#160: Rory Vaden—How to Build a Personal Brand (Without Pretending to be Someone You’re Not)

We’re all well aware of the shopping frenzy on Black Friday, but we tend to forget that other holidays like Memorial Day can be just as profitable. Many businesses miss out because they don't realize how ready their customers are to spend money during these holidays. With Memorial Day approaching—a peak time for consumer activity—not having a strong offer can mean squandering a massive chance to boost sales. So what steps can you take to ensure you have an irresistible offer prepared when customers are primed with cash and ready to buy?   In today’s episode, host Donald Miller and podcast producer Bobby Richards are joined by Business Made Simple Certified Coach Jessica Miller and StoryBrand Certified Guide Wes Gay. Together, they dive into how you can craft what Jessica has coined a "Hell Yes" offer for this Memorial Day weekend. They’re dishing out the top strategies for businesses to seize this prime shopping period to drive sales and visibility. You’ll learn the mechanics of creating a compelling offer that converts and how to effectively communicate it to your audience. Listen in and get the tools you need to take advantage of high-traffic opportunities and maximize your profits during this holiday season!   Contact Business Made Simple Certified Coach Jessica Miller directly at HireACoach.com/Jessica-Miller.   Contact StoryBrand Certified Guide Wes Gay directly at MarketingMadeSimple.com/wesgay.   --   STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE DON COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast    ORDER COACH BUILDER, DON'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast   IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.   FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Most entrepreneurs are great at making money, but they aren’t always great at managing that money. Let’s be honest: you didn’t start a business because you were passionate about bookkeeping. But you know that managing your cash flow well is the fuel that keeps your business growing. Between monthly reconciliations, quarterly reports, tax prep, and payroll—your business finances can get complicated fast. And doing it yourself—or even hiring the help you need—can be difficult and time-consuming. So what’s the best way to outsource your bookkeeping so you can save time and simplify your finances?   In this week’s episode, host Donald Miller talks with Lisa Zeeveld, the CFO of BELAY, a company that pairs business owners with the accounting help they need. Lisa discusses common financial dilemmas many business owners face and offers practical advice on how to overcome them. You’ll learn the importance of good bookkeeping and how outsourcing this task can make a huge difference in your operations. Tune in and get valuable tips on how to make your business finances simpler and more effective, so you can focus on growing your business instead!   Text S I M P L E to 55123 to get immediate access to Belay's Bulletproof Budget Template.   --   STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE DON COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast    ORDER COACH BUILDER, DON'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast   IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.   FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Needing to clarify your message so more customers engage? Register for our upcoming StoryBrand Marketing Workshop May 7-8, 2024 at StoryBrand.com/Workshop. In this virtual workshop you will learn directly from Donald Miller and Dr. J.J. Peterson how to create a clear message and walk away with a 5-part marketing plan to help boost revenue and grow your business. Register now at StoryBrand.com/Workshop.   --   Every savvy business owner knows that marketing is the key to survival, and your online presence is one of the most important parts of your marketing plan. It can turn casual browsers into buyers, and buyers into long-time customers. But you won’t build that loyal fanbase if your message is unclear or inconsistent. On top of that, you could end up wasting a lot of time and money on marketing that doesn’t work. So how clear is your current message, and how can you make it better?    In this episode of Business Made Simple, guest host Dr. JJ Peterson (host of Marketing Made Simple) and podcast producer Bobby Richards answer your questions about building your business through effective messaging and lead generation. They’ll reveal the key things missing from your website that are costing you money and the 3 questions your marketing MUST answer to be significantly more successful. You’ll also discover the 7 basic elements that make your marketing story more powerful. Tune in and get actionable strategies to clarify your message and make your business thrive!   Listen and follow to the Marketing Made Simple Podcast and get weekly tips from J.J. and April Sunshine Hawkins on how to make your marketing easy and make it work. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing-made-simple/id1569923210   --   STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE DON COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast    ORDER COACH BUILDER, DON'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast   IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.   FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Coach Builder is available now! Order it at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and get an 8-step plan to become a self-employed business coach so you can make great money doing something you love every single day.   --   What are the characteristics of a great coach? Knowing your field inside out is crucial, but there's something else just as important: soft skills. These are the skills that help you connect on a personal level, earn trust, and provide real value to your clients. Unfortunately, a lot of coaches overlook this area, focusing only on their technical expertise. They miss out on truly connecting with their clients and making a lasting impact. But if you want to succeed as a coach, soft skills aren’t an option—they’re a necessity.   In the 9th and final episode of the Coach Builder limited series, host Donald Miller joined by producer Bobby Richards, tackle the often-underestimated world of soft skills for coaches. Don explores the qualities that endear us to coaches and cause us to respect them. He offers actionable advice on how to cultivate these qualities within yourself to set you apart as a coach and amplify your impact on clients' lives. Tune in and learn invaluable strategies for improving empathy, communication, and trust-building techniques, ensuring you leave a meaningful mark on your clients' lives.

What if the secret to doing really well in business isn't about the newest tech or the flashiest ads, but about how happy and motivated your team is? A great work culture is key to growing your business. It's what makes people want to work for you, fuels innovation, and keeps things running smoothly even when times get tough. But cultivating such a culture isn't easy, especially with the ever-evolving changes in the modern workforce and inevitable challenges in the market. So if your workplace isn’t performing at its peak, don't worry—changing things for the better is possible and well worth it.   In this week’s April Fools' episode, host Amy Porterfield takes over for Donald Miller. Amy is an online marketing expert, author of Two Weeks Notice, and owner of a thriving $100M business. And no joke, she'll show you how to make bold moves to improve your team's workplace culture. With the help of podcast producer Bobby Richards, she answers burning questions from our listeners, giving actionable advice on hot issues like installing a 4-day workweek, navigating unlimited PTO, planning effective team retreats, and supporting personal growth plans. Tune in and get the scoop on how to enhance your team's dynamics, boost productivity, and drive your business forward!   For more tips and a free guide on how to welcome new team members in a way that sets them up for success, check out AmyPorterfield.com/Onboard.   --   STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE DON COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast    ORDER COACH BUILDER, DON'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast   IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.   FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Coach Builder is available now! Order it at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and get an 8-step plan to become a self-employed business coach so you can make great money doing something you love every single day.   --   Working for yourself as a coach is a double-edged sword. It gives you space to innovate and plan, but it can also lack the vibrant exchange of ideas that fuels growth. Dealing with the loneliness that comes with the job is a challenge because it means there’s no one to share ideas with, no different viewpoints, and no feeling of team spirit. If you’re not careful, it can stop you from growing. So how can a coach avoid the downsides of working in a silo?   In the 8th episode of our Coach Builder limited series, host Donald Miller joined by producer Bobby Richards, explore why being part of a community is pivotal for coaches. Don will show you how a supportive network becomes a cornerstone for any coach who wants to succeed. A good community gives you motivation, offers tips and best practices, and holds you accountable to your goals, which can greatly impact the growth of your coaching business. Tune in and get practical guidance on how to either find or start a coaching community, so you’re not going through your coaching journey alone!    

Feedback is critical to making a team work well, but it can be full of traps for leaders who aren't careful. Often, feedback meetings become dreaded encounters, either avoided altogether or handled so carefully that they hardly lead to any good changes. Providing constructive feedback as a leader can feel like a tightrope walk, because your words carry a lot of weight and you don’t want to demotivate your team members. So how do you give feedback that’s kind but also helps your team members recognize where they’re falling short so they can grow?   In this week’s episode, host Donald Miller discusses the art of providing effective feedback to team members. He’s joined by special guests Emily Pastina, Senior Director of Operations at Business Made Simple and Tyler Ginn, the President of Business Made Simple. After thousands of feedback sessions, Emily and Tyler share their insights on creating a culture of open communication and continuous improvement. You’ll learn practical tips and strategies for effective feedback that can transform the way you lead your team. Listen in to gain the tools you need to hone your feedback skills, ensuring your team feels supported, understood, and driven towards excellence!   Get free access to your step-by-step digital and PDF playbook for growing your small business including the tools you need to give positive productive feed back at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Flight.   --   STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE DON COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast    ORDER COACH BUILDER, DON'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast   IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.   FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Coach Builder is available now! Order it at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and get an 8-step plan to become a self-employed business coach so you can make great money doing something you love every single day.   --   Are you a coach wondering where your next paycheck will come from? Many consultants and coaches are concerned about earning enough and growing their business. They’re anxious about maintaining a steady income, debating whether to quit their job for full-time coaching, and questioning if they can keep their business afloat during tough times. Simply hoping isn't enough to achieve financial stability and build a strong business. You need a solid plan for setting and achieving realistic goals.   In the 7th episode of our Coach Builder limited series, host Donald Miller, joined by producer Bobby Richards, shares strategies for setting effective goals to advance your coaching business. He’ll show you how to set realistic financial targets, decide how many products to sell, and understand the best ways to connect with customers. Focusing on these key areas will lead you to a profitable coaching career. Listen in and learn how to turn your financial concerns into practical steps toward success.     

When we ignore conflicts in the workplace, it can actually make things worse. It can make people less interested in their jobs, cause good employees to leave, and ultimately impact the bottom line of your business. Sweeping conflicts under the rug doesn’t make them disappear. It makes them grow and fester which can lead to a toxic work environment and higher turnover rates. So what’s the best way to approach difficult conversations at work so that it fosters a culture of open communication and mutual respect?   In this week’s episode, host Donald Miller and producer Bobby RIchards are joined by Michael Bungay Stanier, bestselling author of The Coaching Habit and How to Work with Almost Anybody. A leading expert in workplace relationships, Michael shares his tips on improving emotional intelligence, managing conflict, and using psychological tools to navigate workplace dynamics more effectively. You’ll walk away knowing how to deal with common problems that cause strain at work and how to better handle those challenging situations. Tune in and learn how to turn workplace tensions into opportunities for growth, connection, and collaboration!   --   STUCK TRYING TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION FOR A CHANCE TO HAVE DON COACH THROUGH IT ON THE SHOW: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast    ORDER COACH BUILDER, DON'S NEW BOOK, AND TRANSFORM YOUR EXPERTISE INTO A LUCRATIVE CONSULTING CAREER: CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast   IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.   FIND AND FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/BusinessMadeSimple

Coach Builder is available now! Order it at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and get an 8-step plan to become a self-employed business coach so you can make great money doing something you love every single day.   --   Do new coaching clients seem hard to come by, and existing ones hard to keep? Despite delivering top-notch coaching, you might find yourself in a constant hunt for new clients, unable to scale your business. This usually happens when you lack a clear marketing and product ladder. Without a structured plan to show potential clients how they can progress with your coaching, it's tough to build lasting relationships. So how do you create a roadmap that makes your clients want to stick around longer?   In the 6th episode of our Coach Builder limited series, host Donald Miller breaks down how to set up a marketing and product ladder for your coaching business. Starting with basics like sending an effective email, he’ll guide you on ways to nurture deeper client relationships. Listen in and learn how to create a detailed marketing plan and a comprehensive product suite that meets your clients’ needs at every stage of their journey!