Explore every episode of the podcast Christian Woman Business Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Woman Business Podcast [Trailer Update] | 24 Aug 2023 | 00:01:51 | |
Welcome to the Christian Woman Business Podcast! In this updated trailer, I'm sharing the latest on what to expect here in this show. While I'm taking a break from creating new content, be sure to check out the past episodes to support you in building your online business. Check out these resources:
You can also connect with me on Instagram - send me a DM and let me know you found me through the podcast! https://www.instagram.com/estherdlittlefield/ | |||
| The 4 Keys to Overcome Hustle with Erin Harrigan [Ep. 122] | 01 Aug 2023 | 01:06:35 | |
Do you ever find yourself mixed up in the striving for more success? Trying desperately to climb that ladder in the name of bigger and better? Does our culture's 'hustle culture' feel like it's trapping you whether you really want it to or not? In episode 122 of the podcast, you'll hear a conversation with my friend Erin Harrigan. She vulnerably shares how she felt trapped by the hustle culture we all seem to face, and how she managed to shake it in exchange for more depth and relationships in her business. Erin shares her 4 Keys to Overcome Hustle, how she overcame it herself, and shares some real practical tips for how you, too, have a hope for changing how you might currently be doing business. She's so passionate for women to know the truth of their identities as daughters of Christ, and how that plays into their roles as Christian women business owners. This is a replay of episode 182 from the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast. For the full show notes from the original conversation, head here! Connect With Erin: Connect with Esther:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
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| Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid When Pitching Podcasts with Wren Robbins [Ep. 113] | 27 Apr 2023 | 00:29:41 | |
Have you ever wanted to be a guest on someone else's podcast? If you've ever considered being on a podcast, you've likely written a pitch to try and introduce yourself to the podcast host. Like with anything, there is definitely a right and wrong way to go about this. In today's episode, you're going to hear a conversation I shared with my friend Wren Robbins on her podcast, Don't Wing It. We talked on her podcast about the 10 mistakes to avoid when pitching a podcast. I know that a lot of you have asked me in the past about how to pitch a podcast, or how to get on other people's podcasts, especially if you do not have a podcast yourself. I think this conversation will really give you some insights on what not to do when pitching to be on a podcast, and in the midst of the conversation, we also give some hints and some tips on what to do instead. Connect with Wren: Connect with Esther:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast | |||
| 3 Ways to Develop Confidence & Combat Imposter Syndrome in Your Business [Ep. 35] | 16 Apr 2021 | 00:31:06 | |
Have you ever questioned yourself in your business, wondered if you should do what you're doing, or felt like clients or customers won't want what you have to offer?
Why am I talking about confidence and imposter syndrome? I believe they are closely related, and they are something that many of the women I talk with experience.
A lack of confidence can look like questioning what you're doing, wondering if you're on the right track, feeling like clients or customers wouldn't want what you have to offer, or struggling to share about your offer or your business with others.
With imposter syndrome, you might second guess whether you are qualified to do something, underestimate your abilities, and assume that others could do it better than you. Often it includes feeling like you're going to be "found out" -- like someone is going to figure out that you actually don't know what you're talking about.
Can you relate to any of this? I absolutely can!
When we look at confidence from a Biblical perspective we can see this: Confidence is not about you, it's about the God who lives in you.
You see if you look at the definition of confidence you find that it has a lot to do with trust. And Scripture shows us that our trust should not be in ourselves and our own abilities but in God and His ability to work in us and through us and to provide what we need. I want to share a couple of scriptures that demonstrate this:
Psalm 33:20-22 - "Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you."
2 Cor. 3:4-6 - "Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
We can see that confidence is not based on our own abilities, but on God who gives us everything we need. God has given us abilities. He has given us gifts.
For more info and encouragement on this topic, check out episode 6 and episode 67 of my Christian Woman Leadership Podcast.
And if developing confidence is something you struggle with, then you may want to check out my Confident Leader Catalyst. In that course, you will develop confidence based on God's truth, gain clarity about your purpose, and gain courage to step into your calling. #2: Understand the Truth About YouOnce you establish that your confidence comes from God, it's important to also look at the truth about yourself. This is not about being prideful, it's about being honest.
Many times I have second-guessed my own products and services, my rates, what I'm doing and whether I have a "right" to be offering what I am.
One time I was struggling with this and I had a conversation with a mindset coach. She asked me several questions that helped me to gain an accurate perspective of what was going on. Over the years, I've had other mentors and biz besties who have helped me to do the same.
So I want to do the same today with you... I want to help you gain an accurate perspective of your qualifications for what you are doing. Here's how:
After you've done this I hope you'll see that there's no need to be questioning your ability to do what you are doing!
But we still do it. So I find it really helpful to have a visible list of my own experiences and qualifications even just for my own reference so that i can confidently share what I'm doing with others.
Now maybe you are staying, "But Esther, I am offering something brand new! I have never done this before and I don't know if it actually makes sense for me to charge for it."
I will say this: I do think if you're putting yourself out there as a coach, consultant or expert that you should have some level of knowledge about that thing. But there is a first time for everything! Which brings us to #3. #3: Take ActionWhen I first got started, someone reached out to me about building a website. I had built one for myself but never for someone else. I had no idea if I really had what it took to do the process for someone else.
I definitely underpriced, but I did the project and the client was happy with the results. So the next time, I bumped up the price and built a site for another person.
Over time, even though this was not a main service of mine, I got over questioning whether I was actually able to do a good job b/c I had taken action and done it.
More recently, when I felt God asking me to shift into doing more coaching and strategy for Christian women business owners, I had a massive mindset battle. I felt like I wasn't sure if I could actually do it. I felt like people might think I was being prideful or something crazy like this if I said I could help them grow their business online.
One day I was chatting with a friend through Voxer and she was having a business challenge. I offered her some encouragement and she came back to me and said, "You just coached me. You've been doing this for years and you just haven't been calling it that."
Now that we're several months into the year, and I've been offering this kind of support with clients and students, I can tell you that it feels amazing and God has affirmed that I'm on the right track! Through the feedback and responses I've had from clients, I know that what I'm offering is something that is needed.
And the same goes for you. What you have to offer is needed! And if you hold back because you are afraid of whether you have all the right qualifications you might never move forward! And others might be missing out on what you are offering.
I get it, it's tough to put yourself out there. It's tough to get visible and tell people you can help them withXYZ. But there are people who need your gifts, your experience, your insights! So, I challenge you to take action even if it's not perfect! As you do, the imposter syndrome stops having power over you.
And if you are really unsure about where you are at and you need an outside perspective, you can book a strategy session with me. We can chat about it and I can provide an objective viewpoint.
Our faith focus today is Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
One of my business values is excellence because I want to serve my clients and students well so that it will reflect the beauty of who God is and bring Him glory.
Let's serve our clients with excellence and let's shine our light to those around us. As they see this light, they may ask us questions. They may be inspired to get to know more about God because of how we are living our lives and running our business. Or, if they already know God, they will hopefully be encouraged to glorify Him by seeing what we are up to.
This week as you do your work, as you serve your family, or as you interact with your community, remember that you have the opportunity to be a light to those around you. Shine a Light Segment:Today I want to shine a light on Christa Hutchins. Christa is a project manager and accountability coach serving Christian creatives and leaders. She is passionate about leading women to draw their strategic influences straight from scripture and apply it to their everyday tasks and decisions. She works one-on-one and through her Move Forward Mastermind.
She's also a friend, Podcast in a Weekend student, and client.
I want to shine a light on her today because she consistently builds up and encourages women. She's a master at collaborating and connecting people! She also recently launched her new podcast, Just One Simple Thing while working a full time job and continuing to serve her clients. She used Podcast in a Weekend to do so and she said "I never would have made it through a long complicated podcasting course."
I love what Christa is doing so be sure to head over to the Just One Simple Thing podcast and check her out! Connect with Esther:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Connect on Clubhouse: @estherl | |||
| Creating Consistent Income and Maintaining Boundaries with Clients [Strategy Session with Jenifer DeCastro] [Ep.34] | 12 Mar 2021 | 00:36:35 | |
Have you ever struggled with how to maintain a consistent flow of income in your service based business? There are strategies you can use to deal with cancellations and inconsistent cash flow in order to stabilize your income.
In this episode of the Christian Woman Business Podcast, I'm sharing a strategy session with life coach Jenifer DeCastro. Jenifer and I chat about her struggles with maintaining consistent income, finding a comfortable pricing structure, and what to do if her business grows too fast. Key Points Discussed about creating consistent income and maintaining boundaries with clients:
"Sometimes your target audience is more of a psychographic versus a demographic." "It's okay to start low, but it's also realistic to increase your prices over time." "I always recommend having a website for any business, because it's basically the hub of what you do, it gives you more credibility, and you own it; you don't own your Facebook page."
Connect with Jenifer DeCastro: Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Connect on Clubhouse: @estherl | |||
| What You Think You Need vs. What You Actually Need to Grow Your Business Online [Ep. 33] | 05 Mar 2021 | 00:28:12 | |
What do you need to grow your business online? There are many things you might *think* you need, but the truth is, they are not the most important things. In this episode, I'm going to share with you the one thing you truly need to grow your business online and what's involved in creating it. There are no cookie cutter solutions in business, but there are some principles that apply across the board. What I share today will help you no matter what kind of business you are building AND no matter what stage of business you're at. Full show notes can be found at christiawomanbusiness.com/33 Key Points Discussed:
Learn more about Shine Online here.
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| 3 Reasons Your Business Might Be Stuck [Ep. 32] | 26 Feb 2021 | 00:36:51 | |
Does your business growth feel slow or sluggish? Do you have trouble engaging with your audience or feeling like you have their attention?
On this episode I'm sharing 3 reasons your business might be stuck, based on my own experiences and on the issues that come up most often with my clients. I'm also giving you some ideas on how to change things up if you see yourself reflected in any of these areas. For the full show notes, go to christianwomanbusiness.com/32 3 Reasons Your Business Might Be Stuck: #1: Your Audience
#2: Your Offer
#3: Marketing
If your business is stuck or not growing the way you want, I want to help! I hope the tips I've shared have been helpful but I want to go deeper with you to support your growth and that is why I'm offering the FREE Communicate & Connect Challenge coming up March 1-5.
Through this challenge you will learn to:
PLUS: Learn how to set yourself apart so that your ideal customers or clients are excited to work with you.
Sign up for the challenge at estherlittlefield.com/challenge today! Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Connect on Clubhouse: @estherl
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| What Marketing is Really About and How To Do It Well [Ep. 31] | 19 Feb 2021 | 00:27:20 | |
What do you think of when I say the word marketing?
The word marketing can have a negative connotation sometimes. There are plenty of marketing tactics that feel a little dishonest, spammy, or slimy.
You know your product or service is good and can help others, but how do you get them to pay attention and learn about what you have without compromising your faith or values or feeling like you're being annoying?
On this episode, I'll share what marketing is really about, and then go through a few ideas about how to do it WELL.
What Marketing is NOT:
I use the dating and marriage analogy. Connecting, getting to know each other, and dating are like marketing; popping the question is when you get to sales. You don't ask someone to marry you when you first meet them! You don't want to jump into trying to sell to them that quickly either.
Recently, I heard Cathy Heller make this statement on Clubhouse, and I could not agree more: "Marketing is about connecting and clearly communicating what you do." Marketing starts with connecting. I teach this in my Connection Catalyst System to help clients grow their audiences, and it's a super important part of the marketing process.
Here's why: in order to effectively market your product or service, you have to know your target client and their needs. Connecting means figuring out what their struggles are… what their needs are, and how what you're offering could help.
Another part of connecting that I teach my clients (you get a sneak peak today!) is to collect the words and phrases your potential clients and customers use. If you know how your client speaks then you can use that language in your promotion to reach them effectively.
"Marketing starts with connecting." -Esther Littlefield Marketing Is CommunicatingThis is the part of marketing that we think of right away: FB and YouTube ads, messaging on the radio, podcasts, and TV.
But here's the thing about all of these methods of communication: they have to be crystal clear. Essentially, it's the better communicator, not the better product, that wins. (Thanks Donald Miller for making this point many times).
Often our communication is confusing and unclear. We know what we're talking about and why it's important, but if we're not communicating it in a way that makes sense to our potential clients, it just won't work.
So, marketing starts with connecting with your potential clients, getting into their heads and knowing exactly what they need and want. Then it moves to communicating your message clearly. These two halves of the marketing process will help you gain traction and be effective. How to Do It Effectively 1. Have a strategy I've been in a place where I was trying to be visible everywhere, all the time, and do #allthethings to market my business. This was not a good or sustainable idea. I also didn't have a clear plan for what happened after clients moved through my marketing process and wanted to work with me. I realized how important it is to have strategies in place.
Here are some examples of having a strategy:
"The way to do marketing well is to have a strategy." -Esther Littlefield 2. Stay in Alignment with Your Personality and Your ValuesYou don't want to use marketing techniques that are not in line with your faith, or your values. I'm not suggesting that you throw away ideas just because they are uncomfortable...I've had my own business coach suggest some ideas that were a little bit out of my comfort zone, but ended up working well for me. There's a difference between being uncomfortable and being out of alignment with your values.
If you're not sure about a particular tactic, try putting yourself on the other end. For example, if you're thinking about cold messaging as part of your marketing process but you wouldn't want someone cold messaging you...don't do it!
And don't try to conform to a system that just isn't true to your own personality. Your message still needs to have you in it.
"Don't compare where you're at to...a business that's been well established for many years." -Esther Littlefield 3. Learn to Communicate More EffectivelyTo help you with this piece, I'm excited to be sharing my FREE Communicate & Connect Challenge coming up March 1-5.
The challenge will help you come up with the words you can use to clearly communicate what you do and who you help. We'll work through this together so you feel confident when someone asks you what you do, have the words to create curiosity instead of confusion, and can keep the conversation going to lead people down the path of working with you!
Sign up for the challenge at estherlittlefield.com/challenge. Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Connect on Clubhouse: @estherl | |||
| What Type of Online Business is Right for You? [Ep. 30] | 12 Feb 2021 | 00:37:19 | |
Are you selling the right thing in your business to generate income? Are you building a business that you will enjoy a year or two from now? What kind of business model are you trying to create?
So often we jump into business focused on our idea for what we want to sell. But if we don't actually understand where that fits into the overall landscape of online business, we can struggle, and may end up with a business we hate a few years from now.
In this episode I will walk you through HOW you sell something (the business models) and how to decide WHAT you are selling (the product or service), so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. For the full show notes for this episode, please visit my website: http://christianwomanbusiness.com/30 Overview of Online Business Models
Note: I mention but do not discus in depth another model: e-commerce or product-based model.
Deciding What You Want to Sell The three things you want to consider when deciding what service, product, or skillset to sell, are:
How to communicate about what you sell and how you sell it: I'm putting together a FREE 5-day challenge for you coming up in just a couple weeks. In this challenge, you're going to learn:
Click here to join the challenge. Connect with Esther:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Connect on Clubhouse: @estherl | |||
| Getting Clarity on Your Message & Reaching Your Ideal Audience [Strategy Session with Janell Wood] [Ep. 29] | 05 Feb 2021 | 00:30:43 | |
Are you finding yourself stuck or frustrated about growing an audience online? You might need to start by getting clarity about your message and your ideal listener or reader.
In this episode of the Christian Woman Business Podcast, I'm sharing a strategy session with podcaster Janell Wood. Janell and I chat about her desire to reach her audience with a message of hope and truth.
She shares about some of the practical and mindset challenges that many of us encounter when sharing a message online. We dive into how she can clarify her message, identify her ideal listener more clearly, and start to reach that person. Key points discussed about finding clarity on your message and reaching your ideal audience:
"It's going to be hard to grow your audience if you don't feel confident in the clarity around your message. And if your audience is confused, it's going to be hard to grow it."
"We're trying to be all things to all people, and we don't really set ourselves apart from other podcasts."
"You are simply taking the next step that God has called you to take." Connect with Janell:Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
This episode was originally published on christianwomanbusiness.com/29. | |||
| What Kind of Investment is Right for You and Your Business? [Ep. 28] | 29 Jan 2021 | 00:31:26 | |
How do you decide what kind of investment is right for you and your business? There are so many options in the online space, and it can be overwhelming to try and decide which direction to go.
The good news is that there are some ways to discern what kind of investment to make, and I'm going to share them with you in this episode. I'll share several of the most common investments you can make, the pros and cons of each, and the typical investment level. I'll also share some key questions to ask before making your investment. Full show notes can be found at https://christianwomanleadership.com/28.
5 Types of Potential Business Investments
How do you decide which investment is right for you? Questions to ask yourself when considering your options:
Questions to ask about the program or mentor/coach/trainer:
Personally I have invested in all of the 5 types of programs listed above. In some cases, they have not been the best option for me at that time. But almost all of them have benefited my business in one way or another.
What kind of investment is right for you? Even if you're not sure, I recommend that you start setting aside a % of your income each month for professional development. That way, when you are ready for that next program, you'll have the money set aside and you'll be ready to make a wise investment. Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Connect on Clubhouse: @estherl | |||
| My First Big Business Investment--Why I Made It and How It Changed the Game For Me [Ep. 27] | 22 Jan 2021 | 00:26:13 | |
Have you ever thought about making an investment in yourself in order to grow your business? Perhaps you've considered this, but you've been scared to do so. Or, maybe you've made investments that have ended up being the wrong ones for you.
In this episode, I'm going to give you a behind-the-scenes look at my first 3 months of business. I'm sharing real numbers (that I've never shared before publicly) and telling you about my first big business investment.
I'll share with you what this investment was, why I made it, and how it changed the game for me. I'll also share one key to your success when you make an investment in your business.
Before I dive into this issue, I'm also sharing with you an update on my business in 2021, including my vision for how I want to support you even more in this coming year.
Want to know how we can work together? Email me at business@estherlittlefield.com and let me know what you're interested in. Connect with me: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Connect on Clubhouse: @estherl | |||
| Strategies for Finding Clients (even if you're just getting started) [Ep. 26] | 15 Jan 2021 | 00:28:17 | |
Without clients or customers, you don't have much of a business. But how do you go about finding new clients, especially when your business isn't well established? In this episode, I want to share with you some ideas for finding clients even if you're just getting started. First, there are a few things you need to get clear on before you dive into trying to find more clients. Questions to ask before trying to find more clients:
Do you know what problem you are solving? And even if you think you're clear on the problem you are solving, can you get more specific?
It might be true that you can help a lot of different types of people, but who can benefit the most from what you do?
Once you answer these 2 questions, ask yourself: Do others know this information about me and my business?
Why? Because one of the very best ways to get clients is to be referable. And if you do not have this information clear... then it's going to be hard for others to know how to refer potential clients to you.
Once you are clear on this information, it's much easier to get clients. There are a lot of strategies you can use to get clients, but today I'm focusing on 3 strategies you can use without any fancy bells and whistles. You don't even have to have a website set up, although I do recommend doing that at some point as I share in episode 3.
I would recommend at the very least having a Facebook page set up with your business name, and add some content on that page about what you do, etc.
And then make sure your personal profile is linked to the business page. When I go to your personal profile, I want to see in your intro linked to your business page. Free Strategies to Find ClientsStrategy #1: Offer free work in exchange for testimonials
If you are brand new and have minimal or no testimonials or social proof of what you do, this can work.
Here's the process I used when I got started with my service-based business:
It's vital to connect with your personal network and let them know about your business. You might think that everyone knows what you are oding, but it's very possible they do not.
Send a short, personal FB message or email. Keep it friendly and brief, and just let them know what you are up to!
Example of what I might write:
"Hi [name], How are you doing? I hope all is well with you and your family!
I'm not sure if you know this, but I have started a new business! I am offering [insert type of service] for [insert ideal client]. I'm really excited to help [clients] begin experiencing [results they will get from working with you.
If you know of anyone who might need this service, would you keep me in mind? And if you have any questions about what I'm doing, feel free to reach out!
Thanks so much, [your name]"
Another option is to do a post on your own personal social media account to share what you are doing. This should replace the personal messages, but it could be done in addition to them. Strategy #3: Build relationships with your ideal customers
Building relationships is absolutely vital to grow your business and gain clients. I share more about how this helped me grow my own business in episode 10.
A few tips for building relationships:
Finally, remember this: not everyone is ready for your services right now. But if you can build relationships and connections, then when they are ready, they will reach out.
Be sure to come join us inside the Christian Woman Business Community on Facebook to connect with women just like you! Inside you can also get access to the Clubhouse notes that I referenced from the chat I did with Lindsey Johnson about finding clients that align with your values. Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast
Show notes for this episode can be found at https://christianwomanleadership.com/26
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| Why 6 Figures is NOT the Goal in my upLIFT Mentormind [Ep. 112] | 20 Apr 2023 | 00:15:14 | |
Are you tired of hearing how a 6 figure income would change everything for you? It feels like so many people in the online business space are doing whatever they can to hit that idealized number, but what does it mean for you if that isn't exactly what works best for you right now? Over my 7+ years of building a business online, I have seen dozens of programs, courses, and masterminds that are targeted to helping you reach 6 figures, 7 figures, and beyond. Many of these programs are great. I know of some of them personally that truly do provide support, guidance, and coaching to help you reach those particular business goals. There's nothing wrong with having a financial goal attached to a program in terms of the results that they are promising. However, I have intentionally decided NOT to have my upLIFT Mentormind be a program that is focused on helping you reach a particular revenue goal. And in episode 112, I'm going to tell you why. For the full show notes for this episode, head to estherlittlefield.com/112 Click here to request an invite to the upLIFT Open House To learn about upLIFT, click here Instagram post mentioned in episode Connect with Esther:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast
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| The Number One Non-business Thing You Need in Your Business this Year [Ep. 25] | 08 Jan 2021 | 00:19:44 | |
What is the one thing you need in your business this year as a Christian woman business owner or content creator? While much of what you're hearing this time of year is about setting goals, dreaming, and planning for your business, I want to share with you something that I believe will make a big difference for you. It's something that is absolutely necessary as a Christian business owner, and you won't hear it from many people: discernment. Discernment is necessary for us as believers because there is so much out there that sounds good, but may actually be harmful. For the video teaching I did about discernment, click here. 3 Ways to Practice Discernment in Your Business This Year: 1. Who you are following and taking advice fromYou don't have to only take business advice from Christians. But you need to be willing to discern when there are practices or recommendations that do not line up with your faith.
Ask yourself:
When it comes to biz advice, be picky. 2. Types of work or clients you take on
If you are a service provider or coach or consultant, it's very important to use discernment about the type of work or clients you take on. It's helpful to pre-decide about this, and one of the best ways to do this is to outline your values.
Consider: What are your guiding values in your business? Are these communicated on your social media, your website, etc?
Secondly, remember you don't have to say yes to clients. You can turn down work. It may be awkward or uncomfortable, but I promise it is better when you do it upfront rather than wait.
I learned the hard way on this.. I took on clients where it wasn't a good fit… I had a gut feeling, but I said yes anyway. Then I ended up feeling icky about some of the work I was doing. This is not a good place to be.
So I want you to get clear on your values; make sure they are communicated on your content; then practice discernment when meeting with potential clients, and be willing to say no when necessary. 3. Where to focus your own business efforts
Finally, you need discernment about where to focus your own business efforts. If you are anything like me, you may have lots of possibilities and skills you could use. Or lots of ideas about products and programs you could create.
But you need to ask God for wisdom and discernment about where to focus.
Because here's the truth that I know, but hate admitting: you cannot do all the things and do them all well. You can do a few things and do them well. And that means some things have to wait and some you have to completely stop doing. Resources that God provides for us to grow in discernment: The good news is that God provides us with resources that will help us grow in this area.
Be sure to come join us inside the Christian Woman Business Community on Facebook to connect with women just like you! Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast
Show notes for this episode can be found at https://christianwomanleadership.com/25 | |||
| How to Launch a Successful (and Sustainable) Podcast [Ep. 24] | 25 Nov 2020 | 00:24:27 | |
You don't want to just launch a podcast… you want to launch a podcast that is good. A podcast that is successful (based on your definition of success) and sustainable for the long haul. But how do you do that? In this episode, I'm going to share with you the 3 aspects of a successful launch. If you do these 3 things, you'll be able to not only get your podcast launched but also have a good chance at keeping it going long term.
Key Points Discussed:
In the Podcast in a Weekend mini-course I'm giving you the perfect combination of strategy + shortcuts delivered in 3 workshops… which will provide you with everything you need to successfully launch (or re-launch) a podcast even if your time is limited! Available on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020. Special bonuses on Black Friday weekend! Connect with Esther:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
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| The 3 Pieces of Tech Equipment You Need & What's More Important than Tech for Recording a Podcast [Ep. 23] | 19 Nov 2020 | 00:22:36 | |
Almost everyone I talk to about podcasting wants to know: What do I need for tech? What audio equipment do I need to buy, and how can I start recording my show? So I'm bringing you the goods here and sharing about the tech and tools I use for my own shows and that I recommend to my clients and students. After I share the specific equipment you need to get started, I'm going to tell you what's even more important than the actual equipment you use. Affiliate links are present with my recommendations for various pieces of equipment. The 3 Pieces of Tech Equipment You Need for Podcasting
Get on the waitlist for my podcast launch resource coming soon! Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
Show notes for this episode can be found at https://christianwomanleadership.com/23 | |||
| Creative Solutions for Podcasting with Minimal Time and Minimal Budget [Ep. 22] | 12 Nov 2020 | 00:31:18 | |
Do you want to start a podcast, but you're not sure if you can do it because of the costs? Maybe you don't know what to expect in terms of financial or time investment, but you truly want to make a podcast happen.
In this episode, I'm going to share with you about the 2 biggest costs of podcasting (time and money) and 8 creative solutions for dealing with these costs. It is possible to podcast with minimal time and minimal budget, and I'm going to share with you some specific ways to do so!
For the full show notes for this episode, go to christianwomanbusiness.com/22 The 2 Biggest Costs of Podcasting:
I hope this episode has helped you to first be aware of the reality of podcasting - it does cost both time and money. I don't sugarcoat things and I hate for people to jump into something without fully understanding what is involved. However, I believe there are creative ways to start a podcast even if you have limited time or money, and I hope this episode gave you some viable options to consider. If you are considering launching a podcast, I am working on a resource for you that will help you get your podcast launched easily even if you have minimal time! Go to podcastinaweekend.com and get on the waitlist now, or if you're listening or reading after this resource is ready, go ahead and grab it. Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast | |||
| The 5 Questions You Must Answer Before Launching a Podcast [Ep. 21] | 05 Nov 2020 | 00:28:13 | |
One of the biggest reasons that podcasts do not succeed is that they fail to have a clear strategy before they launch. Instead, they get really excited about the idea of having a podcast and they jump in without much of a plan! And then when they aren't seeing the numbers they expected, they get discouraged and quit. Many podcasts don't make it past episode 7… it's called podfading, and it's quite common. I want to help you avoid that by establishing a clear strategy from the start. And that begins by answering 5 key questions. These questions will help you launch a successful (and sustainable) podcast. And even if you already have a podcast, this episode might be a good chance to re-assess and make sure you are heading in the right direction. Several of these questions are connected, so you'll want to answer all of them to make sure you get a bird's eye view of your podcast. For the full show notes for this episode, go to christianwomanbusiness.com/21
The 5 Questions You Must Answer Before Launching a Podcast:
Get on the waitlist for my podcast launch resource coming soon! Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
Show notes for this episode can be found at https://christianwomanleadership.com/21 | |||
| 9 Benefits of Starting a Podcast {My Story} [Ep. 20] | 29 Oct 2020 | 00:25:37 | |
Maybe you've considered a podcast, but you're still not sure if it would actually benefit you. You're wondering if it's worth the investment of time, energy, and finances.
In this episode, I want to share with you about 9 different benefits of starting a podcast from my own experience.
For the full show notes for this episode, go to christianwomanbusiness.com/20
The 9 Benefits I've Experienced from Podcasting:
If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
Christian Business Owners Shining Online Facebook Page Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast
Show notes for this episode can be found at https://christianwomanleadership.com/20 | |||
| 3 Ways to Determine if Podcasting is Right for You [Ep. 19] | 15 Oct 2020 | 00:28:33 | |
Is podcasting the right content platform for you? If you're leaning towards starting a podcast but you're not quite sure if it's the right option, this episode is for you. I'm sharing 3 practical ways you can figure out if podcasting is a good option for you.
And even if you're already a podcaster, these tactics may still be helpful for you as you think about growing your podcast.
Get my free Podcast Workflow Checklist by texting PODCAST to (917) 905-8801, or click here to grab it. Links Mentioned:Podcasting Resources:
If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
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| Bringing in Revenue and Whether to Start a Podcast [Strategy Session with Angela Sackett] [Ep. 18] | 08 Oct 2020 | 00:37:01 | |
What do you do when you're investing time and energy into your blog or other content you're creating, but you're not seeing any income coming in? And how do you know if it's the right time to start a podcast or if you should hold off?
In this episode, I'm sharing a strategy session that I did with my friend Angela Sackett. Angela has a passion for helping women love God, love people, and celebrate home. Right now, she does this primarily through her blog and social media.
We discuss how she might be able to use her skills and training to bring in revenue quickly so that she can cover expenses and maybe even pay herself. In addition, we talk about the one thing she's wanted to do for a while: start a podcast. We chat about timing and creating a plan for this. Finally, Angela asks me how to deal with the tension of platform building while also monetizing and offering coaching.
For the full show notes for this episode, go to christianwomanbusiness.com/18 Key Points Discussed:
If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
Christian Business Owners Shining Online Facebook Page Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast
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| Should You Start a Blog, Podcast, or YouTube Channel? [Ep. 17] | 01 Oct 2020 | 00:33:41 | |
One of the biggest questions I hear from the women I work with is: "Should I start a blog, a podcast, or a YouTube channel?" And I understand because I had the same question at one point, too.
It's a big decision and there are many factors to figuring out what will be best for you and your business. In this episode, I'm going to share some of the pros and cons of each primary content channel. And then I'll share some key questions to consider to help you decide what is right for you.
Finally, I'll share a bit about my journey and how my strengths and my personality played a role in choosing my primary content platform.
Links Mentioned:
If you are in need of 1:1 feedback or strategic insight for your business, be sure to click here and find out how we can work together! I offer strategy sessions and may have other options coming soon. Connect with Me:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, your podcast app, or Podchaser.
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| Dealing with Discouragement in Your Business [Ep. 16] | 24 Sep 2020 | 00:23:12 | |
Have you ever struggled with feeling discouraged in your business? Wondered whether what you're doing really matters or if you're on the right path? If so, you're not alone. As a Christian business owner, you're not immune to the ups and downs of the business life. In this episode, I want to share with you a few of the strategies I use when I am feeling this way. I hope these suggestions will help you whether you are currently discouraged or if you experience this in the future. 7 Strategies for Dealing with Discouragement: 1. Acknowledge How You Feel 2. Pray About It 3. Reevaluate Your Why 4. Assess Your Workload 5. Adjust Your Schedule 6. Reflect on the Positives 7. Get Support
Links Mentioned:
If you are in need of 1:1 feedback or strategic insight for your business, be sure to click here and find out how we can work together! I offer strategy sessions and may have other options coming soon. Connect with Me:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, your podcast app, or Podchaser.
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| 4 Problems a Faith-Based Business Mastermind Can Help You Overcome [Ep. 111] | 13 Apr 2023 | 00:22:52 | |
Have you ever had a goal, or something you wanted to accomplish, but you just didn't know how to get there? Maybe you knew some of the things that needed to be done, but you couldn't seem to put it all together. It's like trying to do a puzzle without having the cover of the box available for you to see what the final picture looks like. You might be able to get the puzzle put together eventually, but it's a lot harder when you don't know what it's supposed to look like. I recently experienced this when trying to get my home ready to sell. I needed help and a strategy, so I called a friend over to help me strategize and organize my home to get it prepared for the sale. Once she came and helped me the first time it got the ball rolling, and I was able to move forward with the tools and suggestions she had given me on how to tackle this huge project. I was able to then go on and continue doing a lot of the work on my own. And this is how it is sometimes in our businesses. Sometimes we need the support of others to help us get started on things that seem way too massive or challenging to start alone, or if we do it takes us way longer than it might have if we took advantage of the support we could have. Therefore, episode 111 of the podcast talks about 4 problems that a faith-based mastermind might help you overcome. For the full show notes for this episode, head to estherlittlefield.com/111 Request an Invite to the upLIFT Open House! Learn more about the upLIFT Mentormind Connect with Esther:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast | |||
| What You Need to Start and Build Your Email List [Ep. 15] | 17 Sep 2020 | 00:34:13 | |
You know you need to start or work on building your email list, right? But how to do you actually do this? In this episode, I want to continue the series I've been doing talking about the essentials for building your business and audience online. So far we've talked about your website in Episode 13 and why email is more important than social media in Episode 14. Today I'm sharing the 3 things you need to have in order to start or build your email list. If you're already rocking your email list, you may not need this episode. However I hope you'll find a few tips that are still helpful no matter what! Links Mentioned:
If you are in need of 1:1 feedback or strategic insight for your business, be sure to click here and find out how we can work together! I offer strategy sessions and may have other options coming soon. Connect with Me:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, your podcast app, or Podchaser.
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| Five Reasons Your Email List is More Important than Social Media [Ep. 14] | 03 Sep 2020 | 00:16:43 | |
Do you feel the pressure to keep growing your social media, but barely have time to focus on growing or communicating with your email list? Or perhaps you haven't even started an email list yet because the tech seem scary or you don't know what to say in your emails. If that's the case, you're not alone. But I'm here to tell you that focusing on your email list is essential. In this episode, I'm sharing the 5 reasons your email list is more important than social media. Key Points Discussed:
If you'd like to join my email list and get a free training to help you in your business, head over to http://christianwomanbusiness.com/trello. I'd love to hear back from you! Just hit reply to one of my emails and let me know what you enjoy about this podcast or if you have suggestions for topics.
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| Is Your Website Working for You? [Ep. 13] | 27 Aug 2020 | 00:28:33 | |
So you have a website… but is it working for you? Is it accomplishing what you want it to in your business or brand?
In this episode, I want to share with you 4 things that your website should do if you want it to work for you. These tips will help you whether you've had a website for years or even if you don't yet have one and are getting ready to create one.
For the full show notes for this episode, go to christianwomanbusiness.com/13. Connect with Me: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, your podcast app, or Podchaser.
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| How to Create Systems to Streamline and Save Time in Your Business [Ep. 12] | 23 Jul 2020 | 00:21:35 | |
Would you like to save time, streamline your business activities, and steward your time wisely? Systems will help you do this, and this episode will get you started with understanding and creating systems in your business.
In Episode 11, I shared with you about one of the ways that I'm able to manage the various activities and responsibilities I have, including 2 podcasts, a service-based business, digital products, and more. And today I'm sharing the second thing that truly helps me keep my business running: systems.
For the full show notes for this episode, go to christianwomanbusiness.com/12 1. What is a system? A system is the process you use to complete a series of tasks that all result in the final product. It's usually going to be several aspects that are interconnected to reach a completed project or task. 2. Why do you need systems in your business?
Simply stated, creating systems in your business is necessary if you want to grow. Up to a certain point, you can manage winging it and going with the flow. But if you want to truly take your business to the next level, then you need systems.
And as a Christian, there's another perspective here. I believe systems help us to be a good steward of the time God has given us. If you can systematize some of the things in your business, that allows you to have time to focus on some of the more important things, like sharing your message or spending time with your family.
"Systems help us to be a good steward of the time God has given us." 3. When do you need systems in your business? You need a system when you have something that you will be repeating in your business on an ongoing basis. Anytime you find yourself doing something over and over, it's time to create a system.
Another time you need a system is when you start to feel overloaded with everything you have going on in your business. Systems will help you streamline what's happening and get really clear on the important steps that have to be done. 4. Aspects of your business that might need systems
Those are just a few examples of the types of things within your business that can benefit from a system. 5. How to create systems in your business
There are 3 basic approaches to creating systems:
My hope from this episode is that you see the value in working towards the third approach, even if you're not naturally organized.
Steps to creating a system in your business:
I have created a free video series for you on using my favorite tool, Trello, to manage your business or life, and I've even shown you the basics of creating a system within Trello.
This is broken down into a few short videos so that it's not overwhelming, and it's totally free. So click the link in the show notes to access the free training or go to christianwomanbusiness.com/trello.
If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, your podcast app, or Podchaser.
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| Tools for Success [Ep. 11] | 16 Jul 2020 | 00:25:30 | |
The tech and tools needed to grow a business online can sometimes feel daunting. But when done right, tools can help you in so many ways. Sometimes I get asked how I am able to manage my business, 2 podcasts, and my other responsibilities. In this episode, I'm sharing one of my secrets: it's in the tools that I use to run my business and my life. And next week, I'll share another secret, which is the systems that I use. These are two more of the points of the Shine Online Framework that I discussed in Episode 2, and today I'm going to focus on why you need tools, how to choose the right tools, and what tools I use to run my business. For the full show notes for this episode, go to christianwomanbusiness.com/11 This post contains affiliate links, which means if you choose to make a purchase via one of the links, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. 1. Why tools?
2. How to choose a tool
3. The tools I use in my business For social media:
For email and sales funnels:
For customer relationships:
For websites:
For managing projects and time:
For graphics creation:
What do you think? Do you have other tools that you use and recommend? Come over to my the Christian Business Owners Shining Online Page and let us know! Resources or Links Mentioned:
If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
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| The Best Way to Grow Your Business Online [Ep. 10] | 09 Jul 2020 | 00:30:44 | |
What is the best way to grow your business and audience online? You might be surprised with my answer. In this episode, I'm sharing with you the key to growing your business online. This one thing helped me meet and exceed my revenue goals when I first started my service-based business. And it's something that many people overlook in the online space, especially when trying to achieve "passive income". So, you may be wondering: what is it?? The best way to grow your business online is through people & relationships! Real, authentic relationships are the key to growing your business online. Real relationships have the power to do things that marketing strategies, systems, and tools cannot do. Relationships and people are one of the points of the Shine Online Framework that I discussed in Episode 2, and today I want to go a little deeper into how to actually build these relationships. For the full show notes for this episode, go to christianwomanbusiness.com/10 Key Points Discussed:
Building relationships online is truly a key factor in growing your business and your audience. One of the people who have I seen do this very well is my friend Christa Hutchins. She has a free workshop: Growing Together on July 16. In this workshop, you will:
She will also let you know about her course: Better Together: Growing Your Influence and Impact Through Collaboration.
I am an affiliate for this course as I know and trust Christa, and I know she will bring great value to you even if you just attend the free workshop.
Click here or go to christianwomanbusiness.com/partner to sign up! Resources or Links Mentioned: Featured review from Kim Stewart Marketing: This podcast shines! So thankful for Esther creating this podcast! As a Christian solopreneur I almost cried when this week's episode (06/11/20) came into my inbox. It was a sign from God for sure and I'm so thankful He chose Esther to deliver it. Shine on, sister. ❤️ Connect with Me:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
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| Choosing Where to Focus When Starting a Coaching Business [Strategy Session with Kylie Torstad] [Ep. 9] | 02 Jul 2020 | 00:40:45 | |
When starting a coaching business, it can be challenging to find your first few clients. And it can also be difficult to figure out where to spend your time and resources to promote your coaching services.
In this episode, I'm sharing a strategy session that I did with Kylie Torstad. She recently started her life coaching business and she's trying to figure out where to focus. She also is pursuing the goal of finding her first several clients.
We dive into what she's doing and how she can start to narrow down and focus on the activities that will bring her results. We also discuss the difference between using social media versus having a website or email list. In addition, we brainstorm a strategy that might help her grow her FB group and generate interest in her coaching services.
For the full show notes for this episode, go to christianwomanbusiness.com/9 Key Points Discussed:
Connect with Kylie Torstad: Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
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| Creating Your Ideal Business (and Life) [Ep. 8] | 24 Jun 2020 | 00:20:13 | |
Is your business the business you truly want, or just the one you accidentally ended up with? Are you operating in alignment with your goals, needs, and your unique gifts and strengths?
In episode 7, we talked about the first part of creating the life and business you want by diving into your ideal life. If you missed that, be sure to go back and listen before listening to this episode.
Today, I want to share with you 2 more things that you need to consider in order to make sure your business is not just successful but also lines up with where you want to go long term.
For the full show notes for this episode, go to christianwomanbusiness.com/8. Key Points Discussed:
Resources or Links Mentioned:
Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
Show notes for this episode can be found at https://christianwomanleadership.com/8 | |||
| What You Must Know to Create the Life (and Business) You Want [Ep. 7] | 18 Jun 2020 | 00:22:57 | |
You want to create a successful business, but have you considered what you want your life to look like? Many people jump into creating their business goals, strategic plans, and marketing plans before thinking about one very important factor.
As we kick off the summer season, I wanted to bring this conversation to you, because I learned the hard way. I found myself with a successful business, but without much freedom or flexibility in my personal life.
In this episode, I am sharing with you the first thing you need to know in order to create the life and business you want. In the next episode, I'll be focusing more on the business side, but today let's talk about the life side.
Grab the free download that goes along with this episode. Key Points Discussed:
Resources or Links Mentioned:
Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
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| 3 Ways to Incorporate Faith in Your Business [Ep. 6] | 11 Jun 2020 | 00:24:47 | |
Have you ever struggled with how to incorporate your faith into your business? There's often a tension here for Christian business owners: we want to be open about our faith and shine the light of Jesus into a dark world, but we also want to serve our clients and customers well without turning people off.
What's the best way to do this, and is there one "right" way?
In this episode of the Christian Woman Business Podcast, I'm sharing my thoughts about 3 different ways you can incorporate your faith into your business.
The 3 ways you can incorporate your faith in your business are:
Your Audience or Your Clients/Customers It's vital as a business owner for you to determine who your ideal audience or ideal client/customer is. One factor you may want to consider in this description is whether or not you are trying to reach people of the Christian faith.
You might decide that no, you don't want to target a specifically Christian audience. Or, you may determine that while a shared faith is not necessary, you do want values to be aligned. Or, you may choose to focus primarily on a Christian audience. Your Business Offers When it come to what your business offers, it can look a couple ways:
This is a very personal decision, and you need to determine what is right for you. In many cases, I believe you can be very effective in your business by offering a service or product or content without it being explicitly faith based.
For example, someone selling website design or accounting services may not want or need to have their message include faith.
However, someone who is talking about marriage and relationships may want to include faith in their message, especially if they are talking about ways to keep a marriage strong and healthy. You as the Business Owner No matter whether your audience is faith-based or your message is faith-based, I believe that YOU have the ability to shine your light as a believer in Christ no matter what you do or who you serve.
As the business owner or content creator, you can shine the light of Jesus in several ways.
I know a lot of really amazing Christian business owners and content creators. They all handle the connection between their faith and business slightly differently.
I have some great friends who are out there proclaiming a very faith-based message to a faith-based audience. And I have other friends who are serving their clients or audience faithfully by providing excellent content and services, but not explicitly talking about their faith all the time.
And both ends of the spectrum, I believe, are still bringing glory and honor to God.
What's important is that you are following God's leading in this area and seeking him for the ways you want to go about this. Resources or Links Mentioned: Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
Show notes for this episode can be found at https://christianwomanleadership.com/6 | |||
| How to Show Up with Confidence on Camera with Camille Levi [Ep. 110] | 06 Apr 2023 | 00:31:37 | |
Do you ever stress about how you're presenting yourself as an online service provider? Have you felt self-conscious or nervous before hopping on a zoom call? Maybe you get uncomfortable having to be in front of the camera when it's time for new headshots for your business. In today's conversation, you're going to hear from my guest Camille Levi, and we are going to be chatting all about how to show up with more confidence on camera. Camille will share her testimony, share her passion for helping women feel more confident in their work, and how she marries it all in her work with her company BA Makeup. If you've ever wondered how to show up more polished or professionally online, or in front of the camera, Camille will be your point person to help you show up as the most authentic version of yourself. She is passionate about highlighting our God-given beauty, and using makeup as a tool to look good, feel good, and have more energy in order to put our voices and work out into the world. For the full show notes for this episode, head to estherlittlefield.com/110 Connect with Camille:Camille Levi is the owner of BA MAKEUP COMPANY, a professional hair and makeup team who specializes in empowering women to look and feel their best for all of life's most important events and occasions. Since 2013, we've served thousands of women by providing hair and makeup for weddings, photoshoots, family events, and beauty education. We believe all women are beautiful and we are passionate about teaching women how to be confident in their skin every single day. Beauty doesn't have to be difficult or confusing, we make it fun and achievable for everyone.
No Filter Necessary Course (Esther's Affiliate Link) Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast
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| Growing Your Audience from Scratch [Strategy Session with Shelley Madueme] [Ep. 5] | 04 Jun 2020 | 00:33:55 | |
Have you ever had a business idea, but you had no idea how to find the people who would be interested in what you want to offer? Unless you're already famous, all of us start from scratch when it comes to growing an audience. It's not rocket science, but it also takes time and strategy to find the people who you want to reach. In this episode of the Christian Woman Business Podcast, I'm sharing a strategy session that I did with my friend Shelley Madueme. We're talking about:
Grow Your Audience If you'd like to learn my signature system that I used to help grow my Christian Woman Leadership Podcast to over 100K downloads in 17 months, as well as grow my email list and my Facebook group. These strategies are transferable to growing not just a podcast audience but other audiences as well.
Click here to learn more about the masterclass. Resources or Links Mentioned:
Connect with Shelley: Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
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| You Need an Audience (or Do You?) [Ep. 4] | 28 May 2020 | 00:20:44 | |
Everyone's telling you that you need an audience, but do you really? In this episode I'm going to break down who needs to build an audience online.
To do this, I want to help you figure out which overall "bucket" of online business you fall into. There are 3 overarching categories of businesses that I see online, and they each have their own unique pros and cons. They also each have a very different approach to building an audience (or not).
Note: these 3 are not the only types of online businesses, but they are the types most likely to be listening to this podcast.
After we discuss the 3 categories of businesses, we'll talk about whether they need to build an audience or not. 3 Types of Online Businesses Service Provider Provides a service in exchange for money. Can include website designer, graphic designer, copywriter, social media manager, podcast editor, etc. In these examples, someone is paying you for a service and receiving a tangible "product" in exchange.
As a service provider, you can earn an income quickly. You can also gradually increase your rates based on your expertise in what you are offering.
This is one of the fastest ways to generate an income online. Coaching/ConsultingThis may include a life coach, business coach or consulting, fitness/wellness coach, parenting coach, etc. In these examples, someone is paying you for your time and expertise, but they are not receiving a tangible product in exchange.
Side note about coaching/consulting: it's my take that coaches and consultants actually need to have an expertise in what they are coaching or consulting about.
I've seen some people say that you can be a coach just by calling yourself a coach. And while that is technically true, it's really important that you actually are able to provide value for your clients.
Often we simply don't realize what that value is and we DO have something we could coach someone on. But at the same time, if you are brand new to the online space and you need income immediately, I don't generally recommend diving into coaching first thing.
Provides a digital product in exchange for money. This can include digital courses, ebooks, audio content, etc.
A content creator or "info product" business can take longer to build up, but can end up being more profitable in the long run, since it requires less of your 1:1 time.
You can build a content based business quickly if you have money to invest in advertising to sell your digital products.
After hearing the descriptions of these 3 types of businesses, hopefully you can determine which one you fall into. You may recognize that you are trying to build more than one of them, which can be very difficult to do.
A big part of choosing which type of business you want to build right now comes down to your financial goals/needs.
It's much easier and faster to earn an income as a service provider vs. a content creator.
Coaching or consulting can bring in quick income, but it's slightly harder to sell because the buyer is not getting a tangible result like a new website.
Service provider: You don't really need to build an audience right now; you need to build a referral network and focus on 1:1 connections
Coach or consultant: You need a slightly larger pool of prospects to draw from than the service providers, so you should start building an audience, but continue focusing on 1:1 relationships as well.
Content Creator: Yes! You do need to build an audience. You need a larger pool of people to sell your digital products to or to sell a book, so you have to build an audience. Grow Your Audience
Now, if you fell into the category of needing to grow your audience, then I want to let you know about my "Grow Your Audience" masterclass. If you're listening in real time, this class is coming up on June 5th.
In this class I'm going to teach you the specific strategies that I used to help grow my Christian Woman Leadership Podcast to over 100K downloads in 17 months. These strategies are transferable to growing not just a podcast audience but other audiences as well.
Click here to learn more about the masterclass. Resources or Links Mentioned:Episode 3: The 3 Essentials to Growing Online Quotes:"Coaches and consultants actually need to have an expertise in what they are coaching or consulting about."
If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
Head over to my website to connect and get the details about the upcoming "Grow Your Audience" Masterclass on June 5th.
Christian Business Owners Shining Online Facebook Page
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| The 3 Essentials to Growing Online [Ep. 3] | 28 May 2020 | 00:23:49 | |
What do you need to do to grow your business online? There is so much conflicting information out there, and it can be difficult to figure out what you should actually invest your time and resources into.
In this episode, which originally aired as episode 89 of the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast, I'm breaking down the 3 essentials you need to grow an audience or business online.
There is no one size-fits-all solution for you as a business owner. But there are some general guidelines that I can recommend and that's what I hope to do in this conversation.
One caveat: this episode is specifically for those who need to grow an audience online. If you are a service provider, you may not need to do all the things I talk about in this episode. For more on who needs to grow an audience, check out episode 4. The 3 Essentials to Growing Your Business Online: Essential 1: A Website
Your website is your main hub - the thing that you own in the online world. It is the main place you want to send people to learn about you and what you do.
Some people want to build a business without a website, and I strongly caution against that. While I don't think you have to have a website right away, I do think it should be something you create within the first several months of your business. So what does your website need to have? You can get some great tips about what your website needs to have from Storybrand.
Here are a few of my tips as well:
"Start simple, get fancy later." - Amy Porterfield
What you need to get started for a Wordpress site:
Other options: Squarespace or a free Wordpress.com site. Essential 2: An Email List An email list is another element that you own. Just like your website, you have control over your website, unlike social media.
DO NOT be fooled by big numbers on FB or IG or any other platform… if those numbers are big, but they are not buyers and/or you don't have a way to communicate with them if that platform goes down or the algorithm changes or your account gets shut down, then those numbers mean nothing. How do you start building your email list?
If you need 1:1 support with this, you may reach out for a consultation where I can help you individually. Essential 3: Content Let's define what I mean by content. Content is anything you put out as an idea or thought into the world. So that can be posting a blog post, sharing a podcast episode, or doing a video on YouTube, for example. BUT it also can be anything you post on social media.
As I shared earlier, I'm not a fan of building your business on social media. But I think that sometimes, if posting to your Facebook page is easier than posting a full blog post, then just do it!
Don't overcomplicate it. A warning about social mediaThe biggest trap I see happening with social media is that you're trying to be all the places. And I want to tell you right now: STOP.
It's much better to start by focusing on 1-2 social platforms, be consistent, learn what works… then over time, add in another platform if it makes sense. My best investment I've invested in learning a lot about social media over the years, but the best investment I've made is in the Grow Your Audience course from Rachel Miller.
That course is closed right now, but you can grab this free resource from Rachel to help you with knowing what to post on Facebook: 23 Conversation Starters for Facebook Pages and Groups. This will help you with creating content that will get people talking on social, which is the whole point! Save your content! One last thing about content: make sure you save your content somewhere. Especially if you decide to post on social for now instead of creating a blog or podcast or video channel… please please please make sure you copy and paste your posts (especially longer ones) into a safe place like Google Docs or Evernote.
Episode 1: Introducing the Christian Woman Business Podcast Episode 2: The Shine Online Framework Episode 4: You Need an Audience (or Do You?) Christian Woman Leadership Podcast Episode 89 (original and full content of this episode) Quotes:"There is no one size-fits-all solution for you as a business owner." "Not everyone needs to grow an audience online." Connect with Esther: Make sure to subscribe so that you don't miss the upcoming episodes!
Head over to my website to connect and get the details about the upcoming "Grow Your Audience" Masterclass on June 5th.
Christian Business Owners Shining Online Facebook Page Show notes for this episode can be found at https://christianwomanleadership.com/3 | |||
| The Shine Online Framework [Ep. 2] | 22 May 2020 | 00:17:26 | |
Would you like to know how to shine online? How to grow your audience or business while also staying true to your faith and values?
In this episode, I want to introduce to you the Shine Online Framework. After looking back at the past several years of my journey, which you can hear a bit about in episode 1, I've condensed the key things I've done in order to grow both my service-based business and my personal brand into a framework.
So today, I'm going to give you an overview of this framework and why I think it will help you as well. As you listen, I want you to picture the shape of a star. On the star, there are 5 points, and there's some empty space in the middle.
We'll talk about the center of the star and then work our way through the 5 points which make up the Shine Online Framework. The Shine Online Framework
Resources or Links Mentioned: The Ops Authority Podcasty with Natalie Gingrich Quotes:
"As Christian business owners, we can shine the light of Jesus online and point people to our heavenly father. We can do good work AND bring God glory."
"When you take time to create a system in your business, you save yourself tons of time in the long run."
"Building a business online is still about relationships." Connect with Esther: Make sure to subscribe so that you don't miss the upcoming episodes! Head over to my website to connect and get the info about the upcoming "Grow Your Audience" Masterclass on June 5th (details coming soon).
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| Introducing the Christian Woman Business Podcast [Ep. 1] | 19 May 2020 | 00:16:57 | |
Introducing the Christian Woman Business Podcast, where you'll learn how to grow your audience and make an impact without compromising your faith or values.
If you are a Christian business owner or content creator who wants to make an impact and shine the light of Jesus, stick around.
I'm your host Esther Littlefield and I've spent over 5 years full-time in the online business space growing my own service-based business, serving dozens of clients along the way. In addition, I've grown my audience through my blog and my other podcast, the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast, which has over 100 episodes.
Ultimately, the goal of this podcast is to help you shine online by operating with integrity, doing excellent work, and making a Kingdom impact that points people to Jesus.
In this first episode, I chat about:
Make sure to subscribe so that you don't miss the upcoming episodes!
Head over to my website to connect and get the details about the upcoming "Grow Your Audience" Masterclass on June 5th (details coming soon). Connect with Esther: | |||
| Behind the Scenes of the Uplift & Inspire Mastermind Retreat [Ep. 109] | 30 Mar 2023 | 00:20:25 | |
Have you ever wondered about what it takes to host a retreat? Do you have the urge to plan a retreat in the future? Maybe you've just always been curious about what it looks like to attend a retreat. Due to some personal things in my life along with the upLIFT Retreat I hosted in Gulf Shores, Alabama last week, you might have noticed that I took the last few weeks off from the podcast. But this week I'm back and so excited to share with you some behind-the-scenes stories and details from the upLIFT & Inspire mastermind retreat I hosted last week! I want to bring this to you, because some of you may be curious about what it's like to host a retreat, or you might be wondering what it was like to actually be at the retreat as an attendee. So, I wanted to peel back the curtain and give you an inside peek into the process of planning and the happenings at the retreat itself. For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/109 Connect with Esther:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast
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| Using Mindset & Heartset to Get Unstuck with Heather Shriver Burns [Ep. 108] | 09 Mar 2023 | 00:27:53 | |
Have you ever felt stuck in your business, but you're not sure why? Maybe you've tried all the business or marketing strategies and nothing is working. It could be that you need some help with your mindset or your heartset. In today's conversation, you're going to hear from my guest Heather Shriver Burns all about adjusting your mindset and heartset, and she'll share what all of our mindset and heartset issues typically boil down to. She's even going to give us a practical exercise to put into practice if we are feeling stuck. I was a guest on episode 157 of Heather's podcast, Seek First CEO, all about The Key to Effortlessly Build A Never Ending Pipeline of Clients, and you can check out that episode here! For the full show notes for this episode, head to estherlittlefield.com/108 Connect with Heather:100 Biblical Declarations Freebie Connect with Esther:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast
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| Mistakes to Avoid When Creating or Launching a Group Program [Ep. 107] | 02 Mar 2023 | 00:16:16 | |
Have you been considering what it might look like to move from 1:1 work to more of a group program option? Maybe you're ready to scale your business, or you want to reach more people with your expertise. In my last episode, I shared with you the 5 benefits of moving from 1:1 work to group offers. So if you missed that episode and blog post, go back and listen to episode 106 before you dive into this topic. It will help give you a little bit of context before I discuss all about the mistakes that you might want to avoid when launching a group program. In this episode, I'll share all about the mistakes you want to avoid when creating or launching a group program. For the full show notes for this episode, head to estherlittlefield.com/107 Connect with Esther:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast
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| 6 Benefits of Moving From 1:1 Services or Coaching to a Group Program [Ep. 106] | 23 Feb 2023 | 00:15:12 | |
Do you feel tied down in your 1:1 client work? Do you ever feel burnt out on your work time, and wish you had more time freedom? Does your work ever feel a little monotonous? Maybe you're feeling the strain of the 1:1 client work you've been doing for a few years. You might know that you eventually want to be doing more teaching and coaching rather than implementing. Or your calendar is filling up with 1:1 coaching clients and you'd really like to have more time freedom. It could be that launching a group program would be a good fit for you. It might, as we talked about last week, help you to increase your income without burning out. But why a group coaching program? Why not something else, like a course or digital products? In episode 106 of the Christian Woman Business Podcast, I'm sharing with you the 6 Benefits of Moving from 1:1 Work to Group Work. For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/106 Connect with Esther:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast
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| 2 Strategies to Add More Income as a Service Provider or Coach Without Burning Out [Ep. 105] | 16 Feb 2023 | 00:18:36 | |
How can you increase your income without taking up more time? What do you do when you have income goals to hit, but you've got no more time to commit to your work during the week? Are you exhausted or feeling burnt out in your business in any way? Maybe you're a service provider, coach, or consultant, and you love the work you do. But there is a problem: you're out of time. You can't take on any more clients without burning the candle at both ends, and you're really ready for more free time, not less. But you also want to grow your income. Perhaps you have some goals you'd like to hit in 2023. Maybe you want to take your family on vacation, or pay off some debt, or cover college for your kids. In episode 105 of the podcast, I want to give you a few ideas and options for how to increase your income by leveraging your expertise and help you avoid burning out. For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/105 Connect with Esther: If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast
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| How I Leveraged My Expertise & Grew My Business [Ep. 104] | 09 Feb 2023 | 00:18:15 | |
What does it look like to leverage your expertise? What are some of the practical ways you can do this? Perhaps you've heard me talking about this topic in the last few podcasts, and you're wondering what it looks like in real life. In episode 104, I want to share with you my own journey of leveraging my expertise so that you can see some of the possibilities for yourself. If you have an expertise and you are working with clients in a 1:1 setting, there's only so many people you can reach. You are somewhat limited by time and the number of clients you can serve at one time. But as you develop and grow in your expertise, you may find that you want to expand your impact and grow your income. In episode 104, I share with you a bit of my journey and the various ways I have done this over the past 7 years. Looking back, I can tell you that this is a bit messy. I was doing some of these things at the same time. Some of them worked really well, and others took longer to see results. Overall, I want to give you some ideas and help you to start to see the opportunities you may have that you're overlooking about how to leverage your expertise. Check out estherlittlefield.com/104 for the full show notes. Connect with Esther:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast
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| Should You Quit Your Job & Start a Business? [Ep. 121] | 20 Jul 2023 | 00:55:43 | |
Have you ever felt God tugging you in a different direction than you're currently headed? Perhaps you have a big dream that feels scary compared to the path your life is currently taking. Maybe there's nothing wrong with the path you're on, but you still feel that pull towards something bigger? In episode 121 of the podcast, you'll hear a conversation with our friend Polly Payne. Polly shares all about taking that leap of faith in her career as she left a good, stable job in the tech world to pursue a huge dream and open her own paper company, Horacio Printing Company. Polly knows first hand what it feels like to leave security for the unknown, trusting God will bring to completion what He started within her. If you've ever felt that tug for something wildly unknown, but felt the Holy Spirit's hand in it, this episode is for you. You'll hear a real-life story of someone on the other side. Polly shares some practical tips, wisdom, and insight from her transition and pivot to starting and owning her own business and the success she's found within it. This is a replay of episode 182 from the Christian Woman Leadership Podcast. For the full show notes from the original conversation, head here! Connect With Polly:Horacio Printing Company Website Polly is the founder and CEO of Horacio Printing. Her love language includes luxurious paper and lots of white space. Originally from Fairhope, Alabama, Polly migrated to the big apple and became the Senior Sales director of an award winning Ad:Tech company. She left her career in advertising to redesign her life and pursue her God given purpose. She founded Horacio Printing which has now sold more than 40,000 Dream Planners around the world and raised more than $64,000 to fight human trafficking. Connect with Esther:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app.
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| What If You Don't Feel Like an Expert? [Ep. 103] | 02 Feb 2023 | 00:20:12 | |
Do you ever struggle to see yourself as an expert in your field? Do those doubts, fears, or imposter syndrome creep into your thoughts? Maybe you are wondering if you should even listen to this episode or read this blog post where I'm talking about this concept of leveraging your expertise. What do you do if you feel this way? What do you do if you are trying to build a business online and you don't consider yourself an expert? In this episode, I'll share with you a four-step exercise that will help you move forward, no matter what. The other day I was on a call with a bunch of women who are all part of the same mastermind. We were having a brainstorming call and we were discussing upcoming presentations that several of us had. In the midst of the discussion, a theme rose to the top: many of these brilliant women were concerned that their presentations would not be valuable enough. They didn't want to look stupid as compared to all the other people presenting at the same event. As I listened, all I could think was: but you are all so smart! You're all experts, and none of you are going to look dumb! The truth is, many times we don't see our own brilliance. We don't recognize our own areas of expertise, even when others do. For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/103 Join the Workshop Are you ready to leverage your expertise and transfer it to a group program, course, or even a podcast interview? The Results Code Workshop will help you create the foundational piece you need to have in place before you transition out of 1:1 work. You'll uncover your own unique Results Code (aka proprietary process) and craft it into a strong piece of marketing that will make it easier to sell (and teach) your offers. Head here to grab your spot! This will be an interactive workshop that is sure to help you create an asset that will allow you to share your expertise and bring results to people beyond just your 1:1 clients! Connect with Esther:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast | |||
| Spirit-Led Sales, Pricing, and Transformational Offers with Althea McIntyre [Ep. 102] | 26 Jan 2023 | 00:32:05 | |
Have you ever sensed God asking you to do something in your business that did not make sense on paper? What about when you know you have natural gifts that are bringing you results, but God is leading you to do something outside of your own abilities? In this conversation, I chat with Althea McIntyre about spirit-led sales, pricing, and transformational offers. Althea shares her journey to where she is today, including a season of struggling with doubt and unbelief as well as disobedience to God. She shares how shifting into selling higher-ticket offers, which are transformational instead of transactional, is truly an issue of identity. She goes on to share reasons why Christian women struggle with sales and pricing, and 2 practical tips on how to begin shifting your identity and recognizing the value you bring to your clients. For the full show notes, visit estherlittlefield.com/102 Mastermind With Other Christian Business Women: Connect with Jesus-loving business women in a beautiful, relaxing setting... all while discovering practical strategies that grow your impact and income. Join me at the Uplift & Inspire Mastermind Retreat. Click here for all the info on our upcoming retreat in March of 2023! Connect with Althea:Althea McIntyre, CPA, MSOD, CPCC, is the founder and CEO of Althea McIntyre International and the author of the upcoming book Spirit-Led Sales: How To Sell God's Way (™). She helps established Christ-Centered Female Entrepreneurs grow profitable Spirit-led businesses and become the business leader God created them to be by trusting God, owning their value, and enrolling ideal high-ticket clients the Spirit-led way. Connect with Esther:If this podcast was helpful, consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or your podcast app. Subscribe to my other podcast, The Christian Woman Leadership Podcast | |||