The Robora Magazine launched on 1st September 2022 and in its first month, had well over 10,000 views. In this episode, Annie Ridout discusses why she launched the magazine, what her plans are for it and why it's working so well. She then suggests that you might like to think about launching your own digital magazine, as part of your marketing strategy, to drive traffic to your website. Enjoy!

The Robora Magazine: therobora.com/magazine

We talk a lot about the importance of mental and physical health, and now it's time to talk about spiritual health. Because the higher your SQ (spiritual intelligence), the better you feel, across the board. In this episode, I share a bit about where my own spiritual practices originate (spoiler: my mum) and how I continue to incorporate spiritual practices into both my home and work-life now. Also, I reveal an intuitive decision to do something that might seem 'wrong' in business but feels oh-so-right in spiritual terms, so I'm going with it.

Here's the programme I mention: Raise your SQ (and transform your work-life): therobora.com/shop/programmes/raise-your-sq-and-transform-your-work-life

We have two options with creating online content: schedule it all in advance (future you is happy) but the posts are generally pretty DRY. Or post when we are feeling inspired, motivated, excited, energised and ... the posts FLY. Because people can sense your energy when they see your posts or email newsletters or podcasts etc. So in this episode, I'm talking about what intuitive marketing is, why it suits busy working women and mothers, how it leads to higher engagement on all your channels and how to do it.

If you'd like to learn more about intuitive marketing (as well as the nuts and bolts of marketing), join my programme RISE. Early-bird discount ends Sunday. And I'll be working closely with you through the month of August to help you launch something in September (or to look at your more longterm marketing strategy. Or both. This programme is tailored to YOU and your business.)  - therobora.com/shop/programmes/rise/ 

I've said it before, I'll say it again: women deserve to be seen and heard at all times. We shouldn't be losing our freelance clients or jobs because we're pregnant. But we do. We shouldn't become invisible, work-wise, after having kids - but sometimes this is how it feels. My solution to this ridiculous problem is for women to take back the reins. How? By starting your own business. Becoming your own boss. And becoming so blimmin' successful that no one can touch you. You have full power. And a big, big voice and the opportunity to create career opportunities for other women. If you want to RISE - to be seen and heard - you need to be doing some mega marketing. And so I talk about all of the above in this episode. Enjoy!

Read more about RISE (my new programme): here (therobora.com/shop/programmes/rise)

I shared a story recently in The Robora Facebook group about a time, during the pandemic, when I was hiding upstairs filming videos for course launches. On one particular day, Rich, my husband, came upstairs and on coming in to set up the programme that we were recording a webinar through, I said to him: this is the worst day of my life. Of course, I was being extremely melodramatic and it was far from the worst day of my life. But it was one of the worst business days of my life because it just wasn’t what I wanted to be spending my time doing. And yet, I thought it was the only option, in terms of growing our community and selling our courses and programmes. SPOILER: IT'S NOT. And I explain why, in this episode.

Just launched: RISE - a new marketing programme for women who want to do things differently: therobora.com/shop/programmes/rise/

I took a bigger-than-planned break from the podcast and now I'm BACK. With renewed ideas, big dreams and ... a plan to REVIVE all the burned out women who have been giving and giving and are now ready to receive. To put themselves centre stage. In this episode I discuss how I plan to do this, plus tell the tale of where I've been, a note on toxic productivity, burnout, some shyness/introversion revelations and why I've decided to properly return to The Robora. Happy listening, loverz. Annie x

Read more about Revive here: https://therobora.com/shop/programmes/revive-2/
(Early bird offer ends Tuesday at midnight; sales close Sunday. We start work on June 13th)

Annie Ridout has found herself lying in bed, worrying about her life choices. But then she gets up in the morning, drinks a coffee and all feels fine. Or manageable, at least. In this episode, Annie explores the reason we might go over everything we’re worried about when lying in bed - and then find it all a little lighter once we’re up for the day. She asked psychologist Suzy Reading why this happens and shares her thoughts. And there are some tips for getting back to sleep when your mind is having a worry party in the dead of night.

Show notes

- Author and psychologist Suzy Reading - follow her on Instagram: @suzyreading
- The 'worry hour' idea was from therapist Anjali Meghta in this Robora podcast episode.

In this episode, Annie Ridout talks about moving from ‘what if’ to ‘I’m doing it’. And how it is that she wound up pulling her kids out of school, homeschooling two of them - for the next eight months - committing to a countryside adventure and making a plan to go travelling. She covers: fear of change, other people becoming barriers, living your life like it’s the only one you’ve got, and how when you make the decision, and start the wheels in motion, it all feels a lot less daunting.

Show notes

Looking for a power hour with Annie Ridout? Head to therobora.com/shop/coaching/power-hour-with-annie-ridout

If you're finding it hard to sign up clients or sell products, it's time to stop selling. Instead, take some time away from it all.  Even just a day. Go and be free and creative and inspired. Then return, feeling refreshed, and focus on growing your community. Because when you create a big group of people who feel warm towards you and/or your brand, they will be waiting to hear what it is you've got to sell. In this episode, Annie talks through all of this and shares ideas for community-building - with examples of how it's worked for her, and others.

Show notes

The Early Hour - theearlyhour.com (Annie's first platform)
Lucy and Yak (who make dungarees and other clothing)
Don't Buy Her Flowers (gift boxes)
Leo @ordinary_shapes (collage-maker)
Tamu Thomas - my guru - @livethreesixty

When going through transitional periods, self-doubt can slip in (is this the right thing to do? Should I be doing it differently? Am I capable of making this change?). Especially if the decisions that we are making affect other people, like our kids. So in this episode, Annie discusses whether self-doubt is ever useful (spoiler: it is) and to work out how to trust herself when it comes to decision-making. Even if she keeps changing her decision.

Show notes

You've Got This!: The Life-changing Power of Trusting Yourself by Margie Warrell

Shy: How being quiet can lead to success by Annie Ridout
The Freelance Mum: A flexible career guide for better work-life balance by Annie Ridout
Annie Ridout's poetry prints and books: annieridout.com/shop