The Jenna Rainey Show: Recent Episodes
Jenna Rainey, CEO + Artist + Educator
Ready to leave your 9-5 but don’t know how? Wondering what it takes to scale a creative business and make consistent income? Want to hear from the biggest creative brands on how they built their businesses?
The Jenna Rainey Show is packed full of tangible and impactful tools for starting and building a thriving business. Hosted by best-selling author and creative powerhouse Jenna Rainey, this podcast is a peek into tactical strategies behind social media, pricing, negotiating, creativity and MORE! Listen in each week as Jenna shares her own personal failures and successes throughout her career as an artist, course creator and influencer. From side hustle to art empire, Jenna reveals what it was like growing a six-figure stationery business to collaborating with some of the biggest retail stores and brands, launching online courses and scaling to that seven-figure mark as an artist. She regularly has conversations with guests where they share how they built creative empires and hacks that will inspire YOU to go after your biggest dreams!
The Jenna Rainey Show is a NO BS conversational-style show that is focused on helping YOU tackle your fears and achieve those goals. Because we believe that the starving artist narrative was made to be broken!
And that's a wrap on season 1 of the Jenna Rainey Show!
It's been an amazing first year debuting this podcast show with just over 85 episodes and loads of amazing guests. Thanks for listening and for all the stellar reviews. Until next time, come hang out with me on Instagram @jennarainey and on the blog at https://jennarainey.com. I've got a lot of amazing business/art courses, resources, and a new watercolor book in the works so stay tuned for much more from me.
Being an influencer might not be what you think! In this episode, I invited my good friend—and one of my favorite people to follow on Instagram—to be on the show. It's Jeannette Ogden from @shutthekaleup!
Jeannette's account is all about nutrition, wellness, fitness, and mom-things. We talk about what it's like to work with brands, how to get collabs, and some behind-the-scenes insights.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/shutthekaleup/
Strategic email marketing is one of the most engaging and cost-effective ways to build personal, profitable relationships with your customers.
Let that process for a minute.
Email marketing is HUGE. So why you should have an email list? What is my favorite strategy? How did it save my business? Tune in and find out.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/whyemaillist/
This one's for all you designers out there who want to start—or grow!—a thriving stationery business.
I started my business 8 years ago as a stationery designer and after 5 wonderful years of amazing clients, I decided to shift my focus and sell the company.
During those 5 years I learned SO much. I had no formal training or experience so I basically jumped in the deep end with two feet and figured things out as I went.
So now we're here so you can learn from my mistakes and also learn about things I wish I would've known about sooner.
But remember, there's so much value to be gleaned from every mistake and every win. Keep going. The hills and valleys are part of the journey. You've got this.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/stationerybusiness/
Did you know that there is a whole lot of strategy involved in writing descriptions for your products or services so that it reaches more eyes?
And it applies to a wide range of e-commerce platforms including Etsy, Shopify, SquareSpace, Creative Market...anywhere you list your products (or services in some cases!).
So in this episode I want to give you tips on how to use SEO and keyword research to improve the chances of your listings showing up in search results.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/productdescriptions/
Have you thought about taking your hobby or side gig and making a living out of your creative creative? Do you have doubts, concerns, fears about taking the leap?
You're not alone. I've been there and my guest on this episode has some insights and inspiration to share.
Jeffrey Madoff is the founder of Madoff productions in New York City. His company collaborates with ad agencies, public relations firms, and directly with clients to produce commercials. He's worked with Victoria Secret, Ralph Lauren and more.
Jeffrey began his career as a fashion designer and was named one of the top 10 designers in the US before switching careers to film and video production.
He also teaches a popular course at the Parsons School of Design and recently published a book by the same name—Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas.
In this episode, we're his students for a short lecture and I can't wait for you to soak in all the wisdom.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/jeffreymadoff
Curious about how to build a brand but don't know where to start? And what's the difference between a business and a brand?
These days with websites and social media, so much of our business is visual. That's why I think every business owner should treat their business as a brand (in other words, give time and attention to the visual details).
In this episode, get my 7-step process to building a business and a brand!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/buildabrand/
Especially as a new business owner, mistakes, bumps, obstacles...they're inevitable. It's all part of the entrepreneurship journey.
In this episode, I reflect on my last 8 years of owning a business and what I would tell 23-year-old Jenna...
...the 23-year-old Jenna who's sitting at her kitchen table late at night after a long day at the cubicle, practicing calligraphy and painting, and getting ready to take the leap to start a creative business.
If you're starting a new creative venture (or want to!), I've got insights to share to help you prepare so you can succeed!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/owningabusiness/
Do you set goals for your life or business? And here's an even bigger question...do you typically hit those goals?
Because I know a thing or two about setting goals and not hitting them...or forgetting them...or changing my focus (thanks, ADD). But it can happen! Life happens and pivots are common—sometimes even essential.
Over the years, I've learned a few things about goals and in this episode, I share with you my favorite resources and tips to help you stay on track.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/setgoals/
Do you have a blog?
If you're thinking, Who the heck has a blog anymore?, then I urge you listen to this previous episode where I explain why it's so important!
If you do have a blog, I want to let you in on 4 insider tips to help expand your audience.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/publishblog/
The importance of an email list is something I cannot stress enough! Especially when our economy is experiencing a downturn at the moment and customers are staying in doors, how are you as a business owner staying front of mind with your clients/customers?
If you're still scratching your head and asking, "Why start an email list? Email is dead!"...think again!
Email is the only way to algorithm proof your biz and allow you to keep in contact with your potential and existing customers! Creating an email list is the KEY to sustainability and helping you weather any storm that comes along.
When should you start an email list? NOW! Even if you're just starting a business, email should be your focus! The thing with email is, it compounds over time...the more you nurture it, the more it will grow!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/theimportanceofanemaillist/
Do you work with your spouse or partner? Or are you thinking about working with your significant other on a business venture? John Rainey (my husband) will be the first to tell you that while it's not always easy, it can definitely be worthwhile.
John started working full-time at Jenna Rainey HQ a year and half ago and he is the content KING. He's my videographer, YouTube director, podcast editor, and he does a friggin' good job at it all, too. (And he's all self-taught!)
So in this episode, he shares his insider tips for building a successful YouTube channel, our daily routine, and his favorite (and least favorite) things about working with me.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/johnrainey/
Do you know what gets me excited and geared up for a new year? Planning out my entire year's promo calendar!
Last month, my team and I sat down on a few Zoom class and laid out our entire 2021 calendar.
I know it can feel daunting but doing this strategic work ahead of time can help you to give you clarity and focus while you create content throughout the year. And I think this year especially has us all ready for the feeling of a fresh start a new year brings.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/planningpromos/
Are you getting ready to plan your 2021?
In Q4 of each year, I think it's a great practice to take some time to reflect on what worked and what didn't in your life and business, so you can keep those things in mind moving forward. We've got to learn from our mistakes and also keep doing whatever drives success and fulfillment!
In this episode, I'm going to give you an inside look of this past year at Jenna Rainey LLC—what we launch, what we did differently, what worked, what didn't work, and how we overcame some challenges.
If you're curious about what goes on behind the scenes in my business, about how I manage my time, or you just want to learn from my mistakes, this episode is for you.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/2020recap/
I want to get real and personal with you today about a topic that's incredibly important to me—living with a mental illness. This year (2020) has been tough for so many people. Even without the uncertainty of the economy and the pandemic, being a business owner has its challenges.
Mental illness is not a weakness and it is not anyone's fault.
You are capable of success and being a leader, you are strong and have so much to contribute to your relationships, your experiences, and LIFE.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/mentalillness/
There's a time to copy and then there's a definite time to not copy. Here's the difference:
It is ok to copy to learn. It is NOT ok to replicate or copy someone's work to pass it off as your own and use it for marketing or commercial purposes.
This is in fact why there are copyright laws and intellectual property lawyers.
Here's the thing. It's really hard these days to be completely pure in your work. Inspiration is everywhere: it's easily searchable and something we stumble into often by scrolling on Instagram and Pinterest, and who knows just how much a quick glance through social media is actually seeping through our minds and impacting our ideas, our creative process, etc. BUT, there are a couple key points that I want to share with you from my own experience over the last couple of years that I hope will help you understand the deeper impact of copying.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/the-truth-behind-copying/
How many hashtags are you using? Are you using popular ones or niched ones?
If you find hashtags confusing, you're not alone!
There's so much conflicting info and research about Instagram hashtags, so get out your notebook and let's get a tangible game plan to navigate the hashtag dilemmas.
In this crash course episode, I give you the best tools I've found that helps accounts of ALL sizes.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/hashtags/
Just over a year ago, I decided it was time to hire an assistant. I wanted to grow my business and also do less of the things that weren't my specialities. That's when Kelly came into my life and now, she's my right-hand lady/operations manager/integrator.
I'm super excited to introduce you to her and let you all in on what it's really like behind-the-scenes working at Jenna Rainey HQ.
Kelly is just the organization to my Type B-ness. She is the poking holes to my big crazy ideas. She is the detailed-oriented Asana task champion. She just has absolutely changed my life.
In this episode, Kelly gives some really good, honest answers about:
- My strengths and weaknesses
- How we met and the interview process
- Why we make a strong team together
- What she does, what her roles and responsibilities are within my business
- Some of her favorite organization hacks that's she's picked up over the years
Even if you don't have anybody working for you right now, knowing about the dynamic with somebody who does take on an operations manager role can be insightful and helpful for the future!!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/kellymartin
Mindset is a HUGE topic not only in the entrepreneurial space, but also in wellness and personal growth.
And for good reason! Mindset is incredibly powerful, even more than we realize sometimes.
In this episode, I give you my 3 top mindset shifts that I think are game-changers.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/mindsetshifts/
I'm a firm believer that your morning routine can set the tone for your day—personally and professionally.
So when Jennifer Cook of Minimal and Well asked me to be part of her Power Morning speaker series, I was pumped.
I'm super passionate about wellness and over the last 8 years of owning my business, I've experienced how morning habits and what you put in your body affects your mood and mental clarity.
And it's important to remember that it's an ongoing process that looks different for everyone! My morning routine gets tweaks about every quarter depending on what my body and soul needs in that season.
For those of you who are struggling to find inspiration in the morning and sustain that energy throughout the day, this interview is for you!
Episode show note: https://jennarainey.com/powermornings/
Minimal and Well: https://www.minimalandwell.com/
Have you ever received an email or DM or text from a friend asking you for help on a creative project...for free?
Or maybe it was in exchange for a hug or some exposure.
It can be a tough situation!
In this episode, I talk about what to consider when asked for free work.
Because in my experience there may be a time and a place for it! In all honesty, doing some free work what got my business off the ground.
But you do want to be careful and not devalue yourself so there are good things to keep in mind when you get these requests.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/freework/
Now that I've been licensing my art for a few years and we're gearing up for our Brand Plus Brand course launch, I've been thinking about things I wish I had known before starting this journey.
So for this bonus episode, we turned the tables and I'm actually the guest answering questions from my licensing agent, Julie Turkel, on her podcast.
If you are an artist designer, photographer, any creative brand owner, and you've been thinking about getting into licensing, or maybe you are in licensing already, and you just want some insight on the journey, I think this is going to be a very interesting episode for you.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/beforelicensing/
Brand Plus Brand: http://bit.ly/bpb20jrs
Julie's podcast: https://www.julieturkel.com/category/podcast/
A surface pattern design Q&A with Jocelyn Sipowicz (aka Just Jos)! Jos is lifestyle print and product designer (and alum of Brand Plus Brand—my course on licensing that I co-teach with my agent, Julie Turkel!)
She has robust experience in the fashion industry (Coach, Chico's) as well as home textiles and accessories (Loloi).
In her work with brands, she acts as a facilitator between other artists and the brand. So... listen up all you creatives aspiring to get into licensing—Jos lets us in on some insider tips! Julie and I were so excited to have her on the podcast to share with you her ideas for getting collection inspiration, building a library that attracts manufacturers (spoiler alert: it's about diversifying!), and the themes she sees currently trending.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/justjos/
Let's talk about how you can make more money on DIY licensing platforms like Creative Market.
What do I mean by DIY licensing platforms? They are websites where you can simply upload your artwork and the company either puts it on products—everything from phone cases to beach towels and coffee mugs—or sells the art files to other designers. Popular examples are Creative Market, Society6, and Redbubble.
MILLIONS of users are on these platforms and they function just like a search engine. This also means that you don't necessarily need to have a big following to get your artwork out into the world and can make some extra cash!
Licensing work has been a game-changer for my business. Most of the things I paint or design are for collections licensed to manufacturers and retail stores. I have collections in the baby category (blankets, sheets, play mats), tech (computer and phone cases), and office (planners, notebooks, pencil cases). There are so many possibilities!
And a huge benefit to licensing is that not only does it generate passive income, the artwork can be reused and repurposed for various collections. It has allowed me to say adios to the 12-14 hour working days. I want that for you, too, so listen to this quick episode to see how you can get started.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/creativemarket/
How do you create impact with technology and still make your customer experience feel personalized?
That's the question I explored in this episode with Brandi Bernoskie.
Brandi is a digital strategist, website developer, and founder of Alchemy+Aim and North Star Sites—companies that help entrepreneurs and business owners elevate their online presence and enhance their digital experience.
Brandi’s has worked with thought leaders like Brené Brown, Laverne Cox, Martha Beck, Judy Smith, and Kate Northrup as well as other notable change makers since 2013.
Whether you're starting a website or already built one, this episode will be golden to helping you with your digital strategy and how to think of ways to humanize your brand, connect with your audience, and automate and offload in your business so you're working in your genius zone.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/brandibernoskie/
Passive income is the dream of many artists.
So let's talk about how to make that dream into reality. In this quick episode, I'm sharing with you 5 things I do to build passive income.
Episode show note: https://jennarainey.com/passiveincome/
Informative shopping research (sometimes referred to as competitive research) in the world of licensing is KEY, especially when pitching your work to partner with your dream manufacturing brand or licensing agent.
Informative research helps you answer these questions and more:
What's trending (even outside your industry)?
What manufacturers have licensing programs?
What kind of designers and/or artists are manufacturers working with?
What void is there in X brand's product line design?
What void is there in X agent's design roster?
How can I improve my library of work to catch the eye of a manufacturer/agent?
In this episode, Julie Turkel, my licensing agent and co-instructor for Brand Plus Brand is back to giver her insider tips on the why and what of informative research.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/informativeresearch/
Pinterest is a search engine—an amazing free tool that you can use as a creative entrepreneur to boost organic search traffic, generate new leads, and attract new customers.
In other words, it helps MORE people discover you and your beautiful work!
In this short episode, I'm giving you my 3 tips to help you optimize your pinning strategy.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/pinteresthacks/
Niche marketing, when done with intentionality, can transform your business.
Two people that understand the ins and outs of this niche marketing approach is Tom Ross and Mike Janda.
Tom is the founder and CEO at Design Cuts, the highest-rated online marketplace for designers. Design Cuts helps their community of 550,000 members save money off the best digital resources to help their regular creative projects. They also empower hundreds of creatives to make money passively via their skillsets, and have earned their shop owners millions of dollars.
Tom also hosts the popular podcast The Honest Designers Show and Biz Buds, which have received over 1.5 million downloads. He loves mentoring fellow creatives to help them master their marketing and regularly speaks at creative events to inspire others.
Mike is an award-winning creative director, designer, and agency veteran. In 2002, he founded the creative agency Riser, which provided design and development services for clients that included Disney, Google, Warner Bros., Fox, NBC, ABC, National Geographic and many other high-profile brands.
Mike sold his agency in 2015 and now spends his time speaking, developing books, courses, and social media content to help creatives level-up. He is the author of Burn Your Portfolio and The Psychology of Graphic Design Pricing.
Tom and Mike are super knowledgable educators and mentors for creative entrepreneurs. This episode is packed for of information and practical takeaways of how you can implement a niche marketing strategy, whether you have an audience right now or not.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/nichemarketing/
Being a mom and CEO is incredibly challenging, there's no question about it.
Since 2012, I've identified myself as a business owner, artist, and designer who earns a good living doing something that I love. Once I became a mom to my now 1.5 year old son, EVERYTHING changed.
If you're a parent, then you know allll about those first few months of parenthood—the sleepless nights, the 30 minutes a day you get to shower and get some work done, and the mom/dad guilt.
But really...can you be both a parent and CEO? Absolutely yes. In my experience, the rewards of both have always outweighed the challenges.
To all my parents and business owners (or aspiring business owners) out there...you've got this!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/momceo/
Stand out among all the noise.
That's the goal, right? As the markets become more and more saturated, you want to be seen!
But if you're thinking, What's the point? There are already soooo many artists out there...lemme tell you something. There's no other you in the world and you have something uniquely special to offer.
Enter this week's guest—Kira Hug. She's a brilliant copywriter, specializing in personality-driven conversion, cofounder of The Copywriter Club, and cohost of The Copywriter Club Podcast. Kira helps small business owners package their weird, following her signature trifecta framework. So if you're just dying to know what the heck that even means, don't skip this episode! It's so so good.
We talk about how to picture yourself in a living room with the people on your email and what that can do for your copy. It's brilliant.
Kira has worked with some amazing marketers like Jasmine Star, Rick Mulready, James Wedmore, and helped them write copy for hugely successful launches. She is a master at being strategically weird and helps you define your personality within your brand so you can effectively communicate that on your website, your email copy, your sales pages, eCommerce site, etc. So if you are any type of business owner and you write any of your copy, this episode is for you.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/kirahug/
Time management strategies that WORK can be game-changers in your business (and in your personal life, too!).
One of the most common questions I receive is, How do you have time to do everything that you do?
Life is busy. We have kids, appointments, sleep, eating, cleaning...you know, juggling all the day-to-day stuff. Very quickly work can pile up and deadlines creep up on you.
For years, I used to feel like I was always behind, treading water, before I figured out how to work smarter and not harder.
In this episode, you're getting my tried and true strategies for being more efficient and better managing time. But remember, we're all different! Try these out and tweak them for your personality and schedule. Then, enjoy all the productivity and extra time you free up in the process.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/timemanagement/
Effective Instagram strategies are hard to come by. It seems like the app is always changing! Right?
Instagram polls and questions boxes...
Effective niche hashtags...
Quality vs quantity when it comes to followers...
And the often-dreaded direct to camera Instagram stories...
These are the wildly popular topics when it comes to using Instagram as a powerhouse marketing and engagement tool in your business.
One incredible woman who I consider to be extraordinarily proficient in all things Instagram is my good friend Jamie Dana.
Jamie and I went to high school together and she used to be my amazing hair stylist until she left the salon to pursue her passion of being an educator. Through her courses, membership site, and YouTube channel, she educates other hairstylists on how to use and grow their businesses using Instagram.
And even though her niche is hairstylists, these techniques and methods can be applied to any business or brand. I had some amazing aha moments during our conversation and I know you're going to love her!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/jamiedana/
What do you do when your client wants a refund?
It's an uncomfortable situation to be in, no doubt.
In my 8 years in business, I've made plenty of mistakes when I had to eat costs. But there have also been times when my clients have requested refunds and I know I was not at fault.
Whether you're a service-based business or product-based, I'm giving you my best tips for handling these tricky situations with grace and professionalism. And because I believe in the value of prevention, I'll let you in on what I did to avoid (or at least, greatly reduce) these scenarios from coming up again.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/clientrefund/
A few years into my custom stationery business, I spent a LOT of time and money creating semi-custom invitation suites. And by the title of this episode, you know how many I sold. Zip. Zilch. Zero. Nil. None... Seriously.
Have you ever launched a product, course, or some kind of service and made ZERO sales?
I know. It stings! And this happened even with a sizable Instagram following.
So how do we change that and hopefully prevent it from happening in the future?
Tune in and learn from my mistakes so you can rock your next launch!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/isoldzero/
How do you navigate trends as a stationery designer? They seem to always be changing!
Well, I’m stoked to introduce you to two of my friends in this episode—Rachelle Schwartz and Emily Owen. They are the co-owners of Wiley Valentine, a luxury custom stationery design agency where for the last 14+ years, they work with celebrity clients and top notch event planners.
I met Emily and Rachelle when I shared an office with them (and also with Czar Press, run by Rachelle’s husband, Michael) a few years ago, hence the super casual conversation. Not only did I learn so much from them about the stationery industry, they’re just wonderful human beings full of insights.
Emily and Rachelle have an intriguing and inspirational story of how they hustled as total newbies in the industry to get to where they are now. And having been in business for 16 years, they also have some experience weathering tough times—I’m talking the 2008 recession and the current pandemic.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/wileyvalentine/
Handling high maintenance clients is part of the the not-so-fun side of business. Let's admit it.
I'm talking about those people that cross boundaries, are impossible to please, email you at 3am or call you nonstop outside business hours.
Can you relate? While these scenarios tend to be rare, they do happen—whether you're a stationery designer, graphic designer, custom crafter, hair stylist, or photographer. High maintenance clients are unavoidable!
In this episode, I'm sharing my 5 tips you can take to prevent unpleasant scenarios from escalating (and manage them professionally if they do come up), and protect yourself...all with the end goal of giving the best experience possible.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/highmaintenanceclients/
A well thought-out, beautiful website design is hugely important for introducing your brand to your customers.
Jen Olmstead and Jeff Shipley from Tonic Site Shop came into my life in 2019. Jen designed the stunning, colorful, bursting-with-personality ShowIt/Wordpress website you see today and I couldn't be more thrilled with it.
Throughout the process of working with Jen and Jeff, I learned that there's so much more to website planning than color schemes and pretty fonts—you've got to have a clear brand story.
Because Jen is SO knowledgeable about intentional website design and killer About pages, I knew I had to bring her on the show and share her wisdom with all of you. (Plus, witty banter is her love language and so it's always a blast talking to her.)
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/jenolmstead/
Have you ever felt a lack of inspiration and motivation and just utterly burnt out?
I have. More than once, too. And these feelings are especially common in the creative community with all the noise and competition.
Burnout can affect more than just your work—it can impact your relationships, sleep, mood, and health. (I speak from experience.)
In this episode, I give you my best 5 tips for getting more clarity, direction, motivation, creative inspiration, and excitement back to your work.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/avoidingburnout/
Customer loyalty is the lifeline of every business. Whether you have return customers or not, building up a loyal customer base that spreads the word to their friends about you is key to growth.
On this episode, Casey Graham—Co-Founder and CEO of Gravy—shares some amazing tips on this topic of customer loyalty and how to serve your audience, especially in times of crisis, whether it be a global pandemic or economic recession.
Casey's company, Gravy, is the leading failed payment recovery and customer retention solution for companies with recurring revenue. Prior to launching Gravy, Casey is known for founding The Rocket Company, an organization that helped church leaders scale their financial leadership and fundraising. The company grew quickly from 2008 - 2015 and was on the Inc 5000 list three years in a row. In late 2015, a capital venture group approached Casey to acquire The Rocket Company, and in February 2016 the company sold.
His passion for entrepreneurship and bold vision for leadership are the driving force behind his energetic and engaging presence, both on and off the stage. And this episode is no exception. I can't wait for you to listen!!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/caseygraham/
Is this a bad time to get into the licensing industry as a designer? What products are people buying now?
These are great question and ones that I got asked a couple of weeks ago. To really explore this topic with an insider's perspective, I'm stoked to have my licensing agent Julie Turkel back on the show.
Julie has been in the licensing industry for 25+ years now (check out Episode 13 for more of her story). She is also my co-instructor for our course, Brand Plus Brand, all about starting a building a licensing business.
It's fair to say that Julie knows a thing or two about trending categories, trending themes, when to pivot, and working with manufacturers and retailers to get your designs on products.
In this bonus episode, we talk about where it might be beneficial to focus your energy and time during this global pandemic to keep your licensing business moving forward. And yes, art is still very much alive.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/futureoflicensing/
Is it too late to start—a new hobby, a business venture, or a creative journey?
I get emails like this often: "I would love to paint like you but I'm too old now."
It breaks my heart when aspiring creatives brush aside their dreams because they think the "window of opportunity" has passed.
In this short and sweet episode, I address this common limiting belief and give examples of people who achieved great things in their later years. The bottom line is: It's never too late. Dream big, my friend. And keep chippin' away at it.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/toolatetostart/
You've got questions? I have answers. A couple of weeks ago, I posted on Instagram Stories wondering what you would want to know if you could ask me anything. Within the responses, there was a wide range of topics—from what the early business days were like to whether I had morning sickness while pregnant. It's a fun, chill, let's-hang-out-type episode.
I'm want to do more of these Ask Me Anything episodes so be sure to follow me on Instagram and keep a lookout for my next call for questions! https://instagram.com/jennarainey
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/askjennaanything/
What is visual storytelling?! When you hear the term brand storytelling, the first thing a lot of people think about is the "About" page on your site, social media captions, and general website copy. But don't forget about the VISUALS (photographs, artwork, colors, etc) as incredibly powerful storytelling assets!
Nick Onken, world-renowned photographer, joins me for this crazy good episode. He's photographed personalities including Justin Bieber, Tom Hanks, and Jessica Alba, Little John, and is the host of Nion Radio Podcast.
Nick's current mission is to refine and explore the intersection of creativity, consciousness, and culture. Seriously... so many good things to unpack there!
This episode is not just for photographers. It's for anyone who has a brand and has a story to tell (Spoiler: Everyone has a story to tell!!). Tune in and learn how to use visual storytelling to elevate your story and cut through the noise to stand out among the competition.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/nickonken/
Wondering how to build a profitable business in a world with LOADS of competition?
In this era of technology, competition is stiff! I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Now, more than ever, it's critical to get clear on the why behind your business, your values and brand story, and then to connect with your ideal customers...outside of social media and e-commerce platforms like Etsy.
To go deeper into strategies for standing out and building connection, I'm so excited to introduce you to Tracy Matthews.
Tracy is a jewelry designer and entrepreneur mentor to creative visionaries and the host of the top rated Thrive by Design podcast. Her jewelry and her story has been featured in InStyle, Elle, US Weekly, Real Simple, Martha Stewart Weddings, Entrepreneur Women and on the Today Show. And she's the Chief Visionary Officer of Flourish & Thrive Academy where she helps other jewelry brands launch, grow and scale profitable jewelry businesses.
In this episode, Tracy shares her best tips and advice for growing a profitable creative business. They are pearls of universal wisdom that can be applied to so many industries—whether it's jewelry, photography, fine art, hairstylist, etc.
Get out your notebooks. This is a good one...
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/tracymatthews
"Should I have a blog? Is blogging still a thing?" The short answer is absolutely YES.
Your potential customers are on the internet, looking for information that you could be providing.
The more blog posts you have, the more chances you have to rank higher on Google, the more traffic you have on your site, the more people will be interacting with your brand, which all lead to more sales, more customers and growth.
Do you struggle coming up with topics to write about? Don't worry. I'm also giving you some of my quick tips for generating ideas for valuable content.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/shouldihaveablog
Do you want to learn more about SEO and becoming more discoverable? Check out my SEO Crash Course: https://jennarainey.com/shop
Have you ever written a pitch email to a client or customer and wasn't quite sure what to say to make it feel genuine? Or if you haven't tried it yet, what's stopping you?
Pitching your work is vital to growing your business, generating more revenue and pivoting.
Whether you're hurtin' for your next client or you want to pitch to your dream brand, there are some key things to keep in mind when writing a good pitch email.
In this episode, I'm sharing my 4 top tips for what to do (and what to avoid) when writing the all important pitch email.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/pitching/
Do you sit for much of the day? Are you looking down at a phone, laptop, etc? It's not uncommon for creatives.
But why is Jenna Rainey talking about spinal health and posture?
Because I know that supporting our health is fundamental for everything we do.
Especially now, spending more times indoors, many people are sitting more than usual. That's why I wanted to share with you information from someone who has helped me a ton with my own pain and health—Bill DeMoss, DC of DeMoss Chiropractic in Southern California.
Dr. Bill is certified in chiropractic, spinal trauma and biophysics. He's super knowledgeable, not just about posture and spinal health but about immune health and cognitive health. His goal is to educate and empower people with an understanding of how the human body functions so that wise decisions can be made about their health and wellbeing.
Even if you don't go to a chiropractor or you've never been to a chiropractor, this episode gives you a glimpse into the world of chiropractic care and strategies to support your spinal health and your overall health.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/billdemoss/
Beating the feast or famine cycle in your business is key to growth and sustainability. What is the feast or famine cycle?
It's the lack of consistency in workflow that often happens with busy seasons and slow times.
Have you ever landed a new job to only start to neglect your sales, marketing, bookkeeping, IT projects, and nurture content...all because you had to focus on completing that new job?
This happened often to me, especially in the first 5 years of my business. I eventually learned how to find a balance and how to apply certain strategies to keep the workflow steady and consistent.
Because at the end of the day, we all want consistent income.
In this episode, I’m sharing with you the strategies I used myself to gain clarity, security, and stability in my business.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/feastandfamine/
The importance of curiosity and creativity has never been outlined more effectively than in my interview with Brit Morin. Have you ever been curious to try and learn a new creative skill?
If so, what's stopping you?
I have heard SO many people tell me, "I just wish I was creative." OR "I don't have a creative bone in my body!"
Well guess what? We are ALL creative. It's literally a part of our DNA! And since I know Brit Morin shares this same passion of igniting people's inner creative voice, I am super excited to have her on the show!
Brit Morin is the co-founder and CEO of Brit+Co—a lifestyle brand and online learning company. They provide content, products and experiences geared towards young women with a creative DIY spirit. Brit+Co has an engaged community of over 125 million women and over 200,000 online class enrollments.
Brit is also the author of the bestselling book Homemakers: A Domestic Handbook for the Digital Generation. She is a regular lifestyle expert on Good Morning America, The Today Show, Live with Kelly and Ryan, Rachel Ray and more.
In this episode, we talk about Brit's experience in product development and marketing roles at Google and Apple and why she pivoted to create her own business (inspired by keyword research!).
What do I love most about Brit (besides her sweet personality)? She is always learning something new, staying curious, and staying creative.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/britmorin
Need an email marketing overview?
Are you scratching your head wondering if email marketing is worth the time and energy investment? Does an email list help you grow your business?
Short answer: YES.
Strategic email marketing is one of the most engaging and cost-effective ways to build personal, profitable relationships with your customers.
In this episode, I'm meeting you at the starting line and giving you the email marketing overview you need to get it started for your business.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/emailmarketingoverview/
Get my FREE training tutorial on how to start an email list here: https://bit.ly/emaillistcrashcourse
Do you have a clear vision of what you want your life and career to look like? Not just a general idea, but a really clear picture of your day-to-day life.
Especially in the early days of being a business owner (but it really applies at all stages), mindset work is huge and having a three-year plan can be a game-changer. That's why I'm super excited to introduce you to Kelsey Murphy.
Kelsey is a life and business coach who helps you redefine success and create a business and life that you love. She's worked with amazing businesses from Facebook and Twitter to industry thought leaders like Marie Forleo (my icon!) and nutritionist Kelly LeVeque. Her coaching work has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Huffington Post, LiveStrong, Living Healthy, LaurenConrad.com and more.
I had a bunch of ah-ha moments during this episode which is why I'm beyond excited to share it with you. And one of her top 2 tips (what she said was "the thing" that finally started moving the needle in her business) happens to be my word of the year. goosebumps Tune in and find out what it is!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/kelseymurphy/
Let's talk good website copywriting. Do you ever stare a blank cursor wondering what to write? Or maybe you have the general idea but it's just not coming out quite right?
Well, my friends, in this episode I'm giving you my 10 best copywriting tips. These 10 tips will instantly elevate your website, grab the attention of your ideal customer and convert them into leads, customers, clients, etc.
That's the goal, right? You want to inspire action—whether it be signing up for an email list, booking for your services, or purchasing a product.
But it also doesn't have to feel like one big disingenuous sales pitch. You can write authentic copy that serves and makes real connections with your audience. If you're ready to take your copy to the next level, this episode is for you.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/websitecopywritingtips/
Grab my FREE Pinterest Research Guide so help you come up with popular topics and use keywords that will make your content more discoverable: http://bit.ly/pinterestresearch
Headline Analyzer: https://coschedule.com/headline-analyzer
Subject Line Analyzer: https://coschedule.com/email-subject-line-tester
Today I have the brilliantly talented artist Carly Kuhn, aka The Cartorialist, on the show. Her story is so inspiring and her work is incredible. Think monochromatic fashion illustration type vibe. Seriously beautiful.
Carly is a former producer for Chelsea Lately and left a career in television to pursue art full time.
Her Instagram fame soared when Sarah Jessica Parker reposted one of her drawings. This exposure paved the way for collaborations with Dior, Oscar De La Renta, Capitol Records, Prada, Glossier, and Elle. And today, you can find her work in a wide variety of places—on everything from textiles to jewelry and prints.
Carly's journey is not one without self-doubt and leaps of faith, which may resonate with some of you.
Whether you're an artist, designer, photographer, or other creative, knowing when (and how) to take that step from a secure day job to pursuing art full time can be unclear and even scary.
So if you find yourself at this point your career, listen to Carly's story for a healthy dose of inspiration.
Show notes: https://jennarainey.com/carlykuhn/
Carly's Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecartorialist
Today’s topic is something that’s very near and dear to my heart. It’s about a super powerful two-letter word (N-O) that most of us struggle with saying.
Whether it’s a flashy job, a client revision, or someone who steps on our boundaries, it can be difficult to say no to people without feeling guilty.
In my experience, it boils down to a problem with people-pleasing. Our desire to make others happy can blur boundaries in both our professional and personal lives.
If you struggle to say no, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m giving you my 4 steps to help you confidently make decisions and 3 ways to actually say it nicely. I want to help you to be better at how to say no to people, how to say no without guilt, how to get clear about your boundaries, and how to listen to your gut.
Show notes: https://jennarainey.com/sayingno/
Building good money habits? How do I even do that? I know this is something evvveryone, including myself has wondered.
I get it. It’s so much more exciting to be creating beautiful things than to manage your books. But developing and building good money habits is key to both the short-term and long-term sustainability and financial success of your business. Which, in current times with what’s going on in our world, is so important!
Justine Lackey from Good Cents Bookkeeping runs a 100% virtual bookkeeping company based in the NYC area. With 20+ years of experience, Justine’s been featured on forbes.com, entrepreneur.com, and in Women’s Day magazine.
Listen to this episode and I bet you’ll walk away with greater confidence and actionable ideas for improving your money habits.
Show notes: https://jennarainey.com/goodmoneyhabits
Good Cents Bookkeeping: https://goodcentsbookkeeping.com/
International book tour?! That sounds flashy, amiright?!
When my book Everyday Watercolor came out in October 2017, I decided to lean into the title of author because well, writing a book is a TON of work and I was really proud of it! So I traveled the world teaching workshops and hosting book signings.
It was an incredible experience and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to do it but I actually didn't realize how frickin' difficult it would be. I'm giving you a REAL look at the logistics of teaching on the road: supplies behind held up at customs, factors to consider when scouting venues, who finances it all, etc.
Are you an artist, designer, photographer, or some type of creative? Do you teach in-person classes or want to? Then this episode will give you insightful food for thought for planning your workshops or events on the road.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/internationalbooktour/
Don't leave without grabbing my free Creative Course Outline download. It's the perfect first step when entering the world of workshops: https://jennarainey.lpages.co/creative-workshop-outline-template/
My books, Everyday Watercolor and Everyday Watercolor Flowers: https://jennarainey.com/books
Dabney Lee is an inspiring, down-to-earth, amazingly talented designer (and mother of triplets!). Her pattern designs can be found in Barnes and Noble, Target, TJ Maxx, Staples, Home Goods, and more. They've also been featured in Matchbook, Design Milk, Oprah, The EveryGirl, and Hamptons Magazine. She is killing it in the licensing world!
In the episode Dabney, Julie (our licensing agent), and I discuss:
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How she went from wholesale stationery to a 7-figure licensing program with Target
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Why a Dropbox library is one of her biggest assets for working with clients
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A behind-the-scenes look at a licensing brand
...and at one point we may or may not have had a spontaneous intervention related to social media.
Surface pattern design is one of the fastest growing areas in licensing and this episode gives you a peek into the world of licensing.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/dabneylee
Dabney's website: https://dabneylee.com
Instagram: @dabneylee
And If you want some guidance on jump starting your OWN licensing career, check out the course that Julie and I co-teach called Brand Plus Brand: https://jennarainey.com/brandplusbrand!
Is your biz ready to expand? Or maybe you think you can do it all and you’ve found yourself strapped to your desk 24/7…
...Whether you’re ready to hire or not, this episode will give you some of the best tips for hiring the RIGHT team member for your brand before you get there. There is a right time to grow and if you take the plunge in hiring too soon, it can cost you. Trust me. I did this!
If you're wondering when to hire, how to hire, and WHO to hire, this episode is for you!
Episode show note: https://jennarainey.com/hiring
Looking to get your team on the same page with promo dates, launches, etc.? This Master Marketing Calendar is the BEST for planning all your launches, deadlines and MORE:
http://bit.ly/mmarketingcal
Traction by Gino Wickman: https://amzn.to/2PQRuUL
Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark Winters: https://amzn.to/3cyG0ir
My licensing agent, Julie Turkel, is back for another riveting conversation. In today's episode, we're talking about how an agent/designer partnership works:
- Where can you find a licensing agent?
- Who's responsible for what?
- What are standard commission and fee structures?
- What are the phases of a licensing job?
If you're a creative and want to get more passive income streams, I strongly encourage you to consider licensing. And if you want to get serious about jump starting your licensing career, check out the course that Julie and I co-teach called Brand Plus Brand: https://jennarainey.com/brandplusbrand
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/agentrelationship/
If you didn't catch our first episode, check out episode 13 and find out how Julie got her start in the world of licensing (it's such a fascinating story!)
I have my fair share of nightmare workshop stories. From not packing enough paper for a watercolor workshop and having to run down the street to an art supply store halfway through teaching, to having to cancel a workshop the night before due to food poisoning... over the last 7 years of teaching, I’ve experienced it all!
While none of these scenarios were fun in the moment, they were all HUGE learning moments. Now that I have my system and set up DIALED in for teaching workshops, we thankfully never run into these frightening experiences anymore (I mean, never say never I guess), but I want to use today’s episode to help you avoid the same nightmare mistakes.
Whether you teach workshops, you do live art at events, or anything related to showing up for a group of people...this episode will give you a good laugh at my expense (you're welcome) and some great advice on how to prepare for the worst.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/workshopnightmares
Check out my FREE Workshop Cheat Sheet to help you avoid these nightmares. From the prepping phase, to promoting and teaching, we’ve got the entire checklist here so you know when to start ordering supplies, what to pack for your workshop and more. Grab yours at http://bit.ly/workshopcsheet.
Have you ever thought about writing a book? If not, never say never! It wasn't on my radar AT ALL when Kimberly Brower slid into my DMs in 2015. Fast forward 5 years, and here I am—two best-selling books later—and Kimberly has played a HUGE role in this journey.
She's a literary agent and works behind the scenes negotiating, reading and just demystifying all the contracts that we get from our publisher, making sure I'm following up on my deadlines and meeting deadlines. And we now have our third book in the works with Ten Speed Press!
In this episode we talk about what goes into finding a literary agent, how you would find a literary agent, what an agent does for an author, the pros and cons of self publishing versus traditional and all of that good literary stuff!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/literaryagent/
Check out Kimberly's agency at http://browerliterary.com/ and give her a follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/KimberlyBrower and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kimberlybrower2/ !
Do you sell digital or physical products on an e-commerce site? I'm talking Etsy, Shopify, Squarespace, Wordpress...any place where you sell your goods.
Over the years I’ve learned a ton about what works and what totally doesn’t. I’ve had my share of total flops and hearing crickets when launching a new product to selling out and scrambling to pack and ship everything on time.
In this episode, I give you my top 3 tips on what to do when you're making no sales so that you can grow your revenue.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/ecommerce/
Grab my FREE Pinterest Keyword Research guide: http://bit.ly/pinterestresearch
Emily Jeffords is a brilliantly talented fine artist whose work is highly sought out by collectors. A few years into her creative business, she started teaching to diversity her revenue streams—everything from quaint, beautiful workshops in her own studio to week-long retreats in dreamy locations around the world and even online courses!
Her story is inspirational—one that is relatable to so many of us. We talk about:
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How you can start teaching, even if you don't have a large following
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Emily's mindset hack for overcoming imposter syndrome - How she went from selling her first painting for $1 only 10 years ago to now fully supporting her family
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How teaching plays a fundamental role in her business
...and so much more!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/emilyjeffords/
Emily's websites: https://emilyjeffords.com and https://emilyjeffordslearn.com
If you're interested in creating and teaching in-person workshops or online courses, but you have no idea what to teach, who your audience would be, and how to make it profitable, I'm hosting a free training starting 2/27/20! Save your seat: http://bit.ly/3dayvideoseries
Have you ever received an email from a client who was disappointed in your product/service or gave negative feedback? Let me tell you...you're not alone!
Over the years, I've learned how to respond to upset clients without getting emotional and I feel more confident in handling those snippy comments on social media. Unfortunately, there’s no way around it – you can’t please everyone!
In this episode, I share my 5 best tips for dealing with client criticism. Don't let the fear or uneasiness form negative feedback stop you from pursuing your dreams!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/upsetclients/
Dial in your client services and level up your custom stationery game with my Pen to Press stationery course: https://jennarainey.com/pen-to-press/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennarainey/
Today I have my very own IP attorney joining me—Grant Atkinson from Framework Law Group. Grant and I have been working together since 2015 on various things like registering trademarks for my business, filing licenses, settling issues with clients etc.
"When is the right time to become an LLC or S Corp? What's the difference?"
"How and when do I trademark my brand and copyright my work?"
"What contracts and workers agreements should I be using?"...
Have you been asking yourself any of these questions? Every single business owner, whether you're creative or not, needs to listen to this episode. This is the crash course on all things business, legal, entities, contracts, IP (intellectual property)!
To see this episode's show notes, visit https://jennarainey.com/legal/
Framework Law Group website: http://www.frameworklawgroup.com/
Framework Law Group Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frameworklawgroup/
Social media boundaries are absolutely crucial for protecting your mental health, your social life, and your relationships. They have been so huge for me lately because not only do boundaries protect my mental health and sanity, they allow me to be more effective in juggling all the things like motherhood, running a creative business and having relationships.
This episode isn't about bashing social media. Instagram, specifically, is an amazing business tool that's helped me create my business and gain traction with attracting clients to build my stationery business and then later allowed me to pivot into licensing and education.
At the same time, it's important to be aware of the potential downsides to social media so that we can be intentional about how we use it.
Tune in and get the 6 simple, GAME-CHANGING ways I've set boundaries for myself surrounding social media and technology.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/boundaries/
Happy 1st birthday to my baby boy, Myles! Today's episode is a very special one. My husband, John, and I took listener questions and reflected on our first year as parents in this candid, honest, and personal conversation. We didn't hold back...consider yourself warned!
We talk about everything from how I told John I was pregnant in the funniest way to sleep deprivation, a typical workday, work/life balance, and what surprised us most so far about parenthood.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/mylesturnsone/
Are you thinking about teaching an online course or workshop? Do you want to know what really goes on behind the scenes of a profitable launch?
In this episode, I’m going to give you an exclusive look at what a six-figure course launch looks like including what's worked well and what's something I would never do again.
I want to show you the exact strategies I used—including nurturing, segmenting, launch timing, and launch week tweaks—so you can implement them into your business if you want to teach online courses!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/launchbts/
Grab my FREE Pinterest Keyword Research guide: http://bit.ly/pinterestresearch
And my FREE Workshop Cheat Sheet: http://bit.ly/workshopcsheet
Need an email service provider? I recommend ConvertKit.
I only met Elizabeth Weil a few months ago, but she quickly has become one of my biggest inspirations because of how she’s so incredibly active and involved in her job and her kids’ lives. Her story is incredible—from venture capital and Twitter to angel investing, being a mom of three, and running a letterpress business out of her garage.
She’s got the mom duties, the business owner duties, and then investor duties and meeting with clients. I know many of us are juggling a lot of responsibilities and often feeling overwhelmed. If you’re looking to get inspiration and tips on balancing it all, this episode is going to give you a lot of that insight.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/paperwheel/
Paperwheel: https://paperwheel.com/
Paperwheel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperwheel/
Paperweel on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Paperwheel
Today I want to share 5 steps to create your own promotional calendar for the entire year’s worth of content.
If you've been following me on Instagram, then you've probably seen that I have literally planned out every single launch, every single broadcast email to my newsletter, every single podcast episode, every YouTube video tutorial...for the entire year.
And it took me ONE day to do it.
So if you've been wondering how to save time and be strategic with your content planning, this episode is for you!
Get my FREE Master Marketing Calendar here: http://bit.ly/mmarketingcal
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/promocalendar/
Today on the podcast I am joined by New York Times best selling author, Johanna Basford.
Johanna is the QUEEN of coloring books for adults, has sold over 20 million copies of her books worldwide, and has been a HUGE inspiration to me over the years.
In this episode, we talk about how it all began for her, her illustration process, and how she juggles writing books and being a mother.
Tune in to hear her amazing Scottish accent and incredible insight into the book writing process and reaching millions and millions of people with your work!
Johanna's website: https://www.johannabasford.com/
Johanna's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johannabasford/
For show notes on this episode, visit https://jennarainey.com/johanna/
Are you ready to teach an in-person workshop?
Maybe you've been asked by a local shop to teach watercolor, or calligraphy, photography, you name it...but you just don't know if you're ready yet. Seven years ago when I taught my first ever calligraphy workshop, I was no expert, but I knew a few things about calligraphy. More than a beginner!
Over the years, I've made LOADS of mistakes, have my share of incredibly embarrassing workshop stories (I'll share some in later posts), and have learned a ton. Because there's a lot of you reading curious about teaching, I thought I'd give you a little insight on what it takes to teach your first workshop and start earning some extra $$!
In this episode I cover the 3 ingredients you need to find out if you're ready to teach your first workshop.
Grab my essential FREE checklist for starting and planning your in-person workshops: http://bit.ly/workshopcsheet
You can also steal my exact outline for prepping and teaching in-person and online creative workshops! http://bit.ly/workshopoutline
Full episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/teachingworkshops
Today I have my licensing agent Julie Turkel on with me! Julie is not only the one who does the negotiating, the pitching and all of that behind-the-scenes work for my product and licensing jobs, but she is also my co-instructor for Brand Plus Brand (www.jennarainey.com/brand-plus-brand), our course on licensing and how it works!
We’re bringing you all the insight on what licensing is, how Julie built her licensing agency, her time at Nickelodeon and branching off to work with more boutique designers like Nate Berkus and Jonathan Adler. So, if you’re interested in learning more about licensing, this is the perfect episode to get your feet wet!
Tune in for some AMAZING insight on what an agent does, how the licensing industry all began and so much more!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/julieturkel
Brand Plus Brand course: www.jennarainey.com/brand-plus-brand
Julie's website: www.julieturkel.com
Julie's Instagram: www.instagram.com/julieturkel
Dabney Lee website: www.dabneylee.com
Not sure what to charge?
In this episode, I dive into the questions you should be asking a prospective client and the EXACT formula you should use to base your pricing! Every job and industry is different, so this method will help you determine the cost of design jobs, editorial, commissions and more!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/pricingwoes
Are you an artist trying to find your way? Or unsure of what your “style” is because there’s so much noise on social media with talented creatives posting their work?
Finding your artistic style or your own voice is the gateway to attracting the RIGHT audience and potential customers. It helps you cut through the noise and show up confidently online when it comes time to share your work. But, what is it? How do you find it?
In this episode, I’ll be giving you my tips on how YOU can find your artistic style and some of them MAY surprise you.
Tune in if you're feeling stuck!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/artisticstyle
I can’t even tell you how many times I’d wake up in the middle of the night in the early days, in terror, just thinking I’d somehow be ousted by the lawmakers—whoever these people are—because I had NO IDEA if I was operating as a legitimate business. Trademarks and LLCs, sales tax...you know, the stuff that makes a creative person squirm!
In this episode, we're diving deep into the legal steps you should take when starting a business! So if you’re thinking about starting a business, or maybe you’ve been in business for a few years now and want to know if you’re operating as a LEGIT biz, I'm going to cover the biggest steps you need to take to make sure your business is set up properly.
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/legalsteps/
If you're like so many of us out there feeling like a total fraud or like someone is lurking behind you, just waiting for you to mess up so that they can point out to the world that you're an imposter, you don't actually know what you're doing and you shouldn't be here, you don't belong. Well, join the club. I'm going to give you a few tips on how to overcome Imposter Syndrome and shift your mind to help you show up more confidently!
Today's show notes: https://jennarainey.com/overcomingimpostersyndrome/
Music licensed from Artlist.
My biggest mistakes? Yep! We're gettin' INTO IT with this one!
Every entrepreneur's journey is full of mistakes. From sending client jobs that were the wrong order to spending THOUSANDS of dollars on a co-working space that no one signed up for, my career is full of 'em!
Tune in to hear some shocking stories and failures that I've never shared anywhere else!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/mybiggestmistakes/
Music licensed from Artlist.
Wanna learn how I took my side hustle and grew it to six figures?
For the first 5 years of scaling my creative business, I was a wedding stationery designer. These 5 steps we cover in this episode go into detail on how I was able to go from making NO money, to generating a six-figure income in a year.
I've since sold my wedding stationery business, but if you're looking to learn the ins and outs of designing custom stationery and working with clients, check out my course Pen to Press (https://jennarainey.com/shop/pen-to-press/)! This includes steps on how to digitize your own artwork, how to create proofs and mock-ups, preparing files for print and MORE!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/stationerybiz/
Music licensed from Artlist.
Having consistent income would be nice, right?
So many creatives struggle with the dips and valleys of freelance work. Feeling stretched thin and wondering when the next paycheck is coming is something all too common.
In this episode, I'm diving deep into the to FOUR ways creatives can generate consistent, recurring revenue. This is the KEY to scaling your creative business and generating income that allows you to rest!
Make sure to check out this Pinterest Keyword Research Guide to help you promote your recurring revenue earners! Even if you don't have an email list or large audience on social, this guide will help you grow your audience and income using Pinterest! (http://bit.ly/pinterestresearch)
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/recurringrevenue
Music licensed from Artlist.
It seems like the hottest job on the market right now is being your own boss.
There are artists, photographers, podcasters, influencers and MORE coming out of the woodwork. If you're one of the bosses out there, this episode is for YOU. From the tasks that you take on overnight, to the loneliness most feel when they take on the solopreneur life...I'm discussing it all.
So, if you just need a little "Hey! I feel that way, too" kinda boost today...I've got you covered!
Episode show notes: https://jennarainey.com/beingyourownboss/
Music licensed from Artlist.
Been bummin' about the Instagram algorithm lately? Well, in today's episode, I'm helping you with those dips in engagement and giving you ACTUAL, tangible tips that will help you understand and OVERCOME the Instagram Algorithm!!
Wanna take it a step further? Download my FREE IG Caption Prompt Guide to help you write captions. Staying on top of what WORKS and getting your audience to engage will help you spend LESS time on the app wondering what to post about. Grab it here: http://bit.ly/captionprompts
Today's show notes: https://jennarainey.com/instagram-algorithm-got-you-down/
Music licensed from Artlist.
This month, January 2020, marks 7 years since I launched my Etsy shop.
From side hustle to thriving business, what started as doodling at our kitchen table has turned into a full-blown career and completely surpassed my wildest dreams! I no longer have an Etsy shop where I sell hand-lettered quotes and painted prints, but that initial launch is kinda the marker of when I decided to try out having a side hustle.
Tune in to this episode for all the ups and downs that I've encountered along the way and to hear parts of my story I've never shared before!
Check out the show notes for today's episode: https://jennarainey.com/mystory/
Music licensed from Artlist.
I can't believe it. 2020 is HERE and it's a new decade!! I love the energy around a new year. It's so invigorating and exciting when thinking about all the possibilities! So, to help set you up for success in this brand new decade, let's talk about a few ways to make 2020 your best year YET!!
Make sure to head to https://jennarainey.com/bestyearyet/ for the show notes on this episode!
Music licensed from Artlist.
My first podcast episode EVER. EPISODE ONE!! I can't believe I'm finally doing this.
If you’re asking, like I am, why a podcast? I don’t know the answer…
You know...I’ve been pushing this show away for years.
There's a lot of podcasts out there. And while I didn’t want to just add to the noise, I just can’t get away from what I believe my true purpose and passion are and that is to serve the creative community and show artists that they, too, can build thriving businesses.
I couldn’t care LESS if just one person listens to this show...if YOU, that ONE person hears ONE thing from pressing play on this podcast, and it impacts your life, then I feel like I’ve won. I’m content.
To me, this show and the content I put out on my website, YouTube Channel, Instagram, and in my how-to books, is all about proving that the starving artist narrative was made to be crushed, and that while we all love to be our own harshest critic, we are ALL capable of being creative.
So, with that said...I hope you're ready for some insight on how to build a profitable creative business, the failures and mistakes I've made along the way, and some INCREDIBLE stories from guests who are EXPERTS.
If you don't want to miss out on any future episodes please subscribe, rate and review this show! I promise to read each and every review and I want to get to know YOU better so I can serve you the episodes you're looking to hear from me!
SHOW NOTES: https://jennarainey.com/whyapodcast
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jennarainey/
YOUTUBE: http://bit.ly/jennayoutube
Music licensed from Artlist.