Business

Breakthrough Brand Podcast – Online Business Growth, Website Design Strategies, Grow a Podcast, Motherhood and Business, Passive Income, Christian Faith, Showit Templates

Welcome to The Breakthrough Brand Podcast — your go-to for relatable, raw, and tactical business training designed to help you hit those big goals! I’m Elizabeth McCravy, a website designer and business educator for female entrepreneurs. I’ve built a multiple six-figure web design business in my 20s, and I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learned so you can do it too. No secrets, just real talk and proven strategies for building a thriving business.

I’m a Christian business owner, mama to two boys (with baby #3 on the way!), and married to my high school sweetheart. I sell Showit website templates at elizabethmccravy.com and teach fellow designers how to build booked-out businesses through my course, Booked Out Designer. I also teach business owners how to start and scale a podcast in my program, Podcast Success Blueprint.

On this podcast, you’ll find solo episodes packed with actionable, easy-to-follow advice and inspiring expert interviews. We’ll dive into everything from online marketing, branding, podcasting, and business strategy, to faith, motherhood, productivity, and scaling your business. Let’s create a business that not only looks amazing from the outside but feels amazing on the inside too. It’s time to build your breakthrough brand!

Latest Episodes:

054: How to Deal With a Difficult or Angry Client Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

Today we are talking about a sensitive topic — difficult clients! What do you do when you’re dealing with a difficult client right now? Maybe they are angry? Maybe you are angry? And, you’re just defeated. If you’re struggling with the next steps and how to find a resolution, this episode is for you. I have been there, and in this episode, I’m going to teach you 10 specific (and practical) tips on how to deal with a difficult client situation.

If you’ve come here feeling defeated and ready to throw in the towel, then I want to tell you first EVERYTHING will be ok. You’ve got this. This isn’t the end of the world, and I’m here to help you through it! Maybe your situation is a really dramatic situation with lawsuits, refunds, and angry text messages. Or, maybe it’s more tamed, like the client being unsatisfied and frustrating you. There are many levels to a “difficult experience”, but no matter where you are you can manage this. And, this episode is full of advice to help you do just that.

What You’ll Learn:

The first step towards resolution when things are heated or painful with a client
How you can lead your client right now and set boundaries for your working relationship
3 steps for conflict resolution and making things right
Why you need to avoid confrontationally emailing and texting at all costs
How to know when a refund is necessary
How to make sure you learn from this experience and apply what you’ve learned to future projects
A journaling exercise to work through any anger and pain
How having grace changes everything

And, stay tuned next week for PART TWO of this difficult client situation series! Next week, we’ll be chatting about how to prevent difficult client situations.

Get the full show notes for this episode at https://elizabethmccravy.com/54

Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram: https://instagram.com/elizabethmccravy/

Have you left a review yet? Leave a rating and/or review here: https://elizabethmccravy.com/itunes

Thank you for supporting the show!

If you're a new business owner who still doesn't have a website yet, I made something for you. It's a free 15-page guide that walks you through exactly what you need to launch your first website — what to skip, what actually matters, and the five steps to go from zero to live. No coding, no big budget, no perfection required. Plus you'll get 20% off my Showit templates inside! Get it FREE at https://elizabethmccravy.com/

Need some extra pages to improve or add onto your Showit website, BUT you’re not in the market for an entirely new template? You need my Add On Templates for Showit! You'll find add ons like speaker pages, podcast pages, quiz lead magnets, favorite things pages, Link in Bio pages, and more.

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

053: How to Repurpose the “Juicy” Content You Create in Your Business with Keleigh Lauermann Feb 18, 2020

Show notes

On today’s episode, I have a very special guest, my sweet friend, Keleigh Lauermann! Keleigh is a creative gal from New Hampshire and is the owner of Anchor Design Co. She loves strategy about as much as I do, so we always have fun chatting business! Her business helps Mary Kay beauty consultants run sustainable, profitable businesses.

In this episode, Keleigh is teaching us all about how to take the amazing content you are already creating and repurposing it to get more out of your hard work and to reach more people. We are talking through why repurposing your “juicy” content is important, tips on exactly how to do this, and even walking through specific examples. Seriously, I learned so much from Keleigh in this episode, and I know you will too!

What you’ll learn:

Why you should repurpose your “juicy” content
What it means to repurpose content

5 great tips for learning how to repurpose content
A full example of over 15 ways to repurpose topic
Plus, we talk about how you can build a team that helps you do this!

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethmccravy
Connect with Elizabeth on her website: http://elizabethmccravy.com
Connect with Keleigh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keleighlauermann/
Connect with Keleigh on her website: http://anchordesignco.com
Keleigh’s Workbook Freebie https://anchordesignco.com/elizabeth

Get the full show notes and links mentioned in this episode https://elizabethmccravy.com/53

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

052: How to Make Sharing Your Affiliate Links EASY Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

Have you ever promoted companies as an affiliate? If so, chances are you’ve been in the position of wanting to send the link to someone, but obviously, you don’t remember the long link the company gave you. Right?

This short episode is going to teach you some tips to start sharing your affiliate links with more ease and strategy. Not sure what affiliate marketing is all about? We talk about that briefly too!

I love affiliate marketing, and my business brings in thousands a month in affiliate income. And, in 2019, we brought in multiple five-figures in affiliate income. (And yes, all without the “swipe up” feature on Instagram!) In this episode, I’m sharing one, very specific tip to help you get more out of your affiliate promotions too.

These tips are going to make promoting affiliates:

- Easier for YOU to do

- Easier for the person you’re sharing the link with

- Better for the company you’re promoting

This episode has major time-savers in it, and I can’t wait for you to listen in!

To see affiliates I love to work with, head to https://elizabethmccravy.com/tools

Get the full show notes from this episode at https://elizabethmccravy.com/52

051: Your Guide to Hiring Your First Team Member with Kaylan Thompson Feb 04, 2020

Show notes

Thinking about hiring your first team member, but not sure where to start? Today’s episode is for YOU. I’m chatting with leadership and hiring coach, Kaylan Thompson about how to prepare for and make your first hire. We talk about fears around hiring, how to not micromanage your team, who to hire first in your business, great interview questions and so much more!

Episode Highlights:

- What to do when finances are the reason you can’t hire quite yet

- How to build a team that you don’t have to micromanage

- How do you know when it’s the “right time” to hire

- How to prepare your business for future hiring in advance

- Important job application questions to ask

- Important interview questions to ask

Maybe you think this episode isn’t for you because you don’t want to hire yet. I totally get it! Even if you’re not ready to hire yet, you can still start now in preparing your business for that future expansion and growth. We talk about exactly how in this episode, and I share an example of how I prepared to hire before actually doing the hiring.

P.S. Guess where I’ll be this week?! Listen to the intro to this episode to hear updates about the trip to Cabo I’ll be on with Showit this week! Follow along with me on Instagram for behind the scenes of our trip!

Get the full show notes and all links mentioned in this episode at https://elizabethmccravy.com/51

Visit Kaylan’s website at https://joytolead.com

Shop website templates at https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

050: 8 Mistakes to Avoid When Naming Your Business, Course, or Program Jan 28, 2020

Show notes

We are talking about naming your business! I’m walking you through specific mistakes to avoid when naming your business. Whether you have an established business name already or you’re a new business owner trying to figure out what to call yourself, this episode has something for you! If you already have your business name figured out, these same steps apply to naming your course, podcast, membership site, or really ANYTHING in your business that needs a name! And, you can listen to these 8 mistakes to make sure your current name isn’t making any of them.

Your brand name is just as important as your branding itself. But, most people don’t seek out a professional brand designer or business strategist on this step in the process. Typically as a designer, someone is coming to me with their name or just buying a template with their name already picked out. But, your NAME is so important. It’s worth naming with intention. I have named my business three times (which sounds ridiculous, I know. I’ll explain more in this episode), and I’ve helped many other entrepreneurs hone in on their perfect brand name — both as clients and through my “Name your Business” workbook. In this episode, I’m going to help YOU name your business or program in the same way and avoid all the common pitfalls along the way.

- Get the Name Your Business workbook here: http://elizabethmccravy.com/name

- Get the full show notes here: http://elizabethmccravy.com/50

Be sure to enter our 50th episode giveaway over on Instagram this week! You’ll be entered to win a 1:1 coaching session with me! Directions are over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/B73l9kZhRUe/

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

049: Self Care, Boundaries, Burnout, and Living Intentionally as an Entrepreneur with Callie Ammons Jan 21, 2020

Show notes

You’re in for a treat with Callie Ammons on this episode! Callie is an enneagram life coach for women, podcaster, writer, and speaker. Callie uses the enneagram to help her clients understand their God-given gifts and step into the abundant life that was carved out for them. Callie loves Jesus and is seriously just a LIGHT to learn from. She is wise beyond her years and has so much to teach us in this podcast.

On this episode, we are focusing on self-care based on your Enneagram type and specifically self-care for ambitious women! We discuss setting boundaries, how to avoid burnout, knowing your why, and how to simply live with intention.

What You’ll Walk Away With:

Practical self-care ideas for your specific enneagram type
How you can avoid burnout as a business owner
How to set boundaries around time-consuming activities like social media
Advice for fellow life coaches on building your coaching business
Straight up JOY and motivation to get going today

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Get the full show notes and links mentioned in this episode: http://elizabethmccravy.com/49
Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethmccravy/
Connect with Elizabeth on her website: http://elizabethmccravy.com/
Connect with Callie on her website: https://www.callieammons.com/
Connect with Callie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/callieammons/
Listen to Callie’s Podcast “Living Enneagram”: https://podcasts.apple.com/qa/podcast/living-enneagram/id1441883861

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

048: How to Create the Perfect Contact Page for Your Website Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

Tips, tricks, and strategies to create your most effective and strategic contact page ever.

Today we are talking specifically about the contact page on your website. If that sounds boring, hear me out that this *might* actually be one of the most important pages on your website. For service-based businesses, this page is what stands between someone learning about your services and starting the booking process — that definitely matters.

Creating a more strategic contact page doesn’t require redesigning your website or any crazy design skills. Little changes will go a long way.

In this episode, we focus on:

- How the contact page serves a different purpose depending on your business type

- The 2 MUST-HAVES for the contact page

- How many questions (and what questions) should be on your contact form

- What questions you need to stop asking immediately and instead save for later

- How to set up a contact form

- What else goes on this page — including the must-haves + some extra fun ideas

- Why what happens after the contact page matters significantly too

Stay tuned for more episodes covering specific pages of your website!

Links Mentioned in this episode:

- Showit website templates: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

- Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram: https://instagram.com/elizabethmccravy/

- Try Dubsado: https://elizabethmccravy.com/dubsado (Use code “ELIZABETH30” for 30% off!

- Full blog post for this episode: https://elizabethmccravy.com/48

Have you left a review yet? Leave a rating and/or review here: https://elizabethmccravy.com/itunes

Thank you for supporting the show!

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

047: Say What You Do in the “Worst Possible Way” [An Exercise for Getting Clear on Your Message] Jan 07, 2020

Show notes

You may be reading that title and thinking “What the heck is Elizabeth talking about this week! Worst possible way?! What?!” Yep, you heard it right… say what you do in your business in the worst possible way.

I saw this in a private Facebook group I’m apart of months ago. It was supposed to just be a funny comment thread. But, as I read through the many comments I realized how valuable this exercise is for getting clarity on what you do and learning to talk about your business in a way that works.

Most business owners talk too lightly and infrequently about what problems they solve for their customers. But, this matters. If people don’t understand what problem you will solve for them, then they will not understand why they should pay you. So, start saying what problem you solve, and to actually answer that, you might need to think in the terms of humor, bluntness and a little sass too. I’m teaching you now on today’s short and sweet episode!

Links mentioned in this episode:

- Go comment your answer on this Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/B7Be5DRhT0W/

- Get the full show notes: https://elizabethmccravy.com/47

- Tune into episode 26 for more on communicating what problem you solve: https://elizabethmccravy.com/26

- Head to the main website: https://elizabethmccravy.com/

046: How to Plan Your Entire Week on a Digital Calendar Dec 31, 2019

Show notes

An entire week on a calendar? Yep, you read that title right! I schedule out everything I’m doing in a week, both personal and business, on my calendar, hour by hour for every weekday. And, I’m going to teach you how to do it too.

This has been such a highly requested episode after the many times I’ve showed you guys my calendar on Instagram stories. And you’re like “What the heck is this magic?!” Well, I’m sharing all the magic here! I’m covering how I take a handwritten to-do list and put each item into my calendar every week. This allows me to make decisions in advance, and therefore minimize how many small decisions I have to make in a day.

This process will help you increase productivity in the new year. So, if you’re ready to stop wasting so much time and start actually accomplish your big goals, let’s dive in! This episode has the power to really change things for you, PLUS give you the encouragement you need to really go after your goals.

What You’ll Learn:

- How your scheduling looks today versus how it could look for 2020

- How I get so much done in so little time working

- The exact process for scheduling your week in your calendar

- An example from my day where I read you my calendar

- How to leave margin for yourself when planning

- How to overcome your excuses ahead of time to get what you really want

Links Mentioned in This Episode:

- Get the full show notes: http://elizabethmccravy.com/46

- Visit Elizabeth’s website: http://elizabethmccravy.com/

- Connect with me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/elizabethmccravy

- Watch The Life Coach School Masterclass on this topic: https://thelifecoachschool.com/throw-away-your-to-do-list/

(Want to skip the intro and head straight to the step by step? Go to 14:00 minutes on the episode!)

Have you left a review yet? Leave a rating and/or review here: https://elizabethmccravy.com/itunes Thank you for supporting the show!

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

045: How to Read the Bible in a Year Dec 17, 2019

Show notes

I started 2019 with the goal to read the Bible all the way through in 1 year. Before this, I had read a lot of the Bible, but certainly not all of it, and definitely not many books in their entirety. I felt God calling me this goal when I set my 2019 goals, but I knew I didn’t want to approach it with stress and striving. I think it can, unfortunately, be easy for us to set well-meaning goals for our spiritual life, but then turn them into something else entirely — something striving, stressful, and even boring.

So, I approached reading the whole Bible as something I’m going to do, and it’s ok if it takes me longer than a year. And, it will end up taking me longer than a year! Real talk: the episode title feels a little off because I won’t end up finishing the whole Bible this year. But, I’m ok with that, it’s a journey, not a goal to hit.

So, in this episode, I’m sharing about this piece of my 2019. I’m sharing the tools I’ve used for reading the Bible this year - down to what exact Bible I’m using and highlighters I recommend, tips for making your quiet time more consistent, the note-taking style I’ve done this year in my Bible, what I’ve learned, and so much more! If you’re thinking you want to read the Bible through in 2020, or even just start having a consistent quiet time for the first time, this episode is for you!! Although this is a business podcast, we are ditching the business stuff today to focus on the faith life stuff, so this podcast episode is for anyone and everyone!

Links Mentioned in this episode:

- The full show notes on the blog: http://elizabethmccravy.com/45

- The Bible and gel highlighters I recommend: https://www.amazon.com/shop/elizabethmccravy?listId=32QLIHX9F11GM

P.S. I'd love to hear what YOU want more of on the podcast! Fill out the end of the year feedback survey here: http://elizabethmccravy.com/survey

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

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