Shows
Friends & FictionFriends & Fiction with Jeffery DeaverWe are so thrilled to welcome #1 internationally bestselling author Jeffery Deaver, who People Magazine calls “the master of ticking-bomb suspense.” Jeffery’s 40+ books are sold in 150 countries, have been translated into over 25 languages, and have sold more than 50-million copies worldwide. His first Lincoln Rhyme novel, THE BONE COLLECTOR, was made into a major motion picture starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. Join us as we hear all about Jeffery’s writing process, intensive research, and his brand-new thriller, THE MIDNIGHT LOCK, the latest installment in his blockbuster, fan-favorite Lincoln Rhyme series.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...2022-01-131h 05
Small Biz MamaEpisode 47: Winning at Parenting with Jeffery IngramLearn tips and strategies that we use to help us with winning at parenting. These tips and strategies will also help you with winning at parenting. For a complete transcript check out our show notes for episode 47 on smallbizmama.com Topics Winning at Parenting with Jeffery Ingram Using a schedule as a strategy for help with winning at parenting Winning at parenting is the realization that there is always going to be changes Having an on-call parent to help with winning at parenting Activities to help kids stay entertained to help with winning at...2021-02-2325 min
Small Biz MamaEpisode 46: Winning at Business with Jeffery IngramLearn how to win at business as you do business together with your spouse. Learn tips and strategies that help you work well together in your business. For a complete transcript check out our show notes for episode 46 on smallbizmama.com Topics • Winning at business with Jeffery Ingram • How are we winning at business • Define roles to help with winning at business • Outsourcing will help with winning at business • Work in your zone of genius • Know your limitations to help with winning at business • Winning at business For t...2021-02-1620 min
Small Biz MamaEpisode 45: Winning at Life with Jeffery Ingram Learn tips and strategies so you and your spouse can win at life as a team which will help you in every aspect. For a complete transcript check out our show notes for episode 45 on smallbizmama.com Topics • Winning at Life with Jeffery Ingram • Winning at Life is where it all starts • Winning at life requires us versus the world mentality • Winning at life requires you to work as a team • Final thoughts on Winning at Life with Jeffery: For the complete show, notes go to small biz mama.co...2021-02-0917 min
Small Biz LifeThis was Small Biz LifeThis was the toughest week for us at Small Biz Life We started this project with being ambitions, however, we had to make the tough choice to close it done. We love our members and hope that the future access to this content will help you as you grow in your businesses. This website and podcast will not go down and the Focus Master Plan and Mastering your Time is still available to our members and for sale if you want to get started on those systems to help your business. Ingram Digital Media is not going away we...2018-10-0420 min
Small Biz LifeThe key to good productivity systemsKristin and Jeff start a new series about productivity systems, techniques, tools, or hacks. Join us as we review what is important to look at when you are trying to improve your productivity. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/159 Making shared responsibility work in your family and your business Systems, techniques, tools, or hacks What is the problem you are trying to solve with the new system? What problem does the system solve? How complicated is it? How hard is it to adjust on the fly? How l...2018-09-3028 min
Small Biz LifeHow to make new habits stickWe all have failed at creating new habits. We maybe even think that we are not good at creating habits. Join Kristin and Jeff as we look at how to make those new habits stick. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/158 Making shared responsibility work in your family and your business How long to make habit stick James Clear's The 3 R’s of Habit Change: How To Start New Habits That Actually Stick Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://smallbiz.life/158 2018-09-2335 min
Small Biz LifeHow to know when your lead is ready to buySales can be a problem for many small business owners. Jeff was no exception. The problem most of the time was knowing when a client was ready to close. If you struggle with your sales system, join Jeff and Kristin as we talk about our system to know when a lead is ready to close. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/157 Making shared responsibility work in your family and your business Qualifying leads and the problem with BANT Why should you use MARKETS? M is for Money A...2018-09-1635 min
Small Biz LifeWhat to look for in a small business cellphoneEpisode 156 - What to look for in a small business cellphone Have you ever thought about what you really need your cell phone to do? Some phones are better than others in key areas that affect your business. In this episode, we discuss what to look for in a phone and give some recommendations for each area. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/156 Making shared responsibility work in your family and your business Everyone must buy-in to the team mentality We must accept that things m...2018-09-0930 min
Small Biz LifeResponsibility sharingWe often get asked how we do it all (raising our son while running two businesses and Kristin's teaching and being director of a graduate program) and still get along with each other. Today we discuss one of our most important tools: responsibility sharing. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/155 Making shared responsibility work in your family and your business Everyone must buy-in to the team mentality We must accept that things may not get done exactly the way we want them Understanding how our brains are w...2018-09-0230 min
Mountain Man NutritionEpisode #19 Kristin RowellKristin Rowell is a Trial lawyer, Marathon Runner and a Professional Competitive Body Builder. Kristin tells us how she found fitness and running. Kristin shares her story on how she found the ketogenic diet. Kristin and Jeffery talk about adversity and how to overcome it. Kristin gives tips on how to be prepared and how to eat on keto.
HOW TO FIND KRISTIN: https://www.instagram.com/mngoldengirl/
HOW TO FIND JEFFERY: www.nutritionmountainman.com
linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffery-heubschman-a3311b148/
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mmannutrition/
instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mmannutrition/
youtube:https://www.youtube.com...2018-08-3043 min
Small Biz LifeMarketing outside the boxThe 4 tips to help you to think differently about your marketing New prerecording time on Facebook Wednesdays 3:30 EST Small Biz Life Community Patreon for content providers Udemey for selling courses and books Look at companies who serve your client More than gift cards Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://smallbiz.life/154 ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) Small Biz HQ https://www.http//smallbizlife.com/hq ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Rate and Review us in iTunes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/small-biz-life/id1039595496 Small Biz Life Podcast 2018-08-2629 min
Small Biz LifeBeing a small business owner doesn't have to be lonelyAs a solopreneur or small business owner, it is common to get caught up at your desk and as the digital world makes it easier to work from home. It can lead to chronic loneliness. Join Kristin and Jeff as we talk about the signs of loneliness and what we can do to avoid the seclusion. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/153 Signs of loneliness Trouble sleeping Spending lots of time on social media Binge-watching TV Taking lots of long, hot showers Increased spending on "stuff" Weight gain Increased f...2018-08-1929 min
Small Biz LifeSmall Business is not 9-5, but that does not mean it is 24/7Small business owners are work very hard. Very quickly most learn that it will not be a simple 9 AM to 5 PM job. Join Kristin and Jeff in this episode giving five tips to prevent your small business from becoming a 24/7 job. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/152 The 5 tips no prevent your business from a 24/7 work lifestyle You have to learn realistic expectations about what you can get done in a day. Set realistic expectations for your customers Systems in place so you are not working 90 hour weeks Last wor...2018-08-1234 min
Small Biz LifeContentment vs. ComplacencyIn this episode, we discuss how to find contentment in your business without becoming complacent. We will also discuss why working 90 hours per week and never be getting any sleep is not the goal. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/151 How you can become content with your small business Be content, not Complacent Avoiding Complacency Going from the service provider to selling information without killing yourself NEVER STOP BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://smallbiz.life/151 ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) 2018-08-0532 min
Small Biz LifeInstagram Secrets with Roota MittalAre you stuck how to use and grow Instagram for your small business? Check out this episode as Kristin and Jeff interview Roota Mittal to get the secrets of Instagram for small biz owners. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/150 Why is Instagram important for Small Business Owners? What strategies should a business consider when using Instagram? How do you choose good hashtags? What's the best/fastest way to do that without paying for it (buying followers) What was her mix of personal/business posts like? Why is the 10k number of fol...2018-07-2929 min
Small Biz LifeTaking your business on the roadWhether you want to be a digital nomad, need a vacation, or need to travel for your business. You get to have a time when small business owners will need to work when they are on the road. Join Kristin and Jeff as they talk about the basics of what you need to consider when traveling. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/149 Why do you want to be able to take your business on the road? What kind of work will you need to do? Will you be streaming? Download before y...2018-07-2227 min
Small Biz LifeLearning to sell like a mother with Renee HribarIf you are learning to love the word sales, or you just want to learn how to improve your sales process, join Kristin and Jeff as we learn how to sell like a mother with Renee Hribar. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/148 If you are learning to love the word sales, or you just want to learn how to improve your sales process, join Kristin and Jeff as we learn how to sell like a mother with Renee Hribar. How did you get started and why do you...2018-07-1530 min
Small Biz LifeWhat is SSL and why you need it on your site NOWWith all of the privacy concerns, it is no surprise that Chrome version 68 will start punishing sites with the "Not Secure" label. Join Kristin and Jeff as they talk about SSL and how you can protect your site from being labeled "Not Secure" by the chrome browser. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/147 The SSL Chrome Shakeup What happens when you talk to a WordPress site What happens when you talk to a WordPress site Getting a certificate Why your website is not yet secure 3 Things you need to do to get S...2018-07-0826 min
Small Biz LifeWhy should small online businesses care about the South Dakota V. Wayfair case?On June 21, 2018, the supreme court sided with the state of South Dakota in their suit against Wayfair. On the surface, it appears to be a fair ruling. But for small online businesses, it is not that simple There are over 12,000+ sales tax jurisdictions in the United States, and that should leave you concerned about your business. So join Kristin Ingram, CPA, MSAT and Jeffery Ingram as the discuss the potential impact of the ruling on your small business. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/146 SOUTH DAKOTA v. WAYFAI...2018-07-0131 min
Small Biz LifeExtensions that make chrome amazingEpisode 145 - Extensions that make chrome amazing Opening your browser can be dangerous as a small business owner. However, so many parts of our business exist online. So join Kristin and Jeff this episode as discuss extensions that will help make your browser start working for your small business. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/145 Security Time Saver Web Research SEO and Web Design Clippers and saving plugins Money and shopping Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) http://smallbiz.life/145 ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) 2018-06-2439 min
Small Biz LifeWhen your ideal client is NOT your ideal clientToday Kristin and Jeff will be discussing what you should do when your client is not your ideal client. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/144 MARKETS 15-minute discovery call Proposal Secrets Know when to walk away Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) http://smallbiz.life/144 ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) Proposal Secrets https://juliestoian.co/proposal-secrets?affiliate_id=961037 ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Rate and Review us in iTunes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/small-biz-life/id1039595496 Small Biz Life Podcast ...2018-06-1733 min
Small Biz LifeHow to hire and work with a website designerDiscuss the questions you should ask, how the process works, and what you should have when the project is over. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/143 Before you start the search Red Flags Caution Things to consider Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) http://smallbiz.life/143 ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) Daily Focus Planner https://smallbizlife.com/focus ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Rate and Review us in iTunes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/small-biz-life/id1039595496 Small Biz Life Podcast ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Like our...2018-06-1041 min
Small Biz LifeHow do you define full-time?Small business owners work a lot of hours, but why? In this episode, Jeff and Kristin will look at how small business owners define full-time and why it might be time for a new definition. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/142 According to SCORE, various polls show that 25 to 39% of small business owners work more than 60 hours per week. Based on our experience, we believe it's more than that. In this episode, we will explore some critical questions: How do small business owners define full-time? Why do small business ow...2018-06-0328 min
Small Biz LifeIs it okay to use Fiverr?In this episode, we discuss Fiverr, a website where you can purchase tasks for your business. There is some controversy regarding Fiverr. We discuss why you should check out the site if you need work done for your business or possibly even if you are a service provider. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/141 What we are talking about? Look at all the tasks you do over the next 30 days What can you eliminate? What can you batch? What can you outsource? What can you automate? Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit...2018-05-2724 min
Small Biz LifeSpring cleaning your busy workWhen's the last time you actually paid attention to all the crap you do each day, week, or month in your business? Today, we challenge you to do some busy work spring cleaning. No, we don't mean do some spring cleaning as busy work, but let's clean out that list of busy work that's keeping you from actually doing the important stuff in your business. You know, like marketing and selling. The challenge: In the next two weeks, identify, eliminate, batch, delegate, and automate! For complete show notes check out the podcast on...2018-05-2035 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 139 - Have we overinvested in Facebook?If you have a business that serves people online in 2018, the chances are you chunks of your business on Facebook. Starting with Ads, we have messenger bots, groups, and pages. Join Kristin and Jeff as they tackle the question, "Have we built too much of our platforms on Facebook?" For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/139 What are the alternatives? Ads? Community? Forums? Messenger? Events? Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) http://smallbiz.life/139 ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) Small Biz HQ http...2018-05-1330 min
Small Biz LifeHow a virtual assistant can help your business with Michelle LoweryKristin and I are excited to talk with Michelle Lowery from michelleloweryva.com about Virtual Assistants and how they can aid your business. So join Kristin and I as we learn more about how to hire and start using virtual assistants in our business. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/138 What we are talking about Why did you become a VA? What should people look for when hiring a VA? Are there any warning signs people should be aware of? What does the onboarding proce...2018-05-0636 min
Small Biz Life5 things you need to do before every speaking engagementGetting picked to speak can be exciting and maybe even a bit frightening. We scramble to get it all ready to give the speech of our life. However, it can be easy to forget a few necessary steps to support our events. Join Kristin and Jeff as we talk about the 5 things you need to remember BEFORE your speech. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/137 What we are talking about Business cards Bring a friend to take pictures Know the tech landscape (what is available to you for your...2018-04-2927 min
Small Biz LifeHow to grow your business without working for freeAs business owners, we often feel the pressure to give away our work for free. For new service providers, it can feel especially tempting. This idea does make us feel good in the short term, however, they can lead to stress later on when we are desperately trying to get more money to feed our families. Join Kristin and Jeff as they look at three things will allow you to help people while growing your business. For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life/136 What we are talking about...2018-04-2230 min
Small Biz LifeHow to make next year's taxes suck lessKristin always likes to talk about the problems of tax season. However, for most of you, it is not a season, but a rush of pain to get information to your accountant to fulfill you're a duty to your country. Listen now, as Kristin, with the help of Jeff, will talk about the 4 easiest ways to save time and stress preparing your taxes! What we are talking about Know what to expect Simplify your bookkeeping Update everything at least monthly Summarize - do not give detail unless there is a question If you are...2018-04-1531 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 134 - 5 ways you can do betterWhen we are surrounded by problems it is easy to get frustrated or flounder. Join Kristin and Jeff as they discuss ways you can do things without burnout and the drama that can accompany any changes that we make. What we are talking about Assess what you can control Set expectations Be Present Make small changes Check-in regularly If you are looking for more on how to create better mental checks and triggers. You need to check out Small Biz HQ For complete show notes check out the podcast on @ smallbiz.life...2018-04-0831 min
Small Biz LifeIt's time to stop half-assing your social mediaIf you are like us, time is a premium and you do not have a team dedicated to social media strategy. Maybe you have become too reliant on social media scheduling tools. Join Kristin and Jeff in this episode of Small Biz Life as they consider important questions for their social media usage. What we are talking about What do I want to get from social media? How can I convert social-media followers into customers? What are the best social networks for my small businesses? What types of content should I post on which soc...2018-04-0134 min
Small Biz LifeAre you focusing on the wrong things?The business cycle can be crazy. We can work nonstop and it can feel like we are not getting anywhere. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself if you are working on what is important? Join Kristin and Jeff as they explore this important topic. What we talk about in this episode 5 ways we waste our time The 3 things all small business owners should spend their time on 5 things we can start doing now to stop the cycle For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com Links2018-03-2537 min
Small Biz LifeWhat is nexus and why you need to know this nowDo you have tax liabilities in another states or countries and not even know it? Nexus is a term that you might have heard but you aren't really sure what it is. Most small businesses don't think about it because it must be something only bigger businesses deal with but states and other countries are getting smarter. What we talk about in this episode What is nexus? How is nexus created? Do I have presence in the European Union (EU)? What is taxable? What do I do if my shopping cart doesn't collect taxes? How do...2018-03-1833 min
Small Biz LifeThe one thing every proposal must haveKristin and I have both created many proposals in our 30 years of experience. We have seen a growing trend in proposals. Listen to today's episode as we discuss this trend and why, if you use it, this tactic it is hurting your business and different ways to change it to your advantage. What we talk about in this episode Kristin's Trade show blues The problem tactic that needs to be fixed: Proposals without end dates Why is it used? Other times we have seen it Problems with the tactic Either risk future margins or unduly raises the pri...2018-03-1129 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 129 - 5 Myths about small business websiteKristin and I easily have hundreds of discussions a year about websites with Small biz owners. So in this episode, we will be talking about the most common myths we hear about websites and give some simple advice on how to deal with your website. Homepages need to cover everything This is like the avatar problem, if you have it all on one page, the page will fail to serve anyone. Advanced marketing websites are very expensive to set up or Yeah but they are too difficult to DIY You get a boost to traffic when you launch your w...2018-03-0432 min
Small Biz Life3 reasons your email strategy is failingWe started our email list because everyone says that you need an email list. However, we found most of the platform gurus fail to explain how to use it. Join us in this podcast episode as we talk the 3 most common problems we see with companies' email strategies. Your idea of what an email list is is wrong Avatar You do not have a strategy For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-128-3-reasons-your-email-strategy-is-failing ...2018-02-2532 min
Small Biz LifeHow the Federal Government is incentives you to have employeesJoin Kristin and Jeff as they look at this new tax deduction, that can reduce your small biz profits by $20,000. However, beware if you do not have wages and you make 1 dollar too much... It can cost you the entire deduction. How the government is incentivizing you because of tax reform of 2017 Deduction tipping point based on all income sources in the household If your business profit is $100,000 you will get a $20,000 tax deduction If you can get the deduction and you exceed the tipping point of household income IRS has not determined if the shareholder's wages for c...2018-02-1829 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 126 5 things being new parents has taught us about small businessKristin and I understand that we will spend the rest of our lives raising our new son. Let us share with you what we have learned to improve our company so far after having a new child. Have procedures and checklists for EVERYTHING Daily focus planner Baby Brezza Formula Pro On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep Purchase tools that make your life easier and automate things Trello Butler Create a schedule and task lists Do the most important tasks first – smart agility Always allow more time that you think you need and do...2018-02-1128 min
Small Biz LifeIs Social Media hurting your business?We have been seeing all the headlines about how social media and how it hurts people. So Kristin and I pulled together the list of how we thought social media was hurting our small business and did some research. So check out the latest episode and learn what shocked us... how our business is really being hurt by social media and how to fix the problem. For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) htt...2018-02-0536 min
Small Biz LifeYour Bookkeeping Made Easier Questions AnsweredIt happens every year! Kristin and I start hearing or getting tagged in questions about people who are stuck finishing off their accounting books every year. We decided to ask our Small Biz Life Community for their questions to answer here! How to get the most out of your small business bookkeeping without wasting time I get it. I hate bookkeeping and I am cheap. I do not like "paying" monthly fees. I am a cheapskate. However, this is one of those areas I have evolved. Kristin has managed to keep the books for all of our c...2018-01-2836 min
Small Biz LifeLeaving room for their dreamsSo often we hear that spouses are not respecting our dreams, but then in the next post we see people angry with their spouse for wasting your time. Respecting each other is a key to having a happier marriage and is key to living the small biz life. For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-123-leaving-room-for-their-dreams ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) Focus Planner updated for 2018 https://www.smallbizlife.com/Focus Join Small Biz HQ...2018-01-2138 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 122 – 2018 Small Biz Tax questions asked and answeredAs a business owner, no one knows your business better than you do. That's why you need to know the basics of income taxes. I know. I know. It's annoying. It's complicated. It's worse than a root canal. So is paying too much in taxes because you don't know the rules. Yeah, that hurts, too. For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com...2018-01-1535 min
Small Biz LifeNo more excusesAre you stuck in a funk growing your small biz? Have you been putting off improving your health? Have your relationships suffered? Have you not been sleeping? It is the time that we all start living the small biz life and stop being lived by it. #NoExcuses You are not alone Kristin and I have spent much of 2017 with you. We have had many excuses. Some real, but most where just extensions of our fear. Leading us to waste a lot of time, that is so precious. Join us in this podcast episode as we loo...2018-01-0733 min
Small Biz LifeHow to create plans that work for you and your businessKristin and Jeff extend this hand of invitation for you to start planning for success in your business. However, before you join Planning Club, you need to accept the 4 rules of Planning Club. Rule 1 - Do not talk about planning club Rule 2 - Understand the problems with goals and planning Rule 3 - Plan smarter, not smart Rule 4 - Create good foundations for your plans For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-120-how-to-create-plans-that-work-for-you-and-your-business ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions l...2018-01-0248 min
Small Biz LifeHow to improve your customer communicationThe key to sales is effectively communicating your message. In this episode, Kristin and Jeff discuss tips for improving your communication online and in-person. For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-119-how-to-improve-your-customer-communication ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) Episode 4 - Who is your ideal customer? http://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-4-who-is-your-ideal-customer Episode 113 - Why you need an avatar https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-113...2017-12-2446 min
Small Biz LifeThe basics of Online SummitsKristin and I are always looking for ways to grow our online business. So we have started researching creating an online conference or summit. They offer much of the benefits of a real-life conference with networking and sales. However, the can be put together at a fraction of the cost. For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-118-the-basics-of-online-summits ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) How to Earn Six Fig...2017-12-1737 min
Small Biz LifeCreating a destination locationJoin Kristin and I as we go deeper into the future trend of small biz retail. The destination location. Why are destination locations become so appealing? Are you a destination or location? Destinations rely on people to make a conscious decision to stop at your business Locations rely on high traffic areas to bring in customers Creates a larger potential audience Become a place people must see if near your area Not just for craft stores For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com NOTE: This post contains affiliate links2017-12-1038 min
Small Biz LifeSurviving the HolidaysEspecially if you run a small business. In the United States, it seems the craziness from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day can destroy us. However, we do not have the Rocket War Day every Easter Day like in Chios island in Greece. It takes surviving the holidays to a whole new level. Survival is key if you want to thrive a holiday season like we talked about in Episode 67 - Thriving through peak season. However, not everyone is busy during the holidays. If we are slow sometimes survival is more difficult so this year Kristin and I decided...2017-12-0338 min
Small Biz LifeUsing Facebook Events to grow your businessFacebook keeps changing how it shares information with its users. Many times they make these very attractive for business owners and then when more people use it throttle it back page grew and then groups. However, Facebook reduced the usefulness without paying for Ads. Do not get upset, change your focus to Facebook Events. Join Kristin and Jeff as the look at how you use facebook events to grow your business. For complete show notes check out the podcast on SmallBizLife.com NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Vis...2017-11-2631 min
Small Biz LifeBuilding an AudienceWhy is it when Kristin and I talk to business owners about problems with marketing and sales they always seem adverse to the idea of building an audience in any fashion. Many will spend time developing content for platforms and leave the content hidden among the billions of sites on the internet and billions and billions of post in social media. Many owners will: Create content Look at engagement Look at page views Look at followers give up if creating the material does not generate an audience Building an audience takes effort It is...2017-11-1959 min
Small Biz LifeWhy you need an avatarSmall business owners can be funny. We spend so much time trying to find better ways to run our businesses, we overload ourselves and get overwhelmed and avoid getting the basic work done that our business needs. We need to a few strategies when starting that we have to get done and in this episode, we are going to explain one, avatar. Yes, we have talked avatars before Back in Episode 4 - Who is your ideal customer? and we also talked about your avatar in the sales process in Episode 79 - The 4x4x3 Insight Guid...2017-11-1241 min
Small Biz LifeTips for a successful launchThe human brain is funny. It will do many things to protect us. The worse thing it does is lie to us on our behalf. And to be honest Kristin and I see this a lot when business owners share content or try and sell online. We tell ourselves we are launching; however, we are really just checking off a to-do list item. Sharing on Facebook and saying we are done is a failed launch! Even if we get a few people into our sales process and make a few sales and most people will not...2017-11-0554 min
Small Biz LifeThe missing key to better search rankingsI have been working on web applications for over a decade. It is an ever-changing environment that can be confusing for a person that has created apps and websites for a living. So, I am not surprised for a second that many entrepreneurs are confused by the technical side of their website. Most website owners fail to understand that there is that SEO optimization is about much more than Keyword strategies. Search engines like google want their users to not only find the best articles on a search. They want them to have a great exp...2017-10-2945 min
Small Biz LifeTop 3 Reason your Facebook ads do not meet your expectationsKristin and I always talk to our Facebook group members. The other week the topic of Facebook ads came up. We talked about small business owners about their experience and/ or problems with Facebook ads. What are the 3 top reasons your Facebook ads do not meet your expectations? No expectations No objective for the Ad Do not understand how to target an audience NOTE: This post contains affiliate links Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-110-top-3-reason-your-facebook-ads-do-not-meet-your-expectations ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links )))))))))))))))))))))))))...2017-10-2247 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 109 – The Truth about working with your significant otherKristin and I have been working with each other in small business since 2005. We have seen lots of good and bad times since we started working together. We have learned the most important truth about working with your spouse. A family business is no place for a weak marriage The truth is maintaining a great marriage is work. No matter how much you love each other. Between survival, family, and friends many marriages strain. In 2015 16.9 divorces happened per 1,000 married women according to researchers at Bowling Green State University. That is over 1.1 Million woman in 2015 alone and t...2017-10-1546 min
Small Biz LifeWhat is the future of Small Business? Small Biz 2.0Small businesses are formed for many reasons. We started ours because we loved our hobby of teaching, inspiring, and entertaining people. There are many reasons to start a small biz. You might want to work for yourself or make some more money. However, we live in a changing world. We cannot afford to lose track of the trends in small business or we risk losing the business we love. So we need to understand, where small business if going. What is the biggest change coming to small biz? There are many changes that will continue to happen...2017-10-0854 min
Small Biz LifeSelecting Task Management Software that works for youHave you ever had that day where you work for hours, and check off dozens of items off your to-do list and feel like you have achieved nothing? I have. I have had so many days I started to look at this years ago when I worked at UPS. I started to find that we have a way of creating busy work for ourselves. We create so much of it, we start to use systems to create track it. And private industry has responded with those applications. The task management apps and website. Listen to the show o...2017-10-0140 min
Small Biz Life3 major mistakes getting tasks done, and how you can start fixing it nowStop floundering creating task Have you ever been told that if you work hard you will succeed? I was. I believed it. For years whenever I had an issue I just started to work more. Work more hours! Push! Push! I kept moving. I would do great for a while and then I would burn out. Sometimes I would kill it and prosper, but to be honest most of the time I seemed to go nowhere. It was frustrating. However, I just kept doing it. I would also get very focused on the work. I w...2017-09-2444 min
Small Biz LifeDealing with the Equifax BreachBefore you panic Yes, it is best to be concerned about your data. Between all of our smart devices and services that connect our data over the web. It seems like it is only a matter of time before we have our identity stolen. However, panic is never a plan. We need to understand how the latest breach effects us and what we need to do to protect ourselves better. My biggest concern with the Equifax Breach Equifax is one of the three credit reporting agencies in the United States. This breach exposes the name, ad...2017-09-1746 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 104 – How to get it all doneWe all have so much to get done. Our small businesses can turn us into workaholics. Our family and friends are always trying to distract us. And all those hobbies take time. So can we really get it all done? Human nature says no Think of how much life has changed for humans since the dawn of recorded history. We have created air conditioning, air planes, escalators, teddy bears, the Theory of Relativity and all those major changes happened in the first 5 years of the 20th century. As a species, we are driven...2017-09-1044 min
Small Biz LifeHow should I form my small business? LLC or S CorpAs a CPA, Kristin is asked many questions about how small business owners should deal with money and tax issues for small businesses. There is one question that she is asked to most. How should I form my company? Well, as with most questions involving the government and taxes it is never quite that simple. The common options: S Corporation (S Corp) Limited Liability Company (LLC) Sole proprietorship Partnership There are many reasons to pick any of these selections. However, the first thing you need to understand is an LLC is cons...2017-09-0337 min
Small Biz LifeSmall Biz Speaking Tips with Aurora GregoryPublic speaking is an important skill for small business owners because it gives us another opportunity to show the world we are an authority and is great free publicity. In this episode, we discuss small biz speaking tips with Aurora Gregory, co-author of Get Picked and owner of Aurora Gregory Consulting. About Aurora As an 8th grader, Aurora was a finalist in a speech contest. She didn’t win but that just might have been the start of her career as a communicator. Some of the biggest brands in business have worked with her to get th...2017-08-2733 min
Small Biz LifeSaving for your retirementThere are a lot of retirement plan options for small business owners. How do you determine which one is right for you? In this episode, we discuss all the options to help you find the right plan for your biz. All the numbers in this post are valid for 2017. Each year, these numbers are updated by the IRS. Individual Retirement Plans (IRAs) If you are just starting to save, an IRA might be an easy way to get started. An IRA will allow you to save up to $5,500 in 2017. If you are over the age of...2017-08-2046 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 100 - What a long strange trip it's beenWe can't believe it's been 100 episodes and almost two years since we started Small Biz Life. In this episode, Jeff and Kristin reflect on where they were on episode 1 and where they are today. A lot has changed since we launched the show on September 15, 2015. Join us as we discuss what we've learned and how our lives have changed. Links ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Visit Show notes ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/blog/episode-100-what-a-long-strange-trip-it-s-been ((((((((((((((((((((((((((( Mentions links ))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://www.smallbizlife.com/dreambig D Free for a limited time htt...2017-08-1345 min
Small Biz LifeMoney and Budget Tips with Melissa ThomasMoney and Budgets affect every aspect of out a small business owners and our lives. Personal Finances matter as much as business finances for small biz owners Kristin and I have a discussion with Melissa about controlling budgets, working towards our dreams, and her new book, "Building My Yellow Brick Road: Life Lessons from Pursuing a Dream". Listen to a great interview and get out and Building My Yellow Brick Road: Life Lessons from Pursuing a Dream and learn more about her business Melissa the Coach and how to deal more about your perso...2017-08-0644 min
Small Biz LifeWhat to do when your plan fails?We all experience failure at one time or another. Successful business owners learn from their failures and keep going. In this episode, we discuss how to learn from failure to increase your success next time. What to do when your plan fails Jeff and Kristin discuss the following items this week: First thing is to accept that your plans can (and sometimes will) fail Understand there is risk Go in with eyes wide open Try not to risk it all for an opportunity Own it! Understand the damage List out what when wrong Determine...2017-07-3044 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 97 - How to deal with unhappy customersNone of us want to deal with unhappy customers but it is inevitable as a small business owner. In this episode, we discuss how to save your sanity and your reputation next time you must deal with one. Before you respond Many of us get a negative email, message, or review and want to instantly respond while we are seething mad. Probably not the best way to respond. Before you reply: Breathe Empathize Do not take it as a personal attack Think of solutions How to respond Listen objectively and get to t...2017-07-2337 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 96 - Pricing your productsSmall business owners typically struggle with pricing their products, especially digital products. In this episode, we discuss the factors that must be considered when setting your prices. For more information about pricing your services, check out episode 90. The components of pricing There are four components of pricing: Direct materials - These are the materials that go into each unit of your product. This might be the cost of a product that you have someone else manufacture for you or bonus items you give away with the cost of a digital course (maybe you mail a...2017-07-1643 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 95 – Upgrade your Vanity Metrics Why do we always look at numbers that mean very little? Vanity metrics are the numbers that push most online businesses. However, they are just that vanity. They can make us feel great when they look good or grow. However, if they are low then we feel horrible. It makes us what to stop. However, we need to remember that good or bad they mean nothing on their own. Views, downloads, likes, views, and hearts all mean nothing on their own. VS what we need to know What we need to look at i...2017-07-1037 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 94 - Health and Wellness Tips with Emily OlsonAs small business owners, we often forget to take care of ourselves in the midst of our busy schedules. Join us for some wisdom from integrative health and wellness coach, Emily Olson. Health and Wellness for the Small Business Owner During this discussion, we cover food, movement, and energy so you can more effectively run your business. We had a lot of fun doing this interview and Emily provided some great tips. If you are interested in finding out more about Emily and working with her, check out her website and sign up for a...2017-07-0239 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 86 – Finding your daily focusMost small business owners state that focus is one of their biggest daily struggles. In this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss why we struggle with focus and how we can achieve more of it. You aren't the only one struggling In a 2005 study of workplace efficiency, the average employee was able to focus on a task for just 11 minutes before becoming distracted. Once distracted, it took an average of 25 minutes to get back to the original task; sometimes, the employee never got back to that task! The most shocking stat for us: on average, we switch tasks e...2017-05-0741 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 85 Building dreams togetherBeing a small business owner can be stressful. Sometimes, our businesses can add conflict in our relationships with significant others. In this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss ways to minimize this conflict so you can start building dreams together. Even if your significant other does not work in your business, conflicts can exist. These conflicts usually stem from a lack of understanding between the business owner and non-business owner significant other. Creating more understanding between the two of you will allow for more joy and less stress. Understanding yourself Conflicts often arise because the business own...2017-04-3049 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 84 - Your small biz advertising guideDo you have an advertising plan? Do you have an advertising budget? Are you just throwing things at the wall to see what sticks? In this episode, we discuss steps for putting together an advertising plan and some of the best options for advertising no matter how big or small your budget is. Most small businesses do not have an advertising strategy; they just throw ads out into the world hoping that something will work. If you want to stop throwing money out the window, you need to have a plan. Five things you need to...2017-04-2351 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 83 – Want to get more done? Go have funHave you cut out hobbies to get more done, think again! In today’s episode, we will be talking a lot about the benefits of hobbies, and they are real. You can promote the increase of eustress, and decrease your distress. Essentially, help remove the bad stress and try and replace them with positive stress. As this happens you will see less of that horrific morning and work fatigue. So much like sleep, hobbies are a great way to promote increases in productivity, improved social supports, and do it while having fun. Want to be suc...2017-04-1641 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 82 – Breaking out of your burnoutHi my name is Jeff, and I spent years burned out. If I was ever going to start a self-help group. It would start off saying that statement. About a couple of years ago, I started breaking out of nearly permanent burnout. My work was suffering, my relationships were suffering, and I was just not happy. I question my ability to be a proper husband. Maybe, I was a total failure. I believed it was only a matter of time before every else knew the level of failure that I had achieved. I e...2017-04-0950 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 80 – How to listen to your customers onlineWhy is listening to customers still important online? A business online is moving the way of the dinosaurs. Even in the smallest businesses, 73% are expected to have websites by the end of 2017. As the move to online happens, it becomes more difficult to perform the most important task of a business owner. We do not know how to listen to people we never meet. Why is it difficult? Clutch looked into this in 2016. Even if we interact with some people in social media. How many of those move to the website? How many of...2017-03-2647 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 79 – The 4x4x3 Insight Guide for SalesHow where your sales today? Ever wonder why those other businesses seem confident when the make an advertising buy for their business. Heck are you too scared to even try to buy and add because you think it will just waste your money? It can be scary to create a funnel or a process for converting prospective clients into sales. We are looking will have to measure what we are doing. We will see all of our mistakes. Just follow me for a moment as we start to look at the benefits of a funnel an...2017-03-1955 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 77 – Letting go of PerfectionismIn our journeys in real live and networking with people we keep running into the problem of perfectionism. And yes it is a problem. We know and love improving processes. We also know that the sooner we can identify and correct errors the easier they are to correct. However, we have noticed that most incarnations of perfectionism are holding back many of the people that we have met. They approach the problem of perfectionism with good intentions. However, as they fill up their life with more and more task they end up with hurting themselves. They trap themselves in a lo...2017-03-051h 01
Small Biz LifeEpisode 75 - Social media scheduling updateThere are always new players in the social media marketing world. In this episode, Jeff and Kristin look at two new players in the market: Tailwind and Recurpost. We also discuss our requirements for social media scheduling apps. Our social media scheduling requirements There are a few key items we always look for in social media scheduling apps: Library building for Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn - we want a social media scheduling tool that will allow us to build libraries of content which will automatically repost. We can load content to manually or via RSS feeds an...2017-02-1935 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 74 - Prioritizing all the thingsWe all have way too much on our to-do-lists. Trying to determine what takes priority can be difficult. In this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss how to prioritize all the things you need to get done. Often, we try to get everything done at the same time and end up getting nothing meaningful done. Knowing your priorities is an important step to finding the meaningful tasks in your business. Your top priorities should always be products and people. Products include everything you sell. If you don't have something that will generate income, you won't be in...2017-02-1356 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 73 - Affiliate Marketing BasicsIn this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss the basics of affiliate marketing and how to get started if you wish to add affiliate income to your revenue sources. What is affiliate marketing? Affiliate marketing is an arrangement between an online business and a website owner, that pays a commission to a website owner for traffic or sales referrals. The website owner can place links or ads on their website, social media, and in emails (depending on the terms and conditions with the online business). In simple terms as an affiliate, you promote other business's products and receive...2017-02-0541 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 72 - Keeping your dreams and goals aliveAccording to a 2012 survey in the U.K. Daily Mail, most people give up on their New Year's resolutions by January 10. If you are still working on your goals and your dreams, well done! In this episode, we discuss how to keep your goals and dreams alive into February and how to keep going for the rest of the year. If you haven't done the Dream Catcher Assessment yet, we highly recommend you download it. It will help you keep your dreams and goals close. Even if you are using another method to create your goals, reviewing them...2017-01-3037 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 70 - Eliminating your limiting beliefsIn this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss limiting beliefs and how they might stop you from reaching your potential. We also discuss a way to eliminate your limiting belief. What are limiting beliefs? A limiting belief is an internal belief you have about yourself that limits your potential and ability to dream. Unlike fears, limiting beliefs are generally focused on you and your abilities. These are the voices in your head that tell you you aren't good enough, smart enough, or worthy enough. Often, these are voices from our past and you will hear them in other...2017-01-1650 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 52 - Developing products and servicesAs we get into the final stretch of the year but before the holidays begin, Jeff and Kristin are starting to work on planning products and services for 2017. This is a great time to discuss developing new offerings for your business. We discuss how to begin the process of developing new products and services.2016-09-0542 min
Small Biz LifeEpisode 26 - Pause, Reflect, and ResetIn this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss stressful and crazy situations they encountered this week and the process used to get back on track: Pause, Reflect, Reset. They also discuss ways to track your efforts on social media and in advertisements to make sure your time and resources are going to the right places.2016-03-0736 minSmall Biz LifeEpisode 22 - What to look for in an accountantIn this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss what you should look for in a new accountant. We also discuss copyright law and the recent IRS outage.2016-02-0840 minSmall Biz LifeEpisode 21 - Don't let fear hold you backIn this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss fear, how it can hold you back, the excuses you make because of it, and how to get past it to move your business forward.
Check out the full show notes at http://smallbizlife.com2016-02-0156 minSmall Biz LifeEpisode 19 - Facebook Profiles, Pages, and Groups Oh My!In this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss the basics of Facebook profiles, pages, and groups. We also discuss some best practices for each of these and when and how you would want to use each of these.2016-01-1845 minSmall Biz LifeEpisode 18 - 5 Common Tax Errors and 3 Opportunities to SaveIn this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss taxes (ewww, right?). Kristin reveals five common tax errors that could cost you big time and three opportunities that could save you a bundle.2016-01-1155 minSmall Biz LifeEpisode 17 - New Year, New BeginningsIn this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss the new year and new beginnings: focusing on what worked last year, areas of improvement, and thankfulness.2016-01-0447 minSmall Biz LifeEpisode 12 - Are you speaking your customers' language?In this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss why you might not be connecting with your customers: you aren't speaking their language.2015-11-2342 minSmall Biz LifeEpisode 11 - 5 tips for better cash managementIn this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss ways to better manage your cash flow.2015-11-1752 minSmall Biz LifeEpisode 8 - Developing a plan to hit your goalsIn this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss reaching those goals you made last week. We also discuss providing solutions for your clients and how to make dinnertime a snap. 2015-10-2642 minSmall Biz LifeEpisode 7 - Stop Wishing, Start Making GoalsIn this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss the importance of goals and how to start creating them.2015-10-1948 minSmall Biz LifeEpisode 6 - Stop allowing others to prioritize your scheduleIn this episode, Jeff and Kristin discuss how to stop allowing others to prioritize your schedule. We discuss strategies for dealing with interruptions from family and friends, the phone, and email.2015-10-1243 minSmall Biz LifeEpisode 4 - Who is your ideal customer?It is almost impossible to be successful in business if you don't know who your ideal customer is. Jeff and Kristin discuss how to discover your ideal customer.2015-09-2845 minSmall Biz LifeEpiside 3 - Recovering your timeIn this episode:
In the news
10 Ways to Repurpose Your IT Investments
Federal Reserve decision on interest rates was a "close call"
Question from the mailbag
Carla asked, "I just formed an LLC. When do I have to file my taxes? Aside from not having a separate business account, what is the next biggest mistake start ups make?" Kristin tackles this question regarding LLC's, estimated taxes, and the biggest mistakes she's seen.
Topic of the week
Kristin and Jeff discuss ways to recover your time. Se...2015-09-211h 12Small Biz LifeEpisode 0 - What is Small Biz LifeIn this episode, Jeff and Kristin introduce themselves and discuss what we plan to do on the show.
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Check out the show notes at smallbizlife.com2015-09-1222 min