That Teacher

If you’ve been struggling with what to post on social media, what to write on your blog or in you e-mails to your audience, this is the episode for you! 

We’ll bust through myths about not having enough time to create content, not being “good” enough, how to put out content when others are already talking about your passion topic, and how to show up as a thought leader in your niche.

Rebecca’s 4 C’s framework for creating content that moves your business forward will help drive your content creation for 2020. This episode is full of activities to try, lists to make, and topics to journal about in your notebook for the new year. 

We talked about what to do if you’re starting to feel overwhelmed by content creation. Rebecca is passionate about staying close to the “why” behind your content, making sure to take breaks and realign when needed. She’ll teach us how to be sure that what we’re talking about online takes our ideal customer through a journey that ultimately leads them to look for what they can purchase from us to solve a problem.

My favorite part of the episode is when Rebecca walks us through ideas for recycling content. She suggests that instead of constantly trying to come up with new content, we revisit our “vault” of content, reflecting on what’s performed well and driven our sales. She teaches us how to amplify that content by pulling out pieces of it to use in different formats, giving it new life for our audience.

This episode is packed with actionable steps. It’s a must-listen as we head into the new year.

Download your free Take Action Worksheet to help you look closely at your content and business actions every week - https://rebeccastanisic.ck.page/takeactionworksheet

Rebecca Stanisic is a writer, speaker, and digital content creator. She's been blogging on her website, A Little Bit of Momsense, since 2009 and for almost as many years has helped fellow bloggers and small business owners create and curate relevant digital content for their own businesses to help meet their goals.  She's the proud mom to two, living in Ottawa, and is fueled by fiction and coffee.  You can find more content tips on Instagram (especially her IGTV videos) www.instagram.com/bitofmomsense or on www.rebeccastanisic.com

We’ve been talking all things business strategy and mapping out our goals for the new year. This episode is a total twist! We’re taking our plans and intentions back to OURSELVES for a little bit of self-care.

In this episode, fashion expert Elizabeth Hambleton of Closet Confidence gives us actionable steps to find our style, organize our chaotic closets, and get really authentic in choosing our outfits. 

After styling thousands of women one-on-one at Stitch Fix, Elizabeth created Closet Confidence to help modern moms find more joy and less stress when getting dressed. She wants to help you rock your look so that you feel confident showing up as the awesome woman and mom that you are!

I’m asking Elizabeth all the questions about how to combine style and comfort, how to find your confidence again after having babies, and how in the world to get away with wearing comfortable clothes to school everyday without sacrificing style. 

Elizabeth has tons of tips from her “Rule of Thirds” to her advice on how to work with what you already have in your closet instead of just adding more STUFF. She’s even talking to us about how to style those photoshoots I’ve been encouraging you to have!

Take some time out of your busy schedule to get back to taking care of YOU. Elizabeth makes it simple to settle into your style again and add some fun in your wardrobe for 2020!

Not sure you own the right basics? Get your free, ultimate closet checklist here: https://www.getclosetconfidence.com/ 

Elizabeth on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/getclosetconfidence/

Elizabeth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getclosetconfidence/

Facebook Group for Weekly Planathon Questions and Contest Entries: https://www.facebook.com/groups/teacherhuste

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Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE to get the latest episodes. If you have a question about marketing, mindset, momming, or life in general...you can send me a voice recording over at alissamcdonald.com/askalissa!

Who knows? Your question might be featured on the next podcast! Can’t wait to connect with you.

Do you have a question you want to submit? 

Head over to the site to leave a voice recording. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be featured on the next podcast: https://www.alissamcdonald.com/askalissa

Take a pic of yourself listening to my podcast & tag me over on Instagram!

(@teacherbynaptime) I want to share so I can show all the places my (hopefully not-too-cringy) voice is traveling!

Elizabeth is a former elementary school teacher turned full-time web designer and digital marketing specialist. She's passionate about helping other female entrepreneurs grow their businesses by getting them in front of their ideal customers online and on social media. 

Elizabeth found a passion for web design and digital marketing after starting her first blog in 2010. After side-hustling her business while juggling her teaching career, she finally made the leap in June of 2018 to run her business full-time. When she's not working, Elizabeth loves going to yoga, enjoying a glass of wine while watching Friends or The Office and traveling to the Outer Banks with her significant other.

Facebook Group for Weekly Planathon Questions and Contest Entries: https://www.facebook.com/groups/teacherhuste

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Subscribe & Review

Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE to get the latest episodes. If you have a question about marketing, mindset, momming, or life in general...you can send me a voice recording over at alissamcdonald.com/askalissa!

Who knows? Your question might be featured on the next podcast! Can’t wait to connect with you.

Do you have a question you want to submit? 

Head over to the site to leave a voice recording. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be featured on the next podcast: https://www.alissamcdonald.com/askalissa

Take a pic of yourself listening to my podcast & tag me over on Instagram!

(@teacherbynaptime) I want to share so I can show all the places my (hopefully not-too-cringy) voice is traveling!

Want to see more of Elizabeth?

• Website: www.lotusmediadesigns.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/lotusmediadesigns or just @lotusmediadesigns
• Email: [email protected]
• Free 30 Day Content Calendar: https://www.lotusmediadesigns.com/content-calendar
• Free Hashtag Master List for Business Owners (Over 500 Hashtags): https://www.lotusmediadesigns.com/hashtag-masterlist
• Free Social Media & Digital Marketing Toolkit: https://www.lotusmediadesigns.com/online-marketing-toolkit
• Instagram Research Guide for Business Owners: https://www.lotusmediadesigns.com/ig-research

2020 is right around the corner! Are you ready for it or are you feeling super under-prepared??

In today's episode, we’re gonna plan out our entire year. In one sitting. Yes, you heard that right! Now plans may change, plans can be tweaked, but having a year-long vision for your business can be the most powerful way to kick off your year. 

I’m going to give you a strategy to do this that will make it easy to map out in just one work session. 

We want to plan out 3 major things for 2020:

So, grab your your planning supplies and let's plan out your entire year in one sitting!!

Facebook Group for Weekly Planathon Questions and Contest Entries: https://www.facebook.com/groups/teacherhuste

Sign up for Black Friday Sale Week Updates: https://www.alissamcdonald.com/blackfriday

Subscribe & Review

Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE to get the latest episodes. If you have a question about marketing, mindset, momming, or life in general...you can send me a voice recording over at alissamcdonald.com/askalissa!

Who knows? Your question might be featured on the next podcast! Can’t wait to connect with you.

Do you have a question you want to submit? 

Head over to the site to leave a voice recording. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be featured on the next podcast: https://www.alissamcdonald.com/askalissa

Take a pic of yourself listening to my podcast & tag me over on Instagram!

(@teacherbynaptime) I want to share so I can show all the places my (hopefully not-too-cringy) voice is traveling!

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

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

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

Ready to grow and scale your business in 2020? Hosting an online event like a workshop or mini-course is the PERFECT way to add another stream of income to your business in the new year. Be sure to grab the newest mini-course that will help you plan your online event in as little as 2 weeks! We’re getting things done in the new year! https://www.alissamcdonald.com/minicourse

Who’s up for talking about planning the new year? 2020 is a fresh start- the chance to reevaluate goals and dreams, take stock of what you’ve been up to, and create lots of lists for the future.

I’m talking about celebrating the changes we’ve made, planning for the future, and setting actionable goals to get us to our big dreams. Pressing pause to look ahead to the new year in front of us gives us the opportunity to really take the time we need to set these intentions. We’re setting ourselves up for a much easier follow through.

If you’re into this- if you want to set yourself up for success in the new year- if you have BIG dreams and you’re ready to finally make them happen- you’ve got to tune in to the rest of my podcasts for 2019

This episode kicks off a series on getting ready for the new year. I’ll be spilling all of my goal setting and planning secrets, and I’ll be interviewing some of my favorite business owners for all the tips and tricks to help set you up for success in 2020- a planathon of sorts!

All you’ll need for this plan sesh series is a notebook for some journaling and listing. (I think the new year is a perfect time for new notebooks, don’t you?)

In this episode I’m going to walk you through a couple of exercises to visualize what you want your life to look like in 2020. Oftentimes when we can’t get past a block in our business, it’s because we haven’t spent enough time thinking about the destination. We’re driving the ship, but we don’t know where we’re headed! Let’s start with the end in mind. 

Visualization: Close your eyes and imagine you’re cozy on the couch with your favorite warm blanket and a cup of coffee. You pick up the remote and push play to watch a movie. As you look at the screen, you notice it’s a movie of your life in November 2020. What happens in the movie? What’s happening when you wake up? What is your typical day like? How are you feeling? Use words in the present tense to describe the scene. 

Now turn these visualizations into statements of affirmations. Turn your visualizations into positive statements such as “Creativity flows through me and leads to new ideas.” Keep it short and simple.

Affirmations help you stay focused on your goals, and makes it easier to break down the tasks needed to reach those goals. Keep these statements handy so you can refer to them throughout the year! 

Next, I want you to think about who you want to BE in 2020. Not what you want to HAVE, or what you want to DO. These are purposefully not your to-do list items. What kind of person do you want to be?

Whatever word you’re left with- that’s your word for 2020. Whatever you do, don’t forget that word. What you have to DO and what you’ll HAVE will fall into place once you are laser-focused on being what you need to be to fulfill this value.

Be sure to head over to Instagram and post your word!! Tag me @teacherbynaptime  so I can repost!

I promise you’ll be glad you took the time to visualize and set your dreams for 2020. Our little Planathon will be healthy balance of strategy and mindset- just what we need to bust through those mental blocks and achieve our goals in the new year!!

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

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

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

Links from this episode:
www.alissamcdonald.com/minicourse (Use code PODCAST11 Expires November 10th, 2019)

Ok...I know what you’re thinking. You made $918 in 3 hours, Alissa? And you teach full time and have 2 toddler boys? Was this a legal transaction?

YES. This was all perfectly legal...I promise! I legitimately made $918 in 3 hours with my online business. And in today’s podcast, I’m going to break down exactly HOW I did this, WHY I did this, and how you can do it too.

If you’ve been working on your business, but you need some cash in the bank, or you’re looking to grow your e-mail list full of your ideal audience, one that knows/likes/and trusts you & you want to do it fast, this episode is for you.

HOW did I make that money in such a short time...legally? I created an online one-day virtual workshop. The topic was e-mail marketing- some of you may have attended! (You do not need to create a workshop on marketing- we’ll talk more about topics later.) A virtual workshop is an event that takes place over a day or two- some sort of online training where the participants can easily see a start and finish. 

There are TONS of benefits to holding an online workshop. 

First of all, participants are much more likely to sign up for a workshop because it can be offered at a lower price point.

Also, the workshop gives participants the opportunity to actually WORK ON the topic. How many times have you taken a course or PD and LOVED the content, but when you get back to your classroom and life gets back to normal, you suddenly have NO TIME to put any of it into play? A workshop gives participants a chance to dive in and come out with something ready to use

If you have a topic you love to talk about, there are teachers out there who need to hear more about your topic- that thing you can’t stop talking about. And no, you don’t need to be a total expert who knows every little thing about your topic. 

You just need the RIGHT topic. Something teachers are looking to tackle. Something teachers are willing to spend time and money on because they know in the end they’ll walk away with something that makes their lives easier, more convenient, or solves a problem in their classroom. If you’re still freaked out by the LIVE factor- a mini-course can be really effective too. I think there’s something special about a workshop or a mini-course. We don’t have the time or resources to complete yet another 8 week intensive FULL BLOWN signature course with 10 modules of video trainings. 

A workshop or mini-course is much more manageable for you, it’s lighter and simpler for your participant, it’s easier to sell because of the price point, and it almost always leads to a captivated group of your ideal audience. That means if you create another mini-course or you have a related product to promote during the workshop, they’re more likely to buy.

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

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

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

We’re going to talk burn out. And I don’t mean just teacher burn out. I mean teacher mama business owner burn out. The kind where you wonder WHY THE HECK you ever started a business ON TOP of all you have to do with teaching.

You wonder if you were even cut out for this sort of thing. Maybe the sales aren’t rolling in like you’d hoped, your to-do list is piling up, and even though you went into this to spend MORE time with family and have some financial freedom, you find yourself spending less and less time present with family, and more and more time behind the laptop and scrolling Instagram...and you’re not even sure WHY.

I’m going to give you the NUMBER ONE secret to getting inspired when you’re burned out. And then I’m not stopping there. I’m going to give you 5 follow-up steps to take after you take the initial step. 

Because after all, YOU are the designer of this business. YOU get to decide what this looks like. You get to decide the time spent, the end product- you get to determine if you’re following your true passion, and if this is still your true passion. 

Passions, goals, and dreams change. Many times when we’re burned out, it’s because it’s time for a change. We need to hit that reset button. And that doesn’t JUST mean rest. It certainly doesn’t mean giving up. It means stepping back, resting, recharging, and getting back there in a calculated and purposeful way.

If you’re looking for a supportive group, but you don’t want to search high and low- don’t worry! The Teacher Hustle U. Crew is the most amazing group of educators, and the conversations they have each day surpass what I could ever try to plan out for the group. Get on the waiting list for Teacher Hustle University at www.alissamcdonald.com/framework.

I’ll see you back here next week! 

Subscribe & Review

Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE to get the latest episodes. If you have a question about marketing, mindset, momming, or life in general...you can send me a voice recording over at alissamcdonald.com/askalissa! 

Who knows? Your question might be featured on the next podcast! Can’t wait to connect with you. 

Xo Alissa

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

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

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

In this podcast, I’m gonna tell you all about being visible on video is going to absolutely change your business...and FAST. I’ll tell you why it’s critical that you push yourself to get in front of that camera on the regular, and I’ll teach you how to do it in a way that feels authentic and effortless. Ok...almost effortless.

So why video? Do I really NEED to create video for my business?

YEP. Yes you do need to create video for your business- and here’s why. One of the major reasons is because it provides an immediate connection with your ideal audience. Think about local businesses! They have the amazing ability to create a quick bond with a customer that could turn them into a customer for life- because they get to have face to face interactions. That’s harder for us online business owners because there’s this pesky computer in the way! So you have to get CREATIVE! You have to find a way to make those connections online. And one of the best ways you can do that is through video. 

Need some stats? 

Bottom line- we have to be showing up through video in our business if we want to grow our impact and income, if we want to make connections with our existing audience, and if we want to expand our audience.

Here are my 5 tips for looking like a pro on video without having to be totally put together and perfect!

I’m also sharing my tips for going LIVE. Yes, you can go live! The first time might be a little bit awkward, but it does get easier. (And less sweaty.)

Live video packs some extra oomph for your biz because of that interactive piece. People feel like they’re a part of something- something that’s happening right now! It’s why apps like Periscope were so popular in its day. People love to ask questions, chit chat, and see what’s going on in your world! I have a few extra tips specifically for live video.

So what will you try? Instastories? IGTV? Or will you go live? I’d love to hear what you tried out. Be sure to dm me after this episode @teacherbynaptime and let me know your video goals for this week! Getting visible means getting vulnerable, and that’s what sets you apart. You’ve got this!

I’ll see you back here next week!

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Subscribe & Review

Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE to get the latest episodes. If you have a question about marketing, mindset, momming, or life in general...you can send me a voice recording over at alissamcdonald.com/askalissa! 

Who knows? Your question might be featured on the next podcast! Can’t wait to connect with you. 

Xo Alissa

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

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

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

Today we’re talking about one of my favorite topics- viral content.

We’ve all seen a post or a pin that’s gone completely viral, and let’s be honest! We wish the same would happen to us..right? Well...what if you could actually PURPOSEFULLY create something that you know will go viral? I’ll tell you why you NEED viral content to get you out of a rut, how I created a viral blog post that had 6,000 engagements on Twitter, has gone completely viral on Pinterest and now even has its own hashtag, and how you can do this in your own business.

Get on the waiting list for Teacher Hustle University: https://www.alissamcdonald.com/framework

Subscribe & Review

Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE to get the latest episodes. If you have a question about marketing, mindset, momming, or life in general...you can send me a voice recording over at alissamcdonald.com/askalissa! 

Who knows? Your question might be featured on the next podcast! Can’t wait to connect with you. 

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

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

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

Get on the waiting list for Teacher Hustle University: https://www.alissamcdonald.com/framework

"Hi Alissa, my name is Meghan. I’m about three months in since launching my blog and business back in June, but I’m starting to feel very isolated. While I’m at home every night, grinding away at the next steps for my business, my friends fill our Marco Polo chats, breaking down what they ate for dinner, the latest Netflix series they binge watched, or the amazing work out class they got to go to in the middle of the day. Seriously! Who has time for that? But in all honesty, I’m not disappointed in that per-say, because I have a lot of clarity and direction for my long-term goals. But I’m just here, helplessly wondering if it’s normal to feel bouts of loneliness throughout this Teacher Hustle journey. I just feel like no one can relate to me. Do you have any advice?"

It’s hard to find people “in real life” who share a love of WORK. But an online business not just WORK for us. It’s a creative outlet, and it has the potential for us to earn a substantial income- one that allows us to contribute to our finances in a significant way. It’s also a way for us to continue to LEARN- something we tend to love as educators by nature! To me, it’s totally exciting to spend my Friday night writing social media posts or creating content for this podcast. I know that’s not the norm, and I also know it can be tough for those who don’t have this drive to relate to it.

We have to reframe the way we think about this special drive- that teacher hustle. Why do we take that and make it SMALL with words like “It’s no big deal” or “I’m not as good at this as you think I am”? Why are we quick to minimize our work?

It’s because it’s comfortable to be small. It’s more comfortable to remain humble about our aspirations and accomplishments. It’s uncomfortable to stand out-- to want something more.

This business NOT just something you do in your spare time. You work HARD for your business, and if you’re anything like me, you actually PREFER that work to going to the movies or going bowling or whatever your friends are doing.

Your self-care is creativity. Like an artist or a writer, you love to create content or to learn about marketing or to create products- to dream and to see those dreams through. That’s self-care. That’s your time.

So how can we grow our circle of people who understand this drive? Because it’s incredibly important to have a place you can go to laugh, vent, and cry about this side of your life. Just like you can call your mom about cooking, or you can call your best friend to vent about your kid, you need a group of people you can chat with about your business. 

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

We all have our own zone of genius, of course, but we have one thing in common. We can’t shake this urge for personal and professional growth...and we’re fine with that.

However you find your people, whatever way makes the most sense for you...go for it. It’s a little scary chatting with new people, but that’s what makes you incredible-- that’s what makes you different. This entrepreneur life isn’t always easy, and sometimes it feels like we’re the only crazy people in the world sitting behind our laptops in our free time. But you’re not alone. Surround yourself with driven people, surround yourself with people who can strategize and brainstorm with you, and watch your business and your relationships grow. 

If you’re looking for a supportive group, but you don’t want to search high and low- don’t worry! The Teacher Hustle U. Crew is the most amazing group of educators, and the conversations th

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

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

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