How to stop thinking like a creator and start thinking like a founder

Send us a textTired of performing for platforms while your pipeline stays quiet?In this episode, we press pause on the creator grind and rebuild your marketing from the ground up, using founder-first principles that actually compound. No trends. No theatrics. Just a return to what works:Reputation over reach. Relationships over transactions. Patience over pace. Craft over content. Responsibility over forced relatability.We share the turning point that came from real rooms. Quiet ones, where leaders move with intention, ship with pride, and protect their name with every decision. From that shift, we map out a practical path forward.You’ll learn how to:Build a message that earns trust and travels in rooms you’re not inStructure your funnel with clarity; signal at the top, proof in the middle, conversions through conversationUse stories, “case moments,” and crisp content to show, not just tell, your valueReplace the volume trap with a calm, repeatable publishing rhythmLead a personal brand like a founder, not a performerWe also unpack:Why daily posting isn’t a religionWhen to increase volume for learningAnd when to slow down to raise the standardExpect real examples from luxury and professional services. Plus, a weekly cadence you can implement without burning out.If you’re ready to stop chasing spikes and start building something that lasts, this episode is your reset.Subscribe, share with a founder who’s over the content treadmill, and leave a review with the one shift you’ll make this week.To work with us, book your client assessment call at https://www.birdcageangeladvisors.com/hire-an-angel/

Send us a textNichole joined the program with her last few dollars and a trickle of inconsistent leads. Within weeks, she was fully booked; all through organic social media and a clear, psychology-driven strategy.In this conversation, we unpack what changed: a single, defined audience, a simple message that spoke directly to their pain points, and a disciplined posting rhythm that built trust fast. No viral hit, no paid ads - just a cohesive system that turned awareness into demand.We also talk about the mindset shifts that made it possible.The decision to stop trying to please everyone, to trust one framework, and to show up consistently even when things felt uncertain. Nichole’s story is proof that clarity beats complexity and that when your marketing aligns with your audience’s reality, results follow fast.If you’re not sure which way to turn with your socials, or wondering whether organic marketing still works, this episode is your answer.To work with us, book your client assessment call at https://www.birdcageangeladvisors.com/hire-an-angel/

Send us a textIt’s my birthday — so this one’s a little different.Sloane and Maria turn the tables and put me in the hot seat with questions about life, business, mistakes, and everything in between. We talk about what I’ve learned (the hard way), the mindset shifts that changed everything, and why growth always costs something — but it’s always worth it.If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of Birdcage — or what I’d tell my younger self — this episode’s where I say it.To work with us, book your client assessment call at https://www.birdcageangeladvisors.com/hire-an-angel/

Send us a textFeeling like your content is screaming into the void? You're not alone. That frustrating cycle of posting consistently only to be met with crickets isn't a sign your business can't succeed—it's a clarity problem that needs solving.I've been exactly where you are, refreshing my feed obsessively after posting content I thought was brilliant, only to watch engagement barely tick upward. What shifted everything wasn't posting more frequently or jumping on trends—it was getting crystal clear about who I'm for, what transformation I offer, and how I uniquely deliver it.When your audience seems indifferent, it typically stems from one of three fundamental issues: a misaligned message (you're not speaking to the actual decision your ideal buyer faces), a muddled identity (people can't quickly tell who you are or what you stand for), or inconsistent visibility (you're not sending enough signals for patterns to form). The solution isn't complicated, but it requires discipline—focusing on four strategic post types that wake up dormant audiences: mirror posts reflecting their stuck points, receipt posts showing transformation, method posts teaching your approach, and belief posts staking your position.This strategy works across wildly different industries. A mining services client went from being convinced "social media doesn't work in my industry" to receiving direct buying inquiries from decision-makers within nine weeks. A beauty brand founder with extensive advertising experience overcame her own messaging blocks by clarifying her audience's core identity shift. The principle remains consistent: clarity beats volume every time.Stop leading with tactics instead of truth, stop over-explaining, and stop borrowing other people's personality. Find your authentic voice, speak directly to the decisions your audience faces, and deliver consistent signals they can recognize. Remember—content isn't a shout, it's a signal, and signals need consistency to be discovered. Your audience is waiting for the real you to show up clearly.To work with us, book your client assessment call at https://www.birdcageangeladvisors.com/hire-an-angel/

Send us a textHey, it’s Maddy Birdcage and welcome back to Write This Down. You are in for part two of my live webinar, How to Control Your Marketing with Psychology and Systems that seemed to breakthrough a lot of your marketing blocks when I hosted it live, and we also had some badass feedback from part one last week.Also, a lot of you asked for the slide-deck which, feel free to do again via instagram DMs @birdcageangeladvisors, or don't forget, you can catch this on youtube too. So, last week we went deep into the first three controls — creating demand in your content, turning your opinions into offers, and using paid ads the right way. If you missed it, go back first to catch up, then come on back because today we’re finishing strong. Today, we’re talking about the two things that separate brands who flounder from brands who scale: systemising and automating for consistency and basically, to get out of your own way especially if you're a solopreneur, and lastly, which I know you're all here to hear: how to apply psychology as a tool in your marketing. Ethically of course. Always. This part is where control really clicks into place — where marketing stops feeling random, and you finally understand how to engineer results. And it feels gooood. So one more thing: at the end of this training, I’m also going to show you how to take these five controls and actually embed them inside your business using my complete system, The Full Library™. That’s the exact frameworkd we use behind the scenes with our best clients, and I’ll share how you can access it if you’re ready for the deeper work. There's also a big juicy offer to get you into The Full Library at our lowest rate ever, with some new bonuses, that offer will be available until Sunday 14th September 11:59AEST. All the details will be in the shownotes for you. So buckle up, part two starts now.To work with us, book your client assessment call at https://www.birdcageangeladvisors.com/hire-an-angel/

Send us a textHey, it’s Maddy Birdcage and welcome back to Write This Down. I’ve got something really powerful for you today. You’re about to hear the first part of a live webinar I hosted last week called How to Control Your Marketing with Psychology and Systems. We had some incredible feedback from the session  Clare said: "So many lightbulbs going off all around my head" Toni decided he's going to be our next "Future success story!" and Kryshla, even dialling in from another timezone made sure I knew she was "Awake and loving everything" So I've very excited to be sharing it today with podcast listeners.  Now, here’s the thing: most people think they have a content problem. They don’t. They have a control problem. Their pipeline feels unpredictable, their posts don’t convert, and their ads turn into rescue missions. Does this Sound familiar? That's ok! Because this episode is going to change how you see everything. Over 2 parts, this week and next, I’m going to walk you through the five controls we focus on that will put you back in charge of your marketing. This week we’re covering the first three: how to create demand on purpose with your content, how to turn your opinions into offers, and why paid ads should amplify, not rescue. And what to do instead.  And as always, here's my promise: very practical steps you can start using right now in your business. If you want the slides to follow along, DM us at @birdcageangeladvisors and we’ll send them to you. Or if you’d rather watch the full webinar with visuals, you’ll find it over on YouTube. Alright, let’s get into part one. Grab a pen, because this is going to rewire the way you think about marketing.To work with us, book your client assessment call at https://www.birdcageangeladvisors.com/hire-an-angel/

Send us a textBirdcage™ Certified Special Discount Code: CERTIFIED50Take 50% off the pay-in-full price of Birdcage Certified for 48-hours after this episode airs.Ends Saturday 30th August 2025LINK: https://www.birdcageangeladvisors.com/birdcage-certified/ From hustle and burnout to a thriving marketing business that respects your time, sanity, and family life — Maddy Birdcage's raw journey reveals the exact framework that transformed her agency into a million-dollar operation.Starting Birdcage Marketing while pregnant and dealing with a type 1 diabetes diagnosis, Maddie quickly replaced her employed income but found herself working 16-hour days fueled by pure adrenaline. The inevitable burnout followed, along with the chaotic cycle of growth without systems that nearly destroyed her health, finances, and family life.The turning point came after losing two major clients in a single week. Rather than continuing to chase revenue at any cost, Maddie finally built what was missing — psychology-driven systems that created predictable income without requiring constant personal sacrifice. Now earning $90K profit months with time for her family, Maddy breaks down the exact architecture that makes this possible."Systems remove cash pressure," she explains, walking through the five essential pillars every marketing business needs: clear positioning with a signature process, an effective sales pipeline that filters out red flag clients, documented standard operating procedures, profit-focused financial systems, and personal boundaries that protect your energy.For freelancers and small agency owners who can feel they're either about to break through or burn out, this episode delivers the practical framework to transform your business in just eight weeks. If you're ready to build a marketing business that pays you properly while giving you freedom for the good life, write this down — psychology + systems = freedom.To work with us, book your client assessment call at https://www.birdcageangeladvisors.com/hire-an-angel/

Send us a textMarketing has reached a breaking point. After ten years of building successful businesses that help brands execute effective marketing strategies, I've made the radical decision to shut down both my agency and online school. Not because they're failing – but because they're working too well to stay the same.What's happening in the marketing landscape is what I call "Frankenstein marketing" – brands desperately cobbling together outdated methods with new tactics, creating disjointed strategies that leave founders overwhelmed and burnt out. The agency model has become disconnected from how people actually buy and grow today. Meanwhile, the influx of self-proclaimed marketing experts selling cookie-cutter courses has created more confusion than clarity.Through working closely with hundreds of clients, I've discovered something revolutionary: the future belongs to brands who operate from the inside out, not from the outside in. Your marketing must emerge from within your business, reflecting your authentic voice and strategic vision. Speed, authenticity, and strategy form the new growth formula – and traditional agency models simply can't deliver this trifecta effectively.That's why I'm introducing Birdcage Angel Advisors – a new model where senior marketing strategists become embedded partners in your business. We don't just take marketing off your hands; we install clarity where you have chaos, empowering you to execute marketing that genuinely reflects your brand while driving measurable results. Whether you're a founder scaling toward seven figures or an established business with an internal marketing team, our psychology-informed approach ensures your marketing becomes a powerful asset rather than a constant struggle.The world gets better through business, but only when purpose-driven brands can effectively share their mission. Stop outsourcing your power – learn how to create marketing from inside your business that converts your audience into loyal customers who believe in what you do.To work with us, book your client assessment call at https://www.birdcageangeladvisors.com/hire-an-angel/

Send us a textBurnout, procrastination, and perfectionism aren’t flaws. They’re symptoms of misalignment. Here’s how to fix the root, not punish the symptoms.To work with us, book your client assessment call at https://www.birdcageangeladvisors.com/hire-an-angel/

Send us a textSomething profound is happening in the business landscape right now, and it's affecting you more than you realise. Since 2020, we've been navigating unprecedented challenges—economic uncertainty, AI disruption, mental health crises, social media overwhelm—yet many entrepreneurs are stuck in patterns that no longer serve them.Through conversations with business owners worldwide, I've discovered most fall into two categories: those burying their heads in the sand, pretending nothing has changed while clinging to outdated strategies; and those aware of changes but overwhelmed trying to implement everything at once, missing the few crucial actions that would actually transform their business.The missing ingredient? Clarity. Not just superficial clarity, but deep, intentional clarity about what you truly want, who you're serving, and the specific steps to get there. Without it, you move slowly because your energy scatters in all directions. You become vulnerable to shiny objects and quick-fix promises. Worst of all, you risk building a business by accident that you'll hate five years down the track.I learned this lesson the hard way. After achieving financial success, I found myself disconnected from the business and life I'd created. I spent ten months disassembling everything to rebuild in alignment with my true vision. This episode guides you through identifying which clarity archetype you embody—The Avoider, The Overwhelmed Achiever, or The Clarity Champion—and provides practical exercises to cultivate genuine clarity starting today.When Katie, one of our Birdcage School students, gained clarity about her skincare business, she 5X'd her profit in just months. She stopped wasting money on misaligned strategies, let go of the wrong team members, and created a business that thrived even when she took maternity leave.Ready to transform your business with clarity? Complete the powerful reflection exercise in this episode, then visit birdcageschool.com to discover tools designed specifically to clarify your marketing message and strategy. Use code PODCAST10 for 10% off programs worth over $1,000. Remember—clarity is your most powerful weapon in business and life.To work with us, book your client assessment call at https://www.birdcageangeladvisors.com/hire-an-angel/