5 Essential Weekly Tasks to Grow Your Online Business

5 Essential Weekly Tasks to Grow Your Online Business

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Brittni Schroeder Coaching

5 Essential Weekly Tasks to
Grow Your Online Business

5 Essential Weekly Tasks to Grow Your Online Business

Building a successful online business requires consistent effort and strategic planning. While daily tasks contribute to the day-to-day operations, there are several key weekly activities that can significantly boost the growth of your online business. In this blog post, we’ll discuss 5 essential weekly tasks to grow your online business, when performed consistently.

 

Weekly Task 1: Review and Analyze Performance Metrics

Take the time each week to review and analyze the performance metrics of your online business. This includes analyzing website traffic, conversion rates, social media engagement, email marketing metrics, and sales data. By gaining insights into what’s working and what needs improvement, you can make informed decisions and refine your strategies accordingly. Tools like Google Analytics, social media analytics, and email marketing platforms provide valuable data to monitor your business’s progress and identify areas of opportunity.

 

 

Analytics can be very telling as to what is and isn’t working. With that being said, it’s important to test different strategies. When trying a new strategy, give yourself a realistic length of time to test so you have enough data to determine if you’re getting a return on your investment or time. Depending on what you’re testing, it could take 6-12 months to get an accurate determination of your data.

 

Weekly Task 2: Content Creation and Marketing

Content is king in the online world, and consistent creation and marketing of high-quality content can drive significant growth for your business. Set aside dedicated time each week to create valuable blog posts, videos, podcasts, or other forms of content that resonate with your target audience. Focus on providing solutions, educating, entertaining, or inspiring your audience. Once you’ve created the content, develop a comprehensive marketing plan to distribute it across relevant channels, such as your website, social media platforms, email newsletters, and guest posting opportunities. Engage with your audience, and encourage sharing and interaction to expand your reach.

 

I’ve found that having designated days and/or times to create content is very effective. For example, Monday is social media content creation day, Tuesday is podcast day, Wednesday is blog day, and Thursday is Pinterest day. Dedicating one hour on those days allows me to create a lot of content, and then I’m able to show up consistently with valuable information.

 

Weekly Task 3: Engage with Your Audience

Building strong relationships with your audience is vital for the long-term success of your online business. Allocate time each week to engage with your audience across various platforms. Respond to comments, messages, and emails promptly, and foster conversations by asking questions or seeking feedback. Actively participate in relevant online communities and forums where your target audience hangs out. By consistently engaging with your audience, you can cultivate trust, loyalty, and brand advocates who will support your business and spread the word.

Weekly Task 4: Seek Collaborations and Partnerships

Collaborating with others in your industry can open new doors for your online business. Look for opportunities to form partnerships or collaborations with influencers, bloggers, complementary businesses, or industry experts. This can include joint promotions, guest blogging, co-creating content, or hosting webinars together. Collaborations can help you tap into new audiences, increase brand exposure, and establish your expertise in the field. Reach out to potential partners, and explore mutually beneficial opportunities that align with your business objectives.

 

Creating great relationships with your colleagues can be the catalyst to your growth. Look for collaborations with those who align with your core values. Take the time to get to know possible collabs before you jump into a partnership. Working together with someone can be amazing, but it also can backfire and not end well if you’re not compatible.

 

Weekly Task 5: Continuous Learning and Professional Development

The online business landscape is ever-evolving, and it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest trends, strategies, and technologies. Set aside time each week to invest in your own continuous learning and professional development. Read industry blogs and books, and attend webinars or online courses related to your niche. Stay abreast of changes in search engine algorithms, social media algorithms, and emerging technologies. By staying informed and adapting to the changing landscape, you can make informed decisions and keep your online business ahead of the curve.

Look for programs or courses that complement your business and knowledge. Knowledge is power, and the more you know, the more valuable you become. Make it a point to schedule education into your weekly workflow. 

Growing your online business requires consistent effort and a proactive approach. By incorporating these five weekly essential tasks into your routine, you can enhance your business’s growth potential. Regularly reviewing performance metrics, creating and marketing valuable content, engaging with your audience, seeking collaborations, and investing in continuous learning will help you stay on track and achieve long-term success in the competitive world of online business. Stay committed, stay focused, and watch your business thrive.

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Building a Profitable Online Coaching Business

Building a Profitable Online Coaching Business

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Brittni Schroeder Coaching

Building a Profitable
Online Coaching Business

Building a Profitable Online Coaching Business

As a business coach in the online world, your expertise lies in helping others achieve their goals and transform their lives. But to make a significant impact and create a sustainable coaching business, you need to focus not only on your clients’ success but also on building a profitable online coaching business for yourself. In this blog post, we’ll explore essential strategies, tips, and advice on establishing and growing a successful coaching business in the online space. We’ll cover key areas such as finding and narrowing your niche, pricing your services, setting up effective marketing funnels, and attracting clients.

 

 

Let’s dive in!

 

Finding Your Niche

One of the first steps in building a profitable coaching business is identifying your niche. Narrowing your focus lets you position yourself as an expert in a specific area, making it easier to attract your ideal clients. Reflect on your passions, skills, and experiences, and consider the unique problems you can solve for your target audience. By specializing in a specific niche, you can differentiate yourself from competitors and create a strong personal brand.

 

 

It’s true when they say the riches are in the niches. When you become the expert in your field, clients are willing to pay top price for the best of the best. If someone has a problem they won’t solve and you can get them the results, that increases your value as a coach.

 

PRICING YOUR SERVICE

Determining the right pricing strategy for your coaching services is crucial for profitability. It’s essential to strike a balance between providing value to your clients and ensuring that your pricing reflects your expertise and the transformation you offer. Don’t undervalue your worth, but also be mindful of pricing yourself out of your target market.

 

 

Take the time to do your own market research. Find out what your competition is charging, consider your experience, determine what you offer that others don’t, and identify the need. These factors will help you determine where to start your pricing.

 

Setting up Effective Marketing Funnels

Marketing funnels play a vital role in attracting and converting potential clients into paying customers. Start by identifying your target audience and understanding their pain points and desires. Develop compelling and valuable content that speaks directly to your audience’s needs. Leverage various online channels such as social media, blogging, podcasts, and videos to create awareness and engage with your target market. Offer lead magnets, such as free ebooks or webinars, to capture email addresses and build your subscriber list. Utilize email marketing to nurture leads and guide them through your funnel, showcasing the value of your coaching services and ultimately converting them into clients.

Take the time to understand your analytics so you can determine what is and isn’t working in your funnels. When you understand the way funnels work, your marketing efforts will be more effective.

 

Attracting Clients

To build a profitable coaching business, you must focus on consistently attracting clients. Aside from marketing funnels, consider these strategies:

 

  • Networking: Attend industry events, join online communities, and engage with potential clients and peers. Build relationships and establish your credibility as a trusted coach.
  • Referrals: Encourage satisfied clients to refer you to their network. Offer incentives or referral programs to incentivize word-of-mouth marketing.

  • Collaborations: Partner with complementary service providers or influencers in your niche to expand your reach and tap into their audiences.

  • Thought Leadership: Establish yourself as a thought leader by creating valuable content, publishing guest posts on industry platforms, or hosting webinars and workshops. This positions you as an authority and attracts clients seeking your expertise.

When you’re consistently and intentionally driving traffic to your marketing funnels and have effective funnels, you’ll see massive growth in your business.

 

Building a profitable coaching business in the online space requires careful planning, thoughtful execution, and a commitment to providing value to your clients. By finding your niche, pricing your services strategically, setting up effective marketing funnels, and actively attracting clients, you can position yourself for long-term success. Remember, building a profitable coaching business takes time and consistent effort, so stay focused, adapt to changes, and always prioritize the success of your clients. Now, go forth and create an impactful and profitable coaching business that transforms lives while fueling your own success!

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6 REASONS WHY I LOVE USING FLODESK AS MY EMAIL MARKETING SOFTWARE

6 REASONS WHY I LOVE USING FLODESK AS MY EMAIL MARKETING SOFTWARE

Brittni Schroeder Coaching

6 REASONS WHY I LOVE
USING FLODESK AS MY EMAIL
MARKETING SOFTWARE

6 REASONS WHY I LOVE USING FLODESK AS MY EMAIL MARKETING SOFTWARE

In the world of digital marketing, email remains one of the most powerful tools for engaging with your audience and turning fans into clients. As an entrepreneur and a business coach, I’ve tried various email marketing platforms. But I have to admit: I’m slightly obsessed with Flodesk for email marketing. I’ve coined myself an aesthetic diva, and between its stunning templates, its user-friendly interface, and all its many other features, Flodesk has become my go-to email marketing software. In this blog post, I’ll share the top 6 reasons why I love using Flodesk as my email marketing software and how it’s transformed my email marketing campaigns.

 

REASON 1: BEAUTIFUL TEMPLATES

Flodesk has a collection of stunning email templates. Flodesk offers visually appealing designs that are both modern and conversion-focused. From stylish layouts to eye-catching graphics, these templates capture the attention of subscribers and encourage them to take action.

 

With just a few clicks, I can customize the templates to match my brand’s aesthetics, ensuring a cohesive and professional look across all my email communications. Flodesk’s templates have helped me create visually appealing newsletters, welcome sequences, and promotional campaigns that engage and resonate with my audience.

 

REASON 2: USER-FRIENDLY EDITOR

Flodesk’s drag-and-drop editor is a dream come true for marketers who aren’t tech-savvy. Creating emails has never been easier thanks to its intuitive interface. I can effortlessly add and rearrange elements, customize fonts, colors, and images, and craft visually appealing emails without any coding knowledge. The editor’s simplicity and ease of use let me focus on crafting compelling content and optimizing my emails for maximum impact. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced marketer, Flodesk’s drag-and-drop editor empowers you to create professional-looking emails that drive results.

 

REASON 3: AUTOMATION

If you know me, you know my love language is automation. Flodesk has changed how I engage with my subscribers. With its intuitive workflows, I can easily set up automated sequences that deliver personalized content based on subscribers’ actions and interests. This targeted approach ensures that each subscriber receives relevant emails, resulting in higher open rates, click-through rates, and conversions.

REASON 4: TARGETED MARKETING

Flodesk’s segmentation features enable me to segment my audience based on various criteria, such as demographics, engagement levels, or purchase history. This personalization lets me send my emails to specific segments and deliver content that resonates with their needs and preferences.

 

REASON 5: INTEGRATIONS

Flodesk seamlessly integrates with popular platforms like Shopify, WordPress, and Zapier, making it effortless to connect and synchronize my email marketing efforts with my other business tools. The platform’s user-friendly analytics provide valuable insights into the performance of my email campaigns. I can track metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and subscriber growth, allowing me to measure the effectiveness of my strategies and make data-driven decisions to improve future campaigns. Flodesk’s analytics help me understand my audience better, refine my targeting, and optimize my emails for better engagement and conversions.

 

 

REASON 6: ORGANIZATION

Flodesk provides convenient tools like folders and segments to efficiently organize email content. Folders serve as a structured system for categorizing different types of emails, allowing me to create easy, go-to systems when sending emails. With folders, I can easily sort emails based on campaigns, promotions, newsletters, and any other relevant categories. This helps keep the email content organized, making it simpler to locate and manage specific campaigns at any given time.

 

READY TO UPLEVEL YOUR EMAIL MARKETING?

Flodesk has become my go-to email marketing software for numerous reasons. Its beautiful and conversion-focused templates, intuitive drag-and-drop editor, powerful automation and segmentation capabilities, seamless integrations, and user-friendly analytics have transformed my email marketing campaigns. Flodesk has not only saved me time and effort, but its also allowed me to create visually stunning emails that captivate my audience and drive results.

 

If you’re looking for an email marketing platform that combines beauty, simplicity, and effectiveness, I highly recommend giving Flodesk a try. It has revolutionized my email marketing strategy, and I’m confident it can do the same for you. If you want to trial Flodesk, you can use my 50% off coupon code by clicking HERE. 

 

Happy emailing my friends!

 

6 REASONS WHY I LOVE USING FLODESK AS MY EMAIL MARKETING SOFTWARE

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3 SYSTEMS EVERY ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS

3 SYSTEMS EVERY ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS

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Brittni Schroeder Coaching

3 SYSTEMS EVERY
ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS

3 SYSTEMS EVERY ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS

As an entrepreneur, running a successful business requires more than just a great idea and hard work. It also requires effective systems that streamline your operations and help you stay organized. Over the last 15 years, I’ve learned that in order to scale and grow, I need systems. In this blog post, we’ll explore 3 essential systems every entrepreneur needs in their business: databases to track content, email automations, and standard operating procedures. 

 

When you build your business foundations effectively, you can focus on the things you enjoy the most in your business. These systems will not only save you time and effort, but they’ll also increase productivity, which translates into making more and working less.

 

Databases to Track Content

Content is the lifeblood of many businesses today, whether it’s blog posts, social media updates, or podcasts. For you to effectively manage your content and maximize its impact, having an organized database system is crucial. 

 

 

Here’s why:

 

  • A database allows you to store all your content in a centralized location, making it easily accessible to you and/or your team. This ensures easy access to all of your content and information. 
  • With a well-structured and organized content database, you can categorize and tag your content, making it easier to find specific pieces when you need them. This saves time, avoids duplication of effort, and ensures your content is being repurposed on all applicable platforms.

     

  • Tracking the performance of your content is vital to understand what resonates with your audience. By utilizing a database system, you can record key metrics — such as views, engagement, and conversions — providing valuable insights for future content strategies.
I swear by using and leveraging a database in my business. It makes managing a team so effective. The program that I use and recommend is Airtable. It has so many great features and automations. 
 

Email Automations

Email marketing remains one of the most effective tools for engaging with your audience and nurturing leads. However, manually sending individual emails can quickly become overwhelming and time-consuming. 

 

 

Implementing an email automation system offers several advantages:

 

  • Personalization: With email automation, you can create personalized email sequences based on user behavior, needs, or specific actions they take on your website. This level of personalization strengthens customer relationships and increases the chances of conversions.

     

  • Time Efficiency: Automation allows you to schedule emails in advance, ensuring timely delivery without manually doing it yourself. This frees up your time to focus on other aspects of your business.

     

  • Lead Nurturing and Sales Funnel Optimization: An email automation system enables you to design effective lead nurturing campaigns. By strategically sending relevant content to prospects at different stages of the sales funnel, you can guide them toward making a purchase decision.
I have used many email marketing programs. My favorite program. and the one I use, is Flodesk. I joke that I am the unofficial spokeswoman because I am slightly obsessed with their beautiful templates, user friendly interface, and many great features. You can trial Flodesk using my 50% off code HERE. 

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Consistency and efficiency are the cornerstones of a successful business. Developing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) ensure that your team members follow predefined processes, leading to improved productivity and reduced errors. 

 

Here’s why SOPs are essential:

  • SOPs provide a roadmap or checklist for recurring tasks and activities in your business. This allows you to replicate successful processes and easily train new team members, ensuring consistency and enabling efficient scalability.
  • SOPs establish guidelines and quality standards for your business operations. By defining step-by-step procedures, you reduce the chances of errors, enhance customer satisfaction, and maintain a high level of service or product quality.
  • SOPs allow you and team members to be more intentional with your time. When a SOP is in place, you have the guidelines and instruction to know exactly what you need to do and how to do it. You have the ability to get right to work and will have fewer distractions. 

Implementing these three essential systems in your business — databases to track content, email automations, and SOPs —will undoubtedly bring numerous benefits. Streamlining content management, enhancing customer communication, and establishing efficient processes are critical steps toward growing your business effectively. Invest the time and effort to integrate these systems into your operations, and you’ll set the stage for long-term success as an entrepreneur.

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HOW TO CHANGE THE FONT IN YOUR INSTAGRAM BIO

HOW TO CHANGE THE FONT IN YOUR INSTAGRAM BIO

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HOW TO CHANGE THE FONT
IN YOUR INSTAGRAM BIO

HOW TO CHANGE THE FONT IN YOUR INSTAGRAM BIO

Your Instagram bio is your first impression and a great way to introduce your brand. You want it to be different and aesthetically pleasing. Have you ever wondered how some users have unique, eye-catching fonts in their bios? I started googling away, and I found just what I was looking for — and now I’m going to share it with you. Read on to find out how to change the font in your Instagram bio.

 

VISITING LINGO JAM

First, head on over to the text generator website Lingo Jam. Lingo Jam is a free online website that offers a wide range of font options to choose from.

 

TYPING IN YOUR DESIRED TEXT

Once you’re on the Lingo Jam website, you’ll see two text boxes. One will be the place to input your desired text, and the other will output the text in the available fonts. It can be your name, your title, or a catchy phrase.

 

CHOOSING YOUR FONT

Some of the fonts are minimal, while others are script fonts with emojis and different design elements. Once you’ve decided on your desired font, select the font and copy (Command+C or Ctrl+C) the entire converted phrase.

 

HOW TO CHANGE THE FONT IN YOUR INSTAGRAM BIO

UPDATING YOUR INSTAGRAM BIO

Now it’s time to head on over to the Instagram app. Open your profile, and tap the “Edit Profile” button. In the bio section, delete your existing text and paste (Command+V or Ctrl+V) the newly copied font style from Lingo Jam. Take a moment to review, and make any needed adjustments to ensure the formatting looks just right.

 

ADDING A TEXT SYMBOL

If you want to add something fun and unique to your name or bio that’s not an emoji, another alternative is a text symbol. Head on over to this site for a huge library of text symbols. Once you’ve found something you like, copy and paste it to your profile.

 

HOW TO CHANGE THE FONT IN YOUR INSTAGRAM BIO

ADDING TO YOUR INSTAGRAM BIO

I like to paste my bio into the Notes app on my laptop and then copy and paste it into my Instagram. The Notes app allows you to add line breaks and paragraphs — if you try doing that in the Instagram app, it won’t work. 

When writing your Instagram bio, make sure to include your first and last name, your title, your location (if relevant), any other interesting facts, and a call to action. 

Lastly, make sure you fill in the URL field with the website you want your visitors to land on. You can add a link to your website, blog, lead magnet, or an online store. You could also create a webpage with several links or use a software like Linktree that allows you to add multiple links.

 

SAVING YOUR BIO

Once you’re happy with the way the text, fonts, and symbols look, tap the “Save” button to update your profile. Bam! Now your Instagram is transformed with a unique new font.   


WARNING

Unlike your username, Instagram will only let you change your name twice in 14 days, so keep that in mind before you hit “Save.” Keep in mind that some cursive fonts may be hard to read on a mobile device. 

Play around with different fonts and symbols and create a bio that’s cohesive with your brand and reflects your personality. By making these simple changes, you can add personalization and stand out from your competition.

 

WATCH THE TUTORIAL HERE
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AVOID YOUR EMAILS GOING TO THE SPAM FOLDER

How can you avoid your emails going to the spam folder

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Avoid your emails
going to the spam folder

How can you avoid your emails going to the spam folder

If you are a small business owner, you know the importance of email marketing. The conversion rates well exceed those of social media. You decide to get on the email marketing bandwagon. You carefully craft an email to send to your list. You eagerly hit the send button. Then it happens. You receive word that your email lands in your recipient’s spam folder. What the…how did this happen? How can you avoid your emails going to the spam folder?

 

If your email goes to the SPAM folder that’s okay!

I am sure you all too familiar with true spam emails. I should be rich with all the “you are entitled to a settlement” emails I have received over the years. Every webmail provider – be it Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook etc. – applies different spam filtering guidelines to guard the inboxes of their users. The struggle is, these email providers give very little details on their filtering methods. I am sure we appreciate the protection, but that doesn’t give us a lot to work when it comes to our own email marketing.

 

We do know that some things have a higher probability of ending up the spam folder, but there’s no single source of truth that can resolve the black hole we call the spam folder.

 

I know you were hoping for a checklist (oh how I love a good checklist) to avoid the spam folder, I can’t offer that. But I can offer some knowledge and tools so you can understand how it works and hopefully improve your deliverability. Regardless of what platform you use (Flodesk, Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, etc), these tips and tools will help you. These tools won’t completely stop any of your emails from going to spam. but they will help minimize the chances.

 

LACK OF PERMISSION

If they didn’t opt in to your email list, there will be a higher probability your email will be marked as spam. Which means your emails could continue to keep landing in their spam folder.

Although buying email lists feels tempting, it doesn’t always pay off.  It can counterproductive and isn’t a great way to gain the know, like and trust factor. Not to mention it could violate laws and you may be subject to penalties. You have to start somewhere and it’s always better to do it the right way, even if that means starting small.

The safest and best way to get people on your email list is to give them the opportunity to opt-in. Once they have opted in you have their consent, and you can include them into your marketing emails.

With that being said make sure all your visitors, be it your social media or website, make sure you have an opt-in that is easy, fast, and of worth. This can be as simple as making your opt-ins easily accessible on your web pages or in your social media profiles. Building your email lists organically will help your emails land in their inbox.

YOUR USING A FREE EMAIL

Gaining trust can be challenging. With the ongoing uptick of spam emails and security breaches, people are becoming very skeptical. Many people are on high alert for security issues, such as phishing. They are less likely to open anything that looks suspicious.

 

 

When emails are coming from yourname.yourcompany@gmail.com might not be taken seriously, look suspicious, sent to the spam folder, or even blocked. This could make your business lose credibility. Take a look at your spam folder and you will notice that a large portion of those emails are coming from gmail, yahoo, or hotmail addresses.

 

 

Having a domain or branded email address helps your business build security, credibility, and trust. Domain email addresses generally come with higher security measures than services from Hotmail,  or Gmail.

 

YOUR IP ADDRESS WAS FLAGGED AS SPAM

This could happen if someone using the same email marketing service as you, sends spam emails. The good news is that by selecting a reliable and reputable email service provider, you can eliminate this problem right away.

 

It’s important to go with a credible and reliable email marketing services such as Flodesk (my favorite), Mailchimp, Send in Blue, etc.  The reputable email marketing services has procedures and regulations in place to prevent this from happening.

 

AUTHENTICATE YOUR DOMAIN

You want to authenticate your domain. I know it sounds complicated, but it’s worth it. Setting up the DKIM records in Flodesk will make you recognizable for the Inbox Service Providers, meaning they’ll be sure you’re not impersonating anyone else.

You can do this in the Domain Setup section in your email provider. Your website hosting company typically can help you if it seems too daunting. This will help you increase your credibility. You can read this detailed help guide from the Flodesk help center.

 

It’s important to go with a credible and reliable email marketing services such as Flodesk (my favorite), Mailchimp, Send in Blue, etc.  The reputable email marketing services has procedures and regulations in place to prevent this from happening.

 

YOUR EMAILS HAVE LOW ENGAGEMENT

If your emails don’t get engagement from your subscribers, that could be a spam flag.

When webmail providers notice that your emails aren’t getting opened or are being deleted immediately, that informs them these are unwanted emails. Then they will try to prevent that from happening and will try to filter them, because they are trying to create a better experience for their users.

 

A good, valuable email is one that is: opened, links are clicked, emails are forwarded, or replied to. These things help your credibility and authority. The more these things happen the more your emails will be delivered in the main inbox instead of the junk folder. Low open and read rates are never a good thing in email marketing.

 

YOUR SUBSCRIBERS HAVE NO IDEA WHO YOU ARE

Have you ever received an email that you don’t remember signing up for? You receive an email and it might have been something you signed up for but you can’t recall when and why you subscribed to their email list. You figure that the email is spam so you mark it as such. Any time this happens, and regardless if you did sign up, a spam complaint gets recorded.  This could affect the deliverability of future emails. 

 

The easiest way to avoid this is to create an automated nurture/welcome sequence that introduces yourself and let’s your subscribers get to know you and become familiar with your brand. This should introduce you and your brand, and you can set expectations for how often and about what topics and offers that will show up in their inboxes.

 

 

YOUR SENDING EMAILS TO INACTIVE EMAIL ACCOUNTS

An inactive account is one that is is no longer being used or one that is rarely used. If you are email inactive accounts that’s a possible flag for spam filters.

 

It is important to do regular cleaning of your lists and remove emails that are bounced or haven’t been opened in read in a while. If you are hesitant to remove some one from your list. Send them a personal email and ask them if they are still interested.

 

 

USE INTENTIONAL SUBJECT LINES

Subject lines are the golden ticket! Those first few words are the hook that will determine if your subscribers open or you email or not. If your subscribers feel like your subject titles are misleading or deceiving, you are at risk of being reported as spam.

 

Make sure your emails are enticing enough to open, but also make sure they are relevant to the content in your email.

If you need a bit more re-assurance, you can use CoSchedule’s Email Subject Line tester or SubjectLine.com.

 

AVOID SPAM TRIGGER WORDS IN YOUR SUBJECT LINES AND YOUR EMAILS

Webmail providers scan emails for specific words that could be considered spam. Webmail providers create filters that determine what folders to send your emails to. This includes both the subject line of your email and the email body.

 

Sometimes these words seem harmless and may not be flagged, but because they have been misused in true spam emails, you wan to try to avoid them and find alternatives for your emails.

 

You can find ultimate list of spam trigger words HERE and HERE.

 

As additional help use Folderly, a free tool which rates your emails for spam, and gives you a list showing what’s good and where you could improve.

 

 

YOU HAVE TO ADD A PHYSICAL ADDRESS TO YOUR EMAIL

You’re required by law to add a valid, physical address to every email you send out. This has to be either your current business address or a registered post office box. This is so you are in compliance with the anti-spam regulations such as the US Can-Spam Act. This is a legal requirement for all commercial email communications.

 

The next time you receive a true spam email, check to see if it has a physical address. If it doesn’t, chances are it’s a SPAM email.

 

 

YOU NEED AN UNSUBSCRIBE LINK

In addition to the physical address you also NEED to include an unsubscribe link or button. If this is not included, this could trigger your email to be send to the spam folder.

 

Make sure your unsubscribe is clear, visible and east to find. Remember you only want people on your email list that are your potential clients, if people don’t want to read your emails you want them to unsubscribe.

 

If someone sends you an email asking to unsubscribe, it’s best to just comply because if they mark your email as spam. You don’t want to take the risk of a high number of spam complaints. This could potentially affect the deliverability of other email campaigns.

 

 

BEST PRACTICES FOR EMAIL DESIGN

You want to create beautiful emails with images and elements that are cohesive to your brand. I love a pretty email just like the next guy, but there a few things you need to know before sending eye-catching email.

 

IMAGE TO TEXT RATIO

An image can be a powerful tool when trying to connect or evoke emotion, but you want to make sure your copy is the main element of your email.

 

Filter program flag emails with large images and minimal text, so be mindful that your images minimal. Try to stick to 60-70 % text and 30-40% images and you’re good to go.

 

If you are using email templates that have both images and text be aware that they get converted to an image when they are sent.

 

The next time you receive a true spam email, check to see if it has a physical address. If it doesn’t, chances are it’s a SPAM email.

 

 

RESIZE YOUR IMAGES

When you add images to your emails, you want to ensure they are resized for web usage. Many email marketing softwares will let you know if your images are to large to upload and hinder you from doing so, but it’s always good to get into the habit.

 

In addition, be sure to check your images on mobile devices to ensure they are being displayed how you anticipated. Oftentimes images and text can be reformatted to fit a smaller screen and the image can be cropped in a way that isn’t pleasing.

 

 

USING FONTS

Everyone loves a good handwriting font, however not everyone’s browser can display those custom fonts. If you have a specific branded font, there’s no guarantee that your recipient would see it the way you do. Their device and browser may turn that to one of the default web fonts.

 

Although many email marketing softwares allow you to upload your own fonts, it might be better just to use the approved ones they provide.

 

Another thing to note is some handwriting fonts look great on a desktop and scaled to size, but when they appear on a smaller mobile device they may be more difficult to read. Be mindful of using handwriting fonts in your email marketing and use them sparingly.

 

CREATING READABLE CONTENT

Many small businesses owners struggle with committing to email marketing. They think their emails need to be profound and elaborate. That is not the case.

 

The text in your email should be simple, sweet, and to-the-point. In our fast-paced world you want your copy to be easy to consume.

 

Try implementing some of the following:

 

  • Write short paragraphs
  • Use bullet points
  • Add subheadings
  • Break up your text with an image or GIF
  • Minimize your call-to-actions

 

ATTACHMENTS

If possible try to avoid adding attachments to your emails. If your lead magnet is guide, checklist, or e-book try delivering via downloadable link.  Attachments can slow down the email load time. Also spam emails that contain attachments have been known to carry a virus, therefore are often filtered out and considered risky.

 

DON’T FORGET TO USE SPELL CHECK

One of my favorite memes is  “Sadly. I do my best proofreading after I hit send.” Unfortunately, this has happened to me more times that I want to admit. Although it is bound to happen make sure to do everything you can to prevent this.

 

Most phishing and scam emails show a high number of grammatical and spelling errors. It’s often due to the fact that non-native speaking spammers and hacker use translating tools to convert their text to English. As a result these translations are a little messy and include misspelled words.

 

Spam filters are looking for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. In addition, you can come off unprofessional. Make it a habit to read and re-read your emails several times before sending. For a little extra support ensure spell check is turned on and/or use tools like Grammarly for extra help.

 

LINKS IN YOUR EMAILS

It’s important to always include a call-to-action in your emails. Your call to action could be to read a blog, listen to a podcast, or redirect to another website. If you decide to link to another website make sure the website is a credible website. You also, want to avoid linking to too many different domains. This could trigger a spam filter.

 

 

There you go! This is my list of reasons your emails could be showing up in the spam folder. These tips will help, but there isn’t a guarantee that your email won’t go to the spam folder. Those evil spammers are always coming up with new techniques, so in turn spam filters are constantly changing to adapt. Your email might show up in the inbox one week, and the spam folder the next.

 

 

There isn’t an email service provider that can guarantee your emails won’t end up in the spam folder, because they don’t control the spam filters. If you are consistent and try to implement as many as these tips as possible your will notice an increase in your open-rates and fewer of your emails being reported as spam. Using these tools will help you avoid your emails going to the spam folder. 

 

BUSINESS COACH FOR ENTREPRENEURS

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WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A MEDIA KIT

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A MEDIA KIT

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WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A MEDIA KIT

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A MEDIA KIT

As an entrepreneur, YOU are your brand and must constantly market yourself and your services. This can include pitching yourself for speaking events, podcasts, other brands, and more. You want people to know that you’re not just another pretty face; you have experience too.  It is important to showcase your accomplishments and accolades. A great way to do so is through a media kit.  It’s important to know what to include in a media kit. 

WHAT IS A MEDIA KIT

We have all heard of résumés; a media kit is the equivalent for influencers. An influencer is anyone who can impact someone else. We all have the ability to influence.

When you reach out to brands, some may ask for or require a media kit. They are looking for your stats.  Even if they don’t ask, sending a media kit will definitely set you apart.

 

WHAT TO INCLUDE

Along with your accomplishments, brands are looking for your stats. These may include, but are not limited to:

  • Blog Statistics (like your monthly sessions, monthly viewers, demographics, and more)
  • Facebook Followers (business page)
  • Instagram Followers (business account)
  • Pinterest (business account)
  • Newsletter List Subscribers

Brands want to know about you.  They want to see how well you connect with your audience.  They want to know that you are putting content out regularly.  They also want to see how many people are viewing your content. In order to determine these statistics, I highly recommend signing up for Google Analytics.  Google Analytics not only shows you how many people are viewing your site, but also gives you the referral sources—how people came to land on your site.

 

HEADSHOT

Brands like to work with people.  That means they don’t want to see your logo, they want to see your face. Include a professional headshot or other professional photos. 

 

AUDIENCE

Describe your audience. Who do you help and serve?  The more specific you can be on the details, the better. If you work in a specific area, list the location.  If you work remotely, hone in on the age, interests, & characteristics of your audience.

 

SOCIAL MEDIA STATISTICS

List your social media platforms and highlight your following and stats. Don’t get discouraged if you have a smaller audience. Social media is constantly changing, and engagement is more beneficial than a massive following.

 

FEATURES

Display logos of brands you have been featured in or on.  List every publication, podcast, conference, or interview you have done. This is a great way to position yourself and show you are in valued and in demand.

 

AWARDS

List awards or accolades you have received. Again, this shows you are valued and good at what you do.

 

SERVICES

Determine beforehand what opportunity you are seeking.  Are you are looking for speaking engagements? Podcast interviews? Sponsored posts? Collaborations? Discuss what you are willing to do and how to work with you.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

End with a call to action.  Give them all your contact information and let them know you want to work with them.

Your media kit is a visual representation of your brand.  Make sure your branding is consistent.  Keep it short, clean, and direct. Put yourself out into the world with your newly-created media kit!

 

BUSINESS COACH FOR ENTREPRENEURS

HOW TO GROW YOUR NETWORK ONLINE

HOW TO GROW YOUR NETWORK ONLINE

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Brittni Schroeder Coaching

HOW TO GROW YOUR NETWORK ONLINE

HOW TO GROW YOUR NETWORK ONLINE

All it takes is an introduction. A harmless greeting is how most wonderful things start. How you find your spouse, how you meet your best friends, and how you land your dream job. It starts with a basic human connection. With the new norm of online networking, there’s a whole new networking world to learn. I am going to offer some useful tips and tricks you can use to make the whole process go smoother. We’ll go over how to grow your network online successfully, from the best tools to how to use them effectively. 

 

 

Tips for Successfully Networking Online

Even before the pandemic, social media networking was on the rise. With platforms like LinkedIn and social networks like Instagram and Facebook, there are many opportunities to meet new people. And these new people could possibly help your business grow. Learning how to effectively network online comes down to using the right platforms for your target audience, engaging strategically, and attending the right virtual events. 

 

Use Online Networks to Make Connections

Considering the amount of online content, finding the right network can seem like a needle-in-a-haystack situation. However, tapping into the right network can help focus your search. Lean on these platforms to connect with a niche that matches your career objectives.

 

LinkedIn

According to a report done by Hootsuite, four out of five people on LinkedIn are the decision-makers. That means it’s highly likely that the people you connect with on the platform have the ability to hire you or recommend you if you connect with them effectively. By building an active personal brand on LinkedIn, you set yourself up for successful connections. Follow this four-step formula to cultivate this personal brand: establish, find, engage, build: 

• Step 1: Establish your digital presence by building out your profile. Include buzzwords and statistics that resonate with your industry. Also be sure to add a professional profile picture, which can lead to 21 times more profile views and nine times more connection requests according to LinkedIn’s reporting. 

• Step 2: Find people to connect with by joining LinkedIn groups. Make sure the groups you join are relevant to your business. 

• Step 3: Engage by posting content and talking to industry influencers. Out of the 500 million LinkedIn users, only 3 million share content, according to Foundation Inc. Forming opinions and discussing relevant topics will position you as a voice in your industry. Engage with the top figures in your industry by leaving insightful comments on their posts.

• Step 4: Repeat until you amass a strong following. Optimize your profile, connect with different people and continue to produce relevant content. You’ll find that people take interest in who you are and what you have to offer. 

 

Instagram

Much more than a photo-sharing app, Instagram is a good way to connect with B2C companies and brands. 

While “DMs” are infamous for flirtatious comments, you can leverage them for networking. Start by following a brand’s page and getting a sense of what they post. Start a conversation with people. Don’t ever start with a pitch. Start with a conversation and if they are interested they will ask. 

 

Here’s a sample way to “slide into their DMs” professionally:

Hey, X. I’ve been following your page and really enjoy the content you put out. I loved your post on [insert details about a recent post]. 

Then ask an open-ended question such as “Where are you from” or “How did you get into [the field they work in]. Let the conversation flow from there. If you feel a connection suggest jumping on a Zoom call to see how you could help them out. 

 

Facebook

One of the original social media platforms, Facebook’s reach presents a huge opportunity for getting your ideas out there. With 2.7 billion monthly active users on Facebook as of June 2020, it’s a perfect stage for online networking. 

A unique aspect of Facebook is its live feature. You have the ability to shoot video live, cast it out to your audience, and get comments in real-time. This is great for educators, coaches, business leaders, and entrepreneurs to share their thoughts on a hot-button topic. 

 

Clubhouse

Clubhouse is a newer social media app where users share audio clips instead of text posts. You can create and start rooms and discuss topics of all interest. This platform is a great resource for finding and connecting with like-minded individuals. You can follow and connect with individuals in the rooms through Instagram or Twitter. 

 

 

Creative Tips for Online Networking

You want to set yourself apart from the rest of the workforce when it comes to networking. This takes a lot of creativity, especially with the added obstacle of online networking. Here are some tips to help you stand out from the rest of the crowd: 

 

• Optimize your profile. Make sure people know exactly what you do and who you help when they visit your profile. 

• Fill your inbox with interesting newsletters. Instead of small talk about the weather, throw out some relevant insights. Mingle some personal stories with topics of interest to keep your audience engaged. 

• Make them notice you. Look for ways to get noticed. Show up consistently. Use more video to show your personality. 

• Cut the word “networking” out of your vocabulary. Self-talk matters in stressful situations. While you might not be throwing darts when networking, you are focused on hitting a target. Reinforcing positivity is essential for this. So, if the word “networking” is negatively connoted in your mind, then cut it out of your vocabulary. Use the word “opportunity” instead.

 

 

Growing your network should be a priority and be an item that is consistently showing up on your daily, weekly, and monthly checklists. When you learn how to grow your network online you will open up a plethora of possibilities. 

. 

BUSINESS COACH FOR ENTREPRENEURS

HOW TO INCREASE SALES BY MAKING OFFERS

How to Increase Sales by Making Offers

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How to Increase Sales
by Making Offers

How to Increase Sales by Making Offers

One of the biggest issues entrepreneurs face is hesitating to promote our offer. We’re unsure of how, when, or where to put it out into the world. We spend an endless amount of time creating freebies, lead magnets, programs, and products, then stick them on our website and cross our fingers, hoping they sell. Learning how to increase sales by making offers is key to growth. 

Do you want your business to grow? If you answered yes (and I know you answered yes), you MUST promote your own stuff and you MUST do it consistently.

Let’s address the mindset issues we might be dealing with when it comes to making offers. Do any of these reactions sound familiar?  

 

  • I don’t want to sound sales-y
  • I don’t want to annoy people
  • I don’t know how many times/days to share something
  • It’s so much work to post constantly
  • I’m not able to be consistent
  • I hate talking about myself
  • I already posted it on social media

These mindsets will hold you back. The first step is recognizing they are present. The next step is shifting into mindsets that serve you better. 

 

If you don’t get excited about what you are offering, you have two choices: Change your offer or change your mindset.  Ask yourself these questions: Do I get excited as excited about my offer as I do when Target puts out their holiday candy?  You should strive for the same enthusiasm when you are talking about your offer. 

 

People have followed you online because they want to hear from you. If they like your free Instagram posts and your weekly emails, they will probably be all about whatever product you’ve just launched. Don’t deny them the opportunity to work with you or advance their skills. Because that’s what you’re doing when you don’t promote – you are assuming you know what they are thinking and you’re making sure they miss out.


Two important things to remember when you are promoting your product or service:

1. People need to come into contact with something 7 times before they’ll decide they need it.  Consider this: how many times have you seen something – maybe a new trend, maybe a gadget on an infomercial – and immediately thought, “that is ridiculous” or “who would buy that??” But then you see it again, and again, and again, and again, and after a couple of weeks, you suddenly want it. 

 

2. Most people are not glued to their computer scanning all of your Instagram feed, pins, and blog posts all day long. At least I hope not, because that’s a waste of time. My point being, they will probably miss out on 75% of the stuff you share, so you need to share it multiple times for it to not only catch their eye, but stick in their mind. Also, don’t get stuck on the idea that just because you posted it on one platform, you shouldn’t post it on another.  Most people spend a majority of their time on just one or two platforms.  That is why it is important to repurpose your content on multiple platforms and do it often. 

 

Expand your reach as far as possible

When you truly understand your audience, you will know where they spend their time. Make a list of all the places your ideal audience is present (Instagram, Pinterest, email list, Facebook Groups, etc). Each week or month select an offer you want to focus on. Commit to posting your offer multiple times a week on each of the places your ideal audience visits. You want to maximize your reach with each of your offers. 

 

Have your audience do the talking for you

The best person to promote your product is actually not you. It’s the client who finished your course and saw amazing results, your client who you helped transformed, or your client who was super  impressed by the work you did.  Always remember to include an automated email in your client experience that asks for testimonials and reviews. When you receive any testimonials, turn them into posts, graphics in your emails, and/or include them on your sales pages. If you blog make sure you’ve got share buttons and Pinterest pin features on your blogs. Clients who have loved working with you will quickly become one of your best marketing tools.  

 

 

The success of your business is 40% an amazing product and 60% how well you market and sell it.  If you are struggling with mindset, work on that first and foremost.  After you are in a good headspace, focus on making offers every single day.  Once you learn how to increase sales by making offers you will see tremendous growth!

BUSINESS COACH FOR ENTREPRENEURS

THE ULTIMATE CLIENT EXPERIENCE

THE ULTIMATE CLIENT EXPERIENCE

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THE ULTIMATE CLIENT EXPERIENCE

THE ULTIMATE CLIENT EXPERIENCE

Every year at Christmas I try to convince my kids to bypass all the presents and use the money to go towards a trip or an experience.  It’s typically dependent on their age or what expensive new Apple gadget they have been dying to get. I like to test my kids by asking them to tell me to remind me what they received last year as gifts or the year before, more often than not they have already forgotten.  However, if I ask them to tell me about their favorite vacation or adventure they can go on and on. My goal is to create an unforgettable experience for my kids and your goals should be the same. If you want to become memorable, in your business, you need to create the ultimate client experience.

 

This is similar to our client experience.  They might forget about the product or service, but they will remember how you made them feel and how they felt.  When we create a great client experience people will talk, and we all know this the best marketing tool EVER!

 

WHAT IS A CLIENT EXPERIENCE?

Your client experience begins as soon as someone has that initial first impression of you. It begins before they are even clients. A client experience is how you make potential clients and clients feel.  This feeling might start when they following you in Instagram, but can last long after the project has finished. 

 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Think about how you want your ideal clients to feel and use this when setting the tone and messaging on your website and your social media. You only get once chance for a first impression, so make sure it’s well thought through.

 

When it comes to your website, this is typically the first step in the process. Design your website to attract your ideal client, but ensure that your copy speaks to them and they feel a connection.  You want your ideal client to feel like you are talking directly to them.  Think of your website as a first date and your social media as your second and third date when you really get to know a person. Make sure your brand is cohesive and reflects your brand.  

 

 

NEXT STEPS

When your ideal client has resonated with your website and/or social media the next step is to get in touch to inquire about how they can work with you.  You want to make sure it is clear and obvious as to what the next step is.  If you offer more than one service or product let them know of the various ways they can work with you.  If you have a contact page try to avoid using terms like contact me, but instead tell them exactly what the next step is.  For example, you could say schedule a consult with me, get my price list, or apply to work with me.  You need to maximize your time and you don’t want to waste time on a consult or answering emails if they are not serious about working with you. 

 

Once a client has reached out to you whether it is through a scheduling app or an email make sure to respond immediately letting them know you received their email and you will get back to them within a specific amount of time. If too much time passes your potential client might feel put off.

   

If you find yourself typing the same email over and over again, use a template that you can customize.  Even better and this is what I would highly recommend setting up an automation to ensure your potential client get’s an immediate response.

 

BOOKING PROCESS

You booked a client. You have officially taken your client to the next level in your relationships. Like any good, healthy relationships communication is key. You want to make this part as easy for your client as possible.  You want to walk them step-by-step through the process ensuring they know exactly what they are doing every step of the way.  Don’t overwhelm them with too much information upfront, consider sending several smaller emails using bullet points or a checklist. The key here is to keep things moving quickly whilst keeping your client informed at each stage of the process.

 

If your clients have to sign a contract consider using a program that allows a digital signature such as HelloSign or Adobe Sign. There are a lot of different project management systems available that will send the contracts and do the invoicing for you. 

 

AFTER THEY HAVE BOOKED

They’ve signed on the dotted line and paid their deposit. Depending on what service you offer, there might now be a wait between booking and the project starting. You want to make sure your client feels loved during this period also. This is a time to set yourself apart from your competition and dazzle them with the details.  

 

Here are a few ideas:

  • A welcome packet with any materials they might need. Use colored envelopes garnished with stickers or Wasi tape. 
  • Starbucks Giftcard
  • Favorite book 
  • Coupons
  • Notebooks or pens with your branding on it
  • Hand written thank you card
  • Helpful tips or guides 

If there is a wait period before you start working together make sure to contact them 1-2 times in between to keep them excited and engaged with the process.

 

DURING THE PROCESS

Depending on the duration of the process make sure that you are keeping your clients informed of what to expect or what is coming next. Send reminders, instructions and continually excitement about working with them. Stick to all deadlines and if possible, exceed them, under promise and over commit. 

 

AFTER THE PROJECT HAS FINISHED

When you are finished with the project consider sending another gift or thank card. There is no such thing as showing too much appreciation. Think of ways you can extend the client experience after you have finished working with your clients. You want to remain memorable so they will want to work with you again or recommend you to others. 

 

Here are a few ideas:

  • Send a Christmas Card or gift
  • Follow them on social media and support them
  • Send Birthday Cards
  • Checkin with them once or twice a year
  • Offer a VIP product or service
  • Offer a return client discount

Consider ways you can you keep in touch with them and make them feel like your relationship didn’t just end as soon as the final invoice was paid. 

 

Creating an unforgettable client experience isn’t all about gifting. Yes it’s nice to spoil your clients with a little gift from time to time but if you aren’t at the stage where you can afford to do this, then there are other ways to ensure an unforgettable client experience.  You want to make sure your clients feel seen, heard and understood.  When you connect with your clients and make them appreciated that creates the ultimate client experience.

BUSINESS COACH FOR ENTREPRENEURS