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I’m an extrovert. I love people.  I love being around people and talking to people.  But there are a whole bunch of people, introverts, who really don’t enjoy interacting they way I do.  Here�…

I’m an extrovert. …

I’m an extrovert. I love people.  I love being around people and talking to people.  But there are a whole bunch of people, introverts, who really don’t enjoy interacting they way I do.  Here’s the trick,  you’ve got to be able to reach both of those audiences. And if you’re an introvert you have to learn how to participate in the world. This week’s guest Amanda Watts share some great tips on how introverts can be effective, and maybe even enjoy of networking. It stars with understanding where your energy comes from. An extrovert, she explains, will wake up in the morning and e…

Wouldn’t it be nice if we all just got along. That might seem like a good idea but it really isn’t. You can’t eliminate conflict completely. and you shouldn’t. Well-managed conflict actually c…

Wouldn’t it be nic…

Wouldn’t it be nice if we all just got along. That might seem like a good idea but it really isn’t. You can’t eliminate conflict completely. and you shouldn’t. Well-managed conflict actually cultivates discussions and create opportunities to uncover new and innovative solutions. Accept conflict as a natural part of your relationship with employees and with all of the people in your life. It isn’t necessarily good or bad.  It can be very healthy if the conflict occurs when people have different ideas on how to solve a problem and they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas…

I had a wonderful conversation with Josh Elledge about strategies for generating inbound leads and moving away from outdated, spammy marketing tactics. Here are the key points from their conversation:…

I had a wonderful co…

I had a wonderful conversation with Josh Elledge about strategies for generating inbound leads and moving away from outdated, spammy marketing tactics. Here are the key points from their conversation: Shift from Outbound to Inbound Marketing: Traditional outbound methods like sending unsolicited emails are no longer effective. Consumers, including business decision-makers, are overwhelmed and turned off by spam. Josh emphasizes the importance of creating an inbound funnel that attracts potential clients naturally, reducing the emotional toll on marketers. Noble Intent and Authenticity: Su…

​I am an email marketing fan so I was excited to invite Kendra Corman to join me for a conversation on how to make email marketing effective. She started by explaining why email is so important. …

​I am an email mar…

​I am an email marketing fan so I was excited to invite Kendra Corman to join me for a conversation on how to make email marketing effective. She started by explaining why email is so important.  Sure it is great to build a community on social media, but what will you do if Facebook goes down or cuts off your profile. You are stuck.  But if you have email addresses, you  own those contacts and can take them wherever you want. You have the flexibility to contact them when you want and to share information  they want and need to know.   If you’ve enjoyed this conversation sign up for …

Every parent knows, It takes a village to raise a child. Each of the adults in the child’s life, relatives, teachers, coaches, brings a different perspective. The same is true for your business. No …

Every parent knows, …

Every parent knows, It takes a village to raise a child. Each of the adults in the child’s life, relatives, teachers, coaches, brings a different perspective. The same is true for your business. No matter how smart you are or how much you know about your business, there are gaps in your skill-set. Your business village should be filled with smart, talented subject matter experts to help you fill in the gaps. If you are running a small business your village won’t be comprised of employees, but an advisory board comprised of professionals, who provide information and guidance in their areas …

Mickey Kennedy, founder of eReleases joined me for another conversation about building your authority and online visibility.  This time we talked about the importance of using surveys and studies to …

Mickey Kennedy, foun…

Mickey Kennedy, founder of eReleases joined me for another conversation about building your authority and online visibility.  This time we talked about the importance of using surveys and studies to stand out as a subject matter authority. Why does this strategy work?  First of all the media loves data.  Fresh data from industry-specific surveys can attract media attention. You can use a platform like SurveyMonkey to create a 16-question survey, including some fun or unusual questions to capture interest. You don't need to do it on your own.  consider partnering with small or independent t…

What is the fastest least expensive way to get clients? Guest, Gall Doby suggests  there is one strategy that people often ignore, and it’s right in front of them. Looking for new sales? Start wit…

What is the fastest …

What is the fastest least expensive way to get clients? Guest, Gall Doby suggests  there is one strategy that people often ignore, and it’s right in front of them. Looking for new sales? Start with your current clients. Almost every single client ( assuming you are doing a good job) will be willing to do business with you in a different way. Maybe it is an add-on to their project, a few more things and they hadn’t originally considered or an entirely different project. It’s so much easier to go to your current clients and try to add something on to a project.  Then right behind that g…

Let’s go on a buying journey. Think about the last item that you bought, where you spent more than $100. Maybe it was something for your business or home. Write down the item you bought and work bac…

Let’s go on a buyi…

Let’s go on a buying journey. Think about the last item that you bought, where you spent more than $100. Maybe it was something for your business or home. Write down the item you bought and work backwards through your buying journey. Describe why you chose that particular product. Did you see an ad? Did someone recommended it? Was there information on social media which made you curious? Write down all of the things you remember related to that purchase. For example, we recently installed new windows in our house. Before we bought the windows, we talked to a few of our neighbors, checked. An…

Janine Liston, a business strategist and pricing expert, joined me for a conversation about the complexities and strategies behind setting the right price for products and services. Here are a few key…

Janine Liston, a bus…

Janine Liston, a business strategist and pricing expert, joined me for a conversation about the complexities and strategies behind setting the right price for products and services. Here are a few key takeaways: One common myth is that the lowest price always wins. Many business owners believe this, but it’s not true for most products and services. Targeting the right customer who values your product is more important than simply offering the lowest price. When you set your price, you need to put the customer first. Rather than developing a product and then finding customers, businesses shou…

Did you miss this conversation with Connie Jones about limiting beliefs?  Then you want to check it out now. We create these upper limits for ourselves fueled by messages we have received starting ea…

Did you miss this co…

Did you miss this conversation with Connie Jones about limiting beliefs?  Then you want to check it out now. We create these upper limits for ourselves fueled by messages we have received starting early on in childhood about who we are and who we are not.  And who we are supposed to be.  We create patterns of playing roles that are consistent with those messages, but sometimes the messages are wrong and the pattern becomes a trap. To break the cycle of limiting beliefs, you must first identify the belief, recognize it is creating your reality and chose to change what you believe.  Often it…

Words have the power to move, motivate, inspire, frighten, and cheer. What you say and how you say it can have a profound impact on another person. And some words, called power words, have more impact…

Words have the power…

Words have the power to move, motivate, inspire, frighten, and cheer. What you say and how you say it can have a profound impact on another person. And some words, called power words, have more impact than others. These words have a strong meaning which is likely to trigger a psychological or emotional response. They are persuasive, pushing people to take action. Power words fall in to one of three categories: seductive, emotional, or sensory (visual). As you write web copy, email communication, and social media status updates, employing these powerful phrases will help you grab and hold the a…

I love chatting with Lindsey Anderson, and it has been awhile since this seasoned online business consultant, bestselling author, and podcast host, dropped by for a chat. It this conversation we talke…

I love chatting with…

I love chatting with Lindsey Anderson, and it has been awhile since this seasoned online business consultant, bestselling author, and podcast host, dropped by for a chat. It this conversation we talked about her experience as a play in a reality TV game ( The Trust)  and what she learned about using social media effectively as a business owner rather than as an influencer. Lindsey introduced her VEMS model, which is designed to help business owners build a compelling social media presence that drives sales and engagement. The model consists of four key components: Vibe: Share personal aspect…

As business owners try to grow their business they assume they have to do it organically.  The problem with the organic approach is you have to be patient. It takes time for the business to mature an…

As business owners t…

As business owners try to grow their business they assume they have to do it organically.  The problem with the organic approach is you have to be patient. It takes time for the business to mature and grow. But that is not the only way to grow. Your path to success might include merging with another company or through the acquisition of another business.  Deb Curtis, an expert in SBA-Supported Business Acquisition Loans & Smooth Ownership Transitions shares a few tips and things to consider before you jump into acquisition mode

What do you want people to say about you when you're not in the room. What do you want them to tell people. who are looking for someone who does what you do? All of those comments add up to your perso…

What do you want peo…

What do you want people to say about you when you're not in the room. What do you want them to tell people. who are looking for someone who does what you do? All of those comments add up to your personal brand. Now a lot of business owners are under the misconception that somehow they control their brand. But they don't. Your brand is something that exists in the mind of your customers.  All you can do is influence it with your marketing messages and your actions and over time you will create a brand representative of who you are. Looking for more resources on branding and positioning?  Star…

If you’re a woman business owner or thinking about becoming one, there are unique challenges you’ll face compared to your male counterparts. However, success is achievable, as demonstrated by Shar…

If you’re a woman …

If you’re a woman business owner or thinking about becoming one, there are unique challenges you’ll face compared to your male counterparts. However, success is achievable, as demonstrated by Sharon Gillenwater, a tech startup founder who sold her company, Boardroom Insiders, for $25 million. Here are a few key points from our conversation. Funding and Networking Obstacles: Women receive only about 2% of venture funding. Additionally, if you’re not part of the entrepreneurial network, gaining access to funding and talent can be tough. It’s crucial to build a network of contacts who can…

One of the advantages of having more than 1,000 episodes in my archive, is the wealth of great information buried there.  This week I dug way back, to find a conversation I had with Allison Carter ba…

One of the advantage…

One of the advantages of having more than 1,000 episodes in my archive, is the wealth of great information buried there.  This week I dug way back, to find a conversation I had with Allison Carter back in 2013,  when she was my regular co-host.  We always had a good time, but I really loved this conversation about finding your brand voice.  Just as you can recognize someone's speaking voice, their writing voice is unique too. It’s like a fingerprint. A strong, consistent voice can help a company build its brand and connect with its audience. Your writing should convey the essence of w…

The Creative Process I am often asked, why I chose to name my company “Roundpeg.” The obvious answer was because I spent all those years in corporate, feeling like a square peg in a round hole, an…

The Creative Process…

The Creative Process I am often asked, why I chose to name my company “Roundpeg.” The obvious answer was because I spent all those years in corporate, feeling like a square peg in a round hole, and this is where I fit! But there is more to the story. I wanted to build a business around the ideas of creativity, collaboration, and positive energy, and for me, creativity begins with a “R.O.U.N.D” process. R.O.U.N.D: Research, Originate, Unite, Nurture, Do It! Research If you want creative output, you need creative input! Collecting a variety of information, without worrying how it fits, i…

I had a great conversation with Jason Barnard ( @jasonmbarnard  ) about online branding. Importance of Brand SERPs: One of the standout points Jason emphasizes is the critical role of Brand Search E…

I had a great conver…

I had a great conversation with Jason Barnard ( @jasonmbarnard  ) about online branding. Importance of Brand SERPs: One of the standout points Jason emphasizes is the critical role of Brand Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs). He explains how they reflect a brand's online reputation and visibility, and why businesses should prioritize optimizing their Brand SERPs for better recognition and credibility. Knowledge Panels: Jason delves into the significance of Knowledge Panels, those information boxes that appear on the right side of Google's search results. He discusses how they can enhance a …