Podcasts by The BS-Free Service Business Show
The BS-Free Service Business show takes you behind-the-scenes of running a business as a freelancer, creative or agency with a focus on fluff-free lessons to help you grow your own business and get paid. If you work with clients and want to create a simple AND sustainable service business, you're in the right place.
The show is hosted by Scoop Studios' Maggie Patterson. You can learn more about the podcast and Small Business Boss at http://www.smallbusinessboss.co and get access to all of our shows at http://www.smallbusinessboss.co/podcast.
Further podcasts by Maggie Patterson
Podcast on the topic Firmengründung
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End of Year Recap for 2023 from 2023-12-11T06:00
2023 is nearly over, so it’s time for my annual look back at the year. In this episode, I will share my high and lowlights, what I really think about this weird year, and what’s on dec...
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Behind-the-Scenes: Why We Created The Squad (And You're Invited!) from 2023-12-06T13:00
Join me for an exclusive peek behind the curtain as I delve into the making of our exciting new community, The Staying Solo Squad.
Disc...
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Your Guide to Marketing a Service Based Business from 2023-12-04T06:00
There are two types of service business owners I encounter when I talk about marketing. First, there’s the marketers. They’re always happy to be testing things out in their own busines...
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The State of Online Business Right Now (Fall 2023 Update) from 2023-11-27T06:00
The BS-Free Service Business show will be taking a break this week, and you can expect a new episode next week. This week, please enjoy a new episode of Duped: The Dark Side of Online Business, ...
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The Different Types of Support for Entrepreneurs from 2023-11-20T06:00
Do you need a coach? To buy a program? Or just a regular massage? Support comes in many different forms for our business, but do you figure out what kind of support you need?
Keeping Your Business Simple and Sustainable (A Check-In) from 2023-11-13T06:00
Simplicity and sustainability are the cornerstones of having a business without the BS and that works for you. But it’s far too easy to make plans and decisions that can overcomplicate...
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Leadership Fundamentals for a Successful Agency from 2023-11-06T06:00
Building a successful agency requires a lot of different skills. Especially leadership skills. But which ones do you need to focus on? Which ones make the most difference?
The Growth Path for Micro Agency Owners from 2023-10-30T05:00
Every business owner knows that growth is never linear. Sometimes, it’s so far from a straight line that you wonder if you’re doing something wrong.
In this episode, ...
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Myths of the Microagency from 2023-10-23T05:00
Like every business model out there, the micro agency is subject to a wide variety of myths that are total and complete BS.
In this episode, we’re going to look at wha...
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Agency or Solo: What’s Right for You? from 2023-10-16T05:00
If you want to grow your service business, you may wonder what your options really are. Do you need to hire? Do you need a team? What’s really right for you?
According...
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Getting Real: Tough Truths About 2023 from 2023-10-09T05:00
It’s been a weird year, and I know I’m not alone. Is it the economy? Is it something else? And WTF should we all be doing about it?
In this episode, I will share my th...
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Practical Pricing for Service Business Owners from 2023-10-02T05:00
It impacts everything from the types of clients you work with to how much money you can pay yourself and even how you feel about your work.
In this episode, I’m sharin...
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The Top 10 Awkward Client Moments (and How to Avoid Them) from 2022-04-18T05:00
Picture it: That moment when things with a client get super awkward and you want to crawl in a hole.
And all you can...
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Awkward Client Situations: What To Do When Things Get Sticky from 2022-04-11T05:00
Ever had an awkward moment with a client? Of course you have!
Putting Sell the Strategy Into Action from 2022-04-04T05:00
Have you ever heard someone in business talking about strategy and wanted to roll your eyes?
The unfortunate reality...
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Sell the Strategy: Stepping Up Your Service Business from 2022-03-28T05:00
Ever felt frustrated by a client situation and like *something* has to change but you aren’t sure where to begin.<...
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Myths About Service Businesses (The 2022 Edition) from 2022-03-21T05:00
Ever heard the expression “a lie often repeated becomes the truth”?
The reality is that when we hear something enoug...
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*BEST OF EPISODE* Marketing Yourself on LinkedIn with Chrissie Wywrot from 2022-03-14T05:00
**Welcome to the Best of the BS-Free Service Business Show series. This episode is a re-release that originally went live on September 24, 2018.**
<...
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*BEST OF EPISODE* Creating a Deliberately Simple Client Experience from 2022-03-07T06:00
**Welcome to the Best of the BS-Free Service Business Show series. This episode is a re-release that originally went live on March 3, 2020.**
*BEST OF EPISODE* Power Move - Creating Your Signature Service from 2022-02-28T06:00
**Welcome to the Best of the BS-Free Service Business Show series. This episode is a re-release that originally went live on August 6, 2018.**
*BEST OF EPISODE* Myths of Growing Your Services Business - The 2020 Edition from 2022-02-21T06:00
**Welcome to the Best of the BS-Free Service Business Show series. This episode is a re-release that originally went live on January 20, 2020.**
*BEST OF EPISODE* What I Learned About Finding Clients in 2019 from 2022-02-14T06:00
**Welcome to the Best of the BS-Free Service Business Show series. This episode is a re-release that originally went live on January 13, 2020.**
Why Your Message Really Matters Now More Than Ever with Michelle Mazur from 2022-02-07T06:00
There’s no shortage of messaging being thrown at us in the world of online business.
We’re told to live our best lif...
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Taking a Break When Things Get Weird from 2022-01-31T06:00
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you took a little break in your business?
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Client Experience: How to Consistently Foster Respect from 2022-01-24T06:00
Working with clients can sometimes be stressful, can’t it?
And when things are a little rocky, there’s one specific ...
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Building a Trusted Business: 7 Specific Ideas to Implement in 2022 from 2022-01-17T06:00
When you think about building a strong relationship built for success and longevity, what do you think matters most?
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Building and Breaking Trust: Three Common Tactics to Watch For from 2022-01-10T06:00
Would you do business with someone you don’t trust?
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2022: The Year of the BS-Free Business from 2021-12-21T16:26:11
Do you ever feel a disconnect from what you see going on in the world of online business and how you’re actually running your business?
2021: The Year in Review from 2021-12-13T06:00
Have you ever looked at someone else’s business and wondered what *really* goes on behind the scenes?
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How I'm Really Planning for 2022 from 2021-12-06T06:00
Is it just me or do you sometimes feel like December can be a pressure cooker of expectations to plan, plan, plan for the coming year?
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Ditching Arbitrary Money Goals: Setting New Metrics for Personal Success from 2021-11-29T06:00
Have you wondered if your money goals are actually YOUR goals?
How to make money, how to manage money, and how much...
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Duped: The High Ticket Hustle from 2021-11-22T06:00
Have you ever assumed that just because something is high ticket, it must be good?
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Hustle Culture and Ableism in Online Business With Brittany Berger from 2021-11-15T06:00
| Have you ever felt like no matter how much you do you’re always seeing messaging telling you to hustle even harder?
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There are a lot of stories we tell ourselves as entrepreneurs, but there’s one, in particular, I hear time and time again from the people I work with: *Check out the first episode of Duped, season 2* Stop us if you’ve heard these ones before - “Make money whil... Does the idea of having to hand off work to other people make you break out in a cold sweat? Despite how those FB ads make it look, running an agency and being the boss isn't all sitting back and watching the cash roll in while your team gets the job done... Do you ever feel like you don’t have enough hours in the day? Like you’re already working too much but could still be doing more? Listen
You know those low cost products all over your social media feeds making big promises? You may like them, ... When you think about your values, it’s probably pretty easy to list what matters to us personally. Have you ever been talking to a potential client and they ask you what sort of results working with you will get them? Listen
You know what’s annoying? Have you ever heard someone say that there’s no money in services? I have, and I strongly disagreed. ... Have you ever felt like things in your business aren’t running the way they should? Like your services are out of whack or what you sell is a struggle to deliver?... Have you ever had a coach try to jam you and your business into a cookie-cutter system or blueprint? I have, and gu... Tell me if you’ve heard this one before… I’m back from my content sabbatical and I have news. If you're a fan of the BS-Free Service Business Show, check out Duped. Duped is a limited series podcast hosted by myself and Dr. Michelle Mazur, wh... If you're a fan of the BS-Free Service Business Show, check out Duped. Duped is a limited series podcast hosted by myself and Dr. Michelle Mazur, wh... If you're a fan of the BS-Free Service Business Show, check out Duped. Duped is a limited series podcast hosted by myself and Dr. Michelle Mazur, wh... If you're a fan of the BS-Free Service Business Show, check out Duped. Duped is a limited series podcast hosted by myself and Dr. Michelle Mazur, wh... If you're a fan of the BS-Free Service Business Show, check out Duped. Duped is a limited series podcast hosted by myself and Dr. Michelle Mazur, wh... If you're a fan of the BS-Free Service Business Show, check out Duped. Duped is a limited series podcast hosted by myself and Dr. Michelle Mazur, wh... If you're a fan of the BS-Free Service Business Show, check out Duped. Duped is a limited series podcast hosted by myself and Dr. Michelle Mazur, wh... Hands up if you’ve ever been told you need to “hustle harder”. Keep yo... “I make 7 figures and you can too! All you need is my proven system!” ... Have you ever had a question and thought “hmmm, I wish there was another biz owner I could ask about this”? Over the... Have you ever been given the advice that you need to work on your visibility as a business owner? While on the surf... One of the most common questions I get asked is about how much people should be paying their employees or contractors. Listen
When you’re trying to figure out who to trust online, you can’t just look for something sleazy or sketchy as a sign that you should skip doing business with someo... Have you ever felt so overwhelmed in your biz that you’re ready to light a match and burn the whole thing to the ground? ? Listen
Language is always evolving, and with that, so should our marketing and copywriting. Why? Because the words we choos... How many times have you heard the advice that you need to focus on scaling your service business? While on the surfa... If you’ve worked in the online biz world for more than a hot minute, you’ve probably noticed something — What’s the worst business advice you’ve ever received? For me, when I think back on the bad business advice... As a services business owner, have you ever felt overwhelmed trying to figure out what exactly to offer your clients? Hands up if you love a great story! As an avid reader and a professional writer, I’ve always been fascinated by sto... The business as usual of online business is broken. But what are the alternatives? Breaking-Free of the Status Quo of Online Business will help you take a ... You’ve got a strategy for marketing and sales — but do you have a strategy for what happens after someone actually becomes your client? When you hear the word “selling” what’s your gut reaction? Picture it: Somewhere in the world, March 2021. You’ve gotten yet ANOTHER sleazy email from some bro marketer trying... Have you ever bought a product or service for your business that you didn’t actually really want or need? You starte... Hands up if you’ve ever heard this common refrain in the online business world: “You gotta spend money to make money... Have you ever worked with a coach and felt like something was off? While coaching for business can be a great thing... What is it about service business ownership that makes people want to chuck it all in and give up? For some reason,... Ever wondered why service businesses get such a bad rap? Probably because we have our very own anthology of urban l... Q: What do the online business industry and MLMs have in common? Ever had to chase a client to get paid? The fact is, when it comes to payments terms for your business, there are a ... Do you ever hear other business owners talking about their money goals and milestones and wonder HOW those numbers might even be possible?Listen
Have you ever wondered the REAL story behind a business or the person running it? Not the shiny, glossed over versi... Question: What do the online business industry and cults have in common? Answer: Way more than you think.
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Have you ever been told that a challenge in your business could be fixed with some mindset work? Of course you have.... Pricing is one of the more challenging parts of running a business as it can be complicated and nuanced. It can get tied up with our own stories about pricing, an... When it comes to marketing and sales, there are so many different strategies and tactics you can use. It’s overwhelming, and frankly, many of them just aren’t the... When it comes to selling your services, it can be challenging to know if you’re getting it right, or if you’re inadvertently sabotaging yourself somehow. In this ... If you’re anything like me, when you look at other people running a successful business, you want to know *exactly* what they’ve done to get where they are.
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This has been the longest year ever. Am I right? In this episode of the show, I’m taking you on my agency journey which has been over 20 years in the making. The twist, the turns, the lessons and how everything ... In today’s episode, I’m talking about a new type of agency, the kind that skips the BS and helps you build a business you can love. Get the inside ... Have you ever looked around at some of the other businesses in the online business industry and thought “that seems shady as hell”? Listen
Ever looked at an agency owner who seems to have it all together and wondered what exactly goes on behind the scenes? Listen
Burnout isn’t inevitable when you run a service business, no matter what people want you to believe. In this episode... As bosses, many of us worry we’re missing something as we build our businesses, so the idea of a specific way to do things can be incredibly appealing. Masterminds are often seen as a must-have for business owners, but should we believe the hype about what they can really do for us? Listen
As the saying goes, you need to spend money to make money, but is that really true? My take is that sometimes it is and other times we’d be better served by closi... With the rise of social media, we’ve also seen the emergence of influencers. Now, literally anyone with the right talent or skills can build a platform and reach ... Fall is coming up quickly, and if your business is anything like mine, it’s GO time for new business opportunities. If you’re listening to this podcast you’re either tired of the hype in the business world about growing your business, or you’re looking for ways to grow in a hea... No matter how digitized your business is (or isn’t), 2020 has made one thing clear, the future of our businesses relies on our ability to use the internet for eve... It's not exactly a secret that here in the digital world, potential clients have the ability to look at ALL their options before choosing a service provider.
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Since COVID-19 rearranged our lives in ways we couldn’t imagine, the concept of the pivot has been working overtime. You may (or may not) have noticed that starting today, the Small Business Boss podcast has a new name. We’re now the BS-Free Service Business show.
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As a mentor, I answer a lot of the same questions from my clients and community. And spoiler alert, most of them are about money. Listen
My best learning opportunities have always come from seeing how other people do things. You know, the real nitty gritty of what they’re doing, and not the shiny s... It’s been a while since I’ve done a behind-the-scenes, so in this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, we’re taking a look at the first half of 2020. The w... Want to build a BS-free service business? Then you’re definitely going to want to listen to this episode! In this ep... When it comes to building a business, there’s a complete list of things that can stand in your way. But the ones we least expect tend to be the internally-driven ... Does your business feel simple? Does it feel sustainable? Or are you on a hamster wheel where you’re working too hard or like there are a lot of things standing b... Do you feel stuck as you’re not sure what the future of your business looks like? Listen
The month of May is always significant in my business, and this year is no different as I celebrate a big milestone - 15 years of being my own boss.
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You’re helping me celebrate a milestone in my business, 15 years of being my own boss. And there’s nothing like an anniversary to make you reflect on how far you’... It’s springtime, and for many of us, that means we’d normally be busy cleaning all the things. And if you’re finding your business is a little slower than usual r... As a boss, you’ve probably heard that you need to “invest” in your business to reach your goals. But in this current financial climate, I wanted to unpack that tr... When things are unusual, it’s all too easy for our decision making to falter and for our boundaries to be shaky. In ... It’s a new month, and let’s be real, it’s one with a lot of questions and many answers. Things are pretty far from business as usual right now, so do we even bother with planning right now? The answer is yes. We definitely need to plan. When you’re running an agency, you want your business to stand out. But in a world rife with competition, knowing h... A pandemic is unprecedented for all of us, so it’s natural that it’s creating stress, anxiety, and when it comes to our business, a lot of uncertainty. So in thi... Hands up if your 2020 plans include making more $$$$. You may already have a plan for making it happen...but how do ... Fact: When you make your money by serving clients, the experience you create can make or break your business.
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If there’s one thing entrepreneurs love, it's personality tests. And it’s no surprise as we’re relentless in our personal development work, and these tests help u... When you’re dealing with potential new clients, have you ever stopped and asked yourself if you REALLY need to spend the time writing a proposal?
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Many times we have ideas that can hold us back or result in bumps along the way. In this episode of the Small Busine... I recently asked members of the Small Business Boss Squad what the #1 lead source was for their business, and overwhelming the answer was referrals. In this episo... This is a very special episode of the Small Business Boss podcast because it’s episode 200 of the show. When it com... You can’t grow without a team. Your income will plateau. You’ve heard all the myths of a service business before, and in this new episode, we’re taking a look at ... As business owners, most of us are really good at setting big goals for our business. Especially revenue goals, but many times we don’t think about what it’s goin... FACT: I’m not a huge fan of the whole New Year’s resolutions thing, But I AM a fan of learning from mistakes and making plans that are actually achievable.... When you run a service-based business, relationships are the name of the game. They are the true currency of your business — not money. November was proof that sometimes the best-laid plans go awry when life happens. In this episode of the Small Busin... Planning is a necessity when you run a business, but in the online business world, it's a big old commodity. Planning is seen as the answer to everything, so ther... Just because you’re an entrepreneur running a business, it doesn’t mean you relish being a leader. In this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, I’m talking... October was all about getting ready to take time off and then actually being away on vacation, so even with 31 days, it felt like a really short month — especiall... When I started Scoop, I really had no idea what I was in for as an agency owner when it came to making and managing money. Talk about a learning curve! Have you ever thought it would be nice to have someone to be the peanut butter to your jelly as a business owner? The Rory to your Lorelai? Listen
This week, I’m bringing you another behind-the-scenes look at an agency. In this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, we’re taking a peek into Tressa Behei... It’s time for another recap, and September was ALL SYSTEMS GO around here. Nothing, and I mean, nothing beats a real-life behind-the-scenes look at how a business is run. So in this episode of the Small Business Boss podcast, Kate Ahl from Simple Pin Media joins us to ... New month = a new theme here on the Small Business Boss podcast, and this month we’re going deep into the agency model. We all know the stereotype of a slimy salesperson who manipulates people into buying their product or service. And that stereotype is something many of us buy int... Nearly two years ago when I started doing recap episodes, I did it as a way to share what was really happening behind-the-scenes at Small Business Boss and at my content marketing agency, Scoop ... When it comes to pricing, there’s a million different models and strategies, and it can feel pretty freakin’ overwhelming. In this episode of the Small Business B... Back in 2005, when I decided to quit my job and start my own business, little did I know how much owning my own business would push me as a person and teach me co... Back when I started my business, we didn’t have all the fancy lingo and versions of -preneur that we use now. You either owned a business, which basically implied... Money talk is a double-edged sword. As a business owner, we need to get comfortable with constantly having conversations about money, but what happens when that talk is misleading or downright w... Newsflash: Scaling doesn’t equal success for your business. There’s a fundamental misconception in the online business world that scale immediately means more money and that magically sca... If you’ve been around me for a hot minute you know exactly how I LIVE for summer. That means the July recap giving you the behind-the-scenes scoop of what’s happening is really focused on a lot ... Have you ever wondered why you do the things you do? Or why exactly you’re throwing up obstacles in your own path with stories and reasons why you can’t do certain things? In this episode, Jo Ca... It’s time for another recap. This month, I’m taking you behind-the-scenes of June 2019 and sharing all the ins and outs, ups and downs of the month that was. This is a greatest hits replay from July 30, 2018. If you look at the world of online businesses, it often seems like everyone and their dog is talking about their new signature product o... This is a greatest hits replay from September 24, 2018. I'm talking with marketing expert Chrissie Wywrot to give you the inside scoop on how to get yourself more exposure, generate engag... This is a greatest hits replay from August 6, 2018 If you’ve ever thought about creating a signature service but decided not to, think again! A signature service is how you can show your ... This is a greatest hits replay from June 25, 2018. As a small business boss, I have a better handle on how things are progressing month over month, but the end of Q2 is still the perfect ... May is always one of my fave months of the year...so the question is: Did May 2019 deliver the goods? When you want to find clients, it’s easy to focus on tried and true tactics, like referrals, but what happens when those tactics run out of steam or you need to d... FACT: I take my summer very seriously. When you work in an office, it’s easy to form friendships and relationships to help you weather the ups and downs. But when you work from home, it’s a totally dif... The April recap is here, and I’m dishing up a lot of things that happened in the month — most of which could be filed under “unexpected.” Listen
Over the years of running my business, I’ve been through cycles of working too many hours to count and then others where I was making great money but not working all that much. The idea of managing versus leading is nothing new, but it’s something I’ve personally been working on a lot. The truth is, I’m VERY comfortable as a manager. I’m... Are you always looking for ways to be more productive? To get more done? I know I sure am, but this week’s guest on the Small Business Boss podcast, Tara Newman, ... Oh, magical Internet with all your superpowers, surely you can help me find allllll the clients without breaking a sweat. If only it was that easy! In this new ep... You need a new client...like yesterday. So what’s a boss to do? March was full of ups...and quite a few downs, but in the name of keepin’ it real, I share them with you in my latest episode of the Small Business Boss podcast.<... There’s one shift I made about 18 months ago to fuel the growth of Scoop Studios and find more clients. What’s your SPARKLE FACTOR? You know, the thing that makes people want to work with you? The shortest month of the year proved to be one of the best ones we’ve ever had here at Small Business Boss. Why? Le... There are so many misconceptions about sales and the idea that you need to be pushy or sleazy to make things happen. That can result in a whole series of hang-ups... Business owners are obsessed with scaling and are constantly on a quest for ways to automate so they can grow their business. Today’s guest Becca Tracey has made ... You may think that your brand’s message isn’t that important — but you’d be wrong. People want to know what makes your services business different and summing it ... The first month of the year is behind us, and if you’re anything like me, you’re already antsy for your big plans to come to fruition. Since I chose READY as my w... Fact: Writing proposals and doing it well matters to your business. You know, because clients = you getting a paycheck. But since they’re not usually the most exc... Finding that sweet spot between doing everything yourself and automating certain processes to save time can seem really tricky when it comes to your clients.
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In this episode, I’m sharing my lessons from FIVE years of podcasting including why having a podcast has been so powerful for me — and a few things I absolutely n... There’s nothing quite like that sinking feeling you have when you know that you need to broach a difficult conversation. If only you could just avoid the whole th... Blogging for business is one of those things that seems like it should be really easy — pick a topic, write it up, put it online, and done! But if you've ever act... Clients are the lifeblood of our business, but sometimes, it can be challenging to figure out where to find them. Adria DeCorte shares a fresh take on finding cli... If you’ve ever found yourself sweating over the idea of having to create content, you aren’t the only one. Sure, as someone who runs a content marketing agency it... The topic of business and money are pretty intertwined — and for good reason. If you’re going to run a profitable business, then you need to have your money minds... If you’ve found yourself having the same issues crop up with clients over and over, it may mean your boundaries need to be shored up. Yes, it can be challenging a... 2018 was a wild ride for the team here at Scoop, but we finished the year with plenty of gratitude and a ton of perspective. One of the best activities going into... There’s a whole lot of emotions that come up when trying to decide how to price your services but understanding the WHY of those feelings can make all the differe... There’s something that happens every year in January where all your biz friends start furiously trying to come up with a plan to make this the best year yet. But ... For most business owners, the start of a new year means new goals, new plans, and new dreams. Whether you’re filled with hope and feeling impatient to hit the ground running, or you’re laying lo... Retainers are one of those things that can be elusive to business owners, so in this episode, my guest Sandra Tournemille is going to share her experiences with a... If you’ve been online for a hot second, you’ve probably heard of Dubsado, which is why I can’t wait to introduce today’s guest Kathleen Rass. She’s going to tell ... If you’ve been online for a hot second, you’ve probably heard of Dubsado, which is why I can’t wait to introduce today’s guest Kathleen Rass. She’s going to tell ... When you run a service business, service is at the heart of what you do, but what if your mission was even bigger for your clients? As an advocacy and communication strategy, that’s exactly what... When you’re a creative, managing the day-to-day tasks of running a business can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, but today’s guest Zsofi Koller, owner and cr... Having a normal day job while also running a successful side hustle has its own unique challenges, but that’s exactly what my guest, coach and consultant Kelly Mc... I sat down with brand strategist Angelica Suarez to talk about growth, hiring, working with your partner and so much more.... If you’re looking for some no BS insight into doubling it and building a team in your services business, this is the episode for you. I sat down with online busin... When you run a business that traditionally requires you to do most of your work in-person, it can be a challenge to make the leap into the online world. But that’... Check out our latest episode where I sit down with marketing strategist Sandra Halling who shares all her tips about transitioning your service business to avoid ... In this episode, I chat with marketing expert Crystal Butler about who she grew her services business while working a part-time schedule. Her winning strategy foc... The start of Q4 was all about clients and deliverables, and despite a few surprises, we got ‘er done and finished the month strong. Of course, the end of the year... It’s no secret that social proof is one of the best ways to attract clients, yet for some reason, it often gets overlooked. That’s why you NEED customer testimoni... Systems are one of those things that we love or hate as bosses, and we can find ourselves wondering if we need more of them or different ones. And Jordan from Sys... It’s recap time, and we’re going to take a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of September 2018 here at Small Business Boss. I’ve got lots to say, so let’s d... It seems like it should be a bit of a no-brainer that SERVICE should be the number one priority when you run a services business. Yeah, we need to make money to p... Working as part of a virtual team has its own set of unique challenges. In this episode, Lysa Greer and Bekka Pridea... It’s not exactly a secret that $$$ is a sensitive topic with biz owners. There’s no shortage of opinions when it comes to pricing your services, and the ever-pres... I'm talking with marketing expert Chrissie Wywrot to give you the inside scoop on how to get yourself more exposure, generate engagement, and highlight the best p... While I don’t love months that are a little on the slow side, being less busy means there’s some time to take a deep breath and recalibrate. That’s exactly what w... If your biz looks picture perfect on the outside but is actually a hot mess behind the scenes, you’re probably due for a little backend biz overhaul. Whether it’s... Consults calls are a great way to seal the deal on some new biz, but if you find yourself having conversations that never amount to anything, it’s time to change ... When you run your own services biz, hiring someone can seem like a big (and scary!) step, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you need a VA to get you out of your ... Summer may usually be a time to slow down and enjoy some quiet time in your biz, but not here at Small Business Boss. Not only did July bring us new clients, it a... Have you ever felt undervalued and like managing clients was a big old challenge? There’s a sweet spot between valuing our ... If you’ve ever thought about creating a signature service but decided not to, think again! A signature service is how you can show your expertise and puts everyon... If you look at the world of online businesses, it often seems like everyone and their dog is talking about their new signature product or program. Services get fo... If you’ve been following Small Business Boss, you know that May was one hell of a tough month. So imagine my surprise when June completely surpassed my expectatio... I’m kicking off a new series of interviews where I’m taking you behind-the-scenes of different service businesses and chatting about what running a biz REALLY loo... We’ve all been there. You send a client an invoice and...it’s crickets. You wait days and days, and no payment materializes. Now you’re frustrated and have the ic... As a small business boss, I have a better handle on how things are progressing month over month, but the end of Q2 is still the perfect time to check in with your... May was a crazy month here at Small Business Boss, and even though things got a little messy (temporarily), I’m still committed to being honest and sharing what’s... Ask anyone who’s been in business for a while, and they’ll straight up tell you that sometimes the train goes off the rails, and you’re left standing in the ditch... When your biz life unexpectedly takes a sharp left turn and you need to figure out where to go from there, it’s time to put your plan B into action. We love to try new things, and things from the tools and tech category are no exception. Whether you’re a consultant, creative, or freelancer, there are some grea... As part of our 2018 promise to all of you to keep it real, we’re breaking down what happened here in the month of April. With our first mastermind retreat of the ... We take money super seriously here at Small Business Boss because how you feel about money can have a massive impact on your success. Listen
FACT: Having the fundamentals of your biz sorted means more $$$, less stress, and time spent actually doing what you love. Sounds fab, doesn’t it? <... It’s Q2, and you’ve hit your stride with getting things DONE for your biz, but with summer right around the corner, there are all sorts of sunny distractions wait... If there’s one area of biz we know we dominate, it’s proposals. Proposals are THE lifeblood of any client facing business; whether you’re a freelancer, creative, ... We love giving everyone a glimpse of what goes on behind the scenes in the day-to-day workings of our services biz. ... We're in your feed today with a very special podcast episode - a sneak peek of the brand new Freelancer Foundations show. Learn more about the show, what we'll be talking about and how it's diff... While every day in business can’t be rainbows and sunshine, there’s something to be said for keeping a positive mindset even when things are going quite the way y... February was a challenging month for us, so check out this episode where we’re sharing not only how we’re doing with our goals but also how we banded together to ... Whenever we talk to business owners and talk about their goals, just about everyone mentions one thing: growth. But the hurdle most people run into is always figu... Once you’ve got clients, one of the harder things to figure out as a services business owner can be how to have consistent income month over month. In this episod... We’re celebrating 100 episodes of the Small Business Boss podcast. 100 - that’s a lot of episodes, so we wanted to share lessons we’ve learned from those episodes... You need to spend money to make money is one of the most commonly dispensed pieces of business advice. But is it true? Well...not always! We’re going boldly where we’ve never gone before, and taking you behind-the-scenes into what exactly we’re doing at Scoop Studios and Small Business Boss. In this... Are you on the quest to find the PERFECT tool to do all the things in your business? Or wondering how you can save time? In this episode, we’re talking about our ... You know, we love the internet. It’s amazing. We met on the internet even. But here’s what we don’t love...the downright BAD advice we see floating around on the ... The idea of a side hustle is nothing new, but so many times it gets a bad rap. We love side hustles, especially services side hustles as they take very little ext... We’ve all heard the saying you’ve got to spend money to make money. But that’s actually not 100% true, and in this episode, we’re diving into the ins and outs of ... Hey what’s your sign? Personality test results sign, that is. In this episode, we’re delving into the best personality tests for small business bosses and how to... Stop trading time for dollars! Make money while you sleep! You’ve heard allllllll the reasons why you should ditch s... We’re willing to bet you’ve got some big goals in mind for the next few months or even the year, and those goals likely involve making more money. Making more mon... Hello, 2018! It’s a new year and we couldn’t be more excited! In this episode, we’re giving you a bit of a behind the curtain peek into what’s up with us for 2018... 2017 is nearly a wrap and we’re big fans of reflection, so in this episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes in our business to share our wins and lessons from ... It’s that time of year, the time when we’re planning and plotting how things will be different. How we’ll have our best year ever. How we’ll go all Oprah on the s... Masterminds are something that can really help to accelerate your business and provide you with support along the way. In this episode, we’re talking about the go... We’ve all done it. Spent money thinking we were missing something or if we just did X, Y or Z, we’d get the magic formula. Why? Well, welcome to the cult of onlin... When you’re growing a business, there’s one thing that you can’t ignore - scale. How exactly are you going to build this business? How will you scale? And while i... You know the situation. You are plugging along thinking “I got this.” But then you think, maybe you don’t. Maybe you need a funnel. A new website. An 88 part vid... We’ve all been there. You thought you were doing amazing, but then - you logged into Facebook and quickly you’re playing the comparison game and are completely do... When you run a business and exist in an online world, there’s no shortage of messages telling us what we *should* want to achieve and that we need to do the lates... “It’s time to elevate your business and play a bigger game.” Hello, buzzwords - is that you? We hear about the idea of elevating, but what does that even mean? In... Think about the last amazing client experience you had. We are sure that it stands out because it’s not the norm. What if you could provide that type of wow facto... So you did it...you found a great client, gave a killer pitch and now it’s time to close the deal. But unfortunately for some of us, closing isn’t something that ... Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business for years, finding clients isn’t something you can just let fall to the wayside. When you run a services... There are few things as powerful as a good story. Instead of overthinking about what to share and if people want to hear it, what if you focused on the fact that ... Sometimes even with the best laid plans things fall apart and we’re left feeling completely overwhelmed by our business. Sure. some people make it look easy but w... While it takes confidence to run a small business, we all still have days where we feel like an imposter. “Fake it ‘til you make it” can carry you a long way, but... Let’s face it...as awesome and amazing you are at what you do, there are other people who probably do the same thing. So how do you differentiate your biz from e... It happens to ALL of us. You know...the clients from H-E-L-L. The ones that make you question everything and want to quit. It happens. But how do you stop it from... Hands down, one of the best ways to make more money as a service business owner is by having a signature process. So what is this? Where do you start? In this epi... So, you want to surprise and delight your clients, but how do you wow them when you’re on a budget? The good news is the “wow” factor can be free or low cost. In ... We’ve all heard the saying that running a small business is a marathon, not a sprint...so how do you stay motivated day in, day out and through the not-so-sexy st... Listen up - the real secret of success? It comes from consistent, daily action! It’s definitely not sexy, but it’s what really works. In this episode we’re talkin... It’s Monday morning. You’re raring to go. You’re ready for the BEST week ever. Then..next thing you know it’s Thursday night and you’re panicking as things are no... If you want to supercharge your performance, there are lots of ways to go about it, but in this episode, we’re sharing some of our favourite ways to make each of ... It’s halfway through 2017 so how are you doing on achieving your goals? We are kicking off a new series focusing on productivity. We are going to help you use th... Summer is here and it’s the perfect time to bust out your chaise lounge and a good book. In this express episode, we’re sharing some of our fave business books to... If you have a services business, you may think you don’t need a funnel. But you can totally use a funnel to help you book your services. In this episode, we’re go... If you could just find the right day planner everything would be perfect. Or would it. We’ve done a test drive on six different ones and in this express episode w... If you’re running a small business and providing services, you absolutely need to be able to sell yourself. Otherwise, the road to booking clients is way too hard... Part of the fun of setting goals is being able to see them actually become a reality. So what happens when you set goals that make you miserable. In this express ... If you ever want to get into a disagreement, go into a group of service providers and talk pricing. It’s a contentious topic, but it’s a big part of the sales pro... You’re meeting with a potential new client and things are good….until they say something that gets your back up. Do you ignore it? Do you see it as a red flag? Ar... Many of us have the idea that sales are hard or that we’re not good at them. But like so many things in our business, learning how to sell is a skill you <... We all know that first impressions count, and that’s no truer than on your website’s homepage. You have mere seconds to make an impression. So as a services busin... What better way to wrap up our money series with some tools to make it all happen? In this episode, we’re talking about our fave tools to help you manage your mon... Blogging. Love it or hate it, in this express episode we’re going to answer one of the most common questions we get from services business owners - should I be bl... Profit can be scary and boring and confusing all at once. But after this episode, you’ll understand it better and be on your way to building your business in a mo... Does even thinking about your about page make you feel icky? Or have you ever read an about page that was seriously boring? In this express episode, we’re talking... What is your money mindset? Do you realize that this is actually a thing? Well, it is, and in this episode, we are getting practical about how you think about yo... If you’re selling services, there’s one thing you need on your website. A sales page! In this express episode, we’re talking sales pages and how they can help you... Budgeting. It is such a sassy word. Okay, maybe not for everyone, but it is still very important. All bad-ass business owners need to master it and we are here to... Many times people automatically think website when branding comes up. But that’s not the case and there’s a lot you can do with your brand without a fancy pants w... Money. It’s such a strange topic. We are supposed to want more of it, yet it is the one topic very few people are real about. We don’t know about you, but growin... We’ve all been there on a consult call where the would-be client isn’t ready for us, or worse, they are surprised by how much our services cost. Womp womp. In thi... While there’s definitely a time to hustle hard in your business, you simply can’t hustle ALL the time. But how do you keep improving when you’re not in hustle mod... Being a part of a mastermind can be incredibly powerful, but you need to have a plan to get the most out of it. In this express episode, we’re talking about how t... If you’re the type of person that starts a business in the first place, then you’re most likely the type of person who wants to keep that business growing. (Or at... Many of us struggle with confidence, but there’s a flipside to that struggle...when our ego gets in the way. In this express episode we’re talking about ego and ... Being a solopreneur can make it feel like you truly are a solo show. In this episode we’re talking about how to avoid falling into the trap of thinking you need t... Most of us love planning. We’re straight up addicted to planning. But there comes a time when planning becomes a big old problem. In this express episode we’re ta... In this episode, we’re getting real about the online world and why being a practitioner is seriously undervalued, and actually the most important asset you have. ... Spring is in the air so you’re likely thinking ahead to Summer and taking a break. But how on earth do you take a break from your business and not have things go ... For most of us, running our own business means working from home and spending a lot of time alone. While a Skype call and chatting with your pets may break up the... Red alert. Today we’re talking habits...and not the good kind. But the kind that mess with your success and keep you stuck or struggling. Listen
Running a services business means you’ve got ups and downs when it comes to your client work so you’re always looking for ways to create stable, ongoing income. E... We live in a culture that’s based on the fact that we’re always improving. But when it comes to business, that quest for self-improvement can cause some unforesee... You’re ready to grow and to really blow up your business, but how do you make that happen? Do you need to hire? The short answer is no. You don’t. In this episode... In today’s express episode we’re talking about the thing that’s killing your productivity. BIG TIME. <... Sometimes you need to change direction or press the reset button. But how do you do that without it looking like a hot mess from the outside? We tackle that exact... Hiring can seem like the answer to all of your problems, but is hiring really the answer? When is the right time to hire? What things do you need to be ready for?... Do you think that launching is just for courses or programs? No way! You can launch your services business and get big results.In this episode we are talking abou... It’s the season of love and we’re celebrating by talking about how to show your business some love. After all, when you’re offering services, it’s easy for your b... The word “serve” is part of the word services...so when you run a services business it’s easy for service to quickly turn into doormat, people pleaser, YES woman ... Has this ever happened to you? You’ve carefully planned your week, and it’s going to be the best week ever...but then client priorities take over and next thing y... If there’s one thing you need for your services business it’s clients...so you need to be able to find clients for your business consistently and without killing ... Let’s get real about the numbers. And we’re not talking about how much money you’re making but the other key numbers you need to know to make your services busine... Say what? A lifestyle business? Who, me?!?! Well, even if you don’t identify with the traditional images that are conjured up when thinking about a ‘lifestyle’ br... We're kicking off a brand new season and talking about the roadmap to services business success - and how getting where you want to go may be simpler than you rea... In the most trendy topic of the season, this episode we’re talking about setting goals for the next year, and some things we’ve learned this past year about our o... We’ve had a lot of conversations lately with services business owners about email. Things like...are there ways to use email marketing for services businesses? Sh... It’s no secret that time management can be tricky when you work with clients. You’re juggling all the things and it’s enough to make you want to throw in the towe... You need to spend money to make money. You’re standing in the way of your success. We’ve ALL heard the cliches when it comes to spending for your business. In thi... Many a business starts with BIG rainbow unicorn dreams….but then reality sets in. In this episode of the Inside Scoop Show we’re breaking down the path to success and why it actually lays in off... You hear it ALL the time - you need to go pro in your business. But what does that mean? Where do you go pro and when? We’re sharing our FIVE most important place... Money, money, money….money! Today we’re getting real about the cash, the green, the dolla dolla bills and answering the question how much money do you need to make? Money is a hot topic and with... Branding is such a buzz word, but your personal brand matters in a big way. In this episode we’re defining what a personal brand is, why you need one...and things you may not realize about your ... Hello October! It’s the last quarter of the year, which can be a make or break moment for your services-based business. How? We’re breaking it down how to prepare now to end 2016 strong. ... When Rachael left her job as a consultant, she was burnt out and not sure where to go next. She quickly found herself with her passion for yoga merging with her consulting skills, and her busine... You need a niche is the most common advice. But do you? How do you actually find a niche? We’re breaking it all down in this episode of the Inside Scoop Show including why we’ve got a love/hate ... In this episode, designer Amanda Genther dishes up the truth about building a design business based on referrals, navigating tricky client conversations and getting comfortable with premium pric... Business strategist Megan Flatt joins us to share a behind-the-scenes of her business where she works with moms to help them build their businesses. Give this episode a listen to hear about how ... It's the most wonderful time of the year, and it's always a time of growth for most services-based businesses. To make the most of the "high" season, in this episode we're sharing three foundati... Have you ever found yourself doing something and wondering why? Or bouncing around on the edge of burnout? Victoria shares a honest look at failures, shoulds and the realities of working with cl... Sigh. We’re both so tired of six figure talk, but it’s not going to stop any time soon so in this episode we’re confronting it straight on. We’re breaking down the problem with borrowing other p... If you feel like you’ve got a lot of balls in the air (don’t we all?) you’ll want to listen to this episode where we chat with Jules Taggart. She’s nearly 5 years into her business and has a bab... So much of the advice out there about going full-time in your business is along the lines of “screw it, just do it” - which isn’t going to work for the majority of people. In this episode, Kryst... In this episode we go behind-the-scenes of Dr. Michelle Mazur’s business Communication Rebel where she helps people create breakthrough messages and turn their speech into a product. Michelle ge... In this episode we continue going behind-the-scenes of services-based businesses and this time we’re talking with Scoop’s Brittany Becher. She opens up about the pressure we put on ourselves, re... Get ready for a breath of fresh air! Today copywriter and sales specialist Courtney Johnston of The Rule Breaker’s Club shares how she runs her business, what she’s learned from niching and rede... Today we’re turning the tables and Brittany is interviewing Maggie to kick off a new series that takes you behind the curtain of how people run their services-based businesses. Maggie shares her... Can you believe it? 2016 is half way through, so how do you use this as a point to reset, and take your Summer to recharge? We’re talking about how to do a mid-year check up on our business goal... You bounce out of bed in the morning, you start your day ready for the BEST DAY EVER!!! And then you check your email and there’s the kind of email with a client that strikes fear into yo... Running a services-based business isn’t for the feint of heart and as you’re juggling client projects, sometimes it’s easy to let client communications slide. In this episode we’re talking clien... You’ve signed the contract and you’re so excited. (But then, buyer’s remorse sets in.) The same exact thing may happen to your clients no matter how awesome you are. In this episode we’re talkin... Expectations. Boundaries. Both are a constant work in progress as a service-based business owner. In this episode, we’re going to break down what we’ve learned about the good and bad of setting ... How many times have you not followed-up because you didn’t want to be pushy? You’ve probably missed out on the opportunity to close the deal with a would-be client thanks to our friend fear. In ... In this episode we’re talking about all the ins and outs of proposals. They’re critical to many service-based businesses, but how do you prep and present a proposal in a way that gets your would... Just invite people to a free consult and get booked out. If only it was that easy…On this episode of the Inside Scoop show we’re talking about how to do consults in a way that convert. <... Want new clients? Want to grow like gangbusters? (What does gangbuster even mean?) This episode of the Inside Scoop show we’re talking about two of the MOST powerful tools in your arsenal when i... When you work with clients, it can be hard to figure out the balance between enough clients and having too many. Today’s we’re dishing up the truth about how many clients you really and truly ne... Pricing advice is the worst! It’s often so general that you’re not entirely sure what to do with it or so ridiculous that you’ve got a million and one objections to it. In this episode, we’re ta... If there’s one thing that stands between good and great in a services-based business, it’s packages. We break down what you need to know about creating a package and why it can be the thing that... Should you really have your business on the good old world wide web? Do you need to be online? And if you go online how does that change your business? That’s what we’re diving into this episode... We’ve all heard it a million times before, “just be yourself!”. But what does that even mean anyways? This episode looks at the vital importance of personality to you succeeding as a serv... If you run a services-based business, you’re going to love the three myths we’re breaking down in this episode. The truth is offering a service is the fastest path to cash and the majority of pe... Here we go! It’s our VERY first episode of the Inside Scoop show and we’re kicking things off with giving you the lowdown on what to expect moving ahead. In season one we’ll be focusing on every... |