Episode #488: Why Your Marketing Isn't Making Sales – It's not what you think!

Managing a business can take so much time. Whether you have a team of employees or have to do everything yourself - managing your business probably takes more time than you’d like. Today’s guest Callan Faulkner is an expert on streamlining businesses' operations to maximize their efficiency and productivity. And if you put into practice her advice - you’ll find yourself getting back hours if not whole days every week. This episode’s rundown: [00:00] Intro & introducing Callan Faulkner [04:35] Using AI to make businesses efficient [09:26] AI for web search (hint: do the polar OPPOSITE of Google search) [14:05] Don’t get mistaken for AI: use Claude - the most human-sounding AI model [16:54] Research with confidence: use Perplexity [20:01] Write pitches for PR using Claude  [23:24] Why you should spend time training AI (it’s not that hard once you know what “training” really means) [25:31] Make your own CLIFF notes -  Notebook LM - reads your pick of 50 books in seconds [28:15] The best way to learn AI to streamline your business [35:26] Latest Updates and Big Changes   Here are the resources mentioned in the show: Save your seat for Callan’s FREE AI Masterclass! Join JMC's 30-day Holiday Marketing Strategy Challenge for October   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.  Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok

“I feel like I spend more time on content creation than making Jewelry.” If that line resonated with you - you’re not alone. Creatives often reach out to me expressing that they want to spend more time working on their Jewelry instead of writing, editing, and producing their own marketing content. I heard you loud and clear - so I reached out to Phil Vilk, an agency owner who specializes in marketing with User Generated Content - using your customers instead of yourself for content creation. In this episode, you’ll learn:  [0:00] Latest news and announcements [03:23] How Phil went from hating agencies to starting one himself [06:44] What should the customer say to create the best testimonial? [08:38] The ethics and legality of incentivizing customers for testimonials. [09:40] How much should you budget to pay for customer reviews? [12:49] Using JotForm to get the videos, display terms & conditions, and turn reviewers into affiliates [15:00] The 7 elements of a good customer testimonial (including the 1 thing that should Never be in a testimonial) [16:54] Optimal length for a user-generated video [17:41] How do you prep someone to do an unboxing video? [19:02] Editing testimonial videos & compilations [22:07] Scoring customer testimonials and determining compensation [24:05] Advertising strategies if you don’t have the budget to hire an agency [27:14] What it’s like to work with Phil & how to connect with him Here are the resources mentioned in the show: Phil’s website - Creative Launch Follow Phil on Instagram Laying the Foundation - Enroll now (final cohort) Magnetic Marketing Masterclass - Watch on Demand for free   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.  Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok  

How much ROI can you get in ONE year by investing in yourself? Today is a very special episode of Thrive By Design - because I have a panel of women who have all become successful Jewelry business owners in their own right. What they all have in common is that they decided to invest in our Laying The Foundation program, listened to our coaches, worked hard, and achieved amazing results. The panel discussion rundown:   [0:00] [News & Announcements / Intro] [4:58] Meet the Panelists and discover the biggest mindset hurdle they overcame [17:12] Erin’s journey from $18k a year to $19k in one month [22:36] Wanda’s business restructuring over the past year and finding clarity about her dream clients [26:00] Lara Miller - breaking through her block, gaining confidence in her pricing, and rebranding her business [30:21] Dawn - her side of the story coaching Laura through her block and her philosophy on coaching [34:45] Laura Stamper - Making back $10k in business investment by end of Q1 - realizing her limitations, outsourcing her weaknesses and playing to her strengths. [42:33] Lindsey - from $13k / year to six figures in 4 years [47:35] Panel Question: “Did you have any hesitations about joining Laying the Foundation - and what would you say to someone who is on the fence?” [1:04:31] Invitation to join LTF - and how to contact me with any questions you may have.   Here are the resources mentioned in the show: Laying the Foundation Ask Tracy A Question About LTF Magnetic Marketing Masterclass   Guest (Instagram) Website Erin Kandoll Twisted Ginger Jewelry Lindsey Kirk Lindsey the Ladysmith Laura Stamper Laura Stamper Designs Lara Miller The Charmed Rabbit Wanda Nichols VANDA Inspired   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.  Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok  

Make this your highest revenue holiday season ever! It may only be September - but the holidays are almost here. And for Jewelers - this is our busiest time of the year. Don’t waste the holiday season chasing after clients - instead draw them to you so you can focus on what you do best: crafting amazing Jewelry. In this episode - I cover how to become a magnetic marketer that attracts your ideal clients using the Desired Brand Effect™ methodology in my book. The rundown: [0:00] Latest News and Announcements [1:25] Introduction: Become a magnetic marketer who draws your ideal clients in [3:24] Understanding a Jewelry customer’s desire and why you need to connect with them on a personal level [08:06] Setting your brand apart from your competitors - listing features is not enough and what you should mention instead [9:52] What you might find out when you go deeper than your ideal client and that could CHANGE EVERYTHING [14:19] Transform your gemstones into timeless memories and unforgettable experiences [20:58] Different customers reside on different social platforms - where to go to find the customers you want [22:09] Take advantage of the different stages of holiday shopping by prepping your offers and collections to match each stage [25:28] Conclusion: Putting it all together Here are the resources mentioned in the show: Magnetic Marketing Masterclass Laying the Foundation VIP Upgrade   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.  Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok  

Would you have the courage to change cities to follow your dream? Today’s guest Nicole Fedele - a recent Laying the Foundation graduate - did just that. Nicole lived in one of the biggest cities in the world - NYC - that has everything an artist could possibly want - and yet she left to find somewhere that would fit her even better. And today - she shares why she made such a brave choice.  In this episode, we cover:  [00:00] Latest News & Announcements [01:50] Breaking Free: From the Corporate World to Painting [05:37] Nicole’s Creative Process [07:27] Painting with Metal [09:21] The Big Move: Changing cities to find a community [11:29] All or nothing: Upgrading to VIP [14:02] Almost backing out - seeing a Sign to continue [18:51] 1-1 mentorship: receiving clarity & focus [20:54] Finding & Charging Dream Clients [22:50] Developing the businesswoman mindset [23:59] Making a connection and finding a community [26:47] Nicole’s advice to new business owners about Laying the Foundation Here are the resources mentioned in the show:   Follow Nicole on Instagram! Nicole’s Website 4-Step Magnetic Marketing System Masterclass Laying the Foundation VIP Upgrade   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.  Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok  

Today’s Thrive By Design guest Marion Gaude has an amazing story of how she ended up as a surprise guest talking jewelry on one of the US’s top television programs the Today Show during the Paris Olympics - a story you won’t want to miss. Marion Gaude is a Jewelry business owner based in France.  Her unique Jewelry contains gemstones sourced from India and she has a partnership with Le Bon Marchet - a high-end French department store nearing 200 years old. In this episode, we cover:  [0:00] Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp [1:35] Introducing Marion Gaude  [3:38] Escaping her “Golden Prison” to reconnecting with her childhood [11:01] Sourcing gemstones from India [12:52] From Inspiration to Completed Collection [16:09] Showcasing Jewelry on the Today’s Show during the Olympics [25:34] Partnering with Le Bon Marchet [27:21] Why did Marion take Laying the Foundation (LTF)? [31:11] What was Marion’s favorite part of LTF? [32:43] How did she justify the investment? [34:07] Marion’s advice to listeners considering Laying the Foundation.   Here are the resources mentioned in the show: Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp Follow Marion on Instagram! Check out Marion’s Jewelry Brand Atelier Siméon  Laying the Foundation   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.  Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok

What would you do if you lost everything? That happened to today’s guest Laura Stamper. In just 3 months - she lost everything.  Her husband, her house, and her art studio.  But Laura didn’t let that stop her.   She invested in herself and her business - and her business grew 7x❗when compared with the same quarter as last year. And she credits the coaches at F&TA for giving her two big pieces of advice that made it possible.   [0:00]   Latest News and Announcements [1:43]   Who is Laura? [4:55]   How Laura lost everything [12:07] Overcoming indecision and turning her life around [16:05] The case for selling wholesale: hourly rate [19:07] Investing in her business: 3x ROI in just one year [23:06] The biggest factor to growing her business: email marketing [27:58] What’s it like working with the coaches at Flourish & Thrive? [31:57] What are the biggest changes coaching made for your business? [34:02] Specific sales growth quarter-by-quarter [35:20] Laura’s advice to YOU   Here are the resources mentioned in the show:  Follow Laura Stamper on Instagram! Laura Stamper’s Website Sign up for the Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp Laying the Foundation VIP   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.  Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok  

Do you ever feel like the wrong people are buying from you? Many of my students come to me with a vision of their dream customer. The problem?   The only people buying their Jewelry are outside their target demographic. And worse - this misalignment results in low sales. These students don’t understand why their marketing seems to be attracting the wrong people. In today’s episode - I cover aligning your marketing so that it attracts your dream client and increases your sales. In this episode, I cover:  [0:00] Latest News and Announcements [5:32] Identifying your ideal client [14:10] Why most Jewelry lines repel your dream client - and which attract them [18:16] Aligning your brand’s story & messaging to your ideal customer [21:27] The social media strategies that discourage engagement - and what to do instead [26:04] Picking photography models that resonate with your dream customer [29:05] Email marketing strategies that nurture email leads to conversion   Here are the resources mentioned in the show: Jewelry Brand Makeover Bootcamp (September 3-6, 2024)   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.  Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok

Are you interested in offering a new jewelry service that has a relatively low investement to get started, high margins, and a myriad of ways to diferentiate yourself? In today’s episode, Ashely - owner and founder of The Babe Standard, an accessories business based in Kansas City - shares how offering permanent jewelry can completely change a Jewelry Business Owner’s business model - and lead to higher margins and profits with a relatively low starting investment. In this episode, you’ll learn:  [0:00] Latest News & Announcements [6:10] Ashley’s Journey to Selling Permanent Jewelry [11:51] What are the obstacles? [16:08] Repeat customers & adding value [19:15] Getting started [20:03] Marketing permanent jewelry [20:50] Differentiating yourself [22:45] Justifying your pricing [24:10] Offering warranties [26:30] Getting Positive Online Reviews   Here are the resources mentioned in the show: The Babe Standard Sunstone Permanent Jewelry Welders Desired Brand Effect Mastermind Experience: Scottsdale, AZ September 17th and 18th   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.   Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok  

One of the biggest mistakes I see creatives and business owners make is trying to do everything on their own. I attribute many of my recent successes to getting in the room with powerful people - networking, learning from, and making friends with other successful business owners. In today’s episode - I share my key takeaways from a mastermind I attended last week. This episode’s rundown: [0:00] Latest News & Announcements [4:15] Getting in the room with powerful people [14:28] Clarity & Stillness [16:19]] Unfrazzling your business [17:44] Deciding to Transform [20:24] Seasons of Business [22:39] The 6 Pillars of Wealth [24:27] Don’t let the “no’s” keep you from knowing [28:08] The power of being with powerful people Here are the resources mentioned in the show: Desired Brand Effect Mastermind Experience: Scottsdale, AZ September 17th and 18th (THIS WEEKEND)   Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week.  Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platform Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” Share your favorite insights and inspirations   If you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.   xo, Tracy Matthews   Follow on Instagram: Follow @Flourish_Thrive on Instagram Follow @TracyMatthewsNY  Instagram Follow Flourish & Thrive Facebook   Follow us on Tik Tok: Follow @Flourish_Thrive Tik Tok Follow @TracyMatthewsNY on Tik Tok