So, Here's the Thing with Laylee Emadi

Ethical education has always been one of my core values in everything I do, then add in the value of community and you’ve got The Educator’s Lounge. In today’s episode, my friend and Educators Lounge community member Bree Pair interviews me about the process of building, launching, and serving The Educators Lounge!

If you’re an educator, coach, course creator, or someone passionate about sharing knowledge, I invite you to join The Educators Lounge. Become part of a community that is as dedicated to your growth as you are to others.

The idea for The Educators Lounge has been a dream for years—it began to take shape a few years ago when I created The Creative Educator Academy. The course itself fulfilled it’s goal, but I kept thinking, “There needs to be an ongoing community with it.”

In 2023, we hosted the first Creative Educator Conference, which sparked that initial idea for a community—I wanted attendees and others looking to invest in the educational branch of their business to have ongoing support.

In June of this year, Bree and I attended Mic Check Retreat, hosted by my podcast producer Haylee Gaffin, where Bree nudged me with this idea again, “Have you thought about doing a membership?”

It was right there, I knew that I needed to launch it: The Educators Lounge.

Launching The Educators Lounge came with so many emotions. From worrying if people would join to the fear of creating something new, like any new offering, every step brought its challenges.

The reality was even more overwhelming and positive than I had imagined. In just one week, over 80 educators joined the community. Initially, I aimed for up to 30 members. It validated the need for such a community and reaffirmed my purpose in serving creative educators.

The success of The Educators Lounge is not just in numbers—it’s the people who make it special. Each member brings unique skills, questions, and perspectives, enriching the community as a whole. From industry leaders to budding educators, the diversity in experience makes for a dynamic and collaborative environment.

What does The Educators Lounge offer to its members?

A significant part of the launch’s success can be attributed to marketing that felt natural and genuine. Sharing my journey on social media, engaging through emails, and just being real about my excitement and nerves, helped to connect with people authentically.

Even after the launch, the approach remains the same. Regular updates about what’s happening inside the community and showcasing the value it offers serve as ongoing organic marketing.

I look forward to intertwining this community with upcoming events like our Creative Educator Conference, making it feel less like a series of isolated events and more like a continuous, cohesive, and supportive experience.

If you’re an educator, coach, course creator, or someone passionate about sharing knowledge, I invite you to join The Educators Lounge. Become part of a community that is as dedicated to your growth as you are to others.

Mentioned in the Episode:

The Educators Lounge

Creative Educator Conference

Mic Check Retreat

Kajabi

Connect with Bree:

thrivetogether.blog

instagram.com/thrivetogetherblog

instagram.com/breepair

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The post 170: The Educators Lounge: Building a Community of Educators ft. Bree Pair appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

If you hadn’t noticed already, I’m a huge fan of in-person events. From workshops to conferences to retreats, I truly believe each holds such importance in business education. In honor of hosting Next Level, my retreat for creative entrepreneurs, I’m sharing the value of investing specifically in retreats as a business owner!

Mentioned in this Episode:

Next Level Retreat

Creative Educator Conference

165: Selling Out An In-Person Event—Advice From An Experienced Host

Mic Check Retreat by Gaffin Creative

Do you like the snack sized format?
Every other week, you’re going to see this snack size format, where I’ll be pulling from my real life conversations and sharing quick tips and thoughts with you!

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The post 169: Investing in Yourself and Your Business with Retreats appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if you had an influx of cash to support your business? There are funds set aside specifically for that in the creative economy and business opportunity space. In today’s episode, Danielle Desir Corbett joins us to share why creators should be applying to grants, what to include in your application, and how to build a workflow around it.

Plus she even has a resource where she finds grants for you!

Initially aspiring to be a doctor with business skills, Danielle majored in finance instead of the typical pre-med subjects. However, after realizing medicine wasn’t for her, Danielle fell into grant administration. She began as a financial analyst and then moved to a department handling grant applications. In 2020, after finding her footing in content creation with a podcast and blog, Danielle began applying for grants herself. Winning multiple grants changed her perspective on funding and inspired her to create “Grants for Creatives.”

Danielle sees grants as one-time cash injections that can be transformative for your business, despite not being predictable sources of income. She emphasizes that these funds are not “free money” as they come with strings attached, such as reporting and spending restrictions. The key is to apply when you see a great fit and not count yourself out prematurely.

Grants are essentially pots of money set aside by various organizations (corporations, federal government, local entities) to support specific initiatives or projects. The alignment between the applicant and the funder is crucial. Danielle advises a litmus test—the “billboard test”—to determine fit. If you can envision your business and the funder on a billboard together, it makes sense to apply.

Creators often struggle to see themselves as small business owners. Danielle encourages creators to adopt an expansive mindset, realizing that they fit under the small business umbrella, even if they don’t have a formal LLC or brick-and-mortar establishment.

When it comes to seeking funding, consistency is key. Danielle advises focusing on developing a pitching practice and maintaining a balance between grant applications and seeking consistent income through partnerships and sponsorships.

A good pitch is an introduction and should start with what’s in it for them—the reader. Danielle outlines several tips for a successful pitch:

Danielle’s unpopular opinion around content creation is that not all success stories are shouting from the rooftops—you don’t have to have specific things in order to be successful. Her advice is to not let mental blocks or external naysayers hold you back. Many creators achieve financial success without publicizing it. Instead of listening to limiting beliefs, pave your own way by developing your skills and resilience in the face of rejection.

Connect with Danielle:

grantsforcreators.com

danielledesir.com

instagram.com/thedanielledesir

threads.net/@thedanielledesir

thoughtcard.com

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You may have noticed that this summer looked slightly different than my previous summers in business. I skipped my summer sabbatical. In today’s episode, I’m sharing why I opted for summer hours instead of a summer sabbatical and how you can decide which form of time of and rest is right for you!

Mentioned in this Episode:

Membership

Episode 71: Planning For A Sabbatical

Episode 80: Reflecting On My First Sabbatical

Do you like the snack sized format?
Every other week, you’re going to see this snack size format, where I’ll be pulling from my real life conversations and sharing quick tips and thoughts with you!

Looking for the Transcript?

The post 167: Choosing Between Work and Rest: Summer Hours vs. Summer Sabbatical appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

Do you feel like email marketing just isn’t for you? Maybe it’s not working—no one is reading what you have to write or you just don’t know how to stand out. In today’s episode Zafira Rajan joins us to share how you can craft emails that people want to read and infuse who you are throughout the copy!

In a time where AI has taken over, the one thing that no one can truly replicate is your personality and your voice. Lean into using your voice to showcase who you are and how you serve your audience, especially in your emails.

When you’re writing your emails, people really need to start recognizing that you have a certain take or opinion or things that they can turn to you for.

Zafira introduces the concept of “personality pillars” to help structure email content. According to her, these pillars can help you stay consistent and authentic in your communications. Here are the five pillars she recommends:

Zafira highlights practical advice on integrating these pillars into your email marketing strategy. Here are some key takeaways:

Zafira believes in the long game when it comes to email marketing. Unlike social media, which can be fleeting, emails offer a controlled environment where you can nurture your relationship with your audience.

Zafira’s unpopular/ unapologetic opinion about email marketing is to be memorable rather than consistent. Plus, email is more valuable than social.

If this approach feels overwhelming, start small. Begin by identifying your core values and a couple of unique traits that define you. Share them with your audience and see how they respond. You might be surprised at how much they appreciate the authentic touch.

Connect with Zafira:

zafirarajan.com

instagram.com/zafira.rajan

zafirarajan.com/courses

Looking for the Transcript?

The post 166: Crafting Emails that People Actually Want to Read with Zafira Rajan appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

Are you struggling to sell out your in-person events? In today’s episode, I’m sharing advice on how I’ve found success in selling to my audience year after year and what I’ve done to pivot when past strategies didn’t work!

Mentioned in this Episode:

Membership

131: Stop Selling In DMs—And What To Do Instead With Sarah Erickson

Do you like the snack sized format?
Every other week, you’re going to see this snack size format, where I’ll be pulling from my real life conversations and sharing quick tips and thoughts with you!

Looking for the Transcript?

The post 165: Selling Out an In-Person Event—Advice from an Experienced Host appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

If you’ve ever thought to yourself, I could use a lot more accountability and community in my business and life, Dennah Renee is here to help. While finding the right people is a huge piece of it, taking ownership and action in creating that community is up to you! Listen in as she shares how she’s turned business besties into accountability partners and builds her own peer masterminds where she sees potential!

Community and accountability do not happen by accident; they are the result of intentional effort and vulnerability. After Dennah realized the power of community and accountability, she founded The Quarter Co., where participants experience a blend of bi-weekly coworking sessions, trainings, and checkpoint-driven accountability that helps them move their businesses forward.

Dennah advocates for quarterly planning because it allows business owners to focus on manageable, 90-day increments. By looking at a season rather than an entire year, businesses can make more educated decisions and prioritize their tasks effectively. Breaking down goals into actionable steps is crucial. Dennah suggests identifying tasks that can be accomplished in an afternoon to ensure constant progress, even on overwhelming days.

The simple act of writing down goals dramatically increases the likelihood of achieving them. The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education states that the probability of reaching a goal rises from 10% (if it’s just an idea) to 40% (by writing it down). This jumps to 95% if the goals are broken down into actionable steps with accountability measures in place.

After attending the Creative Educator Conference, she and her friend Rachel decided to meet every Wednesday to ensure they executed the ideas and strategies they learned. This regular, disciplined effort resulted in tangible progress for both their businesses. While there is so much power in working with a coach, they just needed that accountability for implementation once they returned home.

For introverts and those shy about seeking community and accountability, Dennah advises starting small, perhaps with a trusted friend. This one-to-one approach allows for safe vulnerability and can lay the groundwork for broader community engagement over time.

Dennah’s unpopular opinion is that receiving accountability and feedback as an entrepreneur can be challenging. More often than not, entrepreneurs are givers, making it difficult to be on the receiving end of help or constructive criticism. Transparency and vulnerability are key to benefiting from community and accountability.

Connect with Dennah:

dennahreneephotography.com

dennahreneephotography.com/thequarterco

instagram.com/dennah

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The post 164: Finding Community with Accountability in Business appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

Are you taking your clients behind the scenes of your launches? Not only does it build excitement and anticipation, but it also allows you to create the service, product, or program alongside them and for them. In today’s snack-sized episode, I’m answering some common questions about how much behind-the-scenes work to share during the prelaunch phase!

Mentioned in this Episode:

Membership

Do you like this new format?
Every other week, you’re going to see this new snack size format, where I’ll be pulling from my real life conversations and sharing quick tips and thoughts with you!

Looking for the Transcript?

The post 163: Inside the Launch: Bringing Your Audience Behind the Scenes appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

If you’re looking to add more leads to your business—and who isn’t?—this episode is for you. Davey Jones, CEO of BDOW!, joins us to share how you can create the ultimate lead capture strategy, making the most impact on your business. Whether you’re interested in using a tool like BDOW! for your business or simply want to stir up more leads through a lead magnet, this blog post shares valuable insights from Davey on creating a lead magnet that will elevate your lead generation game.

BDOW! is a popular lead generation tool that offers forms and pop ups that are super intelligent. Is was formerly known as Sumo.

Lead generation is simpler than most people think. At its core, lead generation is getting people to raise their hand and say, “Hey, can I hear a little bit more about that?” When someone asks for more information, they essentially become a lead. It’s as simple as starting a one-on-one conversation but at a larger scale. Davey believes that focusing on practical, straightforward methods can make your lead generation efforts more effective.

One of the most effective strategies discussed was the use of lead magnets. A lead magnet is something of value offered in exchange for contact information. Davey suggests that the best lead magnets are tools that you already use in your business that get you or your clients results. For example, a website designer could offer a guide on curating images for a website refresh. This type of lead magnet is not only valuable but also qualifies the person as a potential client.

One solid lead magnet can often be enough. If it doesn’t perform as expected, rather than creating a new one, just optimize the existing one by changing the title or tweaking the landing page. Often, these small adjustments can lead to significant improvements in performance.

Mistakes are bound to happen when it comes to lead generation, but here are a few of the most common ones to avoid:

Tip: Avoid failing to highlight the benefit of a lead magnet by focusing instead on its features. Davey suggests using the “so that” game to ensure your messaging is benefit-oriented.

We often overcomplicate our tracking as well, which is why BDOW! has a dashboard that gives you tons of data to make decisions with. Whether it’s a completion rate of a pop up or tracking of conversions in other areas, you’re able to see a variety of variable and tracking around them.

As an industry standard for BDOW!, they set a 30% completion rate as the floor, with a goal of 50% when it comes to lead gen opt in forms.

If you’re not seeing this, BDOW! has created easy-to-use A/B testing for forms so that you can determine which one works better.

Davey’s unpopular opinion? If you are a creative entrepreneur looking to sell at scale, building an email list is non-negotiable. It’s the best asset for consistent sales and preventing those panicky moments when business is slow.

Connect with Davey:

instagram.com/daveytjonesy

daveyandkrista.com

dbow.com – Use code LAYLEE for a special discount!

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The post 162: Mastering Lead Generation through BDOW! with Davey Jones appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.

It’s time to make big impact and big changes in business for me, which is why I’m doing the business version of the 75 Hard challenge! In today’s snack-sized episode, I’m sharing why I’m embracing this challenge and what my tasks include for results from the challenge!

Mentioned in this Episode:

Episode 159: Embrace the Lipstick Effect: Boost Your Energy and Confidence

Episode 41: Morning Routines For Entrepreneurs With Laylee Emadi

Do you like this new format?
Every other week, you’re going to see this new snack size format, where I’ll be pulling from my real life conversations and sharing quick tips and thoughts with you!

Looking for the Transcript?

The post 161: Embracing the Business Version of the 75 Hard Challenge appeared first on Laylee Emadi | Coach for Creative Educators.