CX Fanatics Podcast

The 2nd Act Entrepreneur Journey With Antionette Blake

This week on the 2nd Act Entrepreneur Show Antionette Blake joins me to discuss what it takes to turn your prior experience and expertise into a business.
Antoinette literally fell into entrepreneurship as a thrifty blogger and used that experience to dive deeper into blogging, social media marketing, and best of all helping others chase their entrepreneurial dreams as well.
She shares her transition from the elementary school classroom to teaching small business owners how to succeed with social media as well as her journey from a traditional career to entrepreneurship.
Like many of us, she had some stumbling blocks but she prevailed and now successfully runs her own business.  Tune into this week's show to hear her story and gain inspiration for your own entrepreneurial journey.
 
🏗️ 🏗️ 🏗️ Did you know that email marketing is the #1 way to build long-term customer relationships because it keeps you in front of your audience every single week.  Plus, you can get immediate feedback from your subscribers just by asking them questions with the option to hit reply.
But staying consistent with email isn’t always easy. Which is the exact reason why I created my newest resource 365 Email Prompts.
These prompts guide you to consistently show up and alleviate your blank screen syndrome.  Plus it makes planning your content a breeze because you have tons of topics to dive into each week.
And, there is even a way to track the prompts you’ve already used so that you are sure to keep your emails fresh and interesting.
Get your copy here. 📩 📩 📩  
 
Let's dive into this week's show.
Antionette Blake, more commonly known and widely recognized as a multi-awardwinning “Delaware Blogger” is a podcast host, vlogger, author, and social mediastrategist, educator/coach, and professional speaker.
Her grassroots beginning began with teaching blogging classes at local libraries in and around the state of Delaware in 2013. She then transitioned to coaching others on how to podcast in 2019.
Antionette is the content creator of the DelBlogger blog and hosts 2 podcasts: Out & About with Antionette andThe Delaware Blogger Podcast.
Prior to starting her entrepreneurial journey, Antionette was in elementary education.
She continues to adopt her education skills by teaching other business owners how to grow and scale their businesses using social media.
Learn More About Antoinette Blake:
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
If you've enjoyed this episode please consider sharing it with a friend who could use a boost as well.
Until next week,
Stay safe and be well,
Alisa

154 - The Truth About Entrepreneurship With Anke Herrmann

This week on the 2nd Act Entrepreneurship Show tune in to discover ways to get the true story of what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
My guest Anke Herrmann best known for Taming The Tech Monster for Coaches, Consultants, and Course Creators tells her story of becoming not only a 2nd Act Entrepreneur but all the ups and downs it took to get to the successful business owner she is today.
Entrepreneurship means like it or not, YOU are the marketing department for your business. 
🏗️ 🏗️ 🏗️ Email marketing is the #1 way to build long-term customer relationships because it keeps you in front of your audience every single week.  Plus, you can get immediate feedback from your subscribers just by asking them questions with the option to hit reply.
But staying consistent with email isn’t always easy. Which is the exact reason why I created my newest resource 365 Email Prompts.
These prompts guide you to consistently show up and alleviate your blank screen syndrome.  Plus it makes planning your content a breeze because you have tons of topics to dive into each week.
And, there is even a way to track the prompts you’ve already used so that you are sure to keep your emails fresh and interesting.
Get your copy here. 📩 📩 📩  
 
Let's dive into this week's show.
There are twists and turns along the entrepreneurial journey but discover in this interview an honest and humble account of what the entrepreneurial journey entails.
From linguistics to computer programmer to dressmaker Anke's journey has more twists and turns than your favorite novel.  But now all of those twists and turns have transformed into a profitable business Anke loves.
Anke would be the first to tell you that without the ups and downs, she could never have gotten to where she is now.
In fact, she didn't even know that she wanted to do what she is doing now.
But taking a chance on her dreams, and even moving to multiple different countries, has led her to love her business and her life.
She gives some REALLY great advice during this week's show for beginning and seasoned business owners. 
You won't want to miss it.
Tune in to the entire show to access the tools, tips, and truths that Anke shares so that you can save yourself some time and frustration along your journey or even better realize everyone goes through the same things you are and you're not alone.
Learn More About Anke Here:
LinkedIn
AnkeHerrmann.com
If you enjoy this episode share it with a friend or better yet take 2-minutes to leave a positive review.  Your reviews mean the world to me and go a long way in helping others find help on their 2nd Act Entrepreneurial journey.
Until next week, be safe, take care and stay well,
Alisa
 

153- Sure Fire Ways To End Procrastination As An Entrepreneur

This week on the 2nd Act Entrepreneur Show learn three ways to kick procrastination to the curb.
If you've been an entrepreneur for any length of time you may be familiar with the purple-eyed monster procrastination.  (Envy is up there too, but he's green-eyed).
Procrastination is truly a pain in the arse when you are a business owner. 
You have shiitake to get done, what in the heck why are you dragging yourself to your tasks or wasting time on things that aren't getting you to your goals?
If you're like the rest of us, you've tangoed with this guy and probably need some sound advice for the next time he shows up.
This week's show gives you three actionable strategies to kick procrastination to the curb quickly and effectively.
Tune in to the entire show here: https://alisaconner.com/153.
 
🏗️ 🏗️ 🏗️ Email marketing is the #1 way to build long-term customer relationships because it keeps you in front of your audience every single week.  Plus, you can get immediate feedback from your subscribers just by asking them questions with the option to hit reply.
But staying consistent with email isn’t always easy. Which is the exact reason why I created my newest resource 365 Email Prompts.
These prompts guide you to consistently show up and alleviate your blank screen syndrome.  Plus it makes planning your content a breeze because you have tons of topics to dive into each week.
And, there is even a way to track the prompts you’ve already used so that you are sure to keep your emails fresh and interesting.
Get your copy here. 📩 📩 📩  
 
Now let’s dive into this week’s show.
We can often set unrealistic expectations for ourselves when it comes to our goals. Or we set goals at the beginning of the year without having a full picture of what is going to happen in our business between now and then. Some things are within our control, others are not.
This leads me to my first recommendation and that is to reevaluate your goals and timelines mid-year and take into consideration slumps in your business, busy times in your life, and the unexpected that you need to detour around.
Second, we can get really good at looking at the lack of progress we think we have made in our business because we have big goals and dreams.  This can be detrimental when it comes to measuring how far we've come.
Instead, why not celebrate what we have done thus far?  Give ourselves a high-five for the progress we've made and cut ourselves some slack because we aren't "there" yet.  Wherever there is.
Grant yourself some grace, and some flexibility, and remember what is meant for you will not pass you by.  Your success is inevitable.
Last but not least, you got into this entrepreneur gig because you wanted freedom, right?
How's that going? Do you feel free? Do you have control of your own time?
If your answer is anything besides a resounding YES then you my friend need to take some time away and reset, regroup and recharge.
Whatever that looks like for you.
Tune into the entire episode for all the details, and stories and to dive further into these three sure-fire ways to end procrastination in your business.
 
In the meantime, take care, stay safe and be well.
Alisa

How To Build Relationships With Customers In 2022

This week on the 2nd Act Entrepreneurs Show we are diving into how to turn more “no’s into Yes” by building relationships with customers in 2022.
It may seem almost impossible to gain traction with new leads in an online capacity, especially since you are competing with artificial intelligence, spam bots, and slimy marketing tactics.
People have their guard up, rightfully so, and gaining trust is harder than it used to be.
But, it doesn’t have to be.  This week uncover three actionable steps you can take to start building relationships with future customers even if they say “no” the first time.
Plus some tips on what not to do so that you don’t have a bumpy start with potential leads inadvertently. Tune into the entire show here.
🏗️ 🏗️ 🏗️ Email marketing is the #1 way to build long-term customer relationships because it keeps you in front of your audience every single week.  Plus, you can get immediate feedback from your subscribers just by asking them questions with the option to hit reply.
But staying consistent with email isn’t always easy. Which is the exact reason why I created my newest resource 365 Email Prompts.
These prompts guide you to consistently show up and alleviate your blank screen syndrome.  Plus it makes planning your content a breeze because you have tons of topics to dive into each week.
And, there is even a way to track the prompts you’ve already used so that you are sure to keep your emails fresh and interesting.
Get your copy here. 📩 📩 📩  
Now let’s dive into this week’s show.
#1 - Listen more than you talk.
This may seem counterintuitive as a business owner, because shouldn’t you be talking about what you do and what you sell? 
The short answer is no.  People want what they want and no matter how excited you are about what you do if they aren’t ready to hear what you have to offer, they will simply tune you out because you sound like an infomercial for the latest quick business fix.
Don’t believe me just scroll through the ads on Facebook.  Almost every single one is an automatic pitch for their latest “one size fixes all” solution.
I can’t even tell you the number of times I’ve worked with coaches and consultants who pour hours, weeks, days, months, and even years into creating online programs that they haven’t sold yet.
Nothing is more frustrating than creating a program that no one wants or will ever see.  Been there, done that - more than once.
All that work and time lost could have been avoided if I would have just listened instead of deciding for my customers without their input.
Listen to the show for some examples here.
#2 - Give what you want to receive.
COVID made people aware, but it also made people less tolerant of BS.  This is why a lot of marketing that used to work is failing miserably.
People can see through your thinly disguised veil of inauthenticity like mosquito netting.  Which is why the direct message or random comments aren’t working anymore.
Your audience is craving connection.  Authentic connection, not drive-by conversation.  COVID and social media have dramatically increased loneliness.  Look at the current mental health crisis for all the evidence you need.
Humans were meant to congregate, be together, share ideas, and have conversations.  COVID all but eliminated that and now we are out of practice.
But what we can spot is people who want something from us.  Faster than the Road Runner in Looney Tunes.  
Meaning it’s even MORE important to start off a new relationship on the right foot.  Business or otherwise.
Tune into the show for all the details and examples here.
#3 - Pretend You Are Together In Real Life.
The internet is a funny thing.  It’s given us permission.  Sometimes to do things that aren’t only not acceptable, but that we would normally never do if it were a real-life situation.
We will say and do things that are brazen, sometimes rude, and sometimes even unlawful.
Instead of standing on bravado imagine if you were face to face with the person you want to turn into a customer.  Would you immediately:
#1 -  push your newest offer or lead magnet in their direction? or 
#2 - would you instead take time to learn about them and what they need?
If you answered #1 - we should talk about your networking skills and you should get out into the real world again and network with real people.  
No one wants to be sold to and they definitely don’t want to buy from someone who isn’t interested in their needs.
Treat the people you want to work with like people.  They are individuals going through individual circumstances.  The better you get with people the faster your business will grow.
Get all the details and examples here.
Get the three Bonus tips to get you started with creating deeper connections and conversations with future and current customers by listening to the entire episode.
If you enjoyed this episode would you please share it with someone who could benefit?  Also if you haven't left us a review, we would love yours on your favorite podcast platform.
Thanks in advance!
Until next week, be well, stay safe and take care!
~Alisa

151 - Reprogram Your Brain With Jason Jurado

This week on the 2nd Act Entrepreneur show join me and my guest Jason Jurado to discover how reprogramming your brain and your self-talk can help you reach your goals and success quicker.
 
Best of all, you'll have less stress and more energy to do the things you want and need to do.
 
💦 💦 💦 Speaking of stress - leave the stress about showing up in your audience's inbox behind with my new 365 Email Prompts Guide.  You can get your copy here:
https://alisaconner.com/emailprompts 💦 💦 💦 
 
Jason Jurado has studied neurolinguistic programming (NLP) for over 12 years and is certified as a master practitioner in NLP. When he asked for a definition of NLP he simplified it as:
"Using the language of your mind to get what you want." 
He went on to say that your subconscious mind is always listening and it doesn't know the difference between what is real or what is not real. 
But it will always listen to what you focus on because it believes that is what you want. 
This can be detrimental to getting what you want especially if you are focused on the negative possibilities or activities.  Your brain will think that's what you want because it's consuming your focus and energy.
For example, if you focus on not having enough money to pay a large bill - your unconscious mind will think "oh they don't want to pay that bill so I will be sure that no money comes into our sphere so that we won't be able to pay the bill."
Can you see how not having control of your subconscious thoughts could keep you stuck in your business and not growing at the level you want?
Your conscious mind can only focus on 50 bits of information at a time yet we are bombarded by 11 million bits of information a minute. 
In order to not go insane and survive we set up filters to manage the information that comes our way.  Those filters determine what gets our focus and what we don't. 
But, most of those filters were created subconsciously by the age of 10. 
Filters are created by modeling the adults in our lives, their beliefs, and the experiences we had during our formative years.
But if our filters are outdated and unaligned with our current goals and beliefs, our focus will be as well.  Because our focus determines our experience, this impacts our lives now.
Updating our filters is something Jason discusses during this week's show.
The subconscious mind speaks in symbols, not words.
So if you create a clear picture in your mind of what you want and then align that image with your goal, you are speaking the language of your subconscious mind.  The more specific you get with imagery, the faster you will arrive at your goal.
This is why Jason also discusses the importance of defining values, goals, and actions as business owners in order to get to where we want to be. During the show he discusses:
How to define your values. Including identifying what is important to you and why it's important.   Then how to organize your values by importance.
Do your defined business values align with your personal values? Do they also align with how you want your life to look?
Align your values with your goals and get specific about the goals you want to achieve and why you want to achieve them.
Define specific action steps in order to reach your goal.
Jason is also an expert on hypnosis.  When I asked him to describe how it helps his clients excel he defined hypnosis as hyper-focused attention that when combined with specificity and clarity you are able to get to where you want to be at hyper-speed.
The episode also dives into the areas of the benefits of having a coach, your money mindset, the difference between meditation and hypnosis, and how to overcome your monkey mind.
You won't want to miss this week's jam-packed episode.  Tune into the entire show here: https://alisaconner.com/151.
Resources Mentioned:
NLP
Building Your Ideal Private Practice
Where to connect with Jason:
One Path Coaching
Instagram
LinkedIn
 

150 -Honing In Your Purpose With Scott Perry

This week on the 2nd Act Entrepreneur Show Scott Perry joins me to talk about how to hone in on your purpose prior to building your business.
Before we dive in, are you struggling with planning your marketing? The free marketing strategy guide will walk you through a step-by-step plan to create a map for your marketing.  Download your free copy here.
Aligning with why you're here on the planet and plugging into the legacy you want to live makes the BIG difference between those who keep taking steps forward toward their goals and reaching them and those that give up and have regrets at the end of their lives.
Scott is an Encore Life Coach who helps entrepreneurs find fulfillment, forge meaning, and make a difference (and a living) during their life's third act.
He is passionate about helping clients serve their purpose and leave a legacy.
While living a life that they love.
Oftentimes it can be difficult to remember what it is that we love, and what our purpose is and we spend a lot of time comparing.  Scott provides some amazing insights and resources to guide us in uncovering our inner purpose. Tune in here to hear more.
The first half of life is the time you are forging your identity and validating yourself to external expectations.
The second half of life is brought about by experiencing something profound.  Those moments can either break you or you can be broken open.
Being broken up empowers you to open your heart and experience why you are here and what impact you can make.
As Scott says, what has chasing society's carrots gotten you?  Chances are unhappiness and despair.
Instead, Scott implores you to plug into happiness, joy, and things that light you up before you meet the end of this life.
By taking small steps every day you will forge a new identity and be aligned with your purpose.
As a bonus, be sure to catch the meaning behind Scott's unusual daily runs during this episode.  Tune in here to listen.
There are so many value bombs Scott drops and such sound wisdom and advice for people starting their second career and living their second act.
If you've ever asked yourself the question, what if it's too late, you won't want to miss Scott's answer at the end of the episode.
Don't miss the deep wisdom Scott shares during this episode. 
Watch this week's episode here.
 
Resources Mentioned:
David Brooks The Second Mountain
Bhagavad Gita
Meditations Marcus Aurelius 
 
Learn more about Scott Perry here:
Creative On Purpose
Facebook
LinkedIn
Struggling with planning your marketing? Download the free marketing strategy guide that will walk you through a step-by-step plan to create a map for your marketing.  Get your copy here.
 

149 - Should You Add Current Clients To Your Email List?

This week on the 2nd Act Entrepreneur Show discover what to do and not do when it comes to adding people to your email list.
On a new LIVE LinkedIn Segment Anke Herrmann, from Taming The Tech Monster and Alisa Conner, Email Marketing Avenger tackle marketing questions that they have been asked or encountered with previous clients.
Speaking of email marketing success if you struggle with what to write, suffer from blank screen syndrome, or are inconsistent with your email marketing head on over to alisaconner.com/emailprompts and grab the resource 365 Email Prompts For Coaches & Course Creators.  This guide is jam-packed with email prompts for an entire year and beyond.  Learn more about these email prompts at: alisaconner.com/emailprompts.
This week on the This Not That segment, we answer the question - "Should you add current clients to your email list?"
Get the answer by listening to the entire episode here.
Other topics covered in this episode include:
Best practices for adding people to your email list
Why are you adding people to your list and what's in it for them
GDPR requirements and repercussions for violating terms by not asking permission
Different ways to get active permission from subscribers
Buying cycle length and opportunity to stay top of mind.
Tune into the entire episode here.
Don't forget to meet your new email marketing bestie, 365 Email Prompts For Coaches & Course Creators to inspire you, keep you in front of your audience, and increase sales.
Until next week, 
Be well, stay safe and take care!
~Alisa
 
 

148-Build A Recession Resistant Business

This week on the 2nd Act Entrepreneur Show learn 10 ways to create resiliency in your business. 
Empowering you to harbor any changes in the market, as well as a possible global recession.
One of the best ways to harbor any type of change is through consistent relationship building.  One of the best ways to do that is through your weekly emails.  
If you struggle with coming up with new ideas, finding inspiration about what to write, or blank screen syndrome - I have a brand new resource coming your way on Monday.  
365 Days of Email Prompts gives you inspiration, a prompt for every day of the year, and a video training to help you navigate the guide and stay consistent with your email.  It will be available starting Monday, August 1st at alisaconner.com/emailprompts.
 
Let's dive into the show and how to build recession resilience.
#1 - Work on your mindset. 
Focusing on the one thing you can control during uncertain times will monumentally affect how and when you reach your goals.  Focusing on gratitude awareness will increase the likelihood that you will see the bright side of things even when things seem the darkest.  Focus on reigning in your mindset now so you are prepared no matter what comes your way.
#2 - Look for opportunities to help rather than focusing on fear and negativity. 
During most uncertain times the best businesses are built by those who looked at problems that weren't being addressed and creating a solution.  Does that mean you need to upend your business?  No, but when you're focused on helping and creativity, there is less time on focusing on things you can't control.
 
#3 - Meet your customers and potential customers where they are not where you think they should be.
Oftentimes we create products, offers, and services for our clients based on what we think they need rather than what they actually need.  If instead, you focus that effort on researching where your potential customers are right now and what they need you will be much more successful at increasing sales.
 
#4 - Give your customers pricing options.
Look at your current service offers and see if there is a way that you can offer multiple tiers to work with you that get clients results.  If you can give someone results the likelihood that they will move to the next tier of your services significantly increases.  Making them lifetime customers and not just one transaction. 
#5 - Get really good at what you do.
Even better than you are now.  When you become the expert for a specific group of people you stand out and become known in the industry.  Resist the urge to go general and instead focus on how you can get specific and provide specific results to your clients.
#6 - Inventory your expenses.
Expenses can creep up without us even paying attention.  We may scroll buy something on Amazon and not give it a second thought.  Or we may invest in something for our business, use it a few times and then forget until it renews again.  Grab a few months' worth of credit card statements, see where you are spending money and if that investment is creating ROI in some way.
#7 - Get scrappy with organic marketing.
What content can you create that you can repurpose and grow your brand organically (for free)?  Who can you collaborate with?  Whose podcast or live show can you be a guest on?  Who can you reach out to that you've been meaning to but haven't yet?
#8 - Continue or ramp up marketing while everyone freezes.
It's a natural inclination to stop paying for things that aren't paying you.  But this can be a huge mistake when it comes to marketing before, during, and after a recession.  Why? Because everyone else is cutting back too.  When you stay consistent or even ramp up your marketing you will have a higher likelihood of standing out and being seen.  
#9 - Feed your brain.
Continue learning about your field, and feed your brain something useful and positive every day.  Turn off and tune out the news and the negativity and instead focus on something that will help you grow, evolve, and shift your business so that you continue to grow while everyone else panics.
#10 - Work on self-development every single day.
When you work on yourself every single day the universe can't help but respond.  It will also increase your resilience to respond to things and build your fortitude for not only surviving but thriving.
Want all the tips and examples?
Tune into the entire episode here: https://alisaconner.com/148
Don't forget one of the best ways to fortify and build your client relationships is through email.
Coming Monday, August 1st you can get your hand on my newest resource:
365 Days of Email Prompts. Giving you inspiration, a prompt for every day of the year, and a video training to help you navigate the guide and stay consistent with your email. 
Buy your copy here: alisaconner.com/emailprompts.