Fearless Business Podcast

In our new “Unlock the Mystery” series, we're opening up the conversation about exactly how people make their money and where they struggle to help you get to the root of your relationship with money and reach your own earning potential.

You've probably heard the saying, "you've got to spend money to make money."

But you've probably also heard "don't throw good money after bad."

The bottom line is, if you want to grow and scale your business you need to invest in your business, but not every investment is a smart one. This is especially in the early stages, when every dollar counts and there's little margin for error.

So where are the best places to spend money in your influencer business? What's most likely to give you the best return on your investment?

Since this is a relatively new and quickly evolving industry, with new tools and platforms emerging all the time, there are no hard and fast rules: you're not going to find a comprehensive, up-to-date guidebook on the best investments for influencer marketing businesses in your local library. We've been working in this space for over a decade, though, and we're always excited to share what we've seen work— and what turned out to be a waste of time and money. (Keeping in mind that when you're running a business, your time can be just as valuable as cash!)

In this episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast, we advise you on when to skip or spend (in the style of Eat This, Not That) when it comes to investing in your influencer business. Some of the common spends we address:

* conferences

* courses

* virtual assistance

* project management systems

* plugins

* some popular blogging tools

and more. Tell us what you think and what you've found to be worth investing in over in our private Facebook group, Businessese HQ.

You may also like:

How We Are Growing and Scaling Our Business

Hiring and Growing Your Team with Shelli Warren

Maximizing Your Conference Experience

Working with Independent Contractors

In our new “Unlock the Mystery” series, we're opening up the conversation about exactly how people make their money and where they struggle to help you get to the root of your relationship with money and reach your own earning potential.

You've probably heard the saying, "you've got to spend money to make money."

But you've probably also heard "don't throw good money after bad."

The bottom line is, if you want to grow and scale your business you need to invest in your business, but not every investment is a smart one. This is especially in the early stages, when every dollar counts and there's little margin for error.

So where are the best places to spend money in your influencer business? What's most likely to give you the best return on your investment?

Since this is a relatively new and quickly evolving industry, with new tools and platforms emerging all the time, there are no hard and fast rules: you're not going to find a comprehensive, up-to-date guidebook on the best investments for influencer marketing businesses in your local library. We've been working in this space for over a decade, though, and we're always excited to share what we've seen work— and what turned out to be a waste of time and money. (Keeping in mind that when you're running a business, your time can be just as valuable as cash!)

In this episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast, we advise you on when to skip or spend (in the style of Eat This, Not That) when it comes to investing in your influencer business. Some of the common spends we address:

* conferences

* courses

* virtual assistance

* project management systems

* plugins

* some popular blogging tools

and more. Tell us what you think and what you've found to be worth investing in over in our private Facebook group, Businessese HQ.

You may also like:

How We Are Growing and Scaling Our Business

Hiring and Growing Your Team with Shelli Warren

Maximizing Your Conference Experience

Working with Independent Contractors

What if brands decide tomorrow that they don't want to work with bloggers anymore, they don't see the value?

-Liz Falcigno

In our new “Unlock the Mystery” series, we're opening up the conversation about exactly how people make their money and where they struggle to help you get to the root of your relationship with money and reach your own earning potential.

Liz Falcigno is the founder of The Clean Eating Couple (which focuses on creating healthy, delicious recipes that are easy to make), a food photographer, fitness instructor and dog mom to her rescue pup Ziti. She also helps brands in the food space with recipe development and images for their websites.

When Liz started her website in 2013, though, it was a hobby: a way to chronicle her journey with health and wellness, with her "friends and mom" as her main audience. She quit her corporate marketing job in January of 2018, doubled down on growing her blog as a business, and now works for herself full time.

In this installment of our Unlock the Mystery series, Liz talks frankly with us about her blog's financial growth (in real numbers), the back end of her business and how she prioritizes her income streams.

Listen in as she breaks down:

* what her schedule looked like as she transitioned her blog from a hobby to a business

* her expected total revenue for the year

* her income streams and where she's trying to build

* her changing approach to affiliate marketing, particularly her Amazon Affiliate strategy

* her to-do list and goals for 2019

* the one thing she wishes she knew earlier when it comes to money and her business

Enjoy! Make sure to let us know what you thought of this episode over in our private Facebook community, Businessese HQ.

Resources:

The Clean Eating Couple

The Clean Eating Couple on Instagram

Contact Liz: [email protected]

Books by Gary Vaynerchuk on Amazon

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Check out these related episodes!

Going from Side Hustle to Full Time Hustle with Mary Clavieres

1% Infinity: Next Level Food Blogging with Bjork Ostrom

Monetizing with Affiliate Marketing with Angel Djambazov

What if brands decide tomorrow that they don't want to work with bloggers anymore, they don't see the value?

-Liz Falcigno

In our new “Unlock the Mystery” series, we're opening up the conversation about exactly how people make their money and where they struggle to help you get to the root of your relationship with money and reach your own earning potential.

Liz Falcigno is the founder of The Clean Eating Couple (which focuses on creating healthy, delicious recipes that are easy to make), a food photographer, fitness instructor and dog mom to her rescue pup Ziti. She also helps brands in the food space with recipe development and images for their websites.

When Liz started her website in 2013, though, it was a hobby: a way to chronicle her journey with health and wellness, with her "friends and mom" as her main audience. She quit her corporate marketing job in January of 2018, doubled down on growing her blog as a business, and now works for herself full time.

In this installment of our Unlock the Mystery series, Liz talks frankly with us about her blog's financial growth (in real numbers), the back end of her business and how she prioritizes her income streams.

Listen in as she breaks down:

* what her schedule looked like as she transitioned her blog from a hobby to a business

* her expected total revenue for the year

* her income streams and where she's trying to build

* her changing approach to affiliate marketing, particularly her Amazon Affiliate strategy

* her to-do list and goals for 2019

* the one thing she wishes she knew earlier when it comes to money and her business

Enjoy! Make sure to let us know what you thought of this episode over in our private Facebook community, Businessese HQ.

Resources:

The Clean Eating Couple

The Clean Eating Couple on Instagram

Contact Liz: [email protected]

Books by Gary Vaynerchuk on Amazon

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Check out these related episodes!

Going from Side Hustle to Full Time Hustle with Mary Clavieres

1% Infinity: Next Level Food Blogging with Bjork Ostrom

Monetizing with Affiliate Marketing with Angel Djambazov

In our new “Unlock the Mystery” series, we're opening up the conversation about exactly how people make their money and where they struggle to help you get to the root of your relationship with money and reach your own earning potential.

Amanda Williams is the former-journalist-turned-blogger behind A Dangerous Business, a travel blog that aims to inspire people to fit more travel and adventure into the lifestyle they already have. Since starting her blog in 2010, Amanda has traveled to more than 50 countries on six continents from her home base in Ohio, and has been featured by major publications and websites like AFAR, The Huffington Post, and USA Today Travel.

Like many old school bloggers, Amanda didn't start out with a plan to make money, and she had no prior business experience. She now makes a full-time income travel blogging, and we're so pleased to have her on the podcast to discuss her monetization tips and evolution through the past eight years.

Diversifying your income streams is so important as a blogger.

-Amanda Williams

Tune in to hear about:

* Amanda's trial and error process moving from sponsored posts and links to her current monetization methods

* her #1 and #2 income earners

* how she finds success with affiliate marketing

* her insight into the travel blogging community and their conversations around money

* Amanda's plans for continued growth

Resources:

A Dangerous Business

Amanda's blogging courses

Amanda on Facebook and Instagram @DangerousBiz

Affiliate Marketing with Angel Djambazov

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

Got monetization questions? We'd love to cover them in a future episode. Share them with us over in our private Facebook group, Businessese HQ.

You might also like:

Monetization Tips for Influencers with Jenny Guy

Our Top Money Lessons

Embracing Your Inner Salesperson with Nikki Rausch

Growing Your Business with Social Media with Lisa Lehmann

 

In our new “Unlock the Mystery” series, we're opening up the conversation about exactly how people make their money and where they struggle to help you get to the root of your relationship with money and reach your own earning potential.

Amanda Williams is the former-journalist-turned-blogger behind A Dangerous Business, a travel blog that aims to inspire people to fit more travel and adventure into the lifestyle they already have. Since starting her blog in 2010, Amanda has traveled to more than 50 countries on six continents from her home base in Ohio, and has been featured by major publications and websites like AFAR, The Huffington Post, and USA Today Travel.

Like many old school bloggers, Amanda didn't start out with a plan to make money, and she had no prior business experience. She now makes a full-time income travel blogging, and we're so pleased to have her on the podcast to discuss her monetization tips and evolution through the past eight years.

Diversifying your income streams is so important as a blogger.

-Amanda Williams

Tune in to hear about:

* Amanda's trial and error process moving from sponsored posts and links to her current monetization methods

* her #1 and #2 income earners

* how she finds success with affiliate marketing

* her insight into the travel blogging community and their conversations around money

* Amanda's plans for continued growth

Resources:

A Dangerous Business

Amanda's blogging courses

Amanda on Facebook and Instagram @DangerousBiz

Affiliate Marketing with Angel Djambazov

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

Got monetization questions? We'd love to cover them in a future episode. Share them with us over in our private Facebook group, Businessese HQ.

You might also like:

Monetization Tips for Influencers with Jenny Guy

Our Top Money Lessons

Embracing Your Inner Salesperson with Nikki Rausch

Growing Your Business with Social Media with Lisa Lehmann

 

We need to talk about money.

We know, it's awkward. Money can be very taboo to talk about; people tend to tiptoe around the topic, shrugging off questions about profits and expenses, tensing up when it's time to state their rates. But as an industry, it's vital to share our experiences— both the mistakes and the triumphs— so that that we collectively learn, grow and move forward.

With the "Unlock the Mystery" series we're opening up the conversation about exactly how people make their money and where they struggle. We hope to help you, our listeners, to get to the root of your relationship with money so you can really get out of your own way and finally reach your earning potential.

To kick things off, we're getting personal: talking frankly about the money lessons we’ve learned as they apply to our businesses, our lives and what we have seen clients encounter. Listen in as we discuss:

* our own history with money issues

* what to invest in when you "can't afford" to invest in your business

* ways to avoid wasting money

* one thing every influencer needs to do to protect their ongoing income

* tips for staying on top of your financial situation

* some recommended reading (for those who like homework!)

Let's get this dialogue going! What are your ingrained money issues, and how do you deal with them? Join us over in Businessese HQ for discussion, advice and support from your fellow digital entrepreneurs. (Bonus: it doesn't cost you a thing.)

Resources:

Monetization Tips for Influencers with Jenny Guy

New York Times: Why You Should Tell Your Co-Workers How Much Money You Make

You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero

Hey. Enjoyed this episode? You might also like:

Six Steps for Successful Negotiation

Invest in Your Self: Mindset Matters with Queirra Fenderson

Mind Your Mindset: Interview with Don Jackson

The Financial Side of Your Online Business with Cathy Derus

 

We need to talk about money.

We know, it's awkward. Money can be very taboo to talk about; people tend to tiptoe around the topic, shrugging off questions about profits and expenses, tensing up when it's time to state their rates. But as an industry, it's vital to share our experiences— both the mistakes and the triumphs— so that that we collectively learn, grow and move forward.

With the "Unlock the Mystery" series we're opening up the conversation about exactly how people make their money and where they struggle. We hope to help you, our listeners, to get to the root of your relationship with money so you can really get out of your own way and finally reach your earning potential.

To kick things off, we're getting personal: talking frankly about the money lessons we’ve learned as they apply to our businesses, our lives and what we have seen clients encounter. Listen in as we discuss:

* our own history with money issues

* what to invest in when you "can't afford" to invest in your business

* ways to avoid wasting money

* one thing every influencer needs to do to protect their ongoing income

* tips for staying on top of your financial situation

* some recommended reading (for those who like homework!)

Let's get this dialogue going! What are your ingrained money issues, and how do you deal with them? Join us over in Businessese HQ for discussion, advice and support from your fellow digital entrepreneurs. (Bonus: it doesn't cost you a thing.)

Resources:

Monetization Tips for Influencers with Jenny Guy

New York Times: Why You Should Tell Your Co-Workers How Much Money You Make

You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero

Hey. Enjoyed this episode? You might also like:

Six Steps for Successful Negotiation

Invest in Your Self: Mindset Matters with Queirra Fenderson

Mind Your Mindset: Interview with Don Jackson

The Financial Side of Your Online Business with Cathy Derus

 

Like every other social media channel, Pinterest has changed a lot over the years— and changing algorithms means needing to update those marketing strategies. For many, however, Pinterest strategy sometimes takes a backseat, and can mean a lot of untapped potential for your business or brand.

Pinterest is very much like Google. It can drive traffic year over year... there's a whole different type of ecosystem that influencers can really tap into, not only to connect with their audience, but to connect with brands.

-Kate Ahl

Just how much untapped potential? We're practically rubbing our hands together, we're so excited to dive into that information with this week's guest, Kate Ahl. She's also sharing all her top tips for evolving your Pinterest strategy to maximize traffic and convert pinners into customers.

Kate is the owner of Simple Pin Media, where she focuses on Pinterest management for those looking to take that task off their plate completely so they can refocus those energies back into their business. In addition to this strategic content management for her 120 clients (with the help of her team of 35), Kate walks listeners through bootstrapping their own Pinterest marketing on her weekly podcast.

Long story short: Kate knows a lot about Pinterest.

Listen in and learn about:

* the type of growth she's seen from clients once overhauling their Pinterest strategy

* the relative importance of follower count as opposed to other metrics

* how to determine your target audience, and how to get in front of them on Pinterest

* Pinterest best practices, and the only penalty to keep in mind as you prepare your pins

* when to update old pins, and when it's a waste of time

* the pros and cons of using a third party scheduler like Tailwind

* how your Pinterest hashtag strategy should differ from Twitter or Instagram

* recommended first steps for new Pinterest accounts, or when converting personal boards for your business

What did we miss when it comes to your Pinterest questions? Let us know over in Businessese HQ, our private Facebook group for influencers and other digital entrepreneurs.

Resources:

simplepinmedia.com

The Simple Pin Podcast

Sign up for Kate's weekly newsletter

Kate on Instagram: @simplepinmedia

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp

Like every other social media channel, Pinterest has changed a lot over the years— and changing algorithms means needing to update those marketing strategies. For many, however, Pinterest strategy sometimes takes a backseat, and can mean a lot of untapped potential for your business or brand.

Pinterest is very much like Google. It can drive traffic year over year... there's a whole different type of ecosystem that influencers can really tap into, not only to connect with their audience, but to connect with brands.

-Kate Ahl

Just how much untapped potential? We're practically rubbing our hands together, we're so excited to dive into that information with this week's guest, Kate Ahl. She's also sharing all her top tips for evolving your Pinterest strategy to maximize traffic and convert pinners into customers.

Kate is the owner of Simple Pin Media, where she focuses on Pinterest management for those looking to take that task off their plate completely so they can refocus those energies back into their business. In addition to this strategic content management for her 120 clients (with the help of her team of 35), Kate walks listeners through bootstrapping their own Pinterest marketing on her weekly podcast.

Long story short: Kate knows a lot about Pinterest.

Listen in and learn about:

* the type of growth she's seen from clients once overhauling their Pinterest strategy

* the relative importance of follower count as opposed to other metrics

* how to determine your target audience, and how to get in front of them on Pinterest

* Pinterest best practices, and the only penalty to keep in mind as you prepare your pins

* when to update old pins, and when it's a waste of time

* the pros and cons of using a third party scheduler like Tailwind

* how your Pinterest hashtag strategy should differ from Twitter or Instagram

* recommended first steps for new Pinterest accounts, or when converting personal boards for your business

What did we miss when it comes to your Pinterest questions? Let us know over in Businessese HQ, our private Facebook group for influencers and other digital entrepreneurs.

Resources:

simplepinmedia.com

The Simple Pin Podcast

Sign up for Kate's weekly newsletter

Kate on Instagram: @simplepinmedia

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp