Fearless Business Podcast

We often talk about just how much the online landscape has and continues to grow and change. Algorithms and rules are evolving at a rapid clip, as is the mindset of those who work in this space as they approach their work as a business rather than a hobby— with the marketing strategy, legalities, and opportunities for growth that entails.

In order to keep those businesses growing, it's essential that our knowledge base and network grow as well. Conferences are an ideal environment for that! It's hard to overstate how beneficial these gatherings of peers can be to you and your business, as long as you make the most of your experience. Ideally, you'll learn about the latest and greatest in our industry from the greatest in our industry, gain new insights and fresh perspectives, fire up some inspiration and motivation, and make some new connections along the way.

In this episode, we pool our collective insight gained from speaking at and attending an insanely high number of conferences over the last decade. Check it out for actionable tips for before, during, and after the conference to get your time and money's worth (and yes, there's some advice for our introverts in there too).

Listen in as we go over:

* where you can find us this year (Don't be shy, say hello! Also, this list appears at the end of this post)

* how to network prior to your conference

* the importance of going in with a plan

* what you NEED to include on your business cards

* how to decide what sessions to attend

* what not to forget after the conference

More tips for conference goers:

Networking for introverts

Getting the best return on your blog conference investment

We hope that you attend at least one conference this year and that you're able to squeeze the very most out of the experience with these tips. Let us know what conferences you've enjoyed and which ones you plan to attend over in our private Facebook group, Businessese HQ! Hopefully you'll find some people to connect with at your event.

Where you can find us:

* I'm Possible Women's Empowerment Conference (Jamie)

* One day event with The Virtual Savvy (Danielle)

* MediaVine Publisher's Conference (Jamie)

* Social Media Marketing World (Danielle)

* Women in Travel Summit (Jamie)

* BlogPaws (Jamie)

* Snap Conference (Danielle)

* World Domination Summit (Jamie)

* Podcast Movement (Jamie)

* Type A Parent (Jamie)

*

We often talk about just how much the online landscape has and continues to grow and change. Algorithms and rules are evolving at a rapid clip, as is the mindset of those who work in this space as they approach their work as a business rather than a hobby— with the marketing strategy, legalities, and opportunities for growth that entails.

In order to keep those businesses growing, it's essential that our knowledge base and network grow as well. Conferences are an ideal environment for that! It's hard to overstate how beneficial these gatherings of peers can be to you and your business, as long as you make the most of your experience. Ideally, you'll learn about the latest and greatest in our industry from the greatest in our industry, gain new insights and fresh perspectives, fire up some inspiration and motivation, and make some new connections along the way.

In this episode, we pool our collective insight gained from speaking at and attending an insanely high number of conferences over the last decade. Check it out for actionable tips for before, during, and after the conference to get your time and money's worth (and yes, there's some advice for our introverts in there too).

Listen in as we go over:

* where you can find us this year (Don't be shy, say hello! Also, this list appears at the end of this post)

* how to network prior to your conference

* the importance of going in with a plan

* what you NEED to include on your business cards

* how to decide what sessions to attend

* what not to forget after the conference

More tips for conference goers:

Networking for introverts

Getting the best return on your blog conference investment

We hope that you attend at least one conference this year and that you're able to squeeze the very most out of the experience with these tips. Let us know what conferences you've enjoyed and which ones you plan to attend over in our private Facebook group, Businessese HQ! Hopefully you'll find some people to connect with at your event.

Where you can find us:

* I'm Possible Women's Empowerment Conference (Jamie)

* One day event with The Virtual Savvy (Danielle)

* MediaVine Publisher's Conference (Jamie)

* Social Media Marketing World (Danielle)

* Women in Travel Summit (Jamie)

* BlogPaws (Jamie)

* Snap Conference (Danielle)

* World Domination Summit (Jamie)

* Podcast Movement (Jamie)

* Type A Parent (Jamie)

* Tastemaker Confere...

When you’re investing your best time into your best activities, that is true productivity.

Amber De La Garza

Feeling overwhelmed, out of time, too busy working in your business but not on your business?

Being an entrepreneur means having a never-ending to-do list. And that's a good thing: it means that there is still work to be done tomorrow. But staring down an ongoing task list can affect your ability to effectively prioritize and focus, leading to feelings of overwhelm (and possibly an overwhelming desire to curl up in bed). In our efforts to check items off, we become perpetually busy while not truly getting things done.

We get it. We've been there.

True productivity involves an underlying essential skill set that some entrepreneurs come by naturally... and some don't. Luckily these skills can be learned and reinforced with practice, which is why we've invited Amber De La Garza, the Productivity Specialist, to share her expertise with us.

Amber De La Garza is a productivity coach, trainer, speaker, writer, and podcast host who helps entrepreneurs improve their productivity so they can maximize profits and accomplish their most important goals. In this episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast, Amber shares her best tips for managing your time so you can take advantage of the opportunities you want to take advantage of, without overwhelm. We also discuss:

* getting realistic about your to-do list

* how to decide what activities are your most productive

* the four buckets entrepreneurial tasks generally fit into, and how to keep them balanced

* advice for working parents who are struggling to manage their time

* knowing when to ask for help: outsourcing and delegating

* her favorite tools to become more efficient and organized

* why you should stop using your email inbox as your task list— today

Listen in and learn how to tame your task list for true productivity! Then, let's work on overcoming our own particular productivity obstacles: let us know what your biggest productivity struggle has been over in Businessese HQ.

More about productivity:

Goal Setting and Productivity for Profitability (podcast)

Delegate Like a Boss: Tips for Easier Outsourcing

Train Your Brain: The Benefits of Monotasking

Resources:

TheProductivitySpecialist.com

Productivity Straight Talk podcast

Trello

Microsoft Office

Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz

When you’re investing your best time into your best activities, that is true productivity.

Amber De La Garza

Feeling overwhelmed, out of time, too busy working in your business but not on your business?

Being an entrepreneur means having a never-ending to-do list. And that's a good thing: it means that there is still work to be done tomorrow. But staring down an ongoing task list can affect your ability to effectively prioritize and focus, leading to feelings of overwhelm (and possibly an overwhelming desire to curl up in bed). In our efforts to check items off, we become perpetually busy while not truly getting things done.

We get it. We've been there.

True productivity involves an underlying essential skill set that some entrepreneurs come by naturally... and some don't. Luckily these skills can be learned and reinforced with practice, which is why we've invited Amber De La Garza, the Productivity Specialist, to share her expertise with us.

Amber De La Garza is a productivity coach, trainer, speaker, writer, and podcast host who helps entrepreneurs improve their productivity so they can maximize profits and accomplish their most important goals. In this episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast, Amber shares her best tips for managing your time so you can take advantage of the opportunities you want to take advantage of, without overwhelm. We also discuss:

* getting realistic about your to-do list

* how to decide what activities are your most productive

* the four buckets entrepreneurial tasks generally fit into, and how to keep them balanced

* advice for working parents who are struggling to manage their time

* knowing when to ask for help: outsourcing and delegating

* her favorite tools to become more efficient and organized

* why you should stop using your email inbox as your task list— today

Listen in and learn how to tame your task list for true productivity! Then, let's work on overcoming our own particular productivity obstacles: let us know what your biggest productivity struggle has been over in Businessese HQ.

More about productivity:

Goal Setting and Productivity for Profitability (podcast)

Delegate Like a Boss: Tips for Easier Outsourcing

Train Your Brain: The Benefits of Monotasking

Resources:

TheProductivitySpecialist.com

Productivity Straight Talk podcast

Trello

Microsoft Office

Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz

As they establish their online business and begin to monetize their website and social channels, many bloggers and influencers opt to join influencer networks— agencies that connect influencers to brands, handling the lion's share of the details so content creators can focus on creating content.

Predictably, one of the questions we see most at this stage is: how do I get chosen for campaigns?

Obviously the answer will vary depending on the network, the campaign requirements, your niche and the type of content you produce, but there are some common denominators. To help us ferret those out and address other questions we've seen pertaining to finding success with influencer networks, we've turned to Tiffany Romero.

For those who have been in this space for some time, the name Tiffany Romero is nearly synonymous with the concept of influencer networking. Tiffany was instrumental in helping bloggers connect with each other and grow their readership during those early stages of blogging— she founded Bloggy Boot Camp and The SITS Girls in 2008, growing it to 90,000 members, prior to being acquired by Sway Group in 2014. She's now the President of Sway Group, one of the most well-known influencer marketing agencies in the country.

Tiffany is a well-known voice in the influencer marketing community and we are so excited to have her on the show! Join us as we discuss:

* where to start with sponsored content and monetizing your blog

* the social media platform Tiffany recommends new influencers focus on

* the benefits of joining influencer networks, and what makes an influencer (and their content) stand out

* the importance of campaign reporting

* a key element to procuring repeat business

* the changing landscape of influencer marketing and Tiffany's predictions for 2018

Get your voice set. Know who you are. Be really clear in who you are.

-Tiffany Romero

How long have you been working in the online world, and who is someone who made a big difference in your business/career? Tell us all about it in Businessese HQ.

Resources

Sway Facebook group

Why Eliminating Net Neutrality Is Bad for Women

Worst End of School Year Mom Ever from Jen Hatmaker

Thank & Grow Rich: A 30-Day Experiment in Shameless Gratitude and Unabashed Joy by Pam Grout

As they establish their online business and begin to monetize their website and social channels, many bloggers and influencers opt to join influencer networks— agencies that connect influencers to brands, handling the lion's share of the details so content creators can focus on creating content.

Predictably, one of the questions we see most at this stage is: how do I get chosen for campaigns?

Obviously the answer will vary depending on the network, the campaign requirements, your niche and the type of content you produce, but there are some common denominators. To help us ferret those out and address other questions we've seen pertaining to finding success with influencer networks, we've turned to Tiffany Romero.

For those who have been in this space for some time, the name Tiffany Romero is nearly synonymous with the concept of influencer networking. Tiffany was instrumental in helping bloggers connect with each other and grow their readership during those early stages of blogging— she founded Bloggy Boot Camp and The SITS Girls in 2008, growing it to 90,000 members, prior to being acquired by Sway Group in 2014. She's now the President of Sway Group, one of the most well-known influencer marketing agencies in the country.

Tiffany is a well-known voice in the influencer marketing community and we are so excited to have her on the show! Join us as we discuss:

* where to start with sponsored content and monetizing your blog

* the social media platform Tiffany recommends new influencers focus on

* the benefits of joining influencer networks, and what makes an influencer (and their content) stand out

* the importance of campaign reporting

* a key element to procuring repeat business

* the changing landscape of influencer marketing and Tiffany's predictions for 2018

Get your voice set. Know who you are. Be really clear in who you are.

-Tiffany Romero

How long have you been working in the online world, and who is someone who made a big difference in your business/career? Tell us all about it in Businessese HQ.

Resources

Sway Facebook group

Why Eliminating Net Neutrality Is Bad for Women

Worst End of School Year Mom Ever from Jen Hatmaker

Thank & Grow Rich: A 30-Day Experiment in Shameless Gratitude and Unabashed Joy by Pam Grout

There's a myth within the influencer community that sponsored content doesn't do as well as other content.

Here's the thing though: that myth is really not true, as long as the sponsored content is done the right way. If you find that difficult to believe, it might be time for a fresh perspective and a change in approach.

We feel strongly about sponsored content. Some items to consider if yours underperforms:

The Biggest Myth About Sponsored Content Performance

To tackle this topic, we turned to someone who consistently creates some of our favorite authentic sponsored content: Patrick Quinn from Life of Dad. Patrick was once a teacher and a freelance writer (covering, among other things, the weird and wonderful world of dart tournaments) before his brother-in-law started Life of Dad as a personal blog, and asked Patrick to join him as a contributor. Together they have transformed the site from a traditional blog into a platform and community for dads across the globe, as well as acting as an agency.

If you've been struggling with keeping your sponsored content fun for your audience and beneficial to your sponsor, while remaining authentic to your voice, you are going to love this episode. We talk about:

* the importance of pushing back when negotiating sponsored campaigns, to ensure the content is tailored to your audience

* effectively positioning a product within a campaign without "selling out"

* how you can authentically sell a brand's messaging even if you don't necessarily use that product in everyday life

* some examples of great sponsored posts

* advice for newer bloggers who are just getting into sponsored content

So how do you know if your sponsored campaign was actually beneficial?

How to Measure the Success of Your Sponsored Campaigns

We think this episode will get those gears turning and inspire some amazing new sponsored content for you! Enjoy.

We'd love to know about of the best sponsored posts you've seen, and what you think makes for great sponsored content. Hit us with some links over in our Facebook group, Businessese HQ, and let us know if you have any questions.

Resources:

Life of Dad

The Dad 2.0 Summit

Sponsored content example: #FrozenChefMadness Begins!

Playlist Elevated

There's a myth within the influencer community that sponsored content doesn't do as well as other content.

Here's the thing though: that myth is really not true, as long as the sponsored content is done the right way. If you find that difficult to believe, it might be time for a fresh perspective and a change in approach.

We feel strongly about sponsored content. Some items to consider if yours underperforms:

The Biggest Myth About Sponsored Content Performance

To tackle this topic, we turned to someone who consistently creates some of our favorite authentic sponsored content: Patrick Quinn from Life of Dad. Patrick was once a teacher and a freelance writer (covering, among other things, the weird and wonderful world of dart tournaments) before his brother-in-law started Life of Dad as a personal blog, and asked Patrick to join him as a contributor. Together they have transformed the site from a traditional blog into a platform and community for dads across the globe, as well as acting as an agency.

If you've been struggling with keeping your sponsored content fun for your audience and beneficial to your sponsor, while remaining authentic to your voice, you are going to love this episode. We talk about:

* the importance of pushing back when negotiating sponsored campaigns, to ensure the content is tailored to your audience

* effectively positioning a product within a campaign without "selling out"

* how you can authentically sell a brand's messaging even if you don't necessarily use that product in everyday life

* some examples of great sponsored posts

* advice for newer bloggers who are just getting into sponsored content

So how do you know if your sponsored campaign was actually beneficial?

How to Measure the Success of Your Sponsored Campaigns

We think this episode will get those gears turning and inspire some amazing new sponsored content for you! Enjoy.

We'd love to know about of the best sponsored posts you've seen, and what you think makes for great sponsored content. Hit us with some links over in our Facebook group, Businessese HQ, and let us know if you have any questions.

Resources:

Life of Dad

The Dad 2.0 Summit

Sponsored content example: #FrozenChefMadness Begins!

Playlist Elevated

The life of a solo entrepreneur can be isolating, at times. Without the benefit of an office environment and co-workers to speak to about the day-to-day workings of your business, who understand the nuances of your common goal—building and selling your specific product or service—it's easy to become bogged down by overwhelm, paralysis, and feelings of inadequacy (we discuss these issues at length in our last episode, Mind Your Mindset).

Another byproduct of being too much in your own head is being unable to see the forest for the trees, so to speak. When you're so close to all the mechanisms of your business, you may not see your way past a problem (heck, you may not even be able to see that there is a problem) or how to spark new growth. But those answers may be obvious from someone viewing your business from the outside, or who has faced a similar challenge in the past.

We're not suggesting that you go looking for an office position, or even that you seek out coworking office space—although that's certainly a viable possibility for some entrepreneurs! What works for us, and what we recommend for anyone hoping to level up their online business this year, is finding and participating in a mastermind group.

What is a Mastermind?

To put it simply, a mastermind is a group of people working together toward a common goal. There are masterminds for all sorts of things, like finances and health goals, but here we are talking about business masterminds for entrepreneurial growth and success. We love masterminds for their ability to help with goal setting and accountability.

Listen in on this episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast to hear us discuss:

* different types of masterminds, and our favorite part of the process

* the masterminds that we have participated in (and continue to participate in)

* why we think masterminds succeed when some accountability groups fail

* how to find the right mastermind group for you

* and how to make the most of your mastermind. Because your time is valuable.

We hope this helps you decide if you'd like to participate in a mastermind program! Let us know if you have any questions by joining us over in our Facebook group, Businessese HQ.

The life of a solo entrepreneur can be isolating, at times. Without the benefit of an office environment and co-workers to speak to about the day-to-day workings of your business, who understand the nuances of your common goal—building and selling your specific product or service—it's easy to become bogged down by overwhelm, paralysis, and feelings of inadequacy (we discuss these issues at length in our last episode, Mind Your Mindset).

Another byproduct of being too much in your own head is being unable to see the forest for the trees, so to speak. When you're so close to all the mechanisms of your business, you may not see your way past a problem (heck, you may not even be able to see that there is a problem) or how to spark new growth. But those answers may be obvious from someone viewing your business from the outside, or who has faced a similar challenge in the past.

We're not suggesting that you go looking for an office position, or even that you seek out coworking office space—although that's certainly a viable possibility for some entrepreneurs! What works for us, and what we recommend for anyone hoping to level up their online business this year, is finding and participating in a mastermind group.

What is a Mastermind?

To put it simply, a mastermind is a group of people working together toward a common goal. There are masterminds for all sorts of things, like finances and health goals, but here we are talking about business masterminds for entrepreneurial growth and success. We love masterminds for their ability to help with goal setting and accountability.

Listen in on this episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast to hear us discuss:

* different types of masterminds, and our favorite part of the process

* the masterminds that we have participated in (and continue to participate in)

* why we think masterminds succeed when some accountability groups fail

* how to find the right mastermind group for you

* and how to make the most of your mastermind. Because your time is valuable.

We hope this helps you decide if you'd like to participate in a mastermind program! Let us know if you have any questions by joining us over in our Facebook group, Businessese HQ.