Notes in the Margin

Kim Krause Schwalm is a direct response copywriter and overall powerhouse of fantastic information for women in copy. She has lead a very successful career in corporate before transitioning into freelance writing. As an A-list copywriter, this is a show you don't want to miss.

Key Takeaways:

[1:30] How did Kim get started in copywriting?

[6:40] Companies that weren't failing enough, weren't trying enough. Kim learned to take risks in her corporate job.

[8:25] Unfortunately, there are companies out there that punish innovation.

[8:55] Why did Kim decide to go freelance?

[12:45] How does Kim find great freelance clients now?

[19:20] If you get some early successes with your work, word will spread.

[22:55] Kim wants to help other women get to a place where they can be a mom and be the boss of their own business.

[26:55] What's next for Kim?

[28:55] Where does Kim see the future of women in copywriting?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Kimschwalm.com

TheMarketingSuperPower.com

The Girls Club Facebook Group

Vicky received an email judging Vicky's 'unprofessional' use of profanity like the word 'vagina'. Ignoring the logistics of whether or not that word is a 'bad word', Vicky discusses why these letters are important! What can we learn about vaginagate?

Key Takeaways:

[2:10] Vicky got an email! This person was upset by Vicky's profanity :(.

[3:45] Vicky said the word 'vagina' in her email...and got a complaint!

[4:35] There's a valuable lesson to be learned in all this.

[7:40] FYI, Vicky likes money.

[9:10] It's Vicky's mission to make sure she and Joe are comfortable and living well.

[10:45] What lessons can we learn from Vaginagate?

[13:50] You can choose who you listen to.

[19:00] People get really butt hurt when you don't give away your expertise for free.

[21:55] Vicky's clients are paying her to help grow their business, not for her to be their friend.

[22:40] When you work with Vicky, you're not going to get what you want, you're going to get what you need.

[24:00] Always strive to learn new things.

[26:55] Joe reads a lovely letter by Katherine!

[29:35] Vicky does something called 'Achievement Friday' with her inner circle students.

[31:10] Look forward to next week's episode as Vicky rants about something else!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Peter Thomson has been in business since 1972 and has a ton of ups and downs to share. Peter explains why business is not work, why you should live by your to-do list, and so much more! Peter has been a fantastic mentor to Vicky and she can't wait for you to hear what he has to say!

Key Takeaways:

[1:20] Peter starts off by telling a story about disaster and woe!

[5:15] How did Peter end up making his first million after his life fell apart?

[7:20] How did Peter build a strong network of people and referrals?

[10:00] Peter discusses how he keeps focused on his tasks.

[13:50] Everything Peter has to do, no matter how little, is on his to-do list!

[14:50] Schedule your breaks!

[17:10] What does Peter mean by, "The more time off you take, the more money you make?"

[18:30] Business is not work, it's fun.

[20:15] Although Peter is always focused on future results, he makes sure what he's doing right now is something he loves.

[21:40] What is one single piece of advice everybody should know?

[23:15] Please check out Peter's legacy program, The Achievers Club!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

The Achievers Club

If you struggle with procrastination, then this episode is for you! How can we work towards productivity and leave procrastination in the dust? Reward yourself whenever you complete a task. It has nothing to do with needing stronger will power, but everything to do with how you get compensated for the task. We are all just big toddlers in the end.

Key Takeaways:

[3:30] Let's talk about procrastination!

[4:40] But before we do that, let's talk about Victor Hugo (it's related).

[6:40] Getting children to cram knowledge into their brain for a school exam is a waste of their time.

[7:20] So, Victor locked all his clothes away so he couldn't leave the house and began work on his book.

[8:15] Why do people procrastinate?!

[9:25] Can you believe that even Joe procrastinates?

[11:25] Your present self doesn't think about your long-term future self. Your present self is an idiot.

[13:30] We often do not make choices for our future self, we make choices for who we are now. And, the person we are now is a toddler.

[15:45] How can we get out of procrastinating?

[17:00] How does Vicky motivate herself to run?

[18:15] Getting started is the hardest thing, but if you promise yourself a reward, it doesn't have to be.

[19:00] Do you know about the marshmallow experiment?

[22:35] After experiments like these, you can see where a lot of our social problems stem from.

[23:10] You CAN train yourself!

[26:30] It's really difficult to see your own problems, which is why you need a mentor!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

The best people to do business with are those who like you and are similar to you. This means that there are people out there who won't like you, who aren't similar to you, and it's completely okay to piss them off! You have to narrow down on your avatar, but this is something business owners are afraid of doing. Vicky discusses why you need to be firm on who you want to attract and work with.

Key Takeaways:

[0:50] Joe is currently in the cheapest hotel in the world.

[1:45] Since Joe is away for work, Vicky is failing as an adult.

[2:35] So, what are Vicky and Joe talking about today? Business owners who are too beige.

[3:50] Not everybody is going to like you.

[4:15] Most people don't want to define their avatar because they're afraid they're going to exclude people.

[9:25] What does SW3 stand for?

[10:25] You want to repel people who aren't like you.

[10:40] Being brave in your business means you are bound to offend someone.

[17:15] If you try to please everybody, you will fail.

[18:25] Again: It's perfectly okay if people don't like you.

[20:15] Dare to be yourself.

[22:35] Vicky has some crazy listeners who joined her Inner Circle just after binge listening this podcast.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Are you not a creative person? Do you despise fancy musicians and artists who just seem to 'get it'? Good. This episode is for you! Vicky has a four step process on how to come up with some fantastic ideas for your business so that you never run into a dull or uncreative moment...Ever!

Key Takeaways:

[0:35] Listen here as Vicky blotches her introduction. Blame Joe.

[2:30] Let's chop away at the misconceptions about creativity.

[3:15] There's no such thing as creative people vs. uncreative people.

[7:25] Example time!

[8:50] Did Darwin steal all the credit for his theory of evolution..?

[12:15] Einstein, he didn't just have crazy hair.

[15:50] Look out for Vicky's shiny new website. She'll have a planner for you guys!

[16:05] How do people come up with new ideas?

[18:55] Step one: Grow a mustache. This. Is. Necessary.

[21:10] There is no such thing as boring. There's always an interesting angle you can tackle it from.

[24:15] You can't force this to come to you. Let your subconscious marinate in the idea for a bit.

[24:35] Keep a notebook on hand at all times.

[26:55] Did you know the first draft of the Matrix was awful? Same with Star Wars!

[29:30] Next week look forward to understanding what the Chelsea Principle is!

[29:55] Now that you got these ideas, how do you make something without procrastinating?

[30:15] January's inner-circle class is all about procrastination and how to beat it!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Joe is back on for another fantastic podcast. Yay, it's Joe! Vicky warns people that whenever an expert is pushing for the newest shiny object, to be very wary of it being your 'end all, be all' solution to your problems. These are just tools to be used when you need them. Nothing beats old school, tried and true tactics! There are also some 'gurus' out there stating email marketing is dead, but here's why it's not.

Key Takeaways:

[1:35] Is email marketing dead?

[2:45] Be wary of those who believe only one option will work for you.

[2:55] Email marketing, Pinterest, and other social media platforms are just tools for you to use.

[3:30] How often does Joe contact his customers?

[4:50] How often SHOULD Joe be contacting his customers?

[7:15] Your aim is to build long term relationships.

[7:35] Companies don't make decisions, people do.

[13:45] Emails are the lifeblood to your business.

[19:15] Vicky hates shopping in shops. It's too stressful.

[20:10] However, one of Vicky's friends, Jody, made the shopping experience quite pleasant.

[23:20] Do not send marketing emails via your ISP. You will get blacklisted.

[24:30] People might not be opening your email, but who cares? Track your sales. That's the only metric that matters.

[27:00] Thanks for listening! Tune in next week to find out how you can never run out of ideas, ever, ever, again!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

There is no Joe for this week's episode! BUT! Vicky did invite two fascinating guests onto the show, Lin Armstrong and Lucy Read from the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Why? Because charity! In this week's episode, we learn about how businesses can create a mutually beneficial partnership with their charity of choice and give back to a cause that they care about and love.

Key Takeaways:

[0:55] Vicky always tells her clients not to work for free, so what should they do about charity?!

[1:45] Who is Lin? She does marketing for her non-profit clients, Lucy and the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

[3:05] Who is Lucy and what role does she play in the non-profit?

[4:25] How can an entrepreneur help a charity?

[6:00] How does Lucy work with the public to raise awareness and money?

[7:40] Since Lucy's work is very social, it makes sense to promote their non-profit on social media.

[7:55] Lin believes if you can get it right with social media, it becomes a great asset and tool.

[8:50] How does Lucy use social media with the businesses the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust collaborates with?

[10:15] How does Lucy get engagement active and alive?

[11:45] What does the non-profit look for in a business partner?

[12:55] Why would Lucy and her team reject a business and not want to work with them?

[14:20] What other businesses does Lin personally work with?

[17:30] There are quite a lot of interesting and fun ways you can help out a charity. You don't have to just give them cash or your time!

[17:45] Lin currently is looking for a charity partner for her business clients.

[19:55] Lin's niche is corporate social responsibility services. What does that entail exactly?

[22:00] How does Lin help charities and businesses get the most out of their partnership?

[23:20] What creative fundraising ideas have Lucy and her team come up with thus far?

[26:15] Vicky has a free PDF guide towards working with charities.

[26:55] Final thoughts from both Lin and Lucy.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Businessforsuperheroes.com/CSR1

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Catching Waves

It's a new year! Woohoo! Vicky and Joe cover the top ten most popular resolutions in this week's episode. One common theme among all of them? They're too vague! If you want to kick your butt in high gear this year and get your goals in order, you'll need to be specific. Extremely specific.

Key Takeaways:

[0:50] Happy new year!!!

[3:40] Stats. Stats. Stats. STATS!

[5:10] What are the top ten resolutions most people make?

[8:55] Vicky really could do with getting a bit more organised.

[13:15] Vicky explains how she saves money!

[14:35] Make sure you have enough for the taxman.

[15:15] Disconnect from your phone.

[18:25] Spend more time with family? That's a bit too vague for a new year's resolution.

[18:55] It's really easy to say you're going to do something vs. actually doing it.

[23:30] Beware, there will be something that will trigger your bad habits.

[26:30] Want to change habits? Change your routine.

[28:45] Vicky offers some new habit suggestions!

[31:00] Take action on the things you read.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain