Fearless Business Podcast

Being a business owner can mean doing scary things that fall outside of our comfort zones.

A lot.

There's the insecurity that comes before launch, wondering if anyone cares about what you provide— whether that's a product, service or blog post:

Why would anyone read this? I'm not an expert.

There are other people that do this better than I do.

Is anyone really going to buy this? People could make it themselves if they wanted.

I really don't think what I do is good enough for "real" companies.

Then there's the realization that you're the one in charge. You set the goals, the deadlines, the hours, the quality control and the accountability. There's no passing the buck; your decisions are your own, and you're the one dealing with the successes or issues that result from them.

Add to that the fact that in order to succeed, you always need to be doing new things— seeking new clients, learning and implementing new marketing techniques or technical processes, developing improved products, figuring out how to allow room in your schedule for business growth while retaining a personal life.

Sometimes, it can feel like you're just bumbling along and it's only a matter of time before you make a catastrophic, business killing mistake. And so you start delaying the things that you need to do.

"You, most of the time, are the reason why your business succeeds and fails.

A lot of times the reason why your business fails is because you don't think you belong in the game."

-Don Jackson

We are here to tell you that you are not alone. In this episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast, we tackle three common mindset issues for entrepreneurs— imposter syndrome, a feeling of overwhelm, and the paralysis caused by the fear of moving forward— and how to navigate your business through them.

Further reading:

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Analysis Paralysis

We're joined by the man that we affectionately refer to as Dr. Producer Don. Don Jackson is our producer on the Businessese podcast, and he really is a doctor: Don earned his doctorate in both Philosophy and Forensic Psychology from Harvard University. You may know him from the Dad Spotlight podcast, or from his blog, Daddy Newbie, but you may not have known that before embracing his role as Dad he worked as a forensic psychologist.

Don brings his expertise to the conversation as we discuss:

* the characteristics of someone operating under a fear mindset

* what to do and how to deal when you encounter a roadblock

* how to avoid getting stuck in the research phase of a project

* struggling with imposter syndrome, as a parent and as a business owner

* active steps people can take to combat imposter syndrome

* the most important quality in an accountability partner

* what to do when you feel like no one is interested in what you have to say.

"Sometimes I'll walk into a room and I'll most likely be the smartest guy in the room, but there's times when I feel like the dumbest guy in the room. And that has nothing to do with anybody in the room; it has everything to do with me."

-Don Jackson

Listen in for Don's advice on changing limiting mindsets when it comes to your business. Then stop the negative self-talk, get out of your own way and make this your year for unlimited success!

What personal mindset has been holding you back?

Being a business owner can mean doing scary things that fall outside of our comfort zones.

A lot.

There's the insecurity that comes before launch, wondering if anyone cares about what you provide— whether that's a product, service or blog post:

Why would anyone read this? I'm not an expert.

There are other people that do this better than I do.

Is anyone really going to buy this? People could make it themselves if they wanted.

I really don't think what I do is good enough for "real" companies.

Then there's the realization that you're the one in charge. You set the goals, the deadlines, the hours, the quality control and the accountability. There's no passing the buck; your decisions are your own, and you're the one dealing with the successes or issues that result from them.

Add to that the fact that in order to succeed, you always need to be doing new things— seeking new clients, learning and implementing new marketing techniques or technical processes, developing improved products, figuring out how to allow room in your schedule for business growth while retaining a personal life.

Sometimes, it can feel like you're just bumbling along and it's only a matter of time before you make a catastrophic, business killing mistake. And so you start delaying the things that you need to do.

"You, most of the time, are the reason why your business succeeds and fails.

A lot of times the reason why your business fails is because you don't think you belong in the game."

-Don Jackson

We are here to tell you that you are not alone. In this episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast, we tackle three common mindset issues for entrepreneurs— imposter syndrome, a feeling of overwhelm, and the paralysis caused by the fear of moving forward— and how to navigate your business through them.

Further reading:

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Analysis Paralysis

We're joined by the man that we affectionately refer to as Dr. Producer Don. Don Jackson is our producer on the Businessese podcast, and he really is a doctor: Don earned his doctorate in both Philosophy and Forensic Psychology from Harvard University. You may know him from the Dad Spotlight podcast, or from his blog, Daddy Newbie, but you may not have known that before embracing his role as Dad he worked as a forensic psychologist.

Don brings his expertise to the conversation as we discuss:

* the characteristics of someone operating under a fear mindset

* what to do and how to deal when you encounter a roadblock

* how to avoid getting stuck in the research phase of a project

* struggling with imposter syndrome, as a parent and as a business owner

* active steps people can take to combat imposter syndrome

* the most important quality in an accountability partner

* what to do when you feel like no one is interested in what you have to say.

"Sometimes I'll walk into a room and I'll most likely be the smartest guy in the room, but there's times when I feel like the dumbest guy in the room. And that has nothing to do with anybody in the room; it has everything to do with me."

-Don Jackson

Listen in for Don's advice on changing limiting mindsets when it comes to your business. Then stop the negative self-talk, get out of your own way and make this your year for unlimited success!

What personal mindset has been holding you back? Let's talk about it over in Businessese HQ,

It's our last episode of the year! The perfect time to take a look back at 2017: what we've accomplished with our business, what didn't work out and why, and what lessons we can take away and apply to our goals for the fresh, new year ahead.

It probably will not surprise you to hear that here at Businessese, we take goal setting very seriously.

Further reading for fellow goal setting enthusiasts:

Goal Setting and Productivity for Profitability (podcast episode)

10 Lessons Learned During Our First Year of Business

Behind the Scenes: Online Business Owners Share Their Goals

Tips for Setting Goals for Your Blog

One way to simplify and solidify the goal setting (and goal meeting!) process is to designate a word for the year. It can be business related or personal, or encompass both.

Just one word to guide what we prioritize: when to say yes, when to say no; when to leap and when to retreat.

In this episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast, we reflect on the past year and elaborate on the words we chose for 2017 as well as 2018. We also discuss:

* what word we chose as our company word of the year for 2018, and why

* how easy it is to become overwhelmed by growth, even as we are thankful for it

* facing fear, imposter syndrome, and analysis paralysis

* the value of slowing down

* our plans for 2018, including a BIG SCARY SECRET REVEAL!

Give us a listen and join in on the fun by clicking over to our private Facebook group, Businessese HQ. Let us know what YOU'VE chosen as your word of the year for 2018, and what you think about our big scary reveal!

Thanks so much for making 2017 an amazing year! We'll see you in 2018.

Resources:

Lisa Lehmann designs

Overcoming Analysis Paralysis and Imposter Syndrome

Subscribe to Scale Your Influence

It's our last episode of the year! The perfect time to take a look back at 2017: what we've accomplished with our business, what didn't work out and why, and what lessons we can take away and apply to our goals for the fresh, new year ahead.

It probably will not surprise you to hear that here at Businessese, we take goal setting very seriously.

Further reading for fellow goal setting enthusiasts:

Goal Setting and Productivity for Profitability (podcast episode)

10 Lessons Learned During Our First Year of Business

Behind the Scenes: Online Business Owners Share Their Goals

Tips for Setting Goals for Your Blog

One way to simplify and solidify the goal setting (and goal meeting!) process is to designate a word for the year. It can be business related or personal, or encompass both.

Just one word to guide what we prioritize: when to say yes, when to say no; when to leap and when to retreat.

In this episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast, we reflect on the past year and elaborate on the words we chose for 2017 as well as 2018. We also discuss:

* what word we chose as our company word of the year for 2018, and why

* how easy it is to become overwhelmed by growth, even as we are thankful for it

* facing fear, imposter syndrome, and analysis paralysis

* the value of slowing down

* our plans for 2018, including a BIG SCARY SECRET REVEAL!

Give us a listen and join in on the fun by clicking over to our private Facebook group, Businessese HQ. Let us know what YOU'VE chosen as your word of the year for 2018, and what you think about our big scary reveal!

Thanks so much for making 2017 an amazing year! We'll see you in 2018.

Resources:

Lisa Lehmann designs

Overcoming Analysis Paralysis and Imposter Syndrome

Subscribe to Scale Your Influence

When we began this podcast, we wanted to make sure we addressed the issues we typically see— and questions we're frequently asked— when it comes to influencer marketing and the legalities that surround it. Soon after launch, we did a series covering a broad range of legal topics that affect influencers:

6 common legal mistakes made in the influencer marketing world

Essential elements of influencer marketing contracts

Intellectual property: trademarks and copyright

Disclosure and the FTC

For this pre-holiday episode, we wanted to get a little more specific. We invited the members of our private Facebook group for influencers and online entrepreneurs, Businessese HQ, to ask us anything— any lingering questions they might have about the legalities of their online business that we hadn't addressed thus far.

As a result, we're really excited to bring you this week's episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast! It's chock full of the timely questions and influencer marketing legal concerns that you wanted answered.

We drill down to the nitty gritty and talk about:

* the Facebook sponsored content tool and when influencers need to use it

* whether disclosures are necessary on old sponsored posts

* the extent you can be held liable for information and advice given in a Facebook group which is related to your business

* how different contract clauses impact what you can do with your content

* whether you are licensing your content to brands when you use certain hashtags

* what a cease and desist letter is, and when you might send one.

Bookmark these for further reading:

FTC Disclosures: How to Stay Compliant

How to License Your Content for Republication

How to Negotiate Exclusivity in Blogger Contracts

Intellectual Property: All about Copyright

Listen in and drop any more questions you have in Businessese HQ! We'd love to do more Ask Us Anything episodes.

Sites referenced:

Girl in Healing

Plano Moms

Food Blogger Pro

When we began this podcast, we wanted to make sure we addressed the issues we typically see— and questions we're frequently asked— when it comes to influencer marketing and the legalities that surround it. Soon after launch, we did a series covering a broad range of legal topics that affect influencers: 6 common legal mistakes […]

You've decided to launch your own business. You're nervous but excited. You land your first client! And then another, and another.

It's fantastic, of course. But you start to feel like your time is not your own. You're burning out. You're busy, but not productive. You're not growing in the way that you'd like, and you don't know how to find the hours to do what you need to do for your business— not just your clients'.

This is exactly where we all get derailed:

this is where we confuse URGENT with IMPORTANT.

-Maggie Patterson

It's a self-inflicted trap that service-based business owners fall into time and again, and the way they navigate through it can make all the difference. That's why this week, we've asked Brittany Becher and Maggie Patterson to talk with us about goal setting and productivity to help entrepreneurs retain their sanity— while turning a profit.

Brit and Maggie are the creators of Small Business Boss, which is designed to help service-based business owners navigate the finer points of growing a business with practicality and a profitable plan. They also run the digital marketing agency Scoop Studios, and are first and foremost service business owners: they don't just teach, they actually test and live everything they share with you. Between the two of them, they have over 25 years of experience in client services roles and are the co-hosts of the Small Business Boss Podcast.

Every small business owner is going to want to tune in to this episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast to learn about:

* why it is that entrepreneurs struggle with goal setting— and why they need to flip their mindset for success

* the Supercharged Success framework for discussing and creating goals

* the importance of carving time out for your goals while prioritizing client needs

* how to hold your boundaries and keep a handle on your schedule when outside factors try to derail them

* Brit and Maggie's new, super actionable workshop that helps to you manage your time and be more productive

You'll also hear Brit and Maggie walk us through plotting out one of our 2018 goals, step by step (hint: our word for 2018 is OUTSOURCE).

Give it a listen and get ready to make 2018 a year to remember! 

What's your goal for the year to come? Let us know (and share your best goal setting and productivity tips!) in Businessese HQ, our private Facebook community.

Resources:

Small Business Boss

Scoop Studios

Brit and Maggie's course: Supercharged Success

The Small Business Boss podcast

You've decided to launch your own business. You're nervous but excited. You land your first client! And then another, and another. It's fantastic, of course. But you start to feel like your time is not your own. You're burning out. You're busy, but not productive. You're not growing in the way that you'd like, and […]

This episode is sponsored by Hashtag Legal.

Taxes and accounting can be daunting for anyone. It's especially intimidating when you're flying solo with your own business, and when that business is in a relatively new space like influencer marketing.

There are certain times of the year when the online world is all abuzz with financial questions, particularly when it comes to taxes. But just as it's imperative for influencers and entrepreneurs to address legal issues before they become problems, it's essential to be proactive when it comes to the financial side of your online business— all year long.

For many, and that most certainly includes us, that means consulting with someone with expertise in this field. Our go-to for all things finance related is Cathy Derus of Brightwater Accounting, a CPA and financial planner with strong ties to the influencer world.

Cathy started out online with Fiscally Chic, a personal finance blog, before launching Brightwater Financial and Brightwater Accounting to assist online business owners with their unique financial needs. In this episode of the Businessese Influencer Marketing Podcast, she joins us to discuss all things financial for your influencer business.

More from Cathy:

Tips for Managing Your Online Business Finances

Tax Tips for Your Online Business

Tune in to hear about some of the most important areas for influencers to know about the financial side of their online businesses, including:

* the difference between a business and a hobby, in the eyes of the IRS

* steps online business owners should take to protect the financial side of their business

* whether there is a magic number to determine if you should file as a sole proprietor or form an S Corp

* the tax implications of forming an LLC vs an S Corp

* Can conferences be deducted? and other often debated potential deductions

* 1099s: when they're required and what to do if you didn't receive yours

* when influencers should seek out the advice of a CPA

We know you have questions about the financial side of your online business! Ask away in our private Facebook group, Businessese HQ.

Resources

Brightwater Accounting

Brightwater Financial

1099 post with decision tree: All About Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-K

Your Guide to Quarterly Estimated Taxes

Sales Tax by State: Should You Charge Sales Tax on Digital Products?

Cathy on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook (Brightwater Accounting + Financial Planning)

This episode is sponsored by Hashtag Legal. Taxes and accounting can be daunting for anyone. It's especially intimidating when you're flying solo with your own business, and when that business is in a relatively new space like influencer marketing. There are certain times of the year when the online world is all abuzz with financial […]