We love a good business brand story! The kind that ‘sticks’ with us and leaves us wanting to learn more about the company and support their business. If you’re struggling to communicate your “WHY'' in a way that conveys who you are, what you really do and the unique value you bring to your clients and others, this show is for you! 

In this episode Lori Vajda and Nola Boea will show you how to transform your ‘WHY’ into a captivating, unique and sticky introduction. One that not only helps you make a memorable networking first impression, but is sure to leave prospects wanting to learn more about you, your business and services!

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to start your business or grow your personal brand? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

Sticky Brand Lab is the place for professionals who want to take their knowledge, experience or ideas on the road less traveled. 

If you enjoyed this show, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you’ll never miss an episode. Want to get to know us more? Find out more about us and our services at Sticky Brand Lab

If you haven’t already, please connect with us on Facebook! 

Business success strategies are in the works. Come have a listen!

Why You Should Listen To This Episode. In It You’ll Learn: 

• The key elements of a powerful and sticky brand message.
• How to create a simple brand message, and how to create persuasive messaging when networking.
• The purpose of knowing your unique business WHY.
• 10+ Tips to help you transform the way you talk about who you are, what you really do, and the unique value you bring to your customers and others.

Your brand and messaging matter a lot. Nola and Lori identify key elements to help new solopreneurs create a sticky brand. 

(1:36.46) The definition of a sticky brand that agencies use when working with mid to large companies. 

(3:21:82) How to create a sticky brand if you’re just starting your business and don’t have any customers or just a few customers. It starts with creating your circle of influence.

(6:14.22) This tip is a great and inexpensive way a new business owner can get feedback or honest testimonials.

(7:34.84) Try this technique if you want to reduce buyer remorse or you can use it to demonstrate you do what you say you’re going to do.

(10:47.48) Sticky brands are memorable brands. Use these tips to help your business ‘touch points’ be top of mind to new customers and referral sources.

Resources 

This episode was supported by: Be-YOU-nique

DIY Build Your Own Business Website - Course Link

Episode #5, What to do When a Customer Doesn't Like What You're Selling. Show Link

Episode #17, Kelly Vitale - Creating a Business Outside of the Lines. Show Link

Episode #42, Solita Roberts- How to Create a Signature Style for Your Business and Personal Brand. Show Link

ConvertKit: Our #1 Favorite Email Marketing Platform  (This is an affiliate link)

Nola and Lori explore what it takes to set your side hustle apart from the competition. To do this they look at what goes into developing a business brand. Just how important is having the right color palette, especially if you plan to do business globally?

Thanks for Listening!

You can subscribe to Lori and Nola's show, (we love you and want to make it easy) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

We love hearing from you! Leave or speak your message here - https://www.stickybrandlab.com/contact.html

If you haven’t already, please connect with us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/stickybrandlab

Would you like to be a featured guest or have your question, comment or review mentioned? Ask Muse – https://www.stickybrandlab.com/ask-muse.html

Sticky Brand Lab – https://www.stickybrandlab.com/

Let’s get this color filled episode started!

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• What are brand elements and why are they important to your business
• How branding impacts your customers
• What makes your side hustle business stand out from your competitors
• The elements of building brand awareness for your side hustle

 We humans are visual creatures. Yet, there’s more of a demand on customer’s attention than ever before. So how do you, small business, side hustle owner, gain recognition with your target audience? It begins by understanding the elements for building a solid and recognizable business brand and strategy.

(7:26.16) What is the difference between brand, branding and brand identity.

(12:25.40) Guess which company uses red and purple as their brand colors?

(15:18.92) Where this color and you just might get mistaken for an employee rather than a customer.

(16:35.92) What neuroscience says about color and how that impacts your business.

(18:14.74) Don’t wear this color if you want to attract a mate.

(18:34.72) These colors could have a negative impact on your business especially if you plan to reach a global market

(24:34.58) Free resources to help you choose your brand colors

 Resources

Color Seed - https://www.design-seeds.com/ (Blog, Search, Seasonal) - add a photo you like. I will generate a color palette.

Coolers - https://coolors.co/ (Color Scheme Generator) New Website!

Canva - 100 color combinations and how to apply them to your designs (Be sure to scroll down to see the image and color palette https://www.canva.com/learn/100-color-combinations/  

https://palettegenerator.com/

 This episode was supported by: Middle Kid Media [middlekidmedia.com]

Logo Lite and Social Packages for $475 see our offers page for details [https://www.stickybrandlab.com/offers.html]

Additional Savings for Other Branding Services Coupon code SBL20 (Excludes Logo Lite & Social Packages)

 Podcast Transcript – https://www.stickybrandlab.com/podcast

So you want to start a side hustle, but you don’t know WHAT side hustle to start. Should you go with what you know, marketing your existing professional skillet? Should you turn your favorite hobby into a business? Or should you delve into a new industry, working on a cause you care about?  Could your ideal side hustle be a combination of all the above? Lori and Nola walk you through a series of questions to ask yourself, so you can find your entrepreneurial sweet spot. 

Thanks for Listening!

You can subscribe to Lori and Nola's show, (we love you and want to make it easy) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts,  Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

We love hearing from you! Leave or speak your message here

If you haven’t already, please connect with us on Facebook! 

Would you like to be a featured guest or have your question, comment or review mentioned? Ask Muse!

Sticky Brand Lab

Let’s dive into this week’s episode!

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• Things to consider if you’re thinking about turning your professional skill set into a business
• How to figure out what you’re really passionate about -- and whether that passion is business-worthy
• Why pursuing the biggest money-making opportunity may cost more than you realize
• Ways to determine if a business idea might have market potential
  
  

Some people know without a doubt what side hustle they want to start. Others know they want to start a side hustle but the rest is a question mark. Using personal examples to illustrate concepts, Lori and Nola take listeners through a downloadable worksheet. Aspiring side hustlers can answer the questions discussed, to come closer to answering their own question: What side hustle should I choose? 

(3:57:28) How sometimes finding out what does not work leads you to find out what does.

(12:11:15) Answer these questions to uncover hidden (or not so hidden) talents that may be marketable.

(14:08:58) If you don’t know what things you love to do that may translate into a business, ask yourself these questions.

(20:31:43) How you can turn problems into opportunities.

(23:24:00) The answer to this one question can mean you’re in business or you’re not.

Resources

Download the worksheet, Your Entrepreneurial Sweet Spot

Podcast Transcript – https://www.stickybrandlab.com/podcast

A good About page serves both your readers and your business. Visitors who take a look at your About page are about 5x more likely to make a purchase than visitors who don’t. If you’re struggling to create an interesting ‘About’ page for your website, you’re not alone. It’s not easy! In this episode, Lori Vajda and Nola Boea make it easy for savvy aspiring side business entrepreneurs to create a great an About page with these amazing tips, ideas and real examples.  

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to start your business or grow your personal brand? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

Sticky Brand Lab is the place for professionals who want to take their knowledge, experience or ideas on the road less traveled. Find out more about us and our services at Sticky Brand Lab

Business success strategies are in the works. Come have a listen!

In This Episode You’ll Learn 

• Why an About page is so important for your website and business
• How your About page can help increase sales
• The purpose of your About page and WHY it matters
• 10 Tips to help you create an About page that stands out from your competition

(4:57.78) Just like an awesome first impression when you're meeting somebody jump-starts the relationship, your About page is your business's first impression calling card. 

(6:55:11) Research shows that customers who visit a brand’s About page spend this amount more than buyers who don’t.

(8:32.94) An inspiring About page can sound like a love letter to your ideal customer, like with this example of a graphic designer who makes several life changing decisions before starting her own business. This is her beautiful story.

(11:34.90) Three social enterprise examples of About pages that tell both a story of how each company came to be as well as the good each company does.

(17:28.26) 10 DIY tips to help you create an About page that truly stands out.

Resources 

Download your free tip-sheet: ​10 About Page Tips to Help You Stand Out From the Crowd  https://www.stickybrandlab.com/podcast-freebies.html

Sweet Fabula https://www.sweetfabula.com/about

Sticky Brand Lab https://www.stickybrandlab.com/about.html

Soul In Service https://www.soulinservice.co/about.html 

Kanda Chocolates - https://www.kandachocolates.com/ -https://www.kandachocolates.com/pages/our-story-1

Bombas - https://bombas.com/ - https://bombas.com/pages/about-us 

World for Good  https://worldforgood.com/about/

Yummly - https://www.yummly.com/  - https://www.yummly.com/about

Yellow Leaf Hammocks - https://www.yellowleafhammocks.com/ https://www.yellowleafhammocks.com/pages/about-us

ConvertKit: Our #1 Favorite Email Marketing Platform (This is an affiliate link)

Whatever your reason or motivation for writing a book, a well written book can be a great way for an entrepreneur to share their story, help others, and build a strong connection with your ideal customer.

While there’s a lot of information out there guiding first time authors on how to write a book, there’s not much that specifically focuses on the key elements you need to know and be able to answer BEFORE you ever get started.

In this episode Lori Vajda and Nola Boea interviewed three authors who reveal their best tips so you can become a savvy and successful first time author.  

In This Episode You’ll Learn 

• What important questions to ask before you start writing your first book.
• How to choose, not one just one, but two types of editors.
• The 3 critical steps and processes you need before writing your first book.
• How to decide whether to go the traditional publish route or self publish.

(5:40.58) A good editor can take anything you say and make it sound so much better. But what kind of editor or editors should you work with? 

(6:46:93) First, consider your audience, even before you write your first word. Then, ask yourself: How can I be sure my idea will actually appeal to readers?

(11:38.72) Many aspiring authors assume that getting started means cranking out tens of thousands of words before you approach an agent or publisher. In reality, this published author and ghostwriter recommends you follow these three simple tips.

(13:31.08) The magic of writing happens when you keep these fundamental principles at the forefront of your mind.

(16:46.60) Before you can truly embark on a publishing journey, you'll have one major decision to make. Will you self-publish your book or try to have it published traditionally?

(18:54.60) Once your book is published, the work is far from over: Now you need to find your readers who will buy your book. These fast-track marketing tips can help you successfully accomplish that goal. 

Resources 

Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts,  Audible, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

ConvertKit: Our #1 Favorite Email Marketing Platform  (This is an affiliate link)

Cyndee Rae Lutz’s website: https://www.cyndeeraelutz.com/ 

Meditation & Inspiration with Cyndee Rae Lutz

Episode #29: Mindset-Reset for the Busy Entrepreneur: Ways to Minimize Self-Doubt

Leanne Regalla’s website: WritingThatResonates.com 

Just for Sticky Brand Lab listeners:

• The Book Structure Cheatsheet
• My Favorite Distraction Busters
• The Portable Office Checklist
• Signature Story Writing Prompts

Grab the handouts at tinyurl.com/stickybrand

Episode #43: Effective Lead Generation Tips for Side Business Owners Ready to Attract More of Their Ideal Customers

Kristina Adams: The Writer’s Cookbook Website

The Writer’s Cookbook Podcast

“I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.” If you’re a professional woman who’s been mulling over entrepreneurship, but haven’t done any more than that, this quote from Lucille Ball should serve as a foretelling.

For professional women, there are plenty of great reasons to start a side business such as creating multiple streams of income, building something for yourself, and setting your own hours. In this episode Lori Vajda and Nola Boea share the five questions (plus bonus questions) to ask yourself before pursuing the entrepreneurial journey.  

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to start your business or grow your personal brand? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

Sticky Brand Lab is the place for professionals who want to take their knowledge, experience or ideas on the road less traveled. 

In This Episode You’ll Learn Why

• Women should seriously consider starting their own business.
• Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be daunting and it doesn’t mean you need to quit your day job.
• It’s better to start small and learn along the way, before building up to something bigger.
• The more ‘yeses’ you have to these questions, the more likely it is you can be a successful business owner regardless of background, education or experience level.
• Starting a side business creates career-changing opportunities you wouldn't have normally stumbled upon working a full-time job.

While there are many reasons women benefit from starting a business, including unstable job markets, economies and pandemics. Older women in particular face more discrimination during these life change events than their your counterparts. As Nola and Lori point out, understanding your intrinsic motivation for starting a side business can help you establish a solid foundation for launching a successful entrepreneurial journey. 

(2:56.25) Building a side business with limited hours to dedicate to it outside of your day job is never easy. Question number one is all about evaluating how passionate you are toward the idea of starting a business.  

(6:37.72) This question isn’t so much about delayed gratification as much as it’s about whether or not you’re in it for the long game.

(9:31.23) It takes time for a business to grow, which is why question number three is so important. Are you willing to put in the time to create a sticky brand? 

(12:36:44) You definitely can’t create a successful side business venture without support, and we’re not talking about the financial kind with question number four.

(15:02:69) There’s good reason why you don’t want to be first to market and question number five explores this in more detail. 

(17:57:60) Bonus question number one focuses on the one thing no talks about, and that is all about getting out of your comfort zone. 

(22:22:78) Bonus, bonus question, would you be willing to let us follow your entrepreneurial journey? 

Resources 

You can subscribe to Lori and Nola's show, (we love you and want to make it easy) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

This episode was supported by: Be-YOU-nique

Podcast Transcript

A beautifully written, uniquely informative lead gen can make a prospective customer feel like they are reading information from an expert in the field. This kind of outcome can be great for your business for two reasons. One, it increases your value and two, it improves your authority and credibility in the eyes of your target audience. Unfortunately, too many pieces of lead generation content are uninteresting, unhelpful and a downright waste of a reader’s time. So, how can you, a solopreneur, ensure your lead gen is a success? To find out, Nola Boea and Lori Vajda sat down with professional writer, marketing and author coach Leanne Regalla. Leanne is the founder of Writing That Resonates, a company that specializes in working with entrepreneurs, consultants, coaches, and experts who want to attract their perfect clients 24/7 with great content.

Leanne shares tips, insights and strategies so side business owners can create resources that  showcase their depth of knowledge and position themselves as an authority in their field.

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to start your business or grow your personal brand? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

Sticky Brand Lab is the place for professionals who want to take their knowledge, experience or ideas on the road less traveled. 

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• You can improve customer retention by creating a customer-centric marketing resource.
• Why creating a unique and well crafted lead gen can be a far more effective tool for collecting email addresses.
• How to create a single piece of optimized content, that's valuable and relevant to your audience, can increase organic traffic to your website.
• The various ways lead generation resources can drive leads and sales as well as improve the quality of leads.

(2:28.88) The power of a lead gen isn’t just that it addresses a pain point of your ideal customer, but that it can set you and your business apart from the competition. 

(4:48.74) Why writing can be a challenge and the many other misconceptions entrepreneurs have about this team sport.

(6:52.69) An easy definition and explanation of a lead generator and why, when done correctly, is so powerful.  

(7:43:56) The 3 main reasons why it's important for solopreneurs, particularly women founders, to have at least one lead gen, and preferably more than one.

(10:21:43) The 5 easiest ways to use lead generators as a way to build your personal brand. Especially if you are looking for ways to establish yourself as a thought leader, speaker, or subject matter expert.

(12:06:89) A lead magnet is a lot like a first date. When done poorly, it won’t lead to a second date. But, when done well, it opens the door to these business building blocks 

(19:10:38) 7 easy tips to help you get over the fear of putting yourself out there with your own unique industry perspective and opinion. 

Resources 

Leanne’s website: WritingThatResonates.com 

You can grab her book, Instant Authority: Write a Book, Spread Your Message, Make an Impact here, and take the quiz "Find your business author superpower and crush your personal kryptonite at WritingThatResonates.com

Just for the Sticky Brand Lab listeners:

• The Book Structure Cheatsheet
• My Favorite Distraction Busters
• The Portable Office Checklist
• Signature Story Writing Prompts

Grab the handouts at tinyurl.com/stickybrand  

To Get Leanne’s quotes: Sticky Brand Lab Resource Page

As a side businesspreneur, your personal brand and company brand are closely entwined. As such, the clothes, makeup, hair and accessories you wear become a crucial element to creating the type of brand image you want to reflect to customers, colleagues and the public. To understand the power your clothes play in how others see you and how you see yourself, Lori Vajda and Nola Boea sat down with Solita Roberts. Solita is the founder of Style To Impact, a personal styling and image consulting agency working with high-performing, purpose-driven women entrepreneurs and professionals to refine their wardrobe and image so they can showcase their talents, expertise, and thought leadership with confidence. In this episode Solita shares tips, insights and strategies to make the best use of your clothes while building a strong, memorable and confident image and brand.

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• How you can create your own personal style without breaking the bank.
• How to make the best use of your clothes while achieving your personal and professional brand image goals.
• Why working with a personal styling and image consultant can transform your closet, clothes and image.
• The 3 tips for getting a fresh, new style that incorporates today’s trends and helps you make a positive brand statement.

(3:31.86) Personal style has a lot in common with storytelling. When you understand the message you want to convey, it becomes easier to choose pieces that help you tell your brand story. 

(6:08.94) Misconceptions abound whether that has to do with our size, height, weight, age, ect. The key is in knowing the 3 ways you can use key pieces of your wardrobe to change the narrative and break barriers.

(7:27.97) This one Zoom function alone has led to many missed opportunities for professional women. Particularly, when it comes to using the platform to connect, network, build their business brand, and more importantly, build their authority.  

(10:15:42) Whether you’re an entrepreneur, employee, or executive, find out how the clothes you wear not only build your personal brand, they let your voice be heard.

(11:15:33) What is the difference between personal styling and image consulting and how you can use each of them to convey your message and boost your confidence.

(16:02:38) You tell the story of your brand through the things you wear. Four tips to help you create your unique story through clothes. 

(19:27:60) Many of us hold on to old tapes that others told us about our bodies, about what looks good on us and what is acceptable to wear. How to break the limiting beliefs we hold on to so we can create a style story that  serves us and the image we want to create for ourselves. 

(23:47:40) The unconventional trick for finding the colors that work best for you.

Resources 

Subscribe to Lori and Nola's show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Solita Roberts’ Free  EBOOK: The Style To Impact Formula- Your Guide to Unshakable Style Confidence. Download here: https://bit.ly/styleconfidenceguide

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://styletoimpact.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/styletoimpact/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/styletoimpact/

To Get Solita’s quotes: Sticky Brand Lab Resource Page

As a solopreneur, you are tasked with being the copywriter and marketing team of your side business. In this episode Lori Vajda and Nola Boea share their combined copywriting and digital marketing skills to teach you how to create messaging that speaks to what is relevant and important to your ideal buyer. 

Listen in as they explain how communicating the benefits – not just the features - increases conversion, in today’s episode.

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to start your business or grow your personal brand? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

Sticky Brand Lab is the place for professionals who want to take their knowledge, experience or ideas on the road less traveled. 

If you enjoyed this show, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you’ll never miss an episode.  Find out more about us and our services at Sticky Brand Lab.com

Business success strategies are in the works. Come have a listen!

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• How savvy entrepreneurs are carefully walking the tightrope between communicating benefits and features.
• The problem with a race to the bottom and competing solely on features and price is two-fold.
• While you may not be able to out-Amazon Amazon, knowing how to flip the script in a few key areas can help a small company win big.
• The major problem with using jargon, slang and buzzwords in your communication - even when you think the customer understands it.
• Why no matter how great your messaging, the focus has shifted from speaking at consumers to speaking with them.

Prospective buyers are more interested in how your product or service meets their needs and solves their problems. That’s likely because by the time they talk to you, the business owner, they have done their research. As Nola and Lori point out, the real challenge is being able to clearly communicate what the potential gain will be from their purchase and that’s where benefits come into play.

(2:47.53) The simple way you can tell whether you’re talking about benefits versus features and know the difference is not enough.  

(4:37.30) The three main reasons solopreneurs have difficulty differentiating writing and selling to the benefits versus features.

(8:38.44) This critical mistake is often what leads shoppers to compare your product or service with your competition, solely or mostly on price and why it’s crucial you avoid it. 

(15:21:02) How to use testimonials on your website or in your marketing materials to support the benefits of your product or service.

(16:58:23) This secret shortcut copywriters use, and is sure to save business owners time when writing benefit content.

(17:57:60) How to use case studies to light up the emotional center of your ideal buyer and why using them as part of your business’s benefit storytelling, is a real benefit to your overall content and selling strategies.

(20:26:78) Nine writing tips for natural, conversational style content that weaves benefits into the sales message. 

Resources 

You can subscribe to Lori and Nola's show, (we love you and want to make it easy) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

This episode was supported by: Be-YOU-nique

You’re not a developer, but you have an innovative idea for a software or maybe a mobile app, now what? How can a non-techie turn a great idea into a viable product without blowing your budget? That’s exactly what Lori Vajda and Nola Boea wanted to know so they sat down with Igor Belagorudsky, Founder and CEO of Fast CTO. Igor and his team started the company to help people and companies with great software ideas get them built the right way, the first time around. In this episode Igor shares his experience, insights and tips so listeners can learn what you need to know about hiring developers, why you don’t want an SOW (statement of work), and how to build a successful tech company.

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• Why a poorly executed mobile app or software idea can quickly become a huge bank debt and how you can avoid it.
• The make-or-break steps for finding and hiring the right developer partner to successfully build your app.
• The risky mistake first time startup founders make when coming up with an idea for an app. 
• The 3 reasons you need to treat your app like a business.

Hire a reputable app developer. It’s a statement that implies anyone can do so. As Nola and Lori found out, when you’re a non-techie with a great idea, but limited to no experience talking the language of a developer, miscommunication is the fastest way to lose money on app development. As Igor Belagorudsky pointed out, while it’s important to do your research, being knowledgeable about what to look for, what type of developer you need and speaking the language throughout the process to ensure your idea is executed, is quite another.

(5:16.46) While the process of building an app seems pretty straightforward, this one costly mistake often leads non-tech founders to hire the wrong team of developers and programmers. 

(7:48.17) The three primary reasons non-tech entrepreneurs should be wary about signing an SOW and why it usually doesn’t help with getting your idea built.

(11:10.90) Why you don’t want to hire, and should run the other way, a dev shop that offers project management for free. 

(13:06:42) When it comes to technology businesses, men and women have uniquely different approaches. Unfortunately, that difference can also lead more women to get taken advantage of by these scammy dev shops than male on.

(14:20:20) Before hiring anyone, this is the first thing you should do, when considering if your app is worth developing.

(17:12:28) The three main pros and cons of hiring a freelance software developer and hiring a company such as a dev shop.

(19:27:22) The surprising answer to determine whether or not you can tell if a developer is trying to scam you.

Resources 

Subscribe to Lori and Nola's show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Fast CTO

Email address: [email protected]

Igor Belagorudsky Social Links:

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/igorbelagorudsky/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lookattheigor/?hl=en 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fastcto  

To Get Igor’s two recipes and quote: Sticky Brand Lab Resource Page