Streamlined Solopreneur: Tips to Help Solopreneurs Become Automators

“Build your authority” feels like advice that’s often given without a solution attached. And it’s SO important to solopreneurs, especially since social media is no longer the best place to build a proper audience. 

That’s why I sat down with Jessica Lackey, a business and operations strategist who’s all about helping solopreneurs like us build real authority.  We talked all about what you actually need to do to build authority – from understanding who you’re talking to, to the medium you use to get your message out. 

Top Takeaways

• Develop a Clear Premise, Process, and Body of Work: Building authority begins with a well-defined message and positioning (your premise), a unique approach to your work (your process), and a public body of work that showcases your thinking and differentiates you from others.
• Focus on Patterns and Behaviors Over Demographics: When identifying your niche or audience, prioritize the patterns, behaviors, and values of those you serve best, rather than just their demographic details. This leads to more meaningful connections and effective authority building.
• Create a Cohesive Body of Work Outside of Feed-Based Platforms: Relying solely on social media can be limiting due to its ephemeral nature. Building authority is more effective on platforms you own—like blogs, newsletters, or podcasts—where your content forms a cohesive and accessible body of work.

Finally, pick the medium you’re most comfortable with – or as Jessica puts it – pick the method for authority building that you’ll actually use. 

Show Notes

• Jessica Lackey

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In this bonus episode, I share a gratitude-inspired look at the tools and habits that have shaped my year, including my favorite apps, services, and hardware. From time-saving actions to game-changing tech, this episode offers a sneak peek into my “favorites of the year” and how they’ve helped me reclaim time and focus.

Links

• Obsidian
• Blank Spaces App
• The Brick
• I'm on Bluesky
• Audible
• ChatGPT
• Kindle Colorsoft
• My iPhone Home Screen 

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Have you ever been playing with your kids or trying to relax, but your mind keeps drifting back to work? Trust me, you’re not alone! It can feel frustrating – and it can feel like you’re failing to achieve “work/life balance.” 

That’s why I brought on Lindsey Carnick, a licensed clinical social worker and owner of Onward Psychological Services.

We get into how our minds work, the importance of aligning with our personal values, and practical strategies to stop overthinking – BUT ALSO why there’s no shame in those random work thoughts. 

If you’re done feeling shame for work thoughts hijacking your free time, and want to learn how to be more in control of your reaction to them, this is a perfect episode for you. 

Something that puts my mind at ease with work is knowing things are still chugging along, even when I’m sleeping, thanks to my automations. Want a head start? Download my free automations database at https://streamlined.fm/freebie

Top Takeaways

• Accept the Mind’s Wanderings: It’s natural for your mind to think about work during personal time. Instead of resisting or feeling guilty about these thoughts, acknowledge them without judgment.
• Align Actions with Personal Values: Understanding and prioritizing your personal values helps in making decisions that lead to a fulfilling life.
• Write to Manage Thoughts: Writing down thoughts can help clear your mind and prevent intrusive ideas from occupying mental space. Plus, once you write things down, the words on the page won’t change!

Show Notes

• Lindsey Carnick
• Lindsey on Linkedin
• Lindsey on Instagram
• The Black Swan

Get 40% off Cloudways for Black Friday and Cyber Monday! 

Ready to get Unstuck? Visit https://streamlined.fm/unstuck for 33% off. 

It’s the annual gift guide episode! Except, instead of just talking at you for 40 minutes, This year, I’ve teamed up with my good friend Cat Mulvihill to bring you the ultimate 2024 Gift Guide for solopreneurs and anyone working from home. We talk home goods, tech, productivity, EDC, and more.

Our main goal fits perfectly with the mission too: we want to help you solve a problem…not just spend money unnecessarily.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for the perfect gift for the solopreneur in your life, we’ve got you covered with thoughtful, problem-solving recommendations that’ll make the work-from-home experience smoother and more enjoyable.

And let us know, what’s something you can’t live without? Leave a message at streamlinedfeedback.com

Find Cat

• Cat Mulvihill
• Cat on LinkedIn
• Cat’s YouTube Channel

Want a special discount on all the Elgato stuff we mentioned? Use Cat's link and discount code: 

• https://elgato.sjv.io/catmulvihill
• Rebate Code at checkout: ZZ-CatMulvihill

Home and Office

• Dual Basket Air Fryer
• OXO Coffee Grinder (I incorrectly said “Bonavita” during the show, which is my coffee maker)
• Tea Kettle
• Lamy Fountain Pen
• Joe’s Pen Buyer’s Guide
• Oofos Sandals

Tech

• Rocketbook
• Rock Paper Pencil
• Doc Popps
• Kindle Colorsoft
• Kobo eReaders
• Stream Deck Plus
• Stream Deck Neo
• Cat’s Stream Deck Essentials Course
• Elgato Prompter 
• Elgato Light Remote 
• Brick
• Philips SmartSleep Alarm Clock
• iFixIt Kit
• RØDE Micro Mobile Wireless Mics
• DJI Mic
• External Hard Drive

EDC

• The James Brand Folsom Knife
• Shady Rays Sunglasses
• Nomad Watch Bands
• Beats Case for iPhone 16 Pro
• Bellroy Wallet
• Oura Ring

Software

• Ecamm Live
• Tella.tv

Contains affiliate links

• (00:00) - Introductions and Advice

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Ready to get Unstuck? Visit https://streamlined.fm/unstuck for 33% off. 

Bringing a VA into your business can free up your time and help you focus on growth, but finding and effectively working with the right VA requires clarity on what you need, a structured hiring process, and simple, ongoing communication.

Many solopreneurs are overwhelmed by the process of hiring and working with a VA. You may not know where to start, what tasks to delegate, or how to ensure the VA’s work aligns with your business goals. This leads to hesitation, missed opportunities, and often burnout from handling too many tasks alone.

So today, I’m going to tell you how I work with my VA, and give you a 4-step process for finding and successfully working your VA.

Want that VA Notion template I mentioned? Head on over to https://streamlinedfeedback.com/  and leave a message!

Top Takeaways

• Define and Delegate Key Tasks: Start by identifying tasks that take up the most time but don’t require your direct involvement. Using the “perform, evaluate, and remove” framework helps clarify which tasks are best suited for delegation to a VA.
• Select and Test Multiple Candidates: To find a suitable VA, post a job on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or onlinejobs.ph, then test a shortlist of candidates on the same task. Evaluating each VA’s work on a small project helps gauge their skills and attention to detail.
• Create Videos for Each Task: Use video tutorials to record yourself completing each task, explaining each step clearly. Have the VA transcribe these instructions and write out steps, creating a documented process that they can refer back to as they work.

Get 40% off Cloudways for Black Friday and Cyber Monday! 

Ready to get Unstuck? Visit https://streamlined.fm/unstuck for 33% off. 

A few months ago I launched a free private podcast called Joe’s Audio Notes. The episodes are very short (7 minutes or less), where I share my thoughts on being a solopreneur, a podcaster, a parent, and other thoughts related to being a productive member of society.

I'm sharing 3 of the episodes here (which you can find in the chapter markers): 

• Thinking About my Content Strategy
• How do you pick the right idea?
• Battling the work hangover

If you like it, I'd love for you to join! 

You can sign up for free here.

• (00:00) - Intro

Ready to get Unstuck? Visit https://streamlined.fm/unstuck for 33% off. 

Ever thought about creating an online course that truly makes a difference? One that actually helps people accomplish their goals? That’s exactly what guitar coach Den López has done. He transformed his life from being a car mechanic in Barcelona to becoming a successful online guitar instructor.

We’ll talk all about how he created the “Guitar in One Hour” Method that helps beginners play songs quickly without the usual frustration, his unique approach to designing courses that focus on actionable outcomes and real skill acquisition, and why he believes in giving away his best content for free to build trust.

If you’ve ever wanted to build a flexible lifestyle business, deliver an online course that actually gets results, or need that push to follow your passion, this episode is a must-listen.

Top Takeaways

• Prioritize Actionable Outcomes in Your Courses: Focus on helping students achieve specific skills or results, and embed practical exercises within your lessons to encourage active participation and skill acquisition.
• Provide Immediate Value to Build Trust: Offer valuable content for free to address your audience’s immediate needs, and use lead magnets that solve specific problems quickly.
• Utilize Simple and Accessible Technology: High-quality content doesn’t require expensive equipment. Using basic tools like a smartphone can be effective and efficient.

Show Notes

• Den López
• Learning guitar FREE Download

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Ready to get Unstuck? Visit https://streamlined.fm/unstuck for 33% off. 

Being a business owner is hard. So is being a parent. So why don’t we hear more about how to do both well? Fret not – that’s why I brought Kim Caloca-Madden onto the show. 

We dive deep into why business owners with kids should build systems and how automation can be a game-changer for busy parents. Kim shares her personal journey from being a stay-at-home mom needing to generate income to becoming a powerhouse in business automation.

We also cover how automation enhances consistency and efficiency in your business, practical steps to start automating today, even if you’re a newbie, Kim’s favorite tools for streamlining tasks and managing time, and balancing parenthood and entrepreneurship without losing your sanity.

Want to get a head start on your automation journey with my free Automations Database? Go to https://streamlined.fm/freebie to download it. 

Top Takeaways

• Automation Enhances Consistency and Efficiency: Implementing automation in business processes helps deliver a consistent customer experience and reduces human error.
• Start Small with Automation: Begin by automating simple, repetitive tasks that consume time. Examples include task management, calendar synchronization, and email responses.
• Automation Requires Maintenance and Human Oversight. And remember, not all tasks should be automated; human interaction is necessary for certain aspects to maintain a personal touch.

Show Notes

• Kim Caloca-Madden
• Automators Podcast
• Getting Things Done by David Allen

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Ready to get Unstuck? Visit https://streamlined.fm/unstuck for 33% off. 

The summer had one lasting effect I didn’t notice until recently: I made my schedule pretty open for anyone who wanted to meet. I didn’t want them to be limited to my limited availability, so I tried to be as open as possible. But over the last 2 weeks —really since my episode with Conny, I realized that I’ve let everyone else control my calendar.

I’ll take a meeting with almost anyone bc I feel they are the best way to form relationships, but I’m not vetting those people. I’m not creating boundaries for my meetings either. I even have a calendar that’s totally open for friends — but I’ve sent it to more than friends.

If you’re a busy solopreneur — especially a parent or someone with other obligations — this can kill productivity.

So how do we fix it? That’s what we’re talking about today.

• One Big Problem: I’m not guarding my time
• One Small Fix: Cal.com
• Feedback: Working with a VA

Get your free automations database at https://streamlined.fm/freebie

Top Takeaways

• You need to control your own calendar instead of letting other people control it.
• That means asking yourself when you can block time off for no meetings, how many meetings you want to take in a day, and what’s the criteria for if you take a meeting or not.
• Cal.com is an excellent tool for creating a system that will manage your calendar for you.

Show Notes

• Cal.com
• Submit feedback

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Ready to get Unstuck? Visit https://streamlined.fm/unstuck for 33% off. 

My love-hate[but mostly hate] relationship with social media is well documented. It feels like a time-suck where you get into arguments with people who don’t care about anything you say. People tell me it’s great to grow your business…I just don’t see it. 

But Katie Brinkley has changed that for me. She elevates CEOs to become thought leaders and disruptors in their industries. And she does it mostly through social media. 

By the end of this episode, she’ll give you strategies for choosing the right social networks, posting (3-4 times per week max), as well as how to waste less time and make more sales. 

Want to hear a longer, ad-free version of this episode where Katie and I talk about brand social media vs. personal social media? Become a member of Streamlined Solopreneur Accelerated. 

Top Takeaways

• Select the Right Platforms: Focus on one or two platforms where your target audience is most active. Remember each platform has its own culture.
• Prioritize Genuine Engagement: Spend time connecting and commenting on others' posts to build relationships. Engagement is more impactful than frequent posting without interaction.
• Use Hashtags Strategically: Identify and engage with hashtags your ideal clients are using. This approach helps you connect more effectively with your target audience.

Show Notes

• Katie Brinkley 
• Stampede Social on Instagram
• Manychat
• The Social Shift

Get 40% off Cloudways for Black Friday and Cyber Monday! 

Ready to get Unstuck? Visit https://streamlined.fm/unstuck for 33% off.