Explore every episode of the podcast Friends with Business Benefits
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 119. Email Marketing Deep Dive | 08 Nov 2024 | 00:48:38 | |
This week, we’re chatting all things email marketing. To kick things off, Franky shares a personal dilemma about whether or not she should move her mailing list away from Mailchimp and/or start a Substack. As well as covering the pros and cons of various email marketing platforms, we also discuss strategy, consistency, outsourcing and AI, what we write about and how we come up with ideas. Links and Further Reading: What Makes a Good Email Lead Magnet? Are You Going to Start a Substack? How Are We Showing Up On Substack This Year Flodesk (affiliate link) Join the conversation on Substack where you can share your thoughts on this episode and tell us about your own email marketing in the comments. We’d love to hear from you! Connect With Us Friends With Business Benefits on Substack Find Us On Instagram Subscribe to Our Mailing Lists Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 118. The Cosy Episode | 23 Oct 2024 | 00:18:57 | |
As we head into the darker, colder months of the year, we’re how we embrace and survive the autumn/winter season. Whether you love this time of year or not, there’s something in this mini-episode for everyone. Charlie describes some of her favourite seasonal rituals and Franky raves about her beloved thermal leggings. From making our homes feel cosy to working from home when it’s cold, we share tips and advice to help you get the most out of this time of year. Links and Further Reading: The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater Wintering by Katherine May Join us on Substack where you can share any reflections on the episode in the comment section. Come and tell us your own intentions for Q4…we’d love to cheer you on! Connect With Us Friends With Business Benefits on Substack Find Us On Instagram Subscribe to Our Mailing Lists Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 109. Q2 Reflections, Q3 Intentions | 04 Jul 2024 | 00:32:00 | |
In this episode, we’re reflecting on Quarter 2 and looking ahead to Quarter 3. Find out what felt good, what didn’t and what we’ve learned in the process. We also talk about our words of the year and how they’ve been showing up for us since we last spoke. As well as sharing a few sources of creative inspiration, we dig into our plans for the next three months of the year and discuss what we’re both hoping to achieve before the end of the summer. Work With Us Find Us On Instagram Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 19. Productivity | 24 Apr 2019 | 00:41:53 | |
We kick-off season 2 with an in-depth chat about productivity, asking why something so simple often feels so hard. As well as sharing things that impact our productivity in positive and negative ways, we discuss the relationship between productivity and creativity. We also chat about the powerful link between our ability to be productive and feelings of self-worth. Franky shares her philosophy on being productive from a place of rest and Charlie describes her strategies for mastering to-do lists. We talk about ‘getting in flow’ and what we’ve learned from Gretchin Rubin’s ‘The Four Tendencies’. Finally, we talk about redefining productivity on our own terms. Links and further reading: Gretchen Rubin’s The Four Tendencies quiz Brooke McAlary on having a shorter to-do list Follow us: @_charlieswift @loveaudrey83 #friendswithbizbenefits Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 18. Quarterly co-mentoring check-in (Q1 2019) | 03 Apr 2019 | 00:28:47 | |
In the final episode of the season, we spend some time reviewing the first 3 months of 2019. Echoing our real-life co-mentoring sessions, we reflect on the goals we discussed back in January and share our progress so far. We talk about our words for the year, how they’ve been showing up for us, and where we’d like them to take us next. We also discuss how we’re feeling as we head into spring and some of the things we’re planning for Q2. Links and further reading: Mailing List Q&A Episode on Letters From A Hopeful Creative 8 Reasons Why You Need To Build That Email List Thank you for listening to Friends with Business Benefits. If you've enjoyed listening we'd be so grateful if you'd like to leave a rating, review or share the podcast with a friend.
Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 17. Is growth always the goal? | 27 Mar 2019 | 00:17:24 | |
In this episode, we’re talking about growth, what it looks like, and whether it’s something that motivates us. We reflect on the different seasons of business we’re currently in. Charlie talks about growing hers alongside growing a family and Franky describes reaching a tipping point and having to consciously think about growth for the first time. We also discuss why growth can be scary. Finally, we talk about Instagram growth or lack thereof. We describe how it feels to not be gaining followers and chat about the perils of measuring our self-worth on the basis of our follower count. We also consider the perks of staying small and why we don’t need to wait until we have a big following to do things. Links and further reading: Follow us: @_charlieswift @loveaudrey83 #friendswithbizbenefits Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 16. Finding your own co-mentor | 20 Mar 2019 | 00:28:59 | |
When we asked you what you wanted to know about co-mentoring, the overwhelming response was how to go about finding a co-mentor of your own. In today’s episode, we talk about how we met and started co-mentoring. We also share the stories of three other co-mentoring duos, touching on how they found each other and how co-mentoring has benefitted their businesses so far. Finally, we chat about the boundaries you might want to set with your own co-mentor and discuss the difference between co-mentoring and paying for a business coach or mentor. Links and further reading: Episode One of Friends With Business Benefits Being Freelance Our fellow co-mentors... Jo @ocheandflax & Camilla @slowfarmingcompany Steve @sfolland and Frankie @doingitforthekids_ Katie @katiemorwenna and Jen @sillyheartco Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 15. Why did we start a podcast? | 13 Mar 2019 | 00:37:54 | |
In an episode dedicated to podcasts, we’re chatting about how we first discovered the medium and how our listening habits have changed over the years. Discussing the rise of creative business podcasts, we explain why we wanted to start our own. Charlie explains how we make Friends With Business Benefits and what she’s learned from the process. We also chat about podcasts as content marketing and share some of our favourite shows. Links and further reading: Blogging or Podcasting - Which is Better for Your Business Explore Your Enthusiasm with Tara Swiger Desert Island Disks with Trevor Sorbie Charlie interviewed on What She Said Franky interviewed on Being Freelance Franky interviewed on Work Like A Mother Franky interviewed on Shoot Edit Chat Repeat Franky interviewed on Ask The Therapist Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 14. Self-care for the self-employed | 27 Feb 2019 | 00:33:23 | |
In this episode, we’re discussing a topic that’s very close to our hearts - self-care. We share what self-care means to us personally and what it looks like in our lives and in our businesses. After a period of burnout and poor health, Franky describes how self-care now helps her cope with chronic illness. Charlie chats about prioritising self-care from the beginning of her freelance career, having worked in offices where well-being was often an afterthought. We also discuss wider perceptions, asking what constitutes self-care and why some aspects of it are considered frivolous. Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 13. Getting clear on what exactly you are selling | 20 Feb 2019 | 00:24:40 | |
In this episode, we’re chatting about services and offerings. Charlie has been getting to grips with her new creative mentoring packages and trying to figure out exactly what she’s selling. Franky shares her experience of writing multiple sales pages for numerous clients and outlines the questions she takes business owners through when she’s developing their copy. We talk about avoiding the comparison trap and the importance of knowing what sets us apart. As well as coming back to our ‘why’ and what it is we want to be known for, we agree offerings can and should change over time, so we shouldn’t get too hung up on perfecting them from the outset. Links and further reading: Our own service offerings... Charlie's Creative Business Mentoring Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 12. How it feels to sell out a workshop! | 13 Feb 2019 | 00:32:35 | |
Fueled by a few glasses of prosecco, we’re discussing workshops as Franky celebrates selling out The Wedding Sessions in one day. Sharing her experience of organising 3 in-person workshops, she compares what it feels like to sell out, and what it feels like when you don’t. We discuss how we define, share and perceive success on social media and Charlie shares her experience of having to cancel an event due to poor ticket sales. We also chat about the ‘comparison trap’ and how to deal with ‘failure’. Links and further reading:
Follow us: @_charlieswift @loveaudrey83 #friendswithbizbenefits Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 11. How do you find clients? | 06 Feb 2019 | 00:24:36 | |
In this episode, we chat about different ways of finding new clients and winning their business. Charlie talks about the beginning of her freelance career, the power of word-of-mouth marketing, and the importance of existing ‘real life’ connections. We discuss incidental networking, community building, and why we think it’s vital to keep voicing what you do, either online or in-person. We also cover the question of working for free and how starting out as a freelancer can feel messy and uncertain while you’re still in the thick of it. Links and further reading: Grow With Soul Ep. 23 with Susannah Conway Charlie’s blog on four struggles she faced in her first year of business Follow us: @_charlieswift @loveaudrey83 #friendswithbizbenefits Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 10. How to make time for creativity when you’re busy being creative for clients | 23 Jan 2019 | 00:17:36 | |
What happens to your creativity when you build a business off the back of it? In this episode, we discuss why Franky’s been struggling to make time for creativity beyond the realms of paid work, and Charlie talks about managing to find time to be creative after becoming a mum. We also discuss what it means to live a creative life, and how redefining what creativity looks like can help us make more space for it. Finally, we challenge ourselves and everyone listening to find time for at least one moment of creativity every day. Follow us: @_charlieswift @loveaudrey83 #friendswithbizbenefits Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 108. Our Thoughts on In-Person Networking | 20 Jun 2024 | 00:31:11 | |
This week, we’re chatting about in-person networking. Although it was something we both leaned on heavily in the early days of freelancing, the pandemic had a huge impact on its role in our businesses. As Franky recently attended her first in-person event in almost 5 years, it seems like a good time to explore this topic and discuss what networking looks and feels like in 2024.
As well as sharing tips to help you get the most out of in-person events, we cover different forms of networking and touch on the issue of accessibility and inclusivity. We also wonder out loud about hosting an in-person networking event of our own…
Links and Further Reading Work With Us
Find Us On Instagram
Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 9. How we got started as creative business owners | 16 Jan 2019 | 00:47:31 | |
Curious about how we got started as creative business owners? Wondering what we did before we went freelance? In this episode, we interview each other, sharing details of our careers so far to give future conversations a little more context. Franky details her journey from high school dropout to freelance writer via a brief career in retail and a return to education with kids in tow. She also describes the serious illness she experienced in 2016 and the impact of her subsequent Chronic Fatigue diagnosis. Charlie talks about her journey into the world of social media, her varied industry experience, and how two redundancies ultimately led to her becoming her own boss. Follow us: @_charlieswift @loveaudrey83 #friendswithbizbenefits Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 8. 2018 Reflections, 2019 Intentions | 09 Jan 2019 | 00:39:56 | |
In this episode, we’re talking you through the simple planning process we use to start a brand new year in our creative businesses. Charlie explains why she’s raring to go while Franky describes her slow start to 2019. As well as sharing the questions we ask ourselves to reflect on the previous year, we discuss different types of goals - from big picture business bucket lists and scary financial targets to softer intentions and guiding words designed to carry us through each season. Finally, we demonstrate how we end our real-life co-mentoring sessions by setting ourselves simple, achievable tasks to complete before next month. Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 7. Our highlights of 2018 (Mini) | 01 Jan 2019 | 00:10:34 | |
In this mini-episode, we’re sharing our businesses and personal highlights of 2018. We discuss how making time for creativity has been important to Charlie in her first full year of motherhood and Franky tells us how much she enjoyed running The Wedding Session workshops during 2018. Both of our personal highlights involve family travels. Charlie reminisces about taking her baby to his first music festival and Franky shares about her family’s very special summer holiday to Thailand. Happy new year listeners and a big thank you for all your support. Launching Friends With Business Benefits has definitely been a huge highlight and we’re excited to share more with you in 2019. Links and further reading: Franky’s Thailand blog post A family friendly mini-guide to Koh Samui Follow us: @_charlieswift @loveaudrey83 http://friendswithbusinessbenefits.co.uk #friendswithbizbenefits Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 5. Are you 'team analogue' or 'team digital'? | 09 Dec 2018 | 00:14:23 | |
Is the pen mightier than the keyboard?! In this episode, we have a friendly debate about the merits of analogue vs digital when it comes to systems and processes. As we discuss the day-to-day running of our respective businesses, Franky declares her love for paper and real ink while Charlie sings the praises of shared calendars and Trello boards. We’d love to hear your opinion on the matter… Links and further reading: Franky’s favourite fountain pen Follow us: @_charlieswift @loveaudrey83 #friendswithbizbenefits Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 4. How do you use Instagram for business? | 07 Dec 2018 | 00:27:05 | |
In this episode, we chat about everyone’s favourite social media platform - Instagram! We discuss how we got started on the app, how we use it now, and where it sits within our businesses. Charlie shares how she uses Instagram as a creative outlet, how the platform was the catalyst for becoming self-employed, and how talking to camera stresses her out. On the other hand, Franky explains why she’s wholeheartedly embraced Instagram Stories and shares some excellent advice about using it to connect with your community. Links and further reading: Sara Tasker’s Instaretreat Follow us: @_charlieswift @loveaudrey83 #friendswithbizbenefits Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 3. Morning Routines. How do you start your day? | 05 Dec 2018 | 00:19:35 | |
In this episode, we share our morning routines. Despite our very different family situations, we have a lot in common when it comes to how we like to start our days. We discuss how and why we try to make time for things like journaling, reading and meditation, as well as delving into the benefits of a screen-free bedroom and how scrolling social media affects us in the mornings. How do you start your day? Let us know… Links and further reading: Follow us: @_charlieswift @loveaudrey83 #friendswithbizbenefits Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 2. What if my dream clients can’t afford me? | 03 Dec 2018 | 00:14:56 | |
Money. It’s a topic that comes up over and over again in our co-mentoring meetups. There’s much to discuss around pricing, money mindset, and charging your worth, but in this episode we get specific about our attitudes towards the affordability of our services. Charlie shares how she’s learning not to make assumptions about what her clients can and cannot afford, and Franky reveals a great strategy for handling that awkward situation when a potential client asks you to lower your price. #friendswithbizbenefits Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 1. What is co-mentoring? (And why you need a co-mentor in your life!) | 01 Dec 2018 | 00:31:17 | |
Our first episode is all about co-mentoring - what it is, how it works, and why finding a co-mentor might be the best business decision you’ll ever make! Franky’s post on five things she’s gained from co-mentoring Kristabel Plummer post on her blog meetings Follow us: @_charlieswift @loveaudrey83 http://friendswithbusinessbenefits.co.uk #friendswithbizbenefits Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| Friends with Business Benefits Trailer | 24 Nov 2018 | 00:01:04 | |
Hello, we are Charlie and Franky, two self-employed business owners living in Bristol in the south-west of England. Friends With Business Benefits is a podcast for creatives who crave connection, understanding and support. Franky runs a copywriting business called Love Audrey, helping brands and creative businesses find their voice and tell their story online. As a business mentor, Charlie helps clients find clarity and confidence in their creative work. We are friends with benefits…business benefits. For the last 18 months, we’ve been meeting for regular co-mentoring sessions. Working for yourself can be lonely at times, but through our monthly meetups we’ve found the support and accountability we were craving in our working lives. Through our podcast, we hope to continue these conversations, share what we’re learning and also learn from you, our listeners. For show notes and links visit: http://friendswithbusinessbenefits.co.uk Follow us on Instagram: @_charlieswift @loveaudrey83 Charlie & Franky x Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 107. Instagram Trends | 06 Jun 2024 | 00:54:10 | |
How do you feel about Instagram trends? New trends, old trends, emerging trends, micro trends - love them or hate them, the app is full of them!
In this episode, we’re discussing Instagram trends in-depth, examining their impact, weighing up the pros and cons, and exploring how you can figure the ones to avoid and the ones you should jump on. From trending audio to tiny mics, we cover a lot of ground! As well as venting about the trends we hate, we chat about the ones we love and share tips to help you make familiar trends your own.
Links and Further Reading Liz Mosley on Auditory Branding Work With Us
Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 106. Is Everything Content? | 23 May 2024 | 00:27:12 | |
In today’s episode, we’re asking whether ‘everything is content’. This popular mantra is a phrase we’ve used and repeated ourselves, but is it true? How helpful is this approach and are there any pitfalls to avoid? Thinking critically and adding some much needed nuance, we explore content buckets, boundaries, protecting other people’s privacy and more.
Links and Further Reading Embracing and Creating Video Content Friends with Business Boundaries Work With Us Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 105. Making Time for Non-Business Activities During the Working Week | 09 May 2024 | 00:20:38 | |
In this mini episode, Charlie poses a question she originally asked on Instagram - do you make time for non-business activities during your working week? After discussing things that might fall under this banner including life admin, self-care and creative dates, we explore why it might be hard to dedicate time to these activities when you could be working. We also share tips and advice to help you overcome these barriers and be the best boss you’ve ever had!
Links and Further Reading How to Do Life and Run a Business Work With Us
Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 104. Overcoming Creative Blocks on Instagram | 25 Apr 2024 | 00:31:50 | |
Are you feeling overwhelmed by Instagram? Are you overthinking your content and struggling to show up? Franky was. Having spent the last couple of years hiding on Instagram Stories and rarely posting to the grid, she finally realised something had to change. Luckily, her co-mentor happens to be an Insta-expert who gives excellent creative pep talks! Listen as we discuss how Franky’s been feeling about Instagram, why she wanted to change her relationship with the app in 2024, and the advice Charlie gave her to get unstuck and start showing up. We recorded this episode in early February and since then Franky’s stuck to her posting schedule and even had a reel go {a little bit} viral! If you’d like to move past the overwhelm, stop overthinking and start taking action, the tips in this episode can help.
Links and Further Reading Book an Instagram Audit with Charlie Overcoming Instagram Stumbling Blocks Embracing and Creating Video Content Work With Us
Find Us On Instagram
Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 103. Q1 Reflection, Q2 Intentions (2024) | 11 Apr 2024 | 00:35:25 | |
In this chatty episode, we’re looking back on the first three months of the year and ahead to Quarter 2. Find out what felt good, what didn’t and what we’ve learned in the process. We discuss how Franky has been showing up on Instagram and her brush with having a Reel go viral, and also talk through Charlie's relationship with consistency in content creation in this season. We also chat about our words of the year and how they’ve been showing up for us so far, plus we dig into our plans for Q2 and discuss what we’re both hoping to achieve before the end of June. Links and Further Reading: www.instagram.com/rachaelrenae Work With Us: Book an Instagram Audit with Charlie Find Us On Instagram
Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 102. How to Sneak More Creativity Into Your Daily Life | 21 Mar 2024 | 00:13:28 | |
In this mini episode, we’re sharing ideas and inspiration to help you sneak more creativity into your daily life, especially if you’re short on time and/or caring for small children.
From finding the magic in the mundane to portable crafts you can do in front of the TV, there’s a mix of practical advice and gentle encouragement, all based on personal experience and our belief that creativity can be a powerful form of self-care.
Work With Us
Find Us On Instagram
Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 101. How We Are Showing Up on Substack This Year | 07 Mar 2024 | 00:29:00 | |
This week we're revisiting the topic of Substack. We disscuss whether or not the platform is a part of our content plans in this season, and what we're feeling called to consume and create there. Charlie shares how she is showing up on Substack this year and Franky touches on creating for the platform as a copywriter. We also breakdown the differnt ways you may engage with Substack content as a reader and talk about the various features and models the platform has to offer.
Charlie's Substack: 'Intentonal Creatives' Sparkle on Substack resources and membership Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 100. Our 100th Episode Content Q&A LIVE on Instagram | 22 Feb 2024 | 00:40:00 | |
We celebrated 100 episodes of Friends With Business Benefits and five whole years of podcasting by going live on Instagram to record this episode. Having hit such a big content creation milestone, we made that the focus, answering listener questions about creating and sharing content for your business. We cover podcasting, productivity, brainstorming ideas and more! Whether you’re an OG listener or a newbie, thanks for supporting our podcast!
Links and Further Reading Work With Us
Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 117. Q3 Reflections, Q4 Intentions | 09 Oct 2024 | 00:27:35 | |
We’re back from our summer break and ready for a big catch up! In this episode, we’re reflecting on Quarter 3 and looking ahead to Quarter 4. Find out what felt good, what didn’t and what we’ve learned in the process. We also talk about our words of the year and how they’ve been showing up for us since we last spoke. As well as sharing a few sources of creative inspiration, we dig into our plans for the final three months of 2024 and discuss what we’re both hoping to achieve before the end of the year. Links and Further Reading Are You Going to Start a Substack? How Are We Showing Up On Substack This Year EFT/’Tapping’: Becoming a Channel for Creativity (Releasing Creative Blocks) Join us on Substack where you can share any reflections on the episode in the comment section. Come and tell us your own intentions for Q4…we’d love to cheer you on! Connect With Us Friends With Business Benefits on Substack Find Us On Instagram Subscribe to Our Mailing Lists Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 99. 24 for 2024 | 08 Feb 2024 | 00:19:38 | |
Inspired by Gretchen Rubin, we’ve both adopted the habit of compiling a list of aims at the start of a new year. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, but for us it’s never a business-focussed list. Instead, we both include fun, playful things we want to prioritise. We’ve found it’s a great way to identify what we want the year to hold. In this episode, we’re sharing our ‘24 for 2024’ lists in the hope that it will make you want to compile your own.
Links and Further Reading
Gretchen Rubin’s 24 for 2024 Trifecta Work With Us
Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 98. Our Planner Plans for 2024 | 25 Jan 2024 | 00:29:37 | |
It’s time for our annual ‘planner meeting’ where we review the previous year's planners and journals and discuss what we’ll be using for the year ahead. As well as sharing the notebooks and diaries we’ve invested in this year, we explain how we’ll be using them to stay organised at work and at home. It’s a must-listen for stationery fans and those who prefer pen and paper-based productivity tools!
Links and Further Reading
Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 97. 2023 Reflections, 2024 Intentions | 11 Jan 2024 | 00:46:51 | |
We’re kicking off the new year with our annual cosy conversation about reflections and intentions. Find out what went well for us last year and what we learned from the things that didn’t. We also chat about our words of the year, share a few goals for 2024, and make some solid(ish) plans for Q1.
Work With Us
Find Us On Instagram
Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 96. Our 2023 Favourites | 21 Dec 2023 | 00:46:58 | |
Join us as we run through some of our non-business related 2023 favs. We chat about our favourite films, TV shows, music and books, as well as discussing the purchases we've made, habits we've followed, experiences we've enjoyed and places we've been. An episode full of recommendations for you! Thank you for listening throughout 2023 and a very merry christmas from us both! Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 95. Things That Make Our Business Worlds Better | 14 Dec 2023 | 00:11:19 | |
In this mini episode we’re jumping on a TikTok trend and sharing a list of things that make our business worlds better. From daily habits and wellbeing rituals to clever software and our favourite tech, there’s plenty of inspiration for everyone.
Links and Further Reading: Franky's favs... 'What is Comentoring' podcast episode
Charlie's favs... Get 50% off Flodesk (aff link)
Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 94. Putting Your Prices Up | 23 Nov 2023 | 00:37:24 | |
In this episode, we’re talking about putting your prices up. It’s a topic we originally planned to discuss this time last year, but when we came to record, neither of us felt up to discussing money on mic. Not only is it a tricky subject to broach - increasing your prices can be a tricky thing to act on in your business. 12 months later, we’re finally ready to explore this subject with you. Franky shares what she’s learned from increasing her prices at the start of the year and Charlie talks about her desire to focus on the money side of things more in 2024. As well as discussing where we are with our own pricing, we share tips and advice to help you with yours.
Work With Us Find Us On Instagram
Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 93. What Gives Us The Business Scaries? | 02 Nov 2023 | 00:36:16 | |
Inspired by Halloween earlier this week, we’re sharing things that give us the business scaries!
For Charlie, it’s overcommitting, public speaking and talking to camera, while Franky struggles to share her professional expertise on Instagram and record voiceovers for reels. As well as discussing where these fears come from, we explore ways in which we might be able to overcome them.
Work With Us Find Us On Instagram
Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 92. Overcoming Instagram Stumbling Blocks | 19 Oct 2023 | 00:51:59 | |
In this episode, we’re going over some Instagram basics and sharing tips to help you overcome common stumbling blocks and avoid overwhelm. As well as things like writing the perfect bio and using your pinned posts effectively, we cover stats and data, content ideas, trends and more. We also discuss mindset in relation to the app and run through a few ways to prevent it from sucking the joy out of running your business.
Links and Further Reading/Listening Embracing and Creating Video Content How We Use Instagram Stories for Business What Happened When Charlie Went Viral? How to Stop Hating on Instagram When and Why to Mute and Unfollow on Instagram
Work With Us *** Book an Instagram Audit with Charlie *** Find Us On Instagram Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 91. Q3 Reflections, Q4 Intentions | 05 Oct 2023 | 00:35:16 | |
91. Q3 Reflections, Q4 Intentions
In this episode, we’re reflecting on Quarter 3 and looking ahead to Quarter 4. Find out what felt good, what didn’t and what we’ve learned in the process. We also talk about our words of the year and how they’ve been showing up for us since we last spoke. As well as sharing a few sources of creative inspiration, we dig into our plans for the final three months of the year and discuss what we’re both hoping to achieve before the end of 2023.
Links and Further Reading
Work With Us Find Us On Instagram
Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 90. Trying New Things in Your Business | 07 Sep 2023 | 00:26:07 | |
The online world is fast paced. There’s always something new to discover. New software, new social media platforms, new types of content. When it comes to trying new things in your business, do you tend to feel overwhelmed or excited? Today’s episode was recorded back in July when we were both in the early stages of trying some new things. Charlie was experimenting with the recently launched social media platform, Threads, and Franky was posting to a brand new crafty account on Instagram. Our experiences inspired a broader conversation about trying new things in general. You’ll hear us discuss ‘shiny new thing syndrome’, the pros and cons of being an early adopter, and whether being ‘late to the party’ is actually a good thing. We also chat about the power of FOMO and how we figure out when to embrace new things, when to bide our time and when to sit things out completely. Links and Further Reading Episode Are You Going to Start a Substack? Franky’s crafty Instagram account Charlie on Threads Work With Us
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| 116. SUMMER SERIES - What to Do if Selling Gives You the Ick | 11 Sep 2024 | 00:27:22 | |
Welcome to the Summer Series! After 5 years and 100 episodes, we’re re-releasing some of our favourite conversations while we take some time off from recording. Perhaps you missed them the first time round, but even if you’ve heard them before, we think they’re worth another listen. Friends With Business Benefits will be back with fresh, new episodes in September. In the meantime, we hope you have a great summer. What to Do if Selling Gives You the Ick Originally published June 2022 Does promoting your products and services make you feel a bit… uncomfortable? Do you struggle to show up and sell your stuff? Well, you’re not alone. As well as experiencing this ourselves, it’s something we hear all the time from clients. In this episode, we’re chatting about why selling can be hard and sharing our advice to make the whole process easier. We cover a lot of ground, including what is and isn’t ‘hard selling’, the mindset shift you might need to make more sales and our new mantra - ‘you are allowed to sell your stuff and make money’. Links and Further Reading How to Create a Seamless, On-Brand Customer Experience Connect with Us Friends With Business Benefits on Substack Find Us On Instagram Subscribe to our mailing lists Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||
| 89. How We Use Instagram Stories for Business | 16 Aug 2023 | 00:32:19 | |
Inspired by a recent video from Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, today’s episode is dedicated to one of the app’s older features - Instagram Stories. It may not be as shiny and new as Reels or Threads, but it’s still a valuable marketing tool, not to mention Franky’s favourite place to hang out online! We chat about how we use Instagram Stories, the pros and cons of the platform, and the types of content we share. We also discuss the role of DMs and share some tips for showing up and telling stories of your own. Links and Further Reading
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| 88. How we savour (and survive) the summer | 27 Jul 2023 | 00:38:02 | |
As we head into what should be the warmest, sunniest part of the year, we’re sharing how we embrace and survive the summer season. Whether you love this time of year or not, there’s something in this episode for everyone. As well as discussing how we’re planning to juggle work and childcare during the six-week summer break, we’re sharing some of our favourite seasonal rituals and lots of advice to help you get the most out of this time of year.
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| 87. Q2 Reflection, Q3 Intentions | 13 Jul 2023 | 00:36:58 | |
In this chatty episode, we’re reflecting on Quarter 2 and looking ahead to Quarter 3. Find out what felt good, what didn’t and what we’ve learned in the process. We also talk about our words of the year and how they’ve been showing up for us since we last spoke. As well as sharing a few sources of creative inspiration, we dig into our plans for the next three months of the year and discuss what we’re both hoping to achieve before the end of the summer.
Links and Further Reading Maddy Shine’s Visible Vibes Community
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| 86. How to Set Deadlines and Stick to Them | 30 Jun 2023 | 00:18:56 | |
When you’re working towards a specific business goal or dream, how do you get on with self-imposed deadlines? Do you find them easy to stick to or do you avoid setting them in the first place? In this episode, we’re responding to a listener's question, digging into the subject of deadlines and sharing everything we know about getting things done. As well as discussing different types of deadlines and different strategies for meeting them, we touch on what it might mean if you keep dodging the deadlines you set.
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| 85. The Art of Requesting, Receiving and Giving Feedback | 15 Jun 2023 | 00:26:08 | |
In this episode, we’re approaching the topic of feedback from a few different angles. For Franky, asking clients for feedback is baked into her working process. As a copywriter, she produces drafts for clients to review. The quality of the feedback she receives can have a huge impact on the final product. Over the years, she’s worked hard to ensure this happens in a thorough and efficient way. She’s also learned a lot about moving through the discomfort that can come from inviting criticism. Although Franky’s examples are fairly specific to copywriting, there are useful takeaways for anyone considering outsourcing things in their business. Charlie offers her perspective too and considers whether she’s missing any opportunities for requesting feedback and improving her services.
Links and Further Reading The Power of Testimonials and Reviews Friends with Business Boundaries Work With Us
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| 84. What Happened When Charlie Went Viral? | 25 May 2023 | 00:21:55 | |
After a year of regularly creating and sharing reels on Instagram, Charlie recently had a video go viral. In this episode, we’re chatting about her experience and what it feels like to suddenly have so many eyes on your content. As well as digging into the reasons why this particular reel seems to have done so well, Charlie explains what she’s learned and how she’ll be approaching future content creation as a result. Links and Further Reading Embracing and Creating Video Content Work With Us Find Us On Instagram
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| 83. What Makes a Good Email Lead Magnet? | 12 May 2023 | 00:26:56 | |
In this episode, we're discussing what makes a good email lead magnet. We share our differing stances on having lead magnets in our businesses, chat through the pros and cons of differnt types of lead magnets and how to choose one that aligns with your strategy. We also share what to do once you have your lead magnet in place, how to buil an email nuture sequence and how to make the most of your content. Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe | |||