The Dare to Grow Show

New Year planning: 5 questions to ask yourself Dec 11, 2022

The year is coming to a close and it's time to plan for an epic new year. Here are the 5 questions I always ask myself so I'm not only planning from the data I've collected but also what felt good in my business, what was a total pain, and what big ideas I have for the future. LINKS + RESOURCES - How to start a YouTube Channel: daretogrow.co/membership - Podcast checklist: daretogrow.co/membership COURSES + COACHING - Membership: daretogrow.co/membership CONNECT WITH ME - Instagram: @daretogrow.co - Website: daretogrow.co - YouTube: daretogrow.co/youtube

How I get over procrastination, perfectionism, imposter syndrome and get shit done Dec 04, 2022

This week I'm sharing one of my favorite methods for combating procrastination, perfectionism and imposter syndrome. The Fine, Better, Best Method will help you get started, do the work, and launch without second guessing or stalling every step of the way. COURSES + COACHING - Membership: daretogrow.co/membership - Biz + Content Planner: daretogrow.co/planner CONNECT WITH ME - Instagram: @daretogrow.co - Website: daretogrow.co - YouTube: daretogrow.co/youtube

My fave daily mental health tools + habits Nov 20, 2022

This week I'm sharing my favorite mental health tools and habits. Meds and therapy make the biggest difference but today I'm sharing the little tools and habits that help keep my energy high and my brain focused throughout the day. EPISODES + LINKS - Big mental health shifts (Meds + therapy episode #112) https://daretogrow.co/things-that-helped-me-make-big-mental-health-shifts/ - Download the habit tracker: https://xo-sarah.ck.page/b8d1fd1bfc - 100 Journal Prompts: https://amzn.to/3EKoLLd - D2G Biz + Content Planner (with habit tracker): http://daretogrow.co/planner - Sleepy Time: http://sleepyti.me - Brain.fm (meditation and focus app for ADHD) https://www.brain.fm - In The Flo (menstrual cycle book) https://amzn.to/3TU79AS - Stardust (cycle tracker app) https://stardust.app/ - Cerebral (psychiatrist, meds, therapy): https://fbuy.io/cerebral/ypqy888h (affiliate link - get 70% off your first month) - BetterHelp (therapy) https://www.betterhelp.com/rpc/2195debf06863d5e-1-01 (affiliate link - 1 week free) COURSES + COACHING - Membership: daretogrow.co/membership CONNECT WITH ME - Instagram: @daretogrow.co - Website: daretogrow.co - YouTube: daretogrow.co/youtube

What's inside the new Dare to Grow 90-Day Planner Nov 13, 2022

This week I'm taking you behind the scenes of the brand new Dare to Grow 90-Day Business and Content Planner and sharing how I plan my days, weeks, and months. More than just a daily planner, it includes worksheets for time tracking, habit tracking, weekly + monthly evaluation, journal prompts and more! Get your copy on Amazon ➜ https://amzn.to/3Tt2h5x See the full planner on YouTube ➜ https://youtu.be/JKEbOxeOhgE COURSES + COACHING - Membership: daretogrow.co/membership - Biz + Content Planner: daretogrow.co/planner CONNECT WITH ME - Instagram: @daretogrow.co - Website: daretogrow.co - YouTube: daretogrow.co/youtube

How to stop making projects feel so overwhelming Nov 06, 2022

Real talk - is there something you know would really help your business or a project you've been wishing you could do, but you've been overthinking, procrastinating, and holding back from diving into it? Join the club! I've had conversations about this exact thing THREE times just this week with people wanting to start podcasts, courses, and YouTube channels. Today I'm sharing how to get through the overwhelm, past the procrastination, and get moving on your amazing idea. Because you should totally do it ;) COURSES + COACHING - Membership: daretogrow.co/membership - Biz + Content Planner: daretogrow.co/planner CONNECT WITH ME - Instagram: @daretogrow.co - Website: daretogrow.co - YouTube: daretogrow.co/youtube

Journal with me - 3 mindset prompts for small biz owners Oct 30, 2022

We're trying something NEW this week! I'm pulling 3 journal prompts from the Dare to Grow journal prompts card deck and then I'll throw on some music and we'll journal together. It might be awesome or it might be awkward - journal with me and then let me know what you think!

P.S. If it's too awkward, head over to daretogrow.co/youtube where I'm journaling on video!

EPISODES + LINKS - Journal Prompts Card Deck: daretogrow.co/shop - 100 Journal Prompts Book: daretogrow.co/shop

COURSES + COACHING - Membership: daretogrow.co/membership - Biz + Content Planner: daretogrow.co/planner

CONNECT WITH ME - Instagram: @daretogrow.co - Website: daretogrow.co - YouTube: daretogrow.co/youtube

Final report after 3 Instagram Reels bonuses Oct 23, 2022

Have you signed up for Instagram bonuses yet? Bonuses allow you to get paid for the views on your IG Reels during a specific time period. After going through 3 Bonuses myself, I have results, data, and thoughts!

EPISODES + LINKS - Why I'm more focused on YouTube than Instagram

COURSES + COACHING - Membership: daretogrow.co/membership - Biz + Content Planner: daretogrow.co/planner

CONNECT WITH ME - Instagram: @daretogrow.co - Website: daretogrow.co - YouTube: daretogrow.co/youtube

What helped me make big mental health shifts Oct 16, 2022

I don't know about you, but for me 2022 was a doozy of a year both personally and professionally and my mental health has been a bit of a roller coaster. Now that I'm feeling SO MUCH better I'm sharing the things that made the biggest difference in my anxiety, depression, and mental health in general. EPISODES + LINKS - Cerebral (psychiatrist, meds, therapy): https://fbuy.io/cerebral/ypqy888h (affiliate link - get 70% off your first month) - BetterHelp (therapy) https://www.betterhelp.com/rpc/2195debf06863d5e-1-01 (affiliate link - 1 week free) COURSES + COACHING - Membership: daretogrow.co/membership - Biz + Content Planner: daretogrow.co/planner CONNECT WITH ME - Instagram: @daretogrow.co - Website: daretogrow.co - YouTube: daretogrow.co/youtube

My content plan: How I'm repurposing posts and saving time Oct 16, 2022

Content planning feel like a pain? Today I'm sharing how I've re-structured my content strategy since I'm now spending less time creating for Instagram. Plus how I save time by creating a waterfall of content instead of creating for each platform separately.

P.S. Did you know, podcast episodes are also available as VIDEO on Youtube?? Head over to daretogrow.co/youtube to subscribe and watch.

EPISODES + LINKS - Why I'm more focused on YouTube than Instagram

COURSES + COACHING - Membership: daretogrow.co/membership - Biz + Content Planner: daretogrow.co/planner

CONNECT WITH ME - Instagram: @daretogrow.co - Website: daretogrow.co - YouTube: daretogrow.co/youtube

Why I'm focused more on YouTube than Instagram Oct 16, 2022

It's YouTube round TWO! Yes, years ago I attempted to start a YouTube Channel but I only posted three videos...oops. So why am I now spending more time creating YouTube content than Instagram? And why do I think it's actually going to work this time?? Hit play on this episode and let's discuss! P.S. Did you know, podcast episodes are also available as VIDEO on Youtube?? Head over to daretogrow.co/youtube to subscribe and watch. EPISODE I MENTIONED - How I'm restructuring my content plan COURSES + COACHING - Membership: daretogrow.co/membership - Biz + Content Planner: daretogrow.co/planner CONNECT WITH ME - Instagram: @daretogrow.co - Website: daretogrow.co

I'm back and I'm starting a YouTube channel Oct 16, 2022

I'm back! After taking a summer podcast break and a little time off I've got lots of news to share. Why I'm starting a YouTube Channel, which social platform has been pissing me off, and why I'm into slow content right now.

Did you know, podcast episodes are also available as VIDEO on Youtube?? Head over to daretogrow.co/youtube to subscribe and watch.

COURSES + COACHING - Membership: daretogrow.co/membership - Biz + Content Planner: daretogrow.co/planner

CONNECT WITH ME - Instagram: @daretogrow.co - Website: daretogrow.co

Instagram Bonuses - here’s how to get paid for posting May 26, 2022

Have you heard of Instagram bonuses? You might have seen some popular creators talk about getting paid by Instagram for posting Reels or going live.

Luckily Instagram is trying to give opportunities to a wider range of creators, which means I got access to the Reels bonus last week so today I’m gonna tell you all about it.

What exactly is it? How do you get it? And is it worth your time to make and post Reels??

Connect with me on Instagram @daretogrow.co if you have more questions!

Panel: How did you get comfy on video? May 19, 2022

Today we’re talking about video - which is one of the big reasons a lot of people avoid posting to social media. We worry about how we look, how we sound, how our videos compare to everyone else. And avoiding video might be holding your business back from growing - especially if you’re hoping to grow on Instagram or with live events.

In today’s episode I’m sharing my years-long (literally) process of getting comfortable and good at video. And you’ll hear from human design + health coach, Naomi Nakamura, and Rebecca Simon, a business coach for online service providers. They’ll be sharing how they got comfortable and confident being on video too so you’ll have lots of options and tricks to help you get going.

Follow Noomi at @naomijnakamura and Becca at @workwithbecca. And jump into the Dare to Grow membership if you need more support >> daretogrow.co/membership

We’re rebranding - let’s talk through the process May 05, 2022

Our rebrand from XOSarah to Dare to Grow is now underway! Our IG handle just switched over the weekend (you can now find us @daretogrow.co) and our new website (also daretogrow.co) is launching on May 10th.

We’ve got about a million and half things that need to be updated, moved and changed. And because it’s more than just changing our logo and domain name, this process actually started last year.

In today’s episode I’m sharing the process from decision to launch day and all of the things we worked through in between.

Links + resources

Website host + design platform: ShowIt - get a free month

Website template: Tonic

How to stop worrying about what other people think Apr 28, 2022

Here’s a question: Whose opinion are you worried about when you overthink or avoid doing something? When you skip posting that video because of how you look? When you hold back from launching?

Who’s opinion or comments or judgment are you REALLY worried about?

Because what I’ve been hearing a lot lately is that you’re worrying about other people’s opinions, judgements, expectations…instead of your own.

Today on the podcast we’re talking about the 3 types of people we generally worry about getting negative or unwanted feedback from. And what you can do to stop worrying and start taking action on what YOU want.

Also - this episode has a lot of swearing in it. Like extra for me. So maybe grab some headphones if you don’t want me to accidentally teach your kids the F-word.

Links + resources

Jamie’s book: Radically Content

My fave people to follow: @galadarling, @jamievaron, @iamjamgamble, @glennondoyle, @itsviviankaye, @herfirst100k (Tori), Lizzo, Jonathan Van Ness

How to prep for a brand photoshoot Apr 21, 2022

If you haven’t heard the news already, then you should be following me on Instagram ;) Because last week I was finally able to announce the big secret project we’ve been working on for the past couple of months. And it is…a re-brand!

Next month marks my 10-year anniversary in business, of leaving my corporate job, and of XO Sarah. Over the past 6 months or so I’ve started feeling like it was time to shift and when the trademark I applied for was approved I knew it was time. Starting over the next couple of weeks we are going to be rebranding as Dare to Grow!

Which means I’m in the process of building out an entirely new website and part of that process is taking new photos. I had my brand photoshoot last week and when I asked on Stories what questions you had, the answer was everything. Where to start, how to find a photographer, planning, outfits, locations. All of it. So that’s what we’re going to talk about today.

Asana vs ClickUp: Here’s why I switched project management platforms Apr 14, 2022

Today we’re going to get nerdy and talk about project management systems. Because that is the NUMBER ONE way I keep stress and overwhelm at bay.

I don’t keep anything in my brain. I don’t know what I’m doing tomorrow, next week, next month, but if I go into my project management system I can tell you exactly what I’ll be doing every hour of every day because I’ve already planned all my tasks.

Recently we made the shift from using Asana to ClickUp for project management, so on this episode I’m sharing the Asana deal breakers and what made me take months worth of tasks and move them to a new system.

Links + resources

Asana

Clickup (affiliate link)

Asana + ClickUp trainings are inside the Dare to Grow membership

Daily habits that help you thrive as a CEO Mar 31, 2022

Raise your hand if you’ve…tried to be creative on zero sleep, started your day by staring at your to-do for 30 minutes, or worked until 9…10…11pm because you just wanted to get one more thing done.

You too?

One thing I’ve realized over the past almost 10 years is that the DAILY HABITS that support me as a CEO are as important as the strategies that grow my business.

Because it’s those habits that keep you feeling excited to sit down to work, or have the energy for a 5pm call, or stave off the stress that comes from being in charge of it all.

But sometimes it’s easy to go hog wild creating and learning and implementing and forget about supporting yourself, setting boundaries, and creating those habits that allow you to stay in business for a long time.

This is why today on the podcast we’ve got a panel episode to give you a bunch of options to help you create good CEO habits.

You’ll hear from Maggie @smallbusinessboss, a consultant for service based biz owners and Heidi @heidi_jones_coaching who helps ambitious women balance their work and life while going after their goals.

Links + Resources

Follow Maggie @smallbusinessboss + her podcast The BS-Free Service Business show

Follow Heidi @heidi_jones_coaching + her podcast The Heidi Jones Coaching Podcast

My fave cycle tracking apps Stardust + Clue

How to get out of your own damn way Mar 24, 2022

I don’t care how long you’ve been in business, how big your audience is, or how many things you’ve ticked off of the online business owner checklist. Everyone needs to get out of their own way at some point.

Whether it’s ignoring the zit that’s popped up in the middle of your face on the day you NEED to record a bunch of videos.

Or staying up just ONE MORE hour to do just ONE MORE thing even though you’re freaking exhausted from hustling for weeks (months…years!) in a row.

Or putting off really figuring out how to make that big, scary, AWESOME idea happen because you just can’t decide whether it will FOR SURE work or not.

Been there, done that (an annoying number of times), and this week on the pod we’re talking about my process for getting out of your own damn way!

Links + Resources

Byon Katie book Loving What Is *

Gretchen Ruben’s The Four Tendencies quiz

The Four Tendencies book *

Dare to Grow - I’ll totally help you get out of your own way ;)

* affiliate links

100 Episodes! Here are my best podcasting tips Mar 17, 2022

We’ve made it to episode 100! If you think I’m buying myself a cake to celebrate…you are right! Creating a podcast is no joke and I’m excited to hit this milestone and share with you what I’ve learned about podcasting along the way.

Give the episode a listen and then find me on Instagram (@xosarahmorgan) because we’re hosting a bunch of audience appreciation giveaways this week!

Links + Resources

My podcast editor: podcastingforcreatives.com

Dare to Grow (my podcast process): daretogrow.co - use the code PODCAST2022 at checkout for half off

How I handle mid-week mental health days Mar 10, 2022

I had a totally different topic planned for this week, but I woke up Monday morning with my anxiety scrambling my brain and so instead we're going to talk about how to handle a mid-week mental health day.

Because I like to make sure I’m sharing a balanced view of what running my business looks like.

I’m very into productivity and systems and being efficient, but I also have days when I wake up, feel my anxiety is too strong to fight with, and have to spend hours (or my entire day) focused on that instead.

Which can easily lead to feeling like I'm falling behind or guilty for not sticking to my schedule.

So this week on the podcast I want to walk you through what self care looks like for me on a day like that to give you more mental health care tools and also to provide a little solidarity if you have mental health challenges or are just stressed to the max by life right now.

Links + Resources

Mental health resources inside Dare to Grow and on my websites resources page - xosarah.com/resources

How to find time to do all the marketing things for your business Feb 24, 2022

Wondering how people make doing all the marketing things look so easy? Instagram posts and stories AND Reels, emails, blog posts, videos, Facebook groups, TikTok, YouTube.

It is A LOT and it can end up feeling like all you’re doing is working on content when that’s only a small part of growing your business.

This is why I put so much work into systems that allow me to show up and be effective on social media without it taking over my whole week, which is what we’re talking about this week!

I’m sharing my simple solutions that will create the biggest bang for your time, energy, and resources. Give this episode a listen and then head over to Instagram, find me @xosarahmorgan, and let’s discuss!

Links + Resources

Content planning workshop ➜ daretogrow.co (use the code PODCAST2022 for half off your first month)

Social media scheduler ➜ Planoly

My current mindset practices Feb 17, 2022

The past couple of weeks have been busy over here. I don’t use that word a lot because I like to keep things chill and my schedule manageable. But there’s been more on my plate than usual, this is actually the perfect time to talk about mindset because it’s that (along with some productivity skills) that helps me stay on track in my business.

It helps me take breaks when I need it because I know that will recharge me for the next task

It helps me notice when my thoughts are unhelpful and shift away from those moments of negativity

And it helps me adjust my schedule and my expectations when things get busy.

So today I’m sharing some of my current mindset practices. Because as I grow and my business grows different things are helpful - new level, new devil is a real thing. And the more you put those mindset practices in place while your business is small the easier it will be to keep those habits going as you grow.

How to bounce back from a failed launch Feb 10, 2022

You sent all the emails, posted on social media, made am amazing sales page, paid for ads…and your launch was a total flop.

Yep, it happens to all of us at some point. You made an amazing product, did all the marketing things, and then missed your goal by a mile, only had a few people buy, or no one bought at all. And when you’re the sole person in charge it can be devastating.

Especially when you then get to watch everyone on social media bragging about their 5-figure, 6-figure, million-bajillion-dollar launches. I’ve had failed launches (went into detail in episode 56) and I’ve not only survived but I’ve launched again and again with success.

So how do you recover and try again when the thing you were so excited and hopeful for went totally sideways?? Give this week’s episode a listen and let’s get you back on track!

Links + Resources

Want my feedback on your launch? Join Dare to Grow and ask away ➜ daretogrow.co

My fave email platform (makes it easy to tag subscribers + track data) ➜ xosarah.com/convertkit

Audience Q: How to release control and hire help for your online business Feb 03, 2022

One of the best parts about being an entrepreneur…you’re in charge 💪 One of the worst parts…you’re in charge 🤣

You’re the expert, the maker / mentor / creator, CEO, CFO, CTO, designer, copywriter, customer support, bookkeeper. The list goes on and on.

You take on all of these jobs at the start and then it becomes really difficult to hand off tasks once you’re ready to grow. Especially if you’re a cute little control freak like me 😜

Can someone else do that task as well? Take as much care? Hit the deadlines?

Which is why this week on the podcast I’m answering an audience question about how to give up control and hire help for your online business.

Links + Resources

Lessons on hiring help come to Dare to Grow this month ➜ daretogrow.co

How do you stick to your deadlines? Jan 27, 2022

I don’t know about you but I love planning. I love organizing my week, the next quarter, the next year. I love brainstorming ideas, setting up systems, color coordinating everything.

But sometimes that brilliant plan gets ignored when it comes to checking off those tasks.

Even though you know the plan is great.

Even though you know it’s going to help your business grow.

Even though you spent all that time picking colors and fonts.

Sound familiar?

If you have a tendency to get more into the planning than the day-to-day doing then this week’s episode is for you.

You’ll hear my best tips for sticking to your schedule along with Ashley Hogrebe who helps neurodivergent biz owners set up systems, and Jennifer Drago, a business strategist with 30 years of corporate experience now helping solopreneurs with their vision, strategy, and goals.Give it a listen and then head over to Instagram (find me @xosarahmorgan) and let’s discuss!

Links + Resources

Follow Ashley: https://www.instagram.com/dothedamnthing_/

Follow Jennifer: https://www.instagram.com/peaktoprofit/

Join my marketing membership : daretogrow.co

The best way to kick start your revenue growth Jan 20, 2022

Survey says…you’re ready to make some MONEY! I just went through the data in my yearly audience survey and most of your goals for this year are revenue-related. So this week on the podcast I’m sharing the best way to kickstart your year and start growing your revenue NOW.

Want some support? Join me in my marketing membership Dare to Grow ➜ daretogrow.co (use the code PODCAST2022 for 50% off your first month!)

2021 is a wrap! Here’s what happened in my business this year Dec 16, 2021

Y'all, I don't know about you, but this year has been TOUGH. I thought 2020 was gonna be the whopper, but 2021 came in swinging. Changes, endings, constantly trying to find my balance.

So this week I'm sharing what went on behind the scenes, personally and in business, and how even with all the garbage I'm still ending this year on a positive note.

P.S. This will be the last episode of 2021 - The D2G Show will be back with new episodes in Jan!

What I learned exploring my Human Design Dec 09, 2021

Have you ever explored your Human Design? A couple months ago I was a guest on The Spiritualpreneur podcast where I had my Human Design chart read and to say I was blown away is an understatement.

Human Design is a mix of astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, and Vedic philosophy and all of that turns into essentially an instruction manual for being you.

It can tell you everything from your best career path, to how to eat, to how to improve your relationships. And it’s one of my favorite ways to check-in and make adjustments when I’m feeling stalled or unsure.

Now that I’ve got my own personal HD guidebook, I’m sharing how I’m integrating my Human Design into my business and everyday life.

Links + Resources

Haily’s Spirituapreneur Podcast going over my human design chart (will open in Spotify)

Get your Human Design chart: https://www.mybodygraph.com/free-bodygraph

Get your astrological chart: https://astro.cafeastrology.com/natal.php

How to do a small biz end-of-year review Dec 02, 2021

The best marketing strategy to grow your business quickly...do more of what’s working and less of what’s not. 2022 is right around the corner so it's time to look back at what you accomplished over the past year, what worked, and what didn’t work so that you can make a plan for next year based on DATA. (And also anything that lit you up like a firecracker)

Today I’m sharing my list of all of the things I review in my business so I’m never starting my new year plan from scratch

Links + Resources

Join Dare to Grow ➜ daretogrow.co

Episode 88: How to prep to take time off

Episode 44: How to survey your audience and get answers you can actually use

Reviewing my top Instagram posts - here’s what I learned Nov 25, 2021

One of the things I do every year is check the data on all the content I’ve posted. Emails, blog posts, videos, podcast episodes, and of course, INSTAGRAM!

One of the best content strategies is to re-share your popular posts and make more similar content. This will help to cut down on the amount of content you’re creating and how effective that content is in growing your audience and bringing in customers + clients.

In this episode I’m taking you behind the scenes of what I learned from auditing my top Instagram posts, what worked, what didn’t work, and what I’ll be changing for next year.

If you need help with your content strategy, trainings + coaching is always available inside Dare to Grow ➜ daretogrow.co

How to prep to take time off at the end of the year Nov 18, 2021

It’s mid-November which means it’s time to start planning your end of year VACATION. (Yes, you can still call it a vacation if you stay home in your pjs for two weeks)

Now let me confess, the first couple of years in my business I did not do this. I might have put it in my calendar but I would still end up working on projects and responding to emails in the midst of my supposed vacation.

What a great boss I was back then, huh?

To help you avoid my mistake, I first want to encourage you to completely shut down your business for at least a week at some point at the end of the year or the beginning of next year.

And second, this week on the podcast I'm sharing the steps I take to make sure I can focus on family, food, and watching endless hours of Netflix (let’s be honest here) and not have my to-do list interrupt my chill even once!

Panel: How to get confident showing up as the face of your business with Natasha Samuel and Becky Mollenkamp Nov 11, 2021

This week we are talking about confidence! Specifically showing up as the face of your business. Because that is the name of the game now. People want to know who they’re paying and if their values align with you and your business. Not just if your product or service will work.

You’ll be hearing from Natasha Samuel, an expert in growing your business with Instagram and Becky Mollenkamp, a mindset coach focused on self-compassion. And they’ve got some great stories about finding their confidence which I know you’ll love.

Don’t forget to follow the panelists on Instagram @shinewithnatasha and @beckymollenkamp

How to generate content ideas FASTER (listen in on my Content Planning Workshop) Oct 28, 2021

This week on the podcast you’re getting a sneak peek at my Content Planning Workshop. This is my most popular free training and I might just blow your mind with how simple content planning can be.

I’m sharing how I quickly generate content ideas that connect with my ideal customers and clients and how I use two tricks to turn them into hundreds of pieces of content. (288 to be specific)

Listen to the episode and then hop over to Instagram @xosarahmorgan and let me know if it helped!

Full workshop ➜ https://xosarah.lpages.co/content-planning-workshop/

Join the membership ➜ http://daretogrow.co

I’m finally on TikTok - here’s what I’ve learned Oct 21, 2021

I can’t believe I’m saying this but I have created a TikTok account and...I think I like it.

I stayed off the app for a while because it has a bit of a reputation for being more geared toward teens and 20-somethings doing dance trends and creating entertaining content.

But I’m happy to report that the content is much more diverse than I expected and feels more like a fast YouTube rather than a competitor for Instagram.

In this episode I am going to share the reasons I decided to give the platform a shot, the differences I’m seeing between TikTok and Instagram, and my plans for testing the app!

Links + Resources

Follow me on TikTok >> @xosarahmorgan

Apps for auto-posting to TikTok: Later, Loomly, TikTok on desktop

Mistakes I made growing my business over the past 9 years Oct 14, 2021

I know I seem like I’ve got it pretty together, but I have screwed some shit up, made bad decisions, wasted my own damn time, many times. And because I want your business growth to be smoother and faster than mine, today I’m sharing the mistakes I’ve made in the last 9 years growing my business.

Some are dumb mistakes, some are big mistakes. Hopefully by sharing these you’ll be able to move forward in your business faster, avoid some of the screw ups I made, and feel a lot less stress as you grow!

Want more help + support growing your business? Join us in Dare to Grow ➜ daretogrow.co

One year running a membership - here’s what I’ve learned (and what we’re about to change!) Oct 07, 2021

Behind the scenes of a membership ➜ Want to know what I’ve learned in the past year running the Dare to Grow membership?

Good!

This week on the podcast I’m talking a little more about the changes we’re making to celebrate our first year and what I’ve learned about keeping people interested + taking action when running a program like this.

Give the episode a listen and then find me on Instagram @xosarahmorgan and let’s discuss!

P.S. Want to REALLY see inside Dare to Grow ➜ head over to daretogrow.co and join us!

What to do when you feel stuck Sep 30, 2021

This week on the podcast we’re talking about what to do when you feel stuck.

When nothing you’re doing is working. When you can’t decide what to do next. When you’re procrastinating like it’s your job.

Sound familiar?

Instead of scrolling through Instagram trying to find ideas or inspiration I’ve got 8 ideas that always help me get moving again.

Give this episode a listen and then hop over to Instagram, find me @xosarahmorgan and let’s discuss!

Panel: How do you lead, manage, and motivate your community? Sep 23, 2021

This week we’re talking about leading, managing, and motivating your community. Whether that’s your audience on Instagram, the students in your group program, or a whole Facebook group loaded with potential customers or clients.

This tends to be one of those online business owner skills that you don’t realize you need until you need it. Because it’s not just about creating a space for discussion, it’s about building a community where everyone feels important, seen, heard, and included. Which (at least in my communities) turns into motivation to get shit done.

Connect with the panelists:

Stephanie Gilbert: https://www.instagram.com/askannmarierose/

Sarah Summers: https://www.instagram.com/sarahsummers.co/

AnnMarie Rose: https://www.instagram.com/stephjgilbert/

Went to an in-person mastermind: here are my main takeaways Sep 16, 2021

Have you ever been to a mastermind event? Or met up with other local business owners in person? That’s exactly how I spent a day last week, brainstorming and connecting with seven other women at a coworking space here in San Diego.

And because I (even as an introvert) love and benefit from events like this, I wanted to share some of my main takeaways, plus a little help for my introvert and anxious friends to help you get out and make some local business buddies too!

Give this episode a listen and then head over to Instagram, find me at @xosarahmorgan and let’s discuss!

Links + Resources

Human Design: mybodygraph.com

Enneagram: https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test

Strengths Finder: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/253868/popular-cliftonstrengths-assessment-products.aspx

Myers-Briggs: https://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/take-the-mbti-instrument/

If you need more biz buddies, hang out with us in The Essentials: http://xosarah.com/essentials

Content Planning - What do I even say to my audience? Sep 09, 2021

What the heck do I say to my audience? Whether you have 50 followers or 5000 there will come a time (probably many times) when you feel totally clueless about what to post.

Even though I’ve been creating content for years and have templates, scripts, and systems to figure this out, I still sometimes sit down, open my content doc and feel like I have no clue what to share next.

It’s only when I go back to my systems and data to I feel like I know what to share.

Which is why in this week’s podcast episode I’m sharing 3 ways to figure out what to say to your audience (to turn them into customers and clients) without having that “WTF do I even say??” moment again.

Links + resources

Episode 44 - How to survey your audience and get answers you can actually use

Join The Essentials

Find me on Instagram @xosarahmorgan

Does launching make you nervous? Sep 02, 2021

When it comes to launching, women in my membership say things like:

➜ Telling my audience about what I created is scary.

➜ Setting a launch date is scary.

➜ Asking people to pay is scary. (especially if it’s more than you’ve ever asked for)

And usually instead of working through those issues and moving forward, we start to put in roadblocks.

✘ I have a vacation coming up so I’ll launch after that.

✘ My birthday is in a few months - I’ll launch then.

✘ I was going to launch next month but now I want to add in this extra module so I’m going to wait a few more weeks.

We make launching (and even announcing a launch) a big scary deal.

This week on the podcast we’re talking about reframing the way you think about launching and how to get past perfectionism, the what-ifs, and letting that first version fly so you can learn and make adjustments.

Give it a listen and then find me on Instagram @xosarahmorgan and let’s discuss. Does launching make you nervous too? Do you find yourself holding back when you might not need to??

What if it was easy? Aug 19, 2021

What if it was easy? Creating your IG content, planning a launch, writing an email sequence.

What if you didn’t wait until you squeeze every single idea and possibility out of your brain? What if you hit publish next week? What if you sold Version 1 knowing that Version 2 could happen later?

Running a business online makes it so easy to complicate things. There are a million options for every aspect of your business from photo editing to landing pages to email platforms.

Which means we often slow ourselves down, procrastinating until we give up or move on to the next shiny thing.

So what if it was easy? What if you did the FINE version of the freebie or the webinar instead of procrastinating publishing forever because you’re trying to make it PERFECT.

Recently I planned, created, and launched a challenge in TWO WEEKS. I let it be easy. I reminded myself that I’ll learn from this one and make it better next time. I hit publish even though I felt like I had more ideas to add.

And my Essentials members...they’re LOVING IT.

So what would happen if you did the easy version, the less stress version, the first iteration version and then let it fly?

On this week’s episode we’re talking all about making this online business stuff EASIER.

Give the episode a listen and then hop over to Instagram @xosarahmorgan and tell me...when was the last time you let it be easy EASY??

Panel: What makes you feel successful? with D'Ana Joi Spencer and Stephanie Owens Aug 12, 2021

10k on Instagram, 6-figures in revenue, 5-figure launches...something you may have noticed about the online business industry is the weird success markers that have nothing to do with YOUR business or YOUR budget.

While they're nice benchmarks for growth, they’re also kind of fleeting. Because as soon as we hit them we’re gearing up for the next level.

So this week on The Dare to Grow Show we’re talking about what success ACTUALLY looks like outside of those random goals.

I’m sharing what success looks like for me along with multi-passionate educator D’Ana Joi Spencer from @joi.knows.how and graphic designer Stephanie Owens from @goldsheepdesign.

How to come up with more biz ideas (without scrolling!) Aug 05, 2021

Often when we’re in need of ideas and inspiration we turn to Instagram or Pinterest or Facebook and then we scroll and scroll until we realize we’ve wasted an hour and not come up with anything worthwhile.

And so I propose an alternative. An easier, non-research way to generate ideas, to get motivated, to innovate and create.

Listen to this week’s episode to find out my daily habit that helps ideas and inspiration pop into your brain like magic!

How to feel motivated more often Jul 29, 2021

Wondering how all those online business owners seem to be motivated and showing up 24/7??

They’re not!
They have habits and practices to help them get motivated when it’s time to work.

As a solopreneur, staying motivated can be a challenge. You end up with a lot on your plate and it’s not easy to stay motivated without someone holding you accountable or having consequences for pushing back deadlines week after week.

Motivation isn’t something you magically wake up with. If you’re dragging yourself from bed to your computer and opening your inbox straight away you aren’t giving yourself time to get motivated.

Here are six strategies to help you feel motivated more often and for longer periods of time.

Ditch the overwhelm: 10 Systems your business needs Jul 22, 2021

Attn Solopreneurs: If you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything on your plate, pulled in a million directions, and like you never got enough done when 5 or 6 PM rolls around, then this week's podcast episode is for you.

Because it’s time to talk about setting up systems.

As someone who left a corporate job to freelance full-time partially for the time freedom it included, the idea of setting up systems sounded like some annoying corporate BS, but it’s turned out to be one of my favorite tasks.

Why?

Because it makes my workday, my task list, and staying on top of deadlines so much easier. Systems help me know what to do, when to do it, and in what order to do things. And helps me take lots of tasks completely off my list.

Which is why this week on The Dare to Grow show I’m sharing 10 systems your business needs to help you ditch the overwhelm and stay on top of your shit!

Links + Resources

Trainings on how to set up systems and in The Essentials: Click here for instant access

Apps and platforms I use for my business systems:

Airtable - planning, tracking, data organization

Asana - project management

Teachable - membership, customer / client payments

(affiliate links - full list in The Essentials!)

Panel: Tips for hiring an employee or contractor with Andréa Jones and Xayli Barclay Jul 15, 2021

This week on the podcast we’re talking about hiring! This is something that not only has brought so much relief and ease to running my business, but has made what I create and share BETTER. Also...hiring people is a pretty boss move.

Andréa Jones and Xayli Barclay are joining me this week to talk about finding the right candidates, creating an onboarding process, and being a great leader.

It might sound like a scary investment, but hiring help is one of the best moves you can make to grow your business.

Give the episode a listen and then hop over to Instagram (@xosarahmorgan) and let’s discuss!

Connect with the panelists Andréa Jones @onlinedrea and Xayli Barclay @xaylibarclay

Links + Resources

Asana - project management

Notion - planning, projects, tasks, notes

Voxer - audio communication

Slack - text communication

Love languages

Upwork

Panel: What’s the best business investment you’ve made recently Jun 17, 2021

This week on the podcast we’re trying something new! You’re not just going to hear from me about my best business decision, but I have two guest contributors for this episode, Ashley Burnside from Healing Hustle Co and Christina Nicholson from Media Maven PR.

It’s my sneaky introvert way of adding other voices to the podcast without a full-on interview.

Give it a listen and then head over to Instagram find me @xosarahmorgan and let’s discuss! (And let me know if you’re into more podcasts like this)

Connect with the panelists! Ashley Burnside @healinghustleco + Christina Nicholson @christinaallday

Self-care as a business strategy + what’s working for me lately Jun 10, 2021

POP QUIZ: When is the last time you took a day off?

Last week?

Last month?

Last year??

When my clients and students come to me and say they’re feeling stuck, stalled, or worn out by their business THAT is the first question I ask.

Because if everything is difficult and you’re procrastinating more than usual there’s a good chance you’re headed for burnout.

But adding in self-care as an actual business strategy can help.

This week on The Dare to Grow show I’m talking through 5 self-care strategies that are just as important as all of my list building, sales, and social media strategies.

Links + Resources

The Solopreneur Success Journal: xosarah.com/ssjournal

Gala Darling’s High Vibe Honey

The breath work app I’m using: Breathwrk

The Essentials: xosarah.com/essentials

Five ways to show up on social media when you don’t feel like it Jun 03, 2021

Do you still post on social media on the days you feel like garbage?

That’s a question I got from a client recently and it was great timing because I was already in the middle of writing this week’s podcast episode all about...Showing up on social media when you don’t feel like it.

Whether it’s a bad day, a busy week, or a hot mess of a month, no matter how long you’ve been in business or how great you are at Instagram, sometimes you just won’t feel like posting.

The TDLR; answer is YES - I still (almost always) show up on the days and weeks I feel like crap. But I’m NOT sitting there on the day I need to post, struggling to take photos and write captions.

Scheduling my content in advance usually takes care of this but on the weeks when I skip scheduling because LIFE I have a few tricks that help me show up anyway. And I’m sharing them on this week’s podcast episode!

Links + Resources

Take the FREE 10-Day Instagram Stories Challenge: xosarah.com/storieschallenge

Watch my Content Planning Workshop in The Essentials: xosarah.com/essentials

Pre-schedule your Instagram posts with Planoly: xosarah.com/planoly (affiliate link)

9 years in business, here’s what I’ve learned May 27, 2021

This month marks nine years in business for me. And while it feels like I am on a roll now, I think back to the first couple of years or even before I had left my corporate job and I could not have imagined being here nine years later. At the very beginning I was just focused on paying my bills, not eating ramen for every meal, and not having to go back to my corporate job.

And so I want to share this episode for two reasons: 1 - To give you some insight into the things that I’ve learned in the past nine years, and 2 - for all of you that are in the first couple of years in your business, wondering if it’s actually gonna work, I want to give you a little reassurance that if you want to stay in business for years and years and years you absolutely can.

Resources + Links

- The Solopreneur Success Journal (100 journal prompts): xosarah.com/ssjournal

- The Essentials Membership: xosarah.com/essentials

Do you need to elevate how you speak about your business? May 20, 2021

Here’s something I’ve learned over the last 9 years - the way I talk about my business directly affects how I show up in my business, which directly affects my growth.

If I talk about myself as a entrepreneur vs a CEO vs a freelancer vs a coach it really does shift my mindset around the impact my business can have, how big my business can get, how many people I can reach, and what my work and life looks like day to day.

None of these are better or worse, right or wrong but digging into and potentially elevating how you speak about your work may make you feel more confident and make it easier to show up consistently.

In this episode I’m sharing some examples, ideas for elevation, and action steps you can take today.

Resources + Links

Rachel Rodgers’ book We Should All Be Millionaires

Susan McPherson’s book The Lost Art of Connecting

Tori Dunlap’s @HerFirst100k

Fix Your Freebie - 6 ways to get more email subscribers May 04, 2021

Two questions for you today: Do you have a freebie to grow your email list? And...is it actually doing its job and attracting more subscribers?

Because my freebies (workshops, PDFs, templates) are the ONLY reason my list grows every single day without me having to do a thing. This means when I’m walking the dogs, when I’m laying by the pool, when I’m bingeing Real Housewives, my email list is growing!

If the answer to the first question is NO, you need to hop into The Essentials, watch the trainings, and create your freebie stat! (xosarah.com/essentials)

And if the answer to the second question is NO, then this episode is for YOU!

Remembering THIS will make showing up so much easier Apr 29, 2021

How many times a week do you think about posting on social media, showing up live, sending an email list to your audience and...you don’t. You worry about sharing the right things, other people in your niche doing similar stuff, what your friends and family will think about your “little business.”

Well my friend - it’s time to get over that and remembering THIS one thing will help make it easier.

Give this episode a listen and then find me on Instagram @xosarahmorgan and let me know what you think!

Where is the line between sharing personal and business stuff? (plus a life update) Apr 22, 2021

Ever wanted to share something on social media and then stopped yourself because it felt too personal?

Or watched someone else share what seems like everything and wished you could too? Or felt that that would be way out of your comfort zone?

This week on the podcast we're talking about where that line is. And I'm sharing a little life update and my rule for figuring out how much personal stuff to share on my business account.

My 3-day plan to get over failure quickly Apr 15, 2021

How do you get through the bumps in the road, difficult decisions, and all out failures that come with running your own business? How do you rebound quickly without letting the little and big hiccups slow you down, smash your confidence, and knock you off your game?

If you said - eat a pint of ice cream while binging Netflix...you’re partially right!

I realized recently that I have a 3-step, 3-day process for getting through the difficult times in business. It allows you to feel your feelings, figure out your next steps, and work to get your confidence back online.

So today I wanna walk you through my process for essentially going from feeling like a total failure and not knowing what to do next, to taking action, feeling confident, in getting yourself back on the horse quickly.

If you’re in need of support as you grow your business online, join us in The Essentials. All the info is over at xosarah.com/essentials

How to sound more confident when you speak Apr 08, 2021

Ever watch someone go live and think...I could never do that. I could never talk for that long. I could never feel that comfortable with all those strangers watching me.

It might surprise you, but I felt that way too.

Hitting the record button or the “go live” button and feeling my body go cold, my voice start to shake, and suddenly my perfectly practiced intro ::poof:: gone from my brain.

But…I’m happy to report that after a few tries I not only felt more confident and sounded more confident, but I actually started to ENJOY IT. So much so that I started booking in-person speaking gigs. (Which I never ever EVER thought would happen!)

So today I’m sharing a few ways to sound more confident (even when you’re not feeling it yet) and also how to feel more confident when you show up to sell.

3 boundaries you must set in your business to protect your energy + be more productive Mar 25, 2021

When we start our businesses we’re trying to get every client and customer possible which can lead us into work situations we might not prefer. Things like working long hours, responding to a client emails 8 times in one day, sending extra revisions. When we’re hustling for every dollar the rules tend to fly out the window and our boundaries become non-existent.

But boundaries are what help you stay on track, stay focused, and get those most important, money making tasks done. Boundaries are important to protect your energy (fellow introverts I’m looking at you), your stress levels, and help you get your work done in a timely manner.

Here are 3 boundaries you should set ASAP for the good of your business, your clients + customers, and YOURSELF!

Give the episode a listen and then find me on Instagram @xosarahmorgan and let’s discuss!

P.S. Ready to step up your marketing? Join me in The Essentials!

Instagram: 5 ways to get new visitors + ideal customers or clients to follow you Mar 18, 2021

Feel like everyone on Instagram is hanging out without you?

Sometimes it seems like everyone on Instagram is making new friends, networking, making connections, and you are in your own little bubble with no way to reach out to new people. You’re posting and posting and posting and doing all the right things but barely anyone is noticing or responding.

This week I’m sharing 5 strategies to help you get out there, get noticed, and get new visitors to not just stop by your profile, but actually click that button to follow you!

Resources + Links

Click here to enroll in THE ESSENTIALS and access these trainings now- Instagram ads / promoted posts training

- Reels tech training + non-dancing examples

Ditch the excuses + simplify to do the things you want to, need to, should do for your biz Mar 11, 2021

How many times a week do you think, “I really need to do that, but I don’t have time / money / enough x, y, z to make it happen right now.”

Most of us have a list a mile long of things we would do, should do, really want to do but can’t figure out where in our jam-packed schedules to fit another thing.

So today we’re talking about finding space, making space, and fitting in those priorities, whether they be personal or business. So you can stop having the “shoulds” and start making space for what matters.

Business expenses: How to make smart investments and what to spend your money on first Mar 04, 2021

Pop Quiz: Are you making business investments based on strategy or shiny object syndrome? If the answer is the latter, don’t panic, most online businesses start that way too. Mine did! I bought all the courses and guides and templates because I didn’t really know what I should be spending my money on so I bought everything that sounded like it would help.

And since there always seems to be another offer, another bonus, and another limited time discount, let’s put some guidelines in place and talk about what you should be actually investing in to grow your business and when to make those investments.

Resources + Links

Need accountability - join The Essentials

Profit First (affiliate link)

Brian Tracy books (affiliate link)

Get over the fear of showing up and become more confident as the face of your business Feb 25, 2021

If you've been avoiding Stories, creating Reels, or posting selfies, I recorded this episode for YOU.

10 years ago you could get away with building a brand and not including yourself as part of it. But if you're running businesses online, asking strangers on the internet to pay you, then you need to hit a level of trust that only comes from allowing your audience to get to know you.

You need to show up and share your personality to attract not only enough clients or customers but the RIGHT clients or customers. If you've ever had a bad client match you know what a bummer it can be!

Luckily this is one of the easiest things to fix and you don't haaaave to do video, but I really think you should ;)

So today on the podcast we’re talking about getting over your fear of showing up and feeling confident as the face of your business.

Need a little motivation + accountability? Join The Essentials for twice monthly coaching, all the trainings, and a rad community of business owners just like you!

My last open enrollment made $0...let’s discuss Feb 18, 2021

I bet you are very curious about what this podcast is going to contain from that title!

To be honest, I was a little nervous about this episode because most ”successful” business owners don’t talk about their failures, let alone post a title saying they made zero dollars on a launch.

But I hopped into my mastermind group, told them what I wanted to share and they all said I should go for it, so here we are.

My last open enrollment for my digital product program made zero dollars because no one signed up and while I didn’t have the result I aimed for, it’s totally okay - here’s why…

P.S. Head over to Instagram after you listen and let’s talk about this - find me @xosarahmorgan

The biggest business time-wasters + what you should ditch or delegate ASAP Feb 11, 2021

“I need to be able to fit all of this business stuff into the time I have and I don’t have a lot of time right now.”

This is what I heard over and over when I sent out my last audience survey. Which I think was a massive issue for everyone in 2020, especially for parents and the people who were newly working at home.

So I wanted to share this episode for two reasons, 1.) because if any of you are still in a time crunch this can be a checklist to see if there are any holes in your schedule or tasks that you can stop doing. And 2.) for those of you who are not in a time crunch, this is a reminder to get it together and quit doing these useless unnecessary things.

In this episode I’m sharing 6 time wasters, that I’ve absolutely lost hours to myself, that you can ditch, delete, and stop doing to free up more time in your work days.

Resources + Links

Spend less time creating Instagram posts - steal my weekly workflow: xosarah.com/igworkflow

A productivity hack to help you stick to your weekly plan Feb 04, 2021

This week we’re talking about hacking your own motivation to help you stick to your weekly schedule or really anything that you want to keep up with consistently.

I know lots of you (like me) love to make a plan, but aren’t always so in love when it comes to doing the work. But that is a big contributor to success - doing the things you planned to do even when it’s not fun.

So how can you use your inherent motivations to get your work done without taking a ride on the struggle bus? I’m sharing an example from a client that I think will help you out!

Give this episode a listen and then find me on Instagram @xosarahmorgan and let me know what you’ve discovered about your own motivations.

Resources + Links

My rad client who let me share her story: Roshida - @shidad on Instagram

These 3 things might be keeping your email list from growing Jan 28, 2021

One thing I’ve learned in the past eight years in business is that, as much as I love hanging out on Instagram, the money is in your email list.

Why?

People pay more attention when they’re going through their inbox than they do scrolling social media. No ads, no puppy videos, no dance tutorials.

When people are paying attention they need to see things fewer times before they sign up or purchase.

Social media is fantastic to grow your audience and warm them up, but to make double sure they're aware of your services, products, or programs, your best bet is to get them on your email list.

So this week on The Dare to Grow Show I’m sharing the 3 things you need to be doing to create a consistent list growth strategy.

Resources + links

All the list growth trainings are in The Essentials - enroll to get started today xosarah.com/essentials

10 Freebies to help grow your email list: xosarah.com/10freebies

Why your daily routine matters to your bottom line Jan 21, 2021

Is eating the same breakfast as your favorite entrepreneur really going to help your bottom line?

Sounds silly, but it actually might!

After reading a ton of business books I discovered that they ALL have a section on mindset. And after reading a ton of personal development books I’ve discovered how your daily habits contribute to your mindset.

So if you want the motivated, positive, badass boss mindset, you gotta get your habits in order.

This week on the podcast I’m sharing some of the habits I’m consistent with that help me show up, keep a positive, growth focused-mindset, and do my best work consistently.

Resources + Links

Find your perfect time to fall asleep/wake up: sleepyti.me

Connect with me on Instagram @xosarahmorgan

Episode 21: What I learned from reading a ton of biz + self-help books

How to make big decisions + changes in your business Jan 14, 2021

The beginning of a new year feels like a good time to make changes, set challenging goals, or finally go after the things we kept saying we wanted to do last year but we never got around to it.

In this episode I’m sharing the strategies that are helpful when making a significant change or big decision in your business. If you’re thinking about raising your prices, finally committing to Instagram Stories, or creating an online course but you keep putting it off, this episode is for you!

Resources + Links

2021 Goal Setting + Planning Workshop: xosarah.com/newyearworkshop

Digital Product Coaching Program: xosarah.com/coaching

Things that DID work to grow my business this year Dec 24, 2020

Last week we talked about all of the things that didn’t work to grow my business in 2020 and this week we are going to talk about all of the things that DID work.

Despite 2020 being a flaming host mess most of what I did in my business actually worked to grow my audience and my income and keep that biz-related stress to a minimum. My main challenges, not surprisingly, were around having the energy to stay focused and do the work, but the strategy stuff was a success.

Now there are some things I’ve been doing for years that still work and are the backbone of my business...

Showing up on IG and stories multiple times/week
Emailing my list every week
Having pre-recorded workshops to sell my programs
Showing up + being consistent always works

But there were some new things I tried this year that helped as well...

Resources + Links

The Essentials Membership

New Year, Next Level Goal Setting + Planning Workshop

Solopreneur Success Journal

Things that DIDN’T WORK to grow my business this year Dec 17, 2020

It’s the end of 2020 (finally!) and one of my favorite things to do every year is evaluate the past 12 months and make a plan for what I want to accomplish next year.

I look back at all of the projects, marketing, courses and programs, and generally how I ran my business to see what things worked really well and what things didn’t. Because one of the most simple strategies for growth is to do more of the stuff that worked well and less of the stuff that didn’t.

In this episode I’m sharing a few things that didn’t work so well and next week I’ll be sharing the stuff that did!

Give it a listen and then hop over to xosarah.com/newyearworkshop to sign up for my New Year, Next Level Goal Setting + Planning workshop to evaluate 2020 + make a plan for 2021!

5 marketing mistakes that keep your business from growing Dec 10, 2020

This week we’re talking about the mistakes that might be slowing down your marketing strategies and making it difficult for customers and clients to find you.

Luckily I’m not going to tell you to ditch your strategies or completely change direction. Whether you’re marketing your business on Instagram or Facebook, hosting a podcast or workshops, running ads or rocking YouTube - all of those, and lots of other strategies have been proven to work.

So if your marketing isn’t working there’s a good chance you’re making at least one of these mistakes. Take a listen to see what you can adjust to make your marketing more effective!

Resources + links

2021 Goal Setting + Planning Workshop: xosarah.com/newyearworkshop

The Essentials - All your marketing essentials in one spot: http://xosarah.com/essentials

How to survey your audience: Episode #44 https://xosarah.com/2020/10/29/how-to-survey-your-audience-and-get-answers-you-can-actually-use/

Another Instagram feature?? Here’s what to post where. Nov 26, 2020

Oh yes my friends Instagram has added yet another feature to their platform. We were just getting used to Reels, figuring out what to do besides dancing and lip-synching and pointing at things and now we have to figure out Guides.

So at this point with all the options and different types of posts for each, you might be getting stuck for what goes where. Do you just create 15 different types of content every single day? Do you create one piece of content and repurpose it everywhere?

Luckily the answer is that you can create a couple pieces of content, re-purpose lots of things, and show up without spending your entire week on Instagram. You know I like to make this marketing and business stuff as easy as possible!

So in today’s episode I am going to share what types of content goes where on Instagram so you can show up and use all of their features without burning yourself out.

P.S. Have a minute to leave a review and make my day??

The 6 marketing essentials you need to grow your business online Nov 19, 2020

How many different ways are you marketing your business?

Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube

Website, email, freebie, ads

LinkedIn, landing pages, summits

Podcasts, upsell, challenge, webinar

Whoa.

Do you actually have time for all of that?

What if I told you there are really only 6 Essentials you need to figure out?

Much better, right?

Often when we start figuring out this marketing stuff we end up with a list of 50 different apps and platforms to set up.

We’re looking at what everyone else is doing, how they’re marketing their businesses, and we are consuming all the blog posts, podcasts, videos, and adding more to our task list WITHOUT having a plan for how those platforms work together and how we’ll create that much content.

I did the exact same thing when I started my business. I was blogging and posting to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, and I even started a YouTube channel at some point. But keeping all of those platforms updated was SO MUCH WORK.

And because I was so focused on doing all the things I skipped out on really important stuff like setting up my email list. ::face palm::

So in today’s episode I’m giving you a list of the marketing essentials, in the order you should set them up, so you can just go down the line and make sure that you have all of the pieces in place.

Give it a listen and if you need help setting things up, figuring out your content plan, or just want someone to check and make sure it’s all put together correctly, hop into The Essentials and I’ll help you out!

Why you need to take a freaking break Nov 12, 2020

POP QUIZ: When was the last time you took time off from your business?

Not just a night or weekend, actual scheduled time off. Like set up an out-of-office email responder, gave your Instagram audience a heads up, stayed off your lap top-time off.

I’ve had this conversation with three people just this week and the reason we had those conversations was because they came to me feeling exhausted and stressing about knowing what to do next, feeling unfocused, spinning their wheels, and procrastinating things they needed to get done.

I’m betting a lot of you are feeling the same - maybe because of the election, maybe because of where you are in your business, or maybe it’s because you never give yourself a break.

In this episode we’re talking about why time off is a necessity if you really want your business to grow and you want to be a thriving CEO.

How to survey your audience and get answers you can actually use Oct 29, 2020

Sending out a yearly survey is one of the best ways to understand what your audience is working toward, where they’re getting stuck, and what they need from you to accomplish their goals. You’ll get their challenges in their words which you can then copy + paste right into your emails, Instagram posts, sales pages to make them magnets for your ideal clients and customers.

You can ask some multiple choice questions, but I’ve got 3 questions that will generate marketing GOLD. Give this episode a listen, test it out, and let me know how it works!

Resources + links

The Essentials membership (once you’ve got answers let’s turn it into magnetic marketing!): xosarah.com/essentials

Why this introvert thinks you need to join a community Oct 22, 2020

This week we’re talking about communities, which is kind of a funny topic for me to be excited about because I am super introverted and I love working alone. LOVE. IT.

Like on the couch, with my laptop, in my quiet apartment, typing away all day long. No one asking questions. No one needing anything from me. No one interrupting my flow.

I’ve been working alone for 8 years now and I’ll be honest, as much as I love it, sometimes being a solopreneur gets lonely. So today we’re talking about the importance and the benefits of joining a community, yes even for my fellow introverts.

And… I’m spilling the beans on the big business shift I’m about to make and letting you know exactly when you can get access!

P.S. Oct 26th - xosarah.com/essentials

Why you need to stop looking to others for marketing ideas Oct 15, 2020

I see you over there, scrolling through Instagram, watching what everyone else is doing and trying to figure out how to make their strategies work for you.

I know you’re doing it because I’ve done it too.

But the problem is - whether you’re trying to grow on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, etc. - if you’re watching from the outside you’re only seeing part of the puzzle.

Which can mean that your marketing strategy just isn't going to work.

In this week’s episode I’m sharing 3 things to consider when watching other people’s marketing and what you can do instead to focus on what will work best for your business and your audience.

Resources + links

Instagram Workflow Training: http://xosarah.com/igworkflow

Instagram: 8 ways to boost your audience + engagement TODAY Oct 08, 2020

Last week we talked about growing your engagement by showing up with more of your personality, more of your stories, more of your experiences. This week I wanted to drop an episode with actual strategies you can test to help you boost your engagement.

Give it a listen and then share a screenshot on Instagram, tag me @xosarahmorgan, and let me know which strategy you’re going to try!

Resources + links

Instagram Weekly Workflow Training: xosarah.com/igworkflow

How to boost your Instagram engagement (probably not the answer you expect) Oct 01, 2020

How do you get more people to leave comments, send DMs, respond to stories, share and save your Instagram posts??

Instagram only shows your posts to a small percentage of your followers to start. If those followers engage with your post, that signals to Instagram that your post is worthwhile and it will then show your posts to more of your followers and maybe to more people via the popular page.

Which means engagement is pretty damn important.

The usual advice is to post more, higher quality content, which is true, but there’s one piece of the puzzle that lots of people ignore and that’s what were chatting about today!

Resources + links

Instagram Caption Guide: xosarah.com/igcaptions

Instagram Workflow Training: xosarah.com/igworkflow

The whole shebang - my Grow Your ‘Gram course

Your Instagram question answered! Sep 24, 2020

It’s almost Q4 which means I just sent out my audience survey and in return I received a bunch of Instagram questions, so that’s what we’re going through today!

I’ve got answers for getting more engagement, what info to give away for free vs paid, how to show up on Instagram as an introvert, and more.

Thanks in advance if you sent me questions! If you’ve got more Q’s, hop over to Instagram and send me a DM @xosarahmorgan because I might just answer your question next time!

Resources + links

Instagram Caption Guide: xosarah.com/igcaptions

Instagram Workflow Training: xosarah.com/igworkflow

The whole shebang - my Grow Your ‘Gram course

Do you own your expertise?? Sep 17, 2020

This week I want to talk about being confident and owning your expertise.

I’ve been editing lots of sales pages for my Dare to Grow students lately and something I notice (not just with them, but with lots of businesses) is a tendency for solopreneurs to skate around our expertise when speaking about the skills people will learn, the transformation they’ll experience, or the goals they’ll check off when working with them.

I wanted to share this piece of the puzzle because it might be holding you back from getting more people purchasing your products, services, and programs.

P.S. Have a minute to leave a review?? It helps more listeners find my podcast and totally makes my day!

What I’ve been up to lately in business and life Sep 10, 2020

This week I thought I’d give you an update on what I’ve been focused on, what I’m doing in my own business, some personal updates. I like hearing the behind the scenes stuff from other business owners (not just the cute stuff they share on Instagram) and getting a peek into what they’re working on, so I thought you might be into that too!

Resources + Links

Because I know some of you will ask, this is the robot vacuum I got

4 mindset shifts to help boost your productivity Sep 03, 2020

Last week we talked about specific productivity hacks to help you get more done during your workday. But as you’ve probably figured out, planning in advance, focusing on the priority tasks, time blocking your day isn’t always enough to get the work done.

Our minds like to get in the way, slow us down, tell us crazy things about why we can’t or shouldn’t do what’s next on our to-do list.

So in this week’s episode I’m sharing 4 mindset shifts that will help make sticking to your to-do list and your deadlines easier.

6 productivity hacks to help you stay focused and save time Aug 27, 2020

I don’t know about you, but this past week has been jam packed. I just onboarded all the new Dare to Grow students so I hosted lots of coaching calls, we just got a 5-month-old puppy, and my boyfriend has been working extra long hours. So I’m trying to get as much done as possible, keep my work days short, and still be a rockstar coach for all my students.

While strategies are important, sometimes it’s the little things that help the most. Those hacks that you didn’t realize were hacks until somebody pointed them out to you. This week I’m sharing a bunch of mine so give ‘em a shot and let me know how they work for you!

Resources + Links

100 journal prompts: http://xosarah.com/the-solopreneur-success-journal/

7 more productivity hacks: http://xosarah.com/productivityhacks/

Zapier (to connect apps/platforms together)

How to take action when you feel stuck Aug 20, 2020

Does this sound familiar?

You know you should be working on a certain task or project and you’re fully aware of the potential it has to grow your business. It’s even in your calendar, but every time you even get close to one of those tasks, you push it back.

You keep telling yourself - I’m not quite ready, I’ll do it tomorrow, next week will be better - but what you’re really telling yourself is...it’s not that important. Even though you know it is.

In today’s episode we’re unpacking this. Because I’ve done it, my students have done it, and I’m betting you have done it, and it’s time to stop holding ourselves back.

If something has made its way through planning, researching, and taking the time to add all those tasks to your calendar. There’s a pretty good chance it’s something you should be doing! Here’s how to get unstuck!

Resources + Links

The Solopreneur Success Journal (100 journal prompts): xosarah.com/ssjournal

Mentioned the book: Ordinary by Adam Grant

Skip the bubble baths, THIS is the self-care your business needs Aug 13, 2020

Generally when we talk about self-care, it’s taking a bath, going for a walk, or meditating.

And while I’m very into all of those things, there is a different type of stress that comes from putting yourself out there, running a business solo, and testing strategies not really knowing if they’ll work.

Which means it’s important to implement a different level of self care within your business, not just when you have the time to stop and take a break.

This week I’m sharing self-care strategies to implement WITHIN your business to keep you from going anywhere near exhaustion and burnout.

Resources + Links

Episode 23: What my workday actually looks like https://xosarah.com/2020/05/21/how-do-you-do-it-all-what-my-workday-actually-looks-like-as-a-solopreneur/

Enjoyed this episode?? Don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and leave a review!

What type of digital product is right for your audience? Aug 06, 2020

My digital product coaching program, Dare to Grow, is open for enrollment right now (last time I’ll be running it this year) so I want to give you a bit of a head start in figuring out what type of product you should be creating.

Obviously online courses are very popular right now, especially with a lot of offline businesses moving online during COVID. Courses are fantastic for walking people step-by-step through a process or project, but it can be a little intimidating to create.

In this episode I’m sharing how to choose the right product for your expertise and your audience, and answer that all important question - big product or little product first??

Ready to create YOUR digital product?

If you need help figuring out what to create, how to create it, and how to get people to actually buy your new product (plus tons of personal feedback and accountability) Dare to Grow enrollment is open RIGHT NOW.

I will gladly help you figure this stuff out and keep you accountable for finishing your product and hitting the launch button.

You can find all the info on Dare to Grow (group coaching + fast track) over at xosarah.com/coaching

Enrollment closes on Wednesday, August 12th and we get started on August 17th!

And if you have any questions, email me at hello@xosarah.com or find me on IG @xosarahmorgan - send me a DM, happy to help you decide if the program is a good fit.

(If you’re listening at a later date, Dare to Grow opens three times every year so check that link for upcoming enrollment dates)

4 things you need before you start creating your digital product Jul 30, 2020

Enrollment for Dare to Grow, my coaching program dedicated to helping you create + launch a digital product is opening NEXT WEEK (August 3rd)

So in this episode I’m sharing what you need before you dive into creating your first digital product. (Whether you’re going to hang out with me or make it happen on your own!)

Yes, you need to pick an ecommerce platform, figure out video or graphics, and what to share on social media to promote your launch, but before you even get there, you need to figure out these 4 things.

Pssst! Ready to create YOUR digital product?

If you need help figuring out what to create, how to create it, and how to get people to actually buy your new product (plus tons of personal feedback and accountability) Dare to Grow enrollment is opening August 3rd!

You can find all the info on Dare to Grow (group coaching + fast track) over at xosarah.com/coaching

And if you have any questions, email me at hello@xosarah.com or find me on IG @xosarahmorgan - send me a DM, happy to help you decide if the program is a good fit!

(If you’re listening at a later date, Dare to Grow opens three times every year so check that link for upcoming enrollment dates)

Just do it: How to start taking fast imperfect action in your business Jul 23, 2020

If Nike didn’t have dibs on the slogan “Just do it” I would totally use it for my business because teaching solopreneurs how to be confident about taking action is my FAVE!

In today’s episode we’re chatting about why it’s so hard to stop over-planning and overthinking and I’m sharing some examples from my own business of how I take fast and imperfect action.

Resources + Links

Join my Dare to Grow Coaching Program and learn how to create + launch a digital product. Enrollment opens August 3rd (for the last time this year!) ➜ xosarah.com/coaching

Content Hack: Why you need to stop creating from scratch Jul 16, 2020

I never have enough time to create content!

Let's be honest, with the number of platforms we're on, creating content and showing up daily can be really challenging.

How are we supposed to produce posts for our blog, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, podcast, and email list, PLUS tend to our customers and clients, AND still have time at the end of the day for the 500 other things that need to get done in business and life?

If you are overwhelmed by your task list and feel like you’re either endlessly creating content or don’t have time to create enough - this episode is for YOU!

This week I'm helping you take that big content creation task off your plate (or at least shrink it so it’s super manageable) and give you back HOURS every day.

Resources + Links

Daily task tracker + content planning spreadsheets

#Halp! I’m doing all the things but not making enough money in my business Jul 09, 2020

If you’re putting in a ton of work, doing all the things, and not making enough money in your business, this episode is for you!

I totally get it, unless you’re a business coach, marketing, sales, and social media aren’t your expertise. Plus there is endless amounts of information and a lot of it is contradictory, which means it would take you like 10 years to test all of the strategies to figure out what works best.

To help you figure out where the problem might be, here are 7 things to audit in your marketing to get things moving and get people paying!

If you have any questions you’d like me to answer on the podcast you can head over to xosarah.com/podcast to submit your questions or topic requests in the form at the bottom of the page!

Do you really need to do that?? How to know if you’re adding tasks as a distraction Jul 02, 2020

Is your to-do list full of tasks that move you toward your goals or tasks that just keep you busy??

This is an issue I see all the time when my clients and students decide to take on something BIG - creating a course, launching a podcast, stepping up their income goals.

They’re all excited, making big plans, ready to rock and then...distracted by random tasks that have NOTHING to do with what they wanted to accomplish.

It’s a trap we can easily fall into which is why this week I’m sharing how to recognize it, why it happens, and how to get back on track.

Resources + Links

Learn how to use Asana + plan in advance with The Productive Solopreneur

Listen to episode #25 on goal setting

Get on the waitlist for my coaching program (create + launch a digital product!)

Instagram Hashtag Experiment: How I tripled my impressions from hashtags Jun 25, 2020

How do I find the right hashtags? How many hashtags should I use? Why did my hashtags stop working??

In this week’s episode I’m sharing my recent hashtag experiment that tripled my impressions from hashtags on a whole bunch of my posts. Per usual I’m simplifying the strategy so you can gain new followers and give your posts a boost without wasting hours researching which hashtags to use.

Listen to my step-by-step hashtag strategy, test it out for yourself, and then tag/ DM me on Instagram @xosarahmorgan and let me know how it goes!

I feel like I’m falling behind! Here’s how to assess your progress and set goals for the 2nd half of the year Jun 18, 2020

The year is half over and with all the quarantine stuff, weeks are flying by even faster now. I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve been extra focused or if my brain + body are just trying to move through the rest of 2020 as fast as possible.

If you’re also wondering where the last 3 months went and are feeling like you’re falling behind, today’s episode is for YOU!

I’m sharing my process for assessing what you’ve accomplished so far this year, figuring out what worked and what didn’t, and setting goals for Quarter 3 + 4.

Resources + Links

Goal Setting + 90-Day Planning Workshop

Daily task tracker + content planning spreadsheets

What’s your trigger? How to find YOUR best way to stay accountable and be consistent May 28, 2020

Why is it so difficult to do the things we say we want to do? Complete daily tasks, stick to deadlines, create content consistently? In this episode I’m sharing a conversation I had with my mom and the epiphany it led to about holding ourselves accountable.

Resources + Links

The habit tracker I’m using: Done

Gretchen Rubin’s book The Four Tendencies + The Four Tendencies quiz

Human Design

Enneagram quiz

Find me on Instagram @xosarahmorgan!

How do you do it all? What my workday actually looks like May 21, 2020

How do you do all the things as a solopreneur? Especially when you’re the CEO, the social media strategist, the marketing manager, the top sales person, the graphic designer, the bookkeeper? After 8 years in business I’ve learned a lot about how to keep my schedule on track, nail my deadlines, and set boundaries without driving head first into burnout.

In this episode I’m sharing what a typical day looks like from my pup waking me up at 8am to checking off the last task of the day.

Resources + Links

Past episodes that talk about planning: Episode #4, Episode #2

The Productive Solopreneur course

My FREE Productivity Workbook

Why your intuition might be your biggest business asset May 14, 2020

You know that feeling - when you get a blast of motivation, a spark of an idea, a flicker of brilliance and you sprint to your laptop and start typing like a fiend. That is your intuition and the more it shows up in your business the better!

In this episode I’m sharing how to learn what your intuition is telling you and why listening to it will help you create your best content and marketing plans yet!

Resources + Links

Episode 21: What I learned from reading a million business + self-help books

Glennon Doyle’s book Untamed

What I learned from reading a million business + self help books May 07, 2020

Today’s episode is coming to you from me, your resident bookworm. The chick who reads every night and gets literal anxiety over the number of unread books on her Amazon wishlist.

I wanted to create this episode because no matter how many business books or woo-woo spiritual self-help books I read, they all say THE SAME THINGS.

In this episode, I’m sharing 6 of my biggest takeaways that will help grow your business that aren’t marketing strategies.

Resources + links

Totally woo-woo books that helped me find business success

15 of my favorite books on business, marketing, and mindset

Best books to help kickstart your blog or business

Best-selling books for creatives, freelancers, and small biz owners

Blogging, emails, social media - here’s my CONTENT CREATION process Apr 30, 2020

Creating content is one of the best ways to build an audience online. It helps to attract cold followers, warm them up, and prepare them to buy from you or hire you.

But just the idea of writing all those blog posts, Instagram posts, emails, podcast episodes, Youtube videos might have your head spinning.

So in this week’s episode I’m sharing my step-by-step process for creating content for multiple platforms at once so no matter where someone follows you they will hear from you consistently.

Resources + Links

Free Content Planning Spreadsheets

The Content Planning Kit

How to decide what digital product to create Apr 23, 2020

Last in this month’s digital product series we’re going to talk about how to figure out what product to create. Because you likely fall into one of two camps - you have a million ideas and can’t decide which to do first or you know you want to create a product but have no idea what your audience would buy.

In this episode I’m going to share my process for choosing my next product and some things to take into consideration when creating something new.

Resources + Links

Episode 7: Why it’s time to stop believing there isn’t space for you

Work with me to create + launch your digital product: Get all the info here

Digital products: How to get over fear, perfectionism, and procrastination and just do the damn thing! Apr 16, 2020

What if you reaaaally want to create a digital product, but fear, perfectionism, and procrastination are standing in your way?

What if I spend a ton of time on it and it doesn’t sell?

What if someone else already did it better

How do I know how much content is enough?

In this episode I’m walking you through some of the biggest mindset issues that stop people from launching or even just starting their products.

Resources + Links

12-week coaching program: xosarah.com/coaching

Ebook that took me 3 days to create: 12 Ideas to Boost Your Business When the World is a Sh*t Show https://transactions.sendowl.com/orders/58782198/fa11ce87e2d9c80966a8600470f4ae2c/1

7 things I’ve learned about selling digital products Apr 09, 2020

Last week I shared my tips for creating digital products so this week we’re going to talk about selling. Yes, icky, spammy, annoying SELLING.

Most of us don’t get into online business because we’re great at selling. We’re creators, teachers, designers, coaches looking to share our expertise and then we start launching and realize that sales is a really big piece of the puzzle. And my guess is - it feels REALLY awkward.

So this week I’m sharing 7 tips that will hopefully make that process a little easier.

Resources + Links

Launch your digital product (and learn to sell!) in my 12 week coaching program - enrollment opens April 21st! Visit http://xosarah.com/coaching for all the info

Brian Tracy’s books on selling: https://amzn.to/2Xl1SZk

5 things I’ve learned about creating digital products Apr 02, 2020

In the past 8 years I’ve created 14 digital products. From ebooks to templates to online courses I’ve learned a ton about how to create products people will actually buy and use, and how to go from idea to launch in a lot less time.

In this episode I’m sharing 5 things to pay attention to while planning and creating your next digital product.

Resources + Links

12 week coaching program to create + launch your product: xosarah.com/coaching (enrollment opens April 21st!)

More digital product episodes are coming - DM me your questions on Instagram @xosarahmorgan!

List building tips: The top 5 things that have help grow my email list Mar 26, 2020

Start an email list they said, it’s important they said...but there you are with 47 subscribers and no idea what to send them.

You may have started your email list with the best intentions but if you’ve stalled out because your list isn’t really growing, you don’t know what to send, and it’s just another thing to try and be consistent with, this episode is for YOU.

I like to keep things simple + super effective over here, so I'm sharing the top 5 things you can to do to grow your email list and be consistent with weekly content.

Resources + Links

Training bundle: How to create opt-ins, a freebie, and write an email sequence in a weekend https://courses.xosarah.com/p/visible-valuable-list-growth-bundle/

How to grow your email list with a free challenge ebook: http://xosarah.com/challengeebook

Start your list with ConvertKit (affiliate link = add 100 subscribers for free): http://xosarah.com/convertkit

Working from home? Here’s how to save your sanity and stay productive Mar 18, 2020

Whether you’re a solopreneur or out of the office temporarily due to the coronavirus, working from home can actually be more challenging than it looks.

Mixing your business and personal space, staying focused with that pile of laundry staring you down, and feeling lonely because it’s so damn QUIET! After almost 8 years running my business from my couch, here are my best tips to keep you on task and feeling productive!

Instagram: 3 ways you’re wasting time and what to focus on instead Mar 12, 2020

Lately I’ve noticed a bunch of posts in Facebook groups from people asking about some pretty outdated and/or unnecessary Instagram strategies. They’re struggling to figure them out, struggling to make them work, and some people are even getting their accounts blocked. So this week I'm sharing the top 3 time wasters, explain why they’re no longer helpful, and share 2 things you should be putting your time into instead.

Resources + Links

Get my FREE IG Caption Guide: xosarah.com/igcaptions

Enroll in Grow Your 'Gram: xosarah.com/gyg

How to run a business with depression and anxiety Mar 05, 2020

This week’s episode brought to you by a mild case of depression. Instead of putting off this week’s episode and waiting to record when I felt better I decided to just talk about what was happening and how I handle mental health issues while trying to be a rockstar CEO.

How does one run a business, doing almost everything solo, and provide value on social media when depression and/or anxiety shows up to ruin our good time?? Here’s how I stick to my deadlines, check off my task list, and keep my business growing when all I really want to do is go back to bed.

Since I can only speak from my own experience, I’d love to hear from you. Head over to Instagram @xosarahmorgan and look for the post in my feed to share what works for you.

My best tips if you’re starting a business from scratch Feb 27, 2020

After 7 years in business, I have learned so freaking much as I transitioned from corporate web designer, to full time freelancer, to creating digital products, and then moving into coaching and education.

There were a lot of things that worked, but also quite a few strategies that were unnecessary, didn’t work, and waste so much time.

So in this episode, I’m sharing the things I would do if I were to start a brand new business from scratch knowing everything that I know now.

Resources + Links:

5 Journal prompts to step up as a CEO: http://xosarah.com/journal

P.S. Have a question you’d like me to answer on the show? Submit your Q’s over at http://xosarah.com/podcast (form at the bottom of the page)

Imposter syndrome is a liar: How to show up and sound like a badass no matter what Feb 20, 2020

Imposter syndrome - the jerk that shows up the minute you’re about to do something great and makes you question whether you have the training, experience, or just the guts to show up and lead.

No matter where you are in your business, it always seems to be there ready to knock you down. So in today’s episode, I’m sharing my best tips for showing up with excitement and authority even if imposter syndrome is hanging around.

P.S. If you enjoyed this episode make sure to follow, subscribe, share it, and leave a review!

Instagram tips: How to get brand new people to follow you Feb 13, 2020

Instagram isn’t just about the likes anymore. It takes time to turn cold leads into warm followers and ultimately fans that hire you or purchase your products. If you’re spending time on Instagram without a plan for attracting new followers, this episode is for you.

We’re talking about what to add to your profile and post in your feed to make your profile extra attractive to potential customers + clients. If your posts are reaching lots of people but your follower count isn’t growing, here’s how to make it happen!

Resources + Links:

Instagram Caption Guide (free!): http://xosarah.com/igcaptions

Grow Your ‘Gram Course: http://xosarah.com/gyg

Don’t forget to take a screenshot and tag me on Instagram @xosarahmorgan - I’d love to see how you’re using these tips!

What to do when you have zero motivation Feb 06, 2020

Today we’re going to talk about one of the shittier parts of being a solopreneur - not feeling motivated.

Because this has happened to me, I imagine that you also have days when you don’t want to do anything on your to-do list, don’t want to communicate with anyone, don’t want to be the boss at all...but still have stuff to get done.

Before you hop on Pinterest in search of ways to get more motivation, I’ve got a few tips for how to deal with it, how to create it, and how to figure out if motivation is really the problem.

Resources + Links:

Episode 4: How to be consistent + make your habits stick

Why it’s time to stop believing there isn’t space for you Jan 30, 2020

Feeling like you’re the tiniest fish in a very big pond, stuck in a niche overflowing with talent, not sure how you’ll ever stand out in the crowd? The first step to finding your place in any niche is to know that there IS and will always be space for YOU. In this episode we’re tackling this mindset issue so you can start showing up, playing bigger, and giving your audience the help they deserve.

Don’t forget to post a screenshot and tag me @xosarahmorgan on Instagram so I can give you a high five for stepping it up!

How I ditched my corporate job to freelance full-time, sell digital products, and literally run away with the circus Jan 23, 2020

Since podcasting is a brand new medium for me and I’m hoping some of you have found me here for the first time, I thought I’d share my story because my business has changed and grown so much over the past 7 years.

If you’re interested in hearing how I went from corporate web designer, to freelancer, to creating digital products, and now solely focusing on education + coaching for online business owners - this episode is for you!

Why I finally decided to start a podcast Jan 16, 2020

Two years ago when asked if I would ever start a podcast my answer was...Nah. I wasn't big into listening to podcasts. I didn't want to interview people. I loved writing long-ass blog posts.

So what changed my mind??

In this episode I’m sharing

the podcast that helped to change my mind about podcasting
how I know that my gut feeling is right
my process for deciding which projects to invest my time + money into

I know us solopreneurs have a constant stream of ideas flooding our brains, so hopefully this episode will give you a framework for making decisions + taking action quicker.

Resources + Links:

She Podcasts Facebook Group

D2G Show Episode #4: How to be consistent + make your habits stick

How to be consistent + make your habits stick Jan 09, 2020

In this episode we’re talking about the C word...consistency!

This is the word I hear over and over again from my audience, students, coaching clients. They are struggling so hard to post on their blog, create videos, send emails to their list, show up on Instagram consistently. And they know (as you might too) that it's holding them back.

In order to grow your audience, grow your sales, and grow your income - you need to show up consistently, provide value consistently, and sell consistently. As important as it is, it’s also one of the most challenging habits to cultivate as a solopreneur. Which is why I’m not only sharing my habits for being consistent, but also how to figure out what’s REALLY behind your struggle with consistency.

I love to hear what you’ve learned and hand out high fives - tag me on instagram @xosarahmorgan and tell me your biggest takeaway from this episode!

What is stopping your product from selling? Dec 20, 2019

Someone recently messaged me on Instagram and said, “I’m stuck on revenue and making more money, not just pennies.” And because I hear some version of this question on repeat - whether that's from my clients, students, subscribers, or followers - in this episode we’re going to talk about the main reasons that your product or service may not be selling.

Tag me on instagram @xosarahmorgan and tell me your biggest takeaway from this episode!

Productivity Hacks: Could you + your business benefit from doing less? Dec 20, 2019

From personal experience in starting my business and working with my coaching clients - we solopreneurs take on a lot. Probably way more than we need to do to get where we want to go. In this episode I'm sharing how to pare down your tasks so you can actually be MORE effective in your business to get more clients, customers, and increase your revenue.

Tag me on instagram @xosarahmorgan and tell me your biggest takeaway from this episode!

Resources + Links:

The Productive Solopreneur Course - http://xosarah.com/beproductive

5 things that helped grow my audience + revenue over the past year Dec 20, 2019

In the very first episode of The Dare to Grow Show I'm sharing 5 things that helped to grow my audience, my email list, and my revenue over the past year. 2019 was all about working fewer hours while earning more from my courses, coaching program, and affiliates and here is what worked best to make that happen.

Tag me on Instagram @xosarahmorgan and tell me your biggest takeaway from this episode!

Resources + Links:

Freebie: Productivity workbook - http://xosarah.com/productivity

Freebie: Instagram caption guide - http://xosarah.com/igcaptions

12-week coaching program - http://xosarah.com/coaching