Brandmerry Blog Archives
List building 101: What you need to start building a community
List building 101: What you need to start building a community
11/29/18
List building is the #1 thing I see entrepreneurs missing out on. So today, I want to share with you exactly what you need to start building your lists and some of the mistakes I see entrepreneurs make when it comes to list building.
I’ve found that it doesn't really matter what stage you’re in, list building is key. I teach it in my membership site, my signature program Roadmap to Freedom and even my high-level mastermind.
If you are relying on a social media platform to build your community, you could be in trouble. You don’t own your social media platforms, but you do own your list.
Even if you’re product based, or you mostly do in person, you still need a list. It doesn’t matter what type of business you have, you need to have a list. What I’m talking about today is an evergreen webinar strategy. A strategy that keeps growing your list even when you’re not actively promoting.
What is Needed to Start Building Your List
1. You have to know your audience
You can’t create anything if you do not know your audience but it’s extra important when it comes to list building because you are tying to attract people that will ultimately buy from you.
2. A free offer
You need to create a free offer that will pull in your ideal audience. You need to have some sort of gift to get people on your list. They’re not going to sign up for no reason at all. This could be an e-book, a video series, a discount code, a checklist, etc.
3. A landing page
This is the place where they opt-in for your free offer. This is where you get the actual email address for your list. There are so many options for landing pages right now. I use Leadpages in my own business, but another option is built-in landing pages on your email marketing platform or custom landing pages on your own website. There are paid and free options, which mean there’s no excuse!
Related post: 4 Must-Haves for a High-Converting Landing Page
4. Email platform
You need an email marketing platform to actually send emails to your list. My favorite is ConvertKit. A free option is MailChimp, which again, there’s no excuse for not doing this!
5. Automation
This is the sequence, funnel or email series that will go out to your new leads. A really simple funnel to start with is:
The Welcome Email - Introduce your business and give them the free gift they opted in to
24 hours later - Introduce yourself
Share your super power - give them value, share tips about what you know
This funnel is warming up your leads, starting the relationship with them.
6. Promotion
Talk about your freebie all the time! Put the link everywhere you can. You don’t have to put ad money behind it, and I actually encourage you to test it organically for at least 2 weeks before even considering ads. I recommend promoting your freebie at least 3 times per week. Actively put it out into the world. You absolutely do not need ads, but you can if you want after you’ve tested your offer.
The #1 mistake entrepreneurs make is assuming that everyone is just going to give them their email address. We need to treat the promotions of our free offers the same as the promotions for our paid offers.
Head over to my Facebook Page and be sure to like and comment on the video while you are over there to help more people see this information ↠ https://www.facebook.com/brandmerrycoaching/videos/268720923993543/
And as always please share and comment on this blog post, I love connecting with you!
Episode 11 | The Power of Habits with Kaitlin DeVore
The Power of Habits with Kaitlin DeVore
Free to Be Podcast | Episode 11
Today’s guest is my friend Kait from Hello It Girl and a girl after my own heart. After our deep conversations, over wine and great food in Paris, I knew I needed to share her knowledge and message with you.
On today’s episode, I’m excited to invite you to create your own definition of freedom and tap into what truly makes you feel authentic. It’s not about meeting someone else’s standards, it’s about knowing you are worthy exactly as you are in this moment.
Things we talk about in this episode:
The importance of habits and creating a daily routine that works for you
Kait’s breakdown and what it taught her about living
How Hello It Girl was born and the movement Kait is creating among women and young girls everywhere
Why fear can be present without allowing it to control your actions
Kait’s and I’s journey with comparisonitis when starting our business and not letting other’s definition of freedom influence ours
The power of creating habits and what that actually means
How to get started creating habits
Changing our beliefs are what is actually possible for us
Kait’s amazing practice to identify your priorities
Kaitlin DeVore
Kaitlin is a multi-passionate entrepreneur. She is the founder of the brand hello it girl and is your go-to source for lifestyle inspo, self-care and chic mindset shifts. She is the expert in helping you design a life that feels aligned and helping you find, and step into your inner it girl.
CONNECT WITH KAIT
Facebook: facebook.com/kaitlindcoaching/
Instagram: instagram.com/kaitdgreat
Important links mentioned in this episode:
Light is the New Black by Rebecca Campbell
CONNECT WITH ME
Web: brandmerry.com
Instagram: @brandmerrycoaching
Facebook: @brandmerrycoaching
Biz Group: Authentic Brand Builders
LOVE THE FREE TO BE PODCAST?
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How You Can Sign 3 Clients in the Next 30 Days
How You Can Sign 3 Clients in the Next 30 Days
11/22/17
The doors to Roadmap to Freedom are open, and the biggest objection I receive is that women tell me it’s not the right time because they can’t find clients.
So today, I want to help you move your business forward so you can sign 3 clients in the next 30 days. Before we dive in, I want you to know that you’re not alone; it’s scary to invest, I’ve been there and so many of my clients have been there too.
To support you in feeling amazing about your next investment (because investments are necessary in your business) you need to stop downplaying your business.
Stop downplaying the services you offer.
The second you dive fully into what you do and take your business seriously it will take off.
Now, let’s get into these tips.
1. What you're currently doing that isn't working:
Inconsistent promotion
Your very inconsistent with what you’re offering and how you’re sharing that offer with your audience. If you want to sell, you have to be consistent with your promotion. Your audience needs to hear it 7x on average to take action.
Not clear on offer
It’s not that you don’t know what you offer, but you’re not clear on why your offer supports your ideal client - why they need that offer right now. I want you to know your offer so well that you could sell it to your mom or someone who’s definitely not your ideal client.
Don't fully know your audience
When it comes to selling, you have to know your ideal client like they are your best friend of 25 years. You have to know what they’re struggling with, present your offer in a way that fixes that struggle and gives them the desire to buy.
No urgency
If someone thinks they can sign up later, why would they sign up right now? There has to be that urgency. This can look like special pricing, special bonuses, cart closing, etc.
2. It's not working because…
Your audience thinks they can just take action later.
Your audience isn't hearing about your offer enough. I want you to put your offer our there at least 7 times. Research shows people need at least 7 touchpoint before they join.
Your audience can't see the benefit. Everything you create needs to be benefit driven.
3. What you need to do:
Become clear on your offer and how it supports your audience AND you need to write down the RESULTS they will receive if they follow what you’re offering them.
Create a plan to consistently promote your offer. How are you going to show up and consistently promote that offer? How many times per week? Where are you going to show up? How are you going to present your offer? You need to be talking about your offer at least 3 times a week. At least.
Add urgency to your offer. You’ve got 30 days to sign 3 clients. That means your offer ends in 30 days period :)
4. 3 Actionable Tips
1) Offer an assessment for your business
Assessments work because your audience is coming to you, and you get to show them what it’s like to work with you.
2) Use video to promote and encourage DM's
Live vide is an excellent way to connect with your audience and talk about your offer, give guidance and encourage people to message you.
3) Create a free offer direct to your paid offer
This is for the action takers. By this stage, you should know your paid offer so well, so now you can create a free offer that leads them to the paid offer.
You have all these big desires for your life and right now it feels like you are being pulled to something more than your current story; your current situation. This is just the beginning for you. We go over all this and way more in so much more depth in my program Roadmap to Freedom.
Just like you I had a desire to...
• Leave the 9 to 5 life for good (goodbye to a life of shoulds)
• Travel the world and not have to ask for permission to make it happen
• Work from a laptop, wherever and whenever I damn well pleased (yes, vacation, but more importantly next to my son while he plays)
• Exceed my 9 to 5 income without having to sacrifice the life I had created + live a life greater than I had ever imagined before
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY I WANTED TO DO IT ALL WITHOUT HAVING TO SACRIFICE THE VERY REASON I STARTED MY BUSINESS IN THE FIRST PLACE...my desire for freedom.
Roadmap to Freedom
Roadmap to Freedom is a 6-month group coaching program for the new female entrepreneur who is ready to launch an online business that allows her to make money on her own terms.
I HAVE TO ASK...
↠ What would it feel like to have all those missing pieces laid out for you?
↠ To be able to pick and choose the ones that work best for you, your life and your business?
↠ To have the support to ask questions & brainstorm having someone who has been exactly where you are now helping you dig deeper than you could ever do on your own?
↠ How would it feel to create a life that allowed you to work with location independence; to travel, to take off when needed and not ask permission?
↠ How would it feel to have the time to do the things you truly enjoy; to go to yoga, to spend time with your child to go on dates with your husband?
↠ How would it feel to have financial freedom to be able to pay off debt, to be able to live a life that doesn’t revolve around paycheck to paycheck?
All of this is possible for you, and I’ve got the roadmap to support you in making it into a reality.
If you are feeling that pull for more, for something different, I encourage you to learn more about the program or join here: https://www.brandmerry.com/freedom
Head over to my Facebook Page and be sure to like and comment on the video while you are over there to help more people see this information ↠ https://www.facebook.com/brandmerrycoaching/videos/964729903735847/
And as always please share and comment on this blog post, I love connecting with you!
Why We Decided to Go Tiny
why we decided to go tiny
November 22, 2018
Hey there, we’re the Knights. I know we’ve met before, but I’m so excited to formally introduce you to my husband Ben and my son Cal!
In 2019 we are setting off on a really exciting adventure, and we want to tell you more about it and bring you along for the ride.
What are we doing?
Beginning in 2019, we are setting out for a year-long adventure in a travel trailer. That's right. We're moving into a travel trailer and going tiny.
We're downsizing.
We're embracing the minimalist life, and we are going to travel the U.S., and work from anywhere.
Why are we doing this?
This was originally a five-year plan for us, but some things have happened this year that have accelerated the process.
In January, I lost my grandma to cancer and Ben lost his mother at the end of September to cancer as well. So we've kind of realigned our priorities because we have one life to live and we really want to make the most of it.
And this isn’t the first time our lives have shifted after the loss of someone, which is another reason why we know that now is the time to take action.
We both lost someone, my brother and Ben’s best friend about 10 years ago to cancer. So knowing these moments happen, we just look at what we're currently doing, what doesn't light us up, and we make a change.
How are you able to do this?
So this is the question we get asked a lot. We're very fortunate because three years ago, when Cal was born, I set out to create my own business.
I’ve worked really hard to create a profitable business that is going to allow Ben to retire from his retail life and for him to come on, work with me at the company and do some freelancing and editing, but ultimately without having the mortgage, without having all of the bills that come with the house and multiple car payments, we're able to live off of one paycheck, which we're excited about.
What’s the plan?
Yeah. So, we bought a travel trailer in October and it was a fixer upper. We've been renovating it for the past month, and the plan is to have it completely finished by the end of January. Then we're going to hit the road, and we're going to travel all of North America, hopefully get up into Canada, see family and friends and beyond.
Our ultimate goal with all of this is that five year plan. We really want to find land, and we are in such a cool situation, that we get to just travel all over and see where we kind of want to find land, put our roots down, and build our dream, probably not big, home.
Follow the journey!
So, we created this platform so that we can bring you along for the journey. It's going to be a really exciting time, and Ben and I are going to be hosting the Free to Be Podcast together starting in January. We’ll be sharing what we're doing, what it's like to be entrepreneurs on the road, how we've adopted a minimalist lifestyle, how we are raising a child in such close quarters, and our relationship.
So be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast listening platform and to also catch us on Instagram and YouTube.
Be sure to join us on the adventure by following along on Instagram and subscribing to the Free to Be Podcast.
EP 10 | Food Rebels with Jodi Bullock
Food Rebels with Jodi Bullock
Free to Be Podcast | Episode 10
In today’s episode, I’m having a real and pretty raw conversation with my dear friend and former coach, Jodi Bullock. You’ll learn more about my relationship with food and the major changes Jodi supported me in making Fall 2017. I just knew to celebrate one year of feeling FREAKING AWESOME, I had to have her on to support all of you.
Jodi and I share the same passion for food AND what we are feeding our sons. I hope this episode inspires you to push back against tradition if it feels right for you and your family.
As with every episode on the podcast, it is my intention for you to feel empowered to make changes in your life leading you to freedom.
Speaking of freedom; hey did you like that segue?!
Roadmap to Freedom is now open for enrollment. We’re currently in Early Bird pricing which means you save $1,000 off the regular price of the program, but only until November 30.
Roadmap to Freedom is a 6-month transformational LIVE experience for the new and aspiring female entrepreneur ready to make money on her terms. It walks you through the four pillars to a thriving and profitable brand and business so you can start experiencing true time, financial and location freedom.
Wondering how to build a community? We cover that!
Not sure how to create content that converts? We cover that!
Want to understand and utilize the social media tools are your fingertips? We cover that!
Ready to master sales conversations? We cover that!
Interested in signing high-level clients and launching courses? We cover that!
In fact, there isn’t much that we don’t cover. Just have a look for yourself: brandmerry.com/freedom
Things we talk about in this episode:
• Jodi’s fertility issues and her story about bringing her baby into the world
• How to push back and question what you’ve been taught to lead a healthier life
• The food we are giving our children and what needs to stop
• Why Jodi is so passionate about teaching parents the importance of what we feed our kids
• What to do when you want to make diet changes but feel lost
• The real benefits of smoothies and juices (because we just can’t decide)
This is a super passionate episode and I can’t wait for you to dive in. Please note if you need to make shifts in your diet please consult Jodi or a registered professional.
JODI BULLOCK
Jodi Bullock is a holistic health coach and consultant who uses the energetics of food and the body to show you how to create the healthiest version of yourself and is working to create large-scale changes in how we look at the food system so that our next generations learn how to eat.
Join Jodi’s private community for more support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/foodrebels
CONNECT WITH JODI
Website: jodibullock.com
Instagram: instagram.com/jodi.bullock/
Facebook: facebook.com/Jodibullockrd/
Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCVL0QfkZjBuMkVhH5s9zeew
Important links mentioned in this episode:
CONNECT WITH ME
Web: brandmerry.com
Instagram: @brandmerrycoaching
Facebook: @brandmerrycoaching
Biz Group: Authentic Brand Builders
LOVE THE FREE TO BE PODCAST?
I kinda secretly hoped you'd say yes! I love you right back lady and I'm so honored you tune in every week for massive inspiration. I've got a favor to ask. Would you be so kind as to leave a review of the podcast on iTunes (if you haven't already)? It means so much to me to read your reviews + it allows more people to get their hands on the amazing interviews and content. Let's spread the love, shall we? REVIEW ON ITUNES ↠
Featured Review of the Week
Review by JustWayTooBoss
“Michelle Knight’s podcast is a definite must for women entrepreneurs and those needing inspiration to pursue their goals and dreams! Her podcast is so down to earth and full of so much honesty, while giving awesome insights on living the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Listen in!!”
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