The Humane Marketing Show. A podcast for a generation of marketers who care.

Too many online entrepreneurs think of the internet as a broadcast tool, a place to blast a new product or program launch at scale. And then we’re surprised when conversion rates are low. What if we reframe the digital marketing space as a place to build relationships and establish trust with an audience first—and THEN launch our product or service when prospects are ready? What if we could use our natural ability as introverts to build deep relationships and convert with compassion?

Kate Boyd is the Chief Launch Strategist at Cobblestone Creative, a boutique digital marketing agency designed to bring more creativity and genuine connection to the digital marketing space. An expert in crafting high-conversion product and program launches, Kate’s sales experiences sell at five times the standard rate. Her signature system, Conversion with Compassion, helps entrepreneurs use human-driven communication to get the right message to the right people at the right time.   

Today, Kate shares her signature approach to online marketing, Conversion with Compassion. She explains why the internet is more than a broadcast tool, describing how it can be used for creating connection and building deep relationships. Kate also offers insight into how her introversion enhances her ability to communicate in writing and connect the dots for her clients. Listen in for Kate’s take on providing value before you ask to receive and learn how to create a digital marketing campaign that converts—and aligns with your values as a conscious entrepreneur!

In this episode you’ll learn…

• Kate’s ability to observe, communicate in writing, and build deep relationships.
• How Kate earns revenue with done-for-you services and her signature course.
• Why Kate believes the internet is meant for creating connection.
• How Kate’s Conversion with Compassion system builds trust prior to a launch.
• Kate’s strength in active listening and connecting the dots for her clients.
• Kate’s ongoing struggle with being the face of the company.
• The AHA moment Kate learned to rely on her own intelligence and skills.
• The morning routine and mindset work that helps Kate stay grounded.
• How Kate leverages G Suite tools to communicate with clients + her team.
• How McKeown’s Essentialism inspired Kate to prioritize what really matters.
• Kate’s take on marketing with integrity as giving before you ask to receive.

Other links and resources mentioned in this episode:

Cobblestone Creative

Cobblestone on Facebook

Kate on LinkedIn

Kate’s Free Launch Toolkit

The Gentle Business Revolution

G Suite

Google Docs

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Say No to Grow

Subscribe on iTunes

Subscribe on Stitcher

Email Sarah at [email protected]

Shownotes and links for this episode can be found at http://sarahsantacroce.com/episode81

Would you rather have a meaningful one-on-one conversation? Or make small talk with a large group of people? Do you prefer building strong relationships with a few people? Or having lots of friends that you know on a surface level? Most introverts favor real, deep relationships over superficial ones. And the good news is, you can leverage that preference to develop systems for marketing your business—without attending networking events!

Steve Gordon is the founder of The Unstoppable CEO, the premiere business growth program for professional service firms. Steve’s team supports clients in building marketing systems that consistently attract clients—without having to sell. At just 28, Steve was named CEO of an engineering firm and tasked with business development. He learned sales and marketing out of necessity and succeeded in growing the company’s revenue by 10X. Steve leveraged those skills to start his own marketing firm, consulting with businesses across 30 industries to design sales systems for high-ticket products and services. He is also a prolific author and host of The Unstoppable CEO Podcast.

Today, Steve shares his systems approach to sales, explaining how he uses podcasting to foster powerful business relationships. He describes his unique ability to combine, simplify and translate ideas for others to understand and implement as well as his challenge around staying in communication with his team. Steve also weighs in on growing confidence intentionally, discussing how to build self-belief by pushing the boundaries of what you can do. Listen in for Steve’s insight on acting with purity of intent to build long-term client relationships and learn how to take advantage of your natural inclination as an introvert to market your business!

• Steve’s baptism by fire as the CEO of a geomatics consulting firm.
• How Steve has built systems for marketing to replace networking.
• How Steve uses podcasting to build strong business relationships.
• Why automated email systems must be used in the right context.
• Steve’s unique ability to combine, simplify and translate ideas.
• Steve’s challenge around staying in communication with his team.
• The AHA moment Steve realized he could build a business quickly.
• Steve’s insight on how to grow your confidence intentionally.
• How 20 minutes of reading every morning gives Steve perspective.
• How Steve leverages Pipedrive to schedule appointments.
• The Talk Triggers framework for creating unique client experiences.
• How acting with purity of intent builds lasting client relationships.

***

Become a VIP of my community

Be the first to know whenever I release a new podcast or host a special webinar for introverts. And as a welcome present get my '4-part Guide 'How Saying 'NO' Can Help You Grow! http://sarahsantacroce.com/sayno/

***

Steve’s Free Gift for IBG Listeners

The Unstoppable CEO

The Unstoppable CEO Podcast

Unstoppable CEO on Facebook

Steve on Twitter

Steve on LinkedIn

Myers & Briggs

Strategic Coach

Pipedrive

Talk Triggers: The Complete Guide to Creating Customers with Word of Mouth by Jay Baer and Daniel Lemin

This is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to See by Seth Godin

Sarah’s Book List

How Saying ‘No’ Can Help You Grow

Thanks so much for listening to this episode.

If you enjoyed it, I would be super grateful if you'd share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

And if you don’t have it yet, get your free 4-step Guide on How to Say no to Grow. You'll be added to my list as well so I can share the latest episodes and other introvert related resources with you.

Also, please leave a review on iTunes. I'm told that they really matter so if you'd take a minute I'd appreciate it.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or on Android to get notified for all my future shows.

Warmly
Sarah

Welcome to the 17th muse on the Introvert Biz Growth podcast, the show where I talk to introverts who grow their business and make a difference.

I'm Sarah Santacroce, your host.

I have a another short muse episode for you today, unedited, raw content. No intro music. No bells and whistles.

I was just preparing a free workshop with the title 'The Cause of Marketing Anxiety… and the Cure' that I'll be hosting together with my friend and fellow introvert Val Nelson on June 28th.

As the title says we'll be discussing what causes marketing anxiety. I'll be talking about things that give us anxiety when we're on the receiving end, and Val about things that give us anxiety in our own marketing.

So here are some of the things that I'll talk about:

6 or 7-Figure promises

• They make us feel like we're not good enough if we haven't reached 6 or 7 figures yet
• They isolate us from the 'guru' and the rest of the world
• They make us feel like we should just give up now

Stories of how much money THEY made using THEIR system

• You know those headlines that say 'How I made $132'308.00 with this webinar'
• Same idea: we feel like we're not good enough because we are not generating that kind of money
• The mention of money or the according lifestyle creates anxiety!

Use of FOMO

• 'If you don't get this now your business will never thrive'
• '900 people already signed up' – again, this creates peer pressure and isolation
• It makes us feel bad because we're excluded and we feel like losers because we can't afford it

I'm not pointing fingers here. I'm actually admitting having used some of these techniques myself – and still catch myself every now and then. It's what we have been taught to do !

From there Val will then share what makes us feel anxious when having to go out there and market our business. As introverts but this also applies to extroverts.

And then, after a conversation with attendees, asking them what else comes up for them, I share my four steps that help you to market anxiety-free

1. Awareness about what makes us anxious in marketing.
2. Permission to do marketing your way
3. Figuring out who you really are – 'Rumbling with your story' according to Brene Brown
4. Apply more of you to your marketing

If you'd like to join us for this conversation and go deep into this topic of Marketing Anxiety please go to sarahsantacroce.com/workshops to sign up. There's also another one at the end of August with the topic 'How Marketing and Abundance are related'. Would love to see you there.

#episode80

As conscious, introverted entrepreneurs, many of us struggle with pricing. We want to be fair and make our offerings accessible, but we also need to build a sustainable business that will thrive for the long-term. So, how do we develop an awareness of our current money mindset? And how do we shift that mindset to determine pricing that serves our community AND pays the bills?

Kelly McCausey is the creator of Love People + Make Money, a business built on the idea that sinking your roots deep into a community and addressing their needs leads to profit. When she got her start as a solopreneur 17 years ago, Kelly charged too little for her time. Before long, though, she learned smarter ways to build an income online. Now, she serves as a business coach and event host, helping others leverage content marketing and community building to design profitable businesses of their own.

Today, Kelly explains how pursuing her curiosity led to the creation of a thriving online business. She shares her philosophy around meeting the needs of a community to create profit and offers insight into the identity crisis that inspired her recent rebrand. Kelly also weighs in on creating introvert-friendly live events through self-directed time and reflects on the AHA moment that shifted her mindset around money. Listen in to understand how Kelly leverages a daily creation statement to generate results and learn how to build a profitable business within your particular zone of genius!

• How Kelly's curiosity led to her pioneering internet radio show.
• Kelly's 17 years of experience in the realm of online business.
• Kelly's take on meeting the needs of a community to create profit.
• The identity crisis that led to the rebranding of Kelly's business.
• Why Kelly focuses on content marketing and community building.
• The diverse offerings that afford Kelly multiple income streams.
• The concept of Private Label Rights and Kelly's two PLR brands.
• How Kelly designs live events to feel really natural and familiar.
• The introvert-friendly nature of events that build in self-directed time.
• The AHA moment that shifted Kelly's mindset around money.
• Kelly's daily practice of writing an intentional creation statement.
• How Kelly uses the transcription feature on the Voxer app.
• How The Big Leap inspired Kelly to work in her zone of genius.

Love People + Make Money

Kelly's Free Brandable Content Bundle

Love People + Make Money Podcast

Kelly on Twitter

Kelly on Facebook

Kelly on LinkedIn

Beachpreneurs

Nicole Dean

Nicole Dean on IBG EP002

MomWebs Web Hosting

White Label Perks

Daily Faith PLR

Lou Bortone

Lou Bortone on IBG EP016

Radical Leadership

Anxiety-Free Marketing for the Conscious Entrepreneur

Live At Choice with Belanie Dishong

Voxer

WhatsApp

The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks

Sarah's Book List

How Saying 'No' Can Help You Grow

Thanks so much for listening to this episode.

If you enjoyed it, I would be super grateful if you'd share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

And if you don't have it yet, get your free 4-step Guide on How to Say no to Grow. You'll be added to my list as well so I can share the latest episodes and other introvert related resources with you.

Also, please leave a review on iTunes. I'm told that they really matter so if you'd take a minute I'd appreciate it.

And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or on Android to get notified for all my future shows.

Warmly
Sarah

#episodeIBG79
We high-achieving introverts are driven to build successful careers, and we often feel pressure to keep up with the extroverted and less sensitive Joneses. What if we stopped pushing—and ended the exhaustion and overwhelm? What if we gave ourselves permission to grow with ease? What if we built our businesses at a speed that works for us?   

Nicole Burgess is a licensed psychotherapist and empowerment coach for introverted, sensitive and high-achieving professional women. She is committed to helping her clients end overwhelm and create balance, allowing them to regain control of their time and embrace their sensitivities as strengths. Nicole is also the host of the Soulfilled Sisterhood podcast, a show celebrating extraordinary female leaders from around the world.

Today, Nicole shares her progression from working with families to teen girls to introverted adult women. She discusses her strategy for generating referrals through Facebook communities and podcasting and addresses how to network in a way that honors your energy level. Nicole also offers insight into her ability to read what’s behind a client’s coping skills and the value in a regular mindfulness and meditation practice. Listen in to understand how speaking from your heart resonates with potential clients and learn why it’s crucial to build your business at the speed that works for you!

In this episode you’ll learn…

• Nicole’s mission to support highly sensitive, high-achieving women.
• How to generate referrals with podcasting + Facebook communities.
• How to network in a way that works with your energy level.
• How Nicole works to build her business through relationships.
• Nicole’s strength in reading what’s behind a client’s coping skills.
• The challenge Nicole faces in describing her offerings succinctly.
• The value in building your business at the speed that works for you.
• How a meditation + mindfulness practice helps Nicole get grounded.
• Why Nicole recommends SmarterQueue for scheduling social media.
• How Gary Keller’s The ONE Thing reminds Nicole to maintain focus.
• How speaking from her heart helps Nicole market to potential clients.
• Nicole’s gratitude for the technology to connect with others globally.

Other links and resources mentioned in this episode:

Nicole Burgess Coaching

Soulfilled Sisterhood Podcast

Nicole’s Free End Overwhelm Workshop

Nicole on Twitter

Nicole on Facebook

Nicole on LinkedIn

Sarah on Soulfilled Sisterhood EP042

LinkedIn Local

Meet Edgar

SmarterQueue

The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan

Subscribe on iTunes

Subscribe on Stitcher

Email Sarah at [email protected]

Welcome to the 16th muse on the Introvert Biz Growth podcast, the show where I talk to introverts who grow their business and make a difference.

I'm Sarah Santacroce, your host.

It's time for another muse episode, unedited, raw content. No intro music. No bells and whistles.

I share these muses to make you think, to inspire you, to break the rules and to invite you to be part of the Gentle Business Revolution.

Change is in the air… And today I'm not talking about the Marketing Paradigm change.

I'm talking about this podcast. This month I'm celebrating 2 years of the Introvert Biz Growth Podcast and I think I've mentioned a few times that adding a podcast to my business was one of the best decisions I've ever made. This show has helped me become the person I am today, an introverted quiet leader, has helped me develop relationships with other introverted entrepreneurs that I still have today and it has helped me gain confidence in how I show up.

And now it's time again to make a change. Because if you're always doing things the way you've always done them, then you're not growing.

If you're a regular listener you have heard me talk about the Gentle Business Revolution and Anxiety-Free Marketing many times before. So I hope it won't be too much of a shocker that I'm ready to rebrand the Introvert Biz Growth into the Gentle Business Revolution Podcast, or something along those lines. I haven't decided yet on the exact name, but the content will be aligned with that mission. And a new way of marketing where me come back to the Human Connection.

I'm in the middle of planning out the content, because I want to be more deliberate in choosing my guests, who are aligned with my values and my mission. Right now it looks like I will create seasons around the different Ps of my Anxiety-Free Marketing model> Passion, Personal Power, People, Product, Pricing, Promotion and Partnership

This transition will happen over the next few months. I still have some great interviews with introverted entrepreneurs planned for you until the summer.

I'm sure you realize that just because the show is no longer called 'Introvert Biz Growth' I won't all of the sudden become extroverted or bring in Gary V or other loud and obnoxious guests with crude language.

It's just that the focus is not so much on the introvert anymore, but on the message. And I've come to realize that it's often the introvert who's reflecting on how things are not working anymore and propose change towards a more sustainable and holistic solution.

I hope you'll continue to follow me on this journey as I know that it's you, the quiet leader who can bring more empathy and kindness to the business world.

If you'd like to find out more about Anxiety-Free Marketing and the 7 Ps please visit anxietyfreemarketing.com. The official launch is planned for September.

You can also send me an email to [email protected] for more info.

Thanks for listening.

Shownotes and links for this episode can be found at http://sarahsantacroce.com/episode78

Most introverts have a great deal of empathy for others. The tricky part is knowing when your kindness has shifted into 'too nice' territory and you've become a people pleaser, overly-concerned with what other people think and motivated by fear. Alex Rudnicka's entrepreneurial journey began when she made the conscious decision to stop waiting for permission and start cultivating the confidence to live on her own terms.

Alex created CEO Female Entrepreneur to help service-based entrepreneurs learn how to connect with their 'inner badass' and run a business that affords them the freedom to live the life they want. She mentors women all over the world, empowering them to follow their desires regardless of the circumstances. An experienced coach with a knack for transformational conversation, Alex knows the path to success because she walked it herself, building her company from nothing and overcoming a number of challenges along the way.

Today, Alex shares her experience sharing a room in a hostel after immigrating to England at the age of 21. She describes the AHA moment when she made the conscious decision to stop living in fear and follow her intuition, discussing how her work with ex-offenders inspired her career in coaching. Alex also offers insight around the value in leveraging careful observation and analysis to make informed decisions. Listen in to understand Alex's challenges around online visibility and learn about her approach to selling from a place of genuine curiosity and care!

• Alex's experience living in a hostel after immigrating to England at 21.
• How Alex transitioned from restaurant management to a 9-to-5.
• When Alex made the conscious decision to stop living in fear.
• How Alex's work with ex-offenders prepared her for coaching.
• How Alex's one-on-one coaching model works around her life.
• The value in using observation + analysis to make informed decisions.
• How Alex overcame her struggle with online visibility.
• Alex's approach to selling with genuine curiosity and care.
• How prioritizing sleep improves Alex's productivity and positivity.
• How Alex uses WorkFlowy to break down complex projects.
• How The Obstacle is the Way helps readers develop resilience.
• Alex's insight on marketing with integrity by way of genuine service.

***

Become a VIP of my community

Be the first to know whenever I release a new podcast or host a special webinar for introverts. And as a welcome present get my '4-part Guide 'How Saying 'NO' Can Help You Grow! http://sarahsantacroce.com/sayno/

***

CEO Female Entrepreneur

CEO Female Entrepreneur on Facebook

Alex on LinkedIn

Alex's Free Audio Training

Anxiety-Free Marketing for the Conscious Entrepreneur

Steve Woodruff on IBG EP073

The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time by Arianna Huffington

WorkFlowy

The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday

Sarah's Podcasting Bundle

Serve, Don't Sell on LinkedIn

Sarah's Book List

How Saying 'No' Can Help You Grow

Thanks so much for listening to this episode.

If you enjoyed it, I would be super grateful if you'd share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

And if you don't have it yet, get your free 4-step Guide on How to Say no to Grow. You'll be added to my list as well so I can share the latest episodes and other introvert related resources with you.

Also, please leave a review on iTunes. I'm told that they really matter so if you'd take a minute I'd appreciate it.

And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or on Android to get notified for all my future shows.

Warmly
Sarah

Welcome to the 15th muse on the Introvert Biz Growth podcast, the show where I talk to introverts who grow their business and make a difference.

I’m Sarah Santacroce, your host.

It’s time for another muse episode, unedited, raw content. No intro music. No bells and whistles.

I share these muses to make you think, to inspire you, to break the rules and to invite you to be part of the Gentle Business Revolution.

I know I missed a week, but I’m back!

I want to talk about ‘Taking things slow’. I was on a podcast interview yesterday called ‘Hack Your Online Business’. Chrys, the host was lovely but I could tell she was a bit surprised by my approach of slowing down the sale but just went with me intuition that it was ok to share my way. I was mainly talking about relationship building on LinkedIn, explaining that there really are no short cuts and that it takes time to get someone’s trust.

But today I want to talk about taking things slow from the perspective of business building, not lead generation.

As you know I’m launching another beta round of my new AFM program starting Monday, May 6th. After January’s program ended I felt like I wasn’t done learning this new approach. I needed to do it again.

So I went into promo mode to announce the 2nd round. It felt good to promote it and I was happy with the response to my One Page Marketing Plan workshop. I had over 70 people sign up. The workshop was free and people told me they got a ton of value out of it. So much value that I didn’t even get one sale. First I was devastated. Remember the episode about rejection. Yes, I felt like packing it up, no one was interested in yet another marketing program! I was done being vulnerable, doing things differently, getting on a Zoom workshop where people were too shy to take themselves off mute to talk to me.

It took me quite honestly a few days to get out of that funk. And then I reminded myself that this is my life’s work, and that I have time. And that it takes time to bring forth change. And that it was normal that after just 1 workshop people were not ready to commit to a 500 dollar program.

And I went back to doing. Coming up with a plan to send out some more videos and emails, personalized emails to specific people I’d like to have on this 2nd beta round.

And thinking about the big picture as well. If I want this to go big because I think I can have a small impact on how we do marketing online, then I need to think about how to increase awareness. So I’ll be hosting 1 free workshop on a specific topic each month, with nothing immediate to sell, but to tell people that I’ll be officially launching AFM in September. And maybe they won’t be ready then either, and that’s ok, but it will feel less like I’m giving the workshops in an energy of ‘emergency’.

I’m sharing this to show that it’s not easy to take things slow. Because our society rewards immediate gains. And if we don’t get those we feel like we failed.

But going forward I know that the only way to build a sustainable business is by taking things slow. Slowing down the process when launching a new program. Taking the time to invest in relationships. Talking to people without the intention to sell them anything immediate.

This is what I’m thinking about these days as I’m preparing for the 2nd beta round of AFM.

There’s still time to join us. We’re a group of 9 heart-centered entrepreneurs from all over the world (literally: Bosnia, US, Cambodia, England, Malaysia and Spain).

We start next Monday, May 6th and you can find out all the details and sign up information at www.anxietyfreemarketing.com

And if you’re listening to this podcast after May 6th you can still visit www.anxietyfreemarketing.com because I will turn this into an online program with video content that gives you access to attend one of the live courses in either January or September.

So visit anxietyfreemarketing.com now or send me an email to [email protected] for more info.

Thanks for listening.

Shownotes and links for this episode can be found at http://sarahsantacroce.com/episode77

Traditionally, we think of sales as something you DO to someone. So, how do you show up and market your business as an introvert—when the idea of pushing your service on prospects is wildly uncomfortable? Mariana Ruiz leverages her experience in brain science to take a clinical approach and reframe the interaction as a question: How can I support and serve this person? She believes that when you don’t take sales personally, you can come at it from a loving place that honors prospective clients.

Mariana is the founder of the Impact-Driven Entrepreneur, a consulting firm dedicated to helping seasoned coaches and consultants scale their businesses with profitable group coaching programs. She leverages her background in the medical field in combination with 12 years of experience in marketing, sales and business to support entrepreneurs in marketing to attract ideal clients and convert followers into clients through service-based sales. Mariana’s work has appeared in the Huffington Post, Today.com and The Millionaire Insider Extravaganza, among many other platforms and publications, and she is the host of The Impact-Driven Entrepreneur Podcast.

Today, Mariana shares the life event that compelled her to go all-in on her side business. She discusses the AHA moment that inspired her shift to group coaching as well as the daily journal practice that supports her commitment to mindset work. Mariana also describes how persistence helps her stay relevant as an introvert in an increasingly loud online space and why she continues to struggle with energy management. Listen in for Mariana’s insight into the connection between respecting your intuition and marketing with integrity—and learn how understanding the psychology of sales can help you develop an introverted approach to marketing that honors your prospective clients.

• The life event that made Mariana go all-in on her coaching business.
• How Mariana’s passion for brain science helped her navigate sales.
• Mariana’s unique, clinical approach to marketing her business.
• Mariana’s ethical responsibility to help the people who come to her.
• How persistence helps Mariana stay relevant in the online space.
• Mariana’s challenge around setting boundaries and managing energy.
• The AHA moment that inspired Mariana’s shift to group coaching.
• How Mariana’s daily journal practice supports her mindset work.
• How Mariana uses Asana to measure progress and manage her team.
• How Walsch’s Conversations with God trilogy changed Mariana’s life.
• Why honoring your intuition is key to marketing with integrity.
• Mariana’s reminder to appreciate the day-to-day gifts of life + family.

***

Become a VIP of my community

Be the first to know whenever I release a new podcast or host a special webinar for introverts. And as a welcome present get my '4-part Guide 'How Saying 'NO' Can Help You Grow! http://sarahsantacroce.com/sayno/

***

Sarah’s Free One-Page Marketing Plan Workshop

Impact-Driven Entrepreneur

Impact-Driven Entrepreneur Podcast

Mariana on Instagram

Mariana on YouTube

Mariana on Twitter

Mariana on Pinterest

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini

Farnoosh Brock on IDE EP083

Serve, Don’t Sell on LinkedIn

Asana

The Complete Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch

The Myers & Briggs Foundation

A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine

Sarah’s Book List

How Saying ‘No’ Can Help You Grow

Thanks so much for listening to this episode.

If you enjoyed it, I would be super grateful if you'd share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post.

And if you don’t have it yet, get your free 4-step Guide on How to Say no to Grow. You'll be added to my list as well so I can share the latest episodes and other introvert related resources with you.

Also, please leave a review on iTunes. I'm told that they really matter so if you'd take a minute I'd appreciate it.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or on Android to get notified for all my future shows.

Warmly
Sarah

Welcome to the 14th muse on the Introvert Biz Growth podcast, the show where I talk to introverts who grow their business and make a difference.

I'm Sarah Santacroce, your host.

It's time for another muse episode, unedited, raw content. No intro music. No bells and whistles.

I share these muses to make you think, to inspire you, to break the rules and to invite you to be part of the Gentle Business Revolution.

In muse 13, two weeks ago I shared my vision of The Gentle Business Revolution and invited you to join its Gentle Business Alliance. Go back to that episode if you've missed.

Today's episode is focused on Anxiety-Free Marketing, the building block of The Gentle Business Revolution.

The main mission of the Gentle Business Revolution is to bring more kindness and empathy to the business world. And who says business, says marketing. And as you might know, I've been part of this Online Marketing world for over a decade.

So it was clear to me that the way we could bring more gentleness to the business world would have to start with a different way of marketing.

I've been wearing a mask in marketing for many years.

I've lost track of my authenticity countless times in an effort to blend in, to belong, to succeed.

I was marketing my business wearing a Chameleon Suit.

That suit gave me comfort, because it was fitting for any kind of situation, any kind of client.

And with that suit on, I was so adaptable: I blindly followed advice of all the big marketing gurus out there. I tried a little bit of everything. I changed my color depending on the situation.

But no more

I'm sick and tired of faking it. And I'm sick and tired of seeing other people fake it and using manipulation in marketing.

I decided it was time for a different approach!

A way to market my business authentically & with integrity.

According to my values & beliefs.

A gentle & kind way.

Without anxiety.

Without fear of how other people will think of me.

And that's what I'd like to share with you.

In January of this year I launched the building block of The Gentle Business Revolution, a new kind of marketing program that I called Anxiety-Free Marketing.

10 brave souls took me up on my invite and joined me on this journey. We spent 10 weeks together, we laughed, we cried, we co-created a marketing paradigm shift, a holistic way to market ourselves.

Leisa Peterson, who's also my personal business coach was one of the participants and I'm excited to share this interview with her where she shares her experience.

Interview with Leisa

Well, I just announced a 2nd beta round of Anxiety-Free Marketing and here's why:

1. I see this as my life's work, together with the Gentle Business Revolution. So if this is supposed to have the impact I want it to have, I know I need to co-create this program together with the ideal client. Too many times have I just created something because I thought there was a need, and then have it be a complete flop.
2. When my mom and I looked at my astrology themes for this year 'Learning' was the big one. And boy am I learning. I'm learning to trust in the process. I'm learning to not be perfect. I'm learning what people yearn for. I'm learning that sometimes showing up is good enough. I'm learning to open my heart and let people in. I'm learning to accept myself just the way I am. And it's all good.

So let me tell you a bit more about Anxiety-Free Marketing

Anxiety-Free MarketingTM is a different kind of marketing program.

It is a 8-week live virtual training program that reveals an unconventional approach to marketing so that you can grow a successful business that is no longer kept small by fear of what others think.

It is designed to not only help you grow your business with ethical marketing practices but also create a more meaningful life – and make the world a better place.

Anxiety-Free Marketing is based on a re-modeled version of the 7P's of Marketing.  

This new model is represented in the form of a Mandala, with ourselves in the middle so we can market from within. Why a Mandala ? Because when I looked at the traditional version of the 7Ps and thought that I want to represent marketing as a process coming from within ourselves, this visual of a Mandala came to me. I had been coloring mandalas in the past, so it was intriguing me to do more research.

I spoke to some experts and took a course on Mandalas and finally came up with my own representation of the 7Ps of Marketing in the form of a Mandala. My son drew it for me and everything in AFM is now based on this Mandala, even the logo. What I like about it is that the definition of a mandala is that it's a creative process. It is creative process that brings us closer to centre.

Mandalas are also described as cosmic diagrams - attempting to represent the essential elements of the macrocosm in an ordered, coherent manner.

Exactly. All the 7Ps (Passion, Personal Power, People, Product, Pricing, Promotion and Partnerships) are essential elements of anxiety-free marketing. And we as the marketer are the center. We market from within.

In AFM we cover each of the Ps in one module, oscillating back and forth between the being and the doing, the inner work and the outer work.

Who is it for?

It is for Heart-centered entrepreneurs who feel anxiety around marketing their business AND Entrepreneurs who are tired of the traditional marketing model and are ready for a paradigm shift.

This is not a beginner course, it applies to all levels, whether you're just starting out or have been in business since 20 years.

So if any of this speaks to you, I'd love to have you join us for this 2nd beta round and help to co-create this marketing paradigm shift.

We start on May 6th and you can find out all the details on http://www.anxietyfreemarketing.com. I'm also hosting a free 1-Page Marketing Plan workshop on April 26th if you'd like to attend that one first. Details are on the same page at http://www.anxietyfreemarketing.com

And if you're listening to this podcast after May 6th you can still visit http://www.anxietyfreemarketing.com because I will turn this into an online program with video content that gives you access to attend one of the live courses in either January or September.

So visit http://www.anxietyfreemarketing.com now or send me an email to [email protected] for more info.

Thanks for listening.