A Life By You

Most influencers undercharge when working with brands. Getting a brand deal is an exciting and wonderful opportunity, but you still need to charge an appropriate rate for the work you agree to. There are a lot of different things you need to consider when factoring in how much to charge brands.

In this episode, I break down the most overlooked factors in brand deals. Tune in now to learn how you can begin charging more money for your next brand deal with these simple tips.

Points Worth Listening To:

• "When it comes to working with brands, you definitely don't want to leave money on the table." (0:19)
• "You got to take everything into consideration for the cost of what it takes to create content." (2:16)
• Tips to figuring out your price (5:34)

Links mentioned in this episode:

• How to Charge for Brand Deals
• The Influencer Rate Calculator by Tyler Chanel

Final Thoughts:

• Don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast.
• Follow MJ on Instagram @lifebymj
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @alifebyyou

• Join the Life By You Facebook Community

Deciding to invest in your business by hiring a coach is a necessary decision. Hiring a business coach can help you get to the next level and navigate the unknown in your business. A great coach will give you the tools and knowledge you need to help advance and fast track your business.

Today, Jacent Wamala from Wamala Wellness sat down with me to discuss the importance of reaching out to a coach in order to help yourself grow. Whether you're just starting out or starting over this episode will help you understand the value of learning from someone else's expertise.

Points Worth Listening To:

• "I needed to let down my guard while also submitting to someone else's guidance and expertise." (0:50)
• The importance of reaching out to others to help to grow yourself. (2:23)
• Changing your mind frame to live out of abundance and not out of scarcity. (9:51)
• "We have to be willing to be students at every stage." (18:41)
• "It's important to invest in ourselves, in our potential, and our growth because it will yield results every single time." (27:25)

Guest Info:

• Find out more about Jacent by visiting her website www.wamalawellness.com.
• Follow Jacent on Instagram @jacentgems

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Write better captions with this freebie
• Join the Pitch Pro Academy waitlist

Final Thoughts:

• Don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast.
• Follow MJ on Instagram @lifebymj
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @alifebyyou
• Join the Life By You Facebook Community

Working with brands and other businesses can be beneficial for your business's growth! But you can't sit back and wait for them to find you. You have to pitch them your collaboration ideas. I get a lot of questions from influencers and entrepreneurs wanting to work with more brands and businesses but are unsure how to start the conversation.

Today I'm talking all about how you can use the power of pitching to monetize your content, businesses, or services. Tune in to hear my tips on how you can begin establishing relationships with brands and businesses today.

Points Worth Listening To:

• "Shooting your shot is really what makes the biggest difference." (1:39)
• "You don't have to have a large following to monetize your content." (4:08)
• How to be a strategic content creator. (4:14)
• Tips on how to shoot your shot. (7:39)

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Join the waitlist for Pitch Pro Academy

Final Thoughts: Freebies, memberships, FB groups, and podcast review links

• Don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast.
• Follow MJ on Instagram @lifebymj
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @alifebyyou
• Join the Life By You Facebook Community

Chances are that if you're working a 9 - 5 job while building your side business you're using skills that intersect in both businesses. As a certified project manager, I use my management skills in my side business often and it has served me well.

Asya Watkins is the founder of Women of Project Management, the only community created to support and amplify the voices of women and women of color in every specialty of the project management industry worldwide. In today's episode, we talked about using your project management expertise, or any professional expertise, beyond your 9 to 5 job.

Points Worth Listening To:

• How I got started in the project management industry (3:52)
• How I use my PMP in my side business (17:59)
• "You've got to get in there and start figuring it out." (32:33)
• "I just have to do it and learn to do it scared." (45:10)
• My top pitching tips (52:00)

Guest Info:

• Find out more about Asya Watkins and the Women of Project Management by visiting their website www.womenofpm.com
• Follow Women of PM on Instagram @womenofpm

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Listen to my pitching tips from episode #30
• Book one on one coaching with MJ

Final Thoughts: Freebies, memberships, and podcast review links

• Don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast.
• Follow MJ on Instagram @lifebymj
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @alifebyyou

Branding has become a bit of a buzz word. But branding is actually really important to your business. If you brand your business correctly, then it will provide you the opportunity to leave a lasting impression on your audience.

I spoke with Ashley Burney, the founder and president of Heart To Heart LLC, about the importance of branding and how I strive to have an impactful business. Tune in to hear actionable steps on how to achieve a cohesive brand strategy across your social media platforms.

Points Worth Listening To:

• The steps I took that lead me to a huge turning point in my businesses. (10:21)
• "Instagram is very powerful and a great place to start. If you want to build your brand, it's never, ever too late." (12:10)
• What platforms you should put your content on it, and how to market it (20:57)
• How to remain authentic (28:15)
• "Through hard work and dedication, the flowers will bloom." (44:39)

Guest Info:

• Find out more about Ashley Burney and Heart To Heart LLC by visiting their website www.hearttoheartspeaks.com
• Follow Heart To Heart on Instagram @hearttoheartllc

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Get $10 Off InstaCart (This is an affiliate link)
• Book one on one coaching with MJ

Final Thoughts: Freebies, memberships, FB groups, and podcast review links

• Don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast.
• Follow MJ on Instagram @lifebymj
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @alifebyyou

Pitching has been such a game-changer for my business and can be tremendously powerful for yours as well!

Recently I sat down with Kelly Bennet from The Workshop Downtown to talk about all things pitching. We discussed how it's more than working with brands and why pitching isn't just for influencers.

I share my thoughts on how pitching can help business owners increase their reach, build new business relationships, and expose them to a new audience. Tune in to hear about the benefits of pitching and how it can help you reach your business income goals.

Points Worth Listening To:

• "It's allowed me to negotiate four-figure deals and continue to make five figures as a part-time influencer." (0:12)
• "Before I hit even 10,000 followers, I made $10,000 working with brands." (3:06)
• Why pitching is more than working with brands. (3:47)
• How to start landing deals and partnerships without having 10K followers. (8:33)
• The one thing that held me back from getting started. (18:36)

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Grab my freebie - Captions That Convert
• Work with me - One on one or single coaching sessions

Final Thoughts:

• Don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast.
• Follow MJ on Instagram @lifebymj
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @alifebyyou

Making money from your side hustle is a great feeling. But growing the side hustle into a full business can be a bit harder. Regardless of the path you chose to entrepreneurship, there is one thing you must do. You must believe and bet on yourself!

Today on the podcast I'm joined with photography expert and influencer Tash Haynes. We sat down to talk about making the transition into full-time entrepreneurship, learning how to work and negotiate with brands, and how to find your groove with content creation.

Listen in if you're thinking about transitioning your side hustle into a full business, want to learn how to create content that connects with your audience and you want to learn how to work with brands.

Points Worth Listening To:

• "I bet on myself. I said I was going to quit my job and see where we can take the business. And that was 11 years ago." (6:55)
• How to know if it's time to go full time in your side hustle. (9:59)
• Tips on how to repurpose content. (24:53)
• Thoughts on being a black influencer and the aftermath Black Out Tuesday 2020. (27:15)
• Learning how to recognize your value with brand deals. (39:12)
• "Every deal, every collaboration, every partnership is like, a course, it's a lesson." (45:13)
• "It's just so important to value yourself. Know what your own goals are and what you hope to get." (50:17)

Guest Info:

• www.wisdomandcourage.com
• Follow Tash on Instagram - @itstashhaynes
• Photography Instagram page - @ikeandtash

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Mattie James
• Photo Me Ike

Final Thoughts:

• Don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast.
• Follow MJ on Instagram @lifebymj
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @alifebyyou
• Join the Life By You Facebook Community

Are you ready to slay your social media strategy? Figuring out what to post on social media and learning how to speak to your audience can feel like a never-ending battle. That's why I'm sharing my top 4 tips for new influencers on social media. Tune in to hear actionable steps you can start doing today to grow your Instagram following, build a loyal tribe, and ultimately make money from your social media platforms.

Points Worth Listening To:

• I've been able to grow my followers, build connections with people, and make money. (1:31)
• Tip #1 (2:27)
• I had to start looking at myself as a brand and a business. (3:17)
• You are a brand, you are a business, you're an entity, but you're also human. You're going to make mistakes. And that's only going to make you stronger. (4:56)
• Tip #2 (5:03)
• Tip #3 (6:00)
• Setting S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound) goals (6:08)
• Tip #4 (7:23)

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Thrifts & Tangles
• Check out my podcast interview with Thrifts & Tangles

Final Thoughts:

• Don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast.
• Follow MJ on Instagram @lifebymj
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @alifebyyou
• Join the Life By You Facebook Community

You don't have to continue to create content that you're no longer passionate about. If you've ever felt like you had to stay in a box with your content this episode is for you. Today's guest is Lexi from Lexi WIth The Curls. She joins us to share her experience on evolving as a content creator as well as leveraging her 9 to 5 to continuously progress as an influencer. Tune in to hear her thoughts on being honest with yourself in your business and tips on how you can create content that you have a passion for.

Points Worth Listening To:

• "It comes off better to the audience. If you're doing something that you're truly passionate about." (6:33)
• "I don't want to be a full-time entrepreneur and I am totally okay with that." (12:26)
• "Instagram is not the end all be all." (22:33)
• How she uses the knowledge from her job in her personal business. (29:52)
• The progression of an influencer as you get older. (33:49)
• "Do content you're passionate about, not just what you think is going to work." (45:41)
• "Sometimes you just have to get out there and just do it." (46:07)
• Staying true to yourself and true to the content that you like. (46:45)

Guest Info:

• www.lexiwiththecurls.com
• Follow Lexi on Instagram at @lexiwiththecurls
• Follow Lexi on Twitter at @lexiwthecurls

Final Thoughts:

• Don't forget to like, review, and subscribe to the podcast.
• Follow MJ on Instagram @lifebymj
• Follow the podcast on Instagram @alifebyyou

Join the Life By You Facebook Community

Growing your Instagram account can seem like a daunting process. You want more followers but in actuality, you may truly want a tribe. But how exactly do you cultivate that when you are constantly combating the Instagram algorithm?

I've personally grown my account to over 25K followers and can tell you first hand that it takes time and effort to build a true Instagram tribe. Not just people who will like a post or even leave a comment, but your loyal followers who will take action by buying your product, service or even as simple as reading your blog.

To learn how to grow your Instagram followers, I'm sharing with you my organic Instagram growth plan that I provide my own coaching clients. It's a tried and true methodology that will yield you true and lasting results and not people who will simply leave a like.

Also, I've created a whole freebie outlining my whole Instagram follower growth process so be sure to download it here!