The 6-Figure Freelancer Podcast | Freelancing | Entrepreneurship | Clients | Finances | Motivation | Personal Development | Mindset: Recent Episodes
Avani Miriyala
The 6-Figure Freelancer Podcast was created for the dream-chasers out there who are ready to break out of their 9-5 box and design the life they truly want to live. I wanted to create a place where I could share what I'm learning as a 6-figure+ freelancer in real time. Each week, my guests and I will cover all things freelancing, clients, money, mindset, entrepreneurship, marketing and more. My goal is to give you the tools you need to work less, add massive value to great clients, make a whole lot of money, and live your dream life.
After 243 episodes, The 6-Figure Freelancer podcast is coming to an end.
Manifesting your future is something that I talk about regularly, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t follow that advice myself, as I move from being a six-figure freelancer to a seven-figure CEO.
In this final episode, I want to say thank you to all of you who have listened and supported this podcast, as well as talk a little bit about why I’m ending the show and what’s next for me and my team.
“I'm sure one day I might go back and listen to all my podcast episodes, see how I've changed as a public speaker, as a podcaster, as a teacher, as someone who shares things with people. You know, it's going to be so cool to see how I've changed and how I've grown. And I'm glad that this little place on the internet can be that archive, that little memento from the time where I ran a multiple-six-figure agency.” ~ @AvaniMiriyala
Main Takeaways * When something is out of alignment, recognize it, and take the steps needed to fix it. * I’m no longer a six-figure freelancer which is why I’ve decided to end this chapter of my life. * Sharing is a huge part of learning. I’ve learned so much from the process of making and sharing this podcast. Every time we share something or teach something to someone else, we learn it even more, and that is a magical process. * As you move into different patterns of your life, it’s important to protect your energy, set boundaries, and invest in yourself so that you can show up for your team.
Links * Podcast Royale
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Selling a business is something many entrepreneurs dream about. While some are content to own and operate their own business for the long-term, others set out with the goal to eventually sell or exit the business to pursue other interests. But just because you’re ready to sell your business doesn’t mean it’s the right move or that the process will be easy.
Josh Hall, the founder of Josh Hall Design, joins me today to talk about how he built and sold a design business, and the journey he took to get to this point in his career.
As with many web designers, Josh’s path was a seemingly unlikely one. He started out as a cabinet maker for custom tour busses while he was also pursuing a career as a musician. But when the financial crisis in 2008 hit, he was laid off from his job and started diving into design as a way to create his band’s merch.
Through word of mouth, Josh was getting freelance design gigs, which turned on a lightbulb for him: he could actually make money doing the design work he enjoyed so much. He started researching business concepts and marketing and his business took off.
Now that Josh has sold his design business, his focus is on creating courses and a community to help coach other web designers on how to create and run a profitable business.
In this episode, Josh and I talk about his perspective on selling a business, how to put the right barriers in place while building a business, and what to look for when you are thinking about changing paths.
“For anyone who's interested in selling a business, I heard this analogy a while back and I love it. They call it income vines. It's like you're swinging from vine to vine. And if you're going to leave this vine and jump over to this one, you want to make sure it's strong and you're not going to go plummeting to the ground.” ~ Josh Hall
Main Takeaways * There’s no right path. Everyone does their job differently and everyone can create their own futures and carve out their own niche. * Look for red flags that are telling you to change direction. There’s no rule that says you have to stay married to your business forever. * When you sell something, it has to be able to work without you. If you’re building a business and it’s all about you, it will be hard to sell. * Be cautious when you quit your 9-5 job for your personal business. If you don’t put barriers in place and schedule appropriately, you might end up working 24/7 instead. * If you plan on selling your business or otherwise exiting, make sure the new “vine” you’re planning on swinging to is strong enough to meet your financial needs.
Links and Important Mentions * Josh Hall * Josh Hall Web Design Courses * Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You by Josh Warrillow * Josh on Facebook * Josh on YouTube
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Even though this year has been full of challenges, there’s still much to be learned that we can apply to how we move into next year.
There’s a lot to be thankful for, especially the growth and resilience that have emerged from the obstacles we’ve all faced in the past year, and I want to spend some time talking about how you can take that growth and build on it moving into the next year.
"I challenge you to ask yourself what version of you emerged from the ashes in 2020? What version of you are you moving into this new year with? There's a lot of stuff that we all need to learn. A lot of challenges do lie ahead of us, but we are much better equipped now than we were 365 days ago.” ~ @AvaniMiriyala
Main Takeaways * Think about the person you are going to be one year from now and start working backward from there. * To realize a reality where you are a new person, you need to start acting, thinking, and believing like it now. * If you are focused on where you want to be, you don’t need to worry because if you surrender to life, it will take you there.
Links and Important Mentions * Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear * The Surrender Experiment: My Journey into Life's Perfection by Michael Singer
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The concept of overflow is similar in some ways to the concept of abundance. It’s the idea that the natural state of your life can be an overflow in all areas. To truly embody the concept of overflow, you have to decide to sit in that space and expect that overflow. Overflow of money, of health, of relationships, of love, of support, or whatever it is that you’re desiring.
In this episode, I talk through how to experience overflow. This is a good place to start as you begin planning your goals and growth areas for next year.
"That means tapping into and embodying [overflow]. When I say embodying, I mean, feeling the feelings I will feel in my body, actually feeling it in my gut, that abundance, that overflow, that excitement, that peace, that knowledge.” ~ @AvaniMiriyala
Main Takeaways * Abundance is putting yourself in a mental state where you physically feel your desires and you are always adding to the mental state that your desires will manifest. * It’s called overflow because you are constantly adding with each action you take to your end desires and eventually everything overflows. Your goals become reality because of everything you’ve put into this mental state of abundance. * Show up, dress, act, talk like your goals have already come to life and you will see your mental state overflow.
Links and Important Mentions * Amanda Frances
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Getting started as a freelancer or with self-employment of any kind can feel like a big risk. There are many unknowns that often become roadblocks. Fear of taking a risk and failing can be debilitating without the right mindset.
Chris Misterek, the founder of Self-Made Web Designer, joins me today to talk about how you can give yourself permission to take risks, and how you can reframe your mindset to help you feel empowered rather than fearful.
When Chris got started in web design, it was out of necessity — he wanted to bring in more income for his family. But within his first 18 months as a freelancer, Chris more than doubled his full-time salary. He knew he had made the right decision, and never looked back.
Chris credits much of his success to taking the leap — jumping in and consuming as much information as he could to both build his portfolio and knowledge base.
A couple of years ago, Chris decided to go back to full-time employment as a designer. And he noticed that the biggest thing holding most people back from starting a side hustle wasn’t a lack of talent, but fear — fear of failure, risk, the unknown, etc.
Knowing he’d been through all of that before and that his experiences could be helpful, Chris launched his coaching business, Self-Made Web Designer.
In this episode, Chris and I talk about how he got started, the pivotal moment that led him to make the jump into web design, and how you can overcome imposter syndrome and get started!
"Winners lose a lot more often than losers. Give yourself permission to fail, and do it a lot. Because you're going to learn a lot of things from those mistakes. And one day you're going to be able to look back, and it might be really slow, progress might be a lot slower than you would hope, but you're going to look back and you're going to realize, you just scaled this mountain.” ~ @ChrisMisterek
Main Takeaways * Some people are more risk-averse than others, and that’s ok. But don’t look at nudges toward self-employment as bad. It’s empowering! * For those just starting out with self-employment, know what you want to accomplish and let those goals drive your decisions. But don’t let it hold you up for too long; jump in and figure out the details later. * Have the mindset of being able to pivot and shift to attain your goals, even if it means dropping clients. * Do something for another designer or freelancer that you wish someone would have done for you.
Links and Important Mentions * Self-Made Web Designer * Late Bloomers: The Power of Patience in a World Obsessed with Early Achievement by Rich Karlgaard * Chris on Twitter * Chris on Instagram
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Proposals drive freelance and contract businesses. But how do you know if your proposals are any good? By the time you present a proposal to a potential client, you should know enough about their pain points and goals that you can create something your prospect can’t say no to.
I’ll share my proposal builder with you, but we’ll also discuss how you should organize your proposal and what you should include that will help your prospective clients see the vision of where you want to take them, and trust that you can get them there.
“The moment they can see [your proposal] laid out, a clear plan in front of them, they will say ‘wow, this person knows exactly what they’re doing, I need to work with them ASAP.’” ~ @avanimiriyala
Main Takeaways * A good proposal does one thing really well: it shows how you think. If you can communicate what your thought process is, you’re going to land more clients. * When someone hires you, they want to know you can problem-solve to get the solutions they might need. * Help potential clients visualize the completed project with a plan laid out in your proposal. * A proposal is a critical component of gaining the trust of your prospective client. Show them you know exactly how to execute on their goals and the path you plan to take to get there.
Links and Important Mentions * Proposal Builder
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Going through tough times, whether in your business or personal life, can be stressful and feel like a setback, especially if things were rolling along. But these times of being tested are what we need to grow and improve.
Today’s episode is intended to help you move through challenging times in order to grow and level up to the next version of yourself. I am also here to say that it’s ok and necessary to prioritize yourself and take a break sometimes.
“You are doing a great job, you are exactly where you need to be right now. There is a reason you are in this moment, there is a reason you are feeling what you’re feeling, it’s all happening for you.” ~ @avanimiriyala
Main Takeaways * Take a true, deep look at yourself and ask if you need a break. Are you run down because you need some time to yourself? If the answer is yes, then make sure you allow yourself space to take that break and prioritize yourself. * Investing in yourself and your energy is the exact thing that allows you to bounce back and take on the world. * If you are someone who runs a business, has a side hustle, or just juggles a lot of things, then you need to be able to prioritize your own energy so you can be ready and recharged to lead and serve others. * Focus inward when you need to. It’s OK to step away in order to be your best self.
Links and Important Mentions * Anna Nassery
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If you’ve ever launched a business or started a project, you know that the litany of things you need to accomplish can be overwhelming. Sometimes, it’s overwhelming to the point of causing you not to start at all or to stop prematurely.
Today’s episode is about getting you to start even if the list seems like it’s never-ending. It doesn’t have to be perfect, you just need to get what you want to say or create out into the world for people to enjoy. Done is better than perfect.
"I firmly believe done is better than perfect. Start before you're ready. Start before you're ready because the world needs to hear what you say. And I promise you it's going to be messy at first. That's okay. Get the messy versions out of the way. Do it again and again and again. And you're going to start to get really great feedback.” ~ @avanimiriyala
Main Takeaways * Perfect is just a story. It doesn’t exist, so stop trying to achieve it. That doesn’t mean you should do low-quality work, just stop aiming for perfection. * If you strive for perfection, you’re just going to get in your own way. People want what you have to say and they want it now. * It’s going to be messy at first, but feedback on those messy things is what you will need to make better versions of your content. * Keep pushing. Even when it feels uncomfortable or challenging, just know that the feedback and the friction will make the result even better.
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Affirmations can change your life. I truly believe that. Throughout this episode, I talk about why they work and why you should use them as well as the changes they make to your brain chemistry.
While affirmations can be a powerful tool in your toolbox, it’s important to be consistent and intentional with them in order to leverage their full power. The strategies and discussion in this episode will help you get started with using affirmations in your own life.
“As I'm saying [affirmations], my brain is listening. My brain is strengthening that neural pathway every single time and my brain is trying to see how can I make sure that being confident is in [your] reality and my brain is going to start noticing things. It's going to start picking up opportunities, picking up little pieces of evidence, and strengthening and building a case for that statement.” ~ @avanimiriyala
Main Takeaways * Strong neural pathways are a result of doing something often or believing something to be true. This myelin is what makes something second nature (like driving a car). * When you tell yourself that something is going to be true (i.e. “It’s going to be a great day!”) your brain automatically thinks that will be the reality and strengthens the myelin that reaffirms that. * You can use this default setting of your brain to do and affirm positive things, which strengthen the neural pathways, make it the reality, and can change your life. * Self-affirmations (i.e. “I’m confident.”) will make your brain believe this is reality and you will have more strength in the characteristic you are affirming.
Links * Myelin
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Today I’m launching the first of my new mini-episodes series. These short episodes are a way to bring you consistent episodes that touch on whatever was on my mind at the time. Let’s kick it off by talking about something I’ve been struggling with lately: feeling worthy of my desires.
For context, I’ve been shopping for a house with my husband and when the price tag of a few of these houses landed in front of us, I was really reluctant to pull the trigger on buying it. After some introspection, I realized it was because I didn’t feel worthy of my desires. These quick tips will help you figure out how to feel worthy of what you deserve and desire.
“Imagine how powerful that affirmation is. I am worthy of my desires, no matter how big they are. I'm worthy of even my biggest desire, worthy of my smallest, all of the desires that come to me because they were put there and they're mine.” ~ @avanimiriyala
Main Takeaways * Practice your affirmations. You are worthy of everything that you desire. You’re worthy of your smallest and largest desires because they were put there for you. * Even when you’re doing the right things to cultivate a mindset that allows you to accept your desires, sometimes you’ll find that you hit a wall. Keep going and expand your mindset even more. * When we start working on our mind, amazing changes happen in our business. * If you're feeling pause or stickiness and not sure if you are worth a desire, do some journaling exercises, rewrite that code in your brain, and rewrite those affirmations to help reframe how you feel.
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We’ve spent some time talking about taking your quantum leap in your life and business. But how do you get yourself ready to do that? To set the stage for success, let’s talk about how to prepare for your quantum leap in life and in business.
If you’re unfamiliar with the quantum leap, it’s essentially a shift in mindset that allows you to operate as a desired version of your future self, today.
I’ve had some interesting things align lately and much of that was possible because I spent time preparing for that shift. There have been a lot of behind the scenes changes, internal growth, and a lot of new habits that I've been cultivating. These tips and tricks will help you start your quantum leap today.
“Feelings can turn around an entire day. They can turn around an entire week, a month, a year. They can turn around an entire life, and that's why holding the vision and trusting the process, knowing that all you need to do is feel the feelings you want to feel is important.” ~ @avanimiriyala
Main Takeaways * Look inward and have affirmation rampages. Journal, reflect, and spend some time with yourself to know what kind of person you want to be after your quantum leap. * Things won’t change unless you change them and you won’t be able to do the same things that got you to where you are today to take you to the next level. * Create an action plan. Sit down and write out your steps for going through this process. * Hold the vision. Trust the process, know that it's working out, and know that everything's happening in your favor.
Links * Amanda Frances
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Today, I talk with the amazing Amanda Rabideau. Amanda runs Arch Collective out of San Francisco and is a fractional CMO.
She has an amazing team of freelancers that she works with at Arch Collective and brings the best talent to her marketing clients. We talk about how she runs her business and how she brings massive value to the clients and the startups that she serves.
In her first job out of college, Amanda worked in sales for a startup and had to quickly learn how to do cold outreach as well as how to nurture long-term relationships. She first started thinking about freelancing after interviewing for several companies that all had the same pain points. She thought more about how she could work for all of them and landed on freelance consulting.
Amanda has thoughtfully put together the best people to bring the best results to her clients. And in today’s episode, she shares tips and guidelines for how you can do the same in your own business.
“We want to take a $5 million company and make it look like a $50 million company without the price tag of full-time people to do that. And so you can bring in an amazing illustrator, you can bring in an amazing copywriter on one set project. And yeah, you pay for them and you pay for that talent, but you don't need to keep them on full-time for the rest of the year and not have as much work for them. So I think it's a really effective way to deploy capital, which is so sacred. ” ~ @ArchCollective_
Main Takeaways * Understanding the metrics that determine success for your clients is the best way to deliver a great final product. * The fewer items you’re waiting on from your client and the more you follow up with them, the more value you can add to your business and client. If you have a deadline, it’s on you to get the materials you need to accomplish that task by the deadline. * Freelancers will have to put in more effort and work harder than full-time team members. Know your worth and demonstrate it. * Whether you are a creative or otherwise, this is your business. You are a professional and you should conduct business in that manner. You need contracts, documentation, and follow-up.
Links * Arch Collective * Arch Collective on Instagram * Arch Collective on Twitter * Arch Collective on LinkedIn
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Carley Zuercher is the owner of Two Can Co. and CZ Invitations and today she joins us for part one of our conversation on business strategy, mindset, and gratitude. Be sure to check out part two of our discussion on her podcast, Tipsy Business.
Carley’s business and mindset have shifted a bit since she was last on the show, so I wanted to bring her back to talk about taking leaps in your business while still allowing life to be easy. Carley is currently running several businesses, doing business coaching, and writing ebooks.
We talk about how her businesses have shifted over the last year, being authentic in your work, and how gratitude is the most powerful mindset you can have.
“I think that a lot of times people try to copy and paste everything that somebody is doing, but they don't believe in themselves or they don't think they're worthy of it or they don't believe it's actually going to work for them. And therefore it doesn't.” ~ @Carly Zuercher
Main Takeaways * The energy of being authentic and real with your audience will always outweigh fake, high-vibe energy of salesmanship. * You can’t simply copy a successful person’s strategy and hope for the same results. You need to tweak the fundamentals they're giving you and make it work for your audience. Most importantly, you need to believe that the strategy will actually work for you. * Gratitude is one of the most powerful mindsets that you can experience, and visualizing it is a great strategy for your long-term business goals.
Links * Carley Zuercher on Instagram * Tipsy Business Podcast * Twocan Co * CZ Invitations
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Promoting yourself as a freelancer can be a little intimidating. The last thing you want is for people to think that you’re pushy or you're obsessed with money.
In this episode, we’re talking about how I got into the right mindset to promote myself, and tips that you can use to promote yourself, too. You’ll get the results you’re looking for without sounding pushy and you’ll actually feel good doing it.
“People want to know that you're a real person because they want that authenticity. They want to buy into that authenticity and know who you really are behind the curtain. So show the process, show what you do behind the scenes, on the ups and downs of your life and your business. Show all of it!” ~ @avanimiriyala
Four Ways To Get Over Promoting Yourself Online 1. Find conviction You need to sell yourself on what you’re selling. The best way to do this is to find the evidence from past clients that proves you’re providing value to everyone you work with.
2. Document, don’t create People want to know that you're human. Show the process, show what you do behind the scenes, on the ups and downs of your life, and your business. Show all of it. People want to see it and it can lead to great business opportunities.
3. Engage and interact Use your social media to be social. Get out there and actually interact with your followers or friends. This reminds them that you exist and that you have expertise, which keeps you top of mind.
4. Be consistent You need to do this every single day. As you interact, people are watching and keeping you top of mind, especially if you’re talking about industry topics. This can definitely lead to revenue. Consistency is where the magic happens.
Links * Get The Proposal Builder * Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion by Gary Vaynerchuk * Episode 221 | 6 Tips for Getting Clients on LinkedIn * The Founder (Netflix)
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Sometimes getting new clients or getting rid of existing ones can be a hassle. Over the years, I’ve worked on perfecting the best way to onboard and offboard clients. I'm excited to share a few of my tips and tricks on how I do this in a way that feels easy and effortless and gives the client a feeling like they're being taken care of.
Here are some tips for both onboarding and offboarding, and why it's important to do these in a specific way in order to maximize your ability to use referrals for new business.
"Referrals are how I get clients. It’s the number one way I get the dream clients that I want. They're always high quality. They're always high paying because they're happy customers that told other people so that they could be happy customers, too. It's just an amazing ripple effect. And that's why offboarding and tying everything up nicely is so crucial.” ~ @avanimiriyala
Five Steps for Effective Onboarding 1. Everyone needs to sign the contract As soon as the contract is signed, it’s go time for you and your team. This is your chance to roll out the red carpet and get everything in place to make sure your client knows working with you will be smooth.
2. Create your client profile in Clickup Once the contract is signed, you can get to work on creating the client profile. Their needs, wants, how much attention they require, the scope of the project, all of it. This will help you move through their project quickly and efficiently while nailing the deliverables.
3. Create the necessary components to get the project moving Whatever systems you're using to track and organize the project, now is the time to get them all set up. Slack channels, task management, time tracking, etc.. These are the nuts and bolts that you will need to make things run smoothly after the kickoff meeting.
4. Have a kickoff meeting Make sure you have an agenda to help show your client what they can expect and on what timeframes. Set up your recurring meetings, get your processes and assets in line, set a timeline, get on the same page, and then dive into the first milestone of the project. After the meeting, make sure you follow up on your action items.
5. Complete action items from the kickoff meeting Once you’ve actually held the kickoff meeting, you need to make sure you follow up with your action items right away. Whether they are internal or for the client, following up on these items is critical in making the onboarding process smooth and ensuring that all resources are accounted for.
Five Steps for Effective Offboarding 1. Prepare assets for delivery This can be anything from image files to vectors to video tutorials. Just make sure that you have everything ready to go in a way that the client can understand and take control of.
2. Turn over the main files For me, this is usually a Figma file, but for you it might be turning over the working files of the design or website that you’re working on.
3. Turn over additional files This is when you gather up any other resources that might be floating around for your project, organize them, and hand those off to the client. This can include internal docs, links, or anything you think might be of value to the client as they move forward.
4. Handoff communication and send an invoice You can do your handoff communication however you want (Slack, Email, etc…), but just make sure that you are clear and give them a list of what you handed off to them and what they will need to do with it. This way they can refer back if they have any questions or are looking for anything.
5. Schedule additional emails About a week later, you should send a follow-up email looking for feedback and a testimonial if they are willing. Then about two weeks later, ask for a referral if they had a positive experience. Make sure to follow up on these because social proof means more clients.
6. Send a handwritten thank you Sending them something personal shows that you enjoyed working with them.
Links * Clickup * Notion * Figma * Loom
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Non-negotiables are the basics and foundation of your business. These items are the must-do items that are recurring on a daily basis. Of course, these items vary and differ from person to person, depending on their priorities, and goals - but they should be the cornerstone of how you operate your business and life.
Today, I’m sharing my list of non-negotiables, some critical components of my routine, and the reason they’re my priority. I also talk about how these non-negotiables help me get focus and stay grounded.
“Life happens and if you aren’t feeling it for some reason, take care of your non-negotiables and then rest up and you can come back feeling better the next day ready to work even more effectively. Non-negotiables are created to give us freedom.” ~ @avanimiriyala
Main Takeaways * Set the non-negotiables that will work for you and your business. These are going to be the basics and the must-do items for you on a recurring basis to help you reach your goals. * The three main non-negotiable types are learning, business growth, and mindset. * My five non-negotiables for my business are reading, podcasts, reaching out to clients, posting to Instagram, and coming up with my 10 ideas of the day. * My personal non-negotiables include drinking three, 24oz bottles of water each day, working out, cryotherapy, and getting my nails done. * Work on getting your mindset to the level you imagine your future self has. Step into that version of yourself today.
Links * Proposals That Sell Themselves * Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear * Kwik Brain with Jim Kwik * James Wedmore’s Mind Your Business Podcast * Chakra Girl Radio * The Lively Show * Call Your Girlfriend * The Tim Ferriss Show * LinkedIn * Instagram * ClickUp
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Amira Alvarez is the CEO and Founder of The Unstoppable Woman, a global coaching company helping thousands of driven individuals achieve their financial breakthrough, live their best lives, and become the unstoppable individuals they know themselves to be.
Amira grew up believing that if she worked hard she would reach her goals. However, she soon realized that she was caught in the cycle of “never enough.” Once she had that realization, she committed herself to do everything she could to make things work and reset her mindset.
In this episode, Amira talks with Avani about her coaching expertise, the reason why hard work isn’t enough to help you reach your goals, and the laws of success that will universally help you become the person you imagine yourself to be.
“It’s hard in the beginning because of our upbringing and how we’re conditioned to actually think that the world is ‘happening’ to us, not for us. It doesn’t make us bad human beings, but it is how we’ve been conditioned. And so you have to recondition your thinking and reprogram yourself for success.” ~ @AmiraAlvarez
Main Takeaways * Sometimes the advice to just “work hard” can trap you in a cycle of never enough. And the only way to grow in that cycle is to work harder, which is ultimately unsustainable. * Stepping up your game is 20 percent tactical and 80 percent mindset. Being able to charge more and hold value in a sales conversation is where your mindset makes a difference. * Make a commitment to yourself that whatever path you choose, you will do everything you can to make it work. * Define your self-image. Imagine yourself as the one who has reached your goal and then close the gap between that image and your present self. Answer this question: What would you have to do to get it done this year?
Links * Amira Alvarez * The Unstoppable Woman * 3-Day Virtual Summit to Help You Create Consistent Cash Flow * Amira Alvarez on Twitter
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Zach Fragapane is the founder and head of product at Jolly, an online network for professional workers and freelancers. His 13-year freelancing career has been both a side hustle and his main career, so he has wide-ranging experiences we can learn from.
For Zach (who has worked as a freelancer for most of his life) it was easy to pinpoint where help and support were needed in the freelance industry, which is how Jolly was born. Though now it’s much more than a freelance management system, Zach was able to refine and update his product based on his many years of first-hand freelance experience.
This year, the freelance industry, like most industries, took a hard hit from the Covid-19 pandemic. But when you get knocked down, the only thing to do is get back up — so we talk about the rise of freelancers in this era of technology and what you can do to get back on track.
“If your customer is able to see your price and the results you’re going to drive and just a little about the deliverables, which is usually upfront anyway, then maybe more time can be spent actually focusing on driving those results.” ~ @ZachFragapane
Main Takeaways * The most valuable feedback you can get is the feedback that comes from the actual users of your product or service. * Even though there are a lot of people who lost their jobs and livelihood during the pandemic, there are more companies that are starting to consider hiring freelance workers because of the current situation. * Make use of the time you have now to create something of value that you can offer either for free or for a fee. * The biggest struggle for freelancers right now is getting their first clients and/or retainers during these times of struggle. The key is to still go above and beyond and get every last bit out of each project.
Links * Zach Fragapane * Jolly * RetailMeNot * Upwork * Uber
Stay in Touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
We don’t know what the future holds, but you can be more than just a passenger in your life. What if you could be the person you see yourself as in the future? Becoming that person means closing the gap between the present you and the future you.
But how do we do that? In this episode, we’ll discuss a few simple steps to help you close the gap and become the best version of yourself.
“Start becoming who you want to be now. That is the fastest way to get from where you are to where you want to be. In order to get to where you want to be, you need to start acting like you’re there already. That is the secret you need to figure out how you want to create the reality you want in your life.” ~ @avanimiriyala
Main Takeaways 1. See and define the future you The first thing to do is to see yourself where you want to be and what you want to do with your life (and business). Define your future self because the only way to close the gap is to know what gap there is from the present you to the future you.
2. Inspect and upgrade Inspect and upgrade things that are happening in your life (and business). Are the things you’re doing right now the same things you think you will be doing in the future? If not, upgrade your routine.
3. Prioritize taking care of yourself Self-care is the most common thing people miss out on, especially when things get busy. Treat yourself the way you deserve and you’ll feel like the best version of yourself.
4. Learn to delegate It’s time to become the leader you’re supposed to be and delegating responsibilities to your team will help you focus on your goals.
5. Start becoming your version 2.0 Update your look and wardrobe to what you think the next version of yourself will look like. Set aside a budget for this because looking at yourself as version 2.0 makes you feel like you’re getting there. Embody the person you see in the future.
6. It’s all about how you want to feel Ask yourself how you want to feel running your business. Feel and embody those feelings and believe it will become your reality. The best way to attract abundance is to sit with those feelings.
Links * Proposals That Sell Themselves * BrandUp * Anna Nassery * James Wedmore Training (Business by Design)
Stay in Touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Overwhelm is easy to experience when you’re a freelancer—especially if you have a lot of work coming in. We all get overwhelmed and that’s ok. It’s up to you to move out of that feeling and into a positive feeling of abundance.
Today, I want to talk about some steps I use to get out of feeling overwhelmed and get back on track. It’s not always easy, but these steps will help mitigate those feelings and help you see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“When you're in a place of scarcity, you're unable to see the solutions. You're unable to see the big available expansion that's out there. You're unable to see the opportunities, the resources that are already at your fingertips. That is what feeling overwhelmed is. It's like you're closing off and you're going into a place of scarcity. And when we are able to break from that, when we're able to take a break, move out or shake that energy up, we can move from a place of scarcity into abundance.” ~ @avanimiriyala
Main Takeaways 1. Step away from your desk Getting away from your desk can quickly change your attitude. Your desk is where the overwhelm lives and if you step away from it, you won’t be confronted by it every minute. Try relaxing somewhere else or getting out of your normal zone of occupancy.
2. Go outside Going outside and experiencing nature can significantly reduce stress and rejuvenate your mind. If you’re in a city, look for pockets of green space and do some nature bathing.
3. Workout Getting in some movement and working up a sweat is a great way to alleviate some of the stress you’ve been feeling. For me, it’s worked countless times to put me back on track.
4. Get out of your head Read a book, talk to a friend, listen to a podcast, whatever it takes to stop that overwhelming dialogue in your head. If you feel like the dialogue won’t stop, then you need to push it out.
5. Journal it out If you’re unable to work through some of the things that are in your head, journaling is a great way to get some of these thoughts out and on to paper. This can help identify the problem and the root cause.
6. Make a plan Get out your project management tool and start creating tasks and timelines to deal with all the stuff on your plate. This gives you the ability to systematically cross it off in real life and in your head.
Links * The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael Singer * Liz White: Transformational Journaling * Liz White on Instagram
Stay in Touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Cristina Cala is the founder of The Why Women Project, a feminist platform powered by a collective of professional women in media, marketing, and more.
Though she began her career in the corporate world, Cristina has been working with freelancers for many years and learned early on the importance of community and building a network. As she’s branched out on her own, she’s grown to understand the difference between the male gaze and the feminine gaze and how that changes her perspective on her business and her personal story.
Cristina has deep insights into the freelancing world from a woman’s perspective. In this episode, we talk about the feminist gaze, what it is, and how we can use it to grow together as a community along with many other great topics related to both business and societal challenges.
“That's when the growth happens. It happens privately. It's not what you see on Instagram and Twitter. It's not the performative optical of, ‘Oh, I'm talking about it, I'm posting about it. And now I get my brownie points.’ What are you doing in your life to talk to the people in your life and sway the way that they think and change their belief system so that they don't perpetuate it in their communities?” ~ @cristinacala
Main Takeaways * If you’re just starting out, carve out your niche and then find a network of like-minded people in your industry. * The feminist gaze is the conscious unlearning of the male gaze (seeing the world and business like a man) and then substituting the gaze of a woman. * When we step aside and make space for people who are different from us, it makes their world safer and makes them feel the way that privileged people get to feel every day. * You don’t have to do everything yourself. It’s okay, and probably necessary, to ask for help in the places where you might not excel. * When you’re just starting out, have revenue goals (ideally equal to the salary you’re leaving), learn how sales funnels work, and rely on a community.
Links * The Why Women Project * Cristina on LinkedIn * Cristina on Twitter * The Why Women Project on Instagram
Stay in Touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Your clients are the center of your business. Building strong relationships with them is an important part of growth, so today we’re talking about clients - specifically, how to lead an awesome client meeting. I’ve been coaching my team on how best to do this now that we’re scaling up and bringing in more people, and I want to share my insights with you.
These steps seem simple, but even the smallest changes and adjustments can have a huge impact on the success of your client meeting.
“Now more than ever, as more and more of us are remote, we need to make sure we're letting our clients have all the signals they need for the best communication and the best meeting possible” ~ @avanimiriyala
Main Takeaways 1. Have the right people in the room Make sure the right parties are in attendance on both sides. Don’t be afraid to leave people out because there is such a thing as too many people in a meeting. It’s best to have all the major decision-makers and managers there.
2. Set up all the tech that supports your meeting We do weekly meetings. But whatever the iteration is, make sure you have your Zoom, Calendars, etc., ready to go to optimize efficiency.
3. Sort out your personal setup Make sure you use video for your virtual meetings and that your setup for the meeting is good. Good lighting, a clean environment, and a good microphone make all the difference.
4. Have an agenda ready Having an outline is invaluable in making sure that a meeting runs smoothly. It creates a clear picture of who will be covering the different aspects of your meeting. Make sure to give your clients some transparency into your process if you won’t be providing them with an agenda ahead of time.
5. Take control and be assertive Being assertive in a meeting isn’t about power, it’s about making sure you get through everything you need to before the time is up. Screen sharing and narrating your thought process is a great way to preemptively answer questions and give clarity to your clients on your decisions while also allowing for feedback.
6. Make sure everyone feels heard Not all the feedback you get needs to be implemented, but it’s important to show your clients that you heard it. Use phrasing that affirms their feedback, even if you’re not going to use it.
7. Don’t be afraid to push back You are the expert, don’t forget that! You don’t have to belittle your clients’ suggestions, but if it doesn’t work, kindly tell them why it wouldn’t work or why you don’t think it’s the best idea for the project.
8. Take conversations offline If things start to get sidetracked about a detail of the project, don’t hesitate to set up a follow-up meeting to allow for a deeper dive. Your goal is to keep the current meeting on track and not waste time.
Links * Proposals That Sell Themselves
Stay in Touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is probably not at the top of your list when you think “Social Media.” A lot of us are glued to Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram and focus our marketing efforts there. But there’s a whole world of potential clients on LinkedIn.
In today’s episode, I share some tips and tricks about how to get clients using LinkedIn and how you can optimize your presence on the platform so that potential clients can’t click away.
“When you're [interacting with old colleagues on LinkedIn], you're continuing to keep yourself top of mind for that individual. Then when they think of a moment where they need your help, they will message you and think of you first.” ~ @avanimiriyala
Main Takeaways 1. Optimize your profile Make sure that every piece of your profile is as optimized as possible — clear language about what you do, quality imagery, testimonials, the whole nine yards. This has a big impact on whether or not someone will work with you.
2. Put your LinkedIn profile link in your email signature When you're emailing people, potential clients, intros, and more, it's important to invite them to stay in touch with you. LinkedIn is a great way to do that.
3. Spend time on LinkedIn every day Start by spending 15-20 minutes on LinkedIn five days of the week. Their algorithm prioritizes engaged users and nothing says “engaged user” like showing up every single day.
4. Engage with at least four people daily You have four spots open in the “Activity” section of your profile. Fill them up every day. Write thoughtful, relevant comments on people’s posts instead of just “Cool!” or “Great!” and you will be rewarded.
5. Interact with old colleagues Go to their profile, see what they are doing, and comment on their work. Keep yourself at the top of their minds so if they’re working on something that fits your skillset, they will reach out.
6. Share content This is a simple but great way to build engagement and put relevant content out to potential clients. Don’t forget to share your own content or make content that will help you in your pursuit of work through LinkedIn.
Links * Dylan Hey * Avani’s LinkedIn Profile * Transformational Journaling
Stay in Touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Imposter Syndrome is the feeling that you are doing something you shouldn't be doing. You may feel that you're not well educated or that you’re not good enough in your industry or your field, and that you're just kind of winging it. However, more often than not, these are not true and you’re actually just as qualified as anyone else to do what you’re doing.
In today’s episode, we talk about why we have these thoughts, what we can do to overcome them, and how to move forward.
“I realized being able to quiet our minds, being able to push the junk out of the way is so beneficial for us to then uncover what it is we know to be true, what it is we actually want.” ~ @avanimiriyala
Main Takeaways 1. Meditation Meditation is a container for the things that are clouding our thoughts to dissipate. You can’t just meditate one time, you need to practice and stay with it for it to work effectively.
2. Evidence Building Start making a list or thinking of events or pieces of evidence that prove to yourself that you are not an imposter and that you are actually an expert at what you do. Build a case for your greatness and your premium services.
3. Journal Journaling helps us get to the bottom of why we feel what we’re feeling. Writing is a powerful tool that allows you to ask deep, tough questions and get the answers you are looking for.
4. Having Conversations Everyone has imposter syndrome. We’re all just a bunch of human imposters trying to survive. Having conversations helps you understand that you’re not in this alone and you’re having a regular human experience.
Links * Product Proposals That Sell Themselves * Untamed by Glennon Doyle * Transformational Journaling
Stay in Touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today’s guest is Edita Atteck. Edita is a personal breakthrough strategist and helps entrepreneurs around the world claim their inner power by guiding them to effectively work with stress. She focuses on helping her clients prevent burnout, unlock resilience, release limiting subconscious programming, optimize their mindset, and maximize their wellbeing in all areas of life.
In this episode, Edita and I get to the root of what you can do to level up in your life, how your subconscious affects your perspective on the world, and where to go from here with that knowledge.
“How do we contribute to the world, as opposed to just looking how much we want to have in the bottom line? It used to be such a strong trend to focus on your profit and don't speak up about things that may matter because that may impact your bottom line. For me, that's not entrepreneurship. We are a human family first, then we are entrepreneurs.” ~ @editaatteck
Main Takeaways * Inner mastery is simply access to our inner power and inventory, which is all of our emotions, thoughts, nervous system, moods, and more. * Everything inside of us is interconnected. From the nervous systems to hormones to ego and personality, it’s all joined. Trying to grab one of these out and say “this is me” is incomplete. * Your subconscious mind and its filters have a massive impact on how you see the world and how you act inside of it. It’s listening to you constantly, so choose your words carefully.
Links * Edita Atteck * Awaken Your Inner Leader: Transform Stress Develop Emotional Mastery and Thrive by Edita Atteck * Rewire For Success * Edita on LinkedIn * Edita on Twitter
Stay in Touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
It’s been a wild 2020 so far. The tragic death of George Floyd only compounds that. I’ve never been one to indulge in politics and I often find myself on the sidelines because I don’t feel like I have a good opinion to contribute.
However, today I’m sharing the tips that I’ve been using to think about the state of the world, current events, and how I plan on navigating them moving forward.
In this episode, I talk about how I’ve been feeling in 2020 thus far with everything going on, self-discovery in the wake of recent events, and what I’m doing moving forward to hear the world around me more and find clarity.
“You have the answers that you're looking for inside of you. You're always going to find info online, on the news, on social media that supports any and all viewpoints. And at the end of the day, to truly understand how you feel and what is right, you need to tune into yourself.” ~ @avainimiriyala
1. Tune out social media There are so many voices out there on social media, that until you turn them off, you won’t be able to listen to yourself. Social media is just algorithms that are determining what we see and what we don’t. Pause them for a bit and search for yourself instead of absorbing whatever comes across your feed.
2. Have conversations with the people around you It's important for us to communicate and talk to our friends and families and ask questions. I don't think this should be any different. This is something that is happening in our lives. My best advice, and what's worked well for me, is to approach family and friends with empathy, no matter who they are, and ask questions and listen.
3. Actively seek out resources Learn, read, discuss, and look inside to figure out the facts and the stances you want to take. Educate yourself whenever and however you can.
4. Support looks different for everyone It could be buying black art or music, it could be an energetic healing, it might look like a protest. Whatever you are doing, it matters and it’s helping. Remember that.
5. Listen You have the answers that you're looking for inside of you. You're always going to find info that supports any and all viewpoints. At the end of the day to truly understand how you feel, you need to tune into yourself.
6. Find ways to show support and love It’s important that we love each other, our communities, the black community, and our friends on an ongoing basis. If you want to see change, you need to show up and be consistent. We can make a difference, but only if we keep at it.
Links * Trudi Lebron * Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
Stay in Touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Sometimes things just don’t work out as planned. Today, I take a critical look at the launch of a “Master Class” I attempted earlier this year, and how and why it didn’t go as expected.
The experience made me pause and think about why it really went wrong and what I could have done better.
In this episode, I want to talk about why there’s no such thing as failure and why you’re going to be OK even if you think you failed. Also, how I missed the mark in connecting with my audience, and the five things that you need to ask yourself before launching any new product.
“The other thing that I learned from this whole situation was that I wasn't paying attention to my intuition. I was simply copying a launch strategy that I saw and that I had seen work for other people and I was like, ‘Oh, okay, this is a cool strategy.’” ~ @avainimiriyala
No matter what, you’re going to be OK Even when no one was signing up for my master class, and my mind was racing with self-doubt, I took a minute to realize that everything was going to be OK.
There’s no such thing as failure Failure isn’t a real concept—it’s defined by you. There is only feedback. If something doesn’t go your way, it’s simply a feedback mechanism telling you that you missed the mark and maybe need to adjust.
Connect with your audience and your own offer It should go without saying that you should know that your audience needs something before you offer it to them. That’s where I went wrong. With the craziness of the world, I missed the mark on what my listeners needed. Similarly, I didn’t connect with my own offer; it wasn’t something that I would want to buy.
Five things to ask yourself before a product launch 1. Do people actually want it? 2. Is there an intent for your audience to purchase? 3. Is this the right time for you? 4. Does the investment make sense based on the person that you're talking about or selling to? 5. Do you feel good about it?
Links * Proposals That Sell Themselves
Stay in Touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
In today’s world, it’s critical that we take charge of how we feel and that we understand that we are the source of our emotions. This mindset can help you move out of negative spaces and restore your feeling of personal power.
Last year, I was certified as a Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner. NLP is essentially the study of the mind and how we consistently use our minds to get the results we want in our lives.
Our brains are already creating our desired realities. Our brains are a reflection of what we feed it and our physical realities, so our lives are then a reflection of our brains. Therefore, our real life is a reflection of the life we’re living in our minds.
Here are three ways you can use NLP strategies to create the life you want, as well as how to execute these strategies in your own life.
“You are in the right place at the right time and things are truly working out in your favor. And I believe that with all of my heart. Things are just happening for you. No matter who you are, everything's happening for you, not to you.” ~ @avainimiriyala
1. Anchoring Anchoring is something you’re already doing that you probably don’t notice. Essentially, anchoring is the attachment of a mental state or emotion to a physical location. Anchoring can also be tied to places on your body that generate specific mental or emotional states. That said, it’s important to be deliberate about your anchors and use them to your advantage.
2. Reframing Reframing is the act of looking at a situation from a different perspective to see the positive in it or to see it from a different angle. When we think a situation is negative, that’s just the words and emotions we’ve labeled it with. If we can work to find the silver linings or understand that it is something we can get through, we can start to put positive or neutral emotions toward the situation.
3. Powerful questions Powerful questions are used to help us loosen the possibilities of a situation. They help us realize that we don't have to be so rigid about a certain outcome, that we can start to loosen the possibilities and look at things differently. Asking powerful questions helps us zoom out to see things from a broader viewpoint. For example, instead of saying something like, “I can’t afford that,” position it as a question, “How can I afford that?”
Links * NLP
Stay in Touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today’s guest is Dr. Janine Kreft. Janine is a former ballet dancer turned psychologist who has experienced tremendous growth on TikTok through her unique take on creating healthy boundaries.
When Janine left the world of ballet, she found the transition very challenging. It caused her a lot of confusion, frustration, and panic, and ultimately led to depression that she sought therapy for. Seeing how life-changing therapy could be, Janine went on to study clinical psychology and she’s now working for the VA as a telehealth psychologist.
Though she never felt quite at home on Instagram, she immediately took to TikTok. And it’s not just about entertainment. Janine uses her TikTok channel to help people better navigate relationships and boundaries through engaging content. And it’s really taken off.
In today’s episode, Janine talks about how she grew from zero to 303,000 followers on TikTok in the first five months of 2020. We also dive into how you can become the CEO of boundaries.
"You can't just mimic or be someone else. There's only one you, as cliche as that sounds. And so in order to cultivate that inner knowing, one has to get quiet and go inward and truly seek answers from within for how to show up and what's going to truly fulfill them.” ~ Janine Kreft
Main Takeaways * On TikTok, you have such dramatic constraints on your time, that you have to be very mindful of the content you put into your videos. Give people a bite-sized amount of information that grabs their attention. * You don’t need high-tech equipment or high production value in order to be seen on TikTok. The playing field is very level compared to other social media channels. * Be clear about your intent and content on TikTok from the beginning. The algorithm gets to work quickly so the content you put out early will have an impact on the people who see your videos. * TikTok can be a great way to do user research. It can help you understand what types of information or products your audience would be interested in. * Boundaries are not personal. They're not about other people. It's about how you show up. If you’re not taking care of yourself, you’ll have nothing left to give at some point. It's important for us to normalize boundaries in that regard, to not see it as a personal attack.
Links * Janine on TikTok * Janine on Instagram * The Chicago Stress Relief Center * Gary Vaynerchuk * Charlie D’Amelio * Dr. Julie Smith on TikTok * Amanda Bucci
Stay in Touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
This episode came from an Instagram Live I did with my friend, Richelle Ouellette. Richelle is my go-to resource on all things money-related. She’s someone who understands what it means to become friends with your bank account so that you can have a life of abundance and build a life of financial independence.
We talk about entrepreneurship, money, and mindset. We also discuss the Start from Scratch Summit — an online summit all about helping you with money and growing your income.
“Just because the world or the society that's around us says that something should be some way does not mean we have to actually let it be that way. You are the cause in your own life; you get to decide if those stories are not for you." ~ @avanimiriyala
1. Mindset is key to leveling up There’s nothing more important than mindset when trying to reach that new segment of your business. If you want to get more out of life or business, you need to step into being the person who has more. You need to act like the person who has more and the next level will follow.
2. Use your data You have more data points than ever before. Use them! You know how much everything is going to cost and how many projects you have on your plate. Keep track of this, budget, and start laying it out (it doesn’t have to be perfect) so you have a sense of the state of your business.
3. Use tools to free up your brain Even using basic software like Google Sheets is a great way to get all of the numbers of your business out of your head and onto “paper”. This allows you to use your brain for creativity and growing your business. Your brain is your biggest asset—take care of it by freeing it up.
4. You are the cause in your own life Just because everyone says something should be a certain way, doesn’t mean it has to be that way for you. You are the motivating factor in your life and can chart your own path regardless of what’s happening in the world.
Links * Richelle Ouellette * Start from Scratch Summit * Start From Scratch Summit on Instagram
Stay in Touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
As we start to emerge from quarantine, it can be difficult to figure out what to do. Where do we go from here?
The silver lining in this pandemic is that there is immense opportunity for freelancers and agencies. We will be in demand, sought after, and ready to get to work as soon as everything comes back online.
If you were wondering how you were going to complete your goals for 2020, this will be a good episode for you because I have some bold predictions about what the post-quarantine world will look like, and why it looks great for freelancers.
In this episode, we’ll talk about what I’ve enjoyed about my quarantine time, what questions a lot of freelancers will have about this new world we're experiencing, and why I’m excited for this new way of doing business.
"This is another opportunity for us to position ourselves as high level impactful and specialized agencies and experts who are going to come in and save people's work lives. That's a huge, massive value that we can bring to our clients in this time." ~ @avanimiriyala
1. Remote work will finally be seen as legit I've been waiting for this one for a long time. I think that having to be physically present in an office (for most tasks) is an outdated way of thinking. This means that if companies are getting used to letting people work at home, so will clients. We have so many tools that allow remote work to thrive, so I look forward to it becoming a mainstay.
2. Companies will be hiring more agencies and freelancers A lot of companies have had to downsize and their teams have become smaller. This means that some of the work that they may have handled in-house will now be pushed out to agencies and freelancers. Likewise, people who have lost work are now available to hire onto our teams.
3. People want experts, not executors Companies are going to look for people that have to expertise to fix problems on their own, and not have to be gotten up to speed. These companies will want experts, not people who just show up and do what they’re told. Likewise, these companies are probably behind schedule for 2020 and will be looking for people who can complete their tasks quickly and correctly.
Links * Avani’s Mastermind Business Class
Stay in Touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
It's day 45 of quarantine and my mind has finally transitioned to "Play” and “Fun." It’s important to continue to have fun and create play even though you might not have as much freedom as you'd like.
In today’s episode, I talk about why I’m struggling with quarantine, what I’ve discovered about myself in lockdown, how I’m working to regain some control in my life even though much of what’s going on is out of my control.
Even though we're all on lockdown, here are 10 ways I'm creating more play in my life, and how you can too.
“I challenge you to ask yourself a powerful question. How can I create freedom even though I'm stuck at home? How can I create that?" ~ @avanimiriyala
1. Making TikTok videos Admittedly, this might not be for everyone, but I have a background as a semi-pro dancer. I used to do Indian classical dance and perform all over the Chicago area. This is a blast for me and anyone can get caught up exploring the TikTok rabbit hole.
2. Reading for fun I've been revisiting the Outlander series. I usually only get to read like this when I'm on vacation, but since I'm not going on any of the trips I planned, I'm pretending this is like vacation and reading for fun.
3. Walking Getting outside and soaking up some Vitamin D is important and I’ve definitely underestimated that in the past. It's nice to get outside with a friend or partner.
4. Rollerblading (and other childhood activities) I used to rollerblade a lot as a kid and now I love experiencing that youthfulness and freedom from the past. Look for an activity you haven't done in a while and try it again.
5. Planning virtual hangouts Plan a video chat with friends that you haven't seen in a while. It's been really great to talk to my different friend groups with this extra free time.
6. Learning to read Oracle Cards I have a beautiful set of Oracle Cards and it's been really introspective for me to sit and look at these cards and determine what they mean for me and my life.
7. Drawing There's an app called Procreate, which I have been using a lot on my iPad. I figured "I'm an artist, so I should learn to draw." It's a great tool and I highly recommend you check it out.
8. Cooking more My husband and I have been cooking a lot more and looking at new and interesting recipes. We've been trying to get creative with our leftovers since we're not eating out as much.
9. Cleaning and organizing I've been going through a couple of spots in our apartment and reorganizing. I'm also doing some maintenance tasks like making the bed and doing dishes in the morning and it’s a positive and organized start to my day.
10. Dreaming I've been dreaming about a whole lot of things with this newfound downtime. I've been casting these visions out into the world so that I can bring them into reality.
Links * Avani on TikTok * Outlander Series 8 Book Set by Diana Gabaldon * Rebecca Campbell Oracle Cards * Procreate App
Stay in Touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
2020 did not start off how any of us would have expected. I had goals for my business this year, and I'm sure you did too. But, for right now, a lot of those goals have to take a back seat.
I realized that this "slow down" can be reframed as a time of opportunity, where I can still take steps to grow the business, and I'd like to share those with you this week!
In this episode, we’ll talk about how to adapt goals to fit the current environment, growing your audience through collaboration, and updating your systems to make business even easier when it picks back up.
"Take the opportunity to make the most of this time so that you can look back and be so thankful that you did what you did during this slow time. It will allow you to skyrocket and move forward in a way like never before." ~ @avanimiriyala
1. Get more rest This is the perfect time for you to recharge and unplug. That could mean reading, hanging out, or just doing nothing for a little bit to unwind. It could also mean picking up new hobbies or creative projects that you've been wanting to make time for.
2. Work on your mind Journaling, meditation, and working on yourself internally are great ways to take care of and up-level your mental health. Use this time to practice self-care.
3. Grow your audience Take advantage of opportunities to get your name out there. Try collaborating with other entrepreneurs and help each other out. It may also be a good time to experiment with new platforms and build new audiences.
4. Optimize your systems It’s a great opportunity to implement new ideas and strategies with your business and team because there's time to breathe. Once business starts speeding up, you'll have systems in place that make your processes even smoother.
5. Update your web presence When business is busy, it's hard to find time to stay updated on our websites and landing pages. But when things slow down, it's easier to do this kind of work. Use the time wisely.
Links * Mind Your Business Podcast by James Wedmore * Tipsy Business Podcast by Carley Zuercher
Stay in touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Losing a client is never easy, especially during the tough times we're in right now. As freelancers, we depend on our clients to keep us afloat and when we lose one of them, it's easy to take that loss personally.
It's important to take a step back if we start to feel that way and instead step into a neutral headspace on the subject.
In today’s episode, we’ll explore four ways you can reframe losing a client so that you see the opportunity in the challenge rather than letting it get you down or add more stress to what’s already likely a stressful time for you and your business.
"We reframed it. We saw it as an opportunity. We instilled that confidence with affirmations and we decided that we were going to move forward. We decided to make this the next step to the best moment, and the best time of our lives." ~ @avanimiriyala
1. Reframe the situation Try to find the good in the situation. It could open up more time for you to focus on other projects and clients. Or it could be a chance to pursue more ideal clients.
2. See things as an opportunity This might be a new opportunity for you to recalibrate your business strategy or implement new techniques with your audience. Explore the possibilities.
3. Recalibrate your confidence The decision your client made was not personal. The reason they had to move on was simply what they had to do for their business. Your mind will naturally try to tell you there's some other meaning to it but it's important to distance yourself from those thoughts.
4. Decide to move forward It's a waste of time and energy to sulk about the situation. Ask yourself, if this was a moment in time that caused your business to skyrocket, what would you do in the next week? This has the potential of being a turning point for you instead.
Links * The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer * The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle
Stay in touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
This pandemic has affected all of us differently; some of us more than others. People have been laid off, gotten sick, or lost loved ones, and my heart goes out to them. It's important that we support each other during these trying times. I encourage you to call and connect with the people you love. We all need it so much.
Over the three weeks I've been in quarantine, I’ve picked up a few tips that might help you through this crazy time and help you move forward bit-by-bit, so you can look at things in a better light.
"Pick up the phone and FaceTime someone that you love. I think you should do it right now. If someone's struggling or if they're not struggling outwardly, call them. They probably are struggling on the inside and we're all experiencing new things right now that we've never experienced before."
In this episode Avani talks about:
- The importance that reframing and gratitude can have on your mental health.
- How setting goals can help you feel accomplished while at home.
- How to allow yourself to "play" at home and let your mind escape the pandemic.
How to win at quarantine life 1. Have gratitude It might seem like this item is on all my lists, but I can't stress enough how important it is to be grateful. If you can think about things that are good in life, you'll feel so much better.
2. Practice reframing Reframing is being able to look at something from a different angle and find the good in it. For me, I've been able to see this situation as an opportunity to learn new things while I've been inside and to do some self-reflection. Use it as an opportunity to expand.
3. Have goals What are some things that would make this season of your life successful? Write down the things that you would like to get done and that will make you feel accomplished.
4. Care Take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Now is the time to make sure you stay active and stay connected with friends. Workout, talk to friends, meditate, do yoga, read; anything to keep you healthy in body and mind.
5. Play Find freedom and fun in the life you now live at home. This could be exercising, it could be watching a TV show, it could be visiting an essential business if you can do so safely. Find the things that feel like play.
Links * The Vortex - Esther Hicks * Pamela Reif * Journey Junkie
Stay in touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today’s guest is Selene Vakharia. Selene is an online business and marketing coach for entrepreneurs. She works with her clients to help them attract their dream customers so they can take their businesses and passions full time.
Selene is intently focused on helping businesses attract their dream clients through authentic marketing. Her definition of authentic marketing is being aware of who you are and what works well for you. Essentially, seeing prospective clients from the angle of how much value you can add to their business versus only the number that comes with making a sale.
By starting to build her brand before she had anything to sell, she was able to focus on people and the needs that weren’t being met. This allowed her to have a solid understanding of how to approaching selling and marketing when she was finally ready to sell something.
The conversation in this episode focuses on marketing your business, which is a cornerstone of creating a growing and thriving business. With so much that is happening in the world right now, this is a timely topic to go over, since we cover connectedness and how to be authentic online.
“Every time I’d go out and have a coffee with someone about a potential project that was coming up or about what I was doing, I wasn’t focused on getting the sale; I was focused on building that relationship.”
In this episode Avani and Selene talk about:
- Selene’s view on authentic marketing and how you can use it to grow your business.
- The time it takes to network and build relationships and why it’s worth it.
- How to dial in your “why” and keep your business your own.
Main Takeaways * As a CEO, you always need to keep your dream client in mind. This will mean that your business will pivot throughout its journey. Find the gap between what your client needs from your industry and fill it. Be willing to adapt. * Authentic marketing is important for growing your business. For a lot of people, the traditional “sell” methods don’t work because that isn’t how they align as a person. Be aware of who you are and understand what works for you to build relationships with your clients. * When building relationships with clients, focus on them as a person first before moving to sales. Get to know them and take your time with it. They might not even become your client, but they’ll help connect you to different clients down the line. * Don’t compare your version of success with someone else. Your business should be the job that’s right for you and it should support the lifestyle that you want to have.
Links * Courageous CEOs * SMRT Pop Ups * Follow Selene on Instagram * Follow Selene on Twitter
Stay in touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
On today’s show, Kristin Molenaar, founder of Yes Boss VA, talks about how to use virtual assistants to help with the smaller business tasks while you work on the higher-level items that drive your business forward.
Kristin didn’t start as an entrepreneur, even though she always felt entrepreneurial. Her early career was in the beauty industry, but feeling stifled in her corporate job, she walked away to start her own business in 2014. She tried consulting in the beauty industry, since that’s where her experience was, but she quickly realized she didn’t really like the industry.
The first year out of her 9-5 was a struggle, but was determined to make it work. Rather than force something, she started taking freelance jobs. She picked up clients here and there and eventually grew to a point where her husband could quit his job and she could focus full-time on building the business.
Eventually, she built her business into what it is today, Yes Boss VA, a service where Kristin helps solo entrepreneurs accelerate their business development by using her network of VAs. In this episode, she talks about her entrepreneurial journey and what it means to be a leader in your business.
“I find that a lot of entrepreneurs are very stressed out and they’re really lonely. These things could be avoided completely if you put a proper team in place.”
In this episode Avani and Kristin talk about:
- How you can hire a VA, even if you’re a new entrepreneur.
- A CEO’s job as a leader and a new perspective on how to move your team forward.
- Kristin’s three-step blueprint to making more money while working less.
Main Takeaways * As a CEO and entrepreneur, it’s important to start working with a team as soon as possible. This helps relieve the stress of small daily items and lets you work as the visionary your business needs. * VAs are helpful for taking care of tasks that you might’ve ended up pouring hours of research into if you tried to do it yourself. Your VA can also record themselves doing a task in case you have to do it again in the future. * Get your VAs involved with your vision and communicate with them. This makes running your business less lonely and you’ll be able to lean on them for support as a team. * Leadership is more than leading followers. Much of the time it means leading a team of leaders. What that means for you as a leader is that you should be helping these individuals step into their leadership roles much like a mentor would.
Links * Yes Boss * Essentialism - Greg McKeown * Work Less, Make More * Yes Boss on Instagram * Kristin on Instagram * Kristin on LinkedIn
Stay in touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
My guest today is Dee Gautham. Dee is the owner of Dee Gautham Fitness and is a NASM certified personal trainer. She’s also the founder of the Boss Body Method of coaching to help busy, professional women get into their best shape ever – both physically and mentally.
Dee spent her early career working in Silicon Valley in the software industry. She eventually quit her 9-5 job to be a freelance coach and now she runs her own company with a team of coaches. As a freelancer, Dee went through times of working from home and setting her own schedule, so she’s pulling from her personal experience as well as the experience of her clients. She went through times when she was working with large groups of people, and then the pendulum would swing in the opposite direction.
She got to a point where she felt very lonely and her mental health started to deteriorate as a result. But Dee was able to find ways to combat the feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Given the state of the world right now and how it’s impacting work for so many people, our conversation was very timely. Even if you’re a work-from-home veteran, Dee has a lot of valuable information that will improve your work-from-home experience. And if you’ve suddenly been thrust into a situation where you’re working from home unexpectedly, it’s even more pertinent.
Dee and I first met on Instagram, where she posts great tips on how to level up your health, wellness, and nutrition, as well as your mental health. I highly suggest you check her out after you listen to this episode.
“I think this is a time, more than ever, to be there for each other; make the connections.”
In this episode Avani and Dee talk about:
- Getting out of a sedentary lifestyle and remaining active while staying at home.
- How to combat loneliness to keep yourself sane and stay mentally healthy.
- The importance of boundaries for both your work and personal life.
Main Takeaways * When working from home, it’s easy to fall into sedentary patterns. Make sure you’re able to get some fresh air. Stay physical by taking walks or doing home workouts, and make sure to keep up on your nutrition by eating well-balanced meals and drinking plenty of water. * Not only do you want to keep up on your physical health, but your mental health as well. It’s easy to get lonely when working in isolation. To cope with this, establish a two-way connection with people instead of just scrolling through social media. * If you find yourself absorbing negative energies from social media or the news, it’s a good idea to set boundaries for yourself. Only allow yourself to consume a certain amount, and give yourself a time limit on how long you spend on apps. * Just like you have boundaries for what you consume, have boundaries for your workday. Have a schedule blocked off with what business you want to get done in certain time blocks. It’s also smart to set a specific time to start and end work for the day.
Links * Work with Dee * Follow Dee on Instagram * Follow The Boss Body Revolution on Instagram * Follow Dee on Twitter * Dee on Facebook * Dee on YouTube * Ultimate Sales Machine - Chet Holmes * Deep Work - Cal Newport
Stay in touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Morning routines are one of my favorite things and I believe they’ve been foundational to everything in my life, including relationships, my personal life, my health and wellness, and my business.
In today’s episode, I share tools and tips for how to construct the perfect morning routine for you. These are tools that I’ve found to help me and I believe will be useful for you, too. I call this my 4-part toolkit for crafting a morning routine.
“I started doing my morning routines even before I started my business. This was something that helped me feel grounded, helped me feel more like me every single day, and I’m really grateful that I found this.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Limiting your phone use before you start your day.
- How gratitude can help cast positive energy into your mornings.
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Things that you want to learn in the morning vs. those you don’t.
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Clearing Clear all of that “gunk” out of your brain. This can include negative self-talk, thought patterns, bad dreams, etc. It all builds up. To clear it out, I like to journal and get it all out on paper. The act of writing it down gets it out of my head so I can move on with my day.
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Grounding To ground yourself, I suggest a few things. Meditation is a great place to start. Once you get comfortable with meditation, it’s good to just sit in the quiet without being on your phone. Movement is also a great way to ground yourself. This could be walking your dog, yoga, making tea or coffee, anything that can help you move.
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Casting Casting is a way to get new and invigorating energy into your mind and life. You can do this by practicing gratitude, affirmations to yourself, future pacing in your journal, and being sure to sink into the feelings you want for the day. Visualization is also part of the casting process.
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Learning Find a way to put good back into your mind in the morning. I suggest avoiding the news, NPR, and other things that may put negative imagery or energy into your life. However, podcasts or books that can provide ideas or positive energy are a great way to start your day.
Stay in touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
There’s a lot of noise out there on the internet about how we can attract clients to our freelance business. Most of the advice out there is focused on posting a certain type of content on social media or creating complex automated email campaigns. The problem is that most of the time these strategies don’t work, especially if we don’t have the right audience or a large enough audience.
In this episode, we’ll talk about some actionable tips that you can follow in order to grow your own client base, and lay out the exact client attraction strategy that I use in my own business to keep my client pipeline full.
“The number one question you should be asking your potential client is, “How can I support you?” This question makes them feel like you truly care about them beyond your own bottom line.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Making sure you have the right audience for your business.
- Recognizing your clients as actual people with wants, dreams, and needs.
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The importance of reaching out and maintaining a relationship.
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Make a list Think of everyone you’ve ever worked with: colleagues, old bosses, classmates, friends, people you met at conferences, etc. Write them all down or put them into a spreadsheet. Fill in as much information as you have, including email addresses and phone numbers.
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Reach out Using your list from step one, start reaching out to everyone. The most effective method for the initial outreach is either via phone call or text. Even if people don’t respond right away, they’re more likely to check their text messages or voicemails compared to emails.
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Keep in touch Once you’re in touch with people on your list, ask them out for coffee or lunch. Or ask them about their lives and how you can support their work. This will mean a lot to potential clients and is helpful for creating meaningful relationships before you even work together.
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Make it a habit Make it a habit to stay in touch with the people on your list. Text them after your lunch date or wish them a happy birthday. Don’t be afraid to become their friend. Even if they don’t become a client right away, they will think of you if needs come up or if they know someone looking for a referral.
Stay in touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today I got to sit down with Jonathan Stark, the go-to resource for helping you transition from hourly pricing to fixed pricing as a solo freelancer.
Jonathan has been in software consulting for 15 years and he’s an expert in helping people improve their freelance business by moving away from an hourly billing model. He’s written several books on the topic and has several podcasts where he talks about this topic as well.
If you find yourself stuck in the same salary year in, year out, it’s because you’re charging hourly and putting a cap on your earnings. If you raise your hourly rates, you may lose some clients and it becomes a harder sell. The remedy is to move to project-based billing where your earning potential suddenly becomes limitless.
In this episode, we get into the exact details of how to make this transition. We also talk about how we can satisfy customers and build long-term relationships while also making more money.
"Retainer work is just not selling time, you’re selling your expertise. It’s your brains, not your hands. So, you just make yourself available and if they don’t use, they don’t use you. "
In this episode Jonathan and Avani talk about:
- How hourly billing opens you up to more direct competition with your competitors.
- Strategies for how to gauge what your fixed rate should be.
- How to sell your expertise instead of your time.
Main Takeaways * Hourly billing has become the default way freelancers operate. However, this forces clients to focus on your rate instead of your expertise. * When you offer a fixed price for your services, customers will know exactly what they’re getting into, and won’t feel pressured to micro-manage. Giving them a price they can count on also helps build long-term relationships. * When you start with a fixed price, it gives you the incentive to get that work done as quickly as possible, without cutting corners, to make the most profit from the job. * Fixed-price retainers are a great way to build a steady income you can count on.
Links * Value Pricing Bootcamp * Jonathan Stark’s Website * Hourly Billing Is Nuts [Book] * The Freelancer’s Roadmap [Book] * Ditching Hourly [Podcast] * The Business of Authority [Podcast] * Jonathan on Twitter * Win Without Pitching - Blair Enns * Pricing Creativity - Blair Enns
Stay in touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Whether you’ve left your job or you’re planning on leaving your job, becoming the CEO of your own business is an important topic to cover, and is one that often gets left out of the discussion when talking about pursuing a freelance career.
When you’re a CEO, you have to be the one calling the shots and being the visionary. This is not an easy thing to do as a freelancer because you often work alone. It is, however, an essential part of ensuring that you drive the direction of your career rather than slipping back into the routine you had when you were employed by someone else.
In today’s episode, we’ll discuss four steps that will push you closer to becoming the CEO of your business.
“You started a business to have flexibility, to have ownership, but to also grow yourself. In order for all of those things to happen, we need to become the CEO of our business.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- What becoming the CEO of your own company means for you.
- How simple planning can drastically shift the pace of your business.
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How you can step into the role of CEO.
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Planning your week At the beginning of every week, you should plan out the three big things that you want to get done and prioritize them.
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Block time in your calendar If you don’t physically block out the time in your calendar to get these items done, all of your time is going to be taken up by meetings, team members, and other things on your mind. Fill your calendar with your priorities first and then backfill with other items as they come up.
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Motivation Understand and connect to your “why”. Why did you leave your job? Why are you doing what you’re doing? If you can plug into your “why”, motivation is going to come easier.
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Have a way to step into your CEO mindset Stepping into this mindset helps you to level up mentally and it gives you confidence. My favorite way to do this is with morning affirmations in my journal.
Stay in touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Being an entrepreneur can be challenging. There are perks and rewards to being your own boss, but it’s not always a walk in the park. Sometimes it can be just plain hard.
However, it’s important to remember that we’re in control of our businesses, and the reason it starts to feel hard is because we’re focusing too much on the little things.
That said, in today’s episode I talk about five things that instantly get me excited about my business so that you can feel amazed by what you’re doing as well. This is a way to remember that even though it’s hard, we can still feel great about what we’re doing and the path we’re on.
“It is such an empowering thought to realize that that responsibility means that you also have the power to make changes. This makes you realize that anything you want to do in your life starts with you.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- What being “at cause” is and how you can use it to reshape your life.
- Reminding yourself of the things that make you love your job.
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The importance of gratitude in your life’s direction.
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Remember that you are at cause Being at cause is greater than being in effect. When you are at cause, you are the reason your life is the way it is. You have the control to make your life better.
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Ask yourself what you’re proud of List out the things that you’re proud of. This is important because it lets you see how far you’ve come, and celebrate that moment.
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Make a bliss list Make a list of 10 things that your business has allowed you to do in the last year that you wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise. Let yourself appreciate where this job has taken you.
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Do something on your bliss list Look at the 10 items on your bliss list and pick one to do again or to start with. It will help remind you of how good you’ve got it, and it will remind you of your job’s advantages.
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Practice gratitude Once you look at the world from a place of gratitude, you can do so many things in any situation. You’ll be grateful for what you have, and being grateful makes you feel even happier about your life.
Stay in touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Over the last six weeks, I’ve been doing a lot of internal work. This process has involved a lot of thinking about what I’m doing, what I want to do, and how I plan to shift things as I move forward in this new year.
A lot can happen in a year, so today’s episode is about how I’ll be focusing my business in 2020. Making these decisions has involved a lot of conversations, a lot of reading, and a lot of listening.
Just making the decisions and getting them out there to you all makes me feel excited and reinvigorated about my business. Getting them out there also serves as a point of accountability for me, which will be an essential part of keeping me focused this year.
“My year is going to be rich in my relationships and the people that I help and I’m going to have fun doing it.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- How her business improved in 2019.
- The focus allows her to more quickly build up certain aspects of her business.
- What she wants to accomplish through her business in 2020.
3 Things I’m Focusing on in 2020 1. Miriyala Strategy and Design MSD is my consulting business. In 2020, I am focusing on this in order to impact not only my clients, but my clients’ clients. This is a priority for me.
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Six-Figure Freelancer Podcast This podcast is one of my favorite ways to share with you what I’m learning. It’s my way of giving you any sort of “cheat codes” that might be helpful in your own business.
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1-on-1 Coaching This will be the only way to get strategy coaching with me this year. I’m putting my Client Attraction Method in the vault for now. (No need to worry if this is a service you currently have access to.)
Stay in touch * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
I am thrilled that we’ve made it to episode 200 of Six Figure Freelancer and I’m glad that I get to celebrate it with all of you.
In 2018, when I first wanted to start the podcast, I thought of putting it off for a more convenient time, but I’m happy that I was convinced to start when I had the thought. And here we are 200 episodes later. In this episode, I want to talk about 10 things that I’ve learned throughout these two years and 200 episodes of podcasting.
Whether this gives you the nudge you need to start your own, or is just a fun way to recap everything you’ve heard over the last 200 episodes, I’m glad you’re here.
"If you have this nudge, this inkling to do something like this (or anything, for that matter), it’s there for a reason. Don’t be afraid to take action. "
In this episode we talk about:
- What pushed me to first start my own podcast.
- The importance of keeping your podcast honest.
- The impact of gratitude on me and my podcast.
10 things I’ve learned from podcasting 1. It doesn’t have to be perfect Making mistakes is human and there’s no need to get hung up on them. What’s important is that the information is valuable and pertinent.
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Practice makes you better After practicing on the podcast, it has become easier to communicate and to articulate thoughts. And the episodes continue to improve because of it.
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It’s OK to take breaks Taking breaks to help recharge is helpful for generating new ideas and fresh content. It’s also great to know that you, the listeners, are understanding of this aspect of the podcast.
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Let content be easy Content doesn’t have to be hard to come up with. In fact, it can be built on passing thoughts that you have during day-to-day life.
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Consistency We all know how important consistency is, but it’s worth repeating. The consistent growth of the podcast is related to the consistent output of the podcast.
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Use systems Take advantage of the various systems you can use to make podcasting easier on yourself. You don’t need to know how to do everything, just who to go to.
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Experimentation Podcasting is a great format for sharing ideas, but it’s also great for testing different ideas that you’d like to share and talk about.
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Be honest about the good and bad People will use your podcast to learn and you can’t learn unless you know the source is trustworthy. Being a trustworthy source and helping people to grow can have an amazing ripple effect.
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You won’t always be motivated It’s easy to lose sight of why you want to podcast, which can make you feel unmotivated. In those instances, dig deeper and recognize that you could be changing lives through the things you say.
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Gratitude Interacting with the gratitude you, as listeners, give is encouraging and helps influence the podcast to be the best that it possibly can be.
Links * Podcast Royale — Done-For-You Podcast Production and Marketing
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
In the past year, I went through a time where I felt like I had come to an endpoint in my learning. Whether it was my ego protecting me from taking on too much or just my packed schedule in general, I foolishly believed I had learned all there was to know about my craft and business.
Though I previously believed I was a growth mindset person, I found myself in a place with a fixed mindset that was limiting me from moving forward in my life and in my business.
In today’s episode I want to share some tips for how you can access your growth mindset even if you’re currently in a fixed mindset. And even if you do have a growth mindset, these tips are helpful reminders that can deepen your commitment to growth.
“I still sometimes have a limiting mindset. But we are all human. There are new things that we’re uncovering and learning and we’re always going to have so much more to learn.”
In this episode we talk about:
- Forming good learning habits.
- Surrounding yourself with the right individuals and opportunities to help you be more growth-minded.
- Using mistakes to help you learn and expand.
6 tips to access your growth mindset 1. Make learning as easy as possible for you We live in an era where you can access a lot of information from your fingertips. Whether it’s audiobooks, podcasts, or reaching out to those you admire, there’s always new information available. Take advantage of this and learn in the way that suits you best.
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Learn daily Make it a habit or routine to learn something new. This could be with podcasts or audiobooks as well, but it should be regular. Making it a daily habit will ensure that you’re always learning and tapping into your growth mindset.
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Commit to at least one in-person event per year Going to events or conferences can help invigorate your learning. By meeting new people and connecting, you get access to different viewpoints and thought processes that help engage your brain.
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Surround yourself with growth mindset people The people you surround yourself with will influence who you are and who you will become. If you surround yourself with fixed mindset people, you will be in a fixed mindset with them and won’t feel propelled forward.
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Create space for growth Plan time in your day to open up your mind for growth. You can do this through meditation, journaling, or whatever helps you to relax and find that whitespace. You need to have an open mind that’s free of distraction to help you engage with new material.
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Embrace mistakes It’s easy to desire perfection, but that can ultimately keep you stagnant. If you are willing to make mistakes, you open yourself up to more opportunities for growth.
Links * Liz White * Mindset: The New Psychology of Success - Carol Dweck * James Wedmore - Mind Your Business * Jim Kwik - Kwik Brain
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
In today’s episode, I talk with Andrea Collins. Andrea is a former national radio host and is now a freelance voiceover artist making a six-figure income.
Andrea spent close to 13 years in radio and television before going out on her own. And over the past year, she’s been building her business from the ground up.
It has been an exciting and scary time all at once, so Andrea dug in to freelancing as a way to ‘layoff-proof’ her job. She didn’t want to be subjected to the whims of the tumultuous media industry.
She started with some podcast consulting and had a few other channels, when voiceover work started to produce some good results. She leaned into it and found resources that allowed her to audition for many jobs each day, and ultimately was able to create a replicable business model.
If you are someone who’s been on the fence about freelancing, or don’t know how to begin, this is the perfect episode for you.
“When people are starting out they think that they need to have had a lot of work to show. They rush out and buy the services of very expensive people online. Whether that’s really expensive coaching programs with multiple sessions or fancy acting classes or a really expensive microphone. But they don’t need any of that to get started.”
In this episode Avani and Andrea talk about:
- The world of voiceover and how to get into it.
- The audition process for voiceover work.
- How to retain past clients with vocal work.
Main Takeaways * Make sure what you’re doing is viable before you buy all the tools and equipment. Branch out and see what sticks first. * In the world of voiceover, you won’t win every audition, but you’ll be able to learn from your mistakes and get better during the next audition. * Working from home provides a certain flexibility to your job, but it also adds another layer of responsibility to the work that you do and the timelines you need to meet. * Being able to retain your relationships with past clients allows you to have more regular work. It can be beneficial to give clients deals to incentivize retention.
Links * Voices.com * Freelancer.com * Andrea’s website * Andrea’s Instagram
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Being able to win clients without having to give them a pitch is such a helpful tactic to use when running a business. I want to share these strategies because it’s how I’ve been able to close almost all of the clients I talk to.
In this episode, I’ll share all of the details and tactics I use to close client deals without ever having to do a traditional sales pitch.
“You should have tons of questions, and make sure they’re useful questions. Do your research beforehand. Find the things you don’t need, see if some of those questions are answered online, and then bring everything else to the table.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- The dos and don’ts of talking to clients about your services.
- How to quickly establish rapport.
- The importance of a potential client’s goals.
7 Strategies to win over clients without a pitch 1. Take the lead As soon as you introduce yourself to a potential client, don’t be afraid to set the agenda and dive in. Doing this helps demonstrate your knowledge on the subject and makes you look like a clear professional.
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Immediately build rapport Rapport is the feeling of liking and trusting. You can get into it by mirroring and matching the tone of a potential client and signal subconsciously that the two of you are alike.
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Uncover goals quickly Understanding the potential client’s goals gives you a “North Star” that you can point to in conversation with them. If you keep leading them to their goals, you position yourself as an expert.
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Spend 90% of your time in diagnostic mode Ask lots of questions. You can come up with your own ideas later. This is the time where you can figure out how to best help them by asking them anything.
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Use the word “we” instead of “you” By using the word “we”, you subconsciously tell your potential client that you are already on the same team and that you’re already working together.
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Stop presenting, start collaborating When presenting, it’s easy to get caught up the moment without actually solving the client’s needs. By collaborating, you can make sure you are still centered on the client’s goals.
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Don’t send presentations as proposals Presentations can get long and normally don’t get to the point right away. Clients want to have a one-page paper saying what you’ll do and how much you want them to pay.
Links * Win Without Pitching
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
This episode goes behind the scenes to share some things that I’m doing to dive into the next five to 10 years ahead of me. For me and my business, it’s always top of mind to be looking forward to make sure what I’m doing today aligns with where I want to be in the future.
Learning to cast your vision is important for the future. When we plan out for the next week, we need to know where we’re going. Why should it be any different when we plan years in advance? This is the essential thinking behind the process of casting your vision and we dive deep into the process in this episode.
“How do I know what I should be doing next year if I don’t know where I want to be in 10 years? I need to take the time to map what that looks like and then work backwards to make sure my actions are in alignment with what it is I want ultimately in my life.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- The effects casting your vision can have on your future.
- Where she wants to be in 2025.
- How you can also plan ahead to find the best outcome for you.
Main Takeaways * It is important to have an idea of where you’re headed, even if it isn’t super specific. List the feelings you want to feel and let that energize you to the point of achieving your goals. * Even if you make a mistake on the way to where you want to be, you’re able to learn from that and it will still be valuable to you. * Every step will open opportunities for you and bring you to where you need to be at the right time.
Links * The Vortex - Esther and Jerry Hicks * The Power - Rhonda Byrne * The Untethered Soul - Michael A. Singer
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Mental shifts are the key to making big moves in business. The strategies and tactics are great, but they’re not going to make a difference unless you’ve put yourself into that mental space where you need to be.
If you get yourself in the right mindset, and continue to practice that, everything else falls in line almost effortlessly. It’s amazing being able to watch that unfold in your own business.
“I’m constantly looking to level up. I’m constantly looking to become a better version of me, for myself, for my family, for my husband and for my team, and my clients.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Shifting your mindset to become the best version of yourself.
- James Clear’s Be-Do-Have framework.
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How to tell yourself who you are and where you want to be in the future.
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Daily affirmations These are “I am…” statements that affirm who you want to be. You can journal these, say them aloud, or any other way that helps you to tell yourself what you want to be.
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Future pacing This is similar to affirmations, but they’re more long-form. Where would you like to see yourself in the future? What are the details? Speak life into the life you want for yourself.
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Associate with the right people Hang around the people who are where you’d like to be someday. Grab coffee with them. Or if you can’t do that, listen to their podcasts and read their blog posts. Be a learner.
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Have rapid subconscious shifts You may need to do this with a coach or someone certified, but you need to get into your subconscious mind rapidly to get to the root of your struggles and have major breakthroughs. If you need help, you can reach me at the website linked below.
Links * Atomic Habits by James Clear * Liz White’s Website * Follow Liz White on Instagram * Avani’s Breakthrough Sessions
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Tracy Timm is the founder of Nth Degree Career Academy, and a career coach who works with individuals and organizations who want to realize their full potential, do work they love, and make an impact at the same time.
She has a fascinating story that I’m excited to share with you in today’s episode.
In a way, Tracy was her own first client. She found herself in a place of misery with her job, wondering every day if this was all there was to life. She tolerated the job because she was making money and achieving some level of success (at least on the outside).
Eventually she decided it was time to quit. And the process she worked through is the same one she now uses with clients. The steps she took to figure out what she really wanted and turn that into a profitable business became a blueprint she could use to help others do the same.
Tracy and I related on so many levels in this episode. It was great to hear how she helps people redefine their lives so they can chase success. This is the perfect episode for anyone working a nine-to-five, looking to turn their side hustle into a future business.
“Nothing is wasted unless you waste it. So if you’re in a job right now and you feel the inkling to do something different, I would invite you to consider that.”
In this episode Tracy talks about:
- Her journey from a nine-to-five employee to a business owner.
- Her three-phase career clarity strategy.
- The importance of being able to define a niche in your career.
Main Takeaways * Understand that it’s ok to quit. If you’re looking for a sign about when to quit, that’s a good enough sign in and of itself that you should quit. Don’t let someone else’s definition of success define you. * While building your business, don’t use a side hustle as your main form of income. Instead, start using your free time to grow your business and treat that as your side hustle. * Learn how to grow where you’re planted. Figure out how you can get all that you possibly can out of the current situation you’re in before moving on to something bigger. Learn how to understand the value of your previous experiences. * Discover your true value, define your unique niche of genius, and then drive your career forward.
Links * Brendan Buchard - Why to QUIT * Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert * Tracy’s diagram for this episode * Tracy’s Website * Tracy’s Email * Follow Tracy on Instagram * Follow Tracy on Twitter
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
After reflecting on 2019, one of the things I wanted to get better at in 2020 was nourishing my energy. Often, I overload myself by saying ‘yes’ to so many different things and I want to change that this year.
Too often, I pour myself out and help or volunteer, but I found that the more I poured out of my cup, the less I had for myself. I’ve started taking several steps this year to nourish my energy, and want to share them with you today.
“At the end of the day, if I’m going to be a good business owner and a good leader, I need to invest in myself. I need to pour into myself. We need to take care of ourselves and our energy in order to be the best we can be for others.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Why it’s important to nourish your energy as a freelancer.
- How to allow flexibility into your schedule without compromising productivity.
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Changing up your work week and letting it evolve to play to your strengths.
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Block off mornings Make your morning sacred. Use your mornings (until 9 or 10 am) to journal, meditate, or just think. I also highly recommend limiting phone usage and allow yourself to be grounded.
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Take time to relax Just like scheduling meetings for my business, I’ve started scheduling “me” time. This includes workouts, massages, nail appointments, and walks.
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Do more to refill your energy “cup” There are little things in life that can help get us energized. For me it’s working out, chatting with friends, and spending more time with my husband. Look for the re-energizers in your life.
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Listen to your intuition This might be hard to do at first, but practice firmly and gently saying “no” when there’s too much on your plate. You’re not saying no to that person as a person, just to the thing they asked you.
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Volunteer less Unless it is something that lights you up and gives you energy, don’t feel the need to volunteer, especially at first. If you have other projects that are a priority, it’s probably not the best thing for you to do in that moment.
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Designing your ideal week as a freelancer is one of my favorite topics and in this episode we talk about how to do it effectively.
It’s important that we get our weeks right as freelancers so that we can optimize our time for the best productivity, the best output, and to match the times of day our brains work the best. Setting your own schedule is one of the best parts about being a freelancer, but it’s important to make sure you actually set a schedule for yourself.
“The key thing to remember is that proper planning prevents poor performance. If you want your week to work for you, you have to plan it in advance. It has to be put together very deliberately.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- How to plan out your work week as a freelancer.
- How to allow flexibility in your schedule without compromising productivity.
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Changing up your work week and letting it evolve to play to your strengths.
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Set the days you will not work On a calendar, or a schedule in front of you, cross out the days that you will not work in the week. Plotting it out is helpful so that you can visually see it.
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Set your working hours Similar to the last step, cross out the hours you aren’t working, or highlight the hours that you are working. Make it clear to yourself what those hours are.
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Treat your business like a business It’s important that you stick to the schedule that you are setting for yourself and that you’re strict about it. You wouldn’t take a break to do laundry in an office, why would you do it if you’re working from home?
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Set aside different types of days Mark or label on your schedule the type of work that needs to happen on each day. One day could be meetings, another could be a work day. Tailor the days to best suit your needs.
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Designate days that allow for flexibility Allow yourself some days that are flexible. These days can be for appointments, errands, lunches, etc. Don’t do these things any time of the week, make plans for them instead.
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Figure out what times you are most productive Play with what works to your energy. If you’re a morning person, plan your more difficult work in the morning. Don’t plan your creative time right after meetings if talking burns you out. Experiment!
Links * Breakthrough with Avani
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
We all have times in our lives where our minds dwell on something negative for too long and we can’t get past it. I had one of those weeks recently, and I want to share what helped me get through it.
Ultimately, when I look back on this experience, I realize that this was an experience that happened for me, instead of to me, and that I was able to learn a lot about myself when I reflect on it.
“We suffer more in imagination than in reality. We as humans tend to put ourselves through the ringer when we don’t need to. We make things up, we make things mean more than they need to.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- How to get out of your own head.
- Leaning into your support group for help.
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Learning how to remember gratitude during stressful times.
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Don’t get caught up in your own thought process As humans, we tend to make things a bigger deal than they actually are. It’s our brains trying to make meaning out of that situation. It’s important to separate yourself from that situation and to stop identifying with it too much.
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Use the tools in your tool belt Use your resources to help clear your head. Whether it be meditating, journaling, or reading; anything to help clear your mind. It’s also a good idea to lean into your support system of friends and family.
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Redirect your thoughts through gratitude When darker thoughts start to creep into your head, start thinking thoughts of gratitude instead. Start thinking of things that you’re thankful for. Make a list of them in a journal or in your head and make note of them when you start to feel terrible.
Links * Breakthrough with Avani * The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment * The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
2019 has come and gone, and while I was reflecting, I realized that some of the highlights for me had to do with reframing. As an NLP follower, we’re taught that events in life have no inherent meaning, it’s up to our brains to assign meaning to them. This means that we can change the meaning of almost every thing that happens to us.
In 2019, I had several events that could have been negative experiences, but I decided to reframe them to be more positive and to see what I gained from experiencing them. This was a powerful exercise and helped me get through 2019.
In this episode, I walk through some tips on reframing events in your life so that you can take those potentially negative situations and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“I realized that reframing was so powerful, and being able to use it very deliberately in my life has given me the ability to move past things and take the most positive things away from my experiences, whether they were positive or not.”
Avani’s three questions to ask when reframing a situation:
- What is a different way I can look at this?
- How it is working out in my favor?
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What is the positive in this?
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Tearing my MCL Many of you already know this, but I tore my MCL January 1, 2019 while I was skiing. Tearing your MCL has a lot of unexpected consequences and keeps you out of a lot things that you might regularly do. I decided to reframe and look at all the benefits it brought me. I now love doing Pilates and spin, something I hadn’t been doing before. Now my workout is more diverse and holistic.
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Client attraction income goals I set a six-figure income goal for my client attraction method. I didn’t get anywhere close to it, but that doesn’t mean the situation was a loss. I asked myself “what did I gain from this?” I increased my email list quite significantly and two people who took my course hit the $10k/month goal. This is the best news I could have asked for.
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Failing to win a client contract If you write a lot of contracts, you will inevitably fail to get some. I made the decision to reframe this situation. If I don’t land a client, great, that client wasn’t a good fit for me anyway, and now that time and energy can be devoted to other clients.
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Planning my wedding There are a lot of decisions to make when planning a wedding and they can feel even more stressful if you’re also trying to build a business. I overcame the stress of planning my wedding by reframing the decisions and just deciding to be thankful that I would have a party to spend with my family and friends.
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Forgetting my Tesla key card I had to give my phone to my brother to get our Tesla back home. That means I had to spend four days without my phone. Instead of thinking “this sucks”, I reframed it as a surprise digital detox. It allowed me to fill my mind with white space and just get reacquainted with myself.
Links * Breakthrough with Avani
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Sometimes life steps in and gives you the break you need. That’s what happened to me the weekend before Christmas. Long story short, I was without my phone for four days, and even though the situation could have been avoided, I reframed it as a positive digital detox experience.
Here are a few things I learned, and how you can apply them to your own digital detox. The best version of you might just be when you’re unplugged!
“It’s healthy for us to lose our phones in our house once in awhile and be away from them. Have nights with our loved ones where it’s a no phone or no internet night, or just unplug the internet. You might play a board game and have fun instead of sitting and watching Netflix or scrolling on Instagram and getting lost in the Instagram echo chamber.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- How she stumbled into a digital detox.
- How she uses her devices differently and how they affected her detox.
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What she discovered about herself when she didn’t have her phone to distract her.
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Filling white space with technology If you’re like me, you crave creativity and white space. What I realized when I was without my phone is that the white space has been there all along, I’ve just been filling it with Instagram and other apps on my phone. If you take a break every now and then, you’ll get the white space you’ve been craving.
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It takes time to be ok with white space You’ll need some time to get used to not having your technology around. We’re so dependent on our devices that the lack of connectivity will feel different. That’s ok and it will be helpful in getting those creative juices back.
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You have an imagination — use it! You can discover a lot about yourself and how your brain perceives your everyday life when you don’t have something to distract it. Your imagination might go a little far and assign seemingly mundane situations with deeper meaning. Keep an eye on it because it can really give you great insight into your own personality.
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Enjoy your daily routine I already have some digital-free tasks built in to my daily routine, like meditation, but I found myself enjoying more of my little daily tasks because I was already on this detox. You may notice yourself enjoying seemingly normal tasks even more as well.
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Feel more present Being off my phone made me feel in the moment more than I normally would. This is something that I want to get better at moving into the new year and this is a simple way to boost your mindfulness in a situation.
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You might not actually miss your phone I thought that I needed my phone like I need my hands or arms. It’s just not true. We don’t need these devices, and it’s a good idea to practice life without them sometimes. Have “no phone nights” with your loved ones or unplug the internet.
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Detox more often We need to do this more often. All of us. I know that this would be instrumental in me being the best version of myself and I think that it can help you as well. I’m planning on doing this on a regular basis moving forward.
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My brain wants to obsess My brain is constantly “on”. We need to figure out ways to shut it off every once in a while to be better versions of ourselves. I realized I had become addicted to anxiety and stress and I was burying it in Instagram. When I didn’t have it, my brain made up things to be stressed about. If you notice this in yourself, make a plan to detox and remedy!
Links * Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport * The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael Singer * Breakthrough with Avani
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
One of the first episodes of this podcast focused on how to get a raise. After nearly 200 episodes, I realized that I needed to revise some of my earlier suggestions. To that end, I want to revisit the steps for how to easily and effortlessly get a raise.
If you’re serious about getting a raise, write these steps down and start applying them today, because you will notice—especially with the first step—that this isn’t an overnight process.
“If we’re working for other people and we’re working our butts off towards a mission, a goal, or something amazing, why not get the most out of what we’re doing in our nine to five?”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- How she used to feel about raises and how she would go about getting them.
- Why it’s important to hold yourself (and others) accountable for getting your raise.
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Strategies and resources for determining how much of a raise to ask for, and how to go about asking for it.
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Prepare your manager for the ask I like to start six months in advance, and set goals with managers. I’ll sit down with my manager and I’ll say, “I’m so excited to tackle my 2020 goals this year and I’m so pumped because we’re working on these specific initiatives in order to support these other initiatives. These are the things I’m going to do in my role so that it can make the company achieve these goals and make your life better. These are my three to five goals that I’ve set out to do and to work on.” Share them with your manager, get feedback so they feel like they’ve made these goals with you, and they know that they are impactful for the business and for your team.
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Keep a running list of your accomplishments I like to use a spreadsheet and I will have one column for the name of their project and then another column for how long that project took. Then you can write down in the next column the initiative or goal that this is supporting for the company and the impact that it’s going to make. If you happen to know the revenue that your initiative has provided, then make sure to write that down so they can quantify it.
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Update your manager monthly on your progress Each month, remind your manager of your goals and update them on the progress you’re making. When the time comes to give you a raise, they should be so excited to be throwing a bunch of money at you because they know you’ve earned it.
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Do everything you can to make your manager’s life easier Ask your manager how you can make their life easier. It will be so cool to see how your manager feels supported with that question. My managers didn’t always have something for me to do, but sometimes they did and I would help them out with that. My goal was to make their life easier so they would rally for me when it was time for me to get a raise and they would want to support me.
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Accomplish the goals you set Keep your spreadsheet updated, put your head down, work hard, and do your thing. Don’t get caught up in office politics or gossip. It’s not worth your time, and it’s just a distraction. Heads down. Get your work done. I promise you, this strategy wins every time.
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Find out where you fall in the market Robert Half has a great guide for determining where you fall in the market of creatives. I highly recommend downloading their guide and finding out where you sit. It’s a great jumping off point for figuring out what kind of compensation you are going to ask for.
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Determine what you’re going to ask for I’ll start with a point that’s the lowest and highest on a salary range. Then I’ll be more confident to ask for something inside of this range. But this is just one strategy. If you find one that works better for you, then use it. Just know what you’re going to ask for.
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Ask for it Have this conversation scheduled so it’s not a surprise. Approach the meeting with your spreadsheet, goals, printout of a salary guide and where you fall. With those three things along with your contributions to the team and the goals you hit (based on your earlier conversation), give you the ability to say “I deserve ‘x’”.
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Follow up At the end of your conversation about compensation, you need to ask when you can expect to hear back. When that time comes around, make sure you follow up. Keep the pressure on so that your manager knows you’re serious about getting this raise. It might take longer than expected due to layers of management, but don’t give up asking about it until you’ve heard.
Links * The 6-Figure Freelancer 003: How to Confidently and Effectively Ask for a Raise * Breakthrough with Avani * Toggl * Creative Salary Guide 2020 by Robert Half
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
This time of year is one of my favorites. It provides an opportunity to plan for the year ahead and to do it deliberately. Good years don’t just happen by accident. We make them happen. In today’s episode I share exactly what I plan to do to make my year a good one.
Even though I use the same methods each year, the plan itself evolves. I do it with my family, with my husband, and and it’s something you can use as a blueprint. You don’t have to copy it exactly, but use it as a starting point as you plan your year ahead.
Let’s get planning!
“If I had one secret to give you and leave you with, it’s that if you want to know how things can always go well for you, all you need to do is practice gratitude every single day.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Why she organizes her thoughts and aspirations before the new year.
- Why gratitude is so important in her life, and why it should be important in yours as well.
- How making lists of what she learned in the previous year hep her prep for the next one.
Make mental space Purposefully make time and set it aside to create mental white space. Have time to think and breathe mentally and just be idle and not always be thinking about your next deliverable. It’s important as we go into the new year to sit and be with your thoughts, to reflect and take stock of what happened.
Review & take stock Take four to six hours (it doesn’t have to be all at once) and take stock of what happened over the last year. Some great ways to review and remember what you did is to look at your calendar. I always look at my calendar and go through the year, month-by-month. You can also look at photos to remind you what you did in the previous year. You’ll be surprised by how much you forgot!
List what you’re grateful for Gratitude is such a powerful tool to have in your toolbox, and using it invites more of the same into your life. Make a long list of things that you’re thankful for over the last year. Not only will this feel good, but it will cement the idea that you should be grateful every day!
List what you learned There are so many events that happened over the last year that you need to synthesize them and figure out what life lessons you learned from them. This will help you keep an eye out for similar lessons in the new year.
List all the significant events Remembering these events will help you feel present in your new year and it’s also just fun to remember everything that happened.
List affirmations and desired states What kind of person do you want to be? What are the things you want to do? How do you want to feel every day when you wake up? Paint an amazing picture of your future desires for 2020 and beyond. This is your GPS for the new year.
List out your goals You can have any goals that you want, but it’s important to have a reason or motivation behind them. These will motivate you throughout the year to get where you want to be and help you attain that future desired state.
Links * Breakthrough with Avani
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Education is one of the strongest ways we can empower people in their own lives. Most of the time when people launch a new business as service providers, it’s in a one-to-one structure. But we can have so much more impact, and empower more people, when we move to a one-to-many structure and amplify how we teach.
This is exactly why I wanted to talk with Emily Walker. She’s the founder of Modern Leaders Collective. Emily uses online courses to help entrepreneurs create courses for their own businesses. By creating these courses, she is able to reach a much broader audience than she would with one-on-one coaching, and she helps her clients do the same.
In her career as an educator, Emily has seen that the strongest courses are usually created by people who have worked with enough clients that they can start to see the patterns in their habits, obstacles, and pain points.
One of the biggest things she’s learned over time in her business is that it’s OK to launch something that’s not perfect. You can always iterate on your product or course. Spend your time intentionally building the journey so that you know you’re going to get your clients results. Giving people high quality, actionable information is more important than production value.
Emily is extremely passionate about what she does as an educator and her efforts to empower people. I learned so much in my conversation with her and I know that you will, too!
“What we’re doing as educators is we’re sharing our knowledge and our passion with the world so that we can make a difference.”
In this episode Emily talks about:
- How online courses are helpful to entrepreneurs.
- Common mistakes entrepreneurs make when creating their first online learning experience.
- How online courses don’t need to look perfect in order to convey good and helpful information.
Main Takeaways * Education is one of the strongest ways to empower people. Educating usually starts on a one-on-one level, but there comes a point where we can’t take on any more clients. By recognizing similar patterns between clients, you can start to develop an online course built for a larger group that caters to their needs. * A common mistake entrepreneurs make while creating their first course is designing content before planning action. It is important to have a clear direction in mind so that clients will know what actions they need to take to get from point A to point B. * Build the course around you and your clients, instead of just looking at what other online courses feature. Tailor it to the needs and uses of your clients and yourself. * Online courses don’t need to look pretty. Your job as a course leader is to get your clients the information they need. As you continue teaching the course, you can start making your material look nicer or tweak things that didn’t work. What you have to say is more important than how professional your course looks.
Links * Modern Leaders Collective - Inspire Action Free Guide * Mistakes You’re Making When Creating Your Online Course (and how to fix them) * How To Choose A Platform For Your Online Course * Follow Emily on Instagram * Subscribe to Emily’s YouTube Channel * Thinkific * Teachable * Kajabi
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Avani on Twitter * Avani on Instagram * Avani on LinkedIn
When life gets busy, especially during the holiday season, it’s easy to lose that white space that sparks creative energy. In 2020, one of the things I want to work on is protecting my creative energy so I can inspire creative ideas easily and effortlessly.
I’m working on five things that I want to do more of as we move into the new year to come up with amazing, impactful ideas. I’m excited to share them so that you can also make those impactful ideas for yourself, your clients, your friends, and your family.
“One of my favorite things to do is create and in order for me to be constantly creating I need to work out my creative muscle. It’s something that I need to do on a regular basis. Just like I work out my physical muscles at the gym, I need to work out my creative muscle as well.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Protecting her creative energy when life gets busy.
- How she gets past creativity roadblocks.
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The importance of analog media to the creative process.
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Step away If you feel like you’re stuck or you feel like your ideas are falling flat, take a break from the project. The subconscious mind is one of the most powerful parts of the brain, and it will work on those ideas even while we’re not thinking of them. Once we have that space, it can and will resurface those ideas!
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Reach out to others It is so valuable to meet with others and get ideas from other people through conversation. In conversation, we’re exchanging ideas. They might even be unrelated ideas, but they can end up sparking new ideas.
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Practice ideation daily In order to be constantly creating, it is important to exercise your creative muscles on a regular basis. One of the best ways to do this is to generate 10 ideas per day, every single day. Not only is this helpful for your creative muscles, but the ideas can be used to implement in your life!
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Look for inspiration If you ever come across something that strikes you as a good idea, document it. Take a picture, take a screenshot, or write it down. Make that a habit. Soon you’ll have a collection of great ideas that you can look at and draw inspiration from whenever you need it.
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Switch between analog and digital Don’t box yourself in to your computer or phone. Allow your brain the chance to break out of that container and physically draw or write. The physical activities allow your brain to make new connections as you’re generating new ideas.
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
In 2018, I remember planning my wedding very vividly, and looking at my wedding and my honeymoon and feeling stressed out about how I was going to make two weeks off happen. Just two weeks. I didn’t know how that was going to happen without my business crumbling. Because, at that point, I had never taken a full week off.
In 2019, I took seven weeks off and at least four of them were completely unplugged. At the end of the day, we left our jobs to be able to live our dream lives, to be able to do whatever you wanted, to take time off whenever we wanted. We didn’t sign up to work our butts off all the time for no break or reward.
So today, I’m going to share with you how I managed to take so much time off in 2019, and still make money in my business.
“I think our business needs to be scalable. A business needs to be something that can run on its own if something happens or if we need to take a vacation because we’re human. We need rest. And I’m really passionate about this and passionate about enabling you to have time off and still make money.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- How she managed to go from uncertain about taking any time off to taking seven weeks off in one year.
- Why resting and taking time off is so important.
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The steps she’s taking to get her fire back and put herself back in the driver’s seat.
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Plan ahead I made sure to tell my team and my clients about my trips. I was very clear that I was going to help them hit their deadlines, even when I was gone. That meant we would need to work extra ahead of time if needed. I scheduled business development calls or meetings upfront, and told clients I would follow up with them when I was back. Being transparent is incredibly important if you’re going to take time off!
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Trust and empower your team You can’t clone yourself, so if you’re working with others, you need to trust that they will fill in the gaps while you are gone. If you plan ahead, you’ll be able to be clear about what’s expected of them while you’re offline. Empower them to work without you and complete the work that needs to be done!
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Realize your clients are understanding Your clients are human, too. They will understand that taking some R&R is necessary for you to perform at your best. If that’s a problem, then you should be considering if they are a client you want to keep working with.
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Use your project management system Using your tools is critical. When I left for vacation I was leaving behind clear, concise instructions and tasks so that everyone knew exactly what they had to do. They were well documented in my project management software and everyone knew where to look to see the tasks they needed to complete. Your vacation depends on your team working while you’re gone!
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Check. Out. If you’re going to go on vacation, then you truly need to check out. Turn on an auto responder, don’t answer emails, don’t answer anything work related because you don’t want to set the expectation that you are available. You have to draw that boundary so that you are giving yourself that time to recharge!
Links * Podcast Royale * Breakthrough with Avani * ClickUp
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Our brain is an amazing organ and everything in your life, whether it’s business or relationships, should start in your brain. Today, I talk about NLP and LP (neuro linguistic programming) and how we use the basic language of the mind to consistently achieve the results we want in life. I like to call it the “lost user manual to the human brain”, because many of us don’t realize how powerful our brains are and how amazingly they can work.
I picked up these three brain hacks at my NLP training and I wanted to share them with you. Be prepared to hack your brain!
“Our mind is a meaning-making machine. We’re always trying to put things into a neat puzzle. We’re trying to fold it away and make it fit in our mental model of the world. And sometimes we take things and we blow them out of proportion.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Why she went to get her Magnetic Coach Certification
- What NLP is and how you can use it to your advantage
- Her personal tips and tricks for getting the most out of brain hacks
Avani’s Brain Hacks 1. Future-paced manifestation If you’ve got something on your mind, get it out on paper. It doesn’t matter what it is. Take a pen and journal about what’s bothering you and what you want it to look like in the future, and specifically, what kind of feelings or sensations you’ll experience once it’s resolved. Write this as though it has already happened and you’ll feel a lot better about the situation.
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Choosing higher vibration thoughts We all have those days that just plain suck. The ones where you want to hide under a blanket and not come out. That’s a low vibration thought, and you need to re-tune to have high vibration thoughts. Don’t be overwhelmed. You can do it incrementally, little by little, and have successively higher vibration thoughts that will get you feeling better.
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Ask yourself powerful questions When you get in the habit of asking yourself good questions, you can quickly pivot and re-frame situations. A great question to ask yourself when you’re in a state of frustration, sadness, anger, etc, is “how am I making this a problem?” Sometimes we’re making something a problem when it’s actually not problematic. There are a lot of tough, great questions that you can ask yourself to re-frame your mindset and get back in the game.
Links * Magnetic Coach Certification * Super Attractor * Breakthrough with Avani
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today’s guest is content creator all-star Nicholas Cole. Nicolas (aka Cole) is cofounder of Digital Press — a business that helps companies position their founders and CEOs as thought leaders through written content.
Cole’s background is a bit unusual. As a teenager, he was a top-ranked “World of Warcraft” player. As he got older, he moved into body building before finally landing in his career as a writer. Through his growth as a writer, he launched Digital Press.
Today, Digital Press has an entire staff of copywriters and editors working to present CEOs and Founders as thought leaders in their given niches.
In this episode, Cole gives us some tips on content creation, finding your voice, and building loyalty for your content.
“I treat content the same way that I would approach investing: it’s not the day trade method, it’s the Warren Buffett method. Invest in something that’s going to be sustainable over the long term.”
In this episode Nicolas talks about: * How to make content that engages with your audience and keeps them invested in you. * How to find your voice as a writer. * How getting feedback is critical in figuring out how and what you content you create.
Main Takeaways * The more you can connect with an audience on a personal level, the more interested they will be in the content you’re creating. * You cannot find your voice unless you are actively speaking. * You have to quantify how you will be better than those around you. Pay attention to what others in our sphere of influence are doing and then pivot to find a way to stand out. * Look at the content you are creating as an investment in a library and as a way to build loyalty, instead of chasing viral content.
Links * Digital Press * Sapiens (book) * Nicolas Cole Website * Nicolas on Quora * Nicolas on Minutes
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Stay in touch * Reach Out For A Special Opportunity! * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
In today’s episode, I talk with Giselle Field. Giselle is a one-woman branding and design company. She loves to travel, and uses her travels as inspiration for her work.
Giselle started college as an art major, but realized it wasn’t for her. She quickly stumbled upon a graphic design class and has never looked back.
After college, she had a hard time finding full-time design work, and this pushed her to pursue freelancing and build her skills as an entrepreneur.
Overcoming fear and getting out of her comfort zone were crucial in getting Giselle to where she is today. Diving into freelancing full-time can be a scary scenario, especially if it’s not something you’re choosing. But Giselle realized she had to find ways to move out of her comfort zone in order to move forward personally and professionally.
Along the way, her now husband introduced her to rock climbing, which was helped her carry her confidence into the business world. The sport has taught her a lot about fear and perseverance, and has helped her overcome similar challenges in her career.
“You just have to put yourself out there, get out of your comfort zone, and think, what’s the worst that can happen?”
In this episode Giselle talks about: * Her journey to freelancing and entrepreneurship * The fears she faced along the way and what strategies she used to overcome them * Advice and tips for freelancers who are starting out and what they can do to be successful * How calculated risk is important for getting ahead in the freelancing world and how to get comfortable with taking risks
Main Takeaways * Calculated risk is the best way to expose yourself to different things and grow as a freelancer. * Fear is holding you back from moving to the next level, but you can overcome it. * You won’t get to where you want to be if you keep waiting for everything to be perfect, or if you stop learning about your industry.
Links * Wander Design Co. * Giselle Field on Instagram
Stay in touch * Reach Out For A Special Opportunity! * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today’s guest is Elley Charles. She is a business and mindset coach for female entrepreneurs who have a side hustle and are ready to transition into a full-time business. She is constantly thinking of ways to help entrepreneurs who are ready to live their fullest life and add more impact to the world.
Elley is obsessed with personal development and takes pride in constantly working to become a better version of herself. Keeping her commitment to that personal development is what helps her keep her energy high. Reading personal development books is one of the ways she enjoys working on herself.
Having the drive for personal growth and development is also what makes her feel most fulfilled, and she loves passing that feeling on to other entrepreneurs. She keeps a happiness list that reminds her to make the most of each day and to appreciate all of the small things in life, which is a big part of her consistently high energy.
This high energy is one of my favorite things about Elley. I’ve always wondered about this energy and where it comes from and how she keeps it. How does she cultivate it? How does she draw her boundaries? In today’s episode I finally get to sit down and ask her about it!
“I’m helping them to make more money, which means that then they’re going to have more freedom so they can travel more or they can give better gifts to their children at Christmas. So there’s always that ripple effect. And that’s one of the things that really drives me.”
In this episode Elley talks about:
- How she maintains her energy and positivity.
- How to channel that energy into your business or what it is you’re offering.
- Her strategy behind making great, engaging Instagram stories.
Main Takeaways * Having the desire to better yourself in many different ways is a great way to maintain a high energy for life. Have a list of non-negotiables and a daily routine to achieve your personal goals. * Having energy and passion is a habit you have to build. But it’s also about conviction. You must have confidence in yourself, in what you offer, and the impact it will have on people’s lives. * Having fun is key on IG stories. But also, make sure you understand your audience, and the segments that exist inside that audience, so you can properly address them and get them to engage.
Links * Elley Mae * How I Raised Myself From Failure To Success In Selling * Manifestation Babe * Elley Mae on Instagram
Stay in touch * Reach Out For A Special Opportunity! * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
This episode was inspired by a conversation I was having with one of my friends. She is brilliant and she has an amazing business. We were talking about how to plan her exit from her 9-5 jobs so that she could go full-time in her business.
This got me thinking about the time in my life when I was going through the exact same things, and having the same questions that I’m sure most of you have as well. Today’s episode goes into my six-step checklist to ditch your job and go full-time in your freelance business.
If you’re thinking about a transition, then this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.
“When you’re a lifelong learner, there is nothing that can stop you. There’s no ceiling, there’s no limit. You can do anything and everything that you set your mind to.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- The fears she had around leaving her full-time job and going full-time freelance.
- How she developed her six steps to going full-time.
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Advice around structuring your finances so that you’re set to succeed.
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Build career capital Career capital are unique skillsets that set you apart from others. Use your time at your full-time job to seek out skills that you can capitalize on when you leave.
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Start on the side and create your proof of concept It’s crucial to use your nights and weekends to start and grow your business. You’re already pulling in a full-time income, so use the time when you’re not working to make the most of your side business. If you’re going to break out and do your own thing, you had better make sure that it works. Along with working on the side to grow your business, you need to see if it will support a full-time income.
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Write down your vision and put a date on it Walking away from your job is easy to say, but many don’t follow through with it. You need to write down your vision for the future and then put a date on the day you’re going to walk away from your job. Be obsessed with this date and do everything you can to make it a reality.
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Cultivate relationships in your industry Go crazy networking in your industry. Take people out to coffee and pick their brain. You can learn from other people’s mistakes, and there’s no reason you need to make the same mistakes yourself! They have expert insider knowledge that will help you grow.
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Be obsessed with learning I like to listen to podcasts by people who are doing what I’m doing. But if not that, then read books. I have a bunch of books that I think you will find valuable. Whatever helps, make sure you don’t stop learning.
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Just do it! Once you have the rest of your stuff done, just make sure you actually go through with it. You can do it! Don’t waste the best days of your life!
Links * The Big Leap * So Good They Can’t Ignore You * The Magic Of Thinking Big * The Compound Effect * The Slight Edge * The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People * Atomic Habits
Stay in touch * Reach Out For A Special Opportunity! * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today’s episode focuses on analytics in your freelance business. I’ve been taking a deep dive into my analytics recently because we’re looking to evaluate how the last few years have gone. We’re looking at the clients, the revenue, and the team to figure out where we are now and where we want to go next. Analytics are a good thing to look at when you’re trying to make a decision on where to go next in your business.
When looking at analytics, you certainly don’t have to be a “math person” to get on board. Some simple strategies will help you track your data and hopefully give you insight into the future of your business.
"Looking at analytics is a way to look at the past and predict and prepare for the future. It’s really simple, but if you’re just able to write these down and look at trends in your own business you’ll see what you can do for being proactive in your business. "
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Why analytics are important to every successful business.
- What types of analytics you should keep tabs on.
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How to use that data to push your business forward and shape your strategies around growth.
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Track monthly analytics Make sure to track your revenue, profit, expenses and contractor expenses. These items are critical for every business out there. You can look at this two ways: 1) how much is coming in and going out, or 2) what’s been billed and what’s been paid. Anyway you slice the pie, you need to be tracking your money on a monthly basis.
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Use averages per month to make decisions If you take the number of months your were in business and divide your total revenue with that number, you’ll get your average monthly revenue. This is a great number to track year over year to see how you’re doing. Is it going up or down? Likewise, you can take the average revenue by the number of clients and make some decisions based on that data.
There are several more averages which you can choose to pursue or not (that I discuss further in the episode). They are helpful in figuring out how you want your business to operate and what kind of clients you want to bring on board.
Links * Profit First by Mike Michalowicz * An Accountant’s review of Profit First by Jason Andrew
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
I’m an achiever, a go-getter. I want to know what’s next and I love to be growing and moving forward. That’s really what drives me.
But at some point with my business I had to ask: where do I take this? Where do I go from here? It’s such a weird place to be and I realize I had forgotten why I was doing this in the first place. I had a grand vision, and a big “why” when I left my job a few years ago, and that was to build my dream life. That was my vision.
In this episode I talk about how you can get stuck growing for growth’s sake, and why that’s unsustainable. It’s important to understand that growth isn’t always what you’re looking for.
“I want to live a life where I can wake up whenever I want. I want to take naps when I want to. I want to be able to give myself a raise and not have to ask someone else whether or not I can have it. I wanted to be able to have that empowered feeling in my every day and I wanted to be the person in control.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Why she recently was feeling dissatisfied, even though her business is succeeding.
- Why “growing to grow” is unsustainable.
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The steps she’s taking to get her fire back and put herself back in the driver’s seat.
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Vision casting and designing a future desired state Sit down and think about what you want your future to look like. I’m doing this with my husband, but you can certainly do it by yourself. It’s important to check in and see if you are where you wanted to be, or if you need to readjust and figure out what’s next for yourself.
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Slow down and observe The best way to level up, either in your personal life or in your business, is to take some time to observe where you need to do so. The only way you can observe properly is to slow down. If you’re like me, this might be painful, but it’s necessary. You need to make these observations so you can attain the future that you want.
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Upgrade Where are the gaps in our collaboration? Where are things broken? Where do you need to upgrade and get better? And, once we know the answers to these questions, how can we do this? Spending the time to dig deep into this and upgrade your systems and ways of working is only possible if you do steps one and two first, but will make your future so much more attainable.
Links * SFF 122: Developing an Abundance Mindset Around Money, Business, and Life * The Scalability Show
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
There are two main seasons of business: bulking and cutting. I know that I’m borrowing from the fitness industry, but it’s a great parallel for our lives as freelancers. Preparing to grow falls into the cutting category.
In today’s episode, we’re talking about the cutting season, what it is, and how to use it to your advantage. We all know there’s fat around the edges that we could get rid of, so this episode will show you how to do that the right way and make your business more lean.
“Ask yourself, do you need to be doing what you’re doing? Is it producing what you want, the impact that you want? If not, maybe you don’t need to do it right now.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- What a cutting season is.
- How to use a cutting season to the advantage of your business.
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How she has used cutting in her own business to grow.
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Your systems Take a look at the systems you are using right now. Evaluate them and ask yourself, what systems in my business are working really well, what systems are not working well, and do I need to keep using these systems, or do I need to upgrade my systems for the next growth phase of my business?
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Your team Do you have all the right people in place for your next level of growth? Are the people on your team right now the right people? Do they fit your vision for the next level of growth? If not, maybe it’s time to part ways. But if they do, how can you make them feel more empowered? How can you help them do their job better?
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Your clients This is always good to look at, no matter what season you’re in. Who is right for your next stage of growth, who is not right for your next stage of growth, and who are you doing busy work for? Who feels is a strategic partner, and who makes you feel like a minion? Who is helping you produce ROI? Dive into the numbers to get a better idea of who you might cut.
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Your initiatives Which projects have been successful for you and what happened? Which projects do you need to work on, or which projects do you need to stop working on? Ask yourself, do you need to be doing what you’re doing? Is it producing the impact you want? If not, maybe you don’t need to be doing it right now.
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Your mindset If you’re looking to grow, you need to level-up your mindset. It’s time to pour into podcast episodes, pour into courses, pour into books. This is the time, this is the moment to get serious, especially if you’re in the cutting season of your business.
Links * Untethered Soul by Michael Singer
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Over the last few years, I’ve realized it’s not as easy as it seems to be profitable. Profitability doesn’t happen by accident. It doesn’t just fall into your lap. Profitability, in fact, is a very, very purposeful thing that all of us need to do in our businesses in order to see that profit come in.
Here are some tips that have helped me in my journey to profitability.
“I know where the money is going, I know what the expenses are going to be. I’m already aware of how it’s going to look and that feels really good to me because it’s not a surprise.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Her first experience with profitability as a freelancer.
- How the numbers of her first year took her by surprise.
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Her strategies to make 2019 and 2020 more profitable.
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Use the “profit first” methodology “Profit First” is a ladder where you put aside what you need first before using your money for expenses. Traditionally, you’re using your business money to pay for expenses first, and then pay yourself whatever is left. Check out Profit First to get more details on how to turn this around.
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Make money your best friend Get comfortable with getting into your bank account and looking at it. Look at it every day if you need to. Money needs to become your best friend. Sit down, be purposeful, map it out, play with the numbers, look at what is coming in, and know exactly how much you’re going to make in the upcoming month.
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Use the chopping block If there are things, team members, initiatives, or products that you’re paying for in your business that aren’t working for you, I recommend putting them on the chopping block. Just because they work for someone else or just because you feel like you need to do it doesn’t mean you should be doing it. Especially if it’s not producing ROI.
Links * Profit First Book * Profit First Review
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today I am excited to talk with Bree Webber, someone who is truly a fountain of knowledge. When it comes to communication and writing, no one knows better than she does. Bree is a copywriter and runs her own business at Copy Bree where she helps entrepreneurs by writing copy for their businesses, helping them convert like crazy, and creating really juicy content for their audiences.
I learned so much from our conversation today, and it really inspired me to get down to writing for my own business. She shares so many great tips and tricks that I know you guys will walk away feeling the same way I did.
When Bree was younger, she always enjoyed reading and writing, but she took a bit of an usual path to becoming a copywriter. Out of college she worked for a book publisher and though she loved her job, she wanted to start a new life with her boyfriend, so she pitched her employer on working remotely. They agreed, with the caveat that she had to work as an independent contractor, and so her business was born.
She landed on copywriting after trying few different experiments to see what she really enjoyed, and what she thought could work. Since that moment nearly two years ago, she’s been pushing herself as a copywriter, and refining her business and messaging.
Bree is currently working with clients as well as creating resources on her website for those who want to dive right in and get started. This episode is full of great information about how to write effective copy, so let’s dive in.
“The more frequently you sit down and write, the more easily the ideas will come to you and the words will come to you. That’s how you build a writing habit.”
In this episode Bree talks about:
- How she got started in copywriting and how she transitioned to going solo.
- The difference between copywriting and content writing.
- The special formula you can use in the majority of your copywriting.
- Her secret source for connecting with modern audiences.
Main Takeaways * Copywriting is meant to sell or persuade, content writing is to educate, inspire, or entertain. It’s important to strike a good blend of these two types of writing. * To be an effective copywriter, ask yourself: Do you understand the difference between the features of your business, and benefits of your business? And how well can you talk about them? * Popular psychology books are a great way to figure out how to connect with your audience through writing, because they provide insights into how people behave.
Links * Copy Bree * Free Resources from Bree * Bree Weber on Instagram * Bree Weber on Twitter * Bree Weber on LinkedIn * Thinking Fast and Slow * The Copywriters Handbook * Everybody Writes
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today’s episode is about radical responsibility. It’s a concept that I’ve been thinking about for a little while now. The results you see in your life, the results that have arrived or shown up in your life because of what you’ve done, that’s on you. You gave the cause and the effect showed up, and you need to own those actions. That is what radical responsibility is. It puts you in the driver’s seat and says you’re the one in charge.
This is empowering. It says that you have the power to influence and attract and bring about results in your life. Let’s explores the areas where you can take radical responsibility in your life.
“Be solution oriented. Leave the past in the past and just move on. Let’s figure out how to fix this. Move on and learn from our mistakes. Take that radical responsibility and move forward.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Where she found out about radical responsibility and why she’s been thinking about it.
- How you can use radical responsibility to your advantage.
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How you can apply radical responsibility to your business.
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Your team Your team ultimately reports to you and you’re responsible for what comes out. If something goes wrong, ask yourself how you could have corrected that mistake or process. Did you give them the tools they needed? You have the power to make sure things turn out right with your team. Use that power!
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Your clients If something goes wrong, or your clients don’t like your result, own it and figure out a solution. Don’t get defensive. Ask important questions, recoup, and redeliver something amazing.
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Business development I talk about this all the time: you need to be doing business development. If you’re not, you need to take radical responsibility for the fact that clients aren’t coming through the door and you’re not moving the needle in the direction of more dollars.
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Finances If you want to know how much money you’re going to make and what you’re going to pay yourself, you need to take radical responsibility for your finances. I know it’s hard (I hated it), but it’s important. Ask yourself what you can do to increase those margins or get your money back into balance.
Links * James Wedmore
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Sometimes we can get too much on our plates. Most of us have been in this situation more than once. Today, I'm going to share some tips and tricks on how to get through the overwhelming to-do lists in your freelance business.
As business owners, we take radical responsibility for everything happening in our business. And this can lead to overwhelm and a seemingly never-ending to-do list. Whether it’s someone dropping the ball, or someone leaving our team, or a needy client wanting tons of attention, all of it essentially falls on us at the end of the day. And that can be a lot of pressure.
Let’s explore some tried and true tips on how to handle all this “stuff” that we have to deal with.
“There’s a cognitive load from these things in our brain and we can’t just ignore that. We can’t just minimize that they’re taking up space.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- How having too much to do can sneak up on us.
- Why you need to have a plan in place to deal with all your tasks.
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How you can organize and strategize to complete your tasks.
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Do a brain dump When it feels like there’s too much to do, start by getting it out of your head and on paper. It doesn’t only have to be work-related either; it can be all the tasks that are piling up in your head. Taking these things out of your brain and putting them in to the physical world can be really helpful.
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Triage your list Go through your above list and figure out the importance of each task and how much time it will take. After that, delegate it, if you can. This will free up your time to get through the rest of your list, and make your load a little lighter.
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Get the list into your task manager Get your to-dos into your task manager. Make sure you’re attaching dates and details as well. This way you can wake up in the morning and know what the day’s tasks are, as well as the details of those tasks. It makes it so much easier to manage all those items that need to be checked off.
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Time block Even if you have to schedule it into your day, take two or three hours (or however long you need) and get those tasks done. No more excuses or overwhelming dread, just get your list done. This time should be dedicated to completing your list and nothing else. It will make your day feel so much more manageable.
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Today we’re talking about a topic that’s a lot of fun. In fact, we’re talking about fun itself and how we should be having fun in our businesses. You should be thrilled and excited to show up and do your job. And if you’re not, then it’s time to change that. Let’s dives into tips on how you can inject some fun into your job, and make sure you’re experiencing everything your business has to offer.
“It’s exciting for me. Every single day I am happy and having fun. Every client meeting that I have, every team meeting that I have, is infused with fun and we laugh so much together while adding massive value to the world.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Why it’s important to have fun at work.
- What she does to make her workdays more fun.
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Why having fun at work should be a priority for you.
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Affirmations I know I talk about this a lot, but it’s because it’s important. Write down your affirmations that express how much fun your business is. You will prime your brain to find that fun and soon enough you’ll be experiencing it!
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Collaborate Human connection is an important part of having fun. However you want to do it (e.g. hiring someone, getting together with a friend or acquaintance), make an effort to connect with others. Set a ritual to meet up with someone and work on projects — it will make your tasks way more fun. Another great way to connect is to get feedback from your peers.
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Schedule your fun Our schedules can easily get packed. That’s why it’s important to actually schedule fun into your day, even if it’s short. For me, I like to do yoga or Pilates, but it can be whatever you want to help break up the day and make it feel more fun.
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Work-cations Traveling somewhere (ideally with someone) is a great way to have more fun. You’re still going to put in a full day, but the night is all yours! You can probably work from anywhere, so why not get out and explore the world while you work?
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Play music I used to listen to music that put me in the work mode, but I realized I didn’t really like any of it. Now I listen to what I want, when I want, and it’s made a huge difference. Try throwing on your favorite tunes to make your work a bit more entertaining!
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Laugh Laughing is one of the best things you can do to feel better. If need be, schedule it into your day. Hop on YouTube and watch some funny videos and feel free to laugh! It’s a great way to relieve stress and make your job fun.
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Play games Games can be anything. Compete against yourself to see if you can complete a task more quickly, and then give yourself a reward! Setting goals and rewards can make you can feel better about taking those well-earned breaks.
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Just like your home, it’s a good idea to pay attention to the hygiene, cleanliness, and organization of your business. We have all of these things we use to run our businesses like systems, tools, apps, project management software, automations, and it’s important to check in on these things to make sure everything is running smoothly.
In this episode I share my four tips for how I keep everything clean and organized in my business.
“Housekeeping can be sometimes boring or blah, but it’s important because it is essential to the health of your business. This is what keeps things going and what makes things easier for you.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Why housekeeping is important to her business.
- The reasons she keeps such close tabs on her financial housekeeping.
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How she keeps on top of housekeeping and makes it a priority amidst everything going on.
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Finances and accounting If you keep track of your dollars, or if you look into your bank account regularly, you’re going to accomplish two things: 1) have a good relationship with money and 2) invite more money in. We need to know how much is going in and out every month so we know how much we have, how much we can pay ourselves, and how much money we will have as profit. This one is really important, so make sure you implement a thorough strategy for staying on top of it.
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Business development Business development is the heartbeat of your business and taking the pulse of your business is important. You can do this by reviewing your contracts. The active ones, the ones waiting to be signed, the retainers, all of them. Likewise, make sure you’re reviewing and sending your invoices in a timely fashion or making sure that they are scheduled to go out at the proper times.
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Files and assets I have a really messy desktop and download folder. I set reminders to clean up every week and I also set reminders to backup everything. Make sure you have backups of important files so you never lose anything you’re working on. You can’t be reliant on one machine for your entire business.
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Team management If you’re working with anyone, you need to have weekly one-on-one meetings. This helps you (and them) keep tabs on everything that is going on. It also ensures that you are giving them the tools they need to succeed and make you money. Weekly meetings are a must!
Links * Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
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Business, just like the weather, has seasons. Some seasons in business are for sustaining or re-balancing, some are for focusing on your personal life, and some are for focusing on your business and putting the pedal to the metal.
These seasons are going to ebb and flow as you and your business change. Our businesses are like people — dynamic, living and breathing beings. Because of that, it’s naïve for us to think that every season in our business is going to be the same. Your life is changing, the industry is changing, the economy is changing, and therefore, your business will change.
So what are those seasons? And what you can do to stay ahead of the game, regardless of which season you’re in?
“We need to be really excited to have fun, to grow our business, grow our team, and grow our clients. If it’s not fun, if we’re not loving it, what are we doing? What are we doing with our lives?”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- What season of business she is in right now.
- How she’s handling her season and making the most of it.
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What season is next for her and why she’s excited about it.
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What season of business am I in right now? When you can identify the season of business you’re in, things will feel less crazy as you move forward. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and you know how to get there. Knowledge is power, so understanding where you are will give you the ability to understand what you have to do while you’re in this season.
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What are you looking to achieve in this season? Different seasons have different goals. Maybe you’re looking to relax more, or automate more tasks, or find a new freelancer. It’s important to identify your goals because it will help you get through the season and prepare you for what’s next.
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Do I have everything I need to make this happen? You need to determine if you have the tools at your disposal to achieve your goals. You may have to contact people or find outside resources. Whatever it is, you need to make sure that you have what you need to make this season a success.
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When is the season coming to a close? It’s important to put a date on things so that you know it won’t last forever. An actual date really helps cement the fact that you are now moving on to a new season of business with new priorities. Sit down and figure out how long you want this season to last and stick to that time-frame.
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What can I do to enjoy this season more? Life is short and we can’t waste it not having fun (even if we’re working). Come up with some fun things you can do to break up your season, or rewards you can give yourself for accomplishing your goals.
Links * The 6-Figure-Freelancer 117: Growth Stages of Your Freelance Biz * Liz White
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As is evident from my last episode, I’ve been a hot mess as of late. This has been true in both my business and my personal life. And that’s ok - it’s ok to be a hot mess every now and then.
In today’s episode, I talk about why it’s ok. I have been feeling a little frazzled lately and I wanted to share with you the tricks I use to get out of my hot mess and back on track to being me.
“I’m doing this for my future family. I’m doing this for my husband. I want to be a good example for these people that I love and am going to love so much. I’m doing this because I want to create a legacy and an asset and I want to grow this company into something that produces money and supports the lifestyle that I want to live.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Why she’s been feeling frazzled and frustrated lately.
- How she got back on track and learned that it’s ok to feel like a hot mess sometimes.
- What her “why” is, and why it’s so important.
Main Takeaways * Lean into the things that help you feel like you. This will help you center and get back on track. * Re-align your why. Ask yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing right now, and see if you’re still on track. If not, figure out why and aim for those objectives in your everyday life. * Zoom out and pause. Look at what you’re doing from above and see if you’re actually doing ok.
Links * 6-Figure Freelancer 103: Slow Down To Speed Up
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We all need clients, right? What if you didn’t have to put so much energy into getting new clients, and they just came to you automatically?
Today we’re talking about some of the secrets I’ve developed that allow me to put my client attraction on autopilot. I’ve got five tips I want to share with you. I’ve used these plenty of times to get me to where I am today, so I hope you are able to put them to use too!
“People are going to come to you, people are going to recommend you, they’re going to talk about you because you’re great at what you do.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- How to effectively reach out to people and get into a pattern of consistent outreach.
- Why you should cast a wide net for potential clients.
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Tips on sharing your expertise for free to attract more potential clients.
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Send two messages a day I’m sending out emails, reaching out to people online and in-person. I’m always adding people to my list so I can grow the leads that will then turn into clients in my freelance business. I’m also messaging at least two of these people every single day. Send out two emails a day so that you’re continually in contact with people in your industry or niche.
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Two coffee meetings a week Don’t just have meetings with industry colleagues for potential work — do it to develop relationships and learn. If you find someone that likes you, that person is a potential channel for business and referrals. Make sure to ask what you can do to support that person, too. They will appreciate it and it will help cement your relationship with them.
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Schedule referral requests You can set your own schedule for how frequently you want to do this, but reach out to past clients with an email, tell them you enjoyed working with them, and ask them if they know of any other people that need the same work. This is a great task for a virtual assistant if you have one.
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Share your expertise It could be online or in-person, but share your expert knowledge. People are watching, and when they think of this subject matter the will ultimately think of you. When people think of you, you get more clients. It’s a great way to stay on top of your industry, help people, and bring in work.
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Create partnerships The more you work with people, whoever it may be, the more relationships you form. If people enjoy being around you, they will recommend you to others. So the more relationships you create, the wider that net can be cast.
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Matt Baker is a money strategist and business coach. He’s passionate about helping entrepreneurs solve their most challenging problems. And as a VP at Freshbooks, he helps millions of self-employed professionals grow their businesses and get paid faster.
Matt grew up in suburban Michigan around lots of industrial and manufacturing jobs. With this kind of work, the amount of money you can make correlates directly to the number of hours you work (overtime, etc.). This mindset was ingrained in Matt early on, as it is with many people.
But Matt realized that the same is true of entrepreneurship. Many people decide to go out on their own, because they want control over their careers and more freedom, but end up just as enslaved and overwhelmed as they were before. Matt believes the key to breaking out of that mindset is pricing your services effectively.
In this episode, Matt and I talk about value-based pricing, and how it can help break out of trading time for dollars. We also cover how to strategize and be more deliberate with your time. As well as how to be more productive with the time you have.
Be sure to check out my link to get started with Freshbooks today. It’s made my life SO much easier!
“You almost never have to do something. You can tell yourself you’ve got to do it and that’s fine, but you can literally pick your destiny, so to speak, when you have the right mindset.”
In this episode Matt talks about:
- Why you should move away from hourly billing.
- The unforeseen benefits of raising your prices.
- Why the mindset of “the more you work, the more you make” persists today, and how it’s changing.
- How to maximize the output of the hours you are working.
Main Takeaways * The best way to make more and work less is to move from hourly pricing to value-based pricing. * When you raise your prices, the people who are only interested in the bottom line might disappear. But you’ll be left with the clients who trust you and value the service you provide. * Set weekly or annual goals and then try to hold yourself to it. It helps you stay focused on the things you think are the most important.
Links * Freshbooks * Breaking The Time Barrier * Win Without Pitching * Matt Baker on Twitter
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I know it sounds crazy. Why would anyone cancel a trip to Bali? Sometimes trusting your intuition can seem crazy to others, but it’s an important skill to cultivate.
A bit of backstory… I was planning to go to Bali on a retreat with my friend about 12 days after my wedding. We were going to surf, do yoga, meditate, and, of course, eat good food. Sounds pretty amazing, right?
The trip was scheduled for right after my wedding and it seemed like a great idea when I booked it. It would be a great way to unplug and unwind after hectic wedding events. However, less than a week before I was going to leave, I decided to cancel it.
In this episode, we’re going to talk about exactly why I canceled the trip, and what I learned from the experience.
“If you’re feeling like a decision that you’re making is feeling weird or wrong or you’re hesitant, ask yourself why. What part of you wants to go on this trip or do this thing or buy that thing? and are there blockages in other areas of your life that might be related to this?”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- The difference between why she thought she wanted to go to Bali, and why she “really” wanted to go.
- How her decision to cancel her trip opened her eyes to other problem spots in her life.
- What she finally realized was “the moral” of this experience.
I felt resistance right from the start I encountered a lot of resistance from myself in even booking the flights, something that should be exciting to do. A lot of little things we’re making me not want to pull the trigger. Turns out, after some self-exploration, I just wanted to go because it would look cool. My ego was telling me to go. This was a great lesson in figuring our what the truest version of myself wanted.
I started paying attention to other areas of my life where I felt resistance Realizing that I didn’t actually want to go on this trip made me examine other parts of my life where I was feeling a similar way. I started asking myself why I felt this resistance and how it was connected to other things going on in my life.
I realized it’s ok to change your mind Even though I lost about $1,500, it felt like a load had been lifted as soon as I made the decision to cancel. I also realized that it’s okay to change your mind. We’re all allowed to make mistakes. It helps us learn to think about things a little more carefully and evaluate whether we truly want them before we say “yes” — professionally or personally.
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Money isn’t everything, but it is one of the main reasons we do what we do. Sometimes we feel like money can be hard to come by or we just need a little more to keep going. Everyone has been there, but few know how to approach those feelings the right way.
This episode centers around using your mind to multiply your income. We have control over so few things in our life, so we should take the opportunity to control the things that we can. One of these things is how much money we can make.
Today, I’m going to give you specific strategies on how to use your mind to benefit your income. Clear your brain and grab a pen and paper because these are real life tips you will want to put into practice right away.
“Money isn’t everything, but money does help a lot and money does give you the tool as a tool. It helps you accomplish the things you want to accomplish. It helps you live the life you want to live in order to then turn around and add even more value to the world.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- The reasons she starts with her mind when searching for more income.
- How her mindset has changed the way she views and spends her money.
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Tips around how you can adjust your mindset around your money and the money you’re going to earn.
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Change your vocabulary This is one of the biggest things keeping people stuck financially. Your brain is hearing what you’re saying and it’s responding. If you’re using negative language regarding money, “I’m broke, I need more money, etc.” then your brain will be convinced that this is the reality. Throw this language away and use affirmations instead!
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Write your affirmations Writing is a powerful signal to your mind that strengthens the neural pathways. You can write your affirmations however you want, but make sure that you are consistent in recording them.
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Meditate on abundance Meditate on the abundant things in your life. Specifically, picture this abundance as something physical, like a shape or color and how it feels. Let this envelop you. It’s a powerful tool that allows abundance to be present in your life.
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Try using cash A great way to visualize your abundance is to use cash. Remember, money is simply a transfer of energy. Using cash helps the purchase you’re making hit home. It’s a great way to repeat the affirmation “there’s more where that came from!”
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Imagine your money Track your income with a spreadsheet or app. Then imagine a few more zeros on those numbers. Think of the difference you can make with that money. This will be a powerful motivator and affirmation around your money and what you can accomplish with it.
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This episode is all about how to get your creative juices flowing. Since my wedding, I feel like I’ve lost my creative flow. Because there was so much going on, my brain was doing and thinking and processing so much that my creativity was on the back burner.
Creativity is one of those things that can be a little fickle when other things are happening in your life. If you’re stressed, if you’re overwhelmed, if you’re very emotional, if you’re going through something personally, it’s hard to find your creative spark or get your creative juices flowing. As I work through getting my creativity going again, I wanted to share my tips with you, too.
“If you have something weighing on you right now, that it’s okay. It’s okay that your creative spark isn’t there, that your creative energy isn’t there temporarily, but you do need to face the facts and sort through your emotions so that you’re able to perform at the level you want to.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- What happened to her creativity since her wedding.
- How this has been affecting her business life.
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What strategies she uses to get her creativity back on track.
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Future pacing your creativity Sitting down and thinking about how you want your creativity to be in the future is a powerful way to get your creativity flowing now. Writing it out helps your brain solidify that neural pathway around creativity and kick starts your brain into feeling creative.
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Take a day off You need to pour into yourself before you can pour into others. Make sure you take some time to do nothing and recharge your batteries. This relaxes the mind and allows creative juices to get flowing again.
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Flex your creative muscle Your brain and creativity are muscles just like anything else. A great way to exercise them is to write down 10 ideas for solving a problem. It doesn’t matter what the problem is, just try to write down 10 creative solutions. Just like that, you’ll find yourself thinking more creatively. Try doing this for 10 minutes every day.
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Move your body There’s a powerful link between your body and your mind. Get out and move your body around. It doesn’t matter if it’s a little or a lot, getting up and moving around will help get your creativity going.
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Sort through your emotions I had to sort through a lot from my wedding and regarding my business and those things were clouding my creativity. To get down to the good stuff (the creativity), you’ve got to unpack and dismantle the emotions on top of it.
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Listen to a podcast and ‘hangout’ with someone that’s going through something similar Listening to podcasts is a great way to grow your brain and learn a bunch of new stuff. But honestly, it’s the best way to figure out how people who are in the same boat as you are dealing with their problems. You can use the new ideas you hear to jumpstart your creativity.
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Make something This sounds counterintuitive, but you can trick your brain into already feeling like it’s creative by forcing yourself to do something that’s inherently creative. It’s a great way to kickstart your creativity!
Links * Bailey Brown’s Pilates
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I realized early on in my freelance business that there was a limit to the amount of work I could take on. I didn’t like it. It made me feel boxed in, and like I was wasn’t in control of how much I could grow.
Trying to figure out a way to scale my business and reach beyond my personal limits was challenging. The best way I found to grow was to hire other great freelancers to help me out.
So, here are some tips about hiring the best freelancers for your business.
“Making your first hire is very important because the moment you do this, the moment you pay someone else to do something that you don’t need to be doing, you are freeing up your own time to do higher ROI tasks.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- How to find the right talent without spending too much time on the process.
- How she manages the people working for her and what she expects from them.
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Her tactics for keeping employees working hard and making sure they are taken care of.
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Write a job description Even if you know what the job is going to be, you need to write a job description. Not just for yourself, but for the people you’re hiring. This is the first filter in finding good people to work with. Be clear about who the company is, what it is that you do, what kind of people you’re looking for — not just the qualities in work and career that they need to have, but also the personal qualities that would make them a good fit.
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Ask for referrals Ask people in your industry for referrals. If they were good for others they might be good for you. This doubles as a pre-vetting process, and can save some figuring out if they would be right for your team.
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Test When you start bringing someone on, make sure you give them a trial period of a couple of weeks to see if they will be a good fit before signing them to a long-term contract. Testing them is how you make sure you maintain quality control for your team and your product. The last thing you want is to terminate a long-term contract because things aren’t working out.
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Negotiate Negotiating is the best way to make sure that everyone gets what they’re comfortable with. Someone may care more about flexibility than pay, and that can be negotiated. It also allows you to get them to work harder for that next pay bump after they prove they’re worth it.
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Set expectations You need to set expectations for what this team member is going to do for you. They need to know all the details of the projects that they are going to be working on. You also need to make sure you are communicating with them in a way that works for them and gives them the opportunity to do their best work.
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Weekly check-ins Checking in on your employees isn’t just for the task, it’s to find out how the employee is doing. They may have something going on in their personal life that is affecting their work. Figuring out what’s going on with them will give you a better idea of what you can expect and how it will impact the business. If you can’t make it happen on a weekly basis, try for bi-weekly.
Links * Asana * Slack
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As many of you know, I got married last week! After surviving the chaos, I put together some tips for how you can stay sane while getting married, or whatever you’re encountering during your day-to-day life. I came away from my wedding weekend with four life lessons that will help you continue to move your life and business forward.
“Your work should be filled with joy and laughter and fun. And so should the moments you spend with your loved ones, the events that you have that you can celebrate and cherish.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- The events surrounding her wedding and the lessons she learned from them.
- Coming to terms with not being able to fully experience every moment all the time.
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Strategies for alleviating stress and staying healthy during busy weeks.
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You can’t catch every moment Your brain can only process so much — it’s impossible to be present for every single thing happening in your life. It’s important to figure out the times that you should be present and soak up as much as possible (like your wedding) and not stress about missing things. Be thankful for what you are able to experience.
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Don’t let stress get the best of you Certain things might go wrong. The question is, will you lets these things ruin your day? Don’t stress. You have friends, family and other people on your team to help you out. Focus on feeling great and being in the moment.
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Have a plan to eat and hydrate I made a spreadsheet for what and when I was going to eat during my wedding week. You probably don’t need to go to that extreme, but make sure you’re planning what you will eat and how you will stay hydrated.
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Have fun! This whole thing should be FUN! We’re meant to have fun in life and this is one of the best opportunities to do just that. If you’re not having fun, re-frame your mindset, or find things to do that are fun! Start with an affirmation that you’re thankful, happy, and having fun!
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This week we're running some of our most popular episodes. Enjoy!
If you’re anything like me, you’re a perfectionist. This is great in a lot of ways and can really help your business grow, but sometimes you need to throw caution to the wind and stop being a perfectionist and people pleaser.
In this episode, we’re going to talk about five ways you can stop being a perfectionist and why it matters. Carve out some time to listen to this episode even if you have work to do because you need to hear it!
“We can ditch the idea of being a perfectionist and get better. We should strive to be imperfect.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Why you should learn to put yourself first in a non-selfish way.
- How she learned to deal with letting people down.
- How focusing on yourself sometimes can benefit others.
Five Ways to Stop Being a Perfectionist 1. Don’t feel bad about letting people down. You can’t hold yourself responsible for other people’s actions or feelings. If you say no to a client, you don’t need to feel bad that they have to find someone else. You are going to let some people down and you need to be ok with that.
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Do the bare minimum. If you’re an over achiever, sometimes it’s ok to take the easy route and do the bare minimum. I guarantee no one will notice. It’s a great way to eliminate some of your stress.
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Allow people to be nice to you. Everyone is human. Your clients will understand if you need a break, you’re sick, or if you’re on vacation. Give them the opportunity to accommodate your “you time”. They will understand.
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Slow down and take breaks. It’s ok to take a long lunch. It’s ok to not work 40 hours a week. It’s ok to breathe! Make sure that you are taking some time and not working yourself to death.
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Take a vacation. Vacation is important. It’s a great way to recharge and your clients will understand that you’re out of the office. You don’t need to punish yourself to please them, so get out there and take a trip!
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This week we're running some of our most popular episodes. Enjoy!
Today’s guest is Ashlee Hightower. Ashlee is an attorney for creatives and the owner of Contracts for Creatives as well as Cobalt Chronicles. In this episode, she talks about what we’re missing in our contracts as freelancers, as well as what we need to do to protect ourselves, protect our businesses, and make sure we’re getting the most out of our contracts.
Ashlee began her career as an attorney working at a large, national law firm. After a few years, she moved into the corporate world (freeing up a lot of her time) and began reading local blogs to find out about things going on in her city, Washington D.C.
Intrigued by the idea of a blog, Ashlee started her own travel and wellness blog. This foray into the creative world allowed Ashlee to connect with more creatives in the D.C. area. She soon realized that many of them were having trouble with contracts, or were afraid of them, because they seemed to complicate the creative process.
As people began to come to her with questions about contracts, word got out and her new business, Contracts for Creatives, was born.
This episode is crucial. It’s one of those things you don’t want to mess around with in your freelance business and that’s why I brought Ashlee onto the show. She has all the education, the background, the knowledge to give us the right advice to create the best contracts we can.
“In the creative space, it’s very important that the intellectual property rights are outlined thoroughly in your contract and that you’re aware of what rights you’re giving away to a client.”
In this episode Ashlee talks about: * Her background in law and how she ended up in the creative space * What a contract is in its most basic form and the biggest mistakes creatives are making in their contracts * How freelancers can keep themselves safe through their contracts
Main Takeaways * A contract is just a simple document outlining the collaboration between two parties. Make sure every detail, especially payment plans, are in your contract and that there is no confusion on what you’ll be delivering and how and when you will get paid. * Be very specific about details in your contract and make sure that you give yourself a way out. * Expect red lines (changes) to the contracts that you send over to your clients. It’s a normal process and can actually benefit you. Pick your battles and decide if it the changes are worth potentially losing a client.
Links * Cobalt Chronicles * Contract for Creatives
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
This week we're running some of our most popular episodes. Enjoy!
In this episode, we’re talking about one of my favorite things on the planet: Instagram. More specifically, Instagram Stories.
I was checking my numbers and I realized that in the last 12 months alone I have had $35,000 of work come in just through Instagram stories. That is a crazy amount of money! I truly believe that stories are the most valuable part of the whole Instagram platform.
Today, I wanted to talk about exactly how that’s working for me, what I do in order to create relationships with people through Instagram Stories, and how you can play the long game on Instagram.
Instagram doesn’t have to work the same for each and every person. It depends on who you are and what you like and what you’re hoping to accomplish with your business and the platform itself. This is just what has worked for me.
“Clients or prospects feel like they know you and they like you because they keep watching you and they want to work with you somehow. So when you show them ‘hey, this is what I do on Instagram Stories’ and show behind the scenes, they’re going to be wowed.”
Using IG stories to land clients 1. Show up every single day. Consistency is key. It doesn’t matter if you have great content or not, it could be something basic or simple. Just make sure that you are posting something that your audience can engage with.
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Document, don’t create. Anything interesting that you experience in your day-to-day you should document. You don’t need to make something super interesting, just capture what’s going on in your every day life.
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Show up on video. Videos with sound have very high rates of engagement on IG Stories. So it’s important to show up on video, with sound, with your face at least a couple of times a week. And remember that analytics are important and you should be checking them.
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Show off your brand. Your brand is who you are. You need to live it and show it off on Stories if you want to keep engagement up. People are interested in the little personal things that make you your brand. Make sure to show off bits of your day that make you, you!
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Encourage engagement. Instagram has a lot of ways to get people engaged. Whether its polls or sliders or anything else they have, use these so that people will interact with your content. Post these frequently so that you stay at the top of people’s minds.
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Respond to people who interact with you. Don’t just let comments and messages fall by the wayside. Respond. It’s not hard to explore people’s profiles and find out a little bit about them and craft a meaningful response to something they said. This is how new clients are made.
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
This week we're running some of our most popular episodes. Enjoy!
We’ve all had coffee meetings where we sit down with someone just to “pick your brain”. Today, we’re talking about why those meetings are actually super important, and how you can maximize your ROI from a simple get-together.
We’ll dive into some strategies to help you make sure your meetings have a purpose, and both parties get value. While these meetings are important, you want to make sure that no one leaves feeling like it was a waste of time or that it was all give and no take. These meetings should be mutually beneficial. It is totally possible to make these kinds of meetings mutually beneficial and valuable for your business.
“Prepare ahead of time and go into this meeting with a list of questions and ideas that you want to discuss and talk about. You should be going into that meeting knowing exactly what to say and how to say it confidently.”
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Know your purpose Why are you asking this person to meet? You need to know exactly what you want to walk away with, and it’s important to begin with the end in mind because you don’t want to waste your time or theirs.
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Prepare ahead of time Go into this meeting with a list of questions and ideas that you want to discuss and talk about. Don’t get caught saying, “um”, and “uh”, when you’re in front of someone that you’re asking for advice. You should be going into the meeting knowing exactly what to say and how to say it confidently.
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Lead the meeting You called the meeting, you lead the meeting. This will come naturally if you prepare ahead of time, but don’t make it feel like the person you’re asking advice from needs to keep the conversation going. Lead the meeting confidently so you get what you want out of it.
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Ask intelligent questions If you’re prepared, go back over your questions and make sure that they’re intelligent. These questions need to be crafted so that you can extract as much information in as little time as necessary. No one likes to sit around and talk about the weather.
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Be mindful of the time This person took time out of their busy schedule to talk to you for a set amount of time. Don’t make them feel like they are the ones that need to wrap up the meeting because you’re talking so much. Have a plan to end the meeting so they don’t feel like they have to.
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Say thank you A “thank you” goes a long way. I recommend thanking them on the spot, and then sending a follow-up email thanking them for taking time to meet with you. They’re giving you the gift of information, and that’s worth saying thanks for. This will give you the bonus of being remembered by that person in the future.
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
This is going to be a bit of a niche episode. As many of you know, I’m getting married soon, and all of the planning that needs to happen around this wedding can get to be a little much at times.
I know I’m not the only entrepreneur out there planning a wedding (or planning one in the near future). Today we’ll explore how to get all of the planning done while running your business and staying sane at the same time.
If you’re walking down the aisle soon, the tips in this episode might just make your big day a little easier.
“The reason we get overwhelmed with tasks is because we don’t see clarity. We don’t see when it’s all going to get done. Having a project management system is essential.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- How she manages all of her due dates and tasks for the wedding.
- Her strategies around time management for wedding-related tasks.
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How she relies on herself and people she trusts to get everything done.
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Treat planning like a client or job It will be difficult for you to remember all the things you have to do before a wedding, so a great strategy is to treat it like a job. Get a task management tool and write down all your tasks with due dates. That will help you stay on top of everything that needs to happen.
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Prioritize Certain aspects of your wedding might not need as much attention as others. Figure out what you need to do and what you can delegate to other people (like your fiancé) to take care of. This way the important parts of your wedding will turn out the way you want.
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Theme your days This is a trick I pulled over from my business. Block time (days or hours) to dedicate to wedding planning. This way you’re not throwing it in-between your business tasks, but instead putting yourself in a zone of working on wedding things.
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Ask for help It’s okay to ask for help, especially if you’re running a business and trying to plan for a wedding. Find the people that you can trust to help you plan and see if they would be willing to take a couple of tasks off your plate.
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Take care of yourself Make sure that you are taking care of you. A great way is to let little things slide and focus on behavior that is rewarding, such as eating healthy and exercising.
Links * Free Class: How to Get a Steady Flow of High-Paying (and High-Quality) Clients * Asana
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
I work hard to have a positive mindset every day. But sometimes it’s just not enough and the stress ends up getting the better of me. With running my business, planning my wedding, and moving, I’ve been overwhelmed and stressed as of late.
Even though my life is stressful right now, it’s a great opportunity to talk about how to effectively manage stress when you’re running your own business.
In today’s episode, I’ll review four tips for managing your stress. Some are mental, some are physical, and all of them are important. If you’ve ever dealt with stress, this is the episode for you.
“A lot of times managing stress starts with having a foundational practice or foundational principles that you can go back to easily.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- What stress actually is and how it affects our bodies.
- Strategies for mentally dealing with stress.
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What you can do physically to combat stressful periods and bring them into check.
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Meditate Meditate every day, even if it’s just for a minute or two. It’s a great way to center yourself and remember that there is beauty in being still, and that there are good things to be thankful for.
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Look at the big picture If you’re not a heart surgeon (or something similar), your average day doesn’t mean life or death for someone. There’s something comforting in remembering that what you do probably won’t affect the outcome of the world that much. Keep things in perspective!
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Breathe and align your mind and body Take four deep breaths while counting in your head at the same time. It’s a great way to realign your body and mind it’s also a great strategy for when you’re actively feeling stressed. It’s very anchoring and comforting.
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Do something for you Whether it’s a hobby or a sport or an artistic expression, make sure you’re doing something that you want to do at least once a week. It’s important to make sure that you’re taking care of your desires as well as other people’s, otherwise you just keep building stress.
Links * Free Class: How to Get a Steady Flow of High-Paying (and High-Quality) Clients * Headspace App * Kwik Brain Podcast
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today I talk with Kate Jones of Kate Waldo and Co. She’s the organizational queen. Kate is a professional organizer for influencers, and she gives them the tools they need to streamline and organize the behind-the-scenes of their businesses so they can focus on what they love.
In this episode, we talk about one of the things that used to stress me out the most in my business: finances and taxes. It can be an uncomfortable topic, but we’re going to show you today how you can change that.
Kate is passionate about this topic because part of her own business is to help bloggers organize every aspect of their operation, which includes optimizing their finances and taxes.
Necessary disclaimer: neither of us are CPAs and we’re simply giving our advice on how we handle tax season. Regardless, this episode contains a lot of good advice that can help you feel less stressed about taxes and finances.
“I think the most important thing to keep in mind is that what you do is valuable and it is not a strength of everyone else. It’s your job to bring it to the world to help other people do something that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to do.”
In this episode Kate talks about:
- Basic tips around organizing your finances.
- How to get a handle on your money and how often you should be checking in on it.
- The top mistakes Kate sees entrepreneurs making when it comes to taxes.
Main Takeaways * Make sure you have separate business and personal accounts. You’ll be thankful when tax season rolls around. Likewise, stay on top of your book keeping to make things run smoothly! * You should have a reliable timetable around checking your finances. Start with a check in every week, and a deep-dive every month. If you’re hiring out this service, you can have reports sent to you on a regular basis, but “not checking” is not an option. * Ignorance is bliss, except when it comes to taxes. Make sure you take it seriously. Put money aside and track the items you can write off. You don’t want to get to tax time and find out you owe thousands of dollars, or can’t prove your write offs.
Links * Kate Waldo and Co * The 4 Step Framework for an Organized Influencer Business * Kate Waldo on Instagram * Mint * Quickbooks * Hub Doc
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today we’re talking about how to give clients proof of the transformation you are offering them. This is something that is a little tricky, and is one of the ways you can hurt a sale if you don’t get it right.
This was born out of a question I received through Instagram: “In a service based creative business, how can you provide guarantees that when working with us, we will do a good job to take our business and our clients’ business to another level?”
We’re going to cover four ways you can provide proof of your value, and some tips on exactly how you can communicate that value to your clients.
“As soon as someone feels comfortable, they trust you and they feel confident. That is when they’re going to say yes, that’s when they’re going to take out their wallet and throw the dollar bills at you.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Why giving your clients proof of transformation matters to your business.
- How you actively deliver transformation to your clients through your business.
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What parts of your transformation you can share with your client upfront to build trust and land the sale.
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Provide social proof Humans want to have their decisions affirmed. We want to look around and see that we’re doing the same things as other people. Creating case studies and showing off other brands you’ve worked with validates your transformation process in the eyes of the client you’re trying to land.
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Prove expertise Case studies and examples help with this, but showing your thought process proves that you are an expert. Showing that you have a methodology builds credibility and proves to your client that you’re actually an expert.
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Prove you have a plan Showing your clients the plan you have in place to implement their transformation removes the doubts they might have of working with you. Provide key pieces of your plan to them so they can see the legitimacy of it and how it will transform their business.
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Give samples Give them a small fix to a problem or an idea that will help show that they won’t need to hold your hand through the process. This will also give them a little taste of what its like to work with you or your company.
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Avani’s Master Class * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
People have been asking me a lot lately about mistakes freelancers make. So in this episode we talk about the top mistakes you might be making when trying to get clients.
As we all know, getting clients isn’t easy. It takes a lot of work. In this episode I identify the mistakes that I see freelancers making all the time when trying to get clients. Some are easy to fix, some are not.
If you’ve been struggling to land clients, give this episode a listen because it might just be the advice you’re looking for.
“Grab all the best practices from everyone. Implement and see what happens. See what the results are, see if it’s better or worse. Start to look at getting clients scientifically.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- How you can connect to potential clients.
- Why consistency is key in trying to land new clients.
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How your communication to potential clients might be hurting you (or at least not helping).
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Stopping outreach too soon If you’ve been reaching out to clients with two messages a day, don’t stop. A lot of entrepreneurs stop too soon if they get radio silence back from a potential client. Keep on doing it because practice makes perfect and eventually it will stick.
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Optimize your messaging Reaching out is good, but it might not be good enough. You need to optimize. You might be sending messages offering something that your potential client doesn’t want. Go back, check your communications, and ask yourself (and others) if there’s a way you can optimize your messaging.
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Communicate the transformation I see too many freelancers not clearly communicating how they will help. You need to tell the potential client the vehicle, current state, process, and future state. That is: how you will get them there (vehicle), why they need it (current state), how you’ll do it (process), and what it will be like when you’re done (future state).
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Have a buyer mentality, not a seller mentality A seller will offer their services to anyone for a buck, and has a sense of desperation that people don’t like. A buyer will be discerning about which clients will be a good fit, which makes your clients respect and desire your services even more.
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Life is busy. Busyness is good because it shows we’re getting things done, but often our routines and habits can suffer.
Sometimes that’s no big deal. Certain habits can fall by the way side and not be picked up for a while. But there are probably some crucial habits that you want to be doing (or were doing) and you need help bringing them back.
This episode is all about getting those habits back and strategies to help them stick. We’ve all done it, so this episode is here to help you reboot your habits.
“Everything you need to do in this life, in this world, is already inside of you. Habits and consistency are just a way to have that come out. To help you really flourish in this world.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- The reason habits are important and what they can do for you day-to-day.
- Why you shouldn’t get defeated if your habits fall by the way side, or take some time off.
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How your habits affect your identity as a person.
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Start small Starting small gives you at least a starting point for continuing your habit. Even if you squeeze in whatever it is for a few minutes every day, it will give you the momentum and motivation to do it the next day and the next.
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Stack the habit You probably already have a habit that you don’t break. Whether it’s combing your hair or brushing your teeth, there’s something you likely do most days without fail. Use these habits as a way to kick-start other habits. Block some time right before or right after, or during (like a shower) to get these other habits back on track.
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Be accountable to other people Work with friends or family to do habits together or use them as accountability. If other people are relying on you to do something or at least expecting that they will hear about it, you’re more likely to do it.
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Remind yourself who you want to be It’s easier to form a habit when you change your identity. If you want to reform a habit, think about yourself actively as a person who does that habit and then those actions will feel tied to your identity as a person and be easier to do.
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Know Your Why You need to be able to understand why you are doing your habits. Don’t do anything “just because”. Really understand the outcomes of your habits and the impact they have on your life.
Links * Atomic Habits by James Clear
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
I was recently talking to my friend Jason Resnick from Feast and I found the content of our conversation too important and helpful not to share with you all. This episode is pulled from our conversation and covers many topics that will help you in your own business. From how he started coaching, to how he thinks about advertising, and more.
Jason is a coach for freelancers and he runs his own development agency. He’s also created an amazing community called Feast. It’s a freelancers roadmap and community for you to niche down, specialize in your business, and build recurring revenue.
From group coaching to building products, Jason’s business has continued to evolve as the needs of his clients have changed. Many of the services and products he’s added to his business are a direct result of his customers and clients asking him for specific things.
One of his biggest challenges as a business owner and coach is managing group dynamics and working through realistic timelines for helping clients make significant strides in their work. Jason works through his challenges by continuing to test and adapt his methods, which is something we dig deeper into during this conversation.
Jason is still doing coaching and development in addition to his podcast called Live in the Feast in which he interviews other freelancers and influencers. He picks their brain about all sorts of topics and always has great insight into whatever the subject may be.
“You need to have organization methods and understand how to sell. Sales is not a joke and I think a lot of people in our industries are not comfortable with selling.”
In this episode Jason talked about:
- How he got started building “Feast”, and the questions people were asking that inspired him to start coaching.
- How he gets his listeners or viewers to convert into full coaching clients.
- His strategies and thoughts around advertising on digital platforms and how he runs his ads.
Main Takeaways * You have to dive in deep to someone’s business, and sit down with them in order to give them the right kind of advice and value. * Give people a little taste of what they can expect from you or your service so you know if they will be in for the long haul, or are just a quick buck. * If you’re going to coach someone, make sure you have a plan, a timeline, and clear expectations on what they will take away from it at the end.
Important Mentions * Feast Community + Coaching * Live in the Feast Podcast * Jason on Twitter * Jason on Instagram
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
We all want to live happy, productive lives. But that’s easier said than done. We have a million things going on and sometimes it feels like we’re just trying to keep our head above water.
In today’s episode, I’m going to share my strategies for making things just a little bit easier so we can all live more productive, happier lives. If you’ve been stressed and want to figure out a way to lighten the load a little bit, this episode is for you.
“Asking for help is a talent. Not everyone can do it. And if you get good at asking for help, you will be great at building anything you want.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- How to ask for help, and why it’s a skill that will help you in every aspect of your life.
- The power of mindset, and how thinking about things being easier can actually make things easier.
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Understanding when and how to cut things out of your life.
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Ask for help Whether it’s contractors, family, or friends: you can’t do it all by yourself. When things get a little too hairy, make sure you ask for help. It’s an easy way to make your life a little less stressful. It takes skill to ask for help properly, so make sure you exercise the talent and don’t abuse it.
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Put something on the chopping block Go through your task list and ask yourself if certain things really need to be done or if they align with your long term goals. If you can chop something and everything else would be fine, then do it. This is a quick way to make things easier for yourself.
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Visualize ease It might sound strange, but visualizing what “ease” looks like and then applying that feeling to your tasks makes them a lot easier. It’s a simple thing that everyone can do to put your brain in a better place when approaching tasks.
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today’s guest is Ashley Copeland. Ashley is a blogger, podcaster and YouTuber who focuses on investing and growing your money — specifically how you can make your money work for you, and grow it passively.
Ashley has a podcast and a YouTube channel called Stacks and the City, which is all about how to get money, save money, and be financially savvy while still living a very urban, millennial lifestyle. She has a six-figure net worth and built it through real estate and investments.
Ashley’s journey goes all the back to her childhood. She was raised by a single, working mom and lived below the poverty line even with her mom working multiple jobs. She knew that she never wanted to feel like that in adulthood, so as a teenager, she started reading investment books and figuring out the best way to bolster her income for the long-term.
For Ashley, there was no other choice but to save money on things like shopping and eating out, so she could focus on building her investments and provide a foundation for her future. That line of thinking is what lead her to teaching others about money and the power of investing.
In this episode, we discuss making money as a freelancer, how you can increase your income, and how to manage a team. Everything we talk about is centered around increasing your income, so when you’re making the big bucks you don’t just have that money sitting in a bank account.
“I think that some of the money issues that our peers have are because they feel like they need to keep up with the Jones’s or keep up on Instagram.”
In this episode Ashley talks about:
- Her personal background and inspiration for her wealth management.
- The best way that you can start building wealth today and how to make it last into the future.
- The biggest mistakes she sees millennials making with their money.
Main Takeaways * Fear and lack of knowledge is the main thing keeping people from getting into the investment game. You need to take a leap of faith. * Reduce your debt and understand that wealth building takes a life time. Pick your niche and stick with it. It’s the best way to build wealth. * Friends and peer pressure pushing you to spend too much money is a huge problem with millennials and their relationship with money. * Purchasing real estate and getting a roommate for said real estate is one of the best ways to grow your wealth early on.
Links * Stacks and the City * Ashley on Instagram * Ashley on YouTube * Stacks and the City Podcast
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Sometimes you land in a funk and it feels like life is just out to get you. Last week, that was me. I had a few days that didn’t go very well. This happens to everyone at one point or another. So the question is, how do you handle it? On today’s episode, I want to share a few tips on how I handle those “manic moments”.
At the end of the day, when we have crazy moments of anxiety, stress, tension, or just negative things in our lives, we get to choose how we face them. We can either reach into our toolbox and pull out tools that we have cultivated and established over time, or we can just let it take over us and become the victim of the situation.
I’m sure you’ve experienced the same thing, so let’s dive in and learn how to overcome those frustrating times.
“Real impact is different than just filling in the holes and being reactive. So if you’re going to be able to be proactive and pick the things that matter, that you should actually worry about and give your attention to, then your manic moments will dissipate faster.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Things that can wreak havoc in your week.
- How to reach deep and overcome the craziness of what’s going on.
- Key things to keep in mind to help deal with all the stress.
Main Takeaways * Let yourself feel your feelings. It’s ok to let feelings manifest as long as they don’t take over the situation that you’re in. * Make sure you eat! Your mood (or at least mine) can be very dependent on if you’ve eaten lately. Your body needs fuel! * Zoom out and realize that this is one small situation in your entire life. Keep the big picture in mind and you’ll feel better about the craziness.
Links * Chakra Girl Radio Podcast * The Journey Junky on YouTube
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
I’m excited to talk with Victoria Levitan on today’s episode. She and I talk about a lot of nitty gritty details about how you can use video to make a splash in your business, and to grow the audience you’ve always wanted to have.
Victoria is an online video expert, and her mission is to help online service providers and entrepreneurs figure out how to share their message and grow an audience using video. Her goal is to make video marketing easy and accessible for people who want to learn how to do it right.
Originally from Switzerland, Victoria came over to the U.S. 10 years ago to attend college. Being an introvert and far from home, she wanted a way to connect with people online, so about four years ago she started a personal blog. Video was an extension of her desire to connect with people online in a meaningful way.
Victoria believes that video is so powerful and important because you get to connect with a real human being. You see them on camera, you see their personality, and you get to know them. You are building real relationships because they become a person you start liking and trusting.
“When you go into business for yourself, or even if you just try to do something completely out of the ordinary, it really is about having that mindset that you can do it and believing in yourself.”
In this episode Victoria talks about:
- Why video is so powerful and critical for building your business.
- The biggest mistakes she sees people making with video content.
- They type of content freelancers and business people should be making with video.
Main Takeaways * Video allows you to connect with real humans on a personal level and builds trust in a way that other mediums can’t. * When selling a product or service, make sure to talk about what you can offer clients first and talk about yourself second. * Instagram stories is an easy way to break into the video world. Posting simple content from your every daily life can get your followers and potential clients engaged because it humanizes you.
Links * Victoria Levitan * Victoria Levitan on Instagram * Victoria Levitan (personal) on Instagram * Victoria Levitan YouTube
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
I’m back from vacation and ready to talk about money! Specifically, I want to talk about how I pulled off $40k in June. I love talking about this subject because it gives me the opportunity to save you some time and stress by showing you how you can achieve similar results.
Here are three strategies I used to finally hit a $40k month and all the details around building up to that number. I’ll also talk a little bit about my revenue, expenses, and the “boring” stuff of making money.
“Have your goal literally be the background music playing in your life. You are in the process of brainwashing your own brain to make this dream, this goal, a reality.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Where she got the inspiration to hit $40k months.
- Her strategies for tracking her money and getting to that number.
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The three mantras she implemented to finally get her above that magic number.
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Thinking You need to become obsessed with your goal. This helps prime your brain to take in the information that will help you achieve that goal. Think about it all the time, make it the background music of your life!
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Feeling Thinking is important, but feeling is equally important. You need to feel what it will be like when that money finally starts rolling in. Emotion is energy and it will attract similar energy: AKA your goal!
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Acting You can’t just hope that things fall into your lap. You need to act! When information and energy come to you, act on it. Strategize about how you will get to where you want to be and take massive action. Setting goals, raising rates, finding clients - all of it requires action.
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
We’ve all had coffee meetings where we sit down with someone just to “pick your brain”. Today, we’re talking about why those meetings are actually super important, and how you can maximize your ROI from a simple get-together.
We’ll dive into some strategies to help you make sure your meetings have a purpose, and both parties get value. While these meetings are important, you want to make sure that no one leaves feeling like it was a waste of time or that it was all give and no take. These meetings should be mutually beneficial. It is totally possible to make these kinds of meetings mutually beneficial and valuable for your business.
“Prepare ahead of time and go into this meeting with a list of questions and ideas that you want to discuss and talk about. You should be going into that meeting knowing exactly what to say and how to say it confidently.”
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Know your purpose Why are you asking this person to meet? You need to know exactly what you want to walk away with, and it’s important to begin with the end in mind because you don’t want to waste your time or theirs.
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Prepare ahead of time Go into this meeting with a list of questions and ideas that you want to discuss and talk about. Don’t get caught saying, “um”, and “uh”, when you’re in front of someone that you’re asking for advice. You should be going into the meeting knowing exactly what to say and how to say it confidently.
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Lead the meeting You called the meeting, you lead the meeting. This will come naturally if you prepare ahead of time, but don’t make it feel like the person you’re asking advice from needs to keep the conversation going. Lead the meeting confidently so you get what you want out of it.
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Ask intelligent questions If you’re prepared, go back over your questions and make sure that they’re intelligent. These questions need to be crafted so that you can extract as much information in as little time as necessary. No one likes to sit around and talk about the weather.
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Be mindful of the time This person took time out of their busy schedule to talk to you for a set amount of time. Don’t make them feel like they are the ones that need to wrap up the meeting because you’re talking so much. Have a plan to end the meeting so they don’t feel like they have to.
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Say thank you A “thank you” goes a long way. I recommend thanking them on the spot, and then sending a follow-up email thanking them for taking time to meet with you. They’re giving you the gift of information, and that’s worth saying thanks for. This will give you the bonus of being remembered by that person in the future.
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
You are your own boss, so why are you still working the same hours as a corporate gig? Today, we’re going to talk about why the 40-hour work week is obsolete and inefficient. As entrepreneurs, we just don’t need it any more. You can get as much work done (if not more) in less time! Why are we holding ourselves to a standard that is obsolete and doing it in our businesses where we’re our own bosses?
The standard work week is built on early industrial organizations where it was more efficient for companies to operate within a set number of hours, and owners wanted to get the most physical possible from each employees. This is not the age we live in any longer. Automation and technological advancements have made this mindset outdated and obsolete.
These six simple steps will liberate you from an old-fashioned working stigma and put your wants and needs first.
“Let’s make sure that we have a life and we design our lives in a way that our business fits in and not the other way around.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Where the 40-hour work week came from and why it’s irrelevant in today’s world.
- How you, as an entrepreneur, are different than a 9-5 employee.
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Why you need to take back your time from work, and how it will benefit your life.
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Designate theme days in your week I think theme days are really game changing because it allows us to focus on certain things and think a certain way on those specific days. If you are constantly switching the way you’re thinking, you’re losing energy! Try and group all your similar tasks for one day, so you can make the most of your mindset.
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Plan around your life Take a step back from your busy schedule and find out what is important to you, then design your week around that. Life is too short to be completely consumed by your work. Put yourself and your health first.
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Use your creative surges to your advantage We’re not always going to have great ideas or feel creative, and that’s ok. It’s ok to work during nontraditional hours. If you feel that creative surge coming on, take advantage of it and get some work done, even if it’s outside regular business hours.
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Treat your desk as a sacred space Take charge of your time and don’t procrastinate. If you’re at your desk, eliminate distractions and focus on your tasks. One hour can be equivalent to three hours of a typical 9-5 employee if you concentrate.
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Prioritize your tasks This one is critical. If you don’t put a hierarchy around your tasks, there’s no way you will be able to organize what you need to be working on right now. Figure out the ROI for your tasks and organize them appropriately.
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Prioritize your inbox A million emails can feel overwhelming. You need to go through and triage your inbox and figure out what is actually important and what is just stressing you out. Figure out who needs responses and what can go in the trash. It will lighten your load significantly.
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
If you’re anything like me, you’re a perfectionist. This is great in a lot of ways and can really help your business grow, but sometimes you need to throw caution to the wind and stop being a perfectionist and people pleaser.
In this episode, we’re going to talk about five ways you can stop being a perfectionist and why it matters. Carve out some time to listen to this episode even if you have work to do because you need to hear it!
“We can ditch the idea of being a perfectionist and get better. We should strive to be imperfect.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Why you should learn to put yourself first in a non-selfish way.
- How she learned to deal with letting people down.
- How focusing on yourself sometimes can benefit others.
Five Ways to Stop Being a Perfectionist 1. Don’t feel bad about letting people down. You can’t hold yourself responsible for other people’s actions or feelings. If you say no to a client, you don’t need to feel bad that they have to find someone else. You are going to let some people down and you need to be ok with that.
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Do the bare minimum. If you’re an over achiever, sometimes it’s ok to take the easy route and do the bare minimum. I guarantee no one will notice. It’s a great way to eliminate some of your stress.
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Allow people to be nice to you. Everyone is human. Your clients will understand if you need a break, you’re sick, or if you’re on vacation. Give them the opportunity to accommodate your “you time”. They will understand.
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Slow down and take breaks. It’s ok to take a long lunch. It’s ok to not work 40 hours a week. It’s ok to breathe! Make sure that you are taking some time and not working yourself to death.
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Take a vacation. Vacation is important. It’s a great way to recharge and your clients will understand that you’re out of the office. You don’t need to punish yourself to please them, so get out there and take a trip!
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
In this episode, we’re talking about one of my favorite things on the planet: Instagram. More specifically, Instagram Stories.
I was checking my numbers and I realized that in the last 12 months alone I have had $35,000 of work come in just through Instagram stories. That is a crazy amount of money! I truly believe that stories are the most valuable part of the whole Instagram platform.
Today, I wanted to talk about exactly how that’s working for me, what I do in order to create relationships with people through Instagram Stories, and how you can play the long game on Instagram.
Instagram doesn’t have to work the same for each and every person. It depends on who you are and what you like and what you’re hoping to accomplish with your business and the platform itself. This is just what has worked for me.
“Clients or prospects feel like they know you and they like you because they keep watching you and they want to work with you somehow. So when you show them ‘hey, this is what I do on Instagram Stories’ and show behind the scenes, they’re going to be wowed.”
Using IG stories to land clients 1. Show up every single day. Consistency is key. It doesn’t matter if you have great content or not, it could be something basic or simple. Just make sure that you are posting something that your audience can engage with.
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Document, don’t create. Anything interesting that you experience in your day-to-day you should document. You don’t need to make something super interesting, just capture what’s going on in your every day life.
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Show up on video. Videos with sound have very high rates of engagement on IG Stories. So it’s important to show up on video, with sound, with your face at least a couple of times a week. And remember that analytics are important and you should be checking them.
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Show off your brand. Your brand is who you are. You need to live it and show it off on Stories if you want to keep engagement up. People are interested in the little personal things that make you your brand. Make sure to show off bits of your day that make you, you!
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Encourage engagement. Instagram has a lot of ways to get people engaged. Whether its polls or sliders or anything else they have, use these so that people will interact with your content. Post these frequently so that you stay at the top of people’s minds.
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Respond to people who interact with you. Don’t just let comments and messages fall by the wayside. Respond. It’s not hard to explore people’s profiles and find out a little bit about them and craft a meaningful response to something they said. This is how new clients are made.
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today’s guest is Ashlee Hightower. Ashlee is an attorney for creatives and the owner of Contracts for Creatives as well as Cobalt Chronicles. In this episode, she talks about what we’re missing in our contracts as freelancers, as well as what we need to do to protect ourselves, protect our businesses, and make sure we’re getting the most out of our contracts.
Ashlee began her career as an attorney working at a large, national law firm. After a few years, she moved into the corporate world (freeing up a lot of her time) and began reading local blogs to find out about things going on in her city, Washington D.C.
Intrigued by the idea of a blog, Ashlee started her own travel and wellness blog. This foray into the creative world allowed Ashlee to connect with more creatives in the D.C. area. She soon realized that many of them were having trouble with contracts, or were afraid of them, because they seemed to complicate the creative process.
As people began to come to her with questions about contracts, word got out and her new business, Contracts for Creatives, was born.
This episode is crucial. It’s one of those things you don’t want to mess around with in your freelance business and that’s why I brought Ashlee onto the show. She has all the education, the background, the knowledge to give us the right advice to create the best contracts we can.
“In the creative space, it’s very important that the intellectual property rights are outlined thoroughly in your contract and that you’re aware of what rights you’re giving away to a client.”
In this episode Ashlee talks about: * Her background in law and how she ended up in the creative space * What a contract is in its most basic form and the biggest mistakes creatives are making in their contracts * How freelancers can keep themselves safe through their contracts
Main Takeaways * A contract is just a simple document outlining the collaboration between two parties. Make sure every detail, especially payment plans, are in your contract and that there is no confusion on what you’ll be delivering and how and when you will get paid. * Be very specific about details in your contract and make sure that you give yourself a way out. * Expect red lines (changes) to the contracts that you send over to your clients. It’s a normal process and can actually benefit you. Pick your battles and decide if it the changes are worth potentially losing a client.
Links * Cobalt Chronicles * Contract for Creatives
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
What does it mean to really listen to our clients? Have you ever gone back to a client asking for more clarification or a seeking a better understanding of the project even though you’ve already had a meeting?
Here are fives strategies that I think will change the way you listen to your clients. They are effective, easy steps you can take to impress your clients right from the get go, and make your freelancing life a lot easier.
“Listen to them [your customers] in order to deliver better, higher quality work that actually moves the needle for them. And then, in turn, you.”
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Ask a lot of questions Questions don’t make you look dumb, they make you look like you care, and that you want to deliver the best possible product you can. So, ask away, because you will need that information.
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Take notes Don’t assume your clients are writing things down. Take notes in every meeting and even send out action items afterward if needed. Taking notes is critical in making sure you’ve captured all possible, relevant information that was given during a meeting.
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Repeat and paraphrase A great way to show that you’re listening well is to repeat back in your own words what you hear your clients saying (a good way of asking questions as well). This shows them that you grasp the concept and you understand what you will be working on with them.
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Don’t interrupt Interrupting shows that you’re thinking about what you want to say and not what the client is saying. Wait for the right break in the conversation to make your point, but focus on listening!
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Read between their words Sometimes, even after implementing all your listening strategies, you need to look for what’s not being said. Connect the dots and dig a little deeper with your client so that you can get a full picture of their needs.
Links * Seven Thousand Ways to Listen: Staying Close to What Is Sacred by Mark Nepo * Chris Sacca’s Tweet on taking notes
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today’s guest is Shaylene Cameron. Shaylene is a sales consultant for service-based entrepreneurs, helping them transform their limiting beliefs around success, and teaching them how to sell high-ticket services without feeling “salesy”.
Shaylene started in the health and wellness industry as a personal trainer, quickly moving into a management role. Over time, she hired 12 trainers and drove one million in sales. At that point, she envisioned climbing the corporate ladder in that space and moved across the country to pursue that path.
However, she quickly lost interest in the corporate world, so she jumped ship and started her own business. Not something she ever intended on doing - at least not so early in her life.
Today, she helps female entrepreneurs develop the mindset and habits necessary to have a high performing business without having to sacrifice who they are or what it is that they want. She’s passionate about helping others understand their limiting beliefs about themselves and money, and works to help her clients create an abundance mindset.
We talk about the limiting beliefs we have around money, and dive into some tips on how to throw out those beliefs and create a healthy relationship with money.
“Whether somebody is really wealthy or somebody doesn’t have a lot of wealth, we should be able to come to a place where we’re fairly neutral about how we feel about our finances.”
In this episode Shaylene talks about:
- Why our relationship with money is important.
- How to change your limiting beliefs around money.
- Recognizing toxic thought patterns and how to shift away from them.
Main Takeaways * As entrepreneurs, we don’t always have the benefit of a steady paycheck, so it’s important to satiate our fundamental need for security by understanding where our money comes from and how it works. * Write down your limiting belief, and then the opposite of that belief. Support both with three pieces of evidence and then rate them zero to 10. This will help you create new space in your mind for a positive attitude about money. * Money doesn’t buy happiness. If you find yourself defining your worth by your earnings, check it and work to shift it toward a more abundant mindset.
Links * Shaylene Cameron Mentoring * Shaylene on Instagram * Real Business | Real Talk * Happy Pocket Full of Money * Mind Your Business Podcast
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Money is money, right? What if I told you that I turned down a $35,000 project. That’s right, it’s a lot of money, but sometimes other things are more important.
In today’s episode, I talk about why I turned down such a big project and the lessons you can learn from it. In short, life happens and we have to understand where our business ends and where we begin in order to stay sane when things, like a wedding, come up.
Our businesses are a lot of who we are as entrepreneurs and it is a huge part of my identity. While this alone is neither bad nor good, I think it’s a good thing right now because it’s really motivating to me to work hard. I have fun working hard and moving toward my goals at this point in my life, but I also have to find ways to balance that with my personal life.
We’ll dive into the details of this project, my thought process for saying no, why it’s good to walk away from certain projects, and how you can get in tune with your inner voice to understand what you really want.
“Saying no allowed me to strengthen my boundaries, reaffirm to my subconscious mind that I do things in a certain way, and that I respect myself, my brain, and my sanity.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Why this project wasn’t the right fit.
- The emotions that came along with turning down such a large project.
- How you can make decisions that are in alignment with your inner voice.
Main Takeaways * Sometimes you need to turn things down that aren’t in your zone of genius. It might sting at first, but in the long run you’ll be happy you have that time to put toward projects you’re passionate about. * You might be a little apprehensive to turn down a project at first, but the stress and frustration you save yourself will be much better for your career and personal life. * Knowing your inner feelings is important in making the right career decisions. Journaling and meditating are great ways to get in tune with your inner voice and will help you make the right decisions moving forward.
Links * The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success and Happiness by Jeff Olson
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today’s guest is Case Kenny. Case is the founder of prsuit, a daily email newsletter dedicated to helping you become who you’re meant to be. He’s also turned it into a popular podcast.
Case lives in Chicago where he runs his email list of 213,000 readers. While his focus is on self-development, he’s also mastered the art of monetizing everything that goes along with it.
At his core, Case is a writer and creator, whether it’s through his podcast, newsletter, or products. He’s built his career on creating compelling writing. He started out writing a blog, and building an audience through social media. Eventually, he switched his focus to something he could control more than social media: an email list.
Through building his email list, he’s also learned how to communicate better to customers and build true connections with readers.
In this episode, Case give us some tips on how to use your email list properly, how to make money, and why it’s an important tool in your marketing toolbox.
“Create a product that certainly gives people value, but is also tool that has an appeal that they would like to share or at least be associated with it.”
In this episode Case talks about:
- Why email is the best way to connect with customers/clients.
- What kind of voice and content you should use in you emails.
- How to get started with a cold email list and how to figure out the strategy around monetizing it.
Main Takeaways * You own an email list, it’s not going anywhere and your communication can’t be hampered by third parties like Google’s SEO. * Approach your email list as a way to converse instead of announce. You will have better conversion rates because people view it as more personal. * If you have an email list you’re not using, send some emails to warm it up. Ask your readers what they want to see and strategize your content from there. * To connect with your audience, you need to be honest and real. People don’t want clones of big email marketing lists, they want content they can connect with.
Links * prsuit * Case Kenny Instagram * New Mindset, Who Dis? Podcast
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
We’ve all been there. Life gets crazy, work gets busy and before you know it, you feel overwhelmed with the amount of stuff you have to do. Today we’re going to be talking about just that: Overwhelm.
The tough truth about being overwhelmed is that it’s our own fault. It’s a decision that we can train our minds to get out of with the right mentality. Sometimes being overwhelmed can make us feel powerless, but we do have the power to fight back against those feelings and it starts with taking control and responsibility for what we let into our lives.
At the end of the day, it comes down to creating a code to live by that allows us to combat overwhelm.
In this episode, we’ll cover some tips on how to get out of feeling overwhelmed and how you can prevent that feeling in the future.
“When we are blaming overwhelm on other forces, when we feel like we just have clients coming at us and that everyone wants a piece of us and that we can’t seem to keep up with the things around us, this is admitting to the universe that we are victims.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- Driver vs. victim mentality and how they play into feeling overwhelmed.
- Strategies you can take to combat feeling overwhelmed and prevent it in the future.
- Keeping an eye out for triggers that cause overwhelm.
Main Takeaways * Feeling overwhelmed is allowing life to take control of us instead of the other way around. Don’t let this happen because it’s a hard cycle to get out of. * Throw obligations out the window and only take on the ones that you want to. Don’t worry about other people’s lives, worry about yours. * Execute and take action: When you start to take action on the things that are overwhelming you, the fear and paralysis goes away. * Plan ahead! The best way to combat becoming overwhelmed is to plan your day/week/month so that you can stay ahead of the business that is sure to come.
Stay in Touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today’s guest is Alexandria Hart. Alex runs GoodJooJoo, a digital marketing agency that focuses on digital acquisition channels, email marketing, and marketing automation. She and her small team work with a range of e-commerce clients, but one thing remains consistent: they work with people who inspire them.
Alex used to be a one-woman show, but over time, her business grew and she brought on employees to help out. While she could do everything herself, at some point it was going to cause burnout.
Being able to identify when you should hire comes down to being highly self-aware. It took feeling exhausted all the time and having a hard time meeting deliverables before Alex realized it was time for her to grow her team. But it’s easier to get out of the hole before you dig yourself too deep into it.
When she began hiring, Alex recognized that just having someone on board to do menial, repetitive tasks was not what she needed. Instead, she needed to find someone to fill in the gaps on tasks she felt she wasn’t good at so she could focus on her strengths. Making the leap to hiring can be scary, but it can also be an essential part of building a business without burning out.
At some point you are going to run out of steam doing it all yourself. Alex and I talk about how hiring can help you avoid that. As well as how to hire, when to hire, and why.
“Just like any mistakes or any experience, if something goes wrong with hiring, you should say, ‘Ok, this is what I learned and this is what I’m going to apply to the next person I hire.'”
In this episode Alex talks about:
- Why and how employees can help you both personally and professionally.
- How to figure out who you should hire and what skills they should have.
- How to calculate who you can afford and how to think about the money you spend on an employee.
- What “red flags” you should be looking for before hiring.
Main Takeaways * Make sure your hire someone before you get burned out. Having a team will help you avoid that. * Good leaders hire for the gaps in their own skill set. Take stock of what you are good at and find someone to fill the roles you’re not good at. * Think about the investment in your employees not just from a money perspective, but from a time perspective as well, and see if that makes hiring worth it. * Lack of willingness and poor communication are the biggest red flags in hiring. You don’t want people who aren’t willing to try something new and potentially fail.
Links * GoodJooJoo
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Working with a team is one of the best things that you can do to help accomplish your goals. It refocuses your time on the important high-value tasks that only you do, and that make your business work. Here are some tips for managing your team more effectively.
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Clearly communicate expectations When you’re hiring someone, it’s a good practice to write out an in-depth job description so that you know what kind of skills are needed. It also helps clarify things such as pay and time commitment. Make sure the person you end up hiring is aware of your expectations.
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Define KPIs KPIs, or Key Performance Indicators, are critical. Every person you hire will need to handle a different role and there should be different benchmarks by which they are evaluated. It’s important to let your team members know what success looks like for their position, so make sure that KPIs are clearly communicated.
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Set up weekly one-on-ones It’s important to meet with your team at least once a week. Ask them how they’re doing, show empathy, care about them and their position. Ask how you can support them in their role, and they’ll return that favor.
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Schedule tasks ahead of time Before you’re done with work on Friday, assign all the next week’s tasks for your team so that they know what is expected of them. No one likes surprises in a work environment, so try and be thorough in assigning your tasks.
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Estimate project timelines A lot of teams, including mine, rank time on a zero to three scale. Zero means it takes very little time, three means it takes a lot of time. This helps you and your team figure out how much time everything will take in a given day.
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Ask how you can help Take time, maybe in the middle of the week, to check in with your team and ask what you can do to help them. Asking questions, even if they’re not work related, makes them feel heard and supported.
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Say “Thank You” People love being told “thank you,” especially when they’ve gone above and beyond for a task. When you pay them a compliment or say thanks, really mean it. This is important not only for the sake of morale, but because it’s the right thing to do.
“You need to focus on your zone of genius. Your time is valuable and it’s crucial that you’re spending time on the things that you are best at and that produce money for your business.”
Main Takeaways * You need a team to help you take over the small tasks so you can focus on growing your business. * Communication is key. Whether you’re describing a job, outlining expectations, or just checking in, communication is at the center of everything. * Treat your freelancers like real human beings with feelings. Even simple conversation helps endear them to you and your work.
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Consistency is key to getting things done. If you truly want to change the way you operate your life and business, you need to be consistent in the actions that will get you there.
After a while, these small, seemingly insignificant, changes can make a big impact. The compound effect of being consistent is hard to overstate.
Today, we’ll talk about how you can master consistency, and the results you can see from the compound effect.
Ways to Stay Consistent * Understand the “why” behind your consistency. If you don’t know why you are being consistent, it will be impossible to change your habits and build long-term goals. * Do your “consistent tasks” early in the day (within reason). Whether it’s exercising or emailing clients, do it first thing when you wake up or soon after. * Start before you’re ready. You’ll probably never “feel” like doing your tasks, but if you start the physical act of doing it, your feelings will follow. * Stay accountable to someone. If you tell someone your plans and have a partner in your task, you’re far more likely to stick with it for fear of letting them down. * Create recurring tasks in your project management system. This enables you to check tasks off your list every day and get that feeling of accomplishment.
“If you do the thing that you’re being trying to be consistent with early in the day and get it out of the way, you will not make room for excuses and they won’t get in the way of you seeing the manifestation of the compound effect.”
Main Takeaways * Consistency and the compound effect can increase your earning power and business development. Always show up and do the work and the long-term impact will not disappoint. * If you set a goal to reach out to to new people every day, eventually you’re going to get better at talking to people and pitching your business, and figure out what works and what doesn’t. * The best way to start reprogramming your mind is to understand your “why”. Take the time to figure it out because it’s the pivotal point for getting results.
Links * The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success and Happiness
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
None of us work for free. Every dollar we make is important to living the entrepreneurial lifestyle we want, so it’s important to know if we’re maximizing the amount of income we could be making.
Today, we’re going to look at how you might be leaving money on the table, as well as some strategies for how you can re-capture some of that wealth.
Drop low-value tasks Many of us spend too much time on low-value tasks. Small tasks need to be batched, automated, or hired out so you can spend more time creating valuable services or products.
Streamline Streamlining your systems will allow you to use your time more efficiently on higher-value tasks, and pend time thinking about improving processes and solving for larger business cases versus one-off solutions.
Hire help Hire some kind of help. Even if you’re just starting out, hiring help will free up some of your important time and allow you to make more money. The best place for this person to start is with those low-value tasks.
Payment reminder emails Payment reminder emails are a great way to make sure that you get paid. Batching your invoice emails at the beginning of the week will make sure that you’re sending out reminders without spending time chasing down individual clients or payments.
Have your VA scrape your inbox Having your virtual assistant go through your inbox once a day and look for client-related feedback is the perfect way to consolidate all your notes and tasks without spending a ton of time on email.
Track your time Use a time tracking app like Toggl to find out how much time you’re spending (or wasting) on any given project. This will help you prioritize, and increase efficiency and ROI.
Have a qualifying call with potential clients Just because someone wants to hire you doesn’t mean that you should take their business. Do a qualifying call so you can determine if they would be a worthwhile investment of your time and energy.
“The fact that you’re not doing this is keeping you from thousands of dollars in your business because you’re not investing time in order to streamline your processes.”
Main Takeaways * Time is money. The best way to stop leaving money on the table is to optimize your time. * Batching, automating, and hiring are great ways to reclaim your time for high-value tasks. * Tracking time and pre-qualifying clients is a simple way to make sure you’re not wasting time.
Links * Drawn To Ecology * Toggl
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Before we dive in to today’s episode, I wanted to let you know my new, free webinar on how to get a steady stream of high-quality clients is now available. If you’ve ever struggled to balance working on your business and bringing in new clients, this webinar is for you.
I’ve talked about zone of genius and niching down many times before. Getting into your zone of genius means that you are focusing on what you’re great at — what you do better than no one else.
As I’ve been niching down my own business, I was able to create processes for what I do, and it’s given my business a clear blueprint for new projects. When you do this, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel anymore.
Today, we’re diving deeper into those long-term effects, and what happens when you’ve been in your zone of genius for a while. What happens when you feel like you’ve already made it as a freelancer and you’re continuing to refine your business and value proposition?
“Niching down and staying in your zone of genius, figuring out what you’re great at, is going to actually provide amazing long-term benefits in money, time, effort, and energy.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- The results that come from staying in your zone of genius.
- How you can leverage those new results to move forward with your business.
- What you can expect from staying in your niche for the long-term.
Main Takeaways * As you narrow down and refine your zone of genius, you become more efficient. Processes put in place for new clients and projects will save you time and money, and increase your ROI. * The more refined you are, the more profits you can expect because what you are offering is rare. * Once you are more efficient and making more money, you can re-invest those profits into your team and grow even more. * Growing your team and becoming more efficient frees you up to do more of what you do best.
Links * Free Quality Client Webinar
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Everyone needs a break every once in a while. If you’re employed by an agency or traditional business, it’s pretty easy to request PTO and take your time. The life of a freelancer is a little bit different. We have clients that demand our attention and it’s not always easy to put down our phones or computers and get away. We often feel like if we step away from our business that it will fall apart in our absence.
Taking a vacation or at least stepping away from work for a period of time is an essential part of ensuring that you remain your sharpest for your business. It doesn’t just come from working nonstop all the time. Understanding how your work fits into the grand scheme of your life is an essential part of working for yourself and is what allows you to balance your time and energy effectively. It may require some journaling, but it’s important to figure that out if you are working for yourself.
Even though taking a vacation can be daunting for a freelancer, if you plan, communicate, and strategize appropriately, you’ll be able to have the best of both worlds. In this episode we’ll dive into how I take vacations and give you some tips so you can, too.
“You don’t have to be perfect and you can take an amazing workcation and still make money and still provide value to your clients. It is possible for this to be a win, win, win all the way around.”
In this episode Avani talks about:
- How to plan your vacation and the subsequent work that you will “miss”.
- Managing business development while you’re away.
- How to manage your communication while on vacation.
Main Takeaways * Cancel all your meetings and check-ins and handle feed back asynchronously, but make sure to keep clear lines of communication for your clients and team. * Take a break from active business development. Only respond to inbound leads and put off actual meetings until you get back. * Prioritize your messages and projects so that when you check in, you’re efficient with your time and priorities. * Adjust your mindset so you believe that your vacation is an important part of work-life balance!
Links * Free Quality Client Webinar
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today’s guest is content creator all-star Nicholas Cole. Nicolas (aka Cole) is cofounder of Digital Press — a business that helps companies position their founders and CEOs as thought leaders through written content.
Cole’s background is a bit unusual. As a teenager, he was a top-ranked “World of Warcraft” player. As he got older, he moved into body building before finally landing in his career as a writer. Through his growth as a writer, he launched Digital Press.
Today, Digital Press has an entire staff of copywriters and editors working to present CEOs and Founders as thought leaders in their given niches.
In this episode, Cole gives us some tips on content creation, finding your voice, and building loyalty for your content.
“I treat content the same way that I would approach investing: it’s not the day trade method, it’s the Warren Buffett method. Invest in something that’s going to be sustainable over the long term.”
In this episode Nicolas talks about: * How to make content that engages with your audience and keeps them invested in you. * How to find your voice as a writer. * How getting feedback is critical in figuring out how and what you content you create.
Main Takeaways * The more you can connect with an audience on a personal level, the more interested they will be in the content you’re creating. * You cannot find your voice unless you are actively speaking. * You have to quantify how you will be better than those around you. Pay attention to what others in our sphere of influence are doing and then pivot to find a way to stand out. * Look at the content you are creating as an investment in a library and as a way to build loyalty, instead of chasing viral content.
Links * Digital Press * Sapiens (book) * Nicolas Cole Website * Nicolas on Quora * Nicolas on Minutes
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today we’re talking about my March income report. I know it’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, but I wanted to give you a little insight into how I made what I did in March.
A little background Before July 2018, my business was steadily bringing in about $10k-$15k every month. This was great because it was sustainable, consistent income that allowed my business to operate. In July, my business finally hit $20k in revenue and we continued that until the end of 2018. In January, I decided that (a little too ambitiously) I wanted to double my revenue.
I needed to scale There is no way that the systems or team I had in place would be able to handle $40k/mo in revenue. This lead me to hire some more people for my team so that I could focus on business development. January and February were all about preparing for growth, which meant I was re-investing the money I was making back into my business. In March, we decided to open the floodgates: here are the results.
The numbers In March, we pulled in $31,218. Of that, about 37 percent was teams and services (Designers, VAs, Health Insurance, etc…). On top of that, I am paying myself a salary and I’m putting money aside for taxes so that I don’t have to scramble at the end of the quarter to find that cash. When it was all said and done, our company made about $10k in profit.
Looking to the future Now that we’ve done the big stuff, such as hiring new people, we are ready for growth. Our expenses should stay fixed (in dollar amounts) moving forward and we will be able to take in more money as we get new clients.
“My goal is to give you an insight into how I’m scaling and growing my freelance business in hopes that you can learn from my mistakes and from some of the good things that I’m doing. I want you to be able to apply those things in your business so that you can scale even more quickly, effectively, and sustainably.”
Main Takeaways * You have to look inward when you want to know whether or not you should grow. Sit on this question and let the answer come to you so you can make the next best decision. * Grow your team, and all of the systems in your business first and then the revenue will catch up. * Set yourself a profit goal along with a revenue goal so you can feel like you’re making real money for the work that you’re putting in.
Links * Six Figure Freelancer Episode 117 * Profit First
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today, I’m excited to share with you a great conversation with my good friend Carley Zuercher, or as I like to call her, “The Pinterest Queen”.
Carly runs CZ Invitations where she specializes in designing custom wedding invitations for couples. On top of that, she is an expert at curating and driving traffic to her website via Pinterest, resulting in over one million views each month.
She also runs a small consulting business, aimed at Pinterest, called Two Can, and has written an ebook on how to effectively use Pinterest as a marketing tool.
In our conversation Carly breaks down all of this for us, and shares a few things she’s working on. It’s chock full of good tips for how to have a Pinterest account that produces for you and brings you more clients and more dollars, not just traffic.
“People search Pinterest when they want to learn something. So if you’re a blog and you’re teaching somebody something or sharing whatever it might be, people are searching for that on Pinterest.”
In this episode Carley talks about: * Why she uses Pinterest and why you should too. * How there is real money to be made on Pinterest and how much money she makes from it. * How to format your pins correctly for optimal conversions.
Main Takeaways * Pinterest is a search engine, not a social media platform. As soon as you recognize this, you can use it as a really powerful marketing tool. * Keep your Pinterest images clean, simple and straightforward. People like to know what they can expect when they click through. * If you have something that you’re selling, make multiple pins for it and direct it where you want it to go so that you have the best chance of converting a Pinterest user and reaching the broadest audience.
Links * CZ Invitations * Two Can * Pinterest e-book * Carley on Instagram
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
We all know those days. The ones where you’re running around, with barely enough time for lunch, let alone any time for yourself. Today, we’re going to talk about how to find peace during those crazy days.
Start the day with something to center yourself If you know you’re going to have a busy day, try and start it off with something that helps you feel at peace. It could be meditating, taking time for yourself, or drinking a cup of coffee. If you can start the day right, then you have a great shot at tackling the rest of your busy day.
Take deep breaths Breathing is so important, but we often don’t give it the credit it deserves. When you’re in the middle of a stressful situation, try taking a deep breath in and out. Pretend you are literally blowing away your stress and anxiety and you’ll feel a million times better at the end.
Keep a notepad nearby It could be a physical or a digital notepad, just something to record your thoughts. Use whatever it is as a way to dump all your thoughts and ideas out onto paper. This will help you remember important tasks that are getting thrown to the wayside by your busy day.
Nothing is life or death I think this one is the most important. You need to remind your self that whatever it is you’re stressing over can probably wait. You need to take a break, take some time to find peace, and stop thinking that everything has to be done right now.
"Take the time to be quiet and center yourself, even if it’s only five minutes. It really matters when you can do that pause and then proceed with the rest of your day. "
Main Takeaways * Finding inner peace is just as important as everything else in your day — make sure to find time for it. * You have all the tools you need to find inner peace, you just need to decide how you will use them. * Inner peace is always there, we just have things blocking it. Try and go out of your way to uncover it.
Links * Asana * Trello
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
We talk so much about freedom and the digital nomad lifestyle on this podcast, and that’s why I’m so excited to share this conversation with you. Rob Palmer is on the show today, and he’s a pioneer in that digital nomad lifestyle and the founder of GoFreelance.com.
Rob started freelancing nearly 20 years ago. He started as a journalist then shifted to copywriting, scoring work with big tech companies like Apple, IBM and Microsoft.
When he began his freelance career, he spent most of his time marketing and making connections to help bring in work. But as soon as he landed his first big client, all of his marketing efforts took a backseat. He realized that this just created a cycle of having to start from scratch every time a project ended.
This insight pushed Rob to help other freelancers avoid the same cycles. He founded GoFreelance.com, where he teaches other aspiring digital nomads how to live their dream life, and how to leverage marketing and networking on an ongoing basis to keep the flow of incoming clients consistent.
In this episode, Rob talks about how he got started freelancing, his tips and tricks to make freelance fulfilling, and how you can live your best life as a digital nomad.
“As a freelancer, you want to be more of the consultant who’s not only doing work, but actually providing real value in helping clients achieve their goals.”
In this episode Rob talks about: * Mistakes freelancers make when they first start out. * How you can use LinkedIn to grow your network and land more higher paying clients. * How to get into the swing of being a digital nomad, and tips for making sure you thrive and meet client’s expectations.
Main Takeaways * You must think of yourself as a business person if you want your freelance business to grow, especially as a creative. * Make sure that landing a big client doesn’t eat into your marketing or your future potential to get more clients. * Using a virtual assistant to make your connections via LinkedIn can land you connections with clients that have far larger marketing budgets than local businesses.
Links * GoFreelance.com * GoFreelance on Pinterest
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Everyone in business wants to make money, right? Today, we’re going to talk about prioritizing money-making tasks. Every task is different and we need to figure out how each one will benefit our bottom line.
All tasks are not created equal There’s no denying that some tasks are simply worth more than others. Your Instagram post for the day will not get you as much money as calling back a client. We need to be deliberate and careful about how we spend our time each day and assign an ROI (return on investment) to the tasks we choose to do. To understand this better, you need to understand the three types of money on which your business operates.
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Money Now This is money that is coming in the next 1-30 days. These are generally quick turn around projects that are straight forward and require minimal discovery or research.
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Maintenance Money Maintenance money is the recurring money. It’s the retainers or recurring money that we work at to fulfill deliverables. A lot of people (for many reasons) choose to go for maintenance money first. Checking things off a to-do list feels good, but this doesn’t bring in a whole lot of money. Maintenance money should really only occupy about 10 percent of our time.
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Money Later This is the money that will come to you at a later date: Sales, marketing, business development, etc. This is the scary one that people love to put off, but it’s very important for the health of our businesses. We should be spending somewhere about 70-80 percent of our time on money later so that we can continue to grow into the future.
“If you really want real money coming into your business, there is a shift that you need to make in your prioritization. It might be hard, especially in the beginning, but I want you to at least have it in your mind and realize where your time is going.”
Main Takeaways * Prioritize your money later tasks. They are the most important and are critical to growing your business and keeping it sustainable. * Hire a virtual assistant to offload maintenance money tasks. They can take care of little things while you are growing your business. * Block off time in your week to do nothing but money later tasks so that they don’t slip through the cracks.
Links * “Money Matrix” * LionHeart Workshop
Stay in touch * Get The Client Magnet Roadmap * Follow Avani on Twitter * Follow Avani on Instagram * Follow Avani on LinkedIn
Today’s episode is something special. I was recently a guest on the Today I Am podcast with Lauryn Miranda, and the conversation was so good. I wanted to replay this episode for you because she asked me so many great questions about money mindset, abundance mindset, and how those things can effect your live and business.
Lauryn has done something amazing with her podcast — she’s created a nourishing and supportive space dedicated to authenticity, spirituality, and social transformation. I highly recommend you check it out.
I hope you guys enjoy this episode, and please go check out Lauryn’s show!
“If I’m able to put out into the world my intentions, where I want to go in this world, then I’m giving specific instructions to my brain for what I want to make happen and it will help me make that happen.”
In this episode Lauryn and I talked about: * How I got to be the freelancer I am today, and the mindset that helped me get here (and helps me succeed today). * My thoughts on money, and how I use it to further my business and cultivate an abundance mindset. * How our generation differs in our priorities from past generations.
Main Takeaways * Hard work and going the extra mile are critical to succeeding and thriving as a freelancer, and will set you apart from others. * Money is a tool that you use to grow, not something that you need to be a slave to, nor chase after just to have more of. * Having an abundance mindset and not being scared of the numbers will allow you the freedom you’ve always wanted as a freelancer.
Links * Today I am Podcast * Today I am Podcast on Instagram
Today’s guest is Kate Jones. Kate is founder of Kate Waldo + Co. Kate loves helping influencers focus on their strengths by eliminating the stress and streamlining their businesses.
Kate got started with her organizing business because she loved systems, and got her thrills from figuring out how to optimize and organize people’s professional and personal lives.
After struggling to scale the business, it was time for a major intervention on the administrative side. Though lots of experimentation and trail and error, she was able to figure out what worked for her business.
In this episode, we talk about how to optimize your business and how to automate certain tasks so that you can keep doing what you love to do.
“If you don’t have a solid foundation and systems in place under the hood, it can look really good out in the world for a little while, but you can’t maintain it. You’re going to miss something.”
In this episode Kate talks about: * How she manages her personal and professional life with tasks, organization, and automation. * Why she uses a CRM tool and how it makes her life easier (and can make your’s easier, too). * Her strategies on systems and organizations for businesses that are just getting off the ground.
Main Takeaways * If you don’t have a good foundation for your systems, things might look good from the outside, but you won’t be able to maintain your pace. * The two systems you absolutely have to have in place are a centralized task list/project management tool and a Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) tool. * One of the biggest mistake you can makes is not having any systems in place when you start your business.
Links * Kate Waldo + Co. * Kate on Instagram * Kate Waldo Webinar * Kate on YouTube * Kate on Pinterest * Kate on Facebook * Asana * Trello * Dubsado
Today’s guest is Celia Yarwood. Celia is founder and designer at Blurred Pixel based in Tallinn, Estonia.
After decided to step away from the corporate world, Celia started her own online agency to offer branding and website design services. She previously worked for Addison Group, which is part of WPP, the leading advertising agency in the world. She has been designing for more than five years and doesn’t see herself stopping anytime soon.
She loves getting in on the ground floor and working with entrepreneurs and companies who aren’t sure where to start with their brand or website, and then helping take that branding to the next level.
Celia’s experience and knowledge about how to connect to your intuition and deepest self, come from her own life. She lives every day infused with fun and happiness and has a deep sense of contentment — something she hopes to bring to every interaction with others.
“The small voice or instinct in your gut and heart that can offer guidance. And this can sometimes be gentle guidance or it can be coaching guidance. It all depends on what you’re being guided to.”
In this episode Celia talks about: * What that inner voice really is and how to use it to your advantage. * How your ego can sabotage you, and ways to keep it in check. * Ways to listen to your intuition when it comes to freelancing and accomplishing your most important tasks.
Main Takeaways * Your inner voice is there for a reason. Train yourself to listen to it so you can reap the full benefits of its guidance. * Be careful of your ego. It covers up your inner voice and will often lead you to unhelpful or selfish solutions. * Batch the tasks that tend to drain your energy and that you find yourself resisting. Try getting them out of the way all at once so your intuition can better guide you throughout the day.
Links * Blurred Pixel * Celia Yarwood on Instagram * Celia Yarwood on Twitter * Pixel Mint * Jess Lively
Getting clients is hard work, and it’s even harder if you don’t have the mindset for it. In the first few months of my business, I did not have a killer client mindset. But I worked at it, trained it like a muscle, and now I think I’ve got a pretty great client mindset! Today, I’m going to share with you a couple of tricks for cultivating a killer client mindset and taking your business to the next level.
Using neuroplasticity to your advantage You can change your situation by changing your mindset. If I gave you a dollar for every red car you saw, you would start noticing a lot more red cars. The same is true with success. If you strengthen the neural pathway that tells you you’ll land clients and be successful, then chances are, you will. This is the foundation for having a killer client mindset.
Read your affirmations daily You need to have a list of affirmations to tell your brain what you want your reality to be like. To create your inner reality, write it down and describe it with great detail. Read it back every single day so that you can put yourself in the frequency that will help you attract the reality you want. Try reading it once in the morning, and once at night.
Write every day The daily act of writing and that physical act of moving your hand on a piece of paper and seeing things come out is creating a relationship to your affirmations. This relationship, this act of writing, will make your brain associate with your affirmations even more strongly than just reading them. Write an affirmation or belief 10-15 times a day to make it stick.
Look at the bright spots Look at your business and find the successes. Take that excitement and energy, even if the bright spot was a while ago, and channel it back into your business. Sink into that feeling and tap into that mindset because your mindset will attract more of the same bright spots you were so excited about.
“The shortcut to being who you want to be is to change your mental state. The person who wins is just really skilled at programming his or her brain.”
Main Takeaways * Your mindset is everything. You need to retool your mindset and strengthen your neural pathways to achieve the success you’re after. Everything starts in the brain. * Habits are the best way to strengthen your neuroplasticity. Create habits around your affirmations and you’ll believe them more confidently.
Links * Avani on Twitter * Avani on Instagram
Today’s guest is Kristin Kaplan. Kristin runs a consulting business where she helps creative entrepreneurs and online experts create revenue quickly in order to gain freedom in their businesses.
Before getting into consulting, Kristin owned and operated a wedding planning business. She noticed many of the small businesses she worked with were not making enough money, or weren’t profitable at all. She decided to figure out a way to help them, and over time it grew into a fully-fledged consulting firm.
Today, Kristin helps small businesses “Plan to Profit” and strategize approaches to their business’ offerings, happily immersing herself in goals, action plans, budgets, marketing strategies, and mission statements.
In this episode, we dig deep into how to create more profit for your business, how to price properly, and elevate your income.
“It all comes back to taking action and executing because you can just keep sitting there and dreaming of all the cool things you want to do or the ideas that you have, but if you’re not going to actually create a plan and execute it step by step, then you’re never going to get there.”
In this episode Kristin talks about:
- How to price your services by looking at the numbers
- Planning and budgeting to make your profit goals
- Figuring out and properly charging for your unique value
Main Takeaways * It’s critical to get a handle on your numbers, even if you’re not inclined to think that way. They are as important as any other aspect of your business. * Setting income goals is important. You need to visualize your expenses and know how much you need to make to be profitable. * Figuring out your unique value and what separates you from your competitors.
Links * Kristin Kaplan * Kristin Kaplan on Instagram * Most Profitable Year * Planning for Profit Podcast
We all want to grow our businesses. But are you going about it in the right way? Today we’re talking all about the growth stages of your business — how they work, and how you can utilize them best to accomplish your goals.
Preparing for Growth Before anything, you need to make sure that you prepare for growth. This means fleshing out the details of your businesses, making sure your finances are in order, and that all your other infrastructure is in place so that when growth arrives you’re not unprepared.
Growth Phase Now that you’ve prepared for growth, the growing phase is pretty straightforward: you’re growing! This is the time when you need to be hitting the streets, talking to potential clients, and lining up new work. You also need to be communicating to existing clients why your growth phase will benefit them and how they will see value in your growth.
Stabilizing Stabilizing is like moving into a light jog after being in an all-out sprint. You can finally breathe a little bit. While you are stabilizing, you should focus on bringing your expenses down, making sure that your business is supporting your lifestyle and taking time to relax. But don’t spend too much time here — you want to get right back into the growth phase.
“Preparation, growth and stabilization are critical for your business to run how you want it to, spin off and give you money how you want it to, and be something that is sustainable and also sustains your lifestyle.”
Main Takeaways * If you don’t grow, your business won’t be sustainable. Always keep growth on your mind. * Finances and infrastructure for your business are critical in every phase. You can never be sustainable if your systems aren’t supporting your business.
Links * “Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz
Katherine McDermott is back on the show! I was so excited to talk to her again, because she has so much great advice for freelancers.
Before striking out on her own, Katherine managed the brand of an Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Company while landing press in Buzzfeed, Forbes, Good Morning America, among others. She also served as the Director of Marketing and Communications for HGTV’s Property Brothers.
Katherine now runs Slightly Savvy, an influencer’s sneak peek behind the scenes of the PR world, built to deliver the most transparent PR insights to bloggers and influencers who want to transform their blog into a business.
Like many others, when Katherine was growing up, she was taught not to talk about religion, money, or politics with others. So most people just feel, from the beginning, that talking about money and pricing is tacky. However, she found that if you never bring it up with clients, you’re never going to get paid what you want, and sometimes even end up working for free (or close to it).
She wants to change that behavior for freelancers. We talked a lot about negotiation, pricing, when to say no, and other tips and tricks to get you the money you want to be making.
“If you’re not willing to negotiate, you’re 100% not going to get what you want. You’re never going to even get close. To get paid what you want, you have to build up to the practice of negotiating as a reflex.”
In this episode Katherine talks about: * How she learned to talk about money confidently * Her strategies for justifying price increases and talking about her fees * The benefits that clients receive by working with her and how you can replicate them
Main Takeaways * If you don’t talk about money, you end up avoiding conversations and you end up not getting paid what you want * Rely on the actual value that you’re providing to justify price increases. Show results and data if you can get them. * Be firm on a minimum amount and be upfront about your costs. * Just because a client can’t afford it doesn’t mean that it is a reflection on you as a person. Don’t take it personally.
Links * Slightly Savvy * Katherine McDermott on Instagram * Katherine on Episode 90 * Swipe Up Podcast
As freelancers, we generally don’t have the luxury of a regular routine or schedule, which can effect our health and our bodies. Today, I’m sharing nine steps that I use to keep my body and mind healthy while keeping my stress levels at a minimum.
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Drink water Our bodies are made of 70 percent water! We are constantly losing water during the day from different activities, so we should be drinking at least half our body weight in ounces every day. We need that water to function properly, so set a goal of how many bottles you’ll drink a day and try to hit it.
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Consume 30 grams of protein in the morning Protein gives you the energy you need to power through to lunch. You can accomplish this with things like Greek yogurt, eggs, or protein powder. Try adding in some leafy greens as well. It’s easy to throw some of these items into a blender and make a smoothie and take it with you. You’ll have the energy you need to take on the morning!
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Pack healthy snacks ahead of time Do all of the prep work the night before, because as we all know, if we wait until morning, we won’t do it. It only takes 10 minutes to cut up some apples, bananas, carrots, and a sweet pepper and then get some hummus ready for dipping. When your body starts telling you to refuel during the day, you’ll have healthy options at the ready.
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Take your daily vitamins Women especially can lose different vitamins and minerals through their every day existence, so it’s important to replenish these and make sure that you’re keeping your body balanced. I take Nutrilite vitamins and love them, they’re an organic vitamin company and make a great product.
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Exercise Ideally you should be exercising five to six times a week. If you’re not there yet, try starting out with just three times a week. It’s not only good for your muscles and your heart, it’s good for your brain. Exercising releases endorphins, which make you feel great when you’re done.
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Limit caffeine Caffeine is fine to a degree, but too much can boost your cortisol levels, which stresses us out. Caffeine has a long half-life as well, which means if you drink it too late in the day, you can interrupt your sleep patterns. Avoid this by trying to make your afternoons caffeine-free.
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Get sleep You should be trying to get eight hours of sleep a night, but if you can’t make that happen, try and block time for a 30 minute nap in the middle of the day. Try to put blue light filters on your devices as well, because that blue light is preventing you from getting quality sleep.
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Meditate One of my favorite activities is meditating. My brain is always on, so I love having that peace and quiet to center myself. This will help you get rid of some of that cortisol and lower your stress levels. Headspace has a really great meditation app if you’re looking to try it for yourself.
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Step outside The Japanese have a concept of “Forest Bathing,” which is getting out into the forest and taking in everything around you. Get outside and get some fresh air. Take in nature. It will give your body new oxygen, some much needed vitamins, and reduce your stress levels.
“If we don’t have a healthy mind, body, and spirit, frankly we’re not going to be able to reap the benefits and an enjoy the rewards of this life that we’re building for ourselves.”
Main Takeaways * Drink enough water, half your body weight in ounces is ideal. This is important because it flushes toxins out of your body and will give you energy. * Eat a good lunch. Take a break from 12pm-2pm and get a nutritious, quality lunch. It will give you the energy you need to continue with your day. * Get enough sleep. Sleep is important for how we feel throughout the day, so notice your quality of sleep and how much you’re getting.
Links * Nutrilite * Headspace
In today’s episode, I talk with Elley Mae Charles. Elley is the founder of “Becoming Boss Society” a woman-focused consultancy aimed at transforming side hustles into full-time businesses.
Elley has been hustling since high school. She started in photography before transitioning into a successful beauty and makeup blog.
In her early 20s, she had a full-time job that was eventually eliminated by her employer. She was determined to use the opportunity to strike out on her own and be her own boss.
She was drawn to the path of running her own business because of the freedom it offered. She wanted to make her own rules and be her own boss, rather than be seen as an expense to someone else.
Creating a positive mindset, being intentional about her work, and batching monotonous tasks are just some of the things have helped her create a successful business. In this conversation, she shares some of the secrets and stories that got her to where she is today.
“As long as you have unshakable faith in yourself that you’ve done everything you could do, that’s all that matters.”
In this episode Elley talks about: * Her history of side-hustling and full-time employment * How she was able to transform her side-hustles into her own full-time business * Why people should have side-hustles and how to successfully transition to full-time * How to find the right side-hustle and how to take the next step
Main Takeaways * If it’s not making you money, batch it, automate it, or eliminate it to free up your time. You need that time to grow your business and accomplish tasks that add value. * You need to be intentional about your work and clear on the fundamental reasons why you’re doing it. It’s important to know why you want your side-hustle to succeed both personally and professionally. * When you start focusing on helping people, ideas for your business and services will begin to flow. This means nurturing the community around your business and focusing on them instead of just chasing new leads.
Links * Elley Mae * Becoming Boss Society * Elley Mae on Instagram * Toggl Time Tracker
Proposals are an important part of freelancing. There isn’t “one way” to write proposals. Different situations require different kinds of proposals. However, we can always improve, and here are some strategies that will help you write great proposals your clients will love.
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Cut the fluff Your clients are busy people. They are CEOs, founders, entrepreneurs, etc. They don’t have time to wade through a giant proposal filled with extra “stuff” designed to make it look important. Streamline your proposals so they can be digested in five minutes or less, but be sure to include all the information your client may need.
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Do a discovery call The key to a good proposal is information. You need to find out what your client is thinking, what their problems are (in depth), and sell them on how you will be able to fix those problems. Do a discovery call, and make sure you ask as many questions as you need to get a full understanding of what their problems are, their timelines, and your deliverables.
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Streamline one-time job proposals One-time jobs are always a good source of income, but they don’t need to eat up a lot of your time. Use apps and tools to help streamline proposals, but be clear to your client that they can always ask more questions.
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Spend more time on bigger proposals or retainer work It’s worth it to spend more time on proposals that involve more money, such as large projects or retainer work. Here are some things to keep in mind with these proposals.
Give them a scope of work. Outline what their problem is and the solution you will implement to fix it. Be sure to explain your process and how it will solve the problem they’re hiring you to fix.
Give pricing options. Add options for your pricing. This will have a dual effect of allowing you to up-sell a bigger package (and make more money), and it will also put the client in a position of picking at least one of the options. Giving people options forces them to think about which option to chose, rather than a simple “yes” or “no”.
- Iterate with your client Your ability to create custom proposals and do custom work is what will set you apart from other agencies. Let your clients know that they can always ask questions and work with you on your proposal, so that they are more inclined to sign the contract.
“If you don’t have a good foundation for your proposal, your proposal is not going to be the best, and it’s not going to be one that they’re going to want to jump up and down and say yes to.”
Main Takeaways * Streamline. Whether it’s for one-time work or big projects, make sure that your clients can quickly digest what you’re offering. * Be thorough. Make sure you’ve done your research, made calls, and provided them with in-depth information if they need it. * Iterate with your clients and make them feel heard. Work together to get your proposal, deliverables, and price to a place where you’re both happy.
Links * Avani’s Instagram
In today’s episode, I talk with Giselle Field. Giselle is a one-woman branding and design company. She loves to travel, and uses her travels as inspiration for her work.
Giselle started college as an art major, but realized it wasn’t for her. She quickly stumbled upon a graphic design class and has never looked back.
After college, she had a hard time finding full-time design work, and this pushed her to pursue freelancing and build her skills as an entrepreneur.
Overcoming fear and getting out of her comfort zone were crucial in getting Giselle to where she is today. Diving into freelancing full-time can be a scary scenario, especially if it’s not something you’re choosing. But Giselle realized she had to find ways to move out of her comfort zone in order to move forward personally and professionally.
Along the way, her now husband introduced her to rock climbing, which was helped her carry her confidence into the business world. The sport has taught her a lot about fear and perseverance, and has helped her overcome similar challenges in her career.
“You just have to put yourself out there, get out of your comfort zone, and think, what’s the worst that can happen?”
In this episode Giselle talks about: * Her journey to freelancing and entrepreneurship * The fears she faced along the way and what strategies she used to overcome them * Advice and tips for freelancers who are starting out and what they can do to be successful * How calculated risk is important for getting ahead in the freelancing world and how to get comfortable with taking risks
Main Takeaways * Calculated risk is the best way to expose yourself to different things and grow as a freelancer. * Fear is holding you back from moving to the next level, but you can overcome it. * You won’t get to where you want to be if you keep waiting for everything to be perfect, or if you stop learning about your industry.
Links * Wander Design Co. * Giselle Field on Instagram
Creativity can be a hard thing to recapture. With our busy lives and all the distractions, sometimes it can fall by the wayside. As freelancers, we need this creativity to move forward with our businesses. Here are a few tips to getting your creative spark back.
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Change Your Environment When you’re stuck in the same place day in and day out, it can wear on you. Try changing it up a little bit and working from a new location. It can be a coffee shop, a friend’s house, or on a hike. Try to change up your surroundings and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.
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Get Human Contact Humans are social creatures and we thrive on interactions. We all get busy and forget to go and hang out with our friends or have lunches with peers. Go interact with people (and get some hugs if you can)! The exchange of energy between you and another person is a great fix for a creative slump.
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Make A Bliss List I truly believe that the energy we’re feeling will attract more of the same. Write down a five-point list of your favorite feelings, favorite people, and things about yourself that make you happy. Then go back to the second list (people) and do something nice for one of them. It’ll totally re-frame your mindset and help put you back on track.
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Do Something Nice For Someone I’m saying this one twice because I really believe it’s important. Do something nice for someone (even if it’s yourself) and you will immediately feel better. Helping others or yourself really puts you in a positive mindset and helps refresh your creativity.
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Create White Space Whether this is in your brain, your closet, your desk, or somewhere else, you need to give yourself some breathing room. Clean things up, get organized, put your thoughts on paper, but just clear things out a bit. Being in the moment and enjoying your space will definitely help get your creativity back on track.
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Have Fun! Life is way too short to not have a little bit of fun. We spend so much time stressing or looking at our phones, no wonder our creativity takes a nose dive. Go have some fun, it’s the perfect way to center yourself and revive your creativity.
“We need emotional energy to access our creativity, to be able to bring out those good ideas, and to have that white space in our day when we can just sit and let our brain work its magic.”
Main Takeaways * Creativity can be hard to hold on to — you need to take steps to either maintain or reboot your creative mindset. * Positive mindset and positive energy are a must in recapturing creativity. You need to frame your mindset and put yourself in a positive place to get out of a creative slump. * Take action. You won’t be able to get back in the creative zone by sitting around and waiting.
Links * Avani’s Instagram
In today’s episode, I talked with Court Baker. Court is a six-figure business coach for women launching online coaching business. She’s an expert in online marketing strategies that help coaches build six- and seven-figure businesses.
Through working with other coaches, Court learned how to help them with their businesses, and, specifically, how to increase their social followings. She knew where people wanted to be and how to get them there, and her business was born out of her talent for marketing and advising.
Authenticity and personal branding are key to growing a coaching business, and Court helps her clients create authentic social media strategies.
As you’ll hear, this expertise comes from her own personal experiences with letting people peek into her life and showing vulnerability. It’s allowed her customers to trust her and feel connected to her as a consultant.
Court has been in the industry for 10 years and knows how to help clients get what they deserve.
“Share your heart, your vulnerability, your story or emotions to build that connection with them, but also talk about the problem that you solve.”
In this episode Court talks about: * Personal branding and building trust with clients. * The top mistakes that online entrepreneurs are making and how to fix them. * How she uses Instagram Stories to help sell herself and her services. * Getting comfortable on camera, overcoming anxiety or introversion with social media, and creating engaging content for Instagram.
Main Takeaways * Personal branding is everything in online marketing. People are choosing you because of who you are and what you can offer them. * Sales is built on authenticity and an emotional connection between you and your clients. Use this to guide your marketing and social media presence. * Using video, especially on Instagram, is critical in capturing clients’ attention and the key to showing them the problems you can solve for them.
Links * Episode 44: Lazy Marketing with Court Baker * Court Baker on Instagram * Court’s website * Enneagram Test * Myers Briggs
Working with a team is one of the best things that you can do to help accomplish your goals. It refocuses your time on the important high-value tasks that only you do, and that make your business work. Here are some tips for managing your team more effectively.
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Clearly communicate expectations When you’re hiring someone, it’s a good practice to write out an in-depth job description so that you know what kind of skills are needed. It also helps clarify things such as pay and time commitment. Make sure the person you end up hiring is aware of your expectations.
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Define KPIs KPIs, or Key Performance Indicators, are critical. Every person you hire will need to handle a different role and there should be different benchmarks by which they are evaluated. It’s important to let your team members know what success looks like for their position, so make sure that KPIs are clearly communicated.
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Set up weekly one-on-ones It’s important to meet with your team at least once a week. Ask them how they’re doing, show empathy, care about them and their position. Ask how you can support them in their role, and they’ll return that favor.
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Schedule tasks ahead of time Before you’re done with work on Friday, assign all the next week’s tasks for your team so that they know what is expected of them. No one likes surprises in a work environment, so try and be thorough in assigning your tasks.
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Estimate project timelines A lot of teams, including mine, rank time on a zero to three scale. Zero means it takes very little time, three means it takes a lot of time. This helps you and your team figure out how much time everything will take in a given day.
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Ask how you can help Take time, maybe in the middle of the week, to check in with your team and ask what you can do to help them. Asking questions, even if they’re not work related, makes them feel heard and supported.
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Say “Thank You” People love being told “thank you,” especially when they’ve gone above and beyond for a task. When you pay them a compliment or say thanks, really mean it. This is important not only for the sake of morale, but because it’s the right thing to do.
“You need to focus on your zone of genius. Your time is valuable and it’s crucial that you’re spending time on the things that you are best at and that produce money for your business.”
Main Takeaways * You need a team to help you take over the small tasks so you can focus on growing your business. * Communication is key. Whether you’re describing a job, outlining expectations, or just checking in, communication is at the center of everything. * Treat your freelancers like real human beings with feelings. Even simple conversation helps endear them to you and your work.
Links * Instagram
Taking action quickly is the most important thing that you can do to accomplish your goals. Sometimes it seems scary or intimidating. It can also be hard to know where to start. So, here are some tips on how to take action so that you can feel like you’re getting stuff done.
Action brings clarity Taking action allows you to test results. It brings validation to what you’re doing and you eliminate some of the confusion (or at least options) in your brain, which creates more clarity on the direction you should be heading.
Action helps manifestation Your brain truly can attract the reality that you desire. But attracting the opportunities is only the first step: you need to take action on the opportunities that come to you. The more opportunities you take action on, the more opportunities will come your way. It’s a positive cycle of manifestation and taking action.
Schedule action Put your action items on the calendar and make time for them so that you are forced to take action on it. If that’s not working, try breaking it into smaller parts and accomplishing bite-sized tasks over time instead of everything at once. In addition, make yourself accountable to someone else so that they can keep you on track!
Take baby steps The best way to take action quickly is to start with the tiniest, easiest thing you can do. These baby steps will snowball and you will end up accomplishing a lot, without it feeling like a giant project.
“We’re go-getters. We’re making things happen. We’re changing the world. We’re dream chasers, and these are the types of people that take messy and massive action.”
Main Takeaways * Action cures fear. It’s hard to take action if we’re letting our doubts and fears control us. But taking action actually helps melt away the fear. * Our brains are powerful. We can attract what we want, but we also have to take action to make these things happen. * No matter what we do, we’re not going to be perfect. It’s better to take messy action than no action at all.
Links * Marie Forleo * Amy Porterfield * Haley Burkhead
Today we’re talking about networking. Networking is crucial for getting more business and referrals, so you want to try to expand your network at every opportunity. Here are three tips for how I expanded my network when I first moved to Austin, and how you can replicate these strategies for your own success.
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Attend local events Interacting with people in your space and sharing tips and ideas with them is a great way to quickly expand your network. Remember to ask people how you can support them. This gesture means a lot, and they’ll be sure to remember your kindness.
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Say “Hi” to strangers Some of my current friendships came from saying “Hi” to random people in coffee shops! Set a goal of saying “Hi” to two people every day for a month and watch how your network explodes. It’s easier than it sounds. Start by complementing someone on something relevant, and use that as a gateway to a bigger conversation.
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Use your existing network Pick someone in your network that you admire and ask them to put you in touch with someone who’s knowledgeable in a field you’re interested in. Try checking out their LinkedIn profile and looking at their connections. If there’s someone at a company or organization you want to be involved with, ask your connection to put you in touch with them.
“We’re human beings and we thrive on human relationships. So get out of your Instagram feed and go look around you.”
Main Takeaways * Find groups and events that are exciting to you. Make sure you’re getting value out of the events so you don’t feel like you’re wasting your time. * Add value to others. Ask how you can support them and make sure you’ve created a two-way street. Don’t just ask others for help. * Take advantage of every opportunity to work on your human-to-human interaction. This includes talking to strangers. It will help with all aspects of your business.
Links * Meetup.com
In today’s episode, I talked with Jen Davis. Jen owns and operates Jen Davis Design, a branding company focused on small, women-owned, creative businesses.
Jen is a self-taught designer and started her career studying journalism. After graduating, she realized she was drawn more to the visual side of journalism, which led to learning design.
Though she’s not a journalist, storytelling is a big part of her job as a designer. After a few stints with magazines, she ended up moving to Texas and her freelance career was born (mostly out of necessity).
Building an abundance mindset has been one of the best things Jen has done for her business. It has allowed her to create opportunities for her business that she never thought possible. It’s also enabled her to start saying “no” more often, which is a critical component of running a successful freelance business.
Jen has also learned a lot from failure along the way and, more importantly, has learned how to use failure to grow. She also emphasizes the importance of learning how to be the one driving your fear rather than letting others do it for you. Fear can actually be empowering if you learn how to control it.
“As creatives, we need to realize that we’re actually good at what we do.”
In this episode Jen talks about: * How she got started in design/branding and how she transitioned to opening her own studio. * Figuring out the details of running her own business, pricing, working with clients, and everything else involved. * How she overcame self-doubt and fear around opening her own business. * Building an abundance mindset and the shift it has created for her.
Main Takeaways * An abundance mindset, and believing that there are opportunities out there for you, are critical for reaching your goals. * Opening a studio is more about learning to run a business than it is about designing. * Don’t let the fear of failure hold you back from pursuing something you are passionate about. Failing can help you build a better business.
Links * Jen Davis Design * Elizabeth Gilbert: Big Magic | Creative Living Beyond Fear
Today we’re talking about money and reaching that elusive goal of a six-figure salary. I really believe that all of you have the potential to be making $100k per year (or more.) Here are five tips on how you can get to a six-figure income.
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Conviction You need to believe that you are selling the absolute best product someone can buy. People can tell when you’re not convicted about what you’re selling and that will end with you not making the sale. Really believe that you are doing right by your customer and that they are getting a premium product.
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Educate yourself You are a business owner, you are in charge of marketing and sales. You need to be continually educating yourself on how you can do a better job, how you can make more sales, and how you can share value with your clients.
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Persistence Keep going even if you get a lot of “No’s”. Every time you get a no is an opportunity to refine and practice your sales skills, and you’re getting closer to the “Yes”.
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Selling is a good thing The exchange of goods or services for money is an amazing thing. It’s energizing for both parties and results in a win-win situation. Make selling your friend and get comfortable with it — it can actually be a lot of fun!
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Be a human Don’t be a robot when selling. Listen, care, and show empathy for your client and the sales will follow! Your potential clients are humans just like you and they want to be treated as such.
“Sales and marketing are the lifeblood of our businesses. These are the things that make our businesses thrive. This is what makes them grow and what makes them survive!”
Main Takeaways * Sales and marketing are the core of your business — don’t fight it, instead learn everything you can about it. * Provide a high-quality product to your customers and really believe that you are delivering something of value. * Value your customers by listening to them and treating them as you want to be treated.
Links * How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling by Frank Bettger * Why She Buys: The New Strategy for Reaching the World’s Most Powerful Consumers by Bridget Brennan
Eden Fried from Bread and Butter Blogging is on the show today. We talked about the Rebel Boss Ladies Podcast and a framework for launching your first digital product.
Eden started her entrepreneurial journey between college and entering the workforce. She was set to start law school when her brother gave her the words of wisdom she needed hear, which was to head out on her own and figure out what she truly want to do.
In the beginning, blogging was tough, with lots of ups and downs. However, it set her on her current path. About a year into her journey, she launched her first online course.
After realizing that she could generate passive income from her online courses, she focused on putting more and more effort into the creating those products.
A passive income is less about finding the right audience for your product and more about finding the right product for your audience. You should already have those people before you start building any kind of product.
My hope for all of you is that Eden’s story will help you think outside the box, and push yourself to figure out how you want to live differently.
“We live in a society where they tell you to do this, do that, and live by certain rules. So you need to figure out how you can live differently. Selling a digital product is just one example.”
In this episode Eden talks about: * How she got started on her path to entrepreneurship * Coming up with a digital product idea * How to address your customers’ needs through your digital product * Figuring out your sales and marketing funnel
Main Takeaways * Anyone can be an entrepreneur — you just need to have the right mindset to accomplish it. * Just start. You might not know how or what to do when getting started, but you’ll figure it out along the way. The important thing is to just do something that moves you in the right direction. * Passive income is better than trading time for money, but you’ll have to invest some time up front to get to that point. * Create an outline of your ideal customer before creating your digital product. Once your figure out what their biggest problem is, that’s your product. * Know yourself and what you like (and don’t like) doing. For example, if you hate being on camera, an online course may not be the product for you.
Links * Bread and Butter Blogging * Rebel Boss Ladies Podcast * Marketing Personalities * Digital Product Idea Workbook
Sometimes life gets a little crazy and we lose sight of the big picture. That’s why I am slowing down in January and February, so that I can speed up later on. I’ve had six months of consistently good income. I’m working on integrating a new team member, thinking about adding another team member, and working through my knee injury. I want to take this “break” to plan, strategize, and share my thoughts with you!
To help us get better at realizing when we need to take a break to regroup and recharge, I came up with an acronym called B.E.E.S., which stands for Breathe, Evaluate, Empathize, and Strategize.
Breathe Literally taking a big deep breathe feels great, so why not do the same thing mentally? You need to give your brain time to breathe. Make sure that you take a break! Recharge your batteries, go on a trip, sit around for a day, whatever it is make sure you don’t burn out.
Evaluate After you take a breather (or while you’re doing it) take stock of the things around you. Make sure you look closely at what’s going well, what’s not going so well, what can go better, what you need to start (or stop), etc. Detach your emotions from this process so you can look at it clearly. This will really help with focusing your vision and achieving what you want.
Empathize Empathize with yourself. Recognize that you’re only human and that you can’t do everything. Acknowledge the great job you’ve been doing. Try to look at yourself from a higher level and acknowledge all the accomplishments you’ve made.
Strategize Now is the time to get tough! Sit down and come up with a plan for how you want to move forward and the obstacles standing in your way. Based on your evaluation stage, figure out what you’re going to change, start, or accomplish. I recommend starting with a 90-day plan so that you can flesh out the details.
“You can make miracles happen. You can turn things around. It’s amazing what we can do with a little bit of a plan and daily persistent action.”
Main Takeaways * When you need to slow down, remember the B.E.E.S acronym: Breathe, Evaluate, Empathize, and Strategize. * Detach your emotions from evaluating yourself. Stay focused on what’s going well and what you can do better. * Be kind to yourself! * Use a 90-day plan to keep your goals moving forward.
Links * Client Attraction Method Course * Danielle Laporte
This year has started off with a bang. On a recent skiing trip, I injured my MCL and was put in a brace for two months! I’m still in that brace, but instead of feeling sorry for myself and letting my injury get me down, I’ve decided to re-frame this event into something positive. Today I’ll be talking about the three questions I asked myself to help me look at my injury as an opportunity, rather than a setback.
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What can I be thankful for? The times when you’re most bummed about your circumstances are also the most important times to focus on gratitude. Ask yourself, “What am I thankful for?”. When I asked myself this question, I found I was thankful for a lot. 1) I got injured day three, instead of day one, 2) The injury forced me to just sit and hang out with my friends, and so on. When you find yourself feeling down, ask yourself what there is to be thankful for, it’s a really powerful way to change your attitude.
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What did I gain from this? Stop and ask yourself how you can grow from your experience and what you can take away from it. For me, I gained an appreciation for my friends, who helped me through it, and for my way of life. The fact that an office wasn’t waiting for me at 9 a.m. the next day was wonderful. Also, taking the time I needed wasn’t going to affect me that much. It was really liberating, and it caused me to view my employment situation a little differently.
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What did I learn from this? This question is important because it helps you contextualize the event. One of the more obvious things I learned was always wear a helmet. But more than that, I learned I have amazing friends, and that sometimes it’s ok to need help.
All three of these questions are really important for me to consider as I move forward in life, and I’m grateful I got an opportunity to learn from this experience!
When you find yourself feeling down, ask yourself what there is to be thankful for—it’s a really powerful way to change your attitude.
Main Takeaways * Practice gratitude and be thankful for the things that went well. Don’t let one negative event overshadow all of the positive. * There’s always something to be learned from any event, positive or negative. Don’t let the opportunity to learn and grow pass you by.
Today we’re talking about money and reaching that elusive goal of a six-figure income. I really believe that everyone has the potential to be making $100k per year (or more.) However, a lot of us just can’t seem to reach that threshold. Today I’m going to give you four tips on how you can reach that goal.
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Raise your rates If you’re setting your rates based on your previous agency or full-time salary, then you’re not charging enough. If you’re providing a premium service to your customers, your rates should reflect that. Be confident in your abilities and people will pay your rates.
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Don’t put your prices online When you put your prices online you’re automatically leaving money on the table and boxing yourself in. If you put your prices online, you’re unable to give your clients customized services and loosing the ability to create a premium “feel”, which ultimately costs you money. If your prices are already online, take them down!
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Don’t ignore the bottom line Clients are what bring you income. Not your brand identity, not your fancy website, but your clients. It’s easy to get caught up in branding, but you have to remember that you are your brand. Spending too much time on your logo or website will ultimately take away from time spent on business development, marketing, and the things that make you money.
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Make business development a priority We’ve all been in a position where our plate is too full and potential clients fall off the map. Don’t let this happen! Make sure you keep an open line of communication with potential clients even if it means putting them on a waiting list. You do not want to loose their business!
“I think most of you are leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table with your business and that hurts me for you. I want you to have all the money that you deserve and more!”
Main Takeaways * Be confident in your abilities and people will be more than happy to pay the rates you set for your projects. * You cannot earn more in your business if you’re not making business development a top priority. You have to work on your business as much, if not more, than you work in you business.
Links * Pricing Creativity by Blair Enns * The Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns
We did it. We made it to episode 100. In honor of reaching this goal, we’re doing a little rebranding and changing the name of the show to The 6-Figure Freelancer Podcast. Thanks you so much for listening and sharing this podcast with your friends.
Now, on to the show!
In today’s episode I talked with Shruthi Parker, a blogger, Instagrammer and content creator. Shruthi started out as a photographer and then moved into corporate marketing before finally landing where she is today as a full time blogger. Her passion for photography and storytelling is a big part of what lead to her success as an entrepreneur.
But her journey wasn’t without challenges. In fact, the thing that gave her the push to focus on her blog was having a contract job fall through. Rather than focus on the negative, she pursued her blog and turned it into a full-time career.
Throughout the process of shifting her mindset from stable job to independent business owner, Shruthi had a lot of support from her husband. And much of her success has come from her drive to produce content that has value and purpose. Her focus on being consistent and adding value is the driving force behind all of her projects.
In this episode Shruthi talks about:
- How she became a blogger, making the transition from stable and predictable to independent.
- How she manages her life, relationships, and time as an independent content creator.
- How she creates content, the strategy behind it, and the importance of regular content creation.
Main Takeaways * Know what you’re good at and where you focus will land. * Don’t be afraid to make a leap. * Create content on a regular basis and be obsessive about it.
“Genuinely just do you and the right people will be attracted to that and they will be your tribe. Those are the people that you want to create content for and those are the people you want to build relationships with.”
Links * Shruthi Parker * Shruthi Parker Instagram * Be Obsessed or Be Average by Grant Cardone
Today we’re going to talk about that big, beautiful brain you have inside your head. Mastering your mindset and controlling how your brain thinks about certain things is fundamental in creating and capturing your goals. Your mind can be trained like any other muscle, and these are the best tips and tricks on how to master your mindset and accomplish your most ambitious goals.
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Believe in yourself Am I good enough? Do I even provided enough value to know what I’m talking about? These are questions we all deal with. The key thing to remember is that people who accomplish great things believe in themselves. You need to rewrite your story in your brain to believe in yourself.
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Have an abundance mindset We live in a world where almost everything we could ever want or need is at our fingertips - we just have to go out and get it. The abundance mindset is important because it keeps the “lack mindset” at bay. And the “lack mindset” can put you in a negative place and prevent you from achieving your goals. Don’t hold on to one opportunity because you think it’s the only one you will get. You need to believe that better opportunities will come your way.
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Have a growth mindset A growth mindset means acting like you’ve never “arrived”. You are continually looking for ways to improve, you always have something to learn, and there’s a big beautiful world out there that you can take advantage of. Don’t let your ego trick you into a “fixed mindset” - the idea that you’ve already arrived and don’t need to learn or do more. You need to become the best version of yourself every day.
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Practice Gratitude I talked about practicing gratitude in episode nine and how it can transform your life. There are neurological shifts that happen in your brain when you practice gratitude. You can change the entire outcome of your day just by being grateful. You can find a way to be thankful about everything in your life. When you practice this mindset, your whole outlook on life changes and your brain rewards your thankfulness by releasing positive chemicals that make you feel happy. Practicing gratitude is an important step in becoming the new you.
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Have a healthy money mindset It’s important to look at your finances and your income and feel positive about them. One of my favorite affirmations is “money comes to me freely and effortlessly”. Having the mindset of someone who attracts money is so powerful because you’re then going to be able to ask for that raise you want or negotiate a project because you know you’re someone who deserves money.
“Mindset is the thing that you need to have in place to make your wildest dreams come true and to reach your big, hairy, audacious goals.”
Main Takeaways * Your mindset is key to accomplishing your goals. * Believe in yourself. Believe that there is enough to go around. Never stop improving. * Practice gratitude for everything. Believe that money will come to you.
Links * Beyond the Status Quo Ep 009: How to Use Gratitude to Transform Your Life * Beyond the Status Quo Ep 014: How to Develop a Healthy Money Mindset and Re-Write Your Money Story with Tushar Jain * How to Cultivate Your Healthy Money Mindset + Prepare for the Wealth You Deserve
Today is going to be more a “quick tip” kind of episode, but I wanted to give you guys a few ideas on how to take sick days as a freelancer. It’s an important topic because it’s something we don’t talk a lot about and is generally something we don’t often give ourselves.
Here is a list of things you should have in place for when you need a sick day, and I recommend putting these into your project management software so that your VA or other contractors know exactly what needs to happen when you’re out.
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Check urgent items If you can move urgent items to another day, do so. If not, assign them to another member of your team or your VA.
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Cancel or move meetings Go through your calendar and cancel (my preference) or reschedule any meetings you have.
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Notify your clients Let them know you won’t be as reachable as usual because you aren’t feeling well.
Once you’ve done all that, get some rest and get ready to come back at it energized and feeling at your best.
“A lot of times we don’t let ourselves take breaks and heal and we feel very guilty about it, but in order to serve your clients the best you can, you need to rest.”
Main Takeaways * Take sick days when you need them. You are of no use to clients if you aren’t at your best. * The world won’t end and things won’t fall apart if you take a day off - so do it when you need to. * Be thankful for the flexibility and freedom your business gives you, and be sure to keep the lines of communication open with your clients during any time away.
Links * Beyond the Status Quo Ep 087: How to have less meetings * Asana
I think we can all agree that one of the main reasons people start freelancing is because they want more control over their day and to live their best lives, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen that way.
To avoid that scenario, it’s really important for us to talk about how we run our businesses.
A good place to start is by understanding the four levels of business activities that we all encounter in our freelancing:
- The Technician. This is the base level where most of us start out. This is where you’re doing admin tasks, designing things, number crunching, working on spreadsheets, implementation, etc.
- The Manager. This is more of a project management role. You’re assigning tasks, checking in with your team or contractors, and making sure everything in on track to meet deadlines.
- The Integrator. The integrator is someone who gets things done and has an intense focus on execution. This role creates systems for the business that enables the business to keep moving forward while still being efficient.
- The Visionary. The visionary role is where you get to be creative and spend time thinking about new projects and initiatives. This is high-level thinking that focuses on problem solving and innovation.
If you’re working alone, then you’re likely performing tasks in all of these roles, and that’s ok. However, in order to level-up your business, you have to be able to recognize where your time is most valuable and focus on that.
One way to do that is to batch your work according to role. For example, one week, you may spend three days as a technician, one day as an integrator, and one day as a visionary. Each week can be different, depending on what you need to get done.
Now, how do we use this understanding of roles to stop feeling like a minion in our businesses?
- Hire a VA. Find someone for $15/hr you can bring on to do some of the administrative technician work.
- Hire another technician. Spend the time to hire someone who can contribute to your team out of the gate. Start with just a few hours a week and grow as needed.
- Drop client work that makes you feel like a minion. If it’s draining or doesn’t feel like a good fit for you, then don’t be afraid to drop that work or that client altogether.
- Say no to production work. Don’t take work that doesn’t align with the value you bring to the table.
- Think bigger picture. Start thinking about your role as the integrator and visionary and commit to spending more time in those roles.
- Delegate. You have to delegate, but try not to micromanage. Work on being able to truly step back from certain aspects of the work.
These tips will help you get back to the core of why you started your freelance businesses in the first place.
“A lot of times we’re the ones stunting our own business growth. We’re the ones keeping ourselves from six figures. We’re the ones making it hard on ourselves.”
Main Takeaways * Think big picture. Give yourself time and space to think about the next week, month, and year of your business. * Drop clients who don’t provide work that excites you or is moving your business forward. * Delegate, delegate, delegate. And don’t micromanage.
Links * Traction by Gino Wickman * Upwork
In Part 2 of our series on habits, we’re going to talk about five habits every freelancer should have. However, before we begin, I want to make it clear that I don’t recommend adding these into your routine all at once. Use the strategies we discussed in Part 1 to make sure these habits build on each other and stick over time.
If you’ve already listened to Part 1, then let’s dive into the five habits I think every freelancer should have:
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A mindfulness practice Having a mindfulness practice, even if it’s just stopping to take deep breaths, can help ensure that you don’t get swept away by the ongoing deluge of tasks, emails, etc., and keep you focused on the task at hand.
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Project management Assigning tasks to yourself and your team, and ensuring that the workload is even and manageable, is key to ensuring a smooth work week.
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Keep your inbox closed The email inbox is a trap for most people that can lead to hours of feeling busy without actually getting anything done. Set specific times to check your email each day and resist the urge to check-in outside of those times.
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Mindfulness in the middle of the day Yes, mindfulness is on the list twice. It’s critical to have a mindfulness practice to start your day, but just as important is checking in with yourself throughout the day. Find a way to squeeze in a break or change of pace in the afternoon and it will save your sanity and your business.
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Learning Freelancers should constantly be learning something new or learning more about a topic they already understand. Take a course, read a book, do what you need to do to ensure that you are always learning.
“Having a mindfulness practice puts you in a mode where you’re present, you’re there, and you’re not necessarily swayed by everything that’s happening around you.”
Main Takeaways * Unless they are business development related, emails don’t make you money. Organize, prioritize, and put guardrails in place for checking your email. * Mindfulness is a crucial part of productivity. It’s not only valuable for moments of anxiety or stress, but also for overcoming creative roadblocks. You need to have a mindfulness moment where you can break away in the middle of the day and feel refreshed. * Continuous learning is an essential part of every freelancer’s success. Build it into your schedule and make it happen.
Links * Atomic Habits by James Clear * The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy * The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson * Headspace App * Asana * Productivity Course
Today we’re talking about habits. In fact, it’s Part 1 of a longer discussion on habits and the types of habits that all freelancers should have.
In Part 1 (today’s episode), we’re going to talk about how to create sticky habits. Part 2 will focus on the five habits every freelancer should have.
So, how do we make sticky habits this year?
First, habits don’t have to be massive changes that happen overnight. Often, the most impactful habits are the ones we build every day through small repeated actions. Small changes each day can lead to big ones in the long-run - similar to how compounding interest works in your finances.
The problem is that it can be really hard to make new habits stick. And one of the big reasons for this is because we don’t actually address the underlying issue that will anchor our new habits.
I like to think about that anchor as a target. Picture four concentric circles. The outer most circle represents our goals. The second circle represents the tasks necessary to reach those goals. The third circle is the processes and systems you put in place to accomplish those tasks. And, finally, the fourth circle - the bullseye - is your identity. The tricky part is that you have to have each layer in place to support the one outside of it. So, to gain any traction with your systems and processes, you have to first understand who you are and ensure everything else aligns with that.
One hack to help you build sticky habits is to use habit stacking. In other words, attach your habits to other activities. For example, let’s say you have a business goal of getting new leads, and the way you’re going to accomplish this is by reaching out out to new people online. You can attach this new activity to your existing morning habit stack. For me, this might look something like, I wake up, shower, get ready, go make tea, eat breakfast, meditate, and then I add in messaging two new leads to setup discovery calls. After doing this enough times, messaging new leads becomes a habit.
Another habit hack is accountability. If you have a goal or habit you want to build, tell it to someone close to you. Tell them what you hope to accomplish and ask them to keep you accountable. The feeling of letting people down is a strong deterrent from letting your goals fall by the wayside. I’ve done this myself with some of my fitness goals this year and am excited to see what I can accomplish.
“I like to think of habits as tiny gains, which means that I can do something small on a daily basis and it can make a big impact in the long-run.”
Main Takeaways * Don’t wait - small, daily, consistent actions lead to big changes in the long-run. * Be -> Do -> Have - you have to understand who you are in order to support the rest of the layers (your systems, tasks, and goals). * Habit stacking is a habit-building hack that works by building a sequence of habits that reminds you to do the next habit - each habit is a trigger for the next. * Tell people about the habits you want to build so you have accountability.
Links * Atomic Habits by James Clear
We don’t always have it all figured out, and that’s okay! Often times when we feel the most scared, is usually when life is about to blow our minds. Today I am introducing you to Adam Clark, the most humble and hardworking serial entrepreneur! From web development, journalism, to podcast production, he is conquering it all. He goes into his personal journey of self discovery, and all the gems he’s learned along the way. A true trailblazer to us all.
You can’t climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pocket, and trial and error is the best way to get there! Adam goes into the importance of evaluating your personal strengths and weaknesses, and then figuring out where you can provide the most value to others and yourself. This is a vital stepping stone toward designing your business around your ideal life. Check out the full episode to hear more!
Make sure to checkout E-Myth by Michael Gerber, one of the books that encouraged Adam to pivot toward entrepreneurship! I will be adding this to my list of 2019 reads, and highly suggest it to you all!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- The importance of mindset when creating a business
- Why starting your own business can be more secure than your 9-5 job
- The necessary steps to grow your business around you
- How & Why: The Recurring Revenue Model
Related BSQ Podcasts:
Making Money Online with Digital Products with Sheila Joy Freelance Hacks: Find Alignment, Build an Email List, and Create Multiple Streams of Income Tools + Tips for the Digital Nomad with Brie Goumaz Secrets to Strategizing the Hustle to Make Your Best Life a Reality with Richelle Ouellette Connect with Adam!
Twitter: @avclark
Instagram: @avclark
Website: podcastroyale.net
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/hiring-team
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
There are 7 days left in 2018 and we have full intention on finishing strong! In today’s episode I am going to be sharing with you guys a few secrets I personally use when comes to scaling my business. In hopes to save you guys as much time and resources as I can, trying figuring it all out yourselves like I did.
Today we will talk about growth, what building your team looks like, and dive into what has truly worked for me during the scaling process. What’s the difference between growing and scaling? I know the transition into becoming the entrepreneur and freelancer you so aspire to be can be a bit difficult and confusing. That is why I will walk you through each phase and the best approaches to take, and when. In efforts to ensure you don’t get overwhelmed with the amount of work that increases while your business growing to its fullest potential. As a freelancer, a lot of you may know it is a one man show until your business really starts to grow. Then you have to be strong enough to know when it is time to ask for help and strategically outreach. Because here at Beyond The Status Quo podcast we are big advocates on making sure your business supports your life, not the other way around.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to work smarter not harder
- How to effectively build your team
- Phases of the scaling process while staying profitable
- How to know when it is time to start outreaching
Related BSQ Podcasts:
PR + Visibility Tips for Freelancers with Katherine McDermott Replay Episode: 8 Secrets to Closing Clients Effortlessly Tools + Tips for the Digital Nomad with Brie Goumaz 8 Secrets to Closing Clients Effortlessly Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/hiring-team
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In today’s episode we have the opportunity to speak to the one and only, Naomi Mdudu, founder of The Lifestyle Edit, a platform for creative working women and female entrepreneurs who want to gain clarity and visibility in their business online. Naomi is known for being great at bringing the right conversation to the table, and helping business owners place themselves strategically to get that ideal client.
As business owners, we know that our product or service is the answer to a problem most (if not all) our targeted audience has. Today we will learn how to create the message that answers all of our future client's questions before they ask them! And why it is important to self reflect on our own experiences and unique parts of ourselves, in order to effectively connect with those we dream to do business with. We will learn how to create the foundation of this message and be fully aware of our ideal clients “why” behind their decision making, then allowing you to get into your clients head so they can’t help but want to do business with you!
Get out your pen and paper folks, you’re going to want to take notes! Naomi covers so many valuable points. I know this episode is going to be a go-to for me as an I strive to scale my own business, I know it will be for you too!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to find the specific problem your clients need the solution for
- Why you should test before you scale anything
- Why your email list is more valuable than any social media audience
- How to get your audience in the habit of responding to you
- The strategic market research you need to be doing
Related BSQ Podcasts:
PR + Visibility Tips for Freelancers with Katherine McDermott Replay Episode: 8 Secrets to Closing Clients Effortlessly Tools + Tips for the Digital Nomad with Brie Goumaz 8 Secrets to Closing Clients Effortlessly Connect with Naomi!
Instagram: @naomimdudu
Podcast: www.soundcloud.com
Website: www.thelifestyleedit.com
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/hiring-team
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
One week away from Christmas and 9 episodes from episode 100! Crazy how this year has flown by! With the year coming to an end, it’s really easy to feel like you’re losing time and energy, and that you have to do everything right this minute! When that couldn’t be farther than the truth.
In today’s episode I breakdown 6 steps that you can do to have an amazing holiday and launch into 2019 positioned for success. It’s important to have a system in place to plan and prepare for an amazing, enjoyable, and relaxing holiday completely guilt free. As a freelancer, we know this is way easier said than done! But it isn’t impossible. It just takes a few strategic and intentional steps and you can do it! Ultimately learning how to fit and create the dream life you want to live, while continuing to add value to your business and the people you work with is our “Why”, right?! Let’s refocus and make that game come to life!
If you haven't yet, make sure you grab your 6-Figure Freelance Roadmap here!
In this episode you will learn:
- How to game plan your 2019
- How to plan ahead and save time and energy
- Importance of the abundance mindset
- Why you need to downsize your to-do list
Related BSQ Podcasts:
What I Learned After 12 Months of Running a 6-Figure Business How to Find your Freelance Niche Freelance Hacks: Find Alignment, Build an Email List, and Create Multiple Streams of Income How to Outsource + Automate as a Freelancer Web Page: www.avanimiriyala.com/6-months-6-figures
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In today’s episode, we speak with PR Guru and Founder of Slightly Savvy, Katherine McDermott. She dives into the perfect PR plan you want to have for yourself as a blogger, influencer, or entrepreneur. We learned that public relations is always free (or earned), and advertising always costs. How you can figure out your own branding, then the audience, and then figuring out where you need to be to be seen effectively.
She encourages us to go beyond the status quo and take those crazy opportunities that scare you. Because those are the ones that are going to help you grow and most likely be the most fulfilling. And reminds us that there isn’t always a roadmap or just one path that leads us exactly where we are meant to be.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Figuring out your audience
- The perfect PR plan
- How to find your niche as an influencer
- The difference between PR and advertising
Related BSQ Podcasts:
How to Find your Freelance Niche
Instagram Influencer 101 with Rachel Holtin
How to Become a Heart-Centered Online Influencer with Allison Ramsey
Connect with Katherine McDermott:
Website: https://slightlysavvy.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slightlysavvy/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/slightlysavvypr
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
First-time freelancers can oftentimes spend way more money and time than they need to setting up the front load of their business. The business cards, the website, the logo, the design. Although those things are very important, they aren’t the most important. They aren’t the things that make you money or keep you and your business afloat. Your business development strategy is. A clear and organized schedule and calendar is. Those are your priorities and the heartbeat of your business, and should be treated as such!
In today’s episode we are going back 2 years ago to my personal freelance journey, and sharing with you one of the main mistakes I, and most first time freelancers make. Priorities. Reminding you that it’s never too late to change your priorities, get yourself organized and focus on the important things! It is time to draw a line in the sand, get your eyes on the prize, and make 2019 your first 6 figure year! You’re never not going to have a 6 figure year after this! Get ready, it’s only up from here!
Grab your copy of the 6-Figure Freelance Roadmap here! Just for you!
In this episode you will learn:
- How to focus on the important stuff
- How to make sure your calendar reflects your priorities
- How to confidently have a business development strategy
- The importance of time constraints
Related BSQ Podcasts:
What I Learned After 12 Months of Running a 6-Figure Business How to Find your Freelance Niche Freelance Hacks: Find Alignment, Build an Email List, and Create Multiple Streams of Income How to Outsource + Automate as a Freelancer Web Page: www.avanimiriyala.com/6-months-6-figures
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
With just a few short weeks left of December, we often times forget or move to quickly into our New Year resolutions, to reflect on all of the things we have accomplished this year. Today I sit down again with recurring guest James Quigley, and he explains to us the importance of mindfully taking a step back and reflecting on those accomplishments, counting up the big and small. And how by doing so, we lay the foundation of effective goal setting in all areas of our lives.
We discuss the power of perspective and gratitude, and the importance of detail. We dive into the details of what the process of effective goal setting looks like, and how you can make the goal, the vision, the life you see for yourself come to manifestation, no matter who you are or what stage of life you’re in.
This episode teaches you just a few, intentional steps, you can take and apply to help you hit the ground running January 1st, and make 2019 your best year yet!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- What you can do RIGHT NOW to prepare yourself for the New Year
- The power of perspective and gratitude
- How to goal set effectively
- The importance of celebrating and reflecting your accomplishments, both big and small
Connect with James!
Instagram: @lifeasjamesquigley
Related BSQ Podcasts:
Tiny Gains for Massive Impact – Crafting Your Morning and Evening Routines with James Quigley
My Morning Routine – My Top 5 Tips for a GREAT Start to Your Day
How Saying No Can Change Your Life
10 Ways to Be More Confident
Are meetings controlling your weeks and overriding your productivity? I found that between client calls, team meetings and business development coffee talks I had little time to get my actual work done. On today’s episode, I share with you my recommended tips for having less meetings and getting more done.
Don’t get me wrong, I love meetings with my clients and team. I look forward to building, developing and nurturing our relationship as our projects advance. But somewhere down the line, I recognized that I wasn't nearly as productive as I should be. When I took a look at my schedule for the weeks ahead, I notice that my calendar was prefilled with scheduled meetings upon meetings...upon meetings. I needed to find a way to continue communication while protecting my time.
This episode is great for freelancer and entrepreneurs who need regain ownership of their calendar and are looking for tips and tools to help them do so.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to assess and prepare your meeting schedule for the week a head
- The benefits of a meeting agendas
- My recommended tools to help you manage your time and calendar
Related BSQ Podcasts:
5 Productivity Tips to Help You Perform at the Next Level
How to Use Automation to Take Back Your Time with Alyssa Coleman
Tips for Being Productive While Working From Home + Balancing a Job and Side Hustle with Martha Barreda
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Growing your business is an incredibly rewarding experience! As your client list grows and the money flows, you should reflect upon the hard work that has gotten you here and be proud! As you embark on the next phase of your entrepreneurial journey you might consider growing your team to help champion your mission. The transition from solopreneur to team manager AND business owner will be a whole new learning experience and today’s episode will help you prepare for that next stage of success.
Today on the show, I sit with my dear friend and regular guest on the BSQ podcast, Alexandria Hart! As the Founder and CEO of Good Joo Joo, a Digital Marketing Agency and remote workplace, Alex has first hand experience hiring and managing a team of remote freelancers. She will walk us through the lessons she has learned and her top recommendations for freelancers and entrepreneurs looking to grow their team and business.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- When it is time to hire
- How to hire appropriately
- How to manage a team of remote freelancers
- How to foster a team culture in a remote environment
Related BSQ Podcasts:
How to Outsource + Automate as a Freelancer
What I Learned After 12 Months of Running a 6-Figure Business
Embracing the Consulting Hustle and Living Inside the Happiness Margin with Alexandria Hart
The Truth About Break-Ups (Professional + Personal) and Why They Should Be Happening in Your Life with Alexandria Hart
Connect with Alexandria!
Website: Good Joo Joo
Instagram: _goodjoojoo
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/hiring-team
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Do you ever find yourself apologizing for being a perfectionist or labeling yourself as OCD so that the people around you don’t feel intimidated by your attention to detail? After today’s episode, we apologize no more! I encourage you to embrace, nurture and challenge your inner perfectionist so that you can live your life Beyond the Status Quo.
In design school, I was trained to focus on the details, always polished and prepared. In the school of hard knocks, I am learning that things don't always play out according to our plans. This dynamic mix of attention to detail and preparedness vs. hurdles and roadblocks can be incredibly overwhelming. But no need to fret you guys, I got you covered!
In today’s episode, I walk you through the set of rules I use to manage my inner perfectionist so that I can produce my best work and bring my best self. These guidelines will help you observe, appreciate and implement your inner perfectionist characteristics while maintaining real world expectations.This episode is great for freelancers, entrepreneurs and designers who want to tame and embrace their inner perfectionist.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to appreciate your inner perfectionist
- Tools to help you navigate business as a perfectionist
- Tips to help you manage your expectations as a perfectionist
Related BSQ Podcasts:
3 Ways to Use Design Thinking to Build the Right Product
How To Make Sure You’re Generating Great Ideas
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/perfectionism
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Sheila Joy is a Business Coach for Bloggers and expert on creating, strategizing and selling digital products. Digital products are intangible goods that exist in digital form. Some examples of digital products are e-books, webinars, templates, graphic designs, etc. I have had many guests on the show talk about their success selling their digital products and today Sheila will share with us her trusted resources as well as her expert advice on A) how to choose what type of digital product to sell B) how to sell it C) how to nurture your audience.
Sheila always felt something pulling her Beyond the Status Quo and after producing a successful fashion blog she realized her zone of genius lied in her ability to coach and teach others interested in entering the blogging space. Sheila now offers group coaching and digital products to educate, inspire, and support her community!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to turn your blog into a business
- Different types of digital products to sell online
- How to launch, promote and sell your digital product
Connect with Sheila!
- Website
- Free Money Making Blogger Roadmap: https://insearchofsheila.com/roadmap
- Group coaching program: https://insearchofsheila.com/academy
Related BSQ Podcasts:
- Freelance Hacks: Find Alignment, Build an Email List, and Create Multiple Streams of Income
- Get Aligned in Your Freelance Business + Become Unlimited You with Alysha DeMarsh
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/blog-to-biz
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Happy Monday!
Over the past few weeks, my guests and I have spoken in great depth about the impact our mindset has on our everyday lives and it's direct effect on our business. As fresh-faced freelancers and first-time entrepreneurs, the idea of selling our services can be intimidating, uncomfortable and, with an anxious mindset, unsuccessful. My mission for today's episode is to help you re-frame your mindset when it comes to sales and client management. 8 Secrets to Closing Clients Effortlessly is an episode from the BSQ archives, originally aired July 2018. Take notes & enjoy!
Let’s look beyond ‘making a sale’ and start cultivating authentic and wholesome relationships with potential clients. In today’s episode, I outline 8 Secrets to Closing Clients Effortlessly. These tips have propelled me to ‘smash’ through my record-breaking revenue months and I know these tips will help you too!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Sales tactic Do’s + Dont’s
- Items to prepare for successful kick-off meetings
- How to authentically drive a sales meeting for mutual benefits
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/closing_clients
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Today on theBSQ podcast I sit with Gariele Write, Web Designer, Brand Strategist and Founder of the Rad Girls Collective. Gariele’s entrepreneurial journey is filled with adventures in travel, family, friends, success, and authenticity. Her ability to remain true to her zone of genius, listen to her intuition and recognize pivoting opportunities has helped her turn her passion into a career.
As freelancers and new business owners, we are faced with fresh opportunities as well as challenges daily. It is how we respond to these pivots that makes us stronger, braver and smarter. From student to mother, influencer to designer, Gariele has been able to acknowledge, address, and tackle all of life’s unpredictable throws. She was able to learn from each experience, recognize her strengths and find her niche. Today Gariele strictly works with travel bloggers and budding travel bloggers on their website, brand development, and brand strategy. Her mission is to help her clients share their story authentically, providing the world with a true representation of themselves. This is a great episode for freelancers too nervous to niche and social media influencers who want to genuinely inspire their followers. Gariele is currently offering a discounted rate to aspiring travel bloggers for brand mentorship + strategy! In today’s episode you will learn:
- Why pivoting is key in running a business
- How tapping into your niche can lead great ROI
Check out my free 6-Figure Freelance Roadmap to help you build your business and expand your life Beyond the Status Quo.
Related BSQ Podcasts:
How to Find your Freelance Niche
How Niching Down Can Help You Charge More as a Freelancer
Why You Should Be Making Positive Pivots in Your Life with Alex Oda
Connect with Gariele:
Website
Instagram
Rad Girls Collective
Web Page:
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Today, I am replaying an episode that is near and dear to my heart and success. In last week's episode with Alessandra Nicole, Mastering Your Mind for a Life Beyond the Status Quo, we touched on the power of the What to Say to Your Worst Critic exercise. This tough, eye-opening and therapeutic activity impacted my life and business tremendously. Our conversation inspired me to replay this episode and encourage you to try it (if you already haven't). Sometimes the only thing holding us back from success is ourselves.
Seems like getting vulnerable has been a theme with my podcast lately! In this episode, I’m sharing a note I received from someone with all of you. This note was brutal, it hurt, and cut deep. But it was real and I want to share it with all of you. I am also sharing my response to this critic of mine. I want you to walk away with pep in your step and fire behind your dreams. Because no matter what people say, you know your true worth; you know what you were really meant for.
In today’s episode you will learn:
- How to acknowledge and respond to your worst critic
Check out my free 6-Figure Freelance Roadmap to help you build your business and expand your life Beyond the Status Quo.
Related BSQ Podcasts:
3 Steps to Crushing Your Fear Gremlins
Crushing Fear + Finding Your Purpose with Lizz Franco
Alessandra’s Recommendations:
Connect with Alessandra:
Web Page:
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
n our modern age of information, there is no limit to what, where, or when we can learn. From books to articles, SkillShare videos to IGTV, we have the ability to expand our knowledge constantly. After we collect all this information one must wonder, how much of what I learn do I put into practice?
Today, I sit with Alessandra Nicole -- Mindset & Confidence Mastery Coach, Host of Girls on a Mission Podcast -- to address issues surrounding confidence, mindset and limiting beliefs. Alessandra and I are big supporters of the clarity comes through action mindset and on the Mastering Your Mind for a Life Beyond the Status Quo episode we will introduce methods that have helped us practice what we learn and explain how we implement them into our lives and businesses.
Alessandra became fascinated with the concept of mindset and the laws of attraction at a very young age. Her journey has led her to further exploring, experiencing, and testing growth mindset methods. Today she shares with us her library of knowledge. My question for you is, what are you going to take away from this episode and how are you going to implement it into your life?
In today’s episode you will learn:
- Tools for new process implementation
- Tips to inspire action and breakthrough your limiting beliefs
- Identifying your limiting beliefs and changing your mindset
Check out my free 6-Figure Freelance Roadmap to help you build your business and expand you life Beyond the Status Quo.
Related BSQ Podcasts:
What to Say to Your Worst Critic
How the Learning Mindset Can Help You Become an Entrepreneur with Cara Katz
How to Cultivate Your Healthy Money Mindset + Prepare for the Wealth You Deserve
Alessandra’s Recommendations:
-
Books: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill , Millionaire Success Habits by Dean Graziosi
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Podcast: The Art Of Living Big with Betsy Pake , Strong Babe Collective by Taylor Rae
Connect with Alessandra:
Girls on a Mission Podcast
Website
Instagram
Web Page:
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Repeating affirmations and future pacing are tools I love to use. I practice them as part of my daily routine to help me stay focused, motivated, and confident. Future pacing is a technique used to help you envision your future goals, and repeating affirmations are your daily reminders to help you get there. These two exercises can be done independently, but I have found that they work harmoniously together.
Whether working alone or leading a team of people, it can get lonely, distracting and difficult navigating the waters of running a successful business. It is important to remind yourself regularly of your mission, your why, and what you need to do to get there. Building a routine of these practices might be challenging at first but I promise you, over time, it will get easier. The more you train your brain with positive affirmations and big goals the better, and more enjoyable, your hustle will become.
In today’s episode, I walk you through the practice of future pacing and the do’s + dont’s for creating your own affirmations. This episode is great for everyone. It can be used to help you scale your business, get in shape, stay motivated, and even help you live Beyond the Status Quo! Take care of yourself from the inside out, dream big, stay positive and great things will happen.
In today’s episode you will learn:
- What affirmations and future pacing are and how they are designed to help you
- How to create your own affirmations
- Techniques for future pacing
- Why these exercises can help you in work and life
FREE Course: The 6-Figure Freelance Roadmap
Related BSQ Podcasts:
Tiny Gains for Massive Impact – Crafting Your Morning and Evening Routines with James Quigley
How to Create a Long-Term Vision + Actionable Game Plan for Your Life
Web Page:
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
A ‘tiny gain’ is the practice of small steps that, over time, can lead to a big change. We use this term as we weight train at the gym, scale our business and when we develop a new set of skill. Achieving small goals, one step at a time is a great confidence booster and motivator. My guest on the show today, James Quigley, is a former Fitness Coach and now works with his clients as a Life Strategist and Personal Development Coach. He utilizes the ‘tiny gains’ method to coach his community and helps them create tailored daily routines that revitalize and inspire them to live more meaningful lives.
I am no stranger to routines. In fact, I encourage my listeners, clients, and friends regularly to find their practice. By creating a ritual that sets apart moments in your day, you allow your mind and body to relax and recover. As freelancers, especially those who work from home, it can be so easy to get lost in our work. Hours can fly by and we can still be in our pajamas! While staying cozy can seem appetizing, at the end of the day you will find your mind and body working against you.
Creating a morning and evening routine can help you tremendously - it can inspire you in the morning and relax you in the evening. Turning off and resetting your mind and body is imperative when hustling as a freelancer and entrepreneur. In today’s episode, James and I discuss how to take small steps in creating a routine that works best for you.
In today’s episode you will learn:
- How tiny gains lead to massive impact
- Benefits of practicing a daily routine
- How to create a tailored routine
- The importance of commitment to your practice
Connect with James!
Instagram: @lifeasjamesquigley
Related BSQ Podcasts:
How to Create a Daily Mind Gym Routine That Works For You
My Morning Routine – My Top 5 Tips for a GREAT Start to Your Day
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Creatives
Web Page:
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Today’s episode is centered around outsourcing projects and automating systems in order to save you time and energy. Running a freelance business has incredible perks - freedom, ownership, flexibility! But it also can be extremely overwhelming - organization, business development, invoicing! As you grow and develop your business more and more items start to pile on your plate. I have found that in order to run a successful freelance shop, you must A) learn to trust others to help you and B) understand what your time is worth. If you continue running on all cylinders you can burn out and start hating your freelance experience.
I start by sharing with you my top recommended automation tools. These are typically free resources online that help you with administrative tasks such as calendar management (Calendly) and invoicing (Dubsado). These tasks are typically easy and simple but they take time and for a Freelancer, time is $$. The more time you save on the smaller tasks, the more energy you can put into the more important elements of growing your business.
Once you start mastering automation and your business continues to grow I highly recommend looking into outsourcing. Outsourcing comes with a price tag but the ROI is unmeasurable! In this episode I discuss my experiences outsourcing for the BSQ podcast as well as my businesses finances. For both projects, I let the pros take the lead so that I can stay in my zone of genius. I created a team of trustworthy, reliable and supportive outsourcers that have helped take my business to the next level.
This episode is great for freelancers in the beginning stages of their career as well as intermediate. Outsourcing and automation will save you time, make you money and give you the freedom to love your business.
In today’s episode you will learn:
- What is outsourcing and automation
- How to know what projects should outsourcing and automation
- Recommended tools for automation
- How to outsource with confidence
Related BSQ Podcasts:
How to Use Automation to Take Back Your Time with Alyssa Coleman
5 Ways to Take Back Your Schedule
Secrets to Strategizing the Hustle to Make Your Best Life a Reality with Richelle Ouellette
Web Page:
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
As human beings, our biggest aspiration in life is to be happy. We simply want to feel good. From our late teenage years to early adulthood, we start to experience a negative edge, a mental shift. The world looks a bit darker, things start to get harder and you continuously ask yourself ‘why me’. It wasn't until recent years that the topic of mental health became a less taboo item. Since no one prepared us for it, we never learned how to address it.
My guest on the show today, Gemini Bhimani, is a long time friend, nurse, and entrepreneur. She shares with us her triumphant story of how she worked her way through depression to become a successful and passionate advocate for mental health as well as an entrepreneur. Her life lessons, healing practices and determination to live Beyond the Status Quo has transformed her experience, and her inspirational story is encouraging for anyone going through a tough time.
Today, we have apps with 24-hour counselor support, journaling techniques, medications, and meditations. There are solutions rapidly available and easily accessible to help reduce the discomfort. One of the golden nuggets from today’s episode is Gemini’s firm stance on expression. During her toughest moments, she found relief in talking to someone. She then realized she could let out her emotions through her creativity in dance and being her true authentic self. As she started to take risks and listen to her intuition her success and mission started to align. She is now the proud owner of the Junoon Dance Company as well as a registered nurse, and an active member in the Chicago Mental Health for the South Asian community. Her story will inspire you to take action, trust your instincts, and take care of yourself.
In today’s episode you will learn:
- Why you should pay attention to your mental health
- How to nurture your mental health
- Tools to help you cope with anxiety and depression
- How to trust your instincts and live Beyond the Status Quo
Related BSQ Podcasts:
3 Steps to Crushing Your Fear Gremlins
How to Fuel Your Body and Stay Healthy Without Spending Hours in the Gym/Kitchen
Boosting the 4 Happiness Hormones to Feel Absolutely Amazing Every Single Day
Web Page:
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Fear is a natural human instinct that has protected our species since day one, but in this modern age, fear cripples us more than protects us. No matter what transition we are trying to make in work, life and love we seem to be unable to shake our ‘fear gremlins’. They linger in the back of our mind, reminding us that we can’t and shouldn’t take risks or change our routine.
As freelancers and entrepreneurs, once we start to feel our ‘fear gremlins’ waking up, we are faced with two options - fight or flight. We can either crawl into bed and hide from our fears OR we can live Beyond the Status Quo, address our anxieties, find solutions and level up!
In today’s episode, I break down my tried and true 3 -step process to combating your ‘fear gremlins’. This exercise will encourage you to acknowledge your fears in a safe, low-pressure environment so that you can understand what triggers your anxiety and why.
In today’s episode you will learn:
- How to acknowledge your fears
- Defeat your ‘fear gremlins’
- Breakthrough your anxiety
- New tools to help you level up
Related BSQ Podcasts:
How the Learning Mindset Can Help You Become an Entrepreneur with Cara Katz
How to Cultivate Your Healthy Money Mindset + Prepare for the Wealth You Deserve
The Secret to Turning Bad Days Into Good Ones
Web Page:
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
This is a very special episode. Alysha DeMarsh from Basil and Bark is back on the BSQ podcast! We catch up from where we left off in episode 60, Freelance Hacks: Find Alignment, Build an Email List, and Create Multiple Streams of Income, and discuss her new course for Digital Creatives as well as her new passion, supporting female entrepreneurs with mental illness.
After a recent introspective meditation, Alysha was able to identify her root causes of anxiety. When she went back to the drawing board she envisioned a new way to approach her (already thriving) business in order for it to align with her unlimited true self. We can all learn a lot from Alysha’s transparency and confidence as she levels up and takes on her new challenges.
This episode is full of golden nuggets. We talk about creating opportunities for bringing in a passive income, techniques for leveling up, why you should feel confident in charging your clients what you are worth and so much more!
In today’s episode you will learn:
- How to identify and act on your true alignment
- The benefits of working with a coach to level up
- How to feel confident charging what you are worth
Related BSQ Podcasts:
Freelance Hacks: Find Alignment, Build an Email List, and Create Multiple Streams of Income
How to Confidently and Effectively Ask for a Raise
How to Create a Long-Term Vision + Actionable Game Plan for Your Life
Connect with Alysha!
Basil and Bark Website
CreativeMarket – Basil & Bark
Instagram @basilandbark
Digital Product Boss
Web Page:
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Today, we talk about how to raise your freelance prices because chances are, you are not charging what you are worth! I will walk you through mathematical equations and real-life scenarios to help you better understand how to appropriately change your clients.
Early on in my freelance career, like most of you, I charged my clients an hourly rate based off of my desired yearly salary. After a while, I found that this formula not only devalued my self-worth and production but also, it fractured my relationships with my clients. I constantly felt like I was providing my clients with great work but not getting properly compensated for it. It forced me to feel me bitter and frustrated.
Through the muck came clarity and I created a five-step approach to evaluating how to charge my clients. I now look at my potential customers and their businesses holistically. I conduct research to understand where they fit in the marketplace, how the project I am helping them with affects their bottom line, and what their return on investment (ROI) is by hiring me. By leveling the playing field, and making it fair for all parties involved, you set a foundation for a stronger, smoother, and symbiotic working relationship.
This episode is incredibly helpful if you are feeling undervalued and need to make an adjustment in your pricing structure.
In today’s episode you will learn:
- How to charge for your expertise appropriately
- Equations to help you understand your true rate
- Why you are more valuable to your clients than you might think
Related BSQ Podcasts:
Make Your Clients Fall in Love With You
How Niching Down Can Help You Charge More as a Freelancer
The 6 Telltale Signs of a High Quality Client
Today, on the BSQ podcast, I break bread with Entrepreneur and Instagram Marketing Strategist, Tyler J. McCall! We have been long time Insta-friends and I am thrilled to have him on the show.
Tyler is an expert at building relationships and forming communities on Instagram. His genuine and heart centered approach to relationship management has led him on a path of epic success. Tyler and his partner are running a successful consulting business that helps people understand their instagram goals, teaches them how to post with purpose as well as best practices for connecting with followers GENUINELY.
On this episode, Tyler and I talk all things Instagram - the trends to avoid and the tracks for success. We debunk brand byasses and discuss how Instragam can be used for any business, specifically service based entrepreneurs. This episode is great for freelancers looking to market themselves successfully and purposefully on Instagram.
In today’s episode you will learn:
- An insiders view to Instagram
- What works vs. what does not convert
- How to grow your audience online
- How to nurture relationships with your followers
Related BSQ Podcasts:
Instagram Influencer 101 with Rachel Holtin
Connect with Tyler!
The Follower to Fan Society
Tyler J. McMcall
Instagram: tylerjmccall
Web Page:
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Today on the BSQ podcast I interview my very own Virtual Assistant, Cara Katz! We focus on the topic of a learning mindset and how it has helped her ditch the 9-5 and freelance with confidence.
A learning mindset is a mentality that fosters growth and education. As Cara moved around the country and transitioned into different jobs she understood quickly that a learning mindset was going to be her strongest asset. After her most recent move, Cara turned on the BSQ podcast and decided to start her own business. SYT (Support Your Tribe) is a collaboration shop that focuses on helping entrepreneurs and small businesses optimize new systems, strategize, and, essentially, get sh*& done. By utilizing modern technology and maintaining a strong mindfulness practice, Cara is able to take on all types of projects and is excited to learn new skills.
A learning mindset is great for everyone! We can all learn a lot from today’s episode. Cara’s passion for continued education and her positive mindset is contagious. I hope you enjoy and have a Beyond the Status Quo kinda day!
In today’s episode you will learn:
- How to build and foster a network of genuine relationships
- What is a learning mindset and why it can help you level up
- Tools to help adjust your mindset
Related BSQ Podcasts:
Building Long-Term Relationships for Client Retention with Melissa Huisman
10 Ways to Be More Confident
How to Develop a Healthy Money Mindset and Re-Write Your Money Story with Tushar Jain
Web Page: www.avanimiriyala.com/learning-mindset
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In today’s episode, I focus on helping you shift your mindset from negative to positive. It is far to easy for us to enter a negative ethos and cloud our perception of the world around us. Luckily, there are many ways for us to shift out of a negative mentality, for example: working out, meditating, visiting friends, and going for a walk are simple and effective catalysts of change.
One practice that has helped me tremendously is deep breathing. Anytime I feel anxious or overwhelmed, I take a second to step back, close my eyes and breath deeply for three breaths. This scientifically proven technique signals your parasympathetic nervous system to relax and calm down. This not only affects your mind but it also slows down your heart rate and releases tension throughout your whole entire body. I recommend you give this short and effective method a try! When you open your eyes, the world around you will look much brighter :)
In this episode you will learn:
- Techniques for relaxation
- How practicing gratitude can change your attitude
Related BSQ Podcasts:
Using Visualization to Design Your Dream Life with Martina Fink
Boosting the 4 Happiness Hormones to Feel Absolutely Amazing Every Single Day
How to Fuel Your Body and Stay Healthy Without Spending Hours in the Gym/Kitchen
Web Page: www.avanimiriyala.com/bad-days-turned-good
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Intuition is defined as the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning. When we listen to our intuition and solidify our mission, we become more aligned and confident in our abilities. In today’s episode, I sit down with Dee Gautham, founder of Dee Gautham Live Fearlessly, to discuss how tapping into her intuition has helped her build her brand, overcome entrepreneurial obstacles, and find clients.
When Dee noticed an opportunity to foster a community in the Instagram fitness space she entered it without hesitation. She had no hopes of becoming Insta-famous but the more she listened to her intuition the bigger she became. Her side-hustle grew naturally and soon she was able to ditch her 9-to-5 and focus on her brand full time. Dee has now shifted from the fitness space and coaches female entrepreneurs on mission alignment and sales. I love Dee’s entrepreneurial spirit because she addresses her challenges with a positive attitude, an open mind, and a refreshing approach.
One of the biggest takeaways from today’s episode is Dee’s style to selling authentically. As Freelancers, when it comes to selling our services we often feel emotional and get intimidated. This, in turn, causes us to devalue ourselves, our time, and our skills. It is important that we put aside our ego and offer our services with a pure intention.
This episode is great for freelancers and entrepreneurs in need of a sales pep talk.
In this episode you will learn:
- Techniques for tuning into your intuition
- How to use your intuition to strengthen your alignment
- How to sell with confidence
Related BSQ Podcasts:
Networking: The Easy + Effective Way to Create Authentic, Symbiotic Relationships
Freelance Hacks: Find Alignment, Build an Email List, and Create Multiple Streams of Income
Building Long-Term Relationships for Client Retention with Melissa Huisman
Connect with Dee:
Website
Fearless Bosslady Facebook Group
Web Page: www.avanimiriyala.com/alignment-selling-authentically
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In today’s episode, I lay down the top 10 lessons I have learned while running a 6-figure business over the past 12 months as a freelancer and entrepreneur. As most of ya’ll know, it has been a trying and exciting year for me. It was a year of growth, development, success, and self-discovery. My mission for the BSQ podcast and this episode especially is to condense everything I have learned and neatly deliver my tips and techniques to set you on a straight path toward success.
The freelancer path to a 6-figure income isn’t easy but if you face each challenge with the right energy and mindset, I promise, you will find your way to the top.
In this episode you will learn:
- The importance of planning ahead and project management
- The value of investing in yourself and continuing your education
- The benefits of setting your personal and professional boundaries
- Why taking care of yourself is key
Related BSQ Podcasts:
How Saying No Can Change Your Life
5 Ways to Take Back Your Schedule
How to Use Automation to Take Back Your Time with Alyssa Coleman
How to Create Balance in Your Life While Still Chasing Your Dreams with Khrystle Rea
Web Page: www.avanimiriyala.com/6-months-6-figures
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
This episode is brought to you by my FREE class - How to Go From Freelancer to 6-Figure Consultant in 90 Days. Sign up for this FREE 60 minute class to learn all about the secret to taking control of your freelance practice again to make more money in less time. I'll be covering the 3 Building Blocks for a sustainable 6-figure consulting business: Client Attraction, Client Management, and Client Automation.
Register for the free class at: www.avanimiriyala.com/6-figures or type in "tiny.cc/6-figures" into your web browser.
If you are feeling unmotivated or uninspired, it might be time for you to review your current environment. Take a step back and observe the people you surround yourself with, the places you go, the activities you do and the media you consume - are you finding that your environment is not encouraging you to live Beyond the Status Quo?
In today’s episode, I discuss the subconscious power of our surroundings and how it affects our motivation. This episode is great for anyone in a rut, stepping out of your current environment and breaking through a new one, just might be the encouragement you need to live the life you have always dreamed.
In this episode you will learn:
- Why we become products of our environment
- How it affects us daily
- What you can do to optimize your environment
Related BSQ Podcasts:
Using Visualization to Design Your Dream Life with Martina Fink
How to Feel Motivated Again
Crushing Fear + Finding Your Purpose with Lizz Franco
From Bummed Out + Busy to Productive + Profitable using the SOA Method with Haley Burkhead
Web Page: www.avanimiriyala.com/your-environment
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
This episode is brought to you by my FREE class - How to Go From Freelancer to 6-Figure Consultant in 90 Days. Sign up for this FREE 60 minute class to learn all about the secret to taking control of your freelance practice again to make more money in less time. I'll be covering the 3 Building Blocks for a sustainable 6-figure consulting business: Client Attraction, Client Management, and Client Automation.
Register for the free class at: www.avanimiriyala.com/6-figures or type in "tiny.cc/6-figures" into your web browser.
As freelancers and entrepreneurs, setting limits can seem impossible. In my recent episode, Burnout: Using Your Lows as a Launching Pad to Your Highs, I discuss how I hit my capacity and found myself utterly burnout over a vacation with my friends. In today’s episode, I piggyback off the topic of burnout and shed light on how the power of saying ‘no’ has helped me both mentally and in my business.
As a natural born hustler and people pleaser, the thought of turning away business never crossed my mind. I was afraid of disappointing those who wanted to work with me (and the people who referred me to their network), I always wanted to feel financially secure and I love the rush of a new project!
Saying ‘no’ was unnatural for me so I decided to do it BSQ style. I took it step-by-step and addressed the rationale behind why saying ‘no’ to new clients made me uncomfortable. As I mapped out my reasons, I began to think of the best practices I can use to turn down new business while maintaining great relationships. Once I put these methods into action, the responses I received were better than what I had imagined. I now have clients lined up for next month and time for R+R on my calendar!
This episode is great for anyone who is overwhelmed with commitments. Don’t forget, you are your biggest client, taking care of yourself and your time is number 1.
In this episode you will learn:
- Why you should start saying ‘no’
- The unexpected benefits of saying ‘no’
- Methods for responsibly turning away new business
- How to foster relationships with potential future clients
Related BSQ Podcasts:
The Power of Saying No
Burnout: Using Your Lows as a Launching Pad to Your Highs
5 Ways to Take Back Your Schedule
Make Your Clients Fall in Love With You
Web Page: www.avanimiriyala.com/how-to-say-no
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Over the past few years, we have watched Instagram soar and take our society by storm. The social media platform has changed the way we shop, eat, advertise and so much more. Instagram has given a voice to people all over the world, and no one understands the value of this new stage better than the Instagram Influencer.
Today, I sit down with Rachel Holtin of @Austinfoodstagram - Austin food, fashion and lifestyle influencer. What started as a creative outlet for her to document her culinary experiences around Austin, has turned into her full-time career. Rachel shares with us her entrepreneurial journey, her tips for building an authentic and loyal following, as well as, how to make money as an influencer.
This episode is helpful to anyone who is intrigued by the Instagram influencer market and wants to learn how to build a social following. I loved talking to Rachel about this because her perspective is refreshing, sincere and exciting! After talking with her, I personally, started looking at social media marketing through a whole new lens and I think you will too. Enjoy!
In this episode you will learn:
- Key foundations for building an authentic and brand focused instagram page
- How to engage with your following and build a larger community
- How to monetize your instagram influence
- New industry trends
Related BSQ Podcasts:
Effectively Build Your Brand Online with Lauren Tickner
How to Become a Heart-Centered Online Influencer with Allison Ramsey
My 7 Day IG Detox + How I Got 40 New High Quality Followers
Connect with Rachel:
@rholtin
@austinfoodstagram
Web Page: http://www.avanimiriyala.com/instagram-influencer
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Burnout is a common consequence of chronic stress. We experience burnout when we over exhaust our mind and body. Common symptoms of burnout are intense lack of motivation, negativity, and detachment. During episodes of burnout, I don’t know about you, but I can barely recognize myself.
From the outside looking in, scaling a business is an exciting and motivating experience! However, as freelancers and (solo)entrepreneurs this type of growth can be terrifying and lonely. Our minds race a thousand miles ahead of us and we feel like we need to hustle our hearts out in order to keep up.
In this episode, I take you through my most recent experience with burnout while I was on a beach vacation with my fiance and friends. Not only did my chronic stress affect my time to R+R, it affected those around me as well. This experience shook me. When I got home I was determined to not let that happen again. I created a nine-step self-care routine to keep my mind and body in check. By preventing burnout we can better manage our health, happiness, and business. This episode is great for freelancers and entrepreneurs at any stage of their BSQ journey because we all experience stress differently. No matter how big or how small our stressors may seem, we can use these tools to circumvent self-sabotage.
In this episode you will learn:
- The warning signs of burnout
- Nine-steps of self care to avoid burnout
- How to learn from your burnout episodes
Related BSQ Podcasts:
Create, Establish, and Maintain Boundaries in Your Biz + Life
How to Create Balance in Your Life While Still Chasing Your Dreams with Khrystle Rea
How to Find Your Creativity When You Feel Creatively Tapped Out
Boosting the 4 Happiness Hormones to Feel Absolutely Amazing Every Single Day
Web Page: http://www.avanimiriyala.com/burnout
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
My guest on the BSQ episode today is Jason Resnick, former 9-5 Wordpress developer turned specialized freelance entrepreneur extraordinaire. We dive into the reasons why finding your freelance niche can increase your revenue, strengthen your relationships with clients and create a smoother funnel for recurring business.
As human beings, we have a natural need for safety and security. When our basic human needs are not met we enter an environment of exponential stress and we enter fight or flight mode. As freelancers, we feel the need to start fighting in order to make money and attract clients. We sometimes find ourselves over promising, overextending ourselves and under-appreciating our core value propositions. It is at times like these that we need to take a step back and reevaluate our situation. My goal for this episode is to help you shift from the 'fight' mindset towards investing your energy into specializing your freelance career.
Jason has mastered the craft of niching down and now coaches freelance entrepreneurs in-person and on his podcast, Live in the Feast. We are so grateful to have Jason on the show today! Grab a pen and paper because he is about to drop some serious knowledge.
Head to the website to listen to episode How to Find your Freelance Niche or click “Listen Now” below!
In this episode you will learn:
- Strategies for finding your freelance niche and methods for developing your specialty.
- How to introduce your niche to your network and the price tag that comes along with it.
- Best practices for circumventing negative emotions attached to client and revenue ‘FOMO’.
- Tips for gracefully declining work that does not fall under your scope of work.
Connect with Jason
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Website
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Twitter
Related BSQ Podcasts:
How Niching Down Can Help You Charge More as a Freelancer
How I Broke Out of the 9-to-5 Box to Design a Life That I Truly Love
Freelance Hacks: Find Alignment, Build an Email List, and Create Multiple Streams of Income
Web Page: http://www.avanimiriyala.com/
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In today’s episode, we restructure the way we think about networking. We will move away from the antiquated ideas - changing the conversation from “what can I get out of this relationship” to “how can we support each other”. By redefining what it means to 'network' we open doors to new opportunities and endless possibilities.
I am a big fan of networking. It has shaped my entire career from internship to in-house and freelancer to entrepreneur. The lessons I have learned along the way have helped me develop a proven relationship building method that helps me focus my network building energy, attention and time strategically. I created a networking spreadsheet template as a guide to help you manage your community and networking efforts!
As freelancers, our network and our time are vital links in our business ecosystem. The community we build and the time we take to nurture our relationships can help us scale our businesses and grow our client list organically and authentically. Trust me when I say, this is an episode you don't want to miss.
In this episode you will learn:
-
Best practices for networking and engaging in meaningful conversations
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How to nurture a relationship and provided incredible value to your network
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Tips for staying organized and creating an exciting networking system
Resources:
Network Spreadsheet Template
Related Beyond the Status Quo Podcast Episodes:
8 Secrets to Closing Clients Effortlessly
Do You Really Know Your Clients?
Make Your Clients Fall in Love With You
How to Get a Steady Flow of Clients with This 3 Step Client Outreach Strategy
Web Page: http://www.avanimiriyala.com/networking
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
I have Alysha DeMarsh of Basil & Bark on the podcast today! We dive into the freelance hacks for finding your focus, building your email list of trusted subscribers and discovering ways to create multiple streams of income, because let’s face it, passive income is awesome.
When challenged in a career crossroads, Alysha made the decision to start fresh - #BSQ style. Thanks to the leadership of several podcasters and mentors, Alysha decided to take her design skills and start creating a product (and life) she is proud of.
Freelance Hacks: Find Alignment, Build an Email List, and Create Multiple Streams of Income with Alysha DeMarsh is a great episode for designers interested in building a freelance business.
In this episode you will learn about Alysha’s BSQ entrepreneurial journey:
- How she created Basil & Bark
- Tools we recommended for Freelance Designers
- Questions to consider in order to connect with your alignment and mission
- How to use CTA (call to action) purposefully
- Building email lists of loyal and interested subscribers
Resources:
Connect with Alysha!
Basil & Bark Website
CreativeMarket - Basil & Bark
Instagram @basilandbark
Related Beyond the Status Quo Podcast Episodes:
Crushing Fear + Finding Your Purpose with Lizz Franco
How to Break Through Your Upper Limits + Rewrite Your Story
Secrets to Strategizing the Hustle to Make Your Best Life a Reality with Richelle Ouellette
Web Page: http://www.avanimiriyala.com
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Trust, faith and belief - we often times have so much of it in others but not in ourselves. Today I challenge you wonder why that is?
The Secret to Doubling Your Income and Transforming Your Business can be boiled down into one word, BELIEF. It wasn't until I was fully committed to believing in myself that my business started to shift gears. At first, I was cautious and reserved. Only setting goals that I knew were easy to obtain so that I would circumvent feelings of disappointment and embarrassment. I created mental roadblocks that stopped me from living Beyond the Status Quo. Once I recognized that I was the one holding myself back, I began to practice exercises that challenged me to uncover my mission, my true vision and my ultimate goals. This in turn, caused me to reach record breaking income months, build a list of loyal and amazing clients and grow my team!
In today’s episode I dive into five techniques for you to practice in order to build rock solid belief in yourself and your product. This episode is recommended for entrepreneurs and freelancers who are ready to jump into the next stage of their epic journey.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Steps to building belief in yourself
- How to target and address your Limiting Beliefs
- Techniques for setting and sticking to big goals
Resources:
Magic of Believing by Claude Bristol
The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz
Related Beyond the Status Quo Podcast Episodes:
10 Ways to Be More Confident
Using Visualization to Design Your Dream Life with Martina Fink
Web Page: http://www.avanimiriyala.com
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In today's episode, I invite Melissa Huisman back into the BSQ studio to discuss the best practices for creating authentic client relationships. We squash old desperate sales tactics and provide you with new heart centered tips to turn your clients into repeat partners.
As entrepreneurs and freelancers, the drive to survive can oftentimes cloud our judgment and stress us out. This, in turn, can make us money hungry, desperate and forgetful of our WHY. In my previous episode Stepping Into Your Magic with Liz White we discuss the concept of the Law of Attraction, and how our positive or negative thoughts attract positive or negative experiences. When it comes to our client relationships the Law of Attraction holds true. If we breath life, love and care into our client relationships, we can establish strong foundations that allow us to grow and develop together overtime.
This episode is superb for anyone terrified if closing a deal, making a sale or kicking off a client relationship. Please comment below if you put these tips into play and tell us about your experience! Also, if you have other client relationship techniques please share :)
Head to the website to listen to Building Long-Term Relationships for Client Retention with Melissa Huisman or click “Listen Now” below!
In This Episode You Will Learn: * How to create a trusted referral network * The beauty of the ‘friendzone’ * Why starting small can lead to bigger outcomes * How to transition the desperate sales tactics mindset into an authentic relationship building experience
Resources: Related Beyond the Status Quo Podcast Episodes:
How to Use Self-Discovery to Step Into Your Purpose with Melissa Huisman
Stepping Into Your Magic with Liz White
Make Your Clients Fall in Love With You
How to Get a Steady Flow of Clients with This 3 Step Client Outreach Strategy
Web Page: www.avanimiriyala.com/client-retention
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Hey go-getters, do your days often feel a little bloated? Are your appointments and/or commitments causing your work product to suffer? If you answered yes, then it might be time for a schedule detox! Think of this as an opportunity to slim down your hours of exertion in order to increase your efficiency and quality of output.
As an entrepreneur (and passionate problem solver) I regularly wish I had more hours in the day. In my professional utopia, I would have endless hours of availability and energy to show up 100% for my clients, family, and friends. But back on Planet Earth, I have a finite amount of hours (and matcha tea breaks) I can devote to each while also taking care of myself.
In this episode, I will walk you through 5 Ways to Take Back Your Schedule. This is a great listen for entrepreneurs and freelancers spread too thin across professional and personal obligations.
Head to the website to listen to 5 Ways to Take Back Your Schedule or click “Listen Now” below! In This Episode You Will Learn: * How to declutter your calendar * How to protect yourself from overcommitment * Why taking one step back in your business can oftentimes help propel you two steps forward
Resources: Related Beyond the Status Quo Podcast Episodes:
How to Use Automation to Take Back Your Time with Alyssa Coleman
Create, Establish, and Maintain Boundaries in Your Biz + Life
How to Create Balance in Your Life While Still Chasing Your Dreams with Khrystle Rea
How to Show Up 100% as YOU in Your Life + Work
Web Page: www.avanimiriyala.com/schedule-take-back
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
A typical day in the life of an entrepreneur and freelancer moves by pretty quickly, don’t you agree? We sometimes put so much energy into our work and we get so deep in our zone of genius that time flies and we forget to take care of the most important element of the job - YOU! The creator!
My mission, for this episode Using Visualization to Design Your Dream Life, is to inspire you to take action and start building a wellness practice that nurtures your mind, body and spirit. When we start to get carried away in our work, then we start to neglect ourselves. This can be the exact monster that sets you back from being your best, most productive, self. My guest today, Martine Fink is a Holistic Wellness Coach who hosts Luxury Retreats around the world. She helps entrepreneurs find their balance by creating tailored holistic wellness programs for them to insert into their daily routines. This episode is for anyone who needs help building a wellness practice from the yoga mat up.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Ideas to kick start a stellar morning routine
- The benefits of slowing down to speed up
- How to practice visualization and manifest with emotion
- The power of your unique vibrations and how they affect your environment and the opportunities around you
Resources:
Free Glow Guide
Connect with Martina!
Website: martinafink.com
Instagram: @martinaglows
Podcast: The Glow Life
GLOW upcoming retreats:
Costa Rica Retreat
Greece Retreat
Related Beyond the Status Quo Podcast Episodes:
Stepping Into Your Magic with Liz White
Create, Establish, and Maintain Boundaries in Your Biz + Life
Secrets to Strategizing the Hustle to Make Your Best Life a Reality with Richelle Ouellette
How to Create Balance in Your Life While Still Chasing Your Dreams with Khrystle Rea
How to Fuel Your Body and Stay Healthy Without Spending Hours in the Gym/Kitchen
Web Page: http://www.avanimiriyala.com/july2018-income-report
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
One of the greatest lessons I have learned since starting my freelance career is the power of setting and believing in my goals. Back in January 2018, I made it my mission to hit a record breaking income month and I am happy to tell you that I was able to reach that goal. However, in order to do so, I was working like a dog and racing like a horse in order to turn my dream into a reality. The months that followed were not as fruitful because I did not have the energy, belief nor confidence to do it again.
Later on, I carefully reviewed my January 2018 experience and located the gaps in my process. Fast forward several months (and lessons) later, and I am proud to say that in July 2018 - while I was traveling in Europe - I surpassed my record breaking month by $3,000 and brought home $20,293.57! Ya’ll, the best part about this experience was the process. By learning from my previous blunders, organizing my thoughts, creating new processes, connecting with my support system, establishing my goals and believing in my WHY I was able to make July 2018 my best month yet! I look forward to doing it again and I highly recommend you do the same. This episode is great for freelancers looking for guidance on increasing their monthly income.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to hit a record breaking month without over exhausting yourself
- Why growth and belief go hand-in-hand
- The power of the mind
- How to hold yourself accountable when trying to reach your goals
- How to stay on track when you begin to lose your motivation
Resources:
Accounting Recommendation: Profit First Accounting
Free Downloadable Resources
Related Beyond the Status Quo Podcast Episodes:
How to Use Automation to Take Back Your Time with Alyssa Coleman
Online Entrepreneur: Behind the Scenes
How to Feel Motivated Again
Secrets to Strategizing the Hustle to Make Your Best Life a Reality with Richelle Ouellette
Web Page: http://www.avanimiriyala.com/july2018-income-report
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Sometimes we need to look back in order to move forward. Today, I bring back fellow female entrepreneur, friend and mentor Akansha Agrawal of Citrus & Gold (check out our first collab episode on the BSQ Podcast) to review our online entrepreneur journeys. We breakdown what we did right, where we went wrong and why we wouldn’t have done anything differently. This conversation is helpful for freelancers and solopreneurs who are seeking inspiration, guidance, tips, and support.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- The good, the bad and the helpful tools for online entrepreneurs
- Best practices for shifting your money making mindset
- How to stay calm and focused while building your brand
- What to do to beat ‘lonely entrepreneur syndrome’
Resources:
Instagram: @citrusandgold
Website: https://citrusandgold.com/
Recommended reads: You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/closing_clients
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Motivation is an incredible innate tool that drives us to excel, perform and create. When we feel highly motivated and energized we are unstoppable, but when we lack the ‘mojo’ it can be hard for us to regroup and carry on our mission. In this episode, I dive into 5 techniques that can help get you out of your rut and back into your groove.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Best practices for reigniting your motivation
- How to recognize when it is time to take a break
- The power of support
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/closing_clients
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In today’s episode I sit down with the ultimate digital nomad, vandweller and female entrepreneur, Brie Goumaz. Her passion for travel and thirst for exploration motivated her to find a career that blends seamlessly with her digital nomad lifestyle. I highly recommend you follow Brie on her epic adventure as she ditches the home life for the van life and takes on the world.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to start when you don’t know where to start
- Brie’s recommended tech tools, products and techniques for setting up your digital nomad office routine
- How to stay productive on the road
- Tips on how to trust yourself and turn your dream life + career into a reality
Resources:
Connect with Brie:
Instagram: @wildgoosecreatives
Blog: https://www.chasingthewildgoose.com/blog/
Website: https://www.wildgoosecreatives.com/
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/closing_clients
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Let’s look beyond ‘making a sale’ and start cultivating authentic and wholesome relationships with potential clients. In today’s episode, I outline 8 Secrets to Closing Clients Effortlessly. These tips have propelled me to ‘smash’ through my record breaking revenue months and I know these tips will help you too!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Sales tactic Do’s + Dont’s
- Items to prepare for successful kick-off meetings
- How to authentically drive a sales meeting for mutual benefits
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/closing_clients
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
New technologies breed new opportunities. In the rising age of social media, Lauren Tickner entered an uncharted medium and grew her business from the Instagram up! Her deep understanding of storytelling and brand development has caught the attention of tens of thousands of people from all over the world! In today’s episode, we dive into Lauren’s story as well as her top strategies for social entrepreneurs on the rise.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to identify your purpose
- Tips for developing your brand
- How to grow your following on social media
- Ways you can (and should!) incorporate storytelling into your social media strategy
Resources:
Connect with Lauren Thickner:
Website: www.laurentickner.com + www.impact-through-influence.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/LaurenTickner
Instagram: laurentickner
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/online-brand/
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Look, feel and carry yourself with confidence! In this episode, I dive into 10 tried and true methods for boosting your confidence and creating a positive mindset. Not only will these tips help you excel in your professional career, but also in your everyday life.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to incorporate confidence boosting practices into your daily routine
- Tools to help you command attention with positive energy
- Tips for fighting fear and procrastination
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/confidence
In this week's episode, I interview Lizz Franco whose purpose and story is nothing short of amazing. After years of working closely with the terminally ill, Lizz made it her life’s mission to motivate and inspire people to live their best and most authentic lives.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to trust to your inner rebel to live beyond the status quo
- Action items to work towards finding your purpose
- Best practices when charging through fear, self doubt and failure
Resources:
Connect with Lizz Franco:
Website: www.lizzfranco.com
Twitter - @Lizz_Franco
Instagram: lizz_franco
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In today’s economically competitive market, how do you stand out? What do you offer your clients that others in your industry might not? In today’s episode I dive into the profitable benefits that come with building authentic and lasting working relationships. Sometimes a great product is not enough...you need the entire package.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- The mutual benefits that come from deeply understanding your clients needs
- How empathy plays a role in business
- 5 methods to practice when learning more about your clients
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/knowclients
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In this week's episode I sit down with the productivity queen, Alyssa Coleman. As the founder of The Productive Entrepreneur, the Free Spirited Babes Community, and leader of the #freedomrebellion Alyssa helps creative entrepreneurs, bloggers and influencers manage their time efficiently in order to make a bigger impact.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Alyssa’s unique path to becoming a successful Productivity Strategist
- The difference between an employee mindset vs an entrepreneur mindset
- The importance of taking action rather than working for perfection
- The best tools for productivity, growth and automation
Resources:
Connect with Alyssa Coleman:
Instagram - @alyssacoleman.ca
Twitter - @alyssacwellness
Giveaway: https://www.alyssacoleman.ca/big
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/automation
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Building lasting client relationships is crucial to your success as an Entrepreneur. Throughout my experience, I have worked hard to create a balance of professionalism, curiosity and empathy in order to establish trustworthy and healthy working relationships. Today I let you in on my top 7 tips for making your clients fall in love with you!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- The best practices for creating lasting client relationships
- Tools for optimizing your workflow and creating better processes
- How feedback and conflict can lead to stronger, more authentic working relationships
Resources:
Free Cheatsheet: 5 Systems an Online Entrepreneur Should Master to Save 17 Hours in Their Week - Avani.blog/systems
Recommended Read: The Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns
Recommended Tool: SalesHandy
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/client-love
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
I thoroughly enjoyed this podcast episode with Court Baker! She is a business coach for wellness coaches and a marketing genius. Court has mastered the art of growing an organic following and building a business authentically with only inbound sales. In this episode, we chat about the secrets Court is using to book sales calls with her potential clients effortlessly. We also cover the steps to becoming a health coach if that is something you’ve been considering but don’t know where to begin.
What You’ll Learn:
- The Difference Between Outbound and Inbound Marketing
- How to Master Inbound Marketing so You Don’t Feel Slimy + Salsey
- How to Cultivate an Organic Following Online
- The Steps You Need to Take to Become an Online Coach
Resources:
Connect with Court Baker
Website: https://www.courtbaker.com/
Instagram: @courtbaker
Web Page: www.avanimiriyala.com/lazymarketing
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Lately, I’ve been getting lots of questions from people who are launching their freelance business. These questions have been around social media strategy, how to design the right website, and whether the logo looks right… In theory these are all great questions, but they are not the questions to be asking as a freelancer who is looking to scale for REAL income. In this episode, I’m diving deep into why you need focus as a freelancer. I’m going to talk about how to find your focus and structure your activities so that you remain focused.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Why focus is so important as a freelancer
- How to identify which tasks you need to stop doing and which tasks you need to start doing in your business
- Why business development and your services are the lifeblood of your freelance business + how to get back to those activities
Resources:
Win Without Pitching Manifesto: https://www.amazon.com/Win-Without-Pitching-Manifesto/dp/1605440043
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/focus
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In this episode I talk with spiritual success coach, Liz White a.k.a the Money Making Maven. Her mission is to help women entrepreneurs uncover their true ‘magic’ and make money ‘painlessly’. We dive into her professional journey and unique approach that has her Ladypreneurs on paths for great success.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to Harness Your True Magic
- The Benefit of Understanding The Difference Between: What You Are Good At Vs. What You Enjoy Doing
- The Beauty of Embracing the Laws of Attraction
- Tips to Practicing Meaningful Manifestation
Resources:
How to Save 17 Hours in Your Work Week as a Freelancer: http://avani.blog/systems or https://miriyala.lpages.co/systems-cheatsheet-optin/
Connect with Liz White
Website: https://lizwhite.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizwhite.co/
Podcast:https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/money-making-maven-by-liz-white/id1373756478?mt=2
Web Page: www.avanimiriyala.com/magic
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
When I started freelancing / consulting, I did everything! I took every job that came my way and thought that was the way to earn more money. I didn’t have a specialty or specific industry that I worked in. I did everything “design” related. Not only was it exhausting, but the pay wasn’t as rewarding as I had hoped. In this episode, I’m sharing the steps I took to find my freelance niche and start charging more for my skills and expertise. The riches are in the niches, my friend, and today’s the day you’re going to find yours!
In this episode you will learn:
- Why finding your niche as a freelancer is so important
- Why niching down means charging more
- The 3 step exercise to finding your niche
References:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/niches
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Sabina Bharwani is the Founder & CEO of Hello World, a computer science enrichment program taught by software engineers, AI architects, data scientists and educators on a mission to equip and empower next generation innovators. We sit down to openly and honestly discuss her journey as she paves the road for the future of education and technology.
In this episode you will learn:
- How Sabina’s experience with Teach for America inspired her to become the Founder & CEO of Hello World
- The power of building your confidence and harnessing the power of your ‘Why’
- Sabina’s unique approach to finding and retaining the best talent
- Recommended tools to continuously develop your product and evolve both personally and professionally
References:
Sabina Bharwani LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabina-bharwani-4318a918/
Hello World: http://www.helloworldstudio.org/
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/impact
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
With great ideas come great struggles and in today’s episode I dive deep into the good, the bad, and the awesome that comes with recognizing our ‘Upper Limits’ and advancing out of our comfort zone.
In this episode you will learn:
- What is an Upper Limit
- How we can identify our Upper Limit gremlins
- Tools to put to practice in order to breakthrough our Upper Limit barriers
- Ways to reframe the stories we tell ourselves
- And finally, how to level up and use good energy to propel us forward
Resources:
The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks link: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Leap-Conquer-Hidden-Level-ebook/dp/B0026772QU
Marie Forleo article link: https://www.marieforleo.com/2010/08/upper-limit-problem/
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/upperlimits
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Melissa and I chat all about her journey to entrepreneurship and how self-discovery played such a crucial role for her. We talk about why self-discovery is often overlooked and how we can get the courage to face the stories we’ve been telling ourselves. Melissa shares how she has been able to rewrite these stories for herself in order to chart her own path and live beyond the status quo. If you’re looking for a catalyst in order to level up in your life, this episode is for you!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Why the self-discovery journey is so important
- Tips and tools to use in order to start your self-discovery journey
- How to get closer to your passions and purpose
Resources:
Melissa’s Website: https://www.mkhuis.com/
Diamond Block: https://diamondblockcreative.com/,
Instagram: @itsmelissakay
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/self-discovery
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on Instagram @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Boundaries are the limit or space between you and something else or someone else. What’s crazy is that some of us A-Player / Entrepreneur types have an extremely tough time maintaining strong boundaries. I definitely fall in that category. After having frustrated days and feeling burnt out or pulled in every direction, I needed it to stop. So, I decided to come up with a series of boundaries that I could implement in my business and life in order to protect my energy. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how I came up with those boundaries and how you can too. I talk about how to define boundaries, establish them and maintain them (even if they’ve been obliterated).
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Why boundaries are so important
- How to define and create boundaries for yourself
- What to do if a boundary has been crossed + how to re-establish it
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/boundaries
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Richelle Ouellette runs an national event planning business called Alchemy Events and is currently working on a new book. The best thing about Richelle’s journey is how she stumbled into entrepreneurship and made things happen by hustling hard. In the episode, we talk what it takes to make your dream life a reality - and that isn’t as far off as you might think. Richelle shares tips on how to overcome massive hurdles, stay in your zone of genius, infuse your career with passion, and just start. At the end of the day, Richelle reminds us that it’s just about putting things out there and seeing what stick. Someone’s going to love your passion and work. Richelle drops so many knowledge bombs in this episode; I learned so much from her.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- The hustle that goes into entrepreneurship
- How to spend time on YOU in order to stay creative + sharp
- How to stay inside your zone of genius by outsourcing
- How to get over your fears and start working towards your dreams
Resources:
Richelle’s Blog: http://richelleouellette.com/
Alchemy Events: https://www.alchemyevents.co/
Instagram: @richelleontherun @alchemyevents.co
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/yourbestlife
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on Instagram @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
People say you can’t love your career and what you do I say BS. You can have a fulfilling and purposeful career if you allow yourself. It takes some digging in to find out what are the underlying problems are and how you can change it. In this episode I dig deep and get real on how You can change anything all you have to do is take the first step. I want you to know that your dream career is out there waiting for you to grab it up. You were meant for a life of greatness.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Why looking inward can dial in on what the root of the issue is
- How looking outward can help you figure out what you have to do to make a change
- How to take Action
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/job
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Allison is the CEO of Empire Life and host of the Empire Life Podcast. She helps influencers and online businesses create authenticity while gearing them up for major success online. In this episode, we chat about what being an influencer means, what being an influencer does not mean, how to create authentic relationships online and how to build an heart-centered empire. In This Episode You Will Learn:
- What it means to be an influencer and how you can become one
- The difference between a “successful” influencer with an “unsuccessful” one
- How to create real and authentic relationships online
- How to build a truly connected tribe online
Resources:
Find Allison online: https://allisonramsey.co or on Instagram @allisonrmsy
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/influencer
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on Instagram @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Seems like getting vulnerable has been a theme with my podcast lately! In this episode, I’m sharing a note I received from someone with all of you. This note was brutal, it hurt, and cut deep. But it was real and I want to share it with all of you. I am also sharing my response to this critic of mine. I want you to walk away with pep in your step and fire behind your dreams. Because no matter what people say, you know your true worth; you know what you were really meant for.
This episode was inspired by a presentation made by entrepreneur Charlie Durso.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- What this “critic” said to me in this burn note I received
- What to say to your worst critic
- How you too can defy the gremlins around (or inside) of you
Free Systems Cheatsheet: http://avani.blog/systems
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/worstcritic
Check out my website at http://www.avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on Instagram @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
I thoroughly loved the knowledge bombs that Khrystle dropped throughout this podcast episode. She is passionate about helping busy people (like me!) rediscover balance in their lives. Not only do we chat about the theory and importance of balance, but Khrystle also shares tactics with us so that we can take action today. If you’ve been craving feeling centered, calm, and in control again… this episode is for you!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Why balance is so important
- How to take step towards finding balance
- How to ground yourself and feel centered when the world around feels so chaotic
Resources:
Say hi to Khrystle: IG @khrystlerea, www.khrystlerea.com
Finding Balance PDF: https://www.khrystlerea.com/finding-balance
10 Days to a Calmer You PDF: https://www.khrystlerea.com/10-days-to-a-calmer-you
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/balance
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
I’m getting vulnerable with you guys in this episode and giving you an inside look at my mini meltdown 2 weeks ago. I’m sharing exactly how I got out of my slump, got down to business and closed $11k worth of client work in just one week. This episode is not just for consultants or freelancers, it’s for any entrepreneur that works with leads / list to get clients or customers. I’m sharing how I focus on value so that I barely have to sell when the time comes!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- The 3 steps I used to close $11k in client work
- How to bring yourself out of the rut when you haven’t closed new clients in a few weeks
- How to reframe your thoughts around 5-figure weeks
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/hustle
Check out my website at http://www.avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on Instagram @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In this episode, I chat with Ryan Singh and one of the best heuristics he has that I dig is decision making and I mean BIG life changing decision. Ryan is one of the founders of Invoke Health. We go over his amazing story, how his plans took a crazy turn, and the ins and outs of decision making.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- What to consider when making big life-changing decisions
- Actionable steps we can take when in the deciding process
- How to deal with anxiety around making the wrong decision
- Advice and resources for decision making in general
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/decisions
Check out my website at http://www.avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Let’s talk about clients! This episode is for freelancers and consultants primarily...BUT, if you are an entrepreneur, have an MLM, or run any type of business, you are going to get a lot of value as well! I’m going to share what I do in my business to find the my dream clients + have a steady pipeline of work coming in!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to define your ideal client
- Figuring out where you ideal client hangs out
- How to engage with your clients
- Ways to craft your message
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/clientoutreach
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In this episode, I sit down with Martha Barreda and talk to her about work from home tips and how she juggles a business and a job at the same time. Martha is in commercial real estate and runs her own business helping others on their self development journey. She has learned a lot about being effective while working from home in the past few years and she’s spilling all her secrets with us! Martha covers useful heuristics on the #WFH life and how she keeps it all together + avoids overwhelm. In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Work From Home do’s and don’ts
- How to stay productive and on task
- How to manage a job, side hustle, and the rest of your life gracefully
- How to keep balance and not get overwhelmed
Resources:
Say hi to Martha: IG @marthaceebeegee, FB & IG @voloaustin
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/workfromhome
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Let’s talk about you losing creativity and how to get over that feeling of getting tapped out. Have you ever felt like you had a hard time with creativity and feeling uninspired? I have decided to get real with you in this episode and talk about what's been hitting me lately. I’m sharing how I was able to overcome it and start feeling creative again.
I go over how to find creativity and what it means to be creativity tapped out. I also give 6 tips to move past that feeling of paralyzed creativity and how to get back in that creativity mode.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- What it means to be feeling creatively tapped out
- How feeling uninspired affected me
- The 20 Min Recalibration Exercise
- 6 tips to move past that crippling feeling of being uninspired
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/creativity
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In this episode I chat with Heaven Leigh, a brilliant coach whose mission is to help people manifest their divine wealth for a luxurious life and thriving business. We talk about manifestation, the law of attraction, the idea of limiting beliefs, and feminine and masculine energy including the difference and how both are amazing to have.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- What manifestation is
- How you can apply manifestation in your life today
- The difference between feminine and masculine energy
- How to identify and work through limiting beliefs
Resources:
Freebie on preparing for Entrepreneurship and the Consulting Hustle: http://avani.blog/entrepreneurship
Connect with Heaven Leigh
Instagram - @herdivinewealth
Website - www.herdivinewealth.com
Wealth Expansion Retreat - https://www.herdivinewealth.com/retreat/
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Web Page: http://avani.blog/manifestation
Check out my website at http://www.avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Let’s talk about your life’s game plan. Do you have one? Sometimes it’s super overwhelming to create a game plan for what you want to accomplish in your life, especially if you’re someone who has huge, lofty goals! In this episode, I break it all down. I’m talking about how to put together a long term vision and then break it down into a 1 year, quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily game plan. With this simple formula, you’ll be able to create daily actionable tasks for the various (impact, income, and personal) for your life of greatness!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to create a long-term vision for the life you want to live
- A simple formula to break down big hairy audacious goals into simple daily action items
- How this formula can help you get closer to your dream life
Resources:
Web Page: http://avani.blog/gameplan
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In this episode, I chat with Haley Burkhead, founder of the Profit Planner Lounge. This lady is one of my favorite entrepreneurs and I have been wanting to bring her onto the podcast for so long! During our chat, Haley goes over how she stays motivated, how she structures her days even when she has a master project going on, how to avoid getting burnt out, and even shares some of her favorite tips and tricks for productivity. We also talk about the SOA method and how this method can make an impact on your life even if you don't have a business.
Question Highlights:
- How do you stay motivated
- How do you structure your weeks / days?
- What are some time hacking tips you have?
- Where does your drive + grit come from?
- Tips to avoid feeling burnt out?
- Can you tell us about your Productivity Transformation Story?
- How does the SOA method look in action?
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to take inspired action
- Why taking care of yourself is important
- Steps to take so you don’t get burnt out
- How to apply the SOA method to your life and business
Resources:
Haley’s Webinar: www.profitplanner.co/scale, http://avani.blog/scale
Instagram: @profitplanner
Web Page: http://avani.blog/productivity
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Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In this episode, I talk about the 3 steps to Taking Massive Action for Massive Results! This is actually a recording of a Live I did on Instagram! Have you ever had a task that seems so daunting where you felt like you wanted to do this project but was so overwhelmed you kept it at arm's length? I have felt like that before and I just didn't know where to start because there was so much to do. These tips are great for client work, projects at work, school projects and even for projects that are long term.
What You’ll Learn:
- 3 Steps to taking Massive Action
- What Tiny Gains are
- How to do your work work in bite-sized pieces
- How a Massive Vision can inspire your action
Resources:
The Compound Effect Book by Darren Hardy: https://www.amazon.com/Compound-Effect-Darren-Hardy/dp/159315724X
Slight Edge Book by Jeff Olson: https://www.amazon.com/Slight-Edge-Secret-Successful-Life/dp/0967285550
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/action
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Have you ever thought of yourself as multiple different pieces of a puzzle? So did I... and in this episode I go over how I used to compartmentalize myself, how I had an issue taking everything I knew and putting it together, and how I overcame that and the stressful feeling of lacking in creativity. I also go over how to be 100% YOU and what that will mean for your life and work. This episode is all about being the best you and making that work in your personal life and business. What You’ll Learn: How I use to compartmentalize myself and the issues that caused What showing up as 100% means and what that will mean for your life and work How vulnerability is a huge part of showing up as 100% and why it’s important Resources: Creative Confidence Book: https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Confidence-Unleashing-Potential-Within/dp/038534936X Tom Kelley TED Video: https://www.ted.com/talks/david_kelley_how_to_build_your_creative_confidence Bring Your Whole Self to Work Article: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-robbins/bring-your-whole-self-to_b_6993358.html Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/022-100-percent Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In this episode, I’m covering 5 Amazing Systems that every Online Entrepreneur should master to save time in their week...17 hours to be precise. That’s 17 more hours you could be putting towards tasks in your biz/career or personal life! The systems I am sharing with you are repeatable formulas that you can apply to your life & business today to increase your productivity immensely, put out high-quality work, and still feel super energized and invigorated (like the radiant boss CEO that you are!). I’m super excited to share these tips with you.
This episode is a replay of a Facebook Live I did in the Citrus + Gold FB Group, Passion to Profit.
What You’ll Learn:
- What is a System and Why having them is Important!
- Real Talk on how to build a sustainable business
- Systems i’m currently using in my business
- Systems 1-5 and how they are saving you Time!
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/021-systems
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In this episode I talk with Manu about fitness, business, and how to be successful balancing the two. Not only does Manu go into his personal experience with fitness and running his amazing business but he shares tips and tricks on keeping a balance lifestyle, staying successful, and combining fitness and entrepreneurship. We dive right into important lessons you can learn through fitness, taking advantage of the correlation of fitness and success, and Manu’s fantastic tips on being successful in the fitness entrepreneurship lifestyle.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to combine Fitness and Entrepreneurship in your life
- Why a lot of healthy / fit people end up being successful in other areas of their life
- Tips for a BUSY individual who wants to also be healthy + fit
- How to structure your days / weeks
- How to stay organized and avoid burnout
Resources:
Connect with Manu Edakara:
Instagram - @the.manu.script
Youtube - http://youtube.com/themanuscript
Email - medaka2@illinois.edu
Workflow Chrome Extension: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/strict-workflow/cgmnfnmlficgeijcalkgnnkigkefkbhd?hl=en
Flow Book: https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Psychology-Experience-Perennial-Classics/dp/0061339202
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Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/020-bodybuilding-entrepreneur
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Today I am going to be talking about my amazing 7 day detox and no I don't mean that green stuff! I’m talking about a 7 day detox from Instagram and how I ended up with 40 new, high quality followers. Let’s be honest - Instagram can be an addiction. It’s my go to app and it was getting to a point where I just couldn’t keep my hands off of it. My goal was to break this habit for 7 days so that it would help me control my need to be on my phone all the time. In this episode, I’ll be sharing what I learned about myself during those seven days and I’ll also share a surprising discovery I made that lead to a me actually gaining Instagram followers while I was taking time off from it!
What You’ll Learn:
- Why Instagram and what is a quarterly detox
- Why it’s okay and healthy to be bored
- Why you might be losing productivity
- What to do while moving forward
- How I got 40 New High Quality Followers
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/019-ig-detox
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
This episode’s guest is very special to me and may be very familiar to some of you! Alexandria was my very first guest and I'm so excited to have her back again. In this episode, Alex and I go over the truth of Break-Ups and not just personal ones, but professional break-ups as well. Alex gives us tips on why we should release people in our business and personal life. She touches on how breakups are important in a business and how they differ from personal breakups. We also talk about the hows, the why, and when to break up.
Question Highlights:
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How do you release people from your your life & business.
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What are the signs you need to break up with someone in your personal life (romantic and friendship)?
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It’s hard to do this, especially if it's someone who has been in your life a long time. What do you recommend in this situation?
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How does Business breakups differ from personal breakups?
- Why are breakups important in business?
-
What do you consider when deciding whether to stop working with a client?
-
How do you choose the people you spend time with?
- How have you “broken up” with people in the past?
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Breaking up with people is natural and good for you. (Personal & Business)
- What are the signs and considerations you should make when making the decision to break up with someone.
- How to release people from your life and business.
- How to choose the people you spend time with.
Resources:
Connect with Alexandria Hart on Instagram: @_goodjoojoo, @shmalexhart
Check out Alex’s agency: www.goodjoojoo.net
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/018-breakups
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Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
We all have passions it’s what gets us out of the bed in the morning. Do you know what makes you excited for the day and gets you motivated? Our soul tells us when we should make a change in our life. It could be something very simple from changing our job or writing a book. In this episode we go over our passions, go through the nudges our souls make and how to take action, messy action. Life is Short! Let’s Take Action.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to identify and uncover your passions
- What is Messy Action
- Why should you take Messy Action
- 5 Amazing Tips on How to take Messy Action
Resources:
Miracle Cube Timer: https://www.amazon.com/Miracle-TimeCube-Minutes-Management-Kitchen/dp/B0002U72LS/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1522620959&sr=8-1&keywords=miracle+cube
Be Focused Timer for Mac: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/be-focused-focus-timer/id973134470?mt=12
Angie Lee - Rich Bitch Podcast: https://www.richbitchcourses.com/
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/017-messy-action
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
We all have that thing we were born to do. This thing is your zone of genius. In the episode, I talk all about how you can identify your zone of genius and why you should stay in it as much as possible. I even share my own story of how I discovered I needed to be living in the zone of genius no matter what. I will also cover a few methods you can be using in order to identify what your zone of genius is - if you haven’t discovered it yet.
What You’ll Learn:
- How to identify and uncover your zone of genius
- How to know the difference between the zone of excellence and the zone of genius
- Ways you can learn what your zone of genius is
Resources:
The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Leap-Conquer-Hidden-Level/dp/0061735361/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1522253653&sr=8-1&keywords=the+big+leap
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/016-genius
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Happiness is heavily impacted by the chemicals in our brains. There are 4 main hormones that affect happiness in the human brain. In this episode, I’m going to chat with you about what those four hormones are and how we can boost them (responsibly, naturally, and sustainably) in our day-to-day lives
What You’ll Learn:
- What the 4 happiness hormones are
- How the hormones work in our bodies and examples of activities that release them
- Ways we can boost the production of those happiness hormones in our bodies
Resources:
Reserach: http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/mental-health/how-to-boost-your-happy-hormones/, https://technologyadvice.com/blog/information-technology/activate-chemicals-gamify-happiness-nicole-lazzaro/, http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/mental-health/how-to-boost-your-happy-hormones/, https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/natural-endorphin-boosters/
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/015-happiness-hormones
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
This episode’s guest is very special to me because he also happens to be my amazing fiance! Tushar Jain has a background on Wall Street and is a serial entrepreneur. He is now working in the crypto space and running a hedge fund called Multicoin Capital. When it comes to finance and investment, Tushar is one of the most brilliant minds around (I may be biased, but you can go ask anyone in the industry!).
In this episode, Tushar gives us tips on how to have a healthy money mindset. He talks about various heuristics that he uses to stay inside the abundance mentality when it comes to money. Tushar and I also talk about little tricks you can use to take away the cognitive noise when it comes to money-related decisions. Lastly, we touch on generosity and how important it is to sitting comfortably inside a healthy money mindset.
Question Highlights:
- What in your childhood influenced your entrepreneurial drive and mindset?
- What is a healthy money mindset?
- How do you cultivate an abundance mentality when it comes of money?
- What are some heuristics we can use to encourage abundance mentality?
- How to practice a healthy money mindset when money is tight?
- How does generosity fit into a healthy money mindset?
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to cultivate a healthy money mindset
- What to do in order to create a life of abundance
- Easy tactics to use when it comes to decision-making around spending
Resources:
Tushar’s company, Multicoin: http://multicoin.capital
Sapiens: A Brief History of Mankind: https://www.amazon.com/Sapiens-Humankind-Yuval-Noah-Harari/dp/0062316095
Mint: https://www.mint.com/
The Points Guy: https://thepointsguy.com/
Nerd Wallet: https://www.nerdwallet.com/
Connect with Tushar on Twitter: @TusharJain_
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/014-money-mindset
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Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
A year ago today, I was working as a UX designer at an amazing technology start-up. I loved the field. I loved design. I loved my co-workers. I loved the company. I was not in love with the way I felt anymore. Something was off. I felt stuck.
I wasn’t learning or growing anymore. I didn’t realize how much personal and career growth meant to me until that moment. I needed meaty challenges to breakthrough and solve. I wasn’t getting that at my job anymore… and honestly, I wasn’t going to for a long time (the company was going through some necessary changes). So I decided to make a change.
In this episode, I’m sharing my entrepreneurship story with all of you. I talk about how I felt when I was making the decision to leave my job and jump into entrepreneurship. I also cover why it was so important for me to make the leap.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- My journey to entrepreneurship
- The questions to be asking yourself to make sure you are on the right path for YOUR life
- Why it was so important for me to leave my 9-to-5
Resources:
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/013-avani-story
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
I sat down with Gianna Ciaramello and got to chat with her about her passions. Gianna runs a consulting business, creates content (she’s an author!) for herself, and creates content for others. She’s juggling a lot of passions and she still manages to stop working at 6 pm in order to make herself a priority.
Gianna is impressive and her thought process when it comes to managing her passions. She goes in-depth about how to structure time and how to proceed if you are a multi-passionate individual. Gianna also gives us tips on how we can experiment to really find the passions that are calling to us.
Gianna also shares how an underlying “why” or mission can drive your passions and how its okay to have more than one passion. We are not meant to lack dimension as human beings and if we feel ourselves being called to more than one thing, it’s okay to step back and think about how they could fit together.
Question Highlights:
- Can you share the story of how you started sharing healthy eating and nutrition?
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How do you know if something is your “passion”?
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How to start up a business while doing something else?
-
How do you organize your time?
- Do you use any specific techniques to make the most of your time?
- What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?
-
What do you recommend for someone who feels “stuck” or stagnant?
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How do you stay motivated?
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to experiment (while still at a 9 to 5) in order to find your passion
- Heuristics to help you structure your days/weeks when you have a lot going on
- How to proceed in life and business as a multi-passionate individual
Resources:
Rabbit Food Book: https://www.amazon.com/Rabbit-Food-plant-based-recipes/dp/1975834100?SubscriptionId=AKIAIOCEBIGP6NUBL47A&tag=&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=1975834100
Bunny Steps e-Book: https://www.giannaciaramello.com/shop-1/bunny-steps-a-beginners-guide-to-going-vegan
Gianna’s Website: https://www.giannaciaramello.com/
Connect with Gianna on Instagram: @gianna_ciaramello
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/012-passions
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Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Staying healthy and taking good care of your body isn’t always easy! I know first hand how tough it can be - especially when I’m managing several clients, creating podcast episodes, and other content! There seems to be just NO time some days to make a decent meal for myself, let alone work out. I know I’m not alone in this, so I wanted to share with you some of my tips for staying healthy when time feels like a scarce resource.
I’m going to be covering several little tips on how you can stay on top of your nutrition and make healthier choice when it comes to fueling your body. I’ll also that about different ideas on how you can move your body that don’t take too much time or effort. Lastly, I’ll touch on my favorite ways to let my body recover and heal!
Your body is the vessel you have right now to do amazing things in this world. The catch is, it’s your only one. Take good care of it, my friends!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Why staying healthy is important
- Nutrition Quick Tips that you can use in your busy schedule
- Easy ideas to get moving or get a workout in
- My favorite ways to recover and let my body heal itself
Resources:
My favorite yoga Youtuber: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCahoXO8yh6mqJD9EiARHI7w
Black Swan Yoga Online Yoga: https://www.bsy.tv/
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/011-healthy
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
I had the pleasure of chatting with Lisa Thompson, the Founder of Self Love Beauty. Lisa is on a mission to empower others to see their true beauty and embark on their own self-love journeys. After starting her own self-love journey a few years into her corporate career, Lisa decided she needed to share what she was learning with the world. Over time, her little blog turned into a heart-centered and passionate community.
In this episode, Lisa shares what self-love really is and why it’s so important for each and every one of us. We discuss why self-love can be difficult to embrace and how we can rewrite our self-love stories.
Lisa also discusses the 4 components of a healthy self-love practice and shares tips on how we can use those components to build a self-love practice that fits the life we want to live. These tips are huge if you take the time to apply them to your life. They will not only change your thoughts about you, but they can also transform your life!
Question Highlights:
- What does self-love that really mean?
- What does self-love look like when applied in someone’s life?
- Why is self-love so important?
- Why do you think self love is so frequently pushed to the side / overlooked?
- Does self-love look different for men and women?
- How can we stay self-aware about our self love journey?
- How do we keep ourselves accountable when it comes to our self-love journey?
- What are some easy tactics we can try TODAY to practice self love?
- If there was one thing our listeners can takeaway about self-love, what would it be?
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- What self love really is
- How you can start your personalized self-love journey today
- The 4 components of a self-love blueprint
Resources:
Email Lisa: info@selflovebeautuy.com
Chat with Lisa on Instagram: @selflovebeauty
Visit Lisa’s Website: http://www.selflovebeauty.com/
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/010-self-love
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Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
You know those bad days?. The ones that seem to get worse and worse as the day goes on. The ones where EVERYTHING seems to be going wrong… Do you know why they happen? They happen because of the energy we, as individuals, bring to the table. We might be bringing energy that is anxious, flustered, stressed, angry, frustrated, desperate…..
But, you can change these days. You can flip them in moments by harnessing the power of gratitude. Gratitude can literally transform your life, and yes, it is magical :)
In this episode, I’m going to cover exactly how I turned around a far less than acceptable day into one that ended up being pretty fabulous. I’m also going to go in depth on how gratitude works in the mind and how you can start implementing gratitude practices that fit your life.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How gratitude impacts the brain
- What you can do to create a strong gratitude practice in your life
- 4 gratitude practice techniques
Resources:
Benefits of Gratitude: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/randy-kamen-gredinger/the-transformative-power-_2_b_6982152.html
The Ant and the Elephant book: https://www.amazon.com/Ant-Elephant-Leadership-Self/dp/1893430146
Web Page: http://www.avanimiriyala.com/009-gratitude
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Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In this episode, I chat with Mokshika Sharma about her journey as an entrepreneur. We discuss the truth about entrepreneurship and how it’s not always a fairytale full of flowers and sunshine. We talk about the hard decisions and tough calls that sometimes need to be made.
As an entrepreneur who has started 2 companies (Tastegraphy and Full Fridge) and is now on her 3rd launch, Mokshika has learned a great deal about what it takes to run a business. She shares her insights and knowledge with us -- without sugarcoating it one bit.
We also chat about failure. Failure is one of the worst “F” words that most people can imagine. It sounds horrifying and devastating… which is true at times (Mokshika mentions this when she talks about closing her second company, Full Fridge), however, failure is really just a pitstop along the journey to success. Mokshika will cover what you need to be resilient and bounce back from so-called “failures” along the way.
Question Highlights:
- What does it REALLY take to run a business
- Why is it worth it?
- Who is this life for? What kind of person?
- What were some of the hard lessons you learned as an entrepreneur?
- What is it like to shut down a company?
- What does it take to maintain resilience?
- What is driving you now as you embark on your new business, Sigma Lion?
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- The hard truth about entrepreneurship
- Heuristics and thought processes that will help you get through the tough times
- Why entrepreneurship is worth it
- Why failure is just a step along the journey to success
Resources:
Email: mokshika@sigmalion.com
Twitter: @mokshika_sharma
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/008-truth-entrepreneurship
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Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Your time is SO valuable. You’re a valuable team member, incredible business owner, and/or an amazing performer. However - here’s the sad part - we each are only allotted 24 hours in a day. How crazy is that?!
After trying dozens of ways to increase how much time I had in 1 day, I decided it would be way smarter to just optimize how I work. I always had a suspicion that I wasn’t utilizing my time in the best way… so I went on a hunt to find techniques that could save me HOURS in my workweek.
In this episode, I’m spilling all those secrets with YOU. I’ll be sharing the 5 productivity tips (that I’m using in my life RIGHT NOW) to save time, stay focused, and be super effective.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to gameplan your week and set up Intentional Days
- Why you need to be utilizing batch work
- The importance of recording and repurposing
- Why you should be using a timer
- How to make the most of your time and produce the best quality work
Resources:
Asana: https://app.asana.com
Web Page: http://www.avanimiriyala.com/007-productivity-tips
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Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In this episode, I chat with Alex Oda about his journey through entrepreneurship. Alex is an engineer turned financial analyst turned entrepreneur. He has worked on several amazing projects all over the world.
Alex is a social media influencer with a combined following of 400,000 followers across Instagram, Weibo, and YouTube and a former competitive bodybuilder (8 years). He heavily influenced and kick-started the "fitness boot camp" movement in China, which has lead to boot camps springing up across the nation. Alex calls himself a “self-admitted side-hustler” and we go in-depth in to why he says that.
As his life as an entrepreneur has panned out, Alex has made several pivots to make sure he was doing what made him feel happy and fulfilled at the end of the day. He covers what heuristics to use when judging where your life is and how to recognize if a positive pivot has to be made.
Question Highlights:
- You let your (great) job last year to go out on your own… what was the experience like? What was your vision?
- How did the vision actually pan out IRL?
- How did you know something was off and that you needed to pivot?
- It must have been hard to come to that realization… What was going through your mind at the time?
- What was the outcome of that realization?
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What is your new vision?
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Do you think it’s a good thing to pivot and revisit this “vision?”
- You’re going to make the leap to startups and do some more side hustling…
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- How do you have enough time to do what you want?
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There are people listening to this who might be going through the same struggle that you did. What would you recommend to them?
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Why pivots in your life can actually be a good thing
- What to be paying attention to and keeping pulses on to make sure you’re living out your best life
- What it takes to make positive pivots in your life
Resources:
Website: http://whoisoda.com/
IG: @whoisoda
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/006-positive-pivots/
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Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Your mind is the most important organ in your body. It does SO many amazing things for you… how are you taking care of it? What are you doing to strengthen it and to improve what it can do for you?
This is where the concept of the “mind gym” comes in. In this episode we’ll cover all about what a mind gym routine is and why it can be so impactful in your life. I’ll also be covering the four components or exercises that mind gym routines can include: Hygiene, Clarity, Agility + Creativity, and Attraction. With each component, I’ll give examples on how you can incorporate that component into your personalized mind gym routine.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- What a mind gym routine is
- The necessary components of a mind gym routine
- How impactful having a personalized mind gym routine can be for your life
- How to construct a routine that works for you
Resources:
Headspace App: http://www.headspace.com
Web Page: http://www.avanimiriyala.com/005-mind-gym
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Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In this episode, I interview Akansha Agrawal - founder of the online wellness community, Citrus + Gold. After years of working in the corporate world in many great positions at LinkedIn, Akansha made the leap to follow her passion project full-time.
As she went full-steam ahead to work on building her business and audience, Akansha has learned a great deal about building authentic online communities. She has built an authentic and engaged community on Instagram and Facebook. In fact, Akansha grew her Facebook Group, C+G Girl Gang to 500 people in less than 6 months! Akansha covers the strategies she used to grow her Facebook Group and why maintaining authenticity is so important to the success of her business.
Authenticity is crucial to any online community today. People are more sensitive to “fake” or inauthentic brands, businesses and people. If they sense authenticity, they won’t buy into what you’re talking about. Akansha covers how to avoid that and exactly how to maintain real relationships with your audience and community.
We also chat about how Akansha’s business is growing and changing. Akansha polls her audience from time to time to understand what they want to know more about. She kept getting feedback from her community that they wanted to learn more about how to build brands and run businesses. Because of this, Akansha has been expanding the Citrus + Gold brand to include creative strategy and coaching. She already has a growing Facebook Community called, “Passion to Profit.”
Question Highlights:
- How did Citrus & Gold come about?
- What was your vision originally?
- Was community a part of your strategy from the start?
- How did you deal with that uncertainty of entrepreneurship?
- What do you do to nurture your online communities?
- How do you know the difference between authenticity and inauthenticity?
- In the context of business… why are authentic relationships + trust so important?
- I think we are holding entrepreneurs more accountable in 2018 than ever before… why do you think this is happening on the internet / social media?
- What advice would you give to someone who is growing a brand / biz in 2018? How do they build a heart-centered biz that is truly authentic?
- Why build authentic relationships & trust online even if you don’t have a brand or business yet?
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- How to deal with the uncertainty of entrepreneurship
- Tips for nurturing and building authentic online communities
- The importance of authentic online relationships in 2018
Resources:
Citrus & Gold: www.citrusandgold.com
IG: @citrusandgold
C&G Girl Gang FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cggirlgang/
Passion to Profit FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/citrusandgoldstrategy/
Web Page: http://avanimiriyala.com/004-communities/
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Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
I know you. You feel like you’re giving it all at your job and for some reason, you still aren’t being paid what you’re worth. Maybe you’ve tried to ask for a raise in the past and have gotten some lame response like, “we are on a comp freeze” or “these are tough times.” I’ve been there…
After successfully getting $10k and even $15k+ raises in my career, I’m ready to spill all my secrets with you! In this episode, I cover step-by-step techniques that you can use to set yourself up for a raise that your boss CANNOT refuse. How amazing would that be?!
In addition to the steps you need to take to guarantee a raise (spoiler alert: raises don’t happen overnight), I’ll chat about various negotiation techniques that you can use while asking for a raise and negotiating a job offer.
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Steps you’ll need to take to getting the raise you deserve
- How to prepare for compensation conversations with your manager
- Negotiation tips and techniques
- Quick tips when it comes to negotiating job offers
Resources:
Ramit Sethi’s Website: https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/
Ramit’s Ultimate Guide to Getting a Raise: https://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/guides/ultimate-guide-to-asking-for-a-raise-and-negotiating-salary/
Web Page: http://www.avanimiriyala.com/003-raise
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Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
In this episode, I interview my lovely, brilliant, amazing friend Alexandria Hart. This lady is not only a beautiful soul, but she is also a marketing powerhouse. She has been running Good Joo Joo, her marketing firm, for about 1.5 years now and she is on fire. Alex has worked with several big brands and helped them crack the code when it comes to customer acquisition. She also has an ultra-talented team who is complete remote - how cool is that?! Alex has designed a business and lifestyle that most people only dream of… I mean…. She LIVES in Tulum, Mexico about 25% of the year…
We talk all about how she went from working as a paralegal to becoming a world class marketer and then a successful entrepreneur. Alex goes into detail on how the bumps in her journey helped her end up with a lifestyle better than she could ever imagine.
Alex lives her life by the theory of the Happiness Margin. She explains what the happiness margin is and encourages BSQ listeners to consider how they can live inside the happiness margin. We also discuss how the happiness margin and the concept of delayed gratification can reside in your life harmoniously.
Question Highlights:
- How you started in one field and then switched to another
- What drove you to make the switch?
- What did other people say about your switch?
- What were you most scared / concerned about as you were making the switch?
- And then you made a switch AGAIN! To starting your own consulting biz… how did that happen? What drove you to do that?
- Did you make $$ right away? How did you pay the bills?
- What keeps you up at night when it comes to GJJ?
- What is the happiness margin? What does it mean to you?
- How do you apply the HM in your biz?
- How does the happiness margin apply to GJJ?
- How does someone know if they are NOT living in the HM?
- So we have been talking about the HM in the context of the business...what about someone who isn’t running a business right now, how can they apply the Happiness Margin?
- When it comes to living beyond the status quo, what is the #1 most important thing to keep in mind in your opinion?
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- Why "getting wrecked" can actually be a good thing for your life and career
- What the theory of the Happiness Margin is
- How to apply the Happiness Margin to your life
Resources:
Good Joo Joo: http://goodjoojoo.net
IG: @shmalexhart, @goodjoojoo_
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Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!
Taking chances, living life on the edge, not knowing where next month’s money is going to come from, and being spontaneous? NONE of this was for me 1 year ago. I was (and am) such a planner – I loved my little bubble of comfort. However, over the last 12 months, I’ve realized how important it is for spiritual, mental, and physical growth to step outside of your comfort zone and get uncomfortable.
In this episode, I chat about why getting uncomfortable can be so good for our life and your dreams. Let’s be real here, you are not “average.” You are meant for a life of greatness and it starts when you let yourself get uncomfortable.
I’ll cover what exactly getting uncomfortable can bring to your life, and how it can actually help you in many different ways. I will also be chatting about 4 simple ways that you can get uncomfortable to see positive results in your life.
PS – I’m so stoked that you’re finally getting to listen to the first episode of the Beyond the Status Quo podcast!!
In This Episode You Will Learn:
- The value of pushing your limits and living outside of your comfort zone
- What getting uncomfortable does for you
- 4 easy ways to start spending time outside of your comfort zone today
Resources:
Check out my website at http://avanimiriyala.com. Follow me on social media @AvaniMiriyala – can’t wait to hang out with you there!