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Welcome to the season finale of Branding Outside the Box! I wanted to take season four out with a bang, so I decided to dedicate our final episode to YOU. I hosted a live Q&A session, and today, you get to hear it. We covered everything from launching podcasts to growing a readership to securing media coverage.Did you have a question that wasn’t covered? Visit http://danakaye.com/podcasts and leave a comment in the show notes!

I’ve dedicated the past eleven years of my life to serving authors. For most of them, it was a calling, something they’ve wanted to do from a very young age. But for others, especially those who write business and self-help books, it was more of a business decision, a new revenue stream or avenue for leveraging their speaking gigs or corporate engagements.For Julie Schooler, it was a bit of both.She always had a passion for writing, but it wasn’t until she began thinking of it as a business, that she really began churning out the books.Julie Schooler is the author of 9 books, with more on the way. She helps her readers focus on the best parts of their lives - spending time with their beautiful tiny humans and doing what makes their hearts sing.In today’s interview, she shares how she re-connected with her creativity after giving birth to her daughter, how her writing has developed and changed book to book, as well as her secrets for writing several books a year AND raising her two kids.Whether you’ve written a book or are curious about writing a book, this episode is for you!Connect with Julie and download her free e-book, REDISCOVER YOUR SPARKLE, here.Resources mentioned:·       National Novel Writing Month·       Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less*·       The Sleep Revolution**Denotes an affiliate link

When I surveyed the Branding Outside the Box community, I asked people, “If I could wave a magic wand and solve ONE challenge for you, what would it be?” The majority of responses related to time. More time to write, more time to get everything done, more time to sleep, workout, read, and so on.But time is not a renewable resource. You, me, and Beyonce all have the same 24 hours. But I’d argue that you don’t actually want more hours added to your day, you just want to be able to accomplish everything you want to do in any given day.If you’re listening this episode around its release date, April 17, 2020, time management and productivity may be feeling more challenging than ever. Because when everyone is quarantined at home, tips like “time blocking” and “avoiding task switching” aren’t realistic, are they? In fact, as I plan this episode, I’ve had to take several mini-breaks as my son, once again, accidentally closed out window for his virtual classroom. Most of us don’t have the luxury of uninterrupted work time.So how can we accomplish more in less time? In today’s episode, I’m identifying 5 things that may be killing your productivity and offer possible solutions.

Hiring has never been my favorite part of running a small business. Getting clear on who to hire, where to find the right person, and how to properly train that person has always been challenging to me. But for many creative small business owners, hiring an assistant or online business manager is a necessary step for growth.Enter Tasha Booth.Tasha Booth is a podcaster, mentor, and Online Business Manager for successful course creators and coaches. She is the CEO of The Launch Guild - an Online Business Management & Digital Marketing Implementation Agency which supports coaches and course creators with ongoing Operational Management, Course Launch Management, and Podcast Management.In today’s episode, she shares the common missteps people make when making their first hire, her tested 3-step hiring process, and the importance of hiring subject matter experts verses generalists.I wish I had her expertise before I made my first hire, and whether you’ve never hired anyone or hired hundreds, I’m confident you’ll come away with new insight. Resources mentioned:LoomTyler McCallAmy PorterfieldThe Launch GuildHappily Hiring, 8-week live hiring course

The world as it stands feels like a very unfamiliar place. It’s filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and isolation. Our routines are upended, but we’re hesitant to build new ones, since so much is unknown. We’re inundated with messages and content all day, and yet, we’re very much alone.At the time of this recording, I’m with my in-laws down in Florida and we don’t know when we’ll be coming back. It is incredibly stressful and anxiety producing. But it has also been a growth opportunity, or at least I’m trying to remind myself that it is. I’ve had to remember to listen to my body and give it what it needs. It’s forced me to take self-care to a whole new level. So for today’s episode, I’m sharing ways you can cope in times of stress, no matter what the situation.I also have a free download to accompany this episode. Head over to http://danakaye.com/cope and opt-in to receive three pages of self-care ideas. Some of these will have to wait until quarantine has been lifted, but most can be done at home.

Having a day job doesn’t make you less legitimate, but it can feel that way can’t it? If your small business or creative endeavors don’t fully support you, it’s easy to feel like you’re not a real entrepreneur. But the fact is, most full-time entrepreneurs started their businesses while still working their 9-5, and some are perfectly content keeping their day jobs as it allows them to have more financial security, even extra cash to market their side gig.Elena Ciccotelli is one of those entrepreneurs. Elena is a writer, podcaster, vlogger, pizza connoisseur and productivity enthusiast. She works for the ride-sharing company Lyft in corporate sales, while also hosting the popular podcast, Side Gig Central. She joins me today to share how she went  scaled her business up to a full-time brick and mortar before scaling back to a side gig, her insight into balancing a side gig with a 9-5, and not letting your ego get in the way of what’s right for you.So whether you’re already doing something on the side, thinking about getting started, or are curious about scaling your full-time business back down, this episode is for you. 

Most of us begin our business or creative endeavors because we feel we have an idea of what people want. We see a gap in the market that we can fill, a story that has yet to be told, a product that solves a problem. We get started because we think we know best.As our community and customer base grow, we start to identify new areas of growth, new problems that need to be solved. So we get to work, creating more products and services, as we’ve always done.But what if, instead of diving in head first into the next big thing, we slow down and learn what our audience really needs? What if, through polls, surveys, and candid conversations, we can get a deeper understanding of our ideal client and customer, and create a solution that feels like it was made just for them? What impact would that have on your business?In today’s episode, Dana Kaye shares methods for listening to your audience and gathering feedback, so that we can create better products and services and increase our sales with less effort.For a free worksheet to accompany today's episode, visit BrandingOutsideTheBox.com/listen.

When we talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion, it’s not about quotas, optics, or checking the multi-cultural boxes. It’s about working with, serving, and providing a platform to people who don’t all look and think like you do. Because as you’ll find out in today’s episode, the decisions you make in an echo chamber aren’t always the best ones.As a small business owner, I’m taking a hard look at the clients we work with and the people I hire, to identify any homogenous areas. I’m putting myself into rooms where not everyone looks like me, having conversations with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, and getting curious about ideas and challenges that are different than mine. Through this learning process, I hope to make Kaye Publicity a more diverse and inclusive space, as well as reshape the way I think about my own privilege.Today’s guest, Erica Courdae, has dedicated her life to expanding how others interact with the world through powerful conversations. As an entrepreneur + certified coach her work is frequently focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), imperfect allyship, and imposter syndrome. This work has taken her across the country onto stages and into communities as a key speaker and educator. Erica also has a podcast that features open conversation and dialogue on the topics of her work and more, Pause on the Play. Her support and leadership facilitates engaged conversations within 6 figure communities, international podcasts, and live events to connect people and create change.In today’s interview, she shares how she first integrated DEI into her hair and makeup company before realizing that other business owners were craving guidance in doing the same. She shares how freelancers and solopreneurs can create diverse and inclusive companies, even if they don’t have a team of people working with them. And finally, we discuss some of the recent problems in the publishing industry, including the positioning of American Dirt and Barnes and Noble’s “diverse” editions.Connect with Erica·        EricaCourdae.com·        Pause on the Play podcast·        Follow Erica on Instagram·        Want to join Erica’s brand new community? Send an email to hello(at)ericacordae(dot)com to receive your exclusive invitation. Additional resources mentioned:·        Worthy and Well·        The Garment·        Lake of Darkness by Scott Kenemore·        Being Boss conference

Does it feel like you’re constantly being told all the things you have to do? You have to be on social media, you have to scale your business, you have to be more productive. But what if those things don’t feel right to you? What would happen if you buck against the norm and do things differently?If you’re tempted to say no to all the things you have to do, curious about forging your own path, or craving something different…This is your permission.Today, I’m granting you permission to leave the “have tos” behind. Are you ready? Let’s get started.This content was taken from the Branding Outside the Box newsletter. Community members receive goodness like this in their inbox every month, and you can do. Visit http://BrandingOutsideTheBox.com/join. The content is always valuable, and free to you.

You’ve grown your social media following, you have an email list, you go to networking events. You’ve dedicated time to nurturing an audience, both online and off.So, when can you expect to see the sales?As today’s guest, Nikki Rausch, will tell you, there’s a wrong way to sell and a right way. And once I got clear on the right way, both for me and my clients, business exploded. That’s why I’m so grateful Nikki could join us today and share her expertise.She's also offering her e-book, Closing the Sale, as a free gift for Branding Outside the Box listeners. Visit http://www.yoursalesmaven.com/BOTB  to claim your copy and start closing more sales!

I don't know anyone who started their business because they love the technical side of entrepreneurship. I’ve never met a creative entrepreneur who says, “I love managing my inbox!” or “I love tasking out projects!” or “I love invoicing and bookkeeping!” Am I right?And as creatives, many of us started by just doing it, we didn’t step back and think about the how. You didn’t spend hours thinking about the process of writing your book or photographing an event or coaching clients. You sat down and wrote. You showed up and shot. You listened and coached. You didn’t create a system for securing new clients, they just seemed to find you. You didn’t create a system for clearing your inbox or managing your calendar or on-boarding new clients. You just…did it.And now you’re feeling overwhelmed.In the world of entrepreneurship, you’ve probably heard things like, “You have to create a process.” “You have to systematize.” “You have to automate.” But it’s difficult to do those things if you’re not crystal clear on what they mean and how they apply to your unique business.In today’s episode, I’m shedding light on the differences between processes, systems, and automations, and how each can positively impact your business.One of the systems I automated was calendar management, and that was made possible by Acuity Scheduling. Acuity Scheduling allows people to book time on my calendar without my involvement. Acuity syncs with my google calendar and only allows people to schedule for times that I want to be available. It even has a payment portal, so clients can pay for their consultations up front, without me having to worry about invoicing or following up on payment. With Acuity Scheduling, I have successfully systematized and automated my calendar management. To get started with your free trial, no credit card required, visit http://brandingoutsidethebox.com/acuity. Remember, when you choose to sign up through my unique link, you help support the podcast, at no cost to you. 

Empathy and sales.Those are two words you don’t often hear together, right? But using empathy in our marketing and sales systems not only produces better results, it feels better too. If you’re a longtime listener of Branding Outside the Box, you know I’m all about making real, human connections, but how does can we achieve that through email marketing and sales funnels?Today’s guest is going to show us how.Margo Carroll is an email marketing strategist and sales funnel copywriter for online business owners. She helps trained experts sell their coaching, courses, and services with adaptable evergreen sales funnels that grow alongside their business. She supports entrepreneurs with her high-touch Funnel Build Intensives in Bellingham, WA and her signature group program, the Trailblazer Toolkit™️. Her weekly mini trainings and behind the scenes glimpses of her simplified funnel build process are always showcased on her Instagram.If you’ve always thought “sales” is a synonym for “sleazy,” Margo is here to set the record straight.Additional ResourcesWork with Margo CarrollHow to Audit Your Online Course LaunchGet Margo's free Trailblazer's WorkbookEmail Marketing with ActiveCampaign

Last month, I spoke with my friend Susan Boles about our transition to value-based pricing and the impact it has made on our basis. Rather than take our scheduled break this week, Susan has graciously allowed me to share our discussion here. If you like Susan's interview style and topics, subscribe to her podcast, Break the Ceiling, in your preferred podcast player.

As creative entrepreneurs, we are responsible for making most of the decisions. We decide which clients to sign, which deals to take, which products to launch, who to hire, when to hire, the list goes on. But when we’re making all these decisions ourselves, it’s easy to question whether the path we’re choosing is the best one. When we’re not making decisions by committee, how do we know they’re right?In this episode, I share how you can better evaluate your options and have more confidence in your decisions. 

What’s the first question most people ask when they’re introduced to you? Whether you’re at a networking event or social gathering, the first question out of most people’s mouths is, “What do you do?” When that happens, do you stutter, struggle, or stumble through your answer? Do people seem to smile and engage with your response, or is there an awkward pause or a canned response like, “Oh, that’s interesting.”Having a memorable and favorable personal brand empowers us to introduce ourselves with confidence and quickly engage with new people. We’re able to easily write website copy and marketing emails, because we know exactly who our audience is and how we serve them.  We know which opportunities to snatch up and which to pass on, without regrets or FOMO.So let me ask you, how confident are you in your personal brand?In this episode, I share the fundamentals of a personal brand and how you can begin to identify yours. If you’re listening at home, grab a paper and pen for this one as we’ll be doing some real-time brand exploration. If you’re in the car or out walking the dog, you can still think about these various brand elements and what makes you unique, but you may need to listen to this one again with a pen close at hand.If you know that your brand is lacking and you want a step-by-step guide to identifying, creating, and establishing your personal brand, then I recommend signing up for the Personal Brand Master Class. This self-guided course walks you through the 7 steps of launching a memorable and favorable personal brand, and includes both video trainings and a copy of the Personal Brand Workbook. Visit https://courses.brandingoutsidethebox.com/personal-branding-master-class to get started. As a podcast listener, you can take 15% off your registration by using coupon code PODCAST.

If you identify as a creative, you may not identify as a “numbers person.” When we fantasize about our dream careers, most of us aren’t picturing ourselves pouring over spreadsheets and charts, right? But data is more than just numbers and lines on dashboard; data tells a story. It tells us which marketing efforts are working, and which aren’t. Data helps us understand our clients and customers, and how to better serve them. Data shows us where we should focus our energy and where we shouldn’t.But where do you start? Today’s guest is marketing consultant Rita Barry, whose company helps entrepreneurs take control of their numbers so they can transform their marketing campaigns and make more money. Rita’s mission is to help women feel more confident about their numbers and analytics, and I am so grateful for the knowledge she shares in this episode.

It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. How many times have you heard that one? If you’re a longtime listener of the show, you know I am passionate about making meaningful connections, but you also know that I am a full-on introvert. So, how did I become a confident networker as an INFJ? Today, I’m sharing the insight and tips I’ve learned over the years to gain the confidence needed to meet new people and grow my network.Struggling to network and make meaningful connections? I'm here to help! The Master Networker is a self-guided online course that aims to take the anxiety out of the networking process and arm you with the tools you need to establish important connections. I address the different types of networking scenarios - group networking events, one-on-one networking, and social media networking - how to make the most of every opportunity. This course takes you through each step of the networking process, from preparation to follow up, transforming the names on collected business cards into meaningful contacts. My tried and true methods have helped transform our clients into influencers and power brokers, and if they can do it, you can too.  Click here to enroll!

Marketing is confidence, according to today’s guest, business strategist Lisa Princic. In this interview, she shares how overcame her lack of confidence and transitioned from life coach to business strategist, and built her business on her terms. She introduces the idea of “focused marketing” and how entrepreneurs can apply it to their business. She also shares one of her biggest mistakes – not creating a community with her clients soon enough.Resources Mentioned:http://lisaprincic.comhttp://lisaprincic.com/positioning-mistakesTara McMullinAmplified Ads with Andrew Hubbard

This month is all about CONFIDENCE. As creatives, we all know what it feels like to lack confidence. Imposter syndrome creeps in and we start to make not-so-great decisions. We don’t sign clients, we don’t take a speaking gig, we’re hesitant to try a marketing technique, or call ourselves experts. When we lack confidence, we lack the potential to grow.This month, I’m chatting with business strategist Lisa Princic about how she gained the confidence needed to transition from life coach to business strategist, and how she’s helping other business owners bring more confidence to their marketing. I speak with Rita Barry, a marketing consultant who helps women business owners have more confidence in their numbers. I’m also chatting with my favorite returning guest, my wife Nicole Presperin, about gaining the confidence needed to claim your seat at the table. I’ll also share how an introvert like me became a confident in-person networker, and how you can gain more confidence through a personal brand.To ensure you never miss an episode, be sure to hit subscribe wherever you are listening to this podcast. Tune in tomorrow for my conversation with Lisa Princic and let’s make 2020 your most confident year yet!

December is publishing month on Branding Outside the Box. We’re focusing on what it takes to succeed as a full time author and the different publication paths available to authors. While this is the first time we dedicated an entire month to the topic of books and publishing, this is not the first time we’ve had guests share their wisdom about the publishing industry. So, in this episode, we’re revisiting some of our top interviews related to books, writing, and publishing.Guest include:Publishing thought leader, Jane FriedmanBestselling author and retreat leader, Jennifer LoudenBlogger-turned-author, Sarah Von Bargen#Bookstagrammer and marketer, Hailey DezortWant more guidance on bringing your book to market? I’m hosting a virtual conference! The Your Breakout Book conference is a one-day to help you successfully publish and promote your book. Click here for details!