In this episode of the Educated, Empowered, Inspired podcast, we dive into the power of reflection in your business. While most entrepreneurs focus solely on goal-setting, true growth happens when we pause to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and where we can improve. This practical episode introduces you to a simple, actionable exercise: seven key questions to ask at the end of each quarter (or year) to evaluate your progress, refine your strategies, and plan for success. This is an episode to bookmark and return to regularly as you grow your business intentionally and strategically.

Key Takeaways:

The Power of Reflection:

• Learning happens when we reflect on experiences, not just live them.
• Establishing a rhythm of reflection (daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly) ensures continuous growth.

The Seven Reflection Questions:

• Did I meet my financial goals?
• What did I do well (my strengths)?
• What were my weaknesses?
• What were the most beneficial connections I made?
• What activities served my vision and moved the needle forward?
• What marketing activities worked best?
• Where did I take risks or get uncomfortable?

Next Steps After Reflection:

• Use insights to refine your goals and focus for the next quarter.
• Implement changes through delegation, automation, or mentorship.

Practical Action:

• Block 30 minutes this week to go through the reflection exercise.
• Share your insights with me or a fellow entrepreneur to reinforce your learnings.

Looking to dive deeper? Join my Business Power Hour, a free virtual training held on the last Wednesday of each month. It’s your chance to get answers to your pressing questions and connect with other entrepreneurs.

Resources:

• List Builder Growth Scorecard - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/scorecard
• Marketing Makeover Strategy Session - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/marketingmakeover
• The Business Power Hour - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/powerhour 
• Women Entrepreneurs In Prayer Call - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/prayercall
• Email Quickstart Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/emailguide
• Profitable FB Profile Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/fbprofile
• Convertkit - https://partners.convertkit.com/shellyniehaus
• Equipt360 All-in-One Markerting Software - https://equipt360.com/?_from=shelly75

Connect with Shelly Niehaus:

• Website: https://coaching.shellyniehaus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellyniehaus/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-niehaus-7680652/

This week’s 10-Minute Tactic dives into AI tools that have been game-changers for my business in 2024. If you’re feeling overwhelmed juggling tasks and wearing all the hats in your business, this episode is for you. These tools will help you save time, boost creativity, and streamline your workflows so you can focus on what you love most—serving your clients and growing your business.

ChatGPT

• Acts as your virtual assistant for brainstorming, copywriting, and ideation.
• Simplifies research and creates training materials like outlines and workbooks.
• Pro Tip: Focus on writing detailed, clear prompts for the best results.

Zoom AI

• Automates meeting notes, summaries, and action items during client and team calls.
• Helps you stay focused during meetings while capturing every detail.
• Pro Tip: Set up Zoom AI to auto-start for recurring meetings.

Canva Magic

• Speeds up design tasks with professional-looking templates and resizing for multiple platforms.
• Features tools like MagicWrite for generating copy and a brand kit for consistent designs.
• Pro Tip: Upload your logos, colors, and fonts to Canva’s brand kit for seamless designs.

Opus AI

• Your ultimate video editing assistant, handling captions, transitions, and polished effects.
• Generates clips and shorts from your videos in seconds.
• Pro Tip: Add small pauses between key points while recording for cleaner AI edits.

Menioned in this Episode: Grab the Podcast Listeners Resource Guide to access links to all the AI tools discussed today and more of my favorite business resources. 

Resources:

• List Builder Growth Scorecard - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/scorecard
• Marketing Makeover Strategy Session - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/marketingmakeover
• The Business Power Hour - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/powerhour 
• Women Entrepreneurs In Prayer Call - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/prayercall
• Email Quickstart Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/emailguide
• Profitable FB Profile Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/fbprofile
• Convertkit - https://partners.convertkit.com/shellyniehaus
• Equipt360 All-in-One Markerting Software - https://equipt360.com/?_from=shelly75

Connect with Shelly Niehaus:

• Website: https://coaching.shellyniehaus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellyniehaus/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-niehaus-7680652/

In this episode, we’re diving into a Marketing Makeover Strategy Session with Samantha Foote, founder of Every Brain is Different. Samantha’s business focuses on supporting parents of neurodivergent kids with music therapy, positive behavioral therapy (ABA), and parent coaching.

Together, we mapped out a marketing strategy to help Samantha grow her parenting membership program, which is launching this holiday season. Listen in as we discuss list-building techniques, email nurture sequences, and repurposing content to engage her ideal audience and drive conversions.

1. Start with Clear Goals: Samantha’s six-month goal is to enroll 10 members in her parenting membership.
2. Warm Up Your Audience: A three-week email nurture sequence (two emails per week) can set the stage for a successful launch.
3. Repurpose Content: Use existing blog posts, podcast episodes, and social media content to create value-packed emails.
4. Diversify Content Formats: Offer a mix of blog posts, podcasts, videos, and reels to cater to different audience preferences.
5. Test and Adjust: Marketing is testing! Test welcome sequences for different audiences and refine based on results.

Resources:

• List Builder Growth Scorecard - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/scorecard
• Marketing Makeover Strategy Session - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/marketingmakeover
• The Business Power Hour - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/powerhour 
• Women Entrepreneurs In Prayer Call - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/prayercall
• Email Quickstart Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/emailguide
• Profitable FB Profile Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/fbprofile
• Convertkit - https://partners.convertkit.com/shellyniehaus
• Equipt360 All-in-One Markerting Software - https://equipt360.com/?_from=shelly75

Connect with Shelly Niehaus:

• Website: https://coaching.shellyniehaus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellyniehaus/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-niehaus-7680652/

In this 10-Minute Tactics episode, I share how simplifying my business systems with Equipt360 has been a game-changer. If you’re tired of juggling multiple tools and feeling like tech is running your life, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you streamline and save.

Equipt360 is an all-in-one platform that simplifies everything—from emails and client management to payments and marketing—so you can spend less time on tech and more time doing what you love.

Key Takeaways:

• The Problem with Fragmented Systems: Juggling multiple tools drains your time, money, and energy.
• Equip360 Features: Combines email, scheduling, payments, social media, course hosting, and more in one platform.
• Benefits of Simplifying: Save time, cut costs, reduce tech stress, and create a seamless client experience.
• Support Matters: Equip360 offers live Q&A sessions, masterclasses, and individualized help to keep you moving forward.
• Start Simplifying Today: Streamline your operations to build an ELF business—Easy, Lucrative, Fun!

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about Equipt360 and schedule a demo
• Book a free 15-minute call with me to explore if it’s the right fit for you.

Simplify your systems, reclaim your time, and set yourself up for success in 2025.

Resources:

• List Builder Growth Scorecard - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/scorecard
• Marketing Makeover Strategy Session - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/marketingmakeover
• The Business Power Hour - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/powerhour 
• Women Entrepreneurs In Prayer Call - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/prayercall
• Email Quickstart Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/emailguide
• Profitable FB Profile Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/fbprofile
• Convertkit - https://partners.convertkit.com/shellyniehaus
• Equipt360 All-in-One Markerting Software - https://equipt360.com/?_from=shelly75

Connect with Shelly Niehaus:

• Website: https://coaching.shellyniehaus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellyniehaus/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-niehaus-7680652/

In this Educated, Empowered, Inspired episode, I dive into another Marketing Makeover Strategy Session with Lorianne Morbido. Together, we tackle her biggest marketing challenges and build a simplified, actionable plan to lighten her load and make marketing enjoyable again. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the demands of marketing, this episode is packed with tips to help you regain focus, create systems, and repurpose content effectively.
 

Key Takeaways:

• Plan with Your Big Rocks First: Start by mapping out your year in quarters, adding personal and professional obligations first, to create a realistic marketing schedule.
• Content Repurposing: Use existing content, like podcasts, to create multiple marketing pieces (social posts, newsletters, videos) and reduce effort.
• AI Efficiency: Tools like ChatGPT or Claude can streamline content creation. Train the tool to match your voice using your transcripts and prompts.
• Marketing Rhythm: Establish a weekly dedicated marketing time (e.g., Marketing Mondays) and block off time for content creation and repurposing.
• Focus on Email: Prioritize email newsletters as a direct and effective way to engage with your audience. Repurpose social content from these emails to save time.
• Test and Adjust: Start small with new systems—try them for two weeks and tweak as needed.

Resources Mentioned:

• Book a Marketing Makeover Strategy Session: resources.shellyniehaus.com/marketingmakeover
• Tools for Content Creation: Opus AI, ChatGPT, or Claude for transcripts and social media repurposing.

If you feel like marketing is a heavy boulder on your back, start by dedicating time to plan your "big rocks" and repurpose existing content to lighten the load. Try the two-week test system Laurie-Ann is implementing and see what works for you!

Resources:

• List Builder Growth Scorecard - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/scorecard
• Marketing Makeover Strategy Session - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/marketingmakeover
• The Business Power Hour - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/powerhour 
• Women Entrepreneurs In Prayer Call - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/prayercall
• Email Quickstart Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/emailguide
• Profitable FB Profile Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/fbprofile
• Convertkit - https://partners.convertkit.com/shellyniehaus
• Equipt360 All-in-One Markerting Software - https://equipt360.com/?_from=shelly75

Connect with Shelly Niehaus:

• Website: https://coaching.shellyniehaus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellyniehaus/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-niehaus-7680652/

Shelly discusses a common theme she’s seeing among clients—a feeling of heaviness, exhaustion, and overcommitment. In this episode, she dives into five practical steps to help lighten your load, focus on what matters, and create room for growth and joy in your business.

Key Takeaways:

Strategies and Systems

• Are your business systems feeling supportive or heavy? Shelly shares how to reassess your tech stack and decide what’s essential. She encourages listeners to streamline, keeping only what truly helps their business.

Commitments

• Overcommitted? Shelly explores the impact of saying “yes” to too many commitments. It’s time to re-evaluate networking groups, coaching programs, and other recurring commitments that may not be adding value.

Goals

• Are you holding onto goals that no longer serve you? Shelly talks about the importance of setting goals aligned with where you want to be, not just where you were.

Tasks

• Are tasks being done out of obligation rather than impact? Shelly challenges listeners to assess the “must-do” tasks and consider outsourcing or letting go of those that don’t truly move the needle.

Rooms

• Are you staying in groups or communities longer than you should? Shelly encourages you to release rooms or groups that no longer energize you, freeing up space for relationships and opportunities that better align with your growth.

Episode Challenge:
Shelly invites listeners to create a Life-Giving vs. Life-Draining list. Identify what to keep, what to delegate, and what to let go. Then, share one thing you’ll bless and release to make room for growth in the coming year. Shelly would love to hear from you—reach out with your takeaway and maybe even inspire the community!

Resources:

• List Builder Growth Scorecard - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/scorecard
• Marketing Makeover Strategy Session - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/marketingmakeover
• The Business Power Hour - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/powerhour 
• Women Entrepreneurs In Prayer Call - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/prayercall
• Email Quickstart Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/emailguide
• Profitable FB Profile Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/fbprofile
• Convertkit - https://partners.convertkit.com/shellyniehaus
• Equipt360 All-in-One Markerting Software - https://equipt360.com/?_from=shelly75

Connect with Shelly Niehaus:

• Website: https://coaching.shellyniehaus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellyniehaus/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-niehaus-7680652/

In this episode of the Educated, Empowered, Inspired podcast, host Shelly Niehaus takes on a marketing makeover strategy session with Saneth Brown, owner of Artisan Homemaker. Shelly offers in-depth marketing strategies focusing on building audience connections through effective email marketing and leveraging promotional opportunities to achieve ambitious attendance goals.

Key Takeaways:

• Set Clear Goals: Saneth aims to sell out 250 in-person tickets and secure 1000 virtual attendees for the Beauty Awaits conference.
• Identify the Ideal Client: The conference is tailored for women seeking rejuvenation through spiritual and communal experiences, featuring topics on marriage, creativity, hospitality, and finances.
• Leverage Email Marketing: Building an email list should be a priority to nurture potential attendees through regular, valuable communications that enhance awareness and desire.
• Utilize Lead Magnets: Offering valuable downloads can transition potential attendees from passive social media followers to engaged prospects.
• Create a Sales Page: A professionally crafted sales page is crucial for converting interest into ticket sales, particularly for higher-priced offerings.
• Collaborate for Greater Reach: Engaging speakers and influencers to promote the event can amplify reach and credibility.
• Offer Early Bird Incentives: Encourage early registrations through discounts or limited-time offers to build momentum.

Resources:

• List Builder Growth Scorecard - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/scorecard
• Marketing Makeover Strategy Session - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/marketingmakeover
• The Business Power Hour - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/powerhour 
• Women Entrepreneurs In Prayer Call - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/prayercall
• Email Quickstart Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/emailguide
• Profitable FB Profile Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/fbprofile
• Convertkit - https://partners.convertkit.com/shellyniehaus
• Equipt360 All-in-One Markerting Software - https://equipt360.com/?_from=shelly75

Connect with Shelly Niehaus:

• Website: https://coaching.shellyniehaus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellyniehaus/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-niehaus-7680652/

This week, Shelly dives into a typical pitfall many small businesses face: the allure of pleasing everyone. She unfolds the truth that clients differ significantly in their values and demands. This episode focuses on recognizing five types of clients in your business, helping you pinpoint where to focus your marketing efforts for maximum impact and revenue.

Key Takeaways:

• Five Types of Clients:
  • VIP Ideal Clients: Your top performers make up most of your revenue. They appreciate and resonate with your services.
  • Referral Clients: They may not spend the most but are vital for their enthusiastic endorsements.
  • Average Clients: Reliable payers who help maintain your business's baseline.
  • Joy-Bringing Clients: Long-term supporters who have been with you since the beginning.
  • Problematic Clients: High-effort, low-return clients. Spot and manage their red flags early.
• Focus Your Marketing: Sharpen your marketing to attract and retain VIPs and referral clients, making your efforts more effective.
• Strategic Client Management: Use your understanding of these client categories to craft targeted marketing strategies that resonate with the right people.

Action Step: Segment your client list into these categories to refine your marketing approach, emphasizing those who contribute most positively to your business.

Resources:

• List Builder Growth Scorecard - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/scorecard
• Marketing Makeover Strategy Session - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/marketingmakeover
• The Business Power Hour - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/powerhour 
• Women Entrepreneurs In Prayer Call - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/prayercall
• Email Quickstart Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/emailguide
• Profitable FB Profile Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/fbprofile
• Convertkit - https://partners.convertkit.com/shellyniehaus
• Equipt360 All-in-One Markerting Software - https://equipt360.com/?_from=shelly75

Connect with Shelly Niehaus:

• Website: https://coaching.shellyniehaus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellyniehaus/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-niehaus-7680652/

Key Takeaways:

• Strategic Revenue Focus: Shelly emphasizes the importance of concentrating marketing efforts on Micah’s most profitable service, theater photography while maintaining flexibility for family and modeling shoots.
• Expert Website Optimization: Shelly advises on restructuring Micah’s website to clearly communicate his services and unique value immediately upon landing on the page, enhancing user engagement and conversion.
• Importance of Immediate Impact: Under Shelly’s guidance, the website is redesigned to ensure key information is visible above the fold, following her "five-second test" to capture visitor interest swiftly.
• Unified Call to Action: Shelly stresses the need for a clear, singular call to action across all platforms, simplifying how potential clients can initiate contact, thereby increasing leads and potential sales.
• Aligned Social Media Strategy: With Shelly's expertise, Micah’s social media is set to mirror the clarity and segmentation of his website, ensuring consistency across digital touchpoints and solidifying his brand’s online presence.

In this episode, Shelly provides Micah and listeners with actionable strategies for refining marketing approaches and leveraging online platforms for business growth.

Resources:

• List Builder Growth Scorecard - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/scorecard
• Marketing Makeover Strategy Session - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/marketingmakeover
• The Business Power Hour - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/powerhour 
• Women Entrepreneurs In Prayer Call - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/prayercall
• Email Quickstart Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/emailguide
• Profitable FB Profile Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/fbprofile
• Convertkit - https://partners.convertkit.com/shellyniehaus
• Equipt360 All-in-One Markerting Software - https://equipt360.com/?_from=shelly75

Connect with Shelly Niehaus:

• Website: https://coaching.shellyniehaus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellyniehaus/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-niehaus-7680652/

In this episode, Shelly takes us down memory lane, sharing the top five lessons she’s learned over the course of 100 episodes. Whether you’re just starting out, building momentum, or scaling to new heights, these lessons are packed with insights that can apply to any stage of business or life.

Key Takeaways:

Consistency is Key
Show up regularly, even when it’s hard. Small steps add up to big results over time, and consistency builds trust with your audience and clients. Done is better than perfect!

Start Messy & Embrace Imperfection
Perfection delays progress. Every episode, project, or business venture teaches valuable lessons. Just get started, and learn as you go!

The Power of Community
It’s not just about downloads or email lists—it’s about real connections and building a community that supports each other.

Always Keep Learning
Stay curious, invest in personal growth, and constantly seek out new knowledge to stay relevant in business and life.

Authenticity Matters
Your story is unique, and no one can share it like you can. Being authentic creates deeper connections and lasting success.

Resources:

• List Builder Growth Scorecard - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/scorecard
• Marketing Makeover Strategy Session - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/marketingmakeover
• The Business Power Hour - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/powerhour 
• Women Entrepreneurs In Prayer Call - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/prayercall
• Email Quickstart Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/emailguide
• Profitable FB Profile Guide - https://resources.shellyniehaus.com/fbprofile
• Convertkit - https://partners.convertkit.com/shellyniehaus
• Equipt360 All-in-One Markerting Software - https://equipt360.com/?_from=shelly75

Connect with Shelly Niehaus:

• Website: https://coaching.shellyniehaus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shellyniehaus/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelly-niehaus-7680652/