Welcome back to the last Building Your Brand episode of 2024! In this episode, friend of the podcast Hannah Isted interviews me. In a casual chat between Liz and Hannah, we reflect on the highs and lows of 2024.

If you want a reminder to reflect on your year, this is the episode for you.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:01:22 - Liz's forgotten word of the year

• 00:06:02 - A positive year in business with amazing projects and income growth

• 00:07:38 - The struggle with work-life balance and late nights

• 00:11:32 - Favorite things accomplished this year, including guesting on Chris Do's podcast and attending Adobe Max in Miami

• 00:14:26 - Standout podcast guests like Steve Holland and Annie Atkins

• 00:16:56 - Big goals for next year: an in-person podcast event and a YouTube channel

• 00:19:44 - Looking forward to more in 2025!

Mentioned in the episode:

• Liz’s podcast website

• Liz’s episode on Chris Do’s podcast

• Episodes mentioned: Lois Seco, Annie Atkins, Hannah Bacon

Key Takeaways:

• Reflecting on the past year can help inform future decisions.

• Support can come in many forms, including hiring help and investing in coaching.

• Saying "no" to some opportunities can create space for bigger and better ones.

• Prioritizing self-care and relaxation is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

• Celebrating wins and acknowledging accomplishments is important.

This episode was written and recorded by Liz Mosley and produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk )

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!

To sign up for the Design Your Own Branding waitlist head here > https://www.lizmosley.net/design-your-own-branding

I sat down with returning guest Eman Ismail, the founder and head email strategist at emancopyco.com, to discuss the ins and outs of email marketing.

We explored how to create effective email strategies, why consistency is key, and how to infuse your newsletters with your unique voice. Eman shared her inspiring journey from generalist to email expert and offered valuable advice on finding your perfect email style (including how to use her nifty quiz!)

We also covered repurposing content, making the most of email blocks, and growing your email list organically. If you’ve been struggling with your email marketing strategy this is the perfect episode for you.

Episode Highlights:

08:22 Finding Your Unique Email Style

17:43 Repurposing Email Content

30:13 Increasing Email Frequency: Challenge Accepted!

31:33 Data-Driven Business Decisions

38:09 Balancing Value and Sales in Emails

43:37 Effective Strategies for Growing Your Email List

Key Takeaways:

• Find your unique email style: Your email style should be reflective of your brand's personality and voice.

• Repurpose content to save time and effort: You can repurpose content from blog posts, social media posts, and other marketing materials into email newsletters.

• Use email blocks to make your emails more visually appealing and easier to read: Email blocks are sections of text that are formatted in a specific way, such as a list, table, or quote.

• Grow your email list organically by offering valuable content and incentives: People are more likely to sign up for your email list if they believe they will get something valuable in return.

• Adapt your email marketing tactics to fit your individual business needs: What works for one business may not work for another.

• Stay motivated by creating engaging and well-thought-out email campaigns: If you're not excited about your email marketing, your subscribers won't be either.

I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!

About Eman: Instagram | Website | Take the newsletter quiz

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (http://lucylucraft.co.uk )

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review! No

To sign up for the Design Your Own Branding waitlist head here > https://www.lizmosley.net/design-your-own-branding

This week, we're ditching the "why" and embracing the power of "how" with Creative Consultant & Business Coach Esther Young. Esther explains why "why" questions aren’t the most helpful tools and how "how" questions unlock creativity and fresh perspectives in our businesses.

It was SUCH an interesting chat and I loved the new perspective I got.

Key Takeaways:

• Why "Why" Doesn't Work: Esther explains why "why" questions can feel so limiting and how they can stifle creativity.

• The Magic of "How": Discover how "how" questions can open up new possibilities and help you approach challenges with a more positive and proactive mindset.

• Self-Coaching with "How": Learn how to use "how" questions to coach yourself, even if you don't have the budget for a professional coach.

• Building a Positive Workplace Culture: Esther shares insights on how to create a thriving work environment, even if you're a solopreneur working from home.

• Taming Your To-Do List: Get practical advice on managing those never-ending to-do lists and celebrating your wins, no matter how small.

Episode Highlights:

• 02:33: Why Esther dislikes "why" questions

• 04:51: Examples of empowering "how" questions

• 17:43: Tips for self-coaching

• 26:01: Creating a positive workplace culture

• 27:53: Practical to-do list strategies

• 33:37: Balancing business pressures with well-being

I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!

About Esther: Instagram | Website

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk)

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

The waitlist for the next cohort of Design your Own Branding is now open. Sign up to receive an early bird discount for the course starting in January 2025

In this episode of Building Your Brand, we talk to designer Andy Brown about his journey in diversifying his income through creative projects. We delve into his innovative product, Swatchos, a deck of color cards that was successfully funded through Kickstarter. We also discuss Andy's experience as a graphic designer and product creator, the process of launching a Kickstarter campaign, and the challenges and strategies of selling products.

Throughout the conversation, Andy shares insights on balancing different streams of income, the importance of solving personal challenges through creative solutions, and the practicalities of running an e-commerce business.

Episode Highlights:

01:39 The Birth of Swatchos and Print Handbooks

05:35 Kickstarter Journey and Challenges

17:28 Balancing Product Sales and Design Work

27:52 Growing the Brand: Challenges and Insights

30:14 The Art of Selling: Strategies and Experiences

32:48 Marketing Channels: What Works and What Doesn't

I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!

About Andy: Instagram | Website

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk)

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

To sign up for the Design Your Own Branding waitlist head here > https://www.lizmosley.net/design-your-own-branding

This week I am lucky enough to catch up IRL with Aime Cox of Studio Cotton about all things SEO and why it's crucial for small business owners and podcasters. Aime is a friend of the podcast and, once again, shares simple, actionable SEO tips that anyone can implement, from optimising podcast show notes and websites to building backlinks and writing effective blog posts.

If you want to make your website work harder then this is the perfect episode to get stuck into!

Key Takeaways:

• SEO Basics: Aime breaks down SEO in a way that's easy to understand, emphasizing the importance of optimizing your website to rank higher in search results and attract more clients.
• Easy SEO Wins: Learn how to leverage podcast episodes, guest names, and location information for better SEO. Aime also highlights the importance of having individual pages for services and products, and writing thorough descriptions.
• Podcast Websites: Discover the benefits of having a dedicated website for your podcast and how it can boost your SEO. Aime explains the features that can make your podcast website more user-friendly and efficient.
• Backlinks: Aime provides actionable strategies for building backlinks, including utilizing existing connections, submitting to directories, and creating valuable content that others will want to link to.
• Blogging for SEO: Aime offers advice on blog post frequency and length, emphasising the importance of creating high-quality content that you're proud to share.

Episode highlights: 

03:51 Understanding SEO: A Dummy's Guide 10:54 Easy SEO Wins for Small Business Owners 15:07 Optimizing Your Website Structure for SEO 27:40 Improving Your Podcast's SEO Ranking 28:56 Optimizing Your Bio for SEO 31:41 Importance of Optimizing Images 32:33 Building Backlinks Effectively 44:08 Blogging for SEO Success   

Resources Mentioned:

• Studio Cotton: studiocotton.co.uk
• Studio Cotton Blog: studiocotton.co.uk/blog
• Building Your Brand Podcast Website: buildingyourbrand.net
• Tiny PNG: tinypng.com
• Creative Boom: creativeboom.com

Guest Information:

• Aime Cox: Website Designer & Founder of Studio Cotton
• Studio Cotton Instagram: @studio.cotton

Call to Action:

• Visit Studio Cotton's website to learn more about their services and how they can help you improve your website's SEO.
• Check out Aime's weekly Q&A on Instagram for bite-sized SEO advice.
• Subscribe to the Building Your Brand podcast for more tips on growing your business.

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review! 

 

Ever wondered why a business decides to rebrand or when should they? In this episode, I chat with Michele Ferron, founder of the thriving stationery business Good Tuesday (formerly Once Upon a Tuesday). Michele gives us the inside scoop on their recent rebrand, discussing:

• The "why" behind the change: What prompted the decision to rebrand from Once Upon a Tuesday to Good Tuesday?
• Navigating the naming process: Was it a challenge to choose a new name that reflected their brand identity?
• The rebranding journey: What were the biggest hurdles and successes they encountered throughout the process?

Whether you're considering a rebrand for your own business or simply curious about the process, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration from a successful entrepreneur who's been there and done that.

I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!

About Good Tuesday: Instagram | Website

Episode Highlights:

02:24 Rapid Growth and Scaling Up

05:56 Challenges and Strategies in Rebranding

11:00 Launching the New Brand

20:19 Marketing Strategies for Rapid Growth

23:29 Building and Managing a Team

32:07 Product Hits and Misses

To sign up for the Design Your Own Branding waitlist head here > https://www.lizmosley.net/design-your-own-branding

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk)

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Today on the podcast, I'm chatting to Janine Coombes, who helps coaches and mentors work on their offers and get clear on what they are and helps them to attract the right clients. In this episode, we cover. dreaded niching topic. And Janine shares what happened in her business when she niched down fairly dramatically.

We cover the pros and cons, but also touch on following the joy in your business and finding what it is that you love to do. There are so many nuggets in this episode, and I hope you find it really helpful.

I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!

Connect with Janine: LinkedIn | Website

Episode Highlights:

01:24 The Impact of Niching Down

05:21 Insights on Visibility and Marketing

16:58 Identifying Your Core Offer and Niche

19:25 Why You Shouldn't Ask Customers What They Want

21:22 Conducting Qualitative Research on a Budget

Thanks to Studio Cotton for sponsoring this episode & check out the Building Your Brand podcast website

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft (lucylucraft.co.uk)

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Today on the podcast, I am having a very honest chat with Gordon Reid, a designer who runs his own design agency all about the realities of juggling his business and becoming a parent, but also just the general challenge of running your own business.

I've had this sort of conversation a lot with women, but less so with men, and so I was really interested to dig in compare my experience.

I'm so grateful for his willingness to be open and honest with me and not bat an eyelid when I asked him difficult questions! I love hearing how different people overcome various challenges to build businesses that they love so I hope you enjoy the chat as much as I did.

Episode highlights: 

08:37 Navigating Sleep Deprivation and Work

16:54 Balancing Childcare and Career 

26:09 Invisible Labour and Gender Roles 

30:23 Impact of Parenthood on Career and Business

38:15 Redefining Success and Industry Changes 

Don't forget to check out Gordon online and if you'd like to have a chat come find me on Instagram. Can't wait to connect with you.

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review! 

 

 

 

Today on the podcast, I am chatting to one of my oldest friends, Kate Olive, who works in events and has so much experience in this area. The company she works with mainly works with large corporate clients, but in this chat, I picked Kate's brains about how small business owners can brand their events and make them a memorable experience for their attendees, and one that is really going to enhance and benefit their brands.

So if you've ever thought about hosting any sort of event as part of your business, then I think you're going to find this episode so helpful. I loved all of the ideas and tips that Kate shared and now I am itching to host my own event.

I would love to hear what you think of this episode, so please do let me know on Instagram where I'm @‌lizmosley or @‌buildingyourbrandpodcast and I hope you enjoy the episode!

About Kate: drpgroup.com | @drpgteam

Episode Highlights:

02:07 The Importance of Events for Small Businesses

06:34 Common Mistakes in Event Planning

10:03 Tips for Memorable Small Business Events

17:07 Learning from Big Brands

26:57 Creating Inclusive and Accessible Events

39:42 Enhancing Event Atmosphere and Engagement

Thanks to Studio Cotton for sponsoring this episode & check out the Building Your Brand podcast website

Don't forget to check out Kate and if you'd like to have a chat come find me on Instagram. Can't wait to connect with you.

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!

Every now and then an episode comes along that almost feels like therapy for me, and this was one of those.  Today I'm chatting to anti-hustle, anti-patriarchal, rule breaking business coach Jo Hooper, who helps business owners get wildly free so they can enjoy their businesses.

I had a LOT of revelations in this episode and in this chat, Jo really helped me unpick some things I thought were inevitable in business.  I guess it was kind of like a coaching session in podcast form, and I really hope that it helps you too, as running a business can be really tough.

Come let us know what you think on social media! 

Episode highlights: 

03:08 Practical Tips for Sustainable Business Practices 04:06 Mindset and Belief Challenges 06:39 Implementing Boundaries and Pricing Strategies 09:14 Personal Reflections and Goals 20:29 The Importance of Safety and Stability

Don't forget to check out Jo online and if you'd like to have a chat come find me on Instagram. Can't wait to connect with you

This episode was written and recorded by me and produced by Lucy Lucraft.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave a 5* rating and review!