Wildly Creative Women Podcast with Sarah Layton

Storytelling Seductress Bootcamp [Day 1] Storytelling – true storytelling – is all about connection. How do you connect? Here's the big secret, straight up: Telling your story is never about the storyteller, even when it is personal. It is ultimately all about your listener – particularly those who will identify and relate to the tale. And that strong sense of identification and connection is why storytelling is such a powerful and essential part of being an entrepreneur. Are you one of those people who struggle to come up with a “story” for your bio? Are you one of those who says, “I don't really have a story. I'm pretty boring” – or do you list off all your achievements, and expect that to dazzle potential clients enough to sign up for your list or buy your product? Or do you throw in a bunch of quirky ‘facts' that are pretty safe – “Jane Doe lives with her dog Chloe in a quaint, Colonial farmhouse in the spunky small town of Anklebite, Minnesota…” Sounds like the book blurb to a cozy mystery, doesn't it? Stop agonizing over what to put in your story and focus on why. Why should you include something? Why should you skip telling about other incidents? Telling your business story should be all about relevance. There is only one reason that your ideal client stops to listen to your story – to see how you overcame what she is struggling with right now. Sure, you can hook her in with an outrageous or intriguing email title or video title or entertain her with a cute video of your parrot moon-dancing to Michael Jackson's ‘Thriller', but that won't get you a paying client. With shock-value or entertainment videos, once she's satisfied her curiosity about the hook or laughed at your parrot's antics, she's gone. It might be enough to keep a subscriber or Facebook page fan following you, but it doesn't convert to the sort of trust that makes her put her money down on you and select you out of all your competitors as her coach. From a marketing relationship perspective, how your story relates to her is the only thing that's is going to make her stick around to hear the end of your personal tale and decide that you are someone she trusts … and who, more importantly, understands her. (That will take weeks off the trust-building process and qualifying-to-buying cycle!) The first thing to do is put yourself in her shoes. Is she going to want to read a long, rambling tale that details just about every event in your life? No. Does she really care if you won the Interbusiness Blogger of the Year Award? No. She wants the relevant details – the ones that hit her right in the gut and make her say, “wow, this person really knows what it's like!” To craft a powerful story that makes her feel this, you need to know your client – particularly, her biggest pain point. That is going to be what your story addresses. The actual personal details may vary, that specific deep well of pain is what you have in common. Secondly, your story needs to make a promise – and that's to give her a key for getting past or overcoming that pain point. So inspirational stories are good – especially when they are raw and real. The stories that connect most powerfully are stories that address not only your own “why” – why you do what you do – but appeal to the “why” behind your ideal client's pain point. Sure, Doris wants to make six figures in less than a year – but why does she need to do that? What deep emotional need is driving her? Because you can bet there is a deep emotional need. Those who think that money is just about money are seriously mistaken. It's always about what money represents to each person.

4 Wildly Creative Storytelling Prompts Based on Personal Creative Writing Challenges Make a list of five things you're afraid of happening to you. Then write a story in which one of them happens to your character.. Think of a big problem that one of your friends had to face. Then write a story in which your character battles with that problem.. What is one of your bad habits? Invent a character who has the bad habit but a much worse case of it than you have. Write a story where this habit gets your character into trouble. What is one of your greatest strengths? Invent a character who doesn't have this strength. Create a situation in which having this strength is very important for your character. What does your character do? Write the story.

2 Simple Steps To Scale With Serenity The Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton 1. Make Sure Your Business Runs Full-Steam-Ahead Without You If your business grinds to a halt because you're sick for a day, you're thinking too small. Make sure that things can run just fine without you: That you have assigned people to take over if you're not available; that they know what to do, and are capable of doing it. 2. Be the Captain, Not the Crew Let go of the details: Especially if you have always been someone who is very hands-on (and even more so if, up till now, you have attempted to do everything yourself). Step back, and concentrate on the overview rather than on the details. Focus on what keeps moving your business forward: Not on what single task you can get absorbed in today.

3 Major Mistakes In-Demand Service Providers Make When Trying To Scale Up Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson 1. Allow for Your Ideal Client's Journey A mistake entrepreneurs and coaches who scale up often make is to operate under the assumption that all their new client targets have the same pain point. Find the pain points for key stages of your ideal client's journey and create offers designed to solve these minor pain points and keep your ideal client moving through your funnel. Remember, a client's journey is a process; not just a destination. 2. Learn to Under-schedule Chaos and workaholism is spawned from perfectionism, believe it or not. People take on too much or push themselves toward impossible deadlines. Don't just focus on simplifying your business and targeting your branding: Use this process to also teach yourself to under-schedule. Decide how long something is going to take you to complete – and multiply that by three. Dispose of other tasks to accommodate that time frame: Outsource them, delegate them, automate them or discard them. If you can learn the value of under-scheduling your time, you will soon find you actually HAVE time for the things YOU want to do. 3. Take the Time to Hire the Right People If your company is just you, it will stay small and be limited by your limitations and tunnel-vision. Creating a dream team of others with expertise you can lever adds value to your business: But do take the time to check references, interview, try out and build a strong working relationship with the right people. There are millions of contractors out there, but there are only a few who are going to “click” with your business and help you grow it in an enjoyable way. So, take your time with the process of finding the right person. When you do find them, make sure they will want to stay, and appreciate them as not just someone you pay to do a task, but as a vital member of your team who helps you keep your clients happy. Remember, your business is as good as your team.

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson My negotiation skills are strong. Since I strive to live an existence of peace, financial security, and fulfillment, life requires me to know how to negotiate. The ability to talk to others and bargain to satisfy my wants and needs is enriching. I have confidence that I can be instrumental in resolving any crisis because of my excellent negotiation skills. I find myself stepping up to the plate to offer my ideas and skills regarding how to resolve any disagreement. I endeavor to establish a common ground that works for me and others involved. I am blessed with the life I have because I communicate well with others and am able to resolve any special challenge. The willingness I show to negotiate makes me proud. The process of negotiation hones many important skills, like bargaining, mediating, compromising, and reaching agreements that satisfy everyone involved. I strive to utilize these skills when the opportunity arises. Today, I know that the more I practice my negotiation skills, the stronger they become. I vow to further develop my ability to communicate, bargain, and create positive agreements by seizing every opportunity to put my negotiating skills to the test. Self-Reflection Questions: 1. Am I comfortable with the level of my negotiation skills? 2. When a situation requiring negotiation efforts arises, how do I react? 3. What steps can I take to ensure my negotiation skills are strong?

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson The Many Benefits of Virtual Summits They've long been a popular choice for online marketers. But if you're wondering why everyone is suddenly hosting (or participating in) virtual summits, here's what you need to know. They make money. Even a free summit has the power to add to your bottom line through “back end” sales. The ability to market to new subscribers again and again means you'll continue to make money from your summit long after it's finished. Audiences love them. With the option to tune in and learn from a wide variety of speakers, it's no wonder people are quick to register for virtual summits. Even better, if your guests generously offer free gifts to attendees, they'll find even more value in your summit. They grow your list. Yes, your virtual event will likely be free, but like any good giveaway, an email address is required for participation. Because you're hosting a multi-person event, though, you'll be in front of many more eyes than normal, which has the power to add hundreds or even thousands of new names to your mailing list. They make you an expert. Even if you're relatively new to your niche, simply by surrounding yourself with experts you'll gain instant expert status. You can leverage your new status to gain interviews, speaking engagements and more. They create long-lasting connections. While you might not have a lot of connections now, the guests you invite to participate in your summit will likely become long-term partners and friends. You'll be able to reach out again and again with new product launches, JV opportunities, and other business building fun. They offer an opportunity to give back. Got a charity or cause that's close to your heart? Consider donating the proceeds from your event. It's a great way to help others while growing your own business. These are just a few of the many benefits of hosting a virtual summit. They really are the best way to grow your business for free, and while they can be a lot of work to plan and execute, they're definitely worth the trouble.

What Your Potential Clients Wish You Knew The Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson Your market is out there, and they are looking for you! It doesn't matter if you're a health coach for seniors, a dating coach for middle-aged women, or a business coach for crafty people. You have a large audience, and they are eagerly anticipating the help only you can provide. But you're missing the mark in some important areas, and it's causing them to turn away in favor of another coach. Make it Easy for Them When you're selling your products and services online, the one rule you must abide by is to make it easy for your customers to buy. It sounds simple, right? Yet you might be shocked how often coaches (and others) break this rule. · They don't make the “buy” buttons obvious. · They don't make contact information easy to find. · They don't provide clear calls to action on their website. · They don't create easy website navigation so readers can quickly find what they need. · They don't offer the next logical product via a well-planned funnel. The list goes on, but the bottom line is this: make it easy for your customers to buy from you, and not only will you make more money, but your clients will be singing your praises. Court the Newbies Even if your ideal market is established business owners, don't forget the up-and-comers. While they might not be ready for you yet, they will be in the future, and they'll remember you if you treat them well today. Some ideas for helping the newbies out might be: · Low cost self-study products · eBooks or guides · Email courses · Membership sites and forums · Facebook groups Remember, the new business owner today is tomorrow's superstar, so make sure you get on her radar. She'll remember (and thank you for it) later. Get Personal Every niche is crowded, and the only thing that sets you apart from every other coach out there is your personality, so don't be afraid to let it shine. That's how your potential customers will get to know, like, and trust you. · Share personal updates on social media, so potential customers can see the “real” you. · Post photos of your life outside of business on Instagram and Facebook. · Take a stand for what you believe in—even if it's controversial and unpopular. Will you maybe turn some potential clients off with your personality? It's possible. But ask yourself this: Do you really want those people as your customer?

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson Interview With Stephanie Duesing: The Other Side Of Being Blind KEY Resources for research on CVI, blindness, and visual impairment testing https://www.nei.nih.gov/about/news-and-events/news/vision-loss-children-whose-eyesight-may-be-2020-requires-new-diagnostic-and-teaching-strategies https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/05/26/314621545/the-blind-woman-who-sees-rain-but-not-her-daughters-smile https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028393221002359 https://cviscotland.org/ https://www.optometrytimes.com/view/getting-to-the-heart-of-pediatric-vision-loss-and-blindness https://www.perkins.org/our-work/cvi/ https://www.aph.org/product/vision-and-the-brain-understanding-cerebral-visual-impairment-in-children/ REVIEWS FOR STEPHANIE'S BOOK: THE EYELESS MIND "...as warm and humorous as it is insightful...A must read, and an epic love letter to the importance of music and art education for children." - Alexandra Patsavas, Grammy nominated music producer/soundtrack producer (credits include The O.C., Mad Men, Grey's Anatomy, "The Twilight Series," Supernatural, and Riverdale) "A wonderful true story that navigates an entire range of feelings - from frustration to redemption." - Dr. Lotfi Merabet, director of the Harvard CVI Neuroplasticity research study, associate scientist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, and associate professor of ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School "Stephanie Duesing is a brilliant, warm, sensitive and loving advocate for herself and for her son Sebastian...This very well-written book brings the reader on a journey of a major medical discovery...With dedication, intelligence, and common sense, this family brought something that was never thought possible to the attention of the medical, scientific, and educational communities...This book is a wake-up call." - Dr. Barry Kran, professor at the New England College of Optometry and optometric director at the New England Eye Low Vision Clinic at the Perkins School for the Blind About Stephanie:

Wildly Creative Women Podcast Affirmation Reflection 1 read by Host, Sarah Layton Anderson I inspire respect from others I inspire respect from others. I am proud to use my actions and words as a positive example for others. My choices in life bring respect from those around me. My mantra is to treat each person I encounter with positive regard. I believe that respect is something that comes automatically based on how I treat others. Co-workers and organizational leaders deserve the same level of respect from me. I make it a point to show others how I prefer to be treated. My actions dictate the kind of response that comes from those I work with. When I am honest in my interactions, I make it clear to others that I resist compromising my integrity. When I am able to display that belief, I receive their admiration. Hard work leads to successful outcomes that are worthy of recognition. My efforts at the office prove that I am an exceptional worker. My peers admire my abilities. Strangers deserve kind greetings when I pass them on the street. My smile and warm words inspire an equally positive response. Random interactions like this help to make the world a more livable place for everyone. Today, my words and actions make others feel good about relating to me. I recognize that the kind of respect I expect is based on the respect I give to those around me. Self-Reflection Questions: 1. What other character traits allow me to be viewed positively by others? 2. How does my academic success impact the respect I receive from my peers? 3. What can I do to show that I consider the perspectives of others?

Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson Book Marketing Made Easy Here's a big fear we all have when it comes to writing a book: What if no one buys it? While that is always possible, with a little planning and advanced buzz, it's highly unlikely. The key is to get others excited about your book, and to get them talking and sharing the news with their friends. Host a Launch Party. Weeks before your official publication date, it's time to start revving up the launch engine. Offering bonuses for early purchases, incentives for a review, and free chapter downloads are all proven strategies for building the buzz for your upcoming book. There are a lot of moving parts in a successful book launch—landing pages, mailing lists, JV partners, social outreach, and more—so if you need help with the planning, you can turn to your Wildly Creative Women Collective members area for project kits and planners to walk you through every step of planning, writing, and selling your book. Make the Interview Rounds. Two to three months prior to your book release, have your virtual assistant begin researching podcasts, blogs and other media outlets for potential interviews. Create a press package to send out, including headshots, book cover art, blurbs and testimonials, and let everyone know that you're looking for interviews and guest posting opportunities. Blog About It. You are your own best publicist, so don't be afraid to toot your own horn on your blog, in your email newsletter, and on social media. Include images of the cover, and blurbs from advanced readers, and give your audience plenty of time to get excited about the upcoming launch, so when the buy button finally goes up they're eager to get a copy. Boosted Posts. Facebook is a terrific way to get new eyes on your book. Paid ads leading to your launch page are ideal and can generate a lot of traffic for a very low cost. Free Kindle Days. This technique alone can catapult your book to bestsellerdom in a matter of days. The key is to build up a buzz on your mailing list, share, share, share on social media, and ask your friends and colleagues to do the same. Book marketing isn't as easy as simply listing it on Amazon and becoming an instant bestseller. Anyone who tells you that is the exception to the rule. But that doesn't mean selling your book is impossible either. With some strategic planning and a little effort, you can have a fantastic launch, whether it's your first book or your fourteenth.

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton What Is Blog Sponsorship? There are a number of ways you can make money with your blog. Not everyone starts a blog with a goal of earning money directly through their platform. Some folks wish to position themselves as an expert in their niche or to sell their products. Others may utilize their blog primarily as a means to showcase their writing or other skill. Some bloggers write in order to express their creativity or to connect with others. Blogging can simply be a lot of fun. However, if you'd like to earn direct revenue from your blog, you may be wondering about blog sponsorship and just what is involved in this broad concept. Read on for an overview of how bloggers can benefit from sponsors. About Blog Sponsorship Sponsorship involves a wide array of methods in which companies can provide money or other agreed upon benefits in exchange for advertising or promotion on your site. You can choose to work with sponsors in ways that best fit your preferences. Some bloggers like to write advertorial posts about a brand's product. Others may prefer a more passive method of earning such as receiving a monthly fee for placing a banner ad in their sidebar. It's even possible that a company may pay a substantial sum to become an exclusive sponsor of a well-known blog within their niche. Benefits of Sponsorship You can benefit from blog sponsorship in ways that don't involve direct monetary payment also. For example, travel and conference sponsorships are popular for bloggers who wish to take advantage of professional networking opportunities without paying out-of-pocket for the bulk of the trip. Terms are negotiated on a case by case basis, but often involve writing future posts on behalf of the company or mentioning them in social media posts while attending the event. Sometimes you may receive opportunities to attend such things as press events, tours of brand headquarters, exclusive blogger activities and more. Many bloggers also consider access to review items a perk of the job, particular if the item is useful to them or is of high monetary value. Some Considerations Acquiring blog sponsors, choosing quality opportunities, negotiating terms and providing value to your readers are all aspects to consider when deciding to work with advertisers. It's important to choose only opportunities you believe will provide benefits that go beyond the money. Working with sponsors that are relevant to your blog's subject matter and your readers' interest should be something you strive to do. In addition, placing too many sidebar ads can be distracting and take away from the visual appeal of your blog's design. It can also cause your blog to load or run slowly. Communication is essential when working with advertisers. Be sure you understand the terms fully before agreeing to them. Always ask questions if you're unsure about something. Doing so will increase the odds that you'll feel satisfied with the work that you do on behalf of the sponsor, as well as keep the door open to the possibility of future opportunities to work together. Blog sponsorship can be a great way to earn some income. Securing advertising partnerships that are fulfilling takes a lot of time, dedication and maintenance. Once you discover what works for you and your readers, navigating the details becomes much easier and sponsorship can become a significant piece to your monetization strategy.

Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson The Art of Storytelling For Your Brand Whether you want to touch a nerve, reach a new audience, or boost your sales, storytelling is the most powerful tool in your arsenal. As humans, we love a good story, and when it resonates with us, it can drive us to take action when nothing else can. Think about it. Which would you rather read, an interesting story or a sales letter? Which are you more likely to remember a week from now, a compelling story or a features and benefits comparison? And which are you more likely to buy, a story you can see yourself in, or a product that does x, y, and z? If you think back on your most recent purchases, from the business coach you hired to the car you bought last summer, chances are you'll find a story that resonated with you, and that drove your decision to purchase. Stories About You You've heard it time and time again: People buy from those they know, like, and trust. And part of getting to know you is hearing your stories. Your potential clients want to know how you came to be in business, what experiences you've had that drove your decisions, what lessons you learned along the way. Your stories don't have to be directly related to business to be powerful, either. That anecdote about the time you nearly got arrested for not having a valid driver's license is the perfect lead in to a blog post about better record keeping. Or the story about how you accidentally seated two warring families together at your wedding reception? It's just what you need to drive home a point about relationship building. Stories About Your Clients Otherwise known as social proof, stories about your clients are incredibly useful in your marketing and branding strategy. Testimonials, white papers, case studies and the like are all just stories, after all, and they showcase how you and your products have changed a life or a business for the better. Stories About Your Products Yes, even your products have stories to tell. Why did you decide to create that new coaching program? What will it help your clients achieve? Who is it not suited to? These stories and more can show your potential clients more about your products and services than any sales page ever will. When you openly share your thought processes as you were creating your program, buyers will instantly know if it's a product that will work for them or not. Clearly, stories have a lot of power when it comes to branding and marketing, but you have to use caution. Beware of the awkward insertion of a story just because you've heard it's good for your marketing. If you find yourself midway through a blog post and you write something like, “but anyway, enough of that, let's get on with business” and then making a total shift to a completely different subject, chances are the story isn't working. But if you can tie your story in naturally to what follows, that's your golden ticket to better branding, more sales, and a more profitable business. We love stories. Don't be afraid to tell yours.

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton The Surprising Link Between Mental Load and Creativity Would you believe that being idle could make you more interesting? A recent study suggests that mental clutter stifles creativity while unburdening your mind encourages originality. Researchers at an Israeli university looked at what happens when your mind is occupied with stray thoughts and nagging concerns. Subjects who were tasked with remembering 7 digits responded slowly, and gave boring conventional answers on a free association test. On the other hand, subjects assigned only 2 digits were quick to come up with innovative replies. Learn how to liberate yourself from mental overload. Explore these tips for meditation and other intuitive experiences. Reducing Mental Load Through Meditation 1. Face yourself. Some unconscious thoughts can be disturbing. Remember that bringing them to the surface is the first step in healing. Once you spot your baggage, you can develop more constructive habits. 2. Scan your body. Your body is an excellent guide to how to find your flow. Notice what conditions help you to lower your shoulders and unclench your jaw. 3. Focus on your breath. Simple breath work helps beginners and advanced practitioners to become more mindful. Notice the air as it enters your nostrils and travels through your body. Spend as much time exhaling as inhaling. 4. Develop clarity. Picture your mind as a pool of water. As the ripples settle, you can see under the surface. What's going on when you put aside housework and utility bills? Connect with your aspirations and dreams. 5. Count your blessings. Engage with the present moment by noticing what you're grateful for. Celebrate the taste of morning coffee and the sound of your children laughing. 6. Practice daily. Work your way up gradually and consistently. Even a few minutes of stillness can be beneficial.

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast Tap Into Your Inner Creativity With This Heartfelt Strategy Everyone has the ability to be creative - including you! Once you learn how to unleash your inner creativity, you'll be able to tap into it, no matter what else is going on in your life. You might even be amazed at what you're really capable of! Discovering your inner creativity begins with looking inside yourself. The idea of "looking within" might seem foreign or even silly, but it's really not as crazy as it sounds! There are many successful people who understand the benefit of turning inward for inspiration, happiness, and decision-making. You may not always profit from your creativity. In fact, more often than not, your ingenuity will only benefit you and your family, and that's okay! Your creativity can still bring you great joy and happiness! Some people write, draw, compose music, build sculptures, or paint. There are plenty of creative pursuits for you to explore and enjoy. Even redecorating your house, revitalizing your wardrobe, or experimenting in the kitchen can be a creative outlet for you. After all, someone has to try new things, or the world would never change. So let that person be you! Tips to Focus on Your Inner Creativity If you haven't given much thought to your inner creativity, getting started can be the hardest part. Here are some things to think about: • What do you do for a living? • What are your hobbies? • What would you do if you could do anything? • Who would you be if you weren't worried about the judgment of others? 1 Ask yourself these questions - especially the last two - openly and honestly, and discover your answers. You just might be astonished about what you find out about yourself. Perhaps it's time to take that hobby and turn it into a living. Maybe it's time to shake off the idea of living for others and begin to live for yourself. Today is a new day to be creative, and a new day to touch the hearts and minds of others with what you have to offer the world. Are you worthy or capable? Of course you are! Let your inner creativity come pouring out. Once you've started to discover your creativity, practice and experiment with it: • Make it a point to be creative every day. • Try new ways to do things, even routine chores. • Seek creative solutions to your challenges at work and home. • Any time you do something differently or see something from a new perspective, you're flexing your creativity. Continue your exploration by branching out into entirely new hobbies and activities that help you in your pursuit of original creativity. Try expressing yourself in music, dance, writing, painting, or even crafts or woodworking. Avoiding Discouragement There are people who simply don't like change. You might even know some of them. As your inner creativity comes out, these people may not support you. That's okay, because it's not their life to live. It's not their race to run. Focus on what you feel in your heart and surround yourself with those who do support you. Getting support from others can make a huge difference, but either way, you must be your own #1 fan! The best support comes from within, not from what others think is right or wrong for your life. Using your creativity will inspire you to do even more with your life. You can't possibly imagine where your creativity can take you if you just let it out and enjoy it. It doesn't have to be perfect - and you don't have to be perfect - to bring great joy to yourself and to the world around you.

Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson Take Advantage Of Your Imagination To Unlock Your Creativity You are creative, even if you've failed to realize it. In fact, you can't fail to create. You created the life you're living right now, even if you don't appreciate it very much! However, unless you've tried to maximize your creativity, you've only been operating at half-throttle. It's possible to be much more creative than you have been in the past. Accessing your imagination and then using it to find creative solutions will make life easier, more enjoyable, and bring you greater fulfillment. Enhance your ability to access your imagination with these strategies: 1. Practice without distractions. Turn off the TV and dim the lights. Have a seat and close your eyes. Allow your mind to wander, but don't fall asleep. Instead of trying to steer your thoughts, let them run wild. Practice being an observer instead of a director. Do this daily for 15-20 minutes. Use all of your senses. You can do more than just see. You have the ability to hear, feel, smell, and touch. Use all of these senses when you're utilizing your imagination. Your imagination will feel stronger if you use it daily. Try not to skip a day. 2. Read something outrageous (for you). Try reading a fictional book about aliens, fire-breathing dragons, or time travel. Expose yourself to new ideas and concepts. The more you experience, the more your imagination will have to work. The same goes for movies. Branch out. You can only watch so many action movies or romantic comedies! 3. Take up a creative hobby. Learn to paint, sculpture, or play the accordion. Try writing a screenplay or drawing a monster. Use the creative part of your brain. 4. Explore your passions. Do something you've always wanted to try, but haven't yet. New mental states can increase your level of creativity. Use your imagination to find creative solutions: 1. Set an intention. Think of an intention as a short-term goal for an activity. What are you trying to accomplish with your imagination? Find a solution for your relationship challenge? Figure out a way to earn more money? Invent a gadget that will change the world? It's important to have an objective for your imagination to focus on. 2. Choose a method of addressing your imagination: You can turn off the lights and focus on your intention. You could sleep on it. You could sit at a clean table with a pad of paper and write whatever comes to mind. Keep going for at least 30 minutes. You could ask yourself questions and listen for the answers. Take part in an activity that engages your mind, but not completely. This can include activities like cleaning the house, taking a shower, mowing the lawn, or listening to classical music. These activities occupy part of your mind, but leave the remainder to create ideas. 3. Act on what you discover. Creative solutions are worthless unless you act upon them. Reward yourself for being creative by putting your ideas into action. Sort your ideas and choose the best one. Try and see if your imagination was correct! You'll get better with practice. Our great creativity is one of the things that separates us from other forms of life.

Wildly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson The Secret To Increasing Creativity Through Incubation Secrets to Increasing Your Creativity: Learn How to Incubate Many popular theories about creativity break the process into stages. The most mysterious of these intervals is incubation. Over the years, psychological studies and real life breakthroughs have come to suggest the best ways to use this step. In general, creative thinking starts when you identify an issue and prepare to tackle it. Next, you hit an impasse and decide to take a break. Then, the answer comes to you while you're taking a shower or getting up from a nap. That productive rest period before the Eureka moment is called incubation. Guiding Principles for Effective Incubating 1. Prepare carefully. This is the time to do your research and engage in critical thought. Figure out the challenge you want to solve and state it precisely. 2. Plan ahead. Incubation is more effective when you remind yourself that you'll be returning to your dilemma later. Look forward to coming back feeling refreshed and full of new answers. 3. Slow down. Think about coming to a gradual stop rather than slamming on the brakes. Allow your body and mind to quiet down. Take a few deep breaths. Relax your neck and shoulders. Observe your thoughts without pursuing them. 4. Choose non-demanding activities. If you spend your break studying calculus or the Peloponnesian War, it'll be difficult to get anything else done. Devote your time to routine tasks that require little thought. 5. Let your mind wander. Relax and let your thoughts flow. Free yourself from any expectations and see what happens. 6. Play more. Clowning around stimulates your imagination. Lighten up and have a good laugh. 7. Keep it brief. You may find that the results you want are already close at hand. Short breaks often work better than taking a whole day off. Take it easy for about a half hour. 8. Appreciate the value of sleep. REM sleep unleashes creativity in amazing ways. When you dream, you form associations and consolidate memories. You're able to see things differently and spot new opportunities.

The WIldly Creative Women Podcast hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson 8 Ways To Energize Your Creativity Creativity is a muscle that requires attention and nurturing in the same way that you might expect your body needs attention and nurturing. Creativity is not something that you can just flip on and off like a switch, and if you're anything like most freelancers and service providers, that poses a very real threat to your ability to scale. Until now... In today's episode of the WIldly Creative Women podcast, we will explore some exciting ways you can reenergize your creative muscles and learn to start tapping into that inner pool of creative prowess whenever you need.

Wildly Creative Women Podcast Hosted By Sarah Layton Anderson 5 Reasons Every Coach Needs A Book - Plus How Start A Book Club Membership Site Grab Your Ticket & Workbook For The Free Girls Night In Workshop: Recurring Subscriptions How To Create A Membership Site That's Fun, Easy & Profitable 5 Reasons Every Coach Needs a Book Struggling to bring in new clients? Not sure what to do next in your marketing plan? There's one simple answer you probably haven't considered: Write a book. It's true. This one thing—especially if it's an actual printed book rather than a Kindle or eBook—has the power to grow your business beyond your expectations. You'll experience a whole new world of opportunities simply by having your name on the cover of a book. Authority Imagine you're at a conference or local networking group and you meet two coaches who both specialize in business branding—something you know you need help with. One coach says all the right things. She's been in business for years and worked with some top-notch business owners. She has great ideas for how she can help you solidify your branding. The other has a similar history and story, with one added bonus: she's just handed you a copy of her latest book. It's a professionally printed, substantial publication that practically exudes confidence. Which coach do you think shows more authority in her field? The one with the book, of course. There really is nothing better when it comes to establishing your authority in any niche than having a book with your name on it. Expertise So why does a book speak so highly of you and establish your authority so well? Because it gives you a platform to show off your expertise. It's like being invited to present on any topic you choose on the world's largest stage. Not only that, but your readers are a captive audience. They're listening—in that moment—only to you. That's a powerful position to be in, and one that gives you an opportunity to really show off your stuff. Market Reach No matter how many readers Google sends your way, no matter how much traffic your YouTube channel receives, nothing will ever compare to the number of potential readers Amazon and other online booksellers can bring your way. Positioned correctly, your book can reach millions of new readers, and thousands of potential clients. Combine that with the expertise and authority we know comes with being a published author, and that's a recipe for success that can't be beat. Better Than a Business Card If you've ever been to a conference, you've no doubt collected a stack of business cards. You get home and toss them in a drawer, and six months later you throw them out, without ever having contacted the people who gave them to you. But if one of those people handed you a book instead, what happened? You've likely read it (or at least leafed through it). You almost certainly didn't throw it away. And you remember it—and the person who wrote it. Press Opportunities Turn on your television to any interview show, browse through Huffington Post, or listen to any of a number of popular podcasts, and you'll quickly see that most of the guest speakers and interviewees have written a book. The fact is, interview shows depend on interesting, insightful guests to keep their audiences listening, and there's no better applicant than an author. Writing a book will open up many, many opportunities for appearances that you may never have without your name on that cover. Do you have to write a book to be successful? No. But there's no denying the fact that a published author will find she has a much easier time growing her business than the coach who keeps putting it off until later.

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast Hosted By Sarah Layton Anderson Episode 11: The Best Organic Inbound Content Marketing Strategy In A Decade In this spontaneous episode all about organic, inbound marketing, I share one of the juiciest content repurposing strategies I have ever had! It all hit me in the middle of tap dancing on a Tuesday night and I had to rush to record this strategy for Wildly Creative Women everywhere on a mission to be seen, and be heard without a big bad budget for paid ads. In fact, in this episode of the Wildly Creative Women podcast, you will uncover: The difference between inbound and outbound marketing The benefits of investing in your content marketing strategy first Why your paid ads will fail without an organic strategy in place How to leverage a crowd-sourced contest to grow your list and your community at lightning speed without compromising quality for quantity in your community The 5 step strategy to repurposing your contest content to gain major recognition in your industry This is one of the most exciting and actionable episodes yet and you're going to want to listen at least three times so be sure to download this episode, save it, and come back to it every time you want to grow you list!

Welcome to the Wildly Creative Women Podcast Hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson Weeding Out The Wannabes: How To Design An Application Process For Your VIP Day Offers Thank you so much for listening to the Wildly Creative Women podcast and for all of your feedback on our previous episode about how to plan your VIP Day and scale your business while working far less! VIP Day offers are an increasingly popular strategy for in-demand service providers, coaches, and creatives to pull back the curtain and perform a deep dive that provides meaningful takeaways for their clients while giving themselves a major pay raise. If you are anything like most of the in-demand service providers within the Wildly Creative Women community, you know how draining 1:1 can be and you also know it is impossible to scale or sustain past a certain point. Therefore, if you have a booked out calendar of clients and you find yourself beginning to burn out and you want to make more without adding more bookings you simply must consider the option of adding a VIP Day Offer to your offer suite. But here's the catch... There is a right way and a whole lotta wrong ways to go about designing your application process for a VIP day and it can make or break your entire schedule...not to mention your bottom line. So, if you feel yourself growing ready to scale your impact without necessarily adding more clients or hours to your schedule this eipsofe about Weeding Out The Wannabes: How To Design An Application Process For Your VIP Day Offers will have you brainstorming profitable ideas for days!

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast Hosted By Sarah Layton Anderson How To Plan & Prep Your First VIP Day Offer The Right Way VIP Days are by far one of the hottest offers out there in the female coaching and entrepreneur world and they are becoming one of the most sought-after business models for burned out service providers, coaches, and freelancers that are sick of settling for less and letting their clients take the reigns. With a VIP Day you can create an offer around a specific result that you can help your clients achieve in a matter of hours rather than weeks or months and not only will you be able to provide a powerful transformation that will leave them raving but you will save immense time while making top dollar for your expertise. For all of theses, reasons I am a big believer in the power of creating a VIP DAY OFFER to host either virtually or in person in order to cut down on your client roster and explode your income into the stratosphere!

14 Facebook Marketing Tasks Your VA Can Tackle For You Wildly Creative Women Podcast - Hosted by Sarah Layton Anderson I recorded this episode spontaneously as I was using one of the marketing team project kits from within the brand new Wildly Creative Women membership site. You can use anyone of these team project kits to train yourself or a member of your team. As I was prepping to interview and hire an apprentice, I was going through the Social Media Handoff Kit from within the Wildly Creative Women membership area. That's when I discovered this list of important tasks that can go a long way to building your brand online that you can easily hand over to a member of your team to do for you. I will continue to share new and exciting ways that you can use everything that has been included within your Wildly Creative members' area. If you suffer with low self-esteem, depression, perfectionism or crippling comparisonitis then social media can be a black hole of your dreams and desires. It is far more pleasurable and profitable for you to hand the task of making you Facebook Famous off to someone like a virtual assistant, apprentice, or social media manager from your team.

How To Build Your List & Business With Strategic Giveaways The WIldly Creative Women Podcast | Hosted By Sarah Layton Anderson Have You Ever Seen A FB Giveaway Post Go Viral & Thought...Why Can't I Do Something Like That?! Good news! Today, I'm peeling back the cover on what really goes on with these strategic list-building, business bolstering giveaways and cover all of the dos and don't so you don't wind up going broke giving away everything for free. There is a right way and a wrong way to run a profitable giveaway campaign and I'm revealing where you should draw the line in the sand in this episode of The Wildly Creative Women Podcast.

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast - Hosted By Sarah Layton Episode 6: The Right Way To Price High-Ticket Offers For More Happiness In Your Service-Based Business High-Ticket is becoming increasingly popular in the world of coaching, creatives, and the female entrepreneur community! But let's be real here... High-Ticket isn't for everyone! For some, it is the path to new heights of happiness. For others, it is a guaranteed path to a business meltdown. In this episode of the Wildly Creative Women podcast, we will explore the highs and lows of pricing High Ticket offers after I help you set the right intentions for your day and your business regarding what really makes us happy. If you have ever clenched up at the thought of pricing a high-ticket offer for your coaching, creative, or service-based business, you're in for a real treat today! If you have ever spent hours scrolling, doe-eyed through social media, drooling over stunning high-ticket offers, and imagining what your life would be like if you could make $10k+ in one day - you can't miss this episode of the all new Wildly Creative Women podcast.

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast - Hosted By Sarah Layton Episode 5: My Story Journey From Burnout To Blissful Part Two Don't forget to check out the wildly creative promotions, classes, live streams and conversations going on in the Wildly Creative Women Facebook Group! In the continuation of my story, we pick up where we left off yesterday with me having just closed on my first home, just gotten married, and having had my entire bank account wiped out with a pile of past-due client work mounted on the desk alongside the five figures of monthly bills that come running an agency like that. Luckily, my husband stepped in and made one little suggestion one day that changed everything and put me on the path I'm on today. Come along with me and discover how you can serenely scale your service-based or creative business without falling prey to crippling burnout the way I did repeatedly in my own business. You can be the most talented artisan of your craft but without these pieces of the mental health and perspective puzzle, you will drive yourself crazy in your business. Don't forget to check out the wildly creative promotions, classes, live streams and conversations going on in the Wildly Creative Women Facebook Group!

Wildly Creative Women Podcast My Story From Burnout To Bliss with Host Sarah Layton In this episode of the Wildly Creative Women Podcast, I open up about my past, how I launched my previous content marketing and media agency and the biggest mistakes I made as an entrepreneur, along with the brutal road I took to uncover the roots of my cycles of burnout. I discuss many of the most common causes of burnout that stem from childhood and go into some of the most profound lightbulb moments I had which allowed me to fall back in love with my business again. It will be impossible for you to scale your business with serenity without understanding the core concepts that I face head on in this episode, as well as, your role in creating the business you have versus the business you want. Get ready for it to start getting very real in the self-awareness sanctuary...aka the Wildly Creative Women Podcast, and make sure you tune in for part two of My Story From Burnout To Bliss.

Welcome To The Wildly Creative Women Podcast - hosted by Sarah Layton. Episode Three: Easy Pricing Strategies To Help You Determine Your Rates Have you ever struggled with pricing one of your offers? Have you ever had a disappointing launch and wondered if it was your price that was the problem? Have you ever worried that they way you are pricing yourself is attracting the wrong people to you and your brand? You're in luck today because we are going to start tackling the issue of pricing alongside the many issues and limiting beliefs that hold so many women back from charging their worth because even they don't understand it yet. We will also review some key areas most solopreneurs stumble so we can keep you from following in those same footsteps.

The Wildly Creative Women Podcast Hosted By Sarah Layton Authentic Storytelling For Hesitant Content Creators - with Sarah Layton Do you ever feel like you're the only one who doesn't know how to tell a story? Well, you are not alone! In this episode, I'm going to help you learn how to overcome your fear of storytelling so that you can better communicate with your clients, partners, and customers. You'll learn: -The truth behind the myth that women don't know how to tell stories -How my writing has helped me sell millions in real estate content and copywriting as a ghostwriter for the real estate industry over the last seven years -Why aligning your brand's mission with your authentic voice & passion is key when it comes to telling a story around your work

Welcome To The Wildly Creative Women Podcast With Sarah Layton Episode One: Unshakeable - Lean Into Unapologetic Messaging, Selling, and Creation With Confidence & Ease Do you cave to clients who ask for a discount on your coaching packages? Do you struggle with setting prices that are too low? These are just two examples of where you need a confidence boost. And the best way to boost that confidence? Create a strong message that you can stand behind! Once your message is clear in your mind, content creation, email marketing, and social media marketing will become much easier. We have a LOT to get through in this short amount of time, so let's get started! Welcome To The Wildly Creative Women Podcast With Sarah Layton STEP ONE: Gain Razor-Sharp Clarity to Master Your Message & Share Your Raw Truth STEP TWO: Learn to Squash Your Fears & Boldly Battle Backlash (or Haters) STEP THREE: Turn Your Message into Ultra-Compelling Content STEP FOUR: Pack a Punch with A More Polarizing Messaging STEP FIVE: Tell Stories that Show the Real You–Flaws and All! STEP SIX: Tactfully Talk to Your Audience During a Crisis and Stand Up for Social Issues Like a Leader STEP SEVEN: Stop Feeling Scared to Sell & Own the Value of Your Unique Offers

Welcome to the all-new Wildly Creative Women Podcast with Sarah Layton You're listening to the Wildly Creative Women podcast - your daily dose of inspiration, self-reflection exercises, affirmations, creativity prompts, rare stories of transformation and triumph through creative pursuits, and mini audio courses filled with actionable advice you can't get anywhere to help you find your voice and embrace your wildly creative heart. If you have ever dreamed of scaling a business built on your creations without sacrificing your personal life or sanity, you have come to the right place, Sister! So grab a snack, something to take notes, and a cozy corner where you can relax while we go on this journey together. I'm Sarah, your host, former corporate girl - turned media company owner, and former Queen of real estate content I made the scariest decision of my life to walk away from my successful content marketing agency to share my high-level expertise and my massive vault of resources with women like me from around the world that don't yet know how possible it is to create an empire with nothing more than what they can create from their heart. Get ready to scale your passions with serenity, sister as we grow together through the Wildly Creative Women Podcast.