Small Business Savvy | Web Design, Systems, and Marketing

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112. When Hiring Doesn't Work Out: Ending It the Right Way [Hiring Series] Sep 10, 2024

Show notes

Hiring help for your business is exciting and has the potential to change your business for the better. But with hiring comes the inevitable…firing. Hiring and firing go hand in hand and if you haven’t yet had to end a contract with a contractor or an employee, it’s likely to happen at some point!

Terminating a contract and ending a working relationship is not fun, but it doesn’t have to be painful. I’ve had several experiences with ending contracts and I’ve learned from each one. Inside this episode, I’ll share the signs that it might be time to move on, how to protect your business when you need to let go of someone, what to pay attention to in a contract before taking action, and how to send that dreaded termination email.

Ending a contract is my least favorite thing about having a team, but having a clear process in place makes it so much easier! Following these steps will allow you to end things on a positive note and hopefully make the next best hire. Be sure to share this episode with a business friend who might need it!

🚨 Disclaimer: I am not an attorney and this is not legal advice. You should always consult a legal professional and ensure you’re following employment laws in your area before taking action.
03:16 - How to know when it’s time to let go of a contractor or employee

04:59 - One important thing to do before deciding to fire

07:10 - Steps to take once you’ve decided it’s time to end a contract

11:36 - The process of ending a contract in a way that protects your business

15:43 - What to do after you have ended a contract that will make it easier for you next time

Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode112

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111. Is Hiring Even Worth It? Let’s Talk ROI and KPIs with Hallie Sherman [Hiring Series] Sep 03, 2024

Show notes

Ever worry if the time and money that you put into hiring will really pay off? In today's episode, we are diving deep into the world of hiring and team management for business growth. I am joined by seasoned entrepreneur Hallie Sherman to unpack the critical importance of setting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for all team members, no matter their roles.
Hallie shares her journey from recognizing the need to hire help while managing a full-time job to executing strategic hires—starting with an editor, then a product photographer, and eventually a ghostwriter. Together, we explore the complexities of the hiring process, from determining tasks worth delegating based on effective hourly rates to ensuring hired help aligns with your long-term business vision.
Whether you're wrestling with the decision to expand your team or looking to enhance your current hiring strategy, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Expect tips on managing contractors, establishing clear boundaries and deadlines, and maintaining high standards of customer satisfaction.
02:19 - Hallie’s first few roles that she hired for
06:57 - How to know which roles to fill when it comes to tying it to the ROI
09:06 - How to manage the people that we hire and how to know if they are doing a good job or not
16:57 - Setting boundaries and clear expectations
22:18 - Tools to help track performance and productivity
24:56 - The importance of every single person on the team having SOPs
26:59 - What to do in situations where a team member is not meeting their KPIs
Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode111

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110. Personality vs. Skills: How to Hire the Right Person for Your Small Team [Hiring Series] Aug 27, 2024

Show notes

One of the most challenging aspects of growing a successful business is hiring. Have you ever brought someone on board who looked great on paper but just didn't fit in with your team? This episode explores why hiring the right person goes beyond merely ticking off skill set boxes and why personality often trumps expertise.
I share some of my personal experiences, the importance of initiative, problem-solving abilities, and integrity, and how starting with short-term projects can save you a lot of headaches in the long run. We also discuss when you must prioritize skills over personality, particularly for expert roles, and provide practical tips on using test projects during the hiring process.
01:19 - Qualities you cannot teach to people

05:14 - When to prioritize skill set over personality

07:29 - Start with a test project

10:51 - Sometimes, we need to make exceptions

12:17 - What comes next after hiring someone?
Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode110

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109. 4 Signs It’s Time to Hire Help in Your Business [Hiring Series] Aug 20, 2024

Show notes

Today, we're tackling a topic that many business owners struggle with, and that's knowing when it's time to hire help. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by to-do lists, burnout, or missed deadlines, this episode is for you. We'll discuss key signs that indicate it's time to bring additional team members on board to sustain and grow your business.
We'll also dive into the financial and strategic readiness required for hiring, and how to determine which tasks to delegate. Plus, get actionable tips on how to analyze your tasks and identify areas where hiring can make a significant impact. Tune in to gain clarity on the hiring process and take steps toward building a more efficient and scalable business.
01:16 - The different types of team members that you could hire
03:11 - When are you ready to hire and the money you will need to consider
05:47 - How to know if your business is ready for additional help
08:28 - What to hire out for
10:46 - Ready to scale your business?
Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode109

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108. 7 Reasons Your Site Is Slow & How to Improve Website Speed Aug 13, 2024

Show notes

Today, we are tackling a crucial topic that impacts your website's success: speed. If your site's loading time is dragging, it isn't just frustrating for visitors; it can hurt your Google rankings and sales.
In this episode, I'll uncover the 7 most common culprits behind slow websites and share actionable tips to boost your site's speed. We're covering everything from choosing the right hosting and optimizing images to using caching plugins and cleaning up your code. Plus, I'll explain how a content delivery network (CDN) can make a world of difference.
02:29 - Quality hosting is crucial for website speed and uptime
09:25 - Caching plugins improves website loading speed
11:02 - Keep only necessary WordPress plugins and update regularly
14:00 - Database maintenance, backup, and content delivery network
Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode108

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107. We’re Just Savvy: What to Know About Our Exciting Name Change! Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

Hey, y'all! Today's episode is packed with exciting updates and practical insights. First off, you'll notice the podcast has a shiny new name—The Savvy Seller. I'll dive into the reasons behind this change and what it means for our community. I'm sharing my biggest takeaways from this year's TPT Forward Conference, including a motivational boost that completely rejuvenated my spirit.
We'll also explore actionable steps to expand your digital product business beyond TPT, from building your own website to setting up automated sales systems. Whether you're a teacher, speech pathologist, or graphic artist, there's something here for everyone. So stick around for some hustle-free strategies to grow your online business!

01:28 - My experience at the TPT Forward conference
05:45 - My advice on in-person events
06:28 - Why we are now Savvy Sellers
08:13 - What is NOT changing on the podcast
10:18 - Do not solely depend on one platform
13:08 - My favorite tools
Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode107

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Exciting things to come! Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

Hey, y'all! It's Kristen here with a quick announcement. This summer, I'm fully embracing the summer break mindset to spend quality time with my family and tackle some exciting work travels. With my calendar busier than ever, The Savvy Teacher Seller podcast will be taking a short hiatus for the rest of July.
But fear not! We'll be back in August with brand new episodes and some thrilling content you won't want to miss.
Also, if you're attending the TPT conference in San Diego, don't forget to drop by my session and say hi! Have a fantastic summer, and see you in August.
Until then, you can catch up on previous episode of The Savvy Teacher Seller at https://kristendoyle.co/tsts-podcast!

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106. Navigating Pricing Changes During Inflation Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

Today, we're diving into a crucial topic that's on everyone's mind: inflation and its impact on pricing for online businesses. We tackle the unique challenges faced by digital creators, who may not be affected by rising production costs like traditional businesses but still feel the pinch through increased software, marketing expenses, and service provider rates.
I provide strategies for assessing and adjusting your pricing to maintain a healthy profit margin and support your family amid rising living costs. From bundling and unbundling products to offering tiered pricing and payment plans, these are practical tips for navigating this tricky landscape while keeping your customers' financial constraints in mind. Whether selling digital products or providing services, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you make informed pricing decisions.
02:22 - places where you might be seeing inflation affecting you
04:43 - business baseline costs and profit margin
05:22 - four pricing strategies
08:46 - tips for increasing prices to help compensate for inflation
Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode106

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105. The Top 8 Moves That Made a Big Impact on My Business Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

I'm super excited about this episode because it's packed with value. Based on feedback from our listener survey, many of you have been curious about the key moves that have significantly impacted my business growth. So, I'm sharing the top 8 strategies that have made the biggest difference for me.

From outsourcing tasks I'm not great at and joining entrepreneurial groups to mastering SEO and building an engaged email list—I'm covering practical tips and mindset shifts that have propelled my business to consistent six-figure success.

01:57 - stopping the things I'm not good at
05:17 - getting involved in groups of entrepreneurs in my niche
08:06 - getting into groups of entrepreneurs outside my own niche
11:04 - learning and implementing SEO
12:08 - building and nurturing my email list
13:41 - learning to use my data to drive my business decisions instead of my feelings
15:14 - using a project management tool consistently
17:14 - working on my mindset
Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode105

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104. 11 Best WooCommerce Plugins: What to Install and What to Skip Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of The Savvy Teacher Seller! In this episode, we're diving into the world of WooCommerce plugins. With so many options out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and wonder which plugins are truly necessary for your online store. I'm here to clear up that confusion by sharing my top recommendations for plugins that can significantly enhance your WooCommerce store, from improving customer experience to automating processes.

I'm also highlighting some popular plugins that might not be worth your time. Whether you're aiming to streamline your checkout process, boost your marketing efforts, or simply make managing your shop easier, you’ll find something valuable in today's discussion. So, let’s get started and discover how to make your WooCommerce store better than ever!

02:09 - Autocomplete WooCommerce orders
03:39 - ConvertKit for WooCommerce & other email platform plugins
05:10 - Custom Product Tabs for WooCommerce
05:48 - CartFlows
06:55 - FiboSearch
07:37 - Free Downloads WooCommerce
08:32 - JetSmart Filters
09:31 - Kadence WooCommerce Email Designer
11:01 - Products and Order Export for WooCommerce
11:41 - Woo Product Bundles
12:27 - WooCommerce Cart Abandonment Recovery
12:54 - Why you should be selective about what plugins you add to your website
16:34 - Unnecessary plugins

The free plugins mentioned can be found in the WordPress repository by going to Plugins -> Add New and searching the exact name I shared.
Links & Resources:

Show Notes: https://kristendoyle.co/episode104
Some links mentioned are affiliate links. This helps to support this podcast at no additional cost to you.

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Stop managing your WordPress website and let us handle it! Learn more about our WordPress Careplan at kristendoyle.co/care.

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Learn more about my WordPress CarePlan: https://kristendoyle.co/wordpress-care-plan/

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