www.awbfirm.com/trademark-copyright.

If you’ve reached Scale Phase, your business has “made it”. You’re making six to seven figures and might even have your sights set on eight. Your team has grown to include mostly employees with a few independent contractors, but they’ve all grown to be dependent on your business’s success for their own. More money, more problems indeed, which is why you’ll want to listen to this episode to see what legal pitfalls you need to keep an eye out for and how you can prevent them. Even if you’re still in Launch Phase, this is a great episode to listen to so you know what lies ahead. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why different revenue streams can require different legal protections The importance of sitting down to ‘issue spot’ with an attorney when you’re in Scale Phase Why your business is likely to become a copycat magnet in Scale Phase Why your corporate structure may no longer be enough to protect your business assets and what to do in addition to choosing the right corporate structure (hint: it’s time to get insurance!) How critical it is to handle employment matters properly - not doing so can actually land you in jail! Why it’s time to consider having an attorney on retainer in Scale Phase BONUS: Scale Phase Entrepreneur Checklist -- head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast123 to learn about what can go wrong legally as you enter the Scale Phase of your business, and simple actions you can take now to avoid costly problems later, in our Scale Phase Entrepreneur Checklist.  We’ll be releasing a brand-new legal checklist for each phase of your business building journey, free with every episode this month! This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. Have you poured your heart and soul into creating an online course? How upset would you be if one of your students copied some or all of your course content and tried to sell it as their own? Perhaps a more important question: how upset would you be with yourself if you didn't have an agreement in place that expressly prohibits your students from doing something like this? Our Legal Road Map® to Protect Your Online Course contract template bundle can help you lock down your course content in the time it takes you to catch a few episodes of your latest Netflix binge.  To buy your bundle and start protecting your online course today, visit www.onlinecourselegal.com/yes  

If you’re in the Success Phase of business - your business is stable, you’re making consistent revenue you and others depend on (from $50,000 to low six-figures) and you’ve built a team  - this episode is for you. Learn some expensive mistakes you could be making in your business, whether you’re a done-for-you service provider, a coach, or a course creator.  And even if you’re still in the earlier Launch Phase or Solopreneur Phase, or in a later phase of building your business, you’ll want to tune in to make sure you’ve taken care of your legal basics, or get an idea of potential problems that lie ahead. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why it’s important to distinguish between independent contractors doing ongoing work for your business and those who just handle a one-time project How misclassifying a worker can be one of the most expensive mistakes you make Why it’s absolutely essential to use a written agreement when you’re collaborating with another business or individual The one trademark you need to register once you reach the Success Phase BONUS: Success Phase Entrepreneur Checklist -- head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast122 to learn about what can go wrong legally as you enter the Success Phase of your business, and simple actions you can take now to avoid costly problems later, in our Success Phase Entrepreneur Checklist.  We’ll be releasing a brand-new legal checklist for each phase of your business building journey, free with every episode this month! Resources: Previous episodes about working with contractors and employees the right way:Legal Road Map® episode 91 - www.awbfirm.com/podcast91 Legal Road Map® episode 49 - www.awbfirm.com/podcast49 Legal Road Map® episode 37 - www.awbfirm.com/podcast37 Legal Road Map® podcast archives (all episodes) - www.awbfirm.com/podcast This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. Want to make sure your business is protected but working one-on-one with a lawyer just isn’t in the budget? Our customizable contract templates are a great, affordable way to get protection for yourself and your business without breaking the bank. Shop our selection of contract templates for online businesses and protect your business today! Visit www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates.

If you’re in the Solopreneur Phase of business - your business is no longer a baby, you’re making revenue you depend on (up to $50,000) and you’re still the one doing all the things  - this episode is for you. Learn some expensive mistakes you could be making in your business, whether you’re a done-for-you service provider, a coach, or a course creator.  And even if you may still be in Launch Phase, or in a later phase, you’ll want to tune in to make sure you’ve taken care of your legal basics, or get an idea of potential problems that lie ahead. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why the Solopreneur Phase is a really great time to take care of legal (even if it seems too early) How your website might not be covered legally if you’re missing specific documents required by law Why it’s so critical to protect your primary revenue stream at this stage How to avoid common client problems, like:  Non-payment Scope creep Refund requests Ghosting in the middle of a project Disputes about who owns the work product Firing a nightmare client Copycats Flaking on payment plans, or  Causing drama in your community or group BONUS: Solopreneur Phase Entrepreneur Checklist -- head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast121 to learn about what can go wrong legally as you enter the solopreneur phase of your business, and simple actions you can take now to avoid costly problems later, in our Solopreneur Phase Entrepreneur Checklist.  We’ll be releasing a brand-new legal checklist for each phase of your business building journey, free with every episode this month! Resources: Legal Road Map® Episode 81: www.awbfirm.com/podcast81 Contract templates: www.awbfirm.com/contract-templates This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. Worried about the legal blindspots that may be lurking in your business? The AWB Firm can help! We start every VIP Day with a Legal Road Map® session, but you can schedule this session separate from a VIP Day too. One of our experienced attorneys will take a one-hour deep-dive into your business and provide you with a report of recommended steps personalized for your business. And you’ll be confident you’re not missing anything essential now, and you’ll learn what you might need to do later. For more info or to book your Legal Road Map® session, visit https://awbfirm.com/legal-road-map-session

If you’re starting or growing your business in 2020, my guess is you don’t know half of the things that can go wrong legally in your business.  All season, we’re talking about dreaming + scheming, and the expensive legal pitfalls you’ll want to avoid in each stage of starting, building, and scaling your online business.  If you’re in Launch Phase of business - maybe you still have a day job while you get started, or you’re full-time but still getting your business off the ground - this episode is for you. (Even if you’re further along in business, you might find that you still need to button up some of the legal issues I discuss in this episode!) In this episode, we’ll cover: Why launch phase is the perfect time to create a strong foundation for your online business If you need to form a corporate entity when you’re in launch phase Why it’s important to check that no one’s using the name you want for your business before you get started Why you probably don’t need to worry about registering your trademark in launch phase If you need to have a contract for any collaborations when you’re just getting started Why it’s essential to make sure you keep your business and personal expenses separate Why using other people’s intellectual property (i.e., images, music, etc.) is one thing you absolutely want to avoid when you’re just getting started What is perhaps the most important thing to remember in launch phase Visit www.awbfirm.com/podcast120 for show notes. BONUS: Launch Phase Entrepreneur Checklist -- head to www.awbfirm.com/podcast120 to learn about what can go wrong legally as you launch your business, and simple actions you can take now to avoid costly problems later, in our Launch Phase Entrepreneur Checklist.  We’ll be releasing a brand-new legal checklist for each phase of your business building journey, free with every episode this month!   Resources: Legal Road Map® episode: LLC vs. corporation for your online business www.awbfirm.com/podcast108 Legal Road Map® episode: Making partnerships and collaborations successful  www.awbfirm.com/podcast35 This podcast is information, not legal advice specific to your situation. If you’re so in love with your course, product, or business name that you’re ready to say “I do”, it’s probably time to register your trademark. The AWB Firm can help! Clients love our seamless process and flat-fee pricing (i.e., no surprise bills for you!). If you’re ready to learn more or get started, visit www.awbfirm.com/trademark-copyright.