Rethinking Reciprocity in Business

So many business owners hesitate to reach out for collaborations or referrals because they’re convinced they don’t have enough to offer in return. Maybe your audience feels too small, maybe you can’t refer clients back, or maybe it just feels awkward to ask without a perfectly equal trade lined up. In this episode of Sequence Over Strategy, Michelle breaks down why that way of thinking is holding you back and why real reciprocity rarely looks like a simple one-for-one exchange.ResourcesThe Michelle Warner Networking That Pays Free Workshop Previous Episodes

Ever feel like you’re “networking” nonstop but nothing real comes from it? In this episode, Michelle explains why big, shallow networks fall flat and why a few genuine connections can change everything. She digs into what makes a network actually useful, how to spot the people who matter, and why depth beats volume every time. If you’re done wasting time on empty coffee chats, this episode will feel like a reset.ResourcesThe Michelle WarnerNetworking That Pays Free Workshop 

Sick of agonizing over whether to say yes to something that doesn’t pay? Michelle cuts through the noise and shows you the real question to ask: what job is this opportunity actually doing for your business? She breaks down the difference between genuine marketing, useful market research, and work that should absolutely be paid. By the end, you’ll know exactly when a free gig is a smart move - and when it’s just draining your time for nothing.ResourcesCheck out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.comNetworking That PaysFree Workshop 

Think you just need a better marketing strategy? In this episode, Michelle takes a deep dive into audience borrowing - what it is, why it works, and how getting it wrong can quietly tank your marketing. She breaks down why showing up in front of “good enough” audiences wastes your time, how to build genuine relationships with the people who own the audiences you want, and why precision matters more than ever in a crowded market. If your collaborations, guest spots, or visibility efforts aren’t turning into real results, this episode will show you exactly what’s missing in your sequence.ResourcesCheck out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.comNetworking That PaysFree Workshop

Tired of shouting into the void on social media? In this episode, Michelle breaks down why most business owners use social media completely out of sequence and how to fix it. She shares a refreshing take on using these platforms not as traffic machines, but as tools for genuine connection. By shifting from “strategy first” to “sequence first,” you’ll discover how social media can actually support your relationships and make marketing feel a whole lot easier.ResourcesCheck out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.comNetworking That PaysFree Workshop

Ever notice how the last thing you saw or heard suddenly feels like the best idea? That’s the availability bias at work, and it can quietly steer your business decisions in the wrong direction. In this episode of Sequence Over Strategy, Michelle breaks down how this mental shortcut shows up, why it’s especially risky when “it matters more,” and how shifting to sequence over strategy keeps you from falling into the trap. With clear, relatable examples, Michelle shows you how to think beyond what’s easiest and start making choices that actually move your business forward.ResourcesCheck out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.comNetworking That PaysFree Workshop

Are you unknowingly sabotaging your business by ignoring small but crucial patterns? In this replay episode of a popular Sequence Over Strategy episode, Michelle Warner introduces a game-changing journaling exercise: What's Working, What's Not, and Why.   This simple yet powerful practice helps entrepreneurs spot small wins and red flags before they turn into major problems. By consistently tracking three things that worked, three that didn’t, and analyzing the patterns, business owners can make smarter, data-driven decisions. Over time, this habit prevents reactive choices and ensures strategies align with real, observed progress. Check out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.com

Trust isn’t just a nice-to-have but the actual currency of business. In this episode, Michelle shows why endless strategies fall flat without trust at the core. She digs into the difference between traffic marketing and relationship marketing, why saturated markets make trust matter more, and how collaborations can fast-track credibility without burning you out. It’s all about working smarter, not harder, by building a deeper well of trust that keeps opening doors.ResourcesCheck out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.comNetworking That PaysFree Workshop

Ever feel like you’re stuck trying to balance what’s working in your business right now with the big, bold ideas you can’t stop thinking about? Or maybe you wonder how to tell which ideas deserve your attention today versus the ones that should wait for the future?In this episode of Sequence Over Strategy, Michelle digs into how to cut the noise, stop overcorrecting, and use the Three Horizons Model to prioritize your ideas. You’ll see how to protect what’s working now, spot easy opportunities you might be missing, and keep an eye on future growth without losing focus.ResourcesCheck out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.comMichelle Warner on the Web | Networking That Pays | Free WorkshopSequence Over Startegy Curated Playlists''The Alchemy of Growth'' Book

What if your business isn’t struggling because of bad strategy, but because you’re doing the right things in the wrong order? In this season two premiere, Michelle is digging into why sequence over strategy matters even more than ever, especially in a market that’s tighter, noisier, and far less forgiving than it used to be. She shares what she’s been hearing from business owners, why now is the time to double down on what’s working, and the three big areas she’ll focus on this season to help you plug leaks, boost results, and create your own unfair advantage.ResourcesCheck out the full episode at TheMichelleWarner.comMichelle Warner on Web | Networking That Pays | Free WorkshopSequence Over Startegy Curated Playlists