Authentic Online Marketing with Ruthie Gray

Balancing family and work is a challenge many of us face, especially in the empty nest stage of life. How do you carve out time for your God-given passions while ensuring your family’s needs are met? In today’s episode of the Authentic Online Marketing podcast, Ruthie Gray and her insightful retreat staff discuss these questions. Resources Sign up for the Next Steps Retreat Listen to Ep. 95: Faith-Fueled Leadership: Empowering Christian Women in Business and Social Media Listen to Episode 94: Ep. 94: Empty Nest Case Studies: Finding New Purpose in the Digital Age Visit the new website here The Next Steps Retreat: A Path to Clarity and Achievement For those of you who find yourself juggling family commitments with entrepreneurial desires, our Next Steps Retreat in the serene mountains of West Virginia is designed to provide clarity and support. Many empty nest entrepreneurs struggle with prioritizing tasks—every task feels urgent, yet not every task is critical. Through this retreat, you’ll learn to set a hundred-day goal while surrounded by a supportive community ready to help you sift through what’s truly important. Balancing Family and Work Goals In today’s episode, we bring you insights from Pat, Brenda, Suzanne, and Cathy on finding balance. Kathy emphasizes setting boundaries to preserve creative endeavors, like her newsletter day, while Pat talks about intentionality over balance, reminding us that while family matters, boundaries are key. Brenda shares an innovative approach involving a shared, color-coded Google Calendar with her husband, harmonizing personal and business time. Meanwhile, Suzanne discusses the potential need to shift priorities when family health needs arise. Insights on Balancing Family and Work from Inspirational Women Cathy: Writes a newsletter weekly, prioritizing her creative time despite family demands. Pat: Advocates intention over perfect balance, setting clear work boundaries to enjoy precious family moments. Brenda: Utilizes a shared Google Calendar for clarity and shared family accountability, combining fun personal projects with business goals. Suzanne: Manages active involvement in her grandchildren’s lives while preparing for possible care duties for her in-laws. Ruthie’s Own Journey and Transition Personally, my journey continues with writing a book proposal and launching a new website, ruthiegray.com, both ventures that resonate deeply with my passion to minister to moms. As I pivot better to serve this community, I’m propelled by a desire to support women in managing validation from relationships and establishing healthy boundaries. Three Takeaways to Balancing Family and Work Communicate Clearly: Convey your priorities to your family to manage expectations and ensure you carve out the necessary time for your work and passions. Color-code Your Schedule: Like Brenda, use tools such as a shared Google Calendar to harmonize personal and professional commitments. Redefine Balance: Take Pat’s advice—not every part of your life will be balanced at all times, but being intentional can lead to more fulfilling achievements. Continuous Support and Growth Opportunities Our conversations stress the importance of community and shared experiences, underscoring the benefit of retreats like our Next Steps Retreat. If you’re interested in joining a network that will support you in achieving your next big goals, visit ruthiegray.com/retreat for more information. Thank you for joining us for this insightful discussion. Until next time, continue sharing your message in your authentic voice. The post Ep. 116: Balancing Family and Work as an Empty Nest Entrepreneur appeared first on Authentic Online Marketing.

Knowing when it’s time to quit can be hard, right? Today, I’m sharing how I said goodbye to a season and how this decision unfolded over time. If you’re contemplating a pivotal shift or quitting something to start something new, this episode is for you. Resources Purchase your copy of 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan Join the waitlist for the Empty Nest Entrepreneur Retreat in West Virginia in 2025 Purchase your copy of Empty Nest Awakening by Ruthie Gray Finding Peace in Letting Go Have you ever felt a persistent nudge and ignored it because it seemed too difficult? That’s exactly what happened to me. It started six months ago, like my grandson’s forgotten basketball rolling around in the back of my trunk. God brought me to this moment, and I almost ignored it. If you’re on the brink of a tough decision and you’re wondering if it’s time to quit, let me offer you some peace. Stop everything, get off the hamster wheel of doing, doing, doing. Focus on what you want to achieve in the next five years. What would accomplishing that look like, and what do you need to quit to make it happen? 10X vs. 2X: Doing Less to Achieve More One of my favorite business books, 10X is Easier than 2X by Dan Sullivan, emphasizes doing less to achieve more. Zero in on your main calling and perfect it, which often involves quitting. Sullivan warns that committing to the 10X process inevitably requires letting go of your current identity, circumstances, and comfort zone. Going 10X means excelling in one thing rather than doing more of the same just faster and harder, which is unsustainable. 5 Steps to Take When It’s Time to Quit 1. Prayer and Scripture Meet the Lord daily in prayer and search His Word to gain clarity on your calling. 2. Wise Sounding Boards Share your thoughts with trusted friends, a mastermind group, or a coach. My coach helped me immensely. 3. Journaling or Typing to Process: Writing out your thoughts helps you process and figure out your next steps. 4. Trust Your Gut If you’ve felt the nudge for 6-9 months, it’s time to trust your instincts. 5. Take the Step Make your decision public and see how it feels. Personal Breakthroughs and Decisions I made several 10X decisions in November: I quit coaching Instagram, announced a podcast rebrand, attended a retreat, and secured a venue for our September Empty Nest Entrepreneur retreat. I found a writer’s mastermind and committed to pursuing writing and traditional publishing. The book of Daniel inspired me to help guide people wisely. Dan Sullivan encourages us to expand emotionally, living a more committed life even when it’s tough. My grandson verbalizes his emotions clearly – it’s hard, he says. Indeed, change is hard but necessary for growth. Planning for the Future The pivot allows someone else to pick up where you left off. I’m focusing on family and writing books, aligned with my long-term goals. I’ve had to decide what I’m unwilling to give up, realizing that time with family and writing are non-negotiable for me. If you’re seeking wisdom and community, join our retreat in West Virginia in 2025. Sign up for the waitlist to stay informed and get coaching input in a supportive group setting. Goodbyes are hard, but they leave room for peace and growth. Final Thoughts As we wrap up our last episode in this format, I encourage you to consider what the nudge means for you. What does the master call a butterfly at the end of its world? Until next time, share your message your way, in your own authentic voice. The post Ep. 115: 5 Clear Indicators It’s Time to Quit and Start Fresh appeared first on Authentic Online Marketing.

As an empty nest entrepreneur, setting goals is essential for sustained growth and achievement. But how do you effectively set goals that encompass both short-term wins and long-term aspirations, say, three to five-year goals? And as many of you know, most of our listeners are in the empty nest, meaning we’re fifties, sixties, even seventies. And I want to point out, you may not have heard this, but it’s a well-known statistic that women in their sixties and seventies are just hitting their most productive time of life. These goal setting essentials have helped me in my entrepreneurial journey and I’m sure they can help you too! Well, today, what I’m about to share with you about goal setting essentials is my personal approach that I have worked out over the last seven or eight years. It works for me. But you don’t have to do everything I say. I just want you to consider and listen. I don’t believe it’s a one-size-fits-all all. You have your personality and your superpower and your skills, strengths, and weaknesses. And so do I, but I would encourage you to try some of these goal setting essentials if you haven’t yet. Resources Get your copy of the Move Forward Minimal Journal Cultivate Planner: Use this link with the code RUTHIE_GRAY_AUTHOR for 10% off entire order! Join the Authentic Online Marketing Retreat waitlist Get your copy of Empty Nest Awakening: Weaving the Threads of Your Passions into Purpose by Ruthie Gray Listen to Ep. 108: 3 Steps for Entrepreneurial Focus with Amy Debrucque Listen to Ep. 81: Achieving Your Best Yes: Learning to Say No and Prioritize Goal Setting Essentials Retreat and Community Support A couple of months ago, I hosted a retreat for empty nest entrepreneurs in beautiful Treasure Island, Florida, here in my state. And it was just weeks before the hurricanes hit and flattened our community. Thank the Lord for his perfect timing in protecting the retreat attendees and that we got to do that. I’m all about helping my clients find their next steps for moving forward. Most of them are Christian creatives—authors, speakers, podcasters, coaches. Others are in the product and sales industries like beauty and clothing. Each of the 11 delightful attendees got a turn in the hot seat for a coaching session. Together, we determined their goal for the next 100 days. What you’re about to hear is one of our follow-up group coaching calls to see how they’re doing on their 100-day goals and answer questions on issues where they’re getting stuck. The really exciting part is hearing the progress and breakthroughs they’re making as they inch toward December 23rd, the 100-day mark. By the way, would you like help with your big goals? If you’re constantly finding yourself distracted or overwhelmed by all the things and wondering which of the hundreds of tasks to prioritize, you can join my newsletter and retreat waitlist to get information about the 2025 retreat. Simply click the retreat link in the show notes or head to authenticonlinemarketing.com/retreat. As multigenerational caregivers, we face indecision a lot in this stage of life. We need wisdom, community, and coaching to help us sort the wheat from the chaff. We don’t have time to waste because we’re not getting any younger. I hope you’ll join the waitlist and stay in the loop for valuable resources and tools to move forward and make better decisions. Using the Move Forward Minimal Journal First up, let’s talk about setting goals. I use the Move Forward Minimal Journal by Krista Hutchins. This simple goal setting essentials tool has been a part of my life for six years. Each day, I write a few sentences about what happened, focusing on both personal and business-related events. In the middle of the journal, there’s a checkpoint for five-year goals. It prompts you to list three five-year goals and at least one thing you do each month to work toward them. I have written down goals like getting traditionally published, getting on staff at my favorite conference, Speak Up, and toying with the idea of writing a fictional book series based in my hometown of Gulfport, Florida. Every month, I document my progress in little squares. This structure helps me stay aligned with my long-term aspirations while being flexible enough to change if needed. Cultivate Planner: Staying on Task Another tool that keeps me on track is the Cultivate Planner. I’ve used this yearly planner for the past six years. It helps me stay focused with guided questions at the beginning of the year about what I want to cultivate. You can brainstorm your goals and then narrow them down to yearly goals. I’ve realized that having too many goals can be overwhelming. Therefore, at most, I recommend having around six goals for the year, with at least one being personal. Monthly and quarterly check-ins help me reassess what’s working and what’s not, allowing me to adjust my focus and keep the most important goals top of mind. Monthly and Quarterly Goal Reviews Every month, at the start and end, I review my goals to see what’s working, what isn’t, and what I’m thankful for. This process helps me stay on task. Brenda asked if this helps, and she confirmed that it does. Knowing that every month I review my five-year goals ensures they stay top of mind. Tracking and Sharing Progress on Goals Let’s hear updates from our participants on their 100-day goals. Brenda shared her approach of reverse engineering her book’s writing schedule, with insights from editor Lois Flowers revitalizing her process. Elizabeth has been diligently working on her website, seeing tremendous progress as she aims for a Christmas launch, though she’s flexible with a possible January 1st launch. Melanie has successfully maintained a weekly email schedule, finding that Sunday nights work best. Next Steps for these Goal Setting Essentials It’s amazing to see everyone so fired up and moving forward with their goals. The key is cutting out tasks that don’t move you toward your 100-day goal and using tools like the Move Forward Line a Day Journal and the Cultivate Planner to document goals, track progress, reset objectives regularly, along with the other goal setting essentials. First, know what you want to accomplish in the next three to five years. Take time to pray and assess your goals. Focus on a few things to move you forward toward your big goals. What are your big goals? Check out the Move Forward Line a Day Journal and the Cultivate Planner. Sign up for the next retreat and get your decision prayer guide. Use these goal setting essentials to push forward towards your goals! Until next time, be sure to share your message your way in your own authentic voice. The post Ep. 114: Goal Setting Essentials for Empty Nest Entrepreneurs appeared first on Authentic Online Marketing.

We’re thrilled to have Linda Goldfarb on the podcast with us to discuss how to leverage your podcasting personality. Linda is an award-winning podcast host, author, actress, and audiobook narrator, renowned for her expertise in creating engaging audio content. In this episode, we discuss the art of podcasting, starting with Linda’s journey from guest to host, and uncovering the pivotal role that understanding your podcasting personality plays in your success. We’ll explore the four unique podcasting personality types—Mobilizer, Socializer, Stabilizer, and Organizer—and how each can leverage their strengths while addressing their challenges. Linda shares invaluable insights, from transitioning from a guest to confidently hosting your own show, to the exponential growth of the podcasting industry. Whether you’re a writer looking to venture into the world of podcasting or simply seeking to refine your hosting skills, Linda’s wisdom and practical advice will inspire you. Resources Take the free quiz – How God Designed Me Check out her book Creating Dynamic Podcasts and Audio Books Listen to her podcasts Your Best Writing Life, Staying Real about Faith & Family  Listen to Ruthie’s guest episode on Your Best Writing Life: How to Juggle Writing & Caregiving Follow Linda on Instagram Related Episode 102: Navigating Your Path to Podcasting: from guest to host with Jennifer Sakata Listen to the Private “Shh” Podcast by clicking here Discover your Podcasting Personality Linda’s unique personality assessment can help you understand your podcasting style—whether you’re a Mobilizer, Socializer, Stabilizer, or Organizer. Knowing your type can make a world of difference in how you connect with your audience. Embrace Being a Guest First Starting out as a podcast guest can be a game-changer for your podcasting career. Understand different podcasting styles and find your best fit before launching your own show. Obsess About Your Audience It is critically important to understand your audience. By obsessing over their needs, you can provide consistent value and maintain listener engagement.  The more you understand their needs, the better you serve. Listen now to the full episode and discover how you can leverage these tips to create compelling and authentic content for your podcast! Meet Linda Goldfarb Linda Goldfarb is a bold communicator whose passions include educating individuals about their God-designed personalities and helping others live God’s best life. She believes in the power of relational transparency and is quick to share that transparency transforms! As an award-winning, multi-book author, international speaker, certified personality consultant, professional actress, board-certified Christian life coach, audiobook narrator, and talk radio veteran, Linda has logged thousands of hours influencing lives worldwide. She’s the award-winning host of the Your Best Writing Life podcast, the Staying Real About Faith & Family podcast, clarity and mindset coach for The Biblical Nutritionist Academy, a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, emcee of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, and co-founder of the LINKED® Personality Assessment. When Linda is not working, you’ll find her sipping frothed coffee on a comfy couch or photographing nature from odd angles while she and her hubby, Sam, play golf and hike across the USA. Spending time with her four favorite children, amazing grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and country dogs—check off the boxes that complete her life. Linda says, “My life is far from perfect, and that’s where Yeshua met me, loved me, and saved me. For Him, I’m eternally grateful.” The post Ep. 113: Leverage Your Podcasting Personality with Linda Goldfarb appeared first on Authentic Online Marketing.

In our latest podcast episode about balancing writing and audience growth, I had the pleasure of welcoming Janet McHenry, a renowned national speaker and author of 27 inspiring books, including her latest release, “Praying Personalities.” Janet shared her invaluable insights on balancing the writing life with entrepreneurial endeavors. Resources Take Janet’s Quiz Praying Personalities Check out Janet’s website Use code AUTHENTIC20 for 20% off your next purchase on Janet’s website shop Follow Janet on Instagram Listen to Ep. 22: When to trust your instincts for platform growth Listen to Ep. 111: Efficient Work Methods for the Empty Nest Writer with Michelle Rayburn 4 Secrets to Balancing Writing and Audience growth Discover Your Calling Janet emphasizes the importance of understanding God’s calling in your life as a filter for prioritizing tasks and saying no to distractions. Writing Processes for balancing writing and audience growth From concept to publication, Janet walks us through her unique approach to book writing, emphasizing the creation of a solid book proposal as an essential step. Social Media Mastery and balance Learn how Janet streamlines her daily social media presence across multiple platforms with an efficient, faith-driven routine. Email List Building via Quizzes Janet’s engaging online quiz added over 6,000 subscribers to her mailing list, driving significant engagement and book sales. Ready to deepen your prayer life or find new motivation in your writing journey? Janet’s books, including “Prayer Walk” and “The Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus,” are available on Amazon and other leading bookstores. As a special thank you for being a loyal listener, use code AUTHENTIC20 for 20% off your next purchase on Janet’s website. About Janet McHenry Often described as a  life juggler, upon graduation with a degree in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, Janet McHenry worked as a newspaper reporter and high school English teacher while raising four kids with her high school sweetheart husband Craig (aka The Rancher). Post-college and post-Army, they settled down in the Sierra Valley in northern California. They raise beef cattle in a county without a single stoplight and love sharing the outdoors with their nine grandchildren. Janet looks for ways to serve leadership and others when she speaks at retreats and conferences. She also serves as prayer coordinator at The Bridge Church in Reno, on the advisory council of First Place for Health, and on the state leadership team for the National Day of Prayer. She is a writer, speaker, life and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Certified Coach as well as the founder of the Sierra Valley Writers Retreat. She also loves hosting friends new and seasoned at her Sierra Valley Writers Retreats . . . or just for a cup of something yummy. And she looks forward to knowing you better! The post Ep. 112: Balancing Writing and Audience growth with Janet McHenry appeared first on Authentic Online Marketing.

Today, we have the pleasure of conversing with Michelle Rayburn, an accomplished writer, podcaster, speaker, and author of several inspirational Christian living books. Known for her delightful sense of humor and knack for repurposing life’s challenges into teachable moments, Michelle joins host Ruthie to share her extensive experience in freelance writing, efficient work methods, and navigating the empty nest phase. With over 20 years in the field, Michelle reveals her secrets to staying productive while maintaining work-life balance through effective systems and boundaries. We’ll hear about her latest collaborative project, “This Reimagined Empty Nest,” and how embracing her own “repurposed” journey has enriched her life and work. From organizational tips to heartfelt reflections on motherhood, this episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone looking to thrive in both their personal and professional lives. Resources Subscribe to the Private Podcast Check out Michelle’s website Follow Michelle on Instagram Get your copy of This Reimagined Empty Nest Listen to Ruthie’s guest episode on Michelle’s Mid-Life Repurposed Podcast Listen to Ep. 50: Time management for the Christian entrepreneur Listen to Ep. 90: Empty Nest Awakening: Ruthie Gray’s Inspirational Book on Rediscovering Passion in Life 9 Tips for Efficient Work Methods 1. Embrace Boundaries Ensure you have clear boundaries with work and family for a balanced life. 2. Systemize Tasks Organize tasks using folders and digital tools like Asana or Trello to stay efficient. 3. Use What You Have Maximize your existing tools before investing in new software for productivity. 4. Schedule Sprints Work in focused periods and take breaks to maintain high productivity levels. 5. Prioritize Flexibility Value flexibility in your schedule to adapt to both professional and personal commitments. 6. Celebrate Growth Acknowledge the personal and professional growth that comes with an empty nest. 7. Cherish Relationships Stay connected and involved with family, prioritizing meaningful moments together. 8. Follow Your Calling Pursue passions and projects that bring joy and fulfillment in this new phase of life. 9. Trust the Process Have faith that God repurposes challenging times into opportunities for growth. Listen in to get inspired and take actionable advice from a seasoned entrepreneur and author. This Reimagined empty nest is a heartwarming anthology that brings together twenty-two diverse voices and experiences to support and inspire you as you step into a new chapter of life. From the joyful to the bittersweet, our contributors share personal stories, poems, and reflections on embracing change, redefining relationships, and finding renewed purpose after the kids leave home. Get the book on Amazon here. Meet Michelle Meet Michelle Rayburn, the ultimate trash-to-treasure guru. When life hands her lemons, she not only makes lemonade but also crafts a stunning lemon-themed centerpiece out of the peels. And let’s not forget her love for iced coffee and lazy afternoons in the hammock with a good book – and dark chocolate! Michelle is a woman of eclectic talents, including writing, podcasting, and mastering the art of lighthearted sarcasm and dad jokes – a language all moms seem to pick up eventually. With an MA in ministry leadership and counseling, she also helps others turn their own trash into treasure, both in life and in faith. So if you’re looking for a dose of humor and inspiration, look no further. And if you’re lucky, she might even share some of that dark chocolate with you. The post Ep. 111: Efficient Work Methods for the Empty Nest Writer with Michelle Rayburn appeared first on Authentic Online Marketing.

Today we’re covering the top 5 episodes from year 4 of the Authentic Online Marketing podcast! Each year we cover the top episodes that you all love the most. This year we covered so many wonderful topics like learning to say “no”, self-publishing tips, and online marketing tools for entrepreneurs.  Resources Sign up to listen to the private podcast 2024 Marketing for Creatives Listen to Ep. 85: 7 Online Marketing Tools for Entrepreneurs Listen to Ep. 91: 3 Reasons to Self-Publish Listen to Ep. 84: 5 Secrets to Successful Affiliate Marketing Listen to Ep. 93: How to Reverse Engineer Your Launch Listen to Ep. 81: Achieving Your Best Yes: Learning to Say No and Prioritize Top 5 episodes of year 4 5. Ep. 85: 7 Online Marketing Tools for Entrepreneurs As entrepreneurs we need the right online marketing tools to grow our businesses. I’m all about Instagram and email marketing, but there are so many other things involved in my work on a daily basis.In this episode I’m sharing my top time saving online marketing tools that I use in my business. 4. Ep. 91: 3 Reasons to Self-Publish Ever wondered about the process of writing and self-publishing a book? Today I’m diving into the behind-the-scenes conversation with Kent Sanders on my decision to write a book and the pros and cons of self-publishing. 3. Ep. 84: 5 Secrets to Successful Affiliate Marketing Ready to boost your online marketing game? In this episode, we delve into the world of successful affiliate marketing and how it can boost your sales and business. It’s important to realize how affiliate marketing is an additional income stream for both active and passive sales. Given these points, when you regularly promote or talk about certain topics on your blog, podcast, newsletter, or social media, you can just pop the links in wherever they apply. Listen to this episode to learn the 5 secrets to successful affiliate marketing. 2. Ep. 93: How to Reverse Engineer Your Launch Today, I want to share with you 10 tips on how to reverse engineer your book launch for maximum success. These tips are based on my own experiences and strategies that have served me well. Listen to the episode and use these 10 tips I used myself when you launch your book.  1. Ep. 81: Achieving Your Best Yes: Learning to Say No and Prioritize Do you find yourself saying “yes” to too many things? Learning to say “no” can be incredibly challenging! Time is your most valuable asset. In this episode we dive into the importance of saying “yes” to the right things, breaking down big goals, and achieving those goals while protecting your time. Saying yes to too many things means you can’t complete the goals you’ve set for your life and business. Learn how to protect your time and market your business more efficiently. Top 5 episodes of year 4 of the Authentic Online Marketing Podcast Those are the top 5 episodes that you all loved from the past year! Thank you for listening! The post Ep. 110: Anniversary Special: Top 5 Episodes from Year 4 appeared first on Authentic Online Marketing.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about effective email ideas and marketing strategies with special guest, Christa Hutchins from the Just One Simple Thing podcast. Ruthie and Christa discuss the importance of nurturing your audience through well-crafted emails, the pivotal role email plays compared to social media, and how consistent communication keeps you top of mind for your audience. They share practical tips, including maintaining a consistent brand voice, experimenting with different email formats, and fostering engagement by encouraging responses. Also, don’t forget to catch Part 2 of this insightful series on Christa’s podcast. Resources Listen to the Just One Simple Thing podcast Check out Christa’s website Listen to Ep. 100: Email Marketing Trends for 2024 Listen to Ep. 76: Convert Instagram Followers into Email Subscribers: How It Works Listen to Ep. 61: Combining Instagram and email marketing in 5 smart ways 3 Email Ideas for Nurturing Your Audience Email Purpose The primary goal of your email should be to develop and strengthen your relationship with your audience. Ensure when your email lands in their inbox, they want to open it because they find value in your content. Consistent Communication It’s crucial to keep your brand top of mind by emailing consistently. Don’t be discouraged by “lurkers” — individuals who read but don’t immediately interact. Consistent, valuable emails can turn these readers into loyal customers when the time is right. Personal Touch Matters Including a call to action and inviting responses in your emails helps foster engagement. Always aim to reply to your readers’ responses to show that you value their input, nurturing a stronger relationship. Email Ideas for Your Email Marketing Remember, email marketing isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s a journey of discovery and connection. Always offer value to your target audience. Keep experimenting, stay genuine, and your audience will feel that authenticity. The post Ep. 109: Email Ideas (That Work) For Nurturing Your Audience with Christa Hutchins appeared first on Authentic Online Marketing.

Amy Debrucque joins us on the podcast today to discuss the struggles of entrepreneurial focus. Amy brings a wealth of experience and insight into the world of Christian entrepreneurship. She’s not only a confidence coach and author of “Embolden,” but also a speaker, cancer survivor, host of the Life on Purpose podcast, and co-creator of the Focus retreat. Her journey and dedication are centered on helping women break out of their comfort zones and concentrate on what truly matters in their lives. Throughout the episode, Amy discusses the common challenges entrepreneurs face, particularly maintaining focus amidst the distractions and comparisons present in today’s digital world. You’ll also receive an outline of three essential tips to help refine and maintain focus. Resources Visit Amy’s Website Check out the Focus Retreat Follow Amy on InstagramFollow the Focus Retreat on Instagram Listen to Ep. 50: Time management for the Christian entrepreneur Listen to Ep. 81: Achieving Your Best Yes: Learning to Say No and Prioritize 3 Steps for Entrepreneurial Focus Understand What Matters Most Amy places a strong emphasis on identifying the core elements that are most important in one’s life. Recognizing these can help steer focus and make decisions that align with personal and professional objectives. Revisit Your “Why” It’s crucial to continually revisit the reasons behind your entrepreneurial journey. Understanding your ‘why’ helps navigate through challenges and keeps you aligned with your mission, especially when distractions or discouragements loom. Evaluating the Costs and Aligning Actions with Values Amy advises considering the costs of engaging or not engaging in certain actions and assessing whether these actions align with one’s core values. This helps you make decisions that not only bring focus but also ensure that your actions consistently reflect your beliefs and goals. Amy’s insights are a testament to her journey and dedication to helping others find clarity and focus in both their personal and professional lives. By embracing her tips and applying them diligently, Christian entrepreneurs can navigate their paths with confidence and purpose. Amy Debrucque is a Confidence Coach, author of Embolden, Speaker, cancer survivor, Host of the Life On Purpose Podcast, and co-creator of the FOCUS Retreat. She is passionate about helping women get out of their comfort zones and focus on the things that matter most. Amy encourages women globally with her podcast and featured articles in Darling Magazine, ThriveGlobal, Womenencouraged.com, and many more. Surrendering gave Amy courage in all areas of life, and she is grateful that she’ll never be the same. The post Ep. 108: 3 Steps for Entrepreneurial Focus with Amy Debrucque appeared first on Authentic Online Marketing.

Everyone loves a good story, especially Instagram users browsing through their daily feeds. But here’s the catch: so many of us aren’t fully utilizing Instagram Stories. This episode is aimed at changing that. Here are 10 ways you can repurpose Instagram Stories by transforming them into valuable content across all of your neighborhoods — Reels, carousels, highlights, and even platforms like Pinterest and Youtube. Resources Get access to the private podcast Listen to Ep. 106: Deciphering Instagram Analytics for Optimum Views Listen to Ep. 105: Ruthie‘s Instagram Sabbatical: Using Only Stories for 30 Days Listen to Ep. 103: Instagram SEO Simplified: Increase Your Visibility Listen to Ep. 99: Instagram Trends for 2024 Listen to Ep. 41: What to share in stories 10 Ways to Repurpose Instagram Stories 1. Convert Stories into Reels Convert your stories into immersive Reels with ease, finding new audiences and engaging followers in a fresh format. 2. Create Graphics from Stories You can repurpose the story into an infographic or a quote. Perhaps you don’t care for the actual look of the story, so simply repurpose the content as a quote or some kind of graphic. 3. Create Carousel Posts from Story Content You can repurpose a collection of stories into a carousel for your feed. The longer people swipe through the carousel, the longer they’ll stay on your feed, and that signals to the algorithm that people are interested in your content. 4. Make New Videos Based on Stories If someone comments on your Story you could make a Reel based on the message. Or if you want to talk deeper about something in your Stories you could make a Reel about it. 5. Strategic Use of Highlights Use your Instagram stories strategically to enhance your highlights, linking your audience directly to your core content. Use highlights for only important content. 6. Utilizing Audience Interactions Use comments or information you gather from polls, question boxes, or conversations. The more engagement and interaction you get from people, the more content ideas you’ll have. 7. Story Content as Captions Use the content in your Stories as captions for another post in your feed. 8. Designing Reel Covers with Stories Use Stories to take pictures and add title text for your Reel covers. Download your story to your phone then use it as the cover for your Reel. 9. Direct Messaging Stories to Enhance Engagement After you’ve posted a story, you can send it to people via the DMs or your broadcast channel. You can also post the link to your story and share it anywhere. Just remember that stories expire after 24 hours! 10. Repurpose Instagram Stories on Other Platforms Expand your reach by repurposing your stories across different platforms like Pinterest and YouTube, maximizing visibility and engagement. Repurpose Your Instagram Stories You don’t have time to make fresh content all the time It’s important to repurpose, repurpose repurpose. As content creators, we want to create. We want to make new things, but we don’t have time for all the things. We just don’t have time to create all the time if we really want to use our time wisely. Instagram Stories only last for 24 hours, but by repurposing Stories your hard work can live on beyond its fleeting lifespan. The post Ep. 107: 10 Ways to Repurpose Instagram Stories appeared first on Authentic Online Marketing.