5 Ways to Find Your Abs + Client Spotlight!

Working with the FASTer Way To Fat Loss® coaching community has been absolutely incredible because of the diverse and insanely talented group of women with whom I’m privileged to work.  They all bring something unique to the table, and getting to know them is one of the best parts of my job. One of these amazing coaches is Emily!

Emily Copeland is a FASTer Way To Fat Loss® certified coach, a busy mom of 4, and a sign language interpreter.  Her mission is to empower women to take control of their health and wellness in order to create a healthy, sustainable lifestyle for themselves AND their families!  In addition to coaching, Emily is a sign language interpreter and works for a local video relay company. She is a CODA (child of a deaf adult) and absolutely loves the deaf culture, so she is thrilled to bring coaching to hearing and deaf clients alike

She loves working with women to help them lose weight, learn how to exercise properly, gain confidence, and transform their lives.  Want to know more about how Emily helps women get fit? Be sure to grab her free guide 5 Ways to Find Your Abs!

Emily had to deal with some health issues last year that led her to strengthen her resolve to take better care of herself.  She found the FASTer Way To Fat Loss® and was hooked after her first round. She did a second round, this time with her husband joining the men’s group, and the rest is history!  She completed her coach certification and has been running FASTer Way groups ever since.

Emily told me, “Becoming a coach for the FASTer Way To Fat Loss® has transformed my life. Not only does it allow me to earn significant income for my family, but it allows me to share my passion for health and wellness.  The coaching community is extremely supportive and the certification process left me feeling empowered to set big goals and then crush them! The FASTer Way has allowed my husband to pursue his own goals which will bring huge changes for us in 2018, but without the income from running my own groups, it would never have been possible!”

One of the most valuable things Emily gained from the FASTer Way was an understanding of what her “healthy” habits were doing to her.  She was under-eating, over-exercising, and doing more harm than good in the process. She was able to gain sustainable nutrition strategies, a sustainable mindset, plus a better understanding of what real health is.  The focus on non-scale victories has, “helped me to achieve things I would have never thought possible!”

One of my favorite parts of Emily’s story is what she has to say about the change in her income!

 “I set some big goals for earning this year, but Q1 has already blown those out of the water. Being a FASTer Way Coach has given us the opportunity to make some career changes with confidence and security and allowed us to not only increase our income, but stop living month to month as well. We have been able to close our gaps towards financial freedom and look forward to what 2018 brings the rest of the year!”

Seeing women like Emily achieve big goals is the reason I get up every morning.  Are you ready to change your life through coaching certification? The FASTer Way community is growing quickly, and if you’d like to apply to be considered for certification, get on the waitlist now! 

Top Secrets for Earning More Money as an Affiliate or Network Marketing Company

Whether you are a FASTer Way to Fat Loss affiliate or partnered with a network marketing company, you have the potential to earn a significant income if you implement strategies that really work. Here are a few simple things that you can do to maximize your earning potential from your affiliate and network marketing partnerships.

Choose the right partnerships.

This feels like a simple, common sense place to start. However, you have no idea how many women really miss the mark on this.  Yes, you need to love the product you’re selling, but that’s not the only thing that matters. I regularly come across women who are working incredibly hard, hustling day and night, implementing sound marketing strategies, yet not seeing any real results. They wonder what they are doing wrong, and most of the time, it’s nothing! In many circumstances it is simply poor timing in the marketplace for their partner company. This is truly something you can do nothing about, no matter how hard you hustle. In addition, many of these women are working hard only to get a tiny percentage of the profits made off of that hard work. I recently spoke with a woman who had an affiliate partnership that was only paying her 4% of the sales she was making. This is truly not worth it friends!! If you find yourself partnered with a company that the market is not receptive to, or find yourself not getting compensated generously, you have the freedom to step away from the partnership, and find another that will be more profitable!

It’s not all about you.

While it is important to share your own story with your followers and friends, recognize that you limit yourself if that’s all you share. While many will resonate with your starting point and your journey, many will not. To better connect with your followers, be sure to share the stories of others who have experienced their own transformations. Sharing the story of someone you referred to a program or product gives your claims greater validity and will connect with more of your audience!

Implement a clear content marketing strategy and calendar.

Don’t post to your social media accounts mindlessly. Be strategic about posting, be consistent with posting and be persistent with posting. People need to see your content at least 21 times before they will be willing to make a purchase. Considering the fact that only a small percentage of people actually see what you post each time you throw something up there, you need to be posting often and over long periods of time before you will begin to see a return on your posts. In order to this effectively, you have to have a plan and a schedule for your content across your social media platforms.

Utilize important cutting edge strategies.

There is so much noise online today. You’ve got to stand out by using strategies that work. You’ve got to be using Instagram Stories to connect with your followers and convert them. You’ve got to be on Facebook live regularly. If you have non-millenials in your niche market, then you need to continue to send out regular emails. As an affiliate or network marketer, the same basic principles apply when it comes to online marketing strategy. This is something my digital marketing agency handles for female entrepreneurs because it can be overwhelming to figure out and implement everything necessary to successfully cut through the noise online. If you're interested in learning more about these services check out The Agency Side website, and schedule a 20 minute free consult. If you are a FASTer Way affiliate or partnered with a network marketing company, be on the lookout for a free webinar to help you leverage your partnership, in the next few weeks.

Client Spotlight: Simone Lovell

Whether you are snowed in this weekend or soaking up the vitamin D like we are, I hope you are finding some time to hustle hard and work towards your goals. While I am a firm believer in rest and enjoying your life and the people in it, I also know that true success only comes to those who work incredibly hard. In fact, the women I am privileged to work with are truly some of the hardest working women in the industry. As their mentor, I take my job of teaching of teaching them to create systems that maximize their efforts seriously. However, I know that there  is no substitute for the daily grind, and the women I work with truly bring that reality to life in some big ways.

One such woman is Simone Lovell. Simone is trainer and meal planning guru. Through her Meal Prep For Weight Loss Academy and Trainer Hiit Online programs, she helps busy women find their fittest selves. Her free guide “Why Dieting is Making You Fat” has 5 free tips to help you meal prep so you lose weight without feeling. This guide will help you with pre-planning and pre-prepping your food in advance, which can be a total game-changer in terms of weight loss for many! This guide has lots of tips to help you meal prep with ease, so you can get closer to your weight loss goals.

In addition, Simone is hustling both smarter and harder to grow her online fitness programs. Her Meal Prep for Weight Loss Academy walks clients through an in depth process to prep like a boss for maximum weight loss results. I’ve loved working with Simone, and watching her grow her business.

Here’s what she’s had to say about working with me and my team:

“Working with Amanda and her team has been life changing. For the first time in my business, I am not making stuff up as I go or flying by the seat of my pants. Finally I have a vision, a goal and carefully laid out action steps to get me there. I am blown away by the success I have achieved over the last 6 weeks, far surpassing my initial financial goals. I am so excited about continuing to work with Amanda and her A-TEAM, making this into a sustainable business and powerfully serving more people than ever before!"

Seeing women like Simone crush their goals, by helping women live their healthiest lives, is truly one of my greatest joys. I know that the sky is truly the limit for those in the wellness industry who have real solutions and a real work ethic. These are the women I choose to work with, and these are the women who are ultimately successful. If you’d like to follow Simone on her journey, you can connect via Facebook and Instagram.

If you are interested in working with me and my digital marketing agency for both mentorship and done-for-you services, set up a quick consultation here! I am very selective about who I work with and have a limited number of spots available for my business mentorship program, so only set up a consult if you are truly interested in investing in yourself, your business and your future!

Client Spotlight and Empowering Women

The constant hustle behind the success of my business exists solely because it truly is my passion to empower women. My FASTer Way to Fat Loss is all about empowering women to live their healthiest lives. My business mentorship and agency services are all about empowering women to earn significant incomes to give back to family, church and community. Everything I do, in every aspect of my business is about giving women the tools they need to thrive. Which is why I LOVE sharing my client’s success stories with you. These truly are the stories I live for and there is no greater honor than being part of another woman’s success. Today, I am highlighting Candace Tarjanyi!

Candace is a personal trainer, mom of 2 and bikini competitor. She knows how to get her clients lean and strong and is committed to helping new moms find their abs. Her goal is to teach women that  it is possible to get in the best shape of their lives, even after kids. Candace transformed her own body and got back her 6 pack abs in less than 12 weeks. Her FREE guide provides you with five tips to get shredded abs and a sample meal plan that gives you a glimpse of flexible dieting and how revolutionary it truly is.

Candace runs an incredible business and is wildly successful at getting her clients results. She works with my full service agency through my Business Mentorship and Agency Services package. Here’s what she’s had to say about her experience.

“I reached out to Amanda and the Agency Side before I started to promote my business. I did not want to waste precious time and money not knowing which direction to take my business. I am so grateful for their services. Without Amanda and her team I would not have gained the momentum that I have these past 3 months. I have already made my investment back! You have to pay for quality, so do not let the price dissuade you. You will get out what you put in to your business. I'd recommend Amanda and the Agency Side's services to any entrepreneur!”

Candace’’s success has come through her Body After Baby Shred, her Instant Download Programs and her one-on-one Training and Nutrition services.  Check out her programs and follow her on Instagram as she grows her business in the year to come. AND...don’t forget to download her FREE guide!

And…

If you are interested in business mentorship services, check out my current offerings here!

When People "Can't Afford" Your Programs

Do you often deal with “price objections” from your prospects? If so, you’re not alone. Many of my agency clients and I have heard prospects say, “I cannot afford your program.”

Years ago, I would often offer discounts and even free services without blinking an eye. However, as of late, I’ve take a different approach and it has truly begun to pay off. My new motto is go high-end or go home.

If potential clients are unable to pay your prices, then they aren’t your ideal client. If your program is truly priced on value, then it is time you stopped discounting or giving it away. Instead, you need to focus on getting into some other rooms, where there are actually people who can make the type of investment you are asking for.

What I’ve learned through the years is that the loudest boos come from the cheapest seats. You would be amazed at the types of emails I get with complaints, demands and refund requests, from people who aren’t even paying the full program price. In addition, if you are in the health and wellness industry, then you need clients who are actually going to follow through with your program. If they aren’t willing to make the initial financial investment, they aren’t going to be willing to make the time and effort investment your program requires. My absolute favorite clients are the ones who struggle to make the initial investment, yet somehow find a way. Those clients value the program, work diligently to follow the program and usually see the best results. Their investment costs them, so they work hard to make it worthwhile.

Do not make cheap your unique differentiator.

Create programs and services that are worth every penny, and don’t apologize for your prices. If you are truly offering value and improving people’s lives, then you can stand behind every dollar you charge. Set fair prices, and then be confident in the ways your programs and services will enhance people’s lives. .

Are you a good example?

Are you a business coach with a $5000 dollar package who isn’t willing to fork out any of your own money for your own business coach? Are you a trainer who is asking people to invest in a $199 program but you aren’t willing to invest in more training and professional development. One of the reasons I can stand behind my coaching packages is that I myself believe in the power of a good coach, and shell out a whole lot of money each year for my own coaching. If you aren’t willing to invest, then it will be a hard sell to get others to be willing to invest in you.

If you are legit, if you have a program that truly helps people, then set your price accordingly and stand behind that price. Put your foot down. Don’t offer discounts. Don’t give your services away for free. If people aren’t willing to invest, then they aren’t your people. If that’s a problem you keep running into, you need to do one of two things:

1-Re-evaluate your pricing. Is it truly as valuable as you believe it to be? If not, adjust your prices or improve your program. If yes, then…

2-Get into some other rooms. The upper class is growing, and there are more and more people with discretionary income at their disposal. Find those people and start marketing there.

Charge what you are worth, every time. Don’t limit yourself, the growth of your business or the good you can do because others don’t see your value. Offer quality, charge a fair price and stop apologizing for that!

Free Winter Warm Up Guide and Client Spotlight

The best part of my business mentorship program is hands down the incredible women I work with. These women are at the forefront of their industries and experts at what they do. They hustle hard and strive to provide incredible programs and services that empower their clients.

Working with these women is truly my greatest passion, and empowering them to earn significant income is what my business mentorship is all about. In the process I’m able to connect my followers with the women responsible for changing the health and wellness industry.

One such lady is Kathryn Manigross. Kathryn is a fitness & wellness coach, passionate about helping others reach their health goals through amazing nutrition and efficient workouts. As a certified StrongFirst kettlebell instructor Kathryn brings expert knowledge to clients looking to get lean and toned.

Kathryn’s got a fantastic new free guide called the Winter Warm Up that includes 3 quick and efficient at-home workouts, 3 crockpots recipes, and 3 hot drink recipes that are intermittent fasting approved. If you are looking for some winter-y comfort foods that will keep you in an optimal fat burning state! This guide is completely free and a fantastic resource to help you get through the cold winter months.

Over the last few months Kathryn has done an incredible job growing her business. Utilizing the Agency Side and my Business Mentorship program Kathryn has seen some incredible success. Here’s what she has to say about working with my team:

“Amanda and her team have been instrumental in creating my first online program. They helped me develop & design my program and have always been readily available to provide feedback & support. By working with her team I have a better understanding online marketing and the strategies on how to grow my business. I have big goals for 2018 and I know that working with Amanda and her team will help me get there. I would definitely recommend Amanda and The Agency Side to other Boss Babes looking to grow their business smart and effectively in the current marketplace.”

Kathryn’s success has come through a number of different avenues, but mainly through her online bootcamps. She’s got another one beginning January 1st called the 30 Day Simply Shred.  30 Day Simply Shred,  is a fitness & nutrition program that incorporates intermittent fasting, carb cycling, interval training and kettlebell training for fat loss and strength building. If you are interested in incorporating kettlebell training into your workouts, Kathryn is absolutely your girl. Her commitment to helping clients reach their goals, and her drive to be the best in her field are inspiring and empowering! Be sure to check out her Instagram and Facebook pages to follow her as she continues to build her business and serve busy women, looking to get fit!

And…

If you are interested in business mentorship services, check out my current offerings here!

3 Predictors of How Much Money You Will Actually Make

Making significant income depends on a lot of things, many of which may not seem all that obvious when you are just getting started. Marketing, hustle, demand, and customer service all matter in the long run, but the greatest predictors of how much money you will make lie in some unlikely places.

Timing in the Marketplace

I have preached timing in the marketplace for years now, and the more clients I work with through my business mentorship programs, the more convinced of this factor I become. You could have the most incredible product or service, an unrivaled work ethic, and all of the fancy marketing in the world, and still not make a profit if the marketplace isn’t ready. If you have been implementing sound marketing, have an exceptional product and are working your tail off to no avail, then it might be time to throw in the towel, or consider a sharp right turn. However, there are some businesses, products and services that are so close to a tipping point, that it would be silly not to jump in and capitalize on that momentum. Finding a sweet spot with timing in the marketplace is a huge predictor of how much money someone will actually make.  

Mindset

Mindset is a huge predictor of future income, but not in a frufru, millennial, manifestation type of way. Your financial outcomes are directly tied to your mindset and your financial reality will be a direct reflection of what you believe to be possible. There are three components to a mindset that translates into significant income:

• Confidence - Confidence comes from forward motion. You can’t wait for confidence to strike before taking action, you have to just start moving; confidence will eventually find its way to you. Operating with confidence is a huge mindset piece that predicts income.
• Abundance - Believing that there are plenty of clients to go around is essential to building a successful business. Women who worry that there won’t be enough to go around will undoubtedly resort to desperate marketing tactics, and push people away. Building a significant income comes out of believing that one person’s success does not negate your own.  
• Upper Limit -Many women have an upper limit problem when they enter into an entrepreneurial venture. This can often lead to self sabotage, and keeps many women from getting to the next level. An upper limit problem commonly occurs because women are afraid that if they begin to earn more money, they will experience criticism, or failure. Unless you change your mindset about your own limits, you will continue to run your business in small ways...making a significant income goal a challenge. The Big Leap is a book that really fleshes this out, and was helpful to me in understanding this issue for both myself and my clients.

Mindset is a huge component to building a successful business, and a significant income. Unless you begin to change your beliefs, you will continue to operate in accordance with them, and your bottom line will suffer in the long run!

Money Management and Goal Setting

One of the biggest predictors of future income is specificity of financial goals, and the ability to manage money. When I meet with a potential mentorship client who has no clear financial goal and is just doing this business thing for “fun”, I know immediately that they won’t be successful. This entrepreneurial stuff is friggin’ hard...why in the world would anyone just do this for “fun”? If you have plenty of money, and the ability to earn more, then why would you not earn more and give back? Why would you not build a thriving business, so you can do more good in the world?

Furthermore, if you don’t have clear goals to reverse engineer, you will constantly be shooting in the dark, and wasting your time. If you don’t know how much money is coming in, and how much you are spending then you simply cannot expect to be successful. You have to have a firm pulse on your finances and a clear direction with specific goals for the future. Otherwise, what in the world are you doing?

Once all of these things are in place, you can work on implementing strategies that work, to grow your business and your bottom line. But without these three things, you simply cannot expect to make a significant income, today or ever. If you feel like you’ve been wasting your time, and need to make a sharp right turn or that you are at a tipping point and ready to  implement cutting edge strategies that work, then my business mentorship program is likely a great fit for you. To find out more, schedule a free consult call to determine if you would be a good fit. Please be aware that this program is a $5000 investment, so only schedule a call if that is an investment you are willing to make!

How to Make More and Work Less

I know what you want as an entrepreneur…

You want to make more money, work less, have financial peace and spend more time with your friends and family. Many of you don’t just want these things for the sake of improving your own life, but so that you might also be able to use that money to give back and make a difference.

While I am the owner of a thriving 7 figure fitness business, my greatest value in the marketplace is actually in helping entrepreneurs just like you earn a significant income to then be able to give back to family, church and community. I truly believe this is the most effective way to bring about change in the world, and it is truly why I do what I do.

The more I work with entrepreneurs in the wellness industry, the more I am convinced there is absolutely no quarter more important than the 4th quarter. This may seem somewhat counter-intuitive as the 1st quarter is traditionally the highest grossing for those in the health and wellness industry. However, if you are not hustling, strategizing and  implementing in the 4th quarter, then people like me and the ladies I work with, will end up with all of your clients in January! It simply is not going to cut it, slacking off during October, November and December, if you expect to kill it in January. You have to get your content and your programs out there consistently so when January rolls around, you are the person that comes to mind when your followers are ready to make a purchase and sign up for a fitness or wellness program.

So, what can you do to get serious now for success in the coming months?

Focus and Simplify.

This truly is THE most important thing you can do right now. If you are like most entrepreneurs, then you have a new idea every 20 minutes. The problem with this is that too many revenue streams will actually hurt your bottom line. They confuse your audience, split your attention, and make your life considerably more complicated. However, when you focus on one main revenue stream at a time, you are able to clearly brand and create consistent messaging regarding who you are and what you do. In addition, you can focus on iterating and perfecting your offering, so it ends up being unbeatable in terms of value. Having one main focus will help you simplify your systems, and allow you to focus on growing your business.

The best type of program to focus on is something easily scalable. The temptation for those in the wellness industry is to go for the higher end coaching clients that require one-on-one service. This is a quick way to make some cash, but it comes with a ton of strings attached. You are limited in the number of clients you can serve, because there are only so many hours in the day. You will in essence be at the beck and call of those clients; a way most of us don’t want to live.

My feature program, The FASTer Way to Fat Loss, is the only program I have promoted for the last two years. The amazing thing about this type of program is that I can run it with 1 client or 1000 clients, using the same amount of time and effort. With this being my only focus, I have been able to perfect it, so it is now the very best program on the market. In addition, I have been able to hone in on affiliate marketing in a huge way to grow the reach of this program. I have consistently marketed the program in a simple, clear way. People now quickly associate me with intermittent fasting and carb cycling, and I’ve gotten thousands of testimonials that prove the program works. These are critical to marketing and have served me incredibly well.  If I had 5 different programs running, the FASTer Way would not be nearly as successful as it is, nor would I have such effective marketing and systems in place. If I had chosen to focus on one-on-one clients, I would be able to do nothing else. Even at a higher price point, the amount of time necessary to serve clients well one-on-one is significantly higher than serving my FASTer Way clients well. I would be making less money overall and working more hours to meet the needs of my clients. A scalable program like the FASTer Way has enabled me to grow my bottom line without sacrificing time with my family, in a way that is truly effective for my clients. There is truly no better way to build a successful, sustainable business.

Take it from me, I have tried and failed many times trying to do too much. I have also run myself ragged trying to meet the needs of my one-on-one clients. I will say it again: focusing on one scalable program will help you simplify your systems and your life, while growing your bottom line significantly!

The next few months are truly crunch time for those in the health and wellness industry. If you are serious about crushing it in January, then now is your time. Create, iterate, strategize, market and implement like crazy, then watch as your programs fill up in 2018!

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Looking to grow a significant income while focusing on an incredibly effective online fitness program? I have certified some incredible women as FASTer Way to Fat Loss coaches over the last 6 months. One of those women has grown her business to over $100,000 since May. The power of the FASTer Way to Fat Loss is truly unbeatable. This business in a box will help you earn your investment back in a matter of weeks. You will get to create a sustainable and significant income, while helping others reach their health and fitness goals. There truly is no better way to build a business!  In order to go through the certification program, you must go through one round of the FASTer Way to Fat Loss to ensure you truly love the program and that it fits with your own lifestyle and convictions.

OR….

If you are already certified in the health and wellness industry as a personal trainer, nutritionist, naturopathic doctor, dietician or wellness coach, then you would probably be a better fit for my business mentorship + agency services package. This program will help you focus on using your skills, training and experience to create your own online program that is simple, effective and easily scalable. We will focus on the development of your program all the way through the marketing, branding and implementation of your program. You will have my guidance as your business coach and the support of my agency team to get things done.

If you are serious about making more money and working less, then you’ve got to focus and simplify. Now is the time, health and wellness pros. This quarter is when you need to be strategizing, hustling and putting things into place so that clients roll in come January. To determine which program is the best fit for you, set up an information consult call asap. During this quick 20 minute chat we will determine the right place for you based on your needs and experience. These programs are priced identically, but the cost of the business mentorship program will be doubling beginning January 1st. I only have a few slots available for both of these programs, so if you are interested, setup your call today!

What's Holding You Back From Going Live

I’ve been preaching the power of live video for a while now. In fact, I just launched my Live Video Academy because I truly believe live video is the most effective tool female entrepreneurs have to connect with the right people and turn those people into paying clients.

With all that said, even I can let things hold me back from going live. I still get nervous, just like many of you. Here’s why...

What holds us back from going live with confidence?

Fear of criticism

One of the reasons I’m sometimes hesitant to go live is that I don’t want people to criticize me and the things I’m sharing. The truth is, the more success we have, the more open we become to the criticism of others. The internet gives us all a platform. Some of us use it to build, create and encourage. Others use it to criticize and spread negativity. The more followers you have, the more likely you are to interact with the latter group on some level. There is no shortage of criticism online and the fear of it can hold many of us back.

Fear of looking dumb

If I am being completely honest, I don’t want to go live because I don’t want to look dumb. I don’t want to get on there and stumble over my words, or ramble. I don’t want to get on there when my hair isn’t on point or when I’ve just thrown on my workout clothes. Looking dumb is a huge fear that can creep in just before I hit the go live button.

I am not sure what to say

While I’m sure you think I am never at a loss for words, I often feel like I don’t have much to share. I think that no one really wants to hear what I have to say, or that what I would say is not all that valuable. This will often hold me back from going live, as I don’t believe there is really any reason for me to add to the noise online.

My epic fails...that’s right, there’s more than one!

A few months ago, I did a live video with the intention of giving women the freedom to step away from network marketing partnerships that were not profitable. I had seen so many women depleted and feeling like a failure because they couldn’t make their network marketing partnership work. I wanted to address the issue and let women know they did not need to be all things at all times. If they were not destined to be a business owner then that was truly okay.

However, during the video, I went off script and mentioned a specific demographic of people that I believed should not be business owners. I quickly began to receive comments, and realized that I actually have several friends who fit this demographic and are successful business owners. Lost in my passion were my good intentions, and I ended up sending several apology emails and text messages that week. I was so thankful to receive so much grace, and felt horrible.  It felt a bit like a face plant in front of thousands of people. Thankfully, I was able to recover and make things right.

Then, just a little while ago, I did a follow up video on a related topic. I saw that it was getting some great traction and that it had been shared by several people. I hopped on to see who was sharing, assuming it was because they liked the message. Boy was I wrong. Three different people had shared the video solely to criticize me for using my hands too much. People were then commenting on how much I moved not only my hands, but my head.  Basically all of these people were making fun of the way I speak, paying no attention at all to what I was actually saying. To say that this hurt would be an understatement. Talking with my hands is just a thing I do when I am passionate. It is very much who I am, and something I’ve worked on in the past. Live video seems to highlight this, and several people had lots of thoughts on that. For a minute, I wanted to call it a day and stop going live. But I didn’t.

I pushed past all of these things because...

It is truly my mission to help female entrepreneurs earn a significant income so they can recirculate that money back into family, church and community. I believe that is the most effective way to bring about change in the world. So, I have to move past my own fears and provide value for my clients and followers.

At the end of the day, I know I can truly help people grow their business and change the world as a result. It really isn’t about me, it’s about my clients.

If I am able to truly help the women I am called to help, then I can deal with people making fun of my hand motions, or going live with a terrible haircut. Sometimes I have to just get over myself and move forward, knowing I have been called to do certain things, and need to be faithful to do those things, despite my fears.

If you’ve been called to build a business, and online marketing will help you do that, then you need to look at what’s holding you back and hold it up against that calling.

Yes, fear is real. People may criticize you. They may make fun of you. You may say the wrong thing and have to send out apology emails, or take down a video. But, if you can truly help people, then do it anyway.

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You simply cannot grow your business in today's online market without effectively leveraging the power of live video.  Our Live Video Academy is designed to help you utilize cutting edge strategies to maximize your effectiveness on live video so  you can grow your bottom line! The next round starts October 30th. Spots are going quickly, so reserve yours today!
 

Platinum Mentorship Program is Officially Open!

I am thrilled to be starting a new program in September that is bringing me back to my roots. While I am super excited about what this program will provide for my clients, I need to give you a little background before diving into the deliverables.

A Little Background

For the last 10 years I have worked in the fitness industry helping women get stronger and healthier through various in person and online programs, most recently through the FASTer Way to Fat Loss. This is truly my passion and something I absolutely love doing every day. However, what many people don’t realize is that my professional background is in digital marketing. All of my working experience has been in that field, and for the last 5 or 6 years I have been working in various capacities as a digital marketing consultant.

As the founder of the Agency Side, a full service digital marketing agency, I have been able to marry my passion for fitness and experience as a digital marketing expert using both of those skill sets to help countless female entrepreneurs in the wellness industry successfully grow their businesses.

The Mission

It is truly my mission to understand and satisfy the strategy, content and design needs of female entrepreneurs in the wellness industry. I do this because I am passionate about helping women earn significant income so they can recirculate that money back into family, church and community. Because women typically give at far higher rates than men, I truly believe that equipping women to earn significant income is the most effective way to bring about change in the world.

The Evolution of my Programs and Services

When I first started consulting, my main focus was on business strategy meetings with my clients. I would help them get their business started, and then help them scale those businesses effectively. We met regularly and for a tiny amount of money. My clients saw significant results and I began to see another need they had...done-for-you services.

So, we moved to a managed services package that provided clients with strategy, content and design. They got monthly projects written and designed, in addition to strategy calls with both me and my team. This was helpful in a lot of ways, but ended up being a lot for clients. They had to constantly think through how to get things turned in so we could design and write for them. This added an extra layer of pressure that many clients weren’t ready for.

Which brings me to right now.

I am bringing it back to where everything started with my 90 Day Platinum Mentorship program. This program is going to focus once again on strategy. What I am finding more and more often is that my clients need guidance, direction, and a clear blueprint for success. They need a true coach to lay things out for them and then hold them accountable. There is still a need for services, but that is not as pressing as the need for someone to help them walk the right path, the right way, at the right time, in terms of growing a business. This mentorship program will provide all of that for female entrepreneurs who are serious about growing their health and wellness businesses.  

In the 90 Day Platinum Mentorship you will get:

• 1 or 2 meetings with Amanda per month (up to 45 min)
• Writing and *design deliverables for the quarter
• Private online community
• Monthly mastermind calls
• VIP Weekend opportunity

This 90 day program is NOT for the faint of heart. It will require a lot of hustle and a lot of work. It is not for new business owners. However, it is designed for those ready to take their business to the next level.

Why Now?

I am launching this program in September for a few reasons. The first is that I am having this baby sometime in late December/early January. Once she comes, I will be slowing things down a bit, so a September launch date is ideal. Second, I truly believe that the 4th quarter is the most important time for hustling, marketing and producing content for those in the health and wellness space. Come January 1st, you don’t want to be picking back up, you want to have hundreds of clients signed up for your programs, paid and ready to go. That only happens if you don’t take a break during the 4th quarter.

Who is an Ideal Fit for this Program?

I teased this program a few days ago, and already have women interested, ready to sign on the dotted line. That means there isn’t much room left. In addition, I am going to be highly selective when it comes to this mentorship program. A good fit would be someone who:

• Has a goal of earning multiple 6 figures or 7 figures in the next year
• Has an established, viable business
• Is in the wellness industry*
• Is willing to dream big and work hard
• Needs guidance to take things to the next level
• Has a clear income goal, and is willing to dive into the numbers
• Has a desire and the availability to participate in a VIP weekend

Bonus points for someone with a team to help them implement, but this is not a deal breaker, since I do have a team that can help.

*If you are in another industry, but think you may be a good fit for this program, schedule a call and let’s chat. My preference is health and wellness, but I have worked with many entrepreneurs in various industries before, and am willing to consider your specific circumstances and goals!

The only way to be considered for this program is to set up a free consult call with me. Again, this program is selective with limited openings. If you think you might be a good fit, sign up for a consult ASAP before spots are gone.

To read more about the specifics of the mentorship, head on over here!

I cannot wait to see the way these clients crush their goals over our 90 days together. Watching other women succeed is truly one of my greatest joys in life, so this mentorship program is something that I am incredibly excited about. Be sure to schedule your consult today!

Ideal Product Flow for Wellness Professionals: How to Make 6 Figures Per Year

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times...there is no better time than right now to be a female entrepreneur in the wellness industry. Today’s marketplace is truly wide open for women wanting to earn a significant income in the health and wellness space, and my commitment is to help you figure out exactly how to do that!

Before I lay out an effective product flow, I want to be clear that there is not one specific product flow that will work for every business owner. However, this is the flow I have used to grow a 7-figure fitness business, and one that many of my clients have used to grow their own businesses, significantly. This is a general outline to follow, that you can tweak and adapt to meet your clients’ needs and your business goals.

Tripwire Product

A tripwire product is a low cost product that helps you distinguish between leads and conversions. You can have a million followers, but if they don’t ever convert to paying clients, then what good is that?

My tripwire product is the FASTer Way to Fat Loss cookbook. This cookbook is an intro to intermittent fasting and carb cycling, provides clients with an overview of the FASTer Way food cycle and provides them with some delicious recipes they can use immediately. It also teases the FASTer Way program, which is the next step in my product flow. The cost for my cookbook is $24.99; priced high enough to make it profitable for me, but low enough to make it a no-brainer for potential clients.

While tripwire products are important, I usually tell the women I coach to focus first on the feature program, and then create their tripwire product.

Feature Program

Your feature program is your bread and butter. It is the program you want to spend time perfecting and tweaking to ensure your clients get incredible results. A good price point for this program is around $200, and is usually something like a 6 week online group bootcamp. Your tripwire product should be designed to draw people into your feature product, and you ideally want your clients to love your feature product so much they want to go through it at least twice!

My feature product is the FASTer Way to Fat Loss, my 6 week online bootcamp. I spent a LONG time perfecting this program so that anyone who truly follows it will see incredible results and be able to adopt the program as a true lifestyle. I charge $199 for the FASTer Way and have had incredible success with it over the last two years. My goal is to have all clients who go through the program once sign up for a second round (I just wrote a post about why 6 weeks isn’t enough), and then I give them the opportunity to filter into my membership program.

Membership Option

After clients have gone through your feature program once or twice, it is wise to have a membership program to filter them into at a lower, recurring price point. This is where you can offer more advanced strategies, continue to provide them with your services (meal plans, workouts, etc) and provide an online community for them moving forward. A membership option provides you with recurring income, which means a little peace of mind for you moving forward.

I recently created my FASTer Way VIP membership, which is solely for those who have gone through at least two rounds of my FASTer Way program. This membership provides ongoing workouts and support for my clients, in addition to in-depth training each month. I bring in some of the best mentors around and provide my VIP members with lots of great info to continue seeing results through the FASTer Way lifestyle.

Following this product flow, you don’t need thousands of clients to make a 6 figure income! Watch how this system will get you to your goal.

Let’s say you have…

• 15 clients per month who purchase your tripwire product at @$24.99 = $374.85
• 25 clients per month who sign up for your feature program @$199 = $4975
• 30 clients who sign up for your membership site @$99 =$2970
• Blog commissions/affiliate programs = $500

Total monthly revenue=$8,819.85, which would translate to $105,838 per year…with only 70 clients!!

Ideally, that membership option would grow over time and you would bring in more and more leads for your tripwire product and feature program. But, you don’t need to make 1000’s of sales per month to make 6 figures. You just have to hustle, convert and work hard to deliver incredible results, keeping in mind it is NOT solely about the money, but the number of lives you are changing for the better!

Again, there is no one size fits all approach, but this is how I have grown the FASTer Way brand successfully in just under 2 years. It has also been getting my clients some incredible success with their online programs, so for the most part, this will fit the needs of most female entrepreneurs in the wellness industry!

Want to learn more about how to market and grow your personal program? My mentorship programs are designed specifically for female entrepreneurs in the wellness industry. There is no one out there who is more equipped to help you than me and my team. The wellness industry is our specialty, and we provide you with both strategy and content, as well as design and technology services. The prices for my online mentorship programs will be close to doubling in January, so be sure to hop on now to lock in at a lower rate. Those who invest in these programs see such significant ROI that they often make back their initial investment within a few months. To learn more and schedule a consult, click the button below!

Why I Haven't Checked My Email Since January

About 6 months ago, I put out an S.O.S message asking you all for some help. My email situation had gotten a little out of hand and was causing me some significant stress!

Since then, I have put a few things in place that have exponentially improved the situation! These tips are incredibly beneficial to anyone running their own business, and will help you focus on the activities that only you can do to move your business forward. Since implementing these things, I have so much more peace, am more productive, and am able to stay more positive throughout the day.

So, if you want to free yourself from the burden of email and constant contact, try implementing a few of these things!

Create an autoresponder.

One of the best things I have done, thanks to the great advice of my followers, was create an autoresponder that answers common questions, sets a realistic response-time expectation, and sends the emailer to various places they can have their questions answered: blogs, FAQ’s, my team, etc. This saves a lot of time and lets clients know they will not be hearing back from me in a few seconds!

Create a comprehensive FAQ section on your website.

If I am going to send people to my FAQ page in my autoresponder, then I obviously have to have a substantial FAQ page on my site. This has been particularly helpful in my fitness business, and as we get more questions from clients, we use them to beef up the page so in the future we can redirect them there.

I do not answer my emails.

My team answers email for me. If they have an issue or question they text me, but they know to keep these kinds of texts to a minimum. Over the years we have gotten so many of the same questions that my teammates know the answer to almost everything that comes our way. I trust them to handle this well, and know when to pull me in!

Some other tips to help you stay sane and focused…

These aren’t necessarily related to email, but go along with being constantly reachable.

Remove text messages from your lockscreen.

When my phone is locked, I don’t get text messages. This keeps me from constantly being distracted during consults each day.

Turn off social media notifications.

Do this now. Seriously. You do not need a pop-up every time someone likes one of your Instagram photos. Turn them all off! I don’t even look at my FB notifications. I simply pop into my groups, interact and engage that way, then head out of there. With over 100 notifications everytime I log in, I would never get out of that rabbit hole! I also don’t check FB messages often, and let people know that this is not an effective way to get in touch with me.

Put your phone on Do Not Disturb.

I leave mine on Do Not Disturb all of the time, but recommend at least leaving it in this mode during times you are working to finish something.

Set clear expectations with your clients up front.

When someone joins one of your programs, or begins working with you, let them know:

1. Exactly how you want them to contact you, and how they should NOT be contacting you.

2. How long it typically takes for you to respond. Be realistic and remember, don’t do for 1 what you can’t do for 300.

When possible, hire help.

The reason I can go 6 months without checking email is because I have an amazing team that can answer the messages for me. I place a HUGE emphasis on customer service, so I can’t afford to just ignore everyone all the time. However, with an effective team in place, customer service stays in tact and I can focus my efforts elsewhere.

You do not have to be a slave to every person vying for your attention. You are responsible for moving your business forward. You are responsible for creating and marketing. You have to be doing money-producing activities, every. single. day. So, do what you have to in order to ensure you are focused, positive and as relaxed as possible. That may mean giving email the boot!

3 Reasons to End Your Network Marketing Partnership and 1 Reason to Stay

If you are partnered with a network marketing company, it may be time to throw in the towel and call it quits…

...or maybe not!

As a digital marketing expert, I have the unique opportunity to see women partnered with all types of network marketing companies. Because of this, and the fact that I am not partnered with a network marketing company at this time, I am able to offer an unbiased outsider’s perspective. I can honestly say that many women need to consider ending their partnership. Here are three reasons why...

Your purpose does not include running a business.

As women we are pressured to do it all: look like a fitness model, raise the next generation with excellence, cook a healthy meal for our family every night, and run a successful business. Here’s the deal though, not every woman is destined to be a business owner, and that is okay! If you are not meant to be a business owner, then you are wasting time, spinning your wheels on something that isn’t yours to do. If it is not in line with your God given purpose, don’t do it. You won’t be satisfied or fulfilled, no matter how hard you work!

It is incredibly frustrating to watch women feel like failures because they are pouring time and energy into something they weren’t meant to do at the expense of things they were. Do what you are called to do, ladies. If that is to be an incredible stay at home mom, do that. If that is to be a teacher, a nurse or a CEO, go for it. If it was network marketing, then by all means, hang in there. If not, consider walking away.

You are not making money or seeing a return on your investment.

If you aren’t making money commensurate with the work you are putting in, then it may be time to step away from your partnership. If you are working hard, grinding every day, then it may not be your fault that you aren’t earning significant income.  Maybe the company hit its tipping point 5 years ago and those who joined then are making a large income, but if you aren’t, then it may just be bad timing in the marketplace or perhaps the market is oversaturated with consultants. If it isn’t an ideal time in the marketplace, you are spinning your wheels and should call it quits. No matter how hard you work, you won’t see ROI if it isn’t a good time for the company in the marketplace.

If you're losing friends and feeling spammy, then it’s time to call it quits.

If you’re feeling spammy, then it’s because you are likely doing spammy things. If you feel pressure to act in a spammy way, then it’s time to say goodbye to that network marketing company. If you are starting relationships for the sole purpose of getting others to buy your products or join your team...then it’s time to step away.

While there are obviously reasons to leave, there is one main reason to STAY in your network marketing partnership...

You are making money, have flexibility and love the products and lifestyle you are living.

If you are earning passive or residual income, and are enjoying your partnership, then by all means continue. If you are truly living a flexible lifestyle and not just working another job, then continue. If you are absolutely loving the products because they solve real problems, and love the lifestyle you are living, then keep your partnership right where it is.

Ladies, many of you need to step down from your network marketing partnership. Please hear me when I say there is no shame in doing so. You do not have to do it all. Do the things you are called to do with complete passion and focus and say goodbye to everything else!

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I am regularly asked about network marketing companies that are worth partnering with based on timing in the marketplace. Here are some that I would recommend in today’s market.

Beautycounter- because they offer non-toxic self care products, they solve a real problem and most consultants are doing quite well!  

Lularoe- if you are willing to work full time on your business, this is a fantastic option for a partnership. I also like that the buy-in is high, because that draws in a certain type of consultant.  

Rodan and Fields- this is a company I really love right now. The products are phenomenal and there is great brand recognition in today’s market. The higher prices mean you draw in clients who have money to spend. Plus, they are expanding into Australia which means they’re growing their reach.

Isagenix- this company offers a fantastic compensation structure with a focus on nutrition, so is a great fit for wellness professionals or those with an interest in the wellness industry.

LipSense- right now this company is really taking off, so if you are interested, now is the time to join.

DoTerra/Young Living-the products are great, and they solve real problems, so are a fantastic option for those wanting to partner with a network marketing company.

Stop Signing Up for Things!

Literally everywhere you turn, there is someone offering another download, webinar, workshop or class. There are huge promises attached to every offer and most of them fail to deliver…leaving you scratching your head and more confused than when you started. While I absolutely believe there is a ton of great information out there, consider a few of the following things before you spend any more money or time on another download, workshop, webinar or class.

Do you have the time to work through the material... and implement it?

While there is a ton of great stuff out there, we simply cannot implement all of it. So, before you hop on the next resource ask yourself if you really have the margin to go through the material and put it into practice. If the answer is no, but it is content you feel like you really need then you have two options: make the time to go through and implement or wait a while until you have more time.

Is the creator someone who has truly built the kind of business or life you want to emulate?

If you are going to buy something that teaches you how to build a six-figure income, do some digging to find out if the person who’s created the content has actually built a six-figure income. Does the creator of the resource live in a way that is appealing to you? Do they market in a way you would feel comfortable marketing? Does their brand, mission and values resonate with you? If not, then you could end up with a ton of strategies that you never feel comfortable using, or that don’t really get you to where you’d like to be.

Are there testimonials that come from people LIKE YOU?

It isn’t terribly difficult to get testimonials these days, so consider where these testimonials are coming from. Are they from people who are in a similar stage as you are? Will you have the same type of access to resources as these people did? Do these people have the same type of problem you have that this resource is claiming to solve? If the testimonials are all positive but the people giving them aren’t like you, then you aren’t likely to see the same results.

Will learning something else equip you towards your purpose, or paralyze you with more info you don’t have time for?

Are you in a place where you know exactly what you need to move forward, or are you grabbing at straws for every new thing that promises to grow your business? If you are able to see exactly how a course, workshop or product will help you move forward towards your passion, then by all means invest your time and money. If you aren’t sure how this particular program will move you forward, but it sounds like something you “should” invest in, then it isn’t for you...at least not right now.

Does the resource actually solve a problem you have, or just load you down with more than you need to worry about?

There is a ton of info out there that would be great to have, but it doesn’t actually solve a problem you are facing. If the course, product or download doesn’t directly address your pain-points, skip it and look for something that does. If you are a busy woman trying to run a business and a home, you don’t have time to waste on stuff that doesn’t address your actual needs.

You don’t have to hop on every resource, class, webinar and program available to you. Consider who the creator is, and what the benefit of the resource will be to moving your business forward. Also be sure you have the time and margin to learn the material and then implement it. Be selective with where you invest your time, money and mental focus, so that you can maximize every resource to propel your business forward.

Network Marketing Mistakes to Avoid and Tips to Doing Things Better

I’ve gotten lots of messages lately, on virtually every social media platform out there. Most of these messages are from network marketers who think I would be a good fit for their team. Most of them are canned responses that are obvious and frustrating. While I personally have no resentment towards network marketers, and think it is flattering when they reach out to me thinking I might be a good fit for their team, I do think something needs to change.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to build a business that offers you flexibility. In addition, network marketing is often the gateway to entrepreneurship for many. However, what’s happened over the last two years, as the network marketing industry has grown exponentially, is  there are more and more women marketing their products online. This has cluttered the online space, and created a lot of noise. Most of these women have little to no experience in marketing, so simply follow the lead of their upline or their corporate offices. Unfortunately, they are taught spammy tactics to make sales and grow their teams: which can alienate friends and create an overwhelming pressure to hit their goals.

Some Common Mistakes

Mistake 1

The number one mistake I see network marketing professionals make is posting stock images from corporate, focused solely on making a sale, not solving problems. They post a stock image of a bag of shakes, talk about how this particular brand of shakes is the best, and how for only $10 a day, you too can have these shakes.

Here’s the thing, no one really cares about your shakes unless they are going to do something to solve some kind of problem. This truly is one of the worst ways to market as it completely negates the client’s need, and tries to make a sale without any obvious benefit to client.  

Mistake 2

This is a relatively new strategy, but is growing in popularity. In order to entice people into sales, consultants or associates add their friends, family, and friends of friends to a sale group on Facebook. However, to avoid being slimy and spammy, you must get permission before adding people to groups. I’ve been added to groups, removed myself, then added back several times. People….we’ve got to stop this madness! A major tenant of marketing is gaining the trust of your potential clients. You simply cannot do that without getting their permission to add them to your groups. Plus, when you do this, you are filling your group with a bunch of people who aren’t truly interested or engaged, instead of qualified leads who want what you have.

Mistake 3

This has happened to all of us, and is a huge mistake so many network marketers are making in today’s market. In an effort to get a certain number of “bites”, they send out canned messages to a couple of hundred friends, or friends of friends on Facebook. These messages are typically fail to connect with the person they are messaging on any real, meaningful level. Network marketing friends, if you feel al ittle bit of dissonance in doing this, just don’t do it! If you don’t feel dissonance, then I am telling you, there are way better strategies out there that will be far less spammy, and will lead to greater long term success.

Tips to grow your network marketing business without losing your friends or your mind.

Generate highly qualified leads by genuinely solving problems and offering free resources.

Instead of throwing out stock photos, spend your time creating valuable content that naturally fits with the products you provide. Consider what problems your ideal client may have and how your products can solve those problems. Develop a free ebook, checklist or resource that you can give away for free to people who sign up for your email list.

For  example, if you sell skincare consider creating a lead magnet with tips on how to prevent and reverse sun damage. This is something most women would be interested in downloading, and is timely with spring break and summer coming. Once you’ve written some great content, you can circle back around through an email or message, thanking your potential client for downloading your tips, and making an easy transition into a product that would help solve their issues. If you create a great lead magnet, you will earn people’s trust. Once people trust you, they will be more likely to make a purchase from you, because you are proposing a solution to their problem, not just shoving a product in front of them!

Micro-Influencer Outreach

Once you’ve created  your lead magnet, you can then share that lead magnet with influencers in complimentary industries. For example, if you are partnered with a network marketing company that sells protein shakes, and your lead magnet is 5 Reasons New Moms Need Protein,  you can ask someone who has a Facebook group of 2,000 moms to share your lead magnet with her group. This helps you get in front of 2,000 new eyes, while providing her group with valuable information that will help them live a healthier lifestyle.

Another option would be to reach out to the same influencer and ask her if you could possibly do a live split screen interview in her group, sharing tips about how new moms can find nutritional balance. This too provides the influencer with valuable content for the group, while getting you in front of a larger audience. The important thing here is to link to your free offer and gather emails, not go directly to making a sale!

Think outside the box to grow your community page.

Instead of randomly adding friends to your Facebook group, consider how you can provide them with value, so they actually WANT to be in your group. Consider a free 5 day course or challenge, or a free resource for joining your group. For example, if you sell leggings, offer a free spring style guide to everyone in your group. Again, think about how you can provide value for your group members so they are excited to be there.

Friends, if you are partnered with a network marketing company, it’s time to start thinking like a digital marketer, not like a network marketer. Be a problem solver who happens to provide products to those who need them. Build trust, and run from the spammy, annoying canned marketing tactics corporate preaches. It’s time we stopped this madness friends...there truly is a better way!

How I "Do It All"

One of the most common struggles I hear from female entrepreneurs is implementing the countless ideas they have. They know they need to regularly be creating incredible content, have a sleek and professional looking website, and set up systems to make the daily grind a little simpler. However, those can be incredibly overwhelming things to get done when you are working on your own or with a very small team.

One of the most common things I am asked by aspiring or new female entrepreneurs is how I juggle “it all.”

The truth is, I don’t.

I focus my time and energy on what I believe to be the highest use of my time and delegate the rest. I have writers, a copy editor, an assistant, several designers, tech savvy back-end implementers and a personal chef. Delegating all of that allows me to spend my time moving our companies forward, doing front end marketing, creating effective programs and being the wife and mom my family needs.

I simply do not do it all...and if you want to be effective, you shouldn’t either. You have a wheelhouse. You are amazing at something...in fact, it’s what people come to you for.

But, if you’re like most entrepreneurs, you are bogged down in a never ending list of to-do’s that have nothing to do with that wheelhouse.

You are stuck in accounting, tech, and graphic design when you want to be out there creating new workouts for clients.

That’s where the Agency Side comes in. If you are a female entrepreneur struggling to implement and carry out all of your amazing ideas, we have a full service team to help!

We specialize in design, content and strategy so you don’t have to do it all.  My team truly has everything you need to run a successful business. We always deliver top notch work so you look like a true pro.

You need to get back to your wheelhouse. You need to focus on areas that are truly the highest use of you and your time.  You need to let us handle the rest...because delegation is the key to long-term success.

Work Smarter

So about a month ago, I sent out an SOS regarding my email headache. I was literally losing sleep over my emails and knew I needed to do something about it.

Which got me thinking....

Lori Grenier once said, “Entrepreneurs are willing to work 80 hours a week to avoid working 40 hours per week.” While this quote is true, my own experience has taught me it is truly an unhealthy way to live.

Early in my career, I made myself incredibly accessible to clients. I responded within minutes to messages and checked email constantly throughout the day. I regularly under promised and over delivered, thinking that would create loyalty and a lasting client base. But, I was wrong.

What has created loyalty and a lasting client base are excellent services that were truly valued by those investing in them. Over the last year, I’ve found that for me to truly fulfill my life’s purpose, I needed to scale back and focus on essentials.

Since then, I’ve made some changes and set up a few systems that have helped me simplify and focus so I can invest in the activities that will move my business forward and help me fully live out my purpose.

I made a major mindset shift.

John Maxwell said, “You cannot overestimate the unimportance of practically everything.” This truth has helped me take the weight off a bit. There really are very few things that absolutely need to be done each day. Removing the pressure that comes with trying to do a million things every day has allowed me to focus on getting the most important things done and has already made a difference for my business’s bottom line.

Only do for 1 what you’re willing to do for 300.

If you are just starting out, be sure to manage your accessibility to clients. The precedent you set with one, will be what you have to carry out with 300 or 1000 clients. If you answer every email within minutes, clients will learn to expect that kind of response time. That doesn’t sound too bad when you’ve got 5 clients, but will be impossible when you have 50 or 100 clients.

So be careful with how accessible you make yourself, always asking, “is this something I can maintain when my client load doubles, triples or quadruples?” If not, you need to make some changes!

Create an email autoresponder.

Last month I was literally up at night because my email situation was causing me such a huge amount of stress. So, I recently set up an autoresponder that has made a significant difference. If you don’t have one of these, I highly recommend using one.

In my autoresponder, I have links to my FAQ pages, program option pages, and consult appointment page. This answers most questions people email about and lets them know how long they can expect to wait to hear back from me. This also helps me relax a little, knowing I don’t have nearly as many emails to answer!

Be clear about the way you’d like your clients to communicate and what they can expect.

For my FASTer Way to Fat Loss program, I’m extremely clear about how I want my clients to communicate with me. I let them know in the comprehensive guide and the Q+A session that I will not respond to emails or FB messages, but will be checking in daily on the group Facebook pages. I want clients to ask their questions there because I know this cuts back on duplicate questions and answers.  

Take a social media break.

Lately I’ve been getting such a high number of private messages on both Instagram and Facebook, that it’s become incredibly overwhelming. Most of the messages are from people partnered with a network marketing company, who either don’t know me, or don’t know me well enough to connect on a genuine level.

The problem with these requests is they take a significant amount of my time to sort through. While there are some legitimate messages in my inboxes, they are hard to find amid all the clutter. So, I decided to just say no to all things social media, during Lent! I will check in on my client Facebook pages each day, and schedule my Instagram posts. However, I will not be checking ANY messages through Facebook or Instagram because my time is incredibly important and needs to be spent on things that will move my business and life purpose forward!

If you get find yourself lost in a sea of requests that have nothing to do with your business, or real life...just take a break! If you are spending hours scrolling on IG or Facebook, just cut it off for a while. You may be surprised by how much less stressed you feel!

I truly believe it’s time we simplified and focused our hustle on things that will truly move our businesses forward and help us live our purpose. There is no reason to work 80 hours a week if you are intentional, set some boundaries, and streamline your processes.

Take your text notifications off your home screen, turn off email notifications, remove apps from your phone that distract you and delegate in every place you’re able to. Work smarter, so when your work harder, that work makes a difference for your bottom line!

Why You Should Stop Stealing Content

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, right? Yes!

Stealing on the other hand... not so much.

If you’ve ever been in my business mentorship programs or workshops then you know I am an open book. My goal is to give clients everything they need to build a significant income to recirculate back into family, church and community. I want my clients to imitate the things I’ve done to grow my business so they too can grow their businesses.

However…I’ve recently had some past clients and social media followers use my exact content without giving me credit. They’ve used my posts, copy, and/or program content and passed it off as their own. That’s not a strategy that’s going to go well for them.

Because I always operate out of the abundance mindset this truly doesn’t bother much; in fact I expect some of this. My company leads the way with authority. Our brand was born to be a leader. The Agency Side takes the alpha stance: we strengthen, we earn respect, we motivate and we guide action. Because we are a role model in the industry, we are often copied. But again, stealing stuff from me...or any other successful entrepreneur, is truly a terrible idea.

Here’s why...

Copying my stuff makes you look bad.

Trying to be like me won’t work. You aren’t me. Instead of pouring time and energy into copying my stuff, consider what YOUR highest value is in today’s marketplace, based on your unique strengths. If you are using my content it is always going to come across as disingenuous. And, you will inevitably attract the wrong leads to your business.

You don’t have my team.

I can promote my products and services because I can back up my promotions. I have a massive team of highly qualified individuals who always deliver. You do not have the same team I do, with the same strengths. You will not be able to provide what you are promoting at the same level I can. This will lead to your own burn out and lots of unhappy clients.

When I work with aspiring entrepreneurs or new business owners, I pour everything I have into helping them establish a thriving business. However, I always focus on helping clients figure out programs and services that are truly unique to their background, expertise, passion, and value in the marketplace. I don’t believe in a cookie cutter approach to online courses, product flow or business models. The cookie cutter approaches don’t work. If you don’t stand out in today’s marketplace then you will undoubtedly be ignored!

Honestly, I don’t lose sleep over people stealing my content. I have a great lawyer who handles these things... and I am more than willing to let him do just that. But ultimately, I lose little sleep because I know the only way to build a sustainably successful business is to be original and provide incredible content and services. If you are stealing things from me, or anyone else, you won’t be able to provide that, and will eventually find yourself struggling.

Come up with your own content, friends. You will have far better ROI when you do.  

Be original, be unique, be honest and lead your business with excellence and integrity.

Say Goodbye to Your Newsletter Opt-In

The newsletter opt-in is dead.

Take down your opt-in boxes, and say your good-byes.

In today’s cluttered market, there are very few people willing to sign up for a generic opt-in like a newsletter. If you want to build your email list...and you should want to build your email list...then it’s time to uplevel your offering.

Instead of a generic newsletter sign up, you will see far greater success in growing your list when you offer an incredibly valuable lead magnet. In order to truly stand out in today’s market, you’ve got to provide exceptional value in everything you put out. If not, you will simply be adding to the noise and people will begin to tune you out.

How do you create an incredibly valuable lead generator?

Explain the Why and the What

When creating your lead magnet always begin with your ideal client’s pain points. You could create something that solves an actual problem, or that educates your ideal client about a need related to their pain point. An effective lead magnet will address the why and the what of a topic, leaving your ideal clients looking for the how.

For example, my FASTer Way to Fat Loss bootcamp implements the cutting edge strategies of intermittent fasting and carb cycling. My lead magnet is a guide to the basics of those strategies. In that guide, I explain what these strategies are why these strategies are effective. I do not give away how they are implemented in my program, because that’s what clients pay for.

Consider how you might be able to do this reverse engineering your paid programs and services. What are some natural pain points your programs and services address, and how can you create something that addresses the what and the why behind your programs, without giving away the how?

Be specific.

Getting specific might feel contradictory to growing your business because it might alienate people. However, when you address specific needs, you establish your trustworthiness and build a relationship with the right kinds of clients. So, don’t be afraid to really hone in on a specific topic or need when creating your lead magnet. Here are some examples:

• Instead of a guide to Burn Fat Fast create a Lean Legs and Buns Guide.
• Instead of 5 Marketing Tips that Work create 5 Strategies to Grow Your Business Using Instagram
• Instead of a 5 Day Exercise and Meal Plan create 5 Kettlebell Workouts to Get You Shredded

There are a million generic lead magnets out there today...be specific so you stand out!

Be practical.

Giving people actual tools to solve their problems is a fantastic way to grow your email list quickly. Offering a free workbook, worksheet or interactive guide that someone can begin using immediately will go a long way to bringing in the right types of clients.

For example you could create:

• A macro tracker
• Daily Checklist for Working Moms
• Sample Meal Planning Worksheet
• Photographer’s pre-shoot checklist
• Weekly Live Video Planner

Solving a problem with a tool your followers can use is a great way to become their go-to person. Once you’ve established yourself as an expert in their minds, you will be able to make sales a lot more easily.

Newsletters are truly a thing of the past. People are no longer interested in receiving news and tips in exchange for their email address. However, once you’ve given them something they can truly use and have established yourself as someone they know, like and trust, they will be more than happy to click open when your tips, tricks and sales hit their inboxes.

Using Facebook Live with Confidence

If you’ve listened to me for any amount of time, then you know I am a huge proponent of using live video to grow your business. Live video is truly the very best way to build your know-like- trust factor, share valuable content, and market your products, services or programs. The Facebook algorithm absolutely loves live video and will push your videos into your friends’ feeds much more often than any type of static post you throw up on your wall.

If you are looking for a no-cost way to grow your reach and make sales, then you simply can’t avoid live video any longer.

However, I know live video can be scary. I am often asked by the ladies in my Business Accelerator Workshop how to move past the fear when going live. Here are a few tips that help me feel more confident when broadcasting live:

Pre-plan your content.

I pre-plan my content every time I hop on. I write out notes on the notepad on my computer or on a sticky note I keep beside my computer. I highly recommend you do this for your broadcasts, as it keeps you from rambling and gives you a solid guide for where you want to go during your video. You definitely don’t want to read directly from notes, but you do want to have your main points written out, so you use your time wisely and sound like the professional you are!

Bring a buddy.

This might sound a little funny to you, but there is strength in numbers. I often bring Brandon into my Facebook live broadcasts, not because he has a ton to add, but because I am more confident when he is there with me! If you don’t have anyone at home you can bring into your videos, try a split screen interview with a friend or influencer using BeLive.TV.

Recognize you may mess up.

Set the proper expectations before going live. Sometimes I mess up within the first 30 seconds of going live. When that happens, I simply stop my broadcast, delete it, and start over. Being confident when broadcasting live is going to take time and practice. The only way to get there is by doing it over and over. No one expects perfection, so get out there, give it your best shot, give yourself grace, and if you need to, hit the delete button. You can practice going live and only broadcasting to yourself by hitting the “Only Me” option in your settings before you start.

Don’t share fluff.

This is a freebie...but is super important. There is nothing I hate more than when someone gets on live video or a podcast and shares fluff. Since you’re pre-planning your content, be sure that it is valuable and helpful to those watching. When you know you are sharing information that will truly help people, you will be a lot more confident about sharing it!

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times: you have got to utilize live video to grow your business in today’s online world. Yes, that’s scary. However, it is totally something you can do. Plan your content, adjust your expectations, bring a friend and offer value...over and over again. As you do, you will find your confidence levels slowly creeping up and will soon be rocking your live video broadcasts!

If you are interested in learning more cutting-edge strategies to effectively grow your business online, then my Business Mentorship Program is for you. There truly is no program that is of greater value than my Business Mentorship Program if you are looking to accelerate the growth of your business without losing your friends or your mind!