If there was ONE thing that I would class as "constant" in the Online Education industry, it would be change. Digital education is a billion dollar industry at the forefront of the "move online" movement that we have experienced in fast-forward over the past two years. With more people comes more opportunity... And also, more competition. 

The things that might have worked a few years ago, the "leeway" you may have had to do things "half-assed"... they're both gone. And for those of us in or considering entering the online education industry you have two choices - adapt and up-level, or leave. 

In today's podcast episode, I will be sharing five BIG changes that I have noticed in the Online Business (and education) industry over the past little while. 

I have a unique viewpoint, with both five years of experience in my OWN business and access to hundreds of "online business back ends" through my students inside of our Launchpad program. 

So, here it is, what I've noticed and what YOU can do to navigate the ever-changing tides of the online education industry with confidence.

✔️ "Fast" Lead Generation is More Difficult
✔️ "Same Same" Offers Aren't Converting
✔️ Authority Matters More Than Ever
✔️ You Can't Rely (Just) on Social
✔️ Pricing Matters

Full show notes for this episode can be found at https://thecoursecartel.com/164

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Polarity is a word that I have used a lot lately.

It accurately depicts most of my days in business and in life.

Life as an online business owner, in my current season of business, requires navigating the mental load of hundreds of humans on a daily basis. Clients, team, prospects... all of it.

And with that comes polarity, which is the subject of today's podcast episode.

Polarity is the term that I now use to define the fluctuating experiences that often all converge into one, on any given day.

One client aces their launch.

One is struggling to see sales.

One is having an incredible experience and singing praises from the rooftop.

Another has defaulted on payment and hasn't replied to several follow-ups.

A team member or contractor is firing on all cylinders, kicking KPI goals and acting beautifully in accordance with the values of the company.

Another is distant, focused on other things.

You deliver a presentation and smash it.

Then, you sit down to prepare a podcast and stare at a blinking cursor for an hour.

You receive a compliment.

You receive a complaint.

They love you.

They don't.

All of it.

Often, in the same day.

As a business owner, I have been reflecting on the impact of the polarity of my days on my OWN mental load, and thought it might be helpful to share my experience with others.

I'm not the expert, but in today's podcast episode I am sharing some of the things I am learning.

✔️ Systematise Tough Decisions
✔️ Separate Business from Self
✔️ Take Action Based on Data, Not Emotion
✔️ Be Clear on What You Want
✔️ Don't Absorb Other's Emotions

Full show notes for this episode can be found at https://thecoursecartel.com/163

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Asking for — and having the objective ability to hear — frank feedback from your clientele on your business and their experience with it is one of the BEST ways to improve and become the VERY best in class.

Is it always easy? No.

But is it oh so worth it? Abso-freakin-lutely.

Especially in small business — where we personally invest our blood, sweat and tears into our offers — there can be a tendency to take everything very personally.

One of the most freeing realisations though is that actually, nothing in your business is about you.

Your business is fundamentally about solving people's problems. If you are doing well, you will get positive feedback — which is great, but actually has nothing to do with you as a person.

Equally, if you get constructive feedback (or even downright criticism), again, it has NOTHING to do with you as a person. It means that there is a gap in your offer or in your processes that needs to be filled.

Treating it as such is critical especially if the feedback is delivered constructively.

In today's podcast episode, we're covering how to "operationalise" the collection of regular feedback from your clientele into your business to keep a pulse on their experience, to look for opportunities to improve and to, as we say inside of our OWN business, to be 1% better each and every single day.

Here's five things to think about when incorporating something similar:

✔️ Realise It's Not About You
✔️  Refine One Offer
✔️ Fight for Feedback
✔️  Action It!
✔️ The Client Isn't ALWAYS Right

Full show notes for this episode can be found at

https://thecoursecartel.com/162

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→ Free Workshop — Create our knowledge-based lifestyle business in 2025

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Babies, toddlers, business, oh my!

I’ve always said that running a business is the biggest lesson in personal development that you could ever undertake… but throw a 2-year old, a 4-month old, 100 clients and a founder with BIG dreams and high expectations of yourself, and you’ve got yourself a right ‘ol recipe for... well, a good time, actually!

Betcha didn’t expect me to say that, did you? Because the RHETORIC is that is kids and business is HARD... and sure, I wouldn’t call it a walk in the park.

But also? I’ve CHOSEN this, and I literally wouldn’t have it any other way.

In today’s podcast episode, I want to share with you my unique perspective on navigating this “early childhood” phase of business and life, and how I “manage it all”... or more accurately, how I DON’T (and how I’m completely okay with that).

How it’s wildly beautiful and how ADJUSTING my expectations down has actually been the catalyst for a sense of happiness and calm in this season that I didn’t think was possible for this little high achiever 👋

In the past few months, I have had SO many other mums reach out to me and ask “how I do it”, “how I juggle it all”, “how I manage”.

And so I want to share with you NOT my “expert guide to parenting and business”, because actually, I don’t really have it all figured out and I don’t really want to come at this from the place of an expert.

But instead, my honest account and thoughts on the best way I personally have found to navigate this beautiful, wild season of life... in case it helps you too.

If you’re a mum navigating business and babies — YOU ARE AMAZING, and I think it’s nice to know that! NO ONE has it all figured out (and that is totally okay).

✔️ Choose Your Hard (Why I Chose Digital Programs)

✔️ Everything is a Season / Choose Your Burners

✔️ Adjust Your Expectations

✔️ In 5 Years, What Will You Regret?

✔️ Guilt is a Useless Emotion

✔️ I Don’t Actually “Do It All”

✔️ Get Away


Full show notes for this episode can be found at https://thecoursecartel.com/161

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→ Free Workshop — Create our knowledge-based lifestyle business in 2025

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What do you do when you start to feel that your brand no longer reflects the evolution and growth of your business?

When you start to feel, dare I say it, self-conscious when you’re asked about your business at a party, sure that the name “Stevie Says Social” will diminish your authority or how seriously you’re taken at networking events?

When friends and family still ask you to try and help them get into their Instagram account, because your name still has “social” in it despite NOT teaching social media at all — “Don’t you have a little social media business — I only have 50 followers too, and I’m hoping you can help?!” they say, innocently.

And when that nagging feeling, deep down, suggests a growing disconnect between the time, effort and importance you place on your business, and the way it is viewed in the eyes of those hearing “Stevie Says Social” for the first time.

You re-brand, that’s what — and this year, that’s exactly what I’m doing.

Right now? My brand kind of feels like I’m still getting around in the same outfit that I wore when I was a gawky teenager. I feel a sense of urgency to “grow up”, and for the vision that I have for my business, the importance that I place on it and the true impact that it has on so many lives through the people that we serve.

I’m tired of feeling silly saying “Stevie Says Social” when someone asks what my business name is.

I’m READY to step into bigger shoes and build a vision that doesn’t depend solely on me.

And, if I’m really honest? I feel held hostage by an identity that doesn’t fit anymore.

And so, as I embark on MY branding and business evolution (of which MUCH more will be shared later on in the year), today’s podcast episode is dedicated to five signs that might be an indication to YOU that it’s time to do the same.

Here’s five signs that it might be time to rebrand your business:

✔️ You’ve experienced a significant business evolution (but your brand hasn’t kept up)
✔️ You’re not proud to share your brand with strangers
✔️ Your mission has grown, and no longer fits the container of your brand
✔️ You no long want it to be just about you
✔️ A change is as good as a holiday


Full show notes for this episode can be found at https://thecoursecartel.com/160

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→ Free Workshop — Create our knowledge-based lifestyle business in 2025

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→ Join Lifestyle Business School — Get the complete Operating System for starting or growing an expertise-based online business to the Lifestyle Business Sweet Spot.

Enjoy this content? Follow and subscribe for more:

→ Follow Stevie on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/steviedillon_/

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We’re not gonna lie — online business over the last year or two has required the navigation of some choppy waters, and it looks like the headwinds for ALL businesses (both online and offline, course-based and otherwise) are here to stay for a season or two.

And, when things in the online business landscape are more challenging (think IOS changes, increasing ad costs and increased competition for attention online amid declining attention spans, interest rate rises, inflation and accompanying economic shifts), there are always two ways to go.

One — wave the white flag, blame your results on market conditions, and give away your power to the “conditions that are”.

And two — realise that there will ALWAYS be something, adapt and evolve and become a better, stronger and more resilient business owner in the process.

Really, they are your options. And for the ones that choose B, there will be a real opportunity over the next couple of years to double down, build an incredibly strong business and lead whilst others retreat.

I choose to believe that there are some truly exciting times upon us right now, and to see the true OPPORTUNITY that these times will give business owners READY to make moves.

So, with all of that said, what sorts of things can we do as business owners to stay strong, both in mind and bottom line, in the face of the shift in online business and economic conditions?

That’s what I’m tackling in today’s podcast episode.

Here’s seven things tips to consider implementing as we all navigate more challenging business conditions:

1/ Don’t blame your results on tighter wallets

2/ Update Your Messaging

3/ Elevate your niche

4/ Offer optimisation

5/ Have fun

6/ Focus on increasing your CLV

7/ Be the leader in your space

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Want more? Here’s how we can help you:

→ Free Workshop — Create our knowledge-based lifestyle business in 2025

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→ Join Lifestyle Business School — Get the complete Operating System for starting or growing an expertise-based online business to the Lifestyle Business Sweet Spot.

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“I don’t have TIME to start a podcast..”
“The tech is overwhelming, I don’t know where to start..”
“But what if I run out of topic ideas?”

If you’ve EVER considered starting a podcast, it’s likely that one of these “buts” have stopped you dead in your tracks. And, I get it.

In a world where we’re all frantically trying trying to run a business, maintain a social life, juggle family, drink enough water, text everyone back, stay sane, survive and be happy (PHEW); adding another ‘thing’ to the list can feel like the actual definition of insanity.

Plus, you need a mic, you need to learn how to edit, and sure you could probably Google it but every time you do? It feels like you’re drinking water from a fire house. Not to mention the imposter syndrome that creeps in every time it enters your mind — “Like, who am I to start a podcast?” says your mean girl/guy brain.

Why ME?! What if I run out of ideas? Do I even KNOW enough to create a podcast each and every week?

In today’s podcast episode, you’ll learn why you need to kick all of the “buts” currently holding you back to the curb and go all in on what will likely become the single biggest ROI marketing activity you do in your business.

It is for us — it nets us $8,300 an hour.

Here’s three reframes to help you kick the time and tech excuses to the curb and go all in:

✔️ Our Podcast SAVES Us Time (Our Three Hour/Month Podcast Workflow)
✔️ Podcasting Makes Social Media Easier
✔️ The Tech is Dead Easy


Full show notes for this episode can be found at
https://thecoursecartel.com/158

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→ Free Workshop — Create our knowledge-based lifestyle business in 2025

→ Subscribe to the Fully Free Newsletter — Come and join the party on Substack! Subscribe for weekly articles, essays and behind the scenes to help you build a lifestyle business.

→ Join Lifestyle Business School — Get the complete Operating System for starting or growing an expertise-based online business to the Lifestyle Business Sweet Spot.

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→ Follow Stevie on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/steviedillon_/

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Starting my podcast is hands down, without a doubt, the single most powerful and highest ROI marketing strategy I have ever adopted in my business. It is almost single handedly responsible for 40% of enrolments into our Launchpad program, and for the remaining 60% it is a significant warm up strategy for people who “found” us through other means. We know, because we ask.

In today’s podcast episode, I am going to give you a behind the scenes breakdown of the exact impact that podcasting has had on our business, how you can expect it to impact your business if you were to start one, and what I would do differently if I was starting out today.

If “starting a podcast” has been on your one day list since 2019 and you’re wondering whether it’s worth it to finally bite the bullet — or even if it hasn’t and you’re looking for a way to supercharge the warmth and growth of your audience and you’re wondering “how” — this podcast episode is for YOU.

We are answering the following questions:

✔️ Who Is Podcasting Best Suited To?
✔️ What Role Does a Podcast Play in Your Content Marketing Strategy?
✔️ What Tangible Impact Has Podcasting Had on Our Business?
✔️ Would We Still Start a Podcast Today?
✔️ What Would I Do Differently If I Was Starting Out Today?


Full show notes for this episode can be found at
https://thecoursecartel.com/157

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Want more? Here’s how we can help you:

→ Free Workshop — Create our knowledge-based lifestyle business in 2025

→ Subscribe to the Fully Free Newsletter — Come and join the party on Substack! Subscribe for weekly articles, essays and behind the scenes to help you build a lifestyle business.

→ Join Lifestyle Business School — Get the complete Operating System for starting or growing an expertise-based online business to the Lifestyle Business Sweet Spot.

Enjoy this content? Follow and subscribe for more:

→ Follow Stevie on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/steviedillon_/

→ Subscribe to Fully Free on Substack — https://lifestylebusinessschool.substack.com/

→ Subscribe to Lifestyle Business School on Youtube — https://www.youtube.com/@lifestylebusinessschool

Tough love-bomb 💘💣 —

Without authority, you will find it incredibly tough to sell.

And without authoring content (literally, the “author” in authority), you will find it incredibly tough to build authority. It’s as simple (and as difficult!) as that.

Think about the people that you buy from and work with online. Most likely, you decided to do so because you had developed a sense of rapport and trust with them through the content that they created and shared online.

Certainly, it is true for our OWN business. When clients join our Launchpad program, we ask on the intake form where they found us. The Podcast and Instagram, they overwhelmingly say. And, even if they FIRST came into our sphere via Facebook ads or another means, it is still usually our podcast and content that warms and endears them to us and is the catalyst for them purchasing.

If you want a sustainable business online, you can’t simply show up and start selling and expect for people to flock through the door. 

In our Launchpad program, we have a Foundation Round in which our clients pitch their courses and get paid to create them. One thing we know for sure? Is that it’s the clients that follow our Traffic and Visibility plan and commit to showing up, being visible, sharing their thought leadership and authority in the lead up that reach their big goals. A big red flag? Sending one email, writing one blog post and creating one social media post.. after being dark for weeks or months.. and then wondering where it all went wrong.

If you want an expert business, in which people look up to you as a thought leader and want to follow your processes to achieve the transformation promise of your course? You NEED authority, and authoring content. Well, it’s a complete non-negotiable.

Here’s five tips for building authority and becoming a thought leader in your niche:

1️⃣ Commit to a Core Content Channel

2️⃣ Take a Stand and Stake Your Ground

3️⃣ Be Consistent AND Consistently Awesome

4️⃣ Build Multiple Touchpoints

5️⃣ Create Micro Content

Doors to our Launch Your Wildly Successful Podcast course will be opening next month, and if there is one thing I know for sure? It’s that podcasting is one of the BEST ways to build your authority, thought leadership and become a micro celebrity in your niche.

It’s NOT too late. You’re NOT too early.

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→ Free Workshop — Create our knowledge-based lifestyle business in 2025

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→ Join Lifestyle Business School — Get the complete Operating System for starting or growing an expertise-based online business to the Lifestyle Business Sweet Spot.

Enjoy this content? Follow and subscribe for more:

→ Follow Stevie on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/steviedillon_/

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Posting on social media is the LAST thing you should do. And no, I’m not about to get all “you don’t own your social media accounts” or any other boring, generic advice like that.

What I quite literally mean, is that when you are building out and implementing  your marketing strategy, the “posting on social media” bit should quite literally be the LAST thing you do when it comes to the order of when to action steps.

If ALL you have currently done to market and grow your business has been to post on social media, without a clear path to your offers for those people who DO find you on social, this is the podcast episode for you.

In today’s podcast episode, we are breaking down the “build it backwards” strategy for building out your marketing plan so that everything you do is designed to make sales for you!

In essence, the secret is THIS: DON’T start posting on social media or implementing ANY sort of visibility strategy UNTIL you are crystal clear on your offer, and you have built out a back end funnel that leads people directly to it.

 So, here’s what to do instead.

1️⃣ Start With Your Offer

2️⃣ Build Out Your Funnel

3️⃣ Create Your Content Plan


Full show notes for this episode can be found at
https://thecoursecartel.com/155

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Want more? Here’s how we can help you:

→ Free Workshop — Create our knowledge-based lifestyle business in 2025

→ Subscribe to the Fully Free Newsletter — Come and join the party on Substack! Subscribe for weekly articles, essays and behind the scenes to help you build a lifestyle business.

→ Join Lifestyle Business School — Get the complete Operating System for starting or growing an expertise-based online business to the Lifestyle Business Sweet Spot.

Enjoy this content? Follow and subscribe for more:

→ Follow Stevie on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/steviedillon_/

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