The Jenna Rainey Show

And that's a wrap on season 1 of the Jenna Rainey Show! It's been an amazing first year debuting this podcast show with just over 85 episodes and loads of amazing guests. Thanks for listening and for all the stellar reviews. Until next time, come hang out with me on Instagram @jennarainey and on the blog at https://jennarainey.com. I've got a lot of amazing business/art courses, resources, and a new watercolor book in the works so stay tuned for much more from me.

Being an influencer might not be what you think! In this episode, I invited my good friend—and one of my favorite people to follow on Instagram—to be on the show. It's Jeannette Ogden from @shutthekaleup!   Jeannette's account is all about nutrition, wellness, fitness, and mom-things. We talk about what it's like to work with brands, how to get collabs, and some behind-the-scenes insights.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/shutthekaleup/

Strategic email marketing is one of the most engaging and cost-effective ways to build personal, profitable relationships with your customers.   Let that process for a minute.   Email marketing is HUGE. So why you should have an email list? What is my favorite strategy? How did it save my business? Tune in and find out.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/whyemaillist/

This one's for all you designers out there who want to start—or grow!—a thriving stationery business.   I started my business 8 years ago as a stationery designer and after 5 wonderful years of amazing clients, I decided to shift my focus and sell the company.   During those 5 years I learned SO much. I had no formal training or experience so I basically jumped in the deep end with two feet and figured things out as I went.   So now we're here so you can learn from my mistakes and also learn about things I wish I would've known about sooner.   But remember, there's so much value to be gleaned from every mistake and every win. Keep going. The hills and valleys are part of the journey. You've got this.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/stationerybusiness/

Did you know that there is a whole lot of strategy involved in writing descriptions for your products or services so that it reaches more eyes?   And it applies to a wide range of e-commerce platforms including Etsy, Shopify, SquareSpace, Creative Market...anywhere you list your products (or services in some cases!).   So in this episode I want to give you tips on how to use SEO and keyword research to improve the chances of your listings showing up in search results.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/productdescriptions/

Have you thought about taking your hobby or side gig and making a living out of your creative creative? Do you have doubts, concerns, fears about taking the leap?   You're not alone. I've been there and my guest on this episode has some insights and inspiration to share.   Jeffrey Madoff is the founder of Madoff productions in New York City. His company collaborates with ad agencies, public relations firms, and directly with clients to produce commercials. He's worked with Victoria Secret, Ralph Lauren and more.   Jeffrey began his career as a fashion designer and was named one of the top 10 designers in the US before switching careers to film and video production.   He also teaches a popular course at the Parsons School of Design and recently published a book by the same name—Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas.   In this episode, we're his students for a short lecture and I can't wait for you to soak in all the wisdom.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/jeffreymadoff

Curious about how to build a brand but don't know where to start? And what's the difference between a business and a brand?   These days with websites and social media, so much of our business is visual. That's why I think every business owner should treat their business as a brand (in other words, give time and attention to the visual details).   In this episode, get my 7-step process to building a business and a brand!   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/buildabrand/

Especially as a new business owner, mistakes, bumps, obstacles...they're inevitable. It's all part of the entrepreneurship journey.   In this episode, I reflect on my last 8 years of owning a business and what I would tell 23-year-old Jenna...   ...the 23-year-old Jenna who's sitting at her kitchen table late at night after a long day at the cubicle, practicing calligraphy and painting, and getting ready to take the leap to start a creative business.   If you're starting a new creative venture (or want to!), I've got insights to share to help you prepare so you can succeed!   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/owningabusiness/

Do you set goals for your life or business? And here's an even bigger question...do you typically hit those goals?   Because I know a thing or two about setting goals and not hitting them...or forgetting them...or changing my focus (thanks, ADD). But it can happen! Life happens and pivots are common—sometimes even essential.   Over the years, I've learned a few things about goals and in this episode, I share with you my favorite resources and tips to help you stay on track.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/setgoals/  

Do you have a blog?   If you're thinking, Who the heck has a blog anymore?, then I urge you listen to this previous episode where I explain why it's so important!   If you do have a blog, I want to let you in on 4 insider tips to help expand your audience.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/publishblog/

The importance of an email list is something I cannot stress enough! Especially when our economy is experiencing a downturn at the moment and customers are staying in doors, how are you as a business owner staying front of mind with your clients/customers?   If you're still scratching your head and asking, "Why start an email list? Email is dead!"...think again!   Email is the only way to *algorithm proof* your biz and allow you to keep in contact with your potential and existing customers! Creating an email list is the KEY to sustainability and helping you weather any storm that comes along.   When should you start an email list? NOW! Even if you're just starting a business, email should be your focus! The thing with email is, it compounds over time...the more you nurture it, the more it will grow!    Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/theimportanceofanemaillist/  

Do you work with your spouse or partner? Or are you thinking about working with your significant other on a business venture? John Rainey (my husband) will be the first to tell you that while it's not always easy, it can definitely be worthwhile.   John started working full-time at Jenna Rainey HQ a year and half ago and he is the content KING. He's my videographer, YouTube director, podcast editor, and he does a friggin' good job at it all, too. (And he's all self-taught!)   So in this episode, he shares his insider tips for building a successful YouTube channel, our daily routine, and his favorite (and least favorite) things about working with me.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/johnrainey/

Do you know what gets me excited and geared up for a new year? Planning out my entire year's promo calendar!   Last month, my team and I sat down on a few Zoom class and laid out our entire 2021 calendar.   I know it can feel daunting but doing this strategic work ahead of time can help you to give you clarity and focus while you create content throughout the year. And I think this year especially has us all ready for the feeling of a fresh start a new year brings.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/planningpromos/  

Are you getting ready to plan your 2021?   In Q4 of each year, I think it's a great practice to take some time to reflect on what worked and what didn't in your life and business, so you can keep those things in mind moving forward. We've got to learn from our mistakes and also keep doing whatever drives success and fulfillment!   In this episode, I'm going to give you an inside look of this past year at Jenna Rainey LLC—what we launch, what we did differently, what worked, what didn't work, and how we overcame some challenges.   If you're curious about what goes on behind the scenes in my business, about how I manage my time, or you just want to learn from my mistakes, this episode is for you.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/2020recap/

I want to get real and personal with you today about a topic that's incredibly important to me—living with a mental illness. This year (2020) has been tough for so many people. Even without the uncertainty of the economy and the pandemic, being a business owner has its challenges.   Mental illness is not a weakness and it is not anyone's fault.   You are capable of success and being a leader, you are strong and have so much to contribute to your relationships, your experiences, and LIFE.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/mentalillness/

There's a time to copy and then there's a definite time to not copy. Here's the difference:   It is ok to copy to learn. It is NOT ok to replicate or copy someone's work to pass it off as your own and use it for marketing or commercial purposes.   This is in fact why there are copyright laws and intellectual property lawyers.   Here's the thing. It's really hard these days to be completely pure in your work. Inspiration is everywhere: it's easily searchable and something we stumble into often by scrolling on Instagram and Pinterest, and who knows just how much a quick glance through social media is actually seeping through our minds and impacting our ideas, our creative process, etc. BUT, there are a couple key points that I want to share with you from my own experience over the last couple of years that I hope will help you understand the deeper impact of copying.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/the-truth-behind-copying/

How many hashtags are you using? Are you using popular ones or niched ones?   If you find hashtags confusing, you're not alone!   There's so much conflicting info and research about Instagram hashtags, so get out your notebook and let's get a tangible game plan to navigate the hashtag dilemmas.   In this crash course episode, I give you the best tools I've found that helps accounts of ALL sizes.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/hashtags/

Just over a year ago, I decided it was time to hire an assistant. I wanted to grow my business and also do less of the things that weren't my specialities. That's when Kelly came into my life and now, she's my right-hand lady/operations manager/integrator.   I'm super excited to introduce you to her and let you all in on what it's really like behind-the-scenes working at Jenna Rainey HQ.   Kelly is just the organization to my Type B-ness. She is the poking holes to my big crazy ideas. She is the detailed-oriented Asana task champion. She just has absolutely changed my life.   In this episode, Kelly gives some really good, honest answers about: - My strengths and weaknesses - How we met and the interview process - Why we make a strong team together - What she does, what her roles and responsibilities are within my business - Some of her favorite organization hacks that's she's picked up over the years   Even if you don't have anybody working for you right now, knowing about the dynamic with somebody who does take on an operations manager role can be insightful and helpful for the future!!   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/kellymartin

Mindset is a HUGE topic not only in the entrepreneurial space, but also in wellness and personal growth.   And for good reason! Mindset is incredibly powerful, even more than we realize sometimes.   In this episode, I give you my 3 top mindset shifts that I think are game-changers.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/mindsetshifts/

I'm a firm believer that your morning routine can set the tone for your day—personally and professionally.   So when Jennifer Cook of Minimal and Well asked me to be part of her Power Morning speaker series, I was pumped.   I'm super passionate about wellness and over the last 8 years of owning my business, I've experienced how morning habits and what you put in your body affects your mood and mental clarity.   And it's important to remember that it's an ongoing process that looks different for everyone! My morning routine gets tweaks about every quarter depending on what my body and soul needs in that season.   For those of you who are struggling to find inspiration in the morning and sustain that energy throughout the day, this interview is for you!   Episode show note: https://jennarainey.com/powermornings/ Minimal and Well: https://www.minimalandwell.com/

Have you ever received an email or DM or text from a friend asking you for help on a creative project...for free?   Or maybe it was in exchange for a hug or some exposure.   It can be a tough situation!   In this episode, I talk about what to consider when asked for free work.   Because in my experience there may be a time and a place for it! In all honesty, doing some free work what got my business off the ground.   But you do want to be careful and not devalue yourself so there are good things to keep in mind when you get these requests.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/freework/

Now that I've been licensing my art for a few years and we're gearing up for our Brand Plus Brand course launch, I've been thinking about things I wish I had known before starting this journey.   So for this bonus episode, we turned the tables and I'm actually the guest answering questions from my licensing agent, Julie Turkel, on her podcast.   If you are an artist designer, photographer, any creative brand owner, and you've been thinking about getting into licensing, or maybe you are in licensing already, and you just want some insight on the journey, I think this is going to be a very interesting episode for you. Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/beforelicensing/ Brand Plus Brand: http://bit.ly/bpb20jrs  Julie's podcast: https://www.julieturkel.com/category/podcast/ 

A surface pattern design Q&A with Jocelyn Sipowicz (aka Just Jos)! Jos is lifestyle print and product designer (and alum of Brand Plus Brand—my course on licensing that I co-teach with my agent, Julie Turkel!)   She has robust experience in the fashion industry (Coach, Chico's) as well as home textiles and accessories (Loloi).   In her work with brands, she acts as a facilitator between other artists and the brand. So... listen up all you creatives aspiring to get into licensing—Jos lets us in on some insider tips! Julie and I were so excited to have her on the podcast to share with you her ideas for getting collection inspiration, building a library that attracts manufacturers (spoiler alert: it's about diversifying!), and the themes she sees currently trending.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/justjos/

Let's talk about how you can make more money on DIY licensing platforms like Creative Market. What do I mean by DIY licensing platforms? They are websites where you can simply upload your artwork and the company either puts it on products—everything from phone cases to beach towels and coffee mugs—or sells the art files to other designers. Popular examples are Creative Market, Society6, and Redbubble. MILLIONS of users are on these platforms and they function just like a search engine. This also means that you don't necessarily need to have a big following to get your artwork out into the world and can make some extra cash! Licensing work has been a game-changer for my business. Most of the things I paint or design are for collections licensed to manufacturers and retail stores. I have collections in the baby category (blankets, sheets, play mats), tech (computer and phone cases), and office (planners, notebooks, pencil cases). There are so many possibilities! And a huge benefit to licensing is that not only does it generate passive income, the artwork can be reused and repurposed for various collections. It has allowed me to say adios to the 12-14 hour working days. I want that for you, too, so listen to this quick episode to see how you can get started. Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/creativemarket/

How do you create impact with technology and still make your customer experience feel personalized?   That's the question I explored in this episode with Brandi Bernoskie.   Brandi is a digital strategist, website developer, and founder of Alchemy+Aim and North Star Sites—companies that help entrepreneurs and business owners elevate their online presence and enhance their digital experience.   Brandi's has worked with thought leaders like Brené Brown, Laverne Cox, Martha Beck, Judy Smith, and Kate Northrup as well as other notable change makers since 2013.   Whether you're starting a website or already built one, this episode will be golden to helping you with your digital strategy and how to think of ways to humanize your brand, connect with your audience, and automate and offload in your business so you're working in your genius zone.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/brandibernoskie/

Passive income is the dream of many artists.   So let's talk about how to make that dream into reality. In this quick episode, I'm sharing with you 5 things I do to build passive income.   Episode show note: https://jennarainey.com/passiveincome/

Informative shopping research (sometimes referred to as competitive research) in the world of licensing is KEY, especially when pitching your work to partner with your dream manufacturing brand or licensing agent.   Informative research helps you answer these questions and more: What's trending (even outside your industry)? What manufacturers have licensing programs? What kind of designers and/or artists are manufacturers working with? What void is there in X brand's product line design? What void is there in X agent's design roster? How can I improve my library of work to catch the eye of a manufacturer/agent?   In this episode, Julie Turkel, my licensing agent and co-instructor for Brand Plus Brand is back to giver her insider tips on the why and what of informative research.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/informativeresearch/

Pinterest is a search engine—an amazing free tool that you can use as a creative entrepreneur to boost organic search traffic, generate new leads, and attract new customers.   In other words, it helps MORE people discover you and your beautiful work!   In this short episode, I'm giving you my 3 tips to help you optimize your pinning strategy.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/pinteresthacks/

Niche marketing, when done with intentionality, can transform your business.   Two people that understand the ins and outs of this niche marketing approach is Tom Ross and Mike Janda.   Tom is the founder and CEO at Design Cuts, the highest-rated online marketplace for designers. Design Cuts helps their community of 550,000 members save money off the best digital resources to help their regular creative projects. They also empower hundreds of creatives to make money passively via their skillsets, and have earned their shop owners millions of dollars.   Tom also hosts the popular podcast The Honest Designers Show and Biz Buds, which have received over 1.5 million downloads. He loves mentoring fellow creatives to help them master their marketing and regularly speaks at creative events to inspire others.   Mike is an award-winning creative director, designer, and agency veteran. In 2002, he founded the creative agency Riser, which provided design and development services for clients that included Disney, Google, Warner Bros., Fox, NBC, ABC, National Geographic and many other high-profile brands.   Mike sold his agency in 2015 and now spends his time speaking, developing books, courses, and social media content to help creatives level-up. He is the author of Burn Your Portfolio and The Psychology of Graphic Design Pricing.   Tom and Mike are super knowledgable educators and mentors for creative entrepreneurs. This episode is packed for of information and practical takeaways of how you can implement a niche marketing strategy, whether you have an audience right now or not.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/nichemarketing/ 

Being a mom and CEO is incredibly challenging, there's no question about it.   Since 2012, I've identified myself as a business owner, artist, and designer who earns a good living doing something that I love. Once I became a mom to my now 1.5 year old son, EVERYTHING changed.   If you're a parent, then you know allll about those first few months of parenthood—the sleepless nights, the 30 minutes a day you get to shower and get some work done, and the mom/dad guilt.   But really...can you be both a parent and CEO? Absolutely yes. In my experience, the rewards of both have always outweighed the challenges.   To all my parents and business owners (or aspiring business owners) out there...you've got this!   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/momceo/

Stand out among all the noise.   That's the goal, right? As the markets become more and more saturated, you want to be seen!   But if you're thinking, What's the point? There are already soooo many artists out there...lemme tell you something. There's no other you in the world and you have something uniquely special to offer.   Enter this week's guest—Kira Hug. She's a brilliant copywriter, specializing in personality-driven conversion, cofounder of The Copywriter Club, and cohost of The Copywriter Club Podcast. Kira helps small business owners package their weird, following her signature trifecta framework. So if you're just dying to know what the heck that even means, don't skip this episode! It's so so good.   We talk about how to picture yourself in a living room with the people on your email and what that can do for your copy. It's brilliant.   Kira has worked with some amazing marketers like Jasmine Star, Rick Mulready, James Wedmore, and helped them write copy for hugely successful launches. She is a master at being strategically weird and helps you define your personality within your brand so you can effectively communicate that on your website, your email copy, your sales pages, eCommerce site, etc. So if you are any type of business owner and you write any of your copy, this episode is for you.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/kirahug/

Time management strategies that WORK can be game-changers in your business (and in your personal life, too!).   One of the most common questions I receive is, How do you have time to do everything that you do?   Life is busy. We have kids, appointments, sleep, eating, cleaning...you know, juggling all the day-to-day stuff. Very quickly work can pile up and deadlines creep up on you.   For years, I used to feel like I was always behind, treading water, before I figured out how to work smarter and not harder.   In this episode, you're getting my tried and true strategies for being more efficient and better managing time. But remember, we're all different! Try these out and tweak them for your personality and schedule. Then, enjoy all the productivity and extra time you free up in the process.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/timemanagement/

Effective Instagram strategies are hard to come by. It seems like the app is always changing! Right?   Instagram polls and questions boxes... Effective niche hashtags... Quality vs quantity when it comes to followers... And the often-dreaded direct to camera Instagram stories...   These are the wildly popular topics when it comes to using Instagram as a powerhouse marketing and engagement tool in your business.   One incredible woman who I consider to be extraordinarily proficient in all things Instagram is my good friend Jamie Dana.   Jamie and I went to high school together and she used to be my amazing hair stylist until she left the salon to pursue her passion of being an educator. Through her courses, membership site, and YouTube channel, she educates other hairstylists on how to use and grow their businesses using Instagram.   And even though her niche is hairstylists, these techniques and methods can be applied to any business or brand. I had some amazing aha moments during our conversation and I know you're going to love her! Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/jamiedana/ 

What do you do when your client wants a refund?   It's an uncomfortable situation to be in, no doubt.   In my 8 years in business, I've made plenty of mistakes when I had to eat costs. But there have also been times when my clients have requested refunds and I know I was not at fault.   Whether you're a service-based business or product-based, I'm giving you my best tips for handling these tricky situations with grace and professionalism. And because I believe in the value of prevention, I'll let you in on what I did to avoid (or at least, greatly reduce) these scenarios from coming up again.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/clientrefund/

A few years into my custom stationery business, I spent a LOT of time and money creating semi-custom invitation suites. And by the title of this episode, you know how many I sold. Zip. Zilch. Zero. Nil. None... Seriously.    Have you ever launched a product, course, or some kind of service and made ZERO sales?   I know. It stings! And this happened even with a sizable Instagram following.   So how do we change that and hopefully prevent it from happening in the future?   Tune in and learn from my mistakes so you can rock your next launch!   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/isoldzero/

How do you navigate trends as a stationery designer? They seem to always be changing!   Well, I'm stoked to introduce you to two of my friends in this episode—Rachelle Schwartz and Emily Owen. They are the co-owners of Wiley Valentine, a luxury custom stationery design agency where for the last 14+ years, they work with celebrity clients and top notch event planners.   I met Emily and Rachelle when I shared an office with them (and also with Czar Press, run by Rachelle's husband, Michael) a few years ago, hence the super casual conversation. Not only did I learn so much from them about the stationery industry, they're just wonderful human beings full of insights.   Emily and Rachelle have an intriguing and inspirational story of how they hustled as total newbies in the industry to get to where they are now. And having been in business for 16 years, they also have some experience weathering tough times—I'm talking the 2008 recession and the current pandemic.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/wileyvalentine/

Handling high maintenance clients is part of the the not-so-fun side of business. Let's admit it.   I'm talking about those people that cross boundaries, are impossible to please, email you at 3am or call you nonstop outside business hours.   Can you relate? While these scenarios tend to be rare, they do happen—whether you're a stationery designer, graphic designer, custom crafter, hair stylist, or photographer. High maintenance clients are unavoidable!   In this episode, I'm sharing my 5 tips you can take to prevent unpleasant scenarios from escalating (and manage them professionally if they do come up), and protect yourself...all with the end goal of giving the best experience possible.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/highmaintenanceclients/

A well thought-out, beautiful website design is hugely important for introducing your brand to your customers.   Jen Olmstead and Jeff Shipley from Tonic Site Shop came into my life in 2019. Jen designed the stunning, colorful, bursting-with-personality ShowIt/Wordpress website you see today and I couldn't be more thrilled with it.   Throughout the process of working with Jen and Jeff, I learned that there's so much more to website planning than color schemes and pretty fonts—you've got to have a clear brand story.   Because Jen is SO knowledgeable about intentional website design and killer About pages, I knew I had to bring her on the show and share her wisdom with all of you. (Plus, witty banter is her love language and so it's always a blast talking to her.)   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/jenolmstead/

Have you ever felt a lack of inspiration and motivation and just utterly burnt out?   I have. More than once, too. And these feelings are especially common in the creative community with all the noise and competition.   Burnout can affect more than just your work—it can impact your relationships, sleep, mood, and health. (I speak from experience.)   In this episode, I give you my best 5 tips for getting more clarity, direction, motivation, creative inspiration, and excitement back to your work.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/avoidingburnout/

Customer loyalty is the lifeline of every business. Whether you have return customers or not, building up a loyal customer base that spreads the word to their friends about you is key to growth.   On this episode, Casey Graham—Co-Founder and CEO of Gravy—shares some amazing tips on this topic of customer loyalty and how to serve your audience, especially in times of crisis, whether it be a global pandemic or economic recession.   Casey's company, Gravy, is the leading failed payment recovery and customer retention solution for companies with recurring revenue. Prior to launching Gravy, Casey is known for founding The Rocket Company, an organization that helped church leaders scale their financial leadership and fundraising. The company grew quickly from 2008 - 2015 and was on the Inc 5000 list three years in a row. In late 2015, a capital venture group approached Casey to acquire The Rocket Company, and in February 2016 the company sold.   His passion for entrepreneurship and bold vision for leadership are the driving force behind his energetic and engaging presence, both on and off the stage. And this episode is no exception. I can't wait for you to listen!!    Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/caseygraham/

Is this a bad time to get into the licensing industry as a designer? What products are people buying now?   These are great question and ones that I got asked a couple of weeks ago. To really explore this topic with an insider's perspective, I'm stoked to have my licensing agent Julie Turkel back on the show.   Julie has been in the licensing industry for 25+ years now (check out Episode 13 for more of her story).  She is also my co-instructor for our course, Brand Plus Brand, all about starting a building a licensing business.   It's fair to say that Julie knows a thing or two about trending categories, trending themes, when to pivot, and working with manufacturers and retailers to get your designs on products.   In this bonus episode, we talk about where it might be beneficial to focus your energy and time during this global pandemic to keep your licensing business moving forward. And yes, art is still very much alive.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/futureoflicensing/

Is it too late to start—a new hobby, a business venture, or a creative journey?   I get emails like this often: "I would love to paint like you but I'm too old now."   It breaks my heart when aspiring creatives brush aside their dreams because they think the "window of opportunity" has passed.   In this short and sweet episode, I address this common limiting belief and give examples of people who achieved great things in their later years. The bottom line is: It's never too late. Dream big, my friend. And keep chippin' away at it.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/toolatetostart/

You've got questions? I have answers. A couple of weeks ago, I posted on Instagram Stories wondering what you would want to know if you could ask me anything. Within the responses, there was a wide range of topics—from what the early business days were like to whether I had morning sickness while pregnant. It's a fun, chill, let's-hang-out-type episode. I'm want to do more of these Ask Me Anything episodes so be sure to follow me on Instagram and keep a lookout for my next call for questions! https://instagram.com/jennarainey Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/askjennaanything/

What is visual storytelling?! When you hear the term brand storytelling, the first thing a lot of people think about is the "About" page on your site, social media captions, and general website copy. But don't forget about the VISUALS (photographs, artwork, colors, etc) as incredibly powerful storytelling assets!   Nick Onken, world-renowned photographer, joins me for this crazy good episode. He's photographed personalities including Justin Bieber, Tom Hanks, and Jessica Alba, Little John, and is the host of Nion Radio Podcast.   Nick's current mission is to refine and explore the intersection of creativity, consciousness, and culture. Seriously... so many good things to unpack there!   This episode is not just for photographers. It's for anyone who has a brand and has a story to tell (Spoiler: Everyone has a story to tell!!). Tune in and learn how to use visual storytelling to elevate your story and cut through the noise to stand out among the competition.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/nickonken/

Wondering how to build a profitable business in a world with LOADS of competition?   In this era of technology, competition is stiff! I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Now, more than ever, it's critical to get clear on the why behind your business, your values and brand story, and then to connect with your ideal customers...outside of social media and e-commerce platforms like Etsy.   To go deeper into strategies for standing out and building connection, I'm so excited to introduce you to Tracy Matthews.   Tracy is a jewelry designer and entrepreneur mentor to creative visionaries and the host of the top rated Thrive by Design podcast. Her jewelry and her story has been featured in InStyle, Elle, US Weekly, Real Simple, Martha Stewart Weddings, Entrepreneur Women and on the Today Show. And she's the Chief Visionary Officer of Flourish & Thrive Academy where she helps other jewelry brands launch, grow and scale profitable jewelry businesses.   In this episode, Tracy shares her best tips and advice for growing a profitable creative business. They are pearls of universal wisdom that can be applied to so many industries—whether it's jewelry, photography, fine art, hairstylist, etc.   Get out your notebooks. This is a good one...   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/tracymatthews

"Should I have a blog? Is blogging still a thing?" The short answer is absolutely YES.   Your potential customers are on the internet, looking for information that you could be providing.   The more blog posts you have, the more chances you have to rank higher on Google, the more traffic you have on your site, the more people will be interacting with your brand, which all lead to more sales, more customers and growth.   Do you struggle coming up with topics to write about? Don't worry. I'm also giving you some of my quick tips for generating ideas for valuable content.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/shouldihaveablog   Do you want to learn more about SEO and becoming more discoverable? Check out my SEO Crash Course: https://jennarainey.com/shop

Have you ever written a pitch email to a client or customer and wasn't quite sure what to say to make it feel genuine? Or if you haven't tried it yet, what's stopping you?   Pitching your work is vital to growing your business, generating more revenue and pivoting.   Whether you're hurtin' for your next client or you want to pitch to your dream brand, there are some key things to keep in mind when writing a good pitch email.   In this episode, I'm sharing my 4 top tips for what to do (and what to avoid) when writing the all important pitch email.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/pitching/

Do you sit for much of the day? Are you looking down at a phone, laptop, etc? It's not uncommon for creatives.   But why is Jenna Rainey talking about spinal health and posture?   Because I know that supporting our health is fundamental for everything we do.   Especially now, spending more times indoors, many people are sitting more than usual. That's why I wanted to share with you information from someone who has helped me a ton with my own pain and health—Bill DeMoss, DC of DeMoss Chiropractic in Southern California.   Dr. Bill is certified in chiropractic, spinal trauma and biophysics. He's super knowledgeable, not just about posture and spinal health but about immune health and cognitive health. His goal is to educate and empower people with an understanding of how the human body functions so that wise decisions can be made about their health and wellbeing.   Even if you don't go to a chiropractor or you've never been to a chiropractor, this episode gives you a glimpse into the world of chiropractic care and strategies to support your spinal health and your overall health.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/billdemoss/

Beating the feast or famine cycle in your business is key to growth and sustainability. What is the feast or famine cycle?    It's the lack of consistency in workflow that often happens with busy seasons and slow times.   Have you ever landed a new job to only start to neglect your sales, marketing, bookkeeping, IT projects, and nurture content...all because you had to focus on completing that new job?   This happened often to me, especially in the first 5 years of my business. I eventually learned how to find a balance and how to apply certain strategies to keep the workflow steady and consistent.   Because at the end of the day, we all want consistent income.   In this episode, I'm sharing with you the strategies I used myself to gain clarity, security, and stability in my business.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/feastandfamine/

The importance of curiosity and creativity has never been outlined more effectively than in my interview with Brit Morin. Have you ever been curious to try and learn a new creative skill?   If so, what's stopping you?   I have heard SO many people tell me, "I just wish I was creative." OR "I don't have a creative bone in my body!"   Well guess what? We are ALL creative. It's literally a part of our DNA! And since I know Brit Morin shares this same passion of igniting people's inner creative voice, I am super excited to have her on the show!   Brit Morin is the co-founder and CEO of Brit+Co—a lifestyle brand and online learning company. They provide content, products and experiences geared towards young women with a creative DIY spirit. Brit+Co has an engaged community of over 125 million women and over 200,000 online class enrollments.   Brit is also the author of the bestselling book Homemakers: A Domestic Handbook for the Digital Generation. She is a regular lifestyle expert on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Live with Kelly and Ryan, Rachel Ray and more.   In this episode, we talk about Brit's experience in product development and marketing roles at Google and Apple and why she pivoted to create her own business (inspired by keyword research!).   What do I love most about Brit (besides her sweet personality)? She is always learning something new, staying curious, and staying creative.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/britmorin

Need an email marketing overview?   Are you scratching your head wondering if email marketing is worth the time and energy investment? Does an email list help you grow your business?   Short answer: YES.   Strategic email marketing is one of the most engaging and cost-effective ways to build personal, profitable relationships with your customers.   In this episode, I'm meeting you at the starting line and giving you the email marketing overview you need to get it started for your business.   Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/emailmarketingoverview/    Get my FREE training tutorial on how to start an email list here: https://bit.ly/emaillistcrashcourse