Bold with Brooke by Brooke Summer

4 Business {and Life} Lessons I've Learned From My Podcast {Ep 125} Sep 25, 2024

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/125 Brooke's note - shownotes take time, please be patient if they're not up quite yet. I wanted to get the episode to you ASAP, done is better than perfect! Brooke's SEO Starter Pack (FREE): https://boldwithbrooke.com/seo SEO Summer was a HIT, thank you so much for your kind messages! Today's episode is part of a project I've been working on, and I wanted to share 4 lessons I've learned from my podcast for both my business and my life. I've been a podcaster for 6 years now, and while I haven't been entirely consistent, it has really forced me to embrace a few things that I've put off. I've laughed, cried, and failed, and keep moving forward, and today I'm going to share 4 things I've learned, with a bonus one slipped in there regarding public speaking. Because if you're not learning, you're dying, right? Listen in, and let me know your biggest ahas and takeaways! You can share them in the community at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community , OR you can take a screenshot and tag me on social @boldwithbrooke pretty much everywhere. Either way, I want to help - ask questions, get insights and share what you're working on. 🩷

How to Know Where You Rank in Search Engines SEO Summer Part 6 {Ep 124} Sep 24, 2024

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/124 Brooke's note - shownotes take time, please be patient if they're not up quite yet. I wanted to get the episode to you ASAP, done is better than perfect! Brooke's SEO Starter Pack (FREE): https://boldwithbrooke.com/seo You've gone through 6 episodes total so far when it comes to content and SEO, and today is the last part of SEO Summer: how to actually know where you're ranking. And yes, I said 6 episodes total and today is the 7th, although I didn't count content pillars as part of SEO Summer, even though they're very closely tied in. Really, why bother working on SEO if you don't know where you're ranking, so you can see growth or decline? If you need more reason to keep track of analytics, check out episode 115, where we talk all about measuring them. This episode is going to be all about how to tell where you rank with search engines, so you can keep track of the NOW, and watch for the growth you're going to see when you start implementing everything you've learned in SEO Summer! If you're putting in the work, we want to see results, right? Listen in, and let me know your biggest ahas and takeaways! You can share them in the community at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community , OR you can take a screenshot and tag me on social @boldwithbrooke pretty much everywhere. Either way, I want to help - ask questions, get insights and share what you're working on. 🩷

3 MUST HAVE tools for SEO, (and how to actually use them) | SEO Summer Part 5 {Ep 123} Sep 18, 2024

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/123 Brooke's note - shownotes take time, please be patient if they're not up quite yet. I wanted to get the episode to you ASAP, done is better than perfect! Brooke's SEO Starter Pack (FREE): https://boldwithbrooke.com/seo You're on board and learning more about SEO, immersed in SEO Summer - and we're not done yet! In this episode we're in part 5 - 3 tools you REALLY need to use and embrace when it comes to improving your SEO. Plus, how to actually use them. Because what good is a list of tools you have no idea how to use, right? Listen in, and let me know your biggest ahas and takeaways! You can share them in the community at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community , OR you can take a screenshot and tag me on social @boldwithbrooke pretty much everywhere. Either way, I want to help - ask questions, get insights and share what you're working on. 🩷

SEO Myths & Getting Started | SEO Summer Part 4 {Ep 122} Sep 12, 2024

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/122 Brooke's note - shownotes take time, please be patient if they're not up quite yet. I wanted to get the episode to you ASAP, done is better than perfect! Brooke's SEO Starter Pack (FREE): https://boldwithbrooke.com/seo I hear a LOT of myths about SEO, and for some reason Facebook groups tend to be the place that people go to complain the most. Today we're busting 3 of the most common myths that I hear, and I'm going to give you some strategies to not only overcome those myths, but thrive and grow in search engine rankings with different types of content. Spoiler alert: it's not just about blogging y'all. Listen in, and let me know your biggest ahas and takeaways! You can share them in the community at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community , OR you can take a screenshot and tag me on social @boldwithbrooke pretty much everywhere. Either way, I want to help - ask questions, get insights and share what you're working on. 🩷

SEO 101 First Steps: SEO Summer Part 3 {Ep 121} Sep 06, 2024

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/121 Brooke's note - shownotes take time, please be patient if they're not up quite yet. I wanted to get the episode to you ASAP, done is better than perfect!🩷 Brooke's SEO Starter Pack (FREE): https://boldwithbrooke.com/seo SO many people ask me: "I want to start with SEO but what the heck do I even do first?" Today's episode is going to go into the very first steps and things to consider when it comes to SEO. After all, SEO is just like any other skill, you're going to grow more and more when you're actually DOING it, so this is a first steps guide with some basic starting points. Even if you think that you're terrible at it - I promise, you can do it. Everything you're good at took time, right? This is no different! Listen in, and let me know your biggest ahas and takeaways! You can share them in the community at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community , OR you can take a screenshot and tag me on social @boldwithbrooke pretty much everywhere. Either way, I want to help - ask questions, get insights and share what you're working on. 🩷

SEO Keywords: What to Choose & Why | SEO Summer Part 2 {Ep 120} Aug 23, 2024

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/120 So you're IN - you're on board and want to get started with SEO. And if you've listened to what I've been telling you, you know that you now need to know what your keywords are so you can start to build some SEO rank and authority. But how the heck do you choose those keywords? Today we're going to talk about how to choose keywords, what to think about, and where do you PUT those keywords so you can start seeing some growth in your search engine rankings! SEO for small businesses is a puzzle, and we have to get several things in place to start working on that puzzle, keywords are one piece. SEO for photographers & small business owners doesn't have to be difficult, let's dive in! Listen in, then head to the community to share your biggest aha moments at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community . If you prefer to share on social media, tag me in your screenshot @boldwithbrooke - I read them all! If you're ready for some accountability paired with marketing skills and courses, check out Bold Marketing Academy (http://boldmarketingacademy.com) . We have group coaching calls where you can get customized help, PLUS my most popular courses.

SEO 101 & 5 Things To Have On Every Webpage | SEO Summer Part 1 {Ep 119} Aug 16, 2024

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/119 YAY welcome to SEO Summer Part 01! We are going to dive into SEO 101, kind of a basic primer with some details that you'll need to know for the upcoming episodes. PLUS, five things that you really need to have on every webpage to get the maximum SEO benefits. Because really - why does SEO matter anyway? Listen in, then head to the community to share your biggest aha moments at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community . If you prefer to share on social media, tag me in your screenshot @boldwithbrooke - I read them all! If you're ready for some accountability paired with marketing skills and courses, check out Bold Marketing Academy. We have group coaching calls where you can get customized help, PLUS my most popular courses. This episode is available on the YouTube channel, click here to watch the video!

What to Say In Your Marketing Content Pillars & Categories {Ep 118} Aug 06, 2024

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/118 Do you ever sit down to create content and then draw COMPLETELY blank because you don't know what to share? Yup - me too. In today's episode we are going to go into a foundation of marketing in ANY format - whether it's social media, SEO, email marketing, and more: Content Pillars. Known by many names, they're absolutely essential in being consistent with your content and marketing, and making your life easier. Listen in, then head to the community to share your biggest aha moments at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community . If you prefer to share on social media, tag me in your screenshot @boldwithbrooke - I read them all! If you're ready for some accountability paired with marketing skills and courses, check out Bold Marketing Academy. We have group coaching calls where you can get customized help, PLUS my most popular courses. This episode is available on the YouTube channel, click here to watch the video!

Outsourcing Marketing & SEO: Red Flags To Be Aware Of {Ep 117} Jul 01, 2024

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/117 Outsourcing can be a beautiful thing. It sounds like a DREAM to hire someone to handle the things you don't want to do in your business, right? It is definitely a dream - Until it's a nightmare.

I have had so many friends call me in tears, because they've been scammed by marketing and SEO companies that promise them the world, and then end up taking money without providing the service they promised.

This has even happened to me - and I promise you, it won't happen again.

We ALL make mistakes and learn from them, and I wanted to offer some red flags and things to look out for BEFORE hiring one of these companies, so that you can learn from my mistakes, and others.

Listen in, then head to the community at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community and tell me what you think - have you had issues with this in your own business?

If social media is your preference, take a screenshot and tag me on IG or TikTok @boldwithbrooke - I would love to know your aha moments!

This episode is available on the YouTube channel, click here to watch the video!

NEW: The episode transcript is at the bottom of this page, if you prefer to read.

6 Business & Marketing Lessons From Hot Firefighters {Ep 116} May 09, 2024

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/116 I have been attending the Colorado Firefighter Calendar events for YEARS, and have watched how the firefighters behave and work the crowd, and this episode has been waiting now for two years to be published. Since the big event is this weekend, it's time! 6 Business Lessons from the Hot Firefighters, including kindness, inclusivity, imperfection and more. Listen in and then let me know your biggest ahas or takeaways in the community at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community If you want more great marketing content, course and skills PLUS the accountability and coaching you need to actually implement those skills, check out Bold Marketing Academy at https://boldmarketingacademy.com

6 Reasons You Need To Be Measuring Business Analytics & Metrics {Ep 115} May 02, 2024

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/115 If you aren't measuring your marketing efforts in actual NUMBERS, why the heck not? How do you know what's working? I know it can seem scary, I've stuck my head in the sand for some business pieces too - but there is so much power in looking at the numbers regularly and consistently. Today we're going to talk about 6 reasons you really need to be looking at these numbers. Spoiler alert: it's not just about the numbers, it's an exercise in resilience and neurobiology. Listen in, then come into the community and let me know your biggest takeaways at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community If you want the tracking sheet, resource and instructional video, they're all inside of Bold Marketing Academy - check it out at https://boldmarketingacademy.com

It's 2024: 6 Reasons To Stop Putting Off an Email List {Ep 114} Apr 04, 2024

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/114 Every time I think I'm just repeating myself and should stop talking about it, I see that it's a conversation that needs to continue. It's 2024 y'all - and even the beloved social media platforms often require an email address. There are SO MANY reasons that you need to stop ignoring this marketing strategy, but today I'm boiling it down to 6 reasons. Listen in, then head to the community and tell me what you think - is this something that you use consistently?

A Love Letter to Women in Business for International Women's Day 2024 {Ep 113} Mar 08, 2024

Full shownotes will be available at https://boldwithbrooke.com/113

DMARC Requirements & Updates 101 An Easy How-To {Ep 112} Jan 25, 2024

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/112

Hey hey gorgeous business owners - are you ready to dive into the DMARC Requirements that are going live on February 1?

Some podcast episodes can be recorded with little prep, because they're information that I already know and have in my brain, that I could talk on for HOURS. This episode has taken several hours of research, and I'm so excited to share it with you because really - this update kind of sucks.

This isn't a super easy thing to do, and it's one of those things that you probably never imagined having to deal with when it came to running a business. But since I teach email marketing, and work with my students closely on things related to marketing, email marketing, websites and domains, it's something we need to talk about.

PLUS - I'm learning more and more from sharing in my community online - apparently a lot of people had no idea it was even coming, which tells me that they're not seeing the information they need.

Today we're going to dive into the new DMARC requirements and updates that are hitting as of February 1, whether they apply to you, why it matters, and what you should be doing about it.

Listen in, then head to the community at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community and let me know your biggest takeaways.

If Instagram is your preference, take a screenshot and tag me on IG @boldwithbrooke - I would love to know your aha moments!

This episode is available on the YouTube channel, click here to watch the video!

Checklist: 10 Tasks To Do Before a Big Promotion or Launch (Like Black Friday!) {Ep 111) Nov 22, 2023

If you have ever prepared a promotion, gone through the steps to lay out the details, then launched and realized you FORGOT to change links or do the little things that help make those sales successful, this episode is for you. Black Friday is a HUGE promotional season, but this checklist is evergreen and will help YEAR ROUND with things to remember to do before a big promotion. Today's episode is a checklist of 10 things to remember and complete before a big promotion launches. You can download a printable checklist here: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/VIP Listen in, then head to the community at https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/community and let me know which one resonated with you the most, I would love to hear it!

Business Lessons & Takeaways from the Barbie Movie {Ep 110} Nov 09, 2023

Full Shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/110 Welcome back amazing business owners to another episode of Bold with Brooke - the podcast and place to be to learn the marketing and business skills you need to reach your biggest goals! I have gone back and forth with several different options when it comes to HOW to bring this episode to you, and in the end, I’ve decided to just let it flow, the way that it usually does from my ADHD brain. Because while it might seem super weird and random, it really is NOT, and I promise you it will all come together in the end. If you missed the LAST episode all about the marketing lessons from the Barbie movie, you’re definitely going to want to check that out, because if you take just ONE of those 7 lessons and apply it, you’re going to see some big changes in your marketing and in your business. And today’s episode is going to be overall business lessons - some marketing, some business, some personal growth that will FEED your business - from the Barbie movie. Listen in, then head to the community at https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/community and let me know which one resonated with you the most, I would love to hear it!

7 Lessons in Marketing from the Barbie Movie We Can ALL Use {Ep 109} Oct 12, 2023

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/109 Hey there gorgeous, I'm so happy to be BACK with a new podcast episode, all about MARKETING specific lessons from the marketing surrounding the Barbie movie! If you didn't see any of the marketing, I would wonder if you were present in any social media or news during that time because seriously - it was EVERYWHERE. The Barbie movie marketing team, with Warner Brothers, did an amazing job of making sure that movie was front and center before, during, and AFTER the release date, and there are so many little things that we can look at. Even if you just take ONE of these lessons from the movie marketing, you will see a huge change in your own marketing - they're that good. This episode is specifically for marketing, next week we are going to dive into some lessons from the movie specifically. YES, I'm in a little bit of a Barbie movie kick, and if you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend it. But even if you haven't seen it, there are so many things we can learn from how the movie was marketed, and the story itself. Listen in, then head to the community at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community and let me know your biggest takeaways. If you loved this content, we would LOVE your five star review at https://boldwithbrooke.com/itunes . We read every review and appreciate them so much, thank you in advance.

Aligned, Authentic & Strategic Marketing Instead of Just Hoping for the Best with Katlynn Pyatt {Ep 108) Oct 06, 2023

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/108 Today's guest is a marketing rockstar, and we are going to dive deep into marketing that is aligned and strategic, instead of just choosing one thing and hoping for the best. Katlynn Pyatt has Ivy League certifications in marketing and has actionable and specific steps for putting into place a PLAN for marketing, that is strategic and aligned with your business goals. Authentic is NOT just a buzz word, and if you're just trying one thing one day and hoping for the best, you're going to end up spinning your wheels and running yourself into the ground. Because we ALL should be playing to our strengths, instead of forcing things that we hate! Listen in, then head to the community at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community and let me know your biggest takeaways.

5 Essential (& Unusual) Questions to Identify Your Ideal Client {Ep107} Sep 22, 2023

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/107 Welcome back to another episode of Bold with Brooke - the podcast and place to be to learn the marketing and business skills you need to actually make a LIVING doing what you love! Today's episode is an encore episode of the very FIRST episode ever - because the information is THAT important, and still so valuable. In this episode, we are going to dive into something that will help with ALL of the decisions you might face in your business - your ideal client profile. I want to challenge what you may have been taught about what matters when it comes to your ideal client, and offer you five unique questions to ask to really get into your client's mind, to help you figure out how you can add value to your clients' lives. This mystery is what will ultimately help you get BOOKED by your dream clients that value your work, and set yourself up for success! And it's not just these five questions, but the REAL question - the secret sauce, if you will - that will ultimately determine how you connect with the clients that value what you do and will be your DREAM clients. Listen in, and head over to the community at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community to share your biggest takeaways. If you're more of a social media fan, take a screenshot or selfie and share it on Instagram and tag me at @boldwithbrooke - I want to hear what you loved!

Marketing Ideas that WORK AKA Finances, Marketing, Travel & Sustainability with Alex Loveland {Ep 106} Sep 15, 2023

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/106

First, I have some questions for you.

Are you comfortable with talking about money?

When you are working with other creative or even dealing with family?

Is money a topic that is kept kind of hush?

Only discussed when absolutely necessary?

I feel like we have done ourselves such as disservice when making this a taboo topic because money is an amazing tool in our businesses and in our lives. I know that I have even been shamed by my so-called friend when I shared my goals with them. Which is total crap, am I right? We should be supporting each other.

If you haven’t left a review on iTunes yet, why not? I know that we have thousands of listeners, and I want to know exactly what you need help with! Your reviews not only make my day but help me to bring in awesome guests to get you the assistance and resources that you need to grow your business. If you haven’t left a review yet, can you head on over to iTunes to leave a review? I would SO appreciate it!

Listen in, then head to the community at http://boldwithbrooke.com/community to let me know your biggest takeaways! If Instagram is your preference, take a screenshot and tag me on IG @boldwithbrooke - I would love to know your aha moments!

NEW: The episode transcript is at the bottom of this page, if you prefer to read.

Energy, Sleep & Health for Business Owners with Jane Wenning {Ep 105} Jul 18, 2023

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/105 Raise your hand if you've ever neglected your own basic self care because of your business? Or your kids? Or your other responsiblities? I know I'm not alone. In this episode, we are going to go into some pillars of health because the reality is that if you're not taking care of yourself, you can't really serve anyone else. And that includes your family and your clients too! Listen in, and head to the community to let me know your biggest takeaways, at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community

F**k Around & Find Out in Marketing {Ep 104} Jul 06, 2023

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/104 Today we are going to talk all about Fuck Around and Find Out in Marketing. YUP - I said it, we're going there, and some of these examples are probably going to ruffle some feathers. Before we start though - I have a truth bomb secret, really, it's the ultimate marketing secret... ready? NO ONE KNOWS ALL OF THE SECRETS. We are all just trying something, finding out what works, and in the case of educators, sharing what has worked for us. And that's exactly what we are going to talk about today, the heart of marketing and really business and life in general - fuck around and find out. We're going to go through three examples of failures turned amazing success, let's dive in!

Marketing for Women in an Ethical Way with Dr. Michelle Mazur {Ep 103} Jun 29, 2023

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/103 When I lost my assistant in 2021, there were a few podcast episodes that fell through the cracks because she handled podcast episodes for me. These amazing experts gave their time, and I wanted to make sure to get these episodes published - because they're still valid, and today's episode is an excellent example. Dr. Michelle Mazur is a messaging expert who works with brilliant business owners who are shaking things up but having trouble talking about it. In this episode we are going to talk about how to do your marketing in a way that is in alignment with your values, in a way that isn't slimy or under the "bro marketing" category. Because YES, there is a way to market your business in a way that is ethical and aligned with your values and integrity. How do YOU feel about marketing - both marketing that comes at you as a consumer, and also in your own business? Listen in and let me know!

Graduations & Celebrations - Not Just for Kids! {Ep 102} Jun 22, 2023

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/102 We have just finished the graduation season, for a variety of grades and milestones. I'm sure so many of you are finally settling down from whatever celebrations you had planned, whether they were small or big, and settling into summer. But graduation isn't JUST for kids, and celebrating growth isn't just for kids either. What are YOU graduating from or celebrating right now? If you're ready to start booking the clients you need and want in your business, it's time to start leveling up your marketing. I would LOVE for you to join us in Bold Marketing Academy! Check it out at http://boldmarketingacademy.com

When You Just Don't Fit In... {Ep 101} Jun 15, 2023

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/101 You're running a business in your industry, and then you hear of something happening - good or bad - that you weren't a part of at all. When it's something good, it can hurt that you weren't included. When it's something bad though, it might be a reminder that maybe not fitting in isn't necessarily a bad thing. Today's episode is all about what to do when you feel like you just don't fit in.

Alignment In Business, Sales And Marketing And Why It Matters {Ep 100} May 12, 2023

Full shownotes: http://boldwithbrooke.com/100

Have you ever worked with someone and could tell that they just weren't super jazzed about what they were doing? Maybe it was a teacher that wasn't really present in class, or someone that came to fix your furnace and you could tell they would rather be doing literally ANYTHING else. Being fully aligned with your business and having proper boundaries will mean more clarify, confidence and excitement. Simplifying processes will open that even more. In today's episode we are going to talk all about alignment and why it matters in your business, marketing and sales. AND, this is the official announcement of my rebranding and the new name of the podcast! Listen in and let me know what you think!

What Is The Finish Line Actually Like Plus UPDATE! {Ep 099} Apr 17, 2023

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/099

I have been talking with several business owners lately, and I feel like I'm repeating myself over and over again so I wanted to create an episode ALL about this. Reality check: when you reach your goals, your life is NOT complete. In today's episode, we are going to talk all about what the finish line REALLY looks like. Plus, an update on what's coming! We have the ever popular email marketing class - FREE - coming up this week on April 20th. Sign up here: https://boldwithbrooke.com/workshop

Must Have Skills For Success In Business Part 8 - Mindset & Beliefs (Ep 098) Feb 08, 2023

Full Shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/098

A little more tough love in this final episode in this series: You will never outperform your identity. Today's episode is Part 8 in the 8 part series Must Have Skills for Success in Business - and I saved the best for last. Okay, maybe not the best, but definitely one of the most important. Today we are going to chat all about MINDSET. What does that actually mean? Why does it matter? More importantly, I want you to ask yourself: what stories am I holding onto that are stopping me from growing and reaching my biggest goals? What beliefs do I have that need to change? What isn't serving me anymore that I need to let go of? I know this is a big topic, but it's so incredibly important! Listen in, then leave an awesome iTunes review pretty please, k? https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/itunes If you want more information about the workshop coming up at the end of February, go here: https://www.bolddwithbrooke.com/workshop If you're like BROOKE I don't need the workshop I just want to dive right in with some learning and accountability to start marketing my business in a way that I know will bring me the clients I need and want, go here: http://www.boldmarketingacademy.com

Must Have Skills For Success In Business Part 7 - Failure & Resilience {Ep 097} Jan 17, 2023

Full Shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/097

Tough love time: YOU WILL FAIL. And that's okay. Welcome to part 7 of this series on Must Have Skills for success in business! We are going to talk about something that hurts my little recovering perfectionist heart sometimes - failure. Because the reality is that you WILL fail if you go into business - and that's okay. It's not the end of the world. Business - and life, really - is just a series of trying new things, seeing if they work, and if they don't, you try something new. If only it was that easy to actually EMBRACE that, right? Let's chat ALL about failure - and I promise you, this episode will leave you feeling uplifted and maybe even a little bit lighter, this is NOT a doom and gloom episode.

Must Have Skills For Success In Business Part 6 - Know Your Numbers! {Ep 096} Nov 01, 2022

Full Shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/096

Do you all ever prepare something that you THINK is going to be short and sweet, and then you realize it's a lot bigger than you planned? Today's episode is going to be one that people may not like, it might ruffle some feathers, but this is part 6 in the series of must have skills for success in business. If you haven't listened to parts 1-5, don't worry, they are forever living online - so go to boldwithbrooke.com/podcast to see all of the past episodes. Today we are going to chat ALL about the numbers! Knowing your numbers, analytics and KPI's is absolutely essential, and a must have skill for success in business, and it is today's episode and part 6!

Must Have Skills For Success In Business Part 5 - Selling Is ESSENTIAL {Ep 095} Oct 06, 2022

Full Shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/095

Welcome back amazing business owners - to another episode of Business Straight Up - which will soon be changing by the way. Today's episode is part 5 in the 8 part series of MUST have skills for success in business - and we are going to chat about something that strikes fear into the heart of SO many sales people: sales. Far too many business owners feel ALL sorts of emotions when that word is even muttered - and it's time to face it, head on. Listen in for some of my tips in sales, and 4 things you must know and embrace to see the success you want to see in your business when it comes to sales.

Must Have Skills For Success In Business Part 4 - Marketing (YES, You Need To...) {Ep 094} Sep 16, 2022

Full Shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/094

Here we are - part four - and this is one of my most favorite things to work on - MARKETING! So many people think they can just start a business and announce it once, and they're done, people will be flocking to them like crazy to pay them for what they do. The reality is that it just doesn't work that way. Here's my little truth bomb of glitter: It doesn't matter if you're the best at what you do - if you can't market & sell yourself, you won't be in business for long. You have probably heard me say it before, and I will probably say it in the next episode and several more for years to come - because it's absolutely true. Now the METHOD that you use to market yourself can vary greatly, there are so many strategies and techniques that you can choose from. But you absolutely must start talking about what you do, showing your work, and inviting people to work with you. Listen in, then head to the community at http://boldwithbrooke.com/community to let me know your biggest takeaways! If Instagram is your preference, take a screenshot and tag me on IG @boldwithbrooke - I would love to know your aha moments! This episode is available on the YouTube channel, click here to watch the video!

Must Have Skills For Success In Business Part 3 - DO. THE. WORK {Ep 093} Aug 29, 2022

Full shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/093

Bottom line - running a business is never EASY. If it was easy, everyone would do it, and yet we live in a culture that, while change is coming, is still made up primarily of employees. It takes courage to step out from what you know to start a business. And it takes even more courage to keep going when you reach a point where you feel like giving up. In today's episode we are going to talk about something that I have watched take down so many small businesses - they just STOP. What is the fix for this? It sounds simplistic and silly, but it is truly just DOING THE WORK. Listen in, then let me know your biggest takeaways!

4 Things To Consider Before Saying Marketing "doesn't work" {Ep 092} Aug 18, 2022

Full shownotes at https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/092

I have watched SO many people say that marketing strategies "don't work." Guess what - there are so many strategies that DO work, and people wouldn't share them if they weren't seeing some success with them. BUT - there are some things to consider when implementing a marketing strategy. Today's QUICKIE episode is all about 4 things to consider before saying a marketing strategy "doesn't work."

Must Have Skills For Success In Business Part 2 - Relationships Matter {Ep 091} Jul 28, 2022

Full Shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/091

Relationships are non-negotiable in building a business, but what does that look like? What type of relationships are worth spending your time on, and what do you need to let go of? What do you do when your family doesn't support your business? How can you make your clients really feel special? ALL of these things matter, and we are going to cover them all in today's episode - because RELATIONSHIPS MATTER! We are going to talk about the 5 types of relationships that you really need in your business, and what to look for or watch out for in each. Listen in, then tell me - what is a relationship that YOU want to grow in your business?

This episode is also available on YouTube: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/youtube

Must Have Skills For Success In Business Part 1 - Stay Teachable {Ep 090} Apr 20, 2022

Full shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/090

Must Have Skills for Success in Business Part 1- Stay Teachable

This is part 1 of 7 - although if I'm being completely transparent, it might end up being more than 7. When I was writing down these skills, I started with 6, and more kept coming. There are a few things that business owners have mastered - and it's not necessarily what you think. YES, you should absolutely master your craft and know what you do inside and out. YES, it's important to know and follow all local laws to make sure that your business is legit. But SO MUCH of being successful in business has everything to do with YOU. Mastering the inner work, your mindset, overcoming your own head trash and blocks that might be stopping you. Anyone can download a blueprint, a step by step template, but two very different people can have the same exact blueprint, and yet have very different results - why is that? Today we are going to talk about what it means to stay TEACHABLE and to keep learning. This is rooted in some nasty trends that I'm seeing in my own industry, as well as others - namely, the ego that gets in the way when someone is offering some help, particularly help that was requested.

Listen in and let me know what you think in the community at https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/community

Update & A New Series Coming {Ep 089} Apr 13, 2022

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/089

A seasonal update, plus - there is a new series coming! This is a quickie episode with an update for this upcoming season, and some details for the new series that I've been working on that will be a total of 7 episodes.

Systems, Boundaries & VIP Days With Jordan Gill {Ep 088} Apr 08, 2022

Systems, Boundaries & VIP Days with Jordan Gill {Ep 088}

Full shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/088

As a service based business owner, we are inextricably tied to our businesses. Even when we have help in the form of a team, we are still tied to providing a service in order to be paid. Jordan Gill helps doers, service providers and CEO's to add another revenue stream with VIP Days. Jordan has a system that allows solopreneurs to create and sell larger offers so they can work less and live more. I'm absolutely guessing here, but if I had to estimate, I would say that 95% of my students go into business for themselves because they want FREEDOM in their lives. Embracing VIP days, boundaries and systems so that certain tasks can be automated takes some work up front, but is absolutely well worth it in the end! Listen in as Jordan and I talk about people pleasing, the mind trash that we all have in some form or another, and what VIP days can look like in YOUR business.

Time, Energy & Intuition As A Business Owner With Carla Reeves {Ep 087} Mar 24, 2022

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/087

Do you actively protect your time and energy? Not just in your business, but in your LIFE. Do you listen to those little nudges, and your intuition as a business owner? I have been in business technically for 16 years now and I can tell you with 100% honesty - I'm JUST learning this y'all. Our time and energy are SO valuable and yet we waste them consistently. I say this with love, because it is definitely something that I struggle with too. And listening to my gut is a lesson that I've had to learn over and over again - and usually those lessons aren't easy ones. Anyone else raising their hand when thinking of listening to that intuition as a business owner in dealing with difficult people? No? Just me? I didn't think so... Today's guest is Carla Reeves - a wife, mom of two boys, coach, consultant, mentor and passionate about squeezing the juice out of everyday life - her life's work is working with people who are ambitious for a different kind of more! Carla is an amazing coach, and I absolutely love this discussion! It's NEVER too late to start learning to listen to your intuition as a business owner, and to protect your time and energy fiercely.

Listen in, then head to the community at https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/community to let me know your biggest takeaways!

If Instagram is your preference, take a screenshot and tag me on IG @boldwithbrooke - I would love to know your aha moments! This episode is available on the YouTube channel, you can view it at https://boldwithbrooke.com/youtube

Copywriting For Small Business & Embracing Your Weird With Kira Hug {Ep 086} Mar 03, 2022

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/086

What if you could share ALL of you, and have people love you even MORE, and watch your business take off? I want to offer that maybe that's the KEY to the growth that you're looking for! Today's guest is the ever amazing Kira Hug: a personality-driven conversion copywriter, co-founder of The Copywriter Club and co-host of The Copywriter Club Podcast. We are going to chat all about copy in your business, what that looks like, but even more importantly - how can you use it to really share YOU so that you can see the business growth that you want to see?

Listen in then head over to the community at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community and let me know your biggest takeaway, I know that I have a list of several!

How To Run A Successful Business With ADHD (Part 2) {Ep 085} Feb 24, 2022

Full shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/085

Part two of two in this series on how to run a successful business with ADHD! I'm sure there will be more in the future as I'm getting a LOT of questions, but let's finish up this series! This part even includes a free tracking sheet so that you can measure the things you need to look at regularly in your business - WHAAAAT?! Yep, completely free at https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/analytics Today we are going to go through strategies three through eight. How to do a brain dump to free up some mental energy. What apps to use. How to get some support in this chaos of business and LIFE. What to measure, and how to actually see growth in your business (spoiler alert - taking action!) instead of just consuming more and procrastilearning.

Listen in, then head to the community at https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/community to let me know your biggest takeaways! If Instagram is your preference, take a screenshot and tag me on IG @boldwithbrooke - I would love to know your aha moments!

How To Run A Successful Business With ADHD Part 1 {Ep 084} Feb 17, 2022

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/084

What does it look like to run a business - successfully - with ADHD? Why do people who have ADHD often start their own businesses? How the heck can I get myself to focus long enough to see the success I want in my business? In this episode we are going to go through ALL of this, plus more. I share a little of my own background in dealing with my own focus issues, as well as my son, and we are going to talk about the strategies that I've used to help. This is part 1 of a 2 part series, so stay tuned for part 2!

Clarity In Focus, Rebrand & More Content! {Ep 083} Feb 09, 2022

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/083

Today's bonus episode is a quickie! Yep, I went there. This is a quick update about the podcast, updated content, and MORE, listen in!

Feminism & Resilience In Business And Life With Jen Rozenbaum {Ep 082} Feb 03, 2022

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/082

Confession - I've been holding onto this episode for far too long. This is an episode that touched on so many subjects that are near and dear to my heart, with an amazing guest - the incomparable Jen Rozenbaum. Jen is an amazing boudoir photographer, speaker and author who has not only built an amazing boudoir business, but has taken her message and impact even FURTHER after her fight with breast cancer. In this episode we talk about resilience in business and life. Feminism and women empowering THEMSELVES instead of waiting for someone else. The wisdom that comes with age, and how to model that for our kids. There is even a moment where I tear up a bit - so if you're listening in audio and would prefer to watch the video, check it out on my YouTube channel at https://boldwithbrooke.com/youtube

In short - this episode is one that I know will touch your heart, and light a fire under you to kick as* in your business. Listen in, and reach out and let me know your biggest takeaway. Screenshot the episode and share on Instagram and tag me @boldwithbrooke . I know that this episode will be a powerful one for so many people, check it out!

3 Steps To Start Designing Your Life & How To Set Business Goals To Get There {Ep 081} Jan 27, 2022

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/081

Here we are, another January, another month of new years resolutions that we hope don't flop, right? WRONG. I want to talk to you about more than just goals, but really DESIGNING your life, and then setting business goals to get there. What do you REALLY want? If I asked you that and you have NO IDEA how to answer that, you're not alone. There are so many people in this world that just accept life as it is, instead of realizing that they are the creator of their lives, that they get to choose. Sometimes we act like there are adults that actually run the world, that they decide things, and that we just go along with it. We accept what is given to us, wish for more, but never actually do anything about getting what we want. By the way, why are we looking for these magical adults that run the world? Like, adultier adults? It doesn't work that way! YOU are responsible for your life, YOU get to decide what you do, and anything you want is possible. If you have been waiting for someone to give you permission, I have zero authority to do this but neither does anyone else but YOU so here you go - here is your permission, permission granted, live the life you want. Let's talk ALL about designing your life to include the things you want, and setting business goals to bring you there, listen in!

Embracing Leadership, Systems & Implementation In Your Business With Stacy Tuschl {Ep 080} Jan 12, 2022

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/080

Leadership isn't just a term for the billionaires and politicians in the world - I believe every single business owner is a leader in some way, because stepping outside of the norm in our culture of getting a job is, at its core, rebellious. We ARE leaders. And doing so means taking responsibility for our actions - or LACK of actions. How many courses have you purchased that you've never actually touched? Have you ever found yourself cursing the course and thinking about how crappy it was, instead of looking at your own lack of implementation? Y'all I am saying these things and feel like I'm looking into a mirror here - I am NOT immune to this. Stacy Tuschl is a bestselling author, podcast host and founder of the Foot Traffic Formula - helping small businesses around the world get more customers in the door, and this episode is FILLED with tidbits on leadership, implementation, and actually putting into place the systems that your business needs.

NYC Adventures Day 3 Stop Shoulding All Over Yourself, Especially When It Doesn't Serve You {Ep 079} Nov 25, 2021

Shownotes COMING SOON (Brooke is traveling!) at https://boldwithbrooke.com/079

Day 3 of my New York City adventures! This one was inspired by the first half of my day, sitting on the rooftop terrace and enjoying the view while eating my bagel, while knowing in the back of my head that I had traveled to another state and SHOULD be going to see the sites somewhere. What are you telling yourself you SHOULD be doing? What is the little voice in your head telling you that you SHOULD be thinking about? One of my coaches tells me "Brooke stop shoulding all over yourself" - and it's SO true. We are the creators of our lives, and when we run a business, we have even MORE freedom to design them the way we want! Or at least, we should.😉 Listen in, then take a screenshot and share on social and tag me @boldwithbrooke - tell me your biggest takeaway!

NYC Adventures Day 2: SHOW YOUR WORK. Yes, even if it's not perfect. {Ep 078} Nov 23, 2021

Shownotes COMING SOON (Brooke is traveling!) at https://boldwithbrooke.com/078

Day 2 of my New York City adventures, inspired by my first trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. WOW - I did almost the entire museum, I only missed one wing, and being around all of the amazing work was a reminder of the importance of sharing our work, our art, our creations. One piece in particular inspired me, it was declined as a billboard because it was too controversial, and ended up on the BUSES in NYC. Spoiler alert: in this episode I have a message specifically for the ladies, but it will apply to our amazing male friends who are along for this business ride too. Listen in, then take a screenshot and share on social and tag me @boldwithbrooke - tell me your biggest takeaway!

NYC Adventures Day 1 - Saying YES to Clients & An Exceptional Client Experience {Ep 077} Nov 22, 2021

Shownotes COMING SOON (Brooke is traveling!) at https://boldwithbrooke.com/077

I'm in New York City! This city is so inspiring and chaotic all at the same time, and I have some things that were on my heart that I wanted to share about business and collaborating with your clients. About saying YES to clients, even when it may not necessarily be 100% what you're used to doing all the time. About the cost in saying yes to clients, and the lines in doing so, finding the middle ground and really WOWING your clients with an exceptional experience. Plus, a funny story about a bakery in NYC and some travel adventures! ;)

Business & Marketing For Introverts With Caroline Wood {Ep 076} Nov 11, 2021

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/076

Today's topic is one that doesn't necessarily affect me personally, but I know that so many of my students are introverts and have asked me questions specific to this! Marketing for introverts is something that comes up quite a bit when I'm doing videos or mentoring sessions. While I do have some introverted tendencies, I would typically consider myself to be an extrovert. Being around people feels natural to me, unless they're relying on small talk, in which case I will go and hide. I have seen a tendency to lean towards a stereotype when it comes to introvert and extrovert though, and one of my coaches helped me clarify: this classification of someone's personality is based on how they RECHARGE. If you've had a really rough day, and you just need to recharge some energy and refresh yourself, do you prefer to be alone, or with others? Introverts will retreat into themselves after a hard day, that is how they recharge. Being an introvert doesn't necessarily mean that someone is SHY though. In this episode we are going to talk all about marketing for introverts but ultimately it always comes down to marketing in a way that feels good for YOU. Because that's what being in business is, right - you're the boss, you make the rules. You get to choose the strategies that work best for you and your business, and when you do that, marketing for introverts AND extroverts doesn't have to be overwhelming or draining. I can't wait for you to hear more!

Marketing for Photographers & Small Businesses - Why You Need Backups: It's Good Business {Ep 075} Oct 15, 2021

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/075

Facebook and Instagram went down, the news is CHAOS, right? What if you ONLY had Facebook for your business? What if Instagram is the only way that you can connect with your people? You would be pretty upset with it being down for 7 hours on a Monday! In this episode we are going to talk about another option that you might want to explore - email marketing. WHY do you need email marketing, why do you need a backup at all, instead of relying solely on social media? You might be surprised at some of the statistics! Listen in, then let me know - what is YOUR backup in your marketing efforts, so that you can reach the people that want to work with you?

Facebook Ads, Feminism And Confidence With Jenn Spivak {Ep 074} Oct 01, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/074

Are you ready for an episode that might make you... a little uncomfortable? In the BEST possible way, of course! Jenn Spivak is the CEO and Founder of #TEAMSPIVAK, and our conversation is FIRE. If you are a female business owner, you need to hear this episode. If you are a male business owner, you need to hear this episode. Basically, if you have a pulse and run a business - you need this episode! We break down Facebook ads for small business - because that is Jenn's zone of genius, but we also talk about what it means to have CONFIDENCE in business. Because I am not exaggerating when I say that can be LIFE CHANGING. We are going to break down being a WOMAN in business: what that really means and what it can look like, how Facebook ads for small business can be SUPER freakin' easy, and owning confidence in your own expertise and your business! Sounds awesome, right? I'm a little biased but... it is. Seriously, keep reading and listening!

Work Life Balance: Does it Really Exist? with Andrea Maxim {Ep 073} Sep 02, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/073

Hey there amazing entrepreneurs & business owners - ready to talk about that elusive unicorn of work life balance? Quite frankly - this is something I really struggle with chatting about on the podcast because I feel like it is sexist to even ask women how they handle it all as a mom and business owner, when men are not asked the same question, but I know that so many of my students are trying to figure this out, so we are going to dive into it today! Andrea Maxim is a naturopathic doctor and Founder of the MAXIMized Practitioner Method helping health and wellness practitioners create a 6-figure business while having a life outside of the office. And if you're thinking of hitting that stop button - wait - because the amazing wisdom that she has to share is applicable for ANY business owner. Even if you don't have kids, chances are you have other things that are vying for your attention, whether you have other family members, friends, responsibilities, or even a day job, so we are going to look at the reality of really working on your dreams, even when you have other responsibilities too! Listen in as we talk about growing a business while trying to balance LIFE with working towards your biggest goals!

Marketing for Small Businesses by Adding Products with Christina Scalera {Ep 072} Aug 26, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/072

How the heck can we diversify our income? As a service based business owner, it is something that I have been asked and considered myself as well as marketing for small businesses. I'm so excited for today's guest and the information that we have available today, because the struggle is REAL - am I right? I am super excited to be able to have this boss on my podcast today! Christina Scalera is an attorney and founder behind The Contract Shop - providing contract templates and legal paperwork for business owners without hiring an attorney. She now has an online course that teaches people how to take their service based businesses, and start selling digital products online. Marketing for small business owners can seem DAUNTING - so why add another thing to your never ending to-do list? Because having multiple streams of income is not only a smart move and how most millionaires get to where they're at financially, but in our current climate with the chaos around us - it is absolutely necessary. Having an online shop might seem kind of silly for a service based business owner, but think of some of the things that people ask you regularly for inside of your business, that you can be repurposing and selling online! Marketing for small business owners does NOT just mean social media or ads, you have so many options when it comes to sharing your business and your skills. Christina has a ton of ideas and has taken her online shop WAY past what she ever thought was possible, I can't wait for you to listen in on Christina's expertise!

Grow Your Photography Business Legal & Mistakes & Outsourcing With Rachel Brenke {Ep 071} Jun 24, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/071

Welcome back awesome business owners - I know I say this a lot, but I am truly excited to bring you today's episode! Today I have the honor to spend time with the ever amazing Rachel Brenke, who is multi-faceted entrepreneur who has created businesses from the ground-up that supports the life she wants to lead. And can I just tell you on a personal note, that Rachel's resources are AH-mazing, I always check her site first if there's a contract or something that I need! I have used her contracts with my team, with my clients, and with my students, they are solid and so easy to download and implement! So sidenote - if you need a template, check out Rachel's site HERE. Back to the episode, right? So you pull out all the stops to grow your photography business or creative business, but is it possible that you might be missing something? I work with a lot of photographers and creative entrepreneurs that are primarily service based - like aestheticians, wedding professionals, even chocolatiers - and most of them are not brand new, but have a few years under their belts. They're starting to learn that maybe they can't do it all, all the time. I have heard SEVERAL of my students tell me that they don't really need a full contract, because they're not charging THAT much, and they're just not big enough to really need something legal in place. Rachel and I talk about contracts. Legal requirements and things to think about. Niching down, how to grow your photography business or creative business, and website help - in short, this episode has a TON of valuable information!

Building A Team & Outsourcing Hiring Tips For Small Business Owners With Liz Goddard {Ep 070} Jun 17, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/070

Welcome back to another episode of Business Straight Up! In today's episode, we are going to talk all about building a team and hiring tips for small business owners. SO IMPORTANT for building a business that is sustainable! Today's guest is Liz Goddard, and she runs Bosun and works with small business owners to scale quickly and safely, so that they set their business up for success & sustainability - even in times of crisis or recession. Now before you switch this episode off, thinking that it doesn't apply to you because you might be a more service based business, can I just tell you how much working with my team has been absolutely life changing for me in my business? I don't use those words lightly! Being able to work with a team who can help me with the day to day tasks is so crazy valuable, even when it seems overwhelming or like something that you can't quite afford just yet. So today we are going to talk all about outsourcing and getting the help you need when it comes to running your business. And without further ado, let's dive right in!

How To Run A Creative Business In The Midst Of Challenges 4 Things You MUST Know {Ep 069} Jun 10, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/069

Welcome back to the Business Straight Up podcast, the place to be if you want to be able to market your business and run it smarter, not harder, so you can actually make a living doing what you love! Welcome to episode 069! I've put this off because it wasn't perfect - something we're going to talk about in a few - but I gave up putting it off because done is better than perfect. Even if my voice is a little rough and my hair isn't dried yet - we're doing this! So where the heck have I been? Loaded question, I know. If you're in my Facebook group, which you can access at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community , you'll know that life has been a little crazy for me lately. In this episode I wanted to share where I've been and why the podcast had a little break, but even more importantly, I'm going to share 4 things I really want you to know when outside circumstances affect you and your business and you feel like freaking the EFF out. Scheduling your days as a CEO... when it all goes awry, what do you do? One of the best parts of running your own business is that you get to build your own schedule - which can be both a blessing and a curse.

I've done episodes on this before, so if you want to hear more about creating your own schedule so that your business fits into your life, instead of your life fitting into your business, check out https://boldwithbrooke.com/043 and https://boldwithbrooke.com/044 for more details on how our schedule runs every day. Let's talk about 4 things you must know when it comes to running a creative business when things are NOT going as planned in your life or business!

Alignment & Habits To Grow Your Business With Erika Diaz - Castro {Ep 068} Apr 21, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/068

Habits to grow your business are absolutely necessary for every successful business, however, this is not an easy task, especially with the turmoil and chaos that we're all seeing right now. In this episode, we're going to talk about thriving instead of just surviving, what does that actually look like? We are are going to talk about consistency and habits and integrity and commitment. All of these things that are crazy important for the success of your business. Today's guest is Erika Diaz Castro, who is an amazing business owner and podcaster. Erika loves helping female leaders bridge the gap between their personal and professional growth, so that they can break through those personal limitations that we all hear in our brains to create a life that they love. Before you press that play button, I just want to share a note, you ARE worth the life that you want. You deserve everything you desire, and you can HAVE it!

Sneak Peek Into Websites That Convert FREE Class {Ep 067} Mar 31, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/067

Are you ready for a sneak peek? A secret look, the inside scoop? In today's episode, we are going to chat about creative business & photography website tips that you can implement to really embrace putting your website to WORK. Websites that convert will turn into one of the most valuable pieces of your business! The reality is that you can be the best photographer, artist, teacher or WHATEVER YOU DO in the world and still make nothing if you can't market yourself and your business. A huge part of that marketing strategy is your website. Websites that convert are very much possible and in this episode, we will be discussing effective photography website tips that you need to do ASAP to get the website of your dreams! So come join me in this episode as we discuss the valuable steps you can take to market your business through your website.

Tiny Offers & Expanding Your Audience With Allie Bjerk {Ep 066} Mar 24, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/066

I am SUPER excited to have an amazing guest today! Allie Bjerk is a visibility strategist, coach and consultant that has helped hundreds of business owners create visibility strategies and marketing plans to grow their business to be super profitable. I am personally one of her students, and while I haven't had the time to completely finish her Tiny Offers course, I can attest to the knowledge and drive that is behind this powerhouse coach, and I'm excited to have her as a guest today! In today's episode, we talk about the fears that you may be facing when it comes to really showing up in your business and marketing and your messaging and achieving consistency. Expanding your audience can be a challenge for ANY small business owner, and Allie is a rockstar when it comes to marketing and growing. We are going to talk about growth. Expanding your audience and offerings to meet your clients where they're at. Goals - how to set them to be successful, and what it really means to invest in yourself.

Website Errors for Photographers & Small Businesses: What to Fix Part 2 {Ep 065} Mar 19, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/065

A website is our business' home online, and is usually the customer's first point of contact before doing business with the company. This is your handshake to the world, and it makes me cringe every time I hear someone tell me that they don't love their website! In order for it to be in tip-top shape, we need to avoid the most common website errors that I see when I review small business websites. And y'all, I have seen a LOT of websites. I may or may not be a little old when it comes to the online world, just sayin'. If you did NOT hear the first episode that is part one of the top website mistakes, click here to listen to part 1 in this series. The first episode had 5 mistakes, this one will have the next 5 but really - the list that I made is over 25 items long. I see a lot of mistakes pretty consistently when I'm doing website critiques, and when I'm looking for people to work with, so this is part 2 of the grand list of what I see most. So, please press on the play button to get to the help that your website needs! Onto part 2!

Stories & Website Copy for Photographers & Creatives with Sarah Braud {Ep 064} Mar 11, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/064

Creating a website copy for photographers may not be an easy feat but today's guest, the Sarah Braud is a story WIZARD. Well, what does that exactly mean? We will delve into that in this episode. If you're ready to ramp up your marketing strategy then please, join us because today, we talked about what goes into your marketing, what to say in your marketing, how to know what to include in your marketing. How do you even find out what people want to hear and what resonates with them? How do you get people to actually listen in and when you only have a very limited space? How do you know what to fit when it comes to one liners. headliners are headlines, taglines, all the things? Thank you for pressing play, and including me in your day just a little bit. I'm sure you'll enjoy the episode!

Part 2: My Top Lessons From The Chaos Of 2020 {Ep 063} Mar 09, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/063

Here we go, welcoming March 2021, with part two of the lessons that I learned from the chaos that was 2020. So if you haven't heard part one, I want to invite you to listen to part one here. What a chaotic year that was, right? It was really hard to look back at 2020 and see the good, even though of course we know, there's good in everyday stuff. Overall, I didn't meet some of my goals and it just didn't feel like a year full of wins. But when I really started thinking about some of the things that we went through in 2020, and the challenges that we faced, and how we figured it out anyway, I actually ended up with a page filled with of all the wins from 2020. Even if they were small, it's important to celebrate those wins, and sometimes I have to remind myself of that as well. In celebrating those wins, I believe it's also important to share the thoughts and realizations that made me stronger while facing the chaos that we were all going through. I hope these will inspire you too!

Confidence In Facebook Ads For Photographers & Creative Business Owners With Rita Barry {Ep 062} Feb 25, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/062

Facebook ads for photographers and social media marketing, in general, can be intimidating and overwhelming. With all the updates and working pieces involved to get this going, it is hard to keep up. But today’s guest, Rita Barry is a digital marketing powerhouse and a brilliant businesswoman who has shared a lot of strategies when it comes to measuring the metrics in your business that are most important. In this episode, we are going to talk about how you can harness the power of social advertising. We're also going to chat about metrics like what the heck are we measuring? What the heck are we looking for when it comes to growth? What does that even look like? Are we looking at traffic? Are we looking at clicks? Are we looking at views? What do we need to measure when it comes to really know if all of this effort that we're putting into things is actually working? Like is it worth it? How do we know? All of these and more will be discussed in this episode. So let’s go on over and dive into social ads and metrics and all the things you need to know about social media marketing.

My Top Lessons From The Chaos Of 2020 Part 1 {Ep 061} Feb 24, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/061

Lessons Learned from 2020 - Part 1 {Ep 061} I was joking in my Facebook group that I feel like 2020 should be a verb now, right? When you had a plan for the beginning of 2020, and it didn't work out the way that you wanted it to. We're gonna say it was 2020'd. Seems about right! All kidding aside, let's all give ourselves a pat on the back for winning despite the challenges that were brought upon us. And so, in this episode, I wanted to share with you the things that I learned, the things that I reflected on, and the things that I have been journaling on throughout last year. Lessons that have helped me overcome the giant hurdle that was 2020. I hope you'll find it useful and inspiring enough to push you towards taking small steps towards your goal.

Sales Tips For Business Owners & Photography Sales With Debora Jones {Ep 060} Feb 17, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/060

Sales - although an integral part of a business can be intimidating for most as it is often considered a complex and difficult process. But it doesn't have to be and today's guest, Debora Jones has shared a lot of insightful sales tips for business owners like yourself. No matter what business you run, sales are absolutely necessary, and I know that for me, photography sales is something that I teach and share with my students often! In this episode we are going to discuss effective ways to overcome your fear so you can finally apply this valuable skill to your business. Debora is a strategic executive & business owner with expertise in driving revenue, building resonating services, market engagement, customer management and operations. And if you heard that and just kind of checked out - don't press STOP! Revenue, services, engagement and operations are something that EVERY business needs, not just in the corporate world, they just look different when it comes to smaller businesses, so listen in!

Instagram for Photographers and Creatives: Growth & Measurement with Karen Rich {Ep 059} Feb 10, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/059

As a creative, showing our work is a huge part of what we do online, because that's our art, right? That's what we do. That's what we sell. But so many of us just kind of slap up a social media account, have really no idea how to use it strategically. This is why I am excited for you to meet today's guest. She is a social media Rockstar and educator, as well as a strategist when it comes to Instagram for photographers and creatives. Karen Rich went from being a media advertising executive, an ad agency principal, to running her own business helping people harness the power of social media. So many people think that I hate social media because I talk about email marketing so much, but really nothing could be further from the truth. I just want people to understand that we can't necessarily rely on just one marketing strategy. Instagram for photographers and creatives is just one part of an overall marketing strategy. There are so many pieces that go into successful marketing in this giant umbrella that we know of when it comes to marketing our businesses, and social media is an amazing opportunity. So join us as we discuss the various strategies you can use to set up a strategy when it comes to social media marketing!

How I Use This Sample Business Plan Process To Plan My Year In Business & Life! {Ep 058} Feb 05, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/058

Welcome back, business owners to another episode of Business Straight Up, the podcast for creative business owners who want to actually make a living doing what they love. In this episode, I'm going to show you my linear calendar, and how I plan my year as a creative business owner who actually runs TWO businesses! While this is a sample business plan, it's also a plan for LIFE, because when you have kids and run 2 businesses, there is a lot to organize! I cannot take credit for this, the overall concept came from one of my mentors Todd Herman who is famous for the 90 day year. Some of you may remember that I work with 90-day increments and that is still true. I will discuss my strategic planning process and how I set aside a day each quarter to develop my business plan outline and really go through the details of the next 90 days to make sure it's in alignment with the current calendar. And if it's not, change it up! So many of us - myself included - are afraid to make a decision because we feel like it's final, but the reality is that when you run your own business, you make the rules! If 2020 taught us ANYTHING it's that we can always change things up, right? Ready to get some one-on-one help to grow your business BEYOND listening to podcasts for photographers or creative business owners? We can work past this sample business plan, or work on whatever you need help with. I'm here to help! We work together, in person or via Zoom, in an intimate setting to really sit down and look at your business. Click here for different options and more information!

Managing Small Business Finances: REAL Talk With Tiffany Bastian {Ep 057} Jan 27, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/057

Welcome back amazing business owners, to another episode of Business Straight Up, the podcast for creative business owners and photographers who want to actually make a living doing what they love. Today's episode hits home for me - because finances are definitely not a strength. But I'm learning, and work with some amazing people to help me walk through what I need to do. Today's guest is one of them! Tiffany Bastian is the owner of Bastian Accounting, working exclusively with photographers to help them gain control of their finances through accurate bookkeeping & taxes. She is also a mom, wife, dog mom and total Margarita Snob, and just a spectacular resource for business finances. We are going to talk about doing the hard things, even when we don't want to, having your OWN financial security just in case, and things to think about when it comes to running a successful business and the finances behind the scenes.

Small Business Marketing in 2021: What's Working and What to Focus On {Ep 056} Jan 20, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/056

Welcome back business owners and entrepreneurs to another episode of Business Straight Up! Have I got a treat for you - today is the first time that I've EVER had a guest twice, and she is such an amazing resource of information, I couldn't wait to have her on again! Stacey Harris is the CEO of an agency called Uncommonly More. Their focus is on podcasters looking to use their show as a piece of their overall business marketing strategy. Stacey is brilliant in marketing, and every time I listen to her podcast I find myself going YESSSS over and over again. Then there are some guests that I feel like I can chat with for hours, and Stacey is one of them. In this candid conversation we talk about the craziness that was 2020, what that looked like for businesses, and what 2021 will bring us in the marketing and business world. What to focus on, what to think about, and things to consider. Join us in welcoming the new year with the awesome Stacey Harris!

2021 New Year's Update {Ep 055} | Podcasts for Photographers Jan 07, 2021

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/055

Welcome back awesome business owners to another episode of Business Straight Up, the podcast for photographers and creative business owners who want to actually earn a living doing what they love! Today's episode is an update and a VERY fun announcement. New things coming in the new year, congratulations on getting through 2020, and some things to look out for! Instagram, YouTube, Book Club, Accountability and more - we are going to welcome the new year with a bang and talk about changes that we can ALL make in the new year to fully embrace this fresh start.

Some links mentioned in the show:

Mentoring is now available: http://www.boldwithbrooke.com/mentoring

BSU Community: http://www.boldwithbrooke.com/community

YouTube Channel and Episodes: http://www.boldwithbrooke.com/youtube

5 Reasons You Need This TOP Marketing Strategy in 2021 and Beyond {Ep 054} Dec 11, 2020

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/054

Welcome back to another episode of Business Straight Up - the podcast for photographers and creative business owners who want to actually make a living doing what they love! Today I'm switching things up a little, and going unscripted! So here it is - I'm just going to say it: you need to start implementing this TOP marketing strategy in 2021 and beyond. In this episode we are going to dive into 5 reasons WHY! Email marketing is one of my top marketing strategies that I have used to bring my boudoir business to multiple six figures, and if you are not using this in your business, you are missing out on a HUGE opportunity. Listen in to find out WHY it's important, and how to start! Register for the upcoming masterclass on email marketing: http://www.inboxtobooked.com

Email Marketing for Creatives & Artists with Megan Auman {Ep 053} Dec 04, 2020

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/053

Email marketing for creatives & artists is something that is SO underused, often out of fear. In today's episode of Business Straight Up, we are going to dive into moving PAST the fear to really embrace marketing and showing off what you do, proudly, so that people can hire you and pay you! Megan Auman is an artist and metalsmith who runs a very successful business selling her work, and knows how scary it can be to really step into marketing and putting yourself out there. She also knows how IMPORTANT it is, and will share how she got past the fear. Listen in!

My Top 5 Black Friday Business Buys {Ep 052} Nov 27, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/052

Welcome to another episode of Business Straight Up, Happy Black Friday! LISTEN TO THIS before shopping for your business for Black Friday - no, really. Today we are going to talk about my top 5 purchases for your business when it comes to Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Do you really NEED that piece of gear? What would be an awesome choice that will truly be an investment? What will help you feel less stressed or stretched thin throughout the year? We are going to talk all about Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, and how to know if something will really be a good fit in your business!

10 Content Ideas for Email Marketing, Blog Posts & Social {Ep 051} Nov 25, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/051

CONTENT - you may think that it's just about what you do, right? WRONG! In this episode of Business Straight Up, we are going to talk about 10 content ideas for email marketing, blog posts and social media that you may not think really matter. Content can help you build the KLT factor - know, like and trust - and will keep you top of mind when someone needs what you specialize in. Let's dive in and get you some content ideas!

3 Things You MUST Know About Small Business Marketing {Ep 050} Nov 18, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/050

HOORAY it's episode 50 y'all! Welcome to Business Straight Up - the podcast for photographers and creatives who want to actually make a living doing what they love. I have skipped a couple of episodes, because... well because life. And the election. And heavy hearts trying to wade through all of the vitriol. I wanted episode 50 to be a milestone, not something clouded by decisions to be made elsewhere, so I waited, and I'm really, really glad I did. In this episode we are going to go into 3 things you MUST know about marketing. And dare I say - not just KNOW about marketing, but really embrace in your heart when it comes to your business. Because business means two things - leads and sales - and marketing is what can reach out to someone who might be a lead, so that you can offer them the service that you provide, so that they can exchange value (money) for what you do. That's kind of just the bottom line in marketing and sales, and there are a few things to know that will really break it down, so that we can let go of the slimy stories that we sometimes hold onto that don't serve us! Listen in, and let me know what YOU are going to let go of moving forward at https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/community If you want to be on the waitlist and get in on the free email marketing masterclass, head to http://www.inboxtobooked.com - it opens in December for a limited time!

3 Ways To Help Increase Traffic So Your Content Is SEEN By Ideal Clients with Janet Mesh {Ep 049} Oct 22, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/049

3 Ways To Increase Traffic So Your Content is SEEN by Ideal Clients {Ep 049}

Welcome back amazing business owners! Today we are going to talk with the amazing Janet Mesh of Aimtal marketing. It can be so frustrating to keep creating content and captions and then actually wonder if anyone is listening. Today we are going to chat about how to get your content actually SEEN, so that you're not talking to yourself, right? If you love this episode, I would be ever so grateful if you would head over to iTunes and leave a review - those reviews help so much, I want to know how I can help you. Let's dive into today's episode!

4 Must Haves For A Solid Foundation In Marketing For Photographers {Ep 048} Oct 14, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/048

Hey hey awesome business owners - today we are going to chat about four things that will help you with a solid foundation BEFORE you start marketing. Do you have to have them to start marketing? No. BUT if you do, it will make your marketing SO MUCH easier. Knowing who you serve, what you offer, and how you best serve them will make your messaging extremely clear - and I think we can all agree that clarity in messaging makes our lives easier, right? If you LOVED this episode, I want to encourage you to attend the Boudoir Marketing Masterclass, which will be recorded live very soon! We are going to go through these things and how to actually build your marketing as well. This was a VERY highly rated class that I taught at WPPI 2020, and I'm excited to have it online for the first time ever. If you attend live, you'll even get a special bonus - so check it out at https://boldwithbrooke.com/bmm I want to know the good, bad and ugly - all the things that you have experienced when it comes to marketing and growing your business.

Leave a comment in the shownotes, or in the Business Straight Up community, which can be accessed at https://boldwithbrooke.com/community Always remember that what you do, matters. Your gift matters. The amazing way that you serve your clients and customers matters. Learning to set yourself up for success in your business, craft your messaging to reach out to those clients and customers, and get that messaging in front of them, is SO important, so that you can impact more lives with your gift. I can't wait to see what you do with your kickass self in business and in life, have an amazing rest of your day, we'll talk soon!

5 Emails to Welcome Your Potential Clients - Email Marketing for Photographers {Ep 047} Oct 09, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/047

Welcome back amazing business owners to another episode of Business Straight Up - the podcast for creative business owners who actually want to make a living doing what they love! Today's episode is going to be all about the 5 emails that you need to have in your welcome sequence, or funnel, to walk your ideal potential clients through learning more about you, introducing themselves, and actually BOOKING you. Yes - we're going into email marketing. But really, this concept can be used in other ways too. Some of my students have even used it in PM's on social media! No matter where you implement them, today I'm going to walk you through 5 emails (plus 1 bonus!) that you need to include when welcoming the people who want to hear from you MOST.

One of My Most Successful Photography Marketing Strategies: Gift Vouchers in Marketing {Ep 046} Sep 29, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/046

One Of My MOST Successsful Photography Marketing Strategies: Gift Vouchers for Marketing {Ep 046} Welcome back, amazing business owners & photographers! Ready to chat about one of my most successful photography marketing strategies? Are you on the edge of your seat like BROOKE what are these things? Drum roll please... gift vouchers for marketing! This is a very special BONUS mini episode today, to celebrate the launch of the shop! Today we are going to chat about one of the most successful photography marketing strategies that I have ever used, inspired by Sue Bryce, tweaked to make it my own with business partnerships. Today's episode is ALL about gift vouchers in marketing, how the heck do you use them, and what does this all look like? For this mini episode, shownotes are going to be a little shorter - however, there is a VIDEO version of this podcast as well, so you can see the gift vouchers, and learn more. Quick note about the video - the audio doesn't entirely align with the video in some spots, and quite frankly, I spent WAY too much time trying to figure this out, and still haven't learned how to align them properly. At this point, it is what it is, and done is better than perfect, so I'm sharing anyway. In future videos, I will try to figure it out and make sure they are properly aligned. To see more about one of my most successful photography marketing strategies and the gift vouchers in marketing live and in person, go to www.boldwithbrooke.com/youtube .

Storytelling in Marketing for Small Business Owners with Nick Demos {Ep 045} Sep 24, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/045

Welcome back to Business Straight Up - business help for photographers and creative business owners! This episode is so freakin' special to me because it is an interview with an amazing man - yep, a MAN - who is one of those rare people that is actually engaged when you're having a conversation with him. I remember talking with him in California last year, and we were able to just connect on a level that most conversations don't really happen on anymore. We are all so distracted, with things competing for our attention over and over again, and it can be so impactful to really CONNECT with someone when you talk to them, instead of constantly thinking about something else. Nick Demos is a Tony award winning Broadway producer who has spent his life telling stories in different formats, from the stage to now in his own life and business, and today's episode is ALL about the stories that you can share in your marketing that will really have an impact on your business. So many of my students share that they don't think they're very interesting, and don't really have any stories to share, but I want to ASSURE you that there are so many things that your clients want to know! Nick and I will outline some suggestions and ideas today, and you might hear a few AMENs in the mix because of some truth bombs. This episode was recorded in early 2020, so you will hear some references to the Super Bowl, and yes, things have changed a LOT. BUT - the need to share more of yourself and your story with your audience hasn't changed, it is still crazy relevant and I'm excited to share this episode with you! Because of the delay in publishing the episode, I wanted to make sure to share Nick's current workshop that is available, Align Your Niche. Because if you don't know who you serve and who you want to attract, how the heck can you decide on ANY of your marketing? I am SO aligned with that message and have felt it in both of my businesses! To find out more about Align Your Niche with Nick, check out the shownotes at www.boldwithbrooke.com/045 for more details, the link will be there. Ready to learn more about storytelling and how you're not as boring as you think? Let's go!

Running a Business with Kids at Home - Productivity for Small Business Owners {Ep 044} Sep 17, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/044

Welcome back amazing business owners! We are going to talk today about some tips for either homeschooling or hybrid schooling or online schooling, or whatever the heck you're doing right now. We're all in a bit of a chaotic place right now, right? Schools are all over the place, and no one is really sure which way is up! Heads up, this episode was originally really long, and I split it into two - because I wanted to break it up and make it a little easier to digest. Running a business with kids at home can be overwhelming at times, and today I have some tips and tricks for you to master it, so that you can maintain your own sanity. Productivity for small business is a necessary skill, and once you can learn a few tricks, you can get so much more done!

How to Schedule Your Days as a CEO & Parent {Ep 043} Sep 02, 2020

View full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/043

How to schedule your days as a CEO and parent - what a loaded topic, right? Even if you're NOT a parent, chances are you have other obligations or things that you have to take care of. Figuring out how to schedule your days when it comes to running a successful and profitable business can be overwhelming, and too often, CEO's end up working a LOT. In 2020, the year of the unknown, and basically the entire world changing in front of our eyes. Back to school this year was different for almost every parent that I know, and it continues to be changing almost weekly. Some parents have been able to send their kids back to school and go back to really working on their businesses, but some are in situations they have never found themselves in before. Some are homeschooling, some are having to do a hybrid model online, and some are facing huge decisions because of all of this. And with all of the things that we have to look at when it comes to these changes, we are left with the question: how to schedule your day as a CEO and parent. Even if you are NOT a parent or if your kids are grown, I want to encourage you to listen in, because this episode will be full of value for ALL business owners. Most of us have something else that we have to focus on, whether it's our children, a parent, a day job, or something else that distracts us from really working ON our businesses, instead of IN our businesses. And I am saying this with all of the love in the world because guess what - I've been there. In almost all of these situations. And this episode is going to outline how we schedule our time as a family, with several sample schedules, depending on the stage of life that you're in, when you're trying to run a business and do LIFE all at once. In this episode, we are going to walk through some of my strategies for scheduling life before and during 2020. I will talk more about our history with schooling and how we were thrown into online and homeschooling. If you are not one of those parents that was looking forward to homeschooling from day one - you are NOT alone - and you can still handle all of this! We are going to go through sample schedules, and how to schedule your day as a CEO and parent in several different situations. SO MANY of my students have asked me how I schedule my days. I'm going to share all of my tips and tricks and the hard-earned, tear-filled lessons in this episode, but first, I want you to know one essential truth when it comes to how to schedule your day as a CEO and parent: There is no one standard schedule that will work for every single person.

3 Ways to Find Your Ideal Clients & Step Into Sales with Luci Dumas {Ep 042} Aug 05, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/042

In today's episode, I am excited to chat with the awesome Luci Dumas - long time photographer and coach who has been through recessions and beaten the odds with her 38 years in business. We are going to chat about two things that MUST be present for a successful creative business - marketing, and sales. Luci details three ways to find your ideal clients who not only want your services, but are willing to pay for it, and we also talk about stepping fully into a position of leadership so that you are a trusted advisor for your clients. Offering them the higher level of service will not only propel your business forward, but change the perspective on what so many consider to be the uncomfortable side of running a business - SALES!

3 Steps to Self Care for Entrepreneurs {Ep 041} Jul 31, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/041

In today's episode, we are going to chat about taking care of YOURSELF as an entrepreneur and business owner right now. I have seen my fellow CEO's and moms freaking out because of decisions that have to be made for the upcoming school year, and the guidelines that we are looking at, and MAN it is not an easy season for the CEO's who work from home and are suddenly in the midst of finding themselves having to DO IT ALL. Right now, we have to be super focused on everyone else's needs because we don't have the village that we all talk about yet somehow can't find. And that is happening in the best of times, throw in a pandemic? All bets are off. Let's look at some actionable steps to take care of yourself in this season so that you can better serve your family, your clients and your students in an amazing way.

Self Love and Entrepreneurship with Shafonne Myers {Ep 040} Jul 15, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/040

Raise your hand if you've ever had some SERIOUS doubt about your ability to actually make this whole business idea WORK? I know I have! Welcome back to another episode of Business Straight Up with Brooke Summer - and this one is going to be something that kind of merges my two businesses together. Today's episode is ALL about self love and entrepreneurship - because I promise you that if you continue to ignore self love and confidence in your life and business, you won't be able to achieve your BIGGEST goals.

Boundaries, Safety & Trusting Yourself in Growing Your Business {Ep 039} Jul 09, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/039

Hello there, amazing business owners and fellow entrepreneurs! This episode is going to be a little DIFFERENT from what you're used to. It was originally recorded earlier today (July 9, 2020) after a whirlwind 48 hours where a very large boudoir photography group and forum imploded amidst allegations of sexual misconduct, among other things. It's a little raw, and includes some tears and swear words, so if there are littles around, put in those earbuds! Unless your kids are used to swear words, like my own. We are going to talk about fears. About just starting out in a new business. About trusting yourself in growing your business. About your rights and boundaries and honoring them. And so much more. This news has been heartbreaking and infuriating and I want to be 100% completely clear: the actions of the founders of Do More Photographers do NOT align with my own core values in my photography business, or in my teaching business. I was an educator on the Do More forum, and like most of the educators and admins who have left, I am absolutely not okay with what has happened. Listen in to hear more.

Top Small Business Website Mistakes: Part 1 {Ep 038} Jun 11, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/038

Well hello there, amazing business owners! Today we are going to chat about the most common website mistakes that I see when I review small business websites. I have done a LOT of website critiques, even before I did them in video format, I have done them locally for about 10 years now. There are a few mistakes that I see over and over and over again, and when I sat down to write out this episode, I actually came up with OVER 20 that I see consistently. I wanted to keep this short and sweet because right now we are all working between kids and chaos, and so I had to leave some out. So we'll start with the most common, and the BIGGEST mistakes that I see. If you loved this episode, don't forget to head over to iTunes and leave a review. It only takes a few minutes but means the world to me and my team, and we have a special gift for you when you do! Type out the review, take a screenshot and send it over to hello@boldwithbrooke.com so that we can send you a special gift! We appreciate the reviews so much, so I want to thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts!

Small Business Website Copy Tips with Kimberley Anderson {Ep 037} Jun 05, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/037

Welcome back, ready for some website help? The words that you put onto your website are CRAZY important when it comes to how your website will perform in turning visitors into inquiries, and then into paid clients! This episode features an amazing copywriter who specializes in writing copy for creative businesses - and can I just tell you how IMPORTANT your messaging is, and how much this information matters? It is so underrated and is something that needs to be discussed more! Kimberley Anderson is the genius behind Red Curl Creative and today we are going to talk about common website mistakes, why copy for your website is different than other writing and marketing, three things that MUST be conveyed on your website, and a secret weapon that you already have in your business that can be a HUGE wealth of content for you when you don't know what to write. Yup - you most likely already have this in place in your business, and you can pull SO MANY stories out of it - Kim really stunned me with that one, what an amazing idea!

How to Organize Website Updates to Boost Productivity {Ep 036} May 27, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/036

It is a beautiful thing to be consistently learning new things, and growing in your life and your business! But when you are learning and reading and listening to amazing resources and fellow business owners, how do you keep track of the things that you want to take in and implement in your own business? Especially website changes! When it comes to the things that you learn and want to use on your own website, how can you keep track of them and get them done, even if you don't have the bandwidth or energy at the time that you learn them? Today's episode is all about a way to organize the ideas and suggestions that you learn, so that you can be productive and get things DONE on your website, in a short amount of time! The feeling of getting something DONE is an awesome feeling, so check out the episode and let me know what was your favorite takeaway!

How to Grow a Photography Business FAST with Kelli Marie {Ep 035} May 21, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/035

In today's episode, we are going to talk about growing quickly and deciding what you can do to help your photography business grow fast even if you’re not booking as many clients as you want to be right now. We’re also going to dive into model calls, revenue, amazing client experience, pre-session payment plans - in short, everything you need for a killer photography business, and how to grow a photography business FAST, with the ever awesome Kelli Marie! While today's episode will speak specifically to photographers, these are basic business principals that can apply to ANY creative business, listen in.

5 Business Lessons from Frozen 2 {Ep 34} | Creative & Photography Business Help May 07, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/034

Today's episode is going to sound like kind of an odd one - but I PROMISE I will bring it back to your business for some photography business help, so give me a few minutes of your time! Today we are going to talk about 5 Business Lessons from the Disney Movie Frozen 2. Weird? Maybe. But I swear at least 3 of these lessons will apply to you. Whether you're struggling with alignment and making sure that you are in the right place to best serve your clients, surrounding yourself with amazing people who support and encourage you, or just moving forward when something is difficult - today's episode will give you something to listen to that has a little bit of hope, wrapped up in things to think about to improve your business and your life.

Real Talk: Small Business in COVID-19 Pandemic Times {Ep 033} Apr 08, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/033

We are in the middle of a global pandemic that is seriously affecting small businesses - and we are hearing a TON of crazy information at this time. So here is some REAL talk, with what days look like, and some HOPE for all business owners right now.

Why You MUST Sell Your Services & Get Past Impostor Syndrome with Ash Ambirge {Ep 032} Feb 12, 2020

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/032

How many times have you ever questioned, "Who am I to be doing that? Charging that? Sharing that?" I'm over here raising my hand because I have SO been there. Impostor syndrome is REAL, and it is something that can keep us trapped in a world of sameness, instead of stepping into our power and awesomeness. I am SO excited for today's episode with Ash Ambirge, of The Middle Finger Project. We are going to talk about impostor syndrome, guilt, money, business, and perfectionism. Because NONE of us ever struggle with any of those, right? I hope you can hear the sarcasm - these things are REAL and Ash has some amazing advice to help!

WPPI Schedule And Why - 3 Reasons To Attend WPPI {Ep 031} Feb 05, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/031

Hey there awesome business owners, today's episode is going to be a little different. We are going to go into my TOP 3 reasons for attending WPPI, and then I have a few other educators that wanted to share too! Spoiler alert: the reasons to attend may be entirely different than what you're thinking, especially #1. Are you coming to WPPI with us? I want to know!

WPPI Tips for Photographers - My Top 10! {Ep 30} Jan 22, 2020

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/030

WPPI can be crazy overwhelming, especially if it's your first time. And if it is NOT your first time - it's still absolutely relevant and important to talk with your colleagues, and meet new ones! In this episode, we are going to go into my Top 10 WPPI Tips for Photographers.

Websites for Photographers: Websites that Convert {Ep 029} Dec 05, 2019

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/029

Today's episode is going to be a little different - we are going to dive into a small piece of the free training that I did earlier this week, called Websites that Convert. Basically - stop apologizing for a half a** website, and start being intentional about your web strategy and design! This is a quickie, a mini episode with a piece of that training, but if you'd like to watch the FULL training, check it out at https://boldwithbrooke.com/photographerwebsites

3 Ways to Create an Amazing Client Experience with Kimberly Sundt {Ep 028} Nov 27, 2019

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/028

In today's episode, we're going to talk about hospitality and creating that amazing client experience, from the FIRST time your client interacts with you (likely online!) until the very end. You might be thinking "but Brooke I need photographer marketing help, I don't work in a hotel and hospitality isn't my jam..." and yes, I feel you. But today's episode will rock your world because hospitality NEEDS to be a part of your overall client experience. What sets you apart. What makes you different.

Are You Ignoring This Tool For Your Website? {Ep 027} Best Photography Websites Nov 19, 2019

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/027

Well hello there, amazing business owners, ready to set yourself up for success with your website? In today's episode of Business Straight Up - the small business podcast for photographers and creative business owners, we are going to go into detail on WHY you need a website blueprint, and HOW to create one. This is one of the most overlooked website tools that can make your life a little easier when it comes to setting up a new website, making changes, or having to switch some things around if chaos happens! Ready to set up a foundation for your website? Let's go!

How To Start Taking Action, Even When You're Not Ready with Jamie Palmer {Ep 025} Jul 16, 2019

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/025

Welcome to another episode of Business Straight Up - today we're going to talk about how you start taking action! How many courses, workshops, and books have you read about your business? How much of that information have you actually implemented? How do move forward to actually change your business and improve it? There’s so much information out there but how do we move from consumption overwhelm to implementation and action. That's exactly what we will go through in today's episode!

You Are Exactly Where You Need To Be. {Ep 024} Jun 24, 2019

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/024

In this episode of Business Straight Up, the podcast for photographers and creatives, we are going to have a VERY quick talk - yep this one is short - about accepting challenges in the season of life that you're in. We also talk about comparison and giving yourself grace when things pop up that might be keeping you from doing exactly what you want to do in this moment.

Email Marketing & Automation with Jenn Smith | Marketing for Photographers {Ep 023} Apr 23, 2019

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/023

In this episode of Business Straight Up, the podcast for photographers and creatives, I talk with Jenn Smith about marketing for photographers and creatives, and email automation. Plus marketing, pricing, and why you should NOT shy away from the conversations that are sometimes hard to have about profit and money!

How to Set and Actually CRUSH Your Goals {022} Apr 02, 2019

Full shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/022

We are almost done with the first quarter of 2019 - and how are you doing with your goals? I recorded this awhile back and wanted to share today how I set my goals each year, and CRUSH them because I'm able to stay focused and actually track the steps to get there. I also have a FREE gift for you, a goals tracking sheet that I have used for the past few years in my business. It's a tool to help you track everything monthly and keep your eye on the bigger picture, so you can actually GET THINGS DONE!

Productivity for Photographers & Creatives with Lauren Armstrong {Ep 021} Mar 07, 2019

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/021

How many of you have learned something new, then done nothing to implement it into your business? Or maybe you sit in your email all day, or doing other small tasks that keep you busy, but they're not actually moving your business forward? I know I have done BOTH - so believe me when I say that I'm not pointing any fingers here, I'm guilty too! In this episode of Business Straight Up, the podcast for photographers and creatives to find business help, we are talking with the amazing Lauren Armstrong, of Create Your Future Academy. She specializes in helping business owners implement the things in their business that will actually help them reach their goals, and finding clarity on what those things actually are!

Email Marketing for Photographers - Why You Can't Afford to Ignore It Any Longer! {Ep 020} Feb 26, 2019

Full shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/020

I know you have probably heard that you need an email list, and you're probably thinking not YET. I'm not big enough yet, I don't even know what I would say! But the reality is that building your marketing efforts on social media ALONE is a dangerous game, and a gamble. Today we talk about the reasons that email marketing is an important tool to add to your marketing strategy, and some upcoming FREE classes to help!

Photography Marketing Ideas that WORK, & A Photography Pricing Guide with Alex Loveland {Ep 019} Feb 04, 2019

Does talking about money make you super uncomfortable? NOT anymore, friends! Today's amazing guest is Alex Chalkley - a crazy successful boudoir photographer based in Virginia, and we have three seriously sweet topics - finances, marketing, and TRAVEL. My three favorite things, right? We are going to talk about Alex's photography pricing guide, as well as her photography marketing ideas that work. Because things have CHANGED, and it's time to get on board! Listen in and let me know what you took away from this - because I'm sure it will be a TON of things, I know I did!

Black Friday for Photographers - What to Focus On, What to Buy, and How to Afford It {Ep 018} Nov 20, 2018

Full shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/018

Here we are - Black Friday time! And there are so many Black Friday deals for photographers, how do you know what to invest in, spend on, and choose? In this episode of Business Straight Up we are going to go through deciding what to buy, and how to afford it, and some realities of thinking like a CEO when purchasing, instead of a shopper!

How to NOT Make $.13 Per Hour Using In Person Sales with Shalista Anderson {Ep 017} Nov 15, 2018

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/017

I know, I know - In Person Sales for Photographers can be TERRIFYING, but in this episode of Business Straight Up, the podcast for creative entrepreneurs and photographers, we are going to break it down! Why to use in person sales, HOW to use in person sales, and what you can do to really move yourself forward to start providing an amazing experience for your clients!

Letting GO of Mom Guilt and Running a Successful Business with Laura Kinser {Ep 016} Oct 09, 2018

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/016

Today's episode is specifically for MOMS. That's right moms, welcome to another episode of Business Straight Up, the podcast for photographers and creative entrepreneurs, today we are going to talk about MOM GUILT and how you can let go of it to build a successful business while being an amazing mom!

Websites That Hook Ideal Clients With Ruth - Ann Bowen {Ep 015} Oct 02, 2018

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/015

Do you have website shame? You know what I'm talking about - when you hand someone a business card or send someone an email and you're not PROUD to have them visit your website! In this episode of Business Straight Up, the podcast for creatives and photographers, we are going to dive into website shame with the amazing Ruth-Ann Bowen, a web strategist and designer!

Creating The PERFECT Message To Reach Out To Your Ideal Clients With Nicki Krawczyk {Ep 014} Sep 11, 2018

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/014

Have you ever sat down in front of your computer with a blank screen in front of you, ready to type something AWESOME out, and you just freeze? In this episode of Business Straight Up, the podcast for photographers and small business owners, I am thrilled to have the amazing Nicki Krawczyk with me to talk about writing copy for your website! Creating a message that resonates with your ideal clients is SO important, and being able to adequately express that message is another beast entirely. We are going to go into creating and sharing that message, to attract the people you most want to work with!

Creating Emotion & Connection in Your Brand - Minisode {Ep 014a} Sep 11, 2018

Full shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/014a

We all have experiences daily that affect us in positive and negative ways. When these experiences are with businesses, we learn more about who we want to be as business owners, and how we want to treat our own clients. These episodes are short and sweet, something you can listen to quickly, unedited, and full of things to think about when it comes to running your own business. Think of the Business Lessons Shorts as little BONUS episodes, in addition to the regular episodes you've come to know and love.

While the Business Lessons Shorts won't have shownotes, you can view the standard episode shownotes at http://www.boldwithbrooke.com/podcast

Blogging, publication and doing MORE with less time, with Cheryl Chastain! {Ep 013} Sep 06, 2018

I know what you're wondering - is blogging even still relevant, with all of the social media capabilities now? Short answer - YES! In this episode of Business Straight Up, the small business podcast for photographers and creatives, we discuss why blogging is still absolutely relevant, and what it can do for your business. Plus, ideas on what to write about, and best practices to get more done in less time!

Exposure Doesn't Pay - When to Work For Free {Ep 012} Aug 28, 2018

Full Shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/012

In this episode of Business Straight Up - the podcast for photographers and creative entrepreneurs, we are going to talk about the four letter dirty word... FREE. Yep I said it! You've made it! People know who you are! And now they're asking you to work for free. There's always a reason, whether valid at this point in your life and business or not, and it can be hard to say no. So how do you know when you should work for free? I have guidelines for you! This has been one of my most popular articles and I expanded in this episode with a bonus reason. Download the cheatsheet at https://boldwithbrooke.com/exposure

Why Self Care is Not Only Important, but ESSENTIAL to Building Your Business {Ep 011} Aug 08, 2018

Full shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/011

Welcome to another awesome episode of Business Straight Up, the small business podcast for creatives and photographers! Today I am talking with the crazy brilliant Elena Lipson, a coach and teacher that focuses on being productive and reaching your goals because of self care! Entrepreneur self care is something that tends to fall by the wayside because let's be real - we are SO BUSY with so many things happening, that by the time we take care of our families and our businesses, there isn't much left for ourselves! Elena and I are going to talk about energy cycles, a morning routine, what it can do for your life and your business, and about what to do with those fearful thoughts that can sometimes take over when you're facing something that you haven't done before. I can tell you from experience that even for someone who is NOT a morning person, that morning routine is truly life changing!

Why Automation is NOT a Dirty Word with Tim Hussey {Ep 010} Jul 24, 2018

Full shownotes: https://www.boldwithbrooke.com/010

Welcome to another rockstar episode of Business Straight Up, the small business podcast for creatives and photographers! Today we are offering some photography business help, and automation for photographers - that's right, automation is NOT a dirty word and can be used to create an amazing and consistent client experience! Tim Hussey and I talk about automation and what that can mean for you and your business. Plus, huge bonus - yes, you CAN get your life back. Get OUT of the monotony of the same tasks over and over again, and move into your creative zone!

How To NOT Be Handcuffed To Social Media With Stacey Harris {Ep 009} Jul 17, 2018

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/009

Welcome to another rockstar episode of Business Straight Up, the small business podcast for creatives and photographers! Today we are talking about social media for photographers and business owners with THE Stacey Harris, an awesome social media coach and teacher! You do NOT have to be a slave to social media, Stacey will teach you how to use social media as a tool in your marketing strategy and answer some burning questions about social media and photography social media marketing!

Getting OUT of Impostor Syndrome and Comparison-itis with Hayley Collins {Ep 008} Jul 10, 2018

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/008 Hello and welcome beautiful entrepreneurs! In this episode I am excited to have an interview with the amazing Hayley Collins, a leadership and business coach. We talk about surrounding yourself with awesome people, and what a community and relationships can do to help you grow, both in your business, and your life! We're also going to talk about how to deal with imposter syndrome and how to get out of that terrible disease – comparison-itis. Hayley talks about being mindful of where you spend your energy, how a coach can be a vital part of your community and how to choose the right coach for you.

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Marketing Strategies To Set You APART With Jaclyn Mullen {Ep 007} Jul 03, 2018

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/007

In this episode of Business Straight Up, we are going to talk with the amazing Jaclyn Mullen about marketing strategies that will set you APART. Because when you can reach out to the right people and truly build relationships with them, your business possibilities are endless! We also talk about the creative brain vs. the analytical brain and how they CAN co-exist, and should. Check it out!

The Kickass About Page Formula - 3 Things you MUST have! Plus a bonus! {Ep 006} Jun 27, 2018

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/006

In today's episode we are going to talk about some MUST HAVE pieces in your about page or bio page. This is your stage and your chance to talk to your dream clients, and show them who you are! Don't hide behind what you do! I recently wrote an article on this but wanted to dive in a little deeper and go through some examples, check it out!

Designing your BRAND, not just your business with Melissa Burkheimer! {Ep 005} Jun 19, 2018

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/005

Today's episode is about designing your BRAND, not just your business, and the difference between the two. Designing and conveying your brand to the world in various ways can mean reaching out to the clients that you really LOVE to work with - the dream clients! Join me as I chat with Melissa Burkheimer about how your brand is NOT just a logo, and learning to think of it as a living piece of your business will be key to your success and moving forward towards your goals.

How to Personally Connect with Clients to ROCK your Business with Mary Schlener {Ep 004} May 30, 2018

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/004

So many business owners ask me if it's possible to be successful if they don't run their business full time - and the answer is YES! You are the boss, you make the rules, and my guest today rocks her business part time! Join us as we discuss how to set yourself apart in a world of online interactions with personal connection. We also talk about what success can mean for you if you allow yourself to define it based on your own life and family, instead of others' expectations!

Productivity! 3 Tips to Move Forward Toward Your Goals! {Ep 003} May 19, 2018

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/003

In this episode we are going to talk about 3 things you can start doing TODAY to get more done and move towards your goals! I am diving into strategies that allow you to maximize your time for greater productivity and a better business. Start making the most of your time, so that you can build the business and life of your dreams!

Money, Mindset and Success with Natalie Kita {Ep 002} May 15, 2018

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/002

In this episode I am thrilled to welcome Natalie Kita - a successful photographer and teacher with a passion for empowering women. Listen in to three of the top money blocks that entrepreneurs face, how to overcome them, and how to change your mindset to set yourself up for success!

5 Questions to Build and Define Your Ideal Client {Ep 001} Apr 17, 2018

Full Shownotes: https://boldwithbrooke.com/001

Welcome to the 1st episode of the Business Straight Up podcast, business help for photographers and creative entrepreneurs! In this episode, we are going to dive into something that will help with ALL of the decisions you might face in your business - your ideal client profile. I want to challenge what you may have been taught about what matters when it comes to your ideal client, and offer you five questions to ask to really get into your client's mind, to help you figure out how you can add value to your clients' lives. This mystery is what will ultimately help you get BOOKED by your dream clients that value your work, and set yourself up for success!

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