Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Tiny Course Empire Podcast
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| How long does it take to create a digital course? | 09 Sep 2024 | ||
Parkinson’s Law states that work expands to fill the time available. For course creators, nowhere is this more true than in the launching of a new course. I’ve seen creators spend months or even years planning and developing a single course. They start with the best of intentions, but with no milestones to aim for and endless time available, progress—ironically—slows to a crawl. I spent several months creating my first digital course. That was far longer than I intended it to take, and a big part of the problem was that I didn’t have a timeline to follow. I didn’t know that I needed to compartmentalize my tasks to keep from muddying the project waters. I didn’t know how to prevent scope creep—or how badly it could derail my progress. I didn’t know the importance of single-tasking. Fast forward a few years and a few dozen completed courses, and I now have a plan that lets me create a brand new course in four weeks or less, without the backtracking, overwhelm, and rabbit trails that can make a product launch take longer than necessary. I’m sharing my course creation timeline with you in this week’s episode, so you can make Parkinson’s Law work for you instead of against you. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| How to Price a Digital Course | 02 Sep 2024 | ||
Pricing your digital course is surprisingly stressful. Charge too little, and you might end up feeling resentful about all the work you put into your training only to be “giving it away for practically nothing.” Price it too high, and you might feel self-conscious about it. Who do you think you are, anyway? So we try to apply some logic. We try to math, but when it comes to digital goods, math doesn’t work either. There’s no additional cost involved in delivering one more video download or one more PDF, so we can’t multiply the cost of goods sold by our markup to arrive at a retail price. What’s the answer then? Well, it’s one part art, one part intuition, with a dash of espionage and just a hint of a power pose thrown in for flavor. We’ll get into all the ins and outs of how to price a digital course in this episode of the Tiny Course Empire Podcast. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Amy Kuphal’s easy email marketing strategy | 13 Jun 2024 | ||
You’ve listened to me bang on about email marketing for a few years now. You know how important it is (crucial, in fact). You know how much I prioritize email above all other marketing channels (because it’s the only one you own and control). You know my thoughts on list-building and engagement and staying in touch with your subscribers. And I know that for some of you, my email marketing method feels a bit overwhelming—especially if you’re just getting started. That’s why when I met Amy Kuphal, I knew I had to introduce her to you. Amy is an email marketing ninja, but more than that, she’s a systems lover, and she wants nothing more than to make email marketing easy for everyone to do. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! Join me for this interview, and you’ll learn:
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| Marketing Without Social Media | 06 Jan 2022 | ||
Marketing Without Social Media: 21 Ways to Grow Your Audience
It’s not a secret that organic reach on Facebook, Instagram and others is at an all time low. What’s worse, even if you’ve mastered a platform or two, it seems as if every week or so, there’s yet another algorithm update that threatens to destroy all the work you’ve put into it. Pinterest users are even feeling the pinch. The platform is often referred to as a search engine rather than a social network, and as such it’s been the go-to traffic source for bloggers in many niches for years. But now, even Pinterest has left some content creators feeling frustrated over a dramatic drop in traffic. But what can you do? How else can you get the word out about your latest course, or your new opt-in offer? Turns out, there are plenty of ways you can market your business without social media, and in this week’s episode, I’ll give you my top 21 suggestions. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| 22 Tips for a More Successful 2022 | 30 Dec 2021 | ||
This is the final episode before we kick off a brand new year. And since this is episode 22, I thought it was only fitting that we celebrate with 22 ways we can all have a more successful 2022. Whether you’re a course creator, a coach, or a digital product seller, and even if you’re just starting out on your business journey, you’ll find something here to kick off the new year with purpose. Here’s to a fantastic year for us all. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| 7 Ways Time Tracking Helps You Build a Better Business | 23 Dec 2021 | ||
I know, I know. You didn’t quit that soul-sucking day job just so you could punch a time clock every day in your own home office. Believe me, I get it. I’ve said many times over the years that the best part of quitting my job was that I got to turn the alarm clock off* on a (more or less) permanent basis. But here’s what else I know about you. You want to be more efficient and productive, so you can work fewer hours. You want to earn more while working less. And you definitely want to hand off those projects and tasks that aren’t the best and highest use of your time. Tracking your time can give you all of those benefits and more, so in this episode of the Tiny Course Empire Podcast, I’m challenging you to get out a timer and track your work hours, even if only for a week. I’ll give you all my tips for tracking effectively including what tools to use and what exactly you should be tracking. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
* Except I do still get up with an alarm clock, because I find I’m much more productive at 5 AM than I am in the afternoons. That’s something I discovered through tracking my time. My time tracking grid in a favorite notebook. | |||
| 3 Easy Ways to Earn Passive Income in Your Business | 16 Dec 2021 | ||
Warren Buffett famously said, “If you don’t find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die.” For online business owners, that means finding ways to earn passive income. While we all know that there are very few truly passive income options, there are a lot of ways to leverage our time and energy to earn more from work we’ve already done. In this episode, I’m sharing three easy ways you can start leveraging your efforts and yes, even make money while you sleep. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| How to Be Consistent | 09 Dec 2021 | ||
What’s one thing that sets successful business owners apart from those who struggle to gain traction? It’s not better tools or more education. It’s not more influential friends or a more profitable niche. It’s not even about your skill level. Being successful in business requires one thing above all else: Consistent action. But showing up consistently is hard. There are so many other things competing for our attention every single day. Family and friends we want to spend time with. Never-ending projects around the house. (“Why hello laundry. Again.”) An entire parade of appointments to be made and rescheduled and eventually kept. And all of that before you can even think about “me” time. Taking consistent action in your business can feel downright impossible in the face of everything else you’ve got going on. It doesn’t have to be though. Not when you have a plan. Prefer a transcript? I gotcha covered right here. What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| How to achieve every goal | 02 Dec 2021 | ||
It’s that time of year again. A brand new, shiny calendar is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to set some goals. THIS is the year you’ll finally lose weight, get fit, start a blog, write a book, launch a YouTube channel, organize your house, quit your job, learn to knit… All. The. Things. Sound familiar? There’s just one problem. Setting goals is easy. Achieving them requires an entirely different skill set. In this episode of the Tiny Course Empire Podcast, I’m breaking down exactly what it takes to achieve every goal you set. Whether you want to launch an empire or organize your photos, there’s a formula to follow. So come on along, and let’s get goaling! Prefer a transcript? I gotcha covered right here! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| How to Use Google Alerts to Grow Your Business | 24 Nov 2021 | ||
There are all kinds of pricey tools you can invest in as a small business owner, but one of the most useful is the free Google Alerts. In this episode, we’re digging into what Google Alerts do, how to set them up, and some ways you can use them to not only grow your business, but protect your online assets as well. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| 6 Online Business Models to Try | 18 Nov 2021 | ||
There are almost as many ways to make money online as there are people in the world who are doing it. In this episode, I’m going to break down six popular online business models, including what it takes to get started, the profit potential for each, and how to know which one is the right fit for you. Plus, we’ll talk about how to combine business models to create multiple streams of income in your business. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Stop Nurturing Your Email List | 11 Nov 2021 | ||
Every good email marketer knows you have to nurture your new subscribers, right? But what if it turns out the whole “nurturing” thing has morphed into something it was never meant to be? What if instead of building stronger relationships, you’re actually hurting them by trying so hard to “add value” that you forget to sell to them at all? That’s what I’m asking in this episode of the Tiny Course Empire Podcast, and I have to warn you, I may have been a little fired up in this one. Tell me in the comments below if you think I’m way off base or if you agree. I’d love to hear your thoughts! Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| How I’m planning for an amazing 2022 | 04 Nov 2021 | ||
A friend of mine asked me recently how I plan my year. While I’m always on the lookout for ways to improve, it’s rare for me to actually sit down and have a year-end planning session. Until now. This year, the husband and I sat down and reviewed the past year, made concrete plans for 2022 and beyond, and basically acted like business owners with, you know, a business to run. I broke it all down for you in this week’s episode. Prefer a transcript? Here’s an AI version that’s probably not very good, but might be useful for skimming. What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Stretching is good for business | 29 Feb 2024 | ||
This week, I’m joined by my friend, mentor, and one-time coach Kelly McCausey. You may recognize her as the creator of the Stretch Yourself Challenge, an annual event I credit with helping to launch a new era in my business. Kelly recently announced that she’s closing the doors on the content marketing side of her business so she can focus on full-time mindset coaching. To celebrate, she’s hosting one final Stretch Yourself Challenge event, so I invited her to come chat with me about content marketing. We talked about how she got started with creating content, the mistakes she sees some marketers making, and what’s next for her own content as she transitions from a B2B business into a B2C market. What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| What happens to your business if you can’t work? | 28 Oct 2021 | ||
It’s something no one likes to think about, but at some point every small business owner needs to ask, “What will happen if I can’t work?” In today’s episode, we’re talking about an uncomfortable topic, but one that’s critical to your success as a business owner, and maybe even to the stability of your family finances. What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Membership Site Q & A: Your Questions Answered | 21 Oct 2021 | ||
Membership sites are more popular than ever, and why not? They offer recurring, predictable income, give you loads of content you can repurpose in a variety of ways, and work well as a part of an overall funnel that leads to higher ticket coaching or group programs. So if you’ve considered starting a membership site of your own, I would not be surprised. I would also not be shocked if you had questions, because let’s face it, membership sites have a lot of moving parts, and they’re a big commitment. That’s why in this episode, I’m addressing all your most common questions. What you’ll learn in this episode:
Prefer a transcript? I got you covered right here. Resources mentioned:
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| How to Learn Online Marketing Technology for Free | 14 Oct 2021 | ||
When you're building an online business, knowing what you want to do is just the beginning. Knowing what technology to use to make it happen is an entirely different dilemma. In this episode, I'll teach you how to play digital detective to figure out which tools and software to use, how to build a better website, and even how to find great images for your blog. What you’ll learn in this episode:
Rather read the transcript? I've got you covered. Resources mentioned:
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| How to Learn Online Marketing for Free | 07 Oct 2021 | ||
In the corporate world, taking a product apart so you can discover how it works and design something similar (or better) is called reverse engineering. It’s a strategy that’s been used for hundreds of years by military powers, software giants, car manufacturers, and countless other organizations to learn from and improve upon the designs of others. You don’t have to have a team of engineers to make it work for you, though. In this episode of the Tiny Course Empire Podcast, I’m breaking down a process any small business owner can use to learn new and useful marketing strategies without spending a dime on courses or coaching. Rather read the transcript? I got you covered right here. What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Boost your sales with a simple marketing calendar (template included) | 30 Sep 2021 | ||
Consistent action creates consistent results. I see that everywhere in my business and in my life, but nowhere is it more apparent than in my marketing calendar. When I finally hit on a repeatable marketing system that I could consistently take action on, my income really started to go up. In this episode, I’m laying it all out for you with examples, and tips for how you can create your own. What you’ll learn in this episode:
Prefer to read instead of listen? Grab the transcript here. Resources mentioned:
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| Eight Free Strategies I Used to Grow My List This Year | 23 Sep 2021 | ||
Coaches, course creators, bloggers, product sellers, drop shippers, virtual assistants… it doesn’t matter what your business model is, list-building no doubt holds a priority spot on your never-ending to-do list. But there’s a whole lot more to building a responsive list than just creating a lead magnet and posting it on your website. In this episode I’m sharing the FREE strategies I used this year to grow my list by more than 3,000 engaged subscribers, and you can copy them all, no matter where you’re at in your business journey. What you’ll learn in this episode:
Rather read the transcript? Here you go! Resources mentioned:
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| Your 20-Minute Overwhelm Elimination Plan | 16 Sep 2021 | ||
Feeling overwhelmed with all there is to do to start or run your online business? Honestly, I'd be surprised if you didn't sometimes feel a bit overworked, burnt out, or just plain tired. Running a business isn't always a walk in the park, but there's help. In this episode, I'm going to give you a 20-minute action plan that's going to clear your head, create good priorities, and organize your to-do list so you can actually get it done rather than worry over it. Prefer a transcript instead? I got you covered right here. What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Email Funnels for Non-Marketers | 09 Sep 2021 | ||
When I was just getting started online, I knew one thing for sure: I had to start an email list. Everyone said so. The problem was, beyond creating an opt-in offer, I didn’t have a clue about autoresponders or marketing funnels, so my efforts fell pretty flat. Then I figured out the backwards approach that I’ve been using for the past four years to grow my list from a couple hundred random email addresses to more than 8,000 active subscribers who buy from me over and over again. In this episode, I’ll tell you exactly how I did it. Prefer a transcript instead? Here you go. What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Seven Steps to Market Your Online Courses | 02 Sep 2021 | ||
What do you do when you’re new in business and you don’t yet have an audience to market to? That’s the question I’m answering in today’s episode of the Tiny Course Empire podcast. Grab a notebook and a pen or fire up your favorite note taking app (I’m loving Obsidian right now) because you’re going to want to take notes. This one is packed with action steps you can put to use starting today. What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| 5 Course Creation Lies That Hold You Back | 26 Aug 2021 | ||
Sometimes, when I suggest to someone that they should create a digital course, they’re all in. They’re excited about it, and they quickly dig in and make it happen. More often though, I am met with some resistance. Most people have a list of reasons why they’re just not cut out to be a course creator. But those seemingly valid reasons are nothing but lies. I know, because I used to believe them, too. Maybe you do as well. What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Member Q & A replay | 15 Feb 2024 | ||
Six-Figure Systems has been closed to new members for a while. We’ve made some changes behind the scenes and introduced some new pricing tiers, and to celebrate our re-opening this week, I want to share a recent Q & A call with you. This call recording gives you a sneak peek into what we do inside Six-Figure Systems, and the support we offer to both new and more established business owners. Give it a listen and learn about things like prioritizing your projects, growing your email list, and selling digital products on third-party marketplaces. Then come join us on a podcast-listener exclusive 7-day trial for only $7. What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| How to Choose Your Tech Stack | 18 Aug 2021 | ||
You’d think that with ALL the resources available to online entrepreneurs today, choosing the tech to build your business foundation would be easy. Turns out, that’s not the case, and the online marketing software world just gets more and more confusing with each new “must have” tool. If you…
Then this episode of the Tiny Course Empire Podcast is a must listen. What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Tiny Course Magic | 17 Aug 2021 | ||
There’s magic in small products and courses. Magic is what makes it possible to earn six figures or even more with products that sell for less than $50… and not just earn it, but be profitable as well. Magic is what allows you to pivot quickly and move in a different direction on a whim or when an opportunity comes up. Magic keeps you flexible and nimble. In this episode of the Tiny Course Empire podcast, we’re going to dig into the magic of small products and uncover some surprising benefits of following the tiny course model that you may not have considered. What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Introducing the Tiny Course Empire Podcast | 16 Aug 2021 | ||
At the Tiny Course Empire Podcast, host Cindy Bidar is banishing the online marketing overwhelm and busting the myths about digital course creation that keep you stuck in startup mode. Each week you’ll hear actionable tips, real-world strategies, and plenty of practical advice about turning your expertise and experience into digital courses, and your courses into a profitable, sustainable business. With more than 10 years of hands-on experience managing operations and marketing for six- and seven-figure businesses, Cindy knows a thing or two about how to launch and grown an online empire. She’ll help you make sense of the technology, turn seemingly monumental projects into bite-sized tasks, and design repeatable systems that create predictable results. Whether you’re still exploring the opportunities the online business world offers or you’ve already taken the leap into entrepreneurship, you’ll find inspiration, encouragement, and realistic advice you can use in every episode. | |||
| How your comfort zone holds you back (and what to do about it) | 08 Feb 2024 | ||
There’s something attractive about an online business, and it’s not just because you can work from home in your pajamas and fuzzy slippers. For many online entrepreneurs, anonymity is appealing. The thought—whether conscious or not—of hiding behind a laptop screen, never appearing in public, and even using a pseudonym in place of their real name makes introverted entrepreneurs feel safe. But is keeping a low profile, firmly sheltered within that comfort zone cocoon, really doing your business any good? And if not, what steps can you take to expand your cozy bubble, show off your brilliance, and earn what you deserve? That’s what we’re exploring in this episode of the Tiny Course Empire podcast. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| An SOP deep dive | 01 Feb 2024 | ||
Imagine having the confidence to know your next blog post will hit the top of the search results. Or that your next sales page will convert well. Or that your ads campaign will bring in new subscribers. That’s what having well-maintained SOPs (standard operating procedures) can do for your business… so why do we not make them a priority? If you’ve ever said:
Then this episode is for you. We’re going to take a deep dive into creating better procedures and checklists, including how to write them, where to keep them, how to keep them updated, and more. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| 17 tips for easier content creation | 25 Jan 2024 | ||
“It takes me forever to write a single email.” That’s what my friend Tish said when I casually mentioned I had written 10 emails that morning. It’s a complaint I hear from other online business owners, too. Content is such a critical part of doing business online, but yet we struggle to create it consistently. Sound familiar? In this episode of the Tiny Course Empire podcast, I have 17 tips I’ve learned since I fired up my keyboard for the first time. Some will help you write faster, some will help you write better, and some will maybe just give you food for thought. But if you’re a writer (and you are) they’ll all help you improve your craft in some way. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| What email marketers need to know about Google and Yahoo! email changes | 18 Jan 2024 | ||
Feeling a little confused about the upcoming Google and Yahoo! email changes? Hearing lots of scary-sounding acronyms and wondering what the heck they even mean? You’re not alone. A few months ago both Google (Gmail) and Yahoo! announced that beginning in 2024, they will impose new requirements on senders of bulk email—in other words, email marketers like us—and if we want to keep our email messages out of the spam folder, we’d need to shape up. What exactly are these new requirements, and how can you make sure your emails are compliant? That’s what we’re going to find out in this episode of the Tiny Course Empire podcast. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Balancing creation and consumption | 11 Jan 2024 | ||
One of my favorite podcasters, Mike Schmitz, has a rule for his kids: “Create more than you consume.” This is great advice not just for kids, but for all of us—maybe especially for online business owners. With a never-ending supply of webinars, courses, blog posts, TikToks, YouTube, books, and more, it’s easy to find yourself consuming more than you produce. That’s a dangerous path to follow when your income is dependent on the courses, products, and other content you create. But where should you draw the line between “need to learn” and “need to create”? That’s what we’re exploring in this week’s podcast episode. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Which content style fits your business goals? | 04 Jan 2024 | ||
I’m talking a lot about content lately. It’s the first stop on the Online Business Roadmap, and for a good reason: It’s one of the pillars of your marketing plan. The only question is, what’s your content style? Will you be all business? Will you let your personality determine the direction you take? Or will you approach your content like a scientist, and follow the keyword data to find success? In this episode of the Tiny Course Empire podcast, I’m breaking down the three distinct content marketing styles. I’ll share some examples of each style, plus I’ll give you the pros and cons, so you can find the right style for your marketing goals. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Creating productive workflows in your business (four easy steps) | 28 Dec 2023 | ||
The first time I realized that not everyone could easily break big projects into easily finished, bite-sized tasks was when I implemented (what I assumed was) a simple worksheet for tracking and completing a large project. My client—the beneficiary of the project worksheet—was so impressed he shared it with the rest of the team, and asked me to create more workflows for other ongoing projects. That was when I knew that not everyone thinks like me. Not everyone can look at a big project and see the smaller building blocks, and what order to complete them in for best results. Not everyone can easily see where the gaps are, and identify the things that can be safely eliminated. Turns out, that’s my superpower. If it isn’t yours though, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered with this episode because I’m letting you in on my easy, four-step process for creating efficient, productive workflows in your business. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Courses vs Coaching: How to Choose Your Business Model | 26 Aug 2024 | ||
You already know you have something big to share with the world. You’ve overcome an obstacle, or achieved a goal, or helped others to do the same. You’re excited about the impact you can have on the world, and looking forward to being your own boss. The only question that remains is, “What’s the best business model to choose? Should you create courses or become a coach?” That’s what we’re answering in this episode of the Tiny Course Empire podcast. We’ll take a look at what makes each model appealing, the big drawbacks you need to be aware of, and I’ll give you some pointers for choosing the best model for you, your goals, and your students and clients, as well. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| What to do about social proof when you don’t have any | 21 Dec 2023 | ||
Congratulations on completing that brand-new course! Everything is ready to go—the videos are edited, the worksheets are beautiful, the transcripts are done, and you’re even proud of the sales page. There’s just one thing missing… testimonials. And that’s the sticky bit, isn’t it? I mean, how are you supposed to get testimonials when you haven’t sold anything yet? And how can you sell anything without testimonials? It’s a catch-22, online marketing style. The good news is that testimonials aren’t strictly required. Nice to have, for sure, but not a requirement. Some people—most maybe—will buy without them. But the even better news is this: You do have testimonials (or you can get them) even if you are brand new, even if you’ve never launched a course before, even if you just started your business this very morning. Listen up, and I’ll tell you all about it. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| The 2024 Business Tools Roundup | 14 Dec 2023 | ||
As online business owners, we’re no stranger to digital tools. We build websites, edit video, create graphics, develop courses, take payments, host video calls, and even sometimes use pen and paper to organize our thoughts. Always in the back of our minds lurks the question, is this the best tool? Is there something else out there I should be using instead? Is there something better? In this episode, I’m taking you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the apps and tools that are running my business, including what’s changed in the past year, and what’s due for a change in 2024. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| How to start a business while you still have a day job | 07 Dec 2023 | ||
According to Side Hustle Nation, 39% of employed Americans have a side hustle? And that 30% of those people hope to turn their side hustle into a full-time gig? If you’re building a business along side a more traditional jobby-job, you’re in good company. It’s how lots of small business owners (including yours truly) got their start. That doesn’t mean juggling a business and a job is easy though. There are some pitfalls to watch out for, and many people will stumble along the way. Recently a listener wrote in and asked my advice on how to manage a growing business while still working a day job, so let’s tackle that question together on this episode of the Tiny Course Empire podcast. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Five lessons learned on the way to 100 episodes | 30 Nov 2023 | ||
Two and a half years ago I sat down to record the very first episode of this podcast. I’d been a podcast listener for years—right now I’m subscribed to about 25 different shows, and I listen to dozens more on an episode-by-episode basis. So when I decided it was time to really embrace content marketing as a tool in my business, podcasting was my first choice. I knew a few things going in. I knew I had to be in it for the long-run. Content marketing is all about long-term strategy, not quick wins, so I was committed to a long-term plan. I knew I had to be consistent. Probably more than any other content medium, podcasting benefits from a consistent publishing schedule. I knew I wanted to teach, not interview. I’ve never enjoyed listening to interview style shows, and I never wanted to create one, so I knew going in that this would be a solo show—just me and my thoughts about running an online business. I also thought I was prepared, but there are always things you can’t truly know ahead of time. In this 100th episode, I’ll share five things I learned (or learned again) over the past 27 months. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Increase your product value and customer results (Online Business Roadmap Step 9) | 24 Nov 2023 | ||
There are two ways to make more money in your business: You can either sell more products, or you can increase the price of the products you sell. In this episode, we’re going to talk about how simple improvements in your product offers can result in both more sales and in higher revenue. In many cases, you can even make these improvements without adding a bunch of extra work for yourself. How’s that for a win/win? Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Increasing engagement and making more sales with email marketing | 16 Nov 2023 | ||
One of the biggest lessons I learned in business is that I don’t have to work harder to make more money. I just have to improve what’s already working. It’s all about turning up the dial in a few strategic places so that you can build your list faster, generate more opens, and get more eyes on your offers. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Improving your opt-in funnel (Online Business Roadmap Step 7) | 02 Nov 2023 | ||
Running an online business is a continuous cycle of improvements. That’s how small startups become thriving businesses. That’s what phase two of the online business roadmap series is all about. In this week’s episode of the Tiny Course Empire podcast, we’re going to focus on some small improvements you can make to your opt-in offer so that it begins to turn new subscribers into buyers. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Improving your content marketing results (Online Business Roadmap Step 6) | 26 Oct 2023 | ||
Congratulations! If you’ve been following along with the last few episodes of this podcast, then you have made it through phase one building an online business from scratch. So far you’ve established a content publishing routine, created your first opt-in offer, build a newsletter habit, released a paid product, and written a sales page for it. Well done! With that foundation in place, now you’re in a great position to start growing, so in this episode, we’re going to circle back to your content routine, and look for ways you can improve your results. We’ll make plans for getting in front of a wider audience, driving more traffic, and refining your messaging to better appeal to your ideal customer. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| How to write a simple sales page (Online Business Roadmap Step 5) | 19 Oct 2023 | ||
If you find that asking people to buy what you’ve created feels a little icky, you’re not alone. Many of us have negative feelings about sales, and the people who make their living at it. After all, who hasn’t bumped into a pushy appliance salesman who just would not take no for an answer? Those unpleasant experiences often lead to discomfort when we’re on the other side of the desk, asking potential customers to hand over a credit card to buy something we’ve created. That means writing emails, hopping on a discovery call, or even writing a sales page is something we’d rather avoid. Here’s the problem, though. When you’re in business for yourself, it’s your job to sell what you create. That’s the only way you’re going to get paid. The good news is, even if you don’t enjoy sales, you can still craft a compelling sales page. All you have to do is follow a simple three-step process. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Creating your first digital product (Online Business Roadmap Step 4) | 12 Oct 2023 | ||
If I could offer you one piece of advice about starting an online business, it would be this: Don’t wait to create your first digital product. Sure, there are loads of ways you can make money from an online business. You can be a coach, or a freelance writer, or an affiliate marketer, or build websites or publish a Substack or write a blog. I even know of one couple who hunt for scorpions and tarantulas on their property that they then sell online. #onlyinarizona Clearly, you have a lot of options. But when it comes to leverage, digital products offer the most flexibility and potential for growth. They’re what building a Tiny Course Empire is all about. Here’s the kicker though. Getting started can feel hard. It can look overwhelming. It can come with a lot of self-imposed pressure to get it just right. And that’s the kind of thinking that will keep you stuck right where you’re at. I’ve watched brilliant people with solid skills spend years creating and then updating a “signature course,” while never quite getting to the launch pad, because it’s never good enough. It’s never done, at least in their eyes. There’s a better, more achievable approach, and that’s to create a simple digital product. Nothing fancy here. Just a solution your audience needs, in a format they can use, at a price they can afford. It really doesn’t get any easier. I’ll walk you through how to do it in this episode of the Tiny Course Empire podcast. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Six Course Formats to Try | 19 Aug 2024 | ||
Quick! What comes to mind when you think of a digital course? Is it a multi-module resource with videos and downloadable PDFs inside Teachable? A big production like Marie Forleo’s B-School? Or something else completely? When I started out online, I thought courses had to follow a specific format, and honestly, that thinking kept me stuck for a while. Later I learned that courses can take many forms, and the one you choose has less to do with you than with your subject matter and your students’ preferences. In this episode of the Tiny Course Empire podcast, we’re taking a deep dive into six different styles of online courses, the pros and cons of each, and how you can know which one is right for you. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| Create a newsletter habit (Online Business Roadmap Step 3) | 05 Oct 2023 | ||
If I’m being honest, building your mailing list is the easy part. Staying in touch with those subscribers is much more difficult. Not in the tactical sense, but in the week-after-week practicality of it. It’s oh-so-easy to let another week slide by without sending an email to your list. Before you know it, they haven’t heard from you in months, or maybe even years. Believe me, I know. I’ve been there. Sometimes you feel like you don’t have anything useful to write. Sometimes you tell yourself you don’t have time. That next week will be better. Sometimes you worry that you’re just cluttering up your subscribers’ inboxes for no good reason. The problem with that line of thinking is that it leads to even more email procrastination. Even more self-applied pressure to do just the right thing, the perfect thing. But if you instead create a repeatable email system that’s easy to follow and quick to complete, you’ll find it’s a simple task to keep in touch with your subscribers, and build those relationships, too. Prefer a transcript? Here you go! What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| How to create your first opt-in offer (Online Business Roadmap Step 2) | 28 Sep 2023 | ||
The single most important asset you have in your business is your mailing list. It’s more valuable than your followers on TikTok, more useful than a Facebook group, and more secure than the best SEO strategy. So why do so many of us wait so long to build one—especially when it’s as easy as this? Today we’re laying out a step-by-step plan you can follow to get your first lead magnet online and collecting email addresses. I’ll give you my top recommendations for useful offers you can create, the tools to use, and my three must-follow rules for creating a great lead magnet. When you’re all done (and don’t worry, this won’t take you more than a couple of hours, tops) I’ll show you exactly how to start promoting your new lead magnet. What you’ll learn in this episode:
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| How to build an audience from scratch (Online Business Roadmap Step 1) | 21 Sep 2023 | ||
Quick, what’s the most important thing you should be focusing on right now to build your business? Is it traffic? Starting an email list? Creating a product? Branding? Website? Keywords? Something else? Or maybe all of that, plus a dozen more “must do” projects. If that big pile of unfinished, disorganized ideas is weighing you down and causing you to rethink you goal of even starting a business, this episode and those that follow in this series are for you. Grab a notebook and a pen, sit back, and get ready to find your focus and nail those first critical steps towards a sustainable, profitable online business. You’ve got this. What you’ll learn in this episode:
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