Brand Unmuted Podcast

You get a walking pad! You get a happy light! You get a candle!

Okay, we're not actually giving anything away. But we are sharing all of our favorite home office things – the items we can't run our businesses without – Oprah style.

In this episode, we're each sharing our favorite home office items, from the practical to the nice-to-have. Everything mentioned is linked in the show notes so you don't have to pause and take notes while you're listening!

Time Stamps

06:02 – Joanna's favorite #1: Shure MV7 Plus microphone

08:52 – Joanna's favorite #2: Happy Light desk lamp

10:20 – Joanna's favorite #3: Walking pad

12:29 – Joanna's favorite #4: Standing desk

13:52 – Joanna's favorite #5: Clear acrylic monitor riser

16:01 – Dianna's favorite #1: Roost laptop stand

19:20 – Dianna's favorite #2: Everything is Figureoutable

21:09 – Dianna's favorite #3: Everybody Writes

23:52 – Dianna's favorite #4: Mini stepper

27:37 – Dianna's favorite #5: Plant the Box candle

31:07 – Random question of the episode

Links & Products Mentioned

Joanna's Favorites:

• Shure MV7 Plus microphone
• Happy Light desk lamp
• Walking pad
• Standing desk base
• Clear acrylic monitor riser

Dianna's Favorites:

• Roost laptop stand
• Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
• Everybody Writes by Ann Handley
• Mini stepper (with resistance bands)
• Plant the Box candle by Kobo (Wild Tomato Vine scent)

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

The brands you can't stop thinking about aren't the ones with the best products. They're the ones that tell the best stories.

In this episode, Dianna is in the hot seat, sharing everything she knows about brand storytelling and giving away five secrets behind what makes good copy actually work.

If you've ever sat down to write your about page, your bio, or even just a social caption and completely frozen, this episode is for you! Remember that people don't want your resume, they want to know the moment everything clicked into place for you. That messy middle, and that's what people actually remember.

Topics We Cover

• Why it's so hard to write about your own business
• The most common brand storytelling mistake
• Your origin story is a transformation, not a timeline
• The customer is the hero, and you're the guide
• Why specificity is your secret weapon
• Building a system of stories (not just one)
• Real examples: Amy Porterfield, Jenna Kutcher, Airbnb, Jasmine Star
• Dianna's own signature brand story
• How to blend data and storytelling for maximum impact
• Where storytelling matters most (websites, sales pages, email sequences)
• The line between vulnerability and oversharing

Time Stamps

04:15 – Why it's so hard to write about yourself

06:36 – The most common storytelling mistake

08:17 – Secret #1: Your origin story is a transformation

09:08 – Secret #2: The customer is the hero

12:53 – Secret #3: Specificity is your secret weapon

16:06 – Secret #4: Build a system of stories

19:45 – Real examples of signature stories

24:37 – Secret #5: Blend story with data

27:34 – Where storytelling matters most

29:57 – The vulnerability line

31:36 – Recap of all 5 secrets

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Ever wondered what to have ready before hiring a copywriter? Or how to know when its time to hire a web designer instead of DIYing your website? In this episode, we’re doing something a little different–an ask-me-anything style FAQ episode where we’re answering real questions from past clients and discovery calls.

We’re answering everything you’d ever want to know about working with a website designer or website copywriter!

In this episode:

• What to have ready before you reach out to a copywriter
• What to ask a designer before you hire them
• The difference between good writing and good copy
• When DIYing your website starts costing you more than hiring a pro
• The #1 fear people have about outsourcing their copy (and why it's not something to worry about)
• Why your website template isn't done yet — and what's actually getting in the way
• When it's time to hand your copy off to a professional
• What the design and copy process actually look like from the inside

Links & resources mentioned:

• Joanna's website project organizer freebie: https://joannamoss.com/resources
• Joanna’s website design studio: Joanna Moss Creative / joannamoss.com
• Dianna’s copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. / risecopyco.com

Connect with us on Instagram: @brandunmutedpodcast

What if burnout isn't just part of being an entrepreneur? What if it's actually a warning sign you're ignoring?

Today we're talking about something a lot of entrepreneurs don't want to admit they're dealing with: burnout. What it actually looks like, how to recover from it, and how to build a business that doesn't keep running you into the ground.

Burnout is your body's warning sign that it's time to take a break. For most people, it's mental, but it can also manifest physically — you're more prone to getting sick, your body feels run down, and you're susceptible to illness.

In this episode, we're sharing our own experiences with burnout, the first signs we notice, why entrepreneurs are especially prone to pushing through when they shouldn't, and what actually helps when you're burnt out.

Topics We Cover

• What burnout actually is
• Do entrepreneurs throw the word "burnout" around too loosely?
• Is burnout always related to working too much?
• First signs of burnout (brain fog, exhaustion, short patience, dreading tasks you normally enjoy)
• Do business owners convince themselves it's just a busy season when they shouldn't push through?
• How to deal with burnout when you experience it
• Why rest shouldn't become another to-do on your list
• What we've done to prepare for or prevent future burnout
• How to balance showing up consistently without burning out
• Being overworked is NOT a sign you've made it
• It's okay to take mental health days
• Plan vacations at the beginning of the year
• Create strong boundaries around work days

Time Stamps

04:16 – What is burnout?

06:47 – Do entrepreneurs overuse the word burnout?

07:26 – Is burnout always work-related?

08:11 – First signs of burnout

10:15 – Do business owners push through when they shouldn't?

12:09 – How to deal with burnout

16:27 – Balancing rest without making it another task

18:19 – What we've done to prevent future burnout

20:34 – How to balance showing up consistently

22:08 – Takeaways: burnout isn't a badge of honor

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Episodes Referenced:

• Episode 8: Setting Boundaries
• Episode 16: Is Work-Life Balance Actually Achievable as an Entrepreneur?

Book Mentioned:

• Project Hail Mary (Book referenced in random question section of episode)

What if the thing standing between you and your next level isn't your strategy, your branding, or even your offer? What if it's the fact that you're still waiting for things to be perfect?

In this episode, we're sharing our own struggles with perfectionism, why we think entrepreneurs chase perfection so much, what actually happens when you wait until something feels perfect, and how to push past perfectionism and just launch the thing already.

Topics We Cover

• Why entrepreneurs chase perfection
• The reality of waiting until something feels perfect
• Lost opportunities from perfectionism
• How progress builds confidence faster than planning
• The "sell it, then build it" model
• How perfectionism slows down business growth
• Launching something imperfectly and still succeeding
• Getting past the perfectionism mindset
• Why delaying your project delays your money and growth

Time Stamps

06:03 – Have you ever delayed launching something?

07:31 – Why do entrepreneurs chase perfection?

10:13 – Women vs. men and perfectionism

10:45 – What happens when you wait for perfect

13:24 – Launching something and nobody noticing it wasn't perfect

15:18 – How progress builds confidence faster than planning

16:10 – What it looks like to just launch something

18:06 – Selling it before building it

18:25 – Does perfectionism slow down growth?

19:55 – Launching something imperfectly and still succeeding

22:32 – Getting past the perfectionism mindset

24:17 – Delaying your project delays your money

Links & Resources Mentioned

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Book Mentioned: This Story May Save Your Life by Tiffany Crumb

Episode Referenced: Episode 20: Does Imposter Syndrome Ever Go Away?

Connect With Us on Instagram! @brandunmutedpodcast

If you've ever thought that retainer work wouldn't fit your business model, or that it would complicate your workflow, this episode might change your mind.

We're breaking down what retainer clients actually look like in real life, how we've each structured our retainer programs differently (as a designer and copywriter), and why adding retainers might be exactly what your business has been missing.

A lot of project-based service providers never even consider offering retainer work. They assume it means being on call 24/7 or that it'll throw off their existing systems. But what if it actually does the opposite? What if it creates more stability, more predictable income, and deeper relationships with clients you already love working with?

In this episode, we're sharing our honest experiences with retainer clients. We're covering how we structure our programs, how we price them, how we manage boundaries, and when a retainer relationship might not be the right fit.

Topics We Cover

• What a retainer client actually is
• How retainers differ from project-based work
• Common misconceptions about retainer work
• Why we started offering retainers
• How retainers affect monthly scheduling
• When a retainer program might not work
• Setting client commitment timeframes
• Managing client requests and turnaround times
• Preventing "unlimited access" expectations
• Pricing retainer work vs. project rates
• How retainers create more stable income
• What makes a retainer relationship work well

Time Stamps

05:39 – What is a retainer client?

07:18 – Biggest differences between project work and retainer work

08:51 – Common misconceptions about retainers

09:31 – Why we started offering retainers

12:20 – How retainers affect monthly scheduling

13:49 – When a retainer program might not work

18:27 – Managing client requests and turnaround

22:02 – Setting boundaries with retainer clients

24:33 – Resetting expectations mid-retainer

26:54 – Why clients want to be on retainer

28:21 – Tips for clients to maximize retainer value

29:29 – Do retainers suit established or newer businesses?

30:36 – Pricing retainer work

33:05 – How retainers stabilize income

33:44 – When to sell retainer services

35:28 – Working with new clients on retainer

36:58 – Is retainer work for every business?

37:06 – What makes a retainer relationship work well

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Episodes Referenced:

• Episode 8: Setting Boundaries

Tools Mentioned:

• Calendly (scheduling for retainer clients)
• Honeybook (client questionnaires and forms)
• Basecamp (client communication)
• Workflow (managing client design edits)

If you've heard of Showit’s DXP retreat and ever wondered what it’s all about, or if it's worth attending, this episode is for you.

Joanna just got back from her fourth DXP retreat, and she's sharing everything: what the experience is really like, what happens during those four days at the ranch in Show Low, Arizona, what makes it different from other industry events, and why she keeps going back year after year.

DXP (Designer Experience) is Showit's invite-only retreat for design partners. It's part working session, part creative retreat, and part summer camp for adults, and it's one of the most valuable experiences Joanna makes time for in her business every single year.

In this episode, we're covering everything you need to know about DXP, and why Joanna thinks every Showit designer should attend at least once!

Topics We Cover

• What Showit DXP actually is
• Why Joanna attends every year
• What kind of event is DXP? (Retreat, meeting, conference?)
• Who's invited to attend
• Walking through the full DXP experience
• Day one at the Showit office
• Accommodations and amenities at the ranch
• What goes on during those few days at the retreat
• The terrain and weather in Show Low
• What the vibe is like
• What stands out most when you first arrive
• Joanna's biggest takeaway (mindset shifts, not tech)
• Having real, honest conversations with other designers
• Running new business ideas by friends at DXP
• Why events like DXP are valuable for business owners
• Making connections that last all year
• Showit platform updates coming soon
• Is DXP worth the investment?
• What to know before you go (bring layers, chapstick, comfy clothes)
• What Joanna wishes she'd done differently
• Why you should just go (even if you don't know anyone yet)

Time Stamps

02:25 – Joanna just got back from DXP

02:49 – What is Showit DXP?

03:23 – Why Joanna attends every year

03:49 – Is it work or fun?

04:44 – What kind of event is it?

05:37 – Who's invited?

06:17 – Walking through the experience

07:40 – Day one at Showit office

08:27 – What's it like in Show Low?

10:16 – Weather and terrain

12:23 – What's the vibe like?

14:31 – What was different this year?

15:16 – Joanna's biggest takeaway

19:26 – Did anything change about your business thinking?

24:37 – New Showit updates coming

28:24 – Is DXP worth the investment?

30:51 – What to know before you go

31:48 – What Joanna wishes she'd done differently

32:48 – Advice for introverts

35:48 – Final thoughts on DXP

Links & Resources Mentioned

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Events & Programs Mentioned:

• Showit DXP (Designer Experience retreat): dxp.showit.com/
• Showit Spark (larger conference-style event): spark.showit.com/

Tools Mentioned:

• Workflow (design revision feedback and project management tool): www.workflow.design/

If you've ever sent off work to a client and immediately thought "they're probably going to hate it” (even though they never do!), this episode is for you.

We're talking all about imposter syndrome: what it is, why it shows up at every stage of business (not just when you're starting out), and how to deal with it when those self-doubts creep in.

In this episode, we're sharing our personal experiences with imposter syndrome, from sending client work for review to raising prices to becoming more visible online. We're talking about why comparison on social media makes it worse, and what actually helps when those doubts show up.

We're also covering specific situations where imposter syndrome tends to hit hardest: when you're creating new offers, pivoting your business, raising your prices, or growing your audience. And we're sharing lots of practical tips for pushing through it.

Topics We Cover

• Why you can know your stuff and still feel anxious
• Does imposter syndrome ever actually go away?
• Why it shows up at every stage of business
• How comparison on social media feeds imposter syndrome
• Feeling intimidated by successful people in your industry
• What helps push past early doubts
• Finding community with other entrepreneurs
• Why success doesn't eliminate self-doubt
• How slow seasons bring imposter syndrome back
• Worrying about what your audience will think when you pivot
• The fear of being watched while you fail
• Why other people don't care as much as you think they do
• Imposter syndrome when raising your prices
• Imposter syndrome when you become more visible online
• Practical tips for moving through imposter syndrome
• Why planning reduces self-doubt

Time Stamps

01:26 – Why you can still feel anxious even when you know your stuff

04:48 – Practicing vs. actually performing

05:17 – Have you ever felt like "who am I to be doing this"?

06:13 – Sending client work and thinking they'll hate it

07:24 – Does imposter syndrome ever go away?

08:02 – It shows up at every stage

09:35 – Comparison on social media

11:16 – Feeling intimidated early in business

12:38 – What helped push past early doubts

15:08 – Does it disappear once you've been in business a while?

16:36 – Slow seasons bring it back

17:43 – Why success doesn't eliminate self-doubt

18:01 – What helps as an experienced business owner

21:09 – Imposter syndrome when offering something new

23:18 – Worrying what your audience will think

24:50 – Why other people don't care as much as you think

25:45 – Imposter syndrome when raising prices

30:27 – Becoming more visible online

35:29 – Tips for moving through imposter syndrome

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Episodes Referenced:

• Episode 12: Business Pivots: When (and How) to Change Direction

If you've ever wondered whether affiliate marketing is worth it, or if it's actually as passive as everyone claims, this episode is for you.

We're breaking down everything you need to know about affiliate marketing: what it is, how it works, why companies create affiliate programs in the first place, and how to choose which products and services to promote. We're also sharing which affiliate programs we use in our own businesses, how we promote them, and what realistic income expectations look like.

Spoiler alert: Affiliate marketing isn't actually passive. It requires effort and intention. But it's still one of the easiest second income streams you can add to your business without majorly increasing your workload.

We're also tackling common misconceptions, sharing mistakes people make, and giving you practical tips for getting started today.

Topics We Cover

• What we first imagined when we heard "passive income"
• What affiliate marketing actually is
• How we use affiliate marketing in our businesses
• Why companies create affiliate programs
• Why affiliate marketing works better when it feels natural
• Is affiliate marketing actually passive income?
• The Amazon Influencer program (and how it works)
• Different ways to promote affiliate links (blog posts, podcasts, YouTube, email newsletters, resources pages)
• How to choose which companies to work with for affiliate income
• Why you should only promote products you've actually used
• Saying no to affiliate opportunities that aren't a good fit
• Tools and companies we promote (Showit, Tonic, 17 Hats, Honeybook, Flodesk, Contract Club, and more)
• How to stay consistent with promoting your affiliates
• Keeping your affiliate links organized
• Realistic expectations for affiliate income
• How long it takes to see meaningful income
• Common misconceptions about affiliate marketing
• Biggest mistakes people make with affiliate marketing
• Why every business should have multiple revenue streams
• Where to look for affiliate programs in your business

Time Stamps

03:31 – What did you first imagine when you heard "passive income"?

04:47 – First thoughts about affiliate marketing

06:18 – What is affiliate marketing?

06:52 – How we use affiliate marketing in our businesses

08:34 – Why companies create affiliate programs

10:32 – Why it works better when it feels natural

13:05 – Is affiliate marketing actually passive income?

15:45 – Different ways to promote affiliate links

15:45 – How to choose companies to work with

16:40 – Saying no to opportunities that aren't a good fit

18:25 – Tools and companies we promote

20:37 – Staying consistent with promotions

22:25 – Keeping affiliate links organized

25:36 – Realistic expectations for affiliate income

28:08 – Misconceptions about affiliate marketing

31:12 – Biggest mistakes with affiliate marketing

31:35 – Should every business have multiple revenue streams?

33:39 – Where to look for affiliate programs

Links & Resources Mentioned

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Affiliate Programs & Tools Mentioned:

• Showit (website platform): Get 1 month free!
• Tonic (design templates for Showit and Canva)
• 17 Hats (CRM)
• Honeybook (CRM)
• Flodesk (email marketing): Get 50% off your first year!
• Interact (quiz creator)
• Tailwind (Pinterest scheduling)
• Rank for Revenue (SEO course by Sarah Does SEO)
• Acuity (scheduling tool)
• ManyChat (Instagram automation)
• The Contract Club (website policies and contracts)
• The Legal Paige (website policies and contracts)
• BDOW (pop-up opt-in forms)
• Hautet Stock and Elevate Visuals (stock photos)
• Booked Out Designer (Showit Designer Course by Elizabeth McCravy)
• Podcast Success Blueprint (Podcasting Course by Elizabeth McCravy)
• Amazon Influencer Program

When most people think about branding, they immediately think: logo, colors, fonts. But that's only scratching the surface.

This is the first episode in our branding miniseries, and we're starting with the foundation: what branding actually is (and what it isn't). We're breaking down the difference between brand identity (the visual stuff) and brand messaging (how you communicate), why most people jump straight to visuals, and what happens when your beautiful design doesn't match your messaging.

We're also sharing examples of brands that get it right–like Oatly, Ritz Carlton, and Southwest Airlines–and walking you through practical exercises you can do today to start building or refining your brand strategy. Whether you're starting from scratch or wondering if your current branding is working, this episode will help you understand what a cohesive brand really looks like.

Topics We Cover

• The Jaguar rebrand controversy and why it missed the mark
• What people think branding is vs. what it actually is
• The difference between brand strategy, brand identity, and brand messaging
• Why every business has a brand (whether they realize it or not)
• Common misconceptions about branding
• Why branding isn't just for big companies
• Why a logo alone doesn't make a strong brand
• Why people jump straight to visuals (and why messaging should come first)
• Why consistency is what makes brands memorable
• Where to start if you want to improve your brand today
• The Pinterest "brand room" exercise (Joanna's favorite branding activity)
• Why you should start with strategy before visuals

Time Stamps

00:43 – The Jaguar rebrand controversy

01:47 – What people think branding is

02:49 – What is branding really?

04:24 – Explaining branding in simple terms

06:28 – Do all businesses have a brand?

06:58 – Misconception: Branding is just for big companies

07:31 – Misconception: Branding is just a logo

08:23 – Misconception: Good visuals = strong brand

09:22 – Why people jump straight to visuals

10:11 – Businesses with good design but confusing messaging

11:13 – Branding terminology: Brand voice

11:50 – Branding terminology: Brand identity

12:34 – Should messaging or visuals come first?

13:41 – Can two brands have similar visuals but different audiences?

15:07 – Brands with really strong messaging

16:48 – Instantly recognizable brands

20:20 – Why consistency matters

21:09 – Visual consistency vs. experience: Which creates loyalty?

22:00 – Where to start improving your brand today

27:10 – Start with strategy

Links & Resources Mentioned

Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com

Kate Putnam Brand Identity Quiz — Find your brand archetype and get direction for your visual identity: kayeputnam.com/brandality-quiz/