Business Growth Lab

If you have a new product, when should you start paid advertising?

This is a question we discuss on today’s episode.

We spoke to someone who has a new low-priced product and a highly-engaged social media presence.  We suggested his biggest opportunity was to spend more time on organic lead generation strategies and refine his messaging prior to beginning paid ads.

In this episode, we share the six steps that are essential in implementing successful organic lead generation strategies. We cover tips on social media channels, optimized content, call-to-action tips, list expansion, moving from public to private conversations, and how to refresh your audience. 

These are not complicated steps, but you have to ensure you spend time on each step for your strategy to work for you and your brand.

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• A case of a business owner with a new low-price product who wants to do paid Facebook ads (2:04)
• Who are organic lead generation strategies better for? (05:25)
• Should you treat marketing like a tap that you can turn on whenever you need customers? (6:27)
• Even with a big budget for paid ads, organic lead generation strategies can still be advantageous for your business (8:37)
• Step 1: Show up on the right channel (9:47)
• Step 2: Keep content on-topic, unique and authentic (11:15)
• Step 3: Put a call to action but don’t post “right hooks” (sales posts) all the time (19:45)
• Step 4: Always grow your lists (24:56)
• Step 5: Take conversations from social media or emails to private conversations (29:12)
• Step 6: Always refresh your audience (31:37)

For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/199-organic-lead-generation-strategies

Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group.

In today’s world where everyone is over-accessible, where there is constant interruption and demand for your attention even after work hours, it’s easy for your personal and professional boundaries to blur.

Entrepreneurs often find it difficult to set personal boundaries because of their passion for what they do, so they forego the importance of boundaries. Without it, productivity decreases, and your clients and business will suffer.

In this episode, Marcia shares why having boundaries at work is essential for entrepreneurs. We delve into the different ways you can set healthy boundaries in your business.

Determine what is important to you in your life and then create your boundaries from there. To create a better business, you first have to protect your businesses’ most important asset and that is you. 

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Burnout is inevitable (4:23)
• Unable to care for your clients because of burnout (6:50)
• A-ha moments during rest (7:26)
• Having boundaries helps your clients in the long run (7:57) 
• Over-accessibility of everyone (9:02)
• Not having to reply right away (11:07)
• Putting up boundaries to protect yourself (12:07)
• Coming from your highest values gives you insight into the boundaries you need to set (14:19)
• Removing notifications from your phone (14:40)
• The best way to treat a client (15:03)
• Be a good example to your clients (16:37)
• Caring for your clients does not mean them having access to you 24/7 (16:47)
• People with boundaries are respected more (17:35)
• Enabling others to be resourceful (18:32)
• “How I Work” Document (19:06)
• Boundary board (20:02)
• Professional life boundaries (22:23)
• You control your calendar (24:17)
• Journaling (26:36)
• Boundary boss (26:50)
• Boundary buddy (28:44)
• Questioning yourself because of your boundaries (29:17)
• New level, new devil (29:35)
• Prior proper planning prevents poor performance (31:04)
• Time blocking (31:34)
• You are your own advocate (32:17)

For full show notes and links visit:  https://samanthariley.global/podcast/198-the-importance-of-boundaries-with-marcia-sheehan

Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group.

Adopting new tools can help you save time, energy, and optimize and improve your business processes.  However, it can also take a lot of time to research, find them and then experiment with how to best utilize them.

In this episode, we share the tools that we are experimenting within our business and why we’ve chosen to use them. 

Buying new tools is like buying a car. If you learn to drive and pay the maintenance, upkeep, and insurance, that car will take you on adventures. But if you just keep it in your driveway, it’s never going to work.

Whatever tools you choose to use for your business, it doesn’t have to be high tech it just has to be effective and a good fit for you and your business. 

What new tools have you implemented so far?

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Boom Arm (5:45)
• Blue Yeti Microphone (7:20)
• Zencastr (9:00)
• Squadcast (10:33)
• ClickUp (11:25)
• FreshDesk (13:14)
• CRM (15:46)
• Good Notes (16:20)
• Rocket Book Fusion (19:20)
• Second Screen (21:45)
• Mophie (23:34)
• Battery pack (24:58)
• Black Magic Switcher (25:36)

Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group.

For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/197-experimenting-with-new-business-tools

Remember that life happens FOR you and not TO you. When you recognize and embrace that, the truth is, that even a global pandemic is happening for you and won’t stop you from creating the life you want.

In this episode, we delve into how you can create the life you want through your habits, the people you surround yourself with, your mindset, and beliefs. If you work on something every single day, eventually you are going to get there. It’s all about being persistent in the process. 

Remember that living on purpose does not happen by accident. Spend time today writing down who you want to be in every area of your life. Decide who you want to be, and then take action every single day. 

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Procrastinating in our comfort zone (7:53)
• Creating your life on purpose (10:00)
• Life happens for you, not to you (11:00)
• Morning routine (11:50)
• Setting your intentions at the start of the day (12:26)
• Your goals for the day (13:35)
• Enjoy the journey through loving life itself (14:33)
• Coping vs Creating (15:56)
• Pivoting in the time of crisis (17:24)
• Changing your habits (19:07)
• Seek somebody who emulates the habits you want to emulate (20:55)
• Consume content that can feed your brain (21:06)
• Surrounding yourself with the right people (22:44)
• Who is your tribe? (23:57)
• Patience is key to the world of possibilities (28:28)
• The thin line between allowing and forcing (30:05)
• The opposite of curiosity is judgment (30:57)
• Changing should to could (32:50)
• We all want to be authentic but don’t want to be judged (34:30)
• Let the song of your soul sing (36:48)
• Judgment is something that we do that keeps us separate (37:33)
• The 4 Minute Millionaire (38:02)
• Celebrate your life as often as possible (43:08)
• What are you creating now? (45:47)
• Be present (46:36)
• Create joy (46:49)
• Living on purpose does not happen by accident (49:25)

Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group.

For full show notes and links visit:  https://samanthariley.global/podcast/196-setting-the-stage-for-the-performance-of-your-life-with-ryan-stanley

In this episode, we answer questions from you, the listener, and share our tips on on how to grow and scale your business. We delve into the importance of having a strong rest ethic, prioritizing tasks, and planning for your business. 

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Taking time out from your business (3:15)
• Prioritize the top 3 things on your list (5:00)
• How to start your recording your systems and processes (7:00)
• Planning for 2021 (12:30)
• Be open to innovation and new ways to do things (15:28)
• What is a Facebook lead ad? (16:25)
• Tips for using Facebook lead ads (18:46)
• How to re-engage a cold list (20:21)
• The Nine Word Email (22:08)
• Tips when using the Nine Word Email (23:06)
• Should I pay an introducer fee? (26:23)
• Cost of acquisition (28:21)

For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/195-the-as-to-your-qs/

Are you eager to start or scale your business but feel like there are obstacles preventing you from growth?  It’s important to know what it is that’s holding you back from your full potential and oftentimes, that roadblock is you.  

Launching and growing a business is never easy. Feeling out of your depth and not good enough can be a natural part when first starting your business. But what separates successful entrepreneurs from the others is their willingness to be uncomfortable and face their fears.

In this episode, I share the three things that have held me back from building my business as fast as I wanted and how I turned these roadblocks around. 

The road to becoming a strong and successful founder is long and challenging. But for those willing to invest the time in becoming self-aware, the rewards are well worth it. Successful business owners are those who don’t stop learning, adapting, and pushing themselves to grow. 

How are you currently holding yourself back? 

For full show notes and links visit: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/194-the-3-greatest-challenges/

Today we've been called in to help a business owner with a challenge that is holding him back from the growth he desires.

In this episode, Shaun has graciously and courageously accepted the challenge to have his website and social media pages, analyzed live on the show. We point out the dissonance in each form and suggest notes that can convert Shaun’s business into a masterpiece.

For full show notes and links mentioned in this episode: https://samanthariley.global/podcast/193-conversations-with-samantha-and-tim-shaun-premnath

One of the most essential skills of a great leader is one that is not always easy to do; it’s the ability to have courageous conversations. 

In most of our relationships, whether at work, at home, or with friends, we’re all so busy being polite that we fail to engage and say what we honestly think and feel. We often don’t deal with a difficult situation thinking it will eventually go away, and that is when things can really go bad. 

In this episode, we unpack the 5 steps to having courageous conversations, and how important it is to get comfortable with the uncomfortable conversations.

Getting comfortable with confrontation and saying what is on your mind helps you not only create better quality relationships but improve as a leader as well. 

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• What is a courageous conversation? (3:04)
• Our internal monologue (10:55)
• Step 1: Mastering your stories (12:37)
• Step 2: Finding your facts (12:49)
• Step 3: Begin with the end in mind (13:34)
• Resolution and solution-focused (13:48)
• Step 4: Plan it out (14:17)
• Step 5: Having the conversation (15:04)
• In person or on the phone(17:30)
• Avoid courageous conversations through email (18:42)
• The impact of having courageous conversations (23:27)
• Building trust with your team (24:14)
• Creating a safe environment for your team (25:24)
• Discomfort over resentment (29:25)
• Clear is kind (29:33)

Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group.

For full show notes and links visit: 
http://samanthariley.global/podcast/192-courageous-conversations-with-ally-nitschke

Intellectual property, or IP, is the physical manifestation - an invention, book, video, class, podcast - that is created from your thoughts and imagination. For thought leaders, IP is fundamental. It is the tool they use to build and expand their audience, build their online presence, earn more money, and more time.

The digital age has radically changed the way expertise is valued and accessed. But it is not enough to know what you know. You must find a way to share your knowledge in a way that engages your audience. 

In this episode we unpack the steps to packaging your intellectual property and turning it into your unique methodology. 

As individuals, we each have different IP because of the way we think and understand things. Because of this, there is no one way to productize your knowledge. It takes experience and continuous learning to find out the best way for you to package your IP. 

You don’t have to do it all. The important thing is to follow your natural curiosity and remain your authentic self.

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• We all have different Intellectual Property (4:29)
• We have different influences (5:10)
• “That person copied me” (6:01)
• What you’re talking about is pulled from different places (6:37)
• 4 Steps to package your IP (8:46)
• Being afraid to choose a niche (10:33)
• What is a niche? (11:14)
• KEEP Principle: Knowledge, Expertise, Experience, Passion (14:55)
• Embracing your failures (19:55)
• Creating your methodology (24:26)
• Creating your delivery and visual models (27:40)
• Building authority (32:37)
• Three ways to help you build authority (33:11)
• The more you share your message, the more methodologies you create (34:09)

Join the discussion thread for this episode over at The Thought Leaders Business Lab Community Facebook Group.

For full show notes and links visit: http://samanthariley.global/podcast/191-how-to-package-your-ip

Many busy entrepreneurs hire virtual assistants, also known as VA’s, but don’t know how to onboard, train, or even assign tasks to these remote employees. In the end, they think that hiring VA’s doesn’t work.

In this episode, Nathan Hirsch shares tips on what to expect when hiring VAs, different types of assistants, what to consider when hiring VAs, and what systems to implement to maximize the skills and talents of different VAs. 

Take the first step in cracking the VA code in this episode.

From July 3 to July 10 midnight PST, get a 25% discount for Cracking the VA Code. That includes a 1 Year Membership to Outsource School and a 1 Year Subscription to SimplySOP.

CLICK HERE to get your 25% discount  - be sure to use the code ‘LAB’ at checkout.

For full show notes and links visit: http://samanthariley.global/podcast/190-cracking-the-va-code-with-nathan-hirsch