How You Pictured It

Let’s bust some myths about blogging, shall we? In this episode, I’m diving into why blogging isn’t just “still alive”—it’s thriving, and it can be a total game-changer for your business marketing. Forget the idea that you have to be a “great writer” or that blogs are a one-and-done effort. I’m breaking down why blogging matters more than ever, especially for small businesses looking to stand out online.We’ll talk about how blogging can help you show up on Google (where people are actually searching for your services), why it’s a better long-term investment than social media posts, and how you can turn one blog into tons of content. Plus, I’ll give you a sneak peek at my new blogging mini-course, which is designed to make blogging doable, strategic, and impactful for your business.Whether you’ve been blogging for years or are just dipping your toes in, this episode is packed with ideas to help you create blogs that work for you, not just take up time.Here’s what we’re covering:Why Google is a goldmine compared to social media.How blogging builds credibility and attracts your dream clients.Busting myths like “blogging is dead” and “I’m not a good enough writer.”The secret sauce: long-term benefits of blogging you can’t get elsewhere.Practical tips to make blogging simple and effective.Why small businesses (yes, even solopreneurs!) can use blogging to go head-to-head with the big guys.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Introduction: Why Google Wins Over Social Media00:25 Why Blogging Deserves a Spot in Your Marketing Strategy01:08 Myth Busting: The Truth About Blogging02:43 Blogging’s Long-Term Benefits (Spoiler: It’s Worth It)04:19 Easy Tips to Get Started (or Reignite Your Blog)05:38 Wrapping Up: How Blogging Levels the Playing FieldIf this episode gets you fired up about blogging, get on the waitlist for my blogging mini course!  It launches this Black Friday and you can grab it for up to 60% off!! I’ll show you how to create strategic, SEO-friendly blogs without burning yourself out. Let’s make blogging your business’s best-kept secret weapon!Listen to my episode on SEO here:  https://dearkatebrandstrategy.com/podcast/simple-smart-seo-practical-tips-for-improving-your-websites-search-rankings/Your Marketing Field Guide Workshophttps://dearkatebrandstrategy.com/workshop Follow Dear Kate Brand Strategy on InstagramLearn more at Howyoupicturedit.com

In this episode of the How You Pictured It Podcast, we explore how to build meaningful client relationships through the power of Enneagram marketing. If you're a small business owner in service-based industries like photography, bookkeeping, real estate, or consulting, this episode is for you!Discover how understanding your brand’s Enneagram type—whether you're a Helper (Type 2), Loyalist (Type 6), or Peacemaker (Type 9)—can transform your marketing strategy and help you connect deeply with your ideal clients.💡 Key Takeaways:How to use relationship-focused marketing to attract loyal clientsProven Enneagram marketing strategies to grow your businessPractical tips to enhance client trust and build authentic connectionsWays to align your marketing with your brand’s personality for better resultsWhether you're just starting out or looking to strengthen your brand strategy, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you stand out in a crowded market.👉 Take the free Brand Enneagram Quiz at dearkatebrandstrategy.com/quiz and find out how your Enneagram type can shape your business success!Your Marketing Field Guide Workshophttps://dearkatebrandstrategy.com/workshop Follow Dear Kate Brand Strategy on InstagramLearn more at Howyoupicturedit.com

In this episode, I introduce the concept of brand Enneagrams, a tool designed to help service-based business owners understand their brand's unique personality and strengths. I explain the importance of standing out in today's competitive market and how brand Enneagrams can simplify and enhance your marketing efforts. I outline the nine different brand Enneagram types, describing each type's characteristics and how they can connect with your ideal clients. Take the quiz at dearkatebrandstrategy.com/quiz to discover your brand Enneagram type and get personalized marketing strategies.00:00 Introduction to Brand Enneagrams00:32 Understanding the Importance of Being Different01:02 What is a Brand Enneagram?01:32 Why Service-Based Businesses Need Brand Enneagrams02:58 The Nine Brand Enneagram Types04:28 Applying Your Brand Enneagram05:12 Discover Your Brand Enneagram Type05:58 Practical Applications of Brand Enneagrams07:24 Conclusion and Next StepsYour Marketing Field Guide Workshophttps://dearkatebrandstrategy.com/workshop Follow Dear Kate Brand Strategy on InstagramLearn more at Howyoupicturedit.com

This week, I dive into essential tips for anyone looking to take the plunge into building their site, touching on the importance of selecting the right platform, the power of starting with a solid template, and learning just what you need - nothing more, nothing less. I also emphasize the game-changing impact of having a strategic roadmap, staying motivated, and the accountability factor in bringing your website dream to life. Moreover, I discuss the undeniable value of DIYing your website, from clarifying your business message to updating your site as your business evolves. Don't forget, I've wrapped up these insights into a handy, free checklist. Find it at dearkatebrandstrategy.com/list Whether you're here to learn, planning your next website project, or just curious, I've compiled every lesson learned into actionable steps. Let's make web design less daunting together! Dive in, and while you're here, feel free to like, subscribe, and drop your thoughts below. 00:00 Introduction to a Photographer's Journey into Website Coaching00:14 The Serendipitous Shift to Website Coaching00:55 Essential Tips for DIY Website Builders01:00 Choosing the Right Platform for Your Website02:23 Learning What You Need to Know: Simplifying the Process02:49 The Power of a Good Template04:55 Navigating Website Design Jargon and Language06:06 Creating a Roadmap for Your DIY Website07:20 The Importance of Motivation and Accountability08:20 The Value of DIYing Your Website09:32 Recap and Final ThoughtsYour Marketing Field Guide Workshophttps://dearkatebrandstrategy.com/workshop Follow Dear Kate Brand Strategy on InstagramLearn more at Howyoupicturedit.com

So many small business owners make the mistake of misdiagnosing business issues due to focusing on the wrong symptoms. Today I'm sharing how I pinpoint the symptoms of problems in my business with tools and data. We talk about the use of analytical tools like Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and Hotjar to collect meaningful data on website traffic, user behavior, and email marketing effectiveness. We also discuss how our email marketing stats and post-sale feedback can help. Next, we examine common hurdles at various sales funnel stages—from awareness to action—highlighting problems like insufficient traffic, poor traffic quality, weak brand messaging, and technical issues. Using our data at different points through the stages of the customer journey makes it easier for us to make effective decisions in our business and close more sales. 00:00 Introduction: The Common Mistakes of Small Business Owners00:27 Identifying the Real Problems Behind Business Symptoms01:23 Harnessing Data to Diagnose Business Issues01:44 Essential Tools for Gathering Business Insights02:07 Deep Dive into Analytics and User Behavior03:36 Leveraging Email Metrics for Business Growth04:49 Utilizing Customer Feedback for Strategic Adjustments05:56 Navigating the Sales Funnel: Common Problems and Solutions10:35 Conclusion: Making Informed Decisions with Accurate DataYour Marketing Field Guide Workshophttps://dearkatebrandstrategy.com/workshop Follow Dear Kate Brand Strategy on InstagramLearn more at Howyoupicturedit.com

This week we're talking about the power of market research in creating your offers and attracting your dream clients. But we're putting a spin on it! Market research can be a very time consuming and costly endeavor especially for solopreneurs. I'm sharing how you can use AI to help analyze and access research into you target audience. Making it easier for small business owners to get the data they need to create magnetic marketing. Prefer visuals? Find this episode over on youtube. https://youtu.be/1OMuBSd8GgI?si=i0CXqpqZTDCFsDdt00:00 Introduction to a Unique Podcast Episode00:20 The Power of Market Research and AI01:03 Understanding Your Ideal Client Avatar01:50 Gathering Market Research Data02:29 Leveraging AI for Market Research04:25 Crafting Effective AI Prompts08:07 AI-Assisted Competitor and Testimonial Research10:19 Innovative Market Research: Interviewing AI12:09 Conclusion and Invitation to EngageYour Marketing Field Guide Workshophttps://dearkatebrandstrategy.com/workshop Follow Dear Kate Brand Strategy on InstagramLearn more at Howyoupicturedit.com

Sitting with things unfinished, unpublished, and maybe even unstarted for fear of it not being perfect? Listen in to this quick pep talk about the power of getting things done and letting the perfectionism go. Your Marketing Field Guide Workshophttps://dearkatebrandstrategy.com/workshop Follow Dear Kate Brand Strategy on InstagramLearn more at Howyoupicturedit.com

Get the Website That Sells Launch List: https://dearkatebrandstrategy.com/listWelcome back to 'How You Pictured It'! It’s been a while since our last get-together, and I'm thrilled to catch up. During our break, I’ve been busy crafting new offerings for you all, including launching my Showit template shop, and unveiling the Website Writer Workbook and Website Writer AI tools to make your website copywriting a breeze. You can check these out at dearkatebrandstrategy.com/shop. But let's dive into today's meaty topic: SEO, or search engine optimization. It might sound daunting, but trust me, it's simpler than it appears. We're going to unravel how to make sure our websites are Google's best friend, making them visible to the right crowd. Today, we'll talk about three key strategies - utilizing the precise words people actually search for, structuring our web pages for ease of use, and tagging everything properly. I'll share how making slight adjustments, with tools like SEMrush or Google's Keyword Planner and ImageOptim, can significantly impact your site's visibility. We'll also cover how to write content that engages users first - because, at the end of the day, it's all about making sure they find what they need on our sites. Plus, I’ll touch on some off-page SEO strategies to take your site's visibility up a notch. Whether you're a newbie just starting out or looking to refine your strategy, these insights are designed to help you navigate the SEO maze with ease. If you're diving into SEO for the first time or just looking to brush up, I hope this episode sheds light on how straightforward it can really be. Feel free to reach out on Instagram @dearkatebrandstrategy with any questions! Looking forward to our next chat; there's more where this came from!00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back00:36 Understanding SEO Basics01:10 Optimizing Website Design for SEO01:33 Keyword Research and Usage04:59 Structuring Web Pages for SEO08:07 Image Optimization and Labeling10:44 SEO Titles, Meta Descriptions, and URLs12:46 Off Page SEO and Final ThoughtsYour Marketing Field Guide Workshophttps://dearkatebrandstrategy.com/workshop Follow Dear Kate Brand Strategy on InstagramLearn more at Howyoupicturedit.com

Today I'm chatting with Lisa Rebel of Rebel Girl Marketing, an expert with over 30 years of experience in corporate America in sales and marketing. Lisa discusses the importance of networking for business success and shares practical tips on crafting a 'power pitch' for effective introductions at networking events. She offers advice to introverts on building confidence and managing nerves for networking events. Lisa also highlights the importance of follow-ups after networking events. 00:00 Introduction and Overview01:17 Lisa's Approach to Marketing and Her Book02:48 The Importance of Networking for Small Business Owners03:47 How to Get Started with Networking06:47 The Art of Introducing Yourself at Networking Events10:50 Creating an Effective Pitch18:14 The Art of Networking: Making a Lasting Impression18:57 The Power of Repetition in Networking20:21 The Art of Follow-Up After Networking21:49 Networking: Not Just About Selling23:08 Finding Networking Opportunities26:26 Overcoming Networking Nerves for Introverts28:30 Where to Find Lisa and Final Thoughts29:04 Lightning Round of Questions33:17 Conclusion and Final RemarksFind Lisa at https://rebelgirlmarketing.com/LinkedInFacebookInstagramThe Rebel Girl's Guide to Marketing PodcastBook Recs: The Midnight LibrarySpeak With ConfidenceYour Marketing Field Guide Workshophttps://dearkatebrandstrategy.com/workshop Follow Dear Kate Brand Strategy on InstagramLearn more at Howyoupicturedit.com

In this episode, the I'm chatting with Liz Wolfe of Liz Wolfe Coaching about the topic of procrastination. First, Liz shares her journey from a corporate career to becoming a business coach for entrepreneurs and how she's built her business to fit her life just how she pictured. Liz then shares why we procrastinate, ways to get out of procrastination and how to procrastinate well. 00:00 Introduction and Overview00:28 Meet Liz Wolfe: From Corporate to Entrepreneurship03:30 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Building a Business to Fit Your Life06:33 Unpacking Procrastination: Understanding Resistance09:37 Overcoming Procrastination: Identifying and Addressing Hidden Barriers12:44 Real-Life Examples: How to Break Free from Procrastination15:40 The Power of Small Actions: Discipline Comes from Success18:35 Time Management Strategies: Time-Based, Task-Based, and Target-Based20:01 The Satisfaction of Task Completion20:16 The Power of Deadlines21:30 Balancing Productivity and Free Time22:37 The Importance of Structured Time26:32 The Role of Accountability in Productivity28:58 The Art of Productive Procrastination30:45 The Power of Delegation and Elimination35:09 The Joy of Creative Hobbies35:59 The Value of Constant Learning36:57 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFind Liz: Website: https://lizwolfecoaching.comFree Quiz to find your CEO type: https://lizwolfecoaching.com/quizFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizwolfecoachLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizwolfecoach/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiZPlPhb8fgW3sjD2vd6VZAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizwolfecoach/Other resources:Big Magic by Elizabeth GilbertProcrastinate on Purpose by Rory VadenMagic Lessons PodcastYour Marketing Field Guide Workshophttps://dearkatebrandstrategy.com/workshop Follow Dear Kate Brand Strategy on InstagramLearn more at Howyoupicturedit.com