Social Slowdown: sustainable digital marketing for entrepreneurs

As an entrepreneur, who DOESN'T want to get better clients with bigger budgets? Well in this week's podcast episode, Ilise Benun tells us exactly how she helps her clients do just that. We discuss: How to bring your creativity to the business side of your bizHow being in a different stage of the buyer's journey means adjusting the wording on your platforms to cater to those needsThe importance of being clear and creative in who you're serving3 tools in the simplest marketing planWhat you DON'T have to do in order to market yourself and your business More About Ilise Benun: Ilise Benun is a business coach for creative professionals with a focus on mindset, money and marketing. She is also a national speaker, author of 7 books and multiple online courses, including the Simplest Marketing Plan & founder of Marketing-Mentor.com, the go-to online resource for creative professionals who want better projects with bigger budgets. Connect with Ilise:Marketing MentorSign up for Quick TipsSupport the show

Jessica Abel's background as an author led her to assume that mass marketing and a large audience was the ONLY way to succeed as a business owner; Thankfully, she finally figured out that her business models needed to first pay her bills, and THEN she could make decisions about audience and marketing style.In this week's episode, Jessica (she/her) and I discuss:How to think about choosing a business model, and why/when you may choose one over anotherChoosing a  business model that allows you to make more money in less timeWorking with fewer clients for more money versus working with more clients for less moneyFiguring out how social media fits into your marketing - what do you need it to do for you?Connect with Jessica:Learn more on Jessica's websiteThe Autonomous Creative podcastA little bit about Jessica:Jessica Abel (she/her) is a graphic novelist, author, creative business coach, and the founder of Autonomous Creative, a coaching company that helps mid-career creative professionals build businesses that can pay their bills AND honor their creativity. Abel founded the company in response to the ever-greater struggle creatives face in making a living. Pushing back on the “starving artist” mythology, Abel focuses on business fundamentals, stripped of jargon and adapted to the unique needs of creative professionals, and puts the tools of making real money in less time—without creative compromise—into the hands of the artists, writers, and entrepreneurs who need them. Support the show

By now we know that what works for one, may not work for another. And in this week's episode, I'm talking with Jessica Lackey all about business models, and how sometimes what makes sense for other people may not make sense for you and your business. Maybe the traffic-based business models that we're sold can actually be less profitable than a lower, slower pace of business. Jessica Lackey is a strategy and operations advisor who is on a mission to radically disrupt mainstream business culture in an effort to create sustainable businesses with a human-centric approach. With a background in corporate leadership, McKinsey & Company consulting, and a Harvard Business degree, Jessica knows a thing or two about hustle culture and what it feels like to judge success by the bottom line…at all costs. Now, she combines her deep experience in consulting, Fortune 500 operations leadership, and coaching to help businesses grow without sacrificing the well-being of their clients, team, and community.Here's what you can expect from this episode:The importance of community and relationship marketingThe "cult-ish" side of social media (in regards to online business)Why you DON'T need to build your business like everyone elseBusiness models and the math behind scale Connect with Jessica:Sign up for her newsletter and/or take the quiz "What's Your Stage of Business?"Learn more about JessicaSupport the show

Marissa Lawton is an 8-year online entrepreneur and conduit for ancient women's wisdom who guides feminine seekers to reclaim their divine power and channel it into their businesses. As a former licensed therapist who left the medical model of mental health care, Marissa had a behind-the-scenes look into how patriarchal systems and structures continue to diminish women's ability to co-create the lives and businesses that serve their innate needs. And her Work in the world is to change that.By helping women reconnect to nature's rhythms, Marissa aims to reintroduce long-denied mysteries and reestablish deep feminine roots in the entrepreneurial space.In this week's episode, Marissa and I are talking about how you can bring more feminine energy into your business. We discuss:Living from a rooted placeIntuitive decision-making for your businessListening to your intuition versus having an analytical mindset when it comes to business decision-making; Can you do both?What does masculine and feminine energy look like in a business?Traditional marketing with a mystical, sacred flare and how you can bring mysticality into your businessRedefining your measure of successSome examples of how you can bring more feminine energy into your businessConnect with Marissa:RootedFeminine.comRooted Feminine PodcastFollow Rooted Feminine on InstagramMarissa Lawton - Side Hustles for PsychotherapistsTake the quiz: "What season of “re-rooting” are you in?"Support the show

 In this week's podcast episode, I'm thrilled to be speaking with Diann Wingert, a fellow female solopreneur with ADHD.Diann Wingert became a business strategist, coach, and mentor after a 20-year career as a psychotherapist. Her mission is to help ambitious outliers with big ideas and busy brains get focused, fired up, and flame retardant. Diann is the creator of The Boss Up Breakthrough, host of The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast, and an expert on creative female entrepreneurs with ADHD traits. In this episode, we talk about:Therapy vs. coaching: What's the difference, and which one should you seek out?Why the shift from a social media-based marketing strategy to an SEO-based marketing strategy may be the exact thing you need and why many female solopreneurs are afraid to make this switchRejection sensitivity, confidence, and fear of failureSocial media and mental healthHow ADHD and giftedness in women can be both challenges and advantages in self-employmentConnect with Diann:Learn more about Diann WingertConnect with Diann on LinkedInListen to The Driven Woman Entrepreneur PodcastSupport the show

This is the second part of my 2-part conversation with Briar Harvey about all things social media, online marketing, neurodiversity, mental illness, and accessibility. If you haven't already listened to Part 1, you can listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1887252/13429205We also talk about our ability to focus,  the importance of our choice of words, and how the average attention span has decreased significantly over the past decade. About Briar Harvey:Briar Harvey is a storyteller and systems witch. She believes that everything has a story and exists within a system. The trick then, is figuring out how to change the rules and tell a better story. She is an IDEA Consultant (that's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) with a focus on Neurodivergence (that's ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, etc). She helps companies create and implement accessibility plans that increase employee retention by at least 50%.In her free time, she writes stuff and records podcasts. She's the founder of The Neurodiversity Media Network, a collaborative and accessible media company that is hosting and curating all the news that is relevant to neurodivergent folks. Find her at briarharvey.com and neurodiversitymedianetwork.comSupport the show

Buckle up for Part 1 of a 2-part episode with Briar Harvey about all things social media, online marketing, neurodiversity, mental illness, and accessibility.We talk about the fear of missing out on social media, what it's like to run an online business AND consume content as someone who is neurodivergent, and more.Listen to Part 2 here.About Briar Harvey:Briar Harvey is a storyteller and systems witch. She believes that everything has a story and exists within a system. The trick then, is figuring out how to change the rules and tell a better story. She is an IDEA Consultant (that's Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) with a focus on Neurodivergence (that's ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, etc). She helps companies create and implement accessibility plans that increase employee retention by at least 50%.In her free time, she writes stuff and records podcasts. She's the founder of The Neurodiversity Media Network, a collaborative and accessible media company that is hosting and curating all the news that is relevant to neurodivergent folks. Find her at briarharvey.com and neurodiversitymedianetwork.comSupport the show

This episode is all about planning your marketing strategy as an entrepreneur.Michelle Mazur talks about the importance of figuring out your messaging before your marketing. We talk about:The importance of collaboration for your marketing strategyHow you can do less, but BETTER and more efficiently - so you can do more of the things you loveIt's not just about the strategy - it's also about the metrics!The Expert Up ClubConnect with Michelle:The Expert Up ClubLearn more about Dr Michelle Mazur and her business, Communication RebelMore about Michelle Mazur: Michelle Mazur works with brilliant business owners who are shaking things up...but having trouble talking about it. She combines the tools of successful social movements with the qualitative research skills she earned in her communications PhD to help them craft their powerful, captivating message. The author of 3 books (including the newly-updated 3 Word Rebellion) and featured in Fast Company, Entrepreneur and Inc., she knows that speaking about what you do in a clear and captivating way is the key to reaching the people you could help the most. Support the show

In this week's episode, Jen Liddy talks about how her Facebook account got hacked and caused her to completely rethink her marketing strategy for her business.We also discuss:When TikTok and other social media platforms can work for you, versus when it can be much harder to make it work for youThe pros and cons of scaling your businessThe value and cost of laborWhere your freedom comes from as an entrepreneurThe importance of relationships as you grow your businessReexamining the relationship you have with your business: what do you want and why do you want it?Connect with Jen:Learn more about Jen LiddyContent Creation Made Easy Podcast with Jen LiddyClick here to read the blog postSupport the show

Last week I launched my new book, Social Slowdown: Market Your Business Without Sacrificing Your Mental Health.So for this week's podcast episode, I figured I'd give you a sneak peek into the book with an audiobook version of the introduction.If you want to read the whole book, you can get it for just $3.99 for the Kindle, or for $9.99 for a paperback copy - OR you can get a signed paperback for $20.About this book:In a digital world dominated by social media, Meg Casebolt made a bold decision that would challenge the status quo. Seeking respite from the incessant noise and distractions, she embarked on a 100-day social media break, uncertain of the consequences it might have on her business.To her surprise, Meg discovered that her hiatus had no detrimental impact on her thriving SEO marketing agency. Curiosity piqued, she delved deeper into the experiences of fellow entrepreneurs and small business owners who shared their secret desires to break free from the clutches of social media's grip.Driven by a desire to understand the dangers lurking beneath the surface, Meg embarked on a profound exploration of the hidden perils of social media. With meticulous research and personal anecdotes, she unraveled the insidious links between addiction, depression, anxiety, and patriarchal oppression that often go unnoticed in the digital landscape.Meg, in her wisdom, realized that boundaries were the key to reclaiming control and finding balance in the digital realm. Drawing from her own transformative journey, she shares five invaluable strategies to establish healthier relationships with social media—ways to protect your mental well-being, safeguard personal privacy, and nurture genuine connections in an era of superficiality.But Meg doesn't stop there. She extends a lifeline to those yearning for liberation from the clutches of social media's alluring yet detrimental embrace. With passion and expertise, she unveils a comprehensive array of 20 marketing alternatives—innovative, impactful strategies that can catapult businesses to success while enabling them to ditch social media for good.Join Meg on an eye-opening odyssey as she dismantles the myths and illuminates the shadows surrounding social media. Through her empowering words, she invites entrepreneurs and small business owners to embrace a new paradigm, one that champions mindful engagement, authentic connections, and unparalleled growth beyond the constraints of the digital universe.This book is an invitation to reimagine the future—a future where you can thrive without surrendering your sanity to the endless scroll. Are you ready to embark on this transformative journey and discover the untapped potential that lies beyond the confines of social media?Support the show

Ohhhh gosh y'all...You're probably wondering why I'm releasing a podcast episode today instead of Tuesday, and if you pre-ordered the Social Slowdown book, then you already know that we ran into some ~technical~ issues.Well, I'm here to be fully transparent about what went awry. If you're listening to this episode on July 27th, 2023, - then today is the day that my book's pre-orders were SUPPOSED to go live. But as we all know too well, being a business owner comes with its own obstacles.In this episode, I talk about the pre-publishing errors I encountered with the Social Slowdown book, what I learned from this experience, and the reality of making mistakes as a business owner. Get a signed paperback copy for $20Download the Kindle version for $3.99Support the show

I hired Lacy Boggs to help me write the first draft of the Social Slowdown book, and today she's here with me to talk all about the writing process.We also talk about:Book launch strategyHow it felt to work with a ghost writerThe difference between a ghost writer and a co-authorThe book publication processThought leadership Lacy Boggs is a content strategist, author of the bestselling Kindle ebook, Make a Killing With Content, and the mastermind behind the podcast, "Ace Stone, Marketing Detective.” As director of The Content Direction Agency, she helps small business owners create and implement content marketing strategy that feels like a playground for ideas and results in deceptively powerful nurture content to create massive growth. The Social Slowdown book is available for pre-order for only $3.99 on Amazon!Learn more about Lacy BoggsSupport the show

Did you hear?! The Social Slowdown book is coming out on July 27th, 2023! If you didn't already know, I wrote a book, taking all of the best bits and pieces from this podcast and putting them together into an easily digestible format.In this episode, I explain WHY I wrote this book and what you can expect from it.You can pre-order the e-book for $3.99 or the paperback for $8.99 on Amazon.For the full show notes, transcript, and more info, visit https://www.socialslowdown.com/social-slowdown-book-coming-soon/Support the show

How do you build an accessible and inclusive social media and website? Alexa Heinrich is here with us to give us insight into the world of online accessibility.What you can expect from this episode:Website design and accessibilityBest practices for accessibility on different platformsMyths about website and social media accessibilityTips on how to use emojis to be accessible in your commentsHow diverse disability actually isMore of Alexa's thoughts on creating inclusive contentFor the full show notes, visit socialslowdown.comAccessible SocialThe Accessible Social ChecklistEmojipediaSupport the show

Dusti Arab figured out what she was the best at and what was working for her business, and was able to pivot completely from agency work to fractional CMO work.In this episode, Dusti gives us the scoop on how she niched down to offer more specific services, and how pulling back and getting really specific helped her workload and her mental health. She explains HOW her business model has changed within the past year, and how she's been able to avoid burnout.If you're experiencing burnout or you're in a rut, trying to figure out where to go next with your business, give this episode a listen.*Dusti runs a marketing consultancy, helping women who have small businesses to transform their marketing to be more strengths-based and sustainable versus tactics based.*Relevant Links:The Reinvention CoConnect with Dusti on InstagramConnect with Dusti on TwitterConnect with Dusti on FacebookSupport the show

Self-doubt, burnout, rejection sensitive dysphoria. Maybe you've experienced one of these as an entrepreneur, maybe you've experienced them all. In this episode, I talk with Jamie Jensen about managing a healthy relationship with social media, looking after your mental health, and unlearning what marketing has told us we need to do as entrepreneurs.About Jamie Jensen: Jamie Jensen is an award-winning writer, brand storyteller, and intuitive business coach who's helped her clients up to 9x their sales simply by refining the stories they tell with their branding and marketing. Relevant Links:Follow Jamie on InstagramFollow Scribe & Spirit on InstagramLearn more about Jamie JensenScribe & SpiritFor the full show notes/episode page, visit https://www.socialslowdown.com/questioning-your-relationship-with-social-media-with-jamie-jensen/Support the show

Relationships are fundamental to building a lasting business. And today I'm here to talk with Michelle Warner about her relationship approach to marketing - versus a traffic approach.In this episode, we talk about traffic funnels vs. relationship funnels, scaled relationship marketing, and how to get over the fear of cold outreach/how to ask something of someone who is a weak tie.We discuss how you CAN be more profitable as a 1:1 business versus a big business doing mass marketing.Relevant Resources:Get Michelle's free training: 5 Minutes A Day To A Network That PaysThe 5 Stages of Business GrowthConnect with Michelle on InstagramAbout Michelle Warner:Michelle Warner designs tiny companies that are built to last.With an MBA from one of the world's top business schools and 15+ years growing small businesses, Michelle knows what it takes to build a business - and she knows that authentic relationships are at the heart of it. It's why she created Networking That Pays and why she's thrilled to see over 200 entrepreneurs implementing the system in just the first few months its been publicly available.The Networking That Pays system was first created by Michelle over 10 years ago when she started her first business. It's what she used to grow that business to 7+ figures while also landing herself a spot on an official White House Task Force - despite starting the business with exactly zero relevant connections. Support the show

I'm sure you can think of a time when something was happening in our social/cultural climate and you wanted to address it in your brand's messaging, but you held back because you didn't want to say the wrong thing or upset anyone. Well, today I'm here with Peta O'Brien to talk about how you can bring politics and the cultural context into your brand messaging, without pissing people off!We also talk about:How we can have better conversations on social mediaRainbow WashingMaking the decision of when to bring politics into your messagingHow to choose the platform where you want to delve into these topicsPeta is a copywriter and messaging strategist who taps into empathy and her previous career as a youth worker to help her clients connect with their audience. She works with health and wellness startups and coaches who want to weave values through their messaging. She's a politics geek with 2 children who loves escaping into a cheesy action film, or experimenting with her pile of cookbooks.** **And she's launched a membership, The Soap Box - a supportive community for business owners with a social conscience, designed to help you share your political and social values in your business messaging. Without pissing off all your potential clients!**Relevant Links/Resources:Learn more about PetaJoin The Soap Box Americast PodcastArticle about the fake Twitter profiles that Peta mentioned WSJ experiment about TikTokThe Rest Is Politics PodcastSupport the show

Megan Flatt's book, Focused: Reclaim Your Time, Ditch Overwhelm, and Do Less Better, comes out today, and she's here to give us the inside scoop on it!If you've listened to any of our podcast episodes with Megan Flatt, you know that one of her main goals in her work is to help entrepreneurs do less, BETTER.Megan (she/her) is on a mission to make entrepreneurship easier. She's the founder of Focus Sessions and the author of Focused: Reclaim your time, ditch overwhelm and do less, better. Outside of work,she is obsessed with lattes, Post-it notes and romance novels. Catch up with her at focus-sessions.com or letscollective.co or @focussessionsIn this week's podcast episode, we talk about how you can be more intentional about the way you use your time and the things you're putting on your calendar. Her book is all about not needing more time, but needing more FOCUS. Megan goes through various topics you'll be able to read about in her book, and she also delves into her book-writing process.Give this episode a listen if you're struggling with productivity and want to learn how to be more impactful with your work.Relevant Links/Resources:Learn more about Focus SessionsGet her book, Focused: Reclaim Your Time, Ditch Overwhelm, and Do Less Better Let's CollectiveSupport the show

Tamika Auwai is THE expert when it comes to nurture marketing - and she's here today to talk to us all about how you can up your lead nurture game without creating content 24/7.In this episode, we also discuss:Why lead nurturing is more important than lead generationEmail vs. social for lead gen/nurtureNurture sequencesSmart messagingRelevant Links:Orisha CreativeGet your free Nurture Opportunity ScorecardConnect with Tamika on InstagramTamika is the CEO of Orisha Creative, an inventive nurture marketing agency that serves leaders in the online coaching industry. She is also the creator of The Nurture Matrix™, a unique evergreen nurture marketing framework that's revolutionizing the way Master Coaches approach social media and email marketing, generating millions in premium coaching program sales along the way.For the full show notes and transcript, visit https://www.socialslowdown.com/nurture-marketing-with-tamika-auwai/Support the show

In this week's episode, I'm speaking with Tristan Katz about how we can be more inclusive and accessible in our marketing for our businesses. We touch on how we can do better at including trans and nonbinary people and people from marginalized communities in various aspects of our business, and why it's important to actually uphold these values instead of being performative. We talk about how power relates to our marketing, and how we can begin to UNLEARN, as well as how we can use our marketing to create meaningful change, equity, and justice WHILE having a profitable business. If you're looking to do better at creating safe and welcoming spaces for everyone, this episode is a must-listen.More about Tristan Katz:Tristan Katz (they/he) is a writer, educator, digital strategist, and equity-inclusion facilitator. They offer training and consulting on gender equity, trans inclusion, queer competency, and justice-focused marketing practices. Tristan's intention is to share this work with an anti-oppression and intersectional lens. He was named one of Yoga Journal's 2021 Game Changers and is proud to serve on the Board of Directors at Accessible Yoga. Learn more about TristanCreating Safer Spaces: Embodying your Commitment to Trans InclusionRest Is Resistance: A ManifestoSupport the show

If you're getting the basics right when it comes to middle-of-the-funnel marketing, but you want to take the next step, this episode is for you.Katy Widrick talks all about funnels, automations, personalized workflows, and more. We discuss the importance of triggering, tagging, and segmenting in your email marketing, and what to do AFTER you've got those segments.More about Katy:Katy Widrick transforms marketing pros into CMOs by teaching them how to recover the biggest expense in their businesses – lost sales – by using simple, effective systems to increase conversions and decrease top-of-funnel costs. Katy has worked in marketing and revenue expansion for more than 20 years, strategizing and implementing campaigns and effective funnels that help visionary leaders maximize their impact, grow their top-line revenue and scale their product and service lines to 7, 8 and 9 figures.She also serves high-growth founders as a Fractional CMO, using a profit-first approach to marketing and sales funnels.Relevant Links:Learn more about Katy WidrickListen to Katy's podcast, Rising Tide TalentsFollow Katy on InstagramClick here for the full show notes/transcriptSupport the show

"We aren't going to be able to solve the problems of the world if we're only listening to a small percentage of the world's voices"This week I'm SO excited to share with you my conversation with Alyssa Burkus, cuz we dive deeeeeep into some thought-provoking topics.Alyssa is a thought leadership strategist, writer, and coach. She's the founder of Shift Wisdom, a writing agency based near Toronto, Canada where she specializes in helping business owners and corporate leaders build their authority and influence through writing. Her writing program Get The Words Out helps people who want more writing in their life learn to break through writer's block and build the routines that set them on the path to being prolific. Alyssa is also a 3x cancer survivor.What you can expect from this episode:Why deeper content and thought leadership will become even more important in the age of AIHow to create thought leadershipHow to build a writing habit that sticksWhy you should be writing even if you have "people" to write for you (metacognitive thinking benefits)Other ways to repurpose content (instead of just social media)Why we need more diverse voices to share their writing to counterbalance the assumed default of the white male "expert" How to step into book writing Relevant Links: Shift WisdomConnect with/follow Alyssa on LinkedInFollow Alyssa on InstagramFor the full show notes and transcript, visit https://www.socialslowdown.com/thought-leadership-and-writing-ai-alyssa-burkus/Support the show

From topics like the patriarchy and hormone cycles to sunk costs and securing stable income, this episode with Michelle Stevens is a good one. Michelle Stevens is a self-care advocate for high-passion, low-energy business owners and professionals. She has been navigating the online business world for over 10 years, most recently under the brand My Body My Queen. She loves talking about energy management, life with Type 1 Diabetes and other autoimmune conditions, breaking free of diet culture, and finding ways to sneak movement into our busy days. In this episode, we discuss:False promises in digital marketingEnergy management, self-care, and setting boundariesPatriarchal and societal expectations a female entrepreneurMinimizing business costsHow hustle culture impacted Michelle's mindset and businessWorking full-time and running a business as a side hustleRelevant Links:My Body My QueenFollow Michelle on InstagramWatch the short YouTube clipFor the full show notes and transcript, visit socialslowdown.comSupport the show

I've said it before, and I'll continue to drive it home: you cannot rely on social media to promote your business! In this week's episode, I'm speaking with Jenny Melrose about how why it's important that you utilize email marketing and other platforms such as a podcast, YouTube channel, and your own website to market your business. We also discuss influencers, TikTok, and Instagram.What you can expect from this episode:Why you can't rely on social media for marketing your businessHow to get the most out of email marketingMonetizing your blog (with ad networks and sponsorships)Social media influencers: Are they oversharing?About Jenny Melrose:Jenny is a former reading specialist who “retired” from her teaching career when her blogging income far exceeded her salary. Through hard work and dedication, her lifestyle blog, The Melrose Family, became regularly sought out by nationally recognized brands such as Neutrogena, Smuckers, Glad, Costco, Stanley Steamer, Sara Lee, and many more. She is a content strategist who helps entrepreneurs better understand their messaging and unique position in the online space. Now, she's combining her passion for teaching with her extensive experience of creating strategic content for online business owners via JennyMelrose.com and her podcast, Influencer Entrepreneurs with Jenny Melrose as well as her first book Influencer Entrepreneurs: The 4-Step Framework to Building Your Audience, Growing Your Business, and Making More Money Online. Relevant Links:JennyMelrose.comThe Influencer Entrepreneurs PodcastThe 4-Step Framework for Building Your Audience, Growing Your Business, and Making Money OnlineJenny's Instagram @jenny_melroseWatch the short YouTube clipFor the full show notes and transcript, visit https://www.socialslowdown.com/influencers-email-marketing-with-jenny-melrose/Support the show

You'd think it would be the default way of marketing, but it's not. And why is that?In this week's episode, I'm speaking with Sarah Santacroce about humane marketing.We also discuss:Showing up authenticallyHow gentle/humane marketing is different from mass marketing and automated systemsHardcore "bro marketing" and manipulation Unlearning what we know about marketingOther collaborative ways to market your business (summits, etc.)More about Sarah:Over a decade of running a successful LinkedIn Consulting business inspired a yearning in Sarah to create a global movement that encourages people to bring more empathy and kindness to business & marketing.As a ‘Hippie turned Business Coach', Sarah has written two books, hosts the Humane Marketing podcast, and works with heart-centered entrepreneurs to question their assumptions when it comes to marketing & give them permission to market their business their way, the gentle way!Sarah shares a fresh perspective and doesn't shy away from calling things out that no longer work for many of us when it comes to the current marketing model. Her clients sometimes refer to her as ‘the female Seth Godin'.The Humane Marketing PodcastMarketing Like We're Human (book)Selling Like We're Human (book)Get the Fill In the Blank One-Page Marketing PlanFor the full show notes and transcript, visit https://www.socialslowdown.com/humane-marketing-with-sarah-santacroceWatch the YouTube clipSupport the show

As an entrepreneur, how do you make your work, WORK for you? How do you create a sustainable business? In this episode, I'm speaking with Brooke Monaghan about breaking the "rules" in your business and challenging the status quo. In this episode:Aligning your offers with your valuesSustainable aligned marketing plans (AKA marketing plans you can STICK with)How to navigate discouragement or criticism as an entrepreneurPlanning for long term vs short term and how this affects your expectationsHow to make your work more sustainable, and work for YOUWhy Brooke is starting a YouTube channelBrooke Monaghan is a trusted advisor to founders and leaders who value impact, integrity, and relationships and are on a mission to set things straight in their industry. In her work, she helps her clients build both their confidence and their business acumen as they navigate the unique challenges they face when daring to do things differently. She also hosts the podcast Transcend Your Dichotomy, a show about business ownership that challenges the self-sacrifice narrative. Brooke Monaghan's websiteTranscend Your Dichotomy PodcastSupport the show

This episode is all about social media - the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to utilizing it as a business owner.I'm speaking with Bonnie Bakhtiari, a brand strategist and designer for creative entrepreneurs, as well as a coach for fellow graphic, brand, and web designers. She specializes in crafting high-converting, strategic brands for her custom design clients. And she currently teaches fellow designers how to generate consistent income and connect with their ideal clients on repeat through the Brand Strategy School, her signature program for designers.In this episode, we cover:How Bonnie made the decision to move away from a relatively large Instagram/Facebook audience in favor of more relationship-based lead generation that better supports her time, energy, and creativitySocial media as an extension of capitalismManaging burnout and low energy as a business ownerRelevant links:B is for Bonnie DesignThe Brand Strategy Podcast"My Go-To Tools For New Brand Designers"Episode 260: Using People-Led Marketing To Generate LeadsSupport the show

Lisa Princic knows how to build a lasting membership program - and she's here today to talk with us all about it!Lisa Princic is the owner of Scaling Deep. Over the last 14 years, she has helped thousands of impact-driven business owners dive deep into their unique value and business models to build sustainable & profitable brands. Lisa helps coaches niche experts to become thought leaders and increase their impact and wealth with membership programs. A staunch believer in business simplicity and intention, she helps her clients accomplish their goals by focusing on what to do AND what to ignore. Lisa loves a challenge with adventure and can often be found skiing or biking in the coastal mountains of BC. In this episode, we cover:Myths and truths about membershipsThe pros and cons of pricing: high ticket vs. low ticket membershipsThe benefits of small groupsThe cost vs. the value of membershipsCreating evergreen content for membershipsIssues with how high profit, low revenue business models are marketedAnd more!For the full show notes and transcript, visit https://www.socialslowdown.com/sustainable-memberships-with-lisa-princic/ Scaling DeepFree video training: How To Grow A Wildly Successful Membership That Provides Financial Freedom & FulfillmentSupport the show

Erika Tebbens is a Growth Strategist for visionary entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers who are looking to make their mark doing things differently –– and leave a legacy of positive impact.She provides growth consulting and training through her company, Erika Tebbens Consulting; her podcast: Sell it, Sister!; and through being a featured speaker on podcasts and for communities such as The Tory Burch Foundation and Honeybook/Rising Tide.She's also the author of You've Got This!: A Counterintuitive Guide to Powerful, Inevitable ChangemakingIn today's episode, Erika and I talk about her new book which focuses on how you can make a difference in the world without sacrificing who you are and what you care about. Erika also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her book-writing and self-publishing process.For the full show notes, transcript, and more, visit socialslowdown.comSupport the show

"Define success for yourself and then unapologetically chase it. Because [...] if you don't define success for what it means to you, you'll chase someone else's definition." - Amanda McKinneyIn her new book, Uncover Your Confidence: An Accidental Entrepreneur's Guide to Success,  Amanda McKinney talks about what success feels like to you - and how you can become the confident entrepreneur you strive to be.I've brought Amanda on the podcast to talk about her new book and have a deeper discussion about what it means to define success for yourself and chase that success.We also discuss:What is an "accidental entrepreneur"?Navigating change (we know, it can be scary!)Being confident when you need to pivotHow Amanda's business has shifted after writing a bookGaining clarity after stepping back from social media  Amanda McKinney is on a mission to help accidental entrepreneurs unapologetically chase their definition of success. After becoming an accidental entrepreneur herself she has been on a mission to help others step into their definition of success so they can combat the comparison and “should” trap that all entrepreneurs face. For more information, you can connect with Amanda on her website at amandamckinney.com, on Instagram at @theamandamckinney or LinkedIn. Learn more about Amanda McKinneyThe Unapologetic Entrepreneur PodcastUncover Your Confidence: An Accidental Entrepreneur's Guide to SuccessBook Interview (Episode #168)Amanda's blog post about InstagramSupport the show

Do you hear the word "networking" and simply roll your eyes? Well in today's episode, Lindsay Johnson and I have a great conversation that's gonna change the way you think about networking. We talk about radically connecting with others - and what people THINK "networking" is, versus what it ACTUALLY is.In this episode:What does "networking" really mean in 2023 and what can it look like for you, as an entrepreneur?How and why Lindsay uses consent-based strategiesConnecting organically and figuring out who you really click with and want to work withTikTok for networking?Lindsay Johnson, aka The Radical Connector, has been teaching first-time entrepreneurs how to get clients and make money in their businesses for over 20 years. Lindsay's an entrepreneurship nerd and holistic business strategist who's obsessed with teaching service-based entrepreneurs and content creators business skills and strategies for turning their brilliance into a profitable business by working less and playing more. Born into a family of entrepreneurs, Lindsay watched as their family worked themselves into the ground and promised themselves they'd find a better way to build a business.Lindsay's two online business programs, blog, YouTube channel, Work Less Play More Podcast, and free Facebook group, Rad Connectors, teach overwhelmed entrepreneurs practical, consent-based marketing and sales skills so they can use their business as a tool to build the life of their dreams, change the world, and finally ditch their desks and go have a life!Relevant Links:Learn more about Lindsay Johnson and The Radical ConnectorWork Less, Play More PodcastJoin Lindsay's free Facebook group, Rad ConnectorsWatch the YouTube clipEp. 43: Regenerative Business, Permaculture, and Carrots With Helen TremethickFor the full show notes and transcript, visit socialslowdown.comSupport the show

Last month we talked a lot about our time spent on social media during the Social Slowdown Challenge, so I thought it would be the perfect time to share my conversation with Becca Rich about time management with you - and not just time management when it comes to social media, but here we talk about time in relation to our personal lives as well.In this episode, we cover :Time blocking and time awarenessReframing the way we think about "time management"How capitalism has exploited our timeThe many factors that impact our ability to rest and experience joy and pleasurePrioritization and constraintAbout Becca RichBecca Rich is a former Engineer turned Holistic time coach, speaker, educator, and full-time digital nomad. She works with creative, ambitious entrepreneurs and professionals seeking more freedom and joy.The most common thing holding people back from what they want? Time. But let's be honest… Traditional time management is outdated and ineffective. Becca is a visionary, cutting through the BS of the billion-dollar productivity industry creating a ripple effect with Holistic Time Management.If you're ready to team up with time in a way that honors your unique mind, body, and soul so you can accomplish what you want, be the person you're meant to be, and experience an extraordinary life... Learn more about working with Becca at theholistictimecoach.com.Watch the short YouTube clipFor the full show notes and transcript.Support the show

This is the final episode of the Social Slowdown Challenge series, and I'm here with Sheena McKay, our Community Manager + Customer Support Manager to recap the Social Slowdown Challenge. In this episode, we discuss:How people behaved during the challengeOur expectations vs. reality of the challengeWhat went well, and what we'd do differently next time aroundMajor themes we found throughout this challengeIf you want to go back and participate in the free podcast episodes we released, you can do so here:Day 1: Debrief Your 2022 MarketingDay 2: Your 2023 Marketing Vision & StrategiesDay 3: Choosing Your Marketing IntentionallyDay 4: Maximizing and Managing Your Marketing Time with Megan FlattDay 5: Boundaries, Self-Compassion, and External ValidationSupport the show

Today I'm here with Andréa Jones to talk about our 2023 goals, boundaries and resolutions surrounding social media.Andréa Jones is the social media strategist who helps coaches and experts go from stuck to strategic, passion-led powerhouses and visionary thought leaders with her simple approach to social media: “take one little step each day. Build your social media savvy overtime.” (You may remember Andrea from last year's episode,  Social Media Boundaries & Metrics.) You can find her online at onlinedrea.com or @onlinedrea on Instagram. This episode covers:Finding and setting boundaries surrounding social mediaThe pros of repurposing content across social channels (and the pros of reusing old posts!)Batching content for social to help set boundariesUtilizing evergreen contentHow to make your content more accessible Paying for ads versus organically acquiring customersIf you want to learn how you can effectively use social media in a healthy and purposeful way this year, then this episode is for you.For the full show notes and transcript, visit socialslowdown.comSupport the show

Support the show

Support the show

In this episode we're talking all about the ECONOMICS of marketing (it should come as no surprise that Meg is a total nerd about this stuff

Support the show

What do you need your marketing to do for you? What would a marketing victory look like?Sample marketing objectives: Brand awarenessLead generation: list building, inquiries/discover consults, cold sales, etc.Lead qualification/salesDecrease churnIncrease website trafficChoose a primary and secondary marketing objective. For Love At First Search, these are ours: Primary: lead generation (measured in discovery calls for strategy sessions + sales for our group coaching program)Secondary: Brand awareness (measured in branded search traffic and colder referrals) PROMPT: What worked in 2022 in your marketing to achieve these objectives?Quantitative data (if you have it): Google AnalyticsQualitative data: Where did your last 5 clients come from? Not sure, go ask them. Shoot a quick broadcast to your email list to askAdd a question on your intake form “how did you hear about …”Ask on social media how people found out about youPROMPT: How did you FEEL about your marketing tactics in 2022?DIY Scorecard: Rate your 2022 marketing by 3 criteria: Time/money invested on this strategyEffectiveness of this strategy (how well did it work to accomplish your objectives)Enjoyment of this strategyHere's a starting list of different marketing strategies you may have used last year:Social MediaFacebookInstagramLinkedInTikTokContent marketingBloggingPodcasting YouTubeSEO Email marketingNewslettersEmail automationsPaid advertisingFacebook/InstagramGoogle ads Relationship marketingAffiliate marketingCollaborationsGuest expert trainings In person networkingReferral generationSupport the show

The Social Slowdown Challenge begins next Monday - so consider this "Episode 0" of the challenge...In this episode, I'm going over a few things I want you to take note of before we actually start the Social Slowdown Challenge.After listening to this episode, take a few days over this weekend to do some digging and sleuthing and really just notice your behavior when it comes to social media and online marketing.What is the Social Slowdown Challenge? The Social Slowdown Challenge is a free challenge that will help you  explore your business relationship with social media.How does the Challenge work?Every morning from January 23-27, we'll release a 20-30 minute podcast episode.If you're already subscribed, it'll show up in your existing feed; if you're not, subscribe now!If you just want to follow along with the podcast prompts, that's awesome.Or if you want to delve deeper, join the free challenge to be part of our online Circle community, come to daily roundtable Zoom discussions (every weekday at 12pm EST), download free worksheets, and more! Relevant info from this episode:RescueTime: Fully Automated Time Tracking SoftwareSupport the show

The FREE Social Slowdown Challenge starts next week!! (If you're listening to this in January of 2023)In this short episode, I'm talking about what to expect for next week's Social Slowdown Challenge. I go a bit more into detail on the logistics, expectations, resources and more.The Social Slowdown Challenge is a FREE challenge we're offering from January 23-27, 2023 to help you explore your business relationship with social media and learn how to be more intentional with your time and energy.You can opt for the free podcast episodes that we'll be releasing every morning from Januar 23-27 right here in this podcast feed, or you can delve deeper and join the free challenge to be part of our online Circle community, come to daily roundtable Zoom discussions (every weekday at 12pm EST), download free worksheets, and more! Head to socialslowdown.com/challenge to learn more and join the challenge!Support the show

As of January 2023, we're archiving all of our Instagram posts and shifting to a 9-grid strategy.In this episode, Jocelyn Koury (our Content Marketing Coordinator) and I talk about some of the changes we're making in 2023, how we've decreased our dependence on social media over the past year, and how you can participate in a challenge we're running from January 23-27. This episode will give you insight into:A "behind-the-scenes" of what Love At First Search is doing to decrease our dependence on social mediaHow you can make better use of your time on social media, or getting off of social all togetherHow running a service-based business has differed over the past year from a product-based business when it comes to social media The 9 things we're adding to our Instagram grid as we archive all of our other postsFor the full transcript and show notes, visit https://www.socialslowdown.com/sunsetting-your-social-media-with-jocelyn-koury/Relevant links:Join the Social Slowdown Challenge, January 23-27, 2023Never miss an episode! Sign up for the Social Slowdown email newsletterLearn more about Jocelyn and The Cozy TangerineSupport the show

"So I went to my team and was like, 'We are gonna only have 9 posts on our Instagram and we're gonna archive everything else" - Jordan GillAfter taking a look at her social media analytics, Jordan Gill (of Systems Saved Me) decided to ditch the way she'd previously been using Instagram for her business for a 9-grid strategy.In this episode, we talk about:How and why Jordan "9-gridded" her InstagramPivoting your business/niching downWord-of-mouth marketingContent or relationship marketing - which one is better for you to get good SEO results?Jordan Gill is a 7-Figure Business Strategist whose mission is for high-achieving business owners to prioritize rest without sacrificing revenue! She's helped over 400 coaches and consultants work with clients only 4 days a month with VIP Days! When she's not spreading the gospel of VIP Days, she's working on one of her thousand-piece jigsaw puzzles or traveling the world with her husband and bonus son. Jordan helps service providers and strategists structure and sell virtual VIP days. Click here to get her Free VIP Day Roadmap!The Membership to Get Data-Driven by Lanie LamarreSupport the show

Lacy Boggs is a content strategist, author of the bestselling Kindle ebook, Make a Killing With Content, and the mastermind behind the podcast, "Ace Stone, Marketing Detective. As director of The Content Direction Agency, she helps small business owners create and implement content marketing strategy that feels like a playground for ideas and results in deceptively powerful nurture content to create massive growth.  Support the show

In episode 9 of the Social Slowdown podcast, Lacy Boggs mentioned she was going to start a fiction podcast about business and marketing - Ace Stone, Marketing Detective. And she did just that! The first volume of her podcast is live, and she's here today to talk to us all about it!Lacy Boggs is a content strategist, author of the bestselling Kindle ebook, Make a Killing With Content, and the mastermind behind the podcast, "Ace Stone, Marketing Detective. As director of The Content Direction Agency, she helps small business owners create and implement content marketing strategy that feels like a playground for ideas and results in deceptively powerful nurture content to create massive growth. Other episodes with Lacy Boggs:Ep. 9: Scaling up & Down as Your Business Evolves With Lacy BoggsEp. 18: Invisible Audiences With Lacy BoggsEp. 35: Nature Hike Through Customer Awareness With Lacy BoggsOther relevant links:Listen to the Ace Stone Marketing Detective podcastMore about Lacy and The Content Direction AgencySupport the show

I participated in the challenge to write 50,000 words during the month of November for National Novel Writing Month - NaNoWriMo.And I met that goal of 50,000 words! I wanted to share with you how my first year of participating in NaNoWriMo went, how I had to rearrange my schedule (and my life!) to be able to complete this challenge, how I planned ahead, and some of the other things I did to be able to write 50,000 words of a novel. My fellow business-ownin friends Megan Flatt of Let's Collective and Focus Sessions, and Stacy Spensley of Semi-Crunchy Mama also participated in NaNoWriMo, and they're here with me to discuss their experiences as well.In this episode, we go over seven (7) marketing and business lessons the three of us learned from NaNoWriMo.NaNoWriMoLearn more about Stacy Spensley (Semi-Crunchy Mama)Let's Collective by Megan FlattFocus Sessions by Megan FlattFor the full show notes and transcript, visit socialslowdown.comSupport the show

When it comes to finding clients, there are lots of different strategies you can choose from. For Rebecca Tracey, she's found that the best way for her is through collaborating and networking - NOT spending countless hours filming TikTok videos, uploading Instagram stories and creating Canva posts.In this episode, Rebecca gives us insight into why she focuses more on relationship building instead of using social media to get coaching clients. We also talk about:Some of the marketing gaps that many programs don't include3 key marketing strategies she gives to her clientsThe pressure of constantly being on social media, and how you can get away from this marketing strategyMarketing advice for businesses with service provider clientsRebecca Tracey is the founder of The Uncaged Life where she works with coaches and online business owners to get clear on their brand message, create packages that sell, and help them get clients. Rebecca runs a highly engaged online Facebook group of over 15,000 entrepreneurs. She started her business while living in a Chevy '81 campervan (and now owns a sweet upgraded van) and lives in her dream town of Squamish BC surrounded by mountains, where she is truly living her Uncaged life. The Uncaged LifeFREE TRAINING: HOW TO BUILD YOUR BUSINESS WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIAWatch the YouTube clipFor the full show notes and transcript, visit socialslowdown.comSupport the show

You're sick of posting day after day on social media, only to do it over and over again in order to get any smidgen of sales. If this sounds like you, then this episode is for you!In this episode, I'm speaking with Liz Wilcox, the email marketing expert. The Fresh Princess of Email Marketing, Liz Wilcox is an Email Strategist and Keynote Speaker showing small businesses how to build online relationships and make real money with emails. She's best known for selling a blog, turning a $9 offer into multiple six-figures (without ads), and helping you untangle the email “knot” with pop culture references. She loves the 90s, headbands, and the beach. We talk all about how you DON'T need to rely on social media to market your business and how you can utilize the power of email marketing to get people interested enough to buy from you. We also discuss:How to get people to actually open your emailsEmail vs. social media marketing for your bizDiversifying the ways you make moneyGet Liz's Email Marketing Membership for only $9Learn more about Liz and email marketingFor the full show notes, transcript, and more, visit socialslowdown.comSupport the show

Jen Mayer is a Brooklyn-based mom of two, a financial counselor, a former doula, and has been self-employed her entire career life. Jen is a financial counselor trained through the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE). Her passion is working with parents and self-employed people to implement financial strategies so they can live with financial confidence, less stress, and meet their lifelong goals. In this episode, Jen and I discuss:As a self-employed person, how do you make sure you're building a financially stable business?How to give yourself a benefits package as a self-employed personRetirement and 401KsFinancial freedom- We Are Fully Funded website- Get your free Financial Roadmap to Financial FreedomFor the full show notes and transcript, visit socialslowdown.comSupport the show

Michelle Mazur is a message coach who helps expert business owners who often feel overlooked to create messaging that will get them seen. She does so using her 3 Word Rebellion process, which we talk about in this episode. This episode is alllllll about brand messaging. We also discuss:Things that you should and shouldn't include in your website copyVoice of customer researchThe relationship between SEO and brand messagingRepurposing content and messaging that's worked in the pastHow to organize and structure your messaging- Learn more about Michelle Mazur- 3 Word RebellionListen to these other Rebel Uprising podcast episodes :WHAT THE HELL IS MESSAGING & WHY DOES YOUR BUSINESS NEED IT?SELL THE RESULTS, NOT THE SOLUTIONWHY YOU SHOULD DITCH IDEAL CLIENT AVATARS & DO THIS INSTEADSupport the show