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Scaling ExpertiseE101: Rebrand and Relaunch: Hourly to Exit Becomes Scaling ExpertiseI’m Erin Austin, an intellectual property lawyer passionate about helping experts like you turn your knowledge into scalable, recurring revenue. Scaling Expertise is the evolution of Hourly to Exit, and I’m thrilled to dive even deeper into building sustainable businesses rooted in expertise.In this first episode, I’ll cover:The mission behind Scaling Expertise—helping consultants, coaches, and entrepreneurs protect their IP while creating profitable, repeatable revenue.Why contracts and copyrights are key to safeguarding your knowledge and scaling with confidence.What to expect in future episodes, including real-world strategies and success stories to inspi...2025-01-2807 min
Ditching HourlyErin Austin - The Intersection of AI, Copyright, and PlagiarismStrategic lawyer and IP expert Erin Austin joined me on Ditching Hourly to talk about the intersection of plagiarism, copyright infringement, and generative AI. Erin's BioA graduate of Harvard Law School, Erin Austin is a strategic lawyer and consultant who uses her 25+ years of practicing law, including roles as COO and general counsel at large and small IP-driven companies, including Warner Brothers, Lionsgate (formerly known as Artisan), MGM, Teaching Strategies, and M3 USA Corp, to help female founders of expertise-based firms build and protect saleable assets so that the business is ready to sell w...2024-07-0952 minScaling ExpertiseE98: How AI is Revolutionizing Business With Heidi ArayaExcited to share the latest episode of the Hourly to Exit podcast featuring our exceptional guest, Heidi Araya! 🚀Heidi's transformative journey into the world of AI is nothing short of inspirational. With over 25 years of experience in leading enterprise transformations, Heidi recognized the limitations in her previous roles and pivoted to immerse herself in artificial intelligence. From taking a data science program at MIT to founding an AI agency focused on empowering solopreneurs and small businesses, Heidi's story showcases the power of reinvention.Here are three key takeaways from this insightful episode:🔹 AI Access...2024-06-1829 minScaling ExpertiseE97: Is Using AI in Your Work Considered Plagiarism? Erin Weighs InRecently, I had the chance to weigh in on a fascinating LinkedIn post discussing whether using AI-generated content without giving credit constitutes plagiarism. As many of you know, my focus is on copyright infringement and protection, not plagiarism, but I thought it would be a great opportunity to clarify the differences between the two and share my perspective.💡 Here are 3 key takeaways from my deep dive:- Distinguishing Copyright Infringement from Plagiarism: - Copyright infringement involves the violation of legal rights granted by copyright law, such as reproducing or distributing a work without permi...2024-06-1120 minScaling ExpertiseE94: Calculating Damages for Copyright Infringement🎙️ In our latest episode, Erin uses the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on copyright infringement to explore the intricacies of copyright damages. Whether you're a creator, a business owner, or an enthusiast of intellectual property law, this episode has invaluable insights for you!🔍 Three Key Takeaways:Statutory vs. Actual Damages: Understand the difference and application of statutory and actual damages in copyright infringement cases.Supreme Court's Stance: The recent ruling affirms that copyright owners can seek damages for infringements beyond the three-year look-back period previously enforced by some circuits.Importance of Copyright Registration: Find out how time...2024-05-2119 minScaling ExpertiseE93: IP Everywhere Means IP Trouble Is EverywhereIn this episode, I used the example of a parent recording Little Johnny’s play to walk through all of the IP issues–and the trouble we can get in.Here are 3 Key Points we cover in this episode:1. Understanding Copyright Rules:- Most plays and their adaptations, like the ones performed in high schools, are protected by copyright laws, meaning you can't record or share them without permission.- Always check if you need permission before recording or sharing a play.2. Music Rights Are Tricky:- When...2024-05-1414 minScaling ExpertiseE92: REPLAY: Do You Own What You Think You Own? Ownership is the Building Block of Recurring RevenueLet’s dive into the critical role ownership of intellectual property plays in scaling your business. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an established business owner, this episode is packed with invaluable insights into securing and leveraging your intellectual assets. 🚀Here are 3 Key Takeaways for all you innovators and creators:Legal Due Diligence is Crucial: Understand the importance of tracking the ownership of IP from creation to its current holder. Ownership clarity prevents future legal headaches.Understand IP Creation Roles: Whether you're an employee, contractor, or partner, the default ownership might surprise you. Written agreements are non-n...2024-05-0727 minScaling ExpertiseE91: Behind the AI Curtain: Sourcing: A Look at the Data That Powers Generative AIIn our latest episode, hosted by Erin, we dive deep into the complexities of AI training data, exploring its sources, legal ramifications, and evolving landscape. A must-listen for anyone curious about how generative AI models like ChatGPT are trained and the ethical and legal debates they stir.Here are three key takeaways from the discussion:Diverse Data Sources: AI platforms are now shifting from relying on web scraping to purchasing licensed data sets, including private archives from major tech players like Meta and Microsoft, ensuring richer and legally compliant training materials.Synthetic Data Innovation: The creation...2024-04-3018 minScaling ExpertiseE90: AI-Generated Content and Copyrights: Where Human Creativity and Technology CollideIn our latest episode, host Erin dives into the intersection of artificial intelligence and copyright law. This insightful conversation unravels the nuances pivotal for entrepreneurs leveraging AI for business growth.Here are your 3 Key Takeaways from the episode:- Copyrightability of AI-Generated Content: Understand the distinction between content facilitated by AI and content solely generated by AI for proper copyright protection.- Human Element is Crucial: The necessity of human creativity for copyright eligibility cannot be overstated — make sure your AI-assisted content has enough human input.- Protect Your Assets: Safeguard yo...2024-04-2321 minScaling ExpertiseE89: From Ideas to Assets: Protecting Your Big Idea with CEO Nate HeckerAttention, content creators and business innovators!I'm thrilled to share some insights from the latest episode of Hourly to Exit. We had the pleasure of hosting Nate Hecker, CEO of Big Idea, as he unveiled the future of intellectual property management.This episode was jam-packed with valuable takeaways for anyone looking to protect and monetize their creations. Here’s a glimpse of what we covered:- Innovative IP Management: Big Idea’s platform revolutionizes how creators handle their intellectual assets, leveraging blockchain technology for proof of ownership and efficient copyright protection.2024-04-1634 minScaling ExpertiseE88: Unintentional Collaboration: How to Accidentally Give Your Contractors Co-Ownership of Your WorkCheck out the latest episode of the Hourly to Exit podcast where we dissect unintentional collaborations and their legal repercussions. This insightful episode covers how joint ownership of copyrighted work can arise when we don’t use written agreements with our contractors. Available on all major podcast platforms.Key Takeaways: - Joint ownership of copyrighted work can occur when your contractor makes copyrightable contributions to your materials. - Avoid unintentional collaborations by having clear contractor agreements in place that specify ownership of intellectual property rights. - Even simple contractor agreements can pr...2024-04-0920 minScaling ExpertiseE87: Licensing Series Part 3: How to Legally Use Someone Else's ContentIf you are creating a licensing program, you need to be confident that you have the right to use all of the content in your materials. If you are using any content you did not create, you need to listen to this episode. Dive into Episode 87 where host Erin unpacks the essentials to securing the right permissions with confidence. Here's a sneak peek!🔑 Key Takeaways:Get permission: Unless you have 100% certainty that the content is in the public domain, get permission. Permission Precision: Always clarify usage rights—the what, where, and how long. Clear written agreements prevent...2024-04-0229 minScaling ExpertiseE86: Licensing Series Part 2: Using Master Licenses to Amplify Your Reach Through Strategic PartnershipsIn this episode, Part 2 of 3, we dive into another edge case for licensing your expertise. What to do when you don't have a large enough audience to support a traditional licensing program? I use a real-life example to demonstrate how leveraging other people's audiences (OPA) can be a game changer for reaching a wider audience with your licensed materials.Key takeaways from this episode:- Understand the concept of leveraging other people's audiences (OPA) to amplify your reach and engage with new customers and clients who already trust the source they follow....2024-03-2625 minScaling ExpertiseE85: Licensing Part 1: How to License Your Expertise When You Provide Bespoke Custom ServicesAre you a high-value service provider looking to leverage your expertise without a traditional licensing or certification program? Tune in to the latest episode of Hourly to Exit, where we explore innovative ways to create leverage in your business through licensing.In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of licensing bespoke custom services, drawing inspiration from the origins of Microsoft and the shift from ownership to access in today's economy. I share examples and insights on how you can apply the principles of licensing to your unique service offerings, paving the way for new opportunities...2024-03-1923 minScaling ExpertiseE84: How to Build IP that Allows Your Business to Scale with Pamela SlimIn our latest episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with the incredibly insightful Pamela Slim, an expert in creating impactful certification programs for service-based businesses. We covered a wide array of topics, from legal considerations to the ethics of leveraging intellectual property (IP). It’s jam-packed with wisdom for any entrepreneur looking to scale their business or safeguard their creative assets. Key Takeaways:Crafting Certification: Discover the power of developing certification programs that expand upon your unique skills to ensure reliable outcomes for your clients and add a new revenue stream to your business.IP Es...2024-03-1249 minScaling ExpertiseE83: Collaboration Legal Issues: How to Share Ideas without Sharing OwnershipLet’s discuss key issues and considerations when entering into a collaboration with colleagues, shedding light on crucial legal aspects that often go unnoticed.Key Takeaways:1. Ownership and Licensing: When collaborating, it's essential to clearly define ownership of preexisting materials and set limitations on their use through licensing agreements.2. Joint Work Rights: Without a collaboration agreement in place, each collaborator owns 100% of the new materials created, allowing them to exploit the copyrights individually. Clear terms on revenue sharing and use rights are crucial to avoid potential conflicts.3. Collaboration Agreements: A well-crafted co...2024-03-0522 minScaling ExpertiseE82: Multiply Your Revenue without Exhaustion with Samantha HartleyDive into a conversation that reveals how shifting away from the hourly grind can pave the way to a thriving, scalable business with transformative impact. Samantha Hartley shares game-changing insights from her journey of empowering consultants towards financial stability and success.Key Takeaways:Embrace Complementary Skills: Learn why a successful business isn't just about individual expertise but also about creating synergistic partnerships that can drive growth and innovation.Leverage Your IP: Understand the power of intellectual property conversions, from e-courses to signature systems that allow you to scale your business beyond billable hours.Shifting Billing Paradigms...2024-02-2740 minScaling ExpertiseE81: The Evolution of Branding and Marketing: Insights from Dawn FosterI recently had the pleasure of chatting with Dawn Foster, owner of D Foster Marketing Consulting, on my podcast Hourly to Exit. 🎧 We delved into all things branding, marketing, and scaling businesses.Here are some highlights from our discussion:🌟 Dawn emphasized the importance of understanding that branding is more than just a logo or a trademark. It's about evoking emotion and creating a consistent experience for your audience.🚀 We explored strategies for scaling a business while maintaining a personal touch. Dawn shared her two-phase approach, focusing on both client service and her own role in t...2024-02-2025 minScaling ExpertiseE80: Did You Know That You Are Already Licensing Your IP to Your Clients?We’re discussing how to spot the hidden license in your client agreements.In this episode, Erin dives deep into the nuances of protecting your intellectual property with your clients and uncovers the hidden licenses that may exist within your client agreements. Here are 3 key takeaways from the episode:1. Understanding the Levels of Ownership: Learn about the varying levels of ownership and permissions in copyrights under intellectual property law – from work for hire to assignment and license.2. Granting Limited Licenses: Discover the importance of limiting the license you grant to your clients for the...2024-02-1320 minScaling ExpertiseE79: Practical Steps to Leverage IP (even if you don't have any right now) with Judy WeberOn the latest episode of "Hourly to Exit," we had the pleasure of speaking with the remarkable Judy Weber, a savvy, joy-filled scaling strategist and business coach dedicated to empowering Christian women in entrepreneurship. Don’t miss this enriching conversation where Judy shares her transition from an attorney to a flourishing entrepreneur and business coach!Here are your 3 Key Takeaways from this episode:-Mindset is Everything: Judy emphasizes the power of self-belief and a faith-based thought model to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence and grace. She challenges our host, Erin, and all listeners to ex...2024-02-0639 minScaling ExpertiseE78: The Power of Leverage: Transforming Your Expertise into Scalable Revenue StreamsThis week I’m sharing some amazing insights on turning your expertise into scalable income. Here are some of the key takeaways:Assets are the Foundation: Before creating leveraged assets, it's crucial to own and control all the necessary rights. An audit of your assets ensures you're not at risk of legal issues and helps lay the foundation for the next steps.Leverage Increases Profitability: The application of leverage in business leads to not just increased revenue, but also increased profitability. This can be achieved by creating digital products, online offerings, systematizing services, and more.Cloning Yo...2024-01-3018 minScaling ExpertiseE77: Safeguarding Your Business Assets: Copyright, Contracts, and Intellectual Property Protection🎙️ Listen to an eye-opening episode of the Hourly to Exit podcast with Erin, where she dives into protecting your expertise through copyright registration and contracts.Key Takeaways:1. Copyright registration isn't just a formality – it's essential for protecting your valuable assets such as training materials, presentations, videos, and workbooks. This alone can make a significant impact on maximizing the value of your intellectual property.2. When it comes to safeguarding your intellectual property rights, clear contracts with clients and contractors play a vital role. It's all about ensuring that the ownership, use and re-use of your pr...2024-01-2321 minScaling ExpertiseE76: The Crucial First Step to Scaling Your Business: Taking Inventory of the Assets You Already OwnIn the latest episode of Hourly to Exit, I’m delving into the crucial first step to scaling your expertise-based business - the audit of your intellectual property. Here are three key takeaways from the episode:1. Ownership of Intellectual Property is Key: Owning intellectual property is essential for scaling your expertise-based business. Understanding what you currently own and control is the initial step towards leveraging your assets for growth.2. A successful audit involves both a quantity (i.e., an inventory) and quality assessment of your assets, helping you recognize the relative value of each.2024-01-1612 minScaling ExpertiseE75: 2024 Is Your Year to Create Scalable Revenue in Your Expertise-Based Businesses🎙️ Happy New Year! Let’s hit the ground running with a framework for turning your expertise into scalable revenue streams. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this is a must-listen for anyone looking to maximize their intellectual property.Erin takes us through a three-step process to transform your intellectual property into valuable assets that generate repeatable scalable revenue: Audit, Protect, and Leverage.1. Audit Your Business Assets: Identify the valuable resources in your business, from assessment tools to deliverables, and understand who owns or controls them. This forms the foundation of creating scalable IP-base...2024-01-0919 min
Erin Austin’s Thursday Blog and PodcastAnd For That Reason I'm OutErin talks about her last dating experience of 2023 and it was doozy. As much as Erin wants to find something meaningful, after the way things ended with "Juan Eduardo," Erin has decided that dating just may not be in the cards for her right now or possibly at all.2024-01-0452 minErin Austin’s Thursday Blog and PodcastAm I Too Old To Date?In an effort to clear out the bad juju from 2023, Erin talks about her first dating disaster to kick off 2023. Why did Erin's age become such an issue?2023-12-2820 minScaling ExpertiseE74: Make Business Personal: Align Your Work to Build Greater Purpose in Your Life with Kiley PetersIn our latest episode, I was thrilled to host Kiley Peters, visionary and founder of Rayne IX, where they personalize business strategies so you can have the life you want, make the money you want, and love the work you do.We had a deep dive into the intersection of entrepreneurship, personal branding, and the evolving definitions of success.🌟 3 Key Takeaways:- **Customization vs. Sustainability:** Learn how Kiley transitioned from custom deliverables to focusing on IP and built Rain Nine, embracing a boutique consultancy approach that aligns with her life goals....2023-12-1936 minScaling ExpertiseE73: Copyrightability Series, Part 3: What Is Public Domain?🎙 Just wrapped up the third part of the Copyrightability Series on the Hourly to Exit podcast, and I've got some valuable insights to share with you! 💡 In this episode, we explored the concept of public domain and what it means for copyright protection.🔍 Key Takeaways:- Public Domain Definition: Works in the public domain are not protected by intellectual property laws and can be freely used, modified, and distributed without needing permission or paying royalties.- Ways Works Enter Public Domain: Copyright expiration, explicit dedication by the creator, government works, and failure to meet copy...2023-12-1220 minScaling ExpertiseE72: Copyrightability Part 2. What Makes Something Truly Original versus Derivative?🔍 Delving into the intricacies of copyright law - Join me on the Hourly to Exit podcast!In the latest episode of the Hourly to Exit podcast, I had the pleasure of discussing copyrightability with a special focus on derivative works. We explored the boundaries between original content and derivative works, shedding light on fair use and the golden rule of copyrights.Here are the key takeaways from the episode:🔸 Derivative Works and Copyright: Derivative works involve creating new original content that incorporates aspects of preexisting copyrighted works. As a creator, it's crucial to unders...2023-12-0520 minScaling ExpertiseE71: The Copyrightability Series–Part 1: Delving into the Elements of Originality and IndependenceIn this new series, we'll tackle the ins and outs of copyright law and what it takes for a work to be considered copyrightable. Drawing from real-life experiences and legal expertise, This episode brings clarity to the complex topic of originality. Discover how the US Supreme Court's definition of originality factors into independence and creativity. Learn about the minimal degree of creativity required for a work to be considered copyrightable.Key Takeaways from this Episode: 🔍1️⃣ Originality and Creativity: In order for a work to be copyrightable, it must be independently created without d...2023-11-2819 minScaling ExpertiseE70: Wealth In the Hands of Woman Can Change the World: Thanksgiving EpisodeIn this Special Thanksgiving Episode, I remind listeners about the key statistics that are part of the reason why I work with women entrepreneurs – namely, that women approach wealth with a mind to give back, make change, and better the world. And my guests are good examples of just that. At the end of each episode, each guest is invited to share some information about a cause and organization that is near and dear to their heart in the area of economic justice, and we replay their responses as part of this episode. Have a wonderful, safe Tha...2023-11-2119 minScaling ExpertiseE69: From Hourly to Scalable to SaleableI recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Scott Ritzheimer, host of The Secrets of the High Demand Coach Podcast. It was a rollicking fast-paced interview that I think you will really like and Scott kindly allowed me to share it here with you.A little about Scott: He has helped start nearly 20,000 new businesses and nonprofits and, with his business partner, started and led their multimillion-dollar business through an exceptional and extended growth phase (over 10 years of double-digit growth), all before he turned 35. Here are a few key takeaways from our conversation together:2023-11-1420 minScaling ExpertiseE68: Scaling Solo: A New Definition of Wealth with Rochelle MoultonIn this episode, the fabulous Rochelle Moulton, business coach, cohost of The Business of Authority podcast, and now(!) creator of her new podcast, Soloist Women, shares her journey from working with small boutiques to focusing primarily on soloists and creating a platform for women to share their stories and expertise. A few takeaways from Rochelle's episode:Redefining Wealth: Wealth is not just about revenue. It is the balance of what is important to you and brings you joy–whether money, free time and/or flexibility. We each get to define our own version of wealth. This redefinition of weal...2023-11-0740 minScaling ExpertiseE67: Copyright Infringement Basics, Part 3: How to Stop Competitors (and Former Clients) from Stealing Your StuffExciting news! The latest episode of Hourly to Exit is here, and it's all about Copyright Infringement Basics, Part 3! Tune in to learn more about protecting and leveraging your expertise. In this episode, we dive into prevention measures to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of copyright infringement. While preventing every instance is impossible, we can implement legal, technical, and practical strategies to safeguard our intellectual property.🔒 Key takeaways: Copyright Notice: Put the world (aka the Internet) on notice that you are claiming copyright ownership of your work. Always include a clear copyright notic...2023-10-3122 minScaling ExpertiseE66: Copyright Infringement Basics, Part 2: How to Avoid Accidentally Infringing Someone Else's CopyrightPart Two of the Copyright Infringement Series is here. Check it out! 🎧In this episode, we explore practical strategies for making sure you don’t become an accidental infringer! Be confident that you are legally using third-party copyrighted material. Here are the key takeaways from this episode:Educate Yourself About Copyright Basics: Make sure you understand what copyright is and what it protects. Research Before Use: Before using any content (text, images, music, video, etc.) that you did not create, research its copyright status. Just because something is available online doesn't mean it's free to use. Seek Perm...2023-10-2429 minScaling ExpertiseE65: Understanding Copyright Infringement: What Happens When You Cross the LineIn this episode of Hourly to Exit, we delve into the topic of copyright infringement. Copyright infringement occurs when someone violates the exclusive rights of a copyright owner. These exclusive rights include the right of reproduction, adaptation, distribution, public performance, public display, and translation.The penalties for copyright infringement can vary, ranging from embarrassing situations that require apologies and cleanup, to more serious legal consequences. In the worst cases, copyright infringers can be criminally prosecuted.This episode is the first of a three-part series covering copyright infringement. In part one, we discuss the remedies and...2023-10-1721 minScaling ExpertiseE64: The Insurgence of AI In Your Business: Understanding the Basics of Using AI in Your Business, the Responsibilities, and the Legal Consequences with Girija PatelI recently had the honor of interviewing Girija Patel. We had an engaging discussion about the impact of AI on business and intellectual property rights. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:The Importance of Disclosure: As AI technology becomes increasingly prevalent in various industries, it's crucial for businesses to be transparent about the extent to which AI is used in their products or services. Whether it's researching, creating prompts, or generating content, disclosing the involvement of AI is necessary to build trust with clients and consumers.Copyright Protection & AI: Determining copyright ownership of AI-generated content is...2023-10-1040 minScaling ExpertiseE63: Why Copyrights are More Valuable than TrademarksAre you a B2B professional services provider with corporate clients? Then this episode is for you. Join me on Hourly to Exit as we take a deep dive into why copyrights are more valuable than trademarks in our line of work.🎯 Key Takeaways:Copyrights: The Essential IP Asset - Copyright protection defends the tangible expression of your expertise. These assets include training materials, marketing collateral, podcasts, speeches, and much more. Copyrights empower you to control the use of your expertise.Trademarks are Nice to Have but not essential - Trademarks are a tool for...2023-10-0320 minScaling ExpertiseE62: The Buyer's Perspective: What Buyers Look for in Your Financial Statements with Erica GoodeI had the pleasure of having Erica Goode, Fractional CFO to Coaches and Consultants, on the latest episode of the "Hourly to Exit" podcast, where we discussed some fascinating topics related to financial management, business growth, and the accounting industry. Here are key takeaways from this episode:Understanding the Balance Sheet: Erica explained how assets, debts, and equity work together on a balance sheet. This knowledge is crucial for business owners and potential buyers, as it helps in evaluating the financial health and value of a company.The Importance of Accurate Financials: When forecasting the future...2023-09-2636 minScaling ExpertiseE61: Leveraging Intellectual Property: Understanding What You Own and What You Can UseIn this episode, we dive into the topic of using intellectual property in your business. Have you ever wondered if you can use a certain asset or if you truly own what you think you own? We explore the importance of ownership and how it relates to asset creation and leverage. Plus, we discuss different sources of intellectual property and the various uses for it.Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:Ownership is the key to asset creation and leverage. Understanding whether you own the intellectual property you use is crucial for your b...2023-09-1922 minScaling ExpertiseE60: Is Your Expertise Copyrightable?Join me this week as we dive into the topic of "How to Copyright Your Expertise," where I share valuable insights into the copyright registration process.In case you're wondering what to expect from the episode, here are the three key takeaways for you:Copyright Registration Process: I walk us through the step-by-step process of copyright registration, from confirming the copyrightability of your work to submitting the application and required documents. Learn how long it takes to receive confirmation from the Copyright Office and what can affect the timeline.Copyrightability: Discover the intricacies of what makes...2023-09-1225 minScaling ExpertiseE59: REPLAY: Let's Talk Trademarks with Radiance Harris, Esq.As I have been digging deeper into copyrights and contracts, I’ve been getting a number of questions about trademarks. So I thought I would replay this interview with Radiance Harris, an expert in trademarks, from 2022 to answer your trademark questions!Here are 3 key takeaways from our conversation with Radiance Harris:Conduct an Intellectual Property Audit: It's important to identify all your intellectual property assets, including trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. By conducting an intellectual property audit, you can ensure proper protection and leverage your assets for maximum benefit.Secure Your Trademarks Early: Trademarks are...2023-09-0536 minScaling ExpertiseE58: Building Authority by Writing Articles for High-Visibility Publications with Erica HolthausenIn the latest episode of E58, we had the pleasure of having Erica Holthausen as a guest. Erica shared her insights on writing articles for publication, building authority, and becoming a sought-after expert.Here are 3 key takeaways from this episode:Targeted Reach: Writing for association publications might just be the secret to reaching your exact target audience and building relationships. These publications are often overlooked but can be a powerful platform for showcasing your expertise.Thought Leadership: Being a true thought leader is about more than just having a large following on social media. It requires...2023-08-2936 minScaling ExpertiseE57: To Quote an Expert: “Using Someone Else’s IP Might Cost You.”As I talk to my listeners about their journey from Hourly to Exit, I assume they will be building Intellectual Property (IP) assets to sell to clients and the public. Well, unless you figured out how to reinvent the wheel, you may be inspired by or even using materials that another expert in your field created. Giving that person credit and promoting their book is the right thing to do, but it may not be enough. You may need to ask for permission.In this episode of Hourly to Exit, I cover some critical points about getting...2023-08-2227 minScaling ExpertiseE56: The Value of Framing Your Services as a Product with Ellen Grace HensonUnderstanding the value you bring to your clients is a critical insight into the path to success for those of us who provide expertise-based services. In this episode of Hourly to Exit, we got meta in our conversation with Ellen Grace Henson, a management consultant focusing on product management. She offered insights based on her work and business that apply to our journey toward creating a business that can be operated independently from our own time. In this episode, you will learn about:The importance of alignment across your business – including your legal and finance operationsThe th...2023-08-1538 minScaling ExpertiseE55: 8 Business Problems that Have IP SolutionsThis week’s solo episode of Hourly to Exit comes at my area of expertise – intellectual property (IP) – from the business side. The prerequisite for scaling your business is turning your expertise into intellectual property that you own or control so you can add complementary products or productized services to your existing services. I call these 8 business problems, but there really is one problem with 8 symptoms. The big problem is that you have not developed assets--which could be products or processes--that allow you to decouple your income from your time. Those things that allow you to decouple your inc...2023-08-0818 minScaling ExpertiseE54: Ladies, We Need to Understand Media Strategy with Mary Ann PruittAs expertise-based service-providing entrepreneurs, we might mistakenly believe that our business doesn’t require paid media advertising. If we plan to scale – to move from hourly to exit- we need to think about expanding our marketing reach beyond word-of-mouth or organic SEO. I am on this journey with my listeners, and I was so grateful to have Mary-Ann Pruitt, a 25-year advertising veteran, join me for some essential tips, including:Why advertising matters for businesses from solos to Fortune 500sHow to define your niche when it comes to advertising – it may be broader than you think!The critical import...2023-08-0134 minScaling ExpertiseE53: Taking Inventory of Your IPI encourage my listeners to think about the intellectual property assets they are accumulating in their expertise-based services businesses so that they can scale their business to the next level. In this episode of Hourly to Exit, I encourage you to treat your assets like any other inventory through accumulation, tracking, and protection. While the legal definition of inventory envisions tangible objects, in an increasingly digital world, it’s important to expand your understanding of what IP you have created or licensed in your business. In this episode, I discuss:The typical stages of an expertise-based business, and th...2023-07-2519 minScaling ExpertiseE52: Mindset Over Matter: Learning to Spot Your Impediments with Jaclyn MelloneI was so excited to welcome back my very first guest, Jaclyn Mellone, for a conversation about some simple, easy ways we can help ourselves to grow and succeed in our journey as women business owners and entrepreneurs. Jaclyn has moved from being a coach to running a media company, which also reminded us about a significant value we should look for in our business. In this episode, we learned thatThere’s a great technique to distinguish between the struggles in our mindset and the real worldAs entrepreneurs, we tell ourselves “I’m not there yet,” and here’s w...2023-07-1844 minScaling ExpertiseE51: Copyrights or Trademarks: Understanding Your Corporate Client’s PerspectiveIn this episode, recorded as a LinkedIn Live, Erin explores the importance of copyrights and trademarks. Each plays a distinct role in an expertise-based business, but they are valued equally by your corporate clients. This episode helps you understand your IP from the perspective of your corporate clients so you can prioritize your resources to maximize value.Topics covered include:The key differences between copyrights and trademarksThe purpose that copyrights and trademarks play in your businessWhich types of IP provide the most value to your corporate clientsThree key steps to make sure you are protecting your m...2023-07-1116 minScaling ExpertiseE50: How To Plan Your Entire Year on One Sheet of Paper with Laura PoseyFeel overwhelmed by the prospect of creating a traditional business plan? Laura Posey distilled this strenuous process into a one-page business plan. Laura helps business consultants, owners, and coaches focus on what’s most important. “You've got all the pieces and parts that you need. There's probably nothing else that you need to learn. You just need to put it in the right order.”In this week’s episode, we talk about:The Success Circle framework, which guides business owners to set priorities aligned with their ultimate goal.How a one-to-many model complements and supports Laura’s one-to-o...2023-06-2736 minScaling ExpertiseE49: Do I Own It? Can I Use It?When it comes to copyright, there are a few rules that can make all the difference between scaling your business and getting tripped up by the counterintuitive rules of intellectual property law. You need to know who owns what, who has what usage rights, and what the consequences of misappropriation might be.This episode was recorded as a LinkedIn Live, which I hold the last Wednesday of every month at Noon ET (check out my YouTube channel if you want the full version with slides) and covers how to create, protect, and maximize your copyright assets. 2023-06-2019 min