 Since I started my podcast, I’ve gotten some questions from other people about how to start a podcast. This is an interesting question to answer because it’s actually very simple! If you are creating content in any area of your business, you could somehow turn that into a podcast or shift your business to have your podcast be your main form of content. Of course, there are challenging parts, too. I have found consistency to be really challenging when it comes to recording episodes. The tech part of it all also initially overwhelmed me–but again, it actually was more simple than I thought it would be. I wanted to do an episode addressing these questions, but I thought it might be a little boring simply having me tell you what microphone I use, what programs I use, etc., so I decided to have my friend Jaice on the podcast! Jaice is a photographer in Sioux Falls, SD, and she has been a member of my mastermind program, The Confident Creative, so I’ve gotten to know her on a coaching basis and also as a friend. She has a background in education and is now moving into the education space in her business to help educate other photographers (or those who want to become one). She recently started a podcast (The Mistakes I’ve Made So You Don’t Have To) this year that has taken off, and I have loved watching her grow with it. Here are some of the things I talk about with Jaice: What made Jaice want to start a podcast How easy starting a podcast actually can be Equipment she uses Where to record your podcast Editing (and outsourcing) How Jaice started niching down and her transition to more education The goals she has for her podcast Monetizing podcasts and making sure it aligns with your brand Publishing your first episode and on what hosting platform What’s involved with show notes Launching and why we suggest doing it with more than one episode Ideal posting schedule goals Creating content in a way that you are aligned with and that your audience connects with A few highlights from this episode: [28:14]  With show notes, you have the option of making them into a blog post and linking it back to your podcast. You can get more eyes on it from different avenues. [33:17]  There’s no rule that says if you have a podcast, you have to release weekly. No, two weeks, a month, it doesn’t matter. Whatever you want, whatever you can do, whatever makes you happy. [35:35]  ...Maybe it’s time to take a step back and ask what is the goal of this podcast? Who am I trying to reach? What do I want to talk about? [35:55]  There’s a million ways to create content that people will want to consume somehow, but if you’re not aligned with that, your people are going to be able to tell...The medium doesn’t really matter so much; it’s so much more about the messages. [38:01]  I can’t stress enough just make sure you know who you’re talking to. Find your audience! That takes some soul searching. This was so much fun catching up with Jaice and discussing all things PODCASTING. We even ended the episode with a fun little get-to-know-you speed round. If you’ve been considering starting a podcast but feel a little unsure, I hope this episode provided you with some great insight as well as confidence to start now! Some of the best conversations happen after the show in my private Facebook group, Take It Personally Podcast. Click here to join in! 

Take It Personally

#36: How to Start a Podcast with Jaice Shakespaere

 I’ve been working with a company since 2018. When we started working together, I had just left my full time job, and this company was on the smaller side. Both of our businesses were newer. Fast forward to 2020, their business absolutely exploded, and we went from doing shoots every couple of months to at least once a month. Now, really, this is a photographer’s dream. Consistent income, an ongoing relationship with a really fantastic client; on paper it was totally perfect. But in the same amount of time, my business had changed a lot too, which led me to walk away from this partnership. I’m diving into all the details in this episode, and here are some of the things I talk about: How getting back to the foundations of my business made me realize the work I was doing for this long-time client didn’t reflect where I wanted my business to go How my website redesign made me evaluate my dream clients and business passions How I thought adding in more team members to assist with these shoots would help me be able to keep this client (but it didn’t work) How the problem wasn’t the client or the dream job; it just wasn’t my dream anymore Pricing reflections, and when raising prices isn’t the answer How to handle dealing with wondering what would people think with this decision How the conversation with the client went Reactions from people regarding the “break up” Walking away from the consistent income and the transition forward Some of the best conversations happen after the show in my private Facebook group, Take It Personally Podcast. Click here to join in! 

#35: Why I Walked Away From My Biggest Client

 Trish Taylor is a stylist + brand embodiment coach devoted to helping entrepreneurs show up authentically and attract their soulmate clients online and feel worthy of being seen as an authority in their space without fear of judgment. She has a background in personal styling celebrities like Ariana Grande, but after building an incredible career she realized it wasn't what she wanted. Trish started over, and her business as we know it today was born. Here are some of the things I talk about with Trish: How Trish first got into styling and what she did when she reached the “top” of her celebrity styling career How she has combined her passions of styling and psychology into her current career as a brand stylist and confidence coach Why it’s helpful to align your mind, body, and brand before doing a brand photoshoot How Trish works with clients specifically (ps. It’s not about what level of business they are at or how successful they are) Learning to recognize your limiting beliefs and how Trish works through her own What a batch wardrobe is How to freely shine in a brand photoshoot 

#34: Confidence in Personal Branding Through Styling with Trish Taylor

I have always enjoyed blogging which I think makes me a little bit unusual because whenever I talk to my creative friends about blogging I am typically met with groans. It isn’t something that people necessarily like doing. I think some of that is because we are told that as creatives who have a website, we should be blogging. But it takes a while to see results from that blogging! And I think that’s because a lot of us are not doing it correctly. I noticed the biggest change in my business, website traffic, the type of client I was attracting when I doubled down on evergreen content, as opposed to posts that were more timely. Evergreen content can help set you up to look like the expert that you are! And Google tends to favor it as well. It keeps people coming back to your website because the content is always relevant. This is why I recorded an episode all about evergreen content – because it can majorly help you in your business and even save you some time! Here’s a look at what I talk about: What evergreen content is Looking through past posts to find evergreen content topics Ways to share evergreen content with your audience How to spin content to do something completely new with it Evergreen content ideas Some of the best conversations happen after the show in my private Facebook group, Take It Personally Podcast. Click here to join in!

#33: Getting the most mileage out of your content

 Amanda Runia is an ex-accountant out of Brookings, SD, where she lives with her husband and three young kiddos. She has a love for fast talking, making new friends and helping others not feel lost. She owns a consulting business, In-House Ally, where she uses her accounting background and unique strengths to help business owners make better decisions and ultimately comes alongside them as an ally. I love when people like Amanda can take something seemingly overwhelming like finances and break it down to be understandable and digestible for your business. I hope you enjoy the conversation! Links: Amanda on IG: @inhouseally Amanda's website: https://www.in-houseally.com Click here to join the Facebook group! 

#32: Finding Clarity and Paving Your Own Financial Path

You finally feel good about those (higher! yay!) prices you're charging, only to find out that a "competitor" is doing what you're doing for half the price. What next? How do you handle it?  Let's talk about the four things that need to happen when you find yourself in this position, and how it can actually be a very good thing for your business. Join the Facebook group for more discussion after the show! https://www.facebook.com/groups/takeitpersonally/

Dealing with Price Comparison

Well hello. It's been a while. I'm popping in today to give you an update on my hiatus-turned-super-long-hiatus, and talking about what 2020 and my third pregnancy taught me about life and business. I missed you! Join the Facebook group here and let's continue the discussion: https://www.facebook.com/groups/takeitpersonally

Embracing the Seasons of Life and Business

 Today on Take It Personally is guest, Chelsey Schnell! Chelsey is from Sioux Falls, married, and has 3 kids she gets to love on and 2 in heaven that she lost to miscarriage. She is an Enneagram 4, works in marketing and is also a photographer, and now runs a nonprofit she started, called Evermore Blooms. Evermore Blooms delivers flowers to moms, who have suffered a miscarriage, on their hardest days (due date, anniversary of the loss, etc.).  Chelsey has a unique story as it has taken a lot of different turns over the years as she has learned more about who she is and her passions. She has come on today to share more about her journey, why it’s okay if your interests and passions change, and how to help your audience connect with your new venture. Here are some of the things I talk about with Chelsey: How Chelsey's miscarriage impacted her photography work and her mission How she got from photography to her nonprofit, Evermore Blooms More about Evermore Blooms - how it got started, how it works, and Chelsey's dreams for it How Chelsey wants to change the conversation about miscarriage Chelsey’s advice to people who are working on a business that is no longer fulfilling them  Why doing what you love is so important (more important than money) What’s getting Chelsey excited  Highlights:  [9:05]  Photography will always be a part of me, but I think God wanted more for me. It was just a catalyst to something else.  [18:23]  My main goal is to not leave any women uncared for, whatever that might look like. [25:40] I had the realization that I am not my work. I put a lot of ‘me’ into my work, but I am not my work. As creatives, we have to remember this.  [31:57]  I feel that so many people get wrapped up in “this is what I should be doing” or “these are the things that are going to make me money.” But what’s going to make your heart happy? None of that matters if at the end of your life you say “I made a lot of money, but I sure was miserable.”  What an episode! This conversation with Chelsey was so life-giving for me. Chelsey’s story is so inspiring, and I know it will be to others too, as will Evermore Blooms. Connect with Chelsey @Evermorebloomsorg on Instagram and Evermore Blooms on Facebook (pink and white flower profile picture). Their website is coming soon. Some of the best conversations happen after the show in my private Facebook group, Take It Personally Podcast. Click here to join in! 

What to do When Your Business No Longer Aligns with Your Passions

 Today I get to welcome Jada Dobesh onto Take It Personally! Jada Dobesh is the owner of Selah Space, a holistic wellness cooperative. She is a Spiritual Director who uses the Enneagram as a map for her directees personal, spiritual, and mental-emotional growth. She lives in Sioux Falls with her husband Witt, and daughter, Audrey and spends a great deal of her time baking bread and working in her garden. Over the past year, I have been exploring my spirituality more and have loved following Jada on social media. Jada is going to be sharing all about the enneagram specifically today, which is one of my favorite topics right now.  Here are some of the things Jada and I discuss: How Jada got to where she is today and her journey to becoming a spiritual director Jada’s definition of the Enneagram How to find out your Enneagram number (and why she doesn't recommend a test!) An overview of each Enneagram number Tips for where to start to find your type Details about your soul child number and why it’s important to know that too Benefits of understanding the Enneagram and advice for using it in your personal life and/or business Enneagram book recommendations  What’s getting Jada excited right now A closer look at this episode:  [8:01] You are identified as one number and spend your life moving from number to number, gaining wisdom from all of the different types. [21:27] The point is not to become the best ego-type that you can be. You actually want to move all the way through all of the numbers, picking up the pieces that serve you well and that make you a better person. [34:39] It’s important as a leader to acknowledge your strength, and then find people or workers who have some of the other strengths. Thank you to Jada for joining me today and sharing about the Enneagram! The Enneagram is such a cool and unique thing to reflect on, not only in your personal life, but for your business too. If you want to connect with Jada you can find her on social media @selahspacesd. Jada's enneagram book recommendations: The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective / Becoming Conscious: The Enneagram's Forgotten Passageway Download the Instagram Engagement Checklist mentioned in the episode to take back control of your IG engagement and start having fun again! Some of the best conversations happen after the show in my private Facebook group, Take It Personally Podcast. Click here to join in! 

Understanding the Enneagram with Jada Dobesh

Pivoting Your Business During a Crisis

 CONTENT. It’s a word that strikes fear and causes paralysis. There is so. much. pressure. Will it be good enough? Deep enough? Clever enough? Funny enough? Enough enough? There’s a rule of thumb that has helped me get past that content paralysis, and it’s called the 80/20 content rule. What that means is that 80% of the time, you serve your audience, and 20% of the time, you sell to them. And if you use the 80% effectively, the 20% becomes so much easier.  The 80% may seem daunting, but you have more to share than you think. Use your content to educate, inspire, entertain, or connect with your audience. Share what’s on your heart, special knowledge you have, or encourage deeper thinking. Here’s some of the things I share in today's episode regarding the 80/20 content rule: The 80% does not all have to be original stuff, straight from your brain (ps. It’s this thinking that causes the paralysis).  When you are so close to something, as we all are with our own businesses, it’s harder for us to think of things that are worth sharing as it seems like common knowledge to everyone - but it’s not. Consider questions you wish your clients would ask you (and then answer that question).  If you are growing your business and providing the 80% of service content, the time will come when your audience is ready to pay you so they can get more. Your 20% should be about solving the problems of your audience.  Some highlights from the episode: [ 9:33] Sometimes content doesn't serve a significant purpose other than making a connection. [9:54] Just because a post is not educating, doesn't mean it's not providing some sort of value. [10:16] As uncomfortable as it makes so many people, if you've been doing the 80% the right way, the 20% should be easy. I think you will find that you can serve your clients really well through the 80/20 content rule when you share things that educate, motivate, inspire, or entertain while remembering to listen to the feedback your content generates. It’s the feedback that leads to the 20% - the opportunities for sales and possibly for services that you hadn’t even considered until you listened to your audience and learned what problems you can solve with your unique expertise. Some of the best conversations happen after the show in my private Facebook group, Take It Personally Podcast. Click here to join in! Thank you to our Take It Personally sponsors $100 off your Profile by Sanford membership with the code MADDIEPESCHONG 

The 80/20 Rule for Your Content Calendar

I’m sitting down with another business owner for this episode, Jeremy Brech, to discuss what this unique, and possibly difficult, time can mean for your business or businesses in general. I know we are all hoping to make it through with our sanity, but ultimately with our business still intact.  There are so many unknowns, and emotions are all over. And that’s okay. This situation is not normal or ideal, but I have found talking with other business owners or people who are experiencing the same thing to be helpful. And that’s what this conversation is today. Jeremy Brech is with DJ Jer Events and Lighting Design. He is an incredible business owner in the Sioux Falls area. He is known nationwide for his DJ skills, along with lighting and design and other business aspects. Jeremy has been in business for 24 years, and he has so much value and insight to offer. Here’s a look at some of the things I discuss with Jeremy: Why he loves Sioux Falls and believes the strong economy has helped when hardships or recessions have hit. How making good financial decisions early on in his marriage and for his business helped put him in a comfortable position to be “recession-ready” (and he highly recommends Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University). Managing your money is important, but you also need to manage your time. This “extra” time is your opportunity to work on your business, which will help put you in a better position for the future.  Prioritize family time too, and support locally if possible (i.e.: take out food, purchase gift cards, etc.). Jeremy shares how he and his team are specifically helping their clients out and supporting others right now. Info on the small business stimulus. Thank your community and those still supporting you, and support them back. It’s not a marketing strategy, it’s caring for other people. A few highlights from this episode: [10:22]  Look to see how you can help other people – in your market, in your industry. Be the person to help somebody out if they are in need. [17:15] It’s not so much about financial gratification, it’s more about the gratification of knowing that you can make an impact, especially in times like this.  [27:21]  Reach out to those businesses who have been there for you. Reach out to those clients that have allowed your business to be a business or survive. Send them a thank you, and check in to see how they are doing. Every type of hope that we can get is exactly what we need.  Thank you to Jeremy for joining me today! It was a great reminder to take time to prepare your business for the future and ultimately, to do more outside of it to support each other through this time. You can connect with Jeremy on his website here.  Some of the best conversations happen after the show in my private Facebook group, Take It Personally Podcast. Click here to join in! THANK YOU TO OUR TAKE IT PERSONALLY SPONSORS $100 off your Profile by Sanford membership with the code MADDIEPESCHONG

Staying True to Business Values in a Crisis

I’m joined today by my personal accountant, Courtney, from Numbers and Such Prof. LLC. She is here today to talk all about the Small Business Stimulus Package and the different loans and grants available and what they mean for small business owners. Things are constantly changing and everyone is searching for information (this was recorded the morning of April 3rd). Courtney helps clear things up today, but ultimately, we suggest that you get in touch with your CPA and business banker to understand what action you need to take next. Here’s a look into some of the information Courtney shares: Economic Injury Disaster Loan The EIDL is a loan that you apply for through the SBA. If you can’t get funding elsewhere, consider this one. It is an up to 30-year loan (but not guaranteed that). When applying, there is $10,000 grant money you can request (again, not guaranteed that full amount). The SBA is bogged down, so just a reminder that the money may not be granted to you immediately and may take time. Apply through the SBA website. The Paycheck Protection Program The PPP is another one you can apply for to get 2.5x your average monthly payroll in a loan, which can convert to a grant if you use it for certain purposes. The loan is 2 years and has an interest rate of 1%, though it has potential to be fully forgiven. Independent contractors can’t apply until Friday, April 10. One requirement is having under 500 employees. Apply through your bank (more info here). You have 8 weeks to spend this amount (on payroll, rent, and utilities). 75% of the forgivable amount needs to be used on payroll.  Unemployment Unemployment can be collected for 10 weeks before you need to start searching for other work (check according to your state). South Dakota maxes out at $414 a week (specific requirements to determine amount) and supposedly the federal government is adding to that with an extra $600 a week, if the state chooses to adopt and implement it.  If you receive a furlough notice from your employer, that may make your application easier.  Other Notes Check with your lender to see if they are SBA-friendly and participating in these options. There are billions of dollars on the line, and it is anticipated to dry up. The money is first come, first serve. Apply as soon as you can. If you have a Schedule C, things can get murky. Because we don’t have typical payroll, having the loan be forgiven would look differently, and we just don’t have enough clarification at this time. You don’t need to have 2019 taxes filed to do all of this, but you will need 2019 financials either way.  Other Tax Items SD sales tax deadlines are not pushed back. SD unemployment tax deadlines are not pushed back. Payroll taxes – depends if your CPA has guided you to postpone. Income tax got pushed to July 15 (instead of April 15). One final reminder: the best thing you can do is get in touch with your CPA and banker to figure out the steps you need to take next to apply. GET IN TOUCH WITH COURTNEY Thank you, Courtney for joining and sharing your knowledge. We hope this was helpful to all of you small business owners out there. If you are looking for help on this, you can connect with Courtney on her website or Facebook Page. Some of the best conversations happen after the show in my private Facebook group, Take It Personally Podcast. Click here to join and ask any questions you might have regarding the Small Business Stimulus Package or information in today’s episode.

The Small Business Stimulus Package: What You Need To Know

Life has been hectic lately, and honestly, I have been trying to record this episode for about two weeks. We are in the middle of this global pandemic– something none of us have navigated before.  I’ve been trying to keep business as usual while business cannot really be business as usual. Many of us have found ourselves working on our business versus in our business. If you have the time now, (though if you have kids at your feet–you don’t, and I get it!), working on the back end of your business is a great place to spend your time because it will make things smoother on the front end, when business returns to “normal” once again. As a small business owner, you need quality tools to keep yourself organized. As a one person shop, you deal with everything from sales to marketing to contracts to billing. If you don’t have great systems in place, important details can slip through the cracks. And let’s face it, your reputation is on the line. That’s why today I am going to share a few of my favorite tools that I use to manage my business that you may come to love as much as I do. Here’s a sneak peek at my favorite tools: Dubsado is a CRM (client relationship management) software. It provides a consistent client experience through automated workflows and emails. You can use it free for your first three clients. If you want to continue with it, you can use MADDIEPESCHONGPHOTO for 20% off your first year! Stripe is a payment processor, which allows me to take payments online. It works alongside many of the other apps and tools I use for my business. Voxer is a voice messaging app, sort of like a walkie-talkie, that allows for easy communication. Google Drive is a great place to create documents, share with members of your team, and store files.  Asana is a project and task management software. You can create projects and assign the subtasks to different people with different deadlines and notes. I hope it’s been helpful for you to  learn about some of my favorite tools for organization and project management. The better you can have the back-end of your business set up, the easier everything else is going forward. Cheers to an organized business life!  Some of the best conversations happen after the show in my private Facebook group, Take It Personally Podcast. Click here to join in! THANK YOU TO OUR TAKE IT PERSONALLY SPONSORS $100 off your Profile by Sanford membership with the code MADDIEPESCHONG  

Business Tools I Can't Live Without

Lately I have had some people reach out asking me to do an episode about balance. The timing is ironic as this past week I hardly worked more than 30 minutes a day due to having a sick kid at home. My daughter caught some kind of bug, and all she wanted to do was cuddle and nap on the couch. My flexibility allowed me to stay home with her, which I am so thankful for. But I will admit that, as a business owner, it was also challenging.  I love my job, and I love to work, so it was tough having that all be put on hold. This episode comes at an interesting time for me, but it also supports how I feel about balance – and that is that balance doesn’t really exist. The more we understand that and understand that that’s just life (and that everyone else doesn’t have it together either), the better it’ll be during those times we really feel unbalanced. Though things are never totally in balance, there are some things in my life that I have setup to help support this work-life integration, or lack of balance maybe. And that’s what we are talking about today. Keep in mind these are what work for me and my family, though it may look different for you! But here are a few of those things I am sharing on today’s episode: Why I don’t believe there will ever be balance, otherwise we are constantly having to choose between our family, our work, our house, our self-care and the list goes on. Why I like the phrase work-life integration instead of work-life balance. It really is all one and the same. There will be some weeks where it’s all things all family, there will be weeks you have to be more present at work or where your personal life takes priority, etc. Childcare is a nonnegotiable for me. If my kids are home, I simply can’t get work done. Though it is a luxury, if you can afford, I totally see it as a necessary luxury. My life has also been changed through outsourcing. Again, it may not be financially realistic for everyone, but if you are just scared of starting, consider it again! Being able to free up your time is so much more incredible than holding onto the money. This past year, I have really worked to protect my calendar. Last year, I overbooked and became so burnt out. I set goals this year to have it be different, and it has allowed me to retain my sanity. A closer look into the episode: [5:10] It’s all about that integration across all the different parts of your life, as opposed to balance. [11:32]  Don’t think I’m doing it all with kids at home with me, because I’m not; my kids are in childcare full-time which allows me to get work done.  [25:12] I personally make sure my calendar is really light before and after big trips. No more stressing over getting all the things ready or coming back to a super full plate. I hope this episode was helpful in helping you realize that you don’t need to be striving after balance but that there are things that can support you in the “unbalance.” Come join us in the Take It Personally Facebook group and share how you find integration in your life. THANK YOU TO OUR TAKE IT PERSONALLY SPONSORS $100 off your Profile by Sanford membership with the code MADDIEPESCHONG  

Why 'Balance' is a 4-Letter Word

Take It Personally, hosted by professional branding photographer Maddie Peschong, shares advice every Tuesday to help you grow your personal brand to stand out from the noise and thrive, even in the most saturated markets. Episodes feature business and marketing advice, branding expertise, and real stories and inspiration from creative professionals all over the world.

hubhopper

Take It Personally

hubhopper