Build Your Online Audience

Would you love to know how you to build your audience using competitions and giveaways?

If you've ever wondered how to run a competition or giveaway and how you can use this to build your audience on social media - then you'll love this podcast episode - with Mark Simpson founder of Boostly and worldwide Facebook group the Hospitality Community.

Mark explains step by step how you can build your online audience by using giveaways and competitions on Facebook and Instagram

Discover how you can use competitions to get people from your Facebook page and onto your email list. He explains how to make your competition post go viral with clever copy and posting tactics. And how to make sure you don't fall foul of Facebook regulations by using the right copy.

Find out how you can use competitions or giveaways to build an audience in any industry and how you can use them to create a buzz when you're launching a new product or service.

Mark shares so much in this podcast episode including his tried and tested 5-day formula for creating and running successful competitions and giveaways on Facebook and Instagram.

Plus he shares the exact copy for Facebook and Instagram competition/giveaway posts so that you don't have to create it yourself.

I hope you're as excited by this podcast as I am and I'd love to know what you think.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode} Podcast shownotes

• About this podcast episode (4:35)
• How Mark's business evolved and how he started his business (8:02)
• Background to Mark and his Facebook group (13:02)
• Why competitions help the Facebook algorithm (18:23)
• Why building Facebook followers through giveaways works (20:32)
• Key things you have to do when running a Facebook competition (21:57)
• Why the image is really important in a Facebook competition (22:30)
• Why the first few lines of your copy are really important in your competition post (22:56)
• Why you must get your giveaway T&C's right (24:12)
• How to be clever with your copy and get people to share your post (24:50)
• How to choose a competition prize (and why it doesn't have to be your product/service) (30:40)
• How to think creatively about images (even if you don't have a beautiful product) (35:30)
• Why you must be present on social media after you launch (39:01)
• How to get more eyes on your competition posts (and how much you should post) (41:09)
• Marks 5-day formula for running a competition and what you should do daily (44:08)
• How to get people onto your email list from your competition (47:58)
• How to use peoples competition excitement to make a sale (49:23)
• Why the competition strategy will work for building your audience (53:20)
• How to use a competition/giveaway to launch a product or service (55:24)
• How to access the dropbox folder with the competition templates (57:24)

Resources

Connect with Mark on Instagram

Mark's Boostly podcast

Access Marks FREE 5 day competition copy here: boostly.co.uk/janetmurray

Join my Instagram Academy Course here

Janetmurray.co.uk/podcastfinder

Join my Build Your Online Audience Programme

My Emergency Response Plan

Masterclass - How to generate passive income in your business

Masterclass - How to plan sell and launch an online Webinar or Masterclass for your business

Masterclass - How to turn your in-person services into online offerings

Masterclass - How to launch a playbook for your business

Other podcast episodes

[343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast) [374] How to create a year's worth of content in one morning (podcast) [378] How to use hashtags to build your online audience (podcast) [379] How to grow your Instagram posts by 1K in 30 days (podcast) [386] The four types of content to create that will help you make more sales in 2020 (podcast) [390] How to stop overthinking your content (podcast) [391] How to write better social media captions (podcast) [392] How to get more engagement on Instagram (podcast) [398] What sort of content should you create during a global crisis (podcast) [399] How to build your online audience during a global crisis (podcast) [400] How to build a large audience for your blog, vlog or podcast (podcast) [Bonus] How to turn your in person services into online offerings (podcast) [Bonus] How to generate income fast by creating a power hour for your business (podcast)

How to create an editorial calendar for your business (blog post)

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Content Planning Masterclass

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Order your 2020 Media Diary here

Join my Build Your Audience Programme

How to add closed captions to your video using Rev and Kapwing

Join my get your podcast live in 60 days course

#2021Sorted Buy your ticket

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

Instagram Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Are you feeling frustrated with your Instagram growth?

In this episode, I share the surprising reason your account isn't growing (even though you're posting consistently, using relevant hashtags and/or spending time engaging on other peoples' accounts). And show you how to fix it.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode}

If you're struggling to attract new followers to your Instagram content, you may think it's because you haven't nailed your strategy. You need to post more often/consistently. You need to find the right time of day to post. You need to find the right hashtags to attract your ideal/clients.

But while honing these strategies can help, there is one fundamental thing you have to be able to do to grow your following. If you can't do this, you'll struggle to grow your audience - regardless of any strategies you try.

So what is this magic thing you must be able to do?

You have to be able to connect emotionally with your audience.

Your content needs to make people stop in their feed,

And it needs to make them feel something. For example:

• Empathy (because they've had a similar experience)
• Amusement (because you've made them laugh)
• Anger/frustration (because they disagree with you)

If you want people to take the time to stop and read your post. If you want people to hit 'save' or 'share' - or leave you a comment - it has to hit them right in the heart.

It if doesn't, they'll just keep on scrolling.

So how do you know your content is hitting the spot? More people will be liking, commenting on and sharing your content for sure. But what will really show your content is hitting the spot is when people leave comments like:

'This really resonates with me.'

'I feel like you're inside my head.'

'I was just thinking this earlier.

So how do you create this kind of content? Keep reading and you'll find out.

1.Study your competitors' content

Take a look at the account of some key competitors that are getting good engagement and growth on their account.

How are they engaging their audience emotionally?

Natalie Lue - everything we do is about making us feel better. So if we can make our audience feel better about themselves they'll love us for it.

Lifestyle envy (personal/work) - Hannah Otto, The Annaedit, Brand Stylist

Humour: Alyssa Limperis, Simon Holland, Glitterbeards, Paul Flaart

Empathy: Matt Haig, Jamie Tworkowski (Jamie T), Helen Marie

Reassurance/encouragement: Boss Babe, me

Challenge: polarising content - don't see so much on Instagram

People need to SEE themselves in your story - even if they haven't had that exact experience.

2. Look at what's done really well for you (and do more of it)

For example, I have a recent post: Don't take criticism from people you wouldn't take advice from.

In the caption I talked about how people email me with 'advice' on email marketing - even though they don't have

1,333 likes

1086 shares

640 saves

3. Curate content

I've just been looking at my top ten performing Instagram posts of the past year.

My best performing post got:

• 2,663 likes
• 5,920 shares
• 28,933 impressions

PLUS it's been saved 2,495 times, landed me 912 new followers and 90% of people who saw the post weren't even following me in the first place.

Pretty mind-blowing, right?

Well here's the interesting thing.

Only ONE of my ten best-performing Instagram posts was actually created by ME (number 10 as it happens). The rest of the posts (including this one) were originally created by other people. I was simply resharing them.

In the last six months I've more than doubled my Instagram following from 6.5k to over 15k and content curation (sharing other peoples' content) has been a big part of my strategy.

The way I see it, there is so much great content out there already - created by people who are more eloquent, funny and/or talented than I could ever be.

So instead of dishing up my rather mediocre content, why not introduce my audience to the best of the best?

That way I can focus on giving them exactly what they need: funny, inspiring, poignant, polarising...whatever it is they need to hear at any given time.

Without having to come up with a single idea myself.

And in doing so, I'm not just growing my own Instagram account. I'm helping to grow other peoples' too.

Which is a win-win all round, right?

Of course there is an art to content curation (including how to credit those whose content you share). Which is why I've devoted a whole section to it in my new Instagram course, which starts in May.

But not only can content curation save you tons of time...it can also help you improve the quality of your content.

Which is why I'd love you to give it a try (tip: it doesn't just work on Instagram)

Podcast shownotes

• About my Instagram Success Academy (01:54)
• Why you have to hit people emotionally with your content on Instagram (4:08)
• Why your Instagram content needs to make people feel something to stop them scrolling (6:11)
• Why your Instagram feed needs to look visually appealing (8:55)
• Questions to ask yourself about your Instagram feed (9:50)
• What your Instagram content needs to make people feel (10:56)
• Why engagement is more important than a large following on Instagram (11:55)
• When you'll know that your Instagram posts are hitting the mark (12:20)
• How to research the right content by looking at your competitors (13:47)
• Why making your audience feel better will make them want to follow you (15:45)
• Five ways you can engage your Instagram audience emotionally (16:40)
• How to use aspirational lifestyle posts to make people stop and look (16:42)
• How to use humour to connect with your audience (19:03)
• Examples of how to use empathy to reassure and encourage people (21:54)
• How to think about the content from your audience's point of view (24:31)
• Why you need to be flexible in your Instagram content (25:27)
• Why you might need to be careful with challenging content or content that shames (26:07)
• Why people need to be able to see themselves in your content (29:40)
• Why you should have a look through your content and see what has done well (30:04)
• Why using other people's content will grow your followers (and save you time) (34:53)
• Why your content and emotional connection is at the heart of everything you do (37:09)

Resources

Join my Instagram Academy Course here

Natalie Lue Instagram

Janetmurray.co.uk/podcastfinder

Join my Build Your Online Audience Programme

My Emergency Response Plan

Masterclass - How to generate passive income in your business

Masterclass - How to plan sell and launch an online Webinar or Masterclass for your business

Masterclass - How to turn your in-person services into online offerings

Masterclass - How to launch a playbook for your business

Other podcast episodes

[343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast) [362] How to grow your Instagram following to 27K fast (podcast) [374] How to create a year's worth of content in one morning (podcast) [378] How to use hashtags to build your online audience (podcast) [379] How to grow your Instagram posts by 1K in 30 days (podcast) [386] The four types of content to create that will help you make more sales in 2020 (podcast) [390] How to stop overthinking your content (podcast) [391] How to write better social media captions (podcast) [392] How to get more engagement on Instagram (podcast) [398] What sort of content should you create during a global crisis (podcast) [399] How to build your online audience during a global crisis (podcast) [400] How to build a large audience for your blog, vlog or podcast (podcast) [Bonus] How to turn your in person services into online offerings (podcast) [Bonus] How to generate income fast by creating a power hour for your business (podcast)

How to create an editorial calendar for your business (blog post)

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Content Planning Masterclass

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Order your 2020 Media Diary here

Join my Build Your Audience Programme

How to add closed captions to your video using Rev and Kapwing

Join my get your podcast live in 60 days course

#2021Sorted Buy your ticket

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

Instagram Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

'How often should I email my list?'

This is probably one of the most common questions I get asked about email marketing.

The rather unsatisfactory answer is 'it depends' - on all sorts of factors, including how often you usually email your list, what's going on in your business at the time and what your goals are.

But what I can tell you is that you are almost certainly emailing your list less than you should - and missing out on sales as a result.

In this podcast episode, I tackle the question of how often you should be emailing your list - and share the key email sequences every business owner should have.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode}

1. The 'delivery/welcome' sequence

This is the sequence of emails you send someone when they join your email list.

If they have signed up via a free lead magnet (i.e. a resource you create specifically with the intention of getting people to join your list), I'd suggest sending a series of 3-5 emails where you break down the content of your lead magnet and give additional value. I generally refer to this as a 'delivery sequence'.

So for example with my 23 Social Media Ideas lead magnet, I send five follow up emails (across four days). The first - which should land immediately after they subscribe to the lead magnet - is to deliver the lead magnet.

The second - sent around 24 hours later - asks subscribers to email back and let me know if they received the email ok. This can help troubleshoot any potential problems with spam (once a new subscriber emails me back, their email provider recognises us as 'friends' - which means my content is less likely to end up in spam).

The next three delve deeper into the problem the lead magnet solves (not being able to come up with engaging content ideas). I share three types of post (one each day): the question post, the 'story' post and the 'grenade' post. In this email I make a sales offer to a product/service that feels like the natural 'next step' to the lead magnet. This may or may not lead into a sales sequence.

I may also make a 'soft' sales offer in the p.s. of the second or third email (or both).

If people are joining your list for another reason i.e. you just have a general 'sign up' email, I'd recommend a 3-5 email 'getting to know you' sequence where you talk a little bit about what to expect from being on your list and help people get to know you better.

You should also create a welcome sequence for people who buy one of your products/services. For a coaching/membership programme - where you're going to be working with people over a longer period of time - I'd recommend a 3-5 day 'tour'. In my Build Your Online Audience Programme, you get a 'tour' of the membership (including the site/resources and team). For an online course, masterclass or playbook I'd generally keep it shorter.

2. The 'sales sequence'

This is the sequence of emails you send someone to promote a paid product/service. This can be anything from an online masterclass to a playbook to an online course.

The length of your sales sequence really depends on the product/service you're selling, but, personally, I wouldn't recommend sales campaigns that run for longer than 5-7 days - with some kind of scarcity built in - otherwise people can start to zone out.

I'd recommend sending at least one email every day, with at least 2-3 emails on the last day. I'd also recommend creating a 'looked not bought' sequence - which you send to those who have clicked on the link to purchase (more on that later).

However, the length of your campaign can depend on the product/service you're selling. For example, I have a four day email sequence I use for online masterclasses, which I generally start three days before the day of the masterclass. If I start to promote any earlier, I find people forget about the masterclass.

3. The 'looked not bought' sequence

One of the biggest mistakes I see people making with their email marketing, is not asking people why they didn't buy. While it can be uncomfortable to ask, it can also be an opportunity to convert someone who might otherwise have walked away.

The reasons people don't buy are varied and complex. Some people have unanswered questions, but for whatever reason they don't ask. Others have a fundamental misunderstanding about the product/service - which can be down to missing/misleading information on your sales page, for example. A few have decided the product/service is not for them based on an incorrect assumption.

For example, lots of my customers/clients convince themselves my services are not suitable for product-based businesses - even though I do my best to stress this in my marketing and use relevant testimonials.

In many cases, when you provide subscribers with the information they need, they will decide to buy. Even if they don't, at least they've had all the information they need to make a decision (which means they may still buy at a later date).

But if you're not brave enough to ask the question, you'll never know. Which means you're almost certainly missing out on sales.

This is why it's vital to have a Looked Not Bought sequence in every email campaign you create where you simply say something like: I noticed you'd been checking out x product/service but haven't yet bought. Let me know if you have any questions.

Sometimes people can feel nervous about voicing their concerns. This is why it can be helping to give a list of typical reasons people have given for not buying.

• I don't have the budget right now
• I'm worried I don't have the time
• I'm worried it's too early on in my business

If you would like to see my Top 10 podcasts then head to my Podcast Finder and my messenger bot will make some suggestions.

Podcast shownotes

• About my daily email (2:45)
• About this podcast episode (4:07)
• How to send a delivery/welcome email sequence when someone joins your list (5:02)
• How to use lead magnets to get people to sign up to your email list (5:24)
• Why a sign-up box on your website won't get people to join your email list (7:41)
• How to follow up with an email delivery sequence after sending a lead magnet (8:03)
• How to make sure that people have got your download and avoid the spam folder (09:50)
• How to get people to email you back and build a relationship (11:45)
• Why you need an email structure and set templates (13:50)
• How to move people onto your sales sequence email list (15:20)
• How to use scarcity in your email marketing and why it focuses peoples minds (16:26)
• How often you should email people in an email sales sequence (19:38)
• How to make sure people don't unsubscribe from your whole list (21:09)
• Why I only have a four day lead-in for sales for my masterclass (23:12)
• The 3 types of email that you can put in your email sales sequence (23:37)
• Why emailing people who have looked but not bought will help your sales (25:15)
• Examples of how to follow up with people if they haven't bought from you (28:21)
• Why you need to become part of peoples routine (31:04)

Resources

janetmurray.co.uk/podcastfinder

Join my Build Your Online Audience Programme

My Emergency Response Plan

Masterclass - How to generate passive income in your business

Masterclass - How to plan sell and launch an online Webinar or Masterclass for your business

Masterclass - How to turn your in-person services into online offerings

Masterclass - How to launch a playbook for your business

Other podcast episodes

[333] 39 surprisingly easy ways to build your email list (podcast)[334] How to build a large audience without paid advertising with Callie Willows (podcast) [335] How to create a high converting lead magnet (podcast) [348] How to write social media posts that sell (podcast episode) [359] How to create an email newsletter that people look forward to receiving (podcast) [360] How to get people to open your emails (podcast) [375] How to get your first 1K email subscribers (podcast) [395] How to write addictive email copy with Rob & Kennedy (podcast) [398] What sort of content should you create during a global crisis (podcast) [399] How to build your online audience during a global crisis (podcast) [400] How to build a large audience for your blog, vlog or podcast (podcast) [Bonus] How to turn your in person services into online offerings (podcast) [Bonus] How to generate income fast by creating a power hour for your business (podcast)

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Content Planning Masterclass

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Join my Build Your Audience Programme

How to add closed captions to your video using Rev and Kapwing

#2021Sorted Buy your ticket

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Instagram Engagement Playbook

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Publishing regular content on a blog, vlog or podcast can be a great way to build your online audience.

My podcast The Janet Murray Show gets around 35k downloads per month, consistently ranks top of the UK podcast charts for marketing and is the biggest driver for leads and sales in my business. Which is why I've invested a huge amount of time and resources into building my podcast audience since I launched in 2015.

But just having a blog, vlog/Youtube channel or podcast isn't enough. People won't automatically find your content, just because it's out there. You need to invest time and resources building an audience for that content.

And while the platforms might be different, the audience-building strategies will be the same - regardless you have a blog, Youtube channel, Facebook Live Show or podcast.

Which is why, in my 400th episode of the podcast I want to share my top audience building strategies with you.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode} 1. Consistency

• Show up regularly
• Make a public commitment
• Become part of peoples' routine
• Promotion strategy
• Promote every episode more than you think

It sounds obvious, but showing up regularly is key. I launched my podcast The Janet Murray Show back in 2015 and I've never missed an episode.

I started out publishing a new episode every Friday. For a few years I published two episodes a week (one solo show midweek and one interview episode first thing on a Friday). So on the odd occasion my podcast has gone live later than usual, people have actually messaged me to ask me where it is.

If you struggle with consistency, I'd recommend making a public commitment to posting your new episode/post on a particular date/time e.g. Friday. This gives you accountability (if you've promised something publicly, it's much harder not to do it). It also helps get your audience familiar with your publishing schedule, which means consuming your content can become part of their routine. For example, my podcast listeners often tell me they listen to the latest episode of my podcast on the school run, when they're cleaning their house on a Saturday or out for a run on a Sunday morning.

Becoming part of peoples' routine is a sign you're building an engaged and loyal audience.

Consistency also matters when it comes to the promotion of your blog/vlog or podcast. Most content creators I know vastly underpromote their content. They publish a new episode/post, make a few 'announcement' posts about it on social media, then move onto their next piece of content.

If you want to build an audience for your blog/vlog/podcast, you need to treat every new post/episode as a launch, which means creating a promotion strategy that you rinse and repeat every time (and add to as time goes on). For example, when my podcast goes live on a Friday I email my list, create some kind of announcement on my Facebook messenger and do an Instagram Story. This is followed up with multiple pieces of social media content across the week. We also regularly promote episodes from my back catalogue. This means finding different ways to talk about the same episode (more on that later).

While there is always more you can do (there's still lots more I could do to promote each episode) a good rule of thumb is this: promote each episode way more than you feel comfortable with and you'll probably have it about right.

2. Collaboration

• Invite people onto your podcast, FB Live, Youtube, guest blogs
• Don't be fooled about the big cheese - smaller often better
• Get on other peoples' podcasts etc
• Speaking, guest teaching, press

One of the quickest ways to build your own audience is to get in front of other peoples'. This is why inviting guests on your podcast, Facebook Live or Youtube show - or inviting people to guest blog on your website - can be a great way to build your audience. When you do this, they are likely to share that content with their own audience, which means people will want to find out more about you.

It's often assumed that collaborating with people with bigger audiences than your own is the best strategy. Personally I've found that collaborating with people with smaller, engaged audiences can often be more effective than the big names in my industry. This is because people who already have a large audience may not have the time - or inclination - to share your podcast episode/Youtube interview. Whereas someone with a small, but engaged audience will share the heck out of your content - and do it with so much enthusiasm -you may find you get better results.

Creating guest content for other peoples' platforms - those with similar audiences to yours - is another great way to build an audience for your own content. Here's how to pitch yourself as a podcast guest (these tips apply to pitching yourself for anything).

Speaking at live events, teaching guest classes and taking part in virtual summits or webinars can be another great way to grow your audience. Although I would not recommend paying to be part of virtual summits - unless there is a very compelling reason to do so (and evidence that you will get a return on investment).

Getting press coverage can be another great way to build your audience - as long as your call-to-action sends people to your blog/vlog or podcast (more on that later).

3. Conversation

• Post and flee
• Want to get people talking in public about your content
• Start conversations then give link
• Different angles
• Tagging
• Make time to engage

One of the biggest mistakes I see bloggers, vloggers and podcasters making is what I refer to as 'post and flee' i.e. they post a few announcement posts about their blog/vlog or podcast on social media then and do nothing else until the next one comes out.

Recommendations are powerful. Public recommendations are even more powerful. So, if you can generate public conversations about your content, people are much more likely to want to check it out.

So instead of posting announcements about your latest blog, vlog or podcast, ask questions that relate to the topic of your podcast.

For example, if I have a new podcast episode coming out on how to get more engagement on Instagram I will start by asking questions to pre-qualify people who might be interested in listening to that podcast e.g. how would you rate your engagement on Instagram, are you interested in learning strategies on how to increase your Instagram engagement. Then I will share the link with people who have demonstrated an interest in the topic.

While that might seem like more work, it's more effective because you're getting that content into the hands of people who actually need it. And those people are far more likely to share.

I might also post some polarising content - for example asking people if they believe the algorithm is to blame for poor engagement on Instagram or poor content.

If you don't know what the algorithm is, by the way, it's the complicated - and super top secret - mathematical equation Facebook uses to determine how many people your content is shown to).

Across the course of a week, I will find different ways to talk about that same piece of content - looking at different angles/subtopics in different formats e.g. audiograms, posts, memes, videos.

Tagging people in - for example, people you've mentioned in your blog/vlog or podcast - can be another great way to get engagement. When you mention people, they're often happy to comment, like and share.

Using a social media scheduler is fine, but if you don't make time to engage with your followers, your audience will not grow.

4. Grow your audience on social media

You might not want to hear this, but the more followers you have on social media, the easier it will be to grow the audience for your blog, vlog or podcast. The more of the right followers that is. Which is why it's important to focus on growing your following - and your engagement - on at least one social media platform.

You can join my Build Your Online Audience programme here

5. Give one call-to-action

If you want to grow your audience for a blog/vlog or podcast, another powerful thing you can do is issue a single call-to-action. So every time you write a guest blog, do some guest teaching, are interviewed in a podcast, send people to your blog/vlog or podcast. Add a banner to all your social media channels, put it in the email signature on your emails - in your messenger bot. Everywhere if you can.

[331] What it really takes to build an audience with John Lee Dumas (podcast)

6. Help people find your content

If you're publishing a regular blog/vlog or podcast - with the aim of promoting your business - you should be creating content that solves your ideal customers' problems. Which means, if you've got your topics right, people will actually be looking for content on the topics you cover.

Which means you need to make it as easy as possible for people to find your content. This means you need to use effective titles that use the words and phrases people are actually searching for, rather than things that sound clever.

A lot of this is down to common sense and simply involves thinking about the kind of things your ideal customer/clients will be searching for online. But using keyword tools can help you refine your terms.

I have a full explanation of how to do keyword research in this post on how to make sales from your business blog (episode 336 of the podcast) but you can start by using Google autocomplete

Type in your topic title and take note of the suggestions that come up under the search box — that'll give you a great idea of the kinds of things that people are searching for relating to that subject. You can apply the same trick to Youtube and Pinterest too.

The key is to find search terms that are popular, but not so popular it would be impossible for your content to come up first in search. So a term like 'how to write a press release' is a popular but broad term, but how to write a press release for your small business is more niche. Which is why my blog post on that topic comes up on the first page of Google.

Other tools I use for keyword research.

Keywords Everywhere

Answer The Public

Google Ads

Keyword Finder

There is quite specific keyword research you can do on Youtube and you can optimise your content to make it more easily found.

Three of my most successful blog posts

[333] 39 surprisingly easy ways to build your email list

[334] How to build a large audience without paid advertising with Callie Willows

[338] Why you feel afraid of selling

If you would like to see my Top 10. Then head to my Podcast Finder and my messenger bot will take you through

What about paid ads?

Contrary to popular belief, putting money behind something doesn't mean it will necessarily perform well. If you don't know how to create engaging content that would encourage people to take action (even if it wasn't an ad) you're generally wasting your time. PLUS most people don't buy from cold ads - unless you've got your targeting really spot on.

[329] What's working on Facebook right now with Liz Melville (podcast)

janetmurray.co.uk/podcastfinder

Podcast shownotes

• About this episode and why I recorded this podcast (3:30)
• The podcasts that launched from my Get Your Podcast Live in 60 days course (7:59)
• Why I'd still start a podcast even if I was starting again (10:27)
• Why sharing regular valuable core content will keep you in mind (12:26)
• Why consistency is key when creating core content (13:49)
• How to promote your podcast and why you need a regular promotion cycle (18:09)
• How to build an audience by collaborating (and why big names can be a red herring) (22:22)
• What you need to think about before you pitch to go on a podcast (26:06)
• How you can build your audience for your content by speaking at events (32:42)
• Why you should focus on just one main type of core content (34:18)
• How to create a buzz about your content using social media posts (34:37)
• How to get more engagement on your social media posts (37:37)
• Why you need to build your audience on social media to get your content seen (40:53)
• Why you need to have one clear call to action to your content (42:19)
• How to make it easy for people to find your content with the right keywords (44:00)
• Three of my best performing blog posts (49:33)
• Why you need good organic engagement before spending money on paid ads (51:24)
• About my Build Your Online Audience programme (55:01)

Resources

janetmurray.co.uk/podcastfinder

Colin Gray

Join my Build Your Online Audience Programme

My Emergency Response Plan

Masterclass - How to plan sell and launch an online Webinar or Masterclass for your business

Masterclass - How to turn your in-person services into online offerings

Masterclass - How to launch a playbook for your business

Podcasting episodes

[080] Three must-do tips for pitching yourself as a podcast guest (podcast)[190] How to pitch yourself as a podcast guest (and why you must do) (podcast) [253] How to land guest appearances on podcasts with Nicola Holland (podcast) [263] Why I changed the name of my podcast (podcast) [376] Lessons learned from 1 millions downloads of my podcast (podcast) [383] How to get your podcast live in 60 days (podcast)

Other podcast episodes

[329] What's working on Facebook right now with Liz Melville (podcast)[331] What it really takes to build an audience with John Lee Dumas (podcast)[333] 39 surprisingly easy ways to build your email list (podcast)[334] How to build a large audience without paid advertising with Callie Willows (podcast)[336] How to make sales from your business blog (podcast)[338] Why you feel scared about selling (podcast)[343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast) [348] How to write social media posts that sell (podcast episode) [386] The four types of content to create that will help you make more sales in 2020 (podcast) [391] How to write better social media captions (podcast) [398] What sort of content should you create during a global crisis (podcast) [399] How to build your online audience during a global crisis (podcast)

[Bonus] How to turn your in person services into online offerings (podcast) [Bonus] How to generate income fast by creating a power hour for your business (podcast)

How to pitch yourself as a podcast guest (blog) Seven compelling reasons to start a podcast in 2020 (blog post) How to create an editorial calendar for your business(blog post)

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Content Planning Masterclass

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Join my Build Your Audience Programme

How to add closed captions to your video using Rev and Kapwing

#2021Sorted Buy your ticket

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Instagram Engagement Playbook

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Are you wondering how you can build your online audience during the Coronavirus crisis? Perhaps your online audience is really small and you'd like to make it bigger? Or maybe you're thinking what's the point in building an audience during a global pandemic? Especially if you can't actually sell your product or service at the moment?

In this podcast I explain exactly why there's never been a better time to build an online audience. And I give you practical tips and examples that you can implement right now to build your online audience.

I explain why your content is at the heart of your audience building and how to lean in and find the angle that you can talk about in relation to your product or service. And why you MUST talk about Coronavirus and not just sweep it under the carpet.

I also share why you can't just rely on using paid ads to sell because your audience needs a genuine connection before they will buy.

I give you examples of businesses that have adapted and are creating great content about their products and services. Plus why you must keep showing up; and how you can connect with your audience by demonstrating your expertise - even if you can't sell your product or service at the moment. So that as soon as you can start selling your audience knows who you are and can't wait to buy from you.

I'd love to know what you think.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode} Podcast shownotes

• About my Build Your Audience programme (3:38)
• About this episode and why you need to build an online audience (7:49)
• Why you need to build a relationship and you can't rely on ads to get sales (9:54)
• Why the content you create is at the heart of your audience building (10:34)
• Why you mustn't shy away from building your audience and you need to be visible (11:51)
• How live video will help you build your audience (with examples) (12:57)
• Why there's never been a better time to build your audience (14:50)
• Why you must look after your existing audience and paying clients (15:01)
• Why you have to talk about Coronavirus (and why people want to hear about it) (16:54)
• Why you need to be prepared to change your content strategy (21:20)
• How to make your audience remember you by creating helpful content (22:15)
• Examples of businesses that have been creating helpful content for their audiences (24:24)
• Why you should show up and share your expertise even if you can't sell (26:49)

Resources

Matt Haig Instagram

Join my Build Your Online Audience Programme

My Emergency Response Plan

Masterclass - How to plan sell and launch an online Webinar or Masterclass for your business

Masterclass - How to turn your in-person services into online offerings

Masterclass - How to launch a playbook for your business

Other podcast episodes

[343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast) [377] How to write super engaging copy about your business with Jo Watson (podcast) [386] The four types of content to create that will help you make more sales in 2020 (podcast) [390] How to stop overthinking your content (podcast) [391] How to write better social media captions (podcast) [392] How to get more engagement on Instagram (podcast) [393] How to create engaging content when you only sell one product or service (podcast) [395] How to create addictive email copy with Rob & Kennedy (podcast) [398] What sort of content should you create during a global crisis (podcast)

[Bonus] How to turn your in person services into online offerings (podcast) [Bonus] How to generate income fast by creating a power hour for your business (podcast)

How to create an editorial calendar for your business (blog post)

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Content Planning Masterclass

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Order your 2020 Media Diary here

Join my Build Your Audience Programme

How to add closed captions to your video using Rev and Kapwing

Join my get your podcast live in 60 days course

#2021Sorted Buy your ticket

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Instagram Engagement Playbook

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Struggling to know what sort of content you should be creating during the current global crisis and worried about saying the wrong thing? Wondering how to create content about your business and keep selling during the Coronavirus pandemic?

With things changing on a daily basis - it's hard to know what to say - let alone how to plan your content.

In this podcast I share practical advice and guidance about how to navigate your way through the current global crisis and how to go about thinking about your content during this pandemic.

I explain why you mustn't be afraid to lean in and talk about the C-Word. Plus why you should definitely switch off the scheduler.

I explain why you mustn't assume that people aren't buying and why you must keep selling - and how to do it without appearing insensitive or spammy. Plus how to position yourself so that people understand WHY you are selling to avoid those 'neggy' comments.

I also tell you why adapting and selling now will put your business in a much stronger position for when the crisis is over.

I'd love to know what you think.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode} Podcast shownotes

• About this episode (1:24)
• Why you should switch off your content scheduler (5:30)
• Why you must lean into the C-word and not avoid it (6:56)
• How to think about your content and what to create (8:20)
• Why you need to create content that solves an immediate problem (10:04)
• Why you shouldn't be afraid to be selling and how to set out your position (11:28)
• How to sell without it looking insensitive (or look like you're cashing in) (14:42)
• What people are still buying and why you mustn't assume that no one is buying (16:16)
• Why you should explain that you are selling and why you need to be upfront (17:40)
• Why selling now will future proof your business and put you in a stronger position (18:59)
• Examples of clients that have moved their business online (20:09)
• How to create relevant timely offers that help people with their problems (22:38)
• Why you should be flexible about pricing and reward loyalty not slash prices (26:27)
• How to help people that don't have the budget right now (28:34)
• Why you need to think about the problem your product solves not the product (30:01)
• How to use other peoples content and why it doesn't have to be businessy (31:40)

Resources

Matt Haig Instagram

Joe Wicks YouTube

My Emergency Response Plan

Masterclass - How to plan sell and launch an online Webinar or Masterclass for your business

Masterclass - How to turn your in-person services into online offerings

Masterclass - How to launch a playbook for your business

Other podcast episodes

[343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast) [386] The four types of content to create that will help you make more sales in 2020 (podcast) [390] How to stop overthinking your content (podcast) [391] How to write better social media captions (podcast) [392] How to get more engagement on Instagram (podcast) [393] How to create engaging content when you only sell one product or service (podcast) [395] How to create addictive email copy with Rob & Kennedy (podcast)

[Bonus] How to turn your in person services into online offerings (podcast) [Bonus] How to generate income fast by creating a power hour for your business (podcast)

How to create an editorial calendar for your business (blog post)

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Content Planning Masterclass

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Order your 2020 Media Diary here

Join my Build Your Audience Programme

How to add closed captions to your video using Rev and Kapwing

Join my get your podcast live in 60 days course

#2021Sorted Buy your ticket

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Instagram Engagement Playbook

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Ever wondered about adding to your income stream? Maybe you've considered selling to corporate organisations but you're just not sure how to do it? Or what content to create to attract them?

In this episode sales coach Jess Lorimer explains how to create content that attracts the right sort of corporate clients. Jess who helps online business owners sell to corporate organisations and is host of the Selling to Corporate podcast explains why you really should consider adding a corporate revenue stream to your business. She explains what it means to be selling to a corporate organisation and the steps you can take to start selling.

Jess shares the exact type of content that you need to be creating to sell to a corporate organisation and how to use LinkedIn the RIGHT way to attract corporates without just waiting for them to discover you from scrolling through their LinkedIn feed.

Plus the two types of content that you NEED to be creating to attract corporates and why you MUST remember that corporates aren't robots and people need to feel a connection. And why you should never be afraid to show your personality when you create your content - even when creating for corporates.

This episode is full of valuable and practical tips from Jess that you can implement immediately to start creating content that converts and attracts .

I'd love to know what you think

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode} Podcast shownotes

• About Jess and how her business has evolved (3:01)
• What is a corporate and advantages of having a corporate revenue stream (6:01)
• Why you should add a corporate revenue stream to your business (07:28)
• Steps to take if you want to sell to corporates and how to find the low hanging fruit (13:41)
• The two types of content that you can create to sell to corporates (19:45)
• Types of proactive content that you can create (19:45)
• How to use the two different types of content on different audience platforms (20:39)
• The difference between proactive content and broadcast content (23:12)
• Examples of different types of proactive content (24:07)
• Examples of different types of broadcast content (24:42)
• Why you need to make sure you have the right audience for your content (26:42)
• Why you need to create content that makes corporates remember you (31:00)
• Why you should create broadcast content that shows corporates your personality (38:05)
• How to create content that can alert a corporate to a problem they might need to solve (44:37
• How you can create content that starts discussions and demonstrates your expertise (46:42)

Resources

Connect with Jess on Instagram

Listen to Jess' podcast Selling to Corporate

Masterclass - How to turn your in-person services into online offerings

Masterclass - How to launch a playbook for your business

Other podcast episodes

[343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast) [386] The four types of content to create that will help you make more sales in 2020 (podcast) [390] How to stop overthinking your content (podcast) [391] How to write better social media captions (podcast) [392] How to get more engagement on Instagram (podcast) [393] How to create engaging content when you only sell one product or service (podcast) [395] How to create addictive email copy with Rob & Kennedy (podcast)

[Bonus] How to turn your in person services into online offerings (podcast) [Bonus] How to generate income fast by creating a power hour for your business (podcast)

How to create an editorial calendar for your business (blog post)

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Content Planning Masterclass

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Order your 2020 Media Diary here

Join my Build Your Audience Programme

How to add closed captions to your video using Rev and Kapwing

Join my get your podcast live in 60 days course

#2021Sorted Buy your ticket

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Instagram Engagement Playbook

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Why not create a Power Hour: an online consultancy session, where people pay a one-off fee to pick your brain/get advice about a topic you have expertise in?

In the short-term - where you may not be able to physically deliver in-person services due to the Coronavirus pandemic - it can help you continue to serve your ideal customers/clients.

In the longer-term, it can be a great way to generate additional income for business - without having to leave your desk/studio.

It can also be a great way to deal with people who ask for help - but don't seem to want to pay for your time. So the next time someone says: 'I'd love to pick your brain about xxx,' you can invite them to book a Power Hour.

But how do you choose a topic for your Power Hour? What tech will you need to deliver it? And how much should you charge?

That's exactly what I'll cover in this podcast episode - along with tips on how to promote your Power Hour.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode}

As with anything in your business, the more specific/niche you can be the better. So while you can offer a general Power Hour (where anyone can ask you anything about your expert topic) you'll almost certainly get more take up if you hone in on a specific type of customer/client and/or a common problem your customers/clients experience.

Here are some examples of Power Hours created by my current/former clients:

So for example, Facebook ads expert Laura Moore has a power hour that focuses on increasing ad conversions.

Virtual assistant Catherine Gladywyn offers a power hour for VAs who are stuck on something in their business.

Architectural technologist Jon Clayton has created a power hour for design and architecture

Amy Caiger has a Power Hour that focuses on helping business owners find their niche.

If you have a product-based business, you can still create a Power Hour. You can either offer something that relates to the problem you solve. For example, I sell a Social Media Diary & Planner. Although I don't currently do this, I could offer a content planning Power Hour for people who want help creating their content plan. I could offer these sessions to existing diary owners as an upsell. Or I could open them up to anyone who needs help with content planning and offer the diary as an upsell at the end of a consultancy session.

Or you could offer a Power Hour to other product-based businesses on how to do something specific that you are already doing successfully but they might be struggling with e.g. creating a marketing plan, setting up a shop on their website.

How to deliver your Power Hour

You can use video-conferencing software like Zoom which allows you to share your screen and participants share theirs with you. You can also share documents and chat 'live' with participants. And you can send them the recording afterwards in case they want to go over anything again. Zoom starts from £11.99 a month.

Alternatives to Zoom: Go To Meeting, Team Viewer, Join.me, Google Hangouts, Meet.me & BlueJeans.

If you're worried your clients will be overwhelmed by the tech, it's a good idea to send them written instructions and/or a video using a free tool like Loom showing them how to use it (including how to join).

How to ensure your Power Hour is productive

To ensure the session is productive, I'd recommend you do the following:

• Create a dedicated page on your website for you Power Hour that includes information about the session and a link to book
• Use a tool like Calendly or Acuity Scheduling so clients can book straight into your diary
• Send a pre-call email on how to prepare for the session (including any information they might need to bring to the session) and an outline of how the call will be structured.. PLUS instructions on how to use the video conferencing software from their phone/desktop. I'd recommend sending this information immediately after booking, then at least one reminder email before the call
• Send a follow-up email within 24 hours of the session, with a link to the recording, a short follow-up report with details of what was discussed and up to three key action points (one side of A4 should be plenty).

These emails can be re-used and adapted - saving you hours of time in the long run. In fact, the whole process can be automated so people can book straight into your diary, are delivered the link to join the call and reminders before the call.

I include template/swipe files for these types of emails in my How To Turn Your Offline Services Into Online Offerings masterclass.

If you're worried that what you teach/coach can't be delivered online, I've personally worked with a pilates instructor, bread making teacher, psychologist, personal trainer and jewellery- making teacher - all of whom deliver their training/consultancy online. And if they can do it, so can you.

How to price your Power Hour

It can be tempting to base your pricing on what others are charging in your industry. But this can lead to you vastly undercharging - or even overcharging - for your services.

Your pricing should reflect the transformation you can create for your client - not how long it takes you to prepare and deliver the session. So if you can share information/advice/guidance that can save them tons of time, money and/or help them generate income in their business - because you've spent years honing your craft - your price should absolutely reflect that.

I've generated over a million pounds in sales from the copy I've written for my website, sales pages, email marketing and social media. And the reason I'm able to create engaging content is because I spent the best part of 20 years writing and editing for national newspapers. PLUS I've invested huge amounts of time (and money) learning about copywriting - specifically for online business. This means I can look at a sales page, social media post or marketing email and immediately see what needs to be changed. Which is why I charge £500 + VAT for a Power Hour - not £50+ VAT.

That said, I haven't always charged that fee. I started at around £99 + VAT and gradually scaled up as I got more experienced and gathered more testimonials.

So start by thinking about the transformation you can create for someone and the impact that could have on their life/business. It can help to spell out the return on investment for your clients. So for example, if I could give you some advice on your sales copy that would help 5x your investment, would you think £500 +VAT was expensive? Probably not. It's all about how you frame it.

But you do need to have the experience to match your pricing. You can't charge £500 + VAT for your Power Hour just because someone else in your industry is doing it (well you can, but you may not make any sales). So if you haven't yet delivered any Power Hours it can be worth offering a number of discounted sessions so you can gather testimonials. I wouldn't recommend offering them for free. People generally don't value what they get for free. Which means they're more likely to cancel/show up late to the session and less likely to implement your advice. Even a modest fee will ensure they have some skin in the game.

How to promote your Power Hour

If you already have an email list - great. Simply email your list, tell them about your Power Hour and (providing you've created the right offer for the right audience) you should get bookings. I'd also recommend doing some social media promotion too. If you have a blog/podcast/Youtube channel, it's also worth sharing information about it there.

If you don't have an email list (or only have a small list) you'll need to use proactive outreach. That means making a list of people you know (e.g. current/former clients) who might be interested in your offer. PLUS asking for recommendations/referrals from friends/colleagues. If you're not sure how to get started with proactive outreach, the first module in my Build Your Online Audience programme focuses on exactly that topic (and includes email/message templates you can adapt for proactive outreach).

Need help building your email list? Check out: https://www.janetmurray.co.uk/39-surprisingly-easy-ways-to-increase-your-email-subscribers/

I also have an email list building programme inside my Build Your Online Audience programme

Buy My Emergency Response Plan

Podcast shownotes

• The context for this bonus podcast episode (01:44)
• Find out about my Emergency Response Plan (4:32)
• What is a power hour and how you can use it in your business (06:50)
• Why power hours are great for getting rid of the tire kickers (8:37)
• Why you should choose a niche topic for a power hour (09:04)
• Examples of successful niche power hours (12:57)
• How to create a power hour for a product-based business (14:11)
• How you can use a power hour to upset and get future business (16:15)
• How to use a power hour to decide if you want to work with someone (17:57)
• How to deliver a power hour and apps you can use to deliver (19:30)
• How to make sure your power hour is productive and take payment (22:10)
• Tools you can use to make it easy to schedule a power hour in (23:04)
• How to prepare people for the power hour (and why you need to) (24:54)
• How to follow up a power hour and what you should include (27:10)
• How to plan out a power hour call and manage expectations (29:29)
• How to price a power hour and think of the transformation you offer (30:04)
• Why you need good testimonials (and how to get them) (32:42)
• How to promote a power hour (and what to do if you don't get a response) (34:25)
• How to promote a power hour if you don't have an email list or audience (36:09)

Resources

Video Conferencing Software Zoom Go To Meeting Team Viewer Join Me Google Hangouts Meetme Blue Jeans Actuity Calendly

Presenting software Screenflow Mac Thinkific Teachable Wistia Vimeo YouTube Audacity Soundcloud

Masterclass - How to turn your in-person services into online offerings

Masterclass - How to launch a playbook for your business

Other podcast episodes

[333] 39 surprisingly easy ways to increase your email subscribers (podcast) [335] How to create a high converting lead magnet (podcast) [343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast) [348] How to write social media posts that sell (podcast) [375] How to get your first 1K email subscribers (podcast) [378] How to use hashtags to build your online audience (podcast) [386] The four types of content to create that will help you make more sales in 2020 (podcast) [390] How to stop overthinking your content (podcast) [391] How to write better social media captions (podcast) [392] How to get more engagement on Instagram (podcast) [393] How to create engaging content when you only sell one product or service (podcast)

Bonus podcast

Get my Instagram Engagement Playbook

How to create an editorial calendar for your business (blog post)

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Content Planning Masterclass

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Order your 2020 Media Diary here

Join my Build Your Audience Programme

How to add closed captions to your video using Rev and Kapwing

Join my get your podcast live in 60 days course

#2021Sorted Buy your ticket

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

Instagram Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Have you ever wondered how to grow a really engaged Facebook group? Where there is a real sense of community - and people genuinely engage? If you'd love some strategies for growing your own online community or you're thinking of starting a Facebook group then this podcast with video and audio producer Steve Folland is a must-listen.

Steve who is also the host of the Being Freelance podcast shares how he grew his online community and Facebook group from his own podcast. He explains how he started his Facebook group after growing his podcast audience and how he links the content in his Facebook group back to his podcast - even down to the questions that he asks when people join the group.

Steve explains how important it is that your Facebook group is genuine and why you have to show up and set the tone of the group with your own face and personality. Plus why you must create really good quality consistent content. He shares the strategies that he's used to engage his community and grow his Facebook group.

Find out why having a specific niche for his Facebook group has made his community really successful and buzzing.

Plus how Steve has used his Facebook group to increase his online presence and his podcast audience.

I'd love to know what you think.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode} Podcast shownotes

• How Steve started the Being Freelance podcast and then his Facebook group (2:11)
• How Steve uses his podcast to get people to join his Facebook group (3:23)
• Why you need to set the tone of a group for people to connect with you (7:48)
• Why having a niche Facebook group helps with engagement and content (9:27)
• How Steve creates a buzz and makes people feel part of the community (10:14)
• Why you need to set out what you will genuinely use the group for at the outset (16:20)
• How Steve set his group rules and the questions he asks when people join (18:13)
• How Steve gets people involved and links the group back to the podcast (22:44)
• How Steve repurposes content in the group to use on other platforms (24:14)
• How Steve uses his podcast to drive people to his Facebook community (27:40)
• Why your personality, consistency + content will help attract people to your group (30:11)
• Why you should niche your Facebook community as much as possible (34:49)
• How Steve's Facebook group has enabled him to monetise his podcast (35:57)
• How having an online community has helped Steve with his online business (39:19)

Resources

Steve's website Being Freelance

Get my 31 post ideas for your Facebook group

Masterclass - How to turn your in-person services into online offerings

Masterclass - How to launch a playbook for your business

Other podcast episodes

[327] Why I am closing my 13.5K Facebook Group (podcast) [329] What's working on Facebook right now with Liz Melville (podcast) [334] How to build a large audience without paid advertising with Callie Willows (podcast) [335] How to create a high converting lead magnet (podcast) [343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast) [352] How to sell in a Facebook group without annoying your members (podcast) [357] How to transform your Facebook Group from ghost town to garden party with Bella Vasta (podcast) [361] 15 post ideas for your Facebook group (podcast) [392] How to get more engagement on Instagram (podcast) [393] How to create engaging content when you only sell one product or service (podcast [Bonus] How to turn your inperson services into online offerings (podcast)

How to create an editorial calendar for your business (blog post)

How to write social media posts that sell (online masterclass)

Content Planning Masterclass

Join the Media Diary Owners Club

Order your 2020 Media Diary here

Join my Build Your Audience Programme

How to add closed captions to your video using Rev and Kapwing

Join my get your podcast live in 60 days course

#2021Sorted Buy your ticket

How to create a high-converting lead magnet course

Buy my book Your press release is breaking my heart

Rev.com*

Kapwing

Instagram Engagement Playbook

Social Media Video Engagement Playbook

Social Media Engagement Playbook

LinkedIn Content Strategy Playbook

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

If you deliver in-person consultancy, training or coaching in your business you will almost certainly have been affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.

Perhaps you've had client meetings cancelled. Or maybe you've had workshops/consultancy gigs postponed or put on hold. It could be that you've had to cancel live events/workshops of your own. All of which is likely to have an impact on the bottom line of your business.

Health always comes first of course. But with little sign of the crisis abating, it's sensible to consider how you might offer online alternatives to your offline services.

Not only is this sensible in the midst of a worldwide flu epidemic, it's also a way to start generating passive/semi-passive income in your business - which means you can stop trading time for money (or certainly do less of it)).

In this special podcast episode, I'll show you four ways you can start turning your offline services into offerings.

1. Delivering in-person coaching online
2. Turn your coaching/consultancy programmes into online courses/memberships
3. Turn in-person workshops into webinars/online masterclasses
4. Launch a playbook/ebook

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode}

1. Delivering in-person coaching online

Booked to deliver 1-2-1/group coaching in-person? This can easily be delivered online, using a free video-conferencing software like Zoom which allows you to share your screen and participants share theirs with you. You can also share documents and chat 'live' with participants. And you can send them the recording afterwards in case they want to go over anything again.

Alternatives to Zoom: Go To Meeting, Team Viewer, Join.me, Google Hangouts, Meet.me & BlueJeans.

If you're worried your clients will be overwhelmed by the tech, you can send them written instructions and/or a video using a free tool like Loom showing them how to use it (including how to join).

To ensure the session is productive, I'd recommend creating a sequence of emails that includes:

• Information on how to book in a 1-2-1 session with you (they can use a tool like Calendly or Acuity Scheduling to book straight into your diary)
• Information on how to prepare for the session including information on any information on what they might need to bring to the session. PLUS how to use the video conferencing software from their phone/desktop.
• Information on what to do after the online session (this might include a link to the recording), any action points agreed and follow up work

These emails can be re-used and adapted - saving you hours of time in the long run. In fact, the whole process can be automated so people can book straight into your diary, be delivered the link to join the call and reminders before the call.

I include template/swipe files for this sequence of emails in my How To Turn Your Offline Services Into Online Offerings masterclass [xxx].

If you're worried that what you teach/coach can't be delivered online, I've personally worked with a pilates instructor, bread making teacher, psychologist, personal trainer and jewellery- making teacher - all of whom deliver their training/consultancy online. And if they can do it, so can you.

1. Turn your coaching/consultancy programmes into online courses/memberships

Booked to deliver in-person training or a workshop? This can be delivered live, using a free video-conferencing software like Zoom (or one of the other examples mentioned above) which allow you to share your screen, share documents and chat 'live' with participants.

With a bit of tweaking, it's possible to make online sessions really interactive. Not only can you use the 'chat' function to ask and answer questions, but you can also share your screen with participants and they can share theirs with you, which means you can give feedback on literally anything. So if you're a tennis coach, you can give feedback on technique. If you're a pottery or sewing teacher you can check peoples' creative work. And if you're a singing teacher you can advise on pitch and tone. With the right technology, pretty much anything is possible.

And you don't have to deliver the training live. You can record the sessions in advance using video conferencing software like Zoom and/or a screencasting software like Screenflow (for Mac) or Camtasia for (PC) which allow you to talk over your slides

You can host your video tutorials free using a site like Teachable or Thinkific.

But you don't need dedicated software to host video tutorials/or an online course. You can upload them to a video hosting site like Wistia or Vimeo or simply add them as unlisted/private videos on Youtube. Any digital downloads e.g. workbooks, cheat sheets, checklists can be stored in a file hosting service like Dropbox or Google Drive (you can just paste a link under the relevant video tutorial).

This is exactly what I did for the BETA launch of my online podcasting course: Get Your Podcast Live in 60 Days.

You can use these resources to create audio files/podcasts (or use a digital recording app like Audacity). These can be hosted on any of the platforms above or you can upload them to Soundcloud.

Think what you teach can't be delivered online? Check out an online course site like Udemy where you'll find digital resources on everything from surfing to singing to gastric bypass surgery.

Want to learn more? I cover how to launch an online course/workshop in my online masterclass How To Turn Your Offline Services Into Online Offerings masterclass [xxx].

1. Turn in-person workshops into webinars/online masterclasses

Run your own live workshops/events? This can also be delivered live, using free video-conferencing software like Zoom (or one of the other examples mentioned above) which allow you to share your screen, share documents and chat 'live' with participants.

While I'd recommend promoting live events/workshops at least 12 weeks ahead, you can promote webinars/online classes less than a week before the event. In fact, promoting them too far in advance can mean you actually get fewer people showing up (people just forget about it).

To ensure your webinar is productive, I'd recommend creating the following sequences of emails:

• A four-day promotion sequence - promoting the webinar to people and telling them what will be covered
• A sequence of reminder emails - reminding people about the webinar and any preparation they might need to do (setting a pre-webinar task can be a great way to keep people engaged before the session)
• A sequence of follow-up emails that deliver the recording, slides, handouts (and any other resources shared during the session) and offer and upsell to another product/service

I include template/swipe files for this sequence of emails in my How To Turn Your Offline Services Into Online Offerings masterclass [xxx].

Don't have an email list? Read: 39 surprisingly easy ways to increase your email subscribers.

You should also promote the webinar/online masterclass across your social media channels. I included samples of the kinds of posts you might create in my How To Turn Your Offline Services Into Online Offerings masterclass [xxx].

Once your webinar is recorded you can turn it into an automated, on-demand webinar using a tool like Ever Webinar.

1. Launch a playbook/ebook

Launching a playbook/ebook can be a great way to turn your knowledge/expertise into a valuable resource you can sell - without leaving your home office. A playbook/ebook is a digital download, typically of around 3-5000 words that solves a very specific problem for a very specific type of client.

I go into much more depth in my how to launch a playbook for your business online masterclass.

There is some work up front in writing the download. You may also need to invest time and/or money (if you don't have the expertise yourself) for professional-looking design.

But once you've created your playbook/ebook - and automated the purchase/delivery process - you can (quite literally) sell it in your sleep. In the first few weeks of launching my Instagram Engagement Playbook, I sold almost 300 copies.

While you're unlikely to make millions from a playbook/ebook (unless you already have a large audience) it can be a great way to attract qualified leads you can upsell to more high-ticket products.services.

Ideally, you'll sell your ebook via your website (which means you can track who is buying from you and, crucially, get their email address for upsells/cross-sells) using a resource plug-in like Woocommerce or Shopify. To deliver the playbook/ebook, you'll need to integrate this with your email marketing software.

Converting the naysayers

If you are taking services online that you have previously delivered offline, you may come up against some resistance from clients who don't believe online training/coaching/consultancy can be as effective as offline.

It's a good idea to create content that educates your clients on the benefits of online learning PLUS how it works (often resistance is based around fear e.g. of not being able to use the tech), Demo/sample videos can also help (once people understand what an online class might be like, they're usually happy to get on board). Finally, gathering testimonials from your clients will also help a lot. If you can get testimonials in which they explicitly talk about how they were concerned about online learning, but their fears were totally unfounded that is ideal.

Podcast shownotes

• About this bonus podcast episode (01:04)
• The four different ways you can take your business from offline to online (5:23)
• How to deliver your in-person workshop or consultancy online (6:46)
• Software to use for video conferencing and explaining the tech (7:49)
• How to streamline and automate the booking process of your online course (9:55)
• How to follow up your online sessions and what people need to know (12:01)
• Why you can deliver any type of training online (14:09)
• How to turn your in-person coaching/consultancy into an online course (14:49)
• How you can use video to give people feedback on online (16:30)
• Apps for presenting your content online and how to keep it simple (17:30)
• How to turn your in-person workshops into webinars/masterclasses (21:57)
• Why you don't need a big lead time for promoting online webinars (23:52)
• Emails that you can send to promote your online webinar (24:50)
• Using your follow up emails to upsell (25:44)
• Why you need to have people on your email list (26:20)
• How to resell your webinar and use it in your sales funnel (28:49)
• How to generate sales and leads by creating a playbook or ebook (29:40)
• How to convert clients who don't think it will work online (32:20)

Resources

Video Conferencing Software Zoom Go To Meeting Team Viewer Join Me Google Hangouts Meetme Blue Jeans Actuity Calendly

Presenting software Screenflow Mac Thinkific Teachable Wistia Vimeo YouTube Audacity Soundcloud

Masterclass - How to turn your in-person services into online offerings

Masterclass - How to launch a playbook for your business

Other podcast episodes

[333] 39 surprisingly easy ways to increase your email subscribers (podcast) [335] How to create a high converting lead magnet (podcast) [343] The three audiences you must build to create a successful online business (podcast) [348] How to write social media posts that sell (podcast) [375] How to get your first 1K email subscribers (podcast) [378] How to use hashtags to build your online audience (podcast) [386] The four types of content to create that will help you make more sales in 2020 (podcast) [390] How to stop overthinking your content (podcast) [391] How to write better social media captions (podcast) [392] How to get more engagement on Instagram (podcast) [393] How to create engaging content when you only sell one product or service (podcast

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