Refuel Your Fire

Do you have leads and prospects who are falling through the cracks?

What happens after you start a conversation with a new potential customer?

Relationship development and sales pipeline management are the secret to capitalising on the momentum we've been building over the past few weeks.

We've talked about how to be consistent, we've looked at how to generate leads (without being spammy) and we've gone through how you can send cold emails & messages that actually start conversations... so today we're talking about what to do from there so you can close more deals.

I'll also share with you a simple question you can ask to your prospect during a conversation so that instead of being pushy you are being of service by having their permission to talk about your solution in a relevant and valuable way.

Highly recommend checking out the free version of Airtable as a starting place to keep track of your customers if you're a small business (I am not an affiliate, I just love the product!).

To track marketing qualified leads I use Active Campaign. I am an affiliate of Active Campaign, and if you use this link and decide to make a purchase, it will support me and this show with a small commission. If that sounds like a win-win to you - use this link here: https://www.activecampaign.com/?_r=V8BWB9QC

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Are you playing a smaller game than you'd like to? Where do you want to take your business over the next 5 years?

Today I'm talking about the differences and similarities between entrepreneurs and small business owners which leads to a discussion about the extreme under representation of female founders in the startup space and who receive funding from venture capital firms.

I also explore the barriers of what can hold us back particularly as women especially in relation to high growth industries.

But this thing is much bigger than me and I'm more interested in what you think so please join the conversation on twitter with me my handle is @laurenkress89 and our conversation tag is #growyourbrand

If this resonates - there's a special offer I've made for you at the end of the show - and you can send me a message on LinkedIn if you'd like to take me up on it :)

In terms of a general overview of this podcast - here's the points I cover.

- What has traditionally been different about entrepreneurs and small business owners?

- Why is there a significant difference in gender diversity between these two groups?

- What has happened in 2020?

- What could happen over the next 5 years given the Boosting Female Founders initiative?

- The hidden entrepreneurs: what's going on for intrapreneurs, side-businesses and seed projects in 2020?

The references I make during this live stream are to the following:

https://www.smartcompany.com.au/budget-2020/women-led-businesses-excluded-boosting-female-founders-initiative/

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/holly-branson_allyship-equality-antiracism-ugcPost-6724977267363127296-ogi_

http://wadeinstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Women_and_Entrepreneurship%20report_small.pdf

https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/publications/2015/unconscious-bias/

Tweet with me @laurenkress89 to join the discussion #growyourbrand

Contact me on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenkress89/

Support me on Ko-Fi here: https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Wondering how you can convert more leads into customers via an email marketing sequence?

This week I chat with podcast host of Storytelling Secrets, Julian Danylak (aka. Jules Dan) about how to DIY your own great autoresponder series (without the cookie-cutter template everyone else has!)

Jules is an email copywriting expert and there are so many great little tips and tricks in here that will help you optimise your emails from the outset! I certainly learnt a thing or two!

If you want to find out more about how to convert more leads into customers via email, check out Julian's check list here: https://julesdan.com/emailmistakes/

If you want to help support the show head over to my ko-fi page here: https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress anything you can do is greatly appreciated!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Starting a conversation with a complete stranger can be awkward at the best of times.

In this episode we're going to look at how to send cold emails and messages to make a good first impression and begin to build rapport with potential customers in need of your help.

I also talk about the importance of having social proof and a clear message to make sure from your initial outreach message you are starting to build engagement and memorability by being relevant and useful for your prospect.

This podcasts and the templates that go along with this are largely focused on B2B prospecting but the same principles apply if you're selling a premium service B2C.

Now it's time to TAKE ACTION!

Access the PIN I've created on Pinterest here: https://pin.it/2w55ECp or via the episode webpage below with the 5 different conversation starter templates that you can use to start building your pipeline and Grow Your Brand.

Access the webpage here: https://www.laurenkress.com/how-to-send-cold-emails-and-messages-that-actually-start-conversations

Next Monday we'll be talking about relationship development and how to manage your pipeline so you can close more deals with your ideal clients!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Have you noticed the hype around outsourcing in order to "live your dream life"?

In this episode I'm talking about outsourcing mistakes I've made and seen others make and chat through the pros and cons of outsourcing and what to expect if you do.

We'll also take a closer look at the different roles and skillsets required within the marketing functions of your business and the questions you want to ask yourself to make sure you don't end up outsourcing the things that bring you joy and meaning.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Brian Fretwell's Ted Talk has over 2.3 million views and with good reason.

Brian's ability to explain complex ideas about the brain in a way that is funny, memorable and allows us to understand ourselves at a deeper level is a rare talent.

Needless to say it was such a privilege to have Brian join me on the show on our Live with Leading Thinkers segment and I highly recommend checking out the amazing work he is doing to help people achieve a greater sense of joy and purpose in their lives using intuition and the art of enquiry over at https://findingthefires.com/

You can also learn more about Brian by heading over to his LinkedIn profile here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bfretwell/

You can check out Brian's Ted Talk here: https://youtu.be/qiN67V5q3C4

Other links and ideas shared in the show:

If you're curious about my video on the "law" of attraction I referenced in relation to what I said on the show today you can check it out on youtube here: https://youtu.be/T7sHon8GZGk

If you want to subscribe to the show's mailing list and access the podcast and live stream schedule just visit: http://www.growyourbrand.com

Tune into my Live Stream on Friday at 11am AEDT to chat with me about the darker side of outsourcing and the challenges with letting go.

To become a supporter of the show and get a shout on the show go to: https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress

Tweet with me @laurenkress89 and join the discussion #growyourbrand: https://twitter.com/laurenkress89

Until next time remember that sharing your talents with the world will make it a better place xo

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Happy Monday! In today's Monday Motivation episode we're taking a closer look at what to do (and what not to do) to start conversations that will build momentum for your business development and generate sales calls with valuable leads.

This episode follows on from last week's MONDAY MOTIVATION episode where we spoke about setting your sales target and using sales as a science to calculate your daily non-negotiable activities.

To help you remember the different strategies you can use I've created a pin on pinterest and a blog post as well that will give you more detail around each of the conversation starter methods you can use for your lead generation.

Access the pin here: https://pin.it/3KCOgy7

Access the blog post article here: https://www.laurenkress.com/how-to-generate-your-most-valuable-leads

Key Time Codes:

0:03 Last week's episode and activity - your weekly KPI's
0:44 The challenge with keeping on track after your first week
1:06 Coping with self-doubt as a solopreneur
1:33 Inspiration to stay consistent with your business development
2:20 Sales strategies to generate leads and conversations without spending money
5:15 Your actions this week to stay on track and reach your sales targets

If you enjoyed this episode, I also recommend checking out my interview with Peter Strohkorb from a few months back - particularly if you are looking for help with more complex sales - you can watch or listen to the episode here: https://www.laurenkress.com/b2b-sales-funnel-optimisation-for-sales-acceleration

The other episode I recommend checking out if you're looking for more help with your outbound marketing is my interview with Liam Redmond which is available here: https://www.laurenkress.com/outbound-sales-for-100-meetings-a-month-with-liam-redmond

Ps. Subscribe to the show's newsletter on my website here: https://www.laurenkress.com/grow-your-brand

Tweet with me @laurenkress89 and join the conversation #growyourbrand

Find out more about me and my work at https://www.laurenkress.com

Support the show on ko-fi here: https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Have you been to a bad online event recently?

My guess is that if you've registered for a few online events this year then you probably have given at least one a miss, and at least one you attended was disappointing.

Today I'm talking about how this relates to the trick many people are missing when it comes to navigating the attention economy within the unique circumstances of 2020.

You'll learn the hacks that work and don't work when it comes to generating interest and intrigue in your brand.

Because it's that time of the week to talk about how we can get YOU out there for the world to see.

Join me on this week's SEEN & HEARD episode fresh from today's live stream on LinkedIn, Youtube and Facebook!

Here's the links I shared during the show:

1) Check out the Spark Festival and register for a week of awesome live streams next week! I'll be chatting with Steve Grace about the art of storytelling and positioning your brand to attract top talent on Monday the 12th at 3pm AEDT: https://sparkfestival.co/

2) If you don't want to wait for the podcast episode to be released from my interview with youtuber and SEO expert Matthew Woodward you can check out the Live stream here: https://youtu.be/wAAmtzOCrlc

3) Learn more about the 6 interview formats I use to help smart people share their BEST stories with the world by checking out my new video on how to create compelling content here: https://youtu.be/R6LmAYyMCbc

If you want to find out more about the sponsorship & partnership packages I'm offering so you can get webinar-worthy attention and deep engagement without the price tag visit my website: https://www.laurenkress.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Absolutely wonderful to be chatting with my good friend Lyndall Farley about the benefits of taking a break and the opportunities we can seize in this strange year.

If you've felt like you've been stuck in a hamster wheel and you want to look at how you can design your life differently for the future, this episode will be a great listen for you!

Lyndall shares the power of reflection and the things we need to think about in order to make the most of the challenges that have come our way in 2020.

Lyndall is a sabbatical specialist, wellbeing coach and Founder of Beyond a Break.

Find out more about Lyndall and the work she does with individuals and corporates at https://www.beyondabreak.com/

You can also get in touch with her via LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndallfarley/

Today I also shared that I'm opening up more interview opportunities in the form of branded content, sponsored interviews and partnership packages.

You can find out more about what this involves at https://www.laurenkress.com

To support the show head to https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

I'm baaaaack! Happy Monday!

Before I went on break we were talking a lot about the importance of consistency, so for this week I thought we'd take a closer look at exactly how to be consistent so you can build success habits and achieve your business goals.

I'll run through a short maths exercise to show you how to break a realistic 3 month sales target into a bite size daily activity that is completely feasible to achieve.

This episode comes with a free KPI Tracker you can download to define 3 objectives you want to achieve in the next 3 months and stay on task to work towards achieving them.

Download the tracker here: https://www.laurenkress.com/how-to-be-consistent-for-sales-and-marketing-success

Key Timecodes:

0:49 The simple tool I created to be consistent with sales and marketing

1:33 Entrepreneurship challenges with consistency

2:01 Breaking long term goals into 3 month objectives

3:14 Sales as a science example and how to do the maths

5:17 Content marketing scheduling for consistency

5:49 So how do you drive the conversation to generate leads?

6:03 Monday motivation action for this week

Sign up to receive all the latest episodes from Grow Your Brand here: http://www.growyourbrand.com.au

And support the show on ko-fi at https://ko-fi.com/laurenkress

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit laurenkress.substack.com