The Simplifiers Podcast

Can we talk about Instagram for a bit? So, I'm willing to bet you've got an Instagram account for promoting and marketing your small business. And I'm also willing to bet you spend a lot of time scroll, scroll, scrolling through your feed, every single day… hoping, praying that a prospective client will "like" your post, comment on your photo and (GASP!)reach out to you and put their money on the table to buy your products or services!!?!

So, umm… can I just ask: is that (actually) happening?!

No shame, if it ain't, my friend. If you wish you could gain a bit more traction with Instagram, then this episode is specifically for you.

What you'll notice if you flip to her 'Gram (@Alice_Benham), everything is beautiful… It's cohesive, refined but still feels real and authentic.

I mean, REALLY. How does she get it to look so nice!!?!Does she have a massive team? A huge marketing budget? A professional photographer boyfriend? Okay, well, the first two aren't the case… she's actually a 1-woman company!

Today, she's sharing her insider secrets as she simplifies the "New Rules of Instagram + InstaStories."

• What she believes is working right now on this platform
• The exact apps and equipment that she uses to shoot the videos and photos in her InstaStories and for her IG grid
• What she learned about personal branding and the responsibility we have as content creators to honesty when she ran an airbrushing experiment over the summer
• What things she posts on her business Instagram account and what things she keeps private
• Her predictions for how digital marketing is evolving on Instagram and where it's headed next
• Why elements of storytelling is everything when posting to Instagram

The most important thing that perked my ears up in our conversation is this… friends, don't get sucked into the numbers game on Instagram. You'll see people who have inflated follower numbers (10, 20, 50k followers, wow!) but very little engagement on their posts.

Your number of followers mean nothing in business. But instead, your number of engaged fans who you're making TRUE connection with via DM (aka. direct messages) and who are actually converting from being a lurker to being a buyer, is what really,actually counts.

So, don't get discouraged by your numbers. Throw that vanity plate out the window. And focus on who keeps showing up and start conversations with them.

Let's #DoTheThing.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/033-alice-benham/

Today, I want to expand on what I mean when I say, "Do less, accomplish more" because quite frankly, once I started to adopt this mindset in every part of my life, I started to notice things were significantly changing…and for the better.

If there was a poster child for "Busy" (with a capital B), that person would be me. A card-carrying, type A, control freak. Someone who's Google Calendar looked like a rainbow mess of back-to-back appointments and zero breathing room.

Old me would simply say, "well, duh. Cram it all in. Squeeze the every living bit of juice out of every moment in life…go, go, GO!"

But a switch has recently flipped in my brain.

…DOING *MORE* IS NOT THE ANSWER.

Last time I looked, there are only 24 hours in a day. And until someone invents a time machine, this is what we've got to work with, folks.

And my old faithful battle cry of "just one more email!" just doesn't work for me (or for you) any longer.

Something has got to give.

So, what does "Do Less, Accomplish More" (actually) mean?

Do less means focus on the RIGHT things.

So, "Do Less, Accomplish More" is rooted in to the idea of just laser-focusing on the RIGHT things you need to do today… and dropping, delegating or letting go of the rest.

Simple as that.

Listen in as I encourage you and show you exactly how to Do Less, Accomplish More this week.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/bonus-029/

You know that bright, sparkly feeling you get when you're jiving at work and coming up with tons of creative ideas? You're doing the thing, and you feel unstoppable.

This is what it's like when you're (totally) in the flow.

Abigail is a coach, mentor and healer for those who feel disconnected from their bodies and wish to live a better life. She trained as a Life Coach with Martha Beck and her practice is rooted in the belief that mind-body-spirit connection is everything.

She claims to be able to see the energy in your body, where your old mental stress patterns are creating blocks and she coaches you to help release these blocks and allow emotional energy to flow.

• What is "Mind-Body Syndrome" (also known as Tension myositis syndrome/TMS) and what are the symptoms?
• What Abigail means when she says "your pain syndrome is waking you up to more spiritual growth?"
• What "divine guidance" means, and how it can help you be a better business owner
• Why kindness is the path towards freedom - why and how?
• How to stop striving for achievement
• All about "Magic Body 101" - your body is a magic wand, here's how to use it

Embodiment is the practice of slowing down, and tuning in to what your physical body is trying to tell you.

I love when she talks about the K.I.N.D. Process, which is simply:

• Know your body
• Inhabit your emotions
• Notice your mind
• Discover your inner wisdom

Such simple wisdom, but powerful if you slow down and really allow yourself the opportunity to feel it. Abigail encourages us to let our guard down and go FULL ON magical here, realizing that the concepts she talks about might not make a lot of sense in the mind… but when you trust your body and the divine guidance, it'll open up a whole new world of living.

Let's #DoTheThing.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/032-abigail-steidley/

Today, I wanted to talk about a big, big, BIG business decision my team and I made in the last couple of months that you may (or may not) have noticed. We did it very quietly… under the radar, if I'm honest.

I want to talk about why I'm no longer marketing myself as an Event Planner.

You see, I started The Simplifiers way, way back in 2003 in Austin, Texas. We specialized in planning and producing large-scale non-traditional events for mega huge brands like Google, Facebook, Microsoft and more. We also helped plan a ton of really creative weddings for some of the very best couples in the Universe. Hands down!

Those were fun times, mixed with 60-70 hour work weeks - and totally fueled on tacos.

I'm on the cusp of my 41st birthday and boy, a lot has evolved in my work life since I started my entrepreneurial journey.

This year, I made the cognitive choice to shift (full steam ahead) into a new season of my business and my brand.

I've evolved in to a Business Coach, an international Public Speaker and a Podcaster.

My passion is all about helping business owners simplify their workflow, achieve their money goals and take back control of their schedule and their lives… ya know, get back to THRIVING!

In this episode you'll also learn how to: Make it "location non-specific" and "Future proof" your brand

The beauty of being an entrepreneur is the fact that you are the ultimate decision maker on where you head next. You get to decide!

Evolution is a birthright.

Change is a gift.

You can do this, I believe in you.

It's time to SIMPLIFY.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/bonus-028/

Have you ever wanted to be a Designer? You know, like someone who's super creative, always getting inspired by her surroundings, and is the one who's got a journal in her back pocket at all times to jot or doodle an idea down?

If you wish you could tap into that side of your brain more, you're going to love today's episode.

Ryan is the owner and chief 'ideas man' at BeEvents in Minneapolis. While he shares his design process for producing showstopper, award-winning event experiences for massive brands like Target, Best Buy, Verizon, Land O'Lakes and more, the principles he shares could be applicable to any sort of creative industry.

If you're a graphic designer, an interior designer, working in theatre on set design, or even someone who does marketing for a living, I'm sure you'll have an AHA moment from this episode.

• Why film, theatre and live events are all the exact same thing - how he thinks they are similar and how the art of storytelling is the key tool he uses as a designer
• How to know if you're a creative, and if you should start your own business
• What Ryan's design process is - what is the very first step in creating & designing an unforgettable live event experience?
• What are the "4 Walls of Creative" when designing a new project for a client?
• Where Ryan gets his very best ideas and sparks of inspiration from
• What does it take to be an excellent designer?

If you've ever doubted yourself and thought, "oh, I'm not a Creative. I could never be a Designer", I really want you to listen to this episode.

Ryan really simplifies it for us in a refreshing, new way. One that'll make you stop, pause and re-consider. Truly, it's all about tapping into life to find the spark. As Ryan puts it, it's all about finding that "radical creativity" for your next client project.

Let's #DoTheThing.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/031-ryan-hanson/

Today, I want to answer the question I get over and over from my private coaching clients… 'so, how EXACTLY do you pitch yourself to be a guest on a podcast??!'

Excellent question, my friend.

Here are my 5 simple tips on how to make it happen and who knows, maybe we'll hear YOU on The Simplifiers Podcast one day, in the near future:

Step one: Research Step two: Make friends, bring value Step three: Draft your pitch Step four: Follow up - guilt free! (Be friendly, be of value and be nice.) Step five: Expand your reach

Listen in (or check out our show notes) to hear the details on each one of these steps.

People want to hear your voice and learn from you.

I bet there is something—just one thing—that your very best friends know you are the go-to girl for. Whether it's advice on baking cakes, managing interns, planning the best Disney vacation, or superstar customer service skills.

There's a podcast out there that DESPERATELY wants to talk to you and share your message with their audience.

If you're feeling a bit shy or timid about this stuff, let me be the first to squish that thought.

You are a bright shiny star and the world needs to hear your story.

You can do this, I believe in you.

It's time to SIMPLIFY.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/bonus-027/

Okay, so I feel like I'm falling down the rabbit hole in the Matrix by saying this but… I've been wanting to do a podcast on how to launch a podcast, for like, EVER!

You may have been contemplating the idea of starting a podcast for your business—or just for fun. If so, this episode is just for you.

Host of The Story Behind and owner of E Podcast Productions, Emily Prokop will help to make launching a podcast, super-simple.

• Why everyone is jumping on the podcast train, and if you're one of them, what are the first 3 things you need to launch one?
• How to overcome the fear of tech, and any mindset blocks that might hold you back
• Emily answers the question… Do I need to be an extrovert to be a podcaster?
• Once I've got it launched, how do I grow my audience?
• What are the common mistakes people make when they launch a podcast?

In addition to sharing Emily's expertise, The Simplifiers Podcast has launched 56 episodes into the world so far. The Simplifiers podcasting team and I are really hitting our stride with this whole podcasting thing, so I've decided to share some of my wisdom with you too.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/030-emily-prokop/

What are you avoiding?

Today, I want to talk about why starting today is the best answer and how to do it in 7 simple minutes.

Is there something that's been sitting on your to-do list for ages that you never seem to get around to?

No shame, I've got a few of those, too.

What's that about??

I figure what stops us from #doingthething, all boils down to one of the following three things;

1. FEAR

2. VALUES

3. MINDSET

Whether it's fear, values or mindset that is blocking us, how do we break the habit loop that keeps us stuck? How do we make a start today?

My magic 7-minute timer.

Seriously, it works.

EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

You'll find out if this thing is really, really what you want to add in to your life… or not. If it's aligned with the feelings that you want to feel, and the direction you're headed in… or not.

If it's a "HECK YEAH"—I want you to GO FOR IT—with all your heart.

Don't second-guess yourself, just go for it.

Take the next step and trust that the universe has got your back all along the way.

You can do this, I believe in you.

It's time to SIMPLIFY.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/bonus-026/

The buzz for 2018 is all about marketing funnels. I'm sure you've heard the term thrown about here, there and everywhere—especially in this day and age of digital and online marketing. But raise your hand if you don't have a clue about how to set one up for your business?

Well, my friend… this episode is especially for you!

Bottomline, how do you build and grow your email list, help your prospects turn into paying customers and earn cash in the bank?

• What is a marketing funnel and why do I need one now?
• How to not drown in the tech side of setting it all up
• And since we've got a LOT of wedding planners listening to our podcast, we walk through, step-by-step in simple terms, the first five steps for a Wedding Planner to set up a marketing funnel and start making sales today!

We share all the very best tools available to help you map out your customer's buyer journey, in a way that's simple for you to create and implement.

And if you don't really love selling on the phone - this is the solution for you!

Let's #DoTheThing.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/029-michelle-evans/

Today, I want to talk about moments in life when you definitely DON'T feel like you're shining. Can we talk about panic attacks?

I'll be honest. I never really understood what they were like until I experienced them for myself. I just thought, "oh, you're just a bit stressed huh?"

No.

This thing is real and I want to start the conversation, so you too can spot if you're having a panic attack and what to do about it.

I share my story simply, as a way to shed light and help others who might be going through this scary situation.

It feels like dying. Or at least, what I think dying might feel like, one day.

Here are a few symptoms of a panic attack;

• heart palpitations
• chest pains
• hearing going in/out
• nausea
• blurred vision
• shortness of breath
• numbness or tingling
• fear of losing your mind

You may have experienced one, or even a few of these symptoms. It's important to know, what you're going through will not last forever. Most symptoms will peak at around 10 minutes, but it's frightening as all get out.

This happened to me not too long ago and it wasn't triggered by anything big. It was the culmination of an over scheduled lifestyle, mounting stress, and generally not looking after myself.

On that day, I thought I was dying. It felt like I was having a stroke. Or a heart attack. I was certain that my body was shutting down and I was dying.

No, really.

My vision started to blur. My hearing was fading in and out. My lower back pain was flaring up, and I was starting to get a bit nauseous.

Flash forward to an hour later and my mobility was impaired and things got super scary in the emergency room.

Long story short, I wasn't dying. I hadn't thrown my back out. I just experienced my very first full blown panic attack.

And it was scary.

It woke me up… something in my life needs to change—and FAST—because this is not okay.

Listen to see how I took control and get TIPS to help you if you find yourself in the middle of a panic attack or feel one coming on.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/bonus-025/