Many artists don't believe they're competent at business or feel thinking about their art as a business might cheapen it. But whether you're an author, painter, musician or produce any other type of creative work, without steady cash flow, it's nearly impossible to get your work in front of the world. It's only when you think of your art as a product you sell that you can truly market and get in front of the right audience.   In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Raj Lulla, an up-and-coming novelist trying to figure out how to best market and sell his upcoming book. If you are an artist, want to become an artist, or know of an artist struggling to get their name out there and create art for a living, you're going to love today's coaching conversation.   Find out more about Raj Lulla and his upcoming book The Caring House at RajLulla.com.   --   SUBMIT FOR A CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast    APPLY TO BECOME A BUSINESS MADE SIMPLE CERTIFIED COACH: CertifiedBusinessCoach.com   HIRE A STORYBRAND CERTIFIED GUIDE TO CLARIFY YOUR MARKETING: ClarifyYourMessage.com   TAKE OUR ASSESSMENT TO FIND OUT WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOUR BUSINESS AND HOW TO FIX IT: MyBusinessReport.com   FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple  

#69: How to Grow a Successful Business as an Artist

Welcome to the Business Made Simple Podcast where we coach you to build your business like an airplane. The cockpit is your leadership. The body is your overhead. The right engine is your marketing. The left engine is your sales. The wings are your products and the fuel tanks are your cash flow. 

If you build the six parts of your business correctly it will fly far and fast. Every week we help a business owner just like you optimize their airplane.

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Most entrepreneurs are great at making money, but they aren’t always great at managing that money. Let’s be honest: you didn’t start a business because you were passionate about bookkeeping. But you know that managing your cash flow well is the fuel that keeps your business growing. Between monthly reconciliations, quarterly reports, tax prep, and payroll—your business finances can get complicated fast. And doing it yourself—or even hiring the help you need—can be difficult and time-consuming. So what’s the best way to outsource your bookkeeping so you can save time and simplify your finances?   In this week’s episode, host Donald Miller talks with Lisa Zeeveld, the CFO of BELAY, a company that pairs business owners with the accounting help they need. Lisa discusses common financial dilemmas many business owners face and offers practical advice on how to overcome them. You’ll learn the importance of good bookkeeping and how outsourcing this task can make a huge difference in your operations. Tune in and get valuable tips on how to make your business finances simpler and more effective, so you can focus on growing your business instead!   Text S I M P L E to 55123 to get immediate access to Belay's Bulletproof Budget Template.   --   STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE DON COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast    ORDER COACH BUILDER, DON'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast   IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.   FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

#170: Is It Time to Hire a Bookkeeper To Tackle Your Business Finances?

Needing to clarify your message so more customers engage? Register for our upcoming StoryBrand Marketing Workshop May 7-8, 2024 at  StoryBrand.com/Workshop. In this virtual workshop you will learn directly from Donald Miller and Dr. J.J. Peterson how to create a clear message and walk away with a 5-part marketing plan to help boost revenue and grow your business. Register now at  StoryBrand.com/Workshop.   --   Every savvy business owner knows that marketing is the key to survival, and your online presence is one of the most important parts of your marketing plan. It can turn casual browsers into buyers, and buyers into long-time customers. But you won’t build that loyal fanbase if your message is unclear or inconsistent. On top of that, you could end up wasting a lot of time and money on marketing that doesn’t work. So how clear is your current message, and how can you make it better?    In this episode of Business Made Simple, guest host Dr. JJ Peterson (host of Marketing Made Simple) and podcast producer Bobby Richards answer your questions about building your business through effective messaging and lead generation. They’ll reveal the key things missing from your website that are costing you money and the 3 questions your marketing MUST answer to be significantly more successful. You’ll also discover the 7 basic elements that make your marketing story more powerful. Tune in and get actionable strategies to clarify your message and make your business thrive!   Listen and follow to the  Marketing Made Simple Podcast and get weekly tips from J.J. and April Sunshine Hawkins on how to make your marketing easy and make it work.  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing-made-simple/id1569923210   --   STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE DON COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast    ORDER COACH BUILDER, DON'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast   IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.   FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

#169: How to Clarify Your Message and Grow Your Business

Coach Builder is available now! Order it at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and get an 8-step plan to become a self-employed business coach so you can make great money doing something you love every single day.   --   What are the characteristics of a great coach? Knowing your field inside out is crucial, but there's something else just as important: soft skills. These are the skills that help you connect on a personal level, earn trust, and provide real value to your clients. Unfortunately, a lot of coaches overlook this area, focusing only on their technical expertise. They miss out on truly connecting with their clients and making a lasting impact. But if you want to succeed as a coach, soft skills aren’t an option—they’re a necessity.   In the 9th and final episode of the Coach Builder limited series, host Donald Miller joined by producer Bobby Richards, tackle the often-underestimated world of soft skills for coaches. Don explores the qualities that endear us to coaches and cause us to respect them. He offers actionable advice on how to cultivate these qualities within yourself to set you apart as a coach and amplify your impact on clients' lives. Tune in and learn invaluable strategies for improving empathy, communication, and trust-building techniques, ensuring you leave a meaningful mark on your clients' lives.

Coach Builder Part 9—The Essential Qualities of a Respected Coach

What if the secret to doing really well in business isn't about the newest tech or the flashiest ads, but about how happy and motivated your team is? A great work culture is key to growing your business. It's what makes people want to work for you, fuels innovation, and keeps things running smoothly even when times get tough. But cultivating such a culture isn't easy, especially with the ever-evolving changes in the modern workforce and inevitable challenges in the market. So if your workplace isn’t performing at its peak, don't worry—changing things for the better is possible and well worth it.   In this week’s April Fools' episode, host Amy Porterfield takes over for Donald Miller. Amy is an online marketing expert, author of Two Weeks Notice, and owner of a thriving $100M business. And no joke, she'll show you how to make bold moves to improve your team's workplace culture. With the help of podcast producer Bobby Richards, she answers burning questions from our listeners, giving actionable advice on hot issues like installing a 4-day workweek, navigating unlimited PTO, planning effective team retreats, and supporting personal growth plans. Tune in and get the scoop on how to enhance your team's dynamics, boost productivity, and drive your business forward!   For more tips and a free guide on how to welcome new team members in a way that sets them up for success, check out AmyPorterfield.com/Onboard.   --   STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE DON COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast    ORDER COACH BUILDER, DON'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast   IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.   FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

#168: Amy Porterfield Takes Over!—Create a Winning Work Culture with These Trailblazing Tactics

Coach Builder is available now! Order it at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and get an 8-step plan to become a self-employed business coach so you can make great money doing something you love every single day.   --   Working for yourself as a coach is a double-edged sword. It gives you space to innovate and plan, but it can also lack the vibrant exchange of ideas that fuels growth. Dealing with the loneliness that comes with the job is a challenge because it means there’s no one to share ideas with, no different viewpoints, and no feeling of team spirit. If you’re not careful, it can stop you from growing. So how can a coach avoid the downsides of working in a silo?   In the 8th episode of our Coach Builder limited series, host Donald Miller joined by producer Bobby Richards, explore why being part of a community is pivotal for coaches. Don will show you how a supportive network becomes a cornerstone for any coach who wants to succeed. A good community gives you motivation, offers tips and best practices, and holds you accountable to your goals, which can greatly impact the growth of your coaching business. Tune in and get practical guidance on how to either find or start a coaching community, so you’re not going through your coaching journey alone!    

#69: How to Grow a Successful Business as an Artist

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