Ever wondered what it really takes to build a thriving creative business that lasts? On this episode of Outsmart the Hustle, I sit down with Jai Long, creative business coach, award-winning photographer, and host of the Make Your Break podcast, to talk about what we’ve both learned from saying yes in the face of challenges. 

This conversation is all about how the moments of risk, uncertainty, and adversity can actually become the turning points in your business. Together we share the lessons we’ve picked up along the way and why leaning into opportunity matters more than waiting for the “perfect time.” We dive into: 

• Why opportunity cost matters more than price when investing in yourself
• How community and collaboration can change the trajectory of your career
• The mindset shifts that separate thriving creatives from stuck ones
• Why experiences like workshops can’t be measured in dollars alone
• What saying yes, even when it feels hard, can teach us about growth

Whether you’re a creative entrepreneur, a wedding pro, or someone who’s ready to stop holding back, this episode will give you the perspective and encouragement to take your next big leap.
 
Links & Resources:
 
Connect with Jai Long:

• Website: jailong.co
• Instagram: @jailong.co
• Podcast: Make Your Break

Connect with Hannah McGinty:

• Booked by Strategy
• Workshop Details
• YouTube
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

P.S. Share this episode with a friend who needs encouragement to say yes to their next big opportunity.

#CreativeEntrepreneur #BookedByStrategy #OutsmartTheHustle #PodcastEpisode #JaiLong #MakeYourBreak #WeddingProLife #Entrepreneurship #Workshop #WeddingBusinessWorkshop #WeddingWorkshop
 
 

Ever thought about making a “Death Folder”? No? Well, maybe you should. On this episode of Outsmart the Hustle, I sit down with Julie Fried, founder of the Death Folder and co-founder of Dallas Girl Friday, to talk about the surprisingly funny, practical, and life-saving world of planning ahead. 

Julie shares how a little organization can spare your family stress, help you get your affairs in order, and even give you peace of mind—all while keeping it light and approachable. We dive into: 

• Why every adult (yes, even entrepreneurs) needs a Death Folder
• How preparation can actually be fun and empowering
• Real-life tips to get started today without feeling overwhelmed
• The connection between planning, legacy, and living a life you love

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, busy creative, or just someone who hates thinking about paperwork, this episode will make you laugh, think, and maybe even motivate you to finally open that folder.
 
Links & Resources:
 

• Connect with Julie Fried: Death Folder / Dallas Girl Friday Website @dallasgirlfriday
• Learn more about Booked by Strategy.
  Website
  Workshop
  YouTube
  Instagram
  Podcast Instagram
  Connect with me on LinkedIn 

P.S. Share this episode with a friend who needs a little encouragement in their business!

#LifePlanning #PlanLikeABoss #JulieFried #DeathFolder #DallasGirlFriday #OutsmartTheHustle #HannahMcGinty #PodcastEpisode #CreativeEntrepreneur #EntrepreneurLife #CEOLife

If you’ve ever felt the weight of burnout as a creative entrepreneur, you are not alone. In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle, I’m joined by Laylee Emadi — educator, podcaster, and founder of The Creative Educator Conference — to talk about what it really takes to build a business that supports your life, instead of running it. 

Laylee shares her personal journey through burnout, how she rebuilt her business with stronger boundaries, and why success doesn’t mean hustling harder. Together, we unpack the mindset shifts and practical steps every entrepreneur can take to protect their energy, prioritize what matters most, and design a business that feels aligned. 

What you’ll learn in this episode: 

• Laylee’s story of recognizing burnout and choosing a new way forward
• Why entrepreneurs often fall into the trap of overwork (and how to break free)
• Practical ways to set boundaries and prevent burnout before it starts
• How to redefine success and build a business that fuels a life you truly love

Whether you’re deep in burnout or just ready to be more intentional with your business, this conversation will give you the encouragement and strategies to step into a healthier, more sustainable version of entrepreneurship.
 

Links & Resources: 

• Connect with Laylee Emadi: Laylee's IG @laylee_emadi / The Laylee Emadi Podcast
• Learn more about Booked by Strategy: 
  • Website
  • Workshop
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Podcast Instagram
• Share this episode with a creative friend who needs encouragement

Connect with me on LinkedIn

#EntrepreneurBurnout #BeatBurnout #LayleeEmadi #OutsmartTheHustle #CreativeEducator #CreativeBusinessOwner #CreativeEntrepreneur

What if your next client found you in ChatGPT instead of Google? 

In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle, I share the wild story of how a client searched “Dallas videographer” in ChatGPT and booked me the very same day. No Instagram DM chains, no endless referrals—just one search and one instant yes in under two hours. 

Here’s what we’ll cover: 

• Why Google still dominates search with 14 billion daily searches… but ChatGPT is quietly rising with 2.5–3 billion prompts a day.
• Why AI search results have way less competition than Google’s overcrowded front page.
• The connection between Google SEO and ChatGPT visibility (and why they’re related, but not identical).
• Practical steps to make sure ChatGPT recognizes you when someone searches your service + city.
• How you can grab this “blue ocean” opportunity before everyone else wakes up to it.

If you’ve been trying to figure out how to stand out in a saturated market, this episode will show you how to position yourself as the answer in AI search — and start booking clients faster.

Website
Workshop
YouTube
Instagram
Podcast Instagram
Connect with me on LinkedIn

#ChatGPTForBusiness #WeddingVideographer #DallasVideographer #CreativeEntrepreneur #ContentCreatorsLife #VideographerLife #FilmmakerCommunity #FutureOfSearch #AIForCreatives #ScalingYourBusiness

Editing burnout is real—and it might be the one thing standing between you and the business you actually want. In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle, Hannah McGinty chats with Serge Baidin, founder of bridengroom.video, about how outsourcing your video edits can help you scale and get your time back. From mindset shifts to systems that simplify handing off your work, this episode addresses common worries and misconceptions about outsourcing your editing work when your business needs it. 

Key Takeaways:

• Why outsourcing is the first step to sustainable growth
• How to communicate your editing style with confidence
• Common mindset blocks that keep creatives stuck in the grind
• Real stories of filmmakers who scaled fast after letting go
• What to expect when working with an editing partner
• How to find the right team—and trust them with your brand

Connect With Us:

Check out BridenGroom.video
Follow @BookedByStrategy on Instagram
Follow @OutsmartTheHustle on Instagram
Join our free FB Group

Outsmart the Hustle helps creative entrepreneurs build brands that convert—through strategy, storytelling, and high-impact content.

#OutsmartTheHustle #BookedByStrategy #CreativeEntrepreneur#OutsourceEditing #CreativeFreedom #ScaleSmart #WeddingVideography

Entrepreneurship is all about solving problems—but what happens when you’ve built nine businesses, experienced both success and failure, and learned the hard lessons along the way? In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle, we’re bringing back Ray Myers, a seasoned entrepreneur, business coach, and visionary behind multiple successful ventures. Ray dives deep into his journey of scaling businesses, overcoming setbacks, and knowing when it’s time to let go. One of his guiding principles? “Always teach what you wish you had known.” This conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone looking to grow smarter, not harder—whether you’re in the early stages of entrepreneurship or scaling toward your next big milestone.

Key Takeaways:

• How Ray started his first business at the age of 14
• The mindset shifts required to scale your business
• Key lessons learned from scaling and selling multiple businesses
• The importance of hiring the right people and delegating effectively
• How to break free from burnout and keep pushing forward
• Tips on knowing when to sell and how to exit gracefully
• Why emotional honesty is the foundation of real growth

Connect With Us:

Connect with Ray Myers
Follow @BookedByStrategy on Instagram
Follow @OutsmartTheHustle on Instagram
Join our free FB Group

Outsmart the Hustle helps creative entrepreneurs build brands that convert—through strategy, storytelling, and high-impact content.

#OutsmartTheHustle #BookedByStrategy #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessGrowth #ScalingSuccess #BurnoutFree #LeadershipLessons #CreativeGrowth

Likes don’t pay the bills—and they don’t always mean your content is working.In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle, Hannah McGinty breaks down why posts that rack up likes but bring in zero inquiries aren’t moving your business forward. If you’ve been stuck in the engagement trap, this is your sign to shift from vanity metrics to value-driven content. Learn the anatomy of a high-converting post and how to create content that not only entertains but actually leads your dream clients to take action.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why likes don’t equal leads (and how to tell the difference)
• The 4 key elements of a post that converts
• How to shift from entertaining to educating
• The power of a good hook and a clear CTA
• What dream clients are actually looking for
• A free resource to help you write better captions

Connect With Us:

• Follow @BookedByStrategy  on Instagram
• Follow @Outsmart the Hustle  on Instagram
• Join our free FB Group

Outsmart the Hustle helps creative entrepreneurs build brands that convert—through strategy, storytelling, and high-impact content

#OutsmartTheHustle #BookedByStrategy #CreativeEntrepreneur #ContentThatConverts #VanityVsValue #MarketingStrategy #SocialMediaForBusiness

If your content isn’t clicking, it’s probably because you’re writing for everyone. In this direct and powerful episode of Outsmart the Hustle, Hannah McGinty delivers a dose of tough love about why broad, beige messaging won’t attract your dream clients. When you try to appeal to all, you connect with none. The antidote? Write for one person.

Hannah shares how narrowing your focus and getting hyper-specific in your content helps you create emotional, magnetic messaging that lands with the right people—and leads to aligned bookings.

Key Takeaways:

• Why writing for everyone waters down your message
• How to identify and speak to your dream client
• The power of specificity and emotional storytelling
• What it looks like to write content that actually converts
• Why clarity is kindness (and beige is boring)
• A mindset shift to help you niche down without fear

Connect With Us:

• Follow @BookedByStrategy  on Instagram
• Follow @Outsmart the Hustle  on Instagram
• Join our free FB Group

Outsmart the Hustle helps creative entrepreneurs build brands that convert—through strategy, storytelling, and high-impact content

#OutsmartTheHustle #BookedByStrategy #CreativeEntrepreneur #AttractYourDreamClients #MagneticMessaging #CreativeBusinessTips #WeddingFilmmakerMarketing

You don’t need to go viral—you need to be remembered. In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle, Hannah McGinty unpacks why chasing numbers won’t build the kind of brand that sticks. She shares her personal shift from trying to go viral to focusing on creating meaningful, memorable content that resonates deeply with the right people. If you've ever felt behind because your content isn’t "blowing up," this episode will remind you that impact impressions—and brand moments last longer than viral ones.

Key Takeaways:

• Why going viral doesn’t guarantee leads (or bookings)
• The power of being unforgettable, not just seen
• How to build brand moments that resonate
• Tips for developing a signature style or voice
• Speaking directly to your ideal clients’ pain points
• What it means to create deeper, lasting content

Connect With Us:

• Follow @BookedByStrategy  on Instagram
• Follow @Outsmart the Hustle  on Instagram
• Join our free FB Group

Outsmart the Hustle helps creative entrepreneurs build brands that convert—through strategy, storytelling, and high-impact content

#OutsmartTheHustle #BookedByStrategy #CreativeEntrepreneur #CreativeBranding #CreativeBusinessTips #WeddingFilmmakers

You don’t have to post every day to stay booked—and that’s the truth. In this episode of Outsmart the Hustle, Hannah McGinty breaks down the myth that constant visibility is the only path to success. She shares the exact sustainable marketing strategies that help her attract consistent leads without burning out or chasing the algorithm.

From evergreen content to word-of-mouth referrals, this episode is packed with practical ways to make your marketing work for you long after you hit “post.”

Key Takeaways:

• Why daily posting isn’t required to stay booked
• The power of evergreen content (and how to create it)
• How referrals and relationships keep your brand alive
• Why one piece of thoughtful content outperforms ten rushed ones
• Smart ways to repurpose content across platforms
• How to create depth and value without constant output

Connect With Us:

• Follow @BookedByStrategy  on Instagram
• Follow @Outsmart the Hustle  on Instagram
• Join our free FB Group

Outsmart the Hustle helps creative entrepreneurs build brands that convert—through strategy, storytelling, and high-impact content.

#OutsmartTheHustle #BookedByStrategy #SustainableMarketing #CreativeEntrepreneur #WeddingFilmmaker #CreativeBusinessTips