The Workshop Weekly

With Erika Holmes.

Raise your hand if you have more emails than you can shake a stick at. You may not be able to see me but I am raising my hand as high as I can.

That said, Email is still one of the most effective ways to reach your audience. When Facebook changes their algorithms for the hundredth time or when Instagram changes their priority to video content, we can always fall back on the good old faithful email as a reliable way to show up for our customers. 

So how can you entice your customers to click open on your email when you have so much noise to compete with?

Today’s guest, Erika Holmes, is a copywriting expert who helps entrepreneurs find the sweet spot between clarity and personality in their marketing message. Through her work with big and small brands alike, she’s seen firsthand that putting personality in your copy is the fastest, best way to attract dream clients. In addition to online entrepreneurs and personal brands, Erika’s list of clients includes eBay, StubHub and Levi’s and many more. She’s on a mission to show her kids and other aspiring entrepreneurs that they can make a damn good living doing what they love — even with an English degree.

Erika shares her top tips and tricks for adding a little personality to your email content that your customers can’t wait to click on!

• How emailing became her area of expertise and how it all started with a purple notebook with yellow moons and stars. 3:06
• Welcome sequence, nurture sequences, welcome series... oh my! Erika breaks down this necessary part of successful email campaigns. 6:33
• Harnessing the power of the magic subject line and embracing the bestie vibe. 8:10
• What you can expect as a benchmark for your open rate and building creditability with your presence in the inbox. 11:32
• How unsubscribes can be a good thing! 14:20
• How consistency sets the expectations for your audience. 15:17
• How being clear on your goals will help you develop copy to reach them. 16:38
• Erika's email rules to live by. 17:45
• The effectiveness of a good P.S. (or TLDR). 18:45
• Never missing an opportunity to personalize you email content. 22:03
• Know, like and trust factors and the right proportion of email types to build this relationship. 24:38
• The ideal number of emails and how to generate great content to populate them. 26:09
• The golden metric you should be watching. 29:47

The one thing I think you can do to uplevel your email marketing is make it a date, put it in your calendar. Like, when you stop listening to this, look at your calendar and figure out what's going to be your dedicated writing time, think about your magic hours...a lot of times I don't always know what the takeaway from my email is gonna be, it kind of reveals itself through my writing. So that would be my put on your calendar, make it a date.

I took so many notes during this episode and am just itching to put them into practice in my own business emails. Bestie vibe subject lines… that’s genius! 

Erika is a wealth of knowledge and I am so grateful that she shared a ton of tangible advice that you can easily start implementing in your own business right away. She also made me feel a little better about the occasional unsubscribe.

Being consistent is key in your email marketing and will help to keep you top of mind as you navigate all the noise that is the email inbox. Building a relationship with your audience will help them know, like, and trust you making them much more likely to click that catchy subject line.

And P.S. (see what I did there?) I know I say it all the time but I am so grateful that you lend me your valuable attention week after week. 

So, check out the show notes at kellylawson.ca/058 to see how you can connect with Erika and additional resources. Until next time, Workshop Warriors!

Website: www.erikaholmes.com

Insta: www.instagram.com/erikavholmes/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/erikavidalholmes

Atomic Habits by James Clear

So you bought a fancy camera or you're thinking about buying one because it's clear to you that there is no shortage of beautiful moments or things in your life that you'd like to capture beautifully, but the record scratches because all the dials and buttons and settings are standing between you and your life in stunning photos. Well, my friend I have just the fix the Ultimate Photography Starter Kit. This free resource includes a recommended equipment list, quick start checklist, and a beginner's guide to creating natural poses and candid moments to give you the confidence you need to dust off that fancy camera and start documenting your moments so they can last forever.

The Ultimate Photography Starter kit is completely free and It is everything you need to get started. So grab yours today at Kellylawson.ca/starterkit. That's Kellylawson.ca/starterkit. And I can't wait to see your framers in my scroll.

-

If you’re looking to elevate your business or brand photos using your smartphone or any other photo-taking device, I don’t want you to miss out on my most downloaded free resource.

The results people are getting from this guide are crazy, some say I should be charging actual money for it. But for now, I don't want to because I want everyone to get the beautiful photography results that they deserve. No more blurry, dark, dull, yellowish, shadow-y embarrassing photos for you! It’s so much easier to get a beautiful photo than you probably think. Simply visit kellylawson.ca/freeguide to download your free photography guide and start taking better photos for your business TODAY.

Click here for the transcribed version of this podcast.

With Jill Wise

Does your business have a personality?

Like, does what you put out there convey that you're a real person who is friendly and personable and a great choice to do business with? Or is it a faceless business and a bit robotic at times?

Well, your business and your brand aren't built by robots and your brand isn't something that's mass produced on an assembly line so it should never feel like that. Because you create it, you carefully cultivate and grow it from a fragile dream up inside your beautiful mind to the result of a million cups of coffee, long day's hard work and perseverance. Believe it or not, creating a brand with no personality is a surprisingly, very common small business mistake.

But why does it matter?

Whether or not you're conveying personality in your business, be it on your website, your social copy, or ads, is often where you are creating first impressions of your small business to potential customers. When a potential customer visits your website, they are looking at how capable you are of solving their problem also if you're someone that they can connect with. If they have a choice between two businesses, and one looks bland and robotic, while the other one looks friendly, and approachable and personable. Who do you think they'll call? You got it - The business with the personality every single time.

So, how do you add personality to your small business website or online assets without making it seem all me, me, me? Well, my new business friend, Jill Wise, is a brand strategist, growth marketer and the creator of the client attraction equation. And she is here today to show you exactly how to do it. Because guess what, despite the pandemic, Jill was able to double her revenue in 2020 by injecting her personality into her business, and she wants the same for you. So let's dig in and learn all of Jill's business personality secrets, shall we? Okay.

• Why Jill cares about injecting personality into brands and teaching people to build their business around this personality. 3:20
• The key to ditching the feeling that showcasing your business personality is self absorbed and embracing authenticity. 7:26
• Defining authenticity in regards to your brand. 8:11
• How do we know what we should/shouldn’t be sharing from a brand strategy point of view. 9:30
• Listening as an essential part of knowing what to share on behalf of your business and what to keep behind the scenes. 10:47
• Figuring out what clients care about VS what they don't care about and whether your content is landing with them. 13:09
• Best tips to get off the social media struggle bus and curate effective content that shows your personality. 17:57 
• How to know if you’re oversharing. 20:59
• The concerns about coming off as inauthentic and why it is not as likely as you may think. 23:10
• Jill’s advice to people who encounter crickets after posting and how to deal with this inevitability... at least at the start. 24:43
• Getting criticism from the wrong people, knowing who to listen to and who to ignore. 31:09
• Common mistakes people make injecting their personality into their brand. 34:23

My only regret in business is not starting sooner and not starting all of these things sooner. I let fear get the best of me for so long. Fear, insecurities, imposter syndrome, wondering who would want to listen to what I have to say, all of those sorts of things. And I just wonder how far along my business would have been if I just started sooner just started telling stories sooner and trying to connect with people sooner.

Jill is a wealth of knowledge. And I think we can all agree that the client attraction equation or the sum of experiences they have with you and your brand is way too important to not give attention to and in the age of information.

These interactions with your brand go far beyond the bricks and mortar and far beyond the experience that happens face to face. So we need to pay attention to how we show up and how that goes beyond the messaging to offer our audiences a sense of community, entertainment and connection to us.

Incorporating personality into your content is one of the most overlooked ways to help you stand out and hone your uniqueness. To connect with Jill and to find any other resource mentioned in this episode. Please visit the show notes at KellyLawson.ca/057. And thanks again for hanging out with me.

Was it just me or did this go by way too fast? I appreciate you, you know. Bye for now.

Website: www.wordsbyjill.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/wordsbyjill

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wordsbyjill

So you bought a fancy camera or you're thinking about buying one because it's clear to you that there is no shortage of beautiful moments or things in your life that you'd like to capture beautifully, but the record scratches because all the dials and buttons and settings are standing between you and your life in stunning photos. Well, my friend I have just the fix the Ultimate Photography Starter Kit. This free resource includes a recommended equipment list, quick start checklist, and a beginner's guide to creating natural poses and candid moments to give you the confidence you need to dust off that fancy camera and start documenting your moments so they can last forever.

The Ultimate Photography Starter kit is completely free and It is everything you need to get started. So grab yours today at Kellylawson.ca/starterkit. That's Kellylawson.ca/starterkit. And I can't wait to see your framers in my scroll.

-

If you’re looking to elevate your business or brand photos using your smartphone or any other photo-taking device, I don’t want you to miss out on my most downloaded free resource.

The results people are getting from this guide are crazy, some say I should be charging actual money for it. But for now, I don't want to because I want everyone to get the beautiful photography results that they deserve. No more blurry, dark, dull, yellowish, shadow-y embarrassing photos for you! It’s so much easier to get a beautiful photo than you probably think. Simply visit kellylawson.ca/freeguide to download your free photography guide and start taking better photos for your business TODAY.

Click here for the transcribed version of this podcast.

With Jessica Totillo Coster

So, I know we are all pretty tired of hearing about 2020 as the year of the panny, but if there’s one thing that really stands out as an irreversible cultural shift from it all, it is the need to push our wares onto the internet.

I know you are already thinking: but how in the H can I actually really make a go at this ecommerce thing in such a wildly noisy and oversaturated space? There is SO MUCH competition out there.

Well my friend, with more consumers shopping online than ever before, and a particular interest in supporting small businesses above the giants like amazon, it’s really the perfect set of circumstances for small businesses and solopreneurs to really get serious about e-commerce.

And I get it, taking the plunge can be super intimidating for a small business owner like you, especially if you have a one-person businesses with a tight budget. 

the good news is, it’s not as hard as you might think, and one of the very best ways to learn is to see how other people did it.

That is exactly why my guest, Jessica Coster, is here today. After 20+ years in retail and 3 years as the only employee of a 7-figure eCommerce business, Jessica now works with the top experts in eCommerce and helps female business owners like you achieve the same by teaching the secrets of 7-figure eCommerce businesses.

Today’s episode is so jam packed with tangible takeaways and simple actions you can take with your own business that will yield super delicious quick wins. You’ll honestly be losing money by not listening in today. So grab a cup and open your treatbag because today’s episode is jampacked with goodies.

• How she became an eCommerce badass. 2:57
• Learning the hard way so you don't have to, sharing her best secrets. 5:55
• Keeping it simple - the paradox of choice and the real cost of decision fatigue. 9:30
• Misunderstood and underutilized - strategies for using Email marketing effectively. 13:54
• How you can really get up close and personal with your customers. 18:28
• Tips for making sure subscribers actually open your emails. 20:59
• The target open rate for emails, what that means for your business, and how to increase it. 25:45
• Strategies for bringing the same customers back again, and again... and again! 30:15
• Recycle, reuse, and repost - how often customers need to see a product before making a purchase (hint: it is more than you think). 32:02
• Standing out in all the noise as an eCommerce business owner. 35:23
• Opportunities for eCommerce business owners to involve satisfied customers to generate and share content. 36:49

Go look at the feedback that you're getting from your customers. Look at your reviews, look at your customer service inquiries, look at your comments on social media, and start really getting a sense of how your customer talks about your product and then use that same language when you talk. about your product. Because now when that new customer comes and reads it, they're gonna be like, how did she know? That's what I was thinking, oh my god, she's in my head. So as much as you can use your own customers language, the better off you'll be. And there's so much of it there. We just have to take the time to look for it.

Well, I told you that you are going to learn a whole lot by listening to today's episode.

I can't wait to get away from this recording studio to go make some changes in my own business after speaking with Jessica. She is such a wealth of knowledge. And really, I could have spoken to her all day about this stuff.

It's very clear to me that she's super smart and pays attention to the right stuff. So, if you're like me and you want to learn more from Jessica, be sure to check out the show notes for ways to get in touch with her and to download some of her free resources at KellyLawson.ca/056.

Was it just me or did this episode go by way too fast? I love hanging out with you like this and I'm really excited to grace your earbuds or ear holes (I don't know why I just said that) next week. Until then, bye for now.

Stormboard

The eCommerce Badassery Podcast

Website: eCommerceBadassery.com

Facebook: facebook.com/ecommercebadassery

Instagram: instagram.com/ecommercebadassery/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicatotillo/

So you bought a fancy camera or you're thinking about buying one because it's clear to you that there is no shortage of beautiful moments or things in your life that you'd like to capture beautifully, but the record scratches because all the dials and buttons and settings are standing between you and your life in stunning photos. Well, my friend I have just the fix the Ultimate Photography Starter Kit. This free resource includes a recommended equipment list, quick start checklist, and a beginner's guide to creating natural poses and candid moments to give you the confidence you need to dust off that fancy camera and start documenting your moments so they can last forever.

The Ultimate Photography Starter kit is completely free and It is everything you need to get started. So grab yours today at Kellylawson.ca/starterkit. That's Kellylawson.ca/starterkit. And I can't wait to see your framers in my scroll.

-

If you’re looking to elevate your business or brand photos using your smartphone or any other photo-taking device, I don’t want you to miss out on my most downloaded free resource.

The results people are getting from this guide are crazy, some say I should be charging actual money for it. But for now, I don't want to because I want everyone to get the beautiful photography results that they deserve. No more blurry, dark, dull, yellowish, shadow-y embarrassing photos for you! It’s so much easier to get a beautiful photo than you probably think. Simply visit kellylawson.ca/freeguide to download your free photography guide and start taking better photos for your business TODAY.

Click here for the transcribed version of this podcast.

With Lauren Schwartz

In today’s world of content overload and shortened attention spans, quick snappy content is every business owner’s secret weapon. 

Recent studies have shown that the average person spends about 15 seconds skimming online content as they scroll. To put this into perspective, that’s about the amount of time it takes to check a notification on your smartphone, send a single short text, stretch at your desk, or the length of one Instagram stories slide. 

The good news is, there are a few different ways that you can cut to the chase and grab your potential customer’s attention in 15 seconds and that’s exactly what today’s guest, Lauren Schwartz is here to teach you about today. 

Lauren is a thought leader creating profitable creative strategies for e-commerce brands.  Lauren's passions lie in creating top-performing ad creatives and she is obsessed with strategy. In her downtime, Lauren enjoys teaching others how to create effective content for their own businesses using, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Pinterest.

So, how do you create a compelling, branded narrative in the time it takes to fire off a text? Well Lauren is here to teach you exactly how, so let’s dig in!

• How she came to be a digital marketing guru and an E-Commerce strategist. 2:20
• Her successful work with multi-million dollar bands. 3:21
• How to generate engaging content that improves click-through rates. 5:04
• The key to using video ads to get more leads. 6:48
• User Generated Content (UGC) and how to leverage it in your own business. 8:20
• Why it's important to tell your story in less than 15 seconds and how to extract the most important information to include in such a short time frame. 10:21
• Creative testing, how to use it it in your pitch, and how to decipher what works and what falls flat. 14:35
• Actions to take if you test an ad and feedback is negative. 16:56
• A three second hook and what images and content to use to create one. 19:09
• What to do to keep people from scrolling past and forgetting about you. 24:17
• Putting out entertaining content without implying you’re trying to sell a product. 25:43
• The type of content to present at different stages of the buying journey for the best response. 28:15
• Common mistakes in the world of digital marketing and how to avoid them. 31:05
• Influencer marketing and how it fits into the digital marketing world. 33:15

I think the biggest thing that you can do is really find that hook, that really clear headline that calls out what your product does, and how it could be beneficial to someone. Take that very clear image and just put that headline on a piece of creative to test out. And again, it could be three different headlines that you test in a creative testing campaign, but I think sitting down and really figuring out how this product is going to work for you is what you should do with a clear image and clear headline.

Things happen fast in today’s world of hypermedia and content overload. We make quick decisions nowadays and keeping our attention is perhaps harder than ever. Like, remember when we used to have to sit through ads on old fashioned public streaming television? And now, we sit there waiting for the 4 second timer to pass so we can click “skip ad.” Or, we start a new Netflix series and if it doesn’t have us at the edge of our seats within the first minute, we go back to surfing.

Born from this firehose of on demand content is the need for punchy headlines, eye catching imagery and immediately compelling narratives. Gone are the days of rambling on and mediocrity.

I hope today’s episode inspired you to think of how you’re showing up online in that first 15 seconds. About the same amount of time it takes someone to move what you’ve posted through their scroll.

Lauren is a wealth of knowledge and she has had some serious success for her clients in considering that first 15 minutes of interaction. To connect with Lauren or any other resources mentioned in this episode, please visit our show notes at kellylawson.ca/055.

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theloft325/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theloft325

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-schwartz-07354312/

Website - http://theloft325.com/

So you bought a fancy camera or you're thinking about buying one because it's clear to you that there is no shortage of beautiful moments or things in your life that you'd like to capture beautifully, but the record scratches because all the dials and buttons and settings are standing between you and your life in stunning photos. Well, my friend I have just the fix the Ultimate Photography Starter Kit. This free resource includes a recommended equipment list, quick start checklist, and a beginner's guide to creating natural poses and candid moments to give you the confidence you need to dust off that fancy camera and start documenting your moments so they can last forever.

The Ultimate Photography Starter kit is completely free and It is everything you need to get started. So grab yours today at Kellylawson.ca/starterkit. That's Kellylawson.ca/starterkit. And I can't wait to see your framers in my scroll.

-

If you’re looking to elevate your business or brand photos using your smartphone or any other photo-taking device, I don’t want you to miss out on my most downloaded free resource.

The results people are getting from this guide are crazy, some say I should be charging actual money for it. But for now, I don't want to because I want everyone to get the beautiful photography results that they deserve. No more blurry, dark, dull, yellowish, shadow-y embarrassing photos for you! It’s so much easier to get a beautiful photo than you probably think. Simply visit kellylawson.ca/freeguide to download your free photography guide and start taking better photos for your business TODAY.

Click here for the transcribed version of this podcast.

With Kim Houlahan

Nothing inspires like a story.

People have been captivated by stories since the beginning of time. It is the very reason that any one of us will get lost in a good book or binge on Netflix. 

Storytelling is essential to our human existence, it helps us draw a connection to the things around us while also appealing to our intrinsic emotions.

When it comes to business storytelling, it’s a highly effective strategy that is so often overlooked. Let’s take some familiar ones for example: like the rise of Apple’s enigmatic Steve Jobs or how The Kardashians got their start. By telling the ‘whole story’ you tap into your audience’s emotions and genuinely connect with them. Your story makes you memorable and can lead your potential customers into believing in your product and/or service and what it stands for, gently encouraging them to buy.

Every company has a story to tell, and if your business can’t properly convey its story, your products likely won’t have as much appeal to your audience.

To perfect your story, my friend, professional storyteller and business coach Kim Houlahan is here today with some tips to get your creative storytelling juices flowing. Kim talks about the easy strategies you can use to get started with your own business storytelling. She does a phenomenal job in her own business!

So if the word storytelling for your business makes you squirm a little, you’re in good hands today.

Without further ado, let’s dig in to how you can begin to tell those captivating stories for your business.

• Kim's incredible and unique offer for her clients. 3:01
• Navigating insecurity and her formula for sharing personal stories with confidence. 5:09
• Kim’s own story! The career path that led her here. 7:23
• Tangible steps that you can take today to achieve success in setting goals and measuring the results. 11:12
• The art of focusing on fewer channels and being consistent. 16:07
• Her thoughts on changing marketing abilities on social platforms. 18:18
• The power of a response, what you should and shouldn't respond to. 20:02
• DIY marketing coaching resource. 21:00
• Results that clients can expect when following the process. 22:53

Marketing your business is like a marriage, you got to get your house in order. First you gotta get your strategy and your planning done, figure out who your ideal customer is, pricing, branding, all that stuff. That's the wedding. And then there's the marriage, and you have to keep that house in order. And this is where I think people struggle. It's not boring. But people might think of it as being boring. It's consistent. It's where you do your email marketing, your social media, your podcasts, your blogging, your phone calls, your sprinkling, whatever you're doing, to keep that steady rhythm going in your communications. That's the marriage.

So what’s the moral of this story today? It’s this: Storytelling isn’t just for marketing. The benefits extend well beyond a simple ad. I hope after today’s episode you have begun to think about how you can weave YOUR story into your own business narrative to draw a connection with your fans, pepper it throughout your social posts and your website, arm your sales reps with the story of your brand’s founding, or let your customers use your unique story to attract new customers. After all, a good story is fun to tell. It makes us feel like we are part of something. And, it’s addicting. It’s why we binge netflix and leaves your fans wanting more. So please, never underestimate the power of a good business story.

To connect with Kim or to find any other resources mentioned in today’s episode, please visit the shownotes at kellylawson.ca/055.

And until next time workshop warrior, I can’t wait to hear  your business story so I can draw a deeper connection with you, too. So get out there and shout it from the hilltops.

Until next week, bye for now.

Just Get Out There - Blog

www.thehoulahangroup.com/

www.instagram.com/kimhoulahan/

www.facebook.com/thehoulahangroup/

www.linkedin.com/in/kimhoulahan/

So you bought a fancy camera or you're thinking about buying one because it's clear to you that there is no shortage of beautiful moments or things in your life that you'd like to capture beautifully, but the record scratches because all the dials and buttons and settings are standing between you and your life in stunning photos. Well, my friend I have just the fix the Ultimate Photography Starter Kit. This free resource includes a recommended equipment list, quick start checklist, and a beginner's guide to creating natural poses and candid moments to give you the confidence you need to dust off that fancy camera and start documenting your moments so they can last forever.

The Ultimate Photography Starter kit is completely free and It is everything you need to get started. So grab yours today at Kellylawson.ca/starterkit. That's Kellylawson.ca/starterkit. And I can't wait to see your framers in my scroll.

-

If you’re looking to elevate your business or brand photos using your smartphone or any other photo-taking device, I don’t want you to miss out on my most downloaded free resource.

The results people are getting from this guide are crazy, some say I should be charging actual money for it. But for now, I don't want to because I want everyone to get the beautiful photography results that they deserve. No more blurry, dark, dull, yellowish, shadow-y embarrassing photos for you! It’s so much easier to get a beautiful photo than you probably think. Simply visit kellylawson.ca/freeguide to download your free photography guide and start taking better photos for your business TODAY.

Click here for the transcribed version of this podcast.

With Gretchen George

You might have noticed a drop in your traction on Facebook over the past year, and just so you know, it’s most likely not because people have randomly just stopped caring about you. 

Nope. It’s the evil, elusive and ever-changing Facebook algorithm that has made it increasingly challenging to connect organically with your fans. Looks like Zuckerberg wants our money to use his platform after all. 

And, Because Facebook’s micro-targeting ad features allow you to reach your exact target audience, the good news is, Facebook ads can get your message in front of the people who are most likely to want your products or services and not just click like and move on with their scroll. So there is a bit of a silver lining... if you’re willing to open your purse strings.

Facebook advertising is a pretty effective way to connect with highly targeted audiences, the kind that will click add to cart, on the world’s largest social network. And I have to admit, I have seen some early success in my business with Facebook ads. Since I've begun using Facebook ads to sell my digital programs, I have seen a 5x ROI on my ad spend, and not only that, I  have learned a whole lot about the people who I am trying to reach. Specifically, which audiences are most likely to buy from me, and what language and imagery resonates to name just a few.

So, you know when you see an ad in your scroll and you’re like, how did they know I wanted that? Well, it’s not a coincidence my friend. It is the result of intricate data mining and tracking your activities on the platform. And recently, Apple iOS has rolled out new anti tracking features on their most recent software update that is keeping Facebook advertisers on their toes. It is a lot to keep track of. Pun intended.

And that’s why today’s guest, Gretchen George, is here today to help you make sense of it all. Gretchen simplifies an otherwise pretty technical topic, gives us her recommendations on what you should be doing online for your business, and although important, why Facebook ads are just part of an overall integrated marketing plan. She also reveals how Facebook ads can be used as a highly effective research tool, the benefits of split testing your Facebook ads, how you can get started if you’re a complete beginner and the ONE THING you should absolutely do with your Facebook account today, even if all this stuff flies at a high altitude over your head. It’s all about taking it in in bite sized pieces.

This conversation with Gretchen is sure to get you one giant step closer to using Facebook as the super powerful business tool it can be. You don't wanna miss this one. So let’s dive in.  

• Why Facebook advertising is important for your business. 6:23 
• What small business owners should be doing online considering new algorithms. 7:30
• How Facebook and Instagram ads fit into a bigger plan (and I can almost guarantee that they do!). 8:53
• Tips for businesses to get prepared for a Facebook ad spend. 10:25
• Facebook pixels and what kind of data it can collect. 15:24
• Information, statistics and effectiveness of retargeting ads. 17:27
• Resources for step by step instructions to set up Facebook pixels. 18:36
• How business owners can be strategic about spending advertising dollars. 20:07
• Appropriate budgets for Facebook ads. 24:26
• Running a split tests on Facebook as a tool to learn about your audience. 25:42
• What people fear most about Facebook ads. 27:23
• What happens when you boost a Facebook post and why it is important. 29:28
• Common mistakes people make when they're setting up ads. 30:30
• Getting started with ads. 32:33
• Results you can expect to see from your ads. 36:17
• Exciting examples breakthrough discoveries with Facebook ads. 38:12
• Helpful resources for people getting ready for Facebook ads. 40:17
• Making Facebook ads work for YOU. 41:26

Don't leave marketing behind in your business, don't put it on the backburner. Make it a priority and come up with a strategy so that when you are ready to go, you can hit the ground running. Set up the pixel. Also, make sure you're including marketing and your strategy for 2021. Even if you don't even ever use Facebook, Instagram, ads ever, just set up the pixel so that if you choose to one of these days, that you're ready to go, you have some data in the pot already cooking, and you have an audience that you can speak to, that you don't have to cultivate from scratch.

Pixels and ROI and split tests oh my!

I loved chatting with Gretchen. She makes an otherwise intimidating topic feel a little less scary, and I hope you learned a whole lot from her today. If nothing else, I hope you will walk away from this episode and get your Facebook pixel set up. It truly only takes a short amount of time, and even if you don't do a thing with it over the next little while, the data generated in the meantime could be very important in the future of that booming little empire of yours.

I hope that Gretchen helped to show you that being consistent and believing in yourself enough to make this kind of investment in yourself and in your business is what it takes to be successful, and Facebook ads can get you there if you are practicing what she shared with us today.

To find out more about Gretchen and anything mentioned in todays episode, please visit the show notes at kellylawson.ca/053

Thank you so much for tuning in today, I had a lot of fun. Who knew talking Facebook pixels could be so rad? 

Until next week my friend, bye for now.

www.millingtonandgeorge.com

Using Facebook Pixels

Do you ever think about starting your own podcast but you worry that the sound quality might hold you back? Well don’t let that be the culprit. I wanna let you in on a little secret... lean in... East Coast Studio

East Coast Studio is the reason that this podcast sounds so amazing and they will take care of all your sound editing needs so that you can focus on the fun stuff. The experts at East Coast Studio will ensure your podcast is the highest possible quality, to reflect well on you and your brand and to deliver the best possible listening experience to your audience. East Coast Studio is a proudly Atlantic Canadian business and today they are offering 25% off of your first audio editing service. Just send an email to [email protected] and tell them Kelly sent you.

-

If you’re looking to elevate your business or brand photos using your smartphone or any other photo-taking device, I don’t want you to miss out on my most downloaded free resource.

The results people are getting from this guide are crazy, some say I should be charging actual money for it. But for now, I don't want to because I want everyone to get the beautiful photography results that they deserve. No more blurry, dark, dull, yellowish, shadow-y embarrassing photos for you! It’s so much easier to get a beautiful photo than you probably think. Simply visit kellylawson.ca/freeguide to download your free photography guide and start taking better photos for your business TODAY.

Click here for the transcribed version of this podcast.

With Matt Edmundson

We’ve seen this story play out a million times before.

Someone gets that entrepreneurial fire blazing inside them only to have it quickly extinguished when they find themselves faced with indecision, fear, lack of direction or simply any sign that failure is afoot. So many of us stop at the first sign that a profitable, life-changing business might not be possible for someone with no prior business experience.

First, let me say that experience isn’t a prerequisite for starting a business… But willingness to learn, to get uncomfortable and to fail is. If you’re looking for proof that failure and discomfort are both a prereqs to stoking that entrepreneurial fire, let me direct your attention to the incomparable Matt Edmundson.

A guy who admits to having had more failures than successes, he states humbly that his successes have simply outweighed the failures, and he makes it abundantly clear that in the world of ecommerce entrepreneurship, the two are rarely sold separately. 

From shipping popcorn with his products instead of bubble wrap to generating $50 million dollars of revenue worldwide from his own ecommerce site, Matt proves over and over again what’s possible when you start an online shop. He helps people uncover what they can sell, to the tune of a collective $100 million dollars of revenue generated for his ecom students, and he shares the brilliant strategies you can implement in your own business to stand out in a noisy industry.

This conversation is the complete guide for anyone who is ready to start and scale a product based business online with our fearless leader, and super down to earth guy, Matt Edmundson. You’re gonna learn alot and have some fun today, my friend.

• How he came to be an eCommerce guru. 3:06
• The evolution of eCommerce over time and how things are different today. 5:47
• What factors were in place that allowed his business to grow and scale so effectively. 7:30
• What platforms and setups that he recommends for those just getting started with eCommerce. 10:46
• The metrics that you should be looking at. 13:29
• Understanding your conversions rates, how they compare to your industry, and setting your benchmark accordingly. 15:35
• The Seven Pillars of eCommerce marketing. 18:26
• Leveraging your marketing budget in creative and innovative ways. 21:37
• Tapping into repeat customers. 24:14
• The value of a personal touch and creativity in your packaging. 25:25
• Tips for maintaining a positive customer experience or enhancing your existing one. 31:04
• The importance of great product photos (even videos). 34:04
• His masterclass, a deep dive into eCommerce and success stories from the course. 36:33

If you're going to do one thing today, I would figure out what products it is you're going to sell online and research it. Who else is selling it? How are they doing it? What does their website look like? Go through their website with a fine tooth comb, what stands out what needs to be changed? Buy stuff from their website. What worked for you what didn't work for you? Find out if Amazon sell that product. Read all the reviews, find the positive ones and the negative ones. Look at the language look at how people are feeling about it, and do their research.

Matt was so truly lovely to chat with. He is so down to earth and approachable, and he is a complete wealth of knowledge in the eCommerce space. I mean, he’s been doing it since it’s inception practically.

Matt has loads of resources for eCommerce entrepreneurs whether you are just getting started, shifting your business online, or if you’ve had an online shop for years. Be sure to connect with Matt online, he has a free masterclass on his website.

As always, thank you again for joining me here today. I know I sounds like a borken record but I want you to know that I really mean it when I say thank you. You have hundreds of thousands of podcast options, and some seriously really good business podcasts, so the fact that you take the time to tune into my little corner of the podcast world week after week truly means everything. Ok I’ll stop gushing, but thank you again. Bye for now.

mattedmundson.com/ecommerce-masterclass

linkedin.com/in/mattedmundson

facebook.com/theecommercepodcast

Some popular eCommerce platforms include: Shopify, Squarespace, and Curious Digital.

Jungle Scout is a great platform for selling on Amazon.

Do you ever think about starting your own podcast but you worry that the sound quality might hold you back? Well don’t let that be the culprit. I wanna let you in on a little secret... lean in... East Coast Studio

East Coast Studio is the reason that this podcast sounds so amazing and they will take care of all your sound editing needs so that you can focus on the fun stuff. The experts at East Coast Studio will ensure your podcast is the highest possible quality, to reflect well on you and your brand and to deliver the best possible listening experience to your audience. East Coast Studio is a proudly Atlantic Canadian business and today they are offering 25% off of your first audio editing service. Just send an email to [email protected] and tell them Kelly sent you.

-

If you’re looking to elevate your business or brand photos using your smartphone or any other photo-taking device, I don’t want you to miss out on my most downloaded free resource.

The results people are getting from this guide are crazy, some say I should be charging actual money for it. But for now, I don't want to because I want everyone to get the beautiful photography results that they deserve. No more blurry, dark, dull, yellowish, shadow-y embarrassing photos for you! It’s so much easier to get a beautiful photo than you probably think. Simply visit kellylawson.ca/freeguide to download your free photography guide and start taking better photos for your business TODAY.

Click here for the transcribed version of this podcast.

With Jessica Rasdall

When we talk about the things in life that humans fear the most, public speaking often tops the list. In fact our collective fear of standing up in front of a group and talking is so great that some surveys suggest we actually fear it more than death. And, on one hand I totally get it, having had total panic attacks myself about needing to speak on stage before a crowd, or into this podcast mic even. But on the other hand, doesn't it seem strange that we’re so friggin afraid of something inherently not life threatening? Like, what exactly are we so afraid of, anyway? What do we think will happen to us? We’re unlikely to suffer any real physical or lasting harm, and for the most part good things come from public speaking. I mean, for one thing it’s great for building credibility, authority and growing our businesses - so why all the fear?

Well, today’s guest, Jessica Rasdall has definitely figured out how to overcome the thing we fear most as she has made her way onto countless stages telling her incredibly gut wrenching story to hundreds of thousands of people. She has told her story of turning her “mess into a message” and has been featured on major international media outlets such as ABC's 20/20, Katie Couric, The Guardian, MTV, Netflix, and many more. I mean just Google her - she’s a big deal and so is her story.

And while the fear of public speaking is super real, and the idea of showing up in front of masses can be totally anxiety inducing, THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING YOU’RE MISSING THAT COULD TURN this all AROUND FOR YOU. And today Jessica is letting us in on the secret of how to flip this self induced anxiety on it’s head. You’re about to learn the one thing that is far more important than a slightly irrational fear of people looking at you while you talk. So get ready, you’re gonna learn a lot. 

• The transformative story that brought Jessica into the world of public speaking and storytelling for business owners. 3:18
• Billboard statements - telling the story that supports the message your audience needs to hear. 7:33
• How to find your one (yes one) key message. 10:13
• How to dismantle objections in advance to be receptive to hearing your message. 12:11
• How to overcome the fear of speaking (being an introvert is NOT an excuse). 15:09
• Speaking not being for everyone, and that is okay! 17:43
• Getting to the bottom of what your audience really needs to hear from you. 18:28
• Tips for ensuring that your message will resonate before you go live. 21:10
• Getting comfortable with your message and staying in your lane as a way to build confidence. 23:35
• The value of recording yourself speaking. 26:57
• Using public speaking to grow your business. 28.37
• The four steps to getting to the stage. 29:44
• Helping people tackle their mindset around public speaking. 32:11
• What common mistakes are people making in their talks and how to avoid them. 33:38

I'm going to challenge you to go write that billboard statement today, that is huge for you is going to gain so much clarity on what it is you're speaking about, and what message the difference that you're making for the audience. So I want you to really sit down and think about "if I can only tell them one thing, What will I tell them?".

Wow. Such an amazing conversation with Jessica. There’s just so much to stew on. I have a feeling you’re gonna think about this episode a few more times before the day is out.

Here’s what stuck with me… while the fear of public speaking is super real, and the idea of showing up in front of masses is totally anxiety inducing, your WHY should always be paramount. I love how Jessica explains that public speaking isn't actually about you, but it’s about your message and the people who need to hear it. It is about leaving people who see you and hear you better than you found them. That’s what stuck to my ribs, if i can use that in this context, and, when she put this spin on it, it is easy to see that serving your audience should be far more important than a slightly irrational fear of how you will be received. And then I got chills because I remembered that’s exactly the message I needed to hone within myself to bring this podcast to you. And, if I didn't think about how much it meant to me to bring this to YOU, how that was far more important to me than my fear of judgement, well, this podcast wouldn't exist and that makes me sad. Because, you and I wouldn't be meeting cool business experts, learning new things about common business topics, and growing and learning and leveling up our businesses, together.

So yeah, we grew this great little podcast with a great little following and super amazing expert guests all because one day I finally faced it that YOU are more important than my silly fears.

So yeah, the next time you fear something, like something irrational (not hungry bears you should definitely fear hungry bears) but, your fear for being yourself, or showing up as you are, or doing a live video, or public speaking, any of that stuff. The next time you find yourself sitting in irrational fear like that, I challenge you to remind yourself that its only holding you back, and I challenge you to remember Jessica’s message and then think about the people who are missing out on what you have to give because of your silly fear.

Ok. Okay.

Thank you once again for tuning into another episode of the workshop weekly podcast. To find more information about Jessica or anything else mentioned in this episode, please visit the shownote at kellylawson.ca/051. And, I gotta say, I really like hanging out like this, y’know? Til next week!

JessicaRasdall.com

facebook.com/OfficialJessicaRasdall

instagram.com/JessicaRasdall/

Do you ever think about starting your own podcast but you worry that the sound quality might hold you back? Well don’t let that be the culprit. I wanna let you in on a little secret... lean in... East Coast Studio

East Coast Studio is the reason that this podcast sounds so amazing and they will take care of all your sound editing needs so that you can focus on the fun stuff. The experts at East Coast Studio will ensure your podcast is the highest possible quality, to reflect well on you and your brand and to deliver the best possible listening experience to your audience. East Coast Studio is a proudly Atlantic Canadian business and today they are offering 25% off of your first audio editing service. Just send an email to [email protected] and tell them Kelly sent you.

-

If you’re looking to elevate your business or brand photos using your smartphone or any other photo-taking device, I don’t want you to miss out on my most downloaded free resource.

The results people are getting from this guide are crazy, some say I should be charging actual money for it. But for now, I don't want to because I want everyone to get the beautiful photography results that they deserve. No more blurry, dark, dull, yellowish, shadow-y embarrassing photos for you! It’s so much easier to get a beautiful photo than you probably think. Simply visit kellylawson.ca/freeguide to download your free photography guide and start taking better photos for your business TODAY.

Click here for the transcribed version of this podcast.

With Rachael Kay Albers

Laughter isn't just a gimmick, it really is better than medicine. It helps us learn faster, it helps us retain information, it reduces stress, brings our energy up and it gets our hormones flowing so that we can be better problem solvers. It does very good things and lately I think we all wish that we could have a little more of it. 

Well my friend, you are in for a treat today. As soon as I learned about today’s guest, I was immediately so inspired and enthralled by her content and how she shows up in the world, I KNEW I had to have her not only on the show, but in my world. I mean, I straight up wanted to immediately become her best friend. And the thing is. That isn't a coincidence. It is truly a product of an incredibly unforgettable, stand out, dialed in marketing strategy.

Rachael Kay Albers is a business comedian, marketing educator, and no stranger to creating what she refers to as ‘UNFORGETTABILITY’ in business. Rachael Kay, otherwise known as RKA uses her SNL-like comedy angle to help people learn the things she teaches in her business and on her YouTube channel 'Awkward Marketing.' Her content is entertaining and fun and quite honestly like no one else I’ve ever seen before. So above all else, RKA is a marketing educator and strategist who full-on practices what she preaches. She walks the walk and talks the talk when it comes to creating a business and a brand that truly stands out. I mean, I binged her youtube videos harder than the first season of Ozark and Tiger King combined, and I laughed and learned along the way. How about that for an endorsement?

I am beyond excited to introduce you to today’s guest Rachael Kay Albers, creative director and business comedian. And in this episode she is sharing how YOU can follow her lead and create unforgettability in your own business to skyrocket your business growth too. So, settle in and get ready to meet my hilarious new business inspiration and hopefully future business bestie, Rachael Kay Albers.

• How she came to be the unforgettable entrepreneur and marketing genius she is today. 4:39
• How marrying education, entertainment, and humour came together to create Awkward Marketing. 7:27
• Not needing to be a videographer to learn the skills to craft great video content. 11:58
• Different types of content: in the moment and evergreen and why they are both important to validate the information you are putting out into the world. 15:20
• The beauty (yes beauty) of low production quality content. 17:28
• Being rewarded for just hanging out and engaging with your clients and followers. 20:51
• Her best tips for entrepreneurs to become unforgettable. 24:03
• The benefits of becoming a GIFfluencer. 31:23

I think you need to follow awkward marketing on YouTube. I really I have given so much value in this episode, I am just gonna come in hot with a self promotion. That's the kind of marketer I am today. So Awkward.Marketing.tv I think that's going to be your first step. I think you're gonna need a crash course and letting your hair down and just having fun while learning about business.

What can I say. You are welcome. But really, please don’t walk away after listening to this episode and NOT look Rachael up on the internet. Her content is truly where comedic entertainment meets social media and business marketing education and I truly believe she is paving the way for the future of how we show up online. 

I mean, I took one look at her and then immediately back at myself and realised, hang on, I don't look annnnny different than anyone else in my industry. There is no reason for someone to remember me over another podcaster, photographer or educator. My branding and messaging are safe, and objectively similar to others in my field, and somehow I never recognised that as a problem until RKA. And so, I challenge you to do the same. Look inward at the business you are building and the brand you are creating and ask yourself those hard questions too. Like, do I truly stand out in my industry? Or have I fallen into the trap of more of the same? And so now I blend. And if the answer to that is yes, I wanna encourage you to do some deep digging and make some changes. Be your own thing. Stop looking sideways and give yourself permission to be different, bolder, more memorable - and to be true to yourself while you’re at it. I know I feel called to do better with how I show up after meeting Rachael.

I will link to all of her corners of the web in the show notes, but if you wanna skip that step, simply search Awkward Marketing on YouTube, or type RKA into your next GIFY search and you will be well on your way to getting your daily RKA fix. And I’m going to go ahead and say it, I believe she is someone to watch, because she is definitely someone who is doing things unforgettability and we are all about to see where that takes her. No presh RKA.

Today was such a treat for me, I can’t thank you enough for tuning in to yet another episode of The Workshop Weekly podcast. I am so grateful to get to introduce to you so many incredible business experts and grace your earbuds, or car speakers, or google mini week after week.

Until next week my friend, I'm gonna miss ya. Bye for now.

Interview with John Snow, Tarzan Kay, and Sage Polaris (I swear it is relevant)

Everything you need to know about Doves.

rachaelkayalbers.com

rkaink.com

instagram.com/rachaelkayalbers

youtube.com/rkaink

facebook.com/rachaelkayalbers

Do you ever think about starting your own podcast but you worry that the sound quality might hold you back? Well don’t let that be the culprit. I wanna let you in on a little secret... lean in... East Coast Studio

East Coast Studio is the reason that this podcast sounds so amazing and they will take care of all your sound editing needs so that you can focus on the fun stuff. The experts at East Coast Studio will ensure your podcast is the highest possible quality, to reflect well on you and your brand and to deliver the best possible listening experience to your audience. East Coast Studio is a proudly Atlantic Canadian business and today they are offering 25% off of your first audio editing service. Just send an email to [email protected] and tell them Kelly sent you.

-

If you’re looking to elevate your business or brand photos using your smartphone or any other photo-taking device, I don’t want you to miss out on my most downloaded free resource.

The results people are getting from this guide are crazy, some say I should be charging actual money for it. But for now, I don't want to because I want everyone to get the beautiful photography results that they deserve. No more blurry, dark, dull, yellowish, shadow-y embarrassing photos for you! It’s so much easier to get a beautiful photo than you probably think. Simply visit kellylawson.ca/freeguide to download your free photography guide and start taking better photos for your business TODAY.

Click here for the transcribed version of this podcast.

With Kelly Lawson

Does the end of the weekend make you want to cry, and not just because you might actually have to put on real pants again? If the idea of returning to your corporate gig after a little time away feels soul crushing, know this: you are not alone. Too many people are dragging their butts to jobs that pay the bills but require waaay too big of a payoff when it comes to personal satisfaction and happiness. 

So, what if I told you that leaving the 9-to-5–or, let's be honest, 9-to-9, for many of you–behind is totally do-able? 

Cause it is. I should know. I’ve done it a few times now. 

And trust me, I remember how scary it was to even entertain the thought of leaving. 

But you know what? I also have the inside scoop on how life-changing and straight-up rewarding it can be to go your own way too. So, in honour of this fancy new year we’re already A MONTH into, and of the new beginnings we thought it might bring, this week’s episode of the Workshop Weekly Podcast is going to be both really personal AND very practical. Along with sharing my story, and some insights I’ve picked up along the way talking to dozens of other people who told their boss to take their job and shove it (in a nice way), I’m going to give you a to-do list of concrete actions you can start taking today to get into the mindset of making a big move.

My hope is that I can save you some time and pain in taking a big leap and making your move from corporate drone to independent operator. So if you’ve been longing for something else, today’s show is for you.

• My journey from occupational therapist to photographer, finding fulfillment in a creative outlet. 5:30
• The belief that you are capable of making a change. 11:40
• Getting up close and personal with failure so you can get up close and personal with success. 13:57
• How hiring a great accountant will make your life SO much easier. 15:51
• Avoiding debt at all costs. 17:25
• Branding yourself and your business, setting yourself up for success. 20:16
• Taking advantage of advertising opportunities and measuring your results. 22:29
• Taking the time to fill your calendar with fulling work that will quickly replace your old income. 25:50

Being an entrepreneur isn’t some crazy unattainable dream. Really, when you peel down all the layers and fluff, it’s a simple process. It’s all about defining problems and coming up with the best possible solution and then testing the solution and measuring the results. If the results are unfavourable, you go in and try again. That’s it.

OK, so there you have it, the things you need to do to get ready to shift from day job to being your own boss, from the mindset you need to make the change, to those five practical actions you can start taking this very day to get started with confidence and clarity.  

And hey, I know it’s scary as heck, but please know that if you do happen to fail, you will be okay. For me, I had to just make the leap and know that even if “failure” occurred, I could still make it work. Like I said earlier in the show, failure is baked right into being an entrepreneur. It’s the way we know we’re challenging ourselves and learning. So embrace the f-word. I have! 

And maybe you’re thinking, sure, Kelly, easy for you to say, things worked out for you and your dream came true. Well, my friend, to that I say: I am not an extraordinary case! I had zero connections, I was new to the city I lived in when I quit my day job and was burning the candles at both ends working the corporate job by day and building an empire by night. If I can do it, you can too! 

I’d love to hear about where you’re at in your journey, and what’s keeping you from making the leap. You deserve to chase your dreams, invest in your business, set yourself up for success. Let me know how it feels when you can finally say, “I am a boss!”

Thanks for joining me on today’s show. I will see you at the same time, same place next week!

Everything is Figureoutable - Marie Forleo

016: Are You Legally Protected? Click Play to Find Out. - Mel Norton

034: Don't Fear the Tax Man: Here's How to Crunch Your Business Numbers - Donna Mazerolle

Do you ever think about starting your own podcast but you worry that the sound quality might hold you back? Well don’t let that be the culprit. I wanna let you in on a little secret... lean in... East Coast Studio

East Coast Studio is the reason that this podcast sounds so amazing and they will take care of all your sound editing needs so that you can focus on the fun stuff. The experts at East Coast Studio will ensure your podcast is the highest possible quality, to reflect well on you and your brand and to deliver the best possible listening experience to your audience. East Coast Studio is a proudly Atlantic Canadian business and today they are offering 25% off of your first audio editing service. Just send an email to [email protected] and tell them Kelly sent you.

-

If you’re looking to elevate your business or brand photos using your smartphone or any other photo-taking device, I don’t want you to miss out on my most downloaded free resource.

The results people are getting from this guide are crazy, some say I should be charging actual money for it. But for now, I don't want to because I want everyone to get the beautiful photography results that they deserve. No more blurry, dark, dull, yellowish, shadow-y embarrassing photos for you! It’s so much easier to get a beautiful photo than you probably think. Simply visit kellylawson.ca/freeguide to download your free photography guide and start taking better photos for your business TODAY.

Click here for the transcribed version of this podcast.